Eying or Eyeing

1. This is the first holiday season since we moved to California that Mark and I have spent together. It's been a nice combination of laying low (cooking, movies, walks) and socializing--we spent a nice Christmas Eve with the California branch of Mark's family, and this evening we're going over to the Rothenbergs'. In a few more days, we're headed to Ensenada. I've long fantasized about blowing off the entire winter holiday season and instead getting out of the country, so this is a step in the right direction.

2. All the climate change involved in the travel from here to Florida and back again has irritated my skin. I've got a patchy red rash that almost resembles hives. It's uncomfortable, and it makes it difficult to wear makeup.

3.Back from a hoop class with Michelle. After a year of thinking that working with more than one hoop would be completely impossible, it's so much fun to be playing with two and have it start to make some kinetic sense.

4. My attempt to keep my hair short is finished. Having short hair requires getting regular hair cuts by stylists who actually know what they're doing, and stylists who know what they're doing cost money. My hair is neither super curly nor super thick, so nearly any fool can cut it when it starts to get long. Therefore, I am growing my hair out again.

5. For Christmas, Mark got me: 1) Mind of the Raven: Investigations and Adventures with Wolf-Birds, by Bernd Heinrich 2) Feelings Are Facts: A Life, by Yvonne Rainer and 3) The Silk Road Gourmet: Volume One: Western and Southern Asia, by Laura Kelle. They're all super cool books that I've been eying a long time.

I'm reading at the Poetic Research Bureau on Saturday, June 27 2009 at 4:00pm with Amaranth Borsuk & Hugh Behm-Steinberg.

I'm reading at the Poetic Research Bureau on Saturday, June 27 2009 at 4:00pm with Amaranth Borsuk & Hugh Behm-Steinberg.

I have a UPS tracking number for my book, which is supposed to arrive tomorrow.

We're putting together the last details of our upcoming trip to Paris and Ghent, where Mark and I are giving readings (details soon). If you're going to be in Paris in early July, let us know!

I turned in final grades for two of my online classes yesterday. The third one ends this week, which means I'll have to turn in grades when I'm in LA. Then, no teaching--either in person or on line--for a month or so.

The June weather in San Diego has been cold--as much as 10 degrees below average. Too cold for the beach. Except for yesterday. And today. But today is Monday so it doesn't matter.

List

• Back to teaching ESL in the AM, which I prefer.
• Back to getting out of bed early, which I don't prefer.
• Terminal Humming is this close to going to print!
• I cleaned my study.
  
• I am nearly back to normal and not sick any more. What was that, anyway?
• I ordered heirloom Lima beans from Rancho Gordo.
• Michelle is making me a 33" travel hoop with 1/2 inch 125 psi tubing (ooh, hoop gear talk). It will be packable, light, fast and bouncy!
• Colin Smith is coming to visit soon!
• Mark and I did laundry today. I have not folded or put away my clothes.
• I have hundreds of papers to grade by tomorrow.
• It's overcast and kind of cold, for here, but a santa anna is supposed to come in tomorrow.
• I have a timely interest in spring onions. They are good grilled, roasted, etc, etc.
  

Sonic Booms at the Beach

Someone was making early Valentines:


It's warm here, even for San Diego. Mark and I went to the beach. This is the (gasp!) fourth January we've lived here, and the first time we've ever been to the beach in January. Other than hearing several sonic booms, all was peaceful. Was it the military? Probably. Fireworks or other random exploding things? Possibly--the San Diego Chargers are playing now.

Anyway, the tide was super low, and all that packed sand makes a great natural dance floor

Rain is good for San Diego

But not so good for hooping. The last time I tried to hoop inside, I nearly broke the lamp.

marriedtothesea.com

Music Recommendations Please

This afternoon I successfully secured the birthday ipod to my ponytails and hooped on the beach--mostly to Natacha Atlas and the Psychadelic Furs.

So, if you were into hooping, what kinds of music would you hoop to?

Or, even if you're not into hooping, what kinds of music do you think I'd like to hoop to?

I suspect that a substantial amount of music that works for tribal belly dance music would be great. I like the sound and groove of a lot of the reggaeton I've heard, but I can't stomach a lot of the lyrics. Anyone know enough about dancehall to make suggestions?

Addicted

It's hot here, for once, and the water is warm.