Captain's Wedding!

Oh wow what a wedding it was! My sister, who is amazing by the way, came with me. We flew down to Pensacola Florida on Friday morning November 6th, and arrived at the beach house, the location for the festivities and where we were staying, at around 2 in the afternoon. Jem was there already, a big hug for the Captain and we were off for a late lunch.

At lunch we met up with the groom and his best man where we dined on some of what the Gulf Coast has to offer for seafood including my first peel and eat shrimp experience. Notable only because I was teased for my lack of skill at peeling shrimp. I could tell already that it was going to be a good weekend. The weather was perfect, about 75 (24 Celsius), sunny with a slight breeze, and is there any better smell than fresh ocean air? I do regret that I was a bit of a wreck when I traveled that day, I had come home from the trunk show and didn't make it to bed until about 3am, only to wake up twenty minutes before my dad and sister came to pick me up to go to the airport at 7am. Ooops!

Anyway, lunch over, we headed back to the beach house for a tour, it was beautiful, could sleep 16 people if it had to, and was RIGHT ON THE BEACH! My sister, Jem, and I were fortunate enough to get a room at the top of a spiral staircase which included 1 queen size bed each, and a lovely bathroom attached. My sister and I commonly referred to the spiral staircase as "the spiral staircase of death" because we knew as the evenings wore on and drinking commenced, it would get harder and harder to make it up and down that staircase. :-) After a bit of chatting we all got ready for the rehearsal dinner...ah finally I can walk around with the confidence that comes after I've had a chance to make myself presentable! A comment to which I had made to the best man when I met him at lunch "It's nice to meet you, but let's re introduce ourselves once I'm actually cleaned up and cute." (Yes I'm a smart ass even when you first meet me, or perhaps especially when you first meet me). The remarkable thing is that when I came out later, all dressed and ready for the rehearsal, the Best Man, who was out on the deck enjoying the sunset, stuck his hand out and re-introduced himself. HAHA... yes! Sense of humor, and an appreciation for my smart ass attitude... I knew I'd made a Friend for the weekend!

The rehearsal began after sunset, where Captain and her hubby explained how they wanted things to happen. Captain's dad and step-mom were there, lovely people I had met when they came to visit here in Chicago. Captain's dad is a lot like mine... which really isn't a bad thing at all! Also met the rest of the bridal party, and everyone seemed really lovely. This weekend was going to be awesome! We were all there because we had a common love for our friends and magically we all got along with each other too!

This wedding was a bit different than others, or I should say that being a part of the wedding party was different than others... Not only was it different because we were all scattered across the country, and I was trying to help with whatever I could from Chicago, while Captain was on the East Coast, trying to plan a wedding down in Florida... it was a challenge, but I was happy to help. The Captain and her hubby never officially designated Best Man or Maid of Honor within their parties, not sure why...but it just wasn't done. I was just honored to be asked to be in her bridal party after only knowing her for 2 short years. Once we got to the top of the staircase to practice going down the isle into the sand, Captain designated the order we were to walk in. I was chosen to go last before she would walk out, which means...anyone that sees this wedding and the pictures of it...is going to know that I am in the Maid of Honor position!!!! Oh My Gosh!!!! I'm Maid of Honor!!!! I was FLOORED for several hours afterwards....that's a really big deal! At least it is to me! I actually hid in the bathroom shortly after the rehearsal to call my mom and tell her what just happened... I didn't want to make a big public deal about it because clearly that is not what they wanted... but.... My whole life I always thought the only wedding I'd be Maid of Honor in is my sister's!!!

The rest of the rehearsal night went well... it was very relaxed and casual... pizza and wings for dinner, lots of beer and wine flowing, games being played and everyone just having a wonderful time! Not only that, but lots and LOTS of night time pictures by the photographer right by the ocean... I can not wait to see what those turn out like! Later, my sister and I even caught the Best Man practicing jumping off the balcony into the sand...well he was jumping off the staircase into the sand, with the idea that he might try and do it during the reception...but a minor (very minor) injury was sustained after reaching the second stair from the top...and the idea was scrapped... I just didn't know that anyone actually practiced "spontaneous acts" in advance... I also got to bond with the groom and his groomsmen by partaking in the traditional smoking of a cigar... made me feel very included. Being the responsible adults we are (mostly) the wedding party who was all able to stay in the house, wrapped up the evening at about midnight so that we could all be ready for the ceremony the next day.

Saturday November 7th. Captain's wedding day... again same exact beautiful weather as the day before... PERFECT... we all rose and discussed going to breakfast as we had the night before, and then the Best Man came in with breakfast sandwiches from a local restaurant. He had no recollection of the previous conversation and tried to treat us all... Seriously I think he needs to hire himself out as designated Best Man... I don't know many people that would take it upon themselves to do all that for their friends. Anyway we decided to collectively go out to breakfast anyway...but don't worry those sandwiches didn't go to waste. After breakfast Captain, Jem and the other bridesmaid went to get their hair and nails done, I had come with nails done, and my sister was going to be doing my hair. So my sister and I decided to go to the beach... I desperately wanted to go in the ocean, and my sister likes to lay out in the sun. Which we did, and then came in to relax before having to get ready for the ceremony.

Getting ready was fun, I got to sit on the floor while my sister did my hair, and I watched Captain get her makeup done by a world famous make up artist, who just happens to be the groom's brother! Then I jumped into my dress, consulted my sister on what colors to use for my own makeup...I'm confident in my application skill, I just wanted verification on what I was thinking for colors. I then helped Captain get into her gown...it was perfect for her... strapless slight ballgown style with some minimal but perfect bead work. I couldn't picture her in any other dress for her big day. I couldn't picture any other setting for her wedding either...the beach suits her.

The ceremony went off without a hitch... My sister was designated "Wedding DJ" and took care of making sure the right music was playing for the right moments. I did my bouquet holding, train on dress adjusting duties and couldn't help but smile the entire time. It was a simple, but personal ceremony that was perfect. There were about 40-60 guests in attendance... the weather was perfect. The only change we decided to make was to switch sides bridesmaids on the right instead of the left because the wind was blowing such that if we stood on the traditional sides, the wind would have blown our hair into our faces. Wise decision especially for pictures.

The wedding buffet was some of the best buffet style food I've ever had the privilege to dine on, including but not limited to a full roasted pig. The catering company was top of the line professional and helpful too... that is something I wanted to note. The Best Man and I quickly got together and decided we would do speeches... I had something in mind, but didn't write anything down. Since everything was so relaxed we decided we'd be able to get everyone's attention right before we did the cake cutting...so we did, I went first, with a brief but funny and slightly sentimental bit that was about a minute long, the Best Man followed with something much more polished, the Father of the Bride said his prepared toast amidst tears, and then the groom's brother closed with something quite touching and appropriate.

After that, the timeline get's a little fuzzy...we played games, talked and laughed, I got to dance with the Father of the Bride, a Cha Cha, and the photographer, a Hustle of sorts...which I was too buzzed to spin... (sorry!). Much much later my sister got the Best Man and I to walk her to a local bar, where we arrived 6 minutes before last call, and met the Pensacola Beach Ice Hockey team... (does anyone else see the funny in that?) We then bumbled around leading and following my sister, trying to get back to the house, I fell at one point... (not hurt)... we finally made it back... and I crashed and burned...but did have the forethought to take some headache medicine before my head hit the pillow at about 3 or 4am.

Sunday November 8th. Started with exhaustion, I seem to remember the Best Man coming up to say farewell before he started his way home... My sister, Jem, and I went to breakfast where my sister and I treated ourselves to a bloody mary... not the best idea, but it did taste good. We then got back to the beach house in time for the brunch planned for all those people still in town. More pork... delish. I was so tired though... couldn't even fathom having the energy it would take to travel home. We bid our farewell to Captain and her husband, as well as those we had met and exchanged phone numbers with. We went away very tired, but we both had an amazingly fun weekend.

Thank you to the Captain and her husband for allowing us to be part of their wedding, my sister and I are both honored!

I would also like to thank my sister, this was the first time we'd ever done anything like this... and I can't tell you how proud I am to call you my sister!!! Thank you for traveling with me, making new friends, and helping me to help my friend for her wedding!

The Day at Fred Astaire Burr Ridge

Hi gang! Wow... ok we've got some updating to do!

The trunk show at the Fred Astaire Burr Ridge location was wonderful! Turns out it was Bonnie's Belle Gowns most successful trunk show! Very happy and proud I was able to be there for it!

