It was a year of adventures, enlightenment, and new experiences in the House of Rainbows and Awesome and beyond. Within the ever more artistic and confusing walls of The House of Rainbows we played host to fireworks displays, beat saber matches, Red Tent nights, sword fights, belly dance rehearsals, and tarot readings. We hosted two Salons, one presented by Max on the Nazca Lines and his endless research for his book; the other on hypnosis and past life regression, led by author and hypnotherapist, Ronald Tobin.
The House of Rainbows and Awesome enjoyed visits from Katy, Janette, my cousin Danny and my family who traveled from afar to bring us an RV packed with history, food, and a spiral staircase (more on that later). We experienced Sunday gatherings, craft and movie nights, and all manner of holidays with coworkers and students who have become dear friends.
We also enjoyed virtual adventures that bridged home and the world with musicals, ballets, conventions (*waves to CoKoCon friends*), and even weddings (congrats to AE & Heather)!
Beyond the comfort of home there was live music by friends Jen X and the Boomers, and dancing at the Van Buren to AbbA of all things! And a triumphant return to live conventions with Glendale’s LibCon and the Purple Lotus Psychic Fairs. We celebrated old traditions in new ways, like Easter at Danielle's with a food pick up window. And new to me holidays, like Passover with Kim’s family.
Travel extended to Jerome, AZ for a three day retreat with the girls, Payson and Pine for weekend adventures, antiques shopping and tree hunting. And as far as Oxnard, CA for my first (and potentially last) deep sea fishing adventure, where I learned about boats, fish, and seasickness.
Got a new tattoo, or I guess it should count as two, since it’s one on each arm at Fifth Finger Tattoo
Even in all of this madness we still found time to improve the House of Rainbows and Awesome with a spiral staircase, all manner of garden veggies, more mirrors, and a new kitchen!
We learned to make wine, and most of it was impressively received as palatable! I started drawing again, created new perfume scents. And I even spent a month writing songs for ukulele, harmonica, and theremin! They are awful, but I did it! I continued to study French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, and of course, Valerian. All while sharing knowledge in classes for Sword Fitness, Bellydance, Tarot, and Writing to new friends and old. We even started a Discord server!
I wrote thousands of words, including the sequel to Cloud to Cloud; published serial versions of An Ideal of Roses, and a return to Blackstrap’s Ecstasy on Kindle Vella and Tapas. Created eleven episodes of Casing the Cover with Mary and eight episodes of the Ra Intuition Podcast with Ra. And goodness knows how many Tarot videos I’ve posted to Youtube!
It was a year of ups and downs, but I think I can safely say I’m on the other side of it stronger, smarter, and better than I was a year ago. The show must go on, and all that, but it's a show I am happy to still be writing and performing in.
Speaking on shows, my kid finally moved into his own place and is doing all those real life adult things that great spin-offs are built on. I look forward to his adventures vastly outshining mine in the years to come.
A massive thank you to everyone who played a starring, or supporting, role in the chapter of my life in 2021. I look forward to 2022 and I hope so do you!
Until then,
Let Creativity Move You!
In case you are interested in some of the madness and pop culture I consumed in 2021, here is a list of books, movies and TV series I devoured in varied degrees of enjoyment. Read/ watch/ listen at your own risk.
Books:
Amish Country Christmas
Arctic Fury
Before She was Helen
Burnt Tongues
Carmilla
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead
Extreme Ownership
First Conspiracy
Gulp
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Kings and Griffins
Marrow Thieves
Memory Police
Mexican Gothic
Midnight Library
Murders of Molly Southbourne
The Round House
Southern Book Club's Guide to Vampire Slaying
Swamplandia!
A Tale for the Time Being
Touch of Jen
We Sold Our Souls
Movies:
1776 (Musical)
Anna and the Apocalypse
Army of Darkness
Being There
Children of the Corn
Craft
Crawlers
Crow
DownEurovision
Evil Dead
Evil Dead 2
Exorcist
Friday the 13th III
Heavy Metal
Howl's Moving Castle
Just F*cking with You
Krampus
Kubo and the Two Strings
Lodge, The
Midnight Kiss
Missing 411
Moana
My Valentine
New Year, New You
Promare
Purity
Quiet Place 2
Red Shoes (Matthew Bourne Ballet)
Shining, The
Space Sweepers
Spirited Away
Sword and the Sorcerer
Treehouse
Wolf of Snow Hollow
Wool 100%
Series:
AHS: Red Tide & Aliens
Archer: Season 11
Ash & The Evil Dead Season 1 - 3
Beyond Evil
The Great: Season 2
Great Courses: 30 Great Works of Art
Great Courses: Ancient Cities
Hannibal: Season 1 - 3
Only Murders in the Building: Season 1
Sarah Connor Chronicles
