I wouldn't say that we are quite in the category of dancing machines but you can definitely watch us get down, watch us get down as we do, do, do our thing on the scene.
(Just a little Jackson 5 humor for you. Feel free to practice your Robot now because that song will probably be stuck in your head all day.)
Yesterday's dance lesson was deemed a success by all parties involved (which would be me, Paul, and Ben, the very patient instructor). I stepped in the bathroom for a minute before our lesson started and came out to find Paul chatting with the owner of the dance studio. Actually, the owner was chatting; Paul was willing me to pee faster. You see, the owner of the dance studio is a close talker. And he was closely trying to engage Paul in conversation. Why were Paul and I taking dance lessons? Wedding? Dinner/dance? Going out dancing? What types of dances did we want to learn? Have you done this before? Do you like country-western dance? The look of relief on Paul's face when I finally emerged was priceless--he should always look so happy to see me.
Lesson #1: we covered the basic box step, a box waltz, the Texas two-step, the jitterbug, and the merengue.
1. We aren't that bad but definitely are "beginners." Not surprisingly, I'm more "advanced" than Paul which really just means I didn't have to look at my feet the whole time like Paul. And a lot of the dancing I did growing up? Apparently, it's not so technically correct. Fun, but not quite right.
2. Growing up, I (along with my sisters and friends) made fun of various Okies we knew because of the way they did the two-step. Lo and behold, they were actually doing the "Texas Two-Step" rather than the "Progressive Two-Step" which is what I grew up doing. So they weren't wrong; just doing something else. But they're still Okies and I'm sure we'll find something else to use to make fun of them about.
3. There's actually a name for when I start leading when we're dancing. It's called "back-leading"--Paul called it "Carrie, stop pulling to the right already." It was really bad when we were working on the jitterbug. I blame that on the fact that my sister Amy and I would always jitterbug together as kids and I was always the the "boy" when we'd dance. But, just as I've learned in life and am trying to apply to all areas including dance lessons, I don't always have to be in charge.
4. The merengue is probably the easiest dance known to man. March in place with little steps, wiggle hips as desired, turn and spin as you are able. Even Paul and I--the two whitest people on the planet--looked like we knew what we were doing and that we had a little of the Latin in us while doing this dance.
5. Much to my chagrin, dips, twirls, and spins were not covered in the first lesson. Ben, the very patient instructor, said we should try to make it around the floor a few times correctly before we covered that.
Maybe next week.
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2 comments:
I laughed several times as I read this. I totally understand that back-lead deal because I did the same thing when I was a kid. It takes a strong hand/arm to lead me now until I finally realize that I'm doing it again and go limp. It's hard to go limp and give in! (Control freak that I am...)
Paul is such a dear to be going to dancing lessons with you. Dancing is one of the most intimate (public) things a couple can do together and I think it's just sweet as heck that he's putting up with the close-talker and two-steppin' just for you.
I loved the Jackson 5 and early Michael Jackson. I hear you can get some memorabilia cheap these days... lol. (Wanna be startin' something?)
;)
You probably weren't the worst that patient Ben has had to teach. I hate thinking that thoses *Okies* were actually doing a Texas Two-Step and we proud Texans were doing something else. :) I'm still as jealous as all get out. As I told your dad about this he just chuckled but didn't offer to take lessons.
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