One big change up was saying, fondly, gratefully, “goodbye!” to the cafe at House of Air and, breathlessly, excitedly, “hello!” to Coffee Bar. Working both jobs was a bit of a trick, and I’m happy to now be exclusive with the lovely CB. I’m so pumped to be apart of their barista staff.

A big highlight of the month was participating in Hecho Local, a new arts fair that has sprung up in the Mission district at SubMission arts space. It was amazing to be apart of the first round and I’m looking forward to be apart of its growth. Here are some doodles and pictures from the event:

Psst! I hear there’s gonna be another Hecho Local in August! Sadly, I will not be there, but GO ANYWAY!

Today is the last day of the online event, 30 days of creativity! This was a great event. It was so much fun to keep track of my creative ways and to see others who embraced the month’s goal. Please, check out my board on Pinterest: This is where I showcased what I did everyday this month.

Happily, I finally got a few days off in a row this week. I was able to catch up on important things like sleep, emails, manga, and doodling. It looked a lot like this…

And this…

What’s coming up? An indie film shoot, the Hot August Tour of CO & KS, and SFZineFest 2011 (oh yeah, we’re gonna be there)!!!

So I was totally on board when they asked me to be the barista for their review event. There was some discussion on what to serve and how much to do. What was finally decided was that I would serve only hand-prepared, slow-drip coffee, from 9:30 AM to whenever the review ended. I was a little nervous leading up the event, as I really had no idea as to how functional the actual space would be, and to how many people I would be serving coffee.

But in the early morning light, backlit by the wall of glass at the end of the CCA main “nave,” the grotto glowed, I stepped into the space, and felt very much at home. There was storage for everything, even our slightly odd conglomeration of electric water pots. Matt and Rich, the metal-working Rapid type team members, finished welding the brilliant, custom designed, individual drip bars to hold the Beehouse ceramic drippers, and we were good to go!

We served Ritual, Bicycle Coffee Co., Philz, and Four Barrel coffee and everyone was really excited! It was busy, but not the overwhelming hoard of voracious, sleep-deprived art students I had feared. Overall, the space was wonderful to work in. Lots of people asked how it was, and I told everyone, “It’s great. Simply great.” In terms of functionality and flow, there was lots of storage, everything was within reach, plenty of counter space (impressive in such a small area), and I especially enjoyed the wide, curving, steel front counter/window that allowed for easy interaction with customers. I really liked how the counter was one continuous piece, and jutted out to make the milk and sugar area, and still allowed for interaction between barista and customers on that side. And it didn’t feel cramped when there were one or two extra folks in there with me helping out! I would be really curious and excited to work in the kiosk with all the extras we couldn’t get for this first event – generator, fridge, sink, espresso machine… I think it would would work well!

My favorite comment from a customer was that from their perspective, I was working in a work of art, and it made me look like a work of art! Basically, the space and I were very integrated.

Working as a barista has often reminded me of my time in Japan and the tea ceremony training I was so lucky to be apart of. Serving a warm beverage to another person is a simple act. The Japanese tea ceremony transforms that act into art, meditation – an aesthetic ritual. The practice was developed over many centuries. Coffee service isn’t in the same arena, but maybe we’re getting there. Certainly many people (especially in the Bay Area) take their coffee very seriously. Where the beans come from, the roasting process, the grind, how it’s brewed, and served, are all elements that are being re-examined, re-assessed, and renovated by many coffee companys. My training with Blue Bottle Coffee in Oakland, and my work at the cafe in House of Air, has introduced me to this world. As a “young” barista, I’m aware I’m only at the tip of the iceberg of knowledge, but I appreciate it and want to learn more.

Working in the Rapid type coffee kiosk, I felt like I was a part of a process that might be bringing coffee service closer to the realm of art. This is only my interpretation, of course. But was amazing to see the realms of architecture, construction, mobile structures, coffee, and art overlapping and interacting.

I was honored to be apart of it, Rapid type! And everyone was so helpful and supportive the day of the event! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Here’s a great post by the Rapid type team about the days leading up to the event. There’s also a video from the event! And, finally, the pictures from my camera:

P.S. Just in case you didn’t see it before, here’s the Rapid type apron I made just for this event!

