Happy Birthday Edgar Allan Poe!

“Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.” - Edgar Allan Poe

Everybody knows I love Edgar Allan Poe so I can't let the day of his birth go by without mentioning it or sharing my video tribute to him yet again (yes, again!)  If you want to learn more about the video and how it came about, please visit my blog post about it by clicking here. 

Direct link to "The Raven is Hard to Handle: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSwsZ8L3S6Y

More than filming the video, I have enjoyed performing "The Raven is Hard to Handle" live at my shows.  It is an example of how so many other people of all ages love Edgar Allan Poe and perhaps have forgotten how fun classic literature can be.  I doubt Poe truly knew the power his words would have on future generations...or that you can dance to it!

I am also so flattered when I see the kids in the audience get excited about the poem and sing it back to me or want to wear my Raven wings or hats.  It reminds me that I am being heard and received in the manner that I always envisioned for Stand-Up Librarian: Reading + Pop Culture = FUN.  Learning is FUN!  I never wanted to just do stand-up comedy or write on this blog.  I wanted to utilize all of my interests and talents to share my love for books, libraries, bookstores, music and fashion. 

In just wanting to honor one of my literary heroes, I discovered a path for myself that also enables me to fulfill one of my dreams that I thought was impossible: being a rockstar.  While I may never sell-out stadiums like Aerosmith and U2 or sing live on the aerial trapeze like Pink, I am a literary rockstar to a few kids I know and that is pretty cool.  One of my goals this year is to do more programs and shows for young people.  Oh and if I can perform "The Raven is Hard to Handle" live on stage with The Black Crowes, now that would be awesome! (Call me, Chris Robinson!) 

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY and THANK YOU, Mr. Poe for inspiring so many of us to write, to dream, to explore the oddities that not only make us unique but enable us to dream...BIG. 

With the "fans" that truly matter. If something I say makes
them pick up a book, I did my job.

Thanks to Edgar Allan Poe and The Raven, I am able
to soar to heights I never knew was possible. 

Driving Under the Influence

Drinking a non-alcoholic LeFou's Brew at Disney
the day of the accident.

A week ago I was hit by a drunk driver.  I’ve been doing a joke about Melvil Dewey changing the spelling of his name from Dewey to DUI and here I was living the joke!  Not as funny this time.  It was one of those moments that makes you stop and ask: If now is my time to go, have I done everything I ever wanted to do?  My answer was pretty much yes (aside from winning that Oscar or finishing my book), so I welcomed finally hanging out with God to ask him why librarians are losing their jobs but a TV show called “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” got a green light.  Then I remembered I had said I would perform at a library fundraiser down in Sarasota so I decided sticking around would probably be the more professional thing to do.

In all seriousness, I was pretty shaken up by the whole thing.  A family friend had just passed away, my dad was having major surgery the next day, and here I was about to die where my obituary would read, “Meredith was an unemployed librarian and an okay comedian.  She is survived by a lot of cute clothes.  Some of them she sewed herself because she had the time.  Sadly today, she ran out of it.”  And my poor family!  They would then have to sell all of those clothes and open my bills to see how I had yet to pay for them.

Thankfully none of that is going to happen because I am okay.  I even retrieved my favorite bow headband, which on impact, flew off my head and out my open window to land in the middle of the street.  I had forgotten about it due to my panic of almost dying at the hands of a twenty year-old in a monster truck who couldn’t stand up let alone operate a big wheel under the influence of drugs and alcohol.  It was only after my brother and I were driving away that I remembered the headband and we turned around and there it was completely unharmed by passing cars.  I was so grateful that none of the people driving those cars cared enough to stop and steal it or intentionally drive over it with their muddy tires. Which reminded me that none of them stopped to help me either. What a bunch of assholes!  Sorry about the profanity but I almost died, okay?

That headband - which was once just a combination of satin and plastic used to cover my roots when I had yet to make an appointment for the hair salon - is now a symbol of SURVIVAL!  An example of how $3 on the right accessory can make you forget all about shitting your pants and thinking you were about to die.  Okay, I didn’t really crap my pants but the reality of me being somewhat calm and cooperating with the police probably won’t get me a show on TLC called “Here Drives Stand-Up Librarian.”

Truth is I am okay with not having that show.  It is times like this that I am ever so glad that I quit drinking over a year and a half ago because I never want to be responsible for taking away someone else’s chance at living their dreams or accomplishing their To Do list.  Plus I never want to shortchange myself either – I’m not done yet.  You hear that, God?  Besides, I just know this book I am writing is going to be a bestseller and then made into a movie where I play myself and get nominated for an Oscar and win.  I know this because I already have the dress hanging in my closet.

