Back to Appearance-Looks and Jobs

Hears a post going back to image and employment.

Blue Banana Staff Pic I found

How ones image is maintained will affect perceptions and appearance. It is after all, that time old argument between professionalism and personal individuality. 

It is a hard thing to pull of in some work environments. I have included two pictures hear, one of a Blue Banana store, an alternate outlet store for emo and alternate clothing (I am not passing comment). The other is a Lloyds TSB Bank branch. Each are very different to the other. While this is clear from nothing more than the pictures, there are of course similarities. Each sells things to customers. Again what they sell and how they sell it is very different, but on the bare bones, they are both sales roles.

Lloyds TSB Branch Staff

So why are the expectations different? There are a number of reasons. One is the product, the other the customer. Each is a reflection on the other. Blue Banana caters to a particular clientèle. Those inclined by the emo style and the alternate side. And still, not every goth or emo or alterna kid will shop there. With Lloyds, it is a question of money. They hold your money. YOUR money!! Wouldn't you want a professional body doing this, a body suited and tied, uniformed and trained? Of course you would. If you wouldn't, you wouldn't bank. People go into banks for many reasons. However in their selling capacities, they are selling loans. Mortgages, credit cards, interest rates and ISA's. 

So it goes back to the argument. What are your expectations. You, the customer. We are all customers and sometimes we need to consider what would we think or perceive if we walked into blue banana and saw suited salesmen. Or walked into Lloyds and saw piercings, every hair colour and tattoos? Our perceptions are influenced by our expectations. We expect to see professionalism in a large corporate organisation. We expect individuality in smaller businesses catered to a particular clientèle. 

So where does the middle ground lie. What about the smaller shops, the fashion outlets, those smaller shops that have no apparent uniform. Where does the border lie. When does individuality suffer to professionalism? 

I think if someone has a fantastic job, well paid, and can wear whatever they want are the luckiest people ever. It just isn't the norm. Many companies today recognize this and are changing. There are many a shop where staff members have tattoos, piercings and coloured hair. But this is at a low, retail level. Never will you see an openly pierced or tattooed manager or director in the retail world, not yet anyway. 

And so I guess it comes down to choice, your choice. If you want to remain individual etc and dress in your own way, go into the arty world, Media, design and graphics etc. If you want to follow the corporate road, you may have to conform to a uniform or a perceived image.

The Spiritual Journey-Wicca and Beltane

As you may have realised, I have became interested in the religion, Wicca. I have been doing alot of research concerning this subject recently to ensure I am learning and developing my knowledge. There have been many times when I have gone out, bought everything I need for x,y,and z and then given up weeks later.

By simply reading and researching I feel my knowledge is growing greatly as too is my interest. It is this resistance as it were to dive in that I think is enhancing my learning. While I know my first flurry into Wicca will be far from perfect, I believe it is at least the intent in my heart and mind that will benefit the whole experience.

While I do not wish to commit myself yet, I feel I am ready to learn more and delve deeper into this realm of spirituality. There are initiation rituals that can be taken to fully, self-dedicate, but most of the reading and research I have undertaken point toward one main theme. Wicca is a free religion. Other than the rule of harm none, there are no rules. There are commonly held ideas, norms and ethical beliefs but in terms of stringent rules, there is only one.

Therefore there is a great freedom to act and conduct oneself in a way that feels right to the self. This includes initiation, rituals, celebrations and general conduct. Pretty much everything really just so providing that your intent is true and good.

The festival of Beltane (Circa 1st May) is fast approaching. Seen as an important festival for Wiccan's, it celebrates fertility and the fire of life, nature and creation. It is celebrated with the lighting of fires and the picking of flowers. May poles are traditional and represent the fertility of women and their sexual desire to find a lover.

While I will research this more and its true meaning, it my become the first festival I actively celebrate in the Wiccan tradition.

Along with Tarot cards and other things, I feel my knowledge of the spiritual realm is growing. My own Book of Shadows is growing exponentially and faster than I thought it would.

I will be doing a Tarot Card blog soon.

I will update you on everything.

Blessed Be

)O(

Beauty and Image-The non-universal norm

How we perceive image is both personal and pre-determined. Our upbringing, what we watch on TV, school, the workplace...These all conspire to create an attitude, opinion and perception on what we perceive as being appropriate or beautiful.

Girls magazines portray particular make-up, cosmetics, clothes and hair styles as being 'the best' and 'in fashion'. If we do not adhere to this, we are deemed unfashionable. Perhaps this is a tunnel vision approach but consider this if you will for a moment. Sit in a coffee shop and look out of the window. If you people watch, for say an hour. How many people will you see that one would call 'alternative'? How many do you then see who are like River Island or Topshop models?

Vogue-The No 1 High Fashion Magazine

Let us now consider Africa. The women are considered beautiful with lip plates in their mouths. The bigger the lip plate, the better. Imagine the reaction of people if you walked down your local high street with face paint, a lip plate and ear stretchers?

