April 14: The Pirates of Penzance: Andrew High School: Tinley Park, IL: Jazzercise instructor: Kim Vazzana McCulloch

On February 23 Jazzercise Instructor Kim Vazzana McCulloch suggested that I attend the production of “The Pirates of Penzance” at Andrew High School in Tinley Park, IL on April 14th, 15th, or 16th.  Kim’s choreography was to be featured, and she assured me that there would be a lot of dance numbers. – So I put my mind to it, and I took Kim up on that offer.

I have been stranded over the weekend in NJ or CT many times over the years, and when this happens, I typically ride the train into NY City to stroll around and to see a show.  I know all the tricks to getting dirt cheap theater tickets.  Here are a some of the musicals that I have seen on Broadway:  Young Frankenstein, Chicago, Rent, In the Heights, Spam a Lot, Xanadu, Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, Miss Saigon, and Swing.  I am not a show critic, but I think we can all agree I have seen some of the best talent in the world.

Kim (Vazz), you are a gift to those around you.  I thank you for having the time to teach Jazzercise.

This production at the Andrew High School was amazing.   As I watched, I wondered how it was possible to mold and prepare busy high school students to create such quality entertainment in a very short time.  Kim had the performers doing ballet and tap. --She had choreographed sword fights throughout.  ---  The young men lined up in a chorus line and performed eye high leg kicks. (This was a huge crowd pleaser.) -- There was a floor body roll--The entire show was action packed with dance.

The lead singers in this show need to be in an episode of Glee.  They seemed phenomenal to me.

This production left me just as satisfied as every production I have ever seen on Broadway.  I like to celebrate the artistic gifts of people.

Oh Vazz, I loved your creativity.  As each musical number unfolded, I enjoyed watching where and how you positioned the performers to develop the vision you had in your head for that music.  Good stuff!  You are talented!

Keep your eye on the calendar.  Kim (Vazz) said they do two shows a year.  If I lived in northern IL, two nights of the year, I would have date night at the Andrew High School in Tinley Park.  One does not need an attachment to these young people to appreciate this level of entertainment.

March 25: Amarillo: Jazzercise Fitness Center with Nessa

Nessa, I am trying to remember who gave me this towel.  I am wondering if it was you.
     I have stated in other posts that I like to go to Contra Dances.  In the Contra Dance world they have a generally rule of thumb about traveling to dances.  Habitually, it is thought that one should not drive to and from a dance more hours than the length of the dance itself.  However, with Jazzercise, I recurrently don’t follow this rule. --  I don’t really have a set rule on the lengths I will go for a jazzercise class.  If I think a class will give me attention, and if I think a class will appreciate my attention; then I will go as far as my personal energy and resource will allow to cultivate and to harvest this exchange of happy times.
     I have enjoyed receiving several posts from Nessa and Melea reminding me that I should remember to visit Amarillo.  I was enamored by their subtle persistence.  It made me feel good, and I was convinced that I would get the opportunity to give and receive attention.
     How many people would drive 12 extra hours to Jazzercise for 2 ½ hours?  --Well, not too many; but time and space are defined differently for me.     Yes, I could have used that 12 hours cleaning my messy little abode hear in Tennessee; but that’s not fun!  Jazzercise with Nessa is fun!
     Nessa opened a  Jazzercise Center, and I wanted to roll into Amarillo while it is still new and exciting for the Amarillo Jazzercisers.  The Jazzercise center of Amarillo has fantastic visibility from a major four lane intersection, and it is in a strip mall with a major anchor store.  The center has rectangular windows that stretch from the ground to the roof.  The front part of the primary aerobics room is encased in glass.  It looks great from the street. It seizes attention from other stores in the strip mall because the glass extends beyond the other store fronts.  Not only do they have one large aerobics room, but they also have a second for personal touch or other specialty classes.  They have a childcare room and a huge meeting room.

     Amarillo is the home of ten Cadillac’s buried hood down in a field along I-40.  Like every boat needs a good name, I’ll name the Cadillac’s:  Nessa Brinkley, Melea Joulet Ray, Kristi Noel Kendal, Tiffany Hunt, Jessica Tabor, Cindy Talkington, Lisa Bray, Alicia, Cristina Chase Canida, and Saiden.  Amarillo is an important city connecting the east to the west, and it is a great place to be.  I believe many will visit or pass through Amarillo on their summer vacation this year, and all should stop and see the Cadillac’s of Jazzercise at the Amarillo Jazzercise fitness Center.  It is so easy to find.


