Hey, long time no see! Summer has finally arrived and my brain is abuzz with activity. In case you think I haven’t been “here,” that is soooooo not true! I created a page for Telling but, OOPS —- don’t think I told anybody about it. I’ll be sure to add more as we travel down this path. I’m meeting BR McDonald and Shannon Dunn this coming Monday to discuss the logistics for the Hopkins performance. And I’ve met with Emily Russell and Kirsten Poulsen-House from MICA about their contribution to the productions. At this point, they’ll be working on an installation or an exhibit that will lend itself to the entire “audience experience” of the performance. Something that serves as a portal to the world of the presentation.

The Veterans Artist Program works in conjunction with Telling and we’ll be utilizing the resources of both organizations. This, as they say, is a good thing.

I’m also working with the Hopkins Center for Educational Resources to create a video based on their “Preparing Future Faculty Teaching Academy”. It’ll be a 3-5 minute promotional Video that highlights their summer academy workshop.

 

 

 

 

 

For this I’m working with Elizabeth Donadio, my Videographer/Editor. We’re looking to finish up later in June. This weekend I’m riding with a couple of my bike buddies from the Welch Library. We’re doing “Tour Dem Parks”. I can’t remember how many years I’ve done this ride, but I know it’s certainly been a few. My pals Anne and Dwight are the organizers.

Always a great ride. I appreciate more and more of the city as we wind our way through it. This past weekend, I did the MS Ride in Easton, Maryland.

 

 

 

 

I did the 100 mile route and was proud as a peacock. Though I hadn’t ridden on any official “training rides”, I do ride most every day. But would this carry me through 100 miles on windy stretches of the eastern shore?

Well lo and behold, I felt strong the whole day. I got a late start (a little more than an hour after the century ride began), but one of the tour registration folks whispered “just follow the metric century route, it’s the same ride—and then at mile 66 you’ll see the signs to continue onto the century”. So I did. Lucky me too, I didn’t want to ride no stinkin METRIC CENTURY. Not after waking up at 4:30, packing the bike, and wiffee and I making this a grand weekend getaway. Nothing wrong with the Metric, mind you, but I wanted to “go long”. Riding was such a rush, for so many reasons. I had my hybrid KONA which was definitely not the choice most cyclists make. They have sleek 16-20 pound bikes. And 200 dollar shoes and….oh I could go on. The point is, I never felt slow or weak. I felt strong and powerful. What a combination, my friends. That, in itself, is a good thing to know after all these years in the saddle. Coming into the last mile or so, I couldn’t have been happier knowing this ride was now under my belt. What I set out in my mind to do, had become reality. That’s why the beer tasted EXTRA cold, and the steak tasted EXTRA great. (I wonder how many more “great secrets of life” I can pass out today) I find that there’s a synergy of play and work that I must have. On the average day, it might not be transparent, and I have to cultivate it more than other days. But there clearly is an equation. There clearly is a map for me to follow.

Just when I was thinking “What have I been up to? What have I got to write home about” —- Gosh Gee, there appears to be alot.