Angel on the Right, Devil on the Left... Let the Battle Begin!

I have an inherent trait of laziness... I never thought I was lazy. I'd been told by a few that I was... but somehow it never really sunk in. As Spring arrives, I've come to realize how much of a bear I've been over the winter, by that I mean that I've just been lazy like a Grizzly Bear- with the sleeping and the eating and doing the absolute minimum to keep from putting on weight. Now, as I look at what I was doing last year at this time, compared to what I'm currently doing it becomes painfully obvious. I've allowed myself to get lazy again. UGH!

As I come to grips with the fact that I am, by nature, a lazy person when it comes to doing things I don't particularly enjoy. I first get irritated that this is even a conversation that I have to have with myself, I then begin to plot out my plan for the next several months to improve.

It feels like I have two people in my head... One (the Angel) that desperately wants to continue to improve and continue to shed the weight and become the best person she can. The second (Lazy Devil) that is EQUALLY as strong just wants to do enough so I can make it through my dancing without looking totally winded. The Lazy Devil plays dirty too, she uses things like reminding me that I won't be able to financially handle dance lessons anywhere for much longer, so what's the point? The Angel, reminds me of all I've done and how sad I would be if I lost everything I've worked for. If I put them together into the total me I'd say I have good arguments both ways, if I can't dance anymore why bother trying? However if I consider the mass amount of financial and physical resources, and all the wonderful things I've gained because of this passion of mine I would be devastated to a terrifying degree to end it all, that's one thing both sides agree on... Ending dancing would not be good for either side.

So, what's the solution? Well, I don't have one yet... but both parties are working on one, I've put the Angel in charge. I have a lot of things working against me here, and a lot working for me too. My life outside of dancing has been changing as well, creating some unexpected stress in ALL aspects of my life, but I will persevere, it's just a matter of how.

I am very glad that Spring is here, it's another opportunity for me to kick start the hardcore plans of last year and start getting some big weight loss numbers. It's also much easier for Angel me to win the argument for working out. I still remember what it felt like to post those numbers, and to suddenly HAVE to buy something to wear because nothing I owned fit (in a good way).

Until I do have a solution that will keep my bills paid, and my feet on the dance floor I'm taking it one day and one thing at a time. I'll keep you posted... Wish me luck!

Saturday Social Part II

Immediately after leaving Dance Connection, Capitan and I drove to a favorite studio party of ours, Latin Rhythms. As we arrived the party was already in full swing! It's amazing, each time we go to a party here we are surrounded my new and different people! Captain and I found a nice place to stand, and immediately Captain was asked to dance, that is definitely a good sign! I personally have only been asked to dance at this venue a few times, sometimes even making it without being asked once in a night. I was certainly hoping this would be a night of dancing!



After a bit of waiting, and trying to decide if I was actually going to be confident enough to ask someone to dance, I was pulled to the floor for a nice Salsa. All I could think during the whole dance was Don't think just follow...don't think just follow... over and over, I have to because there are a lot of patterns that I can follow, but have never actually done before... but I can only follow them if I let my body do what it now knows to do, and get my brain to just sit back and enjoy. I'm pleased to say that it must have worked because when the dance was over my lead asked if I would stay on the floor and dance another Salsa! We did, and it went much better! He even walked me through a combo I was having a little trouble with.

When the second dance was over, I made a point to thank him for the dances and I met up with Capitan on the sidelines. I would have been ecstatic with another dance for the evening, but even if it didn't happen I was SO happy I got two dances with the same leader. It's REALLY hard to break into new dance crowds... it's similar to starting a new school, you have to keep showing up and making your presence known, making the most out of each interaction, until eventually you will become accepted and start receiving more invitations to dance.

Then this studio had their show for the night, which was an awesome dance troupe that did an amazing Salsa! This studio produces some amazing things! I'm really glad I've had the opportunity to get to know some of the folks involved in it.

After the show, another friend and fellow student from our studio joined us, it's so great when we can meet up for a dance event! It wasn't long before our friend made the observation "This is so different than what we do at our studio!" It certainly is! The studio we all take lessons at teaches primarily American style competitive ballroom, which is vastly different from what is done out socially. I actually prefer the look of what we do at our studio to that of the look of the social dancing, but I enjoy actually dancing both styles equally! The one thing that's absolutely in common is the basic rules, Lead, follow, music, basic steps.... Captain and I reminded our friend that she just has to follow and everything will work out. (Our friend has quite a strong ability to follow, so she looked really good out there!) My friends were on and off the floor for the next hour or so, as predicted I wasn't asked to dance again... but as the night wore on I was getting to tired to make the most of any dance I would have been asked to do anyway.

