The Shondee Chronicles

Almost That Time!

2011-05-05T00:53:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty pumped about doing my one woman show this Friday! I've performed Shondee Superstar before, but this at a completely different venue and it's for a festival.

I'm up working tonight, going over each story and trying to time it. Ugggggh, so frustrating.

I wonder if Whoopi felt the same way...

It's Been A While!

2011-04-30T13:59:00.000-07:00

Sooooo, it's been a while since I blogged about anything. Over a year to be exact! So much has happened in a year. Almost too much to try and blog about in one shot. But let's just say the road to comedy gold is littered with pot holes and smooth pavement.

Working in entertainment, you better have some damn good self esteem. Otherwise, the constant rejection/frustration that performers have to go thru will have you crying in a blanket and eating snacks. Alone. All night.

Is it worth it?

That remains to be seen...

What's Behind Door #2 Monty?

2010-01-23T21:59:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't updated the blog in a while. I've had a lot going on these past few weeks and really haven't felt like doing much of anything. Including stand up comedy.

Okay, this is what's going on;

When I first started doing comedy, it was supposed to be a fun hobby that got me out of the house to meet new friends. After doing this off and on for 2 years, I see that I could turn it into a career. The only thing is, I don't want to piss my 30s away chasing a dream that may never come true and hating myself for being such a dreamer.

I feel like those people on "Let's Make A Deal". I could take the $$ or I could pick what's behind door # 2. I'm just afraid that if I pick door #2, there may be a gang of live chickens and I go home mad as hell. With some fonky ass chickens. Years later talking about "You know I was Let's Make A Deal right? Yeah, I met Monty Hall, but all I got was some live buffalo wings."

How do I know that this is the right path for me? I guess if people knew the answer to that we wouldn't have so many people joining cults and listening to false "profits".

What's a girl to do?

What We Gotta Do

2010-01-11T23:12:00.000-08:00

Even though things aren't the way I would like for them to be at times, I'm a G and G's do what we have to in order to survive...

Shondee Superstar: It's Really Going To Happen!

2010-01-07T04:42:00.000-08:00

Hey y'all,

I am so excited about my new one woman show! Shondee Superstar has been a long time coming and I'm ready. I started working on my wardrobe (because you know I AM the glamour girl!) and getting everything all planned out. More details to follow in the next few days.

Special thanks to Chris Trew and Tami Nelson from The New Movement Theater for giving me an opportunity to put this show on! Visit their site to learn about all the great creative things they do here in Austin;

http://www.newmovementtheater.com

The Year Of Creating Opportunity!

2010-01-06T03:56:00.000-08:00

2010 is the year of opportunity. I hear people from various aspects of entertainment talking about trying to get "put on" with so & so from this record company, film studio or comedy club. I've seen people wait and wait and nothing ever happens.

I'm sorry, but I don't have time for that shit. My time is valuable and the last thing I need is to be wasting it waiting for something that might jumpoff one day. Yeah having an "in" is great, but how many other people are waiting for that same hookup?

I believe putting in work and laying the foundation in the beginning is great, but I refuse to be worked like a 9 to 5 and not see any results. At what point do you feel like you are being pimped for your skills? These companies are working the dog shit out of their employees and paying them peanuts.

There is no honor is getting played.

2010 is the year of creating your own opportunities. Whether it's starting that new business you always dreamed of, or writing that book you've been meaning to write, etc.

Once this life is over, that's it. You don't get to come back and revise your plans.

Now get out there and make it happen!

It's 2010 & I'm Ready For A Change!

2010-01-01T22:01:00.001-08:00

First things first;

Happy New Year everyone! Out with the old in with the new!

I know with the start of every new year, we all make bullshit promises to ourselves about how we are going to change the way we eat, spend money and live. This year, it's gonna be different for me. The New Year's resolutions I have made are actually very realistic and can be achieved once I put my mind to it.

It's a new decade and I'm ready to step my game up. Now I can't tell you ALL my resolutions, but I will share SOME of them with you.

