Astaire Awards Championships (AAC) in Chicago One Last Time!

This weekend is a big comp for the Fred Astaire studio chain. Only three times a year does the chain gather for a national competition, this is special for me as a "professional spectator" because I get to see ALL my favorite professional dancers all at once doing their thing on the same night AND if I'm lucky...I'll get to see some of my fellow students burn the floor too! Yes, I get to see that for a regional competition, but to be honest the results of those are somewhat predictable. Not only that but this is the LAST year they're holding a national competition in Chicago!

RT is competing with his new partner, something I haven't seen yet, and I'm SOOOO excited! I just love to be able to walk around all proud.....yeah baby that's MY pro! :-) Of course I am always excited to see Largo and TNT... every time I see them I just know they are on the cusp of something AMAZING! Not only that...but on the same floor in the same style I also have STP and HFC AND CWS with DWS! (I loose my mind trying to cheer for them all!)

Smooth is somewhat easier as I really have two couples I love there... TSD with FAF from my home studio and RTS and her partner out of the Michigan Avenue studio. I tell you it has been wonderful to see the progress RTS and partner have made this year... and I just love to watch TSD and FAF dance anytime.

Lastly, I have a new couple in a newer to me category. There is a couple from Michigan Avenue that has entered the Theatre Arts/Cabaret division this year with a BANG! I saw their debut at St. Louis where they placed 2nd! Then they were off to Emerald Star Ball (a big independent competition out in Los Angeles) where they took their first title and it's been so exciting to follow them this year! They also just took another title at a competition out east too. I can not wait to see how they do on Friday night!!!

I'll of course let you all know what happened.. but I have to tell you, I am not the one to look to for quick posting results, (I don't have a fancy phone that has web access!) Fred Astaire Corporate doesn't have a system set up for it either... but if you go to Dance Forums I KNOW there will be at least one person in the ballroom sending out updates in a relatively timely manner. (Just hit "Today's Posts" at the top of the screen and you'll find it!)

It's going to be a blast!!!

Two Practices Down... Major Worries Down from 4 to 3!

I still can't believe I'm doing this! ME! I'm preparing for a competition style event! ACK! In an effort to do everyone proud in EVERY dance I had 4 very MAJOR concerns... ok first let me tell you the line-up there are 10 dances chosen, have to do each once... five with each instructor and they are as follows.

Waltz
Tango
Foxtrot
Rumba
Cha Cha
Salsa
Mambo
East Coast Swing
Push Pull (Hustle)
Merengue

So care to guess where my concerns lie? :-) Waltz, Tango and Foxtrot of course, and believe it or not MAMBO. First... we all know I don't work on the first three at ALL... I can sorta maybe follow a basic Waltz, I know next to nothing about Tango, and I can follow a Foxtrot. However, I have no smooth technique I haven't done more than the odd smooth dance at a party in well over a year!

So first lesson up with RT he starts right off the bat...

"We're going to work on Smooth today ok??" He looks at me for assurance.

"Yeah we better." I respond.

So after our customary warm up with Salsa, we start in on my all time unfavorite dance...Waltz. We work and work and Waltz still feels just as off to me as it ever has. We're really working on my footwork when RT says very matter of factly...

"I don't care what anyone tells you, every judge looks at your feet, it doesn't matter what you do with the rest of your body your footwork has to be good."

My quick response is "Well then I am well and truly screwed!!!"

Which RT seems to find amusing. I don't know why, whether it's something in the way I said that or if I'm right in knowing my footwork is NOT the best part of my dancing by a long shot! So we continue to work on keeping my feet together and what I call "nesting" my foot that is behind into the curve of my leading foot... ugh! At one point RT is showing me how to do this correctly for a "back to back" kind of step...something very basic in Waltz... and I watch and I can't help it... I get really sad... Waltz makes me very sad, and it was written all over my face. We worked more on it, I was pleased that I was remembering heel leads. Still though Waltz is the embodiment of EVERY SINGLE THING THAT I'M NOT. I don't float, I'm not graceful, and the exact science behind rise and fall escapes me. I did show some improvement though and it started to feel a little less strange. So we moved on to my strongest smooth dance Foxtrot.

Well it WAS my strongest smooth dance... until we realized once again that I can't walk backwards in a straight line... so to help with this we circled the floor several times out of frame with RT's left and clamped on my right shoulder so I go straight and not veer out of my side... in Foxtrot the follow stays to the left side of center just slightly. I know this.. I can't tell you how many times I've had a chant in my head of "stay left, stay left, stay left!" While in the middle of a Foxtrot. It was a very frustrating lesson, and we didn't even TOUCH on Tango! I only have a few lessons between now and this Mini Match... so practice it is! I can practice technique, but the partnership part of it....oh thank goodness I can follow! I also discussed with RT about who I'd be doing what dance with... I told him, because I can follow him so much better, simply because I've worked with him for so long... I'd like to dance all the smooth with him...he agreed. WHEW!

This week I had a lesson with Largo... where I wanted to tackle my next big hurdle Mambo. I have never been able to hear the music so that I can skip the first beat and move on the second (called On1 vs On2). Every time I've tried it's ended in disaster! So I told Largo all of this... he chuckled.

"Listen, I need you to show me Mambo ok? I want to dance Mambo with you during Mini Match."

"Why?" Largo seems confused.

"Because I dance Salsa with RT all the time... and Mambo in my head is so similar that I want to keep it totally separate and I've never danced a successful Mambo." Which Largo finds very amusing.

So we started with how the Mambo movements are a little different. That was really helpful actually. Then Largo put some music on and counted for me.. and I was pretty able to stay on the proper beat. Oh thank goodness! I think a lot of it has to do with my following... a year or two ago when RT and I would try... it was nothing but disaster! I'd constantly flip back to On1 which is just not right!

Then I realized something, my brain does a funny thing when I'm dancing Mambo. First I trust my lead to get us started, and I completely ignore (or try) the first beat in every measure... then after a measure or two of us dancing I use the steps I'm being lead in to find where in the music we're dancing. This works until I'm sent into a spin or something on my own, and then I'm automatically back On1. So that is going to take some work, but it was COMPLETELY more successful than my adventure in smooth. Largo even told me if I can follow we should be ok. WHEW!!!

So I feel a TON better about Mambo! I don't think I can dance it with a non professional yet... because I really rely on that lead...but perhaps I'll become proficient at dancing both Salsa and Mambo... never thought I'd say that!

Now it's all about the smooth... gotta work on Waltz Foxtrot and Tango... well I have to learn more than one tango step outside basic and I'll feel better about it... I think Tango footwork for me is easier than Waltz and Foxtrot... but I'm still majorly concerned about all three. Still... what was 4 dances of major concern is now 3...and I hope that we can whittle those down as we get closer to Mini Match. Away we go!

Mini Match Update....

Ok...ya'll there just aren't words... there aren't... not in any language I have ever spoken are there words for the sheer level of overwhelming GRATITUDE that I have for what has transpired over these last two days!

I had written just two days ago about how honored I was (and am) to have enough entries to get me into this First Annual Mini Match. NOW I can tell you that I am speechless about how you all have come out of nowhere to help me... I have ALL TEN entries sponsored for Mini Match!!!!

NOT ONLY THAT... but I guess I'm officially a sponsored dancer too! (I don't even know.. can a student dancer be sponsored???) Bonnie's Belle Gowns has graciously, on top of all the other wonderful things they have done for me, and allowed me to do for them, offered to sponsor my Mini Match Attire!!! I tell you I cried...actual tears...not a sobbing mess...but I'm not a crier...I don't typically get that worked up over much of anything... I guess it just dawned on me how much this all means for me, my instructors, my writing, and my dancing.

I do have to say that while I am touched and can't possibly thank you all enough in ten lifetimes... there have been a few moments of clarity where two other things have been rolling around in this crazy head of mine. First, is that after not even allowing myself to entertain the thought that I may ever become a competitive dancer for three years... my head has finally given permission for my heart to want this... and my heart is pouring three years of secretly wanting to experience this type of event into this little team match. I will do you all proud I SWEAR IT!

Second is that I really need this push... I need it to bring my dancing up another notch, even though this is classified as a Newcomer event, and I already know (I think) the basics of what I need to do... I need this push to get better, and to work on all the weight loss and other life improvements that I have been working on all along, but my motivation has been a little stagnant.

So for all the reasons that I dance, and that I love it... from the deepest fathoms of my heart. I thank you! I do hope EVERYONE will come out to cheer Team Buffalo Grove on! I'll let you know more about how as we get closer!

A New Dancing Adventure Begins... Mini Match!

Hi gang! Wow.. I'm still overwhelmed with all the outpouring of support for me and my routine... THANK YOU again! Words cannot describe what that meant to me! Just as that adventure comes to a close a new one is on the horizon!

