1-25-2015
 The cough that wouldn't die wiped me out this season. Here are a few pics I (but mostly Jason) took before the sickness consumed my dumb weak body. (DRAMATIC!) 12-25/12-27 
I do stand-up comedy in Chicago. I’m in bars, clubs and coffee shops a lot. Some men in bars, clubs
and coffee shops are bonkers. I have no empathy for men who are resentful of women’s negations. Some dudes can’t comprehend that women go out in the world and are not looking for male attention. If you are unfamiliar with this practice here are a few personal comments I have received from men at stand-up venues that may explain the sentiment in which I am referring: “Why are you here if you don’t want to talk to me?!” “Here’s the red velvet cupcake you ordered. I like a girl who eats.” “Are you wearing rain boots? That’s hot.” Most dudes leave in a huff when this Huff says buzz off. I don’t understand. Why are you mad at me for saying no? I am not here to make eyes with you I’m here to shove this cupcake in my face and then act like a spaz on stage. Why are you giving me the “oh, she’s a crazy woman” look? I am not a crazy woman. I am saying no thanks to your weird rubber boot fetish. I am not the odd ball here. I’m at work. Leave me alone. I never understood the other perspective until a month ago when I was on the tail end of such an exchange. In between two stand-up gigs I ran into the silver, tinseled hula hoop bicycle man on the busy corner of Damen and Milwaukee and North Ave. During my altercation with this shiny human I became the “Why are you here if you don’t want to talk to me?!” guy. And I learned something. If you don't visit the west side of Chicago, the tin bicycle man is a Wicker Park staple. A month ago I was performing and in-between gigs I decided to take out my new camera (and was pretending I knew how to use it.) My goal was to capture the sights of a typical night as a Chicago stand-up comic. I was taking shots of street graffiti and drunk people, because you know, ART! I was thrilled when the silver bike caught my eye. I started focusing my lens and prepared to snap some pics but Mr. Silver wouldn’t hold still. So I followed him across the street. I was changing my F-stop (Yeah, I finally figured out what that was) and as I raised the camera to my face the silver gentlemen said “Come on lady. Leave me alone!” I was stunned and mumbled, “Gawd. Sooooorrrry.” (Because years of improv training has really honed my snappy comebacks). I was mad at him. Really mad. Thinking about his reaction made me more and more angry. If you are unfamiliar with my rage here are some of my thoughts that may explain the sentiment in which I am referring: Why are you dressed like that if you don’t want attention? Why ride into a crowded late night area with tinsel on your stupid head if you don’t want people to take your fucking picture? Come on, you’re here for this. I know you are. Stop playing. You want your picture taken. Dummie. Okay, you’re crazy. That’s it. It’s not me. It's 100% YOU! You’re a batshit crazy person. You’re probably a murder and that silver tinsel is just a costume to hide all the bloodstains. And you know what? You think somebody else is going to want to take your picture? They don’t. No one wants you. NO ONE!!! I don’t even care that much you or your picture! Jerk-off. Whoa. The truth is I was embarrassed because I misread the situation. Then I felt guilty because I acted like an asshole. I realized I wasn’t thinking about him at all. I was thinking about myself. I then turned those feelings into anger and blame because that was way easier than dealing with complex feelings and issues rattling around in my brain. Whoa, again. My bad. I want to apologize. I'm so sorry sparkly silver stranger. I realized this may be how those “Why are you here if you don’t want to talk to me?!” dudes feel when I say buzz off at bars, clubs and coffee shops. I get it. I felt it. I understood. I also understand that empathy is not consent. Tinsel man has every right to refuse to have his picture taken in a public space just like I have a right to say get lost when male strangers talk about my cupcakes while I am preparing my set list. My new understanding doesn't mean I now WANT strange men to approach me. That’s not how empathy works. I simply have a better understanding of how some men may feel. I have empathy where I didn’t before and isn’t that how real communication starts? And isn't communication the gateway to change? And wouldn’t it be grand if the “Why are you here if you don’t want to talk to me?!” guys learned empathy as well. What I'm saying is, sometimes you need an interaction with a twinkly dude on the streets of Chicago to remind you how powerful empathy can be. Sparkle on, sir. Sparkle on. Originally Published in Comedy of Chicago Staff Writer - Kelsie Huff Kelsie is a producer, writer, storyteller and stand up comedian based in Chicago. You can catch her performing at top clubs and showcases all over town (Zanies, Laugh Factory, UP Comedy Club) as well as at her own showcase - the kates a bi-monthly show in Lincoln square. 
It’s cold. It’s icy. It’s Chicago in January. Seems like the perfect time to snuggle up with a notebook and hash out some new stand-up material, right? Wrong. What happens when the winter sludge starts to effect your motivation? Here are a few ways to spark you back into writing, even if you have some major Chicago winter blahs.
1.) Change Your Environment Hibernation is real. It’s hard to drag yourself out but sometimes a change of scenery is just what your brain needs. If you are a “no pants, lay in bed with a lap top on your stomach” kind of writer, put on some drawers and head out to a coffee shop. If you like to write over lunch break at your day job, get up from your cubical and find a quiet corner of the cafeteria. Start free writing, focusing on your new space. This can stimulate your brain. If you write on your feet but can’t seem to put on boots and head out to open mics, do some bits in your bedroom. Maybe you’ll finally get some material for that Vine account you never use. 2.) Phone a Comedy Friend We’re all in hideout mode. We all need to shake each other out of it. Reach out and make a writing partner or open mic date with a pal or two. Forcing yourself to face another human will make you less likely to put on those holiday jammies from your Gran and pass out by 7pm. It’s called accountability and it’s a great way to shame yourself into doing stuff. 3.) Use Your Holiday Cash & Take a Writing Class If you can’t seem to write a word (or even get out of the house) fork over some cash and take a class. If you have the extra holiday cheddar why not use it to invest in your dang self? It will force you out, you’ll meet some new folks and get some material out of the bargain. If you’re short on scratch, host a writer’s workshop at your apartment or have a bunch of pals meet up before an open mic once a week. Give yourself challenges and assignments. Do them. Don’t just chat and drink. Or chat and drink if you want. What am I, your dang mom?! 4.) Shake Up Your Material & Writing Process. If you’re sick of everything that comes out of your mouth try to write something completely out of character. If you’re a storyteller, try writing some one liners. If you're blue, try writing five minutes of corporate material. If you primarily write on your feet, try sitting down and creating a structured set on the page. You may find something weird and wonderful or you may hate the exercise so much you’ll have a new appreciation for your old writing ways. 5.) Step Out of Your Comedy Bubble Comedy is a wonderful obsession but that love can also make for stale stand-up. It’s hard to create new material when you’re only performing comedy, writing bits, and watching comedy shows. Stand-up is about filtering your life experiences. So you know, go have some. January in Chicago blows but that doesn’t mean your writing has to. Make the most of this character building bullshit weather. Good luck jokers. Stay warm! Originally Posted in Comedy of Chicago Staff Writer - Kelsie Huff Kelsie is a producer, writer, storyteller and stand up comedian based in Chicago. You can catch her performing at top clubs and showcases all over town (Zanies, Laugh Factory, UP Comedy Club) as well as at her own showcase - the kates a bi-monthly show in Lincoln square. |
Kelsie Huff
maker of jokes. eater of hot dogs. creator of hiccups. Archives
January 2018
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