Tragicomic

Have you ever read the lost and found postings on craigslist? (For example, here are some for my area.) If there's anything that can be defined as tragicomic, it's them. A lot of them are about lost (or found) pets, and that's what initially directed me there (more on that in a paragraph), but I'm astounded by the number of people searching for their lost first love, and by the missing uncle post. I wonder if it ever actually works?! And why doesn't anyone post found love? For example:

Found: True love! Could it be yours? True love was found
roaming around City Park last Tuesday. It appeared lost and
disoriented. Are you looking for your true love? For information,
contact....

But anyway.

Unfortunately, my ballet teacher's cat is missing (hence the craigslist). Her pets are her children, and she was distraught, frantically searching for him, so I got to substitute teach two ballet classes on Monday.

Oh my gosh! I don't know how she does it! I thought taking ballet classes was hard. Boy, was I ever brutalized by my own class! Especially the first one I taught. This was a kids' class; everyone was about 10. I ended up having to do every combination so many times because I had to first demonstrate it, then mark it through with them, and then dance it with each group of them in case they forgot it. I was so worn out by the end of the first class! (It didn't help that I wanted to impress them, so I was working extra hard.) The next class was the one that I normally take. I had to lecture them first about how yes, I'm their friend, but they were going to have to respect me as their teacher. It worked for the most part. Instead of 3 crazy trouble-makers, I only had one.

Yesterday Cara was back (though her cat is still missing), so I asked her if she'd gotten any complaints about Crazy Miss Meg. Much to my surprise since I'd never taught ballet before, they looooved me! They said I was so nice and were impressed that their substitute teacher was Odette in the recital. (I'm such a star.) The best part is that they told Cara that she plays boring music. Oops, I didn't mean to outshine! Cara was shocked since she considers herself to be a "cool ballet teacher" who plays good music. And it's true, she is and she does. But there's obviously no competing with Miss Meg's music! They especially had to like my music because before each combination, I told them we were using some of my favorite music. I used a standard ballet class cd for most of barre, but here's my playlist (an eclectic combination of classical, showtunes, and The Beatles) for the rest of class:

Grande battements - Penny Lane, The Beatles
Adagio - Pavane, Faure
Tendus & Pirouettes - One, A Chorus Line
Petite Allegro - Dance of the Dolls from Coppelia, Delibes
Turns from the corner - Twist and Shout, The Beatles
Grande Allegro - March of the Dwarves from Lyric Suite, Grieg
Reverance - Act II overture from Swan Lake, Tchaikovsky

You know you want to take ballet from Miss Meg!