On my mind

I'm awake way past my bedtime. It's been happening a lot lately, mostly because my sleep schedule is completely out of wack and I have a lot on my mind.

Yesterday was opening night for Dance Chicago. I performed in a pre-show act with Renegade Dance Architects. We danced our piece "Forgiveness, Not Permission" on the sidewalk in front of Stage 773 (formerly the Theater Building) about 6 times as the audience walked into the venue. It was definitely our most challenging performance yet. In addition to repeating the dance over and over for half an hour, we had to navigate the rake of the driveway, huge cracks in the sidewalk, joggers, dog walkers, interested (and very uninterested) observers. But it was so much fun, as usual. Apparently Sid Smith, dance critic for the Sun-Times and SeeChicagoDance.com, was a bit impressed too. We'll perform the piece again on the stage soon as part of the festival.

I have such a busy month! A short glimpse: I'm in 3 other pieces for Dance Chicago (two that we featured in IDC's last concert, and one that a dance friend Christine Hands choreographed). This weekend, IDC is auditioning for America's Got Talent. NorthSide Dance Theater added two new classes to my schedule (Intermediate Tap on Tuesdays and an additional Intermediate Modern on Saturday mornings). I'm also going to be setting a new piece on the gorgeous and talented dancers in Renegade Dance Architects. Add in co-op meetings, Thurgood Marshall after school program (hopefully starting soon), additional school outreach, GI Alliance Dance Co. rehearsals and studio showing, and work...phew. Good thing I love it all so much.

Seriously, on an almost daily basis I am moved nearly to tears by how fortunate I have been this year. So many opportunities have been presented for myself and Ed, and we couldn't be happier. As much as I want a break just to breathe, I don't want to slow down.

I do, however, wish I could spend more time with the people I love. I just can't get enough time with my husband and my lovely, lovely friends from IDC. Even if I saw you at rehearsal today--I miss you all so much all of the time!

Hopefully, writing all this down will help me sleep now...