MathMove Mad-Science Laboratory When August 12th to 25th 3:30 pm – 6:30 Where SMUSH Gallery 340 Summit Avenue Jersey City, NJ 07306 This project is presented as part of SMUSH Gallery’s Summer 2019 Interdisciplinary Arts Residency Program. Transit Options: Via PATH: Journal Square (JSQ) stop on JSQ & Newark  bound trains  from 33rd & WTC (DO Not get on Hoboken (HOB) train) Via NJ Transit – Bus 80: Bergen Ave at Academy St. stop on Parking:  Bob’s Parking $5 & Street Parking

All Ages Event Back to School Help Open Office Hours: M – F @ 12 – 3pm 50% off tutoring rates vary by level  (pre-registration) $20 Assessment (30 INT) FREE Access to study materials & games! Events Kid’s Show / Demo 8/17 & 8/24 @ 3pm “Life Spirals” by The Dancing Mathematician 8/23 @ 7pm Launch Party  8/24 @ 7pm $15 at the door $10 adv. tix Patron Luncheon 8/25 @ noon RSVP by 8/14/19   Lab Topics Vectors Space Tricky, Triggy, Time Injury Prevention Number Theory Farashbandi Harmonics Topology Schrodinger’s Cat And more!!!

Finding Equilibrium in Dance

It is an exciting busy time with rehearsals, travel, new ecommerce biz, and the rocky road of being a gen X womyn... so I am very grateful I have a moment on this beautiful monday to geek out about conservation of momentum!

While creating my newest work "Life Spirals" I have been deeply exploring the balance; and lack there of, on the transverse plane.
Many ups & downs...
Twists & unravels...
Lefts & rights ...
And every push & pull in between!

Then suddenly in ballet class this morning the conservation of momentum involved in a balancing pose hit me!
It was like a white light the size of a lazer intersected the center of my fore head and I said to myself "you are not living in a vacuum to find perfect balance in an imperfect enviorment you must be ADAPTIVE!"

Lets take a look at extension, or develope dé vant, the struggle in holding that pose is just that...HOLDING IT!!!
*********There is nothing still internally about a balance!****************
◆  As your toes to your hip crease extends forward & up, the entire body will continue on that path without _____________ .
      A) counterbalance     
      B) opposition.     
      C) backwards & down.      
      D) all of the above

The technical side is how much effort is need? And what exactly counters the action?
   First off, less is more.. when you weight things you move the balance little by little to find the equilibrium.... play with it!
        ◆ stretch one arm and forcefully punch the other way. Unless youve gone completely rigid the bunch wins out.
        ◆ now extend one arm pulling your torso off, then gently counter until you find the optimum resistance.
   Second, find an opposition part of the body
        ◆ in the forward extension the pelvis must counter the gesture let... not tucking!!!
        ◆ your feet and the seat muscles must coordinate.. If the feet were back the Seat must scoop (not tuck) forward
        ◆ plus! You spine must counter the force of gravity with alignment & elongation over the leg grounding into the floor

Take this gently balancing approach with you and trust that with conservation of momentum you will find your equilibrium!

SAVE THE DATE: MAY 2 & 3 @ 2PM TO 4PM
WHERE: WESTBETH ARTIST HOUSING & CENTER
WHAT: WESTFEST'15 | ALL OVER WESTBETH
WHO: THE DANCING MATHEMATICIAN
PRESENTING: "LIFE SPIRALS" A SITE SPECIFIC IMPROVE

Updates: Guest Teaching, "Life Spirals" & Asking For Donations

I know, I know it's been a while folks!  but don't worry still being a dancing mathematician!  Haven't dropped off the face of the planet,  nor fell in a blackhole, and didn't get stuck running laps around the Mobius track... lol  Yea I still got it!!!

Although, I have had some falls, climbs, runs, and rests, but I apologize for not being present online and I am back with more games, lessons, observations, analysis, and  moves than ever before!!!

 News Updates:

Math Move Down South
While spending time in my Sweet Home Alabama, I've been guest teaching and speaking at schools in the area.  It's great to share my activities to a new demographic.  Sadly like most US students they start out as skeptics, but once we get moving the fun happens!

