The Everyday Bellydancer's topics - tribe.net

bd newsletters

2008-07-06T15:54:11Z

...ok, i've got a complaint. didn't think i would, but i do.
just read a monthly bd newsletter. i was hoping it would about bellydance.
what i ended up reading seemed pretty "show-offy".
sure, if it's your newsletter you can do what you want with it.
maybe i just wish it was me sometimes that had the cool stuff to write about?
ok, i feel better now. :)

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 2 replies

Yelp! I've got a gig!

2008-07-06T00:51:30Z

I've been out of touch for a while - one of my children has a "mystery illness" - fever for an entire month. We still don't know what's wrong, but we're all getting used to living with it. Last week I performed with the student troupe I'm in for an entire hour at a local fair. That was really interesting. I actually got over my stage fright!

Anyway - a friend recommended me and another dancer (Prudence) to dance an ATS tribal duet at a showcase in North Hollywood (next Saturday, Desert Rose). This is a whole different ballgame. I'm now panicking over my costume - which is truly ATS tribal - and my beautiful partner is more tribaret. I've nothing sparkly at all. It's a really cool place - and suddenly I feel like a really old lady (44th b-day the day after the gig). Encouragement, advice, reality check anyone?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 4 replies

Beware: Official looking IRS Phishing Scam...

2008-07-05T20:09:53Z

This is an Xpost. I just wanna look out for my BD sisters! :o)

I just got this today in my IN box. Spam is usually pretty well filtered out, but this one made it through. I checked the IRS.GOV website and this is a scam for you to provide the A-holes with your personal info, back account info, etc.

Anyway, here's a pasting of the body of the note (which, when viewed as an e-mail, has all of the nice borders, colors, logos, etc. of the IRS). It looks totally legit, but I knew it was a scam because I'm not eligible for the stimulus check. :o(.

Here it is:

****************

Economic Stimulus Refund

Issue Number: SP-ESR 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over 130 million Americans will receive refunds as part of President Bush program to jumpstart
economy. Our records indicate that you are qualified to receive the 2008 Economic Stimulus Refund.
The fastest and easiest way to receive your refund is by direct deposit to your checking/savings account.
Please follow the link and fill out the form and submit before July 4, 2008 to ensure that your refund will be processed as soon as possible.

Submitting your form on July 4, 2008 or later means that your refund will be delayed due to the volume of requests we anticipate for the Economic Stimulus Refund.

To access Economic Stimulus Refund, please click here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: If you received this message in your SPAM/BULK folder, that is because of the large amount of e-mails we are sending out or because of the restrictions implemented by your ISP.

Internal Revenue Service · 1111 Constitution Ave. N.W. · Washington DC 20535 · 800-439-1420

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 5 replies

Happy Independence day!

2008-07-04T15:55:40Z

May the wind be at your backs, the sun gentle upon you, the clouds bright creatures of promise... the love of my life moved in with me 18 years ago today : )

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 1 reply

Best Bellydance moment ever!

2008-07-04T06:14:34Z

I've been out of the loop a little with Bellydancing and I'm finding it a little difficult to get re-inspired so I need some fuel from you lovelies! What was your best bellydance moment ever?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 22 replies

The First Lady

2008-07-04T02:09:40Z

Okay, what with the elections going on and what not, I can't help but bring something up where bellydance and poliltics collide. The most important thing being, not this election, nor the next, but in the year 2020 my fiance plans to run for president.

I thought you all might be interested to know and hear of a bellydancer potentially becoming First Lady. ;)

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 3 replies

Best Movie Lines- EVER!

2008-07-03T21:14:23Z

Ever hear a line in a movie that just makes you want to jump up and go "YES!!!" ?

I nominate Sean Connery as John Mason in "The Rock".

FBI Director Womack: "No way, he's not going with you!"

Team Leader: "If having him with us keeps my team alive, he goes."

SC as John Mason:"Well Womack, it looks like you're between The Rock...and a hard case."

Beat that! *grin*

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 80 replies

Watching Jehan on TV now!

2008-07-01T15:12:56Z

And she is on this tribe, too! Woohoo! It's pretty funny so far. :)

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 22 replies

Ghawazee Coat

2008-07-01T03:19:55Z

Hi,

It's been a while since I had the time or motivation to make anything but I have now finished my Ghawazee Coat.

It was made from two dresses that I had never worn but the material was too gorgeous for me to get rid of them.

For anyone who is interested, here is how it was made.

The main body of the coat was made from a sheath dress with a boat neck and a small slit up to my calf on one side. I cut the dress open at the front and opened the seams up to my hips on both sides, hemmed them and so I had the body of the coat.

The sleeves were originally a strappy dress made of a very slightly different material. Both dresses were made from velvet that seemed to change colour depending on how the light hit it. The main dress was blue/red and the sleeve dress was blue/purple. I think it looks pretty good anyway and not to glaringly different.

The sleeves were just tubes that I sort of left open at one end so as to sew them along the top of the armhole of the dress whilst still allowing freedom of movement. It's difficult to explain.

Also, since the body of the coat was made from a sheath dress I added darts in the back to make it a more flattering shape rather than a flat back hanging down.

Added the tippets and the frog fastenings (£1.20 from the local fabric shop, I believe) and its done.

All in all I'm rather pleased with how it turned out. There are a few more pictures in my profile for anyone that is interested.

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 1 reply

so glad I found belly dance...

2008-06-30T14:30:53Z

Two years ago my life changed completely when I took my first belly dance class. It has pulled me through some very rough times...lots of speed bumps in the road of life I suppose. Now I need it more than ever to pull me through an extra tough moment. It keeps me feeling feminine and confident. I can still walk with my head held high because I'm a stronger woman.

How has dance saved everyone here?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 14 replies

i can finally watch Shimmy :)

2008-06-28T18:59:15Z

and I think i'll tune into this during the month off. atleast it's something to do :)
i feel extremely restless knowing there wont be any class until august =p argh!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 1 reply

******The Everyday Bellydance mansion party

2008-06-26T20:30:26Z

The gnomes have decorated and are behaving for once. Just becareful of that couch!

Sasha! Where are the fighter pilots and the cabana boys????

