Wednesday, July 09, 2008

I May Have to Quit Bellydancing

I'm a terrible bellydancer. Beyond terrible actually. Sure, I look insanely cute in my costume and I enjoy performing. I even like class most of the time. But, I've missed so many rehearsals lately, I don't think I'll ever catch up. We reviewed the last three routines we've learned and I screwed up all of them. I think I've missed 10 classes in the last three months.

To be honest, I'm not all that motivated to get better. I don't have time during the week to drive 20 minutes each way to audit classes. I'd rather spend my time at home watching Paradise Hotel 2 marathons or reading a book. This just a fun thing for me to do in my free time (kind of like this blog.) It's not something I obsess over.

The girls in my class obsess. While I'm bouncing around shaking my hips, chatting with the other slacker girls and doing a gazillion torso rolls because I like the way they look, the bellydancing superfreaks are taking pages and pages of notes. They actually count out all the moves and remember they have to do a half moon on beat 3 and a double hip walk on beat 5.

Here's the thing - I was a music major in college. You'd think I'd be a counting fiend. Yeah right. I never count and never have counted. When I played trumpet, I focused on fitting my part with the music. To me, it was like telling a story, but I used my trumpet instead. I'd hear the parts in my head and play them. I wasn't perfect technically, but I always gave very musical performances.

I don't count when I dance either. I feel how my body is supposed to move with the music and go from there. Although I move well with the music, I have horrible technique. I have a bad habit of adding frills - random shimmies, pelvic tucks and swoopy arm things.

I just don't know if I can give up bellydancing. It's one of my more fun activities - I just wish I were better. But if I'm not going to put in the work, I really can't complain!

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