Brazilian Bruises

I bruised myself today. Did a rather stupid thing by standing on a swivelly chair due to my lack of a full-length mirror. As a result, I'm sore all over and have gradually purpling bruises on my arms and legs. I am very clumsy, and actually rather uncoordinated.

I used to dance when I was little; starting off with traditional Sri Lankan dancing, referred to as Kandyan dancing, and then proceeded to ballet. Or maybe it was the other way around. Nevertheless, I think I used to be quite good, as I did do a couple of solo performances on stage. But either I have grown out of it and am just unable to channel any form of rhythm anymore.

Last year Helen and I started street dance lessons, after signing up for the Dance Society rather enthusiastically. The lessons were interesting, well to say the least. The music was urban and who doesn't love a bit of booty-shaking on a Tuesday evening to take your mind off work. We went to streetdance for fun, but I think that mindset was limited to just Helen and myself, as everyone else at the classes thought they were auditioning for a Beyonce video or something. They would put so much into it. Some could dance, some could not, but everyone tried. And then there was Helen and me, at the back, taking the piss. We did however learn some pretty funky moves, which we brought to full use at Oceana. Armed with a beer jacket, we busted up some pretty hot moves in the Ice Room. Good 'ole Oceana days.

This year, we tried out Afro-Samba. This was in our renewed effort to be Brazilian. I don't think I've written in this blog about my penchant for all things Brazilian, well most things Brazilian. Wax strips of a South American nature aren't really something I yearn for. Anyhow, my penchant for Brazil is somewhat confounded. I do come from an exotic place, so you'd think that I'd settle for Sri Lanka, but it just doesn't sound as cool as Brazil now does it. When I think Brazil, it brings to me gorgeous bronze Adonises lying on sandy beaches, beautifully beaded bikinis sported by an lusciously skinny me, sipping some sort of exotic cocktail. It brings to mind latino-jazz and that effortlessly cool, laid-back vibe. Come to think of it, Sri Lanka has pretty much all of that, well, minus the deliciously bronze Adonises and a lusciously skinny me, throw in some sleazy Sri Lankan oglers and some potent arrack tossed into that cocktail, and you've got a delightful Sri Lankan weekend.

I think when I am at home, I don't make full use of the beaches. And when I'm in ole Blighty, I long for my beach fix. This December I plan to make more use of it. I think a long weekend in Unawatuna would just be the fix. Deshal's post on Unawatuna (http://oneonethings.blogsome.com) made me really dhola-dhuka-fy (pregnancy cravings) for a good ole Down South fix.

Anyhow, am going to see Amy Winehouse tomorrow at the Academy. Very excited about that indeed. Apparently she's quite minging and a bit scary, but that just adds to her gutsy, I-don't-give-a-shit appeal. Will fill in with more details post-concert. I think we might be off to Po Na Na for a good indie/motown fix after the concert tomorrow. It should be good, I need to give myself a good dose of good music at clubs before heading back to Colombo where you can only expect to hear 50 cent and trance playing in the same set over and over again. It's sad that we don't have more house/beachy music in Colombo, although I have heard many great things of the Offshore parties, which sadly I always seem to miss. Brazilian Beats this Thursday as well, good time to try out my Afro-Samba skills, after a few VodkaLemonades maybe!! I was actually THE most uncoordinated person in that class! The teacher actually felt sorry for me. My hopes of being Brazilian were shattered after that first and last Afro-Samba lesson. Sigh.