This has nothing to do with my writing career except that it keeps the blood moving through my veins... but I have recently added "Zumba teacher" to my hat collection.

I realized, last year, after trying to pry my shoulders down from around my ears on a daily basis, that I needed  to add a sideline career that would actually take me away from my computer.

Not that Zumba doesn't feel like a literary pursuit to me; on the contrary, I feel like I've finally discovered Tom Robbins' secret to life from Jitterbug Perfume... Zumba reminds me of nothing more than the Bandaloop!

After exposing corruption and chicanery in two governing bodies and three major industries, the program focused on a new dance craze that was sweeping Argentina.

“They call it the Bandaloop,” said the announcer,  “and everyone is doing it.”

Priscilla sat up in bed.

On the screen, the dancers were skipping and bounding about the floor in a kind of exaggerated polka. Every once in a while, they would stop, execute a little backward and forward jitterbug stop, then, yelling  “Bandaloop!” they would jump straight in the air, up and down, five times.

Priscilla sat more erect.  “Morgenstern,” she whispered.  “But the bandalpop is more than just another dance fad,” the announcer said.  “It is a health fad, as well. Supposedly, it can add years, even decades, to your life.”