tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53289133365062903672024-03-12T21:08:10.770-07:00The Odyssey of a Hot Mess"The Odyssey of a Hot Mess" blog was created to capture the adventures I am embarking on for the first six weeks of summer. I am taking part in Layla Marcelle Mrozowski's BAAD Kinetics bike/dance Tour. It is a two month contemporary dance and bicycle project which will present Layla's dance production entitled, "Hot Mess." It is quite a unique experiecne because instead of driving to our perfromances we will be travelling via bicycle! So grab your helmet and enjoy!mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09604776527362380805noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328913336506290367.post-75612998468568841732010-07-05T15:44:00.000-07:002010-07-05T16:58:32.006-07:00"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end!"<span><p class="MsoNormal">After 870 miles, four states, twelve performances, and two tumbles off Paul (which of course called for a tire licking each time, oh p.s. I’ve fallen off my bike the most on the tour), I am pleased to say that I have successfully completed my journey with the BAAD Kinetics Tour.<span style=""> </span>Thanks to the BAAD Tour I can eat anyone under the table in a cliff bar or peanut butter and jelly eating contest, hitch hike like a champ, bask in my own body odor for extended periods of time, change bike tires, find hidden spots amongst trees/roadsides for stealth camping, rock helmet hair, and identify all types of road kill.<span style=""> </span>Who could ask for more? Additionally, I believe I have set a record for "most roadside peeing." This statistic I am most proud of.<span style=""> </span>But, in all seriousness, this was one of the most unique, crazy, awesome experiences of my life.<span style=""> </span>It was not simply a bike tour, it was a bicycle AND dance tour!<span style=""> </span>What a delicious combination!<span style=""> </span>I met so many awesome people along the way and saw parts of the United States I have never seen before.<span style=""> </span>Furthermore, I truly had a bonding experience with Layla, Alerxsis and towards the end Emily too (my new name for Alexis is Alerxsis, copyright Chris Milette).<span style=""> </span>Emily is the dancer who replaced me.<span style=""> </span>She too is an Alfredian.<span style=""> </span>Since I had to dip out of the tour two weeks early in order to work in Italy for the remainder of the summer, Emily took my spot on the tour.<span style=""> </span>Emily is a beautiful dancer with a hot bod!<span style=""> </span>It was great to meet her and pass the torch onto such a talented, kind person.<span style=""> </span>I knew Emily would be awesome because I danced with her twin, Laura, at Alfred who was totally fly as well!<span style=""> </span>I spent the last week of the tour teaching Emily my choreography so she could take over when I left.<span style=""> </span>It was a lot to learn in a week, but we pumped it out!<span style=""> </span></p> <p> </p> <p> </p><p><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Now that I’ve left the tour it feels really weird.<span style=""> </span>I feel like Paul has become an extension of me and to think about not traveling by bike is such a strange concept.<span style=""> </span>When I was taking the bus back home it felt so swift!<span style=""> </span>Also, I can’t wait to get back into the dance studio. This tour has helped me to truly appreciate and own my passion.<span style=""> </span>Anywho, there is much to talk about since my last post!<span style=""> </span>I am currently blogging from the house of my Italian host family.<span style=""> </span>I suppose I should begin with where I left off which was in North Hampton, Massachusetts before our performance at the potluck.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">At the potluck, which was actually more of a studio warming party celebrating Ben and Carolyn’s completion of their studio renovations, our performance went well and was very well received.<span style=""> </span>We performed two pieces and after we performed Leah played guitar.<span style=""> </span>It was a really fun party and Ben and Carolyn’s studio was so cool!<span style=""> </span>Their studio is an old warehouse, thus, it is very vast and perfect for their welding and sculpting projects.<span style=""> </span>The crowds that we performed for in North Hampton, Massachusetts were probably my favorites.<span style=""> </span>The artist community there is great.<span style=""> </span>They are all very down to earth artists and open to all mediums.<span style=""> </span>It was really awesome to be around this community and I was so happy that we had the most performances in this location.<span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><br /></span></p> <p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The next day, after spraying our water bottles gold and stenciling the BAAD logo onto our panniers, we departed for Providence, Rhode Island to Ben Fino-Radin’s house!<span style=""> </span>Ben is another Alfredian and talented artist who I was very pleased to spend time with.<span style=""> </span>He showed us a boppin’ teen time in Providence, and he is a check plus human if I do say so myself!<span style=""> </span>Adventures with Ben included: going to building 16 to see a show, indulging in Mexican food at El Rancho Grande, sleeping in a pile on his excellent roof, partaking a ballin’ dance party in his living room, and going to the beach (while there Ben buried me in the sand and hit me in the face with a loaf of bread while racing. I guess I deserved that bread thrashing considering he woke up to my very white butt cheeks in his face.<span style=""> </span>Nothing like a full moon to start ones day!).<span style=""> </span>Ben is hilarious and I loved laughing with him.<span style=""> </span>What a gem!<span style=""> <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style=""></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><br /></span></p> <p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">My Providence experience was enhanced when my two best friends (Abby and Sarah) met up with us at the beach.<span style=""> </span>Abby and Sarah drove up from PA to visit me on tour!<span style=""> </span>They captured me temporarily from the BAAD Tour and the three of us went to Boston for the day.<span style=""> </span>It was so much fun and I was beyond happy to see them.<span style=""> </span>We did many touristy things in Boston including eating Boston Cream pies and walking the Freedom trail throughout the city.<span style=""> </span>Unfortunately they could not stick around for our Providence performance at Craftland art gallery/store, but that was ok because I was so very happy to be with them.<span style=""> </span>They are like sisters to me.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Our show at Craftland was good I’d say.<span style=""> </span>It was great because Ben performed with us! He was so gracious to have set up this venue for us.<span style=""> </span>But, I must be honest, it was actually hard to tell if people really liked the show or not.<span style=""> </span>The audience was very stoic.<span style=""> </span>The artist community seemed more serious in Providence.<span style=""> </span>This wasn’t a bad thing, I was just used to more reactive audiences. <span style=""> </span>It was good performance experience I’d say because I could not tell what people thought of the show.<span style=""> </span>The stoic faces and serious tones made it uncomfortable to perform.<span style=""> </span>That was hard as a performer.<span style=""> </span>Performing for an emotionless, very focused audience was hard but I’m happy it happened.<span style=""> </span>Not all audiences are going to be chipper and welcoming and as a performer I am happy to have that realization.<span style=""> <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><br /></span></p> <p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The next day after our show in Providence we set out for Connecticut in hopes to reach Beacon, NY safely.<span style=""> </span>Leaving the Providence squad was hard, and biking through CT in order to reach the outskirts of New York City area was extremely laborious!<span style=""> </span>We biked for four days in a row and stealth camped it out for those four days.<span style=""> </span>This was the first time we’ve biked straight through without stops or a performance.<span style=""> </span>We covered 220 miles in those four days.<span style=""> </span>Usually we bike for two days then reach our destination.<span style=""> </span>This was tough and I especially felt bad for Emily because she jumped into the tour at a time where we did some serious biking and covered lots of mileage.<span style=""> </span>It was even hard for me, Layla and Alerxsis and we had already been biking for five weeks at that time.<span style=""> </span>But, as our philosophy goes, let the tour train you!<span style=""> </span>I have no doubt that Emily is probably leading the pack by now.<span style=""> <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><br /></span></p> <p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">One would think that just straight biking and stealth camping would be rather uneventful, however, this was swiftly proven wrong when on day three of biking Alerxsis fell over on her bike on the side of the road in intense pain because she suspected she had limes disease from all the stealth camping.<span style=""> </span>Alerxsis falling over in pain is extremely uncharacteristic.<span style=""> </span>Even if Alerxsis is sore or tired or in the slightest bit of pain, she’s ALWAYS leading the pack.<span style=""> </span>She is the best biker on the squad and a tough lassie.<span style=""> </span>Thus, when I witnessed her keeled over in pain I suspected this was serious.<span style=""> </span>I immediately thought, “nooo!