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 112 replies

nomenclature-Xpost

2008-06-25T22:42:32Z

so today this is the first time i had been back to this dance studio since i went back to school last summer. (nothing wrong with the studio, i loved it, but i was 3 1/2 hours away, so i took class in the nearest town to my school) in addition to taking classes (am. rest. at school, tribal fusion at home) i have been using several dvds, (Rachel Brice and Michel Joyce, mostly) to practice at school.
from some of those i have learned the "basic shimmy" as a hip shimmy with one bump on each hip. I've heard some people call it an "Egyptian shimmy", some call it a "rocker shimmy", and others call it a "piston shimmy" but today we learned a "basic shimmy" as what i had formerly thought of as a 3/4 shimmy. the explanation of the 3/4 shimmy that made the most sense to me was on Michel Joyce's "drills drills drills" today we learned up twice on each hip, per weight change as a "basic shimmy" (up right, up right, shift weight to left foot, up left, up left, shift weight to right foot) and our teacher considered a 3/4 shimmy what i had thought of as a 3/4 with a hip twist. (when you travel with it by twisting you hip on weight shifting down hip) this is what sparked my question (a little long of a trip for this, isn't it? sorry)
i have always thought that each style of dance, and indeed each teacher, using their own vocabulary for movements is great. i still do, really. it lets teachers visualize and describe things differently, and therefore teach them to students differently, and you'll eventually be able to understand someone's explanation. i've also felt that it adds to the uniqueness and individual expression of each person's dance. calling a move something that makes sense to how you feel it and use it. but as a beginner, i can't help but be confused, and a little overwhelmed by the different names for all the moves. i guess when the same move is called many different things it isn't as confusing to me as when two different moves are called the same thing, because i wonder if it's really the same move, or if my beginner mind is just trying to simplify an incredible amount of information. for example, snake arms, and parallel arm undulations seem very similar until you really really really break them down. the wayS that i learned (maybe it would simplify things to stick with one teacher until i am more experienced?) snake arms begins in the shoulders and ripples out threw the elbows and hands, and parallel arm undulations are.... well, the way they are described on Rachel Brice's dvd- pushing the hand and moving the shoulder up and in at the same time, then shoulder down and hand down while elbow goes up. i got my self to be able to do both, as separate things, but they are so similar that i'm confused as to what is a different move, and what is a stylistic difference. today, we learned snake arms going forward and back, rather than up and down. how do you know when the same move is being called something different and explained in a new way, or if it really is a similar, but different move?i sortta wish i could know what someone means when they talk about a move- not try to figure out if it's the same as something else, if it's what i thought that name meant, or if it's similar so something else, with neuances that i'm not picking up.

i'm posting this because i would love to know how some more experienced dancers feel about people bringing up "belly dance should have a standard set of names like ballet". i feel that we would loose some of the innovation, and some of the expression and glorious variety we are blessed with ("did God paint you?" "yes" "why" "because Allah loves wondrous variety"- Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves). at the same time, i understand how confusing and frustrating it is to be constantly translating. what are everyone's thoughts? any recommendations for understanding nomenclature of different teachers?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 8 replies

Belly dancers on ABC's Wife Swap this Wednesday night

2008-06-25T04:11:19Z

I just got Jehan's newletter (via Bruce Hathaway) in my e-mail box and from what I gather she is going to be on ABC's "Wife Swap" show this Wednesday night at 8:00PM.
According to the newsletter, the switch involves a pig farming family from somewhere East of nowhere (which sounds a lot like where I was born...)

This could be reealllly interesting.

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 5 replies

A visit from the bellydance fairy!! (and some whining)

2008-06-23T10:19:23Z

I've recently started with a new troupe and my first class I was shown four new combinations (tribal fusion style) which are all very different from what I'm used to. As I left I was told to bring zills next week because we'll be adding them to the combinations. *Note* I have never played zills in my life, I was going to learn from a teacher but she ended up moving across the country before I ever played a single *tek* I have told them this as well. One of the women in the class was very condescending and rude and kept correcting everything I did (which was ironic because her technique was horrible) and generally talking to me like a two year old, an attitude that I am used to, I am only 20 and I started dancing when I was 14. You get the 'little kid' treatment a lot.. I left class, cried my way home and decided never again.

Anyway!! Because of the former teacher I have a lovely pair of zills, heavy with a low tone that doesn't kill me ears. However about three years ago I lost one of them. I held on to the other three hoping the missing one would turn up. I was freaking out about having to use the pair of nasty cheapies from borders (in an instant belly dancer kit). Today, just as I was finally deciding to give up dancing once and for all I saw my lovely fancy zills on the DVD player. And yes all four were there! I haven't seen the set together in three years, since I was living with my mom. I am now living an hour away in my own apartment. I think the belly dance fairy must have brought it or magically manufactured a new one and left it on my DVD player... Hows that for incentive not to quit?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 15 replies

"professional" dance show advertising...

2008-06-23T00:21:35Z

I am a member of another forum and there was a discussion started recently about the use of the word Professional in the advertising and charging for admittance.
This topic openner was upset because they had went to a show that said "professional belly dance" and paid a fee and the performers were in their opinion "charging for the public to see one big student recital rather than a REAL show"

I am sure the "everyday belly dancer" has an opinion........

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 3 replies

Dolphina on Conan

2008-06-22T16:01:16Z

Heyyy Des.. i mean Tami.. Dolphina is supposed to be on Conan tonight.. June 18. Damn time zones.. are you still UP

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 10 replies

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

2008-06-21T01:06:45Z

EXACTLY!

Show is June 19.
Haven't started on costume yet for solo
and I haven't finished my choreography on my solo
best yet
since I'm using a martial arts weapon in this solo
I left my weapon at karate on tues.
so i've been using a much too big weapon and haven't been able to some things unless I wanna knock me or someone else out

so
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 19 replies

feminism and Middle Eastern dance

2008-06-20T08:55:00Z

so, I've been trying to reconcile the whole culture that is very oppressive to women and female empowering dance that comes out of it, thing.... despite what i've come up with, then i read about male-female relationships in Muslim societies, I still feel a little uncomfortable. I was wondering what everyone thinks (i don't mean any offense to anyone from Muslim culture. it's just something that i don't understand, and would like to)
i've thought of these so far: 1. we're making it our own 2. in the framework of folk dance it's something women can do with each other for empowerment, escape, fun 3. There is an unmistakable and almost universal hightening of self esteem and confidence in women who enjoy the dance.
Any thoughts? like i said, it might just be me not understanding the culture as well as i probably should, but I would love to hear some people's thoughts.

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 63 replies

Check out my awesome hubby!

2008-06-19T00:30:10Z

My husband Sean did his first dance performance ever this Spring Caravan! We shared a solo spot and he did a men's stick dance to live music with Djinn. I'm so proud of him. :-D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3PnBBZkT_4

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 17 replies

I think I've blown a fuse...

