| proof of my existenceMy adventures began as soon as I finished work in vilseck. I welll that's only halfway true. I think last weekend whilst dancing in suttgart (instead of dancing in Scotland) I decided… hey I'm gonna make this up to myself. Pia, gal I met in London who also happened to be in Stuttgart talked me into it. She said a live band was coming down to munchen… I'd never been. We're looking at a win win all around. But then I made the mistake of talking with the instructors at the workshop. "Come down to Como Italz, biggest swing event in Italz. On the lake. FREE dancing. I couldn't help myself. I was done. Hook. Line. Sinker.
So with great reluctance / jubilance I headed off to Vilseck, 1 hour north of Nurnberg which is another hour from Munchen. Vilseck is the boonies reincarnate, but on the other hand, I'd now have an opportunity to hit two birds with one stone.
As I was packing my bags for my week teaching in Vilseck I also packed my dirty swing dancing T-Shirts. Yes I have Swing t-shirts. No not nerdy 'lucky shirt' affirs so much as shirts from the different events I've been to. I figure if I recognize people by the shirts they wear, then maybe someone will do the same for me. It's worked twice already. In Italy and Stuttgart. And most recently Munchen.
I'm so stupid. Haha. I got on the train to Munchen and halfway there I realized… Damn it… I don't know where I think I'm going to be dancing at. Oooh… musician.s… I'm sitting in the square where we'll be dancing tonight. The floor looks small, but the stage is huge … and the squre… ah…the air smells of water. We're in the middle of a pretty posh city (this is where the rich people go to go shopping in little highly overpriced boutiques. I feel so ghetto tonight. But then… I usually do. But I diverge.
Robin found the address for me, and as I got off the train in munchen I was immediately blown away and decided off the bat that I MUST return for Oktoberfest. (which is in the cards for me. Wanna come?)
I didn't know anything except a street. And a vague idea of what it looked like in aerial view on mapquest. I immediately started walking in what I thought was the right direction. I was wrong. You know how sometimes you're someplace… and you think to yourself, hmm.. this isn't someplace I want to be alone in the dark. Yeah … that was me and the Turkish ghetto. All the signs were in Turkish. I saw no Germans. Except fellow lost tourists… "quick find the mainstreet" I did. And immediately found the club where the dancing was to be. Because there was a bunch of young musicians dressed in black, toting instruments, speaking in Australian. My detective skills are superb ;) it reminded me of the days when the jazz band would show up at a venue. A ragtag bunch in black clothes… and white socks. God we were so sure of our badassiness. Which I must admit. In my mind is partiallz endearing somewhat deserved. And horribly naïve. Loved every moment. But yeah. I found the place, and resumed my treck through downtown munchen since I had plenty of time to kill. I saw a bunch of kids in football jerseys with Germany flags stampd on their faces. Ah… I love soccer season! Germany was playing… Prague? Who knows. Doesn't matter. There were just hordes of people out on the street preparing to celebrate. As I continued walking past restaurants all I could think about was my fascination with Kaiserschmarren and how desperately I wanted some. But I made a promise with myself. Travel to and from Italy was going to be 200 Dollars. I can dance, but I don't buy uneccesary food and I sleep in the trainstation. Or hook up with someone and sleep in her room. HAHA yeah. Right.
