A week ago I told you all about the upcoming Dancing with the Stars Utah charity event I will be participating in to raise money for the American Cancer Society. If you missed it, read about it here. If you’re from Utah, I would love to see you there. It’s one week from tonight (Feb 9th) and there are still more tickets available!
Krista and I have had two serious practices since then. And by serious I mean like three hours each time. And by three hours, I mean my feet felt like they were going to fall off.
On the first practice, I almost started crying. The moves felt awkward and weird. Not looking at my feet was near impossible. There was very little I was able to get right, let alone make it look not-clunky sexy.
Then I went home, and the next day I moved all the couches out of the way, cranked up some Santana, and practiced until the dance became a part of me. The rhythm became natural. The hips were popping. I was feeling good, despite the rug burns on the bottom of my feet. I got to the point where I could dance an entire song with my eyes closed and not mess up at all.
Then the next day I showed back up to practice and I forgot half of what I had practiced on my own.
Oops.
Anyway, that next practice was killer. Instead of learning new steps (which we still learned a few of), we put all the steps Krista taught me to choreography. We knocked out the entire cha cha part of our routine and started into tango.
About two and a half hours in, my brain totally shut down.
And I don’t remember anything that I was taught during those thirty minutes.
My friend Larken was good enough to snap some pics while Krista pounded me into the ground that day. Thanks ladies.
And, now I’m off to do it again. Wish me luck. If I never post another SDL post, it’s Krista’s fault. But at least I’ll have died doing what I’ve so quickly fallen in love with.
Just call me Tiny Dancer.
-
- And I think this was the moment when I pointed the rose at her butt.
-
- We have some FUN surprises for the audience in this dance. This is not one of them. This was just the part where Krista kept getting her arms covered in my sweat.
-
- These posted mostly in reverse order. Oh well. This was at the beginning of the practice. I definitely got more loose by the end. :)
-
- Krista's dance partner Nathan helped me learn a few of my tango moves after my brain had officially turned off.
-
- This is the part of the night where I pointed my rose at Krista's butt and she said she caught me looking at her caboose. I was innocent, I tell you.
Now for real… it’s off to dance practice.
Dan Pearce, Single Dad Laughing
PS. Have you ever taken ballroom classes? Did you fall in love with it the way I am? I’m definitely going to take a lot more classes when this is over.
If you liked this post, you'll probably love these...
The Chicken Incident
On Saturday, I threw on a jacket, stuffed my wallet and keys into my pockets, turned off all the lights, and headed out to my garage as...
On Saturday, I threw on a jacket, stuffed my wallet and keys into my pockets, turned off all the lights, and headed out to my garage as...
Planking. Everybody's Doing It?
Planking. Everybody's doing it. Celebrities... Random Joes... How is it that I am just now learning about planking and all its awesomen...
Planking. Everybody's doing it. Celebrities... Random Joes... How is it that I am just now learning about planking and all its awesomen...
Thinking on top of the Box
A while back, Noah and I stopped after preschool to grab a $5 pizza (hey, we're bachelors!) On the way out, Noah wanted to carry the bo...
A while back, Noah and I stopped after preschool to grab a $5 pizza (hey, we're bachelors!) On the way out, Noah wanted to carry the bo...
Making my kid believe it was HIS idea...
>> I wrote this entry and published it on my Babble Voices blog, and I’m only permitted to post a snippet of it here....
>> I wrote this entry and published it on my Babble Voices blog, and I’m only permitted to post a snippet of it here....
derekatesmom
I have started attending Zumba lessons - (side note I was tagged in a picture on my fb that is so apropos). I can feel the music or I can count the steps, still haven't managed to do both, and most days I feel like I am marching more than moving - but it's still fun so off I go.
lovindmutts
Check out the movie, Take the Lead- Antonio Banderas plays a professional ballroom dancer who has a little bit of a run-in with some rough kids at the local HS. He offers to teach/supervise the after-school detention.. and the culture-clash, sexiness, and other interestingness ensues! It's a fun one, Dan- check it out.
Akeena711
I love watching dancing on tv and movies, and I've always wanted to learn ballroom, but who would learn with me? Looks like you are having a blast!
MichelleCampbellPerrine
I'm rooting for you! :) Based on the still shots, you look like you have some swag!
CaylaTurner
What a great way to raise funds for cancer! Looks like so much fun. I'd love to ballroom dance, but living where I do, I have to be satisfied with watching it on TV........Although, I am learning some Latin dance moves with twice weekly Zumba classes.
Knock 'em dead on the 9th - I'll be rooting for you, all the way from Newfoundland!
ErikaHancock
Go, Dan! Work it! *sidenote* I'm loving the studio, decor. I didn't miss the point! I'm just drawn by the paintings over the couches. I'm paying attention, I swear. *hopes there won't be a quiz on this post later*
MT Mama
I've always wanted to take dance classes! No one to take them with, *sigh* Looks like you are having a blast!!
MT Mama
Single Dad Laughing Meetup.com is a good idea...not really prevalent where I live. We barely have craigslist ;) Maybe a clever classified in the newspaper?
Single Dad Laughing
moderator
MT Mama Haha. I bet somebody out there would love to dance as much as you would.