2008-06-18T22:59:49Z

What do you do when, no matter how hard you try, you just plain suck at something? Here’s my problem – I can’t seem to do tribal fusion belly dance to save my hips.

I’ve been dancing for four years now, having started my training in classical Egyptian style. I decided at some point to “branch out” into Tribal Fusion. I promptly bought all the pre-requisite dvds to study (ie Ariellah, Sera, Darshan, Asharah, Kassar – you name the dvd, I own it) and even tried dancing with a fusion troupe for awhile but....after a couple of years of nothing but frustration, I’ve finally come to the conclusion that I just am not cut out for Tribal Fusion. I guess it doesn’t “speak” to me in the same way the Egyptian, Am Cab and real “old school” ATS does.

The worse part is, I am starting to feel like there is something “wrong” with me for not being able to connect to Fusion. Everyone else seems to love it, so why not me? Are there any other dancers out there in the same boat or am I sailing these waters alone? HELP!!!!

PS - I also posted this on Shira's tribe.

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 7 replies

Excuse me, your belly dancer is showing...

2008-06-18T16:22:00Z

So the other night my sister and I attended a variety show of sorts featuring some of our local talent. The show was amazing and some of the acts really blew me away, so naturally as a belly dancer while everyone was clapping I was doing a zagahreet, lol. Sometimes I feel like clapping just isnt a enough to show you really enjoyed something. I got some strange looks at first but after a while I guess it just blended in with the applause, lol.
So I was wondering if anyone else has had a moment when their belly dancer has shown up out of turn. :)

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 35 replies

crowd pleaser songs?

2008-06-15T17:34:21Z

do any of you have suggestions on what songs generally go over well when you're trying to get members of the audience (non-bellydancers) to get up and dance too?

my current standbys are:
Talakik by Hakim
Simarik by Tarkan
Ah Wi Noss by Nancy Ajram

we have a gig tomorrow where we might need a couple more songs
(ok this is a bit last minute ;) but I'd love to know what other songs are good for future reference.)

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 28 replies

Satin Rouge

2008-06-15T17:20:15Z

In case you haven't watched this movie, you must! I watched it three times already and I get more out of it each time. Great belly dance movie!

Any other movies to recommend for belly dancers?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 13 replies

You're likely to become a bellydancer when...

2008-06-15T14:16:21Z

some of you have probably already seen this "you know you're a bellydancer when..." list:

http://www.dancersdreamland.com/soulmovement/inspiration/SM-Inspiration-YKYABellydancer.pdf

on reading it I noticed that I already did a few of those things even BEFORE I began bellydancing. (bulletproof bras, 98% of my music not in English, being unable to stand still, to name a few). did any of you notice the same thing? or did you have any other indicators in your lives that would have predicted that you would one day become a bellydancer?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 21 replies

Activia commercial...Who's hips are these????

2008-06-15T11:16:22Z

Has anyone seen the new Activia yogurt commercial? The one with the bellydancer's hips? I've been enjoying myself immensely trying to figure out whose hips they are!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 6 replies

FYI

2008-06-13T14:39:06Z

Tami is me, Desari, for those who do not my real name. Just feel the need to be myself at present. :)

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 12 replies

belly drums

2008-06-13T01:54:13Z

I posted a while about about "free dumbeck", doing drum practice on the belly, and some one mentioned some performances using that that they had seen, does anyone have any links? when i you tube it i come up with fat dudes and regular drum solos.

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 0 replies

Bellydancers on Second Life?

2008-06-11T17:12:03Z

I just got turned onto this. It's an interesting little set up. I don't plan on putting any actual money into it, but it's kinda fun, for a while anyway.

If anyone else is on it, my ID is Romana Zessinthal.

I am also on D2...for the other uber geeks out there, like myself. Bastisiskali.

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 1 reply

What's in your Gig bag?

2008-06-11T10:09:12Z

Well here is what in Sharon's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d18-WR5YsUI&feature=user

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 2 replies

Men are like

2008-06-09T13:48:32Z

http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/gex_mnal.htm

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 6 replies

Spreading a few smiles!!!

2008-06-09T13:36:10Z

Hi all!

This is'nt bellydance related but rather something I came across on youtube and found totally hilarious!!! Thought you guys would appreciate a giggle if not a hearty laugh!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM2CORdyv8k

Love & light,
VMx

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 11 replies

Dropped the ball? How about flushed it down the toilet???

2008-06-08T23:24:34Z

Two weeks ago my boss asked me to set up a one hour audio call including him, two of our analysts and a guy from outside the company who would be making the pitch. I merrily went on my way and set up an Outlook invitation to him and our analysts, secured dial-in information, got everything set up and ready to go. Except I forgot to email the outside contact with the dial in info and confirm the meeting time with him...

YIKES!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 8 replies

Master Class

2008-06-07T16:19:18Z

Hi Everyone:

I had a question to ask you.

Who qualifies to take a "Master Class"? Is it only open to teachers? How many years should a dancer/teacher have to take the class? How much skill level is required? What if the class is Turkish style and isn't taught as regularly as say Egyptian style, would that make a difference?

Thanks so much,

Azeeza

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 4 replies

I want an Akai veil for my birthday...

2008-06-07T14:46:45Z

and don't know how to buy it. Akais webpage directs you only to etsy.com, where there are about seven veils only and never the one I want (it is only in the oops-section). I want a rectangle veil rather large (L would be fine but don't need XL) I think the model is called "paradise bird", here is the picture out of the oops-section: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12156032 but I want the colours strong. No oopsy-poopsy. How can I get it?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 10 replies

Just had to share

2008-06-07T02:54:17Z

Who has a dog that can Zagareet?....Ok, so he doesn't really, but he sure reacts.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=o2r5P8IeAyI
This is our 1.5 year old...110 lb baby

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 7 replies

OT- Freaking Facial Tic!

2008-06-05T21:22:06Z

Okay, I had a really stressful morning and about two hours ago my right eye started twitching and WILL NOT STOP! Does anyone have any advice on how to get this to go away?? Help, it's driving me CRAZY!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 8 replies

tabla vrs dumbek.

