My Blog

A Bath, Music & Family

Kara — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 08:37:33 GMT

If you're ever feeling lost, look for one or all three of these things, they will renew you and remind you of who you are. Water will cleanse you, quiet the mind, help you to breath deeper and surround your senses with the blanket of comfort. Music will set your soul alive, help you to open to love again, cut through the chatter in your head and help you to vibrate positively again. Family will remind you who you are, why you are, and what you are meant to be. They are the mirror of your essence and will always accept you. I have found these things this weekend and they have turned my dark road towards the light again. Today I soaked in the bath and the soft light of my home land, and I sang in 3-part harmony with my mother and father in concert. I'd like to share the first verse from the song that brought me to tears tonight . . by Susan Werner May I suggest May I suggest to you May I suggest this is the best part of your life May I suggest This time is blessed for you This time is blessed and shining almost blinding bright Just turn your head And you'll begin to see The thousand reasons that were just beyond your sight The reasons why Why I suggest to you Why I suggest this is the best part of your life

Sublet my studion in Santa Crus, Aug 3-17

Kara — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:55:20 GMT

I'm headed to Boulder, CO for 2 weeks for the aerial dance festival and would love to open my home to someone to sublet while I'm gone. I live in a totally amazing studio in Seabright, behind Gault Elementary. It was completely remodeled before I moved in May 1. New floors, walls, lighting, kitchen sink, bathroom, skylight . . . Full kitchen with a mini fridge, bed up in a spacious loft, furniture, wireless internet. Only drawback is there's no laundry on site yet (they're still building my storage room). Let me know if you or anyone is interested and we can talk. (831) 325-0469.

Help a girl crash in Boulder

Kara — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:53:47 GMT

So, I'm going to do it, I'm going to go to the aerial dance festival in Boulder, CO August 3-16. Do you know of anywhere myself and a friend or two could crash or housesit? We're in classes pretty much all day M-F and would be low impact. Also, know how I could borrow a bike to get around on? I'm open to trades, helping around the house or paying a little to help out. Just tring to make it affordable and avoid staying in a stuff, expensive hotel. I refuse! I trust that there are other resources in our community. Would love to hear from you if you have ideas or contacts! Lots of love, Kara

Who wants a Raindance ticket?

Kara — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:12:54 GMT

Anyone out there want a ticket to Raindance in exchange for doing safety for Nocturnal Sunshine? I just learned that one of ours can't make it. Thought this would be a good way to get the word out. We perform Saturday night, June 21, time is TBD. Write me if you're trained in fire safety and would be willing to commit.

Heading to Thailand

Kara — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 19:38:33 GMT

The travel bug has hit me again, this time rather unexpectedly. I wasn't planning on traveling this winter but with 3 friends heading to Thailand, having to move out of my house and difficulties at work, I'm up for a voyage. I'll be flying with Cindy to Bangkok on Jan 10 and returning Jan 22. I know, a short trip for such a far journey but it's a magical place and I haven't traveled much with these friends so I'm really looking forward to time with them. We'll be heading to two areas I haven't been to; the Similian Islands and Chang Mai. The first time I was in Thailand was 2 weeks after the Tsunami so we didn't get a chance to go the the west coast due to the devastation and influx of volunteers. It will be nice to see some of the region. Let me know if you have any suggestions for these areas of places to stay or things to do, off the beaten path. We may make it to Pai for a day or two as well. Blessings on this winter holiday. May you find warmth, community and peace. Kara

Looking for a new home

Kara — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 07:10:59 GMT

Yep, I've got to move again (4th time in just over a year). My housemate/landlord will be putting her lovely house on the market in February. It's been a really wonderful spot and I'll be sad to move again. But that's the way things go. Please help me out by keeping your ears open and passing along my information to anyone looking to fill a sweet room or cottage. I'd like to stay in town in Santa Cruz but am open to great spaces not too far outside of town. I'd like a large room and somewhere else in the house to craft and sew if possible. Storage is a must and I am mildly allergic to some dogs and cats (although I live with 2 sweet cats now). I'm available to move in anywhere from Jan. 1 to Feb. 10. Please let me know if you hear of anything. Thanks for your networking! Ka-ra

Introducing The Gravity Girls!

