Happy Saturday!
It's my birthday on Monday. I'm turning 33 in 2020, which I don't think means anything but also feels oddly satisfying. I love a good doubled number (shout out to the weather and traffic reports on 1010 Wins radio). I used to hate birthdays because there was so much pressure to make sure you HAVE! A! GREAT! DAY! But now, everyone I know goes to bed early, so parties are way less intense. And the idea of celebrating the fact that I survived another revolution around the sun has grown on me. So hey! I made it! You're making it! We're still hurtling through space together. Eat some cake and think of me.
Upcoming Events
LOS ANGELES
Wednesday, January 22nd 7-9 am at Friendship Auditorium. This isn't a show, per se, but I've been going to the delightfully strange LA Breakfast Club every Wednesday morning I'm in town and this week I'm officially being inducted as a member. The breakfast and the program are always open to the public. Read more about it here.
NEW YORK
Friday, February 7th and Saturday, February 8th. I will be back in NYC workshopping a stage show about long term couples and new scientific research on love. Presented by All For One Theater. Free (email info@afo.nyc to RSVP) Link with more info
This week’s list
GREAT:
Meredith Gringer is my friend who is the best at bringing people together. She's also my most trusted source for restaurant recommendations and recipes. In 2019, Meredith combined her superpowers with a resolution to have a dinner party every month. She documented the meals, both successful and less so, and if you're looking for inspiration, I very much recommend checking her writing out. Meredith is a great reminder that sometimes the best resolutions are simple and that, despite the many digital ways we can stay connected, there's nothing better than breaking bread with people you love. Dinner Party Resolution
FUNNY:
I would never have expected to be recommending an ancient Greek philosopher as the thing that made me laugh the most this week, but Austin Kleon builds a very compelling case that Diogenes was both absolutely hilarious and possibly the first famous performance artist. Here's a taste: "When a rich man took Diogenes into his house and cautioned him not to spit on the rugs and furnishings since they were very expensive, Diogenes spat in the man's face and explained that it was the only thing there cheap enough to spit on." There's even an incredible link between how Diogenes treated Plato and Dave Chappelle's impression of Rick James, but I won't spoil it. You've got to read to find out. Every Age Needs a Diogenes
INTERESTING:
Jamie Loftus is one of the creative and interesting comedians I've seen perform. She's also got some serious journalism chops. Her new podcast miniseries is a fascinating deep dive into Mensa and other high IQ societies. Basically, Jamie took the Mensa test as a joke, passed, joined Mensa, and then really pissed them off by making some pretty innocuous jokes. From there, the story took some very dark and unpredictable turns as Jamie tried to discover why people who are supposedly the smartest in the world were targeting her with systematic harassment and even death threats. It's a hilarious, wild, and incredible story. Warning: There's definitely some strong language. My Year in Mensa (or available anywhere you get podcasts)
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Have a great long weekend,
Chris