Wow
Just back from 8 days camping, me and Mr X solo camping for the most part, for the first time. My best friend came for one night, my mom for the last 2, but otherwise we were on our own. I was a bit worried about how we'd do, logistics and so on, but it was actually incredibly fabulous. So much so that I wished we actually had more days on our own - not that I want fewer days with company, but more time on our own. And partly it was because we had a grand time playing and hanging out with no technology (except his books on cd) to get in the way, but in large part it was because I had these huge chunks of time at night ALL BY MYSELF. Which I don't have all that often. Not that I don't love my family, or my work with kids or all the ways I fill up my time, but it's rare for me to have that much time on my own, and when I do at home, there's always things that I need to do. I could sit under the stars (and for the first 5 days it was blissfully warm, even at night), or journal, or whatever, and have total and absolute silence, and just let my thoughts wander. It was a very cool experience.
That being said, I'm very happy to be home. Its my birthday, and we had a heaping amount of Chinese take-out - the cake will be for another day, as I ate way too many sweets while away. Although that sent a very tired Mr X into tears as we "didn't do the birthday traditions"...I got the VERY FIRST hardcover of Rob's book, signed (beautifully, I think I'll read it every night before bed for a long while!) for a present, and he's going to buy me a guitar! Which excited and terrifies me...I've wanted to play forever, but have not had success with lessons, except when taught at camp by Flip Breskin, a very amazing woman from Bellingham...apparently I can get lessons from her when I'm in town and practice in between. But I'm still afeard that I won't be able to catch on.
But its my second year of being BOLD and WILD so I'm game to give it my best shot!
Its late, I'm exhausted and have a ton of unpacking and cleaning from camping to do tomorrow, plus a bunch of errands - like renewing my driver's license which expires today. Oops! Can I drive down to get it renewed? Or shall Mr X and I go for walk tomorrow? A rather lengthy walk...but downtown, which is lovely and walk-worthy. If I can bribe him with some sweet treat or something...
I have more to say about another adventure I have forth-coming, but it shall have to wait.
Oh!!!
Rob's website has gone live!
check it out:
www.robertjwiersema.com
ttfn
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Under the shining...
Well...
A quick entry tonight, to be fleshed out, with photos, on the morrow...
Xander and I went to Luminara tonight - Festival of Lights here in Victoria, with a great sense of community and togetherness that doesn't happen all that often. It was last minute, so I whipped up a pop bottle lantern with him (yay for that creative side!), and bought a small oil lantern at the hardware store that I filled with teeny Christmas lights (battery operated) to give the impression of fireflies. We had many glo-sticks, a heaping huge amount of body glitter (all from Lush, and its amazing stuff!) - its one of the only chances I have each year to truly go wild with it - I do use a subtle gold regularly, but this was hot pink (small particles) and bright, vibrant blue and green (large pieces of glitter). Everywhere. And now that I'm home and readying for bed, it truly is EVERYWHERE, including many places I have no idea how it migrate to. But soooo worth it.
Anyways, we sat and watched drummers, improvisational dancers and musicians, flashlight dancers, some comedy stuff. Hung wishes on a dragon of lights. Ate a huge amount of cotton candy - and went out for dessert at one of our regular haunts at 11:00 pm. Fabulous evening, and I'll add photos when I can.
We're off camping for a week...I have a shift at Lush (kids party for any and all kids and I only just discovered I'm to be providing entertainment whilst the parents shop). I'm not off till 5:00, and we were to head off tomorrow night -the campsite is about 1 1/2 - 2 hours away. I think I'll plan on leaving Monday morning instead...though I did want to get set up before my best pal arrived so she wouldn't feel the need to do anything but put her feet up and relax. So we'll see - maybe I'll get everything done...
And on that note, it's off to bed for me!
A quick entry tonight, to be fleshed out, with photos, on the morrow...
