Monday, January 28, 2013
Friday, January 4, 2013
Goth in the Public Eye: A Witch Hunt and A Quest for Peace (continued)
Part II
Not to sound cliche-anti-establishment, but people tend to be sheep-minded, brainwashed by their own television sets-- and it doesn't stop with skewed news coverage. For the most part, goth portrayal on TV hasn't really been all that nice. Disney channel, for instance, tends to depict goth kids as brutish, mean-natured, bullying, and unintelligent (at best clowns in black and at the very worst monsters to be feared) causing an unnecessary fear and bigotry of anyone that has a look outside of the realm of "normal" by both adults and children alike.
Of course, there have been some depictions that aren't as harsh- the Breakfast Club's Allison Reynolds (aka "the basket case," for instance. However, her role ultimately was that of the ugly ducking, something that needed to be 'fixed' in order to be happy.
On a happier note, a few times goth has been portrayed as fully functioning, normal people in a more positive light (or dark depending on what you fancy). NCIS's Abby Sciuto is intelligent, lovable, and happy. As the show has gained popularity, more and more people have been exposed to the idea that perhaps goths aren't scary, or mean, or satanic, or unintelligent-- in fact, Abby graduated with honors with a triple major and earned her masters in criminology and forensic science (sure, this is a bit unrealistic, but it's definitely inspiring).
It's as though a lightbulb turned on over the collective heads of the general public, that goths aren't so bad, which is kind of humerus that the general public needed a fictional black-clad lady on the tube to teach them that! Could it perhaps be argued that life imitates art? Or maybe we're living up to our primitive simian roots, paying homage to the expression "monkey see, monkey do."
It also seems to have worked in my favor when it comes to working with the public- at least 3 times a week I get "Hey, you look like that chick off that show." or "You look like that lady from CSI." My absolute favorite, however, was from a very kind gentleman, "I'm sure you get this all the time from the younger guys, but I have to say, you look very lovely and very Abby." A lot of my ladyfriends who sport a gothic ensemble and black bangs/fringe also get that. I've been asked if I get stares and jeers and rude remarks on my job due to my appearance. For the most part, no, surprisingly. Most of the folks who do comment are quite complimentary on my choice of jewelry, my makeup, or my overall look. I've had one person ask what goth was about (in a genuinely polite manner) and more than one sweet little elderly lady say that she just loves my 'goth look.' I've had very white-bread, suburban families (think Old Navy commercials) give a funny look or smirk, though that reaction was overshadowed after they realized I knew what I was doing. I'm happy, or at least kind of happy to report, that patients never seem to dislike me for my appearance, just when I tell them if there's something their insurance plan won't cover. :p
Of course, work is one story, but outside of a professional setting,
it can be different. I think that probably 99% of individuals who
consider themselves goth have had rude encounters with strangers, be it
insults from passing cars, or points and ever-so-obvious stares, or even
being watched like a hawk by a merchant or salesperson when trying to
shop. I could say that it doesn't hurt, and that it shouldn't matter,
but I'd be halfway lying. A few months ago I was at the local mall,
doing some shopping, wearing a new frilly black dress I found at a
Goodwill and some new accessories I'd gotten from eBay. I'd completed my
look with black lipstick. I was feeling quite happy, until I was
exiting the mall. A family walking in front of me, ranging in age from
maybe 40 down to 8, kept turing around, one by one, staring at me, and
whispering to one another. After the third of the party turned around, I
started to wave. Of course, at this point, they'd made a game of
smirking and laughing in their camouflage and mullet-clad superiority. I
yelled to them that their behavior was rude, though it was like talking
to a brick wall, and I, in turn, went home in a very depressed mood.
The moral of the story? Some people are just awful, and feel a need to
mock others behind the safety of anonymity. Those people may never see
me again (God willing) and there may never be repercussions for their
obnoxious behavior (aside from the slowly turning wheels of Karma), but
at the same time, that very fact, which they used to get away with such
behavior, was a consolation to me. They'll never see me again, and I will never see them again,
so why should it matter what their opinion is? They're obviously gurus
of a *ahem* different fashion sense, and would've acted in such a nasty
way to anyone else in my shoes, erm, boots. I learned not to take it personally. They would've been rude and nasty to anyone dressed like me. We obviously had different definitions of what looks good and what looks ridiculous.
I could've taken the low road, and jeered back, made comments about how badly the guy was balding, or how his wife looked like she could've passed for his sister, or how their kid looked like Honey Booboo--could've, and really wanted to, but I didn't. The world doesn't need any more negativity. So while it does hurt often (because we're all human beings and we all have feelings that are capable of pain), the people who cause that pain truly don't matter.
