The Comedy Buddy

Without my comedy buddy, I would probably still be talking about doing my first open mic. I am a professional procrastinator and an expert in finding an easy way out of anything. If you don't believe me, ask around. I had some stuff written in my notebook but had no clue where to start. I heard that a couple people from my Stand up Level 1 class had gone out and done an open mic and that one guy in particular "killed it" meaning he got lots of laughs. I was so jealous I couldn't even stand it. It was my jealousy that caused me to ask him if I could tag along next time.

I wasn't motivated by some inner confidence in my abilities, or by a desire to prove to the world that I had arrived. I was motivated simply by the fact that I was jealous. I was in complete awe of this guy who said he was going to do something and then just did it. No excuses, no backing out at the last minute, no fear at all. He just went for it, he set a small goal and accomplished it, then set another one. Simple as that.

I have the attention span of a bolt of lightning, and have lacked focus in almost everything I've ever done, so having someone like this in my corner has been the most valuable asset so far. We compete with each other while at the same time helping each other along the way. My buddy has a drive to do better that is inspiring. He books shows and signs up for everything under the sun. It keeps me motivated and pushes me to stay on top of my game.

We book a lot of the same shows and open mics, and we pick apart each other's material on the drive out to Leominster or Fitchburg or Providence or wherever the hell we're going on any given night. We workshop new ideas on the drive out, and rework them on the drive home after they either succeed or fall flat on the audience. By this time we know each other's material and could probably recite it word for word. Its a competition but its friendly, we each want the other one to do well. If we both happen to do well that night, it certainly makes the drive home a lot easier. Sometimes we're like the two old muppets in the balcony complaining about everything, those are usually the nights that don't go as well as we'd hoped. Every night is an adventure and I am so grateful to be doing what I love.

Please check out Bryan Sobolewski on facebook. That's the guy who has to endure hour long car rides with me at least twice a week, he deserves a medal for that and for helping me stay focused on this journey.

These last two posts were to kind of catch everybody up on where I'm at with this dream of mine. Thanks for paying attention, it means the world to me.

love b