Musings on Dance, Food, Geek Stuff
Yesterday I was reflecting on how much I love riding a bike. I rode in the early evening from North Berkeley to West Oakland, winding my way through so many interesting neighborhoods, feeling so happy and free. For as long as I can remember, I have ridden bikes. As a child, summers were all about…
Last night I led my first choreo skill share at the 6th ave skate rink, for about 20 folks, a line dance called “The Stand Up” that I modified to be a skate routine. Line dances are not normally my thing. I find choreography often frustrating to learn. And something in me resists doing the…
I enjoy riding the BART, our local intercity train system. It’s a great place to meditate. One of my favorite meditation practices is to silently hold in the light the people around me. I casually scan the car and take each person in — the bedraggled young man lying across two seats in a stupor,…
The year 2025 was a year of sad endings, but also some exciting new beginnings. Let’s start with the good stuff. Relationship Status Change! In the “wins” column, I started seeing someone in August! In the midst of all the hits I took this year, finding a kind, fun, beautiful girlfriend is the big boost…
For Halloween this year, I decided to bring back my TRON costume, that I first debuted way back in 2020, and then improved in 2022. This time, I wanted to wear it for the San Francisco Friday Night Skate, which involved adding a new safety feature — a helmet! I also added a new LED…
I saw this remarkable image at Fort Point today in San Francisco and have been thinking about it ever since. The caption: After the Spanish-American War, the United States remained in Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. In February 1899, Filipino nationalists (Insurectos) led by Emilio Aguinaldo resisted American domination and began attacking U.S. troops….
Today was such a thrill! I got to hear the 1924 “Spreckels Organ” played at the San Francisco Legion of Honor! This historic pipe organ boasts 4,526 pipes hidden throughout the Legion of Honor behind fake walls and ceilings. Designed by the famous Ernest M. Skinner Organ Company to pipe music throughout the many galleries,…
For the second year in a row I’ve gone to the Marin County Fair for my birthday. This year I actually got to go on my actual birthday, July 3, which made it extra special. My friends Kenny and Kacie were sweet enough to accompany me this year. We had a solid plan: eat funnel…
For the past two years I have been trying to get up the courage to do the legendary San Francisco Friday Night Skate. Last night I finally did it… and I didn’t die! (I did fall a couple of times.) It was the 69th birthday of my friend and FNS organizer Lainie that got me…
Many of us in the local lindy hop, jazz, and circus scenes are devastated by sudden death of local musician Rob Reich last week. Rob was a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and bandleader who was well-loved by so many in the Bay Area. I didn’t know Rob well, but I always loved listening and dancing to his…