BlackToeJoe's Xanga

In Memory of Wanda

Wed, 15 Nov 2006 07:56:06 GMT

Jamie "Wanda" Ricker
1976(?) - 2006
killed in car accident

I wish this entry was just a sick joke, but instead, she sadly was involved with a collision at Centre and South Negley avenues in East Liberty on Sunday morning around 2:15am. The Post Gazette briefly discussed the details. I didn't know her too well, but always enjoyed her high energy and heartfelt singing. She took first in the 80's Karaoke contest at Duke's Station back in March 13, 2005 and was a beloved and entertaining individual with or without a microphone.

My sincerest condolences to her family, close friends, and all those who cherished the great person she was. If nothing else, please read this as a reminder to be careful on the road. As the holidays approach, severe weather will make driving conditions even more difficult, so please slow down, be alert, and take all necessary precautions. We'll miss you Wanda.

Hello again

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 09:37:28 GMT

Hi from Portland, Oregon. Was fun seeing familiar faces at Claire and Marcus's wedding. Sorry that I haven't been in touch with most of you all. Finally got around to posting the pictures I took, so hope you enjoy them. Hope all is well.

http://getoutofjlfree.com/pictures/2006_10_07

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 17:58:46 GMT

Two words: road rage. To mimic the words of a popular comedian, “It’s not that I agree with it . . . (insert pause) but I understand.” Often times, the craziness of other drivers is enough to push even the normally calm ones over the edge, but when a sudden change in road sign factors in, chaos is inevitable.

Becca and I were leaving the waterfront yesterday evening and discovered that the entrance to the bridge switched. Before, it was left turn only, heading the direction we wanted. Instead, the road became a right turn only, heading away from our destination. Needless to say, both of us were quite annoyed.

Amidst the frustration, a spark of contentment grew from knowing that everyone else stuck on this ramp was feeling the same thing. Then, contentment turned into mild amusement when the car in front of us blatantly disobeyed the road sign and turned left anyway. Becca, being the law-abiding driver that she is, obediently turned right and searched for a place to appropriately double back.

As we headed the opposite direction of the bridge, my curious eyes decided to look back and verify a sudden realization. Would other cars follow along with us, or were people more willing to take the same action as the car in front of us? How compliant would drivers be to this unprecedented change in traffic?

The mild amusement turned into a chuckle as the next three cars behind us all refused to observe the new turn sign. When we returned to the intersection after finding a small parking lot to turn around, the light just turned red, signaling us to brake for the cars coming from the ramp.

One by one, car after car from the ramp, turned left.

You’re a lawbreaker.

And YOU’RE a lawbreaker.

All of you... LAWBREAKERS!!!!

whoa. one car just turned right. Good driver.

Next one….

Law breaker.

Law breaker again.

Traffic light finally turned green for us, and homeward bound we went, following lots of cars who disobeyed the sign. At that moment, the irony of the day’s date struck me and only added to my amusement.

Today, many drivers celebrated Independence Day. Independence, by definition, is to be free of influence. Free of guidance. Free from control of another or others. I have witnessed the true essence of the holiday as people indulged in their freedom of choice. They chose to not obey a sign. What a way to express the spirit of the holiday. Happy July 4^th everyone.

Squonk Opera

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 18:16:02 GMT

There's a performance arts show this weekend performed by the group who call themselves Squonk Opera. I got access to some guest tickets for this show they're performing, called "Pittsburgh: The Opera". Just give me at least a day's notice and I can treat anyone interested to a "different" sort of entertainment. It's just $5 if you just want to check it out on your own. Rumor has it that there will be a special cameo appearance.

Kelly Strayhorn Theater, lasts about 90 minutes
8pm Thursday
8pm Friday
2pm, 8pm Saturday
2pm Sunday

Cost: $5

Contact me if you're interested.

Monday, May 29, 2006

Mon, 29 May 2006 14:58:12 GMT

Friday night, I took my first lesson in blues dancing. Though the wonders of this dance style and the enjoyment of the social dancing afterwards merit full entries on their own, what has excited me more this weekend has been the people who seem to form the pillars of the blues dancing community.

In life, there are many social circles that develop among people. Whether they are bonded by a common goal, some sort of activity, or other mutual interests, the ability for the circle to grow weighs heavily on its members. This weight, however, can be shouldered by a few select individuals if they have the ability to sell and inspire others to rally around their cause.

This weekend, I was lucky enough to hang out with some exceptional members of the blues dancing community in Pittsburgh. There are a few simple words that describe them: humble, modest, and unpredictably entertaining. It was amazing how effective those qualities were in generating my utmost admiration for them.

