perspective

I'm feeling really lazy today and I feel bad about it. But I'm realizing that I probably really needed to be lazy today...

Things I've been working on the last few months:

finishing up my lateral entry license: online classes

teaching extended school year

finding a roommate

being a board member of a local swing dance organization

planning/creating lindy hop organization

forming an LLC

finding a place to run said LLC

planning a local teacher dance workshop

learning about website creation

dog sat 2 extra doggies for a week

bridal party/bachelorette weekend

creating a computer curriculum for students with severe disabilities

trying to breath

I'm exhausted just thinking about that...maybe it was ok for me to be lazy.

The first snow fall

We had the first snow fall of the season yesterday which made it a perfect day.  The snow has an amazing ability to create this sense that everything is as it should be. Quiet. Still. At peace.

I spent the day trying to work from home but was distracted by history being made, the inauguration.  Amazing.  I don't care what political affiliation someone is, they have got to appreciate the significance of the events that took place yesterday.  I am truly proud of what our country did.  They voted in favor of a change, not just in politics, but in human equality.  This wasn't the US just talking the talk, like they have been since the Civil Rights movement.  This was America walking the walk.  

In the evening, a friend of mine threw a snow celebration party.  Nothing like celebrating the little things.  We gathered together to sled down her hill on what ever objects we could find (trays, wake boards, lids, etc.).  We had a snowball fight.  Afterwards we went in to eat pizza, watch the Duke v. NCSU basketball game and/or play card games.

People don't play card games enough.  I am so fortunate to find a group of people that enjoys them as much as I do.  We played Cribbage and Pinochle.  Time flew by and before we knew it, it was midnight and we all had to run off like Cinderella as the clock struck midnight before our dresses turned to rags and we returned to being responsible adults. I ended the day with my mind feeling quiet. Still. At peace. 

Lindy Focus VII

I recently went to a Lindy Hop dance camp that lasted 5 days and 6 nights in Asheville.  It was like a Lindy Hop heaven.  Hundreds of people get together from all over the world to share their passion for dance.  There were people from the West coast, the North East coast, the South East coast.  We had the French, the Swiss, and the Sweeds representing.

It was all held at the Crowne Plaza Resort.  They made it so that we could dance until we were utterly exhausted and crawl to our hotel rooms to rest up for our next opportunity to dance.  There were lessons that people could participate in during the day based on the level of dancing that you were at.  I chose to abstain from the lessons because I needed a relaxing break.  If I participated in the classes and the dances I would return to work exhausted instead of rejuvenated. 

Instead of participating in the classes I lazied around the hotel, went shopping at the local

 Earthfare, saw Slum Dog Millionaire, and went hiking off of mile marker 407 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The hike was a little more difficult that what we had planned for.  The information we found said it would be moderate, it turned out to be on the difficult end of the spectrum.  It was at a 60 degree-70 degree incline for much of the way up,  and a 70 degree slope down the hill as we kept hiking through the mountain.  

 

Some of the highlights were seen in the competitions.  People danced solo and

 partnered; balboa, charleston, and lindy hop; danced with their dance partners and with total strangers. Winners were picked in each category.  My favorite competitor was this little guy:

His parents are avid lindy hoppers and dance together with him in their arms- he thinks it is the best thing in the world.  He stole the show by beaming during the whole solo charleston competition.  

There were social dances during the evening that went on into the wee hours of the morning (7am... I couldn't do it but I knew others that did).  Vintage jazz music inspired dance after dance.  A few jam circles broke out showcasing the best of the best dancers.  Each night, except for the first night, included a live band (Boilermaker Jazz Band and Russ Wilson and the Swingtets were my favorite two).  The nights ended with a DJs spinning their favorite vintage jazz songs.  

Oh and for those that don't know the awesomeness that is called lindy hop, here is my favorite performance of Skye and Frida.

2009

Apparently everyone is supposed to contemplate 2008 and how to live the new year. Here is what I came up with for myself:

1) Live in more of a local/environmentally conscious way

Join a CSA

Procure less from big chains

Shop at local businesses

Buy used and recycled materials

Eat at local restaurants- specifically those with local food themes and are environmentally conscious (ie an new  restaurant opening in Durham: Eno Restaurant and Market)

2) Be more fiscally responsible

More dinner parties

  More game nights

Cook more for self

3) New hobbies/old hobbies

Garden more

Bake

Sew

Knit

Exercise in other ways to improve my dancing (ie cardio, flexibility, strength)

4) Take more time for me

Don't overbook 

5) See my family more

Visit parents every other month.