Oh, The Glamourous Life!

Dear Constant Reader,

In case you’re losing track of what day it is, it’s Friday. Time for a tip. I really wanted to give you a great everything-is-normal burlesque tip and I just couldn’t. Nothing is normal.

It’s okay not to be okay.

It’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to be disappointed. It’s okay to be stressed.

I know there are people broadcasting what productive and creative things they are doing while isolated, but if you consider it a major victory to have taken a shower, it’s okay.

These are uncertain times and you are allowed to feel how ever you feel. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Stay safe,

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

If you’re having trouble keeping track of the days while you’re at home, it’s now Friday and thus, time for a tip.

Clean your screens.

I know you’ve been hearing that you should disinfect your phone, but how?

If you’re lucky enough to have disinfecting wipes, you can use those. Otherwise use 70% isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free cloth. Take the phone out of the case and clean all sides of it.

Don’t use bleach. Don’t use ammonia. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide. Don’t use acetone. Don’t submerge it in liquid.

I got this info from Apple, but it probably applies to other types of phones.

Clean your phone, your tablet, your mouse, your keyboard, &c. — any electronics you touch.

Stay safe and healthy, okay?

I’m going to be presenting a short floorwork lesson on Sunday at 7pm (eastern time) on live on Instagram at @studyburlesque. I hope you’ll join me! You’ll just need a mat or towel to lie on.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

We are living in strange and uncertain times. My heart goes out to all those affected by the closures and cancellations. I know how you feel — The Great Burlesque Exposition has just rescheduled for September. It was a very hard decision and a lot of people are impacted, but it was the right thing to do.

Here’s your tip:

Support small businesses as best you can right now.

Producers and performers have had to cancel shows. Many small artists, shop owners, and other independent businesses are seeing reduced traffic and have had events canceled at which they were going to sell. A lot of income is being lost.

If you can, please help them out. You can send your favorite performer a tip or purchase something from your favorite vendor. If you don’t actually need anything right now, perhaps buy a gift certificate you can redeem later. I saw the great suggestion to buy gift cards from your favorite restaurant or cafe to use when it’s safe to go out again.

If you’re one of those economically impacted, leave a comment with your info, so my other Constant Readers can tip you or buy something!

Bonus tip, from the archives, but always relevant:
Be kind.

Everyone is just as anxious and uncertain as you are.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! I’d like to welcome my newest Patron, Manuge et Toi!
To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

Keep calm and wash your hands.

Here’s a few practical tips about preventing the spread of COVID-19, the coronavirus. Note: I’m not a medical professional, just someone who doesn’t want to get sick.

Did I mention, don’t panic? Use common sense to keep yourself and others healthy.

For some in-depth and research-based advice, please check out this on-going series from Siderea. And there’s always good information on the CDC and WHO websites.

Stay healthy!

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

“I don’t know” is an acceptable answer.

As teachers we are “the expert” and have a certain authority. Sometimes a student asks a question and the teacher doesn’t have the answer. It can be hard to give up that authority and admit that you’re not the expert after all.

There is nothing wrong with that! It is so much better to say you don’t have the answer instead of guessing or making something up (I’ve seen it happen!)

A gentleman-scholar of my acquaintance (may his memory be a blessing) used to say “Non scio sed invenire possum” — Latin for “I don’t know, but I can look it up”*.

You are doing your job as an educator if you say “That’s a really good question. I don’t know. Let me do some research/check with someone/try it out/&c. and get back to you.” And then make sure to get back to them!

* Yes, fellow Classicists, I would have used nescio too, but I’m quoting someone whose specialty was Icelandic literature, not Latin.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Dear Constant Reader,

Happy Friday! Here’s your tip!

Before twirling, make sure your tassels are hanging freely.

Sometimes, after being curled up in your bra, tassels can get stuck to a stray bit of adhesive near the edge of your pastie, caught on a rhinestone or other bit of decoration, or just sweat-glued to your skin. Give them a little shake or smooth them out (perhaps with a surreptitious, gentle yank) just before you start your twirl.

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.