Front of house
Back of house
Backyard
Master Bedroom
Living Room - odd shaped, but beautiful fireplace and skylights
Last but not least, my favorite - the kitchen. When I saw it, I knew this was the house for me!
Friday, July 22, 2011
House Pictures
Because everyone has been asking, here are the pictures from the realty website - personal ones to follow in the coming weeks...
Front of house
Back of house
Backyard
Master Bedroom
Living Room - odd shaped, but beautiful fireplace and skylights
Last but not least, my favorite - the kitchen. When I saw it, I knew this was the house for me!
Front of house
Back of house
Backyard
Master Bedroom
Living Room - odd shaped, but beautiful fireplace and skylights
Last but not least, my favorite - the kitchen. When I saw it, I knew this was the house for me!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Speed of Life
I recently made someone laugh when I told him I am "the queen of life changing on a dime" - and the last week has really proved it.
It has been a lot of culture shock settling into life in Indiana after 9 1/2 years in Massachusetts. I won't say that I haven't had moments of lonliness, homesickness, and even depression. I have felt lost, alone, and finally decided to make the commitment to fully be where I am, and live my life here to the fullest. As a result, I have started to make friends, and even had one of the best birthdays ever.
Now, it would appear that my leap of faith and commitment is gaining momentum and mass - today I verbally agreed with my realtor to purchase a house. It is a 2 bedroom 2 bath ranch with a "bonus room", fireplace, attached garage, and a nice yard. It has skylights, tons of storage, and is walking distance to restaurants and the library. It is both exciting and terrifying.
It never ceases to amaze me how life really can turn on a dime.
And yes, pictures will be coming soon. :)
It has been a lot of culture shock settling into life in Indiana after 9 1/2 years in Massachusetts. I won't say that I haven't had moments of lonliness, homesickness, and even depression. I have felt lost, alone, and finally decided to make the commitment to fully be where I am, and live my life here to the fullest. As a result, I have started to make friends, and even had one of the best birthdays ever.
Now, it would appear that my leap of faith and commitment is gaining momentum and mass - today I verbally agreed with my realtor to purchase a house. It is a 2 bedroom 2 bath ranch with a "bonus room", fireplace, attached garage, and a nice yard. It has skylights, tons of storage, and is walking distance to restaurants and the library. It is both exciting and terrifying.
It never ceases to amaze me how life really can turn on a dime.
And yes, pictures will be coming soon. :)
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Rhinestone Cowboy
My first show at my new job was in the Palladium itself, doing the load in and being deck crew for Glen Campbell.
In the afternoon, we were doing sound check with the band. They had finished their bit, and it was time for Glen and Jimmy Webb to do theirs. Glen was wandering about the stage because they weren't quite ready yet, and I was sitting stage left in case they needed anything. Glen saw me, came over, extended his hand, and said "Hi! I'm Glen Campbell" with a big smile. I took his hand and stammered, "I know!" He laughed, gave me a big hug, and started telling me stories about being a studio musician in the '70's and how much he misses it.
The show itself was wonderful. Jimmy Webb (composer of some of the most iconic songs of the 60's and 70's including "My Beautiful Balloon" and "MacArthur Park") opened the show. Jimmy was insanely nervous, and finally started breathing backstage when I wished him a good show. You could hear the nerves in his voice as he sang - then due to severe thunderstorms outside, we lost power. For some reason all the lights except the down special on Jimmy went out - when this happened, everyone laughed, Jimmy realized the audience was on his side, and he calmed down. He started telling stories (a lot about his time with Richard Harris in the U.K.) - in fact, they had a job getting him off the stage once he got going - he did nearly an hour and 15!
Then Glen took the stage. He is about 78 years old, and his voice is like honeyed butter. He did a lot of favorites, and even admitted when he messed up the lyrics, even though he had 3 monitors rolling the lyrics in front of him on the stage. Glen was charming, and his final song of "Rhinestone Cowboy" brought the house down.
For me, meeting this icon from my childhood (who gave me guitar pics for me and my mom), was a day I will never forget.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
I live here now?!? part 2
Ah, I forgot to include the details of why I titled the last post what I did... oops!
So on Thursday, 5/19/11, after arriving in Carmel and finding out I couldn't get into my apartment until the next day, I drove through town, looking around and for a place for dinner.
As I drove through town, my brain refused to accept that I live here now. Maybe part of it is because I have been on the road since early January, and it isn't quite real that I am now permanently placed again, after expecting to live on the road for at least a year.
