FAME!

I've been thinking so much about ava and her first dance performance. it got me to thinking about my first show. said reminiscing led to digging and the result: this little gem of a photo. I am eleven years old here (summer of 1982) and had just finished doing my fame (fame!) solo. please note the woven headband. the lavender leotard with coordinating pink and white baseball shirt and socks. and oh how I loved those nike tennis shoes. my mom sold mary kay and I remember how exciting it was to have her do my stage makeup. lots of burgundy and wine shades, lots of brown. and friends, how much do you love for the dark brown pantyhose?

the performance (ahem, recital) took place at a band shell in the park and there were maybe thirty people sitting out in the audience. a microphone propped up next to the speaker of a tape player (aka jambox, y'all) functioned as the sound system. the rest of the details are fuzzy. though I do remember being so nervous I was sick to my stomach. I remember wondering why I'd even wanted to do this thing in the first place. and I experienced such an immediate sense of relief when it was all over it's a wonder I even continued to take dance classes. fortunately, I have the photograph (in all dorky gloriousness) because the precious video footage was accidentally taped over with a 76ers game. sorry, dad. you know I think you are the greatest man in the whole wide world, but I'm afraid you will never live this down. I'll tell you, I would gladly give up my left thumb (any appendage or limb, for that matter) to see this dance again.

must stop writing now, must dig out my  fame record album. I will be playing it loud, singing along, driving everyone in my family crazy. and man just wait til they get a load of my solo.