| Fluff |
[Oct. 27th, 2009|07:51 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | dance, performance | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  headache | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Wolfsheim - The Sparrows and the Nightingales | ] |
 |
|
|
| Decision |
[Sep. 23rd, 2009|12:10 pm] |
I have four performances next week.
I've chosen the following four songs:
Ofra Haza - Mata Hari
Man Man - Engrish Bwudd
Max Raabe - Kiss
Beats Antique - Trinkit
Now I need to find a costume to go with the Man Man song. I'm thinking my new itty bitty black frou-frou skirt with the shiny skull and crossbones and chain at the front, a black and silver corset, black and red striped socks, frilly red knickers, fishnet gauntlets, and big clunky shit-kicker boots.
I guess I'd better locate all these items and see what they look like on....
Time to do housework. But first, it's link time.
Terrorist hid explosives in his bottom: "Security experts said they have not come across a bomber who has concealed explosives in this way." If I were a suicide bomber, I might hide 'em in my Diva Cup.
'Gollum-like' monster emerges from lake: Children killed it with rocks. Can't say I blame 'em.
Woman accused of having sex with long-lost son: "A 35-year-old Waterford Township woman has been accused of sexually assaulting the teenage son she gave up for adoption years before."
Scanning Dead Salmon in fMRI Machine Highlights Risk of Red Herrings: Dead fish think about pictures. Or not (thanks, ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) tdj).
Tiny Bears Love Our Guns: Simplicity in advertising (thanks, Adam).
![[Cthulhu]](http://pics.livejournal.com/tdj/pic/001sce67 "[Cthulhu]") |
|
|
| Rambling at the Library |
[Sep. 18th, 2009|10:43 am] |
I have about ten minutes on this library computer, so I'm just going to start typing and see what comes out of my fingers. It's been a while since I've done this exercise. Sometimes it produces something interesting. And sometimes it's nothing more than literary masturbation. Oh baby, oh baby....
I've spent a lot of time at the library terminals since my arrival in Toronto on Tuesday. I don't have much money, so the things I can do for free while lugging around a lot of gear are somewhat limited. So I've been reading a lot. And walking a lot. And studiously avoiding the stores, except when I faltered and found myself inexorably drawn to the World's Largest Bookstore where I bought four books. Which I now have to lug around everywhere. Two of the books are by James Morrow. The other two books are blank, and will eventually be filled with my scribblings.
I have also spent a lot of time reading and writing. I wrote a few letters for Underworld which I hope will serve their nefarious purposes. Who me? Plot? Never.... I wrote a few rather autobiographical snippets, which I doubt I'll be sharing for quite some time, but which needed to be written. I also read "The Wars" by Timothy Findley, which was one of the more depressing bits of literature I've read in a while. It's an episodic portrait of WWI with a lot of equine imagery and some of the grimmest and evocative descriptions of bad sex I've read in some time. Worth a read, for sure, but I still greatly prefer "Not Wanted on the Voyage," which is Findley's blasphemous reimagining of the Noah's Ark tale, complete with a unicorn. I should read that again. It was really good.
My last dance teaching gig laid me off, and I am officially unemployed. I have four dance performances in a little over a week, and then nothing. I'm seriously considering moving to Toronto for a few months to study aerial silks, butoh, and a few other dance topics. I need to find a part-time job and a cheap place to live, though. Any ideas?
Five minutes.... Only five more minutes to write, and then I'm off to butoh class again. The workshop has been progressing, but too slowly for my liking. It just seems like we've covered nothing that I haven't already covered before. And the concepts of butoh are so ephemeral, and so very, very foreign to me, that I despair of ever "getting it". Yet somehow, while doing a short solo piece yesterday based on walking, turning, and transforming to earth and water, I apparently pulled off a remarkable ending to my dance. Or so I was told. Too bad I really can't remember what I did. Too bad there was no video made of my piece. I am mystified.
I can transform into some other element, become an empty vessel slowly filling with wind and stinging insects, and I can walk the Noh walk, but I am always present. I cannot kill the self. I am always there. And until I can leave and have my body become something else, I probably won't ever get butoh.
Poop. |
|
|
| Violence in the System! |
[Sep. 12th, 2009|07:57 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | dance, gym, kung fu | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  tired | ] |
| [ | music |
| | VNV Nation - Tomorrow Never Comes | ] |
It's rough.
