Shiny!

The observant reader of this journal may have noticed that I didn’t mention exactly what outfits I wore as my hall costume or Costume Call garb. There’s a reason, and I think pictures are worth quite a few words, to begin with. So, my Technicon 26 hall costume and evening costumes:

Quasi-Victorian 'steampunk' dress . Anime superheroine Sailor Mars

It’s my take on the current ‘steampunk’ craze, in lace and black vinyl; and the anime character “Sailor Mars” in PVC fabric as well. I’ve actually had the second outfit for a while, but only found the nerve to wear it at the Technicon final blowout.

So I trust you to see these, as the folks at Technicon did, and understand that this is just a geek having some fun. These pictures are of a nerd who kept himself repressed and emotionally shut down for decades, and is making up for it now by going a little harmlessly wild, and collecting smiles and a few seriously startled looks in the process.

Unfortunately, I can’t trust everyone out there to understand these things. Call me a freak with a grin on your face, and I’ll laugh along with you, but say so with fear or anger in your eyes, and we’re going to have a problem. This is my LJ, and I like it that way. If anyone’s going to put that much effort into finding pictures of me in a dress, let ’em.

I had loads of fun over the weekend. My friends in fandom are some of the most awesome people I ever met: for all of Saturday and well into Sunday I was met with pleased laughter, friendly teasing, not a few admiring remarks, and jokes about who really ought to be bidding on the silk stockings in the White Elephant auction. I live for all of that, and the fen at Technicon were remarkably obliging.

As the years pass, I know more and more friends who are afraid society will punish them for being the perfectly decent, if offbeat, people they feel they are inside. My lifestyle panels and my costume choices comprise my own little rebellion against this prejudice. I love the folks in fandom who offer me the chance to misbehave.

Thanks again, guys. I hope to be amusing and mildly disturbing you at many events to come!

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21 Comments

  • I can’t see the pictures 🙁 direct link?

  • phred1973 says:

    Phreak 😉

    I dunno – I think ‘mainstream American corporate culture’ is a tad more liberal regarding various non-violent kink than it was 5 years ago.

    But that’s just me.

  • Mikhail says:

    Fixed the broken links. I usually keep pics at elfie.org, but these days one needs to accept a security certificate to fetch them, which doesn’t always work right.

  • stori_lundi says:

    FABULOUS!!! Still love the dress. I didn’t notice that the sleeves are slightly poofy at the shoulders when I saw you at MarsCon. Excellent!!

    Sailor Mars is great too!!

    Oh and you are a freak, but I think that’s a good thing. 🙂

  • kittykatya says:

    I’m so glad you posted the Sailor Mars picture; I missed seeing you in that one on Saturday! 🙂

  • geckoman says:

    Was this the last Technicon? I’d heard rumors, but I haven’t heard anything substantial.

  • jsciv says:

    It was likely the last, yes. Nobody from the old guard is motivated to be staff for future years due to burnout (and probably developing lives that include children and careers), and VTSFFC may not keep its status as a student organization due to lack of new blood.

  • jsciv says:

    Aww, the first picture cuts off the heels… that really helped make the outfit! 🙂

  • ah. Cute! I like the first one especially 🙂

  • ptownhiker says:

    um…you shaved for the second costume? eek. 🙂

  • Mikhail says:

    Actually, that’s a picture from Halloween. My beard was intact all weekend, which is ‘eek’ in its own way 🙂

  • trenn says:

    I’ll say again that both costumes were pretty awesome. I would have been tempted to test out the feel of the vinyl, but even in that dress, you’re honestly still too masculine for my tastes. 😉 And I finally realized, after the con, that the best joke for “Sailor Mars with a beard” would probably be that it was a prank from a teammate gone horribly, horribly wrong.

    Changing the subject, slightly, I thought I should remind you about that conversation we had about Doctor Who costuming, and that URL you were going to email me. After a con weekend with too little sleep, “swiss cheese memory” would actually be a step up for most of us. 😀

  • madwriter says:

    But yeah, I guess I could’ve asked first. 🙂

  • Mikhail says:

    I really don’t mind, especially as thanks to you, Starr got to take a look at them last night.

    I guess the way I’m looking at it, if someone’s looking to dig up dirt on me, this way they’d have to make the special effort of searching my friends’ journals. And there’s plenty to find in many places if someone’s making an effort.

    I’m only trying to defend against causal anonymous trolls here, and I’m honestly having second thoughts about even worrying that much. I’m not ashamed of myself, and it’s not like Starr would be shocked (Shocked!) to ‘learn’ about this.

    No worries 🙂

  • Mikhail says:

    Well, I can’t find the seller I’ve used that advertised the outfits. I’ve searched a bit, but I will look more. Cross your fingers!

  • snidegrrl says:

    Hey, it looks like you had a great time, and that is very wonderful!

  • dpawtows says:

    Well, the Pawtowkis are perfectly willing to keep doing what we’ve been doing for another decade or two. Not that we’re really concom anymore.

  • Those are fantastic outfits! Your steampunk outfit in particular has lovely accoutrements. I never remember to make hats. And hats are important.

  • Mikhail says:

    I had a blast 🙂 The day was pretty darn good for the most part, and it’s good for my soul to cut loose once in a while!

  • Mikhail says:

    I’ve been told repeatedly that the accessories make that outfit. I really appreciate the compliment – looks like I’ll have to do this again 😉

  • I think having a minor bit of security is probably worthwhile.

    Hiring companies will often look on the internet for you, particularly if you are among the “final contestants.” Sometimes people are judgmental and if they find out something they don’t like, they’ll pick the other person.

    Of course, it’s always good to have a more professional profile that’s easy to find on the internet. In general, it keeps people from digging deeper into more personal stuff. I’m currently putting together my public Facebook and LinkIn pages for just such a reason. I’m sure you can find out all sorts of things about me on the web, although a common name is a good defense.

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