Post cabaret/workshop

[catherineldf]

Just back from a weekend at Sexy Spring V (http://sexyspring.org/) where I attended a workshop on dating, sex, aging and disability, performed at the cabaret with the likes of Venus of Mars and Heidi Arnason and taught my first not on line writers workshops. The high points: the cabaret was a blast. We liked most of the acts, which is certainly not always the case, particularly the short silent film about the illicit relationships of tableware (which was hilarious), Heidi's monologue, the trapeze artists and the burlesque performer. My reading went well, which was also lovely, and I got to meet some of the various local folks who have enjoyed my work in the past, which is always nice. Good time all around.
The workshop I attended had a bit too many goals and ended up focussing on dating issues for folks who are visibly disabled. I think it was valuable and some worthwhile discussion happened but it wasn't exactly the workshop I was expecting.
And I can probably say the same about my own workshop, minus the discussion part. Previously, I've taught 6 week long classes so whittling that down to a live hour and half was challenging. I'm thinking I would have been better organized if I hadn't gotten overextended this last couple of months. Just about everyone stuck around though and several people said they got some useful things out of it. The bright side was that I met another local published sf/f/erotica writer who showed up just to meet me; somehow, our paths had not crossed previously despite having been at the same conferences in the past, go figure. She'll be reading her erotica at the Power to the People Tent at TC Pride - I'll post the info once she sends it to me.
Overall, very worthwhile weekend and I recommend it for next year.

Comments

[kalmn.livejournal.com]

i'm glad it went well, and sorry i didn't make it to the cabaret.

i'd love a dating workshop for the invisibly disabled. every single personals profile out there talks about long walks being romantic. i do not think long walks are romantic. i think if i go on a long walk with someone, if i and they are very lucky, then i end up exhausted and in pain and they worry they've killed me and i have to sleep the entire next day. if we are not very lucky, i end up exhausted and in pain and take it out on them. and then sleep the entire next day.

[catherineldf.livejournal.com]

It is an excellent idea and you raise a good point. I wouldn't appreciate a date that involved heavy lifting myself. :-(
Maybe you could propose this for next year? I'd be happy to participate in whatever capacity.