utilikilt journey: full circle

[siri]

i haven't posted anything in this cafe for what feels like very long time, so here goes:

i was in a target store on saturday in a town in new jersey (jersey city) where i rarely go... i was there to do laundry (my machine's broken).... my husband z and i ran into target to return something. while having a terrific time rummaging through the one-dollar bins there, i noticed a young guy passing by wearing what i was pretty sure was a utilikilt. i spun around and did my usual "hi! is that a utilikilt?" -- he was very non-chalant about it, and sort-of with a yawn said "yup".... i then said my sort-of usual "thanks for wearing it. i love utilikilts... my husband has one"... and he nodded, completely disinterested in my enthusiasm, and headed off with his also-disinterested girlfriend or sister or whoever she was.

I TOOK THIS AS A VERY GOOD OMEN.

i thought back to how my immersement into 'freedom for men-in-skirts' began with my meeting a guy at a meditation group (dharma punx -- look it up) in a utilikilt (when i asked him about that great thing he was wearing, he pulled a utilikilt card out of his pocket for me, which was impressive and great fun) sometime around november 03, which led me to get right on the utilikilt site, which had a feature about the upcoming million-skirted-men event scheduled to be in new york in 2/04, which led me to what was then tom's cafe, where i signed up right away and had a wonderful time brainstorming with lar and tom (sweethearts, both), getting involved in the event, helping out as i could, being active in the cafe for years -- and in new york city and wherever i go, to the extent that i've been able to be a voice of encouragement and solidarity with men who i've run into in the most unpredictable -- and sometimes hilarious places -- and meeting a number of wonderful people, several who have since become dear friends.

WHAT WAS THE OMEN?

this guy didn't give a hoot about my knowing what he was wearing, or about my enthusiasm. what this said to me was: he's completely at ease, it's a part of his daily life, he has no trepidation about what he's doing, for all i know all his friends wear them, maybe even his chemistry teacher, or his boss, and he most likely thought i was some nutty woman he couldn't wait to get away from.

he certainly didn't need me or my support.

i've lost touch with the cafe since the name change.... when i have dropped in a few times, there are mostly names i don't recognize; and several i do, which are always nice to see.

the omen for me was that even though i'm not actively involved anymore, fashion liberation has grown exponentially, and will keep on doing so. (even though, sadly, liberation throughout the world, in so many forms, is slow-to-come, and so broadly compromised or straight-out denied.)

most people here, i know, have no idea who i am, and that's fine and great. for those of you who have known me, i'm saying good-bye.... even though my non-involvement has said it for quite a while.

but i'm not one to lurk, and it makes no sense to me to be only partly involved. i've left other lists for the same reason. my time commitments have changed and my focus has been elsewhere. life is good, and i hope that's true for all of you.

it took a utilikilt to bring me back to the cafe, and that gives me a perfect sense of closure.

i'll always smile at and probably always gab excitedly with any man i see in a skirt.

as donovan sang: "everyone is a part of everything anyway."

happy new year to all, and many many more.

-- siri

[Dick Ackerman]

siri:
I'm glad to see you post. And I/m sad to see you go. We talked early on and I found your support a very positive thing. Utilikilts are a part of my daily clothing choices now. and your support will always be welcome. So lurk on if you like. And I hope we can meet sometime in our travels.

Dick Ackerman

[Departed Member]

Although I could never have got to know you personally, being in the UK, it was always re-assuring to read your positive posts. For many here, past or present, whether they met you or not, your support was very welcome!

[ChristopherJ]

I never knew you. My loss. Maybe in another time, another place . .

Happiness runs in a circular motion
Thought is like a little boat upon the sea.
Everybody is a part of everything anyway,
You can have everything if you let yourself be.

[binx]

Seems so long since MSM, as its anniversary draws near, but so glad you could drop by. We're somewhat lacking women's points of view IMO. Thanks for all the encouragement and enthusiasm you've contributed and that your post conveys. Thanks to you I'll always remember to flatten my pleats...

binx

[iain]

Hi Siri!

