INTRODUCTION
"Do it if you're lucky....[or] would'ya punk?", said by Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry,
reminds me of the idiom called Hobson's choice. The quote is not just related to the bad guy who gets terrified seeing the barrel of Dirty Harry's .44 magnum gun. It also reminds people that in life, you make choices that can hurt you or help you. And some choices are not easy to make. For instance, during a period of high inflation, you have a choice of either paying the gas bill or paying the health insurance premium. Another instance is when a recession occurs, and you have the tough choice of trying to find a job in your home country--or go overseas.
THE SIX FAVORITE MOVIE QUOTES
My first favorite movie quote is "I'm gettin' too old for this", said by Danny Glover in most of the Lethal Weapon movies, is a little bit scary to me as I go into what I call the midlife. Of course, I hear things like "midlife crisis" so much that it seems like that phrase is less important. Moreover, the way Danny Glover said this quote makes one go through another Ash Wednesday, which in religion depicts that the human flesh will eventually go to futility.
My second favorite movie quote is "This is my jail! And I'm the law! That is why I get to violate your constitutional rights!" said by Ed Lauter in Death Wish III, is a powerful quote. This reminds me about the Rodney King beating by Los Angeles police officers and the riots that followed in South central Los Angeles when the officers were exonerated from the beating charges in a criminal court. It also reminds me of the Patriot Act, that was meant to take away civil liberties in the name of fighting terrorism, and also smacks of McCarthyism in the 1950s.
My third favorite movie quote is "Well, I wouldn't talk to professionals about it,", said by Vanessa Williams in the movie Dance With Me, reminds me about people keeping secrets. Some secrets, of course, are needed to protect national security. That is why most of the CIA agents in the United States do their work almost always incognito. Other secrets are necessary to prevent gossip that can turn an innocent-looking blunder into a major disaster. Still other secrets are necessary to keep relationships from falling apart, so, for instance, married men who fall in love with an additional woman will try anything to avoid being caught as a cheater.
My fourth favorite movie quote is "Chief of the boat.....Captain Ramsey's under arrest! Take him to his state room!" This was said by Denzel Washington in the movie Crimson Tide. All of this reminds me of house arrest, which I hear about these days as an alternative to prison. House arrest is supposed to relieve the strain on America's prison population, but even this is not enough to relieve prison overcrowding.
My fifth favorite movie quote is "I say, you do, no questions!", said by Pat "Noriyuki" Morita from the first of the Karate Kid movies. All of this reminds me of slavery. Not just antebellum slavery that a lot of Americans know about through history classes. There is also a new type of slavery I hear often--sex slavery that mainly involve young girls. It also reminds me of the Mildred Experiment, where one authority threatens you with electric shocks on your wrist if you don't correctly answer an analogy question...even though the shocks are just pretend.
My sixth favorite quote is "The gentleman will suspend", said by Al Gore in the movie
Fahrenheit 9-11. In context, the quote is an allusion to fighting for whatever you want in life....even when the odds are astronomical. But even more than that...the quote also reminds all people that losing big opportunities can cause bad events that can last for months or even years.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Monday, July 21, 2014
Some 4th of July Fireworks Types
Some of these are legal in some states, some others illegal, and there are a few fireworks that are illegal in all states as "explosives".
And regrettably some recreational fireworks enthusiasts on the 4th of July try so hard still to get around the strict fireworks laws in their jurisdictions especially when it comes to the much louder fireworks, because they like the loud explosions anyway.
BOOBY-TRAPS
This is a variant of the "snappers", with a small charge (with a size something to a ladyfinger firecracker) attached to two strings to either side. To set off the charge, the two strings need to be strongly pulled away each other taut for about 2 seconds - and within about 1/2 to 1 second after you pull it, a loud pop results. They are considered "novelty fireworks" and most states including Illinois allow them for consumer use.
BOTTLE ROCKET
There are two types of them, and some states (especially Illinois) outlaw this because simply these are fireworks that go up in the air and explode. Typically they are small-scale single-shot aerial fireworks which start with a whistle and then a report (pop or bang) following it. They have a red stabilizer with a cylinder attached to it
with the black powder charge inside it an a fuse sticking out. To fire it, the device is put straight up with the stabilizer end downward and the cylinder charge on top of it. Sometimes it is fired from a glass bottle (and that is why they are called bottle rockets). Note
Type 1 - Traditional - fires off with a downward glissando and then a report follows.
Type 2 - Whistling Moon Traveller - probably one of the more famous of the bottle rockets - same fireworks result (whistle and the report), but this time, the whistle has an upward glissando instead of the downward.
M-80
A ground firecracker that sets off a loud bang. Often they were used in military boot camp to simulate the sound of gunfire. They are cylinders with a fuse from the side, with the cylinder skin with a brownish-tan color. The loud sound of it is why some states outlaw it in some of its fireworks laws.
CHERRY BOMB
Usually outlawed in all states as "explosives", this is a variant of the M-80 but it has a circle cylinder in the form of a red (or other colored) cherry with a hollow fuse in it. An example of the use of a cherry bomb before fireworks laws became stricter happened during Disco Demolition Night at White Sox Park on July 12, 1979.
QUARTERSTICK
All states outlaw this as an "explosive device", and possession of a quarterstick can be a felony offense. Often called an M-250, is usually bigger than the M-80, and also with a hollow fuse. Extremely unstable and it can explode at any time. Static electricity can also set it off too.