"Life Spirals"
My newest choreography project is up for preview on youtube! I am excited to book some venues to share it with the world!  This Site-Specific Improvisation is inspired by the Quantum Field Theory.  If you are unfamiliar think Tornado, Sink Drain, or Flower Blooming.  Spirals are everywhere, and the theory is based on the fact that our planet moves around a moving object which creates a vortex.
Check it out:

Fundraising Efforts:
My Vision is to change the perception of mathematics (especially among women) and this means sharing this work beyond my current location.  I do have a nomadic lifestyle but there are better ways to spread this curriculum than visiting every tangent to the globe.  It would be fun, but my vision would come into fruition much faster by publish my lesson plans, mass produce kits for MathMove Games, and create an online portal for teachers, parents, and students.

Upon researching the ins and outs of incorporating Mathematical Movement, I learned trademarks, copyrights, patents, production, and LLC registration isn't cheap!  So as a freelance dancer, math tutor, dance teacher and babysitter, there are simply not enough hours in the day to bootstrap my business. I have decided to take action with It Works! Global - a wellness company that gives people just like you and I the opportunity to sell the quality, natural & organic product lines online. With the extra income, I am closer to these goals and excited about my vision.  However, This is a very new endeavor, and I need your help to grow this business and spread the word.  If online shopping isn't for you, no worries!  I am also accepting donations and sharing my info is so helpful, too!

Two Ways to Give:
1) Donate or Share/Like Mathematical Movement:

Like/Share Math Move

2) Let me help you by you helping me! As a dancer, wellness has always been a priority with me.  So choosing It Works! as another source of income was a natural decision. On my website you can purchase a variety of health and beauty products to meet an array of lifestyle needs.  Make a purchase and get the perk of self-care or like/share my fan page to spread the word! Feel free to contact me for product consultation, fitness motivation, wellness tips, or just tell me what's up!
Shop Fit Mind & Body
Like/Share Fit Mind & Body

If you'd like to help spread fun math & science learning around the globe, please donate, shop, or share!  I am so grateful for the help!!

Let's share Mathematical Movement with every child, parent, & classroom in 2015!!!!!!!!

Geometric Gig

From a Google Image search "Math Humor" I found this cute graphic. I call it the Geometric Gig, and I can't wait to use this movement with my students. 

Angular Motion I

Angular Motion

To prepare for our lesson on pirouettes I will be posting a series of videos & diagrams which explain Angular Motion

Angular Velocity

Vector Diagrams & Analysis

Vector Diagrams & Analysis

An Introduction to visualizing force, frictions, acceleration, and displacement

Through out our study of the Human Body and the many directions we are capable of moving, we will us vector analysis to visualize the Physical aspects of every type of movement.  Before you are able to diagram the physics of any situation, you must be able to differentiate between scalar and vector quantities. Note that in science, we use the International System of units, abbreviated SI Units, i.e. meter not yards, kilograms not pounds, etc. 

SCALARS

In Newtonian Physics, A physical quantity that is not changed by coordination system rotations or reflections is known as a scalar.  (The Coordinate system is best represented by the unit circle pictured above in the Mathematical Movement banner.) Basically scalars have no directions; however, it is more than a number because physical quantities are an expression of numerical value and a physical unit.

VECTORS

Vectors have many uses from cross products in three dimensional space to multivariate random variables in statistics; as well as, applications in computer science. More commonly referred to as a Vector this geometric entity has many names: Euclidean, Geometric, & Spatial vectors.  A vector is a physical quantity represented by an arrow that has a magnitude and a direction.  Magnitude is the numerical value in physical units represented by the tail of the arrow.  The larger the magnitude the longer the tail. The direction  is at times given or easily interpretative   In physics, you should be careful with using intuition.  The best way to determine direction is to look at the signs (positive or negative) in which positive quantities move up or right and negative quantities move down or left.

