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Birthdays

Today is my birthday. One more for the old hippy. Funny how many more well wishers you can get due to facebook, twitter, aol, hotmail etc etc, ... I appreciate them all. Feels good to know somebody has taken note, ...no such thing as a forgotten birthday this day and age.

I'll spend my day doing what I love, spending some time with Yohkoh and my son all the while writing and performing stand up comedy with friends for friends tonight at a comedy club...that's always a celebration I get to have birthday or not. I'm just lucky that way.

Having a birthday that comes at the end of a year seems to be a little more defined. It's a definite close of something and the beginning of another, the way a birthday should be. I think it causes for just a bit more reflection than that birthday in June or July that seems to hit and move on like a fast moving summer storm.

So I'm older and I hope wiser...at least I'll feel that way until I do something stupid. Come to think of it I'm pretty good at doing something stupid...it's easy and doesn't take much thought. Though I do seem to do less stupid things as I get older. I guess that's what getting older and wiser is all about...doing less stupid things. Maybe THAT'S why we celebrate birthdays, we all hope that this will be the year we do less stupid things than ever before. Nah, that's a dumb thought, I'm just being stupid.

Have a nice day ...that just so happens to be the nice day that is my birthday.

peace,
your Uncle Hippie

www.facebook.com/chili.challis1
www.facebook.com/chilichallis1

Not doing stuff

I haven' t blogged in a while. I just haven't done it. I realized that I wasn't blogging on any kind of regular basis, I thought some days I might do it...but yet I never seemed to get around to it. I write most everyday too, you'd think it would have been easy. Nah, just did not do it.

Come to think of it I'm good at not doing things, sometimes too good. I can not do projects with the best. I'm gonna try to pick it up though, ...most likely, probably, I guess.

Ever consider what is your thing you like not to do the most? What is the task you put off constantly, it's almost automatic. You think of it and go....I'll do that later, maybe tomorrow
or next week. Isn't it great when there's a holiday and you can say ...I'll get on that after the holiday, yeah then!

I like the sign that says Do Not Enter. It means simply you cannot go in that way. They never tell you what will happen if you do choose to enter but you still do not enter.

I once saw a Not for Sale sign. Can't be much call for that huh? How many things can you think of you'd need to put a Not for Sale sign on. Is there that many people in this world that ask ...is that for sale that much?!
This Not for Sale sign was on an old automobile. Apparently the owner had been asked so many times if his piece of crap car was for sale that he felt the need to put the sign on the car.

It's hard not to do stuff. People are always asking you what you're doing. You end up doing stuff. You just can't NOT do stuff. Proof positive is the fact that I'm blogging again and not putting it off.

Pumpkins, clocks and stuff.

Halloween approaches. Anybody heard my voice on Bob and Tom lately? They usually play some old CD versions of my stuff I did for them in the studio about Halloween. Nice to know after 20 years or it still holds up. ;)

I wish I could remember my last 'trick or treat' night as a kid. I just can't and that is a shame.

I use to love the song 'Monster Mash' by Bobby Boris Pickett ...still do I guess. Looked it up on YouTube the other night.

Halloween...gateway to Thanksgiving and then the big Christmas shopping, dreaming, partying, you know the general angst filled season begins. Yikes -I think I will carve a pumpkin real slow today and stretch out Halloween as long as I can. Oh god I have to get candy!!!! You gotta have candy!!!! Oh boy, the holiday stress has already arrived I guess. ;)

Gotta turn back the clocks this weekend too. At least that's like an extra hour. Which of course you use up finding and turning all of your clocks back! No rest for the wicked. Wicked? Oh yeah Halloween. Have a fun one and keep it safe for the kids annnnd yourself. Look out for each other.

Have a nice day. :)

chill aka Uncle Hippie

www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis
www.standupschool.com

Lovin it!

You know I wish sometimes I could tell people how much I love comedy. It has been part of my soul for decades...since the early memories of childhood to just today I have been writing and or performing comedy in some way or other. Hell I do it when alone. Comedy isn't just a 'face' I put on for people or save for the stage, I am in a constant flow of funny. I make myself laugh. I don't think I'm ever annoying with it, I seem to be in command of when, how and have appropriate behavior. Still I am eternally looking for the funny in all moments of life. They're not always there but I look nonetheless, I have to.