Captain and I headed for home, and while this was not an ideal dance evening... for me it was better than most, and I absolutely plan to hit these studio parties again!

Saturday Social Part I

This past Saturday Capitan and I had a full social schedule! First, we ventured out to Dance Connection for their Salsa Party. This is the same studio that Capitan and I worked on Rueda all those months ago. I'm pleased to say that I've been able to keep in touch with Alex (the primary instructor/owner) over the months and I was very excited to finally be able to make it to one of the parties.

What I love about this studio is the atmosphere. It always has a very inviting laid back homey feel, it's almost as if you've come into someone's home for a get-together and they've pushed all the furniture aside so we can dance! Capitan and I received a very warm welcome and were introduced to some of the students as they came in. Alex and crew put out a very nice snack spread of home made nachos, brought in chicken, and several gallons of lemonade along with the always available coffee and water. I noticed that some students had brought some libations of their own choosing to enjoy. It really felt like a neighborhood social event!



Shortly after the party started a couple sitting very near the edge of the dance floor got up and danced some Salsa, they looked like they were having a blast! Then, students of one of the more advanced Rueda classes got out there and danced some fantastic Rueda! What fun it would be to know some of those calls! Capitan and I hung back for most of the party, as happens when we show up as new faces to an already established group. We were happy to catch up with Alex and see what had been happening with him and the studio in our absence.

A little later in the party I was asked to dance Salsa by an older gentleman, it wasn't bad... he was a very good lead! I only had some trouble following because I'm not at all familiar with some of the purely social Salsa figures, something I will have to adapt to. Captain was asked to dance Tango by a student that was just picking up Salsa, but was more well versed in smooth, once he found out Capitan liked Tango... he felt compelled to ask her for a dance. After that Alex took his turns with us, leading Capitan in a West Coast Swing and me in a super fast Salsa! It's a major coup that we get asked to dance when it's our first time out somewhere!

Towards the end of the evening Alex had a surprise for us, one of the young dance troupes that rents his space for practice was on hand to give us a show. This group was high school age kids that put on a show of some traditional Latin dances. It was well done for such young people! After that Alex asked one of his students to help him show us a Viennese Waltz. It was beautiful and for a studio that concentrates primarily in Latin style dances a very pleasant surprise! I knew Alex had been trained in all manners of Ballroom and Latin dances but it was very nice to see it in action!

After the show, Captain and I decided to head off to our next location for the night, but I have a feeling we'll be making some more appearances at these parties. We bid Alex farewell with a promise to keep in touch.

I Want To Hear From You!

Hey Everyone!

'Tis the Season here in the US for everyone to get ready and let their opinion be known by casting a VOTE! (Well it's not until November, but with all the hoopla you'd think it was tomorrow)

Your opinion counts here too!

Above on the right is a new poll. I want to hear from you! Simply click on which topic you'd like to read more about! I write more for my readers than I do for myself so now is your chance to anonymously let me know what you're thinking! Polling ends on April 30th 2008 11:59pm CST.

Thanks!!
Kat

SALSA PARTY!

I know, two posts back to back...but hey I have to write when I can!

Last Friday, April 11th there was a very special event. It was a Salsa Party at the Fred Astaire in South Barrington. Let me tell you, dance wise they pulled out all the stops on this one! They brought in a LIVE Salsa Band and had not only Buffalo Grove (my home studio), but South Barrington, Mount Prospect and Vernon Hills Fred Astaire Studios were there too! This was GREAT! A room full of students and instructors that are all learning the same style!

The band they hired was very good, and great sports about working with the ballroom crowd. They are Rica Obsession! A local band to the Chicago area... if you are looking for a Latin band, check them out!

I walked in very nervous, because of the whole timing situation of my last lesson. I knew my Salsa would be ok...but I was scared if anyone would ask me to Rumba, would I be able to do it?
I met up with some of my dance friends and we chatted about this and that... I ran into some students from some other studio's that I normally only see at events like competitions. It was GREAT to see them at an event where we all had more time to chat!

