Well, frell
Nov. 7th, 2009 09:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
neadodsI had an image in my mind of exactly what would constitute good cold-weather gear for hanging around a clinic parking lot for hours in the winter. An image that derailed a moment ago when I discovered that LL Bean stops making flannel-lined jeans *one size below mine.*
The hell, Bean? I've been this size for a long time now, and it's the first year I *couldn't* shop from your catalog. Reducing your customer pool in a bad economy is a really bright idea, there. (Well done Winter Silks, because I can get the long underwear I wanted from you. Also glove and sock liners; at least one merchant is giving me one-stop shopping.)
Now the question is, do I want to start from scratch or will it be easier to get a pair of jeans and add the lining to them? And shall I go ahead and make/adapt a denim jacket while I'm at it?
The hell, Bean? I've been this size for a long time now, and it's the first year I *couldn't* shop from your catalog. Reducing your customer pool in a bad economy is a really bright idea, there. (Well done Winter Silks, because I can get the long underwear I wanted from you. Also glove and sock liners; at least one merchant is giving me one-stop shopping.)
Now the question is, do I want to start from scratch or will it be easier to get a pair of jeans and add the lining to them? And shall I go ahead and make/adapt a denim jacket while I'm at it?
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Date: 2009-11-08 03:07 am (UTC)have you checked hunting supply stores? they sell cold weather gear in sizes up to "large men" .
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Date: 2009-11-08 01:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-08 03:25 pm (UTC)that, of course, assumes they dont have anything in pplain brown or something. i would check several sources before buying. also? its the right time of year, many areas have "hunting expos" or "outdoor gear" sales..... and try REI while they may be overpriced on some things, they usually have some good stuff.
in my own case i have found that a pair of the heavy wintersilks, boots, and a long wool skirt handles just about anything.... but thats me.
i know some of the prayer vigil folks have given up finding anything in "nice clothes" because its been hard to find anything warm enough that *isnt* camo.. so dont be too surprised if you see a lot of odd hunting clothes this winter
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Date: 2009-11-08 07:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-08 08:10 pm (UTC)yes there is pink camo
the reason i dont mention it is i have never seen it in plus sizes.. and thats the problem..
as to "confusing the hell out of "them""
i am "them"
i do not think i would be confused
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Date: 2009-11-08 09:17 pm (UTC)Dear, have you EVER wielded a weapon in front of a clinic? carried a sign or harassed someone that they were making a mistake and they needed to be "Saved"? Screamed that they were being murderers, or shot a doctor in his own church?
I somehow don't think so- YOU are one of the sane and reasonable folks, therefore- you are not "Them"...
its been a rough day so far, bear with me a bit....
Date: 2009-11-08 11:58 pm (UTC)i do know several people who participate in 40 days for life, including me. i know people who have been threatened with death, hit, had bottles thrown at them, screamed at and worse....... for praying across the street from a clinic...
the "us/them" language about the escorts and the prayer teams ..... well it contributes to the inability to see either side as "other people trying to do what they think is right".
which is how i try to look at it.
THEM is indeed the violent crazies... but i am afraid there are "THEM"s on both sides.
and have i carried a sign in front of a clinic? no, but some of my best friends have... while i was at home praying for the safety of everyone involved that whole day.
she was carrying a sign that said "please think about your baby" in a public park during the 40 days for life campaign.
she was nearly run down by a car the occupants of which threw bottles of some kind of smelly liquid at the group.
the same day another friend who works in a abortion provider facility received a bomb threat (false, luckily)
i just have a twitch about too many people assuming that "everyone who is pro life/pro choice is ______"
and i admit i am getting a LOT of shit right now on a few other blogs.. so i am pretty touchy
Re: its been a rough day so far, bear with me a bit....
Date: 2009-11-09 12:45 am (UTC)Yes, agreed, definitions can get very... debatable. And I should have added that by "MY" definition, you don't qualify as one of the crazies.
And again, you're right, the "Us/Them" language does add to the division. And yes- there are "Them" sorts of crazies on both sides of the issue. (Though I must also admit that I have yet to read about some pro choice nutcase shooting someone... but THAT just means I don't read enough news.)
