“By God...”

I once read a non-canon Sherlock Holmes novel, whose climactic scene still comes to mind from time to time.

I can't remember much about the story (or, in fact, which one it was), but Sherlock was in a fight, and Watson was somehow sidelined, first-person ruminating about his role as perennial sidekick. It's been more than 35 years, so I bet I'm not being fair to the author, setting up the scene so clumsily.

Anyway, Watson decides to break out of his "box," and become a man of action, not just its powerless object. He says (or thinks?) the words, "by God, I shall act!"

I remember saying "YES," out loud, when I read that.

For decades it's been the thing I think of when I'm trying to move from "I should" to "I am." I think it, or sometimes, mumble it aloud, at those moments, to shove myself into the fray. And it helps.

All this is to say, if you're ever around me and overhear those words, that's what's going on. And also, If you sometimes find yourself battling inertia's insidious grip, you might find it useful. Help yourself.

This morning, Dr. Watson's declaration of empowerment transitioned me from coffee and pointless iPad games to a workout and stretches, and now there's a run in front of me. A run I will love being in, but dread starting. And I'm writing this, instead. So...

...by God, I shall act!

Crowd Work

Last night, I did a “crowd work show.” I accept these invitations every time they’re offered,  because I rely heavily on writing, practice and performance, so crowd work is my weak spot.

Here are some epiphanies that come from last night’s attempt:

• it’s not about you (the comic). It’s about them. Well, it’s really not about them, either. It’s about the interplay between you and them.

• some degree of sincerity is required. You have to be yourself, at least a little, to have meaningful interactions.

• don’t fall in love with a bit. When it’s gone, it’s gone. Sometimes a track will be really going somewhere, and you’re having a ball with it. Then the room will take it somewhere else, and you either go with them, or stay with your beloved bit while it dies on the vine.

• they’re not passengers on your train; you’re all riding a wild horse together.

I don’t think spontaneous crowd work is better than material. And I don’t think material is better than crowd work. I think they’re both tools that belong in a comic’s kit, and I’ve neglected this one for too long.