CATCHING UP Pt. 1 – The Hiatus
April 10, 2009
It’s been quite some time since my last entry. Initially, the blog stopped because one of the posts lacked discretion and a conscious decision was made to suspend posts until things cooled off a bit. Even though things have cooled off for some time, I have not been able to get back to blogging because I have been incredibly busy.
The time between the last post and this post has been very trying to say the least. To be honest, the online war that prompted the suspension of this blog took a lot of the fun out of comedy for me. Compound that with a few personal issues on top of that, the past couple of months of comedy was a test of mental and emotional toughness for me.
The weekend before my online war with a fellow amateur comic, I found out that an old high school friend lost her baby at birth, a close friend of mine lost his father, and another good friend informed me that she was going to get a divorce. Then in early March, one of my closest friends found out his brother was shot in the head; the brother past away a week later in the hospital.
My friend’s death was the closest loss I’ve ever had to go through so far. I’ve been more than lucky thus far to not lose anyone that I’m particularly close to. The thing with my friend’s brother’s passing is that I was really close to the family growing up. I can’t count the amount of times I would be over hanging out with my friend and having his family to banter with. My friend’s family is a good family that didn’t deserve the heartache they received. My heart goes out to them.
On the day job front, I have spearheaded a project of launching a new website. The launching of a new site is surprisingly easy when you have the right people to delegate. However, there are a lot of details to oversee. Revisions upon revisions are required to establish a quality site, so the project takes a TON OF TIME.
So during the months of February and March, I have been showing up to shows either distracted and exhausted, and some times both. From the January 13th to March 17th, I felt like I was in a bit of funk. The Jan. 13th set a Yuks was the last set I felt good about before the whole Yuks competition got the best of me. Then for a couple months, I performed like I was in a fog. The set at Kino on March 17th was the start of me starting to get my groove back.
The couple of months that I have been “off my game” made me think about how much I want this. How much am I willing to fight through to “make it”? What exactly am I willing to give up? What exactly would I NOT give up?
More things to catch up on .....
Dennis L.
About Flip N Funny
- Dennis Litonjua
- Initially, this blog was designed to track my development as a comic. Although that remains true today, the blog has evolved into something more. The FlipNFunny Blog is now a catchall medium to express my thoughts on any subject whether it concerns comedy, films, sports, or life in general. Essentially, if I feel strongly about something, you can expect to see my thoughts here. Thank you.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Flip N Asian Show # 2 (written Feb.05.09)
FLIP N ASIAN SHOW #2
Lafflines – Thursday, February 5th 2009
For this particular episode of the FNC, I took Bullet. Aside from a prolonged portion of awkwardness during Fat Dennis, I thought I put together a solid effort. I thought the emcee did an amazing job of putting the crowd in such a great mood that I think that it was easy for me to do my first joke.
I thought Kamikaze got a decent reception, but I was able to raise the energy with This. Then the awkwardness came with Fat Dennis. The awkwardness was due to not really knowing this bit as much as I should. I’ve only used once since I put on the shelf about a year back. However, I do believe the joke has more nuggets that I can mine out of it.
Regardless, it took me a couple of moments to get the set back on track with Flip Commitment which I followed with my Brown jokes. This was the first time I had a sizeable Brown contingency in the audience for the Brown jokes. And I’m glad to say that my instincts were proven correct and that they don’t go over the line. The jokes are said in good fun and are not overly disrespectful to the Brown community.
After the Brown jokes, I was able to crescendo with Porn, Rabbit and then finally, Tunnel. I got HUGE responses for Rabbit and Tunnel. HUGE. It was a good set, despite the seconds lost during the transition from Fat to Flip Com.
Set List
- Kamikaze
- This
- Fat Dennis
- Flip Commitment
- Indian Swimming
- Brown Medal
- Porn
- The Rabbit
- Tunnel of Love
Time: 9.19min
There is one other thing worth noting from the night. The host, Sunee D., highlighted a skill that I haven’t really put any thought towards. I really liked how he paid close attention to the show and would open up with wisecrack about the previous act in between sets. I think that’s a skill that I should be honing instead of shooting the shit with other comics during the show.
