My father, the inventor.

Yesterday, after another invigorating zumba class, I stopped by my parent's house to pick up some mail and see my dad for a bit (Mom is in Florida visiting her youngest brother, Jody). 

I noticed a pair of bungees hanging from the second-story balcony when I walked in, but I just shook my head as I passed them on the way to the beans and sausage on the stove.  (The smell of it was divine)  I helped myself to a bowl and chatted with a customer service woman on the phone -Dad couldn't understand her through the accent, so I was the interpreter... explaining the problem of a lost package.

After finishing my meal, and determining that we had been speaking to the wrong department for a while on the phone, Dad offered an explanation for the bungees.

"Want to see my traction device?"
"I was wondering about those bungees... I was afraid it was something like that."
"Yeah, it beats spending $3500 for the chiropractor to fix me...so I just use it for about an hour a day... look at this..."

I watched, slightly horrified, as my father strapped a belt and a couple bungees around his head... it looked a bit morbid, but he seemed content with his contraption.  He noted the ease of movement of his neck and smiled at me...."You want to try it?"  I paused, looked at the way the bungee hooks seemed to dig straight into his head, and answered in a single word, "Yes."

 

Bollywood Take 2

Today was the second rehearsal for the Bollywood fashion show.  The first part was just a review of last week, and the second half was a quick put-together of a finale.

It's really funny to me how difficult some people make the process.  I am so used to working with professionals... where silence is golden and you hang on the choreographer's every word.  Most of the participants are new to the performance game- this is just something fun for them to participate in.  I am all for fun participation, but it astounds me how some people speak during direction and scoff at what they're told- it makes the process so much longer and more redundant.  ::shrug:: I will just remain the silent listener and see how the show develops.

On a side note, I was asked to perform a Bollywood dance for a wedding in New Orleans on April 8-9... I had to regretfully decline, because I will be shooting a wedding here in Houston on the 9th.  I gave them my card, so they could keep me on file, but shucks... that would have been great!  The bride is white, so they were really hoping I could participate to sort of represent her in the dancing... hopefully they'll ask me to join in other dance events around town.

Also, I was asked to possibly photograph the event after I walk in the fashion show on March 20th... :)  It is the festival of colors, so I should be able to take some really vibrant photos!

*Funny note* I was asked if I understood Hindi... half the direction is in English, half in Hindi... I guess I fake it well enough- lol

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Today I went to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo!  Aunt Linda and Uncle Bob found themselves in the possession of 6 tickets to go see Sugarland, so I -along with my friend, Dezarae- were able to tag along!  We arrived, ate a loaded baked potato and funnel cake, and sat down to watch the cowboys ride!

After some heart-pumping action, Sugarland took the stage and gave an amazing performance.  It's events like these that make me glad I'm from H-town.  :)  ..a little bit of country meets city.

Our stadium converts into a rodeo utopia!

Linda asked me to take this pic- Bob's company is a rodeo sponsor

Bullfighters work as clowns to help the riders dismount after they ride-

Buckin' broncos and ragin' bulls!

Covered wagon races!

The teens getting ready for the calf scramble...

...catch a calf and you get to raise one!

Sheep readying themselves for the kiddos-

My favorite part- the mutton bustin'!

5 year olds hang on for a wild ride!

Yep... we do fireworks INSIDE!

Sugarland was AMAZING!

Jennifer and Kristian were completely dynamic

Check out this great vid to learn a little rodeo history: http://sugarlandmusic.com/news/26383

Zumba

Today I attended my first zumba class with my mother at the John Wesley United Methodist church.

To be honest, I thought it would be a bit easier than it actually was.  It was basically an hour of aerobics with a song on each end to warm-up/ cool-down.  I thoroughly enjoyed the workout and was a bit surprised at how hard my heart was pumping... way to go zumba... you had me red as a tomato and sweaty as a fat kid in a sauna.  :)

PS- Classes are only $6 (or 10 for $40), everyone should try it at least once!