This past Saturday evening, Doreen and I started the night off with a alternative worship service (that Doreen officiated at) at the church she is currently student pastor. That was a nice event, with music, and reflect on Pentecost.

That service went from about 6:00-7:15pm, after which we stepped over to Berlin for a Contra dance.

So let me start off by saying that I love music....and I think I'm very good with following the beat (of any music)....so I love to dance...but formal dance does not like me because the one thing I lack is a memory for dance steps.

I joke that I am the perfect candidate to be born in the Disco era. yes, Disco has formal dance steps, but there is A LOT of room for free-form dance...and I take that to the limit when I dance. (but again, I'm pretty good with it)

So my lack of muscle memory leads me to be pretty poor at forms of formal dance, like ballroom dancing. (I've tried some free lessons, and it was OK, but it would take me a lot to actually learn all the steps)

Anyways, Contra dance is clearly a formal set of dance moves, but is a fairly repeatable sequence, and the big key.....it is a "called dance" as a square dance is. (to me is seems like the square dances I've attended, but I've only been to 2, and you know me with my memory too)

I was a bit nervous because we got there right on time, but the caller had been showing the "newbies" some of the steps just before the dance had started....and I missed that!

But there were plenty of newbies there, and I did just fine. (At least I thought so....and Doreen told me I was ok too.....but she might have been "kind" :-)

No matter, I had a great time....and want to go to other Contra dances for sure......

I mentioned this to people at our department staff meeting this morning, and no one had gone to a dance. Art C. seemed to have a sense for the music, but hadn't been to a dance. Steve T asked me if I could tell him when we go to the next one as he and his wife would probably like to come along. (he seems to only have one left foot....though he admits to not being a great dancer)

The only negative I can say for it was that my hip wasn't too happy with me for the next two days. It was plenty sore, and still is this morning. But I didn't take so much as a single ibuprofen before, or after the dance......which was a bit shortsighted on my part.

Even still...the dance was great, and I recommend you look up a Contra Dance near you and give it a try!

PS: Doreen tells me "there is always fun when a fiddle is involved!".

Current Mood: cheerful

I don't normally post about world events, but I have to mention this one because I think it was yesterday that I was shocked to read the headline of 450 people dead from a Cyclone in Mayanmar. (used to be known as Berma)

But this morning I was horrified to see that the death toll had been raised to about 10,000 people! (China View reports deaths over 15,000 this morning)

That is just a huge number of people, and I can't imagine how difficult conditions must be over there.

The storm packed winds of 120 MPH, and has been reported to have wiped out 95% of all the houses in several villages. One village alone is described is said to have 3000 unaccounted for people.

The loss seems huge on any scale, and I suppose the one thing it points out to me is that no matter how fierce we feel man is against man, mother nature has far more power. (if we human's continue to ruin our planet, I have no doubt that we will be expelled before we can finish it off)

So I suppose all I suggest is that first and foremost, people say a prayer for people affected over there.....and then a prayer for the aid workers traveling there to help as well.

Then, if you see a group taking up collections, or looking for volunteers to help.....consider a donation of time or money. I'm sure it would help.....even small bit of help can mean so much.

Current Mood: sad

It is May 5th.....time again to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

So now that I'm working with a company in Mexico, I figured I'd hear stories of big parties and celebrations in Guadalajara.....

Well.....I guess I'm the not so bright American......because I hear that all of Mexico has the day off, but only the people in Puebla celebrate because the events of Cinco deMayo happened there!

So I suppose we Americans celebrate the day even more than most people in Mexico. (lots of drinking....and Mexican hat dances!)

Current Mood: happy

I was just doings things on something here a work when it hit me....I will be traveling in two days down to NYC for a family reception at the art show of products by the graduating students of Industrial Design Studio 402A-03 (Kim's class) on Wednesday.

Then this Friday, Kimberly is graduating......

What a proud daddy I am for sure. My only huge sadness is that Cheryl isn't going to be physically present to hug our big girl. (Our big girl is a 23 year old adult woman, but she will always be our girl)

I say physically present, because let me assure you that I know Cheryl well....and if there is ANY PLACE she would be that day, it would be with her family.....Kimberly, Kristen and I.....so I know she will be there in spirit and crying tears of joy for her big girl.

Current Mood: happy

I recieved an email from Sun's Boston Executive Council (BEC)
today telling all Burlington Employees that the Boston Business Journal had picked Sun Microsystems as one of the best places to work in the Boston area!

It really is a very good place to work....yes, there are lots of job stresses, but that is the nature of this business. The company does treat employees with respect and quite well. (no compaints here)

The Boston Business Journal website that has the list of 60 companies also showed that Mount Auburn Hospital made the list....that's where Doreen works.

So it look as though both Doreen and I are pretty lucky to be working where we do.

Current Mood: happy

Have you ever heard of a company called Th!ink?

No? Well, pretty soon you might.

Because they are a company who looks to be set to make a big splash. (and they will given the ever constant increase in the price of gasoline.....)


From their website:

Energy efficiency

When comparing the electrical engine with a traditional combustion engine, the difference in energy use efficiency is striking; whilst an electrical engine uses 85-90% of energy to run the car, the combustion engine utilises only 20-25%. Most of the energy provided from petrol, diesel or even bio fuels disappears as heat.

Some people fast for religious reasons.....as an offering/sacrifice to God.

Some people fast to lose weight......

I fast to gain control of my eating. (generally with the idea of weight control... losing weigh, or at least not gaining it)

I find that when I fast for two days straight, my mind is able to take control of my eating....I don't seem to be under the grip of the uncontrollable desire to eat. (walking past the fridge, wondering what is inside to snack on)

My desire to eat almost feels like an addiction to me....at least when I try to just "cut back" my intake. (I get very strong urges that I have to use all my will power to hold back)

I learned this about myself back when I lost all my weight....in fact, getting control of my eating was really the key to it all.

So I went on a fast this past weekend, and today I felt in total control of my eating. I was getting weak, so I decided to have two banana's for lunch. When I get home, I think I have a small bit of steak there....or perhaps I will make something with some tuna and rice.

I want to lose a little weight for the cruise, and gain control of my eating for my trip to NYC later this week.

So far so good!

Current Mood: cheerful

I need your vote! (if you are a Live Journal member......) I need 100 positive responses to my self-nomination.....so please get on over there and comment on my self-nomination post with "I support this nomination"

The election rules are simple:

- You may only nominate yourself
- Each nominee will need 100 motions of support in order to be eligible to be a candidate
- We ask that you keep your comments on the nomination posts to "I support this nomination" or something to that effect; be kind to those who will need to count the "supports", please.
- Although the nominations and election poll will take place in </a>lj_election_en</a></span>, you do not need to watch the community in order to keep up with the election; we'll announce everything here as well.

Current Mood: hopeful