Killing Time

Err

Tue, 06 Feb 2007 19:30:39 GMT

I just logged into my LJTalk account. I don't use it but it's great to see Frank here. I'm still not using this blog though :p.

I've Moved!

Thu, 31 Aug 2006 15:30:22 GMT

I've moved blogs to this one! I figured I'd have all my blogs on the same site. I shall still read my friends blogs from here though.

Umm... well that was fun.

Meme Book Page Thing

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 09:47:40 GMT

I have been tagged, as all the cool kids call it, by drsordid to do this meme.

Grab the nearest book.
Open the book to page 123.
Find the fifth sentence.
Post the text of the next 4 sentences on your LJ along with these instructions.
Don't you dare dig for that "cool" or "intellectual" book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it! Just pick up whatever is closest.
Tag five people.

The continue statement is similar to break, but instead of exiting a loop entirely, continue tells JavaScript to bypass the rest of the statements in the loop block and begin a new iteration of the loop.

That's from Using JavaScript which doesn't actually belong to me. It's also only one sentence but then it's also a paragraph and the rest of the book would send you to sleep so lets just leave it at that, m'kay.

Apparently I should tag people but since I don't believe in doing this if you want to be tagged then go right ahead and pretend it was from me.

Google Boy

Wed, 19 Apr 2006 11:35:25 GMT

I've been using a lot of Google's Services recently. They seem to have a lot of good idea and though, sometimes, their implementations can be a bit iffy they often hit the mark. One thing that I strangely like about the service (and I really do mean strangely like rather than, say, hate) is the Google Ads that you get for your GMail. It's such fun seeing what crazy crap will be advertised based on the parser grabbing the content of your mail :D. I had an advert for a (I presume) kids TV program called The Wiggles based on a conversation about wiggling while dancing. Ah such fun.

Anyway I wrote, some time ago now, a script (well not really it's in Java but it's so short I'd be ashamed to call it a program) to grab favourites from Flickr and add them to a directory for rotating in your background images. I've been meaning to talk about it and upload it at some stage and since I don't have an Application Development blog then I figure I'll probably post it here at some stage. Not sure if anyone who reads my blog will be interested but I figure it will be indexed and someone who is interested might come across it.

Ummm... I'm Still Here I Think

Thu, 06 Apr 2006 12:12:33 GMT

I haven't looked at LiveJournal in months so if I've missed anything significant in my friend's posts I'm sorry. It's unlikely that I'll catch up. Anyway I might actually make a proper post here one day. For friends that don't post friends only I'll probably subscribe to the feeds of. For those that do I'll try and keep up this time with posts (until I work out how to authenticate in RSS).

Board Games!

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 16:35:42 GMT

It's been a while since I've played a board game so I was looking forward to the BGoD we played on Friday. It was Twlight Imperium III, aka The Big Spaceship Game (^©purplesparkler), which was good fun though took a bit to get into and ended very quickly. The 4 player game feels strange given you have all the event thing cards. Anyway I'd love to give it another go at some stage :). I'd like to also try Arkham Horror at some stage though I'm not convinced that a board game can capture horror.

Google Curiosity

Thu, 09 Feb 2006 13:13:42 GMT

Maybe I'm too interested in what services Google has to offer but does anyone have an Orkut account? What is it? Is it exciting?

10th Planet

Thu, 02 Feb 2006 13:36:21 GMT

Well though it hasn't been declared as a planet (yet). The recent discovery of an object larger than Pluto (PDF) has been of great interest. Of course they have been talking of the object for a while but the confirmation of its size gives some weight to validate it and invigorates that curiosity of space I've always had. I expect they will classify it as a planet; rather than demoting Pluto to a large asteroid. I wonder if they'll stick with Xena or go with another name... UB313 has a sort of Aliens feel to it :).

Also; this strangely makes me want to play Traveler again.

Films and TV Series

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 16:35:48 GMT

I've been holding back from posting as I felt that my first non-dance related post should be significant in some way; a sort of return to old times that would herald a return of the posts that many knew and loved. Then I realised that I never made those posts and therefore I could just start with some garbage instead.

I cancelled my cable box subscription a month and a bit back. I haven't watched TV at all and I've found I don't really miss it. Generally a bit of my day was taken up channel surfing and there are better things to spend my time on (even if that better thing really is just playing computer games). This isn't to say that I don't watch TV at all; I have DVDs I've been watching and I've recently thoroughly enjoyed watching the Band of Brothers mini-series (the cinematography in it puts a lot of films to shame). I'm also looking forward to getting the next season of the Battlestar Galactica TV series when it comes out on DVD. I pondered buying a freeview box with PVR as well since I might tape programs that I can then watch at a later date. However I'm not sure whether this would result in me taping a big bunch of stuff that I really have little interest in watching but watch anyway because I have the ability to watch it at a time that suits me. I have refrained, for now, from purchasing such a bit of kit.

I've also been to see a lot of films recently. At times it feels like pretty much all the films that came out during the run up to Christmas and just as many films post-Christmas holidays. Starting around October (when the fab Serenity came out) I just ended up at the cinema once or twice a week. I did really enjoy King Kong which surprised me a little. The big surprise in recent time was probably Kiss Kiss Bang Bang which proved really witty and a lot better than I was expecting. I was disappointed in Jarhead to the degree that I wish I had just stuck with the fantastic trailer that it had. Underworld: Evolution was only saved by throwing popcorn at the person I went to go see it with. Finally I was recently disappointed by Memoirs of a Geisha; it failed to really do anything though it did look quite pretty. Anyway I did go see a lot more films recently but it was never my intention to turn my blog into a film review. If you want amusing film reviews I whole-heartedly recommend Mark Kermode's Film Review; I hear it is also available on this radio thing... whatever that is.

