Ok... so it's even getting a little out of control for me! The whole initialization of things started when I began this blog. One of the people I planned to regularly write about from the beginning asked. "You're not going to use my name are you??"
Well until the question was asked...yeah I was.
So I got by for a while not using anyone's name... then it just became too difficult.
NOW... more than a year and 13000 hits later, the blog has exploded into something I never realized. I've helped 54 people across the globe start dancing because they found something I put here inspiring... I've got people I've never met e-mailing me for advice... I've got close to 10,000 subscribers and who knows what else!
Back to what I was saying.... I was asked basically not to use someone's name way back before any of this happened... so I didn't... and that grew...if I wasn't going to use one person's name... then why use another's? Therefore those that have crossed my path in the dancing world with regularity have been coined an initialization. Some are more creative than others... ALL have been created by me (so you know who to come to if you don't like yours). It's somewhat a running joke amongst my dance world as to what I'm going to call someone on my blog. Some that were named no longer appear, and others that do were named so long ago no one remembers what it means... so here for you now are all the little characters to my story... most are existing, some are new (blue).
The dance men in my life:
RT = Really Technical (give a girl a break it was the first nickname I ever created, I had wanted to use his initials..but that didn't quite work out.)= Works out of Fred Astaire Buffalo Grove, and he's my primary dance instructor for 2.5 years now(or as I prefer to think of it 130lbs lost) . Competes in American Rhythm with a pro from Fred Astaire Michigan Avenue who as of yet, does not have a nickname.
Largo = (ask directly if you want to know what it means, and why he gets a "word" instead of letters) =Instructor for Fred Astaire Buffalo Grove, and my secondary dance instructor for about three months now. Competes in American Rhythm with TNT.
TNG= The New Guy.... he isn't so new anymore!! He is now an instructor at Fred Astaire Tinley Park, and is working his way through the novice ranks to reach Professional Competitor Status.
MSU = Makes Steps Up... he's never been afraid to try and throw something new at me to see if I can follow it! He's an instructor out of Fred Astaire South Barrington, competes with HBF I think they're going to do Cabaret at some point in the mean time I think they may do American Rhythm.
TSD = Tall Smooth Dancer = Instructor at Fred Astaire Buffalo Grove, competes in American Smooth with FAF.
STP = Smooth Talking Pro = Instructor at Fred Astaire Buffalo Grove, competes in American Rhythm with HFC.
CWS = Competes With Spouse... because he does, and I think that's cool. = Instructor at Fred Astaire Buffalo Grove, competes in American Rhythm and Smooth, they just graduated to official professional status :-) with DWH.
Buddy = called such because he was my "buddy" teacher within the Fred Astaire teaching methodology... is no longer with Fred Astaire Buffalo Grove.
The Ladies in my Dancing World:
Captain= One of my closest dance friends.
Jem = Another of my closest dance friends.
HBF= Hairdresser's Best Friend ...every time I see her, her hair is a different kind of cool! = Instructor at Fred Astaire South Barrington, competes with MSU.
RTS = Rhythm to Smooth, she changed competition dance styles this year. Used to work out of South Barrington, but can now be found teaching at Fred Astaire Michigan Avenue.
TNT= Is the only nickname w/o corresponding words... but with all the energy she has bound up in her petite frame there was no other option... she is an Instructor at Fred Astaire Buffalo Grove, and competes in American Rhythm with Largo.
KIT = Keeps It Together, this gal runs a tight ship from behind the desk at Fred Astaire Buffalo Grove she does it with a smile and professional manner that is unmatched in the region! (seriously I want one of her in every studio I go to.)
FAF = Floats Across the Floor, because if you've ever seen her dance you'll swear her feet never touch hardwood, and she has the gentle demeanor to go along with it. Instructor at Fred Astaire Buffalo Grove. She competes with TSD in American Smooth.
HFC = Honest Fire Cracker. Honesty is her best policy, she'll give it to you straight...and it won't even hurt! When you watch her dance you'll see smoke coming from her heels, this girl is sharp! She is an instructor at Fred Astaire Buffalo Grove, and competes in American Rhythm with STP.
DWH = Dances With Husband, cuz she does...and I think that's cool! She's KIT's right hand woman if she ever needs assistance, an Instructor at Fred Astaire Buffalo Grove, and is competing in American Rhythm and Smooth with CWS.
Somehow I thought there were more... there probably are and they just haven't moved out of my head onto this blog yet. Anyway... there you go... the official Ballroom Dancing: Changing My Life One Step at a Time Alphabet Soup. It's not so important what the nicknames mean... more so that you all can follow what I write... and I can protect the guilty parties. From here on out...anyone that wants a nickname of their own is going to have to go through a rigorous application process. :-)
(Any actual first and/or last names used have only been placed after permission has been received from the owner, or if said owner is already a public figure I am not required to protect their level of innocence or guilt.)
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The 2008 Results Are In....
This past weekend was the last Fred Astaire National Competition for 2008. It was held in Orlando Florida. Now, typically I don't post about competitions I don't actually witness... Lets face it, I can't even manage to write about all the dance stuff I do witness...there has to be a line somewhere! HOWEVER... When the folks that did go to NDC came back ...they brought some really exciting news with them!!!
Fred Astaire Buffalo Grove came home with Top Studio for the year. Honestly that's not surprising, they've held top studio for a while now... but still a big congratulations is due... I know there are some studios hot on BG's tail and they work hard to keep that title in house.