ROMAN CANDLE
It is almost like a large firecracker in some ways, but it is actually a portable mortar tube with multiple shots of flaming balls that can be treated almost like the multiple-shots in an mortar tube but less dangerous than the former.
Type 1 - Traditional - fires flaming balls usually with colors and with some varieties.
Type 2 - California - you light the fuse and it is like a sparkler in some ways as you hold it in your hand, being careful not to touch the sparkling end. The cylinder is designed to eat away as the sparkling part burns more and more of the cylinder. When the cylinder is about to go away, you drop the cylinder and leave it alone for the rest of the cylinder to be eaten away by the sparkles - and eventually the charge will run out on its own.
Especially for type 1, since it is a firework that shoots, it is illegal in some states (like Illinois). Type 2 is the one that does not shoot at a longer distance and is legal in more states (but not Illinois).
SALUTE
They can be ground or aerial. Ground salutes have a booming report from the mortar shell without being fired in the air. Aerial salutes (most common in professional fireworks displays) are rockets fired from a mortar tube and then burst with a white flash and a loud concussive bang or boom....and the term "salute" was derived likely from the type of blasts common from cannons. This firework gives some strong punch and that is why some states outlaw it.
SATURN MISSILE BATTERY
Basically, this is a type of fireworks cake where there will be streaming shots in the air with lots of glissando whistles. Usually 100 shots to up to 500 shots. The shots that are fired into the air are a bit like the traditional bottle rockets but are inspired likely from the rocket emplacements that are fired in war. Because these are fireworks that are shot in the air and sometimes explode (even with the strong emphasis on the whistle sounds), some states outlaw them (especially Illinois).
SMOKE BOMBS/SMOKE DEVICES
Generally, these are devices that emit smoke without setting off any explosive charge. They are not the traditional smoke grenades like often seen in the military or by riot police departments, so most states allow these devices for consumer use as "novelty fireworks".
The most common smoke device is the stink bomb. Looks like a firecracker in some way, and you place it on the ground and you light the fuse as usual like a traditional firecracker, but when the fuse goes down, you see smoke for 1 to about 3 minutes. Sometimes the smoke will be a single color or a changing series of colors, until it finally goes out. No explosions whatsoever.
SNAPPERS
Also call "snap-its", this is a type of firework that you do not need a fuse with. It is in a shape of something like a piece of white tissue with a long slender handle that you use, to throw it on a hard surface. When it hits the hard surface, detonation happens and you hear a "pop" and that's it. They are considered "novelty fireworks" and most states including Illinois allow them for consumer use.
SPARKLERS
Basically, this emits a spark flourish (usually white-colored)on a long red stick and is legal in most states, including Illinois, because they don't generally shoot or explode and the fireworks stuff remains usually stationary. The main danger of any sparkler is the high heat it gives off. Sparklers can reach up to 1,000 degrees F at the burning end. This is good enough for 2nd or 3rd degree burns if the skin is exposed. If the stuff goes directly into your eyes, this can lead to blindness. So be very, very careful with them. A variant of it appears in novelty firework devices known as trick candles (where, when you blow out a flame on a candle, the flame re-appears like magic). Sparklers had even been used on non-4th-of-July events, especially on certain birthdays.
And regrettably some recreational fireworks enthusiasts on the 4th of July try so hard still to get around the strict fireworks laws in their jurisdictions especially when it comes to the much louder fireworks, because they like the loud explosions anyway.
BOOBY-TRAPS
This is a variant of the "snappers", with a small charge (with a size something to a ladyfinger firecracker) attached to two strings to either side. To set off the charge, the two strings need to be strongly pulled away each other taut for about 2 seconds - and within about 1/2 to 1 second after you pull it, a loud pop results. They are considered "novelty fireworks" and most states including Illinois allow them for consumer use.
BOTTLE ROCKET
There are two types of them, and some states (especially Illinois) outlaw this because simply these are fireworks that go up in the air and explode. Typically they are small-scale single-shot aerial fireworks which start with a whistle and then a report (pop or bang) following it. They have a red stabilizer with a cylinder attached to it
with the black powder charge inside it an a fuse sticking out. To fire it, the device is put straight up with the stabilizer end downward and the cylinder charge on top of it. Sometimes it is fired from a glass bottle (and that is why they are called bottle rockets). Note
Type 1 - Traditional - fires off with a downward glissando and then a report follows.
Type 2 - Whistling Moon Traveller - probably one of the more famous of the bottle rockets - same fireworks result (whistle and the report), but this time, the whistle has an upward glissando instead of the downward.
M-80
A ground firecracker that sets off a loud bang. Often they were used in military boot camp to simulate the sound of gunfire. They are cylinders with a fuse from the side, with the cylinder skin with a brownish-tan color. The loud sound of it is why some states outlaw it in some of its fireworks laws.
CHERRY BOMB
Usually outlawed in all states as "explosives", this is a variant of the M-80 but it has a circle cylinder in the form of a red (or other colored) cherry with a hollow fuse in it. An example of the use of a cherry bomb before fireworks laws became stricter happened during Disco Demolition Night at White Sox Park on July 12, 1979.
