taking bellingham by storm!

on monday in a wave of madnesss i bought greyhound tickets up to bellingham. the goal, to see betsy (one of my dearest friends from bellingham) perform a piece in an amazing production titled, "undressing the other." river (another dear bellinghamster) called and demanded i show up as his date, and he is a total babe so the suggestion was impossible to deny.

i opted for a bus at 7:40 in the morning, which resulted in me having to rouse myself at 5:30 to make it down to the station in order to board the bus. i have been riding my bicycle non-stop lately, and although i love bicycling there is something really human about riding public transit. i ran into a woman who was in a really tough spot, and i attempted offered her words of encouragement and a friendly face to talk to. i think she appreciated the company and i was touched by her courage and hoped that my meager conversation helped fuel her journey. it's strange how trimet is a great unifier. it seems like there is a strong community between riders, and i think that is essential in this big city sometimes.

anyhow, the greyhound station was as depressing as ever. there is something about that place that makes me instantly weary. i sat in front of a woman whispering words of the apocalypse and the impending doom of each member on the bus, which was unnerving to say the least. i am the ultimate cat napper, especially when it comes to traveling. i was snoozing in minutes.

bellingham welcomed me with a gracious dose of sun and warm winds that i highly appreciated. the moment i stepped off the bus i realized that this was no longer my home, which was really strange. it scared me a bit, but also encouraged me that what i've been doing (the life i've been fostering) in portland is right. i instantly missed sidewalks crowded with productive young people, and the bustling conversation. bellingham felt a bit like a snoozer town, which was actually refreshing for me once i took a few deep breaths. my head has been spinning since the beginning of february, so i was happy to be there wandering the empty gravel paths that wind along the shores of bellingham bay.

i made a few phone calls, reaching out to the friendly faces i'd left behind this past october, but everyone was busy. rather than being disappointed i was excited about spending an afternoon being an anonymous stranger. i read my book on a familiar bench in boulevard park, and paused to reminisce about how much this place has molded my past. this was the site of the first meeting of bellingham's juggling club (which is a monster today.), this is where my first love deepened and blossomed. this is where my family gathered each fourth of july to watch skyrockets explode and shimmer over the ocean. okay, this is getting a little to gooey for me too. let me finish by saying: it felt healthy and nice to recollect all the magic that bellingham has established within me. it was neat to spend the afternoon reflecting and recognizing that although the past was amazing my time in this town is done, at least for the next few chapters of my life.

i met jules and river at the food co-op and we giggled over the fabulous '3 salad plate' that the swan cafe offers. jules is working non-stop on some performance art madness which includes a marching band, modern dancers, the grocery store, and many many hours editing video. he was pretty tuckered out, and i was grateful that he made time to come say hi.

river, my date to the show, whisked me away on the most ghetto fabulous scooter of all time. the seat is nothing but exposed foam, the battery lives in a crate that's bungied onto the back, you have to hot-wire it to get it started, and i'm not even sure there is a headlight... it was the most delightful ride. we even found a concrete jump (which we drove over multiple times) in one of the western campus packing lots. we finally parked and bolted to the multipurpose room where i was showered in the many beautiful faces that i had spent so much time with this summer at the juggle farm. dream, daniel, vanessa, jackie, reid, and others that i am forgetting.

then the show began...

the premise is this (imagine a cat walk, fashion show styley): part I entails each individual comes out decked out in garb that reflects the stereotypes and labels imposed upon them each and every day. they speak from the lies of the whispers of the people who judge them. buying into the stereotypes and through that process showing you just how fucked up those judgements are.

part II entails each of these ladies coming out once again and speaking the truth. discussing the challenges and truth of their lives with brutal honesty. the second half hurt. each woman had such powerful words to say and i ached for each one of them.

this was by far the most powerful performance i've ever seen in my life. the women spoke from their hearts, and the profound honesty they shared impacted everyone in the audience in a way that we had never felt before. if you have the opportunity to see it (the next shows are thursday, friday, and sunday) you must make it. yeah. congratulations to everyone that made that production happen. i am touched and forever impacted by your efforts.

after the show river whisked me away on the fabulous scooter. we headed to jules' house, jumped the curb into his yard and tumbled off the ridiculous red monster as jules watched from the window. jules showed us the nook that he calls his bedroom and it was freaky how similar it was to the barn at the farm. same unfinished roof with installation visible (granted it was fiberglass installation and not carpet padding stapled into the wood), he had lebn's futon and my pink and green fleece blanket. i loved it and shuttered a little.

at 3am jules said goodnight and we mounted our great steed once again, this time with an ambitious goal ahead of us...getting out to the trailer. the journey was long and my hands were icles by the end, but it was all worth it. astra (one of the farm kittens) met us at the door and i had a good snuggle session with my favorite furry friend. river has entirely renovated the jolly van, and it looks absolutely fantastic. his toolbox is installed in the back, which allows him to drive anywhere with his shop on board. it's carpeted, decorated, heated, and generally spruced up.

being in the trailer again reminded me of the past yet again. the memories of juggle parties and amazing pasta dinners(thanks to the smoked salmon from the BGO). in the morning we rode into town in the 'little van that could', which still has the remains of an unidentifiable (at least by me) animal skull still intact and wired to the roof above the windshield. that van is a beast and i think it will keep on kicking as long as river is still around.

we stopped at 'Deals Only' an amazing consignment grocery store that boast, 'only deals, all the time.' and let me tell ya, that's no lie. i went in without intending to buy anything, and left with a bag stuffed with goodies for my bus trip home (all for under 5 bucks!!!). we then stopped for breakfast at the bagelry, which still serves the best bagels on the west coast. i stocked up, and chatted with old co-workers. some of the faces at that place never change, although most do...

we met up with betsy at western and brought her poor tattered soul some good eats. i have met no one as passionate and productive as that gal. she is a gem, one that i hope to know forever.

then it was off to the bus station. now i am here, at a silly coffee shop, kiddie corner from the greyhound station. waiting out my layover.

thanks for listening. i bet all this blogging is a bit overwhelming. i was so dormant for a while! but, i'm back. don't fear. i love you all to bits.

-kelly PEACH!!!!