80-Year Old Culture Helps Form Modern Day Community

Scanning across the globe is a tight-knit community lying just below the surface of everyday society. Many individuals in this group are quick to call themselves "addicted" or "obsessed" and may spend every spare moment and every spare dime on their hobby. What brings these people together? An 80-year-old form of dancing that is commonly known as swing.

Anne Marie Martin, a novice swing dancer who has been at it for less than a month, has already made new friends. She went to the swing dance at Greenville's Handlebar, where she joined a dozen others to learn the basic steps of swing. Martin, like many, joined the dance scene "because I knew people who have a lot of fun doing it and I thought it would be a great way to meet new people."

Paul Hoke of UpstateSwing.com is the instructor and DJ at the Handlebar swing dances. In fact, if there is something swing going on in the upstate, chances are he is behind it. A little over 10 years ago, Hoke decided to try his hand—foot?--at swing because he though of it as a "sophisticated sport" which required a more in-depth though process. The dance is actually a little more silly that sophisticated and involves less thinking and more doing. After three months of learning, Hoke began to host swing dances at which the then-beginner taught the lessons.

A lot of men are reluctant to get on the dance floor with many an excuse to backup their hesitation. However, one of Hoke's favorite things about the swing scene is seeing these men who only attended because their girlfriend forced them and "have them walk away realizing that it's actually fun."

Mike Westervelt, a goofy, fun-loving Clemson student, is another person who started swing dancing as a way to meet people. That was a year ago. Today he is President of the Clemson Lindy Hoppers and seriously addicted. He travels throughout the Southeast to dance with lindy hoppers from other cities and to learn from nationally recognized swing dancers. Just this past summer, Westervelt and Hoke (and this writer!) trekked up to Raleigh, NC to learn from Nick Williams, the 2005 World Lindy Hop Champion.

What's the best part? For many dancers, it's the swing community. "When you travel places and meet other people who are into dancing as well, you have this common bond," and, Westervelt adds, "you have an instant group of friends."

♥, TiffanyAnne

okay, so he "won" the pulizter--not "one" it. sheesh. ;)

It is so embarassing when people point out glaring typos in a post that has been published for a few days already. Glaring typos that I never saw--even after reading over a post several times. LOL. And I want to be a writer?

♥, TiffanyAnne

Made with Chocolate & Caramel. Who could ask for anything more?

Mike brought over some of the candy from his monstrous candy bag and gosh I love me some Milk Duds! ^_^

♥, TiffanyAnne

Oh, sweet Halloween

Yesterday at Target, Mike and I wandered up and down the Halloween candy aisles on two separate missions. My mission was to find candy corn. Result? Epic fail. The only candy corn was some "gourmet" mango flavored candy corn.

"I don't want mango flavored candy corn!" I demanded. "I want candy corn flavored candy corn!"

Is that too much to ask? No. What was particularly annoying about this was that the Halloween candy aisles had lots of pictures of candy corn. As seen in this picture I found on flickr:

[do you see that runner? that's candy corn, I tell you! false advertisement! at perfect Tiffizzle eye-level!]
While I was on my vain hunt for candy corn, Mike was on a hunt for the bag of candy with the perfect mixture of fun-sized treats. You know, one of those monstrous sized bags of candy that is particularly convenient if you plan on handing out candy to the masses of monsters on All Hallow's Eve. One minor hiccup, though, is that Mike isn't planning on handing out candy. Trick-or-treaters don't come inside his building and I doubt there is anyone of trick-or-treating age living in the building.

So, he's stuck with all this candy that he doesn't even want because he bought the bag for the purpose of getting Reece's Peanut Butter Cups and accidentally got a bag with Reese's Crispy Crunchy Bar. Due to the crispies, he doesn't even like the Crispy Crunch Bar.

Bummer for him. Me? Oh, I love crispies. :) And we picked up some candy corn at the grocery store.

Oh sweet Halloween.

♥,TiffanyAnne

lolcats

♥, TiffanyAnne

decisions, decisions...

