A Time to Change...

I believe it's time to take my dancing more seriously… to what end I'm not sure… but the joking around and being jovial is even becoming old to me…and I'm becoming somewhat cliché on the lesson floor. If "I want it" like I keep reminding myself that I do… (see post) Then I have to become more studious during my lessons, private and group… and save the cutting loose for the social dances. That's going to be difficult because my personality is very much on auto pilot most of the time...if people expect me to be funny...then I'm the clown...if I'm in a group that has known me to be more intellectual then I'm the brain…emotional...then I'm a basket case...advisor...then I'm the solid objective sounding board.... All of which are very real aspects of who I am that are controlled, and only brought out at certain times...I've developed a pattern of finding a persona within a group and sticking to it... My niche in my current surroundings has be flipping from clown to basket case...The latter of which is not something I put up with in others, and I detest within myself. The only consolation I provide for myself is that dancing has been life changing... and therefore a little uncontrolled emotion is to be expected... it's now time to rein that all in and focus.

Recent events that were instigated, perpetuated, and now ended by me, details of which are a private matter, have lead me to a fork in the path… If I choose to repeat my own history when things of this nature present themselves, it would be time for me to choose the path that has me running… cut ties with nearly everyone I know and start new someplace else, only to have the same fork in the road be presented to me at some point in the future. Instead what I would like to do is learn from my past, and not be condemned to repeat it. I'm picking the path that is infinitely harder... one of improving myself instead of surrounding myself with new people that have yet to discover my flaws.

I'm going to apply my energy and research to bring a more complete me to every aspect of my life, including but not limited to the dance floor. This is an evolutionary stage to the "I WANT IT" application. If I fail to grow as a person throughout this experience...then the entire experience will be worth nothing. So therefore... I will force myself into taking the path much less traveled-- grow and expand my mind...as I continue to shrink my body. (As a happy side note... I fit into one additional size smaller as of this weekend!)

All positive thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Fred Astaire Chicago (and Suburbs) Fall Regional Comp!

Hi gang!
Just want to drop you a line and let you know about the upcoming regional competition. This is a Fred Astaire "closed" competition, which means that all the Fred Astaire Ballroom dance studios from downtown and the Chicago Suburbs are included. This is the same comp that my dance friend Ellen is debuting at!

What: Fred Astaire Ballroom Dance Studios Dancesport Challenge
When: Saturday and Sunday October 11th and 12th.
What to expect: Professional/Amateur (Pro/Am) competition in American Smooth and American Rhythm during the day.

SATURDAY NIGHT OCTOBER 11th
Fred Astaire Professional Competition!!!

SUNDAY NIGHT OCTOBER 12TH
Ilya Ifraimov and Nadia Goulina

World Blackpool Finalists
Fred Astaire Undefeated
Open International Latin Champions

World Masters Champions in Professional Latin at the Yankee Classic 2008

North American Professional Latin Champions at the North American Dancesport Championships 2008

They will be performing a five dance show including their SPECTACULAR "Transformers" routine from America's Ballroom Challenge 2007 (above)

Contact the Fred Astaire Studio Nearest to you for details and tickets (Links are below) and tell them Kat sent you!!

Buffalo Grove
Burr Ridge
Michigan Avenue
Schererville
South Barrington
Tinley Park

Guests Come into Part of my Dancing World

It's pretty rare that I get to be there when a new person starts on their ballroom adventure. I've officially helped 50 men and women start on their own lessons literally around the globe! (E-mail me and I can help you find a studio in your area too!) Last Thursday was a REAL treat for me because I was able to be there for a co-worker and her mum as they met the staff of FADS South Barrington and participate in a Fred Astaire Guest Party.

I've actually never had the opportunity to participate in one of these things myself, I usually just sign my guests up for their first lesson off the bat, but my co-worker was excited, and I just knew the guest party would be something she and her mum would enjoy. I arrived a bit early, and was greeted by not only the staff, but Bonnie and Michael from Bonnie's Belle Gowns. I took a quick look at their offerings and noticed immediately some BRAND NEW additions to their collection. Had I lingered by the racks any longer I would have absconded with the entire collection to try them all on. I also noticed a fair amount of the dresses already reserved for the upcoming competition. (October 11th and 12th.) Which I was happy to see. (Quite honestly, I'm afraid if I ever DO get into one of these dresses and spin around, all will be lost and I'll end up making up reasons to rent and wear them… they are just STUNNING!!!)

The guest party started and, for me, it was a lesson in over the top campy humor…which I have witnessed before, but never actually been a part of. After introductions the guests are all asked to dance a bit for the very first time with the staff. The students usually sit and enjoy the reactions of their friends and family out on the floor. I was fortunate enough that Michael asked me to dance, so we carved out our own little corner of the floor and Hustled and Rumbaed our way through the dance part of the party. It is so much fun to dance with someone who loves to dance as much as I do! I thanked Michael for the dances and we both joined in the group circle to go over the most basic of steps.

Once in the circle, the supervisor/host went over the basics. He mentioned that the gentlemen start with their left foot, ladies with their right. I was waiting for him to say the line about ladies and the right foot… he didn't say it. So I broke protocol. (These parties are very scripted, and to deviate his very unusual) I raised my hand…

"Ummm… [Excuse me] but why do the ladies always start on their right foot?" I ask in my best curious little girl voice.

The host was momentarily stunned that I would break his flow… he shouldn't be…it's what I do best… the gals on staff knew immediately where I was going with this and shouted in unison "BECAUSE THE LADY IS ALWAYS RIGHT!!!" followed by some great laughter.

I peeked over to the host, he was smiling… and said quietly into the mic "That wasn't part of the script."

I took a peek at my guests and they were clearly having a good time… GREAT!!

MSU and I were asked to demonstrate a Hustle… I was expecting a basic "March, March, Rock-Step" push pull… instead I was lead into full on Hustle! So as we're jamming in the middle of the circle MSU says "Do you want to do our thing at the end?"

