Think And Wonder And Dream!
Item: Dress Color/Fabric: White, cotton Designer: Hard Tail Where Purchased: Marshall’s Years Owned: 4
This is a dress that hasn’t really had a much of a life on stage, just a few minutes, actually, but it has gotten much wear in real life. I guess that’s better. Or is it?
I got this in the summer of 2007, right before I started Seussical. Seussical is a weird show, and it was a weird experience. There were many multitudes of children, and just a handful of adults. I love children, don’t get me wrong. But they can make things… difficult. There were also many teenagers, which is even more difficult.
I was a part of the ensemble, and I got to be a pink flamingo for the jungle scenes. And I loved my costumes. I had a sort, pink teeshirt dress with jewels around the neckline, and feathers around the hem. I wish I still owned that, but I donated it to the theater company for rental purposes.
I do, though, still have the boots I wore:
I love these boots! I found these for $3, also at Marshall’s, and I knew that one day I would have a perfect occasion to wear them. Such as when I need to portray a pink flamingo on stage. I don’t know if I’ve found an occasion in real life to wear them. I may have once, dancing, with an 80’s theme, but I’m not sure. I am sure that I had a marvelous time wearing them on stage.
This white dress I wore, only in the opening number. I needed something long and full enough to cover the pink dress and the feathers, and quick enough for an on stage costume change, and this worked perfectly. It didn’t really look that great with the pink boots, though. It’s much more of a sandal dress..
What is weird to me is that I remember almost nothing from Seussical. It’s not that it wasn’t a good show- it really was. And there were wonderful performances throughout. And I did have fun balancing on one leg on that little pin stiletto. Maybe it’s just that I don’t really like the actual show. I never listen to the music. I have to admit that if it comes on randomly on my iTunes, I change it. Quickly. It seems like if I don’t really listen to the music, and reflect back on the show, or have pictures, it kind of just goes away. Slips right out of my mind, sadly.
I do remember being a Who, and having to change out of the boots in like 10 seconds, which sucked. I can’t remember, for the life of me, what my Who costume looked like. I do know that I got have a Whobaby, though, and I loved her immensely. I also donated my baby. I need to stop doing that. I could really use a Whobaby right about now.
Anyway, I do still have the dress, and I have won it many times. It’s really the perfect summer dress- easy, and breezy, and white. Can you believe I’ve never even gotten a stain on this?
Just because I like it, here’s a picture of the dress, and my cute honey:
This was at one of the best parties I’ve ever been to, our friend’s Bob and Grant’s anniversary. We went with Kevin and Michael, and it was a lovely celebration. There were delicious cupcakes. And appletinis. Splendid!
Well. I can see myself wearing this dress for many more years. I hope that you don’t want me to get rid of it.
**A friend once told me I looked like I should be running through a field in a laundry detergent ad when I wore this. I like that picture! I will keep this.
Where’s The Loose Connection?
Item: Dress Color/Fabric: Grey, acrylic Designer: H&M Years Owned: 4
Oh, man. First let me begin by saying that I do not buy H&M’s sizing. I do have lots of clothing with European sizing, and they are about two sizes larger than H&M’s. I just spent an agonizing amount of time trying to get this dress onto poor Trixie. It really is difficult when there is no air to expel from the lungs.
So, yes. It looks as though I am beginning this post by saying that this dress is too small. It’s not. I just can’t take in a full lungful of air while wearing it. Or lift my arms above my head. Other than that, it fits like a dream!
I wore this in the summer of 2007, in Company. That summer was chock full of drama and very, very busy for me. I was opening the gym at 5:30am four days a week at the front desk. I was transitioning into becoming a Personal Trainer. I was at rehearsal all the time into the wee hours of the night. I think that I was getting somewhere around four hours of sleep per night. And I was terrified and intimidated by this show in a huge way. Needless to say, I got very thin.
It was really my very first “singing” show, being Sondheim and all. I had had one previous opportunity to audition for a Sondheim show in college. It was Sweeney Todd, and I was thrilled. It’s my favorite musical. In preparation, we had a movie night at one of my friend’s dorms, and watched the movie. We then discussed who was going to audition.
