Diva _C

sings neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours

2008-05-12T14:33:47Z

My neighbour has said he'll cut my huge slopey and stupid lawn. with his tractor mower. thank goodness for good old fashioned and kind men who just don't like to see a woman struggle-there should be more of them. if it wasn't for the fact that he'll no doubt predecease me-I'd leave him my precious things-and the fact that my only precious things are BD costumes and probably neither his size or colour. What a hero though!!

An enfeebled state!!

2008-05-11T08:39:24Z

Note to self don't browse the BHUZ costumes selling threads when tired and enfeebled.Just bought a hardly worn red pharonics costume for the price I would have paid for it in Egypt.Its a lovely style for me-red, bra top with attached sleeves- belt and floaty skirt-the belt being the top part of the skirt.The style is called Samia -so you get the general gist of the look of it. I was tired, my resistance is low.
I did have to come home early last night. I went to see a friend sing bluesy stuff with a jazz band-not really my cup of tea (and they were singing in English so it's not like proper music!!!)but she was excellent and I really enjoyed it.At about 10pm I was wilting and as I had an hours drive home(having to drive through the middle of Leeds too which is not for the fainthearted)so I left-I think this makes me an offical old fart!!

Nature and moving moan!!

2008-05-10T12:35:20Z

Spent last weekend and the start of this week gardening and the last 3 days helping husband G move-no easy task, this man does not know the meaning of "chuck it away!!".The grass needs cutting again so I've done that-bloody nature!!!.I'm actually going out to enjoy myself this evening (socially and non dancing-on a Saturday night-put the flags out!!!!)What's the betting I fall asleep. Back to Derby for more moving experiences tomorrow-oh great!!

And why is it my roots always show when I'm tired,busy and have to go out and look glam somewhere.

When am I going to find time to go to work!

Er,,,,,,,!!!!!

2008-05-07T20:44:50Z

ERRRR you know I said no more costumes-ER well the rose fabric cossie from Dahlal has arrived-it's pretty dam gorgeous-too snug at the mo-on the hips not the bust (amazing!!!)but I'll be in it for Raqs B and PE in June-Love it!!!!
The cheesy Adam Basma CD has arrived. Love the Touba track-nowt else but that one will get some use-intro in restaurant etc and I can also see a veil poi number too.Does n't it make you mad buying an import CD for one blooming track..
I've swopped my pink Pharonics for a very alterable great loop -also Pharonics very practical.What is it about practical costumes that feel so undecadent and ordinary??

Goodbye pink costume

2008-05-06T22:32:29Z

Well thats that-I've sold my gorgeous but too big Pharonics costume-sigh!!Swopped it for something more practical and adjustable.
No more fancy costumes till I've lost all the weight.
Cheap frocks and adjustable bedlahs and skirts only-till the great Autumn Cairo costume splurge of 2008 which will go down in the history books as the absolute queen of all costume splurges ever!!!!!
till then it's all about staying decent and as glam as possible under the circs.
Got another 7 costumes to sell.

RAIN STOPS GARDENING!!!!

2008-05-04T11:34:41Z

Oh no,it's raining-no gardening for me today!!!-Shame!!!

*manic laughter*

Sigh!!

2008-05-04T00:46:40Z

Another day in the garden-sigh!!!!Discovering parts of me that have never ached before!!!
looking forward to another day gardening tomorrow-NOT!!!!!!
tell you what, thank goodness for all the upper body work I've done-Am tired but not cripplingly so.
Hope my costume comes next week from Dahlal-need some kind of a boost.
So glad I wasn't performing this weekend-makes a nice change.Got some good new music too.

Workshop

2008-04-30T10:39:53Z

I had good yesterday evening.Taught a workshop in Louth.The ladies had seen me dance at the restaurant and asked me to come and teach them.They wanted wings-I pointed out how much space they take up so we did a little taster for the last half hour in relays. The rest of the workshop was basic techniques needed to make your dancing look nice-things you need for dancing anyway and if you've not got them the wings look awful.
So I hammered home about isolations,posture, arms, standing in a nice shapes (yes, those of you who come to my classes, all the usual stuff I witter on about) and how the same move can have a different feel and look depending on the context of the music (I might develop that and offer it as a workshop sometime-changing the look of a move to make it classical,shaabi, folkloric,happy ,sad, sassy etc-be interesting. I like stuff on interpretation and not a lot of people do that-I mean everybody has a shimmy workshop and a combo workshop etc etc)
Anyway the magic of great posture had its effect and because we had mirrors everyone could see themselves transformed which is so inspiring.I wish all the rooms I teach in had mirrors.I may have to do something about it.
So all in all ,a success they enjoyed it and want me to go back sometime-and I enjoyed teaching them.I do get a lot out of teaching ,workshops particularly.

