Back from Seraglio
Nov. 14th, 2005 09:32 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bethlakshmiSummary:
- back, safely and happily from Seraglio
- came late, but made it to Baby Dolls practice
- went home and sewed on dress
- back on Monday - tired but energized
-![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
new_man is home, safe & sound - yay!
More on that...
It was nearly exactly the type of good time I wanted to have. That meaning:
- a happy drive down, with no delays, and lots of mental/social down time
- staying at Teric and Paigan's lovely home, with them and Durr - so a very nice collection of grown ups to talk about clever things with
- getting to teach
- getting to learn
- getting to perform
- getting to see performances
- being the distinguished and foreign guest
- taking the new title out for a joy ride
It would be boring to list the day blow by blow... but I'll try to hit some non-boring highlights.
Spent both nights with a lovely bottle of Merlot and some fabulous conversation. The four of us come from two different kingdoms, joined at different times, and play in different areas of the the SCA. We all command a certain level of prestige and respect in our given areas of focus. So, it was pretty neat to talk about general topics like "what makes a good king?", "how do we do ritual in the SCA?", "how does one train/teach/mentor others in one's area of expertise" and "how does a fealty teacher/student relationship differ from a non-fealty relationship". Obviously there's no right answer, but it's kind of fun to think about, and the answers are often relevant.
The thing that struck me most was the concept that part of the training of a squire/apprentice (and probably protege, but we didn't have any Pelicans on hand) is to teach the person that there's more to becoming a Peer than just being good at whatever it is you are learning. There's an attitude of self-management, leadership and attention to unspoken needs that one has to have. I think of it as "professionalism" - actively being aware of your surroundings and taking on the task of doing things because they need to be done, not because someone told you to do them. Balancing your various obligations so you don't let any of them fall apart. If you can't do something, or don't understand something - take the initiative to get help, get answers, or get out of the obligation. That stuff transcends a given area of expertise. And I'm not certain how you teach it. In the corporate world, it seems like either people get it, or they don't. I'm not certain we've ever found a way to breed it.
Got to meetswabere's sister, who also has an LJ, whose LJ handle I do not remember. She's a neat lady, very perky and enthusiastic. This may be the first time I've met someone who knows me from LJ, that I hadn't met in person prior to joining LJ.
At the event, I taught my class on sringara to a fluctuating audience. The space was a little rough - we are now in a Moose Lodge where there is mostly one big room. Which means that all fun is happening right there - kids, drums, conversations. It was a little challenging to shout over the ruckus, especially when I'm trying to talk about erotic love. Yelling "AND NEXT YOU SHIFT YOUR EYES, SHYLY LIKE THIS!!!" makes it very hard to get into the right mind set to actually do such a thing. But the reception was good. I shall try this class again, I think, maybe with more structure, and I think with more specifics on the handouts, since there is a heck of a lot of information I throw out there.
Skipped the Sari Wrapping class due to some timing issues.
Got to see a couple other neat classes:
- Dima, aka Morgan, did a class on henna. It got a little derailed as she was also the autocrat. She's worked very hard on putting together a very comprehensive handout on henna/mehendi, the cultural context, the aesthetics and the history. Unfortunately, some of the resources she's hitting are of the "mystical, illustrious and ancient history of our product is thus and so". I hope so send her some stuff that is a little more acedemically grounded.
- Durr led a discussion of personal development. It was very interesting as he is very story-centric - he has a pretty complex story that suits the fact that he, himself, is a person with lots of travel and lots of experience. Happily, many people in the gang also had a start on persona, and we hit not a single complete fantasy persona. I sat back and listened, as I thought it was great that we were able to draw in folks that AREN'T well-known for persona in the SCA.
- Bilgisayar did a class on Salah ad-Din ibn Ayyub, the Caliph who united the Middle East and drove the Franks out of Jerusalem. For me, this class was the hidden bonus surprise. I don't often love history/biography classes, as they can go very flat, very easily, and without a hands-on component, there may be no distraction from the boringness of the class. But this had no problem. Bilgisayar really loved the topic, and he shared the parts he loves in such a lively and enthusiastic way that I couldn't help but love them, too. He had an outline, and referred to it as necessary, but never was uncomfortable or disconcerted at having to refer to notes.
Performed Pushpanjali and the Mandariva Slokum at the feast. Pushpanjali went very well, despite some ankle bell issues. I must remake the ankle bells with better string. These are just not holding together well. Mandariva was a little rocky. I lost a verse midway through and ad=libbed, but was covered by the fact that no one else in the audience seemed to speak Sanskrit. I made a new little friend - a 3 year old girl, who is very eloquent (for a 3-year old) decided I was the best thing since sliced bread, and hung out with me most of the rest of the event. She was pretty adorable.