The Chicago Region of Fred Astaire is having their first annual Mini Match! Let me explain what I know about it and then I'll tell you how I got involved. This Mini Match is a Team Match amongst all the Fred Astaire Studio's in the Region, it is only open to Newcomers and people who have never really competed before (like me). In this Team Match each student dances with their instructors or an amateur couple that doesn't compete together can dance too. These dances are graded on a proficiency scale (just like testing). Each student or couple's scores are not for themselves but to be entered in for the studio as a TEAM. The team with the highest scores wins. So it's like a competition, in fact I know of some very large independent competitions that have Team Matches as part of their event schedule, but it's not every couple for themselves it's every studio working together for the best result.

Now, I am still unemployed (I don't want to talk about it) so of course I figured this would just be another one of those things I'd turn down under the ever present "I don't compete" or "I don't have the finances" reasons. Then one day about two weeks ago I received an e-mail from a reader that stated simply that it would be really good if I'd be able to compete in this Mini Match. This reader was SOOO emphatic about my being able to do it that they, while asking to remain anonymous, would be willing to pay for one of my entries. (at a cost of $39, this was nothing short of AMAZING!) I quickly but politely declined the offer, knowing that I couldn't put up the rest of the money needed to be a part of this event (4 entries are required, with a maximum of 10 allowed).

However, you know this set my brain into overdrive trying to crunch numbers and figure out how I could maybe do it. If I were employed...I'd be in.. done deal. I'm sick and tired of having to turn everything that's not a lesson down, but I also know that I can't possibly put the money out for this, and the deadline for payment of July 15th was too close even if I were to get hired someplace tomorrow. So even as I was talking myself into and out of wanting to do this Mini Match about every five minutes, it just wasn't a possibility so it didn't matter. I was however so INCREDIBLY touched by the idea that I have a fan that was so wanting me to further my dancing that, still honoring their anonymity I shared this tale with my friends last Friday, including but not limited to, Captain and Jem.

Here's where I get overwhelmed and touched again, I am telling you I have the most WONDERFUL support system in my life! Just as soon as I'm telling of this anonymous donor and how I had turned down their kind offer... Captain pipes up "I'll sponsor you for an entry!" and then next to her Jem chimes in "I'll do one too!" Oh my goodness I was virtually speechless! The mere thought that they would help me on this was unreal! I politely declined, because I am not the type to take offers of this nature. Yet, the thoughts of a possible chance at this seemed within my grasp, ran circles in my head.

I thought on all of this for nearly a week, (in fact one of my friends gets a big thank you for listening to me rant back and forth for and against this all day every day...so THANK YOU). Then last Thursday I was at lunch with my dance friend Ellen, where as we were catching up, I was telling her about how amazing people are being about this Mini Match thing, and how everyone is coming out of the woodwork in wanting me to do it, but that I couldn't and wouldn't take them up on it because it's not that important. Before I could even fully understand what was going on... I had a check in my hand, and a fourth sponsor! I was AGAIN touched and overwhelmed by the kindness...if I was the type of girl to cry I would have busted out in tears all over the table.

So now, by the grace and generosity of my wonderful friends and fans I am going to be participating in the First Annual Mini Match! I have to tell you, I was able to tell RT and he's a bit floored by it all, because last we spoke about it I was completely shooting him down and giving him no chance at getting me to sign up! I cannot wait to see Largo's reaction! In fact..there are a lot of people that are probably going to have some kind of reaction about it! I don't even know what to expect yet... not really. I do know that it's very casual, no ballroom dresses or anything of that nature, which means the dancing is going to be that much more important! Still, I'm not doing this for me... I have sponsors I have to do proud! I may end up working harder for this, than I did that routine!

Mark your calendars kids! Mini-Match is on August 14th and will be held at the South Barrington Studio!

I will of course let you know all about it and what's going on in my head throughout it all... for right now though I'm still in shock!

My Routine...

What a whirlwind this week was! Two really good practices... I FINALLY got my act together on the routine on Wednesday. Better late than never right? As soon as that happened I officially knew the choreography... the rest of the time was just making sure I could just DANCE the thing!

Friday June 19th... the weather was HORRID! Terrible thunderstorms plagued the area all day, the humidity was messing with my traction on the dance floor all during our early rehearsal...but still I challenged the rain and made it to the studio for a group class that was being held before the party. Shortly after my arrival RT came up to me and asked why I was so early...

"Well I was finished getting ready...[STP] is having his rhythm class so I thought I'd come to that, it's better than my sitting around waiting for the party to start."

"Do you want to practice a little? Are you nervous???" RT asked, seeming very concerned.

"No, we don't need to practice... I don't think... I'm pretty sure I'm doing ok thanks." I responded.

I joined the Rhythm class already in progress and turns out STP had us working on lock steps...which was good because my routine has them... but I had to duck out early because my ankle was beginning to hurt, and I was beginning to get nervous. Once in the main ballroom I found my pain medication and took it... there was nothing that was going to keep me from trying my best. I then joined some fellow students on the couch to chat and try and shake my nerves... for some reason they were really starting to build.

As the party started I got a quick Hustle in with Largo and was asked to dance by a few students and while the crowd was smaller than normal because of the weather, I became overly concerned with being stepped on... the last few times I'd been on a remotely crowded floor I got stepped on pretty badly, one I received three weeks ago still hurts. Again, NOTHING was going to keep me from trying my best! HFC came over and gave me a quick re-assurance that she was nervous too (She and STP were dancing the professional number) which I thought was very sweet of her. I danced with TSD who offered me some advice on my Rumba... I wasn't following too well... my nerves were creeping up on me again. As the clock ticked along, I became very anxious in waiting for my family and friends to show up... While I waited I visited with Bonnie and Michael who generally sit away from the crowds. Between songs RT came up and looked concerned...

"Why are you over here? Are you over here so you don't get asked to dance? Are you ok?"

"No, [RT] I'm fine, I'm visiting with Bonnie for a second... I'll dance... and I told you I don't want to wear myself out too much before we dance." I responded... this must have been the 4th or 5th time he'd checked on me... I was getting concerned that he was so concerned...but decided to not worry about it... he's the pro.. he's got nothing to be worried about... this routine is a walk in the park compared to what he can do.

Then I noticed that my parents had arrived...so I ran over to say hi and make some introductions... RT joined me to say hello then went back to dancing... I chatted with my folks for a bit and then found my "proper" place on the side of the dance floor so RT would quit worrying. I don't know why he was worried... I didn't get asked to dance... :-)

Shortly thereafter two of my neighbors showed up... they are commonly referred to as my "neighbor moms" A girl couldn't ask for better neighbors! Before I could even get over to say hi... RT was there graciously introducing himself... let me tell you, he left quite the impression on them. :-) Then KIT (who was hosting this evening) announced for the studio's favorite line dance the "Cupid Shuffle." So RT and I joined the floor (and one of my neighbors did too!) for that... after being there for three years it's very hard to get out of doing any group participation stuff... even though I do try to get out of it...every time. Oh ya'll ELLEN came! My dance friend Ellen who let me write about her first competition...She has since taken a break from lessons, but she came out to see me dance!

The next thing I knew... I was chatting with my guests, another friend arrived, and the announcement was made for all those performing tonight to get ready. Ok... here we go! I excused myself and went to the back to change... Nerves running at full steam! I couldn't even get undressed I was shaking so bad! This was not a good sign! Somehow I did manage to get myself changed... I tried to touch up my makeup...but my hand was shaking so bad I didn't want to even attempt it. I started my "Ok... I could die now...that would be fine." mantra... because at this point dying was the ONLY thing that was going to get me out of this performance! Then HFC needed help with the closures on her dress... that actually helped me, helping someone else helped me focus.

As everyone performing that evening was getting ready... it seemed as though we had a lot of time... this was because KIT was running a group participation event out in the studio... I was beginning to feel sick... and I couldn't find RT... where the heck did my partner go? I couldn't find RT.. but Captain was there to help me pin my dress and to make sure I was still surviving... I snacked on one of my ever present fruit snacks to try and offset whatever my nerves might want to do to my blood sugar...and then FINALLY found RT, he was changed and all ready to go... my stomach settled and while everything was going on out front I watched HFC and STP practice a bit of their Bolero routine... RT was treating his shoes with some water, I decided that was a good plan and took advantage of his offer to help... the floor was kinda slick out there and water, while it's not a great idea, will help you gain traction for a short time when applied to the soles of your dance shoes. Then RT asked me (for the 10th or 15th time) if I wanted to practice small steps right there in the back... I quickly agreed.

