I do. I love it, I genuinely love it.
So why is this so hard? Why have I done nothing for weeks?
It's always come back to me before. I so hope it comes back to me this time. I'm trying. I watched a few slip jigs on YouTube earlier, so beautiful - Rebecca Reed from the SRO. And some beautiful reels - Sarah Oldam from this year's NAN. I think I need to see some dancing live again, it's been a while. I love it so much. Why do I let it slip away from me?
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Tuesday, 14 June 2011
I don't know what to write.
I thought it was probably about time I posted an update, but I've been staring at the screen for a few minutes thinking about what on earth I could write.
I've gone to my Monday ceili class every week. Occasionally we co-teach, other times like last night I just participate. I'm not at all confident with teaching. I don't even speak loudly enough! Perhaps it's because they're an established group already and I'm the new girl, I just feel a bit out of my depth and I much prefer just dancing along rather than teaching along. That's all I expected when we joined - I just wanted to learn by dancing. They've been very good to me by allowing me to teach but I didn't expect it at all.
We've been working on the Cross Reel for a wee while which is ace because I'd never danced it before. Lead, Extended Sides, Full Chain, Gentlemen Interlace, Back to Back, Exchange Places, Figure of Eight and Ring, Circle Round and Hands Across, Finish. I do remember things!
Solo dancing, very apathetic at the moment. I'm so injured and although I'm having physio for various things, it seems to be making other areas worse. For example my Achilles aren't playing up anymore, but instead the outer calf is killing me. My arches aren't improving and I sprained my toe the week before last whilst practising solos so I haven't done any practice since then. My leg that nearly killed me is so weak.
I think dancing's making me quite sad at the moment because I truly thought I could get there, however long it took, but it seems I can't.
I've gone to my Monday ceili class every week. Occasionally we co-teach, other times like last night I just participate. I'm not at all confident with teaching. I don't even speak loudly enough! Perhaps it's because they're an established group already and I'm the new girl, I just feel a bit out of my depth and I much prefer just dancing along rather than teaching along. That's all I expected when we joined - I just wanted to learn by dancing. They've been very good to me by allowing me to teach but I didn't expect it at all.
We've been working on the Cross Reel for a wee while which is ace because I'd never danced it before. Lead, Extended Sides, Full Chain, Gentlemen Interlace, Back to Back, Exchange Places, Figure of Eight and Ring, Circle Round and Hands Across, Finish. I do remember things!
Solo dancing, very apathetic at the moment. I'm so injured and although I'm having physio for various things, it seems to be making other areas worse. For example my Achilles aren't playing up anymore, but instead the outer calf is killing me. My arches aren't improving and I sprained my toe the week before last whilst practising solos so I haven't done any practice since then. My leg that nearly killed me is so weak.
I think dancing's making me quite sad at the moment because I truly thought I could get there, however long it took, but it seems I can't.
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Dream
Normally when I dream about dancing, I'm the dancer. I can usually execute bicycles and double clicks as well, which leads to momentary excitement and then crushing disappointment when I awake. This time around, I dreamt I was the teacher. Make of this what you will.
I was at the World Championships, back in Dublin, with my sole qualifier. A little girl called Ruby O'Callaghan who had never qualified before. She had recalled in the U13 and we were warming up for her hornpipe set - I think it was Ace & Deuce. I told her she'd already surpassed any expectations and made us all very proud, so just go out and enjoy it. At results time, they called the scores out in reverse numerical order and she was 210. In dreamland, the scoring wasn't quite like it is in real life - she got 200 for her jig, 515 for slip, and 800-and-something for her set. She'd won! We went to the toilet on the upper floor to get her into her dress and touch up the make-up, but we got shut in there and they started her presentation without her. We finally made it back into the arena hall, and saw the podium filled but for the top spot, and marched backstage.
I told one of the sisters (you know!) running the stage that it was disgusting but by the time I was starting my rant, Ruby had gone up on stage to get her globe and I just started bawling. The sister hugged me and said I would teach many more champions in my time. But the steps were broken and I couldn't get up on to the stage to congratulate her - the sister had to climb up and drag me up after her.