Now of course this is a cultural issue and subsequently culture determines many of our conceptions, even if we do not realise it. We, in the UK are a westernised culture. While fashion changes from country to country in the west, a certain trend remains; the influence of the TV, media, magazines and whatever the latest retail shops are selling. It is often their own interpretation of the same thing, so it differs marginally.

Therefore, unique and alternative is culturally defined.

What one looks like in the UK may be looked upon in a very different way in Africa or the Middle East say. So everything must be addressed in a cultural perspective. There is great tolerance in the Western culture for most if not all things, in relation to culture and lifestyles. There is great religious freedom to worship whatever and however you want. One can marry whoever they want also, in most countries, be that a gay, lesbian or heterosexual relationship. We can wear whatever we want. We do not need to cover up when we go outside for religions reasons. We can drink alcohol publicly in some places.and purchase it at almost any time. Medicine is readily available and healthcare options vary from the scientific to the divine (such as meditation, massage, reiki and herbal remedies) without fear of persecution for witchcraft of devil worship.

So in a sense we are lucky to live in such a free society. However we must understand the culture in which we live. We have choice. This choice is not without its infringements. Pressure on how to look and what to wear will always exist. But the choice is ultimately ours.

Emotional Responses; Spiritual Questions; Lifestyle Choices

Case and effect.

Every action causes a reaction.

All actions are either balancing or imbalancing; good or bad. Think of it as Yin and Yang. The action of positive and negetive within the world. The reaction to the cause and the balance to the imbalance.

One decision or event is only given relevence due to the reaction given to it, no matter how big or small. The night only exists due to the retreat of the day. For without night, there would only be day. Without day, night would have no unique pupose.

While this is a very Taoist argument, the very same works throught the world. There is a constant flow of energy throught the world. This energy is constant and forever flowing. It is the manipulation of this energy that causes change. This manipulation can be good or bad, but irrespective, still works off and alters the constant flow of all things.

So how does this affect you or me? Anything we do, say, wear or listen to causes a flow of action, to which a reaction must occur at some point. These reactions may be good or bad, major or minor.

It can be made scientific like above but it can also be simplified. Everything we do, will recieve a reaction from another. We are one of 6 Billion people. There will always be positive and negative reactions.



While we as individuals are free to act how we please, one must understand that not everyone will like or dislike your actions. This is simply life. So therfore, to oneself, you must be positive in your own actions to yourself.

Everything you do, has to carry a degree of personal belief. It does not have to be whole heartedly or without doubt. At times you may not even have to like it, but see its worth in doing it. It all comes down to personal perception. Nothing YOU can do is ever going to be wrong, provided you:

1) have a belief in you actions
2) have weighd up the consequences (if any) and considered that this is still what you want to do

Self-belief is a powerful force. Do what you will. I am not advocating war, murder and terrorism. I am simply considerering confidence in engaging in your own beliefs and desires. If you want to wear something others have scorned, wear it, providing you want to wear it and you like it, as well as considering how others may percieve it.

If you do not believe in a faith pushed upon you by your school, church or parents, do not believe in it. Simply be aware of the reactions of this action by others.

Knowledge is key. Don't just do something to annoy and peev people off. This achievs nothing but anguish and conflict. Consider why you want to do this. 'Just because' is not a reason. Not believing in the Roman Catholic Church 'beacuse I just dont' is not a reason and would never be taken seriously.

Do your research. Why do you not believe? Why do you want to believe in this or follow this faith? Why do you want to wear those black, baggy, chainy trousers as opposed to tracksuit bottoms? I am sure there are those of you who believe there is no need to define and justify a choice or life decision. I would agree with you to an extent. However...

If you make broad sweeping statements such as 'I hate religion' or 'I am a Goth', you will inevitably be asked the question, 'why?'

If you then answer, 'Because!' Then you just look ignorant. Learn why you are making these decisions. Not in order to justify your life choices to everyone, but in order to be a conversational individual with a genuine opinion, possibly different to your own.

Being Eclectic-'Pick and Mix' Faith

Ec-lec-tic

adjective

1.

selecting or choosing from various sources.

2.

made up of what is selected from different sources.

3.

not following any one system, as of philosophy, medicine,etc., but selecting and using what are considered the bestelements of all systems.

4.

noting or pertaining to works of architecture, decoration,landscaping, etc., produced by a certain person or during acertain period, that derive from a wide range of historicstyles, the style in each instance often being chosen for itsfancied appropriateness to local tradition, local geography,the purpose to be served, or the cultural background of theclient.

noun

5.

Also, ec·lec·ti·cist [ih-klek-tuh-sist]  Show IPA. aperson who follows an eclectic method, as in philosophy orarchitecture.

To be eclectic in anything is said to be pick-and-mix (or so that's how I learned it in Sociology). You take parts of all things and combine them into your own way of doing things.

In my opinion

What a great idea!

