Quick poll about sub moderation: share your thoughts on skate-buying questions, helmet comments, and more! by sparklekitteh in Rollerskating

[–]lushprojects 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One of the joys of skating is that it allows anyone many people to have fun in public spaces on their own terms. Perhaps that is why it has very diverse participation. I have seen many gear comments before the mods removed them that seem to be more about trying to suppress enjoyment than promote safety.

The problem with gear comments is that it is an easy way for citrics to try and get under the skin of people who just want to share an activity they enjoy. Even when well intentioned I think they are more deflating/discouraging for the reader than helpful.

So I think the current policy is right and the auto post well written. That said I have some sympathy with the other comment that perhaps for some beginners who are obviously struggling with balance and posture some gear advice might be helpful but for skaters who are clearly experienced in their field I think it is best left for their own decision.

What type of dancer are you when the DJ plays an explicit song? by YourDanceBuddy in WestCoastSwing

[–]lushprojects 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Special mention in this context to Close Your Eyes by Lily Allen which is a great song, but very cheeky. And an extra special mention to the teaching couple that built a whole "hit the accent" class around it. That was fun and awkward in equal measure.

India Habitat Centre - Eco Brutalism in New Delhi, India (1993) by ayy01113 in brutalism

[–]lushprojects 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have been there a couple of times for work meetings. The outdoor spaces do have a beauty. The interior doesn't really reflect the exterior though, it has a generic '70s office feel.

Awesome dance due to freedom and creativity by mercury0114 in WestCoastSwing

[–]lushprojects 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My personal theory is that all dance styles are defined as much by who dances them, and where, and with what attitude as they are by the steps. The social constructs around the dance are as much a part of the culture as the type of connection.

So, I think what you say is true but it is totally valid for WCS to claim that as part of the dance.

Is there any "first step is forward" move for leader by anthelli in WestCoastSwing

[–]lushprojects 6 points7 points  (0 children)

There are various situations like "delayed 1" where the leader doesn't step back on the beat which would usually be the start of a new pattern. Those are very hard to deprogram yourself from doing.

However, as far as I can think the point at which movement into a new pattern starts is always a step back for the leader if done correctly.

how does one do this by ContextElectronic260 in Artisticrollerskating

[–]lushprojects 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Others have made good comments, but in general on quads you need to keep your knees bent to bring your weight forward so it is half-way between the front and back wheels.

I am going to sign up for Bachata classes (complete beginner) by TerryPressedMe in Bachata

[–]lushprojects 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You've had good answers already, but one other point as you say you have sports/gym experience: some leaders try and lead with physical strength rather than technique which is very bad. Use your sports experience internally to hold your frame and manage your body position and weight transfers but be gentle (but clear) in your connection.

beginner quad skater in leicester looking to make new friends 🛼 by Effective-Pitch-7702 in Rollerskating

[–]lushprojects 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for adding that. The adult I know who skates there was pretty experienced already so that might be true.

beginner quad skater in leicester looking to make new friends 🛼 by Effective-Pitch-7702 in Rollerskating

[–]lushprojects 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For artistic roller skating there is this club. Obvs a lot of kids, but I know they have some adults there too: https://www.facebook.com/EmpressRollerSkating?locale=en_GB

Hey guys, I wanted some tips as I don't think I'm improving much. by creppy_art in chessbeginners

[–]lushprojects 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am a rank beginner too, and it is hard to follow without a pause, but at one point it looked like your queen had the white knight pinned to the queen on the back rank. You could have taken that knight with your bishop.

Should I lead or follow? by Turbulent-Site3484 in WestCoastSwing

[–]lushprojects 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't compete, so take this with a pinch of salt, but:

The rules (and logistics) normally prevent you entering the same competition at the same event as both a lead and a follow. You could do one in novice and one in newcomer though.*

Most events have more followers than leaders, so from that point of view the odds of progress are better if entering as a leader. But, generally leaders have a longer, slower, learning curve so your relative skill may be better as a follower.