I have always wished the best for other comedy performers especially if they're for real. I see a lot of phonies out there and even then I may root for them in some way simply because for some reason or another these faux artists have the want to experience what real art feels like. Still honestly I am compelled to say there are too many 'cover comedians' allowed by bookers and club owners to thrive.

It's absurd to me that bookers would shoot themselves in the foot by sending out so many of these type of untalented non-representing acts....but it happens all the time and everybody looks the other way or makes excuses.

I can only imagine what a world of honestly real stand up performers would be like. All of them fighting for the art form and keeping it real by policing their own. I'd have to think that bookers would then be forced to book only quality acts and....well it's never gonna happen huh? Afraid not.

I do love the biz and process though and will pursue trying to make a positive difference- not from ego or any agenda crap- but just from the love of the game man loooove of the freakin game. lol

Have a nice day :)

Uncle Hippie aka chill

www.standupschool.com
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis

I'm back!

Hey bros and sistas!

After a short hiatus to pitch a service here I am now back to write ramblings and rants again.

I am preparing to go to Kansas for a weekend of shows this week. (no Dorothy and Toto jokes please) Have been at this venue before and it's pretty ok. The hardest part of this gig is just the traveling. The shows are a piece of cake.

I have been caring for two little pooches this past week, actually three but two are under my direct responsibilty ;) Gracie and Lulu have been my constant companions as I go through the daily grind....let them out...let them in....feed them...give them treats....pet them, groom them...pay attention to them....yikes! Did I mention I also have a couple of cats to take care of? Oh yeah! So throw in litter box patrol too to the mix. :(

Ah all for a good cause and the sweet little things give back plenty in the way of entertainment. lol
Watching over my pets is much better than watching TV anyday! I think that would make a great reality show....men taking care of a house full of pets!!!

It's all good karma I guess OM!

Take care of pets & yourselves my friends. And have a nice day! :)

Uncle Hippie...chill.

www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis
www.standupschool.com

Chance to Learn Stand up comedy and writing. Special offer.

Heads up my funny friends new and old! If you're a comedian, comedy writer or just want to know more about writing humor/jokes for TV, cartoonists, radio and stand up act you might be interested in this offer.

I am moving more and more into the teaching/..coaching of comedy writers and standups through online methods. Many already know about my standup coaching videos online and have taken advantage of that. I have found this to be very effective in helping new and experienced people gain valuable knowledge and assistance in their careers and so now I want to do even more.
Bottom line is this: An experiment in teaching of performing and writing.
As of today I am offering (and you heard it here first) my private coaching service for 4 weeks for $199. That's it. One payment of $199 will get you my personal private online coaching on stand up and comedy writing etc for 4 weeks.

The going rate for private pro coaching is any where around $799 minimum and up to thousands of dollars for 4 to 6 weeks. However if you contact me within this week I am selecting no more than 5 people to receive this special private coaching deal.

The process willl consist of at least 4 weeks of online help (exchange of emails and documents etc) to assist with expansion of ideas, writing, joke refinement-punchup, act structure, as well as audio/video critiquing. During this of course I will be willing to do Q&A to answer any of your questions about how to get started in a professional writing career and or further your stand up experience.

Video conferencing also offered.

Payment plan: I offer Paypal and of course will accept check and or money order.

Again I'm sorry but only the first 5 people confirming with me will get this deal right now. Let me hear from you via email, twitter DM or Myspace message. This is your chance to hire a pro writer and headlining comedian to focus on you, your writing and your act.

Thanks and have a nice day. Uncle Hippie -Chili Challis comedyink@aol.com - www.twitter.com/chilichallis1

Ps Have a writer in the family? I will consider offering this for a holiday gift as well. Can start training in January. Great for salesmen and women too. Funny sells and endears

Public Health Care sorta.

The medical field is all about the money isn't it? I recently went to a doctor's office and the first thing he examed was my wallet!

I know I have to get into better shape, I pulled a muscle the other day opening a bag of 'Dorito's'!

