Richard Glen Lett's Life According to Blog

he's back

2011-05-30T01:19:00.000-07:00

facebook/richardglenlett

after a couple years, and some extensive time in rehab and recovery, I have decided to return to this blog. I hope it will be as enlightening and entertaining as it was formerly deranged and disturbing before. This is proof that life does have second chances, and people can change.

Delete delete delete

2009-10-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

I am taking the 5th (an American term for shutting the fuck up) as to the events of last Tuesday and anything I may or may not have seen that evening - as well as anyone I may or may not have been in contact with on that evening. All photos and referances have been deleted and I would ask my readers that may have copied them, that out of respect for me and with the knowledge that this is a serious matter, to delete them as well. This is the last I will speak or write of this. Thank You. RGL

PS yr not gonna see me at any Open Mics again.

facebook/richardglenlett

after all this - we are still loved.

2009-10-01T08:11:00.000-07:00

there comes a point when nothing makes sense, and everything is dark, and we think we can't take any more.

and then it gets better.

facebook/richardglenlett

i have a thing for TW

2009-09-29T16:13:00.000-07:00

facebook/richardglenlett

hanging out with musicians and poets.

2009-09-29T09:48:00.000-07:00

Jim Byrnes is the iconic quintessential artist, and my friend!!

facebook/richardglenlett

slamming in NYC

2009-09-29T09:43:00.000-07:00

i'm booked to perform at the IndieFeed/Urbaba showcase in NYC on October 27.

facebook/richardglenlett

http://www.indiefeedpp.libsyn.com/

Richard Glen Lett's Life According to Blog: Up and at 'em

2009-09-29T08:31:00.000-07:00

Richard Glen Lett's Life According to Blog: Up and at 'em
www.myspace.com/funny4money
www.facebook/richardglenlett

Up and at 'em

2009-09-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

I must say, for a guy that's battled back from Cancer just so he can be black-listed on every stage that doesn't count in this city, I'm feeling pretty good.
I am broke beyond normal, but this is keeping me from eating all that fattening and expensive food.

Meanwhile the show is starting to gel. In order to do this properly, I have to draw a solid team around me, and to distance myself from other projects that don't serve that agenda.

I have brought two of THE smartest theatre people anywhere - into the project. Michael Schaldemose, who has too many awards in too many areas to list, but the most important one for me was the work we did together on "The Clutch" (my one man show circa 1999)

That show had been directed before by Liesl Lafferty, which had left it emotionally damaged and vulnerable. Mike took on the project, got it back on it's feet, and turned it into one of the most FUN times I've ever had on the stage, and probably my best work. We've only had one meeting about "Never Be Done" (NBD), and he's already got it rolling. He said to me "We need a journey. Nobody cares where you go on this journey - as long as we get SOMEWHERE." Love the guy, and happy I have a show he wants to do, cause he's a gas to work with.

The score that puts me into category of Steely Eyed Motherfucker is Lori Triolo.
She ran the Beaumont for five years, directed every cool piece of theatre in town, starred as a regular on every goddm TV series shot here, and most importantly, is a dynamite New York Italian Goddess. Vancouver has been lucky that she fell in love with a Vancouver Guy, so she lives here. I had met her on a couple occasions, but mostly we knew each other by rep.

A couple months ago, I was having a smoke outside the Celluloid Social Club and she was too. I not sure how much of my show was conceptualized at that point, but the need for something interesting to say to this person (because I respect her ALOT) and my desire to finally work with her (there had been a couple projects where both our names came up that didn't follow up), inspired me to aggressively pitch her on the show with the idea of her producing it. To be honest, it was a long shot. But it gave me the kick I needed to put some ideas down on paper and sure enough a few weeks later, she came to my place. I showed her the film, Ashley (DVD director) and I made together, showed her my Cast and Crew so far on the big screen. I got her a beer and I sang her some songs and did some poems - pitched my ass off. She left with a smile and a promise to think about it.

Well she did, and SHE'S IN!!!

Meanwhile my supergeek "Hat" (aka Noah Stacey) came through with exactly the image we had worked up for the poster. "Never Be Done" is happening.

facebook/richardglenlett

The king is dead - LONG LIVE THE KING

2009-09-28T05:14:00.000-07:00

TODAY IS THE FIRST MONDAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

facebook/richardglenlett

down to my fighting weight

2009-09-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

Because of several factors during my cancer treatment (steroids, inactivity, friends feeding me) I gained almost 50 lbs. I was up to 258 ibs. As of this morning I am 218 and I feel great. Had some girl refuse to believe that i am in my forties. I love astigmatism.

Today I get to see my daughter for the first time in a couple months. Talked to my sister Sherry for a long time on the phone last night. That should send ripples through the family - since I am estranged from my other sister and my brother (although he doesn't know it.

this is me and my elder Gillan at Central

I'm on Twitter now. It's pretty cool, and hooked up to my www.myspace.com/funny4money page. Work on the music video continues.

And the sun just broke through the clouds.
facebook/richardglenlett

another friday night

2009-09-25T21:12:00.000-07:00

After a flurry of activity online, things are finally settling down. Must admit it felt pretty cool exchanging emails back and forth with Perez Hilton. Apparently he's in Denver right now. Meanwhile I'm at home working on my new show "Never Be Done" and storyboarding my music video for "Marla's Eyes."

facebook/richardglenlett

famous friends

2009-09-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

facebook/richardglenlett

the prayers of the people.

2009-09-25T09:52:00.000-07:00

Here's my latest prayer at Central.
facebook/richardglenlettThe Prayers of the People. Sept 13. 2009
by Richard Glen Lett

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father. We gather today, a community of your people, to offer our thanks for your eternal Wisdom, Knowledge and Grace, and to ask forgiveness for our hurtful words, our refusal of your guidance and for our selfish doubt.

Lord you have given us our beautiful little church from which great love and service comes. Thank you for the sun that shines into our sanctuary through our stained glass cross, it's light gracing the faces of these good people of Central, Galillee and Christ Alive. Let your light shine through us too, and bless all of our work in your name.

Thank you Lord for the blessing of children, and guide their parents to show patience beyond patience, humour in the face of family troubles, and knowledge of the glory of each moment of their lives. Thank you for Samuel, the youngest congregation to help out with the booth at Davie Days yesterday, by being strong and patient with his parents Suni and whatshisname, (y'know - Samuel's dad...)

Lord we humbly thank you for the gentle guidance of our pastor, Reverend Jim. Thank you for his strength and tireless effort to spread your love across this city, and to the farthest places in your world. We are grateful for his work within the Presbyterian Church of Canada, his studies at University, his world travels, his intelligent sermons,and most importantly, his computer skills. Each of us at Central knows that, whether it be matters of the heart or matters of computer technology, we have a great counsellor in your servent Reverand Jim. Please continue to bless him with health and vigour to guide us.

Thank you Lord, for Gilmore and the choir, who sing our hearts to you each Sunday, for Kathleen and her flute and exuberant newsletter, and for Sandra, whose diligence and attention keeps us all on our toes. Thank you for her kindness and understanding of me, Lord, as she never fails to care about me or our church. Please bless her commitment to Central.

Despite fear of being heckled during the "Prayers of the People" I would like to thank you for Gillan Jackson. This church would not be Central without him. And being Central is very special. I would like to personally thank you Lord with blessing me with such a good man to be my friend and elder, and for leading me to this pulpit that I too may bring my talent to your Glory.

Bless our session Lord, as they tackle the thankless but crucial job of handling Central's business affairs and guide them so they may know your mind in these matters.

We pray for Laurie and Margaret, and ask you to guide there physicians to the best of their abilities so they may enjoy speedy recovery.

Each day Lord, you teach us to love our neighbour, and each day Lord, we ignore your counsel. Our tongues flash with judgement, spite and hate. We hurt people with careless names and words, tossed like embers into a dry forest of your people, sending flames through the hearts of those, who like us, struggle to accept your forgiveness. We say we seek honour and truth and yet we are selfish and greedy. We cling to your gifts as our own, and refuse your wisdom and your sacrifice. We, like your beloved Peter, rebuke you for this world, setting our mind on human things, and not divine one's. Please forgive us Lord as you hear now, our silent Prayers.

The Son of Man, so near to his own sacrifice, left us these words that I am blessed to read. "Get behind me,Satan! Those who cling to their lives shall lose them, but those that lose their lives for the gospel's sake, will save it. For what shall it profit a man, to gain the whole world - but forfeit his life?”
God in Heaven, teach us again, your Love. Teach us again to guide our tongues to speak your praises, and not words that stain the whole body. Teach us again to give our lives away, that we may live eternally to worship you. Lord, never stop teaching us. Thank You for Your Grace to forgive us our failings - and love us in spite of them. In Jesus' Name. Amen

okay i love magpie too.

2009-09-25T08:48:00.000-07:00

I have also been in love with Magpie Ullyses (aka Emily Campbell) from the moment I saw her perform. Literally from the tips of her toes she spewed forth a James Joyce like turn on everything that matters (ie sex drugs and rocknroll)

Since then I have met Emily (who is actually very sweet in a tomboy in gumboots way) . I do find her sexy, but I am afraid that it would lead to BDSM which is fine except I prefer to TOP.

facebook/richardglenlett

Richard Glen Lett's Life According to Blog: making perezhilton as a nobody

2009-09-25T07:55:00.000-07:00

Richard Glen Lett's Life According to Blog: making perezhilton as a nobody

watching woody allen with Marla

2009-09-25T06:58:00.000-07:00

okay - i've decided to blog again. since the Prez Hilton link, my blog is now being read a by a few thousand more readers, so I should best write something. My loyal readers habe been regaled with scorchingly and perhaps embarassingly honest entries about affairs and cancer and so on, but I think I will try to be a little more discreet, or not.

