It’s been 4 months since I’ve typed a word. So, here I am, doing my best to check back in with myself as well as anyone who continues to follow along.
So, to catch you up:
- August- caught the nasty summer virus going around. It was brutal and I had less than two weeks to get over it to go on our big family vacation.
- September- Seattle and Alaska! My big extended family went on an Alaskan cruise and it was wonderful. I came home and 3 days later flew out to Florida where I recorded Mystery on the beach. I also drove the Guanella Pass, which for me was pretty awesome since I don’t love heights.
- October- I can hardly remember October except I still had a terrible cough from the late August virus and I was singing my head off. I enjoyed a night of Scary-oke with my chorus and some fun times out. I committed to running the New Orleans marathon at that point, expecting the worst was behind me. Of course, I tweaked my back and spent a few weeks on muscle relaxers and in traction. No running.
- November-December- I came down with shingles! On Thanksgiving, no less. If you’ve never had it, it’s like chickenpox comes back with a vengeance meant to punish you for… well, I’m sure there was some sort of karmic retribution at hand…or the world is just so fucking random that weird viruses just decide to come up out of nowhere. If you’ve never had shingles, it starts with a massive headache and fatigue, then comes a rash that quickly begins to feel like you were scalded by hydrochloric acid. It not only burns, it itches, and it will spread along a particular nerve path so early intervention with anti-virals is helpful. With the rash comes neuropathy. All along my right side I had nerve pain and weakness. It was about 7 weeks before I could weight-bear with my right arm. Christmas came and went with as much celebrating as I could muster. No running.
- January- Oh, here we are in the near present. I went cross country skiing for the first time ever! It was awesome. That was on the 2nd after a very festive New Years celebration. On the 3rd, fever, chills, and all the hallmarks of the flu. More rest, fluid, cold medicines, and soup. No running. Fast forward to last Saturday, the 13th. Finally no cough. Finally off all the medicines. Finally up and going. Chorus rehearsal on Sunday night, a super awesome evening of chilling with friends after, and a Monday morning of realizing empty stomachs and bubbly don’t always go together, no matter how good the times. Tuesday was my first workout of 2018! Core and arms, yay!
- That brings us to today: I have a mother-fucking 102° fever! I also have my first chorus concerts coming up in 48 hours.
All this is to say, all this ill health is testing the limits of my positive attitude. It’s also to say, I’m not going to let it stop me. I’ll be singing with the Denver Women’s Chorus this weekend for our Women Of The Silver Screen shows. I have also been writing, even though not here.
I have a short story I’ve been working on that got some serious change in structure in the last couple days. My mind has been going a million miles a minute, especially when I’m stuck with nothing much to do but think. Part of me will remain the perpetual dreamer, imagining scenarios of great love and romance. I’m hoping I can distill the fantasy land of my brain into a cohesive story.
I’m also still working on my sister’s book. That’s more difficult, as I often end up crying as I write it but it does come along when I have the emotional fortitude to delve into it. I think I can finish an initial draft this year.
I’m still going to New Orleans to race but I’m likely doing the half marathon now. Regardless, I will run through my beloved city and I will spend a few days of downtime with ones I love. I’m truly looking forward to recharging while relishing gardenia soaked air.
I’ve also had to reevaluate some travel plans both for this year and next, as I learned I will be traveling to New York City next year to march in the NYC Pride Parade 🏳️🌈 and SING AT CARNEGIE HALL! Chelsea would have loved that, as we used to joke about becoming rock stars and marrying rock stars. I’ve already gotten to sing a single note on the stage of the Ryman but this will be a sanctioned and welcomed full chorale performance. Honestly, finding DWC has been the best thing to happen to me in the last year. I believe we also get to perform at the 2018 Denver Pride Festival. So many amazing opportunities coming up for me.
So, despite what seems like back to back viruses for the last 5 months, I’m still trying to be me…to grow and uncover me. I feel like 2018 will be a great year for growth. I feel changes stirring. I feel an awakening and I want to find out what that will reveal to me. I’ve still been planning more singing videos but I prefer to do those not looking like death on camera. Yes, I’m vain. I’m okay with that.
As a last thought, I’ve noted that 2018 will be a big year for a lot of people. Many of my friends are facing big changes- pregnancies, engagements, and divorces. It seems that growth is blooming amongst so many and no one really knows what all those changes will hold. May we all approach these changes with peace and patience…and as much love as we muster.