Naima Exchange 04/25/09

Aicha picked me up Saturday evening for the Naima Exchange at the Oneness Center. We were limited on time so it was mostly me blathering about dance than any resemblance of a class.

Afterward, there was mini dance hafla with 6 dancers (including me). I took both dark and flash pictures of the dancing. I decided the dark pictures came out better and gave each dancer a cool sillouette. I will be doing another Naima Exchange with this group of ladies again May 29th. A REAL class this time!

I am excited about the Princess Farhana workshop this weekend. I will try to take lots of pics!

~N

Found this video link hopping. Improv on riqq. Notice the hand holding the riqq - The fingers are also playing the cymbols there.

Progress

I've been choreographing for about 2 hours now. Look at all of my progress.

o.O

~N

Dance Space

Frantically starting to add a little choreography to my number for Saturday. Nothing concrete, just some direction.

I usually practice in my bedroom in a 3ft-ish square space in front of the dresser mirror. It is more of pantomime than practice. I was just practicing and got to a part I wanted to do some spins. So, I ran into the kitchen, practiced the spins, then ran back to the bedroom to continue the rest of the song.

You would wonder why I just don't practice in the kitchen.

Sometimes, I take my cheap $5 "closet mirror" into the hallway and practice 3-step turns down the length of the hall. That usually ends poorly.

Anyone else have the an outstanding practice space like I do?

~N

Now watching: Invader Zim
mood: bread (we ran out last Friday)

Meanwhile

Dance post and pics from Saturday coming soon. Meanwhile, watch this. =)

~N

now playing:Invader Zim
mood: waffles

But in Egypt...

I was chatting with a new friend from Europe about BD. I thought her comments hit the nail on the head. (names have been edited).

[6:53] SA: yes so i study in cairo
[6:54] SA: in usa u have bdss
[6:54] N: yes, I have seen them perform.
[6:54] SA: me too
[6:54] SA: in paris
[6:55] SA: but i am not ok with a mouvements they do
[6:55] SA: lol
[6:55] SA: they talk about the egyptian shimmy
[6:55] SA: ......
[6:55] SA: but in egypt they do in demie plie

HAHAHA!

She is right you know.

Ah the wonders of BD in the Midwest

Here is a recent conversation over-heard at local store between 2 checkout girls. Names have been edited out of courtesy. The "..." are parts I can't remember.

"You should take bellydance class with me. I'm gonna take bellydance classes."

"Where?"

"With this lady named, *dancer's name*. Her website says she has chocolate."

Other girl looks confused.

"...I mean, you don't really loose weight. Just gain muscle," she chuckles. Then "...rock hard abs under a whole bunch of fat..."

"...No, she's a big 'ol girl"

"Is that the *other dance troupe name*?"

"No," makes a face, "pfft."

"...but you get to paint your face."

At this point, I didn't know if I should laugh or throw something, so I checked out and left without saying a word.

On a different note, I have discovered I have a weird gray area where on the one hand I enjoy being hired to dance for parties and such. Yet on the other hand, I hate being treated like a party favor, the whole, "You'll dance at my party and entertain me because that is what you do."

I can't explain the difference but sometimes it just puts a bad taste in my mouth.

~N

now playing: Lounge/jazz internet radio
mood: takoyaki

Hip Wrap Fail

If I can see what color your phallus is, I'd call that a fail.

http://chicstories.com/news/marc-jacobs-christmas-hot-arabian-party/

now watching: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
mood: dessert

PS: can't seem to stop using the word 'fail' in every other sentence, Sorry

Less than 2 weeks

My dance spot is confirmed for the Princess Farhana Workshop May 2nd. I still have not finalized my song or costume. poo

~N

Now playing: Damien Rice - O
mood: salad!

Unique Choreography

I love this video. The choreography is sooo awesome. The song is awesomely catchy too.

I think I have a soft spot for guys in a suit and tie (I think his name should be Charlie, lol).

