Rested is not energetic

July 10, 2006

I was feeling fairly rested at the beginning of the evening after having a fairly relaxing weekend. Not a lot of work. No Salsa. Some reading – I finished a book and started another; the first book (Wolves of the Calla – Stephen King) was laborious and boring while the second book (Enduring Love – Ian McEwen) has been a jaw dropping intense and fascinating read thus far.

Intermediate/Advanced with Joe

1,2,3,5,6,7 prepare and lead follower to a single stationary clockwise turn with both connections intact ending with R-L going over follower’s head and L-R going over leader’s head for drop catch down to waist level (leader is facing away from follower’s line)
1,2,3,5,6,7 open break and Copa with L-R going over follower’s head while letting go R-L and leader turning half counterclockwise on 2,3 and R hand on follower’s leading hip/waist and lead follower to 1 1/2 traveling counterclockwise Copa turn keeping R hand on follower’s waist level to end with tight closed hold
1,2,3,5,6,7 around and around the world throughout with the couple moving counterclockwise as unit (leader is walking backwards while follower is walking forwards in circular motion on 5,6,7 after the initial turn as unit)
1,2,3,5,6,7 Dile que no
1,2,3,5,6,7 New Yorker ending with both doing free turn
1,2,3,5,6,7 CBL

There was a big shortage of leaders tonight for the intermediate/advanced class. Some key regulars were missing - some probably still out of country and some too tired after other activities like karate.

1,2,3,5,6,7 prepare and lead follower to a single stationary clockwise turn with both connections intact ending with R-L going over follower’s head and L-R going over leader’s head for drop catch down to waist level (leader is facing away from follower’s line)
1,2,3,5,6,7 open break and R-L going back over follower’s head (on 2?) while leader move behind follower from her L side and with L-R going over follower’s head – bring follower straight back while getting R-L over follower’s head once again (follower’s steps here are completely linear throughout this bar – back on 1, forward on 3, and back on 5,6,7)
1,2,3,5,6,7 keeping all connections intact throughout, leader does double stationary clockwise turn (end with L-R behind leader’s back – disconnect and reconnect in front)
1,2,3,5,6,7 Copa-like start but more of a fake with L-R lead and lead follower into traveling 1 1/2 or 2 1/2 counterclockwise turn
1,2,3,5,6,7 New Yorker ending with both doing free turn
1,2,3,5,6,7 leader turns clockwise into CBL and finish normal CBL

The most difficult part is the second bar of the second hour. It would have been difficult enough with very experienced followers. At times I felt that a more modest aim was to get out of the class without getting injured or injuring my partners. The first bar (same for both the first and second hour) is tricky too. I felt that everything else was relatively straightforward.

During his promotional gabfest, Joe suggested that people talk to me about going to some of his London events. Thanks Joe. I really wasn't looking to become an official or de facto social chair. I was feeling somewhat out of it when the announcement was made, and I somehow imagined that these parties, workshops, etc. were happening this weekend. Wrong. They don't happen until mid-late August (although there is some discount for people interested in doing the whole shebang and willing to buy the tickets in advance (before July 15). See links here (general info) and here (pricing). As for me, I'm most likely to attend either one or two parties only and skip the workshops.

Dancing afterwards was okay – generally more improvisational and exploratory yet limited and perhaps even tentative. I thought I was keeping things easy for my partners, but I am unsure if all of them would agree with my definition of easy. I would have like to have tried more shines but no one else seemed to be in the mood. There were a lot of people dancing but the scene seemed to lack a little oomph - it probably was just me of course.

On other news front, July 28th is going to be - interesting. There will be two competing birthday parties. One is for Sally at the LeL (70's theme - Salsa and other funky stuff with DJ Norman "Sizzla" from Birmingham). The other is for Vishal, who was handing out invitation cards for free entrance & champagne and dance show by Body Work Girls. It's a little unfortunate that these two could not have their birthdays further apart.