Here it is. Enjoy...or tolerate at least:
Cannot say enough about how well the Edmonton Club is run. Holler
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Edmonton Eh...
Just finished a weekend of shows in Edmonton. I had an awesome time. The club is incredible and the staff was great. Really professional and friendly. Many thanks to Cody and everyone else for an incredible weekend.
The club holds around 375 people and the audiences were really into the show. This is one of those venues where traveling isn't a big deal because the experience is more than worthwhile.
Video blog #4 coming soon.
The club holds around 375 people and the audiences were really into the show. This is one of those venues where traveling isn't a big deal because the experience is more than worthwhile.
Video blog #4 coming soon.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
The Hotel Shabingus
Sometimes comedy sucks. Sometimes it has nothing to do with being on stage, a booking, or even anything to do with performing. Sometimes, it can be something that you have no control over but it can leave you sitting in a hotel lobby with no room and the prospect of taking a $30 cab ride to the other side of town to shell out $150 to stay in a different hotel and then another $40 cab ride to get to the bus station tomorrow morning. Long story short, the hotel that has been my unofficial home away from home, is full this week and they literally don't have any rooms available. So, along with a couple other comics, we're getting kicked out.
No one is at fault here. The Yuk Yuk's folks were kind enough to make a reservation for me at the other hotel. I'm just not stoked about dropping $200 over the next 24 hours. I'm making moves to try and get out of this. A couple of awkward phone calls are in my future...I know you don't know me...but I was hoping that maybe...it would be cool if I slept on your floor...
This is my favorite youtube video of all times. I'm bringing it back. I want you to hear the angst of these guys...I want you to feel the upset...I also want you to imagine what numbers 'Abdul' is crunching...
No one is at fault here. The Yuk Yuk's folks were kind enough to make a reservation for me at the other hotel. I'm just not stoked about dropping $200 over the next 24 hours. I'm making moves to try and get out of this. A couple of awkward phone calls are in my future...I know you don't know me...but I was hoping that maybe...it would be cool if I slept on your floor...
This is my favorite youtube video of all times. I'm bringing it back. I want you to hear the angst of these guys...I want you to feel the upset...I also want you to imagine what numbers 'Abdul' is crunching...
Monday, April 23, 2007
Video Blog 3: Return of the Revenge of the Return
Hey dudes and non dudes. I'm chilling at the hotel in Calgary until Thursday of this week at which time, I travel to Edmonton. Pretty slow goings in and around the hotel. I found a grocery store that is a substantial walk from the hotel. I bought some snack type foods and even some produce. Those that know me, know full well that going grocery shopping is not something I do. This is a big deal people.
Here's the video blogersons:
In it, I refer to Justin Schlegel as a 'pussy'. Justin is not a pussy. He likes the same stuff I do which makes him a dork...but definitely not a pussy. Ok then.
Here's the video blogersons:
In it, I refer to Justin Schlegel as a 'pussy'. Justin is not a pussy. He likes the same stuff I do which makes him a dork...but definitely not a pussy. Ok then.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Snow
It's snowing right now in Calgary. Come on C town, I thought you and me were past this. Seriously bruh. The problem I usually have with weather is that I have a 2 day weather adjustment period. This means that I dress based on what the weather was like 2 days ago. I have no idea why this is but I also know that I cannot fix it. It was around 60 2 days ago in C-gary which meant that your humorist was exceptionally comfortable.
Today, it's about 30, windy and snowy. Cripes.
The last couple nights I've emceed the shows at the Calgary Yuk Yuk's. I might be the best MC in the world. It's what I do. Hokey, cheesy humor, easy applause breaks to get the crowd going ('who's drinking tonight?', 'give it up for the troops', 'how about the (local sports team)?') I hate myself. Look out, I might do the Raptor!
Tomorrow I'm driving to a place called Cranbrook. Every comic I've talked to has pretty much told me that this is an ungood place and the shows tend to honk. I'm actually really excited about this challenge. I need a little bit of a comfort shock. I want to see what I can do.
I have one final story. This feels more like a Jon Mumma story but it happened to me. I went down to the meager fitness center this afternoon. I was in there riding on the bike for about 30 minutes. This complete chooch comes in to work out on the one nautilus machine in the room. It's one of those, 3 in 1 things. You can bench, do pull downs, or rows. That's it. This dude puts the weight at 60 (funnydanny notation, I'm not judging re how much weight someone does. I'm not in my prime...when I was I put up 320 but that's not the point, the point is, do what you do...). He gets under there, with his earbuds in for his iPod...and starts grunting and puffing like he's on the world's strongest man. He fires off 5 reps, and jumps up (about 2 feet from where I am bike riding) and pounds his chest and jumps around like he is about to max out. He stretches out and does that loud breathe out thing where your teeth are closed like you're trying to act serious but no one takes you seriously because you have a bowl cut that your mom gave you where she actually used a bowl.