In short, if someone doesn't like you for something as irrelevant as your external appearance, never, ever, EVER, under any circumstance assume that there is some sort of problem with you- the only person(s) in the wrong are those who jump to conclusions and those who feel so insecure with themselves that they have to be mean to someone with a different mindset. Life's too short to let the insecurities of others get to you- keep living your life in the way that makes you most happy, and remember the golden rule, to treat others as you would want to be treated. It will make the gothic subculture look better and more importantly, it will make you feel better at the end of the day.
Jillian Venters, the Lady of Manners, said it best, that it's always important for goths to be polite and well mannered because we will always be under scrutiny and held to a higher standard because there are so many preconceived ideas about us floating around out there.There will be people out there who will discriminate against you, but withstanding that nastiness and proving their nasty assumptions wrong, will make you a stronger person. Promise. :)
Love, hugs, and tea,
Sea, the Gothic Optician, A.B.O.C.
Not to sound cliche-anti-establishment, but people tend to be sheep-minded, brainwashed by their own television sets-- and it doesn't stop with skewed news coverage. For the most part, goth portrayal on TV hasn't really been all that nice. Disney channel, for instance, tends to depict goth kids as brutish, mean-natured, bullying, and unintelligent (at best clowns in black and at the very worst monsters to be feared) causing an unnecessary fear and bigotry of anyone that has a look outside of the realm of "normal" by both adults and children alike.
 |
| A goth portrayed as threatening on Disney's "Suite Life of Zack and Cody" |
Of course, there have been some depictions that aren't as harsh- the Breakfast Club's Allison Reynolds (aka "the basket case," for instance. However, her role ultimately was that of the ugly ducking, something that needed to be 'fixed' in order to be happy.
On a happier note, a few times goth has been portrayed as fully functioning, normal people in a more positive light (or dark depending on what you fancy). NCIS's Abby Sciuto is intelligent, lovable, and happy. As the show has gained popularity, more and more people have been exposed to the idea that perhaps goths aren't scary, or mean, or satanic, or unintelligent-- in fact, Abby graduated with honors with a triple major and earned her masters in criminology and forensic science (sure, this is a bit unrealistic, but it's definitely inspiring).
It's as though a lightbulb turned on over the collective heads of the general public, that goths aren't so bad, which is kind of humerus that the general public needed a fictional black-clad lady on the tube to teach them that! Could it perhaps be argued that life imitates art? Or maybe we're living up to our primitive simian roots, paying homage to the expression "monkey see, monkey do."
It also seems to have worked in my favor when it comes to working with the public- at least 3 times a week I get "Hey, you look like that chick off that show." or "You look like that lady from CSI." My absolute favorite, however, was from a very kind gentleman, "I'm sure you get this all the time from the younger guys, but I have to say, you look very lovely and very Abby." A lot of my ladyfriends who sport a gothic ensemble and black bangs/fringe also get that. I've been asked if I get stares and jeers and rude remarks on my job due to my appearance. For the most part, no, surprisingly. Most of the folks who do comment are quite complimentary on my choice of jewelry, my makeup, or my overall look. I've had one person ask what goth was about (in a genuinely polite manner) and more than one sweet little elderly lady say that she just loves my 'goth look.' I've had very white-bread, suburban families (think Old Navy commercials) give a funny look or smirk, though that reaction was overshadowed after they realized I knew what I was doing. I'm happy, or at least kind of happy to report, that patients never seem to dislike me for my appearance, just when I tell them if there's something their insurance plan won't cover. :p
 |
| ZOMG- a gawth with bangs! It must be Abby! =O |
 |
| And another Abby! (one of my beautiful and much beloved lady friends) |
I could've taken the low road, and jeered back, made comments about how badly the guy was balding, or how his wife looked like she could've passed for his sister, or how their kid looked like Honey Booboo--could've, and really wanted to, but I didn't. The world doesn't need any more negativity. So while it does hurt often (because we're all human beings and we all have feelings that are capable of pain), the people who cause that pain truly don't matter.
In short, if someone doesn't like you for something as irrelevant as your external appearance, never, ever, EVER, under any circumstance assume that there is some sort of problem with you- the only person(s) in the wrong are those who jump to conclusions and those who feel so insecure with themselves that they have to be mean to someone with a different mindset. Life's too short to let the insecurities of others get to you- keep living your life in the way that makes you most happy, and remember the golden rule, to treat others as you would want to be treated. It will make the gothic subculture look better and more importantly, it will make you feel better at the end of the day.
