As Is by Nick Cave

Today I saw my first performance art piece: As Is by Nick Cave.

It was an awesome experience. I felt like all of the emotions and ideas I've felt, particularly since I've been back in Louisiana, were exemplified through this art. The goal was to showcase the UNcommon people and talent of Shreveport, to highlight those in society that have been labeled and outcasted. I felt the visuals, and sounds, totally portrayed this image. The theme was clear. I left feeling a deeper sense of self. I left knowing that I must change all of my thoughts about social justice into actions.

Ever since I was a young girl volunteering at the nursing home, I knew I wanted to comfort people and hear their stories, particularly those society let slip through the cracks and who fell victim to derogatory terms. This performance enhanced that passion and desire to understand those who we have failed, who I have failed, as a fellow citizen.

The first piece of the performance moved me the most and set an incredible precedent for the show. The artist, Poetic X, spoke the most amazing poem I have ever heard. His analogies and forwardness were truly enlightening, especially with the visual of  Nick Cave being covered in the beautiful hand beaded blankets and the somber violin / piano tune accompanying the words.

The soloist, Brenda Wimberly's voice gave me chill bumps. Parts of the song even made me hold my breath. I didn't want to hear anything but the rawness of her voice. The echo of the word "Freedom" reminded me of all I have to be thankful for and of all the work we still have to do in order to form a more perfect union. This piece made me reflect on the Civil Rights Movement and the recent protests against police brutality. While modern times provide convenience and we are hopefully becoming a more just society, we need to revert back to a time of kinship and connectedness that might have been found in earlier periods of human existence. We do not need to be separated by different tribes, skin colors, or backgrounds, but rather unite and be thankful to be able to share in the joys of life.

The first pieces were reflective and filled me with much sadness as I thought about the people in my life who deserved justice instead of judgement. The 3rd piece started to change tunes. It started kind of ominous. Made think of putting my true self in darkness for fear of the real me being rejected. Then after casting out aside my fears my true, radiant, colorful self is able to emerge from this darkness.

After I've emerged I am able to find like people who accept themselves As Is. No frills, no hidden agendas. Just being a human and seeing humanity.

The last piece was a lot of fun and showcased the amazing talent in the performance. The performers showed how commonality and music can bring us all together to have a great time!

I would watch this performance over again in a heart beat. I absolutely loved it and am so grateful that a friend asked me if I was coming to the event. Last year around this time I reconnected with a former teacher at 'All Y'all', a local storytelling event. I have ran into him and his partner at several other events, so he has gotten a sense of what type of things I enjoy. This was an event I needed to see, so I am glad that an encounter that seemed coincidental has lead to a string of great happenings, making that chance encounter more than a coincident.

I hope you have a joyous week, reconnect with a dear friend, and have an eye opening experience. Thank you for reading!

Love,
Alyssa

Stini and me

I haven't written about a day in my life in a long, long while.

Things have been going well! I'm just staying busy with work, family, organizations, and hobbies. I've gotten to do some traveling. I still love my job in higher education. Life is just passing by quickly, too quickly!

I just wanted to jot down how wonderful the past two nights have been talking to my younger brother on the phone while watching 11.22.63 together. We are both loving the show, on the edge of our seat each episode, and cannot watch the next in line if we have more than one to watch. It is just so good!

It is so fun to be able to talk to him and interact while we watch. We live hundreds of miles a part, but these little activities really make up for that little inconvenience. I wish I was closer to him every single day... without these moments I would have to up and move back in with my parents!

I am so thrilled that my Stini and I have the bond that we do. Every now and then he calls when he's had an argument with mom, dad, or our older brother, Drew. We count down when I'm coming to visit weeks in advance. When I am in town we make the most of it, binge watching our shows, playing family games or video games, going on fun adventures. It is just lovely!

The day Stini was born was the best day of my life. I don't know who I would be without him.

Who are you grateful for in your life?

Hope everyone is doing well!

Have a beautiful week.

Love,
Alyssa

Jerry Lee Lewis, The Killer Live

Today I saw Jerry Lee Lewis live in Beaumont, Texas! It was an amazing experience with my housemates and partners in adventure.

The best part about it for me was simply being in the presence of the last great legend of the 50's. It was so humbling to watch him play and know that he was one of the founders of rock 'n roll. His sound and style started a revolution in music and society! It is just so cool to reflect on that and then look up and see him pound that keyboard just like he did 60 years ago.

His voice definitely isn't as strong as it once was, but he is very witty and still has a bit of a temper. About 5 songs in he got angry at one of the guitarists for playing the wrong chords, or so he thought, and he starts yelling out the chords. "F. C. E. A." Then when the song ends he says, "We have been playing this song together for 43 years and he still can't play it correctly. I don't understand it." They play a few more songs, and then he belts out "Great Balls of Fire". The performance of this song was perfect! It sounded so good. They play one more song, then start on "Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On" and about halfway through he kicks the seat back, his classic move, and walks off the stage (he doesn't storm off, he's 80), but he walks off with a standing ovation. It was, as Jerry Lee would say, "Mercy!".

Jerry Lee's sister performed as well and she sounded great! She could bang that piano, too! The guy that opened for Jerry Lee, Jake Rowley, had a nice Elvis sound, but seemed a bit egotistical to me. He was touring with the Broadway spectacular Million Dollar Quartet prior to this performance. I felt like he was definitely more of an actor than a performer.

As you can see it was an interesting and exciting night! I am just so thrilled that I was at this performance and hope that I carry the memories I made tonight with me til the end of my days.

I'm out for the night, with the sound of the piano in my head!

Until next time,
Alyssa

Things are grand!

