Happy New Year!

Already used Nina Simone's version in Sheryl's video....but still love hearing this song; and finding another good cover, I was so inspired to make this video. And since Darryl's birthday is tomorrow, I made it Darryl-centric.

Happy New Year, Everyone!

And Happy Birthday (tomorrow), Darryl!

Real Men Wear Gymnastics Tights

It was so easy then...

SMGC summer camp 2006:

Linda and Carol working "9 to 5" at SMGC

One of those video projects in my mind that finally cleared the shelves:




I'm worried though, I may find even better footage to insert into the video at a later date. So hard to know what I have where, sitting around in the archives.

Kort Gets a Baby for Christmas

Thea got the head coach of Broadway Gym a baby doll for Christmas:

Pass It On

Hooked on Brooke

Back at SMGC, I was teaching this new girl, Alyssa, in beg/adv. Throughout the class, I'd hear from nearby across the gym at another station, "Pssst....Alyssa"....and this cute little rugrat would wave to her sister. She did that every week, getting Alyssa's attention while in the middle of her own class. One day, I decided to shout out "Hey Brooke" and wave to Alyssa's sister, like I knew her, while she was in the middle of her own class. Just to mimic and throw her off. I hadn't officially met the kid yet and she looked over with a slightly confused look on her face. The following week, I was in the splits, stretching with Alyssa's class. Brooke's class hadn't started yet, and she wanders over to the floor and, without a single word, wraps her arms around me with the warmest hug while I was sitting there in the splits. She's had my heart wrapped around her, ever since.

Brooke had a bit of a tough adjustment to make, going from rec class at SMGC/LASG to a team developmental program at BGS. She misses the pits and the play and the more relaxed atmosphere of recreational gymnastics (and her friend Lexi, who remains at LASG).

Selfishly, I'm glad she followed me (didn't encourage her to), although I'd be happy for her wherever she is happiest. As far as I can tell though, she's happiest around me; and her mom says it's why they ended up coming to Broadway Gym. (^_^)

So You Think She Can't Dance?!

Dance and a sense of performance and presentation have never come naturally to Thea. But Tuesday, she received her second floor routine private with Leah Homma. And....wow! Amazing transformation happening.

Thea still doesn't look like she's "dancing" the movements (of course, part of it is that she's still just learning and acquiring the routine); but what Leah is great at is her emphasis on hitting positions and poses, which sort of masks the deficiencies.




Actually, much of what I see in women's gymnastics looks rather technically wooden and robotic to me...fake smiles and bad "acting", rather than performed expressively and effused with passion and personality. But maybe that's just me....

Oksana Omeliantchik, in my opinion, remains one of the most expressive and joyous gymnasts to watch. She sets the bar on what a floor routine could and should be like, as a performance. Especially noticeable during close-ups where you can see her facial expressions, from a raised eyebrow here and an elfin grin there.




Too bad there aren't more closeups during her dance, than what we get at the beginning of this clip.