Life, Fannishness, and Thespic Infatuation

Why has it been so long since I've danced?

George introduced the movies at his work on Thursday, two documentaries, Twist and Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey. I only stayed for Twist (which George said that of the two, I would have enjoyed the most anyway), and what a fun, entertaining, informative movie it was! Quite honestly, it made me want to get up and dance, and it made me wonder, why has it been so long since I've danced?

The last belly dancing class I took a couple years ago kind of over-challenged most of the class. Many of us were middle-aged-ish, and the class was being taught by a recent college grad who was president of her belly dancing club. Very technical and very educational, but a little too advanced for beginners who lack the flexibility, and when you can't do something right off, it's frustrating and disappointing. I should pull out my belly dancing DVDs. Maybe look for another class.

George and I also seem to have missed the last few sessions of country line dancing that have been offered. I wish I knew where we could go outside of a class to practice, but right now, class would be the only place. Maybe we'll be better prepared scheduling-wise and money-wise the next time it rolls around.

I did get to do some dancing at the concert event I worked last month. Got a couple nice comments on my electric slide.

Still, maybe I should download some country music and refresh my memory on the line dancing steps.

Or pull out some 50s/60s music and start twisting down my waist. *nods*

Though I did have a good appointment with my endocrinologist earlier this week. I've lost a pound (which, after the Christmas holidays, is excellent), and more importantly, I lost it from my waist, which is what he wants to see. (Measurement ratio is as important as weight loss with my situation. I need to lose the weight, but I also need to lose it from the right place.) I attribute that to getting back on the treadmill for about 2 miles a day. Which I need to do today, since I've missed the past two days.

I wanted to post last night, but I was feeling kind of mellow and not in the mood to spend a great deal of time on-line.

I always feel mellow and relaxed after belly dancing. It just . . . tends to put me in a pretty good headspace.

Geo and I are starting a country line dance class next week. Should be a lot of fun.

Autumn is in the air. Soon in will be time for pumpkin recipes. YUM!

Health-wise, I think I might have mentioned that we've reached a plateau on the bebe-making efforts. The diagnostics are done, and I've been on a familiar cycle of meds that the doc says I can continue on. Anything more aggressive would cost money we simply can't shell out.

I'm particularly pleased with the fact that my complexion as stayed clear. I've still got scars from the past several years, but those can be dealt with, with tricks of make-up.

People tell me I look like I'm losing weight. The scales, however, does not. So . . . looking good is just as important as what the scales says, right?

Watched The Goonies last night with George. The theater foundation is going to be showing it as a free-to-the-public outdoor movie next month. It's a fun adventure for kids. Came out in 1985 and stars a very young Sean Astin, long before he was a hobbit. (Back when I knew him as John Astin's son.)

Having a Tupperware party tomorrow. Only about 3 people are coming, but it should be very laid back that way.

Two more days until NEW SHOW!

In my never-ending search for a fun dance class that isn't too far away*, and because my boss knows I like belly dancing and forwarded me the information, Geo and I spent this afternoon at Narmada Winery taking part in a Bollywood dance class. What fun! And what a stealth workout. The class was described thusly on the website:

Bollywood Dance is the latest craze among kids and adults. Bollywood is named for Bombay which produces 500 musical movies every year. It will consist of choreographed hip hop style combination dances mixed with different classical and folk dances of India. They are set to very catchy tunes and fast, vibrant beats. All body parts get involved, including eyes, neck, fingers, wrist, waist, knees, ankles and heels.

This low impact workout provides better balance and flexibility to the body. The moves help with ‘motor’ coordination, focus, concentration, and confidence. Another significant aspect is learning an art depicting the melodious mood of song by using facial expressions and hand gestures.

No Charge – except a good attitude and willingness to have fun!
Wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to enjoy yourself, while at the same time getting some exercise.

Much like belly dancing, you don't realize how much of a workout you're getting until you realize you're sweating. Stealth workout! The teacher (an Indian lady of "senior" age and mother-in-law to the son of the owner of the winery) was delightful. Everyone seemed to have a lot of fun. Though the class was mostly female, Geo danced too, as did a high school aged boy who danced with his mother.

(Also, no hip-hop that I could tell.)

After the class, my tummy was growling, so we stayed for a light nosh of vegetable biryani and kulcha and sampled the sangria and bought a bottle of their bronze-medal-winning Midnight wine.

There's a possibility that if there is enough interest in the class, that it might become a regular thing.

I'd really like to find a way to incorporate more dance into our routine (a dance routine, so to speak. Ha!). I've also suggested we find out where there might be line dancing around here (because surely there must, be some somewhere around here). And I'm still hoping for a regular belly dancing class to start up somewhere in the vicinity.

*Don't get me wrong; I like zumba. But where zumba is a bit high-impact, belly dancing and Bolly-dancing are very low impact. A stealth workout indeed. Incidentally, my zumba instructor works at the winery as a bartender, and she was working today. It was good to see her there.

kalquessa is doing the Five Things meme, and I commented, and here's what she said she wanted me to nanner on about:

( Stage acting, widescreen, Jensen, A/V geekery, and dancing )

So. Anything else anyone want to know?

. . . and grapevine steps and pivot turns.

So. I had my first actual belly dancing class last night. What a hoot! I went with two of Geo's co-workers, L Scarlet and CG. We all had a blast! And for me it was especially great to get out with other people and laugh and be active for a change. And it was a really good workout. I broke a sweat without getting winded. I could still breath at the end, which is always a good thing. And I felt really good afterwards.

And the instructor asked if I'd ever done this before, because I apparently skipped a step and started doing Egyptian hip lifts when she was merely showing us side hip lifts. Truly, I love to dance. It's just such a celebration of the joining of physical and spiritual (once you get past the self-consciousness of the physical). It works your physical form while allowing your creative spirit to flow. I can't tell you how many people have asked me if I'm a dancer. Which I find amusing because, well, I'm not.

And sometimes people are surprised to see me dance. And I wonder why. And one woman I used to work with basically said, "Well, I never thought you'd dance like that" (Let's say I like to move my hips.) It amuses me.

The class only runs for 4 weeks (1 night a week). But we're considering joining this instructor's other class that she gives on an on-going basis. The only problem is that it's an hour away. Still, we're discovering that that's considered "local" around here. Huh???

I need a dance icon.

ETA: I has a dance icon.