Party started with a nice paced Salsa and TNG grabbed me right away... MAN can he dance now! He's so much fun! I've gotten the biggest kick out of watching him progress over the last few months. He's definitely a great addition to our studio! (Yes, I'm aware that TNG isn't really "The New Guy" anymore...So we'll say TNG stands for "The Nice Guy" now!)

Unfortunately the floor condition at this studio is a little different then at my dancing home, and my shoes were sticking! I know that everyone was pretty much sliding around, but you have to remember, I dance in flat jazz shoes with rubber soles..so where a ballroom shoe may slip, I will likely get tripped up from sticking! It took a few dances for me to warm up to the floor, and for me to figure out how much power was going to be needed for my spins... but I held my own until I warmed up.

At one point a teacher from my home studio asked me to dance, he's a bit of a show off, but a very good leader... He decided to open the Salsa frame to pull out some moves... I, for the first time ever at a studio event, pulled out some of the shines that RT's group class had taught me! That was a great feeling! This instructor even complemented me on the fact that I didn't just stand there like I used to! (Wow, he noticed!)

There were some rather advanced lead students there too... really gave me a run for my Salsa money...but I kept up! The first set ended just as RT grabbed me for a dance, and I so wanted to show off and play a little with him instead of being more formal like usual. Just as we started my ankle got a good kick from someone behind me... I wasn't mad.. it happens... but instead of following RT's lead for an independent spin I kept to my basic step making sure my ankle was ok... it was... I did the spin... and the song and set ended... :-(

Between sets, a few of the couples competing at the upcoming Fred Astaire Nationals in Las Vegas showed their stuff. Including Jackie Josephs and Jesse DeSoto, currently the most recognizable faces in ballroom in the area and very well known on the national circuit (although if Jesse doesn't watch out.. his brother is hot on his heels!) I love to see the pros do their thing... I know they work so hard at it...but they make it look so effortless!

Second set started and I some how spent most of the time on the floor! Whoo hoo! I had a few students ask me to dance more than once...which generally doesn't happen unless I know them personally...what a confidence BOOST that was! You know what this means...this means I can actually DANCE! (Salsa and Cha Cha anyway) With about 100 students in attendance...it's tough to find the same partner for more than one dance...and doubly hard to dance with an instructor more than once! My favorite instructor from Mount Prospect picked me up twice, as did one from Vernon Hills I'd never met before! Fortunately I danced with so many guys that I can't remember them all...(Oh, a girl should have such problems all the time!) but a few singular dances did stick out...

Jesse DeSoto was out on the floor dancing with students...it's pretty rare when this happens, and I know EVERY gal wants him to pick her up for a dance...I've been fortunate to dance with him before, so I wasn't going to pout if he didn't ask me to dance... but he did! He lead me in a Cha Cha of sorts... he said he liked to play within the music, and if I didn't always follow it wasn't my fault... well I'm pleased to tell you that I followed nearly everything the lead! Woo Hoo!!! (So happy about that, cuz the last time I danced with him, my following was pretty terrible.) He really kept me on my toes with a mix of Salsa stuff I'd never done to a Cha Cha beat, and some steps I'd just never linked together before... I followed nearly all of it, and what I didn't, I recovered from fast enough that it didn't ruin the dance!

Then I danced with an instructor from the Barrington Studio, I remember when he started just about a year ago...over that time the few times I've danced with him have been a blast! This time, was no exception... he picked me up for a Cha Cha, although he said he was hoping to get a Salsa. Hey, in a social setting, my Cha Cha is nearly as good as my Salsa...so I was happy dancing either. This dance stands out in my mind because we started kind of kidding round, and then he started leading some stuff that told me as a follow that he wasn't playing around with this Cha Cha...so I did what I call "turning it on" which I don't do often.... I don't even do it with RT very much because I can't learn when I do it... I can only follow...and only really in fast Latin Dances... The problem is that my face and my eyes mostly go into that total Rumba intense sexy kind of thing. I have to be careful because I've had some guys misinterpret this if you catch my drift... and it has caused me some problems... that is NOT what that look means for me! I just want to get the most out of the dance! This instructor had NO IDEA I could do that... I think I surprised the heck out of him...Something he did told me to bring my following up to that level..the highest one I've got so far... True to form he brought his gaze up to par and the Cha Cha was GREAT! At the end I made sure to break that intensity and gave him a big hug and thanked him.... He said I was very light on my feet... YAY!!! I love that compliment! I wish I could dance like that more often... He also said he was proud of me... AWWW... how sweet is that! An instructor that only knows me in passing, is proud of me!!! That is the best thing anyone said to me all night!