#1 Lose 40-50lbs by April 2010
This will be my most difficult task I'm sure. I love eating at restaurants and I love fried foods. It's not good for me, but the shit is good to me! What can I say? My blood pressure issues have forced me to stop cooking with salt and that took some getting used to. I'm sure if I can fix all my healthy meals for the week in advance, I won't be tempted to stop off and grab something quick and unhealthy for dinner. Plus, as someone who performs in front of an audience on a regular basis, the last thing I need is to feel self-conscious about my body. I don't think I look bad now, but the older women get, the harder it is for us to drop the extra weight.

#2 Start Back Driving Again Full Time
I hate driving in Austin. Hate Hate Hate! The first couple of years of living here, driving was a nightmare for me. I kept getting lost because some of the streets here have several different names for one damn street. I basically stopped driving full time and started taking the bus. I pretty much would only drive to places I knew I could get to with no problem. Plus, taking a gang of blood pressure medicine often left me sleepy and I didn't want to run anyone over. Well, it's going on 6 years since I've been living in Austin and I'm used to my meds, so I no longer have an excuse!

#3. Starting A New Part-Time Business As A Personal Stylist
I absolutely LOVE fashion and I have a great sense of style. Always have since I was a teenager. When it comes to accessorizing, I know wassup! Aks anybody! It's time for me to take my hobby and finally turn it into a business :)

#4 Writing More Comedy Material
Self explanatory.

Sometimes we can become very comfortable with our situations and that in turn allows us to become stuck in a rut. Sorta reminds me of the little hamster that runs around on a wheel and can't seem to get off. He doesn't make progress, yet he's tired as hell from all the running in one spot.

I'm tired of being a hamster, how about you?

The End Of The Decade

2009-12-21T20:43:00.001-08:00

Wow I can't believe that we are at the end of the decade. Seems like yesterday I was debating on whether I should buy tuna fish and water to survive Y2K. I gotta say though, this decade truly kicked my ass, physically, mentally and spiritually.

Let's see what went on that is worth mentioning;

W. stole an election and took the country to the edge of hell and almost pushed us in with his crazy ass!

9/11 (which also happens to be ya girls birthday BTW).

My ex of almost 13 years and I split and went our separate ways.

I went out on a limb and moved to Texas.

My Grandmother passed away (I miss you Ma!)

I had a heart attack. Got married, had a son and then had a mild stroke.

Finally came back to the stage after vowing to never perform any kind of material ever again for almost 20 years (that's kind of a long story).

I'm looking forward to the next 10 years to see what other weird twists fate will throw my way.

Blah!

2009-12-21T14:19:00.000-08:00

So sick of being sick. That is all...

Welcome To My World

2009-12-19T01:46:00.000-08:00

After years and years of talking about it, I'm finally getting off my lazy arse and starting my blog!

The Shondee Chronicles are a look into my fun, weird and fascinating world as a mommy, a business owner, adjusting to life in Austin, Texas and aspiring stand up comic. I will be sharing with you people my rants, insecurities, hopes, dreams and other random shit.

With that being said, I'll tell ya a little about me;

My name is Lashonda Lester and I'm originally from Detroit. I've been living in Austin, Texas for almost 6 years and it's been one hell of an experience and culture shock. Usually when people ask where I'm from and I tell them they have that puzzled look on their faces. You know the one that dogs give you when say something stupid to them. I've had people say shit like "OMG, I saw that movie 8 Mile. Is it really that bad?" to which I reply with the puzzled dog face look. The fuck do you think? I'm here 'aint I? Or they'll start talking to me in some weird 70s/80s mesh of jive and ebonics like I can't understand the Queen's English. GTFOH with that nonsense!

After dealing with this kind of stupid shit on a fairly consistant basis, I totally understand why some people choose to remain in the hood. You really do have to bite your tongue because otherwise you'd be kicking somebody's ass err'day!

With that being said.,

Welcome to The Shondee Chronicles...