Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Comedy Tapings, Suicide Girls & The Kindness of Strangers.
This summary is not available. Please
click here to view the post.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Shawn Gramiak's Possessed Video Camera
Shawn Gramiak is a very talented performer, but I think there’s something wrong with his video camera.
Shawn was kind enough to lend me his machine to tape a couple of my performances.
The shows were great. The crowds were great. And I also was great. I delivered my best material to the ultimate of my ability. My only worry was my set was so hot, it may have melted the camera.
Imagine my surprised when I reviewed the tape and discovered instead of me on the tape, there was….a guy who looked exactly like me. The only difference was that while I onstage am a panther-graceful, sexually-charged dynamo, my dopplegange on the tape was a swaying, twitching, nervous-tic machine.
It’s a goddamn mystery.
Upcoming Comedy
Tuesday, February 24 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Monday, March 30 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Writing
Dan's Wrestling writing appears at worldwrestlinginsanity.com Check out his current article here.
Shawn was kind enough to lend me his machine to tape a couple of my performances.
The shows were great. The crowds were great. And I also was great. I delivered my best material to the ultimate of my ability. My only worry was my set was so hot, it may have melted the camera.
Imagine my surprised when I reviewed the tape and discovered instead of me on the tape, there was….a guy who looked exactly like me. The only difference was that while I onstage am a panther-graceful, sexually-charged dynamo, my dopplegange on the tape was a swaying, twitching, nervous-tic machine.
It’s a goddamn mystery.
Upcoming Comedy
Tuesday, February 24 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Monday, March 30 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Writing
Dan's Wrestling writing appears at worldwrestlinginsanity.com Check out his current article here.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
New Wrestling Article Up
It's on the challenges of breaking the news to a romantic prospect that you're involved in the wrestling business.
Check it out here.
Check it out here.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Possibly the Greatest Movie Review Ever
Sometimes people give you a plot summary of a movie that's so great, you don't even want to see the movie anymore because the way they told the story was so fantastic. My father's take on 'Cliffhanger' had me laughing so hard, I never want to see the movie.
Here is another one, courtesy of a friend of mine:
"last night, being that it was Friday the 13th, and my birthday, XXXXX and I watched Jason X. Trust me, you don't want to see it but let me tell you all the plot just for funsies. Jason gets cryogenically frozen in 2010 and then 400 years later people find him still frozen and take him onto their space ship to study him. He wakes up (obviously) and kills a bunch of people. Then they shoot his head off. Then space ants (yes, space ants) help him regenerate into a metal person. Then they manage to kick him off the ship, out into space, and he burns up on re-entry to Earth 2 (because obviously 400 years later Earth 1 doesn't exist). But he doesn't really die. His mask survives. Stay tuned for Jaxon XI.
And then we watched a movie where plants get mad at humans and release gases that makes the people commit suicide. I'm not kidding."
I love it.
Upcoming Comedy
Tuesday, February 10 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Saturday, February 14 - PRIVATE FUNCTION - Smith, Alberta
Tuesday, February 17 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Wednesday, February 18 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Friday, February 20 - PRIVATE FUNCTION - Beaumont, Alberta
Saturday, February 21 - PRIVATE FUNCTION - Edmonton
Sunday, February 22 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Writing
Dan's wrestling writing can be found at World Wrestling Insanity.com. Current article is here.
Here is another one, courtesy of a friend of mine:
"last night, being that it was Friday the 13th, and my birthday, XXXXX and I watched Jason X. Trust me, you don't want to see it but let me tell you all the plot just for funsies. Jason gets cryogenically frozen in 2010 and then 400 years later people find him still frozen and take him onto their space ship to study him. He wakes up (obviously) and kills a bunch of people. Then they shoot his head off. Then space ants (yes, space ants) help him regenerate into a metal person. Then they manage to kick him off the ship, out into space, and he burns up on re-entry to Earth 2 (because obviously 400 years later Earth 1 doesn't exist). But he doesn't really die. His mask survives. Stay tuned for Jaxon XI.
And then we watched a movie where plants get mad at humans and release gases that makes the people commit suicide. I'm not kidding."
I love it.
