MDB said something while I was out with her and LBC for her birthday:
"You are always safe in class. You don't like to take risks."
She also went on to name several regulars that were also 'safe' in class. She meant that we always want to be right.
I thought about Rachel Brice (Tribal Fusionist Extraordinaire) saying: You learn from make mistakes. Fail faster.
These statements was on my mind as I went to Joel Hall Studio tonight.
Tonight I actually registered myself for class. Not David 1 was rolling his eyes and looking at the computer. Not David 2 was trying to figure out how to register three ladies for ballet class.
Seeing that Not David 1 planned to be of NO assistance, I reached behind the desk, punched my own card, grabbed the Ballet Fundamentals sign up sheet, signed myself in, and put the sheet back to which Not David 1 said: "Umm, Not David 2 this is my last night of working the desk with you. You better get it together."
To which I said, "Not David 2, I can help you on Mondays and Thursdays, but you are on your own after that." Not David 1 gave me a slow blink and went back to the computer.
Miss M had a sub tonight. And after the three girls got registered and we lined up to the barre, I thought I'm going to be 'not' so safe tonight. It's fundamentals. And that was pretty much my downfall.
So Cece isn't a familiar teacher to me. I've had her once or twice, but she's not regular...and then she had a wonderful idea of ballet to christmas music. For me, it was a like a fart in church - everyone knows it happened and we're not really sure if we should say Amen, Bless you or make the sign of the cross.
We were rhythmically challenged, mentally challenged and physically challenged - cue the short yellow bus!!! BEEP! BEEP!
This was also the fastest moving fundamentals class I'd ever taken. We were done with barre in 30 minutes! So much for not being safe....I pretty much gave up on being correct too!!
Menty: Turn out
Side Bar: check
Menty: Posture -
Side Bar: check
Menty: Technique? Hey!! Where'd technique go?
Side Bar: Left with Santa???
Oh well...I will try 'not' so safe when Miss M comes back for Thursday Ballet Fundamentals class next week. I can't do unfamiliar and not safe on the same night apparently....
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
The Adventures Continues: Ballet 1 - On A Ballet Streak
Don't you hate when you're almost done with something and then something in your computer 'unexpectedly quit'?
Forty minutes of uninterrupted typing - POOF!
And of course, NOW I realize there's a SAVE NOW button on the bottom of this damnable page!!
UGH!!!
So here's the short and sweet version of the 40 minute song:
Class on Sunday morning: Missy taught - smiles a lot, long combinations, lots of confusion. Convinced me to go to her Tuesday morning class.
Class on Monday evening: MDB taught - smiles a lot, slight southern accent, a little confusion, very demanding, never satisfied, but my favorite teacher nonetheless. She refrained from screaming TOUCH IT when we were practicing port de bras, but made us do it again and again. She also wanted us to do our arms properly during our echappes. I'm behind on this because for the first 6 months of class I couldn't do jumps at the center, I could only do them at the barre - while HOLDING the barre.
Menty: Did our feet move?
Physie: Check
Menty: Did our arms move?
Physie: Check
Side Bar: I think we are ahead of the game then
Menty: Me too
Class this morning: Missy omitted that a sub would be teaching today. I was slightly perturbed but David was at the desk, SCORE! I love David - not just because he's a high school friend - but he KNOWS how to run the desk! You walk up, he smiles, asks the necessary questions, takes payment, registers you, sends you on your way - takes next person. When it's a 'Not David' - it runs a little more like - you walk up, he or she looks at you and does a slow blink, YOU ASK the NECESSARY questions, she/he figures out how to take payment, registers you and you ask where you should go to take class.
By the way, if I get published and go on Oprah, David is going. He's on the list. Oh yes, there is a list!
The sub is my height, half the weight of my whole right side, wearing a velvety black leotard and black dance pants. Insert deep sigh. She doesn't know I have issues with my left knee, or buritis in my left hip so I must endure another new teacher explaining how I need to get ON TOP of my left supporting leg so I don't bend my right on, etc, etc. And while I need to constant reminding so that I pay attention to it, I can't focus on my hip, the combination and the arm moves at the same time. I don't bitch or even do a mental eye roll, I nod, take my correction and focus.
When she gives us a long, complicated frappe combination, I ask a question for clarification. She answers my question and says: So you got it?
And I say yes, but that doesn't mean I'm going to get it right. Everyone laughs because we all KNOW it's true.
I make it through this class without feeling like a complete moron and I don't beat myself up about messing up.
And then I noticed something, I don't need war paint and belly dance pants for ballet class anymore. I haven't been doing the evening touch ups or the morning smear campaigns. I'm enough without those things. :)
Forty minutes of uninterrupted typing - POOF!
And of course, NOW I realize there's a SAVE NOW button on the bottom of this damnable page!!
UGH!!!
So here's the short and sweet version of the 40 minute song:
Class on Sunday morning: Missy taught - smiles a lot, long combinations, lots of confusion. Convinced me to go to her Tuesday morning class.
Class on Monday evening: MDB taught - smiles a lot, slight southern accent, a little confusion, very demanding, never satisfied, but my favorite teacher nonetheless. She refrained from screaming TOUCH IT when we were practicing port de bras, but made us do it again and again. She also wanted us to do our arms properly during our echappes. I'm behind on this because for the first 6 months of class I couldn't do jumps at the center, I could only do them at the barre - while HOLDING the barre.
Menty: Did our feet move?
Physie: Check
Menty: Did our arms move?
Physie: Check
Side Bar: I think we are ahead of the game then
Menty: Me too
Class this morning: Missy omitted that a sub would be teaching today. I was slightly perturbed but David was at the desk, SCORE! I love David - not just because he's a high school friend - but he KNOWS how to run the desk! You walk up, he smiles, asks the necessary questions, takes payment, registers you, sends you on your way - takes next person. When it's a 'Not David' - it runs a little more like - you walk up, he or she looks at you and does a slow blink, YOU ASK the NECESSARY questions, she/he figures out how to take payment, registers you and you ask where you should go to take class.
By the way, if I get published and go on Oprah, David is going. He's on the list. Oh yes, there is a list!
The sub is my height, half the weight of my whole right side, wearing a velvety black leotard and black dance pants. Insert deep sigh. She doesn't know I have issues with my left knee, or buritis in my left hip so I must endure another new teacher explaining how I need to get ON TOP of my left supporting leg so I don't bend my right on, etc, etc. And while I need to constant reminding so that I pay attention to it, I can't focus on my hip, the combination and the arm moves at the same time. I don't bitch or even do a mental eye roll, I nod, take my correction and focus.
When she gives us a long, complicated frappe combination, I ask a question for clarification. She answers my question and says: So you got it?
And I say yes, but that doesn't mean I'm going to get it right. Everyone laughs because we all KNOW it's true.
I make it through this class without feeling like a complete moron and I don't beat myself up about messing up.
And then I noticed something, I don't need war paint and belly dance pants for ballet class anymore. I haven't been doing the evening touch ups or the morning smear campaigns. I'm enough without those things. :)
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
The Adventure Continues: Ballet I - You Going? or Hehehehe
Actual Conversation last week between LBC and I:
LBC calls my cell.
LBC: You going to class tonight?
Me: I was going to call and ask you the same thing.
LBC: MDB called me two weeks ago and told me she missed me.
Me: Well, YOU HAVE TO GO then. hehehehe!
LBC: Alright.
Me: See you there.
Actual Conversation this week between LBC and I:
I call LBC's cell.
Me: It's 6:29pm - where you at?
LBC: I'm tired.