I moseyed along the streets and heard a phenomenal ensemble playing Canon in D as well as another group playing a Violin concerto that my sister back in the day could have mastered. Memory lane! When sigan Lisa and I went to Norway in my … sophomore year for a music camp (dad forced us to go…) a group of four of us practiced this quartet (as well as some other music) and tried our luck playing on the streets of Kristiansand. In two hours (with gale winds making musicianship impossible) we earned enough for each of us to get a scoop office cream. Which of couse, I promptly did. But yeah, sometimes I think, if I hadn't gotten so turned on by dancing, I'd probably be one of the kids traveling and playing for the dancers. But then... as i think about it. I never loved practicing my horn. Well ok scratch that. there have been a total of three flute peices that i could spend hours and hours practicing without thinking about it. And then the jazz band... well that was just surreal waiting to happen. recently i heard a recording from back in 2003. the stories we used to tell on our horns. but yeah. when it comes to dance. i could do it nonstop for days and never tire of it. why? it's in the blood eh? The club was a pretty swank affair. Decent size. Nice bar. Awful floor. It'd just been redone. Wouldn't have known the way your shoes stick to the floor. Someone 'spilled' baby powder on the floor for people to slick up their shoes with
OH Japanese tourists!! How do I know? Two guesses. Starts with Cam ends with era! Lol. Everylast one of them! So jealous. But I digress.
Dancers slicking up their shoes. The band was pretty good. Apparently they're all from Melbourne most knew each other from music school. They were ok. Not that I think I'm better, they were ridiculously tight when it came to playing the right notes. I mean. My jaw was on the floor they sounded so damn good. And oh my god there was a girl on trombone. I woulda boned her! Her sound was sick awesome! Big fat. Brassy. Sex! There was a girl on drums. Dead steady metronome. But having a drummer as a father makes me a little critical of the rhythm section. And she left a little to be desired ;) But no , the band was hot. Just absolutely wailing. I think though Iappreciated their musicianship more than the actual songs they played. I didn't find myself that into them. Which hurts b/c there weren't a lot of dancers to begin with, and for one reason or another there were maybe only five couples left by eleven pm. The band played until one. Poor band ☹
I did pick a favorite dancer. She was a teacher. Wicked good. Funny. Fun to lead. Definitely significantly older than me. And I thinkshe was with another one of the dancers. He made me sick jealous. He had more musicality in his pinkie toe than I have in my entire goofy body. Lord he was good. I just sat there watching… and by watching I guess staring is the better word.
Speaking of staring. I don't know what it is with girls, but they always dance better with other girls than when they're following guys. I don't know why. There was another teacher there (who was hosting the workshops in munchen) and she and this other blond german girl were doing their damndest to give EVERY guy in the room a hard on. They were dancing blues, and I felt so awkward b/c I couldn't stop watching! I even contemplated taking out my camera. I mean they moved SO well together. And it was so cute the way they kept stealing the lead from each other … and no matter which guy danced with them, they never moved the same way. Chick in White was sloshed, but chick in black was … not. I dunno. And then later word comes out that they might be a couple. Ah. That makes sense.
At 1 the swing ended and the 'regular' music started. What few musicians remained tried to bail as quickly as possible but I did my best to grab a couple dances with the teachers before they left. I feel so much sexier and self confident when I hear today's 'modern crap'. Put on Rap, Timberlake, Timberland, John Mayer, doesn't matter, I can usually make something out of it (unless it's alternative, rock, or punk). Shoot even soft techno! But 'authentic Charleston, or all that other stuff just kicks my ass!!
Na ja. At 2 I found myself sitting waiting for the world to change. Just watching the kids in the club. There was this one boy. And I do mean boy. Maybe 16 (apparently a schauspieler) and his girlfriend… she was 14 or younger. And they were in there trying to hustle / jitterbug. I smiled and laughed at younger me whom I'd long since forgotten! Silly boy. He'll either be a heartbreaker or heartbroken when he finally grows up. So cocky! So certain of himself. I guess it's true. Kids don't really change. At moments like that I can't wait to have my own, just to see what the little rascal would say. My father called me Rascal. Wonder what he's up to? well ok. i know... he's flying space A from hawaii to germany a few days before fourth of july weekend... let's discuss this...
Anyway. At 2 I started walking around again. Made it into the Red light district. I was really tempted to go into a strip club. One b/c I've never been, but more importantly b/c it'd be a heck of a lot warmer than just sittng outside waiting for a train not set to arrive for five hours.
