Part 2 – Something to look forward to

So, when last we left the story, I was working a day job and at night I was pursuing a stand-up career that no longer really interested me.

Around this time I decided that people need something to look forward to, and the fact that I had nothing obvious on the horizon might account for my consistently foul mood. As such I proclaimed that my wife and I were going to Disneyland.

We went to Disneyland. It was, as always great. Looking forward to it had lifted my mood some, but not all the way, and I came to realize that I was dreading my stand-up gigs. I thought a lot about this in the weeks immediately after our Disneyland trip. On the way home, the airline bumped us, and gave us first class seats and 2 free tickets anywhere in the country for our trouble.

That Christmas, I had the second worst gig of my career. I was the entertainment at a holiday party for a meat wholesaler. I won’t get into the details, but I will say that the proceeds from that gig, and the free tickets an Alaska Air made for a really nice trip to Disneyworld. (Yes, my wife and I are obsessive, but also it was our 10^th anniversary by this point, and Disneyworld is where we honeymooned.)

Also, around this time I decided I was done with stand-up, and started thinking seriously about pursuing a comic strip. My first thought was to re launch Basic Instructions, but I thought I should give the mainstream, syndicated daily strip one last good shot. My strip was called “Guy” and I was set to start daily production as soon as we got home from Disney World.

While at Disney World, we noticed how many jobs there were there for Improvisational comedians and actors. Disney even runs a comedy club that shows nothing but Improv. My wife has been in Improv comedy groups for longer than I have known her, and If I do say so myself, she’s really good. Anyhoo, I made one of those statements husbands make. You know, supportive and complimentary without actually meaning much of anything.

“If you ever get the chance to audition for Disney World” I said, “you’ve got to give it a shot.”

Next time: God may not answer your prayers, but he’ll always call your bluff.