The Sweepstakes

This week I have been in Melbourne. It is an interesting city. I was introduced to fun record shops, almost-as-good-as-spanish hot chocolate, pretty clothes and old-fashioned racism.

Bought two records from the record shop. Feminist sweepstakes and Kimya Dawson. And possibly the only Ani cd I don't already own. I do think these make me the coolest person ever! Unfortunately I can't listen to the LPs until I return to my place, so I'm contenting myself by stroking them contentedly and taking picture of them. Presenting Le tigre:


I drank several very good hot chocolates. Why do so many people get them so terribly wrong? Anyhow, these ones weren't. Place called san churro on Brunswick St. Walking along the street I also found pretty clothes (shiny black and silver scarf and dress with cherries on it). Not really my usual style but I wasn't enjoying my usual style anyway so no great loss to break out of it.

Got randomly glared at by several people and treated patronizingly by several more. Had to leave a shop because the sales lady spent ten minutes lecturing me about the price of a skirt I'd liked... to make sure I could afford it... before she'd let me try it on. Decided I'd give it a miss and make myself one instead.

A little bit exhausting having to deal with idiots all the time. And a lot more exhausting having to learn the balance between having your fists up and your smile pasted on. There are times when people surprise me by being genuine or nice, but it doesn't happen very often.

Usually I just try and remember that I love me. And that at least some other people do to. And will. Probably those I haven't met and won't. Oh well. On that pleasant thought to bed.

Interesting times

This last month has been fraught with angst on all levels. Work, family, friends, flatmates, pets... the works. The planets seem to be aligning themselves more favourably now so life is easing up a bit. Or perhaps this is just a temporary lull before the storm. I'm sure I'll find out soon enough.

Saving grace of this month has been Amanda. She has not only held my hand and helped me work but taken me out and been unrelentingly supportive in the face of my pessimism. And trust me, I do not make that easy. As a result I actually managed to get some work done. Which in turn meant that when I saw my supervisor the meeting went reasonably well. And that he had useful feedback to offer that I feel like I have some chance in hell of actually working through. Of course hanging out with Mandie also meant that I went to a whole lot more parties than I'm otherwise accustomed to.

Observe this photo. Mandie, Britta and I dressed to kill (ourselves by slow and painful asphyxiation) and on our way to a 'circus/burlesque' party. I don't do parties. Contrary to the evidence of these past two weeks.

And just for the record, I completely understand why Victorian women swooned so much. Had it been my fate to walk around dressed in a corset hour upon hour, day upon day, so would I. As it was, I only had to wear a faux corset for 4 hours and it was quite fun. Of course it meant that I was leched at by idiots much more, but I'm quite capable of fighting back.

This month I also made my first 'tree of life' pendant. It was surprisingly simple. And I had very good instructions. The first bit involved making the ring out of the thick silver wire and twisting the copper and brass wires at the bottom to make the tree. Thusly:

And then twisting the wires around each other and putting beads on them to create a tree of sorts. This one was for a swap (of course) and based on her preference for autumnal shades. I quite like the single blast of yellow in the middle! Oh and I used carnelian and agate and random glass beads.


In other news, I signed up for the Queer Cabaret - The Outing. As a dancer. Which means that I'm part of the all singing, all dancing crap of this world. And much in love with my place as the toxic waste of this earth. And intending to spend the better part of my life illustrating to people that I am in fact much less monstrous than the awfulness they are perpetrating and perpetuating on this earth. Anyhow, I'm going to be a dancer for them and I'm looking forward to it. And to meeting lots of interesting new people who are going to challenge and nurture me. So that's a good thing right?!

I'm going to Australia for a brief holiday in a couple of days. A few days in Melbourne and ten in Canberra. Looking forward to and dreading both. Sigh. Such is the nature of the world. I suspect I shall go stealth some of the time and bring on Goliath for the rest. So at least I hope. Night now.