“I’m not a rock and roll dancer!”

Yes, it has been more than just a little while, and there are a few things I’ve been thinking about, but they’ve pretty much been covered in previous posts, other than spins.  I have to work on spins (but I’ve asked my best friend, who does ballet, to help me with it).  Anyway, mostly, I’ve been thinking about how to make my Rock and Roll look more genuine, and I think this picture pretty much affirms me:

 

My trophies! MINE!!!

 

So six of those trophies are for lindy hop and slow swing (also lindy hop, but at a slower tempo), but three are for rock and roll!!

I have to admit, when they called my name to accept 3rd place for Open Rock and Roll, after releasing a loud and incredulous “whaaaaat?!” I began laughing uncontrollably.  When we went to take the top three photo, Matt, who had also placed with his partner, the beautiful Eden, asked me why I was laughing, to which I replied, “I’m not a rock and roll dancer!”

I think that statement was proved false within a minute, because when they announced the Invitational Rock and Roll places, I picked up second place!  I congratulated James, my partner, on making me look good in RnR!  I really do attribute quite a bit of these RnR placings to his skills.  =)

Oh, but then there was the riotously indulgent icing on the cake: in the Rock and Roll Invitational Jack and Jill, I was awarded first place!  Sure it helped that I was partnered with the golden boy, Jono, who I have also danced with before, on multiple occasions, but still, a first place in Rock and Roll…  Jack and Jill on top of it.  I’m not sure if this should count in my “place in a JnJ” goal, because it *is* RnR after all…  Look, I guess partners are still assigned based on the luck of the draw, and your skills as a social dancer or lead/follow are still tested…  so…  I guess I’m claiming it, but I’m still going to try for a lindy JnJ place, if I find any other JnJ comps later this year.

While it was kind of farcical to have about four or five couples in each division, it was still nice to be recognised as being in the top three.  And nicer still, to be ranked in a place among the Katz.  Sure, there’s the issue of these things creating animosity, and that I certainly don’t like (I like friends!), but what I do like about it is that it gives me a bit more of an idea as to where I sit in the group and how much I need to improve, etc.

In summary, my results for the 2014 Australian Rock and Roll Dancesport Council Australasian Championships are as follows:

3rd place Open Rock and Roll
2nd place Invitational Rock and Roll
2nd place C&D Grade Lindy Hop/Jitterbug
2nd place Open Lindy Hop/Jitterbug
2nd place Invitational Lindy Hop/Jitterbug
2nd place C&D Grade Slow Swing
2nd place Open Slow Swing
2nd place Invitational Slow Swing
1st place Invitational Rock and Roll Jack and Jill

 

Oh, and photos and videos as they come, because sharing is caring.  =)

on the verge

Next week I’m going to watch this:

 

WOOHOO!!

I’ll be going with a friend, who hadn’t even seen the film until I swooped in, a DVD in one hand and movie snacks in the other, earlier this evening.

Interestingly, while I was watching the film, I realised something.  Having learned what I have learned, I now see that what once seemed overly melodramatic, now only seems slightly so.  Although I competed a handful of times many moons ago, I’m entering a different league altogether, and it’s a little confronting, to say the least, but Strictly definitely hit close to home.

I am on the verge of being thrust into the world of competitive dance.  I can now empathise with some of these characters, rather than simply laugh along with the rest of the audience.

I am on the verge of being thrust into the world of competitive dance.  I have seen the elation of a win and the devastation a loss can bring.

I am on the verge of being thrust into the world of competitive dance.  I watch some couples train way too seriously and wonder why I’m relying on natural ability, as if it were a jack and jill and not competitive, choreographed dance.

I am on the verge of being thrust into the world of competitive dance.  With ballroom judges… …judging swing.  (…is it any wonder I can’t take it too seriously?)

I am on the verge of being thrust into the world of competitive dance.  What on Earth was I thinking?