For SYTYCD-Heads Only

An open letter to the Top 12 of "So You Think You Can Dance", Season 10

Dear dance pals, I know I've been a bit reserved about this season. It takes me awhile to warm up to every cast. I want to start off by saying that every one of you are incredibly, immensely talented. That's why you made it on this show. But now it's crunch time, and I've gotten to know you all and developed some serious affections. Since the show seems to be accepting judges with no dance qualifications on the panel now, I've decided to throw my hat into the ring and tell you what's what.

Jenna - Jenna, Jenna, Jenna. I thought you'd be gone earlier. And I was OK with that, because to be honest, I was put off by your fake eyelashes. No need for that every day. But it seems the makeup department has toned it down for you, and now I can see you properly. You seem to be adept at all the styles. I loved, loved the jazzy hip-hop you did a few weeks back. You are not final 4 for me, but you grew on me so good for you.

Tucker - Tucker, you are so great. Your jumps and extension and your backstory, it's a real compelling package. But you haven't had a moment for me. Maybe next week.

Nico - I adore you, Nico. You'd be my favorite if I didn't already have five or six favorites ahead of you. Nothing against Alexis, but I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens now that you'll be paired with Hayley.

Hayley - You lucky bunny. Not only do you get to live in that body, but you got to tango with Leonardo. I know that you know what an opportunity that was for you, and damned if you didn't absolutely triumph. You looked like a pro. I'm sorry Curtis was injured, he's a cute kid and a hell of an entertainer, but there's no way that dance would have been so powerful or sexy if Leo hadn't stepped in. I never wish harm on anyone, but it is a true thrill to watch when the professionals have to perform.

Makenzie - I LOVE you. You are gorgeous and wonderful and deserve all the praised heaped on you. What else is there to say? Keep it up.

Paul - Did I know that you won the Armenian SYTYCD? I don't think I did. It hardly seems fair that you get to compete again, but I hardly care. You are wonderful. Now I have to go and locate all the seasons of all the other versions of the show and there goes my productivity forever.

Jasmine - You are my favorite girl, and seeing you in the bottom 6 last night almost made me want to start voting. What I love about you, in addition to how much maturity and command you bring to your performances, is that you are totally awkward offstage. I don't mean "giggle OMG I'm such a spaz," I mean, you don't quite know how to talk to people or make eye contact. For someone who brings so much heat and confidence on floor, it's weirdly endearing.

Aaron - Oh big bear, we've been over my feelings about you. Yes, it started when I realized you were the dreamiest dreamboat that ever sailed from Dreamtropolis, but you cemented the whole deal with your dancing. You are powerful and graceful, a mean partner, and the picture of traditional masculinity. Manliness just oozes from your pores. I dig it. You'll be there until the end.

Amy - So adorable, so super-powered. I expect you to go all the way, but I do agree that we need to see another side of you. It's up to the choreographers to challenge you with it.

Fik-Shun - Aw buddy, I'm so proud of you. Ditto my sentiments to Amy - I want to see more growth now. You're up to it. Just bring it.

Malece - First off, no. That is not a name. Try again, parents. Get back to me when you come up with something I can sign off on. Really though, you're good at dancing and, as it is not your fault, I can't hold your name against you. I really do like you, I just don't LOVE you.

Alan - Getting rid of the hairstyle you rocked during auditions and Vegas week ranks in the top 10 good decisions of the 21st century. I enjoy watching you ballroom dance, that's pretty much it. I think you might go home next week, but you had a good run.

A few other notes:

Cat Deely - Flawless. Be my friend.

Nigel - You're still pretty skeevy, but I thank you for this show. I know what you were getting at when bringing up The Giving Tree when Aaron and Jasmine performed, but you nearly ruined it for me with that reference. That book can go to hell and die, for how it's been interpreted. I'll go to my grave believing that Shel Silverstein actually meant it to be a nihilistic downer, and gleefully watched his bank account grow at the hands of people who took it to be a heartwarming tale of selfless suckerdom.

Mary - I think you've toned it down a lot this year, and for that you can stay.

Anna Kendrick - you had nothing valuable to say, dance-wise, but I like you so you get a pass.

