I was hanging out by a public pool the other day and was watching the little kids playing and interacting with each other. There was one young boy, maybe 5 or 6 years old, who seemed to be by himself. The other kids had siblings or friends that they were with. The boy REALLY wanted…
Dance Jam at 9:20 Special!
Dance jams are not a big part of San Francisco dance culture. Which is kind of a shame, since they generate so much excitement about the dance. A jam broke out last Thursday at 9:20 Special to the classic Count Basie smoker “Jumping at the Woodside.” It was fun to get in a little bit…
Lemon and Herb Spatchcock Chicken with Brussel Sprouts (recipe)
Lemon and Herb Spatchcock Chicken with Brussel Sprouts Ingredients For the chicken: 1 lemon, thinly sliced 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed 10 fresh thyme sprigs 3 ½ to 4-pound chicken 3 tablespoons butter, room temperature Kosher salt Fresh ground black pepper For the Brussel sprouts: ¾ pound small Brussel sprouts 2 tablespoons butter, melted…
Coconut Lentil Curry with Cauliflower & Spinach [recipe]
From Struggle Meals YouTube channel. So easy, so tasty, so healthy. Ingredients: 2 tablespoons oil 1 large yellow onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 inch fresh ginger, minced 3 tablespoons red curry paste 2 cups lentils 2 (14-ounce) cans coconut milk 2 cups cauliflower florets 2 cups baby spinach leaves, tightly packed 1/4 cup…
Working on Long V5 Problem in the Cave
My gym has a very long cave-like section for bouldering that I have been getting better at navigating over the past few months. These kinds of problems involve careful foot placement, holding in your core, being able to move dynamically to catch large holds, and being comfortable climbing on your back the whole way. Cave…
Happy 105th Birthday, Frankie Manning!
Today would have been the 105th birthday of Frankie Manning, the ambassador of lindy hop. As I think about my 20+ years as a lindy hopper, I’m reflecting on all the things that this dance has brought into my life: a way to connect to jazz music I’ve always longed for, a bottomless well of…
A Vacation Can’t Make You Happy: Wisdom from SNL
“Wherever you go, there you are.” I’m crying laughing because it’s true.
First Time Outdoor Bouldering!
Tonight on the spur of the moment I decided to head to Ocean Beach to try my hand at outdoor bouldering for the first time. I read last night about a couple of spots in San Francisco for bouldering, one of which was very near me. So I decided to check it out. There was…
My Tips on Bike Commuting on KQED Radio!
I knew that working at KQED would make me famous! Here’s where it starts. On Tuesday, a story aired on KQED radio about tips for commuting to work by bicycle, in preparation for “Bike to Work Day” coming up soon. I was quoted a couple of times for my tips on riding a folding bike…
Brooklyn Bombshell / Mermaid Parade Memories
I’ve got a few accolades under my belt. But this award for best marching group at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade in 2001 might be one of my most treasured wins of all time. This was the astounding result of one of my few experiences as a dance choreographer, in the early years of the…