The few days that I have been here (at this writing, it is now Tuesday) have been a bit of a roller-coaster of emotions. Happy to have a place to call my own and nest into that, but mourning the fact that everything and one I know are over a thousand miles away. That I can't just call my friends and get together for coffee or a movie if the spirit strikes.
I know I am fine and will thrive here. It really is my kind of community - arts-based with pretty parks and lots of new places that are great for walking. I am very excited about my new job, and everything about this area. Okay, almost everything - the lighting storms and torrential rains are kinda scary...
But I also feel it is important to honor the part of me that is grieving and going through a huge transition right now. It is interesting that when I state that I'm scared, sad, or anything besides excited, many folks feel the need to reassure me that I am okay and that I "should just be excited" - it is fascinating that so many people are uncomfortable with any kind of discomfort. Just because I am scared or sad, doesn't mean I regret where I am, don't think I'm in the right place, or am not excited - I'm just going through a lot of things right now, and that's all as it should be.
So yeah, even though nothing looks familiar and I'm homesick for what I know, the answer is yes, I do live here now...
So on Thursday, 5/19/11, after arriving in Carmel and finding out I couldn't get into my apartment until the next day, I drove through town, looking around and for a place for dinner.
As I drove through town, my brain refused to accept that I live here now. Maybe part of it is because I have been on the road since early January, and it isn't quite real that I am now permanently placed again, after expecting to live on the road for at least a year.
The few days that I have been here (at this writing, it is now Tuesday) have been a bit of a roller-coaster of emotions. Happy to have a place to call my own and nest into that, but mourning the fact that everything and one I know are over a thousand miles away. That I can't just call my friends and get together for coffee or a movie if the spirit strikes.
I know I am fine and will thrive here. It really is my kind of community - arts-based with pretty parks and lots of new places that are great for walking. I am very excited about my new job, and everything about this area. Okay, almost everything - the lighting storms and torrential rains are kinda scary...
But I also feel it is important to honor the part of me that is grieving and going through a huge transition right now. It is interesting that when I state that I'm scared, sad, or anything besides excited, many folks feel the need to reassure me that I am okay and that I "should just be excited" - it is fascinating that so many people are uncomfortable with any kind of discomfort. Just because I am scared or sad, doesn't mean I regret where I am, don't think I'm in the right place, or am not excited - I'm just going through a lot of things right now, and that's all as it should be.
So yeah, even though nothing looks familiar and I'm homesick for what I know, the answer is yes, I do live here now...
I live here now?!?
Here I am, safe and sound in Carmel, IN, surrounded by a slowly lessening stack of boxes and bins in my new apartment.
I wanted to do updates from the road, but didn't have access to internet - okay, that and I was really tired after driving tons each day.
The first day I made it as far as Bridgeport, CT, and had a great time visiting with my friend Nate, who is in Natureopath school. The next morning after sending Nate off to finals, I drove to Stamford, CT to visit with my friend, Muneeza, and her 2 beautiful daughters. It was a nice, leisurely morning, and a really good visit - but did put me on the road considerably later than anticipated. If there is anything that I learned on this trip, it was the lesson of letting go of expectations and schedules, and allowing things to be what they need to be. I still struggle with that one, but for a little while, I practiced living in the moment rather than the future or past.
The 2nd night I found a campground in Lancaster County, PA and nested in a makeshift bed in the back of my Vibe. It got me through - not the best rest, but enough to keep going the next day.
It was a beautiful morning on the 3rd day, and I really enjoyed a break at Hershey, PA, after driving through some backroads in Lancaster County and taking pictures of barns painted with the designs that the Amish are famous for. I took the Chocolate World factory tour, and a trolley tour of downtown Hershey - I never knew what an incredible philanthropist Milton Hershey was!
From there, I had a couple hours with my friend, Jaynie, in Harrisburg, PA. Then it was back on the road - having loads of adventures in driving in torrential rains (the whole trip was almost all rain) while surrounded by 18-wheelers. After crossing into Ohio, I found a rest area and slept in the car again - this time just putting my seat back.
I did pick up some cheese and fresh sourdough bread at the "Amish Cheese Shop" just over the border in Indiana - oh, delish!! :)
I arrived at my new apartment complex about 1:30 in the afternoon Thursday, only to discover that I wouldn't be able to get into the apartment until Friday morning! So I made some calls, had some dinner and was grateful to be taken in by some new friends in nearby Indianapolis.
