This weekend I attended a set of classes for Chorus Girl University. CGU is run by The Galaxie Girls, a chorus line that does performances in Chicago and around the midwest. You could buy a set of tickets for 3, 5, or 7 classes, or single tickets if you only wanted to take one or two classes. Prices varied depending on how quickly you bought your tickets; I bought mine back in February, so I got a three class pass for $45.

The first class that I took was a hair styling class. The teacher used a variety of techniques to show us a couple of different looks - a 30s inspired updo and classic finger waves using hot rollers, curling irons, and a flat iron. I don't do heat styling very often, just because it doesn't last on my hair, but she had plenty of advice for pin curlers as well. The best part was watching how she carved the actual styles out of the curls, though, forming perfect rolls and smooth waves. I tried out a couple of her techniques the next day, and they really did give me a better final product.

The second class that I took seemed like it would be easy and fun - Kicks and Drills 101. Initially I was having a good time, learning how to kick with purpose, how to hold your body when you kick, how to stay in line with the people next to you.

Then came the footwork. I've mentioned before that I'm not quick to pick up choreography, so when the instructor started adding different steps and moves into the mix, I completely lost the thread. She also didn't really take the time to explain how to do the footwork that she was adding, just going through it once or twice at full speed, which left me flailing and tripping over my own two feet.

To be honest, I got really frustrated about it. It was a group class with about 15 people, so it wasn't like she was going to stop everything to explain something everyone else was pretty much getting. Still, if you're doing a 101 level class, even a novice should be able to jump in, right? I ended up feeling so discouraged that I completely skipped the last class that I had planned on taking, Solo Charleston. After all, if I couldn't even manage something as simple as a kick line, how was I going to figure out the Charleston in one 90 minute class?

That's one of my big personal failings, I'm afraid. If I can get a bit introspective for a moment, there are a lot of things that come fairly easily to me, so when something is hard - like algebra, or dancing - I just get frustrated and give up. It's dumb, and I'm dumb, and everything in the world must be terrible. I know I should have kept with it and at least tried, if only because I don't have so much money I can afford to throw it away.

But hey, I guess you live and learn, right? I got some great hair tips, and I also learned that if I want to learn a dance, I should probably pay a little more for some one on one instruction.

Or, you know, Youtube it.