Lay-offs can be a blessing

Since moving to seattle in Late 2004 I have been through some big changes, spiritually, mentally and emotionally. I guess its all about growing up. I've went from being in a Long term relationship to being single, moving from a small city to a big city, going from performing at bars to performing at comedy clubs, and going through two careers.

I've learned alot and felt like I've alot. Even after having a business degree i thought i knew everything but that wasn't the case. I worked two yrs as a Realtor which a frickin rollercoaster because sometimes you get paid big and sometimes you were broke as shit. Then I got a job as an Advertsing Consultant which was one of the best experiances in my life. In my first year with the company I got to travel with the company's elite and go to major markets and work for two weeks with everything paid for. I met so many people and got to see a bunch of wonder things and party and gained some great friends. Also I booked shows at the comedy clubs in the city I was working in at the time and also got met some other cool comedians.

Along with all the money I was making, all the trips i got to take, and this and that, working there put me in a situation which at times made me question my career path. I knew I had a passion for making people laugh but at the same time I was in my mid-20's, single with no kids and making money that can support a family so I was wasting money clothes, going out and partying blah blah and at times forgetting my true passion.....making people laugh.

I was torn between the two. I mean people would tell me that I should move to LA or NYC and pursue my dream in comedy and at the same time I have my parents who were proud that I had a good job and doing well and also telling me my next step is to find a wife...lol....I would tell myself that if a postion opened up in LA or NYC I would take it and then I could work comedy down there but really I was so comfortable in Seattle. I mean I had made some great friends, the city was treating me good, I love the mariners and got see them alot while I lived here. What was I to do? I kept putting aside the move until it felt right, but really it felt so right here in Seattle.

On April 2nd 2009 at 9am I got laid off, I didn't even see it coming, they called us in to the big conference room and the first thing they said was,
" as you guys know our company is moving in a different direction...."
Right then I knew what was coming, the lay-off, I've heard of it, Ive seen it, but I didn't think it was gonna happen to me.
I always had this image of me walking up to my boss and saying,
" Umm hello Boss, as you know I do comedy at night and well I got a big offer from Hollywood so......I quit mazza fahcka!"

Yeah not quite, I just got laid-off, part of me was sad and part of me was happy. I felt like weight was lifted off my shoulders and at the moment I knew what my true calling was....to be a comedian. I couldn't think of a better sign to tell me to get the eff out of Seattle and pursue my career, passion and dream. I kind of wish it went the way I wanted it to be where I got a big deal and walked into my boss's office but i'll take this one.

Here is the weird part, on the same day I was laid-off I was already scheduled to fly out to Boston to work at one of the comedy clubs out there for the weekend. It was like I left one career and right away stepped into my final one. ( Unless an Ad Agency wants me to come write commercials for them, that's my other passion is writing commercials or my other dream)

It will be a little sucky leaving the friends ive made, the women I met..lol and the city that helped me grow as a person and as a comedian.

NEXT BLOG....DRUNKEN STORIES!!!!