Ba-Boom!
Inspired by my children's recent discovery of Irish dance, I thought I'd order an instructional DVD from Netflix. My son turned up his nose at it, insisting that he already knows all there is to know about Irish dance. My oldest daughter watched the first few segments, and then wandered off. My youngest was similarly disinterested.
Not me, though. I was totally into it.
Seeing that the kids weren't going to join in, I decided to tackle a few of the more basic moves. Did you know that big thighs are hard to arrange into fifth position? It's true! It is really tough!
Did you know that "novice dancer" does not equal "graceless idiot who has never done this before"? Also true!
Did that stop me? Hell no.
Summoning the spirit of my Irish ancestors, I put my hair into a ponytail and prepared to follow along with the DVD. By the end of the warm up exercises, I was near cardiac arrest. The bouncing. MY GOD THE BOUNCING.
I gamely followed along through the balancing exercises and the pointing and kicking and putting one leg behind the other stuff. At least I think I did. The reality likely included me randomly kicking off-beat and stepping on my own toes. That is talent, people.
I only made it 30 minutes in, and then I had to stop and contemplate which of my other heritages was messing with my natural Blarney. I'm betting it is the Hungarian part of my genetic makeup keeping me rooted to the earth.
I was winded and feeling very clumsy. I was also having to stop every few minutes to smack the TV because all my thunderous impacts were knocking the picture out of focus. Ba-boom! Ba-boom! Ba-boom!
I'm not giving up, though. I'm going to master that bit that looks like skipping, and then I'm going to do it over and over and over. I'm sure there is an easier way to get in touch with my Irish heritage, but I can't stop cracking up over my utter lack of talent. I'm not stopping until I can do a reasonable fascimile of this dance. There's comedy gold in them thar steps. In fact, I would love to be called Thunder Hooves from now on.
Just you wait.
Comments
You are tenacity personified, and you bring hope to all us us who are too [whatever shape] to engage in [whatever activity].
Consider me inspired. I'm going to walk the dog.
Oh yes, we got a dog. I must CERTAINLY be insane!
Posted by: Carmi | March 16, 2007 1:05 PM
Ooh! That sound like FUN!
Posted by: EverydaySuperGoddess | March 16, 2007 2:13 PM
Thunder Hooves,
You crack me up. MY GOD THE BOUNCING had me snorting soda out of my nose, thank you very much. Have a great weekend!
MJ
Posted by: MJ | March 16, 2007 6:38 PM
MY GOD, THE BOUNCING! I am dying. SOOOOO funny.
Posted by: jenn2 | March 17, 2007 9:25 PM
How funny!
You should ask your son for lessons. I'm sure he can give you some tips.
Posted by: creative-type dad | March 17, 2007 9:37 PM
I have studied Irish dance for many, many years. By "studied," of course, I mean that I've watched Riverdance on PBS a few times and I've gone to more than my share of Irish fairs and happen to be a little Irish and married a fine Irish lass.
Here's my theory:
You weren't nearly drunk enough.
Keep trying, though, sounds like you're getting the hang of it!
Posted by: ben | March 18, 2007 8:08 AM
Ah yes, I know I have been missing something in my daily dose of blogland & that would be my Three Kid Circus! I just know I haven't been here in a while, cuz when I spoted the link on my side bar I went.... oh yeah I need a laugh!
The Irish dance has invaded our home as well, & we are not even remotely Irish... The 3yo saw some local group on TV & decided that she could do it like that & darned if she didn't! It didn't hurt that the little girl had really curly hair like her too... She is addicted & has added the kicking to her routine of shaking her booty & wiggling.
Posted by: Lisa Knight | March 25, 2007 7:55 AM