Me: You said you were coming.
LBC: Did I promise?
Side Bar: WTH????
Me (ALOUD): You said you were coming.
LBC: I had a long day. I just want to eat.
Me: Get yo ass in yo car and get here.
LBC: I'm on my way.
Side Bar: heheheheh!!
I'm late to class and miss most of the plie combination, but funny enough I still know where to pick up. Class was full last night. After LBC arrived, we rounded out at 9 ladies for barre and ended with 7 ladies for floor.
LBC makes it in as we finish up our tendu combination and in time to catch another plie combination. MDB says she is doing this so the chick on pointe can warm up her feet. I think she does it so that LBC can really do her plies, but what do I really know, right?
LBC: Did you tell MDB?
Me: Sure did.
The degage combination includes some tempo changes, which don't really seem to go with the music. We have swinging degages in threes with a develope for 2 sets of 8 and then we have coupe degages crossed for 2 more sets of 8 ending with a plie, passe on releve.
Musicality: 1
Beginners: ZERO
We move into our rond de jamb and frappe combinations. We have to do the frappe combination again because we are screwing up efface and epaule when the combination speeds up. I try not to laugh too hard because when she tells us again she is looking directly at me.
Me: Why are you looking at ME? I can't be the only one screwing this up!
MDB: Ok, fine!
And MDB turns and looks at everyone else. And everyone starts laughing.
Side Bar: Hehehehehe!!
After we finish our battements with plies and releves, MDB gives us an adagio that we all manage not to screw up too badly - but she does make us do it again. She then follows it up with a floor combination that includes a little skip and chasse on each side then glissade, assemblage.
Side Bar: I'm starting to short circuit.
Menty: Hold on. We can do this.
Side Bar: It's the hopping part and our legs aren't together....
Menty: I smell smoke already
Side Bar: Hehehehehe! Sorry! I told you.
I manage to jump in the right direction at least twice - but on different attempts. Oh well.
Then we move into familiar combination that I still screw up by forgetting my right from left. WHEEEE!
And then for the ending, MDB gives us something with two chasses, step, step, contretemp.....
FYI: No Bellydancer was hurt, maimed or killed in the execution of this step....but lots of WTF face on my part.
Me: Aren't you glad you came?
LBC: Yeah, I'm glad I came. Did I promise to come? I can't remember.
Me: You said yes around the same time your BF called,
LBC: OH! That's probably why i don't remember.
Me: That's ok. MDB is out next Monday. I'm in Thailand. Take next Monday off too :)
Side Bar: Hehehehehehe!!!
LBC calls my cell.
LBC: You going to class tonight?
Me: I was going to call and ask you the same thing.
LBC: MDB called me two weeks ago and told me she missed me.
Me: Well, YOU HAVE TO GO then. hehehehe!
LBC: Alright.
Me: See you there.
Actual Conversation this week between LBC and I:
I call LBC's cell.
Me: It's 6:29pm - where you at?
LBC: I'm tired.
Me: You said you were coming.
LBC: Did I promise?
Side Bar: WTH????
Me (ALOUD): You said you were coming.
LBC: I had a long day. I just want to eat.
Me: Get yo ass in yo car and get here.
LBC: I'm on my way.
Side Bar: heheheheh!!
I'm late to class and miss most of the plie combination, but funny enough I still know where to pick up. Class was full last night. After LBC arrived, we rounded out at 9 ladies for barre and ended with 7 ladies for floor.
LBC makes it in as we finish up our tendu combination and in time to catch another plie combination. MDB says she is doing this so the chick on pointe can warm up her feet. I think she does it so that LBC can really do her plies, but what do I really know, right?
LBC: Did you tell MDB?
Me: Sure did.
The degage combination includes some tempo changes, which don't really seem to go with the music. We have swinging degages in threes with a develope for 2 sets of 8 and then we have coupe degages crossed for 2 more sets of 8 ending with a plie, passe on releve.
Musicality: 1
Beginners: ZERO
We move into our rond de jamb and frappe combinations. We have to do the frappe combination again because we are screwing up efface and epaule when the combination speeds up. I try not to laugh too hard because when she tells us again she is looking directly at me.
Me: Why are you looking at ME? I can't be the only one screwing this up!
MDB: Ok, fine!
And MDB turns and looks at everyone else. And everyone starts laughing.
Side Bar: Hehehehehe!!
After we finish our battements with plies and releves, MDB gives us an adagio that we all manage not to screw up too badly - but she does make us do it again. She then follows it up with a floor combination that includes a little skip and chasse on each side then glissade, assemblage.
Side Bar: I'm starting to short circuit.
Menty: Hold on. We can do this.
Side Bar: It's the hopping part and our legs aren't together....
Menty: I smell smoke already
Side Bar: Hehehehehe! Sorry! I told you.
I manage to jump in the right direction at least twice - but on different attempts. Oh well.
Then we move into familiar combination that I still screw up by forgetting my right from left. WHEEEE!
And then for the ending, MDB gives us something with two chasses, step, step, contretemp.....
FYI: No Bellydancer was hurt, maimed or killed in the execution of this step....but lots of WTF face on my part.
Me: Aren't you glad you came?
LBC: Yeah, I'm glad I came. Did I promise to come? I can't remember.
Me: You said yes around the same time your BF called,
LBC: OH! That's probably why i don't remember.
Me: That's ok. MDB is out next Monday. I'm in Thailand. Take next Monday off too :)
Side Bar: Hehehehehehe!!!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Adventure Continues: Ballet I: Just Name it Something Else
Helping Hand Alert: Please go to FACEBOOK and find Chase Community Giving Application and vote for Chicago City Theater aka Joel Hall Dancers & Center - they could win $25,000!!!! And then tell your friends to do the same!!! THANK YOU!!
And so my adventure begins :)
I register with the same Not David from Sunday. I see MDB and hand over my performance survey from her previous night's performance. A member from second company, a member from first company, a young girl in pink pointe shoes, a returning regular and I complete the class.
MDB kindly starts our plie combination, but modifies it for pointe. I settle into class. Breathe in, breathe out.
Two demis, one grande, one port de bra, one releve, one plie - change position.
Our tendu combination has some addictives and yeast - we are changing feet from front to back to side with some fondus and su sus in there. I think MDB wants us to raise to the occasion. My souffle doesn't fall completely flat, but it's TOTALLY lopsided!!!
It sounds so simple and in essence it really is...BUT (you knew that was coming!) you have to be centered - no tipping or dipping.
Side Bar: No smoke yet...
Menty: What?
Side Bar: From our ears - brain does not appear to be on fire..
At this point, I can't remember the degage combination - I don't know if that means it was easy or that I blocked them out. I do know that after the rond de jamb combination was demonstrated - I stopped breathing properly.
The rond de jamb combination included some fonduing, a grand rond de jamb, some port de bra, some chambre and some going in the other direction. I apologize belatedly to the ladies that followed me.
Our frappes included a lot of holding, some petit battementing and something else, but lack of oxygen to the blood and brain will cause minimally forgetfulness.
I about passed out when we had to battement on releve - twice in the same combination on the same side.
Physie: I'm too fat to do this!
Side Bar: It's a three alarm fire up here!!!
Menty: Um? Maybe the fire men will be cute????
We move into another studio to do our floor exercises. Our adagio includes all the possible standing positions. But the two we must focus on are quasi devant and a carte - so we do it three times and MDB decides to not fuss because we got the two that she asked for 'mostly' right.
Our tendu combination includes a coup and pas de bouree to change direction. And then for kicks and giggles (our kicks, MDB's giggle), she adds the arabesque to the combination.
