So, week six...I can't believe it, I've been here for six whole weeks, and I have six more to go. Here's the halfway mark. How do I feel??...like I'm on a rollercoaster ALL the time.
On monday and tuesday I got to work privately with Max. I had one private session with him last year, so we reviewed that material and following that we got into some heavy work. Well, for me, anyways! The more I work with Max the more of a musician I become and really feel. His work is incredibly articulate, his rhythms are complex, and the counter parting going on between your hands and feet is hard! Its so hard!! But so good. I love having a huge challenge that I can keep working on. The thing with Max's work is that I might not be able to do it right away, but I understand it, so the work that he is giving me doesn't seem like a daunting impossible feat. I know if I keep practicing, I'll get it. And that sense of accomplishment is pretty incredible. He's also such a wonderful, kind, genuine person who I really want to hang with. haa. He's just like no one else. He is such a nice guy who is so ridiculously talented and really wants to share his work. The cd that he just recorded with his company should be available in the fall. The world needs to hear what he is up to!!!! If you are not familiar with Max's work, look him up. Youtube him, check out his website, or myspace will have some clips of the company.
Rumba Tap Website
Rumba tap myspace
On thursday and friday I went up to Brenda Bufalino's house in New Paltz and had an intensive two day mentorship. That...was unbelievable. New Paltz is an hour and a half north of NYC in the mountains. Her family has a stretch of land up there where she raised her kids, and now they have gone on to build homes for themselves. Brenda's ex-husband lives on the land as well, and Brenda herself with the help of her son is builidng a new space in a Barn. There are two floors, she built her tap studio first, she will build in an apartment for herself, and there will be three other creative spaces for her son, her daughter-in law, and a pottery studio for all of them all to share. How cool. Its pretty nice so far! I'm so bummed I forgot to take pictures! Sorry guys!
So, the experience.... I got there, we had some bruschetta, drank tea and chatted for a little while, then we got right into it. We would work for about two hours, and then she would leave me to practice while she went downstairs to make a pot. Occasionally I got yelled at between floors, but I was pretty level headed when it came to my solitude whilst practicing. heh. When she decided I needed a break, she came up with two beers, looked at me and said..."you drink beer right?" I thought, you gotta be kidding...this is hilarious. Brenda Bufalino is telling me to stop, take a break, and have a beer, in the middle of the afternoon. My kind of teacher, I'd say! And so would all of you who know my appreciation for alcoholic beverages...hee. Anyways, that's how the day would go. Work together for a while, practice until my feet turned to jello, eat and/or drink, then go again. It was INTENSE! She broke me down, pulled me a part, disected all of my inconsistencies. It was simultaneously awesome and dreadful. It is really hard when you get to a certain point in your dancing when you expect to be able to rely on your technique and musicality, but when both of those things...that make you a tap dancer, that define your voice...are being torn up all over the place, you begin to feel really vulnerable, and need to take ten steps backwards in order to understand where you need to go to get to the next level. So, those two days with Brenda will have an enormus impact on the entire future of my dancing...on the rest of my life. I am so ready for it, and am so excited to practice all of the gold that she gave me, but I can't say that I'm going to enjoy every step of the way to get to where I intend to be... but in time, that is what will seperate my artistry from being okay to extrordinary.
In addition to the work, hanging out with this legendary personality for two days was another incredible experience on its own. Brenda invited her friend Jay Clayton and her student Alexis over for dinner on the second night. Jay is apparantly one of the two divas of avant garde jazz. The night before I listened to a recording of a trio with Jay singing, Brenda dancing, and someone on piano who's name I forget. (whoops!) It was super cool. It was great to hang with them, and gain even more perspective from another generation of female artists. Listening to everything Brenda had to say about everything, really...was crazy cool. I learned some of her thoughts/opinions about a lot of people, past and present, how she feels about tap today, her own trials and tribulations throughout the years, family stuff, everything!! She got to know me pretty well too. We totally bonded! hehe. When I left, she reminded me that I am her student now for the rest of my life, and she's gonna wanna know what's going on with me. Amazing.
