Itchy

[elph8]

I read at The Hideout last night---the first time I've read at a non-slam event in months and months. I almost never go to readings other than the slam, which is half by design, often by forgetfulness. And when all you do is slam, you forget what it's like to leave a stage without scores popping up. Turns out, I like that. And then you also get to

Comments

[phoenixsinking]

I said the exact same thing about wanting to leave in a poem, except I said "It's not because I don't love you, it's because I do." The more caught up you get in the Austin life the more you want to go somewhere else to breathe and remember who you are outside of what you have always known to be reality. I have been really torn since Nationals as to whether I want to study abroad again in the spring or dedicate myself to the slam and try to win, possible be on a team god willing. I don't want to miss the Nationals in Austin and slam has become my heart beat, but I still have that itch shaped like latin america.

itch shaped like latin america...fantastic

[funkaliciouslj]

I agree with this leaving home idea. Amazing insights come when we step out of the familiar. Just this morning I took a different route than usual around town lake and now I'm going to take skulling lessons...who knew?

I say

[frogman1975]

if you dedicate yourself THAT strongly to the Slam, that you are going to focus on making the team to the detriment of all other experiences, the writing will become more like work and you will burn yourself out.
I think the pieces should just "flow" from experience, so I say, immerse yourself in experience.
That means, if you are feeling the itch to travel. Travel. I know I write more about home now that I have the benefit of seperation from Kentucky, and that I learn to love it more and more. (Most isn't slam type material, but I'm a writer, not a slammer. I just happen to slam some of the stuff I write that fits the format)
Nothing is as good for getting the creative juices flowing, in my opinion, than traveling, getting out of the familiar, and contemplating why the familiar is familiar, where the similarities and connections are between disimilar things, etc.
So do whatever feels right.

Re: I say

[phoenixsinking]

you've got a good point, like I said, I'm torn.

Re: I say

[frogman1975]

hmmmm, I know that feeling...
I say don't stress about it or you'll end up NOT enjoying whatever you do. Just be sure to enjoy whatever happens (like I even need to tell you that)