Towards the end I really wanted to try and get one more dance in with RT, I almost had it too... it was the VERY last dance of the night and he was headed for me... oh if we could have danced after the way my previous dances were going he would have been so proud of me! Just as I thought RT was going to grab my hand another instructor from Mount Prospect grabbed me, and I will not turn anyone down for a dance... besides I can't be sure RT was going to ask me anyway. This was fun because I had heard of this instructor, and I'd seen him dance with his students... what I love is that he was very surprised by my following... I don't know if he had spent most of the night dancing with newer students, or if he does that all the time... it seemed like he was genuinely surprised... I love it when I can surprise my lead with good following... it makes everything worth it.

I really hope there are more cross studio events in the future... I know everyone there had a good time. There's nothing like a whole evening of dancing with people you know, and that know how to dance! I really hope I can take some of the confidence this all built up and carry it with me into my practicing and future dance events... I'll be sure to let you know!

Last Week's Lesson... We Try for Double and Timing sticks out

Last week's lesson was a mixed bag... I think I started off on the "wrong foot" so-to-speak. RT and I usually try and warm up with something quick, Hustle, Salsa, something like that... and we tried to, but were interrupted by another instructor to show an example of two dances for his new students on their first lesson. This happens every now and again, it's commonly referred to in my group as the "Rumba/Waltz thing."

This is what happens... an instructor has brand new student(s) and at one point while explaining the differences in the dances, said instructor will ask a more advanced student/teacher couple on the floor to stop by asking if we can show them the difference between a Rumba and a Waltz. The reason for this is because the actual basic steps for American Rhythm Rumba and American Smooth Waltz are the same... for the follow it's back with the right, side step with the left, and then bring the right foot to close the gap (leads are opposite starting with the left going forward). However, the WAY these three steps are done and the way the overall dances are performed is COMPLETELY different! I love it when RT and I are asked to do this... I usually end up playing with the other instructor or I'll ask RT "I don't know...did you show me how to do that?" Sometimes I have to be careful though because the new students have been known to believe me, and sometimes the other instructor doesn't know my humor and thinks I'm upset with stopping my lesson... this is NOT the case at all! So, two seconds into my lesson, before I've gotten my "dance legs" I'm giving an example... my Waltz was completely off, but I think I recovered after some joking around. I think the Rumba was better, RT and I decided to show off a bit and pulled out one of the steps that are a tad more advanced than usually used for the examples.

That over, we tried to warm up again, and were then asked to show an example of an under-arm turn in Waltz for another instructor trying to explain it for his students. All I kept hearing RT whisper to me was "close your legs slower" UGH! My Waltz will never be right! I'm really glad I can at least follow it to a degree, but also glad that I don't spend a lot of time on it... it's the MOST frustrating dance to me EVER! At that point we gave up on a "warm up" and moved into some East Coast Swing.

Ah... East Coast... my first love... although I don't work on it much anymore so I think it's not as good as it used to be. I will say that it's because of East Coast that my spins are rocking in all my dances! As we're working on bringing my basic up to the next level, RT tells me mid-dance "Let's try for a double spin." By double spin... he doesn't mean two consecutive spins...which we've proven I can do (as long as my lead has my arm above my head, I can find my center that way for some reason). No, RT means two spins within the same measure! That's REALLY FAST! I say "Ok..." and before I can even think his arm is up and I'm around and back so fast I didn't even know what happened! I lost my balance a little... I looked at him with a completely shocked look and said "Holy Crap! I don't even know...was that it??"

"Yes, that was good, but instead of pushing your arm all the way up, just put it up there." He tells me...

Well, I didn't really understand what he meant... but we tried it again...and again I went so fast I couldn't even tell if it was two spins or not!

"Was that better?"

"No, that was the same... just put your and up, out pressure there but don't extend it all the way." RT follows that by showing me an example with his own arms.

