[Poledancefan]

My sister has an apartment 2 blocks away from the theatre. LOL, still waiting for her to mail the keys. Guess I’d better call her this weekend!

Joel
My cell phone is 708-642-4246
I’ll be there Thursday aftrnoon…

[Poledancefan]

PoledanceRomance, I looked at your profile pics. Hands down, it’s a no-brainer: you have a classic movie star face–perfect facial features, a long graceful neckline, a warm smile, luscious long hair and curls. Check out you own silouette/profile side view shot. It is sheer perfection.

As for me, I guess I’d say legs–just because I bike ride and the muscle development is OK.

I desperately want to get rid of my belly. I hate my stomach and flabby abs and love handle remnants that sag around my lower back. I am wroking on that whole lower waist area in 2010

Joel

[Poledancefan]

I fall or slide off the pole all the time. But I have three or four layers of mats resting on top of foam peg mats–which are over a layer of carpet. So it’s very well cushioned. I am VERY heavy–nearly 200 pounds–so I really have to use the mats because the force of impact at my weight would probably break a bone!

I haven’t had any serious injuries..but my biceps and shoulder muscles have been pulled quite a bit. I’m really hoping I’ll get to take FLeur’s shoulder injury workshop one of these days.

Joel

[Poledancefan]

I’m going to assume there’s a large grocery store in the area with a deli–so I’ll pick up a fresh fruit tray from a local store. I’m not sure anything homemade will survive the drive.

Joel

[Poledancefan]

Good for you, SapphireCatzeye! Let’s face it–any man who uses the word "whore" in the presence of a young woman who dances is simply being an ass****. That person is not your friend, he’s just a jerk. I wouldn’t hang out with them ever again–it’s just toxic to your self esteem and you don’t need "friends" like that.

By the way, I followed your thread here and on the other related topic. It’s interesting you use that term…"pole dancing is like being in another world…airborne.." I always got that impression from your contortion pole videos and costumed sets and felt "starved" of it when you took your short leave from pole. I was so happy when you came back!

Joel

[Poledancefan]

Hey Fleur…

I had a sort of "generic" suggestion for your topic. I’ve always wanted a class along the lines of "Am I doing it right?" In other words, a beginner’s level "consolidation" workshop. It would be pitched at the self-taught polers at the beginner/intermediate level. The instructor would assume a certain knowledge of a syllabus of moves and "trim" the finer points of grip, arm ,leg placement and technique.

I was reading Azriel’s blog where she talked about her lesson with you–and how wonderful it was. She made the statement…"after all, I have been poling ALONE for a year…other polers were just on the TV screen.." For her, the live lesson was a rare opportunity to do get that live feedback and improve technique. I suspect that one unique aspect of the SV membership is that it includes many "remote" polers in cities not friendly to pole who are self taught.

For example, I still see many "high inverters"–hands held way over the head while inverting instead of tipping back. One of them would be me! I see myself make this mistake ALL THE TIME in my camera screen!

Joel

[Poledancefan]

The whole headline has all the hallmarks of a manufactured controversy to get readers to look at the ads! The use of the adjective "scary" doesn’t even make sense to me. Scared of what? That she might fall and hurt herself? That she’s too sexy?

Well, Voelle of Malaysia has said that the men in her country are "scared to death" of her…I take that to mean that in in some cultures (and the US and Western countries have places like this, too) a really beautiful woman being sexy is a little scary to some guys. LOL, well, that’s probably true. It’s worse now than ever. Young men just can’t seem to step up to the plate and even ask a girl out. So maybe that’s whats "scary"!!

Ha Ha, I just realised I am talking about my son–my current frustrating topic!

Joel

[Poledancefan]

Thanks, Everybody! I didn’t know about Huffington article until a few days beforehand when the blogger who wrote the article sent me an e-mail. I think she is also involved in the charity fundraisers run by some of the pole studios out East.

Thanks so much for all of the nice compliments!

Joel

[Poledancefan]

Michaels Craft Stores chain sells fake fur in nearly every color. You can buy it in squares the size of a sheet of paper and simply cut it to the same size as the generic athletic knee pads that they sell in Sportmart. The fake fur could be sewn on the knee pads. But if you really wanted to get fancy–and are handy with a sewing machine, you might be able to attach sew-on velcro to the knee pad and to the back of a variety of different colored fake fur "covers." Then you could change the color of the fake fur to match your top or bottom or boots/shoes.