"What thing?" I ask…completely puzzled.

"Our, thing…do you want to do it?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about…but hey…it's my job to follow!"

(Why do I always end up having conversations mid dance? It wasn't that long ago that I couldn't even speak a word while trying to follow!)

The brief Hustle ends, and MSU throws himself into my arms for our comical dip.

"Oh…THAT thing!!!" I exclaim amidst a ton of laughter!

Dancing with him is just too much fun…

The rest of the party continued without a hitch, although the host did keep looking to me to see if I was going to disrupt things again.

At the end I was talking with MSU… about how I bring him guests, but his students don't… I reminded him that I hadn't brought my instructors guests either… he found that exceptionally amusing.

My guests did sign up for their first official lesson with MSU this Thursday!!

Guest Parties can be fun and are a great free way to introduce friends and family to the Fred Astaire dancing world.

My Story... I Refuse to Take All the Credit

So this week was a big revelation for me, both in dancing and in my progress in my lifestyle changes. All of which are intertwined to such a degree, I can't untangle them. I mean I can't dance without trying to constantly improve, and I can't improve without dancing.

More appropriately this week was a big reminder for me on why I do this. Once again I was in the studio every night for a lesson or a group class. So I'm becoming more familiar with some of the students I don't normally see. At one point one of the students asked me to tell her in my own words, my story about dancing. She knows I've lost weight…she's read the magazine article, but she wanted to hear it come directly from me.

I was thinking sure…I've been asked to tell "my story" before…no big deal. I'm still amazed that people want to hear it. So I decided to tell my story… the way it happened, more accurately than the article describes it…This... is my story... you'll see how I can't take all the credit for it...

"Well, I was given a gift certificate for 5 lessons because my co-worker had a deal worked out with the studio. So I called, and when I scheduled I wasn't told who my instructor would be, only that one was available.

I walked into the studio for my lesson scared out of my mind! I had no idea what to expect, then throughout all the commotion of people introducing themselves and dancing going on, this nice looking guy dressed all in black came forward and quietly introduced himself (it was RT). The thing I remember most, is that I felt like a fish out of water, I was nervous, I felt bad that I was this fat chick this teacher had to dance with, I wanted to run out the door and never come back. Right after all those feelings is the equally strong memory of RT seeming so calm, like teaching me to do these little steps is the way it's supposed to be, that I wasn't this fat ugly chick he HAD to dance with. RT made me feel like I had a place there.

By the fourth lesson I had auditioned for "The Biggest Loser." (I didn't make the cut) and I had already started to lose some weight. Let me be clear here… I was NOT looking for the next big thing in weight loss… I had given up on that idea years ago!…I had auditioned for the TV show as a favor to my mom, if I got it great… if not…that was fine. I had a sit down meeting with Jesse and RT to talk about continuing beyond my five lesson gift certificate. I remember telling Jesse that I had already lost 10lbs, and I was shocked by that because I wasn't trying. I told him that while everyone else at the audition I had attended was nervous about it, I was standing in the middle of the sidewalk practicing my Rumba box!

All of that because RT made me feel comfortable, he NEVER judged me, he NEVER said I couldn't do something, he took the time to explain stuff to me, and had patience beyond measure. In about a month of lessons RT had become my hero, and my muse. Some of the happiest moments and revelations have happened with him on that dance floor... I can't trade that for the world.

It was about 2-3 months later…still very new in my dancing… the weight loss had become a regular occurrence every week, and I had begun all my other life changes as well. It was during a Friday night party… I don't even remember the theme…I remember RT had asked me to dance, probably a Rumba, and as he walked me back to my seat at the bench I became overwhelmed with sentimentality and pride, I had to tell him…so just before I sat down I whispered "I owe you my life you know." It was a moment... one of those spontaneous moments that life sometimes has. I followed up with "It's true, because of you I've been able to do all this... Thank you."

RT just gave me a hug and I sat down.

The rest, as they say... is history...and I'm still here well over 100lbs down, and still thankful and proud to be RT's student."

I've actually been asked to tell "My story" a few times this week... and each person has been moved to tears. I've even become a tad emotional about it, remembering all these things that have happened. Which just blows me away. It also reminds me of how far I've come, how far I have to go...and most importantly how PROUD I am to be RT's student.

My story isn't mine...it's ours...(whether he likes it or not!! :-) ) RT has been there with me every step of the way, encouraging me and supporting me. None of which is part of his job as a dance instructor. I can't tell this story and claim full credit for it... Without RT none of this would have happened. Every time I dance with Largo, or MSU or any of my other favorite leads, it's a blast...but it reminds me of what I have with RT...and it makes me want to try and ensure I don't lose that.

I've been walking around all week with my chin up and my heart filled with pride. I will forever be in fate's debt for having him be my dance instructor. We've both been through and accomplished a LOT in two years... personally, professionally... everything... and I am as proud of him as I would be of anyone in my own family.

That's a feeling that is truly priceless...

Bonnie's Belle Gowns at Fred Astaire South Barrington TOMORROW!

Hi gang!
Just wanted to remind you about the Bonnie's Belle Gowns trunk show at FADS SB! It's tomorrow (Thursday September 18th). There will be gowns to try on, and Bonnie and Michael will be there to answer any and all of your questions! (It's worth a stop by just to see the talent and craftsmanship in person!)

Also the studio is having a guest party at 7:15pm, I'll be there introducing a couple of gals to the world of ballroom!

Come on out! Bring a friend! If you're competing soon NOW is a perfect time to reserve your gowns!

Check the FADS SB website for directions.

Hope to see you there!

Friday Party @ South Barrington

Without a doubt, if my dancing has a home... It's dancing with RT. When my dancing wants to go on vacation, I head to dance with MSU and HBF at FADS South Barrington.

