This week, like everyone else, I am reflecting on what I am thankful for. The thing I am most thankful for, is two years ago today, I got on stage at the Laughing Skull for the first time. It was a slow wind up for me, my first 10 months or so of comedy, I was only going up a handful of times a month and now if I do not go up between 3 and 8 times a week, I feel like I am missing out. I feel incomplete if I am not surrounding myself with comedy.
I am so thankful that over a year ago Joe Pettis, gave me a chance and put me on his shows. I am so thankful that people like John Michael Bond, bring great people to town and run shows that make people want to work harder. The Atlanta comedy scene is such a gift. In two years, I found my passion in life, I know what makes me feel alive, and I know what I want to spend the rest of my life doing. I am so thankful for that. Some people don’t ever figure that out or have an environment that supports it.
One of the open mics that pushed me to be a better comic was The Local, formerly on Tuesdays. I grew so much from going on stage there. Not to mention, their smoked wings are delicious (either before the open mic or after a show on the weekends.)
I had their smoked wings back in September after a really fun story telling show at the Big House on Ponce, hosted by Will Newton and “curated” by Dedrick Flynn. Both of these guys have been working really hard and run some fun shows. I always look forward to seeing them around. A few of us decide to head down Ponce to the Local for some late night wings and beers.
We get some pitchers and several flavors of wings. Laughter and hours of talking over each other ensue. We gushed over how the wings tasted amazing and just live in the moment. These kinds of moments around wings and comedy are true bliss. I can’t honestly describe the flavors or the tenderness of the meat but I know that it didn’t matter. What mattered was how much fun we had.
I can’t wait for the years to come: all the wings, all the open mics, all the shows, all the friendships, all the laughter, all the terrible sets, all the killer sets, all the late nights, all the PBR’s and High Life’s, and all of the Atlanta Comedy Scene.
Annie Lockwood 