WOW!
So!
I’m living in Seattle thanks to some good friends helping me out.
I’ve been doing open mic nights every night and working on adjusting my material to the big city. People in my college town were sort of stoned and bored all the time so I feel like perhaps they were a bit of an easier crowd to please. Except for the folks at the local hookah bar; they were dead inside.
Anyway, I’m sort of flying by the seat of my pants, which is hard because I’m not wearing any.
There’s really no jobs it seems. I’m trying to keep a positive attitude and see my life in a romantic starving artist sort of way as opposed to a loser sort of way. It’s hard to value what you do when society or capitalism doesn’t always validate it. But I must stay strong! I must persist!
I am Jessica Sele and I am a COMEDIAN!!! And I'm gonna get business cards!!!
and comedy is imporant...
so I'll do it. okay.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Seven probably not deadly updates
Whoa. I haven't posted since FEBRUARY. That is absolutely out of line. Not okay. My deepest apologies go out to the blogosphere. In my defense I was trying to get a college degree real quick. Did that! Phew! Now I can be a stand up comic for all times.
Let me catch you up on a few things I've been doing/ feeling over the past few months:
1. "Eat your way through the East Bay"
Went to Oakland/ San Francisco for my Spring break. It was fabulous. Well, it was pouring rain the whole time and I had no money. However, I not only thorougly enjoyed the rad stand up comedy scene there, but also the abundance of lesbians who, like Starbucks, were garunteed to be found on nearly every street corner. I was feelin' real glad to be Queer.
Also, doing stand up open mics was really great and fun. Completely nerve wrecking, but fun. First I went to a ladies open mic night at the Brainwash, which is a cafe/bar/ laundry mat... I hope some day that I can time my comedy sets perfectly with my laundry. Then, this lady Morgan invited me to do comedy with her and some other folks at the Stud! I had a blast.
I also went to see Marga Gomez in one of her "Marga's Funny Mondays" at the Marsh in Berkely that she does. It was just so great and funny. Also, I found this video of that show we were at. You can hear me laughing. I just had that "this is where I belong right now" feeling. You know the kind other people get from like hiking? (I've been thinking a lot about hiking because I've been doing online dating and you have to pretend that you like hiking or kayaking to get the attention of Pacific Northwest lesbian environmentalist types. Not that I hate hiking, I just strongly prefer not to.) Anyway, the whole experience pushed me further towards moving to the bay. So that's the plan.
2.Dealing.
I think I've been doing a lot of growing in the past few months as far as accepting and understanding people are concerned. I've calmed down some. My outlook has changed about some of my difficulties with comedy. I don't really know how to explain this right now so I'll get back to you later on this. Basically I think I've grown much thicker skin and am better about being practical and using my heart and brain to push for making comedy more progressive/ funny/ accountable without burning out or keeping myself from being involved in comedy.
3. Doin' It and Doin' It and Doin' It Well.
I've had this blog for about a year and since then I've gone from needing to push myself to get on stage multiple times a week, to constantly craving more. Whereas I've played around with the idea of myself as a comedian for years, I didn't really become a comedian until this year. Now I'm a little obsessed. However, I think I'm happier than I've ever been, although still obviously quite neurotic.
4. S.U.C.K.
At Western, a group of students put together the Stand Up Comedy Klub. There was a pretty good sized group of comics who were really great and funny that I got to hang out with, set up shows with, write jokes with, etc... We also made some connections with folks at the Upfront who were wanting to do more stand up comedy. Anyway, making friends who do what you do makes all the difference. I think we had a pretty good little stand up scene going in Bellingham for a bit that I'm proud to have been a part of.
5. My first story!
I was pretty proud and excited when the local Bellingham paper, "What's Up," did a story about me. I really liked the way it was written and am pretty pleased about it. Here's "Jessica Sele: Beyond kitty cats and periods."
