Vol. 28: On this Malentine's Day Eve

If I wasn't supposed to make every holiday into a pun with my name, then why is it so easy to do? HMMM?????!

Good morning from sunny Los Angeles, city of Angeles! I made that joke no fewer than 4 times during my trip.

It’s been wonderful here. Ben and Kristen are building a beautiful home, and I am honored to have been their first houseguest. The weather has been phenomenal and it’s rejuvenating to feel the sun on my face when it’s not accompanied by 9 degree weather and Denver’s dry air (that will eventually be the death of me or at least my hair).

I hung out with Ben and his friends (including meeting my fellow Substacker Julian — hi Julian!), saw a show at The Groundlings, went to opening night of Magic Mike’s Last Dance, ate some incredible food, went to a farmers market (in February!!!!) and generally just enjoyed my time away from normal life.

Overall, a very good trip. I am anxious to go back to Denver. But not in the good way.

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For the uninitiated, here is the format:

• What I’m crushing (accomplishing, achieving, attaining, fulfilling, something that I am being successful at.)

• What is crushing me (see definition 3b, something that is bringing me down.)

• What I’m crushing on (admiring, adoring, appreciating, cherishing, favoriting, etc.)

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What I’m crushing

I felt good about my performance in the reading of my friend Emma Lukens’ new play Birds of a Feather.

I was nervous about this.

The play is dense and intense and I was the central character, so I felt a lot of pressure. I hadn’t performed in this capacity since before COVID.

Emma trusted me with this character, and I trust Emma.

The reading went very well. I was so excited to be bringing Emma’s words to life and to work with old friends like Jody and Alice and make new ones like Mary Frances and Zoo and Lex.

Overall, I felt proud.

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What’s crushing me

Something I realized on this trip to LA is that all of the things that I love about living in Denver have almost nothing to do with living in Denver.

I love my friends and the people I’ve met through my job (also known as “coworkers” but also friends) and my cats.

Of course I wouldn’t have those people without meeting them in Denver, but I still feel like Denver has very little to do with it. Does that make sense?

Because of this and because I’ve had such a nice time in LA, I've been presented once again with the questions that have been plaguing my post-college brain for the past 6 years: Where do I want to be and what do I want to be doing?

For better or for worse, the answers to these questions fluctuate between “anywhere and anything” to “nowhere and nothing,” depending on my mood.

I could do my job from pretty much anywhere. I have friends in many different cities and consider myself good at making new ones. I don’t have anything at all tying me to Denver.

This is an overwhelming (and crushing) realization. Or perhaps re-realization.

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What I’m crushing on

Jody and I had a slumber party!!!!!!!!

We giggled the night away thanks mostly to our silly and delightful friendship but also because we watched Cunk on Earth on Netflix.

I truly cannot remember the last time I watched something that me laugh out loud so much. It’s a mockumentary about human history, but the host is interviewing real experts and asking them the most ridiculous questions.

Jody said it was like Clickhole come to life, and I couldn’t agree more.

If you want a big laugh, I’d highly recommend giving it a watch.

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That’s all for this week!

Wishing a very happy Malentine’s Day to you and yours.

xoxo,

Mal