WARNING: No beginner ballet students were harmed during this combination.
MDB gives up and lets us stop after the second round for the sake of time.
We move to the corner and complete two different travel combinations. On the second combination we struggle. It's not a chasse - it's a pas de bouree, MDB instructs. We try it again. We still struggle. "Just name it something else. It will make it easier." MDB says. "I apologize in advance because I know I'm screwing this up!" I said. When we're done MDB releases us back to the confines of Joel Hall's wondrous world of sweat, mirrors, and dance.
My calves are still on fire.
And so my adventure begins :)
I register with the same Not David from Sunday. I see MDB and hand over my performance survey from her previous night's performance. A member from second company, a member from first company, a young girl in pink pointe shoes, a returning regular and I complete the class.
MDB kindly starts our plie combination, but modifies it for pointe. I settle into class. Breathe in, breathe out.
Two demis, one grande, one port de bra, one releve, one plie - change position.
Our tendu combination has some addictives and yeast - we are changing feet from front to back to side with some fondus and su sus in there. I think MDB wants us to raise to the occasion. My souffle doesn't fall completely flat, but it's TOTALLY lopsided!!!
It sounds so simple and in essence it really is...BUT (you knew that was coming!) you have to be centered - no tipping or dipping.
Side Bar: No smoke yet...
Menty: What?
Side Bar: From our ears - brain does not appear to be on fire..
At this point, I can't remember the degage combination - I don't know if that means it was easy or that I blocked them out. I do know that after the rond de jamb combination was demonstrated - I stopped breathing properly.
The rond de jamb combination included some fonduing, a grand rond de jamb, some port de bra, some chambre and some going in the other direction. I apologize belatedly to the ladies that followed me.
Our frappes included a lot of holding, some petit battementing and something else, but lack of oxygen to the blood and brain will cause minimally forgetfulness.
I about passed out when we had to battement on releve - twice in the same combination on the same side.
Physie: I'm too fat to do this!
Side Bar: It's a three alarm fire up here!!!
Menty: Um? Maybe the fire men will be cute????
We move into another studio to do our floor exercises. Our adagio includes all the possible standing positions. But the two we must focus on are quasi devant and a carte - so we do it three times and MDB decides to not fuss because we got the two that she asked for 'mostly' right.
Our tendu combination includes a coup and pas de bouree to change direction. And then for kicks and giggles (our kicks, MDB's giggle), she adds the arabesque to the combination.
WARNING: No beginner ballet students were harmed during this combination.
MDB gives up and lets us stop after the second round for the sake of time.
We move to the corner and complete two different travel combinations. On the second combination we struggle. It's not a chasse - it's a pas de bouree, MDB instructs. We try it again. We still struggle. "Just name it something else. It will make it easier." MDB says. "I apologize in advance because I know I'm screwing this up!" I said. When we're done MDB releases us back to the confines of Joel Hall's wondrous world of sweat, mirrors, and dance.
My calves are still on fire.
Monday, November 14, 2011
The Adventure Continues: Ballet I: Interrupting Radio Silence
I know I haven't written in about two weeks. I've still been taking ballet classes at Joel Hall.
I just haven't been writing about it. My apologies to my regulars and my 'sporadic' readers.
I haven't been feeling like myself for months now and now I sorta re-emerging into myself.
One of my major indications that some things aren't right in my life is withdrawal and negativity. I'm not an optimist by anyone's standards, but I do believe in laughing everyday (most times at myself) and finding joy in the little things. And when I can't find the joy - I find my inner dissatisfaction...and it's self directed and self destructive.
I will skip all the details, but I will say that I'm getting back to myself. I'm never one to harp on something wrong and do nothing to fix it. I'm a thinker and doer by nature and nurture (thanks, Mom!).
So I interrupt this 'radio silence' with a ballet update.
I've been skipping Sunday morning classes for various reasons for several months now. Last year at this time, I think I was up to 3 ballet classes a week. Now I'm averaging once a week, but I feel the difference. So I'm getting back into my ballet groove.
I walked into Joel Hall Studio yesterday morning to be greeted by "Not David" 5.0 and registered for ballet 1. In the process of registering, a young, thin, blonde walks up beside in a rush and says, "I haven't missed ballet 1, have I?"
I smile, "No, the class in the fishbowl is Ballet II." "Oh, great. I've never been here before and...."
I temporarily zone out as she starts speaking a million miles a minute.
I wasn't quite awake yet and before the smoke started coming out of my ears, I said, "You register here." I pointed to Not David and ran off.
This little blonde slip of woman had me second guessing my decision to come to class, but I gave myself the choice - ballet or gym....and oddly enough, the idea of being surrounded by fit talented women (and men) didn't seem so intimidating - but that may have been the liquor talking (I got in at 4:30am on Sunday - don't ask).
Two regulars from Monday night class, two newbies (to Joel Hall but not ballet), one guy and myself line up at the barres and begin our plie combinations. In MDB's class, I mostly remember the combination so I can sink into my breathing and the movement with ease. In Missy's class, I have to focus even her plies have some 'funny' business.
During our third tendu combination, I start to wonder if this class is longer than usual...
Side Bar: Maybe this class is all barre?
Menty: I hope not - these combinations aren't getting any easier and we haven't had COFFEE this morning!
Side Bar: Are we still drunk?
Menty: Let's not think about it....
Side Bar: Ok
In that little mental side bar, I've missed the degage combination, but I'm not on an end so I'm not leading.
Missy says, "You guys got it or do you want to see it again?"
I say, "Let's just fumble through it."
Side Bar: That's just wrong...hehehehe!
We end up having to do it twice...Missy wanted us to do swinging degages instead of static....I told her she could have the combination or the swinging leg - but not both. We all laughed. We have such greedy teachers - they want musicality, technique and coordination!! It's Sunday!
We make it through barre in tact to find we have to do battements in the center.
Side Bar: Oh, shit...
Menty: Pretty much....
We all manage to stay upright and then the floor combinations come. We don't excel at it but I think we are all struggling with the music - not the actual combination, which made me smile. After the first pass in both directions, I think we just all mutinied and did the combination. I already said she needed to pick what she wanted.....she was warned.
All in all, it was a great Sunday class. I promised I'd go next Sunday. So I will :) - with COFFEE!
I followed this up with watching the Bears beat down the Lions and followed that up with watching Momenta in Oak Park because MDB was performing. It was a great production and MDB sat down next to me after her performance was over to watch the rest of the show :)
I just haven't been writing about it. My apologies to my regulars and my 'sporadic' readers.
I haven't been feeling like myself for months now and now I sorta re-emerging into myself.
One of my major indications that some things aren't right in my life is withdrawal and negativity. I'm not an optimist by anyone's standards, but I do believe in laughing everyday (most times at myself) and finding joy in the little things. And when I can't find the joy - I find my inner dissatisfaction...and it's self directed and self destructive.
I will skip all the details, but I will say that I'm getting back to myself. I'm never one to harp on something wrong and do nothing to fix it. I'm a thinker and doer by nature and nurture (thanks, Mom!).
So I interrupt this 'radio silence' with a ballet update.
I've been skipping Sunday morning classes for various reasons for several months now. Last year at this time, I think I was up to 3 ballet classes a week. Now I'm averaging once a week, but I feel the difference. So I'm getting back into my ballet groove.
I walked into Joel Hall Studio yesterday morning to be greeted by "Not David" 5.0 and registered for ballet 1. In the process of registering, a young, thin, blonde walks up beside in a rush and says, "I haven't missed ballet 1, have I?"
