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Hey, gang! Welcome to my life – where anything is possible and nothing is as it seems. I’m Freedom and I’ll be your host, coming at you from within the depths of Geistopia.

DOC: Velcum To My Life ees a prochect, un experiment in Life unt ART. A living storyboard, if you will. Its premise ees zat life ees experiential, unt zat you can, unt do, experience ze life you choose. It ees based on Ze Veel of Life unt Ze ARTs for Ze New Millennium as life building tools. Ja, it’s true!

WALT: Welcome to my Life is an I T.V. Studios/Geist…House Players Production, in association with the Center for Creative Inspirationalism. JustUs Productions, the parent company, would like to give a ‘Shout-Out’ to the following for their ongoing, and oft-times unknowing, inspiration and support:

Princess Cuddlebug

Princess Sunshine

Craze & Co.

The Shaman

The Pillar

F’n Bob

The Warden

The Entire Putt-Putt-Putter Clan

FaeriePrincess

Professor Siggy Chong

Sparky Wentz-eclaus

The VanMan and General Ralph Glossop (may they R.I.P.)

The Messengers of The Galactic Federation

The Looch

The Bassett Hound

The Baker of the Cornbread

Andy Pandy

Zason

St. Diane & You

Brother John

Spooky Queen

Senoll #5

The Wix-ians

The Socialite

The Village of Idiots

Piz-Niffer

Dancing Queen

Downtown Encyclopedia Brown

Dick Pointer

The Legendary Pink Elephants

Baby-Mama Rabbit

Belle

The Witch Baby

Aaaand, of course, a very generous sponsor who (not-so-much) wishes to remain anonymous.

It is…Sunday, July 25th,, Two-Thousand and Twenty-Fun. Time...Revolting

Theme – It’s A Matter of Relativity

Originally, I was going to say, “It’s All Relative,” but I like the flow of this better. [But I worry that it doesn’t quite say the same thing.] Also, originally, this was a Theme based on financial Observations but has extended itself by way of The Theatre. First, because I realized that the amount and type of focus you put forth is relative to the task at hand. Second, it came in regards to the mess ups I have been making. [See: Lesson] I had a pretty good one last night. It was nothing critical but seemed to send the whole of everyone into some sort of tizzy or another. Nonetheless, I was talking to one of the actors whom it directly affected [there were two] and I was apologizing. He was very gracious and understanding. He said, “Look, Broadway does like 27 Preview Nights because every time you run through the show you find things you can do better and things you can’t do at all and it takes time to tweak everything into place. This is only like performance number 15 for this show” So, in relation to this show directly, I’m kind of sucking at the moment. But, in relation to the grand scene of how things really work, I am right on track. Which is true because I realized today that I have tweaked this as far as it can go and now I just need to run it. On the financial front, I have been having a struggle with the income recently. I was worried at first, but then I found that I was managing. I also realized that some of my expenditures have dropped. Like gas. I haven’t been driving as much because of The Theatre and some of the house sitting. With the house sitting my food expenses were lower. My laundry expense was lower. So I am making less, but I am spending loss. It’s All a Matter of Relativity.

Lesson – You Can’t Always be More Proficient (or, You Can Try Too Hard)

Oy, this was a hard lesson to learn. But it was there and I am still processing it. So, it’s too soon really to say that it has been learned. I guess we’ll find out the next time it rolls around. Anyway, I have been working backstage for the current how at The Theatre. There is a lot going on. It is a lot of turntable work and set pieces and maneuvering everything in a backstage that is practically non-existent. The rehearsal period is brief. There are only two weeks and one of those is a tech week. So, getting things under control in the first place was challenging enough. It’s a lot of stuff. The Little Boss has been helping with things where she can on the other side of the stage because I am locked in at the turntable control most of the show. Still, for all intents and purposes – I am the stage crew. The only one. We got through tech and a week of shows that definitely had their mistakes. All in all it was decent. But as things started to settle into place, I started to notice both problems and potentials. The trick is to learn when you can move things so as to not jam up the backstage [which I’ve done] and still have the time you need to make the move [which I have not always had.] So it has been a lot of trial and error. [A lot of error.] I’ve learned quite a bit – some because it worked. Some because it worked against me. This past week, it seemed that every time I tried to tweak a little, do something different, I would make a mistake, miss a cue, something along those lines. Sometimes ya just gotta stick with what ya got and call it good.

Observation – Do Less, Have More

Oh, how I love this one. This is one of my original Principles and still, to this day, I need the occasional reminder. I know it came up not too long ago because I was commenting on how I was focusing on just one job track and only one company yet I was making better money than I have ever seen in any of my jobs. It has been re-affirmed and accentuated lately. I took the work at The Theatre mostly to help my friend. But, I was also seeing the opportunity to make some extra money. However, with The Theatre and the house sittings and all sorts of other whatnots it seems my delivery income has taken a big hit. I have been doing more and find that I have less. [But still all that I need…because It’s a Matter of Relativity.] You could even apply this to the show. Do less ‘maneuvering’ and have more control.

