Why This? Why Now?

Because reading the travel blog of a friend who died recently has been a blessing in many ways: Not only has it served as a beautifully accessible forum for her international array of friends and family to post their messages of rememberance and grieving, but it was also a practical way for this adventurous soul to keep her loved ones up-to-date on her whereabouts and travels.

Because lately it feels as though my own life is moving at a pace quicker than I can keep my dearest ones updated.

Because I have recently become afflicted with a compulsion to write everything down (not kidding here; in addition to my journal/creative writing notebook, and my to-do list/work notebook, and my agenda planner, I carry three small notebooks everywhere with me now: one is my food and exercise record, another is a record of the money I spend and the third is my "small victories and graditude" record. Oh my.)

Because I truly believe that life is beautiful - in all of its tragedy, joy, confusion and adventure - and I would like to share more of my beliefs like this with... whomever would like to read them.

Because I am presently out of town, and it looks like I will travelling quite a bit in the coming months and years. And again, this is kind of a great and convenient way to keep everyone "updated".

Because I enjoyed writing my last blog - "Sex and the Annex" - and others seemed to enjoy reading it. (And becauase a few years have passed, and I like to think that I am ever so slightly wiser and more mature now, and hope that "Brave New Girl" can capture a similarly entertaining and inspiring 'joie de vivre' that "Sex and the Annex" had, minus some of the immature local celebrity obsession and promiscuity... Shit, does that mean you're not interested in reading anymore?!?)

Because I recently made a new friend from Germany who wrote in his blog rather obsessively, and reminded me that it is a nice way to keep a record of your thoughts, feelings and experiences.

For all of these reasons, and probably more, I have decided to start a new blog - for my friends and family to read, and stay updated on my plans and experiences, for people that I don't know to read and learn about me and my projects, and perhaps even be inspired by some of my ideas or reflections, but most of all for me, to be motivated and inspired by my own reflections, experiences, plans, hopes and dreams. I truly believe that life is what we make it, and thus, with this online journal, I aspire to make more of my life what I want it to be, in the sharing of it.

PS - The title of this blog "Brave New Girl", though unfortunately also the title of a lesser known Britney Spears song (I swear I had the idea first!), is the (so far unregistered) name of my production company: Brave New Girl Productions. The first project of Brave New Girl Productions was my play, "The Light Between" which was performed at the Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival this past summer (July 2006). Absolutely one of the most pivotal experiences of my life. For more info about Brave New Girl projects, feel free to email me at: bravenewgirlproductions@gmail.com

NAMASTE