h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

[Amy P]

25th November

Postponed due to migraine, since the censor's still off and the software doesn't allow editing after saving. See you tomorrow, if fully lucid.

[Amy P]

25th November part 2.

The migraine went fullblown midafternoon. The worst bit of this is neither the pain, nor nausea, both of which are easily treated - if I do it early enough, that is. The absolute worst bit is the censor switching off. You know how vicious (verbally or otherwise) some people become when drunk? Picture that, but from somebody who's apparently sober and you're sure hasn't taken any drugs, nor are they mentally ill. The eyes can be a dead giveaway, but not through the entire migraine. It's bad enough to have lost me more than a few friends, who assumed that what I said and did with the censor off was what I was thinking the rest of the time.

That's not true. If you've been there, perhaps you'll know what I mean when I say that it's having the same social awareness as ever, but suddenly being driven to use that awareness to home in on every sore spot and hit hard, just for fun, even while remaining aware of how much it's going to hurt. This bit is untreatable, the only thing which can be done is isolation until lucidity returns.

26th November

Just sometimes, it's extremely useful to have a partner who can be relied on to give a completely honest opinion about an outfit. He's done art, so he's at least got a working grasp of colour, tone, and proportion.

Tonight was one of those times, trying to pick out something to wear for a register office wedding and reception on Saturday. Rich colours and ethnic ornate trimming were out - the mother of the groom goes for that. Pastels and skirt suits - meh.

What I've got is a trouser suit (just for once it's a petite one which is short enough as long as I wear high heels). Dark but narrow stripes of black and grey.

The bustier is pale grey satin, with a lot of white/clear diamantes sewn in a pattern on the front, just about visible under the jacket.

The shoes are black fake suede (boo!) peeptoes, on a 2" platform, with a 2" heel on top of the platform. They feel a lot more stable than you'd expect, stable enough to wear while using my camera.

Anyway, I'd got the top and the trouser suit on, asked if it was a bit much, and Him Indoors not only said "no", but was able to expand on the top being okay with something like that trouser suit, but if I'd put it with a skirt or something brighter or more decorated it'd be a bit OTT.

[Amy P]

27th November

Busy most of the day, without getting much done. Finalised details for Saturday. The minicab fare is a bit steep, but that's what you get when a partner is too disabled to use public transport.

Him Indoors is okay with what he'll be wearing (in spite of it including a tie), and I'll do a dry run of my outfit tomorrow night.

[Amy P]

28th November.

Differences in style shouldn't matter, but they do. Which is why I'm sat here with botched blue foil effect nail varnish.

Most of the time I dress for me, maybe for Him Indoors too, but tomorrow, I'm also dressing to try and prove something to the type of person whose opinions I wouldn't worry about. The type of person who thinks that being childless is basically unfeminine, a lack of grooming is unfeminine, being direct instead of indirect is unfeminine, and not showing up in full make up and finery is unfeminine.

This is frankly ridiculous. My life doesn't fit these standards. My skin protests at more than a few hours in full make up, polished nails are incompatible with manual work, and if I choose not to have had children, that was a choice for me and whoever I was with at the time and nobody else. Furthermore, being direct saves time and prevents misunderstanding.

Anyway, tomorrow's not about me. Beyond enabling Him Indoors to attend, my presence is optional and mostly tolerated. It'll be nice for him to be able to catch up with an old friend and their family, but I'm under no illusions about how welcome I am.

Still, go hard or go home. I'm going as me, a very polished version, but still me. Not in what would feel more like drag.

[Amy P]

29th November

Well, after meeting the bride in person instead of her internet persona, I'm no more enamoured of her than before. OTOH her husband is obviously besotted with her, and he's the one who's got to live with her.

On a more positive note, Him Indoors was happy to get there and catch up with his friend, as well as the excuse to use his camera. Apare a thought for the family of the groom who were in the kitchen all of yesterday, doing the sandwiches etc.

[Amy P]

Well done you for making all those efforts and glad Him indoors had a good catch up. I hope you have a restful Sunday, I am guessing you are going to be needing it.

30th November

Here we are again, perhaps for the last time until next November. If you were expecting something philosphical, insightful, or upbeat, look away now. Go on, shoo!


Have that lot gone yet? In that case, I'll start the final look at a random card.

It's a court card, and some of you know how I absolutely adore trying to get any sense out of them. Still, this is just for practice, and stretching what you can do is supposedly healthy, even if not always enjoyable at the time.

The Knight of Pentacles (coins or discs). This suit is generally associated with earth, practical matters, work, study, and money. Court cards in this suit are often used as significators for somebody with dark colouring, and the young man on this card is dark haired, dark eyed, and slightly sallow.

The hair is in a very short and unflattering but practical bowlcut. He's wearing a chainmail shirt, at least both sleeves of a suit of armour, and a green short sleeved tunic over the armour. He's only visible above the waist, and both hands are obscured, so it's difficult to see what he's doing. Long grass and daffodils (apparently these represent chivalry, in the language of flowers) are behind him. Presumably that's where his weapons are hidden, until needed.

People represented by this suit tend to be serious-minded, dependable, sensible, loyal, hardworking, and inclined to be plodders. Probably not be the most interesting person you know, but among the most useful to know and the best to call when things go wrong.

[Amy P]