Wow, so much has happened since the Allen Stone debacle, I don’t know where to begin. I had big plans for this website this year, including but not limited to a chronicle of all the shows I was going to see and all the trips I was going to take. Four months later, and most of those shows and trips have been cancelled, or will probably be cancelled. It saddens me, then, that of the two shows I saw in 2020, one was…kind of a let down.
Anyway, while I’ve been quiet online the past four months, I have not been unproductive. Since Austin went into quarantine in March, I’ve been working from home, very thankful I still have a job. It’s been a weird and wonderful adjustment for me. As an introvert, I’m absolutely loving all this time alone. I’m still forced to go into the office once a week despite the quarantine, but even if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t miss the social interaction much at all. It’s been rejuvenating. After the stress and worry of the past few years, the crazy 90 hour work weeks, everything…I’m starting to feel like I’m getting back to myself. I’m also spending more time than I’ve ever spent in my apartment–that I’ve lived in for six years! Thanks to the quarantine, I’ve gotten to projects I never would have conquered otherwise.
So, Jacki, since you’ve been neglecting your website, what else have you been up to?
Well, that’s a good question. Let’s break it down, shall we?
Let’s Put on a Show
For the past few years, I’ve been writing for a local organization called Leap of Joy. We are a non-profit based in Austin focused on bringing dance and the arts to at-risk youth. Prior to Covid, my tasks focused on sending out the monthly newsletter, and the occasional blog post. But with the quarantine, Leap of Joy virtually stopped for a good chunk of time. We weren’t able to go teach at schools, our main focus, and for a while we weren’t even sure that we’d make it through. But we did, and now we’ve gone virtual. We’re now working with the Andy Roddick Foundation, doing virtual dance classes. And we’ve started a new variety show, for kids, that embraces the arts and learning.
We only have two full episodes out, but there are more in the works, and I highly recommend you checking them out if you have kids. Right now, I’m doing cooking lessons, as a slightly messy, ridiculously perky Martha Stewart-wannabe named Cookie Day. I’ve got more stuff planned for future episodes, and I’m excited to share it with y’all!
You can find our Leap of Joy Youtube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFkYbIPr-SRS9_d1dgS83ow
Various Creative Endeavors
As many of you may know, I have a zillion hobbies. I paint, draw, play music, cook, play the Sims, brew mead, read, and stress shop, all of which I’ve done with gusto in the past couple of months. I’ve been particularly enthusiastic about painting recently, and playing music. Some of which, in time, I hope to share with everyone!
But, more importantly, I also write. And I’m super excited because the main reason I haven’t been posting much is because I’ve been too busy working on my new novel!
I’m Writing a New Novel!
I’m not shitting you! I got the idea late last fall, and I’ve been planning ever since. It’s going to be a fantasy novel with a humorous twist, and involves a peasant who becomes an Earl, a moody Marquis, a licentious king and a mage with absolutely no bedside manner. It also involves wine, pears, and the kind of politics that actually succeed in fixing things. Unlike some current governments I could mention…but I won’t.
I’m really excited about this project. While I was focused for a long time on my vampire novel, I’ve decided to put that to sleep for a while to work on this one. It has a stronger premise and voice, and I can’t tell you how much fun I’m having with world building.
Stay tuned, because I plan to share some of my process here on my blog. Make sure to subscribe so you get updates when I post…I’ve got some fun things planned!
That’s all for now. Stay tuned…shit’s about to get great.
-J
