Christmastime is Here

So I'm trying to pick the five Christmas songs that will be most heard around the Barry Family Upright this happy Christmas Eve.

I think I got them:

5. "Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney
4. "The Chipmunk Song" by Alvin and the Chipmunks feat. Dave
3. "Do They Know It's Christmastime at all?" by Rock Stars for Africa or whatever
2. "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" by some little girl

and, the number one best Christmas song:

1. "The Christmas Shoes" by New Song

Amazing.

Merry Christmas,
Barry

Remember what the Doormouse Said....

I haven't been in my dorm since noon today.

Had the first readthrough of "Burial at Thebes" (Antigone) tonight. I didn't do a whole lot of reading--your's truly is a non-speaking gaurd (sorry, I'm trying not to come off as bitter. I'm sure the word "douche-bag" is being tossed around). It actually looks like it should be pretty cool. And I get a samauri sword, which will be an absolute blast off-stage.

Tomorrow I have auditions for Charles Mea's Big Love, which is a bizarre play.

Saturday are auditions for "Guys and Dolls" or, as some of the majors lovingly refer to it, "Suits and Boobs."

These next two weeks are going to be nutty to the max,
--Barry

Thanksgiving Reflections

They recently received Guitar Hero III at the Wii station in the mall, and I worked on Wednesday and Saturday. Needless to say, I've spent roughly five hours (for which I did indeed get paid) playing Guitar Hero instead of selling tuxedos.

Basically, Thanksgiving has been pretty good.

The family and myself traveled down to Columbus to spend Thanksgiving with my aunt and her cats. For some reason, we actually brought our new kitten along, so there were more cats than usual. They get pretty vicious after poking them in the stomach awhile. My hands are decently scratched up. They jump around a lot though, which sometimes is better than TV.

The food was good. Turkey, ham, punkin pie, green bean crap, mashed potatoes, stuffing, etc. Basically what I've been living on the past few days. I think I might take a whole pie back to school with me if there is a way to carry it.

Black Friday sucked. Woke up at 4:15, traveled to a billion different places, and decided the lines were not worth a $5 DVD. Father did buy breakfast, though.

Pumpkin,
Barry

P.S. The Taco Bell in the Westfield Shopping Mall in Toledo, Ohio sucks hard.

I Should Be Packing

But, instead, the music is in my soul.

Enjoy my new fr-fr-fresh track. Comin atcha....

Now.



Crazily Lovestoned,
Barry and the On Occasions

Almost Thanksgiving

So it's almost Thanksgiving. I'm leaving Tuesday, requiring me to skip all my classes that day. I signed up to late for that darn Megabus, and the only ones available were at like 1 AM Wednesday morning. Not cool, kids.

But that is life.

Good weekend.

-B

Let the Good Times Roll

So the Pope is coming to the United States April 15-20. Kinda want to go see him. Anyone interested?

This is happening.

Some Late Fall Leaf Haikus

Yellow leaf, oh you--
You sitting there in the street
Watch out for my shoes

Falling red leaf drifts
to the sidewalk in the night...
Now you are wet, deal.

Hey, leafblower man;
So loud and aggravating
You go buy a rake

.barry.

As I Wait for "Say You, Say Me" to Finish Downloading....

Pretty happenin' weekend for all intensive purposes.

I was finally put on film--look out for a24a, starring me, Barry, as Leo the researcher/musician/pot dealer. It really didn't take too long, and everyone was like, "Whoa, Barry, you're so natural." But all seven episodes are being edited as I write this. I'm only featured in the second one, so that's prolly all I'll post here. I'm pretty important though, believe you me.

Other than that, I got decently plastered on cheap beer Saturday night. Then my associate Bohrs and myself went to the 24 hour "De Lux" Diner. I got breakfast, and even though I was intoxicated the whole time, the french toast was most exceptional. We got there around 2 AM, we left at 4:15. There was much drunken pounding on the table on my part--lots of points to make. It was most likely more than a little funny to those around us. However, we discussed some interesting things, and I realized I need to read "I Am Legend." It was also interesting because I never really had a enlonged dialogue with Bohrs, but we must click kinda well to talk for two hours when I was toasted. Good people, good people.

Good people,
Barry

Barry, American Hero

A major occurance recently occured to me.

My friend Drew and I were innocently waiting for the El to go see a show on Thursday night, roughly 7:00 PM.

Then Drew goes, "Hey, a fire."

He was noticing the giant reflection of some sort of blaze that we could see bouncing off the side of the building next to my dorm. We moved further down the El platform to get a better look, and we saw that the gazebo in the little kid's garden was engulfed in flames. It was crazy.

And I was like, "Do we call 911?"

Drew goes "mumble, mumble." I took this as affirmation.

I whipped out my phone and punched in 9 1 1 Send. My phone said "Calling: Emergency" and I was like, you better believe it. After one ring someone picked up, and I was like, "Yo, I'd like to report a fire." She connected me to the Chicago Fire Department, and I gave the intersection and all the other information, and the operator was all, "Alright, we've got a truck on the way. Thank you."

Of course, I said, "No need to thank me, sir. Just doing my civic duty."

