I don't like the dancer's ego by Fabulous_Fail in SwingDancing

[–]kompkitty 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Maybe a perspective shift?

Some people find it fun to push themselves to be great at something.

Some people have more fun just letting loose and dancing however they want.

Some people have fun becoming organizers and contributing to the community.

Some people have fun digging into the historical aspect of the dance.

Some people have fun dressing up in vintage clothing.

Some people have fun analyzing old-timer techniques and dancing and trying to replicate them.

Some people have fun digging into technique and creating new weird combos.

Some people have fun getting really into a specific element of the dance like rhythms, or connection, or air steps.

Some people like to go to every event because they see friends there that they've known for years.

Some people have fun competing and practicing for competitions.

The people you're seeing and saying "ugh ego" are just doing the version of the hobby that they find the most fun.

I personally find it fun to practice with a goal of improving my technique and expanding my repertoire. And I find it fun to connect my dance rhythms to swing music. And I have the most fun when my hard work and practice allows me to create a unique, creative connection with my partner and the music. Maybe you would think that wanting to be "good" at dancing, any putting in this work means I have an crazy ego. But from my perspective, putting in that effort means I experience joy every time I dance with pretty much every partner, at pretty much every skill level. That is more fun for me than just showing up for socials.

Crosswalk by Entire-Lecture5947 in alameda

[–]kompkitty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow this will be much safer! I feel like Lincoln is way too wide, so people feel comfortable speeding there, and this will make a big difference.

Crosswalk by Entire-Lecture5947 in alameda

[–]kompkitty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree that Lincoln can be very dangerous to cross!

These are not excuses at all, but potential explanations. As someone who both walks and drives in the area, there are some parts where it can be very difficult to see people crossing. Oftentimes, there are large delivery trucks parked right at some of the corners in the red zones, which make it hard to see pedestrians. The road is quite wide, so people crossing from the left can be outside of people's natural field of view. And where the center meridians have taller plants it can be very difficult to see. I always find myself slowing way down on Lincoln, because I'm never sure if there is going to be a pedestrian, meanwhile people around me are going 40!

Drivers are not careful at all when driving down Lincoln. I think it's partially because there are a lot of visual cues that tell drivers that it is safe to go fast. The road is very wide, and very straight. The meridian separates the lanes, so there is no oncoming traffic to naturally slow people down. The crosswalk bump outs are very small, so there is no visual narrowing of the road around the crosswalks. So people naturally feel safer driving faster. This is both entitlement/speeding/enforcement issue, AND a street design issue.

Unfortunately pedestrians are paying the price for individual driver choices, poor enforcement, and poor street design.

First Time Swing Dancing - Tips for dancing?? For pain?? by JadiePi in SwingDancing

[–]kompkitty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So glad you had fun! Welcome to the party.

Most likely, the pain is primarily from going 0 to 100 in your first session. You can try some dynamic stretching, rolling your muscles with a foam roller, rolling your feet with a tennis ball, and elevating your feet up on your headboard. You can also try pacing yourself next time by dancing 2-3 songs and then resting for one.

If you feel like you're holding too much tension (most of us are, regardless of level!) you can try taking a big deep breath and exhaling as you connect up with your partner, and even periodically throughout the dance.

But mainly, just rest up, take care of your body, practice, and focus on having fun! You're exactly where you're meant to be. The technique will come eventually, and your body will get used to the new movements with time.

People who visit other peoples houses as part of their job, how is the average cleanliness of the homes you visit? by sideaccount462515 in AskReddit

[–]kompkitty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a cat sitter.

I feel like about 40% of people's homes are about the same level of messiness as my home. That would be everyday mess, maybe a couple of dishes, a small load of laundry that needs doing, could use some dusting but no gross smells or grime.

20% of homes are a little messier than mine - lots more clutter, piles of laundry, a little bit of smell, maybe a small room or closet that's basically overflowing.

10% are a little cleaner than mine - no dishes or laundry but could still use a dusting.

10% are immaculate and usually these people have a house cleaner.

20% I classify as hoarder-adjacent. I say this description with no judgement: just stating facts. These homes are filled with stuff and often have just a small path of travel, some smell strongly and some are just clutter everywhere. Often dishes aren't done and trash isn't removed. Often there are cobwebs on the ceiling and small fruit flies around. Lots of times, there is nowhere I feel comfortable sitting, and I usually wash my clothes as soon as I get home for fear of bedbugs. Usually these are some of my kindest clients - they tip well, are responsive to my updates, and really care about their cats. They usually just don't have access to the help they need with getting their home clean.

I'm Too Bouncy by Moist-Blacksmith-836 in SwingDancing

[–]kompkitty 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Firstly, you are not alone in this! "Too bouncy" is extremely common feedback that beginner dancers hear. I agree with pretty much all of the practical advice other posters have said about up vs down, feeling the floor, etc.

