Tired, People.
I’m in Portland, Oregon and I’m waiting in the dressing room to do my last two of six shows.
I forget how exhausting it is to do two club shows a night. I’m wasted. I still think it’s the best way to work out material but, man. It’s the real work.
I still firmly believe that the best way to see standup is in a club. I never do the same show twice. They’re not entirely different but they vary. Primarily because second shows are alway a battle against tiring repetition. I’m not really capable of auto piloting pretty much anything. All of my work requires all of me. It’s just the way it is. If I can’t show up for it, it’s not going to go well for anyone. Because of that, I have to make the second shows interesting for me.
I’m usually already a little loopy from the first one and very loose and generally in the zero fucks given zone. That’s where the new things happen. That’s where the stuff that only happens once happens. That’s when standup is very exciting. That’s where new bits begin to reveal themselves.
I always love coming to Portland. It’s like a hamlet of progressive politics and boundless culinary curiosity under usually gray, wet skies and it seems to be built on a geological foundation of ancient darkness that lives beneath the ground. It’s a balance. That’s my poetic interpretation of the Portland situation.
I remember the last time I was here I was a bit concerned about the city. It felt like it was collapsing on itself. Like the darkness was swallowing it. This time has been great.
I got out into Forest Park for the first time and it was amazing. I went twice. Hiked around. Took in the weight of the trees and air and rocks and roots. It was brisk and damp. I definitely got into some kind of high-like frequency. Cleared and filled my head simultaneously.
The food here is alway amazing. If you are a vegan and that is your life you may want to move here. It’s like vegan Valhalla. The end of the gut healthy road.
I didn’t get to many places but I did eat at Fermenter twice. That place is amazing. I met the chef/owner, Aaron. He gave me his cookbook. I have work to do. Obviously the name of the place explains the theme but a place like that, which is really one of a kind, requires a lot of heart and a bit of science. He makes his own krauts, tempeh, kombucha, hot sauces. It’s all amazing.
Also, I can’t say enough about the meal I had from Mirisata. Vegan Sri Lankan food. It was like nothing I’d ever eaten before. So fucking good.
I’ve had many legends on my show but I was honored to talk to Joan Baez. I really didn’t know much about her or her music but I dug in and had a very fun talk with her. Enjoy. On Thursday I talk to Jennette McCurdy about some very heavy family stuff that she wrote about in her amazing book, I’m Glad My Mom Died.
Enjoy!
Boomer, Monkey and LaFonda live!
Love,
Maron