It is often thought these days that organised or structured religions have too many rules and regulations that must be adhered to. Some may make sense, others may not. Some may come from the holy book, some may be man made and man implemented.

The advantages of being an eclecticist is that you in a sense, make your own rules. Providing they are not illegal in the laws of your land then why not. To pick and choose what you do and do not want to follow does not make you any more or less of anything.

On my own path of spiritual self discovery, I have found that some things are just not for you. That does not mean, because of that little thing, you cannot follow that path. 

For example, one can lead a good Christian life every day without ever once stepping foot in a church on a Sunday. Going to Church does not make you any more or less of a Christian. So to, on the flip side does going to Church on Sunday justify you being very unchristian all week and just calling yourself Christian because you go to church on a Sunday.

As in life, like all things, if you truly believe in something, and take it to heart, then you will lead that life and follow that path every day. Be this in year heart, you mind, your spirit or your actions.

Calling yourself something does not make you that. Your actions do. 'Actions speak louder than words' as they say. It is the same in life. Wearing what you want to wear. Being who you want to be. Doing what you want to do. It's all connected.

One can be eclectic in all sorts of way. Combining Goth, Punk and Grunge looks. Emo music, Punk looks and going to Gothic clubs. Why not. Life is too short to follow only one path. While we can't have it all, sometimes we should try our hand at anything we want to try. It does not mean you have to stick with it forever. You may find it is not for you. You may find you just get bored of it. I have done that hundreds of times with hundreds of things (mainly sport tho :P)

So my message is, be eclectic. Combine ideas. Combine beliefs. Combine looks, fashion and music. Be your own, be you, be yourself. Always!

Be happy :)

Labels Again- Remember that you are you

Just a quick post today. It's a video that just seemed to sum up alot of my early elements of this blog. The theme is on witchcraft, wicca and what one calls themselves. I feel this is appropriate for me at this time but just give it a look. If anything and nothing more...it makes alot of sense.

Thanx to Blaze Lee Dragon

A Comment on Life

Everything in life happens for a reason (or so some would believe). On the path of life, many things happen to influence and change us. These can be unexplained or completely rational. However, like a maze, we may often get lost, go down the wrong path or have to backtrack. These are all simply stages of life, completely natural and, more importantly, all influence us in some way.

Our lives are often turbulent, unstable and full of 'paths we should have taken', 'options we should have chose'. But while we may think we have taken the wrong choice at some point in life, we have, more often than not, ended up where we are now because of everything that has happened to lead up to this exact moment.

Life influences us in mysterious ways, and while the links may seem intangible, it is the combination of all of life's experiences that create the very moment and life you lead now. What you do now subsequently influences your future. No matter how big or small, memorable or forgetful, it all combines to forge your own, unique existence.

Life is like a maze; a labyrinth. It is full of dead-ends, backtracks and interesting turns. At the end, lies the inevitable end. But on that journey, we must accept the up's and downs.

Whatever you believe, whatever your religion, there is only ever one certainty in life. You will die. Whatever happens after that is uncertain, and it is free to be pondered upon by any faith or belief. However it is whatever happens during birth and death that defines you. How you lead your life affects the memories you leave behind for and with others.

I myself am a very spiritual man. What I truly believe is uncertain so far but I do wish to devote much time soon to studying what I believe in life. I believe in a greater and higher power, a spirit that lives among all things.

I intend to try to document this voyage of spiritual self-discovery.

Book of Shadows-A Spiritual Journey

For those of you that do not know, a Book of Shadows is a witches/wiccan/pagans journal containing important information to them. It could be, spells, rites, art, diary entries, rules, sabbats, rituals and other related things.

It is an important and magical piece of their inventory and it contains alot of concentrated magical power. I feel now more than ever, a pull, a draw toward spirituality. Not necessarily religion per se but I have great faith in something. A force I feel is all around. It binds and connects us with the earth, the trees, the sky and the universe.

This belief has always been with me but again, like most things, I never did anything about it. Yes I gave up on Christianity long ago but I still felt a desire to believe in people. I think of this search simply as a mindset. An attitude towards a better and happier existence. A more fuller experience of all things.

I am yet unsure as to what I believe, however I know what I want from life. I want to be fully happy in all ways. I want to appreciate nature, animals and the universe to the fullest extent. If I were to name my belief system it would be a combination of many things:

American Indian

Buddhist

Paganism

Wicca

Zen

Magick

Tarot

Stargazing

Astrology

But to name a few. 

So I intend to get a hold of a Book of Shadows. Now while I am not a witch or a pagan, I do feel like a Book of Shadows will provide a great reference point for my spiritual journey. It will contain everything I find out, things I find interesting. It will be my book of knowledge. It will act as both a reference and guide for my journey into a new spiritual existence.

