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| 2008-10-04 12:39 |
| You've probably already seen this, but just in case... |
| Public |
| election, important |
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Wow. Went to a drum retreat this weekend. Amazing -- took an intensive djembe workshop with M'Bemba Bangoura. He's a hard task-master. I learned an entire piece, with several variations and changes, but it will probably take me months of practice to get it right. Way more advanced than I was prepared to handle. The guy's insane -- very funny, and he was very concerned about teaching the culture as well as the music. Fascinating, and I loved it. Also took a nature walk with the precocious seven-year-old son of an Austrian tap dancer, tried an Afro-Cuban dance class (how do they make it look so easy?!?!?!), got to show off my mad conga skillz in a Cuban rhythm workshop (with these guys), met all kinds of fellow crazed drummers, and got to see some of the finest drum performances I have ever witnessed. It was just mind-blowing. I'm already planning to go next year.
I also climbed a mountain. On the way home (I car-pooled with fellow drummer Doug), we decided to go for a hike at Bear Mountain State Park. I don't know what he was expecting, but I grossly underestimated the amount of time it takes to hike to the top of such a silly little mountain. All in all, we probably covered eight miles of territory before getting back to the car. The view from the top? Incredible. After a while, we sat on a rock and just stared out at all the beauty. When we got back to the bottom, I looked up, realizing now how big Bear Mountain really is, and was thrilled to be able to say, "I climbed that." Yeahhhhhh.
Go forth in triumph, kids.
xo, Amy
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| 2008-09-02 19:28 |
| SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND... |
| Public |
| squirrels |
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My special secret super power is, I can tell what a squirrel had for lunch.
xo, Amy
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Where do I start? What a couple of weeks it's been.
Emily's great grandmother (age 85) fell down last Wednesday and was taken by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital. No idea yet whether she'll be going to a nursing home or her own home. Probably not the latter.
Officiated a wedding on Sunday. We got off to a shaky start when half the bride's family arrived an hour late, but other than that, it appeared to go smoothly. I was very impressed by how well the bride and groom handled the stress of the situation. If that's any indication, this should be a solid marriage. And they're such terrific people -- it was a pleasure and an honor to be a part of the proceedings.
At work yesterday, I walked up behind a co-worker to let her know I was leaving for lunch. I didn't realize she was on an important phone call. When I leaned over and spoke to her, she snapped at me for interrupting. I apologized, she apologized, end of story. Well, not *quite* end of story. After lunch, another co-worker, a guy in his early 20s who can occasionally be a little full of himself, took me aside to let me know while I was at lunch he had "taken care of the situation, smoothed things over," and spoken to her about her inappropriate behavior.
I was floored. "What? That was totally unnecessary!" I blurted out. He was surprised I wasn't more appreciative: "Hey, I was standing up for you." "Why? There was nothing to stand up about!" So he was a little hurt that I hadn't been all "thankyousomuchfordefendingme" but seriously, what the fuck? Am I so soft and fluffy and sweet to everybody that this kid thinks I don't know how to assert myself? I don't think so. I think he did what he did to assert his own authority, or superiority, or whatever. And fuck that shit. You don't assert yourself by interfering in other people's work relationships. The original co-worker and I are good friends and completely capable of resolving issues without meddling.
Between drumming, running and bellydancing, I've lost 30 pounds. Yet I'm still kind of pudgy. So yay 30 pounds, but boo the 15 or so I have to go. The weight sort of crept up on me, so I didn't realize how heavy I'd gotten. Then again, I've only started exercising and eating better for my health, not for getting all svelte. So really I'm happy about getting so much smaller. Now if I could only get taller...
Emily starts 8th grade next week. After that comes high school. Since losing weight, she and I can wear a lot of the same tops. We already have similar shoe sizes. My little piglet is growing up. Excuse me while I go have a nervous breakdown.
Oops, gotta go take Molly out, run, and then it's off to the coal mines for Amy. Go forth in triumph, kids.
xo, Amy
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"Pineapple Express" gets two big viking helmet horns up from this reviewer! Excellent film.
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Made a kick-ass hummus the other day. No, seriously, even if you don't like hummus? You'll like the hummus. (Unless you're really not a hummus-type of person, which is fine, nothing wrong with that.) (Commie.) Anyway, this HUMMUS TO BEAT ALL HUMMUS included red peppers, a smidgen of yellow squash, garlic and basil. Wow, is it delicious. I wish I could share it with all of you, but I can't. You're there, and I'm here. I promise I'll make it next time I throw a party, though.
