28 Days in Zentai

Who Got 1 of the 8...(there's 1 left!)

2012-01-29T21:39:00.000Z

Ok, so it was a ridiculously short videostream...about 18mins all in all but if you want to watch it again, it'll eventually be up on the channel once it's finished encoding.

But in the meantime, I'll write out the general gist of what I said.
First off the folks who got a suit:
1. Lee the Bee (USA) - Black Velvet
2. Sam (London) - Plain Blue
3. Lycraswede (Sweden) - Lightning
4. Foozle (USA) - Plain Black
5. Gaz (UK) - Navy Blue
6. Zen Tub (UK) - Sparkly Bengal Blue Tiger*
7. Ms Lycra x (London) - Plain, colour not specified
8. Fleur (UK) - X-men Rogue Catsuit.

Now I know you're looking at 6 and 8, thinking "hang on!". Hang on, indeed. I'm a strong believer in "if you don't ask, you don't get"...and Zen Tub asked, straight up, if he could have his suit made in the same fabric as mine (seen in the last video I did suited up). Pretty simple there.

As for Fleur, she's a friend of mine whom I informed of my making suits for people and we've been throwing the idea about a catsuit around for a while. She's got a comicon towards the end of February and she was looking to commission a suit for it. If you've not run a Google to jog your memory, this is the Rogue we're referring to:

It's kinda why I didn't stream yesterday...I went for an intense 1-1 tailoring course just to make sure I had it down right so far as dealing with additional panels is concerned!

SO! With that in mind, that 8 is technically not a zentai. Which means there's still 1 suit up for grabs. I'm extending the offer of that suit up until 1st February (2359), so have a look at the older posts and send me an e-mail: izentalondon@gmail.com and I'll ping you a confirmation e-mail back.

In addition to that, I've decided I want to make at least 1 suit for myself. I mentioned that I have this deep red theme going on in my new place (deep wine-red carpets...I bought a vacuum cleaner in exactly the same colour...I've got a microwave in exactly the same colour, the walls in my kitchen....are exactly the same colour...yeah) So, I'm going to buy some deep red fabric (might be slightly metallic) and make a suit out of it..I'll probably do a video in it and take some pictures too.

As for the suits, I'm aiming at 2 suits a week or so, and once suits are finished they'll be showcased on the Sunday via videostream before they're gently packed away and shipped off to their new owners :-)

I was told that livestream wasn't drowning the channel in adverts, but I quite like the video interactivity of Tinychat, so I'm looking into that at the moment and will setup a dedicated page (by way of the menu bar up there *points*) on the site so that it's easier to navigate to.

Other than that, I think I was rabbiting on about random nonsense for a little then decided to bring it to a close.

Ah it's finished encoding:

Watch live streaming video from izentai at livestream.com

The 8 suits (did you get one?)

2012-01-29T20:50:00.000Z

So, here we are...
I've got the list of folks here...I really hate not being able to do this at home, but c'est la vie.

I'll be broadcasting in a few minutes (9pm remember), hang tight :-)

Livestream Sunday 9pm GMT...

2012-01-28T02:33:00.000Z

Hello!

So, I've totally forgotten that it's my working weekend this weekend...so I'll be streaming from work. Not glamorous (and not suited, unfortunately) I know...but these things happen (especially when I forget to look at my shift schedule).

Anyway! it's still 9pm and I'll post up another post with a livestream channel in it, but if you want to bookmark it then here's the link:

www.livestream.com/izentai

If you still want a suit, there's still time. Send me an email: izentailondon@gmail.com with the info I asked for in the previous post, and I'll reply as soon as I can (quite quickly as I've now synced it to my phone...yay!)

I've had a progressive idea for the videos to come, so I'll probably explain a bit more of that in the livestream tomorrow.

In the meantime I hope everyone's having fun doing whatever they're doing this weekend!

iZ.

29 days, 2012: The run down...

2012-01-13T01:04:00.003Z

Ok, so I've had to reel some things in and taken loads on board from fellow Zentaists on the Ayus zentai/lycra forum e-mails sent and speaking with my mum.

If I was freelancing, doing a suit a day (or 2 suits a day) would be a doddle! But I still have my job which runs from 2pm till 10.30pm 5 days a week, so I can't quite do the 29 suits I wanted to. As awesome as it would have been!

So! I've boiled it down to 8 suits for the month. Yes, a HUGE reduction I know but I still want this to be fun (not just for me but for you too!) and not turn into a "chore". It's still open to all you lovely people and you now have a choice of either plain colours or patterns. I know price is something everyone's been fretting over so here they are: £40 for a plain coloured zentai, £70 for a patterned zentai (incl. the black velvet). If you're based in the UK then that includes Postage and such. If you're overseas, we'll have to have a chat and see what options can be worked out.

The colour choices are pretty flexible. It's easier with standard colours: Blue, Green, Red, Black, White. if you select a plain colour that's a bit "in between" then I'll certainly try my best to get lycra that's as close to the colour you've asked for. Pattern choices are still the 3 shown in the previous post and of course the super stretch black velvet. There's no limitation to who picks what (I noticed some options were more popular than others! So making 3 velvet suits is ok), it's totally down to you!

Another recap is on the zipper options:
1. Inner leg seam (running from the inner left leg, to the crotch, down the inner right leg)
2. Lower back to head (typical zentai zip position)
3. Male/female zip to head (like 2, but extends from the front (navel for men) through the crotch to the back of your head)
4. Lower back zip to face (via crotch up to the forehead)

Also remember all hoods are full hoods, no eye-holes :-)

Yeah yeah yeah, but how do I get one!

Initially I was going to find a plug-in to use in the next post for you guys to enter your e-mail address in, you'd be given a number and a random number generator would spew out 8 numbers. But a quick chat tonight with a fellow zentaist (the one who actually challenged me to do my 28 days initially!) suggested something different that I quite like! So!!!

YOU need to SEND ME AN E-MAIL from an e-mail address that you will check regularly (communication is important here if you're selected and I'm making you a suit). And this e-mail must contain the following:

1. Plain (select colour) or Pattern (Velvet, Red Leopard, Lightning, Pin-Stripe)
2. Male or Female
3. Small, Medium, Large, X-Large (sizing chart at the end of the post)
4. Zip Option (1, 2, 3, 4)
5. Location (UK, EU, RoW)
6. Payment option (Paypal is easiest, but I'm open to sensible suggestions)

• Send a message with the above to: iZentailondon [at] gmail [dot] com
• I'll then send you an e-mail back with a number. PLEASE KEEP THIS E-MAIL (and remember your number).
• On the 28th January at 9pm GMT, I'll be streaming live from my livestream channel and do an old school raffle announcement (i.e. write numbers out on paper, scrunch them into a hat, give them a mix up, then pull out numbers at random) of the 8 suits. A confirmation e-mail will also be sent out to those whose number was selected.
• Suits will be made in order of the announcement. I'm aiming at making 2 suits a week (though one week this might be skewed as I'll be in Germany) and you'll get an e-mail when I've started your suit with an ETA (postage times pending)!

Phew! I think that's everything...This is the first time I've ever done anything like this (ever!) so if I've missed out something glaringly obvious do point it out!! I've chosen livestream over tinychat because it saves recordings to the channel, so if folks want to watch it again when I'm offline it's there for you whenever :-)

OH, by the way!! You guys (and gals) TOTALLY have to take pictures of your sexy selves in them and send me a copy, I'll up them on here (or not, but I'd like a copy anyway)...or if you're in London we can arrange a walkabout at the end of the month ^_^...

It's all a bit exciting, isn't it?! Woohoo!!!

DON'T FORGET TO E-MAIL IF YOU WANT IN!! (the e-mail isn't normally set up to avoid spambots from sniffing it out. I hate spam, just change the [at] to @ and [dot] to . ) iZentailondon [at] gmail [dot] com

Here's the size chart:

Shift in gears for 2012 (29 Days...Do you want one?)

2011-12-30T23:44:00.007Z

Woo, lost a hold on a lot of things for a few months there :-/ Also forgot to renew the domain for this site...thankfully dreamhost are awesome and the domains get held for a bit before it's a free-for-all.

*ahem*

So yeah, having a full-time "job" hasn't really been working out and I'm reaching the point where my health starts to go a bit wrong if I stay in the same job. It's happened before and it *wasn't* pretty. I guess I'm a little jealous of people who just put their head down and wait till things get better. How people expect change when they carry on doing exactly the same is beyond me!

I've marked mid-April as my "hand in my notice" D-Day, then I have to work for a month before I can go (yeah it sucks). I've got loads planned before that, one which I think will probably result in many sick days, but it'll be fun and certainly a learning experience:

29 Zentai Suits in 29 Days...X_X

Yep, in February I want to bash out as many suits as I can without having a nervous breakdown. So a suit a day makes sense. Obviously I won't be working from scratch and these won't be tailored as I won't have time for all that. I'm currently designing Small, Medium, Large and eXtra Large blocks to be cut out of wood (eventually metal if this proves successful) to make the pattern cutting a lot easier. Options will be limited to zipper placement (inner leg seam, lower back to head, male/female zip to head, male/female zip to face (front). All hoods will be full, no eye-holes.

This isn't all being said just because..(well a little), but mainly because I'm putting a feeler out there to see if anyone wants one? 25 suits will be plain coloured (black, white, blue, green, red), 1 smooth black velvet and the last 3 will be in ridiculously funky prints:

Black Super Stretch Smooth Velvet:

Print 1:

Print 2:

Print 3:

If any of you are interested, give me some feedback on what I've written and tell me if I've missed anything out, should explain more about some things and if you want one. I'd need to cover my overheads of sending them out to you and sourcing the fabric (the quality is premium!) but that's not the main focus..I just want you folks to be part of my crazy little world.

Feedback via comment response here or tweet me @iZentaiLondon or send me an e-mail: izentailondon [at] gmail [dot] com

I'll follow up on this in 2 weeks or so with a more concise roll out of how I'm going to avoid a nervous breakdown ^_^

But for now, let's bring in 2012!! (and my turning 26...AAAARRRGGHHHH!!!!!!!)

Silky yummy hugs n stuff!

iZ

iZentai says HI! ^_^

2011-07-23T19:56:00.000+01:00

After being quiet for so long...

It's Sunday, and I'm streaming from my bedroom!

2011-03-20T17:56:00.001Z

SQUEEEEEEE!! I've set it up so you don't need to log in (for now, if it gets silly i'll have to lock down, of course)

Come say Hi...once it's up and running :-D

Sorry sorry!!!

2011-03-18T10:35:00.003Z

I just opened my e-mail for the first time, in like EVER!

I completely forgot to sync it with my phone, so it's been in the ether of my browser's bookmark page (that i rarely visit).

Anyway, I hope I've replied to everyone's e-mails (reeeeeeally sorry!!)

Life's been stupidly busy! So haven't had much of a chance to do much of anything remotely lycra related.

THAT SAID! I have been at Torture Garden every now and then, and wear my lycra lovlies as much as i can.

iZ

why zentai is like bubble gum...

2010-12-09T02:54:00.002Z

...Been busy with life 2.5.8 but after my weekend in the tight stuff (sorry couldn't video in the venue and totally forgot before/after...d'oh!) I've had some thoughts about the whole zentai versus the myriad of ***-suits in the world.

Rootsuits, super fansuits, morphsuits, pratsuits etc. etc. etc.

So i had a think about it and wondered what hell one must have gone through when they invented chewing gum? And even then, they probably didn't "invent" it, but refined the concept or indeed tailored it to their own requirements.

Still, chewing gum (or bubble gum) still has the same standard function, to be chewed repetitively until the user is bored or it can't be chewed anymore. Yet people have their preferences:

I'm all about the Hubba Bubba because it goes hard and gives me jaw ache if i've chewed it for too long. Any other brand and it just dissolves in my mouth after a few hours (by a few i mean, like, 8?!) which is an annoying sticky mess indeed. I'm aware hubba bubba is bubble gum and thus tougher, but it does the trick.

I'm pretty sure that if someone told me how to make chewing/bubble gum, I'd just make my own!

So coming back to zentai, all the "brands" out there (even though most of those "suits" are just sourced from China via alibaba or something) are merely marketing exercises of the same damn thing. I make my own when I can and can't see myself buying a suit (unless i needed a replacement and can't be arsed to do it myself....like my zebra suit).

Thinking of Morphsuits as a really gimmicky/shitty brand of chewing gum brought a smile to my face :-)

And something a bit special...

2010-09-06T14:18:00.003+01:00

Sooooo.....the main reason why these videos weren't up was because i had a lovely distraction after the bike ride. Went to watch Scott Pilgrem vs The World. Loved it!!

Anyway, he spied my various lycra outfits just hanging out around my room this morning and wanted to try one on (yay!) initially i was just taking pictures (*shock* you perv!) but got the camera-phone out.

Please excuse my blatant perving...I'm a bum-woman, you see...

London Sky Ride...

2010-09-05T10:18:00.004+01:00

So I'm gonna go in a bit :-) decided just the rainbow lycra suit will do. I don't think i'll ever finish the hood on it...so i guess it'll just be a catsuit for the foreseeable future.

I'll be taking some video on my phone and uploading it to youtube as and when i can. my Youtube channel is Here. Keep an eye on it, I'll edit and update them then add them to a blog post later on today.

Be warned though, you get to see my face....zOmg!!!

Tee hee

Prized Pervert

2010-08-27T00:38:00.006+01:00

Herrow...

New job has been kicking my butt up and down the street (literally) so, no zentai fun for now...but - and i know i keep on saying this - big things are in the works. For now it's funds then buying...then more buying, then getting some very pretty men and women, and subjecting them to my camera (video too) and, and, and....

ANYWAY,

Fellow model/free radical/perv gave me a Prized pervert award on her blog!

Synthicorn: Prized Pervert - iZ

lycra covered rubba-dub-hugs n stuff

iZ

100% Acrylic (knitted zentai!!!)

2010-07-29T20:56:00.002+01:00

A fellow hood/zentai enthusiast linked me on my personal FB with this...SO FREAKING AWESOME!!!

Click the link then hit 100% Acrylic!

Agata Olek

Quiet as a mouse...

2010-07-25T16:16:00.003+01:00

It's crazy...I had all the time in the world at the beginning of the year, now it's all gone a bit...well. Pear-shaped.

I've had to try and get a full-time job, the life of a life model in London now a days what with schools and colleges tightening their purses, isn't an easy one. So rather than tough it out, I'm taking the easy option out for now.

As a result my zentai days have been on hiatus (I even got a text from Zentaispot asking if i was out at the "morph" meet just gone, I was coming back from a job interview unfortunately) though i did make a funky neck tutu thing...

I might have a slight obsession with the word "tutu" i find it quite hilarious, yet the reasons are unknown to me...for now.

SOoooo, yes. I also broke my last remaining overlocker needles whilst not paying attention, so need to restock my supplies anyway. AND, finally get my other sewing machine looked at. Poor thing might not even be salvageable but if it can be, it would be awesome as it's a savage bit of kit.

Still, I'll be back (famous last words) an I have some very sneaky ideas indeed for zentai. At least it'll put "morphsuits" into perspective - in that it'll be looked at as a joke and not used to blanket zentai into the ill fitting and - quite frankly - dull suits they import from china to bunk off as their own. The god awful website on ones ass isn't really flattering either.

Hope everyone's having a lycra-riffic summer!!

iZ

Tee Hee!!

2010-05-25T22:20:00.003+01:00

Was bored so thought I'd put a leg of my stripe zentai on my head and take a picture.

....As you do...

Sexeh stripey legs!

2010-05-11T15:23:00.001+01:00

My stripey zentai not done but had to put it on!

Zebra Zentai Tour Venue 2: City Arts & Music Project (CAMP)

2010-05-10T17:21:00.003+01:00

Howdie doodle....

I've spent this weekend gone re-making someone's Starwars fancy dress outfit (white lycra) and starting on my front zipper zentai. Unfortunately due to the suppliers telling porky-pies (lies) about which way the stripes went i'm a bit fuuuuubard with the hood. But i'm having a think and probably will involve some crafty cuts and stitching from me..

Anyway, I should have plugged this much sooner, but I've been (and still am) in limbo for a while.

I'm life modeling in all 3 of my zentai: blue, black, zebra, tonight. I know it's far too late notice, but hey...at least i've said something :-P

Linkie: Meetup - Zebra Zentai Tour Venue 2: City Arts & Music Project (CAMP)

Mainly for illustrators, cartoonists and all other manner of media types come and have a drink and draw various performers/actors in various "stop motion" poses from 1 min to 15 mins...

Here's the blurb:

On November 24 we were hosted at Th1ng animation company. Now we're continuing Cartoon Fig on Tour with a series at a Hoxton café bar / club the City Arts and Music Project (CAMP). Only 5 minutes walk from Old Street tube, it's right at the heart of the streets where crucial art (Banksy?!) really happens.

Modeling, we have local performance artist Anansie in her own Zebra Zentai creations: stripes are strong for this session.

Also, still on offer from Claudio the music programmer at CAMP - we can put together our own music if we want to. If you have anything to offer on this comment under the event on this page.

NEW: Students who book on this site - I'll give you £2.50 back on the night if you bring your student card (nb no refunds if you cancel tho).

* To recognise me at the venue - I look like this http://www.meetup.com...

* 2 hour session.
* Opportunity to draw performance artist in dynamic 1min - 15min poses and 'stop motion' poses.
* After the session drinks / food / check out each other's drawings.

To Bring
'Clean' art materials like pencils, crayons, felt tips and your own paper.

My other mac is being annoying so I don't have time to show you the current state of my stripey "catsuit" (that's what it is...for now) I'll probably up it later on this evening.

Also, I shall be DJing in my stripey wonder this week Friday 14th May at Bar Vinyl in Camden. Then again on the 22nd May at Rhythm Factory in Whitechapel.

Fun! I think a video is due, yes?

*hugs n stuff*

iZ

And a month goes by...

2010-04-16T12:45:00.002+01:00

Hey, Hi!!

It's been ages! (well it feels like it for me) since I've given this blog some loving.

I've not forgotten it! Oh no no no. Just wondering what to do with it. Since I made my blue zentai (even though i never finished the hood) I've had queries about whether I make them or not.

Now...I DO make them...but right now I'm just testing out a few kinks, and some fabrics and such before I come out shouting at the top of my lungs I make them.

Anyway, I got this awesome teeny tiny mini-video record (seriously it's the height of my thumb and about the same width too!) and thought I'd record what I get up to when sewing and such.

The only thing I'm wondering is...whilst sewing and such in zentai is fun, especially if it's really cold in the room, it's not practical in the long scheme of things. I had time with the blue suit (kinda): I don't really have that kinda time to phaff around now.

So, if you saw who I really was...would that ruin it for you??

Hugs n stuff (it's getting warmer, yay!)

iZ

Tate Modern Teasers...

2010-03-08T13:06:00.002Z

From the day out with Zentai spot at the Tate Modern...

Some teaser piccies. More to come...

Men Who Love Lycra @ Dailybeast

2010-03-04T12:18:00.002Z

I got alerted to this blog post/article on the Daily beast about zentai and people who love them.

I was interviewed a while back in February (I was going to keep quiet about it till they released it, but they did so after my month was up) by Will Doig about my view on zentai.

