The Sweet Potato Pie Project

Here we are weeks into the 2008 and I’m still the same old me. I need to push forward with many of the promises that I have made to myself, the oaths I’ve made to my many good ideas. But there is always something holding me back from completion, from putting it all into a motion that is different from just spinning my wheels. Folks love my energy and respect my accomplishments, but there are still those whispers that it just not enough. Who am I and what am I here for?

My causes are just that, not a real job, I don’t make money from any of it. But somehow all of these things I do are feats to most, but because I don’t gain any measurable achievement from it…it dwindles down to cute, mere gestures of my greatness and possibilities.

One of the most vivid examples of what I’m talking about is my manuscript; I completed it a few years ago. My family and friends began to catch wind of this new “thing” I was working on. Every day for the better part of a year, I awoke in the wee hours of the morning to get in a couple of hours of writing before work. I even sent out queries and got some of the most complimentary denials anyone could ask for. It was said that I needed to keep working and writing, revising and editing; after a while I lost interest. I mean I loved the process, but when the chase was over it was as if I didn’t need anything more. Truthfully it still nags on me every once in a while. I guess the loose ends of my manuscript could be one of those whispers I’m talking about.

The list goes on and on. From petitions to politics, party planning to parenting, people provide me with praise and pleasantries (English teacher by trade—couldn’t resist the alliteration) once they are privy to the promising projects (Somebody stop me!)

I mean, I try to keep some of my new interests private, so I don’t have to answer the “Whatever happened to…” question. It’s not that I am embarrassed of my incompletions. I love to experience, learn, imagine; and sometimes this is all I need fulfill my desires, whatever they may be.

But, we don’t live in a world that respects learning and exploration. Our society touts achievements and status, money and power. I can’t lie, I would like a little of that to go along with the need to investigate every budding interests.

So this forum is dedicated to me figuring out me, my way. This is a place where I can explore, reflect, interpret, and act. I will continue to learn more about the ideas that inspire me; culture, social justice, education, relationships, humanity, children, and spirituality. I will explore these ideas through methods that move me; words, video, drama, movement, and music. Here I can fish through my flighty ideas, highlight what is important to me, devote time to my new undertakings, and rededicate myself to my old endeavors. I won’t have to fight against those who urge me, whether directly or indirectly, to just be still. I am now free to tie up my loose ends, I am now free to tell my truths, and I will do this in a manner that will inflict the least amount of harm on my sometimes surprisingly delicate self-image.

So when folks ask,

“What about that thing you were working on,”
I will shake my head, suck air, and say, “Yeah, it was a cool idea, but it didn’t make the cut.”

Or I might say,

“Yeah I’m still really excited about it, so it was added to the SPP Project .”

All of my ideas (and the ideas that friends and family bring to me—this happens quite often) are just that until they become a passion. Once I green light an idea to a full on venture, then it is resolved that I will continue to work on it consistently until its full potential is revealed. These plans then become a part of the Sweet Potato Pie Project, a name that represents versatility and resourcefulness, creativity and comfort, strength and familiarity; culture, vitality, and wholesome beauty.

I now introduce you and me to The Sweet Potato Pie Project.

"Sweet Potato Pie"
Domino