Jealousy

There are very few times when I’ve felt jealousy. The antidote is self confidence and security. But, there was one time I remember I was distinctly was jealous.

Mel was at a book symposium in Seattle. We went together and his newly released book was “Voluptuous Panic”. I demonstrated two dances originally by Anita Berber and Valeska Gert, the subjects of his book. Also presenting was the author Shonda Rhimes with her book “The Year of Yes”. Ms.Rhimes is very attractive. Afterwards there was a book signing with Mel and Shonda. A few people complimented me on the dance, but otherwise I was left to wander the fairgrounds. What struck me about Shonda was that she had really great shoes. They were clearly visible on the elevated platform along with her shapely legs.

There was no reason for me to feel jealous except I felt pushed aside and forgotten after contributing to the presentation. I talked about it with Mel afterward. On top of the Space Needle. All we could agree upon was that Shonda Rhimes had great shoes. And that sticks in my mind. That and because both books had sexual overtones.

Egos are tricky territory. One time Mel and I went to see a Broadway production here in town directed by Hal Prince. The two had been colleagues in NYC. I asked Mel if he wanted to go backstage afterward to greet Mr. Prince. Mel declined. So, I don’t know what the story is/was there.

After my dance partner, Dick Vivian, passed, a letter he had written to a friend came into my possession. He was trying to get going as an R&B singer producer. He describes his frustration with working with ‘divas’ and contrasts that to the professionalism working with me had been. Which was gratifying. Praise is never disregarded.