Friday's "Crazy Hair" party at the South Barrington Studio was one of the most crowded I've seen there in a long time, which I was happy to see. It was exactly what I needed after completely beating myself up over my last lesson. Shortly after arriving, I was warmly greeted by the staff. I was a tad early so I commenced watching all the lessons on the floor, and greeting the students that I have had the opportunity to get to know during my visits to this studio.

First Cha Cha up, and MSU comes running for me... The song seemed short, and I unfortunately tripped over myself...but I still got some spinning in. A few songs later they played a Salsa, and suddenly the floor went empty! It took me a second to remember that new students don't learn the Mambo or Salsa right away. The supervisor (who started as an instructor at FADS BG...so we've danced before) grabbed me for a dance saying "Hey, ok I know you Mambo or Salsa or something."
I replied as I followed him to the floor, "On1 if you please!"
We commenced with a basic Salsa, pretty much the only ones on the floor... not a whole lot of anything that RT or MSU would lead me into, but that's ok... this lead doesn't have any idea what I'm capable of.

Once again the Tango made an appearance in my party going...and was likely pretty amusing to the onlookers. I was asked to dance by the most petite member of the staff, (who actually used to be one of RT's students a while ago). She's probably about 5'1'' in her ballroom shoes... I stand at a full 5'10''+. It was basic...we did nothing outside the basic or promenade... but I gotta tell you I had NO IDEA I could lower myself that low for a smooth dance!

I also danced a nice Fox Trot with the other new gal, we had a little fun with it... she's new to teaching ballroom (although an experienced dancer) and I'm rough at smooth, so there's nothing to really do except have fun with it!

Later in the evening I got a Cha Cha in with HBF, who just re-discovered my ability to spin. (She has always liked to spin her follows... A LOT!) I'm more than up for the challenge, but the songs were so short it wasn't a micro second before we had adjusted to each other as dance partners that the song would be over. No worries, I'll get better and the adjustment time will shorten.

I spent a lot of time catching up with the students I always chat with at this studio. It's nice to catch up with them and see how they are progressing. One of the gals, who I actually lead in her FIRST Push Pull Hustle a few months ago, danced a much more polished Hustle with her instructor MSU as part of a newcomers kind of dance. I was very proud to see her out there holding her own!

There were also some of HBF's little girl students who did an adorable swing routine... I know at least one of the girls from one of the previous parties. She came over with one of her classmates and asked if I knew any of the boy parts to the dances. (I know...too cute right??) At the time it was another Tango playing... (Why am I always being asked to lead a Tango??) I said I could probably figure it out... and we did a basic Tango around... my petite follow (I'd say she's about 10 years old) actually taught ME how to finish the lead for a Tango promenade! I thanked her very much for that. I then grabbed one of the other little gals for a little Rumba. Both of them are EXCELLENT follows!!!

The last dance of the evening was a "snowball" where the song runs on, the host says "SNOWBALL" and we have to switch partners. The dance was East Coast Swing, I started with HBF, we ran through all the steps I know. SNOWBALL, and I got MSU...for another run through of all the steps I know...and finally SNOWBALL... I got the supervisor, for MOST of the steps that I know... it was a pretty fast swing too... all the jumping and spinning... LOVED IT!!

I closed the evening chatting with one of my favorite South Barrington Students, while trying to take at least SOME of the 17 mini ponytails out of my hair. Turns out she's doing her first comp in October too! I told her about Ellen, and said I'd see her there. Then ran up to meet my girls for our traditional nachos.

Now, I can't WAIT to get back to my lessons and really work on all these new elements that are about to be thrown at me! That party was JUST EXACTLY what I needed!

Lesson with RT... Strength is NOT an Asset and Cuban Motion is NOT my Friend!

UGH! Tonight was one of THOSE lessons... one of THOSE lessons that makes the student question why they ever started in the first place... because it will never be right. Thankfully I'm experienced enough in these lessons that I'm not going to quit dancing... I'm just going to run to the corner for a minute, lick my wounds, and try and jump right back into the fray.

We warmed up with Hustle, where I was told I was being too strong, that I should follow with just the pressure in my fingertips. *Sigh* That hurts... that hurts a lot. It's not RT's fault, he doesn't know that saying something like I'm using too much strength cuts me to the core. It's one of the two or three things someone can say to me that just devastates me. I've been trying to be brave about it... he's said it to me in the last few lessons, and I was really proud of myself that I didn't react, except to try and improve... Today, must have been a bad day... cuz as soon as he said it... I was crushed.

I tried to explain to him that I was really sensitive to my strength... I've been too strong at everything... both parents had their own way of telling me I was too strong for my own good all throughout my life...that being that strong was not the best quality to have for a girl... and while, yes, I'm a grown up now...and such things shouldn't bother me... you know what?? Screw that! Sometimes things just hurt! Anyway... I tried to explain without going into such great detail, that I was sorry for being too strong, and that I was sensitive to his saying that. I don't think I got my point across... he didn't seem to understand. I did show improvement in the tension of my following though. I really wish we would have started working on my using less strength in my Hustle before I started to think it was an asset to my dancing, Instead, it remains the curse it's always been.

Once warmed up, RT asked about my lesson with Largo, I told him it was good. He seemed pleased with that... I'm sure he found out about my lesson either from Largo himself or from my post because that's where the questioning ended. RT suggested Rumba and I said that was fine. I didn't realize what was about to commence was one of the MOST frustrating lessons I've had in a year at least! I was informed that I am now on "Senior Level Bronze" which means I get to learn the back half of the FADS Bronze Syllabus... or at least steps 6 thru 11... so I'm told. Great... new steps and elements that can't be a bad thing... Right?