STRATEGIC PROBLEM SOLVING

When faced with any problem to solve, I encourage my students to always list the constants and variables (both known and unknown) first.  In physics, I require this first step. Second, you label each item as a vector or scalar quantity. Then we exercise the right side of the brain by drawing the object in the given environment and diagramming the physical quantities involved.  If you are not interested in exercising your artistic side, simply draw a square or circle to represent the object is acceptable. Below is a simple example. We will study difficult analysis as we investigate the human body in motion.

e.g. A ball with a mass of 0.5 kg is dropped 2 meter in 3 seconds with negligible air resistance.  

• mass (m) = 0.5 kg ---> Scalar
• distance (d) = 2m ---> Scalar
• drag (Fair) = + .0000634 N ---> Vector
• time (t) = 3 s ---> Scalar
• weight (Fgrav) = (0.5) * (-9.8m/s^2) = - 4.9 N ---> Vector

By using a vector diagram it is easy to see how different forces affect the given object.  In the above example, the force of gravity is stronger than the force of air resistance. we can predict the motion of the ball by comparing the tails of each vector. The longer vector represents the stronger force.  Gravity will overcome the air resistance and the ball will fall until contacting the grounds. Vector diagrams can be used to observe the direction and magnitude of any vector quantity including velocity, acceleration, gravity, friction, applied force, etc. 

DIAGRAMMING DANCE 

Now the you understand a basic vector analysis, you are ready to explore the various vectors that create and resist movement.  In this blog, I will break down many dance moves using vector diagrams. By looking at our activities analytically, you will better understand what makes a move difficult.  In more advanced diagrams, we will see how angles affect a given object which will help us visualize the proper body mechanics of movement from walking to dancing.   

Absorbing the Shock

ABSORBING THE SHOCK

ANALYSIS OF JUMPING 

JUMPING THROUGH LIFE

Jumping, my favorite aspect of dance, is one of the most exciting moves we are capable of making. For me it is the sensation of flight that I enjoy. For animals it is a means of transportation  and often a tool for athletes to score, dive, catch, flip, dodge, etc. Be it a Wide Receiver jumping to catch a football or children jumping at the sight/sound of an Ice Cream Truck, It is exciting to watch and when we are overcome with excitement jumping is a natural outlet for Expression.    

Professional Athlete, or not, it is important to understand the mechanics of Jumps to prevent injury and sustain a long health life. The danger in jumping is landing; which is actually a collision with the floor. There are many physical factors that help our bodies cope with this collision and adsorb the shock.  
Let's Compare the two Images Below: 

   

Image A: High Speed Head on Collision 

Image B: Fender Bender in a Parking Lot 

It is obvious there is much more damage in Image A than Image B. A big factor in car accidents is the velocity at which the impact occurs.  Mechanical Engineers do there best to design a body that will resist the impact and protect the passengers  but our best way to stay safe is abiding by the speed limits. Another variable is mass the larger vehicles had more damage than the smaller. And the final differential is direction and displacement of Impact. Image A the vehicles hit straight on moved the vehicles off the road.  Image B there was little displacement and the contact is at an angle.

MASS, HOOKE, & NEWTON

Do you get the picture? we observed how theses variables relate to car crashes, but what does that have to doe with Jumping.  Below we will explore how the same variables above relate to landing of a jump on the basketball court or descending from a grand jete or simply not slipping when you jump to reach for an object off a high shelf. Below we will examine the physics of collisions and analyze the mechanics of Jumping. 

• Mass is an amount in kilograms of an object relative to the amount of gravitational force applied. Our ability to jump well is related to our weight, or the amount of gravitational force applied to the collision with the ground in landing.   Yes, it is hard to put math in to words that is why we rely on Newton's Second Law of Gravity 
• Force (weight) = mass * g, where g=9.8m/s^2
• Healthy eating and exercise go together because our weight effects our Joint's ability to support our bodies during vigorous activity.  Good Nutrition (not starvation) is important to providing the energy for Jumping
• Our joints are like the suspension system on a vehicle.  Vehicles have there towing limits just as our joints have limits for the weight they carry. 
• Hooke's Law is a principal of Physics that explains the force need for displacement (extension or compression) of a spring proportional to some distance.  For every material, there is a constant characteristic that represents the Stiffness or elasticity.  
• Force = kx, where x is the distance and k is the constant characteristic
• Oppose to an object, our bodies are constantly changing; therefore, our joint's level of elasticity is constantly changing.  Our Skin is the most elastic part of our bodies and is the first line of defense when we collide with the earth.  Second is our joints, a series of springs, that cushion the descent of a jump.
• A positive change could be managing a healthy weight; have you ever notice after regular exercise you have more spring in your step?  A negative change is from compensating muscles to cope with an injury. 
• Improper body mechanics will deplete the joint of collagen and may cause serious injury. In physics distance is a vector quality represented by a straight line in a given directions.  Our goal as movers is to keep each joint in a straight line. I like to visualize three parallel: two from ankle to shoulder and one up the spine.  Imaging the middle line longer than the other two, and if it isn't too foreign see it moving infinitely down & up to provide a strong central axis.  
• Are you familiar with the phrase what goes up must come down? Or maybe you know Newton's says for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The same force to accelerate upward must be equal to the force of resistance when colliding with the floor.
• This concept is from Newton's Third law of motion:  F1 = - F2  
• Bending and straightening our legs (or Plie), Forces our body upward, slowing down at a rate of 9.85 m/s^2, untile our body reaches a velocity of zero before it changes directions, accelerating downward at the same rate of 9.85 m/s^2. The rate of acceleration due to gravity and our bodies mass is constant; therefore, the force is equal and the direction varies. 
• While suspended at the peck of the jump, there is a sensation of flight. It is an amazing feeling, yet can be destructive and a distraction.  Eager to fly, I tend to apply as much force as possible, and when finding that suspension I want to linger which results in a rough collision with the floor.  
• To prevent a high-speed head-on crash with the dance floor, My teachers always coached me that the beginning and end of a jump should have as deep of a plie

Each of these variable and constant in physics can be related to the body's function to jump.  If you struggle with one particular aspect of jumps, the body naturally compensates.  The above description is an ideal demonstration and takes diligent effort to achieve. When practicing your long jump, slam dunk, or jete always remember the landing is a collision. Take care of your body to sustain our natural ability to absorb shock. Practice is not always accomplished by action. The best way to protect our bodies and absorb shock  is from conditioning to strengthen and stretch the muscles around the joints.

A time of Rest

I read an article in Dance Magazine about the importants of resting when necessary.  A couple weeks back I hurt my ankle running to catch the N train (express) home.  the last step of the stairs my left ankle bows outward as I step on my left foot. A neighbor/stranger helped me off the train and up the stairs.  I took a week off.  Self medicated (very dumb).  But I knew I had an audition coming up very important to me.  I after the week off I danced all week preparing only to be cute like the aprox. 200 others.  I took a week of rest refusing to dance this time till I am %100.  But It is so difficult and such bad timing.....

I didn't finish the above as I began to burst in to tears as I was typing.  Looking back I wish I didn't go to that audition. Currently, Still injured and resting, but I a much more optimistic state of being.  YogaWorks has become my sanctuary. It is hard for me to resist dance class, and Yoga has kept my routine and abs in tact.   Yoga heals my physical dance life and my personal life as well.  Ugh let go of your baggage people... w/ever ills you!

I have a wonderful Physical Therapist, Stuart.  Referred to me by a dance friend Jennifer Miller.  I had from the injury and years of ware.  a knot of scar tissue on my tendon as well as over stretched ligaments.  This past week he broke down that scar tissue and had me rest even off of yoga.  He says it should heal correctly in time for my Show in May. I'm on top of my thera-band exercises.  If anything my biggest rule is rest.  Which is hard to do..... Today I had my first Rehearsal with Exit 12 only allowed to mark the movements in the back.  I have to stop thinking like a student who is embarrassed she is injured, but think like a Professional who is caring for her Instrument.  (Sidenote:  I'm very annoyed cas I lost my ice pack and I hate using baggis!!!)  Though I marked I was still on my feet for hours.  and now I've propped them up

During Rest, I'm discovering new talents.  Choreography.
I made a friend at the Apollo's Angels Book Signing, DJ.  Over brunch he suggested I visit Greenwood Cemetery and if inspired choreograph.  He is involved with an annual festival in the fall at Greenwood, and I should submit an abstract.  Despite my time of rest, my dancing brain refuses to take off. I don't know if I'm ready to talk in detail.  I went to a discussion hosted by Dancenyc junior committee.  One Point I recall is "Specificity" when talking about what your work.  I don't want to lead my audience astray.   So now i need to get working on my business proposal as well as my food industry resume... lol.

