Tuesday, June 23, 2009

pivot, turn, shuffle

My mom made her annual visit to Elk City a couple weeks ago. As you can imagine, we had a fun-filled week of sightseeing and enjoying the arts here in Elk City. (I just lied.) One of the things we had on the agenda was to learn a few country line dances. I know you are probably thinking, “Why in the world were you and your mom trying to learn country line dances?” and the answer is that there is a reason but I can’t tell you. Well, I could tell you why but then I would have to kill you.

One time way back in high school, we all had to learn a whole bunch of dances. I realize now that it was probably because the teachers didn’t want to make up real lesson plans for the week but back then I thought it was just because they wanted to torture us. Anyway, there were somewhere around a hundred of us at a time in the gym learning to “electric slide and “boot scoot boogie” and the most entertaining part was watching the line in front of me. Because at the high school I went to, we were all white. And that stereotype about white people not being able to dance, well, it’s pretty true. Especially if those white people are high school football players in the off season.

That became even more apparent as my mother and I were attempting to learn some new dances. I am the reason the stereotype exists. I am white as paste and I cannot dance. I like to think I can, but I can’t. I also realized that I am pathetically out of shape. How can this be when I have a callous on my knee from bending down (shouldn’t that count as squats or something?) so much and I lift oddly-shaped 30 pound weights all day long? I was actually sore the next day – I guess I don’t use the electric sliding muscles much on a daily basis. Who knew?!?

At least now I know I can safely scratch “rhinestone cowboy boots” off my birthday wish list.

1 comment:

Sara said...

i think you are a great dancer.

btw... the "word verification" for leaving this comment is "BUPKIS". no lie.