I was eight, I think, when I appeared on stage for the first time ? a tiny cameo in The Visit. I don't remember much about the play, except an air of grim creepiness and a sound effect of a panther which I might be imagining.

Do you have an?

Do you have an unexplained deep-seated aversion to yellow shoes by any chance?

Who isn't averse to yellow shoes? But seriously, you might have something there. And a couple of years later I was in The Wizard of Oz, which might have put me off red shoes...

I just tell them I was Raised By Actors.

So was I and I use it as an excuse for everything. What a nice piece of writing. I went on a course recently that involved a lot of public speaking and it reminded me very much of my weird old?

Also, everything you?ve ever heard about actors is true.

Do you have to do a silly dance if I say "Macbeth"?

And will sandbags really fall on your head if you whistle at the wrong time?

Who isn't averse to yellow shoes?

I have two pairs of yellow shoes...

Do you have to do a silly dance if I say "Macbeth"?

And will sandbags really fall on your head if you whistle at the wrong time?

Okay, to be fair, I think actor superstition is more like 'it's bad luck to get caught boffing your co-star's understudy'.

Okay, to be fair, I think actor superstition is more like 'it's bad luck to get caught boffing your co-star's understudy'.

That's meant to be BAD luck? I always found that pretty freakin' lucky! (although I guess not the getting caught part)

But I have a similar story, in some?

they were the smartest and (secretly) filthiest kids.

Heheh. "See, 'Will' means 'penis', and 'spirit' means 'semen'... in fact, anything you don't understand, just assume it's a metaphor for sex. Works most of the time."

In response to your first paragraph, I really must congratulate you on the very excellent?

This reminds me that the Shakespeare Club at my high school, they were the smartest and (secretly) filthiest kids.

LOL I remember a friend of mine whose parents didn't usually let her go to parties – but Shakespeare Society parties were considered OK. I don't think they ever clicked.

Also,?

OTOH, my mother has just seen the cover and she's not entirely happy.

Does she know you at all?

I also retired from the stage at a young age. By 11, I'd played two of the greatest roles in Western literature – Captain Nemo and Maui – and felt that?

Raised By Actors

Not 'actress', then?

Stands well back

Not 'actress', then?

Stands well back

Aw, bless the grumpy old men. One assumes they still use words like 'aviatrix' – 'pilot' would just be too confusing.

Ah thespians, always keen to get their kit off, if the part requires

And even if it doesn't. I doubt there's a theatre in existence that hasn't had its share of carnal indulgences.

I'll come no more behind your scenes, David; for the silk stockings and white bosoms of your actresses excite my amorous propensities

Togs turn to undies pretty quick, it seems.

Apparently they use that rule on findsomeone.co.nz – you can have bikini photos if you're by a pool, but not if you're inside.

And will sandbags really fall on your head if you whistle at the wrong time?

Probably not any more, but in the early days fly tower cues were called through a series of whistles, so?

I have a high tolerance for being seen disrobed, having been a swimmer for years, but other people can get quite distressed by this. Togs turn to undies pretty quick, it seems.

Swim regularly, and pretty soon you've seen thousands of bodies in the changing room. I find it hard?

Not 'actress', then?

One assumes they still use words like 'aviatrix' – 'pilot' would just be too confusing.

I saw the same link, then noted you (Emma, not Lyndon) had used the verb waitressed, and wondered if there might be sympathy with Joe Bennett.

=)

I saw the same link, then noted you (Emma, not Lyndon) had used the verb waitressed, and wondered if there might be sympathy with Joe Bennett.

Heh, I think Karl du Fresne naughtily confounds two quite different things with 'waitress' and 'actress'. A number of my friends and family have?

Yeah, there are still a bunch of places you do NOT want to stand in the wings of a modern theatre.

Or on the stage where there is a steel frame holding two tonnes of antlers.....
Anyone who saw the NBR NZ Opera production of Lucia di Lammermoor will know?