I MISS GRANDE ALLEGRO!!!!

Personal life: I'm Moving out of my sublease.  Will and I are renting a studio or 1br in bayridge starting in May.  No more long distance!  I'm not leaving the wonderful neighborhood of Bayridge!  Made two friends at a hiking event who also live in my neighborhood!  It's a small city after all well I guess when people live on top of each other... (But we got the brownstones in Bayridge.) I love this Neighborhood; couldn't leave it.  more personal news.  Compliments of Brady, I started reading a new book of unpublished works by Vonnegut Armageddon in Retrospect compiled by is son Mark, and I'm surviving.

peace out
LA Kilpatrick

Disaster Auditions

I have set aside this post to keep all the bad audition.  It doesn't seem appropriate glorifying them with there own individual post.  These are the mistakes I hope not to repeat.

Lines Ballet Auditions
A Disaster......  They rented a studio too small to accommodated the size of the audition.  We were subject to a cramped floor barre.  I had no center; I wasn't warm;  I could barely be seen; and my shoes kept slipping off.  It was a Mess!  I was cut after the first round.  I comforted my discouragement with the fact that every girl remaining was at least 5'6''.   However, I didn't let one bad audition spoil the rest.  As I left the audition I walked away tall (despite my 5'4'' stature).

Nashville Ballet Auditions
I don't know what is my deal with Nashville Ballet.  Its like my subconscious doesn't want to dance with them.  I felt like this year would be better.  I would return to the audition making them think oh that girl who fell last year has improved so much, but no.  Instead I became the girl who dances well at   barre then falls apart at center.  I blanked during the petite allegro combo right in front of the judges. It was miserable.  The whole class I was trying to get into it, but I felt as if I had bricks tied to my feet.  Oh whoa is me.  Although, There were no cut I left the auditions knowing I wasn't going to be contacted.   It was hard to walk away tall when all I wanted to do was get home and cry into my pillow.

The White Rabbit Audition

wed. 1/26/11 5pm I had an audition with Amanda Selwyn Dance Theater.  The contemporary dance company was putting on a unique performance/event.  White Night: A Movable Performance Soiree at Space on White was centered around the theme of time inspired by Alice in Wonderland. the director and company members were casting a chore of white rabbits for the dance called five minutes.  The Entire Audition (and performance) was to be improved.  Our direction was time, levels, moments of stillness, interactions with one another's improve. This was the first auditions with cuts where I made to the end!!!! I thought it was amusing that prior to coming to the audition I was reading Alice in Wonderland on the Train.  I felt very confident about this audition, and within a few days I was notified that I had been selected to perform at White Night as a white rabbit!

Proia's Class

I returned to Proia's Class as he requested.  It was a more advanced class so we moved through barre quicker and started moving!  He has a moving quality like Elie's Class with a Balanchine style of foot work.  He cracks jokes during class that makes you laugh through the tough parts of class.  He has a major focus on placement.  Correction: "Despite how much the dance makes you move you have to always be aware of your placement."  I notice in Proia's combination, if I were slightly off balance it slowed me up and I lost the timing of the combo.  He asked me to come take class from him at Peridance.  I think I have become a favorite of his because he likes to give turns and combinations that move over the entire space.  These focuses in his class are the things I love about dance! I can see this becoming a great connections for me!

