Stop saying...

"See you next year!"

It's annoying and not cute. "I'll see you Tuesday" or "have a happy new year" are far more appropriate.

Advice

One of my neighbors apparently doesn't understand how to use the trash cans provided by Metro. They were just putting one bag in my trash can and that didn't bother me. When they filled it up, I was so angry, I couldn't see straight. After completely filling it for 2 weeks in a row (to the point I had no room for my 1 bag of trash), I put a lock on mine. That has worked so far.

Now, this _@(&#)&@! has filled up someone else's can AND the green recyclable container with trash. I wouldn't be bothered by this at all IF they actually put the cans to the street, but they don't. They have been sitting there for weeks - full. I picked through it to see if I could find anything with a name or a unit number so I could talk to them (and order a trash can from Public Works to be delivered to them on their behalf). No such luck to date. Apparently, they do not receive mail or other packages with an address on it but they drink a helluva lot of wine and beer.

Yes, this is completely petty but come spring, there will be a serious problem with inscets if this idiot doesn't learn how to take his/her trash to the street. And my back deck faces the trash area. Suggestions on how to handle this?

Merry Christmas everybody!

Have a great weekend and a very happy holiday!

PK

I shouldn't laugh...

but it was funny.

A grown man on a scooter, throwing his helmet on the ground in a hissy fit about something. I don't know what. I tried really really hard not to laugh but I did start snickering once my back was to him.

Memo to me: throw fits out of sight of other people.

Bad Parenting, Exploitation, Radio, and Annoyance

107.5 The River has been playing calls into their Santa tip line or whatever it is. Parents and children can leave messages about who has been naughty or nice. This morning, a mother was saying over and over how bad her son was, that he doesn't listen to his mom, he was awful and that Santa should not visit him this year. All while I'm assuming said child was screaming in the background.

The second one I remember was a young girl calling in to say she had been good. In the background, her mother said "No you haven't!" The girl responded with "MOM!" and nearly went into tears.

Something that was intended to be funny and amusing exposes the emotional abuse that can and does occur with parenting. I'm sure the conversations went like "If you don't do X, I'm going to call Santa and tell him not to visit you this year." The mother in the first message was obviously distressed and at the end of her rope.

Granted, I'm not parent. I'm not particularly fond of children so say whatever you want about my grandstanding or speaking without knowledge or experience. I don't care.

I know what I heard. What I heard wasn't funny. It was sad, manipulative, hurtful, and angry. And I won't be listening any more.

Desde Brasil

Botafogos...
Originally uploaded by pink-kitty.

Since you weren't there, you can see the photostream on flickr.

It was actually difficult to choose from the photos. There were a number of pictures with really good lines and angles (but strange expressions) that I left behind.

People were still talking about it over a week after the event. It was the number that 'woke the crowd up' and got them into the show. I had several people tell me it was the highlight of Act I or their favorite number. Even David Hamilton told me that I did an amazing job and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

Todd said that after 24 years in the business, he tends to be kind of jaded when it comes to Showcase routines. "Oh great - another showcase. Let's hurry up and get it over with so we can get back to other things." He did say that after the opening step sequence he said to himself "wow - this is fun!"

That's when he told me we will be doing this routine again at Nashville Starz (formerly The Dancer's Cup) in January. It will be open to the public. Information is at http://www.nashvillestarz.net/

Kind of a duh thing...

But... yeah... blogging is really not my thing right now. I don't really have anything to say. Actually, I probably do (as evidenced by the 20 minutes discussion in the parking lot outside the studio on why I am a libertarian and NO it isn't a wasted vote. You may think you are being practical by holding your nose and voting for one of the major parties but if you don't agree with them... that is a wasted vote.

Turd or douche - you decide. It was really cold.)

but I'm really lazy right now. Too much mental energy that I don't have.

So, I'll be back... whenever.

Doctor's Visit: Update

I got the bloodwork report back. My cholesterol is 147. "Excellent" as my doctor put it. The HDL (good) cholesterol as well as my iron counts are still low but improved over my last visit back in May.

Praise God!

Exercise. Eat right. There ya go.

Casino Royale

KICKED A$$!!!! I LOVED IT. OK, I'll stop screaming now. I give this movie my "yes, it is worth it to pay full price" rating. I definately want to see it again.

Daniel Craig is a much better Bond than I thought he would be. In fact, dare I say it, he's better than my personal favorite Bond, Sean Connery. In fact, I really wanted to make my place sort of inspired by From Russia, With Love/Goldfinger in terms of style. But, even I don't want to live in some place that looked like my nana bought the stuff new and never updated her surroundings. There's vintage and then there is sad.

I really should go back and watch the Timothy Dalton era movies again. From my readings, I may be short changing him. I've seen all the Bond movies (and am a fan... der.) Some I really like. Others - I would gouge my eyes out if forced to watch them again.

I loved Craig's version of Bond - ruthless, intelligent, yet full of humanity. And for his personal hatred of guns - meh. He handled the prop guns well enough.

They cut out the camp (with a couple of one-liners thrown in for good humor). I did miss John Cleese as R (Q's replacement). I liked Judi Dench alot more in this movie than I did in her previous attempts at M. The score was AMAZING - will be getting that off of iTunes. The opening sequence rocked (even the Chris Cornell song is growing on me.) Some reviewers complained about the long poker scene. I enjoyed it. I thought it was broken up with some good action bits as well as the extended action sequences.



It just kept going and going. There were at least 2 times when I thought the movie was over. But no! There's more stuff to blow up!

This movie is seriously PK-approved. Go see it. If you have seen it, go see it again.

Getting Fiber

After a visit to CVS to buy some fiber supplements, I remembered that Amazon now carries some groceries. I typed in "Fiberchoice" and got the following results:


It might be a little difficult to make out but that is a book that came out WAY after her 15 minutes of fame flitted on past (though how Wonkette managed to extend them is beyond me). The Washingtonienne by Jessica Cutler.

Who? You might be asking. Well, Ms. Cutler made a name for herself and the seedy side of the blogosphere by writing about her sexual escapades while working on Capitol Hill a while ago. Whenever that was.

I agree with Miss O'Hara: there has to be a better way to get fiber than eating her "crappy" book.

A Doctor's Visit

I went for my annual physical today.

My blood pressure is 120/80 (on the left arm) and 119/89 (on the right). He said that so long as the numbers were within 10, it was ok. The real point is that the overall numbers are down from my May visit, which was 135/90.

He's anxious to get the bloodwork back to see if my good cholestoral has gone up. It was low.

He was beyond happy to see the change in my body and the blood pressure. Like I predicted, he didn't take me off the diuretic but give it another 6 months and maybe... just maybe...

On to the not good news: I have tendonitis in my left foot and bursitis in my right hip from overuse. He suggested that I visit a speciality shoe place to get some tennis shoes with higher arch support (I have no arch apparently). If it keeps up for more than a couple of weeks, he told me to call and get a referral to an orthopod. He also suggested I throw out all of my shoes that in any way lean to the outside of the foot.

My weight used to lean to the outside of my foot, causing it to roll. As I have lost weight, the movement over my foot as been more centered.

At least he didn't tell me to stop dancing. 'Cause if he did that, we would have had a little talk about 'OK, if I was a football player with a million dollar bonus for 100 yards rushing every game, you would find a way I could rush 100 yards every game. Find a way I can keep dancing.'

Return of the caption contest!

I couldn't decide. So here are two pictures for you.

Overheard at VU

A pair of young men discussing the Clintons.

Something about Bill Clinton and teabagging... eww. And this gem:

"The people of DC are smart enough to not vote for Hillary C."

PK - literally chewing on her tongue and thinking: "Yeah... and apparently you aren't smart enough to know she's the Senator from New York and DC doesn't have a senator."

Randomness

I don't know why I got to thinking about this incident. I was working at the legislature in 1999. I spent alot of time hanging out with the staff in Sen. Ben Atchley's office, who was the minority leader at the time. For Sundquist's inauguration, we got together and had coffee that morning and sat in a little group at the Plaza for his speech. I think my rear was frozen to my chair by the end of it.

Either later that day or the next day, Elena and I got all spiffied up to go to the open house at the Governor's Residence. We parked at Judson Baptist and rode the shuttle over. We stood in line to shake hands with the Governor (who knew that 5 months later, I would be standing in the plaza calling him a liar among other colorful words during the horn-honking income tax protests.)

So, I told you all that to tell you this. I will never forget the woman that stood in front of us in line: an older Asian woman with tatooed eyebrows that had faded from black to blue (which is what black tatoo ink does over time.)

I hate plucking and waxing my brows as much as the next girl but I will not go so far as to a line permanently stenciled on my forehead, unless I lost the hair to chemo or something. That's just freaky.

More being peeved...