So please.  Don’t drink and drive.  I’ve got shit to do and headbands to wear.

I had also bought a Mr. Toad pin at Disney but hope
from now on to leave all the "wild rides" to him!  

***FYI, this post is not to make light of or joke about the seriousness of DUIs or those who may have lost their lives as a result. We all handle grief and trauma differently so my way is sometimes to write about it.  I honestly hope this kid gets some help because we were both very lucky that it wasn't worse than what it was. 

Performing at the Selby Public Library Tonight!

Just a reminder that I will be performing at the Selby Library Fundraiser tonight.  I will also be selling my literary purses with a portion of the proceeds going to the library.

Support your library & have some fun, Sarasota!  I see big things in your future if you do...

Happy Belated New Year 2013!

Getting ready to enter the labyrinth of 2013.

I have to admit that I am sad to see 2012 go.  It was such a remarkable year on so many fronts that before I step fully into 2013, I wanted to acknowledge some of my favorite moments of 2012.  Each taught me a valuable lesson and reminded me once again that everything we ever want is aways within our grasp if we continue to believe we can attain it...and if you are willing to thread a needle into a sewing machine like 1000 times or sit at home on a Saturday night to edit a video of yourself dancing in Raven wings.  That doesn't mean things will always work out as you planned them to.  There are always setbacks, obstacles, and a lot of unsupportive people looking to stand in your way simply because they can't dance on a book cart to Madonna at their job.  In addition to being a forgiving person, I have tried to be flexible and open to change whether it be geography, economic, employment-related, or personal changes within myself.  I have also stopped trying to be so cynical or "cool."  I LOVED winning tickets to Oprah and hugging her did make me weep because it was an example how  - sending one email for tickets - even exceeded my high expectations!  I figured I would just meet Gayle!

Anyway, there were so many moments that I could have shared here but I am already feeling anxious about getting into my work for 2013.  One of the things I hope to finally  accomplish this year is finishing the book I have been writing on and off for several years.  Therefore, I probably won't be writing as many blog posts other than to promote any shows or new products.  Okay, so things will remain the same on here I guess.  Well, here's my Top 10 Moments of 2012:   

My 2012 New Year’s resolution seemed simple:

"Resolution - Success & happiness &
LOVE in St. Pete/NYC in 2012!"
...but I was in debt and heartbroken
still living in LA with no plans on the horizon.

Smartest Decision of 2012: Leaving Los Angeles to move home

...and despite living in a bug-infested apartment 
with endless water leaks, I never did get that security deposit back.

Makeover Moment of 2012: Got bangs for the first time in my life

...forgetting that now I really do 
resemble Kathy Griffin.

Literary Fantasy Come True of 2012: Visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida

...where my new hair fluffed out due to Florida humidity
and I became obsessed with butter beer. 

Holy Crap Moment of 2012: Getting 3^rd row tickets to see Oprah in NYC and meeting her

...then proceeded to cry like a 
baby on national TV. 

Unexpected Moneymaker of 2012: Launching Meredith Myers Designs/Stand-Up Librarian Designs

...and yes, they are still for sale here:
www.StandUpLibrarianDesigns.com

Best Use of iPhone Camera 2012: Having beach photograph included in Dali Museum exhibit

...plus I got a free Dali poster & fake mustache! 

Funniest Moment of 2012: Performing "Librarian Gone Wild" with Danica & Dave at Yorba Linda Public Library (and later ALA Anaheim)

...and I refuse to perform it again without them. 

Favorite Video of 2012: “The Raven is Hard to Handle”

I loved every moment of this thing: creating the costumes,
attempting to sing, filming the video & performing it live at my shows!

Best Stand-Up Librarian Performance of 2012: Both sold-out shows at Venue Theatre

...where I finally got the chance to do
everything I ever wanted to do as the Stand-Up Librarian.

Full Circle Moment of 2012: Celebrating 10 Years of Performing Stand-Up Comedy at The Strand Book Store in NYC

...where thankfully they did not pay me in free drinks
like Gotham Comedy Club did in 2002.
Having my brother by my side made this moment
extra special for so many reasons.

I wish you much success in all that you want to achieve in 2013 - both personally and professionally.  Make every moment count!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Everything in this picture I made myself!
(Well, not the chair...me with a saw is not a good idea.)

