(no subject)

Me to FB: I'd like some useful information regarding Belly Dancing. I suck at dancing. But I need to build some core muscle groups to help support my back and heard this might work. Anyone know if you can do it casually, and of any classes or anything that are pure beginner level? I'm sharing this here, because I think it is important to share useful information. Useful.

Facebook: Have you tried yoga? How about pilates?
Facebook: I've heard belly dancing is cool.
Facebook: This is a great idea -- hope you find a class.
Facebook: I have a friend in NC who is into it. She can answer questions if you want?
Facebook: I took a class once and those dancers are really hardcore!
Facebook: Make sure you build up those glutenals as well -- maybe yoga.
Facebook: Pilates is easier than yoga.
Facebook: A great yoga class can make all the difference, I've found. I love yoga.
Facebook: While yoga isn't for everyone, it's helped me a great deal.


ME: Eh, I think we may need to revisit the definition of "Useful information" versus "random and somewhat self-serving advice". Also, how did this become about yoga and pilates? I don't remember mentioning either.

Note -- I chose not to respond. And just let it hang out there in the hopes that maybe my Belly dancer acquaintance will happen upon it. Unlikely, I think she's given up on roping me into Belly Dancing -- also she's rather hard-core. Her students buy outfits and perform. I have 0 interest in performing. I just want to do it like I'd do an aerobics or yoga class.

But I'm posting this as an example of how people don't listen to each other on social media. Or read carefully. Their mind picks out what interests them or pertains to them -- ie - build core muscles to help with pain = yoga. They completely missed the bit on belly dancing.

So...my neighbor just saved my life merely by knocking on my door

A little discombobulated. While watching Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (last week's episode), my neighbor knocked on my door and asked if I smelled gas. I told her that I didn't...but we stood in the hall for a bit discussing it, and I asked her to come into my hallway -- she didn't smell it, but weirdly we did in the hall right outside my doorway. She said she checked her apartment and nothing was left on. I went out again, and smelled it and it seemed to be coming from my apt somehow. So I went into the kitchen to check and discovered one of my gas burners had been left on. This shocked me.

She saved my life. I could have easily gone to bed with that burner still on.

I hadn't smelled it at all. I accidentally left it on after cooking some green beans. It wasn't lit, so I didn't know. And gas burners don't really smell. The gas is subtle, and the kitchen is separate from the bedroom and living room, off to the side. It had been on for about two hours, if that. I turned it off immediately and double checked everything, then opened the window in my kitchen and a window in my living room and turned on the fan. It's a warm night for November, so this works fine.

I share this with you, because.. it's good to be reminded that we are not alone and how little things like knocking on a neighbor, who you don't know, door could save their life. It's the little things that often matter the most. The little connections.

I've been reminding myself of that this week.