it's like the eye of a duck

Some noteworthy things crossed my screen this morning:

Best dressed of the 2013 Met Costume Institute Gala: which COULD have been interesting as the exhibit is Punk: Chaos to Couture but looking through the images, it seems like only Madonna got the memo. Michael Musto nails it.

For the record, I do plan to go up for the exhibit and I have no illusions about high fashion stealing ideas from the street - it always has and always will. I do find it disappointing that while it appears the exhibit will delve into the roots and philosophy of original punk (anti)fashion, no actual punks were in attendance (lurve you Vivienne Westwood, but you've not been a punk for a long time). Not like punks would actually show up to a fashion gala, but one would think they would have invited some, at least in a cynical attempt to shock.

It's also aesthetically disappointing because it's another parade of pretty people wearing predictably sleek designer gear. Don't get me wrong - I like looking at sleek designer gear and pretty people - but it's not challenging or interesting and one would have hoped the theme would encourage SOMEONE to take some fashion risks, but no.

As an aside, this is also why I don't go out of my way to view the Oscar red carpet - there are no surprises. Gimme another Bjork swan dress (a dress so odd it has it's own Wikipedia page!) and maybe I'll go to the trouble.

The other is this photo essay Rave kids in the '90s vs. rave kids today, and I know I'm going to sound like an old crusty, but here goes: I find it sad that the current styles for women are so sexualized. Nothing wrong with sex or being sexy, but Back In The Day(TM), raving was about dancing - hard, sweatily, all night. You didn't run around in a sports bra to look hot, but because it was so hot it was raining indoors - in short, you dressed so you could dance comfortably.

I love the costumey aspect, but I imagine it's hard to seriously pound the parquet if you're afraid your clothes are going to fall off :P

Also one of the things I loved about raving was that I was coming out of a club scene that emphasized tight minidresses and "dress to impress" and it was a relief to go out and not have to be sexy sexy sexy just to get in the door. I could just dance and let the music take me.

If raving is just another fashion show, I think that's sad. But I'm also heartened that if this is the case there will inevitably be a pendulum swing away from that, if there isn't already.

Had a fun weekend with shemhazai:

I finally got to faire this season, to wander and debut the pirate coat (alas, no pix taken). Shem hadn't been to one in years and I let her lead the way. So many bright colors, food-on-stick smells and luscious leather to pet and sniff! We stopped by dreamtigress' booth, saw the joust, stumbled upon Wolgemut (forgot they were playing this year) and shopping/windowlicking (sword earrings, and a belt for D. that I've been promising him for a year). Was a bit more crowded than I would have liked and I let myself get run down (note to self: don't resist the food on sticks next time) but the weather was just about PERFECT, especially after a week of rain: breezy with blue skies and barely 70F.

Recovered nicely with mountains of sushi for dinner, as discovered by D. My eyes were bigger than my stomach but it was all. So. Good!

Felt a bit faded Sunday so we stayed in and talked and watched movies. I showed Shem The Guild, and she showed me Gjallarhorn (can't find a good example, but think celtic + didgeridoo + kulning [YouTube] (Scandinavian cattle calls).

All together a good weekend, I only wish my un-allergies hadn't been a damper.

What I'm up to:

• Closet purge, this time keeping a list of what I donate so I can claim it on taxes
  
  
• Fencing smarter, if not better. Made a workable target by draping the folded-away exercise machine with a heavy rubber mat.
  
  
• Vest continues slowly. I've been thumbing through Fit for Real People and they have solutions for more than just bust measurement: wide or sloped shoulders, wide AND rounded shoulders, sunken chest, uneven body. I'm optimistic about results.
  
  
• Made an appointment for an scratch/prick allergy test to better treat my allergies/asthma. It's time to stop putting out fires and figure out some preventive care.
  
  
• Concert next week, seeing geekchick and nminusone for the first time in an age
  
  
• Renn faire real soon now. Leaning towards this weekend because it will be cool enough to wear costumes in comfort
  

Documentary coming out next year:

Damn, it really has been 20 years (or thereabouts, if I count the "false start" Atlanta parties where most of the attendees couldn't fathom dancing without beer).

This has been stuck in my head since watching "Cabaret" last weekend - it just bounces along so well :) I can't embed Liza's version, so here's Dresden Dolls:

I note they're all sensibly wearing hats:

Not typical of the Damned's ouvre, but utterly beautiful, especially the Spanish-style guitar (which incredibly meant that my Spanish guitar-playing dad actually liked a song by a punk band).

• 09:45 M People's "One Night In Heaven" reminds me of summer - something I desperately need right now: tinyurl.com/y8hugsm #
• 10:48 @geekchick - ! :( #
• 12:23 Women's tailcoat pattern: tinyurl.com/yaka764 . Just FYI since Vogue doesn't seem to make one anymore. #

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• 19:04 Ode To Joy with yodeling, oompah, and alternative lyrics = win #prairiehomecompanion

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• 16:59 RT @wax_fm: #ilovevinyl for the warmth, the artwork, the ritual, the smell, and the thrill of chasing down great old records

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