My Blog

Where I'm at (online)

asim — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:48:41 GMT

An update of the online services I use. PLEASE, if you want to keep in touch, add me on as many as you wish! APOSTATE: http://apostate.raqsstorm.org My (mostly) dance blog. Kinda on hiatus at the moment. LiveJournal: http://asim.livejournal.com MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/wjhill Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=500016622&ref=name LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/wjhill Twitter: http://twitter.com/raqsasim LibraryThing: http://www.librarything.com/profile/asim Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/asim/ Last.FM (Music): http://www.last.fm/user/raqsasim/ YouTube: http://youtube.com/profile?user=raqsasim del.icio.us (Links): http://del.icio.us/rss/asim

Friend my Brother

asim — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:03:05 GMT

Marcus, my one and only brother, finally joined Tribe: http://people.tribe.net/bba37caa-1584-42c6-bbd6-26db43cbdae7 Feel free to friend him. Among other things, he's a pretty kick-ass drummer. :)

Dance class followup

asim — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:56:29 GMT

Who says I don't listen to my friends? :) So, the decision's made -- once I get out of my current project set, I'm going to teach dance, once again. And, and I just posted on APOSTATE about, I will charge: http://apostate.raqsstorm.org/the-price-of-free.html I also have developed details that some of you have seen, but I'm not quite willing to make public, yet. Suffice to say I'm putting a lot of time and effort into making this class not just effective, but _different_. I want dancers to walk away from just one 8-week session changed, and for the better. That said, I might be taking some folks up of their offers of advice. More to come....

Teaching Bellydance in a SCA context: Advice?

asim — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:06:21 GMT

Hey folks, Sorry if you see this in more than one place, but I know some of you read me, and not the tribes I'll be posting this to. I've been asked, once again, to teach bellydance for local Scaidans. The issue at hand is, of course, how to keep them "on the farm" -- that is to say, active and interested. I'm not interested in teaching for a lark, or for something to fill a hour timeslot It'll be an "intensive", with homework, and lots of practice, and drills -- the whole nine years. They can expect to learn both modern and period Arabic musical structure, sagat(zill) work, historical information on the dance, as well as just plain dance steps. But I know folks. They'll show up, and because the tradition in the SCA is to teach for Free, they'll wander in and out. And I do want people who'll focus on at least one session, and come in with the understanding that they'll have to spend a good bit of time to learn it properly. And if that means no one'll show up, well, that means I get at least two nights per week to spend on my own dancing. :) So. Anyone dealt with this? Any advice on how I can make it happen?

On the supposed demise of Tribe.net

asim — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 12:32:45 GMT

I'll say this, and I say it as someone who's been on the net for *mumbly mumble* years now, and works on systems for a living. Don't get off Tribe. But DO expand your connections. You'll notice I recently posted for RealSpace contact info: http://people.tribe.net/asim/blog/2d61c7b3-ec5c-4af3-a0e7-1d31f8a71313 As much as that was about my lost phone, it's also about the simple fact that you want to have ways to communicate. I'll confess that I've always despised the small-minded layout and functionality here; crappy blogging tools, an "Inbox" that's cramped to look at and work with, and pages that take ages to load up on my system. I also encourage people to email me over sending me a damned Tribe msg, and I encourage you folks to do the same. As for the many tribes, the connections, the information, I would morn it's loss, just as I morn the loss of the archives of the med-dance list. As someone who aches for dancers to "write crap down", I hate to lose any source of connections and information. And yet, I've observed the forces that caused the rise of Tribe.net as a place for dancers to concentrate and collect. I've watched the evolution of this space; I've had an account on here since before there was a dancer presence of any size, and am still amazed at how many sub-groups "we" own, here. And I know that what they say on Battlestar Galactica has a ring of truth: This has all happened before, and will happen again.

Crazy times

asim — Sun, 13 May 2007 18:30:23 GMT

My thanks to everyone who thanked me on my Laureling. Sorry I couldn't respond, but it was jumping from busy with that to busy with Pennsic University, as well as another project, of a sort... So here's pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/baital/sets/72157600207764775/ And here's my love. :) Hope everyone's having a great Mother's Day!