“I am for sure!” I exclaimed.
The room was silent.
My friend Will looked at me with pity shining deep in his eyes.
“Kerry,” he said gently. “This is Steven Sondheim. It’s for people who sing.”
“I sing…” I whispered.
He grabbed my hand. “No. It’s for people who really sing.”
And everyone nodded.
I know that this is one of those things that you’re supposed to laugh off and say “Screw them!”.
I am just not built like that.
I did not audition for Sweeney Todd. In fact, I did not audition for anything for many, many years. Long after I moved to New York.
Then, yes. I was nervous about Company. About all the singing. And the part when I had to take off my clothes.
What I should have been more nervous about was the dancing.
I didn’t really think about that part of it. There hadn’t been a dance call at the audition. And it was the first show I had been in directed by my brilliant friend Kevin. So I was woefully unprepared.
It was the trio, “Drive A Person Crazy,” that nearly did me in. It was fast, had ridiculous harmonies, and steps that truly made me feel like Steve Martin in The Jerk. It almost made me quit.
I remember asking for help at a vocal rehearsal from the other two girls in the number, Annie and Diana, who are both geniuses at learning choreography. I felt stupid, but they were so gracious and kind about it. We went outside, and Diana said “Ready?”
And then they were both dancing, full time and perfectly, through the entire first verse, while I was still trying to figure out the very first step.
Surprise! I cried. Lots.
But eventually, I figured it out. And let me tell you, those steps were seared into my brain- I think I could do most of it right now under duress! (left, right, nudge, nudge!)
Here’s my fave pic of the the three of us:
I never did figure out how to cross myself properly, though, until the last weekend. Not being Catholic, and never have having occasion to do it before, I always went the wrong direction first. Oh, well. It worked with my character, I suppose…
And we had a great time getting ready for that number- most of the time we rocked out to “Ms. New Booty,” but I think there were other songs, also. It was just about the most fun I’ve ever had on stage.
This is the dress that I ended up wearing for that number. I really don’t think it would happen these days- I would most likely pass out- but it fit perfectly then. I had such a wonderful time finding costumes for that show with Kevin. It really opened my eyes to the world of costuming, and how much costumes can define a character and add to the vision of the show.
On the whole, Company was an amazing experience for me, and absolutely one of my favorite shows of all time. I like to think that I’ve improved vastly in my ability to learn harmonies since then, but since I haven’t done another Sondheim show, I guess I haven’t done any other “real” singing.
I joke.
I have learned in the past few years that it’s not always the quality of the singing that matters. It’s also the ability to apply eyeshadow.
Anyway, I do still love this dress. I had envisioned myself wearing this all the time, perhaps with large black sunglasses, eating a pastry and looking into the window displays at Tiffany’s. Really I’ve only worn it in real life once, and that was just this past Christmas Eve. Since I didn’t do any choreography that night, it worked perfectly. But should I keep it?
**This one means a lot to me. I’m keeping it for a while.
Ramble On!
Item: Blouse Color/Fabric: Cream, cotton Designer: Free People Where Purchased: Urban Outfitters Years Owned: 3
Given the fact that last week held much madness and not a little quantity of pain, I didn’t really have time to absorb the fact that my show is over. I’m no longer in a show. And I have nothing theatrical for certain on the horizon. Sigh.
It’s an amalgam of feeling that is at least 50% sadness, 20% relief, 10% confusion, 10% panic, and 10% regret. The regret part fluctuates the most on any given day. Some days it may even be the highest.
It seems like it’s getting increasingly more difficult for me to balance the demands of my world in theatre, and the stresses of my career, and the turmoil of my actual life. I know that I need a break. What I need to determine, hopefully this week, is how long that break should be.
And so I decided that this week I will focus on my clothes that have enjoyed a bit of life on stage. Starting with this blouse.
