To Burlingame for a book reading! Some pictures now, some pictures later.
It's been a while since I've felt young anywhere, but last night, I got a chance to spend time with a good many ElderGoth staples (including the Lady of the Manners herself, who was the reason I ventured from San Jose to Burlingame), and boy. I felt *young*. I don't mean that the people I was spending my time with were old by any means, but they had much more life experience and knowledge under their belts. I felt inexperienced, awkward with my words, hyper-aware of my actions, and self-conscious about things I said after I said them--realizing that here and there what I was saying was a bit foolish and maybe didn't need to be said. And it's actually not a bad feeling per se--for the longest time all the stress I've been dealing with only served to make me feel very tired and the exact opposite of what I experienced last night. It *is* is a little disconcerting to realize that while I'm often considered mature for my age, when I'm around people 5+ years older I can usually hold my own *but* I can still tell that I'm 21, not 26, or 30, or more. It's a dichotomy I've had to deal with since I joined BAAU eight years ago, when I was merely thirteen years old among college students and professional artists who were at a completely different stage of life and development from me. This birthday has signified a lot of beginnings for me, though. New place, new responsibilities (booze!), new doors opened... it seems like 21 is almost more of a new beginning and true introduction to adulthood than 18. At least for me it is.
Taking this experience into stride and hoping I didn't come off boorish, annoying or rude (and considering how everyone parted ways happily, I doubt it, but I get nervous), I can only be amazed by who I spent time with last night. Everyone was accomplished in some way or another, and everyone was friendly and open. It was, as another attendee put it, spending an evening with "My People".
Now, what exactly did I go to last night? Well, the Lady of the Manners (aka Jillian Venters), is on a book tour for her book about Goth subculture, manners, and social commentary. I've read about 2/3 thus far and and it's a wonderful read. If you'd like to pick it up, I'd highly recommend doing so. If you were ever curious about the goth subculture, or wanted to know more and how you fit into the spectrum, it's a great book. Reading it, I feel like anyone from outside or inside the subculture can read it and not get lost, or not feel like they're missing some huge inside joke. As trystbat put it on our ride home, it's very accessible to the everyman. It should be at any big bookstore, but it's also easily found at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Gothic-Charm-School-Essential-Guide/dp/0061669164/
She did a reading (and it was an entertaining read, I might add), and then had a Questions/Answers bit. Then, a raffle for prizes. I won first prize! :D Which was to pick one of several pieces of art that came from the book. Afterward, there were signings, pictures, chatting, and when the bookstore closed... we all went out to eat! Which was great, because it gave everyone more time to get to know each other, become a little more relaxed, and close out the evening with full stomachs.
Now for a couple of phone pics (because my camera is still sitting... at Max's. Hah).
OH. Last but never least, I finally got myself a new phone (same phone number for anyone curious):
My friend Hope and I are amazing models.
I am very happy with her. Her name is Eclectica. She is my task-master, my manager, and my connection away from my computer. I have now personified my phone. Dear God, help me.
I also think that soon the time has come to update my LJ username. This thing is old, well-worn, and loved, but it's time to get rid of those numbers. Let's just hope an easy update to something like "minaa" is possible.
That was a lot of fun. Now, time for me to keep looking for work. ~_~
Taking this experience into stride and hoping I didn't come off boorish, annoying or rude (and considering how everyone parted ways happily, I doubt it, but I get nervous), I can only be amazed by who I spent time with last night. Everyone was accomplished in some way or another, and everyone was friendly and open. It was, as another attendee put it, spending an evening with "My People".
Now, what exactly did I go to last night? Well, the Lady of the Manners (aka Jillian Venters), is on a book tour for her book about Goth subculture, manners, and social commentary. I've read about 2/3 thus far and and it's a wonderful read. If you'd like to pick it up, I'd highly recommend doing so. If you were ever curious about the goth subculture, or wanted to know more and how you fit into the spectrum, it's a great book. Reading it, I feel like anyone from outside or inside the subculture can read it and not get lost, or not feel like they're missing some huge inside joke. As trystbat put it on our ride home, it's very accessible to the everyman. It should be at any big bookstore, but it's also easily found at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Gothic-Charm-School-Essential-Guide/dp/0061669164/
She did a reading (and it was an entertaining read, I might add), and then had a Questions/Answers bit. Then, a raffle for prizes. I won first prize! :D Which was to pick one of several pieces of art that came from the book. Afterward, there were signings, pictures, chatting, and when the bookstore closed... we all went out to eat! Which was great, because it gave everyone more time to get to know each other, become a little more relaxed, and close out the evening with full stomachs.
Now for a couple of phone pics (because my camera is still sitting... at Max's. Hah).
OH. Last but never least, I finally got myself a new phone (same phone number for anyone curious):
My friend Hope and I are amazing models.
I am very happy with her. Her name is Eclectica. She is my task-master, my manager, and my connection away from my computer. I have now personified my phone. Dear God, help me.
I also think that soon the time has come to update my LJ username. This thing is old, well-worn, and loved, but it's time to get rid of those numbers. Let's just hope an easy update to something like "minaa" is possible.
That was a lot of fun. Now, time for me to keep looking for work. ~_~