I woke up this morning with the usual desire to stay in bed for a while. I am not sure the last time I jumped out of bed ready for the day. Maybe it's because my day starts so much later during the summer than during the school year. I had some breakfast and just didn't feel right. Actually I felt bad. My body flipped between cold and hot and I started to get a little dizzy. I thought about canceling my classes today, but since I planned to show a video for part of class, I thought it would be okay to just try and teach. If there was a problem, I would give them the rest of the time to work with their partners on their history presentations.
I got to the UClub at 11AM since I really didn't know exactly what I would be doing in class today. I wanted to change up the combo from last session. I will probably continue to change it a little more since it's still a little too drill team-y for my taste. Apparently I don't have the key to the storage closet, so I was not able to show a bit of Hip Hop: Behind the Rhythm and Rhymes in class today. Instead I was able to evaluate them 3 at a time on last weeks combination so I have a better idea of their improvement as we get further along in the session.
I have an hour and a half before my next class and even thought I'm relaxing on the couch, I do indeed feel better. I am trying to drink more water, but my nalgene is ALL THE WAY on the dining table and I really don't want to walk the 4 feet to get it.
I got an email from Wyatt this morning trying to schedule a rehearsal. He woke up in the middle of the night and got a little nervous about our show on the 18th of September. I wanted to make sure that Stephanie would be in attendance since it does not make a huge amount of sense for me to rehearse without her. I got this message in response.
I am having some second thoughts about Stephanie, we sound great together, and her voice makes me want to smash my face through a two pane window. Should be fun living with her after that though
Wyatt
I have to say that I'm a bit relieved. I was not a fan of her musicality or lack thereof. Oh, on that note, I warmed up my class today with a little Isaac Hayes. A little memorial. Now that's one man with a little musicality and a LOT of soul.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Laying Low
It's hot in Davis, CA. The online temp says it's just 92, but my cats are wilting and I had to turn the air conditioner on. I got home from Christine's this morning, did a bit of cleaning and ate some lunch. From there I pretty much moved to the couch to watch the Olympics, download songs and prepared a new playlist and the big last one NAP! I am not sure if my sore throat was caused from singing in the car incorrectly the other night or from sitting in a cold stadium watching an uneventful baseball game. Or perhaps my body is reacting to my new piercing.
Hmmmm. I don't know. Yesterday I had a good massage with Dean Woo, so there's a chance that there are some toxins trying to get out of my body.
I wish I could blame our weak performance at Crepeville in Sacramento on my sore throat, but I really chalk it up to unpreparedness. Wyatt introduced us at Meet The Tender Misers, since Miss Lonelyhearts was taken by other local bands. I wonder what our name will be for our gig at Sophia's on 9/18. If Wyatt tries to bring back Gummy Mouth, I will have to nix that one again.
Hmmmm. I don't know. Yesterday I had a good massage with Dean Woo, so there's a chance that there are some toxins trying to get out of my body.
I wish I could blame our weak performance at Crepeville in Sacramento on my sore throat, but I really chalk it up to unpreparedness. Wyatt introduced us at Meet The Tender Misers, since Miss Lonelyhearts was taken by other local bands. I wonder what our name will be for our gig at Sophia's on 9/18. If Wyatt tries to bring back Gummy Mouth, I will have to nix that one again.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Throwing Caution to the Wind
Last night I went to my first game at AT&T Park to watch the Giants v Dodgers game last night. As many of you know I am not a huge sports fan, but I do love the game. I really could not care who wins, but just like the excitement of good playing and a pretty park. The AT&T stadium is right on the bay and was so lovely. Cold and windy, but lovely nonetheless. Tony, his buddy Sola and I got down to the park around 5PM and found parking on the street and then went to The 21st Amendment on 2nd and had glasses of Watermelon Ale to celebrate. We stopped back at the car to grab my leftover pizza from the Haight's Escape from New York and for me to put on another layer of clothing.
Every time I'm in San Francisco I really do think that I will run into someone I know. Needless to say that does not happen, but it doesn't stop me from looking around. I did the same as we ate our roasted garlic and red potato pizza, and a second slice of chicken, spinach and pesto. I don't know what I was thinking as I ordered TWO slices, since there was no way I could eat that much. It must have been the adrenaline after getting my nose pierced next door at Cold Steel.
