When I was laid off in the great upheavals of 2008 (can it have been that long ago?), the first thing I did was buy stuff. I know. But it was half-priced curtains, and a few buckets of paint. An investment in a room of one’s own.
Now, 4 years and so many trials and revelations and breakthroughs and breakdowns in this little room later, I remain a rebel. I have built my own strange and wondrous and epically big-time relentlessly challenging career based on words, words, words. I have forged my own path. I will never go back.
Rebel hanging trophy art (March 2011 featured storyteller prize, Bricolage).When I got this trophy, it was for Story Story Night‘s REBELLION: Stories of You Say You Want a Revolution, a theme inspired by the Arab spring. This is when I met Awot Haile through Create Common Good. He is a recent refugee to Boise from the North African country of Eritrea. We happen to be exactly the same age, born the same year only 12 days, and entire worlds, apart.
Together, with only 2 weeks and his 8 months of English to work with, we met often and wrote out and talked out his powerful story of rebellion in his home country.
Then he told his story, live on stage and without notes. He got our first and only standing ovation.
Awot is an amazing person. I think of him as a brother. He calls me his sister. That is the power of story. The power of words.
Liz Clairborne Sport vintage red dress ($6, thrift store). Yesterday, I wore this dress to a baby shower for him and his wife, Salemawit. She is 8 months pregnant with their first child, a baby boy. New life in a new land.
Now, I have learned that all that really counts in the end is facing truths head on. Then moving forward.
So I will face my faults. I will face my fears. I will face my strengths. And I will confront any and all motherf*ckers who try to take away my freedoms. Because I’ve realized (at least to me), freedom means everything. Mind, body and soul. Rebel, party people. In a room of one’s own. Tibetan turquoise, coral and beaded breastplate ($140, Armor Bijoux). Frye Boots (Dorado Short), $200 (after $200 gift donation from mom and pop).
Red velvet and carved wood throne chair: $49 (The Bench Commission).
The pen is mightier than the sword. The serious bad ass shall inherit the earth. Green carnelian and silver soul ring ($180, Armor Bijoux), backed by Pentel RSVP black fine pen ($1).
Native American woman art ($20, Flying M art show) by Toby Robin of Neighborhood All Stars, fantastic design partner for Story Story Night.
I took these pictures myself. If you can’t tell. Bringing home the bacon. Frying it up in the pan.
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