Poets, Pricks, and A Candle with No Wick...

The National Poetry Slam in Austin, TX was a hoot. Poets like to party! There was so much activity one would think all would be exhausted come late night. But NO... poets don't sleep, or require very little when they gather for the National competition.

The Capitol Bldg from the bridge where the bats take flight at dusk.

Austin is a pretty city, but the heat kept me inside except when moving from venue to venue. I never got to see the bats take off from the bridge. My volunteer schedule was so crammed. No matter. I was there to immerse myself in all things SLAM.

Austin...a river runs through it.

After the bouts, showcases, and post show feeding frenzy we would gather at a gazebo adjacent to this river to play slam tag in the moonlight. It was awesome, although my body was a banquet for mosquitoes, and I worried a bit about the other creepy crawlers lurking nearby. The poets graciously allowed me to sing my songs in their midst. Thanks gang!

Seattle Slam Master Daemond getting a prenuptial lap dance from fellow poets.

Daemond was flying high Friday night after Seattle poet, Danny Sherrard, won the Indie Finals. The ladies & gents gyrating all over his person and pouring copious amounts of liquor down his throat helped broaden his grin, too. Told ya the poets are a wild bunch. It was a fun night, despite the pricks who tried to ruin it for me. Had a taste of 'good old boy' meanness in this venue. Oh well... their karma, not mine. Just let it roll...

Final night party complete with shot serving ice sculpture.

Congrats to team Slam Charlotte who won this year's competition. I saw them perform a couple of times throughout the week and they were inspiring. There were so many amazingly talented people in Austin for NPS 2007. I am blessed to have been among them for an entire week. The energy and non-stop partying nearly killed me. My candle needs a new wick. Geez! I thought I was hardcore. Guess not.

Thanks to Sharon, Danny, & Barbi for Austin hospitality; Mona-Jean for the chica connection and the reminder of why I love L.A. ( U left some treats in my bag!! I noticed.)

Dallas is my refuge for a few days while I recover from Poet-itis. I'm sleeping, playing with the babies, and reading Harry Potter's last adventure before heading to NYC and Barcelona. Anybody got any United or American Airline miles? I could use a few for this last leg of my gypsy journey.

Texas Heat, Cowboys & Clowns...

Yep! I landed in Dallas, Texas home of the Cowboys Tuesday afternoon. My play little sister, Leah lives here with her family-hubby, Eric and the lil' ones, Teagan & Wyatt. Seems like this leg of my adventure has been filled with the small tykes. It's amazing how open and pure they are. They haven't had the benefit of grown-up fear, loathing, and hate yet. Thank God for innocence!

Baby Wyatt

It's so freakin' hot here! I can't even begin to describe how sticky it is all the time. There's not even relief at night when coolness usually arrives. Oh well... I'm totally jazzed to be in a whole new place. Can't wait to get to Austin for the National Poetry Slam Convention and all the music! That place is said to be tres cool.

Send In the Clowns... No such thing as coincidences, these guys were at the Seattle show!

Meanwhile, I need to send out thanks to my friends in Seattle. I had such a wonderful visit! Playing the Queen in Cymbeline was terrific and all was enhanced by the presence of my pal, Kevin T Moore (see post 6 May). I was reminded how precious friendship is and how incredible are the people in my little circle of friends. As I said at my live show at The New Orleans Creole Club, you know who you are and what you mean in my world. Just want say, "I love you, no shit!!!" Thanks for housing me, feeding me, watering me, and keeping me in touch with the hip happenings. The treats were fabulous!!!

Lovin' every minute of singing my music and sharing the stage with friends...

Eric Verlinde & Neda Shahram

Me & Dr G~aka Evan Gackstatter

David & Daniel Thompson (Dr G's Band) backing my vocals

A very special thank you to Evan who dug my music enough to provide the soundtrack with his guitar and band at my Seattle gigs. You and the fellas rock, Dude!!! It'll be a blast to do it again! Check out Dr G & the Funky Recovery Monday night at the Rendezvous in Seattle's hip Belltown section.

Tonight I'll be chauffeured around Dallas, so I can totally misbehave. Time to pull out my Cowgirl boots!!! See y'all...