2008-06-04T13:37:04Z

i am confused. when i google/wikipedia the tabla and the dumbeck, i come up with the tabla being an Indian drum that is round and the skin is stretched on with rope that cross down the body, and the dumbeck being the Jaffar shaped (i watched the making of Aladdin, sorry) drum that we all know and use.
BUT then i hear many dancers (including BDSS's store) refer to what-according to my googling- looks like a dumbeck as a tabla. what is the difference/are those dancers wrong, or are wikipedia and google wrong?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 6 replies

fun site to share

2008-06-03T21:17:12Z

i was looking for sari fabric and found this site, i though you all would enjoy it ^_^
http://www.glandonzoo.net/wyndchaser/almas.htm

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 3 replies

Yeah, I'm still a metal chick

2008-06-02T21:14:53Z

My younger years were spent rocking out to air guitar and I took guitar lessons but I just couldn't get the hang of it. I am not cut out for learning instruments other than zills I guess. But in any case, I keep finding Tazina, the MetalGoddess bellydancer herself. She doesn't seem to have her website anymore but this is her MySpace link. I was thinking some of you might enjoy checking out her page and seeing her videos of her dancing. She is a fabulous dancer and her costumes rock. She totally reminds me of how much I still love heavy metal and how much more I have to explore. I was not goth back then, and am not now, but I will always be a metal chick. I had pushed it down for a good many years. I wonder now-if I had discovered bellydance back when I was 13 or 14 maybe I would have found the outlet for my love of metal instead of trying to find it in guitar lessons. In dancing to metal, one would just do what they do to their favorite music. Their personalities would just shine through. And they do. In gothic bellydance, there are workshops and classes on gothic bellydance. I think workshops/classes teaching 'gothic movements' is puzzling. If you are Goth then just dance who you are. If you are not Goth, then I think that Tempest is on the money in her workshops in helping you access those bits of yourself that you can 'dance darkly'.

I just wanna dance who I am. I am a metal chick but before that I was a little girl who danced to Bee Gees and Rod Stewart's "Do ya think I'm Sexy?" Yes, my mom played all these records for me. And she bought me Andy Gibb and Shaun Cassidy. Then it was Michael Jackson and Madonna. Then somehow I descovered Van Halen back in 1984. My excursions on the school bus to high school every morning taught me to appreciate Metallica. I don't like speed metal, cuz I can't dance to it but I think I will check out more heavy metal that I never got into back in my teens. But, ya know, I am glad it wasn't just a phase. It was me and I still love it. I am going to dance to Marilyn Manson now.

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 10 replies

beautiful pictures

2008-06-01T20:35:35Z

of countries and people around the world
http://wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18000

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 5 replies

zills!

2008-06-01T09:34:40Z

ok, i want zills. really! those things are neat!
anyone have any comments, advice, tips, stories-about-how-hard-zills-are-to-learn or my-boyfriend-dumped-me-cos-too-much-noise...?

i'm especially worried about
a) not having a good sens of rhythm with my left hand
and
b) not being able to dance and play at the same time.

i was advised to get them here http://www.saroyanzils.com/ cos been apparently they're the best, and been told that the maker is going to retire soon and won't make any more of these wonderful things... which kinda prompted my decision to get some now while i'm at it...

whaddyall think?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 28 replies

Lost link!

2008-05-31T22:24:07Z

Hi folks, a while back while surfing, someone posted a photo of a gal with a spear, wearing sandals, standing on stone steps of a temple, or something, with a wild alien sky in the background. I looked up the artists website, he takes photos of models, backdrops, and scanned art, and layers them all together to create these images.
Anyway, I lost the link... and really, really want to find it because I loved this artists work...
Any suggestions are appreciated!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 0 replies

Going to Virginia

2008-05-31T16:11:35Z

Hi guys! Im going to Virginia July 15th through the 20th. I was just wondering if there were any good teachers in the Richmond area or somewhere close to that (I dont know the area, Ive only been once but Im visiting family so they should know where everything is!)? I want to drop into a class one or two nights.

Ive been dancing with the same teacher for 10years on and off, so I dont want a super beginners class cuz Ill get bored easily. Ive done tribal but that was a long long time ago but I dont really anything cuz I was like 14 or so, and I dont remember back that far! Our troupe has done almost everything, right now we're doing turkish, rom and tunisian. So my point is Id love to take anything :)

And if you know a place I could xpost this that would be helpful too :)

Thanx ladies!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 6 replies

The Everyday Sidelined-Bellydancer...

2008-05-31T01:57:18Z

I have a bum foot. Check my blog for the details.

It will be a while until I can dance again....months most likely. I don't even have a surgery date yet.

Just felt like whining.

WAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!

<looks for chocolate>

<.... and booze>

~Gimpy~

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 30 replies

Oh, how lovely!

2008-05-31T01:51:55Z

I have been removing those who SPAM the tribe, in particular those who apparently join just to do that. Those people I delight in booting. Mwahahahahaha!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 13 replies

massage and festivals?

2008-05-28T15:37:08Z

I know there are a lot of bellydancers who are also massage therapists, so I thought I would post this here, since I can't seem to find the answer through tribes like festival vending (WTF???)

How does one manage to offer massage at festivals when you have to have a different license for each place you visit? (unless you're lucky enough to be going to Montana or something)

Are festivals exempt from licensing requirements or do people just sort of do it anyway? I really want to try hitting some of the festivals(both bellydance and non-bellydance), but unless I can do massage while I'm there, I can't do more than one.

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 4 replies

Indy

2008-05-25T07:21:36Z

Is coming out very soon. (In two weeks right?) I'm super excited and I'm happy they are bringing back some older characters from the original movies like Marion Ravenwood.

Narnia is coming out which is making me read all the books all over again for like the 8th time. :P

Hooray for Mr. Ford!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 14 replies

Anyone here try Spinning?

2008-05-25T01:55:07Z

I just did my first spinning class today and my rear is sore...sore....sore! Has anyone else here done these classes and will I get used to it? Did I have a bad bike? Should I bring a little pillow to put under my bum?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 24 replies

to gym or not to gym

2008-05-24T17:52:36Z

So, my husband wants to add me on to his gym membership. I used to be a member but the place got kinda dumpy so I stopped going but now it's under new ownership and they are fixing up everything little by little. I went to take a look and it is better than it was, but what I was really hoping for was a room with a mirror to do some drilling and practice. Unfortunately they keep the classrooms locked when there's no class (they never used to) so the only place with a mirror is the weight room. Do any of you drill at the gym for all the world to see because "there's a big mirror and damn it I'm gonna use it", or do you drill in the privacy of your own home? I know I could use some strength training and some cardio but I want to improve my dancing too. How do the rest of you keep in shape?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 14 replies

Bradford, PA?

2008-05-23T17:31:33Z

It looks like I might be spending a few months in Bradford. Does anyone here have any scoop on bellydancing in that neck of the woods? I'll want to take classes while I'm there--I prefer tribal but cab'll do nicely as well, and both types of classes would be ideal.

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 15 replies

isis wings!

