Friday Miscellany: Things that don’t fit anywhere else.
So last night, Marianne and I hosted our first Chatty Fatty event, a loosely-planned and almost-entirely-improvised discussion about all kinds of fat-related subjects. I use the word “hosted” because we set it up, but once things got rolling it was a true group effort. Our huge thanks to everyone who turned out, whether you participated or not. We hope to do these regularly in the near future, hosted over on the Two Whole Cakes domain, and to make chat logs available. And next time, we’ll promote it more, don’t worry.
Lady Gaga opened her Today Show concert set today with the great Gershwin standard, “Someone to Watch Over Me”.
I am now semi-obsessed with the idea of Gaga putting out an album of Gershwin covers. It’s like two of my favorite musical things coming together in the unlikeliest circumstances.
My current oxford fixation long predates Janelle Monae’s video for “Tightrope”, though that certainly didn’t help. Goldenponies on Etsy makes oxfords in a rainbow of colors, combinations, and styles, at reasonable prices. Sizes over 10 are available for an additional $3. I’ve just ordered a pair of silver oxfords myself, so I can’t speak personally to the experience yet, but their feedback is excellent.
Adorable, right?
In Huge news, the ABC Family site has been sharing glimpses from the characters’ journals. From Will’s, after the first episode:
I hope Rand [AKA Dr. Gina Torres -L] doesn’t think I’m now going to get all gung-ho about camp and start opening up in sharing circle about how I secretly YEARN to shed my fat-cocoon and emerge from this summer a beautiful butterfly. I’m not gonna forget they’re making money off us and everything that’s screwed up about that (like the fact that they even let in girls like A and C with crazy body image issues). That is My Promise To me. I feel like as long as I don’t lose my mind and start obsessing over my OMG FAT (OHNOES), I’ll be alright. It’s not like the exercise can hurt me (except I am sore as hell). And there are a few good things about this place. Ian for one. I doubt I’d meet anyone as cool as him staying at my uncle’s place. Or anywhere. And the girls in my cabin (well, most of them) are pretty okay.
And from Amber’s, after the second episode:
Some of the people here are really big. Bigger than I can ever imagine getting. I feel kind of weird around them. I’m not sure what they think when they look at me. Everyone is really nice (except Will obvs), I just feel guilty I guess. For feeling relieved that I’m not that big, and also for feeling like I’d die if I ever was. I don’t get how Will can be the way she is — I mean so proud and not caring about how fat she is. I used to think it was an act, but I’m not sure anymore. My biggest fear used to be that I’d start believing what my mom says, that I’m not really fat, and that would be worse because then I’d be a fat girl who didn’t know it. But it’s not like Will doesn’t know. She just doesn’t care.
Not only do these little peeks into the characters’ thoughts flesh them out further, but they display a stunning amount of insight into the complicated nature of self acceptance and body issues. I am now pretty well convinced that the show’s creators have done a significant amount of research into fat acceptance; I’d like to believe these ideas could turn up in a vacuum, but I seriously doubt it. And, of course, there’s the fact that Will is basically styled to be Marianne’s twin, blue hair and all.
Have a swell weekend, kids.
I am sooo relieved about those “journal entries” - Will really sounds like she is FA all the way. I can take a deep breath and wait for the next episode with pleasant anticipation.
Can you imagine the ‘Huge’ creators spouting FA in the MSM?! How awesome would that be!?
Ok, I’ve got to hand it to Lady Gaga for the Gershwin cover. She finally impressed me. She can actually sing the song and did a good job with it. Sometimes an artist tries out a classic and really can’t get it off the ground (Sinead O’Connor), but Gaga did the job. I was also impressed by the fact that it’s obvious she’s not lip-synching. I see far too many performers do the Milli Vanilli live and I much prefer it when they’re real. Kudos to her.
Hello! New-ish reader and first-time commenter here. Love and SO appreciate this blog, Lesley and fellow fatshionistas!
Though ever skeptical, I am becoming duly impressed with “Huge.”
Speaking of Lady Gaga, the UK rag “Daily Mail” reported today that, OHNOZES!!! Brazen Lady Gaga is terrorizing NYC with her cellulite ridden thighs! (Verbatim headline is “Lumpy Gaga: The pop diva reveals orange peel thighs in her suspenders and basque.” Surrounding stories include reports on Victoria Beckham’s cold sore and, as if we need further cognitive dissonance, lauding coverage of one women’s gastric bypass and an opprobrium of Tori Spelling’s too-thin frame.)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1293236/Lady-Gaga-reveals-orange-peel-thighs-skimpy-gym-outfit.html
P.S. Seeing your Twitter feed to the right, and your query regarding stemless wineglasses, I must say I think they are lovely. As a Finn and an ardent Iitala fan, I feel it necessary to advocate their gorgeous glassware. If you can afford it, it’s pricey but exquisitely designed and delicate-looking but strong to boot. Ikea has totally decent knockoffs that are cheap as well. Endorsement end. ;p
PP.S. Okay, one more endorsement. (Sorry to do this in one, first comment!) I’m spreading the word: Fans of Gabi over at “Young, Fat, and Fabulous,” vote for Gabi to become Mtv’s first TJ (Twitter Jockey) by subscribing to her Twitter feed and voting for her via Facebook. She is a top twenty contestant and currently front-running by one point!
http://www.youngfatandfabulous.com/
http://tj.mtv.com/
All I have to say is ZOMG SHOEZ. I am SO getting a pair of those it’s not even funny.
WOW, her voice is SO incredibly rich and gorgeous on that Gershwin song. I am in awe!
One of the first things that struck me about GaGa as a performer was how talented she is at adapting her vocal style from song to song. I think she likes jacking around with different sounds and influences. I would be a little surprised to find out that she didn’t have some sort of exposure to PoMo theory.
I like the idea of the journals. So often, extended canon materials will be confusing or contradictory, meant to get people to use their cell phones somehow. This looks like it is meant to deepen the material.
It is screwed up that they let in kids with screwed up body image and eating disorders, but if they didn’t, I doubt they would have nearly as many ‘campers.’
Oh man, I have been on a brogue/oxford/jazz shoes bender since the ‘Tightrope’ video. I’ve fancied that style of shoe for months, but that clip pushed me into a full blown obsession. I have black patent, a pair of black brogues are on their way to me as I type and I’m now after a pair of black and white saddle shoes. Might venture into silver and white as the weather gets warmer.
PS. Janelle Monae got her asymmetrical jazz shoes in ‘Tightrope’ custom made by Esquivel: http://esquivelshoes.com/
I’ve kinda felt since Day 1 that someone on research has been following the fatosphere online SOMEWHERE. There’s just too much to suggest otherwise.
Now I am obsessed with those oxfords. THANKS!