Yesterday I spent a truly lovely day at the theater with many truly lovely people. My friend Cate was talking about how she knew her little nephew Ethan would be interested in acting. Instantly I thought of this blouse. Because Ethan wore it on stage in Pippin.
He was little when we did that show. Tiny. I can’t remember how old exactly, maybe 6 or 7? Finding costumes for him that were the right sort of medieval-ly was hard, if not impossible.
I showed this blouse to the talented costumer, Anita, thinking it would most likely never work. But she loved it. All she did was shorten the sleeves, and it made a perfect tunic for him.
And Ethan did a great job. Cate and I reminisced about watching his little ribs shake as he sang “Rivers belong where they can ram-bulllll…” It was adorable, and I’ll never forget it.
That was a really hard show for me physically, as it only ran two weekends and I had some ailment for each. But it was very creatively fulfilling. I loved the choreography and concept that my gifted friend Annie created. I really enjoy getting to be creepy and scary on stage, because it doesn’t happen much. But Pippin brought it all out.
I wish I had been in a different place psychically. And emotionally. I would have enjoyed it so much more.
The blouse, though, I haven’t worn since the show. It isn’t a tunic on me, at all. I think that’s part of the problem. It’s sort of a weird, in between length. I know the picture isn’t the greatest, but it is quite nice. It seems so bohemian-chic, and I love the idea of this. When it’s on my body, however, I have a hard time making it work. I don’t think I’m ready to give up on it, though. Thoughts?
**I’m still not sure of this. Thoughts?
A Matter Of Resiliency.
Item: Sweater Color/Fabric: Blue/white, acrylic Designer: Betsey Johnson Where Purchased: The Salvation Army Years Owned: One
This week, I have found cause for much reflecting. Next week will be the one year anniversary of the surgery on my hip, so I’ve been thinking about all that has happened in the span of a year.
It’s odd. I can distinctly remember how the days seemed to tick away at a tortuously slow pace.
Now, here I am, looking back, and I am amazed at how fast the months flew past.
It hasn’t been the easiest year. I think it was around August when I knew for certain that I was pretty much healed from the surgery, but still had constant aching pain.
And wouldn’t you know it, there was some evidence that the worst pain inducing culprit in my body may not have been my hip after all.
It turns out that there is a cyst in my spine growing at an odd place that might have been making my life a little bit worse for the past three years.
Tomorrow I am having a test to figure out what exactly it is, and what exactly it’s doing to me. And I have to admit, I am scared.
I think that perhaps the hardest part of the last year hasn’t been the physical part so much as the emotional. It’s been a struggle on a daily basis to see people who ask me “How is your leg?” “Looks like you recovered well! How are you feeling?” and so on. What can I say? “Oh, actually, the hip is fine now, thanks for asking. My pain may actually be caused by a problem with my spine, so now I have to figure out what that’s all about.” Who has the time to listen? Mostly I just smile and say “Yep. All healed!”
It’s like I’ve been lying for months.
And my career is not the easiest to have when dealing with chronic pain. No one wants to be pushed through a workout by a grimacing weakling who feels about ready to burst into tears. Of course not. I’ve had to be strong for my clients.
It’s not a bad thing. On the contrary, I think it’s a big reason why I recovered so quickly from surgery.
So. What does all of this have to do with a leopard-print cardigan?
I wore this to the hospital when I was having my surgery, an event I think I documented comprehensively here.
Yes, I wore it over that blue dress, and it made me happy. I know that I have many, many animal print haters out there who are cringing at this and will vote down every animal print anything I list.
But I do love just a touch of leopard in an unexpected way. And I have always been a huge Betsey Johnson fan, even if I haven’t always felt brave enough to try some of her more avant garde styles.
I was very, very excited to find this at Uncle Sal’s on a half-price Wednesday. I know it is missing three of the diamond buttons, but I still think it’s fun.
So. What does this have to do with the grey satin Betsey Johnson peep-toes?
