Fashion of the Fringe: Brad MacNeil

OK, so remember how yesterday I talked about Brad MacNeil being my Fringe crush? Just look at him, people. He dressed like this every night. Not only was he charming and hilarious as the cohost of Chats With Cat in the beer tent, he looked incredibly dapper doing so. His outfits were usually variations of the above theme—dress shirt, blazer, jeans, good shoes. He's effortless and comfortable, with the right degree of style.

More than once I caught myself peeking at his ring finger. (Which, I'm sad to report, has a band on it.) But look how handsome!

I'm going to be putting in some serious work on the blog over the next few days—the movers have come and got my stuff, and I don't get it back until next Wednesday. The only thing I have to entertain myself is the internet. So I might as well blog!

My Summer Crush.

OK, so during Fringe Festival I had a "fringe crush". Yes, I had been there with my boyfriend, but hey, if someone as charismatic and handsome as Brad MacNeil so much as looks your way, of course you're going to swoon a little.

So imagine my surprise and delight when today on Twitter I saw this message from @thebradmacneil: The #mysummercrush finale will have a fashion theme. If @JesLacasse doesn't show up it's a failure.

So of course I'm going.

My Summer Crush is put on by Ottawa's own CRUSH IMPROV, directed by Al Connors. (I saw the Company of Fools production of A Midsummer Night's Dream that he did this summer, and it was great!) It's part of the Summer Fling Festival at Arts Court. Saturday night is the last show, and it is apparently something to do with the fashion industry. (Well, I know a little more than that but I don't want to give it away.)

Tickets are a measley $12.00, and the show starts at 8:00 in the Arts Court Studio.

Now I just need to figure out what to wear...

On self-esteem.

Recently, I have come under criticism for acting like I'm "all that". (Someone actually used those words, and I wanted to tell them that 1995 wanted its catch phrase back, but even 1995 doesn't want it.)

Here's the thing: of course I have issues with my self esteem. Show me a woman who claims she doesn't, and I'll show you a liar.

For your enjoyment, here is a (partial) list of things I have a problem with when it comes to my body and me as a person:

• I have been struggling with my weight since the mid-1990s. From my mother telling me that the last time I looked good was in October of 1996, to working in the fashion industry, to trying to shop for clothing, I have not been satisfied with my weight for over a decade.
• My breasts are large. Like, can't-button-a-shirt large.
• My nasal labial folds are getting more pronounced.
• My eyes are small.
• I'm lazy.
• I'm dispassionate.
• I'm selfish.

However, and this is the important bit, none of these things matter. Because I am generally an upbeat person, with a huge laugh, an amazing group of friends. I have been told time and time again that I am too self-aggrandizing when I say things like, "I'm amazing," or "My life is awesome." Even worse, I've been told that I'm faking it and that I'm actually miserable.

But you know what? I'm not. I truly love my life. I am working to change myself every day. So what if I like nice clothing? So what if I lust after the newest Chanel nail polish? 

My life rules. So does yours. I like you. I like me. Anyone that tells you that your life is somehow less than you know it to be can, in the words of my mother (who isn't always awful), take a long walk off a short pier.

Now, I'm going to get on my bike, go and pick up a bottle of wine, and have dinner with my friend and talk about our goals. So there.