...Video footage of one of my gigs!
Recorded last night, I now have to figure out how to get the moving pictures from the little camera box into the computer box and onto the world wide web... A job for the weekend... It wasn't a gig I particularly stormed, but I know you are all growing impatient. By "all", I refer to you tireless reader, yes you... you know who you are. So we shall start with average recorded performance and work up from there... Watch this space and think of it as a test!
I know I've been quiet for over a week now. Soz. I'm still tweeting like a lunatic, if you like your ramblings in bite size chunks.
But why have you been abandoned for so long? In my defence, last week I was quite busy. I did three gigs. Highly unusual I know - Party Piece, DSS and Cradley Heath. #85-87. You deserve proper gig reports, but I don't know that I have them in me.
Here is a snippit of the way things played out, with a small amount of pre amble...
You know how I've been fiddling about on that there OKCupid? Trying my hand at dating and all that. Well on Monday of last week, I met up with another young chap through the website and let's just say things went slightly differently to the picnic date. In the long run, no better than the picnic date, but differently.
This is completely uncool and there is no nice way to say it, but by Tuesday I had to go to Boots for Emergency Contraception. Listen and learn kids...
One night stands* can be cool. Each to their own. We don't judge here. I've had a few over the years.
Unprotected sex on one nights stands is most definitely not cool. I have no defence. I can't even be bothered to publicly apologise for myself or explain myself at this juncture. We'll accept it was totally stupid and move on with the story.
*Re Overnight Romances - I generally enter into these things in good faith that there might be an opportunity for a replay at some later date, so technically I don't really get to find out it was a one night thing until after... Taken to it's logical conclusion, it is only on the day I die that I get to tott up how many one nighters there were, as there may always be an opportunity for something to happen with any of those people again at some stage. Then of course, they are no longer one night stands, they become casual, if sporadic medium to long term flings! I can think of a few cases, where I've slept with someone a second time, even though I wasn't that keen, because in a crazy mixed up way, it made the first time seem more respectable.
Dear oh dear Joanne - What ever happened to two wrongs don't make a right?
Gosh, anyway, where were we?
Tuesday! Yes, on Tuesday I went to Boots, right before Party Piece, with my good friend Lucy, "Levonelle" was purchased. Then straight to the pub, downed the tablet with a large slug of Guinness and onwards with another night of fun. I like to experiment with my material at Party Piece because it is a nice friendly gig. I'm not sure Tom Webb always appreciates this approach, but when Lucy said to me before I went on "oh, you should totally tell them about the Levonelle" I agreed without actually looking for the funny part of the story. Turns out you really do have to search properly and find that funny when admitting to this kind of humiliation.
What ensued was a stunned silence that quickly spread across the room and me desperately trying to recover the situation with what increasingly felt like a bit of a comedy cul de sac. I tried not to over stay my welcome, changed subject towards the end, got a laugh or two on a much sillier more innocent note and left the stage.
OH!
Anyway, not one to be easily beaten, I got to thinking about my Levonelle escapades and I tried again talking about them at DSS on Wednesday with a lot less horror and marginally more comedy success. By Thursday, in Cradley Heath, it had worked into quite a nice little 'bit' of my set and got a few decent laughs. I like to think I'm putting the fun back into emergency contraception... Three days, three gigs and a nice way to see a bit of material progress from comedy carnage to something half decent.
And as I said at DSS ... join me next time, when we get to talk about the horror that is the trip to the sexual health clinic and other embarrassing repercussions of a night of wild abandon.
Actually, let's not do that. Join me next time for the video of gig 88 - recorded last night, at The Giggling Gibbon, where my drunk buddy Chris talked through every act's set and I barely got out of the venue alive after bringing such a drunken loon to the event...
Wish me luck with the camera/computer/internet technology...
PS - I think a lot of people are using OKCupid as a bit of a casual hook up site. On some levels this is proving to be fun, but I for one need to be a bit more careful about who I hook up with and work out if that is actually what I want...
I do enjoy searching out the freakiest of the freaks and sending their username to Lucy with ... your next boyfriend (insert username of freak) says hi ... That makes me smile a lot. Sound a bit cruel? Maybe, but we are not vain enough to imagine others do not do the same with our usernames. In fact, we'd be offended if they weren't.
Thanks all, I'm off to see if I can get some work done. Cheerio xx
Word of the moment - Clunge. So wrong. It had to be said though.
