Goth Confessions

In the past few months, I've really fallen away from dressing in a way that makes me feel good about myself. It started during the summer and continually got worse; basically, I've been bummin' it. I understand why I started dressing worse, but I think it's continued for too long.
I could come up with excuses, of course. I need new clothes but don't have the money or places to get them. But you can find clothes at good prices and you can purchase items at local stores that still have an alternative flare. And it's not that I don't have any good wardrobe pieces, I'm just not wearing them. I've been wearing riding clothes. Instead of clothes I care about, I'm wearing clothes that I don't mind getting dirt or horse slime on.
Another issue I'm running into is the winter weather. I don't have a winter jacket, and the temperatures are usually in the negatives, so I have to wear outfits that involve some sort of thick sweatshirt or sweater. I've been looking hard for a good coat. Preferably one that looks okay with various types of skirts. but I haven't found one that I've liked yet.
So I've been making some changes so that I'm happier with the way I'm living, and what I wear is one of those things I'm changing. Hopefully there will be some outfit posts, or purchase posts. And hopefully I find a winter coat in the next few months.

Unquiet Grave: Magenta

So a while back I bought the Unquiet Grave album from I-tunes, which claims to be the ultimate goth collection. It has tons of songs and a fairly cheap price, and I am always looking for new music so I jumped all over it. Slowly I've been going through the songs, deciding what I liked and what I didn't. I've been meaning to make posts about these bands, just in case you yourself haven't heard of them and want new music, I'm going to start off with just one: Magenta.

This is their song on the album 'Eccentricity':

Magenta is described as a "Norwegian electro-goth rock project founded in 1995 by future husband-and-wife Vilde Lockheart (voice) and Anders Odd1 (aka Odden, guitar, programming, and voice -- formerly with death metal pioneers Cadaver), with frequent support from Daniel Hill (guitar, backing vocals), and assorted guest musicians over the years." (Here)
I couldn't find a ton of information on them, they don't even have a working website that I could find, however because Eccentricity was featured in the ever popular movie Gypsy 83, they have a following. Gypsy 83 is a movie I plan on watching over this summer, but haven't seen as of yet. However I really do like this song, it has smooth echo-y vocals that easily gets stuck in your head. The lyrics are in english and are fairly understandable which is a plus in my mind. I kept it in my music banks, here are some other songs by them:
Secret Sky:

Untouchable:

To Die For:

Moulettes Lyrics

This video was posted on some lovely blog that I can't quite remember which at the moment, and got me hooked onto the band, Moulettes. It really is an enchanting band that I'd highly recommend, one of my current favorites. However, looking around I noticed quickly that it is extremely hard to dig up lyrics for their songs. (This song "Devil of Mine" excluded.)

I was surprised as I had imagined people would be all over working out the lyrics of such pretty songs. I find lyrics just as if not more important than the chords. I definitely think that they both have to be good to feed off of each other and create a great song, so its something my ear pays attention to and something I look up. I caught myself thinking, "Someone should really sit down and listen to the songs and try to piece out lyrics" And then I found myself thinking, "Someone should stop wishing others would do things she can do herself."

I would love for the band and songwriter(s) themselves to post lyrics someday, because by ear there will always be some mistakes, somethings lost, but I thought until then I could give it a go and share them for anyone else who has been searching for the lyrics as I have. The first one I did was "Horses for Hearses" (fitting, don't you think?) which is an easier song to listen to and jot down words in my opinion. (And short). I swear I ran across these somewhere else, but I can't redig them up. I'm not claiming these are perfect. I transcribed from their album, but I could only find a live video.

Horses for Hearses:

When you look around you I assure you I will be there

Shouting like the curses, this is the worst thing we’ll have to bare

Loneliness lives in corners, she is carted by despair

She is spooked by sudden noises. She is haunted on the stair

Sing me handsome verses, raise you voices, play your share

Hold on to the horses and good fortune meet your prayer

Bring her milk and honey, bathe her wounds and stroke her hair

Hush my little darling, lull your worries, have no care,

Spurn your shadowed lover, all is rusted beyond repair

You shall find your kingdom and a set of wings to wear!

(Dun, dun, dada da, dun, dun, dada da, dun…)

Sing me handsome verses, raises your voices, play you share

Shouting like the curses this is the worst thing we’ll have to bare (x2)

If you find all the lyrics posted somewhere, please I'd love the link. Also feel free to post any corrections if your ear is better than mine. 

