John Travolta and Oliva Newton John's classic song from Grease still sends chills up my spine everytime I hear it. Today's party was interesting. One girl came along, dressed as a Strawberry Daquiri, red outfit, headband with an orange and to make the outfit complete, she had two straws tucked inside it. Neat. We have alot of people named Anders at the dances. In the picture you see Anders x 3. Also, check out the cool palm tree.
Olle invited a few people to his house for dinner. The deal was, we prepare it. Johan N, Maria D, Håkan and I were there with him, and we all prepared the dishes. It was pretty good. I liked the fish the most I think. It was nice to see Olle's place. I arrived earlier than anybody else so we had an hour and a half to talk and play some soft football.
Today is a hectic day. I fixed the windscreen wiper on the car, with some help, I drove around town trying to find a parking spot so I could buy the gift certificate we need for the party tonight. There's 8 of us paying towards a present for Mette and Micke who are hosting a party tonight called Summernights.
Jag sover alldeles för lite. Ja, det gör jag. Kanske sex timmar per natt i snitt. Jag borde sova mer. När jag körde föregående klipp med Helmer Bryd E.F.Q. blev jag inspirerad till att spela en till för er, kära läsare. Tänk, om man i en drömvärld kunde använda nån piffig drog som inte gjorde nån skada, så att man orkade vara vaken jämt? Detta hade ju gjort susen i Herräng också. Tänk på det!!
A friend said about dancing: "When I connect with a woman through dancing, it is a real thrill because it allows me to access parts of my personality I cannot do on my own."
To which I replied: "Dancing, ah, the dancing. The thrill you describe is pretty much a female fantasy of what something resembling love is, by the way. A guy who all of a sudden becomes focused on making not only himself, but also you shine, no verbal communication necessary (most of the time), a lot of touching, but most of all - like you say, clicking when you merge into one with your ideas, physically and mentally. Now, it's ironic to note, that I truly appreciate a talker in a relationship. :) Maybe I just need a dancer.."
(tris) What to give the girl who has everything All i want for christmas you Here’s my list I checked it twice Wasn’t good, wasn’t bad I was naughty and nice. Had my eye on you all year long And now i know fo sho I wouldn’t even have to try you on No need for gift return.
(tris: chorus) It’s going to be a cold winter But i wont need the heat to keep me warm As long as you wrap yourself around me On christmas morn’ Whether it’s now or later S’long as it’s before you go, you know My love is always in your favor And now you know that All i want for christmas... Is...
(tris) Sweet like a candycane Hanging from the tree I will stripe you red and green When you hit me like a sugar rush No need for the other stuff This season you’re all that i need. They say wishing for you Is like wishing for snow in california But you know that i can prove them all wrong Cause my love is true I simply adore ya.
(tris: chorus) It’s going to be a cold winter But i wont need the heat to keep me warm As long as you wrap yourself around me On christmas mornin’ Whether it’s now or later As long as it’s before you go, you know My love is always in your favor And now you know that All I want for christmas... Is...
(jason) Can’t say that i’ve been good all year But I've been making resolutions to get you here And if it means being better than whatever, no sweat Well I bet my halls that i deck for the cause And santa claus, he knows what my intentions are Even dismissing mistle toe So I get to know ya, first of all Singing oh my god You’re the reason that i decorate my yard
(tris and jason) It’s going to be a cold winter But I wont need the heat to keep me warm As long as you wrap yourself around me On christmas mornin’ Whether it’s now or later Got to tell you before you go, that Love is always in your favor And now you know that All i want for christmas... All i want for christmas... All i want for christmas is us.. All i want for christmas is us...
Monday, November 17, 2008
So here's the dance I did with Tom, the worst one of them all, and I was quite nervous. The aerial at the end I missed, but I'm hoping some of you will find this as entertaining as I did. I plan, however, on learning it sooner rather than later. I think I can do it now, but I don't feel confident. I know how to though.
In any case it was a great experience dancing so much with him over there, getting alot of advice but mainly just having a ball!
Oh, and this is what the aerial was supposed to look like, btw.