Well, I thought I would throw them into the picture to dazzle my leopard haters a little bit. I bought these, along with two other amazing pairs, on Saturday at an ideeli red sale, one of my favorite occurrences in the world. (Go here to try ideeli)
And I also just wanted to look at them some more and remind myself that when I am through with this scary procedure, I can think of an occasion to wear these.
And also to reiterate that, contrary to what my mother believes, wearing heels did not cause my spine trouble. 99% of every week I am in sneakers. That minuscule 1% in heels could not have this effect on anyone. Just so you know.
I know that in the end of all this I will be just fine. It seems like every day I am amazed by another example of the resilience of the human race, physically and mentally. It’s the path to getting there that has me a little worried at the moment.
I have to apologize that this post is so random. I just can’t get my mind to focus on anything else right now.
Why don’t you vote on this cardigan?
A Common Refrain.
Item: Dress Color/Fabric: Ebony/Ivory, silk Designer: For Love And Liberty Where Purchased: Next Boutique Years Owned: 4
Tonight, I am considering a lovely little dress that I unearthed from the floor of one of my closets. In the spare bedroom, which I was tidying up last weekend before our friend Chris came to visit. This dress has not seen the light of day in probably two years, and it shows.
I remember when this dress arrived at Next Boutique, along with one more piece, a blouse I think, from this brand called “For love And Liberty.” I loved the name immediately, and then fell in love with the dress. I loved the sweetness of the chiffon combined with the rather edgy brass grommets and lace tree. Plus, the back:
It didn’t quite fit me properly, though. Even the smallest size had, to paraphrase Norma Arnold, “Plenty of room in Kerry Dotson’s bust!” A phrase I hear quite frequently in my head about many almost-fitting dresses.
So it was not something I would have paid full price for.
When it went on sale, however, I snapped it up. I planned on donning a clever bra and wearing it with big black boots for the second MAC Christmas party I was invited to. For some reason I was really excited by the concept of being decidedly un-holiday-y.
And then there was a terrible snow storm, and I missed the party.
I was the most sad about not getting to wear this dress.
I did not find an opportunity to wear it for close to a year later. I can’t remember the occasion, but Nate and I were going out to dinner, and for some reason we choose Torches in Newburgh. I knew I ran the risk of being overdressed, but at this point in our lives we didn’t get to go out that often. Plus I really wanted to wear a dress, and specifically this one.
And so I did.
Really, it was a very mediocre dinner. I am always amazed by the prolific amount of culinary magic surrounding us in the Hudson Valley, and it’s disappointing to get something that feels a little…generic. Plus the cocktails were expensive, and terrible. I certainly don’t mind paying $10 or more for a drink if it is hand crafted, fresh, and creative, using, perhaps, lavender-infused vodka. But I get very irritated when I order a $12 mango mojito, and I watch the bartender use a store bought mango mixer. I at the very least expect real fruit, and hand muddling.
Anyway, at some point during this dining let down, I must have spilled something on my dress. I don’t remember any spill, but the years the dress has spent on the closet floor really let the stains set and stand out. Now there is no missing them. It’s sad.
For some reason, when we got home, Nate decided to take my passport photo. It became the strangest picture.I thought about sharing it with you, but just couldn’t talk myself into it. It’s kind of frightening. I am wearing large gold earrings, and the most serious expression my face can muster. I sort of resemble a psychotic gypsy. I’m always a little bit surprised when I’m actually allowed on an airplane. It’s that scary.
It’s not the dress’ fault. It’s unique and pretty, and I love it. Even though it is stained and the fit is a little off . I know. I say those words a lot. Does anyone have any advice for removing a mysterious two-year-old stain from silk chiffon? Or is it time to let this one go?
**The stains came out with Dryel! This went with me on a trip to California, and I loved it. She stays.
The Answer, My Friend…
Item: Tee-shirt Color/Fabric: Sea Foam, Lyocell Where Purchased: The Gap Years Owned: 8
Facing yet another jam packed week that includes more house guests, and wanting to rid myself of this zombie-like demeanor I have adopted this month, tonight I will keep this short and sweet!
