Friday, September 20, 2013
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Ester Williams, a new favorite quote
"I found, much to my relief, that all I needed for my emotional and personal security was my own resolve and determination. I didn't need a marriage and a ring. " - Ester Williams
Sunday, September 15, 2013
100 Things to do at a Dance Competition, other than compete
100 things to do at a Dance Competition, other than compete.
( listed in no particular order)
1. Be kind to yourself.
2. Tell a friend she's beautiful.
3. Say hello to strangers
4. Greet your deck captain.
5. Find a way to help others
6. Cheer for others.
7. Stay until the end of awards
8. Allow for someone else to go ahead in the line.
9. Hold an elevator door.
10. Loan a program when needed.
11. Invite a friend to dinner.
12. Make a Newcomer feel welcomed.
13. Thank an organizer.
14. Give judges their space
15. Be happy for somebody.
16. Avoid OVER - dress shopping
17. Acknowledge youth competitors
18. Give credit wherever you can
19. Take a moment to do something silly
20. Pick up a tab
21. Share items in your emergency kit.
22. Buy your partner a coffee
23. Take 10 minutes to be quiet
24. Find time to stretch
25. Drink water
26. Take a moment to just listen to the music
27. Stay and spectate for a division that's not your own
28. Give your front seat to a newcomer
29. Show enthusiasm for the success of others
30. Smile
31. Go to bed early
32. Do something spontaneous
33. Spend an hour with your cell phone completely OFF
34. Thank the hotel staff
35. Have breakfast
36. Take your dance partner out to lunch
37. Thank the registrar
38. AcKnowledge the MC
39. Give energy for applause
40. Help a man to pin his number
41. Explore the hotel
42. Take a moment to check in with the outside world.
43. Like a friends photo on Facebook
44. Share the success of others
45. Take pictures with friends.
46. Help someone to find success in results, regardless of placement.
47. Try something new.
48. Dance a Peabody
49. Notice effective habits of others
50. Acknowledge those who finish behind you.
51. Wave hello at an old friend
52. Learn a great story from someone who's been dancing longer than you.
53. Have a glass of wine
54. Take a few minutes to quiet the mind.
55. Support charitable causes that the event has to offer.
56. Thank a dancer who watched your heats.
57. Reward yourself with something fabulous!
58. Eat something healthy
59. Get a massage
60. Observe something new
61. Comment someone on their dress.
62. Give a hug.
63. Dress up for the evening session
64. Repeat number 53
65. Arrive early
66. Stay late!
67. Be happy where you're at
68. Spend an hour in comfy shoes
66. Organize your hotel room closet
67. Bring a snack from home
68. Send a postcard
69. Adventure outside the hotel
70. Warm up
71. Practice
72. Cool down
73. Eat a meal in Silence
74. Take time to think
75. Greet someone outside the competition bubble
76. Consider someone's advice
77. Avoid the results book.
78. Take a nap!
79. Make your own coffee
80. Eat a piece of chocolate
81. Make a wish for the future
82. Take a moment to remember when you started
83. Make a list of things you are thankful for.
84. Order pictures!
85. Give someone an unexpected present
86. Eat a cookie.
87. Take a group picture
88. Look out the window.
89. Observe what's going on in the back row.
90. Thank your videographer
91. Give your partner the benefit of the doubt
92. Take a bubble bath
93. Withhold judgement
94. Dance like no one is watching
95. Make Art
96. Refrain from talking loudly in the elevator
97. Don't point at people
98. Compliment
99. Stop Obsessing
100. Have fun!
Zelda Fitzgerald Artwork
Since watching the movie, Midnight in Paris, I've been even more intrigued by the life of Zelda Fitzgerald and the Daisy Buchanon character in Gatsby. Maybe she reminds me of someone.
As the walls of my condo remain blank, I'm still shopping for something to hang in the house. Last weekend while in Rhode Island, I went shopping again for city scapes at the antique mall.
On and off again, I've seen a few paintings that look very similar to the fascinating artwork by Zelda Fitzgerald. I'm surprised she found time for it, if she was also trying to switch to a full time career in dancing at the time she painted them.