 |
| Why must we be so polite? "Because those rude and boorish strangers would take our scorn and hostility as an open invitation to behave in even worse ways towards us than they do now. Because such behavior would feed the suspicion and fear with which many people regard Goths. Because more parents would regard their fledgling Goth children with extra worry and concern. Because even more people would be skeptical about whether Goths can be good employees or people to be trusted."~ excerpt from "Gothic Charm School" by Jillian Venters |
Jillian Venters, the Lady of Manners, said it best, that it's always important for goths to be polite and well mannered because we will always be under scrutiny and held to a higher standard because there are so many preconceived ideas about us floating around out there.There will be people out there who will discriminate against you, but withstanding that nastiness and proving their nasty assumptions wrong, will make you a stronger person. Promise. :)
Love, hugs, and tea,
Sea, the Gothic Optician, A.B.O.C.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Goth in the Public Eye: A Witch Hunt and A Quest for Peace
Part I
"Goth." Just say it. Let it build up in your throat and meander along your palate out of your mouth, only to return with a swift kick to the teeth with the tongue. Goth. For some it brings about grins and perked ears, for others it brings about an awkward silence, discomfort, and judgment. Think for a moment of the negative connotations of the word- childish, violent, satanic, attention-seeking, silly, irresponsible, mental, dangerous, scary. Of course, more than likely, if you're reading this blog, your thought process is perhaps different and you may think of other words- moonlight and graveyards, Tim Burton, The Cure, mystery, quirkiness, fishnets and hairdye, black lace and elegant black and silver jewelry, body art, Halloween, The Crow, hearses, and classic black fashion, just to name a few. The former group, the group that keeps their distance due to their preconceived (and typically unsound) prejudices, may not even realize that they make us feel just as uneasy and wary as they are, perhaps even more so.
Personally speaking, I try not to watch basic cable. I get my news from various online websites and try to focus on local events. I indulge only in Netflix, where I decide what I want to watch with minimal exposure to sexualized toddler beauty pageants, degrading music videos, glorified bad behavior of bratty teenagers who have entered motherhood all too prematurely, and of course, reruns of the ever so mentally stimulating Jersey Shore. Whenever I do watch good ol' network television, which is never in my own home, I catch myself mumbling "I don't want to live on this planet anymore," which is a great quote from a TV show I do like, ironically enough. Aside from not wanting it to bring me down, I try not to watch TV because it also tends to just make me mad, not because someone has a different view on life than I do, but because someone with a completely backwards mentality is allowed a platform to spread twisted ideals that self-destruction and a lack or self-respect, selfishness, entitlement, shallowness, disregard for one's fellow man, misogyny, stupidity, sheep mentality, ignorance, and disrespect for all others around one's self are desirable traits to have.
I could of course, write paragraph upon paragraph of examples, but before I start to sound *too* self-righteous and uppity, I just want to zoom in on a few of those characteristics of popular entertainment- mostly ignorance, sheep mentality, and disrespect for others. Fear-mongering and sensationalism are the two greatest weapons of manipulation that the media possesses. We all remember the tragedy of the Columbine incident. Two boys, Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, fully armed and clad in black trench coats came to school in 1999 and mercilessly slayed 12 students, one teacher, and finally themselves, along with wounding 21 others. Rather than focusing on the bullying these boys faced leading up to this massacre, or the lack of accessible mental health facilities for young people, or even further investigating those who gave two teenage boys such an arsenal to start with, everyone instantly analyzed what music the boys listened to (Marilyn Manson, who many argue, is not a musician of the gothic genre) and how they dressed- which later resulted in many schools banning students from wearing black trench coats. Flash forward to the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, with a death toll of 32- over twice as many as Columbine. There was never any investigation about the type of clothes Seung-Hui Cho wore or the music he listened to; in fact, the shooter likened himself to Jesus Christ in his personal manifesto, though it would be outright wrong to link the entire Christian population with the actions of one individual. The very same goes for Anders Behring Breivik, a man who identified himself as "100% Christian," who killed 77 people in Norway in 2011.
After doing some research, I've found that attacks on goths and other people who dress outside of the norm happen more often than one would assume, though they are rarely publicized.
A few years ago, back while I was still in college, I was in the lobby of one of the dorms, waiting on a friend. There was a television tuned to Fox News and I couldn't help but glance at it, but as I watched I became more and more enraged. A story was running about a young teenage girl who ran away from home to meet a grown man she had met online. The girl also happened to have a profile on VampireFreaks, a networking website aimed towards members and fans of gothic and industrial culture. Despite the fact that this young lady had blonde hair and bright clothes, as well as having profiles on a few other networking sites, the media chose to zoom in on VampireFreaks and the Satanic and vampiric lifestyles of all those involved in the cult of goth. Fox News, as we know, is always a reputable and unbiased source for accurate coverage on current events in the world around us. As the newscast continued, I noticed others in the lobby started to direct their attention to the wall mounted television, then I began to notice some of those spectators to distance themselves from me. It was almost hard for me to grasp- people were moving away from me after what they saw on TV; they felt uneasy around me-- short, plump, wide-eyed and combat boot clad me. They didn't care about the hours I'd volunteered at a nursing home a few months prior, nor the money I gave to the animal shelter, nor the countless petitions I signed and shared from change.org; they cared about my coffin backpack and what sort of heinous things I was capable of doing while wearing fishnets and a NIN tee shirt.