~N

Now watching: American Pie
Yes, I am music-movie-video-media junkie with access to the internets (all of them).

We are all equals here

I had an epiphany the other day about the thing that puts all bellydancers on equal ground no matter how long they've been dancing, how technically good they are, how famous they are, how hot they may look in costume, etc.

I will tell you about it later. Until then, here is a completely random photo.. One of my favorites.

Also, panic creeping in over what I will wear/dance to in less than 3 wks...I need a bedazzler.

~N

Now playing: Bush - Mouth
mood: Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn.

Bellydance vs Squirrel

Awoken by squirrels in attic.
Using BD sword to bang on ceiling and walls to scare them away.
Fail.

It's too early for this...

Naima Rant

I have made the mistake of surfing the net and seeing all of the hideous blunders dancers make when having their pics taken. Usually costume related. Which is sad because the below mistakes are all from posed pictures, meaning they could be avoided.

Naima says,

• Wear some G*dd*mn make-up! Spend hundreds of dollars on a costume and not even lip gloss. WTF!
• There should be zero boob creeping from the BOTTOM of your BD bra cups. ZERO! LIKE NONE! And I'm talking about before you raise your hands over your head.
• A BD Bra should not fit like hubcaps to your nipples. It should fit like a bra.
• Do not have your picture taken, in costume, on a bed...ever.
• Please, please wear a skirt or pants with your belt. If you are at the beach, then take off the belt and put on your swim suit... One or the other, come on people.
• If your sexy face looks too much like your "deer in a headlight" or "O-face", try again. This time with less "deer" and "O".
• "Pharonic Arms" are really only cute if you are like 6yrs old.
• Whoever is taking your picture, fire them, and get new friends.

and finally,

• Stop dressing like Rachel Brice. Really, just stop.

~N

Now playing: PJ Harvey - To Send You My Love
mood: some sort of cheesecake and cinnamon bun. I don't know. I'll figure it out.

Hootin an Hollarin

As promised, like a billion years ago, video of square dancing from the Hootin an Hollarin festival. I took this video last Sept. 2008. My video camera is over 5 years old, ancient in technology years.

Each night of Hootin an Hollarin about 10 groups of dancers square dance in the town square. Each circle of dancers pick which dance to perform while live music plays. Between songs, dancers trade spots or sit out while others get up to dance. Dancers are of all ages.

About the festival: http://www.ozarkcounty.net/hootin.html

I learned some square dancing back in high school P.E. class but I've been to chicken to jump in at Hootin an Hollarin and have a go at it.

In other news...bad news, well sort of. I can only afford (barely) to go to Saturday of the Princess Farhana two day workshop in Buffalo. I mailed my check today.

Good news, Steve Ewing will be at the Highlife in Springfield that Friday night. I have missed seeing him every year for like 5+ years now because I have always been out of town.

Yea for being broke!

Naima Exchange

I am teaching my first non-profit class on April 25th down in Nixa. It will be a short class followed by a casual hafla. Yea! I'm excited. I am going to start referring to these classes a the "Naima Exchange". Is more fun that way.

~N

Now watching: Solaris
mood: onion rings with ketchup

Broken Toe for Love

The Husband Person accidentally kicked a monitor on Monday and hurt his pinkie toe. After a day of not being able to stand on it, using an office chair as a toboggan around the house, and much deliberation (including the fact that he put the toe "back in place" after he kicked it) we went to Urgent Care after I got off work yesterday.

He used me as a crutch until we got to the UC and a security guard made him sit in a wheel chair. After an x-ray, much fidgeting, and waiting the doctor confirmed a diagonally broken pinkie toe (which the Husband Person successfully put back in to place right after the injury.)

So, 4 weeks of sexy "buddy taping" it to the next toe for support, hard sole shoes, and ibuprofen.