A prostitute / bored woman called out at me "hey baby, come in here." I blushed, smiled and moved on. Somewhat flattered, but then I reminded myself that she's just doing her job. It's not me.
Went to an internet café, but you werent' there. Contemplated eating at BK but had some cookies instead. Fell asleep at the trainstation on the floor. My butt was SO un comfortable. And I was wigging out b/c I have my laptop with me and I didn't want it to go missing
OH GOD!! I am so embarassed. You know those stupid Americans that go to a foreign counry and don't speak the language. Yeah… that's me! I walked all around town looking for a restaurant that was cheap and maybe had an outlet for me to charge my laptop. Challenge 1: Italy has three prong plugs instead of just the regular 2 prong in germany… next problem they have to find an adaptor crawl under tables etc. Lord. If I dind't REALLY want to keep this journal going I probably woulda let it go. B/c I'm Incovenincing them so much I decided I'd spend more than I normally would… so yeah … a big 15 euros!! GAH!!
So where was i… ah yes … walking around Munchen at all hours of the night. I think once you get Mr. Minette in your head he kinda doesn't leave. LoL am I old enough to call him "John" now? Nope! Definitely not.
Anyway. I'm walking Munchen and I nearly cried! There was this building in high gothic style. Gorgeous flying buttresses pointed arches the whole nine yards. And just behind it a 16th century style Italian Renaissance cathedral. The dichotomy was amazing! And the size of the building!! I felt so small.
OH lord my latin bases let me down. I thought I was ordering pizza with artichokes… nope… anchovies! So salty!! Not what I was expecting and certainly not what I want before I go dancing!! Apparently we're going until four AM. Which is great… b/c then I don't have to sleep in the cold! I just noticed they have a picture of the pope! I'm in a catholic country! Lovely!! BTW are capers like mini olives… I think I'm having those too!!
If you've never slept in a train station… I highly recommend it. You'll never travel without a miniature sleeping bag or blanket again. And certainly not without a pillow for your butt. SO UNCOMFORTABLE Not the being cold oh no… unpacking clothes to have something to sit on…. Yeah…
The train ride to Italy was LOOOOONG. I totally had flashbacks as the train pulled into Vicenza HBF! I was remembering my last trip to Vicenza. I'm actually going back in a couple weeks for work. I wonder if I'll have better luck finding dancing! Maybe I'll ask Anna to come with me. Anna is the irish filmmaking dancer. We were chatting last night (since you were asleep!) she's in boston now doing shooting and stuff. Apparently she turned down a job in Hawaii! Silly git. I told her if she went to Hawaii and nhired me as crew, my family would lover her forever and feed her so well.
She's fun. But silly thing is: I talk to her online all the time. And yet I've only actually spent about five hours ith her. She was telling me that in Ireland they don't "date like you Americans do" You go on dates. But there's nothing 'official' until you've been at it for a long time or until you have sex. I joked "hey we've been having online dates, are we in a relationship" -- "but you haven't even touched me" -- "we danced!! What did you have in mind" – she blushes.
I don't know if I could start anything with Anna. She's so much older than I am. Well six years. And I guess that's not really "a lot" but, guy vs. girl yeah there's a huge difference. And plus we both carry a lot of baggage from past relationships. And I'm not saying that all relationships don't come with a degree of baggage, but if there's one thing I learned from Caro, American's truly don't do relationships the way European's do, and I don't think I'm at the same state in life that Anna is in. Although, Anna did mention she was 'the spontaneous type' and was jealous when I told her that I was sleeping in a train station. Long and short of it. Generally my job isn't bad. And I did the math. This trip will cost about 1 day worth of pay. I work three days a week. 1/3 of my pay to entertain me for 4 days. That seems a fair trade. And even though I'm not quite as out there as Eliot Rubenstein (my crazy photo instructor) recommended (he spent six months in the brazillion rainforest looking for the Fer De Lance –most venomous snake in the world with a shaman and lots of … hallucinatory drugs), I'm still busy making experiences I won't soon forget and that people in American only dream about.
