These last three weeks, I have been all over the place. I was fortunate to have a string of great college shows – Silver Lake College & Lakeland College in Manitwoc & Plymouth, Wisconsin. And Fond Du Lac Tribal Community College in Cloquet, MN. Sandwiched between these shows, I was in Las Vegas for the World Series of Comedy. Although I was disappointed with my performance, I was happy to see two comics that I respect and like -Spencer James & Jeff Scheen get first & second place honors. Besides being able to see my Dad who lives out there, it also gave me the opportunity to deconstruct my act into smaller chunks, giving it better structure. 

While I was in Minnesota – near Duluth, I also did a show at the Green Door for the Beaver Bay Municipality, which was established along the shores of Lake Superior in 1856. Unfortunately for me, the Packers/Vikings game was on the same night, but the 12 or so people that came were a great crowd, and I had a blast with them. One of the ladies in the crowd happened to be at the same Foo Fighters concert at Lollapalooza in Chicago, 3 years back, that I was at. I knew she was telling the truth, cause she described the same torrential downpour that day that I mention in one of my jokes. What are the odds on that ? 

I didn’t start off my run on a good note. While driving out of town Wednesday, near Rockford –  I got pulled over for speeding & texting while driving in a construction zone. He also accused me of driving with my right knee. How he knew that, I’ll never know, but he was right on all 3 counts. From the officers demeanor, it seemed like I going down big time.  However, after telling him I was a comedian and was doing a show for police officers Saturday in Elk River, MN – his attitude toward me changed. What I didn’t tell him, was that I was texting the lady who organized the show – after she cancelled it for lack of attendance from police officers. They were probably all out pulling people like me over.

     My last show was at Four Daughters Winery in Spring Valley, MN. The show was difficult because the room was cavernous and about half a football field long.  I needed way more power from the amp, and the wattage just wasn’t cutting it. Those who did hear me were appreciative, and it turned out OK. Below, you’ll see a pic from Hot Doug’s – my favorite hot dog spot in Chicago, which closed its doors this past Friday, after 13 years in business. Doug Sohn, the owner, decided he’d had enough. I’ve been eating there since they first opened up, but the place had grown iconic, with wait times up to 12 hours in the end. You’re looking at a char-dog with everything, hold the relish, next to cheese fries. A bacon-sausage dog is in the background, along with a diet Dr. Browns black-cherry soda – a classic way for me to rationalize my eating habits !

These last three weeks, I have been all over the place. I was fortunate to have a string of college dates – Silver Lake College & Lakeland College in Manitwoc & Plymouth, Wisconsin. And Fond Du Lac Tribal Community College in Cloquet, MN. Sandwiched between these shows, I was in Las Vegas for the World Series of Comedy. While I was disappointed with my performance, I got to see my Dad, who lives out there, and I’m optimistic good things will come from it. It also gave me the opportunity to deconstruct my set into smaller chunks which gives my act better overall structure. 

While I was in upper Minnesota last week, I had a chance to try some delicious smoked fish from Northern Waters Smokehaus in Duluth. I also did a show at the Green Door for the Beaver Bay Municipality, which was established along the shores of Lake Superior in 1856. Unfortunately for me, the Packers/Vikings game was on the same night, but the 12 or so people that came were a great crowd, and I had a blast with them. One of the ladies in the crowd happened to be at the same Foo Fighters concert at Lollapalooza in Chicago, 3 years back. I knew she was telling the truth, cause she described the same torrential downpour that day that I mention in one of my jokes. What are the odds on that ? 

     I didn’t start off my run on a good note. While driving out of town Wednesday, near Rockford, IL-  I got pulled over for speeding & texting while driving in a construction zone. From the police officers demeanor, it seemed like I was in a lot of trouble. However, after I told him I was a comedian and was doing a show for police officers Saturday in Elk River, MN – his attitude toward me changed. What I didn’t tell him, was that I was texting the lady who organized the show – after she cancelled it for a lack of attendance from police officers. Apparently they were all out writing tickets. 

The last show on the tour was at Four Daughters Winery in Spring Valley, Minnesota. The show was difficult because the room was cavernous and about half a football field long.  I needed way more power from the amp, and my kereoke-style mic just didn’t cut it. Those who did hear me were appreciative, and it turned out OK. Below, you’ll see a pic from Hot Doug’s – one of my favorite hot dog spots in Chicago, which closed its doors after 13 years in business. Doug Sohn, the owner, decided he’d had enough.  You’re looking at a char-dog with everything, hold the relish, next to cheese fries. A bacon-dog is in the background.