Advising for the spring semester starts next week, but I decided to check out the course schedules today just to see what my options were.

By the looks of it, I may be in for a confusing spring semester. I'm looking at taking classes at two different campuses and online. I hate online classes, but that's what it may come to.

I've been looking forward to taking another class from our resident Pulitzer Prize winning proff. Mitch Weiss, who won the prize in '04 for investigative journalism, will be teaching a class on investigavtive journalism.

Oh wait--one minor draw back. It's being taught ON A TUESDAY NIGHT.

Now I have to decide between swing dancing and journalism. Granted if it's anything like this semester, I'll get to go to half the dances anyway...

♥, TiffanyAnne

blocked

an article about swing dancing should flow effortlessly from my pen. right?

where a muse when you need one?

♥, TiffanyAnne

"friends"

I've got all these friends on that I hardly even know. These friendships started from meeting them one evening, asking them if they had facebook, and the putting our heads together to figure out what mutual friends we could find each other through because we both have strange last names and/or lack of memorization skills. We've never talked since except for maybe the mandatory "Hey, it was great meeting you at that party last weekend!"

Several names came across of people I never remember meeting. Delete. Family members of family members of friends I don't even talk to any more. Delete. Etcettera.

I'm down to five hundred friends and that's still a lot. That's still a lot of people that aren't actually my "friends." I feel guily deleting some of these people..but then I realize. Do I really care that we're "friends" on Facebook? No...and they probably don't either.

♥, TiffanyAnne

speak wisdom to your emotions

Sometimes I really frustrate myself. It is insane how dichotomous I can be. (Yeah. Dichotomous. I did just use that word. How 'bout them apples?) I just spent some time talking with my roommate and giving her surprisingly sound and logical advice. I have such a hard time applying that exact same advice to my own life. These wise words are coming out of my mouth and I just want to yell at myself, "So why don't you do that? Huh? Huh?" It's only through God that I can dig up these words to help her. Now, I need to lean on Him to use those same ideas and apply them to my life.

Sometimes, the hardest thing is realizing your limits and sticking to them. Do this even if it makes you unhappy in the moment because in a few weeks, days, or even a few minutes, you'll realize that you did the right thing. That realization will happen when you come to your senses and find yourself feeling tons better. Instead of listening to our emotions, we need to make them listen to us. I first learned of this idea at New Attitude '08 when CJ Mahaney gave a talk about the word of God and our feelings. This immediately appealed to me because I am a hugely emotional being.

The idea of going against what I "feel" does not appeal to me at all. What is WRONG with how I feel? That's just who I am and how I deal with things. So, I let myself settle into this need-filled funk which I feel requires people to bring me out.

But that's not what the Bible tells me to do. When I am "in turmoil" (or, as I like to say, in a funk) I should take a good look at myself and praise God. I hate telling myself to put my emotions aside because it's not a natural thing to want to do. It's not nice and it doesn't seem fair. But, truth be told, I find myself in a much better state when I rule my emotions instead of letting them rule me.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 42: 5 (ESV)

♥, TiffanyAnne

the Proverbs 31 woman

I'm not married, but I've really been enjoying the latest series on the girltalk blog. It's about the Proverbs 31 woman. I'm sure there are some readers who can take these ladies' words and turn them into practial application, and I wanted to pass this link along.

http://girltalk.blogs.com

♥, TiffanyAnne

found this in my post-it notes. it kept me pretty amused for a little while

♥, TiffanyAnne

colorquiz.com

Tiffany's Existing Situation
Needs, and insists on having, a close and understanding relationship, or at least some method of satisfying a compulsion to feel identified.

Tiffany's Stress Sources
Feels that life has far more to offer and that there are still important things to be achieved--that life must be experienced to the fullest. As a result, she pursues her objectives with a fierce intensity that will not let go of things. Becomes deeply involved and runs the risk of being unable to view things with sufficient objectivity, or calmly enough; is therefore in danger of becoming agitated and of exhausting her nervous energy. Cannot leave things alone and feels she can only be at peace when she has finally reached her goal.