They remind me of a city scape that was for sale at the Rhode Island antique mall. Sometimes you never know where old artwork comes from. Makes me wonder if other Zelda Fitzgerald paintings are floating out there in the universe, at near bargain prices.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Flying Down to Rio
Had a great time last night watching Flying Down to Rio, 1933 RKO. It is best known for being the first screen pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. It is the only film in which Ginger Rogers was billed above Fred Astaire.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Saturday, September 7, 2013
USDC 2013
Each year, the United States Dance Championships returns to Florida to host the biggest dance stars in our industry. Some say that it is the most prestigious competition of its kind on American soil. The site of the ballroom is always very impressive.
The 2013 USDC started on Monday, September 2nd. We arrived with friends and fellow competitors a few days early at the Walt Disney World Swan hotel, located in Lake Buena Vista.
When we arrived early to the competition on Saturday. We had the opportunity to view the enormous Swan Ballroom before the competitive dance floor was placed over the carpet. The lighting and stages set for the event were very impressive.
The United States Dance Championships is the only event recognized by the National Dance Council of America to have the official United States National Dance Championship titles.
The website for USDC is very helpful. Sophia was listed on this site for winning Top Bronze Student in 2012. We were never notified of her placement last year, so we departed before awards in 2012.
Since last years trip ended ealry, we decided to return this year to Orlando a bit early. I was hoping this year to enjoy more things Disney :)
I am not ashamed to admit that I had specific goals to accomplish during this event that were outside of dancing, like wearing mouse ears and having dinner at Disney's T-Rex.
For some reason, I am always unable complete my Disney "To do list", and I visit there almost once a year. I'm still no less excited by returning again an again, with the hopes of eating dinner at T-Rex, with its famous ice bar.
Maybe my Disney "to do list " was too long. This year we had a few more important things to do.
The most important celebration at USDC was be Sophia's birthday! And she was about to turn $&@#!
Our dance friends flew in from around the country to celebrate with Sophia before USDC began. We met up with our Atlanta friends, Chrsitjohn Battters and Mona Maerz, from Ballroom Dance Clubs of Altanta. We arrived so early that the mannequins were still standing cold and naked in the ballroom lobby, and at the Jordy Booth, we arrived so early that there truly was " nothing" .
We met up with Christjohn and Mona for a fun day at Universal Studios.
It was a day to be young am have fun.
Our next day at the Swan was spent poolside. It was a relaxing day for dance practice and spray tans.
Later, group had a chance to see JT Simon in the hallway. He's seen here holding a bucket of beer, courtesy of Dore?
The following day the dancing began.
It was tough keeping track of everything, even with a well marked program.
Sophia placed 4th in her Bronze Rhythm Schorahip. I am so proud that she placed as a finalist for this second year in a row.
We were all happy for Marcy who won yet another USDC title. It's hard to tell from this picture, who is the bigger celebrity.
Sophia had just come off of doing 3 comps before USDC, and suffered a serious foot injury just before Capital Dancesport. That being said I was even more happy that she took 4th place and her bronze rhythm Schorahip, 5th in bronze smooth, and 3rd place in her bornze 9 Dance.
Between heats I had the time to snap this pic of Linda and Melbin.
Windy City Open 2013
During the last week of August we attended the Windy City Open. This year was my 6th year attending.
I had a nice time at this event. I was expecialy fun to watch Blake Kish and Pat Turk in the Country Western division. So much fun that Sophia & I joined them by adding late entries in Country Western.
During our visit we got to visit theFlagship headquarters for McDonald's, one of the largest operating McDonald's restaurants in the world.
The building was several stories tall, with walls made entirely of glass and it was filled with Rock n' roll memorabilia
We also had time to visit our friends, Gregory Day and Natasha Issacs at Chicago Dace.
It was one of the most beautiful studios I have ever visited. The studio was just recently redesigned with a modern cafe and bar, along with sound proof sliding glass walls, luxurious bathrooms and changing rooms.
Before dancing, we met with the D'Angelo family for Italian Dinner.
The competition itself was smaller this year, but fun.
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Friday, September 6, 2013
Between hobby & lifestyle
After USDC, some dancers were so disappointed with the results, that they (jokingly) considered switching hobbies. There were many unexpected placements, which discouraged a few girls, and made them consider the switch from dancing to knitting. LOL ! Be careful what you wish for! In a world of extremes, you can't find an activity more diametrically opposed to ballroom, or can you? Watching this video has taught me that people can follow any hobby so passionately that it becomes a lifestyle, but my how different the lifestyle can be !
Changes my perspective on the way people might view a hobby? Not sure, but it makes me wonder where the line is, when an activity goes from "hobby" to "lifestyle"...
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