Got a couple of nice present in the mail the day before my birthday, and someone gave me some cake that won’t upset my belly! (it’s been a bad week of tummy troubles)
I also got snow for my birthday. We just won’t discuss why I was up before 9am on a day I thought I would get to sleep in.
I like cake. A lot.
So, when a VERY decadent cake showed up at Bollywood get together last weekend, which was doubling as an early b-day gathering for me and a celebration of a friends completion of her Phd comps and her running a marathon that morning, I was of course delighted. Then, the cake maker said I could take the cake home. Woot! I decided that meant I was to have “7 days of cake’ leading up to my 40th birthday, where I would indulge in yet another fabulous dessert when my hubby takes me out to a ‘fancy dinner’.
Today makes day 5 of the “7 days of cake” my tummy is wicked upset. I am not sure if it is related to the cake (my husband swears it is). I am even home from work (fortunately I can work from home) because my as my husband says when his digestion is causing him difficulties, ‘the gutty works are upset’. BLECK. I feel gross.
This will not stop me from enjoying my decadent cake. But I might just be ill until after I turn 40.
Not sure why, though I suspect the fact that my daughter will be going into a 6 month treatment program just days before my 40th b-day might have something to do with it. Miss the days of holding my baby and keeping her safe 
Life is otherwise going well enough; studio is actually out of the red it’s first month of operation (not counting start up costs), dance classes are small but progressing, house is an ongoing fun project of painting, decorating, and unpacking, and all the pets are doing alright with one slightly sickly but on the mend.
Still, I am sad today. Nothing to do but be alone with my thoughts I suppose. Which is about all I really want to do right now so please forgive me as I retreat for the next 24 hours or so until I get out of this funk….
We had our first drum circle at the Studio yesterday. I have attended lots of drum circles before, but never been an organizer or facilitator so I was not sure what was going to happen, but as three of us had just come from drum class with Elzbeth (who sadly had a previous engagement and could not stay this time), we started out by practicing what we had just covered in class. D-D-TkT-D-TkT ! I will master that Beledi 
Then, people started showing up. I think a total of 8-10 of us were there; some of us drummed, some zilled, some danced. We had some amazing first time drummers, and though the circle started small, it grew, and we stayed until nearly 8pm. Lots of fun, no stress, and I got to practice my Masquom.
I count this as a success
Next month our drum circle is October 11. Starts at 6pm. $5 suggested donation to help cover the space of the Studio, but if you don’t have the cash, come anyway!
Something I quickly discovered when I moved to Alaska is that things up here are frequently about 10 years behind with regard to technology, clothing style and music, as well as with regard to the speediness in getting things done in the service industry. One might expect after being a ‘city girl’ from the “Outside” that things always work fast; repair shops have access to all the latest and greatest, and everyone take credit cards, right? Not so true! And what do you mean there is no cell service for 2+ hours on the only road to Anchorage? There are days when I feel like I have stepped back in time by at least 10 years up here in the Last Frontier. Which is ok most of the time, since we moved here to get away from city life, and the hub bub of the the Outside. But sometimes, that can backfire on you!
Case in point, I went to a workshop in Anchorage the first weekend of August with a group of fellow dancers that are new friends and/or students. We were headed down for a Friday night performance (that I was in), as well as a weekend workshop. This is normally a 6-7 hour drive with a few stops, but as there was a lot of smoke from the wildfires still (Fairbanks was inundated with smoke for a couple weeks and I could not go outside due to the poor air quality) and one of the fires was rumored to have the Parks Highway closed, we decided to leave an hour earlier than we have planned and were on the road at 8am on Friday.
