Trying to Not Suck as a Human for a Decade
This is what happens on cruises when you don’t drink.
Today is a day that will live in infamy. Not just historically, but also personally. Today marks ten years that I have been sober.
10 years ago today I was at the absolute lowest point in my life. No putzing around and soft-shoeing around it. I was in rough shape. Today things are much different and that is a direct result of being continuously sober.
When the opportunity to get sober came about (read: a trip to the UCLA ER because of yet another grand mal seizure due to withdrawal from drugs and alcohol) I had a real choice in front of me: a) try a spiritual way of life that has worked for a number of people who had been in my exact position; or b) continue to face the personal hell that would probably end in death, jail, or if I was lucky, some form of institution. To an addict/alcoholic like myself, this was a VERY tough choice. Through no small miracle I elected to choose the former rather than the latter.
The last decade has been filled with tremendous growth but sobriety does not guarantee happiness. I’ve had incredible experiences that have shaped who I am. I’ve also had to endure some rather rough times as well, but regardless of the circumstances I had a chance to be present rather than retreating back to Drug-a-chussettes.
Early sobriety was almost as terrible as my last days drinking and using. It wasn’t until I took an active part in my sobriety was I able to enjoy the fact that I wasn’t fighting hangovers, trying to keep the plates spinning via lying, cheating, and stealing, and being a general fuckhead who was always looking out for myself. Just writing this I feel like I’m talking about another person.
Today my life is so full. At times I want to burst with the ridiculousness amount of gratitude I feel for everyone in my life.
It’s just a co-incidence that all my good friends happen to dress up like idiots
To my lover-face – Christine is Lovely – You’ve chosen to attach your covered wagon to this ridiculous little horse. I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but your patience and love are unmatched. I love you.
My friends – Some of you don’t know the person described above. I sincerely hope you never do. He was a dick. Charming and charismatic, but a people-pleasing dick. I want to thank you for your support over the years. The “atta boy’s” and “keep it up’s” go a long way whether I want to admit it or not. The same goes for those with the tacit support of not inviting me to slippery places. Even ten years removed from my last drink, I can still romanticize the times when booze and drugs worked for me.
To my (current and past) fellow actors, writers, producers, business associates, training partners, representatives, fans, and haters (Youtube and twitter trolls I see you . . .) – I thank you all. All your support has helped create this handsome (and humble!) creative spark plug who lives on the fringes of internet celebrity. Caralho!
If you’re struggling with substance abuse I encourage you to surrender. More than likely that house of cards is going to collapse. Give up and join the winning side. For me, I’ve come to learn that it is much easier to stay sober than to get sober.
Via con dios,
– Zeke
STF: Public Access “Lost” Promo
Over the weekend I reached way back into the The Stranger Than Fiction Show vault and found this gem that was left on the cutting room floor.
Enjoy this “lost” promo for STF Public Access!
Truth be told, this was a one take wonder shot during another shoot. That might explain my homeless, less-than-camera-ready appearance.
“Like”and share our video and subscribe to our channel!
Oral Traditions: Story tellers at the LA Connection II – Near Death Experiences
Time to get as close to death as possible (via a third party)
We’rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! The LA Connection (13442 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423) has invited us back to perform another night of story telling August 25th at 7p.
The show’s theme will be . . . Near Death Experiences.
At the risk of tipping my hand too much I promise there will be car accidents, drownings, armed robberies, and probably at least one OD.
I will tackle hosting duties for the night with stories by Dallas James, Stevie Mack, Jarrett Sleeper, Ryan Kolbe, Robert Mitchell, and Danny Gonzalez. *Card subject to change without notice *
Tickets will be $5 door – red tickets will be accepted for this special event. *** Due to the selected theme, there is a good chance the material may skew a little blue, so keep the kids at home and be prepared for some jaw-dropping stories.
“Oral Traditions: Storytellers at the LA Connection” is an (almost) monthly show where comics tell true stories that they normally wouldn’t dare to tell in public. There is a good chance even their close friends don’t know the whole story. It will be honest, brutal, and probably funny.
MyMusic Live! with Phoenyx
MyMusic Live with Joe Hanson, Adam Acuragi, and Phoenyx
Check out Phoenyx doing their improv hair metal (acoustically) on MyMusic Live from last week. The action gets going at about 11 minutes in but you can click on the annotations at the top of the clip to go straight to the two performance pieces. We took a web-based audience suggestion for both performances and even had their host Metal perform with us during the second one.
