Riot and Frolic

I've been trying new things lately.  They often seem weird and I often feel stupid attempting them.  Most of the time, I don't have anything but my wits and good ol' Google helping me out.

I've Instant-Potted four things in one day so I didn't have to turn on the oven or stove.

The garden has gotten new plants (some which have been previously ventured and failed miserably) because dammit, I'm going to grow some shit.

I've drilled holes into plaster and lath.

Most recently, I've tried doing more Instagram stories.  [insert laughing crying emoji here]

I'm pretty sure I've done a lot of other cool stuff, but you get the picture.

The fun part is that what seemed weird at first now seems pretty easy, but I had to keep trying them.  

JUST LIKE DANCING.

I don't know if you remember learning how to do a Rumba box (International dancers, stay with me), but it was pretty weird for most of you. The majority of you did that unnecessary tap step after your forward and back steps (forward, tap, side together, back, tap, side together), you couldn't stay on beat unless someone was counting loudly in your ear or holding you on time a bit, you often skipped and/or added a step out of nowhere, and a good quarter of you liked to rotate to the right instead of left..

Once you get past the basic step for any dance, there are patterns that exist to expand your repertoire.  I personally teach syllabus patterns.  And I'm not your wits and ye olde Google either.  I've had pretty good training and A LOT of experience, plus I love a good rulebook. I'm also not some kook with a YouTube channel making up Quickstep (does anyone remember that lady?!). 

I go for the super-simple NDCA syllabus patterns (with acceptable variations), not even the crazy-fun, long, and complicated Freds, Arthur Murray, or even DVIDA patterns (most of which I know for kicks).  I've heard comments that I teach weird patterns and combinations, but if you're in the learning process, aren't all unknown and unused patterns and combos weird?  

Sweetheart [Parallel Breaks/Cuddle in Rumba] seems weird to people who haven't "cheated" their timing before or to someone who learned Turkish Towel first.  Hell, the 6-count Underarm Turn [Circle Turn] is awful to those who have stayed in Closed Position all their lives or who think Rumba will always consist of "step side together".  And turning to the right (regardless of your Rumba rotation preference in the beginning)? Get out of here.  Awkward awkward awkward!

On the other hand, many of our students (who are mostly pro-am-ers who compete in syllabus levels) are happy to know that they have routines that fit the requirements (EVEN IF YOUR INVIGILATOR FRIEND AND HUSBAND PULL A MEAN AND HILARIOUS TRICK ON YOU AT ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPETITIONS IN THE NATION) but don't look the same as everyone else's.  

The next time you think you're doing something weird, realize that you're just doing something new to you and that if you keep doing it, you might like it.  

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