it's that time of year again

Birthday Girl, originally uploaded by David Shackelford.

Happy
Birthday
to
ME!!

What a glorious day
spent with Big, Lauren,
Candace, Amanda, David,
and the rest of the boys!!

I'm so lucky.

And the dancing wasn't too bad neither.

we went for beer. . . bbiab

Cold Beer, originally uploaded by David Shackelford.

Crappy work situation.
Good beer.
Great company.
And overall, a pleasant day.

we stayed in all day long

Day 54: All we can do, originally uploaded by viva la vibs.

Movies and television shows.

Do you need much more?

it's the rhythm of my heart

Swing @ York, originally uploaded by indoloony.

We danced absolutely everywhere today... So much so that we couldn't even go out dancing tonight. It was certainly worth it and we hope to get out to more venues later on in the week. Either way, it'll be a good time! :)

<sub>Can't explain all the feelings that you're making me feel
My heart's in overdrive and you're behind the steering wheel

Touching you, touching me
touching you, God, you're touching me

I believe in a thing called love
Just listen to the rhythm of my heart
There's a chance we could make it now
We'll be rocking 'til the sun goes down
I believe in a thing called love
Ooh!

I wanna kiss you every minute, every hour, every day
You got me in a spin but everythin' is A.OK!

Touching you, touching me
touching you, God, you're touching me!!
♫ The Darkness</sub>

i see you still believe in me

spear street, originally uploaded by telmo32.

I shall see you soon,
dance in your streets,
eat from your kitchens,
smile at your friends,
and enjoy all you offer.

You're just three hours away.

<sub>I try hard to be more
What you want me to be
But I can't help how I act
When you're not here with me

I try hard to be strong
But sometimes I fail myself
And after all I've promised you
So faithfully

You still believe in me

I wanna cry...
♫ The Beach Boys</sub>

lift your hearts & sing to me

together, originally uploaded by Little Starling Photography by Lauri.

Mom, I love you.
Thank you for all you do for me!
You are a wonderful woman.
A great role-model.
And a fantastic friend.
Thank you!

<sub>Let's all get up and dance to a song
That was a hit before your mother was born.
Though she was born a long, long time ago
Your mother should know (Your mother should...)
Your mother should know (...know)

Lift up your hearts and sing me a song
That was a hit before your mother was born.
Though she was born a long, long time ago
Your mother should know (Your mother should...)
Your mother should know (Aaaah)
Your mother should know (Your mother should...)
Your mother should know (Aaaah)

Sing it again.
Da-da-da-da...
♫ The Beatles</sub>

when i touch you, i feel happy

TRIUMPH!, originally uploaded by D_m_i_t_r_y.

After a long morning of picking up trash, I got to clean up and dress up for the sorority banquet. I'm excited to be dressed in my best vintage attire and spending the night with my lovely Randoms! It's been a freaking fantastic week thus far and I see that it's only getting better by the moment. :)

<sub>oh please say to me
you'll let me be your man
and please say to me
you'll let me hold your hand

now let me hold your hand
i wanna hold your hand

and when i touch you, i feel happy inside
it's such a feeling that my love, i can't hide
i can't hide
i can't hide

yeah you
you got that something
i think you'll understand
when i feel that something
i wanna hold your hand
♫ The Beatles</sub>

limitless undying love shines

happiness, originally uploaded by Ivan Pires.

It's been a good day today. A lazy day. And I can't wait to see David in just three days. I almost don't believe that I'll be seeing him again and although it felt like the time dragged on, now I can hardly remember what happened during the time in between. Mm... Monday night...

As for tonight, it's time for a birthday blues party at Blue Bella! I am SO looking forward to it and I'm even giving a private lesson just before. I don't have anything in particular to work on with him for this first session, but hopefully, I'll have a better idea after tonight. :)

<sub>Images of broken light which
dance before me like a million eyes
That call me on and on across the universe
Thoughts meander like a
restless wind inside a letter box
they tumble blindly as
they make their way across the universe

Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world

Sounds of laughter shades of life
are ringing through my open ears
exciting and inviting me
Limitless undying love which
shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universe
♫ The Beatles</sub>

i say high... you say low

, originally uploaded by Krisztina Tordai.

