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!!!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
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 :)
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