I'm off to soak in a hot tub for a bit, but before I go, I wanted to post my evening.

Tonight was the second lesson in a ballroom dance thing I go to at a local university. I have a friend that goes to the school, so he joined the club and lets me come as his guest. Last week was swing. Tonight was tango. Before you get too impressed with me, we aren't talking Argentinian tango, which is the one with all the leg wrapping and whatnot. We just learned the basic tango. Though, I gotta say, it is one hot dance. If you're dancing with a romantic someone, this dance has a lot of potential for sparks. If you're dancing with a non-romantic someone (the friend I dance with, he and I are very non-romantic), this dance has a lot of potential for acting highly immature. The key to this is that you step between each other's feet, so you don't bump toes or step on each other's feet. This means the inside of your right knees usually touch.

Examples:

[figuring out our alignment]
Him: So, I go between your legs, right? [looks down at our feet]
Me:*snickers* Uh... *stifles giggle*. That's usually how it works. *giggles*
Him: Oh. *giggles and hits me on the shoulder*
Both him and me: BWAHAHAHAHA
Him: [lets go and almost falls down laughing.]
Me: We are so not mature enough for this class.

[me trying to take the right length step, but taking too small a step]

Me: [takes little step]
Him: You're doing it wrong. Open up.
Me: Oh. Ok.
Him: Haha, didn't mean to sound crude. [laughs] But seriously, open up.
Me: {thinks: Why was that crude? Open up? Oh, open your legs! HAHAHAHHA]

And, all the time I'm a little worried about where my knees go because he's a little shorter than I am.

We held back with the dance because we're not involved. But, this dance is good to know for future reference for the person I do become involved with. The whole attitude of the dance is very sexy. It's about pursual. The man leans forward, and the woman leans back (which actually helps him lead. She can't help but step back when he steps forward because she's almost leaning on his hand). It's like a chase.

Another bonus of this stance is that leaning back REALLY works the legs/abs/butt/everything. I've finally found a sport/activity that motivates me because I LOVE it. And I HAVE to get health and in shape. The surface goal for that is the wedding I'm in in November. The deeper, bigger issue is health and esteem. I have heart disease, diabetes, and liver disease coming from pretty much both sides of the family. I need to do it for me too. I won't get into it too much here, because I always come off as dumb when I write about it. Long story short: I will feel much better about myself when I am toned. The size doesn't really matter. I just want the strenght and agility and a good basic shape. That has been a major head issue my whole life (I remember thinking I was fat when I was five (and talking this much about it is NOT not writing about it like I said I wouldn't.)) ANYWAY, my point is that this new dancing thing is awesome. I love it. It is fun and good for me and mostly fun.

And now I am off to ease the muscles a bit before bed with a bath.