I recently returned from a weekend in Seattle. I left on a Wednesday and got home on Monday--shows in Seattle Thurs, Fri and Sat--and, I ended up picking up a feature spot in Boise on the way due to a drop out. It worked out perfect for me. I got to Boise about showtime, did the show, hopped back in the car and drove a few more hours. I tried to get a room in Boise, but everything in a reasonable price range was booked for a river festival of some sort, at least that's what one person told me. And, I'm sure you know the sort of festival that celebrates rivers will fill up a motel 6 fast. That's what I learned. But, I think it's healthy to sleep in my car once in a while. It keeps me focused on the real reasons I do this crazy thing.
I did learn how to sleep in my car better. I folded down the rear seats and cleared out enough space in the trunk so that I could almost stretch all the way out! It's much better than the leaning-the-passenger-seat-back-as-far-as-it-will-go method. Not that I sleep in my car that often, but probably more than most normal people; although it is Hyundai, so I always have that option available to me.
The worst part about sleeping in the car is the lack of opportunity to get ready to go to sleep. It's just not fun to wash your face at a rest area--I have found this to be true in every case. Actually, all around this was not a good sleeping trip. Slept on a friend's couch in Seattle--a large step up from a car but still not an actual bed. This isn't the case with most comedy work. I usually have a room provided by the club. I just tell you this because I'd hate you to think that my life is spent on couches and in youth hostels and in the trunk of my car. It's not like that. It's more like hotels and motels and Barnes and Nobles.
The shows were fun all week with good crowds--one on the rowdy side, with some real honest to goodness heckler types from Australia who refuse to admit that they speak English in their country. "We speak Australian," they would say. cool, mate.
Went to a barbecue at my cousin's house on Saturday and watched him get pushed into the pool. Later he taught me how to play video games again. They are much different than I remember them to be.
Sunday I went to church in Seattle and caught up with some friends and then got in the car and drove to Boise where I stayed at another cousin's home who doesn't have a pool, but does have a new baby daughter.
Home on Monday.
Posted by ryan at July 21, 2004 12:43 AM
Hamilton,
Do you ever go up to Bellingham when you are in Wash.? If you do, you should know that it is the city where I grew up. Well, partially grew up. I grew up half way there. The other half was accomplished somewhere else. I don't think anyone is running any bus tours of my awkward middle school life there this year.
Nice website. I like the a/v clips. You do look like the white Chris Rock. And that lady from the infomercial.
Matt
Posted by: Matthew Van Horn at July 21, 2004 09:44 PMOh, I did tell you that I have a little critter, right? He's 3 months old now. I wanted to name him Ryan Hamilton but my wife promised to not let that happen.
Matt
Posted by: Matthew Van Horn at July 21, 2004 09:49 PMwell, I don't blame your wife, and I'm quite grateful indeed. Yes, I have played in Bellingham three or four times. Is that the town that you rolled a station wagon full of pumpkins down the street in a hilly neigborhood?
Posted by: Ryan at July 23, 2004 04:23 PMAhh, the Pumpkins. That was possibly the greatest burst of imagination I ever, um. uh.....what was I talking about?
But, no, the Pumpkin drive was performed only twice, in a hilly neighborhood of Los Altos California. Bellingham would make for an excellent re-enactment though.
Posted by: Matthew Van Horn at July 24, 2004 12:35 AM