A personal zaghareet

5:13pm: Mmpphhhh.
Jaz just called me. Looks like she will not be going to Mudthaw tomorrow, there's a lot of bookings at the spa, and work is work.

She also pitched some dance gig for us tomorrow night; I told her to take it as a soloist. We were only being offered $100. Yes, it is a fundraising event, but still — that's not enough for the both of us. I hope she does take it, I think that would be great — $100 for a 15-minute solo gig is not bad at all.

5:08pm: Why am I not surprised ...

Which musical counterculture do you fit in with? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Elder Goth Elder Goths are those goths who entered the scene during either the First (late 70's, early 80's) or Second Dark Wave (early 90's). Ian Astbury is a good example of an Elder Goth, as is Carl McCoy, Andrew Eldritch, or Andi Sex Gang (the original "Goth"). Christian Death, Alien Sex Fiend, Red Lorry-Yellow Lorry, .45 Grave, Bauhaus, Joy Division, Specimen, The Cult (Southern Death Cult/ Death Cult), Sisters of Mercy, Fields of the Nephilim, Mission UK, and other bands of the Batcave era are in the music collection of your (there's no such thing as average) Elder Goth. Elder Goth 68% Synthpop Devotee 64% Mope Rocker 52% Kindergoth 36% Industrialist 28% Neo Goth 16% Bondage Freak 16% Old School Punk 12% New School Punk 4% Emo Kid 0%

2:31pm: Come see me and my students dance this weekend!
When: Saturday, June 16 and 17, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. both days.
Where: Mystic Realms Fantasy Faire, Wheaton Village, Millville, New Jersey

http://www.wheatonarts.org/press/2007/fantasyfaire

Mahira Tribe has a big set planned, and there will be other troupes and soloists dancing as well throughout the day!

I will be doing a sword solo around 11 a.m. and will be dancing with Devi'ance at 1 p.m. Hopefully, I will see a few of you there!

11:09am: Random thoughts
Class yesterday was good. Before it began I was chatting with another of the Studio Zen teachers, a little Polish guy named Andrezj about his qi gong classes. I've studied tai chi, and the part I liked best about it was the moving meditation. He's having a workshop in energy work this Thursday evening, and I would like to go, and take Thom.

Thom's pretty much recovered. He's been getting a lot of sleep, too.

Went to see Pirates 3 last night. I grooved on the costuming snazzery. Wanted all of Cheng Ai Sao's hair ornaments. And Keith Richards was fantastic. Wouldn't mind having that little vihuela he was playing, either. Thom and Josh and I joked a lot about various things in the movie and the trailers. Afterward, we jetted over to Ruby Tuesday's for a late dinner.

I will try and get into the nature center by 5 today to work on my songs for tomorrow night, before students starts showing up at 6:30. I want to see how my new Zildjian zills sound on "Dead Stars." Yes, I will be zilling to industrial music, Kim! Woohoo! I hope to go on closer to 9 than 8, though.

Gaming on Friday night devolved into playing poker (it actually was part of the game, the captain was trying to win his ship back). I hung in there for a good long while; I need to learn how to fold more often, though. If I have crap in my hand, what's flipped up on the table is not likely to change that. I might even become a good poker player. Maybe in the Granny Weatherwax "Cripple Mr. Onion" vein (Pratchett fans will get that joke).

1:12pm: Oh, and this is directed toward Lex and Mike and Paul ...
Thom is a bachelor until I get back from Dance Camp on Monday morning. He also has no plans. I think people forget he doesn't drive and if I am not around, he does not get out much beyond where PT can take him.

Please, if you are doing anything this evening, Saturday, or Sunday and can include him in your plans, and pick him up or put him up for evening until he can take a train home, I surely would appreciate it.

Call him at 267-981-6963. Or try 215-788-6005. The cell phone is best.

I know he'd also appreciate it. Game with him, drink with him, hang out with him.

4:14pm: Azam Ali and Niyaz ...
are teh awesome.

Check out their gorgeous renditition of The Cure's Lovesong:

http://www.myspace.com/azamali

Particularly sweet since she and Loga seem to have recently gotten married,

3:38pm: For Amy ...
Because she works with small children ...