KellyMcFallBerkey
Ha ha!! You are most certainly braver than I am. I hope you have a great time doing that, it looks like a good time. I'm sure you'll do great. (well at least better than you think you will)
Single Dad Laughing
moderator
KellyMcFallBerkey I have this theory that it's impossible not to stay focused on the pretty girl, no matter who you are. So, even if I totally botch it nobody would know! :)
Ballroom dancing is SO much fun. I was on the UConn team for a little over a year. It takes some time, but you will get there, Dan! Once you start getting it as muscle memory, you will start dancing in the supermarket with your shopping cart... xD
TiffanyMeadows
I have always wanted to learn ballroom dancing, I just never could find a partner. None of the guys that I have dated would even think of dancing. I live in Texas and can't even find one to two-step with. Haha. But, it is still on my bucket list for someday. :)
Single Dad Laughing
moderator
TiffanyMeadows Sadly most of the guys I know are the same way. You can always get lessons from an instructor one on one! :)
kkadish
You look GREAT! Please tell me that this dance will be videoed and posted for those of us who are not in Utah...?!
Single Dad Laughing
moderator
kkadish This dance will be videoed and posted for those of us who are not in Utah... :)
Conversation from Twitter
TehAndiPants
danoah I'm so glad you're having fun! I was in ballroom classes for a few years and I miss it desperately. Break a leg!
danoah
TehAndiPants Methinks you best be gettin' back to class young lady.
Conversation from Facebook
Dawn Berlin Hadley
Isn't dancing SO MUCH FUN!?
Leanne Turner
Great photos Dan! Have lots of fun & Ill be cheering for u all the way from Aust! What does Noah think of your dancing skills?
Paul Domanski
Hopefully you're not dancing in the old west gunfight style... that could be bad with the thin ice and all.
Tracy Blackburn
Love this, thank you :D <3
Single Dad Laughing
Haha, will definitely post it Shannon!
Shannon ten Brinke
Because *I* am not a stalker... I just got excited about twitter replies Lol
Shannon ten Brinke
You should have it recorded and posted for us stalkers.. Errr fans to watch that cant come Haha. ;)
Single Dad Laughing
Melanie, you're awesome. Thanks for the advice. :) Yes, without video I'm sure I'd be totally lost! :)
Single Dad Laughing
Jessica, yep! Just tell them you're in my group when you get there!
Stephanie Johnson-Hart
I'm on one of the relay committees... and I think it's awesome for you to be participating. Cancer is clearly heartbreaking, and especially for me because it's shaken my family. I've read your blog for a long time, rarely comment...but it will be fun to see you dance your trash off next week!
Melanie Der
Hi Dan! Here's some advice that might or might not help: There's no money on the floor, so no need to look (down) for it! Also, for me, a recreational ballroom dancer / sometimes-volunteer-ballroom-teaching-assistant, I find that recording a copy of the routine on video-camera or something, after the session, helps. For me, anyway. And each week you could either record a short summary of what you need to work on, the new steps, and/or the entire routine up until then so that you have access to the actual steps and have a visual. Either you could be recorded, or Krista, or both if you'd like (as long as it's allowed)! Rather than trying to remember which way this step or that step went, and then where your arms or feet or head or torso or hip or toe (or something!!) were supposed to be...! Anyway, I'm sure Krista is waaay more qualified than me to give advice anyway, so..... well, keep up the awesomeness!! Good luck!!
Jessica Rawlings
Hey Dan do you have any tickets left, I would love to come see you dance =)
Shannon ten Brinke
I cant dance.. At all. Lol :/
Asia Stacia
I LOVE ballroom dancing. I'm going to take it up again soon.
Sarah Hart
I got hooked on salsa some years back. However, being 5'8" and with a lack of males in the class, I kept being partnered with women, with me in the male role!!! Very irksome. So, in the end, I gave it up. Still love it and wish my husband did.
Heather White
I started Salsa dancing about a month ago and I can't get enough of it! I love it so much!
Echo Johnston
Woohoo! Its awesome to find something you love!
Lisa Sinclair
Looks like fun, i would love to take some dance classes. Good luck in the performance- I'll have my fingers crossed for you all the way from Maine...
Cristy Hallam
Freaking hilarious!
Melanie Der
Another way to remember to keep your head up: in photos / videos of you dancing (or maybe even the audience!), if you look down, you might look like you're trying to look down her shirt...! That tip works for my dance classes sometimes lol
Tony Giegler
mostly because her but was facing away...
Angela Retter Jensen
Don't forget to keep that elbow pointed up!!! I watched lots of Dancing with the Stars!!!!
Tammy Reed
How cool is that....I'd love to learn to dance again. I used to do line dancing, but have always wanted to learn swing. Very fun photos. :-)
H-l Rankin
You can do it, Dan-o! Remember, "Dance like nobody's watching"!
Kate Cavanagh Francis
She didn't look 'that' upset,,,lol
Elizabeth Morin-Nelson
xD!!!
Mandi G
Haha I love it! So glad you are enjoying it! Good Luck and HAVE FUN! :D
Like SDL on Facebook!
Hey Dan...I claimed two spots early for the event...but, I just had some personal stuff come up, and I won't be able to make it. I wanted to let you know so that someone else could use them. I apologize...and thank you. Good luck tomorrow! (I wasn't sure what contact method would be best...hopefully, this gets to you in time for someone else to get to come!)
- spam
- offensive
- disagree
- off topic
Like