So much has happened -- so many changes and stories to tell. But first things first --- I'm good. Actually, folks, I'm better than good....
I'm great!!
The past four months have been filled with some of the most challenging, exciting and prideful days I've had in years. I don't feel like I've started a new chapter -- it's more like a whole new book.
I closed the door on Pulp about a week after my last post. I expected to feel horrible about it -- to miss it madly and mourn it's passing for months --- but all I've felt is joyous relief. People keep asking me if I miss it ----- and the truth is that I miss certain aspects of it, but I absolutely, positively don't miss the tears or the stress or the sleepless nights.
I've managed to reclaim a lot of things since the shop went away... and the top spot on that list would go to my sense of sanity. Nothing can put ya on the fast track for a breakdown like losing absolutely everything you've ever owned, worked for or dreamed about. Nothing.
Please don't get me wrong.... I don't hate Pulp --- it was too big a part of me to hate -- too important to who I am. It was wonderful and amazing -- it's led to some pretty amazing things, and shown me what I'm capable of doing and surviving... which is just about anything.
But I haven't shed a tear for it, and I doubt I ever will. I've bookmarked the good bits, dog-eared the parts of Pulp I might wanna go back and revisit someday -- then closed the cover and put it on a shelf. On to the next book......
I started working at the Bemis in January as the bemis|UNDERGROUND Manager... my first six weeks here were insane. I basically renovated 3000 sq. ft of space with a team of volunteers, endless 15 hour days and some crazy ass determination to conquer the space. I have to admit --- it almost broke me. I dropped my broom and walked away from it in disgust a few times -- and cried while painting endless brick walls -- but the thing is.... I kept on painting while the tears rolled.
And it got done.
Scratch that.............. it got done WELL.
The space reopened in February to a crowd of over 500 people... and it's been going great ever since.
My job is basically to curate the space, which is broken into three gallery spaces. The shows for this year are all local emerging artists -- which was a challenge, but I'm making it happen. I'm also doing a lot of community programming -- which I honestly love. I'm hosting the monthly potluck supper which gathers 40 people together for a meal and conversation about the arts, we're doing gallery talks and trivia nights -- every thing's based on creating a stronger arts community in Omaha and helping to uplift the artists we have.
And I love it.
My job still keeps me up at night -- but instead of lying awake trying to sort out how I'm gonna survive, I think about how to help my community thrive. The past four months have been great ones for me -- and hopefully for the people coming through the UNDERGROUND. I couldn't have imagined being this happy four months ago... couldn't fathom it.
I hit bottom like nobody's business ---- but I'm bouncin' back like a super ball and it's good -- really, really good!
I think I needed a break from the blog.... some time to regroup. I'm not sure if anyone's still out there, but I'm back at it. I have lots to share -- lots I wanna share again. I was so full of doom and gloom before, I could barely stomach thinking about it... I definitely didn't want to write about it.
I'm finally ready to crack the binding on this new book....
Here's a bit of press about the new job, a video from the first opening, a photo of the funky family suppers I'm hosting each month...
... snapshots from my new life.
-- a review of the first show in the space
-- a piece the Omaha World Herald did on the renovation
-- a piece from The Reader
Scott Blake's video from the reopening of the UNDERGROUND