This little tee is something that I haven’t worn in quite some time, but am hesitant to part with. It’s very soft. And flattering, with the draping in front that hides a little bloating very nicely. It’s just sort of… boring.
I wore this after we had lived in New York for almost a year. The first ten months or so of being here, I hardly ever left the house. I was eternally waiting for some contractor or other, and besides, I was terrified. I felt very brave when we decided to be here, but upon arriving, all that bravery evaporated, and I felt very lost and alone.
The good thing was that I did a lot of writing.
The bad thing was that I was cooped up in the house for almost a year. A very real hermit.
So we decided that I needed to have a car, and eventually, a job.
We found a car we wanted to check out in Long Island. It was, I think late March or early April. I was hoping that it would be a sunshiney, warm spring day.
I wore this green tee, but brought along a coat just in case.
The car was not what we wanted, but we planned to make a day of it any way by visiting Fire Island. I had always heard it was beautiful.
And so it was! It ended up being very blustery, though, and I was very glad to have brought along a jacket. It could not have been above 50 degrees, and the wind along the beach made it seem even colder.
It was a very odd sensation, having been one moment in heavy, horn-blazing smoggy traffic, and the next, standing in sand, hearing only the roaring of waves, feeling the salt tingle my skin. It was practically magical.
I felt sad that we neglected to bring along a picnic. But we decided to visit the light house, a stately, stoic guardian that I recognized from the shower curtain on my mother-in-law’s shower curtain.
On the path to the light house, we saw a sign stating that that area of the beach was traditionally clothing optional.
We laughed at the idea of nude bathers in such frigid temperatures. The beach was completely deserted, anyway.
But what should we encounter as we left the lighthouse to stroll back along the beach, but a man, looking for driftwood and sea shells, in a red Adidas windbreaker?
And not a stitch on his lower half.
None.
I’m talking free and easy, in the cruel March gusts.
He was an explorer. Lunging deeply on top of large chunks of wood. Bending over suddenly to dig a spontaneous hole in the sand. Whipping around to face us abruptly, as though he had heard an alarming sound.
Nate was very flustered. I struggled hard to swallow down my laughter and keep my eyes averted. Both proved difficult, given the great quantity of erratic movement and wind.
But eventually we made our way back to our car and journeyed home.
And that is the tale of the sea green tee and the great sea breeze.
To this day, though, I cannot stifle a chuckle whenever I see a red Adidas jacket.
And sometimes this shirt. Does that mean that I should keep it?
**I’ve decided to live without this. It’s cute, and a great color, and figure-forgiving. Who wants it?
Feeling Rather…Drowsy!
Item: Dress Color/Fabric: Merlot, wool/silk Designer: Rebecca Taylor Where Purchased: Barney’s Co-Op Years Owned: Three
Hello, friends! How nice to be back! I have just been pulled in too many directions lately to think coherent enough thoughts for writing. I am looking forward to becoming more consistant again. I just don’t feel like myself when I can’t contribute to this.
And so I had every intention to write every night for the past week, but my plans kept getting derailed. Spontaneous house guests, stomach bugs, long, leisurely dinners, Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, and Day Light Savings Time recovery lead to a shortage of hours this week.
Now I feel ready to face another crazy weekend.
This is the good kind of crazy. The kind of crazy that I thrive on, that drives me to keep moving without looking back or pausing for breath. I’m in a show!
It’s called “The Drowsy Chaperone,” and I love it.
I remember buying the cast recording years ago, after it won a slew of Tonys, and thinking that it was very cute. It was never something I listened to often, and to tell the truth, I sort of forgot about it. Then my parents saw it on tour, and loved it, so I listened again, and liked it more. I thought it would be a fun show to be a part of.
But I had never seen it. So when I had the opportunity to go see a production in Brooklyn, jumped at the chance.
I’ve never gone to see a production of a show I was about to perform in before, and it made me a little nervous. But I was going with my dear friends, and cast members, Molly, Maria, and Vicki, and our director Kevin, so I knew we would have a grand time.
