[MommaBear]

Serzi – That sounds about in line with the noise I am hearing and tends to happen more when I am bearing a lot of side weight – maybe that is why I notice it so much when stretching because I am using the pole for resistance while taking the bulk of my body weight out to the side. The temp and humidity changes do make sense, but when I am relying of this sucker to hold me and my weight it does make me a bit nervous when it starts creaking https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif It reminds me of walking out on ice or something.

Megs – I have heard people refer to the XJoint as being misaligned, but not quite sure I follow what that would mean. How would I know if my X Joint is misaligned? I don’t think I am having any issues with misalignment because I am always able to use the hex key because the holes in the pole line up with the holes in the X-Joint – so would that equate to being aligned? If so, would misaligned mean that the insert for the hex key would disappear and that the holes is the pole would now be useless because the holes for the hex key in the X Joint will have floated off to underneath of the pole where they couldn’t be used? https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif Dang, how would you even get that joint out with no hex key access hole to loosen it?!

[MommaBear]

Not abnormally loud, but when I am just stretching and there is no music you can definitely hear it. At first I was scared that the pole might come down (and that creaking was the pole working itself off of my ceiling https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_surprised.gif ) but the more I listen and try to peg down the location, it sounds like it is coming from the X-Joint between A & B.

Yet another mystery surprise from this pole https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif

[MommaBear]

Okay, that is unanimous – NO KICKING!!

I guess I will have to wait till I get some good muscles going and allow my body to do the work. Besides, I kinda like my ribs the way they are – in whole pieces (ouch Solya!)

Waiting on abs is going to take quite some time – I’ve never had or used them unless those are the muscles that deliver contractions during childbirth https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Chem – what do you mean by knee-ups?

[MommaBear]

I’m still using my "damaged" pole. Waiting for a new dome from XPole to see if it will fix all the other issues. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif I don’t quite understand how a new dome is going to fix a bent pole, but I guess I’ll have to cross that bridge when the new dome comes.

I’m working on getting some crash mats – right now I am using couch pillows. I haven’t actually "needed" them yet, I seem to be able to figure out how to save my a$s if things go sour so far. My biggest wipe out has been using my hubby for a spotter because he thinks it is fun to aggravate me when I have no capability to retaliate. No, I didn’t ask you to poke me in the butt when I am upside down, or tweak my nipple – I asked you to catch me if I fall https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

In the meantime, I guess I’ll just plop my butt up there and sit steady until it stops hurting, although I may have to take a day or two off to give my inner thighs some recovery time.

*** Edited to add: The knuckle thing – is that just a side effect of using my hands in a different and more strenuous way then what they are used to or could this be a result of incorrect grip or something along those lines? My fingers look like sausages https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif and my wedding ring is never coming off again unless this swelling goes down.

[MommaBear]

I am secretly hoping that the more time I spend upside down that it will reverse the gravitational pull when upright, thus canceling out the effects of aging https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Venna, I am not taking your lessons because they are online, and my pole and computer are in two different rooms. If you ever transfer your lessons over to DVD format, I will be all over them!

One thing I will say is that I went looking for a different take on the pole sit and found your lesson. I thought yours was way easier and it ended up that your teaching was the way I was doing it anyways.

The way Jamilla teaches it is to position your inside leg, then your outside arm, then to cross over with the other leg, while grabbing with the other arm – I just could not get it the way she taught it, I kept on hopping up there and ending with the same end result, but not following her step-by-step to get there.

So, I went looking for a different take on the pole sit and came across your lesson. Your lesson and the way you taught it was exactly the way that it was feeling natural for me to do it!!! Whereas, I found Jamilla’s step-by-step to be a bit awkward. So, kudos to you!

