13 years ago you pressed on my belly, my ribs, my bladder
pushing your way out, demanding your time
Before
You hid from the world for months, waiting to make your presence known
in your way
Later
You were the oldest small child anyone met
Conversing and carrying on with adults all over the world
Later still
You hid again. Biding your time, hiding behind your laugh
It wasn't yet time
Now
You appear in flashes and whispers, in digital verse and sketches full of subtlety and depth
Almost time
to reveal yourself again, yet different. Grown and growing. Evolved and evolving.
Change is the only constant,
but you've known that from the beginning
13 years ago.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Monday, January 6, 2014
To the Snarky One in the Room:
Your comments, though often humorous and interesting, detract from the productivity of everyone involved in the creative process. When you point out something obvious, in a marvelous combination of acidity and wit, we all notice and give you attention; however, you have only lost the respect of those of us who are trying to make the best possible product out of an imperfect process.
Your talent for vocalizing your perceptions of the flaws and weaknesses in others is unparalleled. And sad. Have you so few gifts to employ and share with others?
Apparently.
And yet, I have compassion for you. I have been you: Insecure, inexperienced, and unnecessary in a room full of masters.
I urge you, for your future, stop burning the bridges and learn to keep your mouth shut. Employ the gift of an inner monologue. I promise, we - your captive audience - are tired of hearing your voice constantly polluting the (sacred) space. And, in the event you have an idea worth airing, we might be open to entertaining it. At present, I say "no" before you've even finished your sentence.
Oh, snarky one, I know you will probably not read this, but just in case: take this little note as a lesson in method. I did not call you out in front of your peers, and I did not eat your (precious) work time with the full cast by vocalizing my opinion at every pause for breath. As much as I would have liked to; it would not have served the larger purpose for which we are all employed: to make a great piece of art.
Walking away with joy,
-k.k. :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Your talent for vocalizing your perceptions of the flaws and weaknesses in others is unparalleled. And sad. Have you so few gifts to employ and share with others?
Apparently.
And yet, I have compassion for you. I have been you: Insecure, inexperienced, and unnecessary in a room full of masters.
I urge you, for your future, stop burning the bridges and learn to keep your mouth shut. Employ the gift of an inner monologue. I promise, we - your captive audience - are tired of hearing your voice constantly polluting the (sacred) space. And, in the event you have an idea worth airing, we might be open to entertaining it. At present, I say "no" before you've even finished your sentence.
Oh, snarky one, I know you will probably not read this, but just in case: take this little note as a lesson in method. I did not call you out in front of your peers, and I did not eat your (precious) work time with the full cast by vocalizing my opinion at every pause for breath. As much as I would have liked to; it would not have served the larger purpose for which we are all employed: to make a great piece of art.
Walking away with joy,
-k.k. :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Right Flavor
The right flavor?
Yes. Absolutely!
This is fulfillment:
Doing the what I do, better.
Thankful. Happy. Out.
Enjoying the scene, writing this, seeing the faces,
Hearing the music, tasting the fare.
Unexpected moments of serendipity & fate:
Joy.
Walk with it.
12/10/13
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Yes. Absolutely!
This is fulfillment:
Doing the what I do, better.
Thankful. Happy. Out.
Enjoying the scene, writing this, seeing the faces,
Hearing the music, tasting the fare.
Unexpected moments of serendipity & fate:
Joy.
Walk with it.
12/10/13
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Perpendicular
Our timing is off/
disjointed and severe/
sitting across from each other in perpendicular silence/
a shift will come/
rumblings of a tiny earthquake/
altering our landscape/
new again/
I look at you with curiosity bordering on desire/
almost
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
disjointed and severe/
sitting across from each other in perpendicular silence/
a shift will come/
rumblings of a tiny earthquake/
altering our landscape/
new again/
I look at you with curiosity bordering on desire/
almost
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Random
Bizarro friend situation.
Getting back out into the world.
Seeing old friends for the first time in a long time - YEARS.
Meeting & keeping new friends borne out of common experience.
Finding rest in solitude instead of running toward a crowd for comfort.
Walking.
Walking.
Walking.
Finding my path.
Never left it.
Go.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Getting back out into the world.
Seeing old friends for the first time in a long time - YEARS.
Meeting & keeping new friends borne out of common experience.
Finding rest in solitude instead of running toward a crowd for comfort.
Walking.
Walking.
Walking.
Finding my path.
Never left it.