So Long and Thanks for All The Fish

Thu, 10 Nov 2005 11:46:57 GMT

Right well; that's decided. I'm moving all my dance related blogging to Blogger. It's going to take me absolutely ages to transfer all my previous posts across but I will do that (along with changing the layout and such). That leaves this blog for everything else like talking about life... well when life isn't in some way connected to dancing. So not a whole lot here then. I'll lose things like the Mood button. I suppose I can just post my mood though. I do ever so much enjoy creating new blogs :D.

I shall make tonight my first new post there.

Dancing!

Wed, 09 Nov 2005 02:30:20 GMT

Urgh! I've left this post till a little late in the evening. So I'll try and make it quick. This might be one of the last posts in LiveJournal on account of me planning on moving to Blogger with this. On that note should I bother to post my move list or should I just keep a local copy of it (given that Blogger doesn't have a lj-cut replacement; though I might look at JavaScripting it).

Tonight's dancing was a bit average. I had a lot of good dances (not great but good) but my moves and energy seemed a little lacking. Still I've been here before so I'm sure it'll pick up again. The numbers were balanced (men a little over at times in the beginner's class) which was great I prefer that to a thousand extra women. Even then there were a lot of women that I would have loved to dance with that I never got the chance to.

Someone also said that a bunch of the women said they really enjoyed dancing with me. Yeay!

First Move Tango Walk. Start a First Move but upon pushing out pivot to face and adopt a strong frame and a butterfly grip. Put the woman's weight on her right foot and then pivot her anti-clockwise so she cross-steps backwards with left behind right. Then redistribute her weight to her left foot and backwards cross step right then left again before kick-sweeping right around and moving back into your frame and then turning the woman out. Take both hands on a return.
Basket Push Around. Start a Basket. As you step back take your left hand down (but let go) and place your right hand on her right shoulder. Bring her in towards you and swap the right hand with the left (so you can continue the motion). As her back comes around place your right on her left shoulder as you turn slightly to continue facing the same direction as her yourself. Then push with right to guide her into a half turn to face. Catch right. Return.
Sway Comb Lean. Start a sway not taking the woman's left hand (doesn't really matter though). Exit by turning her then return and pivot side on from her. Lean as she moves into a controlled lunge (without any support by you). Exit by sliding your left hand to her right.

Ceroc Thursday

Fri, 04 Nov 2005 16:57:15 GMT

OK. So this is just getting silly. I will get around to making all my back catalogue of posts. I'm sure many of you are wondering why I'm bothering.

Tonight was really good; I had some fab dances and one that just really connected and worked. It had been a while since I had danced with the woman and she got all cheery and said how much I had improved and how much she enjoyed the dance. I shall definitely ask her to dance more in the future.

I feel that Thursday night's playlist could do with a bit of a change though; maybe just a slightly wider pool of tracks would help. I mean, I like dancing to familiar tracks, but the introduction of tracks I haven't heard presents a challenge and keeps the music fresh. Salsa often drives me mad due to the similarity of the tracks; I'd hate to think that Ceroc would end up doing the same.

Wurlitzer Back High Hand Thing Into Basket. Wurlitzer start then pull the woman under your right hand (apart from it being right to left it's just like a Catapult) and offer your left hand high on your right shoulder. Bring her in and she takes that hand turning anticlockwise (both of you) to move her straight into a Basket. In the lesson we directly moved out of the basket rather than remained in it and returned.
Under Arm Thing. Move in a bit like a First Move but keep the left hand low. Put your partner's right hand behind her back in a half nelson and take it with your right. Unravel her and as she comes around move underneath your hands then take the hand out for a Lady Spin. Spin her and catch right.
Man Spin Butt Wiggle. Start a Man Spin but get the woman to walk around you (while still keeping hold of the hand) and wiggle while she does so. As she comes around again take her other hand and let go with the left then bring her back to back and spin her catching left to right I assume.

Ceroc Party

Tue, 01 Nov 2005 10:04:55 GMT

Well a write up of the BFG and my Thursday night lesson are coming. I've voice recorded them at the moment so I don't forget them. My fourth party representing my fourth month of dancing, pretty much, as well. Unfortunately it wasn't the best party nor did I think I was particularly on form. The night started badly when in my second dance I nearly dropped someone; now I know that it happens and I didn't actually drop her but it still made me a little on edge. However as I try not to make drops a large part of my dance anyway then my lack of desire to do them didn't really affect my night that much. I think generally I just had difficulty concentrating and it took me quite a few dances before I felt more on form. Saying that I did have one woman mention I had a reputation (which was good apparently :D) as I asked her to dance. The music was very much what I've come to expect from an Edinburgh party night; I like a lot of the tracks but I felt there could have been some new stuff thrown in. Tried a bit more double trouble too and that seemed to go quite well; I ended up double troubling on the last track (excluding the twilight dance) and felt quite good at the end. So started bad and progressed to better throughout the night. I had a very good time post party as well :).

BFG Blues :(

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 00:43:47 GMT

Went to ceroc tonight and really did have some great dances. I feel it is important to mention that before going on to say that I was hoping I improved a little more. When I was dancing on Sunday (at the BFG which I will finish writing about) I felt there were only a couple of dances that went wrong and so many that just felt so right. Maybe it was the music or atmosphere. Maybe my sleep deprivation just made me think everything was great. I suppose my biggest disappointment in myself is that I had the best dance with someone from Edinburgh on Sunday and I was really hoping for that same feeling tonight. Though the dance wasn't bad; it just wasn't... that. Also someone commented that I was rushing the moves by half a beat; some times just not completing the moves on the beat etc. I shall work on this; I think it is, as she said, that I'm thinking about getting into the next move rather than that pause. Anyway met a couple of first time people that had a fantastic following skills; though they were a bit uncertain I still lead them through a few intermediate moves. Hope both of them return.

