My belly is full of tofu fried rice

Dear Austin,

Oh, why must you have a Goodwill where everything I found fit me perfectly and is a reasonable price, yet still beyond my means of spending? I guess I just have to have fun trying things on and saying goodbye to them, until the money flows like a tree losing leaves. Or, at least until I can afford a $30/week budget for extras in my life.

Sincerely yours,

Marla Mae

P.S. I think we are headed to Barton Springs in a little while. By the ways, Flipside was an amazing time! Met so many interesting and talented people. Laughed, played on aerial rigs, and did acro yoga. Dressed up, ate good food, and volunteered. Pink Monkey is my Flipside name, as on my Shaven Apes shift I was in all pink, due to the fact that the yellow shirts could not be found. (Shaven Apes is Flipside's version of DPW). Anyhoo, good times had by all. I believe Jason and I are hitting the road en route to Colorado as of tomorrow, so if I do not update for a while, I will have lots to say in a few days!

All feet are the same! Toodles. <3

Ridin' on a bus...

I shall be on a bus for 12 hours. Fun. I think my pillow will be in my face 85 percent of the time.

Stacy Jane and I went and saw the Mississippi River last night after eating at The Green Goddess and having some frozen yogurt. The river is SOOO high. However, they are saying that it has crested, so New Orleans is safe. Bless all the people that are getting any flooding, however. I have them in my thoughts and prayers.

It is good to be going home for a week. I can work, help move in to the new house, and hopefully get over these allergies I have had for about a week. My head feels like a little balloon. :/

I will miss this city, but I will be honest that in the past two weeks I have learned that New Orleans is yet only a beautiful city for me to visit. It will always feel like a home away from home, when I need an urban atmosphere and some nice southern hospitality.

Time to go eat before boarding the bus. I wish I could get the pictures off of the only camera I have now, which is my phone, but I can't. :( But, I shall remedy this soon.

Love and Light to all,

Marla Mae

Two burns, and a wedding

Oh, the beauty of life and it's ever-changing momentum!

That's ok, because I come equipped with the skills to deal with change when it comes blowing it's hot, nasty breath in my face. This is a metaphor of sorts for the way Bourbon St. smells.

Actually, it is the caution being thrown to the wind that I must leave this town even sooner than the 21st. The decision to open the Morganza spillway or leave it shut, well, I don't want to be here to deal with the consequences of either decision. And, on top of the reasons to leave this city early, I am very much needed to work back home!

I have never been on a public bus for 12 hours, so this should be interesting. My friend Stacy, whom I have been staying with, is coming down with me, as we were going to be ride sharing with her to Austin, since she was going to spend some time there this summer as well. So, at least I have a travel companion on the bus.

So, now I am going to Flipside in Austin, Apogaea in Colorado, and then the wedding in New Mexico. This will be a good summer of travels. And then I will be so happy to be back home, in my new home. :)

Friday the 13th in the French Quarter. Could be some interesting people watching tonight.

NOLA NOLA

Oh, time. How funny it can be.

I can hardly believe that I have already been away from home for three days. Nothing too action packed has happened yet. I am waiting for the busy of Jazz Fest to end before I really go out exploring the city with my eyes open to possibility.

Taking in some sights and sounds of the city is always enriching. The locals all come out to unwind around 6 or 7 in the morning, when they get off work from whatever hospitality job they have. I know this because around that time the bar that we live above begins thumping with the jukebox music. I can still sleep, however. I just take note of what time it is when it begins.

Today is groceries, yoga, and walking around Jackson Square. And maybe seeing some local music on Frenchmen St. this evening.

Happy Birthday to the wonderful Victoria today! I wish I could be home to celebrate and eat cake with her!

On the road, as of tomorrow.

My mind is an ocean of thoughts and agendas at the moment.

Florida Preheat was an amazing time. Being surrounded by so many inspirational human beings is the perfect way to recharge before I have to add more life experience to the bag of tricks that I hold.

Going to several places I already have a familiarity with is going to be good, because I can take a different stance this time. I know people there, I know about some of the places, so I can focus more on the networking interactions as an artist. And, take in as much as possible for when I sit down in the month of November to write, write, and write.

First stop, New Orleans. Meshpa is going with me and we are staying with a beautiful friend who is giving us a place to stay right in the Quarter. I will also hopefully be meeting someone who has just started her own burlesque troupe, as I am taking my next steps to knowing the performance community in this illustrious, creative city.

Jason will be meeting me there in a couple weeks to pick me and Stacy Jane up to go to Austin. Stacy Jane is going to be there exploring her musical side all summer, while we go to Flipside and then stay with some of his old high school friends. My goal for Austin work-wise is to find at least three venues where I can take a business card and genuinely ask if they would ever want an aerialist for an event. Good practice, and could open doors.

Then on to New Mexico. We get to be there for the union of two beautiful souls. I am really excited to have some bonding time with Jason while we travel through New Mexcico together this time.

I need to breathe. Right now I am feeling overwhelmed, yet none of this is too much at all. Let's start the day and get things done. I need to get some work done for some extra money.

I will see you on the road...

Love and Light,

Marla Mae

Another Rendez-vous with I-10 awaits...

...except this time, I will have a boy in the car with me, rather than a girl.

A boy whom I love. And I think he loves me, too.

May 3rd. I leave Florida. When will I return? June or July. Opportunities and fun, friendly gatherings have me igniting the travel flame within, once again.

Be prepared for more updates about this. In the meantime, fall in love with the springtime. :)