The Weird World of Zentai

What really gets me is the views at the bottom. It pretty much optimizes the shallow-blinkered and brainwashed society at large. Just because we choose a different material which is actually a celebration in cloth technology (let that one marinade for a second) and actually MAKES SENSE. We are labeled "weak" and unable to accept ourselves.

Quite the contrary. Sure for some it will be a booster to who they are, but never a repressive entity.

If being an adult (Life 1.0) means misery and the idea of "fun" deleted from our memory banks, I'll choose "Life: Forever Young Edition" Ta.

iZ

iZentai: I'm not wearing any pants!!!

2010-03-03T13:20:00.001Z

Yeah...

Day 28: OH....the IRONY!!

2010-02-28T22:12:00.001Z

Eyes open...Shit...what time is it?!?!

9.05am.

I'm going to be late!!!!!

Now...It should be a sad day as it's the end of the month. But I had to get to work. However, this work means I definitely CANNOT wear my zentai. Remember my rule about authorities??

Yeah, this is an authoritative job I'm going to. And I love working it, as rarely as it happens, it does happen.

So off comes the zentai. Yep, I slept in it. Although I did make a mistake so far as having the electric blanket on..I slept through my alarm!!

I already had my clothes for today ironed and waiting to be worn. I threw them on and the first thing that felt uncomfortable was the fact that...I was wearing pants! (trousers) ...I haven't worn trousers ALL MONTH! It was the oddest feeling ever...being restricted.

Wearing everything else didn't phase me all that much, although putting on my beanie directly on to my head was odd.

To the front door. And whilst I was late and needed to get a groove on! I hesitated....My hand was on the handle and I just stopped for a moment. I realised I'm stepping out into the open for the first time in a month without wearing any lycra...what so ever (except for my base layer vest, but that doesn't count).

I shook off the hesitation, had things to do! BIG breath and I stepped out, and closed the door.

The brightness of everything was the first thing that hit me. So much so my eyes actually hurt a bit (it wasn't even that bright a day! it was overcast!) so as I walked I was pulling my beanie down to try and alleviate some of that.

Next thing was how unbelievably cold everything was! I was in layers and such, but still I think my skin was in hyper-sensitive mode or something! erg!

Still, I got to the tube and headed on out. People were still staring at me. And I don't know why o_O. I'd stare back at them, and they'd look away as usual but I wasn't amused....

I didn't think "grumpy Londonian" mode would resume so damned quickly! I guess being really really tired and unhappy about not wearing my zentai would help with that.

Only 10 minutes late and the rest of the day went swimmingly. Although I did hide during the day to get off my feet for 10 mins here and there.

I got home early evening and sat around in my room. Kinda depressed actually. I looked at that empty black zentai suit thinking, "I don't have to wear you anymore".

Trying to describe what I was thinking isn't going to work, however mr Render described it perfectly:

I think the Zentai situation is utterly fascinating. Because, yes, you were trapped in social conventions, in a golden cage of fashion and dictated rules for how you have to look and appeal in society. Zentai freed you of those issues and trapped you right again into a suit of Lycra, a mask hiding your face and social friction due to people's non-understanding. What a conundrum really O_o

What a conundrum indeed...

Day 27: Satur...Day!!

2010-02-27T23:56:00.000Z

Running on nothing...other than energy drinks. I'm sensitive to caffeine, let's see how long this holds out for!!

Anyway, feeling a bit grotty wearing the same zentai without washing it. But I barely perspire so it wasn't an issue so far as smelling funky was concerned. I guess it's just me...But hey, it's a manic weekend, it doesn't happen (too) often. From home, I headed off to the station (albeit late!) to get down to a full day workshop in East Grinstead for some artists.

On the train I pretty much passed out until the train stopped. I was going to have a "chat with my phone" but forgot.

At the station, I was picked up by one of the artists, and I told her, "look out for a ninja". It worked quite well as she wasn't shocked at all. She loved it and asked questions as we drove to the workshop.

Up the stairs and into the room where the tutor was talking to other students who had all broken conversation and were staring at me. Ursula (the tutor) looked at me with a HUGE smile. I warned her a while ago about this and she asked me to bring my blue zentai as the class was based on colour.

For the warm up she asked me to keep it on (yay) and the other artists found it an interesting challenge to draw this faceless identity that moved around every 20 seconds or so.

As the novelty of being able to model in zentai has worn off, I'm now left with the "normality" of it. I've found that I move and think totally differently when in zentai in comparison to just being naked. I guess the notion of having one's "modesty" covered means there is in fact more freedom to hold more varied poses that otherwise wouldn't be possible without exposing yourself. It's fantastic :-D

The workshop went on, and through the longer poses I was having a hard time staying awake, but did really damn well through breathing meditation, thinking about stupid ideas (the one thing that gets me going is the thought of bungee jumping in zentai) and biting my inner lip.

We got to a lunch break and I decided I NEEDED a power nap if i didn't want to collapse in a heap in front of everyone. If you haven't mastered the ability to sleep near enough "on command" and wake up when you need to. Do it. I slept solidly for 20minutes (dead to the world on a sofa....hehe) and felt a lot better. Not quite 100% but over 70%.

Another model joined me for the last hour and we posed as "opposites" before I was done for that part of the workshop.

I got back into my black zentai (we didn't use the blue one in the end) and was given a lift back to the station. Again, I slept on the train. Not properly, but just letting my eyes rest for a bit. Whilst thinking about the rest of the weekend and what i had to get up to.

My cold was back...I needed to kick it to the back for this weekend, I can't deal with you right now...

So on my way back home before going out again, I dropped into a pharmacy. Now I wasn't actually thinking when I walked in! But, something within me was on auto pilot and I took my headphones off, and my beanie off to expose the hood of my zentai. If I was actually thinking properly, I wouldn't have done that as I would have come to the conclusion that there was no need. I look menacing regardless.

But...BUT!!! People weren't freaked out as a result o_O

Some people stared, some people accidentally walked into me then said sorry (I said sorry at the same time) and the store's security person looked at me but was cool too.

What..?

Anyway, I found some cold remedy stuff (to add to the cocktail of fruit juice and cat's claw capsules I'd been on...but admittedly stopped taking on Thursday because I was "cured" *d'oh!*) and got some more razor heads whilst I was at it as my hair was getting long. 5 days not shaving your head is going to blunt a few blades!

I got to the till and the lady there was all smiley and stuff, apologised for the amount of change she was going to give me as I barely broke a £20 note in what I bought and wished me a good evening. Maybe I've been really cynical in the past, but going into a new shop in zentai without any preconceived notions of probably being kicked out (and rightfully so) has me thrown off slightly!

Back home and I was going to sleep..but I was wired. You know those waves of energy you get when you're "running on empty"?? I think this was wave No. 3. So I idled for a bit, ate some food and packed my bag to go out and be "door bitch" at a private nightclub.

I was working from 10 till 4am. It was fun, and I was working in my zentai. In the environment of nightclubs people aren't bothered so much by the unconventional. Funnily enough, this is true to a further degree when the nightclub happens to have all sorts of people dressing up (or dressing down, to the bare....mininmum), having a door (wo)man who's into what the night is about puts people at ease even more so, than the usual "heavies" we've got to deal with...and poke fun at.

I did slump a few times in the night, but kept on talking to people and vice versa and lasted! All the way till 4. There after, I was initially going to get a night bus (or 2) home. It would take an hour and 20 minutes...

BUT...when I left, it was wet...and cold...and just f**king miserable. With the cold coming back, and being beyond tired I decided to succumb to getting a taxi home instead of being the usual urban warrior I am.

This posed another problem though. I learned from the first outing with the zebra zentai, that you can't hail a cab if you look weird. I was in no mood to entertain people's insecurities so I took my hood down but wrapped my face in my scarf and pulled (all 3) hood(s) down so only my face was exposed.

In the current weather, that seemed to have worked. I got a taxi immediately. Through the layers I asked if he could get me home and off I went. It took about 40mins to get home instead. And I briefly popped into my local corner shop where a bunch of them were messing about, and all smiled and said hello to me when they saw me.

One guy asked, "hey is it over?" I said, "no....Tomorrow though! But it's just really sh*tty out there and my throat hurts and I'm tired...and yeah, not in a good mood" with a smile.

They laughed a little as my voice was insanely croaky at that moment in time. I got some strepsils, and they all said bye.

it's 5am when I'm in bed...I need to be up by 8.30am at the latest!!!

Funky Feeling (extended)

2010-02-26T23:46:00.000Z

So...Friday wasn't exactly full of exciting things to be doing...during the day anyway.

I stayed home mostly, idling around till the evening where i had to get to a life drawing class to model.

The tutor vaguely knew of what I was doing, but it still surprised him when I came into the room in my zentai. The students were staring something atrocious. It was pretty funny actually. Although, as he was talking to them I just presumed that the zentai would have to be taken off as it was a prescribed class, as opposed to being a "drop-in" class.

Adrian previously informed me about Butoh and I've been fascinated with it for a while now. And will probably do some stuff in the future. Anyway, yeah the lesson went on without a hitch, in my "first" skin.

On the break I was introduced to someone who does Ninjutsu which was interesting as I do like martial arts that aren't conventional, so far as one's centre of gravity is concerned (I do Capoeira by the way). Before going back to the lesson he mentioned that my modified zentai reminded him of some of the clothing worn by Ninjutsu practitioners...namely the ninja aspect of it. Something to look into further!

So, lesson done and back home, I remember I'm DJing tonight. Eep! And I decided rather than using my laptop setup, I'd go for the easier option of burning the music I like onto CD's and go from there. A bit of stressing, and eating...and MR (mr. render...hehe) comes over and we go out to the nightclub.

As usual people were staring with a, "what the f***" look but accepting it anyway. Most of the folks out there were clad in stereotypical wear of the "Geeky" category, as tonight was themed. My time came to play (around 1ish) and from an initially empty space in front of the DJ booth, it became grossly packed out.

I LOVE it when that happens.

I also love the reactions I got from a lot of people who came up to the DJ booth. To see this moving black *shadow* shocked a LOT of people. The girls who came up to ask for random rubbish songs would let a little cry out, then proceed to stand there with their jaws nearing the ground totally transfixed! If I wasn't in between mixing I'd look right at them, but as the light was to one side of me, they couldn't tell if I was looking at them till I waved at them or put a hand in their face.

They'd ask if I had some suitably rubbish song. And I'd just shake my head from side to side very slowly. Normally, they'd continue asking questions to try and get their way but not this time. They didn't know how to deal with me in that situation so they'd humbly smile then run off.

Mwahahahaha!!! It's better than having a no requests sign stuck on your forehead (yeah I did that once)

mr render filmed a few videos of me DJing so once those are uploaded, I'll up them on here :-)

So, onwards and upwards!! It's Saturday morning...and I gotta get somewhere. No I haven't slept yet...

Day 26: That Friday Feeling...

2010-02-26T13:43:00.001Z

Day 25: An EPIC day out (pt3/3)

2010-02-25T23:58:00.000Z

Homeward bound and bouncing like a super happy zebra thing, I go and do some food shopping in the zebra. I had this one guy who wouldn't stop standing right behind me.

I may not be able to see you but having really leery breathing behind you whilst you're trying to shop is REALLY F***ING CREEPY!!!

Anyway, I stand in the cue and no one's really paying any attention, till they walk to a till and look to their right, and look again, and look again :-) but it's not that of disgust, or dismay. Just more of a, "did I see right?!" kinda look.

I got to a till and the guy was really cheery, and I notice he's packing my bags in a special bag. They're one of those reusable bags that you pay a little for with the idea of coming back and using it again and again. I'm totally all for them but wasn't actively looking for one. And I got a nice bag for free. I tell you what, they can hold a good amount without breaking! Unlike other, "lifetime" bags from other places.

Food packed, monies paid, I walk back home and this car drives by, and stops up ahead. As there's a school I'm thinking they're probably waiting for someone. Then I hear a familiar voice:

"So am I ever going to see your face?"

It's that dude in the same red Micra who said I was being unfair at the BEGINNING of the month!! Fair play the likelihood of someone in black zentai and zebra zentai on the same stretch of road being different is slim. But yeah that was, odd.

"Dunno, buddy." I say.

He laughs, "You have a good evening" he says.

"And you".

I get home and chuck food stuffs into their respective places to realise I'm meant to be life modeling in 20 minutes! EEK!!

The artist is cool about it. Phew. But still I hustle to get there...I didn't notice how the weather had turned to an ABYSMAL state indeed!! And I refused to take my zebra hood off and carry on with my "practical" black hood. As such, I found myself in a bit of a puddle-ridden predicament:

I've been sitting for this artist for a while so whilst the zentai was a good talking point, it didn't stay on as there were already 2 previous poses being added to.

Finally, FINALLY, homeward bound!

With the remnants of a cold, today was totally awesome! And it wouldn't have been so without Andy and ZentaiSpot and the fantastic amount of energy and fun they brought to just being a bit random, and brightening up a lot of people's day!

iZ

Day 25: An EPIC day out (pt2/3)

2010-02-25T23:50:00.001Z

(ZentaiSpot's version of South Bank today is: Here)

So we walk into the Tate Modern onto the second level that overlooks the turbine hall. We walked but a few paces to be greeted with a "jacket filler" of a security jobsworth.

"Eeehhhhhh, What are you doing with your faces covered" he asks.

"we're wearing outfits" I say

"Eeeeehhhhhh, you cannot cover your faces" he says.

"So if I show my face to a CCTV camera or whoever, then put it back on would that be ok?" I ask.

"Eeeeh, No you cannot do that." he replies

By this time Andy steps in. He's worse than me so far as taking no BS from people who are talking utter BS anyway.

"Is your manager here?" he asks, not blinking an eyelid

"UUuuueehhhhh, yes" he responds, confused.

"Well I'd like a word with them please" Andy says calmly.

So this guy gets on the radio and we're all standing around waiting for the security manager to show up.

A lady comes up looking like she just finished sucking out the innards of a very sour lime indeed.

"No, you cannot have this on...why would you want to hide your face?" she says

"I'm not hiding anything, however I just want to know what issue you guys actually have" I say.

"You cannot hide your face" she says

"So what about muslim women who want to visit, who wear full face veils"..

ok...now, you guys need to brace yourself for this response....I had my hood up but my jaw dropped at this when I heard her response:

"Muslim people do not come here, they hide their faces"

I SH** you not!!! I'm glad Andy was there to call her up on that because there was a torrent of rage setting itself up in my mouth that I was taking a moment pushing back down.

"I can't believe that" Andy says, "You mean to tell me that you're openly willing to say that you turn away people with full face veils?? You realise that's discrimination"

"I'm sorry miss but I don't believe you. Have you got your policy in writing?" I pluck up.

She carries on wittering for a few minutes longer, and Andy asks the question again, "Have you got your policy in writing?" very sternly now.

She says no but then tells us to go talk to information if we want to read up on the policy. I had my hood down by this time. I needed some more air to my head I was shocked about what she said earlier! Spot made a stage-right exit to go find a tree :-) whilst Andy and myself moved to the information desk to see this "policy". I put my hood back up to see if the security people were going to try and get the hump.

So we spoke to a lady at information who was lovely, she really didn't know what the policy was so she called the duty manager to come and have a word. Andy and I were still flabbergasted at what the security manager said. Spot came back, smile on face and put his hood back on too. Whilst we waited some more people asked to have pictures with us and there were more smiles around :-)

The duty manager lady comes down and she's AWESOME. Firstly she apologises for the way the security mishandled the situation. She doesn't know what the security manager said to us...She then states that this is in fact a unique situation and she wanted to look at us, check us out before coming to a decision.

We then revealed to her what was said in regards to dealing with women wearing full face veils, and her face did in fact turn a slight shade of red. If that were to go out to the masses, that would be a sh**storm in a teacup me thinks!

She asked us what we were doing, Andy took the lead in explaining that he's a photographer and I'm doing a blog an Spot is a fellow zentai person and we just want to get some pictures.

She took it all on board and then stated what she'd like us not to do. Performances and making people uncomfortable, not photographing other people and the usual following of rules so far as no photography in the galleries. To ensure we didn't make people uncomfortable, she gave us a curfew of 3.30pm which meant we had an hour and a half to take pictures in the public access areas.

I have to take my hat off here to that lady. She didn't have to say yes at all. She could have quite easily have said no, given the excuses and let us get on our way. I would have been happy with that too, but the woman had a little bit of common sense! It seems to be lacking now a days. I mean Spot with his tail and dog ears covered in..well spots; and me wearing a white top hat, in zebra print and really loud clicky shoes. We're hardly going to get up to no good. We just want to stir it up a little and put smiles on peoples faces so far as breaking the norm is concerned!

Anyway, we moved around the allowed areas in the Tate modern without any bother. It's like the high "vis" yellow visors all but disappeared! After the lady told folks over the radios that we were ok to walk around in public places.

We had pictures taken on the escalators, the stairs (sprawled zentai bodies, much), and these walls that had writing on them. Namely Existentialism and Fetish were points of interest. Whilst posing next to the "Existentialism" word, we got a massive crowd around us. I was airing concern as technically what we were doing constituted a performance. And I was right, the lady showed up and said we had to stop. Although - again - she was really understanding and liked the idea I mentioned about having pictures taken quickly, then running like hell to somewhere else so a crowd didn't form.

We apologised, and she carried on. As did we, but more aware of trying not to pull crowds. Not sounding pig-headed here, but do you know how hard that is?!

Still it was fantastic in there. And the hour and a half drifted by like water. We settled up on level 7 for a drink and a chat about stuff then had to face the inevitable walk back to the station...

Unfortunately spot was going westbound and Andy and I east. So we had to say our goodbyes in the station. They're never fun, especially when the energy is still bouncing all over the shop!

Warmer weather!! More of you folks need to come out and do stuff!!

Day 25: An EPIC day out (pt1/3)

2010-02-25T22:37:00.001Z

Oh today...today is a day not like many other days...as it's today.

(ZentaiSpot's version of South Bank today is: Here)

8ºC today, so you know there is going to be at least 2 base layers plus the double layering of zentai on top. 4 layers of lycra without even flinching. I was far too excited to even start considering any arising issues that were unlikely to happen.

I packed a waterproof jacket just in case and my top hat in a bag so it wouldn't get dirty on the way. Keys and the like and trotted off down to the tube station.

Walking around in a pure zentai hood was wonderful! Even with the irritation of my eyelashes curling the wrong way or getting caught in the lycra, being totally anonymous without being mistaken for wearing some modified version of a Burqa was great.

Funnily enough, people weren't taking notice as much. They'd look but it was more of a, "oh my!" expression as opposed to "oh my GOD!!! RUUUNNN!!!". I mean there were still some of those, but they were far and few in comparison.

I walked into the tube system and to the platform and stood in my usual place when I heard the sweetest, most infecting laugh emanate from the right of me. I turned my head ever so slowly to see a toddler in her push chair with her hands out looking at me with the BIGGEST grin on her face.

I was stunned!

Usually it's the other way round, but it was amazing! I tilted my head ever so slightly and there it was again! She burst out in this little high pitched giggle that infected her sibling and mother and me after a while. Any movement I made, she'd giggle incessantly until I was completely still.

