Being called 'antisocial' makes me want to be antisocial

I'm currently experiencing some odd passive aggressive behaviour from some people I share air with 8 hours a day, all because I'm not what you would call 'talkative'. I have always been one of the quieter types, preferring a book to a party, or a bookstore to a bar. Sure, I can say more than a couple words when I get into a conversation with the right person about the right topic, and I'm quite friendly when spoken to. But, in general, if I'm not currently talking to someone who isn't just talking for the sake of talking, or if I'm not engaged in some sort of customer service, I'm rather Callimachean when speaking outloud. And yes, I'm what many would call 'socially awkward', but that's really only when I'm in an awkward situation. Like this one. Nonetheless, since I don't feel that undoing almost 29 years of conditioning would be a useful exercise, and since I'm quite happy with who I am, I'm wondering if I should actively be doing something to help people understand that it's not them, it's me. Like designing some sort of clothing that both recognizes when someone thinks I should be talking and speaks for me, or has a built-in social media platform that tweets my thoughts through embedded LED lights and shows that I do actual engage in conversation with other real live people and am not, in fact, an antisocial hermit.

Having said that, if my clothing could tweet my thoughts, then everyone would know I think too many people have nothing intelligent to say, and that I don't give a flying baby seal what people think. Also, I now know that I am not built for the office environment, and I am perfectly okay with that.

(Photo of a relevant Westwood piece, originally posted here)

Howling for answers no wolf can know*

My day "job" is so boring, last week I yawned so big that for the rest of this week, I'm going to have to drink my meals from a straw.

This weekend we planted a herb garden on our balcony, and today a strawberry died.

I used to read a particular blog all the time, thinking it was the brilliant musings of an ironic and well-aging man. But last week I found out its written by a girl younger than me, and now it seems neither ironic nor something that will age well.

AFP's Kickstarter passed $1 million today, and I watched it happen.

Cilantro grown on your balcony smells better than store-bought.

I'd rather read Don Quixote than a blog any day.

*Title from mewithoutYou's "Fox's Dream of the Log Flume"; dresses from Norwegian Wood, both of which will keep me cool and comfy whether counting down the seconds at work, or watching the trees whip by on the Vermonter.

A E I O U

If Björk's next album is inspired by geometry or origami (or crystal...line), I would point her in the direction of Croatian designer Morana Kranjec (found via NOTCOUTURE) for that tour. I think that Morana's work is absolutely fantastic and I would jump quite high (scissor style) to wear that dress, but these 'fabric sculptures' should be up on display with a full light treatment to see all the resulting shadows and whatnot. Not to mention being worn by someone who gives all-vowel acceptance speeches.

Suffering from delusions of ungrandeur*

For those of you wondering where Amanda deLeon had gone (I know I was), she has now opened up an online shop! The S/S 12 collection is what is now available, making me wish I had a winning lottery ticket (especially as it is inspired by the ocean and digital communication, naturally). 

Unfortunately, even with the grand opening discount of 10% (enter 'GRANDOPEN' until June 15th), I can't afford to get a new piece from Amanda (e.g. the dress at the top is $1,280). So, for now I will just wonder how she made me like fringed anything (particularly organza-covered fringe!), wonder if her shorts could change my mind (...about shorts), and wish I could change my Amanda deLeon vest (see bottom right) into organza at a wave of a wand (or something), as that tank (above middle) makes the back gills much more wearable (see below). Sigh. Having said that, I need to wear that vest. It's fantastic.

*This is one of my favorite lines from the best album of 2012, mewithoutYou's Ten Stories. I've been wanting to use it all week as a title post, but have had a hard time finding something to post. I should say that I would be the one suffering in this case, as I don't find I'm grand enough to wear that ridiculously gorgeous dress. Curses.

