It hurts....

This is un-related to salsa dancing but is worth writing about... My Pistons lost. To the Cavs of all teams. Not that they are bad. LeBron is amazing. They basically collapsed in this series and have let us fans down. They are always our hope. Them and the Redwings. They are the only ones who bring some sort of hope to the Detroit area since the Lions are so depressing. And now...we have nothing. Maybe the Tigers but the chances of them returning to the World Series again is slim. So we're left, yet again, without a champion in Detroit (or in our hearts since some of us live elsewhere). I still love the Pistons of course. Billups is my hero and a wonderful man and maybe they can come back next year with more determination and less whine.

Lazy Lazy...

I've been a lazy blogger. My apologies. I have been busy though. We finished our latest routine and it went over really big at the 2nd Annual DC Rueda Fiesta. Everyone loved it and we did a good job performing it. We've done it twice since then and it only gets better. I have found that I feel settled and happy dancing with my group and it is a relief. After years of feeling like I've been wandering around DC blind bumping into this group or that group, I have found a group of people that are fabulous and wonderful and fun and crazy. I have new women friends and that's the best. I love my guy friends - always will - and I'll always feel more comfortable around men. But having a group of women to hang with is new for me and I'm enjoying it.

I promise to be back soon....

Double Spins!

I need so much help on my footwork its not even funny! Help! That's all I have to say about that.

Performance Time!

Ocean Drive in Wheaton, Maryland will be the place for SAOCO's next performance. We'll be going on tonight around 9:30 - 10:00 p.m. I'm not nervous about the performance as it is just a rueda performance and stuff I have known for ages. I could get nervous about the men, since, some of them haven't quite got all the moves down but I won't because really - its just a dance. And its at a club. So I'll just have fun with it and smile and give 'em all my porn face!!! What's a porn face? Well, you have to show up and watch the performance to find out.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

I love practicing our new routine - what we have of it so far. I do miss social dancing a lot though. I hope I won't forget how to by the time I'm done with this routine. HA! Of course I won't. One of these weeks I'll take an extra night and get out somewhere and have some fun. I knew I'd have to sacrafice a few things to be in the group. And I'm willing to do it since I'm tough that way.

I bought shoes today. That's always exciting. I should have them on Saturday - I hope. They are shiny and pretty and I can't wait to wear them around the house and test them out. My only fear is that I'll be too tall in them for my partner. However, I am testing out my other shoes tonight to see if they'll be ok. If he can still lead me in my shoes, the ones I bought should be fine.

The performance is only 50 some days away....

So it begins....

We have started on our new choreography. Its pretty challenging but fun. I really like it. Its a bit fast but once the moves are learned, it really isn't that bad. We'll be debuting the routine on April 21st at the DC Rueda Fest. Hopefully I'll learn the routine well enough to be included in the performance since we do have more women than men - a total miracle!!! Being challenged is good though. It def makes me a better dancer and that's what I want. I'd really prefer to be in Vancouver, Canada on April 21st for the rueda fest going on there but maybe next year.

Style

I have decided to put more time into dancing with a group. Or at least trying. The styling is going to be difficult. It is one thing to raise hands at the same time or drape the arm at the same time but footwork can be difficult. I'm struggling with it. When you are used to doing your own footwork for 7 years trying to change in a week is hard. Hopefully I'll get it. None of us are doing it exactly the same and when it comes time to perform, that will be a problem. I've actually been practicing and think I'm finally getting it. It is easy to over-style too I think. Some women do that. They are moving all over. I think it has a time and place but in Cuban-style salsa, the women do not over-stylize. They are very minimal in their styling but still look good. Some might say boring (New York Style people). But I rather like it. Want to see some great Cuban-style dancing? Head on over to Mucho Swing and check out their videos and music section.

Action Shot

I wanted to share this photo of me dancing in Miami during the competition. I really like the photo - the action shot with the dress twirling and me wearing the hat. I enjoy seeing the photos since they don't show any mistakes. hahahah. I hope you enjoy this as well.

Yooooohooooo!!!

I'm back. I haven't blogged in awhile just because I really haven't had a lot to say. Especially about dancing. But I felt inspired today. Last week I went to the Barking Dog in Bethesda, Maryland. Normally, I don't enjoy going there. I rarely get asked to dance for some reason and find myself getting bored. The venue is great and I love the lack of smoking but sick of the egos roaming around. I went on this paticular night since a friend was performing with a different rueda group. In addition, they were having the first performance by a new all-women group. Generally, all-women or all-men groups bore me. Its a lot of shines and, for the women, dancing as sexy as possible without really showing any ability. It was different for this group. They were amazing. They really focused a lot on Afro-cuban styling and also danced as partners with everyone getting a chance to lead. And they didn't lead Micky Mouse moves. These were hard, arm-tangling moves. Impressive. They were feminine, sexy, smooth, and beautiful. A hard combination to realize in salsa I think. I hope all the women there were proud of these girls who decided to do something different.

Tego is BACK!

Daddy Yankee may be the most handsome reggaeton star. Don Omar may have the sexiest eyes. But my favorite is Tego Calderon and he doesn't even want to be known as a reggaeton artist. He wants more versitality than that. But you know - he's not an idiot. He knows what pays the bills. His new album is out and you should give it a listen. His music is inventive, catchy, and covers a lot of ground. Its been out for about a month but isn't getting much play yet and isn't available on iTunes (or wasn't last time I checked). Sure, maybe you don't understand Spanish. Doesn't matter. Good music is good music regardless of the language.

Adios Videos

Fox did a clean sweep of the So You Think You Can Dance videos that were on YouTube.com. So if you see one on my site, I apologize that it is no longer available. It is too bad because some of those were just awesome!!! I have found a few on other sites but won't go to the trouble of re-posting for now.