Off to continue my cheater inverts . . . . which by the way, I have found that certain positions are giving me a great stretch in my back that I haven’t yet experienced upright. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif

[MommaBear]

Try doing a google search for "stretchy thigh high boots" – I had a few things pop up.

http://www.odgirl.com/cat–Thigh-High-Boots–Footwear_%20ThighBoot.html

These ones actually look like they run a little on the shorter side too:

http://store-spikeangel.com/Ellie-Shoes-Womens-511ALLY-5-Stretch/M/B000AY0PYM.htm?traffic_src=froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_source=froogle

Good Luck, hope you find something that works.

Hmmm, you could always paint on your own thigh high boots with some latex – but I don’t know how well that would work for poleing.

Oh, just thought of something else – maybe you can find leg warmers or thigh highs that are that material?

[MommaBear]

I am worried that this is part user error and that I am over tightening the pole.

Is it pretty obvious to tell if you are over tightening?

[MommaBear]

Just wanted to update this.

I now have a nice little crescent shaped indent in my ceiling from the outer edge of the dome pushing up through the ceiling. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_evil.gif

I put the pole up again to take some videos and photos and have now found that my pole is bent! It has a slight bow right where A & B meet. It also has developed the ability to "wind" and "unwind" itself on spinny mode. Meaning. you can rotate the pole and then let it go and it spins on its own – like it has been wound up. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_scratch.gif

XPole is sending a new dome – thinking that there may be an issue with the dome that is causing a trickle down effect and creating all the other problems as well.

Patiently waiting – well not patiently, but waiting.

[MommaBear]

(((Hanging my head in sadness))) sniff, sniff, maybe I just wasn’t meant to be a pole dancer https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif

or, maybe this just means I am meant to be a pole dancer AND a pole fixer upper https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[MommaBear]

I actually posted this response on a different forum, but wanted to post it here as well in case anyone came through having similar issues:

Contacted X-Pole today and they would like me to send photos and videos to show what I am talking about. Here is what I learned just in case anyone else comes across any similar problems:

1. Dome Noise – probably just metal shavings from fabrication. I told her mine seemed a bit too loud and heavy to just be shavings, so that will be a part of my video submission – the unknown pinging mystery noise inside the dome. On a sidenote – they have a PDF file that will tell you how to take out the bearing assembly if you ever need to . . . not sure why you would . . . but they have a PDF file just in case https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

2. "Wiggle" When In Stationary – this is not supposed to happen from what I gather, so a video of this will be going along as well. She also told me to check and be sure the micro base was made the right way – with the flat sides aligning with the X’s. Someone had the problem on a defective micro base and that caused the issue with the shimmy when in stationary mode. Took everything apart and checked out the micro base – all is well – flats are aligned with x’s just fine.

3. Dome Dents – not normal, trying to take photos, but it is hard to get them to show up https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_evil.gif An additional bit of info – last night my ceiling suffered a nice little caved-in indent from the outer ring of the dome mount – so I now have a permanent half moon shape carved into my ceiling. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif

I was afraid I was over-tightening, but from what I gather, you will know if you are over-tightening, as it will be very difficult to turn. My experience is that it doesn’t take much effort to tighten and never really gets "hard to turn", so I just stop when I hear the ceiling creak or when it seems good and snug. Used a level, ceiling seems to be okay – nice and level. The mystery continues . . . now if I could only catch this on film!

4. Round Part of Hex Key – The rounded star-like part on the longer hex tool is for use in the middle part of the X-joint (between the two hexes). I don’t quite know what it does to the joint or why you would use it, but that’s where it goes in case you were wondering too https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

5. Rust – The rust is apparently no big concern. She says that the poles take a 6 day boat ride to get here so that may be why. As long as the rust is not out the outside, it is fine. Hmmm, not sure if I really like this answer, as rust inside moving pieces is a little sketchy to me https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif

6. Clicky Noise on Spinny Mode – She said that this could be a result of over-tightening the pole and something to do with squishing the bearings? Video to go along with this one too. Also, my little man is perfectly fine swinging in whatever oddly shape form he finds fitting – that is what they are made for https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

Off to do homework with the kids and then put them to work helping me make my videos for X-Pole . . . .