Upcoming Comedy
Tuesday, February 10 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Saturday, February 14 - PRIVATE FUNCTION - Smith, Alberta
Tuesday, February 17 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Wednesday, February 18 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Friday, February 20 - PRIVATE FUNCTION - Beaumont, Alberta
Saturday, February 21 - PRIVATE FUNCTION - Edmonton
Sunday, February 22 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Writing
Dan's wrestling writing can be found at World Wrestling Insanity.com. Current article is here.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Why Comedy Is Better Live
There is a reason live comedy is so cool. It's because anything can happen.
Like last night, for example.
A regular audience member went up on stage and proposed to his girlfriend. It was a very special moment...although it makes me wonder if instead of having "Our Song," this couple has "Our Joke" now: "Every time Richard Lett does his Woman-hater bit I get misty eyed.". I also wonder since the show ran long, if that's a good omen for a happy marriage.
Either way it was pretty cool. Personally I'm cheering for that couple because a) they come regularly to shows and support us and b) because they dig zombies. Any friend of the living dead is a friend of mine.
Back to my point...
A lot of people form opinions on comedy primarily from TV, DVDs or YouTube videos. I really think that comedy is best in a live environment because of those happy accidents. A DVD or television special is edited and cut together and sweetened with canned laughter. It's professional, but also very sterile.
It might be funny, but it isn't as memorable as say--the power going out in the nightclub leaving the headlining comic performing with no lights and microphone (I've seen this happen, thought not to me. Of course there are people out there who say my shows would be a lot better if they couldn't see or hear me).
Similarly, every live show is different because every crowd brings a different energy. It's what makes each time on stage so interesting.
That's why I'm excited about (not to mention nervous about)tonight's show. It's Andrew Iwanyk's monthly show at the Strip. The reason I like performing on Andrew's shows is Andrew pushes me to do something I would never do under normal circumstances. It's a challenge as a performer and it's also a lot of fun. Not only that, I usually learn from the experience.
Speaking of shows, here's my upcoming schedule. If you drop by, make sure to come say hi. Some people don't like bothering comics after a show, but I say go ahead and bother me. Makes me feel like a star and I never get tired of that.
Have a great week.
Upcoming Comedy
Tuesday, February 10 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Saturday, February 14 - PRIVATE FUNCTION - Smith, Alberta
Tuesday, February 17 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Wednesday, February 18 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Friday, February 20 - PRIVATE FUNCTION - Beaumont, Alberta
Saturday, February 21 - PRIVATE FUNCTION - Edmonton
Sunday, February 22 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Writing
Dan's writing on relationships and dating is at hotchicksandstrangers.blogspot.com
Dan's wrestling writing can be found at World Wrestling Insanity.com. Current article is here.
Like last night, for example.
A regular audience member went up on stage and proposed to his girlfriend. It was a very special moment...although it makes me wonder if instead of having "Our Song," this couple has "Our Joke" now: "Every time Richard Lett does his Woman-hater bit I get misty eyed.". I also wonder since the show ran long, if that's a good omen for a happy marriage.
Either way it was pretty cool. Personally I'm cheering for that couple because a) they come regularly to shows and support us and b) because they dig zombies. Any friend of the living dead is a friend of mine.
Back to my point...
A lot of people form opinions on comedy primarily from TV, DVDs or YouTube videos. I really think that comedy is best in a live environment because of those happy accidents. A DVD or television special is edited and cut together and sweetened with canned laughter. It's professional, but also very sterile.
It might be funny, but it isn't as memorable as say--the power going out in the nightclub leaving the headlining comic performing with no lights and microphone (I've seen this happen, thought not to me. Of course there are people out there who say my shows would be a lot better if they couldn't see or hear me).
Similarly, every live show is different because every crowd brings a different energy. It's what makes each time on stage so interesting.
That's why I'm excited about (not to mention nervous about)tonight's show. It's Andrew Iwanyk's monthly show at the Strip. The reason I like performing on Andrew's shows is Andrew pushes me to do something I would never do under normal circumstances. It's a challenge as a performer and it's also a lot of fun. Not only that, I usually learn from the experience.
Speaking of shows, here's my upcoming schedule. If you drop by, make sure to come say hi. Some people don't like bothering comics after a show, but I say go ahead and bother me. Makes me feel like a star and I never get tired of that.
Have a great week.
