No Longer On the Verge…

…of August, that is. It’s here, actually. Right now. And I’m finally feeling ready for life.

But that was supposed to happen at the beginning of June, wasn’t it? At least that’s

what I feel like we’re told via advertisements that tell us summer is what life is for. And I guess I have lived this summer, even if it’s all a blur in retrospect. I moved to NY, I’ve managed to pay rent and still have a good time, and every couple of days I wake up in the bed of a very handsome fuzzy dude that happens to live just a few blocks from my job. It just so happens to be the same dude every time.

Life has happened to me over the past couple of months, even if the summer didn’t start off with my having the highest self-esteem or most positive outlook. But it’s Autumn that really gets my goat. In a good way. Crisp weather energizes me. It’s the next three months’ descent into winter that thrill me and I’m guessing will be close to my most productive all year. I think I’m still on a school schedule in my head and can’t really fathom ever leaving it behind. September is for renewal in productivity. Evil heat and humidity shan’t deter thee.

On that note, I have a lot of catching up to do. In the next week or so, I’ll try to find a way to upload “El Mundo”, my FIRST ZINE EVER, onto this blog, as well as try to find out why some of my story links are broken/missing. One of my other goals is to finish my second zine before the end of August (“QuLT #1″) so I can jump into making a new zine this Autumn. And finally, I need to finish out my work with Freedom Train Productions, which so graciously accepted me as an Open Workshop Participant in June despite my being a lousy easily distracted student who’s significantly more motivated to write for the screen than the stage at the moment.

I don’t believe in missed opportunities.

On Art

Fitting that I should talk about art right now seeing as it’s what’s consumed my life for these past few weeks. Oh no, not my own art. Heaven forbid. No no, the art that has devoured me and all my time can be found in the Creative Time exhibition on Governors Island this summer, This World and Nearer Ones.

It’s been strange working for an arts organization, being inspired constantly by artists’ work from around the world have about no time at all to make your own stuff. I’ve got about a month’s worth of Muse backed up in my creative intestines and, seeing as I’ve been granted more and more time to myself these days, where do I begin? Resume my guitar practice or put some cash aside for a pottery class? And I haven’t collaged in a good long while…

As much as it’s nice to learn about artists internationally, it’s even more inspiring when those artists are close at hand. Like, your friends, I mean. I’m always turned on by others’ passions and pursuits, and it’s always a joy to see someone you know really begin to make waves in their chosen field.

Johnathan Lewis – a Miami native, Boston-resident, and friend of mine – is opening at The Schoohouse Gallery this August in an exhibition featuring the likes of Amy Arbus. His photographic work has focused on the bear community and the divine form of the male body. An article he’s written about his work can be found on the pretty awesomely rad Qind Blogazine site.

And me? I’m off to make art. And love. Of some kind or another.

Governor’s Island

Today was a long one. As I rushed out the door to the subway station in order to get to work on time, I remembered to be grateful for the day gifted me and felt prompted to feel especially grateful for both the predictable and the unpredictable. I don’t know how I could have expected less than the latter during intern orientation day at the very unique Creative Time office. After TMI about office procedures, I was made to take an unexpected trip to Governor’s Island where a bunch of large scale installation art is being put up at the end of the month by artists from around the world working with the organization.

It’s a really beautiful green space and, of course, there are very few of those in NY. I wonder how many people actually take the time to take the ferry out there during the summer. It’s definitely in my plans to, outside of work obligations. Part of my plan to make my NY experience wholeheartedly mine…to really make an effort to find what I need and incorporate those things into my life in hopes that they’ll help me thrive. It’ll require spending a lot less time in front of this clunky piece of machinery and a lot more time on my bike.

Summer isn’t the time for me to feel like a clunky piece of machinery, either. To the Y or Bust!