On a serious note...

The comedy business is all about having fun and being funny. However, lots of people, comics included, don't realize the positive influence our trade can have on people. I wanted my last post to be funny so I left out a conversation I had with a lady who was in the audience.

After one of my shows at Tommy T's, a lady who was probably in her early 40's came up to me. She wanted to thank me for my performance. I get lots of "thank you's" from audience members, but this one was the most touching. She told me that she hadn't been to a comedy show in over 15 years and so that night had been the first time she's been to a comedy club in awhile. It was also the first time she had been out to anywhere in awhile. She had recently lost her daughter, who died in a car accident. Her daughter was only 15 when she died.

This lady, while choking back tears told me that that night was the first time she had been able to laugh and take her mind off of her daughter's death. This really made me feel good, because I never really considered the positive effect I could have on people while performing. I realize that doing comedy entertains people and makes them have a good night, but it can help people on a deeper level, such as this lady. I have come to appreciate my gift more and am glad that what I do can help people, whether it's as little as making someone smile, to something bigger such as making someone forget their problems or sorrows for a few hours and be happy.

I know this may come off as sappy, but I felt like I should share this, even if it's just for my own memories so I don't forget. I may not be a doctor who heals people or a soldier who protects people, but I am an entertainer who makes people happy and laugh, and that's not such a bad thing.

The last piece of advice she gave me was to stay focused and stay true to myself, because I have a gift and will go places with it.

To end, someone sent me a quote that they thought was appropriate for me.

"Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritation and resentments slip away, and a sunny spirit takes their place." - Mark Twain

I couldn't agree more. Being a comedian isn't too bad of a job afterall.