Point of Views on Middle Eastern Dance - "Civilization" Video Game

This lazy Saturday morning, my boyfriend is trying out some new games he's acquired.  I wake up to see him playing Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution.

Taking over the world...one culture at a time...

Having very limited knowledge of video games, though I will admit that I dabble once in a while, I was at first shocked to see the representations of different cultures.  But as I was still rubbing the sleep out of my eyes, my boyfriend told me that he was currently playing as Saladin, "a Kurdish Muslim warrior and self-proclaimed Sultan of Arabia."

If you take a look at the website, there's 16 different cultures you can represent, from Aztec Nation to Zulu Nation.  Each leader is accompanied by historical background, all factual.

So, from what I've gathered, you can use different tactics to win game - technology, culture, economic, and warfare.  But I'm assuming it would be beneficial to use all the tactics in one way or another.  But, as my boyfriend had already built up some culture points, there was a hall in the capital that featured acrobats, dancing bears, and belly dancers.

I managed to grab some video of the dancing, and thought it would be neat to share.

Not bad, really.  I see a couple of figure 8's, undulations, Egyptian hip hits.  I tried to find some information on the music, but I couldn't really find much of anything.  If anyone recognizes it, please let me know in the comments!

In general, it does seem like the game tries really hard to be true to history, so I didn't find myself too offended after watching more of the game play.  I did appreciate the presence of Middle Eastern dancers, and the fact that they weren't completely "Hollywood-ized."

Fair Warning to Whipper Tickler Lovers

Got a kitty?

Caught in the act!

 My new kitty, Yoni, got a hold of my Whipper Tickler...

It's hers now.

Original Wedding Expo - First Expo Experience

This past Sunday, March 7th, I joined another Goddess at a Wedding Expo.  I just happened to be on the Happy Buzzing message boards, and a Goddess needed a replacement for her.  I was a little hesitant because I was afraid I wouldn't be prepared, but I decided it was time to push myself a bit more.

Though I've done bar events and I've done expo-style events, this was definitely a first for me and my business.

Before I write about how the expo went, I feel that I should get a couple of things off my chest.

2009 really left me burnt out on weddings.  Granted, I managed to have a good time at each of them, I feel like weddings are a huge money-suck.  For those who can afford it and who feel like they want to enter the contract of marriage in that way, that's great.  But it just isn't really for me.

blergh

Don't get me wrong.  I used to want a ginormous wedding.  I even had a groom in mind.  But, after the heartbreak and the reality check, I just feel like I've overgrown that ideal.  Of course, if and when I get married, the party will still be awesome.  But I don't need the frilly detailed bits.

I knew I had to mentally prepare myself for all the women who very much believe that THIS IS THE GREATEST DAY OF MY LIFE, and that every detail has to be absolutely perfect OR I WILL KILL SOMEBODY.

Also, a week before this expo, there was supposed to be another Bridal Show in the Hynes Convention Center in Boston.  However, it turns out it was a huge scam that cost vendors and brides-to-be a pretty penny.  Luckily, the organizers of the Wedding Expo I attended were allowing those scammed to attend for free.

So, not only did I have to prepare for the overly hyped-up brides, I felt that I also had to prepare for the pissed off brides who got scammed.

Can you tell that I'm a bit jaded about weddings?

The boyfriend and I laughed at my helping at the Wedding Expo, especially since we both feel the same way about weddings.  But we both also knew that this would be a great experience for me.

Luckily, Goddess Nikki, who I joined, was a pro at expos.  She had been doing at least one expo every year, and it kept her list of contacts fresh.  I felt much more relieved knowing that she knew the ropes.

Now, I'm about to start gushing about why I love Athena's.  Man, do they take care of us or what!!  Not only does the office provide us with 50 catalogs and some large items from our Learning Resource Center, but they also help us with our display.

Bomb display setup!

Though Nikki and I brought in products from our own demos, the Ramp, Wedge, Silky Throw, Athena's Cup promotional material, and back drop were all provided by our amazing Home Office.  It's nice to know that the company will really help take care of us and help us out when need be.

For the majority of the time, we were pretty prepared with the amount of influx.  Tons of ladies (and a couple of guys labeled with tuxedo stickers) stopped by our booth.  By the end of it, we had distributed all the materials we had prepared and then some.  We must have collected more than 100 names to add to our contact list.  I had at least 2 girls interested in becoming a Goddess, and I booked 3 party dates!

I would also like to report that since I was a representative for a specific niche, I didn't have to hear too much about wedding details.  It was nice to see so many women walking around and getting excited about another detail taken care of.  Though the expo has the potential of overwhelming a bride, our booth helped to provide that whole reminder of relaxation and self-care that we're so good at.

Hamming it up...

Would I ever do this again?  Most definitely.  While I don't necessarily want to have the stress of being the main person on the contract, it's a really fun experience and great for building your contacts.

Would I ever go to a Bridal expo as a bride-to-be?  Probably...but mainly for the free food samples!