Things that are true and I shouldn't put online.

I am in love with Marla, and have been for a couple years now, Not sure what to do about this. She lives in my building and we have spent many hours watching movies and going for coffee and out to see one of my shows. And I have enjoyed every minute of it. So why haven't I pushed it to the next level. Because I'm scared to lose what I have. Justified - you tell me.

We watched "Cassandra's Dream" and "Crimes and Misdemeaners" the former being Woody's latest, and the latter from 1989. Very similar films, both stacked with world class actors, stylishly dressed and shot, playing character's all lying their faces off. Marla said they didn't ask the right question. God she's pretty. What did she say again...

making perezhilton as a nobody

2009-09-24T23:04:00.000-07:00

while googling Andy Dick I found www.PerezHilton.com so I sent PH a link to my blog and he went with the story and linked to my blog in it. Readership of my blog is now through the roof.
maybe I should start gossip blogging too.

Headline's that will keep fact checkers stumped for seconds:

OBAMA THINKS ORAL SEX IS NASTY

BRENT BUTT HELPS OUT FRIENDS

KEVIN FOXX REPAYS DEBTS

STEPHAN HARPER SMOKES BONG WITH LIFE PARTNER MICHAEL PHELPS

BARD FRASER LIKES PUSSY AND HATES PUBLICITY

KEVIN FOXX WRITES NEW JOKES THAT AREN'T STANHOPE'S

DOUG STANHOPE GIVES A SHIT

I took a shot at Australians in it, and had some complaints - which didn't matter cause who can understand that slobbbering jibberish anyway,

My real life...

2009-09-24T10:58:00.000-07:00

As hard as this is for some people to believe, the majority of my life is spent as man of faith. I have been a member of Central Presbyterian for twelve years (or so) and am excited now to have acquired the confidence of the session, to read the liturgies and compose and read the "Prayers of the People" at church.

I think the part I like best about this is the connection it allows me to people, either strong in their faith, or in conflict with it, and have something REAL to talk about. I find that sadly, BRUTALLY LACKING in the profession of Stand-Up Comedy. I have few friends in comedy, and I like to keep it that way. As Gillan (my elder) often says, "God tells us we must LOVE EVERYONE but - we don't have to like 'em!"
Here's some pictures of the people Jesus introduced me too.

Richard Glen Lett's Life According to Blog: Andy Dick Get's kicked out of Canada - finally!!

2009-09-24T09:38:00.000-07:00

Richard Glen Lett's Life According to Blog: Andy Dick Get's kicked out of Canada - finally!!

Andy Dick Get's kicked out of Canada - finally!!

2009-09-24T08:19:00.000-07:00

Last night at the Vancouver Comedy Festival it was announced onstage by Vancouver's hilarious Patrick Maliha that Andy Dick - who was to perform last night and for the rest of the week at the Vancouver International Comedy Festival, was held back at the border because he was wearing an ankle bracelet because he's under house arrest. Apparently Dick was surprised when he discovered that being under house arrest doesn't allow him to LEAVE THE COUNTRY.

This is one time when the cops should have used tasers or even deadly force. This guy has been riding off long ago work which mostly involved him being upstaged by Kid's in The Hall stars and SNL retreads. For the last decade or so, Dick has been coming up to Canada, spitting on our cities and our stages and leaving early. His turn in Edmonton was a fiasco, which he was paid in full for. If Dick is an example of anything its why to have a great manager. ICM continues to get this guy work, mostly (until now) in Canada. For some reason Canadians (or at least Canadian comedy producers) think any US TV credit merits our attention.

Well we won't have to waste our time on this guy for awhile, cause he's gone like an Aussie when the tab shows up.

Outa here!!

oops i think i might start blogfging again. anyone interested?

2009-08-26T03:07:00.000-07:00

really? cause if there is i will.

comedy in cowtown

2009-04-23T09:59:00.000-07:00

i didn't mean too

2009-04-22T11:32:00.000-07:00

Another month has passed since my last blog, and I realize that my readers have come to expect more entries than that. I have been pretty active on facebook and so that's what i tend to do when i'm on the road, cause it's easier and faster. I am also aware that blogging can be hazardous to one's health and finances (as a certain comedian from Alberta discovered recently, by having to settle a lawsuit to the point that one wonder's if he will ever be able to afford a bed in a bag again). So I won't slander anyone here (anymore) (sorry fred). However, I am starting to think that females were put into my life to humiliate and distract me. last night topped of a week or so of females playing me like an eight year old in a game of pig-in-the-middle. Women who show interest in me have done little but mess up my money, my apartment, my car, my schedule and my focus - only to leave me vulnerable to their roommates territorial malevolence. ie. Attack me behind my back, or during a show. Both kinds showed up at the Kino last night, and it was all I could do to not piss in their soy milk. Then I had to sit around and listen to them try to convince me that heckling, or just talking loudly to each other during my show was helping me. And after the tenth time explaining, that "no seriously, I didn't like it, and it wasn't a help, and it did force me to cope with it", they go with the age old "i didn't mean to" Who gives a fuck what you meant to do? What you DID is what matters. But no one lets themselves off the hook more easily than women. "I didn't mean to, I'm really a good person." No your not. You a self-involved manipulative arrogant cunt, using your one credential, (your pussy) to trump whatever it is that I might do. "but I didn't mean to." ya, you did.

Here's what I didn't mean to do, I didn't mean to believe that you could see past the end of your padded bra, that you might has learned some manners, that your might show some respect, or even gratitude. I didn't mean to do that. But I did.

Roast Pics

2009-03-27T12:05:00.001-07:00

okay - back to blogging.

2009-03-27T11:37:00.000-07:00

Much has happened in the last month, including celebrating my 49th birthday with a roast at the jupiter lounge, the last third is a complete blur to me. I celebrated the one year anniversary of the departure of old lefty, and the beginning of the end of my cancer. Appropriately my friends gather in the same place they held a fundraiser for me, when I was all Chemo'd up, and now I'm back to being the Communities Cheap shot target.

I have made a bunch of new friends and am doing stand-up ALL the time. I am setting up a couple of tours for the summer, as well as surgery for kidney stones.

I guess the remarkable thing is that I'm having fun right now, and don't really have a reason not too. Maybe that's why I haven't been blogging, because I don't have much to bitch about.

So the tone of this is one of a guy, who is starting to feel comfortable in his own skin, feels a lot of positive influences, and ready for whatever comes next. I will be doing two weeks in St John's NFLD and a week in Halifax.

I made another student film and hoping this practice will prepare to land some juicy role in a pro gig.

Today, I am driving out to pick up Bree from school, and she coming here to stay over till tomorrow.

My best joke of the Roast - I thought - was when Jimmy Mac pointed out the Bono and I were born on the same year - I pointed out that between me and Bono, we have impacted 100's of millions of people. What a year!

I'll stick the obligatory pictures of me with chicks.

"freedom fifty five road pics - me and keith

2009-02-25T18:10:00.000-08:00

blogging from home.

2009-02-25T17:24:00.000-08:00

it's wednesday.
i've been in a so so mood.
but i have the internet at home again. so this blog should get over the 600 episode pretty quick.

I was eliminated from the comedy competition by one vote last week. ONE Point out of FIVE HUNDRED. Shouldn't have bee close, but somehow...One comedian BLUE kept saying - "You're gonna win" and some such shit - which i hate. That's usually why I don't tell people I have an audition, cause they always say, "You're gonna get it" and JINX me. So blue's jinx paid off, and I told him so.

Anyway, I did have some good luck, in the form of not bad luck. After running my battery down, my car wouldn't start, even after recharging the battery. I had just dropped a bunch of cash into it to insure it and fix the exhaust and now it won't start. I was worried it was the starter and watever they cost!

Fortunately my genius backyard mechanic figured it out en when all else
failed. There was a security system, call an inabler, on my car when I bought it. I didn't know that, and didn't have a clicker for it. When the battery died the car was inabled. my mecahnic took it our and the car starts fine. No charge.

Having wheels which meant seeing my daughter, which I did on Sunday and had a great time, spending not bad luck money.

On the road to valentine

2009-02-13T13:12:00.000-08:00

In Kelowna at the end of a two week run. Wasn't quite supposed to go this way but it did. I'll 'splain. They are running low on opening acts in Alberta, and didn't have one arranged for my shows in Red Deer, Rycroft and Grande Prairie. Seth Perry was going to be opening for me the following week in Prince George, Williams Lake and Kelowna. By coincidence I met Keith Sarnoski in Vancouver, and he was living in Edmonton. So I got him to open for me on the Alberta run. On Friday, Seth has to pull out of the BC run and now I'm trying to line someone to leave out of Vancouver. I have a flight back on Sunday from Edmonton after the GP shows, and then I plannned on travelling out to PG with a Vancouver Comic. No one was really available so I suggested Keith do this run too. He figured he would drive to Vancouver on Monday, and pick me up and drive to PG the next day. However, when I ARRIVED AT THE AIRPORT - I FOUND THAT I HAD BOOKED A FLIGHT ON MARCH 8TH, NOT FEBRUARY 8.
So, I decide to Stay In Edmonton and then Keith and I will drive to PG form Edmonton. I had planned to be back in Van for a couple days, but this made more sense. I got K to send CD's to me on the bus, but I did leave some things I shoulda picked up, like the card reader that would allow me to post pictures on this blog.

