Divinity Rising: All Part of the Show -

I’ve been away from the stage for a while, as I’ve been withdrawn and developing my performance and story lines a little more. I’m preparing to begin raising funds, and I want everything in order.  I hope you’re all doing well. Being a little withdrawn has allowed me to also pull back and remember why I set forth to share my writing to begin with.

I want to inspire, motivate, and spread love as a way of life. Mighty Kindness is a great non-profit that really practices that by getting into the community and gathering people together to learn about their community, artists, musicians, local farmers and how to be environmentally friendly. They hold two music festivals per year and wanted a new “Hootin’ Annie”  owl mascot costume made from recycled materials. I am no costumer, but the end result was not half bad.

You can view the details and making of the costume and me running around like a nut in it ALA Yakkity Sax here:

Divinity Rising

Make sure to subscribe to my  Divinity Rising youtube channel so you don’t miss an episode  :D

I had a chance to do some of my Doomsday Lover performance at the Mighty Kindness festival, and at Dance on the Dark Side, another non-profit event. DOD was a fundraiser for Pagan Community Ministries and Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge.  The silent auction raised over $500 for the no-kill animal sanctuary.  My son had an awesome vending table set up for some of our art, and I sold a collage of some of my Doomsday Lover photo shoots.  It was a long but awesome day, performing at two such different events that are both focused on making a difference in our local community.

I also recently had fun in the Louisville Halloween Parade, which fell on my birthday October 14! How Perfect!

As we near Thanksgiving,  I have taken some time for reflection to see what my spirit needs.  I strive to remain grateful each and every day. Most recently, I was overwhelmed with gratitude as I eased in to a hot bath. I had not had time to just soak in a tub of warm water in a while, and it is one of my favorite things to do.  I was overwhelmed with just how big of a blessing it is to have the ability to soak in a hot bath when I am sore or need the relaxation. So many people don’t have that opportunity. It touched me in that moment that so many people all over the globe don’t have the chance to enjoy something that happens several times a day in most American households.

In the performing and entertainment industry and any business matter, it is often easy to get caught up in things that don’t really matter.  What really matters to me is that I treat others with kindness and inspire more community, love and cooperation. Sometimes, I think I fail miserably in what I am trying to accomplish.  I am grateful for the reminders that come my way to just be more childlike, live for exploration, continue to do my best at unconditional giving and receiving, and focusing the crazy amount of energy I have.  Above all, I am eternally grateful for my friends, my family, and each and every person who takes the time to read my updates, watch my videos, listen to my poems, support me and lift me up. I would truly be nowhere without you. I hope my efforts do the same for you.

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, I would love love love love love love x’s infinity if you would go to The Mighty Kindness Fundraiser at Monkey Wrench in Louisville. The Mighty Kindness is an amazing nonprofit that has had tremendous impact on our community in Louisville. They connect local farmers, businesses, individuals from the community and teach the community about sustainability and putting the unity back in community. After four years of festivals and work, this is their first fundraiser that I am aware of. Please support! If you can’t make it, you can make a donation at the link. We need more might kindness! We need it to spread out over our country!!!

In preparation for Poetry, Pop and Paint, I’ve been on quite a face painting binge!  I’ve been doing my absolute best to look like a freak at every chance I get! Special thanks to my partner in crime Genna Yussman! Here’s a video to show you some of the facepaint used recently for photo and video shoots for Poetry, Pop and Paint. The video includes some test footage of the video that will be projected at the event! The best part of this video was going out to eat in full paint/make up during all the Derby madness.

If you can’t see the video above, you can view it here:

I have found that many times “freaks” have a lot to say that we could all use a good dose of. I have learned many a life lesson from people that have been tossed aside from the majority of others. Often times, people are labelled freak just because the person labeling them doesn’t understand them…and usually because that person lacks the desire to even try to.

I had a great show at Stevie Ray’s in Louisville this past Wednesday, and I was in full freak mode with several different costumes.  One of the numbers I performed was “Broken”. Beverly Frederick recently gave me a copy of some partial video she shot of “Broken” at Artography last month.  You can’t see the video below, you can view that video here:

In sad news, A poet/author who performed at Sub Rosa when it first began recently took his own life. It saddens me that someone who inspired so many and brought them joy felt so alone. He was best known for his one line poems such as “TIGHTROPE: You’d have dropped her, too, if you had to hold up both ends of the relationship the way I did.”  His book “Aha, Aha, Ahum” was a collection of these wise witticisms that made you think as you rolled with laughter.  He gave them out freely to all, and I know that many enjoyed them.   In honor of his passing, I wrote one for him.

