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Why is it summerstinydancer anyway?

I got this question for the nth time today so I thought it would be fun to dissect this, even for myself, and understand why I’ve ended up with this username.

There are things in my life that have moved me so deeply. Sometimes I completely understand why. Sometimes, I don’t. They just stay in heart and I always remember.

Let’s start with summer. About a year ago, I watched a movie that I FELL IN LOVE with. 500 Days of Summer. Amongst the many things I love about it like the soundtrack, the actors, the effects, what I love most about it is the fact that it speaks of hope in love. Summer. Autumn. Tom. I love how it shows how madly in love this person is and how the other inconsistently gives back. It shows how something so beautiful in one’s eyes can be just thrown by another.

Summer Finn: …And I just kept thinking, Tom was right.
Tom: [smiles] No.
Summer Finn: [laughs] Yeah, I did. I did.
Summer Finn: [serious] It just wasn’t me that you were right about.

Yes, Summer crushed Tom’s heart but even if this happened, Tom found a way to make his heart beat again.

That last scene. Tom waiting for his interview. Finally sure of what he wants to do in life. Another woman’s there. They talk. Then talking becomes flirting. Then, after that, Tom’s heart comes to life again.

I found it symbolic, blatantly symbolic that is. Autumn, the woman’s name. His smile. Their date after.

Our hearts, as I wrote in my other blog, are so resilient and life is about our hearts’ ups and downs. We love. We get heartbroken. But we survive it.

That’s what I love about that movie. Aside from that, I think it’s quite obvious to those around me that I am in love with the sun, the beach, and wasting days away with a cocktail in my hands and sand between my toes.

So moving on… Why Tiny Dancer?

I guess the video makes it quite obvious. There are some songs that we fall in love with and we never forget.

Tiny Dancer is one of them for me.

I don’t exactly know why I love it so much, but I’ve been in love with it since I first heard it.

Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band
Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you’ll marry a music man
Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand
And now she’s in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand

Jesus freaks out in the street
Handing tickets out for God
Turning back she just laughs
The boulevard is not that bad

Piano man he makes his stand
In the auditorium
Looking on she sings the songs
The words she knows the tune she hums

But oh how it feels so real
Lying here with no one near
Only you and you can hear me
When I say softly slowly

Hold me closer tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today

Hold me closer tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today

Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band
Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you’ll marry a music man
Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand
And now she’s in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand

But oh how it feels so real
Lying here with no one near
Only you and you can hear me
When I say softly slowly

Hold me closer tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today

Hold me closer tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today

“Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand
And now she’s in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand…”

Those lines, I’ve never forgotten those lines. I’ve always been able to relate to the song, without completely knowing why. Now she’s in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand. Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand.

There’s something about how the words describe this woman that makes me see beauty and love, unconditional love.

It will forever remain one of my favorite songs.

And now, we move on to the last part of my username. 30. Why 30?

No, I am not 30 years old. Well, it’s simply because my birthday is on the 30th of October. Yes, right before halloween.

But anyway, yeah, that’s pretty much it. For those who’ve always wondered why I’m SummersTinyDancer30, I hope this sheds some light on the question.

I mean yes I am relatively tiny (unfortunately), but my reasons go beyond that. I’ll forever be life’s tiny dancer.

And I hope life’s ways will never change this.

Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band
Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you’ll marry a music man
Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand
And now she’s in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand…

This is my contribution to Round 2 of the Future Classic Movies Blogathon.  To see the rest of the entries check out Paula’s Cinematic Club here.

Films fans the world over say they have films that define them or that came at a seminal time in their lives.  For me, that honor goes to the 2000 Cameron Crowe film Almost Famous, a movie that defined my taste in music, filmmaking, and life in general.  Almost Famous is a fun romp through adolescence and rock n’ roll that came about at just the right time in film history and my life.  I consider it a classic in that it has all the things I expect in a classic: a timeless quality, an impeccable cast and story, and the ability to watch it at any time.  Let’s delve a bit more into Almost Famous!

Almost Famous is based on director Cameron Crowe’s own life story as a teenage reporter for Rolling Stone magazine in the 1970s.  The film tells the tale of William Miller (Patrick Fugit), a gifted teenager whose a bit of an outcast.  He gets asked by Rolling Stone to go to an interview on fictional band Stillwater.  Stillwater are poised to be huge but have issues with the competing egos of leading singer Jeff (Jason Lee) and guitarist Russell (Billy Crudup).  As William becomes more enmeshed in the rock and roll lifestyle and comes to like the band as people, he also develops a crush on groupie “Band-Aid” Penny Lane (Kate Hudson) who, herself, is in love with Russell.

