Weird Enough

• Lori Palminteri
• Uncategorized
• September 3, 2023

A weird little writer and rainbow chaser, basically an insecure kid, a nerdy virgin, with an imaginative brain and a kid at heart but an old soul kind of brain decided to try stand up comedy. The first time you do stand up, you’ll find, isn’t nearly as sigfincant as the years you put in later— especially when you’re finally a decent stand up (takes about five years to not suck) and then when you’re actually good at it a decade later.

Friend and comedian, Jim Norton, said to me, “why do you think you’re weird.”

“Everyone my entire life has told me I’m weird.”

Not in a bad way. Or maybe they did mean it in a bad way. If so, fuck em. But I am a true original, there’s no way around it. I love being unique because I mostly don’t want to be like other people. I’m good being Lori, the little loner, trapped in her head which is half hell, half bliss, the artist, the writer, the clever girl, the daughter, sister, niece, cousin and Aunt, the surfer girl, the playful, the restless, the reader, the philosopher, the partier, the studious, the drives too fast, science fiction alien, loves dark poems and offensive jokes.

This self loathing narcissist is an introvert, but I have a voice. A very nasally, pretty annoying voice. But I’m a true neutral. It makes me a good listener. It allows me to understand things and people and make fair judgements, a gift most people do not have or are too clueless to see the bigger picture. Yes, I’m a nihilistic manic depressive but my problems are my own.

When choosing a name for my debut comedy album, I couldn’t initially decide. Because the topics of my comedy, like me, are more than just one thing. I talk about drug and alcohol use, my neurosis and mental problems, my family and upbringing, dating, friendships, topical stuff, being an artist, not wanting kids, surfing. The common thread of my tightly written jokes is it’s just my dark and clever take on things. This is how my brain works.

The title is also a little bit of an homage to one of my favorite writers, the father of gonzo journalism, Hunter S. Thompson, who said, “it never got weird enough for me.”

As the comedy album special approaches, I’m more excited than nervous. Though I spent months so anxious about it. Much of this anxiety comes from self producing. However, I am not doing it alone. Friend and fellow film fanatic Josh Petrino is directing and he’s amazing with a camera. He is the one who suggested and made it happen at the Kevin Smith’s Smodcastle. He brought on Jess Duboiss as a producer. Had a great photoshoot with the super talented and cool Daniel D’Ottavio and surfing buddy/graphic artist, Shahaf Himo, helped glue together the “multisided” Lori for the album cover.

Thank you to anyone who contributed to my IndieGoGo. Thank you to all the comedians in my life who are my truest allies and some of the best friends I’ve ever had. You made this pariah feel seen. Without my comedian friends championing me, I would have quit so many times. Thank you to my friends and family for your continued support and keeping me fed when I’ve been a literal starving artist. And thank you to anyone who goes to live comedy shows, mine or any show. Keep culture and art alive. Support comedy and music. Don’t let the robots take our jobs. For what would this life be without stories and laughter?

[Tix to Sep 9th at Smodcastle in NJ here. And tix to the Sept 7th rehearsal show on LI here.]

Love, your favorite little weirdo,

Lori