August, 2009:

I’m feeling very indebted to my family and community right now.

My favorite “This American Life” is an episode called Fiasco. In the episode the guest talks about how every person in the story was extended just beyond their capacity. The host, Ira Glass, expresses how these are conditions for achieving greatness or fiasco. The particular episode is about when it all turns the wrong direction and all goes bad. Right now, because of the people supporting me, everything is going right. Lately, I’m not feeling the chase for greatness as much as the fear of fiasco. I am extended beyond my personal capabilities but it’s all working out because of the people supporting me.

I have no less than six major projects going on right now: a dream burning man camp, a hoop jam on the playa of epic proportions, architecture projects, a photo shoot, a magazine article, a video shoot, Sf workshops, and two projects that vastly exceed those mentioned (the other two projects will be revealed in due time, once everything becomes concrete.) I’m sure there is more I am forgetting too.

Lauren supports me like I could never imagine or even ask for. I rarely send an email with out bouncing it off her. She creates everything that anyone ever sees of me. She directs all of the creative endeavors I step into. Without her, I have no idea where i would be. She never receives enough credit largely because I’m always standing out in front. For starters… she did the entire Burning Man application process for our theme camp. She also did it so damn well that we were approved as a new theme camp when camps were turned away left and right. She is remarkable. (140 camps were turned down this year!) And that is the least of the contributions she has given to creation of our camp this year…

Here is my creative process: I come up with 2 dozen bad ideas every day. I call Lauren on my walk home from work and spout them all into her patient ear. She filters out the 10-11 crap ideas. I dive into one while discussing every-step with her. Sometimes it works out… only with her constant advice. She’s my partner and co creator in everything I do, especially Isopop. Even the subtly of the way I move is distinctly influenced by Lauren’s vision. She always holds the bigger frame of reference. I love her with every beat of my heart.

She is also the best hooper you will never see hoop.

Okay, to lighten in up….
I called Bax this morning. I asked him to tell me to “Calm the fuck down!” I told him about how manic I’ve felt as burning man plan’s have amped up the last few weeks. I’m so honored to have him as a friend and a sage that i can call when I just need an ear. It helped. We ended the conversation with Bax saying, “Calm the fuck down!” Perfect.

And Ann… I love you. You are my energetic rock :) You have everything in hand and you’re so on top of everything. Every breath is positive energy shared with the universe.

I talk to Christabel two or three times a week. Sometimes about projects we’re imagining and trying to create. I love sharing creative energy with this genius woman. Sometimes I call just to say hi. She’s one of my closest friends and one one of the inspiring guides on this crazy path I’ve embarked upon. She has been no small influence in my hoop progression.

Saba and Janaka.
Saba is my sister. I need not say more. I love you. No one else would understand (accept Lauren:) You are an inspiration and help me hold direction. I’m so proud to have you as my friend and excited to see everything you are creating in the world.
Janaka.. the magical dub master. He’s opened my eyes to music and production. I have undying respect. He’s also been a sincere champion of my creative project, sharing his music and his intentions. This goes deeper than I can admit yet…. soon.
Cheb-I-Sabbah… the master. Thank you. I’m honored and excited.

Rosie lives as inspiration and energy always motivating me to keep going and keep creating in conscious manner. She is one of my closest conceleries. I love this woman :) She’s feels like a sister and peer like no one else.

I talk to Kramer several times a every week. The man is so damn experienced and skilled, he has knowledge I wish I shared. I resist calling the guy too much because I could use his advice several times a day. I owe him a lot. Kramer gets mundane calls about a simple technical question nearly every day. He gets almost nothing in return from me but he always helps. He is an amazing man. And this is all outside of the fact that the man spews creative projects that inspire our entire community. It’s ridiculous.

Grant…. jesus christ Grant…
Grant is like my brother, advisor, partner…. a shitload more… all rolled into one. The guy is a rock. I’ve never met as dependable a man as Grant. He has everyone’s back all of the time well beyond what anyone recognizes. I couldn’t imagine creating projects without Grant at my side. Grant introduced me to the hoop, shade sails, how to move as a masculine man, a family and more. Our camp at Burning Man, at L.I.B….anywhere else…it is all Grant. The guy makes it happen.

When you are at Burning Man and you desperately need __________. Guaranteed, Grant is the guy who is going to have you covered. If someone else offers you a solution, it’s because Grant gave it to them. It’s like that.

Not to mention, the guy is one of the best hoopers I’ve ever met. With razor precision, I show him a move, and he returns with the way to refine it far beyond the original. The guy is movement and hoop genius. He’s constantly innovating things that trickle into the community. Sometime ask me what moves Grant invented. It’ll take me a while to show you them all. Bax once said “Grant is the best hooper you have never heard of.” Now you’ve heard of him. Pay attention :)

This burn is going to be epic. Grant, I owe you a lot man. Hope I can repay you.

Shakti & Spiral.. you two have been my primary hooping inspiration for the entire last year. I’m so honored to call you both friends now. Last year at LIB, Spiral sat down and watched me hoop. I literally started shaking performing in front of the woman I consider the best hooper/performer in the world. L.I.B. was also the first time I saw Shakti spin. I fell in love the first time I saw her. You both carry the energy I aspire too.

Ariane, you inspire me to consider every step. In such a short period, you’ve effected me deeper than I can express. :) ;)

Kahn is my other constant concelerie. Khan and I have lunch at least once very week. I miss our weekly practices for the Flow Show. Khan and I are only beginning the collaborative projects we will share. He holds perspective with the constant wisdom of flow like no one else. He bring me back to flow. A guru. His own hoop style is a testament to holding self. When we hoop he is constantly innovating moves that are exclusively Kahn. And he never leaves a move at the level of innovation without pursuing grace diligently. He is hooping at its purest.

Julia.. you’ve opened your arms to me as a sister and I love you. You spin with grace I aspire too. You and Scott already feel like family.
Revolva. I fucking love you. You are a bad ass and you push the hooping envelope constantly. I remember watching your videos and thinking, WTF…. are you serious….. And you are one of the only people I never feel like I need to censor myself in front of.

Sighhhh.. so many more… Chris… Susan…. and everyone else. I love you.

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