It's a sin

This week started with Pride. Ah yes, that evil sin that has crushed countries in war, split up families at Christmas time and promoted a thriving bumper sticker industry through the parents of honor roll students was a huge force a few days ago. The students in my Intro to Technical Theatre class frackin' rocked their recital on Monday evening. My three bright shining superstars arrived at the theatre early, anxiously awaiting the culmination of their six Saturday sessions spent crawling under the stage, deftly clamboring across the catwalk and coiling miles of cable.

Their show was fantabulous. Between the three of them, they ran the show by themselves- Lights, Sound, Calling the Cues - The Whole Shebang. Despite this being the first class I've taught, as I told them, they are by far my favorite class ever.

However, the week slid into a thick despair yesterday when, on my rounds to gather bits for my Halloween costume, I learned that the local art store closed and the owners moved back to the mainland.

As many of you are artists, in some realm(s), you can understand my sadness. This isn't the first time this has happened, and, likely, it won't be the last. It is depressing nonetheless. When hubs of creativity, whether it's a neighborhood bookstore, a record shop or an art supply store, are lost, creativity is stymied. The tree has no room to grow, its branches break against eachother, it withers without the room to let its roots wind down deep. Not being a botanist, or arborist, maybe the metaphor doesn't exactly work, but the idea is still true. We need to save creativity before it's overrun and stamped out for good.
Now, go out and create.