Hornpipe time!

This is today's hornpipe:



I'm not sure how I'm feeling about it. My shins have been killing me all day.

Strong points: High slices, new hair cut so hair doesn't flop into face all the time.
Needs improvement: Hitting the clicks on click throughs and slices, getting ALL trebles (I got most of them), sharpening it up (landing of slices with feet crossed, pointing toes, cuts to hip), and as always, turnout.

My dance classes are now done for the summer, not counting the ceili workshop at the end of this month, and the week-long Oireachtas worshop in August. Now it's really up to me to keep my rear in gear about practicing, especially with a feis each month. I've been thinking about an effective weekly practice schedule for the summer, and have basically some down with this:
Monday: Softshoe
Tuesday: Hardshoe
Wednesday: Go to the gym (cardio/weights)
Thursday: Softshoe
Friday: Hardshoe
Softshoe and hardshoe will always come in sets: reel/hornpipe or slip jig/treble jig. Obviously, as the Os draw nearer (or I move to prelim), I'll be practicing slip jig/treble jig more.

Keep your eyes peeled for Old Dominion feis report this weekend!

Goals: SJ/TJ videos, practice for Old Dominion
Days till Os: 172

My Reel, Right Now

Finally I got around to getting my dance floor set up over the weekend! I'm so happy:

Anywho, since that's fine and dandy, I also started to take video of my current dances. I will be starting with reel. Yes, I did mess up the end of the first step on my right foot. Pretend it's a hop23 and not a birdie-type thing...

Good points: My leaps and kicks are so high!
To work on: Sharpness. I'm always being told to pointe my toes when my legs are extended, but I may also need new shoes since these are a bit baggy. Freezing my jumps more. Turn out, always. Marnie says I've got everything else, and my dancing's great, I just need more turnout!

I'm using my new music from Total Irish Dancing. Isn't it great? Look for more sound clips from them for my other dances, which will hopefully also be up, one each day as well!

Goal: take video of slip jig, treble jig, and hornpipe
Days till Os: 178

Time to Practice Away!

Yay, minor goal 1 was reached today: I set up all my Jubilee tiles, and even have a nice little speaker system to plug my iPod into for practcing. All I need to do now is get some mirrors, and I'll be set!

Music review: Total Irish Dancing Vol. 1
I downloaded this CD off their website last night, and it's great. The music is all really upbeat and uplifting, which makes it great to practice too. It's really hard to keep still while listening to it! The songs are all at least 3' 45" long, which is perfect time to do some drills, some steps, and even more drills... There are 12 songs on the CD. It is $16 to download off the website, and $2/song if you want individual songs. Definately a keeper.
http://www.totalirishdancing.com/

Goals: Make current videos to post, buy mirrors
Days till Os: 181