Category: Special Events

Thanks to another niece’s birthday, I gathered supplies to make a gift. Since she’s a freshman in college, I researched some DIY ideas and chose to make designer bulletin boards. For the first time ever, I used a spray adhesive and bought four 12″ x 18″ pieces of colorful fabric for less than $2 each. To make this little project even more convenient, I bought a four-pack of 6″ x 6″ cork boards.

Using my trusty piece of chalk, I outlined a simple pattern to cover the boards. Fortunately the day was warm since I wouldn’t dare use spray adhesive inside. I covered the surface of my portable metal drawer, which I keep outside, with newspaper and sprayed each board and its fabric, flipped the board and pressed down the edges of fabric as smoothly and quickly as possible. I set each one on the edge of a flower pot; so they dried in the sunlight.

They turned out beautifully. Now that she has two part-time jobs, my niece will have four stylish spots to post her schedules and all other important notes…providing she cares to be ol’ school!

Perhaps the highlight of tutoring math at a local middle school was the day I chaperoned the 6th graders on their field trip to the Austin Nature & Science Center and Zilker Park.

One of the special ed teachers and I had a dirty dozen of students to keep track of while we toured ANSC. We sat on some logs, listened to our guide, who solicited a list from the students, of living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) things that made up the surrounding ecology.

Then, she gave every student a net and asked them to capture some biotic things. Students loosely paired up, swinging those nets more wildly than the native fauna warranted. The guide incorporated some big finds into a jar. At the conclusion of the netting activity, students released whatever they had captured and returned their nets. Our guide talked about the animals, mostly insects and spiders, contained in the jar.

In between activities, we waited near a relaxing pool of water that had a waterfall. How wonderful it was to witness students’ attention captured by nature rather than an electronic device.

We then entered a circular room, sat on a carpet and discussed the difference between a food chain and a food web. We reviewed the ultimate source of energy, which is the sun. Producers, such as plants, capture solar energy and consumers obtain energy through eating producers and/or other consumers.

The first consumers introduced were Madagascar hissing cockroaches, which some adventurous students petted.  I opted to feel my own fingernails since they were made from the same keratin as cockroach exoskeletons.

Next, a frog, who was stereotypically jumpy, was passed around while remaining confined in his cage.

The turtle appeared comfortable enough to stay out of his shell as students touched it.

The quail remained caged although I would’ve loved watching its attempt to fly to freedom.

The last time I saw crawfish they were served up on a plate. At this point, I could’ve embedded myself into the food web.

As soon as the ferret was taken out of its cage, I smelled its signature musk.

This beautiful milk snake had a protective pillowcase that matched its rich burgundy color. Talk about fashionable accessories!

After reviewing what eats what in the food web, we entered the nature hike area. I loved how these 6th graders looked so at home in nature, which seemed to have a calming effect on them.

Imagine stopping to literally smell flowers rather than check an electronic device.

At one point, we visited an aquatic habitat and some students captured tadpoles.

One student caught this dragonfly larvae.

Most, however, simply mucked around the perimeter.

For the second half of the field trip, we ate lunch at Zilker Park.  

Many of the trees had kites stuck in them from the kite day celebration the day before.

Many students played soccer–or at least ran around kicking a soccer ball.

Others amused themselves jumping around on the rocky outcropping.

A few tried their hand at sand volleyball.

As much as we all enjoyed the outing, it’s a shame field trips such as these are rarities.

Unexpectedly, one of my friends treated me to a night out–Carnaval 2016: Texas! A Horse Opera. As soon as we approached the front door to the venue, I saw my “cousin” and former capoeira teacher.

Fortunately, a third of my closet is dedicated to costumes. We both went as the entrepreneurial women from “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.”

For once, I was fully able to enjoy the samba school performance since I wasn’t working security as part of the capoeira group I used to train with.

So, I danced samba to my heart’s content, recognizing the breaks, the rhythms and some of the footwork.

At some point, an inebriated woman took me by the wrist and led me to the first inner samba circle.

The music and choreography blurred by wonderfully.

