Alter Ego

There are some things about which I think "I wish I had an excuse to do that".

Of course, there are plenty of things which I do without an excuse, but some are just a little too silly, or particular circumstances are required.

Last night, an excuse and the right circumstances collided  .....

The first time I discovered morphsuits/whosuits I thought "That looks like fun" - but:
          1) When would I wear one?
          2) They're rather expensive; and
          3) It wouldn't look good on someone (i.e. me) who's two stone overweight.

Then the wonderfully-talented Alexa de Strange (http://www.alexadestrange.com/) announced that the launch gig for their new single "If Only" was going to be Star Wars-themed fancy dress. That's not enough of an excuse.

Then the band asked me if I would help them out by checking wristbands on the door. Ok, I'm now definitely attending, but that's still not enough of an excuse.

Oh look, Whosuits have a sale on, and they have a metallic silver suit (http://whosuits.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_4&products_id=27) .... and I can always sell it on eBay afterwards and recoup some of the cost. Getting closer .....

Did I mention I've lost over 20 lbs since the start of the year?

So the next question is, having bought the costume and committed to wearing it, when exactly do I put it on? My journey to the gig involves a half-mile walk to the station, a thirty minute train journey into London, changing onto the underground at one of the busiest stations, a four-stop tube ride, and then a short walk to the venue.

Now, I'm really quite a shy and retiring type. Yes, honestly, I am. I just over-compensate for my shyness sometimes .... Ok, most of the time ....

But there was no way I was doing that journey in costume. That would be far too much of an embarrassment. I changed from jeans and a top once I reached the venue.

Working the door was a real blast! I had some great reactions, and even had my photo taken a few times.

The only slight problem was that my role ran on a little later than I had expected, but I still had time afterwards for a very quick (non-alcoholic) drink at the bar .... or did I?

Half way through my drink I realised that, if I was going to catch my last train home, I needed to leave NOW!

No time to change back into jeans.

So which looks sillier: a silver alien, or a silver alien wearing a raincoat? The raincoat, I think .... so I'll leave it off.

Now, there are different grades of "in public". A rock gig, when people have come for a good night out and have (probably) had a few drinks, isn't quite as "in public" as the open street back to the underground station. I got a few odd looks. And a bus driver tooted me.

I hadn't really noticed, earlier that evening, just how open the platforms of Angel underground station are.

For some reason, the woman sitting opposite me on the tube kept bursting into laughter.

Just how busy is London Bridge station at something past eleven on a Saturday night? And why do these people want to have their photograph taken with me?

If those four people are travelling together on this train, why won't two of them sit in the same group of seats as the other two .... and me?

*******
If you think I'm selling this costume on eBay, think again! This is WAY to much fun!