Writing - good writing especially. Trying to improve upon the skills I learned in college. I wrote a play, The Friend Box, which I'd like to see on stage. Blame it on my late father (I miss him) who promised me a quarter for every poem I wrote.
Teaching - I've been helping people learn things for about twenty years now and I'm good at it. Every now and then someone tells me that I was their first Swing teacher, and that's why they're still around. There are some great dancers who've told me that I was the one to help them break through their creative barriers! Both are great to hear! Dance is first and Math comes a close second, but what I really hope to teach is how to be true.
One of the things I want people to learn: How to breathe.
Performing - I majored in drama. I love Improv (while active, I wasn't as good as I thought I was, but I've learned some things since then) and Meisner-style repetition. Spent some time (in the mid 90s) doing stand-up comedy. Before I got into jitterbug I had a public access show about comic books called The Back Issue Bin.
Cooking - Well, everything after Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and packaged Macaroni and Cheese I had to learn by myself. The Food Network is responsible for my more recent skills. If I was a better housekeeper, I'd probably cook more. I'm really bad at doing dishes.
Also, lately, I've been playing board games. Meet me at Game Empire on Wednesdays and Sundays!
And this is at the same place, but only more people show up!
Just say no to Clearchannel
I get most of my musical kicks from browsing record stores like Amoeba and public radio stationKCRW. I surprised myself by enjoying the Britney Spears Retrospective DVD, and some tracks I downloaded by Christina Aguilera. People laugh when they hear that I'd never heard these artists before 2005.
Of the earlier to mid twentieth century Jack Teagarden - He played a slide and he sang smooth. Plus, his name was drug reference.
Jimmie Lunceford - when the old-timers told me what music made swing, they told me this
Big Mama Thornton - Her Hound Dog is infinitely superior to Elvis' version.
Spike Jones - If anyone captured the pure random idiocy of life, it was Spike Jones. If anyone predicted the craze of "more cowbell" it would have been him. Not to be confused with music video and feature film director Spike Jonze. Igor Stravinsky - The music of rebellion If swing was the hip hop of the 30s, then this was the punk.
I grew myself up on the music of the 60s and 70s.
The Beatles - John, Paul, George and Ringo I hope you don't need me to tell you who they were The Buffalo Springfield - the collaboration between Stephen Stills, Neil Young and others
I'm told the first song I ever sang was Turn, Turn, Turn by the Byrds.
I lost a good portion of my hearing at a Dio/Y&T/Dokken concert when I was thirteen. My ears still ring. People don't believe it, but it's true.
One of these things does not go together.
More to come!
Movies
We're all artists. Especially those of us who don't know what we're doing.
This film reminds me that we're not alone, and about the meaning of forgiveness.
Harold and Maude
- Life, love and death. It's worthwhile.
We're all artists. Especially those of us who don't know what we're doing.
This movie has graphic sex and a very deep heart and soul.
Television
I like TV shows that get cancelled. I'm loving Ugly Betty right now, which doesn't seem close to cancellation yet.
Freaks and Geeks, Wonderfalls, Arrested Development, Firefly, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Twilight Zone, and a bunch of stuff on The Food Network.
Books
Lots of them.
Heroes
Hilary Alexander is my new f'ing hero! Scott McCloud - He's the Marshall McLuhan of the Sequential Arts! I don't agree with everything he's said, but he deserves commendation for starting the debate so eloquently! He also wrote my favorite comics book ever: Zot!. Joss Whedon - the man behind Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Serenity. He's a writer nonpareil with an incredible sense of humor. He knows how to handle characters! Alan Moore - My favorite writer bar none! I'm sick to learn that everything he's published is a first draft. He's also helped introduce readers like me to occult study. Emperor Norton I - The first and only Emperor of the United States. Aleister Crowley - The Great Beast! In the 30s, he used a lot of drugs and talked about raising demons. It may have been his intention to scare away those who weren't ready for his message.
Crowley's mottoes:
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
and Love is the law, the law under will
If you want a solid, fun bit of swing dancing instruction, I teach the Lindy Technique class at Lindy Groove. New students can only join the classes on Touchstone days and only if they already have a sufficient Lindy Hop swingout. Beginning dance classes are also available, and I'm available for private lessons. Check the classes out on Thursdays at 7:30pm in scenic Pasadena, CA
Also, I've created a mini-comic called I Can't Draw
Here's a sample:
And another:
Copyright 2006 Neil Figuracion
The title of the book says it all. Send me a private message if you want to pick up a copy. I've got a bunch.
Here's some footage of a jam at the second annual 24 Hour Cancer Dance-a-thon. I can be seen dancing in the last few seconds of the clip with my friend Leilani.
....
Video provided by Kasey Houston
And another of me goofing around with my pal Laura:
You May Be a Bit Schizotypal...
A bit odd and socially isolated.
You couldn't care less of what others think.
And some of your beliefs are a little weird.
Like that time you thought you were Jesus.
The lucky fool. (You scored 50 Strength, 48 Guile, 47 Morality, and 64 Survival Rate!)
You made it! You didn't come out ontop, but people like you! You can help to rebuild civilization... well... you would help if you could, but you're actually pretty useless.
Just been Working on promoting my company that does custom suits.... feels like you're wearing Pajamas. Reading a lot more and catching up on the latest music videos. I've missed them ever since MTV turned into the game show network. Where you been dancing?
oh did you miss me darling? i have been stressing because of school finals and i just got over being super sick. i miss you too. i will try and come soon i promise
hello darling, I hope you had fun at disney with your family, i am sorry i couldn't help you out. i'm gonna try and come up this thursday cause i am missing you so you had better be there :D not like you won't....