We asked the audience for both their second favorite day of the week and their favorite spicy food. We chose “Wednesday Jalepenos” and Gunner and Chopper hit it out of the park. Next we rolled the dice more than ever by having Metal improvise a song with us “5th Grade-Style”. It had been years since Metal had been a part of our lives, but he clearly hadn’t missed a beat.
10 minutes and 11,000 comments later we were done and pleased to show a new audience our improv hair metal style.
Big ups to the Fine Brothers and the entire crew for putting up with the sequins and spandex that is Phoenyx. You’re never sure how your ridiculousness will play with people who don’t know about improv (acoustic) hair metal, but they certainly embraced it.
Give us a thumbs up on Youtube, comment, and/repost! Also a photo gallery is listed below that captured some the backstage shinanigans.
Oral Traditions: True Stories from Funny People
If you majored in embarrassment in college and/or life this night is for you.
One night only! The LA Connection (13442 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423) will throw its hat into the storytelling ring with a unique one hour show where top level improv comics get to show another side of themselves.
“Oral Traditions: Storytellers at the LA Connection” is a show where comics tell true stories that they normally wouldn’t dare to tell in public. There is a good chance even their close friends don’t know the whole story. It will be honest, brutal, and probably funny.
The show’s theme will be . . . Embarrassing Moments.
I will tackle hosting duties for the inaugural show and feature Dallas James (“Halls” commercials), Tyler Jolley (“Thanks for Dying”), Sara Luka (“Tammi’s Tool Shed”), Chad Winkles (“Speeders”), and Danny Gonzalez (“Best Buy” commercials).
Tickets will be $5 door – red tickets will be accepted for this special event. *** Due to the selected theme, there is a good chance the material may skew a little blue, so keep the kids at home and be prepared for some jaw-dropping stories.
New Video – Shit Improv Actors Say
Here’s a little video I put together with the crew from The Stranger than Fiction Show. We saw an already over-crowded marketplace and said, “Me, Too!”
I really can’t get enough of these Shit X Says video despite the over-saturation of the market.
I’ve been performing improv comedy for over a decade starting at Boston College and ImprovBoston before coming to Hollywood and setting up shop with the LA Connection.
Share it with all your comic friends and have a laugh at niche comedy.
Blue Skies,
– Zeke
Ghost Adventures – STF Public Access 1.32
Title: Ghost Adventures – STF Public Access 1.32
Description: Zeke and Tyler from the Stranger than Fiction Show use this week’s video to give you highlights from this week’s show, but also address reports of paranormal activity at a haunted LA theater. Will they encounter a spirit? Will their heroic camera operator Courtney pick up supernatural artifacts? Will they overplay a one note joke?
Something tells me the answer is fairly obvious. And bearded. And freed the slaves.
Subscribe, like, and share our videos. Check out http://www.stfworld.com for live show info and merch.
Links: http://www.stfworld.com
The Kardashian’s Home videos: http://youtu.be/8_iKjd6_JXQ
TMZ: http://youtu.be/ZzT6k1ajk6c
Abe Lincoln: http://youtu.be/MHdeSuEB_TU
The Cast:
Director – Zeke Thomas (Self)
Producer – Tyler Jolley (Self)
Producer – Dallas James
Producer – Chad Winkles
Actor – Karen Brundage
Actor – Dorian Lipman
Actor -Sara Berger
Actor – Courtney Renee Fridley (Camera Op)
Tags: supernatural, paranormal activity, paranormal, EVP, EMF, ghost, nightvision, abe lincoln, apparition, ghost hunter, ghost adventures, travel channel, zak bagans, Dallas James, Sara Berger, Zeke Thomas, Tyler Jolley, Courtney renee Fridley, LA Connection, UCB, IO, Second City, Groundlings, the groundlings, improv, sketch, re-cap, sketch comedy, public access shows, The Stranger than Fiction Show, Stranger than Fiction, stfshow, the stf show, live show re-caps, low fi video, the state, whitest kids u know
Live Show Update
This week I’ll be doing two shows with The Stranger than Fiction Show – Wednesday (that’s tomorrow) night we will rock the Comedy Store Main Room as part of the LA Connection Showcase. The improv comedy rock band Phoenyx will be there playing 20-25 minutes of improv hair metal goodness. Tix are $10 at the door, $5 if you get on my list. As always in Hollywood there is a 2 drink minimum. Friday night brings me back to my regular show with The Stranger than Fiction Show at the LA Connection. 9pm start time and a full 90 minute set. The band will be back together in full force with my main man Digger back on bass guitar. Also there might be a super secret show in the works for early September. Details as they emerge.