I'm kicking back right now with a glass of wine, listening to a collection of covers of Captain Beefheart songs. Emily had her bath already and is relaxing in her room, listening to her own music. Rob's out helping a friend, with no ETA for his return. For dinner, I ate a cup of yogurt and some hummus on Ritz Crackers. I haven't eaten any meat since Sunday. Saturday, if you count shrimp as vegetarian-friendly (which I don't). I'm not becoming a vegetarian, just haven't felt like eating meat the last couple days.
One thing I have felt like doing (and consequentially *have* been doing) is drumming and dancing. My friend Kathy's brother has lupus. He's doing fine, thanks for asking, but when we were talking about him over the weekend, Kathy said, "If you want to get healthy, get a chronic disease." Since being diagnosed 15 years ago or however long it's been, her brother has gotten really careful about exercising and eating good, nutritious foods. And since he made that decision, he's been healthy and strong. Anyway, my point is, I've been eating some really good food the last couple months, and doing a lot of healthy exercise and activity, and I feel pretty decent, overall. I don't have lupus, thank goodness, but I've had some health issues the last few years, and it's plain as day -- what you eat affects your energy and comfort levels.
One thing I've been trying to give up is soda. Another friend was telling me that soda is the worst thing for your body. I don't have many vices, and I'd like to think that my addiction to Diet Dr. Pepper is pretty fluffy, compared to some people's addictions. Still, maybe it's time to give it up. It's just that I'm so used to it. I like the caffeine kick and I even like the taste. I don't know, maybe you guys have some suggestions?
I have another thought, but I'll save it for another post.
Go forth in triumph, kids.
xo, Amy
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1) Bellydancing is hard work. Oddly, my upper body is getting more fit while my tummy still leaves something to be desired.
2) Drumming: Learned an easy method for quickly changing to a 6/8 from a 4/4. Don't know why I never figured it out before -- it's so obvious, just playing triplets over the fours -- but I'll be using this method a lot during drum circles. Woohoo!
3) Tiiiiiiirrrrrred.
4) A friend is playing in a jazz trio at Sunken Meadow Park this atfernoon. Hope to take Emily, if it's not too hot.
5) I'm officiating a wedding in Stony Brook next month. I'm excited -- the happy couple are smart, funny, and the bride reminds me of me. It's going to be a real pleasure being involved in their marriage.
6) In short, life's currently somewhere in the neighborhood of hunky-dory. How about you?
Go forth in triumph, kids.
xo, Amy
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| 2008-07-16 06:11 |
| via chronovore |
| Public |
| meme |
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INFO
1. Name: Amy Frushour Kelly
2. Birthday (optional): 02/22/1971
3. Where do you live: Long Island, NY, USA
5. What are you studying/What are you working as: At this point, unsure of my job title, but I read a lot of blueprints and do a lot of writing about them.
6. What makes you happy: My daughter, writing, reading, music, drumming.
7. What are you listening to now/have listened to last: Hassam Ramzy's "Sabla Tolo"
8. What is particularly good/bad about my LJ: High in dietary fiber.
9. An interesting fact about you:
10. Are you in love/have a crush at the moment: Yes
11. Favorite place to be: Wherever my kid and my drum are
12. Favorite lyric: Too many, can't decide
13. Best time of the year: Fall!!!
14. Weirdest food you like: Fried chicken (I'm not that adventurous). RECOMMEND
1. A film: "5,000 Fingers of Dr. T"
2. A book: "Freakonomics" by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
3. A song: "Webs" by Glen Velez
4. A band: Planet Drum PLUS
1. One thing you like about me: You're forthright.
2. Two things you like about yourself: 1) Caring; 2) Good cook
3. Put this in your lj so I can tell you what I think of you? Maaaaaaybe ETA: Comments will not be screened, so leave off whatever personal info you wish.
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This spring, I said it'd be nice to have a vegetable garden. Accordingly, Rob surprised me by planting a whole mess of string beans and tomatoes. They've been coming along nicely, and when I came home today, a collander full of fresh-picked string beans was sitting on the kitchen counter, rinsed and ready to be cooked.
So I started cooking the beans, along with the rice and chicken for tonight's dinner. A little while ago, I asked Rob how he liked his string beans -- firm, or soggy.
ROB: Oh, I don't care. However you like them.
ME: Well, I don't really like string beans. I wasn't going to eat them.
ROB: Oh. I don't like them, either.
And then we didn't say anything for a while.
The beans are still on the stove.
Anybody hungry?
EDITED TO ADD: I chopped them up and mixed them into the rice. It tasted pretty good. So apparently we'll have a use for the beans this summer after all! Hooray! Happy ending!
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Greetings, all. Sorry for the long absence. Hellacious busy, as usual. I've been inducted (is that the right word? Perhaps.) into a band called "Khunez and the Wild Stompers," which doesn't play out anyplace and has consisted of chiefly the same three or four guys for over twenty years. They don't have a myspace or a website or anything else. But they -- WE -- really rock, and apparently we'll be recording something soon, so yay. Did an awesome cover of Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody" that I'm still swooning over.
