You do not suck. It's the nature of the beast you're chosen to ride. I've never yet been to a slam where the best performance won--came in second, sure, but won? Never.

Now go have a drink. Or two. ;)

Ditto!

You and Andy and Sean and Scott made us proud. I am disappointed in the lack of narrative details of the bouts tho, I am a teacher, I can't help it. Where is the thesis statement? What about the hook, you gotta have a hook, the hooks gotta hit...

Did you pat Big Poppas tush?
Did you get mucho compliments?
Which poems did everyone do?

Love ya, and enjoy the vacation.

I'm unafraid to admit that I google myself. I do it. And sometimes the weirdest things pop up. Like the blog from the judge in the final round of Seattle some years back who intentionally got selected judge so that he could ding ME! Now understand, he didn't know me, but apparently I had made some impression on him at some slam I featured at up in Seattle 2 years prior and when he saw Las Vegas was competing -- he got himself to be the judge and gave me a 2. He had a nice laugh on his blog. His blog for crissakes! Now what do you think of that?

Oh, and get this Kari...you are Great ! I love watching you slam...my only criticism is the one I think you have of yourself -- that you should slow down sometimes -- I think that you should primarily so we can linger on your every word...they are that good. I'm glad you live here in Las Vegas where literary sensitivity is a necessity not a luxury -- you've got it figured out. Poetry coming out of Las Vegas is important despite what some New Mexico slam judges might think. You are important. You are Great !

In Addition

Absolutely, What he said, and

Your words remind us that we are all in the same boat. Whether it be about bullies, ethnocentricism, or the longing for love.

Don't let some random nastiness or ego get in the way.

(This is coming from the drama queen who blogged for hours, sobbing about not making the team... last March.) But slam is just a game.

Now competition burn out is another matter. Sometimes, people need a short break from the world of slam or art in general, other times, people find something better. (ie. getting a script published, romantic love, or a cool job, etc.)

I do think that in order for Vegas to truly do well, the slam team no matter who is on it, has to rehearse for 10 hours a week, and that is no guarantee either.

But don't let one sucky night ruin your experience.

When you come back, we will go for tofu, agghh, I mean sushi and saki.

Inaka.

Thank you, guys. I appreciate it.

I just need to write new things. We'll see.

But for now, beer.