Think Fast.

Life is always happening. The omnipresent choice of "do something, or don't" becomes a whisper for the workaholic, a shout for the young graduate, a rhythmic mantra for the artist. Sometimes you're just rolling along, enjoying yourself, and Life screams "THINK FAST" across the schoolyard. You've got three choices: duck. run like hell. or open your eyes, throw out your hands, and catch it.

Now. Where was I?

Tracy and I had arrived at Hand in Hand. Imminently, Flock-of-Forty-Somethings spotted us,

and it wasn't long before one had swooped in for the kill. (note: it's very nice to offer to buy girls drinks. But if you're not literally standing at the bar, a little introductory banter is advisable. When you start with, "I'm buying you drinks," you end up gaged too high on the 'Likely to Rufie my drink' scale. In retrospect, however, thank you, Rufie-Bird, wherever you are.)

As RB leaned in to get our drink orders, I looked over his shoulder and made eye contact with Tall, Dark, and Handsome, who was standing a few yards away. This wasn't your average, awkward, oops-I-looked-at-you-in-the-eyes eye contact....

And as RB disappeared toward the bar, I did what any girl with her wits about her would do. I beckoned.

So, (lucky us), TDH and the gentleman with him (we'll call him...RayBan...) sidled over.

"Would y'all do us a favor?" I said, dredging up the Southern accent that only seems to appear when I cross state lines into Mason-Dixon, Proper. "Can you just stand here with us for a while, and pretend you know us?"

Okay. So the fact that I managed to divert the threat of Rufie-Bird, score the attention of the cutest guys in the bar, and throw out what was an honest plea, but also a great Line - that's just luck. The fact that our little foursome clicked, quick - that was Serendipity.

And the "cutest guys in the bar" comment wasn't hyperbole. I mean it. Eyes like old amber and smiles like the sun. They were cousins, and clearly shared the family genes...

Fast-forward through the "Wow-it's-really-nice-talking-to-these-guys" realization and the first quakes of "Maybe-you-can-meet-a-nice-guy-in-a-bar." I was ticking off a checklist of evening accomplishments: Girl's Night Out? check. Meet boys? check. Talk with boys? check. "Suck out the Marrow of Life"? Thorough Thoreau living was pending. About 2 hours after eye-contact, TDH upped the stakes. He invited Tracy and me to a concert. A concert on the following day. A concert in a cave... in Tennessee... 3 hours away.

And you know what?

I said, "Absolutely."

I'll take a break from the narrative to say: Yes, I fully realize that was crazy. Yes, it was a shaky limb to climb. But I've got good intuition and had a lesson to impart to dear Tracy: When Life is knocking, open the damn door and go play.

"What would your mother say?" you ask? Well, I'll tell you what she said. She said, "Ooh. Sounds fun!" No joke.

Back to the bar.

Our foolish foursome headed to the Majestic diner on Ponce de Leon Ave and stocked up on 1AM deliciousness... like mashed potatoes and chocolate milkshakes. Then we bade each other farewell...for a few hours.

Because TDH and RayBan showed up outside of Christ the King Cathedral right after 10AM, to pick up Tracy and me from the steps of church after morning mass. By this time, we'd spent all of 3 hours with these boys. But don't worry; they met my mother. Next stop was Starbucks for some iced goodness, where we also picked up 6'4", the largest yoga instructor I've ever met.

Scene: TDH and me in the front seat. Tracy crammed in the back with RayBan and 6'4". Neither of us could really complain.

And we were off.

If you've never been crammed into a car with one friend of 22 years and three handsome perfect strangers, with three hours of I-75 ahead of you, I'd suggest you find the nearest opportunity to do so. It was riotous. And three hours + 1 pit-stop later, we emerged on the grassy plains of Tennessee, two clicks over from a cow pasture. The boys sprang for our tickets (Dear South, I love you, and I love the gentlemen you foster. This never would have happened in Boulder), and we found ourselves walking into the earth, feeling the temperature drop from 82 to 55 in a matter of seconds, the soft closeness of underground humidity brushing at our skin. Stalagmites, stalactites, underground waterfalls and pools of water, low ceilings, (-duck, 6'4", duck!) and dirt in your flip-flops. After about a 1/4 mile trek into the mountainside, the ceiling lifted into a huge cavern, with folding chairs set in rows, with stage lights set into the walls, with a soundstage beneath a natural arch, and a giant crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

And then the real magic began.

