You're Being Ridiculous

Keith Ecker is the creator of Essay Fiesta and Guts & Glory, two of Chicago most well-known storytelling showcases. He has performed his comedic essays and monologues throughout Chicago at such shows as Write Club, Story Club, This Much Is True, the Chicago Writers Conference, the Printers Row Lit Fest, the Fillet of Solo Festival and many others. He is a former stand-up, improv and sketch comic, and his work has been published in McSweeney's Internet Tendency and the Huffington Post.

Your favorite curse word?
Assclown. I believe the reasoning is self-explanatory.

Your favorite meal?

An entire crate of Dunkin' Donuts Munchkins marinated in my own tears

Your favorite meal?  I just ordered some duck curry and am really hungry and excited for it, so I'm inclined to say that.  I also love me an avocado and cheese burrito from Garcia's.  But if I'm being honest with myself, my favorite meal would be the sandwich.  I know that covers a lot of ground, but I've never met a sandwich I didn't like.  My fiance makes a mean grilled cheese (she knows how to mix it up with different cheeses and toppings) and if you've never tried the Fool's Gold Loaf (one of Elvis' faves), I encourage you to do so ASAP.

What's the one thing you can't live without?  Music.  Once again, a broad answer, but it's definitely the thing I get the most joy out of in life–listening to it, playing it, talking about it, writing about it, etc.  My favorite musical artists of all time are Pavement, Bruce Springsteen, The Replacements, Neil Young, The Hold Steady, Hot Water Music, and Jesus I should stop now because I could go on all day.

Your favorite curse word?

Pussybags. I love it for the versatility. It's a noun/verb. ALWAYS with the 's', though ie "Seriously, stop acting so pussybags."

Your favorite meal?

Well, mom's stroganoff is no joke, no doubt, but working in the service industry for so long can make even the tastiest food seem old hat rather quickly. So I'd have to say my favorite meal would be one surrounded by good friends/family with great wine... And cheese. There should be cheese.

What's the one thing you can't live without?

Cheese. We got a juicer for Christmas this year in an effort to get more fruits and veggies into our diet, lose some extra elbees, and other Susan Powtery things. You can pretty much curb ANY craving through juicing. You get your sweets, your salties, spinach has iron and that cuts out meat cravings, but you can in NO WAY curb a cheese craving through juicing. If we could figure out a way to juice a 9 year aged cheddar, there would be no more war.

What's the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?

Someone is running around with my face. I've been approached by no fewer than 6 people in the last week who have seen someone who looks exactly like me. One guy even took a picture to show me. She kinda looked like me....on a bad hair day.

Marry/Shag/Kill:

Taylor Swift, kill.

Taylor Dayne, shag.

Taylor Lautner, marry…but only if he couldn't talk. He's kinda pussybags.

What's your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving.  The food.

What holiday do you despise?
Not a big fan of Valentine's Day.  It's stupid to set aside one day to be romantic.

You're Queen for a day and get to add a new holiday to the calendar, what's the holiday? 
The Monday following the Superbowl should be a federal holiday.  Nobody should work on that day.  Most people (including me) are hungover and not productive anyway.  I would call it Rehydrate Day.  Or National Recovery Day.

Your favorite holiday movie?
I really love "A Christmas Story."

What's the best gift you've received on a holiday? Worst?
Best - a mac book.  Worst - the gift of having a job that requires I work on holidays.

What's your favorite holiday?
Halloween. Because I like watching people wear fishnet tights in 32 degree weather.

What holiday do you despise?
Easter. Christ died for your sins so the Easter bunny is gonna bring you some candy - the merging of the Christian traditions of Jesus' death and the secular traditions of celebrating the earth's fertility make very little sense.

You're Queen for a day and get to add a new holiday to the calendar, what's the holiday?
New holiday is February Failure Day. It's a day of the year when everyone publicly admits that they've already given up their New Years resolutions. You celebrate the day by at first crying while washing dishes, then you go out for chinese food, and then you go to a neighbor's house with a bottle of bourbon and play poker.
 
Your favorite holiday movie?
Ben Hur. It's the only Easter movie out there and it's pretty good.

What's the best gift you've received on a holiday?
Best gift I ever received was the Barbie McDonald's set on Christmas morning.  Worst gift I ever received was this wool nightgown with a lace collar - I was forced to put it on and model it for everyone and it was like wearing a thousand bug bites.

Mary/Shag/Kill...The Holiday Edition:  Easter bunny, Mrs Clause, a Leprechaun  Marry Mrs. Clause, Kill the Easter bunny and Shag the Leprechaun cause you know he has some tricks up his sleeve.

What's your favorite holiday? 
My birthday. Because, my birthday.

Your favorite holiday movie?
Casablanca.

We are super excited to introduce Kelly Jourdan Duff to you.  She'll be performing in our Holiday show at Mary's Attic on January 19 and 26.  Please come hear her hilarious holiday story.  In the mean time, here's a little introduction to Kelly for ya. You can get tickets now on our website.  You should probably do that like right meow. xo

What holiday do you despise?
I guess if I were being honest, Easter is a pretty lame holiday.  I mean, I grew up in the catholic church and have since discovered the "magic" of science and the brilliance of Bill Maher and I find it tough to believe in things like that.  But I'm still partial to all the candy the holiday brings.

You're Queen for a day and get to add a new holiday to the calendar, what's the holiday? 
Lazy-Ass Day...you are not allowed to work, only do fun things, like nap and watch movies or play video games.  Whatever your heart desires.

Your favorite holiday movie?
Despite my aversion to Easter, the movie Jesus Christ Superstar is one of my favorites

What's the best gift you've received on a holiday? Worst?
Best gift as a kid was the 1970's version of the Barbie Dream House - the three floor cardboard and plastic one with the elevator.   Worst gift - can't really say I've ever been given a bad gift, I think I was too young to realize my mom giving me and my sister match jumpsuits was a bad idea 

Marry/Kill/Shag, The Holiday Edition: The Heat Miser, Baby New Year, St. Valentine
Marry - The Heat Miser from The Year without a Santa Clause - he'll keep the temps nice and warm for me
Kill - Baby New Year - not a fan of kids and that one always makes me go on a diet
Shag - St. Valentine, something tells me he'd be romantic and he's from Italy

 

What's the biggest surprise you've ever had?

My husband proposed to me during dinner at the Eiffel Tower restaurant in Las Vegas at dinner a few years ago.  When I said yes, the huge fountain across the street at the Belaggio Hotel started it's show.  It was kinda awesome.

When were you last surprised?

Um...a few days ago I was hit by a car in a cross walk.  I'd say that might be the biggest surprise I've had in a while.  The car was turning on the street I was on.  I saw them.  I assumed they saw the giant gay man wearing a fuchsia sweater in the middle of the cross walk.  Nope.  They didn't slow down.  Didn't stop.  Nothin.  I hope they get diarrhea forever.

When did you last surprise someone?

Describe your surprised face...
Big eyes and a lot of attitude. Imagine Bea Arthur, but with darker hair and less wrinkles.

Surprise us...
I was a band nerd in high school and college.  I know.  That's not shocking, but maybe the rest of the story is?  I was drum major my Jr & Sr years in high school and played tenor saxophone.  When I went off to college I was in the marching band for a year.  It was kinda fun in college but mostly a lot of work.  Yeah.  None of this is a surprise.  I don't know. In 3rd grade I won the football toss?  While wearing Smurfette sneaks?  There.  At least half of that must be a surprise.