The group of yobs down the beach yelled, "Show us your tits!" to which my response was, "Ask nicely!" They were disconcerted.

Sounds like the experience of a mate from high school, who once yelled out that same challenge to a particularly attractive, well-endowed young lady who was standing on?

Swim regularly, and pretty soon you've seen thousands of bodies in the changing room. I find it hard to understand how people are hung up on things.

One of the most enjoyable parts of mandated swimming at intermediate used to be the outrage and squawking I could get from the?

Swim regularly, and pretty soon you've seen thousands of bodies in the changing room.

I don't even look. I've never gone so far as some people do, who like to strike up conversations with strangers whilst stark naked in a shower, at the same time as soaping up their balls,?

Ask nicely!

So, about this book cover..

'm not from a family of actors – we're all just completely immodest. I'm always extolling the virtues of nakedness – more to women, and more as a political statement about loving your body, but still.

I've been saddened to see my daughter adopt what seems to be the 'proper'?

I'm surprised to hear that it's so pronounced in the other changing rooms.

I was surprised to learn that the girls' showers at my intermediate school had separate stalls. We lads had one large space with about 12 nozzles. Well sized for a game of crab soccer with the soap.?

Who isn't averse to yellow shoes? But seriously, you might have something there. And a couple of years later I was in The Wizard of Oz, which might have put me off red shoes...

I don't think you're allowed to blame your not-shoe fetish on The Theatre.

I have two?

I shouldn't be, I suppose, but I thought it was only men who went to such lengths to hide their bodies from each other.

Women also have the added issue of societal encouragement to judge each others' bodies – so exposing yourself is implicitly exposing yourself to judgement. It kicks?

I have done it where poor acting would have resulted in arrestt or on other occasions perhaps divorce.

I've decided some of the most important pressurised acting has nothing to do with theatre, plays or 'make belive for entertainment.

The best?

exposing yourself is implicitly exposing yourself to judgement

Word. I would rather – and frequently do – go home in wet togs underneath tracksuit pants than get changed in a communal changing room. (Of course, that could also be partly because my home shower is exponentially better than the pool?

I found my purple suede fringed go-go boots, inherited from my husband's grandmother

Now that is just plain groovy cool. Nuf respec!

But mainly it's because of the Judgeypants thing. I think I need to harden up.

If you are soft, it's pretty understandable. Previous girlfriends have complained that female gym/pool changing rooms are full of judgment, often quite nasty. "You've got a lot of work to do", "How hard IS it?

With actors and doctors and tattooists, my attitude is that they're professionals and I expect them to be professional.

I've just finished an antenatal course, where the instructor took pains to point out to the women on the course that a medical professional will probably have trouble recalling your face?

Does anyone have a wire brush suitable for my mind's eye?

I believe bleach is what you're after.

She used an example where she had had a breast exam from a colleague at her hospital, who she then ran into the next day. After a minute or so of chatting away happily, she realised this colleague didn't have a clue who she was.

It's a funny business. In?

I found my purple suede fringed go-go boots, inherited from my husband's grandmother. Would they be Emma's Worst Shoe Nightmare?

They sound FABulous.

But mainly it's because of the Judgeypants thing. I think I need to harden up.

I'm considering hiring myself out as a bodyguard to protect women from?

I'm considering hiring myself out as a bodyguard to protect women from other women.

I'd never before considered that as part of the reason women head to the private rooms in teams.

I didn't know what "going commando" meant, until the recent post. So what has not having undies on got to do with your legs?

Taking them off would be an issue. Jeans don't go above the knee very easily.

futzing around with getting changed under the cover of towels and school uniform.

This came back to me last night during Outrageous Fortune, while watching Shane Cortese slide from under a sheet to under a towel with a smoothness that made me actually applaud.

Which is miles better than US?

Which is miles better than US sitcoms, where even when a couple are in bed having just had sex, the man will be wearing a t-shirt.