Another solution would be to make "fetishy" leather knee cap covers. The Tandy Corporation still exists (lol, they became Radio Shack–business trivia!)–and they still sell leather craft kits with lanyard string, thong cord, and sheets of craft leather in buckskin, brown, black..and textured rawhide and colored squares to mimic leopard skin, etc, etc. They sell the little needles and "punches" (which looks kind of like a macramé hook) to make coin purses and Boy Scout projects. Basically, you could cut a leather sheet to fit the knee cap, use the punch to make tie-holes, and then braid a leather lanyard or thong cord to make a "tie" behind the knee.

It might be the perfect, slightly kinky accessory for a hot floor routine!

All of this material is modestly priced–it’s also available at Michaels Craft Stores or directly from the TANDY Corporation via the internet.

Joel Lessing (Poledancefan)

[Poledancefan]

OK,I got my reservation Information. I would be happy to help out with snacks. I don’t know the area, but the hotel is very near the pole studio. Anyone can call me on my cell that morning to pick something up if it’s nearby and I won’t get lost. Or I will simply pitch in cash to whoever buys stuff. Either way…it’s not a problem.

Here is my cell phone: 708-642-4246 My cell phone accepts text messages also.
My home phone is 708-366-1425
My e-mail is mailto:JOELOWEN@aol.com
I use my real name on FaceBook: Joel Lessing–and I check it every day.

Hampton Inn Minneapolis – Eagan
3000 Eagandale Pl
Eagan 55121
United States
Arrive: 02/19/10
Depart: 02/20/10
Duration: 1 Night
Room Type: Standard King
Breakfast Buffet,Free High-Speed Internet
Room 1: Joel Lessing
1 adult
Non Smoking**
King Bed

Joel

PS: I am definitely interested in dinner! Just call me on my cell with directions when it’s time. I’m sure I’ll be there by mid-afternoon. If it’s a ladies night out at the strip club, I will happily chill out and enjoy HBO in my hotel room–no need to feel awkward in saying this to me….. LOL, I’ll have less to explain to Laurie when I get home!!!

[Poledancefan]

Hmmm…I didn’t even think about actual tickets for the workshop, LOL! Lian sent me a PM about workshops and I just went straight to her personal website for Body and Pole. They asked for an e-mail–I ‘m behind on that–but I assume there will be some sort of confirmation. Well, in any case, I’m guessing someone will recognise me, lol–in fact that’s what’s making me a little nervous, ha ha!

As for USPDF… I had no idea they had tickets through their association. I signed up for the newsletter–but it never came with the "details" of tickets. I bought tix directly from Symphony Space–I think they have seat numbers on them.

However, the amateur show is General Admission, so I assume it’s just first come, first served….

Joel

[Poledancefan]

Bellz…yes that procedure is called a cervical cerclage and it involves putting a suture or stitch in the cervix to address "cervical insufficiency." Some women have the procedure done simply because multiple preganancies have weakened the birth canal…or the baby may be threatening pre-mature birth and the docs want to keep the baby inside as long as possible to get as heavy a baby as possible before labor and delivery.

Glitter, I’m glad the results were OK. Your current boyfriend seems like a stand-up guy!

Joel

[Poledancefan]

::Raises Hand like a little Boy in Classroom:: LOL, Miss Veena, can I add one more thing?

The whole interchange between David and Veruca interested me greatly. David, may I respectfully lean to Veruca’s side in this argument? I think many straight women TOTALLY enjoy the beauty and sexiness of other female bodies…and, in the right, protected context and situation, will loosen up and get a little raunchy in yelling out their "support" for another sexy woman. It is often said that women dress for other women…an acknowledgement of both the competitive–and appreciative–nature of femininity.

I think that straight men actually do the same thing–but it is a "secret" and "sublimated" drive deeply hidden underneath the rituals of athletics. Some of us cannot get strong sexy bodies ourselves, so we get a little wasted and enjoy watching other strong men beat the heck out of each other wearing helmets…or swinging bats…or golfclubs. We talk about their "bodies" ( 72 hour disabled list, knees, elbows, surgeries, and steroids, LOL!)and their capabilities. Watching the behavior of men in front of an NFL game on television isn’t much different than going to a pole comp!

ANd…oh my goodness…the locker room at my local Bally’s. It’s worse than a dressing room at a Las Vegas Show! Enough primping, peacocking, and posing to put any all female pole show to shame!