<span style=""> </span>Who will lead us on our journeys?<span style=""> </span>The navigator is down!”<span style=""> </span>We sat on the side of the road with Alerxsis for three hours waiting for Tiffany to save Alerxsis (Tiffany is another Alfredian whose house we were headed to in Beacon, NY so we could perform at her graduation party).<span style=""> </span>During the wait Emily and I worked on choreography a lot which was great.<span style=""> </span>Even though the situation was horrid, we got some good rehearsing out of it.<span style=""> </span>After Alerxsis was saved by Tiffany, Layla, Emily and I continued the ride.<span style=""> </span>We were forced to night ride due to our delay.<span style=""> </span>I did not mind though because I love night riding!<span style=""> </span>It’s so exhilarating!<span style=""> </span>I was very sad that Alerxsis wasn’t with us though.<span style=""> </span>Without her felt strange and incomplete,<span style=""> </span>especially because I like being woken up to her melodious singing of lion king tunes as I arise from my camping slumber.<span style=""> </span>Layla, Emily and I biked till around one in the morning then stealth camped in New Milford, CT.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">While riding from New Milford, CT to Beacon, NY (about a 70 mile ride, which was the longest stretch we've ever done in a day), I called Alerxsis to get a weather forecast update and see how she was doing at Tiffany's house. It turns out that Alerxsis obtained tonsillitis and not limes disease (thank the man upstairs!).<span style=""> </span>Alerxsis was picked up by her dad and taken home for a few days.<span style=""> </span>This was very sad because I did not get to give Alerxsis a proper farewell before leaving the tour.<span style=""> </span>But, she left me a beautiful note at Tiffany’s that I will forever cherish. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We arrived at Tiffany's around 8:30pm after our difficult and somewhat stressful 70 mile ride. Thank God we did not arrive any later than 8:30 because we almost missed performing at her graduation party! Her party started at 4pm and it's a good thing it was all day, otherwise we would have not had the opportunity to perform for Tiffany and her family and friends. The graduation party crowd was a good one! It mostly consisted of Tiffany's awesome Puerto Rican family members who are hilarious! Tiffany's fam jam in general is great. They let us crash at their place and her dad, Mr. Butler, took me to church with him the next morning. Also, they let me keep Paul at their house so I would not have to ship him back to Pennsylvania! They are very kind and I can't wait to visit Tiffany and her family again when I go back to pick up Paul in late August. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">After our Beacon performance and we took the train, and then the subway, into the Big Apple in order to reach the apartment of the ever so delightful Ben Martel. Ben is the chap who designed the BAAD Kinetics website and he too is an Alfredian (of course!). He currently lives in Brooklyn and has his own web design business. He's totes champ and I thoroughly enjoyed him beckoning me from the window as if he were Romeo when breakfast was ready. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I must say that carrying loaded bikes on trains and subways is quite difficult, and I didn't even have to do it. But, just by watching Emily and Layla carry their bikes I could tell it was hard to maneuver about the place. Even though I did not have to carry Paul, I did have to carry my neon pick bucket pannier that I detached from Paul. This was my suitcase. It was hilarious and I am very displeased I did not document me holding my silly makeshift suitcase. Thank God we weren't getting into the city during rush hour because it would have been impossible for me to carry my bucket pannier suitcase let alone the the bikes of Emily and Layla. Despite the logistical ordeal of getting into the Big Apple with loaded bikes and a single neon pick bucket pannier, we made it nonetheless! To me it is always exhilarating to enter the Big Apple. Sadly, I was only in the Big Apple for a day. On my last day with the BAAD tour Emily and I rehearsed a lot because she would be performing tomorrow at a party, and visited with a good friend before catching my Mega Bus back to State College to catch my flight to Italy. Parting the tour was such sweet sorrow. I bonded with Emily the night before even more and that made it all the more difficult to depart. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">When I reflect on my BAAD Tour experience, I feel that it was most certainly time well spent. I truly learned a lot about biking, the artist community and myself as a dancer and performer. Also, I got to meet great human beings and see and experience things I never would have otherwise. This was really a unique experience and I would not have asked for a better way to spend my first six weeks of summer. I hope to always continue to bike and dance and keep in touch with the beautiful BAAD ladies and others I encountered along the way. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Thank you, thank you, thank you Elisha for giving me credit towards my dance minor for doing this project with Layla, and Layla thank you for providing this excellent opportunity for people like me. Your ideas are inspiring and original, and I wish you the best of luck at the Bates dance festival and kickin' it in Amsterdam with Jacobo!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Alerxsis! Franks for constantly providing comic relief and your positivity. You are so organized and efficient! I can tell why Layla put you in this position. You are boss as shit, and you're coming to my wedding.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Emily! Yo you are good man! Learning all the choreography in less than a week is mad impressive! You are so fly and truly a lovely dancer. I loved biking with you and having wicked awesome girl talk and learning about you. Your ass better visit me at PSU this year! Bring ya sista too! Also, if you are having a performance/showing at Alfred I wanna come watch, so keep me posted! </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">There are def more peeps I am missing on this acknowledgment list, like all of the lovely humans who let us stay at their place and Julia Calabrese. However, this entry would go on forever if I continued, and, it is currently two o'clock in the morning in Italy and I have to wake up soon to watch a child, thus, I must be off! <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Ok, I am done with my graduation speech now. LOVE! <span style=""></span><span style=""><br /></span></p></span>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09604776527362380805noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328913336506290367.post-65100962842813323552010-07-03T06:42:00.000-07:002010-07-05T15:41:51.936-07:00Final photos... what great humans!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJfmG25HHI/AAAAAAAAAg8/jPzyolJe6w0/s1600/IMG_2516.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJfmG25HHI/AAAAAAAAAg8/jPzyolJe6w0/s200/IMG_2516.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490556003998571634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJfQ-mh2KI/AAAAAAAAAg0/1OuFm1l_ffI/s1600/IMG_2512.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJfQ-mh2KI/AAAAAAAAAg0/1OuFm1l_ffI/s200/IMG_2512.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490555641005201570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJeiUr21jI/AAAAAAAAAgc/brPI0n0mwBE/s1600/IMG_2505.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJeiUr21jI/AAAAAAAAAgc/brPI0n0mwBE/s200/IMG_2505.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490554839479277106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJeSFm6JjI/AAAAAAAAAgU/ykJl3O1_JBI/s1600/IMG_2504.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJeSFm6JjI/AAAAAAAAAgU/ykJl3O1_JBI/s200/IMG_2504.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490554560554083890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJeEGqiAwI/AAAAAAAAAgM/9ROxX42CGvs/s1600/IMG_2503.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJeEGqiAwI/AAAAAAAAAgM/9ROxX42CGvs/s200/IMG_2503.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490554320319546114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJd2DlerYI/AAAAAAAAAgE/5BO_C-qSia4/s1600/IMG_2502.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJd2DlerYI/AAAAAAAAAgE/5BO_C-qSia4/s200/IMG_2502.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490554078974881154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJdkcZmzsI/AAAAAAAAAf8/mmbqkOa-Wpc/s1600/IMG_2500.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJdkcZmzsI/AAAAAAAAAf8/mmbqkOa-Wpc/s200/IMG_2500.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490553776398323394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJdS5oFZ3I/AAAAAAAAAf0/q0UojGFRWA0/s1600/IMG_2498.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJdS5oFZ3I/AAAAAAAAAf0/q0UojGFRWA0/s200/IMG_2498.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490553475006031730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJdCW1VorI/AAAAAAAAAfs/5ZLBRiEYGBU/s1600/IMG_2497.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJdCW1VorI/AAAAAAAAAfs/5ZLBRiEYGBU/s200/IMG_2497.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490553190788473522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJczSNWUXI/AAAAAAAAAfk/RlASN_B65ho/s1600/IMG_2494.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJczSNWUXI/AAAAAAAAAfk/RlASN_B65ho/s200/IMG_2494.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490552931848966514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJckJCNXaI/AAAAAAAAAfc/o3Z4YpZlPdk/s1600/IMG_2493.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJckJCNXaI/AAAAAAAAAfc/o3Z4YpZlPdk/s200/IMG_2493.