Salsa open diary

I probably danced less socially this year than in any other year since I started dancing Salsa in 2007.

But...

This year was transformational for me. It was the first year I finally felt comfortable dancing in my own skin and as a result, I have improved more this year than in any other year. I'm still not where I want to be, not by a mile, but the journey has been well worth it.

So in spite of everything, this has been a very successful year.
 
The night overall was great. Lots of great energy and good connection to all the follows , except one. Ug. I saw a follow who had Sabor but had their OFP. I thought it was the other leaders. I couldn't tell WTF she was dancing. I had to strong arm the sh** out of her. She had no play. Well at least it was just one. But all the other followers were easy to dance with. I guess I will skip the ones who don't seem to flow as partners.

So this raises a question whether anyone has suggestions on how to tell (through observation only) whether the follower is likely to be "off?" Not to be a di*k but I'd rather avoid those followers at this point in my journey.
 
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Smiley79 said:
So this raises a question whether anyone has suggestions on how to tell (through observation only) whether the follower is likely to be "off?" Not to be a di*k but I'd rather avoid those followers at this point in my journey.
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The only sure way is to dance with people you know.
 
Nightmare alert. Just woke up from a dream where I was finally dancing again but my legs were stuck together literally.
 
Smiley79 said:
Well this is for new people to the scene. I am noticing a greater "cycling out" of the "regulars" since COVID so now I kind of have to start from scratch.
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Ok, but if only one person was like that, then I'd say your selection criteria is working.

It's nearly impossible to weed out undesirables on observation alone.

My belief is that the better I get, the more compatible I can be with previously incompatible followers, regardless of their deficiencies. It will never be ideal, but if you are a lot more experienced than the other, you can mold the dance as you see fit. A combination of adjustment, compromise and confidence.
 
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Smiley79 said:
That's why they make velcro shoes - so you dont accidentally tie the laces to each other :rolleyes:
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Funny thing was I danced 4 songs in my dream. First was a Cha and it went fine, but then each song after my legs would get progressively more stuck until finally the last song was bachata and my feet couldn't move.
 
Chris_Yannick said:
I probably danced less socially this year than in any other year since I started dancing Salsa in 2007.

But...

This year was transformational for me. It was the first year I finally felt comfortable dancing in my own skin and as a result, I have improved more this year than in any other year. I'm still not where I want to be, not by a mile, but the journey has been well worth it.

So in spite of everything, this has been a very successful year.
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I could have written the same - except that I danced more social than ever last year.

Having started the end of 2006, I was a mediocre dancer all that time. Going endlessly to classes for years and fighting there with other mediocre followers I never learned to become an acceptable lead.

Credits go to Covid to have kicked me in my behind: it forced me to take lots of private lessons in both last years (it was the only thing allowed during months). So having analyzed more than 50 hours of videos of mine and getting criticized more than 50 hours by my female instructors I finally learned a little bit.
(Btw: probably it makes a perfect job for women to get paid for criticizing a man? :D)

So for me, too, it was transformational and I finally feel comfortable dancing in my own skin. And that pushed me to go social dancing every week twice, and heaven send me a new scene with lots of good followers. I never really liked social dancing before, now that has changed.

Thanks also for this forum who gives me lots of valuable input!

Happy new year everybody!
 
Sabrosura said:
Btw I love analyzing dance videos / giving constructive feedback, so feel free to send them my way ;)
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That's a nice offer, thank you.

Hm... We didn't do lessons the last three months as I was busy enjoying socials. So the last months I only watched the celebs on Youtube. Looking at my videos now again - well, there is a huge gap :rolleyes: I don't know why anyone should bother watch my stumbling.

At least I would need a confidentiality agreement :D
 
GentleDancer said:
That's a nice offer, thank you.

Hm... We didn't do lessons the last three months as I was busy enjoying socials. So the last months I only watched the celebs on Youtube. Looking at my videos now again - well, there is a huge gap :rolleyes: I don't know why anyone should bother watch my stumbling.

At least I would need a confidentiality agreement :D
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Haha sure just PM me :)
 
holy-F, I must be getting old.. My feet hurt! Same shoes I've been wearing for the past 6 years...Not sure how I danced any differently...Just more comfortable in movement and relaxed so... I can't be relaxed :(
 
Sabrosura said:
Might be just that your shoes are getting a bit worn out ;)
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Perhaps :( the soles are almost new leather. The uppers I've had for 2 years. I like to have my stuff for years and condition the heck out of them: leather cleaner, conditioner, boot dressing and spit shine regularly to keep the leather protected. But maybe I should spend the 400$ on a really nice pair of quality leather if that means they last 10 years. Anyone have any leather derby shoes that have lasted them ages? My boots get the same treatment and the uppers have lasted 8 years already; just had the vibrom soles replaced 2x.
 
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