Caverns have built-in sound systems, and it was a matter of moments before we were awash in the sounds of Bluegrass Underground. Monty Montgomery, and then Darrell Scott, then the unforgettable lyrics of Will Hoge (who asked the startlingly apropos question: Where do we go from down?), and the quirky-isn't-quite-the-right-word Justin Townes Earl.

It. Was. Amazing.

I'd try to describe it more, but those moments belong wrapped up in that earthy cocoon, deep beneath the root systems of Tennessee Pines, some distant echo of Orpheus singing to Eurydice.

You know that feeling when you're coming out of The Mineshaft Ride at SixFlags, or finishing the It's A Small World caves in Disneyworld? After the concert, we emerged from the subterranean haven, back into the hot and sticky world of the South in Summer. We stopped in Chattanooga for dinner, and at about 10:30 PM, RayBan hollers from the back seat, "Hey guys! We've known each other for 24 hours!"

"Think Fast!" screamed Life.

"I got it! I got it! I got it!!"

photos: The Year 2008 in Photographs -The Big Picture- from Boston.com, seagulls {rose-coloured-rain} Happy (pretty) Monday from vi.sualize.us, NicoliNiki image from Phototree, Clock by Ejfel Utan Zita, Old door by Bogdan Dascalescu, Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, Harkness Tower clock face, open road from 500px by Yuriy_Nezdoiminoge, Cumberland Caverns chandelier, Cumberland Caverns concert image, Tennessee Hills at Sunset, North of Knoxville by sky scooter at panaramio.com, University of Rochester clock, Goodbye by Zara J

Life.

Hello loves.

Greetings from the edge of the earth. I'm sure I fell off last week.

My long trip home held some surprises. Some were anticipated, and some were not. But my discoveries of the past week have put me back into that wonderful place of life. It's not that I've been depressed over the past few months, but after so much wondering and wandering, one runs the risk of becoming a little listless.

But no more. It's nice to be me again. (Isn't that a nice place to be?)

Here's what happened while I was in Atlanta.

1) I popped on the plane out of Boulder just a few hours after presenting a lecture on Marian Iconography, examined through multiple art historical, cultural, symbolic, and spiritual lenses.

It was so well-received, and I gave it twice more while in Atlanta. After meeting with a number of different people in liturgical ministry and adult enrichment roles, I've gotten lots of support for this endeavor.

Now I just need to put it into article form, see if I can get it published, and start on my next lecture....

2) I wrote my Bryce Dallas Howard article on the plane flying home, and then edited a slew of articles for the publication, New York Moves Magazine. I think the BDH article came off fairly well.

She was delightful to interview, and so enthused about so many different subjects, and she served me my concluding paragraph on a golden platter. I love that she was so interested in Grace as an empowering attribute. (We think alike...).

3) Discernment is not an easy process... particularly when you're multi-interested. I can see myself doing a lot of things. A lot of things. But I spent most of the week trying to figure out the best path for me, because applying to every corporate marketing position I can dig up hasn't been working. It's time for plan B.

So I've decided to try to cultivate a writing career, and drum up some new clients,

while simultaneously finding some sort of part- or full-time position with a not-for-profit, preferably nestling myself into the arts community. And I'm casting my net wide, for Fate to send me what she will. Because if I can find a lovely NFP spot, but it's not in my backyard...well...I've already learned that I'm good at picking up and moving, right?

With the art historical lectures, I've decided to try to head back to school in a year or two. I'm spreading knowledge to the masses with my little B.A. I imagine I could do some real damage with an M.A. or a Ph.D... And I always have my singing, too... I was promoted to Head Cantor while I was away. I'll be singing all summer!