I haven't trained very hard in almost two months, due to asthma and chronic foot pain. But yesterday, I got back into the workout saddle, and did a yoga/Pilates class. And today, I biked for an hour and did three hours of Rapid Assault Tactics training. Plus a little kali stick and knife fighting. I got a fat lip. Gave a fat lip. Headbutted a Krav Maga guy in the schnozz. And got punched in the pointy part of my elbows over and over again. I feel positively woobly, now. And can theoretically turn people into mush.
I've missed fight training so much. Here's hoping I can get back into somewhat regular martial arts again....
Tomorrow is another yoga/Pilates class, Monday is cycling, and then the next four days are four hours each of intensive Butoh training (if my registration goes through. Hope, hope....).
And in the meantime, I must remember to never, ever use those Rapid Assault Tactics at Underworld.
Sorry about the headshot, Murph. *ducks*
I'm gonna grow back all that muscle I lost, damnit. I WILL DO THIS THING!
And speaking of that, I'd better hurry. Muscle: 'Hard to build, easy to lose' as you age. |
|
|
| So Tired! |
[Sep. 11th, 2009|02:57 pm] |
I went to the gym today, and it made my legs tremble. Tomorrow, I want to go do some fighter training. I haven't done any martial arts in far too long, mostly because of my bad foot. I miss kicking ass, damnit! And next week, I want to do a 4-day butoh intensive. Yes, I'm throwing myself back in the saddle. Yeehaw!
I want to be able to move like an angel AND a demon. All at the same time.
Also, if I tell you I miss you, please note I don't say such things lightly.
Link time.
The worst "Anal Sex Accident": Epic tale of whoopee gone wrong.
Scottish Deer Are Culprits in Bird Killings: I had a horse that stole a ham sandwich from me, once.
Blood lust of killer sheep: Sheep are evil.
Bizarre act halts court hearing: "James Orr put an immediate halt to his criminal trial Wednesday when he squeezed the contents of his colostomy bag onto the table in front of him and ate it."
Buddha-shaped pears: Why not (thanks, Jeammy)?
Trapped Girls Updated Facebook Status Instead of Calling For Help: It's the logical thing to do.
Detached gecko tails dance to their own tune: "Geckos and other lizards have long been known for their incredible ability to shed their tails as a decoy for predators, but little is known about the movements and what controls the tail once it separates from the lizard's body" (thanks, f00dave). |
|
|
| Garden of Hedon II |
[Aug. 18th, 2009|01:37 am] |
And for my second act, poi on the balcony. First time spinning poi in performance in about a year, I think.
The music is "Trinkit" by Beats Antique. Again....
|
|
|
| Garden of Hedon II |
[Aug. 17th, 2009|09:54 pm] |
It was hotter than the sun on that stage, and I was wearing velvet and plastic. But somehow, I don't look like I'm cooking to death.
This is my first attempt at a straight-up burlesque dance performance. It's a bit, ahem, cheeky.
|
|
|
| Garden of Hedon II |
[Aug. 12th, 2009|04:58 pm] |
I'm dancing at a burlesque show in London this Saturday. If you can get a chance, please come see! Proceeds go toward the Pin-Ups for Troops project, to help keep up morale for Canadian troops around the world.
Tickets are ten bucks in advance, or fifteen at the door.
Showtime is at 9 pm, Saturday Aug. 15.
Venue is Call the Office, 216 York St., London
I will be doing a couple of performances, including one in a ludicrous PINK outfit. Oy.
 |
|
|
| Photo du Jour: 2 for 1 special |
[Jun. 8th, 2009|11:27 pm] |
Yesterday, I had a bad headache.
![[Ouch]](http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs055.snc1/4495_85727684863_511799863_1930863_1745658_n.jpg "[Ouch]")
Today, I did not. Yay!
![[Yay!]](http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs015.snc1/4495_85984529863_511799863_1934909_613056_n.jpg "[Yay!]")
I went to go for a run today, and somehow ended up doing an hour of pole dance, instead. But then my bum foot started to act up, and I missed my lindy hop class. Grr. I'm hoping that tonight's rest will let it heal up enough so I can do weight training and more pole dance tomorrow. |
|
|
| Oof. |
[Jun. 1st, 2009|03:16 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | dance, links | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | sore | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Tori Amos - Fast Horse | ] |
Busy.
What else is new?
Well, I'm starting my first series of partner dancing tonight, with Lindy Hop instruction. How many feet will I step on? How many people will step on mine? I guess I'll find out, soon enough.
Link time.
Mo. Girl Survives Pitchfork Through Leg: This kid is hardcore. On the way to the hospital, she quipped, "Consider me done, I have a fork in me."
Cefaly for Migraine: I don't think I'd consider wearing one of these for migraines. But I'd consider wearing one to amplify my psychic abilities (thanks, snowy_kathryn).