In My Mind

Before I get to what has been occupying my mind for the last week and a half, let me first say this: chromat now has swimwear in stock and available to order from the chromat online shop! How can I not get a bathing suit with a hood? It's pretty much a match made in heaven (and not just because it's named the 'habit suit'). I'm also loving the back coverage for the top - quite unexpected for a bikini top, and would shield at least the trunk portion of my tattoo (...it's a tree). I'm not ashamed to say that I will likely wear this as a bra as well. Would go well with the TwinSyndrome bathingsuit bottoms I have been known to wear as underwear. Becca - genius!

Anyway, for the last week and a half, I've been aggravating my tennis elbow by constantly hitting refresh on Amanda (F'ing) Palmer's Kickstarter page. If you haven't heard all the hullaballoo on the Internets about AFP's brilliant success in raising enough money to produce and tour her upcoming album from her very own fans, I suggest you start by going to her Kickstarter page, and then perhaps Googling 'Amanda Palmer Kickstarter'. And if you're not familiar with Amanda Palmer, let me start by saying that I wasn't really either. In fact, I didn't bother trying to become familiar with her before, because: a) her eyebrows, or lack thereof, scare me (I've very particular about eyebrows); b) I can't relate to her brazenness (I have trouble being myself at work); and, most importantly, c) I'm jealous she gets to hear Neil Gaiman's voice whenever she wants. I honestly can't even say I had heard any music from her (and/or the Dresden Dolls) until I watched her Kickstarter video. Which was when I realized that she's really quite good at what she does and is to be admired for leaving her label (for very good reasons - Google that too) and for giving her very loyal fans a chance to be (even more) involved with her work. Without waxing noneloquently about the evils of the big music industry, etc., let's just say I backed Amanda's project (when it had reached about 4X what the goal was and only a few thousand backers) because I could get behind the idea of it, and now (when it has reached over 6X what the goal was and over 11,500 backers) I'm very much looking forward to seeing her in Brooklyn and hearing what I expect to be great music. I wonder if she could've predicted gaining a crapload of new fans because she asked for money...

Anyway, this Violitionist session was posted in the deluge of tweets* surrounding Amanda's Kickstarter. I think it's a very darling song, and Neil Gaiman as puppeteer amuses me to no end.

*P.S. An added bonus about said deluge of tweets was that I learned from a tweet/retweet of AFP that Five Iron Frenzy is alive again! Sad I missed that Kickstarter campaign - my wallet opens freely for those who hand me a big heap of nostalgia in exchange!

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After tearing myself away from staring at this minimalist tee by St. Anderswo (found via mydearthing's Etsy Favorites list), I promptly came upon the lovely architectural work of Belgian designer Margaux Bolle (see below; found/photos via NJAL). Is the universe trying to tell me something? And if so, does it have anything to do with pushing a button every 108 minutes? I feel like there's a trigonometric message in the clothes I'm drawn to this evening. But if I attempt to decipher it, can I ever go back?

Graffiti Pockets

Whilst trying to rectify the neglect of my blog-reading duties (I've been rather sidetracked by all the superb new albums coming out soon, AND my man's first trip to NY next month), I happened upon a couple perfect dresses via Style Bubble. These knitted and graffitied beauties are by Brazilian-born and London-based Lucas Nascimento, who, from this day forward, shall be known as The Creator of the Most Perfect Strapless Dress Ever (see Susie Bubble's post for photos showcasing the awesomeness of the first dress). Why don't more/all dresses and skirts have pockets? Would have a whole lot less women walking around with fanny packs, that's for certain...

While we're on the subject of graffiti, have you ever seen Banksy's statues? Apparently this is like six years old, but I only remember seeing the red painted elephant from this show. The statues (via NOTCOT) are heaps more interesting (and, err, more ethical), even for someone with a vested interest in classical and Renaissance art. In any event, I have a very strong urge to go to an art show. Probably because of sudden and unexpected interest in Amanda Palmer's Kickstarter, happening right now. Somehow between Monday and today, I've stopped being scared of her and started being really quite intrigued with her. I'll be staying just a couple blocks away from her backer-only NY art show too...