Nerd Art

What would Andy Warhol say?

Steve's Guide To Happiness

1. Always Carry A Book- You never know when you'll get a flat tire, have to wait for a bus, or need a prop to avoid conversation. Having a book will always allow you to entertain yourself, to escape, to be interested. A book can be a shield, calm in a storm, or a warm friend. When you're reading a book you have a life that you're living parallel to your own. If yours isn't going well, you're a page turn away from anything: adventure, romance, the plush heat of the Amazon, the biting breeze of the Himalayas.

2. Have A Hobby- Have something outside of work and your social life that you're interested in. It can be anything from riding motorcycles to playing chess. Have something that excites you, something you want to spend time with. Something that brings you joy simply by doing it.

3. Treat Yourself- Every once in a while indulge yourself. Get yourself something you really want. That dress that's a little too expensive, court side seats to the Bulls game, dessert. You deserve what you want, give yourself a little encouragement.

4. Have A Passion- Have something that you love to do. Something that you could do and talk about endlessly. In a perfect world this would be your job but the worlds not perfect. If it's not your job FIND what it is. Find that thing that brings you the most energy, the most fire, the most desire to DO. Find that thing that keeps you up at night thinking. Find that thing that once you finish doing it, all you want to do is begin again. For my dad it's the Law, for me it's Improv. What is it for you?

5. Friends and Family- Surround yourself with people that inspire and challenge you. People that make you laugh and bring out the best in you. People that want nothing less than the absolute best for you. People that care about you no matter what. People that you could talk for hours with or companionably share a silence. People that hug you hello.

6. Love- Love as much as you can. Love your friends and family. Love the sunny days and the cloudy nights. Love your anger and your sadness. Love the dappled forest and the sprawling concrete jungle. Love mysterious strangers and the people you see everyday. Most of all, fall in love. Kiss, embrace, and give as much of yourself as you can. It'll make you rich and alive. Who knows, you may find someone you can't live without...

"Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it." -Groucho Marx

Isolation

(via phone)

Me: I think we can kind of broaden the scope at this point. Branch out from emotion.

Beanpole: What you got?

Me: I got a couple, but now I'm feeling 'Moon' for Solitude.

Beanpole: ...hmmmmm...(long pause)...

Me: ...Good or no?

Beanpole: (pause)Yeah...how about, Isolation?

Me: Good.

Del Awards 2011

'Song of Solomon' by Toni Morrison is one of my favorite books. One of the lines from that book that has stuck with me over the years is "Share your happiness with me, not your unhappiness." She's describing the attitude of Milkman, the main character of the book. This quote occurred to me last night before the Del Awards at iO.

Each year the iO improv community has an awards show to honor and poke fun at the previous year of improv. Caitlin asked me at the beginning of the week to help with The Katydids opening number. I painted my face like a white tiger and Caitlin came out on my back for the final chorus. One of the awards is 'Drunken Spectacle' which I was nominated for. The nomination read as follows "Steve Nelson for ruining a Bird and Bison show by getting up on stage and saying woosh." This was a very dark moment for me. Possibly one of the things I feel worst about in my entire life. And of course I won. I knew I was going to. That moment was too juicy and horrible not to get attention. Which brings me to the quote.
The audience was packed. They didn't want to hear about my struggles, they didn't want to hear about my problems, or my regret. They wanted to be entertained. Share your happiness with me, not your unhappiness. It's a feeling I imagine a lot of comedians feel from time to time. Give me all you can, make me laugh, but don't count on me. There was also another layer. Facing the music.

There comes a point where you have to take responsibilities for your actions. Chickens coming home to roost, made your bed now lie in it, any number of phrases. The award seemed to me a reprimand. It was mine, I owned it. I felt a lot of tension the whole night until they said my name. I walked to the stage, accepted the award, and froze. I saw Vince in the front row, took a deep breath, and gave my speech.

Me: I'm ashamed to win this award(laughter). I want to take this opportunity to apologize to The Bird and the Bison, their coach, and specifically my best friends on the team Vince, Eli, and Jillian. I also want to thank Craig Uhlir for having my back and getting me out of the trouble I got myself into(pause for laughter). This was not a good thing. (more laughter, exit)

I wondered for a while why people were laughing. I didn't realize till later I still had my face paint on. Craig called it Kaufman-esque.

That chapter on my life is closed. Last night sealed it.

Own your mistakes as well as your triumphs.

Panang Curry: Sticky Rice

Wes and I went to Sticky Rice tonight for dinner. I, of course, ordered the Panang Curry. The curry was good not great. The consistency of the curry itself was half way between thin and thick, I'd have preferred it to be a little thicker. Other than the curry and the chicken the only additions were the five small chunks of tomato and the two basil leafs you can see in the photo. Overall it was a little lacking, it felt a little incomplete. The spiciness was a good level but this was the first Thai place I've been to that didn't ask you how spicy you'd like it. Presumably however spicy they make it is how spicy you get it. Wes recommended it and after the meal he said it wasn't as good as he had remembered it. Overall I was a little disappointed. Would I go again?

Doubtful.

'The Adjustment Bureau' A Review

Matt Damon plays a New York politician with hopes of becoming Senator. On the night of his crushing defeat he meets the woman of his dreams(Emily Blunt) in the men's bathroom. She inspires him to give a rousing speech that sets him up for another Senate bid a couple years down the line. The thing is it wasn't a chance meeting it was arranged by...THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU!

The main thrust of the movie is that 'The Chairman' has a plan for everyone on earth. Insert whatever personification of God you'd like. S/he has a government-esk organization, with certain powers, that police the human population and make sure they stay 'on plan.' After Blunt inspires Damon they're never to meet again because they're not meant to be together. The rest of the movie is pretty much in two parts. Damon trying to find Blunt and once they are together, trying to avoid The Adjustment Bureau.

The premise or idea of the movie is fascinating but the film makes a conscious choice to get away from some of the bigger issues or implications i.e. Fate vs. Free Will. And that's OK. The chemistry between the characters is great, it's fast paced, and overall a fun journey with a happy ending. I guess, when it comes down to it, there's not a whole lot to the movie. It's a classic love story with bureaucratic fate angles.

I won't go in to the peaks and valley's of Damon and Blunt's relationship or the different attempts by the Bureau to keep them apart. Only because that's the entire movie. The movie briefly sets up the idea of the Bureau and then follows the relatively predictable plot arc of Damon trying to connect with Blunt.

Damon and Blunt's chemistry carry the movie. Their attraction is nice and warming and we as audience members are comfortable when they're on screen together. The big surprise in the movie is Damon's best friend and campaign manager played by Michael Kelly. He's the perfect supporting character and foil for action of the story. He's earnest, motivated, cares about Damon but is totally clueless of the action going on behind the curtain. Anthony Mackie and John Slattery were both kind of uninspired as agents of fate but it didn't overly detract from the piece as a whole.

Generally I say the movie was good. It could have been great. The film gave itself fascinating complex themes and moral issues to play with. It only had the guts to turn it into one long protracted chase scene. But hey...

I like chase scenes.

Graffiti 5

Signs from the Universe...