Photo Show from Spring Fling dance competition.

Spring Fling, Sunday, March 11 in Tampa

There will be a ballroom dance competition in Tampa on March 11 which I am participating in. Some of my friends from the Arthur Murray studio in Orlando will also be there.

For details of the competition, including directions and schedule, check out the Spring Fling web site.

http://www.worldpromotionsinc.com/springfling.htm

Come watch our Twinkle Toes in action. A fun time will be had by all.

The competition will be held in the Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza. This is just south of the Tampa airport, adjacent to the International Plaza and Bay Street. The hotel is on the back side of the complex, and as you arrive it may appear that you are just going off toward the rear of a parking lot. Keep going and you will find the hotel.

Renaissance-Tampa International Plaza
4200 W Columbus Dr
Tampa, FL 33607
813-877-9200

For what it's worth, this web site says I'm an INTP.

INTP - "Architect". Greatest precision in thought and language. Can readily discern contradictions and inconsistencies. The world exists primarily to be understood. 3.3% of total population.

Free Jung Personality Test (similar to Myers-Briggs/MBTI)

For other personality tests, try this site. http://similarminds.com/personality_tests.html

Christmas Week

A.M. studio in Orlando is going to be open during the week between Christmas and New Years. Sure would be nice to have an old Tango Buddy stop by for the Tuesday or Friday party.

Bronze III Medal's Ball -- Dancing With the Stars

Wednesday evening, December 20 Arthur Murray hosted "Dancing With The Stars, Orlando." In conjunction with this event, they also presented awards to students checking out of another level of dance instruction. Your humble Blogger is shown with his 3 lovely dance instructors. From left to right; Lindsey, Jim, Lania and Stasia.

I checked out of Bronze III in 6 dances, and I've also checked out of Bronze IV in Hustle, and Bronze I in Samba. I'm working on Bronze III in Tango, Foxtrot, and Bolero as time allows.

Of course, I couldn't do it without the lovely dance teachers shown above.

Bronze IV Hustle

Well, I made it all the way through "full bronze" in my first dance tonight. I checked out of Bronze IV in the Hustle.

The adventure continues.

Happy Thanksgiving

Enjoy the holiday, and remember those less fortunate than you, and those who are not able to spend the holiday with their family.

http://www.sgtstrader.org/msg/2006tdm1.html

I'm a survivor

I survived Ballroom Blitz. Got fairly good scores on my dancing, and had a good time.

Last night I checked out of Bronze III in Viennese Waltz.

This month marks the 1 year anniversary of my ballroom dance career. The adventure continues.

Coming Soon, to a ballroom near you. . ..

My next ballroom dance competition will be Ballroom Blitz in Orlando, on November 4. Please, no requests for autographs until after the last dance. I must remain focused. :-)

http://www.worldpromotionsinc.com/bb.htm

Current Affairs

Viennese Waltz

I've been working on the Viennese Waltz recently. By far the hardest dance that I have tried to master. It is taking a lot of work; ballet exercises to develop core strength, posture, and timing. Just a lot of repetition on the basic movements, and turns to develop timing and muscle memory. It is coming along slowly, but surely. It really feels nice to be able to turn and whirl around the entire dance floor like this. My Viennese Waltz routine is not yet ready for prime time, but I'll include a clip to show you how others do it. Watch for me to perform a Viennese Waltz soon, and to compete in it at Ballroom Blitz in November in Orlando.

My Stepfather

My stepfather, Gene Cashman, passed away last night at the age of 89.

He came into my life 43 years ago, when he didn’t have to. My father had died two years earlier, and becoming the stepfather of a 13 year old with an excess nervous energy resulting from a thyroid condition which I had during high school must have been quite a challenge. Still, he demonstrated the love, patience, and understanding of a saint, and he taught me much by his great example. We often disagreed on little things, but he taught me compassion, love, and responsibility, regardless of the methods which we chose to carry out our paths through life.

Gene outlived three wives, all of whom he loved and cared for to the end. He understood the balance of life, and prioritization of what is important. When I recently started taking ballroom dance lessons, he was more proud and happier for me than he would have been if I’d won the lottery or been elected to the U.S. Senate. He always enjoyed dancing, and he encouraged my enjoyment of spending quality time on the dance floor.

He truly never met a stranger. Gene was always the sort of man who could enter a room full of people who he had never met before, and within an hour he could tell you the life story of half the people there, and he would have made a lasting, positive impression on them all. His love of life, and eagerness to do and be, rather than to sit back and watch took him through many enjoyable experiences, and gave him many wonderful friendships.

I miss him already, and his loss will be felt by many. I have a feeling that he is already organizing a game of bridge for the angels, however, and he will continue to brighten the lives of those who knew and remember him.

So long, Pa. Thanks for being a great father to me. I’ll always love you.

Eugene Jesse Cashman, July 12, 1917 – September 10, 2006
He had a great Dash.

George Carlin Quotes

As a matter of principle, I never attend the first annual anything.

At a formal dinner party, the person nearest death should always be seated closest to the bathroom.

Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

Before they invented drawing boards, what did they go back to?

Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?

Death is caused by swallowing small amounts of saliva over a long period of time.

Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?

Does the Little Mermaid wear an algebra?

Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

Dusting is a good example of the futility of trying to put things right.
As soon as you dust, the fact of your next dusting has already been established.

Electricity is really just organized lightning.

Frisbeetarianism is the belief that when you die, your soul goes up on the roof and gets stuck.

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

Honesty may be the best policy, but it's important to remember that apparently, by elimination, dishonesty is the second-best policy.

How do they get the deer to cross at that yellow road sign?

How is it possible to have a civil war?

"I am" is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language.
Could it be that "I do" is the longest sentence?

I don’t own a camera, so I travel with a police sketch artist.

I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don't have as many people who believe it.

I recently went to a new doctor and noticed he was located in something called the Professional Building. I felt better right away.

I think it would be interesting if old people got anti-Alzheimer's disease where they slowly began to recover other people's lost memories.

I think it's the duty of the comedian to find out where the line is drawn and cross it deliberately.

I think people should be allowed to do anything they want. We haven't tried that for a while. Maybe this time it'll work.

I thought about how mothers feed their babies with tiny little spoons and forks so I wondered, what do Chinese mothers use? Toothpicks?

I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a whole lot more as they get older; then it dawned on me . . they're cramming for their final exam.

I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?"
She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.

If a deaf person swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap?

If a man is standing in the middle of the forest speaking and there is no woman around to hear him... is he still wrong?

If a man smiles all the time he's probably selling something that doesn't work.

If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?

If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?

If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?

If all the world is a stage, where is the audience sitting?

If it’s true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?

If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it follow that electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted?

If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?

If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest drown, too?

If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it considered a hostage situation?

If the #2 pencil is the most popular, why is it still #2?

If the "black box" flight recorder is never damaged during a plane crash, why isn't the whole airplane made out of that stuff?

If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent?

If the shoe fits, get another one just like it.

If you ate pasta and antipasto, would you still be hungry?

If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten.

If you spin an oriental man in a circle three times, does he become disoriented?

If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?

I’d hate to be an alcoholic with Alzheimer’s. Imagine needing a drink and forgetting where you put it.

I'm always relieved when someone is delivering a eulogy and I realize I'm listening to it.

I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.

I'm not concerned about all hell breaking loose, but that a PART of hell will break loose... it'll be much harder to detect.

In comic strips, the person on the right always speaks first.

Is fuel efficiency really what we need most desperately? I say what we really need is a car that can be shot when it breaks down.

Is it true that cannibals don't eat clowns because they taste funny?

Is there another word for synonym?

Isn't it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice"?

Let a smile be your umbrella, and you'll end up with a face full of rain.

May the forces of evil become confused on the way to your house.

Men are from Earth, women are from Earth. Deal with it.

Meow means "woof" in cat.