QUARTERSTICK
All states outlaw this as an "explosive device", and possession of a quarterstick can be a felony offense. Often called an M-250, is usually bigger than the M-80, and also with a hollow fuse. Extremely unstable and it can explode at any time. Static electricity can also set it off too.
ROMAN CANDLE
It is almost like a large firecracker in some ways, but it is actually a portable mortar tube with multiple shots of flaming balls that can be treated almost like the multiple-shots in an mortar tube but less dangerous than the former.
Type 1 - Traditional - fires flaming balls usually with colors and with some varieties.
Type 2 - California - you light the fuse and it is like a sparkler in some ways as you hold it in your hand, being careful not to touch the sparkling end. The cylinder is designed to eat away as the sparkling part burns more and more of the cylinder. When the cylinder is about to go away, you drop the cylinder and leave it alone for the rest of the cylinder to be eaten away by the sparkles - and eventually the charge will run out on its own.
Especially for type 1, since it is a firework that shoots, it is illegal in some states (like Illinois). Type 2 is the one that does not shoot at a longer distance and is legal in more states (but not Illinois).
SALUTE
They can be ground or aerial. Ground salutes have a booming report from the mortar shell without being fired in the air. Aerial salutes (most common in professional fireworks displays) are rockets fired from a mortar tube and then burst with a white flash and a loud concussive bang or boom....and the term "salute" was derived likely from the type of blasts common from cannons. This firework gives some strong punch and that is why some states outlaw it.
SATURN MISSILE BATTERY
Basically, this is a type of fireworks cake where there will be streaming shots in the air with lots of glissando whistles. Usually 100 shots to up to 500 shots. The shots that are fired into the air are a bit like the traditional bottle rockets but are inspired likely from the rocket emplacements that are fired in war. Because these are fireworks that are shot in the air and sometimes explode (even with the strong emphasis on the whistle sounds), some states outlaw them (especially Illinois).
SMOKE BOMBS/SMOKE DEVICES
Generally, these are devices that emit smoke without setting off any explosive charge. They are not the traditional smoke grenades like often seen in the military or by riot police departments, so most states allow these devices for consumer use as "novelty fireworks".
The most common smoke device is the stink bomb. Looks like a firecracker in some way, and you place it on the ground and you light the fuse as usual like a traditional firecracker, but when the fuse goes down, you see smoke for 1 to about 3 minutes. Sometimes the smoke will be a single color or a changing series of colors, until it finally goes out. No explosions whatsoever.
SNAPPERS
Also call "snap-its", this is a type of firework that you do not need a fuse with. It is in a shape of something like a piece of white tissue with a long slender handle that you use, to throw it on a hard surface. When it hits the hard surface, detonation happens and you hear a "pop" and that's it. They are considered "novelty fireworks" and most states including Illinois allow them for consumer use.
SPARKLERS
Basically, this emits a spark flourish (usually white-colored)on a long red stick and is legal in most states, including Illinois, because they don't generally shoot or explode and the fireworks stuff remains usually stationary. The main danger of any sparkler is the high heat it gives off. Sparklers can reach up to 1,000 degrees F at the burning end. This is good enough for 2nd or 3rd degree burns if the skin is exposed. If the stuff goes directly into your eyes, this can lead to blindness. So be very, very careful with them. A variant of it appears in novelty firework devices known as trick candles (where, when you blow out a flame on a candle, the flame re-appears like magic). Sparklers had even been used on non-4th-of-July events, especially on certain birthdays.
Baseball Scorekeeper Particulars - How To Record Ejections
I am thinking that the symbol should be EJ for "ejection" or "ejected" - this means an ejection from the ballgame (someone has been ejected).
We know that umpires eject ballplayer personnel for a number of infractions in some games (whether it is Little League baseball, high school baseball, college baseball, Major League Baseball, or whatever), and I am thinking of details on how a baseball scorer can record not only the ejection - but also the reason why the ejection happened. Most baseball ejections mainly fall on managers and coaches but mainly it is the players that are ejected more often than managers and coaches. So with this, the suggestions I have are as follows.......(there are other infractions that are worthy of ejection, but these are the common detailed infractions):
EJ/ABS - ejected for arguing balls and strikes (the most common ejections right now)
EJ/AAW - ejected for arguing after a umpire warning
EJ/KDAU - ejected for kicking dirt at the umpire
EJ/OBS - ejected for bad-mouthing or trash-talking at the umpire (usually with obscenities)
EJ/SBAU - ejected for slinging the bat at the umpire
EJ/SHD - ejected for slamming the helmet down
EJ/SHDAU - ejected for slamming the helmet down at the direction of the umpire
EJ/SBD - ejected for slamming the bat down
EJ/SBDAU - ejected for slamming the bad down at the direction of the umpire
EJ/PSH - ejected for pushing the umpire
EJ/TG - ejected for making a non-verbal threatening gesture at an umpire
(things like "pointing-the-gun" sign, pointing at him, making a pretend punch, or a decapitation gesture, etc.) EJ/OWE - ejected for ranting obscenities within earshot of the umpire
EJ/PT - ejected for illegal pine tar on the bat
EJ/IE - ejected for improper equipment
EJ/CTAD - ejected for creating a tantrum in the dugout (within line of sight for the umpire to see)
EJ/CAU - ejected for purposely colliding into (or at) the umpire (or bumping into an umpire)
Sometimes, there are other lesser-known infractions that may lead to ejections.....here is one of them:
EJ/DOG - ejected for delay of game (usually this happens to a catcher who goes onto the field to talk to the
pitcher and continues to talk after the umpire asks the party to stop the conversation and get the game going again. If the catcher continues talking and fails to disperse after given a warning to stop, the catcher could be thrown out.)