I wimped the last time I went to the city with Tony, so this time we drove into the city and parked on Haight. I have not been to Haight Ashbury in many years - since my family made our West Coast trip driving from San Diego to San Francisco when I was in middle school. It was such a hippy paradise. KInda like Greenwich Village but one long stretch. We decided to eat first, but since I had to go to the bathroom and there was no restroom in the pizzeria, I decided that we check out Cold Steel first. Checking it became signing my life away and picking out a little stud. We waited for a room and my nerves let the stupid jokes go. Tony waited outside in the hallway and Mic, the piercer asked if he was coming in the room with us. I say no, but then looked around the corner and asked if he wanted to join. He did without much reluctance, but then said that he didn't do well with needles. The whole ordeal was over in less than 5 minutes. Mic cleaned the area on my left and placed a dot for me to approve. I asked him to move it slightly back and he yelled at me for touching the area with my super long pinky nail. Upon approval of the placement, he inserted a metal tube in my nose asked me to take a deep breath in and then the rest was magic. I am not sure if he inserted a needle or used the jewelry to pierce my nose. But it was quick and there was a little readjustment of the jewelry and then I was good to go. I whispered Tony if I had to tip him, but by the time I rummaged through my purse Mic was gone and welcoming a friend. So, we just left and went next door to get pizza. After we stuffed our faces we stopped at The Goodwill so Tony could get some pants. It was a little chilly in the city so I bought a sweater and then splurged and got 2 pairs of sunglasses and a pair of sneakers with retractable wheels. Of course, I am going to try and incorporate them into my thesis.
During the game last night, they occasionally showed footage of the Olympic Opening Ceremonies in Beijing on the big screen. Seeing some short clips and videos on youtube today and now watching some of the volleyball and cycling, I really wish I saw them last night. Apparently it was the best opening ceremonies ever. I drove Tony back to Oakland and Sola to the local BART station before I got lost on my way back to Davis. Once on 80 East I put on the CD that Wyatt made for me in preparation of our gig tonight.
We planned to get together last Thursday and then Wyatt wanted to put a rain check on it. He called back and the message was that the gig was on and we should indeed rehearse. By the time I got to his house, I found Stephanie on her way out to her other band practice and Wyatt and Barbara eating. I was leaning to not performing because we are totally not ready. There was no time for the whole group to get together and I have not mastered the harmonies yet. Wyatt was ready to throw caution to the wind and Stephanie was okay either way. Apparently she does not like performing. The reason she likes being in bands is because the like the practices. Um, WHAT???!! For me, I like to be prepared. So, when Wyatt was leaning towards just doing the gig anyway, I said okay. I never do anything like this and it's a chance to be crazy and spontaneous.
So, this evening I will be wearing dark clothing and singing some folky tunes on the corner in midtown Sacramento. No need to wish me luck. I will be riding high on nerves and adrenaline and perhaps a shot of tequila - all with a glint of rhinestone in my nose.
Every time I'm in San Francisco I really do think that I will run into someone I know. Needless to say that does not happen, but it doesn't stop me from looking around. I did the same as we ate our roasted garlic and red potato pizza, and a second slice of chicken, spinach and pesto. I don't know what I was thinking as I ordered TWO slices, since there was no way I could eat that much. It must have been the adrenaline after getting my nose pierced next door at Cold Steel.
I wimped the last time I went to the city with Tony, so this time we drove into the city and parked on Haight. I have not been to Haight Ashbury in many years - since my family made our West Coast trip driving from San Diego to San Francisco when I was in middle school. It was such a hippy paradise. KInda like Greenwich Village but one long stretch. We decided to eat first, but since I had to go to the bathroom and there was no restroom in the pizzeria, I decided that we check out Cold Steel first. Checking it became signing my life away and picking out a little stud. We waited for a room and my nerves let the stupid jokes go. Tony waited outside in the hallway and Mic, the piercer asked if he was coming in the room with us. I say no, but then looked around the corner and asked if he wanted to join. He did without much reluctance, but then said that he didn't do well with needles. The whole ordeal was over in less than 5 minutes. Mic cleaned the area on my left and placed a dot for me to approve. I asked him to move it slightly back and he yelled at me for touching the area with my super long pinky nail. Upon approval of the placement, he inserted a metal tube in my nose asked me to take a deep breath in and then the rest was magic. I am not sure if he inserted a needle or used the jewelry to pierce my nose. But it was quick and there was a little readjustment of the jewelry and then I was good to go. I whispered Tony if I had to tip him, but by the time I rummaged through my purse Mic was gone and welcoming a friend. So, we just left and went next door to get pizza. After we stuffed our faces we stopped at The Goodwill so Tony could get some pants. It was a little chilly in the city so I bought a sweater and then splurged and got 2 pairs of sunglasses and a pair of sneakers with retractable wheels. Of course, I am going to try and incorporate them into my thesis.
