No Wallflowers Here
Mood:  energetic
As most of you know, I love trying out new things. Well only if it doesn't involve spiders or heights. :) My quirky sense of adventure has allowed me to do some pretty odd and totally random things. So when my friend Marie emailed me last week to see if I wanted to go swing dancing Saturday night, I sounded out with a big HELL YEAH! There was only one problem. I have never been swing dancing before. She then informed me that they have a beginners class from 7 to 8. Well then sign me up!!! I was a little nervous seeing as it took me 3 years to learn the electric slide. I couldn't even imagine how much of a disaster this was going to be but at least I could say that I tried it.

I met Marie over in Durham a little past 5:30. It was amazing that I didn't get lost seeing as for some reason I become directionally challenged in Durham. I was a little late because mapquest said it only took 24 minutes to get there when actually it took 32, but I digress. We headed over to the pottery shop so that I could get the plate I had been dying to own and I was in luck...it was 30% off. Whoo Hoo!!! We then searched for a place to eat and settled on Fowler's for some sandwiches then headed over to the pastry shop,Amelia's, for dessert.

We decided to leave our cars parked at Brightleaf Square and walk the 4 blocks to the Armory. We got there and paid our $11 and headed for some chairs along the wall. I looked around and the scene reminded me of going to the bowling alley on league night. Everyone had come in with there street shoes on and immediately changed into their "swing" shoes. Marie was no different. She pulled out these cute white and black shoes from a bag that she had been carrying and put them on. Okay, now I feel a little out of place. My shoe choice? For some reason I opted to wear these cute high healed sandals. I would pay for this decision later. I often choose fashion over comfort.OUCH! Lesson learned.

About 7:15 the instructor called us out to the floor for our "lesson". He told us the history of swing and went over the different versions of the dance. We would be learning some East Coast Swing, which was apparently much easier to learn than West Coast. He then lined all the leaders on one side of the room and all the followers on the other. There seemed to be more followers than leaders which when you think about it...is sort of like society. Anyway...I chose to be a follower. We started out with the basic side to side and rock step. We did them over and over again until it was like second nature. Then came the fun part. The instructor paired us up with a leader and we practiced our basic moves. He then would yell "switch" and the followers would pair up with a new leader. This was a great way to meet people. Once we got our basics down, we started to learn a basic turn. I don't remember the name of it, but it was pretty simple. We practiced it a few times then went on to one of the holds. It was either called the cuddle or the cradle or the sweetheart or something along those lines. This one took me a little bit longer to master. While in the hold you are suppose to do a rock step before releasing and it always seemed I was on the wrong foot. LOL Well by this time it was 8PM and the band was ready to start playing. The last leader I ended up with was a really sweet guy named Chris who asked me right off the bat if I wanted to dance. Pleased that someone would let me try out my new skills I said sure. The music started and we started with our basic steps. Chris then started turning me and doing some other fancy moves. It was apparent to me that he was no beginner. But to my astonishment...I kept up with him. Apparently I was a natural follower and was able to pick up on his cues very well.

The evening went on and every time I tried to sit down to rest my feet, someone would come over and ask me to dance. I think I sat out a total of 2 songs. every time someone asked me to dance I would inform them that I was a beginner and wasn't very good. After I danced with them they swore I was lying about my skills. They said that I did very well. Not sure if it is true or they were just trying to make me feel better. LOL At one point I got a chance to dance with this Armenian guy. I wish I could recall his name. He was AMAZING!! He was such a great leader. He had a good hand grip and without saying a word he spun me around the floor like I had been swing dancing all my life. I think I could have danced with him all night. Marie had teamed up with this guy named James who danced with me twice. He told Marie that I wasn't bad, that actually I was a great follower. Maybe I have missed my calling in life??? :)

I glanced at my watch and it was now 11:00. My feet at this point were KILLING me and I still had to walk 4 blocks back to my car. I wish I could have stayed and danced longer. I also wish I would have had a camera with me.

I woke up Sunday morning with blistered feet and bruised heals but I wouldn't change it for the world. I can't remember a time when I had this much fun. I definitely want to do it again. Next time though...I will make sure I have on proper shoes.