Cheap-pao, Hurry Curry, and Recc Classes
I seem to have lost my pin cushion (I think I accidentally threw it away, :gulp:) which means I still have to sew up all the loose threads on this thing. But it's like 95% finished so I thought I'd put some pictures up.
five pictures in the facebook album
This is a Chinese style dress (旗袍/Qi Pao) based on Butterick 4796. I got it in my head that I could modify the pattern...to the point where I ignored fabric recommendations (they said use light fabrics, I used heavy ones) and changed the top (since my shoulders are very small and my neck is stumpy and fat.) Anyhow, it's got this stereotypical Suzie Wong look to it. And the problem with cheap polyester satin brocade fabric (instead of traditional silk brocade, which costs four times as much) is that it's shiny and reflects all of your faults and imperfections whether you want it to or not. I thought it was kind of noir-ish, hence the poppish art. (Han Solo's just chillin there, though. Maybe he's my Maltese Falcon.)
Today four of my coworkers and I went to Hurry Curry of Tokyo for their happy hour. It was my first time there. Marvelous cheapness! Two dollar appetizers, beers, and best of all, martinis! Or rather, "saketinis," in three flavors -- apple, lychee, and pomegranate. Their tofu salad and popcorn chicken was quite good. yum.
I've turned into this monstrous tub of fat lard so I've decided to take some classes to lose weight. I talked to nilloc, the most versatile martial artist dude I know (boy will try anything, at least once), and he gave me some opinions, but the jury's still out. Not sure which dance classes to take, either...
I'm also torn between Salsa, Swing, or Ballroom dance class. And considering either pool/billiards or chess.
So, goddamn, now that I no longer have a paid LJ I can't post polls. But do you guys have an opinion? What sounds good to you?
five pictures in the facebook album
This is a Chinese style dress (旗袍/Qi Pao) based on Butterick 4796. I got it in my head that I could modify the pattern...to the point where I ignored fabric recommendations (they said use light fabrics, I used heavy ones) and changed the top (since my shoulders are very small and my neck is stumpy and fat.) Anyhow, it's got this stereotypical Suzie Wong look to it. And the problem with cheap polyester satin brocade fabric (instead of traditional silk brocade, which costs four times as much) is that it's shiny and reflects all of your faults and imperfections whether you want it to or not. I thought it was kind of noir-ish, hence the poppish art. (Han Solo's just chillin there, though. Maybe he's my Maltese Falcon.)
Today four of my coworkers and I went to Hurry Curry of Tokyo for their happy hour. It was my first time there. Marvelous cheapness! Two dollar appetizers, beers, and best of all, martinis! Or rather, "saketinis," in three flavors -- apple, lychee, and pomegranate. Their tofu salad and popcorn chicken was quite good. yum.
I've turned into this monstrous tub of fat lard so I've decided to take some classes to lose weight. I talked to nilloc, the most versatile martial artist dude I know (boy will try anything, at least once), and he gave me some opinions, but the jury's still out. Not sure which dance classes to take, either...
- Eskrima: Filipino stick fighting taught with a philosophy of simplicity. Panantukan & sikkaran (kickboxing?) Collin seemed to think it would involve lots of bopping people with sticks.
Muay Thai: Thai kickboxing. Tried this class once. It's warm up is 40 minutes of jump rope and sit ups and push ups. 43 guys, 3 girls. Last time a guy kicked me and I almost fell over. Um.
Aikido: Took this with Collin in high school. Focuses on self defense. Very "light" Involves a lot of falling down, somersaulting, falling down and somersaulting, and making other people fall down.
Kung Fu: Took this in Chinese school when I was a kid. Involves lots of punching, kicking, jumping, and doing those all at the same time. My first crush was in kung fu class. I once accidentally kicked him in the family jewels. I am still mortified about this.
Ninjitsu: The art of the ninja. Seriously. I don't know why UCLA offers this class. Seems random. Collin says that from looking at stuff on the site, it seems to be like Aikido but with an additional KO after the takedown. I am sad because I do not think they will teach sneaking. Or tiptoeing around.
Krav Maga: Israeli armed forces use this to killz ppls. According to Collin it's the most practical class in terms of martial arts usefulness. Sydney Bristow uses Krav Maga on ALIAS. Perhaps I can still be that Urban Mata Hari.
Fencing: Collin says this class is kind of useless, but fun. Apparently it is tough on the knees. But you do get to poke people with the pointy.
I'm also torn between Salsa, Swing, or Ballroom dance class. And considering either pool/billiards or chess.
So, goddamn, now that I no longer have a paid LJ I can't post polls. But do you guys have an opinion? What sounds good to you?