Religion and Spirituality-The Subconscious Awareness

I came from a Roman Catholic background. I have been baptised and educated into the Catholic Church and it's ways. It did not take long for me to stray from this pre-determined path for me. I felt the Church was so constricting, full of  double negatives, double standards and double contradictions. I got to a point where I was actively and openly rejecting and denouncing the Roman Catholic Church all of the time. It was not until Sixth Form that I began to truly think about what religion was perhaps the best for me. Whist I had rejected the Catholic way, I still saw myself as a deeply religious and spiritual individual. I have always had a feeling of 'something greater' in the world. That just was not God or Jesus. My gripe extends far beyond the word limit of this blog so I will not go into it.

I started with Buddhism and various other meditation/reincarnation orientated religions. I was perhaps led to this because of a massive fear of death I had. The belief in reincarnation really helped me with that. While I rarely worry about such a trivial thing, when I do, I can just consider such things as reincarnation and rebirth and I am fine. Buddhism stayed with me for a few years. During this time and for a great number more years, I have always been interested in New Age and Spiritualistic Faiths and Religions. These include Wicca, Witchcraft, Paganism and all those in-between These were more of an interest to me than something I truly considered at the time.

 

It has only been until recently that this desire to find my religious and spiritual path growing. There is always a feeling that whist me earthly body is happy and fulfilled, my spiritual one has no grounding and guidance. For me this is really important. I desire this sense of spiritual focus and direction. There has been this feeling of emptiness for the last 3 or so years, perhaps more. This may be due to the imbalances I have had in my earth bound life. This is now, for perhaps the first time ever, happy and stable. I could never effectively practise and preach my beliefs because they were not constant, in disarray and under pressure from my life. 

Even now, there are few certainties. However, I am happy. I am ready to face the world and have a life. My girlfriend mentioned that she thinks I have changed. I agreed with her but I feel it is simply me growing up and changing for the better. Becoming that happy person I have always sought but never found. 

I have always loved Nature, animals and the connection between nature and the earth. I believe in the spirit of the forest and the nature of good in the world. I believe in ghosts, spirits and the paranormal. I believe in reincarnation. I believe in the the chi and balance of good and evil in the world. I believe in evil and its existence as a negative entity in the world, causing war, famine, greed and unhappiness. It is not necessarily about believing in God's and hierarchy. It is simply the appreciation of the world as an entity and as a life force.

In the Native American Culture and Religion, animals and Nature are sacred and are represented as spiritual entities. I simply feel that in the western world we live in today, the values of such things are largely ignored. Why can't someone appreciate the sanctity of nature and the spirit of the animal whist working in an office?

This blog has been clearly developing as some of you may have seen. I am in no way abandoning it but there may be an assortment of both religious exploration as well as the usual alternative comment. I refer you back to a few posts ago, describing the nature of this blog as a mind sorting tool over anything.

I therefore leave you with this video. You will probably know it. 

1.14 always gets me!

Punk-The Image vs The Attitude

Can an attitude define an image? Does an image define an attitude?

Punk is the personification of anti-culture, anarchy and revolution. It has a unique image and a rather cult/iconic status. For those of you that have seen 'This is England' may have an idea of what Punk is.

So can an image formulate an attitude. Images formulate opinions, especially by others. We judge what we don't know and we stereotype. If she has a mile high mohawk or he has more chains than a bicycle through his face, they must be bad. They couldn't possibly be friendly or civil.

Why not?

We are a culture of judgers. We see what we want to see. Nobody has the freedom to express themselves. Not unless they wish to be judged. While Punk is a particular example, it applies to most alternate things. That of a different mindset. Often a more free and liberal one. While many subcultures are powered by music, a fashion element has to come in too. You should like the clothes if you wear them. You also need to feel comfortable and confident in them. If you don't, your lack of confidence will show, trust me!

As far as an attitude goes,Punk is a great example of two prevailing attitudes (Again, watch 'This is England'). One being the fashion and music side. The other being the political side of things. This is where the anarchic, revolutionary and at times, Nazi elements come in. A music can make you feel one way but does not necessarily make you go and be an anarchist. It is just a song. For others, it does exactly that. Think of it as a lay and active population. 

So while one may wear one thing, they may act another. We can judge but I always give someone a chance, at least. There has been times when the most punked up person in the world was on a bus. I'm sure to some he looked scary. But he gave up his seat for an old lady and was talking to some kid about why he had paint and spikes on his jacket :)

Its all about perception. Surely the most ant-expectancy you could do is dress like the end is nigh but be the most friendly, genuine and chatty person in the world!

Baby Bats-Don't judge

Baby Bats are the younglings of the Goth world. They are just getting into the scene and of course there are times when their attire is cringe worthy. Their attitude shitty and their general persona is poor. If they are going around giving those of the truly darkly inclined a bad name, it is just the way it is.

Don't Judge! If I had half the balls to do and dress like that at their age, things may be different for me at 21. Some will, yes, grow out of it. But for those who last the initial foray and the often inevitable bullying, they will become experienced and true-to-life Goths, embracing its true meanings.

