Time Flies When...

You're prepping for your next pole competition! And you spend 90% of your time thinking about said pole competition, mostly because you spend 60% of your time at your sucky job, and therefore can only utilize the remaining 40% of your time to do everything else that life requires of you, which includes, but is not limited to: physically training for said pole competition, obsessing over and spending plenty of money on my costume for said competition, caring for the three animals with which I now reside [obvi my roommate and I split these responsibilities, but either way, it's a package deal, there's no way I can feed/walk/play with/scold one pet without doing the same for the other two], eating pizza/chipotle/scrambled eggs, & whey protein shakes because I no longer have time to cook or grocery shop, "studying" various pole techniques at establishments where women get paid to dance on poles as well as workshops with professional pole artists, sleeping , and some other stuff I can't really remember.

And then your pole competition comes and it was marvelous and terrifying and before you know it, it was over. I didn't place, but I didn't expect to. I was more honored by the fact that I made it to the finals, I had a LOT of fun, and I've got lots to learn/work on for my next competition, whenever, or wherever that may be ;-)

Wildcard

I'm not the type of person who does things with explicitly clear intentions. In general, I tend to do things [or not do things] because the mood strikes me to do so [or not], and the outcomes of such actions or in actions are often not major concern.  I'm not sure if it's one of my biggest flaws or strongest attributes, #kanyeshrug. That's not to say that I'm reckless. I'm probably one of the biggest squares you'll ever meet, so activities of an illicit or "poor life choices that will land you in a starring role of a lifetime movie" nature don't appeal to me. I just felt that I should clarify.

I mention this lack of clear intention for my actions, because this past Saturday evening was my pole competition, and before the show started, my fellow contestants and I were required to fill out a brief bio for the MC to read to during the show: Name, occupation, length of time pole dancing, and last but not least, "why I want to be Miss Xpose Fitness". As you can probably imagine, I had absolutely no idea how to answer this question. 

30 Before 30. An update

¡Hola Lovers!

¿Guess what I'm doing el sábado próximo [next Saturday]?

I'm crossing #17 off my 30 before 30(+3) list, and performing in the Miss Xpose Fitness Preliminary competition! Holy shitballs!

I'm kinda freakin' about it at this point. I haven't performed in any capacity since I was like 23. And I've NEVER performed by myself, let alone scantily clad, wearing hooker heels, and twirling around a pole. And my mom is going to be there. I just fessed up to Linda this Christmas what exactly I've been up to at my "women's gym" for the last two years...and she's wasn't thrilled about my extracurricular activities. So yeah, I'm freakin' out.

And with 9 days to go, I'm still making big changes to my routine, impatiently waiting on my performance shoes and accessories to be delivered, still searching for silver booty shorts that aren't indecently short, and have developed what is likely to be tendinitis in my dominant arm. #freakingthefuckoutrightnow.

Such is my life. I may or may not get to post before the competition, and since I've stacked the audience with many of my friends and family, I'm hoping to get a few good pictures from the event, which I will of course share with you.

Until then, I'll leave you with some pics that would surely horrify my mom :D

It's My Birthday, and I'll Pole if I Want To!

So today is my birthday. And I'll pole if I want to, because poling makes me happy, and I need happy. I'm sure you've noticed, I've been absent on the blog, and when I haven't been absent, I've been a bit meloncholy. I'm hoping that will go away soon, and in an effot to beat the "my life kinda sucks blues", I have decided to throw myself entirely into activities that make me feel better, mainly the blog and the pole. I've already begun to immerse myself more in my poling, and recently attended two pole jam/workshops. And what would a pole post be without pictures? If ever I deserved a "yay" for progress, this would be it. Check out the before and after (pics below). 

This is a cross ankle release on a 45mm chrome pole. I'm still working on it on the 50mm brass pole we use at my studio, but I know I can get it.

Sticky Buns, Prelims and Pictures (Oh My!)

Ok, I know you're wondering what the fudge happened to that "culinary masterpiece" I was attempting to blog about, but couldn't because of technical difficulties. You're also probably wondering where the hell is my meatless Monday post? Well the culinary masterpiece that has yet to make it's blog debut is far from meatless, and my meatless meals last week were far from blog worthy. So to make it up to you, I'm finally delivering on a promise I made many many months ago, that you've probably long since forgotten about. But I'll get to that later. Let's take a stroll down memory lane, shall we?

A while back, I made sticky buns from a recipe I saw on My Life on a Plate, which Keeley adapted from the Barefoot Contessa. But because I was in a rush when I was making them, I forgot to take pictures of the finished product. Well my pole dancing studio, Xpose Fitness, was hosting the preliminary round of their annual Miss Xpose Fitness pageant Saturday evening, and I decided to bring those sticky buns to the party. Actually, I had been looking for an excuse to make them, as I had been craving them for weeks, but needed someone to share the calories love with. History has a way of repeating itself, and I found myself once again rushing to make them and get out the door. But at least I got a picture of the finished product this time around, albeit they were a little more caramelized than I intended, but still good, still good!

Messy but delicious

Even though I like the almost burt sugar effect, I realize I need to adjust my oven temperature for this recipe 



As for the competing ladies, I must say I was wowed. These women demonstrated some advanced tricks and amazing skill level. Naturally because of the low lighting, my pictures are awful. And to ad insult to injury, my camera died half way through the evening so I only have but a few pictures to share. I was initially hesitant to post pictures of the competitors, because I don't have their permission. However, because of the epic fail that is my camera, you can't really see their faces at all, so no harm no foul. And I definitely have some goals to work toward now.

And without further adieu, I promised, and I delivered my pole pictures! After seeing the pictures, I debated about sharing them, purely because my technique leaves much to be desired. Buuut, I figured there's nothing like a great set of before and after pictures, and now I know exactly what I need to work on. Please bear in mind, however, that I took these pictures after an intense 50 minute class, so I was very fatigued. I'll make sure to be fresh and fit next time.

The Pretzel, it's a work in progress

The Figure Four, not at my best though, I'm overarched

A two hand Layout, I'm over arched (again)

A true Layout, but my free arm should be extended behind me. I'm working on it

Happy Monday :)

Pole Burn

It's exactly what you think...kinda sorta...


I've been taking pole classes for about two months now. What started out as girls weekend fun, has become my usual Friday evening workout, and I love it! Why do I love it so much?

Strength. Pole dancing is challenging and it's a great upper body strength and conditioning workout. As a former personal trainer, I can tell you that most women neglect strength training, specifically in the upper body region and its not a good look! Having an adequate level of upper body strength in your is beneficial for your posture, helps prevent neck and shoulder injuries, tones and tightens all those muscles, and prevents you from being told "you hit like a girl" [I dunno about you, but that sentiment drives me nuts, and I hit hard!] Who doesn't want toned arms and shoulders? Halter top season is just around the corner and giving all of us dirty looks....

Beauty.  Have you ever actually seen a great pole routine? Any woman who command the brass pole is a world class athlete with feminine grace.  These chicks should be in Cirque De Soleil. In fact, they probably are.

Skills. So what if I can't put these skill on my resume, I'm proud of what I can do so far. And yes, pole burn is very real!  I tried to find a good video of some of the tricks I can do, but wasn't able to find something suitable.  But I plan on getting my very own pole one day [like when i move to some overpriced apartment in DC that doesn't have fabulous vaulted ceilings like my current abode] so I can practice at home. Will I ever be as advanced as these women....only time [and lots of pole burn] will tell...


Now pick your jaw up off the floor , find your nearest pole dancing studio and get registered!