My back hurts. I think I over-schlepped.

No one ever says, "It's only a game" when their team is winning.

One nice thing about egotists: they don't talk about other people.

One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.

Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.

Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations.
When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong.

Some see the glass as half-empty, some see the glass as half-full. I see the glass as too big.

Standing ovations have become far too commonplace. What we need are ovations where the audience members all punch and kick one another.

The day after tomorrow is the third day of the rest of your life.

The IQ and the life expectancy of the average American recently passed each other going in opposite directions.

The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.

The other night I ate at a real nice family restaurant. Every table had an argument going.

The reason they call it the American Dream is because you have to be asleep to believe it.

The status quo sucks.

The very existence of flame-throwers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done.

There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls.

There's no present. There's only the immediate future and the recent past.

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

Think off-center.

Weather forecast for tonight: dark.

Well, if crime fighters fight crime and fire fighters fight fire, what do freedom fighters fight?

What do you do when you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant?

What does it mean to pre-board? Do you get on before you get on?

What if there were no hypothetical questions?

What was the best thing before sliced bread?

When cheese gets it's picture taken, what does it say?

When someone asks you, “A penny for your thoughts,” and you put your two cents in, what happens to the other penny?

When someone is impatient and says, "I haven't got all day," I always wonder, How can that be? How can you not have all day?

When Thomas Edison worked late into the night on the electric light, he had to do it by gas lamp or candle. I'm sure it made the work seem that much more urgent.

Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all?"

Who decides when the applause should die down? It seems like it's a group decision; everyone begins to say to themselves at the same time, "Well, okay, that's enough of that."

Whose cruel idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have a "S" in it?

Why are hemorrhoids called "hemorrhoids" instead of "assteroids"?

Why do croutons come in airtight packages? It's just stale bread to begin with.

Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will clean them?

Why do they put Braille on the drive-through bank machines?

Why do they sterilize needles for lethal injections?

Why do you press harder on a remote-control when you know the battery is dead?

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

Why is it called tourist season if we can't shoot at them?

Why is the alphabet in that order? Is it because of that song?

Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?

Why is there an expiration date on sour cream?

Women like silent men, they think they're listening.

Would a fly without wings be called a walk?

You rarely meet a wino with perfect pitch.

Where the Hell is Matt?

Dancing his way around the world.




For more information on Matt, visit his web site.

http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/

Pinch Your Cheeks

One of the things that I really enjoy about ballroom dancing is the improved muscle control, balance, and coordination which are byproducts of the process of becoming a better dancer. Your overall level of physical fitness improves. The dance teachers are constantly stressing the fundamentals of posture and control. This video clip is a commercial for a European gym, but it could just as easily be for a dance studio.

It’s A Religious Obligation

Pope Says "Don't work too hard"

Castelgandolfo - Too much work can be bad for you, even if you are the pope, Pope Benedict said on Sunday. Speaking during his Sunday address at his summer residence south of Rome, the pope quoted from the writings of St Bernard of Chiaravalle, who lived in the 11th and 12th centuries. "We have to guard ourselves, the saint observed, from the dangers of excessive activity, regardless of the office one holds, because too many concerns can often lead to hardness of heart," the pope said. "This warning is valid for every type of job, even those concerned with the government of the church," he said. The 79-year-old Benedict noted that the saint had written to the pontiff of the times, Eugene III, warning him of the dangers of working too hard. Benedict said one should always make room for "prayer and contemplation".

REVEILLE

A salute to all veterans. Thanks for your service.

Quick Change Artists on America's Got Talent

This reminds me of ballroom dancers changing at a competition between dance heats or routines.

Thanks for the memories.

My Tango Buddy and favorite dance partner, Allison, is moving on to bigger and better things. May God speed and grant her happiness wherever she may go.

Allison gave me my introductory lesson in ballroom dancing, and I have enjoyed dancing with her from day one. She was not my primary dance teacher, but she was always my favorite for just having fun on the dance floor.

Best wishes and good luck wherever life may take you, Allison!