DNA student choreography

Such a fun Audition at Dance New Amsterdam Studios.  It was a grad student's choreography project.  WE did some interesting new movement.  The audition finished with Improve.  I am so so so thankful for my improve classes with Kate Hunter at LACDC last summer. The goal of the improve was to first look very stupid.  I used some of the wii dance moves I learned of Christmas playing with Adrienne.  (She said she likes making people do that dance cause you cant help but look stupid lol).  I incorporated floor work as Kate often instructed explore levels in your improve.  I just let the music lead me through the movement. I felt very optimistic because they inquired about my availability after the audition.  However, I never heard back... Guess thats how it goes

Ben Munistreri Audition

A disaster as expect.  When I first moved to NYC I didn't realize how much time to calculate for the commute.  So I'm late...  I learn the combo by watching the other groups.  (Real simple placement adagio). I am not warmed up but luckily I did yoga when I woke up.  It's my groups turn, and I'm So On balance, timing, everything!  After that Ben Munisteri cuts half of the nearly 100 Dancers; myself included.

Luckily the audition was at City Center where I take ballet.  So I went up stairs and made it to Proia's Class.  It was very fun! Proia's Style is like a mix between Eilie Lazar and Winthrop Corey. I took to the choreography quite well.  After class Proia asked me to return for the next days class! It really perked my spirit from my first audition.

I stopped posting...

Sorry I stopped posting... It got to hard to fit in adjusting to fast past New York.  To catch you up.  I live in dirty dusty old house without a working stove for a month.  Although I made great friends with my roommates Andrew and Kevin.  My Allergies and lack of money to eat out all the time forced me to leave boro park.  I now live in Bay Ridge.  It is near the water which I love.  Although I miss Andy and Kev, I love this neighborhood.  I have a pub I frequent and a great coffee place next to the train.

As for DANCE...

It has been a lot of work.  A lot of self motivation to send myself to class everyday.  I've had at least 3 auditions a week.  I even got accepted to perform with Amanda Selwyn Dance Theater in White Night: A Movable Performance Soiree.  It has been quite a busy month, but I'm going to start catching up with my post.

Voyagé: Mobile to NYC

Mon. 1/3/11 2:02pm; I begin my trip via I-65 N.  Leaving the warm Mobile, Al for as my landlord calls “cold, dry, and Icy” NYC. 

Will, my bf, is driving me to bham a train will carry me the rest of the way on my journey.  Amtrack is a new railroad company so has to pull aside for other companies that own the railways.  A long Voyage to ponder and prepare.

Yes that date is 2011 not 1911 and we do have airplanes.  However, living in a post 9/11 America, the security is a hassle that I have chosen to avoid.  Elaboration: groping pat downs, shoe removal, no liquids over 8 oz., bag limits, expensive checked bag fees, lines, dead of winter delays, claustrophobic conditions…. But also to save money, the environment, and experience recession America along the tracks.   

I sold my car to finance this adventure, and honestly, It is a load off my back.  I’m a big supporter of Public Transportation.  Much more efficient. Also, No more gasoline, Insurance, maintenance etc.
 But I wonder if NPR’s Car Talk will be as interesting? 

After a 4 hour drive we arrive in bham.  I went to school here, just graduated in May.  We stay the night in bham.  7pm class with Teri Weksler, a former dancer of MMDG/BSC professor/mentor.  I’ve been dancing for Mobile Ballet, Inc.; they offer only ballet.  I hadn’t had a good modern class in a long time, so; I really needed Teri’s class before my adventure.   I love Teri’s class; I love Teri.  If I were to name a mentor in college, then it was Teri Weksler.  She taught me so much how to breathe while dancing for one.  There are so many things to think about when dancing that sometimes dancers tend to hold their breath.  She also taught me so much about life and culture and countless corrections that have made me the dancer that I am.  Despite the limited modern dance, this fall, I picked up the movement quickly; it felt so right.  I love ballet; I am so thankful for my classical background.  Yet, there is something so organic and alive about modern dance.  I discovered that Jr. year of college.

My dear little, Caroline, was throwing me a bon voyagé wine and cheese party.  It was so nice to see some friends before head out on life’s journey.  I’m going to miss my friends from school, home, and Mobile.  Especially Will Hunter; I’m really going to miss him!  This February makes 3 years; however, we do not know the exactly time of our anniversary.  We celebrate during Mardi Gras because it moves around when we started dating. 

