Launchpad hope

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

I really enjoy the group shows at Launchpad Gallery because they give me a chance to make something I've been wanting to experiment with and get some feedback.  I did this piece for their current Family show and played around with how the family starts with the individual.                                       I've been really curious how vulnerable I am willing to get or if what I'm doing is considered vulnerable at all.  I know I have a lot of support from my family and they give me the feeling of an incredibly strong safety net where it seems nearly impossible to really fall, at least too hard.  Having family and family-like friends makes all the difference in what I create.  I can't ever be too telling of their story and must only look at mine because that is being a responsible member. I can tell any part of my story, even though they would really know if the part I'm sharing is truly being vulnerable or if I'm being a bit of a revisionionist.  This does happen.    I'm also curious if because I know that I'll have support if I'm bearing myself that it is becoming another version of a gimmick.  Do I really believe I'm telling something of myself or is this what I'm believing others believe see as being vulnerable so am just doing a dance that only resembles vulnerability?   I guess I would see vulnerability as less performance. I'm an eager perfomer.    The piece I did for LaunchpadGallery is titled "Hope" and is priceless.   This feels more like a gimmick to me.  I liked initially and felt that I'm not sure I really want to have people see what medications because they are my pill bottles with "hope" written on each pill.  After the piece was up and even before the show opened I was ok with the idea.  I was no longer feeling vulnerable about the works' material instead only if it would be considered as anything.  So I guess I was still feeling vulnerable about the work.  The closing party for the show at Launchpad Gallery  will be on Nov 1st from 12 - 3  534 SE Oak St in Portland.

Opening "I'm Calling It a Retreat"

The opening was a lot fun.  Here are some photos.  The Q Center has been absolutely wonderful to me.  Even though my show is there I often don't feel as if I belong, not just there but most places. Here I do.  I attended Cabaret the other night and had a total blast.  It was like being in church with Bob the minister directing and Glen on the piano proselytizing the holiness of broadway.  It was a sing-a-long with books provided with the lyrics, someone sang "Part of Your World" from the Little Mermaid and everyone pretty much looked up from their songbooks and sang.  I remember being in middle school and high school and really wanting to be in drama, but not allowed because of the time it would take away from the ministry.  I would instead get other Witness kids together and do songs with the lyrics changed to fit the occasion we'd perform such as anniversaries, going away parties, appreciation parties, etc. I remember doing "No Part of Their World": Look at this book, isn't it neat, aren't you glad this collection's complete, etc.  I wish I could find the lyrics to all the songs I made into things I could perform without taking away from the ministry of course.

I'm glad the Q Center is there for all those folks who went without and for all those that still need their fix. Thanks Paul and Glen for making it a very pleasant and welcoming experience.

I'll be having a closing party on Nov. 28th from 3 - 5.

Beach

Hanging out with everyone in Walport was a total blast.  There is something I love about being in the Ocean at any time of the year. I need to get in and be immersed everytime I go.  I don't plan to, but first the shoes come off then the shirt and then I'm in.

It was a lot of fun hanging out with Lilly and Levi and making our Tee Pee.  They both totally impressed me with their creativity and willingness to be totally silly.

I don't think I could ever live in a small town, but I've considered Manzanita.  I'm a romantic and Manzanita plays into most of my desire based fantasies. I think I'll leave it a fantasy.

I can't believe that we found a decomposed beaver and Levi carried it the whole way back to where we were working. I thought it was gross, but was not at all afraid of it.  I was afraid of it.

Hi beaver, can you see the beaver?

Maybe it's my lifestyle but it seems like most times I go to the beach I need to work. My lifestyle isn't really a worker bee one, but I love to make stuff and see what can be done with only the materials on hand.

Lilly was the key person for applying sea weed and wrapping them around the wood for stability.

There is our tee pee.

I love the orange teeth.

Catching the wind.