Twirl Wrap Walk Spin Thing. Do a two handed travelling twirl past your right hand side and turn and face the woman. Take your right hand up turning the woman's back to you and taking both hands to her shoulders (so her arms are crossed in front of her). Slide your hands from hers to her shoulders and pivot her right then left then right before spinning her out.
Pretzel Walk with Barrier. Start a Pretzel when you lift the right take it to your shoulder as you pivot clockwise (180 degrees?) then take your lowered left hand to the lady's far shoulder before doing a walk around and sliding the left hand into the lady's left. Guide her to your right side and kept hold so she forms a barrier then spin her out of that and catch right.
Return Lasso Dip. Right hand. Return her as you do take her hand down to her left side causing her to spin; move in and wrap her arm around your neck and take a standard seducer stance and lower her then correct. Spin her out.

I suppose it could also be factors outside of dancing that have actually affected my night. It hasn't been a good week so far.

Why Was It So Warm?

Thu, 20 Oct 2005 23:53:17 GMT

This is what you get for writing a Thursday post on a Monday. You've forgotten much of the event. As a result it is just a list of moves being, as it was, overshadowed by the BFG (write up coming).

Start a basket (another basket variant!) and step as usual then push the woman to the left using the right arm turning her at taking your left to her left shoulder. Take your right up to twirl her clockwise (?) as you twirl behind her (so traveling). You basically then rotate her into another basket. Exit like the end of a Wurlitzer.
Start a Sway but walk her backwards for a couple of counts. Then still walking her let go with left and take your right into a half nelson before ducking forward underneath it. Take your hand out in front while taking her other hand. Do some cross step log walk before taking hands high and into an accordion. Double handed return. Drop the left.
Lean Dip. Like last time; sort of we offered the left hand and moved straight into a first move in this variant.

Salsa and Chips

Wed, 19 Oct 2005 21:53:48 GMT

Well my third week of Salsa in my current class. Unlike last week were we didn't really learn anything in the way of moves we learned quite a few this week. Since there is a long intermediate class after the beginner and nothing for us beginners to do but watch or (yeah right :)) chat then I didn't wait around for freestyle. As such I didn't really get to practice any moves or enjoy a freestyle :(.

We worked on a cross body double twirl for the woman which is lead like a cross body lead except without a frame take the hand high and twirl her around using the raised hand pushing away; moving her past you and moving in to meet her. That's done on beats 5-8. We then did a right turn for the guys directly leading to a right turn for the woman then another cross body twirly move using the right hand to right hand. Then; still right handed we did another right spin for the guy swapping to left; moving left to a half nelson behind the back (this is on beats 1-3) and then on beats 5-7 bend down taking your hand around your back (you should have your right hand inside this; trapped when you start it) and drop the lady's hand on your shoulder; collect and move into a framed stance with a mambo step. It was a good routine I just wish I could have practiced it :(.

Venue Chaos

Wed, 19 Oct 2005 00:06:13 GMT

Tonight the venue was in a bit of disarray. The taxi dancer was also the venue manager which meant that she couldn't take the beginner revisited class during the intermediate. The beginner class went on past what would be freestyle and into intermediate. The intermediate class went on well past half nine. Furthermore the beginners couldn't do the revisited class until after the intermediate class. I was tempted to offer to taxi but, again, it would be on my own and I don't think I'd be very good (there would be a way to find out though). Had some good dances and noticed that there are some really good beginner followers out there. Danced with my ickle sister and one of my long term friends in some double trouble which was good fun even though I was making up most of it. Being super busy with women I didn't get the chance to dance with half of the people I wanted to including a big bunch of beginners which I really wanted to. Seriously I should give this taxi thing a go.

Beginners moves :).

Catapult Trickster. Start the catapult; move forward under tension. Take the right hand over your head and the left hand at the woman's left hip. Twirl her in front but as her back is turned use your thumb (!) on her right hand to stop her and take her hands back as if she was leading a catapult. Take your right hand out and over her head bring your left hand in front of you. Twirl in front of her with your right hand high then take both hands behind you as you move into the catapult under tension position. From there exit as a catapult.
Basket Case. Start the Basket but on the step back release with the left hand and put that to her right shoulder. Step her forward using the right and then spin anticlockwise using the left. Step to her left and put your right hand (flat hand facing down) to guide her forward before turning her to face and taking with the left.
Same tango style first move thing that we've done previously. Still bad at it; still love it.

Ceroc Thursday

Fri, 14 Oct 2005 00:44:44 GMT

Why not leave the post till super late again? It was stupidly busy tonight. There was probably as many women as last week and then more men had turned up to make it so packed that you could hardly move on the dance floor. It was an enjoyable night with some enjoyable moves. I can't believe that we still consider the In-and-Out as a move. I suppose the other three basic moves were quite complex but they could have at least done a Sidestep or something. Intermediate moves were really good.