Eyes are finally feeling better. And I'm so glad. It's been FAR too long. Going in for an eye check-up. Taking my car in for the burnt out headlight. Grabbing a bit to eat. Teaching my CYT kids. Going to Alicia Milo's class. Rocking out at Mark's show. It should be a wonderful day!

<sub>You say yes, I say no
You say stop and I say go, go, go
Oh, no
You say goodbye and I say hello
Hello, hello
I don't know why you say goodbye
I say hello
Hello, hello
I don't know why you say goodbye
I say hello

I say high, you say low
You say why, and I say I don't know
Oh, no
You say goodbye and I say hello
Hello, hello
I don't know why you say goodbye
I say hello
Hello, hello
I don't know why you say goodbye
I say hello

Why, why, why, why, why, why
Do you say good bye
Goodbye, bye, bye, bye, bye
♫ The Beatles</sub>

i don't need no other lover

wednesday, originally uploaded by rhirhian.

Hm... It was definitely an odd night of dancing last night. I don't understand it, but somehow, even with my texts earlier in the day, it was hardly the normal turn-out. There were very few leads and I sat out on a ton of songs because of it. It really wouldn't have mattered later in the night, because I had several birthday drinks and shots, but that was not the case.

The birthday jam wasn't as lively as it has been in the past, but it was still a lot of fun. Due to the small turn-out, I danced with all the leads two, if not three, times during the jam. I hope more people will turn up at the Firehouse tonight. I want a real San Diego lindy hop birthday jam!!

Oh, and in case you were wondering... no, I'm not too hungover this morning. :)

<sub>Something in the way she moves
Attracts me like no other lover
Something in the way she woos me

I don't want to leave her now
You know I believe and how

Somewhere in her smile she knows
That I don't need no other lover
Something in her style that shows me

I don't want to leave her now
You know I believe and how

You're asking me will my love grow
I don't know, I don't know
You stick around now it may show
I don't know, I don't know
♫ The Beatles</sub>

i'll just dream of him tonight

tuesday, originally uploaded by rhirhian.

This is not a night to stay in and read a book or two.
I'm pumped about Henry's Pub tonight.
I have arranged for a ride to and from the venue,
so I won't have to worry about taking the time
to sober up for the drive home.
I apologize in advance...
for any texts you may receive...
Happy Birthday to me!! :D

<sub>I've just seen a face,
I can't forget the time or place
That we'd just met, she's just the girl for me
And I want all the world to see we've met
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm mmm mmm

Had it been another day
I might have looked the other way
But I had never been aware
And as it is I dream of her tonight
La, di, di, da di di

Falling, yes I am falling
And she keeps calling me back again

I have never known
The likes of this, I've been alone
And I have missed things and kept out of sight
But other girls were never quite like this
Mmm, mmm, mmm, mmm mmm mmm
♫ The Beatles</sub>

obladi oblada, life goes on

monday, originally uploaded by rhirhian.

Monday, you don't suck as hard as you may think.

My day was pretty effing fantastic. I went to two jobs and then out to dance the night away. I drank away $15 and lindy hopped pretty damn hard. I even had to sit in my car for a while before I was comfortable driving home. All in all, wonderful night, wonderful people, wonderful dancing.

I can hardly wait until tomorrow.

<sub>Desmond has a barrow in the market place
Molly is the singer in a band
Desmond says to Molly - girl I like your face
And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand

Obladi oblada, life goes on, bra
Lala how the life goes on
Obladi oblada, life goes on, bra
La la, how the life goes on

Desmond takes a trolly to the jewellers stores
Buys a twenty carat golden ring
Takes it back to Molly waiting at the door
And as he gives it to her she begins to sing

Obladi oblada, life goes on, bra
La la, how the life goes on
♫ The Beatles</sub>

tried to cut me down to size

yo! sunday, originally uploaded by rhirhian.

