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Oct
11
I had that triathlon in my mind for what seemed like so long, once it was over with I actually felt a little empty without having some big intimidating goal to work towards. It made me start thinking about what other sorts of things I could accomplish, which is probably the very best reason to do something that scares the shit out of you.
There are some maybe-silly, maybe-awesome things I want to do in the next year—things I’ve always just assumed I can’t do, or that I’ve been too freaked out to try. Like climbing that big-assed rock wall at the REI store, skating with a roller derby practice group, and taking part in a writing group. Also on my list: learn the Thriller dance. Because, well, everything about the Thriller dance is made of awesome. I didn’t know how, but I knew I wanted to do it.
A few days ago I stumbled onto a page seemingly custom-designed to make my dreams come TRUE. How could I pass this up? Sure, I can’t dance and I’m socially anxious and oh yeah, I can’t dance, but what the hell, right? I shanghaied Ashley into agreeing to do it with me, and all week I’ve been getting progressively more worried about the big group rehearsal. I watched some how-to videos which just made me more nervous: that routine is hard, man. I sort of thought the zombies just staggered around and rarrrr’d in unison with a few jazz hands or something, but no, there’s actual choreography in there.
What if I tripped and fell? What if I was facing one way while everyone else was facing the other way? What if I couldn’t do any of the moves at ALL and I had to just go and sit in the corner and burn with shame?
Do I even have to tell you that none of those things happened and it was actually incredibly fun and I had a fantastic, sweaty, successful time?
The SCARE! maneuver, which involves being scary.
The signature Thriller move, the ROAR!
On Saturday, October 24, Ashley and I are going to take part in the Thrill the World event and dance the Thriller routine in full costume and makeup in downtown Seattle. It sounds like something that anyone would do for fun and not a big deal at all, right? But it kind of is, for me. It’s about actively chasing down goals and going outside of my comfort zone and just, I don’t know, not being so stifled by my own self-imposed limitations.
Yes, I really did just get all introspective and shit over a bunch of dancing zombies. So much in life is about zombies, really.
Anyway, if you need further proof that learning a choreographed dance routine is in fact a really, REALLY big challenge for me, here you go:
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81 Responses to “Lessons from the undead”
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OMG That is the funniest shit I have ever seen in my life!!!!!
There are actual tears rolling down my face! And I’m not talking about you as much as I am about the boys….you look like you need some dollar bills tucked in the back of your waistband, but the boys are just hilariously funny, Dylan is workin it hard, and Riley is pretty fly for a white guy!
That made my week I think, and I may have to come back here and play it over and over! Thank you for posting this. Forever!
PS Zombieland? Two thumbs up, a snap and a circle!
Where the hell do you get all your great energy? Please send me some.
You look even BETTER from the back than you do from the front, lady. How is that even POSSIBLE? And is that a Thriller dance how-to video? I need to get that. That is Awesome.
hehe I’ve been watching the online video tutorial and learning it too! Love your video!
That is so awesome! I love that every time you accomplish a goal, you set a new one and tackle that too. You are an inspiration. I love reading your blog. Keep up the awesome.
This increases my love for you about a gazzilion times. Is it bad that even before I had a kid, I realized that one of my biggest goals for them would be to learn the dance to Thriller? “But Moooooommm, I have to do homework,” and me, “Not right now, come and dance, and one two two step, growl, shuffle.”
HAHAHAHAHA. I LOVE this. I love the boys all trying to HELP.
Having goals is a good thing, and a lot of mine are silly and fun. But that’s what it’s all about — if it makes you feel good, if it makes you more you, then it’s not silly, Thriller dance or not.
I can’t even begin to explain how awesome this is. Just last week we were playing Thriller for Eric and he was telling us how he is afraid of zombies and didn’t like the video but liked the song. I was thinking about how cool it would be to learn the dance, your video just made my day. If I lived anywhere near you I would totally do it with you guys.
OMG! So awesome. I love how the boys are
“helping” you.
Linda, honey? I heart you. I have always wanted to do this, too. Good for you! You may have inspired me (again!) Love your backup dancers, too. Please be sure to post the final maneuv-ah. Rock on!
1.) Watching you all try to dance that is awesome. 2.) I guarantee the rock wall is easier than you think. I have been climbing for a long time (well, I can’t now b/c I am pregnant again) but you should definitely just jump up there. It’s a lot of fun and uber rewarding when you get to the top.
