the good things that happened
2013 actually started off really well.Going forward, it would do me well to remember that the beginnings were good.Before the ice cracking and creaking, before sicknesses, community strife,debts & deaths.
It began with snow and a party, at the soup battle.
Warm and cozy, lit through darkness with Louise, her kids & her cat,
it was a centered and grounded way to start the year.
What followed shortly after was my first EC retreat & snow in Chicago, a trip to the Green Mill
and hugs with the Tuggles (which is how my year will kick off next week).
I had my first experience as a TD with Women of the World Poetry Slam. I was new, nervous, and although there is still so much to learn--I think Seth & I make a good team.There were a couple of incidents and in them, I felt good for the role I had.Everyone put on a great show.Hanging out with Jazz,Theresa, Nathan, Vernell seeing Shyla in her first nationals-level event---the whole thing was a growing experience. Taking pictures for Adam was fun, too.It's undoubtedly my favorite big poetry event. Working in service to it is humbling.
NYC with a wonderful college poets and simply amazing, elevated words of art.Witnessing students take in Patricia Smith live and their inspired reactions.
Working on updating my resume and cover letter materials, I started applying for different jobs in earnest.Noting that I started my current job around the week of my birthday,I thought it was fortuitous to find one at about that time that really matched what I could offer.The process took five months, between necessary pieces of paperwork, waiting in between, interviews, the unofficial offer, the official offer, etc.It was a bit absurd, actually, but it updated for me what the job market is like now (college transcripts, a longer cue of supervisors and references, a writing sample in addition to resume and cover letter,copies of licenses).
I really should re-focus and remember that I set a life-altering goal and I met it.With flying colors, I met it.
This should also mean that if I set goals around other things,even in other states, I should definitely be able to set my mind and course on them.There is no reward without risk.
Living with Theresa, especially now, while she is on the rise.Her success is a familial one.This was her first full year of touring and living as a working artist. And she did it! And puts food in our mouths (often,breakfast, bacon & soup!)We've been through so much.
Shyla, aka Pancake Jesus. Fast talking, her brain moves that way, too.She's amazing, positive, a luminary. She often writes multiple pieces a day & fills notebooks quickly--and more than half of what she writes is material that needs to be said or heard.My favorite part of the day is often the morning, as I'm on my early mugs of coffee and she asks me if I want to hear a new poem she just wrote. *of course*
Hanging out with Adam R., who says things and answers questions I didn't know I had.I am not sure how he does that, but we are on some kind of similar frequency when we're around each other.
Crying on the Cuffees. Crying with Adam R.That part of the world is always a highlight.So many favorite humans & writers out there.It will still be there on the map.
Mountains.
Spokane Washington, the metal goat, Garrett Potter & IWPS, Xero winning.
Kissing, hugging and floating with Canadians.
Hanging out with New England poets. Bill's visit, Adam S.'s visit, visiting Ryk.
Swimming in a pool half naked in December.
Meeting Doomsday & hearing new pieces from Daphne.
The poems, Cliterati,my poetry team---always my poetry team & Atlanta poets, Charis Books & More. Poetry is good. All the time.
It began with snow and a party, at the soup battle.
Warm and cozy, lit through darkness with Louise, her kids & her cat,
it was a centered and grounded way to start the year.
What followed shortly after was my first EC retreat & snow in Chicago, a trip to the Green Mill
and hugs with the Tuggles (which is how my year will kick off next week).
I had my first experience as a TD with Women of the World Poetry Slam. I was new, nervous, and although there is still so much to learn--I think Seth & I make a good team.There were a couple of incidents and in them, I felt good for the role I had.Everyone put on a great show.Hanging out with Jazz,Theresa, Nathan, Vernell seeing Shyla in her first nationals-level event---the whole thing was a growing experience. Taking pictures for Adam was fun, too.It's undoubtedly my favorite big poetry event. Working in service to it is humbling.
NYC with a wonderful college poets and simply amazing, elevated words of art.Witnessing students take in Patricia Smith live and their inspired reactions.
Working on updating my resume and cover letter materials, I started applying for different jobs in earnest.Noting that I started my current job around the week of my birthday,I thought it was fortuitous to find one at about that time that really matched what I could offer.The process took five months, between necessary pieces of paperwork, waiting in between, interviews, the unofficial offer, the official offer, etc.It was a bit absurd, actually, but it updated for me what the job market is like now (college transcripts, a longer cue of supervisors and references, a writing sample in addition to resume and cover letter,copies of licenses).
I really should re-focus and remember that I set a life-altering goal and I met it.With flying colors, I met it.
This should also mean that if I set goals around other things,even in other states, I should definitely be able to set my mind and course on them.There is no reward without risk.
Living with Theresa, especially now, while she is on the rise.Her success is a familial one.This was her first full year of touring and living as a working artist. And she did it! And puts food in our mouths (often,breakfast, bacon & soup!)We've been through so much.
Shyla, aka Pancake Jesus. Fast talking, her brain moves that way, too.She's amazing, positive, a luminary. She often writes multiple pieces a day & fills notebooks quickly--and more than half of what she writes is material that needs to be said or heard.My favorite part of the day is often the morning, as I'm on my early mugs of coffee and she asks me if I want to hear a new poem she just wrote. *of course*
Hanging out with Adam R., who says things and answers questions I didn't know I had.I am not sure how he does that, but we are on some kind of similar frequency when we're around each other.
Crying on the Cuffees. Crying with Adam R.That part of the world is always a highlight.So many favorite humans & writers out there.It will still be there on the map.
Mountains.
Spokane Washington, the metal goat, Garrett Potter & IWPS, Xero winning.
Kissing, hugging and floating with Canadians.
Hanging out with New England poets. Bill's visit, Adam S.'s visit, visiting Ryk.
Swimming in a pool half naked in December.
Meeting Doomsday & hearing new pieces from Daphne.
The poems, Cliterati,my poetry team---always my poetry team & Atlanta poets, Charis Books & More. Poetry is good. All the time.