I laughed as I was walking the streets of Como. There were tourists from the states on vacation with their "travel Italy" book. I was doing the same thing. Only much more hard core. And hella cheaper. Last week Stuttgart. This week Munchen and Como. Next week Amsterdam. And then I have to cut back a bit and save money but still!! Who does this? I remember being upset because college is supposed to be the best days of your life and the only good year was the year I started dancing. But senior year can't compare to this past year. At all.
I got my first real job. I botched a 'could have been good relationship' and now I have to sleep in that bed I made. I have danced in and around Europe. The only thing that's really missing is Great friends. I have decent acquaintances in Heidelberg, but no one I'm burning to send this email to. But on the other hand. The event videographer here in Italy Spotted me. And called me out by name. Asked me if I'd shoot for him tomorrow and invited me to sit at the teachers table at the local restaurant. Marcus and Barbl (the instructors from Stuttgart last week) greeted me. And then Bryant (event videographer) was surprised that I knew them, because in London he was talking about me potentially working with those two dancers on some instructional DVDs. The world is so small when you're a dancer. And with every event, it shrinks a little more and becomes that much more cosy!
Speaking of cosy. I wish I didn't have all this luggage with me. Half of my problem in not going home after teaching in Vilseck is I have all my work clothes, work shoes etc with me on top of what I need for dancing. OK. The concert should be starting shortly. I'll write more when there's more to report.
All I can say right now is… no matter how much moving to germany may seem like an extra headache. Trust me I'll make it worth your while!! I love traveling, but it sucks I have no one to share these experiences with. And with Kayce moving back to the states I'll really be SOL when it comes to having a travel buddy.
BTW… what's the rule on tipping in Italy… I gave the guy a 3 euro tip and I don't think he knew just what to do. OMG I just gave that guy $5 EXCHANGE RATE BLOWS!! (I didn't just say that.. come to Europe anyway ;)
So… wow. Haha. Sometimes God smiles down on us. And other times he positively beams his heavlenly radiance upon us. I was bummed because it looked like I wouldn't be able to take Steven Mitchell's dance course. And guess who saves my day! Bryant immediately puts me to work on camera (hurray for being able to shoot). On one hand it was unfortunate because then I couldn't enjoy the live band and dancing until way into the evening. But on the other hand. I was halfway kidding when I told Bryant I wanted a "Staff" t-shirt. Don't ask me I've always wanted one. "No problem, I'll talk to Vicenzo's mom" Two minutes later, Bryant hands me a t-shirt. Then Bryant says, "I'm glad you're here, my videographer can't work tomorrow." -- "Hey Bryant that's no problem b/c I can't go to the dance workshops, apparently there's no room." "Don't worry about it I'll see if I can get you in."
Bri: "Thanks for shooting tongith, what are your plans? Going to the late night?" "I dunno, they said it's invitational only. Haveta be on a list. " Don't worry about it I'll get you in." On and on Bryant is saving my hide and taking excellent care of me. And at what cost? All I did was run camera for him! Something I love doing anyway. I'd be in no other place!!
When I finally did hit the floor it was a bit of a mess. Who should I dance with? Didn't know anyone!! I got lucky. A girl walks up to me, "didn't I just see you last night in Munchen?" OMG really? REALLY?!? God is too good. She introduces me to some of her friends, and I'm just struck by this incredibly bgorgeous dancer. She did have skin problems around her cheeks. Acne scars? OK… it's 4 am… this is stupid. Bedtime. I'll talk about beautiful future portugese American wife later!