Blahblahblah, Cute Bat Picture!

(My "post title" brain machine thing broke xP)

I am doing an independent field study project for my sociology class where I am studying the formation of stereotypes and a snazzy little hypothesis about them that I'm not suppose to talk about because I am inviting the lovely bloggers of the world to participate.

It's really simple, actually. Just record or type up the answers to a short (one side of one page) questionnaire and send them back to me. You don't have to include any information you don't want to include. All I ask is that you are as honest as possible. It's really important to me to involve the blogging community into the project so that I could get answers from across the globe.

So, if it so tickles you! Please email me at talia.wagner (at) pcae.k12.mn.us.... (my school email) for the questions or any questions you may have...

My grade and I would find that really swell... (insert clever brain swelling joke here. xD or maybe not...) now here's the cutest picture of a bat EVER!

Theatre is Evil.

One of my favorite musical artists, Amanda Palmer, has just released a new CD with The Grand Theft Orchestra named "Theatre is Evil." I first came across Amanda Palmer years ago when I heard "Coin Operated Boy" which is a song done by Brian Viglione and herself as apart of The Dresden Dolls. I've followed her ever since. She has a bold style of playing the piano and emotion filled lyrics. She's proven that she can do a pretty song, but not all of her songs are meant to be such. I think my favorite part of her music is the little pieces of sarcasm in her songs and the way she can take a really serious or sad topic and make it something upbeat.

The style of her CD's change vastly, it's rarely the same sound from album to album. "Theatre is Evil" is her most different CD yet, its much more.. rock-ish... I guess... It's different anyway. But still amazing. Amanda Palmer has a really great idea of "Pay What You Want" when it comes to the release of her music, on her website she says "i firmly believe in music being as free as possible. unlocked. shared and spread. i believe that in order for artists to survive and create, their audiences need to step up and directly support them. honor system. no judgment. if you're broke- take it. if you love it, come back and kick in later when you have the money. if you're rich, think about who you might be karmically covering if you really love this record." She has a version of her album available for free download and another where you can choose to pay any of five dollar increments between 1$ and 20$. The actual CD is ten dollars. Her website also sells other CD's, posters, vinyl, Apparel and my favorite thing of all-- The Companion. With every album she releases a beautiful Companion Book filled with art, sheet music <3, hand written bits, stories behind her songs and tons of other tidbits. I have "The Dresden Dolls" and the "Virginia" companion book. I'm hoping to get the "Who Killed Amanda Palmer" and "Theatre is Evil" books for the holidays.

Below are a couple music videos from her new album, but I also suggest you go here and here to watch more of them. She has really great music videos that really sing with her songs. Both of the music videos are uncensored. The Killing Type gets bloody at the end and Want It Back contains a small bit of nudity. They're both of artistic tastefulness. But you are thusly warned. ^^

The Killing Type-

Want It Back-

Again, you can get her album and other merchandise, keep up with the band or whatever at her website.

New Rock Boots!

Last spring break I spent my week trapped on a chair for hours on end whilst I baby sat creepy old construction workers as they put sprinklers into the apartments, (You know, after the building burned down.)
I was watching TV but they kept bumping the satellite, so I decided to read. 14 books later, (They were short, around two hundred pages) ...and they were still working. So I spent the rest of my time watching the Direct TV symbol travel across the screen. Everyday for a week. It sucked, they left the door wide open for hours, walked in and out without knocking and left a ladder blocking the only path I had from my chair to the rest of the house.
Good came of this though, my mother in return gave me 200$ to spend on a pair of New Rock Boots, which I never thought I'd ever be able to get due to my general high school poorness.

It took some sorting through the thousand styles, and some persuading to buy from a European country (American companies tack on an extra hundred dollars) but finally I had a pair ordered.
The people there were really nice, the first pair that I ordered was "waiting fulfillment" for a few days before we were told that the only pair they had left was damaged but they gave us the exact amount in store credit. This bothered my mother to no end but I had my second pair, which I loved ten time more, picked out within five minutes of the notice.
Shipping cost just under thirty bucks, which is better than it could have been. They arrive much quicker than I expected, the box was still in good condition which is nice because the shoes that I've been ordering lately come in destroyed boxes. The shoes themselves came perfect.
The only grumble I had was that I'm a size 8 in American W omens, which translates into a half size. I went with the half size down rather than half size up and now I'm trying to break them in/stretch them out a bit. They're not unbearably tight and I think they'll fit wonderfully after wearing them for a week or so.
They're so comfortable, to me it feels like walking on a trampoline. I've been wearing converse a lot recently so that I can practice driving so they're a bit heavier than I'm use to. But I hate tennis shoes.
I can't take any pictures now because I'm at school but here's a store picture:

 In other news, my Devil's Carnival DVD arrived as well, same day-- yesterday. While not nearly as shiny as my new stomp-y boots, still exciting. I had a dream last night that because of the DVDs release my school was playing the soundtrack over and over again throughout the intercom system, (The possibilities of a crazy art school...) and it was driving me insane.

Schools silent today. Hope you all are having good days with shiny stomp-y boots weighing down your feet.

Language of Music

Source

(CHEESY POST TITLE ALERT!)
Nah, I wanted to talk today about bands whose lyrics are in a language you can't understand. I have no problem admitting that 90% of the bands I regularly listen to are in English. Not so much because I have a problem with music in other languages, rather living in America and reading in English I far more often run across bands of the same language.

But everything, including art including music, travels so quickly these days that I run into all sorts of music. Korean bands were insanely popular at my previous high school, Japanese rock is growing in popularity and on a more alternative level: Goth is a worldwide subculture so it makes sense that there are goth bands of many languages.

Apart from what I randomly stumble into, awhile ago I downloaded "Unquiet Grave- The Ultimate Goth Collection" to give me the opportunity of  hearing different bands and there are a few songs of various languages (Eventually I'll do a review of album but I haven't finished sorting through what I like and what doesn't fit my tastes.) Also, reading/ listening to Bats and Bunnies "Tuesday Tunes" has introduced me to a few German bands, (Xmal Deutschland, whom I really like and Welle: Erdball).

I want to know what you guys think of bands whose lyrics you can't understand. It is true that music is a universal language, but do you miss out by not getting the lyrics? Does it not matter if the melody is good? Do you look up the lyrics?

Lyrics are something I pay close attention to in songs and that is important to me but it's not something that keeps me from liking a band with good melodies and harmonies. (Well, shallow lyrics sometimes turns me off of a band). I love how different languages flow... differently but I also usually end up looking for some sort of translation out of curiosity. But translations are very open to different interpretations as far as syntax and word choices are concerned, so how can you really get the full artistic picture of a song without understanding the language?

The nice thing about music or most art in general is the ability for the viewer/reader/listener to come up with their own meaning and perspective within the piece, so on the other hand, you could argue that it doesn't matter if you understand the language or not.

I haven't really explored non-English music a terrible amount, but I'd like to brush of the boundry in the future so I'm curious to other perspectives. Any non-English bands you absolutely love?

In other news, my father got fancy new camera that sits on his shelf, free for my personal usage. I love it, (I love photography.) I've also settled in nicely to the new school year so I'm able to post more frequently AND keep up with the posts of the blogs I follow. (and I do honestly go through and read all the posts when I'm keeping up.)

Source: Me! ^^ Yay for mirrors.

My Devil's Carnival Experience/Review

(Note: The main body of this post is a piece of writing I've recently done for my Literary Arts class. I wrote it to not focus on the Devil's Carnival as much as my experience afterwards, I've added parts to round out the experience but I'm using the piece because I really wanted to focus on the two parts, both The Devil's Carnival, and my experience, but also a lot about the after experience which I think might be relate-able to many of the bloggers and maybe I can get some personal advice out of it.)

Source

Today was the first day that I’ve listened to the Devil’s Carnival soundtrack since seeing it this summer. For those who aren’t aware, the Devil’s Carnival is a movie series created by Terrance Zdunich (Zuh-doon-itch) and Darren Bousman, the same pair who came together to write and direct Repo! (Exclamation point). Darren also directed Saw II, Saw III and Saw IV.  

 The first episode came out this summer. We went to the encore tour viewing because we missed the original. The ‘we’ being my father and I, and I’ve already said that we don’t much get along. The event ran for 10pm to 2am and expectedly, we got in a fight before we left because I was running late. It’s hard to tie corset laces tight enough by yourself but I am usually to stubborn to ask for help until the clock strikes ‘desperate.’ The amazing thing was however that after we got in the car we stopped fighting. We got along quite well in-fact, although there wasn’t much talking. It didn’t matter much anyway, we were greeted by a long line that I'm not convinced would be much shorter or less enjoyable had we gotten there earlier. A young woman dressed in a deliciously Victorianeque carnie outfit walked up and down the line, chatting, breathing fire, taking piggy back rides and various combinations of all three at one time; making sure that we would not have one dull moment while there. 

