Wowzers...back from the road and right back into the circus flow. I needed the money, to be sure, so getting two relatively last-minute gigs in NC was a welcome and well-timed influx of cash. No small feat though, not at all! I decided to drive down, because I'm crazy like that and gas is cheap again, and left Vermont last Wednesday. Drove 11 hours, ended up with an old friend in Charlottesville and then on to NC the next morn. Thursday night was a living statue gig...painted silver...in heels...for 3 hours. Oh yeah...in a bar that allowed smoking, stationed at the 'smoking lounge'. Certainly not the best gig ever, in fact, perhaps the worst but, money talks. I try to keep in mind that it's still a far cry cooler than what a lot of folks must endure for the almighty dollar, but my left knee hasn't felt quite right since....

Spent the weekend in Charlotte with my good friend Hardin, who had booked me the gigs, and generally made merry with him and his lovely wife between rehearsal and resting.

Another gig Saturday, 2 sets of hooping and then finishing the night dressed up like a Hollywood starlet and shimmying all over the dancefloor on Hardin's arm along with a bunch of fun-luvin' and- by that time- pretty well buzzed, 9-5ers. Hardin being dressed as a pompous movie director, as earlier in the night he had been MCing and mingling as Joan Rivers. He's a master character actor and impersonator and constantly amazes me with his range and energy. This gig was much better, though not without it's stresses and tinge of corporate lameness.

Left to head back to the Triangle Sunday morn...got to see my Mom and Dad, the most awesome dog EVER, Dante and then off to Carrboro to return Julia's LED hoops and wish her a happy birthday! What a treat to see one of my best friends on her birthday, such a blessing...and the occasion allowed for a bunch of old friends from that area to be around as well, so I got caught up with all sorts of folks and a good time was had by all. Time was so tight and I still didn't see all the folks I was hoping to, but am looking forward to being back in NC for the holidays for the first time in several years. Left later Sunday night than I'd hoped, after considerably more merry-making, and headed back to Virginia that same night.

By the time Monday rolled around, I was slow to leave Charlottesville, to say the least. Hit the road I finally did, but didn't get back to Brattleboro till after 3 am...with circus class bright and early the next morn. I awoke with a very small window to get out the door to a blanket of snow to further slow my progress. Slogged through class and learned the choreography for the hammock piece I'll be doing in the show...next weekend!

I then dragged my sorry self home, laid down for a 'nap' at 3 pm and slept till 9 pm...then went back to sleep till the next morn, a solid 15 hours. All that solo drivin (and merry-making ;) takes it out of a soul! December feels decidedly intense, as I have a slew of hoop orders to catch up on, a new website to chip away at, a special video project to create for, a winter cabaret performance to shine at next weekend and a general stepping it up in all areas of life. My relationship with Time is changing and demanding more of me with an exacting relentlessness. All part of my Saturn Return, I suppose, which I am right in the middle of. Thing is, all this is mounting upon my shoulders while the training itself is demanding so much of me physically that it's challenging to muster the energy to do all I 'should' be doing. Whew.

Trained for almost 4 hours yesterday, had another full day of class and a private lesson today...my body aches-albeit in a good way- and my fingers are all sore at the joints, as the hammock exerts quite a bit of tension. I can't really believe that the Winter show is next weekend, as my kindly server at the Co-op reminded me today. Goodness me!

Ballet was cancelled today, as it is icing...sheets of ice on the road and on everything. I was intending to join the gym today with some of the money I earned, as I'm needing a place to do weight training, cardio and sauna but, most importantly, to hoop!!! I haven't had hoop space for too long, it being often way too crowded in the school and, quite frankly, trying to squeeze in among a bunch of non-hooping people and circus apparatus is no fun at all. I was so drained after class today that I came home to rest a bit before heading back out to the gym, but have been warned against being on the road again, as it's already dark and icing up. One more day without hooping ;(. It'll be that much sweeter, I suppose, but it won't come soon enough...I feel disconnected with an important source of nourishment. While I've been doing many other things and learning new skills, the hoop is- like many of you know and relate to- not just a skill, but a spiritual wellspring, release and Source. Too long without it does not bode well...gonna get into that gym, and their mirrored room asap!

Lots to do...but wanted to give a shout.

Sending love and dreams of warmth to my friends and family everywhere.

Thanks to my friend Biscuit for this pic of me doing 'crocodile' handbalancing on the canes...