A is for Apnea. Yeah, who’s grateful for a condition that could kill you? I’m grateful that it’s been diagnosed and treated. Sleep is a wonderful thing that I never experience the way that most people do. Now, thanks to an extremely quiet machine that helps me breathe at night, not only can I sleep deeply, but so can my wife. It’s a win win situation.
B is for Bookstores. Few things in life are as fun for me as walking into a brick and mortar bookstore with a staff that knows their stuff. I can’t go into the Fountain Bookstore without Kelly or Heather recommending several books that they know I’ll like, not just parroting the bestseller list. Any store that takes the time to get to know its customers and to take care of them deserves our loyalty. That’s worth a heck of a lot more than saving a few percentage points. Keep our stores alive.
C is for Comic Books. Or Graphic Novels. Since rediscovering these delightful moments from my childhood, I have learned to love the independent publishers who bring us great stories every month. They make me think, challenge my perceptions, and give me great characters to root for. Drop by your neighborhood store and ask for some recommendations and you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
D is for Detroit, Unlimited. That was my entry in the 24 Hour Theatre Experience at Sycamore Rouge this year. I was locked inside the theater, given certain parameters to include in the play and then left alone. I wrote a little two-person play that was directed by Jan Guarino and starred Irene Kuykendall and Claire Biggers. Here’s a link to the play on YouTube. Check it out.
E is for Education. I realize now that mine will never be over as long as my curiosity remains high. Currently I am working on my theory supporting a biological need to create in humans. In my current opinion, I feel every human being has the desire to create. Not just artists, everybody. The things that are created differ greatly, but I feel that it all stems from a need to contribute to the societal constructs we humans build. Stay tuned.
F is for Family and Friends in all their forms. Even when they make you so mad you can’t see straight, at the end of the day you know they will be there at your side when the chips are down.
G is for Game Theory and Grift, two things that drive my plays. Well, some of them anyway. Somewhere, somehow they will be combined into one work. I don’t know how just yet – the characters haven’t revealed themselves to me, but I know they are out there. Maybe we’ll meet in 2012.
H is for High School Reunions. It was the first one Holly and I attended as husband and wife. It was so good to see old – I mean dear friends, many of whom have scattered all over the globe. It’s also nice when you are one of only two guys that still have long hair in a room full of balding men.
I is for Impossible and not the Mission kind. After all, if those Missions were truly impossible, how come we’re up to FOUR movies? Shouldn’t they be called Mission Kind Of Difficult? I’m talking about doing those things I never believed I could do anymore – like fun five miles, or even one. It’s time to start pushing myself in a way I’ve never done before.
J is for Jeopardy, my favorite game show of all time. I still want to get on the show, but if I was doing badly, might have to start giving out joke questions to all the answers. I’ll take Smart Asses for 200 Alex…
K is for Kettlebells. I started to work out with kettlebells at the Richmond Kettlebell Club and immediately felt improvement in my arms, back and core. I firmly believe that in 2012 I will get back into shape, drop a lot of weight, and build up my endurance. Kettlebells will be a big part of that plan. If you contact the club, tell them I sent you. They’ll treat you right.
L is for Lucha Libre. If you think that Lucha Libre is just about wrestling, go back and watch it again. It is epic storytelling inside a four-sided ring. It is great good taking on great evil and it has spilled out into a variety of other entertainments. Mostly south of the border, but keep your eyes peeled, there’s more coming your way.
M is for Magazine, especially Fangoria. It has long been a dream of mine to get an article into print in the magazine and not just on the website and this year I did it. Not only did I get an article about a catering company that makes horror themed cupcakes, but I got a review in issue 300 for one of my all-time favorites, Bubba Ho-Tep.
N is for Noir. I love the genre – both in film and in literature. Characters created out of both darkness and light, shadows that hide – it’s the hero cycle played out in miniature. Wise cracking knights in service of women who may not deserve their help disguise messages inside of story. Andrew Vachss, who writes some of the best – and darkest – literature, calls his work a “Trojan Horse.” While you are engaged in the details of the story, you’re learning something about the underbelly of life.
