#95 Inadvertently torpedoing my livelihood
Issue #95 Inadvertently torpedoing my livelihood
3rd January 2024
Happy New Ears!
I hope you all had a lovely end to 2023.
I've finally moved into my new studio and, as clichéd as it sounds, it really does feel like a new start for me.
First order of business: I've left Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. I'd been holding on for so long because I was convinced I wouldn't be able to run an improv business without them. But I lost too much time to doom scrolling in 2023.
I'm spending a whole year without them and I'll see whether my ticket sales really do decline.
Some caveats:
I'm not deleting my accounts. I'm just logging off and getting Laura to change the passwords.
I'll still have Facebook Messenger - so that means I can keep in contact with all you lovely international improvisers via the dedicated app without ever accessing my timeline.
YesBot will still have an Instagram account.
I'll reserve the right to return if it turns out I'm inadvertently torpedoing my livelihood.
So that's fun!
Second order of business: I'm turning off the premium subscription option on this newsletter. Thank you so much to everyone who supported me over the last year and a bit. I'm super happy with the stories I wrote and I hope you enjoyed them too. I've asked Buttondown to revert everyone to regular subscriptions and cancel your standing orders. Let me know if there are any problems.
I'll be launching something EVEN MORE EXCITING in the coming months.
One foot in the past, one in the future. What a very particular sensation!
Also, I've eaten a whole Terry's Chocolate Orange whilst writing this.
Rule of three
[Film] Smoking Causes Coughing
This was recommended to me by friend of the newsletter and phenomenal artist, Roz Gregoire. It's a French film that asks the question - What if the Power Rangers were powered by cigarettes? It then goes on to ask further questions such as And what if they were commanded by a rat? and Can fish tell good stories? I can't even begin to describe how batshit crazy it is. I loved it.
[Music] Yard Act
As I put together my 2023 Report, I realised that I hadn't invested much time in finding new music. In fact, my most listened to artists have remained unforgivably consistent for a number of years now. Yard Act are my first discovery of the new year. Listen to the wonderful The Trench Coat Museum to see why I'm expanding my musical horizons again.
[Design] Book Nooks
For Christmas, Laura and I exchanged seven pairs of presents. Each pair had a different theme. One theme that she chose was a handmade present (one of my categories was an expensive present because I'm always thinking). Anyway, I'm not great at creating things with my hands so I opted for a kit. I chose this Book Nook from Rolife - a narrow model that fits between books on a shelf to create a brief moment of whimsy as you browse your collection. It took me and both my parents WELL OVER 5 hours to make the thing but I'm so please with the end result. Here's a small video of the process.
Longform thoughts
Relaunch YesBot
Build an ensemble
Create an improv company
Curate an improv community online
Read my Improv resolutions for 2024 (and tell me yours).
Radio contact
Radio's resolution is to stay cute.