just a small musical interlude

Montreal Bagel & Blues, originally uploaded by Laura Slotkoff.

I had two hours to kill in a In 'N Out, waiting for the rain to slow enough for me to feel safe on the road. It was a nice time spent, eating my burger, fries, and a tub of cucumbers that my sister left at work. I probably ate more of them than I did the french fries, that I paid for. Oh well. Once I was done scarfing, I pulled out my notebook and began to write. I really didn't know what I was in the mood to write about... I guess I should've known that I've become a bit more than obsessed with dancing. LoL. I hope you enjoy it.

Interlude

Music plays.
Beat pulses.
Horn sings.

He remains still.
Eyes shut.
Holding her close.
His leg begins to move, guiding their bodies to follow
the sultry, soulful rhythm.

Her hips sway.
Their bodies tense.
Gazes meet.
He leads her to spin, watching as she draws out
each breath, step, and twist of her wrist.

Bodies meet.
Hands clasp.
Her back arches slowly.
A chill runs down the length of his spine
and back up hers.

They embrace.
Her breath on his neck.
His face pressed against hers.
They smile.

Horn, sing.
Beat, pulse.
Music, play.

Fade out.
<sub>you've got magic inside your finger tips
its leaking out all over my skin
everytime that i get close to you
your makin me weak with the way you
look through those eyes

and all i see is your face
all i need is your touch
wake me up with your lips
come at me from up above
yeaaaa, oh i need you

i remember the way that you move
your dancin easily through my dreams
its hittin me harder and harder with all your smiles
you are crazy gentle in the way you kiss</sub>

want to be drenched in love

After Party, originally uploaded by dElay.

I love the rain... but not many do in these parts.

My goal for the day was to go out, get my phone fixed, meet up with Laura, and then go dancing at Henry's, in Downtown. Now, I wonder if anyone will be venturing out in the rain at all, with all of these tornado warnings. Damn. Will that stop me from going out? Prolly not. I promise to be careful though. Promise.

<sub>The men that I've been seeing, baby
Got their souls up on a shelf
No, they could never love me
Can't even love themselves

But I want someone to love me
Baby, I wanna, wanna understand
Won't put himself above me
Who can love me like a man

I never seen such losers
Don't think I haven't tried
To find a man to take me home instead of
Always for a ride

Baby, are you someone who can
Believe it when I tell you, darling
You can love me like a man


All want me to rock 'em
Like my back ain't got no bone
Why don't you rock me one time, baby
Like my backbone was your own

Babe, I want to wait until you can
Believe it when I tell you, darlin'
You can love me like a man</sub>

i love the light and the dark

morning..., originally uploaded by *December Sun.

Verona time.

Talks about life, love, and God. I will seriously miss this one one when I move, but at least I know that she is someone who loves to travel. Hey Bay Area, I'll prolly be bringing up a few people with me, even if it is for only a week or two... I'm actually hoping that I can convince her to move with me. It would be great!

<sub>In the day, in the night
Say it right, say it all
You either got it or you don't
You either stand or you fall

When your will is broken
When it slips from your hands
When there's no time for joking
There's a hole in the plan

Oh, you don't mean nothing at all to me
No, you don't mean nothing at all to me
Oh, you've got what it takes to set me free
Oh, you could mean everything to me

I can't say that I'm not lost and found
I can't say that I don't love the light and the dark
I can't that I don't know that I am alive
And all of what I feel I could show you tonight</sub>

too many sunsets i haven't seen

{Week 8} I Just Wanna..., originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

Emily came over last night. We had an amazing night, cooking up some stir-fry, mixing some drinks, and dancing to Mraz, Dashboard, and Mayer. I love that we were able to get some blues practice time in. I was unsure about how we would be able to practice leading without an actual lead, but it was nice. I can't wait to show others just how much we have both learned! Yay!!

Thus ends my vacation from the parentals... :)

<sub>There's too many things that I haven't done yet
Too many sunsets I haven't seen
You can't waste the day wishing it'd slow down
You would've thought by now
I'd have learned something

I made up my mind when I was a young girl
I've been given this one world
I won't worry it away
But now and again I lose sight of the good life
I get stuck in a low light
But then Love comes in

How far do I have to go to get to you
Many the miles
Many the miles
How far do I have to go to get to you
Many the miles
But send me the miles and I'll be happy to follow you Love

I do what I can wherever I end up
To keep giving my good love
And spreading it around
Cause I've had my fair share of 'take care' and 'goodbyes'
I've learned how to cry
And I'm better for that

Red letter day and I'm in a blue mood
Wishing that blue would just carry me away
I've been talking to God don't know
If it's helping or not
But surely something has got to got to got to give
Cause I can't keep waiting to live

There's too many things I haven't done yet
Too many sunsets I haven't seen</sub>

feelin exposed by my exposures

Decipher Reflections from Reality, originally uploaded by Chrissie White.

