Let's Go To Egypt

It's official. I am going to Egypt. I fear this may be my last tour, so now's the time to come with me if you want to. I just really have a lot of world yet to see and I think it's time to start seeing it. I went to Italy and Greece last year and really enjoyed that. I had forgotten how fascinating it is to see foreign places, meet new people, and do something so wonderfully different. It's easy to get comfortable with the things you already adore that you stop looking for new and exciting adventures. But now, it's time to say hello to my old friend Egypt and then open the door for other things.

The tour happens in March. It's a blend of all my favorite things and the things I have yet to see. Some have said it's a bit on the expensive side, and I guess it is for a belly dance tour, but this tour is more than that. There will be shopping, shows, and if possible- workshops, but we are also cruising the NILE! You can't do that unless you do it in style. Trust me. I have done that. You don't want to have a tiny room that you can barely turn around in that smells like bilge and oil fumes. You don't want to be cruising with low rent travelers who hog the buffet, don't speak to you, or push to get on and off the boat. You want your cruising experience to be memorable and comfortable.

You don't want to miss the highlights that are slightly off the routine tour schedule. Abydos, Dendera and Abu Simbel are not on the typical 3 or 4 day cruise schedule; however, they are jewels of Upper Egypt. There is nothing so colossal as Abu Simbel. The sweet, feminine contrast of Dendera shows a completely different side to the more masculine places that are typically visited.

Anyway, I am really excited about it. I think the itinerary is an awesome blend of modern and ancient, masculine and feminine, comfort and culture. It's not going to be a white washed adventure at all, but where we can be comfortable, we will be.

If you are ready to discover yourself and Egypt, come with me!

Disturbing Trend

I am noticing a disturbing trend of people openly gossiping about others online like they aren't people, don't have feelings, and might not stumble upon what was said. They might say it's "criticism." Well, I think that if one has a product that is offered to the public (and performances are products), that's fair game for criticism. But in order for criticism to be useful, it should clearly delineate what is objective fact and what is opinion. It should substantiate why the criticism was offered so that the product can be improved. Criticism isn't done to slander or humiliate. Even if it is done in a joking tone, ugly is still ugly. People do see it for what it is. And ugly talk about people, personal attacks, and comments that objectify people are just gossip. Just because you can put your gossip out there for the world to see doesn't mean you should.

And just in case you are wondering, no, I am not talking about me. I certainly get my share, but I hate to see this done to good people who's only crime is being successful and beautiful.

If you don't like something, it's fine to tell others, but do so in a way that is constructive. If you have to be ugly, do it in private. When you tear people down in public, you could be the straw that breaks someone's back. When they leave, they take their light with them and we are all made lesser by its lack.

You Can Spot A Belly Dancer Anywhere

Happy Birthday Leos! Susana 8/12, Madison 8/16, Gavin 8/17, Kevin 8/19, and Richard 8/22 and all the other wonderful Leos in the world.

Isn't it funny how you see women in skirts standing in the line at the bank just absentmindedly shimmying? Like she doesn't know she is doing it and doesn't realize that you can see her. lol Or the girl with the colored spike in her hair at the airport with the bells hanging from her skirt jingling as she walks. Or the girl at the fair wearing the big earrings on that look like gigantic coins and the necklace that matches. But don't forget the slave bracelet too! Or the woman driving down the highway playing air zils on the steering wheel as you drive past.

I KNOW YOU! I can spot you anywhere. You are a kindred soul. And it's so nice to see you there. :)

Stick To It!

I watched the movie The Impressionists last night. The thing that grabbed me about it is that these painters were creating something revolutionary that is now recognized and valued, but at the time, they were literally starving artists. They had to keep at it for over TWENTY YEARS without validation before they were acknowledged. They questioned whether they were geniuses or untalented hacks. I think there are people doing new and innovative things in belly dance who are also criticized. I wonder if their creations will some day be seen as revolutionary? But you know what? Even if they aren't, the Impressionists painted because they HAD to. Their souls commanded them to paint. I think for an artist, you can't give up. It would be like losing your blood or ceasing to breathe. The work doesn't depend on external validation in order to be valuable TO YOU. Just do it. Love it. Live it. It's worth it.

Anyway, the movie obviously made an impression on me.

Don't Wait to Do the Things That are Important to You

Patrick Collard is dead. He's not a belly dancer. He was a bodyworker. Not just "a" bodyworker, but an amazing, insightful, effective bodyworker. I am not sure when or how he died. I just know that he used to go to Philadelphia around this time every year to teach. I went to one of his 3 day minis. I was hoping to catch him to get some bodywork done because he's just amazing. But now the chance is over.

I post this just to share the thought- Don't wait to do the things that are important to you. You don't know how long YOU have left or others have left. If you want to do that weeklong, schedule it now. If you always wanted to go to Egypt, go now. If you want to compete, own a designer costume, learn from someone in particular, or just see your favorite dancer perform, DO IT NOW. What are you waiting for?

I only met Patrick once, but he was bigger than life. He made an impression for his talents, amazing gifts, and just the way he made you feel. I am glad I got to learn from him. His teachings have not been wasted and my life is wonderfully altered because of having known him.

As for me, I think it's time to go back to Egypt. I have some unfinished business in the Valley of the Kings... :)

You've Got To Look the Part

I was at the fair yesterday. There was a band playing a music style of music I don't particularly like, but since it was under a tent and provided a place for me to sit down and eat, I sat and listened. I kind of tuned them out at first, but when they switched singers and the sound improved, I started to take notice. I turned around to look at them and quickly found myself tuning out again. Despite the woman's pleasant voice, I found myself not wanting to watch. Why? Because they all looked like they just climbed out of a camper after a night of drinking and roughing it. The woman was wearing shorts that were too short and too small for her rotund body. The bald guy with lots of long hair framing his bald spot was wearing a long sleeved flannel shirt in the middle of the summer... Well, you get the idea.

I am not a diva. I don't get up every day and do my hair and make-up regardless of whether I have somewhere to go or not. I don't have color coordinated shoes and handbags. I really don't care about such things. But, I have to tell you that when you are performing, you have to do SOMETHING to look attractive. By "attractive" I don't necessarily mean "pretty." I just mean that you have to stand out in some way that others find appealing. Many times that means dressing for success, but it could also be eccentric or creative or something unique. What I mean is, you can't just go out there looking like you weren't expecting to be seen by a bunch of people. You have to look like you care about yourself, you belong on stage, and that there is something special about you that people should notice. If not, why should I bother watching you?

Everybody wants to be loved for who they are. I get that. I am that way too, but when your job is to entertain, you are not selling you. You are selling the illusion of whatever the audience can connect with and adore. So dress for that part. Be dynamic in some way. Otherwise you are going to be the girl who dances on weekends for fun and not the star.

What Are You Looking At!

Have you ever noticed people staring at you and your first thought is, "What are you looking at?" and then you realize that you are in full tribal gear!? Yeah, here I am pumping gas with more jewelry than a person should be able to carry, tattoos, a bindi, a slave bracelet, and full make up.... And I didn't even realize what I spectacle I must have been. I guess you get so used to being in costume that you forget about it sometimes. Got to make a mental note to self, "Get gas BEFORE you have to drive somewhere in costume."