clevermanka (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
clevermanka) wrote2003-05-27 10:45 am
clevermanka) wrote2003-05-27 10:45 am
Entry tags:
Many small things
The California trip was wonderful! Too much to write about particulars, but here are several small events and observations.
I'm allergic to wine country. I got hit with a killer sinus headache on Saturday morning that lasted until I got to San Francisco. But I still had a wonderful time at the festival. The workshops were mostly fantastic. I would have enjoyed them more if I could have moved without great pain.
Most of the performances were enjoyable, and some were just painfully amateur. I feel badly for students who have teachers who think it's ok to send out a dancer to perform when she can't even do a proper rib isolation or shimmy walk. Let those students dance at haflas and informal gatherings, but don't put them up on a stage. Bad for the student, bad for the teacher, bad for the audience. Bad all around. Bad.
On the bright side, there were so many beautiful women at TribalFest. It was just incredible. Really gorgeous women everywhere, and lucky me, one of gorgeous-est taught a workshop that I attended. Frederique from the troupe Romani is just a joy to behold and was a wonderful instructor. I also took Tribal workshops with Paulette Rees-Denis, Terri Walden, and a Zambra (sorta gypsy flamenco) class with La Linda.
Had a wonderful time in San Francisco, and the decline in tourism was a great thing for me personally. Walking around Chinatown and the Haight was just a breeze. No crowds, no waiting for tables at restaurants. I spent way too much money on fabric in Chinatown. Also spent way too much money at Good Vibrations, but at least those were practical purchases.
I got to see a rat in a Chinatown alley. It wasn't as big as the rat I saw in Chicago, but it was big enough to be exciting. Local wildlife!
Returning from dinner one evening, a payphone rang as we walked by it. That was weird. Yes, one of us answered. Not me.
I ate anything and everything I wanted and then some. Loved House of Nanking. Yum! Back to the gym this morning. Yuck.
Spent two hours in General Bead, one of the most amazing bead stores I've ever been in. And hands down, the most helpful staff. They were incredible. I had a blast.
The new Asian Art museum is really very nice. Some fascinating Buddhas from Cambodia and Thailand that I've never seen before. Also got to view some of the tiniest detailed illustrations of the Ramayana. Gorgeous.
And now I'm really glad to be back home. Fetish spent the first few days curled up in the suitcase until I finally took it downstairs. Dean developed a head cold. We found out the '35 Buick body had termites (my car has termites! How many people can say that?), so the wood had to be removed and hauled far, far away from the house. I was informed that we are expected to attend a wedding this coming weekend. Sewed up an outfit over the weekend and should shop for a gift this afternoon (let's hear it for online wedding registries). My kitchen is still suffering an ant infestation (who thought it was a good idea to plant a peony bush right under the kitchen window?). Ah, home. Nothing like it. It's so nice to be back.
I'm allergic to wine country. I got hit with a killer sinus headache on Saturday morning that lasted until I got to San Francisco. But I still had a wonderful time at the festival. The workshops were mostly fantastic. I would have enjoyed them more if I could have moved without great pain.
Most of the performances were enjoyable, and some were just painfully amateur. I feel badly for students who have teachers who think it's ok to send out a dancer to perform when she can't even do a proper rib isolation or shimmy walk. Let those students dance at haflas and informal gatherings, but don't put them up on a stage. Bad for the student, bad for the teacher, bad for the audience. Bad all around. Bad.
On the bright side, there were so many beautiful women at TribalFest. It was just incredible. Really gorgeous women everywhere, and lucky me, one of gorgeous-est taught a workshop that I attended. Frederique from the troupe Romani is just a joy to behold and was a wonderful instructor. I also took Tribal workshops with Paulette Rees-Denis, Terri Walden, and a Zambra (sorta gypsy flamenco) class with La Linda.
Had a wonderful time in San Francisco, and the decline in tourism was a great thing for me personally. Walking around Chinatown and the Haight was just a breeze. No crowds, no waiting for tables at restaurants. I spent way too much money on fabric in Chinatown. Also spent way too much money at Good Vibrations, but at least those were practical purchases.
I got to see a rat in a Chinatown alley. It wasn't as big as the rat I saw in Chicago, but it was big enough to be exciting. Local wildlife!
Returning from dinner one evening, a payphone rang as we walked by it. That was weird. Yes, one of us answered. Not me.
I ate anything and everything I wanted and then some. Loved House of Nanking. Yum! Back to the gym this morning. Yuck.
Spent two hours in General Bead, one of the most amazing bead stores I've ever been in. And hands down, the most helpful staff. They were incredible. I had a blast.
The new Asian Art museum is really very nice. Some fascinating Buddhas from Cambodia and Thailand that I've never seen before. Also got to view some of the tiniest detailed illustrations of the Ramayana. Gorgeous.
And now I'm really glad to be back home. Fetish spent the first few days curled up in the suitcase until I finally took it downstairs. Dean developed a head cold. We found out the '35 Buick body had termites (my car has termites! How many people can say that?), so the wood had to be removed and hauled far, far away from the house. I was informed that we are expected to attend a wedding this coming weekend. Sewed up an outfit over the weekend and should shop for a gift this afternoon (let's hear it for online wedding registries). My kitchen is still suffering an ant infestation (who thought it was a good idea to plant a peony bush right under the kitchen window?). Ah, home. Nothing like it. It's so nice to be back.