It's not as if you haven't done this before. This is where you feel comfortable... where you've wanted to be and have been since you were litle. But your muscles tighten, your heart practically growls in your chest - just like the first time. Just like every time.

This is what you do. This is who you are: whatever they see. Flash-flash, click pur SNAP. Cameras watch your every move. Judging where you put your left foot compared to where you put your right foot; the elgant sway of your shoulders; the exact tilt of your head - judging you like no one else does.

From the lighted runway, looking into the black abyss of an audience, you can't see a thing. But you know they're there, and they're studying you... the blinding flashes testify to that. UGH don't blink. You know that. You've done this for years.

Okay... calm down. There's the imaginary line on one side of the runway. Right foot just to the left side, left foot just to the right. There you go - settling into the rhythm.Walk down; turn; pause; hand on hip; walk back up, following the "line" on the other side. Pause one more time and disappear behind the screen.

Ah. You've done it again. Just like you always have; just like you always will.