WomonGathering and Other Stuff

I very rarely allow my photo to be taken. It's not a self-esteem thing, so much as me just not usually liking the way I come out on film. I'm sure that if I just stopped trying so hard when there's a camera around, I'd look a lot more natural. Oh, and of course there's the simple idea that the camera (any camera) add 10 pounds. Personally, I don't buy that, cause if that were the case, all those stick-figure model/actresses out there in dire need of a sammich are even worse off than ya think!

On occasion tho, I actually like how I look in a photo (and those, especially lately, have been showing up in my albums on MySpace. But I have to watch out... people are going to start to wonder about that red bandanna, and what it's significance could possibly be.

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Anyway, this past weekend was significant to me in several ways. Firstly, it marks the first vacation I've had since I went away to Orlando with Erika back in... er... what was it? 2004? I really have no sense of time any more. Some things seem like they happened yesterday, other things, like they were a million years ago. This happens to be one of those million year instances. Whatever the case, it was a long time ago (on a happy note, whereas that trip I was confined to a wheelchair for most of it due to serious back pain/issues... this trip, I was walking under my own power. And there was a lot of walking... most of it seeming to be uphill. I got my exercise this past weekend, that's for certain!).

Secondly, it marks the first time I've been camping (even if it wasn't really roughing it) since 1994, the first time I went to GenCon (was cheaper than renting a hotel room... which was a good thing since we really had no idea how much things were going to cost... and badly underestimate. But that's a story for another time). Oddly, I survived... which I wasn't so sure was going to be a viable outcome at the beginning of the trip.

Thirdly, it marks the day that two of my closest friends became engaged (yes, to each other). That photo above was actually taken maybe 10 minutes after the proposal and subsequent "yes" answer, with the happy couple being in the center of it all. Congrats to you both, ladies... and may I once again exclaim: SQUEEEEEEEEEEE!

Lastly, it begins what will likely be a trend in my musical "career." Namely, where I feel comfortable in stepping forward and taking a lead... claiming a bit of spotlight for myself, while trying my damndest to not overshadow anyone else. In the end, that's more of a personal victory, as I doubt anyone will remember my name or face beyond those few people who knew me before... tho there may be a handful of others. I'm at least egosistical to allow for that. Hey, for the moment, I'll even settle for being "one of those trouble-making noise-makers spoiling the heartbeat drum rhythm at the end of the closing ceremony." Tho chances are, I may be more remembered as "that chick with the big-ass loud cymbals."

Truth absolutely told... it doesn't matter if I'm remembered in this instance or not. The important thing was that I had a blast playing. I loved that the dancers were dancing for me... and that, above everyone else, I was heard loud and clear. If you had told me a year ago that I'd be playing a solo djembe, I'd have laughed it off... if you had told me then that I would be playing a -lead- djembe, I'd have smiled and asked you to pass along whatever it was you were smoking. Hell, if you had told me that I'd manage to play not just one, but four seperate sessions without managing to bruise the hell out of my hand(s), I'd have outright called you a dreamer.

But a lot of things can happen in a year. A lot of things can change. No bruises (save for the slight "hickey" looking mark on my left arm from catching it between cymbals at one point... Hey! It's been almost 20 years since I've played them last!)... and no hiding behind "safe" patterns. Go figure.

Next thing ya know, I'll be thinking I'm a rock star or something, playing bass in a band somewhere, and acting like some kinda punk. Sheesh.

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Nothing else, thus far... save a new facination for Mac's GarageBand. Of course, I don't have a Mac that's less than 9 years old... so I'll have to settle for something I can run on the PC... like Sony's Music Studio. Way I figure, if I'm going to have a hand in helping mix the first PopRant CD, I should have somewhat of a clue as to how these things work. And saying "oh hey, it's like the audio version of Photoshop" doesn't quite cut it, ya know? Especially when it took me years to get as comfortable with Photoshop as I am today. And who knows what else I'll manage to come up with on my own, neh?

That, and I still have delusions of podcasting in my head. Oh! And maybe, if I get back into writing stories and stuff, I can do something along the lines of a PodioBook. (and if Billy had gone straight to the police, none of this would have ever happened!). How about one step at a time, neh, Phroge? Now -that- sounds like a plausible plan.