Originally posted on June 7, 2011_______________________________
I didn't go to Thursday night Ballet Fundamentals. The actual bone structure and ligaments of my knee are all fine. It's my muscles and possibly the tendons that are flipping out. After strenous stretching on Wednesday night, I cried on Thursday morning and stayed put on Thursday night.
I'd be lying if I said I decided to go to Mr. Heinz's intermediate class to actually go to ballet class. I went because Spunk graduated while I was out of town and I knew she would be going to class on Sunday. It was not a 'big' girl moment for me because even as I was getting in the car I was thinking of ways to drop and run.
When I arrive at the studio, I forget the door pulls open - not pushes so I'm standing there for a few moments trying figure out why NO ONE is at the flippin studio before class - when I realize two very important things: 1) I have NOT had coffee and 2) Open says me only works in Disney movies. After pushing the buzzer and being told to come in - twice - I figure out the stupid door and head up the familiar-ish stairs (yes, still kinda dark, still kinda creaky).
I arrive at the top to find the lobby area Spunkless, but I get a kind and friendly greeting from one of the owners. I hit the Starbucks and come back to stretch when the door opens - in walks the rather tall Mr. Heinz. I think he jumped a bit when he saw me. I didn't yell SURPRISE and it wasn't like my hair was on fire or anything, but my last correspondence with him was about braving Sunday Intermediate class.....about...oh...ummmm...6 months ago (maybe 7). I smiled, waved, good morninged him and my stomach promptly did a little dance in my lap (and I'm not talking belly rolls either). I had a short flash back of first coming to his class - scary.
Spunk rounds the corner and jumps me. After squeezing her tight and handing her the handmade graduation gift box, I watch as she opens her gift. She's all smiles and sunshine as she paws through the box. The book that I made her actually has two magazine prints of Mr. Heinz's in them. Due to the ruckus we are causing, Mr. Heinz takes an interest in the book. Before he inadverently discovers himself, I tell him he's in the book - which now has his undivided attention. After more confirmation that I actually made the book (I may not be the best at ballet, but I do have my creativity in other areas - damn it), we head into the studio and pull out the barres. I advise Mr. Heinz that I'm out after barre.
Deep breath, sip of coffee, line up behind Spunk and we start. Now I don't think Mr. Heinz misses me, I just think his class is effing HARD. Being that this is Intermediate class, it's going to be effing HARDER. What happened next is a bit of a blur - but I think almost every combination had some form of tendu, plie, battement and fondu in it. Around the third combination, Side Bar said, "I knew we were going to repeat that combination when I FIRST SAW YOU DO IT." Mr. Heinz gives me the pipe down over there look and Spunk giggles (but she did it right the first time). I think after the fifth combination, Mr. Heinz finally cried MERCY and came to my side of the barre to show ME the next combination.
Side Bar: Straight to hell, man. Going to straight to the 'Hot Place'
Menty: Couldn't even START downhill cause we were already there...
Side Bar: Yup....
Now, I don't actually know if the combinations got easier after that OR if my brain finally woke up and joined the party OR if Mr. Heinz was just so tired of watching me butcher his poor combinations, but something happened where I could actually follow. When battement torture...umm..combination finally ended, I packed up. I had another committment (non-ballet related) and couldn't stay for floorwork - Thank. You. Sweet. Baby. Jesus. There was only three of us and Mr. Heinz in class - I am NOT cut out for that kinda attention. It was bad enough when there was 8 of us in class - it's a whole NEW ball game when I can't hide at all.
As I pack up, Mr. Heinz asks me if I'm still chickening out. "No. I got plans." I say as I move my things to lobby area with my head held high.
Side Bar: Show NO Fear...wild animals can sense it.
Menty: Hehehehehe
"I'll be back next Sunday." I say over my shoulder as I slide into my shoes and air hug Spunk (I kinda sweaty and icky).
Side Bar: What the !?!>?!
Menty: I'm no chicken!
Side Bar: Now we're 'that guy'? Saying shit we don't mean...
Menty: We will be back.
Side Bar: You and what army?
I devolve into mentally kicking myself and wondering if I can gracefully back out of going to class....so far, I've got nothing.....
