No Comparison

At the risk of looking like a knob, I really enjoy watching motivational videos and stuff like that. Particularly when I'm feeling lazy, and....unmotivated....

Duh.

I think one of the traps with those types of videos is that you sit down with the intention of watching one, to kick you in the ass and get you moving, and then like with anything else on YouTube, you end up watching 3 hours of them and not getting anything done. I try to treat them like a 5 hour energy. Just a quick pick me up. Because if I start clicking the "next video" links, I'll fall down that worm hole every time.

Anyways, one of the most popular folks in that field these days is Gary Vaynerchuk. I know there are a lot of people out there that don't particularly care for him, but I like his stuff. He talks openly about his dream of buying the New York Jets, and constantly hammers home his message of "work work work". He's a rich, rich, man. Honestly, I could take or leave the "get rich by working hard stuff". I don't want to be rich. But he said something in a video I watched the other day that motivated me to write this blog. I'm paraphrasing, but it was something like:

"People hear me talk about wanting to buy the Jets, and I think sometimes they take the wrong message away from it. You don't need to compare your dreams or your goals to anybody else's. My dream is to buy an NFL team. If your dream is to work for yourself, or take a trip to England, or to lose 30 lbs or 300 lbs or whatever, that's fine. Figure out what will make you happy, and go get that. Don't make it you're goal to get rich just because it's someone else's. Otherwise, someday you'll get rich and you'll just be miserable with a bunch of money."

I have zero aspirations to get rich. The idea of having a 7 or 8 figure bank account that comes with a 7 day/70 hour work week makes me miserable. I just want to be able to tell jokes in exchange for a comfortable living. I want enough money to eat, and travel with Shay. Freedom drives me more than anything on this planet. I know other comics that have goals of being famous, getting on tv, making the big money. I respect that, and I hope they make it. But I see one of them get a gig that will help them get closer to those goals, and I can't help but get jealous. And I have to ask myself, "what do you care?" It's because I'm comparing my goals to theirs, and feeling like I should be trying to accomplish what they're trying to accomplish. Fuck that. I just have to put my head down and work on what I want.

(Maybe that's not why I get jealous at all. Maybe I'm just an ego-maniac, I dunno.)

I'm getting better and better on just focusing on what I enjoy, and what makes me happy. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. I produce my podcast every week because I enjoy it. It doesn't get thousands of downloads, and it probably never will. It won't make me a ton of money. But it makes me happy.  This blog gets a couple hundred views when I update it. Good enough for me.

I just want to be a guy that pays his bills with jokes, and instead of having to go to an office every day I can spend my days booking shows, writing jokes, and working on things that interest me. That's the dream if you ask me.

Ramble, ramble, ramble. I'm going to go play video games.

Thanks for reading.

Adam

Focusing on Comedy

"Hey Adam, I love your blog. When are you going to post a new one??"

- Nobody. Ever.

Well, nobody, today's your lucky day. A new blog. 

It's been a while, but it always is in between these things. Remember when I was gonna try and "blog once a week"? So dumb....

Anyways, in case by some small chance you WERE wondering why I haven't been posting more, I've been trying to really focus on my act. Frankly, as much as I like blogging, it takes a decent chunk of time out of my day, and there's not really any payoff from it. I've been trying to dedicate the time I'd spend working on this blog, or Youtube, or in some instances my podcast, on writing jokes and getting on stage. All those other projects are still things I'm interested in, but as my comedy schedule picks up, they just fall further down the priority depth chart. They aren't going away, they're just not important right now.

"Season 3" of my comedy career is officially underway, and as I've mentioned before, my big goal for the next 12 months is to make the transition and become a full time comedian. No more day job. I either tell jokes or I starve (or ask Shaley to buy me something to eat). With that goal in mind, I've really been pounding the pavement, looking for work and stage time. I set a personal best for shows in a month in February, and now my goal going forward is to top that number every month if possible. Stage time is to a comedian what the gym is to a.....gym.....guy? The more time you spend on/in it, the funnier/stronger you become. 

I've also really doubled down on my writing. I used to write quite a bit, but admittedly, once I hit a  point where I could comfortably do 30 minutes on stage (which is kind of the magic number to get road work as an opening act in this business), I kind of took my foot of the gas. Not a good business plan. I went on the road with my buddy Brent Ayton recently, and we had back to back shows where we co-featured, and did 45 minutes each. They were really fun shows, but one of the highlights for me was watching Brent tell his jokes for 3/4 of an hour. Brent is a notoriously good writer, and he works harder at it than almost anyone I know. And although he considers us equals as far as comedy goes, I look up to him. His writing ability and work ethic are inspiring, and they motivate me to become better as a comic. 

