53 posts tagged “s factor”

Were there any unusual earthquakes around 5am PDT? I read that Reno has been shaking, nearly nonstop, for 2 months now and no one knows why - maybe they had another big one? I ask only because my back went into intense "earthquake ache" around 1:30a. I finally got to sleep around 2:30am, by sprawling sideways across my bed, along my pillows with my feet hanging off the side of the bed. Woke back up around 5, back still bothering me and HAD to get out of bed - severy antsies (ansies? ants in my pantsies?). Anyhoo... maybe just paranoia on my part but combo frequently indicates earthquakes in bizarre locations.

I finally took 1/2 a xanax (to chill my brain) and 1/2 a darvocet (to chill my knee) and headed back to bed. The darvo is still working great - but I need to remember to take another 1/2 before workout tonight. And let's not forget the 1/2 a (prescription) amphetamine I took to get me through the day/workout. Who needs food & rest when you have coffee & pills? (don't bitch at me - I'm not serious!)

Speaking of workouts: I scheduled a 2hr private class with Yannori for May 11. That's gonna be a killer - but she's a good instructor so it's money & time well spent. I was actually craving freestyling today (to Morcheeba "One Love Karma") but know I would have hated it if I'd actually had the opp. But, still, I'm considering going back to S Factor next session - maybe even 2 classes a week (1 in OC and 1 in LA - with Coco). But that's all just big talk/dreams right now - sign ups are still 4 weeks away and the next session doesn't start for 7 more weeks. Plus, I still need to check out Kristin's new studio/classes.

There was another episode of MIA kitties last night. Boo was missing for so long that I was freaked out to the point of nearly being in tears - I really convinced myself that loud cars had scared to off to the point of being lost. I've confirmed that they're popping the broken crawl space screen, which leads to the side street, open (after I wedge it shut). I need to block it but don't have anything to put there (such as a potted plant) that won't be stolen before I get home. So I guess Boo is going to be stuck inside till the weekend, when I can buy slab of wood to close the exit. I'll made a new screen later (there are about a 15 others so airflow is not a problem).

Haven't gotten around to putting away my clean laundry. It's in piles on my (dirty) bedroom floor. Most of it will have to be re-dried to remove wrinkles. I've reached amazing new levels of "I can't be bothered" at home. Pathetic.

Still hoping for a miracle diagnosis/cure from the metabolic tests. Follow up is May 8.

Oh... I heard from the FGNs!! Can you believe that? It's been over 6 months since we've had any contact - probably more than a year since we've actually talked. They invited me to a Master's Degree party for Riley (Drew got his a couple years ago). I have 10 days to think of a present (I got Drew a $125 bottle of champagne).

What else? Miss Kitty's party this Sat night. I won't be in theme (Sunken City) - other than maybe the totally cute teal glitter eyeliner I bought last week (cause that's what every 45yr old needs).

Okay... I'm gonna go buy some shoes.

Things I Loathe:

• Feeling that whether or not my S class' timeslot will remain is dependent upon me (4 students enrolled, takes 5 to keep a class open, today is the day decision will be made)
• Already making a mental tally of all the ways I want to spend my IRS refund (I haven't even filed yet)
• Finding out about new lurkers who are reading my posts - and the things I'm saying about them
• The doors on my bedroom closet
• That I still can't figure out where the super strong breeze in my house is coming from
• Ugly ugly UGLY carpet
• My toilet is flushing "wrong" and I don't know why. Always has to be flushed twice (which is an extra problem because it also still leaks into the foundation). Add this to the IRS refund list.
• That, as of last week, I seem to have developed a dependency upon Xanax in order to get my brain to shut the F up long enough for me to fall asleep. (It's lowest dose - and daily use is a very new thing but it's really bothering me.)
• My 7-11 clerk pressuring me for my phone number
• Finding gift cards, at the supermarket, for Southwest Airlines. Granted, that airline SUCKS - but I'd love to get an airline gift card!
  
• Boo waking me up at 6am by laying in bed and crying, loudly, for no obvious reason. I suspect she has GI probs but worry that something more serious may be going on... except that, other than these episodes 2 or 3 times a day, she seems fine.
• Still not being able to successfully invert on the pole (almost made it once, thought I had it - but I was wrong)
  

Things I Love

• Someone signing up for next session, during class, so the S timeslot is continuing, whether I go or not.
• Finishing on a high note: S Factor class went really well for me last night (better than it has in weeks)
• Remembering my "not to do" list, not pushing myself so hard during warmup, and therefore having no injuries when I went home (in fact, I could actually walk normal for the first time in weeks - but I think that's cause I was barefoot).
  
