My Blog

No more Caravan Studio...:(

tribaldancer — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:35:49 GMT

From Paulette's weekly update today: "Hello Caravaners! As it seems these past few months, life is full of ups and downs. I have much news this week to share with you all, during these hot days of summer. First, the big news, which saddens my heart to tell you. Caravan Studio must close its’ doors. Times are changing and after many months of deliberation, Jeff and I have decided it is time to close the studio and move on to our next phase in life. Having this most beautiful studio has been such a gift to me, it has brought so much pleasure, with great people and events, all based around the interest of dancing together with our most beautiful dance, tribal belly dance. But after August 16th, the doors will shut. What more can I say, but thank you to all who have been involved in the studio in one way or another. It has been a delightful journey. I will continue to dance and teach, and I will let you know where my classes will be held soon. For those of you moving on, I wish you the best in your dance journey and your life. We are planning a big bellyjam for the final hurrah at the end of August, with a blessing ritual, a book release celebration, and a night full of dance. I will give you the date as soon as it is confirmed. Even though I may not see you at the studio, I do hope you will stay in touch with me! Make sure if you haven’t already done so, to sign up for my monthly enewsletter—Caravan Trail— on our web site. That is a great way to learn about events and our growing tribal dance community. This weekly email list will end in a week or two, but I want to keep you updated about the studio."

Look out Tribe!

tribaldancer — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 06:43:20 GMT

Apparently everyone I know has been running madly over to Facebook? What is with all the invitations from friends recently? The functionality is in no way the same, so it doesn't compare, but it is weird the total influx in the last few days all of a sudden!

Not a fan of April Fool's

tribaldancer — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:26:34 GMT

I have never been a fan of April Fool's--a day celebrating making other people look ridiculous, humiliating them, or otherwise poking a stick at them for your amusement. I know, I am a big fuddy duddy. But I hate being embarrassed, and I do everything I can to avoid making people feel embarrassed, so why devote an entire day to doing just the opposite...and thinking it's funny? Some of the clever jokes on the internet these days amuse me. Like the fact that all of YouTube's "Featured" videos are linking to Rick Astley videos today. Or the Virgle joke on Google--the first people on MARS! Those are all things that pretty much everyone knows is a prank from the get-go--it's like a nod to tomfoolery rather than actively trying to make someone look foolish. So fool others if you must, but please don't include me. I am not a very good sport when it comes to things like embarrassing people for fun, like hazing or pranks. Pretty sure I would suck all the fun out of it for you when instead of a good natured laugh and punch on the shoulder, I get really serious and don't talk to you the same way for a while.

Yes, Steampunk, my friends...

tribaldancer — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:50:29 GMT

So I have gotten a wild flood of mails asking about da Steampunk. Here is a journal entry of the recent Seattle meetup: http://tribaldancer.livejournal.com/354791.html And seattlesteamrats.com will be up and running soon!

Tribal Bellydance with Shay in Seattle!

