Hawaii?You know I can't dance...Leo Sayer
Saturday, out on the town again. This week was quieter than the weeks before. My monthly Wednesday dinner with friends was just about the only thing that happened.
We went to the "X"bar for some really good food, however I am coming to a conclusion. Even though I don't dress in ball gowns and sparkles, I do over dress compared to everyone else, especially the GG's, for the bar scene. I had just bought a nice shift dress, mostly black with a white band at the top and on the hem, just above the knee ( I know I know I need pictures but my camera phone isn't great and I really don't want to carry the digital...sorry). X bar does not have table service so as I stood in line to order an young woman looked over at me.
"You look nice" she smiled. I thanked her "What do you think of Hawaiian shirts?"
Now I was confused. I wasn't wearing a Hawaiian shirt and neither was she.
"I used to wear them a lot but not anymore. They are nice in the summer." I replied.
"I just love them, I have a lot of them. My favorite show is Magnum P I."
OK, so is she saying I look like Tom Selleck? I am not dark nor do I have a moustache. I told her I used to watch it too and that I really liked the scenery (and especially the shorts of the day, why do men now wear baggy oversized shorts? That is a post of a different color) She turned back to her friends and within minutes was arm wrestling a guy she was with. I was still wondering where Hawaiian shirts came in.
After dinner we went to Charlies and played some pool. I am not very good at it but it is fun. I think I am worse when I am dressed. I am going to blame it on being 4" taller and having to lean over more than usual. Even at normal height I have to scrunch down a lot to get the sight line. Now with what I usually wear, I can see how I can attract attention doing this and I do. So being demure, I don't bend as much as I need. Choice; shoot pool and maybe show more than I should or be a "lady" and miss most the shots. This is a dilemma. And it will get worse as the summer goes on and my hems rise. (OK maybe I do need pictures).
Wednesday night is line dance night at Charlies. Free dance instructions. I am sort of getting tired of just sitting and drinking (although I have met several really nice people that way) and now I am considering learning to dance. I am a terrible dancer which is strange because I have good musical ability, just that my feet are independent and rebellious. I will have to speak with them. I usually don't like line dancing but you don't need a partner.
So Saturday night, I decide it is time. Saturdays are Two Step lessons. I will need a partner and that concerns me at 6'2". I choose a 2 1/2 inch heel Mary Jane instead of the usual 4" in anticipation. And this week I picked up two new tops so I went with a black mid-thigh skirt and the zebra stripe top. (Yes I will get photos sometime...be patient). On the way over I have an epiffamy..epiphanie, epiffeniee.... a realization; what do I do with my purse when I get on the dance floor? Ah! The perfect "out" to not dance! I knew I would find an excuse. My mind was still saying "you have to do this" My logical mind says "You must be crazy...you can't dance" So I spent an hour arguing with myself over doing it.
A nice lady started talking to me just before lessons (ah! reason number two I can't get on the floor, it would be rude to walk away..right???). We talk about work and life and things and she asks why I am alone there and I say I like to watch people dance and maybe someday I will try it too. She tells me I need to just get out and do it. I ask if she dances, she says "no, I tried once and I will never be that embarrassed again". So, she wants me to be embarrassed but she won't? Hmmm... Then a friend of hers showed up and they discussed the friend's trip to Hawaii. Her friend asked her to accompany her outside. I tell her I will talk later but she says "Watch my beer, I will be back." She came back about 10 minutes later, with a shirt from Hawaii (there must be something telling me to go to Hawaii here). I tell her it looks good on her.
Dance lessons are starting...aw darn, I can't just leave my purse and it is too late to go to the car and ....aw gee, OK maybe next week. Then I notice; my new friend was out on the floor. I moved to be in the bull ring area on the edge to watch the lessons ( I am still planning on learning to dance...someday). I thought, she said she was terrible and there she is. She wasn't lying. She struggled with the steps but she gave it her all. By the end she actually had some rhythm. I decided, next week I was going to do it.
I watched the dancers with envy for a little longer. One guy on the floor kept looking at my legs and even commented for me to keep them together as I was a distraction. His date wasn't happy with the attention he was giving me. So I tried to be a little more demure, I crossed them and turned 45 degrees. That is when my friend's friend from Hawaii walked up to me.
"Do you waltz?" she asked me. I replied "not well" She said to get up and come out on the floor. I looked at my purse (this is why we need wingwomen) and she motioned to hang it across my shoulder. So clumsily I did that and walked out to her on the floor. Do I lead or follow? I don't know. We try me following...I look like a wounded duck. We try me leading...Less duck like but still bad. We settle on looking like I am pumping water and walking through mud. She was very nice trying to get me help but I wasn't good. I thank her for the dance, she says maybe we can do it again sometime and I walk, as fast as I can to the door.
I have made a decision. Next week I am taking lessons. (and wearing a skirt where I can put my ID and money in a pocket). I will keep you informed how this goes. Who knows...maybe Dancing with the Stars?
If you don't like the way I'm livin', you just leave this long haired country girl alone:
Originally Posted by Amber Chen