Basket. Drop left and begin unwrapping with right hand swapping the woman's hand to your left and turning her clockwise one and a half times. As she comes around move into an Accordion (with right hand low). We just turned once and dropped the left.
Get ready with the Yo-Yo offering left hand behind back. Woman takes left as you push her out. Step to the right while raising the right hand (keep left low) and pull the woman left at the same time. Guide the woman forward with left turning her clockwise (for one and a half turns) taking her left hand into a half nelson and her right into a lady comb. Walk her past your left hand side letting go of the left as she moves past and turning her half a turn (clockwise?) using the right. Hopefully her hand is still in the half nelson behind her back as you keep your left hand in contact with her and collect her hand as soon as you can. She is now facing again where you can repeat the lady comb and walk her forward to the left. When you tire of this you quickly spin and a half her and return.
Start a catapult but as the woman is behind take the right hand out to the right side (behind you) and take her into a lady spin moving quickly in to take her upper back in your left hand and your right on her hip while she takes her hand behind your head. Go for a quick dip/seducer then correct and spin using right. Catch left and return.

Salsa Wednesday

Thu, 13 Oct 2005 10:00:37 GMT

Right salsa it is. First of I found out that we are doing New York (Cross Body) style of salsa. Given that I don't know anything about the Cuban style that's popular I'm not really sure where the differences are. Anyway first they teach an interesting dancers frame (higher arms elbows out) and leading with the shoulder for a spin. Apart from my lack of balance I was finding I could project myself through a double spin occasionally. Had totally forgotten the left hand turn from last week. I think the key point being that I kept trying to put a spin into it (there really is only a pivot). I probably asked less people this week than I did last being content to chat to people. I really should have danced with more people though. At times I also find trying to get the correct beat in the music difficult and in moves that are prone to falling out of beat I often don't correct. I'm also prone to rushing through the silent beat as well.

They did do a good job at telling you about using the balls of your feet rather than heels and how to distribute your weight; frame technique and such. Even if I can't, at the end of it all, still get that salsa feel I think I'll still walk away feeling that I've learnt a lot. They teach a good grounding in the theory of dance :D.

Anyway we did a cross body lead which involved using the first part of a left turn but stepping out to the side creating a gap for the woman to walk through. Guide her with the frame (so pushing on her high back and pulling with your left hand) then turn her to face and move back into "the line". Revisited some of the stuff from last week. I also lead a left turn using the ladies left hand and a right handed turn for the lady where you break her turn with a flat right hand (to her left) and turn her around for a left hand turn. The intermediate class did a multiple cross body lead that I tried to shadow with a friend. Basically its the cross body but rather than pivot to face your partner you pivot to the other side and keep an open line so you can cross lead your partner again then do the same again (you are transfering momentum at this stage) and release into an open hold. I'd say that I successfully did it about 25% of the time :(.

Not A Great Dancing Evening

Wed, 12 Oct 2005 00:14:18 GMT

Something wasn't quite right last night. I'm not sure if I just wasn't focused or it was the miserable weather (yes; I'm aware it is indoors) but I didn't feel particularly on form. This especially was true during class where I was hopeless with one of the moves which is the first time, in a while, where I've struggled with an intermediate move to the extent that I was prepared to give up on it. This was particularly crippling as I didn't actually think the move was that difficult maybe just to much unnatural feeling movements. I managed to mess up the second move for a while but then I realised I was offering my right hand; doh.

Despite not feeling on form I did have a surprising number of good dances. I was also snatched up by a few women for dances too which always feels good :D. So despite feeling like I was struggling and wasn't dancing at my best I did have a good time. Just hope my partners found it enjoyable too.

Armjive into Teapot except try and get the woman's left arm into a half nelson. Then pull with left hand drawing her to your left as you lower this hand and move into a half nelson with left behind her back and right in a half nelson behind yours. You then turn anticlockwise and duck under your arm to come out in front of her taking right hand between you and then high to unwrap her (still with both hand). Lower right step back and return dropping right for a left to right hold.
Sidestep Flamenco Walk. Liked this one. Start with a Sidestep then pull the woman past you to your right hand side. Put your left hand on her shoulder and run it down her left arm (as she'll be naturally inclined to take a right to left normally). You end up with a left to left hand hold. Raise your hand and take her into a traveling twirl putting right hand on her waist (her left side) and move right hip to her right hip and walk around with the left hand high (same as a technique done in a catapult a while back). Let go with left but keep walking with right at hip then spin her out of it.
I'm not sure why I had so much difficulty with this move but I did; it really consists of two independent parts and the second part (from leading the woman forward with arms crossed) I was ok with and I liked it. Start both hand hold take left hand over right turning clockwise 180° taking your left to your right shoulder. On the next count take your right high and behind you turning the woman anticlockwise and yourself clockwise while transferring your hand from your shoulder to hers. Take the right that you were raise as you turn her away from you (so you are behind her) over her head and to her waist. Then take your left from her shoulder down so she has her hands crossed in front of her. Then raise both hands high turning her (clockwise? or was it a return) resulting in your hands being crossed. Walk her to your right hip then raise hands turning her putting her left hand on her right shoulder and continue to turn to face with her right hand flat. Gently push spin this unraveling her taking her left high and allowing her to quickly twirl under than. Step back and your into a normal left to right.

Missing Dances

Fri, 07 Oct 2005 00:19:59 GMT

Another stupidly busy Thursday. Once again meaning that there was so many people I didn't get to dance with and I came away feeling guilty again. There were a couple of girls I was really looking forward to dancing with but we never got the chance. Then afterwards they were talking with me about when we'd next be available. I asked if they were going to the salsa club (since both of them know a little salsa) and I'd dance a bit of salsa with them there. But somehow I missed them there and felt really bad. I'm hoping that I get dances with the both of them in the near future.

I did see a few people from my salsa class there and had a dance with one of them which was really good fun.

Tonight's playlist was fab. Maybe I was just in the mood to dance but what the teacher was playing tonight really worked for me. It still had his own slant towards fast tunes but he's added a few in there that I really liked and kept much of the good old stuff too. We had quite a bit of old skool Rock and Roll which I found really enjoyable for a change. Still hoping that Tiggerbabe finds the time to do a few sets in Edinburgh.

