Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Me, In a Past Life

So there was a time in my life, during the end of the 1990's swing and big band revival, that you would find me, on many given nights, jumping and jiving my time away. I was an acrobatic swing dancer, complete with saddle shoes and rumba pants. I danced 5 out of 7 nights a week. I also taught lessons and got paid a fair amount on numerous occasions. I came across some pictures of a much younger me during one of these paid gigs. Forgive the quality as these are terrible scans of the originals. Digital cameras weren't what they are today and I believe these were taken on a 35mm.
 


 
I was quite a collector of vintage dresses that I could dance in and had way too many garter belts and baskets of stockings. Most of those dresses are now ripped in the armscythe from too many lifts and tosses and in desperate need of repair. They are also way too small for my post baby body. This little gingham dress was always one of my favorites. It had a metal zipper up the back and cute little cross stiching along the bottom of the skirt using the squares of the gingham.
 
I recently reconnected with my partner from those days, and it brought to mind better times. I miss this part of who I used to be. I miss the music, and the crowds. The dance-offs and the shim-sham. I miss the dresses, golly the dresses. I still have them tucked in a box in my basement. Which reminds me, I really need to get them out, repair them and pass them on to a new home.
 
There is a little window into me and who I am, and used to be. Thanks for taking this trip down memory lane with me!

9 comments:

  1. Gosh you just made me feel very old. I started swing dancing last year and while I am enjoying it and fairing ok (and I really love the routines too) I think it's too late for me to get to the lifts and what not. Never say never, I am really envious you got to do all that stuff so young. At my age of course I know more about fixing ripped vintage so if I do choose to wear it and rip it I can at least fix it up easily!

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    1. That's the beauty of swing, you're never to old to enjoy it! It's timeless and so much fun! Even without all the lifts and jumps. My personal preference is for Lindy Hop, but I love a good triple step as much as the next girl! Thanks for reading!

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  2. Past?!
    Oh, darling.. your past sounds magnificent. I have always loved watching dancers in the air(never could do it myself).
    And don't let me start with the shes... :)

    Marija

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    1. I do miss it so much! Maybe one day I'll be fit enough to enjoy it again. :)

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  3. Oh Kacy, I totally understand that you feel a bit sentimental about times past, good time obviously. I used to have a different life earlier too, with a well-paied job (my own money!), an independent life, looooots of spare time. I had a hobby that was quite lucrative, and I attended to fairs and exhibitions. I wish now I had been into the vintage thing already then, I would have bought loads of dresses and shoes. And I miss my pre-baby shape. Even though I lost 10 kilos this year, I know my body will never be like that. But then, looking at my two sweet brats, I wouldn't change a thing. There were good times, some bad ones too. Now I tend to enjoy all the precious moments with my family. I guess you still can dance, could you? I am totally untalented, so I envy you a lot, as I love the music of those eras. Keep those memories in your heart. You have a lot of good things to look back to.

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    1. Oh thank you so much Doris for your kind words! I completely agree with you. I love my children more than anything in this world and I'm blessed to have them and certainly wouldn't change that for the world. I could most certainly still dance, and would if I could find the time to do it and there's a few other factors there, I live in a small town and there really isn't anything like that here. The nearest town where there is any kind of a swing scene is about an hour away and most dances are held during the week, making it practically impossible to get out there due to my littles. As far as you being untalented though, that's totally untrue! You are a very talented sewist and that definitely counts for something!! <3

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  4. This blog post makes me happy. I am so glad that you shared it. Somehow, someway, Kacy . . . . keep dancing (don't be like me).

    Cheers,

    Lyric (your girl Siobhan, a swirly girl too).

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    1. Reading the comments above mine; oh yeah . . . . "triple step, triple step, rock step"! :-)

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    2. Oh Siobhan! You're amazing! I will keep dancing, even if it's just in spirit or just around the house with the children! <3

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