So much has happened since the summer of 2012.

Met a fellow at Burning Man.  His camp (Math Camp) was across the road from mine (VW Bus Camp).  We’ve been doing the long-distance relationship thing ever since.  He’s in the East Bay and holy crap!  I’ve been plunged into Burning Man and Maker culture galore!

Since meeting him, I’ve become involved with Acme Muffineering and the Empire of Dirt.  I’m even building my own Devils Food Cupcake!

HulaHoopla is still going strong and honestly, it has kept me sane and happy even if it doesn’t pay the bills.  Teaching people how to play in a hula hoop just kicks ass.  I’ve been able to find a beautiful space in Alameda to teach hoop classes when I’m in the Bay Area.  I’m thinking about adding more classes up here, maybe a daytime class for those who work evenings. We’ll see.  I created a hooping podcast and trying to discipline myself to produce them on a more regular basis – I definitely found a niche and would love to develop it further.

I started another little business out of necessity called Fox On The Run.

Fox On The Run

It grew out of my experience working at Mission Control - I love making sure people get their shit taken care of!   I’d been seeing fox imagery everywhere for a couple of years and in 2012 it was my mission to bring “Foxy” back into our everyday vocabulary. So with my love of all things clever and foxy as well as VW buses, I created my logo and started getting clients via word-of-mouth.  I haven’t gone “ligit” quite yet but this type of gig allows me to get work here in Portland and in San Francisco and Oakland.

I actually scored an amazing job here in town as a fitter welder trainee at Gunderson.  I loved it!!  I was using a big ol’ flux core arc welder, full leather gear, dripping molting metal and sparks flying.  But then my shoulder gave out.  Apparently once you’ve had shoulder surgery, you never get your strength back 100%.  Grrrr!  I lost feeling in my right hand and suffered some pretty severe shooting pains down my arm.  I was dismissed but told they loved me and want me back as soon as a non-over-the-head work position opens up.  *heavy sigh*

In the mean time, I know what it’s like to do industrial welding and I want more!

So the big question…Do I stay in Portland or look for work in the Bay Area?  I’m leaning toward heading south.  But wouldn’t it be cool to have a job where I can travel between both places and pay the bills?!

I’m working with a career specialist at PCC where I got my Multimedia degree.  I just started reading “What Color Is Your Parachute” for the first time.  I probably should be reading it right now! But I think I’m putting something out to the Universe.

I hope I’m heard.