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"Most waivers are unenfforcable. Or rather a waiver does not actually allow a company to take away a persons right to sue. A contract giving away your right to legal protection is unenforcable."

If only it worked that way for everything….the independent contractors hired by the US military in the middle east have been using contracts which swear away right to sue to cover up incidents of our female troops being violently gang raped on those private compounds by male employees. I wish the same held true there. I guess that’s the lesson for those of us who might have a tendency to think it’s unfair for a studio’s waiver not to hold up in court. For protection against frivolous lawsuits, contracted waivers sound like a great idea. But, just like victims of rape who have been denied a right to sue, imagine if a waiver was held up in court for a pole injury that had resulted in spinal column damage/paralysis–or God forbid, death– at instructor’s error. It would only be right that the student/her family be compensated at least enough to cover her care, and I’d be just as furious that a waiver prevented her from collecting as I am when I see those private contracts held up against our female soldiers. If the lawsuit is truly frivolous, it can be declared frivolous by the courts and the attourney for the prosecution has a dark, dark spot on their record which can even kill their legal career (just saw this happen recently with a case in WI-it does happen!). We try to place enough safeguards in the system that, if judges and juries perform their duties ethically, prevent frivolous cases from getting through a trial. Obviously, it doesn’t always work, but what a terrible wrong it would be if our allowance of contracted waivers caused some genuine victims who had been grievously wronged to be denied the reparations to which they would be entitled. /steps off pre-law soapbox

Sorry to be so wordy, but lawsuits like this can have soo many sides to one coin. All parties deserve equal consideration in the eyes of the law.

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Amcut: ricotta pancakes are fluffy delicious heavencakes! 

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I decided to wait another year. If for no other reason than now I can turn 100% of my attention to having an awesome last semester so that when I do go, I’m the best possible candidate I can be. Reading all your responses was the biggest help of all, more so than talking to my parents or anyone else. And your stories stuck with me big time. ESPECIALLY what amy said about fear being a bad reason to plan my future. I appreciate your advice so much in all of this. It’s mad me realize it’s ok to slow down a minute. I love you all!!

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It makes me sad to see how many people don’t k ow how to handle tofu, because it’s a great addition to the diet even for meat eaters like myself. My personal favorite way to use extra firm tofu in a dinner is to cut it into really small pieces and put it in a noodly stir fry or lo mein sort of thing. It works in fried rice, too. If you use whole weat pasta and organic veggies, it’s a very healthful meal. Really intense Asian flavors work great with tofu, just play replace the protein. Not to mention most kids I know totally dig Chinese food. 

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It’s honestly the academia part of it that I wish I could fast-forward to. The relationship I have with my academic peers and my professors is so awesome. I know I want to teach…maybe not my whole career, but being young and teaching college definitely appeals to me. I think what scares me is what you said, that I’ll start to hate philosophy. It’s not even the subject matter per se that would grow old on me, it’s just exactly what you said with all the frustration and effort…I just DID that for 4 years! And I KNOW the challenges I face with my grad work will make my undergrad seem like a walk in the park, so I just don’t know if it’s 100% wise to rush off to grad school when I’m honestly feeling a little burned out https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_neutral.gif

The other problem is that I go CRAZY without the mental stimulation so I’m not sure I could handle a year totally out of school either. I had an idea though. There’s a community college a few miles north of where I go to school now with a nice culinary program. I guess there’s always the possibility of taking the year off to do culinary school so it puts a time limit on how long I’ll be away and gives me something to do. So I think if I wind up not going, that’s what I’ll do. My parents encouraged me to still apply for a few schools, saying that even if I’m hedging my bets on a few places, if I get into a dream school, why not go? I just feel like SUCH an ass going to profs for letters that I haven’t turned all my semester’s work into yet. UGH.

But congrats and good luck on your PhD, deetron, even if you are worse for wear at the end of it. Once you pass the defense (and I’m sure you will) no one can ever take what you’ve just done from you no matter how hard they try; you earned it and you’ll have that milestone forever.

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I actually lost ink when I used vaseline because it kept it too wet. And it clogged my pores so terribly my fresh tat got acne all over it https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cry.gif

I think it depends on your skin. Standard aftercare is plain, unscented Lubriderm or generic equivalent, specifically because it is non-comedogenic (non-pore clogging). If you don’t tend to break out and your skin is tougher, something petroleum-based will probably work fine, but the much more reputable artist I switched to and stuck with through a very large piece always tells me NOTHING petroleum-based, like vaseline or ointments that contain it. I know a lot of ladies on here have sensitive skin, so I wouldn’t want anyone to go slathering their ink in the stuff because you definitely won’t like what it will do to it.

