J

Just Perfect.

This song is so amazing, I cant decide if I could write about it forever, or stumble upon my own emotions trying to express the jumble of everything inside.

 

Dancing In Black

Scratched Vinyl Innocence

 

Its seriously ... Just Perfect.

That band was nasty good.

Its a wonderful thing when a band can achieve their own sound. Even better when they can manage to do so, and revive some musical elements from yesteryear.

I just got done with a blues dance conference. The main attraction was Nathan and Ben, a duo blues band from california. They played the entire weekend, in front of the same crowd of 300 people. And nobody got tired of hearing or dancing to them.

Im not sure what it is about their sound that makes them feel so genuine - perhaps its the raw grittiness of it. Perhaps its their occasional mix of funk and blues, the kind that just gets listeners moving. But who cares?

These guys are SICK.

 

Take this little ditty for example:

You Better Learn

Nathan James & Ben Hernandez

Yes. That is a man playing a kazoo. And yes, there is a washboard in there too.

 

 

Here is something a little more downlow and gritty. Check the pulse in this tune!:

Everybody Make a Change Sometime

Nathan James & Ben Hernandez

 

 

Another slow one. A more straightforward blues for the traditionalist:

Finished Last

Nathan James & Ben Hernandez

 

 

Ever heard a man play a washtub bass? Now you will (and this doesnt touch the surface of what he did live):

Keepin' to Herself

Nathan James & Ben Hernandez

Washtub Bass

 

 

 

And finally. Oh yes, finally. I give you the funk nasty:

My Backyard

Nathan James & Ben Hernandez

 

Tell me that doesnt just make you want to move. You feel your head bobbing and your groove going? Amazing things can happen when a dude plays the JUG well. And it only gets better when you get to see them live, and he busts out a Jug SOLO.

What?!

WHAT!?!

 

 

Playin the Jug

 

 

 Awww yeah.

 

 

 

Not Just Wiggling.

Many people who partner dance look down upon Blues Dancing. They often take an elitist attitude about it, saying that blues dancing is "really easy" because it does not have predefined steps and structure. They also are dismissive, because the dance is "just wiggling".

And some people just dont want to do it because its "too sexy" and potentially  "creepy".

 

Well, I hope to dispell those trains of thought one day.

I just took two workshops from Steven and Virgine. Steven Mitchell has been dancing well over 30 years. He is well known as potentially one of the best Lindy Hop dancers in the world. He has a very innovative style, that incorporates all sorts of dances (even before his 30 years as lindy hopper, he studied jazz, ballet, and modern).

In short, this genius knows how to move. And he brings that to his Blues Dancing, as well as his amazing teaching style.

In two short hours, he had my body screaming for mercy - and I dance about 25 hours a week. If you saw me after a short "routine" you would have though I ran a marathon. But in actuality, I merely travelled 5 feet ... slowly. The thing was, I moved so many muscles in my body, in purposeful and interesting ways.

I worked so hard to make it look so relaxed and easy.

This is often a fundamental aspect of good blues dancing - you spend so much time resisting your own motion and really getting into the floor. Its basically like isometric weight lifting. (this is what gives the dance that sweet molasses look.)

 

And then he took it in a different direction. We switched it from gritty to pretty. And it was

AMAZING

 

I cant even really do it justice by describing what I saw, or what I felt. So I will just let a sample video do the talking for me. Here is Steven and Viriginie showing off a little bit of their style:

 

 

Lindyfest: Lover Man

 

 

Now decide for yourself. Do you honestly think that is "easy" and "just wiggling"?

If by any chance, the answer is yes ... I dare you to take one of their classes and then answer the question again.

 

Girl, are you kidding me?

Ladies, you know I love you.

Yet I gotta be honest here. No offense, but I think that a vast majority of the women in the Pacific Northwest are  crazy. No, not your standard girl crazy either. Im talking straight up retarded crazy. 

The final nail in the coffin was last night. I was chatting up a girl (one that I have known to some degree on and off for about half a year). Im making small talk. We get along well - I think she is attractive, she is kinda flirty with me, and well ... she laughs at almost all of my jokes. She even laughs when I make fun of her, "Oh Cinderella, you got to go home at 10 because your coach is turning back into a pumpkin?"

