Growing Up Catholic - Sex Education and the Stick Figure

     I went to an all-girl's Catholic boarding school when I was in high school.  That education served me well as a women in that I had no male competitors for sports, class offices or grades.  As a matter of fact, I had no knowledge of males at all.  What they did and how they acted were a complete mystery.

     To say that I learned about sex from the nuns is a statement of fact.  Our sex class was taught by Sister Lacey in seventh grade and frankly, it was all over my head.  To complicate matters, the man and woman were depicted by stick figures.  The female stick figure had on a triangle skirt to depict her manner of dress.  The male stick figure had on no pants.  (A minor detail that really should have demanded a huge explanation.)

   Both the male and female stick figures had big round heads with no faces.  I thought, "If that is what my dream man is going to look like, there really is no need for this class."  These stick figures had quite a social life.  They went to the movies, read books together, ate pasta, but when it came to sex - No, No, and No Again!  I knew this was because I saw two horizontal lines with bobble heads on the screen with a dark red "X" over them.  It's surprising this universal sign never caught on with the general public.

     I was taught to be very modest and I learned my lesson well.  You can not imagine the trauma I felt when I wore a sleeveless white blouse to school instead of the standard uniform blouse.  I hid it beneath my blue blazer but it was a hot day and I took my jacket off in front of Sister Lacey.  She said, "Put that blazer back on; your blouse is immodest!"  Oddly enough, Sister Lacey didn't say anything about my plaid uniform skirt that was rolled up three times to capture the miniskirt trend.  And how could I be immodest, if the stick figure lady had on no blouse at all?
 
     To explain the level of my socially challenged sexual self is hard to explain adequately in words.  Let me try with a picture.
                                                                         ???
                                                                          O
                                                                         - |-
                                                                           /\

The Charlie's Angels of Comedy in Lake County

       Charlie's Angels have hit the comedy scene!   These new angels come in the form of three women who are reinventing themselves as comedy club lovers and designers of Comedy LaughIn in Wauconda.  Just a day ago, I met with my fellow angels Monica and Vicki to discuss our new venture.  It seemed odd that only a month ago we had the idea to feature clean comedy in room adjacent to Vicki's Salon and Spa on Route 59 in Wauconda.  One month later, we put on a show in an intimate room that had the warmth of an eclectic coffee house, complete with the smell of fresh popcorn as you walked in the door.  Great thing about women opening a comedy club - comedians are clean, room has the warmth of an old coffee house and yes, the bathroom in clean!

     The positive energy that filled the room on October 8, opening night, was undeniable.  Over and over again, we heard, this is such a fun and friendly place.

     All three of us feel as if we are on the verge of something wonderful - a place for friends and family to gather for laugher .... and everybody knows your name (if you wear a name tag).

     Vicki, Monica and I talked about this Friday's show.  With 30 reservations already in place, there is a definite need for laughter in Lake County.  At our meeting, we discussed our limited budget which oddly enough makes putting on a show even more exciting.  With a mix-match of chairs, a scavenger hunt for nice tea cups and relatives making coffee cake, this all has a small town feel.  It's a nice escape from corporate America for us and all of our "guests."

   

Gearing up for "Comedy Laugh In!"

     I love Wauconda.  And I don't say that lightly.  I Luuuuvvvvv Wauconda!  We moved here one year and four months ago from Arlington Heights and I'm still drinking in the country.  Owning five dogs, I knew I was out of place in Arlington Heights.  (The fact that the police were against dogs in the park also was a big clue.  I told my husband I was forever on the "lam.")
    Of course, all moves have their give and takes.  The big take is the dog park woods where I take my dogs for walks twice a day.  The give (away) is the distance of every and all comedy clubs.  With Zanies leaving Vernon Hills, I feel like I'm on remote island where I have no good access to my craft.

     This summer I went on a quest to find a place for my humor.  And oddly enough, I ran into the answer in my own backyard.  One of my friends, Monica Jablonski, was looking for activites to place in a soon-to-be-vacant space which a part of Vickie's Plaza that includes the a beautiful salon and spa.  Located on Route 59 and just seconds from Route 12, the location is ideal.  Another big advantage for me is that women who frequent Vickie's are my audience - women who would absolutely love to get together and laugh!
     Days later Vickie, Monica and I met to discuss the possibility of bringing comedy (along with other great daily classes and workshops) to the beautiful vacant space.  Our ideas seemed unlimited.  We knew that Wauconda needed something wonderful to call its very own.  I felt elated that I could share the culture I'd know for 25 years - the comedy scene.  Comedy is almost an addiction in its ability to relieve stress and forget about all the troubles of the day and/or week.  It's been a blessing I have known most of my life.  I wanted to give this gift back to Wauconda. 

     With opening day just three days away, the mood at Vickie's Plaza is thrilling.  I know that comedy is a wonderful gift that keeps on giving.  I'm so happy to bring comedy home!
     Days later,