His story is he was on his way to tell me he loved me when he stubbed it. My story is he has monkey toes (literally as long as my little fingers) which he is always stubbing and breaking your toe does NOT get you nookie...but I did take him to Sonic for a chocolate shake afterward.

BTW, if you've never broken a toe, he says the closest thing it feels like is a "broken toe". So now you know.

~N

Local Greek BD for beginners

**UPDATE**

These classes don't exist any more. There was an oops with Global's event calendar.

I've been wanting to take Greek BD classes with Maria for a long time. Unfortunately, the monies, or lack there of, have kept me from it. Yeah, I know, I've been dancing at Greek Night for over 4yrs now, but Maria is Greek-American, and I'm not, and anyone representing a culture should always do their homework.

Anyway, for those interested, here is the info. I'd check with Global Dance just to make sure the classes aren't full or canceled before popping in.

Greek Belly Dance for Beginners
When: Tues, 7:30pm – 8:00pm
Where:Global Dance Collective; 3165 S. Campbell Ave. Ste. C7; Springfield, MO; 65807
Description: Maria Savvenas - Greek Belly Dance - Beginners

www.globaldancecollective.org


~N

Now taking care of: Broke-Toe Husband person

ATS Workshop w/Zivah in Jefferson City, MO.

May 30, 2009
Jefferson City, MO 65109

Workshop Cost Advanced registration $25.00/35.00 at the door
Show starts at 6:30 p.m. , Ticket purchase $5.00 at the door (seminar participants show included)

Click HERE for details.

Now watching: the Lost Boys
mood: MEXICAN!

New Layout....Again

I know I just changed the layout less than a month ago, but I really wasn't happy with it. The template, while pretty, was just too static and I couldn't personalize it that much.

I am still moving things around in my menus. Sorry if it all seems a bit nutty for a while until I get it all feng shui.

In the meantime, have a random picture of my shenani-baggery at Visioncon.



~N

Friday Blues: Mario Kart Love Song

I'm such a dork, but I found this video link-hopping on CA's youtube. If you at all get this song then you can join the dorkity-dork-dork club with me. It made my Friday Blues go away =)

Mario Kart Love Song

lyrics:

V1:
You be my princess
I'll be your toad
I'll follow behind you
on rainbow road
Protect you from red shells
wherever we go
I promise.

V2:
Noone will touch us
if we pick up a star
If you spin out
you can ride in my car
When we slide together
we generate sparks
in our wheels and our hearts

Chorus:
The finish line
is just around the bend
I'll pause this game
so our love will never end
Let's go again

V3:
The blue shell is coming
so I'll go ahead
If you hang behind
it'll hit me instead
but never look back
cause I'm down but not dead
I'll catch up to you

Bridge:
Don't worry about
Bowser or DK
Eat this glowing mushroom
and they'll all fade away

Chorusx2

to the mushroom cup
and the flower cup
and the star cup
and the reverse cup

walalalalala
walalalalalawaluigiiiiii

COPYRIGHT 2008
Music and Lyrics by Sam Hart

Visual Pun?

I received an email of visual puns today and this picture was included. I stared at it for a while completely baffled as to what it could be.

You ready?

"Tap Dancers"

WTF?! Really? I don't know about you, but mini Bellydancers on a ghetto bathroom faucet doesn't conjure up "tap dancers" for me. Maybe I'm just unimaginative. Here is the original post.

Anyway, that's all I got today. I finished up taxes for '08 last night. I even actually did some honest to goodness exercise yesterday. I am tired on both accounts.

~N

Now playing: the Venture Brothers
mood: baked potato with bacon, sour cream, chives, cheese, salt, pepper, butter, and anything else that makes it more likely to cause some sort of medical condition in my future.

The King Herself

"What motivated Hatshepsut to rule ancient Egypt as a man while her stepson stood in the shadows? Her mummy, and her true story, have come to light."

Read the article and see pics Here

now playing: Imogen Heap - Speak for Yourself
mood: chicken nuggets and a potty break