Woah Cha Cha.

I am getting out of my comfort zone and doing a Cha Cha for this upcoming Medal Ball event through work. I have been with Arthur Murray for a year now and have been in shock of what I have been able to accomplish this past year. The Cha Cha that I am going to perform is a fun Hollywood Legends theme. Every professional routine that I have done has been some sort of a smooth dance: Waltz, Tango and Fox Trot. I am finally able to push myself and try something new with one of my favorite latin dance, the Cha Cha (though Mambo is definitely second). Maybe I'll post a video of myself dancing. We shall see!

Englewood... who knew?

I moved to Englewood a few weeks ago to be closer to work. Instead of about three hours of a bus ride every day from Denver to the studio and back, it is nice being five minutes to work. It is odd not having twelve hour days anymore. I can actually sit down and play guitar, write a little, watch a movie and discover new bands with the extra time. Thankfully the local liquor store two blocks away carries Newcastle, I smiled that first trip.

I am living with an old friend from high school who turns out to be a co-worker as well. Lisa Picard and I are are sharing a two-bedroom house. It is nicely renovated with all hardwood floors and very very nice tile and countertops in the kitchen. Comes with a washer and dryer too. There is also a trampoline that just so happened to be there when we moved in. Located in the big backyard, it is a great place for Lisa's puppies. I just need to get a barking collar...

The dancing has been amazing. It is pretty cool to know that I dance for a living. We teach intro lessons for a pretty good price and that is what I have been working with mostly. I had my first extension last week, so they could continue on with lessons. My extension rate is 50% right now and I hope to keep that percentage for the rest of this year. It is nice to teach and make people smile through dancing. I have worker with some tough stories, but knowing that I put a smile on their face is the most amazing feeling in the world.

I taught six lessons last week, which is a descent amount for just starting six weeks ago. This week, I am booked to teach around sixteen lessons in just four days. Craziness. I have learned tons, not just dancing, but teaching as well.

There might be a chance of competing in October at Las Vegas in the smooth category, meaning waltz and tango. Or in November head to Washington D.C. to compete also. Maybe rhythm categories too, which are cha cha and rumba. It will be in the future champions category, for teachers that have two years or less experience teaching. A lot of opportunities with this job. It is amazing thinking that we had a staff meeting one day and worked on some Lindy Hop and we got paid for it. Too good to be true to have work that I enjoy.

Well, there is an update right now. I could write much much more of all these amazing stories I have encountered so far with this "job", but I don't know where to begin.

See some of you in June!

We'll have to dance it up.

Steps in my Mind.

When I have been waiting for the bus or lightrail, I find myself doing all these different dance steps without thinking about it. Then I walk by a store that is playing music and bust into some type of dance. It must make for an interesting sight.

I am currently at work right now on my lunch break. I'm so glad they use Macs here!

My feet should hurt a lot more than they currently are. I have twelve dances under my belt, both lead and follow. I get to be tested on Monday to see if I know ten of them. Then I will be certified to teach beginners. I've been doing mock lessons with fellow instructors and it has been a great learning experience. The dances that I have picked up thus far are: Fox Trot, Waltz, Tango, Rumba, Triple Swing, Cha Cha, 2-Step, Mamba, Merengue, Samba, Salsa and the Hustle. Many more to come also!

When the weekends come, let me know if you want to dance. Seriously.

It is interesting to think that I dance for a living. Wow.