#irvine ca

[larryshapiro]

Orange County Fire Authority, CA

[secondbrightspot]

A story of a show. Because I need to get this written down so that I can move on.

On Friday November 18, 2022, I drove 90 minutes to Irvine to see Ashley Gavin perform stand-up comedy at the Irvine Improv. I purchased my ticket on stubhub(.com) after receiving a text that she was performing in SocCal. After a rough work week, I left my house and at least made it into the car with enough time to make it into the theater by 730.

I sat in my driveway for an untenable 10-15 minutes, frustrated that I couldn't find the download link for my ticket. I was late by this point and the evenings are dark earlier in the fall. Kinda nervous, I decided to leave anyway and hopefully pick up my tickets at the window at the Irvine Improv.

The drive was smooth with enough traffic to creepingly, increase my lateness. I always forget how chic Irvine sees itself. The parking garage was free, Thank God.

I looked fall as fuck. Hair in a loose bun, gold disk earrings, mod brown and tan and orange sweater with jeans and ballet flats. I felt soft, but proper. Perfect fall. And I had a reason to go out.

Rushing, by the time I navigated the mall and made it to the ticket counter, I was 20 minutes late.

Things got worse when I got to the ticket counter. My name was not on the purchased tickets list. The ticket man (who clearly had encountered this situation before, but was hoping it could be resolved with minimum fuss as he had zero power to resolve anything) informed me that they could not give me a ticket and most likely I had been scammed. The third party had taken my money and had not given me my ticket. I was suddenly and unexpectedly far from home and ticketless.

I tried: "Are you sure? There's nothing you can do?" I tried, "I just drove up from San Diego." Nothing could be done. Dejected, I stepped to the side of the window and tried to collect myself.

I heard a woman behind me ask what had happened and then felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned. She was tall and thin with short hair, Heels and a peasant blouse topped dress and snowy green eyes. She was there alone with an extra ticket, and asked if I would go with her. I was in. We sat down near the rear left. The theater seats 500 and is the first of 3 nights in Irvine for Ashley Gavin. The opener is almost done by the time we are shown our seats. He is a thirty something man, his act is almost over, I remember a joke about his father being a cardiologist. My heart was racing because I was so happy to be inside. That timing was perfect. I bought my rescuer a drink (Stella for her) as a thank you.

The opener said goodbye and walked off the stage.

Then Ashley Gavin came out onto that stage and she was MAD. Or frustrated. Or disappointed. She yelled at the audience for not laughing at the opener. She explain complained about the judgement and uptightness that we as a gay audience have on comedians (regardless of sexuality) that have to follow a laughless opener. It's hard. It is no longer a safe space for a performer if the audience starts the evening with judgement based on outward appearance.

We are there to laugh. So laugh goddammit it. She gleefully skipped past decorum to get to the reaction that she needed. She tried to tough-love teach us how to be a more receptive crowd (missing her Carnaval Cruise passengers was a theme she touched on repeatedly). She passing swung at Southern Californians fakeness.

What showed up on stage was a comedian who, the day after her birthday (she told us during the set), flew into a city, jetlagged, and immediately performed comedy for a group of tired SoCal corporates and queers.

In the first few minutes, she said she had planned to do her material from her upcoming special, but that she was deciding whether to do it. If we were a good enough audience, she would do some of it. (Spoiler: no matter how we tried, we weren't a good enough audience). There was some stellar crowd work involving a table of business lenders, and an orca trainer. In her act, there are beautiful jokes. Some fast. Some silly. Some that shove your face into a brutal structure of shock value for a laugh and a lesson that nothing is sacred. Well constructed, crass, and correct.

I loved every second of that uncomfortable show. I haven't stopped thinking about it. It was Entertaining. It felt like there was a happy place where Ashley wanted us to be, but she decided to turn the car around and tell us she was disappointed in us instead. For not laughing at our annoying brother. But to her point, our annoying brother can be funny, and we should have been prepared to laugh with him instead of defaulting to annoyed. I didn't see most of the act, so idk. But I guess he was responsible for the verion of Ashley Gavin's show that I did get to see that night. It became clear we were going to laughing AND learning.

With a start like that, the night turned into a puzzle of actions and reactions. Of laughter and anxiousness. The crowd didn't know what she wanted and tried to give it to her anyway. She didn't know what we wanted either. And tried to give it to us anyway. And you know, because it's comedy, sometimes we were all just laughing and getting yelled at for it.

