One tradition in my family is that grown-ups don't get gifts for Christmas. I support this tradition wholeheartedly because I hate buying gifts for adults. Kids are fun to buy for and because they are growing and moving through new stages of their lives, they actually need stuff.
Of course, since no one gives me gifts at Christmas, I feel completely justified in buying myself something. Because even though no one else might realize this, I am constantly growing and changing and moving through new stages of my life. This year's present to myself: pantaloons.
No, not the kind of pants Johnny Depp wore in that pirate movie. Not the kind of pants he wore in the Peter Pan movie either. Not the pants any male actor ever wore in any of Hollywood's versions of history. Erase those images from your mind. I am talking about the kind of pantaloons that belly dancers wear.
The pair I bought is made from about five yards of material. The elasticized top sits not on my waist but low on my hips and then the fabric is billowy all the way to the floor. The legs have elastic that fits tight around the ankles, but fabric puffs down over it. If I was clever enough to put in links, I could actually show you a picture, but alas, I have not yet risen to the image level of blogging. The pantaloons are worn with a belly dancing top, which is basically a fancy bra. The general idea is that you need to have the middle section of your body bare so that your audience can see your movements. I bought black pantaloons because I plan to eventually accessorize them with either red or purple - hipscarves, coin belts, and jangly things.
I have been taking belly dancing lessons since last April so it's fun to finally have an outfit that I can practice in that gives the proper effect. Now when I go to belly dancing parties at the yoga center where I take the lessons, I have an outfit to wear. And next week, when all the kids go back to school and I have the house to myself during the day, I will crank up the middle eastern music, put on my pantaloons, and dance.
6 comments:
cool! I like the idea of belly dancing parties...
A photo of the pantaloons? Dr. H, you are overestimating my computer skills. But one day soon, I will figure out how to do photoblogging.
Belly dancing IS great exercise. After an hour, I'm exhausted. And Mel, you are right. The belly dancing parties are fun, filled with nice energy.
Ooh. I've thought about trying belly dancing but never been able to actually take the plunge. The thought of fasion and accessories makes it even more enticing. Hmmm...
What fun you'll have with the pantaloons.
Oh, profgrrrrl, you ought to try it sometime. I bet you'd love it.
Jo(e)--I've just discovered your blog--what fun! I've really enjoyed your comments on others' blogs and am looking forward to being a regular reader of yours.
I tried belly dancing last year; unfortunately, the choice of classes/teachers here in Small City was exactly one, and I didn't like her, so that was the end of my short-lived dance experiment. (Side question: Do you find as a teacher that it's very difficult to be a student? I apparently have such strong ideas about pedagogy that I find myself constantly thinking about how I would teach the class differently, even when the subject is one I know nothing about. Frustrating!)
Anyway, congratulations on the pantaloons, and happy dancing!
Hey, What Now?, I'm happy that you made your way over to my page. I did wonder when I started a blog how anyone would find out about it .... since I told no one in real life ... so it's nice to know I do have an audience.
I'll probably write another post about belly dancing because it's such a fun topic. As for your side question, I often have a difficult time sitting through a dreadful conference presentation or watching someone run a writing workshop badly. But when I'm taking a class that is completely outside of my field, like belly dancing or skiing, I love being the student. It's nice not to be in charge.
Post a Comment