Sarah Warny Berg created this wonderful photo essay about some of the darker feelings and thoughts experienced during the Herräng Dance Camp. Obviously this isn't exclusive to this camp or these people, but touches on some universal experiences we all go through but don't express often. I can totally relate to many of the sentiments…
Herrang 2016: Solo Jazz, the “Bus Stop,” and Swedish Pancakes
I’ve been at the Herrang International Dance Camp — “The Home of the Happiest Feet” — for the past week and a half, along with hundreds of lindy hoppers from all over the world. It’s billed as the “most comprehensive and exciting dance camp focusing on African-American jazz dances from the Golden Era of jazz.”…
Taste Test: Lyckans Ost Rakor – Swedish Shrimp-flavored Cheese Spread!
Swedes love their cheese spreads, apparently. There are several varieties in the grocery that I saw when I was there last week. This one looked particularly weird, since it had a picture of some shrimp on it. Shrimp cheese spread? Sure, why not? Here's how my taste test of "Lyckans Ost Rakor" went. All…
Off to the Herrang Dance Camp Tomorrow!
Tomorrow afternoon, I'm headed off to Europe for the Herrang Dance Camp, which I call the Burning Man for lindy hoppers. It's a five week intensive, chaotic gathering of thousands of lindy hoppers from all over the world for workshops, social dancing, performances, parties, socializing and much much more. Being there is like being transported to…
Nana’s Rolls, Mom’s Spaghetti, Nairobian Langoustines: Your Wonderful Food Stories
For my birthday this year, I decided to request my friends to send me personal stories about food. I’m so impressed with the stories that people shared! Here are some of my favorites. Mom’s Noodles Credit: CC-licensed photo by Cameron Cassan Homemade spaghetti came up a couple of times in friend's stories. My friend Jim…
Which is more effective for weight loss: diet or exercise?
An interesting video from Vox summarizing scientific research on the efficacy of exercise versus diet with relation to weight loss. TLDR; several research studies conclude that a healthy diet is a better strategy for losing and keeping off weight. Exercise is good for your health overall, but is only a small portion of your overall…
Kingsolver: “What I want is so simple…”
My boss Jon Foley at the California Academy of Sciences shared this wonderful quote from the author Barbara Kingsolver in her book Animal Dreams, which really speaks to my condition right now: “The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is…
“Swing” – Beautiful mini-documentary about two swing dancers
Watch "SWING" a lyrical documentary about swing dancing. Get ready for all the feels. From the description: "It portrays the relationship between two brilliant dance partners, and between them and the dance itself. Michaela and Rupert talk about how the dance changed their lives and brought out their real selves." A Film by Anna Franzén…
Classic Clip of Filipinos Lindy Hopping on Film!
Check out this classic clip of Filipinos dancing lindy hop on film! Not sure what the name of this film is, but the principal dancers are Dolphy and Teroy de Guzman. I'm stealing ALL OF THESE MOVES. UPDATE 7/22/16: Reportedly the film is called "Sa isang sulyap mo Tita" dated 1952.
Figs, Proscuitto and A Birthday Request to You
It was the summer of 1998. I was on a work trip to Rome, Italy with some colleagues at the human rights group I worked for a the time, the Coalition for the International Criminal Court. We were being treated to dinner by a local Italian human rights nonprofit. It was one of our first…