It's Earth Day and I'm totally unprepared to do anything celebratory about it, except I transplanted my food seedlings so they have more growing room since it's supposed to snow here tomorrow which means I can't put them in the garden where they'd rather be living.
Which is wierd.
But whatever - weather in this area is anything but constant.
Also I now seem to own a pair of cowgirl/boy boots, which seems to mean that I've gone native - and so any future trips back home/East will now amount to an invasion.
Possibly a full-scale invasion, I haven't decided yet.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
Thursday, April 11, 2013
.amelia.
Oh Amelia! how I miss you and your devil may care attitude...
Also, am I the only person who gets the song "Cecilia" stuck in their head with the name switched to Amelia? Because all the time.
The fragrance Eleven is also now available in spray form, for those who aren't partial to the natural oil base. Next on the list for atomization are BadWolf, Lonely Assassin, and Pond.
Perfume orders will now include a free sample of "Hot Italian," and I'm working on two new fragrances - "Susan" and "Corsair;" which will be replacing Idris and DoctorDonna in the list of available scents.
You heard me right - I've got my first scent discontinuations coming, and it's imminent.
And the coupon code COMEALONGPOND is still still good, through Friday, for 40% off any purchase in the etsy shop.
The fragrance Eleven is also now available in spray form, for those who aren't partial to the natural oil base. Next on the list for atomization are BadWolf, Lonely Assassin, and Pond.
Perfume orders will now include a free sample of "Hot Italian," and I'm working on two new fragrances - "Susan" and "Corsair;" which will be replacing Idris and DoctorDonna in the list of available scents.
You heard me right - I've got my first scent discontinuations coming, and it's imminent.
And the coupon code COMEALONGPOND is still still good, through Friday, for 40% off any purchase in the etsy shop.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
.what to do when you find yourself caught at a bellydance show.
A friend pointed me in the direction of a blog post the other day in which the author was freaking out (half for real, half for satire) about what was she supposed to do when a bellydancer came up to her table at this restaurant she and her friends had started going to recently. Included in her what-seemed-to-be-alcohol-fueled soliloquy were some suppositions about where bellydancers come from, why they dance in restaurants at all, and at least three comparisons to strippers.
Specifically - are bellydancers the people who failed out of stripper school?
That last was almost too stupid to respond to, but that's a big almost since we bellydancers hear it all the time.
So for the last time people (I wish...) - bellydancers do not take their clothes off during bellydance performances! And if you see someone who you think is a bellydancer doing so - she's not a bellydancer, she a stripper (or possibly a burlesque performer, which is also a very different thing from the other two. Also, you're probably only going to see strippers in strip clubs, or possibly bachelor parties if you have very nice friends who want to spend a lot of money*).
You see how they're called different things?
IT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE DIFFERENT THINGS.
I know it's a difficult concept for some people, but if I went around selling people oranges and handing them apples I'd get some really bizarre side glances and more than a few comments about how I must be either crazy or stupid to have confused the two (also more than a few demands for refunds). Meanwhile if you hire a bellydancer for a private party hoping she's going to be taking her costume off - you are going to be SO disappointed I promise you.
Now back to the main question - what do you do if you're eating at a restaurant and a bellydancer comes up to your table?
• Are you supposed to watch her dance? Yes! But only if you want to. If she's making you uncomfortable just ignore her - trust me, we're all adults and we can handle the rejection.
• If you do watch her, where are you supposed to look? Look where you want to. Seriously. We are completely aware that our hips are doing bizarre things in time to the music and that might attract your gaze. Basically that's intentional. We are trained professional entertainers. We expect you to look at us, look at what we're doing - I mean, check out the costuming: it's all colorful and spangly and jingly, clearly created to attract attention and show off particular sections of the body and the movements it's moving.
• Is she trying to make you feel uncomfortable in your own skin by showing off so much of hers? No. That's just silly.
• Are you suppose to give her money? If you want to - it's not required but it's certainly appreciated. If you appreciate what she's doing and want her to dance near your table more - go ahead and hand her some money, or clap along with the music, or just smile. If you want to pay her to go away, hand her some money and very purposefully turn back to talking to your friends. If she's making you super uncomfortable and you don't want her around at all - once again, just ignore her. We're professionals, we can handle the rejection. We're not asking you out on a date. Also, your dancer will ususally let you know how to hand her the money - whether it be body tipping, tipping in hand or in a basket; just pay attention, if you're doing it wrong she'll let you know.
• Is the dancer trying to make moves on your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/child/whatever? No. Seriously, just no.
I could go over all the bits about years of training, the exorbitant cost of costuming, the hours of prep time for each individual gig - but that's boring.
