Dancing Last Night...Strangest and Stranger and Not-So-Strange Lead Dancers
Christina and I went salsa dancing last night, I for the first time in this locale, and she drove.
The first half hour to hour was a basic--> (leading into) an intermediate dance lesson. My partner, whose name I have blocked from my memory, was the strangest lead I met that night. He wanted to improvise, and when push came to shove, he refused to follow the directions of the teachers. "Why don't we just do the basic step?" I gently encouraged, when he would start wildly jerking his hips in time not to the music playing over the speakers (there was a great DJ). He then stared, smiling at the floor adjacent to our feet. Truly an ODDfellow. [Strangest of the evening---no, of the month---...awardee.] I was relieved to find him not present to dance with less vocal follows after the lesson.
I met Christina's friends Sean and Todd, and danced with each of them and with Harold and with Dave [who stated that he had run the marathon last Sunday under 4'50".] I also met and complimented the dancing of Kathy by the water vessels, and then later danced with Steven, who skateboards. I sat down for a moment with Christina and Sean, and one of Sean's acquaintances, who fluffed Christina's hair, and invaded our table. After I got him to stop calling my friend by a generic moniker, he invited Sean out to Primanti's with Cathy and himself. ...Kathy then showed up at the table, inviting to Primanti's. [Oh, That Kathy,]
These incidents were somewhat typical of Pittsburgh:
~ The desire to go to Primanti Brothers for sandwiches after a late night out dancing
~ Everybody knows each other
~ Experienced leads are generally friendly and willing to dance with newbie or intermediate dancers
~ One can [and probably will] meet the gamut of dancers.
~~~~~~
Yesterday, I was also glad to work on my first list for travel, as well as to check off those packed items.
~~~~~~
A nice piece for les exercises de ronde de jambes is Chopin's Waltz No. 7 in C# minor.
Labels: dance, dancing
Dancing Girls...
After spending the afternoon with Maureen shopping for her mattress set, going to Penne's, stopping at Wendy's for a Frosty, and shopping at Giant Eagly Market District (Big Bird's Palenke) and CVS. I made cole slaw for Mom & Dad.
They departed for their party at about the same time I left to meet up with Christina for swing dancing. I saw and danced with Philip, Fred, Ralph, Oleg, and Ralph and Fred again before I left. We saw Marie there and met Dominique.
A great evening.
Labels: dancing
Bible Study, September 2010
I went to the Newman Center last night for Bible Study. Fr. Steve led the discussion, as Fr. Josh was resting up from a cold. We discussed Num 1:1-13; and Dt 3:23-29; then we related it all to a writing by Cardinal Newman. I contributed a point about the Numbers passage that "Moses had done bigger things with water [earlier]," which brought a chuckle to the group. It was good to see my friends there, and we discussed after the bible study the Underground and dancing, as well.
Labels: Bible, dancing, Faith, friends, music
Dr. Zoot, September 2010
Christina and I were the only ones from our group enjoying the band called Dr. Zoot tonight. Karina, Maureen, Regina, and Stacy all could not make it. I danced with Francois a couple of times and with Zack. I also bought a slice of pepperoni pizza to enjoy during the line dancing. I saw Frankie and Lisa, as well.
Christina and I left at the same time.
Labels: dancing, dining, friends, music, Pittsburgh
Swing Dancing, September 2010
Maureen and I met up with Christina, Regina, and John at swing dancing tonight. Kevin joined us all later in the evening. Five Guys Named Moe (I counted four guys...) played tonight. I saw and danced with some of my dance friends who are now considered regulars: Philip, Ralph, and Andrew. I scared some unsuspecting guy away who was asking, "Can I dance with you?" by answering, "With one caveat...I have fake hips." (The next thing I knew, he was running away from me.)
I just enjoyed some cantaloupe, pasta salad, and chicken soup before writing this post. Time to turn into a pumpkin....
Labels: BAD, dance, dancing, dine, Faith, music, sleep
Donuts and "Oh, that's it!"