I smile, "No, the class in the fishbowl is Ballet II." "Oh, great. I've never been here before and...."
I temporarily zone out as she starts speaking a million miles a minute.
I wasn't quite awake yet and before the smoke started coming out of my ears, I said, "You register here." I pointed to Not David and ran off.
This little blonde slip of woman had me second guessing my decision to come to class, but I gave myself the choice - ballet or gym....and oddly enough, the idea of being surrounded by fit talented women (and men) didn't seem so intimidating - but that may have been the liquor talking (I got in at 4:30am on Sunday - don't ask).
Two regulars from Monday night class, two newbies (to Joel Hall but not ballet), one guy and myself line up at the barres and begin our plie combinations. In MDB's class, I mostly remember the combination so I can sink into my breathing and the movement with ease. In Missy's class, I have to focus even her plies have some 'funny' business.
During our third tendu combination, I start to wonder if this class is longer than usual...
Side Bar: Maybe this class is all barre?
Menty: I hope not - these combinations aren't getting any easier and we haven't had COFFEE this morning!
Side Bar: Are we still drunk?
Menty: Let's not think about it....
Side Bar: Ok
In that little mental side bar, I've missed the degage combination, but I'm not on an end so I'm not leading.
Missy says, "You guys got it or do you want to see it again?"
I say, "Let's just fumble through it."
Side Bar: That's just wrong...hehehehe!
We end up having to do it twice...Missy wanted us to do swinging degages instead of static....I told her she could have the combination or the swinging leg - but not both. We all laughed. We have such greedy teachers - they want musicality, technique and coordination!! It's Sunday!
We make it through barre in tact to find we have to do battements in the center.
Side Bar: Oh, shit...
Menty: Pretty much....
We all manage to stay upright and then the floor combinations come. We don't excel at it but I think we are all struggling with the music - not the actual combination, which made me smile. After the first pass in both directions, I think we just all mutinied and did the combination. I already said she needed to pick what she wanted.....she was warned.
All in all, it was a great Sunday class. I promised I'd go next Sunday. So I will :) - with COFFEE!
I followed this up with watching the Bears beat down the Lions and followed that up with watching Momenta in Oak Park because MDB was performing. It was a great production and MDB sat down next to me after her performance was over to watch the rest of the show :)
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The Adventure Continues: Ballet I - Stylized Running
I walk into Joel Hall Dance Studio to find the desk unmanned. All varieties of Davids are missing from the front desk. I was running a little late because I was hauling around God's largest Honey Crisp apple for MDB. I see Lil Red in the fish bowl and wave. She sees me and waves back.
As I decide to head straight to class and settle up after, Rich spots me and gets me signed in. I walk into the back studio to find mostly second company and one regular. Insert deep sigh. I'm already wearing my fat pants with the belly cover that's almost to my armpits...
I walk behind the piano and begin pulling away street wear when I hear MDB walk in. She's talking to one lady that hasn't been in class for more than a year. The second company people have taken my favorite spot at the barre and then the 12 year girl from the Joel Hall's student company comes into class with pointe shoes. Insert my version of hell.
Side Bar: Maybe we should just hide behind this piano. I bet we could make it through class...
Menty: One Problem: EVERYONE ELSE has seen us come back here...
Side Bar: Oh.....yeah....
I give another deep sigh, gird my loins, slap a smile on my face and stand up. MDB spots me and in her sweet slightly southern voice says, "This is the first time you've been behind the piano." I distract her with the world's largest apple, which makes her smile and I find a spot somewhere in the back. (Who needs diamonds when large produce is more affordable?)
Lil Pointe girl asks if the apple is a pumpkin. I love other people's kids - they don't belong to you and you can always send them back when they stop being cute :)
We all manage to get through the plie and tendu combinations, but then MDB ups the ante on the second tendus. The combination involves a coupe with pas de bouree. We ALL screw this up and now I feel less self conscious. I blame it on the music....MDB agrees - and then makes us do it again.
The degage combination doesn't kill us. And I'm happy to report that I'm not the only person that gets confused with rond de jambes changing directions!!! Or maybe I was the only person and that was my correction - and thinking of Blondie - I started to say - She's not talking to me!! But of course she was. But then she gave us some golden nugget of information that will help me forever with this.
We manage not to break our feet in frappes that have petite battements with flexed and pointe foot and go into battements.
We changed rooms so we have a larger room. MDB gives a petit allegro first and then an adagio. The adagio was going well until she sped it up. Then I had a mental pause....a literal WHAT WAS I DOING MOMENT! Now I've done that in my house moving from room to room, but never while dancing! I've had a WHAT THE HELL COMES NEXT MOMENT....scary - very very scary. I decide not to worry about it just then because we are jumping. I must report all appendages stayed in their packages!!
MDB decides to give us a traveling combination that includes tombee, pas de bouree, glissade, jete (left and right), followed by tombee, pas de bouree, glissade assemblage (left and right) - Let's leave this at that.
MDB made us do it again, but paused to tell us that this was just stylized running. So when the last group was almost finished, I literally ran across the floor and clicked my heels together.
How's that for stylizing running? :)
As I decide to head straight to class and settle up after, Rich spots me and gets me signed in. I walk into the back studio to find mostly second company and one regular. Insert deep sigh. I'm already wearing my fat pants with the belly cover that's almost to my armpits...
I walk behind the piano and begin pulling away street wear when I hear MDB walk in. She's talking to one lady that hasn't been in class for more than a year. The second company people have taken my favorite spot at the barre and then the 12 year girl from the Joel Hall's student company comes into class with pointe shoes. Insert my version of hell.
Side Bar: Maybe we should just hide behind this piano. I bet we could make it through class...
Menty: One Problem: EVERYONE ELSE has seen us come back here...
Side Bar: Oh.....yeah....
I give another deep sigh, gird my loins, slap a smile on my face and stand up. MDB spots me and in her sweet slightly southern voice says, "This is the first time you've been behind the piano." I distract her with the world's largest apple, which makes her smile and I find a spot somewhere in the back. (Who needs diamonds when large produce is more affordable?)
Lil Pointe girl asks if the apple is a pumpkin. I love other people's kids - they don't belong to you and you can always send them back when they stop being cute :)
We all manage to get through the plie and tendu combinations, but then MDB ups the ante on the second tendus. The combination involves a coupe with pas de bouree. We ALL screw this up and now I feel less self conscious. I blame it on the music....MDB agrees - and then makes us do it again.
The degage combination doesn't kill us. And I'm happy to report that I'm not the only person that gets confused with rond de jambes changing directions!!! Or maybe I was the only person and that was my correction - and thinking of Blondie - I started to say - She's not talking to me!! But of course she was. But then she gave us some golden nugget of information that will help me forever with this.
We manage not to break our feet in frappes that have petite battements with flexed and pointe foot and go into battements.
We changed rooms so we have a larger room. MDB gives a petit allegro first and then an adagio. The adagio was going well until she sped it up. Then I had a mental pause....a literal WHAT WAS I DOING MOMENT! Now I've done that in my house moving from room to room, but never while dancing! I've had a WHAT THE HELL COMES NEXT MOMENT....scary - very very scary. I decide not to worry about it just then because we are jumping. I must report all appendages stayed in their packages!!
MDB decides to give us a traveling combination that includes tombee, pas de bouree, glissade, jete (left and right), followed by tombee, pas de bouree, glissade assemblage (left and right) - Let's leave this at that.
