Erzsi Pongó

Good Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 00:13:00 +0000

I once told the fellow sitting on the right, "I am the original Yoda." It was a moment of inexplicable silliness - one that garnered much ridicule, and rightfully so. We were sitting outside on one of the first warm days of Spring, discussing the vital issues of the day. Simultaneously the subject turned to both the horse farm that I lived on and the characters in the original Star Wars trilogy.

I often compare Eddy Farm, a riding school in Vermont to the Degoba System. Both were very much brimming with life, each environment surfeited by insects and leafy things. Much like the Degoba System, Eddy Farm was none too refined during the time that I spent there. It was lush, and there were bugs chirping every minute of every hour. Doris Eddy, the owner of the farm had big bulbous bumps on her head, she was balding a little bit, and all of the joints in her body were gnarled from years of heavy labor; riding horses, hauling bales of hay, and putting water into over trough.

In retrospect, I was much more like Luke Skywalker than Yoda. Doris Eddy was the Yoda of the farm. She taught me about respect for living things. She pointed out that you can't just mope around, consumed by your own feelings. She taught me that when one is self-absorbed - one runs the risk of forgetting how we make others feel. She taught me that lesson by shouting at me, "You can just drop dead!" after I insulted her once. And then she slammed a door in my face.

As my friend Jon here pointed out, "It took a lot of brass, a lot of moxy to make that claim. But hey, "You're Erzsi, you can make that claim and get away with it." I think that's because my father was a world class fencer? I don't know. And I certainly don't know why I said that, looking back. During that point in my life I was much more of a student than a teacher. But something in me, blurted it out. To blurt is human, to laugh about it is more fun than taking ourselves too seriously.

Now, I teach people how to exercise and eat right, how to use the force. But of course, we're talking kinetic force - my clients and me. Still, I can't help but think that when a conversation has a little bit of that learning process deeply imbued into it, that conversation is a lot more fun. Use the force, Luke. Use the force.

Exterior Signage at Pongo Power

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 04:31:00 +0000

Is it wrong to love my exterior signs as much as I do? When it comes to exterior signs - no, I don't mean my smile, or the twinkle in my eye when I'm blatantly honest with someone I care about. I mean the signs on my storefront in Park Slope, Brooklyn!

You simply must check it out - wheneva you have the chance. Pongo Power, located at 402 5th Street, near the corner of 6th Avenue is certainly coming along. We now have exterior signage.

I've worked for the man (which was actually fairly ideal) I've worked for a few clients, and I've worked for myself; and I am very, very happy to report: my fav is working towards building a community.

Being at the fitness studio, and hiring my new employees has been more imaginative and more of a live dream-come-true than I could ever have foretold. (Imagine me knocking my head right now and stating, "Knock on wood.") I so enjoy establishing a place for people to meet, and greet, and talk about the vital issues of the day. And luckily my first boss (the man - Ted Bahr) taught most of that to me. I guess this blog is an exterior sign of my gratefulness.

Thanks, Ted!

Hello from Center Slope

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 06:10:00 +0000

I've been super busy these days - but not too busy to post a blog! Hello web-log world. Been a long time. What makes a person go into blog hibernation?

Well, opening the doors for a storefront in Park Slope will do the trick. I've been working away, building a personal training studio on 5th Street at the corner of 6th Avenue. My fitness studio is right across from the Park Slope Ale House. So, if you don't feel like working out - we can go have a beer. That is of course, if you are over 21.

Blog hibernation has been fine. I've been practicing guitar. Blogs. Everybody's writing them, but who is reading them? You are! Stand-up comedy and film making have taken a complete back seat to the passion I feel when teaching people how to do lunges, bicep curls and heel taps. Training your lower abdominal core is my calling, right now.

Ursula Points - A Rock Band

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 06:31:00 +0000

Ursula Points

I took this photo of Ursula Points, yesterday. Their album, "Light Up A Galaxy," will be out 10/03/06. Ursula Points is made up of Kevin McGinnis - vocals, guitar, bass, drums, synths, percussion; and Lindsay Marcus - vocals, wurlitzer, guitar, piano, percussion, engineer.