What a busy day...

I spent the day running around to the last Frippleville performance of the season and immediately to the Ciao Bella set, to help Greg with his film. It was a fun experience, but I don't feel as if I understand anymore about film after all of that. He was appreciative of my help, so I chalk it up to a good time.

Since I only got three hours of sleep after dancing last night, I returned home and relaxed the rest of the night. The spa has never felt so damned good!! Starting tomorrow, I will be running around like crazy, to the various dance venues to celebrate my birthday. I'm excited! :D

<sub>Oh, how you tried to cut me down to size
Telling dirty lies to my friends
But my own father said, 'give her up, don't bother
The world isn't coming to an end'

(he said just) Walk like a man
Talk like a man
Walk like a man, my son
No woman's worth
Crawling on the earth
Just walk like a man, my son
♫ Jersey Boys</sub>

i wanna go swim in your eyes

hello saturday, originally uploaded by rhirhian.

To Evan and all the people who attended Underground Blues:

Thank you so much for one of my most enjoyable nights of dancing. The energy, in and of itself, exceeded the norm a hundred times over. Thank you for welcoming me into the group and treating me as one of you.

It was a rough day up to the point of the concert and it turned immediately as I saw all of you lighting up the stage in concert! I feel priviledged to have shared in the Alumni Night, of all nights, and I hope to come back up, if I ever get another free weekend.

Thanks again! :)

<sub>well you're my green eyed girl and i been running around with you
its the afternoon and we got nothing left to do
so wipe the dirt off, take your shirt off
and we should go hit the cantina; we got work off

i said its hot outside let me go swimming in your eyes
we been running for awhile why don't you lay down i'll make you smile
i could never ask for nothing better than this
it's just tequila and the beach, it's quite salty when we kiss

i said i think that we can stay here
cuz i feel our time has come
and we can walk down to the ocean
and sit with the rising sun
so unpack your bags this instant
no more running from town to town
and now that we've arrived so safely
baby you can lay me down
♫ Dirty Heads</sub>

more than love at first sight

friday, originally uploaded by rhirhian.

Last night was an odd night... Great classes, awkward dance party, and a fantastic night of conversation with Christian! We sat in Denny's talking about anything and everything, until 5:30 in the morning. We talked about Christian's wife, my David, and all of the random things that we have in common. I look forward to the next time I can hang out with Christian.

<sub>I want a Sunday kind of love
A love to last past Saturday night
And I'd like to know it's more than love at first sight
And I want a Sunday kind of love
Oh yea yea

I want a a love that's on the square
Can't seem to find somebody
Someone to care
And I'm on a lonely road that leads to no where
I need a Sunday kind of love
♫ Christina Aguilera</sub>

i want the touch of your hand

thursday, originally uploaded by rhirhian.

I'm off to meet with a boss, teach a class, take a dance class, and then dance at a brand new venue. I'm FINALLY busy, even though my day didn't begin until 3 pm!! Yay!

p.s. I'm completely smitten and SO happy about it! :)

p.p.s. Check out THIS amazing gem!! Mm... it's comic greatness!! *drool*

<sub>Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

I want your ugly
I want your disease
I want your everything
As long as it’s free
I want your love
Love, love, love
I want your love

I want your drama
The touch of your hand
I want you leather studded kiss in the scene
And I want your love
Love, love, love
I want your love
Love, love, love
I want your love

You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want a bad, your bad romance

I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving
All your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
♫ Lady GaGa</sub>

o, my feet, they always bleed

mermaid, originally uploaded by Krisztina Tordai.