Re: its been a rough day so far, bear with me a bit....
Date: 2009-11-09 01:22 am (UTC)Michigan, about 2-3 months ago. Shot a protester in cold blood as he stood outside a high school. The "reason" he gave was that it was too upsetting for the kids to see the bloody fetus sign, as if seeing an actual murder was going to be less upsetting.
Re: its been a rough day so far, bear with me a bit....
Date: 2009-11-09 02:28 am (UTC)and B) there are definitely crazies on both sides.
Re: its been a rough day so far, bear with me a bit....
Date: 2009-11-09 02:31 am (UTC)Re: its been a rough day so far, bear with me a bit....
Date: 2009-11-09 04:08 am (UTC)oh heck yes..... complete nut jobs on all sides of any heated debate.
and of course most of the folks on the .....i hate the term front lines, but it wil have to do...... have few clues how the other side sees them or thinks.
which just contributes to more issues.
like most of the new ish protestors i have spoken with honestly dont understand that the women, and escorts think they may be violent to them. after all, THEY know they are pro life and deeply concerned for the safety of the moms and etc...... right?
since THEY know they mean no harm. they think the other side knows that too.
anyway i am rambling
Re: its been a rough day so far, bear with me a bit....
Date: 2009-11-09 12:06 pm (UTC)And the problem is, none of us on either side - yours or mine - is going to know different until its too late. And there is a lot of television coverage that suggests that things are going to turn into a WWF show any second.
Re: its been a rough day so far, bear with me a bit....
Date: 2009-11-09 12:47 am (UTC)Re: its been a rough day so far, bear with me a bit....
Date: 2009-11-09 03:23 am (UTC)aaaaaaaaaaaand five people have de friended me so far today.
Re: its been a rough day so far, bear with me a bit....
Date: 2009-11-09 03:55 am (UTC)OK Mint tea for you. (Unless there's an allergy or something?)
FIVE.. have defriended... Over THIS!? Stupid.
Yeah- OK- fine- we don't agree on certain things. THAT'S part of LIFE. (And I'm sorry they have stomped off in a huff over it.)
Have some hugs?
Re: its been a rough day so far, bear with me a bit....
Date: 2009-11-09 04:01 am (UTC)(raw onion, and garlic in any form.. bummer allergies)
bought chicken noodle soup when i went out today.
got a massive de friending the last time it got mentioned i was not on the pro choice side of the debate... thought folks would ummmmm know this by now? or not care?
yup... five
and counting
and bear in mind thats over a clear and as concise statement as i can make that "i do not think you are a bad person because we disagree on this"
and thanks, i could use the hugs
also the sweater hates me.
Re: its been a rough day so far, bear with me a bit....
Date: 2009-11-09 04:29 am (UTC)O_O
The sweater hates you? I'm sorry... I'm not a knitter, so I'm afraid I can't help you there.
Re: its been a rough day so far, bear with me a bit....
Date: 2009-11-09 05:29 am (UTC)if i handle a clove my hands puff up and crack, imagine what it does inside me.
most italian food is right out... sigh
and its so good for you! (but not for me)
and if you want to see what i have been dealing with?
go to thorninthefoot and read the most recent comment.... go on... i will wait.
Re: its been a rough day so far, bear with me a bit....
Date: 2009-11-09 07:17 am (UTC)Re: its been a rough day so far, bear with me a bit....
Date: 2009-11-09 07:21 am (UTC)Re: its been a rough day so far, bear with me a bit....
Date: 2009-11-09 12:11 pm (UTC)The first thing I learned on the line was that this wasn't what it was like on TV. That there is no one face of "the opposition" just as there's no one person or group that speaks for my side.
And there's no talking with someone who just launches into you. From either side. Not the person in that comment, not the woman who was shouting at us Saturday.
I believe very very passionately in what I do or I wouldn't do it, but I must say, that parking lot has been an education as to who does what why that you'd never get online - and due to the legal restraints, a more civil one.