Things have worked themselves out. We picked Keith's old car in Red Deer on the first day,just to get it back to his place in Edmonton and ended up using it when his truck broke down 40 klics out of Edmonton on the way to PG.

Keith's shows have been good, and I've pretty much cleaned up out here. So now we've got two sold out shows in Kelowna, then back to Van (finally) on Sunday. I am doing some showcasing and the Laff off this week, as well as teaching a class on stand-up. Feeling stronger all the time.

keep trying, keep hoping

2009-01-25T18:35:00.000-08:00

Well, its sunday, and I am feeling hopeful. I had a good week of trying and, so it goes. I am doing a showcase for Just for Laffs on Tuesday night at YukYuks and so I have been trying to figure out an 8 minute set of clean material to do. Before I had cancer, I had given up on the big time opportunities, believing that ship had sailed. I stopped going out to open mics, believing that i was past all that. Then I lived, and I started enjoying just being able to do stand up. Then my cousin, succumbed to hopelessness and killed himself, and it kinda scared me. Now, I feel like, in honour of him, I won't give up. I will choose hope. So instead of going to this showcase "just to do what I do, and if they can't spot my brilliance then to hell with them" I have decided to try. So every night this week I have gone out to the open mics and done short sets, trying to get as much funny into 8 minutes as possible. (Sunday - Jupitor, Monday - Media Club, Tuesday - Jazz cellar and Darby's, Wednesday - Press Box, Thursday - Kingston Pub, Friday - Cameo, Saturday - YukYuks and Tonight - Corduroy.) I have decided to try, and hope. If I get passed over again, at least I made the effort. And I will keep trying. The doctors gave me my life back, and so I have another chance. And all I can do is take it.

Next weekend I start a couple weeks of touring, through till Valentines Day. So the life of a Western Canadian comedian continues...

the world is foggy

2009-01-18T13:24:00.000-08:00

i have been struggling with my computer of late, and with my life too. I have done all sorts of shows in town, most for free. I am scheduled to do a showcase for the Just For Laughs festival, and I am also entered in the Great Canadian Laugh Off at YukYuks. I have some gigs coming up in february in alberta and BC, and had an audition for "Smallville". Also today, I was the liturgist at Church. Put altogether it appears I am a busy guy, but the realioty is I feel like a slug lying around. There has been fog all week and that has made me feel a little foggy myself. There is much trouble in the world, the new president is about to be sworn in, and I have to figure out which jokes to tell for this show case and competition. I think that my life is actually doing better than it feels, and I could afford to relax a bit. Brett and I are looking into doing a theatre show together, so I can put some energy into that. I guess I am still getting back from the chemo and treatment and stuff, but I am trying not to give in to laziness or despair. I have a meeting with my shrink this week, and that should help. Since we last got together, my cousin comitted suicide, and my psycologist mother died, so there is a lot to sort through. (he has been facing a bunch of his own life stuff, which is strange when your shrink has bigger issues than you do. he is a total pro though, and I always feel like I gotten somewhere after meeting him. )

I am feeling a little tired and really hoping I might get a bounce from some of these things coming up.

I found out who took my Russel Peter's gig, and I wasn't surprized. Same guy bummed money from me during Chemo, and skipped out on my fundraiser. Just trying to rise above all that, and be the kind of guy, and artist that I want to be. Even in comedy, integrity and character are important.

Now i think I'll lay down while my friend K, puts lunch together. Ah life... here's to it.

New Year's Eve

2009-01-09T11:37:00.000-08:00

Spent the last hours of 2008 with my long-time friend Darryl Lenox at Yuk Yuks. 2008 was a hell of a year, most of which was spent fighting off cancer. The effort was worth it though, as I found out yesterday that everything is going according to plan, and I won't need to go back to see them for four months, which is one month longer than last time. This year looks to be one with more fun, more work and better health. I have done a show every night this week, and so it looks to be time to return full time to what I love to do, and do so well. There is still resistance from the usual suspects, but having a new lease on life, I have decided to overcome this resistance with persistence, and patience and positiveness. (The three P's) (Just came up with that!) (It's not bad) (I'll have to remember that.)

Meanwhile, I screwed up on my last blog, saying it was israel and the hezbullah, when it is in fact the Hamas. It is my priviledge to not know the difference, being that I do not have to live throught that. My friend Amanda does, so when I see the news I think and worry about her. Snow is one thing, missiles are another.
Take care A.

Life is Drama.

2008-12-31T12:28:00.000-08:00

As requested by Amanda over in Israel, which as you may know is at war with the hazbullah, but apparently not as dire as my life seems to be. Actually, things are okay. Spent a couple days shopping with my daughter, had a great time. Got her a Bonzai tree, which she had said she wanted, plus tons of clothes.

I am starting to feel a little better about losing my friend/cousin Marc. He had been given less than a year to live, so we would've been saying goodbye to him soon anyway, and so the suicide part is less stinging now.

My buddy Stephane learned about helping people out. He was staying here for the holidays, so he agreed to look after three peoples places. Two with cats and one with plants. The plants one is down the hall from me, but after last summer, when I killed her plants, the request went to stephane. So one place, the cats are old and everytime he goes over, there's shit and puke everywhere. The other place, he flushed the flushable cat litter, and it flooded the suite below. Stephane works a lot with drywall, so he had to help fix it on his days off, with sewage pouring down on him. The other night he was over with another friend at my place watching a DVD. My player stopped working, and so he went next door, and borrowed my neighbours. Well, you guessed it, the neighbour had someone else looking in on the place, and they told my neighbour her DVD player is missing. So now poor Stephane is getting enraged french woman phone calls from Quebec. Anyway, I was away when he tried to return the DVD player till this morning when he came over and put it back. So much for helping people.

My old roommate Darryl Lenox is coming in to do the New Year's Eve show at Yuk Yuks, so I'm gonna hang out with him.

Friday, I go back to the Cancer Agency for another CT scan, and an appointment to get a consult for my kidney operation.

But my city isn't being shelled by anything but rain and snow, so here we go into another year.

Enjoy the pictures of me and her highness!

sometimes endings are beginnings too

2008-12-29T13:40:00.000-08:00

In the last two days I have gone from shovelling the church parking lot, having lunch with K's extended family, going to a memorial gathering for my cousin (picture with my aunt above) and finally hanging out with my daughter.
I will miss my cousin a lot, but sometimes the best you can do is keep trying. Today, Breanna and I will go spend some money. This holiday is a turbulant path (of weather and emotion) but it is headed towards things be good. Spending time with my daughter seems to make everything feel okay. My life continues to have plenty of drama, but at least it's not boring(for my readers anyway).

the most dysfunctional time of the year

2008-12-24T13:35:00.000-08:00

Well, I managed to finish my tour, get my rent and get home. Did a show with some Vancouver comics at the Jupitor.The blizzard started as soon as I got here, and now I am pretty much home bound. Christmas Eve was so exciting when I was a kid, but as time goes on, it becomes a hurdle i have to get through. Waiting for me in January is some more medical issues (kidney stone) and a memorial for my cousin Marc. I still find myself in shock about him not being around, and haven't been able to make contact with his family since I got back. I won't be able to see my daughter till after Christmas, so I haven't done any shopping. I was going to today, but the snow is coming down, and the city is locked up so I'm staying in till the Christmas Eve service tonight. I may have to bus it, because the roads are a mess. I am really just trying to stay relaxed, not make myself upset about things, and keep the faith.

back to my roots

2008-12-18T18:02:00.000-08:00

It's thirty below and I am midway through my first road trip to Alberta since this time last year. A lot happened in that year, and a lot didn't. I am pictured with my sister, whom I haven't spoken with in a couple years. I went out to Camrose where I saw my mom and a few great friends and froze my nut. It is always grounding to go home, get my ass kicked in Scrabble, and hang out with high school pals, who took turns giving me lifts around. Primarily Nathan and Kevin. Kevin is the white haired guy, and he and i get together everytime im around. Now I'm in the comedian's condo, in Calgary, waiting to catch the bus to Castlegar - then its off to langley.

A terrible thing happened when I was in Camrose. My cousin Marc, whom i had come very close too in the last few years, recieved a diagnosis of a terminal brain tumour, and took his own life last week. I found out when my mother got the phone call after dinner the night I arrived. It was lucky for my mom and me, that we were together when we found out. i am only now accepting it. It will be a tough time when I get back as his family wants me to assist in putting together a memorial. I am going to try write some stuff on the bus. I have a song my mother thinks I should play. "Fickle Mystery" (in case you didn't guess K)

I stayed over one night at my friend Shelley. I didn't get a picture of this time, but thats her daughter and mother above.

I am enjoying myself, considering everything. It does feel good to be back, doing the life that, in a strange way - I still love.

Gotta be blacklisted somewhere.

2008-12-03T18:39:00.000-08:00

Fortunately its the worst room in town. Not that the Soho is a bad bar, the staff is cool and the girls are sexy. Unfortunately it's comedy night is run by one of those failed comedians I was talking about. Anyway, after months of not going there, I was looking for a local room for the crew and cast of the film I had done, to see me do comedy, so I went down to do it. Just about the only thing going for it is that it has been going a long time. The money is shit, but the fact that the management has let it go on after weeks and weeks of terrible shows, and worse audiences, makes me think their accountant sees some advantage to it. Anyway, for 80 bucks, i was going to do it, so i told some people i would be there. Then the mc/producer/english ponce facebooks me (cause thats how tough he is) to tell be someone else is booked. I tear him a new one and he renegs. So I go down there, and coincidentally there's a pretty good crowd. Turns out its the bartenders last night, and the staff is all there - sitting by the stage. In spite of the MC's usual unintelligible prattle, the audience stays. I am told I can do as much time as I want. Since the MC failed to take advantage/pay homage to the going away party that is happening - so I do, with great results. The staff loves the attention. About 40 minutes in, the Ponce gives me the light (a red reflector light that looks like it's off his bicycle helmet) I acknowledge and move towards my closing bit. Before I can get to the end, this git walks very obviously to the front and gives me the light again. (did I mention he couldn't remember my name when he introduced me?) So I made fun of it, and tried to rewind to a closing. Now since I was only getting 80 bucks, I told them to buy my CD before they put money in the bucket. So after the show, one of the amateurs sent to do the panhandling, told the ponce the reason there wasn't much in the tin cup was because they bought a CD instead. This sends the pencil-necked immigrant into a fit, so he shorts me the money. Oh well, I was too busy surrounded by sexy girls who loved the show. Best one ever - the staff said.

Since then I've been getting Facebook messages from this English poof, referring to my "stunt" calling me "silly" and "a child in a man's body". I understand now why his jokes are so weak - even his rage is pantywaisted.

But this is how legends happen. All part of being unforgettable.

Meanwhile, here's some pictures of me skating with K, and NOT obeying her advice that if I wanted a girlfriend, I should quit putting pictures on my blog with me and pretty girls.

sometimes it feels like the world is

2008-11-26T16:37:00.000-08:00

out to get me. I realize my cancer is in remission, and this is good. Very Good. but meanwhile, the state of Vancouver comedy is not good. More rooms - less money. Seems like when a new room gets going, it doesn't take long before the pay goes from shit money, to zero money. And comedians are lining up to do it. Makes me wonder if there will ever be a professional standard in this biz. Pro's doing favours for these low-balling producers (all of whom are failed comedians) and amateurs making stand up look bad. meanwhile, the audiences have no problem shelling out 7 bucks for a beer, but happily watch comedy for free. There is this new thing about passing the hat at the end of the show, which is as rinky dink as it gets. This is a practice that has come from street performers and is pretty much panhandling. So what's a guy to do. I just signed a petition to stop the potential Screen Actor's Guild (SAG) strike, but it feels like comedians need some bargaining leverage ourselves. A comedian strike? There will always be scabs in comedy. And these producers could give a shit about the show. As long as they get their cut, they will put anyone up,(or do it themselves - God help us all) promising exposure and experience to performers, while telling the audience they are seeing a pro show. I do go and do shows to help things along, but once I start to feel like its just another free bee, I have to stop. I know what the value I bring to a show is, and I give away sparingly. I wish my colleagues would start to show some standards too.

I thought this would make me feel better, but it hasn't. Maybe I'll post a happy picture of me, and that will help.

Played Santa in a Horror movie!

2008-11-14T15:31:00.000-08:00

Pictures - now story later. My computer has been very slow lately and I've been very busy, so haven't posted in a couple of weeks. Sorry. First day off in five - which is pretty good for a guy recovering from cancer. That - by the way, is in total remission, and so now I'm just trying to get back to normal - whatever that was, if it ever was...

Anyway, did a student film playing the lead role of Santa. The other star was a 12 year old girl, who kicked my ass pretty much. She was very good, and I have a feeling this is gonna come out good.

life goes on.

2008-10-27T15:01:00.000-07:00

In the pictures is Sam and Sally Easton, me and Kathleen at the Neil Young Concert, a couple of drinking buddies, and Marion at the show in Victoria which, as you can see, was porrly attended!

the girls of cultus lake

2008-10-21T20:20:00.000-07:00

Did a show in Cultus Lake and as usual, the girls loved it.

cancer update

2008-10-17T13:51:00.000-07:00

I went yesterday to see Dr. Chi. The news was good. My lymph nodes had shrunk to the point where no further treatment is required. This means that the cancer is dead, and only scar tissue remains. They will still keep checking on me for ten years though, so its not something i will be able to live without. I do have to begin living a healthier life, however. I am over weight (248 lbs) and I have to quit smoking. This reality has left me unhappy and so i remain inactive and smoking. However, there is time to fix that. Meanwhile, my love life continues to be at a standstill, regardless of the fact that I have many women in my life, who show a lot of affection for me, but nothing "romantic". This might have something to do with me being a smoking fatso, hard to say. Anyway, I have two shows this weekend, and I won the poetry slam this week. The conservative got re-elected, even though i voted strategically (ie Liberal).
Not much inspiration in the blog I admit, but at least I'm still writing it. I have a show next weekend in Victoria, and hopefully my island dream girl will show up.

thanksgiving and the ghost train

2008-10-13T14:29:00.000-07:00

This long weekend was pretty active, starting with the comedy show at Rossini's being canceled. Dissappointing, after just having gone on the Urban Rush TV talk show, to promote it. But it was a good four month run, so these things happen. The restaurant seems pretty empty most of the time, so it may just have been the wrong venue. Then I picked up Breanna and brought her out to stay over on Saturday so we could go to the Ghost Train, a Halloween thing that runs in Stanley Park. Th etrain itself was not as scary as other years, but we did have a lot of fun, and ran into old friend Steve Colson and his cute family. Sunday, Bree and I went to church and then i drove her back to her mom's. Kathleen came over and cooked a brilliant Thanksgiving dinner, and a few friends came over for dinner. One of them called after her left to tell about an accident down the hill where a car had crashed into a ground level apartment, so we went down to check it out. It appeared the driver had had a heart attack, and lost control. All in all, and interesting weekend. And now its raining, and doesn't look like it'll stop for a few months.

the end of the world

2008-10-08T17:53:00.000-07:00

so some of my friends have lost a lot of money. other friends say its the beginning of the end. america's going broke, panic will set in, riots and martial law to follow. I dunno. fortunately, or not, i don't have stocks, so i haven't been affected directly.

I have a CT scan tomorrow, the results of which I won't know for a week. this makes me a little anxious. still haven't quit smoking, so i feel like i'm not doing myself any favours.

meanwhile my love life is perplexing. i have many females around in my life, but i just can't seem to find the right fit. i met a woman around my own age the other night, but she's been seeing younger guys, hmmm. I have been criticized for dating much younger women, which sometimes makes me feel young, but mostly makes me feel old. But they seem to be the ones that do it for me, and I do it for them. I wonder how it is for older women going out with younger men. They complain about not being able to have a solid relationship, but they are going after frat boys playing video games. oh well. i think i'll give up for a bit.

life is good-ish

2008-09-30T19:13:00.000-07:00

Spent some time with my daughter - did four shows last week - and did a poetry slam and a set at The Arts Club last night. Tonight, well, its a friend's birthday so I might got out for a beer to celebrate. I have a voice audition tomorrow, so can't stay out too late.

Photos show the free toll on the coquihaula, croquet in Kelowna, me and Rayne at a film fest party (before the police incident) and JP mass the comedian.

on the road again

2008-09-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

well after six months of laying around, im back on the road. Did a couple shows on the island last week, one in courtney (where I met my dream girl) victoria where I ripped it up and sold some cd's. Now I'm headed out to kelowna for three shows for Yuk Yuks. I'll probably have more time for writing in K-lowna tomorrow at the hotel.

Janet left her car with me, so I decided to take it out and went to the "women in film" festival party last night with Rayne. Saw lots of old friends, including Thomas Hunt who starred in my film play "Cook". I told him there is a group in Alberta who wants to do the play again, 20 years later. He said he can still play Jimmy.

everyone seemed to know about my Cancer battle, so I spent a lot of time assuring people I was fine.
then while dropping off rayne, I got pulled over by the police. Turns out the car I was driving insurance had run out. GRRRR. They took awhile to realise I was telling the truth and that it was not a stolen car. But the impounded the vehicle and gave me a six hundred dollar ticket. Oh well

boundaries.

2008-09-16T17:44:00.000-07:00

spent some time today with my shrink talking about boundaries. I have had to establish some over the last few days, and wondering why it seemed like people seem to stomp right through mine with no problem. Dr. A pointed out that sometimes its not because I haven't established boundaries, but OTHER people have no boundaries, and so don't see mine. ei. it's not my fault that my boundaries aren't being respected, but other people having not developed any for themselves. So no matter how clear I am, they just don't get it. The upside is, by not taking it personally, I can merely enforce my boundaries without hostility, and not take on the stress that used to come from either having my boundaries invaded, or having to fight to protect them. Ironically for the boundary-challenged people, instead of my boundaries being lessened by their attempts to get in, the boundaries are increased. And my stress is reduced, which means I am healthier.

addictions

2008-09-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

one of the things i've realized of late (through working through cancer and with my shrink and all) is the addiction to performing that i have. like any addiction, it is an attempt to fill a hole, validate oneself, feel loved. and like all addictions - it doesn't work. the neediness to be onstage undermines my health, my stability, and also my shows. I have had the opportunity because of the cancer treatments, to allow and accept the love of many different people, something that i have been pushing away. the thinking is, I guess, since my own family couldn't love me - how could you. this made me feel unlovable, and hated. this became a self-fulfilling prophecy. Over the last while, by allowing me to be loved, i have become lovable, and people have expressed that to me in sometimes subtle ways, and sometimes very direct ways. those people that don't - i now view them as going through they're own self hatred, and so I no longer see that as my problem. Self-forgiveness is a profound thing, and not easily understood, or achieved, but i feel like I'm getting there. I no longer need to perform to be validated and loved. Stand-up is something I do, not something I am, or something I need. I like making people happy, and stand-up is one way i can do that. Which I am tonight, headlining the Best of Vancouver show at Yuk YUks.

Children give me hope

2008-09-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

As I make my way through this wierd summer and back on track in the fall, I have to give kids a shout out for making life something worth hanging on to.

sorry i neglected you

2008-08-31T15:08:00.000-07:00

it has been a long time since i blogged. much has happened, and the more things that happen, the more daunting the job of blogging becomes. But like most things, just getting started is the key. So after being chastised by a reader from Israel, i have decided to let you readers know I'm back. Not just to blogging - but life. the chemo is over, and although it laid me low - i'm starting to feel energy that has been missing for months. I have pictures that i will eventually load up here, but just to bring me and my readers up to speed, i have completed the treatment, my hair is coming back, i'm still very single and doing little shows here and there to get my chops back. Spent some quality time with the daughter, hosted a mud-wrestling events and all sorts of things in between. More later - Love Richard

rain, rain, rain

2008-08-01T12:38:00.000-07:00

My back yard and garden are getting a good watering these last couple days. Rain always does a better job than the hose. My beautiful nurse was in this morning. I seem to be healing up (slowly). I haven't been out of my place in a couple days, so i think i'll make my way down the hill this afternoon. It's wet, but not that cold out. My building manager dropped off some vegetables last night, and i received some anonymous dvd's in the mail, so i don't really need to go out, except perhaps to play the piano at rossini's and feel like a person for a bit. Still have a limited immune system, so i have to be diligent still. Breanna stayed over last weekend so we could watch the fireworks for the 11th year in a row. This requires buying a crappy souvenir - which Bree claims she still has all of the from years past. Went out to see Mike McGee at the poetry slam on Monday night. Arrived late and left early, but all the poetry types were glad to see me. Did a radio interview on CFUN with Brett on Wednesday to promote the show at Rossini's. Managed to get some good cancer jokes in. Still impatient to be back to normal, but the chemo and it's after-shocks are still present.

DOOR NUMBER ONE

2008-07-28T09:15:00.000-07:00

Fred pointed out that I have left my loyal readers hanging. So here's the news. The photo is of me the morning of the doctor's visit. That man looks worried. At the office at the Cancer Agency, the waiting room is packed. Everyone is waiting to get the talk. No other treatment goes on there. It's all talk. (And weigh in. I put on a kilogram in the last three weeks. I now weigh 111 kilo's or 245 freaking pounds. That is the FATTEST I've ever been. Might have to re-write a poem. Before Fred does.) Anyway I swear ever cancer-ridden mother fucker in the room got called before me. Everyone. Finally I get called into a room. I see Dr. Chi going into another room and smile at him. He doesn't respond. What did that mean? He always takes what he does personally. Makes him the best. Had I let him down? My anxiety went up. I couldn't sit.

Finally the lovely Emma Beardsley comes in. She is fucking ravishing in her summer dress. No lab coat. An angel never looked better. Her smile sweeps me into the chair. "Well," she said in her Aussie accent, "We are very pleased with the results. The lymph nodes have shrunk considerably, and we are confident that will continue. They are still large. They are 2.1 Cm, but thats down 25 % from the original 2.7." I jumped up and hugged her.

I mean, not exactly "The winner is..." But thats what she said. We did it. me and the chemo, and dr. chi and my loyal readers. the lymph nodes have shrunk. this means the chemo worked, and the cancer is on its way out. Door NUMBER ONE. I know you guys prayed for me, thought about me.. and it worked. Say hello to my little friend. NO more Chemo. NO RADIATION. (That shit scared me) and as Emma said. "There's still plenty of chemo in you. We expect the shrinking to continue. We need to see you in three months after another CT scan." "So I'm not cured." "No." "We'll need to follow you for 10 years." "Oh I see, I win, but I don't get the prize for a decade?" "Right." "But no more chemo?" "No more." "Good, didn't want anymore." "I didn't wanna give you anymore." "So now what?" "Go home and take the next few month to recover from what we've done to you."

Sounds like a plan. I tried to celebrate by buying a case of beer and a bottle of jack. Three beer, one shot - I was done. I just have no steam. But I'm slowly getting things back on track. Today is the first Monday of the 21 day cycle that I'm NOT starting a new cycle of Chemo. This day would have to have a natural disaster to suck in my books.

Meanwhile, word is, a Toronto Fund Raiser is going at the Downtown club August 24. Brett Martin is headlining. Love lovelove. RL

the new black

2008-07-21T09:41:00.000-07:00

morning after the biggest infusion of love i've ever had. seth perry and ivan decker threw a little fundraiser for me at the jupitor room last night. bunch of people showed up, probably a hundred. cash headed my way. but way more beneficial was the love and support and fun that was had. i pretty much worked all week to get there, and had a last minute visit to the hospital just to keep things interesting. but i got down there, did a little speech (secured a couple new bits) and let my very able colleagues do the show. i saw so many people that i hadn't seen in awhile (not surprising since i have been out much!!) and every person i wanted to spend day with, but my body was a sack of shit, so I couldn't give much back.

a watershed night in Vancouver to be sure. comedians being nice to each other. it's the new black. if any one comic has raised more hackles over the years - it's been me. to have me as the poster boy of a larger movement, really drove home the point. if your a member of this community of comedians, we will - together and individually - take care of you, regardless if you've pissed us off. and that is a great big giant step in growing up to being a major comedy town. it was like they said, "Hey Cancer, Richard's with us. You have picked on the wrong comedian mister!"

I am proud of all of them, and proud to call them my colleagues and friends. As you know dear reader, I had been so disillusioned by "the scene" that I had virtually dropped out locally, preferring to drive female escorts because they had more moral character! Last night, I was proven wrong in the grandest of fashion. These are good, loving and funny people. Shame on me for painting them with one stroke. They're are those that still hurt more than help, but now i see the burden of hurt they carry themselves. They have chosen to bear it alone, and punish us for it, but as my dad would say, "it's the unlovable that need love the most".(present company included)

Last night there were people from comedy, from church, from the poetry scene, from theatre and from the hood. All for me. It still gives me chills. (Non-chemo type) More importantly a precedent was established of how we treat and look out for each other, not as comedians, or poets, or Presbyterians, but as people. Today I am proud to be a human.

Thursday afternoon I find out how the treatment went. Options for me as of Thursday are...(drum roll)
Door Number One - Lymph Nodes under a centimeter.We got it. Go home and repair.
Door Number Two - Lymph Nodes still too big. Radiation.
Door Number Three - " " " " " . Surgery
Door Number Four - " " " " " . More Chemo

So I think it's pretty clear which door we're going for here.(ONE - asshole!)
Stay tuned.

One final note. To my friend and loyal reader Sara. You kept your promise. You promised me a toque, hand knit just for me. That was four months ago. You beat yourself up for promising to come over and take care of me, and then being so scared to see me you couldn't do it. what you don't know, is that i didn't know if people would help me, and i asked you and you said yes, and that gave me the confidence to ask others, and since then i have had the best care anyone could hope for. to quote "Mulan" (yes the disney cartoon) "a grain of rice can turn the tide".

The toque is, of course, perfect. You, on the other hand, are TOO FAT. xo RL

last blast

2008-07-11T21:59:00.001-07:00

It's all in me now. So they got me loaded for bear now. The next few weeks are about healing (and so nasty needles) and some tests to see how we did.

It is traditional for the chemo nurses to get gifts from the patients on their last day of treatment. Usually it's chocolates or flowers. I decided, since not really a chocolates and flowers kinda guy, and it was a hot friday afternoon, to bring 'em a case of beer. Turned out to be a very big hit, as they all took one home.

Pictured here are Margaret the church lady who stepped in to help through the last couple weeks, Marion (Cricket) chemo driver for the week, (cause she had holidays!? Work hard all year for three weeks off? Why not spend two of it driving cancer boy around?)

and the last drips of chemo...

Barbeque before fourth and final round.

2008-07-07T01:43:00.001-07:00

Dr. Chi

2008-07-04T10:29:00.000-07:00

Dr. Kim Chi,Commander of the Ship SS KillRichardsCancer. This guy leads the world in Testicular Cancer. the best - simply put.

When I told him I did five shows last round and ended up in hospital he said, "How the shows go?" "I said, 'I killed them and almost me'" He was glad I wasn't doing the shows this week...

Dr. Baird and Team Richard

2008-07-03T00:16:00.000-07:00

Chemo face

2008-07-03T00:11:00.000-07:00

taken about 7 am on Kits beach. when it hits you, it's like a fog. look how far awy my eyes are, and how puffed up my face is from the steroids. That day my blood pressure was 155 over 95, with a heart rate of 110, almost double what a body not being attacked would be at.

Uncle Dave says "You gotta Eat!"

2008-07-02T21:21:00.000-07:00

After moaning on my blog about home lame my family is, my real one showed up.
Dave Copeman, who is sorta a silent partner in this Rick kicks Cancer Project.
LOVEYA MAN!!

How bad did this suck.

2008-07-02T21:14:00.000-07:00

All last week Nurse Ratched came over everyday to change my wound dressing and give the big expensive needle. I can barely remember that time period thank God and atavin.

laff-raiser for richard

2008-07-02T18:11:00.000-07:00

okay, i know i left you hanging. i was a having a rough time and wasn't up to writing. I have a few days of relative comfort, so i'll bring you up to speed about the events last week.

1. Barn Raiser. After getting out of the hospital on the friday, and doing a show so secure the room at Rossini's, it was obvious - at least to Brett Martin, that I could, should not and will not be doing my headline week at yukyuks this week. I obviously could use the money, but this scrap I've got going with Cancer is more important. It's not often that a young whippersnapper sits a wily vet like me down and tells me whats what. All I could do is listen. He was right. So know shows. I had to pull the trigger.
Later that day I went to see my shrink, Dr.A and he was concerned that I was still doing shows onstage and off, keeping people thinking I was doing great. The reality is that these rounds ARE getting tougher, leaving me too weak to do ANYTHING without landing me back in hospital. Dr. A asked me if he could talk to Brett. and I said sure. I believe Dr. A told Brett that HE needed to tell people how sick I am, because I won't.

He did, and managed to keep my headline week intact be getting five of my friends, to cover the shows for me and donate the pay to me. Sorta go in and punch the card for me. They are Danny (pla)Quinn, Toby "Lisping badly to the Port" Hargreaves, Paul "I'm from Camrose TOO" Myerhaug, JP Mass, and Erica Sigurdson. Fortunately my friends are also great comedians. You don't need a lot of friends, just funny ones.

It's not a blatant save the guys dying ass fund-rasier - more like a community chipping in on short notice to help out one of their's. Anyway, I'm sure they'll do a great job and I appreciate the gesture. In other words, thanks.

Some guys just Are...

2008-06-25T21:04:00.000-07:00

After a rough night, and some people who let me down, I had the occassion to be surprized by Men who are sensitive, compassionate and helpful for me right now. It's funny how we see people that have responsible jobs as the most dependable, like cops or border guards, or drywallers - when it turns out they're flakes, and its the skaters and cool guys that turn out to be solid. Thanks for making my morning guys, and thanks for the TUNA Panini Johnny.

Camrose /Calgary pals.

2008-06-25T14:55:00.000-07:00

Hey there. It sucks that you are having to go thru' this. Checked out your blog again. Glad that you do have SOME support. Guess I should have asked earlier if you had an infection...like when I noticed your status mentioned you having room for more visitors? I've been rather preoccupied with my sister these days, but finally thought to mention to N that I wondered if you were in hospital or something. Wish we were able to do something for you from here..."

Fighting Back

2008-06-25T03:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all the friends and blogfans for your support. I know i sounded pretty down but I'm still the fighting Irishman that I am. The incredible amount of drugs in me, besides the Chemo makes sleeping, resting and most normal things irrelevant. People are full of stupid advice. "Have you tried Vitamin C?" Chemo trumps everything so don't bother. My buddy Vic joked. "I hear Jello works!" "I said "What color?" It's the middle of the night and I'm wide awake. Starting to feel the steroids wear off a bit, but what a roller coaster. The treatment continues to accumulate, so that when I finally get all four cycles in me, I'm not done, I'm fully loaded. Some people ahve been solid, but lately, they are burning out. Figure I should be over this by now. Nothing to do with them except cut 'em loose. I'm not in a position to make people feel better about how I'm doing, so if they aren't part of helping me fight this, see ya. Sounds selfish, but the only person that is really gonna make sure this Cancer is beaten is me. Thank God for the support I have had, and the support that will show up to help me through the next couple of months.
Photos are of pals from Ottawa who came out for a ski trip just before my treatment started, including my best friend from childhood Mike. I know it's tough for people who love me (ie non-family members) to read about the fight, and not know what to do or say. The ones that do know what to say and do, make a big difference. Thanks. And a big shout out to my new blog fan Lianne. (mike's a keeper if you want me opinion. plus I owe him a lot of money.)

and george died

2008-06-23T14:32:00.000-07:00

So today, i had to fight with some LONDON DRUGS twit trying to get the drugs ai need this week to bump my white output. (Can you say bone pain? Didn't know what it was to they gave me that shot.) Fortunately for me there is a nurse that has to come in so the can do the shots for me. But they keep trying to teach me how to do it. I don't know to maybe non-junkies who like needles, so I want NoT to do it. So The LONDON DRUGS pharm was incompetant, (had to go to MacDonald's Pharmacy (no connection to the restaurant) and they were competant. This drug is called neuphren and it is not covered by Pharamacare. Each shot (they want me to give to myself) is worth 500 bucks. I get five. So a foundation called Victory paid for it with their credit card. They had to be sure that I wouldn't sell it across the border where it goes for ten times that much. Quick 25 Grand anyone? I decided to use the neuphren myself.

And George Carlin Died Yesterday - at seventy one. I always loved him, thought he was the coolest. So brave, so clear, we all owe George alot, comedains and civilians alike. I was compared to so much that I was referred as Canada's George Carlin. Now what, Canada's Margaret CHO? The incarnation of...

Despair is also a side effect of steroids. My despair looks like rage. Sorry

How lame is you family?

2008-06-23T13:39:00.000-07:00

Coming off the steroids gives you mood swings.
Here's one now.

Since diagnosed with Cancer in February, I have received many cards, and well wishes from all over the country. Friends visiting, cooking cleaning. Medical professionals working hard to get me well. And Love - except from my "family". My mother has been diligent, as much as a 79 year old woman on her own can be. My brother managed to fit me into his busy schedule while in town touring his third-world trophy wife. I'm sure she set him back several goats (and i'm NOT KIDDING). She's preggers. Never Managed to come to my place so each of these meetings was to where he was, so I dragged my chemoed ass out to so I could spend some time having my illness dismissed as not a big deal. Ron has three children living in Vancouver, my two neices (Robyn and Tara) and a nephew (Ryan). Despite my attempts to have relationships with them in the past, My brother has made that impossible. Still they are adults (all in their 20's) and you would think that a phonecall or something might be, well, kind. I realize they have had no guidance in the department of compassion or love growing up, so I will cut them a little slack. (On the other hand they can go FUCK THEMSELVES).

The lady from the down the street where I grew up sent me a card and nice note, but not my sisters. I pointed this out to my Brother and said it was embarassing. He scoffed "Who's embarrassed?" I said "I AM"

Now my mother and the girls (mother, sisters and there mean-spirited proginy) are in Mexico for "The girls holiday" . My mother said, maybe next year, Breanna will be old enough to go along. Right, so they can teach her how to back-stabbing passive aggressive meanie too. Not Happening EVER.

My cousin Marc has been by and resembles a family member.

Things are tough right now because I am having to treat two illnesses, the infection and the cancer, so on my week off I have shots everyday and home, my dressing changed, and do the chemo effects dance. My friends have seem me go through this first bit well, and don't seem to see i getting worse, which is will before it gets better. The steroids have me swelled up to I look good, and the bald thing seems to be a "good Look" for me. But if people took a real good look, they might see what actually happening.
Photo is my brother and the wife. Don't know her name, she never spoke.

Headed home from the Agency

2008-06-20T17:20:00.000-07:00

After a week long paid vacation (drugs Included) I'm home. The circle is complete as K, who brought me in a a week before, carries the bags of stuff accumulated over the week. I can only hope that all my new friends from the hospital have as a good a result as I have. Love to all!!

A Stint at the Cancer Agency for Richard Lett

2008-06-20T11:26:00.001-07:00

New friends, and visitors plus lots of drugs down at the Ole ganecy this week. Finally got the computer herre to blog along with me. Inthese pictures are Maliaka Millions, Rev Jim, Super Model/ Chemo Nurse Anna, Dr. Dr. anna raine and Cooleen.

a bit cocky

2008-06-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

well i was feeling a bit cocky about the treatments as i seemed to be getting thru no problem, and then i got hit with and infection. my 3 month old surgical wound flaired up saturday night, but i thought it was a pulled muscle or something. So I put some ice on it, and next morning it seemed better. By Sunday afternoon it was getting worse, so I showed my friend k the wound, and her reaction was that if "that's not an infection, than nothing is". So I called up the Cancer Agency and they asked me to come in. The Doctors reaction was stronger than k's - so they did a little army medicc surgerry and drained it (sorry for the unavoidable imagery) and I was given Iv antibiotics and so drug that boosts you white cell count, and makes you feel like you've run a marathon. They also informed me that they would be admitting me for a few days. I wasn't expecting that. So here I am laid up at the Cancer Agency (10th and Ash if you feel like visiting) telling jokes, playing the piano, and constantly have drugs infused into me and having my vitals and blood checked. Everyone here is very nice, but can't wait to get out of here. The "good" news is that they are going ahead with the chemo treatments so i will stay on schedule, and since i'm here - they can keep an eye on me and my infection...

