In a post a few months ago, I mentioned that I have been in a Christmas flash mob. I received tons of requests (okay, a few) to tell that story. I’ll do even better than that, my friends. I have a video. Throw the popcorn in the microwave now.
Let me set the scene. My friend Ellen told me about this flash mob that was being planned at the mall on December 22nd. We had to keep it a secret, and come to a nearby high school a few hours beforehand to work out the logistics and learn the dance moves.
I had to tell my kids, but I tried to keep Matt in the dark. I asked him to come home a little early and take the kids to dinner. I told him to come to the mall at a specific time, but I didn’t give him any more information. Clearly he knew something was up, but he was a fairly good sport and played along.
Ellen and I spent an hour on the stage at the high school, learning our moves with the rest of the mob. My friend M. was there too, and we spent the hour giggling and bouncing around like elves on a caffeine high.
We arrived at the mall, and casually wandered to our spot. It was literally a mob – cram over 100 people into one end of the mall and tell them to look natural, and you’ll get an idea of how silly we looked.
The music started, and off we went. I knew my family was somewhere above me but I wasn’t sure where. Like a true professional, I focused on my art and giving the best performance that I could. Little did I know that my twelve-year-old was videotaping the dance. Prepare to get a little nauseous and hang in there; I turn up clearly at about the 40 second mark.
After my moment in the spotlight, I went upstairs to receive a standing ovation from Matt and the kids. I didn’t get it, but I think I got a few eye rolls. Whatever. I was proud of myself and my friends.
How often do you have the opportunity to do something, but don’t feel like making the effort to make it happen? It would have been easier to stay home, warm and toasty in my pajama pants and slippers on a cold December night. But then I would have missed out on a unique experience. And three years later, I still smile when I remember the time I put on my red sweater and a scarf, and danced like everyone in the mall was watching.
Nothing but awesome. Your kids seeing you do something silly and fun. And surprise dancing, when is that ever anything but completely awesome? (Don’t brainstorm. I’m right.)
No brainstorming necessary – you are absolutely right!
Thanks for linking this up!!! Love the new design! The color scheme is beautiful and that tagline is awesome! 🙂
Thanks, Lisa!
that’s so awesome! it looks like a lot of fun, I could do that 😉
Jen
Dana- in time- (if you haven’t realized already) that I sometimes lolligag- wander is my word (tattooed on my foot is my fave saying “not all who wander are lost.”) but, I always show up to catch up on blogging…lol! This is awesome as crap…(I don’t think that’s been said since the late 90’s but whatever) I seriously read captions & watched for you the entire time!!!
I am jealous! I have wanted to be part of a flash mob forever now, but can never find out about them. Any tips?
Unfortunately, no. I don’t even know what the one I was in was all about. I guess I was just lucky and knew someone who knew someone. Sorry I can’t help out!
LOVE THIS!!! You are amazing!!!
If by amazing you mean not afraid to make an idiot of myself in front of a crowd, then yes – I am. Thank you Leah!
This is too cool! You totally deserve a huge round of applause! I’ve never been in one before, but would love to some day. 🙂
It was really fun, Shawn. I hope you get the chance to be in one!
This is totally hilarious! Of course your write up leading to the video didn’t help. I started giggling too in anticipation.lol. It.Did.Not.Dissappoint. The captions were helpful in locating you. Great post!
Giggling in anticipation – I love it! That’s what I was going for. So glad you liked it, Hope.
i’ve been looking forward to you posting this. i’ve always wanted to be part of a flash mob. it needs to be on everyone’s bucket list. you looked awesome!
You asked for it, you got it! I’m glad the video was from a distance and you can’t see me cracking up.
OHMYGOSH THIS IS AWESOME!!!!! I love your captions in the video!! Crackin’ me UP!!!!
Happy to provide a laugh for you today, Chris!
Love your video and the captions…hilarious.. I am a sucker for a flash mob! Trying to get my daughter’s show choir to do one but they think I’m nuts!
Kids – they don’t know what they are missing. You have to find a really cool one online and show it to them, so they think it’s their idea instead of yours. 🙂
Huge goosebumps!!!! I am sad I missed this, and think ou may be my new superhero – I love the flashmob. You ROCK!!!!
Yes – my super power is sharing my dorkiness on the internet for all to see. I rock at that!
YAY Dana. SO much fun. I wish that I had been able to take part in a flash mob when they were all the rage. You were terrific. I love it!!!
Thanks Barbara. Who knows, you may still get your chance one day!
That looks like so much fun! Every year in my town there is a Thriller dance that you can participate in on Halloween, I think they dress up like zombies and everything! One of these days, when the kiddos aren’t quite so little…
My son did the Thriller dance with the whole elementary school a few years ago – it was fun. I personally knew the entire dance routine when I was a kid, so that would be right up my alley!
Oh, I love it!!!! I have never done anything like that – I am the one who would stay at home. But it looks like so much fun and I can just imagine the smiles on the faces of everyone who saw it!! (Come link it up o my do ONE thing linkup next week on the 18th!!)
Ooh – that’s a good idea, Lisa. I will definitely link it up!
OMG I’m so jealous! I love flash mobs – well videos of them, have never experienced on in real life. I would so love to do something like this – and I’m one that in most situations would definitely choose pajamas’s and home over anything else! This was great, loved the video and your captions!
Thanks, Heather. I’m glad I decided to do it – it was a blast. So if you ever get the opportunity – don’t choose the pajamas!