..what Donna said. Verbatim.
I know about a hundred people who could have used this class over the last couple weeks. I was at a wedding Saturday night and when “Thriller” came on, EVERYONE rushed to the dance floor, and NO ONE knew the dance. There were a couple people who knew a couple steps, and the rest of us tried ever so lamely to follow along.
that was great. screw coffee this AM…I just watched Sundry attempt the Thriller Dance! My postpartum bowl full of jelly belly is sore from laughter. Thanks for the morning pick me up and for being so cool.
love your blog….you just keep getting more inspirational.
Watching Riley mimic you is killing me! So funny! congrats on taking on a new challenge!
As soon as I saw you tweet about this I squealed with glee at the awesomeness and went looking for a meet up in the local Providence or Boston areas. Alas, nothing could be found. I’m thinking about starting up my own little Thriller Dance Troop with my girlfriends. I think it’s so cool that you’re doing this, and you must post pictures when you get all donned up in the make up. Go you!!!
I love how JB is following your ass subtly with the camera. At least he didn’t zoom in? You make me want to live in Washington State! So much cooler than crappy-assed Florida.
Costume suggestion: Goodwill, prom dress, homemade sash optional or wedding dress! Yeah, so close to halloween picking might be slim but you know goodwills- ya just never know what gems you might find!
1. I believe zombies EAT their children. Not dance with them.
2. Have you taken a zumba class? Find a hardcore instructor and go. it’s fun. you’ll have a blast. And you can already dance like a zombie…
My dear, I expect to see the entire performance on my next visit. And I, too, own a camera. Love, AL
You inspire me all over the place.
There’s a zombie walk each year in Asbury Park NJ….think it was last week. But adding the Thriller dance is awesome. Love the video. Love Dylan’s breakdancing while you and Riley actually try to do the dance. :)
Riley is AWESOME.
Oh yeah, and uh, you too.
That is beyond awesome. If you actually did the roller derby you would become my hero, for real. i have secretly wanted to do that for years!
I thought I was the only one that thought, “Wait, is Dylan breakdancing?” This is just too funny. When I am exercising and my 5 and 6 year olds are “helping” me, I find it hard not to stop and just watch them. Kids are so funny!
My goals for after grad school (done in May!) are:
1. get a job.
2. move to Seattle.
3. join roller derby.
If these all happen, I will hunt you down and drag you with me.
The other night I was at a party where this girl did the Thriller dance perfectly. Needless to say I was jealous. I need to learn this post haste.
Love love love love love! Did Thriller in college for a greek week event. Our’s was a very dumbed-down version but I’ve wanted to learn the real thing for the last 8 yrs! Off to google a tutorial!
Confession: I have watched this video 5 times already THIS MORNING. LOVE! All of it. You are adorable and your two little tiny zombie minions are the greatest!
I can’t wait for 10/24….pictures, more video, and your celebratory post about how completely AWESOME the entire thing was.
I also love Roller Derby so I’m looking forward to that adventure as well.
You ROCK! (Yes, that is a reference to recent Twitter conversations. ;))
I think the best thing we can do as we get older is to do things that are outside of our comfort zone and I applaud you for finding (and doing) new ways of doing that for you.
Your boys are so cute trying to keep up! Pls take pics on the big day – I want to see how it turned out!
1. I am about to go google Thriller instructional videos. Productivity, bye bye!
2. You have way bigger balls that most people I know, and I find your bravery at tackling new/intimidating things to be pretty awesome.
3. Your backup dancers are too cute, I love the way the boys were also “learning” the dance.
Thrill on, baby. This cracked me up.
“It’s about actively chasing down goals and going outside of my comfort zone and just, I don’t know, not being so stifled by my own self-imposed limitations.”
OMG, I am printing this out and putting on the wall. AMEN!!! That’s EXACTLY what life is about.
And the rock climbing? Totally fun. A couple weeks ago I took my son to the YMCA for a climbing birthday party, and after all of the 7 year olds had attempted the wall they said “Any adults want to try??” and there I was, with my hand in the air like Arnold on Welcome Back, Kotter. So I did it. And I made it to the top. And now I want to go back. (FYI, I only went up the 2-story wall. They also have one that is the same or bigger than the REI wall and I want to do that one too now.)
