Let me start by saying that this story doesn't take place during a happy hour. That's right, I paid full price for my beers and there wasn't a half-priced appetizer for as far as the eye could see. But you couldn't see much through the smoke filled room we were in. Take a guess where we went___ Alright, I'll tell you. We went to a comedy club.

I have this nephew-in-law (notice there is no blood relation) who does stand-up comedy. Personally, I never thought he was too funny, so I figured I had to see for myself. The funniest thing I've ever heard him say was, "Yo Lar, I'm gonna marry your niece!" Actually it was more upsetting than funny. His name is Pete Black and he had a gig up at the Comedy Cabaret on Roosevelt Boulevard. I heard that he opened for Gabe Kaplan up in New York just recently. Do you remember Gabe Kaplan? The guy from Welcome Back Kotter? Wasn't he a pro bowler? Did he always do stand-up? Wasn't he caught in the Horeshack holding Mr. Woodman's Boom Boom while reading a note from Epstein's mom?___I know, I am getting off track. At my age you have to say stuff when it's there or you lose it. That gets me in trouble sometimes.

Anyway, we got a few people together and went to see him. Now, the show didn't start until 9:30pm. I am usually enjoying my pre-bedtime brandy at that hour, but I planned ahead and decided that I would have a pre-nap brandy and catch a snooze from about noon until 4pm. I'm a ball of fire, ain't I? So, after my post-nap beer and my post-beer brandy and my post-brandy beer, I figured, "what the hell" and just drank both together. I amazed myself with my level of drinking efficiency.

So, we get to the place and snag a table in the back of the room. I didn't want to be prime material for the comedians. The room was packed with a diverse crowd of people. Mostly people on the verge of middle age, like myself. It was a two drink minimum. At first I thought they said two drink maximum__I almost fainted. The show starts and the first two comedians were kind of funny. They were no Hal Roache or Cozy Morley, but they were funny none the less. Finally, Pete goes on. I am expecting a "Did you ever wonder why?" or "Have you ever noticed?" kind of routine_. but it wasn't. I was actually laughing at his jokes. Holy crap, the guy was funny. And I wasn't even drunk. Ok, maybe just a little bit. I knew I shouldn't have had that last post=brandy beer.

Pete Black performs at various venues throughout the tri-state area. I would plug his show on April 27th, but it's now April 28th. A day late and a dollar short. Maybe if Pete reads this, he will email me with his upcoming gigs.

Remember, if your driving drunk and a cop pulls you over and knocks on your window__don't knock back. Thank you, goodnight!!!!!