What a wonderful holiday season I am having!  Making gifts, baking cookies, EATING.  I am just so grateful to have had the most wonderful year thanks to all of you coming to my shows, purchasing my literary designs, and reading this blog.  Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.  I hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with love, laughter, food, and a good book that you can dance to!  

As I am hosting Christmas Eve dinner for my family, I have to run but here's another look at my "I Ran After the Gingerbread Man" holiday video.  And, yes, I am having four different types of gingerbread tonight: cookies, cheesecake, cake and tea!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Direct link to the "I Ran After the Gingerbread Man" video here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-UPtpDWe88

Order Stand-Up Librarian Designs This Holiday Season!

StandUpLibrarianDesigns.com

This holiday season, don't forget to order the librarian or book lover in your life one of my literary fashions!  Items include wristlet purses, fanny packs, cosmetic bags, Christmas stockings, scarves and headbands - all in literary prints - because if there is one thing smarter than reading a book, it is wearing it!  Please visit StandUpLibrarianDesigns.com for more information (and custom orders), or go directly to my Etsy Shop for items ready to ship.  Each item comes with a free bookmark!

For a limited time, I am also selling my signature bow headband that I wear on stage.  I've had so many compliments on it (not to mention, requests to sell it) that I will try to meet the demand and produce a few of them for my special patrons who want one.

Be literary fabulous this holiday season - READ!

Posing with my book cart before a show.

Antique Books Bow Headband - $25
Available for a limited time only!

The Stand-Up Librarian Performs at The Strand THURSDAY!

The flier Lisa from The Strand created to promote my show.
Thank you, Lisa!

THE STRAND BOOKSTORE – 7pm

Thursday, December 6^th

$10 Strand Gift Card (can be used for any Strand purchase)

828 Broadway at 12th Street (3^rd floor Rare Book Room)

About the show: Click HERE

For reservations/gift card purchase: Click HERE

I hope to see you there!

For Immediate Release

STAND-UP LIBRARIAN MEREDITH MYERS

BRINGS ALL-LITERARY COMEDY SHOW 

TO THE STRAND DECEMBER 6^TH

NEW YORK, NY (November 15, 2012) – “So a comedian walks into a library and decides to work there…”  Comedian/Librarian Meredith Myers, also known as TheStand-Up Librarian, brings her all-literary comedy show to The Strand Book Store on December 6^th. The event begins at 7pm and the purchase of a $10 Strand gift card is required to attend.

You’ve seen stand-up, but not like this!  Myers will perform an hour of hilarious literary entertainment for all ages as she riffs on pop culture icons, authors, story time, and books, books, books.  A combination of Pippi Longstocking and Sandra Bernhard with the wardrobe of Carrie Bradshaw, Myers entertains while educates about the importance of literacy and libraries as she addresses Melvil Dewey and the Dewey Decimal System, honors Edgar Allan Poe in a rock n’ roll musical parody, and dances on a book cart in a delicious holiday-inspired musical number all in literary costumes she sews herself!  There will most certainly be no shushing at this show!

Myers has a Masters degree in Library and Information Sciences and has been performing stand-up comedy across the country since 2002 after checking out a comedy book from her local library.  She wrote, produced and starred in her one-woman show Like a Publicist off-off Broadway in 2003, which received rave reviews and was based on her years working in public relations for celebrities Hugh Jackman and Jeremy Renner to Diana Krall and Whitney Houston.  Binding her experiences in comedy and libraries, Meredith created StandUpLibrarian.com in June of 2010 to educate and entertain people about the importance of libraries and literacy.  In 2012, she launched StandUpLibrarianDesigns.com so she would have something literary fabulous to wear!  Her literary purses are carried by The Strand and are available for purchase at the show.  Myers currently lives in St. Petersburg, FL and performs at library and book events across the country.

This event will be located in the Strand's 3rd floor Rare Book Room at 828 Broadway at 12th Street.  The purchase of a $10 Strand gift card is required to attend and may be used at any time, towards any purchase at the Strand.

For press inquires and additional information about Stand-Up Librarian Meredith Myers, contact Meredith via email at StandUpLibrarianMM@gmail.com or visit StandUpLibrarian.com.

###

"I Ran After the Gingerbread Man"

"I Ran After the Gingerbread Man": 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-UPtpDWe88

I decided to premiere my new holiday literary parody video live on stage at my sold-out shows at Venue Theatre this past weekend where I choreographed a chase sequence with a real ginger man (my friend, librarian Justin Brasher) and concluded with gingerbread man cookies I baked myself.  It was so fun (not to mention quite delicious I was told!)  I will also be performing it at The Strand Book Store in NYC on Thursday, but sadly my ginger will be unable to make the trip and me baking cookies might be difficult as well, but I certainly hope anybody in the New York area will still attend the show!  Anyway, I hope you enjoy the video.  I made the entire gingerbread man outfit myself and actually do own most of the gingerbread man decorations shown.