Anyway, this plumber does this a couple more times. I am torn between amusement and discomfort. I finally exit the room as this guy gets set to do 50 pounds on the rows...I hear him exclaim as I was shutting the door: 'get some!'....unreal. I went upstairs and told the yuk yuk's staff and they all took turns looking at the guy through the window. It was amazing.
Hope you all are doing great. Funny Danny out.
Today, it's about 30, windy and snowy. Cripes.
The last couple nights I've emceed the shows at the Calgary Yuk Yuk's. I might be the best MC in the world. It's what I do. Hokey, cheesy humor, easy applause breaks to get the crowd going ('who's drinking tonight?', 'give it up for the troops', 'how about the (local sports team)?') I hate myself. Look out, I might do the Raptor!
Tomorrow I'm driving to a place called Cranbrook. Every comic I've talked to has pretty much told me that this is an ungood place and the shows tend to honk. I'm actually really excited about this challenge. I need a little bit of a comfort shock. I want to see what I can do.
I have one final story. This feels more like a Jon Mumma story but it happened to me. I went down to the meager fitness center this afternoon. I was in there riding on the bike for about 30 minutes. This complete chooch comes in to work out on the one nautilus machine in the room. It's one of those, 3 in 1 things. You can bench, do pull downs, or rows. That's it. This dude puts the weight at 60 (funnydanny notation, I'm not judging re how much weight someone does. I'm not in my prime...when I was I put up 320 but that's not the point, the point is, do what you do...). He gets under there, with his earbuds in for his iPod...and starts grunting and puffing like he's on the world's strongest man. He fires off 5 reps, and jumps up (about 2 feet from where I am bike riding) and pounds his chest and jumps around like he is about to max out. He stretches out and does that loud breathe out thing where your teeth are closed like you're trying to act serious but no one takes you seriously because you have a bowl cut that your mom gave you where she actually used a bowl.
Anyway, this plumber does this a couple more times. I am torn between amusement and discomfort. I finally exit the room as this guy gets set to do 50 pounds on the rows...I hear him exclaim as I was shutting the door: 'get some!'....unreal. I went upstairs and told the yuk yuk's staff and they all took turns looking at the guy through the window. It was amazing.
Hope you all are doing great. Funny Danny out.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Canada Blog Part 2
This is the 2nd installment of the Canada Tour Blog. I'm having an amazing time up here. I feel like I'm learning a lot about myself. I miss home (hi Babes) and I can't wait to come back. It was awesome having my boy Justin Schlegel up here with me for a week. Anyway, enjoy:
Kelowna is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited.
Paris
French Alps
Kelowna
Barcelona
Cleveland
in that order...
Kelowna is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited.
Paris
French Alps
Kelowna
Barcelona
Cleveland
in that order...
Friday, April 13, 2007
Video Blog
Here's a video blog I shot of my first week in Canada. Hope this works. Enjoy.
More to come.
More to come.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Lethbrizzle
Had a 1 nighter in a town called Lethbridge last night. I traveled with an awesome comic and man, Dave Nystrom. He is polished, original, and really funny. Nothing too complex but everything he has is smart. I really enjoyed the trip.
The show itself was at a bar where roughly 1/2 of the people there could give a hot doo doo that there is a comedy show. The other half was really into it. I'm putting together some video of my trip and I hope to have a 'Schlegel-esque' video blog on my new site soon. At the end of my trip, I plan on having a video trip summary or guide for those who would take this journey after me.
Canada has been awesome. I've already learned so much about myself and I feel great about where I'm going as a comic. I have such a long way to go but it's really encouraging to meet guys like Dave that have similar viewpoints about the process of becoming the comic you want to be. There are so many guys that are in such a rush to get booked and to make money or to get a tv set. All those things are fine but they should come from trying to become the best comic you can be. I may completely reinvent myself in the coming future and I'm fine with that. I just hate to see guys that are so in a rush that they neglect their product. I'm funny but that's not enough.
This weekend I'm working with a really funny dude named Sam Easton in Kelowna. Should be a lot of fun...including the 8 hour drives. Canada is not scared to make you drive for a long time.
The show itself was at a bar where roughly 1/2 of the people there could give a hot doo doo that there is a comedy show. The other half was really into it. I'm putting together some video of my trip and I hope to have a 'Schlegel-esque' video blog on my new site soon. At the end of my trip, I plan on having a video trip summary or guide for those who would take this journey after me.