Kat is peeved (or is it that Brittney is peeved and Kat is a hypocrite... ah, it doesn't matter) about the use of the English language, specifically by Americans inserting British-isms into their every day speech.

Adding to this, I would like to say that the word is "library" not "liberry." That was cute when you were 2. Please say it correctly now that you are an adult.

Thank you.

PK

Why and Ways I love my MacBook Pro

A couple months ago, I bought a refurb MacBookPro - shortly after they were released. For a while, it has been really nothing more than a way to get on the internet and use my iPod. Until Monday that is.

I had a choreography session with Todd and David for the upcoming winter showcase. Since I don't own a camcorder, I thought I would record it with my digital camera and burn it onto DVD using iMovie and iDVD software. I've recorded video before but never pulled it off the memory card. This was the theory... I was praying that it would actually work.

The reaction from people at the studio was funny when I pulled out my tiny camera.

"THAT'S going to record the video? It's so small!"
"What? I have a 2 gig memory card in there. It will hold up to 17 minutes of video. How long do you plan to talk?"
"OK. If you say so. Start the camera on me so you can see everything from the beginning."

I'm home. Now it's time to go to work. There it is, asking me if I want to make iPhoto the default software for my Canon camera. It recognized my camera... neat! Why yes, of course. iPhoto loaded the stuff from my camera without the need for loading the special Canon software. Boom. All ready for me to view and edit. Now I can't wait to get the rest of my pictures loaded onto there! Not now - must edit video.

Without looking at the help menu, I pieced together my 2 snippets of video in iMovie. iDVD was a little more complicated. It took me about 30 minutes to figure that out and get the DVD ready to burn. I'm not sure why it took so long to index the file but 30 minutes later, I had my first DVD. It isn't super spiffy. It doesn't need to be - it's just for Todd and myself as a reference. The whole time I was thinking "this never would have been this easy on a PC - even the new one at work. WOW. I love you MacBook Pro!!!"

And Wednesday night - I was able to rip the audio from the choreography video and put it onto my iPod so that I have the music at the right tempo to practice with. Talk about one happy dancer!!! Can I even do that with a commonly available Windows program like Real or WMP? I have no idea. I don't care. I love my Mac.

Hotlanta

Ugh. So I spent most of last week in my not-so-favorite-place on the planet - Atlanta. I went for the Hotlanta Dance Challenge. Some of the best pro-am couples in the country were there as well as some of the top professionals. And of course, it wouldn't be a Pink Kitty event without being snarky about the icky outfits ballroom dancers have a tendancy to wear.


I would have given her the Ugly Dress Award....

And lots more at flickr.

God Listens

Yesterday I found a picture of Ben and Shalene Ermis from the US National Championships (at which they won their 2nd Smooth title and won the 9-dance competition!). I love to see pictures of the pair, as well as to watch them teach and dance. You can see their love and passion for dance, and for each other, in pretty much every move. Just from brief observations I learn quite a bit. I don't watch their lessons for very long because, in my mind, that would be stealing. (I'm not paying for that time, and I shouldn't try to pick up on what they are teaching at that given moment.) But every now and then, I hear or see something that catches my attention, and I watch for a moment.

I looked at that photo for a while and thought, Wow... I've been at the studio almost a year now, and I've never spoke to Shalene more than just a brief greeting in passing or an apology when there is a collision on the dance floor. I wonder if she even notices me.

Anyway, Todd starts off my recent lesson by telling me how many people have been coming up to him and telling him how great they think my hair looks. They love the color and think it is really becoming. I say thanks and we get to work.

About 15 minutes in, Shalene comes and says, "May I interrupt, Todd?"
Todd: "Sure."
I'm thinking it is something business related, what with the competition coming up and all.

She looks me straight in the eye and says, "I wanted to tell you that I see how great you are doing. You are looking SO GOOD. I can see how your waist is slimming up and how your dancing has improved so much over the last few weeks. You look amazing. Truly amazing. You must feel so much better. I am so happy for you." This was said with typical Shalene enthusiasm and passion.

I thought I was going to cry and in my head I said, Thank You, God, for hearing me! and to her I said, "Thanks" and gave her a big hug. Shalene's been watching me... and my dancing is actually watchable! *jumps up and down*

Todd said that the unsolicited compliments are such a boost: encouragement to me as the student and to him as the teacher (his peers are recognizing that he's doing something right). He said, "You work and work, and you wonder if anyone is noticing and then something like that happens... it really helps people see the benefits. It feels good for me. I can't imagine how you must feel."

PK: "High."

There are times when I pray, I feel as though it is into a void. I don't see any fruit (that is one of the challenges to those called to prayer ministry: we pray and pray and may never see the result of that prayer on this side of heaven). God seems so distant and silent. I begin to wonder if He's listening at all. And then... *boom* something I desperately needed to hear from someone I respect and admire, is His answer to me.

God isn't only listening - He's answering. It may not seem like much of anything to you, but it means the world to me.

Finding Ways to get Shot

Apparently, one of my neighbors is attempting to get shot. By me.

Last night. It's sometime after 11:30. I finished up my laundry. Watched a little TV and headed upstairs to go to bed. I clicked all the lights out downstairs and as I get to the top of the stairs I see a shadow approach the door and move from side to side as though he was trying to see inside.

Of course he couldn't because of the new ArtGlass films I put over the windows in the door.

I went into my spare bedroom, loaded my Sig and walked back down to where I could see out the window. I could see a bevy of my neighbors gathered across the street. They waved. Twice. Then I finally waved back.

Stupid.

You don't just walk up to someone's door at 11:30 at night without a reason. Scaring me like that is a real good way to get shot. My light had been on all evening. If you had wanted to ask me something, ring the doorbell.

Incidentally, there is a new crime wave happening related to Halloween - pumpkins being smashed through car windows. My co-worker daughter's car was hit last night by a pumpkin and it went through one of the windows of her car. It wasn't on the street; it was in her parents' driveway.

The police said they had several reports of that occuring throughout the county. She wanted the police to come out and take fingerprints off the pumpkin. They wouldn't. They only look for fingerprints in the cases of murder, home invasion, and rape.

If Chief Serpas is all about preventing crime by pulling motorists over in droves (since someone with a busted tail light could also be a drug dealer), wouldn't it seem reasonable that we could prevent other crimes by fingerprinting smashed pumpkins? Doesn't that kind of mischief show a tendancy for the disregard of private property? What is to stop them from graduating to car theft? They already know how to get inside a car.

UT Man (my brother) Marries Bama Girl

Doesn't he look great in his dress blue uniform?

I was given the honor of standing in for the mother of the groom (since our parents are both deceased). I cried through the rehearsal. I cried through all the songs played before Bama Girl came down the aisle. Elena made me cry when the couple was leaving, asking if I felt UT Man was all grown up. But for a change, they were all happy tears. It was nice to go to a happy event for our family.

A couple of people told me they couldn't look at me because I was crying---that it would have gotten them to crying.

Our aunt and uncle (our mom's brother) came. They asked me, "So when are we going to have one of these for you?"
PK: *sigh* "Well, I have to be dating someone first.... that is usually the first step."
Relatives: "Yeah... I guess you have been busy."

I SWEAR---questions like that make my head hurt.

DC (who is blogging again now, by the way - go see his new layout and stuff. He's supposed to put up some pictures soon from Cowboy Camp Meeting - don't make me into a liar, Mark) said that I should have said, "When God starts making real men again."

You can see more pictures from the rehearsal and the wedding on flickr.

The perfect Aryan Couple...

I don't know why but I was a little bothered by this ad that appeared in my mailbox this morning.



They are just a little too perfect... a little too white... a little too blue-eyed. They scare me.

Must See Movie

I certainly don't need any help in suspecting and distrusting the government. I never ever want to hear the phrase "I'm from the government and I'm here to help" because... well, quite franly, I don't think so.

So there's a movie to help keep people like me on pins and needles and thinking 'how can I get out of the system'. National ID cards? RFID chips in citizens? Finally, people are asking the question: where is the law that says my labor is to be taxed?

America: Freedom to Fascism will be playing at the Belcourt starting Oct. 6th. Congressman Ron Paul is in it. He is the only libertarian in Congress.

Aaron Russo also attempted to run as the LP candidate for President in 2004.

No Kitty... that's my pie....

