I’m very sorry not to have made this mornings class – hopefully the loverly lady at South Street let everyone know and they had a nice chat/practice without me.
As you may have heard I had a very minor accident in the car on my way to Reading. I had to swerve to avoid someone unexpectedly choosing to drive down the middle of the road and hit the curb which ripped my tyre, but did no real harm – except to remind my shoulder of the damage I did last year skiing and poledancing (not at the same time). Unfortunately then the nice man from the AA seems to have broken something while trying to repair the tyre, which has meant a visit to the garage and then Quickfit… and back to the garage. It felt like such a minor thing, but it took til mid afternoon to sort out. But the good news is that the garage is right next to the cake shop, so I had cake for tea 
Todays class – a bit of a bump !! May 11, 2007
Teacher training April 23, 2007
This weekend I took part in a Bellydance teacher training session not far from here. The idea was that a group of Bdance teachers would get together and take part in sessions about different aspects of the job. It was really interesting and worth while – Afra had planned and led the weekend and had come up with a really interesting timetable. I was asked to speak about teaching multiple classes, lesson planning and marketing (during which I discovered I am queen of the handouts) – I also made them play a game aimed at helping them improve their web sites – which actually made me realise that I could do with improving mine !)
One of the most interesting sessions was when Nina produced a spine (model, thankfully) explained how it worked and showed us what happens to it during a back bend. I’ve seen the pictures and read about it before, but as I know I am a visual learner seeing it done without any flesh or muscles was a real eye opener….. I’ve never been a fan, and now realise that its a silly idea for most of us and not necessarily physically possible. She also showed us natural posture and what happens when we put on some weight – all mind boggling stuff !
All in all a very worth while weekend – I’m a happy teacher and fired up for the new terms !!
Saturday – shopping – of course April 10, 2007
I made a big mistake on Saturday morning by going into Virgin megastore. You know how the music stores have a display unit of World music and somewhere in there is the Arabic ?, and sometimes Tarken and Hossam Ramsey get a divider, but mostly its just mixed in with the flamenco ? Well in this store World music was as big as Virgin in Basingstoke, with Arabic music having a huge display all to itself. I could have doubled my music collection in one shopping trip, and those who have seen my music collection will know thats a big buy. – I have four shoe boxes of CDs in paper cases – its a good job Zaks feet keep growning. I limited myself to four. I had a selection of 2006 arabic hits, cos the 2002 one I have is very valuable and I’m always aware that by the time we get the compilation CDs they are often out of date, so now classes can be trendy again (says she who is 37 and feels it today). I also got Hossam Ramsy’s new Beouin Tribal dance, which has been on my wish list and I felt the US price was probably pretty good – and you know how it is once its in your hand….Evolution is a selection of Tribal Fusion music including some nice Solace. And finally I picked up Woman of Egypt 1924-1931 (Pioneers of stardom and fame) – this is a compilation of the contemporys of Umm Kulthum, stars of theatre and an inspiration to generations of female singers. I do have a thing about really emotional songs sung by women, so while I’m not sure how many of these will get played in class I can see myself settling down with a glass of wine for a good cry now and then. The liner notes are also very detailed – I can see a workshop developing once I have time to really study some of these charactors and try to understand their styles.
While I’m emptying out my shopping bags I should say that I did buy far too much Mac – Gayle highly recommends Mac products, for their strength of colour and lastability and now I’ve tried them I do understand. I bought a liner that is good for 24 hours (which was handy for the long flight home !) and gave me a “made up look” in just a minutes application. I need to do some price checking, but I think I may be a convert. Washed out colours just don’t work for bellydance, and actually you grow confident with your stage make up helping you feel more normal in more glam make up for everyday. – I’m now one of those odd ladies who either wear full glam make up or nothing at all and often can’t remember what I’m wearing, so thats why I turn up at the school gates in bright red lippy.
I also got 3 new DVDs and a book. One thing I noticed in all the classes was the amount of conditioning, and thats had a huge impact on my body. I don’t think I can add 45 minutes of floor stretches to any of the classes, but would like to do some for myself. I am going to have to start Pilates, but I also got the Woman Power workout by FCBD, which I’m hoping will contain some of the great stuff we did in SF – or maybe some adaptations that could be used in class. I got vol 7 of FCBD tribal basics – the other 6 have been great value, so it was on my wish list. Finally I bought Bellydance Underworld a performance video of Gothic and Tribal Fusion. The book was also from FCBD – and I’m afraid I havn’t had time to look at it yet, so will report back in a few days. I have a paragraph of the latest “No.1 ladies dective agency” series to finish first, but I couldn’t focus last night in bed….
Fatchance continued April 10, 2007
- sorry I gave up on the internet cafe. Boy was she annoying. She was trying to fill in a form, while her boyfriend played chess on the other computer and they had a constant banter/row about what the form meant by forenames, if he should have moved his rook and if maybe he could stop playing for a mo and help her…..