Most exciting of all are the awards for top instructors! I don't know all the ins and outs of it all but I know it involves having the most number of entries throughout the year... Buffalo Grove instructors hold THREE of the top ten spots out of ALL the Fred Astaire Instructors across the country!!!
Coming in First...I honestly don't think the guy is ever off the dance floor... the man I don't quite trust with my Salsa :-) .... he's one Smooth Talking Professional dancer (he can talk his way into or out of just about anything)... STP!
Second place goes to the Tallest Smooth Dancer in nearly every ballroom he enters...I've seen him dance full competition weekends with injuries and family on his mind, and still he pulls out no stops on the dance floor.... TSD!
Rounding out the three is the one that started this whole journey with me and has CLEARLY been on a ballroom journey with so many others... With a work ethic that just knows no bounds...a Really Technical approach that is unmatched... and a sense of humor that can keep me from pulling out my hair while I'm learning that Technique... Taking home a 6th place ranking for the year 2008... he's so modest I had to read about it first.... RT!
Seriously...with talent like this at the studio I'm at... It's REALLY hard to think of learning how to dance anyplace else.
For more information on what the FADS Buffalo Grove Studio did at the National Comp...go HERE.
PROUD OF YOU!
Fred Astaire Buffalo Grove came home with Top Studio for the year. Honestly that's not surprising, they've held top studio for a while now... but still a big congratulations is due... I know there are some studios hot on BG's tail and they work hard to keep that title in house.
Most exciting of all are the awards for top instructors! I don't know all the ins and outs of it all but I know it involves having the most number of entries throughout the year... Buffalo Grove instructors hold THREE of the top ten spots out of ALL the Fred Astaire Instructors across the country!!!
Coming in First...I honestly don't think the guy is ever off the dance floor... the man I don't quite trust with my Salsa :-) .... he's one Smooth Talking Professional dancer (he can talk his way into or out of just about anything)... STP!
Second place goes to the Tallest Smooth Dancer in nearly every ballroom he enters...I've seen him dance full competition weekends with injuries and family on his mind, and still he pulls out no stops on the dance floor.... TSD!
Rounding out the three is the one that started this whole journey with me and has CLEARLY been on a ballroom journey with so many others... With a work ethic that just knows no bounds...a Really Technical approach that is unmatched... and a sense of humor that can keep me from pulling out my hair while I'm learning that Technique... Taking home a 6th place ranking for the year 2008... he's so modest I had to read about it first.... RT!
Seriously...with talent like this at the studio I'm at... It's REALLY hard to think of learning how to dance anyplace else.
For more information on what the FADS Buffalo Grove Studio did at the National Comp...go HERE.
PROUD OF YOU!
Monday, October 27, 2008
This is Why I Dance...
In a world that spirals seemingly out of control.
Music keeps time balanced in my soul.
Even when I can't do right.
Dancing helps me see the light.
When all else fails and my mood is grim.
Get me to a dance floor and let me spin.
For as frustrating as learning the technique can be...
The happiest moments are between my partner, the dance floor, and me.
This is why I dance.
I know it's a bit childish with the rhyming and all... but I had a whim. Also an equal parts frustrating and progressive lesson with RT, followed by Social Latin and International group classes (As instructed by RT and Largo respectively).
Where there were some things I honestly didn't know if I'd be able to survive unscathed a few hours ago. The break from reality that is the dance floor allowed for a fresh perspective and some clarity, that I seem to only be able to find after dancing.
So maybe I still don't like MonDAYS.... but Monday NIGHTS are awesome!
Music keeps time balanced in my soul.
Even when I can't do right.
Dancing helps me see the light.
When all else fails and my mood is grim.
Get me to a dance floor and let me spin.
For as frustrating as learning the technique can be...
The happiest moments are between my partner, the dance floor, and me.
This is why I dance.
I know it's a bit childish with the rhyming and all... but I had a whim. Also an equal parts frustrating and progressive lesson with RT, followed by Social Latin and International group classes (As instructed by RT and Largo respectively).
Where there were some things I honestly didn't know if I'd be able to survive unscathed a few hours ago. The break from reality that is the dance floor allowed for a fresh perspective and some clarity, that I seem to only be able to find after dancing.
So maybe I still don't like MonDAYS.... but Monday NIGHTS are awesome!
Dancing Through a Dark Place
Hi all....
Life is hard... that's all... life in general is just hard. Oh am I glad last week is over and I'm about to embark on a new week. Sometimes I get tired of fighting. I get really tired of fighting... I have to fight to keep my weight in check, I have to fight to stay ahead of the curve at work, I have to fight to keep my dancing up to par. But that's ok *deep breath* Monday starts a new round of life. Last week everything slipped... My desire to try just slipped.
Last week's lesson was with Largo... we had just come off some fun competition weekends. Where I was so proud to watch my favorite pros compete. I should have been in a great dancing mood... Unfortunately as much as I want to keep dancing separate from other aspects of my life... Other aspects of my life keep overwhelming me and creeping in. I was just feeling off.
We started with Hustle and my following was rough... not a good sign. We then worked on some Rumba, learning a new step. It took me SO LONG to even remember it! We drilled and drilled... then I couldn't get my hips into it. Largo didn't say anything about it, he was more focused on getting me to remember the step...but I was kicking myself on the inside for not getting anything. After I did show that I had remembered it... we moved on.
Cha Cha... seems to be that Largo has tasked himself with teaching me the new to me cha cha steps. I've learned a lot over the last few lessons in Cha... There is one step that I'm really messing up on consistently. It has a flick on the 3 followed by a really fast pivot then I land and step back. I can't seem to maintain control of this spin! We drilled and drilled... I was frustrated, Largo was getting frustrated too. Neither of us could figure out why I wasn't sticking this move.