MDB made us do it again, but paused to tell us that this was just stylized running. So when the last group was almost finished, I literally ran across the floor and clicked my heels together.
How's that for stylizing running? :)
Thursday, October 20, 2011
The Adventure Continues: Ballet I - Skipping INTO Skinny Land - TA DA!!!
The week before I just couldn't make myself go. Tonight, I ran out of my condo when the first doubtful thought crossed my mind. I had already decided I was going to class after work, but as the 2.5 hours tick by before I actually get there - inertia and doubt set in - and then there is more mental anxiety to get moving again.
Thankfully, I had changed into dance wear when I first got home. I'm sure you can appreciate how uncomfortable ballet class would be in dress slacks, a cowl neck sweater and hoop earrings.....
So I get there early, check in with Rich (and he can have a name because he knows mine and can pronounce it correctly), and watch Miss B's class in the fish bowl. This class is level 10,000 squared and raised to the 13th power. All students have WTF face, but they wouldn't have it any other way :)
I tie up my belly dance pants (and opted not to work out pants), put on my striped knee high tights, and loop my long sleeved tee shirt over my head leaving my arms covered. The studio is chilly. As we (Miss M and I) wait for the other class to end, more newbies round the corner followed by two regulars.
Class starts with 5 women and 1 man.
Miss M demonstrates the plies - two demis, one grande, two releves, one stretch in first and second positions. In fourth and fifth, we skip the grande altogether. I watch the newbies struggle. Three newbies = three WTH Faces. It also doesn't help that one of the regulars is wearing pointe shoes - increase intimidation factor by 10.
Miss M demonstrates the tendus, one tendu, one tendu with fondue - alternate again - then second, arabesque, then three quick tendus, one hold, three quick tendus, one hold. I watch the newbies struggle.
Menty: I wonder if their inner dialogue is as active as ours..
Side Bar:....Nah - I can just see 'what the hell, what the hell, what the hell' circling their foreheads....
Miss M demostrates the degage, rond de jamb, and frappe combinations. And you guessed it - I watched the newbies struggle.
Menty: I remember when that was us.
Side Bar: I remember because it is STILL US!! This is fundamentals....
Menty: Oh yeah :) Opps!!
Side Bar: I'll just take that pat right off our back..
Even as we stretch our legs in fourth and second position on the barres before battements, I see the confusion on their faces. Battements don't really change the lines creasing their foreheads, pinched lips and wild look in their eyes.
When we move to the center floor combinations and Miss M begins the adagio, I watch WTH go to WTF fast. The one man in class whose super power was be obnoxious when he didn't understand or get a combination was met with 10 raised female eyebrows and nervous laughter from Miss M.
After we make it through turns, we did jumps - four jumps in first, two echappes, three changements, one pause, two glissades. No my brain did not catch on fire - or stop and restart thinking. And when the music moved up to tempo, I didn't flustered, faint or hesitate. I jumped (and pointed my feet), got the arms right for echappes, was on time for my changements and nailed my glissades! I wanted to yell TA DA!!!! I didn't because then I would have been obnoxious.
We moved into the waltz step (with and without turn) and then ended with the a sissone going across the floor. I call it hopscotch when it's only in one direction - two feet jump, landing on one. It's more complicated then that, but I can call it whatever I want - as long as I do it right - TA DA!!!!!
Thankfully, I had changed into dance wear when I first got home. I'm sure you can appreciate how uncomfortable ballet class would be in dress slacks, a cowl neck sweater and hoop earrings.....
So I get there early, check in with Rich (and he can have a name because he knows mine and can pronounce it correctly), and watch Miss B's class in the fish bowl. This class is level 10,000 squared and raised to the 13th power. All students have WTF face, but they wouldn't have it any other way :)
I tie up my belly dance pants (and opted not to work out pants), put on my striped knee high tights, and loop my long sleeved tee shirt over my head leaving my arms covered. The studio is chilly. As we (Miss M and I) wait for the other class to end, more newbies round the corner followed by two regulars.
Class starts with 5 women and 1 man.
Miss M demonstrates the plies - two demis, one grande, two releves, one stretch in first and second positions. In fourth and fifth, we skip the grande altogether. I watch the newbies struggle. Three newbies = three WTH Faces. It also doesn't help that one of the regulars is wearing pointe shoes - increase intimidation factor by 10.
Miss M demonstrates the tendus, one tendu, one tendu with fondue - alternate again - then second, arabesque, then three quick tendus, one hold, three quick tendus, one hold. I watch the newbies struggle.
Menty: I wonder if their inner dialogue is as active as ours..
Side Bar:....Nah - I can just see 'what the hell, what the hell, what the hell' circling their foreheads....
Miss M demostrates the degage, rond de jamb, and frappe combinations. And you guessed it - I watched the newbies struggle.
Menty: I remember when that was us.
Side Bar: I remember because it is STILL US!! This is fundamentals....
Menty: Oh yeah :) Opps!!
Side Bar: I'll just take that pat right off our back..
Even as we stretch our legs in fourth and second position on the barres before battements, I see the confusion on their faces. Battements don't really change the lines creasing their foreheads, pinched lips and wild look in their eyes.
When we move to the center floor combinations and Miss M begins the adagio, I watch WTH go to WTF fast. The one man in class whose super power was be obnoxious when he didn't understand or get a combination was met with 10 raised female eyebrows and nervous laughter from Miss M.
After we make it through turns, we did jumps - four jumps in first, two echappes, three changements, one pause, two glissades. No my brain did not catch on fire - or stop and restart thinking. And when the music moved up to tempo, I didn't flustered, faint or hesitate. I jumped (and pointed my feet), got the arms right for echappes, was on time for my changements and nailed my glissades! I wanted to yell TA DA!!!! I didn't because then I would have been obnoxious.
We moved into the waltz step (with and without turn) and then ended with the a sissone going across the floor. I call it hopscotch when it's only in one direction - two feet jump, landing on one. It's more complicated then that, but I can call it whatever I want - as long as I do it right - TA DA!!!!!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
The Adventure Continues: Ballet I - Skipping Skinny Land
I did not go to ballet on Monday. Finding after 12 total hours in my Honda Civic with my friend and student, Athanasia, we were both painfully stiff on Sunday afternoon. My stiffness continued even after I walked for three hours straight (flat out refusing to get back in a car or sit down for more than 30 minutes at a time) and stretching for more than an hour.
The idea of jumping, bending or battement-ing frankly made me consider checking into hell for a brief visit. So the warm place aside, I went by the grocery store to pick up some odds and ends, stopped by Joel Hall Studio to drop off an apple for MDB, and drove myself as quickly as possible back to the home front where I soaked for a hour-ish.
But while the jumping, bending and battement-ing definitely deterred me, the idea of looking at myself in the mirror was the biggest deterrent. I have put on some fall 'padding' and being surrounded by mirco-mini-women with long, lean lines, pointe shoes, greater ability and higher battements are about as close to hell as I really want to get.
Even now, as I sit typing this, I should be at least 1 minute into Ballet Fundamentals, but I can't go. I can't make myself find my 'less fat' pants, double down sports bra, fitted top and walk into Joel Hall.
I could tell you exactly what would happen tonight - I would register with Not David version 5.0, greet Miss M at the back benches while changing my shoes, chat with one of the regulars or a newbie, walk into class and line up at the barre not facing the mirror, and make it through barre with a bit of confusion, at least three combination screw ups and some commentary by Side Bar and Menty.
The floor combinations would be some daunting combination of strength, grace and balance - mixed with some jumping, turning and arm work - followed by some traveling combinations that I will completely flub up going to the right and fix going to the left.
