Up The Ranks

As you know, I've been volunteering at the Rooftop Movies since September. It's been very busy for me, with me going straight from work to the cinema. I've enjoyed it though.

Two weeks ago I got asked if I wanted to work the box office as well. This would involve me sitting in the box office caravan (the whole place is made out of caravans, I should really get photos sometime) and greeting the customers. I would cross off their names if they'd bought their tickets online, or handle money if they haven't bought a ticket yet. Lot's of responsibility!
I took the chance, and I've worked box office around three times now. I also get paid for box office work, so that means more money towards my holiday!

This has lead up to the Perth Fringe Festival. This festival runs for all of February, and has lots of different local and international acts. It's run by the same people as the cinema. So I put in my application, and I've recently found out that I'll be working at the festival and getting paid for it.
The Rooftop Movies will be closed to the duration of the Fringe Festival, as they will be putting two tents on the roof for music acts.
I'm going to be working around five to six days a week. I'm very excited to be earning more money and to be part of the Perth art scene. I love Perth city, I love working in the area.

It's strange, but I've NEVER experienced working up the ranks before. Most of my jobs generally stay the same, with maybe a pay rise each year. I love the experience of knowing that I'm moving up the ranks.
I feel a little guilty too, because I know some of my popcorn co-workers have been there longer than me and they haven't been given the same opportunity that I have. I think "why me?" because I feel that I'm not smart/good enough for the job. I just don't 'see' it.

A Gothic Summer

It's Summer again *hiss*

Oh Australia, 35c degrees and higher everyday, how I dislike you. But I've survived each summer, and that means you can too!

Sunscreen:
Australia has recently passed the selling of 50+ sunscreen. Our highest used to be 30+. Australia tests sunscreens itself, thus we don't have the high sunscreens of other countries. Choose one that you feel is not too oily or smelly. You can get a different type just for the face, these are generally light and non-greasy. Make sure to cover all areas that are uncovered by clothing with sunscreen.

Parasols:
Parasols are different from umbrellas. Umbrellas are generally waterproof and are used for the rain. Parasols are cotton or lightweight material (I find this helps more when it's windy). There a lots of different types of parasols to choose from. I personally like the 'three fold' design of parasol. This type is manually folded up into a compact shape, so I can fit it into my bag.

The other type is the 'umbrella' style of parasol, which is long and you have to carry it everywhere. There are lots of different styles, with lace or cotton or pointy. Look for parasols in china town or asian parts of your city. Lots of asian girls use parasols in summer. Don't feel silly carrying it around! I used to feel strange because my outfits didn't suit parasols, but I got over it. Be sunsmart!

Fans:
I have a large collection of handheld fans. I found mine in a market for $3 each. I suggest stocking up on fans because you never know when they will break. They are useful for keeping yourself cool outside (or on the train) and are brilliant for dancing with. I never go dancing without my fan! Look for them in markets, or chinatown.

Avoiding the sun:
The sun is at it's worst in the middle of the day. Try to keep indoors as much as possible. Be aware of where the sun it. When you're outside try to keep your arms out of the sun. On the train/bus figure out which side of the vehicle is in the shade (I do this). In a car you can drape a cardigan or piece of clothing over your arms. Stand in the shade of a tree or building if you're outside.

Hydrate:
Drink lots of water! I always have around four bottles of water in rotation at home. Once I finish one, I fill it up with tap water and put it back in the fridge. Save water, try not to waste it.
Ice treats are good to keep cool. Not to mention icecream! Oh, and watermelon and grapes. All of this talk is making me hungry!

Clothing:
Lightweight material is best. Pirate shirts are good because they're billowy and made of cotton. Think of skirts, dresses, and breathable fabric. Try not to wear things that trap in the heat. I wouldn't suggest corsets for everyday wear, I still wear a corset in summer when I go clubbing. Lace and sheer materials are nice, they let the breeze in.
If you have confidence issues about your upper arms just wear singlets anyway! On hot days everyone is too hot to worry about how other people look. Plus, you're perfect the way you are and NO ONE should make fun of you. I recently work a sleeveless dress outside for the first time. I felt like "screw you guys, it's too hot. LOOK HOW AWESOME MY FAT ARMS ARE!"

