Quest for Christmas Cheer

Here's my Pop Up Comedy Quest for Christmas Cheer. 

Happy Holidays!

Christmas Spirit Cocktail

Wanna get in the Christmas spirit?  Here's the way to ensure you're feeling festive.

Christmas Spirit Cocktail
4 cups cranberry juice
2 cups orange juice
2 cups vodka
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons Quantro
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg

ice
orange slice garnish

Cheers!

3 Tips to Beat the Holi-daze

An appreciation for elf culture is important during this season. "I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite."  Love the movie Elf!  Buddy beams joy.  The holidays are supposed to be a happy time but all too often they can leave you frazzled and exhausted.  When your schedule starts to stress you out, whoop it up with these three tips.

• Feeling Overwhelmed?  Take a short break to wrap presents.  Performing monotonous task can actually boost creativity and problem solving skills, according to study from UC Santa Barbara.  Could explain why I clean the house when I am mad.  

• On a tight budget?  Make the holidays about GIVING with a visit to a soup kitchen or nursing home.  Volunteering releases a trigger of feel good hormones.  Match your volunteer skills with a worthy cause at volunteermatch.org.

•   Grumpy, Scrooge-like?  You are not the only one who falls in a funk at the "most wonderful time of the year."  It’s the expectations.  Write a letter of gratitude or count blessing to rewire the brain's pleasure circuits. (Family Circle Dec 2013)  

BONUS MOST IMPORTANT TIP OF ALL:  MAKE FUN! Think "how can I CREATE some FUN" at a time when you are in the full throws of Stressmas?  Be your own best funmaker.   Here's a site that delivers a quick fun-fix in tune with the holidays.  Create an elfie!  Go to elfie.me, upload a photo, put on some antlers, and viola!

Coming next week:
Pop Up Comedy Video - Quest For Christmas Cheer where I visit the dump, talk with my exterminator, and sit on Santa's lap. 

Whoop It Up No Matter Who's Talkin' Turkey

It's butterball time and with all the relatives around, there might be a ruffled feather or two.  Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday.  If your Uncle Bob is a Rush Limbaugh fan and your cousin Serenity drives a Prius, it may be wise to avoid topics like politics and religion at your Thanksgiving table this year.  Duh!  Here are some tips on how to whoop it up with more fun & less stress, no matter who is talkin’ turkey.   It's a cornucopia fit for The Thanksgiving Hunger Games:  Special Names, Costumes, Rituals, and Awards.  

Pre-meal Creative Mission :

During the prep stage of the day, often times family is sitting around while the meal is a cooking.  People get restless or drink too much which could cause friction at the table.  Best to put them on a creative mission.

• Pilgrim Name Generator – type in each person’s name on this website to find out their Pilgrim Name which chould help inspire them to create a headdress (next item).  Put name on name tag.  On this day forth, I shall be known as Alice Hopkins, great great great pumpkin pie eating grandmother of Anthony.   http://www.quizopolis.com/pilgrim-name-generator.php

• Costumes, everyone! - Have everyone make a headdress.  Options are great: Fall Harvest Crown, Feather, Pilgrim Hat, Pilgrim Bonnet, Scarecrow. http://www.parents.com/holiday/thanksgiving/crafts/super-cute-thanksgiving-hats/#page=26

• Compete in a Talkin' Turkey Trivia Game with a buzzer or bell - Trivia Facts http://www.whsv.com/seasonal/misc/33852054.html

At The Table Rituals:
• Chalkboard table – write what you’re grateful for on the table.  

• Pass The Candle and say what you're most thankful for.  

• Tell Funny Stories Thanksgivings Gone Wrong, dog grabbed turkey off counter, clogged up toilet, drunk fam member.  Great stories at Gawker -  http://gawker.com/5863107/here-are-your-worst-thanksgiving-horror-stories

• Have a toxic guest?  Use place cards.  Move Uncle Bob and his outbursts to the end of the table – Keep the kids at the same table with the adults for more lively adventure.  (I always hated the kid table!)
 

Post Meal Decompression: 
• Awards:  Share “Thank You Certificates” with dessert.  Funny ways to enjoy each other…each person gives one to another person at the table…coordinated by the dinner host. http://www.night.net/kids/cert-thanks.html-ssi

• Thank You For The Constant Whistling…makes our house seem happy.

• Thank You for the Guilt Call...I know how much you care.

• Thank You for Taking a Nap Every Time We Watch TV…so I can change the channel.

•  Turkey trot after the meal.  Walk off those giblets: 160 pound person, 1 hr walk = 250 cal.

•  Watch a movie – If you are not going to see The Hunger Games, here are 10 movies about Thanksgiving with my fav’s Trains/Planes, Avalon, Home For the Holidays and more.  Great list on IMDB http://www.imdb.com/list/BhMKFbC2SWg/

ENJOY and Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope you get your favorite style of cranberry sauce and lots of hugs!