6. The Roast of Jim Allen (not Tim Allen).
So I was in my first roast a few weeks ago. Some of the dudes from S.U.C.K. and I got together and roasted our friend, Jim Allen, who has been doing comedy consistantly in Bellingham throughout his college career. We roasted him in the Underground Coffee House where Jim went to every single open mic night for four years. I really respect Jim's love of and dedication to comedy. It has made me push harder. Derek Sheen (who is hilarious) from Seattle came up and roasted him as well. I can't put the video up online, but if you send me a couple bucks I'll burn you a copy and send it to you. It's worth it, especially if you know Jim Allen.
7. comeD.I.Y. ZINES!
I am really into the idea of making zines to express myself and make a few bucks to support my comedy career. This might be the first of many endeavors that will become "Jessica Sele the Merchandise." I'm working on one right now that I'm really excited about that will explore the ways my sexuality and my comedy are connected and make up who I am. It will be a comedy zine but also get into some heavy and honest aspects of my life. I'm gonna be real, it's gonna be really good.
In the mean time, I just finished a zine called "Born This Way: The Politics of Essentializing Sexuality." It's pretty controversial, but I think I make an okay case, and it's entertaining. I have a bunch of printed copies, so I can just send you one. If you send me a couple bucks then you'll be supporting my work and I'll even sign it for you! If that sounds like a pain in the ass, just give me your email and I'll attach the pdf to a message and send it to you.
I feel as if 7 is a pretty good Biblical number of things to write about so I feel okay about this now. Please forgive my inexcusable blog neglect and try to learn to trust me again! Now that I'm out of school all I want to do is write cool things and make cool things that will make you laugh and stir your brains around in an uncomfortable yet pleasing and validating way that connects us all to our greater humiliating humanity!
My summer plans besides saving money to move to the bay, are to do a ton of writing, making videos and other projects that address issues ranging from globalization to ackward dates to foot fungus. So do not touch that dial! Do not get up from that sofa! Stay tuned! Cool stuff coming up! I swear! Just, stay right there!!!
Let me catch you up on a few things I've been doing/ feeling over the past few months:
1. "Eat your way through the East Bay"
Went to Oakland/ San Francisco for my Spring break. It was fabulous. Well, it was pouring rain the whole time and I had no money. However, I not only thorougly enjoyed the rad stand up comedy scene there, but also the abundance of lesbians who, like Starbucks, were garunteed to be found on nearly every street corner. I was feelin' real glad to be Queer.
Also, doing stand up open mics was really great and fun. Completely nerve wrecking, but fun. First I went to a ladies open mic night at the Brainwash, which is a cafe/bar/ laundry mat... I hope some day that I can time my comedy sets perfectly with my laundry. Then, this lady Morgan invited me to do comedy with her and some other folks at the Stud! I had a blast.
I also went to see Marga Gomez in one of her "Marga's Funny Mondays" at the Marsh in Berkely that she does. It was just so great and funny. Also, I found this video of that show we were at. You can hear me laughing. I just had that "this is where I belong right now" feeling. You know the kind other people get from like hiking? (I've been thinking a lot about hiking because I've been doing online dating and you have to pretend that you like hiking or kayaking to get the attention of Pacific Northwest lesbian environmentalist types. Not that I hate hiking, I just strongly prefer not to.) Anyway, the whole experience pushed me further towards moving to the bay. So that's the plan.
2.Dealing.
I think I've been doing a lot of growing in the past few months as far as accepting and understanding people are concerned. I've calmed down some. My outlook has changed about some of my difficulties with comedy. I don't really know how to explain this right now so I'll get back to you later on this. Basically I think I've grown much thicker skin and am better about being practical and using my heart and brain to push for making comedy more progressive/ funny/ accountable without burning out or keeping myself from being involved in comedy.
3. Doin' It and Doin' It and Doin' It Well.
I've had this blog for about a year and since then I've gone from needing to push myself to get on stage multiple times a week, to constantly craving more. Whereas I've played around with the idea of myself as a comedian for years, I didn't really become a comedian until this year. Now I'm a little obsessed. However, I think I'm happier than I've ever been, although still obviously quite neurotic.
