Thursday, January 10, 2008

Vegas



The masculine aspect of my body's methodology for providing a functional and beautiful platform for my head to perch (my shoulder) is currently experiencing pain. I am almost happy for this pain as a reason for this trip involves a desire to develop my masculine strength to support a world....or a head....I mention this to the right people every chance I get and am healing slowly, garnering many massages. Injury knocks at my door....a warning that I can take or look back on? A small ache that is nothing...?

I recently stopped believing in attributing a function or emotion to one side of the feminine/masculine dichotomy. To distinguish between the two is currently a popular endeavor: but how does one expect to change the nature of our society while indulging in such polarity...such judgment? What is left beyond this?

The thing about Vegas is that it has a tremendous foundation. Lots and lots of money, urban sprawl ghost towns just waiting to be filled with nuclear family units, skiing within an hour's drive There is even one of the largest existing underground aquifers under the city. Mandalay Bay is built on top of huge mechanized jacks because it is sinking. There is an interest in the arts, natural healing, community organization and health, but few people to supply the demand for these things--thus creating a large opportunity for angels who are willing to come to sin city.

I had planned to be in Vegas for a few days. I have an Iranian Royal Yoga star here--the Duke, and he has a new fiancee (call her Bella) who is a psychologist--she has a Persian talk show--like Opera. I wanted to visit him and to meet her. It is amazing to work with someone and then to see them a year later; the growth and changes are so obvious. The Duke has calmed and embraced a glow of health and vitality--simply through being in the presence of his magnificent love. She is the type of person who can describe a feeling so simply, so concise, that I don't realize the magnitude of the statement for minutes..or even hours. She is perfectly made up even first thing in the morning. I doubt there is ever a time when she looses control of her self. I love to be around strong women. Lately I trust women first and seek out their company, for they are so healing and they strengthen the part of me that is nurturing.

After a few days I left this place with nowhere to go and no plans. Within a few hours and a call out to www.couchsurfing.com (oh wow what a cool organization!), I landed a nook in hot girl pad, downtown just three blocks off the strip. Lana, who moved here from New Orleans after blowing through Katrina, works at an Irish pub that has a twenty foot tall beer on its roof. She's an absolute riot with a life full of awesome girlfriends and southern manly men that she imported who fix things for her and come over to give hour-long neck massages just because they enjoy it. I was at her pub a few nights ago to see a local Irish band that plays on Friday nights--noticing the inordinate amount of Rod Stewart covers being spewed out of this hot talent and who should pop in but a Rod Stewart impersonator! It was like a nightmare....



From this point, all of my dreams are coming true in Vegas. A week and change later, I'm still here, because it won't let me leave. I spent an evening in the VIP Section of a club with people from 'The Hills'-some reality TV show. There was a weedley white guy performing who sang and danced exactly like Michael Jackson. I arrived here just in time for the Art Walk in the small, but close-knit and active arts community downtown. I met a clothing designer who is coming up with clothing ideas that I had and took notes for in college and it's happening in front of my very face and being told to me--developed with me! I put my art portfolio on craigslist and was sought out and commissioned to paint murals on lamps that came from the Playboy mansion to be displayed in a hot designer vintage store in a big new mall in the Pallazo (anniecreamcheese.com). My commissioner is on my perfect wavelength and consistently gives me the ideas that I already had, or describes preferences that have already been put into action--a sign that I am in the perfect place at the perfect time to be sure. There is currently a porn convention this weekend (the AFN awards)....Vegas at its skeeziest--how to resist? Temptation knocks at my door....A warning that I can take or look back on? A small action that is nothing?



Or I could do yoga all weekend instead...I've been spending time at the Butterfly Tribe House in NW Vegas. Last night I had dinner with the Butterfly family and friends who are all artists, healers and world travelers. There are two of the most adorable children ever-a two year old and a seven year old and a man in his eighties who traveled to China when he was 65 to go to elementary school with children and study the language. We then sat up until four o'clock in the morning meditating talking and playing crystal bowls with another yoga instructor in the community who was on the ninth day of a master
cleanse fast and came to strengthen herself through nurturing us. This morning we did yoga and then the seven-year-old made us breakfast to prepare us for drum circles and a day of yoga photographs at RedRocks.

I plan to leave on Monday or Tuesday--as soon as I finish this painting project...

I recently realized that my only real responsibility in this life is to enjoy myself. With all of the misery, my joy is a matter of crucial importance.
This year....for just one year I implore you to:


Row row row your boat
Gently down the stream
merrily merrily merrily merrily
Life is but a dream.

Thank you, distant loves....May you know the meaning of love