3/27/06
I'm sitting here at JFK airport waiting to go back to LA...what a weekend. Well, first and foremost, the "Live At Gotham" shoot was fantastic! What a great time. I went up first on the lineup, usually I hate that. To be honest, I was feeling quite shitty about it and kinda psyching myself out. I was getting way too 'in my head'. I always felt that going first is a disadvantage; the audience is still kinda cold. I liked going in the middle, that way the audience is warmed up but not tired yet. Well, I didn't complain to anyone, just let that thought stew in my head for awhile. Then it dawned on me that going first in this show was a good thing. Number one, there was a warm up guy who was entertaining the crowd before the show even started...then there was an actual host of the show, Sommore, who just killed and got the crowd really hot. Then I went up...technically third (perfect)...and it went great! Just great! I'll be honest though, a couple of bits didn't kill like they usually do. Specifically the "Women Change Men" bit and the "Pimp My Ride" bit. But the topical material did really well, I was very relieved about that. And I opened and closed strong. So I was very happy. And the other comics on the show were hilarious as well...not to mention very cool. It's always a relief to work with comics that are nice. It was fun behind the scenes too. They had this camera crew that recorded us before the show, you know, while we were just hanging out and bullshitting. Then they followed each one of us to the stage and recorded us while we got ready. I must've looked stupid as hell cause I was so nervous. I was taping my hands, jumping up and down, I even did some push ups. I do push ups usually before a show anyway, but this might look stupid. I don't know if you do something like that when you need a boost of energy, but push ups get my blood flowing and my heart racing...it's great. I also did a thing for the Comedy Central Motherload website, that should be up sometime this week...don't worry, I'll letcha know. I know how you guys just live for my career updates. What else...I got to see some family that I haven't seen in a long time, plus an old friend. And they were all at the show, that made it even more wonderful. These people knew me when I was just a little shit saying, "Yeah, one day I'll be a comedian...", and now...well now I am. And they were there to see my first Comedy Central appearance. Well, I've gotta get going, got to go to my gate and get ready for a nice 5 hour flight...oy. I say "oy" a lot on this, don't I? I guess that's my way of saying "sigh". Anywho, I'll see ya later...COMEDY CENTRAL BABY!!!!!!

3/25/06
I am now situated in my beautiful hotel room in New York, it's very shiek. I'm so tired right now, but I don't want to sleep yet, it's only 8:15, I want to be asleep by like 1:00 and be up by 9:00; a full night's sleep and all ready for the taping tomorrow. I gotta tell ya, I'm not nervous. Maybe when I get there it'll hit me, but for now, I'm fine. I think me and another comic on the show, John Wessling, are going to go down to Gotham and check the room out. Then maybe grab a drink. I tell ya, everytime I come to NY I fall in love with this city. You just feel the energy when you walk down the street...then you look at the cost of living here...and then you realize you have it really good in LA. But NY is a great place to live. You know, now that I think about it, I think NY and LA are the only cities you can abbreviate and people still know what you're talking about. Of course most people abbreviate LA in everyday conversation because LA has less syllables than Los Angeles. But most people still say New York, not NY because they both have the same amount of syllables...and that's my non-sequiter rambling for the night. I've got to see some family tonight which was just wonderful. I never really get to see these family members that often, so it just warms my heart to see them. And they're coming to the taping tomorrow! I also got to see a very old, dear friend today which was also great. I've known this guy since Hebrew school. He knew me when I looked like this. Oh, on a seperate note, I'm so sick of my laptop. I got a virus and now my whole computer's fucked up (along with my desktop)...and now the screen of the laptop is starting to flicker on and off. I had this problem before and got it fixed. Now it's happening again. I wish I could just turn it in for a new one. Anyway, I'm going to jump in the shower and get ready. Hope you're all smiling. OH...that big thing I can't tell you about...I still can't tell you. Hehehehe, sorry, couldn't resist it. Keep those fingers crossed and the good vibes coming. And here are some for you! Didja get'em? Well, here comes some more!!! How about now, didja get those? Damit! OK, try to catch these cause they're the last ones I'm sending. Got'em? Yay!