I didn't go to Thursday night Ballet Fundamentals. The actual bone structure and ligaments of my knee are all fine. It's my muscles and possibly the tendons that are flipping out. After strenous stretching on Wednesday night, I cried on Thursday morning and stayed put on Thursday night.
I'd be lying if I said I decided to go to Mr. Heinz's intermediate class to actually go to ballet class. I went because Spunk graduated while I was out of town and I knew she would be going to class on Sunday. It was not a 'big' girl moment for me because even as I was getting in the car I was thinking of ways to drop and run.
When I arrive at the studio, I forget the door pulls open - not pushes so I'm standing there for a few moments trying figure out why NO ONE is at the flippin studio before class - when I realize two very important things: 1) I have NOT had coffee and 2) Open says me only works in Disney movies. After pushing the buzzer and being told to come in - twice - I figure out the stupid door and head up the familiar-ish stairs (yes, still kinda dark, still kinda creaky).
I arrive at the top to find the lobby area Spunkless, but I get a kind and friendly greeting from one of the owners. I hit the Starbucks and come back to stretch when the door opens - in walks the rather tall Mr. Heinz. I think he jumped a bit when he saw me. I didn't yell SURPRISE and it wasn't like my hair was on fire or anything, but my last correspondence with him was about braving Sunday Intermediate class.....about...oh...ummmm...6 months ago (maybe 7). I smiled, waved, good morninged him and my stomach promptly did a little dance in my lap (and I'm not talking belly rolls either). I had a short flash back of first coming to his class - scary.
Spunk rounds the corner and jumps me. After squeezing her tight and handing her the handmade graduation gift box, I watch as she opens her gift. She's all smiles and sunshine as she paws through the box. The book that I made her actually has two magazine prints of Mr. Heinz's in them. Due to the ruckus we are causing, Mr. Heinz takes an interest in the book. Before he inadverently discovers himself, I tell him he's in the book - which now has his undivided attention. After more confirmation that I actually made the book (I may not be the best at ballet, but I do have my creativity in other areas - damn it), we head into the studio and pull out the barres. I advise Mr. Heinz that I'm out after barre.
Deep breath, sip of coffee, line up behind Spunk and we start. Now I don't think Mr. Heinz misses me, I just think his class is effing HARD. Being that this is Intermediate class, it's going to be effing HARDER. What happened next is a bit of a blur - but I think almost every combination had some form of tendu, plie, battement and fondu in it. Around the third combination, Side Bar said, "I knew we were going to repeat that combination when I FIRST SAW YOU DO IT." Mr. Heinz gives me the pipe down over there look and Spunk giggles (but she did it right the first time). I think after the fifth combination, Mr. Heinz finally cried MERCY and came to my side of the barre to show ME the next combination.
Side Bar: Straight to hell, man. Going to straight to the 'Hot Place'
Menty: Couldn't even START downhill cause we were already there...
Side Bar: Yup....
Now, I don't actually know if the combinations got easier after that OR if my brain finally woke up and joined the party OR if Mr. Heinz was just so tired of watching me butcher his poor combinations, but something happened where I could actually follow. When battement torture...umm..combination finally ended, I packed up. I had another committment (non-ballet related) and couldn't stay for floorwork - Thank. You. Sweet. Baby. Jesus. There was only three of us and Mr. Heinz in class - I am NOT cut out for that kinda attention. It was bad enough when there was 8 of us in class - it's a whole NEW ball game when I can't hide at all.
As I pack up, Mr. Heinz asks me if I'm still chickening out. "No. I got plans." I say as I move my things to lobby area with my head held high.
Side Bar: Show NO Fear...wild animals can sense it.
Menty: Hehehehehe
"I'll be back next Sunday." I say over my shoulder as I slide into my shoes and air hug Spunk (I kinda sweaty and icky).
Side Bar: What the !?!>?!
Menty: I'm no chicken!
Side Bar: Now we're 'that guy'? Saying shit we don't mean...
Menty: We will be back.
Side Bar: You and what army?
I devolve into mentally kicking myself and wondering if I can gracefully back out of going to class....so far, I've got nothing.....
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