From Wikipedia's "Bad Jokes and other Deleted Nonsense" section (thanks Meekay!):

"'C is for Cookie' can be regarded as a case study in persuasive oratory, emphasizing the emotional aspect of public speaking. Cookie Monster builds excitement by answering his opening rhetorical question, "Now what starts with the letter C?" with the obvious reply, "Cookie starts with C!" He then challenges the audience, "Let's think of other things that starts with C," before quickly replying, "Oh, who cares about the other things?" casually dismissing a whole range of other possibilities as irrelevant. Thus, having ostensibly come for the purpose of covering the letter C in its entirety, Cookie Monster has already focused his agenda exclusively on cookies, employing the classic bait-and-switch tactic.

Several times in his presentation, Cookie Monster emphasizes what appears to be the central thesis of his remarks: "C is for cookie, that's good enough for me!" The appealing rhythm of this slogan appears designed to entrance listeners, swaying their emotions and making them instinctively want to chant along with him.

After rousing the crowd, Cookie Monster systematically lays out the logical underpinnings of his pro-cookie ideology, comparing cookies to round donuts with one bite out of them and to the moon during its crescent phase, in essence using a straw man argument that implies his opponents would advocate the superiority of these competitors over cookies. In this sense, Cookie Monster may be proposing a false dichotomy representing cookies as the only viable choice to a group of obviously inferior alternatives.

But before the audience has a chance to catch on, Cookie Monster launches into another round of repetitive chanting, "C is for cookie, that's good enough for me, yeah!" as young children sing along. Here, Cookie Monster uses a propaganda technique strikingly similar to that employed in George Orwell's Animal Farm by the pig Napoleon, who trained the farm's sheep to bleat, "Four legs good, two legs bad" on his cue.

Cookie Monster then adds visual stimulation to his discourse by chomping into a large cookie, concluding his remarks with "Umm-umm-umm-umm-umm" and other chewing sounds."

12:46pm: Update on Niyaz show and Persian workshop in Philadelphia
The information and ability to buy tickets for the April 27th workshop with Laurel Victoria Gray and the Niyaz show is here:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=131627491

For the price ($45) you get a two-hour workshop and a ticket to the show that evening. How much better can that get?

Any questions, drop me a line! I'll be there to check people into the workshop and see the show!

12:53pm: *yawn*
Thom and I went to Shampoo last night. He wore his fancy Indian coat as well as the Doc Martens dress shoes I had gotten him. I completely eschewed dressing bellygoth in favor of a simple top and skirt and chunky Mary Janes. We stayed until 1:30, consequently, my ass is dragging today.

But we did get to see Rachel and all her pics of her and Patrick with the penguins; Patrick, of course; Amy and Trish from Mahira; Bob; Stacey and Cathy; Christina and Mal; Cynthia from Georgeworld; DJ Phranque; Shok; Victorian Steve; Meekay and Kelly; Mad Herr Professor Doktor Jeremy; Jen Walker; Evi and Colin; Jimi and Parri; and lots of others. And I did get to dance to new and old favorites. Jon Gill also spun, at our request, an electro cover of a James Brown song.

I need to get out more often.

4:31pm: John Savia ...
Is the hospital right now.

For details, please e-mail me. And if you could put Fred or Jimi in touch with me, I would appreciate it.

1:24pm: Since everyone is doing it ...

10:10am: Bethany
I wish I could say this was an April Fool's thing, but it's not.

One of my dance students has died.

Bethany had some severe health issues, but she tried hard to live her life the way she wanted to live it. She was going to be dancing her first solos at a dance even in Smithville. N.J., in May and at the Hipnosis Belly Jam the same month.

We're holding this for her Sunday in place of class:

When: Sunday, April 2, 6 p.m. setup time, dancing to begin around 7 p.m.

Where: Silver Lake Nature Center, Bristol, PA http://www.silverlakenaturecenter.org/

I have Thom providing us music. I will be setting up a little display for Bethany - flowers, candles, and some pictures.

If you're so inclined, bring something to eat or drink (nonalcoholic, but I will overlook sangria punch ... it's just fruit juice, really!) to share, but it's not necessary.

End time will be 10 p.m. or whenever we decide to get the hell out (I have the keys, after all).

Let's dance together and reminisce. Let's remember her happy and dancing.

2:42pm: Oh, I feel sooooo safe ...
Yes, keep those 13-year-old kid terrorists off my flight:

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/6698362/detail.html?subid=22100484&qs=1;bp=t

4:18pm: I hate iTunes
Why the goddamn fuck when I try to burn a CD from music that I purchased, does it lately skip-skip-skip on me?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!