Profile

2008-06-10T18:43:00.000-07:00

Matty Billon shows up and raine comes to Van Slam with me.

2008-06-06T20:45:00.000-07:00

hearing test

2008-06-04T16:48:00.000-07:00

after every round of chemo I have to have my hearing tested , cause one of the chemo cisplaten, is audio toxic (which means that it can permanently fuck up your hearing.)
Yesterday, dragged my butt to the clinic.So far my hearing hasn't changed, and the ear doc said I have very good hearing. To which I said "Pardon?". They hate that joke. Today I feel bad. Picture is of Duff, whose been driving me to chemo. This blog is what i have manged to do today. And I'm done

Pre-chemo BBQ

2008-06-03T19:48:00.000-07:00

Reason to Blog

2008-06-01T19:55:00.001-07:00

Richard,

Hey...been a fan of yours since I saw you perform a few years ago at Yuk Yuks in Vancouver. Loved your act and still spin your CD here and there for a good laugh. Kept up with your blog once in a while just to see if I could catch you again somewhere in Vancouver.

Anyways, I now see that you are in for the fight against the Cancer. I now follow your blog as much as I can. My dad was diagnosed about 2 months ago with Colon Cancer and has had the surgery etc... and begins Chemo/Radiation in a month or so. I gave him the information on your blog as well and we both follow it to see your perspective on your fight with Cancer. It is very refreshing to see your outlook and I know it has rubbed off on my dad who takes things lightly just as you do. For this I thank you!!

In the face of such a terrible disease I can say first hand that your take and outlook is refreshing and helping at least one other family that's going through the same thing.

Here's to a full and speedy recovery for yourself and I look forward to seeing your act again sometime soon.

Regards,

Tim Folster

i remember this...

2008-06-01T19:33:00.000-07:00

So as predicted, the delay effects of the kemo are hitting. thought i could attribute it to depletion of various forms of blood, but the doc assures me that "Nah, thats just the kemo." He said "you realize what we're pouring into you is poison... So it's gonna affect you without much notice". So I tried to get out nine times today. Everytime I thought I had the energy, i would put on a sock, have to rest. finally phoned Kerem who picked me up, took me grocery shopping and down to starbucks, got a movie and I'm home again. Had half a dozen people come by on friday. yesterday Brett came over and watched the hockey game, then my cousin Marc came by. Okay, thats all I got for energy now. Getting lots of love sent me, from friends, which actually helps a LOT! Thanks

Letter to Pete

2008-05-28T01:15:00.000-07:00

This is a face book is sent to my pal Peter Anthony in TO. Don't feel like repeating my self so I'm just reprinted it.
Pete,
round two of chemo this week. four more after this. lost my hair last week. drugs are very strong, with delayed reactions, so can hit you whenever, but genarally hardest hitting the week after. its working though, and thats a good feeling. so far i have had no reactions, and my hearing has been unaffected, which is one of the risks of these chemo's.
so as many people suspected, i can take it. Have been surprised by people's willingness to help, turns out people care about me, more like family than I've ever known. did get my brother to pay for my car insurance - even though he thought it would be better used for something else. Anyway, this chemo stuff really kicks you around, and it also builds up, so im still on the way up. the anti puke drugs have made chemo less of a nightmare for everyone, but the fact that the nurses put on HasMat outfits to administer the chemo, is an indication of what degree of intervention this is! And they've got me on THE most intense protocal of all so, i'm in for it. But i'm doing my best to be positive , and do whats's best for me to get well, like laying around, and not worrying about career and all. I'm glad you asked. I'll be through this in no time, but for now, i can't lie, it's gonna be tough.

My hair's falling out

2008-05-20T17:25:00.000-07:00

Feel really good today, wouldn't even know I'm in Chemo EXCEPT the ineveitable has happened, my hair is coming out. I am having too much fun freaking people out to cut it all off now. Just casually pulling a lock of hair from my head seems to make the whole thing real for people.

My friend Marla has figured out how to schedule home care for me by getting people to take a day of the week to come in. This system looks like it might work as I already have Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturdays covered. I don't feel incapacitated right now, but this is likely to change without to much notice, so I have to anticipate that I will be dependant.

My pre-chemo doctor's appointment is on Thursday, so they can see how well I've bounced back. Bounced or not, I start a new round on Monday.

I am in good spirits though, even weed-whacked the back yard today, and cleaned my bathroom. Day 15 of chemo is going pretty darn well.

Visit with my brother, Old friends, and Anarchy

2008-05-20T00:39:00.000-07:00

Sunset in Kits

2008-05-16T19:36:00.000-07:00

I went down to the beach and had sorta a panic attack, but my friend Karem showed up outa the blue, and we relaxed and watched the sunset, and Mo - who seems to carry Peace with him everywhere, gave me some, and I was okay. Stephane came along and helped me get some groceries up the hill and home. Got back to my back yard and my Remote Control Monster Truck and made it through another day.

Clare

2008-05-16T19:28:00.000-07:00

Clare, my friend, will come over and cook some food and tidy up for me without my asking. People always ask if there's anything they can do, just ask. I feel like saying, think of something if you were in my spot, and do it. There is very little chance that I will turn down company, or help or a cup a tea. I might not have the energy to say yes please, so it can be assumed. Delegating is sometimes more taxing than doing. Anyway, I appreciate Clare's ease to this. makes me feel a LITTLR less pathetic.

energy going low

2008-05-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

trying to use my mid afternoon energy to put some laundry in and walk down to starbucks. my blood levels are loooooooooooooow but i need to get a little exercise today. gotta train my body to bounce back from this, so here goes. still have hair.

Feeling it

2008-05-13T12:47:00.000-07:00

As predicted, the real effects of keeemo are showing up. The pre-meds have made the nausea a controllable thing, but the plummetting blood supplies and what that does to ya, are unavoidable. So i am now starting to feel the vulnerablilty that this treatment entails. But so far so good. Just feels like a flu really.

I went in for my first hearing test after the cisplaten, which is known to be audiotoxic, and good news. No change to my hearing. All these early indicators, ie no allergic reactions, high spermatogenesis, and no noticeble hearing loss bodes well for the future and my ability to handle this stuff. So I'm feeling good about that.

Gonna go see my shrink this aft after I make myself a low fibre lunch, which took me a while to figure out what that was, considering I have been eating it my whole life. Hamburger helper...

Not to be too graphic, but anyone who has read this blog knows how graphic I can get, the chemicals in my body are diliberately knocking off cells, so the sooner I can get the chemo and the colateral damage through me, the faster I can rebound for the next installment in two weeks. So I needed to get of the anti nausea stuff , which has steroids and makes it hard to sleep, and get rested. So i got some generic halicion from Dr. Baird, and I'm gonna try and sleep though some of this.

First cycle done.

2008-05-09T13:51:00.000-07:00

Well, everyday for the last five I have gone in to the Agency and had about 20,000 dollars worth of drugs poured into me. The real innovation in Chemo is the Pre-Meds, the drugs to block nausea, and allow the treatments to not totally undermine the host. So, I am eating and resting pretty comfortably for now. The next round of side-effects are less avoidable. Within the next week my blood counts will begin to drop, leaving me tired and susceptable to infection. But so far so good.

I am on a curative protocol so that means it will be done, but they way it will get done is going to be by hitting it very aggressively. Yipee.

I have chosen the metaphor of war, as any good red horseman would do. The Cancer is the Nazi's, and the two major Chemo's are Cisoplat(Churchill) and Etoposide (Stalin), the first to control the spread (Cisoplat stops cells from dividing), and the second to KILL (Etoposide kills fast multi playing cells). Stalin's approach is that some civilians will be lost, but for the greater good. The Nazi's days are numbered, which they are just starting to find out about. The Allied forces have landed, and the battle is ON.

Photos are from the Sixth floor of the Agency.

Taking no prisoners at the Slam Finals

2008-05-08T14:29:00.000-07:00

Girls girls girls

2008-05-07T09:06:00.000-07:00

Vancouver Poetry Slam Finals

2008-05-06T14:37:00.000-07:00

Managed to do my first day of Keemo and fell fine for the slam finals at the wise hall. Did some provocative stuff including the ballad. MANY people spoke to me afterward about it, telling me how affecting it is, and encouraging to keeping saying what it has to say.

The event was at the Wise Hall, so we went down for a pint after the event. I didn't make the team, as well as three other very fine poets - all the white guys... the team this year does hit the demographics pretty good with Scruffmouth, Zach, Radar, and Faustus. All totally deserving of placing. The race card and gender cards were dealt from the top of the deck, and so it goes. Radar was pretty convinced that their weren't enough female judges and she wouldn't get a fair deal. The fact that her gender may of helped her is, of course, outrageous to suggest. The old feminist double standard. Now that she's made the team, she feels the right to tell me what poems I should do or not. Speaking of which, the has been fading poet, not sure his full name, Brandon something, decided to confront my about how WRONG, BAD, SHITTY the ballad is. Seemed pretty jealous about the attention I was getting. Really got himself worked up. Guess I triggered something there. Ended up calling me an idiot, which is hard to argue. I called him a Momma's Boy, which is IMPOSSIBLE TO argue. So the night ended provocatively. I do find it interesting that after some thirty poems were performed, the one that everyone talked about is the ballad.