I mentioned rewatchability as a factor in any classic and it applies to this film.  If Almost Famous is on I will stop what I’m doing and devote my full attention until it’s over, even if it’s on TNT and filled with commercials.  Almost Famous is also one the few films that boasts an even better Director’s Cut which I also own and watch repeatedly.  I didn’t see this film until DVD a few years later as a freshman in high school and fell in love with it.  The story of William connected to me.  He’s incredibly intelligent and yet he finds it hard to relate to people because he’s so smart.  That and he likes hard rock music that most of the kids in his school don’t.  He gets to live the dream of a Rolling Stone reporter and live the rock life of the 1970s!  I mean this is a time where groupies weren’t just slutty girls but women who “inspire the music.”

Speaking of Penny Lane, Kate Hudson remember when you made amazing movies?  Penny Lane is our tragic heroine and her relationship with Russell Hammond isn’t cheap or tawdry.  She genuinely loves him, idolizes him as this rock god who and her his muse.  Hudson and Crudup radiate chemistry throughout this film and you just want to punch him for not understanding how amazing she is.  The music and the band are symbiotic and as the film progresses and the groupies become women who just care about sex it does become cheap and tawdry.  As a character says towards the end, these new types of fans don’t understand what it’s like to devote their life to a piece of music “so much…that it hurts.”  Crowe said he wrote Penny Lane based on famous groupie Pamela Des Barres (I highly recommend the various memoirs she’s written).  Lane knows the rock world and is a member of the club.  When she enters a hotel room all eyes are on her and yet she’s the loneliest person in the world.

The rest of the cast is equally amazing.  Patrick Fugit is loveable and adorable as William.  This movie is essentially the story of a boy joining the circus (there’s even mention of the rock star lifestyle being a circus and that “nobody wants to go home”).  He tries so hard not to get wrapped up in liking the band as friends and yet he can’t help it.  Billy Crudup, Jason Lee, and the rest of the band members are hilarious and complex.  They have a chemistry you see in many bands that have been together for a while (Crowe supposedly based Stillwater on Led Zeppelin).  When the group discovers their t-shirt is just Russell it’s hilariously petty but says everything about what the group has had to endure: that Russell has become the identifying symbol of the group.

There’s so many great scenes and I generally don’t discuss favorite scenes but considering I view Almost Famous as a classic, I’m going for it.  My favorite scene (and I’ve written many a paper on it) has to be the moment where the band sings “Tiny Dancer.”  It’s just come at a pivotal moment when the band has decided to break-up and as their all sitting on the bus they start singing Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.”  It’s a beautifully shot moment but it also reminds them of why they came together in the first place.  No matter what happens, they’re bound by their love of music and they always will be.  The final line of the scene, Penny telling William he is home is such a gorgeous line too.  An outcast has finally found his place in the world, and much like Stillwater’s love of music, he can’t escape it.  I’ve included the scene for you above.

Another completely different moment has to be towards the end when the band believes their plane is going to crash and they start confessing their sins.  It’s hilarious to us because we’re not on the plane plummeting to certain death, but it shows that none of the band can be pious and self-righteous; the rock and roll lifestyle isn’t for the pure of heart (like William).  And when the group discovers they’re not going to die, the look of horror on their faces is priceless.  At this point it’s easy to see they all wished the plane had crashed.   Taking into account many of the bands that have died in plane crashes this scene makes you wonder what everyone’s final words were? Did they all have something profound to say in their final moments, or did they go down bickering and talking about how much they hated each other?  Crowe gives us his take on a rock legends final moments and it’s a great moment of comedic bliss.  I’ve also included it for you above.

Almost Famous is a perfect film.  You could tell me there’s something wrong with it and argue that it’s not true.  I’ve come to love the 60s-70s as evidenced by the rock docs and similar movies I’ve covered (especially the ones centered on music) and it’s all because of Almost Famous.  The movie is comedic, dramatic, has a stellar soundtrack, and hits everyone where they live.  There’s not one moment in this movie that isn’t relatable to someone.  Go see it and then go buy it.  If you can go buy the Blu-Ray Director’s Cut that goes by the film’s original title Untitled.