The last couple of lite comedies I have seen on DVD had the woman wearing a bra during sex! WTF! Even a nice lacy?

The ones that change in the toilet cubicles must have some seriously ugly deformities to make getting changed over a toilet worth it.

I'm waiting for someone from the XV to come in and mention that it's social pressure, not ugly deformities that lead to women getting changed in private.?

The ones that change in the toilet cubicles must have some seriously ugly deformities to make getting changed over a toilet worth it.

I'm waiting for someone from the XV to come in and mention that it's social pressure, not ugly deformities that lead to women getting changed in private.

?

(Also wondering what Arnie in a singlet and dirt has to do with no knickers, or maybe not...)

I believe the phrase came from the custom of commandos in the tropics to not wear underpants because they actually increased hygiene problems. Curiously, Arnie did not go commando in Commando. He?

Although the bikinis they come out in don't hide much so I'm baffled, and intrigued.

Or...maybe it is just social pressure/habit, and the deformities are in your imagination? Like society telling them that anything short of "perfect" body parts are deformities? Seems a bit of a stretch to assume otherwise.?

This came back to me last night during Outrageous Fortune, while watching Shane Cortese slide from under a sheet to under a towel with a smoothness that made me actually applaud.

That whole episode last night was bloody awesome. Powerful television easily up there with the best I've ever seen?

I've only seen once in some Brit tv drama over a decade ago a woman sitting in bed with her partner and not pulling the sheets around her ears.

Given all the nipples currently on display on the six o'clock news, this just seems even more ridiculous. Although not more?

I'm slowly getting over my body-paranoia. For me it was?

I am utterly at ease in my body(well, I mean, I am my body arnt I?) – I havent worn bra since I was 20 (and I am a 42 inch C) or nightwear, ditto, and when I swim, I swim in what?

I believe the phrase came from the custom of commandos in the tropics to not wear underpants because they actually increased hygiene problems. Curiously, Arnie did not go commando in Commando. He feels much more comfortable in undies.

No, no Ben... the phrase "going commando" come from the tv ad?

GI Joe rappelling into battle . . .

Fancy that.
Reminds me of a story from someone working as a kids' party clown in Australia, who was "dakked" (had his clown pants yanked down} by a sneaky anklebiter as he attempted to juggle. All the more embarrassing as he happened?

'dakked' -yes.
'freebagging' -no.

Keep 'em coming good people-

(lolls back, sucking a quiet pinot gris (wait! something is wrong there?)
and trimming back hiser silj (- gah!))

Far as I'm concerned there's only limited classes of people I share my body with, and?

Hang on a minute, that's one dodgy clown. They surely expect to be dakked nearly every time they perform.

Life hands out lessons, more often than not through the agency of children, and one modifies one's m.o. accordingly. It was in this context that the tale was relayed to me.

According to the lyrics, four rules:

First rule is: The laws of Germany
Second rule is: Be nice to your mommy
Third rule is: Don't talk to commies
Fourth rule is: Eat kosher salamis

No mention of underwear.

I remember being thoroughly embarrassed at Mum playing a drunk woman in a cabaret?

Reminds me of a story from someone working as a kids' party clown in Australia, who was "dakked" (had his clown pants yanked down} by a sneaky anklebiter as he attempted to juggle.

Looks like the ankle biter just wanted to see how well the juggler handled a couple more?

But teh wiki agrees with me. It's called that because commandos did it. I find it especially hard to believe that GI Joe even could go commando – his undies are built in.

I never knew GI Joe had built in undies, but that does seem practical. But the phrase?

No, because the sight of you winding up to say something would freeze a polar bear's blood. Heaven forfend you actually get to the point of?

a towel over your arm

Silver service?

No, because the sight of you winding up to say something would freeze a polar bear's blood

Can we pretend Moz and I have never met? No?

Although the idea of hiring you as a bodyguard does have its attractions...