"Goth." Just say it. Let it build up in your throat and meander along your palate out of your mouth, only to return with a swift kick to the teeth with the tongue. Goth. For some it brings about grins and perked ears, for others it brings about an awkward silence, discomfort, and judgment. Think for a moment of the negative connotations of the word- childish, violent, satanic, attention-seeking, silly, irresponsible, mental, dangerous, scary. Of course, more than likely, if you're reading this blog, your thought process is perhaps different and you may think of other words- moonlight and graveyards, Tim Burton, The Cure, mystery, quirkiness, fishnets and hairdye, black lace and elegant black and silver jewelry, body art, Halloween, The Crow, hearses, and classic black fashion, just to name a few. The former group, the group that keeps their distance due to their preconceived (and typically unsound) prejudices, may not even realize that they make us feel just as uneasy and wary as they are, perhaps even more so.
Personally speaking, I try not to watch basic cable. I get my news from various online websites and try to focus on local events. I indulge only in Netflix, where I decide what I want to watch with minimal exposure to sexualized toddler beauty pageants, degrading music videos, glorified bad behavior of bratty teenagers who have entered motherhood all too prematurely, and of course, reruns of the ever so mentally stimulating Jersey Shore. Whenever I do watch good ol' network television, which is never in my own home, I catch myself mumbling "I don't want to live on this planet anymore," which is a great quote from a TV show I do like, ironically enough. Aside from not wanting it to bring me down, I try not to watch TV because it also tends to just make me mad, not because someone has a different view on life than I do, but because someone with a completely backwards mentality is allowed a platform to spread twisted ideals that self-destruction and a lack or self-respect, selfishness, entitlement, shallowness, disregard for one's fellow man, misogyny, stupidity, sheep mentality, ignorance, and disrespect for all others around one's self are desirable traits to have.
 |
| Brilliant work by my dear friend and brilliant Greek artist, JNK |
I could of course, write paragraph upon paragraph of examples, but before I start to sound *too* self-righteous and uppity, I just want to zoom in on a few of those characteristics of popular entertainment- mostly ignorance, sheep mentality, and disrespect for others. Fear-mongering and sensationalism are the two greatest weapons of manipulation that the media possesses. We all remember the tragedy of the Columbine incident. Two boys, Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, fully armed and clad in black trench coats came to school in 1999 and mercilessly slayed 12 students, one teacher, and finally themselves, along with wounding 21 others. Rather than focusing on the bullying these boys faced leading up to this massacre, or the lack of accessible mental health facilities for young people, or even further investigating those who gave two teenage boys such an arsenal to start with, everyone instantly analyzed what music the boys listened to (Marilyn Manson, who many argue, is not a musician of the gothic genre) and how they dressed- which later resulted in many schools banning students from wearing black trench coats. Flash forward to the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, with a death toll of 32- over twice as many as Columbine. There was never any investigation about the type of clothes Seung-Hui Cho wore or the music he listened to; in fact, the shooter likened himself to Jesus Christ in his personal manifesto, though it would be outright wrong to link the entire Christian population with the actions of one individual. The very same goes for Anders Behring Breivik, a man who identified himself as "100% Christian," who killed 77 people in Norway in 2011.
Voltaire made a pretty decent defense of the Gothic subculture to
Fox News in the midst of the Scott Dyleski murder trial.
Note how many times he ends up rolling his eyes at some
of the preposterous questions that are heavily laced
with negative gothic stereotypes.
Fox News in the midst of the Scott Dyleski murder trial.
Note how many times he ends up rolling his eyes at some
of the preposterous questions that are heavily laced
with negative gothic stereotypes.
However, the media tends to breeze over acts of violence towards
goths. Not many people have heard of the brutal and fatal assault of gothic teen Sophie Lancaster .In August of 2007,
Sophie and her boyfriend Robert were walking through a park when they
were heckled then viciously attacked by a group of teenagers. Robert was
beaten to the point of unconsciousness while the mob focused their rage
on Sophie, kicking and hitting her in the head while she cradled and
protected her partner. By the time help had arrived, both were so badly
beaten that their genders were indiscernible.
 |
| Sophie Lancaster and boyfriend Robert Maltby |
Although Robert survived,
Sophie slipped into a coma and passed away 13 days after the attack. There is no question of whether or not their appearance provoked the
attack. One of the assailants returned to his friends and began bragging
to his friends about the assault; the couple's mosher/gothic look being the sole reason
for his attack. The S.O.P.H.I.E. foundation-- their slogan, "Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred,
and Intolerance Everywhere"-- works to
promote tolerance and educate the masses on how quickly hatred can turn into malicious actions.