Lafflines – Thursday, February 5th 2009
For this particular episode of the FNC, I took Bullet. Aside from a prolonged portion of awkwardness during Fat Dennis, I thought I put together a solid effort. I thought the emcee did an amazing job of putting the crowd in such a great mood that I think that it was easy for me to do my first joke.
I thought Kamikaze got a decent reception, but I was able to raise the energy with This. Then the awkwardness came with Fat Dennis. The awkwardness was due to not really knowing this bit as much as I should. I’ve only used once since I put on the shelf about a year back. However, I do believe the joke has more nuggets that I can mine out of it.
Regardless, it took me a couple of moments to get the set back on track with Flip Commitment which I followed with my Brown jokes. This was the first time I had a sizeable Brown contingency in the audience for the Brown jokes. And I’m glad to say that my instincts were proven correct and that they don’t go over the line. The jokes are said in good fun and are not overly disrespectful to the Brown community.
After the Brown jokes, I was able to crescendo with Porn, Rabbit and then finally, Tunnel. I got HUGE responses for Rabbit and Tunnel. HUGE. It was a good set, despite the seconds lost during the transition from Fat to Flip Com.
Set List
- Kamikaze
- This
- Fat Dennis
- Flip Commitment
- Indian Swimming
- Brown Medal
- Porn
- The Rabbit
- Tunnel of Love
Time: 9.19min
There is one other thing worth noting from the night. The host, Sunee D., highlighted a skill that I haven’t really put any thought towards. I really liked how he paid close attention to the show and would open up with wisecrack about the previous act in between sets. I think that’s a skill that I should be honing instead of shooting the shit with other comics during the show.
Getting Back On the Saddle - Double Spot (written Feb.03.09)
DOUBLE SPOT
KINO / DARBYS – Feb.03.09
After the debacle with blogging that led to a brief, but bitter feud with another comic, it was time to re-build the good faith that I had damaged in the last week or so. Last night was the first step of getting back on track. I had two spots last night – Kino and Darbys.
KINO
To be honest, I felt uneasy about this set. Coming off the Joke Off which I really don’t count as a set, I’ve been a little tense about my place in the community. Pondering how much damage did I do to myself? The set at Kino was the first step towards finding out.
///
The set itself was decent. I didn’t think I was great, but I didn’t think I was horrible either. I had a strong start and a strong finish, but at around the end of Fat Dennis I had a lull. The stall in laughter could be attributed to me not really knowing the material well enough, but it also highlighted the possibility that the joke needs revision.
Another aspect that needs further attention is The Rabbit. I am still not happy with the transition from explaining what it is, to what it can do. I need to insert a joke in there to keep the bit from stagnating.
On a positive note, I think I found a better spot for the phrase “human stalactite” in the Porn bit. Also positive was the further shortening of Tunnel of Love. Admittedly, this was done completely by accident.
Set List
- Kamikaze
- Fat Dennis
- Flip Commitment
- Porn
- The Rabbit
- Tunnel of Love
Time: 6.52min
DARBYS
Since the Kino show had a late start, I wasn’t able to leave until shortly after 10pm. After a quick drive, I arrived at Darbys about 10min before I was scheduled to go up. Last night’s crowd at Darbys was definitely lively, borderline rowdy. Goodness gracious, but when they laughed, they laughed hard.
Personally, my set was a little uneven. There were moments where a certain joke would fall flat, but the very next line would elicit an eruption of laughter. I believed that happened with The Rabbit and its features. And it is worth mentioning that my tongue got tied on a couple of occasions.
In all, I thought the crowd was a little tricky, but I managed to stay in the pocket and deliver the goods.
Set List
- Kamikaze
- This
- Flip Commitment
- Porn
- The Rabbit
Time: 5.07min
For me the night was “successful” in that I got back on the horse and let the material do my talking for me. However, I was reminded last night that I really need to get my ass going in regards to writing new material. I saw a couple of my personal favorites performers present newer jokes which were awesome. I hope the stuff in my head turn out as good as the jokes that I saw last night.
Denaissance!
KINO / DARBYS – Feb.03.09
After the debacle with blogging that led to a brief, but bitter feud with another comic, it was time to re-build the good faith that I had damaged in the last week or so. Last night was the first step of getting back on track. I had two spots last night – Kino and Darbys.
KINO
To be honest, I felt uneasy about this set. Coming off the Joke Off which I really don’t count as a set, I’ve been a little tense about my place in the community. Pondering how much damage did I do to myself? The set at Kino was the first step towards finding out.
///
The set itself was decent. I didn’t think I was great, but I didn’t think I was horrible either. I had a strong start and a strong finish, but at around the end of Fat Dennis I had a lull. The stall in laughter could be attributed to me not really knowing the material well enough, but it also highlighted the possibility that the joke needs revision.
Another aspect that needs further attention is The Rabbit. I am still not happy with the transition from explaining what it is, to what it can do. I need to insert a joke in there to keep the bit from stagnating.
On a positive note, I think I found a better spot for the phrase “human stalactite” in the Porn bit. Also positive was the further shortening of Tunnel of Love. Admittedly, this was done completely by accident.
Set List
- Kamikaze
- Fat Dennis
- Flip Commitment
- Porn
- The Rabbit
- Tunnel of Love
Time: 6.52min
DARBYS
Since the Kino show had a late start, I wasn’t able to leave until shortly after 10pm. After a quick drive, I arrived at Darbys about 10min before I was scheduled to go up. Last night’s crowd at Darbys was definitely lively, borderline rowdy. Goodness gracious, but when they laughed, they laughed hard.
Personally, my set was a little uneven. There were moments where a certain joke would fall flat, but the very next line would elicit an eruption of laughter. I believed that happened with The Rabbit and its features. And it is worth mentioning that my tongue got tied on a couple of occasions.
In all, I thought the crowd was a little tricky, but I managed to stay in the pocket and deliver the goods.
Set List
- Kamikaze
- This
- Flip Commitment
- Porn
- The Rabbit
Time: 5.07min
For me the night was “successful” in that I got back on the horse and let the material do my talking for me. However, I was reminded last night that I really need to get my ass going in regards to writing new material. I saw a couple of my personal favorites performers present newer jokes which were awesome. I hope the stuff in my head turn out as good as the jokes that I saw last night.
Denaissance!
Comedy Goals 2009 (Reposted)
FLIP N FUNNY
Comedy Goals 2009
- Work together with Art and make the FNCS one of the best shows in town
o Organize contact list
o Design poster template
o Get (more) facetime on TV and print
- Add another 10min of SOLID, EDITED material
o Anything less than 8min will be considered a failure
- WRITE the following joke ideas
o Cleats
o Duckie
o CLEANER MATERIAL
- EDIT the following jokes
o Tunnel of Love – shorten it
o Sasha – find intro and exit
o Youth – bunch of revisions
o Pharmaceutical – find exit
- Advance ONE round in the Yuks competition
- Do another weekend spot at Yuks
- Do a 10min spot at Yuks
- Do my first weekend spot at Lafflines
- Participate in the Comedy Festival
- Get headshots done
- Get websites up and running
- Get more video done
o Learn to edit video
**** Originally written Jan.13.09 ***
Comedy Goals 2009
- Work together with Art and make the FNCS one of the best shows in town
o Organize contact list
o Design poster template
o Get (more) facetime on TV and print
- Add another 10min of SOLID, EDITED material
o Anything less than 8min will be considered a failure
- WRITE the following joke ideas
o Cleats
o Duckie
o CLEANER MATERIAL
- EDIT the following jokes
o Tunnel of Love – shorten it
o Sasha – find intro and exit
o Youth – bunch of revisions
o Pharmaceutical – find exit
- Advance ONE round in the Yuks competition
- Do another weekend spot at Yuks
- Do a 10min spot at Yuks
- Do my first weekend spot at Lafflines
- Participate in the Comedy Festival
- Get headshots done
- Get websites up and running
- Get more video done
o Learn to edit video
**** Originally written Jan.13.09 ***
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