If you've been keeping up, you know I've learned the basics already for foxtrot, rhumba, American tango, international tango, waltz, swing, salsa and cha cha. But for my privates, I've chosen to focus on waltz and salsa. There's a lot to learn I know, but right now I need to focus on becoming a dancer--you know-- getting some control of my body cuz I know so much about dance from rehearsing and performing with dancers so much over the years but although I can visualize the movements in my head, my body just doesn't cooperate. I'm basically using muscles I haven't used before and I need to internalize a lot of the movements that are common to all these ballroom styles so I can just get out there and enjoy myself.

I've had a few moments where I felt like I was dancing. For example, today we were working on the waltz and I don't know if my teacher intended to do this, since I have a tendency to overanalyze stuff, but I think Marsha kept my analytical mind so busy with some small talk while we were doing the waltz basic that I managed to keep it going halfway around the dance floor without losing the rhythm! It was a pretty cool feeling like we were floating across the dance floor. I was impressed with myself. I'm a pretty smart guy and somewhat physically fit so I know I can do this with some serious practice, not that it's easy cuz it isn't, but sometimes I just get in my own way when I think too much. :-P Well today during the waltz, Marsha asked me, "Do you feel like a ballroom dancer?" and today I was able to say yes. :-)

I thanked Marsha for the lesson and got out of the studio around 2:00pm. To keep this ballroom high going I wanted to go see the new Antonio Banderas movie Take the Lead but I needed to cash a check at a bank near my brother's art boutique in Clarendon, so I stopped by for a quick visit.

Turns out my brother's going to be on TV: he was invited to be the featured designer on a "Trading Spaces" spin-off called Kidspace on HGTV. I'm so proud of him for following his heart and going into the arts full-time like myself. Congrats Kevin!

It was a good day to be out so naturally I saw a few familiar faces. I walked from the Clarendon neighborhood to Rosslyn and first ran into my roommate's girlfriend and talked for a bit. Then when I was about to cross the Key Bridge, I ran into another friend who gave me a ride into Georgetown. I was in the crosswalk when I saw someone wave at me. Turned out to be Omar on his way to Cafe Bonaparte. I got to the Georgetown Loews in time for the 4:55pm show of the Banderas flick which was corny at times, I admit, but since I'm now hooked on ballroom, I didn't care. It was inspiring.

When I got out I instinctively headed towards the waterfront and came across this view of the sunset....

Georgetown waterfront at sunset. April 12, 2006 7:23pm

It was a perfect night for outdoor dining as many of the tables on the patio were occupied. At least a quarter of the people were just lounging in chairs with no more than a drink in their hands as they faced the water appreciating the sunset together with me.

I took a long walk through Georgetown and was tempted to go into Barnes and Noble where I'd probably end up reading books until closing time.

Barnes and Noble on M St. April 12, 2006 8:15pm

But I resisted the tempation to go into the bookstore and instead continued my journey into the Dupont Circle neighborhood intending to visit Cafe Citron when I remembered that Alliance Dance Insitute has a Wednesday night salsa party at Meze in Adams-Morgan. So I went into Meze and said a brief hello to a few familiar faces before going back out and heading towards the Woodley Park metro to go home.

April 12, 2006 9:35pm