Ed Gyles Jr.

NoBloPoMo: Day 1

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:49:12 GMT

In case you haven't heard, this year I'm participating in No Blog Posting Month. For every day of November, I will refrain from making any entries in my--

Oh. Wait.

Arrrgh! Failed again! I thought I'd make it through at least a week...

Harry Dresden fans:

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:42:19 GMT

In case you haven't heard, Jim Butcher has revealed the first sentence of his upcoming novel Changes, and it's a doozy.

From his Twitter account @longshotauthor:

First sentence of Changes: I answered the phone, and Susan Rodriguez said, "They've taken our daughter."

*drool*

You have three last chances ... to see me at ComedySportz!

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:03:03 GMT

For a few months, anyway.

Next week I begin rehearsals for The 1940's Radio Hour, and I'll be directing Glengarry Glen Ross as soon as 1940's opens. This means I'll be taking a break from ComedySportz. It's a little sad, because I love hanging out and playing with my CSz peeps.

Procrastinators, take note: This is the last weekend you'll get to see me at CSz for a while.

I'm scheduled to compete Friday night, and then referee Saturday night's match. What, you're busy both nights? Well, you can also watch me compete Saturday at 3:00 p.m. during Witchapalooza!

(What's Witchapalooza? It's like a comic convention, only focused on fictional wizards and magical whatnots. Malcolm McDowell and Kristy Swanson are featured guests. And you know I'll be checking out the Harry Potter-themed shops in Whimsic Alley. Cal Expo, $5 general admission, kids get in free, gotwitch.com.)

Enough with the excuses! You can wait to watch "Couples Retreat" on DVD. Watch me make a fool of myself instead. Go to ComedySportzSacramento.com and make us both happy!

In case you haven't seen it yet...

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:44:50 GMT

... Well, LJ won't let me embed the video for some reason, so check out the latest FoD brilliance here.

I really like this.

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 07:05:03 GMT

Rockin' Basic Cable

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:00:29 GMT

According to my DVR, the Nite Tales episode "Dark Heart" will air this Friday night at midnight on WGN. That's the one in which I've got two whole pages of dialogue with Lauren DeLong, the star of the episode.

(My accent, by the way, was a spur-of-the-moment decision on the part of the director/producer. So if it sounds lame and fake, blame Camilla Romestrand. Hers is the real deal.)

Flying

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:26:40 GMT

And now, I give you something positive for a change:

I made it myself. With the help of Janit and Matt, of course.

Yes, Janice, I answered the phone.

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 05:09:08 GMT

My mother called me at work today. My aunt finally passed away this morning. That shot my concentration, so I went home to be alone for a few hours.

Later tonight was my callback for The 1940's Radio Hour. In a way, I was mentally prepared for this to happen. I sucked it up and gave them my best effort.

No big brain farts this time. In fact, the choreographer told me afterward that I "moved very well." I usually don't get that. I have to admit I was having fun with the dance routine. And I felt like I gave them some strong readings.

You know, I'm beginning to think I might have a shot at this. But they're going to have another round of callbacks in a couple of weeks, so let's see if I make the next cut. No high hopes just yet.

But yeah, first my grandmother and now my aunt. Both long illnesses, much longer than expected, and passing within weeks of each other. I feel like I'm doing okay right now, but I'm pretty sure my brain is scrambled with a side of bacon.

Let's see how tomorrow goes.

How's that for timing?

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 05:19:42 GMT

An hour before I left for tonight's audition, I got a call from my mom. She told me that the hospice nurse doesn't think my aunt will make it through the night.

So, of course, I have a brain fart in the middle of one of my songs, and I didn't have the breath to finish the audition as strong as I wanted.

Crap.

The only thing that frustrates me is that I worked hard do to good tonight, I was well-prepared, and there was nothing I could have done to prevent this from happening. It was just one of those things. Grr.

By the way, I haven't posted anything about my aunt on Facebook, Twitter or MySpace. Some of the people from the company might read my stuff there, and I didn't want to sound like I was playing for sympathy. If I get called back, I want to have earned it.

A Day in the Life

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 06:57:37 GMT

This was my Saturday, July 25, 2009:

- I went to an excellent workshop on voice-over work.
- I got a call from my car dealer, saying I'll be paying $10 less a month than previously expected.
- I found a runaway and took her back to her boarding house.
- I visited my terminal aunt, possibly for the last time.
- On top of all that, I had a ComedySportz performance. Somehow I stayed focused and it went well.

So, how was your day?

Here we go again...

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 06:00:54 GMT

I found out over the phone that my aunt was given her last rites earlier today. She'd been sick for a while, so it shouldn't have been that much of a surprise. But she'd been hanging on for so long, it still came as a bit of a shock. I hope I'll get a chance to see her tomorrow afternoon.

Feels kind of like déjà vu, doesn't it?

Anyway, I figured you guys would want to know.

I've been contacted by a Hollywood producer!