Mahalo and try to stay off the ice, brah.
The Bridesmaid – STF Public Access 1.31
Title: The Bridesmaid – STF Public Access 1.31
Description: The STF Public Access cameras were hanging outside the theater when a drunk bridesmaid wanders into the shot and takes over the video. London Bridge? Eiffel Tower? Leaning Tower of Pisa? Which one will she choose?
Something tells me she picks option #2.
Subscribe, like, and share our videos. Check out http://www.stfworld.com for live show info and merch.
Links: http://www.stfworld.com
The Kardashian’s Home videos: http://youtu.be/8_iKjd6_JXQ
TMZ: http://youtu.be/ZzT6k1ajk6c
Abe Lincoln: http://youtu.be/MHdeSuEB_TU
The Cast:
Director – Zeke Thomas
Producer – Tyler Jolley (tag team #1)
Producer – Dallas James
Producer – Chad Winkles (tag team #2)
Actor – Karen Brundage
Actor – Dorian Lipman
Actor -Sara Berger (Bridesmaid)
Actor – Courtney Renee Fridley
Tags: bridesmaids, bridesmaid, drunk bridesmaids, wedding, wedding reception, frisbee, ultimate frisbee, bong collection, Dallas James, Sara Berger, Zeke Thomas, Tyler Jolley, Chad Winkles, LA Connection, UCB, IO, Second City, Groundlings, the groundlings, improv, sketch, re-cap, sketch comedy, public access shows, The Stranger than Fiction Show, Stranger than Fiction, stfshow, the stf show, live show re-caps, low fi video, the state, whitest kids u know
Video Commentary
Sara’s parents must be so proud. They send their daughter to go be an actress in the big city and she plays a “character” who gets drunk, shits on the sidewalk, and then gets double teamed by two dudes. Sara’s is a delicate flower and I think we captured that in this video.
– Zeke
Hitler and Eva Can’t Sleep – STF Public Access 1.30
Sometimes I don’t know how our cameras get positioned where they do. And sometimes I only know how to end sentences in prepositions. But I do know a good Hitler joke when I see one.
The STF Public Access camera’s made their way into Hitler and Eva’s bedroom only to catch them fighting a bout of insomnia. Hitler tells Eva a bedtime story that consists of Kim Kardashian’s engagement ring, the nature of the NASCAR economy, and a tale of what happens when Starbucks runs out of coffee.
Did you know that Hitler sleeps with a German flag? I didn’t.
Subscribe, like, and share our videos. Check out http://www.stfworld.com for live show info and merch.
Every week STF Public Access Creates instant sketch comedy. 5 minutes pre-production, 5 minutes of shooting – 1 new 60-90 second sketch.
Links: http://www.stfworld.com
The Kardashian’s Home videos: http://youtu.be/8_iKjd6_JXQ
TMZ: http://youtu.be/ZzT6k1ajk6c
Abe Lincoln: http://youtu.be/MHdeSuEB_TU
The Cast:
Director – Zeke Thomas
Producer – Tyler Jolley
Producer – Dallas James (Hitler)
Producer – Chad Winkles
Actor – Karen Brundage
Actor – Dorian Lipman (Eva)
Actor -Sara Berger
Actor – Courtney Renee Fridley
Live Show update
I’ll be at my resident gig with The Stranger than Fiction Show tonight at the LA Connection at 9pm. Word has it that Dallas James is back from his break and has been stockpiling comedy from across this great land. Me, I’m trying to get it out of me before I go camping next weekend. Tickets are still available for tonight’s show and I promise to incorporate more mid 90’s basketball stars into my opening. Who doesn’t love a good Horace Grant reference, right?
Lawn Clippings: ZekeIsAwesome Blog 