• Cracking up, hysterically, when I tried to do the move where you lay on your back then throw your feet up, over your head, and touch the floor above your head (so you're folded in half). I used the pole to get in the move. For the first time ever, I hit that position in a way that still allowed me to breathe. So I decided to let go of the pole and, like everyone else, brace my arms on the floor for the rest of the move. Instruction was to s-l-o-w-l-y, one vertebrae at a time, roll legs back to starting position. Within about 1 second, my ass moved enough for my entire center of balance to shift and rapidly slam my legs back to the floor. No injuries - just sloppy and funny (if I'm going to keep this mondo-ass, I really need to get some mondo abs to counter it!).
• Doing the "Ronde de Jambe" move for the first time EVER!! ever-ever-EVER!!
• Possibly having a breakthrough on pole climbing (couldn't test it because my R knee was too weak for me to keep moving. But the theory is good and it felt good.)
  
• Having several people (including Christine who rarely has anything to say to anyone) comment that my song was REALLY good for me and that it really showed in my dance.
• Being right - dancing in my 'regular' clothes, instead of workout clothes, lingerie, or "costume" helped me be more "me" and less pressured - also helping me have a better dance.
• Waking up to BEAUTIFUL weather today
• Wearing my hair in a ponytail
• Feeling ready for my tax appt (even though I'm really not)
  
• Waking up in the middle of the night and finding all 3 kitties sleeping with me
• Self-adhesive heat pads
  
• My heated mattress pad (it's a big, full body, heat pad when I'm achy!!)
• The 7-11 clerk (Christian) having cinnamon coffee for me 2 days in a row
• When the office is really really quite

Natalie wasn't even playing the game. Just found this on her blog and thought "Yes, THAT'S IT!!"

If I can channel the same vibe it's giving me now, it will probably be my "farewell" song for last class Mon night.

I wish we could wear wireless headphones while we dance - I don't think the stereo will get the song loud enough for me to connect to it as well.

If I'm feeling REALLY ballsy, I'll ask to have someone be my point of focus, dancing to them while imagining them as someone else. Maybe Michelle or Megan - I don't think anyone else is ready for that kind of intensity (but I'll probably chicken out on the idea so it doesn't really matter). Would love to do the entire song but it's 6 min and I'll be cut off around 3.5.

Now with added song instead of link to link to link to song:

I listened to this song on continuous repeat for over 2 solid hours tonight.

I don't know what got into me but, being the wise old soul that I am, last night I decided to practice burlesque walks in the shower... you know, while I'm still nursing a "trick" knee that can't be relied upon to actually work (total mind of it's own). Hey, I only tell people I'm smart - not that I'm smart all the time. Somehow, in my mind, Bad knee + slippery/wet shower + burlesque = BRILLIANT.

After a jumbled moved, a bit of stumbling, and the mental reality check that maybe this wasn't my wisest idea ever, there was a loud SNAP. My knee didn't break - it moved back into place. It was suddenly able to support me reliably and without pain. I can put weight on it, I can bend it, I could kneal and not cry. I believe I can actually walk up & down stairs today, get out of a chair and not spend 10 minutes waiting to get my balance, all the other stuff most people take for granted. I could have fallen and waited a week to be found partial eaten by my cats but, nope, I got cured. Lucky SOB!! I should by a lotto ticket.

I'm 80% certain I'm dropping out of S Factor. Actually, I need to stop using that phrase... I'm taking a session off from S Factor. As much as that scares me, the reality is that I don't want to face that place right now - everything about it irritates me. After 19 months, familiarity has bred contempt.

Work is going okay. Keeping me busy - which is mostly good.

Not much on the social calendar. BrunchBunch this Sun (PUHLEEEZE let my love, David, be there!!). Earl is hosting (bet he still falls asleep!). Tax appt on Wed morn. I really hope I get serious about breaking down my info before then. Luckily, there's not much to it anymore so I'm not worried about receipts or any of that crap - just parsing my bank statements & figuring out my cash/goods donations to charity.

Time to go play the part of the good corporate drone. Happy Turdsday.

My instructor, Megan, is prominently featured - as is another OC instructor, Lin. Not sure about anyone else - we only saw a little preview at the Enchantment Party (last October) before the camera conked out.