I'm a large girl, and I always wear skirts and dresses. If you're like me, you know about the dreaded 'chub rub'. This is when your thighs rub together when you walk, creating discomfort. I wear bike shorts and tights to stop this.
Hats are a good idea if their suit you. Top hats, bowlers, sun hats. If you wear a hat outside make sure that the brim is wide enough so that the sun can't hit your face.
Shoes are a dilemma. If you enjoy sandals, wear them. Other options include Maryjane's and brogues. I wear winklepickers and boots.
Sunglasses are both fashionable and protect your eyes from the sun. You can get heaps of different designs cheap on ebay!
Get a nice pair of bathers (swimming costume) because you never know when you might go swimming. I have a pair from an online plus size store. I only use them maybe three times a year, but I really enjoy swimming!

Makeup:
Somehow my makeup stays in when I'm all sweaty, I don't know how I do this!! Try not to use too much makeup for everyday wear. Eyeliner and eyeshadow is good. I always use liquid eyeliner, and you can get this in waterproof too. Eyeshadow primer is good for keeping eyeshadow from sliding around (and it keeps drawn on eyebrows safe too). I use Lime Crime eyeshadow helper, but I've heard good things about Urban Decay too.
I personally wear foundation and powder even in summer. People might find this too heavy, you can use tinted moisturiser or a light foundation. Or just go natural!

Air conditioning:
It really sucks having to go through summer without and air conditioner to cool you off. I have a standing unit that I can move and plug into the window. I used to only have a fan that did nothing to help cool me off.
If you don't have an air conditioner you can spend some time in places that do. Libraries, museums and art galleries all have air conditioning. They generally don't care how long you stay around.
Movie theatres are also nice and cool, but you'll have to leave after watching a movie.
Shops and malls also have air conditioning.

There's A Goth In The Library!

Once I finished high school I went straight into college for two years. I completed a Diploma of Library and Information Services which qualifies me as a Library Technician. It's usually easier for me to tell people that I'm a Librarian, although technically I'm not. A Library Technician is a step lower than a Librarian, in many places we do the same work but we get paid less. For me to be a Librarian I would need to attend University, but I'm not willing to get into debt. Right now I'm very comfortable with my Library Technician role.

I was always a little worried that with my appearance I wouldn't be able to find work. But every person has a perfect workplace. From completing my Diploma I worked in a high school library, which had a feminist Librarian. She was really cool with how I looked. I'm a good worker, and I've never been disrespectful to people.

Libraries are supposed to be places of open minds, and it can be surprising the amount of old mean ladies that can inhabit such places. If a coworker didn't approve of my look I didn't care. My clothes were always neat and tidy, never against the dress code. Don't let people bully you. If your work conduct is perfect then they have no right to tell you how to live. There are lots of bitter people out there with nothing better to do than be mean. Their lives are so horrible that they take it out on other people, which is unfair. Just remember that you have done nothing wrong, if a coworker bully's you make sure to tell your manager!

You may need to tone down to get a job. This is what EVERYBODY does, that's why it's strange seeing someone outside of work because they look so different. I don't wear my usual Trad Goth clothes to work. Big hair and tight skirts are a bit uncomfortable for wearing all day.
Black is corporate, I'm always glad for that fact. I think I'd scream if pink was the corporate colour. Wear black pants or a skirt. Wear a black blouse, or maybe jewel tones if you don't mind colour.

I've never taken out piercings for my work. At my interview I change my piercing jewelry to clear retainers, but once I knew I had the job I didn't hide anything. I even got new piercings. I did dye my hair black for the job, but that was because I was bored of the previous colour. I quickly shaved and dyed my hair again! :)

Keep your makeup simple. I wear foundations and eyeliner/shadow. I started off with plain eyeliner, now I wear dark cats-eye makeup each day. I can't be bothered with lipstick, as it rubs off during the day. Do what feels appropriate for the situation.

Each workplace is different, you have to look around to see how far you can go. My current job is at a university library, a coworker of mine used to dye his hair. That tells me that my workplace is cool with hair colour, so I decided to colour mine.
Take it a little bit at a time, and soon enough you'll feel comfortable in your workplace while keeping your gothic personality.

