Blog Ten

DVD extra - The Making of ...

When I started writing this blog - only a month ago - I had never imagined that it would ever reach the readership that it has; especially astonishing as it has happened in only four weeks. I had imagined the number of hits to be in the tens. If it had been in the hundreds I would have been amazed. The fact that the number of people who find this interesting exceeds even this, leaves me feeling overwhelmed, but very happy. I am in a state of befuddlement.

People have been in touch to say that they understand the dilemmas that we as a family are facing: some are parents themselves; many say that they have absolutely no interest in ballet but enjoy it nonetheless; all have at some stage in their lives been children. Among the emails that I have received, people say that they are enjoying the honesty, the confusion, and the way I am wearing my bleeding heart on an internet-shaped sleeve. In my head I am writing the Tarantino-like story of a family ripped apart by ballet. Those who kindly take the time to read it are welcome to find whatever meaning in it they choose.

I have been contacted from all over the world; I think from every continent. It would appear that a good story travels, and in our complicated modern world, the distances involved are difficult to fathom. It would be easy for me to become overwhelmed, over-enthusiastic, perhaps even manic: to no longer understand the delicate boundary between honest disclosure and exhibitionist indulgence. Also, there is a child involved - the most important consideration by far. In fact, by association, there are many children involved. This is why, I set myself some guidelines before I started writing. I wanted to be clear about what this blog is, and to be able to offer reassurances to others involved in the story. So here it is, a DVD extra: The Making of Ballet Dad Blog.

1. There are no names. He is not named and the school is not named. Our anonymity may be illusionary, but it serves a necessary function nonetheless.
   
   
2. Our son reads everything before I post it. He has ultimate editorial control, and I cut anything I am told to cut. Interestingly, he seems to be most keen to act as a sub-editor telling me when a re-write is needed or when my prose is experiencing - in his own words - technical difficulties. This is why my posting is a little erratic. He only gets 45 minutes a day to himself. It would seem a little unfair to insist on a prompt email reply, when he would rather be watching YouTube videos, or reading something of his own choice, or just lying there comatose recovering from four hours of dance.
   
   
3. All the children are protected. There will never be an anecdote involving another child from the school, even anonymously. No individual conversations will be relayed and nothing will be reported which might involve them as a year group. I can only tell our story, it is up to other parents to start their own balletdad or balletmum blogs.
   
   
4. I try to write two at a time. It may appear otherwise, but I have other things I need to do. I need to earn money, look after our daughter, walk the dog and sustain other healthy adult pursuits. Most urgently, there is a great deal of television that needs to be watched. With the response to this blog being so sudden and so impactful, it would be easy for me to become involved in this full-time. Balletdadblog could have its own Facebook page; Twitter account; YouTube channel; and full merchandising (mugs, t-shirts, tea towels, ballet socks). But, it won't.
   
   
5. The blog will never be monetised. The website will always be free from banners and other ads. I am doing this in the true spirit of the internet. I share for those who care. But if ballet companies want to offer me free tickets in return for a Shout Out - as the American kids say - I can perhaps be bought. Yes, even my integrity has a price.
   
   
6. The brunt of all the jokes must always be me. I am not writing this to be mocking or scornful of any individual or institution. I appreciate the comedy to be found in a middle-aged man trying to understand the complex traditions of the ballet world. I am also aware that I sometimes have a tendency towards the overblown and pompous. There is endless entertainment in watching self-importance deflate. I am ballet-dad-Malvolio. My pledge to you is that for blog number fifty - if we make it that far - I will experience a ballet class. Just imagine.
   
   
7. I will stop doing this whenever he asks.

One day I'll tell you all the things I leave out.

Next time is all about loving too much and making mistakes