Tomorrow night Kym and I dance the Jive. this week has been different than the past weeks of practicing in so many ways. We didnt get our song till Tuesday night, meaning we had 6 days. The same as everyone else of course, but dang. Knowing that Monday is going to get here a lot faster than ever before definitely gave me a lot to think about.
But that wasnt the worst part. Jive is easily the most physical of the dances. Just about every step is a jump from the balls of my feet. Not a problem for my right leg. A huge problem for my left. (the hip replacement left the muscles in my leg far weaker than my right). And not only was all the "action" supposed to be high energy and up, but the basic step is supposed to be knees up with a quick kick that is supposed to end with your foot basically kicking yourself in the butt around bringing my feet together while in the air. Yeah, like thats going to happen..
The mind was strong, but the body was weak. There were steps , or more precisely, technique of steps that i was just not able to do. Worse yet was the practice. By the time we got to a routine I could do, we had to practice it again and again and again. I'm sorry, I don't care if I was 21 or the 49 years old that I am, practicing the routine 6 hours a day, every day, is exhausting and I dont want to even explain what the following mornings felt like.
I dont want to sound like Im complaining, but I guess I am. But hey, if Im going to blog , I might as well talk about it all.
So the Jive is not going to be easy for us Monday night. The hope is that all of you that voted for Kym and I will vote again to keep us alive. Your vote is going to be even more important to us Monday because all of Dallas will be watching the Cowboys take on the Bills. The Cowpokes are amazing this season, so Im thinking most Dallasites will not have voting for Mark and Kym as their Monday night priority. Which is another way of saying that I really need everyone's help to get people's attention from 7pm to 8:30pm Monday night and to take a break from the game to call 1800 VOTE 411 or for that matter, just call while you are watching the game ! Go to ABC.com at halftime. Email your friends and have them get behind us..
As always, thank you for all your support. It really means a lot to Kym and me
The 1 Legged Jive 1 800 VOTE 411
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Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. Good Luck tomorrow night. Have fun! Keep smiling! We will be voting and watching the game.
Remember, we've got your back!
GO MARK!!
GO MAVS!!
GO COWBOYS!!
Posted at 12:10AM on Oct 8th 2007 by Sue M
3. Good luck tomorrow, Mark... I have no doubt that you'll do well, and you'll have all my votes, no matter what! Too bad you're having to compete with the Cowboys game, but, hey, that's what the remote control's for, right?
Posted at 12:32AM on Oct 8th 2007 by Texy
4. Mark,
Best of luck taking the "1-Legged Jive" to new heights!! It should be great entertainment. I watched last week and see that you and Kym are just getting warmed up. I remember seeing some of those moves back in Bloomington, Foster-Magee!! Keep smiling, keep the lines straight and go for it! We'll be watching from California. Very impressive after just returning from a hip replacement...wow!
All the best,
Bob Dahl (1981 IU Alum)
Posted at 12:33AM on Oct 8th 2007 by Bob Dahl
5. You know your fans will be voting no matter what...
I have to admire all the dedication you give to this. Keep it up Mark.
Posted at 1:03AM on Oct 8th 2007 by David
6. Absolutely Mark, I would never miss it.
This was such a brave thing for you to do. If you were a crummy dancer it might have been
embarrassing but not even close. You are AMAZING!!!
I don't even like this show but you make it worth watching. You are an original.
Posted at 1:26AM on Oct 8th 2007 by Toni
7. My husband and I enjoy watching the show. We are also Cowboy fans, but will indeed be watching and voting for you and Kym. Hang in there - we want to see you next week too.
Posted at 2:01AM on Oct 8th 2007 by Sue Reed
8. abc.com has "Online voting will remain open until noon (Eastern Time) on the day of the results show."
So I don't think it will matter that much that there's a Cowboys game since they can vote after...plus, not everyone in Dallas watches the Cowboys...
It really is amazing that you're actually 49!
