Earlier this year, I received an email from a friend asking if I'd like to perform in a pole dance competition. Having only been pole dancing for two years, inconsistently, and teaching for one of those years, I had every intention of politely replying: "are you nuts?". But on a second thought, what a great opportunity to meet others sharing the same passion for the sport! And how exciting to be able to dance on a professionally rigged stage in front of a large audience! Quickly, that second thought turned into delusion and, almost instantly, I signed up to perform not one, but two routines in two distinct divisions. ....