tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89524272024-03-13T00:39:46.371-07:00JustfordancersIf you dance then this is your chance to talk about it with someone who loves it as much as you do.rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-48377686017545585822015-01-13T08:40:00.000-08:002015-01-13T08:40:05.133-08:00If . . .the music is sweet and she says yes to the dance then heaven is on earth. I thought it when I was boy growing up in Memphis and the swing big band and jitterbug. There wasn't an East Coast nor West Coast version. We went to the hop not to Lindy but to jump and jive. <br />
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On Friday night, before the game, my friends and I would gather at Tommie Goins' house to listen to Earl Bostic and then go to play football the way kids play with no fear of injury just happiness at being able to spend the energy built up inside by the wail of Earl's sax and the need to do something.<br />
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And then came our reward, the after game dance.rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-17001962830913393132014-11-02T12:59:00.002-08:002014-11-02T12:59:49.789-08:00How we talk . . . to each otherwhen we take a dance class can be like scrambling eggs in a cold frying pan. Stickey clots of words, over-heated by the effort of "trying to do a pattern" now clumps of yellow that block us off from each other even before we've begun. To be sure this over reaction to talking to your partner doesn't just happen in a class. On the floor, two resonably kind dancers can turn into immediate enemies with the slip of a word. No matter the intention. Mis under standing is the most common cause of dance anxiety that I know of. Unfortunately it's also the kind of cause effective that proves the adage, "Less is more" And even time is only a partial cure. <br />
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Of course, bruising an ego that is often being judged against the perfection of a pattern turns out to be incredibly easy. Tinder boxes they, or should I say we, are. Because no one seems immune to this condition. Jostle our picture of ourselves and anything could happen.<br />
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The great news for me is that the willingness to talk about this and with each other seems to on the rise and on both sides. <br />
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My studies of this will continue,rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-79724958002944302252014-10-24T12:06:00.000-07:002014-10-24T12:06:47.057-07:00Whiskey Tango Foxtrot . . ..Well, I have been having some real connection issues getting here. Seems my old browser don't like Window XP no more so every once in a while it just freezes. I'm going shopping Saturday. Meanwhile, I have been working with the new material I got at The essdance .camp com Slingshots. I guess you can call them snapshots, too. But wow, by learning to keep my center focused straight a head while seeming to propel my partner to a sudden stop as she passes me down the slot or is suddenly shot to the side as the start of a sugar block. Even the over head snap lead of a six count underarm turn you want to snap open on 5&6 is clear and clean. rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-28400503240814341822014-10-21T13:53:00.001-07:002014-10-21T13:53:19.596-07:00A New Life . . .<br />
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So I went to start up an Amazon Local account to advertise my biz and here is what happened. Using the link on the Amazon business page, I <i><a href="http://local.amazon.com/merchants?withContactUs=true">got started</a> </i>by filling in the business info about <b>Just Dancing . . .</b> and sent it off . Several days later, I received an email telling me that someone from Amazon Local would contact me shortly. A week later I called them to ask, how shortly? Someone there said momentarily. Another week later, today in fact, I called again and was told: a) They needed to know if I had a website, no a blog wouldn't do, but they would accept a Facebook page, and b) Yes, I was right no one had contacted me about this but the account was closed anyway. Wow, it's great doing business with such a responsible and responsive group.<br />
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And now you know, if you followed this this far, that I went ahead and created a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Just-Dancing/365013883663409">Facebook page</a> and when it asked if I had a website I went ahead and told them about you which I haven't really been writing in for about two years.<br />
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Hence, our title, A New Life.rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-30957032875886033302012-06-20T04:48:00.000-07:002012-06-20T04:48:16.224-07:00Like feet in the nightI can still remember it as though it were yesterday, wait it was yesterday. I leaned into my right leg and felt it start to quiver. The second time in two dances. My partner's sweet hazel eyes seemed to be questioning what she could feel through our linked hands. For my part, I slowly drew in a balancing breath and transmitted my own awareness that whatever the cause, the trembling was over. Where my mind stays though is on the wondering, the trembling what did it mean? What does it mean? <br />
