Tread softly and carry a big stick...

The whole dilemma is what stick do you need for the occasion?

Well recently I've been busy.

1- I quit my job at MacNN. I am very relieved and overjoyed.
2- I got a job at this adorable bakery in Glen Park called Destination Bakery. The pastries are so yummy I can't even eat the ones from Starbucks any more. I'll be opening there on Saturdays and Sundays. (Thanks Gina!)
3- I have a very good chance of getting a position as a server at Elephant Bar. The Assistant General manager liked me a lot, I have an interview with the GM tomorrow. It would be pretty sweet working there.
4- I had a really good photo shoot this past Sunday. The photographer gave me lots of good advice for posing. I got the photos back last night. I'll post a few as soon as I get around to it.
5- I'm going to be working with a ballet based choreographer and a group of other dancers in San Francisco to create new works and possibly a documentary on creating ballet. Yay! I haven't gotten a chance to dance outside of class for a while. (erm, ballet that is.)
6- I got 3 dvds back from directors. 1 is a music video and it is really good and worth the 20 hours of shooting we did. The sci-fi one is pretty good aside from cheesy sound effects. And the third one is eh, the sound is whack. But good reel material. Very happy about these.
7- Some other photo shoots/movies are in the process, but probably not until late May/June since a) a photographer is out of town, b) a director is out of town, c) I'm trying to wrap up the school year.

Other then that-
I have realized that I need to stop giving too much perceived power to others. I need to just stand up and say "no". I have no obligation to anyone else, if I don't want to be there I don't have to be. At this point in my life, quitting a job is not the end of the world. (Hopefully it never will be.) I can find something that better suits me easily and my boss has no right to keep me from that.

I also need to stop giving too much power to people who are just bitches. Dancer girls, coworkers who cares? They're just being mean because there is something going on inside their head. It's not me and I need to let it go.

Ok...I was going to go on and on about all the things I hate. But thats just San Francisco talking. The thing I hate about this city is everyone has a cause. And honestly, I don't care.

Middle of the Week

Wednesday is a tedious day, especially since I am working a closing shift tonight. Then I have work tomorrow morning at Smith Ranch Care Center. And then another closing shift. It isn't too bad, all of Friday is mine.

I've been doing pretty well on all of my new years resolutions so far. I've managed to fit ballet and trumpet practice in every day for the most part. I've done well with my food. Last night we had grilled salmon patties, grilled asparagus, and lime pilaf (yes mom, I ate asparagus of my own will. weird.). I made a garlic, herb, butter sauce for the asparagus and salmon. It was very good. I've been way more motivated to get things done. I finally got a table and (mostly) cleaned out the beneath of my loft bed. I haven't been too good about getting my demo reel and new resume together. Nor do I have an agent yet, or theater auditions set up...but that is what the weekend is for, no?

Loft beds.... are actually quite useful for stretching. Since the ceiling is so close I can use to stretch whenever I'm in bed.

My first ballet audition is for American Ballet Theater's collegiate program on January 27th. Fortunately for me, San Francisco is one of the later stops on the ABT audition tour.

Next weekend (the 27th) is also the one year mark for Chris and me. Don't know what we're going to do yet. Granted I actually get my shift for that night switched, it won't be until after the ABT audition.

My favorite website of the day is this one- Andros on Ballet. I found it through a website I found through Off Center. You should look at this link especially- The Best of the Androsisms. They make me think of things my teacher Sue would say.

Class

I did get tips and so therefore got to go to class. Today I attended company ballet class at Westlake School for Performing Arts in Daly City. I have never attended such a great class which was so poorly publicized. It is not a small studio, but nor is it well advertised. I prefer it over San Francisco Dance Center for the home studio atmosphere and more individualized feedback. Although they teach a number of styles, the ballet students are remarkably, uniformly strong. The teachers are great, they rotate just enough that you get used to learning to adapt on the spot. At the same time there is enough consistency that the training is not interrupted. If you are ever in the area and need a good class you should give them a call. All that aside, class felt really good today. I have improved since last week, my body isn't rejecting ballet quite as much. My turns are a lot stronger (back to consistent triples and my pirouettes in attitude surprise me) and so is my turn out and extension. I really need to watch my arms (elbows especially), leg rotation in a la seconde, and my beats are a catastrophe at the moment. I am doing alright with remembering combinations though, something I'm always afraid of.

One of my new years resolutions was to eat better. This isn't so hard for me since I enjoy healthy food as well as the not so healthy. One of my favorite places to find tasty alternatives is Trader Joe's. They have a number of intriguing and healthy snacks. Today I stopped by after class for some food and ended up spending more then I wanted to. I ran out of joint supplements though , so that was important to buy. I can feel my joints way too much sometimes so I better do what I can for them now. Anyways I found a great chip while I was there. They are corn chips with flax seed (I love chips), and taste quite like Fritos. The flax seed means that there is 1000mg of Omega 3 in every serving and they are only $0.49 for a 1lb. bag! They were definitely worth the 2 quarters.

Lastly, a blog which I enjoy. I found this by chance while searching for info on the Flexi Stretcher. Interestingly, this girl also writes for The Winger. Her blog, Off Center, is interesting to read, especially if you like dance.