Thoughts from the right margin

Anticipation couldn't stomach the emotions I went through last night. I had a definite bottomless pit of nervousness before the host called my name. Being at home in front of folks I've never seen before put me in a place that was all too familiar. "Open Mic Night" is the only night that still makes me feel the moment before my first "time." The crazy thing is that this first "time" is the same feeling every time before the next time. Many ask why the nervousness, but It's similar to the experience Richard Pryor expressed before every performance:

"I would get so nervous. I mean, I'd get so nervous the day of the show to the point I'd forget what it was I did for a living. I just wanted people to think my material was funny. I mean I didn't know if it was good enough before I went on stage. I just hoped they wouldn't boo me off stage."

No boos last night. An ovation, a few congrats, many handshakes, and the first step in a career. Many more to come.