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In the room's corner, up above ballroom eye level, the Face smirks and throws a leer at my partner's smooth and rounded rear. If its wigging me, I am going to have at its eyes. 'Course, I say it but IT thinks its a tri-sexual. Able to assume any sex, or both, in an instant's blink. <em>Stay away from her</em> I beam back as I turn into a deep dip designed to keep her close and focused on me, us.<br />
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These human's sure do like their dances. Personally, ha ha, we find it funny, Face and I. We needed a way to study them and any dance floor on the planet will let us study them to our two hearts content.<br />
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As I leaned close, I could feel the warmth of her breath against my neck and again the tremble, this time in my chest. <em>Too close</em> came Face's beam, and I suddenly knew what the trembling was all about. Humans have emotions, form emotional attachments, feelings. Crap, how could I analyze them if this body I'd borrowed was going to do that?<br />
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<br />rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-66584861652098401422012-06-17T16:10:00.001-07:002012-06-17T16:20:10.572-07:00Clarion West Write-a-thonSo heres the deal. I have several goals for this thing and several blogs to express them in. It's a fantasy of mine that, well you know, this might lead to some form of beyond a blog publishing. So welcome Clarionadoes, read on.<br />
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I can still remember it as though it were yesterday, wait it was yesterday. I leaned into my right leg and felt it start to quiver. The second time in two dances. <br />
<br />
My partner has sweet hazel eyes and they seemed to be questioning what she could feel through linked hands.<br />
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For my part, I slowly drew in a balancing breath and transmitted by own awareness that whatever the cause, the trembling is over. Where my mind stays though is on the wondering, what did it mean? What does it mean? <br />
<br />
In the corner, up above ballroom eye level, the Face smirks and throws a leer at my partner's smooth and rounded rear. If its wigging me I am going to have at its eyes. Course, I say it but It thinks its a tri-sexual. Able to assume any sex, or both, in an instant's blink. Stay away from her I beam back as turn us into a closed basic whip a move designed to keep her close and focused on me, us.<br />
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These human's sure do like their dances. Personally, ha ha, we find it funny, Face and I. We needed a way to study them and any dance floor will let us study to our two hearts content.rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-74404648076791310692012-05-14T11:10:00.000-07:002012-05-14T20:29:07.646-07:00Dance as a Duet . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRbcD70f39F4v4a69z76ESDGzzKXNqExjo5QEKoxW9LOHDpK0SYQFnzHiE5tkAywmmOC9gG6F_SS9_jGAKLi6aaE1K-cFObHCdLse-X_c15smHCwmkr7uVXuRiOGiUD3TwXVaTQ/s1600/SwingDiego2012+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRbcD70f39F4v4a69z76ESDGzzKXNqExjo5QEKoxW9LOHDpK0SYQFnzHiE5tkAywmmOC9gG6F_SS9_jGAKLi6aaE1K-cFObHCdLse-X_c15smHCwmkr7uVXuRiOGiUD3TwXVaTQ/s320/SwingDiego2012+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
or the Art of Mapping. I first heard <a href="http://www.roystondancecompany.com/about_page.htm">Robert Royston</a> proffer this idea of hearing and using what he called the map of a song at a workshop in Albuquerque and have since seen<a href="http://www.roroproductions.com/dvds.htm"> a video that helps explain the idea</a>, <strong>West Coast Advanced, Volume One</strong>, <em>Mapping the music. </em>That was in 2003. Since then, I've kind of dropped out of the competitive dance culture. This last weekend was <strong>SwingDiego</strong>, however, and as a part of our new re-committment to physical well being, T and I put on our dancing shoes and headed out. No that's not us by the way, since I was taking the shot and T was saying hello to some fellow San Diegans.<br />
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But that was the scene at the beginning with warm colors at the fore and swing sounds beckoning towards the floor.<br />
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So, there we were ready and willing, toned and tuned as they say and yet within a few songs or so we are lost. You know the kind of loss Mike and Patti called, The "She can't follow and he can't lead" step. The kind you can't not ignore and yet you can't not let it get you down. I know, too many Knots, eh? That was Day One. Day Two was better but it was probably because we distracted ourselves with workshops. By night fall, dancing with others was definitely in. Then came Day Three, we drive down separately. I stay home so I can teach a two hour private and she goes so she can enter a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoB03AdgATE&feature=related">Jack'n'Jill</a>. We meet at eight and by then we both admit to a tendency to be hummimg songs that our imaginations are dancing even as we stand in line to get back in. As far as the actual dancing, it feels like our bodies have found their own GPS's as we link and hit and connect to the song and each other like it is supposed to be. Immersion has given us the mapping tool and for awhile we wear ourselves out trying it out.<br />
