So, I was thinking today about "possible selves".  When you are a kid, your life possibilities are infinite.  You may have been told that you can be whatever you want when you grow up.  And kids dream big, don't they?  First grade classes are filled with future firefighters, ballet dancers, singers, presidents, and astronauts.

By the time you are ready to graduate high school, you may have narrowed it down.  I'm going to do "X", and if that doesn't work out, then I will do "Y".  You still may have 2 or 3 possible selves.

Then you get married, pop out a kid or three, get a job that you begin to depend on, and VOILA!  Your possible selves all but disappear.  This is it.

This may seem bleak, but there is good news.  You can still indulge and nurture your vestiges of possible selves in many ways, even after you think you have discarded them.  Or, better yet, you may be so happy with the self you have chosen that you don't ever think about your possible selves anymore.

I doubt that, though.  I have never been content with doing the same thing for the rest of my life.  And if that's what you have been doing, well...maybe you just better watch some Tom and Jerry, eat some Corn Nuts, and remember some of those possible selves from all those years ago.  Then step into those shoes for a while.  Maybe they won't be as uncomfortable as you feared.

-jen

Mandatory Friends would like to take the opportunity to thank some special individuals who come out to each and every show.

Like that one guy who pops his head in halfway through the show and then leaves.  Where would we be without you, man?

And that one girl who laughs.  You're nice.

Then there's that other guy in the back.  Sometimes he buys a drink.  We love you, sir.

Who are we forgetting?  Oh yes, of course!  Brandon's invisible friends.  Thank you all for supporting the troupe even though Brandon treats you so, so badly.  You are appreciated.

Actually, we do have regulars.  And we think the world of them.  We won't mention their names because they'd be embarrassed.  That and they are on probation and they violate it each and every week to watch us perform.

Many Thanks!

Mandatory Friends

(dictated by Brandon and typed by Julio, his favorite invissy friend).

Mandatory fan, Rebel Yell writer, IFA 3/UNLV student, and graveyard shift employee NATALIE came to do an interview with us tonight after our show.  She is going to include us in a piece she is writing for the Yell.  Like she doesn't have enough other stuff to do.  Thanks Nat!

Yes, life is pretty good for the Friends.  Can't complain.  Well, I could, but, seriously.  Who would listen?  You??  (Jen laughs to herself until her stomach really hurts) 

I am on track break right now.  This would explain why I am creating a blog entry at 12:38 am.  Track break is a mini vacation that teachers at year-round schools get.  It is a magical thing.  You don't go to work, and the paychecks come anyway!  It's zany!  I'm quite the anal retentive workaholic, so track break isn't easy for me at first.  I wake up at 6:00 am, think about the students, check my school email account...Then it all changes.  I start to forget I ever had a job.  I start to believe that this is how my life is; that I can go out for lunch in the middle of the day, stay up till the wee hours of the morning, do crossword puzzles in the LazyBoy all afternoon...and then.  THEN.  Well, let's just say that come March 28th I'll be doubling the ol' Prozac dose. 

Here's hoping that you all can enjoy your precious down time.  If it exists at all.

Jen 

Last night we had another celebration after our show!  It makes me proud to know that so many people want to celebrate their birthdays and special events with us, the Mandatory Friends.  Plus, free cake!

Hey, I saw "What The @#$% Do We Know?" today.  Interesting movie.  I recommend it for anyone who has an open mind.  It's a subatomic physics / new age philosophy documentary with a bit of a plot thrown in at the same time.  Some of it was a touch ethereal for my tastes.  But it also featured professors offering scientific facts.  Pretty good mix.  Unless you're a fan of, say, Steven Seagal films. 

Happy Thanksgiving, ho-mies!

Jen   

I bet you're wondering, "What's the deal with Veteran's Day, anyhoo?"  Well, it's a tradition that began as Armistice Day at the end of WWI, on the date marking the end of that war.  After WWII the name was changed to Veteran's Day.  Today people celebrate by forcing their husbands to put up the flag and by not receiving any mail.  The teacher in me thought y'all should know.

Chilly weather is here!  Boo-ya.  That means sweaters.  It also means holiday shopping.  I can proudly say that I've completed perhaps one-third of my Xmas shopping online.  Methodical as that may sound, I must admit that my holiday shopping is usually done in the "one for you, and one for me..." format.  So, if you were considering getting me the new Duran Duran CD, or that yoga video that I've been wanting, it's already taken care of.

Peace, Jen  

Speaking of, everyone's all agog over the election.  2 days away.  Who will it be?  I have a good feeling about David Cobb, Green Party.  He's the underdog, true, but we're gonna see a mad uprising come Tuesday by the treehuggers.  Hippies, unite!!

Jen

IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE ?

Ahem.  That was my Pink Floyd tribute.  Hope you liked it.  This is the 183rd day of the year, and we have 183 days left of the year.  We are exactly halfway through the year.  Isn't that cool?  I love numbers.  Quick Mandy poll:  How many digits do y'all have "pi" memorized to? Guys? Uh, guys?

So, I'm reading this book "Ocean's End" right now.  It's this thing with pages in it that people did before the internet.  Anyway, it's about how man is changing the whole ecosystem of the ocean by extreme overfishing and pollution.  It's really scary.  I hope it has a happy ending.  But I'm not holding my breath.

I'm excited about taking Seamus' improv class.  I'm finally going to learn the secret of perfect improvisation.  For a mere $240.  Yay!

Okay, that's all I have today.  Have a good 4th of July, peeps.

Jen

Here is some cool Memorial Day trivia:

Did you know...Memorial Day was founded to honor military personnel who died in the Civil War?

Did you know...Memorial Day was first observed on May 5th, 1866?

According to the Department of Defense, how many U.S. service men and women have died in battle in all wars in which the U.S. was involved? 575,377.

And still growing!!  Thanks, U.S. government! 

Note: Mandatory Friends does not espouse any political views or endorse any political candidate or party.  Except for TJ.  Thank you!

Jen