it all started four years ago

four years ago i graduated from college and moved back to NYC from MD. my boyfriend, mike, came to visit and introduced me to a small sketch comedy group--The Upright Citizens Brigade. things with mike didn't work out but things with me and UCB couldn't be better. if you've visited in the past 4 years, i've probably taken you there or at least put that on the menu of options.

in this dinky underground theater, where tickets range from $5-8 dollars, The Stepfathers quickly became our (Jason's hooked too) favorite group. we get excited when we see one of the actors pop up on a commercial and come up with fun "starters" to shout out in the beginning of each performance (ours usually aren't loud enough to be picked).

in early december while shopping in j.crew, i see this guy (jason already saw him) have one of those instant recognition moments. john mayer? no. the after school piano teacher at Dalton? nope. and then jason whispers, "that guy is in Stepfathers". ah ha! we watch for a minute from behind a pile of sweatshirts and then i say, "i want a picture with him." feeling a little jittery, i begin my approach and his phone rings. i fade away as he takes the call. a few moments later, i nervously walk over and giggle some lame quasi pick up line, "people probably ask you this all the time but are you a stepfather." we made some pleasantries; he's zach, i'm erica, this is jason. i asked for a picture with him and he said next time we are there to say hello.

he was flattered. he said so himself. that probably had something to do with me saying, "we're your biggest fans." what does that mean? all i know is i left j.crew with this picture and that cute dress i was holding.