Celebrity Visit

I haven't posted a celebrity sighting in a long time. Last night I had a lot of very vivid dreams. In one dream I had the habit of grabbing a guy's junk--especially when we were going down the stairs. Odd, I know. In the dream I had 4 or 5 guy friends who knew it was just something flirtatious that I did all the time and they were fine with it. One guy thought that my crotch-grab was a come-on. I had to explain to him that it was no such thing. Then a little later (after I had grabbed him again I presume) he really tried to put the moves on me--I'll spare you the details.  When I rebuffed him again he told me that he didn't like me grabbing his junk, and neither did Colbert. That's right, Stephen Colbert. Apparently I grabbed his junk on a regular basis. Stephen walked by, but didn't say anything. I had a whole argument with the guy that if Colbert didn't like it, he should tell me himself. Then I had an argument with myself about whether I should be grabbing Colbert since he was married. Such an odd dream--where I liked to grab guys's junk--including Colbert's.

Set Hocks Off with Catch

Class went pretty well today. Donovan barely holds my belt on the take-offs (to prepare me for unassisted take off) and it feels a little scary. Apparently all my take offs were good except for my last one. We got a bonus round and I chose to practice the set split. Apparently I made a funny face before take off, which always means I'm gonna have a poopy (Meaghan's word) take off. Other than the takeoff the split went well. I think I was just tired. When I landed in the net I was seeing stars. 

I missed my first catch, but Meaghan took responsibility for it.  I made the catch on the second try, but I don't like how it looks. I don't like how this trick looks in general. I'll be going to class on Wednesday, and Meaghan said I can move on. I guess the set planche or the set whip is next. 

I got lots of compliments on my snakeskin leggings--which I got at Goodwill for one dollar!

High Heat Trapeze

Ross, Ainsmar, and I went to an outdoor trapeze class at 10:45 this morning. The predicted high in DC for today was 95, but I'm fairly certain it reached 102 (the car said 106 when we got in it.) The class kinda sucked. It was really hot and the class had 7 newbies.  I think the heat distracted everyone and people were moving slowly--which meant we didn't get as many turns as we normally do. 

I warmed up with the set split, then Donovan set me to work on the set hocks off. I was springing out of my hold, which caused me to rotate. By the end of class I finally got the trick--but I didn't get the chance to try and catch. Joelle, who is in my IFW class, was there and we got to chat some. We are trying to think of a theme for our show in August.

Ross worked on his set straddle, and caught it twice. Oh, and he also started working on the set whip. Next time he needs to try the one handed take-off.

Ainsmar did pretty well. He was able to do all the steps of the knee hang on his first try. It took him several swings, but he did them all. I hope he had fun--despite the heat.

Me after take off--on my last turn (that I had greedily snuck in.)  I tweaked my back just after that. I'm hoping some muscle relaxers and pain killers will help me sleep it off tonight.

 Donovan catching Ross. A pro took this photo.

A pro also took this really awesome photo of Ross just before he hit the net.

Ainsmar's last turn with a great backflip dismount.

Me practicing my set hocks off.

Ross's set straddle catch.

Rockin' Roller Derby

My friend Amy invited us to check out the Charm City Roller Girls with her last night. The first bout was between the Charm City Female Trouble and the Philly Independence Dolls. My favorite roller girl was CC Bang Bang of the CC Female Trouble. She was so tiny, and so tough. Throughout the bout we learned about the pack, the blockers, the jammers, the different ref calls, and the basic rules. We were lucky enough to have Mighty Mite (a rollergirl herself), and her husband explain things to us.

So basically 5 blockers from each team line up as the pack. One jammer from each team starts behind the pack. The whistle blows and the jammers try to break through the pack. The jammer who breaks out first is the lead jammer. She skates around the track, comes back around to the back of the pack, and scores a point for each of the opposing team members she passes. That's a jam.

The second bout was crazy fast action. The Charm City Roller Girls All Stars rolled hard against the Philly Liberty Belles. V. Diva of the Liberty Belles had some kind of teleporting powers.  She'd bust through the pack so fast there was no way we could track her. And she made scoring look so easy. She conserved her energy and would dance through the pack as soon as an opening presented itself. I really enjoyed the second bout. It was fun, and I would definitely go again.

The Independence Doll jammer has broken through the pack. The officials and refs are in the center of the rink.

V. Diva has magically appeared ahead of the pack, which is still jostling at the starting line.

What a jam looks like.

FYI, the Philly teams won both bouts. Oh, and we couldn't understand one word the announcers/commentators were saying. It was ridiculous. At least the music--when we could hear it--was good.

Crappo Set Split with Catch

I caught the set split this week. It was frustrating. I don't know what is wrong with me. I just couldn't get the dang trick to work all the way every time. My second try at catching I had a much better split, but we touched fingertips--no catch--just like last week. Meaghan said I can move on to a new trick, and I'm kind of relieved. I just can't seem to get my straight leg up to the bar and keep it there.

Set Split--with Miscalculation by Donovan

The set-split seemed to be easier for me to get than the set straddle. Everyone said my first try was awesome--of course after that I kept messing up.  It was warm in the tent, and I was doing lots of exercises between turns. We were short a couple of people, so the time between turns was shorter. I was very tired and very sweaty by the end of class. I'm getting better at climbing the silks, I got higher up this week.

I got one try to catch--and we just touched finger-tips. Donovan said it was his fault. He said I had a fast take off and to remind him of that next time.

I really tried to stretch the backs of my legs and pushed myself during Wednesday's yoga class.  I was super sore after yoga, and I'm still sore now, but I think it helped and my split looks pretty good. I may start a new trick next week, I may not. I'm not sure. I really think I need to practice this one more. I need to practice keeping my back leg glued to the bar.

Calluses are forming at the base of my fingers. I'm toughening up my manotas.  At least I haven't broken a nail.  Cello required calluses and short nails.

Dulce de Leche: Manna from Heaven

On our trip to California Tiffany introduced us to this heavenly caramel. We were devouring it on scrumptious slightly-sweet mini bagels, toast, whatever we could smear it on. Tiffany offered to send us home with a jar, but we didn't want to pay 25 bucks to check the luggage for a 7 dollar jar of caramel. This week I was wandering around Wegmans after picking up my favorite English tea--Typhoo, when I spotted this little gem. It has been opened, and I'm not sure how long it is going to last....now if only I could find those mini-bagels.