There we were in front of the refrigerator and sink in the dark walking through the routine in tiny steps, for the first time I was actually counting along with RT... who knew?... I guess I did pick up a few of the counts along the way... we got through the entire thing...no hesitation... I think we both felt better... well I know I did. I then looked out into the ballroom and saw my sister had arrived... our mom then made her wave to me... that felt a bit like grade school... :-) RT and I peeked out to watch the other couples dance (there were two dances before ours, and then the pro routine after)... RT making sure he had me by the hand the whole time. I in all honesty didn't want to see anyone else dancing, I just wanted to quietly wait for my cue. I did have to let go of RT for a second because I remembered that my own camera needed someone to film...so I quickly asked CWS if he would be so kind as to man the lens and he agreed...then it was right back to RT.... So that meant that between my camera, the studio camera... Michael (of Bonnie's Belle Gowns) and my folks... we had FOUR video cameras trained on us... no pressure.

Here's where my memory gets a little sketchy... I remember RT leading me to our starting position and KIT talking a bit...some applause... I remember the word "love" was used a lot...and I remember that she sounded a bit emotional....but all curiosity into that zipped away when I heard the music... of actually dancing... I remember we stared a measure later than usual...because I had a false start... which is fine we weren't actually choreographed to the song...we just had a song I had picked to use. Ummmm... I remember right at the time I put my leg on RT's hip... it was going well... but it wasn't quite as energetic as we had practiced...Then I remember yelling at myself in my head because I wasn't even trying to stop my spins... they were finishing messy... which was promptly followed by the voice in my head screaming Drop it...don't think about it...DANCE...and then I remember looking directly at two of the four video cameras... which caused some reaction from the pros... wish you could see it better... OH! I remember mouthing the words to the song, and then stopping myself because a friend said that didn't look right... And I remember my biggest problem with this routine came out and bit me.. the stop right before the cha cha box... it looks like I'm about to fall over... because I couldn't control my stops... and the shoulder on the dress fell again...but it was pinned to my bra strap so at least that wasn't showing... Then I remember what has always been my favorite part of the routine... when RT and I are facing the same way... hard to point out..but in my head that means "home stretch baby!" and I only have a few more measures before we're done. Once finished and we started our bows... (mine look ridiculous..but I was just lucky I was still standing to be honest) all I could think...and I mean ALL I could think was "Ok, turn... bow curtsy something... walk to RT..he's going to turn me... and I'm turning.... I'm going to FACE THE OTHER WALL... FACE THE OTHER WALL... Good! Facing the other wall! Ok...bow, curtsy, something... ok.. go to RT...Why is RT hugging me out here???... GET ME OUTTA HERE!" That is seriously the exact monologue that was in my head... I didn't hear applause... I didn't hear my name... Nothing... As we approached the place we started where all the pros were standing I remember a lot of hugging...but don't remember anything that was said... my next thought was "That must have gone ok...because I don't want to throw up right this second."





RT and I watched HFC and STP's Bolero...it was wonderful as usual... and I asked RT not to change so we could get pictures afterwards... Once the performances were finished there was a bit of dancing and I grabbed STP for a little waltz...chatted with my guests... my neighbor moms' left... and the lights came up for the end of the party... RT and I chatted with my sister and her boyfriend...then with my parents... for a bit there we were inseparable.... then with Bonnie...and then it was a blur again... I thanked everyone I saw for coming... then remembered that I had to change clothes... I couldn't go out in my cha cha dress! After changing I chatted with RT for a minute I had some things I wanted to clear up real quick.

On my way out I stopped by the front desk where KIT was back and doing some kind of paperwork... I thanked her for the introduction, and she said that RT and I had received a standing ovation...
"We did?? I didn't see any of that..." I responded, surprised!
"Yes, you did... I have never seen the studio give a student a standing ovation like that before." She stated.
I was shocked..."Really? I missed all of that! Wow....Thank you again... this was really special for me... have a good weekend!" And I walked out of the studio...

I didn't want to see the video... I knew hardly any of it would make me happy... but while out with my friends I did watch it on my camera... I was quiet through the whole thing... disappointed in what I was seeing... which has nothing to do with anything and I may or may not address it later...but then the end came and the audience did stand up! I got surprised like I was just shocked with static... "Oh! We DID get a standing ovation! Thanks guys!"

My greatest memory for this evening... is the overwhelming sense of feeling honored. I feel honored to be able to call RT my instructor... that felt like dancing with a friend I've spent years with... oh wait... I have! :-) I feel honored to have such a great dance family. I don't know what I did to deserve you all.. but I'm gonna do my damnedest to make sure I don't lose you!

THANK YOU!

My Routine... Ready or not... Here we Go! Performing and Celebrating 3 Years Dancing!

After several weeks of trials tribulations... a little arguing... a little of my personal life butting in... and all that... We are now... finally at the week of performance! This Friday at some point between 9-9:30 PM CST please think good thoughts for me if you can't be there!



We've made changes, most of which were done to "dumb it down" for me... seriously! There were two spots in particular... I thought I could have done it.. but no...just TOO fast! RT has also suggested some changes that would make me more comfortable... and I decided not to do those changes... no point in having a routine if at least part of it isn't going to scare you right?

As of this moment I'm feeling pretty good about the performance, but I have to tell you it goes back and forth... has been for a few weeks now. Actually the last few weeks have been pretty dark with confidence and body image... something I'm constantly battling, sometimes publicly...and sometimes it gets too dark for even ME to share with others. But I look forward to the rest of the week feeling like today... reasonably optimistic, with a non-stop soundtrack of my chosen song and a few segments of my routine being drilled over and over. None of which will actually be discussed here as I don't want anyone in attendance to do anything but take my performance as a whole, and not inspect it for what I see as flaws. Trust me... I'm sure I'll have a blow by blow with video for you all afterwards.

Some pre performance preparation that doesn't actually pertain to the dance steps is going on too... I've freshened up my red hair with my new favorite more copper like tone. I've started the self tanner and actual tanning although the sun hasn't been out much here in Chicago...so I'm getting what I can...shoulders got a bit burned today! (YAY no Garbage bags for my back this time!) I have the daily reminder of how high maintenance it is to perform... I enjoy the whole preparedness of tanning, doing my nails, hair, makeup, sparkly jewelry, fun smelly lotions and all that... but at my core I'm really pretty down to earth and enjoy not having ALL of that as my daily routine.

More importantly almost is that I'm celebrating three years of dancing at the same time... I'm celebrating the third anniversary of the day I made steps unwittingly to change EVERY SINGLE ASPECT of my life for the absolute better... and have stayed on this path.. for better and for worse... for THREE YEARS... that's huge! Especially considering that I don't have a history of committing to anything that is this hard. My life is far from perfect...and I'm in a pretty rocky part of it at the moment...but three years ago... a rough patch like this would have sent me on a downward spiral that I don't know I could have recovered from. It's all because of dancing and the wonderful professionals that I get to dance with.

So, wish me luck, come and see and celebrate!
I look forward to seeing you there!

Bonnie's Belle Gowns Debut's a New Line...(and a New Model)

Straight from Bonnie's Belle Gowns Headquarters' I bring you the latest and greatest in plus size ballroom gowns. If you have been to their website... you may have seen these dresses however, to appreciate the dresses they needed to be modeled by a real person. So I was all too quick to volunteer to jump in these creations to try do them some justice! So I present to you...me...in the new Double XL line!

Green/Blue Rhythm Dress or as I affectionately call it "My Cha Cha Dress", it's bright, fun and flirty and the streamer detail down the front is going to really play up the movement of the dance! Not to mention COMFORTABLE!!! (Those wrist bands now mean I have to figure out arm styling in a big way!)

Red Sparkle Rhythm Dress - I love this one too! Equally as comfortable as the green, this dress has a decidedly more sexy feel too it. (Which I love) Someday I'll wear it maybe for a saucy Rumba :-)

Multi-Color Fantasie Smooth Dress - The material alone on this gown almost makes you feel like you could float across the floor without your partner!

Sparkly Silver and Black Smooth Dress - Brings a feeling of complete elegance, this dress was created for the dancer of a more petite stature than myself, anyone that wears this on the floor is one lucky lady! LOVE the details on the bust line and back!!!

As a side note... I can't tell you how long I stared at these pictures! This is not the girl I see in the Mirror! (In a good way) A very special thanks to Bonnie and Michael for letting me flex my modeling muscles a little!

