"There will be time, there will be time
To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet…"
T. S. Eliot
The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock
That photo on my previous post? The “Biker Goth” one? (Thank you, Guy.) Confession. Such a look was a mere blip on the timeline of my life – as in, a one-time occasion. One night, to be precise.
I’d attended a business/social function to which the wearing of a costume from any decade was optional. I choose “Motorcycle Mamma.” (Thank you, Bodhi Chicklet.)
Key word in the invitation was optional – most people chose not to wear any costume. Went as themselves. Boring...
The most delightful, humorous aspect of the evening? (Aside from my look.) I’d never met the majority of people there and so when introduced, these people didn’t know what to make of me. "Is this what's she's really like??” They didn’t have the nerve to ask if I was in costume. I let them wonder for awhile. Gotcha! Loved it.
If you look closely at the photo you’ll see that my earring and nose ring consisted of paper clips. And that small metal piercing below my lower lip? The metal bit was held on with a magnet on the inside of my mouth. (Had to remove it in order to eat.) If the picture was in colour, you’d be able to see that my hair was purple – dyed with grape Kool-Aid.
Hell, sometimes it’s fun to present yourself to the world as someone you’re really not - get out of your own skin for a bit. Shake things up.
I probably do this in more subtle ways every day. I think we all do.
Loved the comments!
16 comments:
The mysteries of Miss Beth. The surprises with which you greet life...and the fact that you left these people wondering.
My momma always tole' me chile, that a little mystery is a very good thing for a woman to possess!! ♥
Good for you!! And I know you will continue to SHAKE THINGS UP!!! Much better to have some "life" to your personality rather than those boring people who felt too uncomfortable to really have some fun.
Ooh, ooh I love dressing up. I once dressed up for a party as a punk rocker, nearly didn't make it to the party as the Police were having a crack down at the time on 'anti social' sorts in the area. Made me think about how people view people that choose to dress differently. First impressions and all that.
Well, it appears that you pulled a fast one again. Regardless, it's a picture (and obviously an evening) to remember. That, and if you fancy Eliot you can't be half bad. Hope all's well. ;)
For the first few years of reading your blog I had you pegged as the bookworm, quiet and reserved, but lately you've been showing your risk taking side. I enjoy you so much.
sherry lee:
Miss Beth. I like that.
And you’re doing your Southern drawl! Keep it up for Wednesday.
cjp:
It’s either shake or be shook...and the former is definitely more fun!
St. Jude:
And then there are the impressions we make on our blogs...
(Aren’t you supposed to be writing that paper?!)
apriliniowa:
Only half bad – and that’s the fun part. With or without Eliot. ;)
Guy:
Thank you. I need to hear things like this. Change can be good, right?
What a scream!
I love the photo....
It was so great getting together with you again, all the books made it to Spain, except one that I finished before I left....
Ah ha! A costume, huh? Too bad we couldn't get the full effect with the purple hair. Cowards, I say! Of the ones who chose to go to this function as themselves.
You are full of surprises! You got me. Yet, I got a great message out of this, it is good to step out of our own skins from time to time. Shake it up a bit. Could be a lot of fun!
XXXXXX
hahahaha.
it must have been fun meeting new people and getitng a different reaction than you're used to. i love that story. and it shows, you can't always tell a book from its cover (theoretically), but sometimes the cover colors how you choose to present the book to others.
Oreneta;
You had time to read a book last week?!
Loved seeing you, too – and “Youngest.”
The Bodhi Chicklet:
Looking back, I surprised even myself but I’m so glad I did it - and I should do it more often.
Cheryl:
So much easier to shake it up when prompted by such an occasion.
Didn’t mean to “get” you – just to leave you wondering...
Seraphine:
The book remains the same even when the cover changes. And perhaps each cover we present reveals part of the story. :)
Yanh's the deal chile...I will do the southren drawl if ya'll will show up with purple hair....
The younger inmates think I'm crazy not because of any type of "dress-up" but because of the way I react to various prison situations. Your explanation of the Biker pic reminded me of this, how people don't know what you're really like unless you tell them. In my field of work I don't tell them a G-dam thing!
ahaha! awesome!
I went as a goth chick to a Halloween party several years ago and my own roommate didn't recognize me. We ran into each other there and she hardly said 2 words until I said, "Melissa? It's me, Charlotte." Utter shock on her face. It was worth the several hours of prep time!
Hilarious! That tough punk hairdo is an interesting contrast to your beautiful and delicate face.
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