Lucky me, new machine -- Day 125

Walk: R/T Mindful Body
Distance: 8 blocks and teach class


I thought when the time came I'd get an Apple.  But that was a bit glitchy for my other software.  So, here is my new machine.  So far, so good.  And so easy.  I remember 'in the beginning' when you practically had to order the computer part by part. You'd ask around until you had a list of what to buy and order without a single clue what you'd ordered or why.  Don't even ask about how you went about seeking help for the wild goose chase on the screen when/if you got the machine up and running.  A new computer meant about one month out of your life to try to make it a manageable part of your life - and not a pleasant month, pretty much guaranteed derangement.

So, I feel lucky. And lucky I could solve my hacker/virus problem in this way.  So many individuals and small businesses couldn't do that which makes me sad for them and more upset at the way the hackers mindlessly or possibly maliciously upset or worse people's lives.

New computer on the way. ... Day 124

Walk: not yet. Been with my hacked computer all day Besides the cost of a new computer, I will spend as much or more on my computer tech. Thanks, hacker!!

Don't open that attachment! --- Day 123

Walk: Car/de Young* and little meanders *I could walk here and often do, but need my car on Thursdays
Distance: 10 blocks

This was me today. It really is quite an ordeal starting with feeling responsible/guilty for the people in your address book (or wherever) who might get hit themselves.  Then you move on to realizing - as untechie people like me often do - that you don't have one clue what to do nor any way to reason through to a solution.  All I can think of is to contact everybody on my (known) email list and hope things don't continue or get worse. Often this has its attendant guilt because I need to act fast so I am having to send brief, impersonal announcements to people I like but haven't been in touch with.

Luckily, I happened to have a computer consultant coming tomorrow because I'm thinking of a new computer.  This hacking might make that inevitable.  Well, I guess that is one bit of good news; I'm forced to do what I've been putting off largely because it will probably end up with me losing my entire email history.  I keep holding on to my present computer so that won't happen, but it is running slower and slower and slower...so the time of reckoning is coming.  Other 'good news' is that I got to clean out my address book. A few names rang no bells whatsoever, and I'm sure they felt the same when they got a communication from "me." I can easily delete them. Other people whose names I at least recognized returned 'Failure To Deliver' notices, so they shouldn't be in my address book either. Delete.  Other good news is some old friends did write back, and we did have a chance to communicate with each other.

Overall it is a 'Besides that, Mrs. Lincoln....' experience for all concerned.  Grrr and fingers crossed for my address book friends and acquaintances.

So what do I really think of Gaultier? -- Day 122

Walk: R/T Yoga Tree Hayes 
Distance: 4 Miles and Yoga Class

So, after all those days of posting about JP Gaultier, you probably think I love his clothes.  Not so.  I'm impressed with his torrent of genius, the quality of his workers' craftsmanship and fabrications are superb, and the people who created the actual exhibition were outstanding.  But, like the clothes?, no, actually Gaultier's fashions disturb me.

For one thing they are not wearable, and this seems a terrible waste of eyes, fingers, backs (and all that the term 'man hours' constitutes) as well as materials.  A large percentage of what was on display at the exhibition apparently was never worn - and is basically unwearable - and has stayed in storage since its creation.  There is something weird to me about this - like a manic child with rich parents who can just demand and command from minions grand and original toys.

Then there is the breaking down of centuries - or milleniums - of human and natural history.  By this I mean Scottish tartans in sequins, or punks with shell codpieces standing in front of an Indian deity - as if tartans, which are emblematic of so much Scottish history, are now just sparkly garments, and beautiful shells, which once were important currency to many ancient civilizations, and Hindu gods are now just accoutrements to skinhead outfits.

Yes, this is where we are now.  Media, commercial monetary ascendency and other ingredients in the stew of modern times has allowed us to break down virtually all barriers - national, sexual and spiritual included.  And yes, JP Gaultier has every right to run with this new freedom.  And certainly he does it with more respect than Ralph Lauren who just picks up on something like the Plains Indian and turns that entire culture into tee shirts or tea towels.

But the fact that the barriers are down doesn't mean that we are all living comfortably with their absence.  Or even that we quite comprehend its implications.  Something seems wrong at a visceral level with just saying "Yippee none of that matters any more!" about the way our planet and the people on it have evolved over time.  The ocean is for mariners in cute clothes, the fish are mermaids in sequins, the mail worn over centuries of fighting looks great as corsets and camouflage clothes look terrific in sequins.  Movies can shape shift easily but people with souls are much more tender - or at least I am.

Kudos to Show Designers -- Day 121

Walk: R/T JCC and Mindful Body
Distance: 2 miles, take class and give class

Much of the success of the Gaultier show is owed to the designers and stagers, Montreal-based Denis Marleau and Stephanie Jasmin of UBU/Campagnie de creation.  Among their innovations was a mobile runway show, big screen clips of movies featuring Gaultier costumes, and especially 30 animated, talking mannequins, placed throughout the galleries, including one of Gaultier.  These added an extra dimension to the lively atmosphere by surprising visitors with their lifelike presence and spontaneous commentary and songs.  So often in fashion exhibitions, the attendees are mostly limited to various ilks of fashionistas as well as people in the trade - seamstresses, tailors, etc.  But, due in large part to the captivating and enlivening staging, the show attendees ranged through a large human spectrum all of whom were engaged and enjoying themselves.

 

 The "Runway"

 People Enjoying The Show: 

 

This soft creation really called to me.   Now, Au Revoir, Gaultier Show.