Bellydancing, part two

So I danced at the restaurant-- it was fun, but most of the class of students who were supposed to also dance didn't do it. One lady was very brave and did a good job; she even had a fun basic beginner costume with scarves & fun colors (go figure, the lady with lots of cool dragon tattoos would be brave). Everyone else, for the most part, did not dance (a few did for a very short time but ran off the second the instructor left to talk to someone). I was left all alone. But I think I did really well-- apparently, according to some ladies who were there and were at my bellydance class tonight, too well. Why? Someone's husband was "asking about me" they said. And they said this right after this other lady randomly was talking about strippers. So, what was it about the one lady's comment on strippers that made them think "oh yes, and this guy was asking about YOU?" No biggie. Early strippers stole a lot of their moves from bellydance-- the "hoochie coochie" is largely a rip off of middle eastern dance.

That's why a lot of aficionados of bellydance call it "middle eastern dance" cause people have in their minds the perception that the two are closely linked. No. No. No. They really are not. Those dancers who make it so (by dancing a little too raunchily) are the exception. Most bellydancers are in to it because of the heritage of a woman's dance-- it's a pagan, hippie sort of thing. Fat Chance Belly dance of San Francisco evokes a woman's power ideal with their dance.

Anyway. I love it. It works the abs really well, and it's more akin to yoga than aerobics, but you do work up a sweat when performing. And it has definitely made me more graceful in the two years since I've been doing it. And, being a drag queen trapped in a woman's body as I am, I truly enjoy the costume elements.

Tomorrow, I'm flying to visit an old friend in Phoenix. I get to meet her hubby who I've not met since he's been a hubby & not just a cute neighbor, and her baby. (It's been a while since I've seen her). But I should have internet access while there so don't fret-- I'll write while in the 90 something temps. ::shudder:: 90s! In March! EEEK! We get that high in Texas, of course, but not till late May, early June. Tonight it's 66, and today it probably got up to the low 80s, with a cool breeze making it seem much lower. But enough about the weather. Wave to me if I'm flying over your home between Dallas & Phoenix. I'm sure I'll see and wave back.