The show ended abruptly, in overtime and on a laugh.

Show over, I talked to the young woman (name forgotten) I was with while we waited for the theater to empty. I hate a queue. I asked what she did for work. At first she told me that she used to work in corporate. After a few questions she blurted that she now works at an underground poker ring. From Finance to Finance. She started as a hostess and now is in a partnership with the owner. I asked how she got into the game. And she said that she met her partner at the gym, when she was using one of the machines, and he approached her and offered her a job.

We walked out of the theater, Ms. Gavin was sitting on a chair wearing (what I can only remember as) in beige with a line of women stretching around the corner for her meet and greet. My new friend said she had to go to the bathroom. I said ok and told her goodbye. She paused and asked if I was getting merch or standing in-line. I said no and left. I walked past the queue and found my way out of the mall. On the drive home, I kicked myself for not exploring that further. I mean...the stars aligned in a wierd way for us to meet. I wasn't in the mood, I guess. Pretty sure she wanted to hang out further. Underground poker? Red flag? I wish her safety on her journey.

Kicking myself a lot a bit, I drove home.

I thought about that show until I got home. Then I thought about that show for the next 2 days. I sat in those wierd feelings. Why did she make those choices?

I keep having flashbacks about how she showed up on stage and handled the crowd. And she was clearly professional enough to handle a crowd.

She accused us of having wierd energy and then had a woman in the audience back her up and agree that we were off and that we were, indeed, a bad crowd. Despite the mass gaslighting, this tactic worked. We laughed at her frustration in us. We laughed because she told us to. And felt better for having laughed. It felt like laugh yoga.

Our reactions slid into genuish not genuine, but close enough. She was so fast. Delightfully, consistently aggressive in her delivery. I couldn't tell which way we were going, as she was leading. But I smiled the whole time. Happy to see where this performance was going. It felt like a transition. But at one point I was grinning so HARD at the overriding awkwardness that we were all sitting in that I KNEW that I was getting new wrinkles on my face, and I didn't care because I was happy that they were coming from laughing. She wanted to give us a good time. But, If she wasn't yelling at us for How we were laughing, she was yelling at us for When we were laughing. Parts of the show were free form and fast. She's clever.

Still, I felt pitted against whatever part of the audience wasn't getting yelled at.

Actually, she told us, who she was comparing us to... that perfect Carnival Cruise audience. Those assholes.

But we're not them. And they aren't us.

There's something there about bridging that gap. 10/10 experience. I hope she was having a good time. Cause we did. She's funny. Fucking interesting show. I got so much to think about.

Oh and she had a joke that just laid me on my ass and made me see an unknown part of myself waving at me from still inside the fucking closet. I remember, like, barking a laugh kinda in shock at her bluntness in a joke about tits and mothers. When the audience reacted in parallel, she told us that we were fooling ourselves.

I've been thinking (uncomfortably) about her point for the last few days. I had thought myself more of a daddy-issues-kind-of-woman. I had tied a nice little therapeutic bow on that problem years ago. But of COURSE....She's sneaking self realization into a punchlines. How fucking annoying and delightful.

Those are the thoughts. You should sign up to get her texts, you only get an alert when she performs near you. Then, when you get the text, actually go see her show. She's absolutely worth the watching.

[sevenclowds]

Frank Iero - Bamboozle Left, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, April 6, 2008 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)

[pasenast]

The devil is in the details.

Il diavolo è nei dettagli.

[ocisok-blog]

Park hunting is like treasure hunting, except instead of golden doubloons, you find a fountain to refill your water bottle. #ParkHunting #NightRide http://ift.tt/2lOMmPG

[larryshapiro]

Orange County Fire Authority Firefighter Memorial

[coloriage51]

SoftPro Elite Smart HE Water Softener for City Water (Industry's Best)

Introducing the Industry leading SoftPro® Elite HE Water Softener, designed specifically for city water systems.

Irvine, California, is a master-planned city in the heart of Orange County, renowned for its exceptional quality of life, top-rated schools, thriving technology sector, and beautifully maintained parks. Consistently ranked among the safest cities in the United States, Irvine offers a perfect balance of business opportunities, cultural diversity, outdoor recreation, and modern living. Whether you're considering relocating, visiting, or investing, Irvine stands out as one of Southern California's premier destinations.