I know all this, but I can't go to class because I don't want to look in the damn mirror. And I don't want to look because looking won't change it. So if I don't look, maybe it won't be so bad. But then I'm standing in 'skinny' land....and that makes it even worse.
So I'm skipping skinny land tonight and Monday...I will keep you posted about Thursday.
The idea of jumping, bending or battement-ing frankly made me consider checking into hell for a brief visit. So the warm place aside, I went by the grocery store to pick up some odds and ends, stopped by Joel Hall Studio to drop off an apple for MDB, and drove myself as quickly as possible back to the home front where I soaked for a hour-ish.
But while the jumping, bending and battement-ing definitely deterred me, the idea of looking at myself in the mirror was the biggest deterrent. I have put on some fall 'padding' and being surrounded by mirco-mini-women with long, lean lines, pointe shoes, greater ability and higher battements are about as close to hell as I really want to get.
Even now, as I sit typing this, I should be at least 1 minute into Ballet Fundamentals, but I can't go. I can't make myself find my 'less fat' pants, double down sports bra, fitted top and walk into Joel Hall.
I could tell you exactly what would happen tonight - I would register with Not David version 5.0, greet Miss M at the back benches while changing my shoes, chat with one of the regulars or a newbie, walk into class and line up at the barre not facing the mirror, and make it through barre with a bit of confusion, at least three combination screw ups and some commentary by Side Bar and Menty.
The floor combinations would be some daunting combination of strength, grace and balance - mixed with some jumping, turning and arm work - followed by some traveling combinations that I will completely flub up going to the right and fix going to the left.
I know all this, but I can't go to class because I don't want to look in the damn mirror. And I don't want to look because looking won't change it. So if I don't look, maybe it won't be so bad. But then I'm standing in 'skinny' land....and that makes it even worse.
So I'm skipping skinny land tonight and Monday...I will keep you posted about Thursday.
Monday, October 3, 2011
The Adventure Continues: Ballet I - Relocated
When I arrived home after work, I really just wanted to put my head on my pillow and pretend I had a fabulous life.
But instead I throw half the contents of my closet on the floor looking for my workout pants that make me feel "less" fat. I know it appears for all intensive purposes like I am completely comfortable in my skin - you would be mistaken. I never feel more acutely out of place then when I'm surrounded by my knobby kneed, long limbed, slender like ballet beginners (or intermediates, etc).
It only makes since that I'm a belly dancer. There aren't any super skinny belly dancers headlining belly dance companies - they at minimal look like real women. I'm not intimidated by well trained size 2 belly dancer - she's not the standard or a requirement. In ballet - that's all there is. And if you don't have the right body type.....you are OUT!! Thanks for passing Go - but you don't collect $200.
So I pull on my 'less' fat workout pants, put on my sports bra, drop on my Tribal Fest 2009 top and pack my courage and my ass in my Honda Civic. As I enter Joel Hall Dance Studio for the umpteenth time this year, I'm registered once again by a 'Not David', but I'm not surprised or even slightly annoyed.
I decide to get my 'act' together so I can be ready for class...and in strolls MDB with a steak taco in hand - as I hand her a healthy apple :). (She's about 90 pounds soaking wet, by the way.) We hug and I instantly feel better.
We walk into class and I find the Young One is in class tonight as well as two second company members and one woman with lots of hair. Before we get started MDB tells us how she slowly dislocated her floater rib and her chiropractor relocated it.
Side Bar: Relocated to where? Her lower abs? I got some fat I'd like to 'relocate'.
Menty: I think as in - they put it back.
Side Bar: Back in the socket and relocate are the same thing?
Menty: Google it...
After we move through the usual plie combination that only I remember all the way through (take that Young One), we move into tendus. Halfway through the tendu combination, three preteen girls show up late to class. They jump into the combinations as MDB explains the new time structure - short for i.e. don't show up late to my class again.
After we totally flub the rond de jamb and frappe combinations, MDB has mercy on us and lets us do mostly normal battements - one set flat, the next with plies, the last two sets on releve.
We move to another room so we can do center floor work which is when the preteens decide it's chat time. MDB begins to give us the adagio...and they keep talking. After MDB finishes the combination, I turn to the girls and ask them if they are staying - they ignore me. SO I SAY IT LOUDER - ARE YOU STAYING IN CLASS? Everyone is looking at them now.
Preteen girls: Ummmm....yeah.
Side Bar: Ok. Well, I can't hear the combination with YOU TALKING.
Preteen girls: blink, blink, blink....
MDB: Girls, if you are going to talk, you are going to have to go outside.
Preteen girls: blink, blink, blink....
Menty: Maybe they're two standard deviations below the mean....
Side Bar: That was a really nice way of calling them retarded
Menty: That's the actual definition....and if the shoe fits....
We finish the center floor work combinations with lots of jumping, arm waving, and su-suing involved. It was definitely a two sports bra kinda day. In the absence of necessary support, the twins were forced to jiggle at every jump. Thankfully, I remain without black eyes.
We move to the traveling floor combinations, which involve more jumping, turning, skipping, hopping and arm waving. It's all graceful and beautiful on the talented, but for the rest of us - it's a lot of WTF faces and turning in the wrong direction.
Maybe I should have my brain relocated...
Monday, September 26, 2011
The Adventure Continues: Ballet I - About That Comment...
So this past weekend, I helped put on a belly dance workshop weekend called Midwest Tribal Mafia. I invited MDB to attend knowing this would not be a 'standard' dance show, but what the hell, right? It's still dancing :)
After watching the show, MDB and LBC caught up with me in the seats. I hugged them both and listened to their interesting commentary as first time belly dance show attendees. In belly dance shows, you can zaghereet, hiss and applaud at any point in a performance. (Hissing is NOT booing - it's typically done during a really slow snaky movement to show appreciation for technique.)
Anyway, MDB says, "I'm glad you were my favorite."
Side Bar, Menty and Physie: Blink, Blink, Blink.
Side Bar: Apparently there was a chance that I wasn't going to be the favorite.
Menty: I was working under the assumption that because I was her student I would be anyway
Side Bar: I guess we can wipe the sweat off our brow...
I went to class tonight to specifically talk about that comment. So after I signed in, I find MDB in the back on the floor.
Me: So about that comment....
MDB: It was honest. I wouldn't have said anything if you weren't.
Me: Ok...well...I still don't really have anything to say about that - other than - thank goodness!
We both laugh and head into the classroom.
Class has 11 women in attendance. I haven't been in a class this packed in awhile. We all line up and I notice a few newbies aka future owners of WTF face and I sigh and get comfy. Legs, the Swan, and the Young One are all there, but no LBC tonight - bummer.
Our plie combinations have become my friends - I look forward to them because they rarely ever change and I feel fairly confidence I can do them with minimal issue. The tendu combination has become wicked - in the 'it use to be familiar - but MDB keeps messing with the formula" wicked. To reassure the frightened, MDB says: We are going to do the same combination for degages.
Side Bar: Yup - WTF X 2
Menty: I miss WTF on others
Side Bar: Just to see the looks of 'ABANDON SHIP!! ABANDON SHIP!'
Menty: Yup - real beginners...
We move into rond de jambes which have an 'arm' situation now - I did it on the right side because I could watch and pace with someone else's arm, but when I was leading..."ABANDON SHIP! ABANDON SHIP!...ran through my mind - best to worry about the feet.
We hit the frappe combination and stretch before throwing our legs into the air for battements. I find out quickly that I'm too close to the wall to get a good arabesque battement.