“inspired by a very pregnant, incredibly light and lovely, dancer”

Pencil and ink on Bristol Board

pencil, ink, colored pencil on Bristol board

click for larger view

pencil, ink, colored pencil, marker

pencil, ink, colored pencil on Bristol board

pencil, ink, marker, colored pencil on Bristol board

pencil, ink, marker, colored pencil on Bristol board

pencil, ink, marker, colored pencil on Bristol board

In December, Dr. Chung finally said, “Okay, I don’t need to see you anymore, unless YOU feel like you need it.” I waited until the rush of the holidays had died down and then I returned to class. I decided to take Chimene Pollard’s Mixed Contemporary class at ODC Dance.

It feels AMAZING to be back in class. And my body is happy, too. Besides normal aches and soreness, I notice no back pain! I am more attuned to when my back gets tired and I really have to focus on keeping my core active and supportive. I really concentrate on warming up well. I have this image of knitting together my abdominal muscles and my ribs – bringing everything together – like tying myself into a corset of strength. During class, I’m trying to find out how to draw power of energy out of my core to very ends of my body and beyond. Cooling down is another thing I have to pay attention to. I think as a young dancer, you get used to just being able to walk out of class, but now I know – I HAVE to take some time to stretch my muscles and let my body mellow out. Otherwise, I definitely pay for it.

Chimene’s class is great. She has a wonderful, positive, playful, energy and I love her approach to release. I think, like me, she understands the balance (sometimes, the struggle) between power and letting go. She talks about using momentum, “stacking the joints,” and I think this approach is perfect for me as I come back to dance. I can push or be gentle, as much as I need to. There are all types of bodies in our class and that everyone is happy dancing is a testament to Chimene’s approach and accessibility.

I’m also excited because I was hoping to get more hours with ODC’s Work Exchange program this month, to help with the expense of taking classes. I was thrilled at a great opportunity that showed up in my inbox: Starting this week, I’ll be helping out with the Youth Program, every Wednesday afternoon and evening, from February to May. I love working with young dancers and I hope this opportunity will allow me to do so. I’m also curious to learn more about ODC’s Youth Program.

I’m also trying some new physical activity. I finally organized and got to do something I’ve been wanting to do since starting work at the trampoline park. Last week, I attended my first Training Ground session at House of Air. Dave taught myself and 3 of my coworkers basic approaches and then we worked on front AND back flips! It was so much fun we’re doing it again this week! (Also, there’s an awesome TV spot featuring House of Air AND the Cartoon Art Museum, which I wrote about before.)

And last night I went to my first 2011 audition.

It was for ODC’s new Sandbox Series, a program they just received funding for. As Kimi Okada, the director of the ODC School, explained, the focus of the series was how to make the art of dance better. And their answer was to provide space and funding for choreographers to experiment – without the pressure of a performance or even showings. There are 4 choreographers and they each get a 1 month of weekly rehearsal time and space at ODC. The audition I attended was to meet their need for dancers for these experimental sessions.

The choreographers were Laura Arrington, Chris Black, Catherine Galasso, and Ann Carlson – and all 4 were a LOT of fun. They approached all 50+ of us auditioning dancers with positive spirits and I felt very comfortable in their presence. There was a lot of improv, fun, quirky choreography, connecting with other dancers, working in pairs, and play. It was 3 hours, but the time flew by. I really enjoyed all of the choreographers’ energy and ideas and would love the chance to work with all of them. Whether or not I’m selected for the Sandbox series, I was happy to meet the choreographers, see familiar faces, and just feel like I’m back in the dance community again.

Looking at the first month of 2011, I’m proud of myself for jumping back into dance, trying out new physical skills, and returning to the dance community. I have to remind myself to take things slow, too. I have to keep strength training and find ways to cross-train in ways that help my body. I also have to remember to rest and allow myself down time.

This year, I want to address how to balance life, dance, relationships, and all of my artistic interests. How can I make art & dance not just a hobby, but a way of life that supports and sustains me?