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Friday, May 30, 2014

2014 Hike #12: Ring Mountain

Gadzooks! It has been a little over a month since my last hike! This was due to my having a really, really bad sinus infection that actually kept me bed ridden for a few days. Then I had my family in town for my graduation weekend. But now I'm back in hiking form with my dog Daisy Bell in tow.

This week, I went back to Marin County but this time on the east side of North Bay. I decided to give Ring Mountain a try. At first I thought perhaps it was named because it may be a spiral-like trail around the mountain, but it was a direct path up. I later learned that the mountain is named for a late 18th century Marin County Supervisor, George E. Ring.

The landscape was a mix of twisted trees, boulders, old fence posts and myriad flora and fauna. The rocks themselves had somewhat of a mosaic pattern glistening in the sun. Among the purple flowers, butterflies fluttered. At the top, you can see Mt. Tam in the distance and a stunning view of San Pablo Bay. It was a slow ascension to the top; one must stop along the trail to observe the beauty of his/her surroundings.




Monday, May 26, 2014

Yay me! Now what's next?


My graduate studies at SF State are complete. Actually, they were long completed five months ago, but there is no winter ceremony for December graduates. Alas, I had to wait before walking with my cohort. It was nice not having to worry like those who were true May graduates. I heard so much of the following:
  • I still have to turn in my paper today!
  • Do you know what grade you got?
  • The professor still hasn't emailed me about my e-folio.
I looked at a fellow December grad and we agreed that it was nice not having that stress on a day that is meant to be celebratory. What was also nice is that they separated the graduate ceremony from the undergrads. The ceremony went pretty fast.

I always hear, "what's next?" In other words, will I be pursuing a Ph.D? I've given that a lot of thought. I always consider what my parents said about their expectations of kids. We're supposed to do better academically than the previous generations. Well thanks Mom and Dad for setting the bar really high. They both have the MA degrees. But yes, I do plan on pursuing my Ph.D.

It'll be about 2 years before I even apply to a program. One can't simply decide to apply without having all their ducks in a row. You need to research the right program for you, improve your second and third languages (Spanish and Italian), take the GRE and have a dissertation abstract ready. I still don't have a clear focus other than knowing it will be in early 20th century American Literature. Since my life is firmly planted and taking root in the Bay Area, that leaves me with few options, and it just so happens that those few options are among the most competitive universities in the nation. Nonetheless, I will be applying to the following programs.
  1. Stanford University
  2. UC Santa Cruz
  3. UC Berkeley
This is precisely my order of preference, too. Why is Berkeley my last choice? What they have in reputation they lack in financial aide packages and teaching opportunities.

So we'll see what the academic future brings.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Chorus Girl diatribe

I've spent a little over a year with a dance troupe, and I have come to realize that being a chorus girl has lost its appeal; at least it has with The Tartlettes under the "leadership" of Megan. Of course I still enjoy swing dancing, and it's an activity that will be very much a big part of my life. However, I've come to learn a lot of the ills of show business; that is, belonging to a dance troupe whose "leader" has no support for its dancers.

At first, I was very happy to be part of a collaborative effort in bringing back the art of 1920s era chorus line dancing. I did extensive research on choreography, musicality, costuming and cosmetics. I even tried to pick up the old-time dialect so prevalent during the prohibition era. On a personal level, I was learning to love and appreciate my body shape. I'm not rail thin; nor am I obese. I am a big girl standing at 5'9" with ample butt and thighs yet blessed with a wasp waist.  It's not easy to wear really short shorts in front a large audience, but eventually I grew past that complex. Most importantly, though, I was developing a trust in others. Considering what I'd gone through in years past, it was definitely a challenge letting people visit my home. Not since Demian had I ever invited people (other than my immediate family) to my home. Hosting my dance troupe at my home was significant progress in my learning to trust others.

Over time, though, I was beginning to develop a skepticism, and I slowly began rebuilding my personal fortress. I was noticing a change in attitudes that was reflected by poor decision making by the founding member of our group. What began as a collaboration between 12 ladies became the sole decision of 1 person without input from the group. There were several disappointed ladies when it came to costuming. I hated the costumes and the wigs. All were unflattering on my hourglass shape with a naturally dropped waist and long limbs. Other conflicts involved choreography blocking and other challenges on the stage. There was a lack of communication that led to downright anger. There was  a noticeable decline in support, faith and enthusiasm.

I had thoughts about quitting the troupe because I didn't like the direction it was going. I heard talk about booking more shows with burlesque troupes and drag shows. I'm a swing dancer. I want more involvement in swing dance related events. Plus, I wondered where all the money earned from our performances was going. Why am I still paying $50 monthly expenses?