With the release of Shows - South Park: The Hits, Vol. 1 - Matt and Trey's Top Ten on DVD next week, I thought it would be appropriate to give you PK's personal South Park top ten:

1) Die, Hippie, Die - this is the best episode ever. The drum circle hippie... the giggling stoner hippie.. and the worst of them all - the college know-it-all hippie. I LOVE THIS EPISODE!
2) Return of the Fellowship of the Rings to the Two Towers - They did a good job of hitting the high points of the films and its iconic scenes.
3) Cartman gets an anal probe - the first episode. I howl with laughter every time I see it.
4) Douche and Turd - American politics summed up in 20-25 minutes. Brilliant.
5) All About Mormons - More from the musical side of South Park. "dumb dumb dumb dumb... Lucy Harris - Smart smart smart smart"
6) Smug Alert - The smugness of hybrid driving South Park folk collides with the smugness of George Clooney and causes a diaster of Katrina-like proportions.
7) Two Days before the day after tomorrow - continuing the enviro trend... it's global warming and it's coming for you! EVERYBODY PANIC!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
8) Trapped in the Closet - and I got a gun... *duck and cover* Tom Cruise - come out of the closet.
9) South Park is Gay - The women of South Park do what we all sort of wish would happen - kill the Queer Eye guys. That show was cool the first few times but now? Not so much. How many times can they say "use skin care" and "slow down while shaving" and dressing them all to look like hipsters before people just get completely sick of it? Apparently alot because it is still on the air.
10) Death Camp of Tolerance - Pointing out the difference between tolerance and acceptance. They are so brave.

Honorable mentions:
Trapper Keeper (I can't let you do that Kyle....)
Grey Dawn (Attack of Senior Citizen drivers... stop them at Country Kitchen Buffet - thanks Geeky voice for the correction.)
The Red Badge of Gayness (Cartman relives the Civil War and almost wins)
Cancelled (it's great when they go back and poke fun at themselves by revisiting Cartman gets an anal probe)
Raisins (All the pain, saddness, Peter Gabriel/Say Anything one can stand outside of that movie.... "Besides, I'd rather be a crying little pu**y than a faggy Goth kid")

Spending My Money...

A conversation last night at the studio between classes...

Fellow Student: Todd told me you are going to Ohio.
PK: What?
FS: Yeah. He said that you were planning to go to the Ohio Star Ball.
PK: *sighs... looks shocked* We hadn't talked about it... this is the second time that he's run around telling people I'm going to a competition when I haven't said one way or the other. Are you going?
FS: No! It's too big! I'm not ready for something like that. [The Ohio Star Ball is the largest competition in the US. Last year, there were over 14,000 people... or was it entries? I don't remember. It's huge. They filmed the PBS special America's Ballroom Challenge there last year. Nashville's Ben and Shalene Ermis were on it.]
PK: I tell ya... Todd must be the woman in this relationship. He's doing a bang up job of spending my money.

Can you believe it?

I've had Smith and Wesson for a year.

Crazy crazy kitties.

So ya know....

The week before Dancing with the Stars started up again, the US Dancesport Championships were held in Miami. Tony Dovolani and his partner Elena Grinenko (both on this season of DWTS... well, she was anyway. She was Tucker Carlson's partner and he got the boot Wednesday night.)

Nashville's own Jeremy Gatlin and Anna Harwood placed 2nd in the Rising Star-American Rhythm competition. (Rising Star is for new professionals on the competitive circuit). They have consistently placed in the top 3 this entire year.

They also made the semi-final in the open division. Let me tell ya, that is an amazing feat. There are so many good dancers in that category.

Ben and Shalene Ermis won the American Smooth competition. This is their second time to win that title. AND they also won the 9-dance competition. That means they did the 5 dances in the American Rhythm style (cha-cha, rumba, swing, bolero, and mambo) and the 4 American Smooth (waltz, foxtrot, tango, and viennese waltz). They won 6 of the 9 dances.

Way to go!

Just think - you can't get talent teaching you like this at certain other studios, even in town. *cough NDC cough* And they are right there at Dance World along with a couple-dozen other very talented and capable instructors.

Adding to the Chorus...

I seriously dislike myspace. I think I joined so I could view someone's profile and haven't done much of anything with it since.

I logged in today to respond to a message from Ashley the Blue Raider about the "no it isn't porn they are filming in the capitol" mayor of Gallatin. Now, all of a sudden, I have been slammed with friend requests and emails to sign up for MLM parties "and you, too can earn a free trip to Jamaica!"

Pfft.

No. I was once a BeautiControl consultant and by the grace of God, I managed to earn back the money I put into signing up and then I got out. Not.for.me.

Scratch that - I hate myspace.

PK's Babies... Growing up

My four-legged nephews cut quite the capers in their new digs. These photos, however, do not capture the capering...but merely the cutenesses that are Smith and Wesson... which are over a year old now. Exactly how old are they, PK?


Smith



Wesson

Remembering

I know this will be one of hundreds of posts regarding 9/11. I don't claim that mine will be special, spectacular, or even remotely interesting. However, 5 years after 9/11, there are some things I would like to remark upon.

With all the cable channels running specials on 9/11 and the subsequent War on Terror, the footage from that horrible day has been replayed for the first time en masse in just about 5 years.

I forgot how horrified I was watching the planes crash into the WTC and the Pentagon.

I forgot how big of a hole United 93 left in the ground in PA.

I forgot about the brave men who raced into the Towers to try to rescue anyone left, many of them dying when the Towers crashed.

I forgot the fear that the people on those planes must have felt.

It slipped my mind exactly how selfless the people on United 93 actually were. I'm sure they were trying to save their own lives but in the end, they likely saved many by fighting back.

I believe it was a God thing that United 93 left 45 minutes later. While we can say "why did God allow this to happen?" I cannot give any answer that would satisfy those critics.

We have all forgotten the good will that we as a nation had for those few days and weeks following 9/11. We (myself included) let slip caring for our neighbor. Instead, mistrust, contempt, and rivlaries fill everything again.

I forgot that one of my former co-worker's son-in-law's father (hows that for 6 degrees of separation) saw the plane that crashed into the Pentagon. He was across the street for a meeting.

I forgot about how much I hate that Alan Jackson song "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?"

I forgot about Osama bin Ladin.

I forgot about fear.

Whoops - I let go the fact that W encouraged us to fight terrorism by shopping. OK - that might be a gross exaggeration but I seem to remember something about encouraging consumer spending right after the terrorist attacks.

And I'm probably not alone in many of these statements. It was a day that changed America. We can argue until we are blue in the face about whether or not it was for the better or the worse, but it has changed. However, as life has gone on, we have adapted to the changes (like the whole airport security BS). It just is. The mundane takes over.

---

United 93 came on A&E the other day. I could only watch about 10 minutes of it before turning the station. It was too hard for me. I'm sure the film was respectful and all. It was too overwhelming for me.

If I was really good...

I would have practiced tonight when I got home. Todd told me I have to work on my samba before we show it to David for showcase. At least he didn't say it sucked.

There are 2 competitions and a showcase to prepare for. Elena said "When are you getting ready for these things?!"

"Now. Everything I do outside of work pretty much relates to dance. If I am not at work, I am either in a class, practicing, watching videos/dvds or working out all in preparation for these upcoming events."

"Geez. By this time next year, I expect you to be a stick. You don't have time to eat."

Instead I spent the evening burning CDs onto and off of my laptop.

So, apparently...

I should watch my language.

At dinner last night with Mr and Mrs formerly Miss O'Hara, Kat and her husband, and Blake, we got to talking about Steve Irwin. It was decided that he did count as a celebrity and since they typically die in 3's, we speculated about who might be next or was there someone that we missed.. was Steve #2 and so on.

I said "Maybe Paris Hilton."

And what do you know.. the girl got busted for a DUI.

Kat sent me an email saying "That's God, sending a warning shot over your bow."

Whoops.

It's still funny.

DON'T TOUCH IT!!!!!

This particular outfit left me with a facial tick. And a full body twitch. UEREORYOWQ:YR#){*Y#$@#$.

Sorry about that.

via Ashley the Blue Raider.

Free Dance Lesson!

So, you've heard me talk about this for months now. You have seen how much fun I had at the competition. You've read tons and tons of posts and info about how dance has changed my life for the better.

You watched Dancing with the Stars and thought "Wow..." or "GEEZ! I could do that better than Master P or Kenny Mayne!!!!"

Deep down, you've secretly wished that you know know to waltz and rumba. Or maybe even two step.

Now, here is your chance. Dance World has a free - FREE - party on Tuesday evening September 5 at 8pm.

Directions here (it's near the Purity Dairy on Murfreesboro Rd.)

There's a little social time where you will have a chance to meet some of the instructors and then a mini class where they will teach the first pattern in 3 dances (I believe waltz, rumba, and foxtrot).

If you can't make it but still want to give it a try at a cheap price, they have an introductory special which is 2 private lessons, the Newcomer class on Monday night, and one of the weekend dance parties (which also includes a class before hand) for $49. You can't beat that with a stick.

There are no contracts; no obligations to continue on past that. No pressure. Call Todd at 646-1365. Please say you are one of Jonnelle's friends (I told him my blog name but I seriously doubt he'll remember).