Reading Recommendation: A Year of Dancing Dangerously

Ya'll know me... I have an opinion on everything... I do not however try to push anything on anyone... your choice is yours, mine is mine and that is that. Every so often something comes along that I really would like to share and when THAT happens... I pretty much won't shut up about it. :-)

A while ago I was approached to read and write a review on a book that was written by a ballroom student. I thought sure...send me the book... we'll see... No strings attached. A few days later a small almost coffee table style hardcover book was at my door. I've read the book and been carrying it around forever thinking just on how I would write about it. I decided, that a critique or a review isn't really what I want to do... I will simply recommend the book, and tell you why I think it's worth the time to check out. So here we go... The first ever "Ballroom Dancing: Changing My Life..." reading recommendation:

A Year of Dancing Dangerously
One Woman's Journey from Beginner to Winner
By Lydia Raurell

Lydia has put together a memoirs of sorts from her first year of Ballroom Dancing.. from a brief snapshot of what her life was like before dancing... Married, middle aged, longing to dance again after 20 or so years... to that first tango lesson she took, and the subsequent copious amounts of lessons she signed up for right after. All the way through the many MANY competitions she entered (and did VERY well at) with her professional instructor all over the US.

She has included a wealth of information on each style of dance she competes in (American Smooth, Rhythm, International Latin and Standard) and compelling photographs as well. All of which are perfect for those readers who may be non-dancers. What I really enjoyed was the passion with which she writes about her first year of dancing... As people Lydia and I have very little in common, we are from different generations, we weren't drawn to dance for the same reasons, we don't even approach our lessons the same way. However as dancers we have the SAME passion and that resonates off the page as you read. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone interested in Ballroom Dancing, especially anyone that does or wishes to compete.

Testing 1..2..3...Is This Thing On??

Testing was tonight... I hate testing... I really do... I'm overall a social dancer and I don't really see the need in knowing EXACTLY how good or bad I am at anything. Not to mention the fact that every time I have tested has been the worst feeling on the dance floor...

I had been working primarily with Largo on new steps. Over the last week I made sure I had done all of them with each instructor because you never really know who you'll be dancing what with. In my mind I was working better on the Syllabus stuff with Largo, and so I wanted, in the perfect world that doesn't exist, to dance my majors as follows...
Cha-Cha= Largo
East Coast Swing = RT
Rumba = Largo
Salsa = RT

No.. I don't have a single smooth dance as my major... I like to dance them.. but do not have any desire to spend most of my time on any one of them. I'm quite happy with my majors thank you.

So testing goes like this... A large number of students all converge on the studio at once. We have a special guest "Judge" who is there to score us. New students going through their first test dance two of their majors, the rest of us dance all four. We're called out, we grab one of our instructors or are sometimes told which of our instructors to dance with... we're told the dance, and the music commences... everyone dances until our Judge has had time to critique us all. I'm going to tell you how this went... and then tell you what my scores were.

Cha-Cha... Largo wasn't paying attention to anything... so I ended up dragging him to the floor rather gruffly. (Sorry about that) We stand a bit apart, I get the once over from him...one of his eyebrows goes up and he states rather disgustedly "You have cat hair..."

"I know.. I must have missed the ONE on my black top I'm sorry!" (I have two cats... Largo is highly allergic...) I quietly but sharply whisper back...

Until that moment I was totally chilled out... not nervous at all.. and then... one of the worst cases of nerves I've ever had pops out of nowhere! Let's see what do I remember about the Cha Cha... I failed at the first attempt of one of the leads he was putting me through... I messed up every SINGLE open break... at one point I completely forgot to Cha... and Largo ran me into three different people. At the same time my blood sugar soared out of whack because of my nerves and lack of dinner. I came off the floor from that Cha Cha mumbled an "I'm Sorry" to Largo and quickly found one of my fruit snacks that I always keep around. Once I had eaten something I was a little better...

Rumba= Largo is already on the floor with a student, so I go for RT once they've called my name... RT seems kind of surprised to see me heading for him...then it dawns on him and he says "I was wondering who Pat was..."
"Uh huh... Funny.. happens all the time... just dance." I dryly reply really hoping this Rumba is going to go better... I mumbled some of what I did during Cha to RT... just to let him know... it's not a good night on the floor.

So we dance Rumba... it was rough... I didn't spiral where I was supposed to in at least three different spots... I was told at one point to stop making faces.... but then at JUST THE RIGHT SECOND.... as I'm facing the Judge... I go from coyly (ok...so it wasn't coy at all... I was looking at the floor) but I drew up my eyes and got him with Rumba eyes and a smile.... YES!!! Spun back around to RT... he whispers that I can calm down now I've been judged... I just wanted to giggle that I totally got the Judge with my Rumba eyes! Ok... so maybe tonight wasn't going to be so bad.

East Coast Swing... Largo's turn!!! Actually the swing wasn't anything spectacular.... it was just kind of a swing... but I was happy that I was following at least. We covered the steps I needed... a couple of times over... Largo finally started smiling... I whispered "Thank you" to him after that one... Meh.. not good... not bad... one more and I'm finished!

So I'm waiting for the group to be called up for Mambo... then RT goes and tells them I do Salsa... and we get to dance... at least that's the way it's supposed to go.

Well instead... I get called... Just my name.... for a Solo... apparently all the others that have Mambo as a major didn't have to dance it.... or I'm the only one with anything Salsa/Mambo related for a Major anymore... Jackie calls my name... asks me if I want Salsa or Mambo as I meet RT on the dance floor... I told her she can ask me to dance on the 2... but it's not going to be pretty. So Salsa it is. Jesse was manning the music.. he puts on a song... it was very Mambo like...but I'd heard it a million times before.... and because it was JUST me and RT on the floor... ACK!!! I decide to mess everything up!

We start out basic enough... single turn... then RT starts the Miami Special and all I can think is that we haven't done this in FOREVER... I ALWAYS screw it up... then... on top of it all.. I forget to listen to the music... and completely screw EVERYTHING UP.... *sigh*... then... I hear RT... "Quick quick slow...quick quick slow." I wanted so badly to yell... NOT HELPING... but can't... I'm being tested.... Then... RT did the one thing that always helps... a little basic... a little cross body lead.. and then MY SPIN!!! YAY MY SPIN!!!.... I call it my spin cuz I've never done it with anyone else... and it's the one spin that completely clears my head and for whatever reason.... I can find the beat when I come back.... turns out I took my spin a little fast... no, it was like WAY too fast and I think I had at least a full beat... maybe a beat and a half to wait before the top of the next measure... but here's the magic about that... I KNEW that and froze with RT until it was time to go again... Some call that not being in control... maybe not of the spin...but I think that's CRAZY control to be able to wait before moving after whipping around like that. I heard some comments from the crowd on my spin as we did another basic and they called for the song to end. (Too bad... another measure or two of being back on track and I could have gotten a better score).

Ok... so the LAST time I tested my highest score was a 93 - and that's fair... I suppose... I really wasn't expecting to get any better... and that really would have irritated me. But given the way I felt on the floor through all those dances.... yeah I think 93 would have been appropriate (and a 92 for that stink'n Cha Cha)

But... here's what I got...
Cha Cha = 94
Rumba = 94
East Coast Swing = 94
Salsa = 95 + a lot of people saying that I was fun to watch... better than any score!

So I hereby from this day forward... will no longer tell you that I suck at dancing...

... I'll tell you that I'm an OK dancer. :-)

Well This Isn't Quite Going as Planned...

You know... I talk a good game... I talk a GREAT game... execution of said game isn't always as wonderful.

An update on the ankle.... still injured, but it's on the mend. I did end up taking nearly two weeks off from the studio, but did go out Salsa dancing on the weekend in between. When the swelling does nothing but increase, and random black and blue marks show up all over the foot that's attached to the injured ankle... that even makes me take a moment to try to heal it. I'm back on the dance floor as of last Friday, despite the fact that both RT and Largo want me to sit out for longer. While I sit here ankle iced and elevated (again) let me catch you all up.

First the Salsa.... what is it about Salsa?? I am incapable of turning down an invitation to dance. I even at one point had ripped off my immobilizing brace to dance a Salsa in my stocking feet at a recent dance event. Yes, I'm crazy... but we knew that already. I don't fully know what it is about Salsa that has me so tuned in... but heck I'm not giving up on it. There has also been the coolest development amongst my fellow students at the studio. We've banded together to go out Salsa dancing on the weekends when the studio doesn't have a party. The few times we've gone out have been some of my best nights out dancing!

In lesson news... Largo and I are working on preparation for the upcoming test. I put even money on my not making it to the next level.... I don't think my execution is any better than it was at my last test... only my following is stronger. We'll see... I haven't ever tested with more than one pro...then there's the whole issue of making sure they know I've got Salsa as one of my majors that's always a bit of an unusual situation for testing.

RT and I are still slowly but surely working on my routine... I can not...simply can not learn this with any hope of improvement if I'm only actually working on it once every other week. I don't currently see how I can increase that...but I'm working on it. Originally the goal was to perform this dance this month... instead I have decided that we're going to do it in June (should probably mention something to RT about that) in celebration of my 3rd Danceversary.