I've tried diets before...everything to be frank. 'Weight Watcher's' - 'Slimfast' - 'Poverty' - all of the really good ones and still I can be too heavy.

Everywhere they remind you of your health. Have you walked around a mall lately? In most malls today you can check your weight, your blood pressure, even your heart rate. I was in a mall recently and I didn't buy a thing but I got a complete physical. And I think I'm pregnant I'm not sure if I read this one machine correctly.

I tried this Atkins diet once where you could eat all the meat and drink all the alcohol you wanted. I loved it. I lost over 20lbs in one year....and my driver's license for two!

Have a nice day! :)

Uncle Hippie chill

http://www.standupschool.com/
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis

Later!

Gosh I hate doing things late. I hate writing my blog late or being late for a show or any kind of appointment. Have you ever known these people that are always late...they have absolutely zero problem with getting things done past the due date or arriving somewhere late as a robbed stage coach. I'm just not wired like that and I have no reason- it's just me. It's the way I work...maybe I'm wrong but I'll betcha more times than not I'll be on time to be wrong.

Funny how often you look at your watch when you're late. Man o man time soars when you're late. Whoever wrote 'time flies' when you're having fun' should have also said and 'when you're late too'!!!. You start to feel lessor or something. You imagine all kinds of things going wrong because you're late. There's never a proper excuse for being late either...nobody ever listens to your excuse...all they see is that FINALLY you're there and now you're mumbling something about traffic or a UFO or whatever- they just don't care.

Some things it's easier to be late for...lunch or dinner is one thing...a show or theater date ouch- dead man!

So I'm late with the blog and it's bad and I'm sorry. It was traffic and a UFO or something. At least cell phones have made it easier to report in that you are going to be late...and of course harder to hide when you are running late. I loathe the "..you're late!"... phone call.

Well that's about it. I'm late with the blog and so the blog was about being late. I'm not above doing what's easy.

If you're late always arrive smiling!

Have a nice day. :)

your chill Uncle Hippie

www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis
www.standupschool.com

Friday on the road.

It's Friday! tgif I guess. For me it means more work. I'm in Cleveland Oh area working a comedy club which means I will do two shows tonight 8 & 10pm. That's after early morning radio this past Thursday and today. Tomorrow I will do two more shows and even a morning comedy writing workshop at the club to help new guys and gals in the stand up biz.

I really like teaching/coaching and I'm really not exactly getting rich with it - many times it even ends up costing me money but I still love to do it and therefore that is the reason. The old saying "If you really want to know a subject teach it!" I profess to be true. I've learned a lot teaching comedy. I have learned that some new comics would rather not take a class and so continue to keep on making the same mistakes. I relate to that - I came up the hard way in stand up...it took me years to learn somethings that I can now deliver to a new student in a couple of hours of class time. I have gained a partial skill thanks to an inner eye for seeing talent and knowing where an act is going right or wrong. I can tell in an instant if a comedian is real or phony and usually help direct him/her to a new place where they can progress.

I completely understand that some new acts aren't on a fast track and actually like the process of the open mic nights and would really rather subconciously or not want to stay there. It becomes not a way of advancing but more of a way of socializing. I suppose you seek your own comfort level.

Teaching comedy and act refinements is a unique challenge and I've been doing them since the 80's. I think after all this time of experimentation and study I've finally learned how to do it well. lol

Happy Friday my brothers and sistas!! Uncle Hippie is at work helping people laugh a little. It could be worse. Peace.

Have a nice day. :)

chill aka uncle hippie

www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis
www.standupschool.com

Energy!

Energy drinks are taking over the world. When did we get so tired in this country? It use to be a bottle of water but now everybody has to show up at a meeting energy drink in their mitt. They come under every name out there...Red Bull, Red Thunder! Monster! -Amped - ZAP! POW! KAZONK! it sounds like Batman and Robin are fighting criminals again. It wasn't long ago that Monster supported truck shows and not something you drank.

