Bombing humbles you

So I had a bombish set last night. I did it to myself. I thought it was a good idea to open up with acting out the time the host brought me up right after he flipped out on stage. Like the time he did it, it was just awkward. I don't know why I thought it was a good idea. After that I struggled to deliver material, but it wasn't easy. Also, there was a group talking in the front row. Normally I would have engaged them but I wasn't at the show, so I have no clue if the host already spoke with them and didn't want to repeat things. I struggled through. I said some jokes I know were keepers and didn't get much response. Just goes back to show how important a good start and being likable is. After I finished my set, I walked out the door and left. Half because I was disappointed with myself, and half because I wanted to check out my buddies show downtown.

It was an interesting show. The evening offers comedy and all you can eat crab. There was probably 25-30 people in the "crowd." It was probably one of the tougher spots I've seen as it's really spread out, and some of the tables arn't even facing the stage. There was one dude on that I had scene doing my joke before. I mean I'm not ne to say jokes haven't been done before, but he uses two of my tags basically word for word. It's not a groundbreaking joke, and like a lot of my stuff I don't do it often, but it's very similar. The host did about 20 minutes before bringing my buddy up. He basically bantered with one of the douchey tables for a real long time. Probably too long, as it made it difficult for the headliner to do time. But my buddy, like a champ went for 30 minutes of struggling through getting occasional laughs and chuckles. I'm not sure I could do it. I did 20 minutes at Winston's with that rough crowd but had someone on stage as a blanket.

Well that was fun

So I was a judge at the Palace last night, and there was literally 7 audience members. Not like "hey there's 7 people here," I counted only 7. I mean they were respectful enough to listen but laughter was sparce. There was only 5 comics on, with 4 advancing. One brought 3 people, the other brought 4. I really don't understand why they stretched it so thin. In the last competition every show was good. There was also 10 people in each round. I'm not going to harp on it, as I spoke about it before, but in addition to being a tough show for everyone involved there's added akward pressure on the judges. When there's a big crowd, judge's vote is important, but it's not going to hold the giant weight on our decision. The person that doesn't advance knows we didn't votee for them in the top 2. And whether it happens or not, this person may hold a grudge and not book us a show again. Goes back to the dreaded politics. The dude that didn't advance is pretty nice, so let's hope there's no hard feelings.

My set went as good as it could I guess. I didn't tell jokes as expected, and didn't really do much of anything to be honest. I was a little buzzed, so this may have helped create the character. I didn't plan anything, just got on stage, adjusted the stool a few times, moved the mic stand up and down. Took my shirt off, put it back on, removed my shoes, then basically just chatted with the few people that were there. I had the comics laughing, and the few people in the crowd laughed on occasion. I enjoy doing whacky characters nad trying out different things to mess with the tension and audience. It keeps things fresh and new.

3 shows in the books

Had a busy weekend of shows. Saturday did a show at a biker bar on the outskirts of SD. I was somewhat looking forward to it, but wasn't expecting too much of a show. There was probably 40 or so people there, all older median age 45ish. There was a 70 plus year old dude, wasted, seemed he was the bar drunk and was celebrating his birthday. My buddy took the stage first and the dude walks up and grabs the mic. He starts mumbling nonsense, which the crowd could barely hear. My buddy starting dancing, but at that point the crowd was kinda lost. He tried doing jokes but it was all over at that point. While I was sitting down, one of the more established comics said, "I'm going to punch (insert name) when he gets off stage." He was serious, like not actually going to punch him, but was pissed he gave the mic to the dude.

Once my bud got off stage the other dude approached and told him to never give up the mic. While I agree he probably shouldn't have given him the mic, at the venue we were at and the fact it was the dude's birthday and everyone knew him there's really no reason it should matter. My buddy was like I don't care, and it got a little awkward as I was sitting right there. Finally they basically agreed to disagree. Some comics take things way too seriously. Like I agree every show is important, but to stress over a show with so little to come out of it is so strange to me. Like a dude that was complaining about letting the mic get taken is a regular at the 2 biggish clubs in San Diego, were at a dive bar in the middle of nowhere, what does it matter. Another dude that gets prime spots at the Comedy Store was stressing and rehearsing before he did his set. Maybe I need to take things a little more seriously, but until there's an agent or something could possibly come from my set I'm just going to try to have fun.

