The Government Shutdown

Well, here we are. The government is still shutdown. Government employees are still furloughed, and we don’ really see any end in sight. The politics are posturing, everyone is making their speeches, and the employees are getting squeezed.

I’m not here to talk politics, but I am here to say what we’re all thinking, “this sucks for the thousands of employees who need that money.“

We can’t solve everything here at Blacktop Comedy (but if we could? Things would look different!). We can, however, do our part to help make this a little less of a burden on everyone.

“What are you trying to say Paul? Why are you burying the lead? Shouldn’t you start a blog post with something new and exciting and not something we already know. We know the government shutdown is here. What are you going to do about it?”

You’re right, let’s skip over the bad, and get to the good: FREE ADMISSION FOR FURLOUGHED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES! Money is tight, and you’re stressed over bills.

The one time you actually need to get out of the house, and go enjoy some live comedy you can’t…because it costs money. Normally. Normally it costs money. But, it’s worth repeating, this week: FREE ADMISSION FOR FURLOUGHED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES!

You need a community of support, and not a community of sniping, angry, and exhausted politicians shouting at each other. You need laughter. We have a community. And laughter. And it’s available. It’s at Blacktop Comedy.

We're offering free admission to Open Mic, Friday Improv Playground, and Saturday's show, Rollin in Riches!

Have you wanted to TRY improv? Join us for the Friday Playground! You’ll learn new improv games. It’s like an improv jam blended with a class. You’ll learn, laugh, and meet new people. It’s the oppisate of a negative furlough.

Are you looking to watch more live stand up comedy? The Blacktop Comedy Open Mic welcomes the best live, and local comedians to the stage. We even get touring comics looking to work on their set at our Open Mic. You’ll see 20 comedians in 90 minute! Guaranteed laughter.

Finally, YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS SHOW! Rollin’ in Riches is an amazing Los Angeles based duo who is making a special, one night only performance at Blacktop. This Saturday you can catch one of the best improv duos from LA (and Los Angeles has a lot of improv comedy).

How do you take advantage of this special event, open mic, and improv jam? Just bring a government \ employment ID for verification to the Blacktop Box Office.

That’s all you have to do to enjoy some incredible local and visiting comedians. We hope this helps in a small way. I know getting out of the house, seeing other people, and laughing with each other is healing, and helps us tap into a positive mindset. I think we could all use more of that right now.

ALSO! Important….let’s be honest…I don’t think this blog readership is large. If you read my blog…thank you! Could you help me and share this post? Could you let a furloughed employee know what we are doing? I want everyone to know they’re invtied to join us this week. Open Mics are Wednesday, Friday Improv Playground is…well….on Friday, and Rollin’ and Riches do their thing this Saturday. See you soon!

Making a Difference: NorCal Bully Breed Rescue

When I think back on 2018 I’m so grateful we have a theater and venue that can offer a stage to wonderful organizations trying to help the world. Our venue has been a great spot for fundraisers in 2018, and we look forward to continuing to work with the best nonprofits in 2019.

NorCal Bully Breed Rescue is just such a group. They held Paws for the Cause in 2018 at Blacktop Comedy, and money raised went to help at risk dogs in Sacramento and Placer.I had the chance to talk with Leah Kelsey, who organized the event, and learn more about the Rescue. If you were not able to attend Paws for the Cause you can still help NBBR. Leah was nice enough to provide some links below.

What does NorCal Bully Breed Rescue (NCBBR) offer the local community?

NBBR provides temporary foster homes to dogs pulled from shelters, strays, and medical dogs at risk for being euthanized and adopt them out to loving safe homes. The rescue also strives to educate the public on the importance of spaying/neutering and vaccinating your dog. The work that the rescue does helps with decreasing the amount of homeless dogs that are caused by abandonment and dogs that are not spayed and neutered in our community.

How long have you been with NorCal Bully Breed Rescue?

I have been involved with the rescue for a little over a year now. I am unable to foster so I help with dog transport from the shelter, events, and dog sitting. A group of us also helped walk dogs at a facility out in Chico during the Paradise fires.  

What's the best part of working with NorCal Bully Breed Rescue?

One of the best parts is to see the volunteers and owners in organization come together with so much love for these dogs and do whatever needs to be done to get them to a safe place. It isn’t always easy and can be emotionally taxing to see what these dogs go through and provide the care they need. The women in this group are some of the strongest, most caring, bad ass women I have ever met. Even after a long work week or balancing their personal lives they all step up to the plate to get the dogs to the vet or care for medical dogs with extreme needs, or drive long distances to do home checks. They do all of this without batting an eyelash and with so much love in their hearts, that to me is one of the best things to be a part of. 

