Today, of course, is the anniversary of some seriously heinous shit. I moved to New York on September 11, 2001 and suffice it to say: it pretty much sucked. I don’t really want to get into it here. I have thoughts and feelings about these events, of course, but when I think back on that time, I primarily remember a praying mantis that suddenly showed up in my Brooklyn bedroom and kept me company for several days. I named her Myra and we spent some serious quality time together. It was very quiet time. We didn’t talk, but we did communicate. She spent a lot of time on my pillow. One evening, she crawled down to sit on my shoulder, and I shit you not, she reached up and touched my face with her little praying leg as if to say: you will be okay. This will all be okay. Shortly after this interaction, I went to take a shower. When I returned to my bedroom, she was gone. I never saw her again.

I’ve been seeing a lot of praying mantis’ again lately. Some basic internet research tells me that the praying mantis is thought to bring good luck and is a symbol of stillness in most cultures, appearing when we’re in need of peace and quiet. “The mantis never makes a move unless she is 100% positive it is the right thing for her to do. This is a message to us to contemplate and be sure our minds and souls all agree together about the choices we are making in our lives.” Well. Okay. Shit. That sounds complicated. Maybe I’ll think about that tomorrow.

So many things are complicated. What’s NOT complicated are my feelings for St. Vincent (Annie Clark), whose collaboration with David Byrne, Love This Giant, drops today. You guys: she’s a total badass. I’m for serious. I am in love with her. And this album is GREAT. Check out the video for the first single:

Also happening today: my Performance Studies students at Naropa are giving their first performances of the semester! I am so excited to see what they’ve come up with for this first round, as our discussions have been very lively and engaged. They’re a smart, curious bunch. I like them.