Christa Bell

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

boise state university

made it to idaho a couple of hours ago and, despite being on the front page of the life (arts) section of the idaho statesman this morning, the klan wasn't waiting at the airport for me! lol...seriously, friends and family both were like, 'you sure you wanna be out there in iowa? -idaho!, i corrected- i heard the kkk hold steet meetings on sundays!'

i will be reading at boise state university this afternoon at 1:40, speaking to a small group of graduate students afterwards, and then reading at the boise poetry slam tonight. i've been warned that boise state considers itself to be very literary and so having a performance poet read will be something of a curiosity for them.

the boise poetry slam is held at a comedy club called 'the funny bone' and tonight, right before my feature, auditions will be held to find the world's funniest mom. so moms from all over idaho will be telling funny stories about their children right before i get up to read...should be interesting.

my host is a wonderful woman named cheryl maddalena whom i met in 2004 at the national poetry slam in st. louis. she was on the berkeley team then with jaylee and co. and was a million months pregnant and glowing like a sunset when i last saw her. i didn't recognize her until after we'd talked for about an hour and in a flash i remembered this AMAZING poem she performed at semifinals about having had a cesarian section.

i'm excited to read a new piece i've been working on over the last few weeks about the mythological and ideological orgins of narcissim, loneliness and emotional/verbal abuse in western culture. it isn't finished, but i think the reading will help me find a resolution for it
which i believe, is much healthier than living through the relationship that inspired it....more later...christa

Monday, November 14, 2005

WITHOUT A DOPE BEAT TO STEP TO

i know, it's been a long time....here's the thing...in between blogging about life, i am actually living it and the last few weeks have been pretty crazy for me. the wordmedicine 2006 spoken word tour is almost completely confirmed and i'll be posting my new schedule in a few days. in addition to booking, i've been competing, giving workshops and performing all over the place. tomorrow i leave for idaho and then wednesday i'll be in alaska performing and giving workshops through sunday...have lots to say, but wanted to post an email i got this morning (more later):



Dear Christa Bell,

Allow me to introduce myself. I'm a sophomore at Western Kentucky University majoring in English. I do slam with the Bowling Green slam team.I had the pleasure of seeing you perform this summer at the National Poetry Slam in New Mexico. When you performed in finals, I just remember being spellbound by your words and your presence. It was as if a goddess had walked into the room and decided to share her knowledge with us.

Since then, I go to your website almost daily and listen to your performances. They are so encouraging. Your words get to the very heart of me. This year I've been struggling to love myself again. It seems that I continually look to others for validation. I know this must change. When I read and listen to your poetry, loving myself seems possible; Reclaiming myself seems possible.

Thank you for being such a powerful woman.

Sincerely,
Saeed Jones

it's been a long time

Dear Christa Bell,

Allow me to introduce myself. I'm a sophomore at Western Kentucky University majoring in English. I do slam with the Bowling Green slam team.I had the pleasure of seeing you perform this summer at the National Poetry Slam in New Mexico. When you performed in finals, I just remember being spellbound by your words and your presence. It was as if a goddess had walked into the room and decided to share her knowledge with us.

Since then, I go to your website almost daily and listen to your performances. They are so encouraging. Your words get to the very heart of me. This year I've been struggling to love myself again. It seems that I continually look to others for validation. I know this must change. When I read and listen to your poetry, loving myself seems possible; Reclaiming myself seems possible.

Thank you for being such a powerful woman.

Sincerely,
Saeed Jones