This is adorable! You look great…for those 40 seconds I could see you! I’m gad you made the effort and that this still brings you a smile 3 years later. Odd coincidence? I was part of a flash mob at a mall when I was in my 20’s ‘ I had to dance in a mall with a group of people for a student film that a friend of a friend was shooting. Funny.
Wow – I guess all the cool kids are in mall flash mobs. 🙂
I love this! And I am totally jealous! That had to be a blast and you’re right, it was a unique experience. Glad you didn’t pass it up!
Me too, Sandy! And I’ll remember it the next time I get the chance to do something out of my comfort zone.
You totally rock!!! Coolest mom EVER!!!!
My favorite part of the video was your captions!!
I had fun adding those in – I always have something to say. 🙂
Oh my goodness, this looks so fun!
It was very fun, Kristina!
I love this and you!!
Awww – back at ya, my friend!
That looks like such fun, Dana. Glad for you that you did it. And yes, a tripod sure would have helped the camera person! i wasn’t seasick, however. I was busy smiling and singing! LOL
I’m glad, Alison – it is kinda catchy!
That’s awesome! I’ve never done a flashmob, but I think it would be so fun!!!
It really was Sarah. I would love to be in another (smaller) one. Maybe I’ll plan one at the next blogger conference I attend!
You are freaking incredible!!! What a cool memory. It looks like it was so much fun and you rocked the dance moves
Why, thank you Kerri! You’re just saying that because the video is shaky. 🙂
WOW! I don’t know what I love most – seeing you actually for real dancing in a Christmas flash mob – or the fact that you and your buddy seemed to go the opposite way to everyone else on the second set of twirling – or the incredibly deliciously snarky subtitles…I love everything about it. Thank you so much for sharing it 😀
For the second time today you have me grinning like an absolute loon.
*THIRD time today 😀
That is awesome, Dana! What a blast! My son-in-law’s sister suggested we do a flash mob for our daughter and son-in-law’s wedding reception. At first I was quite hesitant but she was so excited about it and took charge of everything. She took a You Tube video that had already been created showing dance moves to the Bruno Mars song “I Think I Want To Marry You” and emailed it to everyone on the guest list who might want to participate. Long story short it was a huge success, tons of fun and a complete surprise to the bride and groom. I hope I have another chance to take part in a flash mob!
That is awesome, Mo! I would love to do something like that someday.
I looooove it! Such fun cheer! Scarlet is watching with me and she is neither nauseous nor unimpressed. (I’m a bit queasy..kidding)
My husband’s friend was in a flash mob planned at her company holiday party. It was funny because some people were in it, but largely, it was unexpected. We filmed it for them.
How fun! We certainly took the shoppers by surprise, but our group was so large that it was hard to be subtle. Did you see the guy with the stroller at the top of the screen? He got caught in the middle and had to back out.
We totally rocked! At least your family attempted to record it. My family showed up and started screaming down at me — “hey mom! Is this going to be a flash mob?” — about a minute before we started. Totally busted us. Oh well. If I embarrassed them a little then it was all worth it.
Yes, totally worth it. Thank you for being an awesome partner. When do we go skeet shooting?
What fun that must have been! Too bad you were cut off…LOL…gotta love our kids!
I know – they make us feel so loved and admired sometimes, don’t they?
Major cool points to your!!! I giggle mostly at the video skills 😉
At my captioning skills or my daughter’s ridiculously shaky hands? I don’t think a cinematography career is in her future.
All of the above 😉
WHAT? This is SO COOL! Your captions were the funniest thing about it! I love that you did this. You’re such a great sport – how fun!
I had to add the captions so you could tell where I was, and then I needed to fill in the long spaces of dorky dance moves. Glad you liked it!
You can never make fun of Special Edition again!!!!
Oh yes I can.
Very cool! How fun!
It was fun, Pat – slightly embarrassing, but fun.
Oh…My…GOSH!!! This is the coolest thing EVER!!! I would do this in a heartbeat!! You are SO cool. I love IT!!! –Lisa
Maybe one day we’ll be able to be in a flash mob together, Lisa. A girl can dream…
Dana, this is seriously the most awesome thing I have seen in forever. Love it and you totally did awesome. Thank you for sharing this video with us!! 🙂
Always happy to embarrass myself on the Internet, Janine. Glad you liked it!
I saw you! I saw you! Dana, this is too cool! I love it.
Thanks Shay – it still makes me smile three years later. So glad I did it!
This is AWESOME! Love that you ditched the pjs & got your holiday groove on! I’m a really sucky dancer, so the thought of dancing in public gives me hives. I only bust out my crappy moves if I have an adorable human shield to divert all attention from me!
I’ll be your adorable human shield, Nicole. Oh – were you talking about your kids? Oops.
This is hilarious on so many levels!! I love that your son kept panning away from you – OMG!! And, in the beginning, the poor guy with the baby stroller is trying to get though the mob…but he seemed to be enjoying it by the finish.
If I were you I would be proud too. It looked like you had a blast, you got to embarrass your kids and you did something out of your comfort zone. That’s a Christmas WIN!
That guy with the baby stroller! I would have cried. I feel a little bad laughing at the guy.
Don’t feel bad. At least we entertained his kids for three minutes. 🙂
You saw the stroller – yay! Isn’t that funny? I remember seeing him during the dance – he was totally clueless.
Dana, this is so cute! I watched the video and I totally could find you, thanks to your captions! Haha! Christmas music is fun and you look like you had a blast! 🙂
I’m glad my captions helped out – it’s a little hard to make people out in the masses. And I’m not the video editing expert by any means!