Kidneys and Pin-ups: April 2014

Why this blog?

Welcome! Thank you for visiting my blog!

This is my medical and recreational blogsite. Some of the entries on this blog are honest and quite vulnerable, as I wrote them at my lowest point. I try to keep a positive outlook on life, because no one wants to hang out with a downer, including me. Writing these entries has allowed me to see the world through a beneficial filter that allows me to appreciate every moment I have been able to experience in my life, even the difficult ones.

My husband Matthew and I LIVE when we can. I mean we suck the juice out of life, and we aren't ashamed of that outlook. It makes the bad times ok somehow because we took advantage when we were able. The pictures on this blog are part of that. I take pretty pictures of my sick body to boost my self esteem when I am having a difficult time seeing myself as a woman instead of a sick person. It is how I cope with my illness, and no one gets to judge how you survive your difficulties. So live on, and feed your souls.

Watch our story here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG_mrDJ10LM&feature=youtu.be

~ Tonia

I have decided to relaunch my Facebook Page, The Beauty in Illness. Along with the help of two other rare patient advocates, we are hoping to include artistic stories of struggle and perseverence through creative ways. Please check us out and let us know if you would like to contribute!

Friday, April 25, 2014

Get ready for work!

This last Easter weekend, I spent a great time at The Louisiana Boil, a Stage Combat workshop with the SAFD. We weren't able to attend last year because we were recovering from our transplant, so it was so nice to see our SAFD family again. The final party was crazy and fuzzy, but amazing.

I was able to teach my workshops, Kiss or Kill and Instant Chemistry, and they went over well. I learned a lot about how to teach intimacy at a stage combat workshop. It isn't the same as at regular acting workshops. But I had a great time getting the opportunity to learn more about what I do. Some opportunities are coming in just from my article being published as well as the workshop, so good things are coming that will take me out of this Wicked Little Town.

I have also been choreographing Intimacy for Henry V at Reduxion Theatre in Oklahoma City. It's a very racy scene that I haven't had the chance to do much in this area. Most theatre companies in the area have to play to their audiences and don't usually push the envelope with Intimacy, but this director , also a friend, loves to move this city forward in the area of the arts. I am happy to be a part of that.

We are starting rehearsals for Steel Magnolias at Piedmont Ensemble Theatre next week! So excited for that one. We are going to put up a full length show in ten rehearsals, so that might be difficult. But I am ready for the challenge!

I have started a movement class that I am teaching in the city for the next six weeks. The OU students have been begging for the opportunity to take more movement now that I no longer am attached to OU School of Drama, and I am happy to oblige.

This next six weeks will be a little crazy, and I am not sure what the rest of the summer holds as far as long term possibilities (more on that later), but I have been happy to have the opportunities that have come my way.