So, I'm writing more. I've transferred all of my "finished" bits into a new book (I have about 10 notebooks full of joke ideas and bits), and I regularly read through it, looking for ways to add in a joke here, and take out something that isn't funny there. In addition, I have 5 or 6 new bits I'm working on right now, all to various levels of success. Going on stage with new material can be rough, but trying out a new joke and realizing it works is simply one of the best feelings in comedy. It motivates you to keep going, keep digging, until you fid that next bit that works. It's kind of like mining, and you never know when you'll find gold. Or oil. Or whatever people mine for. 

I posted this on twitter and Facebook the other day:

And it's true. When I see a comedian that is further up the ladder than I am, be it a local headliner, a touring comic, Jerry Seinfeld, whoever, and they want to keep getting better, it really kicks me in the ass. If they have that eye of the tiger, I should too. The minute you stop working at trying to get better, someone else passes you. I try not to compare myself to other comics, but I also know there's only so much room at the table. If I take my time getting there, someone else is going to take my seat.  So put Twitter down and get back to work!

Anyways, I guess that's it. That's why my posts on here are rare and spaced out. I really need to put the blinders (or blinder, anyway), and focus on my act. The blog, Youtube, and all that stuff will be there when I have time, but for now, I have work to do.

Thanks for reading, and supporting me, if you have. If you want me to fail, that's cool too. I don't care.

Cheers. 

Adam

Appreciate Life

I have a friend who has been diagnosed with cancer. Luckily, he's in a position to be able to fight it, and is undergoing treatment as we speak. Or as you read this. Or, whatever.

He's a really good dude. Young. Not the type of person you would initially think of when you think of someone diagnosed with cancer. At least, not who I would think of, anyways. But as we all know, cancer is a bitch, and it doesn't discriminate. As I mentioned, he's in a good position to bounce back. He told me that the way the doctor explained it to him was, "If you're going to have cancer, this is the cancer you want." What he meant is that it's one that can be beaten, but we couldn't help but have a laugh at that description. Some guy crossing his finger in the doctor's office, "c'mon cancer.......!"

Jokes aside, my buddy is tough. He's brave. The amount of respect and admiration I have for him can't be expressed through this blog. He's putting his head down, telling cancer to go fuck itself, and plowing through what I have to imagine is the worst experience of his life. Something that nobody deserves to go through.

I wanted to write this blog to send my support to my friend, and to remind everyone else reading this to appreciate life. You never know when someone will threaten to take it away. Maybe you hate getting up on Monday morning, or you don't like having to shovel the snow, or having to go to school or work. Those are all normal things to hate. Most of us complain about them all the time. I know I do.

But the next time you have to do something you don't want to do, remember that it could be a lot worse. While you're getting upset that it's freezing outside, someone else is sitting in a hospital, trying to stay alive. They'd probably kill to just have to the worst part of their day be having to get up and go start their car in the cold. I think a lot of people take life for granted. The little things like sitting around with your friends at work, making each other laugh. Having dinner with your family. Walking your dog. Take the time to enjoy them, and to enjoy life. Life is a gift. Before you complain about something, ask yourself if things could be worse. 99.9% of the time, they can be.

My friend often comes to my comedy shows, because he likes to laugh, and because he wants to support me. I can only try to pay that kindness back. I think he'll read this, and if you are reading this, know that there are a ton of us that have your back. You're gonna be fine, dude. And then you'll look back on this time on your life, and remember what a bad mother fucker you are. You beat cancer. And then you'll have to go out in the cold and start your car.

Hang in there, buddy. I'm proud to call you my friend.

- Adam

2 Years!!

Two years ago today, I tried stand up for the first time. It was the best decision I ever made.

Shout out to all my friends and family that have come out to a show, or sent me an encouraging text, or supported me in any way. I don't really know what I'm doing, and when I fall, you guys continually pick me up and tell me to keep going. It means the world to me.

And to all the comics and bookers that have ever let me be a part of their show, or given me a word of advice, or just been a friend to me, thank you. I really appreciate not only your stage time, but your friendship, as well. I love being a part of the team.

When I got on stage for the first time at Yuk Yuks, I didn't know if I would do well, or bomb, or what would happen. I remember telling people that I wasn't nervous about bombing, I was nervous about not liking it. I'd built stand up comedy up in my mind as this thing I wanted to do so bad, and I was terrified that it wouldn't live up to the hype I had built up for it in my own mind. But it did. Man, it did....

I've had ups and downs. Good sets, bad sets. I've been on top of the world, and I've felt like a loser who needs to give this up and get a real job. I've learned that stand up is a fucking rollercoaster, but I love it. I still have a long way to go, but I'm proud of how far I've come so far, and I wake up every day excited to keep going.