Joel Lessing

[Poledancefan]

I doubt there is very much I could add to this discussion.

However, my gut impression is that there is less disagreement here than there seems. I get David’s points about not always needing to emphasize the sexual (lol, "leading with the butt–I like that phrase!)…and yet as a straight male who loves to watch sexy women perform, I’m not going to deny that I enjoy a sexual pole dance.

I’d like to inject two terms into the debate: TONE …and CONTEXT. I think that Fleur’s post comes somewhat close to my own feelings in this matter. Fleur hinted at CONTEXT when she noted she keeps her sexy videos "inside the community" among insiders who appreciate ALL the elements of her performance–dance steps, tricks, endurance, aesthetics, athletics. I think context applies in matters like WHO is performing, (a child, circus employees, strippers, elderly exercise pole-robics students, men) WHERE they are performing (Strip Club, High School, Superbowl, Yoga Studio, Country Fair)..and the REASON (to earn tips, stand-up comedy burlesque routine, fitness, or to entertain their wife)

And there is TONE–the manner in which we appreciate a dancer’s performance. I think that has much to do with both the context and the relationship between performer and the spectator. Now, if my wife wants to say "Ohh…that makes me want to ..BLEEP your BLEEP, well, so be it" (LOL, rest assured that will NEVER happen!!! My poling is NOT sexy–at least not to my wife, ha ha!) But I would never speak this way to Fleur, or Veena…because it would disrespect them..and my wife..and their spouses or partners. Likewise, when someone videos their 5 year old learning to do the butterfly–well, that’s just a cute family video. Basically, you can always tell–just by watching a video, the reaction the poler wants..and the elements he or she wants you to care about. So I try to be sensitive to what they are projecting and react to those elements. And sometimes its SEXY and HOT, ..so I react to it…but in a tone that’s not derogatory or crude. I try to watch all of the male polers, too–and if their content is sexual, I just focus on the tricks. I think everybody is entitled to equal sexual excitement, I’ve certainly got no problem with that!

Really, it’s just about respect–and tolerance. Don’t like strip clubs? No problem! Don’t go! LOVE Burlesque? Go to the show! Want to pole in your Nike Golf shoes in a musty basement with your pot belly and reggae music? Have at it!

I’ve said this before–anarchy may be part of the STRENGTH of the pole movement. Do we need some competition standards? Sure! But we are all free to set up our studios and home poling experiences in the manner that suits our interests…and pleasure. Let’s not forget…we are ALL doing this primarily becasue we ENJOY it!

Joel

Joel

[Poledancefan]

LOL, too funny…I just said the words "Mall of America" …and all of a sudden Laurie said…"Oh really? Maybe I WILL go after all!"

OK, so I map quested it for anyone who is interested in a general description of the location. Bodyblast, 2020 Silver Bell Road is located about 4 miles south of the Mall of America. Anyone approaching the Twin Cities from the East on the Interstate 494 bypass would exit SOUTH at State Route 77 which is called Cedar Avenue. This is in the general area of the airport. Driving south you should immediately see the Mall of America on your LEFT. Continuing SOUTHBOUND 3-4 miles, cross over BLACKDOG LAKE (the wildlife refuge). Within a half mile of being over the lake, you should see Sibley Memorial Highway (route 13). EXIT EAST onto Sibley…and Silver Bell Road is about 3/4 a mile down the road.

Conversely, anybody coming from the south along Interstate 35 towards the Twin Cities will come to a fork dividing 35EAST from 35WEST. Take the fork that says 35 EAST. Very shortly after the fork will be an exit for State Route 77, which is called Cedar Avenue. Exit North onto 77 (Cedar Avenue). Go 3 or 4 miles to Sibley Memorial Highway (also called "13"). Exit East. Silver Bell Road is about 3/4 mile down the street.

Judging by the GOOGLE map, there is a MacDonalds roughly near the intersection. If you see Golden Arches, you are likely in the right general area.

Joel

Desperation Strategy: Would be to ask any local person "Which way is the airport?" Cedar Avenue is part of the loop-de-loop that circles the entire airport. As soon as you see it (it is also called 77), then STAY on it or (GET on it in a southwards direction) southbound until you cross over the Blackdog Lake. Turn East onto Sibley Memorial Highway until encountering Silver Bell Road 3/4 mile down the road.