On the Other Side of Things

I am breathing a bit better.
I passed Spanish (barely) with a D. While that may not look like a feat to many, those who know me and the odd journey of that class will know it was a victory. Then I made higher grades in every other class than I thought. I made an A in a History class. Amen! I made another A in Theatre. And I made a B in History of Non-Western Music. I find it funny that my grades this term are A DAB for that is what I am, A DAB of brilliance and spirit!

It feels wonderful to know that I am a student again, meaning I am investing and attending and trying my best to learn.

I recently discovered I would be graduating a FULL TERM earlier. I will be finished with UALR in the Fall of 2010. I am going to make out with that piece of paper indeed. It has been such a long, odd, draining, invigorating, eye-opening adventure getting a degree. From the early days at UALR to AMDA and back to UALR through the sicknesses and deaths and depressions...

I feel as though I am on the other side of things.

Now, in the brilliant words of Jed Bartlet (Aaron Sorkin), I shall say:
"What's next?"

And that my fellow musing readers, is the most exciting question and I am SO looking forward to the next frontier.

Dustin

PSfP: The first picture is entitled "Relative Calm" and I love the tranquil and valiant sunlight peeking its head after a storm. Chaos happens and there is no fighting it. But sooner or later, the sun will shine and there will be a NEW DAY again. I love how that circle keeps churning and repeating.

The second picture is one that came across my laptop screen when I typed "serenity". I think it is beautiful and portrays finding calm in the midst of the storm, not after it, but in the midst. A very rare and special gift that grief taught me and continues to do so.

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The Kick Ass Brothers (And the Theatre Room I Am Going to Steal)

I just spent the day with my brothers, Bran Flakes and Patricio watching "Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood", "Sin City", and "Live Free or Die Hard" in Bran Flake's KICK ASS KICK ASS KICK ASS Theatre Room. (It deserves all three kick asses and then some actually.) It was a Testosterone Day and I made it all the way through. Can we say the same for Patricio? (Titty baby. Ha.) I think that was the first blog smack talk I have "thrown down". I had never seen "Sin City" or "Live Free or Die Hard". Both were excellent. I did not want to leave the nirvana that is the magic room of cinema wonder. So, thanks to Bran Flakes for hosting and for having the idea. And Patrick, let me know how that nipple is treating you. Here's to smack talk... How liberating! (Especially when I am in control of the forum!) Here's to a kick ass theatre room. And to even more kick ass brothers, Dustin

Call to Action

This past Saturday I, with thousands of others across the country, attended a protest/rally of Proposition 8 and Act I (the adoption ban in Arkansas). My dear allies in this battle were Jay, Karen, their joyous son Quin, our mutual friend Greg, Amanda, Carter, Sarah Jane, Liz, and the brave Arkansans that showed up for the rally on the steps of our Capitol. It was bitterly cold and grey, but within I was ignited with passion and newfound purpose. As I listened to the stories of my fellow brothers and sisters, gay, straight, bisexual, transgendered, I was struck by the power of the many speaking as one. Then I began to visit my own story and was struck at how far I have come... to think back fourteen years ago when I had my brother tell my parents that I happened to be gay because I was so frightened as to what they would think, say, how they could ever love me, this abomination.... To now, a man standing with his friends and proclaiming "This is our right, What you have done is ...

In the Colouring of How I Present the Gifts

The death of my Father has coloured the choices I make, the way I live, and the values I hold dear. Sometimes, I am surprised the extent to which it has affected me. I equate it to a new room on the house: this room of grief. For several months both my Mother and I lived in only that room and throughout this process we have ventured back into the rest of the home and, finally, back in to the world. But, from time to time we visit the room again and take a nap, meditate, knowing that room is forever a part of us. I believe that when one experiences a deep shifting to one end of the emotional spectrum, both sides actually strengthen and grow. For quite sometime although there have been some thrilling and touching moments, I think my heart was used to dwelling in the darker end. But.... In the past few days I have had the privilege of performing in a capable production of Sweeney Todd . I portray Anthony, a love-struck sailor. It has been three years since I have performed in a mus...

Chronicles of Dustin Ashley Beam

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