That's it. It's 2 years. In the grand scheme of stand up, I'm still a speck on the map. But that's fine with me, 'cause at least I'm on the map.

Thanks guys.

Adam

Back at it

Happy New Years, Merry Christmas, blah blah blah.

I hope you had a great holiday season, and if you're one of those Resolution/New Year, New Me types, I hope you haven't given up yet. People that don't make resolutions shit on people that do all the time. I don't make them (anymore), but if you are, I really do hope you stick with it. And if you fall off the horse, don't wait 365 days to try again. Just get up and get back on it, or whatever analogy hits home for you.

I had a good time in 2017. Sure, I could look at all the negative stuff, (sex scandals, Trump, the Habs), but fuck that. I had a great time this year, made some strides toward my comedy goals (becoming a headliner and meeting Bill Murray), and Shaley didn't break up with me. Wins across the board. I was going to take a look at some of the comedy goals I set at the beginning of the year, and set some new ones, but my 2 year joke-telling anniversary isn't until January 21st, so I'll do a blog about that stuff closer to then.

I decided to sit down and write a blog today to kind of kick myself in the ass, and get back into my normal routine. Taking a couple weeks off for Christmas was awesome, but I only had 4 or 5 shows in about 2 weeks, and that consisted of no open mics, and no working on new material. (In my limited defence, a lot of the open mics around Edmonton take a little time off for Christmas as well). I haven't really been working out, I've eaten my weight in chocolate, and now it's time to shake that off and climb out of the lazy hole I've been digging for the last 14+ days.

One of the shows I was part of over that span was a New Years Eve show in Kelowna, BC, with Mike Dambra and Rob Balsden. We got a great turnout and had a fun show. My girlfriend, Shaley, even came along for the ride this time. There was a moment when we were sitting after the show, and I posted a Facebook status: "I spent New Year's Eve telling jokes in Kelowna with the two people I consider the biggest influences on my comedy career, Shaley & Dambra. It was a really nice way to end one of the funnest years I've ever had." It was a cool moment, and I'm very lucky to be surrounded by good people.

Me, Rob, and Mike after our New Year's Eve show for Train Wreck Comedy in Kelowna, BC

On New Year's Day, Mike flew home, and Shaley and I drove up to Quesnel to visit some of her family for a couple days. Working on New Year's Eve was a privilege, but getting an opportunity to spend a couple days with some family we don't see often enough was icing on the cake. I got a chance to record a podcast with my nephew, Ben, as well. He's an up and coming YouTube star, and turned out to be a great interview! That should be up this Sunday, and you'll be able to find it on iTunes, YouTube, or HERE.

Now we're home, and it's time to get back to work. I got a yoga session in today, sent a bunch of emails out to some bookers, and now I'm wasting time with this thing. My girlfriend is going out this afternoon, so I'll have the house to myself to focus on writing some jokes and getting this motor kick started. And I'm heading down to Black Dog on Whyte for the Underdog Comedy show tonight to put my name in the draw (they draw names for spots on the show), which will hopefully lead to my first official set of 2018. Get after it, and shake off that rust!

The last thing I wanted to touch on in this blog, is a side project that kind of fell into my lap. I have a meeting next week with some producers from Twitch. I haven't really talked about it too much, but I've been offered a chance to compete on a reality show that will be filming in Edmonton this year. I'm 50/50 on whether or not I'll do it right now; it sounds fun, but I would have to cancel a fair amount of my comedy bookings to do it, as well as I take 6 weeks off from my day job, and at this point in my comedy career, I don't know if that's something I should, or can afford, to do. It would be a great opportunity to pick up some social media followers and get my name out there, but as I've stated in here many times, my end game isn't to get famous or anything, I just want to tell jokes for a living. So I'll keep everyone posted on how that's going in my next blog.

I guess that's it for this bad boy, my first blog of 2018! (Side note, that's enough with your stupid "the millennium is legal now!" jokes) Thanks for reading, and supporting me, and all that jazz. Let's get after it this year and make some shit happen!!

Adam

Ups and Downs

My last blog post pretty much consisted of me whining about losing a gig, and talking about how hard I think I work. Maybe a little (lot) obnoxious, but it was therapeutic at the time.

I don't regret writing it. But, I want to point out that while it made not have seemed like it based on that blog, I'm very aware of (and immensely grateful for) all the opportunities I've had so far in stand up. I've been incredibly fortunate to do some of the things I've done over the last couple years. I was just frustrated that I lost out on one of those things.

