Hello, friend…
The first day of October has come to an end, and it will resonate with me for one particular moment… it was the day I got my very first payment from sales of my comedy album. The actual amount I received is beside the point. But as I was walking to the grocery store, getting ingredients to make Nanaimo Bars with my pal Kirsten, as I was walking… I just heard comedian Leslie Jones in my head going “Do you realize you just got MONEY from YOUR COMEDY ALBUM??!! Fuck ya! Appreciate that shit!” I stopped walking for a beat. Yeah. Look at me go!!!
Now, I need to mention that I recently read Leslie’s book Leslie F*cking Jones. It’s an incredible book, raw and kind. Funny and a cold shower of truth. And oddly relatable… like, relatable to a point where I’d have to stop reading on the subway because I felt like she was really getting me. And we’ve never met. But the whole thread in her book of not taking shit from no one & appreciating your worth – it hit home. I know I need to get waaaay better at that, or Leslie is gonna have some words for me. 😉🫶
If the result of reading her book is more self-confidence? Amazing. If I now have an inner Leslie Jones telling me I need to appreciate myself & know I’m worthy of an opportunity? Amaaaazing.
The very first time I made money doing stand-up, I framed it. There’s a $20 dollar bill in my room, in a cute frame, the date I received it long faded away. But today, I got paid from an album of my jokes that people have bought!!! It’s kind of heady. I remember when I was handed that $20, my friend Allan saying: “you’re a working comic now, Kelly… use this to buy food.” Today I used my album money to buy food. I gotta take a moment to appreciate that. And if the chips ever get really down? I have that $20 in a frame. Money I made telling jokes.
I realize I’m a tiny fish in a big pond… but I’m in the pond, at least. I’m producing shows and making spaces for my friends to do their thing- whether they can walk in the room or roll in on their scooters. I had two shows this week that just solidified that I’m living a purposeful life.
I have a lot to learn, though. I have big items on my to-do list… along with things like remember to breathe. But I want the opportunities! I want to challenge myself!! As my inner Leslie Jones would likely say “put me in coach, let’s fucking GO!”
And you know what you can go do? Get my f*cking album!!! Please & thank you. I worked really hard on it. 😊 🫶
Xo.
Marriage & the Single Girl 