Well that depends on your learning curve and frustration level... which for me, after having the wind taken out of me with the Hustle discussion, was pretty low. But I tried to behave... We worked on the Rumba cross sequence I wrote about as "easy to follow" in my lesson with Largo. We worked, and worked, and worked... for the ENTIRE lesson... over and over and over again... I don't mind the drilling... what I HATE is that I hardly improved at all in ANY of it!!! Seriously! We broke it down, we worked on the Cuban motion, we worked on some weight transfer and balance... we worked on the Spirals...then on my feet being positioned right... and THEN on making my steps smaller. I would try and voice my frustrations.... I explained that I wasn't complaining... I was venting...(I need to vent verbally, or I end up venting physically... and that does no one any good) which RT didn't believe... or listen to... so that's fine... I could feel that I was becoming frustrating to RT...so I tried to tell myself to shut up... but that only made me feel more angry.

At the end of the lesson, I just sat on the couch for a minute.... questioning the whole thing... I should be better than this by now... it shouldn't take me an entire lesson to NOT get a step at this point... I should have a better grip on Cuban motion by now... UGH! As I was sitting there... trying not to be angry at myself... RT shouted "8:45 Kat?"

Oh! That's right... RT's technique class! Do I really want to work on this again today? I thought... my response back to RT was a very flat "I don't know, I haven't decided yet."

"Wow." Was his response, indicating to me that he now understood that I was frustrated, but he didn't know why.

I then got up to leave, and was so busy yelling at myself in my head that I missed saying good bye to RT. I drove around for a bit... talked to Jem on the phone about the whole frustration... then decided that if I was having SO much trouble with the silly Cuban motion bits today... no matter how angry I am at myself, it would be really stupid for me to miss another opportunity to work on it. So in the end I went... and I felt a little better about it. But I still wanted to hit something when it was over.

At one point I was explaining that I had just had one of THOSE lessons to one of the other instructors... and he said "You've always been like that, the minute you don't get something right away you get upset." (I was surprised, I hadn't taken a lesson with him in over a year and a half!)

Yeah... well what I'm being asked, in a lot of cases, shouldn't be that hard for me to do...so YES I get upset with myself! This instructor did make me feel a little better about it after he explained that he and his partner had a 40 minute training session all about properly raising their arms. Yep... I did feel a little relieved that the pros go through the same detailing frustration that we students go through. (On a much more refined level of course... but it's nice to have that commonality)

But I still should have been able to pick up on that Rumba sequence faster.

Bonnie's Belle Gowns at Fred Astaire South Barrington 09-18-08!

Just want to drop a quick note to let you all know about Bonnie's Belle Gowns' latest trunk show.

Bonnie and Michael will be at Fred Astaire South Barrington on September 18th. Make sure you stop by and check out their fantastic dresses!

Monday Lesson... NEW INSTRUCTOR... LARGO!!!

Hi gang!
Well I told you I was adding a new member to my dance world. I had hinted at it before, that if I could do more lessons, then I would add Largo as my new "buddy teacher." Before tonight I had worked with him on two/three previous lessons. One as a getting to know the new instructor, and another when RT was taking some personal time. Largo and I are still in the "getting to know you and your leading/following style" of our dance relationship. However, he definitely made me work!

Ok.. now read about my lesson and tell me RT didn't talk to Largo about what I do/don't do for my dancing....

We started with Cha Cha it was pretty good, Largo's leading style is much gentler, for lack of a better term, than RT. (Which I have mentioned before.) So I'm required to hold my own even MORE and be even more skilled at following (which will end up being good for me). We reviewed some basics, Manhattan Roll out (a personal fave) Cupid Breaks (sometimes called a Turkish Towel), and a few others... even the dreaded Roundabout Crossovers (aka "Spinnie Move")

(I would like to take a moment and point out to any studio personel that may be reading, that YES I have paid attention for some of the names of the steps... thank you. :-) )

Then he tried to lead me in a step I'd NEVER done before. When I told him I didn't know it... we then commenced with my trying to learn it. This step starts with a cross-body lead then goes into a slide instead of a Cha Cha... then we kind of bop our hips twice and commence with a regular Cha Cha... Now we know my hips and I still don't speak the same language... although it's getting better. I kept wanting to bop the wrong hip, and use the wrong leg... it was awful. Thankfully Largo still has patience with me. Although I did learn that he has a more "hands on" approach to teaching when explaining isn't enough, something RT never does (more than likely because of my previous insecurities and issues he's always been sensitive to). Anyway... Largo just grabs my hips and moves them how he needs them to go for this step. I have to admit it was nice not feeling all strange about that. I mean yeah ok... my instructor just grabbed my hips...but it's the same way a coach in baseball may need to adjust a player's hips to improve their stance or swing...it's only intent is to make the end product better... and sometimes it's the best way to get the point across. Granted, it didn't really work until we did the step and he put his hand on the hip that's supposed to bop and said "Push my hand away here." THEN it clicked... so YAY new Cha cha stuff!! We worked on my open break arm styling too. Largo prefers the look of a clean line with all arm styling, he and I even discussed that I don't need to perfect my around the head or "shampoo" style of arm movements. This is something I can absolutely agree with him on!

Cha Cha finished Largo asks "Ok so we do Rumba?" and then I see this HUGE smile in his eyes.
"Of course we do Rumba... Oh WAIT... you're waiting for my joke here! What did [RT] tell you?"
RT actually had me stop my Rumba joke (you know the "It wouldn't be a lesson if we didn't work on Rumba" line), because it stopped being funny... Largo was CLEARLY waiting for something of a reaction from me... but he denied it. I didn't say anything after that, we just commenced with our Rumba. We worked on the spiral turn after the Cuban walks, it seems to me that everyone leads the end of it a little different. So I asked for clarification... once that was settled we worked on my having the right timing for it. Largo requires that I keep my own timing for the sharp pivot at the end, whereas RT will actually cue me to turn around with a slight tug. I really should be able to handle the timing of it on my own, so that's something new to work on. We also worked on a kind of Rumba open break, cross step sequence that is actually pretty easy to follow, and also contains two spirals (or at least it will when I remember to do them). Another thing we touched on was a sequence of elements I work on with RT a lot, the one that Jesse had coached me on, Largo even had more good advice for that! It was good!