Upcoming Comedy
Tuesday, February 10 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Saturday, February 14 - PRIVATE FUNCTION - Smith, Alberta
Tuesday, February 17 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Wednesday, February 18 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Friday, February 20 - PRIVATE FUNCTION - Beaumont, Alberta
Saturday, February 21 - PRIVATE FUNCTION - Edmonton
Sunday, February 22 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Writing
Dan's writing on relationships and dating is at hotchicksandstrangers.blogspot.com
Dan's wrestling writing can be found at World Wrestling Insanity.com. Current article is here.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Smile Time
Have you ever noticed not all smiles are created equal?
They all say different things. Some are forced smiles, masking inner pain. Some are enigmatic, promising unimaginable delight to the one who solves its mysteries. A person’s smile says a lot about how they see themselves and how they see the world. Sometimes it tells you more about that person than they could tell you about themselves.
My brother’s smile is difficult to describe.
Not because there were layers of meaning hidden behind it. If anything, it was the opposite. Tom’s smile left every door and window in his soul thrown wide open, a idiot “I-Am-Awesome-And-The-Whole-World-Is-My-Friend” grin that welcomed whatever the universe had to offer from meeting a new drinking partner to falling down a mountain on skiis.
How do you put something like that in words? You can’t.
Though he only mentioned it in passing, my brother was the person who first introduced me to the idea you can choose to be happy regardless of circumstances. It was a revolutionary concept--“You mean when bad stuff happens, you just DECIDE to be in a good mood anyway?”
What a weirdo idea. I like it though. And as time goes on, I’m finding I’m liking it more and more.
At my brother’s funeral, the priest told Tom’s distraught nephew that “you are your uncle’s face on earth now.” I’m not sure how well something like that resonates with a four-year old but it seemed to calm him down some. For me standing in the background, the thought was scary and comforting at the same time.
The other day my sister-in-law uploaded a bunch of old pictures of my brother. There were pictures of him climbing, skiing, in his truck, and sitting around with friends and his wife.
Most of all, there were pictures of him smiling.
I called a couple of my co-workers over to look, as I did so trying to explain about Tom’s grin and what was so unique about it.
They looked at each other, then looked at me as though I were an idiot. Finally, one of them said. “Your brother’s smile is exactly the same as yours.”
They didn’t know it, but it’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever received.
Upcoming Comedy
Monday, February 9 - The Comic Strip
Current Writing
Wrestling Writing for World Wrestling Insanity - Dan's Review of the Wrestler can be found here
Dan's writing on relationships can be found at hotchicksandstrangers.blogspot.com
They all say different things. Some are forced smiles, masking inner pain. Some are enigmatic, promising unimaginable delight to the one who solves its mysteries. A person’s smile says a lot about how they see themselves and how they see the world. Sometimes it tells you more about that person than they could tell you about themselves.
My brother’s smile is difficult to describe.
Not because there were layers of meaning hidden behind it. If anything, it was the opposite. Tom’s smile left every door and window in his soul thrown wide open, a idiot “I-Am-Awesome-And-The-Whole-World-Is-My-Friend” grin that welcomed whatever the universe had to offer from meeting a new drinking partner to falling down a mountain on skiis.
How do you put something like that in words? You can’t.
Though he only mentioned it in passing, my brother was the person who first introduced me to the idea you can choose to be happy regardless of circumstances. It was a revolutionary concept--“You mean when bad stuff happens, you just DECIDE to be in a good mood anyway?”
What a weirdo idea. I like it though. And as time goes on, I’m finding I’m liking it more and more.
At my brother’s funeral, the priest told Tom’s distraught nephew that “you are your uncle’s face on earth now.” I’m not sure how well something like that resonates with a four-year old but it seemed to calm him down some. For me standing in the background, the thought was scary and comforting at the same time.
The other day my sister-in-law uploaded a bunch of old pictures of my brother. There were pictures of him climbing, skiing, in his truck, and sitting around with friends and his wife.
Most of all, there were pictures of him smiling.
I called a couple of my co-workers over to look, as I did so trying to explain about Tom’s grin and what was so unique about it.
They looked at each other, then looked at me as though I were an idiot. Finally, one of them said. “Your brother’s smile is exactly the same as yours.”
They didn’t know it, but it’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever received.