It'd be a great excuse to dress like this. The?

I've found that being short-sighted works in my favour as i can take out my contact lenses and indulge in the belief that I look just as fuzzy to everyone else as they do to me.

I worked on that basis a few years back when I got into swimming?

I've sometimes thought that sexism might be better addressed by using gendered terms. By referencing the female and male versions you make it explicit that women are included.

Envisage an actor – what gender do you think of?

The thing is, if females take?

Envisage an actor – what gender do you think of? The thing is, if females take the male term, then women become invisible.

Not if you say "she is an actor", surely?
And is gender the most relevant characteristic?

Aviatrix

Always liked that word.

It'd be a great excuse to dress like this. The eyepatch is even on the right side.

Funny that, I was in Christchurch yesterday. I was keeping an eye out for a bookish type, sporting some-sort of battle scar.

Thanks for the great post Emma. It really took me back, the smells, the endless rehearsals, the excitement.

Me too. And that's just the commando/grunds part of the discussion.

Not if you say "she is an actor", surely?
And is gender the most relevant characteristic?

Depends on the she who?

Always liked that word.

'cause it reminds you of 'dominatrix,' I'll wager.

It'd be a great excuse to dress like this. The eyepatch is even on the right side.

I have a (still gorgeous) friend from Vancouver who was the model for Arrow Shirts for years, and they always made him wear an eyepatch for the ads. Some gimmick or something. He?

'cause it reminds you of 'dominatrix,' I'll wager.

Nope. Though I can see how you could link them, what with the leather and all.

Isn't that appalling? I will now hide my head in shame.

No shame, at least in my book. There's enough body shame around – if you want to look a particular way, then that's wonderful.

unhealthy vanity thing

Jackie! Hang your head in shame. Not about wanting to show off your silhouette but for thinking for a second your vanity is unhealthy.

Repeat after me "I am gorgeous and enjoying that is NOT unhealthy!"

Isn't that appalling? I will now hide my head in shame.

Dude. Not to jump on the bandwagon, but stop that now!
What is wrong with wanting to look good, and to show off your damn hard work?

Also, Bart: shoes. (They're the ones I was banging on about over?

Aviatrix

Always liked that word.

'cause it reminds you of 'dominatrix,' I'll wager.

So an Aviatrix is like a dominatrix with wings?

Wings, dude. Wings.

Wow.

So an Aviatrix is like a dominatrix with wings?

I get an image of a short, blond, moustached guy with a winged helmet and all dressed in black leather and chains. A bit early in the morning, I think.

I have a particular fondness for the word administratrix, as in:
Mrs Skin
Administratrix
Estate of H S Devoir

It's cleaner and more strict than dominatrix, and probably wears a tailored shirt in a?

a dominatrix with wings

Or with an eyepatch if Emma has her way. Really is worth checking out that movie.

It may use wooden rulers.

Good use of texture, and school associations. Full marks.

This peppered talk of frontage is nothing more than a carefully designed teaser publicity campaign, innit?

Um, yeeesss. Not an indication of how many of my conversations are naturally about tits.

wearing a bra cos it looks good in photos? Smacks of shallow shit.

And shallow is bad, right? Because...?

It's cleaner and more strict than dominatrix, and probably wears a tailored shirt in a narrow sky-blue stripe. It may use wooden rulers.

Not that I've spent any time thinking about this.

I think she might wear this...

And shallow is bad, right?

If it is, I am in biiiiig trouble. Oh, screw it, I'm going to Hell anyway.

Honestly Jackie, you've worked hard to develop those muscles. Nothing wrong with wanting to show them off. It's not shallow vanity, it's justifiable pride. I take pride in my?

If it is, I am in biiiiig trouble. Oh, screw it, I'm going to Hell anyway.

Do they have shoes and margaritas in hell? Because that sounds like it could be OK. I'll come with you.

ETA: Jackie, embrace the cleavage!