Ronan Harris of VNV Nation dedicated this song to Sophie and contacted the family to offer his condolences.
After doing some research, I've found that attacks on goths and other people who dress outside of the norm happen more often than one would assume, though they are rarely publicized.
A few years ago, back while I was still in college, I was in the lobby of one of the dorms, waiting on a friend. There was a television tuned to Fox News and I couldn't help but glance at it, but as I watched I became more and more enraged. A story was running about a young teenage girl who ran away from home to meet a grown man she had met online. The girl also happened to have a profile on VampireFreaks, a networking website aimed towards members and fans of gothic and industrial culture. Despite the fact that this young lady had blonde hair and bright clothes, as well as having profiles on a few other networking sites, the media chose to zoom in on VampireFreaks and the Satanic and vampiric lifestyles of all those involved in the cult of goth. Fox News, as we know, is always a reputable and unbiased source for accurate coverage on current events in the world around us. As the newscast continued, I noticed others in the lobby started to direct their attention to the wall mounted television, then I began to notice some of those spectators to distance themselves from me. It was almost hard for me to grasp- people were moving away from me after what they saw on TV; they felt uneasy around me-- short, plump, wide-eyed and combat boot clad me. They didn't care about the hours I'd volunteered at a nursing home a few months prior, nor the money I gave to the animal shelter, nor the countless petitions I signed and shared from change.org; they cared about my coffin backpack and what sort of heinous things I was capable of doing while wearing fishnets and a NIN tee shirt.
 |
| I came across this very clever comic in Gothic Beauty Magazine a number of years ago.
..to be continued
|
Monday, December 10, 2012
It's that time of year again
Greetings and the warmest of holiday wishes to all of you!
I've finally gotten into the Christmas spirit despite the great lack of snow in my Mid-Western home state. The tree is up and decorated, and it seems some presents have sprouted 'neath it.
Also, for the first time ever, I've sent out a bit over a dozen of Christmas cards to my online friends who have shown me so much love and support over the years. It feels good to be able to do something to show my appreciation.
I also customized my stockings with ribbon, charms, and iron-on patches. I also had some help from Mr. Lit Incense Stick in making holes in the fabric.
I also re-purposed an old wind chime and made new ornaments- it gives the tree a very mystical, magical feel and pays homage to the pagan roots of the holiday season. It seems that I did much more crafting this year than I ever have in the past.
I've also developed a new appreciation for classic Christmas music thanks to AOL Radio's "Christmas Oldies" station. Nothing beat's good ol' Johnny Cash's "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"- for that matter, I've yet to meet a goth who doesn't have a special place in their heart for the original "Man in Black." These old songs put me in a happy mood, but at the same time, it makes me sad that no one croons or swings anymore. Society, what happened???
However, all hope is not lost when it comes to modern music. I'm quite thrilled to say that I was able to see one of my all-time favorite bands perform for the second year in a row last time. I had the time of my life at the almost spiritual experience. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is nearly flawless and every year they put on a spectacular show-- I already can't wait for next year's show.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas my friends- may you all be very blessed this season.
Love, hugs, 'n plenty of glasses of holiday cheer,
Sea, the Gothic Optician, A.B.O.C.
I've finally gotten into the Christmas spirit despite the great lack of snow in my Mid-Western home state. The tree is up and decorated, and it seems some presents have sprouted 'neath it.
 |
| I went to great lengths to find black and purple garland and ornaments as well as purple lights. |
 |
| I also went through great lengths to find black and purple wrapping paper and bags-- why stop the color scheme with the tree?? |
 |
| Everyone gets festive in my home-- OR ELSE! |
I also customized my stockings with ribbon, charms, and iron-on patches. I also had some help from Mr. Lit Incense Stick in making holes in the fabric.
I also re-purposed an old wind chime and made new ornaments- it gives the tree a very mystical, magical feel and pays homage to the pagan roots of the holiday season. It seems that I did much more crafting this year than I ever have in the past.
I've also developed a new appreciation for classic Christmas music thanks to AOL Radio's "Christmas Oldies" station. Nothing beat's good ol' Johnny Cash's "Hark the Herald Angels Sing"- for that matter, I've yet to meet a goth who doesn't have a special place in their heart for the original "Man in Black." These old songs put me in a happy mood, but at the same time, it makes me sad that no one croons or swings anymore. Society, what happened???
 |
 |
| Back in the days when "Class" outweighed "SWAG" |
We were about 20 rows from the stage, but it was still spectacular on the floor level.
