All through my years, I was told I had talent and potential. When I was in primary school, I was lazy, mischevious, cheated, untidy, late in homework, late in class, generally a hassle to teachers. But they all said I was smart.
So was the case for secondary school, and then university.
So was the case for wushu (martial arts), track and field, etc, and now tango.
And of course I'd always remember fondly that in the army, former SOF commander once told me I had potential.
But I've never thought myself to be particularly talented. Because I have seen talented people myself in all the activities I've participated in. In school, the super smart people, who aced every exams, unlike me who keeps hitting the lows. In wushu, Tingxi who always get the moves right away, without even trying. Track and field, table tennis, muay thai, gymnastics, soccer (Weilun thats you), jazz, ballet, magic (Ah Kai), rockclimbing (Jay), marathon (brother thats you), acting (Anthony), emceeing (Nick the dick), milonga (Jean Michel y Royce)...
And here in Buenos Aires, I see super dancers everyday. But to be talented is something extra, among the characteristic is the ability to get there much faster than other people; Just today, I saw 2 great talents.
In Firpo's men's technique class, he was teaching enrosque. There was african italian (sic), built like a 400m runner, he looked like a beginner, very stiff in his posture etc... But when he was doing the enrosque, whoosh! Grace, smoothness, balance and elegance, whilst the rest of us (including me) are struggling with the pivot. Firpo was so surprised he asked him to go to the front of the class to demonstrate!
The second talent I saw was in Cacho Dante's class. I went late and everyone was already dancing. Immediately I saw this lady, holding her apilado (milonguero lean) posture like a professional. The posture and the way she moves her hips and legs looks exactly like the teacher, Rosana's. When I danced with her she felt smooth and relaxed, her following was calm and balanced. I thought she must be a fellow teacher or assistant teacher. When she told me how long she took tango, my jaw dropped...only the beginning of this year. Less than 9 months!
Now that's talent.
