When real things happen to imaginary people

Today is a day of running some errands, and then doing the behind-the-scenes code-y bits to get a new section of the Gothic Charm School site up tomorrow. (I have the content all written and everything, now is the fiddly part.) Tonight, while the Stroppy One goes off to game night, I am going to lounge around, paint my nails, and read BONESHAKER. There are other things I could do, like write or work on one of a billion sewing projects, but no. I want a lazy evening.

Have all of you seen cleolinda's post about celebrity, fandom, and boundaries? (clicky-link!) If you haven't, you should. Because the incident that prompted her to make the post is the sort of behavior that makes the rest of us who are fans of any media-related person (musician, actor, writer, whomever) not only ::facepalm::, but makes us loath to TALK ABOUT BEING A FAN. Because we don't want to get labeled as one of the deeply crazy people.

An example: as many of you know, I am a big fan of My Chemical Romance. I have been known, on occasion, to refer to Gerard Way as my Rock Star Crush Object, and have jokingly mentioned that I would like to keep the band as pets, in highly decorative cages. JOKINGLY. They are real people, with real lives, and the times that I have been lucky enough to meet them, I have essentially told them that I admire them and their work, thank you for writing these great songs. I have not flung myself at them babbling incoherently. This past summer at San Diego Comic Com, when I had the good fortune to randomly meet and have a conversation with Gerard Way and give him a copy of my book? The Stroppy One had to almost push me over to talk to him, because I didn't want to be One Of Those Fans. The Stroppy One was also the one who said, "Don't you want a photo with him?". I didn't think of it myself, probably because I didn't want to infringe on Gerard's time or personal space any more than I already had.

(Thank you, oh Stroppy One, for pushing me into that and taking the photo. squeee!)

In short. Go read cleolinda's post. BOUNDARIES, PEOPLE. APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR. KEEP THESE THINGS IN MIND.

---

Okay, now I go work on the site.

Random notes:

- I'm not sure if I took my meds this morning. I'm pretty sure I did, but there is always the chance that my fuzzy memory of opening the bottle and taking the pill is pure fiction. It's not the end of the world if I miss a dose, but I still wish I knew for sure one way or another.

- Even though I was incredibly fuzzy and tired this morning, I managed to have the 5 minutes I needed to quickly take in the side seams on the jacket I wanted to wear. Yes, I needed to do that. It was either do a quick "tailoring" job to make it fit better, or pick another jacket to wear. 5 minutes of sewing seemed to be the easier, less brain-taxing option.

- Weather, yay weather! Sunny and cool and a bit blustery. Of course, I even liked Monday's downpour, and went for a walk in it. Those of you who prefer the heat and the burning orb may now look at me like I'm a crazy person, I don't mind.

- Thinky thoughts! So yesterday, deliciouspear had a post about being proud of whatever things you like, even if you know that they're cheesy or if people constantly try and change your mind. As many of you know, this is a mindset I VERY MUCH SUPPORT. ( More nattering behind the cut tag )

Anyway, don't be ashamed of what you like. The flip side being, of course, this means that mocking people for what THEY like is Not Okay. Some gentle teasing between friends is one thing (this is where I look at my friends who are Dark Angel fans and shake my head in faux-dismay), but pointing, laughing, and sneering because someone has enthusiasms you don't share and don't understand? Does it really make you feel better about yourself? (Sure, feel free to rail and roll your eyes privately, if you absolutely must. The key word there is privately.)

It is real. http://community.livejournal.com/gothfash/3873582.html

And guess what? I'm one of those people who thinks that people getting annoyed and defending the things they care about and the subcultures they are part of is important. And that laughing at and mocking people who care about such things is socially backward, mean-spirited, and, to be perfectly honest, boring.

There's nothing wrong with having a different opinion than other people. There's certainly nothing wrong with expressing that differing opinion. But being a rude jerk and then claiming other people don't have a sense of humor when they call you on being a rude jerk is dumb. (I sort of tangentially address this in this GCS column.)

Yes, I am going to write a letter to IKEA tonight. I am also going to work on a new GCS column about how disagreeing with someone doesn't mean that you should mock them or be a petty, spiteful jackass.

I'm trying to figure out why I like the MAC Cosmetics Barbie collection (clicky link!) so much. I mean, besides all the pink, thankyouverymuch. I'm really tempted by the eye makeup on the blonde model in the slideshow; I'm considering calling the local MAC store and finding out when they're getting the collection so I could schedule Zany Fun Makeover Time. Heck, I even like the lurid pink lip color, even though I would probably never wear it.

(Now comes the meta part)
( Read more... )
I wish that everyone who might purchase something from the MAC Barbie collection would be doing so with a sense of playful irony, a sense of (to use the correct buzzwords) subverting the dominant paradigm. However, I'm not going to hold my breath for that.