Susan Senator

I have been feeling ill all day: achey muscles, headache, nausea and other goodies. But, being my parents’ daughter, I still had a kick-ass workout at my gym. I now do spinning at least once a week which is incredibly hard on all parts of the leg but by now you could bounce a quarter off the back of my thighs. I plunged into that hot tub as my reward but I only felt stewed afterwards.

I tried to sleep, but Ben and Max were wrestling so I woke up. I decided to fight this stupid bug and get all dolled up and go to the 3d Annual Boston Belly Dance Contest, in Cambridge, as a spectator, that is. I saw two of my teachers there and bought a ruby red (lips color, Ned’s favorite) panel chiffon skirt. Once that top arrives in the mail, the one my sister bought me for my birthday, I will have a complete cabaret style outfit.

There is a “newbie” category, of those who have been dancing less than a year, and I could have signed up for that but lately I have been feeling confused about some of the basic movements. It is as if my body forgot how to do somethings, maybe because I have so many teachers. I keep hoping that with enough practice I will fuse it together and have my own style.

Today’s “newbies” were very good. One young woman was especially lithe. Long waist, long hair, silver top and belt, maroon skirt. Her quick moves were very sharp and clean, and then her slow moves were snakelike and perfect. I was happy to see some pretty fat women dancing, too. Once they start shaking that stuff, you are mezmerized and you get into it, even with all that waist.

The music just knocks me out. It is very tinny drum, with that Middle-Eastern sax or whatever it is. Kind of like the best part of Zeppelin’s Kashmir. That music makes me high, it is so enchanting.

I left early because my stomach still bothered me and I couldn’t really sit any longer.

Next year, I am entering the contest.