Spiraling Through Life

wow- Another year older- 24 years old- wow!

I was recently asked "How old do you feel...and...how old do you wish you were?" I can't believe how hard of a question that is to answer.

For those of you who don't know, I am really the baby in all of my work environments. I am the youngest employee at Dancers' Group, I am the youngest company member in every dance company except for one (there is 1 girl a year younger than me), my friends are in their mid to late 20's and 30's, and while I am only 24, I feel that I have accomplished a substantial amount thus far. (Of course there are many more things I want to accomplish!)

So to answer the question "How old do you feel" is tough. I feel in many aspects I am older than I am. But, on the other hand, I am very aware that I am "the baby" at work, with friends and while dancing. So I said, I guess while my body feels achy (the life of a dancer), I don't stay out too late like I did when I was 20/21 years old, my idea of a fun night is sitting with a glass of wine and a good book or movie (wearing sweats of course) so I really do feel like the age 24 is appropriate for me.

As for "How old do you wish you were?" that is easy. Do I wish I were older? Not really. The only good thing about being 25 is that I can rent a car, but being that I own a car, its not a big deal! Do I want to be younger? No way! Teenage years were enjoyable but never do I need to go back to them! I enjoyed the fun I had in college, the joy I had being with my best friends, the ability to go out at night, use my loan money to live, be at the in between kid and adult state, but I was ready to move on. 24 is a perfect age for me. I am young enough that I have a whole life ahead of me, I can travel, go to grad school, work, dance, live for me. I am paying my bills, making my own decisions, living the life that I chose for me.

I share my birthday with my grandma (hints why my middle name is Colett- her name is Coletta). I don't think I ever really would care for my birthday if it weren't for my Grandma. Sharing my day with her has always made it so much more special. Ever since moving away from home, my birthday has never felt quite the same.

I can so clearly remember my 21st birthday party. A big house party with a ton of people, half of them I didn't know. I don't even think the party started until 11 pm. I spent my 22nd birthday at school- it was the first day back to school after break. Last year (23) I spent my birthday in an empty apartment that didn't have furniture yet, no kitchen equipment to make food with, a small selection of clothes and my roommate as my only friend. We spent the entire day waiting to have a 5 min interview for the new Cheesecake factory only to find out that because I had never served before they could never hire me as a waitress in a new location. (Nice that they told you that before you waited for 5 hours to get an interview) Therefore I was put on a "talent bench." I was suppose to call back in March to start serving. Needless to say, I took it as a sign. I decided right then and there that I had never been a waitress and never would be-- I was meant to work in my field-- dance.

And a year later, on my 24th birthday I got up, showered, ate breakfast (which I never do but my roommate made me pancakes), drove to my full time job, worked all day at a job that focuses 100% on dance, received 2 dozen roses, bought plane tickets to NYC (with my credit card, not my moms), went to rehearsal and then came home to warm up Mexican food I picked up before rehearsal, and poured myself a glass of wine.

Dancers' Group bought me a nice bottle of wine for my birthday. The back of the bottle reads:

"As humanity's oldest symbol the spiral represents eternal change, reminding us that life is not a straight line. It symbolizes new beginnings, renewal and hope for the future. It's the celebration of our quest for growth and love of life."

So for my 24th year- I am going to spiral through, ride the crazy adventures and love life. (Happy Birthday Grandma!)

Who Is Mary Jane?

My "headshot" for Here Now Dance Collective (taken in June of 09)

So I am currently working on my second project with Michelle Fletcher's: Here Now Dance Collective (HNDC) (herenowdancecollective.com). The first draft of "Who is Mary Jane" will premier on Feb 17th and 18th at The Garage.

Can anyone take a guess on what its about? :)

Michelle's work is fascinating to be apart of. We are never told how to think or feel. And when dealing with a subject such as "Mary Jane" (oh for those of you who may not know what Mary Jane is...marijuana...clearly a hot topic, especially in SF) its hard to make everyone feel the same way.

The piece is going to be a huge production when we actually get to premier the whole work in hopefully a year. Right now we are busy trying to raise money to do so. Michelle has great ideas though and a really supportive team. We have a composer who will actually be performing with us and many non-dancers involved in the piece along with 3 very talented dancers and myself. The show will start off with a 5 min video of people answering the question "who is Mary Jane?" go into the list section, which will represent the daily task that we get stuck in everyday, into our "joint circle/ community section" where we each are given a chance to tell our relationship with weed. The solos are so unique, some people sing, some play instruments, some dance to their own voice, some read stories and my favorite is the girl who just stands while a recording of her laughing plays (its great!). And the final section (for this round) is the "Lazy/Dazed" section. This is only the first half of what will most likely be an hour length show!

