A Very Odd Fourth of July Tango

Of all the men who signed the Declaration, only two went on to become president: Thomas Jefferson (third president) and John Adams (second President).

During the course of their political careers they became very bitter enemies. In retirement, they reconciled.

Both signers of the Declaration died on the same day: July 4. 1826.

Adams' last words were "Thomas Jefferson survives." But he was wrong. Jefferson had died just hours before.

Happy Fourth!

Michael Jackson Does Tango

Now that he’s gone, Michael Jackson is everywhere. Pop culture pundits speculate that he may eventually out-perform Elvis as the top-earning dead guy.

Last night I saw clips of him on Democracy Now.

Did I say? Everywhere.

Still, Elvis still has an edge where it counts.

At the Turn on Tuesday nights, when David Hodgson is feeling devilish, he likes to play cortinas like they do at the milongas he frequents in Buenos Aires:

Elvis.

This week, Robert was DJ at the Turn. Robert is new to DJ-ing, and people say his music is a mixed bag. Last night it was. Lovely arrangements of tango classics, pleasant and relaxing, and for the cortinas, a very sweet tenor:

Michael.

* * *

See the Democracy Now broadcast, Life and Legacy of the King of Pop.

Two Notes to Self: The Dimensions of Passion

When wrapping an ironing board in garbage bags for long-term storage in a spider-infested garage (one black bag slipped over the crossbar at top, one up from the feet, one opened along its side seams to make a flat sheet to wrap around the board’s bare middle, seams taped tightly to keep out creepy-crawlies), you cannot miss the similarity as it leans, its chest pressing yours as your arms reach round it to wrap the tape, to the tango embrace and though no words can penetrate the dark fog of stupidity or possibly obstinacy that envelops you when talk of passion arises, you can say with certainty that this one is lacking in passion and suspect that, as a partner, she would prove unsatisfactory.


Once wrapped you can’t help but notice that the shape--broad shoulders, narrow waist with a small flare to the hips, short torso giving the illusion of very long legs--makes a lovely woman, and so you can’t help but pull out the measuring tape to draw a few comparisons, first in one dimension (shoulders: 17/16; waist 14.5/10; hips 15/13.5) and then, wondering just how far this analogy might extend, in 3-D (shoulders: 35/36.5; waist 36/26.5; hips 36/36), from which you conclude that, though from the side view both are quite lacking in dimension, you make a lovely woman, too.

What Is Passion?

At the close of a difficult practice session, Patti poses the question. She is following up on Sunday's ladies technique class with Mario and Eugenia.

At the end of the class, after Mario had danced with each woman in turn, Eugenia translated his verdict.

But not really. According to Patti, Eugenia softened Mario's critique.

In truth, Patti tells us, he said that each of us is el feo, the worst kind of ugly, because our dance lacks passion.

Good grief, not again!

I can't stand that passion business.

* * *

Until recently, I had no worries about this sort of thing. Until one year ago, I was lucky to get through a dance standing upright. Now, I mostly focus on avoiding mistakes.

On a good day, with a familiar partner and music, I might can spare a thought for looking pretty. There's not a lot of room for anything else.

And certainly not for the cheesy, campy theatrics that passes for passion in tango.

Life is a poor substitute for art.

Just saying.

Nice way to ruin a perfectly good story, gov

The problem with life is that it does not imitate art.

If Sanford were dancing tango ...

If he spend his time in Buenos Aires dancing the milonguero style, I’ll back him for POTUS.
--Fausta