Bright and early at 9am, the movers arrived and we unloaded into the apartment - they accomplished in 3 hours what would have taken me at least 3 days - if you ever need moving, Glenn Jocelyn's guys at "Moving and Odd Jobs" in Chicopee, MA are the BEST!!
That brings me pretty much up to date - slowly working my way through the stacks of boxes and bins. Very excited to have an actual dining room and walk-in closet!
I wanted to do updates from the road, but didn't have access to internet - okay, that and I was really tired after driving tons each day.
The first day I made it as far as Bridgeport, CT, and had a great time visiting with my friend Nate, who is in Natureopath school. The next morning after sending Nate off to finals, I drove to Stamford, CT to visit with my friend, Muneeza, and her 2 beautiful daughters. It was a nice, leisurely morning, and a really good visit - but did put me on the road considerably later than anticipated. If there is anything that I learned on this trip, it was the lesson of letting go of expectations and schedules, and allowing things to be what they need to be. I still struggle with that one, but for a little while, I practiced living in the moment rather than the future or past.
The 2nd night I found a campground in Lancaster County, PA and nested in a makeshift bed in the back of my Vibe. It got me through - not the best rest, but enough to keep going the next day.
It was a beautiful morning on the 3rd day, and I really enjoyed a break at Hershey, PA, after driving through some backroads in Lancaster County and taking pictures of barns painted with the designs that the Amish are famous for. I took the Chocolate World factory tour, and a trolley tour of downtown Hershey - I never knew what an incredible philanthropist Milton Hershey was!
From there, I had a couple hours with my friend, Jaynie, in Harrisburg, PA. Then it was back on the road - having loads of adventures in driving in torrential rains (the whole trip was almost all rain) while surrounded by 18-wheelers. After crossing into Ohio, I found a rest area and slept in the car again - this time just putting my seat back.
I did pick up some cheese and fresh sourdough bread at the "Amish Cheese Shop" just over the border in Indiana - oh, delish!! :)
I arrived at my new apartment complex about 1:30 in the afternoon Thursday, only to discover that I wouldn't be able to get into the apartment until Friday morning! So I made some calls, had some dinner and was grateful to be taken in by some new friends in nearby Indianapolis.
Bright and early at 9am, the movers arrived and we unloaded into the apartment - they accomplished in 3 hours what would have taken me at least 3 days - if you ever need moving, Glenn Jocelyn's guys at "Moving and Odd Jobs" in Chicopee, MA are the BEST!!
That brings me pretty much up to date - slowly working my way through the stacks of boxes and bins. Very excited to have an actual dining room and walk-in closet!
Monday, May 16, 2011
on the road part 1
Well, it is finally here - or rather, I am. It has been a very long day, but an amazing one. First, I was woken up by my friend, Jen, texting me. Then saying goodbye to Harper and thanking her for everything and letting me stay with her. It is an amazing thing to have good friends who give you a soft, safe, wonderful place to land and help facilitate transitions.
Then I had coffee with my dear Matthew, then a wonderful adjustment and coffee with my very good friend and Chiropractor, Mindi (please visit www.motiondoc.com). I'm so glad we were finally able to find time to connect and talk.
Next was lunch with my best friend and mentor, Brenda. We've seen each other a bit over the past 2 weeks while working, but how wonderful to get to see each other and just relax and chat.
Then a few mystery shops (4, to be exact) and I was finally out of Massachusetts, getting to see my friend Phil, who is in one of my favorite bands (Selfish Steam).
Finally, driving through off-and-on rain, I am now in Bridgeport, CT, visiting with my good friend Nate, who is here in Naturopathic school. I think it is definitely finals week, as his cat, Ellie, went crazy when I started petting her and giving her attention...
As far as miles go, I didn't get that far - but emotionally, I have been to the moon and back the past couple days....
More soon! :)
Then I had coffee with my dear Matthew, then a wonderful adjustment and coffee with my very good friend and Chiropractor, Mindi (please visit www.motiondoc.com). I'm so glad we were finally able to find time to connect and talk.
Next was lunch with my best friend and mentor, Brenda. We've seen each other a bit over the past 2 weeks while working, but how wonderful to get to see each other and just relax and chat.
Then a few mystery shops (4, to be exact) and I was finally out of Massachusetts, getting to see my friend Phil, who is in one of my favorite bands (Selfish Steam).
