“Nothing so conclusively proves a man’s ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.”
—Thomas J. Watson
October 2010
11 posts
Two Quote Tuesday / What do Madonna and Thomas Edison have in common?
“I wouldn’t have turned out the way I was if I didn’t have those old-fashioned values to rebel against.”
- Madonna
“Hell, there are no rules. We’re trying to accomplish something here.”
- Thomas Alva Edison
“I used to think that running an organization was equivalent to conducting a symphony orchestra. But I don’t think that’s quite it; it’s more like jazz. There is more improvisation.”
—Warren Bennis
Two Quote Tuesday / What do Ralph Waldo Emerson and C&C Music Factory Have In Common?
“An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Y’all want this party started, right? Y’all want this party started quickly, right?”
- C+C Music Factory
Mission Critical
I have a hot temper fueled by a healthy dose of righteous indignation. Recently, while navigating my wife and son through Midway airport, I took the time to get in a stranger’s face about how rude and overly-aggresive they were being. And when they didn’t immediately back down (which, to be honest, I expected they would) things got loud in a hurry.
While trekking through eerie Mirkwood forest, Bilbo Baggins and his dwarven companions, beset by exhaustion and hunger, strayed off the path chasing food, light, and merry music despite repeated warnings to never do so. They didn’t find comfort, but instead spent many weeks in a dungeon before they found their path again.
There will always be unexpected obstacles and set backs on our journey. Why create additional ones? I’m not talking about eschewing comfort and pleasure. The awesome things that make your life a life. I’m a husband, father, and home-owner who is absolutely determined to succeed - with balance intact. But getting in a stranger’s grill because I feel justified in doing so? Stupid. Not on the agenda for the day. So why bother?
I clearly have some baggage (the need to publicly correct an asshole) that distracted me from my mission (getting Colin to his grandma’s house). And if airport security had gotten involved and we missed our flight? Grandma would be pissed! I’d rather spend a month in an elven dungeon.
Pack your bags, sharpen your sword, get on your pony and STAY ON THE PATH! If it’s not critical to your mission, don’t even bother.
- Jay
Improv Workshop: GET PHYSICAL!
When plugged into the improv matrix we can do anything we want. So why are we standing in a line talking - again? From the blocking of a simple 2-person scene to the creation of full-cast spectacle, emotion will be our guide to creating scene work that moves. Talk less, do more, go further. GET PHYSICAL!
WHEN: Sunday, November 7th. 1:00PM - 3:30PM.
WHERE: Studio44, 1944 W. Montrose Ave - one block west of the Montrose Brown Line station.
WHAT ELSE?: $15 / 2.5 hrs. Class size is limited to ensure maximum stage rocking.
To register, or if you have any questions, please email jjayolson@yahoo.com.
About Jay…
“Thanks a bunch for a GREAT class! I learned and relearned a lot thanks to your brave, profanity-laden insights.” - Steve Chicago, IL
“I loved the positive energy and positive approach…Longer longer longer. More more.” – Hannah Oxford, England
“I loved the workshop! I loved how laid back and comfortable it was. Thanks for letting me play!” – Mandy Seattle, WA
Jay Olson performs with ComedySportz Chicago where he is also a faculty member and Artistic Associate, with Mike Helicopter at iO Theater, and with the long running hip-hop/improv hybrid, THE BEATBOX. He has been a creative consultant and trainer for numerous corporate clients and universities, and is honored to have performed and taught at comedy and theatre festivals in Amsterdam, Dublin, Toronto, Chapel Hill, New York City, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and sweet home Chicago.
“Have you learned the lessons only of those who admired you, and were tender with you, and stood aside for you? Have you not learned great lessons from those who braced themselves against you, and disputed passage with you?”
—
Walt Whitman
Two Quote Tuesday / What do Henry David Thoreau and the Beastie Boys have in common?
“All endeavor calls for the ability to tramp the last mile, shape the last plan, endure the last hours toil. The fight to the finish spirit is the one… characteristic we must posses if we are to face the future as finishers.”
- Henry David Thoreau
“Because you can’t, you won’t and you don’t stop. Because you can’t, you won’t and you don’t stop. Well you can’t, you won’t and you don’t stop. Keep on rockin’ the sure shot…”
- Beastie Boys
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
—Abraham Lincoln
Two Quote Tuesday/What do a Prime Minister of Israel and @AndrewWK have in common?
“Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.”
“You are even more amazing than you think you are”