If you go in September, it helps me out because there is the first ever guest contest. One of the prizes is a free coaching session. I'm not sure with who but I think it is David Hamilton (you know - I've talked about him before). I really really want that prize... help me out by trying Dance World out in September!

You know you want to try it out. So go do it. Thanks!

Fashion Review at VU

So, the students are back. This means a slew of funky clothes that I've seen before the first time around appear.

As Mr. Roboto has pointed out, the 1980's are back and have been back for a while. Popped collars, leggings with skirts or oversized t-shirts are back. I have the latest issue of Vogue still in the wrapper for fear that it will remind me too much of middle school.

I rocked that the first time around in 1986. I'm not doing it again.

And then today... what did I see?

A terry cloth romper. As in something I would wear to the beach to cover up my swimsuit. It does nothing to flatter the shape of a woman's body. It makes her boobs look like they are either non-exsistent or hanging at the waist.

I think there is a serious mis-representation that the Vanderbunnies are always dressed to the nines and overly made up. Seeing them on a day to day basis, they look more like they just rolled out of bed and picked up what was on the floor. That and designers are getting lazy by passing off bed and beachwear as the latest craze.

A terry cloth romper? What age are they? 4?

While I am at it - don't wear tapered leg jeans or leggings or stirrup pants (Oh geez.. I just felt something in my throat. Yuck). E-V-E-R. The only possible exception are the models they put those clothes on for the runways and advertisements. You need to be 5'10" and 110 lbs for those things to look good. If you are a normal woman and your legs to look good, go for a straight or boot cut leg.

If banana clips come back, that's it. The world will official be in a handbasket on its way to a very warm place.

Word to the Wise....

You... in the silver Lexus Sportsmans on 21st....

WATCH WHERE YOU ARE GOING!!!

You missed me by about 6 inches. I was able to put my hand on the hood of your car.

You, Sir or Madam - I didn't look to see who was driving, are an official dumba$$.

A follow-up

Yeah. That last post was kind of a downer. Y'all probably were wondering if I was drowning my sorrows in Oreos or pita and hummus (my current vice... er... favorite snack).

Nope.

I keep looking at the pictures and thinking "D*mn. I look good." The makeup was perfect. The hair, though painful and very crunchy by the end of day three, was rocking. I'm not sure what I will do next time. I don't think I could stand that many bobby pins and rubber bands in my hair again. I was driving home when I finished and was ripping the rubber bands apart because they were seriously hurting my head. Every stop light...
*snap*
*twist*
*sigh of relief*
*repeat*

I met with my dietician last week and we talked about the fact that I stalled out for the month of July. Understandable - there was a major transition in my life. I ate out almost every meal, which meant a much higher sodium intake and fluid retention. So, it is back to the food journals and watching every portion. I get plenty of exercise but eventually I am going to have to add regular strength training and yoga to my schedule. Muscle burns more calories, even if it does weigh more. So August is going well.

We talked about my goal for the rest of this year: to lose another 20 lbs.

She asked if I didn't hit that number would I be upset.

I said "No. There are countless other benefits to what I am doing. I am happier overall. My mood has improved. My blood pressure has gone WAY down. It's almost normal. My clothes keep getting bigger and bigger on me. I just had to re-purchase my wardrobe - for the second time this year. As much fun as that is, I would rather not do that again until the spring lines are out for next year. My skin has cleared up for the most part. The number will eventually catch up to what I am doing. I can't be fixated on that. 20 lbs is a reasonable goal but if I only lose 18, that's fine, too."

She said that was a very healthy attitude to have about it because she has had clients who felt like complete failures because they were one pound short of their goal. To me, that says they still have many emotional issues regarding food and their bodies.

I know. I still have them. Part of me wants to explain some of this to Todd. Part of me says that it isn't any of his business. When I told Linda (my belly dance instructor) that I dropped another dress size, she was so proud of me. I thought her face was going to pop off her head for her smiling and beaming. You know - that kind of re-enforcement is enough to keep anyone going.

One of the problems is perspective. I don't have it. Everyone else can really see the changes in my body, even from week to week. Often, it isn't until my pants fall down that I start to grasp it. Even then, I don't have a real perspective or longitudinal view of what has been happening. That is until I saw the DVD from Presentation of Standard back in early June.

That nasty voice tried again to tell me how fat and ugly I was. I told him to shut the hell up because I wasn't falling for that twice. I know how I felt at Presentation and the competition. I bought the lie once. No dice. I felt awesome. Everyone said that we looked very comfortable and like we were having a great time. So, I watched the video and saw "OK... flappy bird arms. That is something that Alisa fixed in the coaching session. I know I don't do that anymore. Thank God. That is awful. But.. wow... WOW! I really can see how much smaller I am than I was just barely 2 months ago. My stomach is smaller. My arms are smaller. My face is thinner... my hair looks better now (kudos to my stylist and the magic of color!) I can really see it! It is working. I am doing something right."

An aside that I've probably told everyone but will just tell you again because I can't remember. One of the dances we did is called the Peabody. It is a fast foxtrot. Its international standard cousin is the Quickstep. Todd sprung this one me 2 days before the competition. Fortunately, we had been working on many of the same concepts for other dances so I didn't have too difficult of a time picking it up.

Anyway, at the comp, we were the only couple out on the floor. Not many people know the dance so it is a fight to keep it alive and kicking. Only one other person over the 3 day event entered a Peabody event. She was as a much higher level than me (and older). One of the other instructors came up to Todd sometime on Friday and said "my students were watching you with that girl in the purple dress. They all want to learn the Peabody now. She looked like she was have the absolute best time."

I was! How can you not love dancing to Cole Porter's "Let's Misbehave?" I was singing along and dancing away. I saw the judges smiling and having a good time and in the middle of it Todd says "Are you remembering your heel leads?"

"Yes!"

And when I won I said "See? I told you I was taking heel leads." One thing is that even if you are the only person in an event, the judges do not have to give you first place. It isn't automatic that you will win. I've heard stories of people getting 2's and even 3's. Still, it felt a little hollow.

Looking Fabulous and Feeling Fat

First, I think I am completely addicted to ballroom competitions now. It is like meth or crack but better for you. And it is about as expensive once you add up the coaching, lessons, costuming, makeup, hair, accessories and all that.

I know I haven't talked all that much about it here because it would likely encompass about a week's worth of blog posts. As you can see from the flickr pictures, I looked great. I had a great time. Seriously. It was probably one of the best times of my life. Everyone said I looked like I was having so much fun. One instructor told Todd that all of his students now wanted to learn The Peabody after seeing our demonstration of it. David Hamilton gave me some good marks (and lots of compliments on my dresses).

Ben Ermis said that I was doing very well - "very soft through your knees, relaxed.. beautiful expression." (Ben and his wife Shalene are the 2004 National Champions in American Smooth. They are so good. Shalene makes me want to learn the man's part just so I can dance with her.) Todd rushed over to participate in that conversation. It was really cute.

And after such a high like that, there is bound to come a major fall. I got the video from the smooth dances (I didn't know I was supposed to turn the order form in before the event so I missed the rhythm dances). Within 2 seconds I got nausated and had to shut it off. It took a couple of different attempts but I finished the video. I was so sick to my stomach. What I saw on there was what the enemy wanted me to see: a distortion. I saw how big I looked. I thought "Oh my God... what a disgusting fat blob. I can't believe I look like that. How ugly!"

Nevermind the many many compliments I recieved over the weekend. Nevermind how I know I felt. I allowed myself to spiral down into a hole that took 3 days to get out of... many tears and a lot of frustration and prayer.

Elena reminded me of something truly special about the entire weekend: it was a place where people came together for a shared hobby, regardless of color, age, or body type. We got together to have a good time and cheer each other on to do our very best. My own perceptions got in the way.

The realization of "it was all a lie" came when I went clothes shopping this weekend and have dropped another dress size. I'm now as small as I was in the 8th grade (as best as I can remember). That completely rocks.

Comments on Bellevue Community Church

I spent the morning working on a big ol' long post on the events at BCC. After some thought and a little prayer, I've decided not to post it except for one thing.

I am asking all of my brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for BCC. I've read some very hurtful and ugly things as well as some very reasonable statements from members on both sides. Pray for healing, God's guidence and wisdom, and peace in this very difficult time.

To those that feel wounded by the firing of Dr. Foster, there is no reason to disrupt a church service over it with banners, buttons, and threats. If you are that hurt by it, don't go. Find another church, but be aware that you are dangerously close to falling into the cult of David Foster zone. Find constructive ways to air your grievences and concerns. AND hear both sides of the issue. Ask both the elders and Dr. Foster tough questions. Push through any spin and ask for hard evidence.

