vele gedachten

I mentioned in my last post that I’d tell the story about how I got this nomination to the ‘logies’ of the dancing world recently. I wouldn’t call myself a ‘dancer’ as such, but I do regularly participate in dancing. So I guess if I got over my insecurities about not being technically ‘good’ at dancing, I may allow myself to call myself a dancer. Gosh! Complicated thought processes eh?

Anyway…recently I completed my bronze medals (the easiest level in ballroom) in both Latin American and New Vogue styles. For Latin I received a Highly Commended Pass (86-90%) and for NV I received a High Distinction (90-95%). I was super happy- I don’t dance to get good marks and after a few stuff ups in my exam I was going to be happy with a pass…so I was pleasantly surprised . One of my adjudicators even wrote on the bottom of my sheet that I am ‘a diamond that just needs a little polish’ haha. I find it all a bit funny really- I dance for fun and exercise… not to compete or be judged.

The best thing about doing these medal things is that after the stress of being adjudicated they have these ‘Cabaret nights’ where you go and dance your feet off for a good 5 hours straight and you’re presented with your little trophy and marks. So last Saturday night I went to Cabaret night expecting to have a break from study and do my best to dance so much that I could barely walk anymore (aim well and truely acheived…which was to be expected :p). Anyway at one stage of the night I was sitting (not by choice…but because we had to sit down while they did some speeches etc) and I was half chatting with a friend/half staring at the ceiling in the big dance studio we were at when all of a sudden my name was called out. Those two words took a few seconds to register in my head and after some firm nudges from the person sitting next to me and a ‘Ruth! Get up- they called your name!’ I tentatively stood up, made sure my dress was in tact (it’d been giving me some grief the whole evening) and made my very nervous shuffle across the massive dance floor up to the front. Turns out I’d been selected to win the ‘Bronze Achiever Award’ for the best dancer in my level for the term. I was super amazed/bewhildered/excited and beaming from ear to ear and giggling profusely all at the same time. I didn’t even know that such an award existed so the surprise was the best part of it.

I should probably explain the Logies reference. The thing with this Bronze Achiever award is that it makes me a nominee for an ‘Aurora Award’- try saying that 5 times quickly!! But yes anyway I’d go to this big night and kind of like the Brownlow count, the Bronze Achievers from across the terms would be voted for and one would win overall. Thing is, apparently you can’t win unless you go, and the tickets are a ‘meager’ $155 each for the night. Which includes a 3 course meal and in my case I’d most likely be paying for everyone else’s alcohol. One of the other ‘perks’ is having a red-carpet interview at 4pm before the night begins. It all sounds very flash and over-rated and to be honest…not at all how I’d want to spend $155. Fortunately I’ll be enjoying the beach at Philip Island that weekend anyway so I had a great excuse why I couldn’t go hehe.

Anyway that’s my exciting story for the week. Back to thesis-ing…and dreaming about dancing.