We cruise into our adagio/petit allegro/thingy with some slow and turns in it - and then move to the traveling floor combinations. There should have been a warning: WELCOME TO SPIN CITY - Head Right for Pirouettes - any incomplete turns will end badly!
We make it through most of the combinations unharmed and extremely humble - happy to end on feet and mostly not on ass.
At one point, MDB tells us we need to look for the 'weeeeee' factor like little kids have. But we aren't kids and if we fall - shit will break! My 'weeeeee' factor is more like 'whooosh' -whoa, shit, I almost fell over!!
Planning to see Miss M on Thursday night....might have to explain 'whooosh' to her too!
After watching the show, MDB and LBC caught up with me in the seats. I hugged them both and listened to their interesting commentary as first time belly dance show attendees. In belly dance shows, you can zaghereet, hiss and applaud at any point in a performance. (Hissing is NOT booing - it's typically done during a really slow snaky movement to show appreciation for technique.)
Anyway, MDB says, "I'm glad you were my favorite."
Side Bar, Menty and Physie: Blink, Blink, Blink.
Side Bar: Apparently there was a chance that I wasn't going to be the favorite.
Menty: I was working under the assumption that because I was her student I would be anyway
Side Bar: I guess we can wipe the sweat off our brow...
I went to class tonight to specifically talk about that comment. So after I signed in, I find MDB in the back on the floor.
Me: So about that comment....
MDB: It was honest. I wouldn't have said anything if you weren't.
Me: Ok...well...I still don't really have anything to say about that - other than - thank goodness!
We both laugh and head into the classroom.
Class has 11 women in attendance. I haven't been in a class this packed in awhile. We all line up and I notice a few newbies aka future owners of WTF face and I sigh and get comfy. Legs, the Swan, and the Young One are all there, but no LBC tonight - bummer.
Our plie combinations have become my friends - I look forward to them because they rarely ever change and I feel fairly confidence I can do them with minimal issue. The tendu combination has become wicked - in the 'it use to be familiar - but MDB keeps messing with the formula" wicked. To reassure the frightened, MDB says: We are going to do the same combination for degages.
Side Bar: Yup - WTF X 2
Menty: I miss WTF on others
Side Bar: Just to see the looks of 'ABANDON SHIP!! ABANDON SHIP!'
Menty: Yup - real beginners...
We move into rond de jambes which have an 'arm' situation now - I did it on the right side because I could watch and pace with someone else's arm, but when I was leading..."ABANDON SHIP! ABANDON SHIP!...ran through my mind - best to worry about the feet.
We hit the frappe combination and stretch before throwing our legs into the air for battements. I find out quickly that I'm too close to the wall to get a good arabesque battement.
We cruise into our adagio/petit allegro/thingy with some slow and turns in it - and then move to the traveling floor combinations. There should have been a warning: WELCOME TO SPIN CITY - Head Right for Pirouettes - any incomplete turns will end badly!
We make it through most of the combinations unharmed and extremely humble - happy to end on feet and mostly not on ass.
At one point, MDB tells us we need to look for the 'weeeeee' factor like little kids have. But we aren't kids and if we fall - shit will break! My 'weeeeee' factor is more like 'whooosh' -whoa, shit, I almost fell over!!
Planning to see Miss M on Thursday night....might have to explain 'whooosh' to her too!
Monday, September 19, 2011
The Adventures Continues: Ballet 1 - One of those Teachers
I went to class tonight because I knew I would see MDB. I would see her smiling face and positive energy and I would want to do and be better than I felt and push my limits.
So after three weeks of no MDB, no lil black chick and other regulars that help put me in the 'zone', I took Mondays and Thursdays off to work on belly dancing projects.
I parked quickly and practically ran into Joel Hall Dance Studio to see MDB talking to someone. I tried not to interrupt, but I hugged her, gave her a Midwest Tribal Mafia postcard for the show and handed her two shortbeard cookies (I'm outta produce!).
Lil Black Chick is there giving her apologies for dropping out of sight and I smile and feel at home again. We all turn to watch Mr. Hall put his first company through their paces. In the fishbowl, there are more than 20 bodies creating movement, heat, grace, power and buckets upon buckets of sweat.
LBC and I wander to the back. The Young One has decided to come back as well and two regulars with a lot of experience join us as well. My left knee is feeling wobbly and weird from making it work on Sunday for rehearsal, but I'm determined.
Side Bar: Here we go and where we stop
Menty: Better not be on the FLOOR!
LBC and I line up at the last barre and give each other looks of encouragement before we start the plie combination. I'm rubbing my left knee in anticipation.
The plie combination is our usual - two demi's and a grande, port de bra, releve, plie - next position. We finish with a circular port de bra and switch sides.
We move into tendus, degages, rond de jambs, and frappes. I was originally worried that I wouldn't be able to do any of these at all, but like riding a bicycle - I fall off a few times and then just the hang of it again. I miss a few things, but it's still very familiar.
As we make it into battements, I know I'm going to be hurting and stiff tomorrow. I can feel how much flexibility I have lost as my body struggles to get back those few precious inches I'd originally earned from having three to four classes a week.
I warn MDB that I can't jump and I need to be careful when getting into retire, but she tells me to worry about the jumping and to coupe instead. We move into the adagio which involves a lot of posturing and grace - and I confident that I haven't lost much of that - but I'm still screwing up the combinations.
Side Bar: Which arm was that?
Menty: I don't know.
Side Bar: Look to the left....look to the right....
Menty: Another one bites the dust...
MDB is surprisingly gentle with us tonight. She doesn't pull out her riding crop. She does poke fun at us and at one point she says, "I know you are coming to class to get better." To which I say, "No. I only came for the jokes." We all smiles and get to work on the next combination.
As we finish the waltz turn combination, we move into tombe, pout de bouree, glissade, assemblage - and I don't even pause. I don't let my self doubt creep up, I don't worry about my feet, I don't think about who is watching (kinda) and I just do it. I don't jump really high and I don't do it right every time, but I don't freeze up or hesitate.
MDB is one of those teachers that makes you want to do better. For me, I feel this way when I'm taking workshops from Rachel Brice, Deb Rubin, Princess Farhana, Heather Stants, Jill Parker, Kajira of BSBD, Carolena of FCBD and many more inspiring and great teachers. I like having a teacher that make me look forward to taking class and giving my best. I aspire to be one of those teachers.....
So after three weeks of no MDB, no lil black chick and other regulars that help put me in the 'zone', I took Mondays and Thursdays off to work on belly dancing projects.
I parked quickly and practically ran into Joel Hall Dance Studio to see MDB talking to someone. I tried not to interrupt, but I hugged her, gave her a Midwest Tribal Mafia postcard for the show and handed her two shortbeard cookies (I'm outta produce!).
Lil Black Chick is there giving her apologies for dropping out of sight and I smile and feel at home again. We all turn to watch Mr. Hall put his first company through their paces. In the fishbowl, there are more than 20 bodies creating movement, heat, grace, power and buckets upon buckets of sweat.
LBC and I wander to the back. The Young One has decided to come back as well and two regulars with a lot of experience join us as well. My left knee is feeling wobbly and weird from making it work on Sunday for rehearsal, but I'm determined.
Side Bar: Here we go and where we stop
Menty: Better not be on the FLOOR!
LBC and I line up at the last barre and give each other looks of encouragement before we start the plie combination. I'm rubbing my left knee in anticipation.
The plie combination is our usual - two demi's and a grande, port de bra, releve, plie - next position. We finish with a circular port de bra and switch sides.
