Hyperreal

Just had a much better night at JJ’s.

Not sure what the difference was, though I’ve got an idea…

I arrived a bit late for the start of the beginners’ class, but joined in as only one move had been done and there were loads of spare women. In fact, there were *lots* of brand-new beginners (big surprise there at the start of the year and everything… NOT!) It was fun, though it takes me back to being a beginner myself and the times I used to complain about all the typical beginner errors… In my new spirit of tolerism, I smiled nicely though I occasionally asked the nice ladies if they would try to not grip me so tight as it makes doing the moves difficult…

That over, I was really pleased that for my first proper dance of the night I was asked by a lady whom I enjoy dancing with, but who doesn’t ask me often. She has a nice smile and if she could make eye-contact with me just a little more she’d be one of my favourite dancers.

And that set the tone for the rest of the night… I hardly had a chance to ask anyone to dance, though when I did I managed to ask a couple of beginners, plus one or two of my favourites…

Just being in demand, and from some really good dancers too, lifted my confidence, and I think that’s what made the night go so much better than recent ones have. Even when I had one or two off dances, I didn’t let it bother me – I just got on with the next dance, and it would usually turn out better…

The moves in the intermediate class were quite difficult for me…

• Catapult walks – was this the classic move or the beginner variation? Maybe it was both…

• Accordion Nelson – Actually, think this was the classic move… We went into it from a travelling return, so we accordioned the girl back and forward in a slot… It starts like an accordion to the right, but going to the left, keep L arm low to turn the lady into a nelson. Lead back with R into normal accordion position… Exit just by stepping into the slot to have a crossed-over handhold.

• Something Lady Butterflies – from a crossed-over hold, turn the lady so she’s got her back to you… take the leading hand above for the turn, the other hand to her shoulder, and as she comes round bring your leading arm to your hip, leading her to step in that direction. now bring the other hand off her shoulder to other hip and the previous lead arm round (in a bit of a swimming motion) to go to her shoulder. (Sorry, this isn’t a good description!) Exit by taking both arms up to complete the turn and step back. (Alternative description… it’s a bit like an arm jive in movement, except that the girl’s back is to the guy and his hands go to her shoulders rather than her hips.) We joined this move directly into the accordion.

• Cleaver – from the move above, we end up in cross-handed hold, and it’s like a double-comb… stepping back R-R to go back to the start…

The accordion nelson was new to me, but I’ve done the butterfly and the catapult moves before. The problem I’ve found with them is that more often than not the lady will lead herself in these moves (and no wonder as they are difficult to lead) which makes it difficult to know whether you’re leading them right.

I should try them in freestyle sometime, though I never seem to be able to scoop the girl during the exits to my catapults, so I’ll need to fix that first!

Anyway, like I said, a really good night’s dancing… Hope I gave enjoyable dances to all the ladies I managed to dance with (missed a few I had hoped to get round to… )

Thanks! See you soon!