At one point he just sighed and asked "Why can't you do this?"
"I don't know *sigh*...lets just try it again." I responded.
Largo has been dancing since he was a small boy and probably doesn't remember what it's like to not stick a spin or not pick up on choreography. Well if this lesson wasn't a reminder I don't know what is!! I don't know... maybe he thinks I'm better than I am... I know I can follow Largo better then when we started, but I still don't feel a whole lot of connection with him... that's something that will have to develop over time... I mean it took me a long time before I was comfortable enough with RT to do some of this stuff... and I think I'm probably looking for that with Largo before it's time.
In the end we settled on a pretty rough finish, but I did manage to get it on time. Who knows if I'll stick it again. I'll have to try it again this week.
I did manage to make it to all the available to my schedule group classes. So at least that's remaining consistent. I'm just dancing through a dark place right now... but dancing keeps me strong... Just have to remember that.
Life is hard... that's all... life in general is just hard. Oh am I glad last week is over and I'm about to embark on a new week. Sometimes I get tired of fighting. I get really tired of fighting... I have to fight to keep my weight in check, I have to fight to stay ahead of the curve at work, I have to fight to keep my dancing up to par. But that's ok *deep breath* Monday starts a new round of life. Last week everything slipped... My desire to try just slipped.
Last week's lesson was with Largo... we had just come off some fun competition weekends. Where I was so proud to watch my favorite pros compete. I should have been in a great dancing mood... Unfortunately as much as I want to keep dancing separate from other aspects of my life... Other aspects of my life keep overwhelming me and creeping in. I was just feeling off.
We started with Hustle and my following was rough... not a good sign. We then worked on some Rumba, learning a new step. It took me SO LONG to even remember it! We drilled and drilled... then I couldn't get my hips into it. Largo didn't say anything about it, he was more focused on getting me to remember the step...but I was kicking myself on the inside for not getting anything. After I did show that I had remembered it... we moved on.
Cha Cha... seems to be that Largo has tasked himself with teaching me the new to me cha cha steps. I've learned a lot over the last few lessons in Cha... There is one step that I'm really messing up on consistently. It has a flick on the 3 followed by a really fast pivot then I land and step back. I can't seem to maintain control of this spin! We drilled and drilled... I was frustrated, Largo was getting frustrated too. Neither of us could figure out why I wasn't sticking this move.
At one point he just sighed and asked "Why can't you do this?"
"I don't know *sigh*...lets just try it again." I responded.
Largo has been dancing since he was a small boy and probably doesn't remember what it's like to not stick a spin or not pick up on choreography. Well if this lesson wasn't a reminder I don't know what is!! I don't know... maybe he thinks I'm better than I am... I know I can follow Largo better then when we started, but I still don't feel a whole lot of connection with him... that's something that will have to develop over time... I mean it took me a long time before I was comfortable enough with RT to do some of this stuff... and I think I'm probably looking for that with Largo before it's time.
In the end we settled on a pretty rough finish, but I did manage to get it on time. Who knows if I'll stick it again. I'll have to try it again this week.
I did manage to make it to all the available to my schedule group classes. So at least that's remaining consistent. I'm just dancing through a dark place right now... but dancing keeps me strong... Just have to remember that.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
All Around Update...
Ok.... WOW... As I sit at my keyboard there is SO much I want to write! However I do apologize as I'll have to start with a quick note about lessons... You'll get more soon!
Lessons are going pretty well... I've been concentrating a lot on Cha Cha with Largo. Of course we also cover Rumba and we usually get in an East Coast Swing too. RT and I have covered a LOT of Salsa lately, and we recently had almost an entire lesson devoted to West Coast Swing where I was informed to "show off my booty." I'm getting better in some areas and totally lagging in others. My Cha Cha is really strong, I think it's the work out class that's helping that along. My Rumba is having some really good moments, that can be followed by "Hey, Kat? Where are your hips?"
I'm really trying to work more into the floor as I've been told a million times and this is the main reason for those dances improving. However, I think it's ruining my East Coast. My whole bottom half just feels like it can't move that fast anymore... I don't know, it's something I'm working on. Oh lets see, Fox Trot is still my strongest smooth dance, I'm forever considering working on Tango... just haven't gotten up the nerve to commit to it yet. Although I've had a couple of really good Viennese Waltz moments so maybe I'll ask about that.
The best news, the very best news (I hope!!) is that I've been able to work out a plan to continue my dance lessons!! I'll be making payments for pretty much the rest of my life...but they are comfortable payments for me. So it should be ok. After a few months we'll start talking Routine as a portion of the lessons I have agreed to pay for are going towards an official routine. So onwards and upwards!
I'm finding a better balance of being always funny and taking my dancing seriously. I think it's working out. I'll be sure to keep you all updated with more things as I think of them.
Lessons are going pretty well... I've been concentrating a lot on Cha Cha with Largo. Of course we also cover Rumba and we usually get in an East Coast Swing too. RT and I have covered a LOT of Salsa lately, and we recently had almost an entire lesson devoted to West Coast Swing where I was informed to "show off my booty." I'm getting better in some areas and totally lagging in others. My Cha Cha is really strong, I think it's the work out class that's helping that along. My Rumba is having some really good moments, that can be followed by "Hey, Kat? Where are your hips?"
