Art Parks & Dancing

Bloggy question: Should I switch to Wordpress? I like the simplicity and familiarity of Blogger (plus, it's owned by Google, who will someday own the world), but I feel WP just looks...cleaner.

On Sunday, while exploring an unfamiliar part of town, Chris and I were spontaneously invited to visit Randyland. It's tucked away on a quiet street and Randy was standing on the sidewalk, talking enthusiastically to a few visitors, while waving new ones in.

 

Unfortunately, there isn't much information online, and my photos really don't do justice to the magical intensity of this place. He explained that he bought the vacant lot and surrounding buildings on a credit card for $10,000, but he doesn't want to "own" it - he wants it to become a park that's sustained and fueled by the smiles of others.

 

 

He said that his style can be too much for some people, who tell him to "slow down." To this, he shrugs and laughs. His energy and enthusiasm is infectious. He kept reiterating that he's not an artist, but he instead learns as he goes. It was really inspiring to see someone so excited about a project and so eager to share it with others.

 

 

Throughout college, I studied writing and always surrounded myself with creative people - poets, painters, musicians, craftsmen. These days, however, I create very little and it's making me self-conscious. I cook a little, I blog a little, but I don't really have a concentrated creative outlet.

 

So...I signed myself up for a dance class. Natalie recently wrote a wonderful post about challenging yourself and doing things even though you're not sure that you can. I'm a firm believer in taking responsibility for elements of your life that you don't like - either learn to live with them or change them. I don't like my lack of creative endeavors => I take a dance class.

 

Here's the punchline: It's a hip hop class. It focuses on breakdancing, popping, locking, and housing. It's taught by these folks:

 

 

I am so nervous. I'm nervous that I'll be the only girl. I'm nervous that I'll be the oldest student. I'm nervous that I'll look ridiculous. But...I'm trying to remind myself that what makes something intimidating also makes it worthwhile. If I'm the only girl and 10 years older than the other students, then hell yeah. All the more reason to do it. My first class is on Thursday; stay tuned for a humbled post on Friday :)

 

Have you conquered something that once intimidated you?