We move into tendus, degages, rond de jambs, and frappes. I was originally worried that I wouldn't be able to do any of these at all, but like riding a bicycle - I fall off a few times and then just the hang of it again. I miss a few things, but it's still very familiar.
As we make it into battements, I know I'm going to be hurting and stiff tomorrow. I can feel how much flexibility I have lost as my body struggles to get back those few precious inches I'd originally earned from having three to four classes a week.
I warn MDB that I can't jump and I need to be careful when getting into retire, but she tells me to worry about the jumping and to coupe instead. We move into the adagio which involves a lot of posturing and grace - and I confident that I haven't lost much of that - but I'm still screwing up the combinations.
Side Bar: Which arm was that?
Menty: I don't know.
Side Bar: Look to the left....look to the right....
Menty: Another one bites the dust...
MDB is surprisingly gentle with us tonight. She doesn't pull out her riding crop. She does poke fun at us and at one point she says, "I know you are coming to class to get better." To which I say, "No. I only came for the jokes." We all smiles and get to work on the next combination.
As we finish the waltz turn combination, we move into tombe, pout de bouree, glissade, assemblage - and I don't even pause. I don't let my self doubt creep up, I don't worry about my feet, I don't think about who is watching (kinda) and I just do it. I don't jump really high and I don't do it right every time, but I don't freeze up or hesitate.
MDB is one of those teachers that makes you want to do better. For me, I feel this way when I'm taking workshops from Rachel Brice, Deb Rubin, Princess Farhana, Heather Stants, Jill Parker, Kajira of BSBD, Carolena of FCBD and many more inspiring and great teachers. I like having a teacher that make me look forward to taking class and giving my best. I aspire to be one of those teachers.....
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
The Adventures Continues: Ballet 1 - Wheeeeee!!!
I arrive to Bikram Ballet with moments to spare. The parking sitch is getting tougher because the new boxing ring gym has opened half a block away - and people that really can kick my ass - are also looking for parking.
Avoiding parking drama aside, I rush in, sign up and line up at the barre behind a newbie. Legs and the Swan are in class - long and skinny surrounding me - but I've just decided that I'm just more graceful than the both of them. And more important, it's not about them - it's about me in this moment.
Miss M is still subbing for MDB. I take a deep sigh and settle in first position. And then I notice that the newbie isn't wearing any shoes or socks.
Side Bar: Ok, now I know we didn't know everything...
Menty: And we still don't.
Side Bar: Dually noted, but we knew about ballet slippers.
Menty: Finally - us - 1, ballet - 0!!
The plie combinations don't require a lot of footwork, so the newbie is safe there, but the moment we move into tendus....it gets interesting. The tendu combination requires two tendus, one coupe, one passe in first, fifth and second. Newbie is totally having issues and I'm sure I'm missing WTF face, but I keep my eyes up and on ethereal.
The degage combination is just a faster version of the tendu combination. We move into rond de jambes and frappes - and I was pretty sure the newbie wasn't going to do that part right. I couldn't even remotely imagine striking the floor with my barefoot.
We stretch and hit the battements and tonight it's easier to fling my leg through the air. Wheeeeee!!!
When we move to the floor for our kinda adagio, it's nice, neat and clean -so of course, I screw it up. I have at least two more times to save it - and the last time it was as close to perfect as I can get at any moment in time.
And now - it's jumping time!! I manage to stay on the floor and on my feet instead of going to the barre. We jump in first four times, then changement four times, then echappe twice - right side, then left side. Miss M makes us do it again - apparently she also believes jumping keeps you young.
Side Bar: Assuming that's true - we should be turning 20 on our upcoming birthday.
Menty: Amen, sister!
When we move to the side for traveling combinations, I stay away from both the Swan and Legs. The Swan prefers to go first or last. Legs will typically go last - I prefer to go in the middle. I want to watch it first, then try it. However, I'm also of the opinion that teachers typically watch the first and the last more closely - the middle sorta falls to the wayside anyway - unless you are great.
We do two piques, then two pique turns and then we practice lifting the leg in the front and back while turning while alternating - it sounds complicated - trust me- IT IS!
Side Bar: One goal - stay on feet.
Menty: How about two goals?
Side Bar: What's the other?
Menty: Ass over legs!
Side Bar: Two goals....
I don't have an epic fail, but it's touch and go on that second goal....
We finish with hops and skips across the floor and bow to our instructor for her patience and ability to control her laughter.
Legs wanders over and tells me how she thinks she can jump really high, but when she looks in the mirror she's less than 6 inches off the ground. I laugh. I know the feeling.
Miss M overhears us and tells me that she thinks I get up high enough, but what she notices most about me is my carriage. She says I have great upper body placement and I have great stage presence.
Now who doesn't love a compliment? Whheeeeeeeee!!!
Avoiding parking drama aside, I rush in, sign up and line up at the barre behind a newbie. Legs and the Swan are in class - long and skinny surrounding me - but I've just decided that I'm just more graceful than the both of them. And more important, it's not about them - it's about me in this moment.
Miss M is still subbing for MDB. I take a deep sigh and settle in first position. And then I notice that the newbie isn't wearing any shoes or socks.
Side Bar: Ok, now I know we didn't know everything...
Menty: And we still don't.
Side Bar: Dually noted, but we knew about ballet slippers.
Menty: Finally - us - 1, ballet - 0!!
The plie combinations don't require a lot of footwork, so the newbie is safe there, but the moment we move into tendus....it gets interesting. The tendu combination requires two tendus, one coupe, one passe in first, fifth and second. Newbie is totally having issues and I'm sure I'm missing WTF face, but I keep my eyes up and on ethereal.
The degage combination is just a faster version of the tendu combination. We move into rond de jambes and frappes - and I was pretty sure the newbie wasn't going to do that part right. I couldn't even remotely imagine striking the floor with my barefoot.
We stretch and hit the battements and tonight it's easier to fling my leg through the air. Wheeeeee!!!
When we move to the floor for our kinda adagio, it's nice, neat and clean -so of course, I screw it up. I have at least two more times to save it - and the last time it was as close to perfect as I can get at any moment in time.
And now - it's jumping time!! I manage to stay on the floor and on my feet instead of going to the barre. We jump in first four times, then changement four times, then echappe twice - right side, then left side. Miss M makes us do it again - apparently she also believes jumping keeps you young.
Side Bar: Assuming that's true - we should be turning 20 on our upcoming birthday.
Menty: Amen, sister!
When we move to the side for traveling combinations, I stay away from both the Swan and Legs. The Swan prefers to go first or last. Legs will typically go last - I prefer to go in the middle. I want to watch it first, then try it. However, I'm also of the opinion that teachers typically watch the first and the last more closely - the middle sorta falls to the wayside anyway - unless you are great.
We do two piques, then two pique turns and then we practice lifting the leg in the front and back while turning while alternating - it sounds complicated - trust me- IT IS!
Side Bar: One goal - stay on feet.
Menty: How about two goals?
Side Bar: What's the other?
Menty: Ass over legs!
Side Bar: Two goals....
I don't have an epic fail, but it's touch and go on that second goal....
We finish with hops and skips across the floor and bow to our instructor for her patience and ability to control her laughter.
Legs wanders over and tells me how she thinks she can jump really high, but when she looks in the mirror she's less than 6 inches off the ground. I laugh. I know the feeling.
Miss M overhears us and tells me that she thinks I get up high enough, but what she notices most about me is my carriage. She says I have great upper body placement and I have great stage presence.
Now who doesn't love a compliment? Whheeeeeeeee!!!
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