A-Muse

What would the world be, if we all told our favorite television program, video game, radio station, book, magazine, or other consuming rather than creating pass time to shove it. For a day, a week, until that mind numbing, time killer was no longer a habit, but a seldom desired treat.

It is not only food, clothing, gadgets, cheap plastic jewelry and dust collections that we over indulge on today. Entertainment is worse than bad food with even less nutritional value. Why are we doing this? Why are we wasting precious mental resources on nonsense that does not nourish us? Why are we so content to binge on empty calories of brain candy?

Instead, a challenge; find a partner, because no addict does it alone, someone you trust and who trusts you. Tell this partner that for one month you are going off the grid, no device beyond necessity. If you need music while you work on projects; attend a band practice, park concert, or karaoke night, or pair with a partner with musical aspirations. He could work on his creativity while you work on yours. Support the creativity of others close to you rather than some plastic disc from an equally plastic performer. Need a break from your creative work, ask if you can watch, edit, assist your partner in crime.

In honor of all month long challenges, I place this one. Be someone’s muse, ask that they be yours, for thirty days. Keep one another on task, having fun and off the entertainment drug. I think of this because I do not think my students and creative friends realize, when they tell me I motivate them, I am equally motivated, by them. If not for students, I would not dance as much. If not for writer friends, I would not drive to make that next chapter on time. If not for weekly practices, I would not know what I know with respect to a blade.

Thank you and good luck all!

Motivation

Who does it for you? Who really gets you going? Really gets the blood pumping or the mind racing?

Motivators! Who are yours?

I have a very difficult time finding the will to do anything for personal gain without something or someone to keep me on task. I live for friendly competition and verbal rewards. Without my dance students I would not put the effort into dance that I do. Without my workout buddies I would sit about like a lump. Without writers around me, I do not write as well. Even so much as cleaning the house does not require a helping hand as much as a motivational word or kick in the pants.

So, I ask, who motivates you? Find him if you have not, hug him if you have. Maybe you can return the favor by motivating him in something he is reaching!

Arizona Corsairs Raid the Arizona Renaissance Faire

Ecstasy, what is your profession!

Arr! Arr! Arr!*

The Arizona Corsairs raided Pirate Weekend at the Arizona Renaissance Faire. Ship Ecstasy made a grand showing as usual, but then, I am bias. Some memorable moment, in quotes.

The weather is just menopausal. – Sharon

This was in response to the flashes of warmth and sunshine between the freezing bouts of hail, sleet and snow, a bit strange for Arizona weather? Yes. We thought so too. Sharon is from AdeebA Korsana’s Sunnyslope classes and a new member to ship Ecstasy.

I think I got somethin’ in my teeth, could ya get it out for me? THATS F*CKIN TEAAMM WOORRK!!! – Casey

Yes. Ecstasy’s carpenter/ Kaylee, did in fact pick gunk out of her captain’s teeth. Now that is loyal crew, right there.

I have never been with a captain before. – The Prince (kissing Blackstrap’s hand)

That is probably why you are still alive, boy. – Blackstrap (in retort)

Not the first royal to meet with Blackstrap’s wit in response to advances. It really is not wise to charm a pirate, even less so a captain, least of all Blackstrap.

*Of course, it is the quote at the top of this post that made the biggest impression. Several members of the AZ Corsairs entered the Pirate costume contest. Only one placed, Captain Blackstrap, with the stunning aid of her crew. In the “Best Arr!” portion of the event instead of being the typical lone pirate and saying arr on her own, she summoned the immortal words of Leonides. The return call from at least a dozen loyal pirates came with as much vigor to make any troupe of Spartans or pirates proud. That is how a captain says arr!

So much of Ecstasy is about teamwork, loyalty, friends, and fun! Ecstasy is the brightest, sexiest, most talented ship in all the Arizona Corsairs, but then, again I may be bias.

Huge thanks to Commodore Max for gifting Blackstrap a beautiful pirate compass. The gesture was both sweet and sarcastic, and always much appreciated.