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That is close too but instead of reaching around the pole so the pole is in the airpit, her back would have to still be facing the pole and the pole is against the back of the shoulder (same spot as the shoulder mount). But that is the control and straight legs I imagined.

So the positioning would be exactly reverse of the sm, where the hands are the same but torso on top hands on bottom? Hmm, if that would work I know I’m not strong enough to try it! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif I’ll just save myself the trip to the hospital and leave that for macho bicep ladies like Jenyne https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

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Hi chili,
I only have a straight edge and aysha with split grip. Once you said you were comfy with your SG butterfly I was going to suggest you try it with that grip but if it’s hurting you and your body is telling you to rest it, you’re doing the right thing by listening. Plus a lot of people say the SG aysha is more difficult then the elbow or forearm anyway. I just recently got a Forearm grip by learning to do the caterpillar climb and I would agree with chemgoddess on working on that to help you get more comfortable with that grip.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That was a big one for you Sissy, that’s seriously awesome!

As for aysha, from the perspective of another person learning, I have similar problems with elbow grip as I do with forearm grip. Elbow grip actually feels more stable for me too, go figure, but I haven’t had 100% success with either, so I just try to practice with both assuming whichever one is better for me will happen when it’s ready. In the meantime I do lots of regular butterflies to work on my split grip, but after similar wrist pain to what you experienced I also backed off on it and started at square 1 with it again. I think aysha is going to come for me like my sm did. With that I did walkups and just practiced lifting off the ground without actually trying for the full sm, so when it happened it felt really natural and spontaneous, because it was! I just lifted a little further one day. Soooo I invert, caterpillar, and try to support myself a little better each time…and pray https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

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I got hooked by my first-and only to date-visit to a strip club at 18. The girls were doing fairly simple tricks now that I look back on it, but with the flawless transitions and floorwork, not to mention the pure sex factor of eye contact that I could never ever master, I was mesmerized. I went home and found tarakarina on yt, and it was then I discovered she poles to deal with anxiety. That started an obsession with pole. But I didn’t get my xpole until September of 09. I’m 21 now, so it’s been a 3 year obsession. I only wish I’d gotten my pole sooner because it’s the best thing I’ve ever dine for myself. I had no adult sexual identity until I found pole. I’d completely shut that part of myself off. But you can’t avoid your own sexiness dancing in front of a mirror on a pole in 6" heels!

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You’re so brave! I just don’t have the guts to set foot in a
medical setting at all so the thought of having my feet worked on is sooooooo scary! I hope you have an easy recovery and many years of pain-free tootsies. P.s. Your post motivated me to figure out how to post from my iPhone. Yes!!!  Haha

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Unfortunately I don’t live at home anymore so the Chicago visits are a limited time only sort of thing for me, but if I can sneak away for a week here and there I’ll definitely come out.

I even brought my pole home with me this time in case I found myself a partner or two to play with but it’s looking pretty grim lol https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_confused.gif

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Oh my gosh one more of my pole heroes now on SV!! Yay! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif You are such a lovely dancer, I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say welcome home!

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amcut is definitely right on that. That healing window can be different for each person, but I would wait until it’s completely returned to normal. DO NOT rush it! Even when it’s just first barely healed over and it finally looks better, it’s still fragile enough that a lot of movement could cost you ink. You’re going to have it on your body forever, give it all the time it needs to heal.

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I know it’s way more rated than that link, but my favorite vid of hers so far is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuH0ODymmnw&NR=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. I think she made me fall in love https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

I’m a sucker for a really classy stripper who can just hold a roomful of people’s individual sexualities in the palm of her hand for 5 minutes. So I think I would run my checking account dry for a performance like that. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif My self-concept just does not allow me to be that sexy.

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Thanks again everyone. I’m just taking a short break while I recover from my surgery then I’ll be starting back up to finish my masters and also working on my nursing degree. Then …… finally…..one day….. I’ll be done.

You have had so much (too much!) on your plate lately, yet you keep dancing and keep smiling. Congratulations on finishing, even if it really is just starting. Take a good, long deep breath. You certainly deserve it! *hug!*

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Wow Veena that’s so awesome for 2.5 months!! I’m at 2.5 months right now myself. I may be able to do pretty much everything you can do in that vid (except aysha. you pole freak! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif you must have a hidden pole gene ) but you were such a pretty dancer even then. There’s no way I could make such an awesome vid as that.

P.S.
I want. Your socks. Right now. Is that fur around the top? So cute.

