From the film, Spinal Tap - It Goes to 11!

May proved to be its usual, boisterous self with our customary trip to Sebastopol, California for Tribal Fest 11. And this year had promised a lot being the year that “Goes to 11″ from the words of the infamous Spinal Tap movie. TF11 surpassed 10 for sure, and was energetically amplified to 11. From performances that portrayed the theme of Spinal Tap to all of the first-time, brand new performances of my dancer idols like Unmata, Princess Farhana, and more… this show was surely not to be missed.

One of the best parts of the week-long trip was that we got to make it in our brand new ambulance-turned-camper-van. It had room for everyone and it was so much fun! A little harder to park and drive on the narrow roads of wine country, but still a blast. Each year, a large group of us rent a house together and have a great time cooking together, eating, laughing, and drinking wine. This year would be no exception. Although our trip to the house this year was filled with a small amount of peril when Nic and Debi’s iPhones directed us onto a “shortcut”. As we were driving, I began to have the sense that we were not traveling the proper way to our destination. But being in the new ambulance that is 20 feet long and 8 1/2 feet high, there wasn’t much option for turning around on a one way, narrow, mountain road. At first we began to worry what we would do if a car came traveling down the road from the other direction. I mean, we can’t even see the road under the van, it’s actually more narrow than the vehicle.

Our new ambulance amongst the gorgeous field of wild poppies near our home.

But soon we would have traveled so long on this road that day turned to night under thick vegetation and tall, spooky trees. It would literally go from blue afternoon skies, to pitch dark caverns from moment to moment. Feeling like we were in some “Blair Witch” movie, we started to panic. If wasn’t the right way, where were we headed? I turned on my phone, which only had one bar of power left and crossed my fingers for the best. I had voice navigation on my phone and all I hoped for was to get out of there, wherever “there” was. The woman on my phone talked in her nasal-ey, unemotional voice. Not caring that we were scared and trying to get out of where we were. She just kept directing us and occasionally checking for traffic – which was providing comic relief for sure, as we would all yell at her to check for deer in the road instead since there were no people, no cars, nothing in site for miles.

“Checking route for traffic.”

We finally made it, about 2 hours off schedule from our little detour, a little haggard and tired but happy to have arrived to be greeted by all of our friends. We had a few new people staying with us this time and we were unsure if they would be a “fit” with our group. When I walked into the doorway, I heard laughter and fun and really got excited. Going further into the house, we were welcomed by all of our friends, both new and old. I glanced about the room and noticed 7 empty wine bottles. I let out a sigh of relief. I knew that this was my crowd if they had already emptied 7 bottles of wine for the evening. I was stoked!

Princess Farhana having her way with Frank Farinaro while he naps at Tribal Fest 11.

We had a great time at Tribal Fest. Making new friends and spending time with old ones. We were fortunate enough to get several “free” impromptu shows by Frank Farinaro – one of our housemates – as well as extra henna sessions with our two amazing henna friends, Debi Varvi and Nic Tharpa-Cartier. We were visited by the Jerry Springer show more than a few times and everyone learned to do my baby belly dance zaghareet. I also got to see my very first ever design, tattooed on one of the Kumuda Tribal girls. The tattoo artist did an amazing job and it was so beautiful. I feel so honored to have my artwork permanently placed on a gorgeous dancer. Wow! It was an amazing week.

The festival ended on Sunday and we stayed through to Tuesday, leaving Monday as a “free day” to do whatever we liked. Frank, Nic, Debi, and I all stayed for the extra day. Nic wanted to see a California beach so we took him to Bodega Bay. Now, all of you Californian’s know that a Southern beach is so much different from the Northern beaches. But Nic being from Boston had not gotten to experience the different beaches yet. Boy did we pick a great day. (insert sarcasm here) We got there and it was SO windy we could not believe our eyes. Good thing we were somewhat bundled up for the day and had sweatshirts on hand. It was freezing and the wind caused the sand to blow sideways. Debi and I kept joking about how we were getting facials from the sand blasting. Leave it to us to have fun on a day like that. We really did have a great time, walking from wind break to wind break. Shooting pictures of each other. Acting silly and battling the wind in between.

After our day out at the beach, we decided to take Nic to have some authentic Mexican food at a nearby Mexican restaurant that we had spotted on the way up the coast. We arrive, starving and covered with sand. We actually leave little sand outlines from where we were sitting when we are finished. The waiter arrives and hands us menus and half of the items on the menu are not Mexican food. So much for taking him to have authentic Mexican food. When we ask if they have chips and salsa, the waiter explains that they don’t have them but would be happy to bring us some bread and butter. Bread and butter?! People, Mexican restaurants – even chains – have chips and salsa. We just couldn’t get the day to cooperate with us. We did order some items that had Mexican food names and the food was very tasty in the end, thank goodness. Although it definitely was not the authentic we were looking for.

Nic bundled against the wind - see the sand blowing sideways?!

The day ended with an incredible evening in the jacuzzi back at the house. It was nestled in a little nook of foliage next to the pool and was just perfect for drinks and chatting all evening. And not even the imaginary surprise house guest could detour our fun, thanks to Frank who protected us all with his heroic actions.

To be continued…

Why was 2011 so great? Here are some of it’s highlights…

Blume, Kat, Michelle, Jill, and Renee at Kat's Retirement Party

The year kicked off with a celebration for my dear friend Kat’s retirement from her long time career. Rather than a retirement party, this was a celebration for the new adventure that she was about to embark on. Kat was moving to Morocco part time and buying an apartment there. After lots of planning and some adventures along the way, Kat now has her lovely apartment in Marrakesh, Morocco. Kat’s start of her journey this year was a reminder to me that life is about obtaining your dreams and if you plan and look for a way to get to your dreams that you will indeed arrive there with some perseverance. Thus I set out on this year to do just that, go after my dreams and to do more of what I want to do each day.

Date Festival Sand Castle being build live, on-site.

It was early in the year when another close friend, Debi, and I traveled to Indio, California for a jaunt over to the Date Festival. The Date Festival is a belly dancer’s dream county fair. Complete with permanent Arabian Nights style set built into the main, outdoor stage, buildings with names like the “Taj Mahal Room”, and actual Middle Eastern themed vendors sprinkled here and there. There was even an exhibit of old belly dance costumes in the art gallery. The best thing is that the entire festival is a tribute to DATES!!!! Not those awkward fixed up sort of dates with a guy you’re not sure you will like, but the yummy, delicious desert dessert that we have all come to know and love. The festival combines the country of a county fair with the glitz and glitter of belly dance and I love it! Believe it or not, there weren’t any belly dancers scheduled to perform, but I hear that they normally are scheduled to perform several times throughout the fair. It was certainly a fun trip and gave me all sorts of ideas for Cairo Caravan – as I’m always looking for great ways to make it bigger and better!

After leaving the Date Festival, I headed back home and decided to take an impromptu left turn onto Highway 2, headed toward Wrightwood instead of home. The weather that day had displayed lots of ominous, dark clouds hanging over the valley, but not even a drip or sprinkle had dared to leak from them as of yet and I figured it would be safe to make a surprise trip into the mountains to see my dad. Only a half mile down the road and it started to snow! That’s right kids, snow in Southern California… we do have mountains, it’s hard to believe but true. At first, it was light and soft, just drifting down slowly. It was so beautiful and I was getting more and more excited for this little spontaneous drive.

Wrightwood, California - 4 feet of snow!

Then it began to really snow. The snow quickly changed from soft, fluffy flakes to a white sheet being washed over the road and my Jeep. Not having 4-wheel drive any longer is really a bummer in a moment like this and I certainly didn’t have chains. I cautiously kept driving, extremely slowly as every time the Jeep sped up to over 20 miles per hour, the back end would fish tail ever so slightly. It was a long road to town in the blizzard of snow but I finally made it, freezing my tush off! I called my dad with a surprise I’m here and can you come pick me up in town phone call. Dad arrived, we parked my car in a free spot at the bank since it was the weekend and they were closed, also no one was getting anywhere in this snow storm. It took 2 hours to make the 5 mile trek back to dad’s house. Stalled out cars littered the streets. People were putting on chains in the middle of the road because the snow banks on the side of the road were so high already that not even a raised, 4-wheel drive truck could pull off to the side. Rear-wheel drive mini-vans filled with kids pleading with their mothers to get out and go sledding, slowly inched along as every other few feet, they were skidding back and forth. Thank goodness we had 4-wheel drive and chains.

We made it to the cabins, and it looked like I wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. But it was beautiful! The drifts of white snow falling down as if the universe where blowing dandelion fluff all over the mountains and canyons. And it was silent. I love the silence that comes with snow. Complete silence, as if the world has stopped and the only thing happening is the snow fall – all-else has ceased. I spent 2 days in the mountains, in the snow. It was lovely and peaceful. An incredible moment to think and reflect. Spend some time with my dad, read a book, and take cat naps. It was just lovely.