It can be a little shocking, extreme and all too-much-too-quick. Alot of what Goth is to baby bats is a shocking reversal of societies expectancies. Hence why they are often every stereotype in the world thrown onto one person. There is no balance or moderation. They can be rude, ignorant and being just general nuisances.  However there are those who perhaps do more research and look past the Marilyn Manson image. Some, even at a really young age do pull it off well. They are, despite being young, really getting the idea of Goth. So don't knock it.

I think it takes alot of balls to define yourself and individualise yourself, especially in the mean place of school at such a young age. So don't judge or pity. Simply appreciate and congratulate.

Time-An Ever Passing Demon

'You always have time' is something my mother always said. Time to do what exactly is unknown but I guess I realise that more now than ever before. What one does with the time in a day is down purely to the individual. They can waste it or do something constructive with it. Again what one considers constructive usage and time wasting is down to the individual.

I think when I don't have something I must do immediately or imminently I will waste a large proportion of my time. While I while away this time on the laptop mostly, there numerous things I could do. This perhaps is a gripe towards University and the severe lack of contact time but I am not going to start on that gripe now. I guess I really want a job. A real job. 9-5 Monday to Friday. Call me boring and no it's not very unique at all but I guess if I don't have this I can find myself wasting so much time, or at least not using it to the full of my advantage. The part of the day I look forward to when I am not at work or uni is when I go to pick my gf up at 4pm. That breaks up my day. What I do from 9-4 is effectively very little. I am just really bored these days. I don't feel motivated to do anything. I have no projects on the go, no money to start any and a dire lack of motivation to go for a run etc.

While I am content to just stay on YouTube etc all day, this just is not very good. What I can do about this is unknown right now. I have essays and dissertations due in a month time so I will get cracking on them soon but I mean in general, I just feel demotivated.

So I am hoping to get a job, so that I can live for the weekend. No harm in that, unless of course I win the lottery! While I may be bored, I am still happy and at times it is just nice to sit and chill. Sitting outside like I am now is actually really nice. I feel better for being outside. I love the outdoors and I reckon I am probably going stir crazy and getting a bit claustrophobic :P

Guest Feature-Photo shoot with Nathaniel Johnston of Abney Park

I found this article while looking for kilt Pictures. It is a great example of how a costume can become everyday wear and how we can dress items up or down irrespective of their value. We can spend loads on items we never wear. Surely it is best to wear them to death to justify the cost.

'Nathan wears this kilt onstage with Abney Park at shows, but he can easily dress it down with an old band shirt and bashed-up military boots. He had the kilt made by a local artisan from $60-a-yard hand-loomed wool fabric acquired from a renaissance faire in California. Nathan's outfit is an excellent example of how you can take an item on which you spent a lot of money and make it worth every cent, and for more than just dress-up. While dressing in expensive clothing every day might be considered bourgeois or pretentious (remember, we're not hipsters), making certain you get every possible use out of a clothing item is actually wise and thrifty. It's also considerably more respectful to a hand-made garment to actually wear the thing out rather than stash it away in your wardrobe for special occasions only.

Also, notice Nathan's mismatched green socks with the plaid kilt--proof you can mash-up your stripes and plaids and still look incredibly put-together.

I additionally want to note the aspects of goth and punk fashion in Nathan's outfit--they're respectfully executed, but subtle. It is perfectly ok to borrow clothing motifs you like from other subcultures, and this specific subculture has a lot in common with goth/punk. See my article called "Paint it Brass" in Issue #4 of Steampunk Magazine if you disagree. And, as Bruce Sterling says here:'

You can view the whole article hear.

The Normality of the World, The Irregularity of Perception

How I see the world will differ from how you or anyone else sees the world. How anyone else sees the world will differ to how I see the world.  This leads to great diversity. A great multitude of attitudes and opinions, not all of which are shared. However, despite the individual perceptions we all have our ourselves and others, we all have an innate ability and desire to conform to a pre-determined aesthetic. This may be what is on the racks at Topman or River Island. Or whatever suit seemed the best value for money at BHS or Primark. We all conform in our own ways to society, peoples expectations/judgements and what work expects of us.

We ar all sheep, following what we are told to

There has to be an occasion where one must break the mould. How this is done is up to you. It does not need to be what you wear. It can simply be your attitude or a spring in your step. A smile is a great way of breaking up the lines!

It all boils down to happiness. What are you happy wearing? How are you happy acting?  Confidence in ones self is apparent in anyone. I am really big on good customer service. I think someone who is happy in themselves is happier on a regular basis than those who are just sad, boring and droll. 

Happy with you-Happy in life

I am happy in me, and getting more confident in me every day. Yes it is a gradual progress and it does require effort but on a day to day basis, no matter what I am wearing, I am happy. I try to smile, be polite, helpful and kind, whether i'm in just jeans and a hoodie or top hat and a kilt. 