So. I slept on a park bench last night! It wasn't so bad. But now I know how homelesspeople feel. And I tell you I've not felt so free in a while.
working! i'm capturing and editing video!! and shooting!! living the good life again! Lord I've been so remiss. An entire day went by without me updating. And the truth is. I love it!! I was so busy working Or 'working' really. I think I spent the da working the way Italians work. You know, spinning your wheels and not getting a lot done. There were a lot of conceptual victories! You know. Surviving a night on the street. It was almost comfortable.
It was brilliant because when your lights go out when the dawn is just thinking about breaking, the sky starts to lighten and you hear birds singing you to sleep. (And of course you're still sticky from the warm not quite muggy but … delicious lake smelling air. Someplace between being on the sea, and not right?
Fortunately sleep comes easy at godawful in the morning. The only thing left to do is ignore the city grooming that comes by at seven AM to empty trash, clean up refuse and other general purpose street maintenance. And then around nine the city starts to stir as people begin their grocery shopping etc. Finallythe sun is too warm and the city too alive with energy to do anything BUT give in to the general will to be awake, and … with a scant six hours of sleep behind your eyelids you too concede and greet the morning.
And you have no cell phones. No homework. Bills, rent, and other 'real life' seems like a foggy fare off dream because in Como, when you're homeless. You are free to do anything.
Like try to find a shower! For the past three days now I've been bumming the shower experience off Bryant. He'd give me the password to get into the building and you just kinda sketch your way up at a decent hour! Oh hilarity and greatness. I AM the street bum! Bryant and some other dance instructors were enjoying breakfast at In Riva al Lago. I joined him to do work. And Work we did! Basically talk about Marcus, setting up a workshop, the production company Bryant wants to open, cameras and such.
(did I mention about how desperately I'm starting to want to move to Munchen. Marcus and Barbl are two of the most GERMAN people I can met. (think highly meticulous to detail meets knows about everything!) But yeah, I want to help them organize their next big Swing event (1600 dancers converge in four dance locations throughout Munchen for a week … um YEAH!) They also want or would accept I might say, my help to shoot their instructional DVDs with REALLY (read $22,000) camearas!! SICK! Plus there's three dances a week. I wonder how close Munchen is to skiing… that'd be something!
I am so thrilled and disappointed. Originally I was looking forward to getting to do workshops. Then it looked like I wouldn't be able to make it into any of the classes. Then Bryant told me that b/c I was working crew I could take all the free classes I wanted … but somehow, after dancing until 4 in the morning, sleeping on a parkbench and refusing to put out money to buy more than ice cream or a drink.... I found myself entirely too tired to put any effort into dance classes. Even Steven Mitchell the instructor I was most looking forward to seeing, only got a lukewarm response from me! Well that's a lie. He was teaching choreography instead of blues (I was highly disappointed) but on the other hand I learned some really cool moves! … and got to dance behind cute portugese American girl. She's such an amazing dancer! It's like jazz steps just ooze out of her skin! It's pretty sick awesome actually!!
But Bryant had me jumping through hoops. Saturday was the big show, and we spent the entire day either planning how we'd cover the event, capturing footage, or just running around trying to find the right parts and pieces. The event organizer was breathing down Bryant's neck trying to make sure everything was ready… but one hour before the show he walks up to us and says "I want the dance battle projected on screen."
O…K…. sounds like an HHS graduation all over again! With a twist. We were working with cheapo cameras that didn't have professional input / output plugs. Then, the crew only had one BNC cable and no adaptors. Then we only had one cheapo photography tripod. The other camera kid was a scriptwriter (and therefore couldn't be trusted without a tripod or shooting handheld. And oh by the way… this entire time we're trying to capture footage from the nights before while trying to eat AND work out if we could get a shower in before the show.
I love it! I was running around back and forth and it was grand. Nine o clock finally came and we started early. (as in punctual. So Italian early ;)
The floor wasn't too packed, but there were so many people watching! And there were two live bands battling back and forth. Steve came out and sang a number. And scat'ed. And basically elevated the event into a night I won't soon forget!