If the manager is ejected for a DOG, it would be EJ-M/DOG.
Pitchers are generally ejected for throwing a spitball, using spit on a ball before throwing (except in very cool weather where pitchers are allowed generally by the umpires to blow their own air on a baseball before delivering a pitch), or bean-balling (intentionally trying to hit a batter where in the meaning of the umpire is not a traditionally accidental hit-by-pitch ball).
Special ejection shorthand especially for pitchers who are tossed would be:
EJ/SPB - ejection for throwing a spitball
EJ/SPB-BP - ejection for putting spit on a ball in the umpire's line of sight before delivering the pitch
EJ/BEAN - ejection for bean-balling (usually on the 2nd infraction of such; usually there are ejections for the first infraction without an umpire warning)
Now consider that the coach, player, assistant manager, or coach can be ejected. Take the following list:
EJ - coach
EJ - player
EJ - assistant manager
EJ - manager
This could be shortened as:
EJ-C
EJ-PLYR
EJ-AM
EJ-M
Or even this:
EJ/C
EJ/PLYR
EJ/AM
EJ/M
When a player is ejected, you should blank out the remaining innings for the player that he/she would be in but cannot be because of the ejection penalty.
We know that umpires eject ballplayer personnel for a number of infractions in some games (whether it is Little League baseball, high school baseball, college baseball, Major League Baseball, or whatever), and I am thinking of details on how a baseball scorer can record not only the ejection - but also the reason why the ejection happened. Most baseball ejections mainly fall on managers and coaches but mainly it is the players that are ejected more often than managers and coaches. So with this, the suggestions I have are as follows.......(there are other infractions that are worthy of ejection, but these are the common detailed infractions):
EJ/ABS - ejected for arguing balls and strikes (the most common ejections right now)
EJ/AAW - ejected for arguing after a umpire warning
EJ/KDAU - ejected for kicking dirt at the umpire
EJ/OBS - ejected for bad-mouthing or trash-talking at the umpire (usually with obscenities)
EJ/SBAU - ejected for slinging the bat at the umpire
EJ/SHD - ejected for slamming the helmet down
EJ/SHDAU - ejected for slamming the helmet down at the direction of the umpire
EJ/SBD - ejected for slamming the bat down
EJ/SBDAU - ejected for slamming the bad down at the direction of the umpire
EJ/PSH - ejected for pushing the umpire
EJ/TG - ejected for making a non-verbal threatening gesture at an umpire
(things like "pointing-the-gun" sign, pointing at him, making a pretend punch, or a decapitation gesture, etc.) EJ/OWE - ejected for ranting obscenities within earshot of the umpire
EJ/PT - ejected for illegal pine tar on the bat
EJ/IE - ejected for improper equipment
EJ/CTAD - ejected for creating a tantrum in the dugout (within line of sight for the umpire to see)
EJ/CAU - ejected for purposely colliding into (or at) the umpire (or bumping into an umpire)
Sometimes, there are other lesser-known infractions that may lead to ejections.....here is one of them:
EJ/DOG - ejected for delay of game (usually this happens to a catcher who goes onto the field to talk to the
pitcher and continues to talk after the umpire asks the party to stop the conversation and get the game going again. If the catcher continues talking and fails to disperse after given a warning to stop, the catcher could be thrown out.)
If the manager is ejected for a DOG, it would be EJ-M/DOG.
Pitchers are generally ejected for throwing a spitball, using spit on a ball before throwing (except in very cool weather where pitchers are allowed generally by the umpires to blow their own air on a baseball before delivering a pitch), or bean-balling (intentionally trying to hit a batter where in the meaning of the umpire is not a traditionally accidental hit-by-pitch ball).
Special ejection shorthand especially for pitchers who are tossed would be:
EJ/SPB - ejection for throwing a spitball
EJ/SPB-BP - ejection for putting spit on a ball in the umpire's line of sight before delivering the pitch
EJ/BEAN - ejection for bean-balling (usually on the 2nd infraction of such; usually there are ejections for the first infraction without an umpire warning)
Now consider that the coach, player, assistant manager, or coach can be ejected. Take the following list:
EJ - coach
EJ - player
EJ - assistant manager
EJ - manager
This could be shortened as:
EJ-C
EJ-PLYR
EJ-AM
EJ-M
Or even this:
EJ/C
EJ/PLYR
EJ/AM
EJ/M
When a player is ejected, you should blank out the remaining innings for the player that he/she would be in but cannot be because of the ejection penalty.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
The Big Problem Every Summer at the University of Illinois Campus - The Foraging Yellow Jacket
Well, late summer in my years as a student of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus was exciting to meet people of different kinds and different cultures.
But within all of the midst of people, one insect I witnessed as a very annonying pest was attempting to ruin it for me as well as everybody else....I am talking about the foraging yellow jacket.
And they were plentiful. I had never been a beekeeper, but I have researched and found that when queen yellow jackets lay a lot of eggs for their offspring to hatch in mid-summer, the result can be millions of yellow jackets in late summer. As spring comes, these stinging critters first stalk their prey--grass--to find dead insectes to eat, and of course, they target most flowers for their nectar and pollen.
