So, I’ve sufficiently recovered from the events of the weekend to continue describing them.
I got back to the show early on Saturday so that I could give the bodypainters more time to do their work on me. My artist asked me what my favourite colour was (blue) and then ran with it. I can best describe it as aztec warrior. It was even on my face.
I then continued the usual schmoozing around the event.
At eight o’clock was the final fashion show; really a bodypainting show. I spent more time than usual preparing. Which, this time, meant I thought about what I would do on stage. Usually I just winged it. This time I planned the poses and what I should do. I added in some jumping and crouching. When I was on, I also concentrated on both how I walked and keeping my gut sucked in. I guess I had been getting practice.
I think I did well. I got complimented on my “routine” afterwards. But the voting was taken by how loudly the audience cheered. And they cheered louder for the other guy. I’d like to think it was because the pretty girl from the audience came up and spanked him on stage. But let’s be honest, he actually knew what he was doing. Still, for a geek, I think I did well.
As I said earlier, I wanted to have as many friendly people in the audience as possible. And yet, not one friend showed up. The closest I came was some friends of someone who couldn’t make it; they claimed they had cheered for me. It’s rather disappointing, and I’m feeling a bit let down.
Actually, one of the things I most regret about friends not showing up, is that I can’t get an honest opinion of how I looked on stage. Because I didn’t win, I can compete again next year. And why wouldn’t I? I would like to improve though, so having a third-party give constructive criticism would have helped.
I’m also trying to think about why I wanted to win. I would have gotten $1000 if I had come in first, but that barely registered with me. I would also have gotten a photo shoot; that I was more interested in. I have very few pictures of myself that I am happy with. Most often I notice bad facial expressions, poor body image, or some other defect. I do my best to take good pictures of other people, but too often when I try and get someone else to take a picture of me, I find I’m dealing with people who don’t know how to use a camera. But that’s a rant for another day.
I think what I most wanted was to be told that I was special. That I was better than other people. I haven’t had that since my high school math tests. It’s nice to win.
The rest of the evening progressed as usual. Photo area, more wandering. I did stay until the end of the show and did a bit of shopping. I got some liquid packs that, when you press a button/tab will heat up instantly. Reusable too.
I was still around when they were tearing the place down. I found myself in the photo area again, where I talked for awhile with one of the warrior women. I’m not sure if she was flirting was me?
The next day I got up early and went for a run. Blue bodypaint still on. The sweat made an interesting picture.