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:18:48 GMT

No, it's not what you think.

You know my Twitter account? After tonight's Up All Night shoot, I posted the following:

Done shooting Bruno and Beth Cooper reviews. News10 anchor Dale Schornack told me he likes Malvin Blackstone. Must remember to tell Malvin.

That was pretty cool by itself. Well, a few hours later, I see that someone replied to my tweet... none other than Michael Barnathan, a producer of the movie I Love You Beth Cooper...

@edgylesjr What did you think of Bruno? Beth Cooper?

You know I had to respond. But how do I tell this guy that I slammed his movie without even watching it? And how do I tell him in only 140 characters? (Keep in mind, Barnathan's account is followed by Chris Columbus, the movie's director, and Larry Doyle, screenwriter and author of the original book.)

Of course, I tell him the truth:

@MBarnathan: My character is a critic who hates everything. Nobody takes him seriously. Haven't seen ILYBC yet, but want to. Looks charming.

And yes, I do want to see the movie, and it does look charming. I wasn't sucking up.

The thing I like about this guy is that he's reaching out directly to people who may have seen this movie, to find out what they thought about it. Sure, you could be cynical about his motivations, since he does have a stake in the movie's success. But if I were in his shoes, I'd want to know if people liked it. I appreciate that he asked me himself, not through an associate or marketing research group.

So yeah, two "pretty cools" in one night.

It was time.

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 05:15:24 GMT

My grandmother passed away today. I knew it was coming when I went to visit her a week ago. I'd rather not get into details right now, but her passing was the best thing that could have happened for her.

So yeah, if I'm kind of distracted tomorrow, you'll know why.

LiveJournal vs. Twitter

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:25:45 GMT

... but first, an announcement.

Tonight, starting at 9:00 p.m., I'll be in Folsom shooting a small part in an independent horror film called Chain Letter. I'm pretty sure I'll be playing a reporter, and not someone who murders or gets murdered. I found all of this out just a few hours ago.

To get back to my topic, I left work early today so I could get a costume together and do other "getting ready" stuff. I also plan on taking a nap soon, in case the shoot goes into the wee hours of the morning. But before I do, since I have a little extra time, I thought I'd update you all here.

I realize I don't post here a whole bunch. And I realize I've said this before in previous posts. But I'm on here a lot, usually once a day, usually lurking and reading other posts. Every once in a while I get around to writing something of substance.

A few weeks back, some folks convinced me to open a Twitter account. I wasn't interested in sharing obsolete and mundane factoids about my everyday life, but I was intrigued by providing convenient, brief updates for those people who are actually interested. And I think I can manage 140 characters at a time.

I don't update Twitter every five minutes, but I do post there at least a few times a week, which is a lot more than I do here. I'm not saying that I plan on abandoning my LJ account. But if any of you are feeling a bit out of the Ed loop, now you have another resource.

If you don't have a Twitter account, you can follow my updates here. If you do, you can either follow @edgylesjr or continue to stalk me from an anonymous distance.

Will I Twitter-feed this account? Nah. I like to think I'll get back to making more regular, substantial LJ posts in the near future. Or at least the occasional YouTube clip.

Dammit.

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 06:01:50 GMT

Pixar did it to me again. *sniff*

Another Knock at the Proverbial Door

Fri, 29 May 2009 06:19:07 GMT

Tonight, after shooting my latest Malvin Blackstone movie reviews (for "Up" and "Drag Me to Hell"), I was approached by one of the show's producers. In short, I was offered a small role in an episode of the Nite Tales television series, produced by the same company. It's only two pages, but I'd get to play a middle-management jerk. Heh heh. I'm not sure where or when it will air (I imagine sometime in the fall), but I'll let you know when I find out.

I know it doesn't sound like much, but I wouldn't have even been offered this role if it weren't for good ol' Malvin Blackstone. And maybe this little Nite Tales gig will lead to something else. At any rate, I'll enjoy the ride for as long as it lasts.

By the way, if fame and fortune ever go to my head, just remember this: YOU are my first and favorite Little People. :)

Malvin Blackstone reviews Star Trek

Fri, 22 May 2009 17:57:31 GMT

If you missed Malvin's movie review from last week (written and performed by yours truly), go to his profile page at UPALLNITE.tv to check it out.

(Yes, they messed up the spelling in the video caption. Oops.)

Da na na na NA na, na na.

Mon, 18 May 2009 22:22:09 GMT

It's vivalabonita's birthday. Wish her a happy one. She's "this many" now.

Hamlet's soliloquy ... in haiku.

Fri, 15 May 2009 14:52:53 GMT

Suicide's like sleep.
But what if I have nightmares?
I'll pass... Shh! Ophie!

Ed TV

Wed, 06 May 2009 18:18:42 GMT

That's right. After all this time, Yours Truly is about to be featured in his first television program!

UP ALL NITE is a local production that reports on entertainment and nightlife in the greater Sacramento area.