In other news: my dad and stepmom came to visit, Emily's in summer school and loving it, Molly caught a squirrel, gouged its eye out and gave it to me as a present, and I'm seriously considering taking up bellydancing.
Carry on. Go forth in triumph.
xo, Amy
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Questions courtesy of ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) radiodog
Reply to this post with a comment saying "Interview me" or something of an equally pithy nature. I will reply with five questions, which you will ideally answer in your own LJ. Or not! I'm not the boss of you!
1. A tree in your frontyard has learned to talk and now won't shut up. What can be done!
Why, all sorts of things! Sell tickets, for instance. Harness its jaws (Wait! The tree has jaws?! Well, it must have; otherwise, how could it speak?) to a generator, shoot it up with cocaine and let it power the house. And various other Rube Goldberg schemes.
2. What was the last piece of music you hated?
Hate's a strong word, but I'm certainly not fond of "Paradise By the Dashboard Light."
3. Thumbs: would you like more?
Oh, is that what you have in the cardboard box with the red stuff seeping out the bottom! I'm good, thanks. Wellllll, okay, maybe just one.
4. Godzilla! Misunderstood reptile or bastard lizard?
Wait, why isn't "Mass Transit Coordinator" listed as an option? I demand a recount.
5. Turns out cheese in the back of fridge HAS been there too long. It pleads to stay another month, then it shall start paying rent. Is that going to fly?
How did you know I have Richard Cheese stashed in the fridge?
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Time was when I posted every day for months at a time. Funny how focus and priority shift, isn't it?
Tonight I am playing a recorded jam session with a friend's band. Afterward, if I have any energy left, I'll be heading over to Horace & Sylvia's to see another friend's band.
Tomorrow is Rob's annual Local 1456 Dockbuilders picnic out on Staten Island, so we'll be schlepping out for that. Later in the day, I've been asked to drum at a solstice festival (about which I know nothing except that there's free food for the drummers).
Sunday, I don't know what I'll be doing. Hopefully some housework.
In other news, I've lost a few pounds, but my boobs have gotten bigger. I don't mean they look bigger relative to my torso -- I mean my cups runneth over, all of a sudden. Did a self-exam and appear normal, so chalk it up to wonky hormones, I guess.
Today's Emily's last day of school before summer break. We are appropriately excited. Hard to believe my little piglet is heading into eighth grade. She's not so little anymore!
What else... Got a new frame drum, a Glen Velez Signature Series 16" tar. It's niiiiiiiice. Still getting used to doing the doum-tek-ka strokes up in the air instead of in front of me where I can see, but give me another week or so, and I'll be flying with it.
Gotta hit the shower and get Emily for The Last Day of School. Go forth in triumph, kids.
xo, Amy
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Life's been crazy the last week or so. But then, when isn't it?
I know I just got a raise and all that, and believe me, I'm very happy for it. But I'm thinking about the long-term lately. If you'd asked me last year what the future held in my job, I'd probably have said I was a lifer at that company. Now, I'm not so sure. Working at the Hebrew school for the last school year really drove home to me how much I love kids. My entire adult life, I've been mistaken for a teacher or told I'd make a good teacher.
I was talking to a co-worker last week, saying I wasn't sure about going back to Hebrew school, and he said, "Fuck that, you should get your teaching certificate and go teach in the public schools." You know what? Out here, teachers have a pretty awesome union. The school districts are safe and many teachers are retiring. This is a great time to jump into education as a career.
Besides, I've always hoped that in my retirement I could teach. Why not now? I'm passionate about science and I'm good at getting other people to be passionate, too. Maybe it's better to do it now, while I'm in my 30s and have lots of energy, than when I'm in my 60s. Passionate as I am about writing and literature, I don't think I'd make a good English teacher. I hate too much of the required reading to have any fun at it.
So I'm seeing the admissions coordinator at SUNY Westbury's School of Education. I'll have to brush up on some of my math, but I see no reason I couldn't pass the entry exam. I can see myself as a junior high or high school science teacher. Can you?
xo, Amy
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| 2008-06-05 06:31 |
| BUSY WEEKEND!!! |
| Public |
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Busy weekend coming up! Here's my schedule. Maybe I'll see some of ya along the way!
~ Saturday daytime: Attending MoCCA and helping man Paul Curtis' table.
~ Saturday evening: Playing at the monthly tribal fusion drum jam at Long Island Yoga Center
~ Sunday day: Marching with the atheist/secular humanist faction in the Long Island Pride Parade and Festival
~ Sunday evening: Open (for the moment)
xo, Amy
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