Otter Blog

Just had a birthday and am really looking forward to this "getting older" trend to continue (albeit s-l-o-w-l-y) for a very long time.

A few photos from Down Under from the Worst Blogger Ever

Whoa! It's been a million years since I've blogged, but I've been on the road. I am currently in Dumaguete on the island of Negros Oriental in the Philippines. It is in the middle part of the Philippines known as the Visayas. Our house is not flooded, but there have been a lot of power outages. They are, however, unrelated to recent events. That's just how they roll here. I'll try to write more later, but thought I'd post a few pics of my recent travels. 

Kanga House in Kings Cross aka a blog featuring Jonny

I'm staying at the Kanga House in Kings Cross here in Sydney. I mentioned to my housemate, Jonny, that he was in my blog, and he seemed disappointed that he was not in my blog more. So throughout this entry I will randomly insert quotes and tidbits about Jonny, my housemate and one of the few people in the hostel over the age of thirty.

The Kanga House Hostel is pretty cool, and I've discovered that fate has delivered me into very cheap accomodation very cleverly located near Sydney's redlight district.

BTW, Jonny is from London, if I'm remembering correctly. For the entire six days that I've known him he has a habit of saying that he has to get himself "sorted out." I think that in Londenese, or whatever it is that Jonny speaks, that getting oneself "sorted out" is the equivelent of an American saying he's going to get his shit together, but it sounds way more charming.

I'm online and typing from a coffee house called the Coco Cubano on Darlinghurst. The cafe is interesting in that it features chocolate, cigars and mixed drinks. Yes, a coffee house with BOOZE. Although despite its Cuban name, they do not serve cafe con leche. The cafe is located across the street from a place that claims to be "The World Famous Love Machine" and the Happy Hockers pawn shop.

Other facts about Jonny, according to his Facebook his favorite activities are: pubs, clubs, travel, backpacking, drawing, painting, and goon. When Jonny says the word "goon" his accent is particularly English and it seems to have nine syllables. His second favorite phrase other than goon, I suspect is "fruity elixir."

I will post photos as soon as I find the plug thingy for my camera, which could be tomorrow or never. I have been told I am a "backpacker" by Jonny despite the fact that those who know me well, no I'm a little lite on the "back" part, but I guess I make up for it in the "packer" department.

Life is Sydney is fun. I do miss my fellow comics, writers and misfits back home. I am seriously trying to convince the other guests at the Kanga House to form a band. There are two open mic nights within walking distance of the hostel. They think I'm joking, but I am dead serious. Naturally, Jonny has volunteered to be lead singer. :)

P.S. I performed at the Laugh Garage Comedy Club on Tues and Wed, and the shows were fun. The club is smaller than the ones in the U.S., but the owner actually talks and is FRIENDLY to the comics on the show. What a novelty! I will be back there on Sept. 16th

Your Comedian Down Under

I am living in an insane asylum, oh wait, I mean hostel in Sydney. It's actually pretty okay except when someone vomited in the sink. Since I never lived in a dorm during college, I get to have that experience at the age of 37, but WITH ACCENTS. It really makes the standing on tables and vomit-fest all the more charming.

I've met more British people than Australians, but I think that it's because there are fewer Australians living in hostels. Here are some words that I have learned since I've been in Australia:

goon - cheap wine in a box that you have to mix with lemonade or Sprite in order to tolerate

walking - this is a very strange mode of transportation they have here. It's the thing I did in Los Angeles to get to the parking spot with my car in it or if you are wealthier what you do to get to the  valet.

Um, well, I think the box wine consumption has altered my ability to remember what else I have learned. I have a show at The Laugh Garage Comedy Club, and I get to find out whether or not the dateline and being in the Southern Hemisphere has acted as kryptonite to my Superman-esque comedy genius.

Big News! I might just be in your neighborhood! If you live in Oz!

Before I get to my big news, let me just give a shout out to my sister, Edie Murphy, who placed 2nd in the Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest yesterday! She totally rocked it.

And very quickly, and I'll go into details soon. I'm going to Australia for three months beginning in August. I fly into Sydney and will be definitely traveling to Melbourne for a bit. I bought the ticket. My lease is up! And I thought I'd get a little traveling done, since my web business is doing so great. Over 12,000 unique visitors on the days leading up to Mother's Day this year!

Travel tips (and comedy club leads, too) WELCOME!

Funny Stuff and Funny Otters! It's a trend people! Ask Geico's Gecko!

If you're one of the totally cool people who get what I'm doing on this site and blog, you're most likely one of my friends or we should meet sometime when I visit your country. (Shout out to my pals in New Zealand, Australia and Great Britain, Whooop, whoop!) Sometimes people ask me why I this site is called Inspirational Otter, and the answer is BECAUSE! Otters are cool and cute, and I'm cool and cute and isn't that inspirational? Maybe not quite, the reality is so much more complicated and simple in that the words just roll together. Besides otters are the LATEST and GREATEST THANG. It's gonna be bigger than the chihuahua. Mark my words. I enter this latest commercial from the biggest insurance company around as evidence:



If you've never seen the original video it's parodying, I posted it a million years ago on my otters are cute page. I'm a visionary. I'm ahead of my time. I'm trying to blog more. The video is pretty cute don't you think? That gecko is kinda funny, but inspirational gecko just doesn't roll.

Happy upcoming April 15th Tax Day! Ideas for Tax Deductions

Tax Day. April 15th. It's like Christmas time in that you'll be broke by the time the day passes -or- if you're young you're looking forward to the shiny, new, bike--a return.

Disclaimer: This couldn't possibly be construed as actual tax advice. So don't do it. Also, I have no money so your lawyer will most likely advice you that I am "judgment proof." I really ought to consider a life in white collar crime, but I don't have the education for it.

Comedy 90210 Every Thursday in Beverly Hills at 8PM. Come visit!

Kiva

I really dig what they do. I totally recommend them.

Low carb dieting and dating ...

PS I've noticed that when I started eating the low-carb Atkins bars and crap that my rapid weight loss STOPPED! Has the same thing happened to you? Did you restart the induction phase or just stop eating the bars? Feel free to comment.

Ladies and gentleman, my sister, Edie Murphy!

Check out Edie's blog
Edie's only been playing guitar for three months, but she rocks it. And now without further ado, put you hands together, and give a warm, Otter Blog, welcome for my special guest, Edie!