O is for Obi Wan Kenobi. Not sure why, but since I didn’t have a Star Wars reference yet, and the letter “O” is tricky to match up, there you go. I played a singing, dancing Obi Wan Kenobi one summer at ComedySportz and had a good time. Maybe they will do more movie parodies for late shows, if so put me down for a couple of tickets – or let me know when are the auditions.
P is for Puppet John Porter who made his first appearance at this year’s RTCC Awards show. No, I didn’t have anything to do with his creation, nor did I know it was coming. I still thought it was hysterical as did much of the audience that night. I just wish my wife hadn’t requested one…
Q is for Quilt. Thanks to my quilt making wife, mother-in-law, and step daughter, there are approximately 500 quilts in my house – none of which can go on the bed. They’re keepsakes. And they’re beautiful. I never looked at the intricacies of piece work before but now I can appreciate them for the artistic achievement that they are. Plus, this past year we went on the Tour de Quilt and visited a number of quilt shops all across the state during one glorious fall weekend. Anybody need some fabric?
R is for Richmond Theatre Critics Circle Awards. Yes, I know what some of you call them, but the “Artsies” are a very serious undertaking for those of us who put them on. My pal David Timberline is still pulling his hair out over this year’s presentations, but he did an AMAZING job of pulling it all together. I had a small part in the festivities writing some of the jokes and convincing everyone that a bear chasing the band leader would be funny.
S is for Santa Claus. If you’ve never had the chance to experience life as the Big Guy, you have no idea what it’s like to be a rock star. If Santa and Elmo could team up, they could rule the toddler world.
T is for Tracy Lynn who sits about two feet away from me at work. Yes, she really is that bubbly at 4:30 in the morning and she is a great work partner. She makes getting up well before dawn worthwhile. Everybody should be so lucky as to have someone like her at work. Speaking of work partners, T is also for Time For the Blues, the little radio show I co-host with the immortal Henry Cook. We play great music and tell bad jokes and have more fun than any two people should be allowed to have. Tune in one night and see what all the fuss is about.
U is for Ukulele. I don’t have one and really don’t know if I have the patience to learn, but the ukulele in Train’s Soul Sister make me smile. Can’t help it, I really like the sound and may have to get one at some point. My friend Gary Pack has an electric one. Honey?
V is for Voice Overs. Haven’t done them for a long time but recently started doing them for Channel 12. Now I’m expanding my opportunities and working with a voice over company to supply them with product. Who knows? You may hear my tired old voice warbling its way into your homes very soon.
W is for Writing. After sampling many varied jobs in my communications career, I’m pretty sure scribbling down words is what I was meant to do. What directions that will take is yet to be revealed; plays, screenplays, novels, blogs, or scribbling on napkins. Stay tuned.
X is for X-Rays. I’ve had a lot over the last few years, but I’m hoping to skip that little bit of fun for 2012. No stress tests either, fingers crossed.
Y is for Yiá¸aki, otherwise known as a didgeridoo. My sister Melissa brought one back from Australia and gave it to our father who loved strange instruments. I think he played it once and then set it aside. Apart from its aesthetic beauty (it is painted in beautiful earth tones and has an aboriginal design) it has a beautiful tone and I have now become an aficionado of its music. It also helps sleep apnea patients learn how to breathe better. Again a win win situation, except for my family, pets, and neighbors who don’t quite share my enthusiasm for the instrument.
Z is for Zombie, one of the classic horror archetypes. While I’ve always enjoyed zombie movies and books, I was delighted to see my friend Rebekah on tv discussing them for Halloween. As I always end my stand-up classes, applaud your friends, and I always do. Great job, Bekah!
Well, that’s it. Another year has come to a close and I am delighted that we’ve had some time together. If you’ve enjoyed your touch of the Mondo – stick around for 2012. There are many changes coming to the blog and while it will continue to cover the world of theatre, there are more things that I’ll be writing about and I hope you’ll find it in your heart to drop by and tell your friends about the fun.
Have a great, glorious, and safe New Year’s and all of 2012!
Your pal,
Mondo Johnny.
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