Our final dance of the evening was Salsa, Largo asked me if I wanted to dance a Salsa, and I was surprised. "You mean Salsa On 1 and everything?" (I don't dance On2 aka Mambo hardly ever) I was excited! (Is it sad when the idea of Salsa without chips makes a gal this happy? I think not!) I have two teachers that will work on my Salsa with me! Woo Hoo! We started, and I was having trouble with the leading, only because I'm not used to it yet. Largo was leading a lot of arm looping and some stuff I haven't done in a LONG time. I even got him in the chest with my elbow because I wasn't paying attention. (Sorry!) We then started working on a newer sequence, one that involves the arm looping and then my being lead into a turn by my right shoulder basically INTO Largo (I'm supposed to duck my head as I spin into and away from him at the same time) Trust me it feels as odd as it sounds. We worked on it, and I was asking questions... I couldn't seem to get the feel of it right. Then as we're standing practicing I just turn and ask him "Seriously, have you been in my position for this step?" He replied in the affirmative, so I reminded him how odd it felt. I felt like I should be pulled away from him being lead from my shoulder like that, instead of pushed into him to duck under his arm. It took several tries...but by the end I was up to speed and spinning just like I was supposed to... well mostly. :)

All in all good lesson, I didn't think it would have been bad, but it was better than anticipated! I didn't go all out with the dancing. I can't yet with Largo, I'm still working on figuring out his lead, as soon as I have that then I'll bring everything up to speed with my hips etc, like I can do with RT. I had good feelings about picking up Largo as my second instructor, I've had issues in the past with other instructors and I really didn't want to have to face that again. Thankfully I'm very certain I won't have to. Now I just have to practice!

See...now after that lesson... it's IMPOSSIBLE that RT didn't tell Largo anything about my dancing. We covered three of my all time favorites that I have the MOST fun with! I picked up some good tips, and even a few new to me elements.


Now I just have to remember that we're still in the "getting to know you" stage... after a few lessons we'll get down to what it's really like working together. I have a really good feeling about this new "partnership" though.

This Week's Lesson... Warning: Insomniac on the Floor!

*Yawn!*



Oh, sorry... I haven't been sleeping much lately... I get some seasonal insomnia about twice a year. My Summer to Fall bout is going on at the moment. Thankfully I think it's pretty much over, but WOW... Dancing while exhausted is not recommended for the faint of heart!

This week's lesson with RT was on Thursday, when I arrived at the studio I hadn't slept more than two hours a night since Sunday. I had still attended all of my favorite group classes, but when I walked in on Thursday I was pretty much a Zombie. The studio was pretty quiet too, lots of cancellations because of a big rain storm we were having. So I put some loud music on my MP3 player and tried to wake my brain up with that. As my lesson time approached I, put the music away, turned to watch a lesson that was finishing up. As I'm thinking about random things I do a mental check of what I had eaten that day... I couldn't remember what I had eaten for lunch... it didn't take long to figure out that the only thing I had for food that day was a cup of coffee at about 9am. Oh well.... not much I could do about it just then, my lesson was about to start.

RT came across the floor and saw me with my head resting on my hand watching the dance floor... "Hi Kat! How ya do'in" he asks brightly, followed by a quick" ... Are you okay?"

"Yeah, Fine... just tired..." I reply quietly.

"Ok, lets see if we can wake you up." He says as he escorts me across the floor.

First dance up was Salsa... it was by all means TRAGIC! I couldn't keep time, I couldn't spin, my stomach was suddenly threatening to turn inside out on me! I was hanging on to each step by a thread. I had to wait for this to pass... I ruined a few spins, lost timing, and then stepped on RT's foot. "Oh, my God... I'm sorry, I'm gonna kill you today..." I say while still trying to dance.

"Yeah, you probably are..." RT jokes "What is going on?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, I'm just really tired...let's keep going, give me a minute...I'll be fine in a minute." I state. Now RT knows...that doesn't mean go away and leave me alone for a minute... that means keep me going and at some point my brain and body with catch up with each other... so that's what he did... we just did Salsa for a minute or two.

We were dancing and RT was cracking some jokes... one liners... like I usually do... I just kinda looked at him (when I'm tired, not much is funny), he would tell me it's a joke... and then I would agree that whatever it was could be funny... I wish I could remember what he was saying... I'd probably find it really funny now. My not laughing at something is pretty uncharacteristic for me... I pretty much laugh at everything... so we were dancing, and I hear...

"Hey, where did the Kat that I know go?"

I just told him I was tired, that I hadn't really slept since Sunday, he asked what I had been doing... I told him it was a seasonal thing, but I was hoping to wear myself out enough to be able to crash when I got home...

I'm pleased to let you know that I did seem to pop out of my exhaustion towards the end of the Salsa, I was back to controlling my spins (our constant project) and my following improved. While it wasn't the best following I'd ever done... it was reasonable enough for this lesson. We worked on a new cross-body lead, and another series of elements that end in a double Coca-Cola turn... This series I like... I just have to nail that Coca-Cola turn... it's a source of irritation.

Salsa over it was on to Rumba, for whatever reason it seems that I'm not working into the floor as much as I should. I can tell you why... it's because when I dance I tend to "pick myself up" if that makes sense... I don't push myself into the floor like I should, I in fact do the opposite... Which now that I'm trying to become better is a problem... hmmm... another thing to work on. But the Rumba seemed to go well.

Then it was on to Cha Cha. We started out ok, I was again reminded to push into the floor... once I did it made the faster spins a little easier to control. (Once again, RT gets to be right... *sigh*). We worked on the timing on the Cha Cha step I mentioned last time... I till have trouble with the whole hip pop, and then coming back around to him in time... I really want to get this one, it could be fun. By this point I was feeling almost my old self again. Which made both me and my instructor happy.