Kara — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:52:03 GMT

Well I've done it again, started another dance troupe, this time aerial. This makes three dance groups now! Check out our websites: www.thegravitygirls.com http://www.thegravitygirls.com/The_Gravity_Girls/home.html www.thegravityarts.com http://www.thegravityarts.com/The_Gravity_Arts/home.html Gravity Arts is the umbrella organization that will be production, instruction, performance, outreach and much more. Gravity Girls is the performance company. Check it out for upcoming classes in Santa Cruz. We'll be looking for our own facility to house all sorts of dance and performance development. It's so much fun!

A Crack in the Mask

Kara — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 01:31:53 GMT

The transition of life has settled down a bit. I am getting used to my new cave of a room and doing my best to stay active with dance. I'm excited to share with you that I'll be doing some solo fire as a collaboration with MIR and a Company, Santa Cruz aerial dance company. There will be live music, fire, aerial, axis and more. Come check it out if you are in the area any of the last 2 weekends in April. It will sell out, so be sure to get tickets in advance. A Crack in the Mask Dates: April 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 & 30 Time: 7:30 pm Location: The Attic, 931 Pacific Ave. Tickets online soon at: www.theatticsantacruz.com Or check out the MIR and a Company website with more info on the show. http://www.mirandacompany.com/events.html

Help me find a place to land

Kara — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 07:30:03 GMT

Ok, so just over 2 weeks until I return to SC from Australia and I'm starting to think about where I will rest my head. I'm putting a call out there for leads and info on any potential places to crash or live. I may be moving towards buying a home so something semi-temporary might work well. Or I could wind up renting for at least the next year if the spot is right. Does anyone know of some short-term house sitting gigs? Or, do you know of a stellar room for rent coming up in February or beginning of March? I'd like to live in SC or within a 15 minute drive, no smoking, no pets preferred (allergies). I'd prefer to live with 1 or 2 other people. But if I'm crashing somewhere many of these preferences are more flexible. Please put the word out there for me and let me know if you have any leads!!!! Thanks for your networking help! I'll be seeing many of you very soon. P.S. Any ideas on how to celebrate by 31st birthday? It's Jan. 31 and I return on Feb. 2 Blessings, Kara

Not Broken

Kara — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 05:02:21 GMT

Just got back from the hospital. My ankle is not broken but the bone is likely bruised. Which can be just as painful in certain positions and takes longer to heal than a sprain but not as long as a break. Good thing I'll just be sitting in a car for the next 2 days as we drive past Briabane to Woodford Fold Festival. http://www.woodfordfolkfestival.com/main/index.html I should be walking normally in a week but who knows about dancing. We perform first on the 29th. It was brutally painful to watch the dress rehearsal of my choreography today in the studio without me in it. I am certainly being challenged here. Looking for the lesson and the peace in it all. I'll be off line after today for at least a week, maybe more. Hope everyone has a nice restful or restorative holiday!

Gimped out in paradise

Kara — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 12:01:34 GMT

The first two weeks in Melbourne have been excellent, aside from the fact that I've injured myself twice. First, last Thursday trying a semi-inverted split roll on the tissue I popped my hip, nice and loud, and strained my hamstring where it attaches to the hip joint. It's healing slowly but I was back to dancing half-assed by Monday. Then tonight in aerial class I was simply stepping off the huge mat they like to put under the silks here and I completely rolled my ankle out. I think it's strained or sprained. I had to hobble the 6 blocks home. With the first injury I was pissed, then depressed. I mean hey, I came to Australia to dance, train, improve and perform on tour. I kind of need my body in good shape for that and I injured myself within the first week. But with the second one, I just have to kind of laugh. This is a photo of me in class tonight after the injury. You don't need your feet much for aerial and if I'm not putting weight on it, it seems to be okay. I love the studio space we are in 3-5 days a week (in the photo). This is a great city to come to for dance and circus . . . and food and bars and . . . On Saturday we hit the road for a month of festivals, beaches, snorkeling, camping, hiking and who knows what else. At least you don't need to move much to lie on a beach!

