#krstinalynn

[meilileile]

ach, sorry - I didn't read the whole post before asking that question!

Don’t worry!

Actually the competition where Strom mentioned the swivels was a different competition, not the Strictly. The competition I’m referring to was some silly competition they did and the first round of the competition was called “swivel-tastic” or something, so we were supposed to highlight swivels, BUT my lead didn’t really know how to do a whole lot of dancing yet and didn’t know swivels, sooooooo basically he just anchored for a full song and I did nothing but swivels.

It was supremely exhausting and Strom starts saying over the mic, “MELISSA’S DOING NOTHING BUT SWIVELS. THAT’S DEDICATION RIGHT THERE — JUDGES, ARE YOU SEEING THIS???”

I don’t know if any videos of my “fluffles” actually exist, and to be honest, *I* don’t even know what makes them fluffy.

Literally. No. Idea. 

[swinginforbreakfast]

The Stories: Krstinalynn

What got you into Lindy Hop?

My boyfriend took me out dancing on a date… January 28th, 2013. I can’t remember dates to save myself, but I remember that one. I played around, taking random beginner lessons here and there and being nervous until I got serious in April and started some weekly lessons. Once I started that, I couldn’t stop. Today, I dance two or three times a week and take one or two classes.

What do you love the most about Lindy Hop?

The way a (near)perfect swing out feels.

Making the lead I’m dancing with smile/laugh.

The eureka moments when difficult things become clear and easy.

Going home happy after three hours of dancing, regardless of how physically tired I am (or maybe because of it).

What’s your favorite dance story (personal or historical)?

When I was four or five years old, my mother put me in the obligatory ballet and tap classes. I lasted about six months before she pulled me right back out of the classes. I didn’t understand why - I remember the classes being fun. I’m not sure what the teacher told my mom (probably something about me being too happy or maybe too chubby) but I remember my mother telling me, “you just can’t be taught to dance. You’re a klutz and you don’t listen.”

My mom has yet to see me dance.

And to be fair, I’m kind of stubborn. In my early lindy classes, my instructors kept stressing for me to stay on the front of my feet (it’ll make everything easier! they said). But it felt awkward and I decided since they didn’t know my body, they couldn’t tell me what was the easiest way to place my feet on the floor. 

Then one night at a dance, I was in the middle of dancing with a great lead to one of my favorite songs and… everything just got easier. I suddenly had all this bounce and propulsion. We’d done a bunch of charleston and I’d ended up on the front of my feet and forgot to stop.

I apologized to my very patient instructors and I do whatever they tell me to do now.

How long have you been dancing? Fifteen glorious months

Do you lead, follow, or are you ambidancetrous? Follow. I’ve tried to lead during beginner classes, but it’s extremely awkward for everyone involved.

What is your favorite dancing video? There’s kind of a few.

This one: because it was the first video I found in which the dancing just looked so simply good; so fun and easy and playful

This one: because I still can’t believe that didn’t plan that nonsense somehow (I know they didn’t… but still)

This one: because Naomi is a graceful and responsive lindy butterfly I can barely pretend to hope to become. And Todd. And that is some super sexy west coast right there. 

This one: because their creativity during the lindy hop song is just incredible.

Finally, this one: because it’s hysterical and ‘cause Nina… is a rock star, despite… everything.

What is your favorite song? There’s not just one of these, either. In no particular order, my current favorites are:

Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho - Sidney Bechet

Lavendar Coffin - Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra

Six Appeal - Charlie Christian

Rockhouse - Ray Charles

Castle Rock - Johnny Hodges and His Orchestra

[heckofabecca]

8, 22, and 24, please!

Most proud of

I'm... not sure, honestly. I don't tend to think about this because whenever I do I end up stifled in what I'm not proud of and then it's just— what I have achieved seems like not much in the face of what I haven't. I suppose I'm most proud of the skills I've built up— writing, and art, and dancing.

Your worst fear

I am afraid of losing the people I hold dear. I actually had a bad dream about this over the weekend— not a nightmare, no monsters or anything, but I had to abandon someone by pretending to die for some reason, and I woke up at 2am so so distressed. More realistically, though, I am afraid of the people I love and cherish giving up on me, or abandoning me, because of my flaws. I think we are all terrified of something like that happening, and it's very easy to rationalize why people would be revolted by the things we ourselves are revolted by in us.