On to West Coast Swing... I've made a lot of progress step wise in this dance... and a smaller amount of technique improvement. I've got a spin now that comes out of a whip to end in a coaster step... that one took a lot of drilling for me to get... I also have a few other passes we've been working on. However, I made the mistake of telling RT I liked his style of leading West Coast better than anyone I had danced it with... and now he's using it against me... it is SO unfair when he does that!!

Here's what happened... I have a habit of popping up instead of keeping myself lowered and absorbing the coaster step into my knees, mainly because that requires that I use my knees, which we know I instinctively avoid doing. So RT is reminding me for the MILLIONTH time to keep myself lowered. Then he says "Hey, if you like the way I lead West Coast then you're going to have to keep yourself lowered." with all the seriousness I've ever heard. I just rolled my eyes...then kept myself lowered the best I could. On the one hand, I know RT wouldn't keep any dances I like away from my lessons, on the other... I really should do a better job of listening to him. So I lower myself at the knees...and the dance improves... It's not that lowering myself for these dances hurts... most of the time it doesn't... it's that I'm continually ANTICIPATING that there will be a shot of pain at any moment... and that's what keeps my legs too straight. I need to fight the instinct and improve my dancing.

I followed up the lesson with two group classes... International Latin (lets just say I can't move at Jive speed yet...but I'm glad the class is back.) and the Ballroom Work Out Class.... I never walked out of that studio more sweaty ever...and it absolutely helped with my insomnia... for that night anyway... we'll see what this week brings.

My dancing world is about to change a bit... I have a new addition to the team... you'll hear more about that tomorrow. :-)

To Routine or Not To Routine

So, I'm thinking of getting a routine choreographed with RT... I think it's about time... but I'm only going to get the one. I've wanted to do something that would take me back to my theatrical roots as I know them for a LONG time now... this is by no stretch a small thing for me... So I'm tossing a question out to you all about who I should have choreograph it. Please take a second this week and vote for me on what you think... (upper right hand corner of the page) You have until next Saturday. Your votes will be taken into heavy consideration as I make my final decisions about having this done!

Thank you!!!

Miss Kitty

A Student's First Comp... The Dresses

Part of my role on "The Ellen Support Team" was to make sure we could find suitable dresses for her to rent. Well I knew exactly where to go for that! Bonnie's Belle Gowns of course, it's exactly where I would go for my dresses if I were to compete. Bonnie's Belle Gowns has been supplying the Northern Illinois/Southern Wisconsin area's ballroom world (pro and am alike) with gowns for a few years now at least. They actually got their start by supplying FADS BG's students with competition gowns. Now I see Bonnie's handiwork at every competition I attend! The proprietors, Bonnie and Michael are ballroom students and amateur competitors themselves, so they know what it takes to sparkle on the floor. Not to mention that Bonnie has been creating clothing of all kinds her whole life, she knows her way around a sewing room better than anyone I've ever met.

Ellen and I talked at length about dresses. Previously, anytime I would ask Ellen about competing, she would always tell me "No, absolutely not... I will NEVER look good in ANY of those dresses!" So I was prepared for our excursion last Saturday to Bonnie and Michael's home for her fitting. I had previewed the website, and had several dresses in mind for Ellen to try on. She had two specifications, sleeves, and good coverage. Both things I let Bonnie know about the week before. I was even prepared, should Ellen's confidence need it, to jump into a few dresses myself to prove that even I could pull off a Rhythm and Smooth look. (I'm of a much more unconventional shape than Ellen...so I thought it was a good idea.)

We arrived just after 2 in the afternoon, Ellen was a bundle of nerves! Bonnie and Michael welcomed us back into their fitting room and I took my seat on the settee ready to offer my always straight forward opinion. Bonnie announced that she had a brand new Rhythm dress that had just been completed. It had never even been tried on by a real person before! She pulled a Merlot, knee length, 3/4 sleeve dress. It had beautiful stoning details at the neckline and the hem was trimmed in matching feathers. Well, at the sight of it Ellen's eyes lit up! Turns out it was one of her favorite colors! I kept thinking How special to be the first one to try on a garment! Ellen put it on...and PRESTO! It fit beautifully!! It met all of her requirements, and to see her smile at herself in the mirror was a true delight! Bonnie just knew it would work for her... THAT'S the sign of a talented artist! Ellen couldn't stop smiling! It reminded me of a bride that had just found the PERFECT dress! (Seriously, Ellen had THAT kind of smile!!)

"That's it!" I exclaimed! Ellen started saying something negative... I wouldn't even let her finish... "Stop it! Look at that smile! Shut up, this is the one!" I then promptly took my camera out to get it on record.

There was an instant sense of relief in the room, the Rhythm dress was the one that Ellen was concerned about the most. I knew even before we arrived that we had made the best choice with Bonnie for the dresses, but after making Ellen so happy in the span of 5 minutes there was absolutely NO question about going any place else!

Next dress up, Smooth... Bonnie first pulled out a dress that her daughter had used to compete in at one point. It's a beautiful black gown with a drop waist and a full eye catching flowered skirt. Ellen put it on, and it worked...but it just didn't have the same effect that the Rhythm dress had. So we decided to keep it in mind and try for another. The second dress Bonnie selected was actually the same one I thought would work out perfectly as well. It's a deep blue with one long sleeve, and one more float style sleeve that matched the full flowing blue/white "cracked ice" chiffon skirt. Well, Ellen has really pretty blue eyes... so I knew this shade on her would just make them POP. Once this dress was on, the smile came back... and Ellen was transformed before me into an elegant queen.

