After an un-motivated Monday I'm now suffering from a Weary Wednesday! It's partly self inflicted as I went to Brum shopping yesterday and so have worn myself out- again! But I'm still not into relax mode and am still twitching about uneasily and feeling like I should be doing something...just can't decide what!
Some progress has been made promoting a couple of events I've got planned, but the bad news is that I don't have enough students to run the beginners course I had starting tomorrow. I have to admit to probably not having put enough energy into promoting it, but various other things had to take priority at the time, so this is the outcome. Ahh, well that's life.
In fact you could probably say that I'm mildly depressed- 'reactive depression' as we used to say in The Samaritans (yes, another past life!). This means that life is getting me down, with special reference to the lack of spondoolies...urrgh! I just need a little extra energy so's I can get going on some of my pet projects and then something might shift in a positive way. I still believe in the old Cosmic Ordering stuff , and also believe that what you believe shapes your life...which then makes me feel even worse because it's all down to me being a gloomy cow and it's my own fault!! Bit of a vicious circle, eh? Better change the subject!
Another piece of annoying news is that my Victorian table (1840's apparently) is not worth anything like as much as I'd thought, but at least I can now confidently barter away knowing it's true worth. Hopefully selling that will go towards paying off my debts!
But the good news is now I have more time to make some more stock for the BAMBA festival on 23rd July and the Bizarre Bazaar Tea Party on the 31st. By the way someone told me that there is a fetish market that has been going in Brum for over 10 years that's also called the Bizarre Bazaar...oooh er....does that mean we'll be getting a few odd customers turning up? LOL!!
OK, don't think I'm going to pull myself out of this Slough of Despond just yet, so I guess the decent thing to do is quietly slink off into a corner and play with my sparkly things......going...going....gone
Wednesday, 13 July 2011
Monday, 11 July 2011
Un-motivated Monday!
Another busy weekend done and dusted! Phew! Yesterday I was dog tired but am feeling slightly better today, but instead of weariness I now feel aimless and listless...in fact 'less' in lots of respects! Maybe as a self employed person I identify myself so much with my work and career that without it I'm rather rudderless....that's a worrying thought!
The hafla on friday went very well...and happily very smoothly, although it felt as if it took a while for everyone to 'warm up' somehow. It may have been partly that it was a new venue (which everyone pretty much agreed was an improvement), but we had a few new people and troupes there who of course didn't know each other and my students either. But it doesn't take long for belly dancers to start talking......so in the end a good time was had by all. Our guest dancer Sayuri (Sarah) was fab and I had lots of awed comments about how good she was. I'm delighted to report that she was on fire (especially her SIX VEIL spinning routine!!), and I was pleased that I'd chosen a worthy guest performer for us! One interesting part of her saidi stick routine was that she was making lots of cheeky faces towards the wings and I assumed it was her students, but I was very amused to hear that the players from the resident bowls club (who had a match on that night) who were on their way to the shared dressing rooms were apparently standing in the wings gawping in amazed awe at the proceedings! If I'd found them I'd have charged them for watching!LOL! A very enjoyable night. Several pluses including that the new venue were extremely helpful in setting up lighting, staging, sound system and even assiting in getting tables and chairs out- and it cost half the price of the last venue!Win, win I'd say!
Then on Saturday memebers of Miramar performed at the Shakespeare Hospice fete - back to Stratford Recreation ground (the scene of a few performances recently!!), where we fought with veils in the wind. But otherwise an excellent performance from all the girls. This time we tried a different colour combination, wearing our all white and silver bras and skirts with coloured veils and belts...looked quite edible, like sweets or desserts, actually! And finally on Sunday Shuvani performed at Chipping Norton fete. The first two dances went well in front of the main stage with a decent audience, but our later busking spot was hard work as we were still within earshot of the main stage belting out amplified sound! Our little busking amp couldn't compete, but having a smaller, more intimate audience seated out side a cafe seemed more fun. A couple of rather surreal moments too......having to dance on a quite severe sideways slope, and performing around moving cars and pedestrians! It's all a learning curve (or maybe more like an incline!!), and good experience for the girls.
