A few nights ago, everyone celebrated—or ignored—the start of a new year. As I started reflecting on 2024 myself, it seemed like a good time to write another post.
Last year, not long ago, brought some of the most elating and difficult times I’ve had. I’m ultimately grateful to have experienced the mixed bag. Highlights that I’m willing to make public are below.
Comedy
I have a spreadsheet so I know what I did. A lot of comics use a spreadsheet or some way of quantifying their work. My numbers:
96 gigs | 884 minutes
These are lower than I would have liked, and they were affected by two things: one, a broken leg, and the other, getting COVID at Edinburgh Fringe.
Highlights:
Competed at the UK Pun Championships: Even though I only made it to the first round, I was so shocked to be there. And I’ll be back for 2025. The real accomplishment was writing over 100 puns and working with my mentor and friends on them.
Worked on a 25 minute set for an Edinburgh Fringe split-bill: After a rough start and some rewrites, I felt good about most of it. The run was cut short (which I won’t get into here), but I’m proud of what I accomplished in the week I had.
Wrote my first sketch: I’ll probably never record it. I don’t know if it’s funny. But it’s written.
Clowning workshop: Being a clown is harder than it looks and I have a lot of work to do if that’s my path. The wonderful Elf Lyons was my instructor for two days of hard work that pushed me way out of my comfort zone. Brilliant!
Volunteering
Service is a passion of mine, and I’m writing about it here not to humble-brag but to show that anyone can take time to give to others in many different ways. My focus this year was on two areas in London: homelessness and multiple sclerosis. In the US, it was on getting Kamala Harris elected. The latter was a clear fail, but it was good to make calls and “do something.” I’ll elaborate on the other two.
I’ve been volunteering at the Shop from Crisis Camden store since October 2022. The work is fun. I love interacting with customers, running the till, and meeting new friends. Plus, as someone who likes order, straightening the clothes is satisfying. Total time volunteering this year (estimated):
137 hours
I was also part of a Crisis campaign to celebrate volunteers. It was a chance to work with a stylist and the amazing photographer Oliver Mayall.
Here is my Crisis volunteer story.
I also love working with the MS Society UK and Overcoming MS. They’re both organizations focused on people with multiple sclerosis (like me…). I do different work with each organization, committing several hours to one or both monthly. Learn more about both of them and what they do here:
MS Society UK
Overcoming MS
Traveling
I went wild this year. Very wild.
Okay, so those sentences contain a joke only one friend will ever truly understand, but it stems from a trip to Cape Town and Kruger National Park. Shout out to my friend Jim, who took this epic trip with me to attend a friend’s wedding and experience a safari along the way! And a shout-out to Sthembile, who was our tour guide and will forever be remembered for taking us around the park on multiple days—and for letting us see a pair of lions mate twice. I didn’t plan to see that and still feel awkward about recording it, but it happened.
Other than South Africa, which was the biggest trip I’ve ever taken, I spent time in Wales (more nature, which is almost unnatural for me), Turin for both the Oscars and the US elections (expat friends unite!), and then a lot of time in the US.
A & E
I wish I meant Arts and Entertainment, but I mean Accident and Emergency. Before a performance in May, I took the well-intended wish “break a leg” too seriously and broke my fibula. It could have been a lot worse, so I guess it was a lucky break. I think it was an omen for how my split-bill would go, as I was doing a preview of that. I had to have my mom fly out to help me, and a good friend from Bristol saved the day when she had to leave. The NHS doctors, nurses, and radiologists were compassionate and provided excellent care as I turned 45 years old in A&E. I was better in 6 weeks and didn’t need PT, and that’s only because of the care my mom and friend provided. I also had some friends show up, which made me realize I have built a life in London, no matter how different it looks from my life in other cities.
Entertainment
I don’t go to as many concerts as I used to and don’t see as many plays as I’d like to, but here’s what I got up to:
The Picture of Dorian Gray starring Sarah Snook: I was left breathless and in awe
Michelle Wolf: Seeing this pro work through material felt like a privilege.
Mika: I danced joyously and wore sequins willingly on the magical night at the Apollo.
Stevie Nicks (along with Brandi Carlile) at BST Hyde Park: it was the night before he (see “Love” below) went back to California so there was an air of sadness between us, but Stevie put on a fantastic show.
Milton Jones: I was dying laughing and loved the absurdity of Ha Milton!
Harry Baker: I want to tell him that, for many moments during the evening, he changed my life.
Next to Normal: Probably the most moving musical I’ve seen since Dear Evan Hansen, and a beautiful portrayal of bipolar disorder.
Giant: It was my third time seeing John Lithgow on stage, and he truly is a giant of the stage, whether it’s Broadway or the West End. The play about Roald Dahl was eerily relevant in 2024.
Love
I felt it.
I lost it.
It was worth it.
The Best is Yet to Come
2025 is already filled with plans:
Two gigs at two of my favorite clubs this week
Application for a new Edinburgh split-bill submitted
Overcoming MS retreat booked
Dua Lipa, Scissor Sisters and Nate Bargatze tickets purchased
Trip to Turin planning in progress
And more…
That’s my 2024 wrapped up, just after the start of 2025. And my second Substack post. There are already some drafts in progress too. And they’re less self-indulgent… I think. Thanks for subscribing.
Very wild!