To see our promo video for this piece Go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRIArHgm8LA

I was not there for the filming of the rehearsal and filmed the interviews the following week (minus my own of course) so I am not seen too much, but I edited the video so my hand is inserted still!

Michelle's last work "BURST" was highly successful, sold out and well received by all. You can view that promo video, that I edited as well, and I am in more of at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIp4_uPqmjs

The other great thing is that this same show will also be my San Francisco debut of my own choreography. Michelle asked me to choreograph a shorter piece to perform that night so my current roommate and I will be showing an excerpt of what will be a larger work (premiering in Aug 2010!!) that I have not named yet... that piece is for another blog session.

If you live in SF I hope you can make it to our first draft of "Who is Mary Jane?" HNDC will also be premiering the final section the piece "Grass" in the Spring 2010 ODC Pilot!

Needless to say Michelle is keeping me very busy these days exploring the subject of "Mary Jane!"

New Year, New Goals

So it's almost the end of January and I've decided that maybe it's not too late to start a New Year resolution. I mean why not right? I have multiple friends that stay in touch with friends and family using a blog, so I figured maybe my friends and family would enjoy it too? I'm incredible busy with little time it seems, but at 1 am on a Sunday, sometimes there is nothing better to do than just sit and write. I figured that since I have been in California for a Full year now (can you believe it). Maybe I should just do my top moments of 2009. I would say top 10...but that's just not enough...so here are the top 20 or so (in NO particular order...I tried to think of them in order that they happened...but that even failed so its just 20 tied for 1).

1. I took a 4 day road trip out to San Francisco with 3 of my best friends. I will never take the week I spent with them back. It was rough, long, grouchy, exciting, happy, sad, amazing and the list could go on. We stopped at some interesting places, Krystal's car broke down on day 1 in Iowa, we at crap food, I got a speeding ticket...but the most amazing experience and I am so glad I had my besties with me!

Coley, Krystal, me and Beans in Salt Lake City, UT for lunch

2. While in NV we pulled off the interstate onto dark, barley traveled roads to park our car away from the Interstate lights and were able to see the most breath-taking sky I have ever seen. I have always loved stars but I have never seen so many of them and so bright. I will never forget that sky.

3. Once I got out here I was able to work for my idol, Joe Goode. It was amazing, ask me and I will share the stories!

4. Since arriving in SF I have had the chance to perform at: The Cowell, ODC, The Garage, Dance Mission, CounterPULSE, Arts Center, and in San Jose.

5. I was so very lucky to take a trip to NYC to see my brother in May and stop in Chicago on my way back to SF. It was a break that I very much needed and cherished.

Sean and me in NYC May 2009

6. My amazing friend Beans came to SF to celebrate her 21st birthday! It was a blast! We went out dancing in the Mission, saw The Fray in concert, ate lots of food, laughed a lot, drank some and embraced seeing each other for a week.

Beans, K-Dawg and Me when Beans turned 21!

7. One of my favorite people from Chicago, Jon, has a little sister who lives in Cali and is a dancer as well. She spent the summer up in SF and stayed with Krystal and me for 5 weeks. It was a blast. We had Saturday morning pancakes, farmers market, making dinner, baking, sex and the city watching... it was so enjoyable having her here. I have actually missed her a lot since she left!

Kristie and Me on the way to Gay Pride in SF...don't worry we have clothes on, it was just hot and Gay Pride so we are slightly bare!

8. Steve and JoHo's wedding. 2 Amazing friends got married in Southern California this summer and I was so happy to have been there helping a hand. It was beautiful and I feel so honored that I could be there to share the day with them.

Me, Joho and Steve toward the end of the night!

9. My mom came to visit me. After I lived here for over 6 months my mom was finally able to come out and see where I live. The only thing that felt like it was missing with me out here has been my family. Having her come and see where I live helped it feel a little more like home!

Mom and me in front of the Bay Bridge

10. I work for an amazing organization called Dancers' Group (dancersgroup.org). Not only are my co-workers some of my closest friends in the city, but the job gives me opportunities to work for people like Anna Halprin. Its a truly amazing organization that I believe in fully and feel totally blessed to be apart of it!