So I'm now sitting here trying to decide what to do next. There's of course always something to do but I'm feeling pretty un-motivated, so maybe I should just give in to it gracefully and go watch daytime TV and slob out.
Ta taaa for now!
The hafla on friday went very well...and happily very smoothly, although it felt as if it took a while for everyone to 'warm up' somehow. It may have been partly that it was a new venue (which everyone pretty much agreed was an improvement), but we had a few new people and troupes there who of course didn't know each other and my students either. But it doesn't take long for belly dancers to start talking......so in the end a good time was had by all. Our guest dancer Sayuri (Sarah) was fab and I had lots of awed comments about how good she was. I'm delighted to report that she was on fire (especially her SIX VEIL spinning routine!!), and I was pleased that I'd chosen a worthy guest performer for us! One interesting part of her saidi stick routine was that she was making lots of cheeky faces towards the wings and I assumed it was her students, but I was very amused to hear that the players from the resident bowls club (who had a match on that night) who were on their way to the shared dressing rooms were apparently standing in the wings gawping in amazed awe at the proceedings! If I'd found them I'd have charged them for watching!LOL! A very enjoyable night. Several pluses including that the new venue were extremely helpful in setting up lighting, staging, sound system and even assiting in getting tables and chairs out- and it cost half the price of the last venue!Win, win I'd say!
Then on Saturday memebers of Miramar performed at the Shakespeare Hospice fete - back to Stratford Recreation ground (the scene of a few performances recently!!), where we fought with veils in the wind. But otherwise an excellent performance from all the girls. This time we tried a different colour combination, wearing our all white and silver bras and skirts with coloured veils and belts...looked quite edible, like sweets or desserts, actually! And finally on Sunday Shuvani performed at Chipping Norton fete. The first two dances went well in front of the main stage with a decent audience, but our later busking spot was hard work as we were still within earshot of the main stage belting out amplified sound! Our little busking amp couldn't compete, but having a smaller, more intimate audience seated out side a cafe seemed more fun. A couple of rather surreal moments too......having to dance on a quite severe sideways slope, and performing around moving cars and pedestrians! It's all a learning curve (or maybe more like an incline!!), and good experience for the girls.
So I'm now sitting here trying to decide what to do next. There's of course always something to do but I'm feeling pretty un-motivated, so maybe I should just give in to it gracefully and go watch daytime TV and slob out.
Ta taaa for now!
Friday, 8 July 2011
An Unflustered Friday
Have pretty much recovered from last weekends activities which is just as well as the Hafla tonight kicks off another busy weekend!
Spent most of yesterday preparing for the hafla tonight and am now sitting here feeling remarkably calm and wondering if there is something obvious I've missed, as I don't normally feel this organised at this point in the proceedings! Hope this isn't famous last words! Mind you, having only had one class this week I've had more time to prepare which is unusual. So I'm just going to enjoy the feeling and enjoy tonight! Last hafla (back in February) I learn an important lesson. As I had injured my knee I was forced to do less and let others do more...and in fact I enjoyed the evening much more as a result. Plus everyone was very kind and seemed very happy to help!
As part of my plan to earn more money, I've got Dave Hastings to photograph some of my jewellery with a view to selling it on the internet. Sid has been telling me to do this for years so I'm now going to give it a try. I've recently been making things that are more mainstream, so they will appeal to a wider audience, and have been having ideas of somehow merging the jewellery with some art work....not sure if it will work, but after this weekend I will have more time on my hands to experiment, that is, unless I get myself a job! I have been looking at the jobs sections of the local papers and various noticeboards, but am going to have to up the ante. I'm going to target the places where I'd ideally like to work and be pro-active by contacting them or sending my CV in. Then I'll work down my list gradually. I realise that there are lots of people out there who are also searching, and it's not a good time to find work, but I've got to start somewhere and I am indicating to the Universe that I'm willing! There's no reason why I couldn't have an interesting, part-time job that I enjoy...I just have to manifest it, put out the vibes, so to speak. So if you know of any jobs that might suit an arty, eccentric, 50-something Belly Dancer, let me know!!
Not sure if my beginners course in Chadlington will run. I have put a few fliers out but circumstances have prevented me from doing more advertising, so our performance in Chipping Norton on Sunday might be the deal clincher- or not! Chipping Norton is very close to Chadlington, so I'm hoping it might gain some interest...we'll just have to see.
