LBS gearing up for the long haul

[25yearsmlc]

don't wait for her to initiate a "Happy Anniversary" but instead, initiate a warm but low expectation contact, like we've mentioned.

The "it's still worth remembering" TYPE of comment (obviously make it a comment that feels authentic for you. But saying "happy Anniversary" to a woman

who is in the home of OM will sound odd, imo.)

OTOH, you two SEEM to be exploring the possibility of rebuilding and she has given you a roadmap.

so doing something, whatever it is, seems like a good idea.

Keep the expecations reasonable, such as just showing her that 1) you guys can still laugh together AND let that

2) allow other funny moments and touching times, to resurface in her.

But that only happens without pressure. Let the comedian do the work. And if she does not accept the invite, GO YOURSELF with a buddy.

Mercurio is one of the cleaner comics (b/c he's smart enough not to need the crude easy laughs)

I think the early show makes sense. Don't over imbibe...can you ask someone to join you?

TIPS--FOR LIVE COMEDY

If I recall correctly, the DC Improv is still general admission so you can sit wherever you want.

Do NOT sit in the front row of a live comedy show, where the comedian can see you- UNLESS

you are comfortable with being engaged with the comedian. That is risky if there's anything about your appearance or profession or a long marriage...that is easy to mock.

I've been an audience member who was the subject of lawyer jokes that did NOT bother me---(very funny actually) but would have hurt me IF my h had been there AND IF we were having issues and marriage came up as a topic...but I have seen many couples cringe...

Also, and I say this b/c I do stand up comedy myself and you said you've never been,

do NOT try to "outwit" a comic OR argue with a comedian b/c they said a joke you didn't agree with..and DC is a political town.

You won't like every joke or quip...but no one is compelling YOU to respond...

I've never seen an audience member "win" ..ever. They are always humiliated (if not also beaten up by other audience members)

b/c they basically try to be funnier than the comedian or make a joke at the comedian's expense, which does NOT pay off. Ever.

Remember that audiences did not pay to hear another audience member talk; they paid to hear the comedian make jokes. So it's a fast way to be unpopular, ruin a date and maybe get punched in the face or kicked out of the Improv.

Believe me, I've seen it happen too often to count. NOTE I didn't expect you to be a weird problem person, DM.

I'm just telling you this b/c you said you have never gone to live comedy (so glad you are!)

AND b/c a dear friend of mine who is normal in most areas of life, used to go to those shows (before she knew me). The first time I went with her, a night in which I was going to do a set later in the evening, she heckled a comedian. She was tipsy and trying to be funny, I suppose...

I was mortified. The crowd turned on her...FAST. If she'd been a man they would have hit her.

I don't understand why people do this. If I go see the ballet, I don't throw marbles on the stage to see if I can get the dancers to trip, and when I go to a concert, I don't bring my boombox to play something louder...

I've never ever understood the goal of someone interrupting a comedian, unless THEY also want to be funny...in which case I say let them go audition for their own stage time. Alas, I DIGRESS...

Who knows? You may LOVE this and want to do it.

I did a show in 2006 'Dedicated to my STBXH & his MLC"

and it went over really well. H never saw that tape...never will either.

Point is, humor is a salve. Best case scenario is your stomach will ache from laughing.

and that's a good thing. Have fun.