Dancers' Group staff: Wayne (my boss), Jorge, Kegan, Mo and me

Anna Halprin

11. I never thought I would say this but Iowa has a better 4th of July than SF. Brian and I spent 4th of July in Downtown SF thinking it would be amazing...and it was far from! Bad enough that yes it made the list of 2009 because it was so lame! We ended up saying forget this and went dancing in a club in the mission!

Brian and I waiting for the fireworks...which were awful!

12. Napa Valley...need I say more? I have made 2 trips out to Napa and it is amazing. EVERYONE should go there at least once, but I beat if you go, you will go again. It is beautiful, the wine is amazing, the people are lovely and if you like wine, its a must! I am already planning my next visit (its less than an hour away so its not hard to get there for me, another big plus!)

Mom and me in Napa

My wonderful friend Al and me in Napa (they let each of us have a bottle... for FREE!)

13. When my mom was visiting she gave me one of the best gifts I could ever imagine... My "Gerti Butt" also know as Gertrude and further more, my Kitty. She is seriously the best creature EVER. She is loving, playful, cuddly and so much more. Her bday is May 11th 2009 so she is not even a year yet, but she is mommy's little angel. She greats me at the door when I walk in, kisses me often to tell me she loves me, tells me how her days was...she is amazing!

Gerti and me the 2nd night I had her...believe me she has grown a lot since!

Gerti and I on Christmas

14. In September I started working for the amazing Holly Johnston and her company, Ledges and Bones Dance Project. I am currently her Administrative Director, rehearsal director and training with the company. She is based out of LA so the company splits time between SF and LA. Needless to say, I have made my share of journeys down to LA in the past 5 months! While I don't love LA I love Holly so bring it on LA!

15. In October I had one of the worst injuries I could ever imagine, I broke 2 ribs and fractured 2 ribs. I was replaced in work and couldn't perform....well i couldn't dance at all. I could barely breath and I ended up seeing 3 doctors to verify it. I was in disbelief. I broke them while in Holly's rehearsal but it was also a 9 hour day of rehearsals for me and I was at the end of the day. They are still healing but I am dancing (trying to at least) as much as I can with out re-breaking them... did you know broken ribs can take up to one year to heal? Not what dancers like to hear!

16. In August (or September...I think August) I went to Disneyland with 2 of my "co-wos" (co-workers) and our friend Jane! It was magical! I have been to Disneyworld before but Disneyland was A-Mazing. We flew down, stayed at Mo's moms house, went to Disneyland for 2 days (had free passes because Kegans friend David worked there). Jane was fighting some hip problems so we got her a wheal chair and were able to get to the front of almost every line because of it! (ethical...kinda...don't judge us!) Kegan was amazing and really made my first time there one I wont forget, I got "my first time" "Im celebrating" "honorary citizen" and "Happy Anniversary" buttons (Kegan and I pretended it was our anniversary and it wasn't until our flight back to SF that someone called it out that he was gay and we were faking it!)

Kegan, Mo, me and Jane

Our "Anniversary" photo

Had to include Splash Mt picture!

17. I worked at a production company called RAPT Productions for almost the whole first year I've been here. I was their office manager. It taught me a lot and I made a lot of great friends. The best part of it though was that I got to play ping pong daily! You would think after a year I would be killer at it...but I'm not. I quit RAPT last week and on my last day, I still lost every game I played. Oh well!

18. I was so lucky to go back to Chicago for Thanksgiving and spend 2.5 weeks there for Christmas! I have a great boss who let me work from Chicago which was amazing. And, I was able to bring Gerti back with me. I could have never been away from her for that long so I was very happy. Being home warmed my heart, refueled my soul and fully energized me. Seeing my best friends who are irreplaceable, kicking ass in wii bowling, cuddling with my mom on the couch while she pet my head, and eating LOTS OF YUMMY FOOD! Being 3,000 miles away from home I can't believe I was so lucky to be able to spend so much time with my AMAZING family.

My amazing fam

19. I finally did it, I chopped my hair all off! It was liberating and felt so good to not have to worry about it any longer. Ladies, ya'all should try it at least once!

My new Hair cut by Mark Duthu

20. I was able to fly over SF on an Ariel tour. Krystal and my friend Joel is a pilot and took us up in a plane for an hour to fly over the Bay Area. It was out of this world Beautiful and made me appreciate even more the amazing land that I call home now.





So, there you have it top 20 things of 2009. I am sure there are plenty more I could have mentioned but as this took me an hour...I think i should probably go to bed since I am now a grown up and have to get to the office in the morning!