Cyndy, The Whoopie Queen

p.s. If your relatives do a doozie to your emotions this holiday, never fear, The Whoopie Queen is here.  I have a call on Wednesday, December 4th at 12noon to provide positive psychology tips and tools on getting down with your mind chatter.   http://www.eventbrite.com/e/whoop-it-up-with-your-mind-chatter-tickets-9231111503

How Many Hugs Does It Take To Feel Happier?

Intentional Acts of Kindness FULL BODY HUG, new pop up comedy bit - http://whoopiequeen.com/YouTube.html How Many Hugs Does It Take to Feel Happier?  It's World Kindness Day every year on November 13th.   There are lots of ways to spread the love.  Open the door for someone, smile, pass out flowers, donate a coat, pay the tab of a person who is in line behind you, write a letter of thanks, call a distant relative, cook a meal for a person in need, hug your neighbor.  The bestselling book Random Acts of Kindness started a rEVOLution of guerrilla goodness.  Bob Votruba created a movement - he bought a school bus, had 40 of his relatives paint it with "nice" messages, and he went on a tour around the country challenging people to do a MILLION acts of kindness in their life. Kindness does not have to be random.  It can be intentional.  And it can be funny, especially when you tell strangers you are a hug expert and guide them on how to give a "full body hug."  Click on the Pop Up Comedy link below. Feeling the need to have the research behind The Whoopie Queen know-it-all tips, I am becoming a certified Positive Psycho, uh humm Positive Psychologist, through the Open Center's Flourish program in NYC.  In my studies we recently learned about Dr. Love, Neuroeconomist Paul Zak.  He did some research which reveals that if you want to feel happier in life, give/get 8 hugs a day.  If I squeeze ya upon greeting, know that I'm getting my quota and spreading the love. • Bob Votruba One Million Acts of Kindness Bus Tourhttp://www.onemillionactsofkindness.com/about/ • Pop Up Comedyhttp://www.whoopiequeen.com/YouTube.html. • Dr. Love's TED talkhttp://www.ted.com/talk/paul_zak_trust_morality_and_oxytocin.html • For more ideas of kindness, visithttp://www.randomactsofkindness.org/kindness-ideas WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE WHOOPIESPHERE: • Have a Nooner with The Whoopie Queen A 1 hr teleclass - Whoop It Up With Your Mind Chatter,  12pm-1pm on 12/4/13 http://whoopitupmindchatter.eventbrite.com/?aff=estw Most people have a tickertape of thoughts that bounce around their head throughout the day.  It never stops.  From the book The Untethered Soul, it is refered to as the "roommate" in your brain... "What was her name?  I should know her name.  Kristine has introduced me twice.  I'm a crack head.  How can I act like I remember her without using her name?"  "Shoot, I should have spoken up in the meeting.  Now I don't look like I know what I'm talking about.  This is the kind of thing that effects my review.  Stupid!"  "The house is going to be full of relatives during the holidays.  What should I make for dinner?!  Kelly is a vegan.  How can I serve a roast beast?  It is so hard to please everyone.  And my uncle dislikes my cousin.  I'll never get through the festivities without a big fat mess." Get down with the mind chatter and use it to problem solve, laugh at it, or shut it the F up!  A one hour call - Whoop It Up With Your Mind Chatterhttp://whoopitupmindchatter.eventbrite.com/?aff=estw •  Come out and see me sometime.  Monday, 11/18/13 Special Comedy Performance  FemFocus:  Overcoming Obstacles An intimate evening of interaction, inspiration & illumination, Georgetown University| 6-9p Moderator: Carol Ross Joynt: Editor-in-Chief, Washingtonian Panelists: Margot Dorfman: CEO US Women’s Chamber of Commerce Reverend Ann Gillespie: Christ Church Lauren Ruotolo: Director Entertainment Promotions, Hearst Magazines Chris Weber: Former VP Production for Specials, Discovery Channel Special performance by: The Whoopie Queen, Cyndy Cecil-Bragg • Visit the newly fluffed up web site.  www.whoopiequeen.com now has a feather boa, all the Whoopie Queen Pop Up Comedy videos, and the latest Let's Talk Live appearances.  Thank you for the production assistance Tony Quaranta, Jr.! •  Check out new Pop Up Comedy that is popping up!http://whoopiequeen.com/YouTube.html Full Body Hug premieres today in honor of World Kindness Day where I do HUGS 101 on The Mall in front of the US Capitol.  Last month we whooped up some fun outside of Ford's Theater and did a tour-guide takeover about Prez Obama's limo, The Beast.  And there's the Ode to Anderson Cooper's stories about the  Monkey Trip to Ikea.  If you have a Pop Up Comedy idea, send it my way.  cyndy@whoopiequeen.com Postiive Psycho, over and out. Big Love & Eight Hugs, Cyndy, The Whoopie Queen  https://twitter.com/WhoopieQueen    https://www.facebook.com/WhoopieQueen www.whoopiequeen.com

  

Wicked Washington Halloween

Wicked Washington...not just for the politicians tonight.  Whoop it up and make some mischief in the DMV on All Hallow's Eve with the Whoopie Queen picks:
 

COSTUME PARTIES:

MASQUERADE Party AT SAX, "NIGHT OF MASKS" OCTOBER 31 http://www.saxwdc.com/ 734 Eleventh St. NW, 10p  Grand costumed performances in our glass enclosed stage begin at 6:30pm and continue all night!  Expect Electrifying performances such as Big Spender, Booty Swing and Chamber Mates that will dazzle you throughout the evening. The professional cast of acrobats, burlesque, and contemporary dancers will wow you and suck you into the magic that is Sax. Be prepared to be awestruck.  Enjoy bewitching bottle service specials, enchanting performances, delectable Halloween tricks and treats, and other SAXual surprises beginning at 10pm.