"Oh! Ok! I think I get it, but would now be a good time to tell you that when I spin, I really only know about 3/4 of what I'm doing...the rest is done on a hope and a prayer." I tell him... He always thinks I'm crazy when I tell him I don't actually know what I'm doing, even though I may get something right... but it's true!

Well we stopped double spins for the moment... but I was just happy that I made it around that FAST and didn't land on the floor!

Next dance up was Samba, oh lordy I'm trying to get better at this... RT's approach today was to talk me through what I should be feeling and or acting out as I'm trying to do the rise and fall action (Samba is counted as 1 a2, 3 a4 and there is a little popup that happens along with all the hip work). Sometimes RT uses a LOT of words to describe something, and sometimes I have to tell him to stop using all the words and walk me through it... This time it ALL made sense... I just wasn't sure how I was going to apply it. He said, "Pretend there is a spring under your one foot, then pop up using the resistance, then pretend like the spring has moved to under the other foot and you're trying to push it down... use that to help you define the steps." - I know some of you are going to read that and go "Huh??" but trust me it makes sense... applying it to practice is a whole other thing, but I think I got it.... for some of the time... I have no consistency in this dance yet. We worked on Samba for a long time... and just about the time I was about to start getting angry we changed up.

Hip action was the name of the game... oh CRAP... my hip action is terrible and I know it! Not only did he want to work on my hip action, but he wanted to bring it up to Cha Cha timing... HA! So he put a Cha Cha song on, but we didn't actually do the dance... instead we stood facing each other doing Cha Cha basic in place with RT trying to make me get my hips going. It worked... kind of... at one point he said "Oh, come on Kat, my hip action is bigger than yours!" to which I could only respond...

"Hello, you're a professional dancer!"

"Hello Kat..." I get in the same sarcastic tone "You should be able to do this!"

Fine! I think to myself...and I give it another go... there is something about my Cha Cha...when I practice at home, actually moving within the basic pattern... side to side or forward and back, I have hip action! The way my muscles feel when I'm done tells me I do! Where does it go when I'm working in place? I have no idea... BUT.. when RT decides to start moving side to side in the Cha Cha way I practice... PRESTO... the hips made an appearance! Then...they disappeared again. *Sigh* consistency... I need more consistency in my dancing! We worked on it for a while, and when RT and I were pleased that my hips were agreeing to show up and work we put it aside...and I was assigned hips for homework.

"How about a Rumba... you love to work on Rumba!" RT says...thinking this is exactly what I wanted to hear.

I tell him "It wouldn't be a lesson without Rumba, and I like to work on it because it's so important to the other dances... Ok... Rumba."

It was TRAGIC! I was trying to follow along, I wasn't even paying attention to the music...my fault... and RT tells me at the end of the song "Finally the last few boxes were on time." I wanted to grab him and shake him!

But I didn't, instead I pleaded... "Hey, look, when I dance with guys out socially, I often run into guys that only dance whatever is in their heads, not to the music playing, I'm sorry I just tuned out the music."

For which I received a brief lecture on how the music is my FIRST leader....and I should always deffer to that... well ok... I was still CRUSHED that my Rumba...after how hard I've worked on it... was off time... it was even off time when I paid attention to the next song! I now have decided that I will ONLY practice my Rumba box with music on... I'll even do it with songs that aren't Rumba, so I can just work on playing with the rhythm. I hang on to all my dance confidence with such a thin thread... finding out I wasn't able to keep time was simply devastating! Second assignment... practice timing in Rumba... check.

Finally we wrapped up with Salsa... my new true love... RT says "We work on Rumba every time, but we work on Salsa too!" thinking that would make me feel better.

I wasn't going to let him know that it does make me feel better... so I just said "Yes, we do...neither of which is actually my choice." (But I do LOVE working on Salsa, and Rumba... sometimes it's better that my instructor doesn't know these things.) <---I can say that here because RT doesn't read my blog much anymore.. he he... :-)

So, after a good Salsa with some good consecutive turns we called it a lesson... Man! I love showing the examples to the new folks, but let me get my warm up in... it feels like the lesson just went down hill from there... and boy! Do I have a lot of homework until my next lesson!

Last Week's Lesson: Who Knew 2 Tiny Words Would Make me Lose my Mind?

Last week's lesson was nothing but laughs! Well, that's not entirely true... I learned stuff too... but there was a lot of laughing!