I downloaded "Ahsas" from the iTunes store. When I first tried to move the music into Roxio Toast, and the MP.4 files were converted into fucking
QuickTime files. Then when I created a playlist and used the iTunes burner, the CD got borked.

I am PISSED. I need this music for class this evening.

12:27pm: Amusing ...
Ganked from Vicky ...


You are a goddess!


Which Ultimate Beautiful Woman are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

9:29am: Great cat advice here ...
One of the folks on Gothroyalty runs this site:

http://www.paws-and-effect.com

I have three of the wee beasties, and in just five minutes of reading, I've learned quite a lot!

Plus I love some of the T-shirt designs, including one by Monica Richards from Faith & the Muse:

http://www.paws-and-effect.com/merch.html

1:06pm: And news from the ridiculous ...
This is real, folks!

My mind wobbles. Does this say something about Mick?

Jerry Hall Unveiled by Bayer HealthCare as Global Ambassador for Erectile Dysfunction Campaign


New campaign to encourage couples and healthcare professionals to Strike Up A Conversation about sexual dysfunction with stunning images and key note appearance at ESSM 4 December 2005

LEVERKUSEN, Germany, November 29, 2005 – Bayer HealthCare, makers of the erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment Levitra® (vardenafil HCl), today announced that Jerry Hall will be working in partnership with the company, fronting a unique campaign to encourage men and women globally to ‘Strike Up A Conversation’ and openly discuss erectile dysfunction with each other and their healthcare professionals.

“I’ve always believed that attractiveness and partnerships have nothing to do with age – in fact many relationships grow stronger as we grow older.  A healthy love life is not and should not be the preserve of those in their 20’s and 30’s, it’s important at all ages. I’m working with Bayer HealthCare to encourage men to confront erectile dysfunction and take action.  It might be a conversation with your doctor or maybe with your partner, but it’s never too late to get the most from your love life,” said Jerry Hall.



Jerry Hall will make her first statement, public appearance and conduct interviews for the campaign on 4 December at Bayer HealthCare’s press conference “It Takes Two: Bayer’s Commitment to Couples” to be held at the 8th European Society of Sexual Medicine (ESSM) Congress taking place 4-7 December 2005, in Copenhagen, Denmark.



At the Bayer ‘It Takes Two: Bayer’s Commitment to Couples’ Press Conference at the ESSM, Jerry Hall will appear alongside renowned sexual specialists and professionals, including Professor Siegfried Meryn and Dr. John Dean, Consultant Sexologist and Secretary General of the ESSM.  Jerry Hall will make a statement and take part in an open panel session with the media to talk about her experiences and advice. She also will be available for questions after the press conference.



Dr. Christa Kreuzburg, President of Europe and Japan, Bayer HealthCare Pharma Division comments, “Working with Jerry Hall is an opportunity for us to connect with men and their partners globally. Bayer continues to play a leading role in educating people about erectile dysfunction. Reducing the stigma attached to the condition and breaking down barriers to communication between partners is a vital part of the journey to treatment. Jerry Hall is the perfect ambassador for this campaign.  She is a global icon who embodies an open, confident and bold approach to sex and relationships. We hope that her involvement with the campaign provides the impetus for couples to strike up a conversation about erectile dysfunction and seek a solution.”




Notes to editors:



European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM)
Registration for the “It Takes Two: Bayer’s Commitment to Couples” press conference begins at 12.00 CET on Sunday 4 December 2005 at the Bella Center, Center Boulevard 5 DK – 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark



For media accreditation in Copenhagen please email or contact the Bayer HealthCare global marketing agency Euro RSCG Biss Lancaster:
Yvonne Mitchell  T: 020 7467 9284 E: yvonne.mitchell@bisslancaster.com
Cressida Robson   T: 020 7467 9296 E: cressida.robson@bisslancaster.com



Images
Images for worldwide use are available from the global marketing agency (see above)



About the Strike Up A Conversation Campaign 
The Strike Up A Conversation campaign is a global health education initiative designed to improve communications between men with ED, their partners and doctors. The purpose it to help every couple affected by ED to communicate openly about their sexual concerns, in order to find a treatment that improves a man’s erectile function and a couple’s quality of life.