I'm really trying to work more into the floor as I've been told a million times and this is the main reason for those dances improving. However, I think it's ruining my East Coast. My whole bottom half just feels like it can't move that fast anymore... I don't know, it's something I'm working on. Oh lets see, Fox Trot is still my strongest smooth dance, I'm forever considering working on Tango... just haven't gotten up the nerve to commit to it yet. Although I've had a couple of really good Viennese Waltz moments so maybe I'll ask about that.
The best news, the very best news (I hope!!) is that I've been able to work out a plan to continue my dance lessons!! I'll be making payments for pretty much the rest of my life...but they are comfortable payments for me. So it should be ok. After a few months we'll start talking Routine as a portion of the lessons I have agreed to pay for are going towards an official routine. So onwards and upwards!
I'm finding a better balance of being always funny and taking my dancing seriously. I think it's working out. I'll be sure to keep you all updated with more things as I think of them.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Pictures!!
Hi Gang!
I know you all have been very patient in waiting for these.... so without further ado, I give you my friend Ellen, in her first comp EVER... (Order is actually from the bottom up chronologically)
Ellen & RT in a fun East Coast Swing!
I know it's a little blurry... if dancers would stop moving it would be easier for me to get them!
This is an Open Break w/ TSD...probably Rumba, but you can see... she's SMILING!!! (Who wouldn't when they're wearing their favorite dress??)
Rhythm... w/ RT (Based on step..that's an East Coast folks)
Check out that movement! (I love this dress!) Ellen and TSD
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say it's a Waltz
Introducing Ellen's other pro, who shall be called TSD (Tall Smooth Dancer)
T-A-N-G-O.... w/ RT
She's Smiling!!!
RT "Getting Pinned" Those numbers have to get on his back some how!
Credits:
Photography: Ms. Kitty
Lighting: Hyatt O'Hare
Partnership provided by: RT and TSD
Costumes created by: Bonnie's Belle Gowns
I know you all have been very patient in waiting for these.... so without further ado, I give you my friend Ellen, in her first comp EVER... (Order is actually from the bottom up chronologically)
Ellen & RT in a fun East Coast Swing!
I know it's a little blurry... if dancers would stop moving it would be easier for me to get them!This is an Open Break w/ TSD...probably Rumba, but you can see... she's SMILING!!! (Who wouldn't when they're wearing their favorite dress??)
Rhythm... w/ RT (Based on step..that's an East Coast folks)
Check out that movement! (I love this dress!) Ellen and TSDI'm gonna go out on a limb here and say it's a Waltz
Introducing Ellen's other pro, who shall be called TSD (Tall Smooth Dancer)
T-A-N-G-O.... w/ RT
She's Smiling!!! 
RT "Getting Pinned" Those numbers have to get on his back some how!Photography: Ms. Kitty
Lighting: Hyatt O'Hare
Partnership provided by: RT and TSD
Costumes created by: Bonnie's Belle Gowns
Sunday, October 12, 2008
October Regional Comp, My Tanning Experience, ELLEN Competes!
Hi all...
Whew! I'm tired!!! It's been a long weekend! Let me do this chronologically... and let you know all about what happened.
It started on Friday with the party at the dance studio where I started calling out Ellen's name while she danced so she could get used to it. :-) Good news is she smiled every time I called her name... so I knew that if I could keep it up during the comp she'd smile her way through her entries.
Saturday came and at 9am I was at the tanning salon trying to get a spray tan. What a MISERABLE experience that was!!! The employee was so much less than professional I can't even find a word for it. Then I almost missed having my back sprayed because the machine didn't tell me to turn around like the guy said it would. I left there thinking that I would likely consider tanning again...but NEVER at that location! Not to mention that I didn't even feel very tan... I added an additional layer of tanning lotion after my shower just to try and blend the stark white of my shoulders with everything else.
I waited the customary 4-6 hours before I showered and headed out for the comp. Saturday night had me screaming for everyone I could think of, but especially Ellen. :-) She did SO WELL... She even scored a 95 in her proficiency for Fox Trot... (a score I wouldn't get even if I tried!) I am SO PROUD OF HER!!! She would go out for her heat, then come back and immediately ask me "Ok...what do I need to improve on." I continually couldn't come up with much for improvement... I just kept telling her to HAVE FUN!!!
Saturday evening ended with the pro competition I'm so PROUD of RT and Largo! They looked so good out there with their partners! It was so hard for me to shout for everyone because EVERYONE I care about was there... (of course when in doubt everyone knows I shout for RT and his partner) but in addition to "my boys" there was MSU, HBF, RTS, TNT (TNT and Largo are professional partners). I didn't lose my voice, but I was definitely hoarse by the end of the night. I was in bed at 2:30 am after all was said and done with all my pictures downloaded and everything.
Sunday... Oh what a long day it was! I wanted to make it to see the showcases (one student has a choreographed routine with multiple pros) and solos (one student has a choreographed routine with one pro...what I'm looking to get w/ RT) They started at about 10am...or so I thought... I was there by 9:30 to catch the comp already in progress. Showcases didn't start until about 10-10:30... they were all nice... three showcases stick out in my mind... two by students at my studio...one by a dance friend at the downtown studio. Now I have an idea of what other people are doing for their choreographed pieces...and if all plays out like it is in my head... RT and I will have one of the same caliber at least.
Sunday found me cheering on Ellen, and Jem, along with a few other dance friends. I LOVE to see them compete! I would totally be out there with them if I could! There were moments during the day where I was angry that I couldn't, tempered by the fact that I never had been on the comp floor before, so I can't miss what I've never done. A LOT of people asked me why I wasn't out there... and I told them the primary reason (finances) and left it at that. It was nice to hear that enough people thought I was good enough to be out there though.