4) has to do with my last post. This was the truly unexpected surprise. And though the ruminating on career options re-invigorated my mind, this surprise made me sit up and breath deep the joys of being.

You know those moments when life comes knocking, and you just open the door and let it in? That's what I did. It has to do with some great music, a great man, and a series of rather delightful moments. And I'll tell you all about it.

Tomorrow.

photos: imaginary friend by *mOthyyku at deviantART, Edge of the Earth, Edge of the Sky by Enrique Fernandez Ferra, image by Perhydrol from 500px, Joy Division, Bouguereau's Pieta, Henry Ossawa Tanner's The Annunciation, Bryce Dallas Howard, image from ffffound.com, Fork in the Road from melodyross.typepad.com, visual inspiration from vi.sualize.us, happen from imgfave.com/Melissa, Jump in the Sky by ~Loona5, Lovestory from 500px.com

This is Ladies' Night

What a long weekend! Celebrating my cousin Liz's bachelorette with her nearest and dearest was full of frenzy and fun! Never one to sit and let life pass her by, Liz's dream bachelorette weekend consisted of dancing, partying, and plenty of the great outdoors. But most of all, it was full of

After a night on the town in Vail (where we used our feminine wiles to end up on stage at what seemed like a multi-generational frat party, but what the girls assured me was a normal weekend in a ski town) we rallied on Saturday to conquer the snows. Some hit the slopes, some hit the tracks, and some hit the trails. Including Dixie.

(general note: the aspens in Vail were more upright than the men.

At least this weekend.)

Hiking segued into frantic preparation. Aspen awaited us!

Arriving in Aspen, we found, to our delight, that the "Sequins Weekend" memo had preceded us. Fireworks greeted us.

As a precursor to the evening, the most fantastic fireworks display (as seen from directly outside a magnificent log-cabin-slash-mansion) set the tone.

The sun was down, the sequins were on, and the girls went out. We took the party to The Regal and danced, danced, danced.

Needless to say, the morning after required several stops for sustenance and caffeine...

I found Simba and Mufasa patiently waiting until I can afford to post them outside my apartment.

And Dior put my next purchase in the window. The plan is to somehow acquire this snowsuit, pick my mark on the Aspen mountains, "accidently" careen into a rugged-and-yet-dashing older gentleman (of which Aspen seems to have an ample supply) and commence my life as the kind of girl who can shop in Aspen, instead of the kind of girl who thinks she's tumbled Alice-in-Wonderland-like into the pages of Harper's Bazaar.

The weekend in picture form. Lots of sparkle, and lots of love.

After Aspen, the dregs of the group headed for Avalanche Ranch outside Carbondale. The light on the peaks was lovely.

And breakfast the next morning was naturally delicious.

And rather lovely.

The Ranch supplied countless photo ops, from the rustic interiors,

to the rustic exteriors, and of course, the friendly Golden pup.

Thank you for breakfast, and for my wake-up call.

Farewell, weekend getaway. Farewell, delightful ladies. See you all in July for what is sure to be a glorious, glorious wedding.

Photos: All photos LCTGloriosity

Auld Lang Syne.

Just a smattering of New Year's Eve Photos from my Epic Week in Vail. Here's hoping fun times like that don't come just once in a Blue Moon...

2010: The Year of Being Care Free.

Photos: GloriosityLCT Vail Trip 2009/2010

Mother Nature & the Boys

Many things happen at World's End.

Eastern European fire gods play with the elements.

Off-Mapping results in jettisoning excess weight (i wasn't going to eat that banana, anyway) and making every effort to keep climbing upward while monitoring heart function.

Daredevil Ferns sing Aerosmith's Living on the Edge.

Filtered sunlight and cool mountain water were at every turn.

Tracking the elusive red-blooded American male through the undergrowth.

Lewis and Clark make an appearance.

Curtains of water.

Shadow Catching.

All in all, some happy trails.

photos: LCT- World's End State Park, 2009.