The programme is guided by a panel of international experts in the fields of medicine, psychology, sexology, behavioural research and communications. Key global patient support groups and healthcare professional organisations also support the initiative.



For more information please visit: www.vitalsexual.com



About Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the consistent or recurrent inability of a man to attain and/or maintain a penile erection sufficient for sexual performance.1  It is estimated that some degree of ED affects about half of all men over the age of 40 and that worldwide an estimated 152 million men suffer from ED.2 The number of men with ED is expected to more than double to 322 million by 2025.3 Despite the high prevalence of sexual dysfunction, experts estimate that only 15-20 percent of men with ED are currently treated.4



About Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation
Bayer HealthCare AG, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry. In 2004, the Bayer HealthCare subgroup generated sales amounting to some €8.5 billion.



The company combines the global activities of the divisions Animal Health, Biological Products, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, Diagnostics and Pharmaceuticals. Bayer HealthCare employed 35,300 people worldwide in 2004.



Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and manufacture innovative products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. The products enhance well-being and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing and treating disease.



About Bayer HealthCare AG
Bayer HealthCare AG, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the health care and medical products industry. In 2004, the Bayer HealthCare subgroup generated sales amounting to some 8.5 billion Euro.



The company combines the global activities of the divisions Animal Health, Biological Products, Consumer Care, Diabetes Care, Diagnostics and Pharmaceuticals. Bayer HealthCare employed 35,300 people worldwide in 2004.



Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and manufacture innovative products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. The products enhance well-being and quality of life by diagnosing, preventing and treating disease.



Leverkusen,  November, 28 2005
di (2005-0673E)



Contact:
Kathrin Statz, phone +49 214/30 23981
Email: kathrin.statz@bayerhealthcare.com




References
1. Jardin A, Wagner G, Khory S et al. Recommendations of the 1st International Consultation on Erectile Dysfunction. Co-sponsored by the World Health Organisation (WHO), International Consultation on Urological Diseases (ICUD) and Societé Internationale D’Urologie (SIU). p.713

2. Rosen RC, Fisher W, Eardley I, Neiderberger C, Nada A, Sand M:  The Multinational Men’s Attitudes to Life Events and Sexuality (MALES) Study I, Prevalence of Erectile Dysfunction and Related Health Concerns in the General Population.  Cur Med Res Op.

3. Aytac IA, McKinlay JB, Krane RJ:  The likely world increase in erectile dysfunction between 1995 and 2065 and some possible policy consequences.  BJU International 1999; 84:50-56

4. Southgate J:  New rivals to Viagra expand the market.  Scrip World Pharmaceutical News, 2002


Forward-looking statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 20-F). The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developmen

12:56pm: Thom's birthday is Dec. 15 ...
And I would like to get together a group of folks to go out to dinner at Philadelphia's City Tavern. We could even dress up vaguely 18th century.

It's a lovely restaurant and the ambience is great. So is the food (and believe me, if you just order appetizer, salad, and dessert, you will be full).

So who's up for this?

12:00pm: Because it's just that important ...
horrorvenus posted this, and it should be reposted everywhere. I have also edited this for clarity and to address certain points:

A lot has been said about how to prevent rape.
Women have been told that they should learn self-defense, and that will prevent them from getting raped. Women have been told that they should lock themselves in their houses after dark, and that will prevent them from getting raped. Women have been told that they shouldn't have long hair and wear short skirts, and that will prevent them from getting raped. Women are told that they shouldn't leave drinks unattended, and that will keep them safe. They are told that they shouldn't dare to get drunk at all.

But precautions taken by women are only half of what is needed for rape prevention. Instead, how about:

if a woman is drunk, don't rape her.
if a woman is walking alone at night, don't rape her.
if a women is drugged and unconscious, don't rape her.
if a woman is wearing a short skirt, don't rape her.
if a woman is jogging in a park at 5 am, don't rape her.
if a woman looks like your ex-girlfriend you're still hung up on, don't rape her.
if a woman is asleep in her bed, don't rape her.
if a woman is asleep in your bed, don't rape her.
if a woman is doing her laundry, don't rape her.
if a woman is in a coma, don't rape her.
if a woman changes her mind in the middle of or about a particular activity, don't rape her.
if a woman has repeatedly refused a certain activity, don't rape her.

if a woman is not yet a woman, but a child, don't rape her.
if your girlfriend or wife is not in the mood, don't rape her.
if your step-daughter is watching tv, don't rape her.
if you break into a house and find a woman there, don't rape her.
if your friend thinks it's okay to rape someone, tell him it's not, and that he's not your friend.

if your "friend" tells you he raped someone, report him to the police.
if your frat-brother or another guy at the party tells you there's an unconscious woman upstairs and it's your turn, don't rape her, call the police and tell the guy he's a rapist.

tell your sons, god-sons, nephews, grandsons, sons of friends it's not okay to rape someone.