Similarly, I'm also afraid of being forgotten, but it's that gross kind that makes you lag behind when in a group to see how long it takes for the rest to notice you're gone.

Something someone told you that meant a lot.

Generally, when people say things along the lines of "having you in my life improves it" and "you are a good person and I like you for who you are," I am overwhelmed (in a good way).

If we're talking specific things and people, the first person I was in love with changed how I saw and reacted to the world based on his open-hearted acceptance and love of everyone. I think I am a better person for having known him.

[sailsflyseaward]

7, 11, and 36, please!

Your biggest insecurity

… myself. It’s become easy to put on the bravado, but I’m a poorly held together frantic heart writhing with neuroses. Maybe it doesn’t seem that way, especially when I’m around dancers because I sincerely believe that I am my best person then, but all other hours? It’s a lot hairier. I know I have to turn that around, but at the moment, it’s a not-so-much, I’ll learn how to tolerate myself later process.  

Best dream you’ve ever had

I don’t think I’ve had a dream that truly stuck with me, but recently there was one with Idris Elba as a protective father figure and it felt like nothing could possibly go wrong and it was really dramatic and heartfelt~

Guilty pleasures

I love food. SO much. This should come as a surprise to no one, but it can be hard to exercise some form of “moderation” when there’s tasty stuff just there. And no one’s touching it. I’ve demolished entire platters of KBBQ shortribs meant for multiple persons, etc. And y’know Pirates Booty brand cheese puff things? I ate most of a jumbo bag in one sitting once. 

Taking things from hotels with no intent on returning. If your tea bags and bath products are not bolted down I am taking them.

*N Sync and BSB. Both, you can love both. 

Enjoying the way certain accents sound when certain people speak with them? It’s silly because we all have ~~accents~~ when it comes down to it, but if one is pleasing with a voice to match, my heart does a little flop. 

[heckofabecca]

The Sanctum - Episode 1: Jason - Superheroes in Narcotics Anonymous

So I first saw this about three years ago, and it started my adoration for superhero media that addressed everyday problems just as much as over-the-top villainy.

[sailsflyseaward]

Top five restaurants (or dives, as the case may be), please.

How dare you.

In terms of my existence thus far, the rather international list goes:

Park’s BBQ in L.A.’s Koreatown. Korean food is one of my favourites and they do it right here every time — the photos of celebrities and various notables plastered across the walls is testament enough. 

Azzedine Tazi, the restaurant connected to the hotel I stayed at in Fes, Morocco. It was probably one of the best meals we had on the trip/in my life.

Sakae Sushi in Gardena, CA. It’s a tiny place with a simple menu and they only offer take-out since there’s no room for seating whatsoever, but it’s probably the best sushi I’ve had to date. The rice is seasoned perfectly and everything is so fresh and flavorful. 

Casa Razdora in the Financial District! I’ve only been once and oh. oh goodness. 

The name escapes me, but it was one of the divey noodle shops in NYC’s Chinatown that still makes their noodles by hand-pulling them. You can see the pipes overhead and the lighting is dim at best, but the bowl of perfectly chewy noodles doused in a clean, savory broth and topped with beef and bok choy can’t be beat. 

[heckofabecca]

Lust and Gluttony!

Lust: Something that I find attractive - Something I find attractive is the ability to find the silver lining— and this broadly includes people who are smiley and happy often, and people who manage to make light of otherwise tough situations with a well-put joke or one-liner. As far as something tangible? I really like the way the folds on a simply cotton t-shirt move across a back as a guy is (blues) dancing.

Gluttony: One of my favorite foods — In the words of Ruth Reichl, NYTimes food critic, SUSHI:

I scrutinzed the squares of fish the chef placed on the leaf. They were the pale pink of pencil erasers, with no telltale traces of white sinew snaking through them. When I put the first slice on my tongue it was light, with the texture of whipped cream. It was in my mouth—and then it had simply vanished, faded away leaving nothing but the sweet richness of the fish behind. “Oooh,” I found myself moaning, and the waitress allowed herself a tight smile.

(My personal favorite sushi are salmon & avocado maki and sweet potato tempura maki.)

[heckofabecca]

Gordon Webster & The Rhythm Cats - Cole Slaw