I woke up briefly at this point, and must have missed a lot as by the time I got back to sleep Ruby was dancing the Blackthorn Stick on stage at the British Nationals.
Fingers crossed I get a Ruby.
I was at the World Championships, back in Dublin, with my sole qualifier. A little girl called Ruby O'Callaghan who had never qualified before. She had recalled in the U13 and we were warming up for her hornpipe set - I think it was Ace & Deuce. I told her she'd already surpassed any expectations and made us all very proud, so just go out and enjoy it. At results time, they called the scores out in reverse numerical order and she was 210. In dreamland, the scoring wasn't quite like it is in real life - she got 200 for her jig, 515 for slip, and 800-and-something for her set. She'd won! We went to the toilet on the upper floor to get her into her dress and touch up the make-up, but we got shut in there and they started her presentation without her. We finally made it back into the arena hall, and saw the podium filled but for the top spot, and marched backstage.
I told one of the sisters (you know!) running the stage that it was disgusting but by the time I was starting my rant, Ruby had gone up on stage to get her globe and I just started bawling. The sister hugged me and said I would teach many more champions in my time. But the steps were broken and I couldn't get up on to the stage to congratulate her - the sister had to climb up and drag me up after her.
I woke up briefly at this point, and must have missed a lot as by the time I got back to sleep Ruby was dancing the Blackthorn Stick on stage at the British Nationals.
Fingers crossed I get a Ruby.
Thursday, 26 May 2011
"If you get it wrong, you have to get it right. You can't just leave it."
Wise words from a ten-year-old. And she (Julia, Jig) is right - you can't just leave it. This is why I was never a particularly good dancer. I would start off practising my reel, only I couldn't get the timing or I couldn't do that bicycle...so I'd move on to slip jig instead. What Julia, or Brogan, or Claire would have done, is to keep practising until the timing was stuck in my head, or get between two chairs and figure out that bicycle. And to be fair, that's not even just a champion's mindset. That's just a hardworking mindset.
It's slowly dawning on me that things worth doing need work. Why did I never put my shoes on and drill trebles? Why did I just accept that I would miss them occasionally on my left foot? Now that I've drilled, I don't miss them on my left foot. Why did I just accept that I couldn't hit clicks? Now that I've drilled, now that I've actually caught on to the concept of pointing and turning out, I CAN hit them. Not consistently still, but I'm getting there, because I am no longer just leaving it when I get it wrong. This is so infuriating to me. Ten year olds know this stuff - why didn't I? I did know it deep down, but why didn't I apply myself?
I can't remember whether I wrote about Monday's class or not. There again, during the warm up I was really concentrating on turning out and crossing my skips. I looked down, and everything was where it was supposed to be. It was working.
I ran through Sweets again, and caught up the people who hadn't been there the previous week. It was R's first time doing it as she couldn't go last week so she was nervous, but picked it up a treat. Such a lovely dance. We then moved on to Cross Reel and I took turns teaching it with the regular teacher - he's definitely better than me! I'm too meek. I need to speak up and have a bit more fun with it. We got through lead, extended sides, full chain and gentlemen interlace - next week back-to-back, which I've never taught and can only dance as top gent or lady. Nevertheless, should be interesting. No class next week due to the bank holiday so just my Wednesday practice session - more heavy jig work. No use moving on until I've got both steps PROPERLY right, because as Julia says: "If you get it wrong, you have to get it right. You can't just leave it."
It's slowly dawning on me that things worth doing need work. Why did I never put my shoes on and drill trebles? Why did I just accept that I would miss them occasionally on my left foot? Now that I've drilled, I don't miss them on my left foot. Why did I just accept that I couldn't hit clicks? Now that I've drilled, now that I've actually caught on to the concept of pointing and turning out, I CAN hit them. Not consistently still, but I'm getting there, because I am no longer just leaving it when I get it wrong. This is so infuriating to me. Ten year olds know this stuff - why didn't I? I did know it deep down, but why didn't I apply myself?
I can't remember whether I wrote about Monday's class or not. There again, during the warm up I was really concentrating on turning out and crossing my skips. I looked down, and everything was where it was supposed to be. It was working.
I ran through Sweets again, and caught up the people who hadn't been there the previous week. It was R's first time doing it as she couldn't go last week so she was nervous, but picked it up a treat. Such a lovely dance. We then moved on to Cross Reel and I took turns teaching it with the regular teacher - he's definitely better than me! I'm too meek. I need to speak up and have a bit more fun with it. We got through lead, extended sides, full chain and gentlemen interlace - next week back-to-back, which I've never taught and can only dance as top gent or lady. Nevertheless, should be interesting. No class next week due to the bank holiday so just my Wednesday practice session - more heavy jig work. No use moving on until I've got both steps PROPERLY right, because as Julia says: "If you get it wrong, you have to get it right. You can't just leave it."
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Progress
I did as much as my feet would allow me to do tonight and, dare I say it, I think I've made an amount of progress. I started off just by going over the trads to warm up, then put the shoes on and did some treble and treble/click drills for a bit. Then I moved on to jig and you know what, it was ok. On one of my steps I was hitting most of the walkover clicks, and the donkey click as well which I NEVER get. The little fiddly trebles were ok as well. I'll keep this step! My second step needs a bit more work than I gave it, but it was getting there too. I can't quite do the stamp combination on the left foot and back trebles are pretty weak, but I can do the toe-over-toe on the left now and I fixed the ending so it's easier to go from right to left. Maybe I can do it after all.
Friday, 20 May 2011
TMRF
I'm considering it. I know it doesn't count towards the TCRG, and I know that all I'm doing is adding another nearly €400 to my bill.
But on the other hand, why not? I honestly believe I could pass the TMRF if I took it right this minute. I know that book - I KNOW IT. Who knows if I'll ever be confident enough in my dancing ability to take the TCRG? Who knows if I'll ever be fit and injury-free enough to put in the practice required to get to an exam-worthy standard? Wouldn't it be better just to get a qualification under my belt?
There must be plenty of people who've done the TMRF and then gone on to take the TCRG. Many years ago, I read an interview with Owen McAuley (formerly Setanta, now Haughey-McAuley). He took the TMRF - indeed, he took all three.
The main reason I'm putting this exam off is because of my own dancing. If I managed to get into the Glasgow exam for the TMRF, I could still put in for the May exam in 2012 and do solos. Perhaps. And when it came to the full TCRG, I'd already know what to expect of the exam process so I wouldn't be so nervous.
How beautifully ironic that, as a former dancer who never really taught before and never did ceili before, it's the dancing section that's causing me the most grief.
But on the other hand, why not? I honestly believe I could pass the TMRF if I took it right this minute. I know that book - I KNOW IT. Who knows if I'll ever be confident enough in my dancing ability to take the TCRG? Who knows if I'll ever be fit and injury-free enough to put in the practice required to get to an exam-worthy standard? Wouldn't it be better just to get a qualification under my belt?
There must be plenty of people who've done the TMRF and then gone on to take the TCRG. Many years ago, I read an interview with Owen McAuley (formerly Setanta, now Haughey-McAuley). He took the TMRF - indeed, he took all three.
The main reason I'm putting this exam off is because of my own dancing. If I managed to get into the Glasgow exam for the TMRF, I could still put in for the May exam in 2012 and do solos. Perhaps. And when it came to the full TCRG, I'd already know what to expect of the exam process so I wouldn't be so nervous.
How beautifully ironic that, as a former dancer who never really taught before and never did ceili before, it's the dancing section that's causing me the most grief.
Thursday, 19 May 2011
Time for an update
It's been such a long time since my last update. I don't really have a reason for that but rest assured that the lack of updates doesn't mean a lack of work.
One of my girls bought herself some hard shoes on eBay a week or two ago, so we've spent some time on treble drills and really just showing her how to use the shoe. This has done ME the world of good as well although my foot injuries haven't thanked me. I feel like I'm gaining a bit more control over those feet and shoes, and am working out how to get the best sounds again. It's coming along.
This week I was given the chance to teach a HUGE class - well, huge by my standards. 16 dancers! It was a ceili class so we went through Sweets of May and they were fantastic, we got through the entire dance (all four figures) within about 40 minutes. So impressed. I didn't want to keep them going over the same material all night though so we moved on to Lannigan's Ball which I taught as a 16-hand. I had to spend some time teaching them the rising step as not all of them had done it before but we got through the first four movements - perhaps I'll get to finish it next week alongside the regular teacher. I didn't break sweat but it was great practice and good fun: "cotton-eyed Joe", "think speed!". Good times.