It's Memorial Day weekend. I called Maureen--we each had a donut and she drove off to visit her family east of here. (I also talked to Luce.) I listened to some music and fell asleep for about two hours, did a little work, then fell asleep for another 2, 2.5 hours. Just had lunch of leftovers, juice, and salad.
"Oh, that's it!" I just remembered that I had been to the meeting house two weeks in a row, and may have hurt my ankle at a circle activity there.
Labels: dancing, dine, dining, friends, health, pain
Othello
I went to see Othello with the Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre at the Stephen Foster Memorial. Absolutely Powerful, riveting, and produced and performed with a sense of the historical place of the play in theatrical history. Natalie had recommended that I see it, and I noted that she was the dialect coach for this production.
Andrew S. Paul's director's notes make a point: It turns out that there has been a spate of productions of this piece since the election of Pres. Obama. One production even set the play in the present, and "switched" the casting of Othello and Desdemonda's father (the Duke of Venice)---with her father portrayed by an actor who is a look-alike for Mr. Obama.
The play was viewed by about 43 others and myself during a Tuesday morning production for school groups. The group today was from, I believe, Mt. Lebanon.
Javon Johnson portrayed Othello, with Desdemona portrayed by Allison McLemore. The complex character of Emilia was portrayed by Shelley Delaney.
Iago was portrayed exceedingly well by Michael Hanrahan, presenting a valid reason for folks "not to lie, not to tell untruths."
~~~
14.40 Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Folk Dancing, May 2010
I went folk dancing yesterday evening in my neighborhood. We danced a number of Hungarian dances, Israeli, Turkish, Kurdish, Zemer Atik (Israeli), Black Nag (English Country dance), and other dances. It was great fun. We also enjoyed Ellen's blowing out her birthday cake!
I hurried home to watch the finale of "Dancing with the Stars" with Mom. Nicole and Derek won over Evan and Anna. It was fun to watch contestants from the whole season perform, as well.
Labels: biology, Birthday, dance, dancing, international culture, Pittsburgh, school, theater, work
Rainy, Rainy beginning of the week
Monday and Tuesday have been rainy, rainy days. Cool, too (~50-60 Fahrenheit). Monday I ran some errands downtown. I walked from Heinz Hall to near the Kaufmann's Clock to catch a 71A bus home. Tuesday I picked up Mom and Dad from Mom's doctor's appointment. We drove to the hairdressers, where she received a stylish cut. We made an appointment for about six weeks from now. I also went grocery shopping, and ran into Kathy L from the Carnegie. We chatted for a bit.
Then, dinner last night and meet up with Susan at folk dancing to hear the Balkan group play music whilst the folk dancing continued. I danced intermittently from 19.30-22.00.
This morning, I went to the Newman Center to attend study of this Sunday (Pentecost)'s readings. The event is "on vacation" until early June. Karina arrives from the airport, I'll pick her up from the bus stop this afternoon!
~~~
20 May 2010
9.35
So, it was a beautiful afternoon yesterday when I met up with Karina at the bus stop. We loaded her bags into the car, and ensured her safe arrival at home.
Mom and I dined in the Strip District (sans Dad, who had a tummy flu) for dinner, and then I dropped Mom (and our leftovers) off, to pick up Karina for a Young Adult Church event in Shadyside. (We were half an hour late).
We retrieved her car, then walked on Walnut Street in the shopping district, then called Maureen to join us around the time her dance class lets out. She joined us for a stroll, then all three of us ladies went grocery shopping in Shadyside (Late!).
Labels: Bible, Carnegie, dance, dancing, dining, Faith, friends, hair, international culture, library, music, seasons, shopping, transportation, travel, weather
Pratima Visits, Spring 2010
Met Pratima and Ellen at Ellen's workplace this afternoon. We walked to get Middle Eastern cuisine for dinner. We dined on Mohomara, Baba Ghanooj, and Mujaddara for dinner. We walked to Pratima's vehicle, then went folk dancing afterwards.