Re my sorting out the debts, I've also decided to sell a table that I inherited from the farm. It's a lovely big pedestal dining table, but is too big for the living room and has been gathering dust in the spare bedroom for a while. Funnily enough, when I first inherited lots of items from home when Dad, and then Mum both died, I just had so much emotional attachment to them I wanted to hang (or rather grip!) on to them, and couldn't imagine parting with them. Maybe it was something about not wanting to let go of Mum and Dad...hmmm. But as the years have passed I'm finding I have less attachment, except for one or two small personal items that Mum and Dad used every day. I wonder if it's part of a bigger universal plan for letting go of earthy belongings that we obviously can't take with us when we die. I'm not expecting to kick the bucket just yet, but non-attachment to worldy things makes it much easier to lead a spiritual life and to die without anything holding you back.
Anyway, time to go off and practise being relaxed for a bit longer...this chilling out is hard work for a workaholic, I tell you!!
Spent most of yesterday preparing for the hafla tonight and am now sitting here feeling remarkably calm and wondering if there is something obvious I've missed, as I don't normally feel this organised at this point in the proceedings! Hope this isn't famous last words! Mind you, having only had one class this week I've had more time to prepare which is unusual. So I'm just going to enjoy the feeling and enjoy tonight! Last hafla (back in February) I learn an important lesson. As I had injured my knee I was forced to do less and let others do more...and in fact I enjoyed the evening much more as a result. Plus everyone was very kind and seemed very happy to help!
As part of my plan to earn more money, I've got Dave Hastings to photograph some of my jewellery with a view to selling it on the internet. Sid has been telling me to do this for years so I'm now going to give it a try. I've recently been making things that are more mainstream, so they will appeal to a wider audience, and have been having ideas of somehow merging the jewellery with some art work....not sure if it will work, but after this weekend I will have more time on my hands to experiment, that is, unless I get myself a job! I have been looking at the jobs sections of the local papers and various noticeboards, but am going to have to up the ante. I'm going to target the places where I'd ideally like to work and be pro-active by contacting them or sending my CV in. Then I'll work down my list gradually. I realise that there are lots of people out there who are also searching, and it's not a good time to find work, but I've got to start somewhere and I am indicating to the Universe that I'm willing! There's no reason why I couldn't have an interesting, part-time job that I enjoy...I just have to manifest it, put out the vibes, so to speak. So if you know of any jobs that might suit an arty, eccentric, 50-something Belly Dancer, let me know!!
Not sure if my beginners course in Chadlington will run. I have put a few fliers out but circumstances have prevented me from doing more advertising, so our performance in Chipping Norton on Sunday might be the deal clincher- or not! Chipping Norton is very close to Chadlington, so I'm hoping it might gain some interest...we'll just have to see.
Re my sorting out the debts, I've also decided to sell a table that I inherited from the farm. It's a lovely big pedestal dining table, but is too big for the living room and has been gathering dust in the spare bedroom for a while. Funnily enough, when I first inherited lots of items from home when Dad, and then Mum both died, I just had so much emotional attachment to them I wanted to hang (or rather grip!) on to them, and couldn't imagine parting with them. Maybe it was something about not wanting to let go of Mum and Dad...hmmm. But as the years have passed I'm finding I have less attachment, except for one or two small personal items that Mum and Dad used every day. I wonder if it's part of a bigger universal plan for letting go of earthy belongings that we obviously can't take with us when we die. I'm not expecting to kick the bucket just yet, but non-attachment to worldy things makes it much easier to lead a spiritual life and to die without anything holding you back.
Anyway, time to go off and practise being relaxed for a bit longer...this chilling out is hard work for a workaholic, I tell you!!
Monday, 4 July 2011
What's Occurring...
Well it has been a long time since the last post but it has been partly due to busyness, and also an attack of the 'End of Term Blues'. A visit to my lovely homeopath has kicked the Gloominess into touch, so am pleased to announce I'm feeling a lot better. Part of that is that my final class is tonight and after this wekend it will officially be holiday and giving-myself-permission-to-relax mode! Don't get me wrong, not complaining about the classes per se, as I love my students and teaching them, but am feeling definitely in need of a rest.
