Surenity Nowsletter #10
Yet another missive from the foreign office.
Honestly, I am pretty content right now, but today’s world demands a different kind of content.
As such, I’ve decided to write a little newsletter to update you on gigs, tours & TV spots, while also sharing some humorous musings on the world through the lens of a comedian who used to be an accountant but probably should have been a monk.
On Realising I’m An Artist
Have you ever realised you’re an artist?
Have you had a moment where, within yourself, you come to a realisation that the choices you’ve made, the sacrifices, the compromises, have all been worth it? Even if you’ve had to forgo many of the comforts and pleasures most people could not live without, it’s ok - because, you are an artist.
And then - fresh from the glow of this self realisation - you, the artist, open up your emails, and see you’ve been invited to be a brand ambassador for Oodie.
In case you aren’t aware, Oodie is a popular hoodie/blanket hybrid. A multi million dollar idea which came about when someone saw a sheep and thought “I’d wear that, but synthetic and not in public.”
Apparently Oodie reckon I’d be a perfect fit for their ambassador team. Which, on second thought, is not saying much. Oodies are one size fits all. Further still, Oodie adore my content (probably, because I’m an artist) and flattery goes a long way.
But, I am an artist.
And to be an artist is a privilege. It’s a privilege because art and divinity spring from the same well. To create is to spend time in the company of the divine.
Also, a privilege because I spent much of today looking at a crane on a stick. (the bird, not the machine).
I took myself down to the Coburg Lake. It’s beautiful there.
Whilst there I realised that it also works in reverse - spending time in the company of divinity inspires creativity. And nowhere are you more in divinity’s presence than in nature. This crane was magnificent, sitting in absolute stillness atop a stick, poking out above the surface of the water.
It was the very picture of tranquility. Where contentment existed to me an idea, elusive and abstract, this crane, just a bird on a stick, seemed completely at peace. A peace that implied true contentment comes only when one is liberated from even the idea of contentment.
Next, something interesting happened.
My mind, absorbed in the grace of the crane’s repose, came to be still. Could it be that the mind, in truth formless in nature, takes the shape of the moment to which its attention is given? That is, the tranquility of the crane had become my own.
It’s hard to find the right words to describe this peace. It was like being nestled in a warm fluffy hug. A hug that envelopes you from the top of your head right down to somewhere around about an inch or two below your knees. A hug that has pockets. Big fleecy pockets that invite your hands or even your tablet to experience the hug. A hug that is available with cool designs like Darth Vader or the Brisbane Broncos. A hug that retails for around $109.
Sorry, I ended up replying ‘YES’… they offered me a free Oodie (during a heatwave), what else was I gonna do?
2025 FESTIVALS - THERE’S A WORLD WHERE MY HEAD OUGHT BE
ADELAIDE FRINGE & MICF are just around the corner! I am very excited, the show has come along way since I began working on it last year - I feel like it strikes a nice balance between my introspective, contemplative self and my silly, playful side. I can’t wait for you to see it!
ADELAIDE: 18 - 22 March, Rhino Room, 6:15pm
MELBOURNE: 27 March - 20 April, Melbourne Town Hall, 6:20pm (5:20pm Sundays)
It’s shaping up to be my best show yet, a fun story and lots of hopefully tight, well crafted jokes. What more could you want? Hopefully see you there!
Thanks again to Bill Kelly for designing this poster. I love it so much! Bill has designed almost all my posters since my very first show in 2015. Which, in writing that sentence, I’ve just come to realise - was ten years ago! Nice to have an idea for what to write about in the next instalment of the newsletter.
Some entertainment for your
With Comedy Festivals around the corner, here are some acts I reckon you should check out if they’re coming to a town near you!
Bronwyn Kuss
Anirban Dasgupta
Matt Stewart
Guy Montgomery
Becky Lucas
Ting Lim
Jordan Barr
Con Coutis
Gillian Cosgriff
He Huang
I am a regular on Who Knew It With Matt Stewart and fans of the show have hailed this episode as “Top 10” - so if you’ve never listened, it could be a fun one to get in on.
My friend Rowan Thambar is about to release his first comedy special - he recorded it at his parents house in Newcastle. I’m excited to see it, expect a mix of joyful frivolity and fun observations.
Melbourne’s Comedy Republic has a bunch of hour comedy specials online - if you’re keen to whet your appetite before festival time.
My friend Sid Singh has just released a special and it’s very funny. I met Sid while we were both performing at Edinburgh Fringe. He’s equal parts witty, acerbic and silly, and it makes for a great hour of stand up.
Don’t forget, the entire season of Question Everything is available to stream on ABC i-View. Thanks to everyone who’s watched it already! If you enjoyed it, please do let me know!
Thanks for reading and hope to see you at a show soon!
Lots of love!