Canada has been awesome. I've already learned so much about myself and I feel great about where I'm going as a comic. I have such a long way to go but it's really encouraging to meet guys like Dave that have similar viewpoints about the process of becoming the comic you want to be. There are so many guys that are in such a rush to get booked and to make money or to get a tv set. All those things are fine but they should come from trying to become the best comic you can be. I may completely reinvent myself in the coming future and I'm fine with that. I just hate to see guys that are so in a rush that they neglect their product. I'm funny but that's not enough.
This weekend I'm working with a really funny dude named Sam Easton in Kelowna. Should be a lot of fun...including the 8 hour drives. Canada is not scared to make you drive for a long time.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
The Toon....
Had a great show in Saskatoon last night. I'm in a hotel in Regina. It's not pronounced like you'd want it to be pronounced. It's pronounced to rhyme with the special parts of ladies.
I drove 8 hours from Calgary to Saskatoon last night. There is quite literally nothing during those 8 hours. You push seek on the radio dial and the radio went for 3 hours looking for a station. I completely forgot that it was still searching when 'Shot Through the Heart' came bellowing through the speakers. I thought someone was telling me that I was shot. Weird.
Then, out of nowhere, this really cool town of Saskatoon, surrounded by nothing for hours in every direction had an amazing show with over 200 people who were really into comedy. I have no idea how this is possible. I can't think of anything like this in the US. I cannot stress enough how little there was for hundreds of miles in all directions; not even farms; just miles of countryside with frozen water in places.
I have a show tonight at 9:30. Hopefully, I'll have a lot more shows like last night on this trip.
Pizza in Canada has the toppings underneath the cheese. This is good.
There is a chain called 'Boston Pizza'. I never knew Boston as a hotbed for great pizza. Racism and ignorance and unfair comedy contests, yes, but not pizza.
GW Baseball (where I played) is not winning very much. This annoys me. I don't like the fact that they are not good. My class and the year after us, put the program in the right direction. We set the school record for wins 3 times in 5 years and the class after me had 7 guys sign to play pro ball (including Washington National Mike O'Connor). Our coach left and took another job and the new staff really hasn't seemed to recruit very well. This is really sad. If the team had any support from the school, it could have a good field and compete on a high level. We are an almost identical school to Tulane who has been to the college world series. The difference is their tremendous facility. GW will NEVER get anything from me until it supports it's athletic teams. Annoying.
That's all for now.
I drove 8 hours from Calgary to Saskatoon last night. There is quite literally nothing during those 8 hours. You push seek on the radio dial and the radio went for 3 hours looking for a station. I completely forgot that it was still searching when 'Shot Through the Heart' came bellowing through the speakers. I thought someone was telling me that I was shot. Weird.
Then, out of nowhere, this really cool town of Saskatoon, surrounded by nothing for hours in every direction had an amazing show with over 200 people who were really into comedy. I have no idea how this is possible. I can't think of anything like this in the US. I cannot stress enough how little there was for hundreds of miles in all directions; not even farms; just miles of countryside with frozen water in places.
I have a show tonight at 9:30. Hopefully, I'll have a lot more shows like last night on this trip.
Pizza in Canada has the toppings underneath the cheese. This is good.
There is a chain called 'Boston Pizza'. I never knew Boston as a hotbed for great pizza. Racism and ignorance and unfair comedy contests, yes, but not pizza.
GW Baseball (where I played) is not winning very much. This annoys me. I don't like the fact that they are not good. My class and the year after us, put the program in the right direction. We set the school record for wins 3 times in 5 years and the class after me had 7 guys sign to play pro ball (including Washington National Mike O'Connor). Our coach left and took another job and the new staff really hasn't seemed to recruit very well. This is really sad. If the team had any support from the school, it could have a good field and compete on a high level. We are an almost identical school to Tulane who has been to the college world series. The difference is their tremendous facility. GW will NEVER get anything from me until it supports it's athletic teams. Annoying.
That's all for now.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
In the lobby...
of the Blackfoot Inn in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. That's where I am because that is where the internet is. I crashed last night with Justin Schlegel in his room on a pullout couch. It was comfortable because I used my sweatshirt as a pillow. I am a professional comedian. I included this pic of JL Cauvin and me outside the venue at Williams College last year as a reminder that comedy can be painful.
While i'm up here, I'm going to be selling some dvds that I compiled from my week of shows at the Columbus Funny Bone last week. I'm pretty opposed to selling stuff in general but I kind of have to while I'm here to make some money. It's not professionally made but it looks decent. Long story short, I'm selling it for 10 Canadian dollars which is like $83 US at this point.
