Use it or lose it
She’s not the dancer she used to be, I’m quite certain of that. Not even close. The legs are much weaker and not fully straight, the arch less pronounced, the turnout barely there, and her elevation is probably nil.
But man, what an achievement! This woman is 77, and her back is ramrod straight, her face beautiful without makeup, and the whole thing is just so impressive. I am convinced that, in addition to love of dance and an iron and indomitable will, one of her secrets is that she never stopped dancing in the first place:
That was terrific! Thank you.
Neo,
Have you heard about the new bio book on Audrey Hepburn?
“Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II”
by Robert Matzen and Luca Dotti
She was a member of the Dutch resistance during the Nazi occupation. She ran messages and an underground newsletter, briefly housed a British paratrooper, and most importantly, gave secret ballet performances to wealthy Dutch families to raise money for the resistance. She attended ballet school in London after the war.
As long as it isn’t Allegra Kent.
Use it or lose it. Yep! Still trying to live up to that. However slowly. Amazing human I’m not. Good for Madame Poole, she is amazing.
Inspiring! Definitely an amazing human.
At 67 I’m doing great at UNM in terms of the homework and getting the concepts.
But, man, executing on exams within the time limit is whole ‘nother thing. Not that I’m failing but knocking out an A — it seems I just can’t jump as high as I used to.
Some of it is age. I have lost a few steps … or more. But the other is a lifetime of professional programming, where the fast way to get code done and right, was to take deep breaths and think very slowly and carefully.
My next plan is not to study for exams, but to drill on the old problem sets until I don’t have to think while I’m writing.
neo: Thanks for an inspiring video. I can always use it!
Such a nice oasis in the middle of the desert that this week became.
Absolutely fabulous!
The finer points of ballet are lost on me…but the beauty and charm and indomitable spirit of this wonderful lady…even a roughneck like me can see those things.
May we all be so blessed in our 8th decade of life.
Wow, what inspiration.
I noticed that among the many things she mentioned in terms of “doing what you love”, powerpoint presentations were NOT among them. Nor did I hear “wage-slave”, tho also not “mother”. Not clear if she had children — was glad that she loves kids and remains a teacher.
Her love of teaching kids as well as showing off the beauty of ballet — that comes thru so well.
Truly wonderful, Neo. Thanks so very much for posting.
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