It's weird, half way through I feel like I could go home now. I have a huge new repetoire to practice, pull from, be inspired by...everything. I mean, I would stay here forever if it was easy, but I feel kinda full right now, and really miss my FREE practice space...and my friends. This week, I have decided to cut down on classes a bit and get into the studio and practice as much as possible. My main focus is to work privately, so I really feel I need to build on everything daily so that when I gain more time one on one, I can reach more growth rather than scramble to remember or complie everything once I am gone. I will still go to the classes I love, but I won't be too hard on myself if I miss every now and then, due to lots of practice time.
Speaking of classes I love, Lisa LaTouche was teaching again last week. I really truly love her dancing, how she teaches a class, and her choreography. Tonight I got to finally take Michelle Dorrance's class, taught by her and not a sub! Its sooooo good. She's got such a fun, wack personality, and her class is always technically challenging. She is always musically interesting, but I am glad that I am always technically pushed in her class. She's playing bass in a band tomorrow night that I'm gonna check out. That should be fun. These two ladies are also such genuine, awesome human beings who I just want to be around, learn from, and wish them good vibes in the tap universe.
I went to another Mets game last week. This time Dave couldn't go, so he offered me tickets and I went with my roommate Jessica. We had a wicked time. I ate a lot of stadium food! Who can help it that every time we wanted anything, the pretzel guy, the cotton candy dude, the beer man would be right there? You can't fight fate. haa. We were planning on going for greek food after, because the Mets play in Queens, and Queens has the best food, but of course, we were way too full.
Next week is going to be a little bit different than my regular scheduled programing. I am going to Vancouver! I was invited to audition for the 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremonies. There is also a tap conference followed by the Van tap festival. I also have some great friends to visit, so I thought it was entirely worth it to take the trip. I will visit with my excellent friend Anna for the first few days, then I will do my audition, and stay for the conference. I'm not staying for the festival, because I want to get back to New York! As soon as I booked my flight the other day, I got super excited! I'm really looking forward to hanging with all of the tap dancers in the Canadian scene. It should be a great time.
Also, upon my weekend phone calls to friends and my parents, I was talking to Rob about all of this, and due to this whole Vancouver thing, he needed to spill a surprise that he was planning for me. So.......on friday, Rob will be here for my birthday!!!!! He was planning on a phone call/surprise live appearnce, but he told me last night so that we could make some solid plans. How amazing is that???? Things just keep getting better! What an incredible birthday present! And really, its just what I need... a little piece of home. I am so excited to have him here, even though its only a day and a half. It kindof works out perfectly actually, he needs to catch the bus at 7pm which is when I will have to head out to the airport. yaaaay.
So that was my week. Until next week...shortly before or shortly after, depending on when I have time around Rob's visit and Vancouver...
=)
at xo
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Week four & five
Firstly, sorry I didn't write last week...I promise I didn't miss a thing!
So, I last wrote about my anticipation to see Max's show...ya, AMAZING. He was a part of this project called Life After Dark which was put together by Dana Leong, a multi-instrumentalist who wanted to put together all of his favourite artists from all different ethnic and cultural backgrounds and take a look into their creative processes. So he interviewed each artist, got them to explain three words that capture their approach, and from all of those interviews came the collaboration with everyone in the collective. There was a drummer, keyboardist, spoken work/MC artist, turntablist, tap/body percussion (Max) a Japanese Koto player, and Dana plays trombone and cello. There was a screen above the stage that you watched these interviews on, and then while the music was happening there were stills, and live feed of what was happening on stage, and other projections. At some parts you could watch Max's feet on the screen while it was all going down. The only dissapointing part was that you couldn't hear him very well. You would think, in a very nice professional venue in New York, they would figure out how to properly mic a tap dancer...nope. Regardless of the setback, the show was incredible! I met up with my friend Jen who I met in Heather's intensive, which was a great surprise! After the show we went for a drink, and then...pancakes. Yep...awesome. Pancakes at midnight...perfect.
A few days later I met up with Shauna Hoskin, who I grew up dancing with in Edmonton. We found each other on facebook, which was awesome because I didn't know she was here! Last we were in touch she was doing a show in France. So, we went for lunch and got totally caught up. She will be going on a national tour with Young Frankenstein in the fall. She is so talented, and such a wonderful person. Its so awesome to meet up with friends from home and see them fourish in their success. So far in New York I have been able to hang with 4 friends all from Edmonton, pretty cool I think.
