Comments on: Unfortunately, Veda, your mama don’t dance and your daddy don’t rock n roll.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:31:23 +0000

Ha! I love you even more for this! I wrote my last column at Her magazine on this very same topic.

http://hernashville.com/her/private-dancer

Love that I’m not alone! You keep bringing your beauty to the world in whatever way it comes. We think you’re awesome.

By: traylorillo

traylorillo — Fri, 01 May 2009 00:14:52 +0000

You are not alone, Penelope. I’ve been taking Zumba classes with my 14 year old daughter and her friend and we laugh at ourselves more than we dance. I’m no Beyonce and I could care less. I’m in my late 30s and no longer worry about how ridiculous I look. The haters can all go on with themselves. Good on you for giving it a go!

By: Ash

Ash — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 13:41:40 +0000

Ugh! I took a Zumba class for the first (and only) time a couple of months ago. I have never felt so white in my entire life. I have no Latin flavor whatsoever!

By: nina

nina — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:08:15 +0000

I only dance in my kitchen, usually alone, because I can’t even slow dance without stepping on toes. I try to get my kids to dance with me, but they always run out of the room embarrassed (for me, no doubt). Still, I don’t mind being remembered as the crazy mama who danced in her kitchen — maybe it will make them smile one day!

By: Katie

Katie — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:53:07 +0000

Damn that Island girl for breaking your spirit to dance!!! I knew that’s the story you were launching into as soon as I read the first line. IMHO – Dance is a soulful, spiritual, very artistic experience and *shouldn’t* be judged (unless you’re in some kind of a competition, which most of us narrowly escape in life). I say go ahead and dance your tiny little post-partum booty all over that house of yours with your little bundle of joy swaddled closely. *She* won’t ever tell you you can’t dance, not only because she doesn’t know the difference between a talented or natural dancer & a really uncoordinated hippopotamus on roller skates doing the Macarena, but also because to her, you are perfect. That’s how little girls view their mamas. Teach her not to care what her college roommate thinks about her dancing skills, and encourage her to live life to the fullest. I’m proud of you for trying your hand (or feet, rather…or non-wiggly hips :) at dancing again. I’m just saying, please don’t give up on it. You and Colin both have rhythm and are very spiritual people. Dance is more about letting go of your insecurities than doing it *exactly* right (which, because I know you really well, I know you want to be able to do!). Dancing can be extremely liberating if you let it. Maybe you and Colin should consider taking dance lessons??? I’m sure you’d both be completely out of your comfort zones, but I honestly belive it would be an incredible experience for both of you. Miss you guys already, and can’t wait to see you in Indy again soon!

Love,

YSIL

By: Lauren

Lauren — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:57:21 +0000

I am so glad you went with me! It was rough though, I have to give you credit! The music was moving 10 miles a minute and I think the instructor kept staring at us because we were doing it wrong and giggling the whole time. I had a blast anyway and am looking forward to yoga. Then you can blog about how all my “grace” left me in a twisted pretzel on the floor probably writhing in pain.

By: Mariss

Mariss — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:27:45 +0000

Aww, well, you can’t be good at everything, right?! And you’re one of the best illustrators ever! I am from South Florida though, so I feel your pain. I’m alright, but nothing like some of my friends. The guy I liked so much in tenth grade told me I couldn’t dance, and it made me so embarrassed. Until then I thought I was decent! But it’s all good now. I’d rather have fun and do my thing.

On a side note though, I’m sure you’re doing the little mommy-sway that all ladies seem to do once they put a baby on their hip, no matter how narrow those hips!

By: elizabeth

elizabeth — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:23:05 +0000

Oh, I’m with you on this one. I’ve made my peace with the fact that I can’t (or at least reeeeally don’t want to) dance, but it’s the people who insist “but it’s fun!” that really get my goat. Don’t they realize fun is subjective? I bet they don’t think kite flying is fun, or reading cookbooks, or making your own paper, or discussing what your entrance music would be if you were a Major League Baseball player, or…well, you know.

In any case, I tip my hat at you for stepping outside your comfort zone and giving it the old college try. That takes guts. :)

By: vz

vz — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:02:41 +0000

You and me (and Col) are in the same boat. I am *attempting* to lose weight. I got a free exercise DVD in my cereal box the other day. It was a dancing exercise video. On top of the fact that I have no talent in that area, it was all in Spanish, which is to be expected since I live in Mexico. If there were a video camera in the room at the same time I was “exercise dancing” it would most likely be aired on America’s Funniest Videos (or Mexico’s).

By: Mal*

Mal* — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:22:36 +0000

I have followed your blog off and on for years and, after an absence, was elated to come back and hear your wonderful news. Veda is gorgeous and I’m so glad you are writing and creating still. Can’t imagine how hard it is to juggle everything but you have always been inspirational in that way.