Jim, I had so much fun dancing with you! Thanks for making it up to Amarillo. :) I couldn't help it! I love that song, and Jim made a special trip for us!! So fun dancing with him!! (Melea) 
Melea, thank you, thank you:  Office clothes and all, we shared a Jazzercise moment.  This is the exchange I am talking about.  It is special.  And we have pictures to prove it!


He's so fun GiGi! He came through 6-7 years ago when I was at the church recreation center! YES...KEEP ON TRUCKIN'  (Nesa)
     Nessa, when I friend requested you, I wasn’t sure that you would even remember me.  I felt honored that you wanted me to come back.  It is fun to watch you teach Jazzercise.  You irradiate me!  And I enjoyed hearing you tell me about your center.  What a great crowd.  There were so many students that we could not get everybody squeezed into one picture.  Jazzercise is on the move in Amarillo.
     Jessica referred to my footwork as “hilarious”.   I enjoy this type of compliment.  Hey, I look funny to me too!  I don’t like watching videos of myself.  But Jessica, I like the way you “Loca”.  Thank you for the dance.
     Kristi Noel Kendall says, “Well behaved women rarely make history”.  It is on her facebook wall.  There are two great pictures of Kristi teaching on the Amarillo Jazzercise facebook page:  Kristi and Melea/ Kristi and Tiffany.  And then there is one with a chubby truck driver.  I’m just a lucky guy.  Do I deserve so much fun? I ain’t misbehaving.  I’ll be part of history by being near Kristi.  Great class!

     I guess I’ll have to post this and go to sleep.   I offer many thanks to every Jazzerciser from Amarillo, and a special thanks to the Cadillac Ten.  I'll drive 24 hours for this kind of fun. It means a lot to mel

Jazzercise: Paducah, KY-3/29: Geist, IN-3/12: Denton, TX-3/22: Bethel Park, PA -4/5/2011: Happy Feet

Tunisia Trip: Feb 26-Mar 6- Rocky Start - I'm still alive - So It was a good trip!

Walking the streets at night in the Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia





North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial Mar 2

One thing that is always heavy on my mind is the memory of people. I don't believe in forgotten people, but it is so hard to keep people alive. Years lead to decades which lead to generations. Soon people become but a name on a tombstone, if that; and this bothers me.

Every person is a gift to this world.

I have always been one to take many pictures and many videos. I took pictures of Kelli regularly when she wasn't looking, and I am faithful about documenting myself with pictures. In fact, some day when my laptop is opened; much will be learned about Kelli, myself, and others. I have pictures saved at home, on the road, and in a safety deposit box. I hope digital media weathers the test of time.

Kelli doesn't have any children. She only has one brother. She has one neice, Sarah.  She has one grand neice who was born last month, and she has one grand nephew that was born just before she passed away. Without my videos, Kelli may quickly drift away to be a forgotten personality. I know her grand neice and nephew will one day know her name. Her bother and sister-in-law and Sarah will ensure that. But the videos will help them know her personality.

Today I went to the North Africa America Cemetery and Memorial in Tunisia.

I wish there was some way that I could make the people named on those tombstones talk and tell about their journey in life.

2841 Us military personnel from World War II lie at rest there, and 3724 names of missing persons are memorialized on a wall of tablets. All of those individuals died within the North Africa region during WW II.

It would be great if one could bring forth a video that would be reflective of each individual's smiles, laughters, desires, dreams, hopes and fears. It saddens me that, although we can love each name for the gift that they gave to their country, we cannot get to know each individual that gave those lives.

While at the cemetery, I decided that I want to display one name on my facebook wall. I chose a woman since most of my facebook friends are women.


I searched the "Wall of the Missing" and found Bonnie L Williams. Bonnie was a private first class from Kansas. Bonnie was a member of the Women's Army Corp. On the internet I found that she died when her military transport aircraft crashed off of the Ivory Coast of Africa on May 30, 1945. Seventeen additional women and three additional crew members died at sea. Their bodies were never recovered.

Bonnie, I accept the sacrifice of your life as a gift to this world; but I wish I knew more about your other gifts and talents. Did you dance? If so, someway, somehow, dance your spirit around North Africa and around the USA one time for me and my friends.

And to my Facebook friends, put your camera on record! We have this technology. Let the future know our personalities,  and let them know we were a gift to this world!