And hugs, hugs upon arrival. This is going to be a rockin' semester. 1 day ago
Already in seminar choice overload. Soooo much to choose from. I wanna do it all! 1 day ago
A beautiful near-spring day in Vancouver & the buzz on the street while walking the pug: An F-bomb launch party between a bicyclist & driver 3 days ago
Beautifully put: "The key to happiness, or anything approaching it, is being in the present moment, short term," the Rev.Mark Gallagher. 4 days ago
@Colo_kea I feel your pain. Well, not the editing part. But the writing part. OK, just the reporting part at this moment. But I feel it... 4 days ago
Very cool news. And hope for journalism: RT @thecolumbian Columbian Publishing Company emerges from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. Details to come. 4 days ago
Discovering that these bellydancing polyrhythms are tougher than I ever imagined. This week we started the zills, which are something of a three-strike tempo for each measured, four-time musical beat. Each movement we make is accompanied by three zill strikes; the music is four-time and, just to confuse matters, each zill strike starts with the right hand, which confuses my brain when it’s time for the left side of my body to move.
Let’s just say that many of us, myself included, were suddenly baffled by the seemingly simple task of walking and dancing while zilling. (And you think chewing gum and walking is tough.) Instructor assures us it’s a mild speed bump, not an obstacle course. For a fleeting moment, it did make sense, which gives me hope that it’ll make sense again. It’s reminding me of my foray into a drumming circle and how the three-measure rhythms confused (and delighted) me. Maybe it was six-measure, it’s been a few years and even longer since I read and played music. But my friend laughed and told me, as a Westerner, it would confuse me at first. Instead, I should relax and feel it. It becomes intuitive.
Like all things, I’m over thinking it at first. The drumming eventually came (maybe I’ll try it again someday, since I loved it). This will come, too. (And, no, Aunt Ginger, NO videos! Maybe someday I’ll dance in person, but no vids!)
Meanwhile, the pug’s not digging my zill practice. But he gets a week’s reprieve, starting now. He’s off the kennel. I’m tying up loose ends, including filing stories. Drive and residency tomorrow. And I’m bringing my zills…
Oh, baby! From the in-box: Joe Craven will be in concert in Corvallis on Feb. 23. Love isn’t a strong enough word to describe my adoration for this musical genius – and the tunes he strums from strings, his body and nearly any musically inclined object he happens upon. Caught him at Strawberry Music Festival a couple of years back. He’s into his groove and his music unlike any musician I’ve ever seen — and, thankfully, he takes his audience along for the ride. (He’s also a tad bit fond of Laura Love, especially when she sings “Mahbootay.”) If you can swing a Tuesday night, this is a performance worth catching.
Yes, I said I was taking a break from blogging. That was yesterday. Today I have news. Good news. As long as the economy holds…
We’re trying it again. I’m scheduled to teach Freeing Your Creativity for University of California, Riverside’s extension program from June 28 – Aug. 6. I last taught this class in 2002, in a classroom setting. It was an amazing experience for both my students and for me.
Times and geography change. Last year I created an online creativity class using Moodle for UCR Extension. But as anyone with a wallet knows, the economy tanked and we didn’t get enough enrollments to run the course. Try, try again. This year’s target: June 28 through Aug. 6.
What I can promise: A safe, fun and supportive environment to explore your creative side, whether you express that side with music, poetry, visual arts or dance — or all of the above.
Details will come, along with registration links. Last year’s enrollment fee was $225 and came with 1.5 units.
Will be MIA from blogging for a couple to few weeks — maybe even a month or so. Think deadlines, upcoming residency and a new semester on the horizon. Besides, it’s Feb. Spring is bursting in tree buds and bulb shoots. Get outside and enjoy it. I am…