---

S Factor on TV
Ladies, you may have heard our Momma Love, Ms. Sheila Kelley has been working like crazy to create a brilliantly inspiring Guthy Renker TV ad that communicates what it means to be an "S" girl.  With the help of courageous S Factor students and instructors, a finished product is ready to be unleashed on the world.  This weekend, February 15th to be exact, the TV ad, a.k.a. infomercial will air with host Lisa Rinna.  We can't say exactly what time or what station, but be on the lookout for it.  Ms. Sheila would love your feedback.  For serious, girls.  You make S Factor what it is, please let us know what you think!

Wee bit of pain today. I went to workout last night. No longer sure that was such a good idea. Sometime during class, my lower back started locking up (I only remember being in the "warmup" row, during freestyle, and having to stop because I thought I was gonna throw my back out). And today my R knee is sore & swollen.

Warmup was sucky for me. I did the moves but very consciously - no flow. I've realized/decided that I don't like Megan's music anymore - and that's why I'm finding it difficult to "get in the mood" in class. Plus I was still sore from Coco's class on Sat - so I spent a lot of my time just stretching (and, at one point, trying to fall asleep - but I failed).

I think I did okay during pole work. I tried & tried moves that I just can't seem to catch on to (ronde de jambe SUCKS) - again feeling it's a matter of one tiny wrist being unable to bear the load of my BIG body. But I tried. I actually made some progress on the body spiral (ahhhaaa.... just realized THAT is where I screwed up my back!!) - finally figuring out that my hand placement has been wrong - and that my body much prefers me doing it left handed. Not that I can actually DO it - but, again, I got closer.

I tried climbing but without any "dry hands" (liquid gymnastic chalk) on my legs, I just kept sliding back down the pole. Plus, by that point I was really tired. Made 3 attempts at inverting - all close but no cigar... I can get upside and hook my toes and/or the bottom of my foot around the pole, but I need to get my ankle hooked and gripping the pole. Keep trying.

I did some of the L1 tricks that I'm still screwing up. Landed on my knees a couple times - but at least it was a soft landing, not a hard fall. I didn't think much about it till the way home, when I stopped at the supermarket and something in the back of my right knee popped. I haven't been able to fully straighten my leg since and, despite Darvocet (which usually makes me feel okay) it's a-hurtin today.

Freestyle dance was a bit frustrating. I don't like going last but keep ending up in that position. I let Megan pick my song and she chose some NIN (I don't remember which song), which always works well for me. I had the lap dance chair (no one in it) backed up to one of the poles. Around the middle of the song, I found myself doing a pole back bend onto the chair. I had a wild hair to slide into the chair backward - so I went with it - over the back, down the seat, onto the floor. It felt really sexy (I doubt it looked it - picture a walrus sliding over a chair - but it felt it) - till I got to the floor and found myself "stuck" - on my back with half my body on the floor, half pressed against the front of the chair, and my legs up in the air with nothing to push against. There was a wonderful "oh, shit, what do I do now?" moment. I finally did a big leg splay (would have been hot if a guy had been in the chair), which allowed enough momentum to flip over sideways and get moving again.

So blahblahblah, rest of dance, whatever. Afterward, Megan said something about "it's not about the 'big' tricks - the stuff you think of as small and boring is actually what looks good." I paused, then asked for examples. She said some rolling around that I'd done had looked really hot (note: I recall Coco cheering a similar move so I guess I should heed this advice) but that it wasn't necessary to "go big" - meaning she thought the chair thing had been thought out and "staged". I told her the chair was totally unplanned and, while I was conscious of what I was doing (simply because it was new and I wanted to make sure I didn't hurt myself), that I had really enjoyed it - till I got stuck. Since there had been an adv. lap class over the weekend, I think Megan thought I was attempting to keep up with those tricksters, or show off, or doing something "big" to make up for my lack of dancing lately. It frustrated me because that basically means it did not look good/natural - it looked planned. But it wasn't. Then Michele made some kind of comment about "parts good, parts not so much" - which kind of echoed Megan. So now I was annoyed.

But to her credit, "pushed me out of the circle last week" chick walked up and said, "I don't know if it was your outfit, the music, the night, your mood, or what - but your dance was HOT." So I felt a lot better.

Anyhoo.... long story longer, today I'm sore everywhere - primarily lower back and right knee. My 44-going-on-85 health continues.

