Hyperreal

I’m a whole week behind in writing my blog! It’s been a busy week though, and I’m only now finding the time to write up what I’ve been doing…

First thing was the events of Dundee last weekend…

I went up to Dundee last weekend for their monthly party on the Saturday, and the focus workshop and tea dance on the Sunday.

Quite enjoyed the party, though many of the people I’d hoped to see were missing, though plenty others were there to make up for it.

Last time I was there the Bonar Hall was unbearably hot, but it was the middle of summer. Now it’s autumn, but it was still too hot. It’s the only thing that detracts from this otherwise excellent venue.

I got some really flattering compliments from some of the Dundee ladies that made me feel good.

I quite enjoyed the music, though I’d have to say there was quite a bit of latin and swing music which wasn’t to my taste…

After the party a bunch of us went for a quick bite at an all-night bakery (yum!) before I was conveyed up to Aberdeen for the night – that was a fun trip. But once “home” safe for the night (despite the wee incident when parking the car ) I then spent a silly length of time chatting to my host for the evening, enjoying the company and a glass or two or wine, and not enough time sleeping.

So, on Sunday, after about 3½ hours sleep, it was up and out, back to Dundee for the workshop, with just enough time to grab some food and visit an artist friend who was taking part in an “open day” at her studios. I’m glad we made it there, just a shame we didn’t have more time to stay and look around…

Of course, after dancing on the Saturday night, and not getting enough sleep, I was shattered. I really should have given the workshop a miss, but I only realised this once I was there, doing it.

It was quite good though. It would be too much to say that I learnt some cool funky style, but I at least watched, and tried to copy… My major problem with almost all of it was trying to pay attention to too many things at the same time, and not getting any of them right. Where were my feet? Where was my weight? Where is my partner? Am I disturbing her with my styling? Is she disturbing me?

Anyway, lots of good stuff to salt away until I’m ready to use it, and one or two things I think I could use immediately…

After the workshop we had a tea dance – similar format to the ones in Stirling, but not quite the same… Quite a different crowd than the Stirling tea dances get, which changed the feel of it.

I was disappointed that many of the usual Stirling people didn’t come to Dundee, but we managed to enjoy ourselves anyway.

Of course, I was still very tired, so chose to sit out a lot. Only when it was was a song that I really liked, and knew I needed to get a dancer I was familiar with did I do much asking. Otherwise I waited to be asked. Still danced a lot.

Afterwards a bunch of us went to a curry place (though I had their Thai food) before I went for my train, and made my way home.

It was the company that really made this weekend. From Aberdeen my host and a few other friends. From Inverness a wee posse of folks… Not so many people from Glasgow or Edinburgh…

I particularly enjoyed meeting the Dundee (and Perth) folks. Had lots of good dances both days with some of them. I was particularly pleased to see one that I’d met at a few of the Stirling tea dances, and I made sure to get as many dances with her as possible, without being impolite. (Aside – I hate it when guys hog girls for loads of dances when she may want to dance with other guys, and other guys want to dance with her.)

So I’m looking forward to seeing her, and many of the same people and more next week, when I’ll be spending the weekend back in Dundee for a party on the Saturday night, and a tea dance on Sunday afternoon. Can’t wait!

Thanks everybody for a good weekend, special thanks to my host and those that drove me around… Hope you enjoyed your weekend too… See you soon!