New Venture

I'm going to sign up for a taiko workshop with San Jose Taiko. I'm totally jazzed about doing this.

For those of you who are not familar with taiko, taiko is the historical art of offense and defense with the sword. No...wait, that's fencing. I quit fencing in college. Great fun, did it for about 3 years, but I sucked. Taiko is the art of Japanese drumming. Big drums, very cool.

Here is the course description:
"Want to learn the nuts and bolts of taiko? Join fellow taiko enthusiasts in learning the basics of San Jose Taiko's style in a fun and engaging three-hours workshop. A brief history of taiko is presented and various taiko instruments are introduced. All participants learn a song based on fundamental stance, rhythms, and technique. NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED!...You must be at least 15 years of age a capable of fairly rigorous physical activity."

This is such an opportunity for me! I've always wanted to learn taiko, but had no idea where to start. It's not like there are taiko schools all over the place in The No. I'm signing up for the Sunday workshop in December (they're only offered a few times a year). This will give me time to get my car fixed, and get in enough shape for "fairly rigorous physical activity". I have to start now, because I'm going to need all the time available. One thing I've heard about about SJTaiko is that all rehersals include running. What does that tell you? I'm hoping to to use this opportunity to get my foot in the door with Fresno Taiko. If I have a small notion of what I'm doing, maybe they will be kind and let me in (^ ^)

About San Jose Taiko (from their website):
"San Jose Taiko is a world-renowned arts company that performs across North America and the globe sharing the dynamic art form of taiko drumming.... San Jose Taiko's performance style is a fusion of athleticism, musicianship, dance, and martial arts."

If I lived in San Jose, I would so audition to join this company. Hmmm, let's see, what experience do I have?
1. ballet training- 12 yrs
2. modern dance training- 4 yrs
3. played flute (can read music)- 10 yrs
4. played oboe- 2 yrs
5. played drums- 1yrs
6. In 7th grade PE, did a unit on Karate (yeah, I know, really reaching)

Wow, if it weren't for the fact that: a) I don't live in San Jose; b) I'm horrendously out of shape; and c) I'm not Japanese, I would so totally be in!

If SJ wasn't so gosh-darn expensive to live in (an understatement), I might seriously consider relocating there just for the experience and exposure.

Yvette Z.
The Taiko Experience Collector

b (Hmm, I need a taiko logo too)

Soylent Green

SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE!!!!!!!

Sorry, it's been one of those Mondays and I needed to scream something.

b

CALLING STEVEO

Make sure you click on the actors list ;)

Hee Hee!

Yvette Z.
Collecting Love For My Friends

b

Hair FYI

I've decided to postpone cutting my hair until after Halloween. I have a cool costume idea and I need the long hair. Stay tuned in October for more details (^ ^)

Yvette Z.
The Hair Collector

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Movie List

It's list time!!!

As I'm sitting here in my living room, watching Jurassic Park, I'm contemplating my favorite movies. My blogger profile allows for me to list my favorite movies, but it limits my list to twenty. That's not enough. Not nearly enough. So I've decided to dedicate a post to this list and eventually add it to my links on the right. I also plan on doing this for my music list, book list, actors list, 43 things, and 43 places. More about me than you ever cared to know.

Yvette Z.'s List of....

Movies I Like:
(in alphabetical order)

001. 13 Going On 30
002. American Beauty
003. Blast From the Past
004. The Boondock Saints
005. The Breakfast Club
006. Breaking Away
007. Bride and Prejudice
008. Cars
009. Chocolat
010. Constantine
011. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
012. Dangerous Beauty
013. Dogma
014. Drumline
015. Eat Drink, Man Woman
016. Elizabeth
017. Foul Play
018. Gattaca
019. Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle (YES! I think it's funny!)
020. Hero
021. Highlander
022. Hoodwinked
023. I, Robot
024. Kill Bill, Vol. I & II (I know, it's two movies)
025. L.A. Story
026. The Last Samurai
027. The Lost Boys
028. The Matrix
029. Memoirs of a Geisha
030. Nacho Libre
031. Napoleon Dynamite
032. National Treasure
033. Office Space
034. Pretty in Pink (of course)
035. Pride and Prejudice
036. The Professional
037. Real Genius
038. The Red Violin
039. The Rock
040. Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion
041. Say Anything
042. Signs
043. Sixteen Candles
044. Snow Falling on Cedars
045. Taps
046. Tortilla Soup
047. The Turning Point
048. V For Vendetta
049. The Village
050. The Wedding Banquet
051. The Wedding Singer
052. White Chicks
053. ...more to come

And yes, I know, I watch way too many movies!

Yvette Z.
The Movie Collector

b

Toro Nagashi

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to attend a Toro Nagashi ceremony. Toro Nagashi is a Japanese ceremony in which paper lanterns are floated down a river. It's done as the closing of the Obon festival in Japanese culture as a remembrance of ancestors and loved ones who have passed away. (Think Karate Kid Part II when Mr. Miyagi's father died).

It was really cool. I bought a lantern for my Uncle Michael who died back in February. They called us up one by one, a docent lit my lantern, and I walked to the dock that was built for this event. At the end of the dock was a long pillow for kneeling so we could place the latern in the water. Then another docent with a long stick-thing, launched the lantern away from the dock.

I have pictures and I will post them, but I warn you, they suck. I have a very casual digital camera so it's doesn't have all the cool bells and whistles. My pictures are blurry, because I'm not a photographer. I should add it to my list of things to do.




Vet's Toro Nagashi Flickr photos

Yvette Z.
The Light Collector

b

My New Hero

For the record, I still believe Floyd Landis is innocent. I have no explanation for the undeniable positives, unfortunately, neither does Floyd. At this point in the game, you are guilty until you can prove yourself innocent. So pretty much, Floyd is screwed. Sorry Floyd.

Last night I found a new hero. Her name is Katrina Howard. I actually met her 3 years ago on a club ride. I was impressed with her back then and I could tell she was going places. I'm so inspired by her that I actually dusted off my bike, put air back in the tires and went for a ride. A major feat since I hadn't ridden since BEFORE we moved SIXTY SEVEN days ago!!!!!!!

Yes, I've been bad, very bad, but I'm inspired to be better. Sounds like time to repeat a quote from back in February: "It is possible to begin again. It is hard, and we never to do it perfectly, but it can be done." Thanks for the inspiration Katrina!

Read Katrina's Story Here

Back in the saddle, again.
Yvette Z.
The Mile Collector

b

Need I Say More?

Not once, but twice

(And I bet you thought it was going to be about Floyd, right?)

Amendment: Original posting did not include image or Floyd comment.

Yvette Z.
The Receipt Collector

b

A Study In Courage

Some quotes on the topic

"Courage is being scared to death-- and saddling up anyway"
--John Wayne

"Everything that is worthwhile in life is scary. Choosing a school, choosing a career, getting married, having kids--- all those things are scary. If it is not fearful, it is not worthwhile"
--Paul Tornier

"Follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be"
--Joseph Campbell

"Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have"
--Louis E. Boone

"I have learned to live each day as it comes, and not to borrow trouble by dreading tomorrow. It is the dark menace of the future that makes cowards of us"
--Dorothy Day

"Pain nourishes courage. You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you"
--Mary Tyler Moore


Yvette Z.
The Courage Collector
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