Favorite saying of the day

"Try hoop dance. Experience whirled peace."

Thank You, Alton Brown

Alton Brown - Book available at amazon.com

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to thank Alton Brown for a kindness that he showed Mason years ago. I wasn’t going to disturb him and had actually walked away, but in a split-second decision I chose to turn back. I really wanted to let him know that, years later, someone still remembered a kindness that he had extended. Because I think that acts of kindness should be recognized whenever possible. So, I tapped him on the shoulder, thanked him briefly, he shook my hand and then I moved away...hoping against hope that I hadn't disturbed him too much.

At almost 4 years old, Mason had been watching Good Eats almost every day of his life; he absolutely loved that show. So when we ran into a Good Eats filming-in-progress at Harry’s Farmers Market, the mother bear in me just had to introduce him to his hero. Despite some irritations he was evidently experiencing, Mr. Brown immediately switched gears and was so very kind to Mason.

In retrospect, it occurred to me that disturbing someone as they were in the midst of work-related problem solving was not a good idea. However, I was about 7 months pregnant at the time and full of all sorts of motherly hormones so I wasn’t thinking very clearly. Years later, I am still so grateful to Mr. Brown for not rebuffing us and instead making a point of charming little Mason.

Melancholic beauty

I find this beautiful and yet it fills me with such melancholy. Is it because of the fluidity of his movements or, more likely, the music? Perhaps it's his interaction with the hoop, as if it is a living being? How amazing it must be to move in such perfect harmony with something outside one's self.

wheel number from E and M-P on Vimeo.

Hooping: A short film

Hooping: A Short Film
This is a cute introduction to hooping as explained to a newbie. I don't agree with all the content (like the part where she says hoopers only use one, maybe two, hoops), but it comes pretty close to matching my opinions.

My favorite hooping video

This is, hands down, my FAVORITE hooping video. It's just so HAPPY!!! It clearly demonstrates the joy associated with basic hoop dancing moves. There are many, many styles of hooping in the world, but I'm personally a fan of the "Marisa Tomei-style." To me, hers is a just-get-out-and-move kind of style. I can do that. I DO do that.

Click the image to display the video, then click the Play arrow.

Gaiam created this video as a preview to Marisa Tomei's hoopBoody kit (available here). They've since replaced that video with another one, but I've saved the link (thank goodness!) and share it with everyone who shows an interest in hoop dancing. I'll be very, very sad if it ever goes to Gaiam's "website composter" (as they call it).