Shot out to the Co-Ro!!

My sister turned the big 3 0 today (well technically yesterday, but I haven't gone to bed yet so it's still "today", plus she's over in California so it's most definetly still the 29th there) and it's crazy to think that both my sisters are in their 30s now, and I'll be 25 (twenty FIVE?!) this year!

Oh how times flies...

I can still remember her when she looked like this...

This is of course a lie, because I was probably about .5 years old when this picture was taken, but still, wasn't she cute?

I can however, remember when we used to play games and when she would flip me around rag doll style, in the process managing to drop me on my head on two occasions, one in the kitchen and one outside (two weeks later the doctor found a tiny stick lodged in my head. Yes, a stick... In my head).

My most favorite game of ours was one called "Princess". In this game her bestfriend and her (her bestfriend and she?) would pamper me all day, bring me lunch in bed, and fluff my pillows when I rang the tiny bell I was equiped with. Sounds pretty fantastic? It was. Clever babysitting trick too, leave the kid in bed while you and your friends hang out all day...did I mention my sister was in gifted?

Happy Birthday Coral!! I miss youuuu!

Death by tire?

I'm pretty sure I killed a baby alligator last night. I was driving to my boyfriend's house, down a very dark road and I see a stick? right in line with my tire. Seconds before I ran it over and heard the most gruesomest crunch of my life, I realized that it was no stick, but a baby alligator.

What. the. hell.

Only in Florida, does road kill contain the words: baby and alligator.

Alligators are so scary, and they EAT people, and I have so much respect for alligators that I can't even eat their tails in restaurants, yet I am responsible for taking one's life, a baby at that? Freakin' A yo! That sucks balls!

But this morning driving home, I couldn't find the thing. I watched the opposite side of the road the whole way (I'm such a safe driver, who needs to look straight ahead?), and saw no sign of an alligator corpse.

Maybe it was a stick? A very baby alligator like stick, that made one horrible, horrible, crunch as I ran over it? Let's hope so.

Boyfriends...

...are good for smacking some sense into you, even if it hurts a little to hear it.

As you can see from my last post, I've done a pretty good job of putting myself, and most importantly someone else, in a pretty tough spot. I have a BIG tendency to push things off. Bills, doctor appointments, car repairs, anything that makes me frown and itch my eyes in worry, gets pushed back and pushed back until a small little problem (that could have been easily resolved) snow balls into major stresses. This is something I'll probably always have to work on, and I think it's more important now that it ever was before, because now people other than myself are affected. I don't want to be someone you can't rely on, and right now I think that's exactly who I am. I need to fix this.

I talked to my boyfriend this morning, hoping to hear that he'd be on my side to quit my current studio, and work on getting another job. His response was that 1. Good luck finding another job right now (which is true) 2. You can't quit a job before you get one to replace it (yeah, that's true too) and 3. You'd be quitting a job for negatives in exchange for another job which would, seeing how the other job would most likely be in a restaurant, come with another list of negatives which would probably be worse (.....good point). What he didn't mention, but what I thought about after hanging up with him, was that I've put a lot of work into the studio I'm at now, and even though it's hard sometimes (and smelly) I don't want to give up.

My manager said they'd be willing to work something out with the other studio, and I'm hoping they can; then the negative situation I've put everyone into (including myself), turns into a positive. All I can try to do at this point is learn from this, and be smarter and more considerate when the next obstacle comes my way.

Yesterday left me shocked, molested, and wedged in a pickle.

Yes. All of that in one day.

Let's start with shocked.

I was shocked. Literally. I walked into the dark teacher's lounge of the studio yesterday morning, first one there (as always), and blindly searched for the light switch. The studio is "under construction" (I say that in quotes because it's more like it was just never finished), and so there is no face plate on the light switch. My fingers sort of went past the light switch, into the wall with all the open wires and crap, and ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZUUUUUUUUMMMMMMPPPP!! I screamed and took my hand away (duh) because it scared me, not really because it hurt. Then I stood there for a few seconds, questioning if I was really just electrocuted? Yes, I was. Slightly. Cool? Not cool?

