BACK!
I've been busy. Some of you have heard me mention some of these things elsewhere, so apologies for being redundant. And repeating myself. And saying the same thing twice.
I signed up to take a Stand-Up Comedy class. It is a one week deal taught through the local Experimental College. I've fantasized about doing something like this for decades - just never had the actual nerve to try it. Well, I did. Took the class and a lot of Ativan that week. I've had to do a lot of speaking in front of decent sized groups for some time now, and I rarely get nervous. For some reason, this took me way back to my ultra-anxiety ridden days of being in the front of a room full of people - High School and college days. But I did it. And it was AMAZING. The last class is actually a performance that is put on in one of the local comedy clubs. We sold the place out. I went on last. Easily one of the best HIGHS of my life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wGhepDZxYE
We were told that if we were to continue on after the class, and I wasn't sure if I wanted it to be a one shot or possibly do more, that we would be looking at struggling to get unpaid three minute open mic gigs, that we would be driving three and four hours to find places to perform. That after years of polishing up our stuff, we might land a 15 minute spot in a club that pays fifty bucks. It was a tad soul crushing.
As it turns out, there is a local monthly Drag Queen Brunch held at a restaurant/club a mile down the street from where we live. We went to it the other morning. Long story shortish, I'll be doing a ten minute opening at it starting in January! It will be a small audience - much smaller than the one above. BUT, I get to continue on with the dream. I'm prepared, I think, to bomb. We were told over and over and over again that bombing is just a part of doing Stand-Up. I'll report back when that happens.
I have also been giving Spanish another go. After a lifetime of trying to learn it, and a period in my life where I sort of kind of spoke it, I am back to learning the basics. It is harder than ever, but I've never wanted to learn it more. I have a tutor (from Peru), Rosetta Stone, and a ton of books (my first partner whom I was with for nine years, until his death, was Spanish speaking and taught the language in High School). As it turns out, we are going to be GRANDPARENTS in March! And our grandson - we already know - will be bilingual as is his Mom. Her family is from Mexico.
Our son just signed up to be part of the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) for the Army Reserves. Terrifying for us, and never in a million years what I thought a son of ours would end up doing, but we are proud of him and think this will be a life-changing experience. It will also get him tons of BadAss Cred from his peers.
Bought a Santa suit too. Thought about renting myself out on craigslist. As it turns out, I'm scheduled for surgery (hernia - second time) on the 22nd, so that will cut right into the PRIME Santa weekend. Oh well. I still plan on participating in Santarchy next weekend - putting on the suit and hitting the bars. Might not help with our endless bills as was the original intent behind getting the suit, but might get a few lap dances from the boys.
I signed up to take a Stand-Up Comedy class. It is a one week deal taught through the local Experimental College. I've fantasized about doing something like this for decades - just never had the actual nerve to try it. Well, I did. Took the class and a lot of Ativan that week. I've had to do a lot of speaking in front of decent sized groups for some time now, and I rarely get nervous. For some reason, this took me way back to my ultra-anxiety ridden days of being in the front of a room full of people - High School and college days. But I did it. And it was AMAZING. The last class is actually a performance that is put on in one of the local comedy clubs. We sold the place out. I went on last. Easily one of the best HIGHS of my life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wGhepDZxYE
We were told that if we were to continue on after the class, and I wasn't sure if I wanted it to be a one shot or possibly do more, that we would be looking at struggling to get unpaid three minute open mic gigs, that we would be driving three and four hours to find places to perform. That after years of polishing up our stuff, we might land a 15 minute spot in a club that pays fifty bucks. It was a tad soul crushing.
As it turns out, there is a local monthly Drag Queen Brunch held at a restaurant/club a mile down the street from where we live. We went to it the other morning. Long story shortish, I'll be doing a ten minute opening at it starting in January! It will be a small audience - much smaller than the one above. BUT, I get to continue on with the dream. I'm prepared, I think, to bomb. We were told over and over and over again that bombing is just a part of doing Stand-Up. I'll report back when that happens.
I have also been giving Spanish another go. After a lifetime of trying to learn it, and a period in my life where I sort of kind of spoke it, I am back to learning the basics. It is harder than ever, but I've never wanted to learn it more. I have a tutor (from Peru), Rosetta Stone, and a ton of books (my first partner whom I was with for nine years, until his death, was Spanish speaking and taught the language in High School). As it turns out, we are going to be GRANDPARENTS in March! And our grandson - we already know - will be bilingual as is his Mom. Her family is from Mexico.
Our son just signed up to be part of the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) for the Army Reserves. Terrifying for us, and never in a million years what I thought a son of ours would end up doing, but we are proud of him and think this will be a life-changing experience. It will also get him tons of BadAss Cred from his peers.
Bought a Santa suit too. Thought about renting myself out on craigslist. As it turns out, I'm scheduled for surgery (hernia - second time) on the 22nd, so that will cut right into the PRIME Santa weekend. Oh well. I still plan on participating in Santarchy next weekend - putting on the suit and hitting the bars. Might not help with our endless bills as was the original intent behind getting the suit, but might get a few lap dances from the boys.