aliceBheartless
Forum Replies Created
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It's true. USPS has almost no money. And it is still with the doubling one of the cheapest ways to ship. I used to work jobs where I was evaluating building materials in their facilities. They don't even maintain them because they can't afford to. Interestingly enough, in some remote areas, USPS delivers Fedex and UPS packages. It's a huge, far reaching system that is still affordable. But its kind of falling apart. I am not in any way surprised that rates are going up.
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Snowboarding Accident: 9 – I caught and edge and tumbled, my board opened up my forehead and exposing my skull and I tore up the tendons in my left hip. This sucked hard core. Trying to walk out of the hospital almost made me faint.
SI Joint Issues after marathon: 10 (I'd like to qualify this by saying I haven't had any babies) – Never in my life have I been unable to do something due to pain. I usually force myself and I usually can do that. But after the marathon I couldn't stand up straight. No matter how hard I tried.
Gemini/Scorpio Switches: 5
Body piercings: 4-ish max
Orbital ear cartilage piercing: 7 – this was botched. It was hysterically painful.
Remi: 6
Maxxing out leg press: 6
Resetting Broken Arm: 7 – The breaking didn't hurt, I remember not knowing there was a problem until I looked at my arm, which had grown a new elbow.
My Tiny Foot/Low Back Tattoos: 3 – I was so worried, and it was absolutely no big deal.
Learning Knee Hold: 6
Initial Superman Attempts: 5
Catcher's Rollup in Trapeze Ropes: 7
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Currently, if I had a pole up, it would be the standard 8 feet. For me, this is way too low. I am 5'9" barefoot, so on an 8 foot pole, I cannot wear my high heels without kicking the ceiling. 9 feet for me would be likely the minimum height at which I could wear shoes. 10 feet is awesome. 12 feet is more awesome. I agree that anything higher is probably not that helpful, unless you can permanently mount a pole. I have been on a 16 foot PS pole permanently mounted, and I didn't really like it. Mostly because the top 4 feet I would never likely use and there was a lot of give in the pole that I really did not like.
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I would likely charge more to travel. Because it still takes your time and resources when you are traveling and setting up in another space, even though that time is not directly translating to a 1 hour private session. I think that if I were going to start teaching privates, I would try to keep them to my home/a dance studio. Because you can control your environment there in ways you absolutely cannot in other people's homes. IE, taking care of the pole on a regular maintenance schedule, checking its mount, having everything you need as far as mats and cleaners etc, being comfortable in your space (no random other people just showing up or hanging out), and starting on time! If you start traveling to other homes, its possible for some of those things to be sacrificed. Plus, students showing up late is one thing… the teacher showing up late is another (I only say this because I personally cannot get anywhere on time, not because I worry that you don't).
I have paid from about $50 through $90 for private lessons with pole stars where I went to the hosting studio. Don't sell yourself short because your time is worth something, but I would think minimum $40, and more if you are traveling.
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Haha “poling”. I hate autocorrect.
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I would say ginger and/or mint prior to piling and then as needed, if you find that it helps.
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I would say ginger and/or mint prior to piling and then as needed, if you find that it helps.
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Sometimes ginger helps, we usually have ginger candy, or just pieces of the candied ginger that can be bought in bulk in the grocery store. Can also use mint (gum, candy, maybe even tea. etc), as it calms the stomach. There are natural and homeopathic remedies for motion sickness available as well, but I do not have any experience with those options.
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I have also felt reeeeeeaaaaaaaaallly awkward about dancing for my fiance. I have never done it, though he has asked. He has seen me work out, which as others have mentioned, is not particularly hot, with the grunting, shrieking, and general workout vibe. He has also watched me perform in a show. While I like that pole makes me feel sensual, I definitely did not start pole to get that feeling. I started pole because I was too afraid to show up to any other dance class, and it seemed that pole didn't have as many rules. I suppose its just been a happy accident that liking to explore moving sensually did come along the way. I am a really private person, and even dancing/freestyling in my pole classes when I first started was really traumatic for me. It took a really long time to be ok with other people watching me. I suppose in the back of my mind, I would be worried about being self-concious the entire time, when I feel like it should be fun and exciting to perform for him. When I perform for other people, there's a facade in place. I suppose when I think about performing for him, I wouldn't necessarily want to rely on that facade. Guess there is only one way to find out! 🙂
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Whoa! SexyRockStarsWife, thanks for that link! I have never really looked up what the powdercoating process entails before. I didn't realize that the pole had to be dipped in an acid wash or sandblasted. I am guessing that the chrome coating is removed then? I had always wondered if the chrome coating itself would affect the longevity of the powdercoating or its ability to bind to the surface of the pole. Interesting.
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There are ways to rip video off youtube. So basically, if you put something up on youtube, there is likely a way for someone else to pull it off youtube and do whatever with it, no matter whether you set it as embeddable or not. I suppose watermarking your video would be the best option if you wanted to keep your name associated with your video.
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Forgot to mention… I totally get why burlesquers are completely irritated by people dressing in fringe and lace not actually… burlesquing, but still calling it that. Burlesque includes striptease. Dita Von Teese Forever! <3 <3 <3
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Haha Well they couldn't very well call it Cabaret, now could they? I have spent time watching the burlesque vs cabaret/neo burlesque debate. It would be cool if some people stopped worrying about labels and worried more about creating cool stuff. But so often one side gets vilified and DRAMA! ugh. I hate drama.
Sounds like a group that panders. A lot. When someone's vision is never challenged (in a positive collaborative way), bad things happen. Things get stale, etc. People do things that don't look good, but no one has the balls to say it. Sounds like the choreographer has been given free rein and the others knowing this have decided to do what it takes to get on her good side. Sounds like a situation that will never be drama-free. Or even remotely close, which is all any one can hope for anyway, I guess.
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Ah I see. Sorry I was so off base. I never meant to insinuate that you were not doing those things (working hard, showing up, etc), as I obviously am not there and would never know your situation, I was just drawing from my experiences with what I have had to do in the past.
I have been a part of breaking into a group and subsequently with building one, and these experiences have both been hard. Different ways though. I love performing so I stuck it out, and it was good for me overall. But there have been moments where I think everyone wanted to kill someone else. But everyone's situation is different. And it's important to feel like you can say what's on your mind. That should never be devalued, especially since you are all starting it together to get this off the ground. Is the choreographer the director of the group? Who is the go to person?
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Hmmm. That is a tough one. One thing I do know, typically breaking into a troupe can be hard to do, especially initially, and most especially if all the others started at the same time themselves. There tends to be a certain amount of protectiveness of the group (concept, style, skills, etc) involved because often there is a lot of blood sweat and tears involved with getting a performance troupe off the ground. Its hard to strike a balance between people who are friends and in it up to their elbows with someone who has just come in. Often a newbie can be seen as a complication (definitely a vocal newbie) to the group dynamic. It sucks, but can be common in group dynamics for all groups everywhere. Often it's just power plays within the group. And when people aren't paid for their efforts, things become personal because its hard to let go. If you aren't getting paid money, many people are not willing to let go of recognition, decision making, etc, or whatever else they see as the benefit for doing this in the first place. Because if it it isnt for money, it has to be for something else.
Basically, it will just take time. And you will be the bottom of the totem pole until you prove you are a valuable asset. Being a valuable asset will mean showing up on time, doing what is asked of you 110%, stepping up when asked and often sadly, keeping your mouth shut at the right times. All of this takes time and its about gaining trust. It probably took a long time for the current group to trust each other artistically. What you have to decide is whether you are willing to put in this time, and will it be worth it to you? Its likely that being the new person in a troupe will have a lot of the same qualities in varying degrees no matter where you go. However, if dealing with your current situation makes you feel bad about yourself, or completely takes the joy out why you do it, I would suggest reconsidering. Seems like your options are limited though, so working hard for this one might be the best? Only you know that. 🙂
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I loved Ballerina! That was a great one to watch. And you can watch the entire thing on youtube! 🙂
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I think its just a matter of preference. I tend to like the gel better because I don't like creams/lotions generally. For me, the gel seems to sink in the skin better and not have a lotion-y after feel to it.
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O yeah, I forgot to mention, I did not really notice much difference whether I used arnica, or didn't. I don't think it's a bad option, but it wasn't particularly amazing for me, either. I am sure this varies from person to person, because I know a lot of people who swear by it.
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I have used the arnica tablets, I believe they can be bought at any typical drugstore, they are pretty inexpensive. I have also used topical arnica and other formulations of things that mostly use arnica along with bella donna and calendula, etc. Typically, the homeopathic preparations of arnica are extremely dilute. It is not really safe to ingest arnica unless its diluted.
Chem where do you get 10% topical? The last time I was trying to replace my traumeel I was having trouble finding it in the gel form, and I couldn't find anything over 7%.
If the bruising is that bad, maybe take a little time off from those specific tricks, or just don't practice them every single time you pole so that your body can recover. Maybe alternate with some other tricks that will train in another body part 🙂
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Thanks for the advice ladies! I know that I should probably keep a food journal. That would be a good starting place, and working with some clean eating meal planning is likely also a good starting place. 🙂
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Definitely intrigued! That looks really good.
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I like having full walled mirrors. Helps so that the students can see themselves, and so the teacher has eyes in the back of their head! 🙂 Every studio that I have been to has had at least one wall completely mirrored. If you have that at least, I think you can do whatever else you would like for the decorative aspect. Honestly though, I like at least 2 of the walls mirrored if possible. And there can be other decorative aspects other than mirrors that can help make it feel less like a plain dance studio.
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Yes! Most definitely! I am actually way taller than my fiance when I wear 5 inch heels because we are the same height. He says he doesnt mind, and that I should wear them… but it makes me feel giantish in not a good way. So I only wear them when I go out with the girls!
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I love heels. I love them so much I collect them. I think I must have close to 60 pairs. This obsession is ridiculous because I barely ever wear them! Heels are just so damn hot!
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I too am excited to see what people have to say… I ordered it last night and am now counting the days… 🙂
