Jeff

I will be dropping my car off at the mechanic this morning. I've walked the 3.5-4 miles back to my house once before. I decided to see what bus routes might be like. Google Maps has a public transit option for directions for some areas. The various estimates indicate just as much time as I recall it taking me to walk. This is because of wait delay to switch buses (and seemingly slow bus routes). Alas, the interface doesn't indicate walking speed for the sections that require walking.

Update: No ride needed. One problem fixed; other thing will wait until another day.

Yesterday was not a work day for me. I had intended to be home to take care of things around the house. A probable 1-2 hour lunch with a friend turned into almost four hours of discussion and catching up. Luckily, some of it can be counted as related to her work. It was great to get to catch up. Evening was upon us. A call to the east coast happened much later, though that was okay since they were going to be up late working on a public release. I then headed to downtown MV to see decadance perform as part of Thursday Night Live. This was their final show of the season, a nice hour-long performance. It's always good to see them and they had a larger crowd than expected. I missed getting to talk with some friends who were in attendance; there were too many people around. But, I did get to see my friends' new baby girl and catch up with mom for a bit. Unexpectedly, I ended up joining deca for dinner. Since I wasn't dressed for it, I skipped a dancing invite from E, but ended up catching up with D for the rest of the night. It's been good to mention to various people a project that I may try to bring to light. I've been finding more connections and considering ideas to help move it along. I finally returned home after midnight. So much for doing things around the house. But, still, a nice day of seeing friends and dancing.

Today will be progress on the house.

I seem to be disconnected tonight. Even in my dancing. Don't really know what's causing it. Will likely just go to sleep soon and hope to wake up tomorrow with energy. No work until Monday. Plan is to do things around the house and take care of other things on my lists.

Tomorrow (Thursday) evening is also an hour-long decadance performance from 7pm to 8pm on Castro at California in Mountain View as part of the Thursday Night Live summer event in which Castro is blocked off. Go see some fun dance performances. I plan to be there!

It's amazing how much even a little smoke seems to affect me. I wonder how I ever survived Boston. For several years, I was in smokey rock clubs almost every night. Those same clubs are now smoke-free. These days, just the little amount of smoke from a single cigarette is bothersome. I noticed this during a farewell gathering for a friend.

This weekend was fun. But, of course. There was dancing. So, by definition: it would be. The Stanford Dance Weekend was this past weekend. The schedule was fabulous. Too many decisions. At times, I wanted to take all three tracks. Good teachers, good dancers, friendly folk. I saw some old friends, danced with new dancers, and connected with new friends. I'm hoping schedules will allow visits soon, too.

My body didn't cause too much trouble, either.

A number of follows complimented me on my lead and sought me for dances during the Saturday evening dance. It was quite flattering. This morning, I arrived early to play the piano — there hadn't been much time at home to play this weekend. My friend T commented that some had asked if I had been hired to play. There were nice compliments.

These workshops always end much too soon. Just as you're getting to know people, everyone is saying goodbye. The weeks are much better. I'm looking forward to Prague (the next dance week). Alas, L won't be there. Nor will some other friends. But some fun dancers will be in attendance.

Now I must sleep. Tomorrow is a release day.

I seem to not be updating here (or anywhere else) very often. When I have a moment for a break, I'm ready for downtime and rest. I've been quite busy lately, along with managing some health issues. Let's see if I can recall what I've been up to lately:

o Prague tickets booked.
o Steering committee meetings started for a fall conference.
o Music room organized and almost complete.
o Billiards table equipment and maintenance ordered and scheduled.
o Toured possible performance space for 2009.
o Started reviewing song for wedding choreography.
o First practice session with wedding couple.
o Reviewing and writing up notes on font usage.
o Started reviews at work (to complete tomorrow).
o Ported code to new platform.
o Attended a variety of dance events.
o Met at least one new dancer with whom I hope to dance again on her next trip to the area.
o Performed final show of the season.
o Mailed birthday presents.
o Preparing for release next week.
o Met with multiple doctors multiple times for a variety of issues.
o Having to reschedule CT scan after ingesting wrong Barium contrast. Annoyed.
o Reviewing term sheets.
o Contemplating futures and dance studio spaces.
o Secluding away from folk (as I commonly do when health deteriorates).
o Provided support for friends in need.
o Attended various wedding/engagement related events.
o Back to working/thinking about websites.
o CT Enterography (rescheduled) this week.
o Having to go back and forth with insurance to get authorization for dose increase.
Upside is that they rushed the authorization through once they finally had the paperwork.
Downside is that the original paperwork (faxed twice) was never received and that the authorization is for the wrong frequency. So, more discussion and paperwork exchange tomorrow.