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Still, things were felt, and things even said that keep what happened from us until we, we always seem to do, talk it out. Our first attempts spark with tempered energy. The next morning we try again with different examples and for a while there's still some sense that we are getting nowhere. Then Monday and guess what, we are intently listening to the car radio while discussing the map we hear in the song.<br />
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So, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un-lfSlp4dY">Robert</a>, thanks for the idea. I'll let you know how it works out.rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-34218475427060420532012-05-09T18:08:00.000-07:002012-05-09T18:08:04.456-07:00SwingDiegoThis time of the year swing dancers could that their season is in. As in San Diego and this week. Things already started with the Tuesday night get <strong>ready to swing</strong> party at Tango Del Mundo in PB. And tonight, <a href="http://www.dancetime.com/swing-san-diego-world-special-wcs-dance/">Patti Well's Dance Center</a> hosts its own pre-party with a BBQ dinner and dance. But I just know that there are many people who still don't get the fun of this dance. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j90zTq9SJAY&feature=related">So take a look at this</a> and tell me you don't know what I mean. Meanwhile, I am heading out and about to get my dancing on.rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-67521467208297021642012-04-15T22:39:00.001-07:002012-04-15T22:39:51.574-07:00Hibernation, anyone?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yeah, I know, long time no see, eh? Well, duh. What with the state of the nation, do you really think we should be out there dancing? Well, double duh. Hell, yes we should be dancing but first we need to resusictate those Marathon dances of "They Shoot Horse's" fame, don't we? Put some life back in the old show.rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-92045663451525992412011-05-22T00:04:00.000-07:002011-05-22T00:04:57.197-07:00The Point at whichwe begin to recognize where we are in the music's time,<br />
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when we touch each other in rhythm and not only just by chance,<br />
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and our partner becomes our partner in rhyme<span><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0034E2KLG" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><span><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=widgetsamazon-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B003O6FV8S" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span><br />
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we dance.rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-32563974821782902062010-05-17T11:40:00.000-07:002010-05-17T11:55:25.115-07:00Dance in EncinitasSo it's Saturday night and SwingDiego is done done. Missed that. Missed out on the posing the rapturizing, the ohmygod did you see thats. Ah well. Meanwhile, it was still Saturday night and so I decided to give <a href="http://www.expressionsdance.org/">the social dance party </a>at our studio, Dance North County, a whirl. And whirl I did. About 60 dancers, all ages, sizes and experience levels gave the room just enough fullness to make it fun and yet have plenty of room to dance. DJed tunes provided a range of dance choices from west coast to salsa to samba and back, with a few country two-steps and waltzes thrown in. $10 at the door, iced water and party platter treats to eat, and dancing 'til you dropped. And the dancers, were friendly, open about their level of competence and willing to try. I thorougly enjoyed myself and plan to head down again this coming Saturday, for the 4th Saturday of the month dance, too.rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-30452084410096113242009-12-30T09:04:00.000-08:002009-12-30T09:15:46.455-08:00San Diego Dance classYes, <strong>San Diego</strong>, we're back. Starting Sunday, January 10th, Just Dancing will be teaching a new social dance class at our <strong>Encinitas location in the Dance North County studios</strong>. The class will meet at 2 PM in the small studio and will offer a lot of Salsa, a bit of Swing, and a modicum of Foxtrot to round out your month. This is a beginning class but it will welcome those with experience who want to brush up on their basics and meet new dancers, too. As a big bonus, mention this blog post and you'll get to take us up on our half price offer. Since the class costs $32 per person or $60 per couple for the four week offering, that is quite a savings. But what the heck, start off the New Year by giving and you're bound to receive. Don't forget, Sunday the 10th, 2 PM, Encinitas. <strong>Call (760) 942-2374</strong> for more info.rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-41707628439291492582009-06-30T23:29:00.000-07:002009-06-30T23:34:52.010-07:00The Dancer is deadMoonwalking to whatever everland, tune smithing to the last, finally like Marilyn and not Elvis, gone from the dance floor. While, we gather, cry, despair at the waste, decry the quick buck media grab at our attention, and just like with any other death try to make some sense of it.rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-53686245938678436502009-06-22T19:18:00.000-07:002009-06-22T19:27:10.092-07:00What miracles there areI can only watch in awe.