Showing posts with label Party Piece. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Party Piece. Show all posts
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Gig 82
Well I see I haven't topped you up on Oglet waffle for nearly a week. This abandonment must stop. Is it time for a quick update? OK, since you ask so nicely...
I went to Party Piece last night. It had been almost 3 weeks since my last gig. *please read that to yourself in the voice of a hopeless addict. Hopeless indeed - I can't even be addicted properly.
Shock on. No wonder I've been a bit down in the dumps. I wither away to almost nothing without the meaningless acknowledgment of strangers.
Well not literally wither away to nothing. Actually in the last 3 weeks, I've put on 6.5 lbs. What one might call AN EPIC DIET FAIL.
So, it turns out that sitting around on the sofa, feeling sorry for myself and calling Dominos when I have no healthy food in the fridge isn't good for me. Who knew? Actually I've been out drinking and feeling sorry for myself quite a lot too. Shucks. I think I have serious talent for putting on weight, I'm not playing to my strengths with this WW melarchy.
So... right ... the gig... I had done a bit of preparation on my anecdote about taking my niece to the zoo for the Amused Moose Qualifier on Monday. Then on Monday, I decided to stay on the sofa instead of brave the competition. Well, I thought I could put the prep to use at Party Piece last night, but when it came to it, I forgot most of what I'd written and had to manage on a wing and a prayer and just ramble through the story as best I could.
I told the sperm story too, which didn't exactly reach it's full comedy potential. It was alright, but I think with a bit of effort it will go down better. Yes, pun intended. groan. Soz!
Weight Watchers was before the gig and Lucy (all round lovely chick and 2010 WW buddy) came with me to PP too.
George Ryegold was on the bill last night. I whispered to Lucy that she would like GR and sure as poop pongs, she did like him: A lot. She said it was the funniest thing she had seen in a very long time and I had a little proud for introducing her to the joys of GR.
After all the comedy fun had ended, GR said to me at the bar that he had enjoyed my set and liked me better each time he saw me. (I think possibly all of twice now...) Him saying that meant a lot to me and I had a second little proud. He did hint that I might try and add in some funny lines. I'm paraphrasing. he might have said 'more funny lines'. Ha, a mere technicality... who does he think he is anyway?
I introduced Toby (GR's other name) to Lucy after, so that she could return the compliments on my behalf. She did so very well. She was all over that compliment shit. It was lush, we all had a nice chat and drank Guinness until much later than we should have done and by the time Lucy and I left there, we decided it was best not to hang around waiting for night busses, we'd get cabs home.
We took separate cabs because we live in opposite directions (clever hey?) My one was 11 pounds. That doesn't seem too bad to me. You know, it seems a lot better than falling over in the street, missing tube trains and getting hassled at bus stops. I got the cabbie to drop me off at WFC for a spicy bean burger and chips. Oh goodness, will I ever learn???
I am back on my diet today. Right back on it. Lucy has inspired me and I want skinny jeans. I thought they would be a passing phase, but they don't appear to be going anywhere and shoot me now. I just want to belong!
I'll do a proper dating post soon. I just need to have a think about how much I can go public on, without saying anything too controversial.
Oh did you see? Norm really is storming ahead now with his gigs. I'm sending him good vibes for his big Birmingham gig and accepting with good grace his romp into the lead in our gig race. Go Norm....
I'm off to the cafe before they run out of lettuce.
Take Care Out There. Hugz x
I went to Party Piece last night. It had been almost 3 weeks since my last gig. *please read that to yourself in the voice of a hopeless addict. Hopeless indeed - I can't even be addicted properly.
Shock on. No wonder I've been a bit down in the dumps. I wither away to almost nothing without the meaningless acknowledgment of strangers.
Well not literally wither away to nothing. Actually in the last 3 weeks, I've put on 6.5 lbs. What one might call AN EPIC DIET FAIL.
So, it turns out that sitting around on the sofa, feeling sorry for myself and calling Dominos when I have no healthy food in the fridge isn't good for me. Who knew? Actually I've been out drinking and feeling sorry for myself quite a lot too. Shucks. I think I have serious talent for putting on weight, I'm not playing to my strengths with this WW melarchy.
So... right ... the gig... I had done a bit of preparation on my anecdote about taking my niece to the zoo for the Amused Moose Qualifier on Monday. Then on Monday, I decided to stay on the sofa instead of brave the competition. Well, I thought I could put the prep to use at Party Piece last night, but when it came to it, I forgot most of what I'd written and had to manage on a wing and a prayer and just ramble through the story as best I could.