And that's not all.

Friday Night Waltz is tonight, Friday, June 20th, in Palo Alto. Rowyn and Graham are the DJs! They're great dancers and should have some fun music for dancing. Joan Walton is also teaching some fun classes:

7pm: Cross-step Oddities — Cross-step One-step, Foxtrot, and odd times.
8pm: Night Club Two-step

Come dance with us!

Swing Cats Rhythm Revue and Double or Nothing are performing tonight at Wednesday Night Hop at Starlite in Sunnyvale. They're on around 10:30pm. Tonight is a theme of Grad Nite — Be True to Your School. Classes 7-9pm. Dancing 9pm-midnight.

Come swing dancing and see some fun performances!

Dancing on the Square is happening on Tuesdays, 6-8pm, this summer in Redwood City from June 17th (TONIGHT) through September 16th. There will be free dance lessons, demonstrations, and sometimes live music. Tonight is swing/lindy hop. Then, come dancing at Swing Central. Jelly Roll Souls play live music at both the free Dancing on the Square and at Swing Central tonight!

Here's the schedule, as of today. Check the website for more info.

June 17 - Swing / Lindy Hop
June 24 - Irish Step Dancing
July 1 - Hip Hop & Funk
July 8 - Hula
July 15 - Argentine Tango
July 22 - Samba
July 29 - Salsa
August 5 - Country Western
August 12 - Ballroom / Waltz
August 19 - Dance Party with Double Funk Crunch!
August 26 - Ballroom / Fox Trot
September 2 - Belly Dance
September 9 - Swing / Charleston
September 16 - Salsa

I almost forgot: I have another CT scan tomorrow. This time, at Stanford Hospital. Supposedly, their protocol provides more focus on the small intestine. Or something like that. We shall see. This may be my fifth CT scan. I've worked on some solid food again, but am also not feeling the greatest. I think I shall just rest this evening instead of working on projects.

I did at least book my flights and updated my accountant and mailed estimated taxes. There's little time left to work on reviews. Our fiscal year ends in two weeks.

Right now, though, I can't quite focus. Stupid gut.

I ventured to the pool hall last night for the first time in a long while. Ages, if we don't count the few visits last year. I've been taking care of maintenance and improvements for the pool table at work and since I didn't have plans last night, I decided to drop by. I also wanted to see when the big tournament would be happening: next weekend. Hopefully I can drop by to see players I remember. There should be some good players around.

Last night was a little odd, though. I was also having the beginnings of a flare-up: abdominal pain and moving more slowly. Reminiscent of when I was first diagnosed with the disease and playing pool much more regularly. I'd still go to play and practice, but had to move much more gingerly around the table. Strange memory to have come back.

At times, it feels as if my body is falling apart. The joints in my hands occasionally ache. That comes and goes. Now there's some tendon or something also feeling pain in my right. So, I'm having to adjust for that. Skin is still not back to where I'm not aware of it. And, though I was feeling okay a couple days ago, planning to make progress on some projects, last night has shown that I should rest instead.

This also likely means skipping the two dance events tonight.

Hopefully I can make a little progress on things: book flights, send updates to my accountant, work on a website. For now, I may just catch up on BSG.

I was contemplating attending graduation tomorrow to support friends, though I don't know all of the individual ceremonies to try to hit. Given how I'm doing right now, I may just stay in.

Danse Libre will be performing a few Victorian era dances in full costume (Victorian gowns and tailcoats) during the first break (~9:45pm) at Friday Night Waltz. One dance will be a new choreography by Jason and Jennifer. Come see the final performance of our 2007-8 season and social dance before and after the performance!