It's always great fun spending time with Ellen and Pratima!
Labels: dancing, dining, friends, international culture, work
Organizing Work Files, Flamenco, and Fiesta Filipina
This morning I awoke late, ran an errand for PAMS, organized my work files, and will have lunch with Mom and Dad, and go to the grocery store. Mid-afternoon Susan will pick me up for some flamenco fun, then this evening I will join Mom and Dad for Fiesta Filipina, a Canadian-based group which presents cultural music, singing, and dance as a benefit concert for the Philippine Nationality Room project.
Labels: cleaning, dance, dancing, dine, international culture, music, organizing, Pilipino culture, PNR, shopping, singing, sleep
Latin American Night 2010
Mom and I recycled (tried to) some clothes today. We ended up at East End Food Coop, Giant Eagle Market District, and Shur Fine for grocery shopping this afternoon.
After watching some of Dancing with the Stars with Mom after dinner tonight, Karina and I walked to the student union at the University of Pittsburgh for the Latin American Celebration. We saw a number of our friends there: Lilly, Enrique and Gabriela, Carlos P (from Timbeleza, a percussion band), and Philip and Tim (from Global Pittsburgh). We heard about the mom of one of the students, a great local leader in the Latin American community (Salome), who recently passed away. We dined on a plate of Peruvian food and Argentinian ricotta pie. There was salsa, tango, merengue, and other Latin dancing throughout the evening.
We enjoyed the walk home in the brisk night air.
Labels: dancing, dine, dining, friends, international culture, recycle, school, shopping, TV, walking
Videos from the Library
I borrowed some DVDs from the public library near the end of this week. The first I attempted to watch after dinner, entitled The Children of Theatre Street, is the story of the Kirov Ballet School. I got to the fourth track of the DVD when it froze.
So, I attempted to watch another DVD--Rhythm of the Dance, with the National Dance Company of Ireland (2001, kultur.com). This one skipped only occasionally, but the editing of the piece was choppy. It seems that the choreography should take first billing for the visuals, with the music taking first billing for sound. The sound was fine, but the edits away from the dancers or their feet was not timed/done well.
Labels: Carnegie, cinema, dance, dancing, international culture, library
Snow Ball 2010
After rising early, I spoke for much of the morning with Pratima. We chatted about career issues and compared notes on biology teaching. I had brunch, administratively prepped for classes next week to about mid-afternoon at Mom and Dad's place, and then took a long nap.
I asked an artistic question of the owner of the bead shop on Craig Street, who suggested that to keep my certain look about the carved beads I had purchased at his shop, I coat them with a non-shiny substance such as clear nail polish or [matte] fixative.
I took a shower and readied myself for the Snow Ball. I am the designated driver for Maureen, and we met up with Nancy and Tom C. there. I was pleasantly surprised to see Myrna and Jay there, and I met a number of Nancy's friends, as well, including Mark and his wife Barbara. After I changed into my dancing shoes, we gals had a chance to dance a number of line dances [including the electric slide] and other dances, and
I took a photo of Nancy and Tom C. dancing to Louis Armstrong's "Wonderful World."
Throughout the evening we enjoyed the delicious hors d'oeuvres, bar drinks, and white [snow] desserts.
Labels: biology, dance, dancing, dine, jewelry, phone, photos, sleep, teaching
Victorian Christmas Party
After singing at Mass this noon, I dressed for the Victorian Christmas party in a velveteen skirt with petticoat, thin white sweater, nubby wool multicolor jacket trimmed with velvet, a fuschia "snowflake" pin (that Solomon liked). I helped Mom and Dad bring some of the decorations (including some variegated small potted plants) to the Omni William Penn Hotel. I took a nap in full regalia, then Dad and I left to help set up the party. I arrived armed with Christmas craft ideas from Nancy (stickers, stencils, snowflakes) and a few books from the library (Twas the Night Before Christmas, Aliki's Christmas Tree Memories, and Snowflake Bentley).
