~ A constantly evolving project in truth, transparency, delusion, humour, pain, praise, grief, beauty, frustration, elation, joy and most of all LOVE... my story as it unfolds. (I am in the process of revamping the lay out of the blog, please bear with me)
Well I finally did it, I particiapted in a Burlesque show. I love Burlesque, it is all about celebrating the sexiness of us gorgoues human beings. The show which is put on here in Nelson by Mary Scarlet Rose rivals any done in a big center. She celebrates diversity; diversity of body types, sexuality and performance style. The show is done as a fund rasier for the Womens Shelter. It is also a service to our community in that it brings sexuality out into the public eye in a playful way so we can all get used to the idea that sex is here to stay, nessasary in fact for the survival of our species. I figure if we are all created by sex, most of us have sex, why not have fun with the topic?!
Just to be clear, since I reread that last paragraph and thought to myself, “Geez Bernice they might think that Burlesque means sex show!. Burlesque is a dance where clothese are sexily removed. Different performers do it differently, there were many acts where nothing was removed, a few where only a few items were removed and a few more where the performers went down to pasties (glued on nipple covers), and tiny panties (or a fake minge ...click on the word if you want to know what it is). I was the sweeper, which means I went out in a sexy costume inbetween acts and collected what had been left behind. This involves a lot of bending over to show off cute frilly panties and antics, playing with the audience and otherperformers. It was perfect for me, no coreography or rehearsals, lots of stage time and many oppurtunities to play. I have a wonderful experience and who knows, maybe next year I will take off an item or two.
”How do you like to play?“ is the question in 12 days journal #307
How cool is that? I am really feeling the itch to perform again. I have to prepare a 10 minute piece for school next month which answers the question “How am I now and where am I now in my process with leadership (challenges and resources)”, using spoken word, movement, drawing, voice. I am looking forward to creating this piece, performing it is another thing, the teacher we are performing these pieces in front of scares me a little. Not sure why, she is just such a force, a truly amazing being...and a little intense!
On the 13th I am also performing in Nelson Valentines Day Burlesque show in support of the women's shelter. At least I think I am, I am feeling a little too fragile to be sexy and half naked in front of a whole room of people. Burlesque isn’t about being naked, it isn’t stripping, no one will see any more of me than they would at the beach. It is about the performance, the tease or the idea of nudity, it can be very classy. The show the Mary Scarlet Rose puts on here in Nelson is fun and classy. I am debating whether to perform just because I am really having to reserve my physical and emotional energy lately and this kind of performance requires both, mostly emotional! Anyway we will see.
My plane is boarding. I missed my flight last night. The keys got locked in my rental car and my luggage was trapped in the trunk. My plane was long gone by the time it was rescued, and the next flight wasn’t until this morning. While it was certainly inconvenient, especially having to call Michael and let him know he had to find a place to stay in Spokane (which ended up being in the back of the truck!), it was an adventure too. A whole set of circumstances and people I got to experience and wouldn’t have otherwise. Like meeting Larry from Indiana who moved to the Bay 22 years ago. And the womyn who drove me to the terminal in a last ditch effort to make my plane. Eating in the Indian restaurant attached to the Econ Lodge where I had a whole king sized bed to myself...though I didn’t really want it all to myself, I like to cuddle. It was an adventure...and I am so ready to go home.
Ah they called my boarding number so I have to go...see ya at home!
“Have you ever made a blunder which led you on an interesting journey?” is the question in 12 days journal #281
“On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
seven Swans A-swimming.“
More birds! What is with all the birds?
Our water source is freezing, it is really friggen cold in Nelson right now. We have been quite lucky, our water has never fully frozen, but it might be coming damn close. This morning I shivered through a trickle of a shower. Tomorrow we may have to go to the aquatic centre to bathe. Enter today's commitment. The aquatic centre is also known as the swimming pool...commitment fulfilled, yes I know how loosely I am following this particular commitment, it is all I got right now. I have been feeling stronger though. I think my body just needed a little time to get used to its new self.
I went to a meeting for Nelson’s annual Valentines Burlesque show. I will be in the show this year, which is both exciting and scary. I am working on getting some of my booty back so I have something to shake on stage. I think I will go look at costumes when I am in San Francisco next week.
”Are you content with you body?“ is the question in 12 days journal #245
