Daryl Olsen is the founding member of brainwaves improvisational comedy and long time Portlander. Daryl would also get my vote if they ever have a “Fastest Wit and Flat Out Funniest Person in Portland” contest.

In an earlier post I talked about brainwaves starting a run of shows to celebrate 20 years of improv comedy and after their opening weekend I had a chance to ask Daryl five questions. I thought I would share them with you.

ME: “When you first started the group [brainwaves] in 1986 did you ever think, ‘Yeah, I’ll still be doing this twenty years from now?’”

DARYL: “I’m not sure that I specifically thought ‘I want to do this for 20 years,’ but I knew that I wanted it to be a long-term part of my life. I remember the night that I stood up in a comedy class in 1986 and asked people if they wanted to form a group, I came home and wrote myself a letter that said I knew in my heart that if we committed to this it would be a special and successful journey. The first year saw many trials, as people from the class dropped out and we had to add new members, but I was glad I stuck through that tough first year.”

ME: “I know for years the group focused on touring, has that changed?”

DARYL: “From 1991-2001, we were focused on doing college tours. We showcased at College conferences and had agents booking shows for us. In early 2002, the economy went belly-up and we stopped doing so many tours. Also, the members of the group grew a bit tired of driving around in a van for a month in the Midwest. Since then we have become more focused on having a regular home and playing to crowds here in Portland. Also, doing more Corporate work in the NW. But, still, the occasional road trip comes up, and many of us travel with On Your Feet.”

ME: “Are Portland audiences different from other cities?”

DARYL: “We have an advantage with Portland audiences, since we all live here and can incorporate daily life into the show. At first when we started touring and playing at events like The Chicago Improv Festival, I worried that our show would not transfer to another city. But, we found that humor is universal. Our showcase in Chicago killed and we got a standing ovation.”

ME: “How does brainwaves differ from the other improv groups in town?”

DARYL: “I think what makes us unique is that we are a small ensemble. I like to think of us as a comedy troupe that just happens to do improvisation. I believe that our focus on having an equal gender count in the group is important. Any improv group that wants to survive has to have talented and confident women, who get as much stage time as the guys.”

ME: “Do you think brainwaves will last another twenty years?”

DARYL: “I hope so. I am as engaged and excited about this work now, 20 years later, as I have ever been. It would be hard to picture my life without brainwaves. Thanks for asking!”

The brainwaves 20-year anniversary run continues Fridays and Saturdays until December 23. Details here!

I salute you brainwaves. Twenty years of bringing big laughs to Portland is no small accomplishment and I’m thankful you allowed me to be a small part of those twenty years.

Pioneers of the improv comedy scene in Portland, “brainwaves” turns twenty years old this month. TWENTY! The troupe has gone through numerous cast changes, tried and performed hundreds of different improv forms and now, that they’re almost old enough to drink, their wits have never been sharper.

I know the other improv troupe in town claims to be, “Portland’s longest-running comedy show”, but brainwaves has been doing improv in Portland six years longer than the other troupe. Maybe they mean they have had a regular comedy show running longer than anyone in Portland, but Harvey’s started doing shows a year before they did, so I think the other troupe’s claim is full of crap.

Sure I’m biased because I’m in brainwaves, but I’m really in awe at the amount of talent the actors in the group have. (I have to run at full speed just to keep up with these people.) I ‘m not just a member; I’m also a huge fan and for my money brainwaves is the best comedy show in Portland.

I’m told Steve Patterson is a fan of the group. I saw him at the show last night and he laughed quite a few times. Of course, if you work for the Blazers you would have to have a good sense of humor.

Brainwaves twenty-year anniversary run is happening tonight and continues Fridays and Saturdays until December 23, at the Coho Theatre starting at 8PM. Tickets are $15.00 at the door and a little cheaper if you make a reservation. (503)-796-9550

If you live in Portland and you haven’t seen brainwaves, what are you waiting for? Don’t you like to laugh and have a good time at a show you help to create?

The sultry, sexy, singing kind of Storm not the cold, wet, windy one.