Right so, the second class at Fatchance was again week one but of level 2 so some dancers were fairly advanced while others were obviously struggling. This made me feel much better as I was worried about my level in fatchance formula. I know most of the Tribal I have done is more open to other styles while Fatchance teaches a set of rules that are easily built on, but key to dancing in that style. What I mean is that I was worried that I might not understand the first page of rules, and if I didn’t then I couldn’t build on them. As it is I don’t think anything was expected that I hadn’t got from the DVDs. I think the really interesting thing I got from the class was the way they teach and re-enforce the moves. In the first one we only really learnt four, although you could say we did varients as we travelled in lots of different directions, and then we danced them with the changes in groups. For the second class we added the finger cymbols (so glad I had been practicing these), changes of tempo and danced in three or four formations including some backing line. This meant that by the end of the – nearly three hours – we had the few moves very solidly. we could travel and transition confidently, had good arms (even if they hurt) and the zills were working too. I imagine that if you did this for the 12 weeks you could become very strong in the FCBD formula very quickly.
We then went back to the pizza place near our hotel. I was really, really hungry and we ordered a pizza each. I figured I was maybe pigging a bit when the waitress came over to say she could bag any extras if we wanted – I had been thinking about eating the whole thing, so left a slice to appear ladylike.
Wednesday (so far) April 5, 2007
NOt done any dancing yet today so its a different kind of report. – skip it if you are only interested in the dancing !
Today we tried to sort out how we are spending the rest of the week as it feels like time is running out to do everything we want to do – Laura had phone calls from Jill Parker and Tex (the tattoo artist – of course !), so she made some appointments.
Laura had to go to the Uni, so I took the bus with her and then went on to the Pacific. I’m very sad, but often the sea makes me cry and getting to the end of the bus line and seeing the ocean ahead of me I got really emotional. 
I think I spent a couple of hours just enjoying the veiw and reading with the sound of the waves, but to me thats the real essence of a holiday, so I now feel really restful and like its been a holiday as well as all the dancing. Laura joined me and we had a paddle and took some photos – I got caught by a wave so had a wet bum – I’m so sophisticated – and had to walk round with heavy jeans for hours. – it was nice to have my feet in the soft sand and tip my face up to the sun, open my chest and breath warm air (thats an in-class joke btw) – you know if we add the wet jeans to that one we would have really good posture – hmmmmm…..
We then hopped on a couple of different buses and got to Haight Ashbury – yes Cathy, I loved it, thank you – We shopped, people watched and had some food. Laura looked in every tattoo shop, and tried to talk me into gettting another – I’m in two minds, which probably means I should wait. But they are sooo pretty.
I had a very funny chat with a guy – americans are so forward – he said I reminded him of his sister, which was creepy, except I’m sure I’ve read that alot of men like women who remind them of their mothers, so maybe I was giving out vibes that I am missing the kids…. everyone is commenting on our accents, and it seems like they have all lived in London at some time. Its giving us the chance to chat with lots of strangers. The only person who I have given my business card to so far was a loverly lady on the bus who wants to travel the uk next year and I promised to try to remember the stately home with the wonderful formal gardens. Maybe its jet lag….
Ok – I just have time to grab some more food before we head off to Ultra Gypsy. x
ahhhh March 30, 2007
ok – today is panic day – flylady or no flylady. I taught my classes this morning (choreo is looking fantastic – getting smiles today !), then had to take my middle child for an appointment, but had an hour wait- I don’t have an extra hour to wait today !! Then lots of running round as the children all broke up from various places between Reading and home, dog to the kennels (Hubby can’t cope with him on his own), and stopped off to buy some food. This evening the children have parties (club nights, “whatever”), and want to get dressed up for those, while I want to watch American Idol.
The children are off first thing tomorrow and I have to go to work, so might not do the eyeliner 
I’m hoping tomorrow afternoon will be a bit more restful.
And I know you need an up to date toe report – did paint them, then dropped a pan on my big toe smudging it, so have to do it again….
Its list day ! March 26, 2007
Some of you may know that a couple of us Mersinites are hooked on Flylady – if you don’t know her google it and “jump right in where you are”. It starts out as a cleaning system, then slowly brainwashes you into becoming much more organised. Once you get over the slightly odd tone its actually a fantastic system.
Anyhow Flylady hasn’t told me, but I have a feeling today should be list day. I have to pack not just me, but also the children who are going on holiday with their Grandad. So today I am writing lists – and the first list is the list of lists….. so far they are over four pages, but I know I am going to enjoy crossing things off. I’m afraid I have a feeling that I’m going to get the nice ones done first (painting my nails) and the grotty ones done last (cleaning the dog bed) – ho hum !
Mersin Choreography March 20, 2007
Today I wrote the finale for the big Mersin number for May. For our May show we put together a longer number (maybe 20 minutes) in a theatre style, because its the only chance we really get to do this kind of production number. Anyway I can’t tell you the theme, but when you see it you will know why it made my head hurt. It needs to involve 18 people, in various costumes and with various levels of being out of breath, cos they will be coming to the end of a very long dance. – oh and finish in an interesting pose. When I broke down the music I discovered that its actually the same phrase repeated 8 times – and it was my job to make that look interesting. I think I have done it – it works in my head, but tonight I get to try it out on real dancers and thats when the fun will start – wish me luck !