I had imagined the outfit that I wanted to wear. Sometimes a shirt, or skirt, or jacket, will spring up into my mind, and I will daydream it into a fabulous, virtual outfit. And I wile away the hours until I can try on the actual pieces and turn the dream into reality.
Sometimes, however, the dream turns into a nightmare.
Occasionally, the outfit will not survive the translation from dream to real life- the clothes just don’t look as good on my actual body as they did inside my head.
This is what transpired the day we were to see the show. Which left me with two options; wear a horribly awkward outfit, or find something entirely new to wear.
Somehow, I had left myself with only 20 minutes to get ready to leave. I decided to find something new, and since I had limited time, it had to be a dress. Quick and easy. Since it was winter, and chilly, I chose this dress, woolly with long sleeves, with tights and boots. And made it out the door with just seconds to spare!
What a night we had! It started with a very long drive with lots of laughs and gossip and a little Playboy Channel surprise. Delightful! We caught a quick bite to eat at Sidecar in Brooklyn, where a hip and handsome mustachioed bartender served us addictive ginger cocktails, and some sort of food. Then we watched the show.
I did not expect to cry. I truly never realized how touching the end of the show is. But, yes, tears!
Then we finished our evening with lots of guacamole at a little Mexican restaurant, here:
And made a vow to take such a field trip once a month.
I hope we do. Because I had such a fantastic time with these wonderful people, and I want more!
And I also don’t want our show to end. We’ve had 4 performances , and every one has been a blast. Part of it is that the show itself is just fun, part of it is the vision of our brilliant director, but a lot of it is the group of people involved in this production. Our cast is filled with wonderful and talented people who awe and inspire me with their effortless humor and gorgeous voices. Our crew is the best and hardest working anyone could hope for.
Every night there are new surprises, and I simply love this show. If you are in the area, please come see us! We close next Sunday, the 27th, and you can buy tickets here http://www.centerforperformingarts.org/comedy/item/the-drowsy-chaperone.
Enough shameless promotion! What about this dress? What I haven’t told you is that there is a rather large tear under the left arm that I haven’t found time to fix. But I do love this, and it’s fine if I don’t raise my arms up, right?
**Will I ever get rid of anything Rebecca Taylor? Maybe someday, but not this time. I still haven’t fixed that hole, though…
Experiencing Stirrings.
Item: Blouse Color/Fabric: Cream, polyester Designer: Lux Where Purchased: Urban Outfitters Years Owned: 7
So I began writing this post while watching the last hour of the Oscars on Sunday night. And then I just ran out of time, which has been a reoccurring theme in my last these last few weeks. That room full of light and beauty and magic made me feel very inspired, so I made an attempt to do some writing in the commercial breaks. They were short. I did not get far.
I probably should have picked a beautiful gown to write about. Instead, I thought back to my very first Academy Awards party I went to since living in New York.
It took a few years. Before that, awards shows were spent mostly in my living room, with our former roommate, Jonny. I usually wore some type of gown, and he commented on the fashions, and the lack of certain colors on the red carpet, such as “a nice chocolate”. We had much fun.
I think it was in 2007 or 2008 when I went to my first true Oscar party. It was at the home of my friends Kevin and Michael, and it was wonderful. There were many neighbors, and people I din’t really know, so I did not feel comfortable wearing a gown. I thought that this blouse might be just the thing, since the lace made it fancy. And I also really loved the big plastic buttons.
I wore this with jeans that had subtle accents of painted flowers on them, and glittery flats. In hind sight, it doesn’t seem like a very good Academy Awards outfit- it is more Victorian than glamorous- but what can you do?
I wish that I remembered more of that evening, but I can’t. I don’t remember who was there, who any of the winners were, or what any of the gowns looked like.
I do remember delicious snacks, guessing who would win, Kevin beating all of us, and wearing this blouse. Of course I remember that.
Since then, though, I’ve been to, or hosted, an Academy Awards party just about every year. Not getting to watch this year was upsetting, but at least I got to see the major awards, drool over a few gowns, and cry a little with Colin Firth.
