To compete I've **** myself....

[elisedance]

Lets see.  I gave up TV (good), I've lost 25 lb (good), I've made lots of on-line friends and contacts (very good), I've not wasted money on stupid clothing shopping (good - but, er, see below), I've met many real-life nice dancer people (good), I am way fitter than I was before I started (good), I've travelled to some nice places and had amazing times doing something (as apart from spectating; good), I've spent money on something I love to do and supported dance events that deserve it.

I'm completely ignorant of social changes (bad), I've ignored family and off-line non-dance friends (bad), I've wasted umpteen $s on stupid dance clothing and acoutriments (bad), I've socialized a lot with people that I would otherwise never dream of hanging out with (bad - I'm sure they feel the same way), I've spent umpteen $s on dance people who did not really earn it.

And I will do both more and more and I will not regret it an iota.  Least I hope not....

 

[dlgodud]

Pretty much everything written here. hahaha.....
No regret so far and enjoy my life. Oh! Got a side job to fund my dancing.
When I am going to buy a house? I don't know.

[QPO]

well it is tough when I see what you have to pay for a lesson, once can see how dancing becomes elitist. As the average Joe Blow can't afford it and as you say if you have to buy a house well dancing has to take a back seat...and that is sad.....I was only talking with V aobut that today. The largest Reasont hey loose Adults is becuae they need to set up house...and the dancing money has to be used elsewhere.

[elisedance]

One can carry on dancing at social studios if you really love it - its cheaper often than going to the movies or some other entertainment.

I think the real crunch comes when you start a family - then there is no time for movies, dancing or anything else

[dlgodud]

That's true. I might start having a family soon or give up. lol.
One of my female teacher asked me if I did not want to marry.
I answered her back and said that I might give up dancing if had a family because I wanted to be a devote wife and mother. 

[elisedance]

so... any prospects on the horizon?

Just make sure they are dancers

[dlgodud]

Not yet!!! But, will try to make happen.
Hmmm..... Actually, I am very attracted to male dancers. 
I had an argument with my co-worker who thinks that male ballroom dancers are not macho enough for her.

[elisedance]

Not yet!!! But, will try to make happen.
Hmmm..... Actually, I am very attracted to male dancers. 
I had an argument with my co-worker who thinks that male ballroom dancers are not macho enough for her.

I take it she does not dance. 

Thats awful - its something men often express but I have never heard a woman do so

[dlgodud]

I take it she does not dance. 

Thats awful - its something men often express but I have never heard a woman do so

Of course not. She doesn't dance. Her mind set is very narrow and limited not just about dancing but general.....
I feel sorry for her sometimes that she misses a lot of good experience in her life.
I asked her to come to my studio to take free classes, but she was afraid that someone will judge her.
I kind of gave up on her and not to try to mention about my dancing life.

[elisedance]

Thats the best way - for some people what we do is weird or even disgusting.  The slightest hint of lack of approval and I pull my tentacles right back!

[dlgodud]

True, true! But, what I don't understand is that she wants to come to see me performing or competing. Weird!!
The only thing I can think of why she wants to do is she wants to make a gossip out of it. Will not invite her. No thanks!

[elisedance]

smart move...


I had a couple of people from work come and see me dance - it actually went well but they were people I knew were there for the right reasons...

[standarddancer]

I just had to scrafice my social life and igored normal non-dancing family members and friends. There was even one thanksgiving eve, I had taken lessons from one visiting coach and lesson running late so I had even been late for dinner with my family !!! 

[SwingWaltz]

I just had to scrafice my social life and igored normal non-dancing family members and friends. There was even one thanksgiving eve, I had taken lessons from one visiting coach and lesson running late so I had even been late for dinner with my family !!! 

That's dedication!

[QPO]

I agree, most people that make it to the top have a focus and direction, you cannot attain a goal with out it. be it dancing or something else. Even though anything done by a top professional looks easy we know that it is not the case and a lot of enjoyable hard work goes into it. It is a labor of Love.