Welcome back!

Welcome back to school! I hope all my blog readers will leave a message letting me know how the first few days of school went. I've been thinking of all my student and teacher friends and want to know how you're doing! I know the Saint Stephen's Open House was postponed a day; my flight was also pushed back a day. I will admit it felt weird to be on an airplane instead of going to school on Thursday.... I realized yesterday that this is the first time in 23 years that I am not starting a new school year....

Quick update: I am currently in Aspen, CO. I am on a computer at the public library here. I have 13 minutes remaining until my session times out. I already wrote this post once, but it didn't save before the computer logged me off. Oops. Fortunately, I was able to register for another session. (And don't tell Mrs. Elisha or Ms. Mandel, but I probably won't have time to proofread...)

Yesterday afternoon I went 4-wheeling (fast and rough, but fun) and horseback riding. I still miss having my own horse, and I haven't been on one in over a year. I could have spent the entire day meandering trails and through the fields. It was a bright sunny day, but not as hot and humid as Florida. The sky was clear and blue with shockingly white clouds contrasting the green mountains and the deep red barn. I'm not up on color theory, but something about those colors in combination makes each individual color even more beautiful.

Tomorrow I take off for Burning Man. It is a festival in a remote part of Nevada. This will be my first time attending, but I am going with a friend who has been before and I know several other people who will be there. This festival is different than most in several ways: (1) all the art and performances are participant driven (no big professional, booked acts); (2) there is no vending or concessions of any kind, nothing for sale, we are bringing everything we need from food and water to shelter, shade, even a shower structure; (3) it is a leave no trace event: everything you bring in, you have to take back out (just like when you go hiking or backpacking) and did I mention there are no garbage cans? And since it is in such a remote place, there is no cell phone reception. I am looking forward to eight days of not driving my car, having no phone or email to worry about, not spending any money. What will I be doing? Meeting creative people, admiring art, dancing, cooking tasty meals, and pretending every day is Halloween. I'm not taking any art installations, but I have been working on costumes and masks. I'll be attempting to take some pictures, but be warned: it is a dry, dusty place. I'm not taking a good camera, just a disposable one, and I'm not sure looking through a camera will be my priority.

Have fun at school! I miss you all!