What Have I Done?!
Life continues to fly by at a furious pace, and in my flight, I have found myself jumping head first into ...both another time-consuming event and a Title.
Yes, this past weekend I competed in, and won, the Southern California Leather Woman contest. I knew in my gut if I competed I would win. Arrogance? you think. No, just knowing. And an extra-ordinarily accurate psychic (100% so far for over 2 years).
I didn't get nervous until the day before...for a number of reasons. Those lovely people who performed my "fantasy" section with me, J & K, and I didn't get together to rehearse until the day before the contest. The fantasy came to mind months ago while relaxing during an acupuncture, then someone of brilliant mind fine-tuned it into a hot fantasy. Of course, I, who have never actually fought someone with a sword, wanted a sword-fight section, which I would win. Practicing a slow-moving Tai Chi sword set and sword fighting really don't have much in common. But, we choreographed one anyway, and with some brilliant fine-tuning from D & T, along with costuming, we managed to pull it off. We rehearsed a total of 5 times in 2 days, 2 of those on the actual 10x10 stage in the venue. A tribute to my good dumb luck!
Thankfully, the audience liked the fantasy, and that's what tipped the scales in my favor, because, you see, it was a popularity contest. The audience got to pick the winner. So now, I am Southern California Leather Woman 2005. What that means is that at least once every 10 days I must travel somewhere in So Cal and network. The producer, who is another story entirely, is paying for my gas. That was really one of the things that was a strong "pro" for running. That and the fact that I don't have to do any fundraising of my own.
I was so pleasantly surprised to see a group of my dear friends had made it to the contest to support me! It brought a tear to my eye...knowing the effort they made for me.
The time-consuming event is Western Boy Run. Why is it time-consuming when I wasn't even supposed to be involved, except as a participant? Essentially, the person in charge disappeared into the night and left a very upset group of boys ready to walk. With a little encouragement, I tried to empower them to take over the event and make it their success. And they are! But I do get to help. Yes, I am taking registrations and helping to encourage, organize and focus them to keep going and just do it. I'm so proud of each and every one.
Did I mention I'm still in graduate school? Fortunately, there is only one class and one clinic shift I can take, so it won't be a difficult semester. I'm not teaching this semester, which is good, although I may end up supervising a clinic shift with 4 interns.
And I am opening up an office with two colleagues, both of whom are doctoral level practitioners. And yes, I am still seeing patients 3-4 days per week. Thank the goddess I don't have a personal life! A healthy social life, yes, but no relationship.
So, my travel schedule begins. I had fortunately made arrangements to not be at Journeymans this month, as it turns out for a different reason than originally believed. This weekend I am in LA to MC a fundraiser. The following weekend is Western Boy Run here in San Diego.
And the following weekend is Ms World Leather, where I will work as a volunteer, and somewhere during the weekend receive my Master's Cover from my friend and mentor, Daddy Jo Blas. For that, I must present Jo with a written document of what this means, receive 100 lashes from a single-tail from several people of Her choosing, then put on all of my leathers and present verbally the meaning of earning and receiving a Master's Cover. Any and everyone will be invited to attend, friend and "enemy" alike, to witness this rite of passage.
I'll be ready for a vacation this time next year...lol
Yes, this past weekend I competed in, and won, the Southern California Leather Woman contest. I knew in my gut if I competed I would win. Arrogance? you think. No, just knowing. And an extra-ordinarily accurate psychic (100% so far for over 2 years).
I didn't get nervous until the day before...for a number of reasons. Those lovely people who performed my "fantasy" section with me, J & K, and I didn't get together to rehearse until the day before the contest. The fantasy came to mind months ago while relaxing during an acupuncture, then someone of brilliant mind fine-tuned it into a hot fantasy. Of course, I, who have never actually fought someone with a sword, wanted a sword-fight section, which I would win. Practicing a slow-moving Tai Chi sword set and sword fighting really don't have much in common. But, we choreographed one anyway, and with some brilliant fine-tuning from D & T, along with costuming, we managed to pull it off. We rehearsed a total of 5 times in 2 days, 2 of those on the actual 10x10 stage in the venue. A tribute to my good dumb luck!
Thankfully, the audience liked the fantasy, and that's what tipped the scales in my favor, because, you see, it was a popularity contest. The audience got to pick the winner. So now, I am Southern California Leather Woman 2005. What that means is that at least once every 10 days I must travel somewhere in So Cal and network. The producer, who is another story entirely, is paying for my gas. That was really one of the things that was a strong "pro" for running. That and the fact that I don't have to do any fundraising of my own.
I was so pleasantly surprised to see a group of my dear friends had made it to the contest to support me! It brought a tear to my eye...knowing the effort they made for me.
The time-consuming event is Western Boy Run. Why is it time-consuming when I wasn't even supposed to be involved, except as a participant? Essentially, the person in charge disappeared into the night and left a very upset group of boys ready to walk. With a little encouragement, I tried to empower them to take over the event and make it their success. And they are! But I do get to help. Yes, I am taking registrations and helping to encourage, organize and focus them to keep going and just do it. I'm so proud of each and every one.
Did I mention I'm still in graduate school? Fortunately, there is only one class and one clinic shift I can take, so it won't be a difficult semester. I'm not teaching this semester, which is good, although I may end up supervising a clinic shift with 4 interns.
And I am opening up an office with two colleagues, both of whom are doctoral level practitioners. And yes, I am still seeing patients 3-4 days per week. Thank the goddess I don't have a personal life! A healthy social life, yes, but no relationship.
So, my travel schedule begins. I had fortunately made arrangements to not be at Journeymans this month, as it turns out for a different reason than originally believed. This weekend I am in LA to MC a fundraiser. The following weekend is Western Boy Run here in San Diego.
And the following weekend is Ms World Leather, where I will work as a volunteer, and somewhere during the weekend receive my Master's Cover from my friend and mentor, Daddy Jo Blas. For that, I must present Jo with a written document of what this means, receive 100 lashes from a single-tail from several people of Her choosing, then put on all of my leathers and present verbally the meaning of earning and receiving a Master's Cover. Any and everyone will be invited to attend, friend and "enemy" alike, to witness this rite of passage.
I'll be ready for a vacation this time next year...lol