“Almost nobody dances sober, unless they are insane.” - HP Lovecraft

I was back in Minnesota...again...last weekend!  The good news is that at least all of the things drawing me back are super-fun, so it makes the trip totally worth it!  That being said, I am very excited to have 3 weeks at home before my next trip back.  I tried to make the most of this weekend, as I did with the last one as well - I was even able to work in a little exercise!

Friday I was going to go to the gym before heading back, but it was just too nice out!  I took advantage of the beautiful day, and walked outside.  (I was somewhat bothered to find 3 kids playing in the park when I walked by it.  Shouldn't they have been in school?!?)  I love a blast of warmth when I feel like winter is on it's way!  It just makes everything better!

On Saturday I went to Molly's bootcamp class again.  I didn't get a ton of sleep Friday night (possibly because of the mouse story my dad told before I went to bed?), and was a little less excited to be there than last week - which apparently manifested itself in a scowl the whole time.  Sorry Molly - please don't take it personally!!  I would have been scowling at anything at that point, I guess!  I was grateful to have something to get me out of bed, and get some moving in!  And I was dripping with sweat when we were done, so thank you!  I can only imagine that continuing to work with me scowling back at you in the mirror isn't very fun!  Maybe I was just sad because someone was supposed to send a beach towel along for me, after reading my last post about the towelette, and it wasn't there when I arrived?  (Shout out to Fancy for sassing my ridiculous amount of sweat)

I probably looked like this with more hair...and sweatier.

From there I went to G-R-E-G's (the best bartender in the world, from the best bar in the world) wedding.  Congrats to Greg and Lisa!!  They had been through a lot in 24 hours - one of Lisa's sons broke & dislocated his arm in a couple of places at the groom's dinner, and had to go through surgery that morning (could you imagine) - so they totally deserved the gorgeous day!!  I was only able to go to the ceremony, because there was some celebrating to do, of another kind!

Saturday was my friend Linda's birthday!  She and Darcy were having their party at Linda's mini-mansion, and it was spectacular!  It came complete with bonfire in the fanciest fire pit I've ever seen, and Karaoke/DJ in the basement!  I held it together pretty well until later in the evening, when it was time to rock it out!  Now...I am typically someone who will do a fair amount of dancing - but in the past that desire has been fueled by copious amounts of alcohol.  Since I am now "off booze" (I'd rather eat my calories, than drink them) I had determined it was time to figure out how to live my life without the bravery inducer known as alcohol.  I guess someone hit that switch around midnight - I may have been prodded into a short stint of the running man, and did much dancing/yelling (and sweating!!) along to the music for about an hour.  Then it was time to rest - my bod was tired, and I was ready for bed.  All-in-all, the greatest party I have been to in a long time!!  Shout out to Linda & Darcy - and of course their party-planner Marilyn!  That party was epic!  Hope it becomes an annual event!

On Sunday we had a debrief lunch, I had dinner with my sisters and nieces, and then headed back.  Time to get back to work!  I have the serious task of shrinking Remus, and it's probably time I get to work - possibly don't some dancing?  It should be a lot less embarrassing to do it my myself, at my house - right?  I just need to make sure the blinds are closed!

How did you spend your gorgeous October weekend? 

The Rhythm is Going to Get You

As most of my friends know - I have a borderline unhealthy LOVE for dance movies.  I love, love, love them!!  The acting is fairly consistently crap, but that isn't what I watch them for.  I love Step Up, Center Stage (both of which I own, and have watched the sequels to both.  Note: Step Up 3D comes out August 6th, so mark your calendars!!), Take the Lead, Fame (a good movie - but would have preferred more dancing and singing, and less with the monologues), Flashdance and Footloose (that's right - the oldies but goodies still count).  I also have a slight obsession with "So You Think You Can Dance" - the TV show on Fox.  It is FANTASTIC!!  (and as an added bonus, Mary Murphy isn't a judge this season, so I don't have to listen to her hot tamale train yell twenty times an episode)  I have yet to really get into "Dance Your Ass Off" - which I feel slightly guilty about - but them yanking the overweight host for Scary Spice kind of put me off.

I have dreams of one day becoming (because so many people become accomplished dancers after the age of 35 - and many of these people are also severely overweight) a contemporary dancer. (what would have happened had I stuck with the Jill Hoggard Academy of Dance?  I am certain I could have moved up from striped dog to something amazing!!)  I didn't even know what that was until SYTYCD came along - and it is now my favorite!  Last night they had their first "Tahitian" dance. (it was my 2nd Tahitian thing that I have loved.  My first is Tahitian Treat - have you ever had it?  It is like the most delicious fruit punchish beverage)  It was amazing, and awesome, and has now made my "goal" list.  I can't imagine a day where I can move my rear like that, but it is certainly something to strive toward.  The best part is, I already have a built in partner (yet another reason to name my fat a boy name).  Not to worry, everyone.  I promise to never wear the small amount of clothes so popular among dancers - the world is not ready for all of that!

I finally got around to finding a gym yesterday, and joined.  It is doing its best to put LTF to shame.  All of the treadmills and elliptical machines all have their own TVs!!  And there are 2 pools - one is specifically for classes and walking, so I won't constantly feel like I am in everyone's way.  The most intriguing class I have noticed so far?  Zumba in the Water!!  Seriously!!  I think that should help get me back in the groove - when I don't have to try and get all of this (pointing to my over-sized, jiggling bod) moving on land!  I can't wait to try it!

If you want to burn some serious calories while dancing (I use that term loosely in this case) - you could always watch this video, and try and keep up with my adorable niece Macy.  She has some seriously sweet moves!

Need motivation to move?  You should download Cosmic Girl by Jamiroquai.  Then you should go rent "Center Stage".  The acting is horrible - but the end is fantastic! 

Happy dancing!!  Get up and shake what you've got!