Skirt Superpowers

General discussion of skirt and kilt-based fashion for men, and stuff that goes with skirts and kilts.
User avatar
moonshadow
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 6994
Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2015 1:58 am
Location: Warm Beach, Washington
Contact:

Re: Skirt Superpowers

Post by moonshadow »

Daryl wrote:Hey folks, have we had this topic yet, and if not, let's have it!

A skirt superpower is some ability a skirt gives you that you don't get with trousers. I can think of two things that qualify.
Skirts are excellent for weeding out bad people from your life.

Want to know how good your friends are? Wear a skirt around them.

Want to test the security of your job? Post a picture on facebook and shoot it to corporate! :D

Skirts are helpful for pointing out some of lifes little "landmines"... heed their location... steer clear, and walk the path to enlightenment!

Life is NEVER boring when you're a man and you wear skirts! Pity that women can't share in this exciting venture, as nothing they do really surprises anyone anyway! :P :lol:

pfffft! hehehehehe.....
-Andrea
The old hillbilly from the coal fields of the Appalachian mountains currently living like there's no tomorrow on the west coast.
User avatar
Daryl
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 1219
Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 4:25 am
Location: Toronto Canada

Re: Skirt Superpowers

Post by Daryl »

skirtingtheissue wrote:Another superpower related to "surface": you can eat a sandwich while driving, the skirt catches all the crumbs, and when you exit the car the crumbs naturally get dumped outside.
This really is a superpower of its own with the addition of automatic dumping outside. Now I wish I'd added it to the list in my questionnaire.

One day we will be able to identify real skirt wearers from pretenders by asking them what all the skirt superpowers are!
Daryl...
Disaffected.citizen
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 433
Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2015 6:16 am
Location: UK

Re: Skirt Superpowers

Post by Disaffected.citizen »

moonshadow wrote:Skirts are excellent for weeding out bad people from your life.

Want to know how good your friends are? Wear a skirt around them.

Want to test the security of your job? Post a picture on facebook and shoot it to corporate! :D

Skirts are helpful for pointing out some of lifes little "landmines"... heed their location... steer clear, and walk the path to enlightenment!
This is so true. It's quite sad though that "past experience" guides your (my) future actions.

Bitterly, I found at immense cost that those around me were particularly superficial; they're not around anymore. But, the experience has had a significant detrimental effect upon my attitude towards people now; yes, I have a few "friends" now, but I wouldn't describe any as "close". My defensive barriers are up and I share very little about me with anyone; the members here probably know more about me than those in "meat space", yet I remain anonymous.

I've found animals to be better "judges of character" and better characters altogether than most of the people I've known previously. A surreal experience in the latter half if 2016 was that a "nervous greyhound" being walked by a passing acquaintance saw me at a distance and, startlingly for her owner, made such a sudden dash to get to me that she yanked her lead (leash) clean from her owner's hand. If I don't properly pay her attention she makes it known with her nose and muzzle :D

Similarly, a colleague's rescued cat disappears as soon as anyone else arrives - with the exception of me I am told. Although nervous, she comes and rubs up against me and allows me to stroke her.

Of course, none of the above is related to "skirt superpowers". I think the biggest superpower is the "bozo filter"; you can't buy those things - try searching for a "bozo filter" on Amazon or EBay!
User avatar
Daryl
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 1219
Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 4:25 am
Location: Toronto Canada

Re: Skirt Superpowers

Post by Daryl »

Disaffected.citizen wrote:
moonshadow wrote:Skirts are excellent for weeding out bad people from your life.

Want to know how good your friends are? Wear a skirt around them.

Want to test the security of your job? Post a picture on facebook and shoot it to corporate! :D

Skirts are helpful for pointing out some of lifes little "landmines"... heed their location... steer clear, and walk the path to enlightenment!
This is so true. It's quite sad though that "past experience" guides your (my) future actions.

Bitterly, I found at immense cost that those around me were particularly superficial; they're not around anymore. But, the experience has had a significant detrimental effect upon my attitude towards people now; yes, I have a few "friends" now, but I wouldn't describe any as "close". My defensive barriers are up and I share very little about me with anyone; the members here probably know more about me than those in "meat space", yet I remain anonymous.