3/23/06
So I'm writing this blog without internet access, so by the time I post this entry, it'll be a few days later...got that? Good. I'm in NY now crashing with my friend Buddy for a couple of days before Comedy Central puts me up in a hotel. I went to the Comic Strip to do a set, by the time I got up, there were (literally) 6 people left. But I have to say, they were very cool and I killed. I didn't run my entire set, just about 5 minutes of it. I basically wanted to get my new "topical" joke done. I'm pretty happy with it now, confident. I'm wondering if coming here this early was neccessary though. Basically there's something in LA that's going on today, (it has to do with the thing I can't tell you about) and I didn't know about it until after I bought my ticket to NY. I could've changed it but it would've cost me like $700...no thanks. The people who are in charge of it told me not to worry about it...but hey, you guys know me, all I do is over-analyze and worry. But what can I do about it now? Not a thing. As I've always said, everything happens for a reason, so I'm here in NY now for some reason. I guess I'll figure that out at a later date. So I'm about to pass out now...I fucking hate flying. I can't believe how much traveling I've been doing. I was just on the east coast like 3 days ago...oy vey. I'm off, night all.

3/19/06
So I'm all done here in Florida and ready to fly back to LA tomorrow...and then to NY to shoot the show for Comedy Central! I'm very excited. I did however have to change my act at the last minute...well, not really the last minute since I still have a week until I shoot it, but I thought that the set I had planned was going to be fine. I got a call on Friday from the people that cast the show, they told me that the network had some problems with some of my jokes. Not the jokes persay, but some of the words I was using. Now I'm sure you're all thinking, "Oh, well you can't curse, so that's gotta be it, right?" Wrong. The cursing is fine, they can just bleep that out. They had a problem with using the word "Geico" at the end of my closer...which is the fucking punchline to the joke. So I've had to rewrite the joke, hopefully it will still work. I am going to try it tonight in Miami. Also I need to have topical material. Now I thought that I could use broad topical material, ie: Material about things in the culture but not neccessarily "this week", you know like American Idol or something like that. Well they told me that it has to be topical as in this week or last week. Well needless to say (then why say it), I combed through the internet looking for interesting stories of the past week...and I found one. So I worked this story into a 2-3 minute bit. Now, I tried it twice and it works...but it's so mean. I feel kinda bad telling it, but it is funny. Some comics can do this kind of material and it works for them, I don't really like to do it because I don't think my persona on stage is like that...unlike my persona off stage which is sick. (click here for an example) But I think that I can get away with it if I let the audience in on the fact that I know it's wrong. Ooo, you're all on pins & needles to know what the joke is, right? Well you'll have to wait. But the good news is that you won't have to wait long. From what I hear, Comedy Central is going to take the "topical" jokes and put them on the website the day after we shoot. So the joke should be up for all to see by Monday or Tuesday of next week. Yay! What else? Well, the other big thing is still in the air, so I can't (and don't want to) talk about it yet. Just send those vibes. Oh, last night I did a private birthday party, that was the whole reason I am down in Florida. This guy flew me here and paid me to perform at his wife's surprise party. I usually hate these things only because I get so nervous before them. I always feel pressure to do so well at these events because someone is paying for me to be there. Like in a club, a whole lot of different people come there to laugh and it doesn't matter if I make them all laugh because it's a comedy club and there are different opinions and different reasons that people are there. But for private or corporate parties, these are people who count on me (and me alone) to make them laugh. And these are people who are there for one sole reason, and the reason may not be to laugh. So they might ignore me, or start talking, or whatever, and now I feel like I'm not giving them the show that they're paying for. You know something...as I'm writing this, I can't help but feel like I'm contradicting myself. Either way people are coming to laugh. OK, ok, I think I know what I'm trying to say now. At a club I can be myself without any worry that I may say something to offend someone because fuck'em, it's a comedy club. But at a private event, I feel like I have to make sure everyone has fun and I don't want to offend anyone or curse because then I ruined an entire night for the entire audience. There, that's what I meant. Anyway, this particular event was great! First of all, I was allowed to curse and be myself, so that made it easier. And secondly, the people were so cool. I did a little over an hour and got a partial standing-O, it felt amazing. Thanks again to Gary and his group for that. Well, I've gotta get going, going to visit a dear friend of mine and see his..gulp..kids. I've known the guy for over 25 years, and he has kids. Hmm...maybe me and his kids can play Transformers together like he and I used to? That would be fun.

