Dear 2012,
You passed so quickly it seems like only yesterday I was writing a letter to that bastard, 2011. But this letter isn’t about 2011. It’s about you, 2012.
It’s 3:45AM and I’m staying up late because I don’t want to let you go. Because you were a great year! I had so much fun!
Thank you for all the memories and adventures! Thank you for all the kind, outgoing, compassionate, patient, forgiving, loving, hilarious people you shared with me. Thank you for all the lessons you’ve taught me and all the things you’ve helped me learn about life, people, culture, me. Thank you for having a great sense of humor. Thank you for helping me feel and experience the Holy Wow in new and exciting ways.
Just look at all these fun things we did!
Notes with the cast of Young Actors Theater Company in Eagan, MN, USA.
Bruises from Powderhorn 24 Bike Race accident. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Celebrating Jesse Narr’s wedding with my brother. MN, USA.
Amazing set of music by The Kopecky Family Band.
Rebecca Blackmore. Life doesn’t get much better. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
My BFF at the Capital Fringe, Washington, DC.
Visiting the Thinking Man overlooking Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Middle School English teachers. Zibo, Shandong, China.
Route from MPLS to WDC for Thumbs Up in the Capital Fringe Festival.
Powderhorn 24 Bike Race crews. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Finally earned my nursing degree!
Interior of rental car en route to Washington, DC, for Capital Fringe Festival.
My 60’s prom date, Linea at Lyle’s in Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Mickey’s with Amy and the girls. St. Paul, MN, USA.
A view of my apartment building in Zibo, Shandong, China.
So excited to see Mike Daisey’s show! Washington, DC.
Amy sent me a turkey, from America, to Zibo, Shandong, China! Amazing!
First friend in Zibo, Shandong, China.
Running errands with Alex. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Future love of my life. Common Roots Cafe, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
On tour with NTC’s “The Energized Guyz” in North Carolina, USA.
On tour with NTC’s “The Energized Guyz” in North Carolina, USA.
Visiting the Chapel on tour.
Biking in Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Middle school English teachers in Zibo, Shandong, China.
Broke my hand acting. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
First graders perform at the Zibo Century Talents Foreign Languages School annual Christmas program. Zibo, Shandong, China.
Students after a performance at Harmony Theatre Company and School in St. Louis Park, MN, USA.
Meeting up with another NTC tour company, Andy and Rebecca, in Winston-Salem, NC.
ER visit following Powderhorn 24 Bike Race. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
The Korean War Memorial in Washington, DC.
Hammerschlagen with Micah Thor! Minneapolis, MN, USA.
A new friend in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA.
Visiting my favorite stylist, Ashley, at Moxie. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
My scooter became the official “Thumbs Up” tour vehicle in Minneapolis for the Minnesota Fringe Festival.
It’s Ellen Anderson’s birthday! Minneapolis, MN, USA.
“Thumbs Up” appeared at the Minnesota Fringe Festival in Minneapolis, MN,
My best friend, Ken. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Alex, Maggie, and Kellend. Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil. Zibo, Shandong, China.
On tour with NTC’s “The Energized Guyz” in North Carolina, USA.
My friends the Koegler family in Minneapolis, MN, USA.
A stop through Chicago after the NTC tour. Crazy people on St. Patty’s Day!
“Thumbs Up” premieres at the Capital Fringe Festival in Washington, DC.
Exploring new places in St. Paul, Minnesota. 2012.
Day one at Zibo Century Talents Foreign Language School, Zibo, Shandong, China.
Mao. Zibo, Shandong, China.
Vacationing in Boshan, Shandong, China, during National Week.
Table work with five-year-olds for my play “Happy Birthday” in Zibo, Shandong, China.
Closing another show with Harmony Theatre. St. Louis Park, MN, USA. 2012.
Live hosting gig for Securian All Company Meeting. St. Paul, MN, USA.
Meeting kindergarteners in Zibo, Shandong, China.
Filming the North Suburban Beat with Ellen Anderson. Roseville, MN, USA.
Anthony Logan Cole and Michael promoting “Thumbs Up” at the Capital Fringe Festival. Photo & write up in the Washington Post the following day!
ER visit following Powderhorn 24 Bike Race. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Tony Milder and me after the last performance of the tour of NTC’s “The Energized Guyz.” North Carolina, USA.
Vacationing in the mountains outside Boshan, Shandong, China, during National Week.
A view of the Martin Luther King and Washington Monument.
Jucy Lucy’s at Matt’s with Dan. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Teaching seventh graders outside in Zibo, Shandong, China.
“Something Something Juliet” in performance in Zibo, Shandong, China.
Packing for China. Minneapolis, USA.
These drums belong to W.S. Holland, Johnny Cash’s longtime drummer. I carried them. I talked with Mr. Holland about Jackson, TN. Made my day meeting this legend! Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Flying from North Carolina to Minneapolis to host the Securian All Company Meeting with Gumby and Pokey.
Lincoln Monument selfie while on tour with Thumbs Up. Washington, DC.
Curtain call for “Happy Birthday” at Zibo Century Talents Foreign Language School in Zibo, Shandong, China.
My favorite server, Mary, at my favorite restaurant, Mickey’s Dining Car, St. Paul, MN, USA.
Two hitchhikers I picked-up somewhere in Wisconsin on my return from the Capital Fringe Festival.
My play “Something Something Juliet” won Most Creative, Best Acting, and Overall Best Performance at a drama competition in Zibo, Shandong, China.
A scene from the Chicago Avenue Project, Pillsbury House Theatre, Minneapolis, MN.
Honored! Roseville, MN, USA.
Spent the afternoon at Adventureland! Duluth, MN, 2012.
Cast and creatives of the Chicago Avenue Project, Pillsbury House Theatre, Minneapolis, MN.
Grandpa and Grandma Venske. Watertown, MN, USA.
First in-person Mike Daisey experience in Washington, DC!
On tour with the National Theatre for Children, 2012.
The Korean War Memorial in Washington, DC.
Shooting video for Securian All-Company Meeting. St. Paul, MN, USA.
On tour with NTC’s “The Energized Guyz” in North Carolina, USA.
The best day with Rebecca!
My dad the moment before we said goodbye for my NTC tour. Minnetonka, MN, USA.
Teaching an improvisation workshop with Harmony Theatre Company and School in St. Louis Park, MN, USA.
“Thumbs Up” in performance at the Capital Fringe Festival in Washington, DC.
WHAT A GREAT FUCKING YEAR!
If I can ask you for one more favor…
Will you please tell 2013 not to suck?
Okay, 2013. Let’s do it.
THOUGHTS?