Last lesson, new teacher

Last night we had our last private dance lesson, and we had a brand new teacher. Last week Chad called and said he was sick, and when we went in tonight we didn't see him. We asked the lady at the desk if he was here and she said, "No, but you'll still have your lesson." Then she leans in and says, "We had to let Chad go." Apparently he is famous for calling in sick. So... we had Josh for our instructor. I feel bad for Chad, but we actually liked Josh really well. He taught us stuff I wished we'd learned from the beginning. And at one point he says, "Are you two some kind of teachers or something?" So I said I was a pastor, and we talked about where we were from and stuff. He was nice. He taught us a totally different 'Swing' dance than we had been learning, and it was SO much easier.

Josh taught us the Jitterbug (or one-step swing). There is a nice Youtube video HERE. We can use all the turns and spins that we learned in East Coast Swing in this, so the other wasn't a waste. I wish we'd have learned this a long time ago though.

We still have a couple of group lessons left, and we haven't been to any Friday night dances (we have five). So... yeah, we'll see. It was nice to end on a good note though. And during our lesson we were the only ones on the floor most of the time, so that was kinda nice too. A couple more days and it will all take place for real though. I'm still no dancer.... but now I can at least Rumba and Jitterbug.

Dancing with the star

Yeah, so... last night I went dancing with none other than Elena Grinenko of Dancing With The Stars. I didn't actually dance *with* her, but we were dancing at the same time on the same floor. And I think she looked at me once when she swooshed by me.

She was teaching some workshops where Jane and I take dance lessons. We didn't attend her classes, but she was giving a private lesson while we were taking ours. To be honest, I had no idea who she was (I don't watch the show), and didn't really notice her at first. But I loved her Russian accent, and she really is quite the stunning beauty (as well as an exquisite dancer).

Here she graciously agreed to a picture with the lovely Lady Jane as we were getting ready to leave.

The first dance party (and Carrie's new place)

We went to our first 'dance party' last night at the dance-lesson place. Uh... it did not go so well. It started out ok. They always have a 1/2-hour group lesson before and then follow it with an open dance party so you can practice all the stuff you've learned (supposedly). The group lesson was for Foxtrot, and I thought I did ok. I already knew the basics of it. But, geez, there were A BUNCH of people there. The room was full all the way across. There must have been at least 35 people just for the lesson. Then, as soon as it was done, they turned out the lights, turned up the music, and the place was suddenly just crawling with people. There were young and old, hip and nerdy, it was a wild conglomeration of people. Which was kinda fun, and funny, to be honest. The problem was... this was when we went from the practice field to a real live game... and I was outta my league. We danced a Foxtrot, and tried a Swing and a Waltz - and Jane danced a Rumba with Chad - but... there were so many dances they did that I didn't even know existed, let alone know how to do them. And even the ones we did know... we soon found out we don't know very much. And the floor was so crowded that I felt like we were in everyone's way (even though I'm sure we weren't).

What they do is, they put on a song and usually announce what kind of dance it is. Then you pick a partner and people hit the floor. And let me tell you... the best dancers are the old folks. Especially the men. So mostly we stood along the wall like a couple of kids at a Jr. High dance until I finally talked Jane into leaving around 9:30. Another thing I was surprised by - we seemed to be one of the few couples there. It definitely seems to be a singles hotspot. Which I think is good. I was just a little surprised. And it's not that everyone else was good, but it was just a bit overwhelming. So, anyway, we have 5 more of these dance parties to attend by the end of the year. I imagine we'll do it again, but... the first time was very humbling, and not just a little discouraging. I am no dancer, I know that.

Afterward we swung over to get our tour of Drew Carrie's new place. It is only a few minutes from the dance place. A very nice little apartment they have. They had friends there so we didn't stick around too long, but I think it will be a nice place for them. I forgot to see how long it took us to get home from there though.

It was a mixed day. I need to find something to do, or someplace to go, on my day off. The lack of social interaction is killing me. I need to find a place to volunteer, or a place where I can go and make some friends or something. Someplace where I'm not necessarily "the pastor," but not that I don't want to be "a Christian." But what's new...

