I'm improvising this

Dear Blog Diary,

Thunder doesn’t destroy anything. Lightning doesn’t grow anything. Only rain brings life.

That’s a tweak to a quote from Rumi, 13th century poet.

It’s an interesting dynamic. In my experience the toughest, most dangerous guys I’ve met along the way are complete gentlemen. They treat you with respect. They articulate themselves well. They conduct themselves precisely at all times, because in their circles when you fuck up, it’s not a small thing. More than just getting your ass whipped.

The cliché is true most of the time. Those that bark, don’t bite. The loudest one in the room is often the most insecure. They need to be bigger. I’m not scared of the one who’s loud before a scrap. I’m scared of the calm one who doesn’t want to fight.

On the flip side, the kindness most empathetic people I’ve met along the way are complete gentlemen/ladies. Ironically they are usually tough as nails.

Maybe what I’m saying is – if you’re an asshole, it’s at least probable that you’re also a pussy.

For the past 7 weeks, I’ve been taking Improv 101.

I was apprehensive to sign up and transparently, I was going through it at the time. Improv became something I looked forward to every week. It’s a place for adults to behave like children, where weird is encouraged, and you wish the rules in class were applied in life.

Rule, you establish boundaries every session. Where not to touch, maybe my back hurts so don’t jump on me, emotional boundaries, whatever.

Rule, you get your team’s back. I’m the guy who runs into a scene if my teammate's struggling. And yes I’m never ready, sometimes I bomb sometimes I crush…but I run in.

Rule, you metaphorically say “yes and”. You go with the idea then add. You have a pig...I love his black and white spots that make him look like a cow. Hope no one tries to milk him.

The 401 class sat front row. One of them approached me at the bar after the show...

"You're hilarious but with one line, you were funny and justified your character, NATURALLY. That's rare for 101."

Not about being loud or even creative or funny. For me it's about giving to your team, the bit, the moment, and it comes from a place of kindness.

And scene.

E

#ARTiculate