I've no idea why, but I've been feeling particularly festive this year. Perhaps because it could be our last (but probably not) or perhaps this is just the one time of year we can forget about our day to day problems, our petty quarrels and grudges, and our over-all adult stresses, even if just for a few days. Despite your personal religious preferences, or your holiday of choice, there is no denying that there's something very ethereal and holy about this time of year, something that brings out the kinder side of folks and pushes us to strive for peace on earth, and good will towards our fellow men, women, and children, despite our different colors or creeds, opinions or pay brackets, or even the clothes in which we choose to adorn ourselves.
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas my friends- may you all be very blessed this season.
Love, hugs, 'n plenty of glasses of holiday cheer,
Sea, the Gothic Optician, A.B.O.C.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
November: Featured Goth in Glasses
Welcome, welcome, welcome, ladies, gentlemen, and children of all ages and refractive error, to The Gothic Optician's second Featured Goth in Glasses.
This month spectacled-darkling hails from New York. Standing at a statuesque 6'3, may I present to you, Mr. Pierce Maloney!
Pierce and I have been friends for quite some time now after meeting through VampireFreaks.com; he's a very cool guy and it has been my absolute pleasure and honor to have interviewed him.
The Basics
S: Very cool. Now I understand you also cosplay?
P: Yes, it's a brand new hobby for me. I love going to conventions dressed up. It's a great feeling being admired for who you are there.
S: So what got you into cosplaying?
P: Well, I've always been into costumes since before I could remember. Halloween was my second favorite holiday (first was Christmas-- presents and all. lol) But dressing up has always been a joy for me. I first got into cosplay when I first saw people I know doing it and saying how fun it is. So when comic con came around in 2011, I took the opportunity to try it out for the first time, as my favorite super villain, Bane.
P: In 2011, my costume, although cheaply thrown together, was a big hit. So after that I devoted myself a whole year of perfecting my Bane costume. And not just pieces for the costume. I trained myself to be more muscular. So my devotion to cosplay is more than just perfecting the attire. But my entire image.
S: Along with dressing up, you're also into acting. Would you
consider yourself a bit of a thespian?
P: I love the dramatic arts quite a bit. I love reenacting movie scenes that I like. I wanted to be an actor since I was a kid. When I first saw The Little Rascals movie, I wanted to be on the screen as a kid. I was in several stage plays in elementary school and I took acting lessons, but I haven't done much stage acting, because I'm usually cast as an extra role, so I don't really do stage much anymore, since nobody cares for the extras. If I were to make it big as an actor, I should find a way to do it on my own. Hopefully by one day making indie films. I wanna make a movie that would be a cult classic to the Goth community, kind of like how "Repo! The Genetic Opera" is.
S: Well, it was a great joy and honor getting to interview you, Pierce. I have one last question, however. Since the other day was Black Friday here in the United States, I must ask, what is your opinion on the retail tradition?
P: My answer to your query is this: That the zombie apocalypse isn't going to be caused by some kind of virus.
Well said, my friend, well said. It's no wonder why I selected Pierce as November's Featured Goth in Glasses- he's deeply intelligent, creative, and spookily bizarre- and let's admit it, the gent doesn't look to bad in black either. Keep your peepers peeled for my next Featured Goth in Glasses, and as always, if you or someone you know is indeed a goth in glasses, leave a comment or an email- I'd love to interview you!
Until we meet again, fellow lovers of the macabre (and seeing the macabre in 20/20 vision),
Sea, the Gothic Optician, A.B.O.C.
This month spectacled-darkling hails from New York. Standing at a statuesque 6'3, may I present to you, Mr. Pierce Maloney!
Pierce and I have been friends for quite some time now after meeting through VampireFreaks.com; he's a very cool guy and it has been my absolute pleasure and honor to have interviewed him.
The Basics
Sea: How long have you been wearing glasses?
Pierce: For about 3 years, but I've needed them longer than that. I'm a bad procrastinator. lol
S: How long have you considered yourself a goth?
P: Since I was 16. That's when I wore all the black and the Tripp NYC pants and jackets, fishnets, black nails, etc. But before then, I actually started out as a punk.
S: What's your favorite music?
P: Melodic Death Metal. Dark epic sounds. I love it! That's my favorite genre. My favorite band is actually Rammstein.
S: What's your favorite accessory?
P: Boots. I don't know if thats an accessory, but I love badass boots. LOL
S: Favorite goth cliche?
