Now Appearing in an Extended Engagement! Join David Robison as he takes you into his world and his daily life of reviving a stand-up comedy career. Prepare for side trips exploring the "art" of salesmanship and business ethics and his experience with Multi-level Marketing. Enjoy some frequent detours describing his observations on life. Read the exploits of this self-proclaimed Renaissance-man and blooming blogger as you go
On The Road With Dave.
It's Saturday! I have waited all week for this day.
The wife and I are headed over to Gulfport this evening to watch The Duhks.
You may remember that I first discovered The Duhks back in February 2005.
This two-time Grammy nominated band from Winnipeg,(Hey Rocket, Canada can rock!) has an awesome sound that defies a good description. Part country, part bluegrass, part folk, part blues, and maybe part jazz.
They'll be playing at Slippery Nicks in Gulfport, Mississippi.
If you wanna hear a little of what I'll be enjoying tonight; The Duhks have 4 songs on their MySpace page that I think you might like.
For those of you that enjoy the visual, watch one of their videos here courtesy of YouTube.
I'll be enjoying a nice dinner, some awesome music, and a few beers tonight. Wish you were here.
"Lagniappe" loosely translated means "something extra" or gift added to a purchase; Used primarily in Texas and on The Gulf Coast.
But, it is also a bi-weekly Entertainment and lifestyle newspaper published in Mobile, Alabama. The newspaper includes restaurant reviews, the Police Blotter,(my favorite: it's amazing what people will do to get themselves in trouble), Entertainment news and schedules of local "happennings" on the Gulf Coast. You can also read commentary on local politics, and catch up on Arts, Film, Media, and Style.
The March 28th Issue features a cover story on the blogging phenomena. And as an added "something extra"; one of the profiles featured in the article is the author of "On The Road With Dave".
If reading the interesting, strange or funny details of strangers’ lives is your bag, you’re alive at the right time.
The serious voyeur in most of us can, with a few clicks of the mouse, now enjoy such weighty insight as someone’s "thing for Jelly Bellies. Only the fruity ones, not the weird kind like Buttered Popcorn." Or if that’s not your thing, perhaps the thoughts of a man who is "a liberal Democrat, enjoys a few beers on Friday night and an occasional shot of 1800 tequila."
Of course I’m talking about the growing popularity of blogging....
....For Dave Robson, who has www.ontheroadwithdave.com, and is a self-described "struggling, wannabe comedian," this was not the initial reason he began. He simply wanted to get in on the cusp of the blogging revolution. He had been a frequent commenter on several blogs and message boards and one of them issued a friendly challenge that he start his own.
Originally his audience consisted of friends and people involved in marketing, but he used it over time to help revive his comedy career. His content varies from marketing, to Mardi Gras and also has "Sunday Thoughts".
The columnist, Kinnon Phillips, contacted me several weeks ago about the article and sent me an email interview as well as following up with a phone call. I love the paper and read every issue so I was honored to be included.
Except Mr. Phelps...I mean, Philips spelled my name wrong. I guess I was so insistent that he didn't put in a middle "N" in my last name, that he left out the "i" as well. Oh well, what do they say? "Any press is good press."
Today, thanks to a summons from the Mobile, AL District Attorney's Office, we sat in courtroom 6100 to witness what we thought would be the end of the saga.
We got to sit through several interesting plea arrangements and deals made by some of the people there.
Two gentlemen settled Worker Compensation claims. One made an arrangement with their employer to accept a $100,000+ settlement including an open medical agreement that the employer would pay any future medical claims arising from the accident.
The other settled for $3500 plus an open medical arrangement.
Another young lady agreed to a drug test and apologized to the court for missing her probation officer appointment and asked for more time regarding sentencing due to other pending charges. Her original request for trying under a "youthful offender" stipulation was pending based on the other factors.
The defendant in my "stolen car" case faced more charges.
It seems he would be in court today as well as tomorrow, and his attorney asked to have the other cases as well as today's cases lumped together for a date in the future. It seems he had to take off from work on both days and that was a hardship.
I found out that along with possession of stolen property(my case); he was also facing charges that included selling an illegal substance to an undercover officer. There were other charges and stipulations regarding his disposition as well.
