The holidays were great after I realized that the reason I felt insane was
because I am, and the holidays were coming, like the birds in the Hitchcock
film. So I got off caffeine and sugar, accepted that there's never billable
work for me after the first week of December, and made a list of things to
accomplish every day, beginning with "make the bed". It includes "write 500
words", "walk the dog", "study Japanese", eventually ending with "snort salt
water with the Gerber nasal aspirator". There's something to be said for
identifying and enlisting your character flaws to help you endure.
The basketball coach I never had reminds me to play within myself and let
the game come to me. He says never pretend you're enlightened when you're
not. First survive, then thrive. With the guidance of coach's imaginary
voice I breezed right through the holidays, triumphantly and compulsively
checking my little boxes every night before I went to made bed. Now the New
Year is here. Lets all thrive.
Following are things I'd like you to be vaguely aware of:
WEEKENDER BASIC IMPROV WORKSHOP:
February 2nd & 3rd (Sat 9:30 – 3:30, Sunday 10 – 2)
At The Valley School in Madison Valley (I hope). $125
I've taught this material about 1,000 times. No exaggeration. I don't ever
get tired of it. Does this mean I'm a really simple person? I might
believe that, but for the voices…
If you've never taken an improv workshop, consider it. The idea of taking
an improv class has become main stream. That doesn't make it better but it
makes it A-OK for anyone, and I've figured out how to make the class
non-threatening. It's a great way to get perspective on your creative
system. No experience required. All are welcome. Call me to sign up:
206-842-1646
FREEHOLD 8-WEEK IMPROV CLASS
Wednesday nights, Jan. 16th – March 5th (6:15 – 9:15) $315
Call Freehold @ 206-323-7499 to sign up.
This may be the last class I teach at the fabulous Oddfellows Hall on
Capitol Hill. They've (Freehold) been there 20 years or so, and are getting
priced out by the new owners. The Freehold crowd is taking it standing up,
getting stronger and finding other venues. Stay tuned.
SUMMER IMPROV INTENSIVE AT FREEHOLD
It will be in July (we are going to
Italy in August! Want to house-sit and take care of our dog?). The
intensive is 5 mornings a week for 4 weeks, ending with 2 performances.
Start thinking about it. You can do it. You can thrive!
www.CookusInterruptus.com
Consider subscribing!
This is Cynthia Lair's web based cooking show of which I am a partner. Huge
thanks for checking it out. If you have ideas for "interruptions" please
advise, we'll need them. Something you want to learn how to cook? We'll do
it, maybe. My weekly chore is to ask food blogs to review our site, so
that it may thrive. Know any good ones I can ask?
www.outsourcedthemovie.com
This site is for the fantastic film I went to India to shoot. You can buy
the DVD at this site for $20, or wait till you see me. I've got a stack for
sale with me at all times. You'll really like it, I promise. I was Googled
and tracked down by an old Juneau girl friend (1976. Wow. 31 years ago.
Yikes!) She saw "Outsourced" in Anchorage and thought that the a**hole boss
looked oddly familiar. I also heard from an old pal who saw it in Israel.
I love that.
AUCTIONS
All I have to say about auctions is "Hallejuliah!" I called 26 last year and
it's steadily growing. I find myself more and more often "in the big time",
chanting the chant for many hundreds of people, raising phenomenal amounts
of money for recognizable causes, and I am extremely exhilarated by this
challenge. But there's still nothing like selling a dozen cookies-a-month
baked by the librarian and delivered to school, and I don't think I will
ever tire of those grass roots events. Does this mean I'm a simple person?
On Jan. 15 I'll be leading the Writer's Round Table on Bainbridge Island for
Field's End, a fantastic writer's organization. I'm also doing a leadership
training with John McConnel in April. And occasionally I go to California
to work with "Stand and Deliver" as a coach. Also in the mix is another
training in New York, and another TEC session in Vancouver BC.
You have been gracious to read this far, or to have skipped ahead. The code
to make me believe you read to the end of this newsletter is "I will
thrive!" Happy New Year. I think this is a good one coming.
Matt Smith
206-842-1646