a turn of events...

...when last we left our world traveler, she was waving goodbye to Minneapolis from the green Nissan, named "Esmerelda," and headed across the country to visit with friends and family, and eventually to seek her fortunes in Hotlanta. Now, a new episode emerges unexpectedly...

Dear Family and Friends,

I know that you were all thinking that I was headed to Atlanta in the next week or so after having spent nearly a month traveling and visiting people. However, while I was driving from Minneapolis to D.C., I got a very interesting e-mail, which spun life off into a totally new direction.

A group called HERE (Honoring Experiences, Reflections, and Expressions) coalesced in Blacksburg during the months following the tragedy that occurred in our community on April 16. These fine citizens consist of a broad cross-section of community leadership and some campus as well. They're desired goal was to facilitate avenues for community dialogue and artistic response to the new place that we find ourselves. After a certain point, the committee agreed that there was too much work to be done with just volunteers who all had full-time jobs and commitments in other arenas. So, they have asked me to come on board as their first staff member.

It is most exciting, humbling, and terrifying for me to take on this work, but I'm proud to do it. I'm starting out with a three-month contract with the option to renew at the end of that time if it makes sense to both parties.

So, to Blacksburg I return, if for only a brief stint. Wish me luck! I'm sure I'll have more stories to tell over time.

Thanks for all of your constant support.

(As always, this makes for a good time for you to hit reply and tell me what's going on in your neck of the woods!)

Cheers,
Shannon

hitting the road again

I know that it's been a while since you've heard from me. What can I say? The muse has not been with me over the past few months since I returned to Minneapolis. Part of it, I think, has to do with the natural mental lethargy that comes from having gone through what we all did at Virginia Tech. Another part having a lot to do with the fact that I've been extremely busy.

And this post carries no greater illusion than just to let you know where I'm at. No higher minded observation about life but a simple travelogue.

B-Girl Be happened. You can read about it on intermediaarts.org. That's the summit that I was here to work with. It was a whirlwind for sure. And, needless to say, I'm done with divas.

As soon as the summit ended, I flew out to Boulder, Colorado for a week to visit some good friends. We hiked, camped, enjoyed the hot springs, and ate our brains out.

So, now I'm back in Minneapolis and getting ready to hit the open road again. I'm going to D.C. this time. It'll be a 17 hour drive, but I'm going to break it up over the course of a few days. There I'll visit with some good friends as well.

After that, it's Blacksburg for a week to help develop a play, then home to Maryville to visit the fam, and eventually, I'll wind up in Atlanta which is where I've set my sites to live next. No job offers so far, but I apply for a new one almost every day.

I hope that you're all well in your respective areas of the world. Drop me a line and let me know how you are.

Love,
Shannon