late nigt thoughts...

I was thinking today about how long it has been since I posted on here… Just a little while, I know. I was planning on doing a little catch on my travels and where life has taken me since I used this regularly. I had a few extra thoughts running though my head tonight and figured this was a good place to put them out there.

It’s funny how sometimes memories show up when you least expect them, but also at the perfect moments. Unhappy memories, the ones that make you think “why did I have to remember that?” generally show up at an appropriate time too. I don’t often play games, but the Facebook TBT can be fun from time to time. This last week I decided to see what I had posted on Facebook on that day and chose to look 5 years back. The posts I saw were not as cheery as I had hoped, and after seeing them I realized nothing would be adequate to share. Those posts were frantic and hopeful among other things, and brought with them a flood of memories. Good and bad memories, memories of Sam, who had gone missing in the weeks before…

The month of May always surprises me. This week there was some wonderful sunshine, and the April showers have done their job sharing some beautiful spring flowers and hints of summer approaching. It’s hard to believe that it has been 12 years since a big part of my perspective on life changed. May 4^th always makes me want to run out and grab some duct tape and brings with it its own memories…

In short, all this gibberish really means one thing. Don’t take life for granted. Enjoy each day, those who are around you and be humble. You never know what you might learn from a person or experience, what you might have or have not tomorrow, but mostly remember how lucky you are.

 

Sacramento Week 4 (almost) Update

Friday June 29^th Sacramento Ballet summer intensive concluded with a final demonstration. We performed the four classical ballet pieces including Summer, Raymonda act III, Scotch Symphony and Symphony in C, as well as our other disciplines including Jazz, Contemporary, Tap and Musical Theater. The entire program, but especially the last week really went by fast. I enjoyed my time at Sacramento Ballet. The teachers and other dancers were fun. I’m actually considering moving here and dancing one way or another. I guess I will wait and see what happens in San Diego first though. It didn’t take much convincing to get me to stay in Sacramento for a few more days… relaxing at the lake and some fireworks, a trip to six flags (which turned into way too much fun), and the 4^th of July firework show at Cal Expo were all worth it. Almost 4 weeks after I arrived in Sacramento I am making my return trip home.  I really appreciate everyone who encouraged me to come, and helped me out in whatever way they did! This is starting out to be a great summer, and might even be in contention with 2007 (when I went to Spain) for best summer ever! Hope everyone had a wonderful 4^th of July!

fireworks at Hogan Lake pre 4th of July

Six Flags Fun!

Happy 4th of July!

One more firework picture

Sacramento week 2 update

I had planned to write an update last week after the first week of the Sacramento summer program. If I had posted it probably would have consisted of the facts that I was having fun, but was completely sore and tired. Week two was much better. A day off and it was like magic. I’m still struggling a little with the contemporary and tap, since they aren’t styles I am very familiar with and are quick. We had the mini demo on Friday where we danced 5 of the ballet pieces we learned. We did the classical ballet variations from Cinderella, Scotch Symphony, Raymonda and Symphony in C and the contemporary repertory piece “hook” from Trey Mcintyre’s Peter Pan.  For only have a few rehearsals for each one they went pretty well. Only one more week in Sacramento, the time is flying. This Friday we will be doing the full demo consisting of the five ballet pieces, maybe another variation we haven’t learned yet, and the other disciplines including tap, contemporary, jazz and musical theater. It should be fun. And to celebrate on Saturday we are going to head to the lake for a 4^th of July early celebration with fireworks.

Summer in Sacramento

Just like I have been planning I hit the road again and am no “living” in Sacramento. Staying with friends I will be calling this home for the next three weeks. I took my time leaving town, had to stop and get some food in Garberville, and take a look at some of the bikes. Redwood Run was going on. Last stop in Humboldt was to get some more dance supplies and see some wonderful people. I made the trip longer by going north before I drove south, but to see the people I got to see and the food it was worth it. On 299 there is a place called Strawhouse. Whenever I drive that way I tend to stop. This time they were serving fire baked pizzas and it was the right choice for dinner. It was amazing! Today I am gathering my things and organizing and trying to rest before my summer intensive starts tomorrow. Looking at the schedule for week one is a little intimidating, not that I don’t think I will be fine, but several styles I don’t know well and I am not in ‘dance all day’ shape.  Almost 400 miles in my car, now 3 weeks in Sacramento. Here I go! (I will try to update during my dancing, but even when I am not busy I've had a hard time keeping current)

yummy pizza from the Strawhouse! :)

Summer Kick Off

As the summer approaches and things start to speed up for me, I feel as if I neglected to write about my last trip to San Francisco. I am trying to keep this blog up to date and keep most if not all of my major travels on here. The trip to San Francisco was fairly uneventful. Not much to report: a drive to the city, dance class, sleep, dance class, pick up a friend from the airport and drive home (complete with lunch in Petaluma and some bakery items in Ukiah).  I made it back for final rehearsals for the summer arts fair performance with Feet First. The arts fair is the annual welcoming of summer in Southern Humboldt. You run into just about every local you know at some point between the trees stage and the green energy tend on either end. As I learned today, walking from one end to the other with a group of locals is almost impossible.  That’s all for this post, as I am looking forward to a busy week of dancing, teaching and packing, I am off to Sacramento in less than a week. I intend to post on here once that trip starts and throughout the summer program there and in San Diego, but as I have learned, I am not the best at keeping my road tripin’ blog current.  Cheers!

Shelter Cove Run

Yesterday I ran a 5k. This was my first run ever, besides any running I had to do for PE in school. Not only was it a run I could say I that I did, but it was also a fundraiser for one of the local schools. So I could kill two birds with one stone. The only issue is that I am not a runner; I can’t count the times that I have told people that I do not run. I made sure I knew what I was in for a just over 3mile run; I figured I could do that. Honestly, I didn’t run the whole thing; I’m not used to running or even walking longer distances. I find it a little funny how athletic ballet is, and how I am in decent shape for that, but still couldn’t beat the kids… It was overcast and foggy at home when I left in the morning, but as I made the descent towards the cove it was clear and sunny, and the water was an amazing blue. My time was 38:50. Not great, but not bad for my first time especially considering I do not consider myself a runner. Now that I’ve got one under my belt I am already considering trying another.

More Motocross: Hangtown 2012- Minus the pictures

As usual, my brother and I headed to the Hangtown national located at the Prairie city OHV Park just outside of Sacramento. As the annual opening race of the season approached the hype for the race was gaining and as usual anything can and will happen at this race. This year we decided to try some KTM fan experience tickets. Our experience was not very positive. If you want to know more about it just ask and I will explain, but basically the view was not good at all, and the staff managed to ignore my brother. We are not usually the ones to complain, but this is something I would discourage people from getting and especially anyone in a wheelchair/disabled.
On our way home we detoured to San Jose through San Francisco and tried to not look at the sun as the complete eclipse was happening during our drive. Home again safe and sound. I only have 3 weeks (less by the time I publish this) before I head to Sacramento Ballet.

Once again I am making a post without pictures due to internet service. I will post photos at a later time, I just wanted to get this post up. Enjoy!