Ohashi, Podcasting and Charity oh my...

Making a TV show about ohashi (chopsticks) is almost like making a Mika music video...

kind of...in a way...

not all.

But it was still loads of fun. This week I got the not so unique opportunity to be a featured broadcaster on a show called Tokyo Eye in which I not only got to visit an authentic chopstick shop in Omotesando but I spent the afternoon playing Santa's little helper with a wooden toy maker in Kichijoji where I crafted a pair of the wonkiest chopsticks this side of The Tachikawa. The episode will air in one week on NHK World, which is the cable news portion of the broadcasting giant so if you live overseas and subscribe to NHK World or just so happen to be in a hotel in Honk Kong, Dubai or Mumbai check it out!

Meanwhile back on the ranch...
The Tokyo Metpod is getting record hits due to it's rockin new ad in the back of The Metropolis. If you look closely you can see that I'm featured in a thumbnail photo about the size of a bee's dick in the far right column.


I'm also ecstatic to announce that The Tyler Foundation Benefit dinner is now sold out! The Murder Mystery that The Comedy Store gang has been lovingly slaving away it will have the packed house it deserves and we are all pleased as punch.

Save the children through Murder Mystery Musicals!...
(It's a catch phrase in progress)

Broke and Fulfilled

Yes that's right. I'm broke. Not in the destitute, nearly homeless and starving kind of way but rather in the no parties and extracurricular activities sort of way. Outside of the bare necessities, food, bills, taxes (yuck) I'm grounded by my own undoing until OCTOBER. YIKES! And this is not a complaint or a plea for charity but just an observation about the life of a freelancer and my own state of being because while I have absolutely no disposable income to speak of, I can honestly say that I can't remember a time when I was more happy. What's that about? In July when my accounts were knee deep in the black I was utterly miserable and now I'm experiencing an absolute creative boon as they creep closer into the red!


Dr. Sketchy's is gaining unprecedented momentum. I have managed to gather a team of vibrant, colorful and remarkably creative people who are dedicated to all things artistic and I couldn't be more ecstatic to dive into the latest session.
Mika Mondays has gotten such wonderful responses that I am filled with renewed energy everyday when I go to the park to practice and now wish everyday was MONDAY! (How many people with straight jobs can say that!)
Then there is the charity work. Ever since Inspiration Jason introduced me to my cookie factory friends I can't stop the machine and now I'm involved in a Murder Mystery Play for a charity benefit for The Tyler Foundation which is dedicated to children's cancer research.


So while I'm not displeased with my current situation, this is just another ebb within the flow of a freelancing lifestyle, I'm left feeling a little apprehensive about my earning potential. I wonder if I am able to sustain such creative energy when the money train finally does pull in. Struggle seems to be the secret ingredient to creative success. I have found there is grace in struggling the mind really does open up when challenges abound and the experience so far it has been exhilarating. Money seems to be the antithesis of struggle. Isn't the old adage "The rich have it easy." And don't we all secretly want to know the feeling? My social life can weather this financial storm but I imagine it will get old eventually and then what?!

Only time will tell I suppose. I'll let you know how creative I feel in October!