I was so happy to see familiar faces.

Another big draw to attending carnaval was to appreciate other people’s costumes.

The sheer imagination just blew me away.

Then again, since the theme did have the word “Texas” in it, some revelers didn’t have to work too hard on their costuming.

We came across another capoeira teacher, wearing his usual carnaval attire.

This magnificent headpiece was designed from a lampshade.

Through the throng of people, another friend managed to find us.  

Of course, I had to text him a picture of what we looked like.

Here was another capoeirista, who drove up from Houston, just to be a part of the celebration.

Not quite sure how this costume fit the theme, but I’m so glad she wore it.

This guy, wearing the horse-head thong, definitely won the unofficial bare bottom contest. All the other virtually bottomless guys needed to find their pants.

Another carnaval highlight was watching our group play capoeira. Not too many joined the roda, but I enjoyed seeing them play.

 During a lull in the game, I convinced my friend to play. We were the only costumed capoeiristas.

I’d seen these jackalopes from across the way earlier in the night. I’m so happy they migrated closer by the end of the night. So many terrific costumes. It was like Halloween again.

The last time I had to memorize lines for a stage production was nearly 15 years ago–around the same time I’d seen “Vagina Monologues” in Denver.  I’d just barely found out about the auditions the night before they occurred.  Despite being the last one to find out. I was among the first to audition since I had to dash off to host the Austin Writers Roulette.

Unlike other stage productions I’d been a part of, this show was a fundraiser for Safe Place, which provides services for survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault as well as preventive, educational services. In addition to volunteering in this production, I wanted the opportunity to meet other creative, confident women. I was delighted to land the role of “The Little Coochie-Snorcher That Could” and started memorizing my lines as soon as the script was emailed to me, back in late November. I didn’t know what the acting expectations were for VM. I figured since I’d received the script so early, I had to memorize my lines. Plus, there were only two scheduled rehearsals for the Monday cast, wonderfully nicknamed “Cast Badass.”

In mid January, I met the other women for the first time at a photo shoot.  That’s where I learned we didn’t have to memorize our lines. I also learned we could deliver our lines standing or sitting.  Up until that point, I’d rehearsed my lines while seated. After the photo shoot, I started rehearsing at home with more animation, movement and a folding chair. My claim to fame was doing a mini burlesque routine with the chair while reciting lines about a positive sexual encounter–complete with falling out of it on cue.

At our first rehearsal, I feared my acting was too over the top. Yet, I stayed true to my interpretation. Afterwards, other VM actresses complimented my performance and said I’d raised the bar.

On the night of the performance, we opened to a sold out crowd. Four former coworkers and a fellow rouletter were among the audience members. Just before the show began, an American Sign Language interpreter, who signed for my part, came to the dressing room and gushed about how she loved my interpretation of my VM role. Although I thanked her, a small part of me worried if she’d just jinxed me.

Turns out, once I hit the stage, a welcoming wall of darkness cloaked the audience from me and the lines along with the movements flowed out of me. I didn’t flub or forget a single line. The audience response sealed the deal for me.

Afterwards, I only had one other part to play as a member of the orgasm choir who stood behind one woman who was seated in front of us. She recited about 2/3 of her monologue before we joined her on stage. I did the “black woman orgasm” by screaming “oh shit!” with three other black women. I also had the “tortured yogi orgasm,” where I made a protracted scream, which ended with a drawn out “om.”

With such a large cast, we had to come out on stage in several groups of four and then take individual bows when the director said our names. I did a full curtsey and enjoyed another fabulous applause.

Last year, I began teaching Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes in the evening, Monday through Thursday on January 5th. At the time, my nonprofit employer had just merged with an alternative, year-long adult education center.  As a result, my first day ended with a champagne toast. Of course, this had nothing to do with the fact I’d just completed my first day of work. Just terrific timing on my part.

So it’s rather fitting my last day of work dovetailed with another celebration: graduation. How wonderful I had the opportunity to mark my yearlong service in this way.