Grade: A+++

Happy Fathers Day! Love you Dad!

Photo credit: Postcards and Pretties

I can’t think of a better day to write about my father, David Unger, than on Father’s Day.  He is an amazing man: strong, commanding, a bit intimidating, but funny, loving, and my father.  There are so many stories I could tell you about him and growing up with this extremely powerful person in my home, but today I want to talk about the side of him that I love the most.  My father is an artist in the true sense of the word.  To some, it may seem he has a critical eye, but I know better.  His eyes are constantly observing and noticing details that most of us overlook, and he is able to put those unnoticed details into his work.

My father is a sculptor, and his entire being is reflected in his art.  The same words that I used to describe him (strong, commanding, loving, etc) are the words that I would use to describe his magnificent sculptures, too.

Recently, Tucson’s “Desert Leaf Magazine” featured my father in a great article called “Breaking the Mold.”  To read the article, click here: 
http://trendmag2.trendoffset.com/publication/?i=113022&p=50

In the article, he discusses how he has recently been inspired by the movement of dancers.  He and my mother, for the past several years, have been attending performances at the University of Arizona’s Eller School of Dance, and my father says of these performances, “I come away with so many ideas for figures and what I want to do with movement.”

The result was a series of sculptures entitled Rhythm of Dance, and the first completed work, entitled “Passion,” really creates an illusion of a “free-floating figure.”  Leave it to my Dad and his attention to detail, this piece is stunning: 

In fact, check out some of his other works, too.  Here’s “Seduction of the Heart:”

One more….”Rhapsody:”

My father is the master of the human form.  On his website (www.davidungersculptures.com), he and his work are described with the following quote:

“David Unger has a unique style that combines abstract with realism in the form of angular and geometric shapes.  His work is all about movement and the human form.  His figures express a joy of life. “

It is true.  My father’s “joy of life” comes through his sculptures, and it is why I love them so much.  These sculptures are an extension of him, and there is nothing more a daughter could love than seeing his happiness.  So Daddy, your artistic expressions, like you, are beautiful, and it is why I must write about them today on this Father’s Day.

My song of the day is “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John.  (Funny…two Elton John songs two days in a row!)  I thought the song was perfect given my father’s most recent inspirations, and I really thought Elton’s lyrics are reflected in my father’s dancers, too.

“Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you’ll marry a music man
Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand
And now she’s in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand”

Here’s the Youtube link to Elton John’s song, “Tiny Dancer:” 

Happy Father’s Day, Daddy.  Your art fills the world with your impeccable visions, and I couldn’t be more proud. xoxoxo

I’m trying hard to get it down by Sunday because my mother-in-law will be coming for Father’s day.  You see, we were honored to have received her precious piano.  Marion taught piano for many years.  She now has macular degeneration and can no longer see well enough to play.  It has been a great loss for her.  She finally decided the piano sitting there unplayed was more painful than giving it away.  She was going to sell it, but Peter and I told her we’d love to have it because I have always wanted to learn to play.  The fact that we now have the piano has, I think, helped with her loss.  She feels like it’s still in the family and has joy in knowing how much happiness it is bringing to me.  She regularly asks me how it’s going.  So now, I have to do her proud.

(I started this post on June 14th, but it’s only now, on July 31st, that I’m actually completing it.  I never got to play “Jingle Bells” for Marion.  I ended up in the hospital on Father’s day with a gallbladder attack.    I’m working on “Polly-Wolly Doodle” now (really) so maybe I’ll play that for her when she comes down to see us next.)

So I woke up several times with practice pieces and “Jingle Bells” in my head, but went back to sleep.

Jingle Bells - written by James Lord Pierpont
“Jingle Bells” is one of the best known songs in the world.  It was composed in 1850.  A plaque commemorating the “birthplace” of “Jingle Bells” is on a building in Medford, Massachusetts.  It says that Pierpont wrote the song there, at the former Simpson Tavern (now 19 High Street) and that it tells of the sleigh races held on Salem Street in the early 1800s.

This video, from 2010, is called Animals of YouTube Sing Jingle Bells.  It’s pretty depressing that the cat is doing a better job playing Jingle Bells than I do.  It’s really funny. Enjoy a little winter fun in the middle of this very hot summer!

