Post-Summit Hangover

What a weekend!  Actually, the last few weeks have been pretty hectic and I can honestly say that I am SO glad it's over.  What's over?  Oh, you know, just a *small* 3-day convention that my job holds for owners, managers and instructors from all over the world.  What is it?  Check out my promo video here!
Have I been stressing out about it?  Yes.  Have I lost sleep over it?  Of course.  Am I glad it's all over?  You bet your sweet ass I am.  And to prove it, I took the following three days off to recover.  Was it enough?  No but I am very grateful to have had that time off.  It feels as though last year was really easy and harmonious but I guess that must've been Beginner's Luck since last year was my first time and this year was quite the challenge.  Sophomore Slump?  Perhaps.  Either way, it was still a success.
Here are a few photos from the craziness...



1 and 2: Working on audio edits with Michael for the videos featured in 3 and 4 / 3 and 4: Class opener test run and class opener during class / 5. Set up for Power class / 6. The Testimonial Team gathering testimonials for me / 7. Event In Progress / 8. Kick class / 9. Holy crap - I actually posed for photos at the post-party! / 10.  A visit to Lady Rainicorn at CNN Center (there's a long, hilarious story paired with this but I'll spare you - unless you really want to hear it)

The videos in 1-4 are like my little babies.  I worked really hard on them and I was such a nervous wreck during playback for rehearsal and during class playback because all I ever really want is for people to enjoy the things I've made.  I got lots of compliments on it but as an artist, my work is never really done but these are going in the books as a success!

The origins of the "Dreamboat of the Day"

The other day, my BF and I were trying to find something to watch on TV when we stumbled upon Cartoon Network's new "Real" thing that they're doing. I stopped in the hopes that it would be Destroy Build Destroy so that I could check out Andrew W.K. and lo and behold, it was what we had stopped on but it was...a little boring. Well, at first. The best part would have to be (of course) when they're blowing shit up at the end! But the only reason I stayed on it was for one thing: Mr. Party Hard's smile.
I will admit, a few years back I HATED Andrew W.K. with a passion. My thought was, "Who the FUCK sings about partying ALL THE TIME??? Who?!" But someone showed me the then controversial I Get Wet album cover and I put aside the grossness of his always sweaty white jeans and tee and thought to myself, "Man, that guy is hot - even with a bloody nose". But I still didn't like his music.
So, I went on with my dilemma: being very attracted to Andrew W.K. but hating his music until one Warped Tour summer in 2002 or 2003. I was on my way to Tiger Army (I think) and I looked over to the main stage where Andrew W.K. was performing with none other than my friend Roury Miller on his shoulders. Something happened to me that day. Something awesome. I ditched my friends who were on their way to Tiger Army (I think) and went over to Andrew W.K.'s audience. Everyone was smiling and having...fun! It was the greatest thing I had ever seen! I forgot about hating his music and LOVED it. I loved all of it - the show, the crowd, the sweaty jeans and tee, the long, greasy, sweaty black hair, the partying - EVERYTHING. Like a moth to a flame, I bought "I Get Wet" and played the hell out of it. I still do, actually. But there is one song in particular by Mr. W.K. that gets me all riled up: Make Sex. Well, it's not really a song as much as it is the world's greatest anthem - next to Party Hard, of course!
A year later (I think), I went to see him at the Masquerade with my BF (one of the few shows he's accompanied me on). It was AWESOME. I didn't think they'd let people get on stage but when you get enough punks rushing it, you're not really going to dodge them. So, needless to say, I got up on stage and shared a mic with Mr. Andrew W.K. himself! We somehow got smushed together, sweat and all, on the drum set. It was painful but worth it - especially when he read my shirt ("Vincent Price is a Pimp"), smiled and said, "That's the raddest fucking thing I've ever seen!" I will always remember that because it was the greatest fun I had (at that point) at a show.
So, after reminiscing and being charmed by his smile, I decided that I would start a "Dreamboat of the Day" on the Tumblr with Andrew W.K. to kick it off. It was also an excuse to post that particular photo of A.W.K. Wowzers meowzers!

Hopefully, I'll be able to keep it up.

Today's Dreamboat: Michael Pitt. He's a whole other story for another day :)

♥
Katzi
S.L.Y.A.S.D.I.