usernamenumber ([personal profile] usernamenumber) wrote2011-11-29 01:26 am

The Story of My MassMouth Story (also, video)

Last Arisia I was told by the inimitable Michael Anderson (of "A Bloody Deed" fame) about MassMouth. MassMouth is a local organization for the promotion of the art of storytelling, which hosts periodic "story slams" around the state. These slams are basically themed open-mic competitions. Each evening has a theme, anyone who wants to can sign up to tell a story on that theme, with the only restrictions being that it has to be five minutes or less, a true story based on your own experiences, and told without notes.

A few weeks ago I went to my first slam not realizing any of this, thinking I was instead going to just see some people tell stories. When I found out it was open-mic, at first I didn't think I had anything that could work for the theme, "pranked", but then I realized that one of my staples, a story I've been telling since the mid 90s, could fit perfectly with just a bit of tweaking. And so, I threw my name into the hat:



Long story short, out of ten storytellers, I won first place! :) I am now the proud owner of a MassMouth mug, a gift certificate to a local restaurant, and an invitation to tell the story again at the semi-final event some time in March. I'll let folks know if and when I get more details.

In the mean-time, you can hear all the other winners of the season so far here!

[identity profile] staystrong62805.livejournal.com 2011-11-29 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)
So. I am rather ashamed that I did not know this existed.

But I did not know this existed.

And now I'm going to figure out something to write/come up with for a future piece and go perform it.

Thank you. <3

[identity profile] usernamenumber.livejournal.com 2011-11-29 05:29 pm (UTC)(link)
No problem! I hope to see you at one!

[identity profile] curly-chick.livejournal.com 2011-11-29 04:49 pm (UTC)(link)
I am not surprised. Congratulations!

[identity profile] juldea.livejournal.com 2011-11-29 05:00 pm (UTC)(link)
There's a weird skip. Did they have to cut out the part where you mimiced BJA for to copyright reasons?

[identity profile] usernamenumber.livejournal.com 2011-11-29 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh yeah, forgot to mention that. I don't know why they cut it, but that was my assumption, yeah. Pretty sure me singing a few bars of a song in that context would be fair used, but whatever...

[identity profile] juldea.livejournal.com 2011-11-29 05:30 pm (UTC)(link)
It's sad to cut, because I really like that impression. :)

I love that story!

[identity profile] rubicantoto.livejournal.com 2011-11-29 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Though your story ends with "It's okay, I was hungry", I know of another good story that ends with, "I just wanted some cheese!"

Also, didn't you get your Thai food leftovers signed--in Thai--by the Mountain Goats a year or two ago? If so, am I sensing a Brad trope?

Re: I love that story!

[identity profile] usernamenumber.livejournal.com 2011-11-30 12:04 am (UTC)(link)
Huh. Hadn't thought of it that way but yes, that was me. I guess me + food + rock stars = ADVENTURE! :)