Creation Station

I'm getting so into my event creation ... it's a little crazy. My idea is a benefit concert called Rock For Wishes. All proceeds from the event will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Foundation grants wishes for kids suffering from life-threatening diseases. The kids get to live out a dream and forget about their daily battle to survive. I visited the their website (http://www.wish.org/) to do some research. I was psyched to see one of the bands, My Chemical Romance, I had chosen to 'rock for wishes' is an active participant with the foundation. My Chemical Romance has granted eight kids with wishes already! So cool! I picked a slew of other rock/alternative bands that would please a wide variety of potential audience members. I'm so into the project that I've already sketched out a logo and designed apparel to add to the fundraising effort. As soon as I figure out how to get it on my computer (don't hold your breath), I'll post it up for you guys to see.

ARG, Matey!

I read an article about the recent influx of pirate activity. CNN sited five different incidents of vessels from different countries being seized by pirates. For one Chinese ship noted, the government payed a whopping $2 million ransom for the release of the crew and boat.
This might be a terrible tragedy to most (let me apologize now for my light-hearted nature) but I found it utterly fascinating. The romanticized savages of the sea are still stealing ye booty!
Although criminal in nature, I love the idea of pirates and everything about them. They travel the ocean freely on a ship with a band of brothers, er, siblings (p.c.). An undetermined destination awaits. Their territory can bare no lines yet they protect it furiously. Clothes are tattered from manning the ship and possibly the occasional sword fight. No bills to pay or alarms to set. Your bank balance and 401-k are below deck in wooden chest. In my mind, it is mandatory for at least one crew member aboard to have a patched eye. The pillaging is a Darwinian right. The woman are always beautiful and the men are undoubtedly brawn. My commercialized images are probably far from reality - unless you live in Disney World.
The real wondrous aspect of it all is despite the Internet, globalization and scientific technology, some in this world live within a far different reality. If my ship ever got seized by pirates, I'd let 'em take it - as long as I could join them, say 'ARG' relentlessly and drink stolen whiskey from a jug.

"What do you want to be?"

For as long as I can remember, my biggest fear is answering this direct, absolute question. The blaring reality in my life is that I wander, am constantly restless, change on a whim and feel uncertain where I’ll land when X marks the “what you are” spot. My spontaneous series of relocations, three times re-entering college and enduring six years at UNH (both Durham and Manchester) has only mounted the pressure.
I don’t understand the people that are born passionate about one thing - like they always knew what they were. To me, this is not logical. How do you emerge from the womb a teacher or a doctor? I emerged a great many things. Maybe, their nurture feeds their direction. For as long as the ambiguous question has been posed to me, I have been directionless.
I firmly believe I am very fortunate for not having such a narrow path. From moving, going in and out of school and enduring the harsh realities of supporting myself, I have gained more knowledge and understanding of life than any cap and gown could signify. These life experiences made me the individual I am today and will bring me strongly to my future.
Humility and humanity are built on life experiences of embarrassment, pain and fighting. The strength and struggle of people can only be understood through open, empathetic eyes . To view people with respect and dignity despite their educational or socio-economic level is what has brought me to where I am today. My lack of direction taught more than anything else in life - who I want to be and who I will never be.
I don’t want to be ignorant, cruel or judgmental. I don’t want to demean anyone. I want to applaud the janitor, the factory worker, the dishwasher, the unappreciated.
I don’t want to be fearful or silenced. I don’t want to be taken too seriously. I want to be heard.
I want to make people laugh at themselves, each other and life. I want my presence to be lively, fun and confident. I want to enlighten and make people question, discover and re-evaluate. I want to never lose touch with the lessons I learned.
I love people, talking, informing and entertaining.
In short, it’s taken me a while to answer the only question that leaves me speechless. I want to be a broadcaster or somewhere within that communication realm. I want my career to be adventurous, exciting and fun.

Barren Soil Soul

Drilling For Oil by Lisa Rae Winant

24 x 14/ Oil on Panel

Use by permission of artist

You can�t will to be what doesn�t exist. It can�t just be alive in my head. I keep going as far as I can. I dig to my deepest. The stops are all pulled. I�m at the end of rope which has lead me to the edge. I thought you�d be standing at the lip of the cliff. Can you see where I am - so far from where I started. Maybe you�re with me on this journey. It should be ours, not just mine. This path was made for two and I can�t walk it alone.Here we are. Going along as we do. The hills of the path are littered with tree roots. The weight of your baggage slows your pace and I wait as you lag.
I see my future in your eyes and my home in your arms. But I am come to realize, I am only digging for oil in the barren soil of your soul.