So like ten minutes go by and then I get molested. I was sitting on the toilet, mid pee, and I feel this curious trickle of water? A string? move across my leg. Wait, no, that's a rat sized COCKROACH! On my inner thigh, moving upward. I jump up, mid pee (and consequently find out I have a great ability to stop peeing in emergencies) and start freaking the f*ck out. Swatting my legs, screaming bloody murder, jumping up and down like I'm on hot coals. The rat sized roach runs away and leaves me forever traumatized.

Now the pickle part.

Remember yesterday's post? How I was all nervous about telling my work I had to work at another studio on Tuesday nights? Yeah, didn't go too well.

Here are my options:

• Work as an independant contractor where I will have to find my own students, and rent the floor from them for 25$ a lesson.
• Have the other studio (my "home" studio) hire me as teacher from my current studio and pay a lot more than originally planned.
• Blow off my "home" studio and put them in a really shitty situation, which would be all my fault.

The problem is I don't really like any of those options. What do I do??? Urghghghgh

Tap Dance and Skillet Lickers

Starting next Tuesday, I'll be teaching three dance classes at my home studio.

I call it my "home" studio not because it's located in my home (I wish!), but because it's the studio I grew up in. I had my very first dance lesson there (wearing one very large over sized T-shirt which got me in trouble, and a sweet pair of daisy duke biker shorts), laughed through various slumber parties there (which always involved some late night dancing), and it was there I lived through a million other memories and monuments moments (too many to even attempt to count). So it's pretty exciting for me, coming all full circle and crap, and hopefully the girls don't pull the same kind of harassment that we used to (although I don't happen to dance like it's the 80's, sport hot pink lipstick on my teeth, and wear my shorts up to my bra, so maybe I'll be safe).

Anyways I'm a little rusty on my tap skills, and apparently these girls are pretty good and I don't want to look dumb, so I strapped on my taps and practiced this morning.

Which brings me to the first point of my post:

It's really hard to find tap music!

Or I just can't tap and I'm in more trouble than having to find good music.

Desperate to find some music I searched through my Mom's iTunes list (isn't she super kewl), and this brings me to the second point of my post:

My Mom plays Old Time Traditional music, folky bluegrassy kind of stuff, and listens to some of the most random/funny named bands I've ever heard.

And for you, a list..

Uncle Gizmo
The Skillet Lickers
Skeeter and the Skidmarks
Sam McGee Red Mountain White Trash
Polecats
The Red Clay Ramblers
The Reckless Ramblers
Murphy Gribble
Mudcats
Mississippi Possum Hunters
Mando Mafia
Jelly Roll Morton and his Red Hot Peppers
Hooiser Hot Shots
Hilbillies from Mars
Grinnell Giggers
The Freight Hoppers
Freeny's Barn Dance Band
Floyd Ming and his Pep Steppers
Dixieland Jug Blowers
Dill and his Dill Pickles
The Clumsy Lovers
The Carolina Tar Heels
Blind Pete
The Beau Hunks
The Bad Livers

Although the bands are humorous I don't think I'll be able to tap to them (I could probably clog...nah), so I guess I'll have to take my tap hunt somewhere else...

Oh and I still have to tell my work about teaching these classes and that I won't be available Tuesday nights, EVER, and I'm having flash backs to when I had to tell my Mom I tried smoking in 7th grade (it was a scene straight off a cheesy PSA, I took only one puff and didn't inhale). But seriously I've got a lot of anxiety about telling them...just have to go in there and get it over with already. I have no choice, because classes start next week!

I HAVE TO GET OUT OF THIS HOUSE OR IWILLNEEDTOKILL!!!

That one thought as been screaming through my mind for the past, say, 48 hours or so.

As I've been tucked away inside my home, safe and sound, and slowly loosing my sanity, Fay has been living up to it's old lady's name, moving as painfully slow as possible. What an asshole.

Although Fay has given me the gift of two days off from work, I'm really not that happy. Yesterday (first day off) I was all "yay! tropical storm party! woo hoo!!" but then a few slowly sipped glasses of wine and a movie later, my friend Heather and I stared at each other bouncing back and forth a "So, what should we do now?" "I don't know, what do you want to do?" and that was the extent of our little "party". We so crazy. It also didn't help that the "tropical storm" was just a rainy day at best, not much action at all.