The "children's table" was self-entertaining---I merely supplied them with stencils, scissors, and a paper punch. The DJ started, and the carollers (Victorian singers, four in all) arrived soon after. The buffet at the Bob and Delores Hope Room was open at ~18.30. The dance floor was opened, and when the song was played that sings, "How low can you go?" I could not "get down" as low as before...and was surprised to have won a Christmas Party Mix CD. William and family arrived soon after, and the continuing medical education event in the Lawrence Welk room ended, bringing us all into the Delores and Bob Hope room.
We had a group photo of the kids, Santa came to visit, there was a lot of dancing,
the carolers strolled about during and after dinner, and there were toss the ball games, which Dan conducted.
Labels: art, celebration, Choir, Christmas, dancing, games, music, photos, singing
Hair Cut Day November 2009
Yesterday I finished grading my quizzes from last week. I'll drop them off today for the students to pick up before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Yesterday Mom and I watched "Dancing with the Stars" with Donny Osmond, Kelly Osbourne, and Mya. We commented heavily on their performances.
This morning I'll go for some bloodwork, then Mom and I will go for our hair cuts, too.
~ ~ ~
~9:30
This morning I dropped off the graded quizzes, notified my students by email of the papers, entered the grades on my electronic grade sheet, and went for bloodwork. I saw some of Dad and Mom's neighbors, as well as Janice from the development office where I used to work, and we exchanged current information.
I returned to work to print my electronic grade sheet, enter my (third) recommendation for a student applying to a PharmD program this semester, and enjoyed my walk back.
~ ~ ~
18:10
Went for my hair appointment with Mom (Dad came along, too). As she finished cutting my hair, Mom and Dad took off to run some errands. Phyllis came in, we greeted each other, and commented on how long it's been since we have seen each other. Mom and Dad arrived shortly thereafter. Our stylist had purchased a choir CD, and we all chatted for a while. Mom will stop by Phyllis and Gene's home next Monday.
I typed in the change to Mom and Dad's Victorian party this season, and emailed Mom. I took the bus to work and mailed some student athlete recommendations. I spoke with Zusana for a while, then took care of some printing for the lab next week.
Labels: biology, Carnegie, Choir, computer, dancing, hair, health, student, TV, walking, work
Jewelry Making for Make-A-WIsh
Yesterday, I went with Maureen and Karina to Whole Foods for grocery shopping and dining. I ate some pear, Cabot sharp cheese, and we chatted. Karina had brought a camera, so we took some pictures of us.
This morning Mom and I went to a church bazaar. I then rode the bus downtown to the Rivers Club for a Jewelry Making party. On the way there (on foot) I stopped in a CD store to purchase a copy of the Quattro Stagioni. I arrived slightly late for the event, but quickly got to work on my first chunky necklace. Cheryle L. helped several tables to start and to finish our projects. Nancy appeared soon after I completed my necklace. 
We ate a buffet lunch of sandwiches, wraps, homemade potato chips, pasta and greens salads, and a selection of desserts from the dessert tray (cream puffs, chocolate-dipped strawberries, lemon curd tarts, etc.) I sipped Earl Grey tea, too. I then completed a matching bracelet. Then, the drawing for the Chinese auction benefitting the Make-A-Wish foundation followed. I won a statuette called "Crysalis" by Willow Tree. I paid for the jewelry projects I completed, and then Nancy and I went to the CD store for more purchases, to the Point Park University Library to observed the aquarium in the lobby, and then to a store on Forbes Avenue for a purchase of fashion jewelry and gifts.
Tonight Karina and I will observe a matchmaking festival.
This is my third go at typing this post(!)
~~~
Karina and I went to the fest, and found that there is no folk dancing or live folk music, but that there WAS a cover charge. We departed to pick up my dancing shoes and to go dancing in Squirrel Hill with a live band. We both had a grand time, dancing with regulars and others, as well.
Labels: Church, dancing, dining, family, friends, international culture, jewelry, photos
