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!!!