After about 5 bathroom breaks (I had a total of 5 women in the van, two of which were pregnant) we stopped for a meal in Wasilla, which is just an hour away from Anchorage. It was at 2:30 and we thought we were doing really well on timing. Had a great lunch, but noticed before going into lunch that there was some smoke coming out of my hood. Popped the hood, and noted the area around the serpentine belt was smoking, but as the belt was NEW (I had replaced it along with the alternator back in April when I drove to Palmer and had broke down on the way home) I figured it was just hot from driving and noted that I would look at it when we came out of lunch and the engine had cooled. After a nice lunch, we went out to the van, and I tugged on the belt to test it for tightness; it came right out into my hands! This is not good. It is 3:30pm and 2 of us in the van are supposed to be fully dressed for a performance at 6:30 in Anchorage, which granted is only an hour away but we also had planned to check into our hotel and have time to relax while getting ready for the show. The other three were coming to the show, but didn’t have to worry about performing and to make matters more complicated for me I was in two numbers with two different troupes. I didn’t want to disappoint anyone!
There was a Chevron less than a block away, I walked over hoping to find a mechanic who could install a new belt (silly me for thinking it could be THAT simple). No mechanic on site, but the mentioned there was an auto repair place very close, “Wasilla Auto”. Called them, and with some gentle pleading on my part they were kind enough to send someone over to have a look but it seemed that the A/C compressor motor has frozen and would need to be replaced. So, we drive my hobbled van to the shop (no power steering, yikes!) and they proceed to give me quotes, tell me there is no such motor in town, it will be ‘at least Monday if not later’ before they get one, but MAYBE they could install a bypass motor, although there are two types and they are not sure if the one they have coming will actually work. And the bypass motor is going to cost as much as the a/c motor. And, they might not be able to get it done tonight!
Oh well, I need to be able to drive my van to get home to Fairbanks, it cannot move without some form of motor and I can live without A/C now that I am in Alaska, so I tell them to do it and start calling dancers in Anchorage that I have never met to beg for a ride for me and my 4 passengers. A ride (two actually) is sent for us (thank you Joanna Lee!), although they are an hour away which means arriving at the show at the last moment, so Jenni and I start getting ready for the performance in front of the repair shop. Someone mentioned renting a car and I try to call Enterprise because “they pick you up” but they are out of cars. Apparently because of the wildfires there are lots of canceled flights and at this time rental cars are super hard to come by. So, we continue getting ready and hope the van is fixed or the ride gets to us in time for us to make the show.
Another customer has overheard our plight, and tells us there is a car rental place ’across the street’ and would we like a ride over there? Apparently all my ‘stranger danger’ fear is gone, and I jump into the lady’s car. We drive across the parkway and down about 4-5 blocks, to a “Toy rental” place. There are 3-4 passenger vans sitting out front and I think to myself “GREAT, we can just rent one of those and I can come back tomorrow to get my van”. But little did I know what a cranky lady I was about to meet. I go inside, and still using my calm and friendly voice, I ask if they have vehicles that will hold 5 people. “No. We are all out of midsized sedans!”.
I then ask “What about the vans out front, are they part of this business??”
“You want a 12 person passenger van?” she says without almost a snarl on her face.
“Why yes, it would hold all 5 of us and I need to be in Anchorage in an hour”, I reply
“Well, to rent THOSE you need proof of full coverage, PLUS it is $150 per day, PLUS a credit card guarantee, PLUS blah blah blah….” And she rattles off a bunch of criteria I can fulfill, without a problem. But she is such a witch, I say excuse me, I need to make a quick call, and I go outside, and LEAVE. I refuse to support such terrible customer service even though I am in a pinch. She just lost a sale, harrumph!
After all this, I am frustrated, and tired, and starting to stress but need to be calm so I can get ready for the show. I come back to the shop and note that in the bay, my van is RUNNING! They have fixed my vehicle and we are back on the road again after a grand total of 1.5 hours and some very awesome people at Wasilla Auto.
So, we get to the show, have time to get ready, meet fabulous people, and have a weekend of dance and drills that challenged me like not other dance workshop has (other than the first time I took a Mira workshop). I have not sweat like that since leaving Florida and I was exhausted for a week but loved every minute of it. Still have lots of dance material to work through personally, and ideas for lots of drills to incorporate into my own classes.
While down in Anchorage, I also got to eat at Sahara (Middle Eastern Cuisine), “Mexico in Alaska”, and Bombay Deluxe (Indian food). Good stuff! Took pictures of my food (as usual) and will post photos eventually. I really miss having access to restaurants like that living up here in FBX.
10 hours to get there, 6.5 to get back. All around a good time except for the breaking down bit. I am starting to think that the Parks Highway is detrimental to the overall health of my van (as mentioned, I broke down on the way home from Palmer in April this year). Van seemed to have no problem getting me _to_ Alaska but now it doesn’t want to leave Fairbanks.
Not sure when I’ll be back, and maybe next time I’ll fly!
Sunday marked one year since we arrived in Fairbanks.
We have bought a house, and really made Fairbanks our home. (click here for more photos of our home )The only other place I could want to be would be Colorado, and that is mostly so I could be with my great friends Susan, Maria and Jon. I miss them a lot. They need to come visit, and I need to visit them too. 2010 will be the year to make that happen.
Today marks one week until I open my Studio.
I have so much to do still and wonder how it will all get done. But, the building owners have done a great job installing the floor and the changing area, and I am so grateful they did that part of the studio; I really could not have done it myself. We have a small amount of chairs ready for the First Friday and Hafla, my merchandise is ready to be put out, we have retail racks and display cases and it will all come together. And then I can rest on Sunday Sept 6 after a month of no weekends off. Well, only rest a bit since I need to paint at our house before the snow falls….click here for more photos
This past weekend we added a new ferret to our family. She is still trying to fit in. click here for more pet photos
I started a Ballet class yesterday. Ballet was hard. And I was definitively the old lady that stuck out like a sore thumb in my yoga gear among the most teenaged dancers (who were all very nice). I need to get a black leotard and some pale colored leggings (I do not wear tights!) for next week. But I am going back
It’s been a busy year. And the last month seems like it has been busier. And the upcoming month is going to be really busy with the new studio. I have lots of ‘catch-up’ to post to my blog and hope to get a couple up this week. I so dislike being behind. Michael says I am chaos. I just think I flourish in a chaotic environment.
Busy weekend. Lots of dancing on Saturday!
Last performance with Cold Fusion at AYP
Saturday I had my last official performance with Cold Fusion Tribal Dance at the Angry Young and Poor Festival in Ester. I totally messed up one of the two dances I did, and was guilty of the one thing I harp about constantly in my own classes, talking at a performance, and in fact, not only did I talk, but I cursed on stage! I think I was facing to the back so no one heard me, but troupe mates in the back who could see me said they could read my lips as I said SHIT. And then, I did it again!! Sigh. Oh well, I just kept dancing, and smiling, and want to thank my CFTD troupe mates for allowing me to overcome the worst parts of my performance anxiety and learn to just smile and keep going even when I do mess up.
Photos from that show and the very short stint of my life as a fusion dancer can be seen here
Hafla
After our performance at AYP, I went home to do a quick change, and pick up my stuff for the Hafla. Tribal Wallah danced 2 times at the hafla, and then Liz, Jess and I did a CFTD song. Mind you, Jess and I had been practicing that song because she and I performed it at AYP with Mary and Jennie and we also performed it at Fruitcake’s wedding back in March, but Liz had only run though it in practice and was not planning to dance to it yet. But Liz is the secret weapon of the CFTD troupe, and that girl can perform in a pinch! I did Beni Beni without any cussing, and my solo part was slinkier tribal fusion than anything I have ever done before.
Hot Licks Ice Cream
After the Hafla I got to try Hot Lick Ice cream. It was my first time having this ice cream, and I think I traumatized the exchange student who was working the register; I walked up and said hello, and said “I am a virgin, I have never had your ice cream”. When she replied in a think eastern European accept (German I think) and just blinked at me with that “blink blink” dull stare, I knew that taking this little joke to the Rocky Horror Picture Show extreme would not work or even get a smile from the girl. But she was nice, and let me sample a flavor before I committed since I HEAR that the Oatmeal Stout flavor is gross. So, I got Banana Chip and Chocolate in my waffle cone, and then Jess gave me some of her Peanut Butter cone too. A bit pricey at $7.10 for a double scoop, but still yummy. Something that is a big treat, perhaps for after performances, and not a regular thing.
Friday after work I went over to my studio which is being painted. It looks SO nice with new paint! Angie and Chris (building owners) had also laid out tape on the floor to ‘sketch’ out the changing room area, and we talked though a few changes to what they had first envisioned, simplifying it a bit. Changing area will have two large sets of shelves plus a hanging closet rod for clothing/costuming to be hung up. I also talked to them about putting up another hanging closet rod by the door for winter coats and a place for boots. I am looking at water cooler solutions, and there will likely be a small area to keep supplies like tea and sugar.
Pictures of the studio can be found here
I am opening studio primarily for belly dance in Fairbanks.
Finding a name seems to have been the hardest part thus far. We are located in a historic building that was “Tommy’s Elbow Room” for a long time, and there is s neon sign with the name “Elbow Room” that will remain outside the building for historic reasons. I tried to come up with something original to name my studio but in the long run, we are incorporating the “Elbow Room”
Because what is “elbow room? It is room for movement!
So, we are “Space for Movement Studio”
That took so long. I am really happy I figured out the name. Now for all the other things to do before September 1!
This should be up no later than tomorrow and has a splash page:
http://www.SpaceforMovementStudio.com (or .net, or .org, I bought all three).
GOOD NEWS: I am opening a studio in my town.
I am tired of renting and getting pushed around everything someone forgot about scheduling me in (again!), or decided they want to add a class right at the time my class is at. And I always keep the exact same schedule so it’s not like I change things up all the time on them. I understand that it is better for the studio owner to teach classes than rent the space, but I have only been in this little town teaching for 7 months and have already moved 2 times! And prior to that, 5 times over 4 or so years.
So, I weighed my options, and decided I am opening a dance studio in my town. It will be primarily for belly dance of any shape form or fashion. I already teach 4 classes a week and don’t want to teach more, but since studio space is so hard to come by, I already have 3 other troupes/teachers committed to renting space from me, and I am trying to also find a yoga and/or Pilates teacher as I would like this to be a place that not only teaches dance but also incorporates other forms of movement that relate well to dance and overall health.
We should open September 1. I have done the research, am in the process of getting all my legal ducks in a row, and can’t wait to announce it to the community (outside of the other dance instructors). We have a hafla this coming weekend and I want to hand out flyers announcing our Open house Hafla on September 5, and the class schedules thus far.
BAD NEWS: I am at a loss for a name! We have had a couple of brainstorming sessions at my house with some of my students and my hubby to try to come up with a name. a Whiteboard and lots and lots of liquor was involved. Still, nothing that STRIKES me as the right name.
I rather like these:
1. Inner Joy Dance Center
2. Enjoy Movement Studio
3. TriDevi Dance Center (but a bit religious sounding and maybe too obscure for a small town)
4. Fireweed Dance Collective (also like how this rolls off the tongue, but sounds like a commune)
5. Devis and Divas Dance Center
Some guidelines:
I want a name that is not exclusive of any of the forms of dance (we have ATS/ITS, Tribal Fusion, Egyptian, American Cabaret, and Belly Dance for Fitness). I don’t want to be exclusive of Yoga or the Pilates class, but think that since DANCE is fundamental part of the offerings, it warrants a possible part of the name.
Fireweed is a flower found here, and Fireweed Dance collective runs off the tongue nicely, but it also sounds like a hippy commune to me. So, that is out too.
I live in Alaska, and lots of things are named for the Native culture or natural surroundings, but I don’t want any animal names (no “Dancing Moose Productions” please!) Also, no Aurora Borealis (it is overused by troupes and businesses alike), and most people, including me, can’t spell borealis anyway! “Northern Lights” is already used for a ballet school in town and I don’t want repetitive names.
I like the word “studio”. Or “dance center”. Collective makes me think of the Borg, and while I love Trek, I don’t think I want to name my studio collective anything.
I have asked on facebook, and not got much help there.
So, anyone care to help?? ? I don’t publish most of the comments made on my blog since most are SPAM, but if I recognize your name, or your URL is not a spammer site, I’ll approve it, and then consider your suggestions for my studio!