Tinder, the popularity of a certain right-wing hairstyle for men, astrology, gummy worms, how to dress for a Chinook, moustaches and female comedians.
Just a small sampling of the random topics discussed over a fast-paced (and hilarious) 30 minutes with comedian Cathy Jones. Justifiably, it is easy to slip into her neurosis of feeling you have started a lot but not accomplished much. Almost like a Seinfeld episode, you know, the show about nothing but a lot of things actually happen in between.
Her phobia is what is behind her one woman show, Stranger to Hard Work, which she is performing at the Cleland Theatre on Feb. 1.
“I don’t work terribly hard, I feel like. I have a book that I am writing but don’t ever work on,” said Jones. “It is really about myweakness, but it is a humorous take. I think other people think it is fun to laugh and have a sense of humour about how life isn’t really always working out for everybody.”
Despite the questioning of herself, life has worked out for Jones, no matter what her brain tells her. In 1992 she helped create This Hour Has 22 Minutes earning her 18 Gemini Awards and three Canadian comedy awards for Best Writing in a Comedy Series. Stranger to Hard Work is her third one-woman show that she produced.
“I have done the TV show before and now it’s kind of like having a rich husband. I don’t need todo anything during the summer. Then I get people saying you should write your book on your time off and I’m like, ‘oh ya of course I will, first I have to make this smoothie then I got to think about stuff like what do those clouds look like man.’ That is what happens, the time goes,” she said.
So what would make her change her opinion about herself then?
“If I actually finished my (expletive) book, yes. If I could get up in the morning and say even though it is not going to be as good as the other page that I loved so much I could finish this.”
Jones said after completing just one page she was almost in tears and thought, yes I can do this.
“I don’t know why, but I won’t. I’m just such a rebel that I rebel against myself. Other people do this and they say yes sir andthen do what they are told. Then there are people that will question a lot, but will finally do it. Then there is rebels you can’t make them do anything.”
Not even a standard interview.
“You are going to make it up anyway. She is a lot of fun to talk to and if her show is anything likea few minutes with her, wellthen. Just pretend I am funny and kooky.”
Yeah, totally will have to pretend (sarcastic eye roll). And, I’m not just saying that because yousaid I still look like a teenager.Tickets to her show are $48 and sold at the Leir House or online by clicking here. This is a Penticton & District Community Arts Council fundraiser proceeds going towards the first annual State of the Arts Penticton Arts and Culture Festival next September.
Kristi Patton is the editor of the Penticton Western News