I hung out with Tom Delbello again before he headed to Toronto to perform in The Boys in the Photograph. (the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical) We went to see Julie & Julia...see this movie people! Its amazing!!! Then we went for some wine and nachos, but we didn't even come close to the shennanigans we pulled a year ago. Last year, we tore it up. Pretty much my only night of extreme debauchery last July was with Tom. I don't know if any of you recall the pictures of me kissing the shirtless bartender in exchange for our drinks...haha. (Sorry mom, sorry auntie...) This time, we were too tired, and too chatty...less drinky! Anyways, I will miss having Tom here, but I will get to see him in his show when I get home in the fall.
I haven't yet had the chance to have a private session with Max, but he was recording an album all last week, so he invited me to a rehearsal last sunday. First of all, the people in his company are such wonderful people, everyone is obviously very talented, but aside from that, they are just lovely, kind people who I was very happy to be around. It was a pretty amazing feeling to be able to listen to the complexities of Max's work, but it also really hit home how much I want to work with him. If the opportunity should ever arise, I would LOVE/die to dance in his company. Even just the fact that I get to spend lots of time learning from him, reminds me of how fortunate I feel to be here experiencing all of this. I get to work with him tomorrow and tuesday....so excited!!
I had two private sessions with Heather Cornell last week. First session we basically worked on phrasing, and had very detailed discussions about approach. It was totally awesome, and arose some interesting discoveries about myself. She outlined some challenges in a completely different elemental way than I have ever approached my dancing before. We threw technique out of the door and delved into intention and emotion. Weirdly, I never really made the connection to express myself tap dancing in the ways that are required to approach a song, or a scene, or even a different dance genre. In choreography that has been given to me, sure, but as an improviser, or setting choreography for myself, not really. I guess I just always trusted my passion. I faced a new challenge, and I will be continuing to figure it out forever, really. Tough, but cool. The second session she gave me a new Buster Brown piece... I learned Fascinating Rhythm/Just You Just Me. Its awesome. I love working privately. You get worlds more than class. Class is great for the purposes of class, but to really get into it, and really treasure an experience, there's no comparrison.
I checked out more awesome music! I actually ran into Brandi Disterheft on the street, when I was fully planning on just surprsing her at her gig the next day. Brandi is a Juno award winning bass player from Toronto, who I got to know while working at The Rex. She just finished a Canadian tour of her new album, and is back and forth between New York and Toronto. So, it was hilarious to run into her, and amazing to hear her play the next night. She was playing at 55 bar, and then I stayed for the next show to hear Dave Binney again. My friend Jen came along too, and after the gig... yes....we went for pancakes! Well, this time I actually had 2 eggs and cornbeef hash with a side of hollandaise...but had full intention of pancakes...yep...what health at 2am. Then, we went to this bar called Fat Cat and checked out a jam...til 4am. This bar was so weird but totally cool. There was a full on jazz jam going on, and there was couches to hang, but also pool tables, foozeball, ping pong, chess, and what looked like airhockey or curling on these long tables with sand. Kindof felt like an afterhours club house. Jen and I are gonna go back with our shoes and jam! The next day I saw Rudder, a wicked band from here that I also knew because of The Rex. Henry my sailing friend plays in Rudder. I have to say, that is my absolute favourite band to see live, so far anyway. Their music never ceases to give me crazy goosebumps...everytime. So good. After that show I went to go see my roommate's band, the MK Groove Orchestra. Awesome too. It was great to see my roommate on stage, and hear his work after listening to him practice all the time! hehe. Very cool band, totally glad I checked it out.
A few days ago I hung out with Allison Plamondon again. I wrote about her in my first entry, and it is now gone....boo! Anyways, its always great to hang with her. She is such a huge inspiration to me. She's also from Edmonton. How funny really...both named Allison, both tap dancers/actor/singers, both grew up in Edmonton, lived in Toronto, and now New York. (eventhough I am temporary, one day indefinite!) After we had coffee she was off to meet up with a mentor of hers, Sarah Jane Burton, who I had a movement class with in my first year at Sheridan. So, I came along to say hi, not sure if she'd remember me, but she did, and she was as lovely as ever. What a nice, down to earth lady. So nice to see her and catch up a little bit!
