The purpose of this blog is in a constant state of flux, but is generally a reflection of what I’m thinking about.
Having three distinct first names is the kind of pluralist I like to be. I have a nickname, two other names that are equally valid, plus my surname. The only downside is stammering when introducing myself, deciding which name to use. I am who I say I am. But I’m also a couple other people too.
I live in Portland, Oregon, with my grrlfriend who I call TW on this blog. We live in a fabulous informal co-housing situation and have lots of animals around. For a variety of reasons that amuse us, we call our home Camp France.
I grew up in small-town Utah, followed by a dozen years in Salt Lake City. Yes, my parents are LDS (aka Mormon). In general, I am not Mormon and haven’t been for almost half my life. However, it is slightly complicated by the fact that I am inextricably Mormon in a cultural sense.
My maternal grandfather’s family settled Oregon in the 1850s, and my sister and I returned to the Northwest within the last few years. I enjoy being both an insider and an outsider simultaneously.
I like to think of myself as an appreciator of and advocate for paradox, but lately I’m wondering what I really mean by that. If and when I figure it out, I’ll let you know. Increasingly, I’m wondering if it just means that I’m flaky. Or maybe it means I’m flexible, since I crave seeing things from varied perspectives.
Spinning fire, eating fire, and playing with fire are some of my favorite ways to get a rush. You can see a few photos here. Unsurprisingly, I’m an Aries born in the year of the Dragon. Roar.
In May 2007 I graduated from law school. I am not a lawyer. At this point in this blog’s life, I minimize talking about what I do to make money. Believe me, you are glad.
For over nine years, I was actively polyamorous. I have come to realize that poly is something I DO, not what I AM. Optional, not requisite. Activity, not identity. As with anything, others’ mileage varies on that score. In 2006 I moved out of the house where I lived with my partner-husband of seven years and other woman who had been part of our family for four years at the time. We were often mistaken for polygamists, since we lived in Utah, but ours was not a Big Love-style arrangement. If you aren’t familiar with polyamory, look here.
Since summer 2007, I’ve been in a monogamous relationship with the beautiful TW. We make a magical life together. We planned to be married on Cape Cod in July 2009, but have since postponed the trip due to financial constraints. Our ceremony will likely happen in summer 2011. On Bastille Day, July 14, 2009, we filed our Declaration of Domestic Partnership in Oregon. We will have a ceremony with family and friends when the time is right, preferably when we can get married where we live. If that takes too long, we might change our minds and have a ceremony despite the second-class status our relationship is afforded.
Self-indulgent is usually an apt descriptor for me. I’m a hugger, whether people, trees, dogs, light poles, whatever. I’m an appreciator of eye contact. I (used to) drink more water than most people would believe. That was when I lived in the desert. Now that I live in Oregon I drink less water. But I really need to shift that since I’m far less grumpy when I’m well-hydrated.
I was once a raw vegan, and have lately been missing that raw glow and the connection to living food.
My current A recent intention: choosing to ride the wave of fluidity with varying degrees of grace and awkwardness. Staying off the beach and on that wave.
Another abandoned project: inspired by Chicory and her own project, I’ll be taking a photo of myself every day some days in 2009. Photos to be posted at 365 Mossie. I abandoned this project for six months, but am starting to reassemble the dismembered pieces of my intention with this effort.
