thegirlwiththemouseyhair: (Default)
1) Happy belated birthday to David Bowie! Thanks for giving me so much, inspiring me so much, reminding me that I can live my dreams and letting me know that oh no, love, you're not alone.

This would be a very poor tribute but a tribute just the same... (Me doing a slight Bowie medley and playing with the distortion on my electric guitar.)

2) This is even more belated, but I really enjoyed the whole Yuletide process and the Yuletide reveals on New Year's Day. [personal profile] gonergone wrote me two wonderful and much appreciated stories:

The Dawn Before the Rest of the World. Oscar Wilde RPF, rated Teen.
Every Sinner Has a Future. Velvet Goldmine, Teen.

And I received a third story by someone I don't know but I so appreciate the thought from a stranger:

Like the Painting of a Sorrow. The Picture of Dorian Gray, Teen.

I don't know if this is bad form but I do want to link the pieces I wrote, most of which are quite short:

Morning. Velvet Goldmine. Teen; ~700 words.
Refraction. Velvet Goldmine. Teen; AU; ~850 words.
Growing Pains. Velvet Goldmine. Teen; ~1050 words.
The Shadow of a Rose. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Teen; ~2200 words. (This was my main assignment and it was a real challenge to write but I'm so glad I did...)
Schoolroom. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Teen; ~250 words. (When I first got my assignment I was like "No, I love Oscar Wilde too much to write for this novel!" By the end of the process I was like "Nope, apparently not - let's do another one!")
Once and Future. Arthurian mythology. Rated General.

So, yes, good times.

3) I have discovered Downton Abbey. How did I never discover this show before? It has almost everything I love in it and I can feel a huge phase coming on.... I may even start a study of the World War One poets again (am in the middle of season two now; please no spoilers...) and, yes, a huge obsession is probably in the wings.
thegirlwiththemouseyhair: (Default)
So I was at the David Bowie is party last night and had a fabulous time. I did NOT chicken out of doing full makeup, which I'm happy about; I'm really grateful to the people at my work and the old friends on my Facebook who egged me on. I'm so glad I did that. I just felt this tremendous excitement and anticipation getting dressed in sequins and a bright skirt, blazer and feather boa (camp as a row of tents, remember?) and dousing myself in glitter (which will probably be stuck on me for the next three weeks as glitter makeup is murder to get off - but worth it). And when I put on the Aladdin Sane flash, I just felt so confident and thrilled, it was amazing. I felt delighted rocking that look on the streets, at the bank machine where I had to get cash and on the way to and from the museum - no funny stares at all (I was almost disappointed, although one little girl seemed to think it was cool and seemed to be trying to work out how to do it), and it was just an incredible experience sort of walking in the footsteps of David Bowie. As someone who hasn't really lived through the vast majority of the music she loves, this was just a wonderful, almost once in a lifetime opportunity. (Also felt like I was literally living in my favourite ever movie, which was nice too... Hence 'like the video films we saw...')

The party itself was amazing too. They had a DJ spinning Bowie and other music, but also the opportunity to go into the exhibit and to view/take part in some other activities like fans' collections of Bowie memorabilia that were on display, or to draw self-portraits of ourselves as Bowie. (I guess 'David Bowie is within us all,' or something.) I was worried about dressing appropriately but really this was just a great opportunity for people to be themselves, do what they wanted and present themselves how they wanted, which is totally appropriate. There were a number of other people with Bowie-esque makeup and as I was walking in, one girl who had the Ziggy Stardust trompe l'oeil disc on her forehead high fived me. So cool.

It would have been better had I had a friend of my own with me to share it with; that's the one downside. (And parties are not good environments to start talking to people and trying to make friends, especially not for shy introverts like me.) But I was still among fellow fans and therefore friends broadly speaking; I also went in there phone blazing and wanted to document some of the experience for others. So here are photos and comments/explanations/whatever.