Risky business: 'Lighter tag' among youth: Proof of my apparent insanity is inherent because my first thought wasn't "That's INSANE" but "That sounds like fun!" Oh dear. Someone save me from myself.
Fish that triggers hallucinations found off British coast : A fisherman is quoted as saying, "Now I realise what it was and the effects it can have, perhaps I should have taken it into town to sell to some clubbers!"
Groom arrested at wedding reception in spat over saggy pants: Bust made by fashion police.
Woman Charged After Baby, Car Seat Thrown: Mother of the year contender. "Police have charged a Memphis woman who they say used a child car seat with a 2-month-old infant inside to strike a Wal-Mart store employee."
Ancient Gem-Studded Teeth Show Skill of Early Dentists: Bling bling grills aren't exactly new.
Thunder Bay mom wants answers after teacher's aide chops off son's hair: "His mother said staff at McKellar Park Central Public School were aware her son was letting his hair grow so that he could take part in traditional First Nations dancing." No word on whether or not cutting off his hair took away his super strength.
Whole roast human (Long pig): A recipe for a unique feast.
Medieval Fight: A Russian medieval recreation group shows how it's done (thanks, gha5t).
Playful Baby Tamandua Anteater: The cutest thing you'll see all day (thanks, tailchaser).
Animals 'can tell right from wrong': Scientists suggest it's not just humans who have morals: "The belief that humans have morality and animals don’t is a long-standing assumption, but there is a growing amount of evidence that is showing us that this simply cannot be the case" (thanks, f00dave).
Female Dragon Armour: OMG, I want this!
Ten Things You Didn't Know About Orgasm: Fascinating, educational, and funny!
|
|
|
| Photo du Jour |
[Apr. 16th, 2009|01:52 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | dance, gym, photo of the day | ] |
| [ | mood |
| | sleepy | ] |
| [ | music |
| | My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult - Blondes With Lobotomy Eyes | ] |
I went for a run today with Chase. Definitely not my best run, because my lungs decided to fuck with me, but I still got at least a couple km in. Tomorrow will be better. I'm still getting more exercise in today, though, with 1.5 hours of cycling and an hour of dance. So fat cells, begone! Gotta work off that rum I drank last night. Heh....
![[Hello]](http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs038.snc1/3317_68364199863_511799863_1686351_8280635_n.jpg "[Hello]") |
|
|
| Afghan Charity Talent Show |
[Mar. 25th, 2009|11:18 am] |
I'm dancing at this tomorrow night. Come check it out. Good entertainment and money raised to help the children in Afghanistan.
It's held at the Eastwood Collegiate, by the corner of Weber and Montgomery in Kitchener.
![[Talent Show]](http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2607/66/13/514709750/n514709750_1517215_1873278.jpg "[Talent Show]") |
|
|
| Photo du Jour: 3 for 1 special |
[Mar. 23rd, 2009|02:38 am] |
It's been a very busy few days, but I did manage to take a few photos.
Three days ago, I prepared myself for an influx of new Dark Elves.
![[Yup]](http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs035.snc1/2664_58373634863_511799863_1574794_5230873_n.jpg "[Yup]")
Then they arrived, and a photo shoot took place. Here I am, post-photo shoot, the next day, when my makeup is wearing off.
![[Darker]](http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs035.snc1/2664_58635029863_511799863_1578366_6128971_n.jpg "[Darker]")
And then today, when I traded hoodies with Nick. He's 6'10". I am not. His hoodie fit me in a way that mine did not fit him.
![[I look all gangsta yo]](http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs035.snc1/2664_58853939863_511799863_1582418_1516004_n.jpg "[I look all gangsta yo]")
In other news, my foot has completely crapped out on me again, and I have spent portions of the last two days getting carried around by people whose feet are healthy. Fuck. I DO have a dance performance this week. How do I dance when I cannot walk? Grr. |
|
|
| Great Expectations |
[Mar. 19th, 2009|02:01 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | dance, links, performance | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  irritated | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - The Weeping Song | ] |
A few weeks ago, I received an email asking me if I'd be willing to donate my time to perform for a charity benefit concert. I was told there would be one rehearsal on Tuesday, and then the show itself on Thursday. I agreed, and booked the time off on my calendar.
A week or so later, I got an email from someone else in the same organization asking me to come to a planning meeting that night. I told them I would not be able to make it, as I worked that night.
Some more time passes, and I get an email telling me to come in for rehearsals on a weeknight. Again, I worked, so I had to say no.
A day or two ago, I got an email from someone else again telling me I had to attend mandatory rehearsals for the next four days. I am not available due to commitments I had made in the interim.