I've found animals to be better "judges of character" and better characters altogether than most of the people I've known previously. A surreal experience in the latter half if 2016 was that a "nervous greyhound" being walked by a passing acquaintance saw me at a distance and, startlingly for her owner, made such a sudden dash to get to me that she yanked her lead (leash) clean from her owner's hand. If I don't properly pay her attention she makes it known with her nose and muzzle :D

Similarly, a colleague's rescued cat disappears as soon as anyone else arrives - with the exception of me I am told. Although nervous, she comes and rubs up against me and allows me to stroke her.

Of course, none of the above is related to "skirt superpowers". I think the biggest superpower is the "bozo filter"; you can't buy those things - try searching for a "bozo filter" on Amazon or EBay!
This makes me very sad. The friends I've had from high school that are close enough for me to call besties took my fashion direction in stride quite easily, as did my workplace, and seemingly my entire city. In fact, I've received so much acceptance I am sure I underestimate how little many others might get. The skirt as bozo filter is indeed one of its superpowers. I can tell which acquaintances are dubious, though nothing is really said, and bozos stand out in public.

Social policing is so powerful it's automatically assumed that when you don't yield to it then you must have some inner drive that is so strong it can override social inhibitions. This is how homophobia worked until it was established that homosexuality can be a human norm, including quite potentially a biological norm. That sense of a powerful hidden inner drive repels people because, as they oftimes say, "it's like I never knew him" and "if he can do that, what else could he do?" I'm pretty sure I've met this a few times, but only once in my closer circles (and he contacted me just a little while ago, after years of non-contact).

The other effect I've noted in life is that your friends are part of a social group that is (as you put it) superficial. They overemphasise in-group norms, and in fact their group cohesion is based almost only on their ability to have a groupthink about superficial norms. The fashion outsider in such a group threatens the group identity. Opinions about the fashion and what it means are added later as a rational veneer covering the very meanness of it. I've only experienced this once as a member of a circle that was in its formative stages. That's when you feel a whole group suddenly shunning you. Only one member of that group remained my friend, and she turned her back on the rest of the group. Many people won't take that risk if they are not already members of other circles of friends, our need for belonging is so strong.

In either case yielding is not an acceptable option, and that can lead to loneliness, at least for a while. Here's hoping you build new social connections amongst far less superficial or judgy-pants people.
Daryl...
User avatar
moonshadow
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 6994
Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2015 1:58 am
Location: Warm Beach, Washington
Contact:

Re: Skirt Superpowers

Post by moonshadow »

Daryl wrote:The other effect I've noted in life is that your friends are part of a social group that is (as you put it) superficial. They overemphasise in-group norms, and in fact their group cohesion is based almost only on their ability to have a groupthink about superficial norms. The fashion outsider in such a group threatens the group identity. Opinions about the fashion and what it means are added later as a rational veneer covering the very meanness of it. I've only experienced this once as a member of a circle that was in its formative stages. That's when you feel a whole group suddenly shunning you. Only one member of that group remained my friend, and she turned her back on the rest of the group. Many people won't take that risk if they are not already members of other circles of friends, our need for belonging is so strong.
I've never had enough friends at any given time to consider us a "group". :lol: Normally it's just me and someone else, I've gone years on end with no friend at all, other than my wife. Mind you, this was before I started wearing skirts. I just have a very sarcastic and abrasive nature about me. I try to tone it down, but I find myself feeling empty as a result, as though I am striving to make sure everyone else can sit comfortably, meanwhile I'm dying inside.

I've found solace in this lifestyle however and I'm not complaining about not having any close friends. I have adjusted and honed some deep spiritual convictions that get me through many-a-lonely nights. Yes, I'm one of those people that talks to trees, rocks, acorns, butterflies, etc.

My statement above was meant to illustrate that skirts can be helpful to keep undesirable people away. It's a useful tool as I can recollect many dramas I've endured that would have most likely been prevented had I avoided certain people, people that by all accounts would have stayed clear of me anyway if I were into wearing skirts at the time.

As far as high school, that's a distant memory. Most of my high school years involved the courting of my now ex-wife (yes, I've been married before), and suffice it to say, those years are buried under a pile of brain dust deep in the Moon Shadow vault.