The day began with my meeting Bonnie up at her home to drive down to Burr Ridge together... it's a little bit of a trek from our neck of the woods, but we were traveling at off times so not much traffic thankfully. We arrived at the studio at around 2:30 in the afternoon and immediately commenced with setting up the dresses and hair baubles. As with most studios the day time is a bit slower... most ballroom students have to work too! I did meet the staff, professionals I have seen at many regional competitions but never really had the opportunity to meet. That was nice. The space this studio is in is lovely too... unfortunately they only have one dance floor, but it's a really nice one and I LOVE the lighting!


Most of the afternoon Bonnie and I watched the goings on, one of the pros was being tested in his knowledge of one or two of the Fred Astaire Syllabus that was cool to see, I didn't know how they did that. As a major bonus one of my favorite regional coaches and judges was in, he's known for his straight forward honesty and fair judging (He's scored me in tests and at Mini Match, someday maybe I'll get a coaching with him) Other's were teaching, either students or each other. It was a very cool fly on the wall experience. We did chat with one of the studio owners, a very lovely, energetic, actively involved, woman who used to be a professional dancer in her own right.

As the afternoon became evening, I knew the studio would be busier, and wanted to wear the outfit that made me a sponsored Bonnie's Belle Gowns student. Why not also advertise about the custom practice wear Bonnie does too? So I changed into my Mini Match Attire, shortly there after Bonnie became quite busy with students trying dresses on for their up coming competitions. It was a lot of fun! I stayed in the background mostly my job was to be there for whatever was needed, I didn't know how to anticipate that because I'd never done a dress trunk show before... but if I do this again... I know how to better perform my function.

It was after a quick dinner break that we became quite busy either with talking about dancing or helping students try on more dresses. I was on cloud nine... the only thing that would have made it more perfect was to be able to actually dance more... I almost went out and practiced a few things, but it didn't really feel right, so I didn't. I met even more students, and talked with a few I had met before which was nice. There is one student in particular, who I know is an avid reader, and is doing her first competition in a few weeks! She rented two of the Bonnie's dresses..one of which is the Red Sparkle Rhythm dress I modeled for the Bonnie's Belle Gowns website! I'm very excited for her!

The evening wrapped up with more rentals than any trunk show has produced, and one of the professionals using my mini match attire as an example to stress the importance of dancing in clothes that were meant for dancing, and not other things. We packed up our wears and headed home at around 9 pm...where I was coming down from the trunk show excitement I had Captain's wedding to look forward to as I left for that the very next morning!

Thank you Bonnie and Michael for allowing me to participate in the trunk show... any time you need my services again, if I'm available... I'm there!

Thank you also...a BIG THANK YOU to the hospitality of the Burr Ridge Studio staff and students! I look forward to seeing you all at the Holiday Ball!

Trunk Show Follow Up!

Well today I spent the day at the Fred Astaire in Burr Ridge. Lovely group down there! I was there to help Bonnie with her Trunk Show..which is when Bonnie packs up all her dresses and brings them to a studio for everyone to come in and try on and see if they'd like to rent or buy for any upcoming competitions.

It was a lot of fun! I always do love to observe studios in action. This studio has five professional instructors, all very clearly garnering the love and respect of their students. The studio itself is also a very nice space to be in.

I did take pictures, and I will write more about it in detail AFTER the weekend is over... I promise!!!

For right now I am about 5 hours away from being picked up to go catch my flight to Florida for Captain's wedding!!!!! YAY!

I will catch you all on the flip side... I have to report for bridesmaid duty!

Video of the Week!

As our video of the week this week we have Bonnie and Michael performing their Cha Cha open routine at a studio party on October 30th 2009!




Way to go!

Bonnie's Belle Gowns Trunk Show... Thursday November 5th!

Hi gang! Sorry for the late post this week, I'm pleased to report that I've been BUSY!!! Busy is a wonderful thing! I leave for Captain's wedding in Pensacola Florida on Friday, and as as part of the wedding party I have my duties to happily attend to. As well as a writing gig that I picked up along the way that is due very soon! (Yep, that's right...this girl is getting PAID to write!)

Before I leave however, I have been assigned with a very special task. On Thursday November 5th I will be accompanying Bonnie to the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Burr Ridge for her Bonnie's Belle Gowns Trunk Show!

We'll be there from about 2pm to 9pm, come on out and see the dresses, try them on, and I'll be on hand in my plus size ballroom practice wear so we can chat and dance the day away! If you have any competitions or shows coming up now is the time to reserve those dresses! Also, if you are in need of any practice wear Bonnie designs each piece based on your own measurements. I personally LOVE my practice skirt that she made for me.... and I receive a lot of compliments on the way it moves.

Come one come all... come to see the dresses...come to meet and greet Bonnie and I... I love meeting my readers and this is the first time I'll be in that area, I'm looking very much forward to it!

Hope to see you there!

Video of the Week - Same Sex Ballroom Dancing!

Hi gang! Well, I have to admit.. I'm a little saddened that I have yet to receive any ballroom video's for my new Video of the week segment. So SEND THEM! We want to see you dance! I will however take this opportunity to introduce to you another aspect of ballroom that really isn't explored too much in my ballroom world. It has appeared recently in audition episodes of So You Think You Can Dance though... Same Sex Ballroom Dancing. (SSBR)

I'm actually very interested in this genre... I have found that there are quite a few competitions that feature SSBR and it is an event in the World Out Games too. Although... it is important to mention that just because it is Same Sex Ballroom, that doesn't necessarily mean it's a "Gay Only" kind of activity. Conversely regular "Male/Female" ballroom isn't necessarily a "Straight Only" kind of activity. I've always thought of dancing... no matter the style as a "people" activity... anyone can do it.. with anyone else... and regardless of gender or gender preference I love watching a good performance.

Now mostly when you look up "Same Sex Ballroom Dancing" in YouTube or some other kind of video hosting site...you will find mostly Men dancing with each other, however there is also a plethora of videos out there that showcase Women dancing with each other as well.

So.. that brings me to why I am fascinated by SSBR... well it's simple.. in the Latin in particular the dancers switch following and leading roles... which I find really cool and definitely adds a complexity to the choreography. For the Standard dancing I have found... it actually is easier for me to focus on the technique of the dancers..when in most cases they are dressed alike...

The two videos I am choosing to showcase this week are examples of these two styles... both happen to feature Male couples... I'll showcase the Female couples in another Video of the Week segment some time in the future...




Final Round Men's Standard Foxtrtot, World Same-Sex Dance Championship, Budapest, 21 0ctober 2006. In addition to the couples that are dressed alike.. I must admit that I LOVE the orange Tail suit with the float...way to think outside the box! (It even has stoning!)



Willem DeVries and Jacob Jason dance their victory dance, a Samba after winning the Gold Medal for USA at The World Out Games in Montreal. This is actually the couple that auditioned on So You Think You Can Dance Season 5 and made the judges a tad uncomfortable :-)

Speaking of... if the World Out Games has Ballroom as an event... why can't the Olympics???

Enjoy!

Finding The Way Again....

This past week has had it's typical ups and downs, but with the help of a few things and a few people, I'm finding my way again.

My biggest issue when I get off track is the food thing. I have the HARDEST time making good choices ALL the time. I honestly don't know how people do it, and I'm constantly finding new and unusual ways to keep my choices on the healthy side, and keeping in my extreme budget too. Conversely I slip into the old ways very easily.... However....I've now got a kitchen full of good food, and no need to run out and grab anything that will have me hating myself later. Isn't it totally crazy how something like eating the food that the commercials and such make look so good... can have you absolutely hating yourself after your last bite? I KNOW I'm not alone in that... and you know what? It's really hard... I know.. I'm not a planner when it comes to food... food is one of the last things I think about in a day... so I'll forget to eat.. and then I'll get HUNGRY... so hungry that ANYTHING will do... and that's what all those fast food and freezer sections in the grocery store are banking on. Then I eat..and I immediately feel terrible about what I've decided to eat. Then I end up eating because I'm upset... it's a never ending cycle... well no.. it's not never ending... because I'm ENDING IT!!!! I've got my latest secret weapon... Apples! They're handy, transportable, and mostly don't make a big mess when you eat them on the go... (and who doesn't have the antibacterial stuff with them anyway right?) Apples are not my favorite fruit.. but it's fall.. they're in season.. and they're on sale. :-) Not to mention that I am working on training my pallet (yeah that's right, you can train your tongue) to like the good natural foods again. I have some other foods that I've learned to keep around. I'll have to plan a post all about that.

