Some guy named Rob posted this in the BSBD thread and I posted a reply. It would be great to know everyone's story!

"OK... so we're all on the high of the fest still (YAY!), and reflecting on
- the amazing times we shared,
- the wonderful spirits we cohabitated the Tribal Fest space with (and stage with as performer or spectator),
- the scrumptious yummies,
- delicious hugs,
- revitalizing laughs and
- burning hot performances (tssssssss)...

and I'm reflecting on what one of you asked me just before I had to begin a shoot, which was:

"Why Are You Here?"

It's a good question. It's easy to give an "in the now" answer (see anything above :-), but we each no doubt have our own story, something(s) to pay homage to that was pivotal to our stepping onto the bellydance/tribal path. For me, it was a vivid magical (divine) dream that I wrote down, which played out quite literally with people met and words said, images seen and acts performed. This dream put me on my first stage with bellydancers, to meet a lovely Kassia at the afterparty -- and it was Kassia who asked me to videotape my first Hafla.

What is your story? Why are you here? "


And here is my reply, off the top of my head and obviously shortened:

"I love this idea Rob!

My story:

I've always been interested in expressing myself through dance and costume since I was a little girl. I remember choreographing dances among my friends so our family could watch us perform. As I got older, puberty kicked in, I started playing with makeup, started getting good, got into the whole "gothy- outcast" thing early on (no body understood my passion for david bowie when backstreet boys were SOOOO popular, haha). I took a dance class here and there but nothing could hold my attention. I took an acting class at some point in time that really focused on getting into a character without the use of words- just body language and that really fanned my passion... got deeper and deeper into the goth/industrial scene, became friends with a co-worker that had a bellydancing girlfriend and we disscussed making gothy middle eastern music (unbeknownst to me, it was already being made!) dated a few musicians- tried to make my own music, got out of a really exhausting 3 year relationship with one of them. last halloween i went to a show that had fire breathing, experimental bellydance, sick circus sideshow acts, suspension and burlesque... and then BAM- it hit me like a ton of bricks, "why don't I take a bellydance class?" the rest is history....

I didn't know how deep the rabbit hole went... until it already sucked me in.

it made me realize the goddess in me, it fueled my creativity and finally gave me an outlet that felt so pure and natural and challenging. It let me physically express my emotions towards music and fashion. it helped me connect with some of the most genuine people i have ever met in such a concentrated niche, that accepted me and cheered me on and inspired me. it let me be me.

from there i discovered a world of performers that amazed me, and i couldn't sit back and watch. i started dancing, fire eating, i'm about to start poi, i'm choreographing multiple dances as we speak, got involved with a ritualistic/theatrical/suspension group- www.wearecore.com, and i'm working on music as well... it's been one hell of a ride, and i'm loving every minute of it!!! "