Dance lesson (hustle/tango)

Wednesday night we had a private lesson followed by a group lesson. In the private lesson we continued to work on Rumba and Foxtrot. We learned how to put some of the different moves together in Rumba; and we learned how to promenade in Foxtrot (face and feet to left; body straight).

The group lesson was an introduction to the Hustle and Tango. The Hustle was easy to learn, but the turning made me dizzy. The Tango was a bit more complicated, but kinda fun once I got the hang of it. It made a big difference depending on your partner too.

I think I started to learn the names of some of the people. Teri, Sue, and Jill have been around before. The new ones on this night were Michelle, Katarina, and Olivia (I think).

Youtube of the Hustle

Youtube of the Tango

A random friday but not necessarily off

It is my day off, even though this week it won't necessarily be off, though it's nothing seriously on.

I have a regional/district pastors meeting today at noon at a church up by IPFW. The region's new part-time guy is supposed to be telling us about the "transformation process" available for the local church, and the director is supposed to be updating us about the cggc and the mrc. What I don't understand is: who has a noon meeting and doesn't have lunch? Whatever.

Then this evening we have a wedding rehearsal. This should be a no-hassles wedding ceremony, so I don't mind at all. Plus I like the couple and their families.

Daughter Carrie is off to work at Best Buy today. Last night was her first night, and she ended up working a cash register. Not sure what she'll be doing today. She doesn't have a blue shirt yet though.

We heard from son Isaac yesterday afternoon. He made it to Nicaragua. I guess they had an hour bus ride from the airport to where they are staying. He gets no phone reception, and internet is intermittant. He also said it was really HOT. Mid-nineties hot. That actually sounds kinda good since it is about 35f here.

Last night we had our last private dance lesson in our introductory offer. We reviewed East Coast Swing (which we took as a group lesson). That helped a lot, because I just could not get the hang of it. Instead of triple-steps, you kind of just raise up on your toe and step. But then when we got home I couldn't do it again. Argh. Then we reviewed Rumba and Chad taught us the Open Break & Underarm Turn, as well as some footwork technique. We're supposed to always come down on our toes, and slide our feet across the floor instead of taking steps. It's also very hippy (or sexy, as he said). Some rumba video lessons HERE and HERE. We saw many familiar faces at the group class going on at the same time. And Chad's house had caught fire the previous night. He lives with his uncle and takes care of him - he is on dialysis. Apparently a candle caught a doily on fire.

So anyway... we have one open dance left, and then we have to decide if we want to continue with another package of classes. Geez, I can't believe I am actually even considering it, but I do have to admit that it's kind of fun. Not that we are good dancers at all - we're still not really even dancers - but it's fun meeting new people, and just getting out and about.

Afterward we went to this new place that we've been frequenting. It's a nice place, and they seem to have live music just about every night; but I got the nachos last night, and they were probably the worst nachos I have ever had. I am still recovering this morning.

I should probably vacuum. Haven't done that in awhile.

Peace out; and in.

Dance lesson: second group class

Last night we had our second "group" dance lesson. It was 'Intro. to Waltz.' It was a little nicer than the first one, because we knew what to expect, and also because no one worked up quite the sweat that we did at the Foxtrot and Swing lesson. Chad was our instructor again (he's the only one we've had).

The Waltz is a nice, smooth dance designed to move you around the room. And it's probably the easiest one we've learned yet. We went through the simple box step, the progressive, and the left box turn. So, being easier, it was also a bit funner. Of course, the problem with the Waltz is that it is in 3/4 time, and not a lot of the music we'll be hearing at the wedding reception will be 3/4, as most rock'n'roll is in 4/4 time. But it was still a fun dance to learn.

It was a little odd last night because there were 5 women and 7 men. We just paired up the 5, and 2 guys at a time went solo until we switched partners . The women were all fairly good dancers this time too. One couple were there for their first lesson, and they were maybe in their early twenties (he is a seminary student at Concordia); one girl was in college and she was a really good dancer (she's been taking lessons for 3 years); the one couple was in our last group lesson (the lady who stared at me); and the other couple was older - maybe in their seventies - but they were fairly hip.

