My son played Cantaloupe Island on his alto sax when he was much younger. Then, when he grew into the tenor sax, he played it yet again. I love this version for so many reasons. With all due respect to Herbie Hancock, this You Tube is worth kicking back or getting down to on a holiday weekend. Dip trip, indeed. And now for something completely different...this demonstration of the Total Immersion school of swimming. This instructor mesmerizes me every time I stare at the video. I also employ the TI method of swimming, only I can assure you I look nothing like this man. Rather, think Great White meets Arthritic Orca. Either way, being "slippery" in the water truly is much easier than slamming the water and gasping for air at the end of every length. Since I began studying TI in books and on video, I've reduced my crawl strokes from 25 to 15, per 25 yards. Not bad for an old lady who is turning one year older. Everybody in the pool. It's open thread time. Earlier this week, we met the rapper MC Hammer at a very cool, hip, and happening party in SF. He was gracious and elegant, and very kind to my son with whom he talked for a long time. They discussed my son's tenor sax playing, the music scene in the East Bay, and the revitalization of Oakland as a cultural and "foodie" destination. So, for this open thread, I could not help but revisit Hammer's break-out hit from the days when I was a young television news reporter. I worked with a cameraman named Joseph who used to call me his "fly girl" because I was, well, fly. I am no longer fly, just fifty and arthritic. But I recall studying these very hip-hop moves in classes at the gym, oh and what fun we had. And how great to remember it now. Mr. Hammer, if you're watching: thank you for your wonderful conversation with my son. The photo we took of you two is fabulous! Please feel free to keep the conversation about any and all things Iowa, and Anon, here. (If Anon posts, let us know for God's sake!) And for all her American exceptionalism, I say, Mustang Sarah, "U Can't Touch This." Mercy, I used to have a waistline like this... Keep on with the current thread if you wish. Or introduce a new topic. Let's try it here and see if the formatting problems from the previous post can get worked out and cleaned up.
In the meantime, may mercy rain down on the East Coast of our country. My thoughts are with everyone back there. Irene, it's time to return to sea where you're wanted. I swear to God I am only a few surgical procedures away from being able to do this. Or not. On this great holiday, I want to say that I am proud to be an American. I am proud that Barack Obama is our president. I am proud that DiFi and Boxer are my senators, and that Barbara Lee votes her conscience.
And I m proud to be in the company of all of you every day. You are among the most devoted, intelligent, diligent, and patriotic people I know. And you make it pleasure for me to be on my blog every day. Thank you for being here and for all your hard work! Now, go eat something (even if you're overseas, which I know many of you are). And then shimmy till Paul Revere rings his bells. See you Tuesday with a new number of my own. Oh, and Happy Fourth of July!! Jai Ho indeed...In honor of all of you incredibly intelligent, passionate, dedicated and nurturing commenters, who have gathered at this terminal from, truly, all over the world, I say we take a breath and dance a little. Shake off some energy before the next post! Namaste. Deep breath. New Doc post on Monday. Thank you all for your hard work. Everybody dance now... |
Laura NovakReporter, Author, Blogger, and Mother...
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