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.