I've been told over and over that stand up comedy, much like any walk of life, is full of ups and downs. Every time you think you have it figured out, something will bring you down. And every time you're down, hard work and persistence will pull you back up. I was down a couple weeks ago. Right now I'm in the clouds. I've had a fantastic run of shows since that last blog.

*On a side note, before I get into said shows, if you're "down" right now (in comedy, work, life, whatever), it sucks. But it'll go back up. Put your head down, work, keep moving forward. What goes down, must go up!*

Two weeks ago, I spent a Friday on the road to Medicine Hat with Simon King. I haven't had a chance to work with Simon before, but I know he has a good reputation, and all the comics that do know him speak very highly of the man. We had a great conversation on the drive down about comedy (I love picking headliner's brains), and he introduced me to coffee with butter in it. Fucked if I can remember what it was called, but it was outstanding. We got to Medicine Hat, started our show, and about 2 minutes into my set, the microphone checked out. It put me in the enviable position of working a corporate show, with a dance floor in front of the stage, without a microphone. (A comedian's dream!) I got through it, though. Had fun with the crowd and it turned out to be a good time.

The next morning, Simon and I hit the road back to Edmonton pretty early. He had another show to get to that night, and I had to meet up with Mike Dambra to hit the road up to Cold Lake for a sold out Saturday night show. I really liked rolling with Simon, the dude LOVES to talk comedy, and he gave me some great advice. We're working together again in the new year, and I'm really looking forward to it.

Saturday night, Mike and I had a show in Cold Lake. We did a couple gigs there back in April, and they were 2 of the best shows I've been a part of so far. I graduated High School up there, and it's always great catching up with old friends. We only had one show this time around, at Bean Trees Cafe's new Grande Parlour Theatre (pop in if you find yourself in Cold Lake. Incredible food and great people!). The show was sold out, and the crowd was red hot from the get go. In addition to some familiar faces (Victor & Lisa) coming by, a couple friends from my old job at the Canex out there came to the show. I worked there when I was 16 or 17, and working with some of the ladies at that store was one of my favourite memories. After Dambra DESTROYED the room, I went on stage to close it out and thank everyone for coming, and two of the fore-mentioned ladies, Jody & Darlene, surprised me with some baked goodies for my birthday. The audience sang happy birthday, and it was a really dope way to end a great night.

Jody, me, Darlene, and Bob Mattice  at the end of the show in Cold Lake. :)

I took Sunday off and hung out with Shay and my dog, and went back to my day job Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday night, I was fortunate enough to get to open for America's Got Talent runner up Drew Lynch at The Comic Strip in West Ed. The shows were packed, and the audiences were so excited to see Drew that getting them hyped off the top was as simple as saying his name. We had 3 great shows, and after each show, Drew hung around, shook hands and took photos with everyone that wanted to. Watching the way he interacted with his fans, and getting the opportunity to talk comedy with him for a little while was very eye opening for me. He was just a normal dude that found a way to make his mark in this business, and he seems genuinely grateful to be where he is. I can only hope if ever reach anywhere even close to his level of success, I handle it with that kind of class and humility. 

Drew rose to fame after appearing on America's Got Talent. He's a comedian with a severe stutter. I opened each show by saying "Who should we get to open for the kid that can't talk?? How about the kid that can't see??"

Thursday night, I was back at The Comic Strip, hosting for Nigel Lawrence and Brett Forte. Working with people you like can make a good show into a great show. I was feeling really dialled in after the last week of opening, and fell right into crowd work. I'm still a white belt when it comes to talking to the audience but I feel like I'm getting better at it every time I host. I think the key is just believing in yourself and going all in. If you half-ass it, they have no reason to come along with you. Some guys hate hosting, but I'm really starting to enjoy it. And as a new comic, if you can get a grasp on MCing, you make yourself a million times more employable. 

Friday I did a a show at CFB Edmonton with Paul Sveen. My Dad is ex-military, and still works on the base, so he popped by with a couple friends for the show. And for the second Friday night in a row, I got to open without a microphone. This time it didn't quit mid-set, the entire sound system just wasn't working from the get go. We ran with it, and actually had a pretty good time.

Saturday, I went to Red Deer for a show at the Legion with Brent Ayton and Todd Ness. The turnout wasn't what we were hoping for, but we made it through. Brent and Todd are both a real pleasure to watch on stage. Brent's writing might be the best in the city, and Todd is a great comic and a great guy. I struggled a little in the middle spot, but the guys covered for me, and I think everyone that came out felt like they got their money's worth and had fun.

All in all, it might have been the best week of my comedy career so far. Getting a chance to work with so many great headliners, and having the opportunity to study their acts, and talk stand up with them is invaluable. 

