I was climbing into my car, getting ready to leave the gym when I checked the messages on my phone. While replying to a post on Facebook, and chugging some water, a message came in and an opportunity was tossed out to me. It was last-minute and a spur of the moment decision. Could I do it? Could I make it? And, more importantly…who could I easily con (errr…I mean, gently persuade) into joining me on this mission? I was dressed in my work out clothes, already covered in sweat and thoroughly wiped out… I had barely enough time to get home, eat and drive to the secret rendezvous point.
I sent a text to my friend, detailing the mission. I rushed home, quickly stuffed my face, and then ran back out the door again to pick her up. We drove to the confidential and classified location and joined the others. What was this crusade we were about to embark on? Hold onto your socks, because it is a doozy. And…it’s another item crossed off of my bucket list.
Cue Semisonic’s “Closing Time,” and fill New York’s Grand Central Station with an abnormally amount of awesomely coordinated dancers. Picture it: The sexy Justin Timberlake standing on the steps… and the beautiful Mila Kunis meeting him. A heart-felt conversation, and then… a flash mob breaks out! That was the scene from “Friends with Benefits” and, not to disappoint you, but I was NOT an extra in that movie. I was, however, lucky enough to take part in a local flash mob just a few weeks ago, and that was what my secret mission entailed! There was one day of rehearsal where approximately 50 people learned to do the “wobble” (it’s a dance similar to the electric slide) only to meet up again so that we could break out into an impromptu routine on the street before a 5K race. It was a strange, but fun experience for me to show up to a 5K, and NOT actually be running in it.
We rehearsed for over an hour and I couldn’t believe how much I sweat! I took dance classes throughout my childhood and teen years, and was even lucky enough to be on the college dance team. I haven’t taken a formal class in almost 20 years, but that night I realized how much I missed learning choreography. I’ve always loved going out to dance, and try to do so at least once or twice a month (Insert shameless plug for favorite Detroit band here: Rock on Killer Flamingos!), but getting “schooled” again at flash mob rehearsal, reminded me of a passion I once had, and it felt good to step back into the shoes of being a student again.
Other than my friend who told me about the flash mob, and the friend who I dragged with me to do it, I didn’t know a soul. I learned that the person organizing the flash mob was Buddy Shuh, a former contestant on NBC’s "Biggest Loser." We showed up just before 8 a.m. that chilly Saturday morning, ready to get our groove on. Video cameras were everywhere, and cell phones were shooting video and pics o’plenty. (I am afraid to know what kind of footage is out there…. I just hope I don’t look like too much a dork.) After we shook our booties and wobbled our wobbles, my friend and I jumped back into the warmth of my car and headed off to breakfast, smiling and laughing over our little adventure. I became certain of three things that morning:
1. No matter your age, weight, or physical coordination or abilities, it’s hard to be in a bad mood when you’re giggling and grinning while trying to learn new ways to move your body to music…even with complete strangers. And, even when performing in the flash mob that morning, I could see the joy on the faces of the spectators, whether they were laughing at us or with us didn’t matter. It was fun.
2. Dancing brings people together.
3. Sometimes, the most fun and best memories you’ll have in life come from taking a chance, or grabbing an opportunity handed to you. Pay attention. Sometimes they come quickly and are missed before you have time to think it over. Don't miss out on something good because you're too afraid to try it.
Care to check out the song we grooved to that morning? Click the link below to get your “Wobble” on! And…as an added bonus…someone found some cell phone footage of the event. (Thank goodness you can’t actually pick me out of the crowd! Haha!) Enjoy!
CLICK TO SEE A 23-SECOND CLIP OF THE ACTUAL FLASH MOB, already in progress. (Unofficial Cell phone footage.) And below, the Official "Wobble" video.
(For information on my favorite dance-crazy band, the Killer Flamingos, go to http://killerflamingos.com/flash.htm)
I sent a text to my friend, detailing the mission. I rushed home, quickly stuffed my face, and then ran back out the door again to pick her up. We drove to the confidential and classified location and joined the others. What was this crusade we were about to embark on? Hold onto your socks, because it is a doozy. And…it’s another item crossed off of my bucket list.
Cue Semisonic’s “Closing Time,” and fill New York’s Grand Central Station with an abnormally amount of awesomely coordinated dancers. Picture it: The sexy Justin Timberlake standing on the steps… and the beautiful Mila Kunis meeting him. A heart-felt conversation, and then… a flash mob breaks out! That was the scene from “Friends with Benefits” and, not to disappoint you, but I was NOT an extra in that movie. I was, however, lucky enough to take part in a local flash mob just a few weeks ago, and that was what my secret mission entailed! There was one day of rehearsal where approximately 50 people learned to do the “wobble” (it’s a dance similar to the electric slide) only to meet up again so that we could break out into an impromptu routine on the street before a 5K race. It was a strange, but fun experience for me to show up to a 5K, and NOT actually be running in it.
We rehearsed for over an hour and I couldn’t believe how much I sweat! I took dance classes throughout my childhood and teen years, and was even lucky enough to be on the college dance team. I haven’t taken a formal class in almost 20 years, but that night I realized how much I missed learning choreography. I’ve always loved going out to dance, and try to do so at least once or twice a month (Insert shameless plug for favorite Detroit band here: Rock on Killer Flamingos!), but getting “schooled” again at flash mob rehearsal, reminded me of a passion I once had, and it felt good to step back into the shoes of being a student again.
Other than my friend who told me about the flash mob, and the friend who I dragged with me to do it, I didn’t know a soul. I learned that the person organizing the flash mob was Buddy Shuh, a former contestant on NBC’s "Biggest Loser." We showed up just before 8 a.m. that chilly Saturday morning, ready to get our groove on. Video cameras were everywhere, and cell phones were shooting video and pics o’plenty. (I am afraid to know what kind of footage is out there…. I just hope I don’t look like too much a dork.) After we shook our booties and wobbled our wobbles, my friend and I jumped back into the warmth of my car and headed off to breakfast, smiling and laughing over our little adventure. I became certain of three things that morning:
1. No matter your age, weight, or physical coordination or abilities, it’s hard to be in a bad mood when you’re giggling and grinning while trying to learn new ways to move your body to music…even with complete strangers. And, even when performing in the flash mob that morning, I could see the joy on the faces of the spectators, whether they were laughing at us or with us didn’t matter. It was fun.
2. Dancing brings people together.
3. Sometimes, the most fun and best memories you’ll have in life come from taking a chance, or grabbing an opportunity handed to you. Pay attention. Sometimes they come quickly and are missed before you have time to think it over. Don't miss out on something good because you're too afraid to try it.
Care to check out the song we grooved to that morning? Click the link below to get your “Wobble” on! And…as an added bonus…someone found some cell phone footage of the event. (Thank goodness you can’t actually pick me out of the crowd! Haha!) Enjoy!
CLICK TO SEE A 23-SECOND CLIP OF THE ACTUAL FLASH MOB, already in progress. (Unofficial Cell phone footage.) And below, the Official "Wobble" video.
(For information on my favorite dance-crazy band, the Killer Flamingos, go to http://killerflamingos.com/flash.htm)
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