However, when the food supply for them runs out in the late summer, they get even more voracious. The workers are kicked out of their original hives and as a result, they have no choice but to "forage" for food. I saw plenty of foraging yellow jackets (workers) outside near the Illini Union, most of them hovering over open garbage cans that had exposed waste and food. Why? They are honing for discarded food to eat - and to make it worse, the foul odors in the cans also attract these black-and-yellow flyers.
I had witnessed a lot of college students who got near those garbage cans being targets for these jackets. Just like mosquitos will target people for their blood, yellow jackets target people who have virtually any type of exposed food. People holding Coca-cola or other caramel-laden sugary pop drinks are especially affected, and I saw some students jump crazily as the jackets harrssed them.
Monday, June 9, 2014
The Washer Can Be Your Friend - Or It Can Be Your Enemy Through a Faulty Inlet Hot-Water Valve
Here is something that can save your basement from flooding caused by scalding hot water from your washing machine.
When your washer continues to stream out hot water inside even though the cycle ended and the washer point indicator (usually red) in the cycle knob is set to "off", and you try to pull the plug to stop this unnecessary water flow only to have it still continue, especially if it is hot water - you have a faulty inlet water valve leading to the washer, and it needs to be replaced. Otherwise, the unstoppable water will overflow the wash tub (usually after 1 1/2 hours) and will spill over to the basement, creating flood damage close to what you get when a sewer backup happens after an extremely heavy rainstorm. Even worse, touching that hot water - depending on hot the water is - can lead to serious scalding or burning.
Sometimes, you can stop the bleeding temporarily by moving the knob on the washer to any of the "spin" cycles - this usually stops the unwanted water flow temporarily, but after the spin cycle is over and it is set to off, regrettably, the water flows again without stopping.
You can stop the whole process altogether by going to the main water shutoff valve and set it to off. It will stop the water but you probably know that this means....you will have no water flow to the whole area at all. You cannot flush the toilet, do the dishes, take a shower or bath or even water your plants outside. So the only option is to, if you know how to replace the valve, do it yourself.
However, if you do not know how to fix this type of washer problem, let a professional repairman do the job before things go from bad to worse.
Hope all of this helps. Thanks.
When your washer continues to stream out hot water inside even though the cycle ended and the washer point indicator (usually red) in the cycle knob is set to "off", and you try to pull the plug to stop this unnecessary water flow only to have it still continue, especially if it is hot water - you have a faulty inlet water valve leading to the washer, and it needs to be replaced. Otherwise, the unstoppable water will overflow the wash tub (usually after 1 1/2 hours) and will spill over to the basement, creating flood damage close to what you get when a sewer backup happens after an extremely heavy rainstorm. Even worse, touching that hot water - depending on hot the water is - can lead to serious scalding or burning.
Sometimes, you can stop the bleeding temporarily by moving the knob on the washer to any of the "spin" cycles - this usually stops the unwanted water flow temporarily, but after the spin cycle is over and it is set to off, regrettably, the water flows again without stopping.
You can stop the whole process altogether by going to the main water shutoff valve and set it to off. It will stop the water but you probably know that this means....you will have no water flow to the whole area at all. You cannot flush the toilet, do the dishes, take a shower or bath or even water your plants outside. So the only option is to, if you know how to replace the valve, do it yourself.
However, if you do not know how to fix this type of washer problem, let a professional repairman do the job before things go from bad to worse.
Hope all of this helps. Thanks.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Soujia Boy Dance 2007--Breakdown of the Steps
This new hip-hop
line dance was popular in this year (2007), and was even introduced in the 2007
American Music Awards...
It is a line
dance of 32 steps in 32 counts, that has a few advanced hip-hop elements but it
is still easy to learn.
Steps 1-2 are
called the Kris Kross.
Steps 3-4 are
called a reverse form of the Slap Leather,
and Steps 9-10, the regular Slap Leather.
Steps 5-6 are
called the Wave.
Steps 12-13 is
called the Cross-Tap and Uncross from Tap.
Steps 13-16 are
called the "Superman."
Steps 17-24 and
25-32 are Boxer Hops.
This is a
four-wall line dance. For the breakdown of the steps, it is assumed that you
use the north wall to start.
After the 32
steps are repeated, the dance is repeated on the next wall, counterclockwise,
and so on (so, for example, the first repeat of the steps, if starting on the
north wall first, will be facing the west wall, and then, on the second repeat,
will be facing the south wall, and so on.)
Use these
imaginary walls as a guide to utilizing this dance:
North Wall
West Wall East Wall
South Wall
Soujia
Boy--Breakdown of the Steps
Start in loose
1st position (LF and RF are about a hand-width apart), starting with the north
wall.