The line moved quickly once it got started and we stood, waiting for the doors to open, in the foyer of the theater. It was one of the most amazing things for me, as I don't get to spend time with many other alternatives, to see everyone so different, so unique and interesting hanging out in one place. The snack counter was open, although my father and I didn't get anything. Soon we were ushered into the theater seats. 

As we sat down, another lovely woman, similarly dressed called to our attention "Hey!" she said, "The movie isn't starting until every one of these signed soundtracks are sold. There's only five thousand total so get them while you can!" Everyone laughed and we threw money at her and got CD thrown back. When there was another calm moment I urged  my father to move over to seats to the side of the theater. He obliged but not full-heartedly, "Is it a play? A movie?" he asked. And I shrugged,  I went in with no expectations, I hardly knew what it was about. I refused to look at the promo, or hear songs before I saw the movie. I wanted to go in completely open minded with the experience of just being there.

"Well if a play then these seats will be fine, but if its a movie the other seats we had were the best in the house." 

"For you," I said, laughing, "You're tall, I can't see over the top hats and hair thingies! And they are awfully pretty but not exactly why I'm here."

The girl who sold the CDs went up on stage and introduced new items, entertained us during downtimes and just had fun. The production also hired a local sideshow from whatever city they stopped in and while I don't remember the name of the pair that preformed for us, I remember me, my father, and everyone else wincing. Especially when he slapped his hands on a board with mousetraps on every finger. 

There was a Repo! sing along, which I laughed delightedly at and watched, but I've never watched Repo! so I sadly couldn't participate. (I have it, just haven't gotten around to watching it.) 

Then we were introduced to Darren and Terrance, and took our oaths to sinfully be on our best behavior and not record parts of the movie (etc. etc.) Then it finally started!
 

The movie is amazing. I don't want to say to much, but, music is beautiful, even in the parts where its not suppose to be. The set, characters, costumes, camera work... all amazing. Honestly, the best way to describe it is that its something you watch and then wish actually existed so that you might actually get to go and be a carnie.  The basic plot-line of this episode is that three souls ("a conniving kleptomaniac, a gullible teenager and an obsessed father") die and find themselves being tested in Lucifer's playground--The Devil's Carnival. The stories are loosely based off of Aesop's Fables with a twist (of a knife.)

The two masterminds came back after the movie for Q/A. There were serious questions, funny questions and a multitude of entertaining answers. At one point one of them was talking about how before such sessions they sat down and thought about some questions that could pop up and  how they could answer them, and you could definitely tell when someone asked something unexpected. (One person asked "if you had to get a tattoo of someones face who would it be, why, and on what part of your body?" and they passed the microphone six times before answering. Another great thing about it was that the lovely lady who was up on stage and selling disks also answered questions from her perspective to.  And by that point the crowd of strangers was very intimate, like an odd family. 

After questions died down we were instructed that we could leave along the left aisle or wait in the right aisle to buy merchandise and meet Terrance and Darren. We were also advised to "boo"  at the people leaving, which we amusingly enough did. (One quit-wit shouting "go to heaven!"). We waited in line for what felt like ever, although it was not entirely boring. I spent a good chunk of my cash pouncing on things that went on a "half price for the next three minutes while Darren and Terrance go on a quick potty break" I ended up with a signed soundtrack (4009 out of 5000), two pre-signed posters that my father and I got with our tickets, a Painted Doll (Emilie Autumn) poster that I got signed and a deck of artistic poster cards for each of the characters. 

I'm one of those people who, if I can't think of anything to say, am perfectly happy to not say anything rather than flail for random words. I was still in happy shock at the evening, which was nothing like I've ever been to. (all the concerts recently are 18+). But they seemed like normal people and I didn't feel the need, (or on principle want to) fawn and fluster at Terrance and Darren's feet when I walked up to get my poster signed. That and it was one thirty in the morning and my brain was dying. But I think they might have felt slightly awkward as they introduced themselves to me, which made me laugh because I was there for their autograph and already a fan of them both just by the movie. I didn’t see them as ‘amazing Mr. Zdunich and the incredible Sir Bousman.’ Rather I saw them as, like I’ve been writing, Darren and Terrance: warm and friendly, and probably cool to hang out with. 

