Lostintranslation enters a pageant

lostintranslation · 05-31-2008, 01:32 PM

So perhaps this isn't what could be considered world news, or even spooky news, but I was unsure as to which section of the boards this should go in, and was looking for some opinions.

I have entered a pageant. The National American Miss Teen pageant, to be exact. I'm a state finalist, and have the state competition in about three weeks. If I win, I go on to Nationals in CA and win some nice money. I entered the pageant by choice, not by force, and I entered because I find it rather funny. As a cynical, pessimistic goth gal, a pageant is the last place most of those who know me would expect to see me. How ironic would it be if I won? The teen who breaks all the rules, and can't stand conformity has a shot at winning a pageant. Granted, I am not planning on going into the state pageant in my full goth gear. The state pageant is small, with few events, and isn't completely condusive with what I would like to do if I were to go goth. My hope is that I'll win the state pageant in semi-goth gear, which is a realistic goal seeing as, due to my attendance at a Catholic high school, I am one of the best bull shitters known to man. If I were to win the state pageant and move on to nationals, I would be in a relatively large, televised pageant. This is where I wish to truly express myself. I want to be on tv, in a pageant, in all the goth glory I can, and show everyone watching that conformity is for cookie cutters, not people.

The reason I am sharing this with the board is because I was curious as to others' opinions. I am not looking for those who chose to read all this to accept me or stroke my ego, because I got over that stage in my life when I learned to dress myself. What I would like to know is whether or not you all believe that my attempts to send a message will be received and whether or not you have any advice as to how I could further suceed.

Thanks all!
Lost

HumanePain · 05-31-2008, 01:37 PM

I think that is AWESOME! And I can brag to people that I know you! Well, a little anyway.

And I have always thought you were beautiful, especially your eyes. Good luck!

lostintranslation · 05-31-2008, 04:10 PM

Thanks Humane Pain, I truly appreciate it. Brag all you like, even though nothing has actually happened yet. haha.

Godslayer Jillian · 05-31-2008, 04:26 PM

What rules would you be breaking?
I'm not being iconoclast for no reason; it's just that you're not really sending a message of unconformity. If you are going to downplay the 'gothiness' because you know you wouldn't win that way, then what rules are you breaking?
And how is it that you don't stand conformity when it was by your choice that you are doing something and playing by their rules hoping that you actually win? They are obviously not going to choose someone that publicly defies the status quo and everything they stand for, so if you do win, it means that either you compromised yourself, or never actually did anything.
Now, please don't get mad at me, but if you do continue in that pageant, it's not ironic, nor will it convey a message, nor will it be a reasonable means of empowerment; it will just mean that you're very pretty.

I Am Great. · 05-31-2008, 04:29 PM

Hey, me too! Looks like you will be my competition. Sorry I will have to decimate you

. I look very lovely in a dress.

lostintranslation · 05-31-2008, 05:06 PM

Jillian-I'm not mad. I'm not planning on breaking any pageant rules. If I break a rule, I'll get kicked out, which would defeat the whole purpose. I'm not saying that by being in a pageant, I am displaying my dislike for conformity, but that by being myself in a pageant, I am displaying my dislike for conformity. I realize that in order to get to nationals, I can't be 100% myself, so I am conforming a bit there. But if I were to get to nationals, then I could truly show off my message. I'm not trying to win nationals, just get there and get my message across. Show everybody that you don't have to be a blonde idiot with giant boobs to be beautiful.

I Am Great-I'm sure you are exactly as you're name states, and we shall see who really looks better in a dress. What state are you from?

I Am Great. · 05-31-2008, 05:08 PM

I am actually Irish. All of that was a big lie, apart from the bit about looking good in a dress.

I Am Great. · 05-31-2008, 05:09 PM

Also, I am a man in his thirties.

Godslayer Jillian · 05-31-2008, 05:11 PM

You can't win if the judges don't like you. If they like you, it means that the pageant doesn't think beauty is being "blonde with big boobs" as you say. If they don't like you, then you are not going to convey a message through winning by being different.
You can't use the system to defeat the system. It is a much better message to be pretty and not care about pageants.

lostintranslation · 05-31-2008, 05:11 PM

Oh, well then, no doubt you look better in a dress than I could ever dream of. Granted, I think the cut off age is 29 for Teen pageants.

I Am Great. · 05-31-2008, 05:12 PM

Don't yr teens kind of officially end at age twenty? Or did I miss the memo?

lostintranslation · 05-31-2008, 05:14 PM

Jillian-I think you're a dream crusher. No worries though, I'm entering the pageant more for how funny it's going to be. But, I'm still going to try to use the system to beat the system. Goths can be likeable folks, so if they judges like me, how does that go against being goth or my message? And if the judges like me, doesn't that really just help the idea that conformity isn't necessary? I'm allowed to be unique and likeable.

lostintranslation · 05-31-2008, 05:14 PM

I Am Great-Sarcasm is hard to understand online, so don't worry about it.