I also got a compliment on the way I clearly lead the Man Spin. Yeay!

Catapult, Step Across, First Move and, Shoulder Slide. Then intermediate which I had quite a bit of difficult with even though I had lots of practice as they had to move a billion women on or something.

Start with Basket. As you come out of it take your left to her right shoulder then lift right over her head as you turn away from her place your right on your left shoulder and then; your left on your right so you have your hands crossed in front of you and your partner facing your back. Let go with with both spin to face with her left hand still on your shoulder and taking her right in your left (quickly) and right on her hip and move into a mambo step (start forward) for a few before pulling her past into a turn then return and (in this case) manspin to get to right.
Bring the woman past with the right while swapping hands behind your back (so you turn away from her). Take your left hand out with your back is turned to her so she has her back turned to you as well. Spin her but keep hold and put your right hand on her shoulder to stop her spin. Push her firmly but gently back out into the previous position. Spin as normal catching right.
Move into a Sway. Execute the Sway as normal. When coming out of it nudge the woman forward keeping hold of both hands resulting in the sort of tension position a woman would see in the Catapult except with really weird arm position move forwards changing to a flat to flat hand (with your hands upwards) bringing your hands in a position to the side and just underneath of her breasts. Step back and begin to squat on your knees while she moves into a Drop Kick. Correct and turn out right-to-right (in this case we did a quick hand swap to left).

Salsa Is Not Ceroc

Wed, 05 Oct 2005 22:55:00 GMT

I've got a backdated ceroc entry nearly ready to go. That will appear before this post.

Went to a Salsa class tonight which I'm trying out for a while. Went to the absolute beginner's class even though I have done some salsa before. Last time I stated that I did enjoy my dances even though they felt as hopelessly limited as my Ceroc did when I started that. Well this time it was worse. There were lots of very experienced dancers there tonight and I felt that I gave them some really dull dances. I also found some of the music a little challenging to pick up the beat on. Like the first time I went I still had a little difficulty not trying to start something else on the 4^th beat. Anyway even though I danced a little ceroc at one stage (only because the woman was interested) I'm still looking forward to giving it another go.

Moves; like the last time. On twirling a woman you take your left hand left, right then up (on each beat) to indicate she should go into a spin (it feels a bit like trying to execute an uppercut on Streetfighter) where she'd perform a right spin which consists of a step forward (left foot) pivot on both feel to face the other way (second beat) and then push with the left foot spinning 180° on right to face partner. We also did a spin as a man that when stepping back on right (5th beat) you pivot on both feet swapping the woman's hand to your right hand behind you then spin clockwise to face. We also did the Mambo step with a high frame with right hand on shoulder blade and left in a ceroc like hold. Finally we also did a left turn which takes a full eight beats. Start left forward; tap right; left back to behind the right and at an 90° to the left. Cross step the right over the left to turn away; tap left and straighten it (to be able to put your weight on it); spin using left foot 180° to face partner.

Another Note Post

Wed, 05 Oct 2005 00:27:27 GMT

It was an enjoyable night though I did seem to be settling into doing the same moves rather than using many of the other moves that I've learned. I shall work harder on using the moves I've pushed aside. Quite a lot of new women tonight and it enjoyed dancing with them.

Firstmove Push Spin, Yo-Yo, Comb, Step Across.

Left hand. Traveling twirl the woman past you and take her hand in a wide circle to the right turning it behind her (in a half nelson) and causing her to turn her back to you. Both of you walk forward for a count. Pull down and out with her hand causing her to turn to face. Twirl her past and repeat. Twirl her past again to exit the move.
Pretzel. Since I don't think I've ever done a Pretzel in class even though I do them fairly often. Offer right hand at waist level behind back. Woman takes this hand. Move back-to-back lowering left hand and then raising right moving the woman to your right. Draw right hand slightly around and turn to your right to face your partner. Lead her forward with left turning your back to her to turn to your left. Take her out and around anticlockwise.
Flingy Flung. Wurlitzer start. Upon pushout continue to face partner; spin her into her own arm until she has her back turned. Put your left hand on her left shoulder causing her to stop. Lightly push outwards causing her to spin away again (still holding on). Flick her hand down and forward causing her to spin (again) and catch right to right.
Right handed push in and out as a filler.
Offer left hand above right she takes. You twirl both hands about her head until she comes around to face then you then keep turning her turning yourself in the same direction taking hands over heads so both your and her left hand is on her left shoulder and your and her right hands are on your right. Drop your left to the woman's upper back (between shoulder blades). Drop right and take woman's left hand in right. Dip her back as you lean on your left knee (for possible support). Raise and use right to turn her one and a half times moving to a lady spin and spin her.

Really Late Dance Entry

Sun, 02 Oct 2005 16:42:40 GMT

I had this saved as a private entry for a while just because I didn't have time to do a proper write up. Taken me a while to get around to actually finishing it.

Like most Thursdays there were far too many women. You might think this a good thing for a guy, I certainly find that never needing to sit out on a dance a good thing, but you find you try and build a list of people you'd like to dance with in class and find you never get around to dancing with half of them. Resulting in you feeling, at the end of the evening, like you haven't danced with most of the women there (probably true). Anyway there isn't really anything that can be done about except for some of the women to go to other nights (or for more men to attend on a Thursday but then I think the dance floor is busy enough).

