Heat Wave

I'm ready for this 90-degree weather to be over. I realize it's the middle of August and these temperatures are normal for this time of year, but that's not going to stop me from complaining. I went tubing here today and got some relief, but man oh man if my apartment isn't 88 degrees at 9:30 pm. I'm feeling pretty miserable sitting here with my mini fan blowing on my half-naked body, but the window a.c. unit is now cooling down the bedroom, so hopefully I'll still be able to get a decent night's sleep.

I'm going to think happy thoughts of cooler days. I'm sure I'll be complaining about the cold weather when we get to it, but for now playing in the snow sounds pretty nice. My doggie likes it, too.

Perfecting the Pole

I was walking my pooch down a new street tonight, exploring my new neighborhood when I saw a dance studio that caught my attention. Pole by Patrica, located on Juniper Street between Snyder and McKean, is a pole dancing studio, a workout I've been wanting to try since my friend spoke so highly of her S Factor classes in NYC a couple of years ago. Said friend has since installed a pole in her bedroom.

When I got home and looked up Pole by Patricia's website, I was both surprised and disappointed to see that their first-timers class and beginners classes both start at 5pm. Really? Don't any of their students work 9 - 5 jobs? I work in Center City and have a short commute, but I work until 5pm and could never make a 5 - 6pm class. The very earliest I could be there would be 5:30pm and that would be pushing it. I can't imagine I am their first potential client to face this challenge. I wonder if their class times ever change or if they are on a rotating schedule? It just seems such a shame to dismiss a whole group of working women who may be interested in classes, and I just emailed Patricia and told her as much. Maybe it's the heat that's making me fiesty.

A quick Google search also presented 3 Philly pole dancing locations for Philly Premier Pole Dance. While not a short walk from my apartment, they seem to have some classes at more convenient times and are less expensive. I also found Poise Dance Studio, also in South Philly.

I'm curious, has anyone taken a pole dancing class? I think it would be fun to get some girls together for a private lesson. Pole by Patricia offers private lessons for 4-6 girls for $200 or a 2-hour party (90-minute lesson included) for up to 12 girls for $300. Sounds good to me.

Image credit: The Pole by Patricia website.

Ignore Mom, Talk to Strangers

Last night, I did something that some may find unusual, but for me is completely routine. I went out sans friends on a Saturday night. After my usual begging of my friends to dance with me, I was turned down. The truth is that my friends don't dance. And never will, no matter how much fun I have or the crazy stories I tell, they will never be enticed to grinding their aging asses to the latest music.

Even though I love going out dancing alone, I have adopted strategies to try to find dancing partners. Dating sites have been the most successful ways I've met dancing partners. Generally, I play it off as a platonic thing, just friends. And after they watch me dance, which is not a pretty thing, the last thing they want is a sweaty kiss from me.

My dance partner for the night was Larry, a 30 year old who had recently transplanted from Western New York. He described himself as an aging raver, which made me wonder what I am as I'm older than him. He posted an announcement looking for something to do that night. And with very little to go on except his picture and his profile which stated "I'm weird" I went for it. I invited him to the monthly Live Forever party at the Barbary. I'm ashamed to admit I've never danced at the Barbary and had been dying to go.

After vetting Larry through 1.5 hours of IM and a 20 minute phone call, we decided to meet. Larry showed up earlier than me and was in full swing when I got there. My first reaction was displeasure that he was wearing a headband, but then I realized that was the theme of the night, "Get Physical" so party organizers were handing out colorful sweatbands.

I'm glad Larry was weird because he was such a good sport about checking out a dance venue with a total stranger. And a dance venue where people were wearing nerdy gym gear and leotards. We danced a lot until he got picked up by another woman. I spent about an hour sort of dancing sort of near them before I got bored. I ended up meeting this guy Brian who was a good looking hipster and we danced through acting out Wonderwall. Miming in dance is very fun. I highly recommend it.

Sadly, I completely lost Larry, who had become a dear friend in the 3 hours that I had known him. Oh well, I thought that I'd text him another day (sadly his cell was temporarily cut off do to lack of funds. Recession is a bitch). But happily, I ran into Larry at the bus stop (we both are too poor to have cars). He thought I abandoned him, which I didn't. We hugged. And now he's my new best friend.

Emboldened by my success in talking to strangers, I chatted up a guy at the bus stop while I was saying goodnight to Larry. On the bus ride home I chatted with Sam, who is a progressive activist in Philly. So am I (sorta) and he used to live in West Philly (me too). And we share a mutual friend, so we had tons to talk about. He's an organizer for Philly for Change, a group I've wanted to join but was too shy. So I guess I'll go to their next meetup upcoming on a Wednesday. I got his number before he got off the bus.

So there you have it, I met three strangers last night. And I lived to tell the tale.

So I'm going dancing next weekend, who's with me?