[MommaBear]

I had back problems all my life (curved spine, big boobs, bad posture) and pole has eliminated every single one of them. I carry myself much better, stand up straight and my back never hurts (and it has pretty muscles on it https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif). Whenever I stop poling, my back starts to hurt and it goes away when I pole again, it’s pretty incredible!

I’m SO glad you shared that – my back is a major issue for me too – curved spine (sucks when your wanting an epidural), bad posture, I guess somewhat big boobs LOL. I was wondering to myself if I would achieve a nice straight back like I see in some of the videos because I tend to have that curved, hunchback shape instead.

So excited to find out that it IS possible!!!!!!

Per my daughters request: https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_queen.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_sunny.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_smurfin.gif
She was dying to click those into a message https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[MommaBear]

Hmmm . . . . (((((licking my finger and testing the wind direction))))) . . . . (((((sniff, sniff))))) . . . . Ahhh, yes . . . the conditions are right . . . . . today will be a perfect day for poleing https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Just one more aspect of poleing I will probably pick up along with way, further proving my husband’s theory that he did in fact marry a half crazy woman.

Chem – I was thinking this humidity wasn’t helping – it’s making me and the pole sweat. It will be interesting to see how our ever changing Ohio weather is going to affect/effect (I never know which one is right https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif ) matters.

[MommaBear]

Your kids may even grow up thinking that those that don’t have poles in their houses are the odd ones! Wouldn’t that be great??

OMG, I can just imagine that – my kid walking into his friends house going "So, where’s your mom’s pole?" https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

i told her if she went around telling everyone that they would all want to come over and play on it, and her and i wouldn’t get too…has worked so far LOL

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif That is too funny – mine have only asked once in front of friends if I would bring out the pole – the other kids were too busy playing on the tire swing and didn’t even hear the request. I just quietly told mine that we couldn’t bring the pole out because I didn’t want anyone to get hurt. I swear, I wish I would have kept mine a secret, between sharing it with my three kids, I don’t get as much time as I would like. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif

Mostly, I figure that there is no hope in telling my oh-so-verbal munchkin to keep her joy to herself.

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif that is so right on point! Mine have already taken to finding the first thing that resembles a pole at the playground and letting the whole world know about it. I just smile and try to direct their attention to the slide before other parents start to make faces https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[MommaBear]

ive gotten to a point in my life where I just dont have any shame.

Ain’t that the truth – I think it’s a side effect of giving birth. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[MommaBear]

The more I have been thinking about it, your right on point Minicooper – I could care less what anyone thinks to be blatantly honest. I just don’t want them to pass judgment down to my kids – but hey, should they feel my kids are inappropriate playmates because their mom poles – frankly I don’t give a flying crap and they probably were not likely playmates for my kids in the first place. Ahhh, I feel better now. I guess I just gotta own it.

If there are parents that want to judge, all I can do is explain and be me – take it or leave it : )

[MommaBear]

Chem, you bring up a good point, and one that I had pondered after posting.

I was worried I may have stuck my foot in my mouth, as every one else seems far more positive on exotic dancers. I have been thinking as to why my views may differ so greatly. I wonder if location plays a role in my opinion?

Is the negative connotation that is attached to the professional more easily proven here than elsewhere?

What part does location play into the dancing profession? I know that Cleveland has made its debut on all kinds of lists – "Worst Cities To Live In" and "The Most Miserable City" etc. – I think it would be fair to say that in a city full of misery, you would be hard-pressed to find a flourishing, healthy environment for true "professional" dancers.

Would it be fair to say that our location is not one where the number of true "professionals" is high? But more likely, a high number of girls in the business are likely working to sustain a drug habit?

I do believe that here in the Cleveland area, dancing is far less likely to be seen in a positive light, whereas the standards of the professional may differ in other locations?

Thing that make you go "Hmmmmm?"