Yesterday I went to Jen's place in Jersey City for a party. She studies Capoeira, which is an afro-brazilian art form that combines martial arts, music, dance, and play. She just received her first belt, so she was having a party after the ceremony with her crew and she invited me along. They played in the backyard for a while so I got a first hand look at what this was all about. So cool...I was just watching trying to figure it all out, but that's impossible on first exposure! I am intrigued though. And really nice people, aside from one particularly ignorant dude who tried to talk to me about tap. Other than that little hiccup, I had a really excellent time! Jersey City is beautiful. Its not far from New York at all, about the same distance to midtown as some areas in Brooklyn or Queens. I'd totally consider living there, so much character!!
That was pretty much my last two weeks! Other than that, the other day I received an email inviting me to an audition for the 2010 Olympic opening ceremonies. The auditon is on September 1st in Vancouver which is also the same time that a Canadian tap conference is happening. I have been in touch with the creative director, but will receive all details in the next few days, so I will keep you all posted what that is all about. Cool though. I feel pretty great and fortunate that I was invited to be considered for that. So, we'll see!
This next week is going to be crazy! Tomorrow and tuesday I work with Max, and on thursday I go up to Brenda Bufalino's house for 2 days...I can't wait. Its gonna be nuts! Till the next entry...
at xo
So, I last wrote about my anticipation to see Max's show...ya, AMAZING. He was a part of this project called Life After Dark which was put together by Dana Leong, a multi-instrumentalist who wanted to put together all of his favourite artists from all different ethnic and cultural backgrounds and take a look into their creative processes. So he interviewed each artist, got them to explain three words that capture their approach, and from all of those interviews came the collaboration with everyone in the collective. There was a drummer, keyboardist, spoken work/MC artist, turntablist, tap/body percussion (Max) a Japanese Koto player, and Dana plays trombone and cello. There was a screen above the stage that you watched these interviews on, and then while the music was happening there were stills, and live feed of what was happening on stage, and other projections. At some parts you could watch Max's feet on the screen while it was all going down. The only dissapointing part was that you couldn't hear him very well. You would think, in a very nice professional venue in New York, they would figure out how to properly mic a tap dancer...nope. Regardless of the setback, the show was incredible! I met up with my friend Jen who I met in Heather's intensive, which was a great surprise! After the show we went for a drink, and then...pancakes. Yep...awesome. Pancakes at midnight...perfect.
A few days later I met up with Shauna Hoskin, who I grew up dancing with in Edmonton. We found each other on facebook, which was awesome because I didn't know she was here! Last we were in touch she was doing a show in France. So, we went for lunch and got totally caught up. She will be going on a national tour with Young Frankenstein in the fall. She is so talented, and such a wonderful person. Its so awesome to meet up with friends from home and see them fourish in their success. So far in New York I have been able to hang with 4 friends all from Edmonton, pretty cool I think.
I hung out with Tom Delbello again before he headed to Toronto to perform in The Boys in the Photograph. (the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical) We went to see Julie & Julia...see this movie people! Its amazing!!! Then we went for some wine and nachos, but we didn't even come close to the shennanigans we pulled a year ago. Last year, we tore it up. Pretty much my only night of extreme debauchery last July was with Tom. I don't know if any of you recall the pictures of me kissing the shirtless bartender in exchange for our drinks...haha. (Sorry mom, sorry auntie...) This time, we were too tired, and too chatty...less drinky! Anyways, I will miss having Tom here, but I will get to see him in his show when I get home in the fall.
I haven't yet had the chance to have a private session with Max, but he was recording an album all last week, so he invited me to a rehearsal last sunday. First of all, the people in his company are such wonderful people, everyone is obviously very talented, but aside from that, they are just lovely, kind people who I was very happy to be around. It was a pretty amazing feeling to be able to listen to the complexities of Max's work, but it also really hit home how much I want to work with him. If the opportunity should ever arise, I would LOVE/die to dance in his company. Even just the fact that I get to spend lots of time learning from him, reminds me of how fortunate I feel to be here experiencing all of this. I get to work with him tomorrow and tuesday....so excited!!
