Back from Side Questing…
Ever heard of a side quest? If you play RPGs or understand festival culture, then your answer would most likely be yes. If not, let me help you. A side quest is an optional activity or task separate from the main plot that offers an opportunity for exploration, a new experience, and personal enjoyment.
The N3 founders live exciting, full lives. Each is equipped with a hectic schedule of main quest tasks and duties. But all work and no play would make us pretty dull. So, to avoid dying of monotony, we go on side quests.
Here are a few that I’ve been on since our Gala debut in March…
Down the rabbit hole at Beyond Wonderland!!!
It's festival season, if you weren’t aware, and my opener this year (yes, I am going to multiple this year) was Beyond Wonderland. Last year, I went for the first time to bond with my brothers by joining them in an activity they found so joyful.
A time was had, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Many people would say it’s crazy to start your raving journey at a festival, but with brothers like mine, I wouldn’t have had it any other way! This year was no different, and now that I knew what to expect, I could truly let loose and celebrate everything I have accomplished over the last 3 months.
Nothing but dancing with my brothers in a sea of strangers who have absolutely no cares in the world for a full 48 hours. It was pure bliss and exactly what I needed to restore my faith in humanity. Especially during these times…
The festival was a space of PLUR (peace, love, unity, and respect) where you could connect with strangers in a way that felt nostalgic of the playgrounds of your elementary school days. We literally traded trinkets, bracelets, and stickers. Showing everyone in our group what an awesome thing some nice stranger gave us, because they loved our vibe.
When it was all over, we traded stories from various parts of the weekend. Giving overviews from side quests, explanations for missed meetups and random connects, and retelling group moments from every possible perspective and point of view over the background sounds of various recordings of our favorite sets. Eagerly waiting for the next time we can do it all again. To show love and be loved by your family, blood and chosen, brings me a fullness that keeps me working so hard!
Overworked Baddies in the City…
This side quest included Noelle, so it's a bit of a crossover episode 🤭. After our company photoshoot, we were asked by the amazing Mariana Paz (@picturesbypaz) to pose for her upcoming gallery entry. There was no way we were saying no to such an amazing honor. So we got our butts into the city at 8 am on a Monday while in recovery. Me still trying to recover from my previous side quest, and Noelle from being sick.
Also, it had decided to cool down after a heatwave, so braving the cold was another obstacle.
Luckily, we had a great group of overworked but passionate artists, so the vibes were high and the vision was clear. It was such a pinch-me moment to be barefoot in the dewy grass, steps away from the beach, and the Golden Gate Bridge not far behind on a crisp Monday morning.
I fell in love with being a movement artist all over again and realized that I made the right choice when I chose to dance. Mariana, Noelle, and I had such fun bringing the vision to life, and I can't wait to show you the outcome when it’s officially unveiled… stay tuned.
Miss Naila in the wild…
I had two teaching side quests, too! Booked and busy doesn’t even scratch the surface…
One of my students went on pointe! My co-teacher, Laj, and I have been tirelessly preparing her for this moment, and I found myself reminiscing about my first fitting. I remember my dance teacher, Alexis Drabek, went with me to get my first pair. Naturally, I had to do the same. Going through that process felt like graduating to another level as an instructor. Shout out to Bay Area Dancewear for always sharing their expertise and knowledge with us time and time again!!
This is also foreshadowing another amazing announcement!! (We love it when a side quest unlocks a main quest!)
Then I had the opportunity to lead a parent-child dance night at the Ellen Driscoll Playhouse. One of my students’ moms asked me to choreograph a dance I could teach to the families and lead a warm-up to get the party started. It was so fun to see some of the students I taught, along with their parents, join in all the fun.
The event even made the Piedmont Post (we love it when a side quest unlocks an achievement!)
All in all, living such a hectic life can get overwhelming. These liminal moments when a large project has been finished, and you’re not sure where you’re going anymore. Why not set down your expectations for a sec and take the scenic route? Linger on the path of a second longer? Maybe you could even try that thing you’ve always wanted to but never found the time? Yes, it may feel unproductive, but don’t believe the lie that productivity is always the goal.
As a chaotic good energy in the world, I live for a moment of autotelic novelty.
You should try it sometime.
xoxo,
Naila Joelle