During the game last night, they occasionally showed footage of the Olympic Opening Ceremonies in Beijing on the big screen. Seeing some short clips and videos on youtube today and now watching some of the volleyball and cycling, I really wish I saw them last night. Apparently it was the best opening ceremonies ever. I drove Tony back to Oakland and Sola to the local BART station before I got lost on my way back to Davis. Once on 80 East I put on the CD that Wyatt made for me in preparation of our gig tonight.
We planned to get together last Thursday and then Wyatt wanted to put a rain check on it. He called back and the message was that the gig was on and we should indeed rehearse. By the time I got to his house, I found Stephanie on her way out to her other band practice and Wyatt and Barbara eating. I was leaning to not performing because we are totally not ready. There was no time for the whole group to get together and I have not mastered the harmonies yet. Wyatt was ready to throw caution to the wind and Stephanie was okay either way. Apparently she does not like performing. The reason she likes being in bands is because the like the practices. Um, WHAT???!! For me, I like to be prepared. So, when Wyatt was leaning towards just doing the gig anyway, I said okay. I never do anything like this and it's a chance to be crazy and spontaneous.
So, this evening I will be wearing dark clothing and singing some folky tunes on the corner in midtown Sacramento. No need to wish me luck. I will be riding high on nerves and adrenaline and perhaps a shot of tequila - all with a glint of rhinestone in my nose.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
As I sit here on my couch typing away, I hear the clickity-clack of the longest nails I have had in many years on the keyboard. I tried to write on the chalkboard on the first day of class with this itty bitty piece and my nails got in the way. I feel super girly and even though they make typing a little difficult, I really don't want to get rid of them. In fact, I wonder when the first one will break. From my years of catering and working at Souper Jenny, my hands were always in water and I was super active with my hands. So, I have to say this change is exciting. And these nails are doing well WiTHOUT polish. I put on some Sally Hansen's Strong as Nails 2 weeks ago, but have misplaced the bottle (again!) so the strength and protection of my nails are just riding on luck.
The two new hip hop classes are going well. I certainly feel more prepared going into session two. I'm using the same combination with a few changes and I'm able to give better instruction based on the feedback received from my first session classes. I have quite a good number of movers in both classes and I'm excited to see them grow. I have fallen a little short on the music playlists, however. Last session, I feel like I spent hours getting ready from the music side. But yesterday I went into class and hadn't played at all. When I got to class I put out the sign-in sheet, opened my live webcam and quickly pulled some music from my hip hop playlist into the one for Week 1. Both classes have a desire to change music often so I go through it more than I thought I would. When I ask if we should continue to dance to Rihanna's Please Don't Stop the Music or try something new the answer almost always comes back to dance to a new song.
On Monday I got up early and went to Starbucks and did some journaling. I have not been so productive the rest of the week. In fact on Tuesday, I actually TOOK A NAP between classes. I was just that tired.
Tickets go on sale for Jason Mraz at 10 and I am contemplating heading out for tickets. You can only buy one for every ID and since I forgot to mention it to anyone else, I would just be by myself. Between classes today i will be having lunch with Victoria at Ciocolat. After class I may be heading over to Wyatt's for a little rehearsal. I'm a tad frustrated with the lack of communication here. If I don't hear from him, I will join Tony & Tim for a drink -- or perhaps a few. I mean I need to celebrate the end of the first week of Summer Session II, don't I?
