For many people 2016 was a year to be forgotten. For me, it was my best year yet. As an ambitious person I often find myself so focused on my goals (what I don’t have yet) that sometimes I create depression in my own mind. So in an attempt to be more grateful for all of the amazing things in my life I went back through 2016, month by month, and documented all of the things I am grateful for. A lot of them are career achievements like: having my first network TV acting and writing debut and having our digital series The Post Post Apocalypse featured on FunnyOrDie, but there are also a number of personal milestones that fostered the relationships of both friends and family that really stuck out to me the most. If you’re reading this I hope you see the power of being grateful. I really helps me stay on track.
2016 in review:
JANUARY
I traveled to the Caribbean and got to perform stand-up comedy on my first cruise ship.
The Vikings were the NFC champs.
I started playing ping pong.
I booked my trip to Israel and Europe
I took a screenwriting class at UCLA.
Greg Berman moved out to LOS ANGELES.
FEBRUARY
I made my network TV writing and acting debut.
Greg and I drove to Mexico for my birthday and I went to a rub and tug and got no tug.
Bowers came to LA and I saw O-town perform.
Ethan came to visit and I really stepped up my ping pong game.
MARCH
3 year anniversary of The Secret Show at The Blind Barber
My Mom came to visit me in LA
Finished beat sheet for Disorder
Got my movie poster game on fleek.
Went to Israel
The Inspectors was nominated for 6 Emmys.
Went to Jerusalem and floated in the dead sea.
APRIL
Back was hurting started using yoga balls
Went to Amsterdam, Brussels and Prague.
Took mushrooms in Prague
Ate at my first at my first Michelin Star restaurant in Prague
Mom and Dad came to visit. Dad gave me my chess board
Started writing on Season 2 of The Inspectors
I was on LAUGHS on Fox
The Inspectors WINS 1 Emmy
Shot the first POST POST Apocalypse episodes.
MAY
Did the Gundo Comedy Festival w/ The Secret Show at The Blind Barber.
Started volunteering with the WGA
Got to see a Twins game in Mpls.
Prince died.
JUNE
We ended the stale mate with our land lord
My Always Sunny spec became a finalist in the UCLA writing contest.
Started boogie boarding
Cleveland won the NBA playoffs
Got to go to Minnesota and be on Lake Minnetonka
Mohammed Ali died
JULY
Spent July 4th at Manhattan beach
Grandparents came to visit
I was on LAUGHS on FOX again.
Finished first draft of Disorder script.
Saw Louie CK and the Forum
Shot a video for MGFAD for Sundance
Shot more episodes of POST POST
Saw PHISH at The Forum
Larry from Eagle Magic came out, went to Magic Castle
Went to Rain room at LACMA
AUGUST
Met Steven Knight writer/creator of Peaky Blinders at WGA in LA
Did a table read for DISORDER, 4 people cried
Became friends with Phyllis
Ellen Rock came from MN to live at our house.
Read Inside the Room
Did Laugh’s on FOX for a 3rd time in 1 year.
Booked my trip to S.E. ASIA
Re-connected with Mercies May
SEPTEMBER
Took my first Improv class at UCB
Started Golfing again
Spent lots of time at the beach
Did a bunch of re-writes on Disorder
Re-met up with Dylan Mandolson
OCTOBER
Released the POST POST and was featured on FUNNYorDie
Performed at The Laugh Factory
Went to a cubs / dodgers playoff game
Finished DISORDER and sent it to agents.
Went to the Tourbadour with Brian G. for the first time
NOVEMBER
Cubs won the world series.
Trump won the election
Watched the results at the official Hilary Clinton campaign party in LA. with Ken and Nogen and Mike
Went to the Magic Castle with Ted and his girl.
Finished outline for HEIST IS RIGHT
My buddy Robert Stevens came to town.
Read the book the Psychopath Test.
Saw Arthur Miller’s A View From a Bridge. Inspired me to want to write a play
Started writing Unlikey Assassins
Adam Quesnell stayed at the house
Did my first VR comedy show
DECEMBER
Donated blood, felt great to give back
Both Ethan and Bowers came out to LA.
Opened for Dave Chappelle at the Blind Barber
Told a girl I actually cared about her
Found Yin style yoga
Performed at The Icehouse
Met Ron Jermey
Got my recording equipment for Jokology
The punter for the Indianapolis colts (Pat McAfee) flew me to indy to do charity event
Performed at the new Morty’s in Indy
Met Ms. Pat in Indy at Morty’s
Got to go home to MN for Christmas.
Went to the Sun Shine Depot in Elk River with Tim Gabrielson
Looking forward to 2017!!!!
Meet more friends
Finish Heist Is Right
Figure out my relationship to stand-up in Los Angeles
Find lit manager/agent/lawyer
Travel to more places
Do more classes
Read more books
See more plays
Watch more live music
Finish projects
Shoot Unlikely Assassins
Relax more
Meditate more
Be more grateful, more often
Eat less shitty food
Be better to my body
Write a Play
Take UCB 201
Take a non-screenwriting writing class
Be of service to others
Find ways to give back
Get more family to visit Los Angeles
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