I tried out the new wings they are gorgeous- with being leopared print on one side and gold on the other the effect is stunning!.They are heavy and take some wafting but they move wonderfully-these are the ones for me.I picked an ordinary pair to demonstrate the different look or different wings and it was like wafting nowt. I am on the look out for a leopard print costume and then I can definately feel a performance piece coming on-better listen out for some suitable music

Ah that's better!!

2008-04-29T12:38:54Z

Just spent the morning doing some nice spiteful gardening-vicious pruning and fierce weeding-very theraputic!!Feel back to normal calm now!! Ahhh *relaxes*

Software Problem

2008-04-22T13:50:56Z

Aren't computers great when they do what you want!! I downloaded a super dooper upgrade version of my music software and even worked out how to use it -its been working fine BUT on Saturday when I really needed it to burn the CDs for my show it would not open-at all, wouldn't do owt.So I had to reinstall the old software so I had editing facilities-can't do the show CDs without the edit feature.Any way did that, did the show CDs ad now I've got a bit of time to wrestle with the thing I've spent ages getting nowhere.ARRRRRRGH!!!
Trouble is I really don't know what I'm doing-so I'm stuck with the old software till I get a bit of help from the Technical support.I never had any problems with the old-I suppose the more it can do, the more it can go wrong. Feeling a bit thwarted and fed up with technology.

Back to the sewing machine!!

2008-04-14T13:04:12Z

Dong some updates on the website today-then back to the sewing machine.Took some stuff to JOY to be altered and to sell on.The lovely pink Mahmoud frock and the fab Eman elegant black have gone to another home and are being swopped for a naughty nudey purple pharonics. I like doing a swop for stuff makes good sense. Need to find new homes for another five not worn or hardly worn costumes.

I hereby take a vow to buy no more costumes until I'm back in shape again-hope thats not long, don't know how long I can hold out.

I'm a bit back to square one with performance music for PE and Raks B.Think I'll do the Adeweia medley on Yasmina's first CD for PE. Khalid and Sara danced to it on Saturday night.I'd forgotten that one I like it -reminds me of sleazy Cairo nightclubs and then maybe a classic song.Don't want to do a magency for PE-not really a great venue for one and thats maybe more appropriate for the star to do. May do one for Raqs B- possibly Sherihan.I've drawn a bit of blank with Entel Hob -the costume I was going to wear being too big killed my enthusiasm but will file it away for later.I should get an Om kalthoum for October JOY-I don't want to do cheeky this time and as I'm doing an Om Kalthoum workshop that seems appropriate-mind you am also doing a scaled down entertainer workshop and a cheeky pop workshop so I have a choice.I could practise the fan veils and do a novelty act!!! Possibly a bit of pirate/pixie/hillbilly fusion.....arrJImlad,twinkle,yeee har

Mmmmm

2008-04-11T23:17:56Z

Now then, pondering on what i think of the fan veil idea.After the great poi disaster do I think i'll go for them-actually it all depends on if they are an effective in a small space thingy-otherwise I'm sticking with my shamadan,sagat and spoons-oh and the dancing thing too!!!

It's HERE!!!!!

2008-04-02T11:48:24Z

The costume from Pharonics has arrived-its beautiful -drool Its wonderful in it's pinkiness.Its full of shiney and bling.Its one of the nicest most fab costumes I've ever had BUT its way too big WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can get away with moving the fastenings on the bra and tightening the elastic in the skirt, at least for a few weeks and then it has to be major surgery. I'll take it back to Cairo for them to do.

In view of this and at great self sacrifice I've decided not to go back to Cairo until the weight has gone. The plan is to loose the weight,sell any costumes that can't be altered and go back and have an almighty costume splurge in the autumn sometime. i just can't afford to buy any more costumes that don't fit a month later-it's just too silly!!!!!