I will portray Malvin Blackstone, the resident movie critic. In the first episode, Malvin will share his thoughts on X-Men Origins: Wolverine (which are not necessarily mine, by the way).

Not only to I get to appear in a regular segment, but I also write my own material. Of course, there's collaboration with the head writer and producers, but I've been given a lot of creative freedom on this project.

I'd love to have each of you watch the show and let me know what you think. Starting this week, UP ALL NITE airs Friday mornings at 1:06 a.m. (that's reeeeeally late Thursday for you insomniacs) on KXTV-10 in Sacramento.

If you plan on recording the show on your DVR or TiVo, please watch it within 24 hours to help out our ratings.

Don't worry, I won't let the fame go to my head. Much.

CSz is the BEST!!!

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:23:06 GMT

ComedySportz Sacramento was voted 2009 Best Comedy Club on the KCRA 3 A-List! Read the reviews!

If you haven't seen a CSz match yet, well, you're a monkey hat. Whatever that means.

Worried about Swine Flu?

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:30:18 GMT

Here's an informational video from the CDC:

(Not a joke or parody. In short, take the same common-sense precautions as you would for any seasonal flu, but go to the hospital if certain symptoms occur. And it's okay to eat cooked pork.)

The Fate of Garbeau's

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 20:48:00 GMT

This letter was sent via Garbeau’s Dinner Theatre’s e-mail list:

To Our Friends,

To get overly-theatrical for one moment, no poet has ever penned, nor has any master orator spoken, the depth of gratitude we have for all of you as you've rallied to support us in this recession and difficult time with our landlord.

If the landlord considered the current market, our recent upswing in financial momentum, and the investment in a community landmark that has garnered so much attention, we would have happy news to share. Sadly, we were not dealing with that kind of person.

As you know, we were given a March 16th deadline to come up with a certain amount of money. The deal was that doing so would let us enter into negotiations. Instead of negotiating, we were given a new financial deadline of April 1st.

The April 1st deadline was met with the help of Senators Steinberg and Cox, Assemblyman Niello, and Board of Equalization Member Leonard. The deal was that meeting the deadline would let us enter into negotiations. Ironically, this financial deadline included over a $1,000 increase in our rent per our lease--in the midst of our very effort to get (temporary) rent relief. Instead of negotiating, we were told that there would be no negotiation.

Because of your efforts, because of how much Garbeau's means to us and to you, and because the effort to save Garbeau's seemed promising, it is with sadness that I announce that Garbeau's will be closing May 31st.

Our hearts have been broken. But you have mended them. We are uplifted when we look at your letters and stories, when we remember your phone calls. And in all seriousness, it has become downright hilarious at how many of you lament not having connections with the mafia! (We, of course, wish no physical harm on anyone.)

Is there any chance of changing the outcome? No.

-Due to the noise issue we've documented since Monster Golf moved in March of 2008, we feel we have grounds for legal action, but we were promised that any action would be met with deeper pockets than ours. (Through no fault of their own, Monster Golf's noise has been loud enough to disrupt our shows. If you ever noticed cheering, music, or an air hockey game, that's what it was. The landlord's attempt to fix it was a new carpet. Looks nice, but anyone could've said that wouldn't solve the problem...) We were also offered a clean slate on back rent and on the remaining five years of the lease if we walked away without pursuing legal avenues.

-The landlord believes he has a comedy club as a new tenant. If that's the case, they personally have nothing to do with our closure and we certainly hope the best for them.

-There is no "footprint" of a building in which we can relocate. A dinner theatre needs a full kitchen and then a room that's big enough to fit a stage, backstage, dressing rooms, and then the dining area itself.

All this said, a future resurrection of Garbeau's someday in another building would be wonderful. If it can happen, we will be there, but I suspect that if it does, it would be a years-long process.

But for now, we are continuing our show through the end of our term. As we said at the start of our "Save Garbeau's" campaign, we are saddened, but our happiness in seeing you is genuine. We would truly love spending this last production of Garbeau's surrounded by friends. You will not see tears (ok..maybe at the last show...) and you will not see down-trodden faces.

You will see instead what we believe: We love Garbeau's--we love you. Whether our future is finding an eventual new home for Garbeau's or, instead, finding new jobs for ourselves, we will enjoy the ride until the end. We are content in believing we did the best we could with what we had. And we will treasure this experience forever.

May 31st will surely tug at our hearts and cause tears to be shed. But until then, we will celebrate!

Love,

Mark, Andrea, and the Entire Garbeau's Family

On the Street Where You Live

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:54:11 GMT

So much for unwinding...

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:32:44 GMT

It's my first day of vacation, and I've got a bad case of insomnia. I've been up for nearly 23 hours already. The alarm is set to go off four hours from now, and I probably won't get back to the hotel until at least 9:30 p.m.

On the bright side, this insomnia got me to post to LJ. Heh.