The group numbers have been uniformly strong this year, I am enjoying the mix of choreographers. Chris Scott, you take a lot of chances, and often you're very impressive, but you already had a stunning hip-hop number set to an old school R & B song ("Misty Blue") so please stop trying to recreate that every year.

OK, that's all. Bring on the Top 10. Dance forever. 

Back to the Meantime

As I mentioned in an earlier entry, we scheduled this year's vacation a bit differently in order to get a chance to see everyone and to maximize our time off. That meant going up for a bit this weekend, and coming back. I knew it would be a tease, but I thought, hey, I'll go back and have a huge chunk of time to look forward to when I return, so it'll be OK. And it is OK, I'm still super psyched about going back for the long haul, but it's surreal to be at my desk this morning with my hair still smelling of campfire (after two washings) when I know that most of my family's at the beach.

The weekend jaunt was definitely worth it. Generations of relatives were represented, from my 91-year-old grandmother to my cousin's four-month-old (looottta babies this year, holy moly). HR had a great time, but he also really rolled with it, not having any problem with coming back home. The weather was crappy, frankly, and the sun only came out the hour before we had to leave but whatever, it's always fun because of who's there. Now I have my preview of what's to come, and the next few days can't go by quickly enough.

I've decided to keep a bit of the vacation mindset even as I exist in the real world, getting things done but also not quite sticking to a routine. Mentally, I'm still on the island, and my free time is being used for preparation to go back. I can't wait to get my toes in the sand and exhale. In the meantime, chill when I can, knock things off the to-do list as needed. I like this song, guys.

To the Sea, the Sea

Quick SYTYCD note: I know we're only at the top 14, but I am calling the finale right now: Amy, Fik-Shun, Jasmine H. and Aaron. I think Jasmine or Amy will win. Possibly Mackenzie will emerge, Janine style, and bump one of the other ladies out. I just love the pairings so much as they are I can't imagine it, though. The biggest surprise for me this season has been Paul, who is great at everything. And though I feel bad for the hip-hop dancer who had to step down from the top 20 before the show even started because he was injured, I'm grateful that Aaron got to take his place. Dance crush 2013. Besides, that dude already won ABDC so he's not so bad off.

And now, another installment in Vacation Cometh. This will be HR's fourth year doing the seaside extravaganza, and this is the first year out of the four that I am looking forward to with absolute positivity. No reservations. Each year since he was born has had its charms, but it was not without some glaring pain-in-the-ass factor. Yes, every summer proved to be better, easier, more relaxing, and more fun than the last. But this year is absolutely special because this year he's looking forward to it. He has his own happy memories from last year, and that warms my heart like you don't even know. He's established a history with our family, he has relationships and associations, and he's poised to be a total blast. Sure the car ride will be about as fun as ever. And his refusal to go to the bathroom anywhere but his own little potty makes things challenging at times (though more challenging in the city than in the wilderness). But those are tiny inconveniences in the face of all that good, good stuff. I'm not even slightly concerned about his sleeping this year, I think we've turned that corner. The child has tasted a s'more, people. And from that, there is no going back.

Soon it will be here, so soon. I am the picture of serenity... until it's time to get on the g. d. road already.



Confession: I had no idea that Robert Plant was in Led Zeppelin until I was in college, maybe older.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Today was a little less Monday-ish than usual, because it heralds the last Monday before my summer vacation extravaganza begins, the last full week I'll be working for quite some time. Generally we take off two full weeks, then a few more days later in the month, but we're doing it a little different this year. A full two weeks off is nothing to sneeze at, believe me, but I'm kind of psyched about this summer's patchwork scheduling because the vacation seems to keep on rolling instead of there being a build up and then it's over. Plus I won't have such a pile on my desk when I return. We'll see how it pans out in regard to future summers, but for now I have bright expectations.

Of course there's a lot of week to get through before it's go-time. On one hand it's hard to concentrate because I'm so excited, but on the other, I know that getting down to business will help make the time (time, my two-faced frenemy) fly. Now to make myself get down to something other than composing obsessive lists. If only I had a visual to give me incentive....

 

That'll do. And we're off!