Birthday

I wanted a quiet birthday this year so Aatman planned a night out for the two of us.  He booked dinner and a comedy show in San Jose but, then, I was offered free tickets to Amaluna (the Cirque show)!  So, we skipped comedy and went to the circus!!  It was simple and perfect, and Aatman spoiled me with loving messages and wishes all day.  :)

I kept thinking, geez I'm old...  and then, whatever....  ;)

The series of events that led to this particular moment made it perfect in every way.  ...though, I suppose you could apply that logic to everything in life -- even the hard parts if you'll allow yourself.  :)

And, the show was AMAZING!!  Topical, invigorating, visceral, and flawlessly performed...!!!  

Along those lines, I also have to say that I looooved The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.  

magic

mag·ic

ˈmajik/

noun

noun: magic

1. 1.

   the power of apparently influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces.

   • mysterious tricks, such as making things disappear and appear again, performed as entertainment.
   • a quality that makes something seem removed from everyday life, esp. in a way that gives delight.
   • informal

     something that has a delightfully unusual quality.

adjective

adjective: magic

1. 1.

   used in magic or working by magic; having or apparently having supernatural powers.

   • very effective in producing results, esp. desired ones.
2. 2.

   informal

   wonderful; exciting.

~~~~~~~~

You know how movies create serendipitous moments filling the heads of the romantic and hopeless with dreamy impossibility... ?  

I love those.... 

Good madness

Last year, on New Year's Eve, I made a wish after midnight that should've been more than a fleeting thought thrown into the ocean...  It should've been a goal.  A commitment.  ...although, wishes have a way of finding their way, don't they? 

I've had a very introspective holiday season.  

I'm thankful for a New Year.  For perspective and an eye opening journey.  For the capacity to change and grow, and for shared wisdom.  

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a life. I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

— Maya Angelou

Tis the season

Everything happens for a reason...

My flight home for Christmas was cancelled... but, after being told I wouldn't get another flight out until Monday or Tuesday, I was able to book a flight for the following day.  One less day made a short trip home seem significantly shorter but, fortunately, constraints have a way of creating quality, and I ended up having a really nice, full, fun visit with my family and old friends.

Early on Christmas eve, my brother took me out for coffee at this brewery/cafe housed in an old school building.  It sounded reminiscent of a place I'd heard about in Portland, and a little research confirmed that it was inspired by the McMenamins' business model of repurposing abandoned spaces.  A very cool place with some really great coffee.

On our way into the school/brewery/cafe we walked by some kids sliding down the wide concrete railings alongside the stairs.  The concrete had been worn down enough to be a little slick, so the unsupervised kids were having a blast climbing up and sliding down again and again.  On our way out we decided to try the slide railing ourselves -- it was super fun.  :)

(Is it just me, or are the lights in the photo literally sparkling...?  This is a serious question, I have no idea how that's happening.)

Three things

Scan the world for the positive.

Smart is simple.

Strive for authenticity (watch again). 

so much!

I've been busy and slacking on blogging... so much going on with too much to say and no time to say it.

I'm feeling very distracted right now, but I wanted to get some things down.  Like: 

Fight workshop at the SF Opera (I got my own dressing room!)

Lots and lots of double dates

Her - Skywalker Ranch

Blue Bottle cupping (I had no idea "cupping" was a thing!)

The Hip Hop Dance Fest

Baby Gramps (bad ass)

Red Virgin

White Christmas on stage

Tristan and Yseult 

Awesome Orchestra

...and, so much more... ! 

8 (take six)

November 8th.

My goals for this show:

1. To bring back the magic.
2. To honor my performers.
3. To produce the show at Main Street, where it began.
4. To step it up as a host. 

As I've mentioned before, show 6 was the last one I committed myself to -- the final bow -- the moment to consider what I've learned from the process of producing, to re-evaluate what I'm doing, and to decide if I'll move forward or move on.  I wanted this show to be perfect.

I pulled together a solid lineup:

Sean Sanford
Joan Howard
Audrey Spinazola
David Studebaker
Tom O'Donnell and Matt Waters
Nikolas Strubbe
Traci Bartlow
Trisha Mao

...and, then considered the emotional journey I wanted to create, the tech needs of the different pieces, and what would serve all of those things while maintaining a good flow.

This was the strongest show I've produced.

First, working with the space was a piece of cake.  It was easy to book, communication was good, and Joan was was an amazing partner to me.  The warehouse was ready when we walked in and it looked amazing.

Everyone was either on time for tech, or had communicated clearly when they would arrive.  Tech went off without a hitch, and we were able to open the doors at 7:30, on the dot.

I had Aatman holding things down at the door, and Rob on the sound board, as always -- my two other amazing show partners.

And, then, the show was fantastic.

:)

Napa

My brother and his wife came to visit!

Our adventures included:  Dew tours, Sinaloa, Wii games, Outerlands and Ocean Beach, North Beach and Goorin, Pier 39, House of Prime Rib, Google, Stanford, Mijori, Autumn Lights Festival, Awaken Cafe, Kensington Inn, Muir Woods, LuLu w/ free desserts!, Coppola and bocce, and Truitt and Hearst.  

Aatman and I sent them on our Pescadero cheese, wine, yummy bread, and lighthouse adventure, and then they headed to Big Sur / Monterey / Carmel on their own. 

The visit ended with us all in Napa enjoying the wine, weather, and company...  

Personal brand

"I am a creative problem solver that uses energy + inspiration to move
people to action, creating community and facilitating new
experiences."

That's the rough draft of my personal branding statement. A product
of the Admin Summit.

Butterflies

Aatman and I painted these butterflies at a graffiti battle in Oakland
where we (he) learned to Lindy hop from a woman I didn't realize I had
met 12 years ago at the Jahva house. I asked her, the Lindy hop woman
(whose name was so familiar), to perform in my next show, got her card,
looked her up, and realized that she was the reason I met Alice
Walker, and her work as a photographer had inspired me back when my
mind was freshly being blown by the Bay Area art and culture scene,
and that she is permanently woven into the fabric of my love for
photography and spoken word and fortunate encounters and this deep,
strange beauty that seems to find its way back to me again and again
when I least expect it....

So Cal

I spent 2 weekends in So Cal seeing shows and friends, riding bikes on beaches, meeting new people, and enjoying the heat... The first weekend was a last minute getaway.  The second weekend was for a wedding celebration.

I love the magic that can be found in a weekend (or two) away.

Now, I'm back and busy with work and friends and soccer and shows, and I just started booking the next 8.

"Show 6" is the last one I committed to when I decided to give myself the challenge of producing a series of shows-- though, I will likely fulfill everyone's expectations and complete the run of 8.

I love my job

Yup, it's true.

[I know I've said some of this before, but] I am surrounded by smart, interesting, nice, inspiring people who are creating and defining the future; there's free food, gyms, dance classes, fitness groups, bikes; there's a slide, foosball, ping pong, massages, sleep pods...and, I get to sit on this couch with this droid whenever I want.

They kept saying, "Don't worry, you'll find something great." They were right.

From the book I Wrote This For You

I like this one because I think it speaks to the idea that sometimes you have to show all of your colors in a big way in front of everyone with no fear. You have to let go and dance...and it's such a display of what's inside you and whether it's great or embarrassing, it's still actually really great. It's the bravest thing you can ever do.