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490552671688285602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TDJcRIX8F_I/AAAAAAAAAfU/3rP6qUCJ4OE/s1600/IMG_2492.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; 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float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TC8_GLEtxTI/AAAAAAAAAZs/CcSLlPl0EoE/s200/IMG_2243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489675846072255794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TC8-w-op-xI/AAAAAAAAAZk/_mDJLUqFeF8/s1600/IMG_2241.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TC8-w-op-xI/AAAAAAAAAZk/_mDJLUqFeF8/s200/IMG_2241.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489675481956088594" border="0" /></a>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09604776527362380805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328913336506290367.post-16913903193541724662010-06-17T10:01:00.001-07:002010-06-17T10:40:28.991-07:00Utica, Salem, North Adams, Northampton Pics!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TBpd6ZpTrwI/AAAAAAAAAZc/UUTWD1-JwUM/s1600/IMG_2240.JPG"><img style="float:left; 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margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TBpVhPEAPPI/AAAAAAAAASs/IIS8sdCLRSk/s200/IMG_2126.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483789525744368882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TBpVVc693QI/AAAAAAAAASk/eJttgO_DDvg/s1600/IMG_2125.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TBpVVc693QI/AAAAAAAAASk/eJttgO_DDvg/s200/IMG_2125.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483789323306130690" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TBpVEPYK-LI/AAAAAAAAASU/-gygXGZYUCw/s1600/IMG_2123.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TBpVEPYK-LI/AAAAAAAAASU/-gygXGZYUCw/s200/IMG_2123.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483789027612752050" /></a>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09604776527362380805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328913336506290367.post-35018359985601757132010-06-16T10:59:00.000-07:002010-06-17T09:03:30.287-07:00Utica, Salem, North Adams, NorthamptonIt's been a while since my last update because so much fun has occurred that I don't even know what to do with myself! Since I last blogged we have had six performances and biked about 200 more miles. We also spray painted our kitty litter bucket panniers neon pink so everyone knows when the BAAD Kinetics Tour is in town! In addition to our neon pink eye catching panniers we also spray painted our fanny packs gold (yes, we all proudly sport fanny packs, and since they are now gold we feel it is appropriate to refer to them as our "pussy packs." They are so fresh.) and our are helmets silver. Also, I fell off Paul in Utica, so I too had to lick my tire. <div><br /></div><div>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div>UTICA</div><div><br /></div><div>When we got into Utica, NY from Syracuse we performed at "Utica Monday Nite." Utica Monday Nite is an annul summer long celebration which generally consists of local bands and high school performances. Our performance at Utica Monday Nite was especially interesting because the act before us was a high school show choir in bright sequence dresses. Since we performed directly after the show choir, our audience consisted of families and those of the post sixty demographic. We kind of caught this crowd off guard when we began to perform a contemporary dance piece before their eyes. I don't know if people were really feelin' our performance, but that is one of the goals of this tour, to make contemporary and modern dance more accessible to all audiences. It was a funny experience. </div><div><br /></div><div>While in Utica we met two excellent humans, Nate and Sean. Nate is a farmer and told us we could call him Farmer Nate, and Sean is a chef who works at Hamilton College. We met them after our performance and I think they were the only people who enjoyed what they saw. Alexis and Layla instantly bonded with Nate because he too is an Alfred Alum. It was very exciting to meet them. We hung out with Nate and Sean later that night and convinced them to come on tour with us. They agreed to it and we had a blast with them. Farmer Nate even gave Layla a delicious haircut! It looks so fresh. It was nice having Nate and Sean ride with us because they are great navigators! Sean was with us longer and it was really fun because he took us to a good stealth camping spot, and an awesome italian restaurant while en route to Albany. Speaking of Albany, we actually did not make it there. Originally we were supposed to bike from Utica to Albany, however, we did not make it because we got stuck in cold rain. We biked for thirty miles in the freezing cold rain and it was one of the single most hellacious experiences ever because we were not well equipped for this weather. We attempted to hitch-hike to get to Albany because we were so freezing that we could not possibly continue to bike. No one picked us up though (I suppose our bright red ponchos, gold pussy packs and silver helmets did not contribute). Since no one picked us up, we were forced to bike another ten miles to get to civilization since we were in the middle of nowhere. This was the longest ten miles of my life. It was so painful and I'm almost certain I got frost bite in my left foot. When we made it to a gas station I could barely walk and I thawed my feet out in the gas station sink for twenty minutes trying to regain feeling in my feet. We were stranded at a Mobil gas station in the middle of nowhere in upstate NY and we could not continue on our bikes because the cold rain refused to cease. Luckily for us though, Alexis' boyfriend, Jesse, lives and works about an hour and a half away from where we were stranded at a place called Salem Art Works (SAW for short). Thus, we skipped our Albany leg of the trip and we had Jesse save us from the gas station. We headed to Salem which was our destination after Albany anyway. </div><div><br /></div><div>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div><div>SALEM</div><div><br /></div><div>In Salem we stayed at SAW (Salem Art Works). Alexis used to be the associate director at SAW so we did a bit of a work exchange in order to stay there. SAW in an old dairy farm that's been converted into a sculpture park and artist community (http://www.salemartworks.com/about). SAW was started by, and is currently directed by, the ever so witty Anthony Cafritz. Staying there was AWESOME. While at SAW we hung out with the interns and staff a lot. It was great. What was even greater was that all of the staff and interns at SAW supported us in letting us stay there, and they all came to our in-studio performance at Hubbard Hall. The head of the interns, Patrick, even performed with us! He was so, so great and he has an excellent personality. He too went to Alfred with Alexis and Layla. In addition to coming to our show and letting us stay there, a handful of them participated in a movement workshop that Layla held for the SAW staff and interns. It went really, really well. Max, Patrick, Sarah, Alexis and I all participated in the workshop Layla led. We did lots of flocking and stretching and Max (one of the very talented interns who studies sculpture at Rhode Island School of Design) might even collaborate with Layla in the future! Other adventures at SAW included a fat kid field trip to Stewarts (the gas station/convenient store of upstate NY) to get the famous PB Pandemonium ice cream, dance pool in the billiard room (the best and most amusing thing EVER) and learning how to use a heat gun and scrape a rusty bridge! Staying at SAW has been one of my favorite parts of our adventure and the people are definitely what made it for me. We are hoping to meet up with some of our new SAW friends later on in our adventure. </div><div><br /></div><div>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div><div>NORTH ADAMS</div><div><br /></div><div>When we arrived in Massachusetts, the first city we stopped at was North Adams. While there we stayed in Ven's apartment/studio. Ven is a friend of Alexis, and he is a very, very talented musician and artist. He lives in an awesome apartment/studio and shares the space with a yoga studio. This was very convenient for us because we got to take a yoga class right when we woke up! Ven played music for us, and we got to see the cool independent movie theatre he works at. Before leaving North Adams to set out for Northampton, we stopped at MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art). It was a beautiful museum and while there we coincidentally ran into Anthony and the other SAW interns! It was so funny! At MASS MoCA since there was barely any security at the museum, we decided we would do one of our dances and have Alexis video tape us. It was really cool and passer-bys watched us as we danced in the museum. The space was vast and beautiful and I really liked dancing there. After our MASS MoCA field trip, we headed to Chris Milette's place in Northampton!</div><div><br /></div><div>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div><br /></div><div>NORTHAMPTON</div><div><br /></div><div>I must say, the trip from North Adams to Northampton was very hilly. However, after biking in the cold rain for thirty miles, I feel like I can deal with any terrain so long as it's sunny. It's really exciting though to be in a new state! This is my first time in Massachusetts and I daresay the state has treated me well thus far. When we biked into Northampton we received a warm greeting from Alexis and Layla's close friend, Chris. Chris is an artist, gardner and chef at the Haymarket Cafe and Juice Bar in downtown Northampton. Haymarket is where we have eaten the majority of our food while here in Northampton. The food Chris makes at the Haymarket is quite delectable and Chris is a bangin' chef! We're staying at Chris' apartment and it is even more exciting to be staying here because Chris and his girlfriend, Leah, speak fluent Italian, so I get to practice talking to them and Chris corrects me if I mess up. It's great. Chris is super hospitable and has been taking us all over Northampton! A fine tour guide indeed! The other day Chris showed us his garden and introduced to his grandparents. After this Chris took us to a crick behind his grandparents house and we went swimming! I jumped off a rope swing for the first time. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Later that day we had our performance with Mates of State! This was one of my all time favorite performances so far because celebrities allowed us to open for them! Mates of State is an indie pop duo that is totally famous in the indie music world. We were so honored to have the opportunity to perform before their show. Kori and Jason were so supportive of the BAAD Kinetics project and we got to dance with their daughters and enjoy their show after we opened for them. The concert took place at the Iron Horse Music Hall. The Iron Horse Music Hall is a bar and they host many bands that come through Northampton. This was my first time dancing a show in a bar. The space was great though and our performance was well received. It was an awesome experience and my love for Mates of State has totally grown after meeting them. Kori and Jason are very genuine and support local artists and projects which is beyond cool. I will never forget that. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Our second performance took place last night at the Flywheel in East Hampton (which is four miles outside of Northampton). The Flywheel is a sweet venue. It is an old town hall which was converted into a performance space for bands and other art performers. We opened for the Cave Bears, a noise band, and we had another really great performance. Our show was even enhanced if I do say so myself because Alexis and Layla's friend, Jackson, who is a sound artist, played music for us while we danced for our final number. It was so kickin'. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I must say that being on this tour and touring with artists has been so amazing. I have never been exposed to this much art and the artist world in my whole life. Because Layla and Alexis are artists and went to art school, we are staying with most of their friends who are all artists as well. It is so cool to be surrounded by such creative minds and be exposed to excellent art. The only genre of art I am really familiar with is obviously dance, but aside from that I was very unaware of art world before this tour. My appreciation for artists and what people create has increased tremendously. It has been really great exposure and I'm learning a lot. Furthermore, having the opportunity to perform and dance all the time is magnificent. Dance is hands down my passion, and being able to do it is beautiful. Before this tour I was having confidence issues every time I performed or had an audition. Constantly being ready to perform has forced me to get over my fears and just go for it, or as Layla says, "just own it!" I can't wait to get back to school and continue dancing and auditioning now. This tour and Layla's support and encouragement is conditioning me to be more confident and own my movement and love it. I could not ask for anything more. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This is our last day in North Hampton and tonight we are performing at a pot luck. This is the most shows we've had in one city. This will be our third performance while in North Hampton. Next state, Rhode Island! I think we are going to bike to the beach for the weekend then head to our next show in Providence. I am looking forward to the beach and our next performance. So far, so good! Hopefully we will not encounter any more rain! </div>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09604776527362380805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328913336506290367.post-66877223919351692010-06-06T09:38:00.000-07:002010-06-07T06:24:20.933-07:00kind humans<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvlCHjgR4I/AAAAAAAAANM/Bj6xU1BmGeQ/s1600/IMG_2110.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479725196176803714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvlCHjgR4I/AAAAAAAAANM/Bj6xU1BmGeQ/s200/IMG_2110.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvXhyonV1I/AAAAAAAAALs/IyzL80i9sKw/s1600/IMG_2099.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479710347154118482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvXhyonV1I/AAAAAAAAALs/IyzL80i9sKw/s200/IMG_2099.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvk2jiXIhI/AAAAAAAAANE/hGJsKMKp31o/s1600/IMG_2109.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479724997529772562" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvk2jiXIhI/AAAAAAAAANE/hGJsKMKp31o/s200/IMG_2109.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvkb8r-m5I/AAAAAAAAAM0/J5F4FhRzJj8/s1600/IMG_2107.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479724540424526738" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvkb8r-m5I/AAAAAAAAAM0/J5F4FhRzJj8/s200/IMG_2107.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvXp6gshDI/AAAAAAAAAL0/Y4yYThRVsBM/s1600/IMG_2100.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479710486707340338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvXp6gshDI/AAAAAAAAAL0/Y4yYThRVsBM/s200/IMG_2100.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvkk4XeGXI/AAAAAAAAAM8/hLaJ0X1s-Zc/s1600/IMG_2108.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479724693883591026" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvkk4XeGXI/AAAAAAAAAM8/hLaJ0X1s-Zc/s200/IMG_2108.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvkFVAFMwI/AAAAAAAAAMs/LO_Iazwe81A/s1600/IMG_2106.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479724151814304514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvkFVAFMwI/AAAAAAAAAMs/LO_Iazwe81A/s200/IMG_2106.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Dancing as Volvo ballerinas in the Ithaca Festival parade was so, so much fun! The Ithaca festival is an annual event which occurs during the summer, and each year the festival opens with the parade. Since Volvo's are the dominant car of Ithaca they always have a spot in the parade and a Volvo car is raffled off during the Ithaca festival. We wore crazy tutu's (so did the Volvo's!) and danced around and on top of the cars! We even made it in the Ithaca post! </p><p></p><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvX-Wj3QkI/AAAAAAAAAME/jepfr1eGGRo/s1600/IMG_2102.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479710837834203714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvX-Wj3QkI/AAAAAAAAAME/jepfr1eGGRo/s200/IMG_2102.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvX-Wj3QkI/AAAAAAAAAME/jepfr1eGGRo/s1600/IMG_2102.JPG"></a></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvXIgbArJI/AAAAAAAAALU/ga9_n9F1HHk/s1600/IMG_2095.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479709912768490642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvXIgbArJI/AAAAAAAAALU/ga9_n9F1HHk/s200/IMG_2095.JPG" border="0" /></a></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"></span> </h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"></span> </h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"></span> </h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"></span> </h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"></span> </h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"></span> </h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"></span> </h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><span class="UIStory_Message"><a onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," href="http://theithacapost.com/2010/06/04/post-photo-gallery-no-rain/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-size:0;">http://theithacapost.com/2010/06/04/post</span><wbr>-photo-</a></span><span class="UIStory_Message"><a onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," href="http://theithacapost.com/2010/06/04/post-photo-gallery-no-rain/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">gallery-no-rain/</a></span></h3><div class="UIStoryAttachment" id="" ft="'{"><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Media UIStoryAttachment_MediaSingle" ft="'{"><div class="UIMediaItem"><a onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," id="" title="" href="http://theithacapost.com/2010/06/04/post-photo-gallery-no-rain/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><div class="UIMediaItem_Wrapper"></div><div class="UIMediaItem_Wrapper"><img class="img" src="http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=c35df7b51b6b4f0bc4e7ca1402215a7b&w=130&h=130&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheithacapost.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F06%2FParade7a-500x337.jpg" /></div></a></div></div><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Info"><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Title"><a onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this)," id="" href="http://theithacapost.com/2010/06/04/post-photo-gallery-no-rain/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Post Photo Gallery: No Rain!</a></div><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Caption">theithacapost.com</div><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Copy">The 33rd annual Ithaca Festival Parade was blessed with partly cloudy skies and fully freaky performers. A Post Photo Gallery. </div><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Copy"><br /></div><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Copy"><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvj2I_kjNI/AAAAAAAAAMk/HtlUwmejFiU/s1600/IMG_2105.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479723890892901586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvj2I_kjNI/AAAAAAAAAMk/HtlUwmejFiU/s200/IMG_2105.