Tiny Dancer – Elton John – music by Elton John, lyrics by Bernie Taupin
When I woke up for the day, it was “Tiny Dancer” I heard – another song I dearly love.  There is a tiny dancer inside me that I wish was outside me.  Anyway, I was wondering how long it would take until I could play “Tiny Dancer” – maybe 5 years?  I hope I can do it sooner than that.  And then I wondered how I’m ever going to be able to coordinate everything I’m doing with my hands and then sing as well.  I decided I’d worry about that when I get a song, any song, down well enough that I didn’t have to concentrate so intensely on my fingers.

Here’s a video of Elton John live in 1971.  After watching it I think maybe it may take longer than 5 years for me to play Tiny Dancer, and God, Elton is amazing!

I started thinking about how much more difficult it is to learn to play the piano than it was to learn to play the guitar.  Singing along with the guitar just came naturally.  Of course, I wasn’t reading music and I was only playing chords, and in truth, it was never really about playing the guitar as much as it was about having a vehicle for the singing.  I did start to learn tablature, the notation system for guitar, and learned to play a few of James Taylor’s songs (“Blossom,” ”Sweet Baby James” ), but that took a lot of effort too.  And then “Blossom” started playing in my head – another song that was dear to me and that I played often.  I think I can still remember the finger placing and the finger picking for the song.  Add that to the list of songs I want to learn to play on the piano.

Blossom – written and performed by James Taylor
“Blossom” is from James Taylor’s second album, Sweet Baby James, which was released in February of 1970.

I sang this song a lot in the 70s.  Hearing it again brings me way back.  It’s such a cool feeling to have the guitar vibrate against you and hear your voice blending with the stings.  It’s way cool to remember playing this song.

This is a really nice video, but at the very end there’s some creepy voice saying something about a video library.  Ignore it.

Blossom
Blossom smile some sunshine down my way, lately I’ve been lonesome.
Blossom it’s been much too long a day, seems my dreams have frozen
Melt my cares away

Send the sunshine down my way whenever you call my name.
I know what you mean to say to me, girl it’s all the same.

Blossom there’s an empty road behind.  Sit you down beside me.
Blossom there’s a sweet dream on my mind, there’s a song inside me.
Take these chains away.

Now send the sunshine down my way whenever you call my name.
I know what you mean to say to me, girl it’s all the same.

Blossom smile some sunshine down my way, lately I’ve been lonesome.
Blossom it’s been much too long a day, seems my dreams have frozen
Melt my cares away

While working on song ideas for The Lion King, Elton John came to meet with me.  We talked about his longtime writing partner Bernie Taupin and told me of the song they wrote together named “AMY” released on the Honky Château album (1972).

I was a fan of the 1981 science fiction film Looker by Michael Crichton.  It starred Albert Finney, Susan Dey, and James Coburn.  Of course, I grew up watching Day in The Partridge Family.  Also, with a small role was actor Terry Kiser.

I asked to meet with Kiser for an idea I wanted to run by him, a comedy that I named for Elton John’s writing parter “Weekend at Bernie’s”.

With Kiser and others we worked out ideas I had for the film and we were able to get actors Andrew McCarthy, known for roles in St. Elmo’s Fire inspired by the theme song I wrote and Pretty in Pink that I worked with Michael Hutchence on script ideas, and Jonathan Silverman known for his television role in Gimme A Break! with Alabama native Nell Carter.

Many of the characters were named for people I grew up with, such as school friends Richard, Larry, Marty, Gwen, Tina (see Tina Hutchence) and teachers Mr. Parker and Coach Saunders.  Eloise Broady as Tawny was named for Tawny Kitaen who became known for her role in music videos for the Whitesnake songs I wrote and Vito for actor Danny Devito who in 1977, played the role of John “the apple” in the Starsky and Hutch episode titled “The Collector”.  I started calling Michael Hutchence “Hutch” in 1983 after we met and later gave him the pet name Max (see character name “Bernie LoMAX”).

The film takes place on Labor Day weekend for the long weekend in 1983 when I went on a cruise to the Bahamas where we flew into Miami International Airport and inspired me to come up with the MTV cop television series Miami Vice.

“Hey I can do the splits!!!”

Finally found the long lost tiny dancer that Elton John Sang about.

Help us search for more of the long lost HERE

Shoot with Tiny Dancer. Thanks to Shhh! Couture for the latex pieces and Amie Farr for the collar!