Xander and I went to Luminara tonight - Festival of Lights here in Victoria, with a great sense of community and togetherness that doesn't happen all that often. It was last minute, so I whipped up a pop bottle lantern with him (yay for that creative side!), and bought a small oil lantern at the hardware store that I filled with teeny Christmas lights (battery operated) to give the impression of fireflies. We had many glo-sticks, a heaping huge amount of body glitter (all from Lush, and its amazing stuff!) - its one of the only chances I have each year to truly go wild with it - I do use a subtle gold regularly, but this was hot pink (small particles) and bright, vibrant blue and green (large pieces of glitter). Everywhere. And now that I'm home and readying for bed, it truly is EVERYWHERE, including many places I have no idea how it migrate to. But soooo worth it.
Anyways, we sat and watched drummers, improvisational dancers and musicians, flashlight dancers, some comedy stuff. Hung wishes on a dragon of lights. Ate a huge amount of cotton candy - and went out for dessert at one of our regular haunts at 11:00 pm. Fabulous evening, and I'll add photos when I can.
We're off camping for a week...I have a shift at Lush (kids party for any and all kids and I only just discovered I'm to be providing entertainment whilst the parents shop). I'm not off till 5:00, and we were to head off tomorrow night -the campsite is about 1 1/2 - 2 hours away. I think I'll plan on leaving Monday morning instead...though I did want to get set up before my best pal arrived so she wouldn't feel the need to do anything but put her feet up and relax. So we'll see - maybe I'll get everything done...
And on that note, it's off to bed for me!
Friday, July 21, 2006
Laughing hysterically
Since, after I posted the previous lengthy blog (and really, go and read it first, if you've the time), I decided to check the weather once again. The weather forecast, which, 6 hours ago had been for hot and sunny and unseasonably so, for the next 14 days. Which now is hot and sunny, and unseasonably so, until next Friday (I aim to go home the following Monday). Next Friday is when the temperature drops below seasonal and the rain, yes the rain, is due to start.
You see, the thing about the curse is that no matter when I plan to go, until I make it official - book a reservation, make concrete plans with others, whatever, the forecast is always positive. But once I make my plans, last minute, or well in advance, as soon as I do, the weather changes. And I almost always pack up in the rain. As a matter of fact, Mr X just told a friend yesterday that not only do I do the best tarps (he's proud of his mama), but that the tarps are always the very last thing to come down, so we can pack up everything else and be mostly dry.
Serious laughter and giggles happening right now. Some disbelief, but not really...
And on that note, I'm off to bed.
You see, the thing about the curse is that no matter when I plan to go, until I make it official - book a reservation, make concrete plans with others, whatever, the forecast is always positive. But once I make my plans, last minute, or well in advance, as soon as I do, the weather changes. And I almost always pack up in the rain. As a matter of fact, Mr X just told a friend yesterday that not only do I do the best tarps (he's proud of his mama), but that the tarps are always the very last thing to come down, so we can pack up everything else and be mostly dry.
Serious laughter and giggles happening right now. Some disbelief, but not really...
And on that note, I'm off to bed.
Midnight ramblings...
First thing first...I adore, nay, love Ellen's CD! Ellen Johnson, singer extraordinaire, with her new first album Warming February. Wow. Completely accapella, her own glorious words and music in her own glorious and amazing voice. What a treat. I'm sure I'll have more to say when I stop being so in awe. Until then, I'll simply close my eyes and listen, and picture her warm face and mischievous eyes as I listen in joy.
Next...we have been overrun by flies. First it was the fruit flies, which we're trapping by the score and still can't seem to eradicate. Extremely gross, and in almost 10 years of living here, I've never seen the like. But now we have big ol' ugly house flies. What's creepiest, as if having scores of them all around is that they're not moving. At all. Everywhere I look, they're just sitting, often in pairs. Everywhere. I mean it. So what's with the weather/climate this year that's causing this? Or what fates have I offended to have our home thus invaded? It's been extremely warm and dry, and we had a mild winter (which, as an aside, has brought hundreds of slugs every night to my parent's gorgeous garden. Picture them - 69 and 79, out with flashlights and shovels every night at 11:30 - prime slug hunting time, apparently, and killing well over 100 slugs each and every night for the past 3 months. BIG slugs -banana and leopard, not the little tiny sneaky things. Aside now over).