The show is next week.
Here's what I wrote:When I agreed to perform for the charity benefit, it was with the understanding that I would be attending a rehearsal on Tuesday, March 24 and the performance itself on March 26.
Since then, I have been receiving emails from a variety of people asking me to attend meetings and mandatory rehearsals which I cannot fit into my schedule. I am unable to put this many hours into this project as I work in the evenings, and am a director of a performance troupe which is in the midst of preparations for an upcoming show.
In the future, I suggest that expected rehearsal times and meetings be included when approaching a tentative performer. If the two days I was originally told about are sufficient, I am still available. However, if the time I offered is not, then I must respectfully demur. I really, really hope that doesn't come across as snarky.
.....
Link time.
Sony World Photography Awards 2009: Professional | Amateur. Some really great stuff, here.
Urban Ninja: I want to do this. Who's in (thanks, Jared)?
Pictures of real jackalopes: Horned rabbits do exist. They're just really, really warty.
Conan + My Little Pony + Destro!: "I think that picture's actually trying to make love to my eyes" (thanks, shbe).
N.J. salon owners to state: Mind your own "B" wax: Apparently, Brazilian waxes are against the law in New Jersey.
Doctors save speared Indian boy: Shishkebab expected to make a full recovery.
Mayor of High Wycombe: "The High Wycombe Mayoralty is the only one of its kind in the whole of the world, whereby their Mayor and all his officers get weighed every year."
![[The Great Kaboom cake]](http://www.rmiembassyus.org/Permanent%20Exhibition/NUCLEAR%20TESTS_files/usnuc_files/22.jpg "[The Great Kaboom cake]") |
|
|
| More Class |
[Mar. 17th, 2009|10:30 am] |
Oh lord but I hurt.
Yesterday, I went for my first run of the year. I did much better than I had anticipated, and I'm sure that by this point next week, I'll be doing even better, still, if the weather keeps being nice.
Then I taught my dance class. No problem. Then I started my yoga class, and only a couple of minutes in, was asked by the studio director if I could be an emergency fill-in for a butts and guts class.
And so I was suddenly placed in a very busy class teaching an intense core workout when I haven't taught such a class in about seven years. Yikes! After some quick thinking, I started them on a slow warmup, and the next thing I knew, we were all doing hindu squats, dragons, side plank pushups, kitten crawl planks, etc. Basically, all the most intense strengthening and explosive power movements from kung fu and floorwork. I had people partner up and do ab drills where one would lie on her back, gripping the standing partner's ankles. Then she'd try to kick her partner in the face, who would catch the feet and hurl them down toward the floor. But the feet weren't allowed to touch the floor....
I had people laughing and groaning and sweating. I definitely put them through their paces. And although a replacement showed up halfway through the class, I think I could have taught the whole hour. With time to prepare, I know I could.
Once I was relieved, I went back to yoga, where oddly enough, the class was in the midst of a slow-motion version of one of the things I had just done almost until failure. So I was put right back to work.
At the end of the class, I was so wobbly and weak, I could barely move. I can't remember the last time I had such an intense workout day. I fear my tomorrow, when my muscle soreness shall be at its zenith. I fear it, and look forward to it. That's the good pain.
I'm supposed to do weight training today. Oh boy....
Link time.
Boy, 4, brings pot to Tamarac pre-school, police say: Not such an exciting story title. But the official conclusion is a blast. Since the kid brought it in his bookbag, as a result, bookbags and backpacks are now banned.
Sho'nuff: Kiss my Converse (thanks, schwartzung)!
Enhance your movie experience: How to retrofit your popcorn bucket into ... Well, into a pocket pussy. Egad. Nice censor bars on the M&M's faces.
Paraplegic Man Suffers Spider Bite, Walks Again: Unleash brown recluse spiders on rehabilitation centres? Surely, you jest! |
|
|
| Oh Yikes |
[Mar. 3rd, 2009|05:10 pm] |
| [ | Tags | | | dance | ] |
| [ | mood |
| |  relieved | ] |
| [ | music |
| | Alessandro Moreschi - Ave Maria | ] |
In over ten years of teaching class, I have never refused to teach a student. But recently, I thought I would do just that. An intensely crazy woman who I've encountered from time to time at various venues was standing outside my class mumbling and cackling to herself. I was very afraid she was there for my class, but she was not.
I have taught numerous people with mental disabilities. Some of them were unable to understand what I was saying, but they were obviously very happy to just be moving and dancing. These students are accompanied by a personal attendant. Some require extra attention, and repetitious explanation. And that's fine.
