Well…this is AWKWARD.

Cringe-Worthy Stories. A tribute theme to David Sedaris and Story Story Night‘s toddler-esque 2nd birthday in which (finally) every natural predilection and mannerism and nerdiness of mine seemed to fit in and find peace.

Like the myopia. Dorky designer glasses, nearsighted prescription: 7+ ($70, Frame Joint- 1/2 off designer wear sale).

Like the acne (ProActiv, Accutane, homeopathy, untold over the counter treatments: $1,000s upon $1,000s). And the slouch (mild scoliosis. Sexy).

Like the vintage green tuxedo jacket (thrift store $3). Anna and Frank black silk top (thrift store, $1.99). Plaid wool shorts (thrift store, $3).

Like the grey pull up stocking-socks ($5, Urban Outfitters’ sale rack), and the Cole Haan black leather loafers ($2.99). Rock on, dorks.

Thanks to Whitney Rearick for the fantastic photos.

April is the cruellest month.—TS Eliot

April showers bring May flowers. —FolksWork is work. Sometimes play. And play is play. Sometimes work. But you must work and you must play, in an equal way. Or you will pay, someday. Vintage rose coat-unlabeled ($14, thrift store). 
So for today, come away. Play. Even (and especially) on a rainy day.

The above printgasm is my go-to travel/goof off outfit. It has everything you could ever want for a delightful trip to where the wild things are.

Top Notch oversized polyester flower blouse ($2, thrift store). I normally don’t wear polyester, but when traveling, polyester is fantastic. It packs light and tight. It doesn’t wrinkle. It dries quick and won’t leave you wet in rainy weather. And when it’s loud and sized for an obese woman, you throw everyone off guard, even guards. It gets you through a trip unscathed and comfortable. Show a little more figure by adding a belt and shoving up the sleeves.

Gray animal print leggings ($3.75, thrift store). Leggings are the best travel wear ever, especially when they’re totally wild.

Steve Madden bondage sandals ($10?, Ross Dress for Less). In the winter, I wear the same outfit but with fleece-lined Merrell boots ($11, REI garage sale) that double for hiking and other action.

Now, for the most important piece of travel wear, the Turkish pashmina (gift, Grand Bazaar, Istanbul). A pashmina is a fine cashmere wool scarf. It looks classy as all get out, but it is like a swiss-army knife. Useful for so many reasons. Here are just a few…

To make you look like a damsel in distress, or at least, a maiden. (Also, sun protection.)

Then on the other side, pure villian baby. (Also, thief/Sharia Law deterrent.)

Use it for a towel or a turban. Sometimes simultaneously.

It makes the perfect blanket…

and pillow too.

Other often emergency-only uses not pictured: baby sling, broken limb sling, diaper, leash, sarong, tourniquet, umbrella and so much more.

Happy trails to you. May your path be filled with printgasms and pashminas.

Photos by Dan Costello, my favorite travel partner and park companion.

When I was laid off in the great upheavals of 2008 (can it have been that long ago?), the first thing I did was buy stuff. I know. But it was half-priced curtains, and a few buckets of paint. An investment in a room of one’s own.

Now, 4 years and so many trials and revelations and breakthroughs and breakdowns in this little room later, I remain a rebel. I have built my own strange and wondrous and epically big-time relentlessly challenging career based on words, words, words. I have forged my own path. I will never go back.

Rebel hanging trophy art (March 2011 featured storyteller prize, Bricolage).When I got this trophy, it was for Story Story Night‘s REBELLION: Stories of You Say You Want a Revolution, a theme inspired by the Arab spring. This is when I met Awot Haile through Create Common Good. He is a recent refugee to Boise from the North African country of Eritrea. We happen to be exactly the same age, born the same year only 12 days, and entire worlds, apart.

Together, with only 2 weeks and his 8 months of English to work with, we met often and wrote out and talked out his powerful story of rebellion in his home country.

Then he told his story, live on stage and without notes. He got our first and only standing ovation.

Awot is an amazing person. I think of him as a brother. He calls me his sister. That is the power of story. The power of words.

Liz Clairborne Sport vintage red dress ($6, thrift store). Yesterday, I wore this dress to a baby shower for him and his wife, Salemawit. She is 8 months pregnant with their first child, a baby boy. New life in a new land.

Now, I have learned that all that really counts in the end is facing truths head on. Then moving forward.

So I will face my faults. I will face my fears. I will face my strengths. And I will confront any and all motherf*ckers who try to take away my freedoms. Because I’ve realized (at least to me), freedom means everything. Mind, body and soul. Rebel, party people. In a room of one’s own. Tibetan turquoise, coral and beaded breastplate ($140, Armor Bijoux). Frye Boots (Dorado Short), $200 (after $200 gift donation from mom and pop).

Red velvet and carved wood throne chair: $49 (The Bench Commission).

The pen is mightier than the sword. The serious bad ass shall inherit the earth. Green carnelian and silver soul ring ($180, Armor Bijoux), backed by Pentel RSVP black fine pen ($1).

Native American woman art ($20, Flying M art show) by Toby Robin of Neighborhood All Stars, fantastic design partner for Story Story Night.

I took these pictures myself. If you can’t tell. Bringing home the bacon. Frying it up in the pan.