Anyways, I'm guessing its the weather. And maybe they've all just hatched or traveled over from the creepy things dimension, and are too worn to begin buzzing. But I know it will come....
What else is filling my brain past full tonight? Oh yes - camping. Xander and I are off camping for 8 days, leaving Sunday evening. Traditionally we go with my mom (dad and Rob both stay home), and last year my best friend joined us for a night. But last week my one of my parents' close friends was told she had lung cancer - maybe 2 months left. This after battling uterine, ovary, and intestinal cancers for years, as well as loosing her husband in the spring. So needless to say, they're off to visit her, though I think mom'll join us for the last few nights, which will probably be good for her, but hard for my dad... And my friend should be joining us for a couple of nights at the start.
In case there's any misconceptions, it should bementioned that I camp like a queen. I can rough it, butprefer not to. Big tent, flannel sheets and down comforter on the air mattress, all the accoutrements that could possibly be desired. Great food - we're not that far from a town (which is itself right on an amazing beach), so we shop every couple of days for whatever tickles our fancy. And that includes dessert. The best s'mores ever. Here in Canada we have digestive biscuits (cookies) that are chocolate covered on one side. I say it like that since every US friend I've tried to describe them to has no idea what I'm talking about. A roasted marshmallow is placed on one chocolate side, the other biscuit is put, also chocolate side in, on top, and when squished, the marshmallow spreads to fit the round cookie right to the edges. The thin layer of chocolate melts instantly...mmmmm...marshmallowy goodness from start to finish.
We bring crafts. Lots of beads and beadwork. Boardgames, dice and cards...I may teach Mr X some gamblin' games this year, as that's how I spend my summer camping trips. And tarps. I always bring plenty of tarps, from a small 6' x 8' through to my best camping friend, a 20' x 30' tarp. And tons of rope and bungee cords (a tarp's best friend). Why, you ask? It's all because of the curse. The curse that has not allowed to camp, even once, in all my life, without the pitter-patter of rain. Or the torrential downpours that have seen me packing up, cussing and laughing, because, when you have a curse like that, you have to laugh. Or cry. Or refuse to go camping, or even set up a tent. Seriously. And its not just because I live in a damper climate and go for longer trips, which, granted, do raise the odds in rain's favor. I can go for a weekend, when the forecast is gorgeous, and still be rained upon. Last summer I got ready for camping - took all the gear out and organized it on the lawn. Got a sunburn. Not a cloud in the sky. Last thing I did was set up the tent to air out the damp smell from the last trip, and then I went in to organize the stuff in the house. 45 minutes later I take my sunburned self out...and sure enough, Rain. Seriously! But I do the best tarpage ever. When D., my best friend, came to see us last year, she was astounded by the sight of our campsite. Well here - I have a photo:
Next...we have been overrun by flies. First it was the fruit flies, which we're trapping by the score and still can't seem to eradicate. Extremely gross, and in almost 10 years of living here, I've never seen the like. But now we have big ol' ugly house flies. What's creepiest, as if having scores of them all around is that they're not moving. At all. Everywhere I look, they're just sitting, often in pairs. Everywhere. I mean it. So what's with the weather/climate this year that's causing this? Or what fates have I offended to have our home thus invaded? It's been extremely warm and dry, and we had a mild winter (which, as an aside, has brought hundreds of slugs every night to my parent's gorgeous garden. Picture them - 69 and 79, out with flashlights and shovels every night at 11:30 - prime slug hunting time, apparently, and killing well over 100 slugs each and every night for the past 3 months. BIG slugs -banana and leopard, not the little tiny sneaky things. Aside now over).
Anyways, I'm guessing its the weather. And maybe they've all just hatched or traveled over from the creepy things dimension, and are too worn to begin buzzing. But I know it will come....