2008-05-23T14:01:59Z

i'd like to get some (translucent white/opaline ones) but i need a little help on these.
what's the best fabric? i'm more tempted by organza than lame.....
and what in the world do the sizes correspond to? M/L seems the most common..... but is that going to be too big for me? and if must, how do i go about cutting them to my size?
considering the cost i don't really wanna screw up....
help? :p

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 6 replies

How cool would this be

2008-05-21T23:14:49Z

walking down the street or taking the subway(well cool if your in NY)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjmKnRGIbjo

yeah, I thought so

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 20 replies

Troupe building question

2008-05-18T12:09:53Z

If you were building a brand new troupe, which of the following would be most important to you?

-Great friends you like to dance with.
-Excellent dancers you're friendly with.
-Dancers who share the same background (ATS, Eqyptian, Suhaila, etc) as you.
-Dancers who share the same vision (want to go pro, want to have fun) as you.

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine who has played D&D for years, and he realized one day that he had been expecting his fellow players to be all of the above - great friends, great gamers, people who had similiar experiences to him, and people who wanted to get the same out of gaming as he did. And after years of frustration, he realized you just can't have it all, so you need to pick one. And of course, my mind immediately wonders how this could apply to bellydance. hehe

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 32 replies

Suggestions Please!!

2008-05-16T15:58:42Z

I am having the darndest time finding music to dance to. I am looking for fusion type stuff since the traditional stuff aint working for me right now....any suggestions?????? My friend made me this perty costume. Its vaudeville inspired so I am looking for music that I could belly dance to----anyone? Please?? I am going nutters!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 4 replies

STOP POSTING YOUR EVENTS ON HERE!

2008-05-16T00:57:10Z

Capiche?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 7 replies

doggie dancing

2008-05-15T17:11:49Z

so, i just adopted an Australian shepherd. He is a sweet heart, but the thing with the breed is that they need a lot of exercise, the kind that gets their brain going. (a few of them have been found to gain vocabulary as fast as a human 3 year old!) but I'm already trying to squeeze dance and gym into my day
solution? jog with him and DOG DANCING! ^_^ i'm gonna use arm cues like ATS to have him do a trick with me while i dance. i think im gonna make the hip bump with the arms overhead that kindda open with the bump mean "back up", horizontal figure 8's with the hands following the hips are gonna mean weave between the legs. vertical hip 8's traveling to the side are gonna be heel and side-steep, but i need to come up with hands to go with it.... floreos might be spin. i think a down to up undulation (arms rising) and chest lifts (wave hands at top) is gonna be stand on hind legs, and hold, then bringing the hands down and a down-undulation is gonna be the release.
anyone got anymore ideas?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NutzSiRpYBc&feature=related

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 22 replies

who's into drumming?

2008-05-13T23:22:44Z

My fiance and I just bought a new djembe on Monday. He is an AMAZING drummer. Now that we have two of them, I'm learning to play.

We just sat and played for a while and it was so much fun! I kept screwing up and then I just jumped right back in! It's like jumping rope and just rocking back and forth, waiting for your break.

It's all sort of complicated in my head, but when I can get into the groove of it and get my head out of it, it just happens on it's own.

Who else is into drumming? What are you learning from it? How long have you been playing?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 21 replies

Have you???????/

2008-05-13T21:36:43Z

Last night i put on Jillina's Lebanese choreography DVD and did the technique section and discovered many of the steps will fit perfectly with some music that i'm hoping to perform to in June at a local show. i wanted to find some new steps that would add a bit to my dance and it kind of fell into my lap? Have you ever had this happen to you?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 1 reply

The Bra Buizzzzz

2008-05-13T14:53:23Z

Interesting article on MSN about bra's.

Not particularly useful for new construction but I always enjoy reading about them, why I don't know. It's a crucial part of our lives and its nice to see someone has put some thought into ALL aspects of our assets most valuable asset. ;)

http://www.newsweek.com/id/136235?GT1=43002

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 2 replies

Heavier veil fabrics?

2008-05-13T14:34:31Z

Hey girls (and guys?),

What are your preferred heavier veil fabrics? Nothing super-weighty by any means, buuuut I've come to the realization that for the more intricate veil work, my silk chiffon veil just does not cut it. It's almost TOO floaty. Would a straight-up silk be better, orrrrr maybe something else I haven't thought of...?

Also, I read once that one should beware the phrase "China silk" because somehow it indicates a lesser quality product. Is this true? If so, why is that so? I find myself questioning this because L Rose Designs has "China silk" veils, and they are an awesome, EXTREMELY reputable company - one that I wouldn't expect to use second rate fabrics or to rip off the customer.

Thanks in advance for your insight!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 14 replies

putting on a sari in different ways

2008-05-13T14:27:07Z

Hi my name is Emma & I'm sari retarded. I only know one way to wrap a sari, does anyone else have any suggestions or costuming links?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 10 replies

Mama Gena....

2008-05-12T21:34:37Z

Hia Ladies... a little OT from feminism and the Middle East... ok, way OT, but still dealing with women and every day stuff.

A woman at work has mentioned this book to me and I've been doing a little research on it (Mama Gena's School of Womanly Arts), and I bring this up here for two reasons. One it has to do with the every day women, and two it seems to parallel the dancer philosophy.

Thusly my thoughts: it seems like most of the women I know, already acccept most of her principles, we are beautiful, we are powerful, and we enjoy doing what WE want (for the most part, life isn't perfect we all know this) her principles seem very phsyical bases, which is OK but I don't think it is the be all and end all of happiness. Most of the women I read on tribe celebrate the goddess within.. in some form or another. (I personally could care less what it's called, I think its just another way to describe self confidence and the natural power inherient in a women who chose to accept it)

That being, anyone had any thoughts on it? Read it, know anyone who did? I'm a little curious to read it but I am not sure I want to waste my new instructional DVD money on it if it's nothing but what most dancers inspire us to be anyway!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 2 replies

First Performance Jitters!

2008-05-12T16:00:49Z

So my very first performance is next Saturday and I'm really starting to worry. I've been practicing for at least ten minutes every day and I have one class and two rehearsals to go before the actual performance but there are two spots in the choreography that I keep getting stuck on. I know what movements I'm supposed to be doing but when I'm actually doing the dance I can't remember them!! I'm really nervous about this because I really want to do a good job!

What should I do???

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 28 replies

OT- HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!

2008-05-11T23:54:29Z

I just wanted to wish all you great Mom's out there a big Happy Mother's Day! Here's a lovely poem that sums up how I feel about MY mom and I wish all you a wonderful day!