Ah let's see... well it's been a very very busy several weeks at the studio... many many competitions and many many reasons for all of us to be very proud of the Professional Dancers we all know and love!

As far as unemployment and how it has seeped into every corner of my existence and has proven to provide me with some of the most low moments I have had in a long time... Yeah... we'll save that for another time. Conversely there are some positive points to not having to be anywhere... I'm a very easy to entertain gal... just take me dancing! Which on average is MUCH cheaper than any other form of going out I've ever done in the past. So that's a positive thing... also while looking for a job I could technically take advantage of any night out dancing that's available. Which I gotta say... is kinda nice.

Well I'm working on getting back on track... gotta throw as much of myself back into life as I can...and I'll be checking my self pity and depression type feelings at the door.

My Routine... Great Practice... Not Getting Set Back

Ok... quick update here... the closer we get to this actually happening...the fewer the details I really want to let out.

Had a PHENOMENAL rehearsal! We ironed like everything out, broke the routine up into parts so it's easier for me to practice at home... changed a few things around, that I love... and you'd never believe it...it's starting to feel like something! Still don't have that "on" feeling yet... but we're getting there!

What I will tell you is that there were two points where I said "Owww." during the practice... nothing major... just a twinge... kept going...I can't even remember exactly where...just that I know I said it twice... I was in my jazz shoes, not my ballroom shoes... only because I can't concentrate on both working in the shoes with heels and hammering out choreography. Anyway... the next day I wake up to a really solid ache in my right ankle... EXACTLY like what happened in my left ankle last summer.

SO Here's the plan... last summer I waited until my ankle got REALLY bad before I started treatment... it also kept me off the floor for two weeks (yeah I know it should have been six...but all is well). THIS time... I will NOT be stopping.. or cutting back... in fact I'm more determined and inspired than ever.... (which I will write about in a bit) but I AM keeping it in a brace when not dancing, and iced/elevated when possible. All of this is in addition to the anti-inflammatory regimen I was on last time.

Listen... there is NO WAY - NO POSSIBLE WAY I am going to keep myself from the EXCELLENT momentum I am on... I'll handle my business... and I may vent some complaints about it along the way... but I have been really inspired lately... and I'm not losing hold of that. Sitting on my couch with my ankle in the air waiting for it to heal when, aside from my ankle, I'm probably the strongest I've ever been... I can't let that go....

Lesson with Largo- Rumba, Rumba, Cha, Rumba, Salsa

My last couple of lessons with Largo have been a ton of fun. As you can imagine with my new status of unemployment I've been living every day for searching for a job and heading into that dance studio. Largo has been very supportive and has even tried to come up with ideas for me to look for work. However, he has also remained the ever determined dance instructor determined to make sure I know my stuff.

We opened with Hustle, pretty much a start to every lesson with him as a warm up. Basically we stop as soon as I start smiling. Then we moved to Rumba because that was the music playing. We ran through every step I know and Largo even added a fun spin to the "12 step Cuban turn" I have yet to get the timing on this spin, but it's a lot of fun. I told him as much "Oh nice idea! I like the way that could look once I get it."

"Don't worry," he replies "you'll only do this step with me."

"No! I have to tell RT about it so I can practice it with both of you!" I retort.. I really like the idea of spinning once before I have to step back into frame.

Largo gets serious for a second... "No you can't tell RT!"

I was shocked... and as chance would have it I haven't told RT yet... but I will because that added bit is definitely cool... I want to see if RT can lead it too. Largo may be my teacher of almost a year, but I can still follow RT better than anyone else, so I have to know if I we can work that spin out.

"Ok.. I won't tell RT yet...but I will tell him at some point." I smile and we continue dancing.

We just kept working Rumba because that was the style of music playing... over and over always a Rumba. It was a while before we noticed it was actually the SAME song over and over... we had gotten busy working on my last to steps for the part of the syllabus I'm on... haven't really perfected those yet either... but the bonus is that at least I'm remembering them.

Largo then looks at me mid Rumba box and asks "What do you want to work on now?"

"I don't know...what do you have?" I usually like to have my instructors pick what I work on, I only request that we try and get at least a little Salsa into every lesson, even if it's just two or three minutes.

"Ummm... Cha Cha?" He says with a raised eyebrow and a grin...knowing I really can't turn that down either.

"Ok!" I smile back and we run over to the music machine to try and pick a cha cha song... enough with the Rumba already!

We are met by one of the other instructors who is about to re-start the same Rumba that we've been dancing to for at least half the lesson. Largo asks for a Cha Cha, and we are told that this instructor's student is working on a dance for a party, so they are going to play the song one more time. Largo and I both roll our eyes and Largo proceeds to lead me in Rumba directly in front of the music machine so no one can sneak in and take our chance at putting on a Cha Cha. I was giggling the entire time because I've never had to stake out the music machine before, it was endlessly amusing.

Once the Rumba was over we put on our Cha... and had at it... there are some steps in that Cha Cha syllabus that only Largo leads me through, and in my experience with him he's the only lead I don't spin quite fast enough for. It seems we're on a never ending quest to get certain spins within certain steps FASTER so that the step finishes better. I think I've only really gotten back to finish on time about 5 times in all the millions of times we've drilled these steps. Which really aggravates me because spinning in general is one of my strengths. I'll get it...probably in my next lesson.

We got the ONE Cha Cha song in and it was back to that Rumba song again. Largo and I couldn't believe it! I started laughing and Largo rolled his eyes... said something about Rumba again, and I thought because we had been dancing to the music all lesson we were going to go back to Rumba... so we're in frame... I start to Rumba, he starts to Cha... that didn't work out so well.

"Nooooo! You want to Rumba again???" He exclaims!

"Well, no Cha Cha is better, but I thought we were going to the music."

"No, Cha Cha." He states and we go again to the Cha Cha beat in his head.

"Help me out here man, I can't hear the beat that's going in your head!" I state while I'm having trouble picking up on his rhythm. He then started whispering "Cha cha" at the appropriate spots until I got it. Once I got one of my troubled spins once we moved on to... the dance I could do forever... Salsa!

So we danced Salsa a bit and then Largo started doing arm looping and at one point my head backed right into one of his arms.... well...that's not the way that's supposed to go!

"What are you trying to lead there? I'm not familiar with it." I tell him

"Oh, sorry... that's just my stuff." Largo says and tries to get back on syllabus.

"No, that's ok... what was that... I can learn it!" I tell him excitedly!

We then commenced in something Largo was actually trying to work out himself... it was a back to back...almost 5th positions...sort of... then double turn under his arm, so my head has to be ducked...no spotting...back to frame. Well I've never actually turned full speed with my head tucked chin to chest before.. I'd seen it...so I knew it could be done... but apparently I'm not nearly as good at spinning if I can't at least keep my head up. I got super dizzy!

"Oh... " Largo laughs "...sorry you're dizzy we'll stop."

"No.. I don't mind being dizzy...don't worry." All the while there are three Largo's in front of me, "Let's try it again."

So we did... and there is just something about that step he's working out that isn't working.... and I didn't exactly get the turns again either. So we walked through it one more time... and then it was time for the lesson to be over. I hugged him as I usually do and we commenced in a two minute argument about how he thinks that getting two inches cut off my very long very heavy hair is too much. I just told him to be thankful that I am not going to get the same haircut as him.

One thing about Largo... no one is ever uncertain of what he thinks about anything!

Like it or Not...I'm Embarking on a New Adventure

Last Monday, after just coming back from Alaska for the fourth time. I reported to the home office, I knew something was going on within the organization for some time, the office was just reeking with that vibe for the previous few weeks. Well, by 10:30am I was informed that I was being laid-off and that would be my last day with the organization.

How did I take the news? Well, really well. Which is my typical style when dealt with big news. I immediately take emotion out of the equation, and break down and analyze my situation. I got home, told a friend... took about two hours to allow myself to be overwhelmed. Sat back down at the computer, revised my resume, posted it. Showered, and went to the dance studio for my lesson. I've been working it day by day since then. Which is the only way to handle it.

I've never been without a job as an adult, so this is all new. Overall I'm still very level headed about it. I have moments of "I'd like a job now please." and moments of "Ok... now is the time to really work on everything that got put on the back burner....so let's get to it!"

So right now... my job is finding a job... in this economy that's not going to be terribly easy. Then there's the feeling that wants to make sure I don't get laid-off again. I'll be gainfully employed again... I have a very strong gut feeling that I won't be in this situation for long. I do have to tell you that all of my worlds have converged into one of the best and strongest support systems I've ever been a part of.

So happy thoughts are welcome... but don't worry about me... That which hasn't killed me yet, has only served to make me stronger. THIS certainly isn't going to be the end of me... perhaps it's even a new beginning. Let's not forget... I am Kat after all... I always land on my feet.