tribaldancer — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:19:37 GMT

Did Cues & Tattoos leave you craving more tribal in your life? Did all the energy and community have you jonesin' for a weekly tribal fix? Maybe the buzz alone has you buzzin' to give tribal bellydance a try! You're in luck: A new series of classes with Sharon Moore of inFusion Tribal begins the first week of March. Hey, that's next week! Everyone is welcome, no matter what size, shape, or dance experience. In each class, students will have the opportunity to build their strength and confidence, as well as develop connections with their fellow classmates in an atmosphere of laughter, support, and trust. Registration is open now! You can register online at http://www.mandalatribal.com/classes Poke around the site--there is a wealth of information about the classes there! MONDAYS 7:00-8:00pm Level 1: Foundations 8:00-9:00pm Level 2: Foundations Plus 9:00-10:00pm Level 3: Combos & Concepts (teacher permission required) Phinney Ridge Neighborhood Center 6532 Phinney Ave. N, Room 7 Seattle, WA 98103 WEDNESDAYS 8:00-9:00pm Level 1: Foundations 9:00-10:00pm Level 3: Tribal Fusion/Performance Prep (teacher permission required) American Dance Institute 8001 Greenwood Ave N, Studio B Seattle, WA 98103 ABOUT SHARON MOORE Sharon Moore is a sought after tribal bellydance instructor, having been a featured instructor and performer at Tribal Fest, Tribal Quest Northwest, 3rd Coast Tribal, Spirit of the Tribz, and now Cues & Tattoos! She was also nominated as Instructor of the Year in Zaghareet Magazine's people's choice award polls in 2007. Sharon holds a teacher training certificate from Gypsy Caravan, having completed a mentorship with Paulette Rees-Denis, and was the first certified tribal bellydance instructor in Washington State. She has since also completed a GS certification with Carolena Nericcio of FatChanceBellydance, and continues to enjoy exploring the nuances of various tribal group improvisational philosophies and aesthetics to create her own unique expression. Her fun and funky style is reflected in her classes, and in her co-direction of inFusion Tribal Bellydance ( http://www.infusiontribal.com ). ~Hope to see you there!~ Sharon http://www.mandalatribal.com

What's up with Tribe?

tribaldancer — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:14:24 GMT

This is part of what's up: http://people.tribe.net/markpincus/blog?topicid=696641b6-8100-4598-8328-afcaf7d83122 There are some dangling questions such as "where did the money from the Cisco sale go?" and the like. But at least someone is talking about it and seeking a solution...

Artist's Way

tribaldancer — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:42:46 GMT

So my troupe is all doing the Artist's Way together as a group. We are devoting the first 30 minutes of troupe each week to discussion and review. I am feeling the most motivated to do this of any time I have tried in the past (well, third time is the charm, after all). Week 1 is recovering a sense of safety. And I am finding that theme really resonating with me this time around, wheras the first time through, while valuable, I found some of the questions hokie. I felt safe, innately. And the questions seemed redundant and irrelevant on many levels. This time, it feels damn good. And I love sharing this creative space with my sisters, and working through it together and exploring all the details together.

Getting psyched for Disney....

tribaldancer — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:20:09 GMT

We are at 28 days to our vacation. Officially 4 weeks away. Of course the back shit sucks, but I am still finding my excitement growing for our trip, without question. More Disney-related travel channel shows have been cropping up on the Tivo again, which I watch over and over again. I am frequenting the Disney discussion boards, piping up with advice while asking last-minute questions of my own. Our welcome documents arrived on Monday night. I came home early because my back was so in pain and fatigued, so when I got them, I felt a little deflated by them instead of excited. So I put them down and re-read them last night and today, to try and muster more excitement with me feeling better, and it helped. Now we are contingency planning, though. What happens if I am not better in time for this trip? Do we go? If we go, is there anything I can learn to do on the trip to bring relief? Or do I have to find a Florida chiropractor just in case I need to visit one? What a lame thing to have to think about!

I guess Tuesday was a bloggy day...