"Hmmm... I don't know." Ellen said, trying not to smile...
"Oh, no you don't... look at that smile! You know you love it!... holy cow...did we really just do this in three dresses?"
"I don't know, is it too long?" Ellen retorted, but she was smiling!
Bonnie assured her that it was the appropriate length for a smooth gown... and we were finished!

After a quick discussion on how the rental agreement works, the deposit was made... and Ellen was outfitted for the comp!

I was absolutely amazed!
I was all set to be there for HOURS, I was ready for a fight... I was ready to try dresses on and prove to her I could look good too. NONE of that was needed!!
Instead we were there for just over an hour and Ellen was SO happy!!!



I'm telling you... if you're a competitive ballroom dancer at any level in the area you have GOT to check out Bonnie's Belle Gowns to see what she's got... the talent is endless! Existing dresses are available for rent or purchase, you can even have one custom made! The craftsmanship, attention to detail, and professional friendly demeanor is unmatched.

Their website is updated regularly, and they can be seen at many local area functions...check it out for their latest info on trunk shows etc. Then bookmark that site and visit often to see the new creations! (I have been so blown away by the creativity and talent I had to spontaneously e-mail and let them know how impressed I am!)

Michael and Bonnie with their newest happy customer!!!

Now, everyone... listen here... come on out and support Ellen and all your other favorite FADS students in the region at the DanceSport Challenge: October 11th and 12th at the Hyatt O'Hare. (See your local FADS in the Chicagoland area for details.)

A Student's First Comp... Meet Ellen

I am SO EXCITED to tell you all about my dance friend Ellen! (This is big important detail about being a ballroom student... I even get to use her REAL first name!!) She has been dancing for a while now and has just decided to enter her first competition! When I found out I immediately asked her if I could put a little something up here for you all to read because I've heard a version of her story from nearly every woman that I've met at every dance studio I've been to.

Ellen and RT in serious discussion about the Competition-->

We'll start with WHY she started to dance... turns out like SO many others she wanted to meet Maks from "Dancing With the Stars" at one of the workshops he's done at FADS BG, so she met with another attendee so that she would be "MADE [to] walk through the door." Her overall opinion of her self was that she was "Rhythmically challenged but I wanted to go anyway." I say kudos to her for taking that first step!

I must have met Ellen shortly after she started, I believe it was at a party, to be honest I don't remember exactly where...but I do remember the litany of negativity that would just pour from her about her dancing skills (or lack there of...so she thought). My reoccurring thought every time I talked to her was that we needed to get her out to dance at a party or something... something to prove to her that the world wouldn't end as she knew it for getting up to dance! She would always say that simply being in the dance studio was a big step out of her social comfort zone... Well that's all well and good but there is SO much more! My first goal though was to get her to parties regularly....

Well, I did start to see Ellen at more and more parties... and I did start noticing more and more of that Cuban motion in her Rumba, and even a bit of arm styling! Over the last few months especially she has improved a TON! Captain and Jem and I have remarked on it quite a few times as we watch the floor from our seats. "Wow, check Ellen out...she's getting good!"

Ellen has also made some great dance friends, and they've helped her along in her confidence, and made the dancing fun too! When I heard she was thinking about doing a competition I'll be honest, you could have pushed me over with a feather I was so surprised she was thinking about it... but at the same time I was like a moth to a flame... telling her she had to...that it would be good for her...and fun! She had to do it for all us girls that couldn't or hadn't yet...and she HAD to let me tell you all about it! Turns out I wasn't the only one rallying in favor of the competition... I asked Ellen what the deciding factors were in her making her decision... here's what she told me:

"[KA], you, [and PC] all said it would be fun. I really had no intention of ever trying it. I can live without fun. lol Then [one of my instructors] and Jesse got in on the matter. Studio personnel had been trying for awhile to get me to compete. Nothing could change my mind. So what did? Jesse gave his speech about you can't get better unless you put yourself out there, try things out of your comfort zone. I had told him just to walk into the studio was out of my comfort zone. I am going to school for a School Administrator certificate and knew I would face situations out of my comfort zone. So I thought I would try this first.

Also I met a lot of nice people, now friends, at the studio [who compete] and they all said it was a great experience. They can't all be wrong, can they? Their support gave me the courage to try this. They all promised to help with picking out the gown, makeup, practice etc. I am counting on them. I want to do well, but still lack confidence. I am not usually like that. I have plenty of confidence in teaching. If I can do this, then anyone can. I kid that I am in the remedial dance level but that is how I feel. I Just now feel that I am at where most people start. It may take me longer, but at least I am trying it. Oh the extra benefit is that I lost around 30lbs and toned up. That makes me feel really good and helps with overall confidence.

The only complaint my husband has is that dance takes up too much of my time!"

I couldn't have written that better myself! I am also exceptionally proud to be part of the "Ellen Support Team." She's agreed to do the competition, but she hasn't quite convinced herself that she's going to do well... Let me tell you, I saw her on the floor last Friday...and she's going to do GREAT! To all those that are on the fence about doing a competition... I have to let you know that I have seen Ellen's face light up more times since she's made this decision than at any other point since she's been in the ballroom!

<---A happy student w/ one of her pros after the decision to compete is made!

Next up.... Ellen and I go get her competition dresses!

Dance Party...

Ok... I'm almost done catching you all up! Goodness!!! We've had two dance parties at FADS BG since I last updated... but I'm really only going to write about the last one. I actually didn't get a whole ton of dancing in... some of my usual partners were Missing In Action and we had a guest studio in visiting so the floor was crowded, and due to the high concentration of new dancers, it's up to us more ahem..."experienced"... to make sure we cut a rug instead of the customary waiting to be asked.