Got to sit at high table as an honored guest. Which meant more lovely conversation with Paigan, Teric and Durr - my eating companions. Also a good chance to play with in persona eating. Right hand only, and I broke out my special drinking cup, that I can pour water into my mouth with without touching my lips to it. A need trick.
After staying to help with cleanup, Teric and I made an exit at 10:30, both of us quite happy at the earliness of the exit, although he washed a LOT of dishes. One thing I really like about Paigan and Teric is they share my belief that having the highest precedence is more about being the first to get up to do dishes, than being the first to be served. Teric was up and washing dishes with nary a comment before I had even finished luxuriating in my sticky sweet dessert nutball and Turkish coffee. I did take the guest's perogative to finish a nice conversation with Durr before changing into clothes I didn't mind having to wash, and starting the cleanup. I couldn't help but notice that Teric and I were among the folks most focused on getting the place clean and getting all stuff safely packed up. There was that "grown up" thing again - that we didn't need to be told what needed doing, we just found stuff and did it. I did need to query a little bit - as I don't know how they mark baronial stuff, or didn't know what needed to be reset in the hall. But you don't need guidance to know that dirty stuff needs cleaning.
Got a pleasant surprise that there is a temple in Bridgewater - http://www.venkateswara.org/ - Sri Venkateswara temple. Paigan insisted we should go by, so we did on Sunday morning. The temple is an interesting blend of a Western building with Indian additions. Kind of neat. I've never been to a temple in the U.S. so this was a neat treat. Paigan waited while I went inside. Durr accompanied me for my voyage through the temple, Teric eventually decided he'd join Paigan outside.
I'm trying to put my finger on what was the big deal? The temple was not as fabulous as temples in India, it did not trigger the art viewer in me - some of the idols are great feats of technical skill, but some of them reminded me of the statues of Baby Jesus that my aunt had - pretty, special for their special meaning, but not artistically profound. The blend of modern Western architecture, and Hindu was odd, and did not create quite the impact that an temple in India would. But nonetheless I was swayed... so, let me figure out why...
One thing of interest - the last time I was in a Hindu temple, I was a newly graduated college student. I had a strong spiritual side, with a firm belief in magic, but I hadn't done any thinking on Hinduism - nor was I in the SCA. I went to India and saw a ton of temples, and mostly was overwhelmed by them as artistic wonders. One temple stuck out - Sri Ranganatha - by the powerful presense of the diety in that building. Since that time, I have spent a lot of time working out what a Hindu mindset really is - as part of my persona development for Lakshmi. This is the first time since I've done all that work, that I have stepped inside an actual temple. It was pretty profound. The part of me that is Lakshmi really does believe this stuff. I decided that, intellectually, a long time ago when I started building Lakshmi and started transporting my god collection to events, where they sit in a place of honor in my tent. What I think I didn't realize is that by making "a persona who is unshakably Hindu", I had created a part of me that also identifies with Hinduism. I have never felt comfortable calling myself "hindu" - my beliefs are too complex and self-defined to fit that mold. But... well... some of me is Hindu, I guess.
After all my reading of the significance of the senses in Hindu ritual, it was very visceral to actually experience it - the view of the god, the burning flame, the red vermillion for the forhead, the smell of incense, the offerings to the gods... it's real stuff. There is a power here. Whether that is the power of belief, or a power that came without belief, there was a definite power in this style of worship.
I'm reminded of the phrase "we rule because they believe" - said to be written on the crowns of the West. This is ever so much more true of a temple. It felt as if 1000s of years of belief had all just built up and flowed through the space. Even though this temple is under 100 years old - it is the age of the religion that had the impact.
Not quite a dress but definitely a "make sure your shit is together" practice, I'm afriad mine wasn't as together as I'd like. I neglected practice of Jump, Jive 'n' Wail, and it hasn't sunk through the thick skull yet. Too many "umm... what next" in it still, and Pinky is no better off. Planning to practice AT LEAST once a day until Thursday, to get this up to speed. Cuban Pete is in better shape. I have most of it worked out, and being solo means that if something slips, I can just insert something else.
Scratch iterated how he wants more group peices. I know for December I can NOT choreograph another one. I could learn it if someone else wants to direct/write it... but I'm tapped. I need a little break. I don't want to make another one as ill-prepared as Jump, Jive 'n' Wail feels. I think I can pull the song off - becuase, well, because I'm me... but I don't like banking on that time after time. Besides - I have finals in December.