In short, if you see a bellydancer and want to watch her, for goodness sake watch her. If you see a bellydancer and you are uninterested or uncomfortable, turn away and do something else. It's not that difficult.
You're welcome.
* And lets not confuse strippers with burlesque performers either - also very different things. In fact, if you're confused by any of this you had probably go take some bellydance classes and some burlesque dance classes and then go visit a strip club (or take strip dance classes if you can find them). You will first of all gain an invaluable amount of appreciation for how much work goes into each of these very different dance forms, as well as some much needed self confidence.
** I use she as a default only because I'm a female bellydancer, and in no way am I intending to discount or ignore the many wonderful and beautiful male bellydancers circulating the world - I love you all so much!
Specifically - are bellydancers the people who failed out of stripper school?
That last was almost too stupid to respond to, but that's a big almost since we bellydancers hear it all the time.
So for the last time people (I wish...) - bellydancers do not take their clothes off during bellydance performances! And if you see someone who you think is a bellydancer doing so - she's not a bellydancer, she a stripper (or possibly a burlesque performer, which is also a very different thing from the other two. Also, you're probably only going to see strippers in strip clubs, or possibly bachelor parties if you have very nice friends who want to spend a lot of money*).
You see how they're called different things?
IT'S BECAUSE THEY ARE DIFFERENT THINGS.
I know it's a difficult concept for some people, but if I went around selling people oranges and handing them apples I'd get some really bizarre side glances and more than a few comments about how I must be either crazy or stupid to have confused the two (also more than a few demands for refunds). Meanwhile if you hire a bellydancer for a private party hoping she's going to be taking her costume off - you are going to be SO disappointed I promise you.
 |
| Apples and Oranges - both fruit, but clearly only one is taking it's top off. |
• Are you supposed to watch her dance? Yes! But only if you want to. If she's making you uncomfortable just ignore her - trust me, we're all adults and we can handle the rejection.
• If you do watch her, where are you supposed to look? Look where you want to. Seriously. We are completely aware that our hips are doing bizarre things in time to the music and that might attract your gaze. Basically that's intentional. We are trained professional entertainers. We expect you to look at us, look at what we're doing - I mean, check out the costuming: it's all colorful and spangly and jingly, clearly created to attract attention and show off particular sections of the body and the movements it's moving.
• Is she trying to make you feel uncomfortable in your own skin by showing off so much of hers? No. That's just silly.
• Are you suppose to give her money? If you want to - it's not required but it's certainly appreciated. If you appreciate what she's doing and want her to dance near your table more - go ahead and hand her some money, or clap along with the music, or just smile. If you want to pay her to go away, hand her some money and very purposefully turn back to talking to your friends. If she's making you super uncomfortable and you don't want her around at all - once again, just ignore her. We're professionals, we can handle the rejection. We're not asking you out on a date. Also, your dancer will ususally let you know how to hand her the money - whether it be body tipping, tipping in hand or in a basket; just pay attention, if you're doing it wrong she'll let you know.
• Is the dancer trying to make moves on your boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/child/whatever? No. Seriously, just no.
I could go over all the bits about years of training, the exorbitant cost of costuming, the hours of prep time for each individual gig - but that's boring.
In short, if you see a bellydancer and want to watch her, for goodness sake watch her. If you see a bellydancer and you are uninterested or uncomfortable, turn away and do something else. It's not that difficult.
You're welcome.
* And lets not confuse strippers with burlesque performers either - also very different things. In fact, if you're confused by any of this you had probably go take some bellydance classes and some burlesque dance classes and then go visit a strip club (or take strip dance classes if you can find them). You will first of all gain an invaluable amount of appreciation for how much work goes into each of these very different dance forms, as well as some much needed self confidence.
** I use she as a default only because I'm a female bellydancer, and in no way am I intending to discount or ignore the many wonderful and beautiful male bellydancers circulating the world - I love you all so much!
Monday, April 8, 2013
.from Saturday.
A little outside of the variety of music I've been dancing to lately - preparing was an incredible mental challenge and is making me totally rethink the way I'll be practicing from now on. Much thanks to Krista Kubie for the video!
Sunday, April 7, 2013
.and then I started ranting again.
When I was in high school, I got a little obsessed with late 19th Century British poetry. I was not an expert in it, I couldn't rattle on about the themes and how they were effected by the history of the period - I just kind of fell in love with some of it and took to memorizing bits because I was a melodramatic teenager and it seemed like the thing to so.