Finally, driving through off-and-on rain, I am now in Bridgeport, CT, visiting with my good friend Nate, who is here in Naturopathic school. I think it is definitely finals week, as his cat, Ellie, went crazy when I started petting her and giving her attention...
As far as miles go, I didn't get that far - but emotionally, I have been to the moon and back the past couple days....
More soon! :)
Sunday, May 15, 2011
validation and loose ends
Wow - the past 6 weeks have raced by. Here's the update:
I am truly grateful for my time in Reno - I learned a lot about myself as a person, a professional, and as an artist. By the time I left, I was genuinely sad to leave, both my friends in beautiful Northern Nevada, and also the show. I sincerely hope that folks will keep in touch, and drop by if they are ever in the area.
From Reno, I came back to Western MA to put together the lighting design for the Emerging Choreographer Series dance concert at Hampshire College. This is one of my favorite shows, and I got to work with some of my favorite members of the 5-College Dance Program, including Tristan Drummond, Sierra Boyea, Jean Baxter, and Billbob Brown. I hear the show went well, but didn't get to see it as I flew out to Minneapolis on opening night.
In Minneapolis, I had the gift of seeing "Hiroshima" at Pangea World Theater - this was a work-in-progress of an autobiographical one-man show by a fellow who grew up in Hiroshima, and now lives in the U.S.
The day after Hiroshima closed, I moved in (took over) the space to load in "Eleven Reflections on September", an amazing piece written, directed, and performed by Andrea Assaf. Andrea is a Lebanese-American and New Yorker, who was preparing to return to NYC on 9/11. It is eleven pieces of original poetry, multimedia, and live music. It was an amazing, powerful, performance. It was also a challenge technically. I had 16 lights with which to light the entire piece, with several areas that needed to be specially highlighted. For those who do not understand, the next "smallest" show I've done had about 60 lights. The good news is that I managed to make miracles out of practically nothing, and it was beautiful (so said the Artistic Director!). I have to say, I was very proud of the work I did. In addition to the lighting, I also had to figure out how to make a piece of scenery hang, move to the center of the stage, then fall to the floor on cue - and on a very minimal budget. If you are interested in how it worked, there is a short youtube video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB4QB5omDEA
It was amazing working with Pangea. They are a group dedicated to work that really matters. It was empowering and healing to be in an evironment where I felt valued and honored as a person and as an artist. I love working with Andrea, and look forward to seeing my new friends at Pangea again.
On the personal side of my Minneapolis experience, I stayed with a lovely couple and their two cats and 18-month old puppy. It was wonderful to be back with animals again, and to cuddle with a very loving puppy on a daily basis. I keep saying, if you don't think you matter - hang out with a dog... :)
We also had a very interesting turn of events - an hour after we closed out "Eleven Reflections", we got the news that Osama Bin Laden had been killed - VERY interesting timing...
Back in Mass, the past 2 weeks have been all about getting everything together and ready for the big move to Indiana. Additionally, I had the gift of seeing "Pilobolus" as UMass-Amherst (if you have a chance to see them, do yourself a huge favor and go - you will SO thank me!). I have been able to connect with a lot of folks while I've been here - some I haven't seen in over a year. It does make me wonder why it seems like it takes someone dying or moving to make us make time for each other? It has been so much fun, I want to make sure I do make plans with folks on a regular basis.
I also got to work one of my favorite events (I even stayed in the area a few extra days to be there) - the Nurses Pinning Ceremony commencement weekend. I always love this event, and working with Maureen and Liz is always such a joy.
I also saw my two beautiful cats - they have adjusted well and settled it, but it was nice to feel like they've missed me...
In some ways it still doesn't seem real that this is all happening. My plans keep changing, and it feels like a lesson in letting go and letting things be what they need to be.
I feel so much gratitude these days. For being given the opportunity to see so many dear friends the past couple weeks, including seeing my darling Leland perform for the first time in over 2 years. Seeing my friend, Robin, doing so well, and moving forward. For being able to stay with my good friend, Harper, and spend time reconnecting (and cooking!) with her. I am so fortunate to have so many amazing, wonderful, talented people in my life.
I feel like everything is wrapping up here. I am excited to begin this new chapter of my life. I am equal parts terrified, sad, and excited. Some folks have had a need to seemingly reassure me that I am doing the right thing - that is not in question for me. It is just interesting that some folks just can't be around someone who is in any state of discomfort, regardless of the reason.
