today, I have questions -- rude people, hp things, women

[rm]

1. Why does anyone ever think it's a good idea to clip their nails on the subway? Especially while listening to an iPod and playing video games on their mobile. Not sexy. Also, upon completion of nail clipping, why would anyone ever then proceed for forcibly brush the nail debris off themselves and onto the surrounding passangers. Why?

2. I'm dying my hair again. Very dark brown or black. Any recommendations that _are not_ Feria, which I think looks flat and terrible on me? I realize this is absurd since I'm dying it close to black, and you all know why, but I don't want to look like a goth. Not blue black. No.

3. I am thinking that one of my Phoenix Rising costumes should be Snape as quidditch ref. I think this is brilliant. It, however, presents several logistical problems, both more and less funny than the "where do I find a vulture?" problem.
(a) Recommendations for folks who make brooms other than Alivans? I may still go with Alivans, but I want to browse.
(b) Broom won't fit in luggage; broom can't be carry on (I imagine it's like the rules for cricket bats, and yes, there are rules for cricket bats) -- surely you HP'ers with quidditch costumes have run into this problem. How do I get a broom on a plane? Or do I have to mail it to a friend who is driving and then mail it back to myself?
(c) I can't find my copy of the book (lame, I know) with Snape quidditch ref scene -- is there anything specific about costuming or broom in there?

4. Latest terrorism drama -- real or overblown? I mean, yesterday the news was freaking out over Egyptian students who got lost at the airport. All I could think watching the news this morning was "Terrorism Alert Ernie."

5. There are signs all over St. Patricks requesting respectful attire and for people not to take photos during mass or use cellphones in there. So what is up with the short shorts and the phones going off during mass? I'm not even Catholic and won't go in there if my knees aren't covered, because it's RUDE. Also, if you needed somewhere quiet to do you homework, would you really do it in the Lady Chapel (come on, Starbucks has better air conditioning), and then leave in a huff of irritation when you discover a service is about to start in there? I mean, what is up with that?

6. Why does pretty much every corporate entity of any size think women only want to talk about husbands, children, make-up and food? And why have women acquiesced to this so eagerly? Judy's Book is making my head spin like in The Exorcist this week. Also, I worked in PR and Maketing for 10 years -- I know moms are a highly sought after demographic. Guess what? Gay people have huuuuuuge disposable incomes and are also a sought after demographic. Grrrrr. (See drama here: http://www.judysbook.com/members/33817/posts/2006/8/429345/)

7. What are your questions?

Comments

[fleur.livejournal.com]

For some reason, every female in our office is automatically on the mailing list for the Working Moms Network email that comes out once a month or so. I have asked to be taken off of it, or more to the point why I was ever on it in the first place, and they gave me some claptrap about how all women know someone who is a mom. Well gee, if they work here, they're already getting your damned newsletter, and if they don't, they don't qualify for any of your cutesy little meetings or whatever in the hell it is you do, so stop sending it to those of us with no kids!!

[alabastard.livejournal.com]

I dyed my hair some years back in a mid-life crisis, but it turned out "goth" black and not the very dark brownish black I'd intended, as my hair takes too well. The hair finally took 5 hours under bleach to return to my blonde, and while the scalp was blistered, the hair was fine, being apparently made of iron. Clairol makes some gorgeous shades of deep dark brown, and their colour is superior to Feria.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the tip.

That experience sounds horrific. I've only been blonde twice, and it looks cute but I can't deal with the upkeep. Also, ultimately, it's not who I am on a daily basis so I confine it to wigs now.

I'm so glad someone else hates Feria. It's what everyone seems to recommend, and I've tried several shades of it over the years and I loathe it. I think people are too turned on by the shiny shiny boxes.

[alabastard.livejournal.com]

Feria is awful, tried it once and burned my scalp. I'm the same, but with the dark hair. I liked it, but it wasn't me, so I want a nice wig to wear from time to time.

[drfardook.livejournal.com]

re: #5

I'm guessing its a matter of St. Patrick's being seen more as a tourist attraction than the church that little archbishop dude actually does his churchy stuff out of. I'm not sure if they realize it really, honestly, and truely is an active cathedral.

[rm.livejournal.com]

They do mass 5 times a day! It's hard to miss! Especially while it's happening!

[miep.livejournal.com]

honey, some people don't even understand that the theater is not a movie, and may think that the guy int he pointy hat and the parishoners are the Catholic version of Benihana.

you should have seen me trying to cover my hair with a stocking cap to go into the blue mosque...

[mobobocita.livejournal.com]

I use Herbal Esscence, but I tend to go for Egyptian plum which is a purplish shade of dark red.

Have you considered just going to a salon?

Drama: Overblown. We have to be reminded it's still there and a threat every now and again.

[zarq.livejournal.com]

1. Why does anyone ever think it's a good idea to clip their nails on the subway?

I hate, hate HATE that sound. It's worse than fingernails on a blackboard as far as I'm concerned. People who clip their nails on the train should be summarily removed and shot.

I used to ride the 7 train every day. One woman would board at Junction Blvd every day, do her makeup (including eyelash curling,) and comb her hair. Sometimes she'd get on with a toothbrush in her mouth. A few times she actually asked a random person "Can I just lean on you for a second?" and put on hose. I'll give her this, though... she never clipped her nails on the train.

I wonder what the hell possesses someone to do such things in public. :(

[rm.livejournal.com]

I've done my makeup on the train, but that doesn't involve bodily debris, you know?

