On to poetry!

On a last summer's eve, just before fall, the new September- I thought I heard Mother Earth's bones cracking. As I sat still, tuning in to the moment, what I thought was a tea kettles whistle, did it come to light. Squirrels scurrying about, making ready for winter, they dropped an acorn or two on my head. After three months lying about in the sun did she need to speak? I was ready to listen.

Her couturiers, the birds spoke in turn, I however became distracted by life in the far distance, and all went on. Children played. Traffic horned, as wheels grind the pavement on the highway to everyday-ville.

Soon the breeze brought with it peace- canceling out disturbance with harmony. While sisters of fate, cousin to misery encouraged mosquito's to remind me- my own home calls. I left peace of mind to sing out what once was. What can be?

I stood up in all her glory, and bowed. Then with a skip, I added my own rhythm to this joyous reunion. Along the way, crushing acorn caps, I sent out  my own message, "Be cool, and love with no resistance".

Week End Update

Yes, Doggybloggy is right, I am sure it was not that hard to google the info provided and find 'Happy Ending' Lounge in NYC.

We went, we conquered, we had groupies! LOL, Robert said the people who came up to me when we were done, were like groupies. To have people who obviously had college degrees in writing and MFA's come up and say they thought my work was fantastic, great performance, unexpected,  made me feel good. I did do the writing, but if it was not for Flora, Red Dashboard would not be the same.

I am working on the video, just uploaded LoiLoScope, because my camera has the fancy smancy HD mode, so my two other options for software are not suitable, which makes it too long for youtube. Argh! I have to learn new software, but will practice while on our trip to Spain. Any advise out there? On software.

Since there has been no time to post poetry, I am going to post a short piece for my friend Lisa. She is slipping fast- Pancreatic cancer has taken over. Her husband told me Friday we could come and perform for her today, but then text me last night- "she is not sleeping" he said, and I suspect the pain is taking over. The cancer has almost defeated her. Chemo, did no good. He told me he was calling friends and family, and plans were being made. DAMN to this. It is not fair. I can be angry, I have every right to be. Adrienne is right, we should remember her beauty as we last saw her. She knows we love her. Enough Said.

'Lisa'

I just hung up the phone. We made plans to see you. Maybe, for the last time. I already fell for you. As tears began to swell- Heaven opened up the gates; it began to rain.

I decided to quote what I had written on Friday, and to tell the audience to think of how short life can be...

NYC Here I come!

I am excited to share some new developments in my performing arts career.

Being in the food industry since I was fourteen because it came naturally, there was still this deep passion to write and perform. A way to say things that shy auburn freckle faced girl wanted to say, but...it took years of maturing to get it all out. I still work in the industry, and have some prospects for getting back into being a Personal Chef, but that only pays the bills...so,

People, I am letting it all hang out!

As a published Vox Poetica Poet, I was invited to perform some of my work as 'Red Dashboard' Saturday night in NYC, reads as follows-

Capers Literary Journal and Vox Poetica invite you to participate in, A Literary Evening...


"Editors Lisa Marie Basile and Annmarie Lockhart invite you to have some fancy martinis, listen to wonderful selected readers and participate in a short post-reading open-mic session".

7-9:30 PM (not exactly sure how it is going to roll, but Red Dashboard will be last)


After meeting with Pandora Scooter, yes that is her name. She (in photo above) is a well known Performance Arts Teacher, coach, Activist for the GLBT movement, and performs locally, has for ten years locally and in NYC. She came to my performance at WAMPP, and wanted to take me on as a student. Something I have always wanted to do, get a little theater one on one.

We are working on my range of performance, to get me from sounding monotone, which I hear it in my videos. She and I met this week, I had rehearsal Wednesday night, and Red Dashboard just performed last night at a lounge down south. Was really cool, because before we were RD, they heard Flora and I do a rendition of 'Silk Stockings' before Pandora challenged me to re-vamp it, beef it up, and add some depth to the execution. They got a choice of two different presentations, and picked the second...to come...

She also challenged me to think- not in words, but by how I feel she is experienced, and my thoughts on "What is she going to say to me as a coach thing"- and, "Who am I when I perform, E Stelling, or Chef E"? I thought maybe it is too confusing for people when they hear my friends and work associates call me this, but most have said over the past few days, as well as Pandora- Chef E is unique, so it is...it shall be...

One day until NYC, and I am very nervous, but I find once I am behind the mic, and the lights go low, things loosen up!

Oh, and if you want to come see me...email me and I will give you the location. I do not want any surprise visits from hecklers who will make me even more nervous. It takes time to perfect your work, and everyone has to start somewhere...

A confession...about WAMPP

Should I, or shouldn't I? Okay I have to get this off my chest-

I made a comment on JC's blog about how one day she will release a few little JC Jr's out into the world- it took me into how... I thought by taking on an assistant/intern so to speak for WAMPP, or at least I thought there would be a mini-E who would learn the ropes of event planning. 'They' wanted, or seem to want the knowledge. Someone from the very beginning said they were okay with all the work we had to do for the 'big' day (reason for little letters).

Believe me, I am nice enough to ask them all the time if they were okay. I am not a bitch at all. I would never ask anyone to do something I would NOT do myself! Oh yes, we had this other person on board who does events all the time, (another) 'they' had all this stuff for us- volunteers, tents, blah blah blah. They sure came through for us, uh huh!? Okay won't go there, since I repeat myself below...

The first 'they' were fine, did all the computer work they promised, seemed excited as me about the whole event...the day came...SURE we had low attendance, but it all went off well for just TWO of us doing the whole damn organizing, or should I say 'me' putting everything into play.

'They' have been so smug since it ended, no 'Thank You', just complaining! I decided to cut the ties. If 'they' think they did a great job...please...where were the tents, volunteers, and artist you said were confirmed. Grow Up 'They'. Thank god I am not a twenty something year old...oh goodness, which segway's into the latest #1 son vent- My twenty three year old son!

With his "Hey mom, someone side swiped the (the second of two I have let him borrow, well he did make one installment on his payment plan) truck while I was sleeping over at Andi's". Only a year after the other car was totaled (so not his fault either times, geez), and in the same breath he adds, "I am going to Korea for a year with my barely three month old relationship person, and in three months". "Oh and don't worry, I am going to go to school while I am there" he added. An hour of me going on about all the risks, his good job, and do not sell your belongings 'I bought you for college'.

In spite the fact I have the luxury of having three cars is beside the point- Here I will explain further- I have a catering van, of which I am using for camping and hauling WAMPP equipment now, then there is my first brand new bought and paid for of six years (someone hit him from behind and smashed it's butt in), and then the truck my dad left me when he past (low mileage GMC truck for which I loved, because it brought out the inner dyke in me), but as time goes on... I totally understand why my parents NEVER helped me financially. Let me fall out of the nest.

Daddy wanted me to be independent and learning the hard way- will stick to your ribs like my barbecue kind of parenting. Okay they were also winging it themselves not having good parenting.

If I had time to make this into a funnier piece, I would have, but my phone is ringing off the hook, I have rehearsal Wednesday, and am trying to write tonight...I am laughing, I always laugh. Distractions help you forget why you wanted to be distracted in the first place.

Okay, now I feel so much better...on to the keyboard to do some serious, and more entertaining writing!