Things got a little more exciting early this morning however, when I woke up to the noise of 60 MPH winds outside my window. Unfortunately the excitement didn't last long, by 9:00 we were right smack dab in the eye of the storm, all things quiet. I was convinced however, that the high winds would return at about 8:00 or so tonight (I trust the weather guy a little too much), so I talked my manager into letting me stay home another day because "I'll have to drive home late, and I can't drive in 60 MPH winds, and the bridges might be closed, and YOU DON'T WANT ME TO DIE DO YOU?". So students were called and things were rescheduled and now I have one seriously loaded Saturday (but no lost hours...yippee!) and wouldn't you know it, we sat in the flippin' eye ALL DAY LONG. No rain, no wind, no need for the earlier dramatics. So now I feel pretty stupid... how was I to know though?

I mean look at the beach this morning!

Pretty exciting right? It really wasn't as dangerous as it might appear in the video, promise. ;)

So, back to work tomorrow and PLEASE GOD let this thing be gone by Saturday!!

Heavy Eyelids

I am EXHAUSTED.

I feel so, so tired right now. So tired in fact that even though I have a few pictures from last Saturday night (courtesy of a very nice student of mine) I feel too lazy to post them. They're in my car anyways. I'm so tired I'm typing this with my eyes closed and my head on my knee................................. ................

What?! Huh?! Oh yeah, typing post....(sorry fell asleep a little). Yishe!

I don't know why I feel so tired, I know that I couldn't get to bed last night and that I stayed up until 2:30? tossing and turning. So maybe that's it. Anyway here's my remaining agenda for the night:

1. Call Boyfriend

2. Shower

3. Book

4. Bed


Goodnight!

Catch Up

I really need the Internet. Ohh how I miss the Internet. I had a post ready for tonight, prepared for you and written in my brain, but when I sat down to type it I just....couldn't.

Why you ask?

Only because my lovely sister and mother have Very Loud Voices and are always in an argument about ANYTHING. And I don't have internet at my house, and so this is my only option. Tonight the Loud Voices were about how my niece cannot chew with her mouth closed and whether or not Canoeing was an Olympic sport (it is).

Oh well, maybe I can write tomorrow, and I guess I can use this time to tell you that my show on Saturday, despite my doubts, was a lot of fun. My partner and I did not win, but he performed without making that many mistakes! And I got to wear a sexy red Latin dress. Yes!

My wedding couple on Sunday wasn't so bad either, I didn't practice great time management, but they had fun. I have another wedding couple this month and I think I may experience bleeding from the ears because I have to choreograph their dance to this song*. I almost stabbed my eyeballs out with the heel of my ballroom shoe after only the first chorus in the hopes that the pain from my ears would subside in comparison. Do you know how many times I am going to have to hear this song? I don't even want to think about it.

Since this weekend my attitude over my job has risen again and I finally undertand the cliche of "roller coaster ride" feeling extreme highs and lows every few days or so. I have my ankle taped right now because it has decided it is no longer my friend (I'm guessing because I force it and it's sister to support me as I dance in heels for 5+ hours a day). In talk of all things annoying, my dance dreams still keep my mind way too active for a normal night's sleep and my manager told me it's only going to get worse**. Poop.


* Sorry to all you country folk out there, but I apparently have an allergic reaction to deep vocal twang and easy rhyming cheesy lyrics because listening to country music makes my skin crawl.

**I'm surprised how pestimistic this post turned out, I've been in a much better mood this week, promise!

Home from work, time to whine down...

Eh. So. Tired.

I just want it to be Sunday, well actually...scratch that, Monday would be much better. Sunday I meet my first wedding couple at work and I'm more than a little unprepared for that, but that's another post for another day (Sunday).

Tomorrow I am performing in Daytona Beach's version of Dancing With The Stars, and I can't say I'm too thrilled about it. When I agreed to step in and take the place of my manager (who originally was going to do it until she got sick), I had no idea the scale of this production was going to be so massive. Video shoot? Interview? Competing with seven other couples and being critiqued by a panel of judges in front of the entire audience?! No idea.

