Well, now it's official, I am totally invested in wildly enjoying my last year in the 40's and the next decade. I have joined a "Vaudeville/Burlesque Troop" that is made up of a wild and crazy group of people ranging from drag queens to leather freaks. I am doing a "Mae West" act and it is going to be sooooo ... much fun. My daughter does some of the 50's singing queens like Patsy Cline, Connie Francis and now also Tracy from "Hairspray".
Now, of course it is a unique contrast to my other lives, the Health Professional, the Buddhist, and the Activist/Hippy. But then I LOVE my life of contrasts, there is never a dull moment, always something to learn, tons of challenges, and most of all it's exciting.
I was talking about this to my fellow colleague and shrink yesterday. In the Emergency Dept., particularly the Psych Assessment Unit, we never, at least in recent recall, see people whose lives are filled with energy, activity, and excitement. We don't see people that Canoe, run, climb, sing, act, meditate, take journeys to volunteer in impoverished places, seek adventures, write books .... the list goes on. It's an interesting observation that those individuals seem to find healthy ways to deal with life and it's suffering. Somehow they accept life's pain into their path and make it a challenge and another hurdle to overcome, and they succeed. Those folks don't seem to come here wanting to take Overdoses of Tylenol, wanting tranquilizers to numb out, or seeking someone and someplace to just take care of them.
I realize we all, despite our outlook on life, have times we need a little help, (myself included), and do need to ask for it. I'm not referring such folks, I am thinking about the ones I see, sometimes more than once a week, who are so easily overwhelmed that the smallest event has them calling 911 and looking to Psychiatry for a quick fix.
So many others who work at making their lives fulfilling and dedicated have figured out that pondering the problem while taking out the Kyack, running, having tea with a friend, praying, or volunteering will be much more successful and satisfying. They have figured out that to solve and conquer a problem, to view it as a challenge to be answered, fills them with wisdom that they can carry forth to the next situation. Each time gets easier in some ways, because with each success one knows it can be overcome. This is the way I think healing occurs.
Therefore as a way to add another dimension to my already interesting life, I've decided I need more FUN. What could be more fun that taking a spunky, daring, woman I have always admired and add her into my own spirit ? So I've had my hair changed to a funky platinum color and am putting together some costumes and a great act. I hope to have it ready for a late October performance. Pulling it all together is a process, and a new challenge in creativity. Performing in such a way will be a whole new experience, though I have done lots of public speaking, and LOVE an audience, this will definately challenge my extraverted self.
I'll keep you posted as I move along the highway to laughter.... and post pictures as I pull "Mae" together.
Be sure to "come up & see me sometime" 
Namaste
Heather
fun
It's a ton of fun watching the ladies in their corsettes and fishnets, dancing and singing. One girl even sits on a swing above the audience! 