My last day at work also coincided with my second day of work at my new job, tutoring math full-time at a middle school. So, while my body still adjusted to working during the day, I had to rush home, eat, shower and dress up. I believe I pulled it off.

My only real duty prior to graduation was making sure the photographer knew which shots we wanted him to take. I relished the opportunity to “help the photographer.” After all, how often do I get this gussied up on a Tuesday?

Of course, he arrived at the venue before me and had already received instructions on the shots we wanted. Nonetheless, I helped him get the exposure correct.

Although we had a total of 55 students who’d successfully completed at least one of the four different educational courses we offer, I was especially proud of this particular student since she had originally been in my Chemistry class when I taught at an AISD high school.

Back then, she’d “disappeared.” In 2015, she enrolled into our ABE program, followed by the computer skills course, Job Readiness Program (JRP), and completed all the requirements of the GED (General Education Diploma) program, which consisted of four rigorous exams that some college graduates would fail. All that accomplishment along with giving birth to her son!

Throughout the school year, which goes year-round, the students formed friendships and celebrated one another’s achievements. So, this graduation provided a wonderful sense of closure as they moved forward with the rest of their lives.

Our key note speaker was Dr. Patricia Pickles, who I’d met at a free women’s empowerment conference, sponsored at a local community college. She was one of three women who I’d invited to speak to my students. Her moving talk brought both tears and newfound motivation to my class. In my email, where I thanked her for speaking to my students, I attached the volunteer documents since I wanted her to tutor at least once a week since my students liked her so much.

I was highly surprised a few weeks later when I discovered that she’d joined the organization as an Americorps volunteer–a much bigger commitment than the one I’d previously hope for.

So, I was not at all surprised that she accepted the opportunity to speak to the graduates. As per her usual heart-warming style, Dr. Pickles related some of the struggles from her life with what the graduates were going through.

Although a handful of my students had advanced through another course, I had the opportunity to hand one of my students his certificate for ABE. He was my symbolic good bye to all my evening adult students. My colleagues respected my request not tell the students I was leaving. As a matter of fact, I’d written all my ABE students, in a personalized collaged card, a note of encouragement for them to continue working toward their educational goal, which was delivered the next night.

For a second year in a row, I’ve started the new year with a new job.  Let the games begin!

I wasn’t part of the hoopla of moviegoers for Star Wars, but I jumped on the opportunity to attend a Star Wars fine arts opening. This art gallery swooped up two of the officially-commissioned Star Wars artists for this event and, most important, invited attendees to dress up.  Oh, boy! I shopped at my favorite costume place, Goodwill, in order to hook up my Princess Leia look. I couldn’t find a futuristic-looking white skirt; so I bought a white curtain and wore it upside down.

The second most challenging thing was transforming my dreads into Princess Leia buns. Once I made two braids, I curled them into buns, which I pinned with one mighty bobbie pin. Hardly anyone else dressed up for the occasion. Yet the quality of the art was amazing.

First, I spoke with Rob Kaz. He was busily painting in acrylic on a flat canvas. He agreed with me that practicing on pressed cardboard, such as cereal boxes, is an excellent way to go. I even told him how I cut up my crappy cardboard paintings to make greeting cards out of them.

Allison Lefcort shared a little of her process, showing us her sketches, which she goes by when making the final masterpiece.

Another Princess Leia posed with me. I love that we were both drinking gimlets, thanks to the alcohol sponsor. Of course, I left my card with some of the women who worked with the sponsor. Perhaps one day, they’ll come to my show. Or better yet, sponsor it.

The vividness of this painting made it look like an aquarium. Of course, the first clue was Yoda standing there.

I didn’t want to burden my friend with being my personal photographer, but I had to capture as much art as possible. The exhibit almost made me want to see the movie, but knowing me, I’ll wait for it to come on Netflix.

Of course, I had to pose with the guy who brought a light saber. He was happy to cooperate.

I’d rigged up my wrap; so I could cover my head when I wanted and it wouldn’t fall off my shoulders when uncovered. Worked well while posing with the dark lords.

Here’s my favorite Yoda picture.

I liked this poster since it shows the universality of Star Wars.