My Miracle Mother

Mom, I look at you
and see a walking miracle.
Your unfailing love without limit,
your ability to soothe my every hurt,
the way you are on duty, unselfishly,
every hour, every day,
makes me so grateful
that I am yours, and you are mine.
With open arms and open heart,
with enduring patience and inner strength,
you gave so much for me,
sometimes at your expense.
You are my teacher,
my comforter, my encourager,
appreciating all, forgiving all.
Sometimes I took you for granted, Mom,
but I don’t now, and I never will again.
I know that everything I am today
relates to you and your loving care.
I gaze in wonder
as I watch you being you—
my miracle, my mother.

By Joanna Fuchs

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 5 replies

words have power...

2008-05-11T01:55:11Z

I just wanted to share what I wrote in the DIY tribe: http://tribes.tribe.net/diycostumes/thread/e1e2c054-87f7-40a3-a8be-e9d6cbdc48c4?newpostingid=8e0b1c0f-80c2-40f0-a0df-89fe655b0f51#8e0b1c0f-80c2-40f0-a0df-89fe655b0f51

I love my wonderful friends here! (and everyone here is my friend). :)

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 10 replies

A lovely way to spend a saturday afternoon

2008-05-11T00:38:39Z

The USA channel is running the entire Indiana Jones series.. well to date.... I'm watching Harrison ANNDDD Sean in the Last Crusade.. Lovely

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 1 reply

I did it!

2008-05-10T14:07:57Z

My friend and I have been doing Arriellah's yoga workout for several weeks and yesterday we finally made it through without stop to rest! All those damn downward-dog/plank/cobra poses are exhausting! Today, I did it again. :) I'm getting stronger! My upper body strength is something I've been wanting to work on for a long time. I'm so excited! Arriellah is my hero!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 12 replies

Is it theft? (Opinions on ethics needed)

2008-05-09T19:31:36Z

Suppose a person takes classes from a teacher, (this being their very first teacher ever), and from that teacher they learn a choreography specifically designed for performance... The teacher regularly performs this choreography with her student troupe in reasonably large venues, etc.

Now, this person decides to leave (perhaps not on the best of terms) and take classes from another teacher. This has been over six months ago, at least a year.

Is it ethical for said person to perform the teacher's choreography without the teacher's permission?

cross-posted to FDHB

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 12 replies

On a positive note

2008-05-09T14:37:06Z

these men are still gorgeous-
http://people.tribe.net/erikaschiquis/photos/1249c27e-8238-4bc0-a95d-2a1bd584a54b

http://people.tribe.net/erikaschiquis/photos/f42b274d-aa12-4dd0-b296-c6780611399f

http://people.tribe.net/erikaschiquis/photos/9b895adb-347d-4b54-8ea4-5f35af8ca3bb

http://people.tribe.net/erikaschiquis/photos/bcb5c556-e928-40d3-8934-132ac4a1aa0b

http://people.tribe.net/erikaschiquis/photos/1e4a9d7a-6d55-4bb3-9453-39cdde20ba65

please add more-gotta leave for work -don't have more time

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 64 replies

Okay, I know it's like 5 months from now, but...

2008-05-09T14:08:57Z

who's going to Triboriginal?

I'm going with my guy, Jeff and our friend, Kayla, and maybe one or two other people. Does anyone want to share a coed cabin? There are 10-15 people per cabin. Bellydance slumber party!!!!! :)

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 18 replies

Ever feel....

2008-05-09T13:44:58Z

No matter how hard you try and no matter how long you practice you just are any where near where you'd like to be? I'm not sure what's going on maybe it's actually being in a class that is making me feel this way...but I just feel like I suck as a dancer. I look at all the other women in my class and go "What the hell am I doing here?" All these other women look great they aren't messing up and they don't look goofy in the mirror. Unlike me I feel like I'm in Ballet again with clumsy moves and floppy arms. Sometimes I just don't know if I should continue on with belly dance. I feel like I just look god awful and people are not willing to tell me about myself......ugh and I'm in a beginner's class so that's what trips me out the most.......

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 31 replies

Thought this was kinda cool...

2008-05-09T13:40:30Z

I wonder how someone could incorporate it into a costume?

http://cgi.ebay.com/13-INCH-TURKMAN-WEDDING-BREASTPALE-TUMAR-27216_W0QQitemZ350057965439QQihZ022QQcategoryZ288QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

(warning: semi-obnoxious music plays...you might want to mute your sound)

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 1 reply

Wanna touch

2008-05-08T18:09:28Z

girls costumes at haflas or shows???
All those beautiful sparkles, jewels, skirts, flowers,etc
and even tatts.
isn't it awful I wanna touch all those girls???
hehehe
I just love costuming.

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 29 replies

I need a little help with diplomacy...

2008-05-08T17:41:02Z

I am sup-leasing space for my massage practice inside another massage therapists office. We have a relaxation room, which she's in the process of decorating. It's awful. It doesn't match at all. There is a huge tapestry of Kuan Yin, which would be beautiful if it weren't pink and teal and blue, and lots of blue things in the room that don't match the blue in the tapestry. AND black and white chairs with a black table cloth.
Not to mention that it is not relaxing at all.

I don't even know how to approach her about this. I adore her and definitely don't want to hurt her feelings. I'm holding out hope that she's just playing around to see what she wants to do with it, because I know she does that a lot. But does anyone have any ideas how to handle it if that's not the case?

I'm usually very good at being tactful, but I'm drawing a blank here.

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 5 replies

Primaries vs. NCIS

2008-05-08T15:07:45Z

I was so pissed last night: because of the primaries in Indiana, they shifted NCIS from 8 pm to 10 pm... now the thing is that they didn't tell us in advance so hubby and I get in front of the TV, all excited about a new episode... but no... it's numbers and names and a banner at the top explains that NCIS will be at 10 pm... GRRRR!

As if that wasn't enough, at one point, Sen. Clinton was starting her speach and they cut to it... only for like a minute or so but, yeah, we missed a little bit of the show... Geez!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 10 replies

Need someone to explain something :)

2008-05-07T02:57:32Z

Hi everyone, I have a bit of s stupid question, so I thought I would ask it here on this tribe where I know everyone a little better and I know you're all nice and wont yell at me lol
Anyway, I've never really been clear on just what the Turkish style of Belly Dance really is, or how it differs from other styles. AND what's more, I have no idea if 'Turkish Rom' is the same as just 'Turkish' or is it another style altogether?
Can someone help clarify this for my little brain?
Thanks! :)
~Nie

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 13 replies

SOMEBODY SPAIN SOMETHING TO MEE TOO! :)

2008-05-06T21:55:19Z

On one of the links for further reading provided in previous post - these survey results were shown

Survey
Question: Which style of belly dancing do you prefer?

