A few things have happened since my last post. Mainly, I went to Columbus,
OH for an interview at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for an LSS (Life Support
Specialist) position which is basically exactly the sort of thing I want to
steer my career towards. Overall it went very well because I was able to show
my genuine earnest and desire for such a position with poignant questions about
the organization. However, I was also made blatantly aware of my ignorance
about how isolated aquariums work in terms of upkeep and overall maintenance
but I know what those weak spots are and have found some reputable sources
online to read up and acquire a general understanding. I pick up on things very
quickly when thrust into situations that require it but I don't know if I was
able to convey that thru the interview. No matter how you look at it, it's out
of my hands now and all I can do is wait to see what decision is made which I
should know but this coming Friday. If nothing else, I learned from the
experience of the interview and will work on my deficiencies so if I don't get
this job, I'll be better prepared for the next interview. I am far from giving
up.
As I said, I was in Columbus, OH this past week and after my interview was
over, I was fortunate enough to spend some time with my sister. We hung out,
talked, and went to a local bar where we matched our wits in a trivia game. She
and I versus approximately a dozen teams usually made up of more people
(average of at least 4 people). Halfway through the round, we were tied for
third, each of us throwing up some impressive random knowledge. We didn't fare
so well during the second half of the game and dropped in ranking to third from
last place. The winning team was comprised of 7 or 8 members and was called
"The Dude Abides", so I didn't feel disheartened by the loss. It was
a fun time with a wonderful sibling and would do it every week if it was
possible.
That's my personal update and now for something a bit more light-hearted.
During a moment of inactivity over the past week, I found myself on Hulu
watching some clips from Saturday Night Live and thought it'd be a fun
diversion to compile a list of some of my most recent favorite sketches. Recent
is a relative term in this scenario in that I don't want to reach too far back
but I also haven't watched as much SNL lately so in this context, I'm limiting
myself from 2000 to present. Obviously, I haven't seen every sketch since 2000
to make a definitive list and I'm just throwing out the sketches as they have
come to mind so they're in no particular order, I'm just numbering them so it's
obvious how many there are present. So without further delay, check out my
reasons why they're good skits and go on watch them thanks to Hulu.
Number 1
Dateline with Keith Morrison
Bill Hader is arguably the best current cast member of SNL. He has perfect
comedic timing and can channel just about any celebrity he sees fit. When he
plays Keith Morrison, he portrays such a giddiness as such horrific situations
being described as well as figuratively aggravating the emotional wounds by
asking questions from a hopeful aspect when he already knows the terrible
answer. The links that follow have one being the earliest example I could
find followed by one with Steve Buscemi that I believe showcases the best
aspects of the sketch with evolution over time.
Earliest
Dateline I Could Muster
More
Recent One w/ Steve Buscemi
Number 2
Almost Pizza
Short, simple, and sweet. Why is it almost pizza? Why won't the wife/mother
tell anybody why it can't technically be called pizza? She won't eat it
herself, probably because it'll kill you, but she wants her family to die? It
raised so many simple questions that will never be answered and not knowing is
what makes it so hilarious! If you had an explanation, it would lose the magic
it possesses.
Almost
Pizza
Number 3
Returns and Exchanges
Jay Pharoah does simply an amazing job as Denzel Washington. He's got his
mannerisms, his cadence, and even throws in a slow clap toward the end.
Constantly saying "Okay" and "All right", talking to
himself, repeating statements back and turning everything around on a person is
what Denzel does in every movie he's in (at least it seems that way). It's
funny and satisfying putting that persona into such a mundane situation.
Returns
& Exchanges
Number 4
Back to the Future Auditions
Harking back to earlier SNL days when they had the Star Wars initial screen
tests where Hollywood greats of the day such a Walter Matheau and Christopher
Walken tried for the roles of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Han Solo, respectively, the
same formula was used in screen tests for Back to the Future. The comedy still
holds up well as a plethora of familiar Hollywood personas try to channel the
roles of Doc, Biff, and Marty while not using any of the same people from the
Star Wars session.
Back
to the Future Auditions Part 1
Back
to the Future Auditions Part 2
Number 5
The Bjelland Brothers
I don't know if this one counts as necessarily being good but it grows on
you within the four and a half minutes it takes to play out; just a terrible,
outdated, sibling duo eeking out the waning interest in their biggest hit,
which wasn't a hit at all. The story behind the song is self explanatory but
somehow by the time the sketch is over, I guarantee that you'll be singing the
chorus. Bryan Cranston, possibly the best actor in television and film at
present, being involved bumps it up automatically.
The
Bjelland Brothers
Number 6
What Up With That?
I love the rhyming for rhyming sake, the constant interruption of the
guests, the random personalities that show up from off stage, and the ongoing
gag that Lindsey Buckingham shows up for every show, never gets to say one
word, but is somehow not mad at the host. The song is catchy and I find after
watching it singing it with my own lyrics. It also keeps coming back with
slight new spins but the original premise still manages to tickle the
funny-bone.
What
Up With That? (Al Gore)
That's the list for now. If there are any that you think are on par with
these, please leave a comment and I will enjoy them. Thanks for reading and
comments and criticisms always accepted. Until next time...
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