Woeful Spotlight: Ryan Looney

This week's spotlight is on Ryan Looney, whose story The Saddest Spring Break in the History of College in Woe of the Road  proves that college kids shouldn't travel...EVER! 

Your essay is about a spring break gone wrong. Tell us about one gone right?

That was my only shot at spring break, mercifully.

We hear you love Boston. What's your favorite spot in the entire city?

My favorite spot in Boston is the field behind the EF language school in Brighton. It's a big open field with views of the city, and it's either a well-kept secret or I'm frequently trespassing.

If you were on death row, what would you choose for your last meal?

Steak and spaghetti. Mmm...death row dinner.

Where can we find some of your other writings?

New site! looneywriting.wordpress.com 

 

Mug of Woe is a Finalist in National Indie Excellence Awards!

Our first book, Mug of Woe: Tales To Make You Realize Your Life is Awesome is a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Book Awards!  We are so pleased our little-book-that-could has been recognized yet again!  Congrats to all of the writers and comedians whose tales of hilarious woe continue to make our book series possible! 

Woeful Spotlight: Tom E. Morello

This week's spotlight is on Tom E. Morello, whose story A Fistful of Jokes: A South Texas Ghost Story in Woe of the Road  is proof that life as a road comic is for the birds. 


You're a comedian.  What was the strangest show you have ever done?

Bar none, the strangest show I've done yet was the first show in Texas where I was billed as a headliner.  I went from a guy who was at the end of his rope confidence-wise and uncertain whether he was transitioning out of the comedy business, to a rusty closer who hadn't had any meaningful stagetime in 2 months.  It was almost an out-of-body experience, because I was used to such supportive and comedy-savvy crowds in Boston.  I was performing at a bar that was part of a dilapidated strip of shady businesses that featured bullet holes in the front window, (there was a steel grate over the glass, so you know the bullets were fired from within the establishment).  I was equally afraid of my Bostonian comedy act not working in Texas as I was of being riddled with hollow-point rounds.  Luckily, I pounded out a sweaty hour of stand-up comedy, and nobody offered me any free shots at the bar.


What is one thing you miss from Boston that you can't get in Texas?

That brutal New England-area honesty that makes you want to weep uncontrollably and stab someone in the throat at the same time.  People in Texas aren't going to stare right through your soul and tell you everything that's wrong with you within 30 seconds of meeting you.

How can the human population protect themselves from demonic horsefiles?  

Avoid being a smug douchebag, though that's generally great advice in any walk of life.  I honestly think that fly was the spirit world getting back at me for laughing at my Incredible Hulk-sized buddy almost having bladder failure because a tiny bird sailed by his head.  I ain't afraid of no ghost, but they must've known I am indeed afraid of public embarrassment served by a filthy, diseased, trash-dwelling fly.

Promote yourself -- where can our readers find more of your work/stand-up? 

I have very active life online, and I try to keep each packed with unique content.  I'm a real person who handles all of his social networking sites himself, so I'm very accessible and genuinely happy to have fans.  Conversely, I'm not an annoying joke monkey, or a crazy marketing spambot, I'm just a man with an outrageous dream.  My dream involves people who dig my writing, so welcome aboard!

My Facebook fanpage: www.facebook.com/comediantomemorello
My Twitter account: www.twitter.com/TomEMorello
My Tumblr blog: www.tumblr.com/blog/tomemorello

I am a regular performer at both the Laugh Out Loud and Rivercenter Comedy Clubs.  Both clubs are located in San Antonio, TX and can be found at http://www.lolsanantonio.com/ and http://www.rivercentercomedyclub.com/ respectively.

Woeful Spotlight: Susan Johnston

Your essay was about your worst New Year's Eve, so what was your best New Year's Eve?

New Year's 2012 was low-key but still fun. I met up with some friends for a movie and an early dinner, then relaxed at home, avoiding the crowds and setting more realistic expectations than I did a few years ago. 

What's the weirdest thing you keep in your refrigerator? 

Whitening gel for my teeth (it's supposed to keep in fresh in the fridge for up to a year). 

What advice do you have for people traveling on New Year's Eve?

Expect delays so have your electronics fully charged and allow extra time. Be VERY careful to double-check the year on your travel documents so you don't wind up nearly stranded like I did. And carry a little extra cash, just in case. 

Promote yourself --- where can we find your work?  

http://www.urbanmusewriter.com/ or http://susan-johnston.com/