P: The dark tones.
S: Most disliked goth cliche?
P: Suicidal stereotypes.
S: Favorite style of glasses?
P: Thin frame and square lenses
S: Favorite famous goth?
P: Vincent Valantine from Final Fantasy VII. I'm a gamer, too.
S: Favorite person who wears glasses?
P: Gary Oldman. He's my favorite actor.
S:Got any stories involving your glasses? ie, losing them and causing a fiasco, unknowingly wearing someone else's for a while, anything?
P:Don't dance with your glasses on. Not unless you have a spare at the ready. lol
S: How would you describe yourself, in a nutshell?
P: Nowadays I see myself as a strong, brutal metalhead. But that doesn't mean I don't stop wearing my black gothic fashion and abandon my dark tones. I just also like to be big and strong..
S: Now, to continue the interview on a more personal level. Let's talk about your hobbies, shall we?
P: Hmmm...gaming is my favorite past time. I'm also a big movie buff. I love coming up with ideas and stories for movies I'd like to hopefully make some day. And I like to draw my ideas. It's a way I can physically manifest my ideas.
Pierce: For about 3 years, but I've needed them longer than that. I'm a bad procrastinator. lol
S: How long have you considered yourself a goth?
P: Since I was 16. That's when I wore all the black and the Tripp NYC pants and jackets, fishnets, black nails, etc. But before then, I actually started out as a punk.
S: What's your favorite music?
P: Melodic Death Metal. Dark epic sounds. I love it! That's my favorite genre. My favorite band is actually Rammstein.
S: What's your favorite accessory?
P: Boots. I don't know if thats an accessory, but I love badass boots. LOL
S: Favorite goth cliche?
P: The dark tones.
S: Most disliked goth cliche?
P: Suicidal stereotypes.
S: Favorite style of glasses?
P: Thin frame and square lenses
S: Favorite famous goth?
P: Vincent Valantine from Final Fantasy VII. I'm a gamer, too.
S: Favorite person who wears glasses?
P: Gary Oldman. He's my favorite actor.
S:Got any stories involving your glasses? ie, losing them and causing a fiasco, unknowingly wearing someone else's for a while, anything?
P:Don't dance with your glasses on. Not unless you have a spare at the ready. lol
S: How would you describe yourself, in a nutshell?
P: Nowadays I see myself as a strong, brutal metalhead. But that doesn't mean I don't stop wearing my black gothic fashion and abandon my dark tones. I just also like to be big and strong..
S: Now, to continue the interview on a more personal level. Let's talk about your hobbies, shall we?
P: Hmmm...gaming is my favorite past time. I'm also a big movie buff. I love coming up with ideas and stories for movies I'd like to hopefully make some day. And I like to draw my ideas. It's a way I can physically manifest my ideas.
S: Very cool. Now I understand you also cosplay?
P: Yes, it's a brand new hobby for me. I love going to conventions dressed up. It's a great feeling being admired for who you are there.
S: So what got you into cosplaying?
P: Well, I've always been into costumes since before I could remember. Halloween was my second favorite holiday (first was Christmas-- presents and all. lol) But dressing up has always been a joy for me. I first got into cosplay when I first saw people I know doing it and saying how fun it is. So when comic con came around in 2011, I took the opportunity to try it out for the first time, as my favorite super villain, Bane.
P: In 2011, my costume, although cheaply thrown together, was a big hit. So after that I devoted myself a whole year of perfecting my Bane costume. And not just pieces for the costume. I trained myself to be more muscular. So my devotion to cosplay is more than just perfecting the attire. But my entire image.
 |
| Practically twins. |
P: I love the dramatic arts quite a bit. I love reenacting movie scenes that I like. I wanted to be an actor since I was a kid. When I first saw The Little Rascals movie, I wanted to be on the screen as a kid. I was in several stage plays in elementary school and I took acting lessons, but I haven't done much stage acting, because I'm usually cast as an extra role, so I don't really do stage much anymore, since nobody cares for the extras. If I were to make it big as an actor, I should find a way to do it on my own. Hopefully by one day making indie films. I wanna make a movie that would be a cult classic to the Goth community, kind of like how "Repo! The Genetic Opera" is.
S: Well, it was a great joy and honor getting to interview you, Pierce. I have one last question, however. Since the other day was Black Friday here in the United States, I must ask, what is your opinion on the retail tradition?
P: My answer to your query is this: That the zombie apocalypse isn't going to be caused by some kind of virus.
 |
| I was determined to use a Walking Dead reference! |
Well said, my friend, well said. It's no wonder why I selected Pierce as November's Featured Goth in Glasses- he's deeply intelligent, creative, and spookily bizarre- and let's admit it, the gent doesn't look to bad in black either. Keep your peepers peeled for my next Featured Goth in Glasses, and as always, if you or someone you know is indeed a goth in glasses, leave a comment or an email- I'd love to interview you!