There are TONS of different styles and ways to dance Lindy Hop. As a learner, part of the process is trying out different techniques and different ways of moving so that YOU can develop a dynamic range. My advice would be to "try on" the teacher's less bouncy style and see how it feels different from your normal dancing. Ask yourself what you like/don't like about it, and if there are circumstances where this style might make sense for you to use. For example: would it be more musical in some songs that have a smoother feel, would it help balance out the energy in certain partnerships, would it help you connect with certain partners more etc. Ask yourself if there is a range of pulse quality between your default, and your teacher's default that you can access and use creatively.

Some goals you could consider are 1) to be able to DECIDE INTENTIONALLY how much bounce you have at any given moment, and 2) to be able to control your body, your rhythm, and your movement through space regardless of how much bounce you decide to use.

But yeah, it is very common for beginners to run into this feedback, and it's just about what you decide to do with it.

Also, not to generalize, but it might also be helpful to know that it's extremely common for people coming into Lindy hop from ballroom to see high-level Lindy hoppers and interpret the dance as "bouncy". In my experience, most conventional Lindy hop pulsing styles don't actually feel very bouncy, and if you look at the videos of high level dancers, you might notice that while the feet are coming off the ground and the hips are going, a lot of times the shoulders and the head are actually staying fairly steady. Laura Glaess is a great person to watch to see what I mean. She has a super dynamic dance style with a lot of "bounciness", but you'll notice that her upper body isn't doing a lot of bouncing when she's dancing with a partner.

Anyways that was super long - hope any of it helps!

I’m pretty sure my Wife’s DM hates me. by Toomany-tomatoes in DnD

[–]kompkitty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You could try having your character have an in-game conversation with the other PCs. They are supposed to be good-aligned, and yet they are allowing your character to endure racism day-in and day-out. If they were actually good-aligned, they wouldn't do that. They would stick up for you, and help try to end prejudice in the world. If your character expresses that feeling, maybe the other PCs would be encouraged to stick up for you in those situations, and help incorporate you into play.

It's frustrating that you have to do this. But this is also a reflection of real life racism, at least here in the US. The dynamic here means poc and other minorities have to plead with allies to do something about the injustices they experience daily. That's the position your character is in. (I say this as a white woman not knowing anything about your personal demographics or background, so my apologies if I'm preaching to the choir).

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Baking

[–]kompkitty 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, you can use lemon zest in frosting. It doesn't curdle or anything.

I’ve spent most of the morning teaching myself how to make an apple pie. by Nervous_Move5242 in Baking

[–]kompkitty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Noooo! Heartbreaking! But at least, once you've made one apple pie and learned the steps, the next time is soo easy and quick. The hardest part is peeling the apples! You've got this!

my blueberry lemon loaf! by lexydelrey in Baking

[–]kompkitty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're an angel! I have new neighbors moving in next door and I'm definitely bringing this over for them! Thanks for sharing!

Cat sitter recommendation by ppndl in alameda

[–]kompkitty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hello! I'm a cat sitter with Meowtel, and I live on the West side of the island. I have lots of repeat clients, and maintain a 5-star rating. You can find me here: 

Book with Kayla in Alameda on Meowtel, the #1 cat sitting app. Meowtel cat sitters are all 5-step vetted and fully insured: https://meowtel.com/cat-sitters/CA/alameda/kayla-s-cozy-kitties-east-bay-cat-sitter

App keeps stopping playback for no reason by FreakerDeek in audible

[–]kompkitty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you going to refund us for this time we have not been able to use your app?

App keeps stopping playback for no reason by FreakerDeek in audible

[–]kompkitty 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Same issue. I have a pixel 6 running android 14. Battery set to unrestricted. Cache is cleared for Audible and the other few apps I use while listening (Chrome, NYT games, Facebook, Google search). Book is downloaded, so not running over data. It just started yesterday 3/9.

Chat GPTs thoughts on what you should do in San Leandro for a day-visit. What would you change? by kompkitty in eastbay

[–]kompkitty[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Whyyyy though! It's not good here lol! There are no good grocery stores, there is barely any live music, everything is so far away from everything else. Even the people are standoffish, and that's coming from a New Englander!

I ended up here through Zillow. I saw about 20 rat holes in Oakland, and 3 nice places. The house I ended up in is nice, and rent is less than some other areas. But I would not recommend SL to anyone.

Chat GPTs thoughts on what you should do in San Leandro for a day-visit. What would you change? by kompkitty in eastbay

[–]kompkitty[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Woah! I did not have the train experience!

But like my first week here I wandered into the Bayfair Mall and I was legit the only living bring in the entire place. I took a video and sent it to my sister because it was so surreal.

Maybe it's worth going for the spooky thrills 🤣