So much to do...

Here's the short of it - tomorrow we are going to Columbus. It's house hunting madness, neighborhood wandering, sightseeing, and on Monday morning - it's interviewing. It will be one crazy weekend. A full update will be provided once we get back.

In the meantime, something cool! A friend of ours, King, is an up and coming artist. We had always wanted to buy one of King's paintings, but not being in the "art market", we didn't really have that kind of budget. But thankfully for us, King was selling off a few pieces, and we were actually able to afford one.

This piece will hang in our home in Ohio!

"Baltimore Blues" by King Kenney

The blurry photo is from Francesca's in Durham. I didn't want to creep the ladies out by taking photos of them. But this is our painting. We already have it at home now, but we are waiting to put it on the wall of our new home!

The big 3-1

Saturday was my 31st birthday. And I can honestly say it is the best birthday I have ever had. It involved a 5 mile run, hanging out with a dog and some chickens, cupcakes, farmers market, pool time, our first art purchase, more chickens and dog, Kanki, bowling, karaoke, and it was all with my bestest friends. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! It was a wonderful, wonderful day. And here's the photographic proof!

Review: Performance Art Night at the Common Ground Theatre

Friday night, Lauren and I went to the Common Ground Theatre in Durham for PAN VI. We had a blast. That pretty much sums it up. Oddly enough, I was a bit nervous attending this event. I'm not really the arty type, although I have always wished I was. I felt that by attending my first ever performance art night, I could start to get comfortable with the part of me that would love to reach out to the art world. I am so glad that Lauren and I went.

There were a few changes to the original schedule, but since we really had no idea what to expect anyway that was fine. We mainly wanted to see Jonathan, a new friend we met at the Duke Alumni event last week - and he was still on the schedule. With that being said, we were ready for whatever else was in store. We saw Jesus do stand-up and engage in some rather risque behavior, we saw a very mind blowing exploration of dark and glowsticks (impossible to explain - you just have to see it, and a very emotional performance from a young woman about body image issues and family influence - really amazing. And of course we saw Jonathan's multi format performance - panels, video, music, song and poetry. Really fantastic.

We were treated to a preview of "Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll" which starts at the theatre September 5. The small scene we saw was fantastic, and I think I may actually get Mike out to go see the show when it starts. Each show a different local band is featured, and there are a few I would like to see. Marty's former band, the Pneurotics opens up the show, and evenHammer No More the Fingers and Veronique Diabolique plays, both whom I have heard good things about. This theatre thing may become a normal outing. yay!

With that all being said, I will keep you posted when I hear about the next Performance Art Night - it's free with donations accepted. It's a small and personal theatre. The pieces we saw performed were absolutely wonderful. I envy the performers and their ability to be so open with emotion in front of such a personal audience. Absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing, everyone, and keep it up!

While the cat's away, the mice will....get culture?

I had a nice chance to chat with Mike this morning, and it appears that the school interviews are going well. He had three yesterday, will have four today and three more on Saturday. Mike is a natural people person, so it seems his interviews are not just going well but are fairly enjoyable. I'm glad he is going into today with such a good experience yesterday.

While Mike continues on his job search, I am here in Durham doing my thing. Last night was Thirsty Thursday, our weekly tradition. I meet up with Cookie, Lauren, Neil, and last night Marty joined us, too. We start at the Fed with $1.50 PBRs then usually head to the Joyce. Last night we decided to switch it up and head over to Satty's to cap off the evening. That was a great time as always.

Tonight, I am heading over to the Common Ground Theatre in Durham to check out "Performance Art Night VI." When Lauren, Cookie and I were at the Forever Duke event on Monday evening, we met a nice guy who happens to be one of the artists performing. He gave us an invite to check out the show, so Lauren and I are going to have a date night with Mexican food and performance art! The Indy described the show like this:

And now for, as they say, something completely different. Common Ground Theatre's sixth episode of "Performance Art Night," presented by Verynormal Productions, follows in the previous episodes' traditions of apes, yoga, cross-dressing geishas, dance, group poetry, head shaving and more. This particular presentation features Rus Hames, Catherine Overman, Jonathan Blackwell, Phyllis Wiley, Gabriel Sexton and Tony Hughes, along with a special screening of Jeffrey Moore's short film What the Frock? The 12-minute short, which recently screened at the N.C. Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, tells of a recently deceased drag queen's last request to be buried in a dress and pearls, with much hilarity ensuing. The emceed event is performed in a cabaret style, with an emphasis on performers talking directly to the audience. Tickets for this popular event, which starts at 8 p.m., are free on a first-come first-serve basis, though donations are accepted. Drinks and snacks are available at the performance. For more information, visit www.cgtheatre.com or call 417-1445.

It should be an experience! I'll update you on it all later. Ciao, folks, and have a great weekend!