So... A few good and entertaining things happened... One is that the blog has come back to bite me again. A pro I don't generally dance with asked me to the floor for a Tango... (as a side note, we did a very entertaining Cha Cha at the last party too...hopefully there is a trend developing here.) He actually mentioned that he had read about the last Tango I wrote about... Uh oh... So I reminded him...basic is all I've really got... but per usual I was lead into things... I have no idea... I was just hang'n on for the ride and trying to remember my hand placement(after being reminded), keeping my knees bent, and not gripping anything available for dear life. Tango, which you know, is very serious... well not when I do it.. it's really more like a Laurel and Hardy routine or something. This pro even started laughing when he looked over to see my face...which was contorted into some kind of look of confused horror I'm sure. Hey that's cool with me... you can't be in a bad mood and laugh at the same time!

Later it was Lady's Choice... so I ran for one of my most fun student leads... he's making some great progress in recent weeks! Although I think sometimes I entertain him a little too much while we're dancing. We were making our way around for a Fox Trot, and for whatever reason my right hand was being held WAY above my head. So I brought both of our hands down and told my lead that it wasn't necessary to keep our hands WAY up there! He made some joke about his instructor TNT (see workout post below for an introduction) always making a comment because she's so petite... and there I was making comments because I'm so tall. I just told him.. "Hey you know we women are never happy..why are you surprised? I mean you are driving and all, but hands that high isn't necessary." Just after that as we're both kind of laughing... my lead brings my elbow right into another gal's head! It wasn't hard thankfully...but it definitely would have shook her out of whatever she was doing. I turn to apologize, and my lead states over my shoulder. "No, I'm sorry... it's my fault... I'm driving!" The way he said it...was just about the funniest thing I ever heard in my dancing life!!

Oh, lets see... I got a swing in with one of the guys... it's absolute tradition that we swing when we're on the same FADS floor... sometimes we even get a Hustle in... I really like that I've been around enough to have little traditions like that. I got another swing in with RT, aside from that I walked some very new folks through some steps... all told until my SECOND Tango of the evening I'd only danced about 3 times.

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Yes, that's right... I had a SECOND Tango of the evening... it was the second Lady's Choice of the evening... I usually try and go for a fellow student because the pro's get snatched up so quickly. Oddly enough my student leads were all selected... and there was RT just about to resign himself to not being asked... so I grabbed him and said "Alright, you're with me." I then explained that I try to pick up a student for the ladies choice dances. (Although I'm starting to think that running after pros for dances may be the only way to get them as a lead anymore... I see a lot of the gals do it...but I figure... I don't want to dance with someone that doesn't want to dance with me.) At this point, I didn't know it was going to be a Tango... then the music started... I rolled my eyes... RT chuckled.. and away we went... Then... the host called for that one thing that always cracks me up... "Ladies Lead!" All I could think was Here we go again... last time with Jesse, now with RT... oh well... away we go!

Seriously... the fates are against me when it comes to Tango... but off we go... and it's going ok... well it's probably not... In the back of my mind I know RT isn't going to let me pull off the back leading trick I did with Jesse... but I asked him if he wanted to back lead anyway... "No, Come on Kat." replies a very serious RT... *Sigh*... he's gonna make me work... and it's gonna suck... he then tells me to do a Corte... I put up a fight...then just do something that may or may not have resembled the lead into a Corte... then the host called for us to do it... and we did it again... It was just terrible... I figure we didn't step on each other... even though I had to stop and start to try and keep the timing... my brain was shorting out...I couldn't do anything right... Trying to impress your own instructor is hard. Especially when you have no clue what you're doing.

Lastly I think I may have found a new student lead! I've been told he likes Salsa as much as I do... (a very good thing!) Tonight he grabbed me for a push pull Hustle right after the pro show... He's got some good basics for leading I tell you that... definitely looking forward to dancing with him at parties!

All in all I got 5 dances in... a VERY light dance night for me... but it was an unusual party...so hopefully a trend isn't developing. Two of them were Tango's... Which absolutely count...even for as odd as my Tango's are... I think it may be some higher power telling me I need to learn Tango... ugh... we'll see what happens in the coming weeks.

Work Out Class... Introducing TNT

Ok... since this class is the reason I'm in the studio about three times a week, I can't possibly not write about it! You may have read about my disaster of a work out class a few weeks ago. I'm pleased to announce that I'm all better and I'm absolutely back to letting the work out class kick my butt.

I have to tell you, I HATE work out classes. I do! It all reminds me of Jane Fonda's Work out tapes circa 1987 or the Jazzersize classes my mother used to take us to when I was really little. I always expect to see leotards in contrasting colors with funky patterns, big hair, and color coordinated sweat bands. Some of the truly terrible things to come out of the 1980's... trust me!

Thankfully the fact that we are actually covering basics to dances that make sense, and the fact that similarly to RT, I have a hard time telling this instructor "No"... I make it to class every chance I get (even on Saturday MORNING).

Speaking of this instructor, It's time I introduced her... when I was thinking of how to refer to her on the blog only one thing came to mind... TNT. She's petite, dynamic, has explosive energy, and commands respect... enough said.

TNT even got me into a new pair of Jazz type sneakers for the more intense group classes. I LOVE these shoes, I'd do an advert for them in a heartbeat. They are made by Sansha, called the "Salsette I" and you can get them at Dance Wear Solutions. My knees and I are very appreciative of the recommendation... A big thanks to TNT for that and a few other things too :-).

Seriously, I have NEVER in my life been willing to back an actual "work out" (I'm the anti work out weight loss girl remember?) but this class... I can get behind... and SOMEDAY I'll actually do the steps for some of the dances exactly as shown... instead of the easier on the knees way.

Oh and the music TNT has selected is great too... sometimes it's the music that gets me through the moves alone... like I'm leaning on the beat for support... so a good strong rhythm is vital to my success in this class, and I think it's the same for a few others too.

I just couldn't let another week go without writing about the Work out class the way it should be told... If TNT can convert me, then she can get to anyone! Turns out word of the class has gotten to some of the other studios within the FADS world and I know of at least one other studio that's going to be starting their own work out regime!