Ain't Love Grand!

The Dash

There is an incredible poem by Linda Ellis called The Dash. It's all about how we spend our lives between the day we are born to the day we pass away. Click on this link to see The Dash presented as a beautiful audio/visual show. http://www.TheDashMovie.com

Things You Should Have Learned By Middle Age

If you're too open-minded, your brains will fall out.

Don't worry about what people think; they don't do it very often.

Going to church doesn't make you a Christian
any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

It ain't the jeans that make your rear end look fat.

Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.

Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.

It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.

For every action, there is an equal and opposite government program.

If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip.

Bills travel through the mail at twice the speed of checks.

A conscience is what hurts when all of your other parts feel so good.

Eat well; stay fit; die anyway.

Men are from earth. Women are from earth. Deal with it.

A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.

Middle age is when broadness of the mind and narrowness of the waist change places.

Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.

Junk is something you've kept for years and throw away three weeks before you need it.

There is always one more imbecile than you counted on.

Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.

By the time you can make ends meet, they move the ends.

Thou shalt not weigh more than thy refrigerator.

Someone who thinks logically provides a nice contrast to the real world.

" I'd still rather hunt with Cheney than ride with Kennedy."

A bartender is just a pharmacist with a limited inventory

Pipedream

Unusual, very creative and beautiful music videos by Deep Forest

Deep Forest - Sweet Lullaby...



Deep Forest - Marta's Song

The State of the World

OK, this is a Blog, or Web Log, so I guess that I’m supposed to write something. Comment on the world, my life, society, things of interest. Whatever.

Right now things are rather confused and scary. Active conflict in Lebanon and Israel, as well as Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places that most Americans couldn’t point to on a map, let alone intelligently discuss the reasons for fighting over them. Tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, tornados, and fire ant infestations. The whole world seems to be going to shit.

Fear not. This is just a passing phenomenon enroute to the next passing phenomenon on the continuum of history. Good times follow bad, which are followed by more good and then more bad. Doobie Doobie Doo.

To paraphrase a wise old parable (or whatever it is), “this too shall pass.”

They're rioting in Africa

Remember this song, made famous by the Kingston Trio over 40 years ago? Seems like the words are still pretty much true, and they could probably add a couple of verses about the Middle East.

The Merry Minuet
written by Sheldon Harnick
________________________________________

They're rioting in Africa, They're starving in Spain
There's hurricanes in Florida, And Texas needs rain


This whole world is festering with unhappy souls
The French hate the Germans, The Germans hate the Poles
Italians hate Yugoslavs, South Africans hate the Dutch
And I don't like anybody very much


But we can be tranquil and thankful and proud
For Man's been endowed with a mushroom-shaped cloud
And we can be certain that some lovely day
Someone will set the spark off...and we will all be blown away


They're rioting in Africa, There's strife in Iran
What Nature doesn't do to us will be done by our Fellow Man

Sweet, innocent youth

I missed out on Woodstock. I was already in the U.S. Army at Fort Knox, KY getting ready to go to Viet Nam. While I am proud of my military service, and convinced that we were right to try to help the South Vietnamese people, I do wish that I had been able to attend the historic concert at Woodstock. One of the defining moments of my generation. I don't agree with Country Joe McDonald's Politics, but I really enjoy his song.

By the way, if you are too young to remember this classic, make sure you cover the kiddie's ears before you hit the play button.

Country Joe McDonald; I Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die Rag

Michael Mead and Toni Redpath, the 4-time Professional U.S. Ballroom Dance Champions, performed at the 2003 World Dance Festival in Japan.

NOTE: In case you haven't already guessed, I don't dance anything close to this level. Still, it is interesting to watch a couple that has perfected their art form so well. A tremendous amount of time and effort go into honing these skills. I enjoy ballroom dancing, but only as a hobby. This video clip is an example of near perfect human motion, rythm and physical communication.

