Meeting Places




Bornholm, June 2012


For the past few years, I have been earning an extra income as a translator. All of the jobs I receive are from word-of-mouth, and I have translated everything from cookbooks, art books, anthropological books to websites for the Danish Film Institute, the Jutland Art Institute etc etc.

There are many people who translate here in Denmark. Some get into it because words are their passion (like me, I truly enjoy working with words!) and others get into it by accident, need etc.  Some get into it knowing what they are doing, others? Well, let's just say that you want to give your work to a proper translator. And you want to pay them. You do not want to feel like you got a bargain for the translation of your baby. You want the translator to feel VALUED -- that is the key to getting a job done well. You can not pinch the kroner (Danish pennies! lol) on that. 

For the last few years, I've been toying with the idea of being self-employed...

Perhaps it is getting closer to making that leap? 

Hmmm....sounds just like the kind of thing that requires clear thinking in a patch of grass just like the one pictured above. 

Life is what you create, right?

Right now I am super excited to be collaborating with an artist friend of mine for the next edition of Blackgirl on Mars.  I met Ida Marie Therkildsen about 13 years ago, when I lived at the infamous Flux Factory. I remember the day she and her friend Bente landed, Flux was on our way to my family's house in Forte Greene. It was my birthday, and in traditional style, my family was preparing roti for my friends and me. 

It wasn't long after meeting her that I soon made that move to Denmark. Lucky for me Ida decided to move back as well--throughout the years her friendship and inspiration has been greatly appreciated. 

Anyway, I am psyched that she is inspired to co-create with me! Years ago, I realized that I wanted to focus on meeting points with people that I knew. I saw that each of my friendships highlighted certain strengths and interests between me and a particular person, and I was curious to share my idea with my friends and invite them all to create. 

I really do believe this is the only way we can change the current state of things. Just think if friends got together and instigated the change they all wanted in their lives? Whether it is getting together on a bit of land, or building a collective or something. What I'm saying is, friends getting together and manifesting ideas is powerful stuff. I am definitely open to that energy. 

Throughout the years, I have collaborated with many. I look forward to meeting even more people, who are charged with the energy of creation and believe in its power to transform lives. 

Well, I'm itching to do something different. I'm ready to start a new chapter...

so, what next?

In Love, 
Lesley-Ann 





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