Dance GPS: Hey, is there an app for this?

Sometimes I think it's a miracle I ever passed my driver's exam.

It's not that I'm a bad driver. Not in the slightest. It's just that at times, I'm directionally challenged. When I worked in agriculture, I got used to figuring out north and south - or even "turn at the red barn." But when it comes to left and right?

#fail

Not a problem though, since my trusty iPhone has a fabulous GPS application, complete without the whiny female voice yelling at me when I turn left instead of right.

Sadly, my iPhone is useless at J'Adore Dance.

It's the morning after my second Fit Hop class and friends, I'm a hurting unit. Jessica, my new She-Ra (sorry Tara) worked my butt off, and muscles I'd forgotten about are reminding me of their presence. Why hello abs - I couldn't feel you down there under that layer of fat.

I assumed I'd remember the steps from last week. Silly, silly Dawn. And in my ache-induced morning state, things are still a bit fuzzy.

Friends and family know I have no problem getting lost. I've tackled major highways in foreign countries, navigated my way across Canada and the United States, faced detours with nary a scratch. But "popping" my left shoulder when I should be "popping" the right? I'd rather stumble my way through a traffic circle - in rush hour.

Maybe it was the gloomy weather taunting me to stay home and dry, or perhaps I was feeling the strain of a highly emotional day. Either way, my fit hop felt a bit like a flop, despite laughing so hard my sides hurt (or maybe that's from the "scoop" step Jessica introduced last night.) Still, it's tough to get frustrated when Jessica is waving her hands in the air with a smile so wide you could fall in if you get too close.

I don't. Get too close, that is. I quite enjoy the back row, where I have the illusion of dancing in my living room. Jessica says she thinks that's where people are their most free, and when the best dancing emerges.

I'd recommend adding whiskey. (I wonder if I could come to class half corked? Just kidding, Jess!)

All joking aside, here's the thing: I felt kind of deflated last night, worried I was "never" going to pick up the steps or feel comfortable facing that wall of mirrors. But then I got an email from Jess - and my attitude changed.

She noticed a difference.

In me!

Not in technique, exactly. But definitely in spirit. How cool is that? Just two paragraphs of well-placed encouragement and I'm ready to tackle Salsa tonight.

But if anyone has seen an iPhone app for GPS that will help me with my dance navigation, you know where to find me. (In a hot tub somewhere soothing my sore muscles...)

The Book In My Bag Today: Kindred in Death, J.D. Robb