August 2001, 149 votes

American Cabaret (21) 14%
Tribal (22) 15%
Egyptian Folkloric (9) 6%
Turkish (9) 6%
Gypsy (14) 9%
Egyptian (39) 26%
Persian (3) 2%
Tribal Fusion (8) 5%
Goddess (9) 6%
Historical/ethnic (8) 5%
Other (7) 5%
Same survey question, Oct. 2003, 385 votes

American (33) 9%
Tribal (26) 7%
Egyptian (123) 32%
Egyptian Folkloric (14) 4%
Egyptian Pop (26) 7%
Persian (11) 3%
Tribal Fusion (17) 4%
Goddess (28) 7%
Historical/ethnic (6) 2%
Greek (16) 4%
Turkish (45) 12%
Gypsy Rom (31) 8%
Other (9) 2%

Does anybody have an Goddess Bellydance youtube links off the top of their head?
I am confused about that one.

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 19 replies

It's a big tribe, please introduce yourselves!

2008-05-06T18:56:25Z

This tribe has really grown in the last few months. Please take the time to introduce yourselves if you've joined recently. I've been out of the loop and would love to get to know y'all.

I am Desari, the moderatrix of this tribe. I created it over two years ago as a respite from all the cattyness of other bellydance tribes at the time. I felt a need for a place where all of us with all our differences join together to hang out and enjoy what unites us. Bellydance! And chocolate and good wine and cheese and Hugh Jackman apparently... (Thanks Erika!)

Anyhoo, I am in my 30's, started learning bellydance at age 28 from Veena and Neena videos and a few months later classes at a local adult school. I've now started learning improvisational tribal bellydance. My love is solo cabaret where I can interpret whatever music I am listening to to my hearts content. I will listen to anything from bellydance music to Marilyn Manson (totally vibe with his music!) to soundtracks from girly teen movies. I love Princess Diaries by the way.

I have a wonderful fiance, Wayne, who is the shiznit.

I am also a writer who needs to get back to it as a daily practice and stop making excuses about it. Same with bellydance really. I dance for my own enjoyment and I'm not one of the many who want to teach and perform as if that is the natural progression of things. I often wonder why people don't learn it for the sake of social gatherings. I am a huge fan of the Instant Bellydancer dvds by Neon that people get cranky about cuz they are so concerned that gals are gonna go crazy and run out and actually start dancing right away! I will always maintain that you CAN learn to bellydance easily and in a short amount of time. If you want to actually put on more theatrical shows for performing in restaurants and doing other jobs like the pros do, then learning from a teacher with this experience would be the way to go. Otherwise, RELAAAAXXXXX! My philosophy is...Bellydance isn't brain surgery.

In a nutshell, videos and DVDs are great teaching tools. Relax, learn, have fun and dance away in your Living Room. Everything else is icing. I am longwinded. Heeeee!

So that's a bit about me. Feel free to ask me more if ya wanna know.

Slurp!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 89 replies

Ahem...

2008-05-06T05:30:05Z

I am so friggin' bored. I think I will The Bachelor tonight. Yawn.

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 13 replies

Isis Wings?

2008-05-04T17:29:42Z

Anyone know where is a good place to buy them...and then if there is a DVD out there that teaches them. My teachers don't do them. I'm sure it might be a little like veil but I'm not sure. Thanks!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 4 replies

Something else to think about ;) ~ a love letter to my fellow EDBDrs....

2008-05-03T18:35:26Z

An old thread revived reminded me of how important it is to get this message out. Again..

There are many women who actually are able to pick up bellydance without years and years of training in a class with a teacher. In fact, I am a big advocate of taking charge of your own education. If you can't learn what you want to learn in swift time (not years!!) then take private lessons, Study those DVDs-instructional and performance alike. Absorb the performance ones into your being. Want to be graceful? While you are watching a graceful dancer on video , which you can watch again and again, ask yourself what it would feel like to move that way. Absorb that into your being. Feel it. Know it.

Again, bellydance is NOT brain surgery. You do not need a license nor take years and years of classes in order to be ordained a BELLYDANCER. A woman can figure out for herself if something she is doing is wrong. Like if it hurts. Many instructors, on dvd and in real life, have different ways of getting across how a move is supposed to executed. Many may not 'click' with you, and that one needle in the haystack happens to make that connection with you to bring it all together. Remember, just keep practicing.

Do not let anyone come in and stomp all over you, lecture you and basically let them use you to make themselves feel better about themselves and their dancing and dance training. It may have taken THEM years and years (live classes are structured so that you can only work on limited number of moves an hour or so at a time) to 'get' it. Also, you do not HAVE to learn more than the basics to be on your way to bellydancing your heart out. I am thinking of the Oriental/cabaret style here but with tribal even, where you are learning to improvise and dance with others than yes, classes are advisable of course. BUT, to learn more of the vocabulary faster than the pace of the classes/sessions, take private lessons and work with the videos.

If you do get up and out and perform professionally and truly suck , execute every move wrong, hurt yourself, make a fool of yourself, put yourself in traction, and get fired and never hired again, then you know what to work on for next time. Learning experience. :) It's not the end of the world. And there are plenty of haflas and living rooms and friends parties and clubs to dance your heart out. You do not owe the dance community anything. Contribute where you can, yes, but you do not OWE anyone but yourself anything, first and foremost. If that figure 8 went horribly wrong, administer the first aid and then go back to the drawing board.

You Are Mistress Of Your Own Dance Practice/Life. Take charge of it. It is YOUR dance after all.

Happy Shimmies, lovelies. You are WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love, Des

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 12 replies

Video-hmmmm-well do you?

2008-05-03T15:33:11Z

have a video of your latest performance?
or a picture?

I don't right now. I don't put videos up either (hats off to all you gals who do)
but when I do perform in June I'll put my pics up right away.

okay, -who's got some goodies?????

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 31 replies

where the hell....

2008-05-03T14:59:54Z

where the hell did youtube go? I can't open it... I've tried three or four different methods and it says it isn't found. is my computer cracked out or did youtube fall?

