I Have a Face for Radio

Last week I was a guest on the podcast Keith and the Girl. It's episode #677 called Break Time and you can find it here: http://www.keithandthegirl.com/AllEpisodes.aspx.


I loved doing it. I mean, I rather enjoy talking: This is one of the main reasons that I choose stand-up comedy as opposed to say, being a mime. And I'm very honest, maybe to a fault. So when a comic goes on a show and people ask you about your jokes, well, sometimes it can get very personal. Especially if your jokes tend to be about your life, as opposed to "what the deal is with paperclips."


This has always been a fascinating aspect of comedy for me. I can watch a comic do set after set in New York City. And after seeing him four or five times I know that he grew up in Massachusetts, had loving yet distant parents, and was raped as a child, yet we've never had an actual conversation before.


And this is always the dilemma as a comic. Should you talk about the issues that are really bothering you, thus opening yourself up to discussion with others, or do you just make sure that you talk about anything else as long as it's funny?

I always thought there were some things I'd never talk about. Like my menstrual cycle. Or how I feel like I'm being raped by ghosts when I go through the Puffer security detector in the airport. Or Slash from Guns N’ Roses. But you know, it can all be funny if talked about the right way. It's just about trying to be you up there. Although I have been dying to try this character where I'm a Chinese Children's Party Clown...

B'scuse Me, Corporate Job?!

We interrupt any updates of my travels abroad (in case you care) to bring you this moment of B'scuse Me?! . . .

Let me preface this rant by telling you that I like my job. I like the fact that having a job enables me to eat regularly and have a place to live that is not made out of cardboard.

But sometimes I feel like God or "the man" is having a little fun at my expense. I specifically felt that way this morning, when I opened up my email to find a message from Human Resources:

Have you ever tried to make a balloon animal?

Come learn the art of balloon sculpting with Nick the Balloonatic.

Date:Thursday, August 30 at 1:30, 2nd floor conference room

Really? This what they're providing to help us blow off that corporate steam? And Nick is a balloon "sculptor"? That title is right up there with McDonalds' "crew member" and Toyota's "new vehicle advisor."

I'm just glad to know that my bonus is being used for a good cause. I'm also thinking maybe I should work in HR. They certainly seem to have a sense of humor.