Virgo:: No more rotten dessert, Virgo. No more silky danger or juicy poison. No more worthless treasures or empty successes or idiotic brilliance. Soon all those crazy-making experiences will be gone, blasted, dead. By this time next week, the bad influences that were trying to pass themselves off as good influences will have fallen away in response to your courageous drive for authenticity. You will be primed to restore your innocence and play in places where purity is the rule, not the exception. Already, the wisdom of your wild heart is regenerating, giving you the strength to overthrow the sour, life-hating influences that were threatening to smother your spirit.

marinatempest and I have been getting back in the swing of things with rehearsals for the last month. It feels so good to be moving again, and I can't wait until there's a good improv-based tribal class in Baltimore that's accessible to me. I need the experience of group dancing on a regular basis-- it keeps me focused, it keeps me honest. Because I hadn't been doing a whole lot of leading while I was out in ABQ, my leading skillz got a little rusty, and I've been working on cueing and making my transitions more smooth (esp. since I hadn't been performing a whole lot of my Verve vocabulary and was all "oh crap, how do I cue that one again?"). But overall, things are good, and we've talked about maybe doing some performing after I'm done with wedding madness. That'll be nice, and I also like having a good long time to get back in synch so I don't look sloppy.

Anyhow, after tiring of much of the current fusion on the scene, I think I am finally buckling to go the mostly-ATS route. Or ITS, as it's being called. Traditional-- a shared language. I was a total magpie coming into bellydance, where everything was just so SHINY and NEAT, and now, a few years later, I want something grounded and earthy and you know, more tribal, less schtick. I am putting all the Fat Chance DVDs on my wishlist for after-Wedding funds, and I really want to do General Skills next year. Like, you guys. I'm even starting to like Helm. What is up with that? That's the direction I'm heading-- so I guess Uncle Rob is right up there. I am yearning for more authenticity.

After rehearsal today, we're having a costuming and munchies evening. I have a bra to decorate-- I'm taking all the decor off my old black bra and putting it onto the new bra-base I brought from Tadasana-- with the comfortable criss-cross back straps, so no more achy neck! I'm also going to play with fun new combos of color, since I've added a saffron-colored jaipur skirt to my wardrobe and can expect my red choli from L. Rose Designs any day now. I think I'm going really bright for the wedding itself. Reds and yellows and oranges-- a distinct departure from my standard black and burgundy Faire outfit or the olive greens I like to wear.

Speaking of Faire, I'm going on opening day. I'm excited like a kid before Christmas. I just did a rundown to see what I can do with my newly-short hair (grumble grumble) and am going through all of my shinies. God, I love faire. Lots and lots and lots. I'm practically bouncy. What's the 411 on CDD? I want to hug people! I want to dance to bagpipes. I want to listen to Baebes. I want to eat various foods on sticks! Granted, opening weekend is BOUND to be hot and sticky omg, but I would not miss it for all the world. I only wish I were rich so I could go every weekend. Alas, I am poor, and with the wedding coming up, I'll be lucky to go twice before the wedding on the 17th of October, where I'll be in bride-mode and not up for general carousing. So God, if you see fit to send me a windfall that's not ill-gotten anytime soon, I'd so appreciate it. Love, Christina

So, today was a great mailday. My pagan book collection definitely got pimped out-- I got my end of the witchy swap from mermaiden. Uncle Bucky's Big Blue Book, two books on runes (as well as a pretty and simple set), Cunningham's Wicca in the Kitchen, Morrison's Everyday Magic. And incense-- plus, yes, you do has the psychic, as I have been unable to find my stick burner and I am so excited to have another. And a wand (never used one before-- this should be interesting!), and a cute little Glamourkin-- "There's a little witch in every woman." THANK YOU! :)

Aside from more Halloween supplies, I also got my BOS today. It. Is. Gigantic. HUGE. About 1" bigger than I expected it to be-- this thing is seriously Practical Magic grand tome-sized. And it is glorious. I cannot WAIT to start on it.

Now! I have a buncha stuff to finish up before Flissy gets here and we have a dancey crafty night of awesome.