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"Welcome Home." Wildfire, Summer 2011
Aug. 23rd, 2011 03:09 pmI've taken a break from fire spinning for about a year, but during this summer I started returning to Spin Jam, and signed up for the summer session. Wildfire has grown in popularity to the point where it can support three sessions a year. I've known the rainy springs, and the bitter cold falls, and this would be my first summer event.
I took some time to review my older entries on past Wildfires. The first time was magical,the third very pleasant, the second and fourth utterly tragic. I've written about the problems and issues that I had in the past, dealing with bad moods and feelings of isolation. What I never truly factored in was the physical toll. I don't care how much exercise you do, when you're spending most of your day inside, then spend a full day out in the blazing sun in physical activity, you WILL be knackered. I have blisters on my fingers and calluses on my neck to prove it.
Feelings can creep in and sabotage your mood, but that doesn't make you helpless. I sought out the company of friends, and bonded with them over shared experiences, and drew strength from them. Hopefully, I passed a little on as well. I went to bed without spinning, but without beating myself down either. Had I took a nap earlier, I think the evening would have been entirely different. I didn't quite feel the good vibes that I did in the spring, though.
The last day I took more time to recover, but what really saved me was the Dancing with your Toys class. I learned many things over the weekend, but often felt frustrated and behind the curve. This may come as a shock, but I'm used to picking up things easily and not having to work at them. I frustrate easily. Getting a chance to take a class where I feel I'm already proficient (dancing) and combining that with learning and improvisational movement, was extremely rejuvenating and fun. I finished out the day by learning some more about the bull whip, a toy I must add to my collection.
My experience ended a little sooner this year, as I had to be in the office on Monday, so I didn't get the chance to burn on Sunday. There were also weather complications, but it was the driest Wildfire I've been to yet. It was neither the best, or the worst time either. One of my friends asked me why I keep coming back. I guess it's for the same reason that I didn't leave on Saturday night. I keep coming to learn new things. I keep coming because I do have friends here. I may be a small part of the community, but that can change, if I want it to. I learned some very valuable lessons this weekend about taking care of myself. There will be more chances to light up, and more changes to play with my friends. Before long, they will feel like family again. Special thanks to all of you who were there for me. I love you guys.
I took some time to review my older entries on past Wildfires. The first time was magical,the third very pleasant, the second and fourth utterly tragic. I've written about the problems and issues that I had in the past, dealing with bad moods and feelings of isolation. What I never truly factored in was the physical toll. I don't care how much exercise you do, when you're spending most of your day inside, then spend a full day out in the blazing sun in physical activity, you WILL be knackered. I have blisters on my fingers and calluses on my neck to prove it.
Feelings can creep in and sabotage your mood, but that doesn't make you helpless. I sought out the company of friends, and bonded with them over shared experiences, and drew strength from them. Hopefully, I passed a little on as well. I went to bed without spinning, but without beating myself down either. Had I took a nap earlier, I think the evening would have been entirely different. I didn't quite feel the good vibes that I did in the spring, though.
The last day I took more time to recover, but what really saved me was the Dancing with your Toys class. I learned many things over the weekend, but often felt frustrated and behind the curve. This may come as a shock, but I'm used to picking up things easily and not having to work at them. I frustrate easily. Getting a chance to take a class where I feel I'm already proficient (dancing) and combining that with learning and improvisational movement, was extremely rejuvenating and fun. I finished out the day by learning some more about the bull whip, a toy I must add to my collection.
My experience ended a little sooner this year, as I had to be in the office on Monday, so I didn't get the chance to burn on Sunday. There were also weather complications, but it was the driest Wildfire I've been to yet. It was neither the best, or the worst time either. One of my friends asked me why I keep coming back. I guess it's for the same reason that I didn't leave on Saturday night. I keep coming to learn new things. I keep coming because I do have friends here. I may be a small part of the community, but that can change, if I want it to. I learned some very valuable lessons this weekend about taking care of myself. There will be more chances to light up, and more changes to play with my friends. Before long, they will feel like family again. Special thanks to all of you who were there for me. I love you guys.
