Gosh, I can truly embarass myself some nights. We come, we play, we kick ass. That’s a standard, but sometimes I’m just not funny, and I know that, and sometimes someone gets offended.
Last night was awesome. We played at Lucky Joe’s in Fort Collins, and I think we played particularly well – the sound system was that extra bit more powerful, and it sort of felt like we were back home, playing with the whole band. We met good people, ate incredible sushi (thanks Ken!!), and even landed another gig. Great night. Maybe I got cocky.
Tonight we played the Mead Street Station, and we came, we played, and we kicked ass, and I managed to offend the host.
Often I don’t really care if I offend people. Either I meant it to be offensive, or am callous enough to figure if they can’t take a joke then I don’t care to let them in on my sense of humour.
But here was a guy who I actually enjoyed watching. I enjoyed watching Tony dodging between tables and people and bending over to pick up things in front of waiters in compact spaces. What I meant as a sort of commiserating comment on the tightness of space in the bar came across as “you’re in the way”.
Apologies never work once you’re in that situation, either. It’s seen as sucking up, it’s seen as… well, as anything but genuine. So his response to my apology was “I’m not offended, one of the things that’s kept this open mic going for 10 years is that I’m always open to comments and criticism”…
If I was clever, and if I was quick, the response would’ve been “And as a performer, I’ve learned to do the same thing, so you should tell me that I’m not funny, and let me know that my sense of humour isn’t appreciated.”
But I’m not clever, and I’m not quick – and he liked us, and was a good host – but I didn’t make a friend out of him, and he seemed like someone I’d have liked to hang out and talk to.
Damn.
I feel about three inches tall, and hot as I burn from embarassment.
I get over things, I suppose. Heather keeps burping up lentils, and I just can’t continue my depression under these circumstances. I thought that that was one of those charming details that really should be included in any honest attempt at completeness.