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rBU-D5JX-lo&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rBU-D5JX-lo&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />And highly recommend, the dance that makes up this author's oeuvre.rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-26482361057019754192009-06-12T11:06:00.000-07:002009-06-15T17:09:14.988-07:00Some Delicious TangosI know, what tango isn't somewhat delicious? The way we hold our breath as she enters his embrace.<br /><br /><br /><br /><object height="340" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XG5PpPhMkxg&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XG5PpPhMkxg&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br />The way we catch our breath as he begins his chase.<br /><br /><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5E4mBoGX6Dw&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5E4mBoGX6Dw&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br />The shudder of our breathing as at last we see love's full face.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/l_QQOGLdOCo&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/l_QQOGLdOCo&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-87495411998274985802009-03-25T08:09:00.000-07:002009-06-15T21:15:02.242-07:00Dancing with the Stars againAs you know, we are now into the third week of the competition and after last night's elimination dance we can see a familiar pattern beginning to emerge. I think it is fairly clear that a part of the script is that certain actors are necessary to keep the story line going. What else could explain Steve Woz continued presence.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W2xYbWNz0Xk&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/W2xYbWNz0Xk&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-48244167363500820832009-02-14T16:11:00.000-08:002009-06-15T21:31:51.261-07:00Dancing with the Stars teachesyou stuff but real time dancing Jack n Jill looks like this:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wcdV8cESWUs&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wcdV8cESWUs&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-62168850107361992762008-07-03T07:35:00.001-07:002008-07-03T07:44:10.413-07:00What the F...?So lets see if this dances.<br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ldjN2H10z_8&hl=" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" fs="1" allowfullscreen="true"></embed>rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-47112343346830395552008-06-09T17:34:00.000-07:002008-06-09T17:42:48.601-07:00Now, that's dancing.As time has gone on, SYTYCD has gotten more and more sophisticated and inbred. This dance from Travis just an example.<br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/q_3rGkSlZkc&hl=" width="425" height="344" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-28130095867859338892008-06-09T12:33:00.000-07:002008-06-09T12:41:06.027-07:00But is it dancing? pt. 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKz1kp22k6GaGUskQYKlFFvgnbv15-B5HNZFu5J78CooIT8F3pAL2Opos0mwnBzOVxfpPtFxLgXH1SdPdVbejEolGXynjPh6iF37IParmN2xqFpY5PWUayVvRVVTqHDzL4GnBdkw/s1600-h/Groovaloo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209968336396388498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKz1kp22k6GaGUskQYKlFFvgnbv15-B5HNZFu5J78CooIT8F3pAL2Opos0mwnBzOVxfpPtFxLgXH1SdPdVbejEolGXynjPh6iF37IParmN2xqFpY5PWUayVvRVVTqHDzL4GnBdkw/s320/Groovaloo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We see it on the tube via SYTYCD and we see it on the street in Venice or Santa Monica, but is it dancing?</div>rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-83208426222818946002008-06-07T19:39:00.001-07:002008-06-07T19:39:33.987-07:00Evolution of Dance<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/dMH0bHeiRNg' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/dMH0bHeiRNg'/></object></p></div>rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-12131359487034285972008-06-07T19:17:00.000-07:002008-06-07T19:24:55.492-07:00But is it dancing? pt. 1That is always the question.<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/muP9eH2p2PI&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/muP9eH2p2PI&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-16839615081697816712007-06-16T19:37:00.000-07:002007-06-17T08:50:26.253-07:00Just Dancing . . . the storyAnd so we start. Staggering into the future by writing about the past. It seems that was just yesterday I started this career, this life thing that I’ve been doing for lo these many years. Just yesterday, I was a child who spent my life in an internal dialogue. I learned early that I would have to figure things out for myself. I’ve been constantly amazed at how things turned out as a result of my decisions. Now as my life’s flight is looking to land, I realize the enormity of what is coming. The finality.