The music was done by the fab Tiggerbabe tonight. It was a really good set though probably more challenging than what we are used to on a class night (I felt there was more songs with a tempo change and breaks in than we normally get); that certainly wasn't a bad point I enjoyed the challange. A really fab selection of songs but maybe Tiggerbabe should do some more sets in Edinburgh just so we can check it isn't just because she's an infrequent DJ to us (:non-existant whistle thing:). She also came to find me for the last song and we had a really good dance together. I'm always really flattered when anyone asks me to dance but when such an incredable dancer does I'm also surprised as well.

I doubt I would have remembered the Beginner's move by this stage if it hadn't been for the fact that a followed a woman (in freestyle) who was trying lead for the first time in class. The moves were Yo-Yo, Slo Comb, Basket and, Man Spin.

The same move as the first move I did on the 25^th of August (which I never named back then either). It is worth metioning after turning the woman both her hands should be at waist level and you should take a count before moving into the steps.
We did the Accordian Seat like I did back on the 9^th of August. As a note they taught a much stronger dimond shaped frame the the Accordian that I might have missed last time. Also take both the woman's hands above her head when her back is turned to you. It also had a varient ending where after you sit when you've taken your left hand to her right hand side transfer her left to your right. As you stand up begin turning to the left to move around the woman and change direction. Twirl her a one and a half times then put her into a spin catching left.
First Move Tango Walk into Lean. Some nice footwork in this. It is a shame that I'm so bad at footwork. Still it gives a good oppertunity to practice. Start like a first move; push the woman out and change to a ballroom grip with the left (at first I didn't understand why but it is for the lean). Bring the left low so you are facing your partner with your right on her hip and left in the ballroom around waist level (?). Push on the woman's hip and draw in with the left hand; at the same time stepping crossing your right foot behind your left; the weight change you caused the woman should be mirroring this. Guide with the left hand causing both of you to correct the cross step by stepping left with the left foot. Pull in with the right and push out with the left this time causing the woman to step forward (with her left) while cross stepping yourself with right in-front of left. Then step with left to get out of a cross step. Each of the cross-step then correct happens on one count (so each step happening on a beat). Do the same as the first time pushing out but move the right hand to the small of her back while taking the left hand high to dip her slightly in-front of you as you bring the left knee behind her (effectively allowing her to sit on it if she wanted to). Correct then move out like a normal first move. I've sort of forgotten this posture correctly. Footwork sort of still being a bit of a novelty I had a bit of difficulty with the move. I'll see if I can run over it with someone that knows and update my notes :D.

Southport Extravadance Extravapost!

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 22:46:57 GMT

Big post. I haven't actually proof-read it yet and I probably could have gone on a lot longer about all the things that made the weekend so good (well the dancing made the weekend so good; but in more detail). It's quite long.

I went to a dance weekender over the weekend. A whole weekend of focused dancing. It's obviously the first one of these that I have been to. The atmosphere was fantastic! Everyone there to dance; the dancefloors packed from morning to evening (to morning again). It was so good heading into the main hall at midday and so much dancing going on and likewise heading in at midnight and that same atmosphere.

I met so many nice people as well; right from the start where I met the forum crowd, to talking with random women in a workshop, to talking with the very experienced dancers or just dancers from all sorts of background. I was hoping for that friendly atmosphere that you get in classes but it was wonderful to see that it applied to a much larger scale event.

Anyway I'm going to describe the events and stuff that I did in-between. I'll try and keep it interesting :D.

Icebreaker Class

Led by the wonderful Marc and Rachel. After seeing them dance together I was gob smacked at the style and technical skill of the both of them. It also turns out that both of them are really lovely people (especially Rachel; I'm forming a fan club for her). Anyway they gave a good introductory class with a few fairly simple moves but all new to me so I really enjoyed it. Since I didn't jot down notes till 6am the move descriptions might be a bit sketchy.

Almost Man Spin. Start a Man Spin but turn clockwise to face your partner and push out rather than complete the spin.
First Move Slide. First Move. Step out but then bring your left hand forward and down to bring your partner to face you while taking a quick step on the right foot and then slowly slide the left to meet it. Then a fast step on the left and slide the right to it.
Travelling Twirl Into Left Handed Comb. Twirl the woman past in front of you and take her left with your right on the way past. Go into a left handed comb and walk past facing your partner. Let go with left and catch again at waist.
Twirl into Push Out. I think we then did a double twirl with the left before then pushing out to step stylishly away from our partners.

Forum Gathering

Not a class at all. Just found it a great experience meeting lots the people from the Ceroc Scotland Forum. Chatting with them... well you just realise what a lovely bunch of people go dancing (even if they often pretend otherwise on the forum). I think the fact you get to meet the people in real life like this emphasises what a great resource the forum can be. Danced with as many of them as I could before my second workshop...

Total Blues 1

Since I've had no experience with Blues dancing before that evening and I was expecting to spend a bit of time in the blues room later then I thought I'd better try and pick up some moves. Found the sudden absence of personal space with a complete stranger a little uncomfortable (hey; I'm shy) but I got over it. Loved the fact that they gave the move list out; so this is just me copying from that :D.

Basic/Penguin/Slingshot. Basic position, sinking form side-to-side, changing tempo on spot or with penguin, slingshot ladies out.
Lady's Walk/Squat/Shimmy Down Sit. Lady's teasing walk and turn, both squat. Guys pull ladies into 'reverse' position with right hand in manly manor (basically into a sit-down but by using hand on her wrist), both shimmy down with ladies sitting on guy's knee or guys legs on either side. Ladies out into Wurlitzer position.
Reverse Lean/Double Outwards Lean. Guys wrap ladies into side, and clamp with right arm (around back of waist) facing opposite directions, ladies stepping and turning. Both lean, guys bring ladies up, grap lady's right arm, ladies cross over right in front of left, guys lock lady's back foot with guy's right, both lean outwards. Travelling return changing hands.
Wurlitzer/Wrap in Dip/Seducer. Travelling bluesy Wurlitzer with hands low, spin ladies in front and dip, guys taking left hand over lady's shoulder. Ladies placing right arm around guy's waist.
Hip Rolls. From basic position. Guys lead ladies into roll by bending knees and rotating clockwise.
Flashy Caveman Exit. Just for fun! - guys drag ladies helplessly away.