Mark your calendars Storm Large and the Balls will be on the next live taping of Live Wire at the Aladdin Theater on December 14!

I was lucky enough to be in the last Live Wire show when Storm and the Balls performed. It was incredible. You can hear Storm’s amazing performance for yourself at the Live Wire website.

Anyhow, I just thought I would give everyone a heads up.

Seven out of the ten times I drove that part of Greely Ave. this week I saw a motorcycle cop. Two out of the seven times I saw the motorcycle cop, she was giving someone a ticket. I assume she was writing those people speeding tickets. I assume they were speeding tickets because for some reason people feel the need to dive that small stretch of road at a pace well beyond the posted speed limit.

If that area is part of your commute and you’re one of those speed demons you better watch your back. Bad news for you, good news for old farts like me that try to keep it within the speed limit.

I saw this sticker stuck to the bus stop. I like the pipe. It reminds me of Bob Dobbs. I wonder whatever happed to that guy? I remember seeing “Smiling Bob Dobbs” graffiti all over Portland in the early nineties. I guess the Illuminati finally got a hold of him.

Maybe this guy represents the new Bob Dobbs? Maybe the Flat-Earthers finally went to war with the Masons, or the Girl Scouts took control of the Discordian Society?

Sweet Jesus! What if the 23ers infrastructure collapsed and R. A. Wilson has been replaced with an android!

The photo is blurry because I was nervous. When I took the picture I was sure someone was reading my mind.

FNORD! FNORD! FNORD!

Last Sunday was the final straw, when I contracted food poisoning after eating at this, not so special, establishment.

I really want to name names, but I was told I shouldn’t because of liability issues and I can’t prove they were at fault. Let’s just call them Bold Bives’ Bales.

I’m not one to go pointing the finger of shame at innocent people, so to be fair I’m only 99.99% sure I got food poisoning from their food.

Here’s what I do know:

According to the guy, that gave the test the last time I got my food handler’s card, the only source of the kind of food-borne illness I had, comes from restaurant employees having poor hygiene practices. The first symptoms of that illness will show up about 24 hours after eating contaminated food.

I only ate one meal on Sunday. The only other food I had before getting sick was shared with my girlfriend and she didn’t get ill.

Almost exactly 24 hours after eating at the restaurant I started getting sick.

So, like I said, I’m only 99.99% sure.

I got totally drenched on my way out today. I was waiting for a bus and forgot to check for standing water by the curb. I saw the bus was coming so I stood near the curb, but a car came screaming by before the bus got there, zoomed right through a puddle and splashed me. The water washed over me like a wave. If I’d been carrying a surfboard, I could have hanged ten in the tube.

I had to walk home, change my clothes and try again.

If you have to walk around in this stormy weather remember to look out for curb-puddles.

And now a haiku:

Rainy day bus stop.
Victim of drive-by splashing.
Socks are like a sponge.

Check out this dreadful website.

I’m sure my boss won’t mind me pointing this out. What’s the worst that could happen? I’ll either be fired or shame my boss into updated the website.

Anyway, I’m kind of embarrassed to admit I work for a company with such a horrible website and I was wondering if you fine readers out there could direct me to some other truly repulsive Portland business websites. It would make me feel so much better.

I did another Eddie May show at the Shilo Inn tonight and the management of the hotel compensated the actors for the money that was stolen! They also put us in a more secure dressing room, got an employee to watch the room when we went on stage and they’re going to put in an insurance claim to see if we can be reimbursed for the jewelry, sunglasses and other trinkets that were taken.

That is so freaking awesome! Thank you Shilo Inn!

You Mr. Thief still suck, but the Shilo Inn Rocks!

Someone ripped off my bus, coffee and beer money.

Last night I was doing an Eddie May show at the Shilo Inn and while all the actors were on stage performing, some fucker came into our dressing room, went through everyone’s bags and stole everybody’s cash.

I hope you realize Mr. Thief that when you steal from actors on stage you are cursed. The curse of MacBeth is upon you. The ghost of Shakespeare will forever cockblock you and your life will be miserable until you make amends.

You suck Mr. Thief!