The case was rescheduled for 60 days in the future. The DA thanked me and my wife for showing up and assured us that the defendant would be convicted.
We finally left the courtroom before the next case that involved a guy in cuffs seeing his public defender prior to a plea.
"It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"
He called himself Lawdawg and he wrote his "law blawg". He never revealed his identity, but he gained respectability among Quixtar critics and the Quixtar IBOs willing to debate the critics.
I didn't always agree with his views regarding Quixtar OR MLM in general, but I always respected his views. He "won" some cases, and in my opinion he "lost" some cases.
And now, LawDawg says Farewell.
Continued best wishes.
Well it appears that the archive of postings left by the "Dawg" have been usurped by some other owner or squatter of the http://mlmlaw.blogspot.com/ domain.
What appears at the URL now is gibberish or a foreign language that I do not have the language pack for. Nothing is intelligible except a few English letters.
It's a shame that this resource is now gone from the Internet.
Quixtar IS listening to every comment made at the Opportunity Zone.
Yesterday I commented on a new policy being implemented at "the Zone" regarding adding an email address or name to an entry when a commenter writes at any of "the Zone" blogs.
I wasn't the only one that found problems with the policy; many made comments regarding their privacy.
Quixtar Listens. An update was posted today to the entry.
3/22/07 Update:
Just to clarify – we will continue to publish comments submitted under a pseudonym and anonymous comments.
Also, as a response to the concerns expressed by some of our readers, we will post a privacy policy that will spell out how we're going to use – and not use – the email addresses you submit with your comments.
Finally, some readers were worried about the potential retribution from Quixtar against IBOs criticizing the business or the corporation itself. We understand the anxiety that can sometimes come with putting your opinion on the line for all the world to see – every blogger on the Quixtar side of the Opportunity Zone feels this from time to time too!
But Quixtar is not and never has been interested in "retribution" against IBOs for any reason. Are we interested in enforcing the Quixtar Business Rules of Conduct? Of course, and any Rules violations that come to our attention via any medium will always be appropriately investigated. But criticizing and questioning any aspect of the business should never be cause for worry about any kind of action from Quixtar.
I shouted on the rooftop when Quixtar announced its Opportunity Zone. A website filled with the blogs of corporate PR folks at Quixtar. The fact that Quixtar was opening up a discussion with the hundreds of bloggers and blog commenters that have been discussing the pros and cons of Amway and Quixtar for years was inspiring and motivating for all Quixtar Independent Business Owners.
And the discussions at these new blogs have been lively. And the PR folk at Quixtar have engaged on every front to one degree or another.
But today, I read that a new policy of an email requirement before one is allowed to comment is being instituted; and a suggestion to leave a full name is also being promoted.
Granted, many blogs require an email, and for the record, a "throw-a-way" email address isn't hard to come up with. For that matter, a fake name isn't exactly going to be investigated for "realness" or not.
But the policy struck a chord with me and I decided to comment. The comments are moderated at "the Zone"; so it might not be viewable at the moment, so I'm reprinting my comment here, now.
Everyone pretty much knows my full name; but for the record, my middle name is Wayne and my entire name was chosen out of a hat at a baby shower.
The idea of promoting transparency was an idea I greatly admired at the outset of the Opportunity Zone.
Yes, the revelation of Bobble and Kia's real names were a welcome change even before the institution of the Opportunity Zone.
The slippery slope that I see forming may be the result of an overwhelming response by commenters here at the Zone, with a fair amount of negative comments once not addressed by the company.
The PR nightmare is that a Pandora's box has been opened and cannot be shut now; without detriment to the idea of transparency.
But, the problem is not with the transparency of the commenters; it still lies on The Corporation.
You have began this road...and now I believe you see trouble ahead and want to steer clear.
Suggesting the use of full names or email addresses is non conducive to "the discussion".
If you truly want feedback then you must accept the anonymous nature of some commenters. Without assurance of their privacy, you will stifle the feedback that the corporation MUST have to make changes.
It's STILL about YOUR transparency, not the detractors.
As an IBO who praises this company, as an ex-PR professional, and as a fellow blogger, please reconsider this policy.
