Sorry I haven't been writing much lately. I've been otherwise distracted, and you'll hear more about that when the deal is finalized! :D

I just wanted to share this quote with you. It's from an Interview with the Bellydance Superstars Tribal contingent, HSL referenced it in her blog and I had to take a look. This is what Zoe Jakes had to say:

What does belly dance mean to you?
Having fun with friends and getting to express myself creatively. I love that I can go to pretty much any city in the world and find people who share my interests (for some reason belly dancers also seem to share a love for wine, collecting sparkly things, and sushi).

I thought about that for a moment and realized that, yes! All bellydancers I know love sushi (obviously sparkly things and wine, but that's a given). It wasn't until about 3 years ago that I even knew what real sushi was, and now I'm craving sushi all the time. Is it the shimmies, or the scales->snakes reference? Maybe it's the less effort (no cooking) side of it. I don't know, but I thought that was hilarious.

Now I want sushi. Thanks Zoe.

You Want Snakes?

So, perusing the bellydance realm of facebook and youtube I stumble across this dancer, who in my view is ridiculously skilled. Full body undulations and bellyrolls to, in my opinion, outsize Arbee! Envision a snake that just ate an entirely over-sized and outrageous item, stretching to it's full capacity to become as large as is possible, as it digests it's food. Now, imagine that in the form of a bellydancer(who didn't eat that grotesquely large item).

Ela Rogers just fucking amazes me, pardon my crudeness. I was actually floored, which very rarely happens, as I accept most things as they are and very few things affect me. Although I find myself being floored more frequently since discovering bellydance. First when I realized I could move something "like that", and then again when I found out who Rachel Brice was, and now this Ela-Snake. She's enchanting and mesmerizing, I can't exactly look away. I can't describe her movements either, they're so fluid, yet sharp and crisp. Her arms and posture are at an unattainable level of precision (for me right now, gimme some time). I just don't get it.

So, snakey snakey; Ela Rogers

Caterpillars and Beats and Solos? OH MY!

Holy Merciful!!

I've had the new Beats Antique album, Collide, for a few weeks now but haven't listened to it. Well, I mean coherently listened to it. Anyway, I just found a really, really amazing song "Caterpillar" and it's so fantasssstic! After seeing Monique performance (and subsequently working on it in the workshop 3 days later) to "Beauty Beats" I've decided to retire that piece... until a later day when I'm more inspired.

New Solo = Caterpillar! :)

Silver Noise

I must confess to a splurge. I was browsing King of The Nile and came across 2 beautiful hipscarves I wanted, quite badly might I add. I decided to add them to the cart and go through the sales pitch and find total cost with shipping and fees. Turns out to be a shade more than I wanted to spend, so I figured I'd wait until another time.

Sidetrack; I put my laptop in to get flattened over Christmas holidays; bad ram = bad time. Hence, a few of my drivers weren't installed (not essential), and a few programs needed to be updated, and a few things needed to be customized, etc. One driver which was omitted was the increased-awareness for my touch pad. Someone forgot to mention this to me...

So I'm at the cyber checkout, mouse has miraculously hovered over the "proceed" link. I put my finger on my mouse pad to move the cursor to the back button on the browser...... WHAMBO! the link was clicked instead. Now $100+ has been charged to my visa. Joy.

On the lighter side. They arrived today, and I must say I'm THRILLED! I have a beautiful maroon triangular one (similar to joelle's blue one, if you know what that one is like), and a turquoise panel one (similar to lori's long purple one). Now I just need a place to wear them and show them off.

I may have converted a friend to join the jingly side with the maroon one :)

Conflicting Conflicts

**post removed**

Photo Credit

I just thought I should mention the fact that I've been posting pictures. I haven't taken any of these. Some I found via Google-Image, but the shots of The Neighbourhood Strays and events, myself dancing with the Strays, and Monique Ryan's photo were taken by the lovely Ms. Terri Lynn Coldford (with some minor editing by myself).

Thank you Terri. You're fantastic!

CIBC's Run for the Cure

The Neighbourhood Strays put their coins scarves to good use once again. Our team raised money for CIBC's Run for the Cure (for breast cancer) this past sunday (oct 5) here in St. John's. It was a beautiful day, some of the girls performed and some of the girls ran/walked, and the Stray Kittens joined in all the festivities :) I really can't say much more. But it was well worth the effort, so thanks to everyone who contributed. It was greatly appreciated