Remember when the only energy drink was coffee? Juuuuust coffee??...you wanted to wake up or stay awake or needed a lift cramming for an exam...somebody always put on a pot of coffee. Not so much anymore. I think the pot of coffee is going out with the phone booth. Who puts on a cup of coffee anymore? Everything is microwavable, Starbucks, instant, now even Starbucks is coming up with an instant- jeeeez.... as Steven Wright joked "I put instant coffee in the microwave- I went back in time...!" And back in time is where you will have to go for a pot of coffee. Thank goodness for diners! A pot of the good stuff is still a staple. A strong black cup of diner coffee...hell yell!!!...take that Red Lightening Bull Hell Raising Monster Amped up- ZAP-O HEART BUSTER 1000 percent energy drink!!!!!

Diners coffee vs energy drinks....diners by 7! ;)

Drink up kids. Keep it as natural as you can and watch that caffeine for real. Use exercise to make your heart pump!

Have a nice energetic day. :)

Uncle Hippie chill

http://www.standupschool.com/
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis

Do the work. The honest way to feeling good.

Making people laugh is not such a hard job, actually it's a wonderful cool groovy job. The satisfaction you feel on stage when a tidal wave of laughter rushes over is absolutely life giving. It's like you're plugged into a human electrical current that recharges you and everybody around you...the feeling is electrically awesome.

My wish is that everybody at least once in their lifetime would get an opportunity to experience the rush of performing stand up comedy. That's why I don't blame people for wanting to get into it and when they do- getting hooked on it...without a doubt the attention, the love, the sensation of adoration is addicting.

I really love to see it when my students get acquainted this mystical love in happening the first time they take the stage in a live audience show. It can be overwhelming...a rollercoster ride they can't wait to do again and I can't blame them.

That's why I take my comedy classes very seriously. I want my students to succeed and I want them to succeed in the correct way and so not to fool themselves. What does that mean?

It means being honest with themselves and doing the work. I demand they write their own bits from personal experiences and never NEVER take somebody else's material. Don't be a mimic of a famous or more creative comedian....doing that will set their developement back years. Once you savor the nector of thievery it is hard to lose the taste for it...so don't even start. I am quick in my dojo to let a student know if he's 'sampling' somebody else's jokes. It is forbidden.

When you think about it there is zero need for being a joke thief when the whole world is out there for you to write about...there is SO MANY defects and inconsistancies in everyday life to twist and turn and have fun with....why would anybody take a joke???! It's counter productive and it garnishes you a reputation that stays with you and retribution can follow you to the higher levels of the business (if you ever get that far).
Actually I feel sorry for dishonest comics (notice I don't call them comedians)...I know they want to experience what the big boys and girls feel but they just don't have it and should take their toys and go home. The best thing they could do is start over - do the work - come back and succeed on their own merit.

I think this is true of any business. Being honest and fair has not gone out of style has it? Is there any better feeling than getting that promotion and knowing it was bona fide??!

Always do the right thing kids it really is the class way....at least in the dojo class it is. ha! see what I did there??? lol

Have a nice day. :)

ur Uncle Hippie chill

www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis
www.standupschool.com

Art?

What is art? I often call stand up an art form and comedians artists and have on a few occasions gotten an argument. I may remind those people that art is defined as a craft, a skill, creativity, expertise, ingenuity, cunning, obsession, etc etc etc on and on.

I believe that helping people laugh is an obsession of mine no doubt on and off the stage. Not that I am one of those dreadful comedians that is 'on' all the time. I find those artists annoying. I know they're just doing what they do but jeez save it for the show!

I think artists that use pictures have an advantage over comedians. The old saying 'a picture is worth a 1000 words' is apt for artists that draw, paint or use photography and film. The lowly comedian doesn't have that kind of time. We have to paint a picture and get a laugh using minimal words and expressions. There is no standing and appreciating our art form we have to something ready for consumption every 10 seconds or so. Phew!

Oscar Wilde said: "A work of art is the unique result of a unique temperament". I rest my case that attitude is a much needed part to the formula of a great spoken joke.

However this type of study and use of artful communication is not just for comedians anymore. The average person would be well off to take a comedy class or two (such as my stand up comedy dojo ..hint-hint lol) and learn how to shorten and clarify their thoughts as well as to how to use attitude and passion in speeches, pitches and everyday conversations.