However, the financial situation is only slightly improved so am continuing to search for a part-time job, but in the meantime am looking at other (small scale) moneymaking ventures to keep the boat afloat!
Today finds me really Cream Crackered as I just had a busy but very enjoyable weekend. Stratford was hosting it's annual River Festival, and as part of it I taught two short taster workshops (one each day), and both Shuvani and Miramar performed, plus the obligatory attendance at the last night party at Shipston Proms...had to be done!The River Festival was extremely busy both days and looks as if it was a huge success, and I was delighted that we could be a part of it, but crowds eventually start to get to me, and that added to a lots of walking and dancing made for one very tired Vally. Peter (my radio show co-presenter) was largely responsible for organising the Family Zone, and I know he put an enormous amount of work into it. It also got very stressful as some last minute cancellations and problems meant a lot of rushing around and worrying. But he did a fantastic job and I think he deserves a medal...or maybe a large amount of cash...if anyone (from the festival) is listening!
And this next weekend is going to be another busy one...our Summer Hafla on Friday evening, dancing with Miramar at the Shakespeare Hospice on Saturday, and performing with Shuvani at Chipping Norton fete on Sunday. Phew!! Could really do with a holiday, or at least a long lie down somewhere quiet and calm...!
However, the financial situation is only slightly improved so am continuing to search for a part-time job, but in the meantime am looking at other (small scale) moneymaking ventures to keep the boat afloat!
Today finds me really Cream Crackered as I just had a busy but very enjoyable weekend. Stratford was hosting it's annual River Festival, and as part of it I taught two short taster workshops (one each day), and both Shuvani and Miramar performed, plus the obligatory attendance at the last night party at Shipston Proms...had to be done!The River Festival was extremely busy both days and looks as if it was a huge success, and I was delighted that we could be a part of it, but crowds eventually start to get to me, and that added to a lots of walking and dancing made for one very tired Vally. Peter (my radio show co-presenter) was largely responsible for organising the Family Zone, and I know he put an enormous amount of work into it. It also got very stressful as some last minute cancellations and problems meant a lot of rushing around and worrying. But he did a fantastic job and I think he deserves a medal...or maybe a large amount of cash...if anyone (from the festival) is listening!
And this next weekend is going to be another busy one...our Summer Hafla on Friday evening, dancing with Miramar at the Shakespeare Hospice on Saturday, and performing with Shuvani at Chipping Norton fete on Sunday. Phew!! Could really do with a holiday, or at least a long lie down somewhere quiet and calm...!
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Much Muttering in the Blog
Having a few days of 'don't know what to do with myself'- there's lots to do but I just can't settle to anything or get motivated to do anything purposeful! *sigh* Hence I'm blogging...ahem!
On a more positive note, the Valhalla Smith music video has been published (is that the right term for a music video?), and Miramar have made it into the final edit! Yay! Admittedly we are only in it for a few secs, but hey, it's all good stuff, and we had a fab day out to boot! You can find the vid on my FB page, if you're interested.
Have now got just 8 classes, a workshop, 4 performances and a hafla to go before the official end of term...and I'm really ready for it! At this time of year I often get what I call the 'End of Term Blues' as I'm coming to the end of 3 terms of teaching and a whole year of performances, haflas, and organising shows and souks, so suffice it to say I'm feeling pretty tired and jaded. Although I'd dearly like to spend the whole summer holdays having a rest, my financial situation has gone from bad to dire, so I've got to try and find some part-time work to get back on top of things. Ideally I'd like something I could be interested in, 2 or 3 mornings a week, well paid, and not too far to travel. It's not too much to ask, is it? If all else fails, then it's shelf filling at Morrisons!
But however bad things might get, my life is never dull, there is always something interesting, weird or funny happenning, and I never get bored. Listless, confused, fuzzy, cross, sad, happy, content, but never bored! A typical day in the life of Val consists of much Facebooking and playing of games, much computer admin and a few phone calls, a bit of (but only absolutely necessary) housework, a little lite shopping, preparing and teaching a dance class, something creative like making a poster, emailing out info and making contact with organisers and friends, occaisonally some dance practise, jewellery or fascinator making, and of course some eating, drinking, watching telly and sleeping! Fascinating, eh? LOL!
