Mary-Alice McNab

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Absolutely.

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Representative Steve Cohen (TN-09) about HR 1406, the “Working Families Flexibility Act” which amends the Fair Labor and Standards Act of 1938. Bad news, but not past the Senate yet. Call your Senator now!

Smart - The House of Representatives just passed HR1406 “Working Families Flexibility Act.” It amends the Fair Labor and Standards Act of 1938 - which should be enough of a red flag to everyone! Why would you need to change a standard of fair labor that has functioned for 75 years? Basically, it eliminates overtime payment in a 40-hr work week and puts the time/money that exceeds 40 hrs into an employer-controlled pot, to be dispensed to the employee at the end of the year OR taken in the form of time-off. So, I work over 40hrs and don’t get PAID that extra time? Instead, I get UNpaid vacation hours OR money after the end of the calendar year? Not good. This bill now is in the Senate: contact your Senator and say NO!!

Art - Outer Judah is a delightful hipster and hottie paradise, I’ll admit. Sexy surfers, beautiful women, ocean breezes, healthy food, trendy coffee, and mellow families flutter around this area of town. There is also a gem in the fluff: Carville Annex. Basically, it’s an artist collective. A upstairs area with studios and meeting space above a narrow, book-lined storefront retreat. The beauty of this spot is that it showcases some VERY talented people who are simply existing, and sharing about it. Humanity, art, thought, reality, existence, struggle, joy, life. Go visit the actual place rather than simply the online presence. It kicks ass. (4037 Judah, carvilleannex.com)

Heart - I have 3 comedy shows next week - so, of course, I’m in full resistance mode. It seems that I’m doing everything BUT the work I need to be doing. I’ve come to see this as resistance instead of procrastination, although both achieve the same end: anxiety-riddled non-accomplishment. The item on my to-do list to which I feel the most resistance, is the exact one I should do first - because the accomplishment of that one is the most fulfillment (and contentment). I know this equation to be true. So what am I doing, doing this tumblr instead of my work?! Fight fight fight!

Smart - My friend’s father just passed away. He was 84, and it’s sad - it always is. He owned guns, 3 of ‘em. He was retired military and had a shotgun, a rifle (are those the same?), and a handgun. His widow doesn’t use nor want the guns. “How do you legally sell these?” - my friend asked me. I searched Google regarding the handgun, because the hunting weapons are fairly easy. The first answer was an angry yet detailed explanation by a man who complained about the outrageous fees charged by a CA licensed dealer and the mandatory 3-day waiting period. I then discover this man is a retired police officer. I don’t understand why a mandatory waiting period for a handgun (especially one as short as 3 days), is a bad thing? I can’t think of any legitimate reasons a handgun purchase should be rushed, nor any legitimate reason a PEACE Officer would decry such. The scary part, is that the family thought about giving the guns to a disinterested nephew (hello, no adult to teach gun safety!), but thankfully changed their minds. A scarier part was reading the websites of the gun advocates who really think that the gubment is going to come after their weapons. Right, because the government isn’t busy with other stuff, they’ll go door-to-door on a nation-wide collection of guns. Keep voting, everyone.

Art - I found multiple opportunities this week, to invest my time and resources into artistic folk whom have invested in me: an art opening with powerful mixed media representations of a grandmother’s experience in the Holocaust (coffeencreampress.com); a novel that has me on the hook in the opening paragraph (Pam Benjamin’s Voices); three short stories that compel me to the end, disregarding my need for sleep (Ezra Carlsen’s shorts); and a professional table read of a sketch (Drew Beck). All of them, reminders that art inspires art. Go support an artist today, and feed yourself inspiration.

Heart - A series of conversations recently have helped me to realize that I am more Me than I have ever been in my life. I’m in my skin. I know myself. I have my eyes set forward and am present and aware of the path I am on currently. These convos have been sparked by acknowledging the new love in my life - and how he loves me for me (we say that shit all the time, but do we really know ourselves?). This is the first time that I both know AND love myself. 3 months ago I posted about my non-religious rebirth (http://tinyurl.com/bpmalbr). Today, I really feel the newness of that person. I am here, finally. Buckle-up, life.

High School Student gives a lesson to its teacher at Duncanville

PREACH!

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Smart - Golden Gateway Garage, 240 Clay. *Warning* this is a beef.

If you glanced at the Rates sign above, at what time would you guess the garage closed? Well, look to the significantly smaller blue sign on the pillar nearby and discover that it’s 10pm, not midnight. Don’t worry, the garage has the hours posted on ALL of the doors - on the outside, so that you see it when you return to find your car locked-inside. Just pony-up the $50 “re-opening” charge from the dude who is ALREADY SITTING IN THE BOOTH - ready to take your money for his “re-opening,” rather than just charging the posted rates - even though he is already there, doing exactly what he did at 9:59p. This is run by the SFMTA, and seems like a racket. Designed for swindling. Shame on them.

Art - I just did my first set at the Sunday Showcase, at the SF Punch Line, and it went well! Hooray! In expressing my happiness, I discovered that my pals don’t really understand why it’s significant (why would they?), so I’ll share. Young comics who want to become old comics must adhere to the timeless task of “paying their dues.” One such payment takes the form of face-time at the Punch Line, every Sunday for 9 mos to 1 year, before a newbie can even ask for a set. So, whenever a fresh comic steps upon that stage, it represents time spent - learning, watching, working, and growing. This process keeps (hopefully) a level of performance integrity for the space. If a comedian does well, it can lead to greater opportunities. Such is the grind. All people do it in their respected fields every day. So, if a pal is thrilled about a particular event, ask them why it’s significant - and you may learn about their industry.

Heart - This week gave me a chance to take time to meet my own needs: Solitude. Self-care. Boundaries. Balance. I jumped a courage-hurdle and asked for alone time, when I needed it. I took a couple nights off to nurture my life’s relationships, and my own need for a break. I caught myself before I spun into an overwhelmed pile of nerves and breakdown. I’m growing, and figuring this stuff out!! Life is still a challenge, but I’m learning to celebrate the small victories.

courtingcomedy:

“Skinny jeans are the mullet of denim, because they combine good and bad things incorrectly.” 

- Mary Alice McNab @ San Francisco Punch Line [Paraphrase]

jakefogelnest:

toddbieber:

I’m a filmmaker and an Eagle Scout. This is my message to the Boy Scouts in regards the ban on homosexual members.

This is incredible. Great job, Todd. 

thecomedybureau:

Comedy legend Carol Burnett stopped by The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night and recounted her first big break. It’s sort of miraculous what happened and that’s all we’ll say before just watching the clip and hearing Burnett tell a story of unbelievable kindness from a stranger.

I cried when I watched this. Carol was being Carol, some benevolent person saw the spark, and subsidized it. Be YOU, life happens!