I’m only two gigs into my new career as a stand-up comedian. Actually, “career” is probably the wrong word to use as you usually get paid for one those. “Gig” would also probably be better defined as “the experience of dying onstage”. Okay, start over: I’m only two near-death experiences into my leisurely pursuit of performing stand-up comedy. That’s better.
The fact is, I’ve been a devoted nerd to stand-up since I was probably about ten. My first encounter with it came after my mom rented a VCR from the public library (the kind that transformed from a hard plastic briefcase; technology was so much sweeter back then!) and the Bill Cosby “Himself” tape. I remember it was a big night, because not many poor people had VCR’s and the waiting list at the library was painfully long. But eventually we got our turn and it was sort of an event. Our grandparents came over, we bought multiple 2-liters of soda, popcorn, tortilla chips and Cheese Whiz and we settled into our living room, kids laying on the floor, adults on the furniture. And laughed.
There’s something to be said about laughing with a group of people, especially if it’s your family. I’ll never forget the sight of my grandpa – an extremely humble, strict Christian man- absolutely losing it during the “I Thought My Name Was Jesus Christ” segment (see above). Suddenly, this serious-as-death, oak of a man who detested gossip and who would never willingly offer up any sort of personal information, likes or dislikes, was split wide open. He was never one to waste a smile but he was certainly showing one off that night. The thought of it always kind of chokes me up, which probably why it’s such an important, lasting memory for me.
And so, after years of wondering and talking about what it would be like and some healthy encouragement from this dude, I took the nosedive. I’ve bombed for minutes at a time, but also gotten a few seconds worth of laughter, which is like a reboot – a real slate cleaner. I’ve decided to use this blog as a way to not only map my own progress but also to provide useful tips and information that will hopefully encourage others, especially longtime friends who have also expressed the desire, to take the leap.
Here’s to the pursuit – Live, Laugh, Puke.