Neat story, it says a lot. I remember reading about Jack Kirby, the comic artist who struggled through abuse by the industry he worked for in the 40's, 50's and 60's. When asked about the well paid unionised young artists who were now making a fortune by re-designing all his characters, he just smiled and said, "yeah, I took a beating so they could draw pretty pictures."

Being the first is never easy; I think many guys here took a beating, from different sides, with only the modest aim that men might have more choices in their everyday wardrobe. Disillusioned spouses, public laughter; I was even told it could be used in court, to help take my kids away.

You're right, everything changes; at least online sites are one context where people can come and go as their own selves dictate, without reproof or recrimination. If only all human institutions were so uncomplicated.

All the best.

[Ingemar]

i haven't posted anything in this cafe for what feels like very long time, so here goes:

i was in a target store on saturday in a town in new jersey (jersey city) where i rarely go... i was there to do laundry (my machine's broken).... my husband z and i ran into target to return something. while having a terrific time rummaging through the one-dollar bins there, i noticed a young guy passing by wearing what i was pretty sure was a utilikilt. i spun around and did my usual "hi! is that a utilikilt?" -- he was very non-chalant about it, and sort-of with a yawn said "yup".... i then said my sort-of usual "thanks for wearing it. i love utilikilts... my husband has one"... and he nodded, completely disinterested in my enthusiasm, and headed off with his also-disinterested girlfriend or sister or whoever she was.

I TOOK THIS AS A VERY GOOD OMEN.

i thought back to how my immersement into 'freedom for men-in-skirts' began with my meeting a guy at a meditation group (dharma punx -- look it up) in a utilikilt (when i asked him about that great thing he was wearing, he pulled a utilikilt card out of his pocket for me, which was impressive and great fun) sometime around november 03, which led me to get right on the utilikilt site, which had a feature about the upcoming million-skirted-men event scheduled to be in new york in 2/04, which led me to what was then tom's cafe, where i signed up right away and had a wonderful time brainstorming with lar and tom (sweethearts, both), getting involved in the event, helping out as i could, being active in the cafe for years -- and in new york city and wherever i go, to the extent that i've been able to be a voice of encouragement and solidarity with men who i've run into in the most unpredictable -- and sometimes hilarious places -- and meeting a number of wonderful people, several who have since become dear friends.

WHAT WAS THE OMEN?

this guy didn't give a hoot about my knowing what he was wearing, or about my enthusiasm. what this said to me was: he's completely at ease, it's a part of his daily life, he has no trepidation about what he's doing, for all i know all his friends wear them, maybe even his chemistry teacher, or his boss, and he most likely thought i was some nutty woman he couldn't wait to get away from.

he certainly didn't need me or my support.

i've lost touch with the cafe since the name change.... when i have dropped in a few times, there are mostly names i don't recognize; and several i do, which are always nice to see.

the omen for me was that even though i'm not actively involved anymore, fashion liberation has grown exponentially, and will keep on doing so. (even though, sadly, liberation throughout the world, in so many forms, is slow-to-come, and so broadly compromised or straight-out denied.)

most people here, i know, have no idea who i am, and that's fine and great. for those of you who have known me, i'm saying good-bye.... even though my non-involvement has said it for quite a while.

but i'm not one to lurk, and it makes no sense to me to be only partly involved. i've left other lists for the same reason. my time commitments have changed and my focus has been elsewhere. life is good, and i hope that's true for all of you.

it took a utilikilt to bring me back to the cafe, and that gives me a perfect sense of closure.

i'll always smile at and probably always gab excitedly with any man i see in a skirt.

as donovan sang: "everyone is a part of everything anyway."

happy new year to all, and many many more.

-- siri

Hi siri!

Great to hear from you, I still haven´t thrown the plans for "coming over" again in the bin. I won´t be able to do it in 2007 as my trip as follow up on my conversion takes money but if it is ok with you we could look forward to 2008

Greetings

Ingemar

[iain]

Anyone heard from bravehearts.us as to why he quit last week?