Sing, Dance, Live!

You know that line from The Grinch: "...they say [his] small heart grew three sizes that day"? Well, I had one of those weeks. One of those weeks where my heart grew three sizes and I learned more about me and others and my world. Sometimes growing feels so stinkin' good!

Despite many reservations, I embraced some firsts this week. I sang karaoke, went salsa dancing, and challenged my status quo. Nothing like shaking things up a bit to feel more alive.

On Thursday, I walked my little ol' self down to a karaoke bar, sang in front of some very nice people, and did not die. A very successful evening I'd say. My song selection? Love Me Do, Santaria, and Brown Eyed Girl. A list of 3 was plenty to immerse myself in the karaoke experience. I can shoot for more next time. Because, yes, there will most likely be a next time.

If you've never tried karaoke you should--end of story. There are no excuses not to try it at least once. There's something about bringing into public that same person who belts it out in the car. It's a merging of identities--an experience that had me realizing, hey, I'm more me.

So, from one newbie to another, you might want to keep these little gems in mind before your solo debut:

• No matter how much you love techno music, it doesn't translate well into karaoke selections. It's hard to sing a song with no words. I'm just sayin'.
• A sheltered childhood means you can probably sing any theme song from a Disney movie or The Beatles. For starters, I'd go with The Beatles.
• Strangers are much kinder to you after you sing to them (I met 6). 
• Alcohol probably helps take the edge off your first experience. Although, I wouldn't know--the copious amounts of adrenaline my body decided to contribute masked anything vodka could have offered.
• Pick a song you know-- it just works out better for everyone. But if you realize you actually DON'T know the song you picked, hope really hard that someone can save you in the middle of your Sublime selection. Whoopsie. :)
• Feel free to dance and sing and give high-fives to people--even when it's not your turn--because it's karaoke and it's just about having fun.
• Oh, and anyone who takes the time to wear a feather boa is always a good time. Trust me.

Speaking of a good time...How about a little Salsa?


My sister-in-law asked if I wanted to go salsa dancing and for the first time in the 6 years she's been asking I said, "Yes. Tonight. What shoes do I wear?" Normally I have many reasons as to why I can't--maybe some other time--but not last night. This could be due to the residual confidence from karaoke or maybe the bucket list desire to take dance lessons, either way I met her at Belltown Dance Studio and went salsa dancing for the first time in my life.

Like, ever.

Let me tell you, that room was filled with so many gracious people who walked me through the steps, led me with a smile and noted that I looked very much like I was Latin.  Why yes, yes I am (and leaning very hard on that internal sense of rhythm).

I had one partner who gave me a lesson that made me look so good I couldn't get off the dance floor for the next 5 songs. So, by the end of the night people assumed I was kidding when I said this was my first time. "Oh, so you mean this is your first time at this dance studio?"  "No, I mean this is my first time Salsa dancing." Needless to say, my crash course in Salsa went splendidly and I'll be back-- you can hold me to it.

So, in preparation for all the pink and red that is Valentine's Day and the growing and sharing that is life, may your heart grow with kindness and your spirit dance with joy. And may you share love and laughter with strangers and friends--because everyone could use a little more of both these days.

Mwah!

Total 2011 stranger count: 14