What a journey. In many ways; spiritually, mentally, internally, externally.
I've been gone and back again. I had a fantastic writer's winter holiday up in Stockholm, Sweden.
Before I continue, have any of you listened to Kate Bush's new album, Aerial? Oh my, Disc 2 contains some of the most uplifting, beautifully composed music I have listened to yet. Check it out if you have the time or money to.
I spent 4 weeks in total in Sweden between December and January. I had been working non-stop for 3 1/2 months prior, and I was completely burning out... I wanted to just collapse at the end of it! And I did, in the airplane, for 8 hours straight. The first few weeks were spent indoors (because of all the snow!) for writing, reading and some badly needed catch-up beauty sleep.
Then X-mas hit! It hadn't snowed at all before I arrived but on the very day it began, it snowed and snowed and snowed. It went through the whole day and night, just like one of those fairy tale dreams - snow that piles high and the frost-mist collects around the windows just in time for the evening celebrations. Unfortunately someone who I had hoped would come for x-mas, didn't. Anyhow, that passed, things worked out for the best; I learned a lot from that experience and now looking back at it, I can see how this was a very necessary trip for me.
So that brings us to now! I'm back to Charlottesville, VA, USA. What fun? Actually, it is! I've enrolled into the Piedmont community college... Everyone was telling me about this "placement test" for english writing and comprehension, and even though I had the worst migraine for two consecutive days and didn't eat the entire day (no joke), I went in to take the tests... Even for me, with no "real" formal high-school education, I passed with flying colours, I don't see how anyone couldn't. Funny that.
So yes, I'm working, studying and training. Oh yeah, I'm training hard, Pete would be proud, haha.
Still busy as busy, except I'm doing a far better job at keeping my activities regulated and such. I keep up with my photography from time to time. However, I'm concentrating more on meditating and writing (for anyone who has read this far; this is a strong combination! now pat yourself on the back, good job, haha), from poetry to prose to short stories, fiction and non-fiction. It's a good period for me, probably the strongest contrast to what I was doing a few years ago, drinking and smoking, etc...
Someone asked if I felt different? Of course I do! Life is good.
My love goes out to all the great friends, old and new, near and far; young, and younger
some of whom I have come across and others who have come across me, by chance or perhaps an unforeseen reason; Jai Sri Radhe, Anne-Marie, Johan, Malin, Vanya, Sara, Pete, Sophie, & Blondie, as well as, Sherrie, Maya, Deepa, Tulasi, Sudevi, Allison, Maegan, Erin, Elaina, Vanessa, Raven, Rat, Jill, Flora, Jona, David, Todd, Jordan, Johnny, Matthew, Wonder, John, Sevarin, Jor, Jiggz, Ross, Jon & Jimmy!
I love every person, their lives are not ordinary. I could write stories about each and every one of them, their experiences, and what I've learned from being around them... Maybe in the future I will.
You may not know who these names belong to, but I will say the names in that list include a small group of people who I trust dearly. These individuals imbibe me with creativity and inspiration in life, they back me up and keep my enthusiasm going. Thank you, you know who you are.
Like a close friend of mine said...
Keep on truckin'
