I have been paid to do comedy, which means people have actually paid to see me perform. I've performed in packed houses where people have been turned away, and for crowds as small as two people if that can still be called a crowd. I've been laughed at, laughed with, even heckled a few times. As a comic I've learned to deal with all sorts of situations, and it's made me better as a comic as well as a person in a weird sort of way. Whenever I go on stage I always give it my best and try not to let things phase me, again because I am a "professional"

So why is it when I finally get one of those "Brass Ring" type of moments you've seen in all those old movies, where the rider perched high atop his pony on the merrigoround, his arm outstretched , grabs for that brass ring and holds it up high for all the world to see! I end up choking like I've never choked before.

Not only did I not manage to grab the ring, I think I literally fell of the pony and hit every support beam along the way as my turn on the merrigoround came to a full and complete stop.

What's all this rambling about? The "Last Comic Standing" auditions. I was one of the fortunate few who actually got to go in and audition, only to fail MISERABLY.

I can come up with a million reasons why I did so poorly but I won't bother to list them off because when it all comes down to it, it was all my fault.

Finally some comedy validation in a business that likes to let you know that you’re only mediocre at best.

A few Sundays ago I did a set in front of Mitzi Shore (she owns the Comedy Store). I felt like I did pretty good and I guess she did too. After my set she stopped me as I walked by and told me I did really well. So a few days later I was told to call up the LA Store and speak to Tommy. Turns out Mitzi wants me to start working out at the LA Comedy Store.

So Super Bowl Sunday I drove up to LA and did my first set in the “Original Room”, and just like the Super Bowl, there was a lot of build up and excitement. In the end it turned out to be just another game that only a few people watched. I guess in a way it was like the first time I went up on stage. I got myself all psyched out then afterwards I wondered why I took me so long to try it. I love Comedy! My name is Mark, I’m a Comedian. Come check me out!