Career Transition for Dancers - 24th Anniversary Jubilee

I write reviews for exploredance.com, and online dance community resource. I recently went to and reviewed the 24th Anniversary Jubilee concert celebrating the mission of Career Transition for Dancers which is to enables dancers to define their career possibilities and develop the skills necessary to excel in a variety of disciplines.

Here is the review for your reading pleasure: http://www.exploredance.com/article.htm?id=2945

Solar Decathlon

I had the opportunity to go down to DC and work at the DOE's Solar Decathlon. While positioned as the representative for the Anatomy of House exhibit, I learned so much about solar panels, electricity, water heaters, windows, R-value, etc... Unfortunately, I don't have much of an ability to change my current apartment to be more energy efficient, but I do believe in this purpose. If you want to learn about important ways you improve the energy efficiency of your home - visit www.energysavers.gov. Remember to research tax credits and rebates.

20 different universities created concept homes to show how new homes can be constructed with unique and livable architecture while also creating homes with solar roofs and completely efficient systems. Each one of us should try harder to do our part to be more green and make changes in our lives and homes to use less energy. I need to do more.

Click here to see a virtual tour of my favorite home, Alberta.

Also check out this applicable TED Talk about building cities/communities that provide opportunity for innovation. A smart concept to look at for improving the world: http://www.ted.com/search?q=Paul+Romer&x=0&y=0

Burn The Floor

I recently saw Burn the Floor on Broadway. The show which focuses on Ballroom dancing is a hit with the press and public. Towards the end of the summer the show was grossing the largest revenue out of the other 19 Broadway shows and playing at 98%. Thanks to the help of TV shows "Dancing With The Stars," and "So You Think You Can Dance" Ballroom dancing is on the rise. Ballroom studios in the NYC area have enjoyed increased enrollment (especially the first couple years these shows graced TV).

Burn the Floor is two hours of non-stop beauty, creativity, and daring tricks. Adrenaline packed, all 32 dancers (each with a bio full of various championship titles within the amateur and professional ballroom industry) captivate the audience with fluid transitions between dance forms and dynamic technique. During the length of the show the dancers don't get much time to rest. I'm astounded by their stamina as I'm aware of how difficult it is to dance at their intensity for the duration of this show.

Choreographer and World champion Jason Gilkison starting dancing as a young boy in his grandfather's studio. Less and less we hear of cultural and family traditions such as this being passed down through generations. My parents grew up with Fred and Ginger and followed the same style in their high school dances. I pray this show and the TV shows will help the world move away from the "teddy bear hug" dance forms.

While most of the ballroom dance styles were briefly represented the focus was on the Latin dances. I would have liked to have seen the same intensity that was brought to the Latin choreography displayed in the complexity and grace of the Standard dances - rather than putting the Standard dances on the backseat. There was only one couple whose core discipline was Standard, the other couples were focused in the Latin discipline.

Burn the Floor does reinvent Ballroom - but it is not a typical Broadway show. There is no story line, plot, or script. The show is 100% dance, and to be honest I'm surprised yet ecstatic that the show made it to such a high bill as Broadway. The limited engagement was extended from October to January 3, 2010 - so come to Broadway and watch one of the greatest displays of Ballroom dance to ever hit the stage.

Just have to share

So while I've been unemployed I spend a lot of time surfing the Web, watching TED talks and trying to keep up with the news. I can definitely find better things to do than watch the ghost/vampire special on Maury Povich (that is seriously what the show was today).

So I thought I would share a few of my favorite things that I've come across.

David Pogue, NY Times Technology columnist, created this one of a kind music video about the iPhone (okay, many years ago, but I just watched a talk where he sang the song). I would like to get an iPhone but won't leave VERIZON's great network. Oh, and for you more seasoned bloggers, how do I import a YouTube video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vniMR6Ez9cE

I read on Thrillist about a new site called "My Fridge Food." You check the boxes of what you have in your fridge/pantry and it creates a recipe. I LOVE THIS CONCEPT!!!
http://www.myfridgefood.com/

Here are a few TEDTalks that are worth your time...seriously, listen to them while you're doing your laundry and cleaning.
Helen Fisher: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/helen_fisher_tells_us_why_we_love_cheat.html
Barry Schwartz: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.html
Wade Davis: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/wade_davis_on_endangered_cultures.html

Reel It In

Since returning home to NYC I’ve been booked solid. But tonight I finally had time to cook up my self-caught Alaskan Halibut (Alaska’s favorite Chef Al’s Peppered Halibut with Ginger Butter). It was heaven!