<br /><br />Ah well, the topic is just dancing, not me, so lets get on with it.<br /><br />Tunes play. The day gray and cool. Order is my play. I think if I try and put things into some semblance of order that I’ll calm down and be in control. But actually what happens is that by getting myself to work, I actually get to work.<br /><br />So here we are and where to go from here is the question?<br /><br />One summer night in El Cajon dance spot called Park Place, I discovered the difference between a dancer and a person seeking social solace from dancing. It was contest night and the buzz was on. I had been walking from my place on 2nd street up to the bowling alley where Park Place was for several months, at least, once a weekend. It was great. No one at home to report to, Jace had moved to Santa Barbara and Karen was history. And finally, I could go dancing any time I wanted to.<br /><br />Rock and roll. Although the bar was small, the band made up for it by playing tight and just right for free style to the max. I’d forgotten how good it felt. Rum and coke, a little smoke and wham bam thank you mam.<br /><br />I can never get enough of the movement, the slip and slide of the rhythms and our bodies in superglide.<br /><br />So I’m hyped, ready to go and happy to just be there. And that’s when it happens. A couple are standing out towards the center of the dance floor waiting for the band to start. They’re talking and looking around. So I saunter over. “You two going to enter the contest?” I ask.<br /><br />She looks at me, her smile fading into a mild look of concern as she realizes that I’m actually talking to them. “No, . . . I don’t know.” she says as she looks at her companion. He turns his back towards me and says, “Hey, there’s Sid.”<br /><br />And they both walk away.<br /><br />Meanwhile, and earlier at a different bar, a lady named Susan had pointed out to me that she appreciated my willingness to dance but she really liked the way that guy over there was moving to the music. Broke my dancer’s heart. Same as when I got embarrassed by two of my students seeming to make fun of the way I used my hands as part of the dance. My way of using a frame, hippy that I was.<br /><br />And then there was that chat in class with Teresa where she pointed out that if I didn’t move my shoulders when I danced the cha cha, I wasn’t really dancing cha cha.<br /><br />So, on the outside looking in has always been the way it’s been.<br /><br />5/15<br />In the other room, I can hear the tv. Terri watching last night’s tape of the Dallas game. And I am here trying to find the direction I need to go to get something done that is worthwhile. It is hard to pinpoint what that might be. And then I have to develop a belief that once I've gotten somewhere I’ll actually have gotten somewhere.rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-13146659222413833912007-06-16T19:32:00.000-07:002007-06-16T19:34:17.863-07:00RosesI can fix sad roses . . ., she says<br /><br />And her smile confirms<br />Like rain on the earth<br />That indeed sad roses<br />Is familiar turf.<br /><br />But it’s not so easy<br />This task in my mind<br />The world with its roses <br />Is definitely blind.<br /><br />They’re scentless you see<br />And sad for a reason<br />These roses I give <br />No matter the season.<br /><br />So it isn’t the wilt from<br />Stem to the hilt<br />Nor the mad range of<br />Colors that drives me so sad.<br /><br />But the lack of a scent<br />And the image it recalls<br />That hammers at my heart and<br />Raises all my walls.<br /><br />I can fix sad roses her smile supposes . . .<br /><br />As she arrays them in a vase<br />Then turns and pauses<br />At the frown she can see<br />Is still on my face.<br /><br />So she takes my hand and<br />Pulls me in a way<br />That suggests dancing <br />As we begin to sway.<br /><br />And it’s then that my senses<br />Pick up the scent<br />Of timeless embraces<br />And memories well spent.<br /><br />I can fix sad roses.<br />I can her voice murmur . . .<br /><br />And her smile is my smile as we waltz down the aisle<br />And the laughter we hear<br />Is from children at play or a family gathered<br />‘Round the tree on Christmas day.<br /><br />And the roses are real<br />Red, white, and yellow<br />And the music is moving<br />And her touch smooth and mellow.<br /><br /><br />And its night on our porch swing<br />In a light breeze<br />And the roses are shadows . . . <br />With a backdrop of trees.rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8952427.post-37624302310840666332007-06-10T16:22:00.000-07:002007-06-10T16:30:57.259-07:00Jack and Jill O'ramaJack and jill contests in dancing have a long and some say down and dirty history. I know at least two guys named Jack who claim that they invented them. And I know quite a few jills who learned that the best way to win one of these storied events was to follow her jack anywhere. But, of course, that's not what I'm writing about today. Today everything is all squeaky clean, and held in a very expensive modern hotel ballroom. The dancers all take lessons (or teach them) and stress the importance of honoring the rules. Oh yeah, one of those Jack's who claims to have started it all, he's still around judging today's contests.rhbeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16796598147204130444noreply@blogger.com0