But this woman.... She's held entire "conversations" with people while doing nothing but reciting names of cities, countries, or types of cars. She wanders in traffic. She's wandered into traffic. She's beat her head on walls. She imagines deep emotional relationships with people who don't even know her. She's crashed shows as a "performer." I honestly don't know how she is able to function without an attendant. She's that far gone. As my buddy James would say, she's wackadoo.
So thank you, great flying spaghetti monster, for letting her not join my class and spare me this very difficult decision. And please, great flying spaghetti monster, please don't let our paths cross again. Amen.
![[WTF]](http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s235/revmyspace2/graphics/other/funny/001wtf.jpg "[WTF]") |
|
|
| I Have No Voice and I Must Scream |
[Feb. 24th, 2009|01:36 pm] |
My voice has been gone since very early on Sunday morning. I can only make squeaking sounds. I sure hope it comes back soon, because teaching dance class without a voice is a special sort of challenge I don't want to repeat. I've been sick for over two weeks now, and it's getting really old. I haven't been to the gym in about three weeks, and I'm starting to go to seed. Gah!
I have a butoh/contemplative dance workshop on Sunday. I sure hope I'm up to four hours of dance by then....
Link time? Sure.
Ultimate Praying Championship: Irreverent, and funny, because it's true (thanks, gha5t).
Giant Blob Tumbleweeds: Come for the tumbleweeds, and stay for the steampunk. Cool stuff, as always.
Totalitarian Architecture of the Third Reich: I must admit, I really like this stripped-down version of classical architecture. It's just so imposing and grand.
Gov. Tells Man: “You Can’t Marry, You’re A Woman!”: What happens when paperwork gets mixed up. Amazingly enough, f00dave was a woman for quite some time. His driver's license declared him thus, and when we got married, the JP flubbed her lines and said to me, "Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?" My response, "Uh, sure."
'Boy Weds Dog To Avoid Indian Tiger Death': No word on whether or not the wedding must be consummated. Ye gads.
Lego Pharaoh floats down River Thames: What would Queen Elizabeth I have thought?
Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Pizza Burger: Oh god. This horrifies me so much.
Flaming Balls of Shit: One of the absolute funniest things I've ever read. READ IT!
![[Context]](http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb194/shanmonster/Poster.jpg?t=1235500545 "[Context]") |
|
|
| Mwah! |
[Feb. 15th, 2009|02:07 pm] |
Last night's show was the better of the two, although the audience on opening night was more responsive. I'm in plague limbo, where I'm sick, then ok, then sick, then ok again. I think I've fought it off. I think. In any case, I wasn't running a fever during the performance, although I was when I taught dance class yesterday morning.
Considering how almost every performer was as sick as a dog, we were freaking amazing, if I do say so, myself. This includes singers who can barely talk without having coughing fits. Somehow, all of our singers, who are all REALLY sick, managed to sing without losing their voices or having coughing jags. I'm amazed. I don't think the audience suspected we're all infected with burlesque plague.
More pictures here.
Here's my make-up job, post-show last night.
![[Glam eyes]](http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2259/120/49/511799863/n511799863_1435178_1658.jpg "[Glam eyes]")
I'm so peopled out now. Just want to sleep. I think I'll grab a nap while I can. |
|
|
| Hurly Burly |
[Feb. 14th, 2009|12:25 pm] |
Friday the 13th is known by the superstitious as an inauspicious day. Macbeth is known as an inauspicious play. Opening night of The Art of Burlesque might not have been Macbeth, but it fell on Friday the 13th and was plagued by mishap after mishap, but somehow, the damned thing all came together.
This is despite a vast array of SNAFUs, including a CD player not working, all but two of the performers being sick with the flu, and having a necessary change in musical arrangement for one performer ten minutes before the show began. But it worked! And we rocked Kitchener.
Oh yes.
My favourite quotations of the night:
K-Starr, while Terre Delicieuse was messing around with clips and snaps under her big skirt: "I just need a quick release!"
Me taking the roses out of my hair: "I'm deflowering myself!"
Tonight's our last night. And now I am getting the burlesque plague. You can bet I'm hopping myself up on meds. The show must go on!
Some pictures are up here. More will be posted as we get 'em!
I look a bit crazed here, but this is from my first performance of the night:
![[Mata Hari]](http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1978/120/49/511799863/n511799863_1427208_5979.jpg "[Mata Hari]") |
|
|
okay
weird
sick![[Silver and black outfit]](http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2309/120/49/511799863/n511799863_1440854_3584.jpg "[Silver and black outfit]")