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvlR-QbuSI/AAAAAAAAANU/v3LrX0mnZ84/s1600/IMG_2111.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479725468558801186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvlR-QbuSI/AAAAAAAAANU/v3LrX0mnZ84/s200/IMG_2111.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It was such a cool experience and we were honored to be a part Ithaca's annual summer event! I was sad to leave Ithaca, but, luckily I bought a touristy "Ithaca is Gorges" tee shirt so I could always remember it. We hopped back on our bikes and set our for Syracuse.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvmUNeiEMI/AAAAAAAAAN8/tY4cRWLIjYI/s1600/IMG_2116.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479726606515835074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvmUNeiEMI/AAAAAAAAAN8/tY4cRWLIjYI/s200/IMG_2116.JPG" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvmhWuCoQI/AAAAAAAAAOE/__WmhBRk7c8/s1600/IMG_2117.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479726832335102210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvmhWuCoQI/AAAAAAAAAOE/__WmhBRk7c8/s200/IMG_2117.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvYO-XVGsI/AAAAAAAAAMM/1h0g7yg9BM0/s1600/IMG_2103.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479711123396958914" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvYO-XVGsI/AAAAAAAAAMM/1h0g7yg9BM0/s200/IMG_2103.JPG" border="0" /></a></h3><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Copy"><br /></div><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvYO-XVGsI/AAAAAAAAAMM/1h0g7yg9BM0/s1600/IMG_2103.JPG"></a></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvYO-XVGsI/AAAAAAAAAMM/1h0g7yg9BM0/s1600/IMG_2103.JPG"></a></h3><div class="UIStoryAttachment_Copy"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvldvRjMXI/AAAAAAAAANc/vSj1_g-3mlk/s1600/IMG_2112.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479725670695383410" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvldvRjMXI/AAAAAAAAANc/vSj1_g-3mlk/s200/IMG_2112.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvlowq_TFI/AAAAAAAAANk/3ivLM99TpsQ/s1600/IMG_2113.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479725860049079378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvlowq_TFI/AAAAAAAAANk/3ivLM99TpsQ/s200/IMG_2113.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvl4waJOPI/AAAAAAAAANs/6yMc5VJqFtY/s1600/IMG_2114.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479726134856333554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvl4waJOPI/AAAAAAAAANs/6yMc5VJqFtY/s200/IMG_2114.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><br />Now, we are in Syracuse staying at Alexis' friends apartment and it is very rainy and wet outside. I am currently typing from Syracuse University's library computer. When it stops raining, we<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvmxqdzcPI/AAAAAAAAAOM/xr7wxPY4pv8/s1600/IMG_2119.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479727112513614066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvmxqdzcPI/AAAAAAAAAOM/xr7wxPY4pv8/s200/IMG_2119.JPG" border="0" /></a> plane on beautifying our bikes. Layla and Alexis bought neon pick and silver spray paint. Our bikes are gonna look AWESOME! Syracuse is a cool city and it is so cool to be biking all over NY. Tomorrow we head for Utica, then from Utica, Albany! I am very excited to see the capital of NY and continue performing. Our next performance is approaching. We had a rehearsal yesterday. I am still feeling sore, but luckily today we get to rest. I am hoping to encounter less road kill on the way to Utica. It smells so bad.<br /><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvnMU96UaI/AAAAAAAAAOc/IbC2ADedUug/s1600/IMG_2121.JPG"></a></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvnMU96UaI/AAAAAAAAAOc/IbC2ADedUug/s1600/IMG_2121.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479727570599170466" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvnMU96UaI/AAAAAAAAAOc/IbC2ADedUug/s200/IMG_2121.JPG" border="0" /></a></h3><br /><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvnMU96UaI/AAAAAAAAAOc/IbC2ADedUug/s1600/IMG_2121.JPG"></a></h3><br />Oh, how could I forget?! Layla was the first to fall off her bike. While on our way from Tex's camper in Montezuma to Syracuse Layla fell off Priscilla. Here she is! The first to lick the tire baby! </div><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="'{"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAvnMU96UaI/AAAAAAAAAOc/IbC2ADedUug/s1600/IMG_2121.JPG"></a></h3></div>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09604776527362380805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328913336506290367.post-78869870751553169982010-06-03T07:58:00.000-07:002010-06-03T13:59:26.156-07:00And the Adventures Begin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfhswvhh6I/AAAAAAAAAFU/SD9KAn7tUTc/s1600/IMG_2049.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfhswvhh6I/AAAAAAAAAFU/SD9KAn7tUTc/s200/IMG_2049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478595630834223010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfh2NwKsDI/AAAAAAAAAFc/y-ktqGI6MEI/s1600/IMG_2050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfh2NwKsDI/AAAAAAAAAFc/y-ktqGI6MEI/s200/IMG_2050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478595793240371250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfnmNu-q5I/AAAAAAAAAHc/u32immpG3wk/s1600/IMG_2067.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfnmNu-q5I/AAAAAAAAAHc/u32immpG3wk/s200/IMG_2067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478602115427249042" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfnXxvP4NI/AAAAAAAAAHU/212zcF9wyzo/s1600/IMG_2066.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfnXxvP4NI/AAAAAAAAAHU/212zcF9wyzo/s200/IMG_2066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478601867394015442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfhkNRVimI/AAAAAAAAAFM/7o-MQGaJ22A/s1600/IMG_2048.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfhkNRVimI/AAAAAAAAAFM/7o-MQGaJ22A/s200/IMG_2048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478595483873413730" border="0" /></a>Since my last post we have had three performances (the third performance being an impulsive one) and biked 140 miles!<div> </div><div>Our first official performance was May 28th at the Bandstand in Alfred. We performed three dances and the Alfred crowd was awesome! Audience members even joined us in dancing for the final numbe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfiEe1M-2I/AAAAAAAAAFk/tUOoOeIMGCg/s1600/IMG_2051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfiEe1M-2I/AAAAAAAAAFk/tUOoOeIMGCg/s200/IMG_2051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478596038343064418" border="0" /></a>r. It was the best spot for our first performance and a supportive audience is always a bonus.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfkkoK55AI/AAAAAAAAAF8/5sA9ofLmTEA/s1600/IMG_2055.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfkkoK55AI/AAAAAAAAAF8/5sA9ofLmTEA/s200/IMG_2055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478598789629076482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Our second performance took place in Livonia at a Memorial Day Party. The people throwing the party were good friends of Jamie (Jamie is the same chap who assisted Layla and I in our bike purchases at the beginning of our residency) and his family. The food was great and Jamie's friends were very nice. It was a cool experience for me to perform at a party because I am used to only dancing in traditional dance locations where there is always a stage and an attentive audience. Though there was an audience, there were also people who continued their game of horse shoes, ate, or swam in the pond while we were dancing. It was cool because it was a relaxed atmosphere, and people had the option of watching us, or continue their party activities. I enjoyed being part of the party's entertainment. One difficult aspect, however, was the change of space. This performance space was smaller than the space we had been rehearsing at in Alfred. There was one point in the dance where I kicked Layla in the cranium when we both did a backwards roll because I could not gauge my spacing. It is hard when you are used to rehearsing in one spot then have to figure out your new spacing during the performance. It was quite the challenge. Luckily Layla was alright and didn't feel it that much. I suspect situations like this which force me to adapt a performance in different spaces will ultimately help me become a better performer and enhance my dancer intuition.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfs0ay_5KI/AAAAAAAAAKk/7wxb0_rF0bU/s1600/IMG_2093.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfs0ay_5KI/AAAAAAAAAKk/7wxb0_rF0bU/s200/IMG_2093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478607857010074786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Our third performance occurred impulsively in Trumansburg, NY while en route to Ithaca. We stopped at a farmers market and while shopping around and trying local produce, Layla said to me and Alexis, "Let's start flocking" (flocking is a form of improvisation). Then she stated to me, "Or if you want we could do Permesso!" (Permesso is a name of another one of our dances that Layla and Julia choreographed). Alexis at first did not want to do it but she thought that Layla and I should definitely go for it. To be frank, I did not want to do this. I did not know how people would feel if they saw other people dancing in the middle of a farmers market, and not just any type of dance, contemporary/modern dance. This is not a very traditional genre to begin with, and to just bust it out amongst shoppers made me really nervous. I had never performed impulsively for an unexpected audience before. I knew I had to get over this fear of impulsive performances because the point of the BAAD Tour is to spread contemporary/modern dance around to people in unorthodox venues. Even though I knew this going into the tour, I must say it is easier said then done, and when put into the situation it is even scarier. I am a pretty extroverted person and just to dance in the middle of a market made me really shy, but, before I knew it, I was flocking behind Layla and Alexis and shoppers began to stare. We continued to flock and then Alexis stepped out of the flock while Layla and I did contact improvisation. After a bit of contact improvisation Layla and I began to perform the Permesso dance. I don't know how, but it worked beautifully. Our flocking went really well and our contact improvisation went even better! Layla and Alexis were so relaxed and that really eased my nerves so I could just dance freely. It was actually a really awesome experience! Weaving in and out of shoppers and catching peoples eyes was thrilling! The kids at the market were especially mesmerized. They kept following Layla and I as we danced. In fact after we finished our little performance a young girl came up to us and said, "What was that?!"