Comment Spam

I encourage those with something to say about my scribblings here to comment. I cherish each and every one.

However, I've received some comments that contain links to commercial websites that don't appear to be relevant to my writings. For example, one replied that he or she (the person's profile doesn't say) was considering taking a class and had purchased a leotard. The word "leotard" was a link to a site that sells children's leotards and tights. I'm not a child. I don't write about children's clothing. The only purpose of the comment appeared to be to drive business to that company's website.

Sorry, I'm not playing that game.

If you want your comment displayed, don't link to commercial websites. If you want to recommend a web site to me, post a comment telling me why it's relevant to me; I'll read it in the quarantine, but don't expect to get it made visible.

Another good week

Went to class both days this week, as usual. Tuesday I was still a bit sore from the barre stretches the previous Tuesday, which seemed to excite our instructor no end. I'm pretty sure she's thinking it's a sign that we're really working hard; I'm thinking she owns stock in Advil.

Waltz turns

Thursday we introduced waltz turns. I don't recall doing these before, but the motion came fairly easily so perhaps we did them waybackwhen and I've forgotten.

Yesterday I went to my yoga class, after not having been able to attend for quite a while. It was the same teacher as always, but she's changed her intro patter to say that this is a mixed class, and some things will be more advanced than others. I ran out of steam about 10 minutes before the end of class and skipped the more energetic bits.

One thing I noticed, though, was that I've gained a significant amount of flexibility since the last yoga class. Sitting in "hero's pose", which is kneeling on the mat with feet pointed, my legs sat flatter than before, probably due to greater flexibility in my ankles since I've started ballet. In the standing straddle forward bend I was able to put my fingers on the mat for the first time. Little steps, but they're stepping in the right direction.

Work has gotten busier, and it looks like I'm going to be traveling quite a bit in the next three months. Already I have six trips tentatively scheduled, including Europe and Asia. I haven't been to Asia yet, and am cautiously excited about it. The down side, of course, is that I'm going to miss a lot of classes. I'd like to think that I'll have time to practice on my own, but the reality of these trips is that they usually leave me so exhausted at the end of each day the only thing I want to do is eat dinner and sleep.

Technique, slippers, or floor?

I'm having a bit of a problem where during certain movements I'm finding that my feet slip on the floor.

For example, we have a simple combination of two balancés (forward and back) followed by two clockwise chaînés turns. Then the pattern repeats. Coming out of the second chaînés turn I place my right foot down and as I bring my left foot up behind it my right foot slides a little along the axis of travel. Not enough to dump me on the ground, but it throws me off balance. Where is the problem?

Some random thoughts:

• Is this an error in technique? Maybe I'm too far off balance to begin with, and expecting too much traction from a floor designed to allow turns without tearing up knees?
• My shoes are canvas with split soles (Capezio Cobra). I've had them for about 5 months now. They're worn about two hours a week.
• If I brush the sole of the shoe with my hand after completing one of our combos, it comes away feeling like the shoe had picked up dust, though there's nothing to see on my hand. The shoes don't show any real sign of dirt, but they are black in color. Is this normal?
• The floor is wood and used only for dance instruction.
• We don't use rosin.
• I'm usually at the front of the room, which is an area that probably gets minimal use.
• Someone suggested dampening the suede pads on my shoes. I've tried doing this cautiously, not wanting to damage the shoe or the floor. It gives a brief increase in traction, but within a steps they're dry to the touch again and I'm back to slipping.

I've given serious thought to going in one evening and wiping down the floor with a slightly damp cloth.

Any other ideas?

It's enough to make a grown man cry

I have a new enemy. It's the new barre.