1. Jump on both
feet; land so RF crosses over LF
1
2. Jump again on
both feet so that RF uncrosses, 2
ending with both feet back in loose 1st position
3. Flick LF back
and touch that LF with RH 3
(RH should touch L heel)
4. Land LF back
to loose 1st position 4
5. Pull out
whole R arm outside and inside 5
in a wave action (like in breakdancing),
feet
remain in place
6. Pull out
whole L arm outside and inside 6
also in wave action (like in breakdancing),
feet
still remain in place
7. Turning your
body 1/4 L, forward LF to lunge on 7
LF, with a slight pivot L on other foot
(RF); now
you are facing the west wall
8. Hold position
for one count more 8
9. On a diagonal
direction to the northeast wall, and 9
holding body position still on west wall,
cross
RF (tap) over LF
10.Now, turning
your body 1/4 R to face original 10
wall (north), step back on RF (tap) again to
uncross, ending in loose 2nd position
11.Now, do a
slight knee lift on R leg (LF remains 11
in place) and touch RH on R knee on lift
12.Land RF with
full weight, ending in loose 2nd 12
position
13.Now turning
1/4 to the L again to face west wall 13
again, Hop on LF and land with LF lunge, and
extend the R leg back away from you,
horizontal
with the floor (thus the RF is about 5
inches from
the floor but it can vary); at the same
time,
extend both arms straight out and forward,
also
horizontal with the floor (the
"Superman")
14.Hold position
for one count more 14
15.Now, turning
1/4 to R to face original 15
wall again, land RF and recover body from
"Superman" to regain normal
standing position;
feet should be in loose 2nd position; upon
landing, change to equal weight on both feet
16.Hold position for one count more 16 .
17. Slight hop on both feet going to L 17
18.Slight hop on
both feet going slightly to L again 18
19.Slight hop on
both feet going slightly to L again 19
20.Now hop on
both feet slightly, but in place
20
21 Slight hop on
both feet going slightly to R 21
22.Slight hop on
both feet going slightly to R again 22
23.Slight hop on
both feet going slightly to R again 23
24.Now hop on
both feet slightly, but in place
24
25.Slight hop on
both feet going slightly to L 25
26.Slight hop on
both feet going slightly to L again 26
27.Slight hop on
both feet going slightly to L again 27
28.Now hop on
both feet slightly, but in place
28
29.Slight hop on
both feet going slightly to R 29
30.Slight hop on
both feet going slightly to R again 30
31.Slight hop on
both feet going slightly to R again 31
32.Now hop on
both feet slightly, but in place
32
Additional
Notes
For the
"boxer hops" (steps 17-32), be sure that your feet position remain as
long as possible in loose 2nd position.
And also,
"slightly to L" and "slightly to R" is done with
no turn....you
just go down to the L side of a straight line or the R side of the straight
line still facing the original wall or the other wall. Think of a Cartesian
plane
(remember that
in geometry or algebra?) and you are on the x-axis, and you go to the left of
the x-axis on steps 17-24, and to the right of the x-axis on steps 25-32. This
will help you.
Turn 1/4 L
counterclockwise after step 32 to repeat the 32 steps on the next wall.
It is also
possible, if not repeating on a different wall, to repeat the steps, but with
opposite footwork and armwork as already described as above (that is,
"reverse the steps").
Charles Joseph
Smith
"The Little
Lily of Dancing"
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Sample Outline for a 15-Week Course on American Popular Music from the 1970s to the 1980s
Because mainstream popular music's repertory in America equals that of classical music,
it is probably important to cover all of the important pop/rock hits for two semesters,
not just one.
The weeks cover some of the main songs that everyone grew up in the 1970s or 1980s.
Under the weeks covered are the song titles first, then the original artist or artists
(indicated in the parenteses), and then the date the song was released.
Week 1--Monday
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (Diana Ross)--1970
"Evil Ways" (Santana)--1970
"Let It Be" (The Beatles)--1970
"Mama Told Me (Not To Come)" (Three Dog Night)--1970
Week 1--Wednesday
"Knock Three Times" (Tony Orlando and Dawn)--1971
"Mercy, Mercy Me" (Marvin Gaye)--1971
"What's Goin' On?" (Marvin Gaye)--1971
Week 1--Friday
"Don't Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?" (Chicago)--1972
"I'd Like To Teach The World to Sing" (New Seekers)--1972
"Saturday In The Park" (Chicago)--1972
Week 2--Wednesday
"Dancing Machine" (Michael Jackson)--1972
"Hot Butter" (Popcorn)--1972
"Twenty-Five Or Six-To-Four" (Chicago)--1972