My Routine.. Two More Practices Down... Is This Really Going to Happen??

Well I've had two more Routine practices since my last update. We're getting up to tempo by the end of the practices, and there are very clearly spots where we're nailing everything and then spots where I clearly can't recall what's coming up. It's going to end up being a lot faster than I think I thought it was going to be. It's a Cha Cha... I don't know what on earth I was thinking, of course it's going to be faster! I desperately just want to book like three lessons back to back and take the time needed to just hammer all the finer points out...but that's not the way my dance world works. So I study, practice in my head a lot... and try to apply what I'm seeing in my head to the dance floor.

So far I think we're on track... RT says we are... but I'm not feeling it yet... I'll know it when I feel it... I'm looking for that "on" feeling, and I need to get it regularly with this Routine before I agree to get out there and do it in front of my whole world. Right now, performance date hinges on a couple of recent developments in addition to my actually sucking it up and letting us practice a few things I've held out on. I've also asked RT to work on an ending of some kind... Routines such as mine is designed to loop for competition reasons... for a performance we need a defined finish line. We'll see what he comes up with... perhaps it will end up being a collaboration.

I Get Spontaneous... My Visit to St. Louis Star Ball

Hi!! I'm back, I hope you didn't miss me too much! Thank you for all of your e-mails asking after me... A LOT has been going on, which I'll get to...but lets start back at the time I had taken my unexpected hiatus.

Back in March one of this region's more reputable ballroom competitions was underway... I had originally planned to attend, then decided not to. Until Friday March 13th at about 3pm, when I found myself searching online for airfare from Chicago to St. Louis. By 3:30 my flight and hotel room were booked and I was going to be AT the St. Louis Star Ball! I don't usually make spontaneous decisions like this... I knew a few people that were going to be in attendance, and I knew several pro couples that were going to be showing their stuff that Saturday night. I was very excited!

I didn't tell many people that I was going... just enough so that I'd be covered. I called my sister and told her of my plans. My sister, knowing my tendencies to over plan and never do anything of this nature, "What are you thinking?? It takes you 3 days to pack for anything, you'll never make it in time!!" - That statement still makes me giggle. Well it didn't take me three days, and I did manage to fit everything into carry on bags (one suitcase, one messenger bag). That one suitcase did contain, five possible outfit options for the next 24 hours... I know... but I had no idea what to expect for attire!

As with all things ballroom, competitions are a place to see and be seen. It reminds me of what Theatre used to be back in Shakespeare's day. So upon my arrival at aprox 2:30 Saturday afternoon I headed up to my room, unpacked, ironed, changed in to "daytime outfit 1" and headed down to get my tickets for the afternoon and evening sessions. In the process of making my ticket purchases, the gal behind the desk asked me if I was there with anyone...I said no, but I am a part of Fred Astaire Chicago if she wanted to seat me in their general area that would be fine. So my tickets were set... I knew I'd be near someone from my area, I just didn't know who.

While perusing all the dresses, baubles, and sparkly things that vendors had out on display I ran into the only other student that had decided to come from my home studio. We chatted for a bit, and I then wandered around the ballroom watching the pro/am dancing on the floor. The room was smaller than I had imagined, half of a large hotel ballroom, but definitely adequate and done up very nicely. While checking everything out, I happened to see Largo watching the floor. I approached his chair from behind, leaned over and said in his ear "So, are you gonna kick some butt tonight or what?"

He turned and was VERY surprised to see me... We talked for a bit, I had heard the previous night's results, so I asked about how he felt about it (he and TNT did quite well), he had some minor concerns over the condition of the floor, but overall he was in good spirits. I hugged him good bye and went about my own business. I don't like to bother the pros too terribly much if they are competing, I know each and every one has a process to prepare and I don't want to interrupt that. So I headed out to the lobby bar for a late lunch. On my way I ran into FAF, DWH, and HFC... I got to congratulate both FAF and HFC on their wins in Rising Star (FAF with TSD in American Smooth, and HFC with STP in American Rhythm). DWH and her partner CWS (still new to the competing world) were getting some of their strongest results too, and I was happy for that as well. After a brief chat I went and had my lunch... then wandered around the ballroom again where I saw some former FADS students who were there competing with their new pro. It's nice to know that they didn't stop dancing. Then it was upstairs for a short rest and preparing for the evening session.

Dinner was uneventful, I simply dined in the hotel restaurant... alone, which is my usual status when doing things...(wearing outfit #2 of 5) but a gal has got to eat before these comps start... the evening sessions can go on for a long time! After dinner I had about an hour to get all dressed (to my understanding semi-formal attire AKA outfit #3 of 5) for the evening of spectating. On my way back to the ballroom I ran into a friend from the Michigan Avenue studio, we chatted for a bit about the couple from his studio debuting in Theatre Arts, as well as another smooth couple from his studio (RTS and her partner in fact). It was going to be a fun evening for sure. Once we entered the ballroom the two of us hung around the entrance to see who we could run into and wish luck to, that and our seats were on opposite sides of the ballroom (which is good for shouting for the same couples, not very conversation friendly). We managed to see the Theatre Arts couple (I will have to get them nicknames, cuz I have a feeling I'll have reason to write about them more), and RTS with her partner and then it was time to find our seats. My seat was on the same side of the floor that the couples were entering the floor from.... so I got to see the rest of the pros from my studio as well as who the competition was. I found my seat with ease, to my surprise, I was directly in front of the other student from my studio, and RT!

Well if I can't watch RT dance and shout for whatever number is pinned to his back.... spectating with him is a reasonable consolation. We watched the Theatre Arts portion intently both wanting to hear great results for the couple from Michigan Avenue... they looked phenomenal! Their current routine is exactly what I think of when I think of the Theatre Arts division. We were rewarded.... for their first time ever competing in this style they came in SECOND! Wah Hoo!!! So happy for them! There was then a break for me... I was there to see the pros...and before the American Smooth starts they have the pro/am gold level scholarship stuff...which is nice..but I don't know anyone in that field at this time...and didn't feel like watching the dancing thinking "Yep, can't do that yet.... nope not that either." which is often what runs through my head when I watch pro/am stuff. So I left the ballroom for a bit and headed for the lobby bar, chatted with my friend from Michigan Avenue about how proud we are, and then before we knew it, it was time to head back into the ballroom.

American Smooth went great...KIT actually had a seat in the same section as well and joined us... everyone looked fantastic on the floor! I'm very proud of RTS and her partner as well as FAF and TSD of course!!! Rhythm was a tough one for me... I knew several couples on the floor, and this was the first time I'd ever seen Jackie Josephs compete. She's got that it factor...which you wouldn't know from talking to her... you can see it in some of the pictures floating around of her dancing with Jesse DeSoto... but to see it live on the floor... yeah that was a treat. Of course Largo was out there too with TNT, and HFC with STP, AND CWS with DWH... ACK!!! Every time I went to open my mouth to shout for a couple... I got hung up on what/who to shout for! I looked at KIT and I just said "Ok..that's it... there's too many of them! I'm going to stick with my pro." KIT glanced up at RT who was standing on my other side (she and I were seated). I looked at her again and said "Well I've got the two now!" and I preceded to shout for Largo and TNT for the rest of the night.

At some point RT and I were getting antsy.... watching dancing for so many hours, when you also know how to dance can be very hard. (He'll get out on the comp floor... he's assured me as such... it's just a matter of when) Rules being what they are, and instructor and student can't dance at a non FADS event...(special exceptions might be made, this wasn't one of them) it's silly I know.. but it's a rule... so because it's not an option... I don't think about dancing with him.... there was a Salsa/Mambo that came on... I don't even remember if it was part of the pro heats or a general dance... I was chatting with RTS and her partner about this and that... I do know that I always make note of any Salsa that comes on... Well RT started bopping around in his chair next to me... he took my hand and says "Chair Salsa!" I just start laughing...and moving my feet with his then suddenly he pulls me... but I've got my purse on my lap and I wasn't prepared... along with the tug I hear "Cross body lead!" HAHA! He wanted me to switch sides! I unfortunately wasn't that quick thinking...but I thought the whole Chair Salsa thing was very funny. Attempt at chair dancing over... We then went to the opposite corner of the ballroom with RTS to help her pick out some photos that the pro photographer had taken.... we all agreed that she needed to get at least one shot of her first Independent Competition. After offering my input (there were some very nice shots!) I went closer to the floor to shout for Largo and TNT a few more times. (The Rhythm portion had a quarter final, a semi-final, and the final... and by the time we hit the finals I still had three couples from FADS BG on the floor!)

