My Blog

who saw the Queen Mary 2 in SF???

sooozhyq — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 19:00:25 GMT

thanks Jason Unbound for blogging about the QM2 in SF otherwise I would have missed it completely. Cliff and I went down to Pier 27 after dinner last night to see the ship. I was really blown away...not prepared at all for how massive it is. Did anyone else see it? Where did you see it from? It would have been incredible to watch it pass under the GG Bridge!!!

give me Sanctuary

sooozhyq — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 12:35:59 GMT

thank you thank you Mara for recommending that, while on the island of Koh Pha Ngan, that I stay at The Sanctuary has certain elements of Harbin Hot Springs drum circles massage and steam (wellness) belly dance classes incredible people breathtaking beach bungalows in the trees fire dancers fantastic community amidt the seclusion check out the pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sooozhyq/sets/72157594497855691/ staying for only a few days is a feat in and of itself make sure if you go to leave plenty of time for sanctuary...

island time! arrived in Koh Samui...

sooozhyq — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 12:21:38 GMT

i've arrived on Koh Samui - sleeper car for the train ride down here, then bus/ferry to the island. spent the last day before leaving on a tour to Ayuthaya - it was the former capitol of Thailand. it was invaded by the Burmese more than once (because they were jealous of Thai wealth, the tour guide told us). In 1763 the king moved the capitol down river to Bangkok. Scott and Heather, a lovely couple from Canada, got me hooked up on the tour through their hotel. I met them in the Tokyo airport and we kept in touch via email. I even ran into them one night on the street, if you can believe it (the city is only 8 million people or so). here are a couple more learnings for ya: 1 - i like tuk-tuk rides (motorized rickshaw sort of thing) more than I should. In a future lifetime i might have the nerve to drive on ein Bangkok. 2 - Thai people are so thin for loving food so much! 3 - Humidity is *great* for my hair! 4 - If it is raining really hard, go get a massage. thanks everybody for the last set of blog responses. By the way, Cliff is great travel support - he set his alarm to wake up at 1:30am PST to IM with me. What a doll!!! Per Sandi and others that have commented - I am *definitely* being careful with my posessions. Good thing I'm hyperaware with my personal space. it's very hard to sneak up on me, unless you are a very crafty monkey indeed! will post more soon! lotsa luv Susie

quick blog - Bangkok Day 2 pics

sooozhyq — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 09:50:29 GMT

well, time is short - gotta hop a train down south and go island hopping. just gotta!!! (no arm twisting required here). here's some things i've learned while in Bangkok: 1 - everything tastes better with fish sause 2 - as soon as you get off the plane, get a foot massage 3 - you can set up an outdoor kitchen just about anywhere 4 - travel by water whenver you can check out dem pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sooozhyq/sets/72157594484801755/ more to come, drop me a line when you git time!

first day in Bangkok

sooozhyq — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 09:31:17 GMT

21 hours in flight got a good night's sleep and then hit the streets took the water taxi down river to see the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew - huge complexes, incredibly ornate then a yummy lunch at Rub Aroon - the first Tom Yum of the trip (definitely worth writing home about) Then to Wat Pho - the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok with the longest reclining Buddha and largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand. the pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sooozhyq/sets/72157594482556927/ now I'm tired - dip in the swimming pool back at the hotel and then fall down!

SAHARA NYE party on Nitevibe top NYE party list

sooozhyq — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 00:07:40 GMT

thanks to the Nitevibe crew for including the SAHARA: NYE EXTRAVAGANZA party in it's list of top New Years events in San Francisco.... if you haven't made your plans yet, come down to South Of Market and join us. Not only is the lineup spectacular and the atmosphere divine, but we are also raising money for the beautiful children living in Darfur, Sudan. They need your help!!! link to the event details and ticketing information: http://sfsahara.com/

hook me up at Full Moon Party, Thailand

sooozhyq — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 21:36:15 GMT

can you help me out??? I may be going to the Full Moon party in Koh Samui Thailand this December. I got it in my head last night that I should try to hook up a gig for myself there. Bring my darbuka over and lay down some beats!!! Does anyone know a promoter of the event, or a dj in the lineup for this December's party, who I can get in touch with? I would love love love to perform in Thailand!! have drum and a microphone - will travel!!! danke! Susie

