Just Being Me

My intermediate tribal belly dancing class was cancelled this evening, so I found myself at liberty to thoroughly embarrass myself in Mr. Heinz's class tonight. 

I waffled back and forth between staying home and going through my Rachel Brice Serpertine Drills or going to Mr. Heinz's class. So I pulled out the syrup and strawberries and ate my waffles - then I decided to go to Mr. Heinz's class. (Ok, I didn't actually eat waffles - but I would have if I had any!) 

I put on a cream v-neck extra long sweater top/dress and then layer on a coat, thermal socks, boots, scarf, wristlets, head scarf, hat, earmuffs and gloves. When I arrive inside the studio, I ask one of the owners if class is going to go - but I can see everyone that's typically there and I know, but I still ask -just in case.  Yes, class is going to go. And I'm welcomed back which makes me smile - I'm still not forgotten - but there are some other outstanding factors there - number one being I'm the only one dancing in belly dance pants tied in bows at the knee. 

So here I am doing the winter strip tease - I'm hopping to get my boots off along with the thermal socks, swinging my arms around my head trying to free myself from the 20 foot long scarf, shrugging out of my coat and pulling on my forearms to get my wristlets off and for the finale - the moment no one is really waiting for.........my gloves! So anti-climatic, right?

We walk into class and go to our respective barres. I'm back to my spot on the wall - I can see Mr. Heinz and everyone else while hopefully maintaining a low profile being on the wall instead of the middle of the floor. It doesn't really matter. Mr Heinz like MDB walks the floor making corrections. 

We start with battement in attitude in first position - back and forth - both sides.  We tendu with plies, we plie with releve, we passes with plie. Mr. Heinz conveniently catches the releve bug that Missy had last week - everything in releve - you could pick your poison - anything that could be done - is done - retir, coupe, arabesque (front and back), developpe, passe. All of this requires stability and strength. Tonight I don't have much of either.

Side Bar: Alright - what the hell is up with all these releves?!?

Menty: We're doing alright.

Side Bar: Oh shit - here he comes. Pretend to know what you're doing!!!!

By the end of barre, my ass is positively HUMMING due to all the squeezing I must do to keep my core intact - and trust me -it ain't humming a gospel hymn either!

Mr. Heinz makes a joke about one of us saying we aren't coming back to this class - to which Side Bar replies - HOW'D YOU KNOW?? Everyone laughs. One of the ladies closest to me laughs and gives me the wide eyed look (like she couldn't believe I said it!) She doesn't know Side Bar yet....

We make it through barre and stretch for about 5 minutes on our own. Now comes the part that makes me want to run out the window ala Roger Rabbit - floorwork. I actually ask Mr. Heinz where he is going to stand in class because I want to be opposite. He thinks this is funny - I think it is prudent planning.

Our adagio has eight tendus forward and back and eight degages forward and back. I'm so thankful for the easy combination and then I realize someone else has WTF face. I could almost thank Ethereal for sending a newbie to this class. Mr. Heinz pretty much kills me with pirouettes and sissones. Then he finished us off with spins - and I almost turn in the wrong direction to start!! He actually walked over and turned me in the right direction! So EMBARRASSING!! 

Class wraps with stretching and I chat it up with one of the little ladies that does splits before classes. She's kinda spunky and funny. She also super talented and will probably be a ballerina one day. So I offered her a ride home. I think I'm going to call her Spunk.

When I first came, everyone was quiet and a little reserved, but maybe I was too. Tonight I didn't want to shut up and disappear - so I didn't. I was just me - funny, smiling, making mistakes and jokes. I had a good time. 

I pull on my eight layers of clothing and say good night to everyone and let them know I would probably see them in January, which actually gets groans of why?  I told Mr. Heinz I would see him at his next performance this month. He stood up and we hugged briefly. I guess I did good - or he really does only hug me when I tell him I'm going to be gone for 2 month intervals.....CRAP!!