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Julie Dances for Charity

  • Starting to feel a little nervous now...

      19 June 2017
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    The end is nigh!

    Wow, what a journey. For weeks now, we've been squeezing in three practices a week on top of our Saturday sessions. Dancing for the audience (a whiteboard with a smiley face on it), over and over and over again... forgetting our moves... laughing uproariously when we get all out of sync while hopping around the room... and my favourite part, rewarding ourselves with "hydration" at Fiddlesticks afterwards. It's got to the point where they know my name and are pouring my drink before I've uttered a word.

    The Saturday sessions moved out to North New Brighton. There's something so energising about dancing next to the ocean! Though I'm not nearly so elegant as the waves, the view out over them lifts my spirits after each of my innumerable screw ups.

    And now, it's all wrapping up. Tomorrow evening is dress rehearsal, and Thursday it's all on!

    Thanks to all those who've supported me, on my givealittle page, buying raffle tickets, or with kind words of encouragement when I needed them. And especially to the lass who pours my wine. Keep them coming, I'm quaking in my suede-soled sandals!

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  • No pain, no gain...

      22 May 2017
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    Well, we're into it now!

    I approached the first lesson with some trepidation, but it turned out to be just fine. We learned the basics of leading and following - something that had long seemed a mystery to me, but turns out not to be that hard! Also a couple of easy salsa steps.

    Then, this past Saturday, we stepped up those steps a step. Nice, I can do this, it's still not too hard! Then I'm told I'll do a floor sweep. Sounds elegant, I'm thinking. Our teacher Scott demonstrates and suddenly it seems less nice... "You want to throw me on the floor?!" I blurt out.

    The first try, I hit with a thump that will definitely leave a bruise. Then we get the setup right, going down on one knee and leaning out to get the 'sweep' dynamics to work. Turns out it's quite literal - I become a human broom! A few more tries, and I'm whimpering 'ow' a lot but we've got it pretty sussed.

    Sunday I woke up, stood up, and promptly fell over. It's Monday now, and I'm still limping. Think I might need to add lunges to my homework...

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    • 22/05/2017 by Nigel Paterson

      No pain no gain. You can so do this Julie! !

  • How it all began...

      10 May 2017

    I agree to a lot of things at the pub that I’m never later held to account for. Making documentaries. Learning archery. Even camping (I mean, really… where would I plug in my hair straighteners?!).

    So naturally, when the lovely Emma Paterson said “hey, you should do Dancing with the Stars!”, of course I said “yeah, alright then.”

    The difference this time was that I didn’t regret it in the morning. I was ready for something like this. After having recently listened to a speech given by Liam Malone about his personal journey, I was itching for a Big Hairy Audacious Goal of my own. Something I didn’t think I could do, so I could prove myself wrong. The opportunity seemed like serendipity.

    And thus I found myself on Monday evening, social anxiety a go-go, walking into a room full of people I didn’t know, to meet my new dance partner and fellow contestants. Thankfully there was wine!

    I got very lucky with my matching, too, being paired with someone who is not only super-enthusiastic and encouraging, but even better, can already dance! Mark came up and introduced himself as my dance partner. I immediately apologised. May not have been the best first impression, but he deserves to know what he’s in for!

    I also got the opportunity to hear more about Home & Family, what they do, and understand the services they provide to help families who need a little assistance to provide safe and happy home environments. The counselling rooms are so thoughtfully set up! They rely on donations to keep things running day to day, so I felt rather proud to be counted on to help in this small way.

    Saturday is when things really get real – first practice session! If my arms still work, there’ll be an update soon after. Thanks again for all your support!

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    • 10/05/2017 by Emma

      So so happy you are dancing this year! You wont regret it... go team Julie/Mark! X

    • 12/05/2017 by Bridget

      Dance your little socks off girl :)