In other news.... I'm still going to the gym, and I'm still hating it.. I will ALWAYS hate it. However, the few times I've been dancing... I have never felt stronger! My knees haven't hurt in a really long time now... my ankles, that have been a problem for the last year, still aren't super strong, but don't ache or swell anymore. All of this tells me... it's working.. whatever I'm doing.. it's working. Now all I have to do is get those numbers on the scale to head in a down like direction and I think I may just be so happy I'll pass out. I also have to remember that it's working when I hit that 30 minute mark in my cardio workout and my head tells me "The experts say 30 minutes a day is all you need, you could get off the machine now and not feel guilty about it." I have to remember that the last time I danced I was the most grounded and balanced I've felt in a long time... I was elated about that! Anyone want to follow me around and remind me of that every 15 minutes... all day?

I'm very excited about all of this... I finally found a balance of doing this day by day again! That's it..it's a single 24 hour period at a time... it's kind of a slow way do think about things... and we all know I'm a big fan of instant gratification... if I can maintain it a day at a time... and on the bad days take it hour by hour....I think I might just be ok. :-)

Don't forget to send in your videos for video of the week! You all have seen me dance (even when I didn't like the way it looked) it's your turn!

Video of the Week

Hi gang... I've decided to implement a new feature here... video of the week! What I'd really like is for you all to send me links to your dance vids (doesn't have to be ballroom) for me to post here... show the world what you're all about! To kick things off.. this being Halloween month and all.. I thought I'd start with a little theatrical ballroom.




Besides, I think all of us ladies have danced with a guy that ACTUALLY dances like Frankenstein have we not? :-p

E-mail links to your dance video to me at StageKat@Gmail.com!!!

Happy Halloween Dancing!

Dancing the Day Away

I am VERY pleased to report that my workouts at the gym have been paying off... over the last two weeks I have had a few pick up lessons with one of my favorite city pros. I've known this pro for about two years now... I almost always go to his studio parties, and love any time I get to have a lesson with him.

He owns a very small but very reputable studio that primarily deals with my all time favorite in the whole world SALSA! I just couldn't go another day without dancing with a partner... and this professional is very cool and easy for me to follow. So examined my budget and found that I could swing a single lesson, dropped him an e-mail and I was booked.

Oh to dance again!!! I missed it so! We worked primarily on Salsa (he's been teaching for over 18 years... he knows all the tricks) and had a blast. I was so excited that I wasn't out of breath and I felt like I was following ok, I was picking up on new steps quickly. It was validation for all the days I've gone to the gym and bored myself to death with a work out. YES!!! My mission to at least stay on the same level while I'm not in regular lessons with RT and Largo is working!

This professional also happens to like my Waltz... I know.. crazy right? I had taken group classes of his in American Smooth and Rhythm (DVIDA Syllabus) last year and for whatever reason he's always liked my Waltz while I always feel like my following is being tested. But, I got through all of the Bronze DVIDA steps...even the natural turns...which I have to tell you.. are anything but natural.

In addition to that we also covered DVIDA Cha Cha, and Rumba. Can't have a lesson without a Rumba... RT taught me that! It was a blast!!!!

I was then blessed to have another opportunity to work with this professional... this time with a practice partner. I have a great practice partner... unfortunately since I'm out of the Fred Astaire studio we don't get to practice much anymore... but on this occasion he humored me and came out for a couple of lessons. We wanted to work on Salsa (of course!!!) and boy did we. We both learned a TON about music, timing, leading, following and some new steps too! When that was over... my practice partner bid the professional and I a good day and had to head home... but there was still some time left in our lesson, so the professional asked me for a waltz.... too funny! Waltz we did... all around the floor to three songs in a row... I really felt like my following was being challenged, but I think I did ok!

Then it was my choice... and I broke all protocol and said "Well if you really want to see me suck at something let's work on Tango..."

I have never asked to work on Tango... I don't know what I was thinking... but actually it went a lot better than I thought... I can basic, corte, that was all the same... then we got into some steps I've never done before... like the Ochos... there are two things people think of when they think of Tango as far as what it looks like... one is the Corte where the lady extends her leg back and looks over her left shoulder... that's typically in photographs of Tango a lot. Then there are the Ochos which is the step where the lady flicks her heals as she kind of swivels in front of her lead. (first Tango Image is Corte, second is Ochos). I actually had a TON and I mean a TON of fun with this Tango...

Every time I would be lead into something I'd never done before if I finished it and was still standing I got a funny surprised look on my face (you know.. my Tango always comes with comic relief) and every now and again the professional would look over and see my face and start to chuckle. I enjoyed that... I really like that he has such a great sense of humor. Oh I also did a throw out step that was different than the others I had done before... and the greatest part was...we just danced... for five songs... and if I didn't get something.. there wasn't any correcting..there was just a basic step...and then we'd try it again. I was being left up to my own devices as to how I was going to learn it best for me. LOVED THAT!!!

After FIVE Tangos... my knees were fine, my hips were cool, my feet were showing minimal signs of stress... my shoulders however were NOT... which tells me two things.. I need to do this more often.. and if my shoulders are hurting I'm not holding my frame right... so I have to work on that too. Although...maybe I don't suck at Tango....

Last song of our long stretch of lesson... my choice again... I thought about it.... and since I didn't know when I'd be coming back to get a good quality Salsa in... I picked that... I was a little tired I'll admit.. but in much better shape than I thought I'd be... my legs and ankles in particular are MUCH stronger than they were a month ago. I had SOOOO much fun! I'll have to absolutely continue visiting this studio regardless of what happens with my "home" studio.... I just wish I were employed again so I could visit both and I wish I didn't live nearly an hour drive from this one.

Always a Bridesmaid....

Well, maybe not always... but I am right now. As I've mentioned before I am a bridesmaid in Captain's upcoming wedding. I am VERY excited about this... but with the excitement comes trepidation. Not over getting to Florida where the wedding is held, or weather I'll have to maybe prepare a speech. Nope, my severe trepidation comes over the dress.

I'm very fortunate that Captain is sensitive to the idea that different dresses look better for different body types. She picked about five dresses from a designer, and let us pick the ones that would suit us best. So at least that was something I didn't have to worry so much about. However, I've done this bridesmaid thing before... in 2005 at my "pre dance" weight.. and it was a nightmare! I had the consultant make comments about my size, I had arguments with the seamstress once it came in, it all nearly ended in a discrimination lawsuit. It was just not a good experience.

This time around I at least knew that I fall within the parameters of what designers consider an "acceptable" plus size girl... so I knew I could get the dress in my size... it was just a matter of how much. See the wedding industry has the world over a barrel, and they know it. I went in to order my dress, thankfully a different store than in 2005... I actually have no issues with the store this time... just the wedding industry as a whole. So.. I went in to order my dress... had my measurements taken...then was shown the size chart.

Here's where it gets funny... the consultant, who was very nice, had to show me where my measurements fell in the size chart... she then had to have me initial that she showed me. THEN as part of the process...tells me that the dress that fits my measurements will cost $65 extra... but if I wanted to save the money I could order the highest size in the "non-plus size" range... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! That "non-plus size" dress is like 4 sizes too small...why on earth would I want to order that?!?! The Consultant said she had to recommend that just in case I was extremely uncomfortable with the size that fit my measurements... uh..no the size is just a number, and very often varies.. I know this.... I would prefer to have a dress that suits me rather than one I can't zip up and has a little tag in it that says a smaller number. It was bizarre... once I confirmed that I will actually be ordering a dress that fits... I had to initial that I selected that size. You'd think I was signing a mortgage agreement with the number of times I had to initial my choices.

So that part is settled, I tell her when I need the dress by... this was about a month ago. She tells me that there isn't enough time, and that it takes FOUR MONTHS to get a bridesmaid dress. Well heck, I'm not even sure if I knew I was even in this wedding four months ago! Sheesh! So in order to get the dress here in time to allow for alterations they have to put a "super rush" on it... to the tune of an additional $55. *sigh*

Ok fine... I can't really help those things... I have to pay it in order to get it.. I knew the plus size dress was going to cost more...but seriously... it's the same amount of work..it's just a little bit more material. The shipping charge just seemed extravagant to me too. But we're not done there folks... it was then suggested that because I am over 5'8'' tall that I have extra length added to the tune of another $65. Ok...so you charge me because I'm overweight, you charge me because I don't have 1/3 of a year to get the dress... both are actually controllable variables... but NOW you want to charge me because God and my genes made me tall? Uh no... not getting extra length... it's a cocktail length dress anyway it should fall around my knees and be just fine.

That was frustrating... but you know there is more.... Oh, and I did have to initial that I wasn't getting the extra length too.... then when the dress comes in there are alterations to make sure it fits perfectly.. I am told that these typically run $65-$85 in addition to the rest. HA! I've got them trumped there!!! I told the consultant that I have my own designer who will be handling the alterations for me.... (Of COURSE I'm taking this dress to Bonnie's Belle Gowns to be altered!)