Do they have shoes and margaritas in hell?

They appear to have pretty much all my favourite people, which is recommendation enough in itself.

Though I think I get some karma-credit for not hitting on Megan when she fed me that fabulous straight line up there.

Do they have shoes and margaritas in hell?

Might be how you get in.

Do they have shoes and margaritas in hell? Because that sounds like it could be OK. I'll come with you.

I'm so there. Although, for the record they have both those things in Wellington too. Just sayin'.

Though I think I get some karma-credit for not hitting on Megan when?

::refurls tongue::

Getting back on some kind of topic, I had something to say to Patrick Smith about "aviatrix". Cute up till, say, the 40s.?

Then looked for the first time in ages at the main PA site, not PAS. Harrumph.

what on earth does it matter to someone else?

Seems a central question in most discussions about what are sometimes called "morals". Where individual and group imperatives intersect, I guess.

For a more academic philosophical take, there's always that other thread.

Thank you Tracy, that is exactly the point I'd intended to make earlier but sort of forgot to say. My modesty is something I value highly about myself, I really like it. It is both fundamental to, and illustrative of,?

Really is worth checking out that movie.

I have seen it once, a few years ago, and remember being a bit underwhelmed. Probably doesn't help that pretty boy Law is in a lead role.

But I'll check it out again, just for you.

does anybody have anything about the criminal justice system in the 18th century that they'd like to share?

Yes. You can get a crappy paperback copy of the Newgate Calendar for less than $5 from Real Groovy or similar stockists of Wordsworth Editions and read slaveringly prurient 18th century crime...?

The odds of getting away with it were probably increased by the JP's ability to throw the complainant in jail until the trial, just to make sure they turned up. Not sure why that was dropped from the toolset...

If I need to retire to the loo to get changed, what on earth does it matter to someone else?

I totally get the difference between privacy and shame, though it's very hard to distinguish from the outside. But I don't think it's quite that 'this is just me' simple.?

But I'll check it out again, just for you.

Do it for Emma. You'll notice the right stuff, that way.

Emma – I wonder if the privacy/shame perception split has arisen quite recently. I don't recall shame being the default even 15?

And yes, Emma, you're right. I was going to burble a bit more about why these things come about,?

. . .the nude gambolling that goes on here in Big O . . .

Now I'm curious. Not about the nudity per se, but about the sandfly factor. See, I finally got to visit your big O at the end of May (not for want of trying in the?

. . . hospitable drinks from home-made ginger beer through coffee – the Islay malt hoard...

Thank you! Previous attempt to visit the big O was decades earlier. My clutch burnt out a few miles (yes that long ago) short, and I had to push a heavy motorbike back to?

Yay, Emma. Opening up a discussion on nudity. I'm not from a family of actors – we're all just completely immodest.

I blame five years at boarding school, but if you're that neurotic about privacy (or so vain/sexually insecure you think everyone else lives to scope out your junk) you're?

these are the only bodies we have and enjoying what you have for what it is should also be something that isn't shameful.

But what would beauticians, cosmeticians and plastic surgeons do for a crust? There's a recession, you know.

By some curious twist of logic my parents decided that to resolve my brother's er curiosity, the family would join a nudist club.

Your parents clearly rule.

Your parents clearly rule.

Yeah I think so.

One issue was warning my friends from school that if they came to visit my house there was a fairly high probability (in summer) of seeing my parents naked. And unlike hollywood, my parents were normal 50 year olds with normal 50?

But what would beauticians, cosmeticians and plastic surgeons do for a crust?

Not mutually exclusive Sasha. No reason you can't enjoy something and still want to make some changes (checks love handles).

I also knew women who were happy to be nude but would never be seen without make up?

One issue was warning my friends from school that if they came to visit my house there was a fairly high probability (in summer) of seeing my parents naked.

I wish a friend of mine had warned me of that – 'tis a bit of a shock when you haven't?