Ask God to guide you on where you need to be. Don't let the emotions drive you to or from a church. God is in control and let Him direct you. You may still be needed at BCC.

Pictures from this weekend

are up at flickr. Go see. Go see! And this picture was the best birthday present I could have received. I love it!!!!

Movie Quote

Teacher: Earth that was could no longer sustain our numbers, we were so many. We found a new solar system, dozens of planets and hundreds of moons. Each one terra-formed a process taking decades, to support human life, to be new earths. The Central Planets formed the Alliance. Ruled by an interplanetary parliament, the Alliance was a beacon of civilization. The savage outer planets were not so enlightened and refused Alliance control. The war was devastating, but the Alliance's victory over the Independents insured a safer universe. And now everyone can enjoy the comfort, and enlightenment of our civilization.

Young River: People don't like to be meddled with. We tell them what to do, what to think, don't run, don't walk. We're in their homes and in their heads and we haven't the right. We're meddlesome.

THAT is why I love Serenity.

Proof Positive Most MTV Viewers are Stupid.

Hollywood Rag lists the top 10 Videos that broke the rules, as voted on by viewers of MTV:

1. Madonna - Like A Prayer (1989)
2. Britney Spears - Baby One More Time (1999)
3. Michael Jackson - Thriller (1983)
4. Madonna - Ray of Light (1998)
5. Madonna - Vogue (1988)
6. Michael & Janet Jackson - Scream (1995)
7. Robbie Williams - Rock DJ (2000)
8. Eric Prydz - Call On Me (2004)
9. Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity (1997)
10. Spice Girls - Wannabe (1996)

Some of these videos were truly groundbreaking and shocking. But a list that doesn't include Prodigy's "Smack My *itch Up" as something that broke the rules is messed up.

Who the heck is Eric Prydz?

NIN anyone? And why the he** are the Spice Girls on this list? Wannabe is not breaking the rules, shocking, or even inspired. It's stupid and almost as annoying as The Macarena. The only thing save it was that there is no dance associated with it.

Caption Contest Winner

And drum roll please... the winner of the dance caption contest is:

Ashley the Blue Raider with -

Woman: J-eyhs, I am a fox. I am so foxy I make yellow crime scene tape sexy. Kapow! (Jutting hip out)

Man: Whoa, who waxed the fl.. oh sh**!

She won even without Elena's lobbying.

I got my dresses...

at 9:30 tonight. They look really good but the drama surrounding them made me just want to send them back to New Jersey where they came from.

And the glove for the latin dress is for the wrong hand. At least there is a spiffy bracelet I can wear. And wait til y'all see the hair. Elena said this is the hair I should have had for the former Miss O'Hara's wedding. I doubt Hurricane Katrina could have moved this hair. There is probably a new hole in the ozone for the amount of hairspray we used. It is very crunchy and thanks to the bobbypins, I will probably be sleeping sitting up.

Why am I not in bed right now when I have to be up in 5 hours? Well, I have my priorities... burning music on to the laptop so I can transfer it to the iPod, for example. And I'm hyped up on caffine right now. Wheeeeeeee!

If you are interested and have nothing better to do tomorrow, I will be dancing bright and early at 9am. Other events will be going on all day long. The professional dancers will be competing Friday night and Saturday night. That will be an amazing show. More info here - http://www.volstdancechallenge.com/

Just so you know...

My birthday is Thursday.

The Biggest Compliment vol. 2

This week has been all about the upcoming competition. Everything revolves around it. What I eat. What I'm wearing. Planning my evenings so that I can get my nails done, eyebrows done, hair done as well as practice.

Monday night I had another session with my coach. I was wearing my "got hips?" t-shirt because I was feeling particularly sassy, despite the major f*ck up with my dresses (that is a whole other blog post that will be completely dissing the company. As far as I am concerned, J'Ordy Dance Couture is now on the level of h.h. gregg in my book. I will NEVER shop there again. I will never recommend them to anyone. I plan on complaining to the powers that be at the studio, who brought that designer in.... but that's for another post).

After nearly crying because Todd says "I changed your entries because there was some overlap with you and another student (we are the same age and she's just a little bit more advanced, but not by much). I put you into the Peabody events."
"The what?"
"Oh, I've told you about it. We worked on it the other day, I just didn't tell you that's the dance we were working on. You'll be fine."
"What? How.. what? No. Not today. I can't get them to return my calls about the dresses as to when they are going to ship them, which leaves me in a MAJOR bind as to what I am going to wear on Thursday... now you are springing a dance on me I've never seen or done before? #)(*$# "
"Shut up."

So I did. I did fine. Probably more than fine. It's like the foxtrot but not as fast as the quick step (which is the foxtrot turned up to 12).

Anyway, after my experience with the Peabody, we went to other dances that I am more familar with, such as the Mambo. We were working on this spin when I caught David Hamiliton watching out of the corner of my eye. He was working with another student and they were both grinning. I thought they were grinning about my t-shirt. I said 'Yes, it says what you think it says. "got hips?" Ohh!!" *yanked in the other direction and then we stop."

"I was just telling her about how much I love watching you dance. You always look like you are having so much fun. It's a joy to watch," David said. The student with him nodded and agreed.

*cue PK turning bright red and hiding behind her hands*

That compliment doesn't come from just anybody. David is a three-time US national champion and a world level competitor (now retired). He has been dancing for over 25 years. I saw David and his former partner, Olga Forapanova, in an exhibition dance earlier this year. I cried (much like I do whenever I watch Ben and Shalene Ermis perform to O Mio Bambino Caro). Poetry in motion. Art.

And he said he likes to watch me dance. Wow. I must be doing something right.

Blast from the Past

In the last 3 weeks, I have bumped into or been contacted by 3 people I knew from high school and one from college.

Do you ever have periods of time where people from your past seem to come out of no where... and then expect you to remember them?

Real Conversation - at Wal Mart:

[PK is minding her own business trying to find little felt thingies so she can protect her hardwood floors. Catches woman with children out of the corner of her eye but pays no attention]

Woman: Don't I know you?
PK: [stunned into near speechlessness] Uh..... I....
Woman: You are PK, aren't you?
PK: [still stunned and even more confused] Yes......
Woman: Wow! It is great to see you! How are you?
PK: I'm sorry.. but... who are you?
[an eon passes, synapeses firing at top speed.. desperately trying to get the facial recognition software part of the brain to work... wait for it.. flickers of recognition.. wait.. there!]
PK: You are So-n-So!
[commence with normal conversation]

Another conversation:
Woman at title company: PK, hold just a moment, someone else wants to talk to you.
PK: Alright.
Other voice: PK! It's JenJen!
PK: Who? I know know lots of JenJens.
Other voice: JenJen BlankityBlank.
[pause]
PK: OH!! Wow! Hey there! How are you?
[commence with normal conversation]

Perhaps the years of hair coloring have had an adverse affect on parts of my brain.

Revenge of the Caption Contest

It's been a long time since I held one (and y'all probably won't enter anymore because I lost the official but unofficially licensed Burger King crown to place on the winner's head), but I just couldn't resist.

*fanfare*

HEY! This is my first post with my brand new DSL connection. Whoo-hoo! I am so happy right now.

Horse's Blankity Blank they did it.

Nashville may want to fan Olympic flame - Nashville, Tennessee - Wednesday, 07/19/06 - Tennessean.com

Building an 80,000-seat arena for the opening and closing ceremonies, soccer and track and field events would be major hurdles. A swim complex, building of Olympic villages and improving the road systems would be other problems.

"But Atlanta did it. There are creative ways to address those things, like improving campus facilities," Spyridon said. "The question is where do you want it to take you when it's done.

Bull----. I went to Atlanta for the Olympic games. It was impossible to get around. The Atlanta Olympic Committee bus driver got lost and dropped us off at the wrong location. That meant we missed the connection to the swimming venue - and the entire event. I found out later that the US won a gold medal. How many times in one's life will you have to be at an event where your country wins the gold medal - and on home soil? Likely never. We could have been there but NO!

We spent 2 hours wandering around near one of the stadiums (host to the gymnastics event) trying to find someone who could point us in the right direction. And we never found the rhythmic gymnastics venue after an hour of driving somewhere toward Athens.

It was last year before I went back to Atlanta. I hate Atlanta. They should have left it flat to the ground after Sherman burned it. If I had my druthers, I would still drive around the place if at all possible. To compare Nashville with Atlanta must be some form of heresy.

Moving the Bubbies

That's what I call them. Smith and Wesson. They are my bubbies.

"Hello, Bubbies!!!!" I say as they come running to the door when I get home.

We moved them to the new place last night. They were NOT happy. Smith eventually took off for the downstairs, and then Wesson tried to go out of the dance room but refused to leave for about 10 minutes. They both slept in my bed, curled up next to me. That is... when they were sleeping.

