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....