Information on Thursday's show in NYC:

THE STRAND BOOKSTORE – 7pm

Thursday, December 6^th

$10 Strand Gift Card (can be used for any Strand purchase)

828 Broadway at 12th Street (3^rd floor Rare Book Room)

About the show: Click HERE

For reservations/gift card purchase: Click HERE

I hope to see you there!

Shooting the video.

Performing it live on stage at Venue Theatre.

Dancing with my gingerbread man.

Serving up some fresh gingerbread man
cookies for the audience!

Performances & Designs

I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving with family & friends and are now getting into the holiday spirit by decorating trees and reading Dickens!  I am busy preparing for my shows at Venue Theatre and The Strand Bookstore which are just days away.  I have also been creating some very special holiday items that are available for a limited time only at my shows and at StandUpLibrarianDesigns.com.  Why hang a store-bought Christmas stocking when you can have a personalized book stocking to encourage reading!

I hope all of you will have a chance to come to one of the shows because it is truly a celebration for me and I am going all out.  I started performing stand-up comedy in NYC back in 2002 so to return and perform my all-literary comedy act at The Strand Bookstore is such an honor.  Plus to perform in my hometown for the first time in ten years is pretty cool too.  Nothing makes me prouder than writing jokes that hopefully people enjoy but more importantly encourages them to read!

The show info is below…hope to see you there!

STAND-UP LIBRARIAN MEREDITH MYERS

“So a comedian walks into a library and decides to work there…”

You’ve seen stand-up, but not like this!  Comedian/Librarian Meredith Myers will perform an hour of hilarious literary entertainment for all ages as she riffs on pop culture icons, authors, story time, and books, books, books.  A combination of Pippi Longstocking and Sandra Bernhard with the style of Carrie Bradshaw, Myers entertains while educates about the importance of literacy and libraries as she addresses Melvil Dewey and the Dewey Decimal System, honors Edgar Allan Poe in a rock n’ roll musical parody, and dances on a book cart in a delicious holiday-inspired musical number all in literary costumes she sews herself!  There will most certainly be no shushing at this show!

VENUE THEATRE – 8pm

Friday, November 30^th & Saturday, December 1^st

$15 (bring a library card & it is just $10)

9125 US Hwy 19 N (at Mainlands Blvd in Pinellas Park)

For reservations, call 727-822-6194. Cash only.

THE STRAND BOOKSTORE – 7pm

Thursday, December 6^th

$10 Strand Gift Card (can be used for any Strand purchase)

828 Broadway at 12th Street (3^rd floor Rare Book Room)

For reservations/gift card purchase: Click HERE

Meredith Myers has a Masters degree in Library and Information Sciences from the University of South Florida and has been performing stand-up comedy across the country since 2002 after checking out a comedy book from her local library.  She wrote, produced and starred in her one-woman show Like a Publicist off-off Broadway in 2003, which received rave reviews and was based on her years working in public relations for celebrities Hugh Jackman and Jeremy Renner to Diana Krall and Whitney Houston.  Binding her experiences in comedy and libraries, Meredith created www.StandUpLibrarian.com in June of 2010 to educate and entertain people about the importance of libraries and literacy.  In 2012, she launched www.StandUpLibrarianDesigns.com so she would have something literary fabulous to wear!  She currently lives in St. Petersburg and performs at library and book events across the country. 

For press inquires and additional information on Stand-Up Librarian Meredith Myers, contact Meredith via email at StandUpLibrarianMM@gmail.com or visit StandUpLibrarian.com.

Book Stockings are available for a limited time at:
StandUpLibrarianDesigns.com

I can always count on the Kardashians
for some comedy material.

Happy Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
(I made that turkey ornament in 3rd grade.)

