Posted on by jartrob

Testing One, Two, Three…

Does this still work?

A door in Lucknow. Years ago. Is this a liminal space?

I’m sitting at SK Coffee in Saint Paul, shaking my right foot and holding my breath while I worry my new dental implant with my tongue. In 48 hours I’ll be boarding the plane in Seattle bound for Doha; from there, I’ll fly to Dhaka before landing in Chittagong to teach for eight weeks at the Asian University for Women. A handful of AUW students will be completing the soon-to-be-defunct psychology minor. I, like the dodo, will waddle these soft-scientists to extinction before flying home in mid-July.

I’m sorry for the tortured simile.

I’m nervous, mostly because I’m neither here nor there. Summer has finally arrived in the upper midwest. We can sleep with the windows open. Cherries threaten to shrivel in the refrigerator before we can finish them off. The humid air smells of asphalt; the potholes admit defeat. Friends have big plans. I think I’m having anticipatory homesickness.

Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota/Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass. James Wright

And, of course, I’m so lucky to go. My friend Carol (hi, Carol!) pointed out that humans wrestle with transitions. We live in a constant liminal space, always transitioning from one moment to the next, never really sitting still, always yearning for security. Since this blog is about improv, I’ll point out that improvisers seek out the changing moment for inspiration, for energy. We try to let go of our stories and our plans and our illusions of safety. We jump.

Still, I love being at home.

Ruminating on the couch in front of the TV.

We can’t be in two places at the same time, but we can hold two contradictory ideas in one moment. Duh, I suppose. Here’s to the privilege of travel, the yearning for stability, to Dennis and the cats and the chance to return to Bangladesh.

Improvisation is based on the principle of “Yes, and…” Acknowledge the moment, then proceed with curiosity. Leave me a comment; I miss you, each and every one.

More soon.

19 Replies to “Testing One, Two, Three…”

  2. Lovely to get another rambling philosophical update. Have a wonder filled journey.

    1. Thanks, Craig! I could certainly use your wisdom. Always nice to hear from you–

  4. I hope it will be WONDERFUL! Savor every moment . . . I know you will. Looking forward to reading your posts. I always do!

    1. Thanks, Joy! You’d love these students (and they, in turn, would love you. I’m certain of it).

  6. Your poignant descriptions of being neither here nor there are so good that I’ve cancelled all my own future travel plans.

    Not really, but loved reading your thoughts about t/here . . . . funny how one word has the other embedded in it! Maybe that’s a clue and some consolation??

    Thoughts are the ties that bind, no matter where you are physically. For once, the mind/body problem solves one!

    I will miss you. Write often! Love, Sarah

  7. I really enjoy reading what goes on where you are. Have a great trip but don’t trip on (over) anything

  8. Jimmy, read your post from July 17, 2022, “Goodbye Bangladesh. I hope to come back.” You’re going back, and you will find more wonderful things about your adventure to share with us. Safe travels! Love you!

  9. I am here to remind you of my mic testing. “Testes, one, two — THREE?!?! You better get that ch ecked out!”

    1. Thanks! It’s as hot as Thailand…that’s the best I can do with that sense.

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