Godslayer Jillian · 05-31-2008, 05:16 PM

And I want you to be unique, which is the reason I don't like the idea of you going somewhere to be evaluated.
Do you really need their approval?
If you do win, realize it doesn't mean "yay unconformity", it means you are exactly what they are looking for; and when they're looking for something plastic, unrealistic, and compliant, what would that say about you?
Pray you don't win.
You might think I'm a dream crusher; I think you're affected by this shallow culture.

I Am Great. · 05-31-2008, 05:20 PM

Jillian - Mighty Trust Krusher.

lostintranslation · 05-31-2008, 05:20 PM

Jillian-I think you're pretty excellent, even if you feel the need to ruin dreams. I'm not in a pageant because I need the approval of others. It can be nice at times, true, but from strangers? No point in that. If I win, it may mean I am what they wanted, but I think it also shows people that being pretty isn't about being plastic. What people think of me isn't life or death to me, but showing people that beauty comes in a million different ways means a lot to me.

I Am Great. · 05-31-2008, 05:28 PM

Then why not enter a talent contest?

lostintranslation · 05-31-2008, 05:31 PM

I'm entering the talent portion of the pageant as well, but I don't know of any talent contests in my area. The only talent I have that is good for a stage performance is playing flute, which is never my favorite thing to do, so I most likely wouldn't see much coming out of entering a talent contest. I typically do things because I find that they will either make me happy, or most commonly, I will find them funny. A talent show would do neither for me.

Renatus · 05-31-2008, 06:28 PM

Where is this taking place, and what day exactly? Or better yet do you know of a website with info on all this, because I might be able to see it actualy. If it's in middleton as the information I've dug up suggests then it would work out especialy well since my uncle lives there(middleton might only be less than two hours away from me but it's still nice to have a place to stop off nearby at). I'll have to see if I can find myself a descent camera for the event.

I Am Great. · 05-31-2008, 06:38 PM

You thinkin' of going into the softcore porn industry?

lostintranslation · 05-31-2008, 07:35 PM

Renatus-My folks are already recording the pageant (I'm making them so I can have a party later and laugh at it with my friends), and yes it is in Middleton, but tickets are $15 and you'd have to purchase a ticket straight from a contestant, if I remember correctly.

I Am Great-I don't know about Renatus, but I personally am not looking to go into softcore porn. As intriguing as it may be, due to my age, such photage would be illegal in all 50 states. Plus, have you ever noticed how all the gents in porn aren't good looking? No thank you. haha.

Renatus · 05-31-2008, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostintranslation

Renatus-My folks are already recording the pageant (I'm making them so I can have a party later and laugh at it with my friends),

You had better post the video(though I was thinking more still photos).

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostintranslation

you'd have to purchase a ticket straight from a

Couldn't I buy one from you?
But yeah I think that's on the day when my parents have my high school graduation party planned for. But if I could make it I could cheer you on on behalf of gnet, because while I don't like speaking for others, and while some might question your motives, gnet is behind you in your efforts towards your goal.

lostintranslation · 05-31-2008, 07:54 PM

Haha. Thanks Renatus. I will make sure to post the video so all of G-Net can enjoy and have a chuckle, not only because it shall be funny, but also because I like the word chuckle. In all honesty, the word chuckle makes me chuckle.

But back to the point here, yes, you can purchase a ticket from me if you so chose. I warn you in advance, I have some friends coming to cheer me on who plan on attempting to dress goth, and I can already tell that they will all fail. Don't be insulted if you do go and see them, it is only a joke, they are not making fun of goths. It is in Middleton, on June 21 and 22.

Renatus · 05-31-2008, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lostintranslation

Haha. Thanks Renatus. I will make sure to post the video so all of G-Net can enjoy and have a chuckle, not only because it shall be funny, but also because I like the word chuckle. In all honesty, the word chuckle makes me chuckle.

But back to the point here, yes, you can purchase a ticket from me if you so chose. I warn you in advance, I have some friends coming to cheer me on who plan on attempting to dress goth, and I can already tell that they will all fail. Don't be insulted if you do go and see them, it is only a joke, they are not making fun of goths. It is in Middleton, on June 21 and 22.

Oh so it's not just on one day, then I might be able to make it. Is it 1 ticket per day or 1 ticket covers both days? But don't worry about your friends, they do it with good intentions, so it's all right by me.

lostintranslation · 05-31-2008, 08:06 PM

It is in fact a two day event. I can't recall which portions of the pageant are on which day, other than the crowning and such is the 22.