So lets explore how skirts could have saved me: (superpowers)
If I were wearing skirts in high school....
Lets consider it was the late 90's, and the school wouldn't have allowed it. Skirting at home would be a no-go too as dad would have probably thrown me out, but that's okay because....
  • The moment I turned 18 I came into a $100,000 trust, so I could have easily just moved out and sent myself to college, paid in full, but not before I...
  • Purchased some investment shares in Google
  • Took a greyhound bus to Georgia and hiked the Appalachian Trail.. in a macabi. then...
  • When I arrived in Maine, purchase a second hand van and travel the U.S. for a few years
  • I would then rent me a little place in a progressive city/state and attend college.
  • Get out of college, secure my job with a progressive employer
  • Women would have left me alone because they seem repelled by this- thus I wouldn't have had an ex.
  • At some point I'd need to happen upon Jenn in North Carolina.
But instead, I spent 34 years of my life doing exactly what everyone else thought I should, and wanted me to do. Now here I sit..... where are they now? They're gone, they ran out when the money ran out.

Oh to get in 18 year old Moon Shadow's head! :!: :cheese:

Hindsight.... you are so cruel....

The moral of the story: If you wanna wear skirts: JUST DO IT. Ain't nobody in this world worth wasting your life over.

Regrets? I have my share... none of them involved a skirt, and quite a few might have been prevented had I been wearing one!

Skirt Superpowers indeed! :wink:
-Andrea
The old hillbilly from the coal fields of the Appalachian mountains currently living like there's no tomorrow on the west coast.
User avatar
Fred in Skirts
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 3988
Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2016 6:48 pm
Location: Southeast Corner of Aiken County, SC USA

Re: Skirt Superpowers

Post by Fred in Skirts »

MoonShadow wrote: The moral of the story: If you wanna wear skirts: JUST DO IT. Ain't nobody in this world worth wasting your life over. Regrets? I have my share... none of them involved a skirt, and quite a few might have been prevented had I been wearing one! Skirt Superpowers indeed! :wink:
Life is too short to worry about the past or the future. At 74 I worry about what skirt to wear today and not what others will say. When I was forced to wear a skirt for medical reasons I discovered just how comfortable they are and by the time the medical reason was gone I could not stop wearing them. Now I wear 24/7 so to speak. I have not worn a pair of pants or shorts for more that a year and a half. In all of that time I have had only one reaction that was not really pleasant. All of the rest were good ones.
So as MoonShadow said "JUST DO IT"! :thumright: :whistle:
"It is better to be hated for what you are than be loved for what you are not" Andre Gide: 1869 - 1951
Always be yourself because the people that matter don’t mind and the ones that mind don’t matter.
User avatar
crfriend
Master Barista
Posts: 14432
Joined: Fri Nov 19, 2004 9:52 pm
Location: New England (U.S.)
Contact:

Re: Skirt Superpowers

Post by crfriend »

moonshadow wrote:[...]Lets consider it was the late 90's, and the school wouldn't have allowed it. Skirting at home would be a no-go too as dad would have probably thrown me out, but that's okay because....[...]
Random thoughts on the list.

1) You have no idea how inconsequential $100,000 is. Seriously, and I mean no hurt or disrespect, it's a pittance.
2) Google was a complete unknown at the time, and even today I suspect it's hideously overvalued, just like the rest of the US stock market.
3) The travelling bit is nice -- and is something I'd highly recommend to anybody getting out of secondary school if the assets are there to pull it off [0] -- but you're talking about five years, and nowadays that's either an eternity or an instant depending on context.
4) The majority of employers are not "progressive". This is because it's an employer's market; employees are disposable. Make 'em conform!
5) Actions have repercussions. Like the proverbial butterfly spreading its wings in Africa causing hurricanes in the New World, do not discount this.

Now, in retrospect, for all the licks and thumpings I've been through I would not have done anything differently. For one, the past is, well, passed, and we cannot change it; we need to look forward. When I actually contemplate it, I find that what I am now is almost a complete accident. Some of my past memories are positively awful -- but many are exquisite, and none of that could have happened "by design".

