Good ol' BYU

I went to BYU this evening--or last night, if you want to be technical--to meet and support another blogger (great job, by the way) at the ballroom class labs (as well as to evaluate how my bronze level students would hold up against bronze level BYU students).

To be honest, I had mixed feelings being back there, especially watching ballroom. Part of me actually wants to go back, but most of me is very glad I left.

But I did realize a couple of things:

I am Not a "Dancer"

Don't get me wrong; I'm not saying that I'm swearing off dancing or that I don't think I'm good at dancing.

What I mean is that I don't take myself seriously on the dance floor. I dance for enjoyment, to entertain, and because... well... because I am good at it. It's a talent that I enjoy developing.

Before I am a dancer, though, I am by far a teacher and entrepreneur.

However, dance is the perfect string to tie the teacher and entrepreneur parts of me together. It is much more marketable than anything else I would love to teach (such as French, Philosophy, Creative Writing, Math, Logic, or Computer Programming).

And even though the technique curriculum is the same, I still get to be creative with the routines each semester and with the choreography for the performances (not to mention all the creativity in writing the performances, themselves--I'm currently writing my Halloween performance for my first ballroom & tap showcase teams). Being creative without boundaries is a must for me if I am to enjoy my work.

So, while I love to dance and teach dance, I wouldn't really classify myself as a dancer.

I am Not Ashamed of Being Gay

Unlike my previous days at BYU, I had absolutely none of those "... I can't let anyone even guess that I might be gay..." pings deep within.

In fact, I made up a game (now, I'm not assuming I'm the only one to play such a game) that I'm sure totally outed me to several people.

I call it "Marco Homo," and the rules are as follows:

First, I make eye contact with a potential gay boy. Then I give a very subtle "knowing" smile and nod (not an "I want you" look; it is easily mistaken as a friendly "hey" nod... at least I hope--I didn't get any negative reactions, anyway...).

I score thusly:

1. If he blushes, looks away too quickly, or reacts oddly, he's most likely gay;
2. If he smiles and nods back, he's straight; or
   
3. If he smiles and nods back and then takes another look back after he walks by, he's definitely gay.

I thought it was fun.