CLARIFICATION: the lineup for Amira 9/30...last supper

sooozhyq — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 23:20:07 GMT

Hi everybody... after talking to a couple of folks it's clear that my listing about my last night at Amira was easily misunderstood. ***there is no special lineup*** The dancers will be Nanna and Krista. The musicians will be Mary Ellen, Saed and myself. The many incredibly talented dancers and musicians included in my listing are people i've played with over the years and i wanted to remember/thank for the great times!! I'd like to add Terry Holgate to that list, and apologize to anyone I forgot... lots of love Susie

who is coming to Amira 9/30 for our "last supper"?

sooozhyq — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 23:16:28 GMT

give a holler if you think you are going to make it to Amira for the final night of live music and dance... here is more info: http://sanfrancisco.tribe.net/event/Sat-930-final-night-for-live-music-belly-dance-at-Amira-SF/san-francisco-ca/2680b3f0-a650-49ac-9205-e29d9fdd2acf?nextpage=http%3A%2F%2Fsanfrancisco.tribe.net%2Ftemplate%2FHomeListings.vm

8/25 Triple Power: Debut SooozhyQ

sooozhyq — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 05:28:11 GMT

yes eeets trueee! Deep deep thanks to Giamma and Shanti Veteran TRIPLE POWER residents who rock my world every frickin' time for giving me a Triple Power Residance of my very own!!! check out the details, plus sentimental expressions of joy... http://sanfrancisco.tribe.net/event/825-Triple-Power-Debut-Sooozhyqthe-Roof-is-on-Fire/san-francisco-ca/201982d2-fdfe-4cc4-a60b-61125af11e6e?nextpage=http%3A%2F%2Fsanfrancisco.tribe.net%2Ftemplate%2FHomeListings.vm Featuring Ellen "no booty gets out alive" Ferrato and August III on the decks Giamma will rock it double hard (Shanti is representin' up at BRC)

i've been tagged (by Amar) - you could be next...

sooozhyq — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 15:19:23 GMT

okay....alright...i can play along ;-) here are the so-called tagging rules: RULES - Once you've been tagged, you have to write a blog with 8 facts/things/habits about yourself, saying who tagged you. In the end you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. No tag backs. (now i've seen some posts saying you have to tag 8 people, and other numbers in there as well - which makes this My kind of game - Break the rules - Yeah! - there are so many posts now I can't keep up with who's been tagged or not, so i'll do 8 in case I double a couple. Heck, maybe more. yeah - whuatevah!) Sooozhyq hereby tags the following peeps: Cera Faisal Elinor Giamma Marcurial Momo Sandi Sharona Fact 1 - i have this *secret* fetish for bad-ass monkeys Fact 2 - I live down the street, literally, from the hospital where I was born Fact 3 - I only prayed one time in my life. I was standing at the Western Wall (Kotel) in Jerusalem and I prayed for peace and happiness for everyone (so you're covered) Fact 4 - I actually, honestly, and truly love my job. No joke. Fact 5 - If it has marzipan in it, I will eat it. If it has eggplant in it, and you are not Robin Carlson, I won't eat it. Fact 6 - When I was little I wanted to be an airline pilot like me dad! Fact 7 - I have a really bad temper. I have a lot of patience, but when i blow, I BLOW! Please...don't take me there! Fact 8 - I don't ever wanna grow up, but if I do I am going to become a puppeteer

belly weekend in Oregon

sooozhyq — Mon, 29 May 2006 23:57:41 GMT

road trip with Amar, Fred, Layla and Jeffe. who needs sleep - where's the next belly dance event??? three sets of pics: 1 - i had to make a set just of Frederique pics. Just hadta. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sooozhyq/sets/72157594149095162/ 2 - East Meets West event in Portland, Oregon. Get yourself acquainted. Serpentine - yow!!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/sooozhyq/sets/72157594149101617/ 3 - Global Infusion - Eugene, Oregon's first fusion event hosted by DJ Layla. She is my favorite human dynamo! Includes pictures of us getting ready for various events, eating breakfast, Cinco the cat, etc. etc. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sooozhyq/sets/72157594149016760/