Sadly, some workplaces are very strict. You have to decide if the workplace is right for you. Do you have to take out your piercings? No jewelery? Does your style stop you from climbing the job ladder?
It is possible to survive in a strict corporate workplace. There are lots of secret goths. You may have to bite the bullet and wear colour to work, bringing out your black wardrobe for the weekend.

Personally, I wear lots of black to work. Dresses, t-shirts, skirts. I'm casual, yet I don't look sloppy. I've sneaked in lots of different band t-shirts, usually on a Friday. I wear my Dr. Martens to work, because they're so comfy!
I'm very lucky to have great coworkers who know that I'm a big softy even though I look really scary. They always have a laugh when students stare at me :)
I think my work really appreciates me and my style. It's always something to talk about (even if it's about my hair needing to be dyed again)
Your style may be different from mine, try to pick a few key things. Do you enjoy lace and frills or something harder?

I hope that you have the same luck that I have. My qualifications and experience talk much more loudly than my gothic wardrobe.

Budget

My goal for 2013 is to go overseas again. I'm aiming to go to Whitby in November, and visit my family in Leicester. I would also love to travel over Europe.
To do this I need to stick to a budget, which is hard but worth it. I need to start saving now, because airfares cost $2000! :(

I'm setting limits for myself, but I'm also going to reward my good saving behaviour. When I reach my monthly goal I'll buy myself something that I've been wanting.
Since I've have good income it's always easy for my to just buy things in one go. This means that I never have any money to save. When I get my fortnightly pay I'll put some away in my saving and make sure NOT TO TOUCH IT!

When shopping I always look at the thing I'm about to buy. I think "do I REALLY need this?" "is it something that I can get on ebay, or I won't see ever again?"
This makes me put back a lot of things, because I don't really need more makeup. I don't really need that book, because I can wait for a few months (and I probably won't read it straight away).

I need some saving inspiration! I'm going to find some photographs of the places I want to visit. I should print them out and put them on my wall.

Paris Catacombs

 

Vienna Funeral Museum

 

London Punks

Yes please! *grabby hands*

 

Whitby Abbey

 

Do you have any good budget ideas?

Keep or Sell?

A little while ago I won an ebay auction for a pair of vintage winklepicker Dr. Martens. They cost a pretty penny, but when I saw them I knew I had to have them. They were my size!

I little while ago I got contacted, on ebay, by a German fellow asking if he could buy the shoes off me. He's willing to pay more than I bought them for, plus shipping.

I'm at a loss what to do. Do I tell him to bugger off? Or do I sell him the shoes?

I love the shoes, these are my thoughts:

• I'm worried they might wear out quickly.
• I have to wear them in (blisters, ouch) but this is a problem with all Dr. Martens.
• I can't zip them up all the way, BUT I can buckle all of the buckles. So wearing them with the zips down isn't a problem.
• If I sell the shoes, I'll have money. But I CAN afford these shoes, I'm not poor.
• They're vintage and in my size. I've never seen Dr. Martens like these before

What do you think I should do?

 

Ignore fat leg and messy floor.

 

 

UPDATE: Thanks everyone for your comments. I've decided to keep the shoes!

Feminism Is To Blame For Everything

When I get to work in the morning, I usually take a look at some online news. This is the only way I get the news, as I don't watch t.v. or read the newspaper. So, today on a PerthNow (A Perth based news site for the Sunday Times) there is a story about a woman named June Dally-Watkins, and how she feels etiquette is lacking in Australia. (LINK TO ARTICLE)

In this article she blames the "death of chivalry" on Feminists. Why?
Because: "Men and women were once courteous to each other, and then along came Germaine Greer, who said women should be more like men"

Seriously? First off, feminism is not about women trying to be men, it's about women wanting equal rights to what men do. In her statement it seems that she thinks women are in-equal to what a man is. This seriously bugs me.

