Everything Old is New Again

I think we as a human race just went through some huge phase . . . a phase of not being ourselves, of turning away from something inside us and trying anything else out. I'm noticing it in people I love.

Some random guy I know here at Pole just cut off all his hair that he's been growing for 6 years (I cut it), and is returning to school to get his MBA over the winter.

My sister is all the sudden returning to Philosophy and it is saving her life.

My friend Elaine is returning to improv and it is blooming in every direction.

Here is an excerpt from an email she just sent me:

**********************************
"Last night Darrin invited me and Jane and Dave and Jon and Deshawn to talk about the improv plan. Jane and Dave have to think about it, Deshawn, Jon and I are in. It's going to be at The Avenue Theater. The idea is: let's get some really talented people together and have some fun. Darrin's willing to organize, including putting up money for the venue, and we're willing to play. We're going to invite Eric Mather, and you, too.
Speaking of you, Jon and Deshawn went off on a tangent about tracking you down in Antarctica:
Deshawn: She'd be out on the tundra, in a furry suit, ice fishing.
Jon: And she'd see us in the distance, skiing in. She'd just look up and scream, "NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" because she'd know that we were there to take her back to civilization and back to performing.
Deshawn: She'd say, "How did you find me here?" And I'd hold up the magic, glowing improv stone. She'd gasp, and then pack up her fishing gear in quiet resignation - tears in her eyes - knowing it was time to do a show.
I peed my pants from laughing. Deshawn talked about remembering your beautiful laugh and how fearless you are. Jon agreed, saying that you're George Washington on the Mount Rushmore of improv. We were all quiet a moment, thinking, "what if....."
They make me happy. Jon and Deshawn together are a wonder to behold. We all bring out the best in each other and the mutual adoration in all directions is palpable. I love that chemistry."
*******************************************

And now, here I sit . . . in Antarctica (not in a furry suit, ice fishing -- but drinking scotch, listening to classical music with the humidifier running and writing my blog) . . . wondering how long it will be before they drag me back in . . . before I start performing again.

This year was the first year I "came out" to people here in a long time. This new little weird girl made a movie for the SPIFF asking 10 Pole folk what they did before they came here and stuff that no one would know about them. I was one of her subjects and I admitted, behind a cardboard question mark, that I used to perform improv comedy and was actually paid to be a mime.

I'm coming out.

I'm admitting it.

The other day I spoke in an accent and made someone laugh.

The bug is crawling out.

What the fuck?

I thought I might have killed this demon.

Oh. Holy. Heavens.

Save. Me.