EMERGENCY READER POLL
Friends, I’m in a bit of a pickle, and I need your help.
You may remember a while back that I made a bet with Scott Westerfeld that he could not put together a group trip to Dragoncon, where we would all sign and do events. I said that if he could arrange it, not only would I go, I would go wearing the Princess Leia gold bikini outfit.
Why did I do this? Because I’m an idiot.
Most of you are smarter than I am, and would know not to make such a bet with Scott. Within days, it was a done deal. So Scott, Justine Larbalestier, Holly Black, Cassie Clair, and I are all going to Dragoncon together—by train. Yes, we’ll be spending 24 hours on a train together, speeding southward, then four days at the con itself. (I should mention though that Suite Scarlett is due pretty much the minute I get back. How will I write a book while doing all of this? I am about to find out.)
I just looked at my calendar and saw that the time for DRAGONTRAIN comes closer. In fact, I really have only a matter of days to settle the issue of my outfit, as I have to go back to the London Office to lock myself in and try to finish the book before then. (On this note—you are likely to see some frantic “how to revise a book” posts soon.)
This is where you come in.
See, I’ve looked for the Leia bikini outfit. I thought it would be easy to get. Turns out, it’s not. Yes, I know some places online have it—but I kind of want to try it on first to make sure it fits. I went to the biggest costume store in New York, and they didn’t even have it. Cecil Castellucci tried to get one for me at that big 30th anniversary of Star Wars a few weeks ago, but I was painting my apartment and missed her call.
I have asked permission and been told that an alternate outfit will be acceptable. But I’ve never been to a con before. It’s all new to me. I don’t know what to get.
So I thought I’d leave it up to you. Below you will see some options I came up with. Please place your vote in the comments. In about two days time, I will have to make the final decision and get the outfit as quickly as possible.
Please give your selection and your reason for choosing said outfit. I will go with the outfit that most compellingly argued or most popular. If you have another suggestion, feel free to write it in.
Here we go.
ONE: THE LEIA BIKINI
Also know as “slave Leia.” I put this first because this was the original promise. Why is this so hard to get?
PROS: Shiny. I like shiny. Can swim in it if necessary.
CONS: Hard to obtain. May be cold. (Don’t they keep the air conditioning up high in Atlanta?) May be attacked by Jabba the Hutt.
TWO: CLASSIC LEIA
In second position, here is the “classic” Leia outfit—the white robe that we all know and love.
PROS: I can get this outfit. Will be warmer than the bikini.
CONS: Hair buns. I don’t really want to wear a wig. My friend Winchester Grey has a knit hat that looks like the Leia buns, but I don’t want to wear a knit hat around all day either. May be too 1977. Also, may be imprisoned by Darth Vader.
THREE: WONDER WOMAN
Why? Ask the four year old mj, who still lives inside me, who used to spin around on the lawn in the hopes that she would transform, just like Wonder Woman did. (Best outfit change strategy ever. Ev-er.)
PROS: TOTALLY AWESOME! Also, Cassie Clare has a friend who actually HAS the outfit and said she would lend it to me.
CONS: Would require obtaining red boots. May be ticketed for illegally parking invisible jet. Also, may revert to four year old behavior and start spinning until I throw up.
FOUR: MAGENTA FROM THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW
Why? Well, I know the movie. I like it. And this is a straightforward costume.
PROS: Obtainable. I know the lyrics to all the songs. Would prefer not to Time Warp, but will do so if required. Also, it would allow me to make use of my new, longer hair.
CONