Tuesday, April 28, 2009

I'm not a lion tamer, but I could be; you don't know

I went to a show at the Improv Asylum last night with Jess and a few friends (it was a benefit for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training). The crew did the usual improv thing where they ask for suggestions from the audience. For example:
  • What's something you've failed at?
  • Someone name an unusual crime.
  • What's a deep secret you have?
And then the audience yells out their answer and they pick one. Well, one such question was directed right at me personally.

Improv Guy: What do you do for work?
Me: (sheepish grin, red in the face) I'm unemployed.

Of ALL THE PEOPLE in the audience, he asked ME what I do for work! And what did I tell him? Did I make something up? "Actually, Improv Guy, I'm a lion tamer." NO! But, as it turned out, the truth was funnier (at least, that's what I'm telling myself).
at

6 comments:

  1. ChetApril 28, 2009 at 11:54 PM

    The truth is funnier. We might have called you out for lying about being a lion tamer...and I think everyone was on your side and can relate! It was actually kind of endearing...

    One of the Improv Guys....

    ReplyDelete
  2. ThoughtsONApril 29, 2009 at 12:25 AM

    I have gotten more questions about what I do now that I don't do anything than I ever did while employed. I have no idea why. Irony of life I guess!
    BTW- LOVE this blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pam BellemareApril 29, 2009 at 9:24 AM

    Danielle - Thanks! Also, I think part of why we get asked the "what do you do" question now more than ever is because people hear "8.whatever% unemployment rate" and suddenly need to do their own statistical calculations: "How many people do I know that are unemployed? Here, let me ask this person on the street..." :) OR, or, it could be because we the unemployeds exude some sort of aura that says "I'm an interesting person, ask me what I do for work."

    Or the irony of life thing. Yeah, let's go with that. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pam BellemareApril 29, 2009 at 9:31 AM

    Improv Guy a.k.a. Chet -

    Thanks for commenting! I knew I couldn't have gotten away with "lion tamer"...

    Also, I LOVED the show!

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousApril 29, 2009 at 10:32 AM

    May I suggest the popular phrase "I can tell you, but then I have to kill you." It works on two levels because

    1. The person asking the question could very well think you are an international spy.

    or

    2. Will realize that perhaps that's not the best question to ask.

    Maybe next time, Chinese Acrobat!

    Great blog!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Pam BellemareApril 30, 2009 at 7:19 PM

    Thanks Sam J! I might have trouble passing as a Chinese Acrobat, as I am neither acrobatic nor Chinese, but I like your spirit! An international spy, though; now there's something...

    ReplyDelete

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