Before we all begin a busy week of travel and turkey consumption (while the stores just bypass it all together to promote Black Friday), I wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all of the people who have made the past year a truly remarkable one in both personal and professional ways.  I am so grateful to my family, friends and fans who have offered me their love and support as I transitioned out of Los Angeles and back to Florida.  It has made all of the difference in finding my voice, my creativity, and learning the very important lesson that sometimes taking a step back is just so you can get more appropriate shoes for the next leg of your journey that are on sale right now at Macy’s!  Sorry, I was just distracted by a sales flyer in my newspaper.  What I meant to say was…I have a lot of shoes, wear many hats, and now have a literary purse business so if you want to buy something, shop here!  No that wasn’t my point – stupid Facebook pop up ad!  OK, seriously, my point is this…I am THANKFUL.  I have finally learned that I don’t really need the shoes at all.  I just need my feet.  They help me stand, take difficult steps and dance on a book cart, but more important than all of that, are the people who will catch me when I fall off that book cart: my friends and family.  Sure they might laugh at first but I know that when I start crying and screaming obscenities, someone is going to stop tweeting and call 911.  And that is something to be thankful for… 

Oh and because I am a librarian, I wanted to share with you the ‘Thanksgiving poem’ Over the River and Through the Wood by Lydia Maria Child.  Did you know it was a poem before it became a song?  Of course you did!  Well, I’m glad I didn’t try to shock you with a video about it then.  Anyway, HAPPY THANKSGIVING everybody!

Over the River and Through the Wood

- A Thanksgiving Poem -

By Lydia Maria Child

Over the river and through the wood 


To Grandmother's house we go. 


The horse knows the way 


To carry the sleigh 


Through white and drifted snow.

Over the river and through the wood 


Oh, how the wind does blow! 


It stings the toes 


And bites the nose, 


As over the ground we go.

Over the river and through the wood 


To have a first-rate play. 


Hear the bells ring, 


Ting-a-ling-ling! 


Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river and through the wood, 


Trot fast, my dapple gray! 


Spring over the ground 


Like a hunting hound, 


For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river and through the wood, 


And straight through the barnyard gate. 


We seem to go 


Extremely slow~ 


It is so hard to wait!

Over the river and through the wood~ 


Now Grandmother's cap I spy! 


Hurrah for fun!

Is the pudding done? 


Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

Walking through white and drifted sand...

Stand-Up Librarian Meredith Myers at NYC's The Strand Book Store: 12/6

STANDUPLIBRARIAN.COM

Contact: Meredith Myers 347-979-SHHH

StandUpLibrarianMM@gmail.com

                       

For Immediate Release

STAND-UP LIBRARIAN MEREDITH MYERS

BRINGS ALL-LITERARY COMEDY SHOW 

TO THE STRAND DECEMBER 6^TH

NEW YORK, NY (November 15, 2012) – “So a comedian walks into a library and decides to work there…”  Comedian/Librarian Meredith Myers, also known as The Stand-Up Librarian, brings her all-literary comedy show to The Strand Book Store on December 6^th. The event begins at 7pm and the purchase of a $10 Strand gift card is required to attend.

You’ve seen stand-up, but not like this!  Myers will perform an hour of hilarious literary entertainment for all ages as she riffs on pop culture icons, authors, story time, and books, books, books.  A combination of Pippi Longstocking and Sandra Bernhard with the wardrobe of Carrie Bradshaw, Myers entertains while educates about the importance of literacy and libraries as she addresses Melvil Dewey and the Dewey Decimal System, honors Edgar Allan Poe in a rock n’ roll musical parody, and dances on a book cart to Madonna, all in literary costumes she sews herself!  There will most certainly be no shushing at this show.

Myers has a Masters degree in Library and Information Sciences and has been performing stand-up comedy across the country since 2002 after checking out a comedy book from her local library.  She wrote, produced and starred in her one-woman show Like a Publicist off-off Broadway in 2003, which received rave reviews and was based on her years working in public relations for celebrities Hugh Jackman and Jeremy Renner to Diana Krall and Whitney Houston.  Binding her experiences in comedy and libraries, Meredith created StandUpLibrarian.com in June of 2010 to educate and entertain people about the importance of libraries and literacy.  In 2012, she launched StandUpLibrarianDesigns.com so she would have something literary fabulous to wear!  Her literary purses are carried by The Strand and are available for purchase at the show.  Myers currently lives in St. Petersburg, FL and performs at library and book events across the country.

This event will be located in the Strand's 3rd floor Rare Book Room at 828 Broadway at 12th Street.  The purchase of a $10 Strand gift card is required to attend and may be used at any time, towards any purchase at the Strand.

Members of the press with media-related inquiries about The Strand or this event can be sent to events@strandbooks.com or by calling 212-473-1452.

For press inquires and additional information about Stand-Up Librarian Meredith Myers, contact Meredith at 347-979-SHHH, via email at StandUpLibrarianMM@gmail.com or visit StandUpLibrarian.com.

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