I'm the Cool Uncle

Yeah, at least that's what I think.

My niece got married earlier this summer, and here we are, dancing at her reception - see me in the white shirt dancing with her? I'm not quite sure what all the smiles were about, but do you notice that a lot of them were looking at me? I don't get it. I know I didn't have toilet paper coming out of my pants or on my shoes... I'm PRETTY sure that my pants weren't ripped. Hmm... Maybe they were just dazzled by my dancing "moves".

Yeah, right?

It was a really interesting reception, nevertheless. My niece, K***, has been taking jazz/tap and ballet dancing since she was just a wee little girl. If it hadn't been for the accident of genetics (and beeing a preemie), I'm fairly certain that she would be dancing ballet for a major company right now. Really. She's just that good. She was the first her age to ever perform en pointe during the annual Nutcracker Ballet during Christmas season. And this is for the Richmond Ballet - those of you who know ballet can attest to the fact that Richmond Ballet (in Virginia) is probably the 3rd best school in the United States - New York being #1, and I think #2 is in Cali somewhere...

but who remembers #2 ever? Of all the schools that aren't the best, you're #1?

No, I am NOT kidding. Go ask around if you don't believe me.

So I know it really means something when her instructors let her perform that way. Yeah, I know everyone says their kids are great and they could have made it, etc. etc... I'm just repeating what her instructors have said, that's all. No, really. Why would I lie to you?

See, ballerina's have to be more anorexic than supermodels, twice as strong, and of course, talented and flexible. That's just how it is. If you're not AT LEAST 5'9" and have a figure like, oh, the very undernourished Ally McBeal (what was her name???) - ie. a stick - then you might as well accept that you will either never dance for a major company or never dance at all. In ballet, at least. Jazz dancing is much more forgiving... and Kiyo definitely has the skills there... but she LOVES the ballet.

Unfortunately, she's gotten her physique more from our side of the family than her mom's - our fam has big thighs, butts, and breasts. It's true. Works great for girls trying to catch a guys eye, you know? But not so much for the ballet. Ahh well...

Oh, what was the point of that whole shpiel? Ahh, well my niece has always been the ham and the performer. Her reception was half talent show, half party. Her entire wedding party did a dance number for her to "Fever", that sultry jazz number (ya give me fever... baboom boom boom...). The best man played a song for her. Her mother's brother is an amazing pianist and he played something he wrote for her - impressive. Several other friends did readings or other songs. My brother whipped out a Josh Grobin tune, "When you say you love me..." Yeah, very cheesy, very wedding - and the pianist uncle played accompaniment, having heard the song just once (that very day) and sight read through the music. The two of them silenced the entire room - and he really belted that song out but good. There were not many dry eyes left in the house after that song, my sappy ones included. And I'm man enough to admit that.

Yes, I have newfound respect for my brother's pipes. Mine? More gravelly and soulful, methinks... could be due to all the bar hopping and smoke... hmm. Never can tell

And I promise, Part 7 will be coming soon. REALLY.

Half-Nekkid Thursday!

Happy HNT!