Another awkward part of the show was that he paid us, what I thought was all of us $20. He even gave a dude that just showed up and is totally insane $20. Well I make a joke about only getting $5 or something and everyone mentioned they got $20. Well when I get in the car the person I rode with was like "I can't believe they gave so and so 20$ and I only got $10." Well it turns out the booker gave everyone but the one female comic $20. The dudes kinda a drunk so I'm thinking it was a mistake, but if it wasn't that is kinda of messed up. I want to ask him, but I figure the gal would prefer I didn't.

Next I had a few open mics last night. First was the Comedy Store. I'm not sure if I'm making headway, but I have been put up last on the open mic 3 of the last 4 weeks. I told my buddy that I thought I making headway. He said 3 months ago him and my other buddy were told they were going to be passed and it hasn't happened yet. So guess wishful thinking goes out the window. I have a feeling if I do get passed to one of San Diego's best they may ask me to stop doing OBC as they did with the last guy that ran the show. I hope that it doesn't happen, as at this point I would have to decline. Winston's isn't the best stage time but I enjoy the challenge week in and week out, plus it's nice to be able to control the show and make a few bucks every week.

My set there went decent. I tried a new joke I wrote that day, and although I flubbed it up a bit I was happy with the outcome. The joke started as something else that I tought of in the middle of the night. But as I was writing it this whole new idea came out. When I don't drink I don't sleep and plenty of ideas come to mind. The whole drinking curb is still in affect. Taking steps to get my mind right. My main concern is with losing my memory. If I ever make it in comedy, I'll need to be doing 30 minutes, an hour, sometimes even longer. With as little times as I do my jokes, I'm going to need to be able to memorize that much stuff.

Next up was Blarney Stone. It was a pretty small crowd, mostly just comics. I got up there and there was a regular that was ready to heckle. Yelling out people arn't funny, blah blah. I messed with him a bit, but I more or less had to be mean, and that's really no fun. He's a regular at the bar so he had an advantage over me. I talked to him a bit, then got off stage. I hung out for a couple minutes after and headed home.

Ahh the blog...

Last night turned into a pretty good show. It started off really slow, as it normally does. I somewhat feel bad for the open mic people, but at the end of the day they can promote the show if they wanted an audience.

There was a gal that's kind of new that brought a few people. She opened with complaining that I put her up earlier this week than last. Not a great idea to complain and insult the person booking the show. She was awkward for a couple minutes not even making the friends she brought laugh and got off stage. I then brought up a man in a wheelchair, who swore and complained a lot. Not sure where the jokes were but oh well. After he got off stage, I said, "Ok were gonna keep the show rolling." Not planned, just awkwardly said it. He yelled a little bit, and I apologized. Definately not my intention. I was going to say it takes a lot of courage to come up here and be bald, but bailed on that idea.

Well I wasn't really looking forward to my set, as I'm not real happy with a lot of my jokes. I told my friend to write my set list for me, maybe give me some motivation. I think it worked out well. The set was a combo of jokes and crowd work as it't been the last few times. I really like doing it, but feel it may be affecting my joke writing. Who knows, I can only be funny each time and hope to improve.

Well the title. I started the blog mostly to keep my family in the loop, and I think it will be cool to look back at one day. I figured I'd always be honest and just give the run down of the politics and extra crap that comes with comedy. I recently lost a show because of it. And conflict avoided but it felt I could have lost a friend over it. I don't want things like that to happen, but also don't want to censor the blog. The blog is simply a way to open people's eyes to the crap of comedy. I think it would make a good book someday. I think it's silly I losta show over it, but could understand someone being bothered by my comments. Sucks as I know what he did was not intentional. and he's one of the best people in comedy. I think we smoothed things over. I guess in the future I should at least wait a day or two to think about my comments. Or at least not be so harsh. Who knows....

