Confessions of a Sims gamer

I have a confession. I'm addicted to Sims. Yes, it's an actual PC video game and I actually play it.

I have been secretly addicted to this game for years since it first appeared in February 2000. At the time my boyfriend bought the game, he wasn't fond of it but for me I was addicted the moment I tried it.

Yes, this is so not like me. I don't even like video games, I feel that they are a tremendous waste of time. I myself would rather get lost in a great book or take a nice walk outdoors. You don't really gain anything from video game other than entertainment, fun, stress relief...etc.

But still, there is something about video games that makes people play and continue to play.

For me that video game escape is the Sims. I have secretly been a huge Sim gamer since the first appeared in 2000. I had all the expansion packs and I used to play for hours and hours. The more I played the more I loved it. It was a horrible addiction.

Then one day I just stopped. I refused to play. I stopped playing for over 2 years until a boyfriend bought me the game. Once I tried it, it was over. I was hooked all over again.

And so once and while the saga continues...

Dancer Differences (students, hobbiest, professional)

I thought it would be nice to help explain how dancers vary.

Student Belly Dancers

These are student dancers. It's anybody taking bellydance classes (daily, weekly, monthly, private lessons or taking workshops.) They can range from beginners to advanced student dancers. They love learning bellydancing and some wish to become professional bellydancers some day.

Hobbyist Belly Dancers

These are dancers who take classes or perform bellydance shows as a hobby. They are not concentrated on making a financial profit, but perform for the sake of performing. They usually perform at Hafla's, family/friend events, or venues with their peers. Hobby dancers can also be dedicated students who just love taking classes but are not very interested in going any further than that.

Transitional Dancer / students or hobbiest transitioning to professional

These are bellydancers in that transition state of going from advanced student or hobbyist to professional bellydancers. These dancers are learning the concepts of business, teaching, performance and the art of entertainment as a professional bellydancer. This transitional state takes time, it can range from weeks to years. It depends how much the dancer gets mentored by other professional dancers.

Part-time Professional Bellydancers

These are professional bellydancers who either dance or teach or both on a part-time basis. These dancers balance day jobs or sometime several jobs while maintaining a side professional bellydance career.

Full-Time Professional BellyDancers

These are dancers who don't have day jobs and make belly dancing a full time career. These dancers usually balance out a number of bellydance business responsibilities including, dancing at private & public venues, marketing, teaching classes/workshops/private lessons, networking, selling merchandise and other concentrated bellydance business.