As I was saying( my friend Bob Nickerson says that line every time he goes on stage. It's still funny), Friday night, hung out at the Hempfest Speaker's party. Since they don't pay you a Dime to do Hempfest,(everyone,I mean everyone is a volunteer. Fucking stoner hippies.), they make it up to you by throwing really great parties. I couldn't stay too long because I had to do two shows at the Underground. Two really good shows. The Comedy Underground has been around for over twenty-five years. it's one of those really old school spots(downtown Seattle, right next to pioneer square, Under Swannie's Bar and Grill) that is perfect for comedy. The combination of low ceiling, low stage, and intimate seating make it a magical spot for telling jokes and stories. The club holds maybe 200, and they sit pretty close, which is good because stand up comedy is better when they can really see you. It makes the humor more human. Plus, the middle spot is easy. They have already seen the opening act, so they are in a comedy rhythm. To me, it doesn't really matter if the opener is funny or not(I root for them,not against. Opening is a tough spot, especially if you are relatively new.), the important thing is they are facing in the right direction, and beginning to get a comedy rhythm going. And, They've had one drink and are starting on the second one(although the stoners may be starting to fade a little. That's why I try to do some quick easy jokes upfront). All I have to do at that point is be funny. I don't have to corral drunks or figure out what to do when the tabs go out, or really anything, other than: be funny. And that's my favorite part. Plus, John's crowds are easy. They like dirty jokes and while they may not smoke as much as they used to, they remember.

I will try to remember SATurday in just a little while.

Hey everyone!! What a great week. First, Thursday morning, 4am: a long long drive to Seattle. Stopped at the Seven feathers casino in Canyonville OR and turned 10 dollars into 64 dollars on the penny slots. Not bad. When i got into my trusty car(Longshot Kick:the bucket,is a 1985 nissan sentra hatchback with 240.000 miles and a sweet disposition) would not start. The starter was kaput. I called the friendly guy at East West automotive in Canyonville, and he said I could try banging on the starter with a screwdriver, or i could attach a cable from the positive lead on the battery to the solenoid on the starter, and that should do the trick. It worked perfectly. Back on the road,maybe an hour behind, but still plenty of time to make it to Seattle, do the show(i was the middle act at the Comedy Underground. I am usually a headliner there, but I was really in Seattle for the Hempfest,so I took the gig to cover expenses) I hung out with John Fox,Comedy Legend(17 tonight show appearances,HBO et cetera, and the reason comics don't trust the mayonaisse at the comedy condo) and then drove off to sleep in a parking lot.

Friday Morning Bright and early Breakfast at Shari's(seeing as I slept in their parking lot,the least I could do was buy breakfast) read the paper, and off to the Drift Inn Casino for the Texas hold'em tourney. 35 dollar entry fee,first prize a little over 600 bucks. I lasted about an hour. I got no hands at all. Overall,I felt I played pretty well,every hand I laid down would've beat what I had. So then, It's phone calls and emails, and then off to the Seattle Hempfest Speaker's party down by Union lake.

I will write more about friday and Saturday and more tomorrow. Ngaio