By the end of the day all I wanted was to get to the general dancing portion of the evening so I could actually dance with someone. 4pm came and heats were over, Ellen and all my friends did a FANTASTIC job!!! But now was my time for action... I got to my car...grabbed my dress and makeup and went to my usual spot to change. Once I had my dress on I couldn't stop turning around to make sure the back of it was alright, tags tucked in, bra not showing the whole nine yards. FINALLY I decided it was ok to leave my designated changing room and head down for cocktail hour. I was a little shy about walking around in my dress... I felt half naked... (the back half anyway)... some of my regular readers saw me and complimented me... they've always been good to me... but the coup de gras was when people who didn't know I was stressing about this outfit called me over to have me spin around. :-) It was then that I realized maybe I was right to wear this dress. I was still a little self conscious about it... but as the night wore on I started feeling better. Before dinner I ran into MSU and asked him if he would ask me to dance later... I was so desperate for dancing after watching everyone else!
After dinner (which was one of the best dinners at a comp I've ever had!) there was some general dancing... mostly smooth...and I wasn't asked... which is fine cuz most already know that I don't really work on smooth I was waiting for something in Rhythm to come on during a Waltz.. Jesse came up and grabbed my hand "Come on girl, it's tradition that we Waltz" I followed him to the dance floor and retorted "Well it's tradition that we do smooth anyway!!" I have never been so happy to dance a Waltz in my life! We made our way around and through the throng of other dancers. I followed pretty well! Once that dance was over an East Coast swing came on and Largo asked me to dance, he was so tired!! (after dancing close to 100 times that day I can only imagine!) But we had fun with it anyway... then a Salsa came on. I was looking for RT or MSU...my two favorite salsa partners... but before I could even find them another pro from my studio (Jesse's brother actually) asked me to dance... well heck... I'll take it! He's really good too, only he was playing around and was only leading me in to a basic, then a left spin, basic, and a left spin... I told him after the 6th or 7th spin that I was done with it "Don't make me go look for [MSU]." I said... So he lead me into some swivel kind of things over and over and over... It was fun... Salsa is ALWAYS fun... but it was very repetitive... although I do have to give him props for the humor... last time I danced a hustle with him he kept spinning me too... only it was to the right so I had a much easier time following.
Next dance up was either a slow Cha Cha or a West Coast... MSU sought me out and said we could do either...but he asked about WCS... I told him I could, but hadn't in a while... (secretly I really only enjoy RT's WCS...but there's no use in telling anyone that when I'm on the floor.) So we danced... and my shoe came untied... so I had to be careful about that... it was still nice though... MSU's WCS isn't bad... still got nothing on RT though.
After that there was the professional show as mentioned before, it was AMAZING... I mean WOW! ALL the numbers were fun, and creative, and all of what I look for in a show like this... the Transformers number was amazing in the video I have below, but LIVE was SOOO COOL!! It's really nice to be part of a region big enough to be able to pull pros like this for our shows.
I was sad though because usually after the professional show is done..that's it.. no more dancing no nothing and I hadn't danced with RT! How could I make it through any FADS dance event without dancing with my favorite of all partners? I know it's a little odd, but even after more than two years of dancing with the same instructor... I never get tired of it... the best part is... no matter what kind of mood the two of us are in we usually pull out something fun. How could I have made it all weekend without one dance? THEN magic! The announcer said there would be two more general dances after the pro show. They put on a Fox Trot and one of the gals from South Barrington pulled me out.. we danced our basic Fox Trot and it was nice... Then the last dance of the evening came up and there was RT... like he knew all the time that we'd dance... he pulled me to the floor for a West Coast Swing... I just dance best with him.. I have a blast with everyone else...but I have a blast AND dance well with him. It's never perfect...but I hold my own more with him. It was fun!
Then as soon as it was over I had to get pictures... I had no pictures with Largo... and I needed a new one with RT... so I got one of me and "my boys".
Then I asked MSU for a photo, my request was honored...and he once again asked me "What about our thing?"
"Our thing? OH! ok...this is for the blog you know." I informed him.
So we took a picture of our version of the dip... twice...because MSU didn't point his foot the first time. :-)
So, please enjoy the pics of me and my pros and MSU... I'll get pics and a video of Ellen up soon! (I just have to get permission first!)
As always... comp weekends are very special weekends for me... I may not compete, but I still look forward to them the same way I would if I did!
Largo, Me, RT
"Me and My Boys"
Me & MSU
"Our Dip"
Would you trust your Salsa with this man?? :-)
Whew! I'm tired!!! It's been a long weekend! Let me do this chronologically... and let you know all about what happened.
It started on Friday with the party at the dance studio where I started calling out Ellen's name while she danced so she could get used to it. :-) Good news is she smiled every time I called her name... so I knew that if I could keep it up during the comp she'd smile her way through her entries.
Saturday came and at 9am I was at the tanning salon trying to get a spray tan. What a MISERABLE experience that was!!! The employee was so much less than professional I can't even find a word for it. Then I almost missed having my back sprayed because the machine didn't tell me to turn around like the guy said it would. I left there thinking that I would likely consider tanning again...but NEVER at that location! Not to mention that I didn't even feel very tan... I added an additional layer of tanning lotion after my shower just to try and blend the stark white of my shoulders with everything else.
