Kickin’ it up With a Real Rockette!

I was really looking forward to the tap dancing workshop.  I had the blessing of my DH as I left him with our two daughters.  “Go on.  Enjoy yourself”  he said.  I was all smiles as I headed out the door in my pink warmups.  I arrived at the studio early, so I could stretch and warm up my calves.  I was fairly confident in my tapping ability.  Although I’ve only been “hoofing” about three years now, I picked up on it quite easily, and except for a few moves that require strength (i.e. toe stands, one leg pull-backs) or speed, I can do just about anything.  The one thing I didn’t count on, was my utter lack of brain power.  Today I came face to face with the realization that something must have happened to my brain cells.  It came on subtly.  For years it was just not being able to think of answers right away.  You know what I’m talking about:  you’re watching Jeapordy and you really know the answer, but you can’t articulate it until five seconds after the person on the T.V. has already answered it.  Then there’s the forgetting the day of the week, forgetting your good friend’s phone number even though you have called her everyday for the last year and a half, forgetting to pick up your child from day care (okay I almost forgot her, but remembered it before I got out of the school parking lot).  And I guess I’ve always excused myself in my dance class.  After all, I am more than twice the age of most of the girls in the class.  It’s no wonder they pick things up quicker, and remember the combinations from week to week–their brains are like sponges.  Today, however, I felt like a total moron.  The steps were easy enough; but as  soon as I would learn a combination, she would go to the next and I would totally forget what I just learned.  There was no adding on for me; it was the combination at hand and nothing else.  Darlene Meyer, former Radio City Rockette, would ask, “Does everybody have that?” and would look right at me because she was so used to me shaking my head and saying, “No, not really.”  There were a few redeeming moments.  I mean I actually learned a few things I didn’t know before, and I think I can retain them.  Actually, if I write them right here, I know I can look them up in case I forget.  For instance, the rule of kick lines is “Right arm over; the middle of the back”.  I also learned what a “spank” was.  I thought I had learned all of the double tap sounds, but had never heard of a “spank”.  Unfortunately, I stood and scratched my head through two combinations before I finally figured out what one was.  I was a little disappointed when at the end of class all I had to show for it was a few arm movements that anyone could do.  I can honestly say that I can’t remember a single combination in the entire 2 hour workshop.  I did get to meet a fascinating lady who is an amazing dancer.  She is also turning 60 in a couple of months, still teaches full-time, and is turning out some really good students.  I debated about whether to publish this humiliation, and I will debate even harder about publishing the picture; but for now just remember “right arm over; the middle of the back”.