Late Night Dancing Friday

So it moved into late night freestyle where I started with the faster music in the main room later moving to the blues room and trying some slower dancing. Found the Blues lesson useful but still wasn't overly comfortable with Bluesy dancing. By this stage I had already been intimidated enough that I'd often be quite shy about asking people I didn't know. Anyway at 04:30 I called it a night.

Next Day

Well the next day I woke up feeling like crap (I don't think I drank enough water or ate enough on Friday). I started doing the Silky Smooth Jive class but I bailed about three quarters of the way through (it was extra men on so I didn't feel guilty about leaving). Anyway some of the moves I did do (feeling not well may have affected my recollection though).

Silky Smoooooooth Jive

First Move Mambo. Start a first move on pushing the woman out move forward placing left foot forward into a mambo step with her.
Cha Cha. Start to back off with the mambo changing both hands to an curled just-below-chest-height sort of open hold. Take a step with your left foot to the right then release with the left hand while stepping to the left (as the follower does the same) turn to face taking hold of other hand and wiggle a cha-cha-cha with your hips. Do the same to the right. You can spin the woman at a release stage. Hopefully you can get in a cha-cha-cha before she turns to face.
...err... told you I wasn't really doing that well :(.

From there I tried to eat, had a massage and, tried to hydrate myself. I basically wasn't wanting to go to bed so I could attend Frank's class. Which I did :).

How To Slow Jive

Whereas Bluesy dancing promotes a new range of moves more suited to Blues track this class was focusing on how to slow down jive moves to be more suited to slower tracks (though not generally as slow as bluesy dancing). There wasn't really a list of moves it was just the First Move and the Man Spin we used. It focused instead on how to distribute weight and move someone around using that. I found it a really useful class and though I still need practice I felt it was a really good way to dance; I'm glad I stayed up for it. Anyway I'll try and describe the technique taught.

First Move; as you move out you take the right hand into a very high position resting the hand between your follower's shoulder blades and hopefully having her arm resting against yours with her putting just a little bit of downwards force in it (a bit like a ballroom frame). This keeps a better connection and allows the lead to control the dance better. The left hand also has some tension though you really controlling with the right. You pretty much bring the left down to move your partner to face. From here you can shuffle your and her body to the music controlling both your and her weight distribution to a given foot or a sort of neutral both feet. You can then use this to, say, put her weight on her front foot; put your foot to the inside of her back foot and then lift and push that back transfer weight to the back and slide in the front foot. I've recreated it a few times in freestyle now to a variety of effects. He also taught a quick left hand sweeping up and around then past her eyes for some meaningful eye contact :D. By pushing her slightly away with the left and then pull her back in (also changing your weight distribution) you can also sort of get this away-in-away-pause or visa versa in step to the music. Lower the frame and then you are back to a regular First Move. We also did a slow turn by just pivoting on the balls of your feet on the man spin to slow the move down rather than waiting half a count. Frank put it that it's like you just don't want to let the lady's hand leave your waist. It was a good way to put it.

It went well in most cases though one woman I didn't get that connection and I didn't follow the routine at all just because I didn't see the point of trying the more tricky stuff while the actual point of the lesson hadn't been achieved. Anyway she basically called me shit; which, to be fair, I probably wasn't at my best but it certainly made me feel crap.

Then I went to bed :).

Saturday Evening

When I woke up Saturday evening I was feeling a bit better and though I took my time (and think I started annoying a partner I danced with a bit for not really wanting to find someone else to dance with). By 3am I was all ready for some serious dancing (well as seriously as my dancing gets) and had some really good dances until just after 7 when they finished.

Sunday

Sunday I was feeling much better than I was Saturday afternoon so I went to a big bunch of workshops!

The Waltz

Sunday afternoon I attended The Waltz class. As it has always been a dance I've wanted to do it was keen on the class. LMC and I decided to stay as fixed partners rather than constantly swap around. Seemed to be a good plan as I initially had a little difficulty getting into the flow and she was a very patient partner. Anyway ballroom frame (well... yeah) and then step forward (for the sake of this post) left foot step and then to the same distance but with separated legs with the right foot then bring the left foot together with the right before stepping on on the right foot taking the same steps. The same can also be done backwards or just effectively around in a little box by alternating forwards and backwards. Turning involves pivoting as you make that step (you plan a pivot on the first step by turning it). To pivot you effectively need to step back with the first foot (as you can't use the same foot twice). Why am I describe this; there are probably about a million resources for waltzing out there and they'd do a better job than me.

Anyway great fun; which I could practice it more :(.

Smooth and Sassy Jive

Not sure how smooth and sassy this class really was but it did have some good moves that I'm still using and are good for surprising people at my usual venue.

