Growing Things and Gaelic Football
Guess what’s currently on our balcony! Three planters full of dirt, seeds, water, and love! Jon and I (but mostly Jon) are growing Basil, Rosemary, and Dill! Once we have some sprouts I’ll probably take some photos of them. Right now they just look like plastic pots of dirt, heh. I’m particularly looking forward to the basil. If we can get enough of it to grow I’m totally making homemade pesto. Maybe even enough to freeze some for later. Of course… I don’t actually own a large food processor… so we’ll see. I might be making it in very small batches if I don’t procure a different processor.
Beyond our new gardening adventure, Jon and I are planning to head to a Twin Cities Gaelic Football Club practice tonight! I don’t plan to actually join the team, since most of their games are on Sundays and Jon and I both work weekends, but it’ll be fun to try something new and see what my younger brother has been up to for the past year or so. He’s the vice chair of the club! Here’s hoping we’ll be able to keep up with the regular players, at least a little bit anyway. *chuckle*
Booked!
I’m so excited! I got my first dance photo ‘gig’! (I decided to start doing some free photography as a way to be more involved in the belly dance community.) I’m going to be taking photos at Bohemian Underground‘s Boh-ho-ho-Holiday Hafla!
It’s going to be tons of fun! It’s a casual Hafla where the BohoU students can get a taste of dancing for a crowd, as well as allowing other local belly dancers a chance to shimmy, donate to some great charities, and celebrate the Holidays! *grin*
I have to say, while I’m completely thrilled that I get to go, I’m a bit nervous that the lighting will be dim and it’ll be hard to get decent shots. What I should probably do is learn how to use the flash on my camera before the big night. *sigh* But I dislike using flash. Maybe I could pick up a mining helmet instead, you know, the kind with the big head lamp attached… heh heh. Ok, I won’t go that far.
I did get a tip a while back from Eliesa of Photogen-Inc that she sometimes uses a cheap video light for some of her photography. I’d be curious to see how well something like that would work. It might be easier to control than a flash, but it might also be more bothersome in a dim crowded area. I think I’ll start playing with the flash first, because I don’t have to buy anything to practice that. *grin*
Any tips for me about using flash?
David Bazan and Wye Oak
Last week I went to see David Bazan play at The Turf Club. I’ve been listening to his music for a long time, but seeing him play live as Pedro the Lion a couple of times in the early 2000′s really cemented me as a life-long fan. His religious fall-out since that time makes him all the more fascinating to me, so I was really glad I got to see him play again. (I’m a religious doubter/skeptic. Maybe I’ll write about that another day.)
Before David’s amazing set, I really enjoyed being introduced to Wye Oak, a Baltimore, MD duo. When I’m hearing something for the first time, and it’s really good, it can be intoxicating. I feel flushed and my heart beats louder in my chest. My eyes open wider, as if I can somehow absorb more of the experience that way. I probably look like I’m about to have a heart attack or something, heh.
Here’s a taste for you. I wish it lived up to the live show, but alas…
Man, I do love a good RenFest.
Here are a few of the photos I snapped on Saturday, August 22nd, opening day of the 2009 Minnesota Renaissance Festival season. It was so much fun having a nice camera at Fest this year!! If I shoot more photos another day I’ll have to try to find something to enter in the unofficial “Phodo” contest they’re throwing on Facebook. *grin*
First Open Rehearsal
I got to do the most amazing thing last night! Totally Northern Tribal, a tribal group improv style belly dance troupe, had their first night of open rehearsal! The ladies I got to meet were all SO friendly and welcoming, I can’t wait to go back next week. The group improv style is fascinating. It’s like learning a new language! One dancer leads the others through a series of cues and they move as a cohesive unit. I think I prefer it to choreography because it allows for so much freedom. Once you know the cues and steps, you can dance to anything!
I’m a rather kinesthetic person, so it’s ridiculously nice to have an outlet for my energy. I’m so glad I gave belly dance a shot, and that my bestest girl friend Mara went along with me in the beginning to help get me started. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done and I hope I can make it a part of my life for a looooong time!
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