Upcoming Comedy
Monday, February 9 - The Comic Strip
Current Writing
Wrestling Writing for World Wrestling Insanity - Dan's Review of the Wrestler can be found here
Dan's writing on relationships can be found at hotchicksandstrangers.blogspot.com
Saturday, January 31, 2009
New Column
I'm excited to announce I have a new writing gig doing columns for a website called World Wrestling Insanity. It's a pretty cool site if you're a wrestling fan because it has a whole ton of audio interviews with wrestlers from this era and the days of yore. The guy in charge, James Guttman also wrote a book called "Shoot First...Ask Questions Later" which is a solid read for anyone interested in wrestling or in reporting/interviewing.
My first column is my thoughts on the movie The Wrestler and you can read it here. The column also contains some pretty candid stuff about how I feel about my current place in show business. I'm surprised I admitted some of that stuff in writing.
Upcoming Comedy
Monday, February 9 - The Comic Strip
My first column is my thoughts on the movie The Wrestler and you can read it here. The column also contains some pretty candid stuff about how I feel about my current place in show business. I'm surprised I admitted some of that stuff in writing.
Upcoming Comedy
Monday, February 9 - The Comic Strip
Sunday, January 25, 2009
A Blog About Nothing
I was hoping to have some exciting news to report, but so far, things have not materialized as expected.
With nothing to update, I will steer you to my Hot Chicks and Strangers dating blog, where I went on a recent posting frenzy. If you are the political sort, I posted my thoughts on the Presidential inauguration in my wrestling blog of all places. When you read it, you will see why.
Speaking of wrestling, I was riding the bus today and overheard a slightly geeky and overweight fellow lecturing his friend on the history of the Royal Rumble. In twenty minutes, he covered the years 1988-1994 and he was still going strong when I got off the bus.
I don't know which was more embarrassing: Hearing a grown man talk loudly about professional wrestling in a public space, the fact he knew such exhaustive minutiae even wrestlers don't care about, or the fact that I was listening avidly and had to fight the urge to jump in and correct him on a couple of the finer points.
In other news, Bubba and I went out last night to a friend's birthday at a local nightclub. Much drinking and dancing ensued. One nineteen year-old young lady I chatted with was rather stricken that a gentleman in the room was resisting her advances: "I like him, but I don't know if he likes me."
I'm pleased to report that as I left, I saw them kissing beside the DJ booth.
Got to love a happy endings.
With nothing to update, I will steer you to my Hot Chicks and Strangers dating blog, where I went on a recent posting frenzy. If you are the political sort, I posted my thoughts on the Presidential inauguration in my wrestling blog of all places. When you read it, you will see why.
Speaking of wrestling, I was riding the bus today and overheard a slightly geeky and overweight fellow lecturing his friend on the history of the Royal Rumble. In twenty minutes, he covered the years 1988-1994 and he was still going strong when I got off the bus.
I don't know which was more embarrassing: Hearing a grown man talk loudly about professional wrestling in a public space, the fact he knew such exhaustive minutiae even wrestlers don't care about, or the fact that I was listening avidly and had to fight the urge to jump in and correct him on a couple of the finer points.
In other news, Bubba and I went out last night to a friend's birthday at a local nightclub. Much drinking and dancing ensued. One nineteen year-old young lady I chatted with was rather stricken that a gentleman in the room was resisting her advances: "I like him, but I don't know if he likes me."
I'm pleased to report that as I left, I saw them kissing beside the DJ booth.
Got to love a happy endings.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Shows Tonight and A Funny Conversation
Here's my current list of upcoming shows. Hope to see you there.
Monday, January 19 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, January 20 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Monday, February 9 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
The tribute show for Ripper was on Saturday. It was really well-done. Of course, it wouldn't be wrestling without at least a couple surreal moments.
Here's the one that stuck out for me: Two wrestlers talking backstage.
BAD GUY WRESTLER 1 (after cheating his way to victory and insulting the crowd to a chorus of boos): I guess I better go out there and see if I still have a girlfriend.
BAD GUY WRESTLER 2: She's never seen you wrestle before?
BAD GUY WRESTLER 1: Nope, never even shown her tapes.
BAD GUY WRESTLER 2: (nodding sagaciously)It's always nerve-wracking the first time they see you. They don't always get it.
Monday, January 19 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, January 20 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Monday, February 9 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
The tribute show for Ripper was on Saturday. It was really well-done. Of course, it wouldn't be wrestling without at least a couple surreal moments.
Here's the one that stuck out for me: Two wrestlers talking backstage.