Plus I was so tired that by that point, the evening was becoming less of a moment and more of a memory. And though it will eventually be a happy memory, and I suppose even now is, the evening left me nearly debilitated in pain for the next week-- pain so strongly psychological that it became a physical ache. Surely I could point to the spot inside of me that hurt and contemplated, nay plotted for days of how to cut it out as if that would solve the problem. You see, the event seemed to be something that should be life changing. It felt important, like things would never been the same after-- and then it threw me back into a tortuously normal life that I had never before questioned. But I did now (which I suppose, in actuality, should make it an important moment), I asked “am I happy?” and the pain in my near my heart screamed, “No! You’re not happy!” Because I was envious of them; not so much even of Terrance or Darren, but of the burlesque fire-breathers who laughed in entertained in stripy gartered tights, bustled skirts and tight stringed corsets. They were living! Not stably or easily I’m sure but fully, in the moment with what made them happy, even if they risked falling off the wire with no safety net below.

                That’s where I want to be when I get out of school but I just live. And the life set up for me is filled with just living. Set up to walk a staircase of perfectly parallel steps in a color not offensive to my family, guard railings on either side of me. But I have no clue how to break into where ever they are, living so vivaciously. And, being brought up so practical, I don’t know if I’d allow myself the chance if it was offered to me. So for a week I lounged about, doing everything I could to rid my head of the memory but feeling utterly trapped all the same. 

After a while it subsided which brings me back to today, where for the first time I’ve listened to the CD. Pain flares through me with every beautifully sharpened note and recalled memory, and I feel trapped all over again, hiding from the life I just live and cradling the aching spot. I once again push it all away so that I might be happy with all the same that I live in. The songs sing through my head uncontrollably, teasingly and I shove them off with another catching tune of incredibly different taste. But this song just enforces my prison.

“Olly, Olly Oxen Free,” It mocks in my ear

“All the people you will never be.”

 I struggle, hapless in my cell, throw myself pointlessly at the fail-safe walls my mind created without permission. Finally I fall to the floor and glare at the teasing voices running through my head. I appeal to the manipulative side of me who enjoys such games, irony and small amusements by responding with more lyrics.

“Olly ollly olly olly

Higher than the king can

See no evil

Hear no evil

Capture me

And throw the key.”

I’m daring it, sarcastically, disdainfully but it certainly doesn’t seem to see it like that. The lyrics, the walls hug me tightly as if given permission. Chipping away at all the barricades until finally I’m forced to succumb and listen to them, sitting there with the ache, knowing that it’d still be there no matter how many different pairs of scissors I’d use to cut it out. For all my fail-safes I’ve forgotten for leave myself a way out of the ‘normal’ I thought I’d be happy in. I fall asleep singing desperately along to the song.

“See no evil,

Hear no evil,

Capture me and throw the key away.”

I'm writing this post now because the DVD is available for pre-order, and yes, in spite of my melodramatic response I've pre-ordered it. According to their website the DVD is available October 23. I'd high recommend getting it whether you were able to see it during its tour or not. I'd also recommend going to any future episodes. 

On a personal bit, the experience has me thinking of what I want to do with my life. I know many of the bloggers are artists, crafters, street-performers and otherwise partakers in otherwise eclectic hobbies and occupations; so I ask of you: What do you do? How did you get into an artistic scene, any tips or experiences to share? Might be a good future blog-post to think about. ;D

*Lyrics: Olly Olly Oxen Free--Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra. 
**Pictures of characters from the Devil's Carnival Website (Link posted above.)

Photography Soiree

A couple of months ago my photography partner thought it would be a wonderful idea for the two of us to break out our summer clothes and go take pictures at the nearby lake. Since I don't particularly love my picture taken, nor believe that March/April are summer months, I resisted against this suggestion. However I was persuaded in the end and we set out with my crappy camera.
Scenery shots:

I would've been happy with nature photos alone, but I was ultimately there to take my photography partner's picture, (She loves having her photograph taken). Because I didn't ask permission to put up pictures of her, I will only show two of my favorites:

And of course she insisted that she take pictures of me. I think together we took over two hundred photographs. Although it didn't seem like that many! I have to admit that despite the faint tan line and freezing cold water, I had fun hanging out with her. These ones are of me, taken by her:

I was so worried about falling off the tree and into the water, but the view that it gave was so lovely that I risked the life of my camera to take a picture of each side:

Goth Challenge Days 10-15

Not my picture, but I've had it for a while and don't remember where I've gotten it.

