Jenny Amadeo
Chicago, Illinois

I'm not sure what compelled a risk-averse person such as myself to throw caution to the wind and leave the safety of my corporate job without another one lined up, in one of the worst economies my generation has experienced. Was it the three-hour commute? An early mid-life crisis? Hard to tell. I couldn't say exactly what got me here, but I knew what was going to get me out.

Tap dance.

I know what you're thinking: sure, tap dance is fun to watch, but how could it actually help anyone? I used to think the exact same thing, until fate intervened in my life last year in the form of a continuing education brochure and the following entry: "Tap Dance I - No coordination or rhythm required. Just bring your enthusiasm and tap shoes!"

No coordination or rhythm required? Why, I have neither of those things! Just bring your enthusiasm? I had plenty of that, and I was certain I could find tap shoes somewhere in this vast metropolis of Chicago.

Soon, I had my first pair of Capezio TeleTone II's strapped to my feet, and was feeling liberated in a way that reading Ms. Magazine had never made me feel. I was bolder, more confident, maybe even a little daring.

So now, once again gainfully employed, living in one of the most expensive cities in the US, and desperately trying to dig myself out of unemployment debt, here I am: a thirty-something newly employed amateur tap dancer. And these are my stories.