Two months ago I would never have suggested that fishing could be fun. I went to Alaska expecting to fish, the true Alaskan experience. Starting down at Ship Creek, downtown Anchorage, I watched my brother and other fishing comrades yell “fish on.” The energy was contagious, even though I was grossed out watching them knock out, rip out gills and even gut the fish in the river. Not to mention the surroundings of dense “bad” mud.

Upon arriving home I got my first lesson in gutting a fish. I was grossed out at first, but then I got used to it.

A camping trip to Hope, the home of the Humpy (pink salmon), resulted in a new addiction. I’ve been know to be a determined women - I don’t give up easily – attributes that come in handy when fishing. Catching my first fish took me 7 hours over two days. I persevered after falling into the ice cold river. Mike would hook a fish and give me the pole to reel it in, but I kept loosing them. Eventually I had it down and I was hooking. Similar to dating – it might be easy to hook, but reeling ‘em in is a completely different story. Then it FINALLY happened…I did it and it was invigorating.

Fishing in Alaska’s rivers is a unique experience depending on where you are. I was becoming a pro and I appreciated the beautiful landscape along the way.

I couldn’t leave Alaska without Halibut, and I was determined to catch it. I found the best fishing partner – Tori Rogers. Our amazing day started with a drive at 4am to Ninilchick. Captain Al was highly recommended by the Kendalls and our prayers for a beautiful day were granted. In fact, in was a PERFECT day! We saw Puffins, Orcas, sea otters and volcanoes. Deep sea fishing is no joke – its extremely hard work. The lines were 215 feet deep – reeling up a catch took a good 10 minutes if not more. My right hand was swollen for a few days afterward. I caught three sharks (can only keep one) and four halibut (can only keep 2).

My biggest catch…and the biggest catch of the day, was a 60 pounder.

We had a blast! By the time we drove back and packed up the fish it was almost midnight. If only all long days were so rewarding! Next time you’re looking for the best Captain, book with Alan Goins.

Alaska's Unique Style

Alaska may be part of the U.S. of A, but many aspects feel foreign. Here are a few of my top favorites:

1) Anchorage airport is the first place I've ever seen coolers coming off the belt as luggage.
2) There must be some extra cash in the water...I've never seen more personalized license plates EVER!
3) The front page of Anchorage Daily News typically "breaks" a fishing story.
4) Bachelorette parties consist of a camping trip with mom and Grandma...
5) Fishing is the official spoken language (I learned a whole new vocabulary).
6) Alaskan's refer to the rest of the United States as the "lower 48."
7) There are no billboards on the roads and electric line requirements result in an uninterrupted Alaskan view.
8) A leisurely stroll = good walking shoes, dog and a gun.
9) The new resident welcome book should include the following vehicle requirements in the first paragraph - As a new resident, you will need more than one vehicle. It is suggested that you own a 4-wheel drive, ATV, snowmobile, boat and camper.
10) Alaskan made products really mean that it was produced in Alaska, but processed either in Canada or the lower 48 (as is the case with gas, fish and many other items).
11) Duck tape is man's best friend...but in Alaska it is everyone's.
12) Leaving Alaska? Unless you are checking a fish box you haven't had a "real" Alaskan experience.

Next time you are in Alaska (or maybe you live there) keep your eyes open for the above - during the summer you'll have nearly 20 hours of sunlight to notice.

On A Clear Day

It must be the luck of the Irish (after all, there is gold in Alaska), but I am now among the 10% of tourists that actually SEE Mt. McKinley (or Denali as the Alaskans call it). Mt. McKinley is the highest point in North America and the third highest in the world (after Everest and Aconcagua). Of the 40 days I was in Alaska, our trip to Denali was the only crystal clear sky day.

View from Talkeetna (I don’t think it would be so horrible to wake up to this every morning)

View from South, looking North

View from East

View from North, looking South

After our majestic views we drove the Denali Highway which opened in 1957 and was the only access to Denali National Park until the 70’s. It is a dirt/gravel road and the 2 highest road in Alaska. We were hoping to see an abundance of wildlife, but forest fires in the north must have driven the bears, mouse, eagles and sheep somewhere else. However, we still had many picturesque views.