So blah blah blah I'm not talking about my breakup today. It's such bullshit anyway. I'm focusing on what is really good in my life, which is a helluva lot. I have some really good friends here. I have some really good friends who are NOT here. I have my family here and there. I have terrific coworkers. All of these people have shown up for me in their own way, and I would be incredibly remiss not to mention my gratitude for the blessings I have received. I think it's easy sometimes to take the folks in your life for granted. They are probably sick of me talking about what I'm not talking about today, yet they listen anyway. Let me just take the time to recognize how amazing the people in my life really are. Thanks, mates.
I'm looking forward to a trip to Fort Worth this weekend with my old pal David. We'll be hooking up with our old pal Gary. Gary and David and I used to do wacky and creative plays and mime shows at the Hip Pocket Theatre ... in fact, we sort of all grew up there. That place was a huge extended family of fun-loving and lovable characters. Mostly hippies and freaks. It changed my life forever, challenging me to always defy convention, always think outside the box, always believe in beauty and magic. It opened up a whole world of possibilities for me that I never even imagined as I was growing up in West Texas.
I haven't seen Gary since I last lived in New York...which was early 1992. Until we recently connected I haven't seen David since he came to New York in 1997 and saw me act on Ellis Island as Sophia Tovali, an Italian immigrant.
These guys are near and dear to my heart. There is one special memory we all share that had an otherworldly quality to it. (And yes, we were probably stoned, but that's not where the magic came from. Gosh.) I was finishing up a semester at good ole Tarleton State University and wanted to celebrate with my new theatre friends. I borrowed my roommate Vicky's awesome James Bond car, a bright yellow Toyota Corona that her dad had tricked out to the max. I drove to Fort Worth and picked up David and Gary and Michael K. (another Miscreant of the First Order)...and we headed out to Gary's cabin on Possum Kingdom. We picked up some Rolling Rock and some Shiner Bock and made up a stupid song that I have sung ever since...that I still sing to this day ... every time one of those beers is mentioned. (Which is often. I live in Austin.)
Gary's lakefront faces the west, and when we arrived it was nearing sunset. We headed out to the dock and all climbed up the poles to get as high as we could to see the sun as it sank into the mystical waters. Then something strangely beauteous happened...someone started howling/singing...whatever. It turned into this four part harmonious dischordant chant that was unlike anything I'd ever experienced...before or since. Being with people that free and spontaneous and strange has a way of lifting your soul to new heights.
When I think of that one amazing day and night...I am reminded of how free I can be. How free I am right now...and how many possibilities of spontaneous and strange moments I have ahead of me, just waiting to be made. I'm thinking this weekend might offer up a few.
Passion