sooozhyq's pics from Tribal Fest '06

sooozhyq — Tue, 23 May 2006 05:41:41 GMT

thank you everyone. I have never been to Tribal Fest before and I realize how much work people put into getting ready for this event. It was my pleasure to be there and to share these photos with you Day 1: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32722825@N00/sets/72057594142704774/ Day 2: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32722825@N00/sets/72057594142732136/ It was hard to pick just one picture to post with this listing, but I had to pick this one of Liz Strong - there is just something in the way you move Liz! Perhaps it is my love of things Turkish....and what naturally comes out of you!!!!

Giamma's birthday - tell him how much ya luv him!

sooozhyq — Sat, 13 May 2006 22:55:27 GMT

he is a great friend and a wonderful partner in crime Happy 44th Giamma - keep rockin' it!

pix from Italian Job and How Weird - same weekend?

sooozhyq — Mon, 08 May 2006 04:15:35 GMT

such different social scenes in such a short period of time. I love chamelonic social maneouvers - being able to transition from one scene to the next, one costume to the next, from one sense of etiquette to the next. check out da pix: Italian Job: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32722825@N00/sets/72057594128624267/ How Weird: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32722825@N00/sets/72057594128553311/

pix from Sounds of Solace

sooozhyq — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 22:52:46 GMT

once again i gave my camera a workout! why oh why did i not bring an extra battery? How silly...!!! check out my photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32722825@N00/sets/72057594099634547/ Thank you Amar and Frederique for making this great show happen. All dancers and musicians were a feast for the senses. Not to play favorites, but Ruben's drumming kicked serious butt!! I'm inspired. How soon can I go to Rotterdam for a lesson?

2/22 vigil SF 5:30pm - Stop Wiretapping Now!

sooozhyq — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 19:15:57 GMT

Moveon.org and Reverand Judy Tergis are sponsoring this vigil to protest Bush's illegal wiretapping program and motivate Congress to do something about it!!! Wednesday February 22nd @ 5:30pm Justin Herman Plaza details and registration here: http://political.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=7971

MCRai CD release party pix

sooozhyq — Sun, 29 Jan 2006 23:22:09 GMT

check out my pix on flickr! http://www.flickr.com/photos/32722825@N00/sets/72057594055519892/ the shout out list is long on this one.... suffice to say - another great indicator that 2006 has kicked in full force hats off to all

dual action birthday pics

sooozhyq — Wed, 23 Nov 2005 02:48:11 GMT

flickr...where else http://www.flickr.com/photos/32722825@N00/sets/1419361/ excellent combination of photography and friendly visitations from those able to make the trek out to the Richmond district. thanks for supporting my friend Geoff Diesel's artist reception - it was awfully crowded there fora while. birfdey par-tay - Amar 'n me baby! Saturday Dec 3rd....my house....

Scorpio Ball pics

sooozhyq — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 06:48:56 GMT

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32722825@N00/sets/1411357/ come n' get it... especially Amar, Mara, Travis, Therese, Lorelei, Giamma... Mark i didn't get a good pic of you - but he has posted some...on flickr under "marcurial"... ummm...that was fun! got my boogie on till waaaaaaay late (and coulda gone back for more)

Halloween at the Castro...

sooozhyq — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 20:12:13 GMT

what did you do for Halloween? got photgraphic evidence to prove it? check out these pics... http://www.flickr.com/photos/32722825@N00/sets/1268312/

feeling welcomed!

sooozhyq — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 20:10:07 GMT

i am home now in San Francisco! my homecoming spirit has been high - great to see my family, great to see my friends! great to see my city! my mom's new pancakes hiking with Mark in Marin and warm guava juice girl chat with Nanna (finally!) thank you especially to Therese for organizing a welcome brunch - that was just the sweetest thing. several sets of pictures - some from the trip that never found their way into a blog: (Turkey) Cappadocia - Goreme: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32722825@N00/sets/1117742/ Istanbul and a last minute return trip to the Turquise Coast: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32722825@N00/sets/1230869/ Istanbul was made oh-so-special by my dear friend Sinan - a great person and a great musician!!! My friend Jill flew out to Istanbul to have fun with me - she is a great (and resilient) traveler buddy! and big thanks to Arif for making it possible for Jill and I to see the bluest waters (for me - again)...