Halloween Social at the W Hotel
October 31, 2013, 8 p. m. P.O.V Rooftop, W Hotel, 515 15th Street NW, Washington DC. The Halloween party will fEeature craft cocktails plus dancing and DJ Ghost and DJ Philipz spinning all night, with special guest performers, a best costume contest, and more. The winner of the night’s best costume contest will receive an overnight stay, champagne, and breakfast in bed. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit the Washington Humane Society.

The Mansion on O
October 31, 2013, 8:00 p.m. 2020 O Street NW. Washington DC. Costume Party.  Online Reservations Required, $30 per person, no tickets at the door. Party includes: DJ, costume contest with prizes, chocolate fountain, special Halloween treasure hunt, cash bar. Tour the 100 room mansion and search for secret doors when you visit. https://www.omansion.com/events/reservation.shtml?Event=Halloween%20Party

Best HAUNTS:

NIGHTLY SPIRITS WHITE HOUSE HAUNTED PUB TOUR $32.95, 8:30pm Occidental Grill http://www.nightlyspirits.com/ 2.5 hour walking tour past of some of the most historic and haunted pubs and buildings in Washington DC.. 3-4 different locations incl a former funeral home that is now a haunted bar. 

National Building Museum Ghost Tours
Take a spooky lantern-light ghost tour led by costumed Civil War veterans. Infamous as one of the most haunted buildings in DC, find out why ghosts call the National Building Museum their home. Hear tales of an irritable rider on horseback and look for mysterious faces in the 75-foot Corinthian columns and much more! 2013 Dates: September 29, October 23, 20, and 31. Registration is required. Call (202) 272-2448.

The Most Haunted Houses  7:30 $20, 2 hours http://www.washingtonwalks.com/tours/haunted-houses.shtml  Violent quarrels, vicious attacks, murder, suicide -- why is it such turbulent events in Washington history seem concentrated around the seven acres of Lafayette Park? grim reaper stalked more than Abraham Lincoln.  begin this walk at the house considered the most haunted home in the city: The Octagon. October 31 when a special edition of the walk will be offered that brings you inside the Octagon House.  Reservations are required

EXPERIENCE THE HORRIFIC

NIGHTMARE MANOR http://nightmare-manor.com/schedule.html Thurs 7p $25  actors, haunted 200 year old house, surrounding areas and corn field, URBANA up 270, corn field, maze of buildings, house with cellar, ghosts!!!

Crime Museum: Fright @ the Museum "DEAD MEN WALKING" The museum is a hunting ground for the criminally insane.  7pm, tours ½ hour, $20 7^th Street NW http://tickets.crimemuseum.org/capacity/titles/Fright_at_the_Museum.aspx 

 

GET YOUR NAUGHTY ON THE DANCEFLOOR

 

HALLOWEEN CIRCUS @ BLACKCAT:  3 dif rooms with heavy metal in one place and rockabilly Johnny Grave & The Tombstones, burlesque dancers, sideshow acts. http://www.blackcatdc.com/shows/mardi-gras.html    10 Adv/ $12 DOS Mainstage / Doors at 8:00, 1811 14th St. NW

Strathmore - Funk Legend Bootsy Collins and the Funk Unity Band Playing with a Full Symphony  A concert benefiting BeethovenFound/Tribute to Wounded Warriors and the Bootsy Collins Foundation, giving musical instruments to children in underserved communities, and The Art and Drama Therapy Institute.  http://www.strathmore.org/eventstickets/calendar/view.asp?id=9798

ALL HALLOWS LIVE Who's Bad?  October 31, 2013. Maryland Live Casino, Arundel Mills, MD. Customers will enjoy Trick or Treat Prize Drawings for Live! Rewards Players Club members, a Halloween Candy handout, and a special live performance from Who's Bad, a tribute to Michael Jackson, at Rams Head Center Stage, followed by a Costume Contest with a top prize of $1,500 Free Slot Play. Concert begins at 8 p.m. Contest at 11:00 p.m. 

Have a ghordeous Halloween!

  

Making Fun Where the Fun Don't Shine

The Whoopie Queen Pop Up Comedy Tour is here!  Sometimes ya need a little glitter to sparkle, especially when you get your picture taken for your driver's license.  

I'm here to help.

                                                   And in the coming weeks...

It's an effort to make FUN where the fun don't shine, every Whoopie Wednesday in September!

Smiles,
Cyndy The Whoopie Queen