The word is out on my class for this very reason and I have to believe this is why I get so many salespeople, teachers, policemen and others that are just there to experience the dojo, face a fear and learn to communicate using stand up comedy techniques that help them gain a perspective on their unique temperament.

Stand up is art. Effective communication is a unique result of getting in touch with your unique temperament and therefore an art form.

Go out and give somebody some passion and attitude! Take a comedy class somewhere.
Let art ring! ;)

Have a nice day. :)

ur Uncle Hippie chill

www.standupschool.com
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis

Aren't we all sometimes?

Ever heard the old saying 'ignorance is no excuse'? Who is that for exactly? Are the ignorant helped by such a saying? If they are then are they so ignorant after all? Should we update the saying to 'totally unfounded ignorance is no excuse either'?!!

My guess is 'ignorance is no excuse' is just a way of warning 'don't use the old I didn't know crap'.

Of course I don't think it takes a genius comedy mind to factor in that the truly ignorant probably aren't going to be helped by such as saying because ...well, that's not how the ignorant roll.

The dictionary gives the definition of ignorant as somebody that is uncultivated, uncultured, unenlightened, uninformed, unread, (anybody else visualizing certain family members?!!) unschooled, untrained, unintellectual, unwitting....unon and unon and unon.

I wanna help some people I come in contact with once in a while so I'd like to go on record as declaring right here and now that being an 'imbecilic bird.brain is no excuse'!
... 'mindless moron is no excuse'! ... 'obtuse thick or oblivious' is no excuse;!!! Not even if you are
...'naively shallow- NO excuse' ok ok for now that's it...however I maintain the right to amend this 'no excuse law' to include the 'witless'.

I rest my ignoRANT. ;)

Have a nice day. :)

Uncle Hippie chill

www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis
www.standupschool.com

What's funny about that?

What do you think is funny? You'd certainly think I'd know after having written and performed stand up for about 30 years as well as within that time frame written thousands of pop culture jokes for tv talk shows, cartoonists and a throng of other comedians in various situations from radio, film and such.

It's easy really, funny is anything that gets a laugh from the majority. Funny has to possess some kind of release from pain, confusion, misunderstanding, defect or inconsistency. Funny is articulate translation of being lost and taking a delight in gossiping or reporting back on it.

Funny is almost never shocking or anything that will make you cringe- that's a whole other release that may simulate funny but in close examination is not really. Shock laughs can be had but are never long lasting or memorable.

Funny should be something shared by all of us and reported on by a person of sympathy and attitude.

Surprise is definitely part of being funny...though there are degrees of surprise...it could be a quick or even drawn out reveal. If it's drawn out it must be compeling for the audience, something rich in character and or rarity of event.

Funny is the positive side of failing but yet continuing. Funny should draw the audience together. Too many new and unknowing comedians fragment their own audiences and don't even know it. Funny should be heartfelt and having a form/structure as to reach a part of everybody in spirit.

Funny should only be a ripple of tension then soothed.

You've probably guessed I could go on and on. Funny is life to me. It's not everything but it's right up there. Funny isn't it? ;)

Have a nice day.

yur Uncle Hippie chill

www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis
www.standupschool.com

*A message to women. Men cannot be changed. We can be altered a bit to fit the occasion but never completely changed.

Enduring interruptions.

It's the age of interruptions I guess. People interrupt MTV acceptance speeches and even the President of the United States giving a speech to Congress. Being a stand up comedian I get interrupted all the time even if it's just by somebody enjoying my show. Who hasn't been interrupted these days? Interruptions are a fact of life. This blog is interrupting your day...except perhaps you allowed it by taking the time to deal with my interruption.

lol...I was just interrupted by my gal and a news story while I was drafting my interruption of your day. That's true. Jeez!

I guess it's not that we're interrupted it's how we deal with it. It's hard to factor in time for interruptions because you never know when they're going to happen...that's why they're called interruptions huh?

The dictionary says an interruption is 'an interference'. Not to be confused with an interception...that's a good thing in football unless of course it was your quarterback that was interrupted by an interception and so the offense's plan was interfered with.