What else is filling my brain past full tonight? Oh yes - camping. Xander and I are off camping for 8 days, leaving Sunday evening. Traditionally we go with my mom (dad and Rob both stay home), and last year my best friend joined us for a night. But last week my one of my parents' close friends was told she had lung cancer - maybe 2 months left. This after battling uterine, ovary, and intestinal cancers for years, as well as loosing her husband in the spring. So needless to say, they're off to visit her, though I think mom'll join us for the last few nights, which will probably be good for her, but hard for my dad... And my friend should be joining us for a couple of nights at the start.
In case there's any misconceptions, it should bementioned that I camp like a queen. I can rough it, butprefer not to. Big tent, flannel sheets and down comforter on the air mattress, all the accoutrements that could possibly be desired. Great food - we're not that far from a town (which is itself right on an amazing beach), so we shop every couple of days for whatever tickles our fancy. And that includes dessert. The best s'mores ever. Here in Canada we have digestive biscuits (cookies) that are chocolate covered on one side. I say it like that since every US friend I've tried to describe them to has no idea what I'm talking about. A roasted marshmallow is placed on one chocolate side, the other biscuit is put, also chocolate side in, on top, and when squished, the marshmallow spreads to fit the round cookie right to the edges. The thin layer of chocolate melts instantly...mmmmm...marshmallowy goodness from start to finish.
We bring crafts. Lots of beads and beadwork. Boardgames, dice and cards...I may teach Mr X some gamblin' games this year, as that's how I spend my summer camping trips. And tarps. I always bring plenty of tarps, from a small 6' x 8' through to my best camping friend, a 20' x 30' tarp. And tons of rope and bungee cords (a tarp's best friend). Why, you ask? It's all because of the curse. The curse that has not allowed to camp, even once, in all my life, without the pitter-patter of rain. Or the torrential downpours that have seen me packing up, cussing and laughing, because, when you have a curse like that, you have to laugh. Or cry. Or refuse to go camping, or even set up a tent. Seriously. And its not just because I live in a damper climate and go for longer trips, which, granted, do raise the odds in rain's favor. I can go for a weekend, when the forecast is gorgeous, and still be rained upon. Last summer I got ready for camping - took all the gear out and organized it on the lawn. Got a sunburn. Not a cloud in the sky. Last thing I did was set up the tent to air out the damp smell from the last trip, and then I went in to organize the stuff in the house. 45 minutes later I take my sunburned self out...and sure enough, Rain. Seriously! But I do the best tarpage ever. When D., my best friend, came to see us last year, she was astounded by the sight of our campsite. Well here - I have a photo:
You see, she sees me as a girly-girl, and yet between us my mom and I had got the tarp ropes over 20 into a tree. Strung beautifully as you can see so as to protect us from the inclement weather. And that's also why I pack all the crafts and so on. Anyways, the forecast is for hot, dry and sunny...I can only hope that this year my tarps will be left unused! But camping is on my brain as I plan what to take and how to go about it. And pondering xander and I camping alone for the first time, even just for a few nights. It's a provincial campground, and goodness knows we travel supremely well together. But I still feel a bit weirded out by the idea. This is phase one of my beingbold and wild this summer, I guess.
I'll explain phase 2 another time. Its little enough, but really nerve-wracking, and exciting too.
I think phase 3 may be looking for a guitar and learning to play...
I think I'd better stop there. I have no idea if anyone reads these, but if they're too long no one will care to. Though that's okay too, except that they're in lieu of regular emails to some camp friends. Well not in lieu of, but they'll just get shorter hello's rather than these long rambles.
I should stop there. I was going to write about Luminara (Victoria's amazing festival of lights), which is Saturday night, but I think I'll do that tomorrow...In between the making of lanterns withMr X and the clearing out of a corner of the kitchen so I can move the rabbit in. A non-food preparing corner of the kitchen. If you're really curious, you can check out last years' photos and stuff at http://www.luminaravictoria.com/
That's all - signing out with sweet dreams (if you're reading this at night - otherwise good morning's) to all
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Welcome to the Parlor...
Okay, so this is completely in homage to my lovely Phoenix ladies...