The fire and now school work is making me loose touch with my blog, so I'll be doing the goth challenge is large chunks so I get a chance to finish it. In other news, 11 followers! <3

Day 10: What do you hate and love about the subculture?
I love all the obvious, the music, the clothing, the art, ectect. I also love the sense of community that builds whether it be over the internet or in clubs or when you pass another goth on the street and they just get it. Well, I'm not sure about that last one since I know of no other goths around here, but I've heard lovely tales of such things.
I hate the things that come with being gothified; the insults, the attention, the people that glare at you awkwardly or the people who run up wanting to touch you and your clothes. However I also know that these things come when you dress to your dark little hearts content. But hate is a strong word. I'd much prefer "Dislike in a deep, dark and undying sort of way."

Day 11: Is goth a lifestyle for you?
Yes and no. I've heard a lot of people say that although they haven't always considered themselves goth they've had the traits ever since they were really little but then later they found the subculture and the world exploded in rainbows and unicorns, hurrah, hurrah. Since I fall into this group I feel it is a lifestyle. However right next to my goth world I've got my horsey world and I personally have trouble mixing the two. So it depends on the day.

Day 12: What's your gothic inspiration?
I get inspiration from books, movies, pictures, ideas and day to day things. But I'll tell you one story:
I was going through one of those depressed teenager phases a few years ago and I started getting called "that depressed goth girl" which turned into "why would anyone want to be goth if they have to be all depressed all the time?" I didn't understand why it was okay for a mainstream teenager to have a down time but not me and I was getting frustrated and tired of filling the old stereotype. However I had my reasons for being down and it took me a while to be ready to let them go. Then I started watching NCIS and I saw how happy Abby was and decided I wanted to be happy and cheerful too.
There you are, small inspiration moment.

Day 13: What was your first band t-shirt?
My very first band shirt was for Bullet for my Valentine which I listened to during my baby bat and just out of my baby bat days. When I quit listening to them I got rid of the shirts (yes, plural, I had three). I didn't get another band t-shirt until recently when I got a Dresden Dolls T-shirt and sweatshirt from my mother.

Day 14: Whats was your best and worst DIY disaster?
I'll keep this short. The only thing I can successfully DIY is jewelry. Anything else is a disaster.

Day 15: What is your favorite or most expensive item in your wardrobe?
It's probably a toss up between my petticoat from Fan+Friend Garden or my underbust corset from Iris Noir.

Now I have a question for any other equestrian goths out there. Do the worlds mix for you? 
 

Lets All be Happy

Picture found here.

 I keep running across people who tell me that they'd love to put a dramatic flare to their clothing, but that they are far to nervous or shy about others reactions to do so. I think this is horrible and that people should wear whatever makes them happy.
I also know about nervousness when it comes to wearing something new around a new group of people. At the end of the last school year I decided I wanted to veer off from my jeans and a T-shirt tenancies and get more skirts, ruffles, lace, ect. So right as summer started I got myself a few skirts, blouses and a petticoat. Even though I made friends with my petticoat over the summer, the idea of trying to get the poof throughout the school day where I will undoubtedly draw attention, was daunting.
Here's a few tips on how to survive introducing dramatic changes into your wardrobe:

• If you are meeting someone for the first time wear a look from your new change and don't worry one bit! They'll form their first impression with the new outfit so how would they know if you dressed any differently in the past? 
• If you are wearing a new outfit for the first time around a group of people who already know you, such as friends at school, try to wear it right after a break. The first day of school is the best for gothlings because people tend to reinvent themselves over the summer. 
• If you are working and unsure if your boss will be happy with the change, integrate the change slowly and see how your superiors react. 
• Be confident! Like the way you look. Confidence looks good on everyone, so check yourself. Go in front of a mirror and look at your reflection. Are you smiling? Subconsciously posing? Being happy with what your wearing and the way you look is far more important than what others might or might not think. 
• Still dress appropriately!  If its negative six degrees (That's negative 21 degrees for you centigrade folk) then wear a jacket.

