Well, it looks like I'm a monthly blogger! I normally do not do New Years resolutions,
but I do hope to post more regularly on both of my blogs, so here is my
December posting and the last one of 2014 (there are only 5!). The best to you all in 2015, and beyond.
Last night I saw "Selma", a fine film that reminded me of the time of the 1960s and resonates (as has been mentioned a lot now) so much with what is happening right now. I watched some interviews with the star of the film, David Oyelowo, who talked about the need for love to connect us all, something he felt strongly as he worked on "channelling" MLK for the film. It reflects what I have been thinking a lot about these days in terms of connecting with the true nature of things, whether it be people, plants, animals, things, thoughts. Connecting, listening and healing. Embrace the moments. Not easy, but worthwhile work, which I continue to learn how to do. Here are some moments from last year that were powerful for me.
Sitting at the memorial in Newark for Amiri Baraka, seeing an Honor Guard escort his casket in. Watching the streaming memorial for Ruby Dee with Wynton Marsallis wailing his horn, New Orleans style. Remembering seeing Maya Angelou waiting at Newark Penn Station years ago. Shock about Robin Williams. Sadness and shock about musician and former colleague Chris White. Goodbye to Carl of NY Tap Extravaganza and the union, Big 6, that my dad also belonged to. Goodbye to Bunny, who can now really dance for the Lord, with Duke. "You know how to whistle, don't you Steve? You just put your lips together and blow." "On The Good Ship Lollipop." Judy has her buddy now to put on shows. He couldn't breathe, he was just walking down the stairs, his hands were up, they were just sitting in the car, they were just shopping in the mall or in school or....
Final, final grades in at Bloomfield College, with pride in my students' work and the beginning of my own new semesters. Learning and sharing the funny and physical with some great talents in South Paris, Maine, organized by a dear old friend. Creative conversations with good friends of all ages. Finding out more of my family tree, with more to come. A September day in my house, sharing food and good times with the worlds of people in my life. Dinners and visits here with more of "my people". Warm holiday times with extended family in Orient and Laurelton. Negotiating my evolving relationship with the "home place" that is in my soul....New York City. Toured the Old Black NYC of lower Manhattan. Taking in the beauty of sky, water, nature, and pace of where I live, near the Raritan Bay. Kayak Joy. Blueberry picking. A new old kitchen cabinet unit for my garage...and my djembe is fixed. Snapping more pictures with my eye than with my camera. Trying to create pictures with my words.
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| MuDan Banquet Hall, Lunar Banquet. |
Tap dancing at a Chinese Lunar Banquet. Working again with Roscoe, to get him moving with Miss Marie. Knocked out by Savion and "Om". Knocked out again, as Toshi led "Deep Are The Roots", with Nona killin' it! Thrilled in my seat, as the open rehearsal of NY Phil playing Bolero and Aaron Copland got into my bones. Digging George talk about Funkadelic and his book on LiveStream. Cheered with others, led by Carmen, while in front of The Majestic, as lights dimmed on Broadway for Geoffrey. Listened as Deborah and Dudley talked about dance and Alvin. Enjoying my friends sing and dance. Enthralled and elated in my heart, watching rare footage of Bert Williams at MOMA. Joined MOMA. Then saw Matisse and odd 3-D Godard. Inspired by "Boyhood" and Netflixed Linklater's other films.
Noticing each day, I look more and more like my father.
