Hey, World: a little clarification...

I realize that I started this blog and combined my Sex Toy Goddess life with my Belly Dance life, and I didn't really think about how that would be taken.

Some people could really misinterpret each as going hand in hand, further confusing the very thick line between belly dance and stripping. That's definitely not what I was going for.

So, I just wanted to clarify things a little bit.

For me, in these years after I finished grad school, ended an 8 1/2 year relationship since high school, and decided to stay in Boston, there's been a lot of growth and renewal for me. There's been a lot of looking inward on myself and opening up about difficult things. There's been a lot of accepting myself.

Initially, I was of the mind that I would just put everything about who I am into one blog. I feel like it's too much work to hide and lie about things. But my boyfriend told me that I might want to separate things that "people might not agree with." So I did. I suppose some of the parents of the kids that I work with in my day job would be very much against me selling sex toys to adults, and some of the parents might also be very much against any mid-drift-showing, glittery belly dancing.

While I am of the mind that censorship only leads to ignorance, I know that this is all to just protect myself from those crazies that would be staunchly against these other parts of me. Now, I feel like this blog is another way for me to be open about who I am.

I feel like belly dancing (if you're doing it right) should be soulful and sensual - because if you're loving the music and your body wants to move and groove with it, then that's not "wrong." I also feel like dancing in general should be a way to get in touch with yourself and express whatever feelings you might be feeling. Though historically, belly dancing wasn't meant to be a spectacle for male on-lookers, I don't think there's anything wrong with the way belly dancing has evolved into an art and an expression that can be shared with everybody. Yes, of course, you still have to watch out for the occasional perv. But luckily, the belly dance community is strong enough that we watch each others backs.

Now, sex. In my heart of hearts, I feel like it's another expression. While in evolutions terms, it's just a method of procreation, I'd like to think that emotions play a part in it. To ignore that you feel sexual is to suppress an innate feeling. But first, you have to enjoy it. And how else are you to enjoy it without learning what pleases you and what doesn't? If our ancestors had to learn which berries were okay to eat by trying each berry and learning from that experience, then it shouldn't be any different in learning what pleases us (even if in the end, it's just so that we WANT to procreate or not). In this respect, you also have to protect yourself - the best way to protect yourself is to educate yourself.

So, in conclusion :) I'm not trying to say that belly dancing and sex necessarily go hand in hand, but that they are forms of self-expression that shouldn't be hidden and censored. I embrace these two sides of me fully, knowing full well that some people might strongly disagree with my lifestyle choices.

To them I say:
Hey, World! I love dancing and I love sex! And I think others should, too!!!