I gotta be honest... FADS BG in particular... dominated the American styles of dance at the St. Louis Star Ball... I'm VERY VERY Glad I made the spontaneous decision to go down there. After all was said and done, I said good night and congratulations to all the pros... chatted a bit more with my friend from Michigan Avenue and then headed upstairs to my room. The next morning (outfit 4 of 5) I had breakfast....ran into some of the pros heading out to the airport (my flight didn't leave until later)... chilled in my room, watched a movie, checked out and headed for my 48 minute flight home.

I'm glad I've got some spontaneity in me... that was a lot of fun!

My Routine... Practice 2 and 3.

Hi gang! I am so sorry... silly things like work take me 1/4 way around the globe (well maybe not that much) and I run out of time and energy to update you!!!

Since my last lesson with Largo I have had two Routine practices with RT, so I'll just write about them both in one post so everyone can be updated appropriately.

My second Routine practice was rough. Oh MAN was it hard! I had a terrible week that week, and there was nothing in this world that could get me to snap out of my bad mood. I even forgot my DVD at home... I was fully prepared to have disappointed RT...I'm more responsible than to leave my DVD... the one and only copy... at home when I'm supposed to bring it to practice... Instead I get a quiet "That's ok...these things happen, let's see if it's still on the camera."

It only made me more angry that he was being so calm... It is very rare that I get angry, I do feel a lot of emotions a lot of the time I live my life "out loud" in more ways than one. But actual anger is something I don't often feel, and when I do it almost scares me... I have no idea what it does for those around me.

Turns out it is still on the camera, so we used that. I must have been flashing with neon lights all around me "DO NOT MESS WITH ME TODAY." Because RT was very calm with me... We opened with a bit of Salsa, per my request, and even THAT couldn't snap me out of my funk! Can you even imagine the funk I was in that a Salsa couldn't fix???



RT put his head on my shoulder a few minutes into it, "Can you please try to not be upset right now? Why are you upset?"

"I'm sorry, I really am... I'm just angry right now... just plain angry... I have no explanation for it. I will try to be better, *sigh* lets just keep dancing." I said with all the emotion of a piece of cardboard I was trying not to yell. (Even writing about it two weeks later I can feel the anger I felt that night... it was no good all around.)

So we kept up with the Salsa, and we worked on the Miami Special AGAIN! Which did not help my mood at all... I HATE HATE HATE it when I have to keep reviewing what is apparently so simple and I just can't get it right at full speed. I rush though it... I know exactly what I'm doing...but I can't seem to stop it. Oh... I was angry!! RT just kept calmly explaining what I had to do for the millionth time... I took a deep breath and did it AGAIN. I did show improvement, and we did it again so that I could continue my improvement... This was turning into way more Salsa lesson than I had intended... I was growing frustrated at every single little thing. I was supposed to be practicing my routine! At one point RT got forehead to forehead with me and asked me very quietly to calm down, while that did keep me from seeing red, I was still upset.

I showed some improvement, but I must have still been radiating anger because I could feel RT keeping to himself, we then turned to watch the recording of my routine. I hadn't practiced...not one second... I told him as much. I was angry that I hadn't practiced, I was angry that I was having a bad week... I really should have just walked out....but we plodded on...

After the first few measures...that I only barely remembered... I don't know exactly when it was... I seem to remember a rush of what bits of my routine I did remember coming back...and something clicked... we tried it again...and it felt better.... I made it a little farther into the routine...and the dark cloud suddenly broke and I was dancing with RT... I wasn't on cloud nine...but at least I was smiling. We made it to about the same point as in my first practice, but this time got it up to some actual Cha Cha speed which was GREAT. Now I really have an idea of where this routine is going! I left the studio promising to rehearse more before my next practice.



Practice #3 was a mere three hours after I had landed from another business trip to Alaska, and I was in a MUCH happier mood. I hadn't had the opportunity to practice much, business trips are like that unfortunately. I did however review the video for nearly two hours straight on the plane ride home. It's definitely not a good way for me to learn something, but review can't hurt.

This time we started right away with the routine and RT and I both remembered a good portion of it without reviewing the DVD first. We then pretty much sailed through the first few measures and worked on the bit where I put my leg on his hip. We've decided that rather than have me place my leg on his hip, we're going to do more of a leg crawl up to his hip... fine... but before I do this leg crawl I have to shift my weight back and forth while he spins in front of me and once he gets in front of me I quickly draw my leg up to his hip... Well I was working out the timing in my head for my shifting back and forth... I thought I heard the count for me to put my leg up...only I must have spaced out because instead of leg to hip...it went a lot more like knee to butt.

I knew what just occurred wasn't right but it took me a second to realize what just happened... I didn't see the look on his face, man that must have been priceless...but he did kind of jump forward and we both just started laughing hysterically!

"You kicked me!!!" RT says between laughs

"No... I kneed you, lets just be glad we're both facing the same direction there." I retort.

We actually found our composure very quickly, mainly due to time constraints and practiced that move a few more times. RT keeps telling me that bit is going to be fast... I need to make sure I've really got this down or that whole leg crawl is going to be one of the weak spots in the routine.

Then we picked up on learning some of the new measures, there's a part where I bend back slowly and then pop up real fast, and a cha cha box kind of thing we do backwards where we're both worried about my stepping on his feet... we drilled that one a lot. I think it won't end up being an issue.

We worked all the way up to the part where I'm supposed to do this little split kind of a thing and my head just went NOPE NOT HAPPENING. Not that I can't do the splits I can... most days... but more that I don't like the way RT would have to support any part of me while I do them... I was thinking it would be more of using him for balance, but no... if this particular move goes wrong...and with my balance anything is possible... RT is going to come crashing down with me. Nope...not happening at all.

"Ok...we're not going to work on this right now." I tell him as we get up to that point.

"Why not?" He asks.

I start to think that maybe we can... and I say "Ok look..if we try this and I slip, because I currently have no traction in these shoes, you have to PROMISE to let me fall." I tell him.

I know I can recover crashing to the ground...it wouldn't be pretty, but I can do it without damaging myself...but RT is the kind of lead that looks out for his follows... even if he promised to let me fall I don't actually believe that he would do it. Which means I'd go into a split way too fast because he'd be keeping me from falling forward and he'd likely wrench his lower back because I don't care how much weight I've lost... I am still a good bit heavier than RT can safely carry.

We discussed exactly how the step would work, which muscle groups would be working where... (You've never heard a more serious discussion about squeezing thighs together I promise you) ... we even danced into position a couple of times... and nope... I couldn't do it. Then to prove my point I showed him where I was losing control with the traction of my shoes... I started to do the splits and almost immediately had to recover because I was sliding to fast... THEN he understood and didn't ask me to do it again. It also happened to be the end of the practice session.

RT and I sat on the bench for a minute, I told him when I said I could do the splits for a routine, that move isn't exactly what I had in mind. Of course I didn't have that conversation with him... I had it with TNT... and I think something got lost in what I said I wanted. RT said we could change it, which I declined for the moment. I don't want to make any rash decisions about changing big parts of this choreography. Perhaps next time I see him I'll ask him to come up with a few replacement options that still look cool.

The best part is, we've almost made it to the end, and I think I almost have it memorized. Of course don't ask me to do it in front of you...but when I'm being lead through it (which is the only time that counts) I'm remembering it quite well. So far... I'm pleased.

Cha Cha Technique Lesson...Largo Steps It Up.

Hi gang! Well, I had a lesson with Largo this week... and it has been decided somewhere that because RT and I will be working on my routine, Largo will start working with me on technique. I've been waiting for this.... Up to this point Largo has been introducing me to new steps and helping me a bit with timing, but pretty much leaving the Technique up to RT. I had a preview of it in my last lesson with the Cuban walks he had me do... Well tonight he decided to work on my Cha Cha locks.

We warmed up with a musicless Hustle... after a while it was kinda boring.

"Dude, we need tunes." I tell him.

"Tunes? Music? Ok." and we walk over to put on a Hustle

We finished my warm up and I said "Ok boss what are we working on today?"

"Tango." He says seriously.

"Really?" I said, as I furrowed my brow... I was almost excited about it only because I NEVER work on Tango and of all the smooth dances I'd like to be better at that one.. but Largo and I have NEVER done a tango ever in life, so I knew he was kidding.

"Yes, Tango." He starts to smile.

"Seriously? Well I mean if you want to...but you and I have never Tangoed... are you sure?"

"No, no Tango..." he says as he drops his arm around my shoulders and chuckles, "Cha Cha Lock Steps." he says.

"Ok..." I say...it's a better choice anyway given my routine and all.

"Ok, Cha Cha locks show me." and he took a couple of steps away from me.

Oh no! Dancing on my own again! I'm gonna have to grow up and learn to do this stuff on my own outside of my own apartment I guess. But see...when I'm asked to do something on my own...without the benefit of being connected to a dance partner, even if they're just holding my hand so I can feed off of their energy...my mind goes blank. I couldn't remember what a Cha Cha lock was!