All in all, Linda, you once again ROCK. If I still lived down that way, I’d totally be doing the Thriller dance with you. And doing it badly.
“It’s about actively chasing down goals and going outside of my comfort zone and just, I don’t know, not being so stifled by my own self-imposed limitations.” I love that. I’ve had this burning desire the last few months to accomplish a few goals that have been in mind for years. I’ve already started on some of them, but wow! This makes me want to go out and tackle them all! I really love this post…and love you even more for putting up that video! AWESOME
Holy Freakin’ Awesome!!!! I too have an unfulfilled desire to dance the Thriller dance. There has to be something similar where I live. You are so right about the self imposed limitations. I’ve really been boxing myself in lately. So much so, that I actually had to take a break from your blog, since I was so sick of everyone else having so much fun while I couldn’t (wouldn’t). Leave it to zombies to be the pick-me-up. That all looks like a great time!
LOVE IT, lu-huv-huve it. Riley was tearing that up too! It’s so nice to indulge of lifes simple lessons, like learning the Thriller dance. When they did it on the MTV music awards I may or may not have DVR’d it, and the week following did self tutorials. Its just a bomb of hilarity to do thing like that.
Also, GOD, SOMEONE teach me to beatbox.
CUT A RUG!!!
That video makes me so happy. Especially Dylan jumping around and Riley doing the moves with you. So stinking cute.
AWESOME VIDEO!
That video is great! So freakin’ funny. And you are brave for attempting that, and posting that. I think it takes more courage for us “non-dancers” to do something like that than train for and compete in an endurance event. At least for ME it would!
Dude! You are my freaking hero right now! I’m inspired to push myself out of my comfort zone now too!
oh my god you are the coolest person the world. I hope you know it.
i meant IN the world. I was just so excited typing it!
Too funny. But you are right about trying new things. I am going to try and recruit a friend to do this here in my city!!! Thanks for the great idea.
You are 10 kinds of awesome!
Have you ever noticed the dancer who goes the wrong way in the MJ Beat It video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqxo1SKB0z8
He is over Michael’s right shoulder at 4:43
What an amazing goal. When I saw the video of the Flash Mob that erupted in Seattle on Micheal’s birthday I was so jealous I hadn’t A. Been there to see it, and B. been brave enough to have been apart of it.
Inspirational. Even with all that undead stuff.
That video made my day! :)
OMG! That is hysterical, but also pretty inspiring.
I am doing Boot Camp and my first 5K despite the fact that I really hate working out. However, I really wanted to do it so that I could set a goal and accomplish it myself.
I’d love to know what other goals are on your list.
OMG. That is the most incredibly awesome thing I’ve ever heard of! I’m sooo jealous! I wish I was doing something like that!
I was a dancer growing up, and I so want to find an adult dance class now. I really miss it!
A fantastic, enormously fun idea. Go Seattle! It reminds me of that Youtube of a wedding party doing the Thriller Dance, INCLUDING THE BRIDE.
The only thing I can think that would be more scary-challenging is a Shakira dance off.
Please, you must take video on October 24th.
So cool! I love this idea! So much, in fact that I checked out the Seattle area web site to see if I could get in on the action too, but with my two left feet and off-the-charts spaz factor, I’m not sure I could learn it well enough in 12 days to be part of the gang. I’m going to try to learn it on my own for sure though, and hopefully next year I’ll be ready. I don’t want to let down the zombie horde.
The really important question though, is what are you doing for a costume and makeup?
Oh, and I just saw Whip It Saturday night – it’s no Oscar winner, but it was really fun, and made me decide I’m going to some Rat City Roller Girls matches!
First of all, the dance is awesome, all of my friends wanna learn it so we can just bust it out somewhere randomly in public but also I live in Seattle too and have also wanted to try that rock wall forever now.
Linda – Please do yourself a favor.
Read about http://www.humansvszombies.org .
Then find a local chapter around Seattle or create one.
You can thank me later. :3
Love,
Ashlea who will be flying back to her college next year for the sole purpose of playing another game a year after she graduated.
I am back.
I’ve found the Toronto one! I’m a little late to get into it for this year, but YOU BET I will be doing this Thriller thing next year! OMG. I’m so excited now. hahaha. Thanks for posting this, prompting me to learn that such a thing exists!!!
