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I try to avoid talking about politics on stage. I let the political comedians handle that, since I think its hard to navigate unless you are good at it. Plus, I think people go to comedy shows to get away from all the negativity of politics, especially now. Recently, though I discussed some things I witnessed when I was in the same city as a Trump Rally. It was frustrating to see people dig in, on both sides, instead of just listening to the joke. The one place I do like to express my thoughts on politics is Twitter and sometimes on Facebook. I feel like those are places designed for negativity and the expression of "thoughts." Its funny because most people don't know that I actually was a lawyer before I did comedy and assume I am not versed in discussions involving politics and law, when in fact both of those were all I was focused on for most of my life. I don't get offended when people don't believe that I have a law degree, or that I practiced municipal law, which required me to understand governmental laws and regulations, therefore making me somewhat of an expert on issues of government. I also am not offended when people label me, when they assume I am liberal or conservative, because my viewpoint tends to favor the law, whichever party that supports in the argument at hand. I do get offended, however, when people attack my friends who have different viewpoints from them. I think we all can learn to listen. And I hope we all do our research instead of just listening to the 24 hour news cycles. #comedy #law #politics 
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It happened again. I was given a last minute offer that would require me to cancel a show, last minute. I did not know what to do. The new opportunity was a much greater one than the one I had to cancel, but if I cancelled, my thoughts are that I would jeopardize my relationship with the club and a comedian who I was working with. As a person who hates cancelling anything and also hates when people cancel on me, I did not want to put the club in that position. I also did not know if that would be me in hot water with them and the comedian. I did not know what to do so initially I decided to not to take it. Then I mentioned it to someone at the club who I was afraid to cancel on and they essentially said I was crazy not to take the new opportunity. Clearly, they want me to get new opportunities as they are on my team! So I reached out to the new offer and it was too late; they found a replacement. In hindsight, I should have contacted the club and felt out the temperature on if I cancelled. Times like this, I wish I had management to guide me through the decision making tree. Creatives complain about the percentages that are paid to managers but I would love to give someone 10% or 20% to navigate these waters. Lesson learned. #standup #careerchange #diy Photo by Conor Daly  We all face setbacks. And they affect everyone differently. When I was younger, certain setbacks or rejections would fuel my productivity and drive, making me stronger and more determined to succeed. As you get older and face more knock-backs, it gets harder and harder to overcome them. Sometimes instead of being more driven to succeed, you have to calibrate expectations and determine what the best response is and what, if anything, you can do to overcome it. Recently, I had multiple set backs in my career with opportunities, and I lost the drive and focus to succeed in my goals like I used to. Age and time will do that. I have chosen instead to calibrate and temper my expectations and go back to the drawing board to see what I can do to move forward. I want to do creative things in the space I create for myself. I need to keep trying. Thats what I did. I did not stay down and wallow in my losses. You gotta get back up. I mean, what are the other options, right? It's not like I can go to law school again. LOL #comedy #standup #careerchange  Last year I talked to someone on the business side of comedy who told me I was impatient and I needed to wait for things to happen in my comedy career. And I times I do feel like I push too hard for results or responses. But if I don't, who will? I don't think I have the luxury of waiting. Someone said comedy is an "old man's craft and a young man's game." That's true. I tour all over as a comedian and its harder to "compete" for spots and opportunities with people half my age and can be seen to have a longer career ahead of them. The energy needed to travel, perform, engage, and promote is designed for the young. Even if I am sharper and in better health than most people my age and half of the comedians who are half my age, I can't fight father time. I am on the other half of my lifespan. That's the appearance and reality. Six years ago today I knew I wanted to comedy full time and I left my law firm. Less than two years later, I stopped practicing law to focus on only comedy. Then the pandemic happened immediately after, hitting me and other live performers especially hard. I always feel like I am making up for lost time not just for the those years but because I started comedy so so late in life. So I can't wait. I have a constant feeling of urgency to get to the next level with this career, whatever that may be. #standup #comedy #careerchange  |
AuthorPaul Farahvar is a comedian hailing from Chicago, Ill. Archives
August 2024
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