 ((((((((((A.D.D. Moment: Fact, the original Mardi Gras started in Mobile, AL, not New Orleans)))))))))).

Bus ride:

Did not expect bus ride some old train blocked mine…. The lady I sat with was nice but she talked so much.  I never got a word in edge wise.  It was like she was resiting memoirs.  She had a fascinating life.  A large portion of that life was poverty.  She was a very kind lady coming from Memphis going to Philly.

Train ride:

So Much Fun!  I met an interesting guy from Dublin.  I asked hime what he thought of Ireland’s Housing Crisis.  Proportionally, It sounds much worse than the US’s bubble burst.  I am in New York for dance; however, I have a Mathematical Mind.  Throughout this blog I will analyze the mathematical side of dance and the world at times….   

I met quite a few interesting people.  I found on train rides that people ask where you are from/going instead of names.  There was two athletes a football player (D.C) and a Female Rugby player (Philly).   They were a lot of fun in the dining car after hours… ha. I also surprised the fellow drinkers with my spades skills.  Little did they know my sr. project was Game Theory (mathematics behind games). 

I love seeing the country via train.  However, some of the worsed neighborhoods are near train tracks, and it did have its depressing moments.  The World Economy as we know it is in for a big change.  An Important Change that will lead to an exchange in international power from US to China.  I feel like America is struggling to hold on to a lost cause, and should stop destroying its currency.  We need to give up on being the economic power in the world and should start covering our debts, as a people and as a government.

Apollo’s Angels

Along the train ride, I started reading my Christmas Present, Apollo’s Angels: A History of Ballet—Jennifer Homans.  What makes this book unique from other historical text on ballet is that she really looks at dance as a Culture.  Since the origin of man, dance has been a strong cultural part of mankind.  The book reminded me of a great dancer I met in Los Angeles this summer.  She had just graduated from Grad school in London.  She studied Dance Anthropology.  My Mathematical Mind leaves little room for vocabulary. I asked her what exactly that meant, and she replied “the study of why people dance, what is the compulsion, why since the beginning of time dance has been so evident in the culture of civilizations.”  Homans studies the same thing when researching the origins of Ballet.  She explains how the Académie de Poésie et de Musique used dance as a political distraction, Catholic Spirituality representation, and Artistic application of Pythagorean logic.  The Academy started in 1570 in honor of King Charles IX of France.  The book is such a good read for anyone who has an interest in culture and history.  As for you dancers, it is a must read.  I took dance history in College, and hated my text.  It was so boring…. However, Homans’ Passion for dance comes through in her words.  I can relate to the author, and have observed the facts more easily than my previous study of dance history.  Honestly, because I have learned these names of schools, dancers, theaters, companies, stars, etc. I also am having an easier time reading.  Thank you Mrs. Henry… lol

Arriving in Penn Station

There should be more elevators!   So there isn’t an elevator available to the A or C trains. What carry them myself? Not with these little arms.  I employed an elderly man … lets just call him uncle Willy. 

(((((((((((A.D.D. Moment: to my “flat” mate, I spoke with an old irish accent just now.)))))))))))) 

So Uncle Willy, He lugged my biggest monstrously heavy bag up the stars.  You think I’m dumb; it’ll get stolen? Come on.…. I mean I’m a dancer. I can out run an elderly man stealing heavy luggage…. 

Anyways, he was a recovering Drug Addict having lunch with some Nuns…. Right?!?!  Honestly!!!!!! It was sad. he had some screws loose be it drugs or special needs?   I gave 10 dollars…………………… He hustled 10 more. I mean…. Ladies, what would you do if a homeless dude was trying to give you European farewell???? You’d give him a ten and get out of there!

I arrived at 55^th station in Brooklyn waiting to meet Edith.  Edith is like the Jewish mother I never had (which is perfect because this my first adventure into the real world).   I arrive to my new flat…. That is a flat within and old house AKA 1324 House


Destination Time: Wed. 1/5/11 5:35pm