Believe the beguine

So i turned 31 last Friday the 14th of March.

Even though i didn't organise my usual dinner with friends, and didn't do the customary birthday dance with Jitterbugs, it was extremely heart-warming to get all the well-wishes from friends near and far, and from colleagues in the office.

Over email, over phone or sms, over msn, or even in person... i appreciated each and every one of you that took time to say a simply happy birthday. My colleagues even bought a surprise birthday cake and sang happy birthday in front of the entire office!

Turning older has never been so much fun. Thanks everyone. I felt like the luckiest person on earth yesterday.

Ajantis is embracing the 30s and looking for his zoot suit....

Jumping at the JAM side

Another SEA Jam is over. 7th SeaJam for me. Has it been that long?

SEA Jam socials were definitely more fun this time. The level of dancing was less uneven, and the Beijing dancers were mostly all quite good! Didn't get much out of the classes (as expected). Next time, i'll either go as a follow, or just take privates.

It was nice to hear Frankie talk again about his life and career as a swing dancer. Amazing to see the guy still hale and hearty at 94, although it is also sad to see how he does slow down somewhat with each year. Got to ferry him in my car. A little bit of a cheap thrill, but how often can you say that you've driven someone who spoke to and danced with Ella Fitzgerald!!! He also showed this pretty amazing clip... I'll never look down on tap dancing again :P

H was here the 2 weeks before SEAJam. A very pleasant time together. We didn't have any big fights (for the 3rd trip in a row!) and we talked a lot more about H setting up a bakery up here. I'm still a little wary of the huge investment required, but H's promised to do a lot more homework this time. Anyway, this was also the first time i couldn't completely tear myself away from work, which made me feel a little guilty. H was fine with it... his easygoing nature is part of what makes our relationship work. We even spent the last night watching some swing clips after i came home from Frankie's talk. Even though H doesn't like to dance, he has a great appreciation of dance and of music, so it was nice to share this time and this interest together on the night before he flew off.

Diving back into work now, and enjoying it. Been talking a lot with my boss about changes for this and next year. Kind of intimidating, but that's part of what stimulates us to learn and grow.

As a break from work, we all went to Harry's last night to hear this amazing black singer on his last night. On the last number, Route 66, he did an awesome call and response wit the trombone player. You had to be there to appreciate it, but it was pretty amazing. Oh, and me and Miss T also scandalised our friends and half the bar with our ribald Foucault repartee. Ah Miss T, how much less fun life would be if you weren't around.

Ajantis will go have a slippery nipple with a screwdriver and a screaming orgasm with T now....