invidious comparisons

At ballet tonight we had the star of our school in our class. She is a very good dancer, who injured herself late last year, and is doing the adult ballet class as part of her recovery program. When I compare what I do with what she does I just look plain awful.

On Monday we had the beginners class. We had about three students doing their first ever ballet class, and compared to them I look absolutely fabulous.

So which is true? Actually both are true, which shows how useless comparisons really are. They are such a sliding scale, and there is always something to improve or celebrate. I could puff myself up, or I could make the whole thing utterly depressing, so much so I give up.

Most nights at ballet I don't look at anyone, cos I'm working quite hard to do what I need to. I'm in that quiet space where I don't notice what is around me. It's a great spot - my brain stops going blah blah blah and I focus. I get in that space sometimes when running too. And occasionally when writing.

 I suspect enlightenment might mean living my whole life in that space.

I suspect enlightenment is a long way off!

Ow

On Thursday, the first ballet class of the year. Very Slow Plies. Long tendu exercises.

On Friday, the first run in a week or so, went 5km/3m round the river loop.

On Saturday, my intrinsic foot muscles (the sole of my foot) Hurt.

But we guessed that might happen, didn't we?



On the quilting front, and practicing stippling in rows on a place mat. Trying out spray basting. Trying out supreme slider. Having new never before problem - the needle thread is breaking, and its kind of stretch breaking where it frays, then doesn't run then breaks. And another new never before problem - completely missed stitches. Am going to try a new needle, and hoping the spray glue is drier this morning if that is the problem. Any suggestions, anyone?