Hi again, and Happy New Year! It’s hysterical that my last blog post was last New Year, I suppose I have been quite busy. And the truth is no one reads these things. My engagement is much better spent on the socials you know? Gotta stay relevant! Post or die ;)
I don’t really mind if no one reads this, it might be better that way actually. Because while I do have a perfectly lovely year to share and look back on, I’m feeling more apprehensive than celebratory. So, if you’re looking for a laugh go to my TikTok (@venessaperuda) or IG (@vspiz).
But let’s start with the good stuff, yeah? 2021 I started out strong with a dry January, which is always a great way to get focused for the year ahead. February doesn’t ring a bell, just continuing to work and stay healthy most likely, same with March- Oh! I got my first vaxx dose end of March. April I went to Hawaii with a group of old friends, and celebrated my birthday floating down a stream through old mining tunnels (10/10). Summer was nice because things began to “open back up” and I brought my weekly stand-up show Belly Laugh back to Brooklyn (13/10). Late summer and into the fall my dream angels at TIPS NBC helped me set up some general meetings with casting, and directors at UCP, NBC-Universal, and Peacock. I peacock Peacock. All the meetings were over Zoom of course, but I felt seen and I feel I made a good impression. Not much has come from those meetings yet, but still a very valuable experience. I also got back in touch with folks at Avalon who initially reached out to me after the Stand Up NBC Finals Showcase. But they don’t seem interested in working with me at this point. At least I’m persistent. I started touring with Hilarious Colombian Americans! A very cool group of very talented and hard working comics, y claro soy la unica mujer del grupo. But I’ve been really well-received and I’m really looking forward to working with them in the future and getting my first set in Spanish on tape! The end of October I went to the Oregon coast with my sisters, fue magica. I got new photos done! I love them, thank you Phil Provencio, you’re the absolute best. Once the holidays came around, the world looked like it was heading back into “normalcy" I was even looking into joining a kickboxing gym. But then…
OMICRON…
Ruined… everything.
I had to cancel my weekly show, other shows I was booked on cancelled, my NYE Belly laugh Ball- cancelled. It’s been a rough month or so. I also found out the stage I produce my weekly show at is closing… to get turned into an arcade? WTF? What year is it?
My panic attacks are provoked by the fear of having to go back inside. I’ve been feeling very boxed in. And had things pulled out from under me. No me gusta. My ambition has been kicking and screaming as everything I’ve tried to build and move forward this year closes or goes dark. And here I am. Back inside. For how long…?
I have my day job, my family, and my health- I may be the only person in NYC who hasn’t been infected by omicron. I have plenty to be grateful for, and there is plenty I can create and do with the marvelous tools of present day technology. But I’m feeling a bit deflated at the moment. Like when you’re climbing a flight of stairs and you think there’s one more step at the top, but there isn’t, and your leg expects to find an elevated landing but instead your foot falls further and crashes like a horse’s stomp- and you’re bewildered for a moment. It’s that feeling. Very that.
I’m trying to be optimistic. Something bigger and better is coming. Something bigger and better is coming. I’m fine. I hope you are too. xo