Yes, the rumors are true...

asim — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 13:27:13 GMT

I'm a Baby Laurel now. :) For more, including "WTF is a Laurel?", see: http://asim.livejournal.com/266863.html

The Latest Tribe.net buyout rumor...

asim — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:31:45 GMT

...bought by _Cisco_? WTF? From TechCrunch ( http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/03/02/tribe-gets-aquired-for-real-this-time/ ): "the New York Times is reporting that the assets of the eight person company have been acquired by Cisco. This follows their acquisition of Five Across, a social networking infrastructure service, two weeks ago. The hope is to use the two company’s technology to help Cisco’s corporate clients build their own social networks, so it isn’t clear whether or not the Tribe service itself will live on." The NYT article is at: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/03/technology/03social.html?ex=1330664400&en=871a4464418c32af&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink You Have Been Warned. *smirk*

Valentinr

asim — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 13:42:52 GMT

Oh, this could be fun. Cross-posted a few places: http://wishroll.com/valentinr/asim

Xmas without JB.

asim — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 15:38:14 GMT

...I wrote about the influence James Brown had on my dancing at APOSTATE: http://apostate.raqsstorm.org/?p=56 Is everyone having a good Christmas? I hope so. I miss a bunch of ya. :)

My video is UP!

asim — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 13:55:49 GMT

[Crossposted like mad] Finally -- you can watch it from APOSTATE: http://apostate.raqsstorm.org/?p=55 Where I also talk -- a lot! -- about my approach to the material, and my observations on the dance, one month removed. Think of it as the Docs on my dancing. :) If you just want to see the video, it's now embedded into my Profile here on Tribe.net. As I keep saying, comments welcome, constructive criticism is loved, and Reposting makes you a Saint.

Waiting for Godot.

asim — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 12:01:08 GMT

...since I've had folks ask -- no, I've not gotten the DVD yet, so nope, no performance on YouTube, yet. To mollify the crowd, I throw you a bone that I just posted on my LJ -- the performance of "And I am Telling You" from the '82 Tonys, which I had heard about, but never seen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC_u_q-iND0&eurl= Amazing. Chilling. Deep.

Where is my Mind...er, My Video?

asim — Fri, 15 Dec 2006 12:08:18 GMT

Waiting. Waiting to hear back from folks. Waiting to move plans into high drive. Most importantly for the folks on here, waiting for a Certain Someone's DVD of a Certain Show, so I can show you guys my dancing! I'm hoping it arrives today, and that the tools I have on-hand can get it wedged into YouTube right proper. OTOH, I have a Most Excellent Christmas Party to look forward to. Two, in fact, with another, decidedly not-so-christmasy party Sunday night...*evil grin* As a side note, I had an alternative view of YouTube mentioned to me on another online fora yesterday. And I guess I'm just too TechnoGeek to grasp it. For me, the Web, and YouTube, are really about "spreading the word". The video quality, the production values, etc. on YouTube are just right for what it is, for most dancers -- a tease, an introduction to the world of your talents and abilities. It is, for now, the single best place to showcase your skills, and I'm amazed more dancers haven't see that, yet. And hopefully, you guys will get to see me, warts and all, soon! Are you ready? (YEA!)

Asim Dances Again!

asim — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 12:23:11 GMT

[Cross-posted] I've not danced on-stage in nearly 2 years. In 2 weeks, in Asheville, I get up on it. Details, and links to more info at: http://apostate.raqsstorm.org/?p=48 Need even more info? Drop me a line. See you there.

Finding Musicians on Tribe Testimonial

asim — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 12:36:51 GMT

Not to be shilling for Tribe.net, but -- I know a lot of dancers, and dance groups, looking for musicians. I was intrigued by this post off the "Tribe for Business" group: http://blog.tribe.net/thread/3de111e0-20e7-4db9-8b87-9e53f63e6194 The money quote: "'Most importantly, Tribe has enabled me to find quality musicians. I have had so many musicians respond to my posts on Tribe and they have been wonderful. I have also used My Space to find musicians, and almost everyone who came to me through My Space flaked on me by not showing up the night they were scheduled. Everyone who came to me through Tribe was responsible, showed up on time and kicked ass. I have used Tribe to connect with musicians integral to my yoga business and it has been wonderful.'" The person quoted runs the amazingly cool-sounding Punk Rock Yoga studio -- http://www.punkrockyoga.com/ .

