The Numbers For 2012

I went on 1 vacation to Richmond, VA.

I saw 98 movies in the theater.

I had roughly 180 days of sobriety.

I performed in roughly 170 shows.

Rick had 43 shows.

Salute Jive had 9 shows.

Runnin' Coin did two festivals.

I joined Deep Schwa and performed 34 shows.

I coached 2 improv teams.

I had 1 unsuccessful audition.

I spent 8 days in the hospital.

I tried 1 new cuisine, Ethiopian, which I had never tried before.

I wrote 1 sketch show with Ted, we performed it 7 times.

I had 1 spiritual experience.

I began co-writing a serial radio show with Tisher and recorded 1 episode.

I met 1 of my literary idols.

I read 32 books, my favorite of which was In One Person by John Irving.

I made 6 new friends.

I believe I mended 3 damaged friendships.

I made 4 collages.

I published 367 posts on this blog, 1 for every day and 1 to grow on.

I rode my motorcycle for 4 glorious months.

I bowled 2 times.

I went to 1 wedding.

I went to 0 funerals.

I had the love of a wonderful woman for 366 days and for that I am grateful.

Inciting Incident 11

I ask friends "When did you first feel the need to perform?" This comes from Richmond Comedy Coalition co-founder, my first improv friend and constant source of inspiration the eclectic Matt Newman.

Acquainted With The Night

I have been one acquainted with the night.

I have walked out in rain -- and back in rain.

I have outwalked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.

I have passed by the watchman on his beat

And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet

When far away an interrupted cry

Came over houses from another street,

But not to call me back or say good-bye;

And further still at an unearthly height,

A luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.

I have been one acquainted with the night.

-Robert Frost

Graffiti 84

Photo credit to PP

Let those who will stride on their barren roads
 And prick themselves to haste with self-made goads, 
 Unheeding, as they struggle day by day, 
 If flowers be sweet or skies be blue or gray:
 For me, the lone, cool way by purling brooks,
 The solemn quiet of the woodland nooks,
 A song-bird somewhere trilling sadly gay,
 A pause to pick a flower beside the way.
-Paul Laurence Dunbar

Each time it rings
i think it is for
me but it is
not for me nor for

anyone it merely
rings and we
serve it bitterly
together, they and I
-William Carlos Williams

Street Talk 10

Walking home from the bus, 10:13pm.

Man In Jeep: (Spanish accent) Excuse me!
Me: Yes?
Man In Jeep: Do you know the closest...eh...video store in the area? Could you...eh...tell me of any video stores...eh...not Blockbusters...eh...adult video stores?
Me: (pause) I couldn't. No. (exits)

'This Is 40' & 'Jack Reacher' Reviews

This Is 40 is an anxiety inducing mid-life crisis drama masquerading as a comedy. The film is too long and the laughs are few and far between. At the heart of the film is the dysfunctional marriage of Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann. The fights, aggression, and animosity between the two characters is unpleasant to watch. If that is 40 I don't want to be 40 and I certainly don't want to watch a movie about it. Financial insecurity and personal discontent underscore the film. Towards the end of the film the marriage seems as if it might be on the mend but at that point you don't care, you just want to get out of there and use the bathroom. As charming as all the actors are the characters are almost too "real" to be likable.

Don't See It.

Jack Reacher is a predictable action-thriller. Is it fun? Yes. Is it totally conventional in every way? Yes. Was I entertained? Yes. Was it worth seeing it in the theater? No.

Rent It.

Loved Ones

This Christmas was a little different for the Nelson household. We didn't get together with my extended family which was a disappointment but it was nice to have two full days of relaxation. We sat around, ate a lot of delicious food, watched movies, and gabbed. My family does most of our Christmas on the Eve. We open presents and we have pizza fondue. In the days of Santa Clause we would exchange presents between us on the Eve and Santa would come on the Day. These days Christmas day is exclusively for lounging and watching movies. This holiday has been especially great because I've gotten to see so many people that I love. My family of course(above), Punam, Beanpole, Adam, and Matt.

Punam spent Christmas with me which was great. It's nice to be out of the city where both of us can just sit. Spend some time with each other where we aren't coming from shows or going to shows. In preparation for the holiday we made cookies. Something I haven't done in years. Some had surprise treats inside, we were experimenting with relative success.

Beanpole and his wife Jen came over and we got to spend some much needed QT together. Whenever I get to see him I feel like I become the scrappy twenty something that use to live with him. I use to make this face in a lot of pictures and haven't in years. Beanpole's latest project is a children's book staring characters he's made up called "werp-werps" which he will write and illistrate.

On our way out of town Punam, my dad, and I stopped by Beefaroo to see Adam. We only had a quick visit but its always nice to see him. He's the only close friend I have who has a real family. He's like a real dad. He stayed up on Christmas Eve putting together a Ninja Turtles Club House.

Last but not least Matt has been in town visiting Katie's family. He sat in with Schwa last Sunday and we had a great show. It's always great to get back on stage with him and it always seems like he never left. That old connection is always there.

Overall it's been a great holiday. Joy and peace to you and yours.