Thanks for welcoming us with open arms and warm hearts into the space you've spent the past 3 years creating for yourselves. It's a perfect example of that Parlor hospitality!
Of course, you'll have to find some sage and sage yourself!
That doesn't translate well into the cyber-world
Crazy, but not a one of us remembered to take a picture of the parlor door,
Welcome sign (with cactus) and all. But I hadn't erased this yet,
so I thought to capture it and post it here.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Things I wonder about...
My pardon to a fellow and beloved camper, as parts of this originated in an email to her. But things I've been wondering about recently (like yesterday and today)...
I think that being at camp allows us freedom to play, to try new things, to lose some of our inhibitions and be like children again, and that is in good part why we come out not only re-energized and invigorated, but full of creativity and plans to try new ideas. Society's rules haven't just changed for kids, but for all of us, and we let them constrict the way we live our lives and at camp we get to ignore the rules, stay up late, hang out with good friends, sing, laugh and cry until our stomachs ache. And so on. We can trust freely, give our hearts freely and know that they'll be handled gently and with care.
I wonder...can the sort of environment we have at camp be sustained for longer than that brief slice of time? Or is one of the reasons we all have such a hard time re-entering the world because we know, deep down, that it can't be? I wonder if the Nipomo crowd, or the Bellingham folks, or other groups that work together manage to keep it up all year? Sometimes I think yes, but then I wonder. And I know that there are families at camp who seem so very connected, but the rest of the world must invade there too...is it possible to keep it up? I think there must be something about being at camp, literally separated from the rest of the world that allows us to create what we need. I surely would love to create or find that in my own day to day life. I try to with Xander, and hope that it will continue. I look for it, and try to make it happen, but I work with such negative teachers, and I can't seem to influence or change their way of viewing the world, and then that negative atmosphere is so hard to exist in.
I am trying to find other places - my choir - imagine 300+ everyday people from all walks of life getting together to sing once, twice or even three times a week. Performing in concerts to raise significant amounts of money for the Power of Hope and for a small village in Mozambique. And then think that not only is it non-audition, but designed for those who we always told they coulnd't sing...that's what I have found thus far (and full credits must go to Julie M who challenged us to be bold and wild...my eternal gratitude!). But that's still a small enough thing, and while I've managed to be barefoot at choir most of the year, I can't reach out and connect with touch the same way I do at camp, which truly helps me connect...I'm kinesthetic and need movement and touch in my life...
Anyways...I don't think I'm going anywhere with these thoughts. I just wish it were okay in the big world to laugh as loud as you want, burst into tears, ask for a hug or backrub when you need it. Have someone right there willing and ready to talk about things, or brainstorm, or leap into a song or clapping game. Or just be willing to play for a while. Or sit in silence. To have the world encourage you to try something new, to risk making a fool of yourself and know that you WON'T be judged and found wanting. That unconditional love and acceptance that's found at camp...All those things. I am slowly getting used to the world around me again, and hope that all my fellow campers are too. And that you carry enough from camp to make your heart lighter and your days more joyful. Maybe if there enough of us, keeping in contact and sharing the wealth we recieve from camp each year, we an slowly affect the world around us.
I think that being at camp allows us freedom to play, to try new things, to lose some of our inhibitions and be like children again, and that is in good part why we come out not only re-energized and invigorated, but full of creativity and plans to try new ideas. Society's rules haven't just changed for kids, but for all of us, and we let them constrict the way we live our lives and at camp we get to ignore the rules, stay up late, hang out with good friends, sing, laugh and cry until our stomachs ache. And so on. We can trust freely, give our hearts freely and know that they'll be handled gently and with care.
I wonder...can the sort of environment we have at camp be sustained for longer than that brief slice of time? Or is one of the reasons we all have such a hard time re-entering the world because we know, deep down, that it can't be? I wonder if the Nipomo crowd, or the Bellingham folks, or other groups that work together manage to keep it up all year? Sometimes I think yes, but then I wonder. And I know that there are families at camp who seem so very connected, but the rest of the world must invade there too...is it possible to keep it up? I think there must be something about being at camp, literally separated from the rest of the world that allows us to create what we need. I surely would love to create or find that in my own day to day life. I try to with Xander, and hope that it will continue. I look for it, and try to make it happen, but I work with such negative teachers, and I can't seem to influence or change their way of viewing the world, and then that negative atmosphere is so hard to exist in.
