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Lindy Hop Heaven
Our remedies oft in ourselves do lie,
Which we ascribe to heaven.
-- William Shakespeare
Friday, October 29, 1999
One year ago: Pajama Party
The big event at work today was our expedition to walk through the new office space, where we'll be moving in a few weeks. It's a big change to go from bare studs and concrete floors, to the new walls and carpet we were looking at today.
Things looked good, except for some misplaced data ports (these will be moved) and a door into the building's electrical room which wasn't where Chip expected it to be. Our space will still work for us, despite the door.
I'd driven over with Chip, but got a ride back to our current offices with Kat. We were both relieved that we didn't need to be there while Chip sorted out the disputed items with the building management and contractors.
Right now we are in four separate offices. We work with our doors open most of the time, but there's a separation there. It will be a big change to be all in one room. I've worked that way before, most recently in the contractor bay at Microsoft, and before that with a gang of proofreaders at a legal publishing firm. I think Chip will feel the most change, although this is his concept to begin with -- developers usually don't share offices at MS, although he might have done so when he was at Microsoft Consulting Services. Kellie and I were saying that we'll need to have earphones to listen to music.
The conditions will be much better than the contractor bay, I know -- lots of space between desks, all very airy and open. I'll be sure and take pictures.
* * * * * * * *
When Kat and I were crossing the lobby, I saw a sign on an easel: flu shots were being administered in the building, in a conference room on the ninth floor. I stopped off there before going to back to work. I'd been wanting to get the shot, but each time I saw a notice, whether in the grocery store or at Costco, it was always for the previous week, or for two weeks in the future, or some time that I couldn't get there. So I needed to grab this opportunity.
There was some grousing from the folks in line. Apparently the outfit that had given the shots last year had used "the gun," which shoots the stuff through the skin with no needle involved. "That wasn't us," replied the nurse, getting out the alcohol swabs and syringes.
"You'll feel a pinch," she warned me. This description isn't quite accurate, but the pain wasn't bad, and I had only minor aching afterwards. I don't want to get the flu, so it's worth it. I remember in the early nineties, only people "at risk" were advised to get a flu shot, but now everyone seems to do it.
* * * * * * * *
I checked with Chip -- a mere gesture, I thought! -- to see if he needed any help with the build (the daily update process for our website) before I left. Oops! He needed to go to the airport and pick up a guest at the worst of rush hour traffic, so I needed to babysit the build. This went smoothly.
* * * * * * * *
I just had time to drive home and change before walking down to the Century Ballroom. Tonight was the opening night for the new show from the "Swing This!" performance troupe. (Here's my take on the first show last spring, opening night and closing night.) The crowd wasn't as big as I would have liked to have seen, but there were enough in the audience to make some noise. I grabbed a seat right behind Anne Livingston and her mom (visiting from Oklahoma). We chatted for a while, then the show began.
This latest effort has a bit of story line, described by Hallie as "like West Side Story, but with a happy ending." It's titled "Let's Get Together," which is also one of the numbers in the show. Hallie put this note in the program:
"We believe that swing dancing, and partner dancing in general, has the power to break down barriers between people. Dancing makes it possible for a room full of diverse people with widely differing beliefs and values to enjoy and appreciate each other. Our narrative serves as an allegory, in which the joyous and unifying power of the dance allows us to avoid the tragic consequences of an historic, bitter rivalry. Let's not fight, Let's Get Together and dance."
I do think the show demonstrated this very well! Two groups of dancers (differentiated by dance style and costume colors) met, challenged each other, and took the best from each other, meeting in the middle. Grand fun and energy throughout, with some sly nods to early swing dance film clips!
I strongly recommend this performance, even to those that aren't swing dancers.
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I went to the cafe after the show. A bowl of tomato-rice soup and a chocolate-dipped macaroon just hit the spot! It was fun chatting with cast members and dance buddies.
I got back into the ballroom just as the band, Lindy Hop Heaven, was starting to play. The crowd wasn't big, but there were people to dance with. I really had fun! It felt great to look around the room and see so many people that I consider my friends. I got the opportunity to dance with some folks that I've been missing lately, like Benjamin. Mark was there, in cat-eye contacts and fangs! The crowd did fill in after a while, but it was never packed.
The band was great! This was the first time they've appeared in Seattle; they mostly work in upstate New York and New England. I really liked their spirit and musicality. They were versatile, too! Front man Peter Davis switched off between clarinet, alto, and keyboards, and other players switched off, as well.
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