August 15, 2003

As I drove down a long stretch of highway that seemed to go on forever, I tried to think of what to say here. My long summer is just about done, and I realized I've been home maybe a total of 3 days. While I tried to outrun enormous storm clouds I thought of all the places and things I've seen and the people I've met. They're each very much like the road I'm on- very interesting upon further examination, but very easy to overlook if one isn't paying attention.

In the end of July I got to spend time with Kathleen Madigan and Keith Alberstadt, two more great comics and all around great people. They're the type of people that I need to encounter doing what I'm doing. Most comics are, I'm finding. The types that would add the perfect balance to the Van Wilder extras I usually hang with. I found myself wishing for those moments when you can just gab on for hours about nothing in particular, just to hear what they think. Sharing ideas, telling stories, pushing personal ideologies; it's time well spent. If there were some job besides comedy that I could do that in, I probably would. In the days to come, I'd have another experience that followed suit.

A couple of weeks later, I found myself outside of a comedy club in Davie FL trying to figure out what my plans would be for the next couple of hours. I came to see Doug Stanhope (one of my favorite comedians of all time), but all of a sudden wasn't sure when I was going, who I was taking, what I planned to get from all these crazy little missions. I went back into the air conditioned, mosquito free lobby of the club and ran into a guy with a gas-station-style shirt, some white old school Chuck Taylors and a Miller Lite in his hand. Though my head was somewhere else completely, the guy stretched out his hand and greeted me with a friendly smile. "Hey, I'm Doug."

Hanging out with Stanhope was a cool way to cap off a summer full of interesting experiences and lessons. Though it would seem like a monumental thing for me to do, the best part about it was that it wasn't. Just two guys sharing ideas, telling stories and pushing personal ideologies. Even managing to leave unintelligible voice mails and take some jabs at Last Comic Standing in the meantime. I still can't believe I'm able to do things like this, and all in the midst of following a lofty career. I've still have a lifetime of other experiences to go through. That and I need to find some more paying gigs, because one should have a vehicle with completely functional windows. And headlights. Still, when I sit and think about the fact that I can be sweating bullets over a deep fryer in a fast food dive somewhere, and instead I'm getting paid to make people laugh and meet people like this on my travels, I feel good. I've cheated the American Dream and using a half broken Geo as a getaway car. I apologize for being so reflective on this post, but you've read this far, so really it's your fault.

Check out the new pictures, and write me- I never get any mail. Oh...and if the urge should strike you, or you find it in your power, give me some work. Try thinking of someone else for a change you selfish bastards. See you when I see you.

***********************************************************************************************

July 20, 2003

I'm proud of myself, I got back to updating like I said I would.Anyway, to continue the story from last month...when I finished my summer term, I went home to DC for a while. After I left there, I went straight to Greenville, SC to attend a wedding (congrats Mr. & Mrs. McGowen!). While hanging out in Greenville, I also had the chance to visit and perform at the famous Punchline in Atlanta, GA. This club was great...great staff, great audience, and I got to see Ron White, one of my favorite comics. "Tater" puts on a good show. For an added treat, I got to hang out with longtime friend Donna Carter, another great comedienne, who emceed the show. In between those two was a guy named James Johann....a great guy but also an amazing comic. This was a good trip.

After a week or so, I traveled down to Miami, the Keys, and West Palm Beach in south Florida. Plenty of beautiful sights and great times. In West Palm I got to hang out with my good friends Landon Lyon and Joby Saad, watch an interesting open mic night, and meet veteran comic Flip Schultz. I hope one day to get back down to the Improv rooms in both places. To end this marathon road trip, I was slated to perform at The Gypsy Cab Co. club in St. Augustine. This was my second trip here and St. Aug is always a good time. This time I was paired with Tom Simmons, a road warrior hailing from Atlanta. Tom puts on a great show and its always great to work with such a great writer and someone that cares about the craft of comedy. He and his wife Serena have become two of my favorite people. I'm sure you'll hear big things from him soon, and I hope I get to work with him sooner.

Now I'm back at home in Tallahassee, lazing around because I earned it. This break will be short lived though, because I'm heading back on the road next week to see Kathleen Madigan, finally meet friend Keith Alberstadt in person, and see one of my top 5 favorite comics, Doug Stanhope!!! In the meantime, I've got to take care of some business stuff. Above all else, I NEED WORK! If you're a booker and you're reading this, have a heart and a brain and get me to work your club. I'm funny enough, I'm smart enough, and doggonnit, I'll stack chairs after the show is done. Enjoy the new pictures, keep checking back for updates and I'll see you soon. Sorry this was so long, but you read it, so NOW who's fault is it, hmm? Later.

