2009 has been a heck of a year. While it’s really been a year of serious ups and downs for me, it’s also been a year of growth and learning. I’ve made some mistakes, but I’ve also made some awesome friends and I’ve grown as a person in ways I never would have imagined. This year I took some life changing trips to Berlin, Paris and St. Louis that taught me how to explore and be more independent. When I moved to Chicago three years ago it was precisely for this reason. I wanted to force myself to break out of my shell and stand completely on my own. It took me almost three years but I think I finally really accomplished that goal.
Last weekend I finished my Level 1 improv class at iO Chicago (formerly Improv Olympic) and I have to say it was one of the most liberating feelings I’ve experienced in a while. In the short amount of time it took to take the class I discovered sides of myself that I had never even imagined. Improv has forced me to change the way I think and has become something I look forward to every week. On top of that, I met some great people in class I’m happy to call friends. It’s no surprise that I’ve signed up for level 2 and I’m excited already. Improv has been an outlet for me during the most stressful time of year.
Now a few random notes:
My blog with ChicagoNow has been pushed back to Q1 of 2010. More info as I get it.
Long Pork has received it’s dates and times for San Francisco Sketchfest with two shows!
The first: January 29, 8pm at the Eureaka Theater and we’ll be opening for Theme Park Improv featuring Rachel Dratch, Edie McClurg, Danny Pudi, Jessica Makinson, Janet Varney and Cole Stratton.
Second: Jan 30th, 10:30pm at The Dark Room Theater with Marvin Berry and We Are Nudes.
Needless to say, we’re pretty excited.
That’s really all for now, but things are looking good. 2010 has a lot of good things coming, more traveling, SXSWi again and the restarting of TheChicagoGuys.com and more. The future may be unwritten, but the rough draft sounds pretty good.
2 replies on “Leveling Up and Leveling Out”
John Morrisson!
I’m a former Garden Street neighbor of yours; tracked you down through your parent’s Xmas letter to my mom. I moved FROM Chicago back to Manhattan in 2006 after 13 years there- we just missed each other. Great city, Chicago. Glad to hear you’re doing improv – I reviewed comedy and theater for the Reader and my partner taught at IO for a while (and was in Second City). I’ve been hearing good things about Long Pork from afar, from Nina and others – I’ll need to check out a show next time I’m in town.
Glad to hear you’re doing so well there. Interesting to hear what you’re up to!
Much love.
John, It looks fine with a rich feel. You can give me some tips on how to access certain themes or whatever they’re called. Overall, it’s very inviting and accessible. Nice work. Let me know when and where you will be on stage and let’s hear more about your photo class. Jack