I had two private sessions with Heather Cornell last week. First session we basically worked on phrasing, and had very detailed discussions about approach. It was totally awesome, and arose some interesting discoveries about myself. She outlined some challenges in a completely different elemental way than I have ever approached my dancing before. We threw technique out of the door and delved into intention and emotion. Weirdly, I never really made the connection to express myself tap dancing in the ways that are required to approach a song, or a scene, or even a different dance genre. In choreography that has been given to me, sure, but as an improviser, or setting choreography for myself, not really. I guess I just always trusted my passion. I faced a new challenge, and I will be continuing to figure it out forever, really. Tough, but cool. The second session she gave me a new Buster Brown piece... I learned Fascinating Rhythm/Just You Just Me. Its awesome. I love working privately. You get worlds more than class. Class is great for the purposes of class, but to really get into it, and really treasure an experience, there's no comparrison.
I checked out more awesome music! I actually ran into Brandi Disterheft on the street, when I was fully planning on just surprsing her at her gig the next day. Brandi is a Juno award winning bass player from Toronto, who I got to know while working at The Rex. She just finished a Canadian tour of her new album, and is back and forth between New York and Toronto. So, it was hilarious to run into her, and amazing to hear her play the next night. She was playing at 55 bar, and then I stayed for the next show to hear Dave Binney again. My friend Jen came along too, and after the gig... yes....we went for pancakes! Well, this time I actually had 2 eggs and cornbeef hash with a side of hollandaise...but had full intention of pancakes...yep...what health at 2am. Then, we went to this bar called Fat Cat and checked out a jam...til 4am. This bar was so weird but totally cool. There was a full on jazz jam going on, and there was couches to hang, but also pool tables, foozeball, ping pong, chess, and what looked like airhockey or curling on these long tables with sand. Kindof felt like an afterhours club house. Jen and I are gonna go back with our shoes and jam! The next day I saw Rudder, a wicked band from here that I also knew because of The Rex. Henry my sailing friend plays in Rudder. I have to say, that is my absolute favourite band to see live, so far anyway. Their music never ceases to give me crazy goosebumps...everytime. So good. After that show I went to go see my roommate's band, the MK Groove Orchestra. Awesome too. It was great to see my roommate on stage, and hear his work after listening to him practice all the time! hehe. Very cool band, totally glad I checked it out.
A few days ago I hung out with Allison Plamondon again. I wrote about her in my first entry, and it is now gone....boo! Anyways, its always great to hang with her. She is such a huge inspiration to me. She's also from Edmonton. How funny really...both named Allison, both tap dancers/actor/singers, both grew up in Edmonton, lived in Toronto, and now New York. (eventhough I am temporary, one day indefinite!) After we had coffee she was off to meet up with a mentor of hers, Sarah Jane Burton, who I had a movement class with in my first year at Sheridan. So, I came along to say hi, not sure if she'd remember me, but she did, and she was as lovely as ever. What a nice, down to earth lady. So nice to see her and catch up a little bit!
Yesterday I went to Jen's place in Jersey City for a party. She studies Capoeira, which is an afro-brazilian art form that combines martial arts, music, dance, and play. She just received her first belt, so she was having a party after the ceremony with her crew and she invited me along. They played in the backyard for a while so I got a first hand look at what this was all about. So cool...I was just watching trying to figure it all out, but that's impossible on first exposure! I am intrigued though. And really nice people, aside from one particularly ignorant dude who tried to talk to me about tap. Other than that little hiccup, I had a really excellent time! Jersey City is beautiful. Its not far from New York at all, about the same distance to midtown as some areas in Brooklyn or Queens. I'd totally consider living there, so much character!!
That was pretty much my last two weeks! Other than that, the other day I received an email inviting me to an audition for the 2010 Olympic opening ceremonies. The auditon is on September 1st in Vancouver which is also the same time that a Canadian tap conference is happening. I have been in touch with the creative director, but will receive all details in the next few days, so I will keep you all posted what that is all about. Cool though. I feel pretty great and fortunate that I was invited to be considered for that. So, we'll see!