Schlegel took off this morning for some shows in Edmonton. My first show is tomorrow night in a mythical land called Saskatoon. They have a pretty cool room for a show I'm told. I'm going to try to video tape a lot of stuff and post here and on myspace. Sort of a video travel blog. Some of it might be really boring. If it is, I am sorry.
I need to mention what I think is the best Buddy Jackson episode ever. I couldn't be prouder of it. If you aren't completely satisfied with my Tony Almeida impression then I don't know what to tell you. We even had fight choreography. 'twas the tightness.
I already miss my friends and my lady. It's gonna be tough for me for the next several weeks but that is part of why I am up here. I'm challenging myself to do things that I've never done. I'm getting out of my comfort zone and taking chances. Being in DC and doing 2-3 open mics a week and maybe a booked show per month is nice but it's not enough for me. I'm diving in head first. That's where my mind is.
In other news, I have a devastating fantasy baseball squad. Roto style league where stats are accumulated instead of head to head. Check out the lineup:
C Mike Piazza
1B Paul Konerko
2B Ryan Freel/Freddy Sanchez
SS Miguel Tejada
3B Aramis Ramirez
OF Vladamir Guerrero
OF Grady Sizemore
OF Carl Crawford
Util Jim Thome
Util Frank Thomas
Bn Adam Laroche
SP Daisuke Matsuzaka
SP Scott Kazmir
SP Jeremy Bonderman
SP Dan Haren
SP Tim Hudson
SP Matt Cain
RP Mariano Rivera
RP Jason Isringhausen
RP Takashi Saito
RP Bob Wickman
RP Joel Zumaya
As you can see, I drafted offense early and often. I then went to young 'breakout' starting pitching. My bullpen guys are mostly pretty established and consistent. My worry is Isringhausen who could be a week link because of injuries. I'm looking to acquire one more person who can give me some steals. I expect 40 from Ryan Freel who is playing everyday now, 50 from Carl Crawford, around 20-25 from Sizemore and around 10 from Vlad. That will put me towards the middle of the pack I think. I'd like one more 30 SB guy as I can give up some power...I can give it up because I have a ton of it. At least 30 HRs from Konerko, Tejada, Ramirez, Sizemore, Thome, and Vlad. Laroche hit 32 last year and he's only a spot starter for me. The week link is Piazza. I'm hoping the DH situation in Oakland plays to his advantage and he has a nice year. I'd take .280 and 20 HRs like he hit last year from my catcher spot. All in all, my squad is filthy.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Blame Canada
I'm leaving for Canada tomorrow morning. I'm excited to go and perform for 6 weeks but nervous about leavng my friends and my lady friend for that long. I've never traveled for this long and am a little aprehensive about all the logistics. That said, I'm giddy for the experience. I've got at least 26 shows scheduled over the nex 40 days. I hope to grow as comic and as a boy. I'm going to try and keep things updated and I hope to add new videos on myspace and my site.
Speaking of my website, check it out. www.funnydanny.com It's not totally done yet but I love the new look. Many thanks to Andy LoPresto and Kevin Doran for their work to make it the best ever.
This past week at the Columbus Funny Bone, I had an amazing time. Many thanks to them for the spot and the incredible atmosphere for comedy. I got to work with a couple really funny guys named Jason Dixon (from Kansas City, really polished and funny) and this guy named Bill Burr. If you haven't seen Bill Burr, (to quote Joe Robinson) that's just irresponsible. I don't know that there is anyone out there better than he is right now. Just fantastic. I learned a ton by watching him and I feel like I'm better than when left here last week. The guy controls a room and has everyone on his side despite saying 'controversial' things. I've never seen anyone better at turning 'de-railing' into an applause break back into material...which generates applause breaks. He has fun and it's so clear why he's as good as they come. Cool guy to hang out with too.
Take 'er easy Dude, I know that you will.
-The Dude abides...
Speaking of my website, check it out. www.funnydanny.com It's not totally done yet but I love the new look. Many thanks to Andy LoPresto and Kevin Doran for their work to make it the best ever.
This past week at the Columbus Funny Bone, I had an amazing time. Many thanks to them for the spot and the incredible atmosphere for comedy. I got to work with a couple really funny guys named Jason Dixon (from Kansas City, really polished and funny) and this guy named Bill Burr. If you haven't seen Bill Burr, (to quote Joe Robinson) that's just irresponsible. I don't know that there is anyone out there better than he is right now. Just fantastic. I learned a ton by watching him and I feel like I'm better than when left here last week. The guy controls a room and has everyone on his side despite saying 'controversial' things. I've never seen anyone better at turning 'de-railing' into an applause break back into material...which generates applause breaks. He has fun and it's so clear why he's as good as they come. Cool guy to hang out with too.
Take 'er easy Dude, I know that you will.
-The Dude abides...
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