I told the sperm story too, which didn't exactly reach it's full comedy potential. It was alright, but I think with a bit of effort it will go down better. Yes, pun intended. groan. Soz!
Weight Watchers was before the gig and Lucy (all round lovely chick and 2010 WW buddy) came with me to PP too.
George Ryegold was on the bill last night. I whispered to Lucy that she would like GR and sure as poop pongs, she did like him: A lot. She said it was the funniest thing she had seen in a very long time and I had a little proud for introducing her to the joys of GR.
After all the comedy fun had ended, GR said to me at the bar that he had enjoyed my set and liked me better each time he saw me. (I think possibly all of twice now...) Him saying that meant a lot to me and I had a second little proud. He did hint that I might try and add in some funny lines. I'm paraphrasing. he might have said 'more funny lines'. Ha, a mere technicality... who does he think he is anyway?
I introduced Toby (GR's other name) to Lucy after, so that she could return the compliments on my behalf. She did so very well. She was all over that compliment shit. It was lush, we all had a nice chat and drank Guinness until much later than we should have done and by the time Lucy and I left there, we decided it was best not to hang around waiting for night busses, we'd get cabs home.
We took separate cabs because we live in opposite directions (clever hey?) My one was 11 pounds. That doesn't seem too bad to me. You know, it seems a lot better than falling over in the street, missing tube trains and getting hassled at bus stops. I got the cabbie to drop me off at WFC for a spicy bean burger and chips. Oh goodness, will I ever learn???
I am back on my diet today. Right back on it. Lucy has inspired me and I want skinny jeans. I thought they would be a passing phase, but they don't appear to be going anywhere and shoot me now. I just want to belong!
I'll do a proper dating post soon. I just need to have a think about how much I can go public on, without saying anything too controversial.
Oh did you see? Norm really is storming ahead now with his gigs. I'm sending him good vibes for his big Birmingham gig and accepting with good grace his romp into the lead in our gig race. Go Norm....
I'm off to the cafe before they run out of lettuce.
Take Care Out There. Hugz x
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
Gigs 73, 74, 75 and 76 …
Gig 73 was at Party Piece over a week ago now. I felt more than a smidge like I let myself down as I didn’t want to do my brother material (again) but didn’t really prepare enough stuff to fill the five minutes. I probably stayed on stage for closer to three minutes and a fair bit of that was filler, rather than thriller. I have to say, the night over all was good fun, as it usually is.
The night plays on my mind, not because I didn’t even muster five minutes of material, but because by the time I left the venue, I found myself very staggery drunk and not sure how to get home. Well, I know the way home, but almost immediately after leaving the venue, I fell over (not sure how many fellow comics may have witnessed that)… grazed my hand and obviously got myself all shook up.
I got a bus to Seven Sisters, where I found the tube was not open and I was not at all sure what bus I’d need, or if indeed there are any that could take me directly back to Walthamstow. Whilst I wobbled about and tried to focus on the night bus map, I got approached by some guy. I don’t remember what exactly he said or did, but he managed to scare me and feeling like everything was getting out of control, I did what any self respecting drunk would do and started sobbing.
Somehow, I had enough sense left to abandon all hope of finding a bus and instead telephoned my local cab company. Yes, still sobbing. The bus stop man was still lurking around and the guy in the cab office was sweet enough to stay on the line while I waited for the cab to turn up.
The cab thankfully didn’t take too long at all to arrive and I was soon home safe and sound.
So: I don’t know if anyone saw me fall over near the venue. I don’t know what this guy did to freak me out, but we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and just say he tried to chat up the wrong person, a woman already on the brink of a drunken emotional outburst anyway.
The night as a whole has been quite sobering food for thought as I know when I go out drinking, stay out late and try to get home alone, I’m already putting myself in danger. I KNOW that, but I tend to ignore it. I laugh in the face of danger. I think I’m a bit street wise and can handle oddballs and think that even if I’m drunk, I can still take care of myself. I’m not about to put myself under house arrest or stop having fun, because I’ll be honest, I’d die of boredom sooner than I’d ever die of a drunken mishap.
However… I was lucky last Tuesday not to have had my drunken fall in front of a moving vehicle. I was lucky that I’m just a bit embarrassed about crying at a cab controller over a weirdo at a bus stop and not crying in hospital about an actual attack by someone nastier or more persistent. I shouldn’t let myself lose control like that and it might just be the shock I needed.