The Post

This has definitely been a week of ups and downs. It was our first 5-show week at The Theatre. I have been trying to get everything together and ready for Tuesday’s adventure, and I have just been trying to manage life in general.

It’s interesting to me how things come together at certain times. For instance, I have been having struggles on the income front. It has been hard to make the Delivery money. Yet, this is the worst possible time to be facing such a struggle. I am trying to keep up with my ills now and straighten my life out, plus I have this adventure for Cuddlebug’s 16th on Tuesday and I am trying to plan a requested 3-Day getaway to Mystic. This is all very costly, so taking a financial hit right now is no small thing.

Still, it has been working and balancing out along the way. I needed the money for Tuesday and to get myself back on track and I won $1000. I needed to make some money this week to keep on track and to work a little ahead for some of the expenses of Tuesday. I have managed just enough this week to maybe bring me to square one, perhaps just a snip ahead.

Of course there have been all of my disasters at The Theatre. The Little Boss seems to be taking it in stride, but it has certainly disturbed the cast. But, then, there have been strange energies and tensions across the board on that front.

I’ve been struggling with being me – the politeness and respect and encouragement, engaging – and this new notion of Nothingness. I need to keep and convey those qualities, while disengaging. I have to remind myself that I have nothing to add to the dialogue – unless I’m asked. This is hard for me. I’m a storyteller. But it is part of the practice of being No-Thing. So, over time, I have become more and more withdrawn.

There are three cast members whom I do talk with regularly. We BS, swap Theatre stories and wisdom, and the likes. They are the older cast members – in their 40’s, more experienced and seasoned. The rest of the cast is made up of 20-somethings, most of whom are between 20 and 25. We don’t really have anything to chat about.

There are two cast members who are very apparent in their contempt for, and loathing of, me. On I have known and worked with before. I’ve always respected his work and have tried to be polite and friendly with him. But, we have always had this odd tension between us. With this show it is worse. [With some reason…some…and I get that.] He is just transparent with his indignation towards me. I don’t even bother anymore. He’ just not that important to my existence. The other is the female lead. Now, I have never met this chick in my life. She looks familiar and I am pretty sure I have seen her about on Facebook through friends. She dislikes me so much that not once in this entire process [like 4-5 weeks now] has she uttered a single word to me. Not once. Not one. Never a , “Hi,” nor an. “Excuse me,” nor, “ThNk you,” nor even, “Hey was the bed set right today because it felt awkward.” I cannot tell you why she dislikes me so much. But I can tell you that she seems to be tight with Moose – The Anomaly’s brother. [Nuff said, I suppose.]

That has been another odd part of being back there. She’s not there but being there has rekindled all of those moments and memories – the affect she once had on me. I have been nervously awaiting the moment we run into each other. However, I determined today that this probably will not happen. Her grandmother came to the show today and brought a friend. Those were Moose’s two comp tickets. [The girls used mine on Friday.] She also did not come to preview night, which I had fully expected and is apparently her norm. It would seem that she is trying to avoid me as much as I have been hoping to avoid her. Though, this intrigues me.

I’m humiliated, embarrassed, ashamed – all sorts of uncomfortable things – over what happened. This is the main reason I don’t want to run into her. [That and the effect she had on me.] But, she did nothing wrong. I did what I do so well. She cut me off. That was the end of that – all she wrote. If we did ever run into each other, she is in the position of power. To be honest, part of me is disappointed that we won’t be encountering each other. But, this is only because I have been curious if I could to this day Know that she was in the building without ‘knowing.’ I guess we’ll never…know.

Being back at The Theatre, in general is strange. There is a reason. I can sense it. It is more than just doing this show. However, I can’t go back on a regular basis. [And they have asked me twice to come back for dishes.] You Can’t Go Back. [The Message is Always Before the Moment] I just take too much of a financial hit trying to work around their hours and they can’t afford to make it up. But, also, I can’t do that kind of stress and tension anymore. The kitchen can get tense. This is nothing about the people, it’s just what happens. I am no longer geared to be in that environment long term. I can feel the tension some nights as soon as I walk in and then I avoid the kitchen as long as possible.

All in all it was a typical week – action, excitement, stress and worry and accomplishment. Many little blessed victories and plenty of lingering mysteries.

The upcoming few weeks could be intense and interesting. This next week, in particular.

I find myself at a point where I am finally catching up again financially. It’s another week when I will be starting almost from scratch. But ‘from scratch’ is better than starting behind. Which I have done many times. I can face tomorrow, pretty much free and clear. I may need to make 30 bucks just to help cover some of my pre-adventure costs. Anything beyond that is mine. If nothing else it will cover me tomorrow and maybe start me on the right track again on Wednesday.

My schedule is weird this week. There are no current house sitting situations. So, I am back in The Vantasm full time.

Tomorrow I must work and make what I can, but I also have to clean and prepare The Vantasm for Tuesday’s voyage.

Tuesday is Cuddlebug’s Birthday Extravaganza. After much ado she decided she wanted to take some friends to the beach for the day. So, we are off to Seaside Heights. This will make for a very long [and expensive] day. Fortunately, I think I have it all covered.

