Skipping Class, Making the Milonga, and a new Volcada

From the beginning

After last Thursday, I felt I just couldn't take it anymore in Florencia's beginner class. My experience had been so distasteful, and the bad taste lingered all the way to the next Thurday. So after getting up at 6:30, commuting an hour and half south through rush hour traffic, working a strenuous 8 hour day stuck at a desk, only to repeat the commute in reverse, I was more than happy to say "heck with this", and I skipped class. As I daydreamed about NOT attending class that afternoon at my desk, I imagined that instead I would simply get home, changed out of my work clothes, stuff my face with whatever was in front in the fridge, and pass out for the night. As it turned out, I got home and actually had energy! (just not for Florencia's beginner class!) So I went to the gym. It was lovely. I had the whole upstairs to myself nearly the entire hour. And I took it easy, working some of my long neglected yoga stretches and abdominal exercises. Then, to really wind down, I grabbed a People Magazine and climbed onto a recumbant bike. Ahhh. So much better than "melting" into a partner with an unfortunate smell.

Friday i made my little comeback. First was practice with Javier at the gym in the morning. Practice went well; we worked a lot on ochos and giros (his ochos, too). And Friday night I went to the 4 Seasons/Puro tango Milonga that Michael Cordner does. it was really fun! Hadn't been there since before Argentina, and only once then. I danced with several guys, including an older man (just one awkward song), with Michael--an excellent dancer, whom I enjoyed, with Iliya (sp?), the dark brooding Russian man who has seemed to look right through me up until this very night--he was also good; very good, but as I told Javier, his dance language is like a distant dialect of my language...Mutually intelligible, but with a lot of "Huh?"s. I want to try again. Also danced with ConnectionMike. I'm going to call him that from now on! The older guy from Florencia's classes, longish silvery hair, bald on top, dark thin eyes, almost always seems to wear a purple shirt...He's not the most chivalrous fellow; I mean, he can be a bit preachy...but he's alright. and he's all about the connection. Connection, Connection, Connection. You almost HAVE to say that word 3 times. Well the highlight of the evening was that Sandra, the adorably gorgeous curly-haired redhead whom I believe to be one of the finest tango dancers (her footwork is sooo....pretty. it's just pretty) in the city, well she came up to me at the end of the night and paid me the kindest compliment; said how lovely I was dancing, and in so little time; that i would certainly become an excellent, excellent dancer. Coming from Sandra, this was even more encouraging.

Last night was Monday night, and I again went to Practica at Oddfellows Hall in St. Paul. I danced with Javier virtually the whole time; well, all except the last 2 short tangos which I got Gibson to put his shoes back on for. javier and I were engrossed in a new project; executing volcadas, with and without leg wraps, on both sides, and in succession. I think the 30 minutes we worked at it were some of the most productive time we've spent practicing; i love learning something new, something concrete; it's a welcome refreshment from simply honing the posture, the walk, the embrace/connection, etc. We videotaped the volcadas--to see our progress and for future posterity. I'm pretty thrilled with it all.

and that's about it. :) 4 Seasons Practica tonight...