Sure, we've all fluffed some decisions in the past, but the important thing is to get back up and continue chasing your dreams. Had I "done what I was told" I'd either be in medicine now (and not really appreciating it) or have been an English teacher (and hating it). Instead, I chose computing -- and fought tooth and nail for it -- and it's been one hell of a ride. There are always ups and downs, and if I knew what I know now "way back then" (or could back-time and confront my younger self -- skirted, to boot) I'd have advised becoming a plumber with a specialisation in refrigeration. But then, assuming I took the advice of the old geezer in the skirt, I'd be robbing myself of my entire life as I know it and treasure it. (Although I do tell youngsters that a life in the computer field and prospects for prosperity are pretty bleak.)

[0] "Gap years" are perhaps one of the best ideas to come 'round in a long time. Most kids when they escape secondary school still have no clue what they want to do -- or even what really interests them. Fully funding a years' worth of international travel will expose the youngster to cultures, societies, languages, and ideas that could never have been touch on in the stultifying atmosphere of "school". They'll come back from that, likely with an entirely different perspective on things and would probably make better decisions on "what they want to do when they grow up". I'd even be in favour of tax-credits for the endeavour for the middle class (the elites don't have the need for that.
Retrocomputing -- It's not just a job, it's an adventure!
User avatar
moonshadow
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 6994
Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2015 1:58 am
Location: Warm Beach, Washington
Contact:

Re: Skirt Superpowers

Post by moonshadow »

crfriend wrote:I knew what I know now "way back then" (or could back-time and confront my younger self -- skirted, to boot) I'd have advised becoming a plumber with a specialisation in refrigeration.
Funny...
Older Carl wants to advise younger Carl to do what MoonShadow basically does...

Older MoonShadow wants to advise younger MoonShadow to do what Carl basically does...! :lol:

One thing is for certain, both young Carl and young MoonShadow would have had some interesting memories had both of us had toyed with that social experiment better known as "male skirt wearing"!

Oh, and I caught your little "quoting" snafu... :lol: You need to change the submit button on the forum to "I'm Feeling Lucky"! :wink: --That's the second time you've done that... you're slippin old man! :lol: :P j/k

Yes, I'm on call, bored as hell and just sitting in front of the computer screen.
crfriend wrote:1) You have no idea how inconsequential $100,000 is. Seriously, and I mean no hurt or disrespect, it's a pittance.
Ahh, in adulthood it's pittance, but for someone fresh out of high school with no bills, it's a handsome sum! If nothing else, it's one hell of a summer (after graduation) and no student loans! Besides, I suspect 100grand goes a little further in SWVA than it does in MA. In all reality, from graduation to 2005 I survived on about $15,000 per year. -Working 40 hours at $7+/- per hour in various plants and factories.

Then again, if I had invested that money in college as opposed to squandering it with my family, it might not have taken to age of 36 to finally break the $40k per year barrier.

Yes, the American capitalist machine has made a tidy sum off of my foolishness! :eye: Ahhhh... can't blame anyone but myself. Nobody twisted my arm- all I can do is learn from the mistakes.
-Andrea
The old hillbilly from the coal fields of the Appalachian mountains currently living like there's no tomorrow on the west coast.
User avatar
Sinned
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 5804
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 5:28 pm
Location: York, England

Re: Skirt Superpowers

Post by Sinned »

I fell into computing completely by accident in my early thirties having been made redundant whilst I had a young family and a mortgage to fund. Now nearing retirement - hah, fat chance - I gave that up as it was too stressful and the whole industry changed from mainframes on which I was a PICK/UNIX programmer/specialist to client/server. Now I work in retail with a lot less stress and about a quarter of the salary but I'm reasonably happy. If I were to advise the youth of today I would say to get into a trade such as an electrician or plumber and go self-employed. Have I had regrets - yes but as Carl says the past has passed. MOH and I are in a good position financially and I like my skirts even if MOH doesn't. But the future is brighter than it was.
I believe in offering every assistance short of actual help but then mainly just want to be left to be myself in all my difference and uniqueness.
User avatar
moonshadow
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 6994
Joined: Sun Aug 09, 2015 1:58 am
Location: Warm Beach, Washington
Contact:

Re: Skirt Superpowers

Post by moonshadow »

Sinned wrote:If I were to advise the youth of today I would say to get into a trade such as an electrician or plumber and go self-employed.
I've thought about getting licensed. That's the only thing really holding me down. I'm not sure about Tennessee, but in Virginia, when I worked for a cooking equipment contractor, they had to have someone on payroll who was a master electrician and plumber in order for the company to contract such work.

