#camping fail

Saturday was such a mixed day for me. I was all ready to try for a solo camping trip, and thought I was lucky enough to secure a spot despite being sent on a wild goose chase at first. So I bought the spot and firewood, went on my merry way to check out an open studio event at the nearby arts center. Came back late afternoon only to find that the spot was not free after all. After lugging my camping gear up and down that steep-ass hill, I was not a happy (non)camper :/. Needless to say I will make a complaint about their disorganized system. I think I was so bothered because I am not used to being so unlucky. Also have been very stressed lately and was so looking forward to it.

The silver lining was discovering Montalvo Arts Center. I guess I was lucky enough to discover their once-a-year open studio. I got to check out where the resident artists stay and do their craft. Each residence was uniquely designed--basically fun looking studios with a creative space and a private space (bedroom). Apparently, they have to be known in their respective medium (whether it be visual art, performance art, plays, composing, etc.) and then they are nominated to stay there 3 months out of 3 years total. It is a serene, out of the way environment, where they can just work on their respective pieces. It made me happy that such a place exists. One of the resident artists I talked to is a young poet who told me that she got started by submitting poems to journals and getting lots of rejections. I feel inspired to try... and though I don’t write regularly, a pipe dream has always been publish a small book of poems before I die. I suppose I would settle for getting at least one poem published somewhere!

Afterward, there was a memorial performance by Matoko Honda, one of the resident composers, for a previous artist who had passed. Then we were led on a “healing walk,” which is a hike/art installation by the late artist. It ended with one of the participants reading a cute poem she wrote called “Poetree.” I did feel like it was a healing experience, in that I was momentarily not thinking about the things stressing me out. When I got back into town, I treated myself to grasshoppers and a tasty michelada to make myself feel better. It was nice but I was still in a funk.

Thankfully I am not as angry anymore, from the camping fail or from other maddening things. I have to keep reminding myself that I will be fine. I will be okay despite stupid inconveniences, disappointments, and confusion.

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