Flu Season

"Part public service announcement, part satire, part art film, this is the end result." Julia Bloch, Producer Etc.

Circle circle dot dot, get your H1N1 shot!! Whether you're willing to stand on line for 3 hours in the hopes of getting a vaccine, or have even been savvy enough to find out the where's and when's of said vaccines being administered around NYC, you're probably not freaking out every minute of the day thinking you have Swine Flu (for me it's more realistically once or twice a week, ha). Either way, the "Your child may be sent home today with an 'F', for FLU" ads plastered on subways and bus stations have definitely made their way into my unconscious-- the results of which are extremely chapped hands from washing obsessively, and a surplus in energy from all the darn EmergenC I've been chugging. Rex Arrow and I got together and made a little video on the subject of H1N1 hype and I have posted it here for your snarky viewing pleasure... and of course for the benefit of our collective health in the midst of flu season!

Crazy For Kale

Believe it or not, I hadn't tried kale until this past summer, when my friend Shae made it in a delicious recipe from Real Simple. I was instantly turned on to the earthy flavor, and actually found myself craving it for dinner! One evening recently Julia invited me over and was in the middle of tossing a big bowl of kale, which she served up for me to try. HEAVEN in a little ceramic bowl. She told me that it was simple: Steam kale, sprinkle with Ume Plum Vinegar, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Too yummie and refreshing for words! Julia and I enjoyed our bowls of kale with crackers and St. Andre (my new favorite bree-like cheese) and a glass of red. The next day, I headed to whole foods and purchased the needed ingredients- which were inexpensive and way worth it. The recipe is sooo easy and was made into a delicate, flavorful, and healthy meal with just a few basic additions. Sometimes, after a hard day, a balanced and stress free meal and a glass of wine is the best thing on the menu, and this meal definitely hits the spot.

Giving Thanks

Thanks to Jennae Petersen from Green Your Decor for this cool holiday place setting suggestion. Just take your old corks, cut a space for a card, and insert name card! I love the cork for a cozy fall aesthetic. Also loving her other website, http://www.greenandgorgeous.net/.

Happy Thanksgiving week everybody!

Bouncy & Fuzzy, Just Like Me?

I don't know if it's because Rex Arrow thinks I am an exquisite specimen of nature or because I haven't waxed my legs this month and have been wearing glasses instead of contacts that he sent me this (rather spectacular) photograph... and said it reminded him of me. AWESOME. On one hand, this high jumping arachnid won WIRED magazine's award for cutest spider. On the other hand, IT'S A SPIDER.

Spotlight: Caroline Silver

Photo by DAVID GRUBBS/Gazette Staff

My dear friend Cal Silver is spending the year in Glendive, Montana through Americorp, as a volunteer to help bring the "farm to table" movement back to the state. At one time, Montana produced 70% of what its residents ate (talk about eating local!) and Cal's job is to work with farmers and the community to reinstate the movement, which will provide the residents with a healthier, more sustainable local food chain. Cal, a smart and savvy graduate of Barnard College, chose to literally get her hands dirty to make a difference in the Glendive community, and will probably see the results of her work extend far beyond that! I would say good for her for spending her time farming instead of blogging, but guess what, Cal's got a blog too! What can I say? She's a phenomenal woman. I guess that's why the Billings Gazette created this short video of her on the job, an inspiration to us all!

Kraftwerk

Sometimes, when I'm in a choreographic rut, it helps to shift my focus away from the body and work on something external. I discovered that I like to sculpt, and that playing with different textures and materials helps me imagine the artistic texture I want to create with the dance I am working on. I've been feeling particularly stuck for the past few weeks, so this week, I took some alone time, retreated to my parents house, and began my search for some fun things to play with. After digging up some scrap fabrics (including some strips of mink my mother tore from an old vintage stole) I let my hands take over and allowed my mind to wander. The process resulted in some interesting pieces of DIY jewelry, and best of all, a few images came to mind while I was working that are really going to help me make the next steps in my piece... literally! Above are some shots from my session, leave a comment for a chance to win one of my creations!

Not Above The Bucket

My brother Nick was digging around our house last time he was home, and found this picture, which he immediately made copies of and sent to me. It made me laugh out loud to see us crammed in those little buckets, but it also got me thinking about the role of the bucket bath in my life. I lived in India as a little girl, and my earliest memories of bathing look just like this picture. Even when I could no longer fit completely inside the bucket, nick and I learned to bathe ourselves by filling the bucket, lathering up, and using a scooping cup to pour water over our sudsy selves. When I moved to the states at 5 years old, the bucket became all but obsolete. I quickly grew accustomed to sitting in huge bathtubs filled with water, and soon enough learned the pleasures of a nice long shower.

Last summer, when I was couch-surfing in Bhalil, Morocco, I found myself face to face with the bucket once more. Irked that I didn’t make it to the Hammam in time for a “proper” bath, I washed my long hair in the bucket, growing more irritated every time I flipped my head over to pour water on the back of my neck. But then it occurred to me, “I grew up bathing in a bucket! When did I become such an arrogant bathing snob?” So I didn’t have a steady hot stream flowing down on me for ten to fifteen minutes (or sadly sometimes, even longer), I had a big bucket full of hot water, which was plenty to get me lathered and rinsed. I was ashamed at my own attitude towards the bucket bath, an activity in which I had once found immense joy. Thinking further on the matter, I was appalled when I thought of how much water I must use weekly in the bath or shower at home, without a second thought to how much energy it must take to heat it all.

Although my family in India have buckets in every bathroom, during my most recent trip (as well as most of my past visits) I opted for the western style shower… until there was a problem with the water heater and was forced back in to the bucket. This time though, I wasn’t so upset about it. Now, back in my Brooklyn apartment, the incessant shower pressure/temperature problems that my super hasn’t gotten around to fixing are enough to drive my roommates crazy and often keep them from bathing altogether. I guess it’s a blessing that I know how to bathe from the bucket, and I’m no longer above it.

Bicycle Child

A love of all things 'cycle related was instilled in me by my Grampa, an avid cyclist, ever since I was a babe. I would wait for him to come home from work, and when he walked through the door I'd shout, "Bampa bikela!" which was my way of telling him it was time for our evening ride. He'd hitch up the baby bike carriage to his bicycle, and ride around until I passed out in the back, which was usually only a matter of minutes. I might be too big to ride around in the carriage (bummer), but I still find riding my bike to be a seriously soothing activity, not to mention it's more efficient than walking, or even taking the bus! I love my old Junker (pictured top left w/kitty) but its really rusted to pieces and the brakes are starting feel dangerously ineffective, so I've been checking out some other options from Anthropologie. Though these are definitely out of my price range, these styles are so simple and pretty, and the foldable one would even fit in my little apartment!