*sigh* Grand total... $290. (Considering most of my most popular, compliment receiving, dresses were found on clearance racks for about $40...that's a LOT for me to spend on one item of clothing) My only salvation is that once this dress is finished (it's currently with Bonnie now) I will be able to wear it again... it's quite tasteful, and in a lovely royal blue color. Don't be surprised if you see me running out to every semi-formal event in the spring wearing this dress.

We have about three weeks until Captain's wedding... I'm VERY excited to see her and her hubby again! I'll be sure to get pictures up when I get back!

Harvest Moon 2009

I told you all... I might not be dancing... but I'd still be around! Actually Harvest Moon is the last independent Competition I get to see in the year, so I usually try to attend. Many people have asked me how, on unemployment, I still go to ballroom events... they aren't cheap (typically around $50 to walk in the ballroom). Well, I tell you what, it's not easy... I usually have to beg, borrow, and plead with my checking account weeks and sometimes months in advance just to make sure I have the money to get in.. then I have to figure for parking, and make sure that I don't run myself into the hole... I don't have a credit card... I'm a cash and carry girl... so I'm not running myself into debt about it either. So then why...why do I put myself through all that added financial stress just so I can see the professional dancers I know compete?

It's simple... throughout the time I've been dancing and changing my life... and learning to love my life again... these dance professionals have been there... they've danced with me, taught me, INSPIRED ME, made me laugh when I needed it... and gave a hug when I've cried. How can I not attend these competitions and be part of their cheering section?? It's the only way I know that I can return the support they've shown me. It's important to me to do it.

Now, Harvest Moon.. is a very small competition in comparison to some others, but it is a Chicago Ballroom institution... I believe this was the 46th year.

I also had a sneaking suspicion that all "my" pros would do well. The last few competitions have seen some of them skyrocket to new heights. So I was very excited! I even managed to budget for both nights as the Rising Star (newer professionals) and Open (seasoned professionals) events were spread across two nights, and Fred Astaire Chicago region had pros I support in both categories.

Friday night was the Rising Star events, this was the night I thought would be good. From FADS Buffalo Grove, we had Largo/TNT, HFC/STP, FAF/TSD, and from FADS Michigan Avenue we had RTS with her partner. Also, Theatre Arts was Friday so the couple that's been soaring through the ranks to world class would be there too.

As anticipated it was a smaller competition... but it did draw out some fair competitors. The evening was nice, I got to say hi to all the professionals from both studios and watched with great anticipation.

I can't even get into the details of the evening, I must get straight to results as they were PHENOMENAL...

Rising Star Smooth (Waltz, Tango, Fox Trot, Viennese Waltz) FAF and TSD WON!!!

Rising Star Rhythm (Cha Cha, Rumba, East Coast Swing, Bolero, Mambo) Largo and TNT WON!!! First title ever! So proud of my pro! HFC and STP placed SECOND!

The couple from Michigan Avenue WON Theatre Arts! This is I

believe their 7th title this year alone!

After results like that, no way Saturday could be any better right? WRONG... Saturday's Open events were just as exciting!

Open Smooth - FAF and TSD WIN AGAIN!!!! Their FIRST Open Title! I am SOOOO glad I was there to see it!

Open Rhythm - Largo and TNT place SECOND... simply amazing!

HFC and STP rounded out the tops for us with FOURTH!

RTS and her partner definitely deserve honorable mention here, as they have once again improved since I saw them at Windy City... in fact while they didn't seem to make it out of the Semi Finals there were at least two couples that did in their smooth events that in my humble, professional spectating, opinion did not dance NEARLY as well! Congratulations to you two as well... for a job well done.

And that's the thing about Ballroom, sometimes the judges see the same things you do, and sometimes they don't.. it's kind of the wild card in this whole thing. You never know if the judges are on the same page.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL "MY" PROS... I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU!!!!

Working Out and Making Good Choices

Well I'm still going to the gym.... I'm starting to get really bored by it, but it's important that I do this. I've started to go once a day for a longer period of time rather than twice a day for shorter bursts. I have altered my cardio by going in 20-30 minute segments, going to work on some weights, or some core elements, then going to another machine for another 20-30 min. Back to the cardio equipment for a 20 minute stroll on a treadmill. It takes a long time to get this style of work out done.. but it works for me while I've got the time.

This past week has been important for my kicking the choices I make with my food intake into gear. It doesn't matter how much I work out... if I can't make good food choices then there is no point. Losing weight is about one thing... burning more calories than you are taking in pure and simple.... which is a ton easier to type than it is to practice.

So I'm back in the game... and to add to it I have to watch what types of calories I'm eating because I have the classic problem of carrying the majority of my weight around my middle. As I'm sure you have seen on the news, or in any number of magazines, or if you also carry middle weight your physician would have told you. Belly fat is the one type of weight that is the leading cause of bad health conditions as people age. I'm not sure why.. but the numbers don't lie. Also for me, my last big hurdle in really looking my best and as fit as I can be is to trim down my midsection...

The issue is that working out alone doesn't get rid of that midsection...barely even touches it actually. I've lost mass amounts of weight everywhere else except my tummy... so it's all about the food choices. I have to put good fuel into my body to make sure that it's going to burn the proper stored fat and trim me down. What kills me is how simple it sounds. What kills me even more is that some of my support system doesn't get it either... "Well, just do it then." It's just not that simple... It takes active thought nearly every moment of the day.

My food style is pretty much as quick as it can be. I have a big tendency to forget to eat. I know it sounds crazy... but it's true... there are some days when I can make it until 4pm without eating a thing. So then I become so hungry so fast that I'll eat anything that's quick and easy, because once I get hungry... getting dizzy or a headache isn't far behind. So what I've done this week is make a conscious decision to eat shortly after I wake... even if it's just something small, because that will get my metabolism going and get me to eat at regular intervals. Not only that, but it's about WHAT I'm choosing... so that I can kick this belly fat out... so it's lots of LEAN protein (*Sniff*... I love red meat), lots of veggies with little to no dip or dressing (actually something I've become accustomed to and it's really good), and if I do any carbohydrates it will be whole grains and fruit but only early in the day. Also, and this is a big one for me... no beer or wine.... that just goes straight to the gut.

So that's what I'm doing.. I've written it before but it's been hard to maintain..and I'm back on the wagon... this is a LIFESTYLE CHANGE... and I do it all because I know it all will make me a better person...and what I LOVE is that it will make me a better dancer.

I'm working it all out... I'm almost back to the studio for some group classes... I've learned that I can live without ballroom... but it's just not the same quality of life.

Working Out at the Gym.... Week one...

Well week one is over at the gym. Let me tell you, working out at the gym.. I don't care WHAT kind of cardio you do.. is NO replacement for ballroom dancing! I can handle 40 to 70 minutes on the elliptical machine (the kind that has your arms moving too) with resistance and hill, and still not feel the same complete work out that ballroom dancing provides in 30-40 minutes. There is no wonder why Ballroom gets the reputation it does as such a complete workout.

I started this week with my personal training session. My trainer was very nice, she's actually a professional kick boxer too, and that's something I can respect. I don't know what it is that people think of me when they see me, in all honesty I don't normally care.. but my trainer really underestimated my level of physical fitness. We started with a 5 minute cardio warm up on the treadmill... and then went right for conditioning exercises. I did wall push ups against a yoga ball... good tip because that helps you engage your core for balance... but it doesn't really feel very safe. We then did some weights, they were kind of light for me... the trainer made the comment that I wasn't sweating enough...and increased my weights... all done while balanced on a yoga ball to make sure my core was engaged.. which is exactly what I needed.. and told her as much during my warm up. After weights we went to the free range of motion machine....well.. one of them.. they are kind of like resistance bands...only put into a machine with weights. Here I did some leg extensions where the trainer was impressed that I could keep my knee at such a high level. :-)

Finally, we went to the floor and worked on some non-sit-up ab work... which was interesting... and hard. It involved a lot of balancing on my knees..which my knees didn't care for much...at all. But I stuck it out and didn't complain.. unless it really hurt...which it did a couple of times! My favorite part of the whole ordeal was the assisted stretching at the end. It was very reminiscent of an episode I'd seen of "No Reservations", where Anthony Bourdain goes to Uzbekistan and gets a crazy "massage".... I survived! It was a 40 minute work out...with 20 minutes carved out to sit in one of those offices and talk about a possible plan.. hmmm.. that sounds a lot like a first lesson in a ballroom studio! ;-) Well I did tell the trainer that a "plan" was not an option... and I was very firm about it. I did however listen to her prices and plan idea...and she in turn listened to my feedback on my experience. I did like working with her.. and I told her in the end that if I'm around when she decides to fight next I'd like to see it... a kickboxing match might be a fun experience.