<br /><br />I responded, "We were dancing contemporary dance. It's a type of dance. Did you like it?"<br /><br />The young girl responded, "Weird!" Layla and I laughed. I liked her honesty.<br /><br />After the farmers market we continued to bike to Ithaca and stopped again, except this time at the beautiful Taughannock Falls. It was a beautiful sight.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAgRT4U6MJI/AAAAAAAAAKs/4DvKJaoOFKE/s1600/IMG_2094.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAgRT4U6MJI/AAAAAAAAAKs/4DvKJaoOFKE/s200/IMG_2094.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478647979931480210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfseypa8mI/AAAAAAAAAKU/aL7mTc0W2Xc/s1600/IMG_2091.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfseypa8mI/AAAAAAAAAKU/aL7mTc0W2Xc/s200/IMG_2091.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478607485455233634" border="0" /></a><br /><br />-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfnxhP2ggI/AAAAAAAAAHk/XaXIoCBLbyk/s1600/IMG_2068.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfnxhP2ggI/AAAAAAAAAHk/XaXIoCBLbyk/s200/IMG_2068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478602309643960834" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfoB3ehF6I/AAAAAAAAAHs/mlHLjqTMPTA/s1600/IMG_2069.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfoB3ehF6I/AAAAAAAAAHs/mlHLjqTMPTA/s200/IMG_2069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478602590488958882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It doesn't actually hit you that you're going on a 1200 mile bike tour across the Northeastern United States until you've put panniers on your bike with about twenty five pounds worth of weight in them. It is amazing how much one can carry on a bicycle. I personally am carrying my clothes (costumes included!), toiletries, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, some food, and a tent on Paul. Since the hills of New York aren't merciless enough, one has to add to the difficulty! Holy Hannah! I have to tell you I have never sweat so much in <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfoXHhLsyI/AAAAAAAAAH8/adAfyZ-FU1o/s1600/IMG_2071.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfoXHhLsyI/AAAAAAAAAH8/adAfyZ-FU1o/s200/IMG_2071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478602955572359970" border="0" /></a>my entire existence after carrying this weight going up a hill. I was already struggling when we were training without carrying our gear! Luckily though, Jake (Layla's boyfriend) and Jamie built us the most excellent panniers EVER for us to carry all of our stuff! They are essentially kitty litter boxes that they attached to our bikes. They were two dollars, and they are water proof! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfmr3yYA8I/AAAAAAAAAG8/iicvxQ2FJlc/s1600/IMG_2063.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfmr3yYA8I/AAAAAAAAAG8/iicvxQ2FJlc/s200/IMG_2063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478601113103500226" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAflrG8YgXI/AAAAAAAAAGk/nw7_-Ft4p3Y/s1600/IMG_2060.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAflrG8YgXI/AAAAAAAAAGk/nw7_-Ft4p3Y/s200/IMG_2060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478600000480510322" border="0" /></a> Jamie and Jake are extremely innovative. And, in addition to putting panniers on our bikes, Jamie gave us bike tutorials. He taught us how to change our tire if we get a flat (p.s. my tire did go flat already, and I knew how to change it thanks to Jamie and Jake!), and how to change a spoke. I am no mechanic, so I had to practice many, ma<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfmLQGZnJI/AAAAAAAAAG0/3KdolKD1pIY/s1600/IMG_2062.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfmLQGZnJI/AAAAAAAAAG0/3KdolKD1pIY/s200/IMG_2062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478600552694258834" border="0" /></a>ny times. Luckily Jamie and Jake are really patient humans and watched me practice how to do this a lot. I messed up a lot though. In fact, at one point while practicing how to put the tube back in the actual tire I broke my valve and Jamie and to completely repair and patch up my tire before we even left. I felt so bad! He was very, very kind and patient though.<br /><br /><br />Beginning our BAAD tour adventure at Jamie's house in Livonia was incredible. Livonia is a rural area which consists of stunning countryside. Jamie and his family have lots of land. They have a goat, chickens, large luscious gardens, and an awesome pond which we skinny dipped in upon our fifty mile ride arrival from Alfred! Jamie, Cindy and Mike were so hospitable and they are so supportive of the BAAD Tour. Staying here has truly be<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfo4acunSI/AAAAAAAAAIE/rIPOXt_Opcw/s1600/IMG_2072.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfo4acunSI/AAAAAAAAAIE/rIPOXt_Opcw/s200/IMG_2072.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478603527589633314" border="0" /></a>en a beautiful experience. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAflLL5MCLI/AAAAAAAAAGU/RYIKpqnAhWM/s1600/IMG_2058.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAflLL5MCLI/AAAAAAAAAGU/RYIKpqnAhWM/s200/IMG_2058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478599452053473458" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There were lots of memorable moments while staying with Jamie and his fam jam. One of them being night bike riding after we performed at the Memorial Day party. It was so, so crazy biking in the dead of night! I had a bike light on Paul that was lit up so we could see. However, I was the only rider who had a front bike light. Alexis, Jamie and I mostly rode together while Layla and Jake were behind us. As I led us through the darkness Alexis and Jamie kept talking about how awesome the lightning bugs looked in the night. I, however, could not see these lightning bugs because my bike light was so bright. After I expressed this Jamie simply said, "Well, turn off your bike light!" I turned it off and we rode in complete darkness. I could see the flashes of lightning bugs EVERYWHERE! It was like when you're at a concert and you see the flashes from people's camera, except they weren't cameras making the flashes, they were the lightning bugs! It was so cool! We also could not see the road at all and it was positively exhilarating to not know what type of terrain was coming next. In addition to the flashes of the lightning bugs, the stars in the night sky were positively scintillating. As we rode in the darkness we sang and laughed a lot! I really felt like I bonded with Alexis a lot on the night ride. She is so funny and I really enjoy her presence. As we were talking and laughing there was a chorus of cicadas and bull frogs in the background which was simply majestic! Jamie even showed us Hemlock Lake while on the ride! It was totally an added bonus to the post performance adventure. I will never forget that crazy awesome feeling of letting the darkness lead me and being completely taken over by the stars all the while being surrounded by excellent humans.<br /><br /><br /><br />Another cool experience was seeing Jamie's House he is currently building which is made of tires!!! It is called an Earth ship. Half of it is built beneath the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfqbxz7x4I/AAAAAAAAAI8/-fdICvadQKc/s1600/IMG_2080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfqbxz7x4I/AAAAAAAAAI8/-fdICvadQKc/s200/IMG_2080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478605234668029826" border="0" /></a>ground, and Jamie only uses recycled materials to build the Earth ship. Jamie studied art at Alfred with Layla, Jake and Alexis, but after seeing his house of tires, one would think he studied architecture or engineering! His work is very impressive and he taught himself everything!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfqPmYv7VI/AAAAAAAAAI0/VzUUnkJ2FVI/s1600/IMG_2079.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfqPmYv7VI/AAAAAAAAAI0/VzUUnkJ2FVI/s200/IMG_2079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478605025442786642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfqvCGNhDI/AAAAAAAAAJM/KNmdFg13pEM/s1600/IMG_2082.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfqvCGNhDI/AAAAAAAAAJM/KNmdFg13pEM/s200/IMG_2082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478605565457171506" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Another aspect of staying at Jamie's that I really enjoyed was eating dinner with his family. His family is so great. I was just happy to be shootin' the shit with Mike (Jamie's step dad), or talking with Cindy (Jamie's mom) in the yard. We had lots of fun eating dinner with them. We laughed a lot and ate a lot of ice cream and homemade pie! It was so cool because most o<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfq5Zah7-I/AAAAAAAAAJU/6Qxhi5PR2LY/s1600/IMG_2083.