that dream where you miss a quiz.

When you go back to school you have dreams that you will miss an exam. 

or have a quiz you did not know about. 

That dream even happened to me when I wasn't taking a class. 

Working and school is a funny animal. It's super empowering and exciting and then also discombobulating. 

For four seconds a day I get stressed about it and then I remember it is a really amazing opportunity. 

This ability for us to do exactly what we want. when we want. 

to change up our lives. or to enhance them. 

(in my case I am in school to become a sign language interpreter. which is part of my art. not separate from. I am going nowhere. just talking to more people ;) ) 

I love to learn. So. sitting in a classroom is one of my favorite places. 

I could take less work

but when I am working towards something I really want, I realize it comes with the territory

....sacrifice.

totally familiar.

I think I have 42 lists around my house that tell me when things are due. 

I also carry several bags around. A computer bag. A teaching bag. A school bag. A project bag. A bag with just a glue gun in it that keeps showing up wherever I go.

Honestly it is a little crazy. but I am not a martyr. I am just juggling(flaming torches). 

I also eat neat things like significant blocks of cheese. 

and salt and vinegar chips. 

________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________

oh. also. 

that quiz. 

I missed it.

IT HAPPENED .

in real life. 

and I am still distraught about the mix up and how it played out. The student in me is horrified and currently playing out a tragic stage death..spotlight...downstage left. 

(back in college I never skipped a single class. slept through one and cried but thats it) 

but the other parts of me are laughing really hard. 

because this is my life right now.

I missed a quiz. 

I got a parking ticket Thursday. 

Someone hit and run my truck and took my side mirror off.

AND I DONT REALLY CARE. 

I am sort of kicking ass. 

because I have chances. 

_______________________________________

This is where I am right now.

______________________________________________________

I am in a constant state of looking for amazing and authentic. and in doing that. 

Those things. 

They show up.

______________________________________________________

I was invited to be a part of an art and faith panel a few days ago. 

Before we went up, I looked behind me at the crowd and thought... 

one of the most beautiful places is where human beings are eager to learn from each other. 

Eager to HEAR and UNDERSTAND and GROW with each other. 

_____________________________

I am in the early stages of several projects with people who take risks and are interested in work that says something. 

Work that DOES something. 

And those are the teams I want to be on. The places I want to get muddy.

The projects I want to exhaust me. 

_____________________________

Work and school has been really crazy. 

I am still figuring out how to organize and balance everything. But my life is my art. and it is all part of the same picture. 

It just gets richer. 

When you make work. 

Make marks. 

really intentional. really bold. really brave marks.

______________________________________________________

Some tour birds.

your hat OFTEN does not show your real insides. 

But putting on the hat is actually half the battle. 

focus a little differently...

The birds escaped again. they are on their own little tour. 

Now at:

Grove Ave. | Starbucks Coffee Company
5802 Grove Ave. Richmond, VA
Regular Hours. Open 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM. 

__________________________________________