I am trying to find other places - my choir - imagine 300+ everyday people from all walks of life getting together to sing once, twice or even three times a week. Performing in concerts to raise significant amounts of money for the Power of Hope and for a small village in Mozambique. And then think that not only is it non-audition, but designed for those who we always told they coulnd't sing...that's what I have found thus far (and full credits must go to Julie M who challenged us to be bold and wild...my eternal gratitude!). But that's still a small enough thing, and while I've managed to be barefoot at choir most of the year, I can't reach out and connect with touch the same way I do at camp, which truly helps me connect...I'm kinesthetic and need movement and touch in my life...
Anyways...I don't think I'm going anywhere with these thoughts. I just wish it were okay in the big world to laugh as loud as you want, burst into tears, ask for a hug or backrub when you need it. Have someone right there willing and ready to talk about things, or brainstorm, or leap into a song or clapping game. Or just be willing to play for a while. Or sit in silence. To have the world encourage you to try something new, to risk making a fool of yourself and know that you WON'T be judged and found wanting. That unconditional love and acceptance that's found at camp...All those things. I am slowly getting used to the world around me again, and hope that all my fellow campers are too. And that you carry enough from camp to make your heart lighter and your days more joyful. Maybe if there enough of us, keeping in contact and sharing the wealth we recieve from camp each year, we an slowly affect the world around us.
That's all for now - peace to the world, namaste...
Ewwwwwww!!!!
Okay, I have to set this up properly...and it's more funny than anything else so don't be deterred by the heading!
So I've gotten very lazy with meals over the past couple of months - lots of grab and go, with Xander's dance classes being very late. Lots of pre-packaged stuff...I'm working on trying to get back in a healthier state - body and mind, and so I wandered over to the local small grocery store to buy fresh stuff for a stir fry. I was surprised by how quick it was to throw together, and so yummy - chicken stir fry with fresh broccoli and carrots, over rice. Being in a grand mood, and proud of myself too, I decided to sit on our front porch to enjoy dinner. We have no tables or chairs - we're right downtown and if it isn't locked up or bolted down, it gets stolen within days, but the porch steps are lovely, and I'm under a roof (this is important). I'm watching a happy squirrel in the apple tree, knowing I should chose him away, but letting him romp. Dinner is fabulous! Amazing! So good, I return to the kitchen to add a wee bit more to my plate (and Xander's, though his is sans veggies). This takes some doing as I have to navigate the baby gate that's across the doorway to keep the dog in, whilst not treading on said dog.
So I get back outside, and just settle in for another yummy bite when...
So I've gotten very lazy with meals over the past couple of months - lots of grab and go, with Xander's dance classes being very late. Lots of pre-packaged stuff...I'm working on trying to get back in a healthier state - body and mind, and so I wandered over to the local small grocery store to buy fresh stuff for a stir fry. I was surprised by how quick it was to throw together, and so yummy - chicken stir fry with fresh broccoli and carrots, over rice. Being in a grand mood, and proud of myself too, I decided to sit on our front porch to enjoy dinner. We have no tables or chairs - we're right downtown and if it isn't locked up or bolted down, it gets stolen within days, but the porch steps are lovely, and I'm under a roof (this is important). I'm watching a happy squirrel in the apple tree, knowing I should chose him away, but letting him romp. Dinner is fabulous! Amazing! So good, I return to the kitchen to add a wee bit more to my plate (and Xander's, though his is sans veggies). This takes some doing as I have to navigate the baby gate that's across the doorway to keep the dog in, whilst not treading on said dog.
So I get back outside, and just settle in for another yummy bite when...
Splat!!!!