Hick bar show tonight, hoping to not get punched.

Alcohol is tasty

So have been living the last couple of days like I was on vacation. I have a friend from Maine visiting and we have been living it up. Had a show last night at 8, and I had started drinking at 3. I wasn't pounding drinks and took a break after awhile. I wouldn't say I was drunk, but I wasn't in perfect form. I went up at 930, but only had 2 beers since 6 so I was in pretty decent shape. I was scheduled to do 15 minutes, I'm not sure I did that long as it felt like it went fast. I did a combination of jokes and crowd work. I was actaully pretty happy about my set, I stumbled a few times, but think the flow was good overall. Maybe the booze made the laughs seem louder who knows. I spoke to my buddy after and he was like, "Eh it wasn't your best set. You had some of the crowd but others were lost." He seemed to back track a bit after. But seemed genuine that I didn't do that great. Who knows, up there I felt good. Maybe I shouldn't have spent the day drinking, but I need to let loose and be happy occeasionally.

Is honesty always for the best?

So I was a judge at the Palace last night and as expected there was maybe 15 people there. Luckily the people there were attentive and ready to laugh. They all sat in the front rows, and stayed for the whole show. They were a tad on the drunk side, but not rude and ready to have fun.

It was a little weird being a judge with such a small audience as my vote held more weight than usual. I think for the most part the top 3 were set, but the 4th person I imagine was close. I didn't look at the other judge's vote but I imagine his top 3 was close to mine. It ended up being 3 L.A. based comedians, and 1 dude who's been doing comedy awhile and does shows in L.A., advancing to the next round. I'm not one of those people who think L.A. people shouldn't be able to compete in S.D.'s funniest person contest, but it would be nice if they didn't put them all on the same show. It's crazy how one week there's a 100 person audience then 15 the next. I still don't understand why there's only 6 people in each second round with 4 advancing, but I guess it doesn't matter.

A comedian that did not advance asked me if he could say it was ironic I didn't advance from the first round, but was worthly of judging. I could care less about not advancing, or whether he said it. I knew what would be the outcome if he said it, and of course it came true. He opened with it, and it pretty much made the audience groan and wonder why it was necessary to say. It wasn't funny, as it's not a roast, nor do any of the audience members have a clue who I am. It is very important to be likeable on stage, and this put him in a whole from the start. I think after that he did have a good set, but like I said the top 3 were established and that 4th spot was so close. Whether that comment affected the crowd's voting or not will never be known, but I know it didn't help.

My set went pretty good. I had planned to do jokes, but I started into my joke and just went with the flow. I had a dude sit on my lap, had a dude admit he calls his wife mom in bed, a crowd member said she gave her bf road head while forgetting his friend was in the back seat, to which her bf said it was only awkward cuz the backseat dude was still talking. It was an interesting set. I did probably 11 or so minutes and told half of one joke. Ahh the roller coaster that is comedy.

After I got off stage one of the more established, funny comics (one of the few I respect and has been supportive) told me I'd never win a contest. He was like "Jeff, guys like us will never win contests. You are very funny, but you can't bring a big audience." He brought up how I went first a few times. He was nice, and it was good to see maybe I'm not crazy, I am just an unlucky soul. He has a lot of good jokes, and has done comedy shows and performed in Iraq. He is also what I worry I may become. He is tired of telling jokes, contemplates quitting, and wants to find that spark again. He's been doing it years longer than me, and probably doesn't have the same smarts as me, but I think I have the same negative bitter attitude as him. Just gotta stay positive.