BAD GUY WRESTLER 1 (after cheating his way to victory and insulting the crowd to a chorus of boos): I guess I better go out there and see if I still have a girlfriend.
BAD GUY WRESTLER 2: She's never seen you wrestle before?
BAD GUY WRESTLER 1: Nope, never even shown her tapes.
BAD GUY WRESTLER 2: (nodding sagaciously)It's always nerve-wracking the first time they see you. They don't always get it.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
The Phantom Haircut
In the past three days, I have received numerous compliments on my new haircut.
Awesome.
The only thing is...I didn't get a haircut.
My haircut policy remains the same as ever. Every December 24 whether I need one or not.
Upcoming Comedy
Monday, January 19 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, January 20 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Dan's writing on relationships can be found at hotchicksandstrangers.blogspot.com
Awesome.
The only thing is...I didn't get a haircut.
My haircut policy remains the same as ever. Every December 24 whether I need one or not.
Upcoming Comedy
Monday, January 19 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, January 20 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Dan's writing on relationships can be found at hotchicksandstrangers.blogspot.com
Friday, January 02, 2009
New Living Article Up
It's on the Infamous Positivity Jar.
You can read it here.
Upcoming Writing
Friday, January 2 - The Edmonton Journal
Upcoming Comedy
Monday, January 19 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, January 20 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Dan's writing on relationships can be found at hotchicksandstrangers.blogspot.com
You can read it here.
Upcoming Writing
Friday, January 2 - The Edmonton Journal
Upcoming Comedy
Monday, January 19 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, January 20 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Dan's writing on relationships can be found at hotchicksandstrangers.blogspot.com
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Dan Is So Hilarious
I was raving to a woman at work the other day about a book my mom lent me, Melissa Gilbert's "Eat Pray Love"
Then I realized the woman I was talking to was a atheist in the midst of a crusade to improve her eating habits.
"Hmm," I told her. "If you wrote this book, it would just be called 'Love.'"
No one appreciates how funny I am.
Then I realized the woman I was talking to was a atheist in the midst of a crusade to improve her eating habits.
"Hmm," I told her. "If you wrote this book, it would just be called 'Love.'"
No one appreciates how funny I am.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Upcoming Stuff
Upcoming Writing
Friday, January 2 - The Edmonton Journal
Upcoming Comedy
Monday, January 19 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, January 20 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Dan's writing on relationships can be found at hotchicksandstrangers.blogspot.com
Quiet month as far as self-promotion goes.
This upcoming article may very well be my final regular article for the Journal. If you like it (or my humor writing in general), feel free to email them and let them know you enjoyed it.
I'm going to miss doing those articles. If I'm honest with myself, I'm also going to miss my mini-celebrity status. I wonder if this is how the guys from Warrant felt after Nirvana and Pearl Jam single-handedly erased glam rock from the scene.
It's also a great motivator for me to start looking for other places to publish my work as well as finish the two books I'm working on. Dating for Shy Guys is nearly finished. The other--an untitled book about pro-wrestling--is just getting started. In the meantime, it's time to get off my butt and start hustling for more writing work. So far I've got queries going out to Pro Wrestling Illustrated and Buddhism Today--no one can accuse me of not being diverse in my interests.
Anyway, if this is the end, thanks to everyone who read my articles and supported my writing in the Journal and ed magazine over the last three years and a half years or so. Being able to write for the paper I've read all my life was a dream come true and thank you all for the opportunity.
(And if you know anyone interested in buying funny articles about the rather mundane life of a stand-up comic, let me know. I'm not too proud to beg for work--especially when it's something I love doing)
Friday, January 2 - The Edmonton Journal
Upcoming Comedy
Monday, January 19 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Tuesday, January 20 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Dan's writing on relationships can be found at hotchicksandstrangers.blogspot.com
Quiet month as far as self-promotion goes.
This upcoming article may very well be my final regular article for the Journal. If you like it (or my humor writing in general), feel free to email them and let them know you enjoyed it.
I'm going to miss doing those articles. If I'm honest with myself, I'm also going to miss my mini-celebrity status. I wonder if this is how the guys from Warrant felt after Nirvana and Pearl Jam single-handedly erased glam rock from the scene.
