box of Jack

Ok so my calf muscle in my left leg is kind of sore. Why? God. I don’t want to tell you why. And at the same time, I really want to tell you why. Because you are the my lovable audience and blogs are here to tell about embarrassing things.

I went to a dance lesson on Wednesday night. I did not think it was possible to blush for an entire hour but I managed it and then I had severely nauseating butterflies at the end. My leg hurts because of step, two three four, back, two three twirl, step two three four. I cannot stress how mentally uncomfortable I felt both during and after.

There is a weekly dance meet consisting of co-workers in a nearby cafeteria. They structure the lessons towards beginners and keep it all very casual and being a technology company, there are actually a few more men there than women. Today’s lesson was The Hustle, Part 1. I did not know The Hustle consisted of more than line dancing. I think there are few things more absurd than trying to imagine Jack dancing the hustle in an empty cafeteria.

Anyway it was embarrassing for me. The first partner I danced with was a newbie there too and we fumbled along and the instructor stopped us and tried to help me. She got no criticism, probably because I was the most in need of help. Then my second partner told me I was doing it wrong. Then my third one. Then my fourth partner, who was a dude, told me I was doing it wrong.

They weren’t mean about it or anything, it’s just the nature of learning to dance. They call you out and correct you before you hurt yourself or develop bad habits.

Then there’s the whole leading aspect. To me, instruction and leadership are the same thing but in this bizzarro world, leading is just this mechanical necessity. Learning to dance and lead is like being yelled at by a back-seat driver; you’re doing everything wrong but you still have to be the one that remains in charge. Lead! Help your follower by pushing, pulling, catching and guiding.

All in all, it was incredibly humbling. I am that closer to understanding the work that goes into dancing, I have newfound admiration for people that do it and I am also never ever ever going back there again. Yes internet, I am weak. Fuck; take me rock-climbing instead, Lachie.