Wednesdays

"There is a force within that gives you life - Seek that.
In your body there lies a priceless jewel - Seek that.
Oh, wandering One,
if you are in search of the greatest treasure,
don't look outside.
Look within, and seek That."

- Rumi, was a Sufi Mystic & Poet.

I'm beginning to really enjoy Wednesday mornings. It has become a time NOT to do coursework, but to take care of myself. This can mean a nice long shower, stretching, yoga, catching up on watching videos, cleaning house or just being quiet and watching people walk down the sidewalk in front of my house. I wish I had more Wednesday mornings. One day.....

Video from Rehearsal with Chafin No. 1

Below is a video from the first rehearsal with Chafin. I started playing with in-camera editing and overlaying existing sound from other clips. I plan to continue working on interview-type clips and dance clips to see what I come up with in regards to "identity" related issues. While I call this project "gender in choreography," it's really all about identity. Gender just so happens to fall within it. I like where this is going.

Methinks I Had a Weekend

It's going on 1am, but I'm not my usually dogged-self at this hour. I had a pretty good weekend. I actually spent time with David! Aside from a few hours at Sullivant Hall for rehearsal Saturday, I hung out with my husband - go figure. It was a welcomed change.

Today I got some work done in preparation for the week. I still have a lot more to do, but I'm having faith that I'll find time for everything important. (I'm learning that NOT everything is important. I'm picking my own personal battles in other words.)

Here's the video I worked on today for the Media in Performance class.

Two Things

Quick blog for the week. I'm still struggling to find time for everything, including time to decompress. This morning I had to watch an episode of "Castle" on hulu.com for example just to zone out.

Two things I've discovered this week:

1. I must like working with video. I'll stay up for hours working on things I don't even end up using. But I like it.

2. My body isn't killing me anymore. I think the weather helps. I also think Karl's modern class works well for me. Rehearsals can get strenuous, but they're definitely manageable.

Below is a video I created for texture. (I'm not using it for its intended purpose - I might not use it all, but here it is.)

Spring is Helpful

Monday I wasn't able to blog because I used the morning to catch up from a busy weekend. I can't believe I was actually prepared for Monday night's class and Tuesday's Media in Performance class. I had two books to read in a week for these classes, reading responses to write, videos to shoot, etc. Monday night I stayed up until 3:30am mixing a video I didn't even show. But I had fun. And that's my point. I'm having fun, despite all the long hours and work. Spring is here and I'm optimistic!

This morning I started off with meditation and stretching, a little photography (see the pear tree below) and some reflection about how I'm going to get through another 12 hour school day.

(The picture of the Spring Buddha was taken by David.)

Lastly, here's the video of my latest solo, "Bear Traps and Other Impressions." I shot the video, then gathered still shots, then made it back into a video. Hmm. Could all my theory classes be getting to me, because this seems pretty deconstructive.

Now off to Karl Rogers's modern technique class!

The Gift of Morning

It's after 9am and I am so happy to have enjoyed a little bit of peace before starting another day of endless tasks. Yoga was sweet this morning. Happy and peaceful. Hopefully I will carry it with me throughout the day.

Oh, hey, I just realized that today I get to attend a master class by Noh Theatre artist, Toshinori Hamada. Nice!

Off to class, work at The Wex, a couple of hours of celebrating Alexis's birthday, then a ton of reading and writing before bed.

That's a complete day right there!

Spring Quarter 2010 and YoBB

"The tragedy of life is not death rather it is what we allow to die within us while we live." - Norman Cousins

Today I start classes for Spring Quarter. I also continue what I like to call YoBB, which is short for: yoga, breakfast, blogging. I hope to be able to keep this up every Monday and Wednesday before I head out to classes. Last quarter I tried to find a semi-daily physical practice. But, as there is no "try," only "do" - I wasn't doing very well.

Back to Donna Farhi's wise words I go.

"Of the nine obstacles to the yogic path listed in the Yoga-Sutra, four can be attributed in some way to the effects of dullness, laziness, and inertia. Sloth makes it almost impossible to establish a firm ground for practice, and even if we are able to do so, sloth may prevent us from sustaining any ground we have gained. Most of us have a sense of what's good for us. This knowledge of the medicine we need bypasses the central dilemma: How are we going to get to the medicine cabinet?"

Yesterday, on my last day of Spring Break, I charted this idea of starting at least two days a week with yoga, breakfast and following it up with blogging. After going through my practice yesterday, I realized it was much like finally having food for my body after being hungry for a long time. I had a great day yesterday, partly because of my attitude, but largely because I took care of myself. So, my way to the medicine cabinet will be to change my priorities - GET 8 HOURS of sleep, attend to my needs in the morning, give David a kiss as I leave the house, then give OSU all I can offer.

Twyla Tharp suggests that forming a ritual is essential to the creative process. (Check out her book, The Creative Habit.) I think it's imperative to changing my lifestyle, not just for grad school but for myself.

It's 9:15. Time to pack a lunch and head out to school. Till next time....