What century is it again?

Feels quite a bit like 27 did. It was a pretty good birthday, but fairly low key. I did the Grimfells Christmas party yesterday, and scored a very, very coveted and gorgeous loom. (Pictures at the end of this album). Today, Peter and I got up and wandered over the sunrise cafe for breakfast, then ran errands. Afterwards, he helped me take a big piece of framed art to my office, then headed back to Stillwater to study for finals. I then took a nap, worked on a paper, and cleaned my kitchen, with a dinner break at Arby's.

For Presents, I got money from my parents, a copy of "The Baghdad Cookery Book" (13th c ish middle eastern original text, translated into English), a woot shirt, and some tasty adult beverages. And cards. And facebook messages. And I hear tell, one more present, being bought for me at Kris Kinder.

All in all, not a bad day to be me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/imarcc/4088062210/

I have a standing picture, but I haven't had a chance to upload it yet.  It needs better sleeves and a wider belt, but those are both doable.  Also, the Henin is taller than I realized, but I kinda like it.

I tacked on the black velvet around the collar this morning while I was waiting for my hair to dry.  So for the dress, other than replacing the crappy pattern sleeves (luckily I overestimated on fabric necessary), I need to do a quick hem/tack of the collar facing under the velvet, and then hem the puppy (which I may do on machine, but holy morton, the circumfrence of the hem is huge).

I also took a break from the dress last night to do a simple black velvet belt.  Now, if I eat my wheaties, I am going to do a Hennin at lunch.

I am attempting to create a passable burgundian from scratch, in 6 hours.   Mwahahahaha....

Updates to follow....

I have an unpaid account, so all I can do is give you a link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2330767&id=9609634&l=80f439b25e

This album has pictures of my scroll (by Lady Violet Sinclair), my insignia (artisan unknown) and possibly the only picture in existence of me receiving an award in court.

The hospital has finally straightened out my bill, and therefore, I will be getting a check in the mail.  About freaking time.

 

 

Ducks, I can't remember where you live in NYC.  That wasn't your building was it?  Give a holler, por favor...

Does the fact that realizing, as last minute, emergency feast czar, since court is being held BEFORE feast, there is no way I can be in both places at once and needn't pack court garb make me a bad monkey?

I'm just saying....

Bliaut- Completely sewn.  By hand.  The whole damn thing. (Green linen/cotton blend with white/gold trim).

Smock- Ditto the hand thing, white linen/cotton.

Belt of Burgundy Silk with a Linen Weave - Also done, also sewn by hand.  It has a floral purple, tanish, and goldish trim, and two big end tassels.

Braid cases- Done (ditto the hand thing)- white linen/cotton blend, stuffed with synthetic braids.

Silk veil- Already had it

Hand-sewn hose- already had them.  They might need a bath.

Circlet- Borrowed the fiance's.

Turn Shoes-  Maybe....need to give them a scrubbing.  Probably won't wear them all day.

Purse that is also an A&S entry....errrr....maybe.  If not, will enter it at Castellan in two weeks or so.

Overall, I am pleased with it.

Donald Trump today gave a free pass to Carrie Prejean, the current Miss California, for not disclosing topless photos she took prior to entering the pageant.  Miss Prejean gained notoriety during the Miss USA competition, where she was runner up, for taking an anti-gay marriage view when asked about her beliefs during the question and answer session.  And while I don't agree with her, she is entitled to her opinion, just as I am entitled to mine.

However, what she did with these pictures and her reaction to them coming out bothers me.  Miss Prejean, as a 17 year old, had topless photos of her taken in the hopes of becoming a Victoria's Secret model.  And admittedly, the one photo released appears to show less than some Miss USA competition swimsuits.  However, she took them.  And in the pageant contract she signed, it states that such photos are to be disclosed for review, as they may be grounds for disqualification, and that signing the contract meant she was stating there were no such photographs.  This means that she lied.  Period.  End of sentence.

When the photos were unearthed and hit the internet, and calls began to go out for a review of her status as Miss California, Carrie Prejean claimed it was all a political agenda against her and "her Christian Beliefs".  It seems to me that what it was an outcry against was that a young woman who is supposed to be a moral role model for the little girls of her state, and as the runner-up to Miss USA, the nation, having taken her clothes off and taken what essentially amount to child pornography.  Because she was 17.  Pictures of nudity in children under 18 years of age, by their definition, are child pornography.

In fact, particularly in this day and age, when "sexting" or young people sending naked pictures via their cell phones to their friends, has become a hot issue, to the extent that some teenagers are now being charged with distributing child pornography, The existence of these photos extensively damages the credibility of Miss Prejean and her ability to be the role model that the Miss California and Miss USA present her as being.

To that point, Donald Trumps declared these pictures, which are, as we have discussed child pornography (remember, she was 17), ""Some were very beautiful," he said. "Some were risque, but again, we're in the 21st century.""  And that is the message that Trump, Prejean,  and Miss USA sent to kids today.  That child pornography can be a little risque, but also potentially beautiful.   So when little Jane in San Diego decides its then okay to take a naked picture with her iPhone, and send it to the boy she likes, who will then email it to all her friends, I hope they are all proud of themselves....