Musings on Dance, Food, Geek Stuff
At its face, 2024 was not the best year ever. Let’s run down the awfulness: But honestly, despite all of these events – and in some ways because of them – 2024 was still a pretty great year. Let’s break it down. Problems Money Can Solve Someone said “You are fortunate if you have problems…
I’ve been thinking about how learning to skate is both a physical and a mental skill. Of course you need to be able to physically move your body in certain ways, and involves a certain amount of strength in your legs, butt and core. But perhaps the harder aspect of skating is building up the…
Way back in 2017, my friend Aurelia invited Hanah and me to participate in a unique photo shoot in a long abandoned train station in West Oakland. How could we say no? Hanah and I put on our favorite vintage-y outfits and met up with Aurelia in an industrial part of West Oakland I had…
A skater asked me today how long I had been skating. It’s a question I get a lot from beginners. I understand — you see someone do something that you aspire to, and you wonder how long it will take you to get there. I answered, “About four years… But it isn’t the years, it’s…
I think of the hymn “How Can I Keep From Singing?” as Quaker in origin, but that doesn’t appear to be historically accurate. It was certainly adopted by Quakers, around the time of the abolitionist era. “How Can I Keep From Singing?” (1868) My life goes on in endless songAbove earth’s lamentations,I hear the real,…
“Hey ChatGPT, based on what you know about me, draw picture of what you think I look like.” ChatGPT’s explanation: “Here’s an image inspired by your unique style and love for roller skating outdoors! I aimed to capture the blend of K-pop flair, 90s R&B, and vintage swing-era jazz in your look, along with the…
Check out my Halloween costume this year: the Soul Train. I’m pretty proud of myself for conceiving of and executing this year’s costume. Every year I try and challenge myself in some new way. This year it was all about coming up with a dramatic reveal and a participatory costume. My concept was to be…
Every day at the rink I see skaters working on “unlocking” a move — backwards skating, transitions, spins, crazy legs… I see their knitted brows and frowns as they concentrate on getting it down, sometimes for five minutes, sometimes for weeks or months. I don’t always offer tips or help, because not everyone wants that….
The cutest moment I’ve ever had at the roller rink. Her name is Dream, and yes she will definitely kick my ass in a cypher soon. Thanks to Norm for this incredible footage.
Oaks Park Rink in southern Portland is a national treasure — the oldest rink in the America, established in 1905, and the second largest in the country! I had the pleasure of spending the weekend skating on that buttery, gigantic floor for the Rose City Skate Jam. What’s interesting about the rink is not only…