The Sweets of May
First Figure - Rings
Body - Cross Over and Back, Advance and Retire, Ringing the Bells
Second Figure - Lead Round
Body
Third Figure - See Saw
Body
Fourth Figure - Sides Under Arms
Body
Repeat Rings
Lannigan's Ball
Rings
Quarter's Hook
The Rise and Grind Step
Lead Round in Centre
Flirtation
Stack Up
Lead Round
Rings
The previous week we'd done Trip to the Cottage (although not the first figure unfortunately) so it was good to get a few dance-throughs of that into the legs. I'm confident on Cross Over and Lead Around and on the body, but I often fluff the figures when writing up exam papers. To revise!
One of my girls bought herself some hard shoes on eBay a week or two ago, so we've spent some time on treble drills and really just showing her how to use the shoe. This has done ME the world of good as well although my foot injuries haven't thanked me. I feel like I'm gaining a bit more control over those feet and shoes, and am working out how to get the best sounds again. It's coming along.
This week I was given the chance to teach a HUGE class - well, huge by my standards. 16 dancers! It was a ceili class so we went through Sweets of May and they were fantastic, we got through the entire dance (all four figures) within about 40 minutes. So impressed. I didn't want to keep them going over the same material all night though so we moved on to Lannigan's Ball which I taught as a 16-hand. I had to spend some time teaching them the rising step as not all of them had done it before but we got through the first four movements - perhaps I'll get to finish it next week alongside the regular teacher. I didn't break sweat but it was great practice and good fun: "cotton-eyed Joe", "think speed!". Good times.
The Sweets of May
First Figure - Rings
Body - Cross Over and Back, Advance and Retire, Ringing the Bells
Second Figure - Lead Round
Body
Third Figure - See Saw
Body
Fourth Figure - Sides Under Arms
Body
Repeat Rings
Lannigan's Ball
Rings
Quarter's Hook
The Rise and Grind Step
Lead Round in Centre
Flirtation
Stack Up
Lead Round
Rings
The previous week we'd done Trip to the Cottage (although not the first figure unfortunately) so it was good to get a few dance-throughs of that into the legs. I'm confident on Cross Over and Lead Around and on the body, but I often fluff the figures when writing up exam papers. To revise!
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Post-Worlds come-down
It's hard, being surrounded by amazing dancing for days on end and then returning to the "day job" with a bump. Nobody cares about slip jigs and globes and ceilis here. I have a head filled with inspiration and choreography and excitement, but no-one to share it with and a pile of real work to do. It's actually been a real shock to the system. But before I get on to that, some ridiculously talented little ones:
I need to sort this out in my own head, so here's where I am.
Ceili Written
I still think I could pass this today. Rather than doing endless practice exams, I recently decided to just type out all of the ceilis with figures and all of the more difficult other ceilis, without the book. I finally got round to "marking" it the other night, and it's not that bad. The ones that need work are:
High Cauled Cap - specifically second figure
The Three Tunes - full review
Trip to the Cottage - small review of the figures
Lannigan's Ball - middle section
So I'll review those over the next couple of days.
Music
I'm starting to get the odd 100% on this now when I practice by putting my iPod on shuffle. This too I think I could pass today.
Ceili Teaching
I'm just not getting the numbers in class to really give this a go. If I had to take the exam today then I'd give it my very best shot - I'm confident I'd get the movements in the correct order and most of them I think I could teach correctly, but I definitely need to somehow get more practice on this.
Solo Teaching
Obviously I do this twice a week now, but it's becoming a slight worry. I don't know what I'd do with a champ dancer as I haven't sorted out my own steps yet, and I'm wondering if I'd remember to pack everything in. You have to ask to see their steps, pick a suitable step instantly, demonstrate, teach, pick up on faults, lilt, correct...and then all of the things that people have told me about that aren't on the syllabus. Someone told me they did a few drills of a specific move in their exam. What?! Are we really expected to do that? Someone got told off for dancing along too much. Will I remember to leave them to it? I don't know, I'm obviously overthinking it but it just kills me not knowing exactly what's expected of me. Praying I get a beginner or primary dancer - I have steps coming out of my ears for those levels.
