Mar 27 • Living Strong in Action
I Grabbed the Mic… and Exposed Myself Last Night
Last night… I did it.
I got up on stage and performed my first open mic comedy set.
And that, right there… was the win.
A couple of weeks ago, this was just an idea—
sitting at Angelo’s Larchmont Pizzeria, watching the comedians from the Camden Comedy Collective, meeting Selena, feeling the energy, and thinking…
“Maybe I try this.”
What struck me right away watching them was one word—
Courage.
To get up there… take the mic… and just go.
And another word—
Exposure.
You’re putting yourself out there. No hiding. No safety net.
And last night… that was me.
That “maybe” turned into curiosity.
That curiosity turned into action.
I put together a story… a few jokes…
practiced a bit… walked up with my notes…
and stepped onto that stage.
Was I nervous?
Oh yeah.
But it was that kind of nervous energy… the kind you want.
The kind that reminds you—you’re alive.
And here’s what surprised me…
I felt at home up there.
And I felt something else too—
A real connection with the other comedians.
A bond.
Because now I understand what it takes to stand in that space…
to be seen… to be heard… to be exposed.
And I’ve got a whole new respect for that crew.
A great group of guys doing something real.
I got some laughs.
I got some feedback.
I connected with people I knew… and people I didn’t.
And I enjoyed it.
I haven’t watched the video yet—
(laughs) I know I’m going to see all the things I’d want to improve.
But that’s part of the process.
What’s interesting is…
I don’t feel a strong pull to jump right back up there immediately.
And that reminds me of the first time I tried sushi years ago in San Francisco…
Loved the experience… tried everything…
and then… nothing.
Until months later—
I had a craving.
And I went back.
So maybe that’s what this is.
Because what I do know is this—
I can get up there…
create something…
and connect with people.
And that connection…
That’s what I love.
So will I go back up again?
We’ll see.
But I’ll tell you this—
Last night wasn’t about being a comedian.
It was about having the courage…
to step up… be exposed…
and try something new.
And that…
That’s Living Strong.
PS - what's your answer to the question in the video?
PSS - thank you to my son CJ for recording my first open mic set. If you would like to see the full video comment below and let me know.
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I Grabbed the Mic… and Exposed Myself Last Night
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