I waited the customary 4-6 hours before I showered and headed out for the comp. Saturday night had me screaming for everyone I could think of, but especially Ellen. :-) She did SO WELL... She even scored a 95 in her proficiency for Fox Trot... (a score I wouldn't get even if I tried!) I am SO PROUD OF HER!!! She would go out for her heat, then come back and immediately ask me "Ok...what do I need to improve on." I continually couldn't come up with much for improvement... I just kept telling her to HAVE FUN!!!
Saturday evening ended with the pro competition I'm so PROUD of RT and Largo! They looked so good out there with their partners! It was so hard for me to shout for everyone because EVERYONE I care about was there... (of course when in doubt everyone knows I shout for RT and his partner) but in addition to "my boys" there was MSU, HBF, RTS, TNT (TNT and Largo are professional partners). I didn't lose my voice, but I was definitely hoarse by the end of the night. I was in bed at 2:30 am after all was said and done with all my pictures downloaded and everything.
Sunday... Oh what a long day it was! I wanted to make it to see the showcases (one student has a choreographed routine with multiple pros) and solos (one student has a choreographed routine with one pro...what I'm looking to get w/ RT) They started at about 10am...or so I thought... I was there by 9:30 to catch the comp already in progress. Showcases didn't start until about 10-10:30... they were all nice... three showcases stick out in my mind... two by students at my studio...one by a dance friend at the downtown studio. Now I have an idea of what other people are doing for their choreographed pieces...and if all plays out like it is in my head... RT and I will have one of the same caliber at least.
Sunday found me cheering on Ellen, and Jem, along with a few other dance friends. I LOVE to see them compete! I would totally be out there with them if I could! There were moments during the day where I was angry that I couldn't, tempered by the fact that I never had been on the comp floor before, so I can't miss what I've never done. A LOT of people asked me why I wasn't out there... and I told them the primary reason (finances) and left it at that. It was nice to hear that enough people thought I was good enough to be out there though.
By the end of the day all I wanted was to get to the general dancing portion of the evening so I could actually dance with someone. 4pm came and heats were over, Ellen and all my friends did a FANTASTIC job!!! But now was my time for action... I got to my car...grabbed my dress and makeup and went to my usual spot to change. Once I had my dress on I couldn't stop turning around to make sure the back of it was alright, tags tucked in, bra not showing the whole nine yards. FINALLY I decided it was ok to leave my designated changing room and head down for cocktail hour. I was a little shy about walking around in my dress... I felt half naked... (the back half anyway)... some of my regular readers saw me and complimented me... they've always been good to me... but the coup de gras was when people who didn't know I was stressing about this outfit called me over to have me spin around. :-) It was then that I realized maybe I was right to wear this dress. I was still a little self conscious about it... but as the night wore on I started feeling better. Before dinner I ran into MSU and asked him if he would ask me to dance later... I was so desperate for dancing after watching everyone else!
After dinner (which was one of the best dinners at a comp I've ever had!) there was some general dancing... mostly smooth...and I wasn't asked... which is fine cuz most already know that I don't really work on smooth I was waiting for something in Rhythm to come on during a Waltz.. Jesse came up and grabbed my hand "Come on girl, it's tradition that we Waltz" I followed him to the dance floor and retorted "Well it's tradition that we do smooth anyway!!" I have never been so happy to dance a Waltz in my life! We made our way around and through the throng of other dancers. I followed pretty well! Once that dance was over an East Coast swing came on and Largo asked me to dance, he was so tired!! (after dancing close to 100 times that day I can only imagine!) But we had fun with it anyway... then a Salsa came on. I was looking for RT or MSU...my two favorite salsa partners... but before I could even find them another pro from my studio (Jesse's brother actually) asked me to dance... well heck... I'll take it! He's really good too, only he was playing around and was only leading me in to a basic, then a left spin, basic, and a left spin... I told him after the 6th or 7th spin that I was done with it "Don't make me go look for [MSU]." I said... So he lead me into some swivel kind of things over and over and over... It was fun... Salsa is ALWAYS fun... but it was very repetitive... although I do have to give him props for the humor... last time I danced a hustle with him he kept spinning me too... only it was to the right so I had a much easier time following.
Next dance up was either a slow Cha Cha or a West Coast... MSU sought me out and said we could do either...but he asked about WCS... I told him I could, but hadn't in a while... (secretly I really only enjoy RT's WCS...but there's no use in telling anyone that when I'm on the floor.) So we danced... and my shoe came untied... so I had to be careful about that... it was still nice though... MSU's WCS isn't bad... still got nothing on RT though.
After that there was the professional show as mentioned before, it was AMAZING... I mean WOW! ALL the numbers were fun, and creative, and all of what I look for in a show like this... the Transformers number was amazing in the video I have below, but LIVE was SOOO COOL!! It's really nice to be part of a region big enough to be able to pull pros like this for our shows.
I was sad though because usually after the professional show is done..that's it.. no more dancing no nothing and I hadn't danced with RT! How could I make it through any FADS dance event without dancing with my favorite of all partners? I know it's a little odd, but even after more than two years of dancing with the same instructor... I never get tired of it... the best part is... no matter what kind of mood the two of us are in we usually pull out something fun. How could I have made it all weekend without one dance? THEN magic! The announcer said there would be two more general dances after the pro show. They put on a Fox Trot and one of the gals from South Barrington pulled me out.. we danced our basic Fox Trot and it was nice... Then the last dance of the evening came up and there was RT... like he knew all the time that we'd dance... he pulled me to the floor for a West Coast Swing... I just dance best with him.. I have a blast with everyone else...but I have a blast AND dance well with him. It's never perfect...but I hold my own more with him. It was fun!
Then as soon as it was over I had to get pictures... I had no pictures with Largo... and I needed a new one with RT... so I got one of me and "my boys".