Dress is coming along - did it as handwork Saturday and Sunday - put in zipper, finished the edge, put on the neckline facing, and put the first row of neckline beads on before Baby Doll Practice. Came home after dinner and assembled and attached first ruffle. Also constructed second ruffle and have it ready to attach. So tonight I should be able to get even farther after class. I'm feeling good about this dress being done on time, although I think there may be some things that are not done that will not show on stage - like hemming the ruffles.
As per usual, after a nice event I am buzzing with ideas for the future. Good to write them down to get them out of my head:
1. Choreograph an Indian song - I wrote and choreographed the "Jehan Slokum" a while back, but I still really want to do something straight - preferably an Indian erotic peice. I'm pondering the idea now of doing something I can speak (not sing) in English. And I want something pretty racy. This would be something for adults only, done at parties, not on stages. I'd also like to be able to spout off more erotic poetry w/out dance stuff, so I can randomly be naughty, as the mood arises.
2. Class on building abhinaya - grab some stories or poetry (in English) and do a workshop on abhinaya building. While folks won't have the classical repertoire, the goal would be work out moves together, that fit our conception of the story. I can provide the guidance on Indian moves, but I want to see if I can get people more involved in why and how certain moves have certain meanings.
3. Music Theory + Choreography class - same thing I was thinking about earlier - a choreography class, but with the spin on looking at Indian music and decomposing it. I'm debating the tradeoff between doing something purely in the Indian context, and doing something that is not limited to one tradition, to better suit Middle Eastern dancers as well.
4. Embroidery class - there's this embroidery technique - interlaced herringbone, that I've learned, but never taught, and it's really keen... maybe something completely different.
5. Start small with Indian theater - get a few local folks and see if we can't stage a scene from Indian theater - maybe Kalidasa, maybe Gita Govinda, maybe something completely different. But something that is not a choreography I have learned, but something staged based on info we have from medieval texts. Might be something Padme and I can work on together, as she will have at least another choreography under her belt come spring/summer.
None of this is an actual commitment to do this... just jotting down some thoughts.
- back, safely and happily from Seraglio
- came late, but made it to Baby Dolls practice
- went home and sewed on dress
- back on Monday - tired but energized
-
new_man is home, safe & sound - yay!More on that...
It was nearly exactly the type of good time I wanted to have. That meaning:
- a happy drive down, with no delays, and lots of mental/social down time
- staying at Teric and Paigan's lovely home, with them and Durr - so a very nice collection of grown ups to talk about clever things with
- getting to teach
- getting to learn
- getting to perform
- getting to see performances
- being the distinguished and foreign guest
- taking the new title out for a joy ride
It would be boring to list the day blow by blow... but I'll try to hit some non-boring highlights.
Spent both nights with a lovely bottle of Merlot and some fabulous conversation. The four of us come from two different kingdoms, joined at different times, and play in different areas of the the SCA. We all command a certain level of prestige and respect in our given areas of focus. So, it was pretty neat to talk about general topics like "what makes a good king?", "how do we do ritual in the SCA?", "how does one train/teach/mentor others in one's area of expertise" and "how does a fealty teacher/student relationship differ from a non-fealty relationship". Obviously there's no right answer, but it's kind of fun to think about, and the answers are often relevant.
The thing that struck me most was the concept that part of the training of a squire/apprentice (and probably protege, but we didn't have any Pelicans on hand) is to teach the person that there's more to becoming a Peer than just being good at whatever it is you are learning. There's an attitude of self-management, leadership and attention to unspoken needs that one has to have. I think of it as "professionalism" - actively being aware of your surroundings and taking on the task of doing things because they need to be done, not because someone told you to do them. Balancing your various obligations so you don't let any of them fall apart. If you can't do something, or don't understand something - take the initiative to get help, get answers, or get out of the obligation. That stuff transcends a given area of expertise. And I'm not certain how you teach it. In the corporate world, it seems like either people get it, or they don't. I'm not certain we've ever found a way to breed it.
Got to meet
swabere's sister, who also has an LJ, whose LJ handle I do not remember. She's a neat lady, very perky and enthusiastic. This may be the first time I've met someone who knows me from LJ, that I hadn't met in person prior to joining LJ.At the event, I taught my class on sringara to a fluctuating audience. The space was a little rough - we are now in a Moose Lodge where there is mostly one big room. Which means that all fun is happening right there - kids, drums, conversations. It was a little challenging to shout over the ruckus, especially when I'm trying to talk about erotic love. Yelling "AND NEXT YOU SHIFT YOUR EYES, SHYLY LIKE THIS!!!" makes it very hard to get into the right mind set to actually do such a thing. But the reception was good. I shall try this class again, I think, maybe with more structure, and I think with more specifics on the handouts, since there is a heck of a lot of information I throw out there.
