36 hours to memorize those two pages of notes..... coffee helps, right?

Can four 90-minutes classes really give you the tools to get in front of a 125-person audience and be funny on command.

I don't think so.

But then again, what could prepare you for such a thing? There are plenty of tips and tricks that would make your first (and probably last) foray into stand-up comedy more successful. Talk into the microphone, speak clearly and try to be concise are just three of the basics I'm trying to remember as I plan for my showcase on Tuesday (I prefer to think of it as "my recital"). I'm at the point where I just want to get it over with.

I've sorta-kinda got my material figured out. I'm in total awe of my classmates who've memorized their stuff. One guy clearly spent hours choreographing his routine... not in a Glee kind of way, but every little word is memorized, with a corresponding action. He said he's been practicing in the basement.

I, on the other hand, have not been practicing. Well, that's kind of a lie. I said my routine to my dog while I cooked dinner last night. She didn't laugh.

One thing I've realized through Hey Eleanor is that often, when faced with a scary thing that's scheduled ahead of time (ie skydiving, my improv show, the TEDx talk), I'll put it in my calendar and then not think about it until the day (or hour) of. No use in freaking out once I've already committed to being somewhere. Eighty-percent of success is just showing up, right?

So that's my plan. I am just going to show up tomorrow night at the Phipps. I don't know how it's going to go. My mind may go blank. I could make a total ass of myself. But I'll never know if I don't try.

If you want tickets to the show (March 25 @ 7:30 in Hudson, WI), go here.