Week 3--Monday
"Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown" (Jim Croce)--1973
"Killing Me Softly With His Song" (Roberta Flack)--1973
"Let's Get It On" (Marvin Gaye)--1973
Week 3--Wednesday
"Long Train Running" (Dobbie Brothers)--1973
"Love Train" (The O'Jays)--1973
"Monster Mash" (Bobby "Bones" Pickett and the Crypt Kickers)--1973
Week 3--Friday
"Smoke in the Water" (Deep Purple)--1973
"Supersition" (Stevie Wonder)--1973
"Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree" (Tony Orlando and Dawn)--1973
Week 4--Monday
"Dancing Machine" (Jackson 5)--1974
"Love's Theme" (The Love Unlimited Orchestra)--1974
Review for Quiz 1
Week 4--Wednesday
Quiz 1
Week 4--Friday
"Get Down Tonight" (KC and the Sunshine Band)--1975
"Love Will Keep Us Together" (Captain and Tennille)--1975
"More, More, More" (The Andrea True Connection)--1975
Week 5--Monday
"Boogie Fever" (The Sylvers)--1976
"You Should Be Dancing" (The Bee Gees)--1976
Week 5--Wednesday
"Got To Give It Up" (Marvin Gaye)--1977
"Southern Nights" (Glen Campbell)--1977
"You Light Up My Life" (Debbie Boone)--1977
Week 5--Friday
"Boogie Oogie Oogie" (A Taste of Honey)--1978
"Copacabana" (Barry Manilow)--1978
"Got To Be Real" (Cheryl Lynn)--1978
Week 6--Monday
"Hot Child In the City" (Nick Gilder)--1978
"I Love The Nightlife" (Alicia Bridges)--1978
"If I Can't Have You" (Yvonne Elliman)--1978
Week 6--Wednesday
"Kiss You All Over" (Exile)--1978
"Last Dance" (Donna Summer)--1978
"My Life" (Billy Joel)--1978
Week 6--Friday
"Shake Your Groove Thing" (Peaches and Herb)--1978
"We Are The Champions" (Queen)--1978
"Y.M.C.A." (The Village People)--1978
Week 7--Monday
Review for Midterm Exam
Week 7--Wednesday
Review for Midterm Exam
Week 7--Friday
Midterm Exam covering Weeks 1-6
Week 8--Monday
"Heart of Glass" (Blondie)--1979
"Hot Stuff" (Donna Summer)--1979
"Le Freak" (Chick)--1979
Week 8--Wednesday
"Another Brick in the Wall" (Pink Floyd)--1980
"Call Me" (Blondie)--1980
"Do That To Me One More Time" (Captain and Tennille)--1980
Week 8--Friday
"Endless Love" -(Diana Ross and Lionel Richie)--1981
"Jessie's Girl" (Rick Springfield)--1981
"Nine To Five" (Dolly Parton)--1981
Week 9, Monday
"I Love Rock and Roll" (Joan Jett and the Blackhearts)--1982
"Rosanna" (Toto)--1982
"Tainted Love" (Soft Cell)--1982
Week 9, Wednesday
"Billie Jean" (Michael Jackson)--1983
"Maneater" (Daryl Hall and John Oates)--1983
"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These)" (Eurythmics)--1983
Week 9, Friday
"All Night Long (All Night)" (Lionel Richie)--1984
"Ghostbusters" (Ray Parker Jr.)--1984
"When Doves Cry" (Prince)--1984
Week 10--Monday
"Like a Virgin" (Madonna)--1985
"Part-Time Lover" (Stevie Wonder)--1985
"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (Wham!)--1985
Week 10--Wednesday
"Addicted to Love" (Robert Palmer)--1986
"Conga" (Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine)--1986
"Kiss" (Prince and the Revolution)--1986
Week 10--Friday
"La Bamba" (Los Lobos)--1987
"La Isla Bonita" (Madonna)--1987
"I Wanna Dance With Somebody)--1987
Week 11--Monday
"The Lady in Red" (Chris De Burgh)--1987
"Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" (Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine)--1987
"Walk Like An Egyptian" (The Bangles)--1987
Week 11--Wednesday
Review for Quiz 2
Week 11--Friday
Quiz 2
Week 12--Monday
"Don't Worry, Be Happy" (Bobby McFerrin)--1988
"I Don't Want To Live Without You" (Foreigner)--1988
"Man in the Mirror" (Michael Jackson)--1988
Week 12--Wednesday
"One-Two-Three" (Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine)--1988
"Sign Your Name" (Terence Trent d'Arby)--1988
"Simply Irrestistible" (Robert Palmer)--1988
Week 12--Friday
"The Way You Make Me Feel" (Michael Jackson)---1988
"Wild, Wild, West" (The Escape Club)--1988
Week 13--Monday
"Eternal Flame" (The Bangles)--1989
"Express Yourself" (Madonna)--1989
"Giving You The Best That I've Got" (Anita Baker)--1989
Week 13--Wednesday
"Like a Prayer" (Madonna)--1989
"Love Shack" (The B-52s)--1989
"Wild Thing" (Tone Loc)--1989
Week 14--Monday
Review for Final Exam--Part 1
Week 14--Wednesday
Review for Final Exam--Part 2
Week 14--Friday
Review for Final Exam--Part 3
Week 15--Monday
Final Exam
Week 15--Wednesday
Makeups for Final Exam
Week 15--Friday
Makeups for Final Exam
it is probably important to cover all of the important pop/rock hits for two semesters,
not just one.
The weeks cover some of the main songs that everyone grew up in the 1970s or 1980s.
Under the weeks covered are the song titles first, then the original artist or artists
(indicated in the parenteses), and then the date the song was released.