When I wore my lovely get-up to school I had a fairly positive experience. I did draw a lot of attention but mostly compliments which are always good to get now and then. Of course you always get a few grumble/snickering folk but they were relatively easy to ignore. The most uncomfortable part of my day was probably that the corset I was wearing was putting pressure on my back as I put it on in a rush. I also learned to important lessons: it is hard to fit a poofy skirt in a desk and when you walk pasts desks with paper on them you have the risk of sweeping them off if the desk is low enough. 
To my friends amusement, and slight dismay, a few days later I wore a lighter pair of jeans with a bright green sweatshirt since I was feeling sick and lazy.

So, you wear what you want, without fear, so you can be happy at least with yourself and I'll wear what I want for the same reasons; and if we get discriminatory blows we will vent with the utmost humor before going on our merry little way. Deal?

I'm home!!! And Goth Challenge Day 9

Victoria Frances (source)

I'm home!!! A week before I was suppose to be! Which is great after getting wireless and then having it repealed a day later. So...

Day 9: What genre of music do you dislike?
I don't completely dislike any specific genre of music. There are certain aspects to songs that I dislike more than others though. For example, I prefer to have a strong melody so I am not so fond of songs that have more screaming or speaking than singing. I also prefer songs with hidden meaning or clever references; especially if they reference classic literature.  But since I am friends with all sorts of people I have learned to like all sorts of music. I just have what artists make it on my music player and those who do not.

Bad news:
Leonardo Shakespeare Catapult Rat (Leo, my pet rat-- for those who have forgotten), passed away a few days ago. It was heartbreaking, a horrid end to the first day of the school year and just an over all sucky day. He was around three years old. Which is very old for rats. We also fear he had to high of CO2 intake when he was waiting to be rescued by firemen as well. He was clever and cleverly lazy as he got older. Because of the rash I started to develop whilst holding him, I have decided that rodents are not good pets for me. (This happened before with Guinea Pigs when I was younger.) RIP Leo. </3

Goth Challenge: Day 8, Among Other Things

It's not even the start of the school year yet and I'm already sick of homework. Well not quite. But I am almost done and thus decided to take a break from it today. I apologize ahead of time if this post seems a bit scattered and unfocused. I doubt I'll get to post for the next few days or the week depending on how much homework I do at one time.


Day 8: What's your worst and best experience with non-goths?
As I mentioned earlier, I've had this answer planned out for a while. My best and worse experiences are both very recent since it has only been recently that I've made my outfits more dramatic.
My best took place at the Farmer's Market and the surrounding stores. First I was complimented by a young woman who loved my outfit and had to know where I got my clothes because they were a style that she wore as well. And secondly I was complimented by these two elderly ladies who thought it was great that I was wearing what I like and not what was the norm.
My worst experience is continuous. It's with my father, ever time he rolls his eyes and doesn't want to go somewhere with me because of how I dress. Or every time he 'subtly' tells me to wear 'something normal.' And every time he encourages me to dress in a way that makes me happy and then goes "Seriously? You're wearing that? Why?"That is why the compliments I before mentioned mean so much to me.
But I have found the cure for confidence injured by family members to disapprove. Go to the mirror. Do you like how you look? Does it make you smile? Then you dress right.

Now that's answered, Last Weeks Riding Lesson:
It was amazing. I rode a horse named Yukon. He is very tall but has a very smooth stride. I sat his canter, which felt like a good feat despite the fact that he's ridiculously smooth. I also fully cantered my first course. Well, attempted to anyway. The point was that I was instructed to fully canter the course. It's nice to know that you are improving, you know?


Other Things:
To end my wall of text, I thought I'd add a picture to the start of my posts on whether it will be about the Goth world or the Horse world. Pictures are fun. =)
I've also been writing a list of topics as I think of them since I haven't been able to post as much. One of the things on my list is a "Poem/Writings of the Week (Day?)" type o' deal. Where I'd post a work of mine and you'd review it. I'm sure it'll be everything from cheesy sadness to a school project where you'd get a B. This is for a few reasons:

• To improve my writing. 
• A chance for me to hear some different opinions (Does that count as improving writing?)
• I'm applying for an art school soon (for writing) and I know they require examples as a sort of an audition. I won't find out until after I send it my application about what exactly I'll need to send it but I'd like to have a few things on hand.

Would anyone be interested in that? I was also thinking of outfit posts... And online store reviews since I apparently know my way around fairly well. Or so I've been told. That is all for this messy post though.