Friday 11:00 p.m.  Dear Diary, today is Friday - the day before the Big Day. You know, Show Day. The day I float onto the stage like a vision of grace, execute every dance move with breathtaking precision, and accept my standing ovation with modest, radiant humility. I have rehearsed. I am prepared. I am unstoppable. Everything is under control. The costumes fit. The music is queued. My limbs remember what they’re supposed to be doing. The universe and I are, for once, in com

How many times have I promised you, dear Dorothy, that what you’re about to read will be short, sweet, and to the point - only to then go on and on about minute details while over-explaining every single nuance? Maybe once or twice. Okay, fine. I admit it: I say that at the start of every  blog post I write. You called me out on it, and I am here today to finally deliver on that promise… Or die trying. As we prance into the last calendar winter month of the year, let’s talk a

What would you rather do: read yet another long ramble about a hyper-specific, deeply niche topic that will warm only the cold, shriveled heart of a hopeless nerd - or stub your toe on a chair leg?  The choice is obvious! Chair, brace yourself. As much as I thrive on researching every obscure corner the history of belly dance has to offer, switching from laid-back holiday mode to the Type A academic persona you know (and tolerate) is a tall order for me - even with the help o