Bird poop all over me and my plate! Well, only my legs and one corner of the plate, but still! So much for my lovely dinner al fresco! I never saw the dropper, and I was firmly under the roof, so maybe he had some opinion to offer about my choice of dinner...or my eating location.
unbelievable! But at least I had enjoyed a full portion...maybe he was commenting that I didn't really need seconds...
I had to laugh. Well, put on a fresh skirt, clear my plate (into the garbage, much to Share's dismay), and then have a great, loud belly laugh. Because how crazy silly is that? And then I had to come here and write it sown because just as IT happened, I was plotting what to write about my lovely dinner here.
And shortly I'll be off to a choir drop-in to sing rounds and fun songs with the next best group of people I could think of singing with!
Monday, July 17, 2006
Confusion!
Okay,
Methinks I have a few too many venues in which to post now...time to sort them out!
First, there's this new blog, which I have to admit I like the feel of...
Then there's my livejournal, which has the advantage of being what many friends use, so I can be linked to them easily.
Then there's Dale's sites (2 as well - are we both a little crazy?). I know the MSN has been having problems, so maybe we'll all go over to the camp blog...
Plus my long and crazy emails out to people that I normally do - the list is growing - do I continue with that, or hope everyone reads one of these? Or do I cross post?
For someone with my mental deficits - and I mean that honestly - I think I'm over-reaching! I have a hard enough time remembering where I put things, what's next in my schedule, etc., to keep track of all of these sites...I'm overwhelmed by choices...
My thoughts, upon which anyone can weigh in...
I'm keeping here as a focal point for camp stuff. Anything that all you NWTC'ers will understand immediately, and my other friends just never seem to get. My LJ will for the time being be for non-camp stuff, unless I think it'll be of interest to everyone in which case I may copy, paste and cross-post. But feel free to visit at any time!
I have photos and maybe mp3 clips to post somewhere where everyone can access them. And some video clips from my camera too...Dale - could you let me know where those might go? General camp I can put on either of your sites - the MSN has that nice photo album already set up. Some more specific ones, like the last day at Flip's, I'll put here.
Ta da!!! It just took thinking through step by step. If you tried to follow along and made it this far, thank you for the preserverance. It's probably not as exciting as you thought it might be though...
What else? I've had so many thoughts racing through my head again...Xander and I went swimming and out for dinner yesterday, and then on a playdate and swimming again today. Then I was exhausted and fell asleep with him at 8:00 - oops! I had the weirdest dreams. Poor Rob has barely seen me since our return - I'd better remedy that! Especially as we're running off camping next week for a full week...And then I'm off to another workshop (solo for 5 days - unprecedented!!!) right after his book launches...at which point he'll be on the road a whole bunch. I think our lives might never be the same...
anyways, I babble as always! I've been thinking a lot about intimacy, and trust and safety and how camp gives us that chance to feel safe and drop some of our inhibitions. I can't move completely out of my shyness, even now, unless the groups are small (thank you parlor ladies for extending that invite into your world!. But I'm getting there! And I more than make up for it here and in emails...I guess its also that love to hear what everyone else has to say, and don't chime in because I'm bathing in the flow of words around me.
Now dancing - there's where I cut loose. And I so appreciated the chance to do so at camp this year. I haven't been going as regularly - though I intend to change that. And it felt so very liberating and free to just let the music move through me and respond however my body chose to. I had the added treat, with Kim and Helen, and thanks completely to Anara (who is the most gracious and accommodating hostess ever - first for opening her house, then for watching Xander while I went out - so completely out of character for me!!)...anyways, we got to go and see (and for me more importantly dance to) SpaceBand - Aeden's cover band. Which was amazing - they are very, very excellent. I've danced to live music before, but something about coming straight from camp and already being more open combined with having a good friend laying down an amazing bass beat on stage let me move into a place I hadn't been before. I'm sure I made a right royal fool of myself at times, but it was a completely transcendent experience. And great fun too!
On that positive note, I'm off to bed (again).
Methinks I have a few too many venues in which to post now...time to sort them out!