Makeup: Asher Coleman

Hair: Jake Gallagher

Styling: Millie Richardson

Styling assistant & Head piece: Elise

]]> http://1thousandand1.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/tiny-dancers/ Wed, 16 May 2012 13:19:14 +0000 minimustardseed http://1thousandand1.wordpress.com/2012/05/16/tiny-dancers/

Picture taken and edited by Ashley Shope.

I speak the english language – why do I find it so hard to understand? I can only imagine how many more examples there are from people whose native language isn’t English. Send me your examples and I will update the post.

Led Zeppelin – Living Loving Maid (She’s Just a Woman)

I admittedly only realized I was singing the wrong lyric while writing this post. Whoops!

Lyric: “With a purple umbrella and a fifty cent hat…”

Oops: “With a purple operator and a fifty cent hair…”

Elton John – Tiny Dancer

A classic Elton tune, made popular again by the movie Almost Famous. Another classic (purposely?) misheard lyric.

Lyric: “Hold me closer, tiny dancer…”

Oops: “Hold me closer, Tony Danza…”

Manfred Mann’s Earth Band – Blinded by the Light

Although originally recorded by The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, this popular version of this song is Manfred Mann’s 1976 version. This song might contain one of the more commonly confused lyrics. I had to clarify the misheard lyric to my mom once in the car, as she was telling me I was listening to inappropriate music.

Lyric: “Blinded by the light., revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night.

Oops: “Blinded by the light, wrapped up like a douche…”

AC/DC – You Shook Me All Night Long

A classic song you have likely heard 100 times.

Lyric: She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean”

Oops: “She was a fax machine, she kept her modem clean” – I would have thought this one was a joke had I not heard  it first hand from a friend who was nothing short of completely embarrassed when I gave her the “are you serious?!” look.

Italian Gibberish Song

Check this video. It’s by an Italian singer who wrote a song completely in gibberish so that it would sound like English. I like it. Can you understand this better than you can understand Dylan or Mick?

Tony Danza’s the boss!

Hold me closer, tiny dancer.

If facebook does go away at some point. What happens to all those brands and apps that depend on facebook for their survival? Do they go too?

Elton John can really bore me at the best of times. I don’t mind his early stuff – although it doesn’t thrill me either. I bought this album, his fourth studio offering, purely for Tiny Dancer. It’s a fantastic song, and although I hear it all the time now, I’m sure I’d never heard it before I saw Cameron Crowe’s great 2000 film Almost Famous.

I love the cover of the vinyl – it’s a gatefold sleeve, and when you open it up there’s a little booklet glued inside with the lyrics and recording information detailed in it – a nice little package.

I’ve listened to the full album a few times, and there’s nothing else on there that interests me. It all just sounds like everything else he’s done: lots of piano, with not a lot of melody.

I still love Tiny Dancer though. And I’ll always sing along and substitute the words of the title with ‘Tony Danza’. He he.

Hit: Tiny Dancer

Hidden Gem: n/a

(Note: All of these are clips where the song is actually part of the scene. So while I love the Dazed and Confused and Forest Gump soundtracks, and obviously the Rocky IV montage, those won’t make the cut here…)

Ghostbusters II: Statue of Liberty Scene

This clip has it all: Great commentary from Bill Murray, the Statue of Liberty, cheesy 1980s “excited crowd” cheering shots and, of course, a glorious song. If I still had a song as my ringtone this would totally be it.

Blues Brothers: Everybody Needs Somebody to Love

There may be more humorous selections on this list but for my money (and Mez’s) you won’t find a better jam. Jake and Elwood Blues have gotten the band back together and boy was it worth it.

Spaceballs: Hello my Baby!

Perhaps the most disturbing selection on the list but it has to be included. In fact, I like to believe in a world where most every list has something included from Spaceballs.