The nature of the activity made it easy for those qualities to shine through. The proximity of the dancing couple, the sultry nature of the music, and the opportunity for some seriously provocative movements created an environment that was potentially troublesome or worse yet, unsafe. For the people who I have grown to admire, however, the dangers of the scenario are carefully brushed aside. Replacing it is a mastered dance connection, using the most subtle lead and follow signals for a wonderful expression in the craft of musicality.

Sudden drops and slow extended dips left some of the dancers barely a few inches off the ground. By articulately preparing for those moves and protecting their partners in transition, leaders could demonstrate how remarkable their abilities were, yet downplay their talents in conversation. Follows flowed with such poise and grace, sometimes adding in the slightest of movements to assure that every tiny nuance in the music was expressed to. In response to compliments, they smile in gratitude but what they were truly grateful for was how much dancing seemed to make them glow with happiness. Forget alcohol or other substance abuse; to them, nothing compared to the rush of a great song with a partner they respected.

To those unfamiliar to the wonders of a partner dancing atmosphere, it’s the type of people found there that makes it great. Some have been dancing for years, others just started. Mistakes or missed signals out on the dance floor occasionally led to confusion or minor injury, but apologies were quickly shared and people anxiously returned to the euphoria of the dancing. If the challenge began to fade after a few dances, a person could enter a different perspective of the activity by switching their connection role. Follows danced with follows, leaders with leaders, and follows even lead leaders just to provide anyone who sat out the song with something unique to watch. In the end, couples would exchange laughter and/or hugs, gently part their ways, and then each looked for someone new to share the next song with. Many unspoken rules dictated the interaction and safety among the community, so much that even complete strangers could trust each other, yet not even recall each others’ names.

I’ve come across upstanding dance communities before, but that doesn’t decrease the joy in finding a new one. Guess it all boils down to me being thankful for being blessed this weekend on such a wonderful experience with some extraordinary people.

Attempting to blog again...

Thu, 25 May 2006 14:43:59 GMT

Yes, it's been a while. I'm going to try and get back to doing this, with more updates coming this weekend. Just got back from a week trip back to Portland, so I'm still a bit jetlagged to be productive when I get off work. Hence the blogging during my lunch hour. Stay up way too late when I'm visiting the Pacific Northwest. Too much fun hanging out with friends, shooting pool, catching up and such. And of course, that awesome wedding between two friends. If you're curious, my brother posted some pictures of Clark and Mary's Wedding.

I've decided to move back to Portland. Life in Pittsburgh has been nice, but being honest with myself, I'm just happier being closer to family. Can't believe so much time has passed. Just seemed like yesterday when I arrived here for college 8 years ago. Told my boss that my last day at work was July 21 and I'll be moving out at the end of July.

Becca worked last weekend while I was gone and has a *really* long Memorial Weekend coming. Coming, as in starting "yesterday" and doesn't have to be back until next Tuesday. It's amazing how much energy is revitalized in her after hearing about a day off. Now imagine her having 3 and a half days of break. Heh. She cracks me up. Given her new energy, there might be a chance that she'll want to head up to Jay's tonight to quench her long rested urges for karaoke. That, and with the end of her replacement fix in American Idol, she'll be achin' for some singin'. I'll join her if she does and maybe we'll see some familiar faces there.

Hope all is well for everyone.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Wed, 15 Mar 2006 03:01:41 GMT

My sister sent me this attachment and I feel that the Duke's Station crowd should be blessed with its viewing. (372 kb, requires sound, 13 seconds long)

Stupid Cat

Thanks sis!

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Tue, 07 Feb 2006 18:58:56 GMT

My Superbowl thoughts were started last night, but didn't quite finish. Just squeezed in the last edits. Long read, and possibly preaching to the choir, so be forewarned. If anyone made it to the parade, hope you all had fun!

Friday, February 03, 2006

Fri, 03 Feb 2006 05:38:31 GMT

Returning to blogging... sorta...http://getoutofjlfree.com/blog/

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Wed, 07 Dec 2005 03:41:56 GMT

Finished 1st programming assignment 2 hours before it was due. Then even got the extra credit. Boo yea!! Then after class, I got an email that my second programming assigment's due date has been extended to Thursday. Monday was a good day. Looks like I'll be cramming for final now and work on the programming assignment Wednesday night.

Got word that the dance troupe I'll be performing with on Friday and Saturday decided to call themselves "No Tropiezes," which apparently in Spanish translates roughly to either "don't trip", "don't slip", or "don't run into something". We're all cracking up over it.

Brief break. back to the books. Bye!