The streets of London are ablaze with sparkle makeup and glittering frocks... )

Addenda:
1) The makeup was itching me when I first put it on, so I carried an 'in case of makeup emergency' bag with an army of cotton balls and Kleenex. I had that stupid bag under my feet in the last picture, but was able to successfully Photoshop it out.
2) It was a little awkward not being able to touch half my face all night, but I didn't make too big a mess of my hard work, happily.
3) I love those platform shoes, but I went way over the time limit for wearing them; I nearly collapsed multiple times, and was about to freak out having to walk down the ramp to get to the coat check to get my sneakers. When I got the sneakers on that literally gave me a new lease on life. I've a love-hate relationship with those platform shoes...
4) Again I reiterate: if you're into Bowie or want to get into him or just experience something awesome, and you're in Toronto/coming to Toronto/have a random trip to Toronto plop into your lap, come with me!
5) How the eff do I reformat/edit this post for the Tumblr environment? The point of documenting this experience was partly to share it with other Bowie fans, and Tumblr has the widest audience, but I don't know if ginormous personal blog posts are on the cards there...
thegirlwiththemouseyhair: (Default)
*attempts to do blue, red and glitter Aladdin Sane inspired nails for the Bowie party Friday* *screws up and has to redo five times* *plops nail polish all over the bathroom sink* *changes her mind about how to arrange the colours and redoes five times* *screws up more*

...And this saga will probably conclude with me ruining them all AGAIN updating social media or taking out the garbage or something… Seriously, the accent nail/two tone nail polish trend is the worst thing ever for girls (or guys or genderqueers or anybody else) who are as indecisive and as crappy with nail polish as I am...

Also, I have totally been planning to rock the Aladdin Sane flash on Friday (.... just for this party, obviously, not for work all day - maybe Halloween or something). Then, last week I discovered that the AGO was offering free admission tonight (the first official opening day of the exhibit) to the first 200 people who come in Bowie cosplay. Now, I'm a little more nervous about doing the whole makeup thing Friday in case everyone else will have gotten the whole cosplay thing out of their system and I'll be the only one. That's making me nervous; I hope I don't end up chickening out by Friday. Oh - and "dress up as Bowie and be among the first 200 to show up" seemed a little iffy to me, as I'm not sure I'd have been able to get there early enough to win admission on an otherwise sold out night...

Also: can I just give a shout out to my boyfriend, who is the best boyfriend ever, who I was blessed to host for a visit last weekend, who built my desk chair for my apartment, who means even more to me than, say, David Bowie, and who schlepped in my 6 inch platform shoes on a bus in his own backpack (after getting them from my parents' place) just 'cause I said I wanted to wear them Friday? Three cheers for my boyfriend, whom I love so much and miss and wanna be with.
thegirlwiththemouseyhair: (Default)
Seriously, just had the most amazing time at the exhibit. (Members Only preview, as it only officially opens tomorrow - am so glad I took that membership.) OMG so fabulous, and so much Bowie memorabilia and music and videos etc (not to mention merchandise in the gift shop after) it’s actually a bit disorienting; it’s like an orgy of David Bowie stuff. Too much to take in at once, which is fine for me as I took an AGO membership so I can go multiple times, and am totally going again at least once. And have a whole Bowie party on Friday night - still need to pick up some of my accessories for that.

The one problem was that I am alone in this city and was alone at the exhibit, which meant I had no one to share it with. Seriously, I had no one to squee with, or to notice that I was wearing this great Thin White Duke-esque outfit (having come straight from work and therefore needed a Bowie-esque outfit that was also work appropriate), or to take pictures in front of the posters. That was the one downside - that and that they didn’t allow pictures in the exhibit, though I kinda expected that. Really would have liked to show you guys some but I wasn't feeling brave/rebellious enough to risk it among all those people. Maybe I'll take some when I go again.