happiness is a Blue Cruise

sooozhyq — Tue, 11 Oct 2005 12:39:34 GMT

(pic of the sunken city of Kekova) um....uh...where can I possibly begin? after hearing about Jef's great cruise last year down the Mediterranian coast of Turkey, I decided I had to try it for myself. My only question now is - how soon can I do it again? How many of you are with me? How did I manage to get so lucky??? - great weather, a great crew, and such a fantastic collection of guests. If I went into everything I wanted to say about everyone on the cruise this would be a long long blog indeed. I will just say that thank you to everyone and whenever you are in San Francisco drop me a line!!! We slept under the stars, had the music going often, and got some serious suntans. Great swimming, snorkeling, and water noodling. Mealtimes were great - the crew said they would ring a bell to let us know when it was mealtime but that wasn't really necessary. Once we got wind of how great the food was we started populating the table before the food arrived. The waters had lots of fish - there was a sunken city (again, destroyed by earthquake) - a shipwreck, water sports, etc. There were also vendors who would pull their boats up and sell us things - precious commodities like dessert crepes and ice cream bars. We had some shore leave in Kekova and had a fun night at Willy's Bar - dancing, shisha, fireplace!! Blue Cruise pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32722825@N00/sets/1117643/ Then we were off to Olympos (except Richard and Clare - who were missed) and spent some time in the tree houses. Well, okay - most of us stayed in bungalows, but there were definitely tree houses to be had! Also there were some beautiful ruins from the Lycian people - these ruins were different than others I've seen as they are being consumed by a forest instead of exposed and sunny. Olympos pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32722825@N00/sets/1117739/ Now almost the whole group is in Cappadocia in the Valley of the Fairy Chimneys. This adventure is only just beginning!!!

hoppin' round Turkey

sooozhyq — Wed, 05 Oct 2005 12:16:56 GMT

(pic of the White Terrace, Pamukkale) now I am in Fethiye after Kusadasi I went by bus to Pamukkale (pronounced Pam-u-kah-lay) there i caught a tour to the Hieropolis and the White Terraces pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32722825@N00/sets/1077532/ from Pamukkale i took an interesting bus ride through the countryside of Turkey - the Denizli region, then over some mountains. it was not a direct bus - took every local route possible - i got to see how people really live. Also quite interesting - there was no box to store the bus fare - the driver had a blanket on the dashboard and threw the coins between the folds to keep it from falling down. for some reason i found this to be so cool! so far i only have a few pics of Fethiye - hope to take some more this afternoon and will post those pics later. tomorrow i leave for the 4 day Blue Cruise (yo - Jef!) and the stories/pics from that one will be ah-mazin for sure!

from Crete to Athens to Kusadasi

sooozhyq — Mon, 03 Oct 2005 13:29:13 GMT

(picture - sunset in Kusadasi) not even sure where to begin! so many incredible experiences... - playing music all night on Crete note to self - do not stay up all until 5am the night before you have to check out of your hotel. but, if you must, accomplish this with your two new musician friends on Crete - both of whom are named Stavros. What an amazing night! - spending time with Erifily in Athens as we both agreed, it was pretty much a crime that we did not get so spend more time together. She is one great gal. it was great to talk, do yoga, eat together - and i got to drum for her! awesome! next time...next time!!! and thank you again for the lovely present...am cherishing it! - long long long ferry ride from Athens to Samos to Kusadasi. - tour of Ephesus...truly amazing! will let the pics speak for themselves: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32722825@N00/sets/1063668/ - had a great time in Kusadasi (pronounced Kush-a-dah-say). had the great pleasure of meeting Rashid in the cafe where he works, and he steered me directly to a non-tourist restaurant where the music was out of this world. got to sit in a bit on the tamborine - exciting! they play at breakneck speeds here so i was happy be able to keep up! Kusadasi pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32722825@N00/sets/1063660/