Happy Friday all! It’s still light outside, but after I finish this post, I’m getting ready for bed. I’m waking up at 3am tomorrow to get ready for the Royal Ball! That probably sounds crazy to you, but originally, I was planning on a 2am wakeup call.
Tag: american smooth
Countdown to The Royal Ball: 2 Weeks – Dressing for the Occasion
Does anyone know where February went? I saw it coming, but then it seems to have come and gone while I was in the other room or something. Or more likely while I was busy learning a new style of dance, and writing and managing my beta release of the Solo Practice Guide. It seems a little rude to not say hi to me, but whatever, hello to March!
Admitting I Don’t Suck – A Dancer’s Quandary
It’s not easy to admit when you’re wrong, and even harder to admit when you were wrong about completely sucking as a dancer. It’s weird because it’s like you’re humbling and boosting yourself at the same time. “Ok ok, I was wrong. I am a good dancer.”
Foxtrot is Not the Same as Foxtrot
You know when you’re talking to someone on the phone with a bad connection and they keep cutting in and out, or you’re trying to listen to the radio but you’re a bit out of range so there’s a lot of static? You have to strain to catch what the other person is saying or what song is playing. It gets so frustrating because no matter how hard you listen, the message still doesn’t come through clearly.
That’s how I felt during my last lesson.
If I stare at the screen long enough, the words will come.
And those were the words that came. I think I was only staring for about 15 minutes.
My creative juices are running dry a bit this weekend, but I still wanted to check in with you. We’re coming up on the end of January, and it’s hard to believe how much has been put into motion in just four weeks.
Weekend Workshop and Practice
Happy Sunday dancers! I hope your weekend was relaxing and fun, and included a little dancing. I danced a little both days this weekend, with a workshop on Saturday and some practice time on Sunday. The workshop was taught by the current American Smooth champions (U.S., World, Blackpool…they’ve won them all!): Nick Cheremukhin and Viktorija! It didn’t go quite as I expected, but I was still able to take some of the teachings and apply them in my Sunday practice.
A Review of Embassy Ball: It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times
Once upon a time, there was a girl who wasn’t great at much. At least, that’s what she thought. She was decent at some things and pretty good at others. Above average at best. But never quite enough to stand out, reach the top, or be remembered. Then came ballroom.
Dancing brought the girl to life! She started competing and began taking home first and second places right away. People praised her for her beautiful dancing. Her fragile ego swelled and she felt pride. She worked hard to improve her dancing and continued to win. Then after being away from the competition circuit for over a year, the girl returned. Even though she had continued to work hard and improve her dancing, she could not maintain those high results. Each competition put her lower in the rankings. Her ego began to feel exposed and vulnerable. And confused. She was dancing better than ever and felt amazing while doing it! How could she be placing lower than before?
It is at this point in the story that we join the girl, as she and her ego sort out the new reality.
Countdown to Beach Bash: 19 Days – Riding the Rollercoaster
Less than three weeks until my first competition in over a year! This past week’s lessons brought me through the whole spectrum of emotions related to that fact. First, there was Wednesday.
I Get Knocked Down
But I get up again!
Slowly, sometimes painfully. But I get up and keep going.
The stress meter has been maxing out for the last few weeks, to the point that my body is showing physical signs.
A blog post from last year, For Every High, There is a Low, popped up in my statistics and after rereading it, I was inspired to do a sort of follow-up.
Countdown to Beach Bash: 4 Weeks – Don’t Panic!
After about a week and a half out of the studio, I had a lesson with Teacher on Wednesday followed by almost an hour-long practice with a new practice partner. I think I pushed myself a little too far because I was exhausted and started getting a serious headache on the way home. There’s no time to slow down though; Ballroom Beach Bash is in four weeks!
The Girl with the Tree Tattoo 