You never know what will happen. Dressing in a weird way attracts attention. That's just the world we live in. By being grumpy, dark and looking like you worship Satan is not going to get you any brownie points. Nor will it gain you any hardcore Goth points. And even if you do worship the devil, there is still no harm in smiling or being just a decent human being. Surely? So on the street, in my job, and hopefully in life, I try to be happy. To shake off those negative perceptions and stereotypes people have of the darkly inclined. 

If it's the shock factor you want, then is it not more shocking to go against the stereotype of mopey, evil Gothic and be a happy and friendly Goth who smiles, laughs and is genuinely nice. Now that's shocking.

I will leave you with this video. I have posted it before but I just think it's a great vid.

Pinterest-The Interactive Pin Board

Pinterest is a new and growing phenomenon. The idea is that you can 'pin' images from anywhere on the web. You can create boards of anything displaying all sorts of things. It is like a facebook of images. It really is quite neat. Its excellent for creating mood or idea boards. Its all about making an easy access picture screen. It's great!

The Staple Item

Every outfit has a theme. Something that inspired it. Something where the focus is on that particular thing. Something that brings the whole look together. Something that completes the image. It can sometimes be something small, other times it's right in your face. It is the something that without it the look just would not work or just would not look right.

When I try to conceptualise an outfit or a look I first think of what I want to achieve. Then the occasion. While some things are great at one place, they may not work, or will have to be toned down to work elsewhere. There are of course outfits that only work all together. Others can be adapted or dressed down/up. Others are rather universal and it is that one item that just works with everything.

This item can be small or large. A necklace to a coat, a hat to a belt. What makes it special is the focus it brings to the outfit. Sometimes the whole outfit is visually stunning and therefore it is the idea that makes it fantastic. I don't like copying looks or style. I look at an image or style and try to make it my own. If I see someone wearing a particular thing or even doing something unusual with something normal (like using a tie as a belt) I may utilise the idea but personalise it.

I think a look is only as good as the idea and the effort put behind it. Not every look has to be time consuming and elaborate. However there are times when you can tell if time has been invested into it. This includes everything from hair, make-up (if applicable), accessories and gadgets (more a cyber/steampunk thing).

DIY items are also great, if done well. My jacket, a leather biker one, is all Punked up and similar to the one pictured above. Sometimes even the simplest things can look great. I cut the sleeves off a top and it looks 10 times better.



Time and effort can often pay dividends.










Draw inspiration from anywhere. Whilst there is a fine line between costume and clothes there is artistic licence within the alternate subculture. It is up to you. Just be sure of you. Why not create a story or background to your image inspiration. I love the Warhammer 40'000 universe as well as lots of Sci-Fi. I draw my cyber and industrial ideas from that. I couldn't list all of them hear but anything that inspires you can be a focal point for an outfit. Mood boards are a great way to bring ideas together.

Just have fun with the look and just be happy and confident in yourself. If you are happy in it, go for it. Be yourself :)

Punk and Goth-Rebellion Does Not Always Have to be 'Bad or Anti'

Goth came from the Punk Subculture of the 70's and 80's. It has developed alot since them and each is now its own specific subculture with it's own looks and music. Punk was always about revolution, 'sticking it to the man' and being against the normal fold of society. No they were not all communists but it did grow out of the Thatcher era and the resentment felt by many towards her and the Tory government of the day.

The Punk style is unique and has alot to to with non-conformity and rebellion. Mohawk's, DIY clothing,Safety Pins, Patches and Dental Floss Stitching were common. Goth simply took this idea and made it darker. 

I am not aware of the verity of Punk styles as there are for Goth's but I am sure there are categories. 

JUST A QUICK NOTE! WHILE THE TERM NAZI-PUNK IS COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH PUNKS, NOT ALL PUNKS ARE NAZIS! SOME MAY BE BUT SO TO MAY THERE BE NAZI GOTH'S OR CHAVER'S OR SKATER'S. BEING A PUNK DOES NOT MAKE YOU A NAZI!

There are occasions where an overlap can occur between Goth and Punk and I see no problem with this. As I said, Goth grew out of Punk so at some point there has to be an overlap. Deathrock, Fishnet Arm warmers, Buttons and Pins are very similar in style. Doc Martens are Punk must haves but have again crossed over to some Gothic circles.                                                                                     

In these pics I think there is a nice crossover of Goth and Punk.

While some people will disagree, I think one cannot ignore the history of something and where it came from. The roots of anything are important and so an appreciation of this can highlight the development of its style.

So why is there such a stigma. The association with the meaning of Punk or Goth for that matter is never a positive one to the layman. The term 'punk kids' or 'suicidal goth's' is misconception most take for fact. Punks are anarchist trouble makers and Goth's are just suicidal depressives. 

This goes back to the label debate. How we label and conceive something affects our perception of it. Especially if one does not understand the full ramifications or just knows the stereotypes. Perhaps someone is a Goth because they like the music and clothes or someone dresses Punk because they love Mohawk's and Doc Martens. There does not always have to be a political cause to it. 