An Interesting Philosophy

" Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!"
--Hunter S. Thompson

Hunter Stockton Thompson (July 18, 1937 - February 20, 2005) was an American journalist and author. He is credited as the creator of gonzo journalism, a style of reporting which blurs distinctions between author and subject, fiction and nonfiction.

Michael Mead and Toni Redpath win the 1999 United States National Professional Ballroom Championships. Nice overview of high end ballroom dancing

Cha Cha

Paso Doble - the Dance of Spain

Part 1:


Part 2:

The Argentine Tango

An authentic Argentine tango on the street.



A video clip with some of the background and sidelights of Tango.

When Harry Met Sally - remake

The most important national holiday, ARGGGGH

Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept. 19) http://www.talklikeapirate.com/

Talk Like a Pirate Day: The Five A's http://snipurl.com/tauo

Talk Like a Pirate Day: Phone Etiquette http://snipurl.com/taug

Talk Like a Pirate Day: "I'm a Pirate" song http://snipurl.com/taue

Talk Like a Pirate Day: Slappy Rap http://snipurl.com/tauk

Where to live?

My test for the ideal place to live is for a home to offer the potential for you to sit naked in a hot tub in the back yard, drink beer, then toss the empty cans into the yard, and fire at them with a large caliber handgun without offending the neighbors.

Not that you would actually do that, of course. Just that you could if the mood seemed right.

'Double Heart Risk For People Who Live Alone'

"People who live alone are twice as likely to develop serious heart disease, according to new research.

A Danish study of more than 138,000 adults aged between 30 and 69 found those on their own doubled their risk of suffering a heart attack or angina compared with those who cohabited with a partner."

http://snipurl.com/t6xi

Your humble Blogmeister has been living a celebate lifestyle for the past few years. Perhaps I should re-think that and find a live in Snuggle Bunny to prolong my time on earth. Any volunteers, or recommendations? ;-)

Hahn Beer commercials - very funny, very creative

Hahn Beer, one of the Australian company, Lion Nathan’s brands. Primarilly sold in Australia, but expanding to other markets. I’ve never tried their beer, but I love their commercials. Click on the links to see some very creative beer commercials.

http://snipurl.com/t67l

http://snipurl.com/t686

http://snipurl.com/t67k

For more information about the company, click this link.

http://www.lion-nathan.com.au/home.htm

The power of the well written word

It was a long and twisting sentence...

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - An opening sentence containing a burrito, an angel and a shovel was judged appalling enough to win the annual Bulwer-Lytton literary parody prize on Tuesday.

Retired mechanical designer Jim Guigli of California was proclaimed winner of the contest, which challenges entrants to submit their worst opening sentence of an imaginary novel.

Guigli's winning entry read: "Detective Bart Lasiter was in his office studying the light from his one small window falling on his super burrito when the door swung open to reveal a woman whose body said you've had your last burrito for a while, whose face said angels did exist, and whose eyes said she could make you dig your own grave and lick the shovel clean."

Guigli's powers of invention and his determination to succeed -- he submitted 60 different entries -- also won him a "dishonorable mention" in the historical fiction category.

"My motivation for entering the contest was to find a constructive outlet for my dementia," Guigli quipped.

The Bulwer-Lytton fiction contest was started in 1982 by the English Department at San Jose State University to honor the Victorian novelist who opened his 1830 novel "Paul Clifford" with what were to become the immortal words, "It was a dark and stormy night."

It began as a quiet campus affair and now attracts thousands of entries from around the world. But the grand prize winner receives only a pittance and other winners "must content themselves with becoming household names", organizers say.

The 2006 runner-up, Stuart Vasepuru from Scotland, played with one of the most famous pieces of dialogue from the Clint Eastwood movie "Dirty Harry".