I've done the work, and I'm pretty good at it, it's always been through someone else's license though. I can wire and plumb just about anything... I just don't have papers. Perhaps with this new job, if they have a master tradesman on payroll, I can see about climbing that ladder again. I do enjoy this work. I really enjoy troubleshooting electrical controls, switches, relays, etc.

Warning... thread drift... :bom:
-Andrea
The old hillbilly from the coal fields of the Appalachian mountains currently living like there's no tomorrow on the west coast.
User avatar
Daryl
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 1219
Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 4:25 am
Location: Toronto Canada

Re: Skirt Superpowers

Post by Daryl »

Sinned wrote:If I were to advise the youth of today I would say to get into a trade such as an electrician or plumber and go self-employed.
Me too, in fact I've advised that a lot. There was a story here a little while ago about a doctor whose brother begged him to help in his tiling business when he was swamped with work. The doctor found it so lucrative he eventually gave up his practice. He also found it very satisfying personally.
Daryl...
User avatar
Sinned
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 5804
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 5:28 pm
Location: York, England

Re: Skirt Superpowers

Post by Sinned »

Whilst in the process of renovating various properties I have learnt how to do flooring - carpets, linoleums, laminates - tiling, I have the tile cutters, decorating, plumbing, general carpentry and straightforward electrical. So I have a broad range of skills but like Moon I don't have any certificates. Without expensive training courses they are not easy to get over here so I manage but I certainly couldn't go self-employed on any basis. Seems that this side of the river we are getting short on a lot of qualified personnel even dentists, doctors, tradespersons.
I believe in offering every assistance short of actual help but then mainly just want to be left to be myself in all my difference and uniqueness.
User avatar
denimini
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 3224
Joined: Wed Jan 07, 2015 2:50 am
Location: Outback Australia

Re: Skirt Superpowers

Post by denimini »

No regrets; change one small thing in life and everything after is changed; I might not have met Heather and thus might not have ever tried on a skirt and would not be posting here ...........
Sometimes I think it would have been good if I had discovered skirt superpowers earlier, but as it was I got into enough battles with being unconventional. At least I am enjoying skirts now and haven't totally missed out on the fun and I think it is easier now than 20 years ago.
The only reason I have a profession is that in the mid 1970's Australia had a progressive government with free education plus a small allowance for tertiary students - it was luck and not good planning on my part. I have been self employed 95% of working life, not really an easy road but has it's positives like being skirt friendly.
Anthony, a denim miniskirt wearer in Outback Australia
pelmut
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 1923
Joined: Wed Mar 12, 2014 10:36 am
Location: Somerset, England

Re: Skirt Superpowers

Post by pelmut »

Back on topic...
A skirt is cool when you are doing something active and moving around, but warm when you stand still.
There is no such thing as a normal person, only someone you don't know very well yet.
User avatar
Daryl
Member Extraordinaire
Posts: 1219
Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 4:25 am
Location: Toronto Canada

Re: Skirt Superpowers

Post by Daryl »

moonshadow wrote:
Sinned wrote:If I were to advise the youth of today I would say to get into a trade such as an electrician or plumber and go self-employed.
I've thought about getting licensed. That's the only thing really holding me down. I'm not sure about Tennessee, but in Virginia, when I worked for a cooking equipment contractor, they had to have someone on payroll who was a master electrician and plumber in order for the company to contract such work.

I've done the work, and I'm pretty good at it, it's always been through someone else's license though. I can wire and plumb just about anything... I just don't have papers. Perhaps with this new job, if they have a master tradesman on payroll, I can see about climbing that ladder again. I do enjoy this work. I really enjoy troubleshooting electrical controls, switches, relays, etc.

Warning... thread drift... :bom:
You might enjoy adding PLC programming and industrial control specialities too, and solar energy (which is exploding massively even as we speak).

There, I pulled the thread right back on topic! :cyclops:
Daryl...
Post Reply