Tiffany's Restrained Characteristics
Feels that she is burdened with more than her fair share of problems. However, she sticks to her goals and tries to overcome her difficulties by being flexible and accommodating. Unhappy at the resistance she feels whenever she tries to assert herself. However, she believes that there is little she can do and that she must make the best of the situation.

Tiffany's Desired Objective
Desires a conflict-free haven offering security and physical case. Is in need of considerate treatment and loving care. Fears the emptiness and solitude of separation.

Tiffany's Actual Problem
Needs to achieve a stable and peaceful condition, enabling her to free herself of the worry that she may be prevented from achieving all the things she wants.

That's some pretty in depth theorizing taken from which colors I like best.

♥, TiffanyAnne

lunch number

I forgot a drink today.

Yeah. I saw it on the floor of the garage. So what did you do?

Oh, they have little milks there that I can buy.

Who bought it for you?

We have lunch numbers to buy things with.

What's your lunch number?

I don't know. I can't remember it.

Well, let's practice. It's 5-3-3-2.

5-3-2-2.

No, 5-3-3-2.

5-3-2-2?

No. 5-3-3-2.

5-3...

3...

2?

Yes.

Oh...so there's two three's?

Yup. So, what is it again?

5-3-2-2.

♥, TiffanyAnne

Purple Pizzazz Frost

Like I said...purple nails.

♥, TiffanyAnne

makeup survey from stargirl. i.e. wasting my time waiting for class to start.

Okay, so my sister did this makeup survey thing and was like: oh, why don't you guys do it too. So, I decided to do it during which I realized that I have a lot of makeup. Mostly, I don't wear makeup. It takes too much time and I'm too lazy. I'm one of those gals that can get away with not wearing makeup most days. Or maybe I just don't care. Either way... But here is that survey...

My Foundation: Maybelline Dream Matte Mouse in light beige or creamy natural or something... Love it, reccomend it, but never wear it now that I have PF mineral makeup.

My Mineral Foundation: Physician's Formula Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Loose Powder in sand beige. Love it. So easy.

My Powder: CoverGirl pressed powder and PF bronzer. Never wear it.

My Mascara: Maybelline Great Lash. Never wear it. Mascara makes me look funny.

My Blush: CoverGirl Cheekers in Iced Cappucino...has a very odd scent. (Also own and occasionally wear: Lorac blush in Soul, Mary Kay signature blush in Island Spice)

My Eyeshadow(s): My go-to eyeshadows are two AVON quads that I got from my mother. One has silver, white, gray black and the 2nd has cream, bronzy-rose, gold, brown. I wear those above a Sonia Kashuk primer/base. (Also own and occasionally wear: A Sonia Kashuk pallet of browns, beiges, and neutrals. MK signature eyeshadows: two neutral colors and one purple duo. Maybelline pink eyeshadow)

My Lip Product(s): Again, my go-to product is MK lipgloss in Gold rush. I also love love love me some Softlips. (Also own and occasionally wear: CG Wetslicks, DuWop lip venom)

My Day Cream(s): Day cream. I'm not sure what that means. I use MK Velocity lightweight moisturizer.

My Beauty Product Brand(s): Physician's Formula and Mary Kay.

My Essential Beauty Product: Face wash, moisturizer, eyelash curler. Essense of Beauty brushes.

My Favorite Makeup Product(s): Black eyeliner, I use NYC or Wet 'n Wild. My boyfrind thinks it hot and that makes it a must-have.

My Perfume: Britney Spear's Curious, on the rare occasion that I wear perfume. I usually stick to my Bath & Body Works scented lotion.

My Nails: My nails are usually au naturale. Either completely bare or with Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Hard As Wraps in clear or sheer pink. Today they are purple. Oh, I mean they are Purple Pizzaz Frost. I feel very silly.

My Feet: I'm not sure what to put here. I like to paint my toe nails a cute pink color. But I rarely remember.

My Hands: I have a little Mary Kay Satin Hands GWP kit that a friend gave me. I want softer hands but I rarely remember to use it.

