I’ve been practicing all week for this weekend’s reading at Dorian’s Parlor. Actually, you could say I started practicing last weekend, when my husband and I learned how to dress me up in my costume. Yes, it took two of us. All those movies you’ve seen where a servant or a sister has to lace up the heroine’s corset while she hangs on to the bed post? Completely accurate! The part you don’t usually see in the movies is the husband using Google to figure out how to lace up the corset in the first place.
After I got into the corset and skirt, I had to get into the car – not that easy a task when your body doesn’t bend normally, and thank heavens I wasn’t driving! Bob drove me to my mother’s, because she claimed she’d put together the perfect hat to go with my outfit. And wow, she was right!
Do you want to see a picture?
Well, sorry. You’re going to have to wait for the unveiling at the steampunk ball. I’ll probably post on Twitter and Facebook during the event – and then blog about it on Monday. (Oh, wait a minute. I’ll have no place to keep my Droid, I just realized. Maybe Bob will hold it for me?)
I’ve also been practicing my reading. I decided to focus on Maggie Fox’s beaux, Philadelphia native, Dr. Elisha Kent Kane. After all, he’s buried just a couple miles away from where we’ll be. I only have ten minutes, which is perfect for reading the story of how he fell through the ice with his sled dogs. Hopefully, the audience will appreciate that most of the story is told in his own words (although my editors made me trim him down – they found him too wordy, LOL!).
Speaking of Dr. Kane, my husband will be in costume, too, and he asked the costumers to get him something as close to Kane’s naval uniform as possible. I didn’t get to see the fitting, so the whole ensemble will be a surprise to me tomorrow.
I can hardly wait, although I am a little nervous. I keep envisioning the Pirates of the Caribbean movie where Elizabeth can’t breathe in her corset and falls off the parapet …
Can’t wait to see pics 🙂
There are two enemies of great writing; English teachers and editors. I am guilty of one but not the other. The first forces people to write words they never wanted to write; the second forces people to unwrite words they’ve always wanted to write.
This year the student I coached in the speaking contest was clearly the most popular by audience reaction but she went over time; last year the student I coached won on points but lost because he went seven seconds over time. Maybe, editors do have value or maybe my students just needed more time.
Good luck on your reading. Considering my track record on public speaking, I won’t give you any advice.
Oh, have fun at the ball! Can’t wait to see the pics. 🙂
hi miss dianne! you got me lauging at mr bob having to get on google to figure out how to get you laced. ha ha. my brother sebi said there another way you could get laced befor you gotta get up and talk but he didnt say what he means??? i cant wait to see how you look. maybe cause its hard bending into a car you could get a horse and buggy then you just gotta climb up. im thinking it could be soooo cool it you could do a video so then you could do a vlog for monday. wow that would by way cool for sure. i just know your gonna be the hit of the night. i hope you have lots of fun!
remember you gotta breath! ha ha
…hugs from lenny
It sounds like so much fun! I hope you have a wonderful time.