Why not to have an ego 101

I hate to make another poker= comedy reference but it happens so often. So Monday I had a great set, and got first in the contest. WHOO frickin whoo. No ones knocking at my door to sign me or give me a comedy central special. I'm still an open mic comic. I went out and told jokes infront of a crowd of other comics the next night. You have to love to tell jokes to really make it in comedy. There will be good nights and bad. Monday good, Tuesday sub par, Wednesday awful. Before I get into the days I'll talk about why I'm making the comparison.

I've won tournaments of 12500$, won 2500$ in a night playing blackjack, multiple days of winning over a grand playing poker. Did I celebrate, no? Did I blow the money on some crazy hobby or vakay, nope. I went into work and acted like nothing happened. You know why, because I've had days where I've lost 4000$, many many days of playing drunk poker and losing 500$. Gone on streaks of losing every hand playing blackjack, with losses upwards of 1000$. Like poker, if I have a good set I don't go around telling everyone I'm the man. Saying I'm above open mics, no I won't do that show, those comics arn't at my level. When I sit down at a poker table I always think I have an edge, think I'm one of the best at the table. But I don't go around telling people. Same thing with comedy, every show I do I think I'm one of the most talented, but there's no reason for me to tell everyone that. I worked really hard to become a good poker player, and I work really hard at comedy. I don't write quite as much as I used to, but to think I have an hour of jokes I can rotate in is an accomplishment.

Well Tuesdays show. Started off kind of flattering. There was a younger comic, who I was aware of but never really spoken to. He's 18, but has been doing comedy for a few years I've heard. I have a lot of respect for that, I've said multiple times I started writing real young but had no outlet in Maine to perform. Still I could have started 3 plus years ago when I moved to San Diego. Anyways he approached me, he almost seemed nervous. He said something to the affect, "I've seen your jokes, think you're funny. Would you mind watching my set and giving me some pointers." He also invited me to do a show with him. He did ask about performing at Winston's. Whether he was just trying to get time, or just being an overall good guy, I'm not sure. But he seemed genuine enough I'll take the compliment.

Well the joke portion on Tuesday. There's always this false sence of excitement when driving to the open mic at the Palace. I get there and see about 30 cars, I get inside and realize it's 30 comics who all drove separately. Like I said I'm not above telling jokes in this environment I'm just not that sure how useful it is. I think it's good to voice joke ideas, but as far as saying them in the tone and set up I would at a normal show I just don't think it works. It's almost better to appear unpolished and that's how I try to deliver them.

As far as Wednesday's show....gross. It was a clean show. I have no problem telling clean jokes, I started off that way. The crowd really had no energy and was a church group. To be honest I don't think they would have minded if they was cursing. The jokes they laughed at the most were the ones that were a little edgy. I went up there and tried to get them somewhat excited. They weren't haveing it. I stumbled my words as few times cuz I told some jokes I rarely tell. I guess they couldn't relate to my jokes or maybe I simply wasn't funny. I told my intervention joke and some girls just started talking. I asked them to be quit talking, they said something back, I said do you want a hug, her response, "you better not I have pepper spray." Not said in a funny joking way, dead serious. This would be a time where I'd like to attack, but I can't cuz it's a clean show. I then say, I've never been threatened to be peppered sprayed...on stage anyways, and some lady goes, "first time for everything." Awesome. I went on to tell some more terrible jokes, starting talking about loving jesus and St. Patty's day being Jesus's favorite holiday and got off the stage a minute before my time was up.

Ok rambling over. I will take it as a cool thing that I performed at the Palace 3 times this week and did different jokes every time.