Tag Archives: duncan

September! 30 yoga classes, 24 dance classes, 12 dances, and lots of friends

 

atomic ballroom

Happy October! While I didn’t get as much reading done in September as I wanted, I did a lot of other things. I took 30 yoga classes in 30 days at Purple Yoga, which was fun! When I realized I was close, I decided I could totally do it. And it was easy!

dancing

I also got the New Student Special at Atomic Ballroom, giving access to unlimited classes for a week. I took 24 dance classes and went to 12 dances, including evenings at Atomic Ballroom, Folly at Dapper Day, and dancing in Downtown Disney. You can see a lot of wristbands in the photo at the top. Alicia took this great photo one of the nights we went to Atomic. Yoda tried to squeeze into the photo too.

Atomic

I don’t know who Cynthia is, but I’m stealing Luke’s Snap since I’m in it too.

I tried 6-Count Lindy Hop, 8-Count Lindy Hop, Salsa, Country Two Step, West Coast Swing, Country Line Dancing, Collegiate Shag, Bolero, Foxtrot, Milonga, Argentine Tango, Cha Cha, and Charleston classes. I already like Lindy Hop, and it’s still my favorite, but I found that I really enjoyed Argentine Tango and Country Line Dancing too – all for completely different reasons. Oh, and I might have tried to belly dance too. There’s totally no video. Thanks gem, Anela, Luke, and new friends for making the week fun! I ran into old friends and acquaintances and met a lot of new, cool people at Atomic too.

And I did squeeze in two tragedies by Euripides and some of The Aeneid as well as picking up Super Mario Maker. My body’s ready for tomorrow’s vacation! Time for Michigan with Duncan! I’m going with him on his yearly trip, leaving Friday and returning a little over a week later. Plans include a cottage, dinner with old friends, Canada, Niagara Falls, and Detroit – a nice combination of staying busy while also resting. Let’s go!

 

Bellydance IDOL presents Om Kalthoum Tribute Show (and other weekend fun)

Me and Anela at the Bellydance IDOL presents Om Kalthoum Tribute ShowThis weekend was full of fun! The big thing on my calendar was the Om Kalthoum Tribute Show on Sunday. Anela had told me about it a few weeks in advance, and I was really looking forward to it._19528523815_9362d91743_o

Duncan and I picked up Anela and her friend Marina from Anela’s place. It was my first time meeting Marina, and it was very nice getting to know her during the ride! She danced with Anela in the same set.

They performed a shamadon, which is an Egyptian candelabra dance. I hope I got that terminology correct! I was sure to have at least taken photos, but Anela asked me to record it, so I did that. I couldn’t get closer due to some distractions on the side (which also caused kept causing me to lose alignment sometimes), but at least I got it recorded! It was really awesome, and the dancers were quite skilled. The amount of talent my friends have is amazing._18907669373_862454d127_o

After their set, I went to the bathroom and found the dancers in the back. Of course, I had to stop for some photos._19532771991_94c3812f55_o

And I had to get one with another dancer at the end of the night too, Bethany Rose, who was also one of the organizers!

The event was held at Byblos in Los Angeles. The food was delicious, and it just kept coming too. They were also very accomodating. The show started at 8:00, but we got there at 5:40 or so because the dancers needed to be there by 6:00. I asked what time we could come back, and they ended up letting us wait inside, even opening the bar so Duncan and I could have some drinks while we waited. During dinner we met a man and his date who were very pleasant and talkative. Shortly before the show started, we met two other people as well, one of whom is actually part of the dance troupe but wasn’t dancing. It was great talking to them as well, although we didn’t get a lot of time.

Okay, but what about the Fourth of July?!

Untitled

Whoops, I didn’t take a lot of photos. Kaylin and Andy hosted a party at their apartment. Here’s one photo I took – burgers, tomatoes, and bacon cooking in delicious bacon grease. When gem, Duncan, Matt, and I arrived, Mariam was already there. I don’t know her well, but we’ve talked before, and it was nice chatting with her. Collin, Niki, Joseph, and Mariana arrived later. We ate a ton of delicious foods, had some great conversation, and played Werewolf and Cards Against Humanity. gem and I also took a short break from the party in the middle to visit Anela for costume help (and to deliver some food). It was a great Fourth!

And there was also Friday.

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I went ice skating in Anaheim and climbed on this bike outside.

ping pong

I also played ping pong at the Anaheim Packing District. Did you know you could rent paddles and a ball for free? Awesome!