Summer in Winter

Kara — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 01:39:41 GMT

It's officially summer, in Australia that is. Yes it's true, I've officially made it "down under" again. I was here for a few weeks when I was 19 but back then it was all about the beer and cute boys with accents. This time around I'm traveling and performing. We're in a collaborative show that we start rehearsals 5 days a week for on Monday (which will be Sunday for those of you back on the west coast, US). I'm staying at Jill and Patrick's house in Fitsroy, Australia. For those of you fellow map geeks out there our address is 124 Gore St., Fitsroy, Victoria, Australia. We're within walking distance to so many things, including our rehearsal space that is fully equipped with trapeze, silks, mats and so much more. It's like a mini Cell Space, but circus style. There are lots of shops, pubs, cafes, grocery stores . . . all within short walking distance. Yesterday we (Keith, Marina, Briana and I) purchased a white Mitsubishi station wagon that we named Sparkle Pony. It will be our gallant transport to all the festivals we're traveling to in January. The previous owner let us know she was a unicorn. They were a really sweet family. Today the skies are hazy because there are many brush fires in this drought. Well off we go to find some maps to find our way to the beach! More to come.

Coming Home

Kara — Sun, 26 Mar 2006 14:07:36 GMT

Jeeze it's so much harder to travel home than travel to your vacation destination. I'm sitting in the airport in Taipei, Taiwan, awaiting my flight to SFO, on my way back from Bali. It was an epic 2 weeks and probably my favorite country I've traveled to, as of yet. But now I have a headache and a 13 hour flight ahead of me. I'm already missing the warm and humid days on the island and riding my motor bike everywhere, not to mention the food and warm-hearted people. I'm so glad I got to take this break before a very busy springtime. From now until the end of June is the bussiest time of the year for me at work. Plus I'll be taking a class to finish my degree. I hope to savor the relaxation and open heart I gained on the magical island of Bali to carry me into summer. Blessings

Poll: How should I celebrate my 30th B-day?

Kara — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 05:59:11 GMT

I want your input. What have been some great birthday ideas? I was thinking of renting the Santa Cruz Roller Palladium. But they don't allow alcohol and I'd only be able to get it privately on my actual birthday, Jan 31. Otherwise we'd be sharing it with the public on the weekend. For the safety of the rest of the world, I think we should only rent it privately. I could just to a DJ party at my house, but I could do that just about any weekend. So I 'm taking suggestions . . . fire away!

Rediscovered my long lost SOLE mate: Yoga!

Kara — Wed, 04 Jan 2006 05:50:22 GMT

I've always loved yoga since I started a regular practice about 6 years ago. But for whatever combination of reasons, I haven't taken regular classes in over 2 years. Dance has been more of my focus. But tonight, I fell in love all over again. Boy has my body changed sinced I stopped regular practice! I'm hooked again. There's nothing like it to quite the mind, work through your mental limits and experience feeling. I'm also excited it will help me gain strength for a workshop I've always wanted to take, Aerial Tissue and Spanish Web. I've dreamed of getting myself all tangled up above the ground, gracefully.

A Little Peace

Kara — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 18:23:03 GMT

Some of you may have heard the story of WWI when troops on both sides stopped fighting on Christmas, crossed the battelfield and shared stories and chocolate, played football, honored their dead and passed the night together. If you'd like a moment of hope, take a look. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_truce It's inspiring to know it is still possible to have reprise from killing and conflict in the heart of battle. No doubt with the advancement of weaponry and propaganda this is far less likely today. I heard the John McCutcheon song about it on the radio a few days ago and it brought tears to my eyes. He was visited by some of the soldiers who were there that night and were very thankful that he was keeping the memory alive in his songwriting. Many of their families didn't believe them when they told the stoies. Peace be with you this weekend.

Playa Address: 3 and Catharsis

Kara — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 15:52:38 GMT

For anyone who still has time to be farting around on tribe, Rebecca, Wolf and I will be in Otter Oasis Village at 3 o'clock and Catharsis. Look for two white Shelter Systems domes near a bunch of RVs. Some of us will perform a fire show at the White Hot Nights party at Camp Dream Tree. Plus Wolf and I are in the procession performance for The Machine on Friday night at sunset (starts at center camp and processes to the art piece at about 4:20, between the man and the Esplanade). Also, Rebecca and I will be rockin' it with Hipnautica right before Hamsa Lila on Thursday night (not sure where yet or what time). Hope to see many of you out there who I don't see most of the year! Dusty kisses, Kara