Sunday, February 05, 2006

The Celebrant Plot Thickens

I told Mom on Monday about my plans to become a celebrant and take the training in September. She thought it was really cool. Then today, the following Sunday, Bill and I went to breakfast with Mom and Dad, and Mom asks me if I want to go into business with her. She wants to take the celebrant training with me! How cool is that? So we're both going to Minneapolis in September.

If I haven't given the information on celebrancy, do check out Pam Vetter's site: www.celebrantpam.com. She's a super-cool lady and the reason I'm making this life decision. Well, at least the initial catalyst. It was the article I read about the ceremony she performed for Richard Pryor that caught my attention. She has been absolutely wonderful since I first contacted her, too. She's been willing to offer advice and answer my questions. If you are in the California area and are looking for someone to perform a ceremony for you, please contact her. She's great!

As anyone who knows me well can tell you, I'm a research junkie. Unfortunately I'm finding that there is not a whole lot of information available on celebrancy at this point. While it is big in Australia, it's still growing in the States. But I can be patient.

Plus, it's not like I don't have plenty going on right now. I'm still working on my book proposal, I just turned in my presentation proposal for the Museum of Funeral Customs symposium this fall ... and I'm now taking a painting class. Yes, you read right, a painting class. I haven't painted since junior high. Wait. I take that back. I painted a costume design in my Theatre Design class my senior year of college. We used gouche paints. But before that, the last painting I did was of a clown in orange tones with acryllics.

So this is the perk of being married to the studio art coordinator for the Figge Art Museum. Employees and their families can take classes for free. What a deal! Once I get a piece finished, I promise to post it on this blog. Then you can laugh amongst yourselves! :)

Well, it's time for me to get back to proof-checking the second issue of "Epitaphs Magazine." The fans are waiting.

-Minda

www.TheCemeteryClub.com