An Anniversary Remembered While Looking Ahead
Tags: The Stand-Up Diaries, trevor deanAs of December 21, my blog has now been up and running for just over a year now. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who follows it.
When I started it, I had no clue it would reach 24 countries and be viewed over 3,000 times now. I am humbled by the comments from others, not to mention the fact that my blog is followed by a comedian in the USA, and by a member of the media here in Saskatoon.
The one thing I can’t get over though, is the negativity that exists from my family. My mom was of the opinion that I am only doing this to get attention and just embarrassing myself by being onstage.
I will admit that the first year was incredibly tough. I only had maybe 10% of my appearances labelled as good. The rest weren’t. I got bashed by Dez onstage, by other comics, and my friends who came out to support me at the very beginning were too scared to say anything to me, as they would tell all the other comics they did well, and just say goodnight to me and leave.
I know you might think I am delusional in saying that I am to the point now where I am getting compliments from several audience members after each show. My one friend heard a clip of mine from a couple days ago and she wrote that she actually laughed.
Now that I have a job that will actually pan out, it makes it way easier to go onstage and do a proper job for Dez and the comedy club. Dez even commented last week that I have a bit of a swagger, more confidence onstage.
My goals when I started in comedy were simple. To be part of the comedy scene, and to be a part of the Great Plains Comedy Festival. I achieved both within the first eight months. Not necessarily because I earned it with good, consistent sets, but because I didn’t quit.
Now, my goals for 2013 are the following:
1. To make my friends really laugh and to have then tell me, sincerely, that I am getting better and did a good job.
2. To perform for a full house at the comedy club.
Most of the guys have had time when it’s packed, and it will be MY TURN next year.
As far as my family goes, they have no interest in things I do that they don’t like themselves. If they have zero frames of reference to build an opinion from, they just listen to the opinions of others and base their conclusion on them. I’m sorry, God bless my family, but that’s being ignorant and lazy. If I ever have kids, I would never talk them out of doing something that other people enjoy.
Mom says it is about getting attention for me? Geez, what rock did you crawl out from under? Of course it is, but there is more to it than that.
You, as a parent, don’t have the right to talk your kids out of a passion they want to pursue. Instead, ask questions and find out what makes your kid tick.
Mine are way too lazy to put in that kind of effort.
Finally, I want to announce that with the first posting of 2013, my blog will have a new look to it, making it a more appealing of a read. I will purchase a subscription, allowing me access to custom editing features.
Again, thank you all for your support. May God bless you and your families as we gather this holiday season to turn our eyes towards the true focus of Christmas. Jesus.
AMEN!