* don’t forget to come to the site to see the photos if you’re reading this by email. While you’re at it, keep the ripple of Divinity going and hit “share on facebook, twitter, email” etc…

I am so grateful for the last year and the many blessings it held.

I realized that with Sub Rosa, we held close to 100 shows, featured over 100 musicians, filmmakers, visual artists, comedians, and poets, inspired the sale of hundreds of dollars in local original art, music, inspired the community to pay more attention to local original art, saved a life, volunteered, created murals, videos, music and more together, witnessed love and the beginning of relationships, held each other through tough times, saved people’s stuff from being lost, helped bring awareness to local businesses, and had members gain more media attention. I am so proud and grateful for everyone who has helped this dream for our city’s art and entertainment industry to unfold!!

You can see some of the awesome people who helped to make it happen at The Sub Rosa web site.

The transition between years seems to have been a rough one. The last couple weeks have been even more crazy than usual.

“Oh Divinity, that’s what you always say.”

No, really. Everything from murder* to setting boundaries to accidental death to finalizing debut dates of my first book and the band.

*by murder, I don’t mean I murdered, I meant it affected a close friend.

Everywhere around me people seemed to be dealing with loss, with change, with letting go..and most importantly..with being vulnerable with each other.

One of the hardest things I’ve had to learn is the strength of vulnerability..to not be afraid to be angry, or cry, or be scared in front of others…It is okay to ask for help.

One of the biggest steps in growth for me was to attend a public open mic (With lots of friends in the audience) and read a letter I had written to my mother. I was terrified signing up, because I knew I was going to break down in the middle of it, and I did..but I made myself do it, and I made myself finish. I got that pain out in a circle of people I knew AND strangers. When I was done, the room responded by rushing the stage and smothering me with so much love, I was buried and had to say into the mic that was still in my hand, “Guys, I can’t breathe!”

Being able to be that naked in front of people is freeing. It’s terrifying, but once you step through that veil of fear, you realize the universe will respond to you and give you all the help/love you ever need (though maybe not from the people you think it should come from).

I am more grateful than ever for the life ahead of me, the amazing things I get to do everyday, and I have found the best motivator of all to be changing the words “I have to” to “I get to”.

The things I get to do now and in the next few months have me so excited, my face could melt.

I get to continue working with my new band, which we have named “Sagun” (pronounced Sah-goon). We are pushing to be ready for our debut March 14 at a powerhouse show called “Poets, Prophets, and Punks” that I am producing. (Tickets on sale at Great Escape, Ear – X- Tacy for cash, at divinityrose.com for cards)
(Core members: Divinity Rose, Rosella Pearl, Kelly Newton)

I get to work on and release my first Diaries of a Godling book, “The Promise”. – Will be released with book signing March 14 at The Great Escape before the show..as having the books before the show will be greatly beneficial…Will also be available at the show.

I get to host a contest to inspire and encourage high school students to write.

I get to start working with a personal trainer to get myself in the shape I want to be in for the show.

I get to host a bunch of AWESOME shows with Sub Rosa including Pin Ups and Hot Rods on January 30, celebrating my dear friends’ Porscha and Pam Newman’s birthdays and the cd release party/mardi gras party on February 13 with Revenge of Ricky Williams and Squallis Puppeteers.

I am so excited for 2010. There are so many wonderful experiences I want to give myself and others. How about you?

Speaking of “Get tos”, Cody and I got to go to and be part of a dark carnival for the cd release party of “Sonic Epitaph”. What a great spiritual journey! Check them out!

Sonic Epitaph!
Pick up a cd and for crying out loud, support these master weavers of mind webs! They’ve worked hard, are super real and nice, down to hand making the signs on the walls of the concert hall…They deserve all the blessings about to pour upon them!

Most of these photos from Awesome photographer Linda Carmella ..email her at sweetestangel13ATgmail.com