Next week I will find myself back living in the city of my birth. Not but 5 mins from the house I grew up in and the same one my sister still lives in.
This week I find myself packing up all my belongs and enjoying the Arizona sun one last time -- at least for awhile. Mostly, I will be saying good-by to many friends I have come to love and cherish here in Phoenix and holding back the tears as I say I'll visit soon. As much as I am going to miss Phoenix and Arizona I am happy and excited for the change. So where will I be ending up? Back in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Perry got a job back there and after 5 months of him gone, he has found a place for the both of us, so in a little over a week I will be snuggling up to the one I love in a new house under familiar skies.
Funny how fate works... I am from Kenosha, WI. I moved to Prescott, AZ with my Mom at 14 and then moved to Phoenix right after graduation with my ex-husband, then boyfriend. Through twist and turns and many a man in between, I discovered Burlesque and have been happiest ever since.
Perry, he is from Cicago, IL (not 45 mins from Kenosha). He is a photographer who photographed Chicago's Burlesque sweetheart, Michelle l'Amore when she first started to perform. A job moved him out to Phoenix, AZ about 5 years ago. It was at a Deke Dickerson Show he met another Burlesque performer. Perhaps you've heard of her... Miss Lolita Haze. New in town, Perry chatted up Miss Haze and they realized they both knew Michelle. The next day he emailed Haze, but she never emailed him back. A few months later, up in Las Vegas both Perry and I found ourselves in Sin City for the Burlesque Hall of Fame Pageant. It's a weekend event filled with fun things to do. One thing was a photo shoot about town. I thought that was the guy whom I had met a few months earlier, but was embarrassed that I still hadn't emailed him back so I never approached him. He was busy snapping away at hot chicks so he paid me no mind - Not that I blame him... The girls of Sweet Soul Burlesque are super hot!! That was the end of that.
Now we fast forward about 2 years. A former friend of mine was raving about this new band in town that I had to go see. For one reason or another I never went. I FINALLY was able to make it to one of the shows and was introduced to the band. The drummer (who apparently called dibs on me when I walked in) was hard to talk to. It was like pulling teeth for conversation even though he came up to me. Weird... any way... we're talking and talking and discover that he knows Michelle l'Amore. "Wait a minute!" I shouted!! "I've met you before! I owe you an email!" I continued to say... Yes! It was AGAIN Perry.
Well, the next 6 months or so we'd cross paths here and there. Trying to have a conversation with this guy was hard! There was no reason for him not to like me. I was determined to make him talk to me, but everytime I'd talk, he'd turn around and walk away. Well screw it. I didn't like him anyway! Turns out he kinda thought I was a bitch. Hahaha. He still liked me, but thought I was a bitch. Quite honestly, I am.
So one random day we ran into each other and started hanging out. Next thing you know we are dating and here we are almost 2 years later moving back to Kenosha to start the next chapter in our lives. Right where my life began.
Who knows how long we'll be out there... but I know I'd like to come back to Arizona and visit often. As much as I have always wanted to leave AZ, it's provided me with many good things - I've met 2 of my 3 best friends in Phoenix. The 3rd I met in Las Vegas while living in Phx, does that count? I met my beau in Phx. Some amazing friends who despite some downs have always been there and amazing folk that I am not worthy of. But most importantly Arizona brought me my 3 greatest loves and greatest joys... Burlesque, Bonzai, and Samurai. If it weren't for those 3, my life would be meaningless. They are the world to me!But back to the beginning and what this blog post is really about. I am looking forward to rediscovering a city I really knew nothing about when I left. Visiting old places I used to go to and seeing places I never knew existed. Most importantly I am jazzed to bring Burlesque to a sleepy little town that could use the cold water shock. And who knows, perhaps I will be making a blog entry from jail for indecent exposure while performing my art. :) It wouldn't be the first time a Burlesque stripper has found herself behind bars! I'm thrilled to spend more time with my sister now that I am not fighting with her like I did growing up. I am happy to spend time with my beautiful cousin after nearly 5 years since we last saw each other. I can't wait to see my brother again whom I haven't seen in many many years. There is a lot more as well that I am happy about, but we'll just stop there.
Good-by ARZ. Hello WIS