Malibu Beach, California in March after inFusion Show

March typically brings wind and cold to our desert and lots of work and planning for the rest of the year is done while barricaded in our house away from the steely wind and freezing cold. But this year, March was different. An invitation had arrived in my inbox for an “invite-only” belly dance show called “inFusion”. My first instincts were to skip the show and stay in my warm house, working away like the busy bee that I am. But then I began to read the description. The show would be in Malibu in one of those Malibu beach houses right on the beach with their own private bit of beach at the bottom of the rocky cliff. I was hooked, having already been in need of a beach fix anyway, I purchased an extra ticket for the TTG and we made plans to go. It was a lovely evening. Filled with amazing performances, great food, friends, and fun. This was one of the most unique and successful shows that I had been to in a very long time. We stayed the night in Malibu and spent the next day at the beach, fulfilling my need for some sand, sun, and fresh fish at a local dive restaurant. It was a spectacular weekend.

More spectacular moments of 2011 to come in part 2…

Hiplash at Tribal Fusion Faire 2008

Living in Wendy and Danny land is like being transported to another time and place. It felt as if real time had ceased to exist and life became blissful. I dare you to hang with Wendy and Danny for a couple of days and not leave smiling. Upon arriving to San Luis Obispo for Tribal Fusion Faire, we arrived at Wendy’s shop, Bali Isle, greeted by the scent of homemade cookies and yummy incense burning. Debi (Henna Crone) said that it must be what heaven smells like, incense and homemade cookies. I think she’s right. Debi and I met our friend Chandra there in San Luis Obispo on Thursday morning to enjoy the Farmer’s Market and have a little vacation prior to the start of the festival. The generously spirited Wendy had provided the opportunity for Debi to do henna at her shop downtown on Thursday and Friday prior to the start of Tribal Fusion Faire.

The Farmer’s Market did not disappoint. We had barbeque from Moe’s that is just to die for every time. We had raspberries (yes you heard me RASPBERRIES) the size of half dollars that tasted so sweet, we were sure someone had delicately injected each one with sugar water. The delicious red fruits hardly had seeds either; incredible, practically seedless raspberries that taste of pure heavenly sweetness in December. We ate oranges that oozed sweet juice down our chins; black fantasy grapes that tasted like sweet wine; sweet peas that were divine; strawberries that should be advertised as crack berries since we ate a whole flat of them in less than 2 days; and the apples, well, they are a story of their own. We weren’t going to buy apples. Apples from the market at home are yummy and we can get them year round. We discussed buying some and decided against it, really, how much better can an apple be? However, on our trip back to the shop, walking past an apple vendor, an evil temptress came out of the shadows holding apple slices. “Would you like an apple ladies?” the temptress inquired. We responded with a less than enthusiastic, “Sure”. One bite almost sent waves of pleasure throughout our bodies. Without further discussion, we bought apples, filling the bag as if we were in a trance. When Chandra and I arrived back to the shop, Debi asked why we were silly enough to have purchased apples. Speech was not required, we just handed her one and we could see the unspoken understanding in her eyes. There were so many other veggies and fruits to purchase, all looking like delicacies from another country. The colors were so vibrant and we could smell the flavors. Next year we will be getting a room with a kitchen!

We spent Thursday and Friday in Wendy&DannyLand, similar to Disneyland, rivaling the idea that it is the happiest place on earth. Wandering through the town. Shopping in the specialty shops. Hanging out at Bali Isle, listening to reggae Christmas music. Wendy gave us all big hugs each time she saw us, and Danny always greeted us with a huge grin on his face. How could you not love these two? Just thinking about them makes me happy. Wendy told us little antidotes all weekend, some about Danny. It was so endearing to hear Wendy speak so fondly about Danny.

Karma came up Friday to contribute to in the fun. The four of us had an absolute blast. Yasmin and Paul (of Tribal Bazaar) also showed up Friday night, as well as Anaar, Tempest, Shala, and a few others. We all had a blast together. Everyone was instantly infected with the Wendy and Danny cheerful vibes from the shop. Not a single person who entered the shop was grouchy or snarky. It was wonderful being enveloped in such happy vibes.