Even if the rest of the day were to turn sour right now, I wouldn't have cared. To know that I made a little toddler's day by just being different was good enough for me :-D

Still, the tube rocked up, and the mother was going to go further down the carriage but her daughter (the one not in the push chair) asked her to come in through the door I was in. I let them go in first to make sure they got on ok. The mum said thank you. And I perched myself on the other opposing door side as that's where I needed to get out. So the moving and giggling continued till I had to get off. The rest of this carriage didn't know what to make of us right at the top. The mum was smiling, the daughter too, and the toddler in the push chair...and I was making small silly gestures.

There were a few smiles, me thinks :-)

My stop to switch lines comes up and I wave bye. The toddler is still cracking up. I don't want to get off! But all good things come to an end...sometimes.

The rest of the tube ride went without a hitch and I got up at St. Paul's. Now, reading signs through a white and black hood isn't easy! But if you've got no issues about how you're portrayed to "the others" then putting your face right up to a sign board isn't going to be out of the norm. Saying that, I did opt to use a zoomed in Google maps on my phone instead.

Off I trotted to the rendezvous point between St. Paul's and the Millenium bridge.

I sent out a text message to both Andy and Spot about my exact location just to make sure no one was missed.

Sure enough Andy was on the bridge already so walked back up. In the mean time I was standing around and a lot of people were staring, taking photos, waving and the like. Again, not having the "ninja" hood on and being clad head-to-toe in zebra print seems to make people at ease with me.

So Andy finds me first, and we say hi and have a natter whilst he's changing his lens over. A few minutes later I hear him say, "oh look, there's a dalmatian"

Spot is walking down the stairs in his zentai too :-) Being over 10 meters away makes it hard to totally differentiate what's going on, but him in all white and spots made it easy. And I waved ecstatically at him. He waved back and approached where we were.

Little moving crowds would amass by us taking pictures and staring as we said our hello's and I introduced Spot to Andy.

First place Andy spied whilst on the bridge, was in fact UNDER the bridge. The tension cables (massive!) were just asking for climbing. Spot probably heard Andy call me Ms. Kitten a few times (yes, there's a panther *somewhere*) as he directed a few poses here and there.

Even if we were under a bridge, there are stairs either side to get down to river level (and other buildings on the north bank). As a result, as hidden as we were, we STILL attracted a LOT of attention! Andy let folks take pictures whenever whilst getting what he was thinking of too.

I don't know how Spot felt about having a photographer ask him to "pose" but he did really well if he's never done something like that before. Also, I don't know how many base layers he was wearing but he was shaking a wee bit! Even wearing 4 layers the wind under that bridge could be felt after a while!

Onwards! After clamoring over tension cables we walked over the bridge now to the other side of the "bow" in the bridge. Where you had the top of St. Paul's in view and the bridge disappearing into the horizon. Andy had me doing my random "headstand" thing I do (the zebra image of my banner up top is the bottom half of one he took in a studio type setting previously) and Spot was told to sit besides me.

I found that kinda random, and so did a whole horde of school children. It's like they came from NO WHERE! But they came up and asked us loads of questions, "Can you see? They can talk! You're a girl!! What are you? What are you doing? etc." Both Spot and I tried answering as many questions as we could till the teachers moved them along.

Apparently a boy went up to Andy further down the bridge and informed him, "that dog's not very good...he didn't do anything!" to which Andy replied, "I know!!" and the kid nodded in an affirmatively approving manner. Bless.

Once we got a few images (Spot was also given my top hat to play with too) and a few tourists/passer-by folk got some pictures with us, we were going to make our way into the Tate Modern. Not before we were stopped by these two guys...

"Excuse me, what do you think of that girl over there" One guy asked as he pointed to this (I presume) girl with a wig made of long wispy white hair, a terribly loud purple dress and an under garment that looked like it was made of fish net covering her arms and hands.

"Well what she's wearing is a hell of a lot more normal than what we're wearing" I responded without even thinking. There was a general giggle from the other guy, Spot and Andy.

"Do you think she looks lonely?" the same guy asks.

"Nah, she's an attention seeker" I say. Spot and Andy agree.

"Really? What makes you say that" he asks.

We go into this mini convo about what would define loneliness as opposed to someone screaming out for help. Basically if someone is lonely, they wouldn't advertise this through their clothing, nor would they be marching around like their life depended on it.

Satiated with our collective response we carried on and Andy put some money in a homeless fella's lap. Now, here's some twisted irony for you. Not less than 10 feet away is this film student who's probably got the bank of mum & dad & the government funding them, trying to portray loneliness. There's a homeless guy, who probably sits there day in, day out trying to get a few bits of money to keep loneliness at bay for just another day.

...(read on to pt2)

Day 25: I AM SUPER WOMAN!

2010-02-25T11:13:00.002Z

Hells yeah! 4 really strong Neurofen (Ibuprofen) and like 10 herbal capsules of Cat's Claw and lots LOTS of sleep. And I'm back to normal! Flu? What flu! Pah!

*winces slightly*

So that open invitation is still out to anyone who's game. I'll be running (walking) riot around St. Paul's down millenium bridge and a few places around south bank like Tate Modern, Royal Festival Hall and probably hang around the London Eye for a bit too.

I'm furiously cutting some additional pattern things before heading on out. A jacket and my tophat in a bag just in case the weather turns bad (but apparently we're good till 4pm, then chances of rain rise fro m 30% to 80%...light showers, in the South Eastern region of the country etc.)

Loads of pics! Loads of fun!! But first! Food!!

YAY!!!

\o/

iZ

Day 24: Elephants...

2010-02-24T10:07:00.002Z

Yeah random. That's how I feel at the moment. Really, really ill. It's like I have man flu....and I'm not a man (I'm a LAAaaaady!!! I do lady's things)

End Day 23: I has cold :-(

2010-02-23T21:40:00.000Z

What's worse than having a wet zentai face??? Having a wet cold zentai face, and a nose that won't stop running.

Mmmmm, nice. I hear you say. Trying to shove tissue through the mouth zipper to catch the offending substance eminating from one's nose in public without it looking odd is hard. And well...I gave up and managed somehow, to blow my nose properly on the tube.

Much to a few people's amusement, and others disgust. Hehe.

Other than posing for the sculpture class (they liked having to mould their clay with the sight of a zentai face so they didn't get bogged down with facial details) there's not much that was on in the afternoon...other than...

SLEEP!!

Lots and lots of sleep because I feel like crap.

As you may know I'm now sleeping without zentai (as I normally sleep naked anyway) and i think it's good timing as this cold isn't doing me any favours at the moment.

Super grump!

Thursday's weather report isn't looking all that amazing :( Apparently loads, and LOADS OF RAIN!! and COLD rain at that is on the way...

Day 23: :-(

2010-02-23T09:51:00.002Z

Onwards and upwards...but it's Tuesday!! I'm slightly anxious this morning. But equally really, really happy. So it's all good.

The double layering has been happening non stop as of late. I think it's definitely a physical security thing! And I think I'm going to have to stop doing it this week. It may be a shock to the system next Monday otherwise.

I'm already dreading the first day I leave the house without the zentai covering my face.

Anyway, on with today!

End Day 22: There's a Nutter on the train

2010-02-22T22:54:00.001Z

It's all coming to an end soon :-( But I'm trying not to think about it...

Still had to get to work but it takes an hour and for some reason, 3 drops of rain and the British transport system comes to a halt. Or everything is delayed by 20mins!

Feeling quite sad about it being the last week (but happy about future projects I now have in mind) I kinda kept to myself and wasn't really observing anyone.

On the train the ticket inspector came to check my ticket...Then he asked why I was wearing what I was wearing. I was wearing my zebra zentai and my black one but the zebra hood was down. So it looked a bit odd, then really odd when you couldn't see my face.

He's he first to actually make sense, the policy of the train company over Halloween makes sense (ask them to take their hoods off for the cctv cameras, they can put them back on)...

I got to work and that pretty much went without a hitch :-) I posed a few poses in zentai, and the class was split 50/50. One guy in particular really didn't like my posing in zentai, "You can't see the muscles, it's plain". I told him my Granny Smith Apple versus a rotting peach analogy. I think that shut him up :-)

SOoooo...I'd normally say the rest of the day was pretty standard. But it wasn't as I had a kinda "date" thing (what, another one?! I hear you cry...no no, this one's real) in the evening. Hehe.

I'd been speaking to the guy for a while (by speaking I mean EPIC messages that put some of my blog posts to shame(!)) and he was aware of my zentai shenanigans and was really quite intrigued by it all. Which is interesting. As a lot of people have slightly freaked out at just how "random" this is.

So yeah we met up and went to a pub for a drink and chat and such ^_^. And got on really well.

I like the fact that what I'm doing, actually filters out idiots. Those who pertain to want things far from the norm, yet when they are faced with it run screaming to the chairmen of the bored.

On a side note. I now don't wear my zentai all the time at home anymore (my skin really doesn't like the fact that the lycra absorbs my body lotion before it does!) as I'm trying to ease out of this without any psychological "issues"

AND! If you're free Thursday, here's an open invite for a walkabout around Southbank. I shall be around the millenium bridge with a photographer friend. Check the Ayus forum if you're up for it (and some piccies)

iZ

Day 22: The end is near!! Eep!

2010-02-22T08:42:00.001Z

Quickie this morning (ohh, I say!) as I have to get a train. Never pretty. I'll be wearing the zebra zentai over the black zentai. Zebra legs and a ninja face...Hmm, interesting expressions on the tube, mabye?

Day 21: 6am home 3pm wake up

2010-02-21T20:49:00.002Z

Sunday, I mostly slept.

Ha!

I'm awake now...Guess what I'll be doing.

Yep, sacrificing one of my OWN batches of lycra to make this damned dress. Don't worry, I'll be putting the cost of that fabric on the invoice so I can go and buy it again :-)

Hot chocolate anyone?

It's the last week from tomorrow! Eep!!

/o\

Day 20: The weekend is here!

2010-02-20T23:41:00.000Z

Yo yooo!!! Late entries as usual over the weekend...

Having slept for 2 hours (it was meant to be 30 minutes. Oh well) I needed my zebra back!! Due to go to The Egg (nightclub), and as the night is called "Wearable Art" I figured I'd not be the craziest thing there.

So I got my stray zebra lycra pieces, quickly pinned them up and went to town with the overlocker. The main body took less than 30 minutes to put together. The Hood was a b**ch to put together, but I didn't care. It was going to be done tonight!

Perseverance is such a good thing :-)

I couldn't be bothered with the arms so yeah, double layering fun! I'm really enjoying the double layering thing (since the bad first experience) but for totally different reasons. There's none of the sensuality going on. Yes there's friction and constriction but it just accentuates what it would feel like if you actually had to put skin on! My blue suit literally "disappears" when I wear it, then "reappears" when I wear something over it. It's a bodily game of hide and seek!

Anyway, I left my place with the hood up and as it was 11.30pm it was dark and the main issue of "pure" zentai hit me...visibility :-(. Being spoiled with my modifications in the black suit means I had to try and adjust to my visibility being below 40%. I managed OK to the bus stop but wanted to hail a cab and couldn't see the yellow light indicator they have on the top of their cars.

I couldn't hail a cab. A) not many drove by B) those that did thought I was mad and wouldn't stop. Bastids! So I got random buses and had to walk a little between them. I got a nice complement from an Italian guy, "Heyyyyyy, sexy zebra womaaann. Love what you're wearing". "Thank you" I said with a grin.

Finally got to the club, and my heart sank for a second. The Levi jeans, the shiny black shoes, the Ben Sherman crumpled shirts...the gaggle of drunk girls arguing with the "door whore" the bouncers standing around like they had better things to do...The sober people standing around in a cue to get into the nightclub all of a sudden feeling totally undressed when they saw me.

HA!!!!

So...I don't think many people took the night's name literally (shame) and it was most certainly going to be a jungle in there. *rubs hands menacingly*

I get in no problem, walk up to the cloakroom and put my beanie, gloves (they had a special corner that cost a bloody pound!! crooks!) and tailcoat in. Time to observer the playground...

First area is a kind of terrace/garden space. Full of people, some started staring at me when I walked down the stairs. This with my hood down, it was odd to try and think of what - if anything - would bother me. Nothing did. I know either way, be it my face or hidden behind zentai, no one's really seen someone like me. Unless they know me already. Some waved and smiled, I returned the gesture and moved on to where music was playing...naturally.

Main room, Awesome bright LED panels on the roof = possibility of wearing my hood without fear of the "darkness". Now, wearing the zebra outfit meant I lit up like a Christmas tree :-) and people were looking, tapping their friends shoulder and pointing at me and loads of smiles. I got a drink (Gin and Tonic, standard) the only drink of the night. And found a place to stand and observe. Mostly to actually see how people move in and out of the room, where stairs are, where possible places to avoid were as well (so when I had my hood up I'd be able to avoid or remember to be more cautious).

So, whilst standing and watching, top hat tucked under my right arm, little shoulder bag under the left and drink in my left hand; this guy starts dancing in front of me and backs up a bit too much. A hand automatically went out to keep him from squishing me. He turned around and started dancing at me, with his friends looking on. I obliged a little and imitated his dancing a little, with all my bits in tow. It's nice when a crowd vibe is on the positive regardless of what you look like.

As we were fooling around dancing, these two girls come up to me with the biggest grins on their faces, "Oh my god!! I love your outfit!! Can I take a picture?!"

"Sure, hang on"

I put my drink and bag down and put my hood up and about to put my top hat on...

The screaming!!...I hit the back of my head on the wall I was just standing in front of they startled the crap out of me!

"OH MY GODD!!! YOUR FACE!!!!! YOUR FACE!!!!! No, no don't take it off! It's amaaaaazing!!!"

So after understanding it *didn't* freak them out, I put on my top hat and they took a few pictures with me. The guy was obviously lost with the music, but turned around and you could hear him say, "F**king hell!" then he started waving at me...I waved back and him and his mates burst out laughing.

A few more people came over and asked to take a picture with me. Thankfully no one had a proper camera, so the LED flash on their camera phones meant I wasn't dazzled for a few moments. They left, and I returned back to idling status with G&T in tow :-)

The music was quite bland (techno always is. For me anyway) so I drifted off upstairs. ARG!!! UV CANNONS!!!! Kryptonite to the white side of zentai, I tells ya! I took my hood off and realised that the rest of the clubs lighting definitely wasn't zentai friendly. A guy on his way to the toilets walked by and went, "Grrrr, sexy sexy!" I didn't hear him properly, but you know when you feel someone's directing an energy at you? I looked back and he was grinning at me, "Oh you KNOW you love it" I didn't really know what to say so being the ever coy lady I replied, "Oh baby, say it like it is!" That seemed to have gone down a treat as he ran off to the little boy's room.

I carried on upstairs and people were literally jumping out of my way due to how the white off the zebra and my top hat (now on my head) were popping in the UV space. A few smiles and waves and...Aww yeah someone's playing some Bmore this is the room for me!

Lighting unfortunately is a tad dire, except for when the smoke machine goes off to fill up the room. I guess I kinda feel like Dare Devil in the sense that I can see f**k all unless there's smoke (rain is his equivalent) in the air to bounce light around on people. So I find a corner, put my hood up and proceed to dance like no one's watching. Then the music changes/DJ's switch over...Meh!!! Time to move around.

The loft space was dead, and the sound system only had mids and horns on them. Basically no bass! which - even if it was meant to be a bar space - is dire.

Back down to the basement room and I'm standing around again. It's nicely smokey now so I put my hood up and look around whilst trying to find a "groove" in the mundane techno/house that's playing.

More people come up and ask questions. You know...it's kinda cool to tell people, "yeah I made these" and see their reaction. In equal measure to the wonderment and amazement you see on their smiling faces. More pictures then this guy..I think his name was Matt, starts chatting to me, but you can tell he's not all quite there. Still, he's pretty coherent and his friends come up to him, say hi to me, then pop off wherever they get off to.

Blah blah blah, and I'm on the dance floor...right in the bloody middle. I don't like dancing in the centre of a dance floor in zentai unless I'm with my friends who can keep a watchful eye out. On my own, I usually have a wall at least 40cm away from me so I know no one can "surprise" me from behind. Still, I danced for a bit then migrated to a pillar.

I took all I could in that room, and in a drop in the music I could hear the Bmore rhythm pounding upstairs. Immediate B-line (heh) upstairs. Hood up, through the UV Cannon stairs of doom into room 2. I think I slightly tripped up once on the stairs but was on a mission!

I found a corner near emergency doors, that was emanating a nice stream of light over me so I could see my immediate area and a bit further afield.

And I proceeded to: DANCE.MY.NUT.OFF

Sweating in double layers is interesting...one layer absorbs the sweat off you, the other one due to friction and such evaporates it. Awesome!

A group of clubbers gravitated towards me and one guy said, "I don't know who you are, but I HAVE to dance with you!!" and dance he did :-) and dance they did! And dance we all did!!!

More of the same from people with regards to pictures, comments and looking and smiling.

As the floor emptied, I just got lost in the music playing (I was here to support my good friend Scally Dan Dan and I think I did a bloody good job!). Limbs all over the place, concentrated breathing through the hood and checking my top hat was still there every now and then.

I think it was 5.30am when I realised, yeah my feet hurt! I tried to dance on a little more...but the insane dubstep-come-electro mess playing through the speakers was distorting a bit too much, and the sound engineer in me was having a hissy fit.

So a glass of tap water as I descended from the heavens to the cloak room. My tailcoat and gloves back in my clutches and off out home...

2 night busses and it's almost 6am on Sunday morning...

Day 20: First Skin check..

2010-02-20T14:47:00.004Z

Mmmm, Saturday. Lovely.

My skin is behaving quite erratically today. So shall mostly be nudey in my robe towel again. Maybe my skin's protesting against its second cousin?

But going out later, in zentai (of course!), to a nightclub that's part of the whole London Fashion Week thing. I'm not on it at all, but I have friends who are big on it so being supportive of those who support me is a good start :-)

woo!

iZ

Recap: Day 19

2010-02-19T23:59:00.001Z

Yes, posting this a day late but still under Friday...I'm a stickler for order, so sue me ^_^

So, after some jolly good Nina Simone in the morning...and uhming and aahing early afternoon, I finally got my butt outta the house and off to Oxford Street to go and buy stuff.

As per usual people would stare, or people who didn't like the concept would glare then turn away (as you do!?!) then glare some more. Hmmm, lovely London public.

Now, I know in busy places having a "faceless" person walking around even if all they want to do is buy something, can be seen as a national threat or something stupid. But hey, you never know unless you try, right?

So I found Primark with the sole agenda to find a cheap dress to base the design of this camo thing on. I walked in and immediately saw the security guy out of the corner of my eye but carried on walking, oblivious to the sheer panic that must have exploded across his face. I had my headphones on so couldn't really hear much. As people were literally parting way for me (nice!) and closing up quite quickly behind me, it made this security guy's job a bit harder to try and stop me from "infiltrating" the shop or whatever.

Eventually gave up trying to catch up with me and started shouting at me. Again, I barely heard him. Then he grabbed my arm. If I wasn't A) pushing my luck B) in a good mood and C) aware he was trying to get my attention....he would have had a broken nose by then. Yes, I can be a bit tetchy like that sometimes, there's no need to grab people...ever.

He said in an exasperated fashion, "What are you doing?" ..."What?" Again he said, "What are you doing?" I know what he means but my GOD are his communication skills rubbish. "I'm walking into your fine shop to buy a dress" .."No, you can't do that"

"Why ever not?" I tilt my head slightly

"Why have you got that on your face?"