Then I asked MSU for a photo, my request was honored...and he once again asked me "What about our thing?"
"Our thing? OH! ok...this is for the blog you know." I informed him.
So we took a picture of our version of the dip... twice...because MSU didn't point his foot the first time. :-)
So, please enjoy the pics of me and my pros and MSU... I'll get pics and a video of Ellen up soon! (I just have to get permission first!)
As always... comp weekends are very special weekends for me... I may not compete, but I still look forward to them the same way I would if I did!
Largo, Me, RT
"Me and My Boys"
Me & MSU
Would you trust your Salsa with this man?? :-)Wednesday, October 8, 2008
ACK! Daring Style Dress Calls for Drastic Measures!!!
So my life has grown quite serious lately... and I'm not complaining... I mean outside the seriousness of all that is going on in the world around us... my own personal world keeps getting rocked to it's core. Another quake like the one delivered this week, and I may be altered forever.
BUT... I give you from whatever is left of my land of funny... what I'm attempting to go through the week before this semi-formal dinner at the regional competition this weekend.
So, lets first review.... I don't compete... I attend to watch, be entertained, entertain during down times, and most importantly support my friends and instructors.
As we get closer to cocktail hour (5pm) on Sunday (I'll have been there since about 9 or 10am). I have to make a dash for my car and grab my evening wear. As everyone that was competing for the day changes downstairs...I make my way to the upstairs restroom and move in for about 30 minutes for my wardrobe change, makeup and hair session. You see...when the evenings at these comps begin I feel like it's my time to shine in my small way. I always try and push my own personal envelope as to what I can do to dress up. Before ballroom I'd dress up maybe once every two years...now I find myself getting all dolled up at least four times a year!!!
THIS time I'm pushing my own personal style meter WAY over. I found a dress that is very pretty, but in a style I wouldn't EVER have considered wearing pre dancing. It's a halter style (the
kind of dress that ties behind the neck on top) it's long, but I NEVER, EVER, in about ten years at least, have my upper arms and back exposed... EVER.... to the point where my shoulders and my back haven't even seen the sun long enough to be anything but pure white.
<---Not my dress, but an idea of what kind of skin I'm exposing!!!
This is where the funny begins... I need to tan... ME... the girl who hasn't tanned since about the age of 12, and makes fun of her sister for her permanent "fake n' bake" tan...has decided that she needs to be tan... Well really, unless I want to have shoulders so white my dance partners are blinded by the light reflecting off of them, I need to tan. So I've been trying the lotion route... which then begs the question... How does a gal who has two cats as roommates get self tanner on her back??
She uses a 30 gallon garbage bag in a towel type motion to get it evenly distributed.
Yeah.. that was the funny... but WAIT... there's more!
Not only do my shoulders and back repel the sun, they repel self tanning lotion too! Yes, that's right folks... after trying for about 7 days in a row... most of my body is either nicely tan, slightly jaundice looking, or BARELY tan at all!!! ACK! (We're not even going to mention the dark spots on the dry skin at my elbows...ok??)
So... I'm gonna do what all good ballroom dancers do... I'm kicking and screaming about it the whole way though...
I'm going to get a professional spray tan...in one of those booth things...at my local national chain tanning salon.
You have NO IDEA the anxiety that I'm going through about this... First... I've never been to a tanning salon... Second... typically this tanning stuff is done pretty much naked... um...yeah... I'm so modest... If I could shower with a swimsuit on in my own bathroom I would... (but lets face it..that's kind of counter productive to showering). I went for a massage once... and REFUSED to take off my swimsuit.... the masseuse made fun of me the whole time... the massage was nice...but I wouldn't call a battle of wits like that very relaxing.
I have
done my extensive research... I found the kind of tanning booth I want...and I did watch the tanning video that the manufacturer had online... it doesn't seem SO bad... and there wasn't anything in the rules that said I couldn't have SOMETHING on... so I'm working all that out....
no I won't be wearing a swimsuit...and NO you don't get to know what I will be wearing!!
SO...now I'm trying to scrub off 7 days of self tanning lotion, and come Saturday at 9am I'm going to be at the salon getting the most stressful five minute spray that's ever been done...then I have to stand myself for a MINIMUM of 4 hours (the smell of spray tan is pretty icky) before I can gently shower with some good smelling stuff and head out for Saturday night... All I hope and pray is that it lasts through Sunday night when I have to wear this dress... and dance some social dances with my arms and back out there for all to see... this stupid tan better stick...or absorb..or whatever it is it's supposed to do.
Someday I'll figure out why everything I do has to be such a production... OR... Someday I'll figure out how to turn my productions into one hell of a stand up routine. :-)
Oh... YES... I'll try and get you pictures...of me in the dress.
BUT... I give you from whatever is left of my land of funny... what I'm attempting to go through the week before this semi-formal dinner at the regional competition this weekend.
So, lets first review.... I don't compete... I attend to watch, be entertained, entertain during down times, and most importantly support my friends and instructors.
As we get closer to cocktail hour (5pm) on Sunday (I'll have been there since about 9 or 10am). I have to make a dash for my car and grab my evening wear. As everyone that was competing for the day changes downstairs...I make my way to the upstairs restroom and move in for about 30 minutes for my wardrobe change, makeup and hair session. You see...when the evenings at these comps begin I feel like it's my time to shine in my small way. I always try and push my own personal envelope as to what I can do to dress up. Before ballroom I'd dress up maybe once every two years...now I find myself getting all dolled up at least four times a year!!!