Oh dear.....the fact that I've resorted to making lists to entertain myself and everyone else suggest that it's time to end this blog!! Ta taaa for now!
On a more positive note, the Valhalla Smith music video has been published (is that the right term for a music video?), and Miramar have made it into the final edit! Yay! Admittedly we are only in it for a few secs, but hey, it's all good stuff, and we had a fab day out to boot! You can find the vid on my FB page, if you're interested.
Have now got just 8 classes, a workshop, 4 performances and a hafla to go before the official end of term...and I'm really ready for it! At this time of year I often get what I call the 'End of Term Blues' as I'm coming to the end of 3 terms of teaching and a whole year of performances, haflas, and organising shows and souks, so suffice it to say I'm feeling pretty tired and jaded. Although I'd dearly like to spend the whole summer holdays having a rest, my financial situation has gone from bad to dire, so I've got to try and find some part-time work to get back on top of things. Ideally I'd like something I could be interested in, 2 or 3 mornings a week, well paid, and not too far to travel. It's not too much to ask, is it? If all else fails, then it's shelf filling at Morrisons!
But however bad things might get, my life is never dull, there is always something interesting, weird or funny happenning, and I never get bored. Listless, confused, fuzzy, cross, sad, happy, content, but never bored! A typical day in the life of Val consists of much Facebooking and playing of games, much computer admin and a few phone calls, a bit of (but only absolutely necessary) housework, a little lite shopping, preparing and teaching a dance class, something creative like making a poster, emailing out info and making contact with organisers and friends, occaisonally some dance practise, jewellery or fascinator making, and of course some eating, drinking, watching telly and sleeping! Fascinating, eh? LOL!
Oh dear.....the fact that I've resorted to making lists to entertain myself and everyone else suggest that it's time to end this blog!! Ta taaa for now!
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Fuzzy Logic
Am having a very woolly few days, it seems! Tried to practise dances last night for todays retirement home performance and just couldn't seem to get it right! Slightly better this morning when I had another go, but am still feeling rather fuzzy and a bit down. So, you have been warned- don't ask me anything, tell me anything or even ask me my own name...cos I know nothing!!
On a more positive note, yesterday was the Summer Solstice, and this was the day two years ago that Sid and I got handfasted. The tradition with handfasting is that you return to the scene of the crime a year later to renew or break your vows. That first year was seen as a honeymoon period when you decided whether or not you should stay together...you'll be relieved to know that we decided we may as well carry on!So we thought we'd go up there again just to reconnect with our vows and commitment to each other, and 'feel the vibe' so to speak..plus which Sid fancied going for a drink....I wasn't going to say no! So we got to the Rollrights just as the sun was setting, and had a glorious view back over the valley below. Magical. And The Norman Knight was quite magical too! Great atmosphere and good booze...they brew their own and Sid was very impressed with it!
So onto the performance this afternoon....could be a trip into the unknown given my state of mind...but I'll do my best! A bit of adrenaline should gee me up!
On a more positive note, yesterday was the Summer Solstice, and this was the day two years ago that Sid and I got handfasted. The tradition with handfasting is that you return to the scene of the crime a year later to renew or break your vows. That first year was seen as a honeymoon period when you decided whether or not you should stay together...you'll be relieved to know that we decided we may as well carry on!So we thought we'd go up there again just to reconnect with our vows and commitment to each other, and 'feel the vibe' so to speak..plus which Sid fancied going for a drink....I wasn't going to say no! So we got to the Rollrights just as the sun was setting, and had a glorious view back over the valley below. Magical. And The Norman Knight was quite magical too! Great atmosphere and good booze...they brew their own and Sid was very impressed with it!
So onto the performance this afternoon....could be a trip into the unknown given my state of mind...but I'll do my best! A bit of adrenaline should gee me up!
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Leamington Peace Festival, and other stuff.
Despite the fact that it's supposed to be summer, we seem to be having the most schizophrenic June ever! More like April with lovely sun one minute and torrential rain the next!
