JESSICA SALLEY | CONSULTANT | CREATOR

"Replacing the basket that the napkins go in"

11/1/2021

 
"It’s time to replace the basket that the napkins go in"

The napkins go in a basket at the center of our family table
The basket is square and at least as old as I am
Or at least as old as my memory of objects

The basket holds napkins just fine
But for some reason, it is also broken
With wicker spears exposed and sharp on one side
The basket is humble
But useful 
But ugly

The basket is comfortable for me to look at now

Twice a year, when I come back here
And sit at this hometown table

I've never even thought about this basket

Now, apparently, it will be replaced
So my original people - who do look at it every day - for at least 30 years
Won’t be disturbed by its shortcomings
And won’t be reminded 
That these old things are younger than they are
But still ready to be replaced

They get to decide what gets seen and what gets forgotten 

I had already forgotten about the basket 

Anytime I don’t look at it I have forgotten it

Even when I looked at it
Every day for 18 years
Every few months for five years
Every 6 months for ten years
I had forgotten it, even looking at it now

But now it will be replaced

And my grief is unbearable

How to take a hip hop dance class

7/19/2017

 
Taking a hip hop dance class is quite simple. Follow the steps below and you will be successful at your first class.
  1. Have a friend who suggests you take a hip hop dance class together. Do not skip this step. You will probably not think of the idea on your own.
  2. Find a reputable establishment of the movement arts. There are many. But if you live in a smaller city no one wants to teach dance to adults, which can be very annoying. Luckily, some amazing individuals will surely have stepped in to help in your fair town and created a beginning hip hop dance class for adults.
  3. Sign up for the class and pay your money.
  4. Attend the first class wearing your old jazz shoes from fifteen years ago, yoga pants, and a comfortable formless t-shirt.
  5. Realize you wore all the wrong things at your first class and make a mental note to buy things that will make you look cooler before next week.
  6. Realize that you must not really have understood all of the movements that are included in hip hop beginning dance.
  7. Go home from your first class tired but totally psyched to show someone your newly acquired moves.
  8. Show someone your moves and try not to die of embarrassment when you realize that you do not look like Beyonce after one 90-minute class.
  9. Forget to buy cooler clothes before second class.
  10. Forget to buy cooler clothes before third class.
  11. Forget to buy cooler clothes after fourth class.
  12. Finally order clothes online during your lunch break at work.
  13. Start to feel legitimately better at dancing.
  14. Start looking cooler in class, but not as cool as the 15-year-olds.
  15. Try your moves again on someone who is not in your class. This person will be reasonably impressed, especially at your labored, but serviceable moonwalk.
  16. Sign up for another nine weeks of class because a different friend said she would take it with you this time.
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