Solo Dancing
Left til last, as always. I dreamt (literally) a new reel step while I was in Dublin and tested that out last night. At first I thought it was too fast but after a few runs, it was getting into my legs and the right foot is OKish. Most of the left foot is ok apart from the start (very quick transition), and the big jump into little jump into entrechat at the end. It will come. So I now have two steps of a reel which will do me for the exam should I be given reel, and an old right-right one that I still can't let go of. Here's a run down:
Reel - three steps
Slip jig - nothing. I decided to scrap the one I had from my competitive days. It's nice, but not current and I want something fresh. I might use it as a base, however.
Heavy jig - I have three steps. One will definitely be used for jig, the other two may work better as steps for jig sets. They all need a lot of work - they're fine in socks or trainers, not so when I actually put heavies on.
Hornpipe - nothing. Not even anything to use as a base, and no ideas as yet. I don't want to have too much on the go at once so I'm leaving this until jig and slip are complete.
Traditional sets - three of the four learnt, with intentions to get Garden done as soon as possible.
Nine modern sets - continues to fill me with dread. Choreographing that much material seems like an impossible mountain to climb and if I'm to go with my target, I have about a year to do it. That actually doesn't sound like long enough to me. I do have those two jig steps mentioned above which can be used for steps, but hornpipe choreography is non-existant. I know I'll be going for some of the shorter sets on the list, but it's still no easy feat.
So there's me.
I'm at a loss as to how to get more people into my class and am considering moving everyone and joining an existing class, to be honest. Even dancing the ceilis through would be good preparation for the practical exam - I've got to find a class first, though. My fitness is dreadful and I've got several chronic injuries that are going to need looking at so I'm going to try and get some physio. I'm going to buy some type of floor covering so that I can practice heavies at home - there's not much room in the hallway but even treble drills would be progress. I need to get healthier, so after this Bank Holiday weekend, we're back on a health kick.
I will not allow myself to get discouraged. I will stay positive, I will work, and I WILL take this exam.
I need to sort this out in my own head, so here's where I am.
Ceili Written
I still think I could pass this today. Rather than doing endless practice exams, I recently decided to just type out all of the ceilis with figures and all of the more difficult other ceilis, without the book. I finally got round to "marking" it the other night, and it's not that bad. The ones that need work are:
High Cauled Cap - specifically second figure
The Three Tunes - full review
Trip to the Cottage - small review of the figures
Lannigan's Ball - middle section
So I'll review those over the next couple of days.
Music
I'm starting to get the odd 100% on this now when I practice by putting my iPod on shuffle. This too I think I could pass today.
Ceili Teaching
I'm just not getting the numbers in class to really give this a go. If I had to take the exam today then I'd give it my very best shot - I'm confident I'd get the movements in the correct order and most of them I think I could teach correctly, but I definitely need to somehow get more practice on this.
Solo Teaching
Obviously I do this twice a week now, but it's becoming a slight worry. I don't know what I'd do with a champ dancer as I haven't sorted out my own steps yet, and I'm wondering if I'd remember to pack everything in. You have to ask to see their steps, pick a suitable step instantly, demonstrate, teach, pick up on faults, lilt, correct...and then all of the things that people have told me about that aren't on the syllabus. Someone told me they did a few drills of a specific move in their exam. What?! Are we really expected to do that? Someone got told off for dancing along too much. Will I remember to leave them to it? I don't know, I'm obviously overthinking it but it just kills me not knowing exactly what's expected of me. Praying I get a beginner or primary dancer - I have steps coming out of my ears for those levels.
Solo Dancing
Left til last, as always. I dreamt (literally) a new reel step while I was in Dublin and tested that out last night. At first I thought it was too fast but after a few runs, it was getting into my legs and the right foot is OKish. Most of the left foot is ok apart from the start (very quick transition), and the big jump into little jump into entrechat at the end. It will come. So I now have two steps of a reel which will do me for the exam should I be given reel, and an old right-right one that I still can't let go of. Here's a run down:
Reel - three steps
Slip jig - nothing. I decided to scrap the one I had from my competitive days. It's nice, but not current and I want something fresh. I might use it as a base, however.
