[nabs-l] CanI dance if I want to?

Tue May 14 01:34:34 UTC 2013

Hi folks,
  The last time I went dancing I put my straight cane in a  place nearby  and kind of  just navigated my way back to it. I was only dancing for a song or two, and could orientate myself based upon the  speakers. 
 If the situation came up often enough I would probably  have a collapsable/folding cane of some sort  on me and probably have a cane holder  on my belt  to store it. 
 I'm actually thinking that's just what I did once.
 and "happy place" sounds very California -- Love it! haha

On May 13, 2013, at 5:39 PM, Kirt Manwaring <kirt.crazydude at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hey folks,
>  I think gender only should matter if you want it to; otherwise it
> shouldn't.  That was the most terribly worded thing I've written since
> my last paper, but you get my point, yeah?
>  And I think that Darian's question about what to do if you choose
> not to drink is complicated, because all of us have different ways of
> getting relaxed and loosened up.  I say find whatever works for you,
> whether it be meditation or exercise or alcohol or extreme amounts of
> cafeen or some bizarre combination of some or all of the above and
> just go with it.  I think not taking yourself too seriously is
> probably the key, especially if you aren't all that great at dancing
> but want to have a fun time with it anyhow, and that probably means
> finding your "happy place", or centering yourself, or however you want
> to put it.
>  Of course blind people can be fantastic dancers; if you want to
> learn how to really be good at it, more power to you.  I'd say being
> comfortable with whoever ends up teaching you is key, so finding a
> friend is probably a good place to start.
>  Now, on a somewhat related note, I actually am curious about what
> those of you who prefer navigating with your canes do with them while
> you dance?  I used to rely mostly on sighted guide and put my folding
> cane in a corner somewhere but, now that I use a straight cane, and
> don't use sighted guide nearly as much as I have in the past, I'm
> wondering if anybody has any good strategies for navigating with
> astraight cane when I want to but quickly finding a place for it when
> I want to dance with somebody?  I'm thinking this isn't very
> practical, so I'll probably get a telescopic cane for situations like
> this so I can keep my cane with me and keep both of my hands free for
> dancing.  How do you guys handle this one?
>  Best,
> Kirt
> 
> On 5/13/13, Darian Smith <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi listers:  should gender matter  in who teaches you?
>> and  what would you suggest if you cannot or  choose not to  partake   in
>> alcoholic  beverages?
>> I think these are very interesting points indeed,  Just curious as to other
>> ways you might go about it?
>> Thanks Justin!
>> 
>>  Darian
>> 
>> On May 12, 2013, at 3:59 PM, justin williams <justin.williams2 at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>> 
>>> Get a friend, preferably a girl to teach you how to dance.  Sometimes
>>> keeping a drink in your hand will give you an excuse not to dance.
>>> Personally, I avoid dance clubs like the plague if at all possible;
>>> however,
>>> there are just times in social situations where you just have to shake a
>>> leg.  Do the best you can.  Just move your hips and try to keep up with
>>> the
>>> beat.  There are a lot of other people out there with you who can't dance
>>> either.  They also look terrible.  If you drink, it loosen's you up just
>>> a
>>> little.  It doen't make you better, you jus think you are.  Smile just a
>>> little even if you don't like dancing, or aren't very good at it.  The
>>> appearance of enjoyment, or hopefully you are actually enjoying your
>>> self,
>>> lets everyone see that you are confident; you can't dance and you know
>>> it,
>>> but you don't care.  It helps.  I feel you man; I'm in the same boat as
>>> you
>>> accept I have learned a few tricks to fake it until I can get off of the
>>> dance floor.  I get fairly drunk on nights like that if I go out with a
>>> group of people because I am using trips to the bar as an excuse not to
>>> dance.  Remember, if possible, get a friend, especially a girl to teach
>>> you.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Darian Smith
>>> Sent: Monday, May 13, 2013 6:36 PM
>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>> Subject: [nabs-l] CanI dance if I want to?
>>> 
>>> Hi all,
>>> Please  excuse  the slight 80's song reference,  but I am curious about
>>> how
>>> you all go about attending social functions where dancing is a part of
>>> the
>>> atmosphere?
>>> Do you decide to not  take part in it because you don't know how to
>>> dance?
>>> are you too shy?   Do you just get out there regardless?
>>> On Dancing, how do you learn how to dance  if you can't do what a lot of
>>> folks do and watch it  on television  or the internet?
>>> Thanks!
>>> 
>>> Darian
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>> 
>> 
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> 
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