Found my ol' blog about life on the road!

I was looking for another blog for our performance group, but found this blog along the way and got really nostalgic! Wow! What awesome adventures lead me where I am today... so for this post, I thought I would do some traveling down "Memory Lane"!  Two years back I visited my friend in Vegas for their preview of a show they wrote and perform called "Gladius". As luck would have it...I was invited to perform with them! I did a little fire dancing this time but the next time I visited for a show preview.. I got to play the role of the clown with the minature horse!!! What a wild group of people I have had the pleasure of meeting and amazing experiences I have had.  Check out their site at http://www.gladiustheshow.com

Stay tuned for more life on the road... though I am officially living in Palm Springs California these days, my travels are some of my fondest memories:)

Desert Circus Magic!

Sometimes, we just have to say yes.

A facebook message turned into an amazing adventure into the world of dramatic photography in the deserts of Southern Caifornia. For 3 weeks and 13 separate shoots Jim Millay from North Carolina and I along with a handful of artists from the area created magic in the form of photography of circus and artistic performers and models in the scenery of the majestic desert we call home.

Jim, a photographer who clearly enjoyed a good adventure, had emailed me about an idea he had to create photographs of circus performers in the desert. Though I had never met Jim before, the fact that he was interested in driving out to California from North Carolina to do the project intrigued me... and I accepted.

Each day we would race out to the chosen location to shoot at sunset (this is only after I had worked 8hrs, and stopped at home for a quick costuming/makeup session!) Jim spent his days spotting new locations and arranging to pick up other performers in other towns. He spent his nights camping out in his van or with family a couple towns over. The project was difficult and testing for everyone involved but was a wonderful opportunity that looks to be the start of a friendship between artists separated by thousands of miles- but pulled together for the love of creating magic...desert circus magic that is.

Journey to the Center of the Earth....or Close Enough

I had the opportunity this past weekend to go on an amazing adventure and experience the most amazing desert canyon in Southern California. What was more exciting was how little information we gathered on the area beforehand- this gave us an amazing opportunity to explore as if we were discovering it ourselves. Painted Canyon, in Mecca California is part of the San Andreas Fault Line and can be seen clearly from above when viewed from Keys View in Joshua Tree National Park. We ducked behind some large boulders to find what is known as Ladder Canyon-a "Slot Canyon" made from a narrow passage through the fault line. The trail is accessible through a series of ladders secured throughout the hike. Much of the hike is within two walls- a hike through a crack in the earth- how exciting to realize this when about halfway through the adventure....Enjoy photos of Painted Canyon and Ladder Canyon. (Ladders are secured and maintained by volunteers- no ladders=no hike!)

Psychedelic Waxcapade

How exciting- my first real fashion show appearance- I'm still not quite sure I'm cut out for all that makeup and hair product but I did enjoy the opportunity to experience the life of a model. The show is the product of a photographer/producer who pulls together the fabulous artists who create the costumes and characters for essentially a photo opportunity and entertainment for an event. I was asked to participate after meeting Candy Wax Cutie at an event in a downtown L.A warehouse where I was performing. I agreed though I wasn't exactly sure what I was getting myself into- as you can see from the photos- it was an incredible experience and I thoroughly rocked the role of Fire in Earth Wind Fire -Candy Wax Cutie Style!

Black Rock City, Nevada

AAAHHHHH Burning Man... a visit to Black Rock City- an experience for the adventurous and the brave- intense sun, wind, dust storms, climb-able structures, art-cars,hundreds of bicycles at night and the forces of nature made this festival more about survival than relaxation.....but I was up to the challenge and made the 10 hour trek to Black Rock City,Nevada. I spent 8 days camped out in my trailor with 70,000 other individuals while we danced to funky music, dressed in crazy clothes, experienced amazing pieces of art and explored the wonderful world of the human imagination! Here are some of my favorite memories-Lyra(aerial hoop) on the back of a pirate ship art car that drove by my camp as I walked out one afternoon, evenings at the stilt bar with my new friend Polly (on the stilt-cycle!), hooping on the skates at the roller disco, and posing with my friends on the playa!

Bakersfield, CA

I spent my summer in Bakersfield California- many people
warned against this due to the "extreme heat" but since I had spent last summer near the border at tempertures of up to 127*- I knew I would be fine. While there, I live in a room of a house I shared with a family. I also had an opportunity to perform for the residents at the nursing facility where I worked while I was there. I had an awesome summer and
wanted to share some pictures!

Desert Adventures

Oh the beautiful Mohave... I have spent so much time since getting to California exploring this unique and amazing desert from one end to the other. This time of year (late winter, early spring) has the most wildflowers blooming! This were pictures from a venture to the top of a mountain and our view down on the group we left down with the tents!