Perhaps the revolution of the individual is against the unkind and cruel world they see. They go against the fold and become a Buddhist. This is a revolution to the accepted norms of ignorance and cruelty in our world today. By dressing punk they reflect this. What's to say that the way people dress influences their behaviour. This may make me seem like a crazy idealist but wouldn't it be great if we did not judge a book by it's cover but by the depth of its content. 

Perhaps I am missing the point. While many Punks dress the way they do because of some 'anti' message they wish to convey; perhaps people just need to change and be more accepting. Give them a chance. If I dress like a chain covered Goth, does that make me an evil person. No, but the perception exists that makes me evil.

I do not think I can change the world either by this blog or by myself. However if I make an effort then at least that's one trying out of the 60 Million in the UK and 6 Billion in the world. 

Looking Forward to the Life I Never Had

Can you really re-live your childhood. No! They call it a mid-life crises. However I do often wonder why certain things are confined to certain times in ones life. A Gothy image is often associated with some disaffected teen who has issues (or so the stereotype goes). They are simply phases. Someone then entering this style in their late teens, twenties or older is simply some poser who has no grounding in the scene and is therefore just a pretender.

The Extreme?

Looking through the internet one is perplexed by the variety of the 'alternate' scene. I am happy and confident in the knowledge that I am and always have been at the very least, 'alternate'. The advantage of this label is the ability to mix and match. It allows for adventure, creativity, uniqueness and flair and does not pigeon hole you down one narrow minded viewpoint. While some days you may look more Gothic, others more Grungy and some days you may just have jeans and a hoody on (like today :P).

I have been hear for over 21 years. I have been aware for about 10 of them and only truly enlightened for about 6 of them. So if I wager I have another 60 years at least to go then I have at least a good grounding of knowledge but not necessarily experience. But I love seeing 30 and 40 year old's embracing their dark side. Yes, you can't do it every day and you can't do it at work so oh fe but while the freedom I have had over the last 5 years has gone largely unused, I am confident that this will change.

I am determined to be me and be happy. Especially in my image and what I do with life.

Public Relations-Be yourself and don't adopt an attitude

The stresses of finding a job, somewhere to live and graduating successfully are all issues at the moment. Me and my girlfriend are working together to make a happy life together. It can be annoying, stressful and upsetting at times but one needs something to look forward to in life. Be that the weekends, holidays, evenings  or even just spending all the time we can together. I will never loose sight of the important things in life. Sometimes it is the simple things.

I guess it all goes back to a previous post about effort. Sometimes the effort is needed to change a look, style and subsequent perception of you. This is then twinned with consistency. My interest will always remain and given time I am sure it will become the norm. Its all a mater of gradual patience.

Busy Two Days

Well I have decided that from tomorrow and continuing on into Thursday I am going to write both of my small essays. 3000 words each with at least 30 odd references. I can do it! Then I get a break over the weekend and full attention can turn to my dissertation. Just remember...full effort for only 6 more weeks. 2:2 :P

Sex, Drugs, Image and the Life I've Had So Far

Sorry for not posting. Family holiday to the lakes.

Well only six weeks to go! The end of uni is in sight. I can't wait to get out of uni. But why? This has been the sum up of my life. I can't wait to get out of this, that or the other. I hated secondary school and sixth form. I went to uni hoping everything would change. It didn't and I know now that it was my fault that I did not make things happen.

While I do not think I have led a boring and uneventful life, on the contrary, I simply feel I could of done more, enjoyed who I was or at least who I wanted to be. I never really did the things kids do. I have had a happy life and perhaps I did not do those 'normal things normal kids do' because I am not normal and such activities were never me. I don't think I ever really had those teenage rebellion years of anti-everything. I have always had few friends and seemed to always go from one thing to another without much care for what had been. From what I remember, year 9 was one of my best years at school. I had a huge group of friends, all like me socially outcast, odd, weird and just generally uncool and unpopular. I fit right right in. While at the time I never yearned to be popular (and I still don't) but I do wonder what could have been. If I were more confident in myself.

I certainly would of dressed differently, made more of an effort to bring out my Gothy side and portray it to the world. I would of been out every weekend with friends doing what skaters, Goths and Emo's do with their weekends, Being generally weird and having a care free attitude. I was always a forward thinker; a man with a plan. That plan was always the Army. Deep down, although I never committed to the Army, I do not regret my obsession about it and it has massively influenced both my life and who I am today.

I do not have any regrets. While I wonder what could have been, I know I can never do it again. Renaissance is all I have. They are fond memories and while there is rough, smooth and baggage, it is all part of my life. Even with three years of university under my belt, I only now feel a need to live life to the max. I never seized the opportunities presented to me in my youth and so I am determined to do it now. My interests have of course always changed but the general theme of 'the different' has always remained.

As for the title, well I have had my fair share of sexual experience and have never done any hardcore drugs. While drinking and smoking is a social thing, other things such as cocaine and LSD just aren't my thing anyway. I am a victim of being uptight, tightly wound and can never really just chill and be care free. It just is not and never has been me. I have high stress levels and get angry or frustrated easily. Again these are all things I want to change.