They spent a lot of the evening and the night crying and mewing. Elena said she thought they were trying to find each other. The condo is about the same size as the house but a whole different lay out so that it seems bigger. She took some pictures of the boys and me hanging out in the kitchen - Smith hiding under my legs and the cabinet; Wesson sitting on top of the upper cabinets, the highest point he could get to. It was pathetic. They didn't eat any dinner.

Smith wanted to play for a few minutes this morning, so I'm guessing he was feeling a little better. Here's hoping they find the litter box. I will be very upset if there is some "present" on my Oriental rug when I get home.

And last night was the first night I slept in my new place. I tell ya... once I got to sleep, I slept like a rock. It took one of the kitten's walking on me to get me awake. Right as I was walking out the door, the construction crews were pulling up. I hope they aren't too upset that we threw all those moving boxes into their dumpster. My deck looks a lot better now. It just needs some stuff on it, like patio furniture.

I should also tell you: my neighbors are great. On Sunday, one of them helped me get all of my clothes in. K came over and drilled wider holes into the bedframe so that it would fit the Pier 1 headboard. Take THAT, Pier 1! You will not force me to use your technology! K also helped move the mattress and box springs from the old house to the new place. In exchange, my "moving army" and I took all his boxes up to the dumpster. I did the same for C, who lives next door. Just because.

I was telling K about my bubbies' names, and he said, "Oh - you need to tell the guy in ---. He's a gun nut. He'll love it." And my "Come Back with a Warrant" doormat is a hit with everyone who has seen it.

Talk about being blessed...this is a total God thing. For the most part, my move has been pretty smooth. Just a couple of very minor hitches (including an incident which will be described in a future story about why I won't shop at Sears anymore).

My neighbors are fantastic. Good mix of political views (that seems to be a popular question---what's your political persuasion?. There are some W stickers. I won't hold it against them, since I was dumb enough to vote for him twice. I should stick my "Big Brother Is Watching You" poster on my front door - that should answer all the questions about what I think). Once I get unpacked and relatively settled, I'm going to invite them all over for dinner one night.

Now, if I can get my DSL to work, it will all be good. DSL doesn't like my Mac. I pulled out the help disc, and it says on it, "THIS DISC IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH A MACINTOSH OS. DO NOT USE IN AN 'APPLE' or 'MAC' COMPUTER." Stupid stupid stupid.

Beginnings of..

a virtual tour. At Elena's pestering, I took pictures of stuff as I unpacked and am getting settled. Here ya go!

The Downside of Hardwood Floors

When you are standing on them for 8 or 10 hours at a stretch, your feet, ankles, calves, and knees are VERY sore at the end of the day.

Ow....

Worst.Song.Ever.

Elena and I were having a discussion about something last night. And then she said something about how awful the "It's a Small World" song is. This lead to Pink Kitty's worst.songs.ever. list.

By "worst song ever," I mean the few, the not-so-proud, the ugly, the awful songs that wriggle into your ear and stay there until you beat yourself unconcious to get them to stop. Yes. Since I came up with this list, they have been trapped there. Since misery loves company, I'm sharing them with you. Audio not included.

1) It's a Small World.

I know Blender/VH1 picked "We built this city" as the most awesomely bad song ever, but that stupid Disney song is leaps and bounds past that. I'm sure the employees at Disney are given some sort of medication to keep them from going insane or they rotate every 15 minutes to other parts of the park where they don't have to hear that blasted cheery "music." And the freakish puppets!

Elena commented that the song from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is just as bad. I say no. It's not good but it isn't as bad as "It's a Small World" for the simple reason Danny Elfman didn't want to write it but Tim Burton was more than insistent. And the puppets catch fire at the end. That doesn't happen on the ride at Disney. If it did, I might knock this down a peg or two.

2) The Song that never ends.

Does this really need an explanation? No. Didn't think so. Sock puppets are evil.

3) The Barney song.

When Barney was it, you couldn't escape this song. It was EVERYWHERE. I could go on into some rant about the indoctrination of children with hippy propaganda but really - it's just a bad and very annoying song.

The Next Church Movement

The contemporary American church is all about trends. That all modern America is about, so it isn't any surprise that the Church mimics or reflects the society that it inhabits. For years, the trend has been toward seeker-sensitive churches. Bigger. Better. Lavish production numbers. Professional musicians. There is one church that has a Starbucks and a rock climbing wall in its sanctuary.

They attempt to re-create the outside world in their little bubble of a church, creating yet another Christian ghetto. This is definitely true with large mega churches that have the space and resources to offer everything from schools to vacations to shopping on site or in affiliated spaces. Don't think this problem is limited to only the super mega churches. The neighborhood church in Podunk is just as susceptible to the Christian ghetto. You know - the only people you hang out with are people from your church.

I'm sure contemporary churches started with new churches with young pastors trying to reach out to the more media savvy suburbanites they were surrounded by. Probably burnt out on the hymns they sang growing up, they designed the musical portions of their services to be more like concerts, singing pop songs (that sometimes are about as deep as a Petri dish). Sermons fell more into the self-help category rather than meaty spiritual topics for one to chew on all week through prayer and study. Is it really necessary to have all the message points begin with a "P" or wrap everything up into kicky little catch phrases? They made Christianity easy and accessible to the masses.

They reduced church to a formula that lasted no more than 60 minutes so you can get in, get out and get on with your day. Church shouldn't be a chore. It shouldn't be something on your to-do list, either... checking it off in the same way you check off cutting the lawn or ironing clothes.

I am not saying that the contemporary church or those that are seeker-oriented are bad. They have a purpose. All hellfire and brimstone doesn't do much to reach out to the person that was burned by a so-called Christian as a teenager. I know - I was one. In 1993 after I returned from Russia, I was pretty distant from God. The day I got back, my mom gave me a letter she received while I was gone telling me about a mission trip at the church for next year. I was so excited and thought "YAY! That is such a God thing! I just got back.. I love Russia. Perfect!" I show up at the meeting and some old coot at the door told me I couldn't come in because I was too young. I walked out of that church and can count on one hand the number of times I went back. I became incredibly hostile to Christians for years. It was 7 years later that I returned to God because I found a church that just gave love to anyone... so unlike anything else I came across previously. It was at one of these seeker-oriented churches that I re-built my relationship with God.

Anyway, Christians should NOT be working to make people feel guilty about what they have done because we have all sinned and fallen short. The emphasis on God's grace and love for us is needed. The problem lies in that the pendulum swung too far the other way, turning God into some sort of divine hippy that is all about peace and love where there is no punishment. And as I mentioned before, many of these churches are Christian ghettos. They do not reach out to the community past their own property line or membership rolls.

(Sidebar: I wish I could remember where I read this but a long time ago, I read a snippet about a man involved with a ministry that had received some criticism about who they were trying to reach. He said that he believed in making a end-run to the gates of hell to get people out. That stuck with me. In all honesty, I certainly don't live that way. While I may be a Christian, I am still trying to figure out how God wants to use me. Sometimes I feel as though I am not being effective at all... that I am being safe. Then I am reminded that I don't have the same calling as others... that what I do is no less important and what they do is no more important when we all have the same common goal.)

In the last couple of years, there has been a small revolt brewing. Again, it starts with younger Christians. They grew up in the contemporary churches of their parents. They probably became frustrated because, thanks to the internet and a massive number of channels on cable, they saw the injustice in the world and wanted to do something about it. They felt their spirituality was only surface deep. This has lead to the New Monasticism and a resurgence of creative ministry and outreach programs like XXXchurch.com.

For those of you not aware, the New Monasticism is a movement where a small community of believers buys a house in a poor urban neighborhood and fixes it up to live there. From that base, they grow their own food and reach out to the community around them in places like Philadelphia. They bought the house across the street from their property. It took some time, but they finally got the OK from the city. When they got in there, they had to go through the roof to start cleaning it out because it was so full of trash and drug paraphernalia. Once it was cleaned out, they turned it into a place where prostitutes could stay. They are connected to a local church, so it isn't a para-church organization. They firmly believe that Christians are to serve together.

This is a reactionary driven movement. They see what is going on in the world around them and seek to do something about it.

Again, there is a possibility that this will swing to its opposite extreme where the organization is so focused on being hip and cool that any opportunity to minister and reach out to someone will be lost. Where is the line of where you look so much like the world that non-believers don't see a distinction between how they live their lives and how a Christian lives theirs? There are times when I can honestly say that I don't see a difference - even in my own life.

Stop it with the Emo haircuts and hip, cool, smart-person looking glasses, OK? You are not a hipster. Suit coats paired with hoodies was never a good fashion statement. I don't know why someone thought it was cool, but it's just stupid. Don't pretend to be one.

