Spring Sprang

I feel like everyone I talk to can't believe it's already June. Six months into 2015 and I'm still having trouble remembering to write '15 instead of '14 on my checks. (Yes, I still sometimes use checks.)

A brief synopsis of my spring:

• The SFUSD Arts Festival and Literary Arts Contest was a great success this year. The Asian Art museum hosted and I curated the Lit Fest. This year I went to each of the schools and audio recorded the winning students reading their piece. It added a lot of extra time, but the payoff was so worth it--getting to connect with each student personally before the awards ceremony. I am once again reminded how not only can writing save lives, but public commendation of writing at a young age can alter the course of a life. 
• I completed my 10th (!!) year teaching the drama-integration program at White Hill Middle School. Leading every 8th grader through the process of writing and performing a monologue about the Civil War--It never gets old. There are always several students and monologues that blow my mind and give me hope in the future of the human race.
• "dark is a different beast" was an official selection at the Seattle Transmedia and Independent Film Festival!! I went for the screening! It was a great experience. I have to say, my social networking skills were not where I wish they would've been that weekend.  But I'm happy and thrilled to have been selected and had a screening in Seattle.

(Even my new, fancy high-heeled shoes couldn't transcend the apparent muteness I'd been stricken with. Maybe I got there too early...)

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• Great Plains Theatre Conference!! Year 6!! So much! So much!! I can't summarize it at all it is just too big. I am continually grateful to be a part of this amazing conference. I organized the Fringe Night for the 4th year and worked with some amazing people. Met so many awesome artists. Re-connected with many more. Sigh. Omaha, you have my heart.

(A lot of important work gets done there, I promise. Oh...and I made that dress. I'm very proud. That last picture is me introducing the Fringe Night. I like it because people look happy. And like they are listening to me.)

• And finally, I got to go to Ohio and spend some QT with my family and these two amazing lovelies. I'm not sure there is anything better than being an auntie. One learned to ride her bike and the other kept telling me to try not to get my "unders wet." She did a pretty good job of keeping hers dry as well.
  

Ohio sky.

Coming up this summer:

• New Ochlos work being devised with Carol Ellis. Topic is still strictly under wraps (is that the phrase?) but I'm excited to dig in. We've had a few very cool brainstorm sessions and devising homework.
  
• John Muir Trail!!! I will refrain from posting the insane picture of the blister I got on the Wonderland Trail last year...even though it is so crazy, I wish I had less restraint. But this year I am looking forward to healthier feet and just as much amazement.
  
• Mia Morris and Kim Gambino are coming to the Bay and I'm hoping to work a bit more on "Cloud-Shaped Heart" while they are here. And laugh a lot. I'm sure we will do that.

Oh yeah...I got a dog.
She's cool.
This is her on the quilt I made her.
I named her Storm. 

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That's about it for now. I hope it's not another 4 months before I get to post again.