[magnetgirl.livejournal.com]

I do my makeup on the train all the time. But I wear so little, it's like: under eye touch up, t-zone-lil' bit 'o eyeshadow, mascara, then a bit of lippy.

Ian is always amazed that I don't gouge my eyes out with the mascara wand. It's all about bracing the bottom of your hand against your face and using just finger waggling to get the mascara on. Not like you needed tips, but I felt like sharing :)

[pennswoods.livejournal.com]

Regarding the broom thing, I wonder if you can have a disassembleable broom so that the handle is in three sections that can be screwed apart or together (much like the little swiffer mops are).

Also, perhaps it's best not to try to go carry-on. Racing brooms, like snowboards, skis and other sporting paraphenia, might best travel when checked as oversized luggage. You might also be able to design or alter a skibag or something to function as a broombag with patches for different quidditch teams. (I wonder who Snape supports?)

Now, I'll bet that would look cool! Alivans or Whimsicalley should so get into the broombag business.

[rm.livejournal.com]

You know, I know someone who makes this fabulous costum yoga mat bags that I always say look like they should be for a bow and arrow instead. Maybe I should drop her a note.

Any suggestions on where to find a cool broom? There's one at Alivans I like, but I've seen some much more imposining ones at fan events and can't figure out where they've come from.

[pennswoods.livejournal.com]

Yes, the maker of yoga mat bags is a brilliant idea.

Unfortunately, I'm a witch who prefers apparating over flying and thus have not investigated broom selections anywhere. I wonder if there isn't an LJ community for that...

[rm.livejournal.com]

I should probably ask on the HP costuming community, but I like to do a thorough search first, as there's no reason to make someone else do my research, although it's looking like it's time to inquire. I've seen brilliant, _massive_ replica's of the brooms from movie 3 and I have no idea where they're coming from. Of course, Snape probably wouldn't have something that snazzy, but that's a seperate issue.

[pennswoods.livejournal.com]

LOL! Snape would have a greasy black broom.

[cookie-cm.livejournal.com]

Q1. Over the years I have been shocked and disgusted at the many places I have been witness to this (nail clipping)in any other place than appropriate. In classes, during lectures, the movies, waiting rooms, to name just a very few. Why people do this boggles me, but I have no problem giving them a good hard stare down with a frowned brow.
*Grrr says me*

Q6. I hate to say, but most women I know do discuss these things. I know, I am in a very limited 'pool' area, and this is why I choose to not have female friends. Small tangent: I broke down the other night and actually watched an episode of Sex & the City. (I had never seen before, always no interest). Curiosity got to me..and I was horrified. I am would by no means describe myself an an intellect, but I felt much better about myself for not being able to identify myself with them, as far as daily conversations & thoughts.

[miep.livejournal.com]

orderofmerlin.com has adult size qdditch brooms, but alas, not collapsible ones.

[rm.livejournal.com]

This is the Alivan's one I am currently trying to resist (or I want to find one of the cool looking racing brooms instead -- I've seen people with them, but I don't know where they got them): http://www.alivans.com/files/siennastorm_210.jpg

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

CLipping one nail if you've just shattered it is barely tolerable, if you take care to not fling the bits at other people. Your whole hands? Ugh.

I ran into a woman the other day who was using nailpolish on the subway. By the time I figured out where the asthma-causing stench was coming from, she'd closed up and was fanning her fingers, and I didn't feel like shouting across half a subway car.

IIRC there was nothing specific in the books about Snape-referee costuming, nor has there been any general mention of 'referees must wear stripes' or any such.

SPorts equipment bags can often be found at thrift stores, and one might hold a broom. I don't know where to get brooms.

I too get excessively dark and flat results from Feria, and never recommend it. Of the over-the-counter stuff, I like Garnier these days, but I'm using reds, and haven't been brunette in a decade or more.

I vote the latest drama is totally overblown, since they're now saying no liquids in carry-on. That's just insane.

I can only assume that moms, particularly ones who can afford to stay at home, are a desirable demographic partly because their brains are a little bit "mommy-brain" from chasing babies and toddlers around, and thus might be more susceptible to marketing if they ever got the chance to see it? I have no freaking clue.

But last I checked, working women without kids, particularly single ones, had more cash to blow, sexual orientation or not. Maybe the marketers are all male and can't conceive of us wanting, say, cars and beer?

Hmmm..

[haya.livejournal.com]

2. I use Bigen powder (Asian shops or beauty supply), and I love it. They have a soft black and a deep brown and both are very rich colors. I use the blue black, mostly because it looks great with my skin.

I mainly use them because they don't fade easily, but the colors are best too.

6. I think it's just follow the money. These women heads of household, even if the man is at home and married, make most of the spending decisions. The clothes, the movies they see, the car they buy.

Everyone wants the big "get", even if the medium one will still set them up for life.

[fireincarnation.livejournal.com]

I'd suggest you go to Sally's to get hair dye. Not only is it cheaper and better than what you can purchase at a grocery store, but it also comes with free advice from licenced cosmotologists. (All store employees are cosmotologists.) That's where I go all the time.

[rm.livejournal.com]

I don't think we have that here. I've never head of it before but it sounds really interesting!

[fireincarnation.livejournal.com]

Maybe you could look for some other kind of beauty store aimed at professionals but open to the public. I think there are a couple more of that kind. Either way, good luck!

[graene.livejournal.com]

All I keep thinking is, Oh, please no, don't let that be me" on the mom issues.