Tribal Fusion Faire was extraordinary that year and has been every year since. It has always been one of my favorite events and 2008 topped them all. With Unmata, Zoe Jakes, Frederique, Fat Chance Belly Dance, Karma, Stephen Eggers, and so many more stars, the evening show alone was worth the drive. Hiplash did an improv set with all of our members for the first time ever! Avery, Cortney, and Katie all rocked as new editions to the troupe. And of course, Jill, Trish, and myself all had a blast. Alamkara did a beautiful improv set to Christmas music that was inspiring. Laura and Amy rocked the house as emcees. In addition to the show being great, there were fabulous vendors, amazing workshops, and the weather was absolutely beautiful all the way until the end (it rained Sunday night, but the festival was over so no harm done).

We ended the weekend with a trip to Moe’s with all of the usual suspects. We had a fabulous time unwinding from the weekend and sharing some laughs before we headed back to our hotel rooms for some much needed sleep after a weekend of frolicking and fun. It was an incredible weekend and I look forward to each new year with much anticipation. What is your favorite part of Tribal Fusion Faire?

For more info about Tribal Fusion Faire, please visit their website: http://www.meddevi.com/tribalfusionfaire/

Here are a couple of videos from Tribal Fusion Faire 2008…

Ideas are a fanatical thing. Sometimes they come to me in the middle of the night, forcing me out of bed and running down the hallway to my office to jot scribble a note in the dark, hoping I can read it the following day in the light of the morning. Sometimes they load up my desk on tiny bits of paper scattered about in massive, towering piles. Sometimes, and this is only when I am feeling tremendously creative, they are tidily typed and organized on a text document.

Ideas are the portion of the festival planning process that never ends. More ideas come to mind than can ever be accomplished. I always strive to accomplish them all, and as our team of coordinators grows, we get closer and closer to that goal. Yet, as we get nearer, more ideas come to mind and spring forth like a kitty in the grass, hunting a grasshopper. My list of thoughts for this year’s festival has reached 30 pages and is growing. As you can tell, this may be one of my favorite parts of the process. I think without high-quality, strong ideas, and a gang of silly ones that might be out of reach, that we cannot provide the paramount festival that we do your utmost to bring you.

Plenty of the ideas come from others as well. I get ideas from the coordinators of the festival, from guests of last year’s festival, and from friends and family. In fact, I would like to give credit to Rosemary for her brilliant idea to have the festival on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA. Upon her suggesting the venue to me, my first year as the chair for the event, I was skeptical that we could afford such a beautiful venue. Nor did I think they would have enough space for us. I had previously visited as a young person and only could recall the grand ballrooms, and while they are beautiful, they are not large enough for thousands of guests. We visited, we negotiated, and we got it! Thank you Rosemary for your fabulous idea.

Taking these ideas and running with them, or assigning them to others is an even greater task. Taking an idea to fruition is a brilliant feeling. I am always looking for others who would like to help us turn our ideas from notes on paper into actual, living things. I am so fortunate to have the team that I have now. Without them, I could not accomplish the incredible feats that bring us such a magnificent festival.

I would love to hear any ideas that you have for the festival, Cairo Caravan, whether you have been or not. Maybe there are things that you wish other festivals had that they don’t have, or maybe you’ve always had a brilliant idea of how you could do something better than a previous festival chair; either way, I would love to hear them. Please leave your ideas in the comment box below.

Gathering workshop instructors, from the decision making process, to contacting them for availability to obtaining signed contracts is like trying to heard sheep who cannot hear or see. By this, I mean that the process takes so long and is so arduous. The results, though, are fabulous!

The process begins with the gathering of names. Names that have been presented to me, names that I can recall from memory, and names of dancers who stand out when watching either live performances or videos. Gathering these names is one of the most important parts of the process. They cannot be just “any” names. They must be names that resonate with other dancers across the country and throughout the globe. They must be a draw for attendees and create a stir amongst the community. These names must also be the names of professional, hard working dancers who will provide quality instruction to our guests. In addition, each name must bring something to the festival to aid in creating an atmosphere full of life. I especially look for a name that will not just show up for their time to dance and teach and then vanish for the rest of the weekend. Instead, I want instructors and performers to visit, socialize, and spend time at the festival – to “belong” amongst all dancers, not above them.

Next, the process continues by narrowing down the list of names. A presentation is created for the board, including a photo of each name, a brief bio, a link to their website, links to their performances, and most importantly, their fees for both instruction and performing. Discussions are had over each instructor; their talent, costs, and name are all considered. Votes are made, narrowing the playing field. More votes are made to choose the almost final list.

Names are contacted; contract negotiations ensue along with the checking of availability for our festival dates. Then I wait, and wait, and wait a bit more depending on the name, as many of the names travel and teach for a living. If and when all goes well, the contracts are signed and the names are promoted. When the contract cannot be worked out, I must move on to the next name on the list, providing a new opportunity for a different name from the list.

