Shadow Puppet Storyteller

When I have time to write just a smidge...

Storytelling -- the moments that live on to be retold by another for another. Why and how does it happen that we can resonate for a few moments by talking, showing, drawing one person or a whole group into a retold but now, shared experience. Does it matter if it is fact or fiction? For example: what sticks with you when you describe a vacation to someone else? Much of the time, what I choose to share with someone else is the information I found surprising and helpful and I believe the person I am talking too will relate, or also need that information in order to relate.

The least visually descriptive, but important piece of information I have shared with my fellow Californians when I talk about my visit to Oregon (as if it was some new frontier) is the fact there's no sales tax. I mostly share that because I'm a bit embarrassed that I spent about 50% more than I intended for simple travel gifts based on this new-found knowledge. I'm already a no sales tax junkie at Goodwill stores here in California.

While I was in Oregon, I actually liked walking places, and was relaxed driving. In California, I am capable of walking places, but I'm quite selective about that, and I do enjoy driving most of all, but I sure could ditch the traffic of L.A. County. I do not think it was coincidence that I felt like the small town I visited reminded me of the valley my friend and I grew up in (but only those very early years before excessive development). I wasn't just thinking of glory days because I was with my best friend and we were looking through the yearbooks we and others had a hand in creating. I was relaxed and free (for a few days) in a way that those years were like.