Wednesday, 6 December 2017

Men Wanted!!

Mollie & AJ revealed to be kissing during Strictly training, better not tell my hubby or he might not be so happy about me doing the training!  Seriously though it would be good to have a partner, apparently Dove House Hospice are a couple of men short, so at this point I might end up having to dance as a man! I always used end up doing this when I did a few Salsa classes many years back, there were always far more many women wanting to learn than men, and I can be bossy so can lead (so I've been told)!  I'd much rather dance the female role, I want the sequins and the spray tan (and hopefully I won't look like a man in drag!)
So come on men, get in touch with Dove House Hospice, if you are lucky, you might get to dance with me!!

We’re still looking for men to join our 2018 Strictly Learn to Dance team. If you’re interested in getting involved email Anita on a.brien@dovehouse.org.uk answering the questions below:
  1. Date of birth
  2. Height
  3. Previous dance experience
  4. Why would you like to take part?
  5. Could you sell 15 tickets to the grand finale?
  6. Could you raise the minimum of £500?
  7. Can you make rehearsals on Thursday evenings throughout January, February and March?
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Good Luck!

Friday, 1 December 2017

So many questions???

Woke up this morning with so many questions going through my head...

What did they say about dance shoes?  Lightinthebox is a good place to start looking.  Check for sizing (I'm a 6, might need to order up or down? which was it?) and check they are adult size (not kids) and for delivery times, if they come from overseas they might not arrive in time to break them in. (I thought you did this to horses not shoes!)
Have I the energy to do this?  Fatigue is still a much bigger an issue in my life than I'd like it to be. 
Do I have the confidence to do this?  Hell yes! Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway! I hope so anyway... when I'm in higher self then definitely.
Can I actually dance?  I did Rush with Southpaw in the Freedom Festival (mass movement dance spectacular), which was an amazing experience, but then I was one of many, it was dark and I was near the back. This time it will be me and my partner on the dance floor in spot lights (in heels).  I'm know I'm not Anne Widdecombe, but I'm certainly no Debbie Mcgee!
Who will I be paired with?  Hope he's got a good sense of humour!
Will my chemo brain remember 3 routines and transfer that info to my body and my feet?  I blooming well hope so, but it's not guaranteed! I managed in Rush but as soon as I'd learn one piece they changed what we were doing (literally right up until minutes before we went on) really hope that isn't the case this time.  I did learn that seeing the dance on video helps me, as does having a written note of the routine, but mostly repetition repetition repetition!
Will I ever see my husband Allan?  Another night I'm out, and we are already ships that pass in the night! He knows I need a new challenge, and hopefully will be proud of me.
Will my back cope? Currently a twisted pelvis and a pulled QL, adding dancing in heels to the mixture, eek.  Get a therapist on speed dial, and keep doing Forrest Yoga Abs!
What about the fund raising?  I put that I hope to smash the £500 challenge, I'll need your help for that! (and will put a link for this as soon as we've had details about it). The Hospice is a fab cause and most people locally have family or friends that have used the wonderful facilities at some point, it's available for Hull and the whole of East Yorkshire, so has a large reach.   And it might be free to use but it's not free to provide. They told us last night they get funding that covers 36 days so have the other 329 to cover from fundraising.
Can I sell a table for 10? I've already got people telling me they want tickets for the event so should have that one covered.  Of course the more the merrier, once the table is full (these are around the dance floor, one per contestant) there are lots of other seat tickets in City Hall. I hope to have as many of my family and friends around me to cheer me on, and to pick me up & dust me down if I fall!

I'm sure there were more questions, certainly felt like it at 4 this morning!  I'll pop them up later if they come back to me. 

Keep Dancing
Pam x 💃

Dove House Hospice

Thursday, 30 November 2017

Exciting News!


I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it... (sung, obviously!) I've just heard that in the new year I will be dancing in the Dove House Hospice Strictly Learn to Dance.  As they have over 100 applicants I was thrilled to be shortlisted, and then to hear after the selection event that I had been chosen made my day/week/month, hell possibly my year!

12 Men, 12 Women, 3 dances each (1 Latin, 1 Ballroom & 1 group dance) Hull City Hall 23 March 2018.  We have 12 weeks of training every Thursday night. 

We have to commit to raise at least £500, and sell a table of 10 tickets for the event.  I hope to smash that target and hope you will help me to do that. 

I love all things Strictly and am thrilled to be able to join in this event.  Since the cancer diagnosis I've been looking for a bit of a challenge and this fits the bill so well for me.  I'll be sharing here the trials and tribulations of training.  We've already been told it is hard work and there will be times when we wonder why on earth we signed up.  Sparkly dresses and spray tans await along with bumps and bruises, sore feet and (hopefully) some weight loss!

Big thanks to the Dove House Hospice and the dance teaching team for making this happen.  Just hope I don't get the Viennese Waltz - those spins!

Watch this space and Save the Date!

Pam x💃