Out of curiosity, I bridge the conversation ...

Me: "So we havent gotten a chance to chat in a while. Tell me the scoop - got a good man in your life?"

Her: "No. Im just not finding anyone that I can really connect with..."

Me: *gives inquisitive look, detecting there is more to that story*

She goes on to explain about way older guys being into her. How thats getting all awkward. I listen intently and butt in some standard comments here and there. She turns the question back on me. I explained how I dance a lot, and how that makes dating *very* difficult and convoluted.

Her: "I have never dated a guy who likes to dance."

Me: "Hrm. Why not?"

Her: "Well, I guess it never crosses my mind to think of someone in that direction. And besides, its kinda nice to have a situation where I have my thing (dance) and he has his thing (something notdance)."

 

Hold the phone.

What?!

First of all, girls who dance are silly. They really do not quite grasp the fact that they are surrounded by guys who like to dance - something a helluvalotta girls would die for in a man.

Second of all, I think its really strange that you wouldnt want to share something in common like dance. If you love it, and your romantic interest loves it ... it becomes something you can do together. Thats the stuff that most girls dreams are made of right there.

Unless you are fairly one dimensional, you can still have seperate things to do that are your *own thing*. But dance is a pretty silly one to view this way. I mean, its usually meant to be performed between a guy and a girl. And when you have unabashed feelings for your partner, you open up a whole world of possibilities in dance expression. Finally, you can both work together towards the common goal of getting better (for a dancer, a lifelong pursuit).

I just dont understand the problem at all.

Now, I dont advocate actively looking for someone to date when you are going out dancing. Especially from the male side, that can often lead to mucho creepiness. But I do suggest that you keep your eyes open.

Heck, most relationship experts will tell you that the best way to meet potentially good matches is to ...

Go find an activity that you love to do.

Because it establishes a mutually common ground for conversations and activities. Which is a huge building block for just about any kind of good relationship.

Unless you are crazy. Then those blocks probably wont build anything, except maybe another Winchester House of Mystery. And if thats your thing ...

Maybe you should join the rest out here in the Northwest.

(or not) 

Yeah, so what?

I ask everyone to please think critically and compassionately. To look beyond the smearing of names. To think rationally about topics of interest. And to think outside the box, because our box is no longer working.

That said, I have read a lot of reasons why people should not support Obama. Some may be valid, but most are just silly, if you engage your brain a little bit.

 

Lets tackle some:

 

1) Obama opposes offshore drilling to reduce gas prices

What is bad about this?

Lets look beyond the surface here. offshore drilling impacts the environment, by disturbing one of the most biodiverse places on the planet: The Ocean. Furthermore, most of the natural fuels in our country have remained largely untapped for a reason: They are meant to be EMERGENCY RESERVES. (High prices do not constitute an emergency). Finally, creating more ways to rape the earth for natural resources is *not* the correct long term solution.

Instead, how about pioneering a more fuel efficient and bio-friendly campaign to change the way the world uses energy? Now thats a direction to stand for.

 

2) If elected, Obama has stated that he will meet with nations that sponsor terrorism, without precondition.

So?

Look at the past. Understand terrorism and the mindset of the people who are succeptible to becoming engaged in these groups. Critically ask yourself if our current policy has actually worked. (It hasnt).

Meeting without precondition implies a true desire to talk. To change. To help truly move towards a more globally peaceful society. Obama just wants to make things better, instead of making things worse by treating other nations in childlike ways. You cannot inspire true cooperation and inclusion, via silence and exclusion, and mandates.

Ask yourself this: would you refuse to sit down and talk with your significant other without precondition, after they had behaved horribly? If you are not willing to treat someone of meaning like this, what makes you think that treating a nation like this is the correct thing?

 

3) Obama has been praised and endorsed by terrorist groups.

Big deal.

You know what this should say to you? Here is a man that many people of different viewpoints support. Isnt that a great quality for a president to have? Or would you rather continue to propagate the anti-americanism that currently exists (believe it or not, Joe Schmoe ... many other countries will justify how they treat you based upon how your leader treats their country.)

