Yes, we had the standard dance (Tap and West Coast Swing) lessons but forget any updates. The dances, yes there were two of them last weekend, win the journaling spot this week. Hold on because it's going to get interesting!! First stop, the American Legion............
OK, Saturday night (12 March), the gang got together for our End of Month (EOM) dance. I know, you're thinking it's not the end of the month but who cares it was a chance to dance and it was our St Patrick's celebration. Hold on, did I forget to mention that it was also Bert's bday celebration as well! Of course, we got there a little late thanks to Bill. I give him reminders all through the day about when we need to be motoring. Obviously, I must be doing it with a frown (ask Bill about his RedBook article) because we never leave when we are supposed to. This is is ruining my status as supreme events coordinator! Anyway, by the time we arrived and checked in, Bert, Connie, Sharyn, and Tom were already there! We had two tables, so I set out the center peices, hot cheese, and gave the ladies shamrock necklaces to wear. Next to arrive, were Debbie, Matt, Ed, Pat, Anita, Millie, Linda, Kenny, and, last but not least, Stan, and Jane. Oh, I forgot to mention that I had my traditional holiday glass, which was a green plastic shamrock mug that Matt kept filled 100% of the time for me throughout the night! Thanks, Matt! Before I go any further, I must also give a shout out the the staff who provides the dinners at these dances. The food has been getting better but I do have one request, please don't give dancers cabbage for dinner. It, combined with alcohol, can quickly damage the air quality levels within a confined dance hall! Funny, Sue!! Don't worry, I didn't eat the cabbage so I was not contributing to the polution!
Bill and I were sitting a different tables so we could each spend time with everyone. Early on and before dinner, I had the chance to chat with Ed and Pat. We had a nice conversation and to my surprise, I found out that I have a lot in common with Pat. Like myself, Pat also keeps a journal; however, the only difference is she keeps hers private! Smart, Pat!! We also like to shop at some of the same stores but that's our secret and I'm not giving it up. Wink, wink....Pat!! Great minds think alike!! Back at the other table, Connie was jotting down the highly guarded sequence of moves for our West Coast Swing routine. You could see the pressure on everyone's face as they anticipated that point in time when Goschen would say......"You ready?" You see, we have heard time and time again about Debbie and Connie (mini-me, want to be events coordinators) getting the group together for non-sanctioned events, when we are teaching out of town, practicing the routine, and creating non-certified dance moves. Yep, you know where this is going!! For sure, the group would perform beautifully with the mighty master (that's Goschen) there! Keep drinking my friends and you don't have to say that twice to Bert and the rest of the group! So, did the group perform and if so, how did we do? Well, you're just going to have to wait for that answer because now I'm going to talk about the bday boy himself, the rock, the man in the number one position....Bert M. On to the bday news................
After dinner, we celebrated Bert's bday with Connie's homemade cake, brownies, and sugar cookies. Connie is the best baker and everyone looks forward to her goodies at the dances. In fact, I think I caught, on my camera, Bill and Diane E. stealing some cake. What's up with that? Connie has definitely secured her position as the group's baker! Sweet, Connie!! Bert was a good sport as he posed for the traditional bday pictures (with his bday hat and sunglasses). He received lots of bday cards and most of them had some reference to beer. Bert, I don't know why that confused you! Afterall, everytime we're ready to do the routine we have to wait for you to get back from the bar!! Now kids, this is not condoning the consumption of alcohol by any means!! The best gift by far came from Matt and Debbie. It was a shirt with the West Coast Swing routine written on it so Bert will always remember what move to do and when to do it! Smart, Matt and Debbie! Although it's so sad that Goschen changed the sequence of the moves and the shirt is obsolete before Bert ever had a chance to wear it! I guess Debbie will have to make Bert and the rest of the gang a new shirt but I would wait until the routine is finalized. Like that will ever happen! Sarcastic, Sue!!
The dancing and fun continued, the floor starts to clear near the end of the night, the band played that song, everyone at the tables looked at each other, and Goschen finally said those two magical or dreaded words "You ready?" Yes, it was time to go live with our West Coast Swing routine! The excitement built as the gang got up from the tables and proceeded to the dance floor. We arranged ourselves in the proper order, which sometimes can be a tasking and major accomplishment in itself. That's for you, Connie!! Now remember, I said Goschen changed the routine and all throughout the night the gang was memorizing and rehearsing the new routine. They were so serious with practicing that I saw Bill E. take chewing gum out of his mouth, stick it to his forehead, and then smack the paper with the moves on it to his gummed up forehead! Dedicated, Bill E.!! But, it didn't stop there and you're really going to find out how tight this group is! Yep, Connie takes Bill E's gummed paper with the dance moves and sticks it to her head! Nasty is all I can say!! Hey, who am I to say what method works or doesn't work but I will tell you that the group had the new routine down! Looking back, we should have tried that approach with Goschen because when we went live with the routine Goschen was doing new moves, which he has not shown the group yet and everyone got a little confused but they still had big smiles on their faces. We finished the dance, walked back to our tables, and Matt and Bert (who were at my table) wanted to debrief and talk about what just happened. I am glad they are so positive and Matt said it was a good exercise in seeing how quickly they could respond to what Goschen was doing. Before the night ended, the gang got the chance to do the whistle stop, which was executed beautifully. With that, it's time to leave the Legion and dance on over to the VFW.....
Sunday morning (13 March), I'm sitting at the kitchen table with Goschen when he looks at me and said, "I think I messed up the routine!" Do you think? So, before our afternoon dance, I was drilling him (like I do with tap) on the sequence of the dance moves!! We arrived at the Rossville VFW, only second to the ever punctual Bert and Connie, and waited for Debbie, Matt, Bill, and Diane to arrive. By 2:30pm the tired looking group was back together for another round of fun, food, and dancing. It was a fun afternoon for me since I got the chance to dance to Bill Y., the best horn player around. In addition, Steve taught me how to play the tambourine. I' ve been joining the band for a song or two lately but found out last weekend that I've been doing it all wrong!! Bummer! No worries though, because Steve told me to count and make sure I hit the tambourine hard on the 2 and 4 beats! No problem because I dance and can count to at least eight! Think again, Sue! I kept coming in on the 1 and 3 beats and it got so bad that Steve had to shake his head to one side to let me know when to hit the tambourine. The only visual that comes to mind is the following scene from a Night at the Roxbury:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zlViU5PBPY Wow, I hope Steve didn't hurt his neck trying to help me become a better musician! Sorry, enough about Sue and her tambourine woes...back to dancing! Ok, I have drilled Goschen all morning on the new routine and I think he's ready to go live but Connie, Debbie, and Diane wanted proof! So, each one of them got out there with Goschen and practiced the routine! They were sneaky because untrained eyes just thought they were dancing and had no idea it was a special choreographed routine. Only then, did we know it was redemption day! The last set rapidly approached and the band played at least three swing songs and we did the routine to each and every song they played. We absolutely, positively, and without a doubt nailed it! We definitely ruled the VFW last Sunday! Oh, I forgot to mention that we were brought some extra special good luck when Debbie, who was outside getting some fresh air, graciously allowed her head to be a landing strip for bird poop! Debbie, thanks for taking one for the team and it looks like you started a new tradition before we go live with the routine!! What else can be said at this point except for don't forget to check out my smilebox below. Debbie, this one is for you my friend!! Until next time, be safe and keep dancing!!
cheerful
confused
crazy