David (Wayne) Robison davidrbsn@aol.com AND dave@ontheroadwithdave.com
By the way, for those looking for a fake name, might I suggest George Glass and for an email Gglass@hotmail.com.
10 Brownie points awarded to the person who catches the reference.
These days you never know how long a video will be up at YouTube before some legal beagle has it pulled. So watch this video now, before it's too late.
How many of the child stars can you pick out that don't sing a major part?
There's a war in Iraq. Reported genocide in Darfur. Hunger in the Sudan. And you are probably worried about what to cook for supper or if you can wait until Friday to pay the electric bill. Or, you may have a medical concern that is worrying you.
We often shut out all problems that aren't related to our own well-being. It can be stressful watching television news. Do we really want to know who killed whom; who stole something; who died an untimely death?
Sometimes we don't need to shut out the world's troubles. The troubles affecting our "neighbors" should cause us some stress. It should inspire us, activate us, call us to action.
I discovered a website that currently lists all the "troubles" being reported in the World.
Sponsored by the Havaria Information Service, the site is a world map including short-time and ongoing events, as well as seismic activity, inclement weather, environmental and biological hazards and airplane accidents. The map lists the general event and location and you can click on the link to read the details.
You may not see these events on your local news unless your locale is where the event is taking place.
Need a reason to write a congressman, donate to a charity, become politically active, or renew your faith-based works? This map brings it into perspective.
If anything, the knowledge of what is happening to your fellow humans in another part of the world may just make you grateful for your own little corner of the planet.
Need some examples?
It's 5:40PM CDT as I type this sentence. Here's some current events.
Heavy snowstorms in India (Jammu and Kashmir) resulting in landslides in Panthihal area which disrupted traffic on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway. Many places in Kupawara district experienced heavy snowfall, prompting residents to take to kangris (earthen fire pots used to keep warm) or other modern gadgets for beating off the cold.
The University of Queensland, is investigating the causes of a rapidly-emerging coral reef killer known as White Syndrome, and has found unexpected results. Instead of being killed by bacterial invaders as previously thought, Ms Ainsworth's studies reveal that the cells within the coral activate programmed cell death, or PCD - a cellular process which acts like a self-destruct mechanism.
Due to prolonged dry weather, Swaziland might soon face its worst food shortage in the last 25 years. Maize prices have increased by 80 percent over the last month and are forecast to double by harvest time in April/May.
Puerto Rico experienced a 3.3 earthquake in the last 24 hours.
2 people were hurt in Lincoln City, Oregon when a plane crashed.
The Huila Volcano in Columbia is at an Alert Orange level with elevated activity.
The map is continuously updated as the Information Service collects data.
I just posted my experience with my first Mobile, Alabama open mike at Comedy This Exit. I can say that I have crossed the threshold from "wannabe" comic to "struggling comedian". And it feels pretty good.
I've read about 2 dozen articles on the life of Richard Jeni and many tributes to him from other comedians; but none touched me like the tribute given by Lamont Ferguson.
With Lamont's kind permission, I'd like to reprint his words from the heart, from one comedian to another.
Thanks Rich Jeni
I am a 24 year comedian. I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Richard Jeni numerous times early in my career. I owe a large thanks to him for helping me to become the comic that I am today. It was nothing that he said to me nor anything he did, other than requesting me to open for him. It was being able to watch and study how he performed the craft. The art.
I have had the honor to work with some of the great artists in the field and learn from each of them. Bill Cosby(timing, pacing, the art of the question segue), Steve Harvey(confidence and presence), Larry Miller( the power of the silence), George Lopez (presence and connection) and Richard Jeni.
My approach to stand up is an odd one. I study the craft. I'm big on theory and all the nuances that add to the performance and creation of a good/great comic.
Rich has never received the credit for what a great comic he was. The Comedy Central list that is being used as a watermark for comedians by the media has him listed at #57. I know it's not an official list that really means anything, but to the unknowing general public, it's a shame. 56 comics better than Jeni?! Wow! I don't know 56 other comics off the top of my head.