The names are now chosen, and now I must select topics for each instructor. I will use last year’s model, as it was a huge success. I will present the topics to the public for their vote and create a running total for each. This is the fun part of the process and quick as I only provide a week to respond and vote.

With names chosen, topics voted and planned, flyers are made and advertising follows. Then, and only then, can I sit and wait, fingers crossed and hope that the choices were all thorough and that attendees love our choices.

If you have ever planned a festival, a hafla, or even just a one time workshop, you know how much work goes into planning, preparing, advertising, and the actual set up and take down of each of these. Planning MECDA’s Cairo Caravan has been a rewarding and challenging experience. I love the outcome and the planning, and sometimes I even love the “suggestions”. It is exhilarating and at the same time very hard work.

Not being an expert, but hoping to become the best I can be, I am always looking for suggestions and new ideas. Please leave them in the comments box, I love to hear from you!

I’m going to write a sequence of blogs that have to do with the planning process, what it entails, and sometimes the trials and tribulations of it all. They may not appear in perfect order, as festival planning began prior to the last festival dates (in 2010). As I recall particular topics during the planning process, or as they occur, I will post them. I hope that you enjoy them. I hope that you get something out of them; possibly learn something new. If nothing else, I hope that they remind me of how I got to where I am standing now.

Enjoy!

“She’s doing her workshop in the bathroom.” They needed mirrors, why not. And although advertisements may not have sold any tickets with a public bathroom location as a feature, the actual ad did not specify where the workshop might be held. No complaints, please, you have been forewarned. Being a celebrity in her own right, she (and the class, of course) is interrupted over and over again by her many “fans”. “Oh my god, it’s so good to see you!” Screeches through the air over and over, followed by a smooch with heavily lacquered lips – kiss, kiss. “She’s in there ordering people to be quiet, she is after all, holding a workshop in here.” She has briefly and swiftly taken ownership of the women’s restroom wearing her black, fur-lined ugs and leather with chain belt. She is the perfect image of a public restroom owner. To finish the outfit, her red bra shows through her white, wife-beater tank top that has a fitting red heart and bones on the front.

She’s “painting” a volunteer’s face with a heavy black line along with a contrasting white line, very dramatic and stark contrast. A gal blurts out “Ooh, that’s so subtle.” she says this very earnestly, she is genuinely serious. The whole room explodes with laughter – one gal expresses the irony in the previous statement. “Only a room full of belly dancers would think that that much make-up could be subtle!”

Ahhh, I love belly dance!

“Advertising is the art of convincing people to spend money they don’t have for something they don’t need.” ~Will Rogers

AT&T Cellular phones recently created a beautiful ad campaign using hands painted with make-up positioned to look like other objects juxtaposed with their phone products. The ads are brilliant as anyone would love to stare and marvel at the amazing craftsmanship of the make-up. It’s almost a game of “Where’s Waldo” as one stares at the ad to figure out just where and what the hands are doing to create the images. As I looked through these beautiful ads, I wondered where could their marketing team go from here? It would be pretty hard to top these ads as far as their intrigue is concerned. Here I am, someone who has the simplest cell phone that can be purchased. It dials and I call people. It’s practically a cordless phone that just happens to travel farther from the house. So why am I even drawn to these ads? What use do I have for a new cell phone? Hardly any. I’m not a big “phone person” and don’t frequently talk on the phone. I keep things until they break or seriously just fall apart. I’m not into waste or changing to a new phone just because it comes in a new color that I like. I am not their demographic. And yet, these ads just drew me in like a moth to a flame.

Their complex artistry, composition, and photography make them transform from advertisements to art. I am intrigued. I almost wish there were a signature on the bottom of each one from the artist(s) that help create them. This is a true case of pop art as predicted (and perhaps created by) Andy Warhol. Remember the soup cans? Who can forget them? I think these beautiful ads will reign amongst other pop icons through history. Take a look at all of them, peruse the imaginative ads and contemplate (as I am doing now), did someone sell their soul to the devil for these ads?