First, there's this new blog, which I have to admit I like the feel of...
Then there's my livejournal, which has the advantage of being what many friends use, so I can be linked to them easily.
Then there's Dale's sites (2 as well - are we both a little crazy?). I know the MSN has been having problems, so maybe we'll all go over to the camp blog...
Plus my long and crazy emails out to people that I normally do - the list is growing - do I continue with that, or hope everyone reads one of these? Or do I cross post?
For someone with my mental deficits - and I mean that honestly - I think I'm over-reaching! I have a hard enough time remembering where I put things, what's next in my schedule, etc., to keep track of all of these sites...I'm overwhelmed by choices...
My thoughts, upon which anyone can weigh in...
I'm keeping here as a focal point for camp stuff. Anything that all you NWTC'ers will understand immediately, and my other friends just never seem to get. My LJ will for the time being be for non-camp stuff, unless I think it'll be of interest to everyone in which case I may copy, paste and cross-post. But feel free to visit at any time!
I have photos and maybe mp3 clips to post somewhere where everyone can access them. And some video clips from my camera too...Dale - could you let me know where those might go? General camp I can put on either of your sites - the MSN has that nice photo album already set up. Some more specific ones, like the last day at Flip's, I'll put here.
Ta da!!! It just took thinking through step by step. If you tried to follow along and made it this far, thank you for the preserverance. It's probably not as exciting as you thought it might be though...
What else? I've had so many thoughts racing through my head again...Xander and I went swimming and out for dinner yesterday, and then on a playdate and swimming again today. Then I was exhausted and fell asleep with him at 8:00 - oops! I had the weirdest dreams. Poor Rob has barely seen me since our return - I'd better remedy that! Especially as we're running off camping next week for a full week...And then I'm off to another workshop (solo for 5 days - unprecedented!!!) right after his book launches...at which point he'll be on the road a whole bunch. I think our lives might never be the same...
anyways, I babble as always! I've been thinking a lot about intimacy, and trust and safety and how camp gives us that chance to feel safe and drop some of our inhibitions. I can't move completely out of my shyness, even now, unless the groups are small (thank you parlor ladies for extending that invite into your world!. But I'm getting there! And I more than make up for it here and in emails...I guess its also that love to hear what everyone else has to say, and don't chime in because I'm bathing in the flow of words around me.
Now dancing - there's where I cut loose. And I so appreciated the chance to do so at camp this year. I haven't been going as regularly - though I intend to change that. And it felt so very liberating and free to just let the music move through me and respond however my body chose to. I had the added treat, with Kim and Helen, and thanks completely to Anara (who is the most gracious and accommodating hostess ever - first for opening her house, then for watching Xander while I went out - so completely out of character for me!!)...anyways, we got to go and see (and for me more importantly dance to) SpaceBand - Aeden's cover band. Which was amazing - they are very, very excellent. I've danced to live music before, but something about coming straight from camp and already being more open combined with having a good friend laying down an amazing bass beat on stage let me move into a place I hadn't been before. I'm sure I made a right royal fool of myself at times, but it was a completely transcendent experience. And great fun too!
On that positive note, I'm off to bed (again).
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Here goes...
Well, it seems a little crazy and a whole lot silly for someone with my memory challenges to be trying on 2 different blogs...but I have to say I like the editing options here better than at my livejournal - I may jump ship!
Or maybe use this for NWTC stuff - though that is so intertwined with my life that I doubt it's possible to tease it out. Tough call...
For now, I have an official identity so I can reply to Dale's posts on his blogger site, and that's all I need! I'll figure out the rest later...but for an interesting read check out my latest at
http://whimseysgirl.livejournal.com/
Serious navel gazing going on there!
Or maybe use this for NWTC stuff - though that is so intertwined with my life that I doubt it's possible to tease it out. Tough call...
For now, I have an official identity so I can reply to Dale's posts on his blogger site, and that's all I need! I'll figure out the rest later...but for an interesting read check out my latest at
http://whimseysgirl.livejournal.com/
Serious navel gazing going on there!
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