This Summer's Creative Outlets

I have a tendency to be a "go, go, go" kind of person. I plan out entire weekends filled with errands and stuff like that, and it usually makes me overly stressed. I've been doing my best to incorporate something creative into my summer. The weekends are just slowly being taken away by family, work, etc. obligations, and with commuting, I'm becoming more concerned that any time for a break is disappearing.

My ultimate goal in life is to have my own stained glass studio. I learned how to do it in high school, and it's generally not all that expensive to get started. There are starter kits online for like $130 which really isn't too bad. And the glass really isn't that expensive either. I got really good at using the glass efficiently and could get a few projects out of one sheet of glass. The big problem is that the actual workshop itself, with needed ventilation for soldering and stuff, is expensive and takes up a lot of room. Unfortunately, I pick stuff that you can't just do in your living room. And it doesn't look like Don't Throw Stones in York is offering any classes or time in their workshop over the summer. So I'm majorly pissed about that. So it looks like in this case, I'll be stuck designing projects for the future, which is fun...but it's just not as good as getting your hands on some pretty glass and making something out of it.

Right now, I'm looking for a place in Harrisburg that offers intermediate ballet or jazz classes for adults. I really miss taking class on a regular basis and my studio in York only offers summer classes at 5 and I'd never make it home in time to get there in time. I took classes for 13 years in York. Tuesday nights were my favorite time in the week...especially when guard wasn't in season. The only problem with finding classes in Harrisburg is that it's a relatively big city and most studios cater to the serious dancer, which I most certainly am not. I like it because it's a fun way to stay in shape and I feel pretty when I'm dancing. Sometimes, I watch old recital videos and I just miss it...almost as much as I miss color guard. I keep hinting about having someone buy me the NYCB workout tapes and once I get them, at least I'll be able to work on some flexibility and technique stuff.

But most of all I miss color guard. I never ever thought I'd say this, but I actually miss the practices too. I mean, I knew the second I stepped out onto the field for Championships senior year that I would miss performing so bad it hurt...but I never thought I'd miss practices. But I do...I miss learning new work, teaching work, and playing with the routines. I miss learning sets. I miss band camp. I miss being a section leader...and the section leader meetings. I miss everything about it. I figure eventually I'll help out at YS or whatever high school is most nearby, hopefully writing some work and eventually moving up to have my own guard. But most of all this thing is killing me. I want to play with it, I want to see if it's everything it's supposed to be...because it looks freaking sweet. Tape that baby up with some sweet color electrical tape and it would be sweet on the field. Next step: talking my high school into getting them (it only took them like 5 years to accept sabres back into the lineup). So for this summer, my plan is to buy some sweet China silk and make myself a pretty flag to spin at my leisure...we'll work on the rest later.