It's also a great motivator for me to start looking for other places to publish my work as well as finish the two books I'm working on. Dating for Shy Guys is nearly finished. The other--an untitled book about pro-wrestling--is just getting started. In the meantime, it's time to get off my butt and start hustling for more writing work. So far I've got queries going out to Pro Wrestling Illustrated and Buddhism Today--no one can accuse me of not being diverse in my interests.
Anyway, if this is the end, thanks to everyone who read my articles and supported my writing in the Journal and ed magazine over the last three years and a half years or so. Being able to write for the paper I've read all my life was a dream come true and thank you all for the opportunity.
(And if you know anyone interested in buying funny articles about the rather mundane life of a stand-up comic, let me know. I'm not too proud to beg for work--especially when it's something I love doing)
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Dan vs. Inner Peace
I'm pretty good at inner peace...as long as I'm in my room or just reading about it.
As soon as I start dealing with other people and the realities of life, my sense of enlightenment and one-ness with the universe is rudely awakened.
As the saying goes, "If you think you're enlightened, spend time with your parents."
SOmetimes I think that's why those monks retreat in the first place. Because they're smart enough to realize the demands of the world make it hard to maintain inner quiet.
The trouble is, what good do you do the world by retreating from it?
I would probably be more enlightened if I lived on a mountain top somewhere.
But I wouldn't have nearly as much fun.
As soon as I start dealing with other people and the realities of life, my sense of enlightenment and one-ness with the universe is rudely awakened.
As the saying goes, "If you think you're enlightened, spend time with your parents."
SOmetimes I think that's why those monks retreat in the first place. Because they're smart enough to realize the demands of the world make it hard to maintain inner quiet.
The trouble is, what good do you do the world by retreating from it?
I would probably be more enlightened if I lived on a mountain top somewhere.
But I wouldn't have nearly as much fun.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Football and the Power of Belief
I found this article this article kind of touching.
Maybe it's cause I'm a football fan.
I don't know if that's it though. I'm also a fan of the wrestling business and generally in the pro wrestling biz, we frown on deliberately splitting a crowd reaction.
I'm also not a big fan of religion in secular settings, and though it isn't explicitly stated in the article, I have a suspicion Grapevine is a fundamentalist school. Regardless, if you're going to hold an institution--religious or otherwise--responsible for its wrongs, I think you're honor-bound to give them points when they do good things as well. Otherwise you're just picking your spots.
And when you read it, you might think, so what?
Well, for me this is the what.
I've seen myself the power of believing in people. Working in the hospitals...answering the Distress Lines...even in comedy, wrestling, or even in your personal life...people will live up to the faith you have in them(*).
It seems like such a small thing, in some ways it seems like NOTHING, but it makes an enormous difference.
Little things have big impacts and belief does a lot of powerful good things. For the person being believed in...and also for the believer.
Happy Holidays, everybody.
(*) On the flip side, if you expect the worst from people, they are perfectly capable of living down to that too. I know which I prefer, but some folks enjoy being miserable and I while I don't understand it, it isn't my place to judge.
Maybe it's cause I'm a football fan.
I don't know if that's it though. I'm also a fan of the wrestling business and generally in the pro wrestling biz, we frown on deliberately splitting a crowd reaction.
I'm also not a big fan of religion in secular settings, and though it isn't explicitly stated in the article, I have a suspicion Grapevine is a fundamentalist school. Regardless, if you're going to hold an institution--religious or otherwise--responsible for its wrongs, I think you're honor-bound to give them points when they do good things as well. Otherwise you're just picking your spots.
And when you read it, you might think, so what?
Well, for me this is the what.
I've seen myself the power of believing in people. Working in the hospitals...answering the Distress Lines...even in comedy, wrestling, or even in your personal life...people will live up to the faith you have in them(*).
It seems like such a small thing, in some ways it seems like NOTHING, but it makes an enormous difference.
Little things have big impacts and belief does a lot of powerful good things. For the person being believed in...and also for the believer.
Happy Holidays, everybody.
(*) On the flip side, if you expect the worst from people, they are perfectly capable of living down to that too. I know which I prefer, but some folks enjoy being miserable and I while I don't understand it, it isn't my place to judge.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Why Buddhists Don't Have Television Sets
Because in the inner calm department, thirteen seconds of an NFL game can undo two years of meditation.
Namaste.