Once we parted ways I decided that my workout was good...the stretching was nice..but I needed cardio.... the only way to lose weight is to burn calories...a lot of them.. so I jumped on the elliptical for an additional 30 minutes.

While I did hurt the next day...a lot... I still showed up to the gym and pounded out some more cardio and for the most part have been doing just that twice a day... plus some of the core work the trainer showed me. I hope to keep this up until I have gainful employment, and who knows... I may consider joining a gym (one of my own choosing, not this particular one) once I do have a job to help in addition to my dancing.

Next challenge... get the eating under control.. but more about that later...

1st Day at the Gym... Still Living the Life of a Fat Girl

Well today was rather successful over all I have to tell you. However, I was blatantly reminded that I'm still a fat girl...

I dutifully printed my one free week pass to the health club/gym that I dread and arrived at the location around 11am. I walked in and was pleased that the space appeared to be remodeled since my last visit... which means no real visual cues of my past bad visits. Good start! I showed my printed pass to the gal behind the desk and she promptly brought out a guy who's sole job it seems is to sign up new members.

This guy.. let me tell you... appearance alone isn't what you'd expect as an employee of a gym. I'm all for equal opportunity employment... but this guy was short, old, had some kind of skin condition on his hands, and was SEVERELY overweight. I don't know, but if I owned my own gym, sure I'd employ him.... but not as the person my new customers would meet. I wouldn't even hire myself as that person. Anyway... I was a bit wary of his appearance before he opened his mouth, but then he pulled me into one of the offices and I was immediately put on guard. Anytime any of these types of organizations pull you into an office... be it a gym, or a dance studio... be ready to talk dollars and cents.

This guy started with trying to pull out his book of programs... I stopped him before he even had the book from one side of the desk to the other...

"Ok, before you go any further... let me tell you why I'm here, we can shorten up this conversation ok?" He stops, sets his little book of plans down... clearly he doesn't deal with people like me very often. :-)

"Great..." I say, seeing his response "....I'm here because I'm unemployed and I need to get out of my house, my father has been a member here since the doors opened, and I want to do the month to month membership, no strings attached because I don't know where my next job is going to take me."

He's a little surprised... "Ok.. so you want to do this plan..." and he pulls out the sheet with the month to month prices on it. "...do you want to do personal training?"

"Nope, just the membership."

This is where I almost lost my mind.. this guy.. this out of shape, homely, skin rash having guy gives me the once over... LOOKS ME OVER HEAD TO TOE... and says "No training...really?"

"No training... I've already managed to drop more than 100 pounds with ballroom dancing... I'm here because I can't afford dance right now and I don't want any weight to come back... I don't need a personal trainer...." I say with venom in every syllable. I can NOT believe that he just did that!!!

"Oh! well ok then... lets get you signed up." He tries to give me a high five, and I don't respond... the lines have been drawn.

I then realize that the ceiling above the office is open to all the other offices... because I hear someone cough back a chuckle from one of the other offices. Good...I'm glad someone heard me!

I then find out that not only do I have to still put up with this guy for a few more minutes...but I have to actually join and pay my money today, instead of waiting until the end of my free week. Once again... I'm irritated...

"Why does the month to month deal end today? It's not the end of the month..or even a Saturday... do you have this documented somewhere? I'm losing out on a free week if I sign up today."

Sure enough he shows me documentation that says the deal increases by $10 after today, so my head scrambles to figure out if I have the money to pay today. Turns out... I did.

My mood had clearly not improved, as I wrote my check for the first AND last month (also listed in the documentation) and I mumble something about still losing my free week. Then this guy says he'll give me a free personal training session.

"I'll take a free personal session sure..." I say as he's out the door to find the Training manager.

Moments later I'm met by the car salesman of personal training... oh boy... I've been through this before too... guard still up.. I shake his hand. This guy at least looks the part... he's good looking, really fit, and has that fake tan that would make any body builder (or ballroom dancer for that matter) proud.

"So what are your goals?" He asks me.

"To get out of my apartment and continue to lose weight while I can't dance." I reply

So we discuss real quick how much I have left to lose, and how I lost my weight so far. This guy is ready to take me out to the machines right now.. but I didn't want to do this today.

"Have you ever worked with a personal trainer before?" Typical question.. I get it...

"Nope, that's part of what my ballroom instructors do for me." I reply.

Basically I'm telling him without saying the words... I don't need your services...end of story.

I left the office with my free training session scheduled for 10am tomorrow morning... this guy is telling me "Well, Ballroom doesn't involve a lot of resistance training...so that's probably where we're going to start you."

I wanted to tell him that Ballroom is FULL of resistance, leverage, and muscle control... but let him think what he wants....I'll tell the trainer I work with tomorrow that I know what I want to get out of this session... and I'll get it too.

After I left the office I went to the locker room, stashed my stuff and proceeded to pound out 50 minutes on the elliptical trainer, not NEARLY as intense as even 30 minutes of Ballroom dancing...but it got the job done. I then stretched, went home and rested, walked mom's dogs and returned to the gym to get another 35 minutes pounded out. My knees ache a bit... but I really needed all that. My goal is to be in that gym a minimum of once a day if not twice on most days, for the duration of my unemployment. No excuses.

Just goes to show you though... doesn't matter where I go.. I'm still reminded every now and again by the odd stranger that I'm still a fat girl... only they don't know who they're messing with. ;-)

I do however need to point out... that while there are a few similarities between the gym and a dance studio... I have NEVER been made to feel awkward or fat or out of place at a dance studio...not even when I was carrying an extra 100lbs, and THAT speaks volumes about dance studios and the honest professionals I know.

Life Without Dancing... Finding Motivation

Sometimes I think I'm bi-polar, I honestly do. I can go up and down in a matter of hours. Probably because of my ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). However, I wouldn't have it any other way. Having my mind work the way it does, allows me to be the person that I am...and I don't know about you, but overall, I really like her, craziness and all! I have learned that the low points will pass... and I'm learning how to hang on to my positive inspirational moods every time they strike. I thank Dancing for teaching me that too, as well as everything else.

So what is going on now that I'm not able to really participate in my beloved pastime and obsession that is Ballroom Dancing? Well, aside from the daily submission of resumes, phone interviews, and figuring out how on earth I'm going to come up with finances to live until I get a job... it's been a bit up and down... I'm not going to lie, we know I don't do that here. It goes back and forth between being ok and feeling almost tolerable, to some afternoons where I can't get out of bed because I'm having trouble seeing whatever light might be at the end of the tunnel. Oh and it's only been two weeks, I've got 6 more before Captain's wedding and probably at least 2 before I set foot back into my dance studio for a group class or three.

I miss it, I miss dancing with a partner, sure on the ok days you'll find me practicing a Salsa shine, or trying to work on some of the technique drills I've learned along the way, but it's not the same. A few days ago I caught myself in one of my more down moments feeling like I was punishing myself by not dancing, only not being able to come up with justification for it. I knew that was a very wrong way of thinking... so I immediately loaded up my small workout MP3 player with my current favorite workout songs put the ear buds in and hit play... You know what? It worked! Even if it's just for 4min and 21 seconds of a Black Eyed Peas song, I almost immediately felt better and couldn't sit still. (Which is good, because the last two weeks have been filled with a lot of sitting). Since then my MP3 player, hasn't left my side. Upon waking up if I'm feeling like it's going to be one of those days... I start my player with one of my new Salsas and I'm up and smiling.

Still though, there needs to be more... there needs to be more than my sitting around on the phone, or on the web job hunting, waiting for the time to go walk my mom's pup, and then quietly retreating back to my apartment (which has affectionately been nicknamed "the cave") to surf some more, or catch the latest in TV's fall line up. So I put some plans I'd been thinking about into action... first being designing a few dance inspiration related t-shirts to sell. I want more of this blog, I think you as my readers deserve more, and I'm planning on bringing it. Including but not limited to, dancing, weight loss, and wise eating choices (because we know "diet" is a bad word in my world) that inspire me along the way. So keep your eyes here. :-)

Second, I have to stop sitting... I can feel the lethargy of old coming back, it's almost as if my muscles are beginning to atrophy, and quite frankly it's grossing me out. I KNOW I've put some weight back on since being unemployed.. much less in the two weeks I haven't been in for lessons. (I'm afraid to check the scale though, but plan to by the end of the week) Dancing is bliss, don't get me wrong, but part of that bliss is the endorphins that come with the workout. Not to mention that I need to get out of "the cave" a bit more often. So my dad has procured information for joining the gym (he's belonged to this gym since the beginning of time) on a month to month basis. It's actually rather cheap (which is great, cuz that's all that's in my budget) and it's about time that I set to change my mind about his particular gym.... this gym and I... we have history...and it's not pleasant.