"Hmm?"

"That, on your face! Why?"

"er..social project?" (I actually wanted to give him a smart ass reply but didn't fancy the aggro. Poor guy was stressing as is anyway)

"No, you must take it off?"

"If I take it off, and wave at a CCTV camera for like 2 minutes so you can get the details of my face then put it back on would that be ok??"

"No, it's Primark policy that you cannot hide your face."

(I'm sorry, but BS is it actually written in their policy. And why aren't these policies readily available for the public to read as they're obviously walking onto private property and need to know what's good and what isn't?)

"Fine"

I leave...walk to another shop and there's nothing there either. So, I really need to go into Primark to get a damned dress. Pride is swallowed and in a flash the hood is down and I'm charging through this place trying to find something suitable, pay for it and get the hell out of there.

I hate busy shops like these in "normal" circumstances. Add to that, my face is exposed and well...that panicky feeling is doing a number on me. Further more, the security guy I gave a bit of a hard time earlier for some reason has come ALL the way from his post, to the other side of the store to stalk me. My hood is down but my beanie is on as are my headphones and my collar turned up. From where I stand that's in line of their "policy" and seems so for him too as his constant chatting into his radio must signify his superiors are fine with me too.

Oh lookey, adult onsies!

Anyway, careering through this place trying to get the hell on out of there, I find nothing...Incidentally, people are staring at me with *more* shock/awe than usual. It's not every day you see a slightly androgynous looking person with no eyebrows :-) It then dawns on me that there are EPIC queues for everything! And it's then my frustration/panic-o-meter goes mental and I leave that place, simultaneously whipping the hood back on and crossing the street without losing my stride.

...and breathe...

So, I go to my new found "home" for trimmings and fabrics n stuff and to calm down, and focus on the fact that I need to make a dress from scratch. In I walk and the ladies behind the tills don't batter an eyelid, one of them grins as she notices the concealed zipper on my face that I bought from her only a few weeks ago.

I rummage around for bits and bobs then go upstairs to see if there are any better patterns I could buy for this dress. There aren't. I come back down and get one of the girls to let me pay for the stuff I've got.

"So is that a statement or a protest to something?" she asks.

"Nope...just wearing it for a month, to see how people react"

"Oh, so it's like a performance thing?"

"uhh...no not really. But it's been interesting"

"I can imagine! How've there responses been? I bet people are scared of you!"

"Something like that, yeah. Though most people seem to be bothered by the fact that you can kinda see my eyes"

"You look like you have something to hide!" girl 2 now comes to the counter as she's interested too.

"Ah, but I have nothing to show! What gets me, is how we all think that we have the *right* to see someones face without their permission" I say.

"But that still implies you're hiding something" says girl 2

"Only because that's the way we've been brainwashed to think since day 0. Think about the "peek-a-boo" game? Your face isn't valid to a baby until they see your smile and eyes."

The whole room fills with various "hmmm"ing of approval. I totally forgot there was a room full of people shopping too. Oh well.

"So yeah, to me, it's not an issue. If you want to cover your face...cover your face. Not many people share my view...especially the jobsworth jacket fillers in Primark. Then again the dresses in Primark are shit."

Lots of giggling by the girls on the counter and one lady looking at spools of microweave turns to me laughing and says, "Oh gosh yes".

The conversation carries on, and they're interested in what I've been getting up to so gave them my blog site. At this moment, one of the shop owners walks in to walk up to his office and he looks at me for a long hard minute. The girls are giggling, I'm totally oblivious till I notice they're not looking at me. I look where they're looking and sure enough this elderly gentleman with hair as white as the rays of sun outside looking at me in sheer...terror? I don't know, it was a mixed expression. I was giggling too but said, "Y'alright?!" He broke his gaze and uttered something whilst walking up the stairs.

Apparently he's the guy I need to see in regards to getting my Pfaff sewing machine fixed. And the girls said they think I might have perturbed him somewhat thus making a chat at that particular moment in time, not wise. Fair play.

I bade the girls goodbye, and that Friday feeling was once back with me. Having High Contrast's remix of Hometown Glory playing as I walked down oxford street to a tube station made the psychotic London massive look like a wash of colours. :-)

On my way back, on the tube I'm standing, minding my own business when a father and son come on and stand opposite me. Immediately the kid clings onto his dad and darts in and out of his dad's protection looking at me. I didn't want to scare him so I stayed still. But he carried on. So I waved at him and he grinned and laughed a bit then hid behind his dad again. His dad looked at me and I looked back at him, smiled and shrugged. He smiled back. They got off at their stop and the kid was still staring at me, so as the doors closed I waved at him, he waved back and I put my had over my mouth and "giggled". He giggled back.

Home stretch and I need to buy food (more food than normal) for someone who was coming round for dinner. No problems from the staff as they're pretty used to me now. One problem that I did face was those annoying little plastic bags that you put fruit/veg in. It's hard enough when you've got your normal fingers. It's bad when you've only got your index finger. And lycra makes it neigh on impossible! Still, I managed eventually.

I put a bottle of wine (Pinot Noir) in the basket too then realised...Ug, I'm going to get ID'd (I ALWAYS get ID'd). I grinned and carried on. Got to the till and the guy was grinning at me. "Y'alright?" I asked.

"Yes good thanks" he said smiling

"I bet you don't get this every day?"

"Well I've seen you around the place quite often"

"Yeah, I live around the corner so it's local"

"Ah" He takes out the bottle of wine, "Err..."

I grin. "It's ok, I'll show you my ID and take off the hood, ok?"

He nods still unsure. I show him my driver's license but he still doesn't believe me. (For the record, my license has a picture of me with hair...I now have no hair) I tell him it's me, quote off all the details of the card and he's cool with that.

"Thanks a lot buddy" I said cheerfully as he helped pack everything and put the change in my hand (as opposed to on the counter)

"Have a good weekend miss" he said as I walked off.

Home now, and due to cook up a massive dinner. Unfortunately Salmon fillet isn't lycra friendly...in that it STINKS up the fabric, so the arms were out.

The guest was late, but it's a given as I was late to the dinner party on Sunday just gone. But the food went down well.

Onwards to the sewing!

iZ

Day 19: Super Happy Zentai Friday!!!!

2010-02-19T11:07:00.002Z

Really really good mood! So much so, I share a little bit about this naked experience of me being up a tree in Virginia Water (massive park)...

Things to do now!

Day 18: Errand! And my blue suit

2010-02-18T15:35:00.002Z

Soo...a day spent idling was stirred up as a friend (the lovely Kitty) wanted to borrow my tripod for a second DSLR she's got for a bit. I decided that i fancied a bit of double layerage :-). It's interesting that since my really horrible first taste of full double encasement, I've been ever more fascinated about it. I think the layering of lycra on the body is good, just not my head! Damned sensitive ears!

So I got the two on, and cycled my way to our rendezvous point..and waited. 2 of the folks living in the building with me popped out of the Sainsbury's I was standing outside of and I was somewhere else (probably Deep space 9 or whatever) and Alex waved straight up in my face saying, "alright??" I snapped out of wherever I was and we had a quick natter.

"ah, I've seen you outside now so I know what you're doing is true"

"well yeah!!...I'm wearing the blue one today!!"

"that you are! Looks good, I was telling Mick he should get one!"

Mick looks at me then Alex and grins a little.

I say, "yeah dude, I'll make you one! But it's not your thing really, is it"

"no..not really" Mick says quietly whilst looking elsewhere.

We chat for a second more about some ugly constructed monstrosity and how it was likely way overpriced, "oooh, that'll take 8 months and cost £XXXX" ...when it really won't. We say goodbye and they get on their bikes to go on their errands and I wait...

After a quick showing of how my tripod works, and a natter, I'm asked to go down to a tattoo shop a mutual friend has set up not far from where we were. I thought a quick ride to say hi (I'm due for another tattoo at some point...probably when I have a "career" change) would be nice and off I went. The instructions were vague but I figured I'd find the place.

I didn't. And the Raynaud's started kicking in. First in my toes, then the back of my head started doing its thing...then the fingers. It's never this quick to go through its stages, but my fingers were painfully sore once I noticed the inevitable was close and carried on being more so till all I could feel was a dull pain beneath the numbness that had settled in now. I hate it...

So getting quite bothered about this now and not able to find the place I decide to cycle home..But. I'm at kings cross now..and thrice as far away from home than I was initially. AND, I now had to ride up a hill. I actually liked the idea of getting hot and bothered (steady now) whilst riding up it...The generation of heat and such might alleviate the pain in my hands and now, starting in my toes. It didn't. But my blue suit dried off a bit.

Due to the lame feature on my phone of an "activity" button on the wrong side of the phone a chunk is missing...but whatever, carrying on with the de-robing of the blue suit...

So yeah...I'm now under the electric throw, drying out. And still contemplating whether I make a dress from scratch, or go buy one...I think I'm going to buy one...yeah?

But I need to buy a grill, I'm entertaining someone at home tomorrow. (I know! Someone's infiltrating my cave!!! It only happens once in a while, don't worry)

iZ

Day 18: Something to ponder

2010-02-18T13:27:00.004Z

I do that a lot. I've been looking back on my videos, and the later ones (with the mouth zip) reminded me of this:

hehe

iZ

Day 18: Cocoon and a later Beast...

2010-02-18T11:56:00.002Z

Yes, a bit vague...but I'll explain about the "Beast" later..

I should be doing stuff, like sewing a dress for someone. But Can't.Be.Arsed.

In all honesty! I've been in bed, reading a book, listening to random music, chatting to some peoples online, replying to e-mails (both work related and from other zentai folk) and randomly napping if I so wish...

But I guess I should do something productive.

But it's nice and warm and safe in here!!!

iZ

End Day 17: Cold and Wet

2010-02-17T23:44:00.002Z

Yeah, not much to report as my day was spent mostly in the warmth...naked.

However I did have a class in the evening...and thought about showing how my blue suit is put on. But it was still cold from being left out of my "oven" of a room.

Day 17: Oh My God! She's Naked!!!

2010-02-17T13:03:00.003Z

Yep...Due to totally forgetting to wash the suit before going to bed last night (It was cold and wet, so full encasement + electric throw on medium had to happen) I am now completely naked under my pink towel robe, whilst my "skins" hang out to dry:

Shouldn't be long now. In the mean time, I'll be working on putting my zebra back together :-)

It's a blue sunny day in London town...and I'll be enjoying the rays from the warmth of my room. Yeah.

iZ

Dinner with friends, and pics from sunday

2010-02-16T23:23:00.003Z

Ahh, home from a lovely dinner with awesome friends out in Camden. *rubs belly*

So...first things first, I set off to get to Camden. But was stopped at the door by the sloshing rain outside. Clearly my huge puffy jacket wasn't cut out for that kinda water! So on with the waterproof jacket! Over the headphones and out into the urban wilderness.

The cold/wet/warm sensation on my legs as I hoofed it down to the tube made me smile. It wasn't erotic or anything like that. It's just the fact that I got a sensation for a change (remember I love my skin more than anything that dulls its sensitivity, that includes lycra and latex)

Anyway, got on the tube, no hassle. People staring in confusion or not noticing as they were far too pissed off with the weather to care. And up at Camden where no one ever batters an eyelid to the strange. Camden IS strange (but it isn't because it's fashionable?...you know when something goes around full circle and reaches normality/dullness again?)

I got into the Inspiral Lounge, and promptly found a place with three chairs to "reserve" for the other two when they rocked up.

To "validate" my presence I bought a packet of crisps. The guy at the counter looked at me a few times, then finally said, "can I help you". To which I raised the lightly salted kettle chips and he responded, "ninety five "P" please". I gave him a pound and he put a 5p coin in my hand without uttering a word...just staring at me. I responded with a muffled "Fankmoo".

I think he was confused as to why I was buying food when "apparently" there was no evidence as to how I was going to eat it. This was true for the rest of the people sitting around. Most of them hadn't registered my presence until I de-robed from my outdoor gear and walked up to the food counter. As I returned to my seat they all were unashamedly staring at me. And I sat there, replying to a text message with the bag of chips on a table...just waiting.

...and waiting...

..Until finally, I opened the bag of chips, unzipped my mouth and began to munch contently on the foodstuffs I was shoving into my zip-ridden mouth. Randomly! Some people let out a small sigh of relief, whilst others were still gawping at this black "oddity" that was eating crisps quite contently in front of them as though it were a normal occurrence. It was! Well...for me anyway.

Still, one friend appeared, as drenched as I was and looking at me funny as I was waving emphatically.

"Ah, you're darker than usual! I thought the lights in here were really shit or something".

"no..just in my fully covered zentai instead"

(He'd only seen me on Saturday with the half finished blue zentai and wasn't aware of what I was doing)

Kiss and a hug and we settle down, and he gets me a hot chocolate (yes, I'm a hot chocolate/mocha fiend!) whilst we wait for No. 3 to arrive.

I notice some people still slightly ogling over that I'm now drinking a hot chocolate quite merrily through this zippered orifice and talking to someone who's talking back in an equally normalised manner.

No. 3 arrives!! Moments as she walks through the door her glasses steam up, which is quite amusing as she doesn't know who she's hugging other than the voice. We settle down once again. Most people have resumed their own activities with one or two still glancing over at the "oddness". Then we go up to the counter to get our munch on!

The guy who tendered to my crisps requirement, went into a full blown round of question as to what the hell I'm wearing.

"So, what's this all for?" "I have to say that you totally threw me when you were buying those crisps...I didn't get it." "It's pretty insane! Are you documenting this stuff?" etc. etc. All answered with a smile and suitably honest responses :-)

Although you could see he was freaked out at the fact that ma "pearly whites" were talking to him, but he couldn't see anything else.

Food paid for and going back down to dig into it. It hit me:

"You haven't actually eaten a proper "wet" meal in zentai, in public"

And I got this sudden, "I'm not hungry anymore" feeling rushing around in me. So rather than deal with it internally I state publicly to the other two, "...I've uhm, actually never eaten in zentai in public. I feel like a bit of a dick"

"oh go on...a little messy face isn't going to kill you, you can wash it out if it *really* bothers you" they said, as they were tucking into their plates.

I do love my friends. I know I'm probably really fortunate that the group of people (old and new) I have around me accept that I'm a bit "off/odd" but also push me to be a better person and accept it as I can never be or do "normal"...only for short periods at a time anyway.

So, I say to myself, "c'mon, let's be having ya"...that's not Dutch courage...I'm on the hot chocolate remember!

And it went without a hitch! I had to be a bit more calculated with my portion sizes I'd mount onto the reverse of my fork (yes I eat in a "posh" manner so sue me) because my zipper mouth isn't as big as the gob I was born with. I did have moments where the controlled environment was starting to drive me mad. I just wanted to take off my hood and literally hoover the food (I'm normally a quick eater) but I resisted the urge and carried on! And finished :-)

I was really proud of myself. The other two didn't see it, because I was smiling the whole time anyway as the conversation was far too funny not to. I won't repeat some of the stuff that was said in regards to my zentai but: burqa, burqini, ninja, yelling, stopping, running, more yelling...and other things in "poor taste" were mentioned in various sentences of vast amusement, that would never go down well at some boring "socialite" dinner party event. We'd never go to those unless it was to deliberately stir up the "status quo" on the mundane.

Anyway, bellies suitably full and banter flowing, we decided it was time to go home..and we walked back to the station, a kiss and a hug and went our merry way. I wasn't alone on the tube mind! As one of my friends was going in my direction anyway. So we got onto a tube and sat there chatting away and this really...REALLY intoxicated guy (his face was crimson, his eyes slow to focus and body generally lolling around the place gently) sat directly opposite me was trying ever so hard to focus on me. Frowning like a 3 year old does when he's trying to fit a cube into a circular hole, but to no avail.

No one really battered an eyelid because we were talking. The tube pulled up to her stop and we hugged and bade each other goodbye. At the same time this older gentleman with a walking cane struggled to get on, and impulsively (Momma didn't raise no fool) got up out of my seat and said to him, "please take mine!" poor man looked slightly puzzled but seemed to see that I was genuine and said, "why thank you young lady".

I proceeded to plonk myself in the seat next to the one I vacated and just disappeared for a few minutes into a blank space in my head. That rarely ever happens, so it's nice to be there sometimes.

I walked home with zero incident (as has become the norm now)

Good times...

Oh, also. Pictures from Sunday:

iZ

ZentaiSpot's perspective of Sunday

2010-02-16T11:44:00.002Z

Ah, so ZentaiSpot did a write up on sunday too :-)

You can read up on it: Here

Fun times!

Day 16: blerg...

2010-02-16T11:00:00.001Z

Yes, I *JUST* woke up ^_^

End day 15: Life Modeling...

2010-02-15T23:29:00.000Z

Pretty laid back at the Royal Festival Hall...In public, posing for a small group of artists (graphic designers, web designers, interior designers, animators etc.) in zentai.

It was fun, and as ever there were people who hung around to try and figure out what the hell was going on :-)

There was a group of "youths" behind our group who weren't too disruptive, but my God can they stare!

Day 15: She's not dead..she's just sleeping.

2010-02-15T17:11:00.002Z

Phew!

I like weekends like that. Granted the redbull 48-hour mad rush of random sewing isn't a regular feature on the weekend, but it's all good anyway!

No video for the day as I haven't actually left my room (bar the usual necessities). That said, I am going to a cartoon drawing class this evening. Random!!

So, We'll see how that goes down.

Also, I think I'm going to put my zebra back together :-)

iZ

Day 14: A random Dinner party, and being silly

2010-02-14T23:59:00.000Z

Randomly, I had been invited to a dinner party this evening. By a guy I had only lightly been chatting with a few days before. Not due to meet up until the end of the week, he invited me over.

Life's too short to avoid randomness.

I got there, late (my nap over-run) but there. There were a few questions asked, but I did decide to put the hood down (plus what we were eating was...well, it could have been messy). The evening went on and it was actually pretty fun. There was the odd slight look of uncertainty but I don't think anyone did anything about it because we were all having "civilised" conversation so there was no need for unnecessary friction (hehe). That said! the conversations ranged from gender-specific music instruments that make up an orchestra, through to someone having dry ice shoved down their pants and not realising till a few days later.

Odd.

So! Homeward bound, and home at last. Before I decide to pass out from one hell of a weekend...I present you with 6 minutes of absent minded stupidity, and my new zentai suit (without the hood though, hence the silliness that ensues) :-)

Day 14: A day out with zentaispot!

2010-02-14T23:40:00.000Z

5 hours down the road and it's time to get a move on to meet zentaispot at Westfields for a walkabout :-)

My blue suit had dried and Figured it was time to try this double layering thing again as I hadn't finished the hood, it should be too bad. And it wasn't! It actually felt really good.....really good (ruh roh!)

Ahem.

So yes, black suit over blue suit (and a base layer below the blue one just to make sure I'm not too cold), my beloved skull beanie and a scarf and the black and white Dr. Marten's and I'm good to go!

The tube journey was pretty standard with people laughing, looking away, staring etc. I would have said it was like that the whole way, but this one guy was sat diagonally opposite me and was frowning something atrocious! He'd look at me, I'd look at him....he'd still look, I'd tilt my head to one side, He'd realise I was looking at him so he'd turn away but still with this incredible frown ruining his face (hehe). This carried on, until I was away with the fairies and then noticed his hands were moving!