Goodnight sweet song

2008-04-01T17:55:34Z

Just finished mangling El Hantour into a fun beginners sagat dance. I can now no longer face this music anymore.Sorry Saad the magic has completely gone out of this song now -I am officially allergic to it!!!!

Costume crisis averted!!

2008-03-29T01:32:14Z

i have spent most of today replacing the bra and reinforcing everything in one of my Mahmoud cheapy special frocks and it is now decent. It's too long, because of weight loss in other areas, but although I may trip over it at least I won't frighten anyone or put them off their food.
i'll be glad when I've lost all the weight now the whole situation is gettiing ridiculous and expensive!!!!
I supposed to be guest starring at a couple of haflas next weekend-who knows what I shall be able to wear or not wear by then!!!!

There's going to be tears!!!

2008-03-27T12:10:40Z

Ok that's it now-jokes over,where's my ****ing costume!!!!! I've been eagerly awaiting it -it was supposed to ship 1st March. Am kicking myself I did not ask K to check up on it this week but I trusted-fool that I was.I should know better.
AND I am applying to some agencies to find me some work (non dancing). Everything is spoiled!!!

Job

2008-03-24T19:26:52Z

I've applied for a job-cross everything.I need a job to pay for my Cairo addiction-decided to go again in May
better sell some things!!!

I've seen the future-2009!!!!

2008-03-21T18:33:19Z

Wow lots of exciting stuff being planned for 2009-festivals,workshops and performing including starring at PE in October 2009-(dances about excitedly).Really glad I get to do that before I hang up the sequins and put the fake tan away for ever and become an official non dancing, ordinary person in March 2011. I'm so excited about Kays 2009 Luxor Festival too-its going to be a big year 2009.
Planning a big last trip to Cairo in March 2010
So dancers, restaurant owners, festival organisers book me while you can- my sell by date is approaching and I'm getting busy busy!!
I'm so excited-YAAAAY!!!!!!

Its all too much!!!

2008-03-17T15:16:19Z

As my last old faithful costume-is no longer useable without major surgery to keep it decent-its becoming more important to get all the rest of the costumes that can be sorted, done and quick.
I also need to get the costumes sold that I've decided to sell.
Got to sort out the garden,things are growing-stupid plants!!!
Got to clear out the garage.
Need to give the house a thorough spring clean.
Got to get some more stuff sold on ebay.
I've come over all weak better go and lie down!!I'll think about it tomorrow!!

Dance stuff

2008-03-15T11:33:12Z

Settling in for a fairly quiet week being as my Sunday class had to finish early because of maintenance to the hall and my Monday class finishes this Monday for Easter. I weakened and said I'd carry on with the Monday class mainly because the improvers group are doing really well and are the kind of group I really like (i.e. there are people in there who can dance and are bothered about it- so I'm starting to enjoy them as I really enjoy my Sunday class). I could do with another improvers class somewhere- the thought of more beginners in September is slightly depressing. Perhaps I could do with working with someone who teaches the beginners-does all the intial hard slog and then I'll sail in and do the actual dancing bit-*big grin*-not serious really.

I have found a performance piece for later on in the year-not suitable for a lot of things I'm doing but may be good for Raqs B,PE and JOY-not sure about PE it might be a bit slow for there. its to be done in the real old fashioned classical style with slightly Randa influenced modern overtones a sort of me meets Samia Gamal meets Randa after bumping in to a young Aida Nour. I'm going to wear my lovely(I hope its lovely when it finally arrives) Pharaonics costume. its Entel Hob by Mohamed Abdul Waheb. Its so un me as to be quite controversial. I feel quite inspired to try something different-when i was bigger I always felt like Dawn French doing the ballet comedy sketch if I attempted anything like that.

I think in contrast my other is going to be shaabi-I quite like the other version of El Enab done by someone else whose name I've forgotten its not quite so manic. Theres quite a good beledi going into a drum solo on Very cairo 3 but not sure about the instrumentation of it and I think its another version of one Maria is dancing to a lot -so thats no good the UK circuit being fairly small. Have to keep trawling the CD collection.I've got so many CDs I keep rediscovering things.