To my knowledge, Wednesday I am going to have to get up and get right to driving. I do need to make the money. However, I am also going to have to put The Vantasm back together. As it is, I am going to be sleeping in the driver’s seat Monday and Tuesday nights. I am also going to need to get laundry done. I was going to do it in the morning so that I have fresh blacks for the show hat afternoon. But like I said to my knowledge I am going to have to drive. We will see what Wednesday becomes. For now, we will call it Wild-Card Wednesday. The only definite is that I have a show to run in the afternoon.

Thursday is a free-for-all. In regards to work anyway. I have the whole day to make as much as I can.

Friday and Saturday I will have most of the days. We do have shows at night but I do not have to be there until 1900. So I can do the day and still get a little bit of the dinner work in.

Sunday will be a day much like today. I will drive in the morning. Work a matinee. Then I will take care of business and do some writing.

The big thing over the next two weeks is trying to prepare for the next big adventure which is scheduled over my birthday. The girls asked to go back to Mystic. I agreed. However, there are some new developments. I checked the IRS app again today [as I do every day] for a status update on my return. I have had 10 different uses for this money since I filed in March but they just have not been getting it done. They have finally gotten it done and screwed me over somehow.

My return is currently going to be $600 less than originally anticipated. This sucks because that was the travel money. But, it would seem that in the past four months as they toiled over my return some errors were discovered.

First, one of my dependents is too old to be claimed. That’s funny, according to my paperwork I didn’t claim any dependents. My only deduction is the standard deduction. Now, I did do my returns on an app, while on the road, and in the middle of the night I believe. So, it may be possible that somehow I managed to click on myself as a dependent. I could believe this. But, my deductions did not reflect any such thing.

Second, they determined that MY computations were incorrect and that my Gross Adjusted Income for last year was “in excess of $75,000.”

Yeah. I’m just gonna let you sit with that for a moment.

They have the same paperwork I do. Between The Job and The Seasonal Store, I can in at just under 1/3 of that. How are MY computations incorrect?

Nonetheless, this is all through the app. I have not received my official notification yet. It says I should receive it and the reduced refund by August 2nd. In the meantime, I am going to start with the company that peers the app and see if they have any insight. Then I will move in to contacting the IRS.

Still, this was the voyage money and now I have two weeks to try to make those funds while also keeping up with my bills and day to days. The thing is…I really feel like we need to take the trip. Mystic made itself known to me this week. It came in that way a place will come when it is calling to me. But, that was before this latest development.

I could see it as defeat. Maybe I am wrong and we shouldn’t be taking the trip. Or, I could see the opportunity to overcome the obstacle.

What would you do?

If you’re not already there, go to the Welcome to my Life Facebook page – WTML. Or the YouTube channel – WelcomeToMyLife08. You can also find me on Facebook under Rev. Matt.

Wherever you are and whenever you are – Like, Comment, and Share – we’re on a Journey and it takes you to get there.

So, without hesitation, for now and for always, from here in Geistopia, this is your beloved Rev…

WALT: And Walt…

DOC: Unt Doc…

JOHNNY: Aaaaand Johnny…

And those guys, saying, “Stay Tuned-In, Fellow Travelers,” and wishing you Peace, Love, Light…

WALT: And Freakishness, Baby.

The Totems & Archetypes

**from Ted Andrews’ Animal Speak**

Fox - Feminine Magic of Camouflage, Shapeshifting and Invisibility.

New world opening up. The process of creation is beginning. Guide to enter the Faerie Realm. Unless a male can recognize the magic of the feminine - in himself or others - and learn to use it to Shapeshifting his own life, it will ultimately lead to destruction. The Kundalini, and the freeing of the creative life force. Practicing and using camouflage. Working to blend in with surroundings, to come and go unnoticed, moving silently about without revealing your intentions. Learning to control the aura. Adjust its frequency and intensity so that you harmonize more with others. Levels of energy and fertility. If the focus stays on the creative energies, any sharp turn in the individual’s life will be handled with ease. Fox people have the ability to insulate themselves from anything that may seem cold, especially in relationships. Can appear larger than they are - for personal protection or for making greater impressions. Establish a trotting pace. Ability to move into new directions. Call upon new resources instinctively. Excellent ability to hear what is not being said. The ability to hear spirit. Size people up accurately. Develop the ability to see spirit. Aromatherapy. Awakening of the Kundalini. Higher forms of discrimination and discernment. Capture any prize.

The fox has been appearing a lot. I’ve caught glimpses of one running here or there. I’ve seen plenty of roadkill. But, this week, the fox came during one of my meditation/Dreamtime/vision moments. It was so very deep and intense. The thing that jumped out at me was it’s connection to the Kundalini.

Hawk –

Hawk is ever present for me. But sometimes it’s presence is highlighted. That has been the case this week. It has shown up often and always at the most appropriate moment.

Heron –

The Heron has been around for sometime as a Totem. But today, in particular, one flew almost directly n front of me. That’s a way to get someone’s attention.