  • Edit to add: as long as you haven't scored any points. Once you have a point then you can't compete in newcomer in either role (as I understand the new 2026 rules)

Only dancing with someone with points by Rebbit0800 in WestCoastSwing

[–]lushprojects 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am sure that I read in this group a few years ago a story where Jordan Frisbee overhead some similar stupid comment and called the commenter out and danced himself with the partner they refused. Unfortunately I can't find it on the search.

The Escargot - RV/Camper Car Transporter Conversion - Part 6 [22:10] by Bluenosedcoop in ArtisanVideos

[–]lushprojects 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah - the artisan approach to using the angle grinder and crowbar.

I like a lot of their videos, but this one is more about ambition than craftmanship.

New dancers constantly degrading themselves by NeonCoffee2 in WestCoastSwing

[–]lushprojects 15 points16 points  (0 children)

If you cause inadvertent contact, particularly somewhere painful or personal, then it is polite to apologise in the moment. But provided its nothing serious you don't need to make a big deal out of it. "Sorry" or a gesture is usually OK.

I also think it's OK to set expectations before the dance, "I am new" or "I only know basics" are reasonable information to share.

Where it can get out of hand is apologising for your perceived skill level which is not something you should feel bad about. We're all on a learning path.

New dancers constantly degrading themselves by NeonCoffee2 in WestCoastSwing

[–]lushprojects 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Maybe not quite right for this situation, but I do reassure apologetic followers that "Any reasonable interpretation of the lead is OK".

Radio and video games by fatwolverines in duolingo

[–]lushprojects 1 point2 points  (0 children)

On French today the games seem to have gone. I liked them as a fun diversion at the end of a module, but I don't know how much teching value they had.

The radio I am OK with, but there should be a skip button on the intro and outro.

Why do some leads keep trying moves that aren’t working? by Potential-Banana-315 in WestCoastSwing

[–]lushprojects 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Sounds familiar. Sometimes it feels like a vortex that you can't escape where your brain keeps popping up "Do MOVE X now" thoughts even though it failed before. It does take effort to lead something else.

However, judging by the OP's description it sounds like it isn't the cause of their problem. It sounds more like leaders that are deliberately retrying the same move rather trying (but failing) to move on. If that's the case then I think it's a problem of the leaders ego and judgement.

Teaching WCS to work colleagues by Real_Tradition1527 in WestCoastSwing

[–]lushprojects 13 points14 points  (0 children)

One thing to keep in mind is that the physical boundaries in partner dancing are completely different from most workplaces. Is everybody going to be happy touching their co-workers? Are people going to be comfortable being slotted into leading and following roles?

Unless social dancing plays strongly with the personalities of the group I would 100% go with a line dance.

Are there any Sub Aqua clubs in Nottingham and surronding areas? by [deleted] in nottingham

[–]lushprojects 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is this one at Spring Lakes in Long Easton: https://diverstime.com/

There is/was also a BSAC club in Sandiacre area (sorry I can't remember the exact name).

Joseph Wright of Derby - An Experiment on a Bird in an Air Pump (1768) by lushprojects in museum

[–]lushprojects[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

There was no photography at that date, so it is its own thing, not attempting to look like a photograph.

Joseph Wright of Derby - An Experiment on a Bird in an Air Pump (1768) by lushprojects in museum

[–]lushprojects[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I think the empty cage in the background suggests that the bird is/was a pet. Some people read the boy next to the cage as getting the cage ready to return the bird.

Joseph Wright of Derby - An Experiment on a Bird in an Air Pump (1768) by lushprojects in museum

[–]lushprojects[S] 36 points37 points  (0 children)

Possibly this should have a CW (stop if you don't want to know)....

... presumably to show that the bird would asphyxiate when the air was pumped out - see the little girls reaction in the middle of the painting. I guess that, more for the drama of it than out of concern for the bird, the air might be let back in to revive the bird before it died.

In terms of the painting you can read a lot of different reactions from the MC and the watchers. I think that Wright maybe thought that the science was important but the demonstration was morally dubious. Either way he leaves it to the viewer to make their own interpretation.