Day 299: Ten.ThirtyOne.13

You might think, based on my life as a dancer/performer I would like to dress up for Halloween.

You might think, based on my interest in creating things – all types of things – that I would like to make Halloween costumes.

You would be wrong on both accounts.

I’ve never been much into the holiday.

This bit of glitter was just about as festive as I was willing to get. Because really, who doesn’t love to glitterize once in awhile?

Or, as a friend answered when someone was harassing me about being ‘too cool’ for Halloween, I’m “Glitter and Spice and Everything Nice.” Yup, I’ll go with that…

Here’s to another day of creativity…

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Day 298: Ten.Thirty.13

Some awesome videos that made me really, super-duper happy (even on a day where I’m feeling pretty much blah). They are worth the combined fifteen or so minutes it will take to watch them, promise:

Spell Block Tango by Toddrick Hall

 

Virgin America Safety Video

 

Here’s to another day of creativity…

Day 297: Ten.TwentyNine.13

My friends are fiercely talented. My women-folk; these bad-ass, I don’t take no bs from no one, I know my own worth and you better respect that, kind of friends. It’s so freaking awesome to witness. And be inspired by.

The incredible writer, poet, educator, performer Mahogany Browne, who fell into my life at this moment I knew not how much I needed her, took the stage at Busboys and Poets Hyattsville last night. She was the feature in a fabulous event series called Body of Work.

I have seen her perform pieces on many occasions, in all types of settings. This night was different, though. It was all her, and revealed an altogether different kind of performance quality. I was mesmerized, as was the rest of the audience.

She speaks truth and wisdom and love. But more than that, she IS those things. What I realized last night was how much of herself she is on that stage. During poems, in between poems, answering questions, interacting with the crowd – all of it. And that, that is the most powerful tool I think any of us artists can aspire to use. Authenticity.

She had a few surprise guests – an incredible singer and cellist from Philadelphia (middle photo) who had this voice that made you FEEL the moment in a way that is kind of too visceral of a thing to put into words. And me – I freestyled to a poem that I was hearing for the first time as I was dancing it. It’s humbling to be asked by this beauty of a woman to share in one of her pieces. Terrifying, really. But I do it. Whenever she asks. Because I trust in her so completely and have to believe that I, too, may find some truth in what I share when I am in her presence.

Here’s to another day of creativity…

Day 296: Ten.TwentyEight.13

My mama’s story was featured on HuffPost today. It’s awesome. She’s awesome. I’m proud everyday to be her daughter. Today is simply one incredible example of why.

Here’s to another day of creativity…

Day 295: Ten.TwentySeven.13

For the first time in a long time I have not even a single creative thing to share.

My day consisted of running around crazy, taking orders, fixing drinks, smiling, running around some more… and finally. Finally. Sleeping. For a long long time.

I’m still tired.

Here’s to another day of creativity…

Day 294: Ten.TwentySix.13

I am coming to be able to recognize when I’m in an unhealthy relationship [I use that term to cover varying degrees of union with another person] because it feels better to be IN something than OUT of anything.

I’m not able to see, however, whether I am – or ever have been – in a relationship for the ‘right’ reasons.

I feel quite unnerved by this realization – that I quite possibly don’t know how to find a successful, loving partnership.

Or maybe, as it was pointed out to me, perhaps I just spend too much time in my own damn head because… I don’t own a tv with which to practice the art of zoning out.

Here’s to another day of creativity…

Day 293: Ten.TwentyFive.13

I took a field trip to see a new design project. An exciting one, particularly for DC. It’s a new community space and outdoor park/garden on a very old and storied piece of property.

It was a failed field trip – I wasn’t allowed in.

Below are a few photos I took through the iron gate. They don’t really do the project justice.

But you can click HERE to learn more about Davis Brody Bond Architects, and see beautiful photos of the project from INSIDE the gate.

Here’s to another day of creativity…

Day 292: Ten.TwentyFour.13

I love love love the fall because I get to add extra blankets to my bed.

I love love love creating bold, interesting, textured spaces.

I feel guilty that I enjoy ‘things’ so much.

If there was a way to make interior design a socially conscious art form, I would totally do it. For a living.

I actually believe there is – or at least – I think I can make a space that is inviting, sustainable, and welcoming for all to be able to create art in.

I know comfortable, beautiful, creative spaces make me feel happier. I think they do the same for others, even if they don’t know it. So perhaps it’s not out of the question that I can heal the world with color and fabrics. It’s worth a shot, anyway.

Here’s to another day of creativity…

Day 291: Ten.TwentyThree.13

I’ve been reading about spirituality. Christian spirituality, to be exact. It’s slow going. I don’t much believe in all of it. Although I’m certainly more open to reading about it now, at this point in my life than ever before. Mostly, I don’t like that those with-faith feel it’s their place to tell those of us ‘without’ that God loves us. That he’s waiting for us. That just feels so condescending. Or holier-than-thou. And that seems anti the point.

That’s not my point, though.

—

I went to a yoga class today for the first time in a few weeks. I forced myself to go, even though I really would have liked to have talked myself out of it. I knew, deep down, I needed it.

The first thing we did was lie flat, blanket rolled beneath our backs.

eyes Closed. arms Upturned. heart Opened.

I let out my breath, felt where the backs of my palms touched the mat, and almost laugh-cried. You know, that moment when you’re not sure which emotion is taking over, so both experiences meld into one? Our teacher talked of being grounded. Remembering we were connected to the earth. I felt it. And then it was gone. I was back to thinking about my next facebook post about taking a yoga class, what I was going to eat for lunch, what I was going to teach later that day. But for that moment?

I felt something.

—

I drive over the Potomac River on my commute home these days. I happened to turn my head and witnessed the gray-blue of the water contrasting brilliantly with the pink-gold of the sunset. It was better than any picture could have ever captured. Perfectly still. Perfect. That expression – breathtaking – this is what it was made for. Nature often causes destruction – violent storms, blazing fires… even causes complaining a significant amount of the year – too hot this, too cold that. But in that instant?

I felt something.

—

The unsolicited touch of a lover’s fingertips along the length of my spine. A deepest sense of contentment that comes only with this level of closeness to another human being. Mostly, I’ve found relationships are complicated. One part enjoyable and euphoric, two parts painful and emotionally draining. But for that moment?

I felt something.

—

I felt free.

And perhaps, then, I know what it might be like to believe.

Here’s to another day of creativity…

Day 290: Ten.TwentyTwo.13

Some back alley Street Art:

Here’s to another day of creativity…