You know when I first created this blog page, I really really thought I would have the time and energy to keep it up. Well I do, but not nearly as often as I initially thought. After reading my friend Leela's blog, I got inspired and decided to give it a go again. I thoroughly enjoy writing, so if I'm able to keep up with it, this blog should be a great outlet for my commentarial whims, whining and moaning.
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So what's new?
Back in May I got a freelance job at Random House. Basically it's doing the same type of boring crap that I was doing at Atkins (web content stuff), but the circumstances (at least at first) were so much better. Just to run down a list of the perks:
1. No mice in the office.
On top of everything else, Atkins offices were infested with mice. Andrea found one dead one morning under her desk; One of the publicity guys had one scurry ACROSS his desk; I saw one zip by my desk at least once or twice. What's worse is that this was the SECOND time I encountered this problem at my workplace. We also had a mouse problem at bigchalk--my job before Atkins. The great thing about Random House is that the offices are new and oh-so-squeaky clean. They may develop a mouse problem here, but it might take awhile.
2. Nice boss.
My boss is great. I will never undervalue how wonderful it is to finally have a good boss. One that doesn't micro-manage you or work you to death. One who is actually intelligent and can answer a question when you ask it. One who can actually handle one or two things for you when you are out so that you won't come back to a heaping pile of work on your desk. One who isn't condescending, a smark ass, a control freak, or a maniac who screams, slams doors or throws furniture. (I've worked for all of those types at one point or another, this isn't a joke.) Ahhh, this is the life. My boss is really nice, smart, simplistic, normal human being with a soul and I appreciate that. It's a shame that more bosses aren't like her. It's also a shame that this is just a temp job for now.
3. The cafeteria rocks...
The best part is that we have one. and Mmmmmmm, the food is pretty damn good!
4. Location, location, location
I'm literally a 8 minute train ride away from home...
and last but not least:
5. Mula
Getting paid decently for once, you can't beat that. I love it!
But alas, as I said, it's not totally perfect. I was very satisfied with the situation here UNTIL they put me in the closet. That's right, they ran out of office space and I am literally working from one of the storage rooms that houses all the books. The first few days I was really REALLY annoyed, but in a wierd way I'm getting used to it. But I guess you can't have it all.
Other than that things are great. Sami and I just came back from Lark Camp where we taught for the second year in a row. I was very nervous this time around. Not being a camper I was taken back a bit by the experience last year, mostly by the fact that it was sooooo COLLLLD. We were just not prepared for the weather. Plus, being the new NYC bellydance teacher wasn't easy. Cali is a different scene and I'm a straight up East-Coast, New York, yo, yo, yo, girl to the bone. It took a few days to start to feel accepted. I wasn't sure what this year would bring, but it went MUCH better.
For starters, my class was in the morning this time and Sami and Mark (Bell) played for me. That was awesome and was a great way to wake up. That also freed up my day to spend the afternoon as I pleased.
The ladies who took my class were fun and incredibly eager to learn and that made a huge difference. Sami and I tried a preliminary version of the class we are going to teach here in NY in the Fall, and it went over really well. Our current mission is to educate everyone about the old Egyptian films--their music and the stars, so that's basically what our class covered. Each morning we'd introduce a new piece, talk about the film, the composer and/or dancer. Sami would play the maqam and have them sing the notes and phrases, and we'd talk about lazma's, musical structure and things you should highlight as a dancer to show that you really know the music. I worked on a short choreography with them and for the second half we'd clean things up with a run-down on technique.
They really absorbed what we offered and by the end of the week I was drained but rather proud. I also had one of the best performance of my life!!!! I still have some polishing up to do with my teaching, but I am happy that the students were so into it.
Now that we are back we are trying to piece together our next steps for the band (Zikrayat) and our schedule for the fall. We have a million things going on, and they all seem to overlap. The biggest thing is that we are putting together a CD. I think it's going to be awesome, but there is a ton of work ahead of us to pull it together. Sami and I totally inspire each other which only makes us stronger in our endeavors and I feel really lucky. I wouldn't ever get ANYthing done with out his help and encouragement (usually in the form of "no 'fraids Gators, you can do it.") ;D
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sheeshhh, There is much more to tell and talk about, but I'm blogged out. My fingers hurt.
Later,
Gators
You're such a great dancer! I just loved your solo when Mark just kept playing and playing!! Lark Camp 3 just plain raqs! Next year I'll have to take all of your classes. Convince Mickey not to schedule you opposite Sami so we'll have all live music and I can still take all of Sami's classes too!
Posted by: Diane | 2006.08.20 at 01:31 PM