The day started
out normal enough, if not slightly depressing. I had
just gotten my write-up in the Other Paper, accepted
the full-time position producing Cannon, had new hours
for the Late Show and Darryl (the big boss) loved oved
me. As the entries continued in 1997 it got
progressively worse. Lied to, screwed around, hours
cut, shows cut - just unbelieveable re-reading it and
to this day I still can't put any perspective on it
that explains Darryl's actions. It's extraordinary
re-reading it.
So
I look at the time and remember that
this guy I had contacted on
Craigslist to shoot a gay porn with
midgets doing heroin... hahahaha, sorry
you say "craigslist" and that's what comes
to mind. But there are legitimate uses for
the site. Anyway he was comin' in from
Florida, needed a room for rent, and I've
recently been lookin' for someone to rent
out the 2nd room. He took my number but
had about 10-15 before me and also had a
place to stay for a few days when he came
out and was gonna look at more places.
What he didn't realize was he was moving
to the planet: Los Angeles. Every single
person flaked on him, the only guy that
answered his phone added $125 to the rent
he agreed about on the phone, and the
place he was going to stay for a few days
before moving in ALSO fell through. He was
sitting on the ground in LA after driving
4 days from Florida completely
fucked.
And wouldn't you
know, I actually remembered the day he was coming
in and was cleaning up his room to show when he called
and I promptly called him right back.
This was Florida
Keith's lucky day.
After sitting and
talking with him for a few minutes it was just one
crazy "meant to be" thing after another. I mean
the man's favorite movie is Shawshank Redemption. An
aspiring bass player that wants to make it in LA and
just needed a floor to crash on now has a furnished
room with a futon, tv, stereo - an office space for
his computer and other stuff and a studio for his
music equipment and a place to jam. Needless to say
he's the most gracious southern gentleman you can
imagine and the girl who drove out with him was just
so relieved she didn't have to leave him on someone's
couch. So he paid me the first month up front and
literally moved his stuff in right that moment. So in
an instant my entire environment is a complete 180. No
more watching the Daily Show naked, but I think
I'll manage.
;-)
So it's all a
whirlwind and we get up the next day in a bit of a
daze trying to wrap our heads around the new
arrangements when I get a phone call. Ready for
this? I'll release the GODS now:
~* ~
ZAPPOW!
~* ~
RANDOM!!!
~* ~
ZAPPOW!
~*
~
~* ~
ZAPPOW!
~* ~
GLEEFUL!!!
~* ~
ZAPPOW!
~*
~
The producer of
The Early Show on CBS said they want to do a piece on
me and have me on the show introducing the winner of
the competition two weeks from today in New York.
I believe my reaction was something along the
lines of:
"Are you
FUCKING serious?!?!"
I felt bad that
I had such an unprofessional response but I was
in absolute SHOCK. She laughed and said "Yes, I'm
serious!" and reiterated that the whole office really,
REALLY loved my act and I was totally the
sentimental favorite. As I said a couple weeks
ago she seemed truly disheartened that I didn't
win. I guess she was sincere because they all but
MADE UP a way to promote me. Are you
friggin' KIDDING me?!? I'm in shock as I'm even
typing this. Keith and his friend watched me explode
from the hallway jumping up and down as Shizzle Roxy
and I proceeded to do cartwheels in the backyard.
You're always a phonecall away man. Always. It
is the addiction of New York or LA, once you've gotten
one or two random calls out of nowhere that change
your life - you believe until you're 90 that the next
one is coming ANY second. It's Dream
Crack.
And of course what
more mindblowing thing for Keith to witness in his
first 24 hours out here right? He's still can't
believe his address ends in Hollywood and now this.
It's just un-be-fucking-lieveable to him. They laughed
as I proceeded to go nuts and have a smile plastered
to my face all-day. And honestly, I don't really
know what the hell I'm even doing yet. She said she'd
call me next week with more info so of course there's
my "Lucy" (Charlie Brown allusion) preparing to pull
the ball away. Not that I'm saying she will but come
on - you guys have read this Journey - hell just this
year. Lucy's had a field day. I think Remo said
it best when he said: "Excuse me if I don't
congratulate you until you're on the plane".
I responded with "NOOOOOOOOOO shit."
LOL.
But you know
what's nice? For about 12 hours I got to be that
kid at 24 who drove out to LA for the first time and
dreamed of the big break...and then actually got one
and was just in shock all day. Remo was actually
showing these million dollar villas tonight and
invited us to come check them out. Wine, hors
d'oeuvres, a jazz band and if just for a night, a
million dollar view in the East Hollywood Hills. Talk
about a whirlwind 24 hours for Keith! Buddy, it won't
always be like that, but believe in your heart that it
can be from time to time - and it'll happen for
you...
...I just
hope you don't have to wait until 2013 for some
exposure.