Oh and lest I forget the crew battle. They set up a boxing ring and had crews compete against eachother. Basically you alternate every 16 bars and show off your fanciest moves in a crew of six or eight. There was one slamming Italian team that blew everyone away in the first round. And in the second round the Noregians and Slovenians just obliterated the competition. So in the final round it was Italy vs. the Others. Vicenzo (event organizer) called it a tie. I think the Slovenians were better. But only by a hair. The dancing was out of this world. And guess who was INSIDE the ring with a video camera scampering from side to side shooting everything. Yup. Yours truly! :D I can't wait to look at the footage. There were a couple times when I flinched b/c I thought a guy was gonna send his foot through my lens on a swing out!! But even better than all this was when the teachers came in for a quick jam. Sick!! Just plane Sick.
I wish I had a still camera to capture the mgic of that night. Steve says it best. We ARE the future of swing dance. And everytime we dance. We are writing swing history.
The late night was not as much fun on Saturday night as on Friday. Friday was Funk and Soul and it was CRAY wild. On one hand it was interesting to see how poorly some people even the proes handled the funk, but on the other hand the floor was full with people bobbing and dancing to the sweet jams. I found a couple germans from Munich, Stuttgart and other. And then I danced with the Portugese contingent. They were all novices, students of future wife, but they were all so cute and wicked fun to dance with!
Last night they were getting ready to leave and I said to one of the girls, "Hey you can't leave yet! We haven't danced all night" she said OK and gave me a dance. "Can I Leave now?" "yes, but your friend hasn't danced with me either!" And so it went for about five songs until I got htrough all the girls. "You've danced with ALL of us NOW can we leave?" "Well… I haven't danced with him yet!" He was wicked surprised for a sec, but then he obliged me and we had a dance. It was a riot because half way through I stole the lead off him and forced him to follow! I lead for a couple bars and then passed the lead back to him. After wards he laughed and confided to me " that was the first time I've ever been a follower!" Small moments like these that make the event. Just the wicked good laughs.
Another highlight of the trip so far was just sitting and actually listening to the pros. Earlier I was talking with Bryant about how I was the worst film kid ever b/c I shot my thesis on my iSight etc. He laughed so hard. And then this morning over breakfast, he's telling Marcus about my work yesterday and then briefly mentions my thesis!! One of the pro dancers looks over and she starts asking me questions about it. I'm conflicted whether I want to show it or not!! It's such a personal piece, but hey, it's almost about dancing so… actually I think I'd be honored to get to share it with her!
Speaking of video, I walked the street shooting with my ghetto camera. I notice that when I wander alone my images tend toward isolation and the thought of separation or fading. But when I'm working I'm trying to capture that "something" that makes life special. That invisible connection that holds us all together. I can't wait to get back to the dance hall.
I know I measure my life by the dances I've had and the places I've danced. But even more … Wow… Aerosmith "don't wanna miss a thing is playing on the radio" I used to fall asleep listening to this soundtrack… in any event - I measure my life by the dances I've had and take pride in how worn my dance shoes are (my toes could literally fall out of the gap in my soul (Freudian?) but moreso I'm noticing, the dances are becoming secondary to the people I've met along the way. As much fun as late nights and bands are. I'm grateful to God for the opportunity to move with people. And to have other people move me. Not only physically, but also to have people dance in and out of my life, to shape me and form me with new experiences and hopefully leave the smallest of imprints in their lives.
What's your measure stick? How do you measure the goodness of a day?
I used to feel awful for not going to church on Sundays. Especially if the night before I'd been out late dancing. But I've danced in His house on an early Sunday morning. And I've sat through mass. I picked up the idea from Constance. Some people worship him in song. Other in prayer. We do it on the floor. In that elusive moment of clarity sometimes you feel his grace And a voice whispers in your ear. Yes. This feels right! And you can't help but say, "thank you."
Life calls. Time to pay for my pizza and make my way to the school.
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