SSC 23

Short Shameful Confession:

When I read the word affidavit, in my head, I pronounce it "aff-uh-dah-VEE."

I know how to pronounce it, but my sister told me she that's how she did it when reading a aloud in the middle of a high school English class. Nice!

Dancing Transition

So, Atomic Ballroom was sold by Jerry & Katie Jordan to Nikki & Shesha Marvin. As a dancing patron, I welcome the changes. As a team member, I'm concerned.

Social dancing is improved, I think, by some simple additions and subtractions. The old, broken-down couches are gone, replaced with a couple high bar tables and stools. More people can sit at the entrance area and fewer human traffic jams occur at the dance-floor to lobby transition area. All the rafter-fans have been replaced and powered by wall-switches instead of remote controls, making things cooler on the dance floor. They're no longer asking people to clear the ballroom and file back in, which was never that big a deal for me, but was for others.

As a team member, there are a few core issues that concern me. Ditching introductory routines for the "seed" team is a big one. They aren't performance routines, but serve to give people a great foundation of socially leadable moves, and get from beginner to high beginner or low intermediate level. Shesha responded that he'd like to bring in new routines to serve the same function. Fair enough.

I'm concerned about the phrase/attitude, "You've been doing this the wrong way. Here's the right way." Just saying, "Do it this way now," is sufficient. Shesha explained that there are some philosophical differences he might have with Jerry's teaching which he's very passionate about, but seemed to agree that the confrontational attitude wasn't productive.

Finally, I'm worried about culture. I've had very little success in getting to know people on the "inside" of the OC Swing dance club. That might mean team members, but extends to just the social core. I've had conversations with Warren, and exchanged pleasantries with others, but that's about it. I don't expect us to be one big happy family all at once, but we should be making an effort to get to know each other in some way. Somehow.

Bus Ride Continues

The transfer was trivial, but my buddy Google Maps had me do it at a random stop instead of the Fullerton Transportation Center. Not a big deal, except that the A/C is so strong I need to pee. I can hold it an hour. Or get off near a fast-food place and get back on in 15 minutes. Again, not a big deal.

You did know you can plot a trip in Google Maps then have the route given to you using public transportation, didn't you?

So far, the ride is pretty stress free. I can concentrate on other things and let someone else drive without small-talk.

And so the blogging continues.

Public Transportation

How much does gas have to cost before the public invertigates public transportation? For me the experimental price is $4.25/gallon. That's what orangecountygasprices.com told me was the cheapest non-Arco station around. Bleh.

Can I afford it? Certainly. In fact, the roads have been significantly less congested, making driving much easier. But it's the principle. I have the freedom, the money, and the time (especially today) to explore the option. Shouldn't I do it?

The trade-off is obvious: 30 minutes vs. 120 minutes for just the first trip of the day. Perhaps I can catch up on podcasts and blogging on the way? :-)

I'm headed down to Costa Mesa, Los Alamitos, and back to north-OC today, all places within walking distance of a bus stop. So I spent a little time making sure I'd be able to return, confirmed the routes, packed for the day, and set off.

Lesson one: Be early if you can help it. I didn't scout out the first stop properly and ended up having to jog with my pack the mile to the Brea Mall where the first transfer was. And juuuust made it.

The running for buses took me straight back to my childhood, when my family was car-less. I hated running for buses then, but now... I still hate it.

The Sunday bus is uncrowded, air-conditioned, if a touch spartan (no cocktail service, no DirecTV). $3 for the day-pass vs. over $20 via the IRS mileage compensation formula.

My transfer is coming up, so I'll sign off for now. [snappy bus-riding line goes here]