I did drink a hell of a lot last Tuesday. I need to remember that is one thing when I’m travelling home with Becki or I’m not half starved because of Weight Watchers and taking prescription drugs to quit smoking that could worsen the effects of alcohol. I generally need to be more careful and maybe even drink a bit less. Just a bit less.
Gig 74 was The Leicester – Should I Stay or Should I go Gong. My buddy Norm has written about it. His link is to the side of this page.
Norm was kind enough not to mention how I got gonged off only 2 minutes into my set. Perhaps this should be called gig 73.5. As yet, the counting of gigs has not been reduced down to the counting of minutes on stage, so I hope you’ll let me off that one.
I learnt a hell of a lot on Sunday and to that end, I think we can say it still counts.
Not a gig, but on Sunday afternoon, I was lucky enough to hear Adam Bloom talk to a class of new comedy school students. I haven’t gone back to school yet, but was invited in for that session. It was ace. He was very inspiring.
Back in the saddle for Gig 75. I went to the Lion’s Den last night. We could dig over the old debate and controversy of pay to play, but I enjoyed the night. I paid my four pounds and I had fun. Now, I’m not one to judge other acts, but there is quite a broad mix of quality at the Den *ahem* - not all of it good. People have to have somewhere to learn and it is a pretty safe environment there to do so… Acts know what they are getting and so do the punters. No one gets hurt.
I went on about mid way through the second of three sections. Not too early, not too late, but when I went on, the few acts before me had struggled, people talking at the bar were getting hushed and the energy in the room wasn’t fantastic. Perhaps that just made me think, oh well, it might not be pretty, but I may as well say what I’m here to say. I wanted to try out some new ideas before today.
To be honest, I lasted until I got my little light shining and I think people were enjoying it. I was enjoying trying out some new stuff.
A success!?
I’m leaving now for gig 76. I was offered a headline spot at my local new act night – Glee 17, but it seems I’m now sharing said headline and I didn’t quite make into any publicity other than the facebook invite... I’ll propose he still allows me a ten spot, offer to do it to close the first half and have a few more pints there after.
Even I can stagger home from there and if I play my cards right, I might even have a Sproglet with me…
The night plays on my mind, not because I didn’t even muster five minutes of material, but because by the time I left the venue, I found myself very staggery drunk and not sure how to get home. Well, I know the way home, but almost immediately after leaving the venue, I fell over (not sure how many fellow comics may have witnessed that)… grazed my hand and obviously got myself all shook up.
I got a bus to Seven Sisters, where I found the tube was not open and I was not at all sure what bus I’d need, or if indeed there are any that could take me directly back to Walthamstow. Whilst I wobbled about and tried to focus on the night bus map, I got approached by some guy. I don’t remember what exactly he said or did, but he managed to scare me and feeling like everything was getting out of control, I did what any self respecting drunk would do and started sobbing.
Somehow, I had enough sense left to abandon all hope of finding a bus and instead telephoned my local cab company. Yes, still sobbing. The bus stop man was still lurking around and the guy in the cab office was sweet enough to stay on the line while I waited for the cab to turn up.
The cab thankfully didn’t take too long at all to arrive and I was soon home safe and sound.
So: I don’t know if anyone saw me fall over near the venue. I don’t know what this guy did to freak me out, but we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and just say he tried to chat up the wrong person, a woman already on the brink of a drunken emotional outburst anyway.
The night as a whole has been quite sobering food for thought as I know when I go out drinking, stay out late and try to get home alone, I’m already putting myself in danger. I KNOW that, but I tend to ignore it. I laugh in the face of danger. I think I’m a bit street wise and can handle oddballs and think that even if I’m drunk, I can still take care of myself. I’m not about to put myself under house arrest or stop having fun, because I’ll be honest, I’d die of boredom sooner than I’d ever die of a drunken mishap.
However… I was lucky last Tuesday not to have had my drunken fall in front of a moving vehicle. I was lucky that I’m just a bit embarrassed about crying at a cab controller over a weirdo at a bus stop and not crying in hospital about an actual attack by someone nastier or more persistent. I shouldn’t let myself lose control like that and it might just be the shock I needed.
