Top Two Best Ways to Have Fun and Look Like a Fool

Email: "Top Two Best Ways to Have Fun and Look Like a Fool"
*To:		<--TO Email REQUIRED!
*From:		<--FROM Email REQUIRED!

If you take yourself too seriously, stop reading this right now. If you care what you look like and are ultra self-conscious, this article isn’t for you. Over the years I wouldn’t say I’m much of an expert on anything; I would say, however, I’m an expert on embarrassing myself and having fun. Already in 2010 I have discovered two ways to make a fool of myself and have a great time doing it. There is a time and place to cut loose a little bit and laugh until your stomach hurts. Recently I’ve discovered two new venues for stepping outside my comfort zone.



The first takes place at the Fort Dodge Community Recreation Center. The second takes place in my living room or in friends’ living rooms.



A few weeks ago, the Rec Center started a new class called ZUMBA. It is a fun combination of Latin inspired dance moves which makes you sweat. It included everything from salsa to shaking in places that shouldn’t be shook. It proves to be a great time on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and even sometimes on Saturday mornings. Danielle Pearson is the instructor, and she knows what she is doing; she makes it look easy. I wish I could describe the other participants in the class, but I can’t look at anything other than Danielle’s feet to try and stay on beat. I have no rhythm, so this class is particularly difficult for me. I read on the internet though that ZUMBA means “to move fast and have fun.” So even if I can’t do the moves correctly, I’m still moving which is something.



I started the class with my mom and a friend. My friend took dance classes for years so she has seen all these steps before. She’s convinced I should be able to move my hips the right way, and apparently I’m not trying hard enough. I have tried to tell her that I just don’t think my hips can move like that! I keep trying though; that is where the looking like a fool piece comes in. If there was a video tape recording anything during class, the play back would be horrifying! My mom, while she never took dance class, was a cheerleader, and she loves to dance. So this class is also perfect for her. Except for her bum knee which is giving her fits from all the jumping around.



I don’t know what moves are what yet. There are a couple I can’t do at all and don’t think I will ever be able to do. For example, in a few of the routines you spin around in a circle. I struggle with this because I feel like I’m going to fall on my face. The twirling action, combined with the sweat dripping from my forehead, makes me dizzy, and I feel like I might tip over. Also there is a move where you pretend you’re a bullfighter and stomp the ground and imagine you’re spinning your red cape. I can’t get into that one either. The rest of the moves I fake. I try to keep up, never leaving my view of Danielle’s feet. I get confused sometimes on which direction we are going because sometimes she’s facing us and other times she’s not. It’s hard work to keep up. If I make it 45 minutes and think I’ve gone the right direction most of the time, I’m happy.



Merengue, salsa, mambo, samba, flamenco, and hip hop are a few of the moves the internet says are involved in ZUMBA. I’m not sure if I’m doing any of them. My version might be better described as moving, sliding, bouncing, shaking, tripping, skipping and hopping around. Either version, it’s a great time and I’m glad the Rec Center introduced something new and exciting to break up the winter. Even when it’s snowing and blowing outside, I look at ZUMBA as practice for when I’m somewhere warm. I’ll be able to break out my ZUMBA moves and impress the locals. Or if nothing else, give them a good laugh.



The second best way so far in 2010 to have a good time and make a fool of yourself is something the kids have been on to apparently for quite a while. I’ve always heard it was a good time, but I never really bought into the hype…until now. We purchased (for our kids) the Wii Band Hero game. I know I’m behind the times as many people have been playing this for months. We just got on board, and it’s a riot! I don’t know which is more fun - playing the drums, the guitar or singing. Or if it’s more fun to play yourself or watch other people play. Either way it’s a simple thing to do that is hilarious.



The only problem is that it’s frustrating and makes you want to figure it out. I don’t know how many times we’ve play “Everyone Was Kung Foo Fighting” and I can’t get the drums right. My eight year old has all the words mastered, but I can’t hit the silly drum sticks at the same time as the circle meet the lines, and it makes me crazy. I’ve hit those drum sticks so hard I have blisters on my hands. I’m convinced if I hit them hard enough, it will automatically make me get on beat. It doesn’t; I just get further and further behind until I’m booed off the stage. Don’t even get me started on the guitar. I can’t figure that thing out for anything. You have to push the colors and the bar at the same time. This is tough stuff! It even makes me more crazy that my 11 year old is already moving up the levels and can make it through Janet Jackson’s “Black Cat .“



Now singing really is my specialty. I entertain the masses with my in tune version of The Jackson 5’s “ABC.” I’m kidding of course. I can’t hold a tune to save my life. You know those people who you could just listen to for hours? I am the opposite of that. I cannot and should not sing. However, when the words slide by on the screen and you have to sing at the right moment I feel the louder the better, never mind it’s nowhere close to being in tune, I belt it out. Which again, I have no business doing other than to have a good time and make a fool of myself.



We liked Band Hero so much we bought Guitar Hero so we could have more variety in song choice. Everyone needs well over 100 songs to sing, don’t they? My children are really the experts; they have mastered songs I couldn’t even begin to think about playing. I know there are musicians and others out there who are against this type of video game play. They say they should learn on real instruments if they want to further their musical careers. This may be a valid point. Nevertheless, rockin’ the guitar to get star power and beatin’ the drums like Tommy Lee makes everyone happy.



So here is a challenge for everyone 35 years old and older. Guitar/Band Hero isn’t only for the young people. It’s for us to let our inner rock stars out. Let loose and don’t worry about what you look like. Start on the beginner level and then watch what happens, I guarantee you will have fun.



There are so many serious issues facing us every day. Once in a while it’s okay to step back and not take yourself so seriously. It’s okay to laugh at each other and at ourselves. Stress is a part of our lives, and I hope you can find your ZUMBA class or Band Hero to help you release stress and laugh.

Share: