Tuesday, September 29, 2009
by Amanda.
My comedy class instructor Dave walked up to me and whispered, “Are all your people here? I’m thinking you’re next.” Someone was onstage talking about cooking shows or something, and I shook my head.
I wasn’t ready to go up. A few hours ago, I was. Even 15 minutes ago. But now I was starting to feel like maybe I’m not funny. For whatever reason, this wasn’t a concern in front of strangers at an open mic two weeks earlier.
This time, people who know me were there. And people who ostensibly know me, blog readers who ventured out from behind the computer monitor to support me in real life. I felt so appreciated and excited and forgetful.
Posted in: Comedy, Thinking.
Monday, September 28, 2009
by Amanda.
I got home from comedy practice last week to discover that the wireless network I’ve “borrowed” for the last year is now password-protected. So are the weaker ones I never used, including the network mysteriously called “GrandmotherLikesThat.”
A few days later, lemme tell you: Granddaughter Doesn’t Like This.
Posted in: Everyday, Writing.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
by Amanda.
I’m performing stand-up comedy tomorrow. A lot of other events, including AdWeek 2009, are harshing my buzz and killing my crowd. It’s somewhat difficult to convince a friend to risk his or her job in order to see you crack jokes for five minutes.
But if you can make it, I’d love some laughter.
Who: Me (and others) with a microphone
What: Trying to be funny and not pee our pants
When: September 24th, 6:00-8:30 pm
Where: Broadway Comedy Club at 318 W. 53rd Street (between 8th & 9th Ave.)
How: RSVP in advance at 212-714-4513. Mention that you’re seeing the show in the big room downstairs. There’s a $12 cover and two drink minimum.
Why: Because you’re ready to move our relationship to that next level. Or you’re bored.
Posted in: Comedy.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
by Amanda.
Posted in: Fluff, Lurve/Luff/Like.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
by Amanda.
Summer was so fraught with stress and heartache and change that it could’ve been autumn. It wasn’t. That starts this week. It’s my favorite time of year.
Let the leaves - and any other living thing - reveal true colors. Bring on tights and boots. Apples. Chilly nights. I’m ready for the NYC I first fell in love with.
Posted in: I Live NY.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
by Amanda.
A group of kids created their own holding cell for crabs dead and alive. Before they could start charging admission, Jim and I took a peek.
Posted in: I Live NY.
Monday, September 21, 2009
by Amanda.
Before I moved to NYC, I did the typical tourist thing a few times and stayed at midtown hotels rife with dust mites and other tourists.
Because people visit NYC to see other people who are visiting NYC, right?
Then I spent a few spring breaks traveling with groups from college. We visited with a mission: to work at a non-profit by day and spend every other minute doing something urban and exciting. We didn’t plan to get much sleep, so no one was picky about lodgings.
And this is how I ended up sleeping at an old firehouse-cum-flophouse with toilets that didn’t flush and open shower stalls. And have I got a contact dermatitis story for you!
I also once stayed at a Y.M.C.A. Don’t believe the song - it’s not that fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.
Here’s a question from Sid:
Posted in: Ask Amanda, I Live NY.
Friday, September 18, 2009
by Amanda.
Annie has made her faildogs.com debut!
Posted in: Mentionable, Ties that bind...and gag.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
by Amanda.
Next Thursday is the culmination of my 10-week comedy class - a comedy show with my classmates and a few more seasoned comedians. We’ll each have about five minutes of stage time, and the audience will consist of whomever we can get to pay to watch us.
Enter Facebook and other channels for begging.
Though I know no one I invite would let me totally bomb onstage, I want to get sincere laughs. My classmate Cyndi and I became friends over the summer and plan to attend two open mics before the final show. This way, we can practice holding a microphone and trying to remember something we wrote that was meant to be funny.
Posted in: Comedy.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
by Amanda.
Last week, I had preview tickets to “Bye Bye Birdie” on Broadway. Acquiring these tickets involved some money, some waiting, and a lot of discussion of how well John Stamos has aged.
By the day of the show, though, other plans started to brew. My friend Les from San Diego would be in town that night. I really wanted to see him, because he once proposed marriage to me over the loudspeaker at T.G.I. Friday’s.
We’ve been engaged eight years now. And once he’s ready to deny his authentic self and start being straight, it’s so on.
Posted in: Comedy, Everyday.
