Musings on Dance, Food, Geek Stuff
This weekend, on a lark, I decided to do the US Marines Fitness Test, that marine corps’ regular physical challenge that all marines have to pass in order to stay in fighting shape. The test combines pull-ups, timed crunches and a 3 mile run. Basically a festival of pain. Here’s how it went. I find…
This super easy, no fuss recipe is really delicious. Ingredients 3 lbs of chicken (I prefer drumstick + thighs) 1 sweet potato, halved and cut into 1/2-inch slices 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 2 tablespoon harissa 1/2 teaspoon cumin 5 tablespoons olive oil 2 leeks, sliced thinly 1/4 yogurt (I prefer…
This year, because of the pandemic, a gathering of my friends was not going to be possible. <sadface> I knew that I didn’t want to throw yet another Zoom virtual party, which honestly is getting a little old. So instead, I came up with organizing a Birthday Weekend Wander! The idea was to invite friends…
As another birthday rolls around, it’s time to learn something new and #embracethesuck. What will I be terrible at today? Two weeks ago, I was biking around Golden Gate Park with my friend Jess when we passed by the “Skatin’ Place” circle near 17th street and Fulton. We were watching the skaters spin, slide, and…
The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet. Frederick Buechner This morning at Quaker Meeting for Worship, I’ve been reflecting about “my calling,” which has been a refrain that has run through my entire life. One way of understanding a “calling” is something that…
The Cakewalk is one of the lesser known “grandparents” of Lindy Hop, alongside the Charleston, Black Bottom, the Breakaway and others. The cakewalk, however, was more than just a dance, it was also a subtle but powerful means of Black resistance to white supremacy. The history of the cakewalk goes all the way back to…
“To be antiracist is to reject cultural standards and level cultural difference. Segregationalists say racial groups can not reach their superior cultural standard. Assimilationalists say racial groups can, with effort and intention, reach their superior cultural standards.” — Ibram X. Kendi, How to Be an Antiracist I’m reading the wonderful book How to Be an…
This is my dad in 1968 with his mom, about to get on his first plane ride in his life from his home in Manila to Phoenix, Arizona, USA, a place he knows nothing about. When I think about doing something scary, I want to remember what this must have felt like for him to…
“The show doesn’t go on because it’s ready; it goes on because it’s 11:30.” Lorne Michaels, Executive Producer, “Saturday Night Live” As quoted by Tina Fey in her book Bossypants (2011).
I’ve done a bunch of variations of roast chicken over the years. This version I’ve found to be my favorite. Spatchcocking makes the bird cook faster, crisp up more, and break down easier when it’s done. And it’s kind of fun to do, once you get the hang of it. Ingredients 3 ½ to 4-pound…