Go.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Meditation
Cat fight outside
Cat fight in my head
Baby in my belly won't go to bed
Irritated, frustrated; feeling quite alone
Working through the weight
Breathing past the pain
Body/mind rebellion
More of the same
Watching myself go through the motions
Bored, tired and dry
Waiting on the spark
The will to try
He's laying next to me
But not with me
Even this is wrapped in guilt
No escape
No reprieve
Take a deep breath
It's just a scene
A moment
Passing like the others
Flowing with the stream
Rejoining calmer waters
Released inside a dream
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Making people & things
I'm in the process of building baby #3....which means I'm also making dances and poems in a very process-oriented way. Contradiction Dance did a very informal showing of the some work yesterday. It felt good. Even when I'm too pregnant to dance myself, it feels wonderful to still put my ideas out there.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, December 2, 2012
snowflakes
adding up
like snowflakes
falling
collecting
combining
sticking
where is the sun
melting
washing
cleansing
clearing
away
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Dear Grandmother
I think of you...
When I make soup. When I water the plants. When I clean the tub.
(cheap shampoo works best)
When I see something you made because you took the time to make beautiful things.
When I wrap a gift. When I un-wrap a gift. Because you gave so many.
When I am angry at my husband for being himself. I remember your wise words:
"I love him. Sometimes I just don't like him very much."
When I dance.
You told me to keep going because you did. I remember you doing a time-step for me.
(who knew you could tap?)
Time steps for all of us.
All over us. Relentlessly.
Wrapped up in memory, circuitous and flimsy; the ribbon ties us in knots.
Un-tied by time. A life un-done by the long goodbye of a cruel disease.
Bound together again here. Now. By all of us.
The beautiful things she made.
So lovingly, unsparingly, and with great precision.
Yours is a deliberate soul made colorful by her passion, creativity, and wit.
Perfect slacks, blouses and demi-heels rapping a solid 4/4 march through my childhood.
Unapologetically demanding respect. Decisive and ambitious.
You taught me fierce.
When I am fierce, I am you.
I am fierce.
I am you.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
F A S H I O N V I C T I M
Please support our next production!
In our most ambitious show yet, Contradiction Dance presents a world-premiere production where dance as theatre smashes into high fashion on the runway.
F A S H I O N V I C T I M explores and exposes the emotional roller-coaster that is the fashion world, and the many ways in which this culture bleeds into our everyday lives. A performance bursting with multiple forms of art—dance, live singing, and dramatic portrayals—
F A S H I O N V I C T I M features fashion as art, and a world where we strive to balance conventionality and individuality.
As a company, Contradiction Dance questions and reflects societal assumptions, making a bold statement. We aim to discover and uncover. We seek to express and explore.
This is an ambitious project. Your support allows us to:
Purchase costumes and set pieces
Pay dancer rehearsal/performance stipends
Pay artistic designer stipends
Assist with rental costs
If you aren't able to contribute today, please spread the word about our project. We need your personal shout-out!
From all of us,
Thank YOU!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
In our most ambitious show yet, Contradiction Dance presents a world-premiere production where dance as theatre smashes into high fashion on the runway.
F A S H I O N V I C T I M explores and exposes the emotional roller-coaster that is the fashion world, and the many ways in which this culture bleeds into our everyday lives. A performance bursting with multiple forms of art—dance, live singing, and dramatic portrayals—
F A S H I O N V I C T I M features fashion as art, and a world where we strive to balance conventionality and individuality.
As a company, Contradiction Dance questions and reflects societal assumptions, making a bold statement. We aim to discover and uncover. We seek to express and explore.
This is an ambitious project. Your support allows us to:
Purchase costumes and set pieces
Pay dancer rehearsal/performance stipends
Pay artistic designer stipends
Assist with rental costs
If you aren't able to contribute today, please spread the word about our project. We need your personal shout-out!
From all of us,
Thank YOU!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Element
ELEMENT
as the sand calls the sea
and the wind chases the rain
like the sun kisses the horizon
this love just became
-KEM
3/14/08
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
as the sand calls the sea
and the wind chases the rain
like the sun kisses the horizon
this love just became
-KEM
3/14/08
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Gifts
My personal mission as a dance-maker includes financially supporting my dancers. You see, a dancer is a rare bird of selfless giving that way. Our work tends to reach a tiny audience (a post for another time), therefore the box office proceeds (if any) tend to get swallowed up by the producer, the production costs themselves, and basic overhead costs of the company. The dancers themselves are left with little or no financial reward for their efforts. Many times in my past I've been able to offer artists decent compensation for the extent of their tenure with me, despite the above hurdles.
That all changed when the recession hit. I owe my dancers from last season still. Everyday I wake up thinking about letting down the very people who inspire me to create. Everyday I do something to rectify the situation.
Today, I am asking you to support our current project: THE GIFT
It is one of the best concerts I've had the pleasure of making. It has taken the creative talents of the entire company to bring to fruition. It is good. Very good. It will be excellent by opening night. I feel it in my bones.
Please, visit our indiegogo campaign and support these dancers. A little goes a long way, and it means so very much.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
That all changed when the recession hit. I owe my dancers from last season still. Everyday I wake up thinking about letting down the very people who inspire me to create. Everyday I do something to rectify the situation.
