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Follow Styling
To me style is just the outside of content, and content the inside of style, like the outside and the inside of the human body -- both go together, they can't be separated.
-- Jean-Luc Godard
Thursday, December 17, 1998
One year ago: Last Class
Last year I was finishing up my first series of lindy hop classes, and this year I finished my first series of lindy hop classes as a lead. I do want to take more classes as a lead, and I need to continue at the beginning level. Leading is complicated! and I don't have any basis in the required skills yet. You have to think ahead!
Yesterday I took a follow's styling workshop from Hep Jen and Charra at the University Heights community center. It was worthwhile, but Charra didn't have much understanding of the difficulties that someone who's not already an experienced dancer might experience. One of the students asked how to get started with adding style to lindy hop, and Charra just talked about taking hip-hop or club dance moves and throwing them in. The awkwardness and fear of looking stupid that might bother a beginner didn't seem to cross her mind! Or the possibility that people might have chosen to learn this sort of dancing, through lessons, because they didn't feel comfortable with just getting out and boogie-ing on the dance floor with no structure or pattern.
I sympathised with the student. I've danced long enough to feel comfortable and free with it now, but I remember being totally thrown when a more experienced lead would mix up steps or do something that I hadn't learned yet.
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I was touched when Jack emailed me tonight, and told me to make sure my car had enough antifreeze in it! He even offered to add the fluid if it's needed. What a considerate guy! But he needs to update his website.
I sent out an announcement that Seattle In-Santa-Cide 1998 is happening, this Saturday afternoon. It's a last minute deal, but it needs to happen. I had a great time last year!
My friend Bluejack has decided to end his journal. It's a shame, but he wasn't having fun with it. After reading his final entry, I went back and started rereading his archives. I always liked "Meditation." I've liked being written about by him!
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