While I am at it, stop trying to make me feel guilty about what I am or am not doing for the
Kingdom of God. Guilt and shame are not of God. They should not be tools in the Christian's arsenal. I don't have your calling. God gave me different talents and abilities. He put me in a different place. We all can't be toes. There have to be fingers, hip joints, ribs, and spleens. All of these work together for the glory of God as we are the BODY of Christ. Just because socks work on the feet doesn't mean they will work on elbows. God put me in a place where I work with the young people who will be the movers and shakers. Who are you to say that my kindness and love to/for them is any less effective for the Kingdom than serving with Meals on Wheels?

So, some of the criticism is warranted. I would definitely agree that there is an element to the American church that is fat and lazy, but painting it with such a broad brush is dangerous. I'm sure what they are trying to do is spur people to action - to live out their faith as we are commanded to do - but I think they sound more whiny than inspiring.

Kat!

Just so you know, we set a closing date for Thursday. Are you happy now?

:)

Pink Kitty's Movie Review

So, like everyone else in the US, I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest this weekend. (I'm not linking it because y'all are smart enough to google it for yourselves if you are really that curious.) Spoil-eriffic review....

It was good. I liked it. More Captain Jack Sparrow - what's not to love. More cheesy goodness in the action sequences and references to the first film ("Hide the Rum." and "Why is the rum always gone" being 2 of the references). Totally unbelievable fighting ability from Elizabeth Swann (do I really think that a young lady brought up in the aristocracy of 17th Century England would be able to handle 2 swords at the same time and fend off mystical sea creatures that used to be sailors? No. I don't but it was fun to watch anyway.)

Here's my problem with it: talk about your political propaganda... the EVIL in the "Mum! Don't touch it! It's EVIL!" category person in this whole movie is the representative from the East India Trading Company. I left with a sour taste in my mouth at the implied notion that the EIC is the root of all evil over the seas; that they are worse than an immortal Davy Jones who has the Kracken eat ships because his heart was broken. Why are they worse? Because they want the heart of Davy Jones so they will control Davy Jones and therefore the Kracken. I mean... Davy Jones is evil but at least it's because he has a broken heart... not that he's a greedy capitalist.

Be sure to stay for the end of the credits. Bonus goodness!

Favorite moment of the screening: When the trailer for The Transformers movie comes up and Michael Bay's name appears and the entire audience groans. That was funny right there. I don't care who you are. All I can think of whenever I see/hear his name is "Why does Michael Bay get to keep making movies.... Pearl Harbor sucked and I miss you." From Team America.

The Inexplicable Attractiveness of Captain Jack Sparrow

Notice, I didn't say Johnny Depp. Johnny Depp is a good actor. His politics run off the deep end (I think living in France does that... they some how think they are more civilized and advanced. We won't get too deep into that discussion for this article.. not really important) but I like a fair number of his movies.

I *really* liked him in Pirates of the Caribbean. The second Captain Jack Sparrow pops onto the screen, there is this collective “ohhh…” from women around the country. Much like when Viggo as Aragorn does that look in The Fellowship before he goes to kick some orc butt. I remember the gasps throughout the audience. Come to think of it, Viggo’s politics are also left leaning. Eh. Whatever. He looks really good in leather.

So, back to Captain Jack Sparrow. Every woman I’ve talked to who saw the movie pretty much thinks Jack rocked and Will is a wuss. It could be that Orlando Bloom comes across as *way* too pretty. And that is just genetic. God made him a pretty boy.

Yet, none of us were able to quite put our finger on it. It isn’t just that it’s the bad boy persona. We see that everywhere. Is it that we see he is a bady boy but just *know* that he has a heart of gold? The accent? Possibly. Is it the statement "but why is the rum gone?" We finally settled on one thing: eyeliner.

Don’t know why… but Captain Jack Sparrow without the kohl around the eyes would be less than Captain Jack Sparrow.

Would this look work for every man? Eh. Probably not.

More reasons I am a libertarian

I swear... if I wasn't one already, the home buying experience would make me one. I'm almost to the point of going all Waco-like and turning my new condo into a compound. I even bought this doormat. I think it is very me, but it was requested by those who want to visit me that I put it at the back door since they think it would be too much at the front door.

You know - that makes sense actually. The ATF wouldn't use the front door. They would use the back door. So, thanks y'all. You know who you are. Good idea!

Anyway, so, we were supposed to close tomorrow. We aren't closing tomorrow. Why? Because the city hasn't issued the certificate of occupancy. My understanding is that the city has done its inspection but hasn't returned the paperwork yet so we can go to closing. They did their inspection some time ago. Now, if they had some things that they told the builder to fix (like the grading problem in the back. That inspector was back out there yesterday... good day for that when we have buckets of rain) and they need to re-inspect, fine. Just tell somebody that, ok? So they can tell me.

That would be REALLY helpful, ya know?

My broker was really cool about it. He said "Don't stress. You have your owner's walk tomorrow. (That would be today) Since it is going to be early next week before you can close, go through and be very nit picky. Find every little flaw. Anything you want changed, get them to change it. They have the time to do so. Make sure that it is perfect."

I guess I'm just ready for this to be done so I can move in. I have enough stress in my life and the move isn't exactly helping. The training for the upcoming competition and dealing with the dress designer (who isn't shipping the dresses for the first fitting until the 11th - ack! If they don't fit or look good... then what?! This particular designer has officially ruffled alot of feathers at the studio because he over-committed. All I can say - these dresses better look amazing.)

Work.... "let's create a new database and you have 3 weeks to encode all the information in the system for printing in August." What? OK.. training?
Eh.. training... this isn't user friendly. I don't care that I can look at in XML. I know you are a programming geek kind of guy but XML isn't easy to read. Where's the pretty page? OK now how do I put these bins in to a plan? Where do I set the rules? Why couldn't we have used one of our programs as a sample and not the Spanish minor? It would have made a lot more sense. It makes my head hurt. And it makes my boss stressed out, which makes me stressed out.

I need a drink.

New Dance Shoes

Ta-daaaa

I like them. And so does Smith. That's his foot back there.

Kitchen!!!!!

Here is the first of what I am sure will be many photos of my new place. I visited yesterday to meet with a representative of a glass company for a shower door (I hate shower curtains. They make me feel caged in) and a mirror for my dance space. I also met with the home inspector and had a chance to meet the foreman who was working on the locks in my unit.

Closing was supposed to be tomorrow but didn't work out that way. The property manager did her inspection last week and hated the paint. So she ordered the paint crew to come back out and re-do all of it. So far they haven't because there are still alot of chips, dents, and scratches.

Friday morning, I am going out to do my unofficial punch list without the property manager and realtors hanging over me. Pieces of blue painters tape will rain over the place like a waterfall. Hee.

I asked the foreman if it was ok if I did that. He said that he would be there Friday morning at 10am to meet with the listing agent and that he would be happy to let me in.

I am now officially excited about getting my own place. This is kinda taking the edge off of the pain of selling my nana's house. I've spent two days crying over that... the little pink house in Berry Hill won't be in our family anymore.

This is a big summer for me... probably my biggest yet. I am buying my first place and selling the two homes that I grew up in. Not very many people still have a connection to the homes they grew up in. Both Elena and DC pointed out that there will be a grieving and healing process as all of this finally comes to a close and I move on with my life.

Kat will remember how blasse' I was about buying the house that December day. I said "I bought a house" the same way most people say "I bought an apple."

So, when I get it all together, you will have to come by for the house warming. I won't take no for an answer. It will be a home full of PK-style. Not sure when that will be yet but I'll let you know.

In case you haven't figured it out...

I'm taking a brief break from blogging while I prepare to and get moved into my new place. Closing is sometimes next week, and I have a list of things to do and buy that is longer than I care to contemplate.

Thank God for Plumgood. At least I don't have to physically go to the grocery store... so that's one thing off my list.

Piccies of the condo will be up soon.

You aren't tricking me, IRS

I got a notice from the IRS regarding my grandmother's taxes. They said I needed to file a 2003 tax return so that I could get the $250 tax credit. How often does the IRS send you a letter saying that they want to give you money?

Nu-huh. I'm not stupid. I'm not contacting you. You keep the money. I call it "protection." If I were to file it, you would tell me that I owe some freakishly large amount of money or something.

Nope. Not gonna do it.

Reason #874 that I am a libertarian

eBay Invites Internet Regulation, Backs Online Gambling Ban via FoxNews.

I'm a couple days late in getting this up but late is better than never. Why do I have a problem with this? Because eBay is the big kid on the block and has decided that it has found a neat way to squash the competition... allow the government to do it for you!

Make it a government issue by telling legislators that people are participating in off-shore gaming/banking to avoid paying taxes and they will be all over it like a duck on a junebug. Really, Washington state, is online gambling the same as child pornography?

