Time Flies

It's been a week. This was to be a weekly journal. Damn. But you can see I have been busy. You can check out an interview I did with a great comic, James Stephens the Third. Or maybe you want to see how my novel still makes news in Chico? Or maybe you just want to know what I've been up to....well.....

Bummed Out Monday

With all the holiness of the last few days, it's no wonder I feel down. My girlfriend teaches kids all week long, but this is her spring break, which means, we finally get to spend some time together! We hiked for miles in Nicene Marks today.

My girl sticks by my side and reminds me that life is good. She grows with me.

Easter

I'm up before Jesus today. Thought I might catch him returning like a thief in the night. I checked my hubcaps, they're still there.

I'm leaving to go teach Comedy Traffic School in San Jose. I can guarantee you there will be at least three guys named Jesus in my class.

Holy Saturday

Nobody knows how to celebrate the Passion Play like the Roman Catholics of the Phillipines! On yesterday's Good Friday, more than 20 people got nails driven through their hands, were hoisted up on crosses and whipped!

People talk about being faithful, but this is real commitment.

Good Friday

Today was the day Jesus died on the cross, but this may not have been the case.

Religion is a mystery that even Nancy Drew couldn't solve.



Like Drew, I'm not done sleuthing. I think there is still evidence to dig up. Let's figure out this religion thing. Anyone with me on this?

To Donate Part Two...

I told my girlfriend about wanting to donate a kidney to comedian Max Alexander and her first response was, "Holy Shit." Second thought was, "why would God give us two kidneys in the first place", to which I responded, "To give one to somebody else." I mean, why not? There are 55,000 people on the kidney waiting list, and only `15,000 available each year. Thousands die waiting. Most of the donations come from recent cadavers, live donations are more rare.

How much is a kidney worth? The question is hypothetical as selling your organs is illegal in the US. But I would be less than honest if I said that my wanting to donate an organ is totally altruistic.

I do comedy. Comedy is in my genes, hence my name, DNA. My grandparents hotel in Monticello, New York was where Sid Caesar had his first gig. If I had read that a stock broker needed a kidney I probably would not have been as moved. But Max Alexander is an old school comic. Do I really think it will help my career to go through with this? Do I think that Jerry Lewis will show up in hospital room and give me an honorary roast? Do I think it will help me get on Jimmy Kimmel?

NO. Not really.

I mean look at this picture


Jerry Lewis could adopt me, guarantee me his estate and get me my own HBO series, and it wouldn't make up for the horror of having some doctor pick through my back looking for a kidney to remove.

Actually, now that I looked at that photo I gotta take a break.

Maybe I am crazy!

Comedy on the Road and Last Comic Standing

I'm starting to write for Chad Lehrman's website. Chad Lehrman is very funny. Here he is on Last Comic Standing.


Edgy! You can read about my last comedy tour at his site

www.sfstandup.com/blog/2008/03/11/taking-comedy-on-the-road/#more-189

Hit the links within the story for some great looks at Chico and beyond.

If you want to check out my experience on Last Comic Standing check out

www.sfstandup.com/blog/2008/03/03/last-comic-standing-audition-by-dna/

To donate or not to donate...

I read about Max and his need for a kidney on the SF Comedy Board, my one-stop shop for all local funny news. I was one click away from sending Max an email telling him I would gladly donate my kidney to him, when my 1% rational brain kicked in and said, "Check with girlfriend first." This was the first time I had heard from my rational brain in a while, so I drafted my text until further discussion could ensue.

F.Y.I.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Dear Friends of comedian Max Alexander,

Max has been quietly fighting Chronic Kidney Disease for the last four years. He is currently on kidney dialysis three days a week and searching for a match kidney donor. We can no longer be silent about what our friend is going through.

Max's kidney failure has also ravaged his finances. He can no longer work until they find him a new kidney. He is left with mounting bills, his enormous talent and his pride. We have discussed the idea of holding a benefit, but Max is embarrassed by the whole concept.


Therefore, we are starting a grassroots effort to help our friend who has defined the virtues of being big-hearted and generous over the years.

We encourage you to write a check to Max to help with his finances. We all need to take care of our own in this creative community.

We are doing this on our own without Max's knowledge because we are not going to let his pride get in the way of his literal survival. We love him too much for that to happen.

Please send what you can to:

Max Alexander
12009 Hoffman St. #204
Studio City, CA 91604

We leave you with two thoughts:

1. Please spread the word. We know Max has many friends and fans out there, so please pass along this note where appropriate.

2. If you, or someone you know, would be willing to be tested as a match kidney donor for Max, please contact him at the following email
address: maxalexander@ earthlink. net

If you have any questions, you may contact either of us via email or phone:

Rick Joyce — 310-925-8033 — Rick_joyce@cogencyc enter.com

Kevin Gershan — 818-216-9321 — Kevin.gershan@ cbsparamount. com