Doing the Time Warp!

I was in the eighth grade. There was a pretty and smart girl in my grade who I secretly liked. The problem is, Karen never seemed to pay me any attention! Then, I noticed we had a school dance coming up.

I thought, "Here is my chance! Now I can get Karen to notice me!" I couldn't wait until the day of the dance!

The dance came. My chance had arrived!

I put on my best clothes, and tried to look as polished as I could. I was ready to dance up a storm!

The evening got started. I had trouble getting out and dancing on the dance floor. I had always been shy on the dance floor. BUT....

I screwed up my courage and spotted Karen, dancing away and enjoying herself. Dancing through the crowd, my moves probably looked like the walk of a drunk pigeon. Soon, I was dancing right next to Karen! But there was a problem....

She was facing away from me!

So, I danced around.... But she seemed to keep turning away!

Just my bad luck. It wouldn't be my dancing, would it?

Finally, Karen consented to dancing facing my way. Though she didn't look too enthusiastic about it. Her face was more expressing the feelings, "Oh, okay, let's just get this over with." But nevertheless....

She was dancing WITH me!

Just as I seemed to be starting to get her attention.... DISASTER!

The year was 1982, and on the charts was a song called the "Time Warp," from the movie "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." I'd never seen the movie, but I knew some of the lyrics, since the song was popular among some of the kids my age. And I knew it had some dance moves to it, which I didn't know.

Here are the lyrics to the chorus of the "Time Warp"....

Narrator: It's just a jump to the left.
Everyone: And then a step to the right.
Narrator: With your hands on your hips.
Everyone: You bring your knees in tight.
But it's the pelvic thrust
That really drives you insane.
Let's do the time-warp again.
Let's do the time-warp again.

Well, I didn't know the moves. But, the problem for me was, this wasn't a dance you did WITH someone, facing them. Well, it's okay, I thought, I'll just dance this through.... Then, the next song I can dance with Karen again!

So, I did the "Time Warp" moves, trying to copy everyone. You can imagine what these moves are from the lyrics. I was shy already, and I felt silly doing some of these moves.... But, it's all for Karen! But then things got worse....

As I was doing one of the "jumps to the left," I saw my Dad had come in, to pick me up. Oh no. It was embarassing. But that's okay, just once more dance with Karen....

The Time Warp was over -- I was relieved. Then the announcer announced that the evening was over, and everyone started going home! My "dream dance" with Karen didn't eventuate.... I'm sure she felt relieved that she had made a close escape from this eighth grade geek. :)

On the ride home, I kept hoping that my Dad didn't actually spot me doing the "Time Warp"....

Though nothing happened that time, it did help to build my confidence. And that helped me later on....

If you get out and DO it, even if it doesn't work out the way you expect, there are often rewards for you further down the track.... No matter how "silly" you may feel.

Sometimes, you just have to "swallow your pride" and go for it!

- Dien Rice