I just kind of stood there for a minute... "Ok, you want me to do locks..."

"Yes, you know lock steps." Largo replies and does an example for me.

"Oh right... ok..." I think I'm remembering.

So I try it... and two steps into it Largo stops me.

"No! Sharper! Like this!" and he does the lock steps again putting accent on what I call the lock part when the dancer is on their toes and the ankles are together.

"Ok...give me a minute I've gotta figure this out." I reply and try again.

"No! Do it again!" Largo snaps!

Where did drill Sargent Largo come from? I've seen him do this with other students but it's my first time dealing with it... and conversely his first time dealing with me for technique. :-)

"Fine!" I retort. Giving myself one more time to improve, and him one more time to snap at me before serious sarcasm strikes. I go back to the start of the floor and begin working my way across in lock steps. About half way through I was making them sharper and not falling over...

"Yes better! Now backwards." Largo says.

"You're kidding... I don't even have forward down yet!" I snap.

"Backwards." Largo states and I start, and after each time my ankles are together I hear "PUSH!" from Largo... meaning I'm supposed to push back on my front foot instead of just plainly taking a step back. Well I do it... but... it seems I'm doing a small Rounde to get my one foot behind the other.

"NO! Not this... (he mimics me) this... close together (he does it correctly) yours is like Samba."

"Oh cool that Samba step... cool.. I want to learn that one... it looks awesome!" I tell him.

"Not today... today is locks."

Why do I now feel like I have to salute Largo?

"*Sigh* Fine, today is locks, ok so I have to pass instead of go around." I try it again.

After the first couple I feel myself pushing a lot more from the front foot... this has got to be better, I'm also much closer to passing my feet instead of sweeping around.

"Stop going up... here," Largo says as he plants his hand firmly on my shoulder "take it up in here," he says as he crunches his stomach muscles.

"Ok... so absorb any height change in my core so I don't pop up... yeah that's almost going to work."

"Just do it."

I let out an overly sarcastic "Fantastic."

To which I get a very chipper "Absolutely!" into my ear from Largo. ("Absolutely" is his favorite word of late).

Which sent me from being irritated, into hysterically laughing.

So there I was going backwards and forwards with my cha cha locks with Largo's hand pushing me down so I didn't pop up. I was showing improvement, but I was growing frustrated at the drilling too... I don't like a full lesson of drilling. The dance studio is my happy place, and I don't like to leave my happy place frustrated after drills... that's how I get to the point of thinking I need to stop dancing. After we went up and down the floor again I stopped....

"I don't know if you've heard... but I don't do all technique lessons... we're going to have to put this into the dance or something and actually dance." I tell him.

"Ok we will, but one more time first." he says... and I feel that Drill Sargent Largo has left the building....and I get my regular Largo back. Whew!

So one more time, and I feel that it's better, my hips were working, probably not exactly right, but better than before. I was actually quite pleased with my progression.

Then we moved on to doing actual Cha Cha... and it took me a second, it always does, to apply it into the actual dance... but the locks did feel better. YAY!

Then on to Rumba, just a review of the steps and a few pointers about which direction to face on some pivots. During my Cuban walks Largo pulled down on my ponytail so that I couldn't look down if I wanted to... that was interesting... good thing it doesn't hurt when my hair gets yanked. :-)

Then we finished up with some "dance to the beat in Largo's head" East Coast Swing. We had to do that because everyone else on the floor was doing everything but a rhythm dance, so I just followed Largo to whatever pace he was setting. That ended up being good, but I wasn't following very well. I was a tad distracted because my right ankle started rolling my shoes... it's not strong enough for me to be dancing in heels yet, but it's getting better. None of which I told Largo... and he had me review a couple of steps to make sure I was balancing right... I just tried to hold my feet so that I wouldn't twist my ankle... I've been given strict instructions by RT, now that I have my new shoes, that it's ok if I fall... as long as I don't break anything like an arm or a leg or something.

We ended the lesson playing up one of our running jokes, which I get a kick out of, Largo absolutely cracks me up!

Heads up gang... I'm out of town on business again... I'll try and keep up with the blog and e-mails... but if you don't hear from me you know why.
Happy Dancing!

My Routine.... Practice #1 Down...A Million More to Go!

Well last Thursday was my first practice for my routine. I had walked in the studio coming off, not one of the easiest days, and I knew this time for learning wasn't going to be full of dancing...more stepping it out. I had watched the routine a good 10 or 15 times... but I couldn't really retain it, I need to go through it to retain it. RT picks me up for my lesson, I have my DVD in hand and we walk over to the studio TV for review.

"Did you watch this?" RT asks...

"Yeah but I can't remember any of it... I have to walk through it first or it's not going to stick." I respond, I already must have sounded anxious about it.

"It's ok.. you'll get it." He tells me.

Then it dawns on me, and I basically start pleading..."Yeah ok but can we dance for like 5 minutes before we do this? If we don't actually dance for a few minutes before we do this I'm going to absolutely spazz out."

"You want to dance for a few minutes? Ok, not Hustle (that was the song playing) um... how about a Salsa?" He says as he walks to the music machine (very close to the TV) to put on a Salsa.

"I'd never turn you down for one of those!" I smile back and off we went in my ballroom shoes that I was still getting used to.

It wasn't a bad Salsa, it was far from my best...because of the shoes! At this point they were still a little achy and I hadn't put my heel grippers in them yet so the fit wasn't perfect, but I was trying to keep up. Then RT starts asking me about the shoes..

"How are they?"

(spin)

"I hate them."

(basic, then another spin)

I add "It's a crime to make people dance in shoes like this I'm telling you." Kind of forgetting that the guys that dance Rhythm and Latin in Ballroom often wear 2 inch heels themselves. I still think it's a crime.

(basic, under-arm turn)

"Stay grounded... you're up, stop popping up." RT tells me... of course popping up is a problem I've always had... currently made worse by... you guessed it... my new shoes!

(spin)

"I'm 'up' because my feet want out of these shoes! Staying grounded would mean I have them figured out, and I don't yet." I retort... and then lead into a spin that I completely bobbled on.

(Coca-cola spin)

We also worked on the "Miami Special" which I said was pretty bad... RT said was ok... I think he's lowering his standards for me on that one.

Salsa over and I was happy to have danced for a minute or two...actually given that it was an actual Salsa song we probably danced for 4-6 minutes...either way I felt de-stressed... so we moved on to look at my choreography.

Before we get into how I'm doing on this.... I would like to say that one of my BIGGEST fears about this was having RT forget my routine, or constantly have to review the DVD mid lesson, or *gasp!* forget it mid performance when we get to that point. I fear this because of ALL the routines all the pros have to remember... each instructor has multiple students that have multiple routines RT is no exception to that. He must have a TON of routines running through his head at any given time and here I was asking him to remember yet another one.

Well as soon as I saw my Choreography DVD which normally contains the Choreographer and a female pro to be the student follow part.... My DVD actually has RT and TNT doing my routine with the Choreographer off screen saying the counts! When I saw that I was impressed! I don't have to be so afraid of RT forgetting it because he's already been through it! Now I just have to be afraid of not being able to bring up my performance to it's proper level... but I'll freak out about that in due time.

So we take a look at the first few measures of the DVD and before I'm even really analyzing what we're looking at he's stopped it and we start working. First few measures, not so bad...although I'm starting with my left foot back... I haven't started counting yet either... but I'm sure that will happen as I practice at home. Next few measures I'm thinking this isn't going to be so bad... Until I end up getting stuck on one part. Those that have worked with me know... if I don't catch on to something to my own satisfaction pretty much right away... I become frustrated.

"UGH!" I yell, followed by one of my classic foot stamps that lets out my frustration.

"Don't worry, you'll get it." RT calmly states.

"Not fast enough!" I retort through gritted teeth.

We must have gone through that mini conversation about 6 or 7 times throughout the lesson. We got to the little bit of actual open work.... and I can do it... of course I'm staring at his feet the whole time, which is a habit I'm going to have to break NOW. We reviewed the leg on his hip bit...which is a bit rough around the edges...and I think for that part I'm going to have to count to get it right. Also the attitude behind that whole sequence is going to depend on the song I decide we're going to dance this Cha to.

I REALLY REALLY wanted to make it through the whole thing once... even just blocking it... just so I had some level of physical memory when I go to watch the DVD. In the end I think we made it just about half way. Also in speaking to some other students I guess it's not usual to go through the whole thing in the first practice. Which I didn't know... but I still wanted to make it to the end.

So now I study... and I review... and I try to start counting... and I try not to spend every dime I have on practice lessons because this routine is not going to be my swan song.

Wish me luck!