While waiting for my dentist appointment yesterday, I read a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale on my iPod. The Little Mermaid. I have always enjoyed and will continue to enjoy the intricacies of children's literature. The decisions made by authors were written to keep children in line. To encourage them to make the choices deemed correct and to always respect their elders.

The story was actually pretty closely followed by Disney's animators for the movie The Little Mermaid, with the exception of the ending and a few omitted details. Disney is the land where dreams come true and because of that, children very rarely face difficult choices or unwanted circumstance, when watching Disney movies.

Critical thinking must be nurtured from an early age. Of course, CT will look much different for a seven-year-old, compared to a high school senior, but both deserve the chance to stretch the muscles in the hopes of becoming stronger.

Many parents and educators read to their children and ask questions throughout the story. You are correct to state that this is one of the best ways to encourage critical thinking with younger ages. However, you're probably doing it wrong.

The Disney version: girl wants boy, girl warily seeks solution, easy solution offered, small sacrifice is made, girl fails, dad saves her, happily ever after.
Anderson's version: girl wants boy, girl eagerly seeks solution, extreme and difficult solutions are offered, death is sacrificed, girl is about to fail, given opportunity to betray boy for her life, fails again and dies

When the choices offered to children are heavily weighted on one side, what decision-making skills are they really implementing? Everyday we are faced with decisions that need to be made, which do not read as right or wrong. Our children should face the same tasks as well.

In the original version of this story, the Little Mermaid (who has yet to be name Ariel) chooses to drink the potion which splits her tail into two legs, only to feel the pain of walking on knives with each step. The Sea Witch does take her ability to talk, but she does so by cutting off her tongue.

Now there's a choice to make: healthy, safe, but horribly lovesick OR dumb, in pain, at risk of death, but a chance at love. It sounds borderline cruel to ask a child what decision they would make, but why is it so? You are not actually making them choose between the two. This is a hypothetical, made up world, in which the child should feel the freedom to make his or her own decisions, without the restrictions of right or wrong. Those two words shouldn't have precedence in critical thinking.

If the only questions you ask all have easy answers, you are breeding sheep, who will only learn to fall in line. Teach your children to think and lead the flock instead.

<sub>I'm a mermaid
but I've sold my voice
for a couple of feet
and they always bleed
when I go walking in the road

I'm a mermaid
but I've sold my voice
for a couple of feet
and they always bleed
when I go walking in these streets

and I once saw a most beautiful man
at the local record store
he bumped into me and said,
well excuse me, young ma'am,
but haven't I seen your pretty eyes somewhere before?
I smiled but gestured at my throat
to show that I was mute
well, he quickly looked down at the floor
and shuffled in his boots
he was out of there so fast

I'm a mermaid
but I've sold my voice
♫ Regina Spektor</sub>

yer beard... yer beard is good

twohundred and sixtytwo., originally uploaded by atomic turquoise.

I had an entirely different post for today. I began writing it out, got about half way, and decided to save it for tomorrow. I just feel far too conflicted about other things.

This long distance relationship is awkward, unfamiliar, and altogether awful. Set aside the times when David seems unreal -- due to like-mindedness, sincerity, acceptance, and all-encompassing sex-appeal (you may blush now) -- as I still feel it is often the case... the thing distance does to torture and betray me is to mislead me into believing things that are untrue or unproven either way.

It's easy for me to believe that I care about this wonderful man, who I often talk to, via phone or webcam. But when I think about his life and how I fit into it, it's nearly impossible for me to believe. The biggest problem for me is that I normally receive the bulk of my validation through physical contact. The distance has forced me to adapt and I am fairly capable of surviving a few days with several texts and an occasional call.

But with each day, a little bit more of the reality is stripped away. It felt real (as real as it could) for quite a long time. I guess everything comes back around at some point. Two weeks from now, it won't matter. I'll be in his arms, dancing to the same song, holding his hand, clinging to each moment we get together. It's hard to be excited when it's still today... and weeks away from touching his face.

