Musings on Dance, Food, Geek Stuff
“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…
I’m excited to announce the release this week of the final episode of season one of “The Field Trip Game,” a new video series from KQED. This is the first KQED show created by and for young people! I was so excited to hear that the producers wanted to feature rollerskating in one of the episodes, since…
It was June 2020, a few months into the pandemic, and I was losing my damn mind. In the Before Times, dancing was a central part of my life. I was going out lindy hopping and house dancing several nights a week, traveling to dance events, and obsessing over whatever was new in the dance…
What do you think? Not perfect, but kinda works.
This weekend, I got to experience my first national rhythm skate event, Soul Skate Detroit, one of the most popular skate events in the world. Soul Skate has been held over Memorial Day weekend for 17 years! Getting to skate in one of the historic centers of Black skating in America was high on my…
On the regular I chat with people who are at the very beginning of their roller skate journey. It’s so sweet seeing how excited they are, so delighted to be wearing their brand new skates. It’s the best feeling ever, to be right at the beginning of a new, exciting hobby. At the same time,…