A Washingtonian’s Washington Experience

I grew in N.W. Washington, DC, – 12 blocks from the White House.  I remember how I used to walk up to the corner to catch fire flies, turn my head to the right and see the White House, from a distance of course, but never realizing just how incredible that was. 

All of my neighborhood friends basically felt the same way I did.  The White House?  Who cares?  So what?  It’s no big deal.  Or so we thought.

Never did we ever imagine that we lived up the street from the most “powerful” house in the world!  Where the most powerful leader slept most nights.  Where decisions were made day in and day about the lives of millions and millions of people.  To me it was just a white house where a lot of people in uniforms and fancy cars went to.  Where they had gates that kept you out because, well, because you weren’t rich.  Simple as that.

As the years passed and my family moved, I remember thinking why didn’t someone sit me down and tell me just how close I was to that kind of power?  Maybe a grown up could have walked me to that white house just to be close to it to admire its splendor.  Why didn’t someone tell me that it was not just the president of the United States who lived there, but THE PRESIDENT OF THESE UNITED STATES lived there!  Maybe it would have meant something.  Maybe it wouldn’t have.  After all, even the grownups in my neighborhood cared less about living that close to the White House. 

One thing for sure and two things for certain, as a kid, I never, not once in all those years growing up, ever saw the President come outside to play.  Never.  He would not have been a fun neighbor to have, I thought.  I wonder if he would be today? 

I’m interested in finding out – and hope to get to the White House soon! Did you know you can help me get there? You can. You should. It’s nice to go home.

An Act of Riot at the Riot Act!

They built a nice comedy club in DC, huh? They call it the Riot Act – it’s located in downtown Washington, DC at Penn Quarter. Talk about political associations! I’m telling you, growing up 12 blocks from the White House and now about to perform in a club around the corner and directly across the street from the FBI – what a move!

It all makes me reflect back on the days when police officers use to walk their “beat” and never figured out why they called it a “beat.” Do they beat people up? Do they beat their feet to the ground as they walk? Will they beat themselves up about their jobs? Who knows. I don’t know.

One thing I do know, though, is that people who perform at the Riot Act like to beat the stage up and the audience always loves it. I’m taking a voice bat with me for those four shows in hopes of beating the stage up as well. Sounds weird – “beating up the stage!” Sounds even more weird that people enjoy watching a stage get beat up. But, hey, folks love it and so do I. I’m doing 4 shows on April 27-28 at 8:00 and 10:30 pm. Stop by and check us out!

I say ‘us’ because, you know, I do impressions, but now I think impressions do me, especially since I am subjected to Washington, DC and all it’s “political splendor.”

Whatever the case, I’m excited!