He took a picture of me on his phone and proceeded to write out an epic text message (reflections from a window are great, whilst you can't read anything, a screen of white with a bit of black moving about tells you a lot). When the tube got out to ground level, that was his stop and I presume he sent it as he left the tube. He could have asked, I would have happily been in a picture with him to prove it to whoever he was texting.

Ho hum.

I get off at White City, and walk down to Westfields. There weren't many people around but those who were around would stare, take a picture and I waved at some :-)

So we both started walking around and people would stop and stare, but always smiling :-) zentaispot was definitely in his element and it showed. Kids absolutely loved him and so did a lot of the parents (yes there are still a few who would try walking away).

On the way, there was a bit of a pitstop for spot, and as he walked down to where the toilets were, this one kid ran to the entrance of the hall pointing at spot going, "Bye bye doggie!!...bye bye doggie...bye bye doggie" I was standing right next to him and he genuinely was saying bye. Then as his dad came round to see what he was talking to and the kid turned around to him saying, "the doggie's gone!" with a sad face.

That's got to be the cutest thing I've seen in a while :-)

We carried on walking around, much to the shopper's amusement and it was great that people weren't scared but just enjoyed seeing something different! So much so, that a lady actually couldn't resist holding onto Spot's tail and wagging it a little. She was ever so gentle and really just quite excited over the spectacle and said as much. It was a first that Spot had his tail grabbed by someone.

Moments like those seem to happen when there aren't any cameras running! Ho hum...I decided to turn it on as we reached one end of the center and about to walk back...

Whilst the filming in between left little to be desired...The french guy was well worth it!

Onwards! As we were asked to leave Westfields, we had to walk around the bloody building to get back to the tube station...it was cold but spirits were high so we trundled on, and well, smiling faces put a smile on your face, even if they can't see it!

We were then approached by this guy who had never seen "adults in one piece outfits". He filmed a little bit of us (I filmed him) and had a very short lived conversation.

Followed by more walking, and talking about stuff (including a flashmob run and such)

We finally get to the station and plan our way to the V & A in South Kensington. Whilst on the platform, Spot wanted to say hello to the tube driver, but he was a bit grumpy :-(

Getting off the tube at South Kensington, was pretty busy. There were people *EVERYWHERE*. I know I'm stating the obvious, but seriously...such a small station and such a big amount of people, I almost lost spot a few times! Walking through the tunnel had loads of kids stopping and looking, and us waving back :-) We even had a lady come up out of the blue and asked us if we were performers. We said no. She asked, "then what are you wearing those for?"...."Because it's fun".

She smiled.

"So where are you off to then?"

"The V & A"

"well...I must say, I've never seen a dalmatian at the V & A. And what are you?"

"Just a typical black "thing""

"It's slightly sinister though...like a burglar"

*sigh*

"yes, I guess. I'm lovely really! But wearing black probably doesn't help"

"Well I hope you two have fun"

And off she went. Straight to the V & A as well!

In the tunnel there was the first of many interactive displays. It's a wall of fans, that are activated when you walk by them. Spot and I were mesmerized by this thing for a good few minutes! waving our hands around it and trying to figure out how it worked. I think the people walking by didn't quite understand what was going on. Two excitable people in full body suits looking at a wall of fans..Yeah.

A few yards up, was a security man at stand to do bag checks. We all walked up and out of no where, the guy asks Spot, "So do you get fed Pedigree Chum?"...I couldn't stop giggling. He said it with a straight face initially which got me. Spot was equally entertained and the guy let us in....he couldn't look at us anymore. Fair enough.

Walking to the cloakroom, the people standing around waiting to put their bags/coats etc. in were looking, some would hastily find a friend who was elsewhere and drag them into the hall to look at us. Some took pictures too.

We walked through the main hall and went to the Information Point first to ask them if it was ok for us to walk around. They said it was fine. I did actually call them during the week, mainly in regards to an interactive exhibition and about photography. They said the photography wasn't allowed but they thought what I said I was wearing was interesting.

Lots of kids and people smiling, taking pictures and waving back when we waved at them. Through the various displays, we did find one...

Now. I like mannequins. No not like that! I just find faceless mannequins fascinating. Whilst these were clothed in theatrical attire, I beamed a little bit inside when I saw them.

Following on from that, we found an installation to walk by. Again, interactive but with mirrors!

So we walked around some more, but this time to try and get to the Architecture room (I used to study architecture, so it's a comfort zone for me). And to try and break the cycle of always ending up in the main sculpture room!

It was quiet up there, as it usually is. Although when we walked in, a girl in a little section shouted to her friend, "hey...turn around!" We were walking through them and as this other girl did as she was asked to do, she was startled, to say the least!!. Spot and I giggled whilst walking through. I did say, "sorry, didn't mean to startle you" and she laughed a little as did the other girl.

We moved into the glass room which had all sorts of bendy and colourful glass in it, and a mirror at the end! We walked up to it, and a lady came out from a door...from no where! (or at least it appeared that way) It was a members room behind the wall of mirrors.

As we were walking back, we were approached by an employee of V & A who didn't like what we were wearing.

"oh no, here we go again" I thought. But we stood our ground. The guy asked us to wait so he could get his supervisor (as he had his radio in his hand). We didn't *have* to wait...we could have told him to come find us when he's found his supervisor, but we humoured him for a bit.

After walking around a little bit more, we were all pretty hungry so we got our stuff from the cloakroom and ventured back towards the station. After much deliberation, we decided upon a Starbucks near the station.

The staff at the Starbucks were amused by us. Unfortunately, Spot took his hood off. I don't think coffee stains are a desirable look. I kept mine on though. And the staff looked slightly puzzled as to why i ordered a drink and something to eat with the hood still up.

It has to be said. Drinking through the zip is definitely more enjoyable than eating through it! There were loads of people staring in amusement at the brownie disappearing into an orifice of a black "thing" followed by a swig of tea from a big white mug. As the place was small, people couldn't sit down (although we found a place..and a few people made their way after a few minutes) it was a constant flow of people - mainly tourists.

The day was drawing to a close and we got on the tube one last time. As we came to the stop Spot needed to get off at, we had a hug and really didn't want the day to end - as we were talking a few folks in the carriage had grins on their faces..probably trying to figure out what was going on - but said our farewells and the tube carried on.

Going out in Zentai is definitely a lot more fun when you've got other zentai folk with you :-). Sure for other people they'll find it either funny or intimidating, but essentially we're not doing anything wrong.

You hear that? What's wrong with having a bit of fun ^_~

iZ

Broken...

2010-02-14T05:23:00.000Z

That's what I'm feeling right about now...

13th in Review...

2010-02-13T23:52:00.002Z

Just a side note, I know I'm writing this on Sunday but it's going to appear in saturday. Just to keep things neat. Plus...I was running on empty and had no time on Saturday.

Anyway...

Friday night...I wanted to go out, but I wanted a new zentai more. So I pinned, and stitched, and took apart, and restitched and swore...and made coffee...which then went to green tea, then peppermint tea and more stitching etc.

So not all that exciting. That said, I had to have the hood down and even being in 3/4 zentai (whilst the arms, shoulders and head are exposed I tie up the rest above "the goods") seemed to affect my general "zen-ness" I have even in stressful situations.

Somewhere around 4am as I finished pinning the main body of the suit I looked at my overlocker. It was sat there on the table, under its dust cover, laughing at me. Mocking my sheepish demeanor in relation to it's overcomplicated presentation. But I had enough. I bought that thing with the intention of mastering it, and making my own good fit outfits in my own fabric patterns. No longer will it mock me!

I spent probably 2 hours messing around with tensions, needle settings, differential feed settings, normal fabric sewing then eventually sewing on lycra. I eventually reached a point where I was happy enough with how the fabric behaved and without a flinch got straight to work on sewing the body of my zentai.

I finished the body, one arm, shoulders and the side zip by about 10am and high off the success of my own determination got ready to go be a rope bunny for a workshop.

After having a shower (and lightly washing and drying my suit) I felt human. Slightly drained but definitely human. I got what I needed - not a lot - and made my way to the train station (via the tube). At the station, like before (Conquering Southbank, on my first post) I was running around like a mad woman, looking for a free kiosk to buy a ticket. I had no reason mind you, I had about 25 minutes to idle for.

Tickets bought, train to get on identified (yet waiting for the platform number) I bought some food for later and just stood around. A lot of kids would stop in their tracks, pulling their parents back to ask, "what's that?". I'd turn my head to the kid and mimic their tilted head expression.

A lot of them laughed and waved back (as the parents pulled them away, not really wanting to explain what/who "that" was), some of them darted into the leg of their parents and others would just stare as they were carted off.

A platform was finally shown and I got a place on the train. The smell of the baguette I bought earlier was now emanating from my bag, setting off a, "Feed me, Seymore!" styled protest from my stomach.

One does not deny their stomach food when it protests as such! So...I ate.

The workshop went well. For the first part I was allowed to keep my zentai on and was used as a demo bunny for some ties. I didn't really think much of being tied up in zentai. It doesn't look as pretty as it does against skin.

Day over , it's back home and on with the suit before TG! Being tired and having been up for more than 24 hours already means that mistakes were going to happen. And they did. Some of the measurements for my hood were out, and I serged the wrong arm to the wrong hole. Then.....massive horror! In my frustration i cut through my hood :'-(

I was already running late for TG so, decided to go in that, without the hood.

Leaving the house, without "my face" felt horrible. I felt quite conscious about myself and exposed. Bar the fluffy blue legs and blue fingers as indicators of zentai being worn, the nape of my neck, head and face were exposed. Sensitivity to wind and the cold didn't help matters much either.

Still, I got to the venue. Stuffed my jacket and headphones and such into my bag to go into the cloakroom, and marveled at the top notch effort TG always put into their designs and themed rooms. As the venue filled up, more familiar faces showed up. Some I had seen recently, and a lot I haven't seen for a good long time. And then I danced...and danced, and danced till I realised I needed to sleep a little before going for a walkabout with zentaispot.

Whilst at TG, my self-consciousness melted away and I felt like I was back behind my hood. At the same time though, having that reaffirmation of your own characteristics as a person from other people was definitely needed. The dissociative nature of being in zentai is actually quite profound and not something I had thought about initially. But let's just say looking at your own face in a mirror at least once a day has helped keep that dissociative nature at bay.

On the way home, I was approached by a woman and her mum who seemed pretty lost. Being truly altruistic in nature I stopped and tried to figure out where she needed to go. After walking to a few bus stops I worked out a route for her to get home. Half of it was en-route with my journey home anyway :-)

So we chatted about how expensive London is, and my furry boots...and my suit. I proudly said I made it, and she was adamant that I bought it! I took off my jacket and showed her where there were still pattern marks, darts and wrong things on it. She still didn't believe me...

Ho hum. After getting her and her mum on the next bus on their journey - and reminding them of the other buses they needed to get - I swiftly made my way home...I had about 5 hours available to sleep...I crashed under the electric throw and still in my blue (almost finished) zentai...what a day.

Day 13... Insomnia...

2010-02-13T19:36:00.001Z

A bit late, but this morning...kinda on autopilot.

Still on auto pilot o_O

I want to ride my bicycle...I want to ride my bike?

2010-02-12T22:53:00.002Z

Arg, I suppose I should unload my "adventures" of today upon this here blog, hmm??

I'm on a quick break as this damn blue suit WILL be made before 9am tomorrow. I have to go and be a rope bunny for a Shibari photography workshop. And I won't get home till 6.30ish. Which only gives me 4 hours to make amendments on the suit if needs be.

Anyway! Today...I had to go do things around the vicinity of London and what better mode of transport than a bicycle? (Rollerblades, but they're useless in water)

So I pick up some mail from a friend...And it's a bearable drizzle of sorts. I've slightly lost my bearings so spend a moment (in the rain) trying to figure out where the haberdashery shop is from my current location. And off I go again.

Whilst meandering between quiet residential roads and main roads, I notice people are staring at me. Not my face though (initially!) but my legs! Yes, I'm not wearing trousers (and will continue to do so...for the month, it's quite something!) then my face.

Found the shop and this guy isn't exactly the friendliest of folk. The last time I was in there, I was asking about "micro weave" thread and he was adamant that it didn't exist. Unfortunately, I knew it did - Google told me so! - and mentioned A.N Other shop. I don't think that went down to well.

Anyway, this time I come bolstering in and within seconds from the door I was in his face wittering away at: Do you do zippers? What colour? Do you do them by the meter? I need 130cms...The guy looked at me and rose, EVER SO SLOWLY out of his chair. It was as though he thought if he moved slowly I wouldn't notice him?

Then I remembered...You're wearing zentai stupid. And I went quiet for a minute and smiled such a toothy smile through my mouth zipper, so he could get a word in. I think that irked him even more.

He didn't utter much but moved from behind the counter to a box and said, "I've got white, black and beige. Which do you want?!" Seemed a bit aggressive, but this guy seriously is quite the grumpy Guss. So I repeated myself, "A hundred and thirty centimeters, please" to which he cut something like 150 (I didn't realise this at the time). £1.65 paid, zipper in the bag and off out like a bat out of hell onto my bike in horrible weather.

In lycra, your skin is desensitised in so much as you can't feel a drop of water on your leg...or wind on it if the lycra is wet and cold already! So my hands were the indicator that it was really really cold and I'm a bit mad not wearing windbreaker (hehe) trousers.

Standing where I am in the video, afterwards I stood and stared at this poor learner driver trying *not* to hit me. A good 10 minutes as I had my hands under my bum to try and get some heat (desperate measures and what not). He stalled once, ground the gears a lot and was generally a mess. I know it's cruel...but as I geared up for the home stretch, I moved off slowly around the guy and they (driver and instructor) were staring something fierce at me. My mouth zipper still half open they were subjected to half a toothy grin and a wave as I got up to speed to join the main road up ahead.

Eventually home and feeling worse off than a drowned cat, I took of my layers and felt instantly better!

Rambling aside, I had to crack on with my blue suit. And here I am now...taking a mini break to eat and chill as I was getting very light headed and generally feeling sick (then I remembered I hadn't eaten the whole day!) My hands are done and I'm halfway through putting the hood together. I NEED to finish this...There's no other way around this. I'm not bothered about the LED lights, I'll just do a good job with the Na'vi zentai later.

Now...Something I've noticed as the day has progressed. I was quite agitated for the most part...stressing and messing up on simple stitches, re-doing them to find I've done it exactly like before. Half the zentai came off as getting my hands stuck under the foot wasn't funny anymore. I didn't like the feeling of being "exposed". My back and shoulders touched the chair and it felt unpleasant.

I guess after being used to wearing a second skin, ones own skin which is already very sensitive is even more so when it's been deprived functions it's used to facilitating.

At that moment in time however, I wasn't really in a rational frame of mind...I really...really...really wanted a cigarette. I haven't smoked in 4 years, nor have I had a craving as bad as this in the same length of time.

Ain't low blood sugar a bitch?

Still...I trundled on, then came to a point where I needed an iron to put creases in the hood to make it easier to pin and sew. At the same time I decided I should get a bit of a food shop in too.

So back on the "barsicle" round the corner to the local "Argos" (basically a warehouse that sells "stuff" from a catalog with its own shop front. Really handy!). As I'd reserved my mini iron online already, It was pretty straight forward. I paid for it at an automated kiosk, then sat and waited for my number to crop up. People were staring as usual as were the staff, although when I caught their eye I'd tilt my head slightly and they'd smile.

Iron done.

Next, food shopping. You know you tell yourself, "don't go food shopping when you're hungry" ....try doing that when you're irritable, basically starving and cursing yourself out for leaving things to the last minute. I actually managed to shop pretty well! I avoided the cookies (I'm a sucker for chocolate chip cookies...or chocolate covered hobnobs, I'd happily graze on those with a massive mug of coffee (mixed with hot chocolate...yes a mocha kinda) all day...damn my office days!) and went for grapes and satsumas and celery. The celery goes well with humus, I'd not eat it on its own *shudders*

I stood in the cue and people were off in their own worlds, idly looking around, till they saw this dark *thing* in their peripheral..triple stare as per usual and I tilt my head at them, they quickly avoid looking at me. The cashiers were oddly joyful today and the till I went to, the guy actually looked at me, pointed at me and motioned I came to his till...As if I was deaf or something? Ah, wait, yeah I had my massive headphones on although one was cocked slightly so I could hear things.

He was ever so smiley and helpful and asked, "would you like me to help you pack your bags Ma'am?" It's nice being around someone smiley and generally positive. Even if one's blood sugar is on the verge of making one pass out, it's hard to be a moody bitch when some one's just being helpful.

"No, you're alright thanks. But it would be grand if you could scan through all the bigger/heavier items first so I can fit them in my rucksack?" he nodded with enthusiasm and foraged through the basket of items to find all the bulky and heavier ones for me to pack.

Rucksack full and monies paid he bade me farewell as did I, "You have a good evening" and I left. Feeling really quite good now. It's probably the prospect of stuffing my face in about 20mins.

I think half this post has been done a bit back to front..But I'm a bit skewif today anyway.

Ah another thing, after mistaking a zentaist on Saturday for being Zentai Spot, we've actually been in touch and we shall be going to Westfields shopping centre for a walkabout on Sunday. So expect pictures and probably some footage too :-)

But first! To the sewing machine!!

iZ

Day 12: It's all gone a bit last minute o_O

2010-02-12T11:05:00.002Z

No video this morning, as my hood is down due to mass sewing! As much as I'd like to sew with my hood up, I also value that I don't wear glasses and I'm not about to put my eyes under undue stress. It's bad enough I keep on catching my covered fingers under the foot of my machine when I'm not paying attention (!)

So yeah, might do a little video in a bit as I have some errands to do.

I WILL get this done...and Dash's cat woman mask...and get a zipper and and and...

Oy vey o_O

End day 11: The Boogie (wo)man and sirens

2010-02-11T23:40:00.004Z

...Tired!!!! Still today has been interesting. I decided rather than rush a secondary hood to cover my mouth zip, I'd face the world with a zipped up smile!

No drama getting to the first workshop. I showed up and had a bit of a convo, stayed still on and off for about an hour and a half, then we had to have a break.

Now, on the billboard as I walked in it said "fire drill today" ...I grinned.

As a result on our breaks we've got to stay as a group should the alarm sound. So I followed the group downstairs (yes, fully clad in zentai, Caterpillar boots, and a beanie) and we sat in the little cafe and we were talking about erm..hot chocolate at the time.

.."what is she doing?!"
.."It's ok she.."
.."I don't like it"
.."She works as a model, it's ok..."

My ears drifted off elsewhere in the vicinity to this conversation. The joys of having your peripheral vision available. I looked to my left to see two figures clearly looking at me. The tutor had walked over there and began explaining what I was doing. One of the two there sounded interested and curiosity got the better of me with the other person who was slightly bothered.

So I turned and looked and cocked my head to one side in a playful manner. The lady who was ok smiled. I took that as a cue to go over and explain myself and to hopefully put the other woman at ease.

"Oh dear...I can't see your face!" she chuckles nervously.
"Well, you can see my eyes can't you?" I ask. She turns a very bright shade of red, "sorry, if I unzip this would that be better?" I unzip my mouth zipper so she can identify part of my face.
"Yes..no, OH NO!!!" she shouts, then begins to cry.

