The Best Things Happen While You're Dancing!

A little over a month ago I heard my former manager at Fred Astaire opened his own dance studio just blocks from where I live.  I found him on Facebook and told him I would love to work for him again.  He responded and I had an interview the very next day.  2 1/2 weeks later (so cruel to make me wait that long) he called me to tell me I got the job!  Working at the music store was fun at times, but I was so relieved not to work there anymore.  The owners of the store liked to micro-manage everything, where Bill (dance studio) doesn't like to bother with the details, and just expects me to not only finish his projects, but find and stay on top of my own. 

 I am a harder worker and I do much better when I am given responisibility and I've been so happy working at a ballroom dance studio again!  I get to listen to Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Ella Fitzgerald all day.  I get to see my favorite movies with my favorite dance scenes, and I get to deal with customers that are beaming because they've been swept off their feet for an hour.  It's great because all the classics that I love, my co-workers love too, and I "fit" in when it comes to movies.  My co-worker is trying to do a routine to "Your Easy To Dance With", and I love that they are all as big of nerds as I am.  If you don't know what movie that dance is from, you're pathetic, btw. 

This Friday we are having a free showcase at our studio, "Dancing with our Rising Starz" and for 2 hours our students will dance for some judges, professional dancers will entertain, and a local dress shop will be showing off some fancy dresses.  Of course the best part?  The beautiful program made by me!  I spent hours working on it (53 Heats, a lot of typing)  and I'm very proud of it!  (I impressed Bill's partner with my mad computer skills) 

My long lost cousin Rindi is meeting me at the studio for a night of dancing!  Of course whenever cousins are involved, so is food, and so I am showing her my favorite Phoenix discovery: FEZ!!!!  I'm so excited to eat there again!  It's so delicious and there are plenty of goodies that follow my diet of no gluten, dairy, sugar, and select fruits and veggies!

If anyone is looking for something to do this weekend come check out Dance Starz AZ this Friday at 7pm!!  And don't forget to pick up a program ;)

Offensive

It seems like the theme for this month for me is being offended.  It started with seeing  some shocking behavior from someone (I don't know who reads this but I'm sure it wasn't you, call me and I'll shock you) and it ended with a co-worker asking if he did a routine to The Book Of Mormon if I thought that would offend anyone.  He of course had no idea I was mormon when he asked me, which makes it all the funnier. 

He chose Beauty and the Beast instead.

Last night after watching 4 straight episodes of a pretty scandalous show, I was a bit disgusted and decided to never watch it again.  Not because of the horrible context of the show (which makes me feel worse), but because I liked it despite it's horrible context.  If I like anything too much I immediately hate it.  I don't like the feeling of being addicted to anything.  (Except of course Arrested Development, things that make me laugh are a HUGE exception)  A big reason why I disconnected Facebook from my phone. 

Too much.

I've long believed that too much t.v. leads to apostasy.  I'm not going to explain that comment or my reasons for believing that, or my reason for stating that. 

When I responded to my co-worker about the play The Book Of Mormon, I tried not to offend him about it offending anyone because it is offensive. 

??

Sometimes it's good to take a break from Facebook, TV, or anything else that's distracting in life to remember that it's okay to stand for something.  Any statement that starts out with "That's horrible, but..."  is wrong.  Or it's a good movie, there's just the one scene (HP7, pt1)  

There are no exceptions.  If there were, then there would be no need to repent/change.

That schocking behavior I mentioned?  That was followed by, "Well, she's really nice, maybe she had a horrible upbringing, who knows..."

But in reality, life is black and white.  Gray doesn't exist. (That concept doesn't demand perfection)

So when I said "I'm sure it wouldn't offend, I've never seen the play but are the lyrics really bashing mormons?  If not I'm sure you'll be fine.  I think it's funny that you're asking a mormon."

"Well, the lyrics....maybe I'll pick something else.  You're mormon?" 

When someone commented that he should have gone with The Book Of Mormon and not Beauty and the Beast he replied he didn't want to offend anyone.  (kind of a sheepish look at me) 

The other guy responded, "Why not?  If you're going to offend anyone, offend the Mormons!!" 

The shushing and whispering that followed was hilarious.  I couldn't help but say, "and this is where you hush him and whisper, Melanie is a mormon!"  And after I said that, laughing, the moment was priceless.

 The second co-worker was not ashamed and repeated, "I still think it's best to offend mormons if it's going to be anyone."

"Why is that?"
"Because they don't get offended easily."

That was so funny to me.  But it did get me thinking.  I am proud to be part of a religion that has accountability.  I love that despite our different pasts and varying issues, we are accountable for who we are and what we do today (so shocking behavior girl, no excuses!).  I love that a play is made that is a comical spoof on the Mormon religion, exaggerating our weaknesses, and is insulting because of it's sarcastic, derogetory message of who we are. 

