Attleboro native and stand-up comic Michael Petit has ridden the `` comedy caravan,'' as he calls it, from Attleboro to Florida, Los Angeles and Atlanta, back to this area.

Petit, the son of Priscilla and Ernest of Attleboro, has purchased a home in Plainville and recently performed before a packed crowd at the new Signatures Restaurant in North Attleboro, where he is scheduled to appear again on March 12.

`` Comedy's a journey,'' said the 39-year-old Petit of his experiences to date.

And while he still holds out hope for an HBO special or a sitcom, he's learned a lot on his travels over the past 15 years, including six spent in Los Angeles.

`` The passion never dies, but my priorities have changed,'' he said. `` People have started calling,'' as a result of his recent local performances. `` I'm living the dream in Plainville.''

He said corporate functions, including those he books acts for at the local restaurant, continue to be `` the bread and butter of my business.''

`` Chuck E. Cheese parties, church basements ... The great part about playing church basements is that they pay you in Bingo chips,'' he quips.

Petit says he strives, in his comedy, to `` keep it real, keep it clean.''

And he tries to keep it fresh.

On the New York Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, he says: `` The Yankees have a new jewelry shop. It has 26 rings and one choker.''

And: `` The NY in the NY Yankees stands for Next Year.''

He plans on going to Florida for spring training. `` I'll be the only guy on the beach with an Alaska suntan.''

`` I blend it in. It's a mixed bag of humor,'' says Petit, who also does impersonations.

To say it has been tough to break into the big time `` is more than an understatement,'' he says. `` Everyone has a script, is an actress or actor.''

Depending on comedy to pay the bills is a job where `` there is no 401K, no insurance and we don't get sick days,'' says Petit. `` You can't call into the club and say `I have unfunny-like symptoms.''

Petit figures he needs `` a misdemeanor or a conviction for insider trading,'' referring to domestic diva Martha Stewart's recent release from prison which had media broadcasting her every move and headlines crying out: `` She's thinner, wiser, richer.''

He said the Hollywood scene, where producers are always looking for `` young, fresh faces'' has had its openings for others and which could eventually lead to his big break. `` Look at Regis Philbin,'' he said, noting the morning talk show host who worked his way around the circuit of smaller shows before hitting it big time later in life.

`` Show me a success story that does not have its trials and tribulations.''

Petit says that in the meantime, he has turned his creative talents to other ventures, including pet toys he is in the process of marketing.

One is a set of plush dogs garbed in various sports uniforms called `` Muttscots,'' a play on mascots.

The football-version plush says things like: `` Mutt 1, Mutt 2, Mutt 3.''

Another series would have dogs with names like the `` Beef Street Boys and Run DOG'' that sing rap songs, says Petit.

The ideas for the plushies come from his love of animals -- he has a yellow lab. He is also an ardent supporter of the Humane Society. He is hosting an event in West Palm Beach for the society where he'll be doing his skit which includes his `` Scooby Do'' impersonation.

Petit's done recent gigs in upstate New York and Maine.

He said he was recently at an airport awaiting to return from St. Louis. He said a person for the airline came over the intercom at 10:15 and said the flight would be delayed because of maintenance problems. `` At 10:45, she comes back on and says the flight is going to be delayed because the glue has not dried -- Who says something like that over the intercom?'' Petit asks incredulously. `` I went to the front desk. What, are there Popsicle sticks for wings?''

`` Are we getting served ice cream on the flight?''

He said he got onto another flight and was bumped up to first class.

`` So, what have we learned today? Things are good,'' he said.

Petit says he has been able to keep his sense of humor despite the ups and downs because it's something he enjoys.

`` This is who I am,'' says the 5-foot-6 comedian. `` Life is short and so am I.''

rdrtrdrsrdrw15rsp160 For further information or to contact Petit, go to his Web site at www.tvguy.tv