With all the turmoil in the comedy industry these days, it’s very easy to get caught up in the politics.  I’ve found myself working long and hard to secure some small slice of a pie for myself.  I’ve debated the business relationships I have, the priorities of my time, and the way I want to proceed, if at all, with my career.

Somewhere in this whole mess I’ve grown into the habit of feeling very defensive.  I often regret not giving the 100% that my comedy career ‘deserves’.  I would say I have not sacrificed enough, and now I stand close to the edge of the cliff of cynic.  But tonight, a chance viewing of the movie Law Abiding Citizen made me realize, I have not LOST anything.

I often wish I had gone east at least once by now, or really poured my heart into getting a JFL showcase.  I start to look at other comedians as measuring sticks, rather than comrades.  I wonder am I getting enough shows or exposure?  In short, I REGRET.  I regret not dedicating my 20s towards the cause. 

But tonight, I’ve realized all the things I DO have in my life as a much a result of my choices as what I DON’T have.  In truth, I haven’t SACRIFICED anything.  I have a wonderful day job that fulfills me.  I have the respect of my co-workers.  I have two wonderful sons, and I have a happy healthy relationship with them.  I am a Dad in the truest sense of the word.  I have a beautiful bride-to-be who supports me and believes in what I do.  I finally OWN a home.  I have a DVD (A second one taping next week) that people are actually willing to pay money for.  That still blows my mind.

Yes I am blessed.  I’m done bitching about the comedy industry.  It hasn’t changed, and never will.  I will smile and trudge with my head held high, because the feeling of lighting up an audience is unlike anything I have ever experienced in my life.

I haven’t posted in awhile due to the flux in the comedy industry.  It seems the powers that be really aren’t powers, and it looks like the Western Canadian Comedy landscape is poised to shift yet again.  So I’ll keep off of comedy until the dust settles, but trust me I’ll have a plan.

I’ve updated my coming events page; I’ll be in Edmonton, Red Deer, Saskatoon, Grand Prairie, and Regina all in the next two weeks!  I’m burning discs like crazy to be ready for the shows.  Please put the word out that I’m headed your way!

I’m also recording a new DVD during my Saskatoon shows.  I need these rooms full so tell everyone you know, your laughter can be recorded for the ages!

Melissa continues her studies towards becoming a Funeral Director.  In an odd twist of fate, she’s actually writing material!  Yes she will be making some open mic debuts soon so I’ll keep you posted.

I’ll be creating You Tube commercials for my Horizon products next week, and also I’m applying for the NSBA New Business Direction Award.  That would be a massive achievement for Total Care.

The kids are awesome; Max got the box set of Ninja Turtle movies for Xmas, check us out in full Ninja-wear!

One of the very cool things to appear under the tree this year was an easy-bake oven for Liam. He’s been hooked on Cake Boss lately, and keeps asking to bake and cook. The look on his face when he opened his present was magic.

This thing is COMPLICATED! It may look like a microwave, but it’s not. It functions like a pizza oven with a slot in the side to put in the pan. The device Liam’s holding is what you’re supposed to use to push it into the ‘oven’ portion. There is something really weird about pre-heating a light bulb. 15 minutes of preheating, 10 minutes of ‘baking’ and 12 minutes of cooling later and we all shared Liam’s first cake. It was actually quite good! Kids that can cook, now THERE is a good idea…

Well 2009 has come to a close and the year of Mattitude was amazing.  I have so much to be thankful for.  But my eyes are now pointed straight ahead and I see a very long road of hard work coming my way.

So it’s time to start making this blog and site (GASP) funny!  I think my grace period of ‘under construction’ is over, time to deliver on something worth reading!

So I’m happy to announce that I have now taken my sexy new fiancée Melissa, and marketed her!  Yes I’ve been able to distil her essence, and through a form of secret ninja magic, I have created a delicious version of her you can put in your mouth!

As you can read on the box, just one dose of Melissa can relieve stress and insomnia.  I have to tell you, every night before bed I make sure to take a bit of Melissa in its natural form and wow do I ever sleep well.  She’s great at relieving stress too, so try some of her today!  She’s available at your local Shopper’s Drug Mart.