My piano class has turned 180 degrees from what it was in the beginning almost two years ago. Then it was our instructor's first all male class, six old men who had never played piano before. The senior piano students are predominantly female, so this was a rare gathering. And we all loved it. Soon enough it became apparent that I was the quickest learner in the group. The class, however, moved forward to accommodate its slower learners, which was fine with me. I was having fun and learning something and was in no hurry.

Then things began to change. As we reached more complicated material, requiring more homework, a few guys lagged behind more than usual. Eventually some quit and some decided to move back a class. Their spots were filled by women: moreover, by women who had played piano before and we "brushing up" old skills. This evolution continued so that today I am the only original man left in the class. Now we have four, three students with prior piano experience and me -- and the former "top dog" is now the slowest learner in the class. In fact, I struggle to keep up.

...

Once again Swing Time is putting on a dance at the Crystal Ballroom to help raise funds for this years Portland Lindy Exchange. Last time we were able to raise hundreds and hundreds of dollars toward the cause, and we appreciate all the support! This is a great opportunity to raise funds and awareness about the Lindy Exchange and support the Portland Lindy Society who labor so laboriously to put on this amazing event.

This fund raiser will be happening on Monday February 11th!

We will be bringing in former Portlander, now Seattle DJ Stefan Durham and Bethany Powell to share in the teaching and DJing that evening. Please help us get the word out for this event and be sure to be there that Monday! Details are as follows:

Monday, February 11th

6:30 PM - Swing Lesson with Stefan Durham ($10 extra)
7:30 PM - Beginning Swing Lesson (free w/ admission)
8:30 PM - DJ Stefan and The Verne Swing Dance til Midnight!
$8 Admission. All ages!!!

Crystal Ballroom
1332 W. Burnside
Portland, OR

http://swingtimepdx.com/category/events

The American Film Institute has updated their list of "100 greatest American films of all time".

I watch a lot of movies, but obviously not enough - I've yet to see 30 on the list.

How many have you seen?

1 Citizen Kane (1941)
2 The Godfather (1972)
3 Casablanca (1942)
4 Raging Bull (1980)
5 Singin' in the Rain (1952)
6 Gone With the Wind (1939)
7 Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
8 Schindler's List (1993)
9 Vertigo (1958)
10 The Wizard of Oz (1939)
11 City Lights (1931)
12 The Searchers (1956)
13 Star Wars (1977)
14 Psycho (1960)
15 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
16 Sunset Blvd. (1950)
17 The Graduate (1967)
18 The General (1927)
19 On the Waterfront (1954)
20 It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
21 Chinatown (1974)
22 Some Like It Hot (1959)
23 The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
24 E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
25 To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
26 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
27 High Noon (1952)
28 All About Eve (1950)
29 Double Indemnity (1944)
30 Apocalypse Now (1979)
31 The Maltese Falcon (1941)...