My wife is a former ballet star from Shanghai, China. I met her when she was working as the artistic director for a ballet company in the US. Because I have extensive amateur theater experience, I was put on her board of directors and became her production chair. She said she needed men on stage, so I would have to learn to dance. I produced six ballets for her, performed in five, and as the comic lead in four of them (Herr Drosselmeyer twice, and Dr. Coppelius twice – I merely had to be funny or dramatic to a beat). I used to give pep talks to the dancers before the shows and during intermissions. I got to see up close how grueling their sport is and how much pain they endured. My wife and I are both retired in our 70s now. She has had both ankles rebuilt and one knee. The other knee will also likely need surgery. Ballet is not for those who are weak or lack commitment.
I didn’t realize physics are so variable. I’ve noticed gravity has been getting stronger as I get older. Distances are also a puzzle — I’m about an inch shorter than I used to be, but when I bend over, I find the floor is now further away!
The first thing to do in any emergency is DON’T PANIC! — Even if you forgot to bring a towel.