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfq5Zah7-I/AAAAAAAAAJU/6Qxhi5PR2LY/s200/IMG_2083.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478605743515103202" border="0" /></a>f the things we ate came from the garden. All of the food was delicious and the kindness of Jamie and his fam jam was so contagious. When we left Cindy said, "Our door is always open! Literally, because the lock is broken! But seriously if you ever are around we'll be here."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfp3LkUm_I/AAAAAAAAAIk/mJtMQEaFD_I/s1600/IMG_2077.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfp3LkUm_I/AAAAAAAAAIk/mJtMQEaFD_I/s200/IMG_2077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478604605926710258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfpJSACMEI/AAAAAAAAAIM/gHWc3U2ztdU/s1600/IMG_2073.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfpJSACMEI/AAAAAAAAAIM/gHWc3U2ztdU/s200/IMG_2073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478603817379573826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfsCUONw6I/AAAAAAAAAKE/lzK_AaZQ144/s1600/IMG_2089.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfsCUONw6I/AAAAAAAAAKE/lzK_AaZQ144/s200/IMG_2089.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478606996251722658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Leaving good peeps is hard.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfsM3BW2bI/AAAAAAAAAKM/i4LuTvdKrF0/s1600/IMG_2090.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfsM3BW2bI/AAAAAAAAAKM/i4LuTvdKrF0/s200/IMG_2090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478607177391724978" border="0" /></a>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><br />Now, we are in Ithaca, NY and it is crazy going from a really rural area to a city setting. What is even more funny is that we are camping in Brandon's back yard in downtown Ithaca. There are two tents in a a downtown bustling area, and it looks very funny. We went from cicadas to crazy horn honking! Ithaca is a really cool area, and I am currently blogging from Cornell University's library computers. We are marching in a parade tonight and performing in it which is mad exciting! I look forward to performing more and letting the adventures continue!<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfm8TBTXfI/AAAAAAAAAHE/2rQqOSzAn5k/s1600/IMG_2064.JPG"><br /></a></div><div> </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/TAfo4acunSI/AAAAAAAAAIE/rIPOXt_Opcw/s1600/IMG_2072.JPG"></a><div> </div>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09604776527362380805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328913336506290367.post-63082751146305708392010-05-26T06:50:00.000-07:002010-05-26T08:48:51.552-07:00goodbye and hello<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_03IkY_QQI/AAAAAAAAAC0/icQ3_zW9phc/s1600/img_2031.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475593342299357442" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_03IkY_QQI/AAAAAAAAAC0/icQ3_zW9phc/s200/img_2031.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div>Yesterday was very sad because Julia (our co-choreographer) went back home to Portland, OR. Her work and contributions to the BAAD Kinetics Tour are complete. </div><br /><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475595501948219650" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_05GRtZsQI/AAAAAAAAADU/MaE6_tDACjE/s200/img_2042.jpg" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_04jn-k9cI/AAAAAAAAADE/iWZ-k4mxqrw/s1600/img_2040.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475594906630419906" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_04jn-k9cI/AAAAAAAAADE/iWZ-k4mxqrw/s200/img_2040.jpg" /></a> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475595154485129922" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_04yDTvssI/AAAAAAAAADM/w9sGwkka4Gs/s200/img_2041.jpg" /><br /><br /><div>Twas a sad affair indeed when my fellow Italian Stallion departed. We all desperately wanted Julia to come on tour with us. She is a fine human to say the least, and I really enjoyed working with her in the studio and chillin' with her outside of studio time. We always had ourselves a good chuckle! Saying goodbye is a pain in the patella, and much to my dismay I suspect this is the first of many goodbyes to new friends I will make on this tour. Ciao Julia! <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_052VIgFyI/AAAAAAAAADc/cgjJY5o-g8s/s1600/img_2032.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475596327500912418" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_052VIgFyI/AAAAAAAAADc/cgjJY5o-g8s/s200/img_2032.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div>After Julia left our costume designer, Amy Fries of Vaunt Designs(<a href="http://www.vauntdesigns.com/">http://www.vauntdesigns.com/</a>), drove in from Philadelphia. Amy is a very talented artist who has the challenge of creating costumes for us that are very light (they must be light so we can carry them on our bicycles) yet crazy and appealing to an audience. It was nice because yesterday Amy went on a bike ride with us! Our bike ride yesterday was especially fun because we went on a fat kid field trip to the Big Dipper, which is the local ice cream stand! The ice cream was delectable and it was a good ride for our new guest to accompany us on. I am looking forward to Amy fitting me for my costume and letting the production of "Hot Mess" fall into place. </div><br /><br /><div>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_03TIcj54I/AAAAAAAAAC8/f3jAuYJK6qs/s1600/img_2033.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 149px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475593523776710530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_03TIcj54I/AAAAAAAAAC8/f3jAuYJK6qs/s200/img_2033.jpg" /></a>------------------------</div><br /><br /><div>At Alfred University I think it is safe to say that everyone knows everyone! Every time we walk somewhere Layla and Alexis bid hello to passe<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_0_okaN9TI/AAAAAAAAADk/XtB8529rKd4/s1600/img_2034.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475602688153351474" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_0_okaN9TI/AAAAAAAAADk/XtB8529rKd4/s200/img_2034.jpg" /></a>rbys and we have many stop and chats. It is a very cool university and even though I go to Penn State, I feel as though I am an honorary Alfred student. I have a temporary Herrick Memorial library card, I have a full understanding of why Nana's is THE best place to eat, and I know to only grocery shop at Kinfolk (the best grocery store I daresay!). The locals are really great! In fact, one of Alfred locals, Billy, even helped me to come up with a name for my new bicycle! He wrote down a whole bunch of names for me on an index card with a pronunciation key included! It was quite funny. </div><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_1BGnRW5sI/AAAAAAAAAD8/SvCKhWfEffA/s1600/img_2036.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475604303829198530" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_1BGnRW5sI/AAAAAAAAAD8/SvCKhWfEffA/s200/img_2036.jpg" /></a><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475604799513826002" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_1Bjd1yEtI/AAAAAAAAAEE/CWyLM6ay1zI/s200/img_2039.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475603658700510962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_1AhD-sVvI/AAAAAAAAAD0/AdfmOkuA6gM/s200/img_2038.jpg" /><br /><div>We still have lots of work to do in to studio and our first performance is in Alfred this Friday! Ahhh! Where does the time go? I am looking forward to performing with Layla. We set out for the tour on our bikes officially this Saturday! Time is of the essence. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09604776527362380805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328913336506290367.post-74574151056917260442010-05-21T12:33:00.000-07:002010-05-21T12:35:28.620-07:00Schoolhouse Rock - Three is a Magic Number<object style="background-image: url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/GA69pmhrBiE/hqdefault.jpg);" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GA69pmhrBiE&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GA69pmhrBiE&hl=en_US&fs=1" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09604776527362380805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328913336506290367.post-15544380276067630362010-05-19T20:08:00.000-07:002010-05-21T15:53:03.681-07:00A lil' struggs<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_a0hNbSNmI/AAAAAAAAAB8/sImpNpfiA1E/s1600/img_2028.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 150px; float: left; height: 200px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473760879748200034" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_a0hNbSNmI/AAAAAAAAAB8/sImpNpfiA1E/s200/img_2028.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_a23RCXJoI/AAAAAAAAACU/xqC62IiFSW0/s1600/img_2023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px; float: right; height: 150px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473763457697785474" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_a23RCXJoI/AAAAAAAAACU/xqC62IiFSW0/s200/img_2023.