I think that's why we have patience...thank goodness for patience...it helps us deal with all these interruptions, interferences and interceptions of our time and space and gives us a capacity to endure them. Viva la patience! Whoever invented it was right on and something tells me in the coming age we're gonna need a lot more of it.

Have a nice day. :)

Uncle Hippie chill

www.twitter.com/chilichallis1

www.myspace.com/chilichallis

www.standupschool.com

Another comedy dojo today!

Well it's come around again, the start of a brand new stand up comedy class or as I call it the comedy dojo. It all starts tonight in Ann Arbor, MI at the historic Comedy Showcase. I will have some shiny new faces along with some regulars all waiting for me to inspire and coach. In 5 weeks they will face the fire of a live audience with only their jokes/bits written from personal experiences and of course made up lies- lol. That's what's good about stand up- everything doesn't really have to be the total truth...but it does have to be funny.

I will go through setup/punchline formulas and coach them on attitude 'selling' of their material. They will learn to 'live it as they give it' as I always say and they will hear my dojo mantra...
'Do the work'! For gosh sakes 'Do the work'!

Most of these people will never be a working stand up comedian however the dojo training will be very valuable to them as they will learn to be funnier and have more command of their thoughts and ways. They will get to know themselves better than most people because I will ask them to look inside and around. Writing comedy material is a lot about looking for and investigating in consistencies and defects in the world and your own!

I look forward to it all always! Come join me sometime in a live class or seminar or join my online class at www.standupschool.com . You'll see what I mean about how much goes into performing of stand up.

Have a nice day.

Uncle Hippie chill

www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis

Working it!

Some days you're simply too busy. Things slip and new priorities have to be set. I call it flow. Sometimes your flow much change, which of course is the nature of flow and you must make adjustments. This has been one of those days.

I am preparing to go to Chicago tomorrow and many things have come up. I am in the office working on my writing class that I will be conducting and my P.A. is making CD's for me to sell after the shows. They have to be burned into disks and then placed into packages ready to slipped out quickly and signed at point of purchase, of course everyone has to be checked for quality both in sound and prints.

Still things like preparing, packing, eating, making and taking calls, shopping etc etc-busy busy! It's all good but every minute is spoken for...show business is so glamorous ha!
If this was an hourly job I'd probably hate it but since it's my life's work I go at it like a kid at a candy store. That's the big difference- this is my business and it's hitting great strides lately on all fronts. I have to keep up and putting out extra effort is just the way it is, I'm delighted to do it.

As I'm writing this I just realized that I have new material I want to do and so I have to dig out the notes and cards and get that all ready. All I can say is I wish this for everybody! I wish everyone could have this kind of wonderful day. It's called being alive, active and immediate. May you all work this hard and if you do already - well then bless you and I hope you break a leg in all things.

I'll see you in Chicago if you can make it. I'll be at Walter Payton's Roundhouse Fri/Sat doing what I do and love. Sometimes it hard to believe I am enthroned to work like this. lol

Have a nice day.

Uncle Hippie chill

**I once worked at a company that made pink slips. It took me two years to realized I'd been fired.

www.standupschool.com
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis

Why find yourself?

The study of stand up comedy can be hugely important in your life. It has for mine. Real comic artists probably are in touch with their personal makeup better than most psychologists are with theirs.

I say 'real comic artists' because today unfortunately there are far too many faux comedians. They exist because of unskilled bookers and unknowing/uncaring venue owner/mgrs and such. It's a long sad story but all too real and because of this the audience suffers and for the most part is driven away. Stand up regrettably is an art form that can be faked to a certain point. The audience can tell but by then it's too late - the false prophet is already on stage and doing his or her damage to the art. Far too many of these so called comedians take the stage full of selfishness and with zero responsibility towards the audience. They actually have the nerve to think that the show and show business is about them. I digress.