Speaking of which, someone cancelled so I'm getting their time slot and seeing a GI specialist tomorrow afternoon. Just the initial consult - will probably schedule the colonoscopy - but I'm hoping I can also get more drugs from him (I'm at a state of no longer improving but at least the meds keep things under control). I'm probably going to get out of that around 4pm - which means commuting to work during rush hour - so it may turn into a day off instead. Not sure yet.

Tonight is LUCHA VAVOOM. I'm super hyped - even though my schedule & the commute mean that I may miss a good hour of the show (google maps lists the commute as "39..6 mi - about 48 mins; up to 1 hr 50 mins in traffic - which sounds about right). I'm hoping that, like last time, they actually start 1.5 hrs after what the ticket says. So long as I see the CrazyChickens, I'll be content.

general info: Moshi is doing okay. His ear is still bothering him (from the cartridge tear) but doesn't appear to be getting any worse (though also not much better). Espressa is now tolerating his presence but Boo is still refusing to be in the same room with him. All 3 cats are super unhappy about not being allowed outdoors - I'm shocked that I haven't given in and let them out. Moshi's follow up is Thurs. I'm hoping that means we'll all be back to our regular routines by Saturday.

Owwwww.

Got awhile till I pick up Moshi so I'll recap the highs & lows of Fri/Sat.

Update: Picked Moshi up around 3am. Final bill was $545 (Ouch! - but sustainable). He's happy to be home & looks much better - but is depressed about the e-collar, Boo & Epsressa hissing at him, and being locked indoors.

• Late in the afternoon, Fri, I was told that a laser was repaired. Started testing. Got one table done. Laser error reappeared during second table. Got LIVID & packed up for the night. We've now lost approx 1 week of test time (2 or 3 testers per day) in an already overbooked schedule due to bugs, hardware issues, and inept repair techs. I hate the first week of testing!!

• Got to Carpenter Center, for Les Ballets Trockadero, just as the Out & About group was meeting up. Was disappointed that none of "my" boys were there. How can I think of myself as an A lister if I only ever hang out with D listers?
  
• Not spying any other women in our group, I asked if I was "the token fag hag" for the night. Was told no.
  
• Went inside theater, posed for pictures, and ran into a guy I met during the Jay Wiseman talk/demo at The Lair. Very surreal.
• Found my seat - excellent location (nearly dead center) but I was located with the 4 other women in the group. And I *was* the only fag hag.
• The woman next to me found EVERYTHING to be HYSTERICAL, EV-ER-Y-THING... and laughed LOUDLY to prove it. Annoying as hell. I debated about leaving at first intermission - especially as she read the program aloud to her partner - and continuously pointed out how funny all of that was too.
• By the end of the 2nd series of dances, the comedy had become predictable and boring. I realized I missed an entire movement because I had been thinking about what I could possibly eat when I got home. (the bland diet is making me crazy)
  
• At 2nd intermission, I decided to step out and debate between returning or going home. As I passed the clan of men I knew, I commented to one, "I love Ken but I might have to kill his friend" (the chick next to me). Ken replied, "Yeah, she's kind of..." And I replied, "Uh... yeah." Ken's friend asked what I was talking about. I explained the constant & inapprop laughing (should mention here that her partner left at 2nd intermission - to wait for her in the car.. also either annoyed or bored... or both). I said that if the lights dimmed she responded by laughing and saying "oh my gawd... they're soooo funny!" Ken, hearing this, replied, "oh, just think of it this way - she's just trying to out-bitch you." And that was my queue to go home... disappointed that my first night back out in the real world had been a total bust.
  
• Got home and ate "forbidden" food (microwave pasta in peanut sauce... sooo good) - knowing I'd pay for it later.
• Realizing that when go to workout in the morning, I should bring Coco a copy of the instructor demo she was in, I decided to double-check the one DVD I was able to burn. Not playable - unrecognized format (mpeg = unrecognizable?). Fuck it all.
• Went to bed
• Woke up and let cats out
• Woke up again and found head injury on Moshi. Decided it was okay to leave alone for awhile.
• Buttlagged too long and just barely got on the road with enough time to get to S Factor class in LA. Freeways were fine but street traffic was even worse than I remembered.
• Couldn't figure out where to park. Spotted someone who looked like an S student and got instructions.
• Got inside building and couldn't figure out where to go. Was escorted by a friendly student from the first floor studios to the stairs, up, around, down, back up, and around again - to the secret door to the 2nd floor studios. NEVER would have found it on my own. Seriously. NEVER.
  
