Taking the Lead

Yes, I know that "Take the Lead" is a movie, and this post is someone related as it involves dance. For the past couple of weeks, I have been attending salsa rueda classes (aka Cuban Salsa or salsa done in a circle) and it's been TONS of fun. Usually, there are lots of people that come to the class (it's free and is offered on a "drop-in" basis) and ususally the guy to girl ratio is pretty even. If anything, there are 1 or 2 more guys than girls. Last night however, this was not the case and so some of the girls had to be leaders instead of followers. Now, I've lead before in regular salsa, but leading in salsa rueda is a whole 'nother kettle of fish. Needless to say, I was totally confused. I got some of the basic steps like enchufle and enchufle doble, pas la con hermanos, and dame. But when we got to some of the twisty, curvy ones I was usually at lost. I often forgot which way to turn the follower for the first turn and would often get cofused somewhere in the middle. Nevertheless, I struggled through it and it was fun. However, I definitely prefer to be the follower! I also learned some key lessons:

1. Cut the leaders a little slack. Their job is difficult.
2. It really helps if followers know what they're doing....e.g.. know which way you will turn and what partner you will be going to
3. Followers: don't preempt the leader. Wait until he/she gives you the signal.
4. Most of all...no matter what...KEEP DANCING!

Still here...

Just a short note to let you all know that I'm still here! I've spent a lot of time in the last two months reading science articles, writing a proposal, editing said proposal, and preparing powerpoint presentations. The end is near though, just on the horizon. Come 3pm on Monday, Decembr 4 I can come up for air. Until then, I'll keep swimming.

Happy Holidays!

Shoe Randomness

I was at Target tonight shopping for some last minute travel items before I leave for our annual departmental retreat tomorrow when a girl came up to me and asked me about my shoes. Now that in and of itself is not that unsual but she continued to ask non-fashion related (and slightly personal for a stranger although not offensively so) questions. I had just come from dance class and was wiped out. The last thing I wanted to do was reveal my life history to some random girl in the toiletries aisle. However, I scrounged together some manners and chatted politely with her. I'm rambling here...(remember the tiredness????). Anyway, she said something that striked me as funny. She said, "That my shoes looked like J.Crew." Now what does that mean????... That they look expensive? or that they look preppy? Hmmm, thanks to the former but I'll pass on the latter. I don't think that my shoes were anything out of the ordinary. They're brown slip-ons, slightly (and only slightly) reminiscent of bowling shoes. I bought them three and a half years ago in preparation for my trip to England. (I was really excited about these shoes at the time and my friend Stephanie reminded me that is was going to be rainy in England and that perhaps backless shoes were not the best items to be taking with me. While that made a lot of sense, I took them with me anyway and they were great. I bought rainproof sneakers (or trainers if you prefer) for the rain and THEY were definitely the best shoe buy ever! Go Montrail and REI!!!). They were in no way expensive...I doubt I paid more than $40 for them at Dillards. Ah the randomness.....