Experiencing Odissi

Last Friday night I tried an Indian Dance class at SESC. Just awesome.

Even though Indian Dance (especially the variety called 'Odissi', the one I tried) is naturally very difficult to anyone raised in Latin America, due to the total lack of movement with the hips and lots of focus on hands, head and eyes, I did VERY well. I managed to follow about 60-70% of the steps and moves. Considering it was my first dance lesson EVER, I did VERY well.

The teacher told me after the class that I have 'a way' for Odissi, and that she could feel that I was enjoying it 'inside'. I told her I had never taken a dance class in my life, and I usually did pretty bad in dancing in public, and she said that this was good, because I was free from vices. I could hear what she was saying because in Brazil most 'traditional' dances use hip swings. Something I always sucked at.

I don't know if I'll continue on the Odissi lessons. If I do, I'll have to give up on the fiddle--which I would have already done if I didn't have invested money in purchasing my fiddle last month (failing to pass for the intermediate group this term was a major demotivation for me). I don't have time or money (or stamina) for both it and Odissi.

Suggestions?

SuperVal Says

“If you are not getting any support at all for what you're doing, and you have examined your motives and done Kala on it, and still feel that this is your path, be brave and realize that sometimes you won't get any outer confirmation at all during your lifetime. That's not important. Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. It's not about you, it's about the work.” (Valerie Walker, ‘Thirteen Magical Secrets About the Practice of Feri’)

For some years now, she has been a reference for me. Probably, the closest thing I have to a spiritual role model. Wise, humble, fun and willing to share. Every proof of spiritual leadership, magical mastery and religious bliss is featured in her, plus authentic British Humour.

Check her website: http://www.wiggage.com/

The Secret, Again

Oh, I finally did it, folks! I watched the whole 'the Secret' feature, five to ten minutes a day. In the end of the film, it gets even cooler, because I becomes what a film should actually be about: photography, images, movement, music and sensations.

The link I had posted here on my blog last month was removed from Google before I could watch it the first time, but I managed to find another link to watch it online, thanks to Yahoogroups ;)

I'm not publishing the link here because I fear Google will remove it again in case they're aware the film is online, but if personal friends want it, just send me a private message, and I'll gladly share. I want the video to stay online because we people who don't live in the US and Canada aren't able to watch the DVD in our Region Code. Latin America has the same code as Oceania, Code 4, and the website, http://www.thesecret.tv/ (highly recommended, full of FREE conscious creation treats!) states clearly that the film is 'temporary unavailable to that Continent. And Europe, where I'm moving to next year, isn't Code 1 either. As I've told a couple of my friends, it's a downright shame that the more technology we have to connect us, the more ways we devise to bring us apart.

Anyways, those who can buy AND WATCH the DVD are encouraged to do so! I will as soon as it is available in either Code 2 or 4.

Meanwhile, we have the website, full of great stuff, especially stories and two eBooks: http://www.thesecret.tv/ . Recommended.

How Stars are Made

Sounds like I'm getting big.

Last night I went wandering downtown seemingly for no special reason, and I met two witch-friends somewhere along Avenida Paulista. One of them was at the performance I gave at Solstice, and with a wide smile she said I told the story she needed to hear on that occasion (Rhiannon's). The other witch asked, 'so you were the storyteller at Yule?', and it's not hard to imagine I was very proud to say 'Yeah, it was me!' The word was spreading to my favour!

The one who watched me congratulated me for my performance and told her companion I did very well. And then two invitations came, first to perform at EAB (Encontro Anual de Bruxos--the same event that three years ago brought Macha Nightmare to Sampa) by the end of this month, which I had to decline due to the International Storytelling Symposium, which will happen in my native Rio on the same weekend. Then, the one who heard-say about my performance told me she's putting a pagan soiree together, and I'll perform there. SO COOL.

Also, there's the performance I have booked for this month's PnT, a monthly pagan get-together in Nature with picnic, a lecture and other activities, on 16th. I used to organize the carioca PnT when I lived in Rio.

Indeed, with Midwinter a working artist was born!

Tag Game Again

This time Laura (from Snakes Rising) tagged me to list five places I'd rather be than here. Here are they:

1) MADRID!! With my European Charming Prince.
2) Buenos Aires, with my European Charming Prince.
3) London. All by my Self!!
4) In my warm, cozy bed in this cold Winter morning. With my European Charming Prince.
5) On stage. Any stage. With an asskicking band.

Tagging Sue Silverstream, Joelle, John the NYC Boy, Laura Love, Prayoga, Bunni Lover

Superhero

You are Spider-Man

You are intelligent, witty,
a bit geeky and have great
power and responsibility.

Spider-Man 85%
Green Lantern 85%
Wonder Woman 78%
The Flash 75%
Hulk 75%
Supergirl 68%
Catwoman 60%
Robin 55%
Batman 55%
Iron Man 55%
Superman 40%

Click here to take the "Which Superhero are you?" quiz... www.seabreezecomputers.com/superhero

The Two Faces of Awen

My friend Prayoga revealed two not-so-hidden aspects of me: According to him, an extra-terrestrial and a South American warrior. Enjoy.

A Mid Winter's Song

MID WINTER'S NIGHT

(First verse: Traditional Provençal song
Rest of the Song: Candice Night/Ritchie Blackmore)

Maire, lei campagno gansaion
A questo nue, balin-balan,
Leis avé, lei fedo sounation
D`ounte vén agéu sagan?
Lou gat sauto dins la paniero,
Medor gingouelo dins lei champ,
E lei gárri dins la feniero,
Barruelon coume de bregand!

The bells are a ringing
On Mid Winter's Night
The moon sets all alone
And once again I try to sleep before the morning light

Too soon the sun will come a-calling over the hills in our little town
Too soon the snow will start falling over the worls without a sound
While in my room dreams are a-fleeting
I close my eyes one more time
All too quickly the dawn is breaking and I must leave the night behind.

The bells are a ringing
On Mid Winter's Night
The moon sets all alone
And once again I try to sleep before the morning light

The bells are a ringing
On Mid Winter's Night
The moon sets all alone
And once again I try to sleep before the morning light
And once again I try to sleep before the morning light
Before the morning light
Before the morning light

(featured in Blackmore's Night third album, 'Fires at Midnight' with a delightful bagpipes solo)