My fall branch in 2011

Year after year, for 7 long years, living in Argenteuil, near Paris, I had this tree, before my window.

Those were the only sign of "real fall" for me.

Here, in London, now for the 4th fall, all the street takes wonderful fall colours, but this branch which is like the one I had is specially speaking to me, year after year.
 
Here it is a memory of what was.


Some reminder, from afar. Reminder of those days I stayed home and sometimes my only "fall" tree were those branches in my garden.

Till, one day, furious on me, my grandson chopped it down, "to put it on the grave of the dead cat, where my mom told me it was buried."

It never really grew back. Before leaving, it begun, timidly.

At least not until I left, that was all.

the set of my "old" fall branch

"It is not a good tree" the neighbour told me, but it was my tree, my fall branch, year after year. Good for me, beautiful to look at from the window. And interesting to see as it changed colours and become more and more dark red towards the end, before the leaves fell.

"My branch" the only one I remember.

Going out there

Going out there, gives a lot of experience.

So far, for me all was worthwhile. And the Stand Up Comedy audience, usually is very reactive. That is almost addictive.

We almost expect, and do not get, the same kind of "oh, ah, haha" and so on from all, as we go along, in other environments. Having a noisy reaction gives some kind of power feeling.

When there are only or almost only comedians present, the reaction can be diluted, and that is also a learning experience. And connecting to other stand-up comedians too.

Three outings, so far. Two more already booked. And the two at the beginning of the year. in all it will be 7 for me. Each, different, even if I gave more or less the same material - also I added to it now, changing half of it after the last workshop I took. And if I counted the two Humorous "contests", in fact three, it would be 10 times telling almost the same.

So at least ten more times to go, if not more. I am sure I will "die" a few times, I was told that is part of learning, but so far I did not.

And when I will, if it is only by silence, not in real, I will go up again, as I did so many times already in my life. "By the blade of grass" pick myself up.

In the Plum Tree pub, Jester night

Stand Up Comedy night, yesterday in the Plum Tree pub, Farindon Street. Signed up, connected with others, waiting as me.

Set with Anna, who arrived from Amsterdam five years ago, and was already on the "circuit" for a year. Very nice girl.

Nice jokes too.

Anna, was repeating for tonight's contest of the "Laughing Horse" chain of cabarets. It seems, the cabaret David found us, is a chain of cabarets in fact and one well known. So, we were lucky to be there and lucky when they liked what we did. I will be on the same contest, beginning (probably ending) next week.

At Jester Jester, nice welcome. I was put on the list as 13 others. Finally 15 performed. Other then us, the barman, the compères, there were not many others present, but there were a few in audience.

It is also an easy place to go, with two bus, or two bus and underground between them, and a nice place to try out material, perhaps some day there are more public present. More present, more laughter. Or only higher?

She was towards the end, one who got most of the laughter. Was very good, indeed.
 Some of my usual 'sure" lines fall without notice, but others did get good reaction. Nothing to complain. I did not "die" yesterday.

Some others did. No reaction can be embarrassing, if it lasts for five whole minutes. But all got applause, anyway.

Open Mic night at The Plum Tree pub, 54, Farindon Str, London, called "Jester Jesters" and this video taken by Anna (see photo above, with my camera.

Fall in Context

Fall colours finally arrived on my street.

While I did not decide to go and take photos in a forest, wonderful colours did dress the trees on my street.

So, I did not have to go far away (as I first intended).

The books I waited for did not arrive, but I had my full of fall leaves "in context", in an urban context.

Here are only some of them, but I have taken in short time 110 photos. It was raining in the morning, so the flowers had still drops of water on them, and all smelled fresh.


Young couple, "spring" walking, surrounded by the fall, as a black car with fall leaves on it and tree reflected on it. So much to absorb just in a few minutes.

Because of my camera, ! do see so much more, so much better. It is also the same with my comedy; I see now life's frustrations lighter, as material for future gags.

My prefered storytelling books

Doug Stevenson's book is the third book I consider as the "bible" of Personal Storytelling. And yes, it is one book even if it did appear under different titles and covers.

Subtitle in the second edition, "Strategic Storytelling in Business" and it is that, as it is also "never be boring again".

The "Story Theater" is Stevensons coaching company, but not the best title, but he was actor for 20 years before beginning his Professional speaker and Coach career.

What is important, he does treat of many different issues and techniques that the other two books do not or go through to fast.

The first book I think anyone wanting to speak in public and tell stories to remember should read is "The power of personal storytelling" by Steve Maguire.

The second is "Improving your Storytelling" by Doug Lipman, and yes, now I have a third one.

I am not sure I was ready for Lipman's book till I did not study (not only read) the Maguire's book.

And not sure if Stevenson's would be enough in itself either.

Each add to the other, each develop and train for something plus we do need to be able to Craft our Personal Experience into interesting stories, that convey the "most important message" for that telling, and then deliver it the best possible way.

The Power of Personal storytelling,  helps you find your stories.
Gives a great method to remember it.
Explains the difference between an experience and a crafted story.

The Improving your Storytelling explains a lot about how knowledge is learned and how audience react differently and how to adopt to them and transmit them your "most important message" through a story and being at the service of the listener.

Stevenson, in "Story Theater Method" explains the acting part better and being on stage, but also gives more examples of storytelling in business environment. And why audience react not well when feeling fear, and how to get rid of it.

But those are only the "most important points" I took from each book, they do contain a lot more useful informations and they all contain exercises too.

The three will form the base of my new Personal Storytelling Workshop.

Passage St Paul, Paris

I begin to feel nostalgia for the streets and passages of Paris. Not as before, for the Champs Elysée, I thought when I lived for three years in Washington DC without being able to go back.

I can go back now. It is not so far.

Of course, if I did buy less books, I would have also the money to travel there or back, for a few days. And I have a place to stay, to sleep at least.

But for the moment, so much to do in London!

I am a serious woman.

And I am not serious about Stand Up comedy clubs and Humour. Committed to do my share of clubs, go wherever I can, as I did with my storytelling. After 20, I will see, if I stop, go back to storytelling or into my next project, the Storytelling Workshop. Teaching, this time, or let us say better, coaching through workshop.

I take even my comedy seriously.

Dublin to Glasgow

Last conference I attended was in Dublin, a year ago. Two years ago it was York.

I am looking forward to discover Glasgow in two weeks time. I made a mistake booking airline ticket and my hotel b&b is near the main station centre city.

Did not found yet out, how to go in a reasonable paid way, from one to the other.
Must be other locomotion then car or taxi!

Dublin colours

I hope.