I know this post/newsletter is about, in a lot of ways, personal struggle. Personal struggle is an excellent, important topic and I look forward to reading your thoughts about it and see what questions you receive and what advice you share. That said, the phrase "What's up, clown," tickled me immensely. No matter what the topic, your writing speaks to me and, oftentimes, cracks me up. I don't care if you go through a bajillion more newsletter ideas/topics, as long as you keep writing about *something* and let me read it.
Yay, Rob! Thank you for showing up so fantastically to these newsletters, you great one. A person could not ask for a more supportive reader. You’re just the best!
God damn it, Tina! I was all set to burn through my gigantic to do list and now I have to stop and absorb the sheer awesomeness of this post. HUGE congrats on your new newsletter, and just know that I've been sad clown so many fucking times in big life situations that eventually I just went with it and came out the other side and now SC is one of my secret superpowers. I can feel her in my fingers as I type this (BTW she wants you to go and get a big pile of hummus and dip things into it. I don't control her, but sometimes she just knows things). Anyway, I'll recommend CC on Womancake :)
Ah, nuts + hurray + thank you, Alicia! Well done on the superpower turnaround, too, with your Sad Clown. I mean, they’re certainly strong! (And thank you in advance for sharing on Womancake--‘tis greatly appreciated!) ❤️
I love you. I love your writing. And I am happy to continue along for the ride, wherever you go. So much wonderfulness packed into such a tiny package—you’re a gift. Thank you. ❤️
The whole clown thing makes the soles of my feet sweaty. Arg. I keep finding myself wanting to renegotiate the story for you. Ridiculous impulse. I’m here with every ear for you. Looking forward to Friday!
I also took a clown class when I was acting many moons ago!!
What are the odds man?
You are an excellent writer Tina, and considering that you viewed your clown a failure, there were parts of this story that made me laugh out loud so clearly not.
I was half way through explaining to my partner what I was reading and they said ‘obviously a sad clown.... it’s a thing!’ before I had even gotten to that part!
Haha, Aly, that’s amazing! I love that your partner called it early on the sad clown deal. I’m glad you got to be a funny one! (I’m deducing with my deducing power.) (and thank you!)
"I really brought down the mood." OMG I laughed so so so hard at this, but in that way that I know you're familiar with because we shared that kind of laughter many times. hahahahaha OW STOP hahaha OW OW MY HEART hahahaha
Eggs, I can’t tell you how it pleases me that you got a laugh from “I really brought down the mood.” I even let out a single little seal bark laugh myself when I wrote it because it was such an understatement. (Fliptippa loves you, too, and probably you alone, and nothing else. XO!)
Oh man, I studied clown at Dell'Arte with Ronlin Foreman back in 2002. This clown class description...brings me right back. I never felt funny. But there was a moment, like, in the warm-up right before the final performance, that something "clicked." I don't think my clown was funny but suddenly I felt *free* in that character, like I stopped giving a shit and something really weird yet oddly intuitive and easy started flowing out of me. Every moment in clown class before that was pain--I just didn't understand. I definitely shed tears. Solidarity.
How wonderful that you got the “click”. I remember George talking about the “bid” (pronounced “bead”), finding the bid, the thread of goodness that made it so you couldn’t lose, you could just follow that thread anywhere and rich things would happen. That flow you describe sounds like the bid. Retroactive congratulations and thank you for the expression of solidarity!
I know this post/newsletter is about, in a lot of ways, personal struggle. Personal struggle is an excellent, important topic and I look forward to reading your thoughts about it and see what questions you receive and what advice you share. That said, the phrase "What's up, clown," tickled me immensely. No matter what the topic, your writing speaks to me and, oftentimes, cracks me up. I don't care if you go through a bajillion more newsletter ideas/topics, as long as you keep writing about *something* and let me read it.
Yay, Rob! Thank you for showing up so fantastically to these newsletters, you great one. A person could not ask for a more supportive reader. You’re just the best!