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Being in the dance studio is really exciting, and the dance studios at Alfred University are BEAUTIFUL! It's awesome working with Layla and Julia (Julia is the co-choreographer for "Hot Mess" and a fellow Italian!). Their style of dance and ideas are very different from what I am used to. The style of Julia and Layla is more gesture and pedestrian based rather than traditional dancing that most people might think of. It sounds like a simple concept, but it is actually really difficult, especially for someone like me<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px; display: block; height: 150px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473762250642791698" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_a1xAaBnRI/AAAAAAAAACE/YW7ZxRN_Kbw/s200/img_2029.jpg" border="0" /> who is used to Jazz and ballet which consist of very dance-ie movements. It is quite difficult to execute pedestrian movements and appear natural. You can't make a natural everyday movement (like bumping into someone on the street, or standing really close to a stranger on the subway) look purposeful, or overly rehearsed, or too exaggerated. For example, today as part of the dance combination we had to run really fast then come to an abrupt halt and act like we just banged our body into a wall. I kept trying, and trying to execute this movement, but I just looked so unnatural. So, I actually physically ran into a wall numerous times to see how it felt so that when I acted it out in the dance, I would look <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">realistic</span> and not so forceful. I must say that repeatedly running into a wall so I could learn how to execute the movement more realistically did hurt a bit, but I improved! I still have some work to do on this movement that may sound simple to you, but I'm telling you, it's hard! Nevertheless, it is exciting to have the opportunity to dance in a forum that is outside of my comfort zone. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_a2kWSDD_I/AAAAAAAAACM/3Vy5hVZOzZE/s1600/img_2022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px; float: right; height: 150px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473763132688240626" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_a2kWSDD_I/AAAAAAAAACM/3Vy5hVZOzZE/s200/img_2022.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_a0Jm7e8cI/AAAAAAAAAB0/CVy_et7APro/s1600/img_2027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 150px; float: left; height: 200px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473760474277278146" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_a0Jm7e8cI/AAAAAAAAAB0/CVy_et7APro/s200/img_2027.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br /><br /><br />Recently in the BAAD residency we have experienced a bit of frustration and stress because one of the dancers in the production quit. Now, instead of having three performers, we only have two (and those two dancers/performers are me and Layla). Despite the loss of a dancer I have full confidence that Layla and Julia will make the production look just as awesome, and the BAAD tour will prevail! As of now we have three people all together on the tour. Me, Layla, and Alexis (Alexis is our totally awesome tour manager) are currently the only three on the BAAD tour, which may sound like a little to you, however, School House Rock tells us that "three is the magic number," and this I strongly believe!<br /><br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><div><br /></div><div>If I were a passerby and I saw myself riding a bicycle I would laugh really hard. I thought I was good at riding a bike, but turns out riding your bike from your dorm to your academic building at school does not count as actually being able to ride a bike. So far I have been chased by two dogs, and an 85 year old man passed me going up a hill. I am chronically last every time Alexis, Layla and I go on rides. Thus, they have dubbed me "The Caboose" of the group. It is really quite amusing. The three of us have made a bet that whoever falls off their bike first on the tour (which is bound to happen) has to lick their tire. So far, Alexis and Layla suspect I will be the first to have to lick my tire. Despite my inability to ride Paul (excuse the sexual pun) gracefully, biking through upstate New York is truly a beautiful experience. It is so mountainous and green. Alfred is surrounded by breathe-taking farms and countryside. Just having the opportunity to bike out here and connect with nature while attempting to ride Paul with two awesome women accompanying me, is truly an amazing experience. I feel honored to share wit<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_a4vQHcgOI/AAAAAAAAACc/-2q8ovScgK0/s1600/img_2024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px; float: left; height: 150px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473765519034974434" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_a4vQHcgOI/AAAAAAAAACc/-2q8ovScgK0/s200/img_2024.jpg" border="0" /></a>h great people. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_a5wNs3J5I/AAAAAAAAACs/-6c3y_jgk6M/s1600/img_2026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 200px; float: right; height: 150px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473766635078100882" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_a5wNs3J5I/AAAAAAAAACs/-6c3y_jgk6M/s200/img_2026.jpg" border="0" /></a><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px; display: block; height: 150px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473765940225978786" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_a5HxLNMaI/AAAAAAAAACk/t5Dv5lN8XcQ/s200/img_2025.jpg" border="0" /></div>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09604776527362380805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328913336506290367.post-47541200719775388532010-05-19T11:18:00.000-07:002010-05-19T13:13:44.435-07:00H.O.M.E.SAs I waved good-bye to my parents from the car headed to Alfred, New York for the BAAD(Bicycle Awesome Adventure Dance) Residency, my eyes were swelled with tears and I felt a lump in my throat as I tried to fight back and swallow the next set of tears. I was sad to leave home and watch my parents bid me farewell. I generally never have trouble leaving home, or saying good-bye<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_RDZNSNVeI/AAAAAAAAABc/Vf75aLAi58c/s1600/img_2021.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473073547503818210" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_RDZNSNVeI/AAAAAAAAABc/Vf75aLAi58c/s200/img_2021.jpg" /></a> to my family, however, this time leaving home was different. Right before leaving to start my BAAD adventures, my dad had a stroke. This was his second stroke and it was worse then his first one. When I hugged him good-bye as I departed, he cried and expressed to me how he was useless because his mind was gone. I wished I could have spent more time with him and the rest of my family before I left. Saying good-bye to him, and saying good-bye to the rest of my family for that matter, was so hard for me. As I left, my dad slurred, "Be good and work hard!" I hope I can do just that while on this tour.<br /><br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Even though it was difficult to leave home, I was reminded of home on my first full day at Alfred. To kick off the day, Layla and I went on a fifty minute bike ride to begin our bicycle training. This bike ride of ours did not go very well seeing as we both have very old bicycles that are not sufficient enough for a fifty minute bike ride, let alone an eight-week bike tour. Thus, later that day we went to see Layla's friend, Jamie (who is a bike aficionado), who assisted us in purchasing beautiful new bikes for our tour. Jamie lives in the Rochester area, and he was gracious enough to take us to many bicycle shops <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_RDIAMM7hI/AAAAAAAAABU/5YAyjfWUhW0/s1600/img_2019.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473073251931188754" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_RDIAMM7hI/AAAAAAAAABU/5YAyjfWUhW0/s200/img_2019.jpg" /></a>all around <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_RC7qSjhMI/AAAAAAAAABM/P_8IvkhOfCs/s1600/img_2015.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 209px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473073039893824706" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_RC7qSjhMI/AAAAAAAAABM/P_8IvkhOfCs/s320/img_2015.jpg" /></a>Rochester until we found the shop and the bike and the price that was right for us! We discovered, thanks to Jamie, that the most bangin' bicycle shop in Rochester is "The Bike Zone." The manager, Chris, gave us discounts and assisted us GREATLY on how to tour and train for an adventure such as ours. Chris was so helpful. We were so pumped about our bikes that we had to name them of course! Layla named her bike Priscilla, and my bike is named Paul. After purchasing and naming our bikes, Jamie, Layla and I dipped into Lake Ontario! On our way to the lake, I expressed to Jamie and Layla how very excited I was to see a great lake because as I child my mom used the acronym, H.O.M.E.S (<strong>H</strong>uron. <strong>O</strong>ntario. <strong>M</strong>ichigan. <strong>E</strong>rie. <strong>S</strong>uperior) to help us memorize the Great Lakes. They giggled as I expressed my excitement and explained my H.O.M.E.S acronym. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_RCmp3e9yI/AAAAAAAAAA8/f26SAImHUTc/s1600/img_2013.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473072679003027234" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_RCmp3e9yI/AAAAAAAAAA8/f26SAImHUTc/s320/img_2013.jpg" /></a><br />We had a lot of fun at the lake, and I was excited to connect my home life with the people I was currently with and the adventure we were currently on. It made me discover that even though I am away from home and sad to not be with my dad, I have created another home with the cool people I am meeting and spending my next six weeks with. This H.O.M.E.S experience has led me to believe that I could be in a shithole and still be content so long as I am in good company.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_RCxN0NxVI/AAAAAAAAABE/MSPBUP-WprQ/s1600/img_2014.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473072860451685714" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_d6s06sEAk4I/S_RCxN0NxVI/AAAAAAAAABE/MSPBUP-WprQ/s320/img_2014.jpg" /></a>mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09604776527362380805noreply@blogger.com4