This is the gym I was forced to join as a kid... twice if memory serves... during the times when my parents thought I was in dire need for getting in shape, and I was less than motivated. It's old, is typically filled with older people, and quite frankly I just don't have good memories about the place. SO... now that I'm older, wiser, very interested in walking back into that dance studio in better shape than I walked out of it, and have my MP3 player to protect and motivate me, I'm going back... Get this... I'm actually looking forward to it!

So yes, I am working VERY hard at keeping all the bad negative thoughts away, and maintaining at least shreds of that powerful inspiration I had towards the end of my dancing. Even just a little will keep me going. Not having RT and Largo as direct inspiration is really hard, but I have to learn how to do all this on my own... and I'm taking you all with me.

Which brings me to my question for all of you... What inspires you? I'm really interested to hear what gets you all out of bed in the morning and what is the first thing you go for when you're feeling down? Let me know! It takes all types to make this crazy world work... and I'm very interested in what you have to say!

I'm listening!

Introducing T-shirts!

I've been busy in my non-dancing time! I've got to tell you it's been rough... but I'm hanging in there. Part of my time has been used to put together some dance inspired T-shirts for you all to purchase! Please take a moment to check out my new shop. It's still a work in progress... but keep checking! Over the next three weeks I'll be putting up more and more designs!

I own a few of these shirts myself, and I've got to tell you I love to use them when I work out and practice. Anytime I look in the mirror, seeing a shirt that proclaims my love of dance helps me push forward to my goal.

So check it out!

More to come soon!

Week One No Dancing.... and The FADS Regional Comp

I got the worst cold I've had in 4 years on the Monday of my first week "off". So I actually can't say that I missed dancing too much, I was too busy trying to get better so I could attend the Chicagoland FADS DanceSport Challenge, which is the fall regional competition. These competitions begin on Friday night, and go all day Saturday... Saturday night is saved for a semi-formal dinner and a show or dance party of some kind. This particular competition was going to feature a Salsa "party" after the dinner so I had always planned on attending that. Then I found out that some dance friends were competing so I decided to also attend the Saturday session too.

Actually, I attended the Saturday session to catch ETP's solo... he had a Cha Cha choreographed by Jesse DeSoto some months ago and has been working on it and talking about it to the point where I couldn't miss it. Combine that with the fact that I knew this was going to be one of the few dance events I'd be attending where I could run into most of the dance people I know and nothing was going to stop me from being there....

So the plan was set... Solo's and Showcases usually happen on Saturday morning... personally I believe that it's a crime to ask people to be fully ready to dance that early in the morning... but I brought my professional spectator self to the hotel at 9:30am. Making a quick stop at the coffee station before entering the ballroom of course. Low and behold Jem and another dance friend also there to catch ETP's solo were already there and cheering. I was impressed. I chatted with them for a bit and caught up with a few other folks. I was having a nice relaxing morning actually! Per the schedule, Solos and Showcases were to start at 11am.

11am came and the announcer started calling for the music, each performer had to give their music to the DJ...and the announcer called again... no one came forward. THIS was the great race to NOT go first... as it happens no one who goes first wins. So, no one wanted to give up their music. Personally I think they should just go in the order listed in the program and be done with it, but that's just me. So we all waited a bit and I saw ETP give his music over to the DJ... this was all before I knew about the great race to not go first... had I known what was going on, I would have tried to talk him out of it. As soon as ETP handed his disc over, magically so did everyone else. :-)

So ETP went first... it was a good routine... really solid and performed well. I know all too well how hard it was worked on and the thought that went into the costuming, it was worth the wait. I honestly thought after seeing it that he had a shot at getting top solo, but unfortunately tradition came into play and not only did he not win, but I think he was judged rather harshly... but he knew that was going to happen going into it... He's the one that told me about the great race to not go first. :-)

The rest of the day was spent chatting, and cheering. One of my favorite ways to spend the afternoon. The Competition wrapped up about an hour earlier than the program indicated, which was craziness... Some friends and I decided to go to a restaurant for dinner outside the hotel, instead of doing the semi-formal thing. That was nice, and we had a lot of time to kill since the competition ended so early.

We arrived back at the hotel in time to freshen up and get ready for some Salsa dancing... the theme of the evening was Havana Nights and they hired a band I actually see around quite a bit Rica Obsesion. They play some pretty good Latin music, I've never had a bad time when they're around.

Dances were a bit few and far between for me, which is what happens all the time... but there were a couple of highlights... Got part of a song in with RT, which only reminds me how much I'm going to miss dancing with him....still had fun. Michael picked me up for a really fun Salsa too... he's getting really good at this! Then I got a whole song in with RTS' partner from the Michigan Avenue studio (I had previously made him promise to ask me for a dance...but I ended up kind of stalking him for one instead... :-) ) That salsa was actually the highlight of my evening because I've only danced with him one other time and I was very impressed that I was following so well... way too much fun! After a bit CWS picked me up for a club style Cha Cha... or "lazy cha cha" as he called it... very accurate description! Finally the evening was ended at 10pm...and about 30 seconds before the end of that last song I got a few quick steps in with Largo...

After I actually picked a different exit from the ballroom... I didn't want to say goodbye to anyone... I don't know exactly when I'm going to see them again... so I just ducked out.....and into the bar to chill with a couple of dance students I talk to regularly for a bit. Then off to home...

I did enjoy my day and evening... congratulations to all the students, well done!

Last Lesson with Largo our Danceaversary!

Last week was my last lesson with Largo. By this point I have to tell you I had really made peace with my decision to take a break from dancing, but this lesson was important. It was our first Danceaversary! "Danceaversary" is a term I've coined to celebrate my yearly anniversaries with dancing... the word "Anniversary" is generally reserved for couples celebrating a year together... and since my relationships with my instructors are very dear to me.. but we are not "couples" I like to use "Danceaversary" :-) But then as I'm sure you know my brand of the English language tends to be my own anyway.



I had purchased Coke for each of us because I like to do a little something to celebrate... and I know Largo drinks Coke... a lot. So as Largo picked me up for my lesson I handed him his Coke...

"What is this for?" He asked.

"Happy Dancaversary!" I proclaim!

For which I was met with a HUGE hug! "I forgot! I'm so sorry!" he said, not letting me go.

"It's ok, are you kidding? With the results you've been putting up with these competitions I'm more than happy with all that."

"Still, I'm sorry I forgot." He states finally letting me go.

"No problem...cheers!" I say as I open my soda and take a sip.

Before we started we chatted a bit about how proud I am of his and TNT's results, Largo does a very good job of staying humble to all the praise I know he's been receiving lately. Just another reason to like working with him.

"So this is your last one yes?" He asks, referring to this lesson.

I became a little quiet, but not sad.. "Yep... last one."

"Awwww..." followed by another bear hug.

I was very thankful for the affection... but by this point we were already a good bit into my lesson... and dancing was becoming MANDATORY.

"So lets dance then ok?" I smile at Largo.

"Ok.. then we'll work on Salsa" He replies....

I love how my pros know all the magic words. Salsa we did..for a good amount of time! Largo and I don't Salsa very often, but when we do have a relaxed Salsa it's so much fun! Everyone has their own way of doing it, and each lead has their own set of things they like to do. Which I love, it keeps me on my toes as a follower, which will only make me a better dancer. So we had a blast with that!

Largo and I move to change the music and he calls for a Mambo.... uh oh...

"We just danced On1... now you want me to Mambo On2 right after that? Are you feeling ok?" I'm worried, I was just listening to the music for the 1 beat... and now I'm supposed to switch to the 2, which I don't do very well...

"Yes."

"Ok.. please pick a Mambo that has a strong 2 beat."

He did, and off we were working on Mambo... I usually ask to stay in the basic for a few measures so I can get a feel for listening to the music differently, I don't know how...but I was pretty much staying On2...(and trying not to let the fact that RT was blatantly spying on my lesson bother me...first time ever I didn't let it phase me... this is progress!) it was pretty amazing if I do say so myself. My biggest issue is with the spins, when I'm left to my own devices to get back to frame or at least facing my partner on my own... my head just finds that 1 beat and wants to go! It takes nearly every fiber of my being to hold through to that 2.

We then started working on some new to me Mambo steps... uh ok.. last lesson.. new steps? Does that make sense to anyone else??? I questioned Largo on it a bit, but he wasn't going to be deterred from his plan... my guess is this was kind of his way of letting me know the learning wasn't over yet. It took a few tries..but I got this Mambo step... I think.

