Short story: "Talento." (?) Medium story: "Words have meaning." -MR Long: The first boss I had in my former/cubicle life was fond of malapropism and other verbal snippets too amusing to forget ("keep your ear to the grindstone"? I was certain he was joking the first time I heard that one) during staff meetings. Maybe the joke was on me, because simple things stick: 15 years later, I could tell you nearly all of them. Clearly I didn't give him enough credit for a natural leadership instinct. I doubt that he's reading (or maybe hope not), but perhaps he'll feel that little tingle making a difference to someone can yield #StarfishStory. To this day - and for as verbose as I am - I lean cautious when it comes to words with extreme (-ly subjective) meanings, even if it risks coming off as (more of?) a jerk. Love. Hate. "The Best", or any superlative. It requires creativity at times, but usually results in something that feels as accurate in print as in the moment. In a TXT-y and #hashbrowny era, that feels like more of a requirement than it used to be. Words have meaning. Here's one: ARTIST. Talk about subjective. The implied compliment is there; still, I shy a bit any time that word gets pointed my way. Performer, sure. Entertainer? Here's hoping. "Musician" even leaves a little too much wiggle for my literal personal tastes. My personal definition powers the shudder: I feel like a true "artist" *could* create their work privately, share it with only themselves, and be satisfied with its existence and their own. No showmanship, and no need for subjective reassurance. Art for the sake of art, as defined by its creator. Period. After this many festivals, the word on the bottom of the name tag / event pass has become a source of related scrutiny. I mention ARTIST because it is by far the most frequent. But TALENT? That is easily a first. A gracious nod from the #MÉXICOY2K16 event organizers, I'm electing to spend the next couple weeks treating it like a challenge I'm rising to meet, to back their play with an effort steeped in the basic joy of doing the things. Here's hoping tonight's #ciudadsatelite show will be a good start. -mw (at Mexico City, Mexico)