The usual morning/early afternoon, with TPIR and a nice sandwich for lunch. I've made an executive decision: all roles hitherto played by lettuce in my food related activities will henceforth be taken over by spinach. It is a much more delicious choice. I played some piano in the afternoon, some more complicated passages utilizing both hands. I enjoy it, I can sense myself getting better. I won't be a virtuoso, but I'm definitely progressing. Dinner was leftovers from last night, which were still pretty delicious.
The comedy work I did today was setting up for the rest of the summer. It's a tad meta, I know, but it needs to get done. I finished sending some e-mails that I had not done when I was in New York, inquiring about open-mics and other shows, about scheduling and sign-ups and frequency. I scouted the venues, looking for reviews and how succesful the mikes are, seeing what neighborhoods they were in, things like that. I'm stilling waiting for some responses, but it looks like, starting next week, I should be performing (in some way...some open-mics hardly count...) every other Monday, every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, every other Friday, and variably on Saturday. That'll average to about 4 performances a week, which I think is reasonable but not ridiculous. Hopefully if I set them ahead of time, either officially or not, I'll force myself to go even when watching the Phillies is a more immediately appealing option.
Tomorrow I'll prepare for my show on Friday.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Testing
This morning was off to a good start as I watched the highlights of the Phillies beating the Reds 22-1. Then it quickly soured when TPIR was replaced by a soap opera. Grumble. In the afternoon I lounged for a bit. Then I worked on my act a bit, writing and practicing. I also scanned the internet for some clips. I'm still shocked by how much the audience matters. I just did not find them funny. But I guess if others were laughing. I also feel like I am trying not to find them funny since the less funny they are the easier my task is. So, that might also be helping.
On the advice of the teacher at my school, I decided to get out tonight and perform as often as possible. So I went to the open-mic that I checked out a few weeks ago. Though I'll count it as a performance for my counting, it's not really something to come to. It's ridiculously low-key, so I'll use it to try out my new stuff. Even though most of my stuff is new, this is my really new stuff.
I got there a bit early - the place was less than packed. It started about half an hour late, which based on last time seems to be the norm as people trickle in. I get the feeling that the summer is slow for comedy. People are away, it's nice and light out later, people are content just hanging around. So yeah, not that many people there tonight. In the end I guess like 7 comedians and 5 non comedians. But that is the vibe I get from all open mics in general. It's just what everyone starting has to do.
My actual performance time went okay. I did all new stuff, but it's hard to get a sense of what works when only about 4 people are actively listening. So, yeah. But I did learn some things. Like that I should act as though there are 100 people there. If I don't I'll get in the habit of performing like it's in the corner of a room with four people. I also learned to memorize much more of my set. I definitely relied too much on my notes. I chatted with the emcee after the show, and he echoed my thoughts. He said that I should slow down and get off the notes, which I agree with. I also need to just be more confident, or at least come across as such. It's much easier to be confident and funny then not, even though some people pull off the withdrawn style. But I don't think that's what I should be aiming for, so I just need to get in the right mentality. He seemed positive about my stuff. I like how my jokes are coherent and tell a story. They are not random silly musings that end with "Shut up! I'll beat my kids if I want." Or something clearly inane like that. So, all in all, a decent night.
On the advice of the teacher at my school, I decided to get out tonight and perform as often as possible. So I went to the open-mic that I checked out a few weeks ago. Though I'll count it as a performance for my counting, it's not really something to come to. It's ridiculously low-key, so I'll use it to try out my new stuff. Even though most of my stuff is new, this is my really new stuff.
I got there a bit early - the place was less than packed. It started about half an hour late, which based on last time seems to be the norm as people trickle in. I get the feeling that the summer is slow for comedy. People are away, it's nice and light out later, people are content just hanging around. So yeah, not that many people there tonight. In the end I guess like 7 comedians and 5 non comedians. But that is the vibe I get from all open mics in general. It's just what everyone starting has to do.
My actual performance time went okay. I did all new stuff, but it's hard to get a sense of what works when only about 4 people are actively listening. So, yeah. But I did learn some things. Like that I should act as though there are 100 people there. If I don't I'll get in the habit of performing like it's in the corner of a room with four people. I also learned to memorize much more of my set. I definitely relied too much on my notes. I chatted with the emcee after the show, and he echoed my thoughts. He said that I should slow down and get off the notes, which I agree with. I also need to just be more confident, or at least come across as such. It's much easier to be confident and funny then not, even though some people pull off the withdrawn style. But I don't think that's what I should be aiming for, so I just need to get in the right mentality. He seemed positive about my stuff. I like how my jokes are coherent and tell a story. They are not random silly musings that end with "Shut up! I'll beat my kids if I want." Or something clearly inane like that. So, all in all, a decent night.