4. S.U.C.K.
At Western, a group of students put together the Stand Up Comedy Klub. There was a pretty good sized group of comics who were really great and funny that I got to hang out with, set up shows with, write jokes with, etc... We also made some connections with folks at the Upfront who were wanting to do more stand up comedy. Anyway, making friends who do what you do makes all the difference. I think we had a pretty good little stand up scene going in Bellingham for a bit that I'm proud to have been a part of.
5. My first story!
I was pretty proud and excited when the local Bellingham paper, "What's Up," did a story about me. I really liked the way it was written and am pretty pleased about it. Here's "Jessica Sele: Beyond kitty cats and periods."
6. The Roast of Jim Allen (not Tim Allen).
So I was in my first roast a few weeks ago. Some of the dudes from S.U.C.K. and I got together and roasted our friend, Jim Allen, who has been doing comedy consistantly in Bellingham throughout his college career. We roasted him in the Underground Coffee House where Jim went to every single open mic night for four years. I really respect Jim's love of and dedication to comedy. It has made me push harder. Derek Sheen (who is hilarious) from Seattle came up and roasted him as well. I can't put the video up online, but if you send me a couple bucks I'll burn you a copy and send it to you. It's worth it, especially if you know Jim Allen.
7. comeD.I.Y. ZINES!
I am really into the idea of making zines to express myself and make a few bucks to support my comedy career. This might be the first of many endeavors that will become "Jessica Sele the Merchandise." I'm working on one right now that I'm really excited about that will explore the ways my sexuality and my comedy are connected and make up who I am. It will be a comedy zine but also get into some heavy and honest aspects of my life. I'm gonna be real, it's gonna be really good.
In the mean time, I just finished a zine called "Born This Way: The Politics of Essentializing Sexuality." It's pretty controversial, but I think I make an okay case, and it's entertaining. I have a bunch of printed copies, so I can just send you one. If you send me a couple bucks then you'll be supporting my work and I'll even sign it for you! If that sounds like a pain in the ass, just give me your email and I'll attach the pdf to a message and send it to you.
I feel as if 7 is a pretty good Biblical number of things to write about so I feel okay about this now. Please forgive my inexcusable blog neglect and try to learn to trust me again! Now that I'm out of school all I want to do is write cool things and make cool things that will make you laugh and stir your brains around in an uncomfortable yet pleasing and validating way that connects us all to our greater humiliating humanity!
My summer plans besides saving money to move to the bay, are to do a ton of writing, making videos and other projects that address issues ranging from globalization to ackward dates to foot fungus. So do not touch that dial! Do not get up from that sofa! Stay tuned! Cool stuff coming up! I swear! Just, stay right there!!!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Ridiculous
Comedians just make the most sense to me in terms of worldviews right now. Because shit is RIDICULOUS.
The best way to explain the bullshit bills republicans in Congress were trying to pass in order to limit what constitutes as rape for abortion coverage is in this Daily Show video.
In case anyone was wondering how "rape jokes" can be provakative and subversive, there ya go.
THANK YOU.
The best way to explain the bullshit bills republicans in Congress were trying to pass in order to limit what constitutes as rape for abortion coverage is in this Daily Show video.
In case anyone was wondering how "rape jokes" can be provakative and subversive, there ya go.
THANK YOU.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Capricorn
In the past couple of years I have gotten really into whorescopes. love'm. I wonder if this is because I've done so much deconstructing social stereotypes that I've started channeling my need to generalize in this direction. I'm really progressive with race, gender, sexuality and ability, but I don't much like Aries or Scorpios.
When I told my Mom when I was dating a woman it was really emotional for me because I was worried she wouldn't be okay with it. She was. But she got really mad when she found out the woman I was dating was an Aries. Aries tend to be really self centered and rash, just flailing around and charging at shit with their stupid ram heads. But hey, I have a really good friend that's an Aries.
Anyway, my horscopes lately have been super relevant to my comedy career. Like really literal. Like this one from Free Will Astrology:
Stand-up comedian Arj Barker says that when he writes each of his jokes, he's thinking that all he needs to do is make it funny enough to get at least three people in the audience to laugh at it. More than three is gravy, and he hopes he does get more. But if he can just get those three, he believes, he will always get a lot of work in his chosen profession. In accordance with the astrological rhythms, Capricorn, I urge you to adopt a similar approach. To be successful in the coming days, you don't need an approval rating of 80 percent.
