Musings on Dance, Food, Geek Stuff
The year 2021 was not without its challenges for me. I think it’s important to remember the ones I confronted. #1: Moving Mom My sister and I worked together to get our mother into a much safer, more supportive environment. It was not easy for everyone involved, particularly our mother who has lived alone for…
The year 2001 was height of the neo-swing era in New York City. There were bars and clubs everywhere offering live swing music and dancing. Young lindy hoppers like me would cruise around the city, going from venue to venue, drunk on this music and this dance that was all around us. There were a…
Several months ago, I started going by “Riki” instead of “Rik.” It began almost subconsciously as I was meeting new people at the skating rink. I didn’t know why I was suddenly introducing myself as “Riki” but I just went with it. Slowly I started expanding this practice, and now in informal settings, it’s just…
This might be the most woo post ever. But lately I’ve been thinking about the kind of energy I share with those around me. We talk about people who “light up a room” when they walk into it. And others who “kill the vibe” with their presence. What does that mean? I am slowly starting…
I was not good at small talk before the Pandemic. And certainly have not improved since. At the first true party I was at, I was noticing one tactic that I want to get better at: throwing out a topic about someone else. Hanah was hosting a “post-Apocalypse” dance party at her place last weekend….
Check out this incredible music and dance tribute to the late, great Frankie Manning by the Revisionists featuring a ton of wonderful dancers from around the world. I’m happy to play a very small part in this. “When I travel to all these different swing dance events, I’m finally seeing what I’ve wanted to see…
Just got back from a delightful two weeks in Maui, Hawaii. And man, am I browner, chiller and fatter. Getting back to Hawaii has long been on my bucket list, to make up for several disappointing trips to the islands with my family as a teen. This time around I promised myself I would get…
Why is it so pleasurable to move rhythmically in a circle? As a toddler, one of your earliest pleasurable experiences is probably spinning yourself around and around as many times and as fast as you can. Inevitably you fall down, laughing, before getting up to do it again. Or you and a friend hold hands…
The year 2020 was one that no one could have anticipated. A global pandemic grinds normal life to a halt. Horrible acts of violence against Black people lead to a painful but necessarily national reckoning with the systemic racism in our society. A contentious presidential election results in (hopefully) a peaceful transfer of power. I…
One of my projects during the holiday break has been learning how to make one of my favorite desserts: Danish pastry! Somewhere between a brioche and a croissant, Danish seemed like a good next step in my baking journey. First step was choosing a recipe. After scouring the internets, I decided King Arthur Flour /…