THIS time I'm pushing my own personal style meter WAY over. I found a dress that is very pretty, but in a style I wouldn't EVER have considered wearing pre dancing. It's a halter style (the
kind of dress that ties behind the neck on top) it's long, but I NEVER, EVER, in about ten years at least, have my upper arms and back exposed... EVER.... to the point where my shoulders and my back haven't even seen the sun long enough to be anything but pure white.<---Not my dress, but an idea of what kind of skin I'm exposing!!!
This is where the funny begins... I need to tan... ME... the girl who hasn't tanned since about the age of 12, and makes fun of her sister for her permanent "fake n' bake" tan...has decided that she needs to be tan... Well really, unless I want to have shoulders so white my dance partners are blinded by the light reflecting off of them, I need to tan. So I've been trying the lotion route... which then begs the question... How does a gal who has two cats as roommates get self tanner on her back??
She uses a 30 gallon garbage bag in a towel type motion to get it evenly distributed.Yeah.. that was the funny... but WAIT... there's more!
Not only do my shoulders and back repel the sun, they repel self tanning lotion too! Yes, that's right folks... after trying for about 7 days in a row... most of my body is either nicely tan, slightly jaundice looking, or BARELY tan at all!!! ACK! (We're not even going to mention the dark spots on the dry skin at my elbows...ok??)
So... I'm gonna do what all good ballroom dancers do... I'm kicking and screaming about it the whole way though...
I'm going to get a professional spray tan...in one of those booth things...at my local national chain tanning salon.
You have NO IDEA the anxiety that I'm going through about this... First... I've never been to a tanning salon... Second... typically this tanning stuff is done pretty much naked... um...yeah... I'm so modest... If I could shower with a swimsuit on in my own bathroom I would... (but lets face it..that's kind of counter productive to showering). I went for a massage once... and REFUSED to take off my swimsuit.... the masseuse made fun of me the whole time... the massage was nice...but I wouldn't call a battle of wits like that very relaxing.
I have
done my extensive research... I found the kind of tanning booth I want...and I did watch the tanning video that the manufacturer had online... it doesn't seem SO bad... and there wasn't anything in the rules that said I couldn't have SOMETHING on... so I'm working all that out....no I won't be wearing a swimsuit...and NO you don't get to know what I will be wearing!!
SO...now I'm trying to scrub off 7 days of self tanning lotion, and come Saturday at 9am I'm going to be at the salon getting the most stressful five minute spray that's ever been done...then I have to stand myself for a MINIMUM of 4 hours (the smell of spray tan is pretty icky) before I can gently shower with some good smelling stuff and head out for Saturday night... All I hope and pray is that it lasts through Sunday night when I have to wear this dress... and dance some social dances with my arms and back out there for all to see... this stupid tan better stick...or absorb..or whatever it is it's supposed to do.
Someday I'll figure out why everything I do has to be such a production... OR... Someday I'll figure out how to turn my productions into one hell of a stand up routine. :-)
Oh... YES... I'll try and get you pictures...of me in the dress.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
A Student's First Comp... FAST Approaching!
Well the final week before the October DanceSport Challenge is upon us... This Saturday and Sunday all in the Fred Astaire Chicago Region will gather at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare for what will surely be an exciting competition.
Ellen is p
retty much all set, we've been to the mall to get sparkly earrings (Swarovski Crystal no less!!) and makeup. She's got her Smooth and Rhythm shoes, false 
eyelashes, fishnets and the dresses should be delivered within the next day or two. I know she's anxious, I'm excited for her!! I plan on being in attendance for most, if not all of the comp. I can't WAIT to try and get pictures and stand on the sidelines to shout for her! (My goal is to lose my voice this weekend... a feat that is not easy for me to do... as I'm not exactly known for being soft spoken. :) )
Unfortunately I am not in possession of a laptop or I'd update you all as things transpire, but I'll have plenty of time to jot notes and I'll make sure to get Ellen's feelings before, during, and after the competition. I'll get them up here for you as soon as I can.
Even as a spectator I don't take competition weekends lightly. I plan, prepare, have wardrobe changes, all to make sure that I am the best supporter I can be.
RT, Largo, and their respective partners will be competing on Saturday night. I LOVE to support the professionals! I've been deemed RT's greatest fan (I can't imagine where anyone got that idea!) and I like to live up to that.
I hope to see you all there! Don't forget to go nuts and support your favorites!!
Ellen is p
retty much all set, we've been to the mall to get sparkly earrings (Swarovski Crystal no less!!) and makeup. She's got her Smooth and Rhythm shoes, false eyelashes, fishnets and the dresses should be delivered within the next day or two. I know she's anxious, I'm excited for her!! I plan on being in attendance for most, if not all of the comp. I can't WAIT to try and get pictures and stand on the sidelines to shout for her! (My goal is to lose my voice this weekend... a feat that is not easy for me to do... as I'm not exactly known for being soft spoken. :) )Unfortunately I am not in possession of a laptop or I'd update you all as things transpire, but I'll have plenty of time to jot notes and I'll make sure to get Ellen's feelings before, during, and after the competition. I'll get them up here for you as soon as I can.
Even as a spectator I don't take competition weekends lightly. I plan, prepare, have wardrobe changes, all to make sure that I am the best supporter I can be.
RT, Largo, and their respective partners will be competing on Saturday night. I LOVE to support the professionals! I've been deemed RT's greatest fan (I can't imagine where anyone got that idea!) and I like to live up to that.
I hope to see you all there! Don't forget to go nuts and support your favorites!!
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