Seriously, if someone is in Toronto, coming to Toronto or what have you, and you want to go to this thing, maybe we should arrange a meetup?
thegirlwiththemouseyhair: (Velvet Goldmine Arthur)
Should do an update about my actual life... but am seeing the Bowie exhibit after work today. Eee. Alarm went off, and I'm like "Sweet, David Bowie - something worth getting up for!"
thegirlwiththemouseyhair: (girl1)
I just bought my Art Gallery of Ontario membership. Free admission to the David Bowie Is exhibit!

... I just have to call Monday to try to figure out how long it takes for the membership cards to arrive and what address to ship it to, since I am moving from Ottawa to my sublet in Toronto and then to my actual apartment in Toronto (which comes available 2 weeks after I start this job). So basically I have three addresses in the next six weeks, and the billing address on my credit card is my parents' house in a different province, which puts the total to four addresses in the mix. Also, I really hope no one gets me in trouble for presenting a University of Ottawa student card when I will go to this exhibit a few times in Toronto (and wonders, you know, how can I be hanging out at the David Bowie exhibit so much yet purportedly be a full time student in a different town...)
thegirlwiththemouseyhair: (Default)
I feel like everyone may well have heard this already, but I just find it hilarious that some Christian groups are up in arms about the new music video for David Bowie's song The Next Day. The Catholic League issued a press release that not only criticizes the video, but that also puts Bowie down as a "switch-hitting, bisexual senior citizen from London". Um... ok, that's actually kind of more awesome sounding than anything else, but anyway, moving on...

Youtube apparently tried to ban the video, too. I'm not sure if that's also hilarious or just really disturbing, or both. Seriously, Youtube? An artist can't draw on Christian religious imagery/iconography/mythology in an artistic (and "profane") context? There's no more such thing as freedom of expression? Or is it that you can't have slight nudity or gore in a music video? I mean, really, Youtube?

Anyway, whatever. The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about, and I for one am proud that Bowie is still getting people up in arms at his current age (and in my lifetime, when I'm around and involved to see this).

(He needs to tour though. Come on, I need one more opportunity to see him live, just this once...)

Also: I am dealing with the later stages of a migraine right now, and am presently in the "weird food cravings" stage. The current craving is for cereal. I just ate up the last of my Rice Krispies and almost the last of the milk, and am seriously contemplating making a run for more even though I feel like crap and haven't left my apartment in two days (so much work, omg)...

ETA: Ooh, apparently, The Next Day video has been reinstated and Youtube says the ban was a mistake. Oops? Also, I totally made that run for more cereal and it was awesome getting out of my apartment...
thegirlwiththemouseyhair: (The Doctor ch-ch-changes)
1) My inner talk in my brain is starting to sound just like Matt Smith - his voice and accent and mannerisms. Apparently that's what comes of catching up on the last two Doctor Who episodes and then immediately afterwards, watching half of Christopher and His Kind...

2) I have had precious little time for anything in the last couple weeks thanks to the bloody end of term (hence the above-mentioned getting behind on Doctor Who). However, I do want to do a David Bowie themed fashion post in honour of what is, for me, the start of the second - let's call it - Bowie Month...

Continuing with Bowie Month, fashion blends inspired by some of his various regenerations... )
thegirlwiththemouseyhair: (Default)
Have had no time to update this week and barely any to reply to comments due to schoolwork. Seriously, I got the most amazing feedback on my fan fic over on LJ such that it buoyed up my mood all week and felt like my birthday came months early this yer - and I haven't even had time to respond to that very sweet girl and thank her like she deserves. However, I am trying to dash off another fashion post inspired by, not surprisingly, David Bowie.

Continuing with Bowie Month, fashion blends inspired by some of his various regenerations... )
thegirlwiththemouseyhair: (girl1)
Wow, I need a flipping David Bowie support group so badly right about now - can anyone point me in the direction of one? Seriously? What with the new album out and my excitement over the Victoria and Albert Museum exhibit on David Bowie Is, which I tragically cannot pop over to the UK to see, this has just been a month for overactive Bowie feels. Heck, unfortunately, even shopping the V&A Bowie merchandise is a little impractical for me as their overseas shipping would come to something like $30 Canadian... Bah. (I hate being made to feel like I live in this colonial backwater where the cool things just do not come.)