"Shit" I think...but again, curiosity got the better of me and I asked her, "do you think you could tell me what about me is upsetting you?"

"NOooo, please, just go!!!!"

I turn my back to her and talk to the other lady for a second, "I really didn't mean to upset her, I'm just genuinely curious" I walked back to the group who were all as puzzled as I was about her mass hysteria.

The whole room was full of her cries and repetitively stating, "I just don't like it!! NO, I don't like it!" Having drawn a lot of attention to myself for the wrong reasons, I felt a bit sheepish :-( and discussed with the other artist's if I'd actually done anything wrong.

Then the other lady came up to me and explained that the hysterical woman had a bad experience in her childhood and I triggered a relapse of sorts. She tapped me reassuringly on my shoulder and smiled over hers as she went back to try and calm the woman down. As reassuring as that tap and smile was, the shrill "I JUST DON'T LIKE IT!!" was getting to me. The rest of the group seemed content with that explanation in addition to the possibility of there being learning difficulties in tow. I wasn't.

I WANTED to know, how a completely hidden identity - essentially a living shadow - could manifest itself as a childhood nightmare? I know I can think of certain scenarios...quite awful ones and others that include a balaclava as opposed to a complete hood. But being female and showing so (my jacket was completely open and it falls to either side of my cleavage) it further makes the mind boggle as to what those terrifying memories could have been.

Ho hum. Back to the class and we're tipped off that the sirens will sound in about 2 minutes..I just got out of my zentai suit!

As soon as the back zip is done, off it goes! And we all have to trundle down the stairs (I've forgotten to do the laces) and outside. I did film it, but it's a bit all over the place. I may up the footage on youtube at some point...maybe. Never the less it was the quickest fire drill I've ever been part of! Myself and a lady from the group pretty much tagged up and when the building supervisor said we could go back in, we walked back in without a pause in our step! Ace.

The rest of the class goes without incident, and a few more people are interested in what I'm doing. As they thought the suit was just a one off (no chance!) from last time but they twigged now.

The same hysterical woman was at the reception but I saw her before she saw me and I put my collar up quite high and made a get away quickly before there was more unnecessary drama. I did hear her breath picking up quite sharpish so I guess it was definitely the right move at the time!

On the train, the usual staring and such, and frowning, but I caught myself in staring competitions with people. It was a bit one sided as they were a long way away and couldn't see my eyes. So they thought they were having a cheeky peek when in actual fact they were being stared upon in equal measure. Needless to say, it's amazing what a slight tilt of the head to one side does to people *grins*

I got some food at the station before getting on the tube home, and the folks in the kitchen behind the front of the food store were looking at me and laughing, and running off to the sides like little school girls, then peeking, then giggling, then pointing. If I wasn't in a rush, I'd have pointed back..and opened my mouth zipper and stuck my tongue out at them playfully but I just wanted my brie, spinach, bacon and cranberry bagel and 3 mini "pain-au-choc" and get a move on. Ooooh, Londoner mentality alert!

An hour and a half: chow down on food, reply to e-mails for future work, breathe...go to job 2 of today.

Being a person who doesn't work in an office, it's easy to forget when rush hour is. Let it be known that between 5.50 and 6.50 it's still considered rush hour. Luckily for me though, I'm not a suite, I'm too calm to be crazy, but I'm odd enough to have people leave me some space on the tube and on the train :-) A lot of people stared, and I just stared right back at them. It would appear it takes them a minute longer to actually twig that there are a pair of marginally hidden eyes looking back at them. And when they do they shuffle around like they had a rubber band flung at their face in school. Just me then? ah.

I got to the second class, and Caron (the lovely lady who gave us our second video reaction) was startled, again! And she laughed and asked me what was going on. To which I said, "this ain't a one off luv! It's the whole month!" and the questions of responses, why, what spurred it etc. came out.

Then...I showed her my zipper. She actually didn't notice it until then and I found the following interesting:

• Talking to her with the zipper closed, she was listening, but I was muffled.

• Talking to her with the zipper open, irked her MORE than not seeing my mouth initially.

• THEN closing the zipper again threw her off completely!

How odd is that?! I know that in a conversation what you actually say bares little importance in the grand scheme of things, but visuals - as minute as a mouth - seem to really be key.

Other artists arrived, and a regular came in and went, "Oh god. Not you again!"

"love you too" says I :-)

"No no, it's just...that suit..why?? I reminds me of those Jihad clips and stuff"

"Erm...well, whatever floats your boat, squire. I'm Jewish though so haven't a clue what you're on about" a few in the room giggle.

He carries on with some stuff I'd rather not repeat, but in contrast to the hysterical woman who had a personal fear, it would appear this guy had a "fear" or uncomfortable feeling about me due to peer pressure and the media. He KNOWS who I am, and when the suit comes off it's fine. But when it's on...the availability to objectification means that his mind warps me into the nearest box he can comfortably put my "identity" into.

Interesting.

The lesson goes on without any issue as does getting back to the tube. At 10pm, I've noticed people are too tired to even bother registering what's around them. Those who do probably don't have any lights upstairs at that moment in time as they look, stare for a good minute then go back to picking their nose or whatever it was that enthralled them!

On home stretch, I come out of the tube system into the ticket office to find people and bags, and hand cuffs and scuffling and police officers...high end ones too! Not the community police, not the British transport police, not even the Met Police in their high vis yellow kit. These guys are in navy blue...latex gloves, cuffs, batons and it looks like a raid of some description is going on.

And I'm walking through all this. My heart is steady, my walk in time with Boyz Noise - Jeffer (yes I'm addicted to that track) playing at that moment in time through my head phones, and my breathing as deep and resounding as it usually is. It's only after I walk out of the office to ground level that it hits me....I was looking straight at these officers and the situation making ends meet in my head; yet at that moment in time they would have had a fully justified reason to ask me what I was getting up to.

I giggled.

Dark Walk Home in Zentai

2010-02-11T23:29:00.001Z

Do the zentai intimidate those with hoodies...or do those with hoodies intimidate the zentai???

I dunno. But yes, dark passages between places...thought i'd share as my brain's almost mush after today's events!!

Drinking in Zentai with a mouth zip

2010-02-11T16:41:00.001Z

Break between jobs, thought I'd show you that the functionality of the zip works well :-)

Day 11: Mouth.

2010-02-11T10:08:00.001Z

It's a sunny Thursday morning!! And well, you can see the zipper better now...so can I o_O

Hey, to run around with a zipped up mouth in London...People will probably be none the wiser anyway

iZ

End day 10: Oh so wrong...

2010-02-10T22:10:00.005Z

Hmm...in my flurry of creativity and wanting to reward myself by *finally* putting a zip in...I didn't actually get as far as envisaging what the zip would look like from the *outside*

So...tomorrow will mostly be me wrapping my lower half of my face behind a scarf. Until i've finished working (or the night comes) and I can make another hood to go over this one. Whilst I don't like the idea of double layers around my face...It's either learn to put up with that or possibly get in trouble for looking like a sexual deviant in public.

Ahem.

So before my hasty balls up. I did manage to do my right hand of my blue suit!! And finishing the left hand tonight!!

Simple day, much progression, even if it's a bit of a balls up due to a hyperactive imagination...

iZ

Day 10: zentai musings

2010-02-10T12:29:00.001Z

Mostly rambling on about things, and stuff...and that damn electric throw!!

It (and wearing zentai) is probably the evilest (in a good way, you see) thing in my room to date...

End day 9: Tripping switches, cat woman and the corner shop

2010-02-09T23:07:00.003Z

Ah, pretty chilled day.

Not a lot happened:

This morning, whilst walking from the kitchen back to my room a new woman had moved into the property ("where do you live?" I hear you cry...*giggle* in response) and was leaving the bathroom only to turn to her left and see this vehement black mass dragging its mammoth flip flops in a speedy fashion in her direction. Well, my flip-flop things are basically kinda platformed and I'm like 5ft 8 in them. She must have been just under 5ft 5 as she did turn her head up quite a bit to try and register my face.

But no, there was no face there, so whilst she actually startled the crap out of me...she let out a twee scream...a SCREAM, and her facial reaction of sheer terror for all of 2 seconds had me in stitches simultaneously. Instantly as if on auto pilot i said, "hey, you good??" and she replied, "oh yes, fine thank you" (french accent here).

What?! No you're not...you're freaked the hell out by this odd "thing" that's just started talking to you. Why do people do that?? No bother, I wasn't actually curious as to her well being but said something to calm her down rather than walk by and leave a tentative silence as I flip-flopped back to my room.

Whatever.

So more pinning and cutting till it's mid afternoon and my brain can't take any more and demands a nap. Fine, 30mins power cat-nap and back on it, I NEED a suit for Saturday. I made the ultimate mistake of turning my electric throw (not an under blanket like most buy, this is sits on top of my duvet usually).

You know how lycra seems to absorb heat and transfer it to your skin quickly? And that feeling is amplified just that bit more? My 30min cat nap lasted 3 hours!! It was the most relaxing and - quite frankly - intoxicating nap I've had in a while. The zentai suit was only *slightly* warmer than my core temperature but as my room was cooling (I turned all my heaters off) it seemed to balance itself nicely. I woke up once and for some bizarre reason my heart was beating so hard and fast, I thought I was about to keel over and die there and then. Very odd.

But still, I guess the closest euphoric state of complete "oneness" with everything and the ultimate security blanket I could relate how I felt then is that of being in the womb? Seriously, I'm going through as many words as my brain can fathom and the only thing that's resounding well is an image of being safe from EVERYTHING in a womb. Considering I curl up into the fetal position whenever I sleep, I guess it's fitting.

So yes, nap over and cracking on with cutting fabrics, I get a call from Dashee. She's coming over in a bit. Grand...Finish cutting and start thinking about food but she's here already. And, everything goes silent in my room o_O

"Someone's d*cking about with the fuse box again" I grumble, before leaving my room.

Cue little video of walking about the place, trying to solve what's causing the short-circuiting/trip and one of the house mates, *still* finds my zentai really creepy.

So we're talking about making a cat-woman hood for her as she's not too keen on walking around in her zentai with the hood up on Saturday:

So, more work for this procrastinator to get on with before Saturday.

Before retiring for the day, I saw Dashee off to the station, and walked into my local corner shop to get some food. The guy behind the counter is someone I haven't seen in there for a while so decided to have a chat with him as it was relatively quiet. He found my suit really interesting, and asked me how the public reacted and explained a few concerns he'd imagine he would have (apparently my jacket and beanie are instantly recognisable as I'm in there often enough) if a total stranger came hurtling into his shop.

The burqa came up again...I really need to get a different visual solition done for the rest of the month. Hopefully this pin hole eyelet thing I've got rattling in my head will work. So I got some food and stuff and said my good bye and walked home.

Like I said...not much happened today :-)

iZ

Zentai Meets Daimond Dash(eeeee)

2010-02-09T20:14:00.001Z

Dash comes over. A housemate trips the fuse box, and is still freaked out by my wearing zentai.

Beer and food over discussing making a cat woman mask for her for Saturday out of some plastic leather type pants...

Day 9: She's not all there?

2010-02-09T11:01:00.001Z

Good morning...as ever. I crashed last night at i think 3am after spending the whole day pinning, and cutting...then spending like 5 hours getting totally engrossed in measurements and pattern making for my hood..

Still, more today! and possibly some shenanigans on Southbank :-)

Zentai goes: Snip snip

2010-02-08T17:48:00.001Z

Just before taking a(nother) break. Here's how far i've progressed with the suit today.

It's taken a while but I'm getting there!! Still need to cut out the hood and the arms, but it's getting there slowly :-)

Day 8: Snow ruins all...

2010-02-08T16:08:00.003Z

Soooo, I haven't left the house today. I was meant to go with a photographer friend and do stuff around Southbank (absolutely LOVE southbank..even in crappy weather) but the snow (as sludgy as it is) has put that on hold...for now.

On a positive! I did have a call from my mum this morning. Awesome woman that she is, she sorted out my procrastination problem. We identified it had a whiny "Woody Allen" character that stopped me from actually just getting on with making them. Sorry if anyone actually likes him, but both my mum and I really...really...really find he grates on us.

So a quick mental sparring session and i've been rabbiting away at the blue suit.

"You can make a suit in a day"

Is that a challenge? Is THAT a challenge? You betcha.

I'll hopefully have the body done by today...and potter on with the arms and hood in due course.

Squee ^_^

iZ

Day 8: pinning down a zebra

2010-02-08T10:45:00.001Z

Wooo, week 2!!! fun times ahead...

Questions •:• Answered

2010-02-07T23:01:00.002Z

End of week 1 and there have been questions asked by "normal" folk on the street, and fellow zentaists either through e-mail, facebook or twitter.

So here's some answers:

1. Why are you doing this for the month? Is it some kind of performance, or experiment?

I'm doing this, because after our Southbank walkabout, I was asked if I thought I could handle being in zentai for a whole month. I envisaged that I could but - being a sucker for challenges - I needed to know for sure. I always need to know! So, here I am.

The only thing that will most definitely happen at the end of all of this is personal development. I'm very aware of how I respond/react to things and people so it will definitely be a lot of food for thought, I guess.

2. People can see your eyes, what's the material? And isn't it cheating?

People can see my eyes, yes...But more importantly, I can see where I'm going, read information boards and do my shopping properly..oh and cycle on the street without getting run over(!). The material is a cotton based 2-way stretch fabric. At the moment, I can't for the life of me remember the name, but I'll be going back to the shop soon anyway. And no, it really isn't cheating. Whilst fantasies are great, if you make it a reality there are some sacrifices that will need to be made. That said, next suit I'll be looking into other ways of modifying the visual area of the hood.

3. About your suit. I thought you had more? What gives?

Well...I did, but I decided the zebra had to be put down - temporarily - so I can make more suits. It's not really an issue. I tend to take naps some times, it's my coping mechanism for dealing with the short days. When I do have a nap, that's when I hand wash the suit, give it a good squeeze (without ruining the fabric!) then leave it to dry in my room. My room is quite warm all the time so the suit is bone dry in about 2 hours :-)

That said! I should actually have made at least 2 suits by now, but my procrastination has gotten the better of me so for the most part, I opt to read a book. If anyone has a quick way of getting rid of procrastination it would be helpful, ta.

4. You DJ? Do you DJ in zentai??

I've decided to, yes. I don't DJ regularly but when I do (about once or twice a month) I've started this year showing up at venues in zentai, hanging about and generally watching people's reactions then their changed reaction when they see me DJing for them later on in the night. For the most part when people get the courage to come over and have a chat they just think it's crazy, but love it all the same. Otherwise they're just totally freaked out at a blank face, that's emitting sound at them...apparently they "don't know where to look" hehe.

5. How do you go to the bathroom?

Hehe...Well my zentai doesn't have a crotch zip. I can't really get my head around those, so haven't bothered. Instead, I'm quite bendy, so with the hood off I can pull the back zipper down and erm.."assume the position" pretty damn quickly. Fine tuning the technique is part of the reason why the zebra got put down, that and dancing at a normal nightclub and getting down a bit too much...

6. How did you get into zentai?

Well...when I was really little, I hated clothes (that really hasn't changed actually) and for the most part, my mum tolerated me being buck nekkid around the house. But eventually a deal had to be cut so she bought me cotton based cycling shorts. I absolutely loved them! I could run outside and climb trees and do whatever without being worried about my parents panicking over torn clothes. Moving about meant having to deal with colder environments so eventually the tight stuff disappeared for a while.

Cue swimming :-D. Every new school year I'd get a new swimsuit and it evolved from the standard hi-cut leg speedo's to the one i wear today. Still a "one-piecer" but with shorts instead of it cutting up into ones nether regions. It has to be said..I have this mini ritual where I rub my tummy before swimming. And the same there after. Why? I don't know...it feels nice and is probably a comfort thing.

Anyway, about 5/6 months ago I started going to fetish clubs properly. Not for the play or whatever, just because people there are really fun and happy and have zero attitude that you get with normal nightclubs. Whilst I do have the odd latex outfit, I felt something was missing and through google searching and wanting to go with my then boyfriend in a bit of a personal "uniform" I really liked the idea of being this "blob" in human form. And well, that's where zentai came in and made life interesting.

7. How does wearing zentai make you feel?

..Hmmm, I think I know what you're getting at. The sensational aspect of zentai isn't really at the forefront as to why I enjoy wearing it. My skin is really quite sensitive (and I'm quite neurotic over looking after it as a result, go figure) so wearing zentai actually dulls a lot of what I'm used to. When I tried the double layering, I really didn't like it. Perhaps if I were in a lycra sack or something so I could appreciate the encasement more so as opposed to moving in a restricted space. I'm free for a reason ;-)

I will say this though! I am totally not adverse to people stroking me when I'm wearing one zentai. Especially on my head when the hair has grown to a fuzzy 1mm length. *melts*

So, what zentai actually does for me...I'm free to well and truly be me. I can run around in public not caring what people think about me because they don't know *who* I am. Being visually anonymous in a world where everyone wants to know everything whilst "appearing" to know everyone, kinda puts a kink in their system.

8. Did you know someone else has done something like this??

Yep, but for different reasons, I'd imagine. I'm aware of Ani's Adventures and I think it would be great if a guy did the same....even for a week! As I think girls don't have as hard a time as guys probably will do if they were out and about in public?

9. What are your plans for Valentine's day?

Honestly?? Recover from the awesome night out the night before :-) Probably go for a walk as well. I like seeing happy people, be that a couple or single folks. Especially in London, a lot of people suffer from "tunnel vision" in that they don't really appreciate the world they're living in.

10. You know, you really just look like a ninja or like you're wearing a modified Burqa.

You know.....there's not much I can do about that. Though that said, next hood on my next zentai I'll be toying with little eyelet hole type things. And for at least a few days, probably in the zebra zentai when I've put it back together, I'll wear an unmodified one

11. I guess you conquered your fear of being out in public?? ;-)

Nah, never had a fear of being out in public. I did have a fear about public transport. Not busses, but the tube system. The recurring theme was "falling": Falling down stairs, falling down LONG escalators and falling off the platform onto the tracks, just as a train pulls in.

Sounds grim, well if you've got a hyperactive imagination like mine...it looks grim too. Remember the movie "Death becomes her"...yeah. But those fears have been suitably squashed so it's all good.

12. Why don't you do a video chat??

Because mobile broadband bandwidth on pay as you go is McSpensive ;-)

and finally:
13. What do your parents and friends think about what you're doing?

My mum thinks I'm mad :-) she always thinks I'm mad. And she doesn't mind at all. Ditto with my friends. They know I'm a bit "odd" but I think they'd feel "odd" if they acted funny around me when I see it as being perfectly normal...and I'd ask them why they're acting up. It's never happened, but they've hypothetically asked the question many times about "other" friends. Yep, that old chestnut.

Phew!

If there's anymore for anymore I'm on FB quite often, on Twitter and you can e-mail me too at: izentailondon@googlemail.com, if you fancy..

I'm doing something a tad special tomorrow :-)

iZ

Covent Garden: Pictures

2010-02-07T12:40:00.001Z

So finally got the pictures from Friday :-)

Day 7: Do Nothing...

2010-02-07T11:06:00.005Z

The weather is a twee rubbish, so giving the walk a miss (for now). So it's a duvet day.

