My Little Pony

I hear there are boys and men who like "My Little Pony."  Four thousand of them recently gathered at a MLP convention in New Jersey ("BronyCon").  (Story here.)

Because of my age, I wasn't sure what MLP was until I read that Hasbro released toys named "My Little Pony" in 1983.  Their success later led to a movie and three animated television shows.  The current TV show is called, "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic."

Some people question boys and men liking this show because they perceive MLP as entertainment for only little girls.  Some even hint that males enjoying the show might be sexual predators because why else would a man like something intended for girls.  That kind of awful gender-restricted thinking ignores the appeal of the show.  One 26-year old male attendee of the convention, when asked why he likes it, explained "It's colorful and innocent, which is something I don't have in my life.  I like the community...".

The current TV show was created by animator Lauren Faust.  When asked about male fans, her response was: "We live in a society where saying that something is for girls is the equivalent to saying that something is stupid, or saying that something isn't worthwhile.  I think that's awful and I think that kind of attitude needs to be changed.  And these men are doing it. ... They're proud that they're forward-thinking and modern enough to look past this misogynistic attitude."

Do you know about My Little Pony?  Were/are you a fan?  How do you feel about boys liking it?

Sentimental Value

I'm a very sentimental person.  I get attached to people and things.  My emotions run deep and I often project them onto physical objects.

In the old days, we had objects in our lives to which we could get attached.  Like a pocketwatch your grandfather had his whole life.  Or old letters from friends and family.  Or an apron your mother sewed and used for years.

Back then, objects were repaired when they broke.  There were repair-shops and skilled tradesmen who could breathe new life into them.  Today, things are made to be disposable and you can't find anyone to repair an old typewriter.  It's hard to even find an elderly immigrant to put new soles on your shoes.  We throw things away now.

Also, many analog objects have been replaced by digital equivalents.  You can "save" an e-mail message but you can't run your fingers over it, feel its texture and sniff its scent.  Even concert-tickets are now flimsy, disposable bar-codes instead of printed tickets on thick paper suitable for collecting.

Which makes me wonder -- are people still sentimental about objects?  Do you save any things because they remind you of loved ones or earlier times in your life?  Or do people toss their old dolls in the trash and replace their smartphone when it gets a little worn.

How about you?

We Be Giants

I'm big for a girl.  Six foot tall, 200 lbs.  Size-13 shoe.

Being this big makes it hard to get dressed.  Clothes sized for a normal woman don't really fit me.  The proportions are wrong and the length is too short.  Out of necessity, I make do, but it's almost an accident when something fits me as well as this dress.

You've probably thought the dresses and skirts I wear are too short.  They really aren't; they are normal-length clothes and just look short on me.  That's because I'm a giant.

I mention this because, in the Wide World of Fashion Blogging, I'm not alone.  There is at least one other person out there who's big like me.  Her name is Gracey and she blogs at Fashion For Giants.

I found Gracey's blog a year ago and follow it to see how she accommodates this situation.  She chooses smartly and wears things well.  I admire Gracey's fashion sense.  She's also a nice person, living in Oregon where everyone seems extra-pleasant.

This week, unexpectedly, Gracey offered me a J. Crew pencil-skirt which she decided doesn't suit her.  When I ripped open her package, I was thrilled to discover the skirt fits me like a glove.  Perfect size.  Thank you, Gracey!

Do you guys have any difficulties with size?  Too big, too small, too bosomy, too flat?  Too hippy?  Too boyish?

Profanity

There are a few bloggers who sprinkle an occasional curse-word in their posts.  I find those words to be delightful, unexpected sparks of personality.

I, on the other hand, refrain from using profanity here for fear of offending you.  I know some of my readers are young hipsters who wouldn't be fazed by a swear word, but I worry some of my older or more conservative followers might be turned off by seeing it.

What do you think?  Would the occasional curse-word bother you?

That reminds me of a joke.  In New York, social interactions are sometimes brusque and strangers can be rude.  So, this is how you ask someone for the time in New York...

"Excuse me, Sir.  Could you please tell me what time it is, or should I just go fuck myself?"

Words

I'm amused by words that sound different than they're spelled.  I live on Long Island, which used to be home to 13 tribes of Indians (Native Americans).  As a result, many towns here still have Indian names.  Visitors are often confused on how to pronounce them.

Like Hauppauge, which is pronounced "Hop-Hog".  Or Quogue, which is "Kwog".

Years ago, I attended law school in Boston.  Arriving there with my parents, we had no clue about the area.  The biggest road in Boston is Commonwealth Avenue, on which my school (BU) was located.  We stopped our car and asked a resident how to get to Commonwealth Avenue.  He looked at us funny, thought a second, and then his lightbulb went off -- "Oh, you mean KarmAvvv."  KarmAvvv?  That's what they call it there.

Are there any odd-sounding names near you?

Breaking News Story

I saw this sad news story and thought you should know.  It was reported here:


String Of Poorly Received Performances
Forces Sock Puppet To Return To Foot

To Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before...

I was walking through Marshall's (a discount store) when I spotted this babydoll.  It caught my eye with its colors (my favorites, purple and black) and its sassy attitude.  I touched it, admired it... and then put it back.  "Ally", I said to myself, "there is no place where you can wear this.  You can't wear it in public, you can't wear it on your blog, and spending money on something you only wear at home is self-indulgent.  Put it back!"

I obeyed the voice and moved on.  As I wandered the store, my mind kept returning to the piece.  I really love it.  It not only suits me but also fulfills one of my dreams -- to look sexy.  Movie-star sexy.  Like Julie Newmar (click if you need to).  I long for that feeling and this piece can take me there.

In reflection, that possibility alone is reason to spend $12.  As Aldous Huxley wrote eight decades ago, it's a "Brave New World" when we venture into unknown territory.

Playing with the babydoll last weekend, I liked how it fit and looked.  I then wondered how tolerant you guys would be of my playing with it here.  I'm concerned somebody might object and say there's too much skin, that I'm being indecent, blah, blah, blah... but I love it! 

If you don't want to see this beloved negligee, stop here and proceed no further.  If you do want to take a chance on it, imagine you're looking at a dept. store ad; the pictures below don't show any more skin than that.

Do you own anything like this?