7/8/98
I began constructing this site in late June, 1998.
As it happens, I will install it on my 50th birthday.
In the worst nightmare of any systems analyst, I started writing before I had any idea of where I was going. After I got some of my thoughts written down, then I started to figure out how to organize and present them in a coherent manner. This has been a bottom-up project. I don't really know what I'm doing yet, but I'm learning.
If you have any comments about the design and structure of this site, please let me know.
I am particularly interested in how the site responds, how it looks on your machine, and whether you find navigation easy and intuitive.
Thanks for your comments and/or slick ideas.
8/5/98
In the beginning I thought it would be nice to organize my ideas into categories, so you could easily find what you are interested in. After devising several different schemes, all of which were somewhat arbitrary, none of which were clear and distinct, I have decided to just put most things in the same grab bag.
Often in my teaching I make some comment about tango, then realize that the comment applies to life in general. The phrase "Just like in life" pops up frequently. So it is here. These thoughts don't seem conducive to an organized structure.
I have included an alternative view of learning to dance tango; the Mythical Journey. I've been thinking in this (shall I say it?) "paradigm" for a couple of years. It's helped me get a useful and calming perspective on both learning and teaching this dance. I'll try to share it with you.
8/26/98
During the past week I have grown increasing unhappy with my efforts to lead my students toward a realm which, I don't even know if it exists or not, except in my personal reality. Therefore, I turned the teaching chores over to Linda Heffron, Danny Waggoner and Leslie Hodges.
8/28/98
Years ago I attended a personal growth workshop. They explained that some people try to hatch an egg by gently protecting it in their hands and keeping it warm until the chick breaks it open from inside. Other people believe it is more helpful to tap the egg with a hammer until it breaks open. Since the workshop involved emotional work, I liked the gentle and protective approach.
When I began teaching tango five years ago I tried to nurture my students as much as possible. I was getting more or less the same results that other tango teachers were getting, but I wasn’t satisfied. In my desire to produce good tango dancers I have gradually adopted the hammer method more and more. Recently I have come to think that maybe it is not the best approach for most people. It’s a rough road to travel.
Linda, Danny and Leslie like a slower, more supportive and more nurturing approach. We’ve discussed it often and I’ve tried to heed their counsel, but I was becoming too interested in my own objective rather than the needs of my students. They offer more of a handholding approach, which is probably what most people want. I think they and I are on the same path, but their method is not so severe. For this reason, I have decided to step aside and let them manage the teaching. They are fine dancers, good teachers, and good people. I’m grateful they were there to assume the mantle for me. It’s in good hands, and I trust them with it.
Rick and Lynda Wilson also offer good teaching, but in a slightly different direction. Their presence in Atlanta as an alternative is also comforting to me.
Ronda and Manuel Patiño offer a still different path for those who prefer it. Everyone must choose their own path according to their own values. All paths are paths.
You make your bed and you lie in it. If it’s not comfortable, you should make it differently. It was time for me to make a change. I will continue to support the tango community in other ways, and of course, dance as much as possible.
Let us all continue on the path of Tango with good companions and good health. In the words of Téte, a superb Woodsman, "Bon voyage".
email: Please send me your comments or questions.