Online music source: My Pandora Stations

asim — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 11:46:57 GMT

Thanks to Notecrusher over at Myspace, I realized my Pandora stations were broken, and fixed them, So, for those interested in some of my musical choices, of a sort, here's some clues: http://www.pandora.com/?sc=sh19653637202525180 -- Weaponized : Hip Hop, Clubtronica, Ball-Bustin' Beats http://www.pandora.com/?sc=sh19655823340878844 -- Off the Reservation : Alt Country & Rock for the Thinkin' Man http://www.pandora.com/?sc=sh162049116093436 -- Raqsstorm Radio : Ethnic Beat Monster http://www.pandora.com/?sc=sh112815085625293820 -- The Long Hello : Sublimated Rhythm Because of the way Pandora's algorithms choose music some stations go "off the rails" -- the small selection of high-energy Eastern mssic means I spend a lot of time voting on music on Raqsstorm radio, for example. Yet, I've found some new stuff through all these services, and you might like a listen or three. :)

Suhaila verses the SCA

asim — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 12:42:02 GMT

...I just wanted to say for the record, that being in both the SCA and raqs shaquri is hard, damned hard. I made a promise to myself, a long time ago, to keep teaching in the SCA if I did nothing else. And a promise, earlier this year, to improve my dance study, because I'm still slacking off. And the two conflict like mad. The latest was my realization that the next big SCA teaching bit is really close to me. It's also the same weekend as a local Suhaila seminar. And one of the promises I made in order to improve my study was to focus on gaining Level 1 Suhaila certification. It's a hard call, but not a hard decision. As sad as it makes me to say it, I can teach another time. It's much harder for me to learn from Suhaila.

Love and Apostasy.

asim — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 11:16:06 GMT

[Cross-posted to MySpace and...elsewhere.] First, I want to post this around: http://community.livejournal.com/bellydancing/1711887.html It's my post about a film. The documentary I link to in that is a powerful story of why raqs/"bellydance" is so important, and special. I really am lucky to have fallen into such a healing dance, and this film shows you why it's so. And then, I rain on my own parade: http://apostate.raqsstorm.org/?p=42 Can't have you guys think I'm going soft, right? :)

Wanna know what I listen to?

asim — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 14:41:04 GMT

...so I suspect I'll be using this blog mostly for Tribe-focused content. Such as: So, wanna know what kind of music I listen to? Take a look at my profile: http://people.tribe.net/asim Under "Nobody Smilin'" *, there's a link-list of my last ten songs; it tracks me playing from my work and home systems, so it's a good indication of the stuff I listen to (when I do; I'm bad about going days without playing anything, usually if I'm thinking about something...." The links go to my "Last.FM" profile, which has tons of information on my listening habits. It's not everything -- I tend to listen to WDAV/Classical at home, for cooking and reading, etc., for one. But if you see something you'd like to know more about, feel free to drop me a line! As a hint, here's my current "Top Ten", based on number of plays: Muslimgauze MC Frontalot DJ /rupture Nettle Danger Doom Pest The Streets Christopher O'Riley The Avalanches Portishead * 20 points if you can name the artist that made that phrase popular...

On APOSTATE.

asim — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:19:56 GMT

...but I really don't post much, here. Last week, I posted on MySpace to go look at APOSTATE. And it occurs to me now that folks on here might not see the APOSTATE feed on my Tribe profile page. So go here: http://apostate.raqsstorm.org/ If you like reading about dance; I try to write about aspects of raqs shaquri and related forms in ways that others haven't tackled, to my knowledge. I work hard to push the ragged edge of what can be discussed, while balancing the need to not just be a agitator, to be intelligent about my thoughts and critiques. I'd love some ongoing commentary and criticism. And if you want to know when more is coming, the RSS and email subscription/notification information for APOSTATE is in the upper-right hand corner of the page in question.

"Never heard of the word Impossible."

asim — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 02:25:46 GMT

Class updates are almost done! WHEW! Anyway. I've been in a mood...and I ran up on a post that was a dark mirror of my mood. For my 2nd reply, I said something that I'd like to excerpt here, if ya'll don't mind. :) "It's NEVER IMPOSSIBLE. The mere fact that we two black gentlemen of leisure are able to dance, to get around as dancers, and to exist as men in a heavily female-oriented form is proof positive not of miracles, but of the intensity of the human spirit, the rightness of our cause, and the fundamental power of art to transform lives and the world. I have never felt a door close, but that not only another opened, but that the door which closed did eventually open for me...or ended up sealed shut due to disuse and rust." Picture attached is of my new instructor, Jenny, a once-and-future member of Devyani. The wheels keep turning...and the set this came from is at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/asim/sets/72157594164594176/