Lifeline

I wish you would have known that you could have called me when you were under the gun and didn’t know the answer to the million dollar question.

RIP JP, you will be missed.

(Expressions to: Wellspring or Bridgehaven. Please leave a condolence for the family at www.archlheadyeastoak.com)

I know what it is like to feel alone when surrounded by people and not be able to see how much you mean to them. If you ever feel alone or down, I hope you realize you are not alone, and that all you have to do is let people know how you feel and that there are others who will love and help you without judging you. Please be kind to those around you. You have no idea what they are carrying with them.

On another note of all time freakiness, we often call people who speak out of “conspiracies” or things they see as troublesome freaks: one of these things being people who are worried about police states.  While we may have many freedoms, in this country, I am troubled that I see many things slowly taking place that seem to infringe on the very rights and principles this country was founded on. Indiana recently passed a law that states police can enter your home with or without a warrant, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.  At what point will we begin to stand up and tell our “leaders” what we think and remind them that they are supposed to work for us? Come on, Indiana! Contact your representatives and let them know that this is not ok!!  Tell your friends, talk about it! be vocal! Don’t let these types of things go unnoticed! You never know when it will affect you or someone you care about!

It is for reasons like this that I believe organizations and communities like Mighty Kindness are increasingly important…we must learn to begin to strengthen our communities so that we can lean on each other, become more self sufficient, be able to make a stand  and live in more sustainable ways. We can not just sit back watching our favorite tv shows and expect governments or employers to do everything or  what is best for us.

Love, light and blessings to send you through your dreams.

Seems the heads on my camera need to be cleaned, so no video this week. I’ll be back with some out takes next week, hopefully.

So, I recently had the pleasure of participating in a contest known as the 48 hour film project. If you’re in the Louisville area, come and see our film at Village 8 Theaters – Thursday at 9:15 pm -get tix here! Get them early! they sell out before showtime usually. Come and vote for our film as Audience Favorite “Loba” (which means “She-wolf” in spanish).

If you’re unfamiliar with this source of both stress, elation and a weird time dilation due to lack of sleep, check it out here. I had no idea that something like this would end up leaving me a little changed.

On Friday night, we sent a couple of our team members down to draw our “have tos”. These are the things that HAVE to be in the film to prove that we did it in 48 hours.

We drew the genre “Film de Femme”, which means it has to have strong female leads. We drew the character “Bert or Bertha George, the gardener” , the prop “A 3 ring binder”, and the line of dialogue, “Just tell them Joe sent you”. All of these things had to be incorporated in the 4-7 minute film we were about to create. From the time we drew these items (6:30 pm), we had 48 hours to write, develop, cast, shoot, edit and turn in.

Sadly, we were 5 minutes late.

However, we produced  a great short film!

I wrote the tale based on the native american legend about how we all have two wolves within us.  To make it very short: One is all about giving, joy, harmony, the collective, while the other is angry, hateful, selfish.  I played the role of an insane killer who thinks she is a wolf and shares this legend with the psychologist who has come to the asylum to meet with her.

Everything was so rushed, worked smoothly, but I had little time to really think about what I had written, where it had come from, and how it felt to play this role. I was just going with the flow..and lots of mocha.

Saturday night came along and we all settled in to watch the raw footage… I was frozen solid as I watched it. It really opened something up within me, and my performance terrified me.  I have to say that is was really hard to watch.  Seeing myself look so insane left me feeling…well, disturbed.

Why? Because in the past, I have been the lone wolf that wants to be a part of the pack.   Unaware, I’ve found some pretty ugly thought patterns running amuk within me, and this just said “you can’t hide from that anymore”.

There’s one line in particular that really stands out. “She wants to run with the pack…she does..but there’s just too much pain. She can’t trust them. .. So, you see… she hates what she longs to become.”

And another producer/actor in the film, Matthew Blake Wallace, and I really found the timing for this film spoton: we’d both already come to points in our lives where we didn’t want to be lone wolves and are learning to be part of a pack.