Studying comedy helps you realize that people laugh at pain -YOUR pain. How do you find out about that pain? You have to do a study of yourself - a truthful in depth study. You have to discover how YOU truly think, react and have reacted to turmoil in your life. Comedy is about looking for defects...in the world and your own...mostly YOUR OWN.
How do you do this? A great way to start is by asking yourself the tough questions and being honest with yourself.
A few of the questions for instance are:
What makes you angry? What confuses you? What has been your reaction to certain circumstances in your life? And of course the Why question. Comedy is a lot about Whys? Just like a child Why? Why? WHY!????

We had the right idea in the 60's when everybody was in search of themselves....comic artists have continued this quest and your Uncle Hippie certainly did. Thanks to the feelings safari I have been on for nearly 30 years I know myself pretty well but I still to this day examine, probe and research. I still ask the- whys???
Actually this type of self exploration is not only enlightening but fun and it tends to sooth while relieving you of some pain when you excavate your consciousness. I suppose any art form will inspire you to do this but for studying stand up- it's a must.

As a coach and teacher of stand up I've gotten so that I can tell in a couple of minutes of watching a comedian if they've done their homework in soul searching or if they are just repeating what they've seen work or simply being a mimic. I can only say there are far too many mimics now and the audiences can tell. Despite the shock laughs that a few get there is no connection and the audience, despite perhaps laughing, leaves empty and without that 'gift' that an artist is supposed to deliver. For me that is sad and unforgivable. For without that 'gift' the audiences dwindle and have no real motivation to return and that my friends is exactly what's happening to too many comedy venues lately.

So what can the average person do with this? Study yourself. Keep a diary. Write down your thoughts and always ALWAYS go behind your feelings. Ask the why question a lot and give yourself some honest answers. You'll find yourself and you'll be ok! lol

Just something to think about.

Have a nice day. :)

yur Uncle Hippie chill

www.standupschool.com
www.twitter.com/chilichallis1
www.myspace.com/chilichallis

**I was a little different as a child. When we played hide n' go seek I concealed myself by changing my accent.

Chicago, workshops, and such.

This week I will be going to one of my favorite places- Chicago. I'll be performing at Walter Payton's Roundhouse. WPR as it's called in and around Aurora, Ill. is an amazing entertainment complex and has become a much favored stage for me to perform on and simply have fun. I have many friends in the windy city and of course many comedian pals that will stop in to see me. It's always kind of a mixture of work and party when I'm there and it's an honor when they take time out to watch you work on stage. When you can make comedians laugh you obviously have something extrordinary going on (at least that's what I tell myself) ;)

I will also as always hold a workshop for new and experienced comedians and writers. I admittedly love doing these types of instructional events because somewhere deep down inside the satisfaction of helping new artists feels good to me.

My schedule with writing projects, performing and classes has taken a real spike upward in intensity lately and that is by no means a bad thing. I invariably find the time to do it all and it works out to the benefit of everybody including myself.

I do make some money from teaching though I keep the cost per comic to ridiculously low prices. I understand that especially new people have little cash on hand these days to hire a pro writer and coach. Many know the deal I am giving them and of course a few (very few) don't get it. There's always a few fringe wannabe's that don't get anything -ever! That's just life:)

Pro writers and consultants (that would be me) get up to $200 per hour on studio deals yet sometimes I charge as little as forty bucks (that's correct JUST 40 measly bucks) for a workshop and even offer online help afterwards. So far I have only had one complaint most recently from a guy that just doesn't have a clue about show business or it's processes. He even had the nerve to complain to the venue I held the workshop in. He wrote to them that 'quote' .."...my follow up was horrible!"....LOL. I had to laugh as I do now when i think about it. So did the venue owners. This schmuck shot himself in the foot with the venue and me! Nice going huh? it's not everyday you can come close to ruining your career with one bs email ;)

Other than that I have a national rep that is growing in the best way possible, by the artists themselves promoting my workshops and acting as a street team to get people in. I appreciate that very much. It's nice to know there are people out there that understand this is practically missionary work by me.

I mean to make a difference in comedy from the ground up. I have taken on venues that short change comedians, club mgrs, bookers that run shoddy agencies and clubs and even other comedians that steal material and such. I will continue to do this forever. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

I do it because I love it. What other reason needs to be? Peace kids.

Have a nice day. :)

Uncle Hippie chill

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