Serenity: The MST3K Version

asim — Mon, 22 May 2006 11:55:58 GMT

http://eric261.tripod.com/mst3kserenity/mst3kserenity.html That's right -- Mike and the 'bots take on the best Science Fiction movie since.....since PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE! =================================== MAL: Did the primary buffer panel just fall off my gorram ship for no apparent reason? TOM: Now, which one's Luke Skywalker again? MIKE: No, Tom, you're thinking of a different franchise. TOM: Huh? MIKE: It's a different movie. TOM: Are you sure? MIKE: Ohhhh, I'm VERY sure.

I'm not actually here.

asim — Fri, 05 May 2006 01:04:49 GMT

I'm just passing through, trying to collect up some data, catch up on a few things... ...and figure out how, with me gone a month+ from her, I got all these cool new friends to add. You people are weird, but I love ya still. :) I've added a couple of things. Might add more as the mood strikes me hard. Bonus photo of Zi'ah, the FreshMaker, is attached, and part of a set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/asim/sets/72057594112794855/

"Call it what you want/I call it messin' with the Kid"

asim — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 12:43:04 GMT

So, a lot of interesting stuff happened this weekend, mostly on Sat. But, perhaps, the bit the struck me the hardest was meeting the Kid. Let me explain, but being a bit egotistical, and talking about myself for a moment. Music, not dance, was my first love of a sort, and grafted into my DNA by my mother. There's a lot of "use to" in that -- used to sight-read music, used to have a decent range for a kid, used to not kill flowers at 50 paces with my vocal chords...it's hard for me to express how much I miss all that. It really is. Exuent the Mozart sing-along, which went great, in no small part thanks to running into Catherine and her husband Bob. Catherine is an old friend, who met me when she recommended me (via her then-boyfriend) for a job in some city named Charlotte. Yes, it's her fault I'm here, but please, no letter bombs -- she knew not what she was unleashing upon an innocent city! Anyway, we're standing in the foyer, and I'm getting camera pics of the cake w/250 candles (since it's 250 years since the Big M was born!). A Black lady asked me to get a snap from her camera phone, so I reach up to take the shot, only to realize I have no bloody idea how to work her camera to take a shot, and worse, it's not obvious at all. She encourages me to try, and starts talking to her son to ask him if he knew, which he didn't. So I'm buggered. And then I'm flabbergasted. When did she tell me about the singing bit? I don't know. But this young black kid, from what appears to be a single mom*, sings in the church choir. And has an afro, like I did back in my youth, which is even sadder than it was back then. So I start taking to the kid, who's also really shy like I was, back then, yet his response has a measure of pride, like I had about my music, back then. My heart starts to twist, just a bit. Then his mom, bursting with pride, tells me he works in a program that the North Carolina Dance Alliance sponsors. And, deep inside, two parts of me starts to crumble. One part has seen too many of these kids, promising young black artists, jumping ship, leaving, flunking out because of the worst kinds of peer pressure. The pressure in the black community to be a useless sponge on humanity is deafing. And I want to say something, to be a counterbalance, to tell him that you should stay the path of art, to listen to that inner voice, because you will be happier in the long run... ...but what the hell can you say? Really? All you can do, in that moment in front of him, is praise him. A second of re-enforcement, from one artist to another. You can tell your second crumbling part, when you walk away, that you looked at your better-than-mirror image. And that you might, just might, have made him out to be something he's not, something more like you. And, on the long drive home from Davidson College, as you start to quietly fall to pieces, tell yourself that the tears hiding in the back of your eyes are for him, and not for what you think you've lost. You can tell yourself, once again, that you wish the tears would just come out. Music hath charms...

Well, Crap

asim — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 03:14:38 GMT

Too many changes to count. Amongst those I can speak on in public, I've started the official inquires as to me running Middle Eastern Dance classes for Pennsic, once again. Keep fingers crossed, please. :) I'm still not quote sure what I'd blog here for, when I have two perfectly serviceable blogs that I don't spend enough time on, anyway. If I could aggregate my posts, I would. Goodness knows the Tribe setup is a damn sight simpler. Am shilling for Rachel Brice in Charlotte in Jan. Have managed to totally overbook my house (yipe!) Waiting for feedback before moving forward with Plan B on that count....