Week 1--Monday
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (Diana Ross)--1970
"Evil Ways" (Santana)--1970
"Let It Be" (The Beatles)--1970
"Mama Told Me (Not To Come)" (Three Dog Night)--1970
Week 1--Wednesday
"Knock Three Times" (Tony Orlando and Dawn)--1971
"Mercy, Mercy Me" (Marvin Gaye)--1971
"What's Goin' On?" (Marvin Gaye)--1971
Week 1--Friday
"Don't Anyone Really Know What Time It Is?" (Chicago)--1972
"I'd Like To Teach The World to Sing" (New Seekers)--1972
"Saturday In The Park" (Chicago)--1972
Week 2--Wednesday
"Dancing Machine" (Michael Jackson)--1972
"Hot Butter" (Popcorn)--1972
"Twenty-Five Or Six-To-Four" (Chicago)--1972
Week 3--Monday
"Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown" (Jim Croce)--1973
"Killing Me Softly With His Song" (Roberta Flack)--1973
"Let's Get It On" (Marvin Gaye)--1973
Week 3--Wednesday
"Long Train Running" (Dobbie Brothers)--1973
"Love Train" (The O'Jays)--1973
"Monster Mash" (Bobby "Bones" Pickett and the Crypt Kickers)--1973
Week 3--Friday
"Smoke in the Water" (Deep Purple)--1973
"Supersition" (Stevie Wonder)--1973
"Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree" (Tony Orlando and Dawn)--1973
Week 4--Monday
"Dancing Machine" (Jackson 5)--1974
"Love's Theme" (The Love Unlimited Orchestra)--1974
Review for Quiz 1
Week 4--Wednesday
Quiz 1
Week 4--Friday
"Get Down Tonight" (KC and the Sunshine Band)--1975
"Love Will Keep Us Together" (Captain and Tennille)--1975
"More, More, More" (The Andrea True Connection)--1975
Week 5--Monday
"Boogie Fever" (The Sylvers)--1976
"You Should Be Dancing" (The Bee Gees)--1976
Week 5--Wednesday
"Got To Give It Up" (Marvin Gaye)--1977
"Southern Nights" (Glen Campbell)--1977
"You Light Up My Life" (Debbie Boone)--1977
Week 5--Friday
"Boogie Oogie Oogie" (A Taste of Honey)--1978
"Copacabana" (Barry Manilow)--1978
"Got To Be Real" (Cheryl Lynn)--1978
Week 6--Monday
"Hot Child In the City" (Nick Gilder)--1978
"I Love The Nightlife" (Alicia Bridges)--1978
"If I Can't Have You" (Yvonne Elliman)--1978
Week 6--Wednesday
"Kiss You All Over" (Exile)--1978
"Last Dance" (Donna Summer)--1978
"My Life" (Billy Joel)--1978
Week 6--Friday
"Shake Your Groove Thing" (Peaches and Herb)--1978
"We Are The Champions" (Queen)--1978
"Y.M.C.A." (The Village People)--1978
Week 7--Monday
Review for Midterm Exam
Week 7--Wednesday
Review for Midterm Exam
Week 7--Friday
Midterm Exam covering Weeks 1-6
Week 8--Monday
"Heart of Glass" (Blondie)--1979
"Hot Stuff" (Donna Summer)--1979
"Le Freak" (Chick)--1979
Week 8--Wednesday
"Another Brick in the Wall" (Pink Floyd)--1980
"Call Me" (Blondie)--1980
"Do That To Me One More Time" (Captain and Tennille)--1980
Week 8--Friday
"Endless Love" -(Diana Ross and Lionel Richie)--1981
"Jessie's Girl" (Rick Springfield)--1981
"Nine To Five" (Dolly Parton)--1981
Week 9, Monday
"I Love Rock and Roll" (Joan Jett and the Blackhearts)--1982
"Rosanna" (Toto)--1982
"Tainted Love" (Soft Cell)--1982
Week 9, Wednesday
"Billie Jean" (Michael Jackson)--1983
"Maneater" (Daryl Hall and John Oates)--1983
"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These)" (Eurythmics)--1983
Week 9, Friday
"All Night Long (All Night)" (Lionel Richie)--1984
"Ghostbusters" (Ray Parker Jr.)--1984
"When Doves Cry" (Prince)--1984
Week 10--Monday
"Like a Virgin" (Madonna)--1985
"Part-Time Lover" (Stevie Wonder)--1985
"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (Wham!)--1985
Week 10--Wednesday
"Addicted to Love" (Robert Palmer)--1986
"Conga" (Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine)--1986
"Kiss" (Prince and the Revolution)--1986
Week 10--Friday
"La Bamba" (Los Lobos)--1987
"La Isla Bonita" (Madonna)--1987
"I Wanna Dance With Somebody)--1987
Week 11--Monday
"The Lady in Red" (Chris De Burgh)--1987
"Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" (Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine)--1987
"Walk Like An Egyptian" (The Bangles)--1987
Week 11--Wednesday
Review for Quiz 2
Week 11--Friday
Quiz 2
Week 12--Monday
"Don't Worry, Be Happy" (Bobby McFerrin)--1988
"I Don't Want To Live Without You" (Foreigner)--1988
"Man in the Mirror" (Michael Jackson)--1988
Week 12--Wednesday
"One-Two-Three" (Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine)--1988
"Sign Your Name" (Terence Trent d'Arby)--1988
"Simply Irrestistible" (Robert Palmer)--1988
Week 12--Friday
"The Way You Make Me Feel" (Michael Jackson)---1988
"Wild, Wild, West" (The Escape Club)--1988
Week 13--Monday
"Eternal Flame" (The Bangles)--1989
"Express Yourself" (Madonna)--1989
"Giving You The Best That I've Got" (Anita Baker)--1989
Week 13--Wednesday
"Like a Prayer" (Madonna)--1989
"Love Shack" (The B-52s)--1989
"Wild Thing" (Tone Loc)--1989
Week 14--Monday
Review for Final Exam--Part 1
Week 14--Wednesday
Review for Final Exam--Part 2
Week 14--Friday
Review for Final Exam--Part 3
Week 15--Monday
Final Exam
Week 15--Wednesday
Makeups for Final Exam
Week 15--Friday
Makeups for Final Exam
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