twistdfateangel

 So cute!

http://www.karakuri.info/zashiki/

"The most famous were produced in the mid to late Edo period with Western clockwork mechanisms, though sand, mercury and even steam power were used. The 'Chahakobi Ningyo', or tea-serving doll is perhaps the most famous, and was the first 'home entertainment' robot used in Japan...When the host placed a teacup on the tea tray held by the doll, it would move straight to the guest, and when the guest took the tea it would stop and wait. When the guest drank the tea and put the cup back on the tray, it would turn around and go back to the host. Once activated, it moves its dragging foot, and advances nodding its head up and down. In addition, it was also equipped with a mechanism by which the host, having measured by eye the distance to the guest, could set in advance the place where it would turn around. It used a cam and spring rather than a bevel gear to change directions. (SCHDOT 1988, p 61) Traditionally, the spring used in the mechanism was made from the baleen of a whale.

Under the current classification system of the JIRA (Japan Industrial Robot Association), the Chahakobi Ningyo is a fixed sequence robot. (SCHODT 1988, p 57)

The tea-serving doll is not only excellent from a mechanical perspective, but it also displays an intriguingly human essence. Historically, its existence provided entertainment, and functioned as a way of deepening communication between a host and guest."

I'm taking the plunge into Lolita style. By Easter, I'd like to have at least one "formal" and one "casual" coordinate. I'm not going to live la vie quaintrelle. I don't have the time, money, or patience, though I'm fascinated by the aspects of the lifestyle, especially the cuisine, which seems to be mostly sweets (at least, I have yet to see a Lolita blog showcasing pasta or steak recipes).

While watching Ramsay's F Word on BBC-America, I saw a lovely recipe for a summer berry and champagne soup with floating vanilla meringue island and I wish I paid better attention to the whole thing. But now, I'm thinking, you can't eat sweets all the time! You'd blow up like Violet Beauregarde. La Carmina may have had a few recipes, but the Lolita community online seems to find her distasteful (though I read her cookbook and loved it).

So, what does one eat before the sweets at a Lolita tea/picnic/what-have-you, when lifestylers want to be dainty and cute and the non-lifers just want something filling?

Looks like I may need to gut the Doll Jar. Apparently there's a show coming up in December (if all goes well, that's gift shopping money). Supposedly, a holiday themed number isn't necessary, but it WOULD add to my repertoire and I've been wanting to do a Nutcracker number for a while. Have not yet heard back from Mme. L. but if I don't here from her by the 15th, I'll drop her a line.

Thanks to Mom for helping me come up with a number and costuming. Did an 18th c. Polonaise open up the front/can it be made to do so, I wonder?

EGL outfit possibilities-

Okay, so maybe I'd be a laughing stock in the EGL community (most of the gothlolis I've seen are daintier than I, even the plus-sized lolis seem doll-like and I also have a passion for neons), but I'm developing a serious love for wa-lolita (kimono-themed), qi-lolita (qi-pao-themed) and the illusive and possibly strictly American development of han-lolita (hanbok-themed). There is a tiny, ill-bred voice in my head who wants to try her hand at a sari-based loli outfit, and I'm doing my damnedest to shut her up, the minx.

For those who have never heard of it, Elegant Gothic Lolita, or EGL, has nothing to do with certain rather racy and depressing books. The term was coined by Japanese clothing designers for a style of clothing that evokes little Victorian girls' clothes, porcelain dolls, and anime magical girls. The motifs are usually ruffly, short-skirted and pastel, though punk loli tends to be brighter colored, and pure goth loli tends towards darker colors. The EGL community at large actually tries very hard to NOT be seen as sexual or suggestive. I find its often worth pointing out that "Lolita" is actually a fairly common nickname for the Spanish name "Dolores", as is "Lola". Not that it helps.

I just LOVE EGL. I don't know why. I know I couldn't wear it everyday (I'd go nuts), but it's all so heinously cute. So, yes, I'd love to wear qi-loli and wa-loli, possibly playing up the con's theme of evil and goth by doing the possessed china doll look.

*evil giggle*

Steampunk-

There is a rather cranky part of me that wants to thumb my nose at both schools of steampunk and be a super-elegant and well-dressed airship pirate, as well as the much more free-flowing late Edwardian Art Nouveau/Deco styles, WWI to the very top edge of 1920's style, which would be highly practical for May. I'm thinking the tunic and straight skirt, though I have a blouse pattern I want to do up in a muslin (Butterick discontinued it and I want something permanent so I can make more). Also, Jazz-Age steam is never seen and I want to take a crack at it.

Gothic-

The trouble here is, I'd be dressing as my Requiem character and nobody would get it. Though, I could make a Borogravian "Cheesemongers" uniform and go as Maladict (might be hard, not sure I can bind down that tight anymore). Or I could always go as an Igorina or a student at Miskatonic University. There's also the temptation to do a more modern interpretation of Persephone, Odile, Olwen or Branwen.

Villains-

No question. Bond-style Villainess.

And, of course, my FLA dress uniform jacket, with a pencil skirt (because let's face it, Morgyn, Brannie's a chick and will look for any excuse).

Animal Planet has this a-DOR-able show called Divine Canine. This Eastern Orthodox Monk is apparently a dog trainer at a Monastery up north. Not only is he training lovely--if ill-behaved--dogs, but they raise and breed German Shepherd Puppies.

They are the JUICEST, MOST GORGEOUS little things. I want all of them!