Then came the final deciding factor. Our troupe was invited to perform in one of the burlesque shows in San Francisco. The woman running the show is not a person I would like to know off stage. In short, she's a real bitch. She rules with an iron fist with very little respect for the performers; at least that was the vibe I got from her emails and interaction at the venue. It just creates a lot of tension and unnecessary stress. I just don't work well with people like that; especially those with very little self-respect and class. 

The following night after a successful rehearsal, the troupe leaders informed us of a complaint. Supposedly one or two people were bringing negative energy, taking up space in the dressing room, criticizing the show itself, drinking all of the iron-fisted woman's champagne and eating all the food. Rather than defend our dance troupe, the leaders pretty much disciplined us as if we were ALL at fault. For only 2 people's sins, we were all thrown under the bus. I was livid. I made extra effort to stay out of everyone's dressing space. I spent half the show away from the dressing room. I'm a vegan! Half of our troupe is vegetarian and most of the food was meat. I didn't even drink. I was disappointed that we were not allowed to defend ourselves especially when most of us were completely innocent of those complaints. We were then asked if we could offer an apology and sign our names to a card. I flat out refused.

I absolutely refuse to apologize to either ***** or the other performers as I completely disagree with her painting us all as ungrateful with the same broad brush. I have always been more than polite with the performers and accommodating to their spacial needs. I have ZERO respect for ***** at this point. Absolutely none. I want nothing to do with her or her gigs. Count me out of her future shows. I don't need the added stress of pleasing people who pigeonhole others.

At our two Verdi gigs a few days later, the lack of motivation was evident and there was an unpleasing still in the air. I was actually having a great time because I was in my environment. Verdi Club is where I'm at my most comfortable with other dancers as well as the organizers with whom I've established friendships. But for others in our troupe, it was apparent they didn't want to be there. I then decided, "I'm done."

I recently learned that four other girls are planning to quit at the end of the season expressing the same disappoint that I have. It was fun while it lasted, but I take it as a learning experience. 

Quite possibly the only costuming I least hated.

Update 3/8/15
The troupe's founder, Megan, made it clear that she has an inferiority complex and is obsessed with her role as leader. It was all she kept saying, "I am the leader." And she kept accusing me of never respecting her leadership. She's right. I don't. There's a difference between leadership and dictatorship that Megan clearly doesn't understand. I told her she is a terrible leader and a terrible person. It's no wonder she has the problems she keeps crying about. I'm done with people like her, and I'm done with her troupe.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

2014 Vintage Purchase #6: 1940s Day Dress

So I made a promise this month to not make any vintage purchases. I even swore off the Alameda Antique Market this weekend so that I could save up for next month's Alameda Vintage Fashion Fair.

Yesterday, I had a performance at Verdi. Our dance troupe was on the bill to perform at the Johnny Boyd show, and it was to be among the big events to kick off the summer season. When I arrived at the venue, I was stunned to find a local shop selling vintage clothing in the bar area. Of course I had to peruse the inventory and I found this amazing dress. I swear, it was as if the dress was calling to me. I looked at the measurements, and it was spot on. The price was even better. So of course, I made the purchase. After I said wasn't going to make any vintage purchases!!! Well just this one. No more. I even skipped Alameda today.

How can anyone resist this lovely piece? A 1940s day dress in near perfect condition. The details are amazing, particularly the stitching. I wonder if it may even be older. The material is sort of like the flour sacks of the 1930s when many women used them to sew dresses (it was the Depression era.) But then again, it would make sense for it to be from the 40s considering the rationing of certain materials during World War II. Most women (especially of the middle and working class) sewed their own clothing. However, this dress is most likely deadstock for it survive in such great condition over the years.


Friday, May 2, 2014

My "New" Old Glasses

At April's Alameda Pointe Antique Flea, I found a great pair of cat-eye frames from Allyn Scura. He is known for his expansive inventory of true vintage eyewear. He always vends the antique flea market circuit throughout the state as well as Viva Las Vegas, The Vintage Fashion Expos in San Francisco and Los Angeles and other fashion fairs. Since I am a repeat customer, not only of his frames but of the prescription service, he gave me a really great deal.

I had to retire my silver cat-eye frames since the celluloid split at the left frame. Crazy glue wasn't working anymore. I had purchased some 1920s frames the month prior, but I really wanted another pair of cat-eyes.  I found this lovely pair:


After a few weeks wait time, my frames finally arrived in the mail this morning. Super excited to sport this new pair.