I haven't blogged in a year.  I'm not sure I'm going to start again, but at the same time I'm also loathe to see this blog disappear due to inactivity.  Inspired by the fact that Rutabaga Stories came up on a Google search I made when trying to get some updated information related to my Basque region class at Rick Steves' Europe tonight, I decided I should update with a brief post.

Still traveling, still cooking, still learning how to be a mom (my son is currently at the other end of the table in his high chair, chewing on a coconut biscuit we brought back from Zambia).  Life is good, life is a challenge, life is constantly changing, yet ever the same.  If I get it all figured out someday, I'll let you know.

Surprise!

So. This morning I gave a travel talk in the Edmonds theater about the Basque region. And I'm pretty sure Rick was there for part of it (and I'm not going to mention his last name, but those of you who know me know who I'm talking about).

So. I wasn't nervous before my talk (I'm one of those strange people who enjoy public speaking), but I am nervous now.

I have to relax and tell myself that it went well. And if it got people excited about visiting the Basque area - or taking our lovely tour there - then I did my job. And that's a pretty fun job to have.

I just hope I get to keep it. Kidding! At least, I hope I am...

Talk Talk

It's Friday night, and here I am, sitting in front of the computer. Because I am BEAT. Huh. Who knew having house guests for weeks while also preparing for my first ever music history lecture at Europe Through the Back Door could be so exhausting and wonderful at the same time?

I was a little concerned about the lecture. What with being preoccupied with Ryan and company (after all, the guy was having open heart surgery, no small ordeal), I wondered if I hadn't put enough time into preparing my talk.

"I've never given a speech for a full hour! What if I don't have enough material?"

"What if someone asks me some semi-obscure question I don't know the answer to, like, 'When was Chopin born?' or 'What's the plot for Rigoletto?'"

"Was it really a good idea not to actually give a practice talk out loud? Can I really just stand up there and expect to wing it, just going off a brief outline?"

As it turns out, I could have talked for well over an hour, no one asked any obscure questions (or cared about any dates or opera plots), and I think I only looked at my outline once during the entire class. It's true: when you're passionate about a subject, getting to share that passion with a room full of strangers is actually quite exhilarating.

Now I'm already scheduled to give a talk about the Basque region in early August. Do I have a passion for pintxos, the Guggenheim, and beautiful beaches? Hmm... yeah, I think I can pull it off.