I feel 100% unprepared, unenthused, and unconfident. I think my positive attitude made a slight appearence at some point, but was ultimately smooshed to bits by my ridiculously pestimistic partner (who's best response to my usual "Don't worry we're going to do great, it will be fun!" was "Eh, we'll get through it").

Oh and best of all? In doing this I am missing out on two of my best friend's house warming party. And all the beer and laughs that go along with any party at their house. And I never see them anymore :(

Joy.

Maybe I'll feel better about it tomorrow, when my tired stinging eyeballs have had some rest.

Longing for Loins (of the pork kind of course)

What's the deal with me always trying to start these things off with "So," that's a really annoying way to start a post, isn't' it? I should work on that...

So, I'm eating some broccoli and cheese soup and it is most definitely NOT hitting the spot. This is more disappointing to me than you may realize, because food and I haven't been on the best of terms lately. We don't really get to see each other as much as we'd like to. I'm in the studio a bit more than I think I'd like to be, and this has left very little opportunity for food and I to have some good quality time together. Sure, we might sneak in a little chicken nugget here and there, and I did enjoy those left over burgers last night, but our time in the kitchen has dwindled. We never cook anymore. And we used to cook three, four, times a week! Sometimes even twice in one day! And now? Maybe once a month. Oh what I wouldn't give to go back to one of our finest nights, chicken cutlets, where I took my time and was patient with food, and in return food made my taste buds sore! A most satisfying and exhilarating sensation filled my mouth with every bite! Afterwards, food cozy in my belly, we cuddle up and watch some TV before going to bed, happy and peaceful.

I'm sorry I've been so distant food, maybe we can just cook later at night? Morning? We'll find the time, where there's a hungry belly, there's a way.

How NOT to dance Samba

After writing my last post, I jumped on youtube searching for dance videos...because hey! I finally have the free time to! I found this video labed "How to dance the Samba" so I checked it out, and I may now have nightmares for the next few months....

If you can't watch the whole thing at least skip to the end!

Ballroom Beatdown

I'm a little scared here. You see, two men I teach at the studio have their master lessons with this guy today, and I'll be on the lesson with them as partner. Now, these are THEIR lessons, but I will still be asked to dance, and I really, really, really hope I'm not asked to do a pattern or variation I don't know.

He seems pretty tough...check him out...





There are just so many things I can see going wrong today, and I hope I come back tonight happy that none of them happened....wish me luck!

Thomas Jefferson was a total Sexpot

Pete and I just started watching the HBO's John Adams a couple of nights ago, and last night we finished part II of the seven part mini series. When he first suggested we watch it, my first reaction was "Watching a movie about our 'Founding Fathers'?? Okay Grandpa, but should we stop at the diner for the Early Bird Special before hand?" but since I've been on this little history kick lately I agreed. Plus he said he'd seen the previews and he thought it looked good, and for the most part he's right about movies (with the minor exception of any horror, body mutilating, torture movie...seriously Pete, you scare me sometimes...). So we started watching.

Teachers totally need to scratch any history lesson about this time off the lesson plan and just show this series instead because it's mucho more entertaining than the texts books and you get a sense for what it was like at the time. Of course if I was still in 7th grade (or whenever you learn about the birth of our nation) I doubt I would watch with as much attention as I do now, and I'd probably be three pages deep into a note about Hottie McHottie pants who sits at the front of the bus, but still, I'm sure some geek would enjoy it and the rest of us could just laugh at all their funny looking wigs and that would be fine too.

Anyways watching this started to get the most exciting when all the super stars started making their appearance. Benny Frank, good ol' George Washington (who was apparently an amazon man, really super tall) and of course Thomas Jefferson. Man, lemme tell ya, Tommy J. was a total FOX! Or I mean the character who plays him in the series...whatever. He was sitting there listening to John Adams and Benjamen Franklin read over his draft for the constitution and Tommy J. was all cocky and layed back and like "Each word was a chosen precise decision" and I was like "Damn right Tommy J. stand up for your work!" and I think it was his arrogance mixed with his purple-ish pink satin shirt that made him look like the Colonial times Prince(the singer not the son of a king) is what really did me in....Whew! Cold shower time!

I mean check him out!



Stud right?

I think I'll suggest a Purple-ish pink satin Colonial times shirt for Pete, or maybe I could just settle for the wig. We'll see.