What do you hope people learn tomorrow at Paws for the Cause?

The rescue does not only pull in bully breeds but I would like people to gain insight that bully breeds are so sweet and loving. I feel breed discrimination can be diminished with education and people giving these dogs a chance. I also want people to understand the importance of dog ownership, it is a long term commitment. Too many times dogs are given up to shelters or neglected which causes overcrowding in shelters and euthanasia of their pet. 

Where did you come up with the idea for Paws for the Cause?

The rescue has helped me in the past and I wanted to give back to them the best way I knew I could. It was so nice for my employer to help in hosting this event that brought in $2,800 for the organization. We also had a lot of local business’s chip in and Paul providing BlackTop Comedy as the venue for this occasion was beyond helpful!

If someone wants to help, but couldn't make Paws for the Cause, how can they get involved with NorCal Bully Breed Rescue?

There are multiple ways to help! You can visit their website to get details on using Amazon Smile that would donate a portion of items you purchase, you can send money donations via pay pal, or inquire on their Facebook page on how to ship needed items for their dogs.

If there are people interested in fostering dogs they can apply on the NBBR website as well!

Website - http://norcalbullybreedrescue.com/

Pay Pal - https://www.paypal.me/NBBR

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/norcalbullybreedrescue/

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Teleportation! Travelling would be much cheaper. 

What's something you know now, that you wish you knew 10 years ago?  

I wish I would have known more about overcrowded shelters and how many dogs on a daily are being dumped. I would have gotten involved in helping the rescue much sooner!

Yes, And Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

I hope your Christmas has been lovely, and feels perfect.
Oh, yours isn't going perfect? Mine either. I'm sick! I wasn't expecting to be sick. I don't think anyone jumps out of bed and expects to be sick (maybe hypochondriacs).

But, here you are, and here I am, realizing this day is not going as we hoped.
Oh, well, maybe next year.

OR!
WAIT FOR IT.....

....We look at this as the most perfect opportunity if not the most perfect day. Here is a chance to put all our improv training to work. We've taken the improv classes, learned what makes a good scene, and stepped onstage a few dozen (or hundred dozen times) ready to yes, and and discover with our scene partner.

Well, you're looking at the biggest scene partner ever right now: Christmas Day. You're surrounded by offers, positivity, and opportunity. Will you yes, and the day, or curl up and let out the biggest, "no-thank-you, i'm not going to participate in your improv scene": bah humbug.

Have you ever looked out "that" window in your house? The window is there to be looked through.
Have you ever walked down, "that" street? The street is there just for you to walk!
Have you ever read chapter 7 in "that" book without reading 1-6? Chapter seven is just waiting for you.
How about writing an email to someone you haven't spoken with in years? Gmail is just waiting to mail your letter!

Yeah! OK. Sure. How adorable Paul. All these, 'coulds', but what's the point? What would it do?

Well, it would help you see everything as an opportunity to engage, and realize it's sitting there for you, if you take the time. Just take the time to do something you haven't done:

"Yes, I will take a walk down this new street and I will see sign for 'Free Guitar Lessons.'
Yes, I have always wanted to learn guitar, and call the number...
Yes, I love my first lesson and commit to weekly of classes....
Yes, with my new skills and confidence I audition for a band, and good news! I have my first show next October.

It's like a giant snowball of wonderful that grows. You can push that snowball down the hill in any direction, anytime you want.

It's that simple....and that hard. It's always hard to try something new.

And, yes, we're practicing what we preach. We can't go see the family today, because we're sick, and we don't want to infect them with all of this. We're going to grab some gift cards, wrap them up, and give them to people working at McDonalds. I think most of those locations are 24-hours...and working on Christmas sucks. And, even if it doesn't suck, and they love working on Christmas, who hates a gift? Zero people. I tallied all the voters and zero people hate surprise gifts.

(I know. I know. We're sick....won't our germs be on those gifts? No! At least, we're wiping down our hands and the gift with Lysol wipes to kill all the germs. I got my germaphobe brain figuring out all the angles. We want to pass on happiness, and gift cards....and not sickness.)

After that! We'll hit the road. We're going for a drive and we don't know where. We're just going to get on the road, and go. Maybe we'll drive down that road we've seen hundreds of times, but have never been sure what's down there. I have a hunch we'll end up in Sierras somewhere, but I don't know. Our goal is to see new things....and we'll yes, and the next adventure.

I hope you can yes, and today, and have an adventure of newness! If the day hasn't been perfect so far, I can at least control the upcoming moment.....coming up.......right......now.