A Reflection Of One Year In Stand-Up Comedy

Tags: The Stand-Up Diaries

Well, as hard as it may be for some people to believe, Wednesday, October 3rd 2012 is a day I consider to be important.  No, I haven’t found a job yet, and no I have not found the woman of my dreams, no I haven ‘t won the lottery and I won’t be using October 3rd to take a hot vacation somewhere. 

October 3rd is the one year anniversary of my getting into the world of stand-up comedy.  For better or for worse, I’m a part of the comedy scene, although not to a large degree now.  I am not the type to quit something I’ve started, so we are into this to see how far along we can go, and hopefully all of you will come along for the ride.

Comedy really is the only thing, aside from church, over the last year that I can say has been a positive constant in my life.  At the start of the comedy, there were nights more often than not when I was not very good, and the people around me thought it better to not say anything at all.  For the first several months most of my stage time, with the exception of maybe a couple sets, weren’t up to the level I know I can reach comedically.  I still find it rather bizarre that my friends actually thought their honest critiques would hurt my feelings, considering the numerous on-stage bashings I have received from Dez (and deservedly so).  But, I kept coming back because I believed in my ability.  I am hoping that my friends will start to be a bit more forthcoming in their assessments.

Back then, it was a stuggle for me to get ten good minutes.  Leading up to my very first stage appearance, I had ten minutes figured out, and it took me three weeks of practice to make sure the content fit the allotted time.  Now, with a bit of preparation, I could do a good 20 minutes.  Whether it gets the desired reaction though, that’s still a work in progress.

The comedy club has been a blessing, being able to get away from the graveyard otherwise known as Beilys.  With the comedy club, we don’t have to cut others down in order to be funny, as seemed to be the case at Beilys.  At the comedy club we just have to be funny.  That alone makes it less, how should I say…..less stressful to be able to concentrate on the setup and delivery of the material. 

Despite everything I have been through in the past year, I am still pursuing comedy.  Fortunately, being associated with Dez has helped give me focus and something to look forward to at the end of the day, although it did not start out as smoothly as I would have liked.  It took a few months before I got positive feedback from him about my set, and once I finished first during a particular night of the comedy competition,  I think it showed us both that I have the potential.  Stage time, much like respect, has to be earned and in the comedy world this is no different.  Although I have not received the respect on some occasions, I just try with every set to build off of somethng positive.  Even when everyone else cannot see any progress in a particular set, I have dealt with negativity enough in my life that I am able to shut those voices out and focus on the positives.

At the end of the day, I am adopted, and could have ended up anywhere, with a different family and a completely different life.  But I did not.  I ended up here, with all of you for friends, pursuing a passion that I am starting to find my giftings for.  I am proud of the progress already made, and the best is certainly yet to come.  If you dont believe me, you just watch.

By the way, feel free to leave a comment about yoru opinions on my journey thus far.  The comment tab should be located where the title for this particular blog posting is.