I know, I know, stop looking at me like that...

So I've been sitting with an empty blog post on my computer for a good month now, not knowing what to write about, thinking to myself that Rob probably forgot about his blog as well. Well several days ago, I took a look at his blog (check it out at www.movementatitsfinest.blogspot.com) and, needless to say, he hasn't forgotten about his blog. I was taken aback. He's had about five posts so far, all of which sound interesting. And then I though to myself...

...if I, instead of saying Austin, said Rome, and instead of my room, said my villa, I too could post something on the same level of interesting as Rob has already. SO here it goes...

I've just started exploring Rome and all of it's ancient niches. I've begun to explore the downtown nightlife and have found a limitless supply of life on every street corner. As I sit here in my villa, it feels as if Rome's heartbeat is pulsing in my soul and I pray that I can find...

..so I can't write like that. That's Rob and his ver-nac-u-lar, not mine. So from here on out, I'll regale you with my own type of speak, and I hope it's good enough for you.

Over this past summer, I joined an improvisational comedy class at a small theatre/coffee shop called the Hideout Theatre in downtown Austin. The theatre sits on the second floor of this small piece of real estate and barely has enough room for a crowd. The class itself really sharpens comedic thought in a fast-paced, yet relaxed, atmosphere. For me, it's pretty incredible to finally be in an environment where people expect you to be funny, instead of constantly thinking about joking around but never really having the proper outlet to do so.

So in the middle of taking this improv class, I saw an add for a stand-up comedy class in East Austin at the New Movement Theatre. At this point, I thought to myself, "Two comedy classes? Really? What are you trying to do?" I really didn't have an answer for myself, and so I signed up for it. On Tuesday nights now, I visit an even smaller piece of real estate in a space that definately doesn't have room for a crowd. But here, I find myself more in my element. I find myself ready to be blinded by the spotlight.

So I'm in the middle of taking two separate comedy classes with radically different philosophies on comedy. On one hand, I'm told to improvise every sentence and on the other, I'm advised to heavily script several minutes of time in which I've planned out every last syllable and raised eyebrow. It's refreshing and exciting. It keeps my heart rate up and makes me uncomfortable. I like it.

It's great to say that after each class I feel invigorated. I feel like I can jump out onto the comedy scene in Austin, the first stop on a yellow-brick road that's leading me straight to fame and fortune, haha. But that's not really what I think about. To tell you the truth, I think more about how I never have enough time to play the piano and how my roommates don't clean their dishes or the kitchen counter. So chalk these first few weeks up for Rob, because I'm still trying to figure this interesting competition-thing out.