We started with Salsa, RT's new trend is to throw some Cumbia basic in it... it's nice to practice that in an actual dance scenario. After that warm up it was on to Rumba, where I learned my basic box (yes, it's a box when you learn American Rhythm....) is actually not bad...those were his words "not bad"...which I love because they're honest. However I seem to be having trouble as soon as we get out of that box into...just about anything else. So we spent some time working on making sure I lock my knee on which ever is the leg getting my weight. I don't normally lock my knees... my knees actually over extend a little and when they're locked my legs aren't actually straight. So I just never really lock them... well guess what...now I'm locking them! Doing that little thing, that one small thing... really helped with the whole hip motion too... which I'm sure was the goal. Once we'd established that new thing for me to work on in Rumba (I swear I'll never in life run out of things to work on in Rumba!) we moved on to what would be the hysterics in my lesson.

RT wanted to West Coast... which I'm all about working on that... I feel like I make the most progression or improvement in this dance in one lesson.... then it starts all over again at square one next time we work on it. I do have to say that while I definitely have to work on taking a bigger step backwards (either that or RT's arms have gotten longer) in the Sugar Push I have absolutely very nearly eliminated my "popping up" problem for the Coaster/Triple step! So we're doing a West Coast...I'm focusing on not popping up and making sure I'm as close to on time as I can get... when RT leads me into a passing move. I think it's one I already know so I'm quickly analyzing the few possibilities I have when I feel I'm being lead past him. Then out of nowhere for some unexplained reason it feels like he lets go. RT has NEVER let go of me during West Coast! So what does my brilliant self do? (Keep in mind I am absolutely terrible at following something I've never done before) I feel a light push on my back, but not enough to tell me where to go...so I keep going...right past RT for a good step maybe two...then I stop... I just freeze.

Hold one sec for a brief explanation break:

West Coast is difficult to explain if you haven't done it, but I have some international readers that aren't familiar so for them, and for any others who haven't learned West Coast Swing... It's a slot dance...which means a lot of back and forth for the follows (between 3 and 9 if we're dancing across the center of a clock) the leads pretty much stay in the center of the clock and face 12 or 6 depending on which direction and rail they are on as the follow is lead past... That's not an exact description...but it's close enough for these purposes.... I hope that helps.

So right after I pass... RT would be in the center of the clock facing twelve, and I'd be way out by the three standing on it and facing the outside edge...which is WAY beyond where I should be.

....and we're back!

I have no thoughts, I'm trying to figure out what the heck just happened.. I slowly turn to RT, with what must have been one of my classic shocked faces... only to discover he's laughing just about as hard as I've ever seen!
"WHAT THE HECK WAS THAT?!?!" I shout.
"We've done that before." RT says in between laughs
"Oh no we haven't, you have NEVER let go of me during West Coast!" I declare...in a slightly softer tone.

RT insists that we have, but slowly walks me through this step anyway...It starts where I do pass him, he moves his one hand to bring it to my back and kind of pushes me as I pivot to face the opposite direction (for those keeping track of the clock, he's still at the same spot, I'm right next to/just in front of him, now facing the 9) and then I think I take a step forward, somehow we reconnect in frame (that part is fuzzy) and the move ends the same way a whip does (clock watchers: I go from facing 9 to being in frame with him (he's facing somewhere between 12 and 2 , so I'm facing him), then I think the whip ending has us rotate around and facing 3 and 9 respectively in frame when it's complete. Anyway... so we both got a good laugh out of my reaction to that step. I can't wait to see what happens if we try it again... I fully expect to make a fool of myself while trying to remember what the heck happens, after the pivot I'm totally lost.

That was funny and I'm glad we got a good laugh in, we don't do that nearly enough it seems...but it's NOTHING like what RT and I had in store for Bolero. Why is it the funniest things happen when no one intends on anything funny being there?(and why is it only one of us found all of this hysterical??) Ok..so Bolero... We worked on basic a little... I'm getting used to the concept of pushing my unweighted foot forward or back instead of stepping on it. Then RT says we're going to work on a step that is done a lot, I think it's called "Romantica" or something similar.

To catch you up real quick, Bolero is what I call the Waltz of Rhythm because it's slow, really slow, has huge rise and fall action big graceful arm sweeps and is very romantic... oh and I feel completely out of place when I'm doing it... it's not a dance I'm designed for, but I'm trying to get better at it.

