All I really need to know, I learned in swing class -with apologies to Robert Fulghum

[soxfan[$]]

All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be, I learned in swing class. Wisdom was not at the top of the ivory tower, but down on the dance floor at OCBC. These are the things I learned:



Go with the flow.

Take turns.

Trust your partner.

Keep a strong grip, but be flexible.

We were all beginners once.

Simple and clear is better than complicated and confused.

Mix it up.

If you start something, finish it.

Be aware of your surroundings.

If you run into a wall, change directions.

If you run into a person, apologize.

Practice may not make perfect, but it sure helps.

Above all, have fun.

[soxfan[$]]

Nice pic, whoever posted it (no, that's not me).

Those two are lindy-hoppers, judging from his shoes ... compared to them, I am still in kindergarten.

Ailsa

[amykhar]

Since your article is the top featured article on Easily Addictive right now, I added a picture for ya. Glad you like it.

Amy

[tipu]

Nice job Ailsa...

Heh, I've a long way to go with some of those lessons yet.

Originally posted by soxfan
Above, all have fun.

Umm... izzat, like, a misplaced comma? You didn't get help from anyone in NYC, didja? :p
*

[soxfan[$]]

Aagh! I hate when that happens. Thanks for the catch, tipu.

Ailsa

There was this swing club in town called The Orchid Lounge. I didn't swing dance, never wanted too, and everyone wanted to go to this place. Me, I was drinking my Amarettos and Cokes, and I noticed a sign...


TAKE A
WHIZ
REFRESHING BEVERAGE

Right outside the bathrooms.

I've got one in my bathroom, too. Nice sign from a while back.

I'll get a snapshot of the sign at some point.

[taurusmoon]

Very nice Ailsa. And so, true.

Tipu dear,


Sara

[nicholmere]

"If you run into a wall, change directions. "



Great list! So very true. I've tried to be like Fred and dance on the walls, but it rarely works. The sofa maybe ... but not the walls.

[soxfan[$]]

Thanks for your comments, all.

Katherine, dancing on the walls doesn't work for me either. And my roommate might not take too kindly to my leaving footprints all over the furniture.

Ailsa

[cyndilouwhoo]

Nice essay Ailsa! I made it into desktop wallpaper!

And I'm probably the only one on EA who knows what "OCBC" is.

Great job!

Cyndi

[soxfan[$]]

Thanks, Cyndi, you're too kind.

OCBC, for the rest of you, is the Old Cambridge Baptist Church, in Harvard Square. A ballet company rents space from the church, and my swing instructor rents a room from them. It's got a wooden floor, nice high ceilings, and a big enough area that we don't bang into each other too often. Just in case, the teacher has the guys practice apologizing.

Ailsa

[ms_n]

This is nice. I like the last one the bestest.

[kuuleimomi]

Damn, dunno how I've missed this before.

Ailsa, great article! Amy, nice picture! Tipu, best comment; gawd, I still can't stop laughing. Well done, everyone. Cyndi, how about sharing that wallpaper of yours, aye?

Finn