I just started reading my first "text book" in the field of work I should have been studying all along. It only took me three degrees to finally balls up, and take a step into the right direction. The book is Truth in Comedy, a manual of improvisation, and the dream is fourteen years in the making. Here is a little story, for those who care (or are still awake and need something to read...)
In 8th grade, I had characters. When my friends would tap my head, I would change channels to a new character, and just go with it. From this was born the "Anna's going to NYC," plan. After graduation, I was supposed to hop on the first plane to New York, and hit the comedy scene, and eventually, these characters that had been the brain-children of a daydreaming 13-year-old girl would become the next Mary Catherine Gallagher, Arianna and Roseanne Roseannadanna (not that one could ever compare with the magnificent Gilda Radner). Instead, I got wrapped up in a bad relationship, tried to join the navy, and went to junior college...and then college...and then grad school. I started a family with a wonderful man, and had two of the most animated, beautiful, funny kids imaginable. I lived. I am now 27-years-old, and because I decided to follow the advice of a man who thankfully made the statement that life is too short, and tomorrow may never come, I auditioned for a sketch comedy/improv group, and made the cut. Now, at 27, I am pursuing a dream that I was beginning to think would always be just that, a dream. I am not one who gets preachy, but I asked god to open a door for me, just open it, and I would walk through it...and low and behold, a door was presented.
Some might wonder whether I regret not taking that step nine years ago; whether I regret not stepping on a plane bound for NYC in pursuit of my dream. No. I do not. Why? Look, I'm a funny woman. I know that. Even without people telling me I’m funny, I know I am. My sense of humor has been my shield, my friend and my backbone most of my life, but at 18, I didn’t know a damn thing about life. In the nine years since graduating from high school, I have lost a parent, fallen down, gotten up, gotten married, been by myself, dealt with the navy, had two whacky kids, read way too many text books, made friends, lost friends, learned to appreciate things, learned to hate things I once took for granted, become friends with my mom, become friends with my enemies, been crapped on (both literally and figuratively), fallen down some more, adapted, overcome, and learned to believe in myself. I am finally a complete person. I am finally ready for this.
Life is a trip. If you have not developed some kind of a sense of humor after living life, you have obviously not been paying attention. When a door opens, don’t watch it close in hopes that it will open again because it just might not, and for goodness sake, make something out of what you’ve got, because life is the best lesson any of us will ever be given.
In 8th grade, I had characters. When my friends would tap my head, I would change channels to a new character, and just go with it. From this was born the "Anna's going to NYC," plan. After graduation, I was supposed to hop on the first plane to New York, and hit the comedy scene, and eventually, these characters that had been the brain-children of a daydreaming 13-year-old girl would become the next Mary Catherine Gallagher, Arianna and Roseanne Roseannadanna (not that one could ever compare with the magnificent Gilda Radner). Instead, I got wrapped up in a bad relationship, tried to join the navy, and went to junior college...and then college...and then grad school. I started a family with a wonderful man, and had two of the most animated, beautiful, funny kids imaginable. I lived. I am now 27-years-old, and because I decided to follow the advice of a man who thankfully made the statement that life is too short, and tomorrow may never come, I auditioned for a sketch comedy/improv group, and made the cut. Now, at 27, I am pursuing a dream that I was beginning to think would always be just that, a dream. I am not one who gets preachy, but I asked god to open a door for me, just open it, and I would walk through it...and low and behold, a door was presented.
Some might wonder whether I regret not taking that step nine years ago; whether I regret not stepping on a plane bound for NYC in pursuit of my dream. No. I do not. Why? Look, I'm a funny woman. I know that. Even without people telling me I’m funny, I know I am. My sense of humor has been my shield, my friend and my backbone most of my life, but at 18, I didn’t know a damn thing about life. In the nine years since graduating from high school, I have lost a parent, fallen down, gotten up, gotten married, been by myself, dealt with the navy, had two whacky kids, read way too many text books, made friends, lost friends, learned to appreciate things, learned to hate things I once took for granted, become friends with my mom, become friends with my enemies, been crapped on (both literally and figuratively), fallen down some more, adapted, overcome, and learned to believe in myself. I am finally a complete person. I am finally ready for this.
Life is a trip. If you have not developed some kind of a sense of humor after living life, you have obviously not been paying attention. When a door opens, don’t watch it close in hopes that it will open again because it just might not, and for goodness sake, make something out of what you’ve got, because life is the best lesson any of us will ever be given.
I used to think this phrase was so cliché, and really, it is…but right now, it seems so appropriate: Live, Laugh, and Love.
-Anna
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