Three Products to bring on a deserted island: Neutrogena sunscreen (the lotion kind so it can double as a moisturizer), Softlips lip balm, Dove soap.

Women I admire for their beauty: The moms in my life: My mom, Veronica, who certainly looks way younger than she is and who was a total babe when she was my age. My boss, Janelle, who is funny, smart, humble, and always super cute. My mentor, Katie, who is so beautiful at every angle that the word could be taken.

Woman with the Best Sense of Style: Everyone that lives in my house. We are very fashionable.

My Favorite Fashion Publication(s): Glamour

Who did you get this from?: Stargirl, who has gone from video game nerd to makeup guru. ^_^

♥, TiffanyAnne

Carole

When I was in Tennessee for my cousin's wedding, I received a caboodles case full of my gramma's costume jewelry. All I have to say is, jeez, Gramma had style! This watch I am particularly fond of. It does need a new battery but that never stops me from wearing it. Come to think of it--both my watches need new batteries.

♥, TiffanyAnne

not labeled for retail sale

nerds left over from Lauren's b-day bash

♥, TiffanyAnne

a toast to #19

Two of my gorgeous roomies doing the self-portrait thing during our first ever roomie night.

♥, TiffanyAnne

This is what happens when I look at something and try to make it logical. NOT GOOD.

Let us examine this adorable little adventurous gal, Dora the Explorer. Are her parents concerned for her? I would be if she were my kid. Her best friend is a red boot wearing purple monkey whose name is, appropriately, Boots. Monkeys can carry diseases, kid. But, I guess, having her own television show and all she can afford to have an immunized monkey. One that talk to boot. Get it--to boot? Because the monkey's name is Boots? Ha-ha.

Dora has regular run-ins with a fox in a mask à la Zoro. The fox, like the monkey, is also appropriately named. He is a kleptomaniac. You know--he's got sticky fingers, he likes to swipe things. Which brings me to his name: Swiper. Why is the deal with the swiping Swiper stalking the monkey toting tot? I don't know.

In today's episode, Dora was chased by alligators. Two alligators. That could jump. Seriously? Her parents only wanted her to go to a soccer game and all of a sudden she's running from two alligators that really ought to consider signing up for the circus. She and Boots also find themselves running from a huge boulder straight out of an Indiana Jones movie.

I'm not even going to get into her talking backpack or the fleas in the mini-blimp. It's just all too much. Someone needs to call her Mami and Papi.

♥, Tiffany Anne

It's not you, it's your swingout...

I still go dancing weekly, but it has begun to take a lesser role in my life. A lot of people, dancing friends and girlfriends mostly, have had a hard time understanding why something I love so much is such a big deal. "It shouldn't matter" that I'm out dancing even if Mike isn't. So I pose to them the opposite senario: what if he was out dancing with other girls three/four/five night a week without me? Most gals get a look on their face that clearly says they would not approve of their significant others doing such a thing. It's funny how we girls like to hold guys to a double standard that we don't hold to ourselves. There is so much more here that I don't know how to delve into. I'll probably write more later...my first series even.

Last night, for the first time, an out-of-town friend and fellow lindy hopper told me that he "really respected" me for the decisions I've been making in concerning dancing styles and frequency. It's nice to have a fellow dancer that actually understands.

♥, TiffanyAnne

I feel the need to add the disclaimer that all the decisions I've made in concerns to dancing have been made by me with the help of Him. Mike never once asked me to stop dancing and, in fact, encourages me to go because he know how much I love to swing.

This one is for any parents out there that may read this blog

So, the baby is sick. (Can I really call him a baby anymore? He's 15 months old. But he's still the baby. ^_^) He's just got a little cold but he feels miserable. On most days, the screams coming from his mouth are excited shrieks--but not today. No, today he is eliciting only the crying and screaming that is accompanied by streams of tears. You'd like to hold him in the rocking chair all day long and you know he'd probably like that too but that isn't exactly an option. You've got another child that needs your attention too. Chores to do, mouths to feed, hair to pull out. How do you juggle all of it?

♥, TiffanyAnne