Mambo over, I walk over to where our sodas were and take a sip of mine and ask what he had next for me... he tells me Rumba... ok... so we Rumba... we drilled all the steps I currently know from the Bronze syllabus, which I think now is at least up to 9...maybe I've picked up 10 along the way I don't know, but I was having fun! Shortly after a Rumba drill, I go to the soda take a swig and ask him again... what's next.... East Coast Swing... I still haven't found the swing I used to love... but I'll get it back some day. I figure if I like to concentrate in one particular style, then I should love all the dances in that style. I'll get it back again...someday.

One thing about East Coast though it still will kick my butt faster than anything else... which is probably why I haven't found it the way I once had it... I have to learn to build up my stamina and become a bit lighter on my feet. So now, tired, and getting sweaty I'm running back to the soda to catch my breath...

"What else do you have for me?" I say.. as if I'm not tired at all... I'll never learn why I have to front like that.... I could be panting for air and so dehydrated I'm starting to shrivel and if we're on a dance floor... the words coming out of my mouth are "I'm fine."

"Cha Cha" Largo tells me...

"Ok then..." deep breath, sip of soda "let's do it." Is my reply.

Cha Cha we did, I had a little trouble finding the beat, because I was trying to make sure I could move that fast.. but I managed to pull it off after a bit. Largo also worked on showing me a new to me Cha Cha step... that involves a couple of FAST pivots, some hip bopping, and a spin.... I almost had it... but those pivots are QUICK!!! Something else for me to work on... which is ok... there is ALWAYS something to work on in dancing. After we both felt I progressed we worked on a few of the steps we always do together... If RT and I have Salsa...then I guess Largo and I have Cha Cha as our most comfortable dance. It's just kind of worked out that way.

The lesson ended with another big hug...and that was it, not to dissimilar from other lessons, which was really nice. I have to tell you I, of course, don't want to have to stop dancing... but it's ok that I am. Everything happens for a reason, and just because I'm not taking lessons doesn't mean I'll stop dancing... we already know I'll NEVER stop dancing...

I was fortunate enough to get a brief chat in with RT before I left, it was all up beat and not a single tear was shed... which is good... I don't like crying.

Thus ends the near flawless three and some year run I had with the greatest thing that has ever been part of my life... but everyone needs a break sometimes to regroup and come back with greater passion and determination... besides, the phrase I have ALWAYS lived by is "That which doesn't kill me only serves to make me stronger."

I plan on coming back.... stronger.

Professional Spectating at its Best! The Windy City Open 2009

This past weekend, one of the biggest competitions the city of Chicago as to offer was going on at the Hyatt McCormick Place (McCormick Place being the biggest convention center in the city.) This competition is known as The Windy City Open, and is an independent competition, meaning that it is open to ALL dance studios. I attended last year and had a very nice time.. this year it was even more important for me to attend as I'm trying to still stay as involved in the ballroom world as I can, and I had several couples to cheer for!

I have to tell you, there was something about this competition that had me really excited... I don't know if it was just because I'd get to see some of my favorite professionals dance, or what... but I was just very much looking forward to this evening!

I arrived with some dance friends including ETP, and thankfully traffic wasn't bad as we arrived in plenty of time to pick up our tickets, look at the vendors with all their dresses, jewelry, couture wear and the like. It was nice to get a feel for the crowd as it was building. The doors opened promptly at 7:30, the first heat that was American Smooth was slated for 8:07pm. I promptly found my seat, which is a whole other thing about this competition... So let me digress here for a minute.

I purchased my ticket nearly a month ago, based on what last year's seating was... I purposely chose a more expensive seat because I like to be in the first row or "First Riser" as they called it. It's easier for me to flit around the ballroom greeting and talking to all the folks, these evenings very often last 3-4 hours and I simply can't sit for that long. Upon finding my seat in the center of the 5th row in a six row riser, with no chance of an easy exit, I didn't stay up there for long... Where as friends of mine who had purchased their tickets mere days before the event had MUCH better seats! It is my only real complaint about this competition.. but next year I will be ordering my seats over the phone to ensure seat placement, rather than leave it up to the online ordering form which, as it turns out.. is VERY misleading.

...I had to get that out... Ok.. so where was I.. oh right American Smooth event... there were enough couples to make it a Quarterfinal event... meaning that there were enough couples wanting to compete that the competition would go from Quarterfinal, to Semi-Final after some eliminations, to Final. Very exciting! I had two couples to cheer for in this event, RTS and her Partner and FAF with TSD.. and boy did I ever cheer! This competition for whatever reason is much more subdued then a lot of the others, so there isn't as much cheering... don't know why.. but I have found that a lot of the people around me don't like it when I'm yelling... Just because you can hear me clear across the ballroom with the music playing isn't a reason to not like someone :-)

My personal "wants" for this Smooth event was for RTS and partner to make Semi-Finals... they are still very new to the circuit and while their progress every time I see them is nothing short of awe inspiring, I knew it was a little too soon to see them in the finals for an open event such as this. FAF and TSD however, are a bit more seasoned and have had a lot more time together so them I wanted to make the Finals... but again.... still too new to win it.

RTS and partner looked fantastic! Once again, better than the last time I saw them dance... and YES! They made it to the Semi-Finals.. YAY... really proud of them!

FAF and TSD did better than just making the finals, they placed 3rd AND beat a couple that has pretty much consistently beat them all year... AMAZING!

While I love my smooth couples, we all know... American Rhythm is where I live and while RT is not currently competing, Largo is...with TNT of course... and then you've got CWS and DWH, plus STP and HFC... whew! This event also was a Quarterfinal event... so I was hoping for a Semi-Final result for CWS and DWH... and FINALS for Largo, TNT, STP and HFC. This event was exciting... there were a lot of good couples on the floor! Including those from the Fred Astaire Milwaukee Region... the Chicago and Milwaukee region are pretty much neck in neck as far as talent... with Milwaukee edging Chicago out a few times too many for my liking.. but it makes for some very exciting spectating!

CWS and DWH looked great...and achieved the Semi-Final result I was hoping for... and Largo and TNT, STP and HFC made the finals as anticipated... Along with the 4 other Milwaukee couples...

This is where it gets fun folks... the final in American Rhythm at a completely independent competition was ALL FRED ASTAIRE Professionals! If that's not a feather in the cap of that organization I don't know what is! We all watched the floor during that final intently... everyone looked great! Largo and TNT in particular looked AMAZING... I don't know what it was... and they're good folks, let me tell you.. but on this night, all the stars must have been aligned because they just were blowing us away!

Then it came down to results... all six Fred Astaire couples in a line waiting to hear where they placed... the room was positively electric... 6th place was called... a Milwaukee couple that usually places much higher... hmmmm.... curious... 5th place was called, and 4th... BOTH Milwaukee couples... ETP and I exchanged looks of amazement... could it be??

Now we're looking at 3 couples... two from my studio... STP and HFC have always placed higher than Largo and TNT... but even 3rd for them would be amazing... and in my heart I've actually been waiting for Largo and TNT to edge out ahead of STP and HFC... 3rd place was called... and two little girls ran out on to the floor to pick up some beads that had actually fallen off of TNT's costume... All my group and I could think was that this was the most tense we've been while waiting for results EVER.. and these two little dollies were making us wait longer! ACK!!!!

Once the children were ushered off the floor... 3rd place was called again... STP and HFC.... OMG.. NO WAY!!!! Every human being in that ballroom who knew anything about Fred Astaire and the rivalry between the two regions, and especially those from my own studio were screaming and yelling and OMG.... it was UNREAL... Then we had to hear who got second... pretty sure it was going to be Largo and TNT.. but still with the results that were just called... who knows if they edged out that remaining Milwaukee couple! 2nd place was called and it was Largo and TNT! 1st place and title went to the remaining Milwaukee couple... but that's ok... one heck of an amazing event just happened for those of us who are at Fred Astaire Buffalo Grove... It was an amazing and inspiring thing to see....

Intermixed in there was a very cool, albeit very dark (as in the lighting...VERY dark...) show by

Michael Malitowski and Joanna Leunis who are the current reigning world, European, and British Open Professional Latin Champions... they were very good and I'm glad I got to see them.. but really.. this night belonged to Largo and TNT as far as I'm concerned...

Congratulations to all "my" pro couples... good show to you all, and you all should be proud!

Last Lesson with RT... Inspiration Begins Again

Last week I had my last lesson with RT before my self imposed "break from Ballroom." I'll admit to being a bit sad about it... although over the previous days of coming to terms with my decision and my reasons for making it I was much less the sobbing mess I had been previously.