The two new hip hop classes are going well. I certainly feel more prepared going into session two. I'm using the same combination with a few changes and I'm able to give better instruction based on the feedback received from my first session classes. I have quite a good number of movers in both classes and I'm excited to see them grow. I have fallen a little short on the music playlists, however. Last session, I feel like I spent hours getting ready from the music side. But yesterday I went into class and hadn't played at all. When I got to class I put out the sign-in sheet, opened my live webcam and quickly pulled some music from my hip hop playlist into the one for Week 1. Both classes have a desire to change music often so I go through it more than I thought I would. When I ask if we should continue to dance to Rihanna's Please Don't Stop the Music or try something new the answer almost always comes back to dance to a new song.
On Monday I got up early and went to Starbucks and did some journaling. I have not been so productive the rest of the week. In fact on Tuesday, I actually TOOK A NAP between classes. I was just that tired.
Tickets go on sale for Jason Mraz at 10 and I am contemplating heading out for tickets. You can only buy one for every ID and since I forgot to mention it to anyone else, I would just be by myself. Between classes today i will be having lunch with Victoria at Ciocolat. After class I may be heading over to Wyatt's for a little rehearsal. I'm a tad frustrated with the lack of communication here. If I don't hear from him, I will join Tony & Tim for a drink -- or perhaps a few. I mean I need to celebrate the end of the first week of Summer Session II, don't I?
Monday, August 4, 2008
Back in the Saddle
Today starts Summer Session 2 and I am excited about tackling another round of Hip Hop Classes. The activity on Facebook with my first class from Summer Session 1 is quite lovely to see. The students writing on each others walls, posting pictures and attending events. I know it was their demeanor going into the class, but I hope to recreate that ensemble quality with BOTH classes this time around.
I also had a bit of a wake up call with the realization of time. Now that the summer is half done, I really need to get working on my thesis and Dada. I have not written in my thesis comedy journal in quite a few days and I don't remember when I read or even thought about Dada last. For the latter project I feel I really need to get my personnel on board and that's not going to happen until the school year begins. However, I would like to get some more research done.
Since my teaching schedule now starts at 12 instead of 2, I'm trying to get myself up earlier and on a more regular schedule. I also have 2 hours BETWEEN classes now that I could read or write or go to the library. I will check about space availability in the office today so I will be able to start playing with things physically, as well.
In terms of Miss Lonely Hearts, that may start to ramp up as well, since we may have a gig THIS Saturday at Crepeville and we are on the books at Sopha's on September 18 -- the day I get back from my Atlanta trip. Just to update, Wyatt and I are in disagreement as to the origin of the band name. All of the research says that the book in question was by Nathanael West not Terry Southern. That being said I did a search of MySpace yesterday and found TWO other bands (one in CA, the other in Canada) with the same name. So, it looks like Wyatt will be looking for a new name.
We had a good rehearsal on Saturday and I'm very proud of myself for finding some great rhythms and harmonies. In the garage band recordings, I have to say that I don't sound half bad. However, the collaborative elements are not as strong as I'd hoped. I really do think it's due to the fact that Wyatt is just so young and doesn't know how best to lead the group. Besides being a back up singer, I feel that I am also an advisor and creative consultant. That may be my biggest asset to the group. Wyatt was supposed to meet with a lap steel player yesterday and is in talks with a percussionist. I'm curious to see where this all will go.
And lastly, I finally did some job searching yesterday. I looked for university positions, as well as education directors in the non-profit world. I'm going to have to keep this search up in earnest because jobs will be posted in a few months for the time I graduate.
This makes me want to hide under the covers, but I will in fact get out of bed and head to Starbucks to use one of my gift cards and get some journalling done.
Now, I just have to find my glasses...
I also had a bit of a wake up call with the realization of time. Now that the summer is half done, I really need to get working on my thesis and Dada. I have not written in my thesis comedy journal in quite a few days and I don't remember when I read or even thought about Dada last. For the latter project I feel I really need to get my personnel on board and that's not going to happen until the school year begins. However, I would like to get some more research done.
Since my teaching schedule now starts at 12 instead of 2, I'm trying to get myself up earlier and on a more regular schedule. I also have 2 hours BETWEEN classes now that I could read or write or go to the library. I will check about space availability in the office today so I will be able to start playing with things physically, as well.
In terms of Miss Lonely Hearts, that may start to ramp up as well, since we may have a gig THIS Saturday at Crepeville and we are on the books at Sopha's on September 18 -- the day I get back from my Atlanta trip. Just to update, Wyatt and I are in disagreement as to the origin of the band name. All of the research says that the book in question was by Nathanael West not Terry Southern. That being said I did a search of MySpace yesterday and found TWO other bands (one in CA, the other in Canada) with the same name. So, it looks like Wyatt will be looking for a new name.