The next two weeks will be sheer madness for me. I will try to squeeze in a post or two, but they will be even more few and far between than they have been lately. I vow to be back, and prolific as ever, in the middle of March. Stay tuned!
Oh, but back to the blouse briefly. This isn’t something I wear very often- I may not even have worn it since that party. I do still like it, even though it is hard to see in the picture. It’s sweet. Maybe not the most flattering thing, but cute. This is a hard one.
**I haven’t tried this since writing about it, so I’m still undecided. I need help on this one!
Party Like A Rock Star! I Mean, Like A Theater Person…
Item: Blouse Color/Fabric: Black, silk Designer: Rebecca Taylor Where Purchased: Next Boutique Years Owned: 4
Tonight, a treat. One of my favorites. And I’ve worn this blouse many, many times. But the best, by leaps and bounds, was in July of 2009 when we went to see Green Day play in Albany.
Green Day has been Nate’s favorite band since their very first album, and therefore, we have been to so many Green Day shows I have lost count.
They are always crazy, as concerts usually are for me, since we always choose to stand on floor in front of the stage. You know, where mosh pits happen.
Here’s a funny tid-bit of info for you: I look like a small girl to the uninitiated. Therefore, I am usually targeted as a weak spot, someone that can be pushed aside, knocked down, or beat up so that bullies can get to the spot they’d like to stand for the show.
This is a bad idea. I am stronger than I look. Also, my husband doesn’t take it kindly when drunken idiots start punching me in the kidneys. Which is what one girl tried to do at my very first Green Day show. I won’t tell you the whole story, since I can’t remember what I wore, but I will say that two people got kicked out of that show, and it wasn’t Nate or I.
For the show in Albany, we both gleefully decided we were too old for such nonsense.
“Let’s just stand in the back, by the sound board, and enjoy the show,” Nate suggested.
To cement the plan, I wore this lovely Rebecca Taylor blouse, which I would never want to ruin with someone else’s blood.
I did, though, make it more Rock ‘n Roll, with lots of chains, and black boots.
It didn’t take long to realize that this was going to be an amazing show. The opening act was The Bravery, and it was their last show with Green Day. It turned into a big, silly party, with Green Day playing all sorts of awesome pranks on the the poor boys.
As the fun and mischief escalated, we stayed firmly in our places at the very back of the floor, and I felt more than a little sad to be so far away from the action.
Then, before Green Day came on stage, something wonderful happed. A large group of charismatic hipsters came onto the floor, at the back, just feet away from us. They were dancing. They were singing. They were having tons of fun. They all had VIP passes on their clothing. And there was a camera.
“Who do you think they are?” I asked Nate.
“Some kind of band or something,” he answered.
This seemed plausible. After all, their clothes were stylish and dramatic. There was guyliner. They had to be rock stars of some sort.
We watched them for a few more minutes. Suddenly I did not feel old any more. I wanted to go and dance and have fun with these glamorous people.
When Green Day started to play, and the mysterious group lost their minds, I had no other choice. I was like a moth drawn to the flame. There was a pull that I simply could not resist.
“Let’s go!” I said to Nate, gesturing toward the party.
He paused, unsure.
“Let’s go!!” I said, more urgently.
“Ok!” he said.
And off we went.
Yeah. We crashed a party. And it was awesome!
I have never had more fun at any other concert. This group of people had more energy then seemed humanly possible. They knew every lyric to every song. They could even keep up with my crazy dance skills.
They did not seem to care that we didn’t know each other. We were fast friends. We sang our hearts out together, danced together. It was amazing to be a part of such energy. It was almost magical.
Some were quite drunk, though. One amazingly striking girl kept falling down, and Nate and I helped her onto her tottery heels multiple times.
But still we didn’t know who they were. Sometimes they would break out in gorgeous harmonies that would make me pause, but still I couldn’t figure it out. I didn’t really care. They were just such fun.
My favorite was this beautiful man who looked like a sexy vampire. He did not dance. He stood, and approved silently, sometimes nodding his head to the beat. What a mystery, that man. I figured that if they were a band, he would be the lead singer.