So many people say “I hate the rich”… I don’t need a  life partner…This or that company is awful…so on and so forth…yet inwardly dream of having money, love, and all the stuff they perceive as good…yet harbor ill feelings towards those that have those things.  So, if we harbor those feelings – how can we ever expect to acheive those things?

(if you’re getting this by email, don’t forget to come and see the picture posted here)

Hola!

I’ve really been on the go the last couple weeks, and I’ve got some great news to relay.

I’ve really been blessed in the last few weeks with PROGRESS.

I’ve been quietly paying attention to what I see unfolding in my own life and all around me….That’s how dreams work, you know. They percolate within us and then begin to flow forth once we give them the freedom to do so.

What is that I see?  A beautiful dream -

1) In our city….

I see a beautiful dream  unfolding in Louisville – I meet so many amazing people with such beautiful individual dreams that this past weekend was even more powerful as I met with many in one place who are willing to embrace and support each other.  It is so good to see more people realizing the importance of celebrating and supporting local business and creating a strong community.  It is so important to be a part of a strong community that can sustain itself.  Are you a part of  Mighty Kindness?

Check out this short video to get a feel of what a beautiful day it was:

And in case you didn’t know, May 15th has been declared “Bike to Work Day”

2) In the lives of my friends:

My friend, Jason, got his insurance and is branching out more and more with his own roofing business! Congratulations! Also, major props and a Happy Birthday to my friend Mike Wright, who has  completed his first experimental short film, Transcendence. I was honored to perform in it (and so was Cody!)

Check it out:

3) In my own life – After a year of hosting The Speak Easy, I’ve changed the name to Sub Rosa: The Gypsie Courtyard. In commemoration of the old name, we gave out almost 100 Makers Mark mason jars etched with the words “Speak Easy Social”. The kick off at our new venue, Diamonds Pub and Billiards, was a huge success. You can read more about it and see a video of some of the acts at the Sub Rosa blog, where I also post and pass along Louisville arts and entertainment news/opportunities. Everyone had a great time, and the acts that turned out were all amazing. An array of comedy, magic, music, poetry and even the Great Baldini showed up to hammer nails into his face.

Check out this small sampling of the featured poet, Danny O Day, and featured music group, Serpent Wisdom ! Everyone also enjoyed the featured movie, Fangs for the Memories.

Rv Update: I got the brake pads replaced on the RV – HOORAY! It still needs some more brakework done, but it is mobile again. I’m almost ready to begin accepting sponsorships.

So, what’s been up with you? What evidence have you seen that your dream is unfolding all around you? What kind of dream are you allowing to billow forth from the very core of your heart? Please leave me a comment and let me know what evidence you’ve found (no matter how small)… Then cling to that evidence and plow ever forward!

It’s true….In May, I’ll be shooting a music video for Doomsday Lover’s “The Dead Walk the Earth”… I’m super excited and so is the cast/crew – we could still use a couple zombies, if anyone wants to come out.  It’s a full day shoot during the week, though. I’ll be a cowgirl…and I will chase you. It could be fun….I will haunt your dreams for weeks. Like I said – Could be fun.

In addition to this great news, I’ve been asked to Emcee a film screening during the most awesome Peak Summit music festival! Derby City Independent Film Collective will be showing films on June 2o from 7 – 9 pm, and I will be  hosting! It’s bound to be great fun! Good music, indie film, and good people – at Saint’s in St. Matthews.

It keeps rolling, though – I plan on taking Divinity Rising, the web video show to the Mighty Kindness (give a ) Hoot-enanny! If you’ve not made it to this heartwarming and exciting annual meet of music, arts, local organic farmers, healers and other awesome groups in our community, YOU SHOULD join me! It’s FREE, has KID STUFF, GREAT music, and some of the kindest hearts you’ll ever meet I’d like to ask some of you questions on camera – At Willow park  in Louisville, Kentucky – Check out http://www.mightykindness.org

Later in the month, I am especially honored to join Karma Bums at Diamonds Billiards in St. Matthews for a night of mind blowing music and poetry and all around good karma – come partake, my peoples!!!! May 23 – Mark your calendars!!!!

Speaking of Diamonds,  are you ready?…. It’s a new home for Louisville Speak Easy!!!

And Speaking of the Speak Easy – it’s time for a NEW NAME!!!!!

There’s lots of reasons, but it’s an all around great opportunity to really give our gatherings a name that suit their magic, allure and sparkle

MONDAYS at Diamond’s Billiards, We’re kicking off Sub Rosa – The Gypsie Courtyard!!! Our gatherings at Carly Rae’s on Thursdays WILL continue (under the new name!)

We’re mixing it up with lots of new opportunities to celebrate local wandering hearts of art!!! I’ll be doing paid featured spots at BOTH locations, plus some other neat opportunities etc coming up

Come to the grand opening  May 11 ,  our first monthly showcase there! Let’s make it a huge deal and really start sending out some wonderfully awesome ripples in St. Matthews! I’ll have more on this next week!

And in June – Pick up a copy of The Highlander to read the article Danny O Day honored me with!

I hope that all of you are really enjoying your wanders of wonder….and with all this “Speaking of” let’s speak of wanderers. I’d like share my ode to wanderers. So many people get dogged on for being a wanderer – but would you play any game without first checking out your terrain, resources, strengths, and  collecting useful items? So, why is it a bad idea when playing the game of life?

What’s the good word? Give me at least ONE thing that is pretty awesome that has shown up in your life or that you have given yourself lately. How can you spread the contagious Kind Flu?

The last week has been an interesting one.  It’s been crazy busy with  lots of ups and downs.

First, let us go up, shall we?

I was able to shoot an experimental film with a friend for my poem “Keys to Broken Dreams” – it was a lot of fun and I’m really looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

Donavan is a wrestler, and he  was great to work with.   We shot at the waterfront park  near the Tumbleweed.

Donavan was a really good sport. The set up for this scene really took a lot of patience from him just laying there as we set up everything around him.

Cody was my assistant, and he did a great job.

My pal Norm (from last week’s video) was kind enough to let us use his apartment and mirrors for this  scene.

Now, everybody hold your hands up and scream as we take the roller coaster downward!

The brakes went out on my RV. I haven’t been able to drive it and won’t until they are fixed. My super mechanic has been too busy to be able to look at it.

Now lean back as we head up again: I have a friend coming to look at the brakes . In the meantime, I’ve been busy planning and have completed the cast and crew for an upcoming Doomsday Lover video to be shot next month. Oh yeah! Be prepared to be amazed.

And back down again: Due to the brakes being out and other circumstances, Cody and I missed Thunder over Louisville this year.

If you aren’t familiar with the term, it is the huge air and fireworks show that kicks off two weeks of Derby festivities every year. 7-800,ooo people turn out for it.

The fireworks last for half an hour, and the show is the largest in North America. Here’s just a small clip shot by my friend Anna A.K.A. Super Geek ( ohhh, she’s a super geek, super geek, she’s super geeky):

upside: To make up for it, we made our own personal thunder.

And terrifyingly downward: I was working yesterday on the computer when I heard Cody screaming outside like he was being attacked…I thought for sure a dog was mauling him. I ran outside to see what was going on, and I couldn’t find him anywhere… I yelled for him a couple times… Turns out he had taken his dog next door into the neighbors yard where Chase found a small kitten and picked it up in his mouth before taking off with it. Thankfully, the kitten was fine – just really pissed off…and with good reason.

Sooo, in the ups and downs where are you? Are you enjoying the ride? Where do you keep your focus? On the ups? On the downs? Or do you run around in a tshirt that says “bissfully unaware”?

SPILL IT! (and then click the share button below )

Check out the post today at the Tie Dyed Tirades Blog…

It is about beat poets and features local legend and internationally known poet/rebel/wild spirit man Ron Whitehead  and a video I made of Ron and one of his daughter, Rani Newman at the Louisville Speak Easy…

Check it out by clicking here.

Check out Ron’s web site here.

My Short Film: Birthday Wishes Released to public

Since it’s no longer tied up in the Lifetime Channel Every Woman’s Film  contest, I have released it on Youtube- Warning!

It’s Dark and Not for the faint of heart. It’s on the homepage of http://www.divinityrose.com for now, but after that, you can view it on my youtube page.

Relationships can really mess with your head: especially if you’re not sure you’re ready for one.