Excitement and Blisters

FUN practice and lesson Mon. night - but I managed to break open a blister upon a blister, and my feet are bleeding again, ever so attractively into my Latin shoes. A and I worked on rumba for about 1 hr. 15 mins., and then had a lesson with Curt. I've only ever had one jive technique lesson before; this one involved quantities of hopping, skipping, kicking and other cardiovascularly (is that a word?) tiring things, but it was entertaining and pretty informative, too. His rumba lesson was incredibly nitpicky, but it was admittedly a technique lesson. I got called out a couple of times, and since I was a little bit on the ornery side, was probably a little bit too impatient about it. :/

After waffling about it for the entire day, I decided to book it over to Inga's to meet A for a chachacha technique lesson after work. Drum and bass is my driving theme music of choice, and it was pouring so freakishly hard on the way over that I could barely see the tail lights of the car in front of me. I didn't realize just how loud I had the stereo to compensate for the blinding rain until I burst from the rainstorm and about blew my eardrums out. When I arrived at the studio, A'd apparently had a brush with death on the highway during the storm and was frazzled from lack of sleep and adrenaline. My butt probably still has marks from Inga's formidable fingers on it, from when she tried to get me to feel just how dramatic my hip action needs to be, and how staccato my turns should be. I feel like I'm strutting all over the place, but it doesn't look that pronounced in the mirror (probably because I have no hips to speak of) - what she wants me to do feels over-the-top (and it hurts!), but she's an international champ, so I think I'll take her advice.

In other news, I got a raise. I'll be getting another next January, a significant one. I'm pretty happy about this, it was a complete surprise! When I got the news, I did a little office chair dance and clapped, but then spun around and said "wait, wait - WHAT?!"

I finally got back to the piano last night - nothing too intense, but enough for catharsis. I slept pretty soundly until around 2 something, when I got up, stretched out on the living room floor, dozed, and allowed the kitties to walk all over me until I felt sleepy again. A short practice tonight with A after work today (unless I cancel because of imminent death-by-blister), and then (if he's recovered from his cold!) perhaps dinner and time spent with the talented and incorrigible S! I've had a sore throat for the past couple of days that's a little bit worse today, and it wouldn't be cool if we exchanged illnesses. The maid of honor must be present and frolicsome at Natty & Pepper's engagement party this weekend, which is going to be FABULOUS. Semi-formal, with gourmet cheesecakes, sushi and sashimi, barbecue, and hors d'oevres!

:D I'm excited! And sleepy... And blistery. Mrmff.