Richard Powers will be teaching the intermediate classes from 7pm to 9pm:

7pm: New Cross-Step Waltz variations, some of them from Walter Dill's Stanford workshop last weekend.

8pm: Take Five: Dances in 5/4 time. Since Richard is now playing a 5/4 dance in the last set at FNW, he'll show a wide variety of easy dances and variations to do to that music, including Five-Step Waltz (both old and new), 5-count swing, 5-count foxtrot and 5-count tango. They all work to the same music.

Richard is also the DJ from 9pm to midnight. Introductory waltz class downstairs by Tom Hill from 7pm to 9pm.

Schedule:
7-9pm: Classes.
9-9:45pm: Social Dancing.
~9:45pm: Danse Libre Performance!
until midnight: Social Dancing.

Social dancing will include mainly waltz and polka with a mix of swing, one step, cha cha, schottische, club two-step, tango, salsa, etc.

No partner necessary. All ages. Casual, comfortable attire. Friendly dancers. $12 for classes and dance; $8 for only the dance.

Hopefully I didn't actually break my toe yesterday morning. It was still hurting late last night and made rehearsal a bit difficult. It's feeling a little better today. I'm hoping that it's just bruised and will feel much better soon. I have a performance a Friday Night Waltz this Friday, so it had better improve soon! Our final performance of the season. Come see us and dance!

I was recently talking with someone about hiring a nanny. Unfortunately, I can't recall with whom I had the conversation. Waking up .. senility .. anyways, a friend I had mentioned who loves being a nanny (and was employed at the time) is now looking for work again. So, hopefully I can recall who was looking for a nanny recently.

Maybe I'll make time to write again. I haven't been doing that much, lately.

I haven't really been writing much, it seems. I become quieter and more of a recluse. Focusing on myself. Taking time to rest. When my health drops. This also means that I haven't been reading as much, so I've probably missed things others have written. I still have obviously been making time for some dancing, but have also skipped some dances, including ones I've recently returned to attending more regularly. Though I've been quiet in my writing (and even talking with folk), I have had things I want to write about. I won't really be able to write much about them now.

After all these years, I'm finally getting to set up a music room for work. I was responsible for purchasing the pool table many years ago that, along with the Ping-Pong table, became the beginning of what is now a nice game room. A number of us have been wanting a dedicated music room for a while. A place to practice. A place to play. A place to jam. So, it's great to finally have that going. It should be ready in July.

My health continues to be an issue. Well, multiple issues, really. The creams for the hands may be working, so we're avoiding the cortisone shot. They still need to improve more, though. Liquid nitrogen is not fun. Ouch. Especially on the already overly sensitive hands. The sunburn is still sensitive in spots, a week later. Two joints in my hands are not doing well. Though not typical joints that end up with issues for Crohn's patients, it could still be related. The creaking door that is my intestine continues to slow me down at times. We're increasing the frequency, essentially doubling the dose. Most likely, my doc says, I'll end up considering surgery. But, we're trying this, first.

We have some interesting work going on with my team. More on that in coming months.

I have a new font to play with. I need to make more time for dance circle. I need to make more time for my house.

Rehearsal still happens, even on Memorial Day. We have a performance at FNW in Palo Alto on Friday, June 6th. Our last of the season. Come see us perform and dance!

I did get to see some friends and then dance with some other friends. Some favorite dancers were there, too. But, now, I'm exhausted and must go to bed. Good night.

Crepes Musette is playing music for FNW in Oakland at the Oakland Veteran's Hall (Lake Merritt Dance Center, 200 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA) tonight, Saturday, May 24th. Introductory rotary waltz class 7-9pm. Irish Ceili class 7-9pm. Dancing 9pm-midnight. $15 for the night; $10 for seniors/students.

Come dance with us!

Danse Libre is performing a few 1920s era pieces tonight (Friday, May 16th) at 9:45pm at Big Dance! This is the all night dance (9pm to 6am). My third year (triple crown). Here's the Big Dance facebook event.

