Salsa Report

Went to a lesson this evening when my friend Y. asked me to join her at LQ,  a swank club in midtown.  I mentioned I was on the guest list.  "Whose guest list."  He looks at this really small piece of paper and says, "nope, you're not on it."  I didn't even tell him who I was.  It was ten bucks so I didn't care.

As we were dancing, a guy, kind of big, very enthusiastic in a radio dj way, got up on stage and said that there was a competition among all the dancers.  The best three couples would get a t-shirt, and compete for a bottle of champagne.   

As it turns out, Yunee and I were invited up as the third couple.  We don't often dance in front of people. but there we were.  I did octuple spins.  Actually, I spun her one octuplet, rotating her around me.  I also have this move where I pass her behind my back, catch her with my leg and then use my leg to turn her the other direction.  It didn't get us victory, but I didn't really care.  I'm always around better dancers.  That's the fun.   When I congratulated the winner he invited us to share a glass.  He was a dancer and singer, and looking to do real R&B, unlike the typical schlock that is out there.  "What do you do?" he asked. 

"Communications" I thought.  "I'm an Episcopal Priest," I said. 

"Ohhh," he replied, and smiled.  Kind of.  I usually get that response.  It usually ends the conversation. 

At least I got a t-shirt.  It says, salsacruise.com. 

Comments

[Phil Snyder]

Congratulations Fr. Salty on not only having the nerve to compete, but the chops to compete well and having the nerve to admit who you are.

Being in the Bible Belt, sharing my ordination at work (I originally typed "oddination" - is that a freudian slip or what?), I usually get one of three resonses.

1. That's Great! What's an Episcopalian?
2.
3. Isn't that the gay church?

Anyway, congratulations on the fine dancing. I also dance with people who are better dancers than I - it's almost axiomatic :)

YBIC,
Phil Snyder

[your aspirant]

Nice going! How's about a Salsa contest at the church as a fundraiser?

[John Wilkins]

Those are very funny responses. I do get #3. I say, "yes. But in the original sense of the word. It was stolen from us."

That gets a chuckle and is better [and more accurate, perhaps] than getting defensive. You could say, "well, yes, which is why you're invited" which might not be considered friendly. Of course, its kind of a hostile statement to begin with.