It's not just telling your women friends how to be safe and avoid rape. Yes, tell us this stuff. Yes, I've taken self-defense classes. Yes, I'll go for your throat, eyes, ears, instep, and balls, if given half a chance. You don't even want to know what I will do to you with my purse strap, a pen, and my teeth. But the best-laid plans can go wrong. Guns can be taken away and used on their owners; that pepper spray canister can be plucked out of our hands and turned on us. We can't be invulnerable and all-aware all the time. Things can happen, and if the precautions fail, just be there for us, and don't tell us if we had fought back a little harder, things would have been different. Ultimately, all of my self-defense teachers have told me the same thing; if he's bigger than you, and he's armed, it will happen.

don't imply that we could have avoided it if we'd only done/not done x.
don't imply that it's in any way our fault.
don't let silence imply agreement when someone tells you he "got some" with the drunk girl.
don't perpetuate a culture that tells you that you have no control over or responsibility for your actions. You can, too, help yourself.

If you agree, re-post it. It's that important.\

2:21pm: Woohoo!
Go to www.corvuscorax.de

Once in the site, Click on News, click on the release titled "Reisebericht aus Amerika" ; click on the galerie link in the release.

Scroll down the galerie ...

Ak-Ana is in there. Of course, I am completely hidden by Kat, but it's a great shot of Jaz and Kat.

Woohoo!

6:14pm: For the weekend
Something to make you laugh ...

http://www.evildolly.com/cattie/mrtinklesnumanuma.mov

And also, don't forget Raqs Gothique at Ulana's tomorrow night! Two troupes, three soloists, lots of talent and beauty!

6:27pm: Sigh ...
I've been working 13-hour days at the office for the past two weeks. Not pretty. But have to get out the issue tomorrow.

About Hurricane Katrina and the destruction of New Orleans ... Thom and I had bandied about the idea of going to the Big Easy for our 13th anniversary in September. Then we ruled it out because of the thought that there might be a hurricane. Now it looks like we will never get to go. And finding out that the levees were never reinforced because of that asshat Bush makes me indescribably angry.

The Editor & Publisher article quoted by that blog cites a lot of references to Newhouse News Service and the New Orleans Times-Picayune. What folks may not know about me is that I had worked 10 years for the Trenton Times, a sister paper to the Picayune, and part of the Newhouse chain. Every once in awhile someone would wander up to Trenton who had ties to the Picayune and work at the Times for a period. The daughter of the former editor in chief of the Picayune worked for the Trenton Times in the early '90s while I was there. She and I made each other mix tapes, and it was she who introduced me to the Katydids and the Primitives. She really wanted to be at the Picayune, and finally got hired there a year after she was at the Times. Every year, the Picayune feature staff would send us a King Cake for Mardi Gras. I nearly choked on the plastic baby one year. Issues of the Picayune would make their way up to our newsroom every once in awhile; the best part were the obits. Seems you couldn't die in New Orleans without having a colorful nickname.

I so wanted to go there.

And now I will never get the chance. I thought New Orleans would always be there, just like the World Trade Center.

Gods help the people of New Orleans, and my thoughts are with the Picayune staffers. I donated this afternoon to the Red Cross. I'll donate more after my next paycheck.

4:52pm: Oh my gods...Paul, you are going to love this
Please, read this:

http://americablog.blogspot.com/2005/08/bush-took-new-orleans-disaster-funds.html

Bush ought to empty out his pockets NOW. And then he should be IMPEACHED.

7:13pm: More of my husband's talent ...
The flier for our next show:

http://img309.imageshack.us/img309/7483/flyershow20yc.jpg

2:51pm: OK, my Bhakail friends ...
How cool would this place be for a feast-type event?

http://www.fleisher.org/about/rental.php

Admittedly, it's expensive for an event, but sooooo coooool lookin'!