[LiteraryLark]

When I move to Oregon, I am breaking free from my conservative ways forced upon me by my ultra-conservative, black-and-white grandparents--but don't get me wrong, they are the kindest and most loving typical grandparents you could ever meet, but they live quiet, uneventful lives and hate change and beyond-the-norm and I've had to dress and act conservatively to not upset them. I have a friend I envy because she acts and dresses however she feels like without any care about who looks or judges her. Needless to say, they were so disturbed by my "freak flag flying" friend when she came over that they asked me to never let her come over again...no real reason, she and I were quiet and kept to ourselves, but they "just got a bad vibe" from her.

Now my best friend, she lets her freak flag fly, and I envy that a lot. I wish I could not care about what people think of me. I want to learn how to do that, and it's not something easily done. First, when I move, I want to get a buzzcut. It's something I've wanted for years but was always too afraid by what people think. I also think buzzcuts would be best for my lifestyle because I enjoy wearing wigs. I love wigs because they make me feel beautiful and somehow give me a sense of empowerment with the thought that, "I feel like being a blonde/brunette/multicolor today" and wigs are no fuss, no need to dye or grow out my hair or spending hours on styling or using products, put it on and boom, I'm gorgeous. But I feel here where I live now, I have too much judgement on my shoulders to wear my wigs. At my current job of ten months, I've developed a strange dysfunctional-family type relationship with my coworkers and I feel if I suddenly show up with a wig they'd all laugh at me. And my grandparents will either die laughing or question why I'd go out in public with a wig on.

And another thing when I move? I want to dress however I'd like. I may be gender-fluid, and I enjoy dressing primarily masculine, feminine, and also either wearing both masculine and feminine clothing or andgrogynous/neither gender. I want to let my freak flag fly and wear clothing that I truly feel confident in. And with weight loss, I want to look my best when I lose weight.

How do you get to the point where you don't care what people think of you? How do you wear what you want without worrying about judgement?

[amicus_curiae]

Okay, a story.

I’m bisexual. Have been since high school and it was well-known to all and frequently practiced. I’ve always been open about it and didn’t give a damn who knew and I verbally humiliated those who found my orientation distasteful.

I’m an atheist. That stirs more hornet’s nests than anything.

I dress in silk Hawaiian/Cuban shirts — short sleeves in the summer, long sleeves in winter. Some people can’t handle some of the more exotic (um, erotic) themes of my shirts.

Allowing yourself to be yourself, with no apologies, is key, I believe. And if your flag is a little freakier than mine? I’m coming to you because I know that you’ll be more interesting than the common straight-laced plebeians.

I don’t believe that the key to happiness is to “know thyself” but rather to “be thyself.” I have only rediscovered that this week and I feel as if I’m waking from a drunken slumber.

Being yourself is wonderful. I now identify as ‘queer’ as it’s a broad umbrella that covers a multitude of ‘sins!’

[NathanNake]

I lived in Eugene Oregon back in the 90's. The place used to get flooded with hippies when they Grateful Dead would come to town. Oregon's a great place to let it fly. Eastern Oregon is a more conservative than western, but I love the vibe of the entire state. I think you'll be really happy!

[*Laurie*]

Oh, wow...yeah - go for it! I dunno; I think I was born a freak into a freaky family (at least I'm not alone). I did wait until I was 42 to get tattoos (back then, my kids would have been stigmatized if their mom had tattoos). Now I have tats all over my body (including my hands - I love them). To me, I don't view my freak flag as about what others think; to me, I am expressing my bountiful creativity. It's who I am; stopping it would cause me terrible misery and depression.

[LiteraryLark]

Ive always been a black sheep, and Ive been surpressing it for so long to fit in and be accepted....I want to go back to the black sheep....in stages

[LiteraryLark]

I took this photo today as part of my costume for my costume-themed farewell party with my friends. I'm going as a dominatrix one, because my Rick and Morty costume is in storage and I can't get it out, and two, this will likely be the only time I could wear something this naughty "in public"...I have no idea how these girls can throw on trashy "Sexy XYZ" costumes for Halloween when I wear high-end clothing and can't wear it for Halloween.

I'll be wearing this sans hair tie and plus a genuine officer's hat from the army (not sure of the era)...I'll also be wearing a black corset, "wet" black leggings, and red high heels. I'll also be getting pampered at the local beauty college with makeup a couple hours before the party begins.



Here are my other wigs, I only have the red one and the blue one at the moment...the other's are gone...













This is why I want to learn to not care what other's think. These wigs make me feel very happy, and I feel like I have to hide it. I decided I will wear my red wig for the rest of today.

[LiteraryLark]

[*Laurie*]

You are really cute and WOW - you can wear those wigs!! Not everyone can. I used to wear a long red wig and loved doing so. Pure fun and indulgence.

Okay, my favorites on you are the long red, long auburn, and the Rock-a-Billy wig is PERFECT on you. You can seriously rock that look, especially with your eye color. You're so lucky. Some years ago I had betty bangs, they were such fun.

[LiteraryLark]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

You are really cute and WOW - you can wear those wigs!! Not everyone can. I used to wear a long red wig and loved doing so. Pure fun and indulgence.

Okay, my favorites on you are the long red, long auburn, and the Rock-a-Billy wig is PERFECT on you. You can seriously rock that look, especially with your eye color. You're so lucky. Some years ago I had betty bangs, they were such fun.

The one you said you liked was my Rosie the Riveter costume for Halloween. It was a tribute to my great grandma who built airplane parts during WWII and I love Rosie the Riveter. She was a very powerful icon and even today she still is. So sad that the model for Rosie passed away recently.

[amicus_curiae]

Lovely. Lovely and brave and different and exciting and creative and interesting and lovely yes and lovely yes