"I know what you're thinking, punk," hissed Wordy Harry to his new editor, "you're thinking, 'Did he use six superfluous adjectives or only five?' -- and to tell the truth, I forgot myself in all this excitement; but being as this is English, the most powerful language in the world, whose subtle nuances will blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?"

http://snipurl.com/t64g

Jim’s prescription for a long and healthy life

Have the greasy omelet with extra sausage rather than the granola for breakfast. Don’t get drunk more than once a day unless you really want to. Get most of your exercise on the dance floor or in the bed room. Remember, this isn’t a dress rehearsal; this is the only lifetime that you may get. Make the most of it! As they used to say in ancient Rome, “Carpe Diem,” or in a more modern phrase, “if you’re going to ride the Titanic, go first class!"

Dance Practice; hanging out with fellow dancers

Becoming a dancer requires years of dedication and practice. If you really want to become a great dancer you must let it all hang out, and really put your heart and soul into it.

Communication, It's a Mars and Venus thing.

1. - HER DIARY

Saturday night I thought he was acting weird. We had made plans to meet at a bar to have a drink. I was shopping with my friends all day long, so I thought he was upset at the fact that I was a bit late, but he made no comment.

Conversation wasn’t flowing so I suggested that we go somewhere quiet so we could talk, he agreed but he kept quiet and absent. I asked him what was wrong he said nothing. I asked him if it was my fault that he was upset. He said it had nothing to do with me and not to worry.

On the way home I told him that I loved him, he simply smiled and kept driving. I can’t explain his behavior; I don’t know why he didn’t say I love you too.

When we got home I felt as if had lost him, as if he wanted nothing to do with me anymore. He just sat there and watched T.V. he seemed distant and absent.

Finally I decided to go to bed, about 10 minutes later he came to bed and to my surprise he responded to my caress and we made love, but I still felt that he was distracted and his thoughts where somewhere else. I decided that I could not take it anymore so I decided to confront him with the situation but he had fallen asleep. I started crying and cried until I too fell asleep. I don’t know what to do, I’m almost sure that his thoughts are with someone else. My life is a disaster.


2 - HIS DIARY

Today the Lakers lost, but at least I got laid.

Looking for attention? Get a thong.

Rated PG.

http://www.ladyskylar.com/swffiles/thong.swf

If you're into that sort of thing. . ..

http://snipurl.com/symg

Kiss and Tango: Looking for Love in Buenos Aires, by Marina Palmer

http://snipurl.com/symi

Kiss and Tango : Diary of a Dancehall Seductress (Paperback), by Marina Palmer

Amazon.com Editorial Reviews & Book Description

"Approaching her dreaded thirtieth birthday, Marina Palmer suddenly found herself adrift in anxiety. A successful but bored advertising executive -- on the therapist's couch thrice weekly and with no lasting love in her life -- she longed for true passion and adventure. Then, on a whimsical vacation to South America, at a steamy two A.M. milonga, she found what she was looking for: tango! From her very first close-up glimpse of Argentina's signature dance she fell head over heels. She left everything behind -- her fast-track career, her desperate search for "the One" -- to pursue her new obsession in Buenos Aires, seeking a dancing partner, storybook love, and the tango lessons that might ultimately help her to earn a place on the professional circuit.

In Kiss & Tango, Marina Palmer chronicles in no-holds-barred diary-style confessions her exhilarating misadventures on the Argentine dance floor . . . and beyond. An inspiring, outrageous, and unforgettable true story bursting with passion, adventure, romance, heartbreak, and steamy sex, it is the ideal book for anyone who secretly dreams of taking that one sweet, impossible gamble of a lifetime."

If anyone reads either of these books, please provide me with an unbiased review of them.

Florida dance school operators sentenced to prison

Published July 8, 2006 in the St. Petersburg Times

" Cheat gets 30 years to ponder his crimes
Saying dance teacher Michael Pasquarelli was merciless in cheating the elderly, a judge has no mercy for him, either.

By JACOB H. FRIES

LARGO - Before issuing her sentence, Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Linda R. Allan had something to say about Michael Pasquarelli and the way he "delighted" in bilking elderly customers who visited his dance studio.

Allan didn't hold back.

"Anyone so lacking in conscience cannot be trusted in this society," she said of Pasquarelli. "Insatiable, wicked greed leaves remarkably ugly footprints."

