Phew, dance class.

First dance practice back after a month today. I am feeling much better about my lack of motivation to practice now. It seems that I just didn't know where I was going to be heading with my steps, but now that I do, I know what needs to happen.

Most of practice tonight was tweaking small things about my steps. I am learning this fancy new leap thing I can't even describe (or do well) for my slip jig lead. Two small parts have been changed in my treble jig, one to add variety in my second step, and another to fix (read: cover up) some rhythm part in my third step. There has also been a tweak to the beginning of one of my sets (The Hunt) which needs major practice as it involves something I've never done before. I am also learning the open champ version of Drunken Gauger. THAT will be a doozy to finish learning and to eventually perform for nationals and the Oireachtas (and other feiseanna too).

I did find out senior ladies is doing reel/hornpipe for nationals and the Os for this year. (YES YES YES!! OH MY GOD, YES!!) I ALSO found out that it's 99% confirmed that I will be attending the 2011 World Irish dance championships in Dublin! And probably not just for solos too, but we also might be taking the figure.

Okay, all this positive from dance class tonight, did leave one negative. . . my feet are killing me (blisters), and my muscles are weak, so I am sore. . .

Goals: Turnout and break in shoes

Days till worlds: 99

Success!

Today, I'm having a very successful practice session:

1. I remember three treble jig steps! Mind you, the last step is not one of the new ones. It's the old third step I did at the Oireachtas last December. I can honestly say I dislike the newest third step, and not just because I can't remember the end, but because it has that stupid rhythm part at the end, which I know I will not do well ever in a million years because I have turn out and rhythm issues. Here's to hoping I can keep just that one old step. The other two steps are the new ones, and I'll have to admit, I did modify the end of the first to get rid of another stupid rhythm part. I totally "had" these rhythm parts back in January when I was obsessing over them before we found out we're not doing jigs for nationals. We'll see how my modification goes over at class tomorrow...
2. I just went through my hornpipe and was not dying at the end! I even went back and did my half step after waiting eight bars, and was perfectly fine. Guess that means my stamina is good, although this phenomenon may have something to do with the fact that I only have 8 feet to travel instead of a whole stage. All that running around (travelling) really tires you out.

What was not successful: Drunken Gauger. It took me about five tries before I got though it without forgetting something or messing up. C'est la vie... I guess I should practice The Hunt every once and while again. I'll need a contrasting set for worlds next year. :)

Goals: remember the slip jig, keep practicing Drunken Gauger
Days till Nans: 25

General Updates...

Finals are over! I can concentrate on dance now!

Today was just not a hornpipe day. I have started running recently to work on stamina, but it just wasn't happening today. And my back trebles. Oh, my back trebles...
I'm reelly excited for my reel (bahaha, couldn't resist). My second step now has this nice spinning move a la Ciara Sexton. Here's to hoping I don't fall on my face at a feis...
My new set would be coming along, had I not decided finals were more important... :] Now that I am done, I think I can actually focus on learning it for real, and not just having to remember parts of it when I get to class.
Oh, and I have also learned my umpteenth spot in the figure. This is mine for real now (or at least until nationals). There is something about this new place I'm doing that just seems...easier for me than the spot I was doing prior to it. I like it.

A few weeks ago I went to see Lord of the Dance at UVA. It most certainly was a once in a lifetime thing in a not-so-good way. I don't think I will ever go see it again live, I will just stick to my DVD of one of the original performances. Don't get me wrong, the dancers were good. The show just pisses me off because so much of it is pre-recorded, and it's so obvious. I can't wait to go see Riverdance in June to erase this bad memory from my mind...

Goals: Remember Drunken Gauger, back trebles
Days till NANs: 52