Performance the Fifth
My fifth performance will be this Friday. The info, in case anyone wants to come along:
Uptown Tavern
3433 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
8:30-10:30, I'll be doing about 6 minutes.
Uptown Tavern
3433 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
8:30-10:30, I'll be doing about 6 minutes.
Performance the Fourth
I had my fourth performance tonight at an open-mic in Arlington. I'll discuss it in detail in tonight's post. Again, mostly for my own devices.
Performance the Third
This is mostly for my own bookkeeping.
But I forgot to add that my third performance was the one with my comedy class at Gotham!
(well, I added this a while ago...whatever)
But I forgot to add that my third performance was the one with my comedy class at Gotham!
(well, I added this a while ago...whatever)
Monday, July 6, 2009
Commencing
Today I began my productivity. In the morning I finished Zelda! Take that Ganandorf! But now I cannot waste my time with that, which is good. I watched TPIR and other various TV while I ate lunch and did my laundry. For dinner I finished some chili that had lasted a few dinners. Then we hung out, watched jeopardy, watched Bill finally drive his moped.
Comedy wise, I finally began to do things. I sent some e-mails following up to my class and also a few regarding future gigs. I have one lined up for this Friday, I just have to confirm it. I spent a nice chunk of time writing. Nothing terribly refined, just throwing some ideas out there. I feel like I am easily distracted, especially since each unit of comedy is so small. It's not like I can write a whole paragrpah at a time. Maybe a sentence or two. Then I need to think of something quickly or my mind/internet wanders. But then I'll think of something and snap back. So I just need to minimize the in between time to be more productive. But really, if I can maintian my rate of productivity for 4-5 hours a day (which is about what I did), I think that would be decent. I should not be worried about the rate, I just need to make sure I'm working for that long. And that work is actually work, not pretending to work.
Comedy wise, I finally began to do things. I sent some e-mails following up to my class and also a few regarding future gigs. I have one lined up for this Friday, I just have to confirm it. I spent a nice chunk of time writing. Nothing terribly refined, just throwing some ideas out there. I feel like I am easily distracted, especially since each unit of comedy is so small. It's not like I can write a whole paragrpah at a time. Maybe a sentence or two. Then I need to think of something quickly or my mind/internet wanders. But then I'll think of something and snap back. So I just need to minimize the in between time to be more productive. But really, if I can maintian my rate of productivity for 4-5 hours a day (which is about what I did), I think that would be decent. I should not be worried about the rate, I just need to make sure I'm working for that long. And that work is actually work, not pretending to work.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Ending
...my terrific streak of unproductive days, that is! So this will hopefully be the last non-comedy post for a while...
Today started with watching some ridiculous tennis. It was pretty crazy, as everyone in the house awoke we gathered around the TV for some pretty epic tennis. In the afternoon we made a house trip to the Rhode Island/Brentwood shopping center where we got more propane for the grill and other people did accessory chores. In the afternoon we watched Idle Hands, which was a comedy/horror movie that was fairly self-mocking. It was not great cinema, but entertaining enough. We barbecued some leftovers for dinner, and with the grill working and a less hectic environment, it was much better. Then we just hung out during the evening.
So tomorrow I will beat Ocarina of Time, watch Price is Right, and then in the afternoon I'll do some writing. I already have some ideas that I'd like to hash out. Woo.
Today started with watching some ridiculous tennis. It was pretty crazy, as everyone in the house awoke we gathered around the TV for some pretty epic tennis. In the afternoon we made a house trip to the Rhode Island/Brentwood shopping center where we got more propane for the grill and other people did accessory chores. In the afternoon we watched Idle Hands, which was a comedy/horror movie that was fairly self-mocking. It was not great cinema, but entertaining enough. We barbecued some leftovers for dinner, and with the grill working and a less hectic environment, it was much better. Then we just hung out during the evening.
So tomorrow I will beat Ocarina of Time, watch Price is Right, and then in the afternoon I'll do some writing. I already have some ideas that I'd like to hash out. Woo.
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