Namaste.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Random Musings on Comedy
Upcoming Comedy
Friday, December 5 - PRIVATE FUNCTION, Drayton Valley
Saturday, December 6 - PRIVATE FUNCTION, Edmonton
Saturday, December 13 - PRIVATE FUNCTION, Edmonton
Monday, December 15 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Upcoming Writing
Living articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, January 2
Current article can be found here.
Other Appearances
World War Wrestling - Friday, December 12 - Fulton Place Community League POSTPONED UNTIL JANUARY
Dan's musings on shyness and relationships can be found at hotchicksandstrangers.blogspot.com
Dan's Wrestling Blog is here
I got into an argument a couple days ago with another comic. We were arguing over whether an out-of-town headliner was any good.
It should have been an easy question. I found the comic in question unwatchable for anything longer than two or three minutes at a time. It was my least favorite kind of comedy: empty calorie comedy based on cheerleading, energy, and stock premises coupled with relentless shilling for merchandise.
It wasn't to my taste, but I had a hard time saying it was bad.
Maybe it’s because I’m wishy-washy and conflict averse.
Or maybe it’s because--at the end of the day--the crowd ate up this headliner with a fork and spoon. They loved the show.
That’s something.
After all, being able to keep and audience involved and interested in a 100% content-free performance (not to mention having them buy your merchandise afterwards) takes a lot of talent. And let’s face it, if you want to be a stand-up comic, but you can’t write and you won’t steal, you don‘t have a lot of options left.
This is one of the interesting things about comedy culture. It values originality and innovation over doing what has worked in the past.
The wrestling business tends towards the opposite end of the spectrum. In wrestling, you’re encouraged to learn from everybody, whether you like what they do or not.
They also encourage wrestlers to learn how to work using a lot of stock stuff first and concern themselves with “getting their own shit in” or doing something different only AFTER they’ve mastered the fundamentals.
A lot of it has to do with the nature of the art. In comedy, you’re on your own. In wrestling, you’re working with other guys. So it’s only natural, wrestling would be more conservative about “going into business for yourself.”
Wrestling is pragmatic--the best wrestler in the world is the guy who sells the most tickets. Period.
Comedy, on the other hand, doesn’t judge itself on whether or not the crowd liked it. Heck, sometimes comics give the most props to guys who go out of their way to alienate the audience.
Who’s right? Who’s wrong?
I don’t know. I believe that each performer has to decide for his- or herself. I also believe that no one else has the right to judge them for their choice. Just because you or I doesn’t like something doesn’t make it bad.
Besides, I have no control over what someone else does in their act. When it comes to show business, like it or not, the only thing I have power over is our own performance.
Whether I like it or not.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Mom Has A New Car
So we all piled in and went for a drive. It felt like the nineteen fifties--Let's go for a ride in the new car!!
It also felt like taking my life in my hands, me in the front seat, the sister and brother in law in the back, and mom driving, prattling happily away about how she "doesn't quite know where everything is and what everything does yet."
ME: Hey, my arse is on fire.
Apparently this car has heated seats.
Cool.
It also felt like taking my life in my hands, me in the front seat, the sister and brother in law in the back, and mom driving, prattling happily away about how she "doesn't quite know where everything is and what everything does yet."
ME: Hey, my arse is on fire.
Apparently this car has heated seats.
Cool.
Friday, November 28, 2008
New Living Article Up
It's about my life as a Ultimate Fighting Machine.
Check it out here.
Have a great weekend everybody.
Upcoming Comedy
Tuesday, November 25 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Wednesday, November 26 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Thursday, November 27 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Friday, November 28 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Saturday, November 29 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Sunday, November 30 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Upcoming Writing
Living articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, November 28
Friday, December 26
Current article can be found here.
Other Appearances
World War Wrestling - Friday, December 12 - Fulton Place Community League
Dan's musings on shyness and relationships can be found at hotchicksandstrangers.blogspot.com
Check it out here.
Have a great weekend everybody.
Upcoming Comedy
Tuesday, November 25 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Wednesday, November 26 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Thursday, November 27 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Friday, November 28 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Saturday, November 29 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Sunday, November 30 - The Comic Strip, Edmonton
Upcoming Writing
Living articles in the Edmonton Journal
Friday, November 28
Friday, December 26
Current article can be found here.
Other Appearances
World War Wrestling - Friday, December 12 - Fulton Place Community League
Dan's musings on shyness and relationships can be found at hotchicksandstrangers.blogspot.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)