As I wrote in the previous post, lots of 2024 was spent dealing with external events that impacted my life. Which was a lot. But I also accomplished quite a bit.
Published the Definitive History of Yehoodi.com
I began 2024 with the release of a 39-page history of the online community Yehoodi.com, a labor of love that brought together the contributions of scores of other dancers, and my own research, into a loving narrative of a community that has been the center of my life for nearly 25 years.
Hiked the San Francisco Crosstown Trail… Twice
The San Francisco Crosstown Trail has been on my bucket list for years. Finally getting to do it in 2024 was so amazing, particularly after finding out I have patellar tendinitis. Walking eighteen miles might not seem like much, but for me it was a huge accomplishment. And an incredible way of seeing the city I love in a new way.
The first time getting to do the trail with friends was such a joy. And a great birthday present to myself. But then to do it a second time solo was a different kind of pleasure (and pain.)
Shared Skating Skills with the Community
Four years into my skating journey, I finally feel like I have something to share with others. As a teacher, learning how to apply my pedagogical skills to skating has been a really neat challenge. And as a skater, finding ways to break down skating skills and share ideas in ways that others can learn from has been a powerful experience.
I taught “skill shares” at the Sixth Avenue Skating Place on cyphering, freestyle skating, and ground work. Seeing folks get inspired and get to those “aha” moments is the best experience a teacher can have.
At the end of the day, I’m a pretty good skater, a decent teacher, but an excellent hype man. And the best part is that this is a super power that I will always have.
Have Skates, Will Travel
I was hoping that 2024 was going to be a major skate travel year for me. While I didn’t get quite as many cities as I had hoped, I did have some fabulous skate adventures.
Las Vegas
In January, I got to visit Sin City for the 3rd anniversary party of the amazing rink Rock City. Such a fun party with some of the most incredible skaters I’ve ever seen in person.
Detroit Soul Skate
In May, I went to a city that has long been on my bucket list, Detroit, for the Soul Skate party. I had an incredible time visiting this industrial, very Black city. Getting to walk through the birthplace of Motown, peep some incredible art deco architecture, and hang out in the largest Muslim community in America was so amazing. And the skating was just ridiculous.
Portland
In October, I went to another city that has been high on my visit list, Portland, Oregon, for the Rose City Skate Jam. Portland was another mid-size city with so much to offer, from cute neighborhoods, to American’s best coffee, delicious food, and abundant nature everywhere. And the Oaks Park Skating Rink is America’s largest, and second oldest, skating rink. What an absolute gem, with an actual working pipe organ.
More Baking Adventures
My biggest accomplishment of 2024 was finally making the extremely difficult and time consuming kouign amann. They weren’t perfect, but they were so delicious.
Another big accomplishment was tackling bread making. I started simple: pan de sal. Honestly easier than I thought, and very satisfying to make.
From there, I decided to tackle challah. I made my first challah loaves in honor of my father, who loved fresh bread. I was so happy to share it at my dad’s memorial in October.
Other baking projects included calamansi lime bars, calamansi lime pie, and bainban bharta (Indian eggplant) pie that actually took home the most popular pie award at Michael Yuen’s annual pie party. Did not expect that!
Other Accomplishments
I finally made it onto a KQED production. I have complicated feelings about it, but here it is.
After many false starts, I made my first actual article of clothing : a sweater vest! It’s very ugly, but I made it myself!
I had the honor of interviewing lindy hop legends Sugar Sullivan and Barbara Billups at the Swingin at the Savoy event in March.
Other Favorite Moments from 2024
