People have different comfort levels on cliffs.  Some are pleased to view them from a distance while others need to peer over the edge.  Here’s Shama on Inishmore imitating a mountain goat.  That wall behind her, by the way, used to form a complete circle before half of it fell into the ocean!  Of course, that was over 1,000 years ago so she’s probably okay.  Probably.

We spent the last four days driving around Ireland in a Mitsubishi Colt.  This is one of those cars that they don’t sell in the US due to tininess.  Still, me, Shama, my brother, Shama’s friend Maureen, and two of her friends all managed to pile into the Colt and tour the countryside.  The most comfortable seat, I’m told, was in the hatchback.  

I wouldn’t know, however, since I got to sit in the front the whole time. Why?  Turns out I was the only one who knew how to drive stick.  That, combined with a lack of directions, the Irish insistence that people drive on the left side of the street, pint-sized lanes, and my general poor driving skills seemed to be a recipe for disaster.  Oddly, however, I felt a lot more comfortable driving here than in the US.  I think I’m a natural left-side driver, which might explain why I have so much trouble back home.

On the way to the Cliffs of Moher, we passed the Aussie Super Circus and Shama said we had to stop.  The show wouldn’t start for another 5 hours, but any passers-by would have been treated to an unadvertised clown car as we all piled out to look at the wallabies and emus.

Well, shoot, I’m in Ireland. Observations so far: my extensive knowledge of phonics is practically useless here.  The first person we met was named Niamh but pronounced “Neeve.”  What?!

I’m still not sure if I want to take the time to post inane garbage from here, but in the mean time you can read Shama’s blog. She is a better writer than I and has a lot more to say about Ireland, having been here for 2 months already.

Here it is: http://emilypostmodern.blogspot.com/

While I was trying to record my ATM’s musical talents, I had to pee really really bad.  I mean really bad.  I was so dedicated to bringing  you that dumb-butt audio file, however, that I did the pee-pee-dance, frantically typed in my PINumber and then ran out of the bank likerdysplirt to find a terlit.  The only problem: my ATM card didn’t run out with me.  

When I finally noticed the missing card a few days later, I also noticed a letter from my bank with the card enclosed:

We have examined your Debit Card and have found it to be in working order.  Your card was retained due to a machine malfunction. 

Thanks for sending my card back, bank.  And thanks for blaming it on a “machine malfunction” when we all know it was an “Evan malfunction.”

(Geez! Who would have thought I’d ever have three posts about my bank?)

I remember once hearing a discussion on the radio complaining about the high price of concert and theater tickets.  They talked about spending $100 per seat and all I kept thinking was, “man, you guys are going to the wrong shows!”  If you think ticket prices are too high, go see some local bands and small theater!  That’s where all the good stuff is.

Now, I know it can be hard to sift through the garbage to find something good to see, so I’m going to help you out: go see FRAT.  I should disclose that I’m on the board of the theater company producing the show, but with the exception of Stomp The Yard, have I ever led you astray?  And, honestly, was that movie all that bad?  You didn’t even see it, did you? Some friend.

It’s okay, though.  FRAT‘s better.  

To be honest, of the three shows The New Colony is doing this year, it was the one I was the least excited about.  I don’t really have any opinions of — or interest in —  fraternaties and I worried the show might become either a glorification of idiocy or a spiteful trashing of the entire institution.  It’s neither.  Instead, FRAT is a hilarious, creative, unique theater experience performed by really talented actors. 

What, my opinion’s not good enough for you?  Okay, how’s this?  You get free beer with the price of admission. Flazzam!  Still not interested?  How about some reviews?

• Centerstage calls FRAT a “must see”
• The Tribune gives FRAT 3 1/2 stars

FRAT
A New Play By Evan Linder
At The DANK Haus
4740 N Western Ave. 2nd Floor
Mar. 9 – Apr. 4, 2009
Thu-Sat at 7:30PM
Buy Tickets Right Now
For  half-price tickets ($10), use discount code: THETAPI241
While not as risque as some shows, FRAT definitely hovers around an R rating. 

I’ve tried not to post links on this site just because I found something neat on the Internet.  The goal has always been to provide some sort of original (if poorly written) story or idea to go along with it, but every once in a while you see something so amazingly brilliant that you want as many people to see at as possible.  I don’t know who this guy is, but he’s a genius.

Go to his website and watch all the videos:
http://thru-you.com/#/videos/1/

Speaking of machines making noises that sound like songs, I was on the train the other day sitting across from a woman dialing her phone and what she dialed sounded exactly like the theme to The Magnificent Seven.  Take an earfull (the part starts around 0:23):

I tried to replicate it on my phone.  I’m not sure I got it quite right though.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Once when I was withdrawing money from the only ATM on my college campus, I could swear I heard the machinery inside play a little song as it dispensed its sweet currency.  This song:

Well, at least the end of it.  As I’ve wondered through life these subsequent years, I often listen for that tiny tune from the bowels of the ATM — with its little trill of excitement announcing the inevitable prize.  Occasionally I’ll find an ATM that still does it.

It just so happens that tonight was one such occasion.  Thanks to the iPhone Recorder application, I was able to record it. 

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Am I crazy?  It totally plays that song, right?  I like to think the engineers designing this ATMachine added the jingle as a tribute to Wilma Flintstone and Betty Rubble’s shopping sprees whose call to arms culminated in the exclamation, “CHARGE IT!”

I’ve taken a month-long vacation from this website.  Here is what I learned during that time according to the photos on my phone.

Shama might be a switch hitter.  
She also might be, you know, a hitter.

I have a fun Job where a day of work sometimes involves
cutting a Whopper to resemble the number 2.

Bowling leagues are more fun when you don’t
have to worry about running them.  
They’re even more fun when your shoes have flames.

B-Fest is the nerdiest place in the world. 
This works out for me as I am a big nerd.

Fram was a great programmer with one laptop.  
With three he is unstoppable.