Charlie Norman is just one of the greatest, wouldn't you say? I love a boogie woogie piano and it gets me going like nothing else. When I have more energy, I may go to Ingrid's class in Lund. I spend about 15 hours dancing now, so I'm trying to take it easy sometimes. Enjoy this clip, folks.
Yes, according to the infamous legacy of the American Dream - everyone can succeed in this world if you work hard enough. Having second thoughts about my teaching at the moment;an idea just came to me today. If I had some money to gamle with, I'd start my own business number 2 and run an all-American diner around here. I think it would do huge business. Imagine the furniture, the jukebox, the authentic burgers, the huge milkshakes - and Elvis and Little Richard blasting out of the speakers. Imagine a small dancefloor where you could have dancers or live band with this. I think I need some more guts. Don't you?
Got the flu on Thursday so had to stay home from work. I completely lost my voice, and so I've had to shut up now for two days. It's really quite relaxing in a way, but I don't want to have to think about a situation in the classroom where I have to take control without the voice. It won't work. For fifteen minutes it's the best tool in the world, but after that it wouldn't apply any further.
So. Today's plan, like yesterday's, is to remain in bed, watch alot of youtube clips and write some emails. Probably won't be able to dance in the next few days, but I may go and watch anyway.
I've slept too little again. Nonetheless, I have had time to read and browse the newspaper, which I'm quite happy about. Tonight will be a night at home - washing, cleaning, grading papers and maybe some sleeping. Will be awesome. I can't wait actually. After an intense weekend of dancing, I kinda just feel like taking it easy. 12 hours in 3 days is a bit too much, if you don't get enough rest.
I want to show you the Big Apple routine we're doing. We'll learn it from Johan during 3 consecutive Mondays, yesterday being the first. I thought it went pretty well, but it was superfast and I'm sure it looks silly, so working on the steps at home a bit this week is necessary for me.
We learned everything up to the bridge part, to a song faster than this one. Although it's hard to deceipher details in this clip, it truly is amazing to watch!
After my trip to America, things have calmed down a bit around here. I have started subscribing to the newspaper again, and hopefully I'll have time to read it too. I woke up this morning and felt a sudden urge to listen to some Lindeman-sketches, by Hasse å Tage. Those of you who know me well, know that I'm a total HåT addict and know most things by heart. :)Oh, this national treasure of ours!
Loads of dancing this weekend including a live gig with rockabilly band Nosey Joe. I quite enjoyed it, although Thursday's dance was better. I have received a few compliments on my improvement this week, and of course I'm delighted!
Had 30 great dances yesterday and danced with an American guy in Malmö who practised the switches, I think he called them "sugar" something? I showed Anton who probably will now start using it too. I had 5 great dances with him yesterday. My favourite dances, however, were with Olle, whom I haven't danced with for a long time. I was exhausted and jet-lagged but loved every second of it. Micke A did the aerial with me that I didn't manage when Tom first tried. I was happy that I made it.
Mom is coming today with the car and the cats. Tomorrow is Nosey Joe at Tangopalatset, will be good. There is a pre-party and since I'm in charge of marketing, I have to fix some stuff for it, like printing tickets.
Oh, and I have to grade a thousand papers. Look like the weekend is all booked up. :)
Despite the fact that the leaves have fallen Despite the fact that I'm not in DC anymore Despite the fact that didn't have a nice cheeseburger for dinner Despite the fact that I'd rather work with something more challenging Despite the fact that I'm quite lonely and the flat is quiet ......... I'm one happy girl. I've had a great year, and met alot of new people. I have made new friends that are friends for life. I have had a great holiday away, and I'm really one happy camper today, despite the above.
Today Bob Kleinpeter knocked on our door. He is one crazy dude. He took Larry and me out for lunch. I loved dancing with him. Apparently he knows my dancing friend Annette Jacobsson. I packed my stuff quickly, and Larry drove me to Tom's house. I waited for him to get ready in the house, then we took off and headed for the airport. He had a really cool jacket which said "Lindyhopper from Hell" on the back. We said goodbye and it all felt okay. I slept like a baby all the way home, including on the flight from London. Probably needed it.
I feel like a hamburger. I mean, literally like a hamburger.
Hmm. Turns out that my computer battery had completely run out without me realising. I usually always get a low-battery indicator warning, but this time things turned black. I thought my computer died on me, but all I needed was some sleep and a power cable :)
I spent most of the day waiting to go to Elan Dance Center. Larry and I went for breakfast but everywhere was closed, so we ended up buying a coffee. I was dancing a bit back home too. Tom was supposed to show up at 6 but was late as always and we only had 10 minutes to talk about my dancing and dance two songs. Anyway, I will try to take his advice which was: a. Look up, look at your partner. b. keep your frame (I can see it's improving, but not nearly as much as I would like. How is that done??) c. don't swivel all the time d. give some more resistance in the right arm e. feet under your body, don't wander.
While Tom and Debra were doing their performance group class, I asked Sue and Gary to show me the move they do, a St Louis Collegiate Shag. I filmed it. I asked Tom for a last dance and knowing he would try his silly aerials I got nervous and only thought about that, which you will soon be able to see on the video. He told me that was my worst dance and that I did much worse when I was being videotaped and that my frame in that dance was horrendous. Nice comments, huh? But very true, I can see it and I could feel it. The good part is that I know that I do better than that normally, and also it looks slightly, if not much better than the clip before Herräng. I really must do something about this. Will film another dance when I focus more on the dance than the fact that I'm dancing with Tom Koerner, so I can see for myself whether what he said was true or not. It felt like I wasn't focusing and that I was stressed about it.
Afterwards we went for pizza at UNO's. Tom took me home and we didn't make any definite plans about airport today. "Let's assume we'll see each other tomorrow". I gave him the Swedish candy and a book about Fred Astaire.
I hope I get to say goodbye today, or else I'll be a sad girl. Come to think of it, I'll be very sad girl in any case, so it doesn't matter.
Today Tom brought his oldest son, Tom, and me to see George Washington's estate, Mount Vernon. It was an impressive place. I loved the view the most. It was right by the water. We were lucky to have a beautiful day, about 20 degrees. Went for gross lunch afterwards in Mackey's - a place that smelled too much of smoke and had bad Irish stew. In the evning we went to Glen Echo, Debra me and Tom and Larry, although we met up there. Tom danced 3 songs with me 2 very fast ones and tried me to do a charleston through a swingout. That was fascinating, I will work on that. I had alot of great dances, before T and I left through the back to go to the Diner. I ate grilled cheese with bacon and had loads of iced tea to drink. Tom drove me home, we talked about all kinds of stuff, then dropped me off at Larry's. I went to bed feeling a bit sad, because, well, I have no idea if this is a once in a lifetime thing or not, dancewise. I was also sad because I won't see Tom again in a very long time. He has become a very close friend of mine.
So,in short, if you're ever in DC, be sure to check out the Carlyle Club. I still can't believe what just happened tonight. The wow-factor is extremely high, and as soon as you walk through the door, it's like entering a lost era, one that you didn't think exísted anymore.
I must remember to read up on Cab Calloway. Tom and I were discussing whom his biggest competition would have been back in the day. Reverend Arnold came to the dance, and I just love this man. He married Tom and Carolyn, he dances really well and he is now 83 years old. I love him!
Tonight Larry and I went to the Carlyle Club. It was of course Halloween and so we first waited around a bit at home for the trick-or-treaters to come by asking for candy. We then left for this fancy 30s style club, a top-notch restaurant/club where Tom is a part owner. Larry and I had a few drinks before Tom and Debra showed up. Another guy, Dave also showed up and a few others - reverend Arnold was one of them. Tom introduced me to Cab Calloway's grandson who is now the front figure in the CC Orchestra!! He told him how we met online etc. I thought that was really sweet. I had so much fun there, the place is one of a kind, the decor, the food, the music. Fantastic. I had to pinch myself to see whether I was dreaming or not! I had a lot of nice dances there with the few people that came, but my favourite dances were with Tom. We all looked hot and fabulous as you can see! Oh what a night!
Today I spent most of the day in the mall area of DC looking at the Lincoln Memorial and Capitol. I had lunch in McDonalds - totally disgusting mainly because of strawberry flavoured Fanta! Took the Metro home to Clarendon station and fell asleep for a few hours due to another bad case of food coma, before getting ready for tonight's great event... to be continued...