• Had a really good class. Coco was a lot more mellow that I expected but that worked in my favor. Her warmup was not nearly as intense as what we do in OC (SF wasn't either, so maybe OC is overdoing it) - which left me with enough energy to dance more. Which was good cause she had us dance a LOT (free dance at end of warmup, pole tricks with dance between - no resting, and 3 warmup dances before our solo dance).
• Due to a wonderful feeling of anonymity, I attempted more tricks... and also did them better than I have in a long time (which really isn't saying much - but felt good - almost, but not quite, a breakthrough).
  
• I rec'd an incredible lap dance. It was, apparently, a huge break through for the chick who did it. So I guess my anonymity worked for her as well.
  
• Coco gave great feedback to all her students (though she went pretty easy on me). My fav moment: When she told me, "I see that you're very predatory... but then you'll pull back and act all 'come and get me'"... which is EXACTLY RIGHT. I've always done a predator/prey combo - but she's the first person to "get" it.
  
• HORRIBLE traffic home dashed any hopes of taking a full 8wk session up there - but I plan to go back. I'm considering, after tax time, squeezing a private 1:1 "intensive" into my budget (they're EXPENSIVE).
  

And the ER vet has called. The abscess wasn't as bad as it looked - more tissue swelling than actual infection - so Moshi doesn't need a drain and should heal up quickly. I'm off to get my baby and call it a night.

Cats woke me up at 6:30am. Usually no big deal - I had fallen asleep "early" (about 1:30a) and usually pass right back out after letting out the cats. Not so today.

Before I even realized what was happening, I had completely worked myself into a tizzy about work frustrations (machines aren't functioning correctly, FS says they fixed them, we start retesting and instantly find they're still broken (same or new bugs) - is this the same kind of crap service we give to customers?, TheQueen annoying me, blahblahblah). I mean, full scale tizzy.

That quickly morphed into worrying about S Factor and all my frustrations there. I had several personal epiphanies:

• The four new students have completely changed the tone of our class - basically taking it over. While there's nothing particularly bad about that, it's still unwelcome change.
• The addition of the new students really emphasizes that I am the weakest student, at least when it comes to technique. While that wasn't a big deal before they appeared, it really stands out now.
• Because the class is now bigger, and the new students are new to L5 (whereas the rest of us are repeating), Megan has less time to work with me. That's a totally appropriate response from her - but it gives me less attention, despite the fact that I still need it.
• Feeling "culled from the herd", when the bitch had me move from my space last week, was more than symbolic. I think it was very real. I realized that despite her comments of "I didn't mean to make you move out of the circle", she left no room for me to be part of it. And whereas other nearby students would usually adjust to allow a person back in, none of them moved either.
  
• As much as I love Megan as an instructor, and she wants me to stay with her, I think she's given up trying to motivate me. I definitely need more help... more examples or "try this" or "this is where you should be feeling it"... TECHNICAL assistance... but I'm getting none.
• Not wanting to solo is not just a lack of mojo - it's because I've also lost my sense of feeling sexy (which used to be a 24/7 thing with me).
• I was thinking I could overcome the lack of sexy by pretending I'm trying to turn on someone specific (Gael Garcia Bernal) but later realized a 2nd wall - I don't want to dance in front of the other students. Not because I'm scared - but because they are no longer supportive**, my sense that they "no longer deserve it", and a general lack of trust.
  
• **Far less cheering & clapping during everyone's solos since the new girls showed up
• **Megan's limit on my speech (not allowed to say "I can't") prevents me from venting out my frustration - so it builds. And since I'm suddenly conscious of my convo, it's just easier to shut down and not talk or participate at all.
  
• **After class, Michele commented, "your dances are great when you're feeling it. Now, granted, that's few and far between..." and that was all i heard... my brain translated it to "you suck waaaaay more often than you rock and your suspicions are right, they've only been humoring you when they've acted supportive"

And about a billion other things.

By then, it was nearly 8a and I was having an out-of-control, hyper-speed, let's-find-more-negative-things-to-focus-on,  spiraling, melt down in my bed. I finally figured out to pop a Xanax and quickly fell back asleep. I had bizarre & vivid dreams - which I recall wanting to Vox, but can no longer remember any details. I finally crawled out of bed around 10:45, still a little tense but no longer at hyper speed and overwhelmed with negativity.

The good outcome of all of this was that I looked into options for other classes & instructors for the next 8wk session (I think it's either that or quit). Not knowing any of the other teachers, I tried to get into some makeup classes this weekend to "sample" their style(s) but everything was full.

