move if you wanna

i noticed something this evening that, truly, is a reoccurring realization in my life. i noticed how there is such a simplistic beauty in the most subtle movements and, before i continue, i should mention: this topic can very quickly and easily become terribly cliche and so, to prevent that as best i can, let me just provide several examples of what i mean and not attempt to bore you with my uneloquent attempts at describing something that is beyond my creative process, at 2am on a Sunday morning.

i notice it more often in those that i am attracted to but when i truly pay attention, i can find it in anyone. there are physical appearances, sure. but, as the saying goes, there is so much more than what we can see with a passing glance.

i recently found myself on a tangent regarding the body and my feelings towards it. my partner in conversation said she liked to imagine the body as a home, something that is lived in and comfortable, and not something that should be held so sacredly. and i loved that image: the time we spend in our physical bodies, in the grand scheme of things, is a small fraction of eternity. it is our instinct to adapt to situations or locations in our lives but part of the way that we adapt is to do whatever it takes to make ourselves comfortable: we purchase clothing that is either comfortable or practical or lovely or rich or ornate or inspiring. we may adorn our bodies with artwork in the form of makeup, jewelry, tattoos, piercings, paints or masks. we purchase a car or computer or comforter to suit our personalities and our lifestyles. all of these things add up to the expression of our souls, a deeper entity than just our physical beings.

but so often, we underestimate just what power our physical beings possess. our brains have the ability to process massive amounts of information. our hearts know to pump just the right amount of blood. many of us possess the abilities to see, hear, smell, and taste. and we have communication, the power by which we form many of our relationships in life. communication, really, is the basis of all relationships, i would say.

and although i suspect much of our ability to pass on oral histories or the true art of conversation is degenerating somewhat, we truly underestimate how much we are saying, all the time.

it's in the way we slide our credit card from our wallet. it's the way we button or unbutton our jeans, either before or after the zipper, and wiggle our way into them so that they fit just right. it's in the way we slip on a perfect pair of heels. it's in the way we flip our bangs out of our eyes when we're playing soccer or when we're driving down the road with the windows down. it's in the way we struggle to retrieve something at the bottom of our purse or the way we slip on our sunglasses before we unlock our car. it's in the way we stretch at our desks or the way we reach for the hand rail in the subway or metro or underground. it's in the way pick up our delicate glass of wine and hold it at such a precise angle, near our face, as we continue to speak. it's in the way we text when we're excited about the person on the receiving end. it's in the way we tighten our scarves or loosen our ties. it's in the way slip our hand in our back pocket or run our fingers through the back of our hair so carelessly. it's in the way we do that little half smile that means so many different things, all at once. it's in the way that we place our fingers in front of our lips and seemingly stare into space when we are really concentrating on something. it's in the way that we choose to lean on nearby objects, or the way we slouch when we're waiting for the bus. it's in the way we wave, whether it's enthusiastically with both hands, or whether it's a tamed, fan wave of each little finger. it's in the way we caress an object of importance. in short- these little, tiny movements that are so often simply survival mechanisms or learned behaviors are conveying something, are telling a story, in some capacity. it is for this reason that these behaviors or movements are so beautiful, because they are unique to each individual. no two people will hold a glass of wine just the exact same way and no two people will retrieve a dropped pen the same way. these physical actions are an outer reflection of what makes each of us beautiful.

soon, at elsewhere, i'm establishing a storytime, of sorts. i haven't sorted out all of the details yet, but there will be smores. i'm requesting that each person bring with them a story- true, fable, personal, borrowed. in this way, we will not only be practicing an art that has been practiced as long as people have existed (oral story telling) but we will also get a chance to know one another more deeply, once we learn about the stories that have shaped them.

summer @ elsewhere.

Wow.

So, it's been a while...?

In short, the semester was a bit of a disaster. And although I still feel some things looming over me that may or may not have been taken care of before I departed, it is (for the most part) behind me.
But two fabulous things did occur this semester: I secured an internship position at elsewhere and I designed my first set of costumes in the theater department at Elon and...ever, really. It was successful, I think, and I learned so much. I think the opportunity presented itself at just the right time and, although it was very time intensive, was an experience that I very much needed for a whole slew of reasons. After emerging on the other side, it is an experience that I am sure I would like to be a part of again. And I was finally exposed to some of the students within the department on a much more personal level, which was very fun.

My internship at elsewhere has begun!! I started with a staff meeting last week, and so my second full week commenced today. My schedule is very flexible, as long as I ensure that I complete at least 20 hours of work a week. The museum is open to the public Wednesday-Saturday from 1pm-11pm, but Tuesdays are staff days. I came in on a very good week, I think- it was the kick-off to "urban green", a whole week's worth of events celebrating the completion of the urban, alley garden that has been an ongoing project for quite some time.

I am completely engaged and pleased and satisfied not only with my position(s) there but also with the people that I have had a chance to meet and work with (collaborate with, if you will). In short: I couldn't be happier.

The atmosphere is just what I needed, self-prescribed I think. I think the best way to explain it is that I not only feel comfortable and lose myself in an alternate universe of discovery, but the people that I am encountering are all of the same mindset (we are all together to collaborate and create works of art within the space that, in turn, will help us involve and educate our community that we are a part of) yet they are not afraid of their individuality and their unique voice, which is so empowering. It's a nice community for me right now, for my growth, I think. And the process of learning and collaborating and creating is ongoing, using objects that are in a constant state of change and "re-birth", so to speak.

I'm nearly positive I've posted the link here before but, just for good measure, I'm throwing it in again:
elsewhere

My official title is "fashion/wardrobe intern". A large part of my position requires me to organize/be responsible for the extensive wardrobe that seemingly multiplies on a regular basis in a small room on the 2nd floor of the building. Before I leave at the end of the summer, the wardrobe will (God help me...) be completely reorganized and a new system will be set in place for maintaining that organization. In addition, all of the clothing in the building will be contained in a small space that can be easily accessed. Smart, right? Put the obsessive compulsive organizer in a room full of costumes and have her go at it. It's perfect. I'm in hog heaven, really.

But, in addition, my job changes on a daily basis. I'm there to assist the artists working with whatever they need. And I'm learning how to work the front desk, to welcome visitors. I'm also working at the events, to help prepare or manage the crowds during the event. This has been really fun, getting to meet members of the community. I have really enjoyed that.

We regularly have events on Friday evenings, at 8pm. In the month of June, these events will be a series of artist conversations that are interactive.

We also have a food co-op, which has been really interesting just to get the hang of. But I've helped cook dinner (all the food is vegetarian) and I've begun to get a little more involved in that. The teamwork process of a co-op is really inspiring, actually, and such a community-builder.

Because I so easily lose myself at/in elsewhere, I have yet to assess the rest of my summer life: meeting up with old friends, babysitting, actually tying up all those lose ends at school (unpacking my things from school to home!?), and being on top of a normal lifestyle at home, as well. These are all things that, I hope, will fall into place as my schedule becomes a little more consistent at work. But I will continue to enjoy myself.

I have taken a few pictures at elsewhere, particularly of the wardrobe as it progresses. Those images will come soon, I promise.

In the meantime, if you're reading this locally, I'd be really thrilled to see your face at the museum any time, be it during an event or even normal business hours. I'll give you a mini tour (the best I know how, at this point?).

Thanks for your patience during this semester, with the lack of blog postage. I'm terrible, honestly, and I vow to be better this summer (isn't that always the case? Poor summer, is always having responsibility piled on top of it that it, so often, cannot realistically handle).

In the meantime... :)

Alexa