So now I have a mad story about how I saved a gazebo/some apartment buildings (and therefore, innocent lives)/the city of Chicago/ America. Don't tell me I'm blowing this out of proportion. When was the last time you ever saved your country??

And now some people are trying to slander me by spreading rumors that I actually started the fire.

I guess once you get to the top, you find out who your real friends are.

Douche-bags.

Sincerely,
Model Citizen Barry

Picking out ma classes

Nothing ever exciting happens to me. "Why don't you kill yourself, Barry?" you might ask. "Not today," I would say. And that's because the secret is to make totally non-exciting things exciting for yourself.

And that is what I did today. I didn't have to go to practicum! Hooray! My roommate finally crumbled and bought much needed bread and milk! Huzzah!

But the most exciting thing was that I get to pick out new classes. Try not to wet yourself, but it's the OFFICIAL PRE-PREMENENT BARRY COLLEGE 2008 SCHEDULE::::: (get ready)

Characterization II
Theatre History II (not cool)
Dramatic Lit I
Playwriting
Arabic II (possibly)
and of course,
Classical Modern Philosophy 309 (wa-wa-whoa!)

Like Lee Perry, I'm very...
The Barry

Do you know who rocks?

The Stone Roses.

Someone now has video footage of me playing guitar hero--more than a little intensely. I'm hoping they do not surface anywhere. Or do I?

Barry. Out.

Some Updates and Such

So it's been a busy week/weekend and I haven't been able to keep y'all up to snuff. I apologize.

I'll start backwards.

I just saw "American Gangster" with Denzel Wash and Russell Crowe at the Ghettoplex. It was pretty tight. Not Godfather, but decent enough. Alot of needles going into arms, and shotgun blasts to the torso. Everything you ever wanted. Cuba Gooding, Jr. was in it, and he wasn't killed. That was kinda sucky.

Earlier today I did a read-through for this alpha24alpha. The story is as follows: 24 hours in the biggest weed dealer in Chicago's life. Who am I? One of two main underlings who collect money for him--and a scientist--and a musician...purty funky. I'm only really featured in one of seven episodes, but I'll put it up her. We start shooting this week. Keep your eyes out. Or keep them in.

The rest of weekend/most of next weekend insists of ushing Arcadia, the current Loyola production. It's good--to a lot of people I know, it's the best play ever. After seeing it three times, I'm starting to understand a lot better. All about determinism and chaos theory and love and reptiles. See it.

Last night my bud from back home came in for some random crap and we smoked some hookah, which I haven't done since last October here. I also tried that Clarke's place on Belmont, one of them 24 hour diners that I've never been too, and it was pretty a-okay. I ran into an ex-girlfriend, and she made it significantly awkward. It ended up being kind've an awkward night overall, but that's a story for another year.

Friday night I went to our late theatre costume party. I was my alter-ego Jimmy "Guy" Sunshine. It was quite alright. I ended up being decently drunk. Decent.

Other than that not a whole lot. Except for being up until 4 AM working on my set design project--my final design for Billy Shakes' "As You Like It." Enjoy the pics, fool.

My idea was "Underwater." I think it's sexy. And hip.

Also, I finished my first play, "Ego Trippin At The Gates of Hell." I'm pumped about it, but I'm gonna let it rot on my comp for a few months, revise it, and then submit it to a few trusted people for opinions. In the meantime, I'm working on "Jesus Done Left Chicago," my exploration of Purgatory. I guess I'm on some sorta Dante-ish quest. We'll see where it goes.

Be ease,
The Barry

Colder

So it's finally cold here. Who knew.

Today I recieved the call from these one24one alphashoreavenue (whatever) people. This is the web-based TV show I somehow got involved in through a Loyola Phoenix ad. So he calls me right before Spanish class and tells me he wants to have be more involved in the project, which includes this production meeting on Friday.

And then I picked up a copy of today's Phoenix and saw on the back another ad. It was the main guy asking for a personal assistant to balance his school and other things. What was he paying? $80 a week for an hour a day, plus a free iPhone. This led me to wonder: "Who the f is this guy?" Who gives away a free iPhone for some crap like that? And a really cool book thing to some bum who just answers an open casting call????

I feel like I'm looking down the rabbit hole right now. And Alice (read: Barry) is about to plunge in. And although I'm a little weirded out about this whole thing. I'm thinking the rabbit hole might be the way to go anyway. At least it's sorta exciting.

I'm just hoping this doesn't turn out to be some how porn-related.

Whatever,
Barry

Jersey Boys

Tonight I went and saw the new musical in town--Jersey Boys, the story of the Four Seasons. It was pretty wicked good, and it involved New Jersey, where I have a lot of family. It was sentimental.

Now I have like every Frankie Valli and the Four Season song stuck in my head. The production was awesome, there was one moment where they were singing to upstage as lights flashed--basically it looked like the image on the poster. Wow. And Frankie Valli's voice was phenom.

That's been the highlight of the week so far. I've had to do some stage design crap, but other than that this week is pretty made in the shade.

Sherry,
Barry

P.S. Oh, what a night.

