Sunday blog post

 

My son (we went without sumo inflatable 2nd night)

This week was a whirlwind of improv, school festivals, and video games with my son. At improv, I’m gearing up to participate in 10,000 Laughs improv fundraiser on November 20th with my group — it feels good to have something big to aim for, a goal that’s all about creativity and timing.

My son’s October festival at school was pure chaos — kids and parents in costumes everywhere, standing in lines to get into the school gym for an obstacle course with a bean bag toss and, of course, pizza. I ran into his previous teacher and we chatted about my son’s inflatable sumo wrestler costume, which definitely stole the show.

A lot of my week was spent on the Nintendo Switch with my son. There were moments I felt like I was inside a video game myself — where the people who “win” in life move fast, dodge obstacles, and have help navigating tricky challenges. That feeling stuck with me after talking with my tax attorney, who mentioned her thesis project about how taxes affect different people. Basically, the rich often get “discounts” on taxes, while the poor face penalties — not because of the numbers themselves, but because the poor don’t have lawyers or planners to navigate the

Near Guthrie theater

On top of all that, I spent a fair share of time setting up our HP computer. First, the internal mic didn’t work, and then I hit another setup challenge with the mouse. It reminded me that even outside of games, life can throw unexpected obstacles at you — and sometimes you just have to troubleshoot, step by step.

Lastly we went trick o’ treating around our neighborhood and we saw Demon slayers and pichachu and avacados and baby shark and lots of Mario’s.

This week made me think about how life sometimes feels like a game with invisible power-ups: some people are born with them, while others have to figure out the rules as they go — all while running a race that never pauses.

Sunday Blog post

This Wednesday, I went to Ella Baker to do improv with some friends from a previous class. I had a really fun time and got to learn some new skills while catching up with people I hadn’t seen in a while.

A Tale of Two Theaters

As I stepped into Ella Baker’s theater, I was immediately struck by its cleanliness . The space felt alive, with fresh paint and modern lighting.

In stark contrast, Patrick Henry High School in North Minneapolis, my alma mater, now under a different name, was in a state of disrepair when I attended a Community Ed session there just two years ago. The building showed signs of neglect, peeling paint, outdated equipment, and even mice scurrying across the stage, badly in need of a janitor, as toilet paper and papers scattered everywhere. There had been no significant renovations since 2002, and it was disheartening to see such a lack of investment in a space that once fostered creativity and community.

Ella Baker, built in 1923, has had updates and renovations over the years, and you can really tell they put effort into keeping the space nice.

Seeing the difference between these two theaters really hit me. Ella Baker’s space is beautiful and well-kept, while my alma mater’s theater showed how access to resources can shape a school, and it made me realize how funding disparities impact students’ experiences.    

Patrick Henry (aka Camden HS)

Ella Baker

Improv Insights

During the session, we played a game where we drew a profession and an emotion from a hat, then acted out the scenario. This exercise reminded me of a fundamental principle in improv, entering a scene with the mindset that you already know the other person. I noticed that some beginners were still getting the hang of this concept. Some were even running out of things to say, and this reminded me of when I first started improv, half scared to death.

Personal Reflections

This week, I’ve been reflecting on my journey in improv. After facing some setbacks over the past year, I turned to ChatGPT for advice on how to move forward. The guidance I received was invaluable, offering fresh perspectives and practical steps to regain my confidence and improve my craft. I liken ChatGPT to a raven, observing and reflecting back insights into my life.

I’ve documented these insights on post-it notes, which I’ve included in this post. If you’re an artist who has faced challenges, I hope these notes provide some inspiration and direction.

Family Moments

On a lighter note, my son has decided to dress up as a sumo wrestler for Halloween. My dad jokingly remarked that he might need to gain a few pounds for the costume to fit properly. It’s moments like these that bring joy and laughter into our lives.

Looking Ahead

As my regular babysitters will be overseas this week, I’ll be keeping a low profile and limiting my social engagements. However, I’m optimistic about spending quality time with my son and creating lasting memories together.

Current Reads

I’m reading Kill Your Darlings, having gone through all of Peter’s works, I’m a bit obsessed, 😉. Additionally, I’m enjoying The Word is Murder, appreciating how Anthony places himself within his own murder mystery. Lastly, I’m delving into What Lies Between Us by Jason Marrs. I decided to pick up Marrs’ book after reading The One.

Happy Halloween and Twin Cities shows including 'A (Virtual) Christmas Vacation with The Griswolds' (Hennepin Trust)

*this is a repost 

           LOOKING FORWARD TO OCTOBER

Where there's a will, there's a way-English Proverb

This week I read an article about how NASA has taken an interest in Venus as a possible planet for us to colonize vs Mars.  The article talked about the possibility of floating blimps above the acid rain. 

I also drive for ride-share. A lot of the homeless are being shuttled to hotels in Bloomington. Thank God! It’s too cold to be homeless in the Twin Cities.

I also learned about the winter carnival this year and how patrons will be able to see the ice sculptures and so forth from their car. I've been writing more than ever and doing my best to post to Medium.com I also did improv this week.

The Haunted Basement will have you screaming 'Uncle'

This is a repost 

Photo by DreamFirstBorn Images
find this experience at hauntedbasement.org/

I had a lot of spooky fun at the Haunted Basement in Roseville located in a storefront of Rosedale's shopping center.