They rock. You can find them on MySpace. Here

This is how I see the world. No matter how many shadows, and how much light - we have an incredible galaxy. You can't deny that. Who of you, out there can really say, "Oh, the galaxy. I don't think the galaxy is that great. It's not funny." The galaxy is a wonderful thing. It is the container of all that is funny and good. Let's hear it for the galaxy! If the galaxy didn't exist, you wouldn't be here.

gal·ax·y

1. Any of numerous large-scale aggregates of stars, gas, and dust that constitute the universe, containing an average of 100 billion (1011) solar masses and ranging in diameter from 1,500 to 300,000 light-years. Also called nebula.

2. An assembly of brilliant, glamorous, or distinguished persons or things: a galaxy of theatrical performers. A splendid assemblage, especially of famous people.

Deadlines!

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 18:00:00 +0000

This is my question: how did the term, "DEADLINE" become such a big part of the common venacular? If you really think about it, this American society that we have on our hands here, folks, is deadline driven.

Now, if your first priority is you deadline - does that mean that you will drop dead if you don't acheive this deadline? Nope. Do you think that when little chickies and birdies are hatching out of their shells and eggs they are thinking to themselves, "I have to MAKE THIS DEADLINE!! If I don't hatch...there's going to be hell to pay." Is the deadline more imporant than the hatching out of the egg? Nope. Natural, organic hatching. That is important.

Now, don't get me wrong. I understand that respecting one anothers' time frames is important - and valuable. I fully believe in team work, and not making other people late as a result of your own slothful laziness.

That is why I choose to do most of my best work in a dark closet, alone.

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 18:38:00 +0000

Erzsi at the Laugh Lounge

Watch the video

Here I am, doing a little show at the Laugh Lounge, about being taken to jail, by my friends, the cops in the New York City Subway system. I know the homeless are often hungry - but this particular cop was was wearing a Boar's Head deli butcher's jacket. Isn't that a little bit odd? For a cop to dress up as a butcher of pigs?

Modeling on the Runway

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 01:02:00 +0000

I must say that modeling has taught me a lot about staying on my toes. Those navy blue shoes I am wearing are the literal example of toe-oriented skills. Walking down a runway in heels is not easy! Luckily these navy blue puppies are snuggled on.

Film Maker: Ramona Floyd and Erzsi Pongo in Central Park

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Fri, 05 May 2006 21:03:00 +0000

Shooting the Banana Tree in Central Park! Here we are. You would never know how much noise the city makes, until you try to shoot a movie there! Here we are, as helicopters, busses, trucks, and anything else on this good earth you can think of rattle and vrooom around us!

A Short Film: Banana Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Fri, 05 May 2006 21:03:00 +0000

Mickey and Erzsi Star in Banana Tree! Yes, folks - is finally happening. I am in a short film, that will be shown on May 7th at the Pioneer Theater at the First Sundays Comedy Film Festival at 7 PM. Here I am, pictured with my co-star: Mickey. We worked hard and long on this film. As you can see, we are concentrating, especially Mickey.

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 21:07:00 +0000

The Erzsi and Jonny Show Stars in Short Film

I Am Making A Film

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Fri, 07 Apr 2006 20:56:00 +0000

In other news,

I am going to start making a movie. I’ve been laughing out loud, watching many short movies, at First Sundays and one day it finally occurred to me that as an aspiring film maker, I could make a film too. My film is going to be a short and funny film about stand-up comedy in New York City. My comedy partner, Jonny Goldstein will be in the film, as well as Rob Shapiro, who will be playing the role of my psychologist.

I have been thinking about this for about four weeks now, but this week, on Sunday night there was a major development. I was sitting on the F train, going home - when fellow comic Remick Benice, sat down next to me! Much to my surprise, our subsequent conversation inspired a whole other element of the short film that I had been planning: having a protagonist, other than just myself as the main character. Remi agreed to play the role! And so, after a lot of existentialism and deep thought, I decided a romantic comedy will be more funny, then just a regular comedy.

The next evening, on Monday I approached Ann and Nick of A Brief View of the Hudson who both said they will contribute music. This short movie is going to rock and roll.
“…Ann Enzminger and Nicholas Nace incorporate many of the best characteristics of both country music and classic rock without sounding derivative...Enzminger is a tiny woman, a hair taller than five feet, but with an opera-trained voice as big and sweet as a bowling ball–size Hershey Kiss. Nace's twangy talk-singing adds a quirky and ear-catching roughness; we crave the combination time and again." - The NY Press

I’ve been a filmmaker since I was 23, when I bought my first video camera. At that point I made a lot of films about my life in Vermont, and also my friends. I also started writing everything down for my films. So, am I really just a, “Video-maker?” No, because all of my other films live in a box under my bed, on paper. They exist in the form of sequence outlines, dialogue, and scene descriptions.

