stage presence...

over the past number of weeks, i've been grappling (once again) with the idea of feminism in my life -- whether it exists and how i even know if it does... discussions on body image have undoubtedly become a part of the conversations i've had in my own mind and with others... some would say it's easy to feel pressured to look a certain way, what with hundreds of magazines lining the stands with seemingly unreachable standards presented... but others might argue that we need to stop comparing ourselves and spend more energy on simply loving what we've got...

all simple things to write... but the tricky part is finding a way to actually make that mantra come true in your life... so how do we embrace what we have?

in a phrase: by shaking what momma gave ya...

let me elaborate... since moving to the yukon i've become more of a woman -- if you catch my drift... i've done the working out thing, but i've also done the cake and a movie thing in the deep, dark winter... so as the temperatures dropped this time around, i decided to get involved... in a burlesque show...

the past two months have been filled with rehearsals, crude jokes, fishnet stockings, lace, panties, pasties and bright red lipstick... the production: varietease -- a variety show of sex and satire, filled with 100% local talent... personally i had the opportunity to do a striptease can-can dance, a raunchy chorus dance (with corsets and chairs to boot) and a sultry feather fan dance to the classic, feelin' good... plus, a hokey skit on the art of kissing from the 1930's with my real life beau...

all 12 performances were sold out after only two shows had run... 9:00 shows had the crowds blushing and three midnight shows had them on their feet and cat-calling... when i first joined the cast i felt rather reserved about stripping down and enticing a crowd of unfamiliar and familiar faces... but then, after late night rehearsals, long days at the theatre and a rousing audience of friends and family at the dress run, this feeling of empowerment came over me... it felt so fun and wonderful to get up there and not care about a little pudge here or a little pudge there... it felt amazing to just get up there and strut my stuff and step outside my everyday persona for an evening...

without sounding all hallmark about it, i truly think it changed me... i feel so comfortable in my own skin and unabashedly energetic... how many times in your life do you have the opportunity to be part of not only a hit show, but one that revitalizes the way you feel about your body and your stage skills? the answer: few, if any... carpe diem.