Happy 4th?

Um....Hi?

It's been 6 years since the last time I wrote in this. It's really phenomenal to think about. But here I am. So much has happened (shocking) since the last time I updated or wrote in this. But.... here's the cliff's notes version.

- Burlesque for over 6 years (But racism, microaggressions, blah blah blah) On the flip side, I'm an international performer. I also have a few awards or accolades, as you might call them. I teach. I travel. Moving on.

- Worked under Enterprise for over 6 years (But then Corona/ Covid-19 happened)
- Married- No human children, but 4 fur babies. 2 kitties. First, I still have Sir and RaRa, We also have one pup, Vino. We lost Chloe last year. She was a black lab mix. A little bit of a mutt but a pure-bred lover of love and affection.) Lastly, we have Sherlock. He is a ball python. Yes. AH! I've wanted a snake longer than I remember, but there were so many things holding me back, holding me back from attainable goals, and attainable things that I could have in my life. I didn't realize how much of that was deterred and clouded by microaggressions and societal expectations. (Or should I say limitations)

Black folks don't have snakes. Black folks don't have a menagerie of animals. Black folks aren't queer. Black folks aren't punk rock. Black folks don't do all the things that make me who I am and who I have always been and that's why I've always felt like I've never belonged. I've felt like I've never belonged because I was told and made to feel as though something was wrong with me, when in reality, I understood more of who I was 20 years ago than who I am trying to rediscover right now.

But I am on a journey. And I won't be deterred by the conditioning that has set me back or directed me on a path of self hate. Colorism. Anti-black sentiments. Internalized racism. Internalized Homophobia. I am, and will continue to, work on all of the isms every day.

There is no true start to this and there is no real end. But I'm doing the internal work that needs to be done right now.

It's 5:36pm CST. In less than two hours, I will be taking my first spiritual cleansing bath. I will be charging my designated crystals. I will be charging a mason jar's full of water with the energy of the moon. I will be saging and smudging our space in our house we bought almost 10 years ago.

Needless to say, much has changed in the 6 years since I last wrote in here. I'll see you on the other side of this.