Big thanks to everyone who came to the show last Thursday. I had a great time and I hope you did too. Extra special thanks to those who got up and told a story, especially our first-timers Lisa, Todd and Eric.

One of the stories I’m still thinking about was about a young man’s journey through Weight Watchers. Most people don’t know but I was also in Weight Watchers. Every week I walked into a room with 25 women and stood in line to get weighed. When our storyteller talked about taking everything out of his pockets and slipping off his shoes before he got on the scale I had to smile and nod my head because that is exactly what I did every week for six months. I’m not going to name the teller because I’m sure he doesn’t want his life all over the internet but I was very touched by his story and the courage it took to tell it.

A very cool young woman came up to me after the show and thanked me for telling the audience after the story that I was also a member of Weight Watchers. Turns out she was too. It’s hard to admit that stuff. I’m glad she came up and shared that little bit of her life with me. And I’m glad that it all started because that one teller got up and told us what it meant to turn his life around by losing the weight that had dogged him his whole life.

The room was full of really sweet people that night both onstage and off. I don’t know where you come from or how you find out about us but I’m grateful that so many of you show up every month.

Before I forget, I want to let everyone know that one of our regulars, Big Tim, just started a storytelling open mic in Tacoma. I know it’s a drive if you live in Seattle but sometimes it’s good to get out of town and tell a story in an unfamiliar place. It’s the same basic format as FGS but you’re almost guaranteed to get a spot onstage because it’s a brand new show and not many people know about it. This is where I’ve been going for the last few weeks to work on my own stories so I don’t have to take up time at FGS.

https://www.meetup.com/Something-To-Tell/

The recorder did its job last Thursday so if you told a story that night send me an email and I’ll get you a copy of your performance. I only give out the audio to those who shared a story so no one has to worry about their story ending up online.

Our next show is Thursday, April 27. The theme is “Never in a million years – stories of doing something you never thought you would”

See you then!

Paul
freshgroundstories@gmail.com