Comedian Ben GarciaReyes Blog

…sorry just submitted my press application, for the 2012 Comic-con. ;o) Sweeeeeeet!!!

…that they like what they see from my sets. Like actual compliments, way more than before. A lot of times, regardless of overall audience response, I get a lot of individual audience members comment and tell me I was funny, sometimes they even say “real funny”. I know why.

  I’ve recently been taken back from stand up, not long, but more than recent norm.  Along with that, information & revelation, after information & revelation, I can see why sometimes, I wasn’t as “good” or funny as “I am in person” that I am on-stage. Most of it, as usual, was due to selfishness. Not necessarily on purpose, but, it’s like that deserved feeling you get, cause you feel you did enough, were there first, or look the part more like the next paisa. And they’re all wrong.

  So when it was about me on stage, I can see why they’d feel i was full of my self. I might have been, and might still be. But, I know now, that the audience is unique every time, therefore, they should be acknowledged as such.  If they feel it, they’ll know they are part of the show, the night, the event, the experience.  Otherwise, you;re just an act.

  Not being able to do it always gave me a drive, to do my best the few times. Now, I’m just eager to have the time. and “share it” with the audience, as they are sharing theirs.  Now, I see every stage time opportunity, as if I was gonna go kick it with my friends.  Cause I never know when I’ll be able to go up again.

  I also try and show them that. All of it. My joy, to be there. My gratefulness for their time.  And the best way I can do that is by making them feel like I was worth their time. So i try and keep it positive, or progressive.

  The times I’ve lapsed are when I get too mechanical, or there’s no audience response. And in those cases, I just keep going they way I would if people were paying attention. Even with no response, I try and let my self be happy, be me up there. It feel better that way. Kind of like, when you begin to be your self in a relationship, and someone likes you like that, silliness and all, so you feel validated and good. I like audiences much better, cause the worst case of those can’t be longer than 8 minutes.

  Yup it’s a micro relationship each time. And if you can surprise those that know your stuff, then those that don’t will like you even more. I feel I’m getting better, cause I feel less bad when I walk off stage. I don’t know how to explain that yet, other than, like most other comics, I can imagine, have higher standards, no cannabis related, of themselves.  Sometimes, with good reason, but most, due to unrealistic standards and expectations. Which is why the more I careless where “I’m going”, the more I can be me, and care less about that. It’s like a Chinese finger trap. I feel good about the concept of having a good time, one audience at a time.

I didn’t even know he was gonna be gone. I felt I wasn’t gonna say goodbye.  With all these sudden deaths, non-exciting soccer style. I worried I’d never see him again.  I don’t blame the situation, thing needed to be done. But I worried. It even began to creep in to my thoughts. Was that the last time you’d see your dad?  All tired, and non shaved.

  When I finally got to seem him it was like a jolt of energy. HE was clean shaven, and had even made a fame in the place already. My dad the non-stop talker.  The more he chatted, or should I say ratted out his , not inmates, cause he and they seemed happy to be there, but his new friends. Complaint about this, a story about that. My dad the talker.  The chismoso. Telling us about other old dudes peeing habits, and a so called domino power couple, no one could handle. It was funny to hear my dad call them cheaters. But it was funnier to find out, along with him, that both, the of the two he accused of having a secret romance, suffer from Alzheimer. My dad replying, “no wonder I’m forgetting stuff”, the nurse that told us about the Alzheimer’s couple, said don’t worry it;s not contagious. my mind then went off for a second and I though.
  “Alzheimer’s isn’t contagious? That’s great  now I can use the money on lube instead of condoms.” yes, a fucking joke. je je.

  The more i saw and heard my dad I felt better. Knowing he wasn’t lonely, or bored made me feel much better. Hearing his observations about how another old man can’t make it in to the bowl, and how all were blamed by another old dude that complained about it cause of his smelly humid socks. Which we don’t find out until he give us a full detail on how an when, how many times etc.  While we all wonder wtf, he’s setting us up, with put knowing it.  Turns out, old peed socks blamed everyone, and my dad, just wouldn’t have it. Je je. He’s almost 80 years old, suffered a stroke 20 years ago, and he’ still got some fight in him. I know i have that too.

  Watching my dad, I realized that there’s always material, it just depends remembering it. ;O)  My dad, is a charismatic dude. But he’s also got a temper. I thank him for his good genes, and whatever I’ll deal with in the future health wise, genetically speaking.  But watching him enjoy a place where I thought he’d miserable reminded me that’s not not always where you are, or who you are with, but who your are when you are there. 

  I just want to make everyone’s shared time with me a good one.  Because I rather be part of a good memory than a bad one.

  There was a man in there who said he was there for 12 years. And has yet to get a visit. I felt terrible about that for that man, when my dad mentioned it. “At least I didn’t have to wait 12 years for you all to come, although I expected you in about ten” he says, as he laughs.  My fuckin’ dad. Laying guilt to get us back sooner, yet enough perspective to thank us at the same time.  Funny shit.  There’s another thing I think I got from him. Thanks dad.