We also now have a facebook page of which you can become a fan.

Yeah, I know. I haven't been writing much. I also haven't really been reading LJ a lot in the past month or two. So, I've likely missed some things. Life's been hectic. A bit crazy. Health continues to go in strange directions. But, I'm continuing.

I'm really looking forward to dancing tomorrow! It'll be a fun night!

Wednesday Night Hop! is having a special class this Wednesday at 7pm on the Collegiate Shag, a popular dance in the 1920s and 1930s. $14 for the class and dance from 9pm to midnight. $7 for just the swing dance. The 8pm Level 1 class is "Crazy fun moves to fast music". Come swing dancing!

From their announcement:

http://WednesdayNightHop.com/classes/
Level 2 - 7pm -- Gilles & Andrea ($14 drop-in)

Shag! There have been movies made about it. It made the college kids of the 30's go crazy. You've seen swingers out on the dance floor feverously bopping to the beat with it. It is Collegiate Shag! This fun and challenging form of swing dancing is designed to give you a different way to dance to fast music. We'll take you from the basics of shag, so no previous shag experience is necessary but previous lindy and/or partner dancing experience is recommended. Expand your dance repertoire with this captivating dance form.

Collegiate Shag is a dance that evolved from the Charleston. It is thought to have originated in the South and was popular in the 1920's and 1930's with college students. Collegiate Shag is normally danced to a six count basic step pattern. It may be danced in both closed and open position and is often danced to faster swing music.

Arthur Murray's 1937 film short How to Dance the Shag

The San Francisco Jitterbugs (more videos) performance troupe dancing the Collegiate Shag.

Danse Libre is performing tomorrow (Sunday) at 2:12pm at the Dancin' Downtown Festival in San Jose outside at the Circle of Palms between the Fairmont Hotel and the Modern Art Museum. This free performance is part of Bay Area National Dance Week. Come watch some of the great dance performances between noon and 5pm. decadance goes on at 3:05pm.

I somehow managed to dance through all of our (~14-15 of 17) dances at the Sequoias performance on Friday. This pleasantly surprised me since I still wasn't certain if I'd be able to dance even hours before the performance. I lead an impromptu Q&A during intermission while the other dancers changed from Victorian to 1920s era attire. That was a lot of fun. The audience was very appreciative. I even danced some at Jammix after the performance.

I also made it through the Woodside Priory event on Saturday and social danced a little with other troupe members after our performance.

My body crashed today. I took a couple naps because my body said so. I reviewed taxes. I watched The Fabulous Dorseys which had a Turkey Trot, Waltz, and Foxtrot, at least. I must build up more of my dance film library (films that capture dance how it was danced during various eras).

Hopefully the current drug (injection given earlier) will have an effect. Looking hopeful for a better week than last week. Now I must sleep. Tomorrow is a busy day, as most Mondays are for me. A combination of having to always catch up on three-day weekends followed by rehearsal at night. Plus, there are various changes happening at work.

Checks to be written (joy) tomorrow or Tuesday.

Day 10 ended the streak. There were some things I noticed before then. Though I suspect the real end may have had more to do with the new drug. It was definitely causing activity. And more so. Last night, that activity turned into nausea and vomiting. Yes, I've stopped the drug. Now I just need to recover enough to perform well tomorrow. I'm in 14-15 of the 17 dances; one of them is just at the beginning. I'm at home today, resting. I'm likely skipping classes tonight even though it would be good to be there to practice some things and be there for a friend on the waiting list. Hopefully I'll start eating again soon. Maybe we'll switch to increasing the frequency of the other drug.

I still dropped by swing dancing last night. Though I didn't dance a lot, I did manage a few dances, including with a friend who hasn't been dancing for many months. Yay for her getting back to dancing. It'd been forever since we last danced together. If the nausea hadn't already started, I might have got up to show some folk the Bus Stop or Night Fever line dances; they played a 70s disco song at one point.

I'm glad I got to dance. I'm not happy about the rest of the night. This is the first time in many months that I've had that much nausea and any vomiting. Ah, the joys.

I really hope to be energetic by tomorrow for dancing.