**********************************************************************************************************

July 3rd, 2003

You ever have those times when you know you have things that NEED to be done, and things keep coming up? Well, that's what has been happening to me for the past 4 months. I've dealt with finishing a spring school term, starting a summer term, finishing a summer term, doing a lot of traveling, and a lot of little things in between. I'm truly living the road comic's life, but most of the travel is just visiting, not bookings. So I've been leading the road comic's life, but without the extra burden of actually working and getting paid. Still, I've gotten the chance to do a lot of different things, meet some great new people, get tighter with old friends, and also managed to eek out an appearance at an open mic here and there.

I finished the spring term in May, and in the period between the spring and summer terms I got a chance to go to Memphis TN/ Tunica MS and perform at Bally's Casino. I had never been to a casino before. What do you know, slot jockeys aren't just myths. It was a lot of fun, and I didn't mind the accomodations- everything was very nice. As soon as I got back I had to start school again, and that was rough. It was, however, a cool experience and I got a lot of writing done. I'll continue this thread on the next update.

Though it seems like an idle threat right now, I WILL UPDATE VERY SOON! The guestbook is in the works and the cartoons are on the way. Expect more pictures with the next update. Right now I'm in SC and going to Miami. Apparently, the game don't wait. See you soon. I promise.

*******************************************************************************

March 26th, 2003

GOOD TO BE BACK!!! The remainer of February and the entire month of March has been a giant pain. I've had to do a lot of work and continue with endless struggles......the first and biggest of which being the loss of my internet. Yeah, apparently when you don't pay the bill for a year or so they catch a bit of an attitude. So I've been driving myself slightly more insane every day trying to keep in touch with people and take care of my business. One of the good things, however, was I got to spend my spring break trying to promote standup.

I went to about 4 cities in 5 days, also meeting up with friends/fellow comics Roy Wood Jr., Mike Speanburg, Christina Knowles, Pat Young and Paul Catalina along the way. I got to do sets at Uncle Funny's in Davie FL, see Rich Vos at Sidesplitters in Tampa FL, visit Atlanta, see Louis Ramey and Lewis Black at the Stardome in Birmingham AL, and then come home where I would eventually take a trip to Columbus GA to The Loft.

I got to meet a lot of interesting people (along with some not so interesting), meet and work with some other great comedians, and above all else do what I love to do. It was tough, but all in all it was a great and educating experience. Thanks to all the people I've met and worked with for creating some interesting memories. I'm happy to report I have a digital camera now (courtesy of Dickey Schmid himself) and I can take many more pictures. I am sad to report that I am still without my own internet connection at the moment, and because life conspires to throw me everything at once, updates may take a bit. Have patience, I am but one man, and inherently lazy to boot. Take a look at the new pics, look out for one of my shows, and always keep in touch and keep checking back for updates. Later.

******************************************************************************************************

February 10th, 2003

Okay, I've finally decided to stop being lazy and I've worked out the "Other Stuff Link." The good news is: I have some pictures up. The bad news is: None of the other links work yet, ha-ha! The really bad news: My schedule is absolutely dismal. I'm hard at work trying to book more dates so as not to facilitate only a 4x3 table. So far, I have a couple of pictures from Mark Curry's show here at Florida State. It was a good show with a good crowd, and I've been a fan of Mark's for a long time. Another upcoming comic named Chris Jones (who I worked with during the student comedy showcase) was one of the openers. Well I wanted that job. I wanted that job bad. Then I just figured, oh well, I have to make sure I can do the opener the next time around. Besides, I'm always up to support other comics. Chris' performance was very bold and original, but I'm not sure it was too well received or the right type of comedy for the venue. Oh well. When you're a comic, this does tend to happen. So Chris, if you're reading this, welcome to the fold, you're now officially a comic. If you're feeling bad about that show, remember the words of William Wallace in Braveheart: "Every comic dies, but not every comic truly lives." Okay, it's slightly modified, but its my page so I can do whatever I want. In the mean time, enjoy the pictures and whatever else I have here for now and, as always, keep checking back for updates. Hopefully something interesting will happen soon. Later!

******************************************************************************************

January 24th, 2003

What's up people. Finally, I got my website up. After months of procrastination, I now have my own little corner of the internet. Keep coming back- as time goes on I'll have more and more things you can waste your time with. You'll be able to figure out my show dates, sign my guest book, and look at whatever other inane crap I can slap on a web page.  For now, just shut up and be happy with the crap that already exists here. I'll do my best to update whenever I can (which I hope to be weekly). If you like, e-mail me and let me know what you think of everything and what you'd like me to add or take away. I might not listen to you, but then I'll just be like everyone else you've ever met. HAVE FUN!

******************************************************************************************

MAIN UPDATE / 2004 / 2003

© Herbie Gill 2003. All rights reserved.