Andrew J. Lederer

Came in, not sure my jacket wasn’t hanging unflatteringly on me beneath my backpack.

I’d put it back on when leaving the bus to brave the wet, windy walk to the venue, after which I, well -- agonized is probably an overstatement – but I vacillated between the notion of stopping to fix myself up and entering as I was. The result tended toward the latter and, well – maybe I am agonizing a little over the fact that I rushed to a hidden spot upon entry, wanting not to be seen until I knew I was visually credible.

Damn.

Phil Nichol saw me before I was ready to be seen and I waved to him uncomfortably. That’s all I need – to be perceived by him as a socially uncomfortable, misfit weirdo.

Of course, he probably already sees me that way. I hung out with him the first night in Montreal this summer and then, the next night, I gave him the “are we friends now or should I still keep the distance of a mere acquaintance” look, a look guaranteed to make him flash a “keep your distance look” in return

Since then, I’ve been able to face him only with a needy, uncertain, “Do you like me? Please like me. If you don’t like me, why don’t you like me?” expression. Maybe if I’m funny tonight, we’ll find a new basis of understanding, rooted in his perception of my greatness.

Actually, he came over to here after I started to write this and was straightforward and nice. But I’m still pretty sure I was right about the dynamic, such as it is (since we barely know each other) between us.

What, I wonder, will this night bring?


(show begins)


More insecurity as Brett Vincent enters and acknowledges me. Paul Byrne, entered and, directorial ear cocked and ready, gets upset about an (unfixable says Phil) buzz in the sound system.

Richard Herring smiled a greeting. I attempted to respond in kind instead of withering.

Jeff Green -- funny guy.

I think Tiff said she meant to put me on before Jeff Green but screwed up somehow. Anyway, I’m now scheduled to be second in the second segment.


(interval)


Paul Byrne fixed the sound during the interval, after which, a guy he seemed to be working with – an alliteratively named Canadian (two m-names, I think) was exceptionally funny.

I went up third and I think the audience liked me – no real brilliance, though. (Guess I’ll have to be insecure around Phil Nichol a while longer.)

Coming up next: Richard Herring has the third segment to himself.



Related Earlier Posts:
http://blogs.chortle.co.uk/andrewjlederer/2006/10/17/ups_and_downs
http://blogs.chortle.co.uk/andrewjlederer/2007/07/20/met_frank_skinner
http://blogs.chortle.co.uk/andrewjlederer/2007/07/24/just_for_laughs_professional_interaction
http://blogs.chortle.co.uk/andrewjlederer/2007/08/19/what_was_i_asking_yesterday
http://blogs.chortle.co.uk/andrewjlederer/2007/08/20/3_good_shows_today
http://blogs.chortle.co.uk/andrewjlederer/2007/08/21/south_bridge_new_york
http://blogs.chortle.co.uk/andrewjlederer/2007/10/22/i_m_at_old_rope
http://blogs.chortle.co.uk/andrewjlederer/2007/10/23/couldn_t_wait
http://blogs.chortle.co.uk/andrewjlederer/2007/11/12/i_thought_tonight_i_d_be_a_clear_headed_
http://blogs.chortle.co.uk/andrewjlederer/2007/11/19/i_m_wet_and_cold