The volume of rain we’ve been experiencing has taken on the guise of an elaborate practical joke, and I fell prey to it on many levels.

I noticed before Christmas lots of people were imploding. I was among them. Since I’m from here, a friend from Southern California posed me the question, “When is the rain going to stop?” She looked shell-shocked, like she’d just come out of a sensitivity session.

An old but familiar urge prompted me lie. I said, “It usually lets up the first week in January!” I knew that this cruel encouragement could promote a sense of universal betrayal by mid month, and might lead to insanity by February. It seemed like a funny thing to do.

I wasn’t done. On Christmas Eve day I walked into my mom’s house and falsely announced to a room full of football-game-watchers that there was a 45 second delay for the TV, and that I’d just heard on the radio that the next play was a Seahawk touchdown. Everyone got very excited and I left the room to watch others cook in the kitchen.

I navigated the Holiday Season with that kind of weather-inspired enlightenment. I suppose it was not totally devoid of virtue.

I read once that the true practical joker need not see the fruits of his labor. He lets 20% of the air out of all the basketballs in the gym, and never looks back. My exploits were faithful to the Zen of that practice, but at the age of 53 I think I’m ready to try some alternate behaviors.

My New Years Resolution goes beyond decrees involving exercise and sugar/caffeine/fat intake. (A friend told me that after the age of 40 you have to choose between your face and your butt/stomach. If you want to be thin you’ll pay with a gaunt, vacant looking face. For a healthy looking face you must be pudgy).

My New Years Resolution is to stop trying to be funny. I’m trying it for one month. I hope to become a better listener, but it’s possible I will lose all interest in what others have to say.

It won’t be easy. Last night, alone in my car, I caught myself making ecstatic faces and noises, celebrating the fact that I had made the right choice of ferry lines, and that my car was now in front of the car it had been behind. Wish me luck.

Here’s what’s going on:
I have accrued 175,000 frequent flier miles (Elizabeth has 60,000 too) and we’re looking for a fiscally responsible way to visit Italy within the next 2 years. Let me know if you have ideas.

Outsourced, the film I went to India to act in, is the opening night offering at The Palm Springs Film Festival on January 4th, and I am going. The real players arrive late, so I get to do radio interviews and will pose at a party after the film. To see a preview of the film go to www.outsourcedthemovie.com and click the YouTube icon.

One regret: I traditionally attend the Prep-Bainbridge basketball game and am entertained by the asides of the insufferable parents (their own
adjective) of Seattle Prep players. I’ll miss that game on the 5th.

Prediction: the mighty Bainbridge Spartans will soundly trounce the posing state champions.

Improv workshops

At Freehold (Capitol Hill in Seattle): Wednesday nights, 6:15 9:15, from January 17 March 7. $315. To sign up call Freehold at 206-323-7499. This is a basic class for absolutely anyone.

Week-ender Basic Improv Workshop:
February 10th and 11th, (Sat 9:30-3:30, Sunday 10 to 2) at The Valley School in Madison Valley, $100

Some trainers from other states have threatened to come to this, and we’ll address the non-performance applications of the improv exercises. This is a great, non-threatening way to get acquainted with the principles that drive improvisers. No experience required.

Auctions

Bidders across the globe succumbed to my hypnotic spiral, including at an auction in Union Station in Chicago and another in Bend, OR. I have 15 auctions already booked for ‘07, and I’m hoping this will all lead to a fiscally responsible trip to Italy.

Trainings and Keynotes and Stuff

I have been working with Kert Peterson (from Austin) in a Scrum Master Certification Course. The two of us are ready to form a partnership with Tobias Maher (Palo Alto) and Michael Hamman (Charlottesville, VA). We plan to bring the ultimate Agile Training course to organizations through an approach involving simulations, improv, and common sense. If you want to hear more about this, just ask. We can do a “lunch & learn”.

January 12th: I’ll be doing a session with TEC (The Executive Committee) Canada in Banff. TEC is an organization dedicated to increasing the effectiveness and enhancing the lives of Chief Executives.

It’s a wonderful opportunity.ß

January 26th: I’m spending the day with WORKTANK brand storytellers. In February I’m working with Group Health as a recurring part of their leadership training program, and with Microsoft for a one day training.

Thanks for skipping to the end. The secret phrase to let me know that you read this is “Thank you for not trying to be funny”. Extra credit: How many times did I use the word “pose” in this newsletter? (No re-reading!).

If you’re into High School Basketball, come over for the O’Dea game February 8th.

Much love and a Happy New Years

Matt Smith
matt@matt-smith.net
206-842-1646
www.matt-smith.net