I'm going to try and finish doing the pinning of the other bits of my old suit for my new one and totally forgot I'm meant to make a dress for a friend's theatre production that starts in March....And he wants a black zentai outfit with a massive white question mark on it.

But right now, toast and green tea and some Prince in the background is definitely in order.

iZ

Day 6/7: Clubbing...and ting

2010-02-06T23:59:00.001Z

Very much an idling sorta day...

Although in the morning, I went to work and the tutor knew I'd be in my zentai. She wasn't there from the start but I managed to get a reaction from her (and film it) at the end of the class...mind you I was frozen solid at that point so my ability to navigate the phone next to my face wasn't too good.

Not much going on in the afternoon, other than washing my zentai and a nap then "uhming" and "ahhing" about going out. In the process I managed to turn a friend's brain into mush by showing him Ichi the killer then the 9 short animated films of the Animatrix. Initially I just wanted to watch Ghost in the Shell (and maybe then Karas)...I'm not a manga/anime junkie.....hehe.

Still, we walked to a club that was happening tonight. For some reason I wasn't really feeling it, but caught up with some friends I hadn't seen in a while..and the odd one or two I'd not seen in a very long time indeed! What was really good was seeing 3 other Zentai people in there and I had a chat with them and found out one was part of The Zentai Project. Yay :-)

So...more nattering, and catching up and elaborating on what I'm doing before deciding I'm suitably bored (music didn't really do much for me, unfortunately) and want "mah bed".

I'm meant to be meeting up with a friend to go walk in Hampstead Heath tomorrow...I've been on the Lucozade caffeine again today...If I feel like a Liebherr truck load of elephants have landed on me, you can be sure it's a duvet day!

iZ

Day 6: rambling and second skin

2010-02-06T10:14:00.001Z

Good Moaning...

The weekend was here Friday morning, but still. Yes it's a pink bath robe. Probably the next best thing to lycra (but isn't hehe) and unconsciously threw it on when i rolled out of bed this morning...

iZ

Day 5: Friday - Identity and Covent Garden

2010-02-05T20:21:00.004Z

Woooo...such a good day, I'm actually too shattered to go out tonight *shock* (I KNOW)

Still, I made my way to the wellcome collection building, on the bus, no drama...It was pretty empty. The bus stop just had a guy and his girl, who couldn't stand near me and stood behind a poster or something. Fair play to her. Her boyfriend wasn't quite as sympathetic and carried on sending a text (sms) message on his phone.

I was waiting for my friend outside the building...and had the walkers by doing the usual triple take. A few actually came to a halt and stared. As I had my headphones on - and was playing with my phone - I didn't do much. I waved sometimes but just looked straight back at them for the most. And they looked back, and I looked at them, and they were then truly satisfied with what they saw and moved on. Should I be charging money for that?

Anyway, I took a picture!

I think that pretty much defines me right now, this is purely curiosity. You can call it a performance, you can call it a social experiment...hell you can call it a Banana for all I care. I like learning, and if it can be done in a "hands-on" manner then I'm a happy bunny :-)

So she shows up and we go inside. First thing's first is a bag check. The security guy is glaring at me, and I know full well what the issue is.

"Y'alright?" says I, "Yeah I'm fine thanks, I need to see your face."

I grin, "Really..."

"Yes" says he. I take off my hood for a split second, "Not much difference really is there?"

"No, but I must see your face" he replied.

Now...just for the record...I have a shaved head and I shave my eyebrows. So other than my eyes, ears, nose, cheekbones, mouth and jawline....I'm pretty much the same!

Anywho, we go to the exhibition...being architect students (Well I'm an ex-student and she's taking a year off) we were obsessing about the temporary space, as opposed to the actual exhibition! The people were all well and good and the DNA and fingerprints and stuff about twins was interesting, but the Discovery Channel did me some good as a kid. We walked around, some people looked at me and were startled. A lot didn't though, they looked at me in a thoughtful manner...

We walked around a bit more, generally catching up on stuff (after we were told off about there being no photography, I turned on my audio recorder) and at the end took some pictures outside the exhibition.

Whilst I was standing inside the exhibition and she was outside taking photos, I noticed this couple standing to the side of me...the lady especially, looking at me quite intently!

I've tried cleaning up the audio as best I can:

Good times! I never thought that people would think I'd be angry/upset if they came and spoke to me. It's always been the other way round...but I guess it makes sense!

So onwards and upwards...to take a detour into Oxford Street before Covent Garden. On the bus, people were staring as usual but as it was the end of a school day, there was a gaggle of girls on there. About half of them were staring, not even remotely switched onto to the idea that i was looking back. Until I waved. It was at one specific girl and she quickly hid behind another girl who was engrossed in some other conversation. I kept on looking in her direction and she kept on popping out to see if I had looked away. Every time she did I waved quickly and had my hand over my mouth in a shy manner too.

We got off the bus, and we ended up playing leap-frog with the bus as the traffic was pretty thick. I didn't realise until the second time the bus moved by me that the girl had now found a seat on the pedestrian side and she was still staring at me. So the game carried on. I'd wave ecstatically at her but now she had another friend and they'd both giggle back and wave a little. Awesome.

Walking back towards Covent Garden, I spied a white top hat....Oh yes I did!! And the impulsive creature in me was more than awake today, so I bought it. It wasn't dear, and it's pretty good. Though when I went into the shop, the two shop keepers were looking at me. One looked like he was about ready to throw me out whilst the other was smiling - I waved back. I saw the hat I wanted and walked up to them asking if I could try it on. The younger - more stand-offish - of the two immediately said, "show me your face. I have CCTV, show me your face" to which I said, "Mate, I've got my driving license and my passport in my bag, you can see my eyes quite clear...." he interjected, "NO, for CCTV I must see your face".

I don't know what took over me but I refused to take my hood off. It really didn't make sense why he was being so uptight. I was going go buy something from his shop. My wallet was in my hand, I'd already identified what I wanted and he was freaking out. So I just said, "You know, I was actually going to buy something from you. But if you're going to be a d**k, then it's really not worth it" ...Oops.

The elder of the two hushed the hot-head down and asked me in a calm manner, "which hat would you like, madam?" Instant diffusing of an unnecessary situation. I walked back to the hat I wanted, sat way up in the heavens and we chatted. I apologised for my reaction, and he shrugged it of saying that it is a bit intimidating. Still, cash exchanged, product bagged and we all left with a smile...except for the stroppy lad at the back of the shop still stabbing me with his beady little eyes.

Top hat in tow! We went off to Covent Garden. I went by Capezio to see if they had any tap shoes in store but they didn't *cries*.

On the way there, I was looking at window displays. Another idea i wanted to do, was to go stand in one for like 10 minutes, but that would require A) more balls (metaphorical ones!!!) and B) more organisation. As today was totally last minute. Still, there were some cool ones with bunny ears on, and a black mannequin inside a shop, i sat on a moped next to it...it's pretty funny. You'll have to wait till i get the pictures to see them!

Initially I was going to stand in Covent Garden with my hat on staying perfectly still until someone looked at me, but it was quite busy and i bottled it at the last minute. Instead, opting to go stand next to the mimes who are always there and having a picture taken, then other people taking my picture..then trying to walk off...then being asked to stop for a minute...then pretending I didn't hear them, hehe.

So in Paperchase I'm idling around, and there are these two girls who are hovering around me like fruit flies:

As you've noticed I didn't have the top hat on...yet. Once we left the shop I took it out and got a few pictures done. Whilst that was going on, I spied two "bobby's" walking around with the classic hats and everything. I think this has turned from paranoia into a slight obsession...If they're not going to get me, I'm going to say hello to them first! So, with my bright white top hat on, and not wearing my sleeveless jacket, I marched in the direction of them and was quite amused at their change in facial expressions as they turned around to an initial (and ever so girly/damsel-in-distress", "Excuse me???"

One of the two just laughed, whilst the other kept a straight face and said, "Can I help you??" I replied saying, "Yes you can actually. Would you mind terribly if I had a picture taken with you two??"

They obliged whilst asking me what I was up to and why and then said their good byes and idly walked on, with a smile.

With little time left, we walked through the market square...

Before finally saying good bye, we spied a red telephone box...I now think I understand what my mum was spewing about when I was younger...doing pretty much the same thing..."Show-off". I got in that telephone box and started climbing out of it. I think it took about 2 minutes before a large group of people formed taking pictures and such. A smaller group came up and asked me what the performance was all about. I grinned and said, "Nothing really. I was bored today and fancied coming out" I don't think they actually understood...ho hum, I got a picture with them anyway.

Top hat packed away, and a hug and a good bye, and I walked back to Holborn (about a 6 minute walk) and stood at the bus stop to get home. More of the same, although these two ladies who were initially a good 15/20 meters away, slowly migrated to being right next to the post i was leaning against, staring at me...REALLY HARD! I know the light was dim and all, but damn woman! THEY startled me! When I next looked to my left. So after an initial, "Oh sh**" I looked at them again and waved at them. Only THEN, did that break their concentration and one lady turned a bright shade of red, even at that time of the evening. Whilst the other just turned away.

They walked around me, and sat within the bus stop, still looking at me.

Bus and all..As usual it was jam packed, and when I needed to get off, I turned invisible to everyone. So a loud "OI" seems to work :-). Today though, a "suit" was really helpful and pushed a lot of people out of my way too.

"Aww, thank you!! Have a good evening!"

iZ

A most eccentric day...

2010-02-05T17:36:00.004Z

I'm beat! Loads of videos to upload from my phone, and my friend's going to send me the pictures she took probably tomorrow. Still once I've come down off the high of today (I LOVE Covent Garden :-)) I'll write stuff up...

I wore nothing other than a sleeveless coat type thing (words are failing me now, yes) and a beanie..till I bought a white top hat...hehe.

For now though: mass video uploading!

iZ

Have questions?? Send me an e-mail!

2010-02-05T13:02:00.002Z

A few folks have mentioned that i should respond to questions and stuff.

I can't do a video stream (it would rinse my mobile broadband!) so i figured the next best thing was to setup an e-mail account where you can send an e-mail in, and i'll put them all together and reply in a vlog on Sunday evening??

Sound good?

Smashing:

izentailondon [at] googlemail [dot] com

(obviously change the at to @ and dot to . )

We're all anonymous here, and shall remain so. So I won't read out names.

iZ

Day 5: FRIDAY! and caffeine is evil...

2010-02-05T12:11:00.002Z

After last night, I need some comic relief!! *cue* looking at a free exhibition in London. Yay!

Gonna go and look at this in the afternoon:
Identity: Eight rooms, nine lives

iZ

End of day 4: A shoot...in zentai!!! and double layers...

2010-02-04T22:30:00.005Z

Ahhhh, mental! Totally mental day..really. I forgot to upload an earlier set of clips (honestly I thought they were uploading after i took them. apparently not...so they're here now..) kinda showing what I wore today (lost the raincoat as it wasn't that bad after all) and finally getting over my paranoia (which came from no where other than other people worrying...meh)

So yeah, first part of the day was great. Being confident enough (and the guy being cool enough) to film it. Whilst he came across as OK with it. I did notice an aura of...well...tension? And not in a good way. He was his normal chatty self when I wasn't in it, but seemed to turn a tad quiet when i was back in it. Interesting. I wanted to question him about it, but there was no time for either of us.

Train back home, quick bite, blog about being called a ninja then off for a shoot. I did do a little video before getting to the front door...thinking the steward wouldn't let me in, but he did and i kept on filming but then numbers and names and all sorts kept reeling so, yeah...none of that (yes I could have edited it with random monkey sounds, but that thought occurred to me AFTER i deleted it off my phone! Fail :-()

AAAAAaaannnyway, I don't know if someone's playing a massive practical joke on me or what, but you'd never guess what the photographer wanted to do....for half of the shoot...

Me...in a black zentai suit he bought for the shoot...

I sh*t you not...Look!!

I'm surprised he didn't start spewing how random and coincidental it all was, from the reception area. But needless to say I was ecstatic as I could double layer the suit and see what that's like (no, it's never occurred to me before...there are reasons, probably worthy of its own post! yeah).

Saxophone's...are...heavy!! (without the neck strap). Why do I always have to look like I'm playing one? (yes I can play the Oboe, but that thing's light!)

On comes the shapes part of the shoot, and whilst he's setting up the lighting and all, I go "Vogue" for a minute..

Ahem...

So this double (multiple) layering business. I've never really bothered with it as it never appealed, and my projected ideas about it meant there wasn't even an underlying curiosity. However, given the present circumstances I figured I should give it a go. Like the Dr. Pepper ad says, "what's the worst that could happen?"

..Seriously, every time I utter those words I find out. Thankfully, this time it wasn't anything quite as serious as a few other close shaves...

I decide to put on the other zentai suit over mine and instantly find that the one zipper on the back (as opposed to the two for the head, and the main body) meant I had to stretch the suit and push my arms further than I normally do to zip it up properly on my own.

I'm in...I feel like darth vader stuck in a velcro factory o_O. I shrug that off, can't get all analytical now. Ah, he's moving the lights again....ooo shiny, *rubs legs* yeah that's odd, don't know if I like that. The sensation came from my hands as opposed to feeling it from my legs. All my legs felt was the resultant heat from the friction between layers and my hands. Right, ready to shoot. Wait...I feel like I'm in a black hole. There's that darth vader velcro factory again. My breathing's gotten quite heavy and I seem to be hearing what the photographer's asking of me but not processing properly.

Normally, you'd be able to see someone's *not quite there* if you could see their eyes. But as i was behind 2 layers of lycra in low lighting, that wasn't going to happen. I was effectively having something shy of an outer body experience (I HATE that phrase, but it is what it is) and became very aware of this once the tunnel vision started and I couldn't hear things properly. It's amazing what a difference in oxygen delivery and body temperature does to your brain (sounds like it was boiling in its own fluid slightly...eewww). Yes, technically I was close to passing out (being hypoglycemic, I'm very aware of my triggers/signs for the other classes I do) and sat down for a minute, did some controlled breathing to snap out of it and carried on. Towards the end, I took off the second suit....

So, my initial thoughts about the whole multi-layering are now pretty much set in stone.

DO.NOT.WANT

I guess I'm more of a control freak than I let on (with myself anyway). But that's not really a situation where having a lapse in concentration/self helps.

Loads of food for thought today. Was pretty switched off on the tube. Still aware of this one Chinese fellow who wouldn't stop eying up my legs...he'd flicker a look at my face every now and then but was transfixed on my legs...Hey, my shoes are sh*t hot if I do say so my self!! I'd look at them too ;-)

People out of Central are friendlier :-)

2010-02-04T16:16:00.002Z

One down, one to go...

I'm feeling like my normal self (FINALLY)...so I guess that translates to having my normal nonchalant-ness back. Yay. I think that's because I've walked by a good few "authority" type folk, thinking the worst and getting nothing - thank you Seneca.

So, there are a few videos...including (!) a reaction from a tutor. Pretty normal, although the facial expressions are amusing...

Between the end of the lesson and getting home - for a quick bite...this post...and off to a shoot - I was walking back to the station and there was a lady with an absolutely ma-hoooooosive bag of what one can only assume to be fluffy stuffing. You know, the cotton candy you *can't* eat? So, I stepped onto the road to let her pass on the very narrow pedestrian walk and she said, "Watch out!!" ...I said, "I think you should be my dear", to which she responded, "You look like a ninja!"

.."Yes, yes I am...No one knows it yet". We shared a giggle and went on our own merry ways.

I guess i said that in a few words on this video...

iZ

Day 4: Rain....

2010-02-04T10:36:00.002Z

Quick hello...need fud, and coat...and coffee....

It might not sound like much but it's going to be a physically (and probably mentally) exhausting day..Hell. Yes.

(Edit, apparently I'm already losing a grasp on space and time...Even if every day is synonymous with the actual date)

Pins and zebras and bed..

2010-02-03T23:44:00.003Z

No video tonight me thinks...Just spent the last hour pinning my zebra zentai to itself (I've taken it apart to use as a prototype for my other suits you see) whilst singing to Tom Jones (shh.)..

So a collection of images I've taken whilst idling between more idling, I think...

I have another class tomorrow and a shoot...that should be interesting!!

But now...sleep!
iZ

A conversation outside.

2010-02-03T22:07:00.000Z

A friend comes and drops something off...and wonders what's been going on...

Getting the laundry done

2010-02-03T17:44:00.002Z

Pretty simple...leave house, go to launderette, come back.

I got some audio somewhere...but the phone's microphone is preeeeetty shyte. I might upload that, there's not much to it.

Also, as I seem to have forgotten mentioning it. I wash this suit once a day by hand, either when I have a nap in the afternoon or as soon as I come in..Considering how warm my room is (I hate, HATE the cold) the suit dries out in about 2 hours :-)

The laundry guy was cool, recognised my voice and instantly started laughing. The lady beside him kinda went, "Oh my god!!" then started laughing too. I asked her if it bothered her and the guy interjected and said, "nah, you're cycling, it's cycling stuff..." ...to which all I could muster was, "um, yeah...basically".

There were other people moving clothes from washing machines to dryers, and this one older gentleman couldn't help but gawp. I said, "y'alright?" and he shook his head and said, "yeah, sorry"....cue giggling.

I didn't hang about, till the drying. And erm...I reached level 7 playing Tetris on my phone...Thrilling...

Dance in your bedroom as if no one's watching

2010-02-03T13:20:00.001Z

This is what happens when i've not been out "dancing" somewhere in 5 days...

Day 3: door slamming...

2010-02-03T11:05:00.001Z

Constantly (or at least it sounded like it)....so didn't wake up as early as i wanted to (naturally, without an alarm..it does happen!)

Still, i've got a new project...Project: Door Silencer

Grr...

Ohm....gnite!

2010-02-02T23:50:00.000Z

Woo!! mobile to youtube is working...should be fun tomorrow then!

Maybe i should write less and video more??

iZ

End day 2: France and Showers...

2010-02-02T19:15:00.001Z

I've been really quiet on twitter as I had another class this morning and worked my butt off (just shy of!).

So...I *don't* do mornings...not 7.30 in the bloody morning anyway. But work beckons, and I obey. I donned the usual (picture if you've not seen what i wear..well half of it anyway, taken yesterday on the way home) with headphones firmly on and followed the masses as we all migrated over the underground tubular plane of transportation.

I walked towards the station, with a twee spring in my step even if it was slightly spitting with rain. But getting into the main ticket office, my heart leaped up into the upper region of my mouth, pounding incessantly. There were about 5 British Transport Police Officers standing at the barriers monitoring the general hustle and bustle of the station.

The only reason a slight stage of paranoia tried to settle in, is because I'm not a confrontational person. I hate them...really, really hate them. If I'm not doing anything wrong, then why bother me in the first place? Still, I took a deep breath (topped up my oyster card) and walked on like there was nothing wrong, went up to the barrier and "used the force" to pass through.

The little voice in my head was going, "Oh f**k, oh f**k, oh f**k" ad infinitum. But I kept on walking till I reached the escalator and that was when I was allowed to relax. I can honestly say I was rather shocked at my own reaction as they've helped me loads in the past, and well they're human! Ho-hum, off to the platform to wait to be packed into a sardine tin...

