Tee hee, that one’s just too evil, isn’t it? Inspiration vacated the premises at the beginning of the month, leaving me without any ideas for a new LoveBug cartoon. But earlier this evening all the memories of this frustrating week gelled together to form this gem of a LoveBug. As horribly delicious as it is, I think it’s my new favorite. There’s just something about a big orange blob that screams “cute” to me. Sadistically cute, sure, but cute nonetheless. 🙂     In other news, I started my very own meme! Apparently you all really liked my blog about my various crushes over the years, cause so far I’ve found two other people who’ve made lists of their own. They’re oh so fun to read, so if you’ve written one too, please post a comment and share with the rest of the class, will you? Danke!

    This week’s been pretty busy, although that’s not the reason for the aforementioned frustration. But I won’t get into that now. What I will get into, though, is my upcoming trip to San Francisco. I’m leaving next week on a jet plane (sorry, couldn’t resist) to attend the wedding of my good friend Amber. I’m the sort-of Maid of Honor (no official wedding party, but that’s my title anyway), and I’m the photographer for this shindig, so there are lots of preparations to be taken care of. First and foremost, lots and lots of shopping.

    The one thing I was dreading most was shopping for clothes. I hate it. Clothes just aren’t made for women shaped like me. Maybe if I’d been around in the 1950’s, but noooOooo, not in stick-land of the 21st century. Anyway, I was particularly dreading the seemingly impossible task of finding a formal for the reception. Nothing ever fits right, nothing’s ever modest enough (I am a Mormon, after all), and everything tends to look like a bad prom dress. Thank goodness I saw ‘Bride & Prejudice’ with Stephen this week! I’ve always been an admirer of Indian clothing, the women always look so graceful and feminine. I own a few saris, but I couldn’t wear one and traipse around taking pictures at the same time. Those things just aren’t stable enough for that, at least not on me. What I really wanted was a salwar kameez (not exactly like that one, but that’s the general idea), but I never thought they’d look good on me. Boy was I excited when I saw that the lead actress of ‘Bride & Prejudice’ was shaped a little like me and, lo and behold, a salwar looked great on her!

    As luck would have it, my nephew Max goes to preschool with a boy whose Mother owns a small Indian shop literally around the corner from my house. On Tuesday I ventured over there, optimistic that finally I’d be able to find something formal, unique, and beautiful that would – *gasp* – actually fit me! Sure enough I found this absolutely gorgeous champagne-colored, hand-beaded silk salwar. I loved it so much I ended up buying three other salwars as well, although those are far more casual. They’re all embroidered though, and I love them just a bit too much. I swear, if I could get away with wearing them all the time, I would – I had no idea they’d be so comfortable! It’s like wearing exceedingly chic pajamas. I have the confidence to be the only white chick in a salwar, but I’m not sure I should completely abandon my good ole’ American blue jeans.

    The only other shopping expedition that has given me pause is make-up. More specifically, lipstick. I absolutely hate trying to buy lipstick. Clearly I’m not one to be easily intimidated as evidenced by my wardrobe choices, but I find lipstick highly intimidating. It’s a risk, a gamble, staring at the pigment through a plastic tube, trying to guess how the color will translate once it’s on my lips. Will it last? Will it feather? Will it smear? Will it kiss off? (Ha, who’s going to test it anyway? Forget that question.) Throw in the confusion of lip-liner and I’m a goner. I’ll stand in the make-up aisle at Target, a blank stare gracing my face, locked in Cosmetics Confusion. Sure, I could go to a department store and be done up by one of the make-up ladies. But have you ever seen a make-up lady who doesn’t look like she tripped into a waist-high pile of Avon? They’re like creamed clowns with the spikiest, blackest eyelashes you’ve ever seen. And don’t even get me started on their ‘artistic’ eyebrows. (Who in their right mind thinks anyone’s fooled by that?!) I hardly trust them to give me decent make-up advice.

    After gathering up my courage, I finally settled on a shade that, rather than being ‘Everlasting Lilac’, should be titled ‘Noncommittal Pink’ – it’s not too pink, not too lavender, not too mauve. As far as colors go, it’s a fence-sitter. But I’m hoping that will be just right when paired with my Indian outfit. A girl can only hope…