If we aren't uncomfortable - at least a little - we aren't growing. We only grow when we are on the edge of our comfort zone - when we are complacent, we have no need to keep moving...
Next update from the road!!! :)
I am truly grateful for my time in Reno - I learned a lot about myself as a person, a professional, and as an artist. By the time I left, I was genuinely sad to leave, both my friends in beautiful Northern Nevada, and also the show. I sincerely hope that folks will keep in touch, and drop by if they are ever in the area.
From Reno, I came back to Western MA to put together the lighting design for the Emerging Choreographer Series dance concert at Hampshire College. This is one of my favorite shows, and I got to work with some of my favorite members of the 5-College Dance Program, including Tristan Drummond, Sierra Boyea, Jean Baxter, and Billbob Brown. I hear the show went well, but didn't get to see it as I flew out to Minneapolis on opening night.
In Minneapolis, I had the gift of seeing "Hiroshima" at Pangea World Theater - this was a work-in-progress of an autobiographical one-man show by a fellow who grew up in Hiroshima, and now lives in the U.S.
The day after Hiroshima closed, I moved in (took over) the space to load in "Eleven Reflections on September", an amazing piece written, directed, and performed by Andrea Assaf. Andrea is a Lebanese-American and New Yorker, who was preparing to return to NYC on 9/11. It is eleven pieces of original poetry, multimedia, and live music. It was an amazing, powerful, performance. It was also a challenge technically. I had 16 lights with which to light the entire piece, with several areas that needed to be specially highlighted. For those who do not understand, the next "smallest" show I've done had about 60 lights. The good news is that I managed to make miracles out of practically nothing, and it was beautiful (so said the Artistic Director!). I have to say, I was very proud of the work I did. In addition to the lighting, I also had to figure out how to make a piece of scenery hang, move to the center of the stage, then fall to the floor on cue - and on a very minimal budget. If you are interested in how it worked, there is a short youtube video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB4QB5omDEA
It was amazing working with Pangea. They are a group dedicated to work that really matters. It was empowering and healing to be in an evironment where I felt valued and honored as a person and as an artist. I love working with Andrea, and look forward to seeing my new friends at Pangea again.
On the personal side of my Minneapolis experience, I stayed with a lovely couple and their two cats and 18-month old puppy. It was wonderful to be back with animals again, and to cuddle with a very loving puppy on a daily basis. I keep saying, if you don't think you matter - hang out with a dog... :)
We also had a very interesting turn of events - an hour after we closed out "Eleven Reflections", we got the news that Osama Bin Laden had been killed - VERY interesting timing...
Back in Mass, the past 2 weeks have been all about getting everything together and ready for the big move to Indiana. Additionally, I had the gift of seeing "Pilobolus" as UMass-Amherst (if you have a chance to see them, do yourself a huge favor and go - you will SO thank me!). I have been able to connect with a lot of folks while I've been here - some I haven't seen in over a year. It does make me wonder why it seems like it takes someone dying or moving to make us make time for each other? It has been so much fun, I want to make sure I do make plans with folks on a regular basis.
I also got to work one of my favorite events (I even stayed in the area a few extra days to be there) - the Nurses Pinning Ceremony commencement weekend. I always love this event, and working with Maureen and Liz is always such a joy.
I also saw my two beautiful cats - they have adjusted well and settled it, but it was nice to feel like they've missed me...
In some ways it still doesn't seem real that this is all happening. My plans keep changing, and it feels like a lesson in letting go and letting things be what they need to be.
I feel so much gratitude these days. For being given the opportunity to see so many dear friends the past couple weeks, including seeing my darling Leland perform for the first time in over 2 years. Seeing my friend, Robin, doing so well, and moving forward. For being able to stay with my good friend, Harper, and spend time reconnecting (and cooking!) with her. I am so fortunate to have so many amazing, wonderful, talented people in my life.
I feel like everything is wrapping up here. I am excited to begin this new chapter of my life. I am equal parts terrified, sad, and excited. Some folks have had a need to seemingly reassure me that I am doing the right thing - that is not in question for me. It is just interesting that some folks just can't be around someone who is in any state of discomfort, regardless of the reason.
If we aren't uncomfortable - at least a little - we aren't growing. We only grow when we are on the edge of our comfort zone - when we are complacent, we have no need to keep moving...
Next update from the road!!! :)
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