He spoke to me once, and it was a funny quip about one of Billy Joe’s jokes on stage. I wish I could remember what it was, but I was so thrilled that he spoke to me I lost the power of thought. We laughed together, and I almost died.
At one point, they brought out an older man, and he was carried around on someone’s shoulders. I figured that he was a producer of some sort. But he was very nice, and even danced with me a little, even though he had no idea who I was.
I never wanted it to end, but end it did.
Nate ended up with a VIP pass somehow. But we didn’t use it. We were exhausted but elated from out party crashing, and did not want to attempt a second try that might not be as successful. We decided to end the evening on a high note.
Plus, my Rebecca Taylor was drenched with sweat.
Of course, when we got home, I turned detective to try and discover what band the awesome people we had hung out with were in.
Imagine my surprise when I found out that they were not in a band at all. They were Theater People! They were the cast of American Idiot, the musical based on Green Day’s album that had yet to grace Broadway at that time.
And the nice man I had danced with was not some random producer, but Tony award winning director Michael Mayer.
Imagine that! Of course I was inexplicably drawn to them. Funny, life, sometimes…
We went on to see American Idiot on Broadway three times. Which are stories for another time. You should go see it, if you haven’t. It’s such fun, and they still have the energy I got to absorb that night at the Green Day concert. I love it.
Anyway, my fears that I had ruined my blouse with fun proved to be unfounded. There is no remaining evidence of excessive perspiration, and I still think it’s beautiful.
And by the way, should you see me at a concert one day, please do not attempt to beat me up. I would hate to have to hurt you.
**The one stays. It is my favorite black cami. Also, my Sexy Vampire turned out to be Tony Vincent, who is an amazing performer and on this season of The Voice!
I’m With The Sk8er Boi.
Item: Sweater-Type-Thing Color/Fabric: Rainbow, cotton/polyester Where Purchased: J Crew Years Owned: Numerous (Definitely 10+)
Today I offer to you a garment that I have clung to for years and years. It has survived too many closet purges to count. And I’m not exactly sure why.
It’s made out of what seems to be terry cloth. It’s like a very soft towel, made into a sweater. And the stripes definitely remind me of Bert. Or Ernie. Or a combination of both.
But it’s just such an optimistic little thing. I have a hard time looking at these sun-shiny stripes and not smiling.
However, I can’t remember the last time this has actually made it onto my person.
I’m not sure exactly when this one came into my life. I have a feeling that it was in my early days of college.
I had very different style back in those days. Nate was what was called a “skater.” That meant that he wore gigantic pants, ringer tees, baggy sweatshirts, and stripes. What was less important was the skating part. Legend has it that growing up he did spend much time on a skateboard, but by the time I met him, it had kind of tapered off. The clothes remained, however.
And I sort of emulated this style. But mixed with it things I found in the thrift and antique stores in Bowling Green. I was attempting a unique retro-punk sort of look.
But I think it mostly just came off as sloppy.
Nate and I both have some clothing left over from those days. He has these pants that we could fit an entire family of four into quite comfortably, and he refuses to let me get rid of them. He likes to wear them to the movies.
For the most part, though, over the years both of us began slowly gravitating to clothes that actually fits us.
I am sure that I wore this sweater with baggy stove pipe jeans. Or maybe my Levi flares that I wore until they fell apart.
And it’s something that I turned to every spring, as soon as the weather turned and the air felt fresh. It seemed way too happy to wear in the winter, ever.
Though I can’t remember a specific event where I wore this. Most likely because I wore it so much.
So it’s not something that has a great deal of nostalgic sway over me. It just brings a little smile to my face, and opens a window to a glimpse of a different me. A much younger me.
Anyway, I do like it. It has a bit of a retro vibe, and I can imagine different ways to wear it instead of how I did in days of yore.
But perhaps it’s time for us to part ways.
**This is a tough one, but I decided to pass this along. It would be easier if I could fins her a nice home!
I Am What I Wore 