Randy and I practically have the same shoe size, so he let me borrow his skates for the day.  I strapped them on like ski boots, and stood up on my feet, wobbling around, arms flying in the air, trying to keep my balance.  Randy looked at me, smiled to himself and said, "OK Edie, lean forward, put your hands out, and whatever you do, don't lean ba.....   "

CRASH!!

Right on my butt.  

"...don't lean back Edie."  

Oh brother.  I felt like I was learning to walk all over again.  I picked myself back up, and "floated" to the gate.  I then attempted to make it to the street.  I looked down, on the sidewalk, and suddenly realized there was a CURB next to the street.  A normal, standard sized curb, right next to my car.  Now why hadn't I noticed this VERY STEEP AND VERY INCREDIBLY LARGE curb before?   "Uh, Randy... uh, how do I stop.....???????" 

"Oh... I forgot to tell you....  those skates don't have brakes.  I took them off."

"YOU WHA.... "

CRASH!!

Right on my butt, AGAIN. 

"HOW DO YOU STOP THEN????"    As I picked myself (and my ego) up, brushing off the pavement, which was now a very permanent part of my ass. 

Randy suddenly appeared over me, helping me up.  He then started teaching me how to skate.  Well, upon my INSISTENCE, he first showed me how to STOP with no breaks, AND THEN how to skate. 

Stopping was an issue for me.  A VERY BIG ISSUE. 

We practiced on the street a bit, and then skated off to Venice Beach, only a few blocks away. 

Seeing Randy Newman on skates is like watching a dare devil 'do or die' movie.  He's a symphony in motion.  I'm here to tell you, that man can move.  I felt like a complete klutz around him.  Skating is easier than walking for Randy.  He makes it look so easy!  He's a natural athlete with the ability to pick up just about anything he sets his mind to... skating up steep ramps, jumping and skating down stairways, stairwell hand rails, over trash cans, over cars, flying in the air for a movie shot, bungy jumping, parachuting.... all done with total ease and complete control. 

... it didn't used to be that way when he took his first Salsa Class...

Being an expert at one sport or activity, then going on to another like partner dancing, can be a very humbling experience for most of us. It's like, you want to get good, real fast...! 

... Now, a year later, Randy Newman, "Maverick Skater turned Salsero", has become surprisingly good at dancing Salsa.   I even got my "fix" with him on the dance floor the other night!  I'm proud to say, that he is now preparing for his first Salsa Competition at the Sportsman's Lodge in Van Nuys, California....  
Full Story and Interview continued March 8th...