The moon was full. The night followed the moon.

image courtesy of Everything PR

Shadows had been eaten, swallowed by black, swallowed by the need to disappear. Audrey Rose moved among the forms that were lost to the night. A single pine needle fell, scratching the ground before settling into the dust and all around it life stilled for a moment in expectation that something greater might follow.

In the night, A leg was no sexier than the bark of an aspen, no silkier, no more intriguing. The aspen had to its advantage knots and eyes to see with.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksrIeWDl0AQ

After 14 hours of hugging, I was only able to total 3,459 hugs. This was 1,000 hugs more than the last attempt and there will be another attempt this year. Stay posted!

Below is Audrey Rose's experience at Hugfest 2010 - The hugs part begins at Part 2, so feel free to scroll down.

Part 1:

Saturday, June 5th I will be heading down to Vail for my second attempt at setting a World Record for most hugs in 24 hours. The first attempt at the Aspen Winter X Games was such a positive experience, I feel I could spend my whole life hugging!

"When August came, thick as a dream of falling timbers...(they) would drive west, all evening, the sun before them dying like the insides of a stone melon, split and watery, halving with blood."
-Dow Mossman - The Stones of Summer

Just a quick update. Aspen is amazing. The support, love and warmth I felt was indescribable. While I didn't break the record, I did get 2,352 hugs from all ages of people, children, teenagers, adults and grandparents. I also raised $29.00 for Haiti. I do plan on attempting the record at a later point in the year. Audrey Rose had a blast and will be writing about it soon!

The importance of touch can't be underestimated. It reduces stress, helps mental and emotional development and feels good.

I chose to attempt the World Record for most hugs in a 24 hour period because of a character I write, Audrey Rose. Audrey Rose is a free hugger, free lover and free bird. During a friend's gallery opening, I dressed up as Audrey Rose and offered free hugs. So many people participated, but one woman stuck out in my head. She hugged me and said "I really needed that today."

Fuck the Holidays

Audrey Rose – Fuck the Holidays
By: Dagny McKinley