We had a good rehearsal on Saturday and I'm very proud of myself for finding some great rhythms and harmonies. In the garage band recordings, I have to say that I don't sound half bad. However, the collaborative elements are not as strong as I'd hoped. I really do think it's due to the fact that Wyatt is just so young and doesn't know how best to lead the group. Besides being a back up singer, I feel that I am also an advisor and creative consultant. That may be my biggest asset to the group. Wyatt was supposed to meet with a lap steel player yesterday and is in talks with a percussionist. I'm curious to see where this all will go.
And lastly, I finally did some job searching yesterday. I looked for university positions, as well as education directors in the non-profit world. I'm going to have to keep this search up in earnest because jobs will be posted in a few months for the time I graduate.
This makes me want to hide under the covers, but I will in fact get out of bed and head to Starbucks to use one of my gift cards and get some journalling done.
Now, I just have to find my glasses...
Saturday, August 2, 2008
As If We Didn't Already Know
You Are a Chocolate Flavored Popsicle |
 You are hedonistic. For you, summer is all about indulging your five senses. Some people may call you spoiled, but your simply the type of person who knows what they want. You have sophisticated tastes. You like sweet things as much as the next person, but you don't like cheap treats. You're much more drawn to the dramatic in all aspects of life - including dramatic desserts. |
Friday, August 1, 2008
Shed a Little Tear, again
So on this my year anniversary in Davis I cried twice. These past two years have been quite emotional and on an anniversary such as this you cannot help but reflect. As I typed the title of this blog I had a feeling that I used it before. Surprisingly enough it's only from the beginning of June.At band practice last night, I got a text from Tony suggesting I come into SF today because he had the day off. I just didn't feel like spending the money on a train ticket and really wanted to lay low in Davis. So this morning, I got out of bed and after a few unsuccessful tries to get online, I took a shower and walked to campus. I sat outside of Dutton Hall and finally got a connection. A group of what seemed to be high school students perhaps at a UCD sponsored camp or maybe orientation walked by. They each had a name tag on and matching t-shirts and they asked me if I was a professor.
"No, I'm a grad student, sorry."
As they walked away with their maps I had the wherewithal to ask if they were on a scavenger hunt. And indeed they were. I then said that I am a grad student, but I am teaching 2 classes this summer. Sounded like a professor to them! They were elated, ran back to me, took my photo and asked for my name and department to add to their list. They then asked where some art galleries might be and I pointed them along.
When I got back home I called Tony and it sounded like he had a plan for his day. I was able to connect again to the internet from my apartment and decided to finish up my grading and submit final grades. Of my 60 students there were mostly As, two B+s and 2 C+s.
Ever since I created the Facebook event page for the Hip Hop showings I started to get requests from the students to add me as a friend. I do not feel comfortable doing that while they are current students, so as of this morning, I went ahead and added all 9 requests. They were all from my first class. This did not surprise me since my first class was so much more of an ensemble than my second. The second class had more people late or with absences. They also were not as quick to thank me after the showing yesterday nor did anyone ask me to be in photos with them. This afternoon, I did get two friend requests from my second class, but one was only because he wanted to message me and ask what happened to his lost ipod.
On Facebook I made today's status "Hope celebrates one year in Davis" to which I got this message on my wall from Lynn in my first class.
Gratz on ur one year in Davis! We welcome u with big Hugs! o(^.^)o Ur hip Hop class was the most exciting thing in my life.
Reading that just made me weep. It's an amazing feeling to make that much of an impact on someone's life. After the second showing, one of the girls from my first class came up to me and said that my class was the best she's ever taken at UCD. Chau is a shy little thing and always asked me questions over email or sent someone else to ask me on her behalf. But this time she used her own words and gave me a huge hug.
Powerful stuff.
To celebrate, I found the second Zia's gift certificate and my Regal Free Movie certificate and had a freebie afternoon. A yummy Roma sandwich and lemon Pellegrino as I watched Mamma Mia. In the darkness as I viewed the beautiful Grecian landscape on the big screen, I reflected on the past and a disastrous flight from Atlanta to Sacramento a year ago today -- and just cried.
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