Enjoy!

while you were sleeping
the babies grew
the stars shined and the shadows moved
time flew, the phone rang
there was a silence when the kitchen sang
its songs competed like kids for space
we stared for hours in our maker’s face
they gave us picks
said go mine the sun
and gold and come back when you’re done
while you were sleeping
you tossed, you turned
you rolled your eyes as the world burned
the heavens fell, the earth quaked
i thought you must be, but you weren’t awake
no, you were sleeping
you ignored the sun
you grew your power garden
for your little ones
and you found brides for them on christmas eve
they hung young cain from the adam trees
and danced
while you were sleeping
i tossed and i turned
til i closed my eyes
but the future burned
through the planet turned a hair gray
as i relived the day
while you were sleeping
the money died
machines were harmless and the earth sighed
through the wind you slept sound
and gravity caught my love around
the ocean rose, sang about decay
while witches flew
and the mermaids stayed
full of dreams, you overslept
and keeping with quiet, through the walls i crept
i walked on tiptoe, sent darkness swirling over all the kitchen in the early morning
i’ll never catch up to you
who sleeps so sound
my arms are useless
my heart beats too loud to go to sleep
my mind’s too crowded
while you were sleeping
the time changed
all your things were rearranged
your vampire mirrors face to face
they saw forever out into space
and found you dreaming in black and white
while it rained in all the colors of the night
i watched the tvs
memories
championships
vanished to sea
could it be, my honey between you and me
so i waited for the riddled sky
to dissolve again by sunrise
and i’ve made a death suit for life
for my father’s ill widowed wife
did you have that strangest dream before you woke
cos in your gown you had the butterfly stroke
did it escape you like some half told joke?
when you reached for your plume of smoke
it’ll haunt you, my honey bee
anyone who is anyone has that same dream
were you falling
were you flying
and were you calling out
or were you dying
thank god you’re up now
let’s stay that way
else there’ll be no mornings
and no more days
cos when we’re dreaming
our babies grow
the sun shines
and the shadows flow
time flies
the phone rings
there is a silence
and everybody tries to sing

~elvis perkins

I was reading an insightful poem today, titled “I like it when I stop”. It’s a lovely and well-written poem about allowing ourselves to just stop from time to time. Stop worrying about chores around the house; ignore the pile of lists on the desk beckoning to be taken care of; stop “doing” anything that is remotely responsible. Instead, allow yourself to read your book for hours on end, sit in the bath until you think you might shrivel to nothing, watch movies one after another until your brain is numb and your heart is happy. Take that guilty pleasure and run with it… at least once in awhile.

I have so many guilty pleasures that I almost never get to them all, with a list as long as Santa’s naughty and nice list, I’ve always got so much to do. Between MECDA responsibilities, dancing, teaching, and websites, sometimes I almost just drown. These are the times that I just STOP and remind myself that I need a break. Not just a fifteen-minute break with a bite to eat, but a real break. The kind of break that almost gives me a break from reality, from the lists; the kind of break that if I had lived in the 60’s, someone would have hauled me off to the asylum for fear that I had left societies’ ever demanding nature and had decided to not conform.

Maybe that’s what this is all about for me. I will not conform. I do not want to conform. I try everything to be a non-conformist, and yet, here I am, on occasion… conforming. I love to let time slip away, even days, and sometimes think, isn’t this Tuesday, while time has already slipped into Thursday. I love to be out hiking with the sun as my only timepiece. I love to crochet for hours, watching film after film, enjoying the imagery. I love to escape to Rock Creek, nine thousand feet up, in the amazing forest. No phones, no computers, no lists.

But many of these things do not happen often enough. Once per week, if I’m lucky, I delve into the smaller pleasures. Sometimes, twice per month is my only salvation. The bigger escapes only take place once or twice per year. It’s an interesting conundrum. I love to be busy; I make myself busy; I took on these tasks. I love to multi-task. I crave lists of things to do. Without them, I sometimes feel as if I have no purpose. Ironic that I crave the opposite of deadlines and lists to the extent of daydreaming about it. Perhaps it’s just a natural reaction to the hectic life I choose to lead?

Do you like to just stop? Do you get to often?

Here is the beautiful poem that inspired my blog today:

I like it when I stop,
For whatever reason I stop.

Now I’m dabbling in the moment, drawing in my notebook, combing the cats or cutting
Out pictures on the couch . . .

A voice will nag me to stop and get up and do something, like Father’s,
But I ignore it–

In a carefree way, I read my book;
Maybe I’m behind on my work,
Perhaps Father’s nervousness was justified.

All the heaps of things to do,
All the consecutive chores,
All the lofty goals,
The force of progress becomes a blur.

What I love the most is this,
A place of utter emptiness,
Where Hours go unrecorded,
And minutes disappear, unmarked by significance,
Yet full of meaning too, pregnant even, like a secret.

~ Leathe (The Blog of Innocence)