tribaldancer — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:19:29 GMT

So I think I confused some people with my visit tot he hospital today. But it is the source of another frustration, so I can clear it up, AND vent the hell out of my insurance! So right off the bat: NO. my back is not "so bad I had to go to the hospital". So never fear. But the reason I went is here: So some of you know I have had a bit of a runaround with my insurance, since we changed insurance companies recently, and I can't see my regular doctor any more at the office I loved loved loved. That is, seems no one is taking new patients, and despite being assigned one, and then choosing one from the directory, I was informed they are not taking new patients and to find a different one. The insurance company finally assign me one that will take me...then that office promptly tells me they will not take patients with BACK PAIN ISSUES. I kid you not. Through three doctors (well four, since I tried to go back to one twice), and none will see me to help ease my suffering. So the insurance company tells me my only recourse is to go to Urgent Care. In the meantime, they say, I can self-refer to a chirpractor, which is how I ended up with my chiro. But I wanted a second opinion, and with the recent relapse and inability to get my chiro to call me back in the last 24 hours of pain... So this morning I went to NW Hospital, which is the Urgent Care facility associated with the doctor-i-have-been-assined-to-yet-never-ever-seen-who-won't-see-me-because-i-have-back-issues. I walk up to the help desk and ask for Urgent Care, and she points me to the office right there--there is no confusion about where she pointed me to. It was within view. Couldn't miss it. But only after I had seen two nurses and handed my insurance info over to some other woman who barely spoke English, did they tell me was actually the Emergency Room, and it was going to cost me $100 copay instead of the $50 copay the Urgent Care clinic would have cost (and when I ask about it, I get the afore-blogged-about chuckle and walk-away). Additionally, I am informed that due to triage policies in effect, my horrible experience of feeling like not ONE person listened to me despite having to tell my symptoms over and over again to three separate people, is entirely typical. They basically know what they are going to tell you to do no matter what you try to tell them, just based on the symptoms, to keep a high turnover. So the doctor did nearly NOTHING, prescribed pain meds and muscle relaxants, and referred me to someone else. Oh and I should mention...he said my chiropractor probably knew how to deal with this better than anyone, if there is no fracture involved (not that anyone confirmed if there was one or not at the emergency room, but anyway...) BTW, I did get in to see my chiro. He fit me in at the end of his day, and I brought Chris to meet him and see the office I have been going to every week. Dr. John Tong is his name, BTW http://www.wholehealthseattle.com Anyway, I asked him about the meds they gave me, as I feared muscle relaxants would undermine my work with him, which he confirmed was the case. He is confounded as I am as to why my vertebrae pops out so easily. But the good news is it pops right back in again...I guess? :) He gave me some new more intense and frequent exercises, and even more orders to ice ice ice, many times a day. The goal is to keep it in place long enough for the muscles around it to strengthen and heal it into place. He knows I am on a 30-day deadline to my holiday, and we are working with that in mind. I left feeling still sore and stiff, but better than I was,as always. And a renewed sense that he is still the best course of action for my spinal health right now. But don't think we didn't fill those prescriptions...*wink*

From Tuesday again

tribaldancer — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:18:57 GMT

So I am taking a stab at meditation, and today decided to sit out on the back deck and enjoy the beautiful day as I did. I made a mix of music, which helps drown out distractions of the nearby road noise, set myself up on a couple of cushions, and closed my eyes. I had my own little mantra prepared for the day, and 30 minutes on the play list, so I wouldn't have to try to keep track of time or have some jarring kind of alarm go off to get me "up" before my chiropractor appointment. So not too far back Chris gave me a book he had recently read himself, called "The Accidental Buddhist". It is a great account of a man who is trying out Buddhism--relating tales of his first retreats, speeches and gatherings in Central Park, attempting to meditate at home, etc. He talked about the Monkey-Mind. It is the crazy kidl-ike untameable brain that always wants to be thinking things and doesn't want to be still, as you are asking it to when you meditate. Here is a snippet transcript of my monkey-mind this afternoon. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. The sun is really hot today. It's not super comfy here in the sun. Am I supposed to just note that and move on, or should I move to a shadier spot? I'll try just noting it.. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. Nope it's hot. C'mon Sharon. Let it go. Gretchen, stop licking me. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am heal... Okay, time to move. *move rug and pillows to shady spot* Hrm, I can't hear my music as well here. Oh well. Ah, the breeze is nice. Gretchen lay down. Loki, stop pacing. Okay....*deep breath* I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I picked comfy clothes for this. Do I have enough comfy clothes for my upcoming trip? I really like the new capris I got from Old Navy online that got delivered today. I hope they shrink a little though... damn. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. This song reminds me of some other song. Can't place it. I wonder what song I am on, and how much longer it is to 30 minutes. Don't worry about time. Concentrate on your breath. I am strong. I am at peace... no, wait. It was I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. Does it matter what order? Shut up, brain! I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I wonder if I will blog about this. How shall I write it? I wish I could write like Chiara. She is so talented. I started loving her because of her journal. And then I got to love HER for reals. Ampersand: the gateway Chiara. When is she coming home? Damn. Back to mantra, already! I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. Dogs are barking at the neighbor dog. It is surprisingly doesn't jar me as much as I thought it would in this peaceful quiet state. Should I make them stop or just notice it and move on. I will just notice it... I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. This is nice. I kinda want a nap now. But I am enjoying this. Mmmmm I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I don't want to stop. I know I am on the last song. Don't know how long it is. Just enjoy it... I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. *song ends* *continue sitting there just breathing and enjoying the air* I didn't know we had a nest of baby birds in the apple tree. Wow, are they loud. So sweet, though. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. I am strong. I am healing. I am at peace. Then I opened my eyes and took a moment to readjust. I felt a little woozy, frankly, and disconnected. My eyes were fuzzy, colors felt off, and I was thirsty. But I made it. *sigh* Darn monkey mind!