I did drink a hell of a lot last Tuesday. I need to remember that is one thing when I’m travelling home with Becki or I’m not half starved because of Weight Watchers and taking prescription drugs to quit smoking that could worsen the effects of alcohol. I generally need to be more careful and maybe even drink a bit less. Just a bit less.
Gig 74 was The Leicester – Should I Stay or Should I go Gong. My buddy Norm has written about it. His link is to the side of this page.
Norm was kind enough not to mention how I got gonged off only 2 minutes into my set. Perhaps this should be called gig 73.5. As yet, the counting of gigs has not been reduced down to the counting of minutes on stage, so I hope you’ll let me off that one.
I learnt a hell of a lot on Sunday and to that end, I think we can say it still counts.
Not a gig, but on Sunday afternoon, I was lucky enough to hear Adam Bloom talk to a class of new comedy school students. I haven’t gone back to school yet, but was invited in for that session. It was ace. He was very inspiring.
Back in the saddle for Gig 75. I went to the Lion’s Den last night. We could dig over the old debate and controversy of pay to play, but I enjoyed the night. I paid my four pounds and I had fun. Now, I’m not one to judge other acts, but there is quite a broad mix of quality at the Den *ahem* - not all of it good. People have to have somewhere to learn and it is a pretty safe environment there to do so… Acts know what they are getting and so do the punters. No one gets hurt.
I went on about mid way through the second of three sections. Not too early, not too late, but when I went on, the few acts before me had struggled, people talking at the bar were getting hushed and the energy in the room wasn’t fantastic. Perhaps that just made me think, oh well, it might not be pretty, but I may as well say what I’m here to say. I wanted to try out some new ideas before today.
To be honest, I lasted until I got my little light shining and I think people were enjoying it. I was enjoying trying out some new stuff.
A success!?
I’m leaving now for gig 76. I was offered a headline spot at my local new act night – Glee 17, but it seems I’m now sharing said headline and I didn’t quite make into any publicity other than the facebook invite... I’ll propose he still allows me a ten spot, offer to do it to close the first half and have a few more pints there after.
Even I can stagger home from there and if I play my cards right, I might even have a Sproglet with me…
Saturday, 14 November 2009
My New Scarf and other bits about the week.
So I'm off tomorrow on my Italian mini break with my Mum and Dad. I'll be back on Wednesday night.
All it has been a pretty good week.
Gigs 59 and 60 were good. Well Party Piece (59) wasn't all that. My own fault: I jibber jabbered, which sometimes works. On Tuesday it didn't though. I just felt a bit guilty for being rubbish and copping out early. Having said that, there were not many audience there, so no point in getting too caught up in the guilt of it all.
Wednesday's Headway gig (60) at The Water Poets was amazing. Really lovely warm crowd. I got a lovely reception, good feedback after and managed to remember my words. I threw in a few happy ad libs that got laughs too. Some chick in the front (I think she was another comic actually from "The Silky Pair") coughed over my 'you can even give blowjobs' line, so I was worried the point was muffled, but I teased her about it and wondered what she was coughing on and that made it all funny again before the disclaimer ending...
After the gig I went drinking with the other comics including Duncan Oakley and Silky (no relation to The Silky Pair) Duncan and Silky have been going years and I felt all cheerful with myself for being out with the "big guns" (paid acts) and it was plain lovely as everyone had such a smashing time at the gig and after. We stayed out drinking until gone 2 in the morning.
Thursday was my last day at work until next Thursday. Ace!!
Friday was family fun day with lovely niecey in Brighton. Nan, Grandpa and Auntie JoJo took Mia to The Sealife Centre as the weather wasn't up to much. The Sealife Centre seemed quite cool. Not amazing or anything and we could only see what a child, who isn't even two yet, wanted us to see, so I'm not sure I made it to every nook and cranny, but overall the day was good. Mia has lots of new words and if you ask if she is ok? She says 'fine.' Even I have to admit that is cute!!
Today I hung around at my folks house. I was determined to finish knitting my scarf and finish knitting it I did... Oh yeah... Scarf pride...
I know you can't see the ends, but I promise it is all done! Only 3 years it took...After finishing the scarf. I went swimming (80 more lengths.) Then a quick stop at the shops on the way back home.
OK as important as I realise it is to keep you updated on my knitting and swimming progress, right now I really ought to be getting packed. Dad will be here to pick me up at 9 am tomorrow and I don't even think the washing has got dry properly yet.
Now where is that suitcase?
See you soon peeps xxx
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