History of Irvine

The land that is now Irvine was once part of the expansive Irvine Ranch, a large agricultural property established in the 19th century. In the 1960s, the city was carefully planned to support residential neighborhoods, business districts, educational institutions, and open spaces. Since its incorporation in 1971, Irvine has grown into a global center for technology, education, healthcare, and innovation while maintaining its commitment to sustainable development and community planning.

Top Attractions in Irvine

Irvine Spectrum Center

The Irvine Spectrum Center is one of Orange County's premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations. Visitors can enjoy a wide selection of retail stores, restaurants, a giant Ferris wheel, movie theaters, live entertainment, and family-friendly attractions.

Orange County Great Park

The Orange County Great Park offers expansive green spaces, sports facilities, playgrounds, walking trails, public art installations, and the famous Great Park Balloon, which provides panoramic views of the surrounding area.

San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary

Nature enthusiasts can explore the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, home to scenic walking trails, wetlands, and hundreds of bird species. The sanctuary provides a peaceful escape for birdwatching, photography, and environmental education.

Bommer Canyon

Bommer Canyon Preserve features miles of hiking and biking trails through rolling hills, native vegetation, and scenic landscapes. It is a favorite destination for outdoor recreation and wildlife observation.

Pretend City Children's Museum

Designed for young learners, Pretend City Children's Museum offers interactive exhibits that encourage creativity, education, and hands-on exploration for families with children.

Parks and Outdoor Recreation

Irvine is home to more than 16,000 acres of parks, open space, and recreational facilities. Popular outdoor activities include:

Hiking

Cycling

Running

Golf

Birdwatching

Tennis

Soccer

Family picnics

The city's extensive trail network and green spaces make outdoor recreation a part of everyday life.

Dining in Irvine

Irvine's diverse culinary scene reflects its multicultural community, offering:

California cuisine

Asian restaurants

Japanese sushi

Korean barbecue

Chinese cuisine

Mediterranean dining

Mexican food

Coffee shops and bakeries

From casual cafés to upscale restaurants, Irvine provides dining options for every preference.

Shopping

Shopping opportunities include:

Irvine Spectrum Center

Fashion Island (nearby)

South Coast Plaza (nearby)

Local boutiques

Farmers markets

Specialty retailers

Residents and visitors enjoy access to some of Southern California's finest shopping destinations.

Arts and Community Events

Irvine hosts numerous cultural events throughout the year, including:

Global Village Festival

Summer concerts

Outdoor movie nights

Farmers markets

Art exhibitions

Holiday celebrations

The city's commitment to arts, culture, and community engagement contributes to its vibrant atmosphere.

Economy

Irvine has one of California's strongest economies, supported by industries such as:

Technology

Software development

Healthcare

Biotechnology

Education

Financial services

Retail

Professional services

Many Fortune 500 companies, startups, and international businesses maintain offices in Irvine, making it one of the nation's leading innovation hubs.

Education

Irvine is widely recognized for its outstanding educational system. The city is served by the highly regarded Irvine Unified School District and is home to the University of California, Irvine (UCI), one of the nation's leading public research universities. These institutions contribute to Irvine's reputation for academic excellence and innovation.

Best Time to Visit

Thanks to its Mediterranean climate, Irvine is a year-round destination. Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) offer particularly pleasant weather for outdoor activities, festivals, and sightseeing. Summers are warm and sunny, while winters are mild.

Why Visit or Live in Irvine?

Irvine offers an exceptional combination of safety, educational excellence, economic opportunity, and outdoor recreation. Residents enjoy master-planned neighborhoods, beautiful parks, world-class shopping, and convenient access to beaches, mountains, and major Southern California attractions.

Whether you're relocating for work, pursuing higher education, or planning a vacation, Irvine provides an outstanding lifestyle with something for everyone.

Conclusion

Irvine CA, is one of the most desirable cities in the United States, offering a unique blend of innovation, sustainability, cultural diversity, and recreational opportunities. From its thriving business environment and top-ranked schools to its scenic parks and vibrant entertainment districts, Irvine continues to attract residents, students, businesses, and visitors from around the world.

[mileamarketinginc]

Looking to Boost Your Business? At Milea Marketing Inc, we specialize in data-driven marketing strategies that get results! From digital campaigns to branding solutions, we’re here to help you grow. Let’s work together! 📍 2082 Michelson Dr #220, Irvine, CA 92612 | ☎️ [phone] | 🌐 mileamarketing.com