Ok, so I'm getting tired of seeing every FREAKING news station playing nonstop footage of Michael Jackson. I expect it from MTV, VH1, E, and all of those entertainment stations. CNN, CNBC, FOX-For CHRIST SAKE START REPORTING ACTUAL NEWS AGAIN! He died of a freaking HEART ATTACK, people, not like there was some huge bloody murder.

Anyway, related, I stumbled upon a page that suggested parents "Bust out the mutherf*ckin moonwalk" on their kids. Which made me decide I needed to do a little moonwalk animation (which will be up here sometime in the next couple days). Animating the sequence had me moonwalking all over the livingroom last night, which may be why my back is killing me today.

Don't know how to moonwalk? It's not that hard. So I'll explain how to do it.

(by the way, the moonwalk is just a BACKWARDS GLIDE)

POSITION/PREP:
Stand with your feet together. MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT LEANING BACK.

Shift your weight to your left leg, and relax your right. Bend your right knee and rest your toe (or the ball of your foot) on the ground. (don't put this foot on the very tip of the toe, unless you can stand that way and support all your weight)

Now, keeping your RIGHT leg bent, SHIFT YOUR WEIGHT TO THAT SIDE but KEEP YOUR LEFT LEG STRAIGHT. Lift your LEFT HIP The left leg should be STRAIGHT but bear NO WEIGHT. Make some circles on the floor with the bottom of your left foot to make sure it is loose.

NOTE: THE RAISED LEFT LEG gives the ILLUSION that you are still STANDING ON THAT LEG. You must be SURE not to DROP YOUR HIP, or the illusion will be lost.

Now, you are ready to begin:
1. Stand in the position described above, with your weight on your bent right leg and your left leg straight.
2. Keep your weight on your right leg, and slide your left leg back. THIS SHOULD BE EASY as long as you keep your weight on your right leg.
3. When your left leg passes your right, you heel will begin to naturally lift. Let your heel rise and your knee bend-you are about to shift your weight from your RIGHT leg to your LEFT one.
4. Shift your weight from your RIGHT leg to your LEFT leg, making sure to bend the knee. Make sure to lift the RIGHT hip and take your weight OFF OF the RIGHT leg.
5. Now, slide your RIGHT leg back. This will be a longer step than the first time, since you are not starting with your feet together.
6. Let your weight rock back slightly and shift onto your RIGHT leg, just like you just did before. Bend the knee, take your weight off the LEFT leg.

Rinse and repeat.

NOTE: The instructions make it sound harder than it is. Stand up and try it.





TIPS:
Don't forget you have an upper body. The position and movement of your shoulders make a big difference. If you are having trouble, try taking a position like you've just been PUNCHED IN THE STOMACH-bend your shoulders down and tuck your rear under.

It is easier to move your leg back if you have the shoulder on that side UP. To make it easier, straighten your arm on that side and rest your hand firmly on your thigh-as your hip moves, and your arm is straight, it causes your shoulder to lift and rotate.


It isn't the MOVE that is so cool so much as the PRESENTATION-
The more you bend your leg, the more impressive it looks.