The box step is just a step straight forward with the left foot, diagonal right with the right foot, and over with the left; then back with the right, diagonal left with the left, and over with the right. 1-2-3, 1-2-3. All the steps are even, and Chad says the bigger-the-better. The progressive just moves straight: you go forward with the left, diagonal right with the right, over with the left; then - instead of going back (as in the box) - you go forward with the right, diagonal left with the left, and over with the right, and so on so you're always going ahead. This is why you need the turn. To turn you basically just turn 1/8 at a time; and always counterclockwise.

Some instructions can be found at these places:

• Simple waltz steps
• American style waltz info with music and history
• Youtube of the basics
• Another youtube
  

Dance lesson: first group class

Last night we attended our first group dance lesson. It was for Beginning Foxtrot and Swing. The lesson began at 7:45 and lasted 45 minutes. Chad (who has been our private instructor) was teaching this class also. I would say there were maybe 14-16 other people there.

We started with the Foxtrot with the Left Rock Turn - which we had already learned during our second private lesson. So it was nice to review. The Swing was totally different though; and we learned the East Coast Triple-Step Swing (I found this lesson on YouTube). I had a little trouble with this. It goes: Rock-step, triple-step (left), triple-step (right); rock-step, triple-step, triple-step; etc. I could do the rock-step okay, but I had a hard time with the triple-steps. They're really small steps; and it was wearing me out. I worked up a sweat. I think I finally got the hang of it though.

The weirdest thing about these group lessons - which I wasn't expecting - is... WE HAD TO SWITCH PARTNERS! Everybody had to dance with everybody else. Fortunately there was an equal number of guys and girls. This is supposed to help us learn to lead and follow with other people - for those of us who have partners - but I also think it helps the single people who come there, so they don't get stuck with somebody they don't like. And there were quite a few singles there. So it's probably a good idea.

Once I got over the initial shock it actually wasn't too bad. It was a nice way to meet new people, as you had to introduce yourself, and there were times for chit-chat. And stepping on someone else's toes is a pretty good icebreaker. Even though some people were pretty good, and others were not good at all, everybody seemed to have fun. I would say we were fairly middle-of-the-road; not nearly the best, but definitely not the worst. There was one young girl - maybe in her mid twenties - who drove up from Marion. She was a regular dancer and was much better than the rest of us. A couple ladies were pretty big (or I'm pretty small), and I felt kind of odd with my arms way up in the air. And the one lady just stared at me the whole time we danced. She may have done this to everybody, but it was freakin' me out! And some people just get really sweaty. I didn't really care much for putting my right hand in strange women's sweaty armpits. You definitely want to dress cool for these classes. And it was always nice to come back around to my 'regular' partner. Even still, I have to admit that it was kinda fun.

When we got there the lady whose butt was hanging out of her dress the last time, was there again... with the same dress on. She was practicing with a guy, and there was also a couple there practicing with a guy. I am guessing these people do competitive dance. They were pretty good.

I think the next group lesson we're going to is the Waltz. Then we have one more private lesson. What I want to know is: what kind of dance do we do to a song like "Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton? That's usually the only song I dance to.

Dance lesson #2

Tonight we had our second dance lesson. It was a little more challenging than the first one. There were also a lot more people there for the group lesson that was going on at the same time. They didn't look like beginners either, but I tried not to watch what they were doing too much, as I had plenty to think about myself.

RUMBA REVIEW...
We started by reviewing the Rumba: the simple box step, and the under arm turn. Then Chad taught us the CROSS BODY LEAD. This is where, on the back step (with my right foot) I put our left hands down (to signal turn), and my side step is a quarter turn counterclockwise; then my first forward step is a quarter turn to the left as well. So we turn 180 degrees in the turn. It took us awhile, but we finally got it down.