The fact that more people know the name Dat Phan as a comedian than Richard Jeni is a testament to how odd comedy has become in the past 20+ years.
No one was more comfortable on a stage than Richard Jeni. I watched him, studied him. He taught me that there was more to a stage than that 3 foot area in front of the center mic placement. I learned the difference between having 45 minutes and having a headlining act. When he took the stage, he would remove his jacket and place it aside. It subliminally let the crowd know that he was going to stay a bit and chat with "friends" When he was ready to leave, he would quietly grab his jacket and put it back on. Never saying that he was leaving, but the dynamics that would take place in the room changed. The audience knew he was about to leave, they would lean forward in their seats, pay closer attention. Wanting to soak up every last minute they had remaining with the man they came to see. It was quite a thing to witness night after night.
I thought to myself. "I like that, that's cool." When I started headlining and trying to become a better comic, I started utilizing the same technique.
Watching a great comic is like watching a great musician. Watching Richard Jeni was like watching a violin virtuoso. It was beautiful.
I was just talking about Rich on Friday night. I was speaking with the comics I'm working with and talking about the people I learned from along the way. I mentioned the jacket thing and how much I learned from Rich.
Every time I remove my jacket onstage and then put it back on towards the end of a set, it's because of a something I learned from being able to work with one of the best of the best ever.
I know as cynical as comics are--there are those of you reading this and mocking it as if to say--"Every time I drink from my beer onstage- it's because I learned from Ha Ha." I know--I hear ya-but I'm telling you what I know.
It's odd that Rich was on my mind this weekend. I hadn't spoken to him in quite awhile. Between Friday and Saturday- I did 5 shows and received a standing ovation on 3 out of the 5. The first thought I had after getting offstage was of Richard Jeni. I thought that was only possible because of being able to work with the great comics that I learned from and I learned the most about PERFORMING from him.
I then woke up this morning and saw the news of his death. And the only thing I can say...is...Thank you Rich for making me and others want to be a better comic. Thank you for treating the art form and craft that I love with such respect. Thank you for leaving the world a little better than it was before you came.
I answered David's blog, but decided to elaborate a bit further here at my own blog.
The story goes that I was 8 years old and, as was the Robison family custom, we were watching The Ted Mack Amateur Hour on a Sunday afternoon. For those that are too young to remember; the Ted Mack's Original Amateur Hour was a precursor to shows like The Gong Show and now, American Idol.
During the fabled episode, I saw a young girl doing a ventriloquist act. In my memory, she was younger than me, but she could have been my age or older.
I heard people laugh. I heard applause. And I said "If a girl can do that, then so can I"
You have to understand that at the time, girls were not high on my list of favorite things. (8 year old boys often have a distaste for girls) Rest assure, I recovered from that malady.
After seeing her, though; I wanted to do nothing but prove that I could be a ventriloquist. I made religious trips to the library to check out books on ventriloquism, ventriloquists, and comedy. The next Christmas, I received my first "Danny O'Day" ventriloquist doll and an instruction record; and began performing a few months later.
If that was not enough, after I had turned 12 years of age and had been performing ventriloquist shows at birthday parties, library shows, and civic meetings; I was allowed to stay up until Midnight on New Year's Eve to see the New Year in. After watching the ball dropped on Times Square at 11CST, I turned the TV channel and saw this guy named Orson Bean telling a very funny and, what I considered, "adult" story to another guy sitting behind a desk. Of course, the other guy was Johnny Carson.
I stayed up every night after that with a cassette recorder and a microphone cord wrapped around the TV channel knob so that it strategically hung in front of the TV speaker to record Johnny's monologues. (Yes, the cassette recorder had a hand-held corded microphone and the TV had actual knobs) I would perform these monologues verbatim the next day at school for the benefit of my friends who were not yet allowed to stay up until midnight. They laughed and laughed and thought I was a comic genius.
I could probably count on less than a handful of fingers the number of times I have neglected to post my weekly "Sunday Thoughts". Yesterday was one of them. Yesterday was also included in a week of days that included no postings at "On The Road With Dave."
So to make up for the absent "Sunday Thoughts", here's a "Monday Musing" that comes to me via a comment from Beth Dornan.
