I'm suffering from a new diagnosis that's called "Taos Guilt". It has to do with how many events/experiences are scheduled each weekend in Taos and how many I manage to get to. Sometimes it's about the cost and sometimes, even if it's free I don't manage to make it. For example, this past weekend, Andrew Harvey was giving a talk on Sacred Activism and his new book, "Hope". One of my closest friends is reading "Hope" and several acquaintances have spoken highly of Harvey's speaking abilities when he was in town this past summer for a week long intensive. I even received a personal email invitation to attend. But by the time Friday evening rolled around, I felt tired, and wanted to vegge at home. I hemmed and hawed for 30 minutes and by the next time I looked at the clock it was 6:55 p.m. and even if I had gone to it at that point I would have been late. And now I have the aftermath - several folks have told me about the evening (of course, it was great, inspirational, passionate, etc)and I definitely feel guilty. It's like when you want to eat a hot fudge sundae, it feels good at the time and then afterwards you regret it. I was reminded by someone, 'thanks!', that "who knows when he'll be back in town...." Oh well, I guess the only solution is to not read the "Tempo" section of the Taos news on Thursday and not open any suspicious emails that could contain invitations.
And that was just one of things that was going on last weekend. Not to mention artist openings, musicians playing, including a free Chamber concert on Sunday afternoon at the Harwood, a movie at the TCA (my boss told me "Departures" was not to be missed), the farmer's market on Saturday and Sunday and various other entertaining events(and a new play opening at the Metta theatre). So I feel bad Monday, it slips into Tuesday regrets, then I have Wednesday when I've almost forgotten to feel guilty but oops then comes Thursday when the cycle starts all over again!
And there's still so many places I haven't made it to in Taos yet - true confessions: any of the museums(I don't think using the restroom at Hacienda Hartinez counts!), the Pueblo, most of the art galleries, many of the restaurants, except for the less than $15 an entree variety, a temple service, any of the sangha's, on and on. I don't think I'll ever feel there's nothing to do in this little town!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
It's a Blur
Since I returned from NY on the Reiki Master retreat life has been a blur. When I stopped off at the SOMOS office to look thru their used books and talk about a book club I also ended up agreeing to be the volunteer coordinator for the upcoming StoryTelling Festival on the weekend of 10/16 -10/17. Additionally, I got an offer to consider being the curator for the winter writer's series in January and February, 2010. This involves selecting local and nationally known writers who live in the Southwest (or visit)to read on 8 consecutive Friday p.m. from 1/8 - 2/26/10. Contacting them, organizing a venue, writing press releases, arranging book signings and radio interviews, etc. Alot of work and a modest stipend to go with it. And I did say yes, feeling that it would be a great opportunity to meet other writers and get a 'birds eye' view of writer's lives. So figuring that there will be many that are either not available or uninterested I'm working on a potential slate of 25-30 writers for the SOMOS board to review on 11/10. The approved writers will get sent contracts and they will send on publicity materials: bio, pictures and publication history. Whew! I'm getting tired already.
And there have already been some percs with the job. I was invited to the pre-Fest party (for the Story Telling Festival) at Allegra Houston's and Cisco Guevera's house last night replete with some Taos notables from radio, newspaper, and the arts (musicians, writers, artists)community. I noticed how some of the affluent do 'low-key' really well. It was casual, relaxed, no fancy clothes or food, actually potluck with many new mexican and native dishes including posole, and red chile sauce over mashed potatoes. I was informed that that's the way the natives like it and it was really tasty - after that first mouthful when my taste buds had to get used to the spicy red chile!
My novel is coming along. I aim to get five typed pages/week completed for writing group on thursday a.m.'s and even with my new schedule with SOMOS I've made it a priority. Except working out at the gym hasn't been.... There's always next week.
I was treated to a performance by one of the writers in the group who is also an exceptionally talented musician (plays trombone, piano, alp horn, among others - and sings opera)at her home a few weeks ago. She and her husband stay in Taos for a few months in the summer and teach at a German Conservatory of Music from October to July each year. Abbie performed a long operetta, accompanied by some of her trombone playing. They offered it for free but it could easily have been a high price ticketed performance.
Tonight beginns the Story Telling Festival with storytellers from all over America - including one from San Francisco who grew up in Blue Hill, ME and one from Decatur, Georgia who grew up in Cuba. I'm looking forward to - after I get the volunteers all squared away with their responsibilities - which should be a neat trick since I'm not exactly sure what that entails....
And there have already been some percs with the job. I was invited to the pre-Fest party (for the Story Telling Festival) at Allegra Houston's and Cisco Guevera's house last night replete with some Taos notables from radio, newspaper, and the arts (musicians, writers, artists)community. I noticed how some of the affluent do 'low-key' really well. It was casual, relaxed, no fancy clothes or food, actually potluck with many new mexican and native dishes including posole, and red chile sauce over mashed potatoes. I was informed that that's the way the natives like it and it was really tasty - after that first mouthful when my taste buds had to get used to the spicy red chile!
My novel is coming along. I aim to get five typed pages/week completed for writing group on thursday a.m.'s and even with my new schedule with SOMOS I've made it a priority. Except working out at the gym hasn't been.... There's always next week.
I was treated to a performance by one of the writers in the group who is also an exceptionally talented musician (plays trombone, piano, alp horn, among others - and sings opera)at her home a few weeks ago. She and her husband stay in Taos for a few months in the summer and teach at a German Conservatory of Music from October to July each year. Abbie performed a long operetta, accompanied by some of her trombone playing. They offered it for free but it could easily have been a high price ticketed performance.
Tonight beginns the Story Telling Festival with storytellers from all over America - including one from San Francisco who grew up in Blue Hill, ME and one from Decatur, Georgia who grew up in Cuba. I'm looking forward to - after I get the volunteers all squared away with their responsibilities - which should be a neat trick since I'm not exactly sure what that entails....
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