diabolo menthe

Pilot of the Airwaves

2011-08-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

I heard a song this morning that I had not heard for years, and it prompted in me the memory of another thing that I had not thought about for years.

When I was fifteen I was obsessed with Duran Duran. I had just about every single piece of merchandise that you could possess, not to mention all of their albums on CD and most on vinyl. As a result of this love for them I would tune into a national radio show every night that played hits of the 80s. It was on very late, as the show itself was based in Seattle, and I remember having to keep it down so my mother wouldn't know I was still up so late sending requests, sometimes the same one over and over, to some radio show.

One night I actually had an e-mail back from the DJ. It was only something along the lines of "Thanks for all of the requests you send in, I'm sorry I can't get around to playing them all", and even though it was just a one-line thank you, for some reason I responded. I couldn't tell you now what I said, but he replied again, and it turned into a conversation that lasted the duration of the whole show. And then that turned into many conversations that would last the duration of every show.

I can't remember what we would talk about, or even explain why a thirtysomething gay male radio DJ would bother talking to a fifteen year old girl, but we talked almost every night for three years. When my first boyfriend and I broke up, he let me pick all of the songs for at least an hour; he once even rigged a phone-in competition so that I would the prize. Not to mention the fact that he promised me once that if Simon LeBon were ever on the show, he would let me ask some questions.

He was a really lovely man, and sadly when I moved away for university we just lost touch. All of a sudden I was in a time zone where it was far too late to be listening to the radio, and I had new and exciting things to do instead. It really makes me melancholy; it is like having a piece of you die as you grow older and don't need it anymore. I looked him up, under his radio pseudonym and his real name as well, but it yielded no results. I like to think he's doing something exciting these days, or has moved on to a bigger show. I would really love to get to talk to him again.

Anyway, wherever he is, this one's for him.

Clothes horse

2011-07-27T12:57:00.000-07:00

I don't make very much money, and as such I am rather limited in what fashion choices I need to make. Growing up I was spoiled; if I wanted something, I bought it, and this normally meant something around "I'll take one of everything, please", but as an adult I am now having to watch my pennies. In order to do so in a more responsible manner, I have decided to make a list of what items Ireally want for next season. Instead of plowing into the stores to let my eye wander over every possibility, I am going to start looking for key items that will be both lasting and versatile.

Black leather leggings (à la Escada, as pictured right)

These have been back in for a while, and I have been observing them from afar. Probably because I gained some weight at about the time they came back, and because they didn't really go with anything I owned. But now I know they're going to stick around, I find myself craving a pair. And good well-made leather never really goes out of style.

Something sequined

While I doubt I will be able to find anything as flattering and gorgeous as the dress picture here on Anja Rubik, I would love to find something both sequined and glamourous. Unfortunately sequins have a reputation for being too burlesque, too drag queen, or too Golden Girls to be cool, but every now and again you find something stunning like this. A part of me wants to say that sequins are great because they work at any age, but the other part of me wants to warn anyone over 50 away from them. Snakeskin, on the other hand...

Something yellow

Yellow is a dangerous colour for many - certain shades can easily wash out even some of the darker toned people - but in small doses it can also enliven a really boring outfit. For me I would prefer either shoes or a handbag, as my pale skin tone cannot really support it too close to my face, and I like what this woman has done here. Neutral tones with a bit of a kick.

A pair of plain old-fashioned green Hunter boots

It rains a lot here. And snows. And in some shape or form the weather has managed to ruin every pair of leather boots I have ever owned, as well as a fair few trainers. This time around I am going to invest in something designed for the elements, whether it looks good or not.

I am wondering as I write this if I am the only person who puts this much thought and effort into what they wear. Not in the world, of course, but out of the people I know. I tend to roll with a crowd who have much better priorities than this, but it still would be interesting to know.

Anyone for tennis?

2011-07-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

After very little deliberation, J and I have decided that we now play tennis. Apart from the fact that I have only played tennis once or twice in my life, I thought that this might be a good idea. It is also my personal life crusade to be good at a "cool" sport, and not just ping pong and badminton.

So on Tuesday we made our first trip to the sports store to try and scope out some equipment. I did some preliminary research online to find out that if you've not played before then you should probably start with an idiot's $20 racquet and figure out your strengths and weaknesses from there. This worked for us, as our budget for Strange New Couples Activities is very limited.

His is black and mine is white and hot pink.

We also picked him up a pair of black shorts and so, never wanting to be outdone in anything, I had to go and find a new tennis skirt. On the left is the little gem that I picked up from the Maria Sharapova collection. It looks pretty good on, and made me realise that I do actually have a semblance of a tan.

And so to the actual playing. As a member of staff at the local University, I get free access to the tennis courts. Another bonus. It was reasonably busy; the court next to us was booked as well, which was a bit of a downer as I have wretched aim and indeed very nearly hit the man on the opposite court in the head at one point. He wasn't pleased, but they put up with us.

The only thing I could just about manage was a serve. Sadly my years of badminton have made me hit the ball far too high, and I have pretty weak control. Poor J, who has a bit more tennis experience than I do, was a bit frustrated with my inability to get a good rally going on, but I will improve (I hope). At any rate, we're going again tomorrow morning, so he can't have given up hope on me yet.

Come the fall I am hoping to be able to join the university tennis club and get some real lessons. Perhaps then I will be able to get to the point where I won't decapitate anyone and can relinquish the mantle of Martina Dingus.

Let us begin.

2011-01-30T08:32:00.000-08:00

Neither of us asked for this. When I first came to Nottingham in 2002 it was primarily to study, but also with a view to not having to leave again. My years at university were wonderful and fulfilling, and the life I built afterwards with my friends around me was perfection. In 2008 I was forced, through visa problems, to spend a year in the United States. This only reinforced my desire to get back home to England, which I did in the beginning of 2009. During that year I met my current partner, J, whom I moved in with in October of 2009. At the end of that year I was due to go back to the States, my visa in peril once more, until we decided that we were actually so fond of one another that we would not separate and would instead move to Canada.

We now find ourselves in a tiny flat, two streets up from the Atlantic Ocean, and very much on our own. We have been here for a year now, and the end is not in sight. As such, I have decided that it is high time to start writing about this mess, and try to do so with humour, tact, and perhaps growing affection. Should you end up reading all of this, I hope you enjoy the ride.