A little documentation

One of the greatest lessons of grad school has been documenting our work. How do you create the art you present and what are the steps to get there. The exciting thing about this blog was documenting my journey from Atlanta to Davis. I am glad I started early - or at least when I knew that changes were a-comin' because I really got to see the transition in action. As I finish up grad school and get ready to move to the Bay Area, I decided to blog regularly again.

It was nice to have all of the readers in the beginning supporting the transition, but in my need for a little selfishness, the documentation is largely for me. To see where I am and where I'm going. To look back once I've gotten there to figure out how the heck I did it. I regret a little that I didn't keep up with blogging during all of grad school. The big hiatus that I took from December 2008 until now was largely because I didn't have time. But in actuality, I documented that journey through my class work, my students, my thesis, the performances of John Jasperse's Beyond Belief and the big bad musical, Oklahoma! Or maybe perhaps Facebook took over my documentation.

My time in the Davis/Sacramento area was not as grounded as Atlanta, so I don't know if I need to create the same to-do lists. Things I must do in the area before I head further west. I know this summer I would like to explore more of SAC and go camping. There are also a number of fine dining restaurants that I want to try. Hopefully those will be satisfied on date nights!!

In terms of what I do know, I will be teaching hip hop dance over the summer here in sticky Davis, CA. Two classes for each summer session. I will get my groove on, stay in shape and actually make a decent salary because I have my degree. Quite a number of my former classmates will be around working either on campus teaching or at Music Circus, so hopefully there will be some good friend time, as well.

As of now I am moving to the Bay with Tony Shayne. My friend and lighting designer in my year. I have lived by myself for about 6 years now, that it will be a little weird having a roommate. But I don't think I can afford to live alone. So there may be another round of purging before I load up and head to the Bay. Once I get there, is the complete unknown, right now.

I would like to perform and teach, but I have nothing secured. I have a callback for On the Town at Diablo Light Opera Co. on Monday. It's being directed by Mindy Cooper (of Oklahoma! fame) but the songs are just a hair out of my range. I did a little work on them yesterday and will continue today around the Farmers Market and lunch with Jon Shaffer. I have also spoken with MaryBeth Cavanaugh, our movement professor about doing some teaching artist work through Berkeley Rep. But due to the timing of UC Davis classes, the schools will already be in session by the time I am done with hip hop.

So, again I throw caution to the wind. I present my affirmations to the universe and trust that all of the hard work I've done will come back multi-fold.

Wish me luck!!