First and Final Breath

There is much to be learned from the miracle of birth and death. 

Both are challenging, awakening, and humbling.   

Both expand our limited ability to see beyond the brevity and beauty of human life.

William Wordsworth wrote that babies come into the world trailing clouds of glory.  The dying hold the same cloud and ride it home.  

Photographer Sarah Robertson of Image Bearer's Photography, captured the first and final breath of Paul Perkins who's heart beat for less than an hour and a half.  During that time he was surrounded by love.

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:

The Soul that rises with us, our life’s Star,

Hath had elsewhere its setting,

And cometh from afar:

Not in entire forgetfulness,

And not in utter nakedness,

But trailing clouds of glory do we come  

William Wordsworth 

This video was featured on Life with Kaison, "a place filled with happiness and love"


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Ho, Ho, Ho

(I'm the HO on the right)

Last weekend, in celebration of all things jolly,  I attended my 5th annual Santa gathering known as Santacon - a colossal band of costume clad misfits focused on spreading goodwill, good cheer, creativity and spontaneity. 

Santa's take over Time Square

Santacon (short for Santa Convention) got its start in San Francisco in 1994 and now takes place in over 178 cities and 24 countries.

The largest gathering on record took place in Moscow in 2006, when over 70,000 Santa's formed a virtual sea of red.

Santa's fill the streets of Moscow

Santacon - a marathon long flash mob meshed with libations, reindeer games, song and dance - begins at 10:00 am and if you pace yourself just right, finishes at sunrise.  

Washington Square Park - NYC

Contrary to what people might think, Santacon is NOT a pub crawl and Santa gets upset when you call it that.  So much so that every time you say it's a "pub crawl" a sugarplum fairy looses its wings (t's that serious).

Panda finds herself at the right hand of the father 
Santacon 2009

Santa is never sloppy, nor does he participate in violence, vandalism, or inappropriate groping.

Frosty Shannon - Santacon 2008

Santa encourages good deeds by bringing canned goods for the homeless, treats for the children and free entertainment for the tourists.

Gothic Santa hanging with hero's 

Santacon 2007

But mainly, for me, it's an excuse to costume up, click away, and party like a Rock Star!

Santa Shannon aka "Tally Ho" dancing on a bar 

Santacon 2006

Christmas Mess Me - Santacon 2010

Talk about a ROCK STAR!!!

Thawing Out

Outside - There is a light dusting of snow coupled with a ridiculous amount of salt.  The waterfall, which flows less than 200 feet from my door, is 75% frozen.  I rush from the car to the house and have persuaded the dog to do the same.

Inside -  My curtains are closed to keep out the cold.  A treadmill replaces my laptop.  I have pounds to lose and nothing to write about (half truth).

I'm reading Naked, Drunk and Writing by Adair Lara.  I'm fully dressed, sober and running out of excuses.

If I were not in a self imposed funk what would I write about?

Step One - Ideas

1.  Dad stuck in the tub - how he got there and how I got him out ...with dignity.
2.  Red Dance - moving beyond my insecurities.
3.  Online Deception - dating gone wrong.
4.  A Best Friends betrayal  - a juicy good TRUE story
5.  Santa Convention - jolly, clean, holiday fun

Lets see where I go from here.   Most of my work stems from an email.  Who wants an email?

Thank you for not giving up on me, and for reaching out, repeatedly.

Shannon

Thawing Out 

Short Film by Jean-Julien Chervier

synopsis
Since he arrives to the nude-camp forced by his mother, Leo a 12 year-old, feels like dying. Until he meets Antoinette and her magic mushrooms...

http://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/films/detail.asp?fid=964