On a wild hair, I decided to check out the schedule for the LA studio. LOTS of class offerings up there. I browsed back and forth between class times, levels (I want to do an L3 or L4), and instructors. Suddenly, I noticed the instructor name "Coco Ferrari" and thought, oh HELL YEAH. Then I looked up her pic/profile and remembered she was the AMAZING KICK ASS dancer at the Enchantment Party demo (little over 1/3 in, left pole, camera moves to focus on her as she does spinning splits then inverts with full splits; again at 3/4 in, she does a flying spin to inverted splits, to invert on pole, to invert full/flat splits to the ground - f'ing AMAZING). I read her profile and loved her comments (and her tatt and her overall "fringe night owl personality living just barely within the norm for the sake of a good paycheck" attitude). I called the LA studio and found there was 1 space left in her Sat noon class - so I called my studio and had them sign me in.

It's a bit of a bitch for me to attend  (earlier than I want and a drive to downtown LA) but what the hell? The LA receptionist said Coco is her fav instructor, and the OC receptionist was INSANELY envious that I was taking a class with her. So, at min, I get to brag about working out with one of the most popular S instructors (even if I still totally suck). At best, it will be the shakeup I need to break out of my funk & past whatever mental/emotional issues are keeping me from doing even the most basic moves. At super best, because I'm not one of her regular students, I'll get some extra attention and have some kind of breakthrough (that's pushing the hope factor pretty far).

So, while I'm not confident that this will help, at least I'm trying something rather than just giving up.
Send positive juju.

...Garbage, "Bad Boyfriend".
Congratulations (but no prize, cause I'm cheap that way) to DatingLA for recommending I give another listen to Garbage. I actually had Black Light Burns, "Lie", and Concrete Blonde, "Jesus Forgive Me", also loaded on the playlist but let Megan (instructor) pick one without telling me which it would be.

Thanks to everyone for playings. Music recommendations are always appreciated... fast, slow, angry, soft... anything that you think would be good for what I describe as "interpretive erotic dance".

Workout was a little strange last night. I was way more tired than I expected - a combo of the weekend work & having totally forgotten that I'm having a bout of asthmatic bronchitis again (so much so that taking a shower left me out of breath) and need to be taking meds regularly instead of only when I notice a bad episode. The sciatica, only on the right side, is making a lot of the pilates warmup a total bitch. I can do moves one direction but when I try to reverse, it's like someone is stabbing knife into me. MUST see the chiro this week!

I tried to do pole practice but ended up sitting out most of it - I had no strength and no matter what move I tried, my feet refused to leave the ground.

One of 2 drop-in students, who usually goes to the LA studio, was AMAZING. By far the best pole work I've ever seen - including instructors - and she was completely fluid in blending it with floor & wall work. I got the feeling that LA is much better at teaching techique & power... but maybe she's also just one of the exceptional students. I felt really privileged to get to see her freestyle.

My dance was a bit of hit & miss. My long petticoat skirt was itchy and annoying but I was told that it looked good and that I stripped it off "very smoothly" (it didn't feel that way to me). Otherwise, I was sort of in & out of "the moment"... sometimes really flowing with the music, other times being very "removed" from the music and aware of my surroundings and what I was doing. Afterward, I was gasping for air - and it dawned on me that in addition to the asthma/bronchitis, I may not be remembering to breath normally while I dance. I'm gonna as Megan to scream "BREATHE" at me next time and see if that helps.

After class, I went home, scarfed lots of very bad food, and pretty much passed out. I'm still exhausted today - slept in way past my alarm clocks and, 3 hrs later, am still having a hard time staying awake.

Our next assignment is Pajama Party, or something like that. I think I'm going to layer flannel PJs over something skimpy and dance to Aerosmith's "Rag Doll" - though I'm not sure about that yet.

Sure Happy It's Tuesday

Next Monday's solo dance theme is "Volcanic Eruption".

I'm thinking I'd like a song that starts slow, but sensual (remember, this is strip/pole workout), then goes really high energy and aggressive. I prefer NIN and MarilynManson, some DepecheMode, but have danced to just about everything, by each of them, that works for class.

• Update: Sexy lyrics help but not a lot as I've found that I don't hear them, not a all, once the music starts. I hear the music, and the beat, sometimes the tone of the singer's voice (but not often); never ever the specific words.
• Below is a sample of the kind of 'angry" music that I like. Again, while the words are great it's the music/beat that I'm really following.
  

  Jamelia - Beware Of The Dog

  Jamelia