January 26, 2006

Energetic Ettiquete, Amateur Alcoholics

This is a repost from my Yahoo! 360 blog. Follow the link to see the pic.

Thursday January 26, 2006

Like the pic? The dancers come out in the middle of the week. Leave the weekend for the “Amateur Drinkers.”

I go out a lot. (House music all night long) Many people I know look at me and ask questions like “How do you have so much energy?” I’ve been getting this question for years just because I go out and dance. When I look at some of the people around me when I’m out, it starts to make sense. On average, people around my age don’t seem to have a lot of energy. People get up and dance for two songs and then they have to take a rest. It’s no wonder they want to know my secret.

Here’s my secret: Energy is like money – you have to spend it to make it. It’s as simple as that. How can you have the energy to dance? Go out and dance. How can you have the energy to ride a bike? Ride a bike. Need energy for a martial art….you get the point. People constantly blame age for lack of stamina and endurance, but age has little to do with it. One of the best dancers I know is in his mid thirties. Somehow he finds the energy to keep a black belt in Kenpo teach two Capoeira classes and do things you didn’t think were possible on the dance floor. I’ve seen men in their 60s and beyond who are active Capoeristas. One thing these people all have in common is they keep doing what they do. When you stop being active, that’s when your metabolism slows, you put on weight, and your lungs seem to shrink to half their original size. When you stay active, it affects many different areas of your life. You’ll probably live better and throughout the day you’ll feel better, physically and mentally. And, there are so many ways to stay active. If you don’t like one, try another. If you’re a focused and/or loner type, you can workout at home, ride a bike or jog. If you prefer to work out with other people, join a gym, a dance class or check out your local community organizations and rec centers for various classes. If you can fit it in, do multiple things. No matter what your interests and budget, there is a way for you to be active. If you’re not active now, it’ll be hard to start, but once your body begins to get accustomed to the new demands on it, you will feel great. If you are active now, you’re ahead of the game, just make sure you stay active.

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Ok, I hope you enjoyed our intermission, time for our second topic. I figured I could lump these together because this is slightly related to what I just wrote. It’s a pet peeve of mine. LEARN CLUB ETTIQUETE.

1) Dance floors are for dancing. They are not for talking on the phone. They are not for having group conversations. They are not for standing. If you are not dancing, get out of the way.
2) No matter how much you want to get to the bathroom, bar, or wherever the hell else you’re going, other people exist. Walking into someone really fast will not make your body pass through theirs. Look where you’re going.
3) On a related note, once you see someone in the way, do not push them out of your way. Step up to them and pause so they have a chance to see you trying to get by and move out of your way. If their back is to you, gently tap their shoulder or something to let them know you are there. Guys, this does not mean grab a girl’s ass.
4) On another related note, be aware of your body and its surroundings. We are not ostriches. People still exist even if we don’t see them. Look behind you before you back up. If someone is there, don’t back up. The same holds for moving sideways and forward.
5) If you see a circle of people watching one person dance, do not walk through it. Walk around the edge AFTER you’ve looked to make sure you won’t be walking into the path of whoever is doing what they’re doing. Trust me, its better that way. If all those people were dancing at the same time instead of one by one, there would be no room for you on the dance floor.
6) If you like the way someone dances and feel the need to tell them, tell them. ONCE.
7) Related note – don’t say stupid sh**t. you do not owe it to anyone to dance as well as them. Don’t apologize to people because you don’t think you dance as well as them. That’s annoying. If you’re white, don’t go up to a black person that dances really well and say “I’m just a white boy with no rhythm.” That’s stupid.
Drink your drink. Don’t spill it. Liquor and beer all over the dance floor makes it slippery, dangerous and just plain unpleasant. If you can’t dance without spilling your drink, drink it first or rest it someplace nearby where you can watch it as you dance. If you’re not dancing and you’re still spilling your drink, it’s time to stop drinking.