Upcoming Performance
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

I will be returning to the stage here in Fayetteville very soon.  I have just accepted a role (two actually) in The Gilbert Theatre's upcoming performance of "Assassins."  I know that the whole two-role thing may sound impressive, and it is.  Ok.  It's not.  They are very small roles, but it's nice to be acting again.  On the stage, that is.  As opposed to when somebody is telling me their life story and I act interested.

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Funny Stuff

I finally posted some new videos over on my comedian site.  Check 'em out.  www.myspace.com/jimdarrien

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Hollerin’ Away

Many of you know that I've taken on a freelance gig with the local paper here in Fayetteville.  They send me out to strange and/or fun events with a cameraman to follow me around.  Last weekend I traveled way out into the country to attend the 40th Annual National Hollerin' Contest.

For those of you who need an explanation, here goes.  The farmers and country folk in this area used hollerin' as a means of communicating across long distances.  You might be asking yourself why they didn't just use the phone, but not everyone had a telephone back then.  Or some even now.  So they hollered to their neighbors and family.  It is a unique art form, and one which be seen to be comprehended.

My newest video was posted on www.fayobserver.com earlier today.  You can find it on the main page or go to www.fayobserver.com/special/hollerin/ for a direct link.  You won't be disappointed.

Jim

P.S.  I have another big gig to announce.  But not now.  Look for that announcement soon.

Currently listening : Raw Power By Iggy & the Stooges Release date: 1997-04-22

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I Swear She Meant Nothing To Me

And if you watch the look on her face you can tell that I meant nothing to her.  You can see it all in my new video.I've got a new one posted on the website of the Fayetteville Observer. 

Get this.  They sent me to a festival of blues and beer!  Could I have had it any better?  Go to wwww.fayobserver.com.  You'll see a red banner at the top of the page that reads, "The Jim Show Goes to Blues-N-Brews."  Just click on that.

And if you didn't see the first video I did for the paper, CHECK THIS OUT!

Currently listening : The Warrior’s Code By Dropkick Murphys Release date: 2005-06-21

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I’m a Rollerderby Fool

Many of you know that I have begun a new venture with the local newspaper here in Fayetteville.  The premise is quite complex.  I go out to some local events.  They send a cameraman to follow me around.  I act natural (in other words, goof off).

My first assignment was to cover the local rollerderby team, the Rogue Rollergirls.  What was supposed to be one video became two and they are both being posted tomorrow, Friday the 30th of May.

Here is the website:  www.fayobserver.com

Please check it out and let me know what you think of my phenomenal rollerskating display.

Currently listening : 1965 By The Afghan Whigs Release date: 1998-10-27

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Party at my place

This Friday Allison and I are having some folks over for a post-Halloween Halloween party.  Dressing up isn't required, but a lot of folks are coming as characters from TV shows from the late 80's and early 90's.  Many of them are going to be Saved By the Bell characters.  I was going to go as a person who's too old to be a Saved by the Bell character, but instead I opted for Bob Saget.  Not Danny Tanner.  I'm Bob Saget, bitch.  I'll prove it by putting my pinky in your butt.

If you know where my place is, you're probably invited.

If you don't, message me and I'll give you directions.

Party starts around 8 or 9.  BYOB.

Currently listening : Sound of White Noise By Anthrax Release date: 25 May, 1993

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Move Over Dear Abby and Ann Landers
Category: Life

Here comes Old Man Gunderson.  No more touchy-feelie, happy-crappy advice columns.  Old Man Gunderson doesn't have the time for that stuff.  He's already received a number of questions from those in need of direction, but he could always use some more.  His first video advice column will be released soon and he will be answering several questions sent in by loyal readers.  If you need some advice or direction in your life, you can send your question to:  oldmangunderson@yahoo.com.  Stay tuned for the first installment of Old Man Gunderson's video advice column.

Currently listening : Reckless By Luther Allison Release date: 25 March, 1997

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Going to Raleigh!
Category: Goals, Plans, Hopes

I invite all of you in or near North Carolina to make your way to Raleigh and/or Fayetteville this weekend.  That's right.  I, along with some of my very talented cohorts from the soon-to-be-defunct Stage Door Theatre, will be performing at ComedyWorx in Raleigh on Thursday and Friday night, and we'd love to see some friendly faces in the crowd.

We've been invited to take part in AC4 (Atlantic Coast Comedy Conference Championship), which is an improv competition sponsored by Comedy Worx.  We are performing at 8pm on Thursday night and at 7:30 AND 9:45 on Friday. 

For those of you in Fayetteville it may seem like a little bit of a drive, but think of it as an extra chance to see some of your favorite local improv actors perform one more time before the theatre closes.  So please come out and show us some of your love.  We'll really appreciate it.  Who knows?  Your cheers just might spur us on to victory over some of those big city improv groups.

For more information on AC4 and ComedyWorx please visit:  www.comedyworx.com.  For directions go to: http://www.http://www.comedyworx.com/directions.php.

Currently listening : Everyone Deserves Music By Michael Franti & Spearhead Release date: 19 August, 2003

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To the Death of Fun
Category: Friends

I found out today that The Stage Door Theatre will soon be closing its doors for good.  The very last improv show will be on Saturday, September 8.  I have no idea what will happen after that.

Well, I know what will happen soon after that final show.  We will strike the set.  Take apart the stage.  Repaint the walls.  Move out all of our props and costumes, and say our final farewell.

But I don't know what will happen to all of us who were a part of the theatre.  That theatre was so much a part of us that I don't know what will become of us after it's gone.

For many of us, it was our escape.  I know that for me it was the only thing that kept me sane after moving to this town.  I left all my friends and family behind when I moved to North Carolina.  I had trouble finding a good job so I had to settle for the first thing I could find.  For a few months my life consisted of working a shitty job that I hated and then coming home and drinking because I was so miserable. 

Then I saw an ad in the paper.  The Stage Door Theatre was holding open auditions.  I didn't know if I could be an actor.  I'd never done improv before.  I was scared to death that my lack of experience would doom me, not only to failure, but to ridicule.  Don't get me wrong.  I can take a joke, but I really needed something to do with my life.

Naturally I lied and told them that I had experience, and being the talented liar that I am I made it vague, only marginally impressive, sprinkled with truth and therefore highly believable.  After a quick and intense audition I was asked to leave the room so that the higher-ups could discuss my potential.  It was a brief discussion.  So short I couldn't even finish my cigarette.  To finish up a long part of a long story, I made the cast of That Improv Show.  Finally I had something to do with my free time that didn't involve the consumption of fermented grain.

It's been a great year and a half.  That place meant much more to me than something to do on the weekends.  I learned a lot about performing, and created my own characters.  I went with the cast to perform at a college on the other side of the state.  I was in a play that performed in a theatre competition in Charlotte. 

I even wrote and performed in my own sketch comedy show.  This is where the theatre had the biggest impact on my life.  It awakened my creativity.  I hadn't written in years.  YEARS.  Nothing of significance anyway.  I still fancied myself a writer, and had begun a few projects here and there but I never seemed to finish anything anymore.  I didn't have the voice inside me to do it.  I think those of you who have been reading me for a while will agree that I've found my voice.  Well I'm not sure I could have done so without the The Stage Door Theatre.

That theatre gave me some of the best times of my life, and I made some great friends.

The question of friendships has already been raised.  Will we stay friends or will we drift apart?  I didn't have the heart to say that most definitely we will drift apart.  It's what happens.

Think about it.  What happened to all those friends from high school or college that you SWORE you would stay in touch with?  What about the people from your old job?  How many do you still hang out with?  My guess is not too many.  I may be wrong, but usually that's the case.  Friends from work or school are oftentimes friends of convenience.  You have a built-in topic of conversation.  Your common ground is already laid out for you.  What happens when you don't have that anymore? 

What happens when friends move on?

The real answer is that it's up to us.  If we really want to stay in touch, we won't just say it.  We'll do it.  At least I hope we will.

I will leave you with a collection of photos from the theatre.  There are some that I borrowed from a former cast member.  She won't mind.



Tophoo and Crikey playing Taxi Cab.



Copperfield punching out Tophoo.



I don't know why I look so angry.  I'm really not.



That's me doing my demonstration of a belly dance for Special Kay.



Sno-man's Jeparody character, Tad.



Tophoo has no muscles.  Why does he always flex?



Another high quality game of Good, Bad and Ugly Advice.



My No-Neck Nick character



Cool Beans last show.



Tophoo's last show before joining the Navy. He didn't enjoy Professor Arms.



Me and Lucky as Donald Trump and Rosie O'Donnel having a torrid love affair.



Betty and Crikey playing Field Goal apparently.



Doodle as the Professor, Me as Coach and "Tom" our unsuspecting audience member during "All the Great Books, Abridged."



When I took this picture of the empty seats I had no idea how appropriate it would be.



That's us just having a damn good time.

Currently listening : Nobody’s Darlings By Lucero Release date: 24 May, 2005

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Is ESPN over-using the race card?

It's up for debate.  My thoughts on the topic are posted on my other MySpace site.  You can check it out at blog.myspace.com/jimdarrien.  Post a comment and let everyone know how you feel about the subject.  There are two blogs about this issue.  One entitled "Racial Issues."  The follow-up is called "Racial Issues - Response."  Be sure to page down so you start at the beginning.

I've also posted another article on Helium.  Someone had the audacity to ask if Elvis really is the King of Rock and Roll.  My response can be found RIGHT HERE!

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