Open Mouth-Insert Foot

MDB made it to class tonight. Once again, I called. I was snuggled down with Baby (my cat) and I called. David answered and confirmed. He even asked if I wanted to talk to her, but I told him verbal confirmation was sufficient. 

So I layered up the clothing, packed up my slippers, confidence and ass - and headed out the door. 

After leaving my wet boots at the door and while signing in, MDB snuck up behind and hugged me. To which I turned all the way around and squeezed her back. I missed her big time. I give her an apple and two holiday lollipops (one is almost the size of her head). It's sorta a bribe not to leave again. I know she left for performances, but Lil Red and Missy are two different forms of torture. And while it's good to branch out and try new teachers - I can't help but have a favorite. I like Mr. Heinz too - in a demented, slightly sadistic - make it hurt, drill sergeant - make it hurt - sorta way. 

So Ms. J and the Swan are in class and we have one newbie. She has dance experience so she's not completely lost in class, but she has her moments of WTF-ness :)

MDB has decided to take it easy on us tonight. There is only the five of us including MDB and a heater. It kinda feels like the gym right before holidays. Fewer people are there. You can have your pick of any machine. My concern is that right as we round the corner into 2011 all the New Years Resolution people will fall from the sky and I'll be pulling barres from the hallway to get a spot. 

MDB starts us off with our usual plies, but she adds some things and changes some things for our tendus with port de bras, degages (ball of foot, flick, then quicker ball of foot with flick, then normal degages), rond de jambs (not en l'air - thank goodness), pointed toe frappes with regular frappes in second alternating and then frappes with beats (I suck at these BIG TIME), leg stretches at barre and then grand battements. I decided to do high degages (without flick) to keep my hips in place. Six months in and battements are still a mystery....but not on the most hated list.

And then in typical MDB style, she says, "I found out in Ballet Russe (Russian Ballet company) that the teachers didn't actually use a cane on their students. They used a riding CROP."

Side Bar: That's IT! Anyone taking a crop to my ass is seriously IN TROUBLE! I gotta pay to embarrass myself and get BEAT for it?!?!?!? You got the WRONG ONE!! 

And then MDB winks at me and says."I gotta live up to my name." 

SO I say,"Well should we get you a pole and some high heels, too?" 

We all laugh. It's so familiar and comfortable. MDB then gives us an adagio with first port de bras with a retir to change direction. We have to do it twice, but at least she isn't yelling TOUCH it!  She mentions fingers dangling in the pool and I immediately get a butt cramp. We go to echappes and then move into traveling floorwork, but I'm having left knee difficulty so I can't jump and land on my left side.  We finish class and talk about the next two weeks - no beginner ballet or fundamentals. 

So here's where I opened my mouth and now I have to insert my foot. Last night's posts was about TBC going to the other classes and telling the teacher she's having an off night. But MDB actually suggested that we go to the morning classes and let the teachers know what level we are and ask if we can just do barre or the whole class depending on how we feel comfortable. 

Sooooo....anyone interested in pulling up a seat with popcorn and soda - I will probably drop into one of those Ballet 1 or Ballet 1/2 classes over the next two weeks. And by the way, rubber tastes disgusting.