Not that Netteller and other sites were cutting that much into PayPal's bottom line, but they were offering an alternative. And who among us hasn't switched to making purchases online or catalogs to avoid paying sales tax?

Ahh... Nannystates.

Hey Nashville Folk

Does anyone know what the leash law (aside from visiting Metro Parks) is in Davidson County?

I was under the impression that if the dogs were out of a confined area, like a fenced yard, they needed to be on a leash but I can't find the specific language on the Metro Website.

Sneak Preview!

Last night Duke Diva and I went to the tuning concert for the Nashville Symphony in the brand new, still under construction Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Here are some pictures taken around the building and outside.


Panorama view stitched together of the entire hall - from Orchestra level

You wouldn't doubt that I sat at least for a while in one of the best seats in the house, right? Above the orchestra in one of the Founder's Boxes. The temporary chairs were less than comfortable. The real seats were very nice.


Nashville skyline from the Third floor exterior balcony


Sunset over the Renaissance Hotel. I'm so glad this shot came out. I love it. The night was perfect. The weather was amazing. The view was.. wow. I'll get to the music in a minute.


View of the back of the concert hall from center- Orchestra level. That's an audio testing dummy.

Thanks video capture! Here's the skyline at night. Again, the view was from the third floor exterior balcony


We moved around between each act so that we could experience the sound and visuals from as many different angles as possible. This was the view of the entire hall from the third level (you know, the seats we could actually afford during the year.)

One of the volunteers escorted us into the Founder's level. My jaw dropped, my eyes got big and I let out a gasp with a loud "WOW!" she just started laughing and said "you have the best expression! I think you win." It is reminisent of the great concert halls in Europe without being overly stuffy or formal. It has a very accessible feel to it (meaning that Liz Garrigan's attempt at starting a class war between the Symphony and its downtown neighbor the Sounds stadium is all for naught. Sure, it's upscale but I certainly felt very comfortable there. And their selections for the 2006-07 season will have something for everyone - kids, classical music lovers, Belle Meade folks, movie freaks, gospel fans, and dance geeks like me.)

Let me say this - the sound was amazing. Breathtaking. A feast for your ears. I cannot put into words how good the performance was. You will just have to go. Alot of thought and care was put into the acoustics and there is no bad seat from that perspective. There are some better seats visually (i.e. being able to see the conductor and his expressions), but you go to the symphony to hear the band anyway, right?

Full set of photos can be found here.

Blending of Politics and Pop Culture Like Never Before

Viva La Revolucion! Fight the real enemy - Joe Simpson.

Via: .::Best Week Ever Shop::.

I am Super-Great!

Oh yes I am! Saturday night was my first public performance of my dancing since I was about 9 (unless one wants to include the 2 ice skating shows in college and the occasional bustin' a move at random places for no reason what so ever).

My coach and I did a west coast swing demonstration along with 4 or 5 other pairs.

First, it was a total out of body experience, I barely remember the music. I remember the first notes and the moment I messed up. I got into the step and went "that doesn't go with the music. OK... GET OUT!" and hustle to the next step without looking like I made a mistake.

Second, I smiled alot but routines are more than just smiling. Must work on flirty expressions too for West Coast and other dances. But I had a blast. Everyone said that Todd and I looked like the couple with the most personality and were having the best time.

I was completely unprofessional walking off the floor. I jumped up and down and I don't care. I was so excited and hyped up from finishing it and not really messing anything up that whoo-hoo! I don't care what you thought of my exiting the floor. I promise not to do that in competition though. Heh.

Fourth, thank you to D W for the pictures. His wife was out there dancing in the same group. And thank you to Elena, Duke Diva, and E for coming out to share the evening with me. It meant SO much to me for y'all to be there. Thanks again!

Fifth - my shoes are sucky (newer, cooler shoes are on order) but my legs look amazing! See what dancing can do for you!

Fear

Last night while I was fussing with grocery bags and all, my neighbors across the street let their two big dogs out. They started barking at me, which is typical so I ignored and went about my business.

I get to my front door, insert the key and all of a sudden I hear " 'dogs' names' GET BACK HERE NOW!! GET BACK!" And the barking has turned to growling, and it is getting alot closer. I had flashes of Mrs. Ispa being attacked. I couldn't get my front door unlocked so I squished myself between it and the screen door, pulled it as close as I could and put my bags between me and the dogs.

They got about 5 feet from me and stopped, like their collars were yanked. I'm calling it divine intervention. It certainly wasn't good training because if it had been good training, the dogs never would have left the front yard in the first place. They go back to their yard, and the owners are screaming at the top of their lungs at the dogs to get back in the house.

It took me about 15 minutes to quit shaking. My neighbors never did come across the street and ring the bell to apologize for the fact their dogs threatened me.

DC suggested that I walk over with my Sig in hand and say "now how does it feel to be threatened in your own front yard?" While I love that solution, I don't think threatening physical violence to the owners is quite where I need to move just yet. I told my brother that if they do that again, I'm shooting them. He said that could be counted as murder if I come back into the house and retrieve a firearm and then go back outside.

"Of a dog? I'm not talking about shooting the owners. They just need a good beatin' for being stupid enough to let their dogs run loose."
"Yeah, I think so. Instead of doing that, perhaps if you see them loose again, don't even talk to the neighbors, just come inside and call animal control. Let them come over and remind the owners of the law."
"You are right... as much as that offends my libertarian sensibilities."

He also said that the dogs chased him one day when he was out running. In their slight defense, the dogs are never out in the front yard unsupervised. HOWEVER, I do know that they have fenced in back yard. Those big dogs should not be out in the front yard without being on a leash/chain in the first place. If I recall correctly, that is the law in Davidson County.

This is where I am conflicted. As a libertarian, I don't really enjoy involving the government - at all. The only thing that makes it remotely tolerable is the fact that the government in question is as local as possible.

However, there comes a point where your liberty (owning dogs) affects mine (nearly attacking me in my own yard). Given the whole pistols at dawn thing is on the extreme side, I think I will talk to the owners first. They seem to be reasonable, nice people. Hopefully, I won't have to involve animal control.

I have a phone and I'm not afraid to use it... even if makes me taste bile in the process.

Worst Belly Dance Costumes - EVER

I do mean ever. Seriously. I know I've posted some bad ones before, but this pair... speechless. They left me speechless.

After about 5 minutes, I got over that and come up with tons of snarky things to say.

First: the Dancer of the Corn dress.


I know it's kind of hard to see, but those are plastic corn cobs on the dress. The kind that you would use at the picnic to hold onto your grilled and buttery corn on the cob minus the spikes.

Then it is Attack of the furry things:




WHAT ON EARTH could have possessed someone to make such a crime against fashion. I mean, this thing goes beyond fugly. I'm not sure there is a word for it in the English language. This isn't cute, so don't even try shooting for the cuteoverload.com fans. This dress takes the concept of eyes on the costume to a whole new level. I know sometimes the beading looks like eyes over the boobs... but snoopy staring at the audience is just not appropriate.

It's like she was doused with fabric glue and then fell in the stuff animal bin at the factory that makes those little fuzzy things you get out of the vending machines at Walgreens or the movie theater.

I can't imagine the routine. I don't want to. It makes my little brain hurt.

AND don't even get me started on the crushed velour looking track suit harem pants there.

Question for Nashville folk

What high speed internet company do you use at home? Do you like it? Is it reliable? What are you paying? Have you set up wireless capability in your residence?

Apparently Bell South doesn't offer DSL in the area to which I'm moving and neither does any other company I've contacted.

A Discovery

I was out shopping for home furnishings this weekend and made my way into Pottery Barn. I've never visited the store before but heard stuff about it. After about 10 minutes I decided that Pottery Barn is for people who would probably shop at Pier 1 except they think it's better to spend $2000 on a chair instead of $500.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

It's Kat's birthday! Yippee!!!

*The Knights of the Roundtable dance whenever they are able*
*Gandalf brings the fireworks*

Furniture Placement Question

Do I put my 7ft couch on the wall that is just barely 8ft long or do I just go buy a new couch that fits the size of the space?

I really like my old couch. At present, I am thinking of having it recovered and re-stuffed because other than that, it's in great shape. The thing has an oak frame. The just don't make them like that anymore. It's also a sofa bed (though it is probably more comfortable to sleep on the cushions as opposed to the mattress.)

*sigh* It will cost about $150 to replace the mattress and re-upholstering it could run up to $800 depending on fabric and other details.

I... just... don't... know.

Learning things...

I've had a youtube account for a while but just now uploaded my first video. Hee.

It's a good thing he's cute...

because Smith isn't that bright.

Here he is with his head suck in a Special K cereal bar box. Wesson was sitting on the other side of the kitchen. I know he was laughing on the inside.