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ThanksGratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy. |
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Friday, April 17, 1998
I've updated my entry for last Friday, to link to Darren Holloway's trip report. You can read both viewpoints for a Rashomon-like experience!
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This evening I put on my black crushed velvet dress with my seamed stockings, put my hair up with an elaborate red satin bow, and went dancing. Dressing up soothed any little irked or saddened feelings I might have been having, and put me in an excited, festive mood.
My first stop was the practice at the Savoy Swing Club. Of course, I arrived a few minutes early (due to my N.P.S -- Neurotic Promptness Syndrome), so I went across the street and had a sandwich at Subway. I figured I shouldn't try to be dancing all night on an empty stomach.
We learned the slingshot with variations as the lesson part of the evening. This step sends the follow forward, her arms crossed in front of her and the lead holding both her hands. In the simplest version, she just walks backwards again, and the lead drops one hand, and they are ready for the next move. In a more complicated variation, she is led to spin once or twice when finishing the step, in a free-spin sort of way. The third way we learned was for her to twirl as she steps back, under the lead's left arm. What we didn't quite get mastered was how to get into a two-hands position quickly enough when the slingshot is just beginning.
Two of my dance friends, Nancy and Carla (Chris Chapman's girlfriend, although she wouldn't appreciate being known only as that!) were also at practice, so we decided to drive to the Century Ballroom afterwards. If I'd been by myself it's a very walkable distance, but Nancy needed to move her car closer to the Ballroom, or she'd have a long walk after the dance.
As we were driving, we saw our friend Anne driving, and thought she was on her way to the dance, too! We drove behind her and waved and flashed our lights until she saw us. When she didn't turn up, we remembered that she was on a date tonight. We'll hear about it Sunday night!
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The band had already started by the time we arrived at the Century. H.P. Radke and the Jet City Swingers put on a good show. H.P. patterns himself after Sinatra or Dean Martin, and the band (seven pieces, I think) has a great swinging sound!
I saw a guy who looked familiar. "Dave?" I said. But his name wasn't Dave. But I knew I knew him from somewhere, so I went up to him again a few minutes later.
"Aren't you a Microsoft guy?"
He allowed as how he was.
"Didn't you post a notice to the singles folder about swing dancing here at the Century, last fall?"
He admitted that he had. Then I remembered that his name was Darren, and he remembered running into me that night. He said he'd been too busy to come dancing lately. (Imagine!) So we danced a few times tonight. I thanked him for introducing me to this place! We never know how an action taken lightly can have far-reaching effects down the line.
I had a blast dancing tonight. It was fun sitting with Nancy and Carla, sharing gossip and notes on our dance experiences. Carla is fun to dance with; she's a good lead as well as a follow. When I'm dancing lately, I try and model my style on Nancy and Anne. They both have grace, energy, and enthusiasm!
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