I remember you

At a dance studio recently, I sat with a lovely salsa partner of mine as we watched her new boyfriend struggle through a beginner’s On2 class with Robbie Sky.  During our conversation, she told me an interesting story.

It seems this young man began pursuing her affections last summer.  After they had gone out on a few dates, she told him he had to learn salsa, because a non-dancing significant other was a deal-breaker.

His replied:  “Whatever it takes” and began lessons.

Later she told him: “I don’t know if we are going to make it as a couple or not; time will tell.  But even if we don’t make it, you’ll always remember me, because I introduced you to salsa.”

Several years later, they married.

Surprise!

Recently, while talking with a friend of mine, I told her about an incident that occurred to a lady friend who works at an organ donation non-profit.  The non-profit provides literature and education about the benefits of organ donation, both to the donor and the recipient.  They have a web site that includes an easy way to sign up with the State of Texas for organ donation in the event of death.

Last Monday morning, a young lady of about 19 walked into the office and said:

“I want to know about organ donation.”

All the while, she had her right hand deep in her open purse during the exchange.

(You should know that the whole office had just attended a seminar sponsored by the Travis County Sheriff’s Department entitled “Civilian Response to an Active Shooter”.  You could see why they were nervous with this young lady.)

“No, you don’t understand” the girl said.  “I want to donate organs now”, and she pulled her hand out of her purse.

My friend asked: “What’d she have in her purse, a kidney?”

Do you know Carmelo?

me:   Carmelo?  Yeah, I know Carmelo.

She:  We used to date.

me:   And?

She:  And we'd still be together if he wasn't such an asshole.

Meet & Greet

At a recent Hollywood investor meet and greet:

me: You salsa?

She:  Si.

me: Great.

She:  How did you know?

me:  You've got the look, honey.

She:  I'm Puerto Rican.

Bad decisions make good stories

Last night at Inspired Movement:

me:  It’s midnight; time for me to go.

He:  What do you mean?

me:  The vampires come out after midnight.

He:  What do you mean?

me:  I’m talking about the credit card sucking vampires.

He:  What do you mean?

me:   Are you telling me you've never handed your credit card to a woman in apple bottom                jeans and said:  

       “Here, let’s go have some fun.” 

He:  No, I haven't.

me:  Rookie.

                               

                        

Jessica Rabbit

Last fall, I picked up “Jessica Rabbit” (my own private nickname for a tattooed salsera friend of mine) and we went to Inspired Movement for a night of dancing.  On the way there, she told me how excited she felt about the upcoming Halloween.

She:  I love Halloween. I love to costume.

me:  What is your theme this year?

She:  I haven’t decided yet, but last year I was Jessica Rabbit.

My Father's Day

Sunday morning, Leila came over with a big bag of groceries.  We chopped and sliced and grilled, and had a wonderful father-daughter lunch.  Afterwards, we went over to a friend’s house for a backyard pool party with beer and bbq.  As we sat around the picnic table in our swim trunks eating fajitas, the woman next to me suddenly grabbed her throat, and frantically indicated she couldn’t breathe.  I leaped to my feet, got behind her, encircled her with my arms, and performed the Heimlich maneuver.  The first time I did it nothing happened, so I reset, and did it again, only harder.   A large piece of meat flew out of her mouth and hit the ground, where one of the dogs promptly ate it.  

When she regained her breath, she said:  “You saved my life!”  

I smiled.

Later that evening, I went to the One2One for salsa on crack with a live timba band.  After about an hour, one of my favorite salsa partners showed up.  We shared a vigorous and satisfying dance.  She had a good lead, so she excelled.  When I returned to my table, a stranger came over and stuck out his hand.  As we shook, he said:  

“Wow, y’all are really good!”  

I smiled.