Now that I'm taking dance classes (not flamenco but same principle applies), I too have to practice outside of class because I seriously want to learn to dance well. Since one of my perks as a member of the staff at Alliance Dance Institute is free dance training, I might as well take advantage of this opportunity to learn from some of the best teachers. Since I do have a decent size dance studio with mirrors at home, I really have no excuse not to practice.

Being a professional musician, I do have a decent sense of rhythm, but realistically it's going to take some time for me to get the basics of ballroom dance down really well. Gotta develop the muscles, work on weight shifting, proper posture, partnering etc. It's OK. I'm in no hurry.

This afternoon (Saturday) I had a flamenco rehearsal with Marsha and when I left the studio, she said was going to stay in tonight and work on some rhythmic ideas. I was planning to stay in myself (had a late night last night and I'm probably going to bed pretty soon) so I might as well carry on in the same spirit as Marsha and squeeze in some practice too.

In the American version of the film Shall We Dance? one dancer advises a newbie that for every hour of class, you should practice five hours. It's an arbitrary number, but sounds like good advice that I'll use myself. So I worked on waltz and salsa for about an hour and now I'm pooped!

Funny thing is that since the weather was warm tonight I had the windows open but the blinds closed. Of course I had the ballroom dance music blaring on the sound system not realizing it was probably audible to people walking by the house. While I was working on the waltz dance figures, out of the corner of my eye I noticed some movement by the window. Someone was trying to peek inside the blinds!

So I opened the door and there was this young lady who looked about the same age as my housemate who just so happens to be a serious mambo dancer. So I assumed she was a friend of hers. I asked her, "Are you a friend of Vicky?"

She ignored my question, "Is there a dance class?"

"No, the weekly tango class is on Thursday nights."

"Yeah, I know that. I just thought there was a dance class tonight."

I suppose she heard the waltz music through the window and noticed the pink glow (from the Christmas lights) through the window. It didn't occur to me at the time, but I could've invited this young lady (who's probably one of my neighbors) to practice with me anyway. Damn! Gotta work on my partnering technique. Oh well. :-)

Check out this blog entry titled "Knowledge is Power." Very inspiring!

It's 10:24pm and I'm starting to fade. Going to bed. Night!