Saturday I was due to teach a taster workshop at the Peace Festival, and everything went well- except the weather! Fortunately we were in a very nice marquee so it didn't really disturb us, but the sound of the rain was so loud we almost couldn't hear the music! The workshop went well, but my CD player kept jumping on the tracks and cutting out, which was a pain, but otherwise people seemed to enjoy it...hopefully I might get a student or two out of that. Then it was onto the Shuvani performance at 1.15. We performed outside on wet grass (but managed to dodge the showers!) and had to contend with lots of distractions, including the main music stage belting out and capoeira to loud music going on in the tent behind us, so although the girls struggled manfully with it all, we made a few mistakes. However, the girls looked fab, the audience seemed to really enjoy it and the audience participation bit went down a storm! The girls then dashed off for some serious shopping at the masses of stalls selling wonderful enthic clothing....well, it's only once a year!
The Peace Festival (for those of you who don't know!) was started in the 1970's by a bunch of local hippies, and has gone from strength to strength ever since. It's open free to everyone, and as it's in the town centre park, can't grow huge and unwieldy, one of the secrets of it's continued success, I think. It attracts huge crowds of people from every walk of life, and as well as the inevitable traders, there is live music, kids activities, adult workshops, therapies, eco and climate change organisations and stalls, local groups and initiatives as well as representatives from many faiths. It's hippy heaven!
The Peace Festival has definitely been a date on the calender for local belly dance groups for several years, and there is always a bit of a race to get your application in first as they will only allow a limited number of groups to perform. Only briefly caught sight of Sarah Brook Taylor's troupe in passing, but I gather there were more on later and on Sunday too. Surprisingly, it was our first time! I've held back putting us forward in the past as I thought it was only for local groups, but after seeing groups from places like Coventry & Southam perform, I decided it was obviously OK for anyone to take part!
And the next performance for Miramar is a return visit to a BUPA care home in Stratford tomorrow, as part of their healthy-dancing-initiative-week thingy, and then after that both Miramar and Shuvani are performing at Stratford River Festival on the 2nd and 3rd July. Couple more performances for both troupes after that and then it's officially the holidays...and boy am I ready for that!
Saturday I was due to teach a taster workshop at the Peace Festival, and everything went well- except the weather! Fortunately we were in a very nice marquee so it didn't really disturb us, but the sound of the rain was so loud we almost couldn't hear the music! The workshop went well, but my CD player kept jumping on the tracks and cutting out, which was a pain, but otherwise people seemed to enjoy it...hopefully I might get a student or two out of that. Then it was onto the Shuvani performance at 1.15. We performed outside on wet grass (but managed to dodge the showers!) and had to contend with lots of distractions, including the main music stage belting out and capoeira to loud music going on in the tent behind us, so although the girls struggled manfully with it all, we made a few mistakes. However, the girls looked fab, the audience seemed to really enjoy it and the audience participation bit went down a storm! The girls then dashed off for some serious shopping at the masses of stalls selling wonderful enthic clothing....well, it's only once a year!
The Peace Festival (for those of you who don't know!) was started in the 1970's by a bunch of local hippies, and has gone from strength to strength ever since. It's open free to everyone, and as it's in the town centre park, can't grow huge and unwieldy, one of the secrets of it's continued success, I think. It attracts huge crowds of people from every walk of life, and as well as the inevitable traders, there is live music, kids activities, adult workshops, therapies, eco and climate change organisations and stalls, local groups and initiatives as well as representatives from many faiths. It's hippy heaven!
The Peace Festival has definitely been a date on the calender for local belly dance groups for several years, and there is always a bit of a race to get your application in first as they will only allow a limited number of groups to perform. Only briefly caught sight of Sarah Brook Taylor's troupe in passing, but I gather there were more on later and on Sunday too. Surprisingly, it was our first time! I've held back putting us forward in the past as I thought it was only for local groups, but after seeing groups from places like Coventry & Southam perform, I decided it was obviously OK for anyone to take part!
And the next performance for Miramar is a return visit to a BUPA care home in Stratford tomorrow, as part of their healthy-dancing-initiative-week thingy, and then after that both Miramar and Shuvani are performing at Stratford River Festival on the 2nd and 3rd July. Couple more performances for both troupes after that and then it's officially the holidays...and boy am I ready for that!
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