Heeled, NOT Healed

I was sitting on an exam table in my physician’s office earlier in the week; that is, until I levitated in pain as he gently probed a small lump by my left ankle. The diagnosis: inclusive cyst, otherwise known as, a painful bundle of nerves formed due to an injury. Nothing like a hot poker searing through my ankle. I, of course being a lady, did not express myself using expletives and said, “Ouch that hurts!” Believe what you want. Treatment: numbing spray (We medical professionals have it all wrong, don’t you think? Spray, then probe…not probe, and then spray!) followed by an injection (another experience I’d rather forgo). I vaguely remember him saying if that doesn’t work, he’ll have to excise it. If it hurt to touch it I can’t wait to experience an excision! I may perfect long term levitation. Hopefully, it won’t come to that.

I suppose you’re wondering what this has to do with salsa dancing. My injury occurred when another lady’s backstepping heel unintentionally caught me. I remember it well and had to leave the dance floor (Yes, I do on rare occasions leave before the end of the dance.). I’m sure many a leader & follower has experienced this phenomenon.

I’ve been thinking of ways to prevent this from happening to me & others. Ban high heels from the dance floor? (Dance sneakers are sooo fashionable with dresses and skirts.) Retractable heels? Apply tethers to prevent large back steps? (Wouldn’t that be fun? Attach to each limb or partner to partner? The visual is a nightmare or a fun situation.) Individual force fields or capsules around couples? Invisible armor? Teaching etiquette every night? Limit the number of dancers on the dance floor at one time? (Yeah right!) Quit dancing! (NEVER!) Or grin & bear it. Is there even a simple solution? Anyone have any ideas? I’m open for suggestions.

I guess I’ll probably grin & bear it and take my chances since I am addicted to salsa. I will, as I have done in the past, politely offer suggestions to the novice or “wild women” dancers in how to keep their feet under their frames and expect the same in return should I stray. I, too have unintentionally spiked others and offered apologies at the time.

That brings me to a disturbing incident shared with me by a fellow salsera. She was purposefully spiked by another woman (Lady she was not!). Apparently the woman (sounds like the other woman in a love affair) turned and mocked the salsera following the incident. Sick! I had to think if I have ever purposefully spiked anyone. Shamefully, I have to admit to two occasions not mocking them. That doesn’t excuse my behavior. (Lightning bolts hurt! The mark on my side isn’t a birth mark! I stand humbled.) The first incident occurred in Toronto at a concert after a woman repeatedly pushed, pinched, put her fist in my back, & shoved me in order to stand where I was standing. Mind you, there was plenty of room to my right. After politely asking her to stop numerous times, moving to my left, giving her the evil eye (I’ve been told that look is deadly.), my patience was at its limits & I let her have it. I didn’t understand why she looked surprised. Thankfully, she moved to my right and never touched me again. The other incident happened last year. A couple I have admired for their dance skill decided to push their way onto the dance floor one crowded night. Admiration is gone now. The leader had his back pressed up against mine and kept pushing. My partner & I were shocked. It is very difficult to take a back step (even Cuban style with no back step) and maintain balance with one leg in the air in that situation. I suppose I could have assumed the “Pink Flamingo” stance for awhile had he not been pushing. Would that be considered a new “shine” on one, on two, on whatever? I lost it again. Sorry. The couple looked surprised (I still don’t get it.). We all stopped & I said a simple statement about sharing the dance space would have been sufficient.

Do we simply lose it from time to time? Are we Salsa Possessed? All I can say is I hope we can be kinder to each other so we don’t hurt or get hurt in the process. I’d hate to hear of anyone else developing an inclusion cyst. Heeled, NOT Healed? That is the question. Or is it “Do, or Die…or Die, or Do?” Think about it and let me know.