I'm fine, really. I just hate when the realities of life make everything feel unreal. I also hope this feeling that I am somehow a nuisance will fade. It's just in my head. I'm working on it.

<sub>Your beard is good.
It's just a compliment for you.
You're beard..
Just a compliment about your beard being good.
And also I have another one here...
You're good at finding shortcuts around this part of town.
Would it be gay to write you a song to cheer you up?
It's called, "Bret, You Got it Going On."

Hey there Bret, I see you looking down.
Don't want to see my little buddy there with a frown.
Just because I get more women than you, well that's only because they don't know you like I do.
Sure, you're weedy and kind of shy.
But some girlie out there must be needy for a weedy, shy guy.
They want you as the needle when they're rolling in the hay.
Just hear me out when I say...

Bret, you got it going on.
The ladies will get to know your sexuality
When they get to know your personality.
I said, Bret, you got it going on.
Not in a gay way, just in a "hey mate.
I wanted to say that you're looking okay, mate."
Why can't a heterosexual guy,
Tell a heterosexual guy that he thinks his booty is fly.
Not all the time, obviously
Just when he's got a problem with his self esteem.
Don't let anybody tell you you're not humpable.
Because you're bumpable.
Well, I hope this doesn't make you feel uncomfortable.
If I say you've got a boom ow-ow.
Come on Bret, help me out now.

Bret, you got it going on.
(You got it going on!)
That's the conclusion that I've come to.
But that doesn't mean that I want to bum you.
Bret, you got it going on.
(Got it going on...)
No doubt about it, we'd be gettin crazy.
If one of us was lucky enough to be born a lady.
♫ Flight of the Conchords</sub>

never gonna say goodbye

(RED), originally uploaded by *Zara.

T
W
O

W
E
E
K
S
.
.
.

I feel as if I might just start counting the hours. I hope these next two weeks pass as quickly as it did the last time around. I really can't wait to see all of my Bay Area lovers... Big, WIll, James, Lauren (I hope), and David!! You can just know I'm thinking about you and hopefully that will hold you over. :)

<sub>We're no strangers to love
You know the rules and so do I
A full commitment's what I'm thinking of
You wouldn't get this from any other guy
I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling
Gotta make you understand

Never gonna give you up,
Never gonna let you down,
Never gonna run around and desert you,
Never gonna make you cry,
Never gonna say goodbye,
Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you


We've known each other for so long
Your heart's been aching but you're too shy to say it
Inside we both know what's been going on
We know the game and we're gonna play it

I just wanna tell you how I'm feeling
Gotta make you understand
♫ Rick Astley</sub>

cooking to do on their own

Sculpting Hands, originally uploaded by Josh Sommers.

I want to get my hands dirty again. Creating. Inventing. Dissecting an idea and making it into something tangible. I miss it dearly. I need to find the time for it... eventually, I will. For now, however, it's time to take a dip in the spa... After which, I need to write up a parent letter and get it sent out and edit the instrumental music that I was able to find in order to make the CDs for tomorrow's class. Mer.

<sub>And don´t be afraid of the Big Bad Wolf
he´s just a sheep underneath those teeth
And don´t be afraid of the Wicked Witch
She ain´t so bad she ain´t no bitch

Woo ooo it´s a wicked wicked world
Yea-a-a-ah Woo ooo ooo ooo it´s a wicked world

La-la-la-ladies if you feel me holler
Fellas show us all a dollar

Little Riding Hood is such a flirt
She got Miss Muffet all up her skirt
Hansel and Gretel never made it home
They got some cooking to do of their own

Woo ooo it´s a wicked wicked world
Yea-a-a-ah Woo ooo ooo ooo it´s a wicked world

Once I tried to be so good
All sweet and spice like good girls should
But I don´t see why I try why do I try?
When every time I climb that hill
My Jack is somewhere chasing Jill
♫ Laura Jansen</sub>