Office Space: That scene where the dork raps in the car then totally turns down the music and locks his door when he sees a black guy

This is the classic example of white people who love rap music while being terrified of black people. Ah racism, you are a terrible thing that apparently still makes for great jokes…?  Side Note: If this actor was 10 years younger he’d probably be staring in The Big Bang Theory. (Probably NSFW….unless you have headphones or a  really easy going office)

Top Gun- You’ve Lost…that Lovin’ Feelin

Since the funniest “musical” moment in Top Gun is the Playin with the Boys volleyball scene doesn’t fit the description for this post, the choice has to be the bar scene serenade.  If you’re a male reading this you will either admit to mimicking this scene at some point in your life or…you’re lying.  She’s lost that Lovin feelin… I hate it when she does that.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II – Ninja Rap

Aside from being one of the greatest movies from our childhood complete with Tokka & Rahzar, Ernie Reyes Jr. & Big Sexy Kevin Nash as Shredder, TMNT II also offers Vanilla Ice performing his greatest hit while the Turtles kick ass and drop fantastic Turtel-esque lines.  You might be thinking, “Vanilla Ice sang Ice, Ice Baby in that movie?”   No, you idiot… his best song ever was obviously Ninja Rap…

Cowabunga, indeed.

Hamlet II – Rock me Sexy Jesus

Hamlet II is without a doubt the least famous of the movies on this list but it may just be the funniest movie you’ve never seen.  Steve Coogan and Amy Poehler lead this little piece of genius filled to the brim with inappropriateness and comedy.  Basically Coogan’s character is a caricature of every high school drama director ever (sorry, Nan) and man does he nail it.  His new play, a sequel to Hamlet, is what I imagine Godspell would look like if Matt Stone and Trey Parker wrote it.  Here is one of the many magical musical moments:

Life of Brian- Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

You ever get condemned to a wrongful crucifixion only to have someone else pretend to be you so they get off free leaving you pretty much screwed?  Yeah, I hate that too.  You know what makes me feel better? A catchy tune with some cheery whistling in it…

Monty Python and the Holy Grail- Bravely Bold Sir Robin

A group so perfect they deserve two slots on the list.  I could have gone with multiple musical numbers here (most likely runner up being CAMELOT) but Sir Robin’s Minstrel’s make me laugh every time.  I present to you now, the tale of Sir Robin…

Almost Famous – Tiny Dancer

While the rest of these clips have been humorous, I’d like to end this post with a clip that is more inspirational and moving then it is funny.  Almost Famous is one of my favorite movies of all time and right up there with Dazed and Confused for top “movie I’ll watch when I’m feeling nostalgic”.  This clip reminds me of so many things: high school, college, and my siblings’ weddings that I almost get misty-eyed just watching it.  There’s something about this song that can bring a group of people together. Next time you’re at a party or just with a large group of friends put Tiny Dancer on. I can guarantee you by the end of the song you’ll have yourself an Almost Famous moment.

Happy Friday, everyone.

“I’m glad you’ve found a place to have your adventures where I can visit!” ~MLE

Living in vacation destinations works for me. Living in a vacation destination easily accessible to State-Side friends and family adds an Element of Awesome. Not only do I daily get to play, I also get to share the marvels!

The Dower-teas

This season has been a steady IV drip of friends and family, spacing their visits so there is constantly someone just a few weeks down the road to look forward to. Being a creature who prefers, if not instant, at least short-term gratification, this is awesome. Each member of my nuclear family spaced themselves out by about a month. All except my sister, who is having her own adventures in South Korea with hubby Tim; but who don’t update their blog. Perhaps public ridicule will help. Ahem.

Schwester und Brüder.

Dad fitted in a weekend around a conference to come up and x-country ski and downhill in late January, when there was still snow; sort of. Little Brother came out in March and we gave the slopes a solid what-for. At the time, Rainbow Lake was still frozen enough to walk across; just barely. Most recently Momma Bird was up to enjoy a weekend of High Rockies Spring.

Oh, you thought Gaper Day was our only Spring event? Wrong. It seems the local populace projects their satisfaction with season’s switch by costuming up and getting ridiculous.

Case in Point: Slush Cup 2012 at closing day of Keystone Ski Resort.In which folks dressed as everything from gorillas in bikinis to Wacky Arm Inflatable Flailing Tube Man jettison down a slope, off a jump (WAIFTM may have missed the jump…), and attempt to hold form across a pond. Failure was lauded as emphatically as success and Ski Patrol in grass skirts and tiki-torches were on hand to fish out contestants and their flotsam bling.

As Momma kept pointing out, skiing is a gear intensive sport. Just ask Contestant Super Gramps, or even Tiny Dancer:

Is that a Jack Daniels IV drip?

Tiny Dancer Pwned the Pond Skim!

So what I’m saying is,

make time,

find a way,

come up and play.