From Tuesday

tribaldancer — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 20:18:01 GMT

I am admitted, and sitting in a very stark room in a gown that opens in the back. Yeehaw. The desk lady was mean and scowled at me when I brought in a sandwich I had bought at the comissary, expecting a long wait for admittance. They didn't give it to me in a to-go container as I expected, so I am carrying this little paper tray with a turkey sandwich in it around everywhere and I am not allowed to take a bite. Grrr Back sucks today, too, so I am glad I am here. I had this concern that, as per usual, I would have some ailment that mysteriously went away when I went to try and see someone about it. I guess I couldn't complain if it REALLY went away, but if I had a "good day" today, decided not to come after all, and then had a "bad day" tomorrow, I would have been at the very least irritated. I don't like the vibe here at all. Nobody makes eye contact. I had to hike around a bit to find this place, and then nobody smiled or anything when they directed me. It's so...meh here. I no likey. The nurse was nice. And she carried my laptop bag for me. :) She will be assimilated into the new world order when we take over... So amuse me. Who knows how long until I see a doctor. *breeze blowing up back of gown* What is everyone else doing today? BTW, Amy and Jen suggested last night that I have a pity-party this weekend. Since I can't go to TQNW, and am feeling decidedly sorry for myself, they suggested I need to make some fun for myself. They offered mojitos and chocolate cupcakes. Mmmmmm I may just do it. BTW, I am MissClotho on AIM, if you ever wanna chat. EDIT: MOTHERFUCKER. I asked for Urgent Care and they apparently sent me to the Emergency Room. Nobody mentions this until they hand me a billing notice that says I will owe $100 copay today for this visit, instead of $50. I explain this to the woman handing me my sheet and she just CHUCKLED AND WALKED OUT OF THE ROOM. I AM PISSED!

YESSSSS! I DANCED!!

tribaldancer — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 18:06:04 GMT

This deserves a cross-post! I DANCED! AND I WALK AND MOVE AND BEND N' SHIT! I DANCED! I DANCED!I DANCED!I DANCED!I DANCED!I DANCED!I DANCED!I DANCED!I DANCED!OMFGLOLLERSKATESBBQTEHDANCIN'! I iced as soon as I got home. And this morning as I lay in bed I just kept wondering how I was going to feel...was I going to be okay. No way to tell until I try to sit up...I roll over and sit up...AND I WAS OKAY! Just that teensy ache, but nothing sharp. I bent over gently, testing...and I could bend over without that sharp smack upside the head-kinda pain. I FUCKING DANCED! I was really well behaved and gentle with myseld. I could see everyone looking at me sidelong all night to see how I would do. I didn't twist. I made sure anything twisting, Sarah addressed. And DeAnn lead the Aziza drills in Intermediate. I didn't do bicycle shimmies even. I avoided leading as much as possible, and gave more skills and drills for me to walk around and observe. By the time Int rolled around, I was definitely fatigued. I was feeling a little ache in my back and really really wanted to lie down, but thought that would look to funny. So I hung in, and then did a cooldown with splits stretching for all of our benefits (which I got lots of compliments on, so I think they enjoyed it as much as I did). I DANCED! idanced yeefuckinhaw