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Please don’t paint it or put makeup on it! You can’t be guaranteed as to what’s in the paint or makeup, so you risk either making it flare up again or adding the problem of clogged pores and acne on top of it. The best thing to do with that kind of skin irritation is make sure it is breathing, moisturized but not too much, and make sure you are gently exfoliating in the shower. As Sissy said, your best bet would be to (very temporarily!!!) cover it. Unwrap it immediately after performing because if it gets sweaty while covered you could get a heat rash, which I personally have done and it stinks.

Honestly? The healthiest thing would prob be leave it alone and perform anyway. Your guests will probably be so impressed by your dancing that they won’t notice. I mean, look at Pantera’s pole dance vids…..not as many comments about her ink as you would imagine. Too many people dropping their jaws at her wicked awesomeness. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_thumleft.gif

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i learned it with forearm grip first.

i took a pic so that it’s easier to explain! because i tried typing up the explanation and realized how hard it was to describe.

when i do it, i don’t have my forearm perfectly parallel to the pole. i snug the pole in the crook of my elbow so it’s got the skin of my elbow, bicep, and forearm to grab on to. then i run my entire lower arm along the pole, including my wrist. i dont know if this is how everyone does it but i find this is very secure.

https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif
Is this before or after you remove the bones from your arm?

Maybe it’s the angle of the pic making it look more extreme https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif

EDIT: yeah it’s just because you took the pic yourself but to me it looked like your arm was all twisted hehe

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I totally understand why it’s frustrating to have that one certain friend who will chew your ear off with complaints. It’s always a little maddening to find yourself being bugged by a friend. That’s just plain stressful! That said, I think we all go through a little of what she’s going through, yes. And those of us without any other kind of athletic or dance background go through it even more so. Personally, this is the first sport I’ve ever stuck with and really tried to push myself at and get myself all-around healthy and strong for. So I definitely sustained my fair share of minor strains at first trying to do things that were simply outside my grasp. I remember the first weeks of poling came with a LOT of complaining about being a weakling and really feeling like that pole was a brick wall. But one day I strapped on my megaheels and decided to make myself feel sexy no matter what. It worked, it changed my attitude, and I’m glad I didn’t give up. So give her time. I think she’s only frustrated because she hasn’t gotten a chance yet to find what about her, personally as a pole dancer, she loves about herself on the pole. But that moment does happen and it’s the moment you start giving yourself sexy eyes in the mirror and getting really intrigued by what you’re watching your body do https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_wink.gif

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What does everyone think of the super super skinny poles I’ve seen a lot of people using lately? I know Bobbi’s studio uses thin poles and…well she seems to turn out some talent doesn’t she! My only theory on this so far has been that I’ve seen all her students use spin mode, and maybe the added grip you get from the thin pole allows you to work more effectively on spin mode and build strength faster. Or just build strength faster from being able to grip split grips and such more easily. I know grip is pretty much my single biggest impediment with my split grip progress most of the time.

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Me too! I’m staying at my parents’ house for the weekend and I don’t think there’s a good place to snap a pic. But I will post them, I promise!

Is it weird that I have my center split but I’m a foot off the ground on both sides for front splits? Hrm. I’ve done a lot of yin yoga on my hip flexors, maybe I’ve just gotten them more open than I thought? I’m no anatomy expert so it seems weird to me. I feel like I’ve gotten them backwards.

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I remember the first time i subscribed to her channel over a year ago. It was her contortion videos that really hooked me. The way she blends her strength with her flexibility on the pole was was so inspiring to me that her style is definitely a major influence as I start to move past just learning moves and start developing my own thang. She’s one of those handful of dancers who just so perfectly emulate what I want to get out of this sport that I find them intimidatingly good. Thank God for the internet, because without it I’d be too scared to talk to to a few of my favorite people here, and even then…you girls and your epic skillz make me want to huddle at your feet sometimes https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif I get so starstruck with the dancers who take my breath away every time.

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I’ll use this opportunity to admit pole has given me my best body ever as well. I suffered for years with eating disorders, and I still get twinges of those feelings every now and then. But, when I look in the mirror now, my brain can’t lie to me anymore…I am smokin’, SMOKIN’ hot nakie! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif Pole comes with equal parts of fitness and outlook adjustment. All these beautiful new muscles on my body have changed my world!

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Yep a friend of mine did a perfect shoulder mount the day I got mine and then did a PERFECT flagpole just to really tick me off https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif Sooooo I just got vicious with my workouts and did a flagpole 2 weeks later. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif

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Wow congratulations that’s the next big thing I’m saving for! Post vids PLEASE so I can live vicariously through you!!! https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif