Trying to figure out what to do with myself this weekend...there is FLUX going on this Saturday. I have gone to a few of these and they were alright. It varies with the venue, which changes each time one of these events is hosted. There's usually something for everyone--art, music, performances, etc. I also heard about an interesting thing happening tonite, althought I don't think I have the stamina for it. Local producer Five Cent Productions needs extras for an independent
film with the working title of Shenanigans. It is a Kevin Smith style comedy. Filming of the scenes with big crowds will occur from June 28th at 11 p.m. overnight until around 11 a.m. the next morning.

WHERE: Penn Avenue Theatre in Bloomfield (4809 Penn Avenue)

WHEN: Interested parties should show up at the Penn Avenue Theatre
anytime after 11 p.m. on Friday, June 28th (We will work people into
the scenes as they arrive.)
I have something else to do tonite anyway, and besides, Farscape is on;-)

End of an Era!...

My employer is going to start charging for pop (that's Pittsburghese for "soda" or carbonated beverages). Ever since I started working here in 1994, it has been free and a major part of our culture, which has been systematically dismantled over the years, due to our acquisition by another company. It saddens me to see this one last bastion of coolness about my workplace go away.

Had a nice weekend despite the scorching temperatures. Spent quality time with family, attended a back-yard party with friends and played "the bean game," saw Star Wars Episode II again!!! and I am soooo close to giving the world its first Rajasthani choli pattern for the home sewer!!! I deconstructed one this weekend and got all the pieces figured out and I will be scaling it into different sizes and testing it out on friends very soon. This is what it looks like:

My world continues to fall apart...just when I thought I had things under control. The SO is bleeding me dry of money, patience, emotions, and I just don't know what to do with him. Have I given him enough chances, or am I just being a martyr? DON'T answer that---

On a lighter note, looks like my choli class that I am teaching at Pennsic will become part of the "Indian Track." There will be a lot interesting courses offered in that track. Unfortunately, I have not seen a course schedule posted at the Pennsic Web site yet, but one should be forthcoming, because teachers have received their confirmations already.

Okay this picture is just too much--one of my Khafif-mates caught me looking soooo tribal!!! LOL

Started reading: Veiled Courage: Inside the Afghan Womens Resistance. A remarkable story about RAWA and how women can find the courage to stand up for what they believe despite horrible oppression.

Also, been working on the "class" that I am teaching at Pennsic this year: Choli Challenges: How to Make One that Fits. I figured that I've spent so much time and effort on this topic that I should share my knowledge with others. It is scheduled for Sunday, 8/11, noon, at Orluk Oasis.

Okay, so I just can't watch the news anymore, if I ever want to get on with my life and find happiness in it. Ignorance is bliss. Anyway, work continues on the Ren wedding costumes. I am getting things done about half as fast as I would like to, which just means that the time I have to sew for myself before Pennsic (46 days 'til land grab) is disappearing. I might actually have to buy garb (gasp!). The eBay orders keep trickling in, too--not to mention that I am busy with my REAL job. I'll be business travelling for the first time since 911, to Newport, CT, next month, during my b-day. Sucks. I envisioned myself gorging on sushi with my friends, but instead I'll be gorging on sushi by myself in an unfamiliar town. I bet I won't even be able to take my knitting implements on the airplane. Okay, this may sound cold and selfish, but if there is ONE regret I have about 911, it's that you can't take a bleepin' crochet hook onto an airplane!!! However, I am glad to finally be travelling again, and Newport is a touristy-resort type of place, so maybe I will find some opportunities for self-indulgence and pampering.

A few miscellaneous ramblings du jour...

The violence occurring in various parts of the world is really getting on my nerves. Although not religious, I am a devout believer in "that which is hateful to you, do not unto others..." It is inspiring for me to read books like Ultimate Journey. You know, not every religion advocates payback, revenge, or retribution...some are actually geared toward the end of human suffering.

In other news, I recently obtained the first installment of The Prisoner, on DVD. Probably going to screen it at "movie night" with friends this weekend.

Arrgh! I did not want to use this space to rant about political issues, but some of my colleagues here at work are proving to me that Reader's Digest is poisoning the minds of America with their campaign of misinformation and half-truths. This is why I can't have a conversation with most of these people. They believe just about EVERYTHING they read or see on TV or the Internet, unless, of course, it's backed up by scientific research and solid facts. They're all SHEEP!!! And, no, I won't give you the satisfaction of describing what the debate was all about!

I've had my fill of mediocre art in the past few days...today during lunch I walked around the Three Rivers Arts Festival.

Okay so I was somewhat disappointed with the show at the Blue Ruin. I think I like my erotic art to be a bit more erotic than that. And the crowd--"Lord, deliver us from Abercrombie & Fitch!" I was so over (or was it under?) -dressed in my leather corset. But I guess that's what you get for an art scene in Pittsburgh. Some of the art (from past shows, I guess) for sale in bins was interesting, and there was at least one photo I would have purchased for myself if I had that kind of money to spend--actually if you are looking to decorate your walls with something risque, the prices are quite reasonable but I'm on a tight budget right now-- and there was a titilating array of books and postcards on the shelves. I liked the one band I saw and the DJ who was on afterwards, but didn't catch their names. I don't know what the space looked like when the gallery was in the strip district, but the new space is, well, spacious. I am also bummed that I could not talk my friend into helping me make use of the bathroom cam. Oh well. Afterwards, we went to Ceremony, where the DJ was taking some liberties with the format and stumped me with one really crunchy metal tune--I would've liked to know who the band was but was too lazy to get up and ask, and I guess it was fun. Why don't I sound sure? Well, I'm still in a funky mood.

More pix from events past! Here's one from War Practice. I'm wearing North African tribal garb on a day when the weather was very "Scottish."

And here are more pix from the Casablanca Percussion store opening:

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So I have revised the original, first pattern that I was selling on eBay so it looks more professional and slick like the new one I just put out. Pretty soon I will have a whole line of patterns to choose from...

If perchance you actually own a copy of the old pattern, my "Simple Wrap Top" instructions, I would be happy to upgrade you for free. Just contact me. If not, I have it listed right now as a dutch auction. We'll see how that goes.

Well, I'm going to be left to my own ends this weekend and haven't yet a clue as to what I am going to do with myself. I hear that there is an interesting show going on at the Blue Ruin gallery. They recently moved to a larger venue on the South Side. I may check it out, but I will be glued to the tube tonite because I think there is a new episode of Farscape on...

Firstly, I had a hellish day yesterday with the exception of music practice. I had domestic issues to take care of and didn't go to work. Even though it was somewhat sauna-like in the studio, did some sewing and made some progress on the wedding clothes. Then, went to music practice where we made significant progress on the piece for the dance expo at Pennsic. Oh, and it rained and rained and rained, and it's still raining. Got soaked trying to get into work this morning. My only consolation has been this travelog that I've been reading: Ultimate Journey by Richard Bernstein. The author attempted to retrace the path of a Buddhist monk who travelled across China to India in the 7th c.

I've done it! My new belly dance top pattern is listed on eBay now. Click here to see all my current listings. It might take a day for the new listings to show up in my eBay store. I am really excited about this. I put a lot of effort into this new pattern to make it look really good and professional. I think it's packaged nicely too. Now am looking for other places to sell it...if interested, please contact me. Here is the front page of the pattern with all the details.

I also have several fancy beaded/embroidered Indian salwar/kameez sets that I am selling on behalf of a friend, so check them out. I'm going to start working on the next pattern, squeezing it into my busy schedule. It will be another bellydance top, different style.

There are more pictures from the Casablanca drum shop opening here--good shots of the dancers. Those of you tuning in from the PGHGoth site might notice a few familiar faces. Yes, there is some crossover between the Goth--Tribal Bellydance scene here. Afterall, it is a small town. Also take note that the Web site hosting these pictures is owned by the household I camp with at Pennsic. Obviously, they are a mercenary group with a sick sense of humor and a large complement of M.E. music and dance-oriented people. As a result, we have some pretty kick-ass parties.

The Casablanca Drum Shop opening was fun! Lots of people stopped by. There's lots of cool stuff in the shop, not just drums. Baskets, ouds, other ethnic instruments. Lots of Arabic, Latin, African CDs that you won't find at Sam Goody...any way, our group performed along with a few others. We were wingin' it the entire time, improvving, etc. The shop is right next door to Aladdin's eatery. Here is a pic of us in front of it (minus Safa): .

Afterwards, a few of us went to a dance performance at the S.V. Temple--one of Pittsburgh's best kept secrets. It was a beautiful performance of classical Indian dance called Bharata Natyam, and it was free! I think that it's weird that we have such a large community of Indian people here, and lots of culture, but no "little India" like other cities.