Until we meet again, fellow lovers of the macabre (and seeing the macabre in 20/20 vision),
Sea, the Gothic Optician, A.B.O.C.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Workspace of a madman, erm, madwoman
Greetings all,
I hope everyone has had a great week, and I hope my fellow Americans have had a great Thanksgiving.
For today's post, I thought it would be fun to share some pictures of my every day work life and how I've customized it.
Customized Keyboard:
I have since added a few more bats and swirls. Wax pencils, which are like giant white crayons used in opthalmic settings, both for marking lenses in the lab and for marking work trays in the clinic, absolutely rock. I've learned since working at this clinic, there is virtually nothing that cannot be removed by lighter fluid- permanent marker, sticky substance left behind by tape/stickers, hard-to-remove stains, and of course, wax pencil markings are nothing for a tissue and a few dabs of lighter fluid.
Motivational e-Cards and Insurance Cheat Sheets:
E-cards are a fantastic way to customize any workspace. I added a few doodles to "My flamboyant attire picks up where my parents left off," though I think "I'm glad you recognize how terrible your life would be without me" was perfect just as it was. I also keep cheat sheets all over the wall around my computer. At our clinic we deal with several insurances and helping hand programs- it's hard to keep them straight, especially because each changes so frequently. It's nice to have little reminders. You'll also notice a list of V-Codes. These are important because if items are not properly labeled when we submit the claim to a patient's insurance, we will not get paid. Yikes!
I also really like kitties, so I added a few glasses-related Cheezburger cats.
Recently I added another meme to my wall, just to keep my spirits up when the day is dragging along.
My other awesome pen, courtesy of one of our larger insurance affiliates.
Oh yes- and here is me, at work, wearing my lovely eyeball hair bows from Th1rte3n's Closet. =)
This is all I have of my personal work setting.. for now. I wonder if anyone would perhaps be interested if I made videos of how each of the machines that I use work? Sure, I could link you to some youtube videos, but where's the fun in that?
Until next time, my near and far-sighted (and inbetween) lovelies,
Sea, the Gothic Optician, A.B.O.C.
P.S.
I just had to show off my first Thanksgiving setting. Isn't it marvelously spooky? ^.^
I hope everyone has had a great week, and I hope my fellow Americans have had a great Thanksgiving.
For today's post, I thought it would be fun to share some pictures of my every day work life and how I've customized it.
Customized Keyboard:
 |
| White wax pencil doodles- they come off easily with lighter fluid. Also, I have the best pen ever, courtesy of my coworker J. |
I have since added a few more bats and swirls. Wax pencils, which are like giant white crayons used in opthalmic settings, both for marking lenses in the lab and for marking work trays in the clinic, absolutely rock. I've learned since working at this clinic, there is virtually nothing that cannot be removed by lighter fluid- permanent marker, sticky substance left behind by tape/stickers, hard-to-remove stains, and of course, wax pencil markings are nothing for a tissue and a few dabs of lighter fluid.
 |
| For those of you wondering, these are 'work trays.' We put the frame you pick out and your order information in these and put your last name on the outside. At my clinic we use mostly blue, however, low vision orders are placed in either green or yellow trays. |
Motivational e-Cards and Insurance Cheat Sheets:
E-cards are a fantastic way to customize any workspace. I added a few doodles to "My flamboyant attire picks up where my parents left off," though I think "I'm glad you recognize how terrible your life would be without me" was perfect just as it was. I also keep cheat sheets all over the wall around my computer. At our clinic we deal with several insurances and helping hand programs- it's hard to keep them straight, especially because each changes so frequently. It's nice to have little reminders. You'll also notice a list of V-Codes. These are important because if items are not properly labeled when we submit the claim to a patient's insurance, we will not get paid. Yikes!
Recently I added another meme to my wall, just to keep my spirits up when the day is dragging along.
 |
| I catch myself glancing at this about 5 times a day. |
My other awesome pen, courtesy of one of our larger insurance affiliates.
Oh yes- and here is me, at work, wearing my lovely eyeball hair bows from Th1rte3n's Closet. =)
This is all I have of my personal work setting.. for now. I wonder if anyone would perhaps be interested if I made videos of how each of the machines that I use work? Sure, I could link you to some youtube videos, but where's the fun in that?
Until next time, my near and far-sighted (and inbetween) lovelies,
Sea, the Gothic Optician, A.B.O.C.
P.S.
I just had to show off my first Thanksgiving setting. Isn't it marvelously spooky? ^.^
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