Blaze, nice try on sneaking through the city gates with the royal procession.

J.J.M. Czep and the crew of Ecstasy are excited to announce that on Saturday, April 2^nd, the last weekend of the Arizona Renaissance Faire, Blackstrap’s Ecstasy books will be available for signing and purchase at The Book Shop. At this point, there may only be ten copies available! Czep will sign pre-purchased copies.

Restaurant Review: Mimi's Cafe

Mimi’s Cafe

7450 W Bell Rd
Glendale, AZ 85308

Mimi’s Café is the perfect place to bring the kids for a slightly classier experience, instead of the typical chain restaurant or burger joint.

JD mentioned that tonight was a fundraiser night for his school at Mimi’s Café on Bell road. Jess was with us for classes and work on her County Fair solo, so we invited her for the experience. It was well worth it. I am sad to read so many poor online reviews about Mimi’s. We had a notably wonderful time!

For a Tuesday evening the crowd was minimal, so we expected a short wait, we got that. Our waiter, Edward, was fabulously attentive, offering suggestions, and letting us know that the bread basket and drinks were bottomless. He gave us plenty of time to make our choices, but never left us wondering where he had run off. Being that this was Jess’s and JD’s first visit the manager came out to our table with a box of complimentary muffins to take home with us! I was astonished!

JD ordered the basics, Buttermilk Shrimp and fries. He was very pleased! He was equally pleased with the decadent Triple Fudge Brownie he ordered for desert. We thought Jess’s face was going to melt with joy at first nibble of her Petite Filet, cooked to perfection. She raved about the simple perfection of the coffee and the Tomato Bisque. I was more than equally pleased with the choice of Scallops and Asparagus Ravioli. Jess and I also ordered the Chocolate Mousse, astounding!

The provincial atmosphere was perfect and even prompted a brief French lesson and proper tables manners from both Jess and JD. Did I mention how wonderful the waiter was? Yeah. That good! While Mimi’s is a bit on the pricey side of family dining it is well worth every penny. The portions are reasonable without being too slight or excessive. And, again, the staff, amazing! It is not just about the muffins and bread, but they are awesome too!

Captains and Crew, Characters and Dancers

This past weekend was full to bursting!

On Friday evening, at Of the Earth Gallery, R.L. Spidell read from Fairy Bad News. I caught the whole reading on video and posted it. A warning, it is not for the sensitive ear or under 18. Spidell's work astounds me because erotic scenes have never been a forte in my writing. It is really sweet to see her stumble over the verbalization of the words and scenes she creates though. She is really just a sweet, modest gal.

Saturday was the second Way Out West Belly Dance Show at Next Coffee Company. At least a dozen AdeebA Korsana students were in attendance! Shamefully, AdeebA and most of the Dancers of DeNile/ bint Hazine troupe was either ill with the flu, recovering from the flu, or just out of town. We did not display a very good show. The Desert Flowers made up for our short fall though. R.L. Spidell, proving that she is a true Renaissance woman, made an appearance as a dancer too!

Sunday, the Arizona Corsairs captains met to plan more events for 2011. So far we have at least one event per month.

March 4th - Downtown Phoenix Mardi Gras Parade
April 3rd - Isle de Corsair II
May 7th - LepreCon Party
May 14th - Mesa Public Library Pirate Day
May 20th - PotC4 Premiere
June - Pirate Feast
July - Mud Wrestling
August - Pirate Movie Day
September - Talk Like A Pirate Day @ Westgate
October - Boo at the Zoo
November - Burning Ship Tournament

The Flu, and Other Nasty Delays

I just spent the last three days in bed. Relaxing, lazy vacation? No. The flu.

On Tuesday afternoon I drove home with a mild stomach ache, dizziness, and a headache. This I thought was just due to hunger. I had not much of an appetite all morning (This should have been the first clue. I am always hungry!). By the time I made it home the only thing on my mind was getting to bed. I had at least a couple hours before opening the studio, plenty of time to shake off this feeling.