*Tomorrow (Friday) night, I have a corporate show with Mike. Who wants to bet something goes wrong with the mic?*

A couple weeks ago, I was down. Right now, I'm as up as I've ever been. Like I said, in any walk of life, you'll have peaks and valleys. When you're on a peak, take a second to look around and enjoy it. When you're in a valley, put your head down and start grinding. You'll find your way out.

Thanks for reading, and supporting me. I appreciate it more than you know.

Adam

Why bother?

I'm in a frustrated mood. I usually try to be as positive as possible in these blogs, on my podcast, and pretty well anytime I open myself up to the public at all. But today has been frustrating, and because this is my blog, I'm going to rant and complain for a few minutes. 

I lost out on a gig today. It wasn't anyone's fault, and it certainly isn't anything to lose sleep over, but it was a show I was really looking forward to. Normally, I would look at something like this with a glass half full mentality; "at least I was considered for the show in the first place". But for some reason today it's really bringing me down. A festival that I'd really, really like to be a part of is currently accepting applications, and I'm pushing myself harder than I have since the Funniest Person back in May to study my act, punch up (make funnier) everything I can, and really get my act polished up. I think maybe the pressure I'm putting on myself is starting to take a toll, and whether I like it or not, my mind is slipping into "why even bother?" territory. At least as far as comedy is concerned.

(You were warned. This blog is going to be whiny. I half expect to wake up tomorrow morning and wonder why I wrote this blog to begin with. But I want to vent tonight).

My 2 year comedy anniversary is in January. And going into my third "season" as a comic, I have my mind made up that I want to take bigger steps than I did my sophomore year. A headliner I look up to recently told me that I have a very "old school" approach to stand up and dealing with a headliner. I try to stay out of their way. If I know he/she likes to tell jokes about a certain topic or touch on certain things, I try to avoid them. Things like that. Not because I don't think they can follow me, but because I'm of the mentality that they're the main event of the evening. My job as the opener or emcee is to help set the stage for them to have as easy of night as possible, and for them to do the absolute best they can, so people go home happy, and want to come back for another show. And while I still believe that, I feel like in this upcoming year, I need to start looking out for myself a little more. I want to buckle down, push myself harder than ever, and really take that next step toward becoming a headliner myself.

That brings me back to the festival I mentioned earlier. I showcased for a different festival a couple months ago, and while I didn't mail it in or anything, I went into the show with the mentality of, "I'm playing with house money. This festival is for headliners. I'm not supposed to be there, so I have nothing to lose." I went in with the idea that I probably won't get it anyways. And I think you could see it in my set that night. I don't want to make that mistake again. I'm 100% focused on getting to the next level. I can see the gap between my act and the way a headliner crushes, and I'm obsessed with trying to close it. 

That said, it's still a pretty big gap. Im not looking for anyone to blow smoke up my ass, I'm just being honest. Still, I take pride in the improvements I've made on stage this year. Instead of going into this festival with the "nothing to lose" ideology, I'm trying to have a "make it as hard as possible for them to say no" thought process. I'm not a headliner, and I think maybe some would say that I don't belong on a show like this yet. But at some point, every opener needs to open (awful pun, I'm sorry) a door or two for themselves. I want to start pounding on those doors. If I don't do something to move even a *little bit* closer to doing that every single day, I feel guilty. Like I'm slacking off. It's a good mentality, but it eats away at you sometimes. 

Comedy is fun. I enjoy the creative process of writing, testing, working on my act. And frankly, if it wasn't fun, it wouldn't be worth doing. It certainly isn't from a financial stand point yet. I could go back to just working a normal job, and make a lot more money. But it wouldn't fun. I desperately want to get good at this. To be able to call this a career is something I dream about almost every day. I've accepted that that dream is totally obtainable, but it comes with a lot of work attached. I know that inevitably I'm going to have days like today, where the work doesn't seem worth it, and the dream doesn't feel worth chasing. I know/hope that tomorrow when I wake up, I still have that "kick down doors" mindset. 

Every week, I record a podcast that about 50 people listen to. I work on jokes that I can tell to a room of 15 people on a Wednesday night. I see my girlfriend and dog for about an hour a day, and my friends and family even less. I chalk all of it up to paying my dues, with the end goal of making a living telling jokes. Some days I can't help but wonder why I bother. And then I write a blog like this, and it reminds me. 

I'm going to go listen to my set from last night. Thanks for letting me vent. 

( I just read this back before I hit "publish", and it's just a mess of me whining, and bragging about how I think I work hard. But I haven't posted a blog in a while, and it motivated me. So fuck it). 

Adam