9. Good luck tonight, Mark. I'm fortunate enough to get to see you perform that the jive live!
Posted at 4:09AM on Oct 8th 2007 by russian bride
10. Hi Mark,
Don't worry about the votes, people don't have to watch the show to vote... We lived in Dallas and moved to New Hampshire, are still devoted Mavs (can't wait for the season to start..) and Cowboys fans and have two daughters that are attending IU! Let me tell you that they have everybody voting for you there as well. And the jive is a difficult dance for everybody no matter what. With that big smile you will be doing great. We'll be watching and voting. Good Luck
Posted at 8:40AM on Oct 8th 2007 by Magda van Os
11. VOTE ONLINE versus the PHONE... ANYTIME!!
Hey Mark and Blog readers,
You get 10 votes per email address and do not need to verify the email address.. meaning you can put in nucklehead@yahoogle.com.
Here's the webpage it is easy and quick to sign up and vote 10 times.
http://abc.go.com/primetime/dancingwiththestars/index
SO GREAT NEWS, everyone can still vote for you Mark and help you to next week!
I also have those LUCKY painted shirts for you Mark!
Creative Regards
Erik the Artist
IU 1990
http://www.eriktheartist.com
http://www.myspace.com/eriktheartist
ps. wonderful movie Ayn Rand's THE FOUNTAIN HEAD with CARRY GRANT
Posted at 8:43AM on Oct 8th 2007 by Erik the Artist
13. Mark you are amazing. I cannot imagine doing such physical activity after a hip replacement. Keep strong.
Posted at 11:00AM on Oct 8th 2007 by Julie
14. Mark - your getting tons of votes no matter how you dance, .rb
Posted at 11:55AM on Oct 8th 2007 by Paintless dent repair tools
15. This household will be watching DWS in the living room with the Cowboy game on another TV in the back of the house if anyone wants to check on the score. AFTER DWS is when we will watch the rest of the Cowboy game.
I can only imagine how sore and tired you must be, but never fear, we will be voting even if it is early on Tuesday Morning. You can vote online until 11:00 a.m. our time every Tuesday. Easier to get online too. Best of luck.
Posted at 12:26PM on Oct 8th 2007 by Ann
16. Hey Mark, you can do it...we have your back.
Posted at 1:06PM on Oct 8th 2007 by Anthony
17. I have unlimited texting! And I'll b using it!!!
Kick some more ass, Mark! Your work ethic and charisma are inspiring AND motivational!!!
Posted at 1:06PM on Oct 8th 2007 by Dean Paraskevopoulos
18. Go Marky, Go Marky, Go Marky! (still doing the Cabbage Patch in your honor!)
We'll be watching, smiling, rooting, voting. Yes, we will be watching the game(s)... But you, Kym, the HIP, are our priority #1!
Go Get'em Tiger!!!
b.
Posted at 1:54PM on Oct 8th 2007 by Bee
19. Mark,
I enjoy your blog and admire your tackling the DWTS challenge. I did exhibition ballroom dancing many, many years ago and can appreciate the challenge that you face. Keep up the great work.
Just one thing, every time I read your blog your continued miss use of the phrase "Kym and I" hits me like chalk squeaking on a chalk board. i.e. "The hope is that all of you that voted for Kym and I..." I know it can be confusing but think of it this way; you wouldn't say "...that voted for I...", you would say "...that voted for me. Therefore the correct grammar is, "The hope is that all of you that voted for Kym and me..."
I am dancing the Jive tomorrow night.
Kym and I are dancing the Jive tomorrow night.
Please vote for me.
Please vote for Kym and me.
Hope my grammar lesson doesn't irk you. Just consider it a little additional skin toughening to help you face the judges:-)
It is great to see a high profile person such as yourself writing a blog. Thanks.
Hang in there, keep up the great work, and good luck!! You have my votes.
Posted at 2:00PM on Oct 8th 2007 by Skip Dodson
20. Great Job!
Posted at 2:55PM on Oct 8th 2007 by Laura
1. Good evening Mark!
Great to hear from you! Just from watching DWTS in the past, I know that you devote sooooo much time to the dance prep. I know Kym has a fun cute routine for ya'll. Just try to be light on your feet(hip!) and follow thru. You will do great! Keep a smile, and your focus on your partner. You enjoy and I know we all will enjoy!!! I will only flip channel to Cowboys during dwts commercial. Shoot. I'll be dialing ya'll number all during!!!(from all of my family phones and emails!!!}
Do GREAT!!!
Have FUN!!!
Susan M fm Miss
Posted at 11:48PM on Oct 7th 2007 by Susan M