All work, no play today.

All work and no play today, and sadly, no time in the studio! I began the day with a little trip to the dentist that left the right side of my face completely numb, looking like I'd had a stroke and drooling! With my slump-face, I went straight to the car dealership and shop, where I had my car serviced. The time waiting for my car proved to be useful in getting some of my reading done for school. I began reading a book called, "The Signifying Monkey," by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. The book is on the theory of African American literary criticism, using the recurring theme of the trickster in African and Afro-American oral traditions as a basis for discourse. I won't say too much about the book yet, as I have only scratched the surface of all the information and insight this book has to offer.

At River Run today, I carried banners, signs, wine, glasses, and other things up and down the stairs of the building on fourth street. I worked to clean out a large closet in the lobby in preparation for next month's festival and learned some interesting things about some of the people I've been working with. I met one of our volunteers today, named Peggy, who has completed 6,000 hours of community service in the state of North Carolina! It is amazing to hear her speak of all the work she has done, on her own time away from the daycare center she works at, and how gracious she is to be involved in her community. She is humble, as well, but has won awards for her service and even has a sash and tiara she won as the 2010 US Global Classic Ms. for NC! And Jenny, who is working with the River Run Festival this year as the publicity coordinator, is a fashion entrepreneur! She has her own company, which produces a line of clothing that is both cute and eco-friendly! She does everything, from designing the clothes, to marketing her line, to public relations, to distribution. Goes to show, you never know who you are talking to!

My day ends with a Storyline Committee meeting, where we continue to discuss the logistics of our One Year Anniversary Event. It has been decided that the event will be held at Salem College for sure, and that we are pairing down the evening's performance offerings to only include my dance piece and documentary, which are in keeping with the concept of art created in reaction to the stories collected over the last year. There will be an introduction given and a musical transition included, to make the show flow well. I am much more comfortable with the decision to do a smaller event that we had originally planned. It will be sweet, intimate and a great place to begin with plans to expand an annual event in the future.

Must get to bed soon, teaching tomorrow morning!

~Cara