On Friday, after a morning of legal sparring and watching several of his elderly victims cry in her courtroom, Allan sentenced Pasquarelli, 50, to the maximum 30 years in prison for violating the Racketeer-Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, also known as RICO.

In a separate proceeding, the judge sentenced one of Pasquarelli's employees at Dance Place in Safety Harbor, David B. "Vic" Andrews, to serve 10 years. She said she would have liked to give him more.

The men had shown their victims no mercy - swindling customers out of thousands of dollars at a time - so they deserved none for themselves now, Allan said. Reading notes that she took during the trial make her queasy, she said.

"Mr. Pasquarelli and his enterprise selected society's most vulnerable members as its victims," she said. . . .."

"Former dance studio owner Michael Pasquarelli, center, was sentenced Friday to 30 years in prison. Pasquarelli tricked 30 customers into signing 328 different sales contracts totalling $3.5-million, according to investigators.

The $257,000 dance (1/27/02)

---

AVOIDING DANCE STUDIO SCAMS
Florida's Dance Studio Act requires ballroom dance studios to register annually with the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Dance studios that have been in business less than three years and demand advance payment of more than $250, or those that enter into installment contracts, also must post a bond with the state.
Consumer protection officials recommend that prospective dance students:

Never sign a blank contract.

Always get a receipt.

Be cautious when signing up for expensive travel and competition packages.

Check for a studio's registration certificate. It must be displayed prominently in the studio.

Always get a written contract for an agreement that entails a commitment of more than seven days. A clause in the law allows a customer to cancel a policy within three days of signing.

To learn more about the state's dance studio law, check online at www.800helpfla.com/dance.html
To file a complaint, go to www.800helpfla.com/ccform.html"

For the complete article go to: http://snipurl.com/sxpb

NOTE: I do not think that this case is typical of dance studios in general, but as with any hobby, people should be careful not to spend more than they can afford. Consider your other needs before budgeting money for recreation.

Business Jets

I teach people how to fly business jets.
http://snipurl.com/svmw
This link has an interesting slide show with pictures of various types of business jets from around the world.

Animusic 2 - 02 - Pogo Sticks

Creative music video annimation on You Tube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1gaPEDdllU

Parade Magazine article on ballroom dance

Last Sunday’s Parade magazine, the insert magazine in Sunday newspaper, had an article on ballroom dancing. If you missed it, you can still read the on-line version by clicking this link. http://snipurl.com/srab

Dance Across America; July 2006 National Geographic Magazine

Feature article on dance in America in the July 2006 issue of National Geographic magazine.

The online edition includes a beautiful audio/visual presentation at: http://snipurl.com/sox4

"Por Una Cabeza"

Made famous to current generations by movies such as “Scent of a Woman,” and others, this tango was actually written for a much earlier movie by Carlos Gardel and Alfredo Le Pera in 1935. To see an interesting web site with the lyrics and an MP-3 audio clip of the song, as well as some of the history of this tune, click on the link to the right: "Por Una Cabeza" tango tune from the movie "Scent of a Woman."

If you just want to listen to the song, click this link:

http://snipurl.com/sm3u

Money does not buy happiness; it merely placates your misery

According to a recent survey, money really does not make people happier.

http://snipurl.com/sitf

Where to eat in Orlando

Three meals per day, why cook at home

• Breakfast at: Le Peep http://snipurl.com/siai

• Lunch at either:
• Julie’s Waterside http://snipurl.com/sia7
• Yellow Dog Eats http://snipurl.com/sia5

• Dinner at: Columbia http://snipurl.com/sia6

IQ and mental health testing on the streets

Have you ever noticed how much you can tell about the intelligence and mental health of people by the speed at which they drive their cars?

For example:

• Anyone in front of you who is driving slower than you would like to go is obviously an idiot.

• Anyone who passes you when you are clearly driving as fast as any prudent driver should be going, is obviously insane.

Would you like to waltz?