Digging in the Dirt

So I'm going through my Peter Gabriel phase right now. Yeah. Don't make fun.

This weekend was chockful of stuff.

Friday I went and saw the Loyola production of Wit, which is about this female professor with Ovarian cancer. I was actually somewhat surprised that it was remarkably good. The actress that played the woman was on stage the entire 2 hours, and she really carried the show. Overall, I was really impressed with everyone. After the show, Chris lured me with alcohol to go watch 30 Days of Night instead of going straight to the cast party. The movie was awful, but getting drunk to it was really nice. I almost threw my empty gin bottle at the screen, but instead dropped it loudly on the ground in protest. It was a fun experience. The fat bad cop from Batman Begins was in it, and I give full support to any fat person in a movie. The cast party was alright, not the best, but not bad. Whatever.

Saturday I auditioned for this web tv thing. I'm still pretty sketchy on the details, but they have a lot of cool merchandise. I got a pen with a USB port on it and this really nice leather journal thing. It seems pretty legit, there is free food involved, and I have a speaking part as this research assistant guy. Whatever, I'm just gonna hump my lines like no other and see where it goes. It's a professional production team, so maybe I'll make a name for myself. I'm not that excited--I have a feeling the story is going to be sorta lame, but at the same time I'm really excited I'm doing it. I'll keep y'all updated, even though I'm kinda keeping this underwraps in real life.

Other than that, I saw Jitney for free at the Pegasus Players. I love August Wilson plays. One of our professors was the director, and he did a cracker-jack job. There were some amazing scenes. And I don't think I ever felt carthasis like I did at the end of that show before. It was great. Then we did the ol' musical powerhour and everyone was happy once again.

Today I fumbled around on the interweb, drew my scene design, and did my freakin acting journal. We have to have an entry for every class up to now, which I did tonight. My hands be acheing.

I'm getting increasingly excited about my scene design for As You Like It. I'm doing it under the sea--kelp forests and pearls. It's gonna be cool kids.

In your eyes,
--Barry

P.S. I can be your bumper car bumping.

I had to round that out.

A Quickie

Have philosophy in 8 minutes. An update:

Costume in Burial samauri-inspired. Barry excited.

Mid-terms were easier than expected.

Darjeeling Limited--good movie.

Auditioning for Rogers Park web-tv show. Watch out.

Office tonight. Then Micheal Clayton. Then alcohol.

Seeing Wit tomorrow. We'll see.

Listened to Chris Issak's "Wicked Game" like 30 times already today. WTF?

Killing in the name of,
Barry

Stress and other things

Yeah, this week kinda sucks so far.

I had two midterms today, I have three big sketches due for design tomorrow, and I have a major paper due Thursday. Uh-oh.

Actually, today wasn't that bad. I thought I was going to be killed twice. Yet, it wasn't too bad. I didn't do supergreat, but I def didn't get all killt. It was almost inspiring. So whenever you're feeling down, just think about me. And stuff will be alright forever for you. Uncle Barry promises.

Love,
--Barry

Here's To Me

Yes, the castlist for Burial at Thebes (read, "Antigone") came out today. And yes, your's truly was cast as one of the guards. It's a non-speaking part, but looking at what other guys got cast, it looks like it will be an interesting group. Whatevs.

I guess I have a reason to drink tonight. Hooray!

--Barry

My Cosmic Autumn Rebellion

Friends, it has been too long.

Huzzah for fall! It is finally the right temperature for this time of year, you SUV-driving SOB. It is finally in the 50's and 60's, right where it should be.

And that means fall break. Yes, I went back to the 734 for the weekend, and it was interesting. My family now possesses a new little kitten that my little sister found. It's pretty cute, but it matches with our floors, so I was constantly worried that I was going to step on it and not even know. Kittens are interesting to watch--the whole world seems new to them. If only my life was filled with that much adventure. Alas, that is the rub.

Other than that, I got drunk with some old friends. I actually finally hung out with one of my best friends from middle school who had just turned 21. We got some Corona and talked seriously for like 5 hours. As this was happening, his little sister (and my sophomore year homecoming date) was detoxing in the next room from her oxy addiction. Funny how people turn out.

Tonight was "Burial at Thebes" auditions, which is basically a fancy title for the Greek tragedy "Antigone." I think it went purty good. We shall see soon. Cross yo fingers, fool.

Flagpole Sittin,
--The Barry

Despite All my Rage

I'm still a rat in a cage.

But seriously.

Sunday I started working on my set model for "Master Harold...and the Boys," a play about racism set in a 1950 South African tearoom (i thought about updating it to change the title to "Master H...N Da Niggaz" but I don't think that would fly). Anyway, I started at noon and ended at 3:30 AM.

LOOK AT THE PICTURES!!!!! GIMMEE SOME VALIDATION PLEASE!!! I'M DESPERATE!!! SAVE MEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Alright, I'm good.

Me finishing at 4 AM. Frickin chairs and tables took way to long

Close-up kinda.

Look at that sexy Jukebox. My crowning achievement.

Smoke Barry's Brand Cigarettes-Get Laid-Get Friends-And Healthy For You Too!

This is for my n-words,

-Barry