Today, I am asking you to support our current project: THE GIFT
It is one of the best concerts I've had the pleasure of making. It has taken the creative talents of the entire company to bring to fruition. It is good. Very good. It will be excellent by opening night. I feel it in my bones.
Please, visit our indiegogo campaign and support these dancers. A little goes a long way, and it means so very much.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tiny Walls
Tiny Walls of stone
Invasive plants out
Stepping-stones in
Building a path
One river rock
at a time
Sunburnt back
scraping trowel
tap, tap of a stone
being placed
Tiny walls of stone
Building a path
Home
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Monday, February 13, 2012
Things my mom says...
Me: don't worry about the grapes. I can freeze them. They make good ice cubes.
Mom: Only when you inject vodka.
Mom: Only when you inject vodka.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Sensations
Sometimes I feel like my eyes are my entire face. I lose awareness of the nose I have for smelling, the mouth I have for tasting, the ears I have for listening and the skin I have for touching.
Closing my eyes, swimming in awareness and filtering out what I see; remembering 4/5 of the experience lies elsewhere.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Closing my eyes, swimming in awareness and filtering out what I see; remembering 4/5 of the experience lies elsewhere.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, September 2, 2011
Me Time
a.k. (theoldspiceman) is out. I have me time. ME TIME. So far this night has included a dinner I made, a rare treat I'll not name here, wine, and a bubble bath. Once upon a long time ago, I would have taken this night to be OUT. And I mean OUT. Dancing with friends, making new ones, and just getting lost on the floor.
Now? Well... I was thinking about that very thing. When did I stop wanting to break the floor? Maybe I'll return to it; but, at this moment, it sounds, well... silly.
It's not silly at all! It used to be a primal need.
I needed to get lost in the beat and dance until my blisters popped and I couldn't feel my pinky toes.
Something tells me it's time to re-visit the old stomping grounds in a new way. Earlier, with a babysitter, and wearing practical shoes.
OH, HELL NO! (To the shoes part. Breaking the floor involves an old saying, "Beauty knows no pain.")
And, let's face it ladies: we look better in heels.
I suppose it's time to plan an outing. Who's in?!
And, just to complete the loop, the contentment in having the "me time" to think about and write this little note is beyond compare.
My shoulders just dropped an inch.
Thanks a.k. :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The Great Negotiators
Who knew? A lot of you, that's who. Those of you who've had 'em for your entire post-adolescent lives. You know what I'm talking about: your "Great Negotiators"! Your BOOBS!
They are AWESOME. I had no idea how powerful and marvelous they can be... of course, as a dancer, I was thrilled not to have them. As a mostly retired dancer, BRING THEM ON!
On a serious tip, it's been a long and shitty week in both business and preggo land. I needed something silly and joyful to think on for a bit. Boobs, you did it. Thanks again for being the luscious mounds that you are... even if you're - dare I say it? Starting to sag under your own weight.
Oh, dear.
What now?
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Riding the Metro. Or not.
I rarely ride the metro. When I do, it's due to car repairs or lack of public parking at my final destination. I would love to be a regular rider, but it's not realistic with my parenting world right now. However, this week gave me pause - would I love to be a regular rider? Now, I'm not so sure.
My car was in the shop, so I was on Metro for two days. Two days = 4 trips = $9.30. Plus, the RED LINE ALWAYS HAS TRACK DELAYS. Seriously. Last night, I waited 30 minutes for a train. There was a break-down on the tracks between Ft. Totten & Brookland/CUA.
Even if I wasn't 8 months pregnant and dead-tired from a long day of work, I would have been upset. It just doesn't make economic sense for our public transportation to be more expensive than driving AND less reliable.
Is this the best we can do in the DMV? Really?! Grrs.
Monday, February 28, 2011
I can feel it expanding.
My ass. It's getting bigger by the second. The rapid expansion is partly due to the regular course of pro-creation, but part of it is due to the rebellion within my own body. Apprently, this time around, my body does not want me to do much of... anything.
Yesterday, after a normal Sunday of being my daughter's taxi service to rehearsal and back, some housework, dinner making, etc. my body rebelled. I have an inflamed tendon on my right ankle.
WFT?! It's not like I was running a 10k just for kicks.
I am experiencing serious brain/body disconnect. Either my brain is completely shut down, rendering me capable of 7th grade reasoning; or, I feel like a capable human - only I can't walk.
GRRRRRSSSS!
And, if one more person tells me how "normal" this is, I'll deck 'em just for stating the obvious. However, it's not my obvious. Last time I carried a kid around in my belly, I wasn't bed-ridden and moronic. Just moronic.
Sorry for the rant, I'm just not used to the ass yet.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Wishes
I wish
You understood
I had more patience
You saw my mind
I gave you more
You would ask
I could wait
You needed to
I didn't
You well
I might
You'd hurry
I'd stay
You saw
I'd say
You knew
I'd g(r)o(w)
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