A bit delicate today

2008-03-13T15:19:17Z

Well thats 3 of the recent Cairo costume haul sorted and fitted-reinforced hooks in right places,fabric sewn in any skirt splits-4 more to go. its mainly me being fussy about good solid support in the chest region with a least 2 hooks for safety and also a bit of comunication break down that when you say you want chiffon (or any other fabric) in the skirt splits you do actually want it sewing in and not just joined at the top of the split in a clump and the rest of it left dangling there revealing the legs that you carefully explained you did not want to show.

Anyway been browsing about the oriental moon costume site and seen my must have costume for when the rest of my weight has dropped off (hopefully within the next 6 months).So its my present to me. It says on the website that someone from them will be at Raqs B so I'll have a look see, as I'll be teaching there. You can't really tell from a picture.its a sort of floral skirt with matching corset type thing and a pop out bra-it could look like I've run it up from a pair of curtains-so reserving judgement. What do you think, probably not this fabric either.
http://www.orientalmooncairo.com/assets/gallery/diva/oma0474.jpg

my Pharonics costume is still a no show and I'm fed up i've not got an interview for a job I really wanted(non dancing) well I might have but I've not heard anything and its getting a bit late. I was also horribly sick this morning-still feeling delicate.

Decided to do a new dance for my pop choreo with sagat workshop- its got to be El hantour. The pace is great for sagat and all the 123 ,123 bits can sound like the horses hooves-so that will kill that song for me completely!!! Its funny how workshop choices for people go in waves-last year it was combos,shamadan,baladi and travelling that were the favourite choices-this year seems to be the year of the sagat!!

Am still on the look out for some good performance music (not the restaurant stuff)-thought I'd got some sussed but when I started dancing to it I decided it just didn't suit my dancing and I hated it after 3 times through on the trot-so that was no good. best get on with it as the first performance is in April. Got a couple of birthdays but they are no probs Walid Tawfiks Inzal Ya Gamal everytime -can't beat it!!!!

Monday class

2008-03-11T01:52:56Z

I am so pleased with my Monday improvers class. They have done so well and come a long way in a short time and bless them, have got used to me both wittering on about Egypt and dance cultural background without looking too bored and laying the law down about technique without sulking about it. Our stick dance is looking so good, strong and spot on with timing-YES!!!!!

oh dear

2008-03-09T10:08:45Z

Well all that time spent agonising over music was wasted.My Cd would not play at the restaurant-nor would any CD that had been copied or edited there was some music a previous dancer had left and that would not play either-i've never had this problem before.I always take plenty of CDs but not always the originals. So I had one Cd in the car of Egyptian music which had one suitable thing on and the rest of the time I danced to their Tarkan CD.
A lot of my more recent Turkish music is downloaded (legally) from Emusic so that would not have played either. Burnt CDs must have played at some time because its what all the other dancers have used.
I know it could not be helped but I'm disappointed I like to do a show not just dance about a bit-especially as it was a place I'd not been before and I'm dancing for an agency.So feeling down and a bit sad that it wasn't as I would have liked-great atmosphere at the restaurant though-nice place.I'd like to do it again with proper music.
On a post performance downer here.I'm well past the stage in my career where I am pleased that I'd coped with it after all a proffessional dancer better had be able to dance for 20mins to any music, but I just think how much better it would have been with my own music-sigh!!
Spose I'm lucky this has never happened before.

Tales of the Sahara? No!!!!!

2008-03-08T15:48:28Z

Dancing in a new (to me) restaurant tonight.I've changed my entrance music as if i hear Tales of the Sahara again-I will tantrum.Also giving Set El hosen a rest-though i don't know.The only trouble with the one I've picked (Rakset Ranin by Setrak vol 17)is its only just over 3.30mins and its a 20minute set-its good for swishing about and staking your territory though-then I'm doing my jolly meet and greet sagat number and then I descend into Turkish pop with a Turkish debke thrown in.All very jolly, happy, party BUT supposing I've got a coach trip in from Sad and Mardy land who don't want to be jolly and happy-it does happen.But then they'd hate it anyway so why worry about them.
I'm having a "please like me" wimpy performers moment-think I'll do an alternative CD just in case. I'm always a lot more relaxed when I've been before and can figure out the audience type better.

Me and Saad

2008-03-07T21:36:57Z

Well here I am dancing with my shaabi pal Saad-do I want to go back to Cairo-YES PLEASE!!!!!there are several more embarassing pics of me and the man where i am simpering at him horribly-grow up girl!!!Love this guy!!