Combining two comments into one
Date: 2009-11-09 01:14 am (UTC)I try to look at this as the first amendment in practice. I have my own strong opinions about why it's being done and the line between practicing a religion and imposing it, but I acknowledge that the protesters are within their rights. (It helps that this is the "quiet" clinic and thus we don't get anyone doing the outrageous things you hear of on TV.) I try even here on the blog to talk about specific things and not generally bash; you're not the only pro-life person who reads me.
We escorts are part of a long-standing nonprofit organization. They drill into us hard that we are NOT there to counterprotest, and that anyone who does anything to bring disrepute to the group or break the peace is out. I know my temper, so the only things I've said out loud to the protesters are:
1) He [the doctor] doesn't drive a Mercedes.
2) We aren't paid.
3) (To someone who came into the lot) You can't do this, you have to stay on the sidewalk
and most often,
4) [name of specific protester] CAR! You're about to be run over! (Anyone looking at a car that has come in - this includes me - is looking away from any cars that are trying to come in. I spent much of yesterday almost being run over myself.)
Jeans are the uniform on both sides here too, and more comfortable as the weather gets colder. I doubt there is anything I *can* say or wear that will break down preconceived notions; yesterday one of the protesters made it clear she thinks we're racists and escorting for profit. I believe she really believes it; there's nothing I can say or wear that will change her mind; it's her legal right to stand on the sidewalk and say it; it's better that I just have something to stuff into my mouth and blow off steam at home.
Re: Combining two comments into one
Date: 2009-11-09 03:30 am (UTC)i got those at the store when i had the new age store all the time.... "teh ebil people are all part of this well funded conspiracy"
the rest of the crazies thought WE were part of the well funded conspiracy.
i want to know where the money is, because i never got any....
just like i never got to go to any of those orgies where we sacrificed babies and plotted world domination.
no one invites me anywhere ;-p
if its jeans on both sides? no.. probably wont help.
i suggested it because in *some* areas its a de facto uniform....and if you can break the stereotype you have a *chance* of reaching a "hey... you might be an "us" not a "them" after all"
of course right now. well right now with the whole health care thing its getting loud.
i dont like loud
i especially dont like loud and biased and aimed at me.. but who does.
i will be going off for tea and hopefully some rest.... i hope you can also .
oh, and let me know if you do find plus sized warm pants
Re: Combining two comments into one
Date: 2009-11-09 03:57 am (UTC)Re: Combining two comments into one
Date: 2009-11-09 03:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-08 10:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-08 10:54 pm (UTC)skirts, stereotypes, etc
Date: 2009-11-09 12:04 am (UTC)you know there is a ton of propaganda on both sides about who/what the other side is...
anything that breaks that pre conceived notion down is generally a good thing.
therefore i would suggest you consider a skirt, a long skirt, even if worn over flannel pants or whatever..... for many of the more religious groups skirts are the thinsg worn by women they know... and pants are things worn by women who are different.
this wouldnt mean anything here, all the women i know on both sides wear jeans..... but in some areas its a pretty clear marker
skirt=pro life pants= pro abortion
(and no, i dont think thats true, but it is a stereotype in some areas, especially if the protest groups are primarily the born again churches)
IF thats the kind of environment you are in, wearing a visible skirt would throw people a bit.. you would be breaking the "uniform" and making it easier to see you as a "person like us"
like i said, wouldnt work here.... i think jeans are the uniform on both sides
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Date: 2009-11-08 03:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-08 01:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-08 02:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-08 03:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-09 09:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-08 03:35 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-08 01:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-08 03:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-08 04:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-08 04:47 pm (UTC)And, yes, if you have a friend you can get in, or just ask for a one-day pass. Mind, that's no guarantee that they'll actually have them - you never know with CostCo. Land's End might be a better bet.
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Date: 2009-11-08 03:44 am (UTC)I say get a pair of jeans and line them yourself.
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Date: 2009-11-08 06:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-08 01:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-11-08 10:12 pm (UTC)http://shop.theanimalrescuesite.com/store/item.do?siteId=310&itemId=38699&adId=37949&placementId=101001&origin=ctg_ars_home_from_ars_thankyou_sitenav
You get warm flannels, the critters get food, everybody is happier? :)
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Date: 2009-11-09 03:31 am (UTC)