How did they know?
Also, I just really relate to being a goat/fish. okay?
When I told my Mom when I was dating a woman it was really emotional for me because I was worried she wouldn't be okay with it. She was. But she got really mad when she found out the woman I was dating was an Aries. Aries tend to be really self centered and rash, just flailing around and charging at shit with their stupid ram heads. But hey, I have a really good friend that's an Aries.
Anyway, my horscopes lately have been super relevant to my comedy career. Like really literal. Like this one from Free Will Astrology:
Stand-up comedian Arj Barker says that when he writes each of his jokes, he's thinking that all he needs to do is make it funny enough to get at least three people in the audience to laugh at it. More than three is gravy, and he hopes he does get more. But if he can just get those three, he believes, he will always get a lot of work in his chosen profession. In accordance with the astrological rhythms, Capricorn, I urge you to adopt a similar approach. To be successful in the coming days, you don't need an approval rating of 80 percent.
How did they know?
Also, I just really relate to being a goat/fish. okay?
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Deeper Than Our Cuts
I’ve had an odd time getting back on my comedy feet since the holiday break.
I’ve been performing at open mic nights here and there and feeling just a little off; which is fine because you certainly can learn and grow a lot from a rough patch. Failure can push you. I can feel it pushing me as I’m seeking for words in front of a blank audience. I’m working hard to find my footing. But I feel that I’m where I should be.
Tuesday night was particularly rough for me. A group of other Western Washington University comics and I did an open mic night on campus which went FINE. Then we had a few drinks and went down to an open mic night at our local hookah bar, “The Cobra Lounge.” I went first and bombed really hard which didn’t phase me too much as I was fairly faded. My friends went on after me and had similar (lack of) reactions from the audience. It’s one thing to do a set where the audience doesn’t laugh, it’s another when the audience doesn’t move or blink and are most likely just staring at the pretty colors they see dancing around you. After a few of us performed, the manager was encouraging people in the Cobra Lounge to get up and tell jokes themselves. They were telling fucking knock knock jokes. It was ridiculous. Was that their interpretation of what we do? After we pour out our souls telling material that took us real time and energy to write, some dumb fucks go up, introduce themselves as standups and tell knock knock jokes? I’m fine with that, whatever. But then this guy goes up and tells the following joke:
“What’s the difference between jam and jelly? You can jam your DICK DOWN A BITCH’S MOUTH!!!”
Commence Jessica Sele Melt Down (JSMD).
I started crying and shaking and was swiftly escorted to the Ranch Room (B’ham dive bar) by my fellow comedians. I was very clearly angry and I don’t think they really knew what to do. They made me laugh some and bought me chicken strips and a beer. I didn’t want to but felt I had to explain that I’m a survivor of sexual violence and that the “joke” we heard was very triggering for the image it presented as well as the language. It’s hard enough being the only girl but then to be crying about something uncontrollable and triggering makes it even more difficult. I knew that I shouldn’t have been, but I was embarrassed. It’s ideal for a comic to be able to take pain and anger and gain power from that through really good comedy. Through humor I can reclaim spaces. I can have the last word and the last laugh. I can make something terrible into something laughable. It relieves fear and helplessness. However on Tuesday night I couldn’t quite shake off my hurt. I felt alienated and disrespected not only as a woman and a survivor but as a comedian. Shitty jokes fucking insult my fucking art. FUCK. So I told the guys I’m not sure that I can do it anymore. Does the good of doing comedy out weigh the pain, the disrespect, the vulnerability, the cold nights at the Cobra Lounge, the bad grades, etc? Then my friend James said something that struck me; he said, “Our cuts are deep but we are deeper than our cuts.” Then we drank to it, “Deeper than our cuts!” Clink.
Sometimes it doesn’t feel like it, but I’m infinitely strong. I’m so much more than a survivor or a woman. Also, I’m fucking Goddess/ rising phoenix/ warrior who happens to be FUNNY ALSO.