I guess it didn't really last. I think I am scrapping my resolution for the year. It's not enjoyable anymore. I will just try to continue to take photos when I can. I'm not super confident in my photography and it's not helping that I am uploading some half-assed photo each day. So it's over.

Emily is on her way over for some dance time. Yay, lady dancing! Our goal is to use whatever extra time we can to improve our leads. My goal is to feel confident in my lead by this summer. I'll just refer to that as my resolution. :)

<sub>Heaven help me for the way I am
Save me from these evil deeds before I get them done
I know tomorrow brings the consequence at hand
But I keep living this day like the next will never come

Oh help me but don't tell me to deny it
I've got to cleanse myself of all these lies 'till I'm good enough for him
I've got a lot to lose and I'm bettin' high so I'm begging you
Before it ends just tell me where to begin

What I need is a good defense
'Cause I'm feeling like a criminal
And I need to be redeemed
To the one I've sinned against
Because he's all I ever knew of love

Let me know the way
Before there's hell to pay
Give me room to lay the law and let me go
I've got to make a play
To make my lover stay
So what would an angel say, the devil wants to know</sub>

once we rock we won't stop

DSC_0617, originally uploaded by andihazelwood.

I have plenty to look into for the near future, but right now, I'm just trying to focus my efforts. If I can, I hope to get my sub work through quickly, so I have some time to get acclimated to the classroom once again. Starting in March or April, I should start applying and interviewing for full-time positions that start in the fall. I hope to spread out my options and apply for positions in SF, LA, and Seattle. I need a change of scenery, but it's a bit much for me to run up too far North right now... At least I'd have Big, Grand, and Mick in the area, as well as a dance scene that I'm excited about.

I was thinking about it today and I'm amused by how often I change up my activities. Still somehow they all seem the same:
_{Age 10-14: Musical Theatre through CYT
Age 14-15: Thespians in High School
Age 15-18: Show Choir FANATIC!!
Age 18-19: Coffee Shop Music Scene
Age 19-20: Swing Dancing (Lindy Basics)
Age 20-21: Sorority Life
Age 21-23: Swing Dancing (mainly Lindy)
Age 23-on: Swing Dancing (mainly Blues)}

... I'll always be a performer at heart. :)

<sub>I'm sippin' coffee at a quarter to two
I wake up and I'm dialing and my mind's runnin' to you
No wonder I'm a one woman man
She keeps my heart in a jar on her night stand
I should tell her that she couldn't be more
Opposite than a foot in the door
There's no one else I would rather go out with
That's hell when I see them standing there
Me and my mouth we don't mean to be rushin'
We talk about deep freely cause we crushin'
I'm gonna shake both sides of the butt yeah
Theoretically I say we rock it

I wish the wild was alive like you
I wish the wind would blow me through
Another opportunity to approach you
Another telepathic rendezvous
I wish you well with your weapon of joggin'
You got a double-sided lexicon
I gotta try to keep your attention
Gotta write using less emoticons
Gotta figure out the snooze alarm
I wanna lay in your place til dawn
I wanna play in the part come on now
Let me see your other upper echelon

And when the coyotes escape to New York
Then the city life is crumbled to the sea
And the girls all fall to the lost and found
The flyin' men all hit the ground
Every notion is closer to touchin'
The coyotes sing when they feast on your lovin'
I'm a coyote, I got a taste for your lovin'

Comin' back for more
You know why, we're comin' for you
You know we should be, we should be together
Cause once we rock we won't wanna stop
Not today or tomorrow</sub>

don't keep me from dreaming

The Killer Dillers, Lindy Hoppers, originally uploaded by The Killer Dillers.

The lindy hop swing dancing was amazingly fun last night! I had a bit of trouble getting into the music towards the beginning, but the leads were great. I don't know how I stayed away for so long... well, I do... but you know. LoL.