In "normal" circumstances, I'd probably grumble about being squished by people and usually having my head knocked by someone who didn't realise they were about to miss their stop and dash off the tube leaving a wake of disgruntled passengers. There was no such incident today. Instead, my usual little corner just next to the door was available.....being small has it's advantages. And I watched people come on and off the tube. A lot of them had their blinkers on, and a few noticed but where being swept on board and moved down the carriage en mass leaving no time to confirm if what they'd seen was true.

One girl who was stood opposite me, lifted her book in my direction and proceeded to dissect me into pieces with her beady eyes from behind the safety of her romantic drama novel. I laughed...top marks for trying to hide that you're staring at someone!

Now considering the mesh I've sewn in, to see things/people, I'm pretty sure people can see me looking at them? The previous picture shows that you can see my face...as does this one:

On the tube, with one person (behind me, hidden deliberately) in the entire carriage.

So, if they know I'll see them staring at..say my legs, because I look differently, it means they totally don't mind being caught looking??

Seems to be the case. As such I've become more aware of myself on the tube...and the fact that i generally just look down, away (or close my eyes) like every other Londoner. As much as I'm sure it's probably some introverted paranoia or something, I'm putting it down to not being able to play Tetris on my phone whilst on "mah journeh".

So got out to Oakwood this time. That's one stop from the end of the Piccadilly line out in zone 5, which is pretty far out (for my central self anyway...). And was blindly following the gps on my phone. When I caught this elderly fellow contorting in front of me.

My initial thought was, "my God!!..is he having a stroke?!" and took one of my headphone cans to one side to hear him saying, "Can you see me through that??" with a big grin on his face. I replied, "Oh aye, that I can!" (yes I say "aye"...) grinning back in equal measure. We both shared a laugh/giggle and he patted me on the shoulder on his way saying, "yer alright, fella".

Just in case you missed it first time round, I'm a girl :-). But that's what's great about wearing the big ass jacket I do, and the Zentai. Absolutely NO gender what so ever. So I giggled at his comment too.

I managed to find the place with relative ease and I had already told the tutor what I was doing so she was well prepared. I don't think the rest of the class were told and it was amusing to observe their bodily response as I was talking to the tutor as though this was normal (well it is, but you know). After a while about 2 or 3 people actually stopped talking and just stared, probably wondering what the hell is going on.

You could feel the slight tension in the room dissipate as the hood came down mid-conversation. I asked one person who seemed particularly irked, "Sorry, did my outfit upset you??" to which he responded, "uh, no! Not at all, it's just...different, I've never seen it before..."

Fair play to the man!

Not much to report other than pushing my 2-minute super bendy vocabulary to new heights. The break came around which was great (need that coffee!!) and the previous gentleman learned me a thing or two...

I'd completely forgotten about the debate currently going on in France. Even though the main issues (reportedly anyway) are the concerns about "religious freedom, female equality and secular traditions"...we all know that in the current climate, the lack of facial identifiers and the fear to go with it is down to terrorism.

*sigh*

I don't want to get political (seriously, I don't....I'm far from politically charged) but even before I started this that aspect has always been there. And I've always worried about Zentai (or..*shudders* morphsuits....what the hell is that all about?! Since when is Zenshin Taitsu (Zentai) a morphsuit??) and if it would ever be misappropriated and seen in a negative light - i.e. supporting terrorist acts and such. I really, really, REALLY hope that doesn't happen...EVER. It's already happened to the balaclava, where the only place it's acceptable is in cold places (and associated with skiing and such). If you're not in that environment...and you walk into a normal corner shop?? ...yeah.

Still, very good points raised and taken on board. So much so I wanted to go down to the local police station and just pick some one's brain about it (hood down though, so someone can talk to me properly, without any preconceived notions or whatever).

With the class over and done with - and not really happy about taking my hood off to drink/eat - I ventured to Bond street...to go to MacCullough and Wallis. I've been there a few times before, wearing the same gear...but with a face. This time i was on a simple mission: elastic for my finger mods, and a zip for my face.

I went up to the level where all that is, and was milling around being distracted by all sorts of awesome things. I eventually found a concealed zipper, a bit big, but not an issue then went to pick the brains of the shop assistants on my magic finger problem...

As I was on a roll about explaining my situation, the first shop assistant just went with the flow and tried helping as much as she could, but I don't think she's too actively involved in sewing and haberdashery and what not. So she called another assistant who must have recognised my voice, as she smiled and looked straight into my eyes as I spoke to her. She responded as normal and was amazingly helpful! I did ask if they had any smaller zips, but they didn't :-(

So I got that, and made my way out, only to hear, "excuse me!" ...I turned around to see a funky looking lady rolling up a cigarette with a bag full of fabrics and other bits and bobs looking directly at me. "Uh hai" I said. She asked me, "are you looking for really small zips and stuff?" I nodded. She proceeded to inform me of a few places where they have boxes of what I'm after. I was eternally grateful and she went on her way as I did mine.

I was thinking about getting the tube home, but decided I'd get the bus as I'd not been on the bus in Zentai for a while and not with this mesh thing either. I don't know how long it took to get home, but I took a mild detour to my local corner shop. The guy at the till was the same from yesterday (I popped in there at one point yesterday) and I asked him if my wearing what I wore worried him? He said, "Only if you burgle me" I laughed nervously but then said, "there's no way, I'm pretty local to you and at 4 in the morning you're my life line". He laughed, gave me my bag and my change and I went home.

With a bit of an afternoon left, I hand washed my zentai and left it to hang over a mini flurry of fan heaters (not ON...that would be stupid) whilst I had a nekkid snooze and a bit of a think about definitely needing to make another suit (blue apparently is favoured over another black one) and HAVING to make my Na'vi Zentai for Torture Garden next week (eek!).

Sooo....yeah. Loads to think about and I'm going swimming tomorrow morning (seriously I am...AND, not being a morning person, I'm going to go at 6.30 in the morning...kids don't go and pee in the pool that early do they?)

..I fancy a dance...

iZ

Day 2: Tuesday...Morning, erg.

2010-02-02T08:04:00.001Z

Morning...i don't do early mornings..oh no no no.

Also can't seem to get the hang of recording on youtube. what it shows you seems to vary on what it uploads. Ho Hum...

Big write up on things later, when i feel more "human"...

First day's end: Red faces and irrational fear

2010-02-01T21:48:00.001Z

OK I know this is late but I was absolutely exhausted by the time I got home...

Anyway, I didn't get up to all that much. Just to a food store around the corner (bigger than a corner shop, smaller than a supermarket) and work in the evening.

Going to buy food was pretty painless really. I walked through the automatic doors and felt my heart start racing slightly, as I got a small basket and went down the small flight of stairs I took a few deep breaths and just trundled on like I usually do. Everything is fine!

So I'm walking around getting bits and bobs, and this and that whilst looking at how people are reacting to this "faceless" person. Most took a triple take, some jumped slightly whilst the odd person straight up refused to stand in the same aisle as me and walked somewhere else.

Waited in the cue with everyone else...and noticed a man behind the counter - whom I presumed was the supervisor over the cashiers - was pointing at me whilst talking to someone else. I was tempted to wave back at him but I'd drop my milk if I did!! The cashier lady who got stuck with me (Please go to Till No. 1) seemed pretty straight faced. I said hello in the usual way I do (which is mostly energetic but not psychotic) and she responded in equal measure, put my stuff in a bag, I paid and that was that!

As it's my local, I'm hoping it won't be an issue.

Next was heading down to Plaistow to work for a few hours. The light was pretty dim by 3.45pm but - as you may have noticed - the mesh I've sewn in has a 95% visibility rate so it's not an issue at all. I got to the tube station, and swiped in as normal (I keep my oyster card in my glove(s) so I'm not constantly looking for it. Plus!!! I get to "use the force" to open the barriers) and went down the escalators as opposed to standing by one side. A lot of bemused faces in the opposite direction :-)

As this was just shy of rush hour, there were a good few people in the tube and of course trying to put two-and-two together was on their mind. I'd probably do the same if I saw someone wearing Caterpillar boots, black rolled up sports socks...lycra leggings, a massive 3/4 length jacket, the same lycra on their face, a beanie and headphones...wait what's wrong with their face?

And this, is where two people seemed to have gotten stuck. One man got on the tube and sat next to me....RIGHT next to me. I don't know how long it took but his glare was burning a hole in my lycra! (figuratively) So I turned and faced him directly and said..."hellloooo???" to which he kinda choked, took his bag and sat else where. I tried to keep quiet, I really did. But I burst out laughing.

Then noticed a long line of dirt on my jacket...clearly the force is not strong in this jacket.

Next, close to Plaistow but not quite, a younger man got on and seemed to have some valuable piece of material in a bag, one could only presume was a drycleaned garment of some description. I didn't pay much attention to him, as he was *just* within my field of view.

Until he moved to the other side of the carriage. Where by he couldn't help but stare, mouth wide open right at me. Even with me looking at him, he just kept on gawping. So I tilted my head to one side and waved rather emphatically. I think he turned every shade of red before hitting crimson. Ruffling his little tabloid paper with as much concentration as he could muster, frowning like he were holding a penny in between the furrows of his brow, he turned away only to find me standing behind him....this stop was Plaistow. He froze momentarily (probably thought I was going to do something to him? I don't know) and I just brushed by him as I was running late. He followed and kept up with me up until the barriers. Like a true Jedi, I willed the barriers open and disappeared before he could catch up...

Ah...At work, slightly late but no bother. The folks there were bemused, enticed and equally scared sh*tless by what I was wearing. I asked the lady - who couldn't look at me as she spoke to me - what exactly it was about what I was wearing that freaked her out so much. For the most part it's the lack of identifiers on the face (eyes, ears, cheeks, nose, mouth, chin, jawline etc.) that freaks people out but she said that wasn't it...she just "couldn't look" at me. I tried to get her to elaborate but there were more important things to do, and I don't like making people uncomfortable if there's no way of rationalising something (no time to figure that one out).

So I got asked to keep my suit on for the first half and these are some of the images that resulted:

From my POV, it was certainly stupendously different from the norm! I enjoy being naked (if you've not figured it out, you never will) and the interactive way I respond to classes and vice versa...However, wearing the Zentai suit encouraged a focussed mental dissociative state which resulted in me being aware of my outer body as opposed to how my body was holding a pose (external versus internal). Does that make sense? Probably not. It's hard to explain something that was profoundly felt I guess.

That left me in a little bit of a daze and the rest of the class proceeded as normal (as in totally buck nekkid, hehe).

I failed to mention the security guard as I entered the building. He knows who I am but obviously with no face (but the same jacket) he ignored me until he heard my voice. I sort of understood but was still a bit perplexed as to his not even opening the window. It all became clear when I had a chat with him on the way out (further explaining my erm..."performance"? a 28 day performance? I think not) and his reasoning was due to an altercation that involved balaclava's quite recently, his guard clearly was hightened. As I was tired, I bade him adieu and he wished me luck with it.

The journey home was standard, and I actually can't remember anything significant as I think I had pretty much switched off by then...autopilot is GO!

After a rather mentally stretching first day, I can truely say I'm shattered...

iZ

Monday!!

2010-02-01T10:13:00.001Z

Still some teething problems, but yeah it's Monday!! and i'm in my zentai and it feels goooooood :-)

Free morning so will be spending it typing out the rules and all that jazz on the blog.

iZ

Monday...Bloody Monday...

2010-02-01T09:58:00.000Z

Good Morning!

It certainly is over here...the sky is clear and the sun is shining. It's probably bloody cold outside. I won't know till the afternoon though as I have to work then, "south of the river" so lots of public transport to walk through like a normal upstanding citizen.

Fun.

So! What's this all about? What's the point? Why am I doing this? etc.

I'll tell you:

This basically is the aftermath of the walkabout on southbank I did with Zentai_s at the end of last year. We were chatting on a messenger about it and he asked me, "would you wear your Zentai for a month?"...I thought about it and given the relative freedom I have, I said, "yeah why not?".

Initially this was all meant to go down in January but i actually was quite busy and the logistics (and mental preparation, yes that happens too!) just weren't right. So I agreed to February and to document it as proof and for anyone out there who's at all curious about it.

And here we are :-)

Now this isn't some huge experiment in prolonged enclosure. As I've not spent as much time as i really should have on modifying this suit (and making and modifying another one! I'm just going to make one). It's more of a social experiment between myself and...well...London really. Just to reinforce that this is NOT an endurance course to see how long i can explicitly stay in Zentai. I know who I am...I want to know who everyone else is (or at least how they respond).

No groups, no special days. Just me, in Zentai, doing what I normally do but just wearing attire that's a bit different from the norm! Funnily enough, they were referred to as "Posh long johns"
by someone...they are kinda...aren't they?

Anyway, so basic things I must stick to for the next month:

Whenever I leave the house, I must be wearing Zentai. If I have to go to work, I must wear the Zentai to work and from work. Whenever possible to wear it whilst working.
Idling at home, again, I must be wearing Zentai. For the time being the hood will be taken down when eating/drinking.
(Obviously) Taking a shower means that the Zentai will be taken off, but put back on straight after.
I shall be switching between two Zentai suits, so whilst i sleep in one the other will probably be hanging to dry for a "fresh skin" the next day :-)
I'll be swimming at least 2 times a week, and to start off with will be wearing my swimsuit for that. In the long run (as it's been suggested) I might actually wear my Zentai as well as the swimsuit :-)
If an authority tells me to take off the hood (with a fully justified explanation) I will do so

Uh...yeah. I can't think of anything else there. If I've missed out something glaringly obvious, gimme a nudge.

So..me. I'm a 24 year old girl (woman/lady whatever) who lives in London. I don't have an office job...I have 4 jobs that come and go during the week so things are pretty flexible. I'm teaching myself how to make my own Zentai outfits amongst other things. A little bit happy-go-lucky, and my shame button broke a long time ago. Yes, I have no shame.

That's it for now...I need to finish sewing something, and draw on Monday (black Babushka doll) and probably go outside for a stroll to my corner shop as i need some food!

iZ

Just a test

2010-02-01T02:12:00.001Z

Making sure things are talking to each other! And i think they are...

OK going to bed now.

Comments and general blog fail

2010-01-31T12:10:00.000Z

I'm aware of a few things not working (I can't reply to my own comments, which is annoying) and i guess i'll get to them, when i get to them? Ho Hum..

It all kicks off first thing Monday morning as it's the 31st January today ;-)

I'm on facebook and twitter too (in the sidebar now) and I think everything is successfully talking to each other so should be able to reply to things and such one way or another!

I feel like I'm going on a school trip or something, it's odd.

Still, lazy Sunday, setting things up and trying to convince myself i should be making another zentai outfit...but also should finish the modifications on this one!

Bleh
iZ

Blog is almost looking pretty..and a previous story

2010-01-29T14:42:00.000Z

I hate CSS...especially when I've not bothered with it for like 5 years...*yawn*

Anyway...I think everything's about set up...might tweet in too..I dunno.

I went on a walkabout with a fellow Zentaist last month down Southbank in London before the snow and weather went all horrible.

I posted this up on a forum (Ayus-Zentai: Conquering Southbank!)

But thought it would make for some light reading before the 1st comes around. Also!! I'm DJing tonight in zentai...I'm really quite excited as I had to have my hood down last time as the visibility to my mac wasn't all that good. Modifications now!!

Heyyyyy....

So, zentai_s contacted me on here a while back and we were in talks about possibly doing a walkabout in London on his way home for the Christmas festivities. We arranged to meet up on Monday, 21st December for a walkabout.

I suggested we meet at the Royal Festival Hall in Southbank (my most favourite place...EVER, to watch the world move on by and enjoy a coffee on your own or with friends). So the day was set, and 1.30pm was the time.

Whilst i've done the odd cheeky walkabout on my own, I've always gone on busses. I've gone on the tube but not with my hood up as i'm petrified of possibly falling onto the rails/people/structures/down the escalators etc. I was running late though. So when i got to London Bridge, i decided "**** it, let's do this" and off i went into the Underground.

It wasn't actually that bad! The lights didn't affect my visibility as much as i thought it would (quite the contrary actually! it was more forgiving than the light i was contending with on the bus!). I managed to take a cheeky picture whilst on the escalators going down to the Jubilee line. It's a bit rubbish, but you get the idea.

So, the usual happened, people looking, staring, smiling, and speaking under their breath. Not for long mind, as there's only one stop between London Bridge and Waterloo station. It was actually kinda fun, and another thing to put in the "book of things I've conquered in Zentai"..my hugely irrational fear of not being able to see on the tube.

Onwards, and upwards! (literally) to meet zentai_s. Now it should be noted that i was running late, but keeping in touch via text messages. He was pretty nervous. Already at the RFS (Royal Festival Hall) so already seen the crowds walking by and such. I walked from the station, almost fell in my butt a few times (i didn't realise it was raining!) but finally got to the upper "deck" of the RFS and we ended up playing a game of "Marco/polo" on the phone as my visibility with my hood up was severely reduced to about 2 meters in front of me (!)

We introduced ourselves and initially he was going to walk around with me to see how people reacted, etc. That didn't happen and we went into the RFS so he could change into his full zentai and dive into the deepend. Woo!!!

Whilst waiting in the RFS, LOADS of children were around. Some saw me and freaked a little...but i just stayed still, they seemed to be ok with that. Others, looked and i waved, and they waved back before running back to their mum/dad and burying their faces into their parent's leg. One kid came up to me..not too close, and asked why i was wearing a mask. She caught me off guard and the first thing my half wet brain could muster was, "Because it's really cold out there, and it hurts my face" ....lame. Still, it made sense to her and she went off on her merry way and told her mummy the same thing. She looked at me, i waved, she waved back and smiled in a "thank you for being *normal* and not having to really explain to her what you are" ..ha! (you wait till she demands she wants a suit like it!)

So, zentai_s was suitably suited and booted and off we went to walk up and down southbank.

Let it be noted that zentai_s was conquering something too!! Walking in zentai in a crowded space! There were NO pitchforks or angry villagers. Quite the contrary! Smiling faces, puzzled faces, points and giggles. All pretty harmless, if not slightly amusing :-)

We walked up to the Oxo tower (as i'd forgotten the Blackfrairs path had been closed due to them working on the railway) then started making our way back.

I was really quite energised over the whole thing, and didn't care if it was raining, so on the way back to the RFS, i took booth my jackets off and carried on walking!

The one thing i was *hoping* to happen during our walkabout (which really would have been the cherry on top of a very hefty sundae indeed) was a photographer type, would be so bold as to want to take our picture....

Whilst the weather left little to be desired, you couldn't really have asked for a better day to go on a walkabout in Southbank!!

As such, I've toyed with the idea of a monthly zentai walkabout thingy in Southbank! Obviously not feasible for fellows further afield and those over the pond, but ho-hum. gotta start somewhere!

(only took 6 pictures, as it was quite crowded in some spots, but they're up in an album anyway).

*Squeeeeee!* \o/

iZ

Perliminaries...

2010-01-26T16:46:00.000Z

So, just setting up for the experiment.

I say experiment...I dunno, it's a challenge set by a fellow Zentai enthusiast...I step up to challenges. I can't help it, it's there in place of the shame I seem to be lacking.

Still...looky!! Babushka Zentai Dolls (Russian Nesting Zentai Dolls) to follow my journey. I want a suggestion (or 5) daily for what should be drawn on them!!For now...they're called Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (Biggest to smallest). Original, I know!! But hey if you want to give them names then go for it :-)

Oooo, a little bit excited now...

iZ