Seven "dirty" secrets

tribaldancer — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 20:46:19 GMT

Tagged by Quinn. Then Renee did it. So I guess I better. *sigh*\ * I have been married twice...to the same man. If you don't know the story, ask me sometime. * I used to be the biggest snoop. I mean *any* chance I had to dig into other people's business I would take it. I guess I grew out of it, as I am completely reformed, but I still feel awful about the times I invaded people's privacy. * I have a great disparity in my view of myself and my actual self. In the opposite direction of most. I see myself as thinner and healthier than I am...when I see myself on video or in photos it is always a shock to me. "I am THAT FAT?!" Seriously. Sometimes I wish I could see myself for as heavy as I really am, so I could fully commit to eating better and exercising. If only I had lower self-esteem!! CURSES! * I have a habit of starting to make things for other people and then liking them so much I keep them for myself. Prime example: this past Christmas I was inspired by an artist I saw who made these beautiful fabric collages, and decided to make a few for family and friends. When I was done, they looked so nice together, I hung them on my wall and kept them for myself, finding them something at the store instead. * I am obsessive AND a quitter. I get all fired up about certain hobbies and crafts, and will run out and spend all this money on supplies to do it, and will spend a few weeks where I can't do anything else or think about anything else,and throw myself into it with all of my heart and soul...and then never do it again. It's why bellydance was so significant for me--it was really one of the first and only things I completely stuck with. * I sometimes exaggerate for no reason, but in no significant way. For instance, if I caught 3 fish, I would probably tell the story that I caught 4. If there were 50 people at a party, even if I counted and knew the exact number of people, I would blurt out that there were 55. I have NO idea why. It slips out before I can stop myself. And it is never significant or important enough to correct, so I let it go. But it is the weirdest thing and I have no idea how it came to pass that this is a habit of mine. So whatever I say, subtract one or two, and you will get the real number. *shrug* I am trying to nip it in the bud...it is such a useless silly thing to do! * I have read that this is a common thing for people to think, but I will put it out there: there is always the niggling feeling in the back of my mind that people who love me only love me because they have to, or want something from me, or have to put up with me for some other reason. I had some really pivotal bad friendship break-ups and issues in my young life which developed an inherent mistrust of friendships. Despite this, I give of myself completely to my friends, and am one of the most open/vulnerable people I know when it comes to relationships--I am very honest and not afraid to love someone with my whole heart. I am fiercely loyal, knowing from experience how precious and delicate friendships can be. How I came to be so mistrusting, and yet still able to love so wholly, I will never know. My husband is one of the few friendships in my life I have ever completely trusted. Tagging: Sarah, Amy A, Amy B, Shannon, and Katie

Tell me how....

tribaldancer — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 18:28:59 GMT

How is it that some people have issues where people " think they're a part of the troupe". How does that HAPPEN? In my world, you are in a troupe or you're not. You are specifically invited. You attend rehearsals and classes every week. You are in performances billed as a member. Your picture and bio are on the website. So how is it that some drama-mama's end up having people who are confused about this fact? How do you have someone who "thinks" they're in your troupe. How does this confusion occur? How does this information manifest itself--how do you know they believe this? And if this somehow magically happens, why is it that you don't clear that up tout suite? This is not actually directed at any one person. I have seen this phenomenon discussed time and again online, and I just never understood it. So now I am asking.

Blog Blawg Blahg

tribaldancer — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 01:43:30 GMT

I have one, so I guess I should write in it. But really, just visit my LJ blog. I use that one. I doubt I will use this one.