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to post a quick update and say that things are going well! I really love the job and am staying busy busy.

I have helped with 3 college fairs, SGA elections, worked on lots of documents and brainstormed lots of ideas. I definitely feel higher education will be a passion of mine for my whole life and that this experience will provide me with great insight into people, higher education, and government. I am very excited to see where this journey takes me.

A couple weekends back I met my partner in Dallas for a fun weekend reunion. It is tough being long distance, but when we are together the time is more special and we make the most of it. We had a fun time experiencing Reunion Tower, hitting the roller coasters at Six Flags, and eating yummy food.

Pa and Laurie are amazing housemates and spoil me. We had a great weekend cleaning up the old homeplace and keeping my little cousin. We tried to see the super eclipse yesterday, but sadly it was too cloudy. I hope I get the chance to see it in 2033. Today they made some amazing marinated crab claws. This weekend we are going to see Jerry Lee Lewis for his 80th birthday bash...
Life is just really great!

I hope you take time to enjoy the people and things you love. Work should revolve around your life, not vice versa.

Have a wonderful week and thanks for sharing in life with me.

Love,
Alyssa

New job!

Hello friends!

I have started a new job at a technical college in the area. I am now their Coordinator for Student Success. Very exciting!!!

I have had an incredible first week. I am helping with everything student life at our little school--admissions, financial aid, student government, etc.--and I am charged with creating a comprehensive marketing plan for two campuses; which is right up my alley!

All of my passions and interests from my undergraduate career are now coming into play with this position. I am ready to see what all I will learn! This will for sure help me decide if I want to go the full marketing business route, or if I want to work in higher education.

Great things are in store! This job came out of nowhere, but it could not be more perfect. I have amazing coworkers and already feel right at home. The first minute I was on the clock I was put to work and have kept really busy! I love a challenge and being busy.

I am still working for my grandpa after work since I get off at 4. Its great to have the flexibility to continue that passion.

The weekends have been busy too. For Labor Day I traveled to the beautiful Hill Country of Texas. Last weekend I went to visit family nearby, this weekend I am meeting a friend in Texas. The next weekend my cousin is coming to stay with us. Then the weekend after that, I am going to see Jerry Lee Lewis! Lots of great things in store!

I hope you are thoroughly enjoying your week and that you have lots of things to look forward to !

Much love,
Alyssa

10,000 words!!!!!!!!!

Over the past year I've started about five different books. Two of them I thought had great potential and I was excited to start writing them. I wrote about 5 pages for each book and then set it down and haven't touched it. Very sad!

But! I had another idea for a book last weekend and started writing it. On night one I wrote 11 pages and 4,000 words. Now I am up to page 28 and just hit 10,000 words! I am very excited and wanted to remember this accomplishment! So what better way than to write some more on here?! I am listening to Lindsey Stirling Radio on Pandora, in my room at Pa's house, writing by lamp light, important items on me are my Claddagh ring and Elton John t-shirt. Inspiration is just radiating from me. You can't help but be inspired when you think the incomparable Elton John is in the room. The beautiful instrumental music really helps you to write too because your typing gets into the rhythm of the song.

I hope I can actually finish it. I have given myself a deadline of my 25th birthday to finish a book... so I better get to writing if I want it complete, edited, and bound before then!

Well I am going back to novel now. This was a nice little break to clear my head and record my life.

Find something you've always wanted to do and do it/start it this weekend! Best of luck to you.

Love,
Alyssa

Family time

Hello fellow humans, 

This past month I have spent many hours with my dear family. I got to spend 3 weeks in the Carolinas with my parents and little brother. I didn't realize how much I missed them until I got there. Mom and Austin came back to Louisiana with me for almost 2 weeks and it was extremely hard saying goodbye to Austin. 

He starts school in a few days after being out of public school for a majority of his life and I so wish I could be there to help him get his school supplies, see him off that first day, and be there to hear about his first day in person. I really hate the distance. But that is part of life and growing up... you sadly miss out on stuff. 

Sometimes I wish we were closer in age, but then I don't think I'd appreciate him as much or want to look out for him like I do with our age difference. I'm just grateful that we are close and hope that he knows I am always there for him regardless of how many miles are between us. 

I better stop talking on that subject or else I may tear up ! 

I also got to spend a week with my partner in July. We had a lovely time together, but as always it flew by too quickly. He flew into New Orleans so we enjoyed the city a couple of days, then visited some of his family near Houston, came to my home and enjoyed the lake, stayed with my aunt in a different part of the state, then our time was over. I haven't seen him in 2 1/2 months and hope that we do not have to go that long with a visit again. If you have a long distance relationship you understand how difficult it is to say "see you later" after a visit, and if you have never had to be long distance with your partner then count your blessings. It seems easy, until you do it. It is definitely harder than I expected, but doable. You just have to make an extra effort which helps you realize how much you really care about the person. :) 

Now I am back to work for Pa, starting back on some of my projects, and doing a little babysitting. I got to babysit the worlds cutest baby today. He is the easiest baby I have ever been around. Just happy all the time. It was a lovely day hanging out with his sweet little self. Humans are incredible... Especially when you get to see them grow. 

I am really looking forward to just being home and working. Vacationing was rewarding and fun, but it is always good to return to productivity. I am ready to get back on track and make some progress on my projects. Plus, I have to start seriously soul searching what type of job I want after this and start looking into it. Eeeeee. I think I have an idea, but we will seeeeeee.... my mind changes pretty frequently. 

Well, I have wrote a lot tonight. I missed writing and am glad to catch up. I hope you are doing wonderfully, enjoying life, are happy and healthy! 

See you on the next page, 

Alyssa