On the Frustrations of Geographic Proximity
As I was walking from the train to work, I saw Eric I and Hector Luis waiting in line at Caroline's. Being a few minutes early, I stopped by to say "hi" and ask what they were waiting for. Apparently, Caroline's was / is holding some sort of auditions for the New York Comedy Festival and they're taking a bunch of people.
Unfortunately, I work literally across the street. And I've already called in my favor for the year (taking off earlier for Christmas than the rest of the office). Despite their pleas for me to call in sick, I realized that if I had called in sick and my boss had walked by me standing in line for Caroline's - especially after I had begged to get more vacation time than I rightfully deserved - I would have been in danger of losing what is, overall, a very good job.
Of course, the Danger Zone comic in me says, "So what? Fuck 'em! Comedy forever! Yeah!." But the pragmatist comedian in me told me that while, yes, waiting in line with Eric I and Hector would have been a more fun way to spend my morning, I neither had my headshot nor my resume with me - and not enough time before they opened doors to fetch them from Queens - and losing a job would probably hurt me more than help me at this point. Especially as I'm trying to save up money for the eventual road gigs which require car rental and hotel funds.
That's what's tough at this point. A lot of comedians want to make black and white decisions on comedy. You do comedy - you're a comedian. You don't do comedy - you're not. But there are actually some pretty strategic decisions and planning-ahead which goes into this game that a lot of people don't realize.
You can hit the mic that night - but you can also go home and write and sleep and hit the next mic feeling completely refreshed. You can write or you can do a mic. And the worry is - the worry is - the worry is that you'll mix up strategy with laziness and eventually just become someone who used to do comedy.
Unfortunately, I work literally across the street. And I've already called in my favor for the year (taking off earlier for Christmas than the rest of the office). Despite their pleas for me to call in sick, I realized that if I had called in sick and my boss had walked by me standing in line for Caroline's - especially after I had begged to get more vacation time than I rightfully deserved - I would have been in danger of losing what is, overall, a very good job.
Of course, the Danger Zone comic in me says, "So what? Fuck 'em! Comedy forever! Yeah!." But the pragmatist comedian in me told me that while, yes, waiting in line with Eric I and Hector would have been a more fun way to spend my morning, I neither had my headshot nor my resume with me - and not enough time before they opened doors to fetch them from Queens - and losing a job would probably hurt me more than help me at this point. Especially as I'm trying to save up money for the eventual road gigs which require car rental and hotel funds.
That's what's tough at this point. A lot of comedians want to make black and white decisions on comedy. You do comedy - you're a comedian. You don't do comedy - you're not. But there are actually some pretty strategic decisions and planning-ahead which goes into this game that a lot of people don't realize.
You can hit the mic that night - but you can also go home and write and sleep and hit the next mic feeling completely refreshed. You can write or you can do a mic. And the worry is - the worry is - the worry is that you'll mix up strategy with laziness and eventually just become someone who used to do comedy.
posted by Mike Drucker at
5:49 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home