Need support group. Now. Very much. XD

Also, in less fun news: I have a dentist appointment in about two hours, need some minor restoration work and will probably need a needle for the freezing part. That is a horrifying thought as I just hate needles. Seriously, I wish they could just sedate me completely for every little thing so I wouldn't be aware that there's a needle near my body...
thegirlwiththemouseyhair: (Default)
Stupid daylight savings time; I feel like it's... well... the wrong time, and seem to be getting nothing done.

HOWEVER. I watched Ziggy Stardust The Motion Picture on my commute today. How the heck had I not seen this before? No, seriously, how? I guess I've never really done the whole films-of-concerts thing, although the live album from that show has become one of my go to, "play all the way through so I don't have to keep changing the song" albums - and watching it was just the best time. I came very close to just screaming out "YEAH, BOWIE!" or something right on the bus. Seriously, watching it was *almost* like being at that show in 1972. That was probably the closest I'll come until I go traveling in time with the Doctor and will drag him back to exactly this period in rock, end up teaming up with young David Bowie to fight some evil aliens and thus learn that a lot of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust and other spacey wacey stuff was totally based on true stories. *nod*

Seriously, what a fun bus ride. Unfortunately, I appear to have lost my mp3 player pouch; it must have been a casualty of my exuberance and distraction during the trip. Then I came home and started looking for my old iPod with its pouch only to not find either of them. What the hell? I was planning on trading in the old iPod for store credit somewhere and I could really use a backup pouch/case thing... Weird.

Also: I totally want to get some rocker chic appropriate, smokey eye-type eye makeup. I finally experimented with some simpler eyeshadow for my date last night and realized I'm not as bad as I thought with it. (I should totally try my hand at the full Bowie Aladdin Sane lightning bolt makeup, too; I think learning how to do that would be a good life skill for me, for various Halloweens and so on.) I was a bit dressed up for dinner and mini putt but who cares. I love how I lost to my boyfriend at mini putt but the place we went to also had trivia questions at each hole/level; this month's theme was authors of literature and philosophy and I absolutely killed it. Seriously, when I see Oscar Wilde and Mary Wollstoncraft Shelley... yeah. Good times.
thegirlwiththemouseyhair: (girl1)
1) Had some real winner dreams this week. In addition to the back to high school one I mentioned a few days ago, I also had one in which I was on another cruise (took one with the boyfriend and his family over the holidays), this time with a water skiing tabby cat mascot on board; in another dream, I was time traveling and got to meet Kurt Cobain a la the Marc Bolan "drive carefully, 'specially in Minis" scene in 1.04 of Life on Mars.

2) Have been staying in the home town since Wednesday afternoon, when it was the boyfriend's birthday - which gave me an opportunity to meet up with an old friend today. Now I am usually a terrible hermit; however, I've been feeling kinda lonely lately which finally caused me to realize just how important keeping in touch is. We met up and went tea bar hopping and window shopping, caught up on school/life/nerdly interests, etc. I must do this more often.

We also touched on both of our respective recent trips to Boston, and I got to use my quip about the T's experimental rock-style distortion that always reminds me of the Velvet Underground - especially the Green Line, and especially Boylston. I swear, someday I will use that line and someone I am with will actually get the reference(s).

Also also - we ducked into Urban Outfitters just to kill time, and the background music in the store immediately started playing 'my' song, i.e., Bowie's Life on Mars. Such an awesome moment. So perfect.

3) Ugh, I spent much of October through December trying to avoid writing a fan fic story that I feared would be pure pointless depressing-ness and angst. Naturally, around my holiday in December I caved and wrote up a draft of that story. Now my imagination wants me to go even further and to develop an original story drawing elements from this fan fiction but changing names, setting, etc (basically Fifty Shades of Gray-style) - but go further and somehow make it even more depressing. Why, brain? Why?
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