I started taking ballroom dance lessons about six months ago. It’s fun, good exercise, and provides something of a social life. I haven’t met any genuinely bad people on the dance floor; of course some dancers are better than others in more ways than one.

I probably won’t become a world champion dancer, but I enjoy learning new steps, and improving my skills on the dance floor. Thus far I’ve been in two ballroom dance competitions, and I’m pleased with my performance. Dancing is a fun hobby, and a social skill which I hope to continue using for many years to come.

http://www.pdsl.com/tbcat/000370.htm

Tango

Tango in Buenos Aires

(Argentina)

Tango is Argentine - danced first and best by immigrants in dismal brothels over a hundred years ago. And it clings to the air of Buenos Aires like the scent of marzipan to a cake tin.

It is a dance of sorrow and you must do it with passion, with intimacy, and with a mind empty of anything but that demanding beat. Turn on the 24-hour tango radio station, drink it in like fog, and, once the clock has struck midnight, walk down the wide Paris-like streets and join the Porteños. Catch an eye, old or young, rich or poor, fat or thin, and wrap your legs around them. Dance, with joy, all night.

Your Own Happiness

From The New Yorker

Grass fire in the Bai Long Valley, Viet Nam 1970

This was a grass fire, probably started by U.S. artillery, which nearly got into the perimeter of our night defensive position. Made for an interesting evening.

My Smiling Face

A recent ballroom dance competition

An Evolutionary History Of The World

An Evolutionary History of the world....

Humans existed as members of small bands of nomadic hunter/gatherers. They lived on deer in the mountains during the summer & would go to the coast and live on fish and lobster in winter. The 2 most important events in all of history were the invention of beer and the invention of the wheel. The wheel was invented to get man to the beer.. These were the foundation of modern civilization and together were the catalyst for the splitting of humanity into 2 distinct subgroups: Liberals and Conservatives.

Once beer was discovered it required grain and that was the beginning of agriculture. Neither the glass bottle nor aluminum can were invented yet, so while our early human ancestors were sitting around waiting for them to be invented, they just stayed close to the brewery. That's how villages were formed.

Some men spent their days tracking and killing animals to B-B-Q at night while they were drinking beer.. This was the beginning of what is known as "the Conservative movement."

Other men who were weaker and less skilled at hunting learned to live off the conservatives by showing up for the nightly B-B-Q's and doing the sewing, fetching and hair dressing. This was the beginning of the Liberal movement. Some of these liberal men eventually evolved into women. The rest became known as 'girliemen.'

Some noteworthy liberal achievements include the domestication of cats, the invention of group therapy and group hugs and the concept of Democratic voting to decide how to divide the meat and beer that conservatives provided. Over the years conservatives came to be symbolized by the largest, most powerful land animal on earth, the elephant. Liberals are symbolized by the jackass. Modern liberals like imported beer (with lime added), but most prefer white wine or imported bottled water. They eat raw fish but like their beef well done. Sushi, tofu, and French food are standard liberal fare. Another interesting revolutionary side note: most of their women have higher testosterone levels than their men. Most social workers, personal injury attorneys, journalists, dreamers in Hollywood and group therapists are liberals. Liberals invented the designated hitter rule because it wasn't "fair" to make the pitcher also bat. Conservatives drink domestic beer. They eat red meat and still provide for their women. Conservatives are big-game hunters, rodeo cowboys, lumberjacks, construction workers, firemen, medical doctors, police officers, corporate executives, Marines, athletes and generally anyone who works productively outside government. Conservatives who own companies hire other conservatives who want to work for a living.

Liberals produce little or nothing. They like to "govern" the producers and decide what to do with the production. Liberals believe Europeans are more enlightened than Americans. That is why most of the liberals remained in Europe when conservatives were coming to America. They crept in after the Wild West was tame and created a business of trying to get MORE for nothing.

Here ends today's lesson in world history:

It should be noted that a Liberal may have a momentary urge to respond to the above before simply laughing and forwarding it. A Conservative will be so convinced of the absolute truth of this history that it will be forwarded immediately to other "true believers."