I love it because it shows that we as a religion aren't perfect, because we aren't.  But we do have perfection no other religion can claim.  The restored gospel of Jesus Christ IS perfect.  And despite my love for horrible shows (and my double standard of many of them) I believe in standing for something, that modesty takes self control and courage (and sometimes humiliation - curse womens fashion), that it's not easy attempting to do what's right.  I've had ridicule my entire life about my beliefs, about how narrow minded I am, how exclusive I am, how stuck up I am (all of these referring to me being mormon), and I am sure I am no exception. 

That's probably why my co-worker thinks mormons don't get offended.  We are so used to others being offended by us that we don't notice our own right to be offended at others. 

With all my worrying about offending others, I must admit that I kind of like offending others too, so if no one is offended by my post, I might be a little offended in return...

Halloween

For Halloween we never dress up, but this year we decided to mix it up without spending any money.  Clark parted his hair and was Paul Bunyon (although he'd make a better one now that he has a full on beard) and I put on my mom's old moo moo dress.  All of you who are spelling freaks, I'm to lazy to find out how to spell moo moo.  Deal with it.


My mom's dress is something she wore every Sunday after church.  I had so much fun wearing it and I see now why she did.  It's SO comfortable!!! My 3 favorite reactions of the night:


"Clark looks light Mr. Brawny."


 "That looks like a dress off of the Cosby Show"


 and


 "Does your mom know you are dressing up AS HER for Halloween???"




And yes, it would look like the Cosby Show because both are from the 80s.

Don't Forget

Listening to this right now.


Hindi Zahra - Don't Forget

State Fair

Last night Clark and I went to the State Fair with his brother Charles, his wife Krystal, and their baby Carter.  It was $1 to get in that afternoon and we live a few blocks away, so we figured, why not!

We had fun watching Carter while Charles and Krystal went on some rides.  He is the funniest little kid!!  Always has a smile (except in this pic).

We were shocked at how trashy all the kids there were dressed, and we got a good laugh out of a lot of crazy people.  Sounds mean, but I'm just being honest. (I always hate it when people use that as an excuse for a mean joke, but it's different when you don't know the person???)

Clark and Charles waiting for Mega Drop :) 

I'm not too scared for that ride, but I'm not a fan of my heart racing.  I get enough of that with my meds.  It was fun watching their feet dangling though. :)

And a picture of a bat.  Just for fun. 

Great Balls of Fire!!

So we are finally in our new place! I am LOVING the big kitchen! It was so great that it only took us a few hours to move! 

In other news, Clark and I can't get enough of this video!   Enjoy!

Obsessive

I came across this book the other day and it made me smile.  I absolutely LOVED this book. 


I don't know why. 


Most of the pictures are black and white, it's kind of weird, and so are the pictures (see flying bunny below). 


I loved it so much I had it memorized.  I know this because I recited the whole book to my mom once when she refused to read it to me. 

Of course I asked her while she was making dinner, but looking back I'm sure she was sick of me asking her to read it every single day when I was pretty old to be reading such a kids book.

Which brings me to 7 Brides for 7 Brothers.  I'm sure if my family is reading this right now, they are already checking out.  I watched this movie so much my family would hide the VHS.  I doubt any of them have fully recovered from it. 


And oh, how they made me mad.


When I played dress up with my cousin Jessica I usually insisted that we pretend we were from that movie and my name was always Dorcus. (Don't laugh, Dorcus was with Benjamin, and she was pretty, and so was her dress--see girl on the far right for those of you that are stupid--she's far more poised than the others, and she's not even a dancer--which is why she's in the back)

This was our favorite scene.  We'd jump on the end of the bed to pretend we were being caught like they were in this scene. 


There's an old family picture (I wish I still had it so I could post it) and in the background on the t.v. is an image of girls dancing in their bloomers.


My family couldn't stand this movie because of my obsession.  But really?  I still can't get enough.


Which brings me to Cinderella.  (this is my favorite of all her outfits, don't judge)


I was over at my sister-in-law's house today and my niece Lizzy (4) asked me what my favorite movie was.  Well, I told her 7 Brides of course, and she had no idea what I was talking about and asked what my favorite movie was at her age.  Well, I told her it was still the same answer.  (Kristen, come on!  It's a classic)  So then I told her Cinderella and how MEAN my family was in hiding it.  I'm pretty sure my niece thinks I'm crazy.  And looking back on my obsessions, I'm beginning to agree.

My family used to hide Cinderella from me as well.  Nothing made me more angry than to come home from school and find my 2 favorite movies missing.


And it happened a lot.