God damn it, Tina! I was all set to burn through my gigantic to do list and now I have to stop and absorb the sheer awesomeness of this post. HUGE congrats on your new newsletter, and just know that I've been sad clown so many fucking times in big life situations that eventually I just went with it and came out the other side and now SC is one of my secret superpowers. I can feel her in my fingers as I type this (BTW she wants you to go and get a big pile of hummus and dip things into it. I don't control her, but sometimes she just knows things). Anyway, I'll recommend CC on Womancake :)
Ah, nuts + hurray + thank you, Alicia! Well done on the superpower turnaround, too, with your Sad Clown. I mean, they’re certainly strong! (And thank you in advance for sharing on Womancake--‘tis greatly appreciated!) ❤️
What a harrowing story!
Am I a struggler? Yes? I think so? I have questions for sure, I want advice. Will send abstract questions that are impossible to answer.
I know you’re going to send killer questions and I look forward to the struggle to respond.
I’m all in on clowns, I think we Strugglers have a very active inner trickster
I think you’re on to something, Jess!
Of all the undertakings you've undertooken, this new thing feels like your Juice; I feel it in my bones. Well done, foxy lady.
Aw, BD, that’s so sweet to hear. Thank you for your great support!
I love you. I love your writing. And I am happy to continue along for the ride, wherever you go. So much wonderfulness packed into such a tiny package—you’re a gift. Thank you. ❤️
Ah, Suzanne, bless your BOOTS. Thank you on all fronts and *you* are a gift. ❤️
The whole clown thing makes the soles of my feet sweaty. Arg. I keep finding myself wanting to renegotiate the story for you. Ridiculous impulse. I’m here with every ear for you. Looking forward to Friday!
If you find a way to get back in there to renegotiate, AMAZING. (I’m so glad you’re here!)
I also took a clown class when I was acting many moons ago!!
What are the odds man?
You are an excellent writer Tina, and considering that you viewed your clown a failure, there were parts of this story that made me laugh out loud so clearly not.
I was half way through explaining to my partner what I was reading and they said ‘obviously a sad clown.... it’s a thing!’ before I had even gotten to that part!
🤣
Haha, Aly, that’s amazing! I love that your partner called it early on the sad clown deal. I’m glad you got to be a funny one! (I’m deducing with my deducing power.) (and thank you!)
Nah, I was too young and self conscious to be funny back then and it was probably painful to watch.
Being a clown is a hard way to get a laugh, no joke.
This feels so good and true. (I want to have a problem just so I can see your advice for it) xox
I’m so glad, Burney, and I also don’t want you to have a problem but you can also have a tiny problem. (A tiny problem can be fun but real, no?) XO
I AM FILLED WITH DELIGHT, TEACH ME YOUR WAYS
HURRAY, A DELIGHT APPEARED, I AM SO PLEASED, AND THANK YOUuuuu
"I was failing to fail right." LOL! I sooooo recognize that message. Love your writing voice here. Thank you.
Hey, Julie, I so appreciate this! Thank you for checking this piece out and subscribing, I’m delighted that you’re reading. :)
Your writing is delightful, so we're even!
"I really brought down the mood." OMG I laughed so so so hard at this, but in that way that I know you're familiar with because we shared that kind of laughter many times. hahahahaha OW STOP hahaha OW OW MY HEART hahahaha
I love your clown to fucking pieces.
Eggs, I can’t tell you how it pleases me that you got a laugh from “I really brought down the mood.” I even let out a single little seal bark laugh myself when I wrote it because it was such an understatement. (Fliptippa loves you, too, and probably you alone, and nothing else. XO!)
Oh man, I studied clown at Dell'Arte with Ronlin Foreman back in 2002. This clown class description...brings me right back. I never felt funny. But there was a moment, like, in the warm-up right before the final performance, that something "clicked." I don't think my clown was funny but suddenly I felt *free* in that character, like I stopped giving a shit and something really weird yet oddly intuitive and easy started flowing out of me. Every moment in clown class before that was pain--I just didn't understand. I definitely shed tears. Solidarity.
My clown class was in 2002 as well!
How wonderful that you got the “click”. I remember George talking about the “bid” (pronounced “bead”), finding the bid, the thread of goodness that made it so you couldn’t lose, you could just follow that thread anywhere and rich things would happen. That flow you describe sounds like the bid. Retroactive congratulations and thank you for the expression of solidarity!
Tina! You caught that cab!
XO
Bump
Bump! That’s unfathomable! ❤️
You. Are. Amazing…
PETER. Thank you!
Great idea, Tina! I will be happy to follow along the way.
So glad you like it, Kate. Thanks for coming with me!