Change is a recurring theme throughout this blog. I believe constructive change is great but fundamental change is not. We can all work to improve ourselves. This is good and not detrimental. However we must never forget who we are inside.  One must never change who they are for anything or anyone. We must remain true to ourselves. If like me you feel different on the inside than you are on the outside then try to be who you are on the inside Let your true feelings prevail.

Happiness is a personal thing. What makes me happy may not make me happy or vice versa. Providing we are happy in ourselves, then happiness in life will follow. Don't compromise

Change with Seasons

It is definitely becoming hot. Summer is just around the corner, we are certainly in spring and winter is long gone. I don't know why but the change of the big two seasons, summer and winter always bring big changes for me. Think of them as half way marks, 6 months of each. As my friend pointed out, we are 3 months in to 2012. A quarter of the year is gone. As usual alot has changed since this point last year while some has stayed the same. Those changes have been both positive and negative. Constructive and destructive. I am still ultimately happy and now that uni is nearly over, I am looking forward to entering the real world.

As we change, like the seasons and the weather we all develop as people as a whole. Time and experience creates the individual. I, like my girlfriend, wants happiness, success, relative wealth and an enjoyable life. We do not want to be millionaires (it would be nice). We just want a life together.

The last few summers have been interesting times of change and development for me. Summer is often the beginning of a new start, especially in the academic timetable. I do not think I have never stuck with a summer new start, not like a new years resolution. Summer has always been a time of upheaval. Of change, of new opportunity. What those opportunities will be are unknown and unforeseen. This year is the year of the unknown and of great uncertainty. Leaving university, finding somewhere to live, getting a job and keeping it is something only really 2 months away. Time is ticking.

Doing Something New-Letting Go, Just For a Bit

I am back in the coffee shop again. But this time I am on my jollies :) I have finished work for two weeks and I am off to the lakes this weekend. Me and my Girlfriend are ready for intrepid adventures in the wilderness. I got her some good kit so we are both really looking forward to it.

Sometimes it is just great to get away from it all. Not that life is TOO stressful at the moment but still. A get away is never bad.

This is not us! :P

But sometimes people forget how important it is to let go of reality and enjoy something different. Forget the image, style and labels and just go off on a no pressure excursion. Wherever you go, no one knows you and no one really cares about what you look like. I love the outdoors and the lakes. I have all the kit because I am really into it, and not just to look ally on the mountain. I guess the same can be said about any activity, hobby or sport etc. It is simply that. An interest. A chance to let go of everything else and enjoy doing something different to the usual 9-5.

I am a very sporty person (At least I like to think I am). I have tried my hand at everything going over my life from Karate, Rugby, football, Golf, Cricket etc. I would get really into it then leave. I am like that. But one thing that has always stayed constant is my running. While I do desperately need to get back into running, I still have a very good baseline of fitness. Yes, I own sportswear. Expensive stuff at that. I have golf clubs too, which are not cheap. I like playing when I can but that's not very often. But my point is that doing something different and totally unrelated to ones lifestyle is neither a bad thing or unhealthy.  

I use sport as an example but anything is better than nothing. Writing, Reading, Playing Warhammer or something like that. Listening to music or going to gigs. Skateboarding, Parkour, Singing. It's not extensive but it's simply something you do that isn't necessarily linked to your subcultural attachment. It allows you to branch out and try new things. Things you may not have been exposed to. 

Carpe Diem-Seize the day and make you lives extraordinary.

Video vs Writing-The Pro's and Con's of the Two Mediums

There is so many blog's on the internet it is amazing. There are blogs about anything and everything. You name it, it's on there. It raises to the fold an interesting question. What is the best form of communication. A video blog or a written one?

This of course is a written blog (or typed for the pedantic of you). It made me think of each and the advantages of them. Video blogs arguably take less effort as you can just talk as opposed to type. But they are devoid of spelling mistakes and are by their nature more engaging. I myself would much rather watch a video of something I wanted to find out about rather than read something. It is not that the written ones are boring, of couse not. I think it is a personal laziness to it.

On the flip side, I am through this blog a faceless and nameless individual. Unless I put a picture of myself up you will never know what I look like. And even then you may never know how I sound or what I talk like or all that stuff. That may be good for some people, especially those who do not want their image on the WWW.

A video blog allows the full expression of the words to be seen by the viewer as well as the feelings and emotions of the blogger to be displayed, circa live, at that moment. That could be both an advantage and a curse. If for example it is a rant or one is upset, you may say something you regret as opposed to simply re-editing and deleting a typed comment or post. I know you can edit videos but for simplicity I am talking about off-the-cuff postings.

Each I guess will have their pro's and con's. Each will have their own fan base. That is inevitable. Personally while I like watching video blog's more, I will, for this blogg, maintain a written one.