Tonight, I'm going up to LindyGroove with Emily and apparently a group of more San Diegans will be heading up as well. LA, watch out... we're invading! I'll spend most of my time trying to blues it out though. :)

<sub>Cinderella's on her bedroom floor
She's got a
Crush on the guy at the liquor store
Cause Mr. Charming don't come home anymore
And she forgets why she came here
Sleeping Beauty's in a foul mood
For shame she says
None for you dear prince, I'm tired today
I'd rather sleep my whole life away than have you keep me from dreaming

'cause I don't care for your fairytales
You're so worried about the maiden though you know
She's only waiting on the next best thing

Snow White is doing dishes again cause
What else can you do
With seven itty-bitty men?
Sends them to bed and calls up a friend
Says will you meet me at midnight?
The tall blonde lets out a cry of despair says
Would have cut it myself if I knew men could climb hair
I'll have to find another tower somewhere and keep away from the windows

Once upon a time in a faraway kingdom
Man made up a story said that I should believe him
Go and tell your white knight that he's handsome in hindsight
But I don't want the next best thing
So I sing and hold my head down and I break these walls round me
Can't take no more of your fairytale love</sub>

something i've learned of grace

my sister's tattoo., originally uploaded by laurennicolelove.com.

I have spent too much time resting this week. It's about time I get back to work. I miss it really. I have learned so much about possessing and exuding grace this weekend. Now, I intend to spread His grace through my actions from day to day. To give to others in whatever way I can to make their days just a bit brighter. That is the only way I can begin to heal from the bitter and negative thoughts that creep in from time to time... It's a disease that I will always work to be rid of. :)

<sub>My God, what a world you love
Where men bury their sons
And without thought just walk away

And my mother's heart breaks
Like the water inside of her
...

But I believe there is something here to be learned of grace
Because I can't help but love you
No I can't help but love you
Even with a heart that breaks
Like the promises that you made
Like the promises that you made
The promises that you made
'Cause I still love you

My God, what a world you love</sub>

music moves on down her spine

Steven & Virginie Weekend, originally uploaded by Laura Slotkoff.

I'm ready to get down with the ladies at Henry's Pub tonight. I mean, sure... I'll dance with the guys too... but any time I can grab one of the girls and practice leading and following with them, I will. I want to keep this ball rolling as long as possible. My dancing skills have been building quickly and since I am still without a job, I need to take advantage of every free venue that there is.

It's taking every ounce of will in my body to keep from running off after the various leads from this weekend. All of a sudden, future living prospects are growing to include much more. LoL. I guess I should look into the teaching scenes in Portland, Baltimore, Houston, and the Bay Area (private schooling). Yes, Big... go figure... you have a good blues scene nearby. :D

<sub>Could I have been anyone other than me?

Twenty three and so tired of life
Such a shame to throw it all away
The images grow darker still
Could I have been anyone other than me?
And then I ...

Look up at the sky
My mouth is open wide, lick and taste
What's the use in worrying, what's the use in hurrying
Turn, turn we almost become dizzy

I am who I am, who I am, well, who am I?
Requesting some enlightenment
Could I have been anyone other than me?

And then I'll sing and dance I'll play for you tonight
And thrill at it all
Dark clouds may hang on me sometimes
But I'll work it out then I...

Look up at the sky
My mouth is open wide, lick and taste
What's the use in worrying, what's the use in hurrying
Turn, turn we almost become dizzy

Falling out of a world of lies
Could I have been a dancing nancy
A dancing nancy
Could I have been anyone other than me?

And then I sing and dance
La la la hey, la la la hey, la la la
Sing and dance
La la la hey, la la la hey, la la la</sub>

ain't crazy: wild as she is free

Montreal Bagel & Blues, originally uploaded by Laura Slotkoff.

*sigh*

I'm trying too hard to put this weekend into words. It was an amazingly uplifting and spiritual experience, filled with new friends, old faces, superb dances, and an intensity that one hardly ever experiences. My body is heavily bruised and slightly beaten, but every ounce of pain is completely worth it... without them, I find the entire weekend difficult to believe. If someone posts a picture, I may have a piece of more substantial proof, but you never know with these things. There are a few leads, in particular, that I was especially sad to see leave.

It really made me start thinking about moving again. I really want to live somewhere where I can go out blues dancing and not have to worry whether there will be any leads... not that I haven't started remedying the problem already. I've taken to dancing with follows and thanks to David, from SF/Portland, I understand more about leading myself. I just need a follow with a strong frame and to believe in my abilities and then, I'm fine. LoL.

This week, I hope to finish the necessary substitute paperwork and get into the system as quickly as I can. I may even schedule an appointment to work with Kaden, my kindergarten friend. It would allow me to get reacquainted with the teaching process and allow him to grow as we work on various literacy techniques.

HERE'S TO LIFE IN 2010!! :)

<sub>When the music starts to playin'
She slides out on the floor
Dancing without a partner
Swaying on the two and four

There's a rhythm in her footsteps
And a flower in her hair
A smile on her face
Cause she's in a place
Where she don't have a care

She ain't looking for no lover
She ain't looking for a romance
She just wants to dance
She just wants to dance
Yeah, she just wants to dance
Ooo, she just wants to dance

Well she's moving kinda lazy
And it's obvious to me
This little girl ain't crazy
She's as wild as she is free

She can feel it in her fingers
And it moves on down her spine
And when it hits her hips
She parts her lips
And you know she's feeling fine...</sub>

hold me close, sway me more

Andrew Sutton & Olga Moiseeva, originally uploaded by Alexey 'ashel' Che..

The dancing has been out of this world incredible!

Tonight is the last night.

I can barely stand it.

I hope to make the very best of it!!

:D

the dancing is just that good.

Waterfront Blues Festival in Portland, originally uploaded by Laura Slotkoff.

I am hanging out with a dancer today.

Having dinner with another tonight.

And then, I will be dancing my freaking heart out...


... till 5 in the morning... again. :)

i break these walls 'round me

01.02.2010: Evan P., originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

I get to see all of my newly made blues dancing friends tonight and I really couldn't be more excited!! I've found it very difficult to eat all week, just because I've been so eager to dance. It's bizarre. Either way, I need to get up and move around, try to stretch and massage out the knots in my shoulders, and eat.

9 pm.

You're not that far away!! Eeeeee...

the only expensive taste i have

Love for Dior, originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

I miss my Little D. I can hardly wait to be reunited with my love for lunch. Since we are both pretty broke-face, we are bringing our own bag lunches to meet. Pretty ghetto, if you ask me, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I better go back to sleep, before I pass out during our date (my parents needed a ride to the airport early).

every dance ends with a dip

Portland Lindy Exchange, originally uploaded by evrimgallery.

After a very long night out, I slept in and went to work late... after having lunch with Dana. It was a pretty nice set up. I am not going in to work tomorrow and instead, I am taking my parents to the airport in the morning and meeting up with Lil D for lunch.

I am SO pleased with the amazing dances over the past two days... It just keeps getting better! I can't WAIT for Fusion this weekend!!

one, two, and a cha-cha-cha

Andrew, originally uploaded by ohtoberich.

After tonight, I don't think I'll ever be able to miss Henry's Pub again. It was just too good. However, more blues scenes would certainly be appreciated. I just love it so much that I get frustrated waiting to do it! Heh.

when life gets a bit confusing

I am a Princess., originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

I'd rather be kissing frogs.
I don't know if I want to date any time soon.
I need a break from boys.
*sigh*

it's elementary, my dear watson

01.02.2010: Cesar G., originally uploaded by perkyNbLue.

So I got home safely from LA, went shopping with my mom, and went to see Sherlock Holmes with Cesar. How great is this photo?! I love it. It's just too perfect. Now, to continue with my Resolution. :D

if you can't say anything nice...

Day 343 | Scared Fingers, originally uploaded by ir0cko.

The purpose of life is not whether you or I is correct, but that we can express ourselves and influence one another, while retaining some sort of respect and decency towards one another. I just cannot handle condescending, disrespectful conversations. I was good and removed myself from the entire discussion... kinda. It's complete BULL, in my opinion (of which I'm entitled to), so I do not desire to hear more from his side. Arguing hurts my heart almost as much as the condescending words spewed forth, but I can only stay cool-headed for so long before I must concede entirely. *sigh* Yay, 2010.

excuse me, i must go and dance

TMA_6850, originally uploaded by fritz1948.

DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE
DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE
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DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE
DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE
DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE
DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE
DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE
DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE
DANCE DANCE DANCE DANCE
DANCE DANCE DANCE
DANCE DANCE DANCE
DANCE DANCE
DANCE DANCE
DANCE
DANCE