This next week is going to be crazy! Tomorrow and tuesday I work with Max, and on thursday I go up to Brenda Bufalino's house for 2 days...I can't wait. Its gonna be nuts! Till the next entry...
at xo
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Week three
week three was a way different feel compared to the first two weeks. Last week's entry was actually week two and a half... The highlight of week three would be my private session with Brenda, but I already wrote about that! Mostly last week I just took class all around town. I had another disappointing sub a few days ago, but I must say on Monday, this guy Nicholas Young subbed for Michelle Dorrance, and his class was amazing. I have yet to catch Michelle this trip, which is a drag because her class is one of my favourites. Michelle and Nicholas perform together in Stomp. I haven't ever seen Stomp, I now think its about time I check it out! All in all, I was pretty happy to have an extremely fulfilling class!! Other classes I really enjoyed last week were Claudia Rahardjanato, and Chikako Iwahori. Chikako was one of the musicians playing for Heather's intensive, so it was cool to be in her class and see how she carries over her musicianship to her choreography as well as teaching style. Both of these ladies work with Barbara Duffy and Max Pollak on the regular...two very different styles, but both I totally love...probably why I enjoyed their classes so much too. I took Barbara's class today, and get to see Max perform tonight! I will probably start working privately with him next week. I will be writing about that in my next entry!
So, other than dancing last week I had some fun social events. I went to the Mets game with Dave Binney. I went to see him play last Tuesday at 55 Bar, and on Thursday we went to the game, drank a lot of beer, ate hot dogs, pretzels, and cracker jacks, and I got sunburned. After we went for more beer, then Indian food, baskin robbins, then more beer. It was a long day. I was well behaved at the game, no heckling from me this time! When we reached the gates, I had my beautiful water bottle that Rob gave me for Christmas confiscated! I guess since 9-11, security measures are pretty drastic. You can't take metal/plastic containers or liquids into a ballpark...I wasn't aware that the same security protocol is applied for ballparks as airports...now I know. I did however get it back!! The nice people at the gate put it away for me, so it was luckily returned! I mean, who would steal somebody else's water bottle, but hey, mine's a really nice one, and it was a really nice gift! We went for awesome Indian food in Queens. I'm told Queens has the best food in New York. And this was pretty amazing food. One tip though, don't ever order beef at an Indian restaurant, its not their specialty. I ordered beef because I was sick of chicken, and the server said the beef was fresher than the lamb, but it wasn't nearly as good as the chicken Dave ordered. It was a bit spicy, but crusted in mint, so the flavour cooled itself out. It was awesome, and because of the mint it was green...we ate green chicken. I posted some pics... I couldn't resist. Then Dave wanted ice cream...I have no idea how he had room for it. At baskin robbins I called Sandra, because it was her birthday! When I got a hold of her she was on her way to dinner after 4 hours at the spa...not a bad birthday!! After ice cream, which somehow I helped finish, we went back to Manhattan for a few more drinks in Dave's neighbourhood. He lives in Irving Berlin's house...how cool is that?? Long day...but good day. =)
The next day I went back to Queens to hang out with Tom Delbello, my friend from Sheridan. After graduating he worked on Disney Cruise lines, and lived in Toronto for a very short time, but has been living and working out of New York ever since. I saw him for a night of debauchery last visit, and was very excited to meet up with him again! We went to the Studio Square Beer Gardens. It was really fun! It was awesome to hang out and meet his friends here. He is going back to Toronto mid August to perform in Boys in the Photograph until November. I'm sure we will have a few more hangs before he takes off.
On Saturday I went to class in the morning, then met up with Henry Hey to go sailing. Henry and Dave both come into Toronto to play at The Rex, where I worked for three years. So, a month ago, when Henry was in Toronto playing with The Chris Tarry Group and heard that I was moving to New York, right away he asked if I wanted to go sailing. It didn't take long for that to actually happen! It was so fun, and beautiful, and peaceful. We borrowed Chris' car and drove north of the Bronx to City Island and sailed along the Long Island Sound. You could see Queens, and in the distance past the bridges through the smog you can see Manhattan. It was a great escape from the city. I got home so relaxed after that. An amazing afternoon. Hopefully there will be more adventures on the boat.
On sunday I went to class, and was fully planning on checking out some music in the evening, but I wasn't really feeling well. It was a gross rainy day anyways. I ended up renting a few movies and hanging out at home. I really needed the down time. I was missing the brain release of watching TV, so a few movies in the evening really helped me chill.
Pretty good week three I think! Excited to see Max tonight, also excited to meet up with Shauna Hoskin, who I danced with in Edmonton as a kid, just like Pam and Jess Pecush who I met up with last week. Shauna has been based out of New York around the same time I moved to Toronto. We haven't been in touch for a while, so I am really looking forward to catching up.
till next week...
at xo
So, other than dancing last week I had some fun social events. I went to the Mets game with Dave Binney. I went to see him play last Tuesday at 55 Bar, and on Thursday we went to the game, drank a lot of beer, ate hot dogs, pretzels, and cracker jacks, and I got sunburned. After we went for more beer, then Indian food, baskin robbins, then more beer. It was a long day. I was well behaved at the game, no heckling from me this time! When we reached the gates, I had my beautiful water bottle that Rob gave me for Christmas confiscated! I guess since 9-11, security measures are pretty drastic. You can't take metal/plastic containers or liquids into a ballpark...I wasn't aware that the same security protocol is applied for ballparks as airports...now I know. I did however get it back!! The nice people at the gate put it away for me, so it was luckily returned! I mean, who would steal somebody else's water bottle, but hey, mine's a really nice one, and it was a really nice gift! We went for awesome Indian food in Queens. I'm told Queens has the best food in New York. And this was pretty amazing food. One tip though, don't ever order beef at an Indian restaurant, its not their specialty. I ordered beef because I was sick of chicken, and the server said the beef was fresher than the lamb, but it wasn't nearly as good as the chicken Dave ordered. It was a bit spicy, but crusted in mint, so the flavour cooled itself out. It was awesome, and because of the mint it was green...we ate green chicken. I posted some pics... I couldn't resist. Then Dave wanted ice cream...I have no idea how he had room for it. At baskin robbins I called Sandra, because it was her birthday! When I got a hold of her she was on her way to dinner after 4 hours at the spa...not a bad birthday!! After ice cream, which somehow I helped finish, we went back to Manhattan for a few more drinks in Dave's neighbourhood. He lives in Irving Berlin's house...how cool is that?? Long day...but good day. =)
The next day I went back to Queens to hang out with Tom Delbello, my friend from Sheridan. After graduating he worked on Disney Cruise lines, and lived in Toronto for a very short time, but has been living and working out of New York ever since. I saw him for a night of debauchery last visit, and was very excited to meet up with him again! We went to the Studio Square Beer Gardens. It was really fun! It was awesome to hang out and meet his friends here. He is going back to Toronto mid August to perform in Boys in the Photograph until November. I'm sure we will have a few more hangs before he takes off.
On Saturday I went to class in the morning, then met up with Henry Hey to go sailing. Henry and Dave both come into Toronto to play at The Rex, where I worked for three years. So, a month ago, when Henry was in Toronto playing with The Chris Tarry Group and heard that I was moving to New York, right away he asked if I wanted to go sailing. It didn't take long for that to actually happen! It was so fun, and beautiful, and peaceful. We borrowed Chris' car and drove north of the Bronx to City Island and sailed along the Long Island Sound. You could see Queens, and in the distance past the bridges through the smog you can see Manhattan. It was a great escape from the city. I got home so relaxed after that. An amazing afternoon. Hopefully there will be more adventures on the boat.
On sunday I went to class, and was fully planning on checking out some music in the evening, but I wasn't really feeling well. It was a gross rainy day anyways. I ended up renting a few movies and hanging out at home. I really needed the down time. I was missing the brain release of watching TV, so a few movies in the evening really helped me chill.
Pretty good week three I think! Excited to see Max tonight, also excited to meet up with Shauna Hoskin, who I danced with in Edmonton as a kid, just like Pam and Jess Pecush who I met up with last week. Shauna has been based out of New York around the same time I moved to Toronto. We haven't been in touch for a while, so I am really looking forward to catching up.
till next week...
at xo
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