One of my favorites was and still is "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley, keeping in mind that five minutes ago I couldn't have told you the name of the poem or who wrote it if my life depended of it - but thanks to the interwebs I can type in the lines that are stuck forever in my brain and Whammo! there's the information I was looking for:
Or in my own personal vernacular - Screw you, I'm going to do what I want; and you can go fuck yourself if you think you have any control over that.
Clearly William's phrasing is way more eloquent, but I never claimed to be a writer, let alone a poet.
(Ok, I did at one point as a teenager claim to be both a writer and a poet, but looking back that was a horrible horrible mistake that my teachers were kind enough to gloss over for me. Mostly I think they were happy that I was trying to do anything at all.)
We live in a fairly autonomous society (sort of). Obviously, there are definite societal taboos, and a few laws that are more than a good idea; but for the most part, you can attempt to do whatever you want with your life. People run away and join the circus, have pet tigers, and paint their houses rainbow colors. Is any of that usual? Not so much. Did their parents and peers endorse any of that? Probably not. And yet...
And here's my really awkward transition.
There are quite a few people in the world posing as teachers who seem to think that because they gave a person a bit of knowledge that they then control anything that student does with it.
And I call bullshit.
Once a piece of knowledge is in your brain or body, it is yours to do with as you please. Is it a good idea? Not necessarily. But this is how our culture and knowledge and science and art have progressed throughout the span of history - a teacher brings an idea, a student takes that idea and makes it their own and builds upon it, and then passes the thing on to the next student who hopefully does the same. And this is where really excellent teaching comes in - with critical thinking skills and history and context and societal views. I do believe that it's important to learn the rules before you start breaking them - but without a little rule breaking and innovation we'd still be in the Dark Ages - and I prefer modern medicine and HBO.
And Doctor Who.
One of my favorites was and still is "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley, keeping in mind that five minutes ago I couldn't have told you the name of the poem or who wrote it if my life depended of it - but thanks to the interwebs I can type in the lines that are stuck forever in my brain and Whammo! there's the information I was looking for:
Out of the night that covers me,It's those last two lines that resonate the strongest (as they were probably meant to): I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
Or in my own personal vernacular - Screw you, I'm going to do what I want; and you can go fuck yourself if you think you have any control over that.
Clearly William's phrasing is way more eloquent, but I never claimed to be a writer, let alone a poet.
(Ok, I did at one point as a teenager claim to be both a writer and a poet, but looking back that was a horrible horrible mistake that my teachers were kind enough to gloss over for me. Mostly I think they were happy that I was trying to do anything at all.)
We live in a fairly autonomous society (sort of). Obviously, there are definite societal taboos, and a few laws that are more than a good idea; but for the most part, you can attempt to do whatever you want with your life. People run away and join the circus, have pet tigers, and paint their houses rainbow colors. Is any of that usual? Not so much. Did their parents and peers endorse any of that? Probably not. And yet...
And here's my really awkward transition.
There are quite a few people in the world posing as teachers who seem to think that because they gave a person a bit of knowledge that they then control anything that student does with it.
And I call bullshit.
Once a piece of knowledge is in your brain or body, it is yours to do with as you please. Is it a good idea? Not necessarily. But this is how our culture and knowledge and science and art have progressed throughout the span of history - a teacher brings an idea, a student takes that idea and makes it their own and builds upon it, and then passes the thing on to the next student who hopefully does the same. And this is where really excellent teaching comes in - with critical thinking skills and history and context and societal views. I do believe that it's important to learn the rules before you start breaking them - but without a little rule breaking and innovation we'd still be in the Dark Ages - and I prefer modern medicine and HBO.
And Doctor Who.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Help Quixotic!
I was involved with performing with this group for a few years and to this day it has been one of the most wonderful and educational experiences of my performing career. Watching what Magliano and Thomas have done with the group more recently has been truly inspiring.
Now Quixotic, needs everyone's help to upgrade some crucial equipment, and they've got an Indiegogo campaign set up to do so...
Now Quixotic, needs everyone's help to upgrade some crucial equipment, and they've got an Indiegogo campaign set up to do so...
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Winners! and for the rest of you...
hdenniso
Melanie L
Eloquence
You've all been emailed - and the sooner you respond the sooner you'll get your smells in the mail!
And for the rest of you.....I give you a coupon code! 40% off anything in my etsy shop, and it's
COMEALONGPOND
I've attached this graphic here on the right just in case you don't know where to apply it. Because that's confusing sometimes.
And thankyou to everyone who played - it was really awesome seeing what everyone's favorite quotes were.
Meanwhile - I'll be doing another giveaway in June.
Anniversary style.
And then, just because it's awesome...
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
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