Zombieland was the funniest movie of the last year.
Btw, Linda your husbands company made the front page of Gizmodo.com
Excellent!
Oh Linda, you just made my day. I fucking love you man!
You should have a pretty good sized crowd, as Occidental Park also happens to be where the Seattle Sounders pre-game festivities will commence at 6PM. Stick around for that after your dance, as there are few things more entertaining than rowdy, drunken soccer fans chanting and singing before a game.
That was friggin’ hysterical. I think Dylan has some moves in him!! It is harder than it looks. My 7yo son joined a theatre group this year (his alternative to soccer) and I’ve worked a couple of the rehearsals. It looks relatively simple at first, but when you get a room full of 60 6-12 year olds trying to all do the choreography to music….dang. Go get ‘em zombie queen!!
When I was little, my mom let me watch Thriller. Okay….except my dad owned a funeral home.
I STILL CAN’T WATCH THRILLER!
Actually, you just showed one of my biggest fears….a group of people performing the thriller dance.
And now it is time for a Paxil.
Hee heee heeeeeeee!
You know, even if you danced the wrong way the WHOLE time, you’d LOOK FABULOUS doing it!!
OMG I’M SO JEALOUS! You’re doing a pretty good job so far!
People tend to think that if they can just change how they feel about something, they’ll be able to do it. As if they’ll be able to stand up to their spouse if they can just start to believe in their own power.
The truth is that it’s the other way around. You’ll change the belief after you’ve acted. Which is what you’re doing. You’re getting out there, being social, and once you’ve done that you’ll start to believe in your ability to be social.
Blah, blah, blah, psycho-babble means: fuck yeah, Linda!
Ha! One of my girl friends learned the Thriller Dance as a New Years Resolution last year. She busts it out at every wedding reception and impromptu dance party she attends. Once you learn this, you will win fans and friends everywhere you go.
Keep up the good work!
That was awesome. I think MJ would have been proud of you!
That is too funny! You are so brave. I live in a town where they would never host something like that. Ever since I saw the Bounce dance tribute in Stockholm, I’ve convinced myself that I want to learn the Beat It dance more than anything else in this world at the moment. Problem: absolutely NOT coordinated in any capacity then throw in choreography and it’s all over. I’ve come close to injury many times. Best of luck to you and can’t wait to see more video!!
Can’t WAIT!
As sum1 who don’t know the Thriller dance, I’m offended that UR flaunting UR mad skillz on UR personal blog.
You are the hottest zombie EVER. And your mini-zombies are obviously very helpful and supportive.
I am in awe of you for doing this, and regret that there is no similar event nearby (and no, with 11 days to go, I could NOT organize it).
Seriously? Adopt me? You’re awesome.
I think your going to be a you-tube hit, seriously!
You are my hero!
That was incredible…
Love the boys dancing, and you too! I am so inspired by the way you set goals to take yourself out of your comfort zone. I wish I could be in Seattle to see the big event!
I’m still bummed that I wasn’t able to join you guys.
That video, however, is cheering me up.
You know what? GO YOU.
I love organized dances and despite having *talked* about getting people together to do the Thriller dance at one of the 8,386,732 weddings I’ve been to this summer (or last summer) I have yet to do it — and I like dancing!
I am inspired by you to look up if Thrill The World is doing something in my hometown too. If so, I have no excuse not to get off my zombie ass and join in.
oh…i’m sorry..were you doing a dance or something? i totally missed that. i was too busy staring at your TOTALLY PERFECT ASS.
*jealous*
also..you are so awesome, and brave, and just….pretty much everything i wish i could be. can’t wait to see you all zombied up and dancing on the actual day. :D
AHHHH LOVE IT!
L — I don’t have a twitter account, so I have to comment here — re: Charmin bears — RIGHT ON. I stopped buying the stuff because of those nasty-butt tree-rubbing bears. Gah-ross.
Wow, I think I love you. Even more so for posting this!! I’ve always wished I could do the thriller dance, but somehow I think there would be much flailing of limbs, and not in a good way.
“It’s about actively chasing down goals and going outside of my comfort zone and just, I don’t know, not being so stifled by my own self-imposed limitations.” You’re so right. I was a fan even when you wrote mostly about how your pets’ fur would get stuck to your moisturized face in the wintertime, but your blog is even cooler, now.