What a fantastic weekend! And now I’m off to San Diego Comic-Con for what I can only assume will be another great weekend.

OC Night Market featuring food and the surprise Hug Deli

OC Night Market

The OC Night Market was last weekend, and I ate so much. But first I looked at these cute crocheted buddies!

OC Night Market

And these! Super awesome!

OC Night Market

Someone took a sweet boobsnap of Jon. Who was it? No one knows. But it wasn’t me. And actually I do know.OC Night Market

We started our eating adventure with garlic crab fries and a hot dog with nori and spam. We got in line for more deliciousness, but the line was taking forever. After ordering, Duncan and I decided to grab food somewhere else while Jonathan and gem waited for our food. On the way to our soup inside a roll things, Duncan took my picture in this Instagram prop. He also found $10 on the ground. I think he won.

OC Night Market

It took an hour, but we finally got our food – delicious pork belly in that gloriously soft and wonderful bread. Yeah, it took a while, but honestly, I’m also there to socialize and have fun, and that’s exactly what I did while waiting.

We also managed to eat sushi nachos from Samurai Burrito and a pork taco before getting to dessert (my favorite).

OC Night Market

First up for dessert was the Horchocolata Delight from Orion’s Cookery, consisting of chocolate mousse, horchata tapioca pudding, dulce de leche dipper, and cinnamon-sugar whipped cream. Yeah, it was delicious. I bet I could eat chocolate and tapioca puddings together to simulate it!

OC Night Market

After that, I had a Dirt Cup from Ice Cream Garden LA. The dirt cup is ice cream served in a plastic plant pot, covered in crushed Oreos to simulate dirt, and topped with a gummy worm and a sprig of mint. Amazingly cute and very delicious to boot! Not shown was my final dessert – some of Duncan’s funnel cake.

OC Night Market

gem decided to work in the Hug Deli, which was a really interesting booth. They have a menu of various hugs – the Warm + Fuzzy Hug, Bear Hug, Beverly Hills Air Kiss hug, Gangsta Hug, The Long Uncomfortable Hug, and the Group Hug, each priced at two compliments. If no one’s working the booth, you can walk inside, put on the apron, and start serving up hugs! You can find Mikey’s Hug Deli on Facebook!

OC Night Market

Rather than get a hug from gem, Duncan went to the other guy. At least he got a hug!OC Night Market Hug Deli

gem did really well. It was fun listening to people work up the courage to order a hug. One guy seemed a bit shy and wasn’t sure what compliments to give. His friends were talking about her smile.

“Tell her she has a nice smile.”

“She does have a really pretty smile!”

Pretty cool.

I was a little hesitant, but I had to get behind the counter too.OC Night Market Hug Deli

I only got one order. Thanks Duncan! I gave him a huge hug and swung him around a bit. His compliments were that he liked my chest hair and that I had nice glasses. You too, buddy!

The Skatalites with the Steady 45’s

The Steady 45's

The best way to spend your Tuesday night is listening to live ska music.

It’s a scientific fact.

Duncan and I went to the Slidebar early to ensure we got wristbands. By 7:40 or so we had our wristbands, so we only had to wait slightly under two hours for the music. I got some tacos and nachos, found a sliver of bar to use, and began eating. I thought I recognized the guys next to me as frequenters of the Ska Parade Lounge, so we chatted a bit, and I was right! I spent the two hours chatting with Amit, Stephan, Christian, and Duncan as well as people watching.

The Steady 45’s took the stage first, and they were excellent. I’d seen them at the Slidebar once previously – at the January Ska Parade Lounge opening for the Originalites. I think Collin was at the show actually. They have a standing bass! Definitely good stuff.

The Skatalites!

The Skatalites were skamazing. They were one of the first ska bands, forming in 1964 in Jamaica. This year they’re celebrating their 50th anniversary! From what I can tell, all the founding members except one have passed away. Doreen Shaffer is still alive and active, singing for the band!

Sultan Ali with The Skatalites

They also performed with guest Sultan Ali a.k.a. the Sultan of Ska, son of Prince Buster (the Jamaican singer-songwriter and producer). The Sultan of Ska is the leftmost person in that photograph.

It was a great show, and I’m thrilled to have seen such an influential ska band. After spending three hours dancing, however, now I’m exhausted and my ears are ringing. If you ever get the chance to see The Skatalites, I recommend you take it!