Charlie Brown Times

Enough procrastinating! I’ve been getting around to writing this post for the last two days. Inspiration has been a bit hard to come by this week.

My left calf (or lateral side of the soleus muscle for those who want to be technical) has been giving me trouble since I started dancing in Georgia. It feels fine to walk on, but putting my full body weight the single leg while plieing or on demi-point causes discomfort.

I’ve been trying to manage it, but it has only been getting gradually worse. I stopped doing big jumps as soon as we finished Giselle to try and give it a break. It hasn’t worked, and now I’m down to doing a light barre. The company’s sports masseuse (there is no physiotherapist on site) says that it is probably caused by a twisting in the leg due to an incorrect plie technique and told me to wear a toe spacer to correct the problem. I’ve been wearing one for over a week now, but haven’t seen a huge improvement.

I’ve also tried to find a physio or sports doctor, but haven’t had much luck. Not being able to speak or read the language fluently is a bit of a problem. Thanks to the other dancers, I was able to find a “Sports Injury Institute” on the edge of town that has a sign outside saying they have a physio. I’ll try to get out there this week when Tornike is free to come along and translate for me.

Till then, all I can really do is keep up the arnica, rest, ice and toe spacer. Fortunately the role of officer, which I’m currently playing in rehearsals for Siberia to Moscow, doesn’t involve much dancing. So as yet it isn’t affecting my ability to work. If I can get my nerve up, I would like to not take class for a couple of days. That might just give it enough of a break to settle the problem.

It is amusingly ironical though. I survive three years of gruelling training without any major issues. Then when I find my dream job, my leg spits the dummy and I can’t do it!

You took the words out of my mouth Charlie Brown! Any prayers on this one would be much appreciated. The sooner I get back on my game the better.

It hasn’t all been doom and gloom though. I got paid yesterday which was very encouraging. I’m starting to get a handle on the language now. I can count to ten now, which is not as easy as it sounds. We got the new costumes for Siberia to Moscow yesterday. The whole company had a heap of fun playing dress up while Frank Nina and the seamstress went through and sorted out details. I have to wear these huge side burns with my officer uniform. I’m the living image of Mr. Darcy when I have those fuzz balls on!

There are some new photos up at the usual place if you want to check them out and if you’re reading this by email, it would also be really cool if you could check out the blog. I’ve given it a major facelift and would like to know what you think. http://rodneygeorgez.blogspot.com

Thanks for reading,


DreamChaser