#19 Alive & relevant
Issue #19 Alive & relevant
20th July 2022
Hello you!
Too hot. Can't make words good.
🫠
Rule of three
[Podcast] Origin Story
I love this podcast that breaks down the history of politically-loaded terms like Neoliberalism, Conspiracy Theory and even Woke. The subjects are extremely well researched and, crucially, the hosts are funny and personable, transforming the potentially dry subject matter into something that feels alive and relevant.
[Game] Into the Breach
Recommended by fellow improviser, Arfie - Into the Breach is a turn-based strategy game that reminds me of Advance Wars or Command & Conquer. It won countless plaudits when it was released and I can see why. It plays beautifully and the added time travel element creates some wonderful gameplay opportunities. The best bit? If you're a Netflix subscriber, you already own it. The iOS and Android versions are included in your subscription.
[Money] YNAB
This recommendation totally transformed my relationship to money. You Need A Budget is a brilliantly designed piece of budgeting software. In brief, it allows you to give every unit of cash you earn a job to do. If that sounds a little wooly, then read this easy explanation - but in practical terms, just know that it has single-handedly allowed me to take control of my finances as a freelancer. I could never have taken the leap to improvising full-time without it.
Spotlight
New online improv class! Tara and I had such fun with Improv Cinema Club that we're putting on another one in September. This time we're mixing it up with a thematic approach and rather than looking at 6 unrelated directors, Tara will be taking us through the history of American Indie cinema from the 1950s through to the present day. You can see the films and directors we'll be covering here (although Tara has a tonne of additional recommendations up her sleeve). Do book early if you're interested. Last time places went extremely fast.
Longform thoughts
"We are responding in the moment. At the instant that it happens to us. The whole show is created in that metronomic heartbeat of the now."
My series on The seven habits of highly effective improvisers continues with Live in the NOW
Radio days
Bee aggressive, bee bee aggressive!
(This whole thing came about because Laura and I kept telling each other stories about how Radio was stealing honey dressed as a bee. And then we decided it was the only disguise he had so even if his crime wasn't honey-related, he still dressed as a bee. And then Laura bought him a bee costume for our anniversary and shouted "Happy Anniversa-BEE!")