There are eight screenplays and films I plan to make. “The Indoor Ring,” “Start Up: The Movie,” and “Corporate America,” are three of the eight. So, should I call myself a, “Video-maker-and-writer?” Is video… film? I think so, because according to what I’ve seen through the media utilized at First Sundays, video counts as film. It isn’t called a, “First Sundays Comedy Video Festival.” Thanks to First Sundays and the wonder and magic of the Internet for clearing up the confusion and inspiring me to move on with my film making!

The Return of the Erzsi and Jonny Show!

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 23:26:00 +0000

The Erzsi and Jonny Show Returns!

Jonny Goldstein and Erzsi Pongo (yes, me), we hosted our first live, televised episode of The Erzsi and Jonny Show this week!

Our first guest, pictured here is Eric Merola of Merola Productions. You can visit his awesome web site at http://www.merolaproductions.com. Obviously Eric is an outstanding artist and we are very lucky to be joined by him in our expression of selves.

The Erzsi and Jonny Show will be broadcast every other Monday night on channel 57 at 10PM. Check it out!

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 20:40:00 +0000

Is it wrong to say, "I'm going to video blog about this!" to your arresting officer?

Jail is Fun!

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 19:59:00 +0000

Well, spring is about to spring forth, folks! Luckily I am ready. Are you? Now that the warm weather is upon us, tax season is in full bloom, and our frozen souls can finally melt, we can all heave a collective sigh of relief! What? Why?? How! I will tell you. Exercise your freedom of choice, and free will! Sounds like a simple cliché, yes? Yes. But still, we do have free will. It isn’t just a figment of our collective consciousness.

As one who was once handcuffed and arrested for putting my feet up in the subway, I speak from first-hand experience. Being set free after any spell of imprisonment is a tremendous boon. And what better way to celebrate, than to breath easy and say quietly in the back of one’s mind, “I’m not in jail anymore. I can be free. Even though the United States has about as much credibility as a teenager who beat the crap out of the squirrels in the back yard with a big stick, and then tried to feed the squirrel meat to his baby sister, and I am an American; at least I can still exercise freedom of speech and make my own little way in this world.”

What am I babbling about freedom of speech for? Well, for one thing in my devotion to freedom of speech when I was arrested, I did warn the police office that I have power too. I did say, “I am going to video blog about this.” Of course, the next event was the handcuffs being slapped on my wrists. So, why would I choose to laugh about such a thing? How dare I choose this as an illustration of hope? Why do I have so much faith in freedom of speech?

Bottom line, just like winter turns to spring: by some freak of nature, human beings often do end up laughing about some of the most challenging, difficult, and ridiculous times in our lives. Now, if that isn’t justice, I don’t know what is. It’s like finding a stupid rock, and then breaking it apart and finding a geode inside. The United States is going through a terribly trying time right now, with the war and the embarrassing things that our leaders say and do, but guess what? Our generation is the next to be in a position of power! And in as much as spring follows winter, there has to be another period of enlightenment after the dark ages. Either that, or the ports will be taken over by terrorists. Fine, fine, fine. Let’s not be overly optimistic. Let’s keep our feet on the ground and enjoy the natural progression of things. Or we can complain about it. See? Freedom.

I could choose to be depressed about being in jail last year, and I could let it get me down about the United States, and being an American. Or, I could make it one of the corner stones of my comedy routine and a definitive element of my character and my persona. Who is this Hungarian, American red head with such reckless, loud laughter and well defined biceps? Oh, it’s Erzsi Pongo. Air like, fresh air folks. I can laugh about being in jail, or I can cry. Or, I can do both, at the same time, while snorting milk and spaghetti through my nose. Attractive, I know. It’s a choice. We’ve all got ‘em. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness aren’t some cliché principals from a movie. It’s reality. Not bad for reality.

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 00:56:00 +0000

Me at Bowery Poetry Club - Doing Stand Up

Sunday Rainy Afternoon

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Sun, 29 Jan 2006 18:51:00 +0000

My favorite client, as pictured below is only 4 feet, 11 inches tall. "Do you know what it is like to be this tall?" She has often challenged me, "People pat me on the head sometimes, does anyone ever do that to you?" People do not pat me on the head.