Heavy jig - I have three steps. One will definitely be used for jig, the other two may work better as steps for jig sets. They all need a lot of work - they're fine in socks or trainers, not so when I actually put heavies on.
Hornpipe - nothing. Not even anything to use as a base, and no ideas as yet. I don't want to have too much on the go at once so I'm leaving this until jig and slip are complete.
Traditional sets - three of the four learnt, with intentions to get Garden done as soon as possible.
Nine modern sets - continues to fill me with dread. Choreographing that much material seems like an impossible mountain to climb and if I'm to go with my target, I have about a year to do it. That actually doesn't sound like long enough to me. I do have those two jig steps mentioned above which can be used for steps, but hornpipe choreography is non-existant. I know I'll be going for some of the shorter sets on the list, but it's still no easy feat.
So there's me.
I'm at a loss as to how to get more people into my class and am considering moving everyone and joining an existing class, to be honest. Even dancing the ceilis through would be good preparation for the practical exam - I've got to find a class first, though. My fitness is dreadful and I've got several chronic injuries that are going to need looking at so I'm going to try and get some physio. I'm going to buy some type of floor covering so that I can practice heavies at home - there's not much room in the hallway but even treble drills would be progress. I need to get healthier, so after this Bank Holiday weekend, we're back on a health kick.
I will not allow myself to get discouraged. I will stay positive, I will work, and I WILL take this exam.
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Class
I don't know where to start really. I got there about 40 minutes early to do some practice and there began a complete mixed bag of an evening. My new supposedly easy heavy jig (one day to be a jig set step) was actually quite difficult with some funny timing and a treble sequence that I can do in bare feet but not in shoes. I did it a few times over and recorded it to watch back. I still sit on my knees and treble too far ahead of myself. But, I fixed the timing, the double-back is strong on BOTH feet (miracle) and occasionally I hit some clicks. It WAS getting slightly better. Until my arches decided to flare and my Achilles decided to seize up. I tried to persevere - stretched them out, did some exercises - and attempted Job. I was trying to video it and messed it up every single time; it was getting ironically amusing.
Everyone started arriving then (I had three, woo) so I put my trainers on and played teacher instead of dancing along with them like I usually do. All the light solos went ok so I took advantage of the fact that there were four of us and attempted to dance again.
We did the Four-Hand Reel just so that I could get that first figure straight in my head for once. Achieved! We then moved on to the Humours of Bandon which is actually a lot of fun to dance. Last time I taught it, I got the first figure a little bit wrong but this time I had everyone catching the correct hands and it didn't go too badly. But then I felt a burning pain in the arch of my right foot, like something had snapped, so that was it from me. Trainers back on (they are good shoes, good support) and traditional sets attempted. R got St Patrick's Day, all the way through, which I was pleased with as they were struggling with the set a bit. She also managed the step of the Blackbird, as did J, and we moved on to the first half of the set which is coming along.
After a quick check of the Worlds results (look at the grid marks on feisresults.blogspot.com - yesterday's winners were very consistent. Good to see. Jack Quinn = amazing!) I showered then spent the rest of the evening icing my feet, rubbing in ibuprofen gel, and mummifying myself in supports. That routine repeated this morning minus the ice. And I thought to myself, how am I ever going to get good enough to pass the dancing exam if I can't DANCE? I'm confident I could take the writtens today and pass. I'd give ceili teaching a bloody good go and might scrape through. Solo teaching, if I got lucky and got beginner or middling dancers I might get through that as well. Own dancing - only if I didn't have to do jig, hornpipe or any modern sets. Such a shame you can't take this exam in instalments.
I was aiming for mid-2012 and I don't think I'm going to get there. It's already mid-2011 and I can't do any meaningful dance practise - and there's SO MUCH to fix. Turnout - fine in socks, abysmal in shoes. Rhythm, ok, but still unused to the shoes. Clicks, generally not happening. Knees - permanently bent. Not high on toes, not crossing. These are all things I used to be able to do, but only on four classes a week. If I had a week off, everything would be gone and I'd have to start again. I know what I'm like.
