In the Moment

Thursday, September 3, 1998
One year ago: Argument

There was a big crowd at the Century Ballroom on Wednesday. Why there were more people than usual, I don't know, and neither did Hallie, who runs the place! The ways of customers are mysterious. Hallie used to have a partner in the Century Ballroom venture but he has apparently left, after a bit of a fracas that I don't understand. I was pleased to see that Hallie's schedule of dance classes, to start next week, will include advanced swing and intermediate lindy, both being taught on Wednesdays! That will suit me down to the ground, and make Wednesdays strenuous but fun.

My friend Adam arrived, after his first (?) lindy lesson. He is one that is always working on his dancing, and after teaching him a few new moves (by his request), I finally had to lecture him on being "in the moment." A lead does have to think ahead to the extent of planning what the next step should be, and he has to monitor what is happening on the floor, too. But I asked Adam to try not worrying about mistakes made a few minutes ago, or if his dancing was up to some standard or other, or anything else, but just to enjoy the music, relax into the dance, and pay attention to me, as his partner. He took this mini-rant in good part. I know it is easier said than done! He kindly gave me a ride home at the end of the evening, as he has done several times before.

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I was really pleased today to find that the developer on my new allied team is working on the tool I was speaking of on Monday! If only all my wishes were so easily granted!

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And now we are back to real time. I was frustrated working on the new journal graphics the past few evenings. That's one reason I should really try to get them done before the beginning of the month! I made a few false starts on the banner graphic. This evening I realized I should get rid of it, and start again. So I left the dance at the Russian Center a bit earlier than I would have normally done. My sleep debt and fatigue are building up, which made leaving easier; I really am getting tired, and I don't want to strain my knees and legs too much!

One year ago I was involved in a public folder argument that resulted in my appearance rant. The woman I was so bugged by still continues the same pattern. When I posted a few days ago, about a singles-type email list I've recently joined, and asked if anyone else was on such lists, she immediately posted about how she had subscribed to a list for the involuntarily celibate, and had quit a day later because some list members sent her nasty mail. She wrote about how the shy, depressed, self-pitying (in her opinion) list members just couldn't take upbeat, confident her. Sheesh! There are a few folks at work that email each other privately whenever these toads and scorpions start dropping from her mouth. It usually just doesn't seem useful to confront her; it takes the folder down a path that I don't find pleasant.