Back on the grind

Sunday I worked and it was pretty slow. When I went up the crowd was tired. I followed a L.A. dude that was the feature at the Madhouse all weekend, and talked about the Colorado shooting to open up for 3 minutes. The crowd pretty much checked out after that. My set was not great, and the crowd started filing out after that. Monday was the open mic. There was a decent crowd. When I went up I chatted with a group of girls in the front. I had a feeling it was a birthday party, as there was 4 hot chicks and one blah chick. I assumed it was her b day, and I was right. As I started chatting with them, I find out the bday girl has wanted to do comedy, and her friends she's hilarious. I, of course, sit down with them and try to get her on stage, with no success. The set was kinda weird, and I think I somewhat put a damper on the show. Some of the comics tried to do the crowd work I did, but didn't get the same reaction. Tuesday was the Store show. It was a small crowd, but they were there to laugh. I went up somewhat in the middle, only doing 6 minutes. I did well, got to do some different jokes, and everything pretty much got a good reaction. Wednesday was Winston's. There was a pretty good crowd. Thursday was the Store. I drank pretty much all day, and was slightly buzzed. I could tell I was out of it, as I was shaking the mic, and didn't have great stage presence. It was by far the drunkest I'd been performing at the Store. I think I did fine, but who knows. I did open the show, with some jokes and some chatting with the crowd. I know I took some popcorn for the group sitting in the front row. I smoked after and that made the gf very upset. Friday was Winston's. The crowd slowly trickled in. It wasn't packed but the crowd was supportive. My set went pretty well. The gf said I had the best set of the night. Who knows if that's correct as she was drinking. I was happy with it, and got some jokes out that don't always work. Saturday I opened the second show at the Store. I assumed after last week I was going to open a lot more shows. I didn't feel like I did amazing but according to other people on the show they enjoyed my set. The headliner jokingly said she was going to steal my home depot joke and do it on the road. The feature and the opener also said on a few occasions that they enjoyed my set. That's a cool feeling.

Slow week in comedy and some vegas action

After work on Sunday I headed with my buddy, his gf, and mine. We got in pretty late, around midnight or so. We got bumped up to a suite because all the smoking rooms were taken. Not bad for getting a free room regardless. Gf got a little drunk and was being a little bratty. I wasn't too pleased about it, and showed my anger. She took off at one point and I had to search for her up and down the strip. Pretty shitty start. Next day I woke up and started drinking. I pretty much drank for 13 hours straight. I was slightly annoying but never got too out of control. Ended up losing around $500 playing blackjack and food. 1/4 of that was money I gave to the gf to gamble. Pretty lame, when she lost that money, she took out more, and didn't give me any. We came back Tuesday night and I worked at the Store. It was a pretty busy show. We were staffed for maybe 50 or 60, but there ended up being almost 200 people. The servers were swamped and we had to turn people away because they just couldn't serve people anymore. One of the servers said she once served the entire room by herself. That's nuts. Wednesday was the contest. It turned out pretty busy. Crowd was not easy. One of the comics pretty much tore into them, and I had to say something about him on stage to keep the crowd happy. He didn't like that I did that and confronted me. We talked it out and he realized he was in the wrong. Thursday was my promoted show at the Comedy Store. I had been trying to do a different 15 minutes every two months, but I was not able to do make it 15. I made it close to 12 I believe, but lost the crowd with a joke and couldn't gain momentum with the jokes I was trying. I started off pretty strong, but tried my robert meowney joke and the crowd kinda tuned out. They were the hardest Thursday crowd to crack. Plus a lot of them were talking and no one told them to be quiet. I know the security dude told us that he was not going to shush people to see how we'd handle it, but it was annoying because I was doing a longer set, and was taping it. I think it went ok, just not as strong as the last few shows we've done. Friday was Winston's and dual headlining with Jesse. It was pretty dead. The girl I booked to promote didn't bring many people. My buddies and their gf's came, but no one else I knew came. A lot of the comics stayed and actually moved up to the front to watch and laughed. I think we need to practice it a little more, but in front of a real crowd it could be something popular. Saturday was back to work at the Store. I tried to give up the shift to no avail. First show was sold out. I actually got to open, and then had to host the whole show. I messed up the first girl's name, to which she told me again how to pronounce it. I asked what I had said and she had no idea. I think I somehow got it right when I brought her up, but just said her first name on the outro. I am not too concerned. My opening set was pretty strong, almost every joke got a somewhat applause break. I'll likely get more opening spots from now on. The headliner said I had a good set, although he was just being nice as he needed a favor.

Lotta drinking and some drama

Wednesday was Winston's. I started drinking kinda early that day. I did the contest but had to bail early as I had another show. The contest was pretty dead. Only 6 of the 8 contestants showed. The two people that were eliminated were the 2 people I planned on bringing people, which they didn't. My friend was in town and checked some of the open mic. They weren't too impressed. I can't blame them, there was no one there. After that I got a ride to American Comedy Club. Although I've checked the show out a few times this was the first time I was on the show. I saw a dude I used to get along with that most of the San Diego comedy scene can't stand. I always defended him as he normally paid me to do his shows. Anyways, couple months back he had some stupid facebook post to which I made an assanine response. He took it the wrong way, deleted me from facebook, and made himself look like such a tool. Anyways, when I saw him on the show, he said hello, and we shook hands. Well he does his set, bombs as usual, and I was after him. I made light of it, and he yelled something about wanted to kick my ass from the audience. After that I tore into him a little more, than proceeded to do my set. I stay for a bit, and listen to the headliner, that requested levi be on the show, talked shit about me on stage. About how I should never insult another professional, and said something to the affect that I'm an amateur. I was going to leave. When all of sudden Levi chases me down again, up the stairs. Telling me how I need to stop disrespecting him. This is when the owner runs over and tells Levi basically to leave the bar and that he wanted me to stay. He gave me his card and all. Once the headliner gets off stage he gives me a lecture how I shouldn't have done that. Such a tool. My friend, who gave me the ride, is talking about how he should have choked him. Pretty funny. I had some comics say they enjoyed it, so whatever. Next day I wake up to see a message from the guy, telling me to stop disrespecting him. To which I simply say you take things too seriously. He then went off on me for 5 straight messages, about how I suck and am an amateur. Funniest part was he called me ugly and poor. Hilarious. Friday was Winston's. The open mic started pretty slow. After that we had another roast. This one was harder to write for. I wasn't as close to them. I think it was another success. Everyone had fun and the audience enjoyed the show.

Store and friend time

Wednesday was the 4th. No show at Winston's. I hung out over there and voiced out some jokes. But, it ended with Jesse and I doing a bunch of Bob Hansen jokes. It was fun. Thursday I opened the show at the Store. It started off pretty slow and awkward. I guess I said something to the affect of, "My girlfriend knew I went without a boyfriend for a long time." I dug myself out of it and ended somewhat strong. Friday was Winston's. It was pretty slow and dead. Somehow the door brought in more money than expected. I knew I was sleeping there, so I drank a little more than I usually do. I was not drunk, but after my set I got pretty intoxicated. Saturday I worked the Store show. The headliner and feature were not the typical variety that they normally book for the weekends. I think they both did fine but they were very alty. They made e laugh at times, but they didn't do as well as many of the normal headliners. Sunday I worked at the Store and went up after the open mic winner. I always getting that spot for some reason. Not sure if it's a good or bad thing. I would say it's a worse spot than 3rd and 4th where people are performing on who were hired after me. I am fine with my set time, and usually do well. But it's a little silly for me to be getting shittier spots than people with less talent. I believe it has t do with me not kissing ass and playing the game. Monday was the Store open mic. I opened with some crowd work and tried out a bunch of new jokes or stuff that I tried on Sunday. I was very happy with it. One joke tanked pretty hard, but overall it was good. I ran the light by about 2 minutes, which is the first time I've ran the light by that much in awhile. I didn't care too much as I was the senior guy working and wanted to end strong.

Chatting and such

Sunday I was at the Comedy Palace. I was booked as the headliner, which doesn't mean much. I just went up last and did the most time. The crowd was kind of weird, typical palace crowd. Watched some of the comics do well, some did meh. I asked for half the comics to be on the show, so that was fun. I went up with no real plan. My first joke went pretty ok, then I screwed up my second job. After that I chatted with a couple of people in the front row. I felt it went pretty well. Almost every line I said got a decent response from the audience. I slipped in a few jokes as well. It was cool to do that much crowd work, totally sober. I had a good time. I took shots at the people for most of my set. I went up to them and made sure we were cool. They said they enjoyed it, and wanted me to tell the others they enjoyed the mas well. Monday was the Store open mic. Like I've said, it's become one of my favorite nights. I tried a few new jokes, and slipped in some crowd work. I was happy with it. Had a guy approach me after about doing a show in Orange County. I had to decline as it's a Friday, and he could only pay me $10. I told him if he had something else open let me now. He said he was working on getting an L.A. show, and I said I'd be down for that. Also had an audience member give me a joke idea, but started the sentence with, "you were alright, but you should say..." Tuesday was the Store. I wasn't sure I was going to do a set, but ended up doing 6. Was suppose to do 7, but the host ran the light to open, then did another 3 minutes between the first comic. That led to the manager saying that the rest of us had to cut our sets short a minute. I basically just had fun with the fact we were playing music, than played with the crowd woooing. And before I even got into my first joke, I already got the light. I was satisfied with my set. The booker said he enjoyed it, and wished I had more time. The headliner was great, and light years ahead of me.

Back at it

Took a few days off from the blog. No real excuses, just nothing really happened with the comedy front. Can't remember all the shows but I'll attempt to remember what happened. I know last Monday I was in the opening round of the madhouse comedy comp. I was eliminated. Kinda funny I've either made it to the finals or got knocked out in the first round in the 4 comps I've been in. I basically just talked to the crowd about one comic. I got a decent response, but they were kinda a young, dumb crowd. I also forgot to raise my hand when they were announcing the names at the end. I could have just done my set and likely advanced, who knows. Either way I could care less. I wasn't effected, obviously I'd like to advance but don't care either way. Tuesday was Sandi Shore's showcase at the Store. There was only 3 students, 2 were really young 13 and 14 I think, and the other was an older gay dude. One of the kids was taking the class for the 2nd time. Not sure what the point of this is. Clearly his dad has money to blow, but he should just be doing more open mics around town. His dad likely never made it in comedy, and now is trying to start his son on the right track. I can understand taking the class once to get over the stage freight and understand the basics of comedy, but after that just move on and start performing. Wednesday was Winston's. It was actually pretty busy. It's been so hit or miss lately. The line up was pretty decent. I think a couple of them will make it to the finals. After the show I drove up to the Store. Not really wanting to and almost bailed. I had a decent set, mostly chatted with the crowd. It's a no pressure situation going up late. Plus I had a few drinks, and the crowd was much more supportive than Thursday shows. I just would rather hang out at Winston's, then drive up there to be judged by strangers. Thursday I opened the show at the Store. My set was meh. I don't know why the Thursday shows are so damn hard. I think people have higher expectations for Thursdays over Sunday and Wednesday for some reason. That and going first is never easy. I think Sundays are easier to go up early as people likely came from dinner or had a drink or two before the show. Friday was Winston's. very good, fun show. Perfect amount of people in the crowd, and they were quite supportive. not an easy crowd but they did laugh and were respectful. It was the final show for Bob, the dude that used to run the show. I think he's a good dude, but New York may eat him up if he doesn't change the way he talks to people. Saturday was the Store. It was an old timey comic. He used a gay voice, a black man's voice, even brought his dog on stage. It was pretty terrible. Some people even walked out. Others complained how bad it was. I read a napkin on a table that read, "Should we leave? Yes X2." Pretty humorous. But just goes to show how important time in comedy is. There's plenty of comics in San Diego that could do much better than that, but they haven't been doing it long enough. You gotta just keep plugging away. Sunday was my birthday. Had some comic friends over. We drank some beers, smoked some pot, and ate some pizza. It was a really good time. I wasn't sure how it was going to be, but it was a really great time had by all. Monday was the Store open mic. Very fun show. This has become my favorite Comedy Store show. Has a Winston's, no pressure feel to it. I basically talked to one of the girls who was there for her birthday. I didn't get any jokes in really, but had a good time on stage and had some people tell me after they had fun. Tuesday was the Store. I worked the money booth for the first time. It was a bringer show, and 54 people paid 10$ each to watch bottom of the barrel comics. It is all that is wrong with comedy. Kinda funny I handed the guy $540. He never checked the numbers or counted heads, I easily could have taken money out and he'd never know. It's not worth it for me, but he's kinda too trusting with a stranger holding his money. Also funny he was angered he had to pay comics that brought more than 10 people. Really? Isn't it the goal to have comics bring people? That's the point of the damn bringer show. Wednesday was Winston's. It was pretty slow. I was suppose to go to the store after but decided to pass and just hang out and have some drinks with Jesse. That was a lot more fun. It was slow so we played the theme show game which is always a good time. The show was a lot of fun, and I was telling Jesse if we had a following we truly could make the show a big deal. Thursday was back to the Store. I requested an early spot, which was veto'd. And he purposely put me up as late as he could. My set was fine. Followed a very hacky L.A. pop in who talked about sex for 13 minutes. It was heartbreaking to hear all the laughs and my roommate's sister say he was her favorite comic. I don't know if I need to just give up and do that awful comedy. My set was ok. Better than the last few Thursdays. I heard people talking to my left talking the whole time. I just plowed through it, because I was still getting a decent array of laughs. I talked to the door guy about it and he said I should have handled it. I said I'd rather just go through jokes even though I likely should have. Friday was Winston's, and much weirder than usual. It was a show I wasn't looking forward to at all. Although there were funny people on the show, I could care less about that. It takes away from the fun of the show. I felt I was paying out too much for a show that I don't enjoy producing. One of the comics had to go up early, another showed up late, and the main person complained that the "real" show was starting late. I even had a person approach me and asked, "When do the real comics go on?" Sweet. They were not planning to laugh at anyone who wasn't the headliner. They were older people, and not really fans of comedy. I didn't do a set, made a few bucks, and went home. Saturday was the Store with Jeff Garlin. Last time I saw him I wasn't really that impressed. He basically just did crowd work the entire time. This time he did jokes for the first show, and I thought a few of them were really good. The second show he involved the crowd a lot more. Some stuff was funny, others not so much. I could tell he wanted more reaction from the crowd, and acknowledged that some stuff wasn't working. I felt he tried to hard to work stuff out. People are there to hear him speak words. I realize he may have been able to perform without an act before he became such a big name, but now people want to just be around him. Hear what he had plan to say. Either way I got inspired to do more involve the crowd more during my sets. I am good talking with people, and there's no reason to not use that skill.