AUTHOR: SalsaCrazy TITLE: Holiday Thoughts and Big Dogs DATE: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 ----- BODY:

Did you miss the latest blog post at DanceSF.com? Remember, we've got a cool blog going there as well!

So, what about the Holidays. They're coming, at breakneck speed! In fact, we're pretty much here. So, before I go any farther, Happy Holidays everyone. Thanks for visiting, and I want to wish you all a great Holidays, filled with fun and cheer (and of course, dancing).

What's coming your way? Well, on Dec. 22nd we've got Jingle all the Way at Roccapulco Supper Club in SF, with 3 bands, tons of door prizes and total madness ensuing before the Holidays. Highly recommended. The Same day, Cafe Cocomo will host a customer appreciation night, with two bands as well. Battle of the Big Dogs? Perhaps - but as dancers, we win! As always, our choices in the city are varied and we've a reason to be truly thankful for our salsa scene, and the promoters in it!

After that, it's pretty much Christmas/Chanukah/New Years - so relax, and feel the love. Most places are not open, but check the newsletter for the latest. Of course, the SalsaCrazy Calendar will be entirely up to date, and as always, completely free. Hey, y'know, if you don't see your venue listed there, or if we're not listing events you know of, make sure to tell your local club and promoter that they can list for free, it's entirely self-serve! http://www.baysalsa.com

Oh, and before I forget, if you didn't already know, Salsa Dance Videos make a GREAT gift. We even have a webiste, http://www.salsagift.com, where you can give these great Learn to Salsa Dance Videos to your friends and family for the Holidays. There's really no greater gift, so by all means, give freely!

Remember, DanceSF's Salsa Dance Classes resume in January - with some cool new classes. Check out the schedule for all the details, at http://www.dancesf.com, and register online for your salsa classes next year. It's time!

New Years: Argh - the most hyped day of the year. Why - oh why - does New Years have to be the best night of the year? I'm thinking - since I can't seem to find anything special to do, and it's "Amateur Night" in terms of crazy drinking (and yes, unfortunately, driving too), that I might stay home this New Years, and do the unthinkable . . . watch some TV.

Regardless of whether or not I actually have the sense to do that, one thing I always do, is a list of resolutions. Yes, I keep them from year to year, and yes, I even refer back, and it's SO cool. Highly recommended. Goals are a great thing! Be honest with yourself - set them down, and don't necessarily share them with other people. These are for you. In five years - you'll be able to look back, and think to yourself "what the hell was I thinking back then?". ;) Happens to me all the time!

What can dancers do? Here's the coolest thing. Track your dancing by getting a video recorder, and make a video of yourself dancing - perhaps with your current partner if you have one, or just friends. I've been doing this for <# Omitted> years, and it's so much fun to look back and the way your dancing has changed over the years. Totally cool.

Cool websites, you may have missed, include, Salsa Bootcamp for Dancers, which is a great Ebook about dance, and all sorts of insider tips. Or how about, Salsa Dance Secrets, sells our videos (and has videos on the site), or Secrets of Salsa Dance, which is a great website that sells our videos, but also tells a real (yes, it's true) story. Finally, the brand new DanceSF Salsa Guide! This is HOT. http://www.dancesf.com/guide/ . Yes, there's more - but that should hold you for now.

This season, here are a couple of thoughts to live by:

Follow the Three R's: Respect for self, Respect for Others, and Responsibility for your actions.

Judge your success by your effects on others, and what you've given up, in order to achieve it. (i.e. not by what you get, but what you give).

Happy Holidays!

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