Skipped the Sari Wrapping class due to some timing issues.
Got to see a couple other neat classes:
- Dima, aka Morgan, did a class on henna. It got a little derailed as she was also the autocrat. She's worked very hard on putting together a very comprehensive handout on henna/mehendi, the cultural context, the aesthetics and the history. Unfortunately, some of the resources she's hitting are of the "mystical, illustrious and ancient history of our product is thus and so". I hope so send her some stuff that is a little more acedemically grounded.
- Durr led a discussion of personal development. It was very interesting as he is very story-centric - he has a pretty complex story that suits the fact that he, himself, is a person with lots of travel and lots of experience. Happily, many people in the gang also had a start on persona, and we hit not a single complete fantasy persona. I sat back and listened, as I thought it was great that we were able to draw in folks that AREN'T well-known for persona in the SCA.
- Bilgisayar did a class on Salah ad-Din ibn Ayyub, the Caliph who united the Middle East and drove the Franks out of Jerusalem. For me, this class was the hidden bonus surprise. I don't often love history/biography classes, as they can go very flat, very easily, and without a hands-on component, there may be no distraction from the boringness of the class. But this had no problem. Bilgisayar really loved the topic, and he shared the parts he loves in such a lively and enthusiastic way that I couldn't help but love them, too. He had an outline, and referred to it as necessary, but never was uncomfortable or disconcerted at having to refer to notes.
Performed Pushpanjali and the Mandariva Slokum at the feast. Pushpanjali went very well, despite some ankle bell issues. I must remake the ankle bells with better string. These are just not holding together well. Mandariva was a little rocky. I lost a verse midway through and ad=libbed, but was covered by the fact that no one else in the audience seemed to speak Sanskrit. I made a new little friend - a 3 year old girl, who is very eloquent (for a 3-year old) decided I was the best thing since sliced bread, and hung out with me most of the rest of the event. She was pretty adorable.
Got to sit at high table as an honored guest. Which meant more lovely conversation with Paigan, Teric and Durr - my eating companions. Also a good chance to play with in persona eating. Right hand only, and I broke out my special drinking cup, that I can pour water into my mouth with without touching my lips to it. A need trick.
After staying to help with cleanup, Teric and I made an exit at 10:30, both of us quite happy at the earliness of the exit, although he washed a LOT of dishes. One thing I really like about Paigan and Teric is they share my belief that having the highest precedence is more about being the first to get up to do dishes, than being the first to be served. Teric was up and washing dishes with nary a comment before I had even finished luxuriating in my sticky sweet dessert nutball and Turkish coffee. I did take the guest's perogative to finish a nice conversation with Durr before changing into clothes I didn't mind having to wash, and starting the cleanup. I couldn't help but notice that Teric and I were among the folks most focused on getting the place clean and getting all stuff safely packed up. There was that "grown up" thing again - that we didn't need to be told what needed doing, we just found stuff and did it. I did need to query a little bit - as I don't know how they mark baronial stuff, or didn't know what needed to be reset in the hall. But you don't need guidance to know that dirty stuff needs cleaning.
Got a pleasant surprise that there is a temple in Bridgewater - http://www.venkateswara.org/ - Sri Venkateswara temple. Paigan insisted we should go by, so we did on Sunday morning. The temple is an interesting blend of a Western building with Indian additions. Kind of neat. I've never been to a temple in the U.S. so this was a neat treat. Paigan waited while I went inside. Durr accompanied me for my voyage through the temple, Teric eventually decided he'd join Paigan outside.
I'm trying to put my finger on what was the big deal? The temple was not as fabulous as temples in India, it did not trigger the art viewer in me - some of the idols are great feats of technical skill, but some of them reminded me of the statues of Baby Jesus that my aunt had - pretty, special for their special meaning, but not artistically profound. The blend of modern Western architecture, and Hindu was odd, and did not create quite the impact that an temple in India would. But nonetheless I was swayed... so, let me figure out why...