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 23:30:00 +0000

My Favorite Client

Core Integration

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Mon, 16 Jan 2006 00:25:00 +0000

The core is the center of your body. It's of the muscles that lace around your spinal column from your head to your tailbone.

Not to be confused with the core of an apple. Because apples have no muscles.

Why do I want to talk about the core? Because it's important, its where all your movement is initiated from. The head, the spine, the nervous system, the core of your being.

No, I'm not just trying to bring back the robot (imagine me, making my spine very stiff, and moving my arms and legs around in 90 degree angles).

Genius. Pure, Solid, Comedy Gold.

Eight Days into January, and All is Well...

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 04:45:00 +0000

Well, New Year's Eve is over, although I'm still publishing photos in all their glory...see below.

I'm taking a break from a new, fun project I am working on. I am developing "characters," that I can play in comedy sketches. Then I will write the sketches, or work with someone on that.

I am very excited, because Hungarian women are known to have a lot of personality and be a bit crazy. i.e. Zsazsa Gabor...Hungarian. I am 50% Hungarian. So I've got a lot of pure, wild, crazy Hungarian blood in me. The Pongo family dates back to 1673. We were granted nobility back then...blah, blah. Yes, it's great backstory.

So my first character will be named Bozsi.. that's Betsy in Hungarian. She's a personal trainer. Go figure. She's a bit of a domineering type, not that supportive though. Always frank about her true thoughts, challenging the people she works with, never agreeing right off the bat. She demands the best of her peeps, and has trouble understanding why they can't do exactly what she commands them to do, immediately.

GIVE ME TEN PUSHUPS! NOW!

Be Serious!

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 04:36:00 +0000

A Lot! If you dare. This is the inner circle trying to be serious while waiting for our cab. We really accomplished our goal.

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 04:35:00 +0000

I love my friends!

The Phones are Goin' Crazy!

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Mon, 02 Jan 2006 06:23:00 +0000

Half way through our dinner my friend Dave, sitting diagonally accross the table from me text messaged everyone at our table - HAPPY NEW YEAR. What is this world coming to? Technology these days is becoming a big joke. Couldn't he just SAY that to us, or raise a glass and propose a toast?? NOoooooo.

We have such different ways of expressing our emotions these days. Thanks to texting, blogging, and all the rest - we are now officially choose to relate feelings to one another in every alternative possible. Being direct takes on a whole new meaning...

Some might say it's crazy to play around with a piece of technology rather than simply look up and speak to one another, but hey - whipping out our digital cameras and cell phones every three minutes at the dinner table is a heck of a lot healthier than lighting cigarettes and smoking throughout the meal.

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Mon, 02 Jan 2006 06:20:00 +0000

The sous-chef's hubby and me...Adam and I have known each other since 6th grade. I only knew him through a friend who had a crush on him at that time. Adam was a celebrity in middle school. Oh heck, he's still a celebrity. We celebrate Adam's wild craziness every chance we get.

Adam invited us up to his horse farm in Upstate NY this New Years. He gets a huge kick out of his Mac computer, his fish tank, and his new wife, Leigh. I can't believe we're still friends after all these years. Adam is always the last person to go to sleep, and will always talk about whatever you want to talk about, with reckless abandon.

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Mon, 02 Jan 2006 06:19:00 +0000

The French Corner's sous-chef, with hubby, and friends! Leigh is awesome...she cooked an 8 course meal with a team of like-minded passionate chefs here in upstate New York this New Year's 2006. She worked for hours in front of a hot stove, and then came out and looked like she had more energy than anyone at our table. Completely energized by cooking - Leigh's culinary creations were delightful. Thank you Leigh!

HAPPY 2006!!

noreply@blogger.com (Pongo) — Sat, 31 Dec 2005 23:47:00 +0000

This is my last blog of 2005! Joy, joy, joy! Thank you to everyone who listened to me, and laughed with me, and discussed with me in earnest the wild events of 2005.

We here in Upstate New York are pre-occupied with cabbage - at the moment. That is we are waiting for our cab to go to the French Corner for dinner and drinks. An 8 course meal awaits, hard to imagine. Real cabbage makes you make smelly poos.

5 hours left, and then on to the new.