ALSO.
I spent the entire next day pretty much just hiding in my room and watching Conan. It needed to happen. When rape culture gets you down, watch Conan O’Brien…
I feel like writing the sickest/ gnarliest jokes about rape culture and people who tell poorly written and uninteresting rape jokes. I want to use my voice to get people laugh with me about things that we cannot let have power over us. Watch out 18 year old culturally appropriating, privileged, hookah smoking stoners. Next Tuesday I’m gonna be funny with a fucking vengeance. I’m going to MAKE YOU laugh. Mwahaha! MWAAAH HA HAA!
I’ve been performing at open mic nights here and there and feeling just a little off; which is fine because you certainly can learn and grow a lot from a rough patch. Failure can push you. I can feel it pushing me as I’m seeking for words in front of a blank audience. I’m working hard to find my footing. But I feel that I’m where I should be.
Tuesday night was particularly rough for me. A group of other Western Washington University comics and I did an open mic night on campus which went FINE. Then we had a few drinks and went down to an open mic night at our local hookah bar, “The Cobra Lounge.” I went first and bombed really hard which didn’t phase me too much as I was fairly faded. My friends went on after me and had similar (lack of) reactions from the audience. It’s one thing to do a set where the audience doesn’t laugh, it’s another when the audience doesn’t move or blink and are most likely just staring at the pretty colors they see dancing around you. After a few of us performed, the manager was encouraging people in the Cobra Lounge to get up and tell jokes themselves. They were telling fucking knock knock jokes. It was ridiculous. Was that their interpretation of what we do? After we pour out our souls telling material that took us real time and energy to write, some dumb fucks go up, introduce themselves as standups and tell knock knock jokes? I’m fine with that, whatever. But then this guy goes up and tells the following joke:
“What’s the difference between jam and jelly? You can jam your DICK DOWN A BITCH’S MOUTH!!!”
Commence Jessica Sele Melt Down (JSMD).
I started crying and shaking and was swiftly escorted to the Ranch Room (B’ham dive bar) by my fellow comedians. I was very clearly angry and I don’t think they really knew what to do. They made me laugh some and bought me chicken strips and a beer. I didn’t want to but felt I had to explain that I’m a survivor of sexual violence and that the “joke” we heard was very triggering for the image it presented as well as the language. It’s hard enough being the only girl but then to be crying about something uncontrollable and triggering makes it even more difficult. I knew that I shouldn’t have been, but I was embarrassed. It’s ideal for a comic to be able to take pain and anger and gain power from that through really good comedy. Through humor I can reclaim spaces. I can have the last word and the last laugh. I can make something terrible into something laughable. It relieves fear and helplessness. However on Tuesday night I couldn’t quite shake off my hurt. I felt alienated and disrespected not only as a woman and a survivor but as a comedian. Shitty jokes fucking insult my fucking art. FUCK. So I told the guys I’m not sure that I can do it anymore. Does the good of doing comedy out weigh the pain, the disrespect, the vulnerability, the cold nights at the Cobra Lounge, the bad grades, etc? Then my friend James said something that struck me; he said, “Our cuts are deep but we are deeper than our cuts.” Then we drank to it, “Deeper than our cuts!” Clink.
Sometimes it doesn’t feel like it, but I’m infinitely strong. I’m so much more than a survivor or a woman. Also, I’m fucking Goddess/ rising phoenix/ warrior who happens to be FUNNY ALSO.
ALSO.
I spent the entire next day pretty much just hiding in my room and watching Conan. It needed to happen. When rape culture gets you down, watch Conan O’Brien…
I feel like writing the sickest/ gnarliest jokes about rape culture and people who tell poorly written and uninteresting rape jokes. I want to use my voice to get people laugh with me about things that we cannot let have power over us. Watch out 18 year old culturally appropriating, privileged, hookah smoking stoners. Next Tuesday I’m gonna be funny with a fucking vengeance. I’m going to MAKE YOU laugh. Mwahaha! MWAAAH HA HAA!
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