FOXTROT...
Next we started learning the Foxtrot. This is a smoother dance (supposedly). And instead of the slow-fast-fast of the Rumba in a tight little box, the Fox Trot is a slow-slow-fast-fast across the floor. I start with my feet together and slightly left of center of Jane. With my knees slightly bent, I take a long step forward (to the left of her right leg), then I take a long step with my right leg between her legs, then a short step straight left, and over with my right foot; then right on to the next long forward step with my left foot, etc. We had to go the length of the floor in front of the whole group lesson several times doing this.

The way we learned how to turn is with the LEFT ROCK TURN. When I go forward with my left foot, I drag my right foot up to my left, but then I move back a big step with my right foot, and then turn an 1/8 turn with my left, and slide the right over to it. We actually did this fairly well.

That was all we learned tonight, and it seemed a bit overwhelming when we were there, but when we got home and practiced it was much easier. I think it's a little harder there because the music is loud, and there are people talking and moving all around and there's the big mirror and the big front window and stuff. One of our biggest problems is too much "negative space" between us (or maybe we don't have enough). Whichever it is, we get too close together. We're supposed to look more formal. Yeah, yeah... story of my life. I'm also supposed to work on my leading, and Jane on her following. Ugh. And I feel a little weird because it seems everybody else has "dance clothes," and people come in and change their shoes and stuff. I just wore my black t-shirt and jeans with a hole in the knee, and Jane had on what she wore to work. I think she really wants an outfit like the lady whose butt was hanging out of her dress though. :) Some of them are decked out like dancing-with-the stars. Oh well, it's innaresting.

Dance lessons

File this under "Oh man, I can't believe it": Lady Jane signed us up for dance lessons, and last night was the first one. I don't even like 'Dancing With the Stars' (I've watched it once or twice). This is more a case of Frank Zappa's 'Dancin' Fool.' But, you know, the things we do for love.

Actually, we have talked about taking dance lessons for years. We thought Drew Carrie's wedding was a good excuse to finally do it (which is NEXT MONTH by the way). So Jane called americanstyleballroom.com and we got the deal where we get 3 private lessons, 2 group lessons, and 1 free night at their Friday night dance parties. And hey, at least I have a nice looking partner.

I do have to admit, it was even kinda fun. Chad was our 'guy,' and even though he called me Don all night, smelled kinda like pot (maybe it was just cigarettes), and was a little sweaty, we had a good time. He taught us the Rumba. We learned how to do the four-step box with rotation, the ladies slow spin, and about posture, timing, and leading/following.

As the guy, I am supposed to lead. I put my left hand up to hold the woman's palm (held about the height of the woman's nose). My right arm goes under her left arm, and I place my palm so my fingers cup her shoulder blade. My right arm (and her left) are to be held (her) shoulder height. Everything is in 4/4 time, and the Rumba is slow, fast-fast, slow, fast-fast. With the slow being 2 beats, and the fast as 1 beat. You start with your heals together and toes pointed at 11 and 1; the first step is always with my left foot, and I go straight forward just past my right foot; then my right foot angles over about shoulder width, and bring my left over to the right; then I step straight back with the right foot; and angle back with my left foot, and bring the right over to the left (slow on the step forward; fast right over and left over to right; slow back with right; fast over with left and right over to it). We rotate on the angled steps, not the straight forward or back; and only rotate about an eighth turn at a time. When I want Jane to do a spin, I raise my left hand (and her right) as I step back with my right foot, and I continue with the four-step box, but she does a six-step spin, and we come back together as I take the right foot over to the right (I think).

All in all it was actually a pretty good time. Chad even gave us a smiley face and a star. The lesson lasted 45 minutes. We were in a big room with mirrors all along the one wall. There was also a group lesson going on at the same time, but you didn't really notice the other people. I think there were four other students, plus two other instructors (or maybe it was three and three). I felt bad for the two guys that got stuck together. Although they may have wanted it that way, I dunno. So, we go for private lessons the next two weeks, and we get to pick whatever nights to go for the group lessons. We're supposed to pick anything listed as "social dancing." They have something different just about every night.

Afterward we stopped at a little place owned by a guy Jane knows from work. There was a guy there playing guitar. We've seen him before, though I swear he used to go by a different first name. Anyway, another night of fun in the Fort.