Driving to the studio still felt sad though, and because of all of my anticipation I got there really early. Upon my arrival I slowly changed into my practice skirt and shoes and waited, watching the few lessons on the floor. I was also for whatever reason, reminiscing about all the events of the past three years. Images of the studio that evening I first walked in flashed across my mind as fresh as if they had happened yesterday, but I wasn't reminiscing in a sad way... I was reminiscing in a very at peace way.

RT picked me up for my lesson and walked me over to where the students books are kept, (every Fred Astaire student has a binder with the syllabus, notes, and test scores in it). I asked him why he was looking for my book, I didn't understand...

"Why are we looking for my book..when was the last time we pulled that out to use it?"

He chuckled, "Probably about three months ago." he responded as he reached for it.

"Why on today of all days do we need that?" I was very confused. I didn't want this to be an all technique, lets learn new steps, kind of lesson... I just wanted to dance.

After grabbing my book we walked over to one of the benches that are under the mirrors and he opened the book, smiled and then began reading.

"Kat...Kat...Kat... I am looking forward to working with you..." he began.

OH NO! I immediately began to tear up... I hadn't read that paragraph since he first wrote it to me... three years ago. I responded in a very mature manner too.. I immediately covered my ears like a petulant child and began walking back and forth pretty much yelling "You're NOT helping! This is not helpful at all!!!"

"I admire your determination...." He continued, getting louder so I could still hear him over my own voice.

It's a short paragraph... I don't have it memorized, in fact, I wouldn't have remembered a thing about it had he not pulled out my book. But it is very complimentary of what he thought of me and my becoming his student all those ages ago... while I was pacing back and forth, half yelling, half listening... the old me flashed in my mind...standing in the EXACT SAME SPOT, RT with the book reviewing what new step he was going to teach me. It was very sweet of him to do that.

Once he was finished he put the book down, and it was forgotten for the rest of my lesson.

We opened with Salsa, our steadfast tradition... only this time it was to a song from his own personal collection, another quiet RT touch to make this lesson stand out. It was a slow salsa.. lots of time for hip action and slow spins. It was a lot of fun and I was smiling by the end of it...

Next on RT's agenda was to work on my over turning problem... See when I spin 99% of the time I over rotate which leads me to have a lot of trouble squaring my shoulders to my partner when I'm finished. We started with the "Coca-cola" spin... aka.. left turn and RT broke it down in a new way for me. I FINALLY got it.. I understood what he wanted me to do and showed nearly immediate improvement to my turn... I may have only wanted to dance, but if the technique portion of today's lesson was going to go this well.. BRING IT ON! I was starting to get that old feeling of inspiration again... oh I missed that feeling!

After I showed marked improvement in the "Coca-cola" turn, we moved on to my right spins...which are notably harder for me to finish correctly. We'd touched on this SEVERAL times in the last year... and nothing ever seemed to click... I understand the words RT uses to describe what I should have been doing, but I couldn't translate it into something my body would understand. Well, he must have picked up a new way to describe it because I'd never heard this before...

"Don't use too much power," he stated "And keep your right shoulder in front all the time."

Ok.. so I stood there processing what he wanted me to do... which means I was imagining what that would feel like within my spin. I think I understood it, so I tried.... and failed. So I tried again...and didn't over turn quite as much... and so began the "Better...one more time" mantra that I think we all have in our lessons.

I am pleased to report that this whole "Keep your right shoulder in front" thing works! Nearly every time I went into a spin, if I was thinking about my shoulder, it would stay in front and my turn would end more squarely! YAY!!! New problem for me was that doing this made me hold my right arm in what felt like a very unattractive way.. which I mentioned.

"It's ok.. it's not that bad and you can make it better as you keep practicing." RT informed me.

Great... I probably felt (and currently feel) more like a dancer than I EVER had before!!! WHY did I have to have such amazing progression on my last lesson! GRRRR... but we danced on. Next up was a bit of East Coast Swing, because that's what was playing. I remember how much I loved that dance when I started, it was the first real dance that I felt I could do and understand... now, to be honest... I really only like it with a few partners (RT being one of them of course)... but it will always have a sentimental meaning to me. What was nice was that RT would remind me about my shoulder in EVERY turn...proving that I could work on this in any dance.

We then went to the music machine and RT wanted to Rumba "We have to Rumba, what would a lesson be without a Rumba?" He asked, actually referencing my joke from a year ago, AND wanting an answer to that question.

"We do Rumba in every lesson, because if you have a good solid Rumba you can take the elements into all the other rhythm dances." I reply wondering if he was really looking for an answer that basic.

He was... I got a surprised look and a high five.

"Yeah... I listen to you... sometimes." I smiled back.

"Ok...lets do this." He said as he grabbed my hand to return to the floor.

I was thinking cool, I'll get to dance a Rumba.. like really dance it.. oh this will be fun!

It was fun, but can't really develop that performance connection with RT...when once again I was dancing with his ear...he was watching our profiles in the mirror. A good Rumba requires some level of eye contact... ear contact does NOT count. But I let it go, because once again I was improving.


As our lesson was about to end, and honestly RT did a fantastic job of making it feel like a really REALLY good regular lesson, not the "last one". RT had one more thing, a Cha Cha... to one of the songs in his own collection... it was a FAST club style Cha Cha and very hard for me to pick out the rhythm... gotta tell ya, trying to execute ballroom style Cha to a song that fast is HARD.. well for me anyway... we were dancing a bit of basic in frame and from the bottom of my peripheral vision I see he's actually managing to get every bit of his Cuban motion into this song.... figures... and if you'd ever seen his Cuban motion, and how HARD he works on it... you'd know why it just figures he can do it nearly perfectly at light speed.

"Is this Cha to see how fast you can do the Cuban motion stuff? I know if I can see your hips moving in my peripheral vision they've got to be doing some crazy things!" Yes, even during a super fast dance..I'll find a way to talk. :-)

He just smiled and continued to help me with the beat... seriously hard song for me! He also reminded me about my shoulder in every spin... some of them, like when a few of the higher level bronze steps have their spins...need to be fast at normal speed... one in particular that I've worked on a lot, but never seems to quite be on time was asked of me... I came back to frame and RT reminds me again about my shoulder.

"You can not possibly ask me to control my spin when it's THAT fast yet! I'm lucky I can finish it and still stand!"

"Leave your right shoulder in front." he says as he nods. Classic RT I'm not putting up with your BS no matter how funny it is response.

*sigh* Of course he's going to ask me to control it... don't know quite what I was thinking there.

Shortly thereafter the lesson ended... it really did feel like a REALLY good regular lesson... RT put his arm around me, and said "There see? Like it wasn't even your last one."

We then chatted for a bit about what my dance related plans were for the next couple of weeks and I thanked him...and that was it.

I was feeling really good, and then got sad again... went in back to change, came back up front, and sat on the couch slowly changing my shoes... more memory flashes in my mind. Just trying to drink up the atmosphere when one of the other students that I am very friendly with sat down next to me. She's one of the ladies that has always been very kind, she's sort of like a studio mom of sorts.

"You know you can't go away... I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't see your face at least sometimes."

I thought that was very sweet of her to say...

"Oh, I'm not going to disappear off the face of the planet... I'll be spectating at the next regional competition, and flitting around I'm sure." I reply.

"I can't tell you what an inspiration you have been to me every time I walk in here, you can't not be here." She stated simply.

.....and cue the tears....

"Thank you! I just hope I get to come back!" I say quietly as tears are just flowing... (I so didn't want to cry!)

"You will, I will pray for it every day." She told me.

"Thank you, that means so much!"

"I think you inspire [RT] too." She tells me.

"Well I wouldn't go quite as far as that...but he has definitely inspired me to be better, at everything." I reply..thankfully my eyes are starting to dry up.

"I would, you do." She stated, as if it were a known fact..so there was clearly no arguing.

"Thank you very much! I'll see you at the regional ok?" I said as she got up for her next lesson.

I sat on the couch for a minute more, kind of absorbing everything... I was watching RT teach his next lesson... over by my book that had been left abandoned on the bench. I don't know what it was about it just sitting there that annoyed me... but the idea of it carelessly being picked up with any others that had been strewn about and placed anywhere on the shelves really bothered me. So I got up, grabbed my book, closed it gently...and placed it on one of the shelves in a spot where I knew I could find it again. One last glance at the dance floor where images of lessons past Waltzed, Rumbaed, and Cha Chaed in front of me... and I was on the way to my car to head home.

I don't think I have ever been though such a roller coaster of emotion in such a short period of time! The lingering feeling, thankfully, is the one of pure inspiration... I cannot believe it! It's a very powerful thing, and I need to do whatever I can to hang on to it!