Freezing some boys for future consideration.

2008-04-29T19:09:00.000-07:00

Richard's Blog Reader's Poetry Contest.

2008-04-29T19:05:00.000-07:00

First poem submitted in the International Richard's Blog Reader"s Poetry Competition.

The Devil Doesn’t Want You Yet by Vitamin Eff

you’ll be back, even stronger
don’t you fuss and fret
you’ll be around to offend us a little longer
‘cause the devil doesn’t want you yet

he’s got bigger sharks to fry
to him you’re still a novice
he’s lubing up waiting for that guy
who currently sits in the Oval office

the good die young so you’ll live to ninety
still never having paid your debt
so just kick back, don’t you worry
‘cause the devil doesn’t want you yet

you still got spunk, you still got pep
you’re still an acerbic fighter
I see you walk with a spring in your step
bouncin’ around one ball lighter

the birds will sing, the sun will rise
and the sun will eventually set
but you’ll still be the glare in our eyes
‘cause the devil doesn’t want you yet

you’re doomed to live I know it’s true
God made a horrible gaffe
and I’m pretty sure the devil doesn’t need you
‘cause Hitler already makes him laugh

you’ll lose some hair and a few pounds
but the gambler in me would bet
that you’re gonna be sticking around
‘cause the devil doesn’t want you yet

it could be worse like a broken heart
at least your still in commission
and I won’t write a word about your anal warts
until your cancer’s in remission

there’s no cryin’ there’s no quittin’
there’s still poems to forget
there’s still junkie escorts to be driven
‘cause the devil doesn’t want you yet

life is poetry, poetry’s life
just buckle up and ride her
and ain’t it poetic that midst all the strife
God doesn’t want you either

BRING IT ON!!

2008-04-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

Well faithful readers, it's been a few days and so here goes. Things I wished I didn't have to write. The prognosis for what i have is very good. What I have is a stage two seminoma. That means that the surgery did not get rid of the cancer which has spread to some lymph nodes in my abdomen. So that means I have been sentenced to four months of chemo starting in may, and many tests and stuff. It is going to be a battle, so I am preparing to take it on. I will beat this thing, and I will try to do it with as must humour and positiveness as I can. I will also try to be as open about whats happening here, because I think people have a lot to gain from demystifing this shitty disease.

monday monday.

2008-04-07T13:01:00.000-07:00

I have noticed over the last few weeks that Mondays are the day that seem to hold the most dread for me. I was to have appointments at the Cancer Clinic this week, but the doctor I was to see, broke his foot and I won't be able to see him till next Tuesday. This leaves me waiting another week to find out what's coming up for me, specificly, treatment-wise. I do have an appointment today at five with the infamous Dr. MCloc, and I am hoping, (sorta) to find out what stage the cancer's at, and generally the results from the biopsies. So, I am anxious. I am in the poetry slam semi-finals tonight, so that will be a distraction. I am trying to see this delay with the doctor as a week off to do some things, like a piano lesson, so this chemo stuff has as little an interruption as possible.

I had to stop the T3's as I discovered by tripping and hurting my knee and ribs - and a couple days later smacking my friends car into a pillar. That codiene can leave you a little out of it. So I am just using regular tylenol now, and am feeling a lot clearer.

Anyway, things are pretty calm, considering, and I will let you know what the results are when I get them.

Birthday and Easter Bunny

2008-03-26T11:47:00.000-07:00

So last week was a doozy, having surgery, my birthday and Easter. Here are some shots of friends that cam eover for my birthday, and then kevin foxx got me to play theEaster Bunny on his radio show, which was alot of fun. My car isn't needing work, and I am having to take it easy after the surgery, so haven't been able to get out to any shows or anything. The last chance slam is next monday, and right now I'm in second last spot to make the semi's, so I am hoping to be able to get out to the last slam, to at least go down swinging. I have recieved many well wishes from across the country from friends and colleagues. It is always nice to know that even if we don't always get along, people do care, even in Toronto. (Thanks Kenny!)

hanging in, assymetrically.

2008-03-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

Well, made it through the turbulence of last week, and so now i'm pretty much just in recovery mode. My car's on the fritz, so this is forcing me to stick around home, which is probably the best thing to do at this point. the surgery was similar to a hernia, so it'll take awhile to be back. i really don't know whats coming up as far as treatment goes, but its not gonna be fun. My pal Janet is in town so I'm gonna go limp down to the Sunset Grill for lunch.

slowly but surely

2008-03-18T23:35:00.000-07:00

today, i was really sore, cause all the freezing and such had worn off. managed to walk down to starbucks to work on sudoku and enjoy the sun. needed a ride back up the hill after ward. Stephane and Kerem brought some dvd's over. we watched "peaceful warriar", which was from a book I had read twenty years ago. Good philosophy to revisit. meanwhile my new song "fickle mystery" is coming along, and i'm reading "the life of pi". I am recieving many weel wishes, and am planning a birthday party for myself this saturday. meanwhile, i'm functioning as well as a man can after losing a ball. can't find it anywhere.

now i'm really right wing

2008-03-17T17:27:00.000-07:00

Surgery is done - went "very very well" to quote Dr. McLoughlin. Now its time to recover from the operation, and wait for the results, but I'm feeling really good (considering). Kept the staff at VGH laughing be accusing them of stealing my left one. "I had two when I came in, so somebody stole it."

My friend Kim Seary was my buddypicked me up at 815, hung out with me till i went in, picked me up and had me home by about 4:30.

The photos show me early this morning (Not hungover - afraid) Kim in the worlds priciest parkade at VGH, me goofing around in my "prom dress" waiting for Doc McLoc, the coolest doctor yet, and my pals Jonathan and Kerem, cleaning my kitchen, post op.

fuckin cancer

2008-03-16T23:53:00.000-07:00

well, i'm not looking forward to it, but tomorrow morning i have surgery to get rid of my cancerous testicle. Nasty, I know, but what can you do. I really don't have a ton of info about whats going on with my body, so tomorrow will be a big step to finding out. tests have shown that I will require further treatment after this, ie Chemo, and maybe radiation. This sucks. All I can do at this point is take it one step at a time. So tomorrow will be a big step to get rid of these mother fucking renegade cells that are trying to kill me. Meanwhile, the left one wasn't my favourite anyway, especially now. Pisses me off. I'm sure there will be lots of jokes out of this. So far the best jokes have been from MO, who said I won't be losing much and Reid, who pointed out that soon the right one with be the "left"
one. Gotta find the humour in it, and as body parts go, its a pretty funny one.

The upside is, I really have a lot of good friends. I asked my friend Kim to take me through this tomorrow, and have got lots of calls of well wishes and good luck, and so its nice to be loved. Kerem bought a bunch of healthly food for me, (dried apricots, almonds and such.

This gives you a real perspective, facing your own mortality and all, cause a few weeks ago, life seemed kinda pointless. Suffice it to say, I am more focussed now.

Whatever this is, its gonna be a tough fight, but winning is the only option.

More reasons to live.

2008-03-15T15:49:00.000-07:00

life goes on in pictures

2008-03-15T00:56:00.000-07:00

A pothole on life's highway.

2008-03-08T12:05:00.000-08:00

Well, it turns out that I was diagnosed with testicular cancer on February 28. I went to one doctor, complaining that one of my nuts wasn't like the other, and he said don't worry about it. Well a couple weeks later, I went to another doctor and he actually checked it, and things have moved pretty fast since then. Ultrasound showed it to be a tumour, and now I've had a CT scan to find out if and how far its spread. I have surgery on March 17th to have a radical Orchidectomy (yep - thats what its called when they remove one of your nuts) and then I'll know alot more about what I'm up against. Whatever it is, I'm gonna beat it. (Feel free to write your own jokes here)
It will require me to be around for a bit, which prevents me from going on the road. I have recieved a lot of support from friends, and I'm very confident that you haven't seen the last of me yet. I have never held back on anything on this blog, so thought I might as well come clean with this too. if you're the praying type, count me in, and just some positive vibes for me will help with this challenge.

Wouldn't let me blog for awhile.

2008-02-27T23:31:00.000-08:00

Sorry loyal readers, but blogspot wasn't coming through on my comp for a bit but it seems to be working now. Been doing a lot of poetry and such, won some slams, and so on. Meanwhile, I have run into some medical problems which I don't really want to talk about till I know for sure, but will be honest about what's going on soon. Have been trying to get a date off plentyoffish.com but so far, not much. Sessions with my shrink are going well, and I've been playing the piano around town. More later. Not too many stand-up gigs going on, but I have been keeping sharp by playing tough rooms like the SoHo and The CopperTank. Things are pretty good , everything considered, hope you're well too.

From winter - home for Bree's birthday

2008-02-15T10:50:00.000-08:00

The Sunshine Coast!

2008-02-15T10:44:00.000-08:00

Nelson and I did a show in Sechelt. The weather was beautiful, and the show was great