Abel Brainz Digest, Vol. 70 - Year in Review 2024
Hello again everyone!
(and some, for the first time)
Yes, I know I've used that clip before.
Oh well, I’m 43, I do what I want!
I've been meaning to send this out for the last few months and I figured I might as well make it the year in review. Let's get to it, let's catch up!
fun music stuff
December is here and what would the Holidays be without music? Enjoy this playlist that will no doubt be on heavy rotation.
Speaking of heavy rotation, click HERE for this year's playlist.
And I'll be honest and say that I left Family Madrigal from Encanto off the list. It was my top song of 2024. I will say that "What Else Can I Do?" is another banger off of the soundtrack with an improv lesson in its lyrics:
What could I do if I just grew what I was feelin' in the moment?
(Do you know where you're going? Whoa)
What could I do if I just knew it didn't need to be perfect?
It just needed to be? And they'd let me be?
Look at me relating another thing to improv.
fun book stuff
I've been on my bullshit reading all the books I can and seeing how they can apply to improv and acting. I recently finished Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman and I loved it. This passage from the book is one of many that resonated:
Scruffy hospitality means you're not waiting for everything in your house to be in order before you host and serve friends in your home. Scruffy hospitality means you hunger more for good conversation and serving a simple meal of what you have, not what you don't have. Scruffy hospitality means you're more interested in quality conversation than in the impression your home or lawn makes.
I think this is a great way to approach improv. Focus on the connection, let the disorder be. Accept it and focus on the connection that can exist in cooperation with it. Let it feed the scene. Let the rules go and enjoy the quality conversation.
Speaking of books, remember they make great gifts. Make sure you check out local Atlanta Bookshops and if you enjoy convenience, buy from bookshop.org.
Here are a few of my favorites from this year:
The Boy in the Field by Margot Livesey
Erasure by Percival Everett
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
A Pocketful of Happiness by Richard E. Grant
Trees by Percival Everett
Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero
Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
Recovering from Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson
"Look, ma! I'm in a movie!"
Apparently, I made the cut and yours truly is in Red One. I'm the guy yelling about gift cards. Sound familiar, Drama Inc. folks?
movie stuff (ones that I'm not in)
I almost wrote that I saw Barbie, and then remembered I saw it last year...
Movie theaters are a rarity for me these days. I did get to see:
I highly recommend all but one. IF you know me, you know I don't make a habit of talking bad about anything I don't enjoy.
I did a pretty good job watching stuff on the television... I think.
Road House reboot was solid fun for the most part.
I got around to watching Oppenheimer and was delighted in the heaviest way possible.
lowlights
Not acting or performing as much as I'd like to. I suppose I'm the only one making that choice. So I'll be making that choice to perform more in 2025. Got a team or a group or a show I can guest in? Let me know! Forreals! I can't guarantee that I can do the show. I'll sure as hell try!
highlights
In no particular order:
-Assistant Directing To Peach Their Own (the sketch show at Dad's Garage)
-Working with some amazing folks through classes at Dad's Garage and Drama Inc. (That's pretty much all of you!)
-Leading some meaningful workshops for teachers in Austin, TX.
-Directing, coordinating, and casting FantaWeen at The World of Coca Cola
-I got to DJ for people for the first time in....
-Wrote this newsletter/digest consistently (mostly) for a year
Connections with fellow parents were made. Hooray for hangouts! Not to get sudsy, just go ahead and hit up that friend and get some coffee.
Also, the foundation is set to work in a professional capacity with some pretty great people in the new year.
We went crazy and bought an e-bike thanks to the ARC lottery program that gives vouchers for e-bikes!!! Definitely looking forward to more bike riding in 2025. Got a bike? Let's go!!
on the horizon
Grant Park Improv is coming sooooooon....
Keep your eyes and ears peeled for a jam night that will be at St. Paul Methodist Church in Grant Park on Thursday evenings. Haven't locked down the frequency yet. My gut tells me it'll start off twice a month. Stay tuned for the official start date in February.
some reminders and revisits from past volumes
Another year of working with great people (like you!) and it reminded me of a quote from my friend from a past volume.
I also am continuing to be as kind as possible without being a pushover. It's true, kindness is hard.
Success means a lot of things and I agree that it means "I get to do it tomorrow."
Rejection is still hard. 20 years in the game and as tough as my skin is, there are still soft spots. I'll definitely be taking care of myself even more in 2025.
farewell to some greats
Quincy Jones, John Amos, James Earl Jones, Willie Mays
yet another recent find that relates to improv
Once you accept the uncomfortable truth that you don’t get to dictate the schedule, you get to plunge more deeply into the experience – and that’s when the right answer or a path forward, if that’s what you’re seeking, begins to emerge.
-Oliver Burkeman via his newsletter, The Imperfectionist.
Okay. That wraps up the Digest for 2024. Sorry I fell off for a little bit. I think it'll be a monthly thing next year or a "whenever the hell I feel like it" kind of thing. Either way, I'll keep sending it out.
Thoughts? Questions? Hit me up!
Click here for all the past volumez.
And remember, this labor of love is handcrafted and distilled every week. Click here if you want to show some love and "subscribe." And even if you don't, I'll still send you the newsletter :)
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!
Much love,
Abel