If we truly want global change, then it behooves us to have someone in power (as figurehead) that many other people like.

 

4) Obama is muslim, is related to muslims, etc.

Who cares?

Religion should not be used for descrimination in the presidential elections. Need you be reminded that our country was largely founded by people who were looking escape religious intolerance and persecution? Need you also be reminded that one of the largest atrocities in religious history was commited by Christianity?

Point is this: you can never judge one person by the religion they believe in. Any and every religion can be victim of slander, when you consider fundamentalists and extremists as a representative.

If you have any doubts about the peacefulness of the muslim (or other) religion, please google Assissi Decalogue.

 

There are many more things to say. But most of it still comes down to: Think Critically.

Overall, I believe the most critical aspect of the election is this: Do you want change? If you do, then you probably want Obama.

Also, I think that most people overlook the main function of the president: to be a figurehead for the nation, and bring together a group of people to truly get stuff done. And that, is effectively about charisma and choices. Both of which, Obama seems to be really good at.

The question is ...

Are you willing to make the choice that requires critical changes? Or do you want more of the same. (keep in mind what that means across the last 50 years, seriously).

Haha. The Straw.

Last night, we went out to grab some food after the Costume Dance.

I was having lipstick issues. And I wasnt too hungry. So I asked the waiter to bring me a Chocolate Shake and a Pepsi. And to bring me a straw.

The waiter delivered. With this:

 

Straw

 

Halloween

Some costumes are difficult to wear, yet fun to make ...

Here are some pics, after the dance. My makeup only ran an smeared a little bit. But the lipstick really wore off. (Note: the evenings lipstick experience was a doozie!)

 

Halloween08_Flash

(This is what the costume looks like with flash photogrophy. I keep telling people that standard flashes are bad for lighting - they do odd things to the tonality of everything!)

 

 

 

Halloween08

This is without flash. A netter representation of the tonality.

 

 

Halloween08_Brainless

I need some brains.

 

 

Halloween08_Choke

Neckties are restrictive.

 

 

Halloween08_Crave

I can haz ur brainz? Kthxdie.

 

 

Halloween08_Dopey

Duhh.

 

 

Halloween08_Grab

Stylized.

 

 

Halloween08_Mean

Dont I look even more Evil than normal?

 

 

Halloween08_Mugs

Inmate #400027834 - Charged with Unmurder.

 

 

Halloween08_Pensive

The eyes also smeared through the night, it would seem.

 

 

Halloween08_Scary

This creeps me the heck out.

 

 

Halloween08_Thought

Dont ask. Just dont.

 

 

Something that makes me happy.

Sometimes, the smallest things have the biggest emotional impact.

 

It happens almost every night, but I still never tire of it. Im dancing with a girl, closed embrace. My arm is lazily wrapped around her torso. The wrap is so completely engulfing that I can hold onto her other side with my hand.

I can feel her every movement. The slightest shift in the position of her ribs. The secondary motion of her hips. The subtle nuances of her shoulders. Her head pressing agains mine, or resting slightly on my neck.

I am distinctly aware when she takes a breath. And she does ... deeply. And then she lets out a huge sigh.

I can feel the smile in her posture.

 

I know she is enjoying the dance. And also, enjoying my scent. Some women are even upfront enough to tell me. "You always smell sooooo good." The words are great, but most of the time, they never have to be said. Cause I know.

 

And this small thing makes me extremely happy.

Why?

 

Because I did not spend all that time selecting a unique and interesting cologne, applying it to all the important spots on my body ...

for my own benefit.

 

Ladies, Im doing it for you. And for just those kinds of moments. And emotions. And your appreciation, only encourages me to continue to do it.

Cause it makes me happy too.

I dont know whatcha heard about me ...

But I was a muthafuttin P eye M P.

aka Red Light District themed Dance Party costume Pics!!!

 

 

At the door

 

 

 

Enter my domain

 

 

Red Light

 

 

Loungin

 

 

On the throne

Im not PC.

Bunch of friends talking ...

K: "Comment T appelle tu?"

E: "E. But you are pronouncing it wrong."

ME: "Oh come on E. You are French Canadian - that means you are wrong in Two Languages at once!"