Do What you Love
I know some of you are gonna watch this video and think I’m just posting it for a laugh. Yes, of course, that’s part of it. It’s certainly an odd image… and I’m sure this guy, Joel, would even agree. But it’s only a small part. Really.
Mainly, I chose it because I think Joel is, for lack of a better word… awesome. And I’m not trying to be ironic by saying it.
He built the pole himself. He seems to practice every day. He’s posted several videos… not of himself showboating, but just trying to learn. Many of the comments on his YouTube channel are tips, support, and people just generally observing his progress.
In fact, after I watched two of his clips they didn’t seem funny to me at all. These repetitive, clinical videos simply chronicle the journey of a man trying to get better at something he loves; his struggle with the pole itself, totally identifiable to me.
If someone were to tell me that the secret to our existence lies somehow in Pole Dancing… I think now I might know what they mean.
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Ron Curry on 09 Mar 2009 at 3:29 am #
Dinner’s on the table. Hahaha. That’s like every housewife that tries to get her husband out of the garage, woodshop, toolshed, etc. It’s totally an engrossing hobby for him apparently, that he has to be goaded into eating.
I like how he lays down out of breath. Hahahaha. I seriously can’t stop laughing.
Girlonthepark on 09 Mar 2009 at 5:41 am #
Hmmm . . . that wouldn’t surprise me. I’ve always got the feeling that strippers know something I don’t.
But seriously, that’s pretty cool. You’ve got to admire someone who is dedicated to learning like that.
Hanna on 09 Mar 2009 at 6:49 am #
Oh boy…for a second there I was worried about the lack of proper boxers or whatever. Not that I am an expert on man shorts, cause I’m not.
After that, what is there left to say other than do what you love.
Oh and thanks for the lulz
Marte on 09 Mar 2009 at 7:57 am #
Wow, I didn’t see this post coming…Nice one.
And then again, I realise that when I watched some of his videos a while ago I had a similiar experience. Yes, I did laugh, but at the same time I realised there’s a whole (almost secret) world of poledancers out there. Which lead me to a “Wow, there are so many lives I don’t have a clue about, the world is SO big and amazing”-moment.
(But I did laugh out loud when his wife started to call on him for dinner…)
People are awesome and inspiring.
Pauline on 09 Mar 2009 at 10:10 am #
I didn’t laugh. perhaps I’m not in a comedic mood. Perhaps I’ve been watching too much Rock of Love Bus (though the show has been given cred due to the fact that @anamariecox watches it.) But I digress… After watching Cara work the pole during Bret’s Truck Stop Olympics it made me think… pole dancing is pretty athletic… wonder if someday it will be an olympic sport.
This dude has heart.
Pauline on 09 Mar 2009 at 10:25 am #
I meant Taya… oops. my bad. I guess this proves once and for all that I don’t read penthouse.
kelseroo on 09 Mar 2009 at 1:12 pm #
What made this video so funny was the irony I think. This man is doing something completely abnormal, yet the little bits of his completely normal life show through, like the silly music in the background, his wife calling him for dinner. I bet people who see him on the street would never suspect he is a pole dancer! Seriously, how did we ever live without youtube?
Vanessa N. on 09 Mar 2009 at 9:39 pm #
I didn’t laugh either (except for when his wife called him to dinner). I might have laughed without the blog post to go with it, but I needed this lesson. I admire this man both for practicing what he loves and for having the courage to allow people to see beginning stages. If we ever want to be great (or even good) at something, we have to first allow ourselves to be beginners. I couldn’t help but cheer along with his “YES!” when he got the move right.
Also, I LOVE the fact that “My wife’s excellent beef stew” is in the credits!
ecruz3 on 10 Mar 2009 at 8:04 am #
Nice post! I decided to do what I love almost 4 years ago when I gave up on chemistry and dropped out of grad school to start a career as a software developer. I’m so glad I made the leap. I have so much fun at what I do, it hardly feels like work.
melissa ann! on 18 Mar 2009 at 7:14 pm #
pole dancing is really hard! that dude is impressive!