So you've read 5 paragraphs and are probably wondering what the titles all about. Well I've spoke before abotu a "friend" I had in comedy who I felt changed and we drifted apart. Well the past month or so I've noticed a change for the better in him. Last night he didn't advance and was talking about how he rarely gets on shows, and was getting frustrated with the politics that is comedy. Well I felt this a good time to tell him my toughts on his approach to comedy. Maybe not the best timing to tell him I felt he was fake and was using people, but oh well. I did it with good intentions, whether he took it that way can only be seen in the coming weeks. I didn't tell him everything, but told him a good amount of things that probably won't sit well. I'm hoping it will make him more self aware of his actions, and help him enjoy comedy. I am genuine in most of my actions, and it may be a fault but I'd rather be honest than be fake. He called me after and thanked me. Hopefully our friendship can be mended. I did bring up the fact I pitched him the idea of a monthly show, which he had no recollection. At this point I'm over it, and am going to focus on enjoying my place in the San Diego comic scene.

Bad mood + poor expectations= Bad set

Well I had a pretty crappy set at the Blarney for the first time in awhile. It sucked as there was a good amount of people there. I told my friend to put my name down and kept faith he'd take care of it. He ended up not showing up on time, and I had to text the booker and I ended up going up 40 minutes after I should have. At the end of the day it is my job to be funny no matter the time I go up. But by the time I got up no one was listening. The dude that went before me had a decent amount of people there to see him, but it was probably his first maybe second time on stage and was awful. What made him so bad is that he wasn't speaking into the mic. This is so important at a bar, because if the person with the mic isn't loud enough the group feels it's there job to fill the silence. I got on stage and planned to do jokes, but was quickly blown off as I started with a simple who's drinking to which I got no response. So at this time I tried crowd work but as I had gone to a coworkers b day party I had about 5 shots of tequilla in about in hour. And this was counterbalanced with 2 16 oz. Rockstars. All this led to not being able to think of anything to respond nor did I really have a chance. At this point the crowd was lost. Another time which makes me wonder how Seinfeld would respond to such a room. If funny is funny, why wasn't I funny?

In the future I will not count on others to take care of things. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter it's just another show. But I did have a friend there, and it's always nice to do well when you have friends in the audience. Plus there was a good amount of people that if I could have done well who knows if I could have recruited them for other shows. Bombing is never fun, but I have bombed with my last 2 big, hostile crowds. Both in some way not my fault, but I have the mic, it's my job. Can't go around blamming others when the words are coming out of my mouth. The audience reaction, or lack there of, is in my hands.

I'm also trying to take hold of my drinking. I have curbed it a lot in the past 3 days. You might say didn't you just have 5 shots in an hour, yes but my tolerance at this point is rediculous. I don't drink for comfort I simply drink to sleep. The last couple nights, I basically sleep 3 hours, then wake up every 10 minutes. I dream nonstop about rediculous things and many have to deal with things 4 to 5 years ago. I'm not sure whether it's because my brain can't find happiness in the past 4 years, or if alcohol have erased my memory of the recent past.

I look at the unluckiness of my life. The luckiest day of my life, was when I won the $12500, when I got 1st in the online poker tournament. And today I'm pondering things, and it was around that date when my ex got engaged. Now I mentally can't even enjoy that day. Last week I lost $1300 in 5 hours playing poker. I was stone cold stober, played great for the most part, just getting unlucky over and over again. It's pathetic.

And now thinking about comedy. Last week I tried to judge at the Palace and there was probably 100 crowd members, I wasn't able to do it. This week if there is 20 audience members I will be shocked. There is 3 guys coming from L.A., two local guys that don't promote, and someone I've never heard before. It's so crazy how polar opposites one of my best comedy friends and I are. He's happy with life and everything seems to fall into his lap. I'm not jealous, I'm happy for the guy. I think slightly about the comedy contest. After helping count the ballots last week I realize you get 6 points for 1st. And while 4 of my friends couldn't get in due to not having their id's plus the 6 ballots that had to be tossed who knows where I'd been with 60 more points. At the end I was happy my friend won, but when will I catch a break. I finally meet a gal I'm attracted to and bond well with and she sends more mixed signals that a dislexic third base coach. Why am I bunting again, there's no one on base. Whatever I'm just going to try to get my life back on track, and maybe I'll catch a break.