I've only recently found my feminism. I've always been a feminist, but I've only just found out how I fit into it. I don't have to be actively fighting for women's rights all the time. For me, being a feminist is being an individual. Asking questions, and expecting answers. Not taking crap from anyone because I'm 'just a girl'. Men can be feminists. Many women are feminists without even realising it. If you are a woman and you expect the same rights as a man, then you're a feminist. It doesn't mean that you're a man hater, or a dyke, or any other of those horrible words people associate with feminism.

You know what feminism has done for women? Basically everything they do today. Voting, wearing pants, birth control, renting/buying a house, deciding not to get married without being called a 'spinster' at 25, maternity leave, etc. Walking around the streets without a companion to keep us from 'moral' harm.
And you know what? Women are still getting paid less than men in the workplace, for exactly the same job. Women aren't allowed to drive cars in some countries, I don't care that 'women can't drive' it's our right to do it. The worst thing, I think, is genital mutilations performed on women.

Another comment in the article: "There is nothing more inappropriate than shorts ... especially short shorts. Some ways of dressing ... give the impression of 'I'm yours, take me'"
Really, people in the 19th century used to not be able to show their ankles without being called a hussy. Now days girls can take care of themselves, it's the choice of every woman to be able to dress how they want and deal with the consequences that arise. Maybe it's the men who should be accounted for their behaviour instead of women?

I can agree with some of the points in the article. I have manners, I am polite. I know some people are not. I just don't know how that the declining morals of society must be always blamed on the 'feminist' or 'heathens'.
If being able to do what I want, make my own morals, and expect equal right means that I'm a unwanted member of polite society then I'd rather be a feminist.

Being a Goody Two Shoes

For as long as I remember, I've always had good morals. I've grown up around drug users, alcoholics, and dole bludgers. I realised that I never wanted to be like them, so started my life long commitment to being 'good'. I've never done drugs, never drunk alcohol, never smoked. Whenever the topic comes up  (generally if I'm at a pub with new friends) the person gasps and says 'REALLY!?'
Like it's a big deal that a 21 year old has never had a drop of alcohol.

I don't identify as straight edge, which is a term generally used for the Punk subculture. I don't think there is a Goth version, but I don't want to be associated with straight edge anyway. I mean, I was thinking about this before I even knew there was a Punk movement about living straight. Lots of things do overlap with my lifestyle. I don't drink coffee (only because I don't like the taste), I'm still a virgin (not from choice).

I guess the one thing I identify with is the song 'Goody Two Shoes' by Adam Ant. Adam Ant is another person who has never taken drugs, he used to not drink but I think that's different now. I think having good morals shows great strength in a person. Being able to say 'no' when offered a pint of beer. I've even had a vodka breezer shoved in my hand, which I then give back to the person who gave it to me. This basically happened when a guy thought he could try and get into my good books by buying me alcohol, he looked kind of angry that I didn't drink thus wasting his money. Maybe he should of gotten to know me first?
(Not that I would of taken a drink from a stranger anyway, I've very picky)

I have a great support network with my friends. They don't know I rely on them. I'm lucky that all of my close friends aren't big drinkers. Sure, they drink sometimes, and some might even do drugs but they don't do it in front of me. I've never seen one of my friends blind drunk, I secretly thank them for this everyday.

Sometimes I think that being 'goody' is the most rebellious of all. A definition of rebel is to resist control. People who drink/drugs/etc are being controlled by their peers. I am not, thus I am a rebel. I am stubborn and an individual. I will not do something just because you say I should, I will think it over and follow through based on my decision.

When I was in High School, my fellow students were pressured by their friends to be 'cool' and get really drunk. I don't find drunkenness cool. What is so great about acting like an idiot, falling over, vomiting, hangovers and blackouts.
I'm not against drinking, mind you, I think it's okay to enjoy a drink or two (or whatever). I just find it stupid and unnecessary to drink to get drunk.

Those people who say they can't have fun without drinking? Every weekend I go clubbing, at Club Unknown, from open to close. I only drink water, and I'm dancing more than anyone there. I don't need dutch courage to get onto the dance floor. Just give me Sisters of Mercy and I'm there.

I've never said this before, but it saddens me that some of my intermediate family abuse drugs and alcohol. And everyday it's a reminder of what I don't want to end up like.