I'm at work, supposedly watching the masons put up block, but at break I came in to check on some stuff... yeah no youtube. wtf man? I is sad!!!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 2 replies

kraft cheese

2008-05-03T13:55:33Z

there is a (new?) commercial for kraft singles out, and the entire commercial is underscored with a dumbek solo! i didn't notice it at first, i guess i've gotten used to it, but when i did, i was very happy, and surprised.
it's gettin' mainstream ^_^ maybe in a few years we won't have to explain that we're not strippers anymore! hah!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 3 replies

I miss the Smurfs

2008-05-02T21:41:19Z

Life just isn't as fun without em.

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 27 replies

Jealousy?

2008-05-02T15:39:57Z

First of all I believe this is my first time posting here so hello! *waves*

Looking through this tribe seeing threads about bellydancing unsettling relationships with boyfriends/husbands and the bitchyness you can get within the bellydance scene, it made me think about something that happened to be recently. Not too serious but thought provoking. And kind of rambling.

Last week I’m in a club, the local alternative night, doing my thing on the dancefloor, which these days since I have forgotten how to dance "normally" looks quite a lot like tribal fusion with lots of flowy hip and arm movements, bodywaves etc. I get quite a few guys giving me appreciative looks (which I don’t mind as long as they don’t get creepy) and quite often girls that I know will dance along with me, although they are not bellydancers themselves. I take all this as a complement and I love being able to do this kind of stuff. Bellydance has helped with my self esteem so much so I now feel it is okay for me to move my body and be proud of it.

Of course, for every appreciative comment or look, there is the always the flipside, isn’t there?

I am dancing and I look up, and there is this girl looking at me. A girl I know and quite frankly cannot stand. She has no self-respect. She’s one of those girls that CRAVES attention. She doesn’t feel whole unless she’s in a relationship and when she is in one she still plays around with other guys. I could slap her; the guy she is with now is such a sweetie! He looks so sad when she ignores him in favour of someone else.

But I digress.

She is looking at me with this weird expression, something I can’t quite place, but there is no doubt her attention is fixed on me. A little weirded out, I continue dancing and occasionally catch her looking at me at odd times throughout the night. My boyfriend, who was up on the dancefloor with me most of the time, confirmed that she was really staring at me.

The next day I go over to a friends flat, this girl stays there as well. As I walk in (she’s sitting on her boyfriend’s lap and ignoring him . . . I didn’t even realise that was possible) she immediately greets me and compliments me on my belt, asking if it’s one of my bellydancing belts. As I smile and say no, my bellydance belts have more bells (ooh alliteration) on them, I look up. That look again.

Then it hit me. The look was hard to place because it was a mixture of emotions. I can read people well, and it’s easier to see out of the dark club. It was a mixture of jealousy and scorn. Sort of admiration with just a touch of a sneer. Makes sense I suppose. This girl usually resorts to grind-dancing and/or caressing her own breasts on the dancefloor. I kid you not. She cannot dance and needs attention. ANY attention.

Part of me wants to point her in the direction of a bellydance instructor so she can gain some self-respect and maybe improve her dance style, but another part of me is afraid she would then end up trying to dance with me.

So, anyone here have a similar experience? Other non-dancers getting on your case ‘cause they wish they could move it like you? ;)

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 35 replies

If you have a minute, I could use your opinion.

2008-05-02T02:58:13Z

I'm opening my own massage practice, which is an extremely exciting and incredibly frightening prospect. I'm on a very tight budget for startup, so until I can generate a bit of cash flow, I'm in DIY mode.

So for now (because it has been so many, many years since I've built a webpage and I don't have the patience to wrestle with the HTML), I'm using a fairly limited template for my web page. I'm going to have someone redesign it at some point, but in the meantime, I just need something basic to introduce myself and explain what I'm offering.

It would be great if you could take a look at it and tell me whether you would come to see me based on what you see. What works, what doesn't, what's missing, typos or whatever you want to share. It's a work in progress, and most changes can be fairly easily incorporated.

I plan on adding photos as soon as I can get some done.

Thanks for your help! I really appreciate your feedback!

http://kimforman.massagetherapy.com/specials.html

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 17 replies

What am I forgetting?

2008-05-01T14:08:43Z

Hello I'm working on putting together a summer belly dance group in my area :) I posted a few weeks ago about where we could dance and I've found a few possible places.. Just working out details now...

So I've been writing up information that I need to give out to the other girls... and I'm trying to make sure I don't have too many kinks throughout the creation of this group and I was wondering what you did when you were putting together a group? What did you make sure to do? What did you forget to do and had to go back and do it?

Basically I'm looking for any and all tips on putting together my first belly dance group :D
Thanks in advance :)

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 2 replies

Are you wearin' it, or is it wearin' you??

2008-04-30T00:19:41Z

Ever see a costume (or anything period!!) on someone... and think, "Wow. That thing is wearin' you. You are NOT wearin' it."

*Blink*

Just some random food for thought while I sit here and munch on muh' lunch.

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 28 replies

Fajera!!!

2008-04-29T23:02:18Z

What a lovely cover girl! :D

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 1 reply

Caberet Costumes - Ordering Online?

2008-04-29T21:48:02Z

Hi everyone!...sorry if this gets long and ramble-y.

I recently was made an "apprentice" to a dance troupe. Basically, that means I have to buy or make all the costumes needed and learn their dances and then if someone can't make a performance, I get to step in and take their spot. Right now I need to have an all black bra and belt set and a gold bra and belt set. I am making the black set because it's nearly impossible to find an all black set. My question lies with the gold one...

There is a costume in Dahlal that I have been eyeing for what seems like a year. "The Great Loop." It's expensive, but I see it as a good investment since I'd get it in gold and that's a pretty verastile color. I would have to custom order it because they don't have my size in stock. Has anyone ever custom ordered from Dahlal? Did you give your exact measurements? When you custom order from anywhere, is it best to give your exact measurements or add a few inches for leeway? And finally, for those who tend to fluctuate in cup size, did you order your current cup size or did you go up/down a size? I have been an A-cup for about six months, but prior to that I was a B for about two years. I'm only 21, so I have a feeling that my cup size is going to continue changing for awhile. Any advice? I want to be able to wear this costume for several years!

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 1 reply

Shimmy

2008-04-28T16:06:54Z

Does anyone have any thoughts on the fitness show "Shimmy" on Fit TV?

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 23 replies

Something to think about

2008-04-28T16:04:04Z

http://www.goddesslife.com/women-unite-lessons-i-learned-from-cheating-with-my-yoga-teacher

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 5 replies

NO SPAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-04-28T13:26:48Z

Yeesh! I just removed a member who posted her spam AGAIN!!! after I removed it. She has posted the same on every tribe I've seen so far that do not want spam either in the topic board.

posted in The Everyday Bellydancer - 3 replies

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