Salsa Performance

As far as I know, on August 20th, I'll be doing my very first rueda performance. It is kind of a big thing for me because I've never been asked to perform before. I guess its because of my life and schedule. So I'm very excited about it. I'm confident it will go well - I just want to make sure I look good doing it. I don't want to be up in front of all those people looking like a dork. Hahaha. It takes place in the afternoon in the Lamont area of Washington DC. It was post-poned once. Hopefully it won't get cancelled or post-poned again.

Just Venting

I'm so tired of the "When's your baby due?" question. People - please understand this is RUDE!!!! I have lost close to 60 lbs in one year. I DO NOT LOOK PREGNANT!!!!!!!!! Just because a shirt is blousy does not make a woman pregnant. Shut up already. And I've ceased trying to just blow it off. I'm downright mean to people now because that's how they make me feel.

Upcoming Performance

A friend of mine asked me to perform with him and some friends. It is pretty fun. I normally don't have time to committ to a group over a long period of time so this is perfect. The performance is on August 5th. I am not 100% sure where it is. I know its Mt. Pleasant area of Maryland at a park but I couldn't find it on a map. You should come out and check us out!

Last night we even made up a couple of new moves that were fun. Hopefully they'll go over well with the crowd. One is specifically for the crowd and if they don't laugh or whoop it up, it'll be a failure. Or silly. But that's ok. Its a risk but definitely a fun one. I'll post a video clip of the performance after we're done.

Inspiration for Today

I'm tired today. I needed some inspiration and decided to go find some quotes to help me through my day. I found some at http://www.onlinediscountmart.com/quotable-quotes.html. Here are a few that I really enjoyed.

For the women who think getting checked out by construction workers is a bad thing...Mae West has it 100% right.

"It is better to be looked over than overlooked." Mae West

I think Mark Twain has the most quotes. In fact, I read them and thought "ohhh...that's who said that first!". One of my favorites by him involves compliments. I don't think we give each other enough these days.

"I can live for two months on a good compliment." Mark Twain

And finally some quotes about marriage that I thought were on point.

"You see, when friends become lovers and then husbands and wives, well, two is definitely better than one, to themselves and to everyone they touch." Lee Baldwin

"Any marriages would be better if the husband and wife clearly understood they are on the same side. Zig Ziglar (so true!!!!)

"Love is like friendship caught on fire." Bruce Lee (I had no idea Bruce is the one who said this - totally awesome!)

Ms. La-Ti-Dah

I couldn't help but laugh last night as the diva walked in the club. She had a small entourage with her. Some dude looking helpless holding her hand while another just seemed to be their escort or something. As she enters the joint, all the guys stop to stare at her. Why? Well, first they think she's the be-all, end-all to dancing. Second, she makes sure to wear as little clothing as possible. She's hot. Don't get me wrong. Maybe I'd wear the same thing if I could. Um. No. I wouldn't. So she struts over to the bar and people clear the way for her. I leave and go dance. And you know what? She's watching me. Eyeing me more like it. I'm sure she had many opinions of me and my dancing. I don't really care. I couldn't help but laugh though. Her, sitting there, acting as if she owned the place. Well, Ms La-Ti-Dah... you don't own anything. Get out on the floor, sweat, and stop looking down your nose. You're not fooling anyone.

*sniff sniff*

Dmitry has been voted off of So You Think You Can Dance. See his last solo dance here while you can. The boy is so handsome and beautiful. Sure, he started to depend on his shirt being open and such but that's ok. I didn't mind.

Miami Here I Come!

I've been talking about the upcoming competition I'll be taking part in this coming October. And what's the best part about it? Miami, Fl. Having gone there last year, all it did was make me want to go back. I have loved all my trips to Florida (http://www.flausa.com). I've been to Orlando four times and Miami once. I can't say I've ever had a bad time there. First its nice and warm. And if I love anything, its warm weather. I know I know, some people say "but its too hot". That's ok. More heat for me. One thing that I have always liked is that people seem very friendly there. Granted, Orlando is the tourist capital of the world, but, people seem sincerely happy there. And I love friendly people. Miami is totally different than Orlando but equally cool. I'll be there a little longer this year so I'm hoping to spend more time exploring South Beach. Maybe I'll even be in shape enough to wear my good bikini!! I'm sure the shopping is great and, of course, the food. Cuban food is delicious and a Cuban sandwich there is far better than anywhere else in the states (prove me wrong people!). I'm really excited about my upcoming trip and if you want to join me - let me know!

Friday Night Dancing

Cecilia's in Arlington is offering salsa lessons this Friday. Come and check them out. They start around 7:30 p.m. and are only $10 for all lessons and a night of dancing. The lessons are great and provided by SAOCO - the funnest (most fun) group in the DC area. I know because I'm not only a spokesperson, I'm their webmaster. But seriously, folks, you know you've been wanting to get out and try to learn how to dance. If you're a guy, you'd like to impress the ladies with your abilities. If you're a woman, you want the papi chulo in the club to ask you because you got skills. Only one way to accomplish that....getting out there and taking the lessons and practicing. And if you want, I'll dance with you personally and help you out. I promise!

So You Think You Can Dance Like Dmitry???

I have truly enjoyed watching this season of So You Think You Can Dance. I missed most of it last year and regret it. I think I was busy with the baby then. And now, I'll admit it, I have fallen for Dmitry. The man is gorgeous and has abs of steal. He is a ballroom specialist and when he dances the samba it makes me want to cry. I really love the samba but have never taken a class in it. That might have to change if I ever get a chance to dance with a man who looks like that. For you ladies, take note - he often dances with his shirt open. And its beautiful. If you haven't checked it out yet, do! If only to watch him!!!