(This is not the comfort food/comfort reading post. That still may happen later.)
So, I'm not having a great day. I was notified that I'm not being considered for a editing contract position I'd been submitted for, my ability to write is apparently hiding from me, and the new issue of Rue Morgue magazine gave the Gothic Charm School book a short, kind of meh-ish review. (The condensed version is apparently the person who reviewed the book thinks that advocating politeness is a sure-fire way to make Goth dull and boring. I, obviously, don't agree, but still feel a bit tender about the review. I like Rue Morgue magazine, dammit, and had hoped they would feel the same way about me.)
So, to cheer myself up a bit, I wandered out into the backyard to pick some blackberries.
And found two 4-leaf clovers.
Dear Universe, let this be a sign. And not one that just means my backyard is full of mutant things.
So, I'm not having a great day. I was notified that I'm not being considered for a editing contract position I'd been submitted for, my ability to write is apparently hiding from me, and the new issue of Rue Morgue magazine gave the Gothic Charm School book a short, kind of meh-ish review. (The condensed version is apparently the person who reviewed the book thinks that advocating politeness is a sure-fire way to make Goth dull and boring. I, obviously, don't agree, but still feel a bit tender about the review. I like Rue Morgue magazine, dammit, and had hoped they would feel the same way about me.)
So, to cheer myself up a bit, I wandered out into the backyard to pick some blackberries.
And found two 4-leaf clovers.
Dear Universe, let this be a sign. And not one that just means my backyard is full of mutant things.
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'Cause everybody LOVES a subculture full of jerks.
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Idk...I think the view that the reviewer expressed is unfortunately one a lot of people will have...there's this skewed idea that being Gothic is automatic permission to tell anyone and everyone to fuck off. I remember getting into a long, stupid Facebook debate with some fifteen year old about Christian Goths...he said he "didn't see what being Christian had to do with worshipping the devil, wearing black and yelling rock on." Um...okay, kid. Anyway, that was just supposed to illustrate my earlier comment. Fortunately, some of us know better ;)
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I had to text Ogre to ask him to tell me he loved me because I was feeling just so fucking awful this morning.
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"thinks that advocating politeness is a sure-fire way to make Goth dull and boring"
wow. Then I'm incredibly boring and dull.
(of course, I'm a goth wannabe, rather than a real goth, but still!)
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As for Rue Morgue - try not to let it bother you. You can't please everyone. I frankly can't read most Goth magazines because there is too much of the "you must be young and rail thin to be truly Goth" in them. Not overtly said but it's depressing to look through them because this is what most of the pictures and ads put forth.
I would take the 4-leaf clovers as a sign of encouragement. The Universe knows you're feeling discouraged so gave you something to brighten up your day.
{{{{{ hugs }}}}}}}
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If someone thinks it is boring to be polite, that says more about them than you. (and you specifically do not rule out sarcasm and gossip in their right places, just point out that it makes life easier for yourself if you are aware of when it might make life more unpleasant for yourself. I prefer my life to be pleasant)
Really rubbish books don't get a review at all.
I like the book and lots of people will.
My son wants to buy you a Gothic Castle for you to set up a real life charm school in. I'm afraid he can't afford it out of his pocket money.
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::blinks::
Good lord.
Surely any movement that DEPENDS upon rudeness to remain vibrant is flimsy as the thinnest gauze? What a silly attitude.
I hope and trust that the four-leaf clovers presage good things, love.
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Maybe the reviewer at Rue Morgue just didn't "get" your book?
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Four leaf clover superpower
Four-leaf-clovers. It's a sign.
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Sounds like the people with that kind of skewed opinion are mistaking gothic for punk. (And I mean original punk, not silly pop-punk-lite that passes for it nowadays.) While related, they're really quite different as far as a lot of behaviours go. Gothic has never been about being angry. Introverted maybe, angry ~ no.
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I would beg to differ... I for one am really looking forward to reading your book; it will be a splendid addition to my library.
I hope with all my heart that everything will be better soon.
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May the luck o'the mutant things come to you..
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Please keep doing what you're doing--and don't let one "meh" drown out your voice. We who believe that courtesy is an essential Goth quality need your voice, too! :)
And wouldn't a backyard full of mutant things fit in with the Goth? I mean, we find delight in all kinds of things most find odd...right? :)
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So you know....
I am certainly not well versed in the ways of etiquette, and I appreciate you, and everyone else out there, offering help to those of us that care to try to "polish the rough edges."
The editing position you did not get is going to leave you open for the right position.
You are lucky AND your backyard is full of mutant things. Mutant Luck is why you have all those four leaf clovers. :)
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Or you could cheer yourself up with this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP1tkspU5yw
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Then again, I am not a particularly nice person, so perhaps this is only the point for *me*.
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Try not to let that review get you down. No matter how good you are there will be others who will oppose you if for no other reason than to be contrary.
I also wouldn't worry about a backyard full of mutants. Eventually a red clover will pop up, go crazy, and force most of the other clovers to only have three leaves. (I think my knowledge of X-men comics might be a little too much.)
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I didn't find your book boring the least bit! Chin up!
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I eschew people who believe good manners and politeness are not needful, and only make one dull and boring. They're usually so dull and boring in and of themselves that they create a constant state of drama simply to alleviate their own monotony.
Perhaps that wasn't the polite thing to say. But it's often the truth!
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Sewing gothy clothes to your own design
I can thoroughly recommend the book Creating Fashion by Betty Foster
It will tell you how to cut a pattern for almost any design your heart desires and I have used it constantly as my reference book for twenty years.
The only issue for you might be that measurements and instructions are given in centimetres not inches
http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Fashion-Betty-Foster/dp/0356097072/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251820580&sr=1-32
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:: Growls:: Oh please, us goths get enough of a bad rap between the people who think we're all Satanists and the pundits who think we're all building bombs in the basement, we don't need to be stigmatized as being jerks at best. Sure, part of being gothic involves having a slightly weird, even snarky sense of humor, but you can be polite and snarky at the same time. Viz, Jane Austen.
I've only happened to skim through your book, but what I saw was *awesome* and I intend to buy a copy when my budget permits.
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You're going to have to start distributing these 4-leaf clovers to your friends list. I know Hubby and I could use all the help we can get. The past 2 months have sucked great big hairy giant... ones. (meh!)
Blackberries. Yum!
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The fella from Rue Morgue clearly needs to read the book again, since they seem to have missed the point...