3/17/06
"Two entries in a row??? Wow, Flip must be sick, huh?" No, just bored. Kidding my bloggies. Let me tell you something, Bikram Yoga really kicks ones ass. I almost passed out a few times it was so intense, but I have to admit, I feel great. But enough of that, HAPPY ST. PATTY'S DAY! I'm about to go out and do a wee bit o' celebrating myself. I won't overdue it, but I do want to indulge. I'm meeting a friend, so I'm going to get ready. Just wanted to wish you all a safe and happy SPD. Fuck, my back is hurting me. I think I'm going to be sore tomrrow...but with all the drinking, I won't feel it, right? Yeah! Alright, yoga and St. Patricks Day, they go together like peas in a pod. Woo hoo! Here's to numbing the pain, both physical and emotional.

3/16/06
My god, why don't I keep up with this blog thing? When I started it, I was so gung-ho about writing something every night...now, now I just don't care. Well, not that I don't care, I just don't want to. That may be the same thing. Anyway...tonight I went down to Miami to practice for the Comedy Central show that I'm shooting next week. I think I got my set down perfectly. Although I'm still waiting to hear back from CC to know if my set is ok to do on TV. It does have some cursing in it, so hopefully they'll let me do it. If not, I have a back up set, but I'd rather do my first one. Ralphie May is headlining there and he was very cool to let me do a set. He is a really nice guy and VERY funny. It's rare that I can watch a comic and actually laugh, he is one of those comics. He told me that I can do a set tomorrow and Sunday, so I just might. I am not sure if I want to go out tomorrow. I know, I know, it's St. Patty's Day, I should go out and drink up a storm, right? To be honest, I think I'd rather like to stay off the roads and just relax at home with my family. I mean why should I go out when the cops will be in full force. And then have to deal with traffic, crowded bars and obnoxious drunks? Then again, I don't think there's such a thing as an un-obnoxious drunk, is there? How many people do you know that when they drink begin to quote Shakespheare and do your taxes...or whatever an un-obnoxious thing would be. What else?...well, the big news is still lingering...I so want to tell you, but I know that if I do, I'll might have jinxed it. I believe in that shit, I know, it's stupid. But it's me, can't help it. The good news is I should find out either way within a week or so, so you'll only have to wonder for a little bit longer. Luckily my mind is distracted by the Comedy Central show, so I'm not nervous or neurotic now. A big change for me. Well, I've gotta get up to take my mom to the airport tomorrow and then I plan on doing some yoga later in the day, so I'm going to call it a night.

3/12/06
OK, I am flying....just fucking flying right now. Unfortunately I can't tell you why just yet, you'll have to be patient, but this is some seriously big shit going on. I should know for sure within a week or two, and when I do, you bet your ass that you guys will know. I am so tired, I've been up for like 16 hours now and I think I pulled a muscle in my side. But the pain is worth it...damn I want to tell you, but I can't...not just yet. Don't you hate this? I mean seriously, don't you? I am totally cock-teasing you via the internet. Actually, it wouldn't be cock-teasing would it? Online I guess it would be "blog-teasing", or something clever and funny. OK, my brain is mush...g'night. I WANT TO TELL YOU SOOOOOOOOOO BAD!!!!!!!!

3/7/06
My god do I feel like shit, the allergies have struck again. I just took a Nyquil and am ready to pass out, so this will be quite short...a lot of entries have been short lately, sorry. I guess I'm lazy...that or just boring. I need to start booking some more dates, after my week in Tampa, I've got nothing planned. Luckily I've been working enough recently that I've got a nice cushion...but I still would like to know work is there. Ok, ok, not going to fall into the negative, let's just send out those positive vibes...there they go. Good vibes...good vibes. Ya know, I'm sick of talking about me...how are you?

3/3/06
Forgive all the lacking of blogs lately, I have no excuse, I've been lazy and exhausted. And, I'm tired as hell now, but I wanted to say something or else March will pass and I wouldn't have written anything. At least now I can say I contributed to March. The shows this week have been so great, thanks again to Pablo for bringing me and to the crowds in Ontario for being fucking amazing! I'm still (f'ckin) reeling about the Comedy Central thing, I still can't believe it. And I want you all to send those positive vibes because if all goes well (and lately it has), there will be plenty more to cheer about. But that's later. OK, it's 2:40 in the morning and I'm running on fumes. Night.