First Move Penguin Walk. Start a first move go into a high frame (like in Frank's class). Then guide with left to get your partner facing you standing close and put your left hand down to your waist. Take small steps around quickly changing your and your partner's weight and you can get to a very quick spin which can be great fun. I did get it wrong at least a few times afterwards though.
Almost Pretzel Manhattan. Offer as a Pretzel but snatch away while turning moving your arm into a half nelson behind you and turning 180° clockwise and placing your right hand on your partner's shoulder with right foot forward. You then do a mambo step (though you are offset from your partner) then step forward pulling left arm behind much like the end of a Zipper and spin your partner turning to face yourself.
Dip Return Move. Return your partner. As you do so place your right hand on her left shoulder when her back is turned and keep turning her so she has her back turned away again with your right arm stretching across her. Transfer her right arm to above yours. From the left. Run your left arm down her arm taking her left in yours (at waist level). Hopefully she has tension in that arm as it acts as an additional support. Use right leg as a support (like parking a bike they said) then lean her backwards before correcting and exiting out right-to-right.
Use a long dragging kick (I know there is a name for this; I've forgotten it though) to turn away from your partner then pull her into your right into a sway position using the long kick again you turn both of you around then go into a standard Sway exiting as normal.
Move past the woman on the left drawing your arm out to the right so you are standing behind her. You keep a strong tension allowing her to move past fully and go into the same sort of long kick turn that you did (except she does it for two beats). Return comb.
Bring left hand high walk behind your partner (in the left) then step right then move back to face her spinning her twice then do a stylish push off (so removing hold entirely).

Dips, Drops and Seducers

I was going to give this class a miss, given the fact it was marked as Intermediate/Advanced, but I found a willing fixed ~~victim~~partner to do it with me so I went to the class. I'm glad I did it was a really great class and my partner was excellent; I couldn't have asked for a more fab girl to do the class with. Anyway big bunch of moves:

Move right hand to woman's left shoulder; push away then move right arm in a big circle (just to indicate the move) moving in to the left of her (not quite hip to hip though). Let go with the left as she places her left hand on to the right of yours on her left shoulder locking your arm in. You then turn her to face your right side (still very much to the right at a 90° angle). You place your left hand on her upper back for additional support and keep your left leg facing away. She raises her left hand in a stylish pose (that helps keep your hands locked in). You then lunge to the left drawing her into a drop that gets quite close to the ground before bringing her back up and using the right-to-right on her left shoulder to turn her around and return (or whatever).
Left arm. Offer right in a strong downwards sort of poise (facing your hand to the floor). Loop in your right under her right. She should (if she knows the move) wrap her right hand around your right shoulder. If she doesn't best to abort at this stage. Anyway while that's going on you take your right arm up her back from the around the lower part of her back and your hand (with palm pointing away from her) to her upper back moving just slightly past her. If you like (and I really do) you can place your left hand on her left shoulder. Again you are lunging away bringing her low. Bring her back up sliding right out and taking her right in your right arm.
Start with right. Return changing right hand into a ballroom and then moving to a comb. Move really close in and place right (?) leg between the woman's as she does the same with you. You then begin to sit down on each other's leg (sort of a squatting position) supporting her back with your left. Then when you are securely in that position you can take your right hand from behind your head leaning back to counter balance your partner doing the same. Then you begin to stand taking your hand behind her head into a lady comb. When you get back up you move into a the latter part of a neck break and continue from there.
Right hand start. Offer left at waist level on right as you switch to a ballroom grip at the same time. Turn her out to the right extending right hand out. Make sure she is at least on your right hand side possibly more locking herself in with the left hand hold (if she is too far to the left she will be far enough back to possibly hit the ground). Move into a firm stance with your left leg slightly forward. Lower her backwards by lifting your arms taking her into a full ballroom drop against using your left leg to help control her descent. Lift her back up and you are in the Accordion.
Sway start. Step left foot in front and lean woman slightly forward (so she is leaning towards the floor in front of you). Take the hands high turning her to face the ceiling and then take her into a ballroom drop using a claw grip. We didn't feel comfortable with this move so I didn't really do it. I'll see if I can find a partner to try it with at some stage so I can get the description nailed.

Please note if you haven't done these and you are thinking about trying it based on the descriptions above... you're mad.

Anyway my partner was lovely even when I subjected her to gentle persuasion :D.

A Little Late Nite Swing

I didn't know what to expect of this class at the beginning. It was sort of a set routine to a song. It was interesting doing it it was also interesting to see being used to taking instruction to try and lead a move was paying off as the women (who don't normally need to learn how to perform all the bits of a move) were struggling a little more than the guys because they didn't get a lead. Anyway it was to, unsurprisingly, A Little Late Nite Swing. I thought that the moves wouldn't be very useful in freestyle but I recently learnt one of the moves at a Ceroc class so that just goes to show. We did a little jump aerial which was quite stylish. Some good things to keep in mind but I shan't try and recall it.

The Last Evening

Well so the end of Southport was nearly on us. I ate, went home and cleaned up a bit and then headed back for a night of dancing. I started in the main room mostly before moving on to the blues room at the end of the evening. I had some of my best dances that evening. With my confidence higher than on Saturday and being a lot more prepared to ask people I hadn't met before to dance I had a wonderful time. I taught a woman some dips and drops during the evening (she had been dancing a year and was keen on learning them but wasn't particularly confident about going to the class). Again I was amazed just how many good dancers were there and I saw some stunning dancing. At one stage I was being blown away by Marc and Rachel doing their thing and then Rachel asked me to dance (I wouldn't refuse an opportunity to dance with such an experienced dancer but I was thinking "did you see how you were dancing a minute ago"). Anyway I managed to be a few women's last dance (well there last dance ;) ) and just had a fab time dancing with so many fab people. I'll finish how I started and say that the people I met were so friendly even when sleep deprivation should really make them cranky. I left at 7am for a couple of hours sleep before the journey back. It's amazing how a long weekend can just fly by.

I have to really thank all the women I danced with for making the weekend so wonderful for me.