An Open Letter to 2012
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!
Honored! 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!
Grandpa and Grandma Venske. Watertown, MN, USA.
Closing another show with Harmony Theatre. St. Louis Park, MN, USA. 2012.
Visiting my favorite stylist, Ashley, at Moxie. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Live hosting gig for Securian All Company Meeting. St. Paul, MN, USA.
My play “Something Something Juliet” won Most Creative, Best Acting, and Overall Best Performance at a drama competition in Zibo, Shandong, China.
My dad the moment before we said goodbye for my NTC tour. Minnetonka, MN, USA.
A view of the Martin Luther King and Washington Monument.
“Thumbs Up” appeared at the Minnesota Fringe Festival in Minneapolis, MN,
My BFF at the Capital Fringe, Washington, DC.
Visiting the Thinking Man overlooking Lake of the Isles, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
First friend in Zibo, Shandong, China.
Middle school English teachers in Zibo, Shandong, China.
On tour with NTC’s “The Energized Guyz” in North Carolina, USA.
Exploring new places in St. Paul, Minnesota. 2012.
A scene from the Chicago Avenue Project, Pillsbury House Theatre, Minneapolis, MN.
Vacationing in the mountains outside Boshan, Shandong, China, during National Week.
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.
On tour with NTC’s “The Energized Guyz” in North Carolina, USA.
Interior of rental car en route to Washington, DC, for Capital Fringe Festival.
Packing for China. Minneapolis, USA.
“Something Something Juliet” in performance in Zibo, Shandong, China.
Amy sent me a turkey, from America, to Zibo, Shandong, China! Amazing!
On tour with NTC’s “The Energized Guyz” in North Carolina, USA.
Meeting kindergarteners in Zibo, Shandong, China.
Broke my hand acting. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Mickey’s with Amy and the girls. St. Paul, MN, USA.
Filming the North Suburban Beat with Ellen Anderson. Roseville, MN, USA.
Bruises from Powderhorn 24 Bike Race accident. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Biking in Minneapolis, MN, USA.
My 60’s prom date, Linea at Lyle’s in Minneapolis, MN, USA.
It’s Ellen Anderson’s birthday! Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Cast and creatives of the Chicago Avenue Project, Pillsbury House Theatre, Minneapolis, MN.
Teaching an improvisation workshop with Harmony Theatre Company and School in St. Louis Park, MN, USA.
Flying from North Carolina to Minneapolis to host the Securian All Company Meeting with Gumby and Pokey.
My favorite server, Mary, at my favorite restaurant, Mickey’s Dining Car, St. Paul, MN, USA.
Spent the afternoon at Adventureland! Duluth, MN, 2012.
First graders perform at the Zibo Century Talents Foreign Languages School annual Christmas program. Zibo, Shandong, China.
My friends the Koegler family in Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Meeting up with another NTC tour company, Andy and Rebecca, in Winston-Salem, NC.
Future love of my life. Common Roots Cafe, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Notes with the cast of Young Actors Theater Company in Eagan, MN, USA.
Middle School English teachers. Zibo, Shandong, China.
Celebrating Jesse Narr’s wedding with my brother. MN, USA.
First in-person Mike Daisey experience in Washington, DC!
Day one at Zibo Century Talents Foreign Language School, Zibo, Shandong, China.
Vacationing in Boshan, Shandong, China, during National Week.
A stop through Chicago after the NTC tour. Crazy people on St. Patty’s Day!
Two hitchhikers I picked-up somewhere in Wisconsin on my return from the Capital Fringe Festival.
Table work with five-year-olds for my play “Happy Birthday” in Zibo, Shandong, China.
“Thumbs Up” premieres at the Capital Fringe Festival in Washington, DC.
Lincoln Monument selfie while on tour with Thumbs Up. Washington, DC.
Teaching seventh graders outside in Zibo, Shandong, China.
Shooting video for Securian All-Company Meeting. St. Paul, MN, USA.
Running errands with Alex. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
On tour with the National Theatre for Children, 2012.
My scooter became the official “Thumbs Up” tour vehicle in Minneapolis for the Minnesota Fringe Festival.
“Thumbs Up” in performance at the Capital Fringe Festival in Washington, DC.
Rebecca Blackmore. Life doesn’t get much better. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
A new friend in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA.
Route from MPLS to WDC for Thumbs Up in the Capital Fringe Festival.
Jucy Lucy’s at Matt’s with Dan. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
A view of my apartment building in Zibo, Shandong, China.
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.
The Korean War Memorial in Washington, DC.
Mao. Zibo, Shandong, China.
Hammerschlagen with Micah Thor! Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Amazing set of music by The Kopecky Family Band.
Curtain call for “Happy Birthday” at Zibo Century Talents Foreign Language School in Zibo, Shandong, China.
The best day with Rebecca!
My best friend, Ken. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
ER visit following Powderhorn 24 Bike Race. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
So excited to see Mike Daisey’s show! Washington, DC.
Finally earned my nursing degree!
ER visit following Powderhorn 24 Bike Race. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Students after a performance at Harmony Theatre Company and School in St. Louis Park, MN, USA.
Tony Milder and me after the last performance of the tour of NTC’s “The Energized Guyz.” North Carolina, USA.
Visiting the Chapel on tour.
The Korean War Memorial in Washington, DC.
Powderhorn 24 Bike Race crews. Minneapolis, MN, USA.
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.
