Hi Everyone,

Sorry I'm a bit late this week. The persistent rain over the last week has found it's way into the building's telephone wires and for the moment we are disconnected to the world. So today I've taken my machine down to the trendy cafe on Rustaveli Street. The girls walking by the window and the couple making out behind me are a frequent distraction, but I feel at the height of sophistication with a coffee at my elbow and my fingers poised to do 'important business'

The only real story this week is David Hallberg's visit. He came to be a part of the Gala that was performed last Thursday and along with Nina Gogua receive the "Nina International Prize". He only with us for four days which was a shame as his dancing was completely divine. He is one of those people who were just born to dance. Legs, feet, technique, grace and presence, he has it all. Watching him is like watching a living piece of art. ALL the girls where eying him off and I'm sure that a few of the boys had similar ideas.

Not having many English-speaking people here is often a downer. But when a guest like David comes, it has the magic of giving you exclusive social rights! So after our first days of rehearsals with him we formed a group and invited him to join us for a few drinks. As well as being a fabulous dancer he is also a really nice guy. It was just so cool!! There we were, in an up town bar sharing a drink with an American Ballet Theatre principal. The conversation did get a bit surreal at times. Exchanging long haul travel tips. Comparing the work ethic of the Bolshoi Theater (where he was guesting last week) to the ABT. Telling him who to say hello to when he spends three months with the Australian Ballet later this year. Listening to his stories of working with Sylvie Guillem. How incredible is that?!

The Gala was a great success. I only had to walk on stage for the final do-da, so I spent the performance taking pictures of the performance. Everyone does it here, so I thought it would be a fine opportunity to get some great photos. And the pictures I got have to be seen to be believed! Here is the link or they are in the side bar of the blog. David was impressed with the photos and even requested a copy of them which I was very pleased to forward to his personal email address. ;-)

Following the performance we had a little cake and champagne to celebrate the giving of the 'Nina Prize'. But ater this, we were able to highjack David and share some food at a restaurant. It was just as incredible and surreal as our first outing. Life is meant for days like that.

In other news, I finally got the second draft of my video filmed. It it is live via this link or in the side bar, awaiting your critic.

The next thing on my list is a performance of Sheherazarde. The company does not know this ballet so we are all learning it from scratch. I'm enjoying the part I have which is a good bit of fun and actually causes me to break out a sweat. The sad part is that because the technique of the chore is so 'meah' they are dumbing down the choreography. Doubles are now singles which I find very frustrating. In school if you couldn't do something you learnt or at least gave it a try. Here it's just a case of 'it's too hard, just do a single.'

It's very ironic in a way. On the one hand I have these incredible experiences of touring to Japan, meet and hang out with fabulous stars, living in a foreign country and earning a decent salary. But on the other I get next to no job satisfaction or social life. Why can't you have your cake and eat it too? Having David here nearly made me change my mind about staying on for another year, but I realized that while the short term benefits (tours, salary, famous people) are great, the long term things (medical care, social life, job satisfaction) are not catered for.

Oh, for a parting piece of gossip, I've heard from the administration that my tickets for America have been bought and they've got my picture and passport to process the visa application. So I'm definitely going to America for Giselle performances, but not for Jacob's Pillow.

My coffee cup is empty and night has fallen so it's time to wind this one up.

Thanks for reading,

Rodney Cuthbertson

DreamChaser