3:30: A half hour until class time and now I am in full downward spiral; fever, chills, nausea, head pounding, vertigo, fatigue, the works. I cancel my classes and return to bed. Maybe a couple more hours in bed?

Around six o'clock, I decide soup is a must. I decide this while I am still horizontal and under several blankets and one warm cat. As soon as I remove the covers I realize soup is an expedition!

I spent the evening on the couch watching Fruits Basket with the kid, playing Dead Rising, and watching documentaries about the Conquistadors. Consuming homemade chicken/ pork/ carrot/ leftovers soup and any hot liquid I could conjure. This did not help at all.

When I finally gave up and took to the refuge of the bed again - now six blankets deep - I decided medicine might be required. Medication and I do not have a friendly history. I am below average as an adult, which I am pretty sure according to the medication standards is more in the 140 - 200 pounds range. My loving husband assures me that two Ibuprofen will cure all and not kill me though. So, down the hatch. Yes. Hallucinations about sinking boats and god knows what else, plus body temperature pitches that leave me alternately frozen and soaked in sweat tell otherwise.

The next two days were more of the same so I will not delve into the continued nightmarish details. I will say though that I heard a ton of interesting home remedies. I tried them all.

Baking Soda and water - three times per day
The idea behind this is that the acidity of the body is the cause of illness. So, consuming a base should help.

Result: Feeling pretty good. No tummy ache, head clearing a little. Not much else.

Mint or Green Tea - just keep it coming
These particular teas are supposed to flush the system of whatever is dragging you down.

Result: Like a million trips to the bathroom! Coughing up lung gunk, which was a good thing.

Alka-seltzer - as directed
With the added power of the baking soda base and the instant fizzing medicine release, this should cure anything faster than anything.

Result: Dry sinuses like OMG!

The clear pattern here is water. Good old H2O and time. See while the body will heal in its own way in its own time hydration is important no matter what. While your body is working the tea, baking soda, soup, Emergen-C packets are all keeping the hydration part interesting. The best remedy, time, rest, and water, in any fancy form that will get you through the day.

But, that is my remedy, what is yours?

Thunder Stump at Donna Jean's

Another astounding performance by Thunder Stump at Donna Jean's Libations last Friday night. It may be one of their last shows for a while, as they go on hiatus to improve their style and grow from garage band to Punk Rock Super Stars.

Living in Phoenix Arizona is living in an ever changing gallery of emerging artists, performers, and musicians. I am always grateful to count among my friends and acquaintances, many of these creative people. Thunder Stump being top in the class and plans are they will only get better.

If you have not had the pleasure of hearing the "Punk. Comedy. Genius!" (- Thunder Stump Blog title and Myspace site) you are missing out on some of the geekiest, and we mean that in a good way, punk rock ever to be conceived. These nerds with instruments "that are embarrassed to be seen with them" (- TS Myspace profile), claim to be the "funniest comedic punk band in the 85014 zip code" (- TS Myspace Profile). They are not kidding around! Lead singer and lyricist Brenden Tuerff, with his brother Adam Tuerff, write about their love of video games, fears of zombie outbreaks, hopes for an apocalypse (to improve the pitiful state of the global economy), and all that connects with the soul of their geek fan base.

Reading the official Thunder Stump blog it looks like Keytarist, David Roberts will be moving to Bass Guitar when the band returns to the stage. No word, to my knowledge, who the new keytarist might be, but knowing the guys of TS he is sure to be the creme d' la creme of geek musical artists.

While on hiatus officially, the boys have assured me that they will appear at any Arizona Corsair or Ship Ecstasy event that Captain Blackstrap invites them to play, including the July Mud Wrestling event. So, big time TS fans, it may be time to go pirate. That does not mean pirate TS's recently released album, Punk. Comedy. Album. That you can buy at bandcamp.com.

Follow Thunder Stump:

http://www.Thunderstump.com

http://www.thunderstump.bandcamp.com

http://www.myspace.com/thunderstumpband

and on Facebook.