Then on the way to work I just realised - I only have to put up with pain, ice, stiffness and bandages until the exam is over. After that I choose when I dance. And I started to think maybe it isn't so impossible after all.
-----
Off to Dublin on Wednesday afternoon - class resumes on Wednesday 27th.
Everyone started arriving then (I had three, woo) so I put my trainers on and played teacher instead of dancing along with them like I usually do. All the light solos went ok so I took advantage of the fact that there were four of us and attempted to dance again.
We did the Four-Hand Reel just so that I could get that first figure straight in my head for once. Achieved! We then moved on to the Humours of Bandon which is actually a lot of fun to dance. Last time I taught it, I got the first figure a little bit wrong but this time I had everyone catching the correct hands and it didn't go too badly. But then I felt a burning pain in the arch of my right foot, like something had snapped, so that was it from me. Trainers back on (they are good shoes, good support) and traditional sets attempted. R got St Patrick's Day, all the way through, which I was pleased with as they were struggling with the set a bit. She also managed the step of the Blackbird, as did J, and we moved on to the first half of the set which is coming along.
After a quick check of the Worlds results (look at the grid marks on feisresults.blogspot.com - yesterday's winners were very consistent. Good to see. Jack Quinn = amazing!) I showered then spent the rest of the evening icing my feet, rubbing in ibuprofen gel, and mummifying myself in supports. That routine repeated this morning minus the ice. And I thought to myself, how am I ever going to get good enough to pass the dancing exam if I can't DANCE? I'm confident I could take the writtens today and pass. I'd give ceili teaching a bloody good go and might scrape through. Solo teaching, if I got lucky and got beginner or middling dancers I might get through that as well. Own dancing - only if I didn't have to do jig, hornpipe or any modern sets. Such a shame you can't take this exam in instalments.
I was aiming for mid-2012 and I don't think I'm going to get there. It's already mid-2011 and I can't do any meaningful dance practise - and there's SO MUCH to fix. Turnout - fine in socks, abysmal in shoes. Rhythm, ok, but still unused to the shoes. Clicks, generally not happening. Knees - permanently bent. Not high on toes, not crossing. These are all things I used to be able to do, but only on four classes a week. If I had a week off, everything would be gone and I'd have to start again. I know what I'm like.
Then on the way to work I just realised - I only have to put up with pain, ice, stiffness and bandages until the exam is over. After that I choose when I dance. And I started to think maybe it isn't so impossible after all.
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Off to Dublin on Wednesday afternoon - class resumes on Wednesday 27th.
Thursday, 14 April 2011
Heavy Jigs
On a roll! Since I stuck my neck out and actually tried to choreograph something, I've got a head full of jig ideas. Some of them are quite simple and might be better for an intermediate or prelim dancer, so here's my cheat - they will serve as the step part of my various jig sets, and then when it gets to the set I can throw in stuff I can only do on one foot, like drums and suchlike. It's probably not in the spirit of things but isn't that what everybody does?!
Productive class last night. Sadly my two beginners didn't return so it was just me and my faithful cohorts R and J. J learned the primary slip jig despite protesting that she's always hated the dance, and they both almost got the Blackbird step.
As far as my challenges go I did indeed go over Job (only in trainers as my feet were complaining) but I did it all the way through correctly, and had a few goes of my various jigs as well.
Only one class next week as I'm off to Dublin and the Citywest :) Cannot WAIT!!!
In the meantime, I have GOT to learn that jig stamp combination on my left foot. How hard can it be? Hop da da-da da da, DA. Hop right left-left right left, RIGHT.
Productive class last night. Sadly my two beginners didn't return so it was just me and my faithful cohorts R and J. J learned the primary slip jig despite protesting that she's always hated the dance, and they both almost got the Blackbird step.
As far as my challenges go I did indeed go over Job (only in trainers as my feet were complaining) but I did it all the way through correctly, and had a few goes of my various jigs as well.
Only one class next week as I'm off to Dublin and the Citywest :) Cannot WAIT!!!
In the meantime, I have GOT to learn that jig stamp combination on my left foot. How hard can it be? Hop da da-da da da, DA. Hop right left-left right left, RIGHT.
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