Ok back to the action... so RT decides he can add a step to my basic... and he explains it to me as we're doing it: "We're going to rock back and forth, then when I tell you you're going to do a ____." I was following the back and forth part, but I didn't understand the last bit.

Something I don't think I've mentioned for those that have never met RT, he has what I would call a slight to moderate accent, as one who speaks 4 languages might...and I don't usually have trouble with accents at all... I've never had a problem with his...but whatever that was at the end of what he just said... I wasn't catching it... at all.

"You want me to do a what?" I ask, completely puzzled.

"____." he states... as though I should know what "____" is.

"Sorry try that again I have no idea what the last bit is supposed to be." I tell him.

At this point I'm growing very frustrated with myself for not following what he's stating. I'm thinking it's some grand dance term in some foreign language that I'm about to learn for the first time ever...

"Ok, it's a L-E-G C-R-A-W-L" he is kind enough to spell for me... ACK!!! how dumb to I feel??

Wait..it gets better...

"A 'leg crawl'??? What the heck is that?? I get the words... 'leg crawl'.. but I don't have any idea what that means!" I'm clearly frustrated that I'm not understanding. I really hate not understanding.

Yep that's right folks... I couldn't understand the words 'leg' and 'crawl'... I can really be an idiot sometimes... but then when I did get it... I had no idea what it means STILL... how the heck was my leg supposed to crawl?? After a few other ramblings by me and my frustration, RT kind of rolls his eyes and asks one of the gal instructors to help him show me what the heck I'm supposed to be doing...

So he leads the move.... rock back and forth...ok..got it that part... then the gal puts her leg on his hip it's there for a beat and then she puts her leg down and finishes the step. As soon as I saw that my head was screaming- Why didn't you just say..."Kat, put your leg on my hip"!

I refrained from blurting that out, instead I politely thanked my assistant teacher of the moment and tried to not to be frustrated anymore by 'leg crawl'. Then it was my turn to follow RT's lead... rock back and forth...leg on hip... ok... then what?... Just then was the moment that I just start absolutely laughing my head off! There we are standing on the floor with my left leg on his hip and my forehead collapsed on his shoulder because I can't stop laughing! - Oh what a picture we must have made!

Here's where it gets funnier, for me anyway, I suddenly realize... RT must think I'm laughing because I'm uncomfortable putting my leg on his hip... I have a big long history of not liking anything that involves hips or that could be interpreted as "suggestive." There are steps I've insisted he not teach me because of what my insecurities used to be.... What RT doesn't know is that I'm pretty much over all that silliness... with the dancers and students at this studio anyway... If he wants my leg on his hip...I'll put it there... he just has to SAY that... and not disguise the request with fancy words like... leg...and... crawl... HA!

To try and dissuade him from thinking I've lost my mind with laughter because I'm uncomfortable with the position I'm now standing in...(I'm pretty sure I put my leg down at some point...but I don't remember exactly when) I say into his shoulder "Two years man, it's been nearly two years and I have had no problems with your accent, and today the words leg and crawl turn into a big production!" I don't think he heard me... but I'm pretty sure he found at least part of my hysterics funny, at least I hope he did... after laughing settled I was worried about the possibility of just having put my makeup all over his shoulder....thankfully I didn't see any there.

Due to the fact that we...ahem...well... I... wasted so much time with my cracking myself up... I didn't bother to tell him just say 'put your leg on my hip'. I figured I'd just shut up and learn the end of the move...which involves me putting my leg back down after he's slightly moved and or rotated a little.... and then.... my mind is blank but somehow we end up doing the basic again I think... we did successfully get the rocking back and forth with the leg on hip thing accomplished a few times... next time I'll have to make sure and point my foot, because that's just prettier.

I have absolutely no idea what dance we ended on... we could have finished with more Salsa... I know we ended talking about being busy etc...and I know I have a lesson scheduled... but I'm still cracking up about cracking up... How has RT lasted dancing with me for so long? I fully expect the nice men with the straight jackets to be at the ready for my next lesson, another crack up like that and RT is likely to have me committed!

Dance Night with the Girls

Recently Capitan, Jem and I decided to try our hand at some more social dancing. We ventured pretty close to home this time to a studio in Palatine called Studio Viva! They were celebrating their first anniversary with a party. All signs pointed to a good night. Captain and I arrived first for the hour long lesson before the party began. As has been the trend at most social Latin parties the lesson was Bachata. For most of us Bachata is not our favorite dance, I love a social Bachata it's cute and playful, and the music is some of the easiest to follow. Some of the "club style" Bachata is only for those that know each other well, it's VERY close and very sensual in nature, I am not at the point, nor do I think I will ever be that I could dance like that with someone I don't already know. Thankfully the lesson was in the social style, I know Captain isn't a huge fan of this dance, but she was a great sport and per her usual style followed everyone really well. I, having Bachata experience mostly dancing on my own took a moment to follow in frame. We covered basic steps, side to side, front to back, we covered a cuddle hold, ladies spins and a spin for the gents. It was a pretty good time, definately a nice way to warm up to the people in attendance.

That over, the party warmed up with some Salsa. Jem arrived and we were off to our usual people watching from the sidelines while we waited for invitations to dance. Capitan was asked to dance almost immediately, and Jem was asked shortly there after. I did receive an invitation by a gentleman very new to Salsa. As much as I love to dance at my own level, I do get a kick out of the "newbies" too. Everyone has to start somewhere, and as much as I try not to help because I know as a follow that's not what I'm dancing for, there are some times when a kind word here or there can make the dance better for everyone involved. I thanked my lead for the dance and returned to our station on the sidelines.

The crowd was small, but very entertaining. There was a lady there seemingly alone, well and truly older than my group, she was a hoot to watch! She wasn't what I'd call an exceptional dancer by any means it's what she was wearing that drew nearly every eye in the place to her. She was decked out in an outfit that I wouldn't see on many women 20 years her junior and when she would spin the whole room would be witness to entirely too much information about the state of her figure. :-) There was another couple there Captain and I had seen in our dancing travels that dance very well together, clearly they were exclusive to each other... huh... must be nice to have a dedicated dance partner. One thing these social outings always provide is great people watching. It's amazing to see what people want to wear or how they dance. At one point a very fit woman about 10 years our senior approached Captain and asked if she was a professional dancer. Then, without indication crouched down and grabbed Captain's foot to inspect her Latin Shoes. There was a bit of conversation that this woman dances jazz and was very interested in the Latin dances. She seemed VERY familiar to me, reminded me of a jazz instructor I'd had more than a decade ago. If I could remember her name I would have asked. Anyway, I thought it very flattering for my friend that another dancer thought she was a pro.

It was becoming apparent to those running the party that not everyone was up and dancing, which tends to happen a lot. So an older gentleman grabbed the mic and suggested a group activity to drum up some random dance partners. The ladies all got in a circle and held hands, while the gents, who numbered a bit less, were instructed to circle around us. Then with the two circles rotating against each other we were told to stop randomly 4 times, when the ladies turned that would be their dance partner. I thought this was a great way to "force" some partnerships. I was lucky enough to be aligned with a partner 3 of the 4 stops. My first two leads were quite proficient, one was a very strong lead and very sure of where he wanted me to go, thankfully I followed nearly everything without error, my only disappointment was that he wasn't leading anything but simple turns and cross body leads. Next was a guy who told me up front "This is my second hour of Salsa." OK... so we'll see what he can do. You know what? For only having had very minimal instruction he had the basic, side basic, and the concept of open breaks...which was one of those things I couldn't help but to advise on... he seemed like a very quick study! Lastly was a gentleman who was either very new to Salsa or had only learned to dance in big group classes where no individual attention is provided. He could do some basic stuff roughly and some turns, his lead for cross body was so faint I didn't even feel it. My favorite part about this dance was I really couldn't mess up his leads because he would call them out right before he would do them. "And turn..." followed by a lead for a spin. "Side step" right before he would start a side basic... I was totally cracking up!

After a couple of hours, we noticed some gals dressed for belly dancing, which is another style this studio offers. It was at that point that the gals and I decided to call it an evening and head out for our customary post dancing snacks.

It wasn't a bad party, I would go again...maybe a little later next time...the party goes until 1am. I've checked out the studio's classes and they have a solid selection of offerings for their groups. May not be a bad way to get out and meet more folks in the dancing community.