[MommaBear]

I don’t automatically think exotic dancers are "bad", but I would say that my initial views of the profession are guarded and cautious. I think that a majority of the girls that work in that industry quickly lose sight of what they are they for and fall into the drinking and drugging rut, which is where my distaste stems from. Being that dancing is an ideal and lucrative job for a single mother, I often see children suffer out of this situation as well, which furthers my disdain to remarkable degrees of hatred – I hate seeing innocent children suffer because of stupidity. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_evil.gif

When I initially ran across "chemgodess" on this site, my internal red flag went up – until I realized that her name stems from the fact that she is actually a CHEMIST and not a lover of chemicals https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif

I think I tend to be a much more guarded and judgmental person than most. I think it is because I kick into mommy mode and my overly protective mommy brain goes berserk. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_shaking2.gif

If you use drugs, don’t do anything else with your life but live at the club and don’t take care of your kids – I would still be nice to you, but I wouldn’t ever truly bring someone like that into my life.

As long as you are taking care of your children, taking care of yourself and keeping your priorities straight, your good in my book (but still under a watchful motherly eye cause it scares me). https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cyclops_ani.gif

Side note to self: settle down with the smilies https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_bounce.gif

[MommaBear]

Dang you are a MILF! Beautiful photos!

Hey, what happened to your head in the last one! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif

Gotta have a pretty face attached to that body so you get full credit https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

[MommaBear]

Just got done reading that link – thank you! Seems that the boobs under the muscle are just gonna get smooshed, as a matter of physics (hoping that is the right word) Probably not helping matters, I have saline implants that are already a bit far spaced, so when they get mushed, it feels like they are practically in my arm pit https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif

Ughh, what I wouldn’t give to have my breastacular, bouncy, beautiful, before-babies boobies!

Say that three times fast https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

[MommaBear]

Velvet, awww thank you. I’m getting ready for a huge change – going a honey color, the grays are getting to hard to manage against the dark hair.

Chem – LOL, ya’ know, I’m starting to wonder if these boobs are gonna mess me up – when I have to use my muscles it squishes the implant and looks really goofy and actually kinda gross.

[MommaBear]

Hmmm, wonder if I can convince my hubby to buy a pole and a laptop?

[MommaBear]

Would it be okay to say what night these girls are going out to SIN?

I wouldn’t mind lurking about the crowd and checking things out (if I could find a sitter).

I would love to have a permanent pole, but my only open area is smack dab in the middle of the living room. My hubby wouldn’t be thrilled with a pole blocking his history channel and ESPN viewing (not to mention the kids with their cartoons).

Hah, great mommy minds must think alike – I love the 2 year age gap, although when my last turned 2 and there wasn’t a bun in the oven, it was a heartbreaker. ***Sigh*** So, hubby got snipped, and I got boobs, guess that isn’t such a bum deal.

[MommaBear]

You all have me feeling so inspired – I can’t wait!!!! I feel like a little kid waiting for Christmas, about to pee myself in anticipation . . . okay . . . no peeing, but really frickin’ excited.

[MommaBear]

Thanks Tigger! Us moms seem to need that time so badly, and we sure do deserve it. I can’t wait!!

[MommaBear]

I actually checked those pictures out during my lurking https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

It really is a shame Hottie’s didn’t just spend a few extra bones to put up real poles because the bar is actually pretty nice. The poles (3) each have their own stage and seating all the way around so when you hop off to relax and take breather, you don’t have to go far. Since your seated in your little area, it "holds" your pole so that no one else can come snatch it up LOL I was able to flip upside down and stuff, so maybe they aren’t half bad, but I don’t know for certain if they are the real thing. They are silver metal, but more of a flat, flag polish finish and seem a bit wider than a traditional pole would be. With some mighty drip and vinyl boots, they may be workable.

If you venture out that way to play, please let me know. I’d love to come see some cool stuff in person.

I was kinda excited to check out Slam Jam’s, but if it’s just that one pole and it’s all yucky, I dunno how much I would be able to make of it.

I’m thinking of dragging my mom and sisters along with me to a class so I won’t feel so intimidated. Knowing that Be is a smaller studio actually makes it that much more appealing to me – not lots of people to laugh at me : )

C’mon paycheck – I want my pole!