Yes...I'm still here....

Hello readers. I have been meaning to write a blog sooner than this but a lot has been going on the past month or so and I never really had the opportunity to sit down and type away. So here I am, trying ti fit in a blog before I take off for an open mic comedy night at Paddy's Coffee House in Union City, CA. Yeah, that's right. Last month, my laptop decided it wasn't going to turn on anymore. I tried powering it up every way I could but it refused to work. I took the laptop in to a nearby Central Computers store to get it fixed but after a week or so of waiting to find out what the problem was - I found out that it was going to cost about $400 to get the problem fixed. (Needed a new motherboard). Um, no thanks I said, as I figured I'd be better off just buying a brand new laptop instead. The new laptop arrived on August 20th, so here I am, typing my first blog on the new laptop. HOW EXCITING! The end of July turned out to be rather crazy. Crazy as in busy. Some of it good and some not so much. On Wednesday, July 14th, my dear grandmother, Ferne Freeman, passed away. While I knew she wasn't feeling well - it was still a shock to hear the news. I am glad that I took the trip to see her the prior weekend. On Tuesday, July 20th, I performed in San Francisco at Castagnola's on Fisherman Wharf. I was pleased to see my friends Ruben Grijalva and Marcus Marotto from the Easily Distracted Theatre there to support. After the show, the three of us had a beer and watched the Giants and A's games which were both on TV downstairs in the bar area.

at Castagnola's

After the show at Castagnola's, it was off to Orangevale, CA as my grandmother's funeral service was the following day. This marked the first time I ever drove over the Bay Bridge. I was freaked out by the thought of driving over the bridge and even considered making a longer trip just to avoid it, but Ruben left me with the encouraging words of "Don't be a pussy!" Thanks Ruben, what a friend. Haha. I overcame the fear though - and I'm glad I was going the direction where I didn't have to pay the toll. On Thursday, July 22nd, I was back on stage again, this time in Oakland at Miss Pearl's Jam House. This is a wonderful show on the rise. Check out www.comedyoffbroadwayoakland.com for more on this show. I felt more relaxed at this show than the one on Tuesday - probably because I didn't have to think about the funeral service anymore. The whole week I just kept telling myself not to mix up my stand-up routines with my eulogy for the service. "Why does Wes keep telling jokes about his grandma?" people might ask... On Tuesday, July 27th, I participated in the San Jose Improv Comedy Competition. I did not advance past the first round but I had fun and that was all that mattered to me. My dad and sister and friend Brian came to the show and we all got a drink afterwards. My roommate Katie and her friend Alana came to the show too - but they left afterwards because they are early birds. On July 28th and July 29th, it was time for my monthly comedy shows that I produce in Gilroy and Morgan Hill. Both shows ended up being a blast. The shows featured DNA, Sal Calanni, and headliner Don Friesen. I highly suggest you see Friesen live if you ever get the chance. If you missed it, here is a little clip from the hysterical Don Friesen -

I have produced a lot of great shows with great comedians in Gilroy and Morgan Hill but the audiences were very delighted after these shows and let me know about it. Nothing like a great successful show!

with Don Friesen in Morgan Hill

On Saturday, July 31st, it was another busy day. In the early afternoon, I headed to San Francisco to KOFY TV 20 studios. I was shooting a 3 minute and 45 second stand-up bit for their late Saturday night show CREEPY KOFY MOVIE TIME. The show consists of two hosts (No-Name and Balrok) who discuss a horror movie being shown and there are breaks taken during the movie for comedians and other special guests. My experience was interesting and I'm wondering how they will edit my routine. Apparently I broke a bottle on the set while I walked onto the stage. Other comedians thought I was trying to make a statement like "Fuck local TV." Actually, I had no idea I broke anything til after I finished filming. You can see my bit at 11pm on KOFY TV 20 (Bay Area Cable 13) on September 4th. That night I headed to Pastime Club the small town of Gustine, CA and did a show produced by fellow comedian Jason Resler. I was hosting the show and it featured Kul Black and Rick Pulido. I had never met either but both are really cool guys and I look forward to working with them again in the future.

Rick Pulido, myself, and Kul Black

So as you can see, the last couple weeks of July were pretty eventful and for the most part, fun. August has been less busy comedy wise so far but I do have shows tonight, tomorrow, and Thursday. UPCOMING SHOWS -Tonight, August 24th - Paddy's Coffee House - Union City, CA - 8:30pm -August 25th - The Gaslighter - Gilroy, CA - 7:30pm -August 26th - Morgan Hill Playhouse - Morgan Hill, CA - 7:30pm -September 2nd - Blue Lagoon - Santa Cruz, CA - 8pm