[I'm writing this "to" Kalia because she was calling English at the Queer Contra Dance Camp a couple of weekends ago, but then I figured other people might find it interesting and/or useful] Howdy Kalia, I think I finally figured out part of the reason why I overall dislike English despite its similarity to contra. Part of the figuring out was teaching Postie's Jig at CALLERLAB this year. Basically, I don't have a sense of balance, and something about the way English puts less emphasis on giving weight makes it feel less comfortable for me. (I've got similar issues with certain folk dances, such as Zemjo Makedonska, but that's slow enough and repetitive enough that I can focus on balance.) For anyone not familiar with Postie's Jig: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVYYCx7snk4 I noticed that you did some ECD that was different from the usual turn single, slide across, etc, and I enjoyed that a whole lot more. I don't have problems with e.g. heys because there's enough momentum to carry me around. Note that my balance issues are different from most other people's because I literally have no sense of balance (e.g. can't tell when a hammock is swinging) and I rely on visual/kinesthetic mechanisms to balance -- which actually gives me good functional balance when I'm moving, but much less when I'm standing. If you run across other people with balance issues, this analysis may allow you to do a better job of helping them figure out what works for them. Thanks, Aahz -- Hugs and backrubs -- I break Rule 6 http://rule6.info/ <*> <*> <*> Why is this newsgroup different from all other newsgroups?