a ghost of a roar from the sea floor

All the vegetation along the bike path was verdant in the early morning mist today, as though the moisture in the air was driving the just-starting-to-turn leaves to strive to hold onto summer and life, stomata drawing in moist air, one last burst of photosynthesis.  But the verdigris and rust of fall edged each leaf and stem, belying the apparent burst of vitality and casting the scene as one not really perceived in the moment but only remembered from days gone by.

In less poetic news, I wore my new insoles Monday and Tuesday, and lo and behold, I did not have the disturbing clicking and popping in the ball of my foot.  I am cautiously optimistic that these will be very good for me.  I can feel the inner muscles of my calves doing more work and getting more stretch as I walk; looking at the old insoles, I really do think they were just supporting my suppinating.

Despite being tired on Monday and Tuesday, I enjoyed both my classes.  Some really good stuff in Najmat's class--one move I really need to work on is a hip lift with a heel bounce on the opposite foot--I can do that part of it fine, but once I try to add in the arms alternating going to the head and out in front of the body, my hip lift turns into a drop as though it's on automatic.  Definitely a rub your tummy and pat your head kind of thing for me and it needs work.  I did find though if I concentrated only on the up movement of my arms that it helped keep the hip lifting and not dropping. 

Watched Aisha Ali's Tunisian shaabi DVD last night.  It's not the same thing at all as Egyptian shaabi but I knew that already.  It's all very twisty stuff.  It goes with specific rhythms, but there are definitely movements that could be adapted to other uses, and if I ever find myself in the position of wanting to do some Tunisian stuff (and with my penchant for wacky drum solos, I might) it will be a valuable resource.  Instruction is very much of the follow the bouncing butt (or the twisting hip as it were) variety, but it's pretty much all variations on hip twists with various footwork and turns.

Listened to the new Siouxsie album this morning on my way to work.  It makes me think of a glam rock burlesque version of the Hyena I mean Peepshow sound, with Creatures stuff like marimbas thrown in here and there.  I love the opening track, Into a Swan, and I could really picture it being played in clubs.  A few other songs jumped out at me, some less so, but overall I think it's a pretty strong album.  Her voice is definitely changing with age, but she's managing that transition very well, in an aged whiskey kind of way.  After listening to the lyrics, I was not at all surprised to find via googling this morning that she and Budgie split.  No more Creatures, I guess.  Here's a charming interview with her (topless photo from the Sex Pistols days on page two, be warned), in which she says what she would like to do to Michael Vick and asks Robert Smith if he owns a mirror.