One thing of interest - the last time I was in a Hindu temple, I was a newly graduated college student. I had a strong spiritual side, with a firm belief in magic, but I hadn't done any thinking on Hinduism - nor was I in the SCA. I went to India and saw a ton of temples, and mostly was overwhelmed by them as artistic wonders. One temple stuck out - Sri Ranganatha - by the powerful presense of the diety in that building. Since that time, I have spent a lot of time working out what a Hindu mindset really is - as part of my persona development for Lakshmi. This is the first time since I've done all that work, that I have stepped inside an actual temple. It was pretty profound. The part of me that is Lakshmi really does believe this stuff. I decided that, intellectually, a long time ago when I started building Lakshmi and started transporting my god collection to events, where they sit in a place of honor in my tent. What I think I didn't realize is that by making "a persona who is unshakably Hindu", I had created a part of me that also identifies with Hinduism. I have never felt comfortable calling myself "hindu" - my beliefs are too complex and self-defined to fit that mold. But... well... some of me is Hindu, I guess.
After all my reading of the significance of the senses in Hindu ritual, it was very visceral to actually experience it - the view of the god, the burning flame, the red vermillion for the forhead, the smell of incense, the offerings to the gods... it's real stuff. There is a power here. Whether that is the power of belief, or a power that came without belief, there was a definite power in this style of worship.
I'm reminded of the phrase "we rule because they believe" - said to be written on the crowns of the West. This is ever so much more true of a temple. It felt as if 1000s of years of belief had all just built up and flowed through the space. Even though this temple is under 100 years old - it is the age of the religion that had the impact.
Not quite a dress but definitely a "make sure your shit is together" practice, I'm afriad mine wasn't as together as I'd like. I neglected practice of Jump, Jive 'n' Wail, and it hasn't sunk through the thick skull yet. Too many "umm... what next" in it still, and Pinky is no better off. Planning to practice AT LEAST once a day until Thursday, to get this up to speed. Cuban Pete is in better shape. I have most of it worked out, and being solo means that if something slips, I can just insert something else.
Scratch iterated how he wants more group peices. I know for December I can NOT choreograph another one. I could learn it if someone else wants to direct/write it... but I'm tapped. I need a little break. I don't want to make another one as ill-prepared as Jump, Jive 'n' Wail feels. I think I can pull the song off - becuase, well, because I'm me... but I don't like banking on that time after time. Besides - I have finals in December.
Dress is coming along - did it as handwork Saturday and Sunday - put in zipper, finished the edge, put on the neckline facing, and put the first row of neckline beads on before Baby Doll Practice. Came home after dinner and assembled and attached first ruffle. Also constructed second ruffle and have it ready to attach. So tonight I should be able to get even farther after class. I'm feeling good about this dress being done on time, although I think there may be some things that are not done that will not show on stage - like hemming the ruffles.
As per usual, after a nice event I am buzzing with ideas for the future. Good to write them down to get them out of my head:
1. Choreograph an Indian song - I wrote and choreographed the "Jehan Slokum" a while back, but I still really want to do something straight - preferably an Indian erotic peice. I'm pondering the idea now of doing something I can speak (not sing) in English. And I want something pretty racy. This would be something for adults only, done at parties, not on stages. I'd also like to be able to spout off more erotic poetry w/out dance stuff, so I can randomly be naughty, as the mood arises.
2. Class on building abhinaya - grab some stories or poetry (in English) and do a workshop on abhinaya building. While folks won't have the classical repertoire, the goal would be work out moves together, that fit our conception of the story. I can provide the guidance on Indian moves, but I want to see if I can get people more involved in why and how certain moves have certain meanings.
3. Music Theory + Choreography class - same thing I was thinking about earlier - a choreography class, but with the spin on looking at Indian music and decomposing it. I'm debating the tradeoff between doing something purely in the Indian context, and doing something that is not limited to one tradition, to better suit Middle Eastern dancers as well.
4. Embroidery class - there's this embroidery technique - interlaced herringbone, that I've learned, but never taught, and it's really keen... maybe something completely different.
5. Start small with Indian theater - get a few local folks and see if we can't stage a scene from Indian theater - maybe Kalidasa, maybe Gita Govinda, maybe something completely different. But something that is not a choreography I have learned, but something staged based on info we have from medieval texts. Might be something Padme and I can work on together, as she will have at least another choreography under her belt come spring/summer.
None of this is an actual commitment to do this... just jotting down some thoughts.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-11-14 06:23 pm (UTC)This is why both Rosa and Suvarrana are Christian. I knew I would become them and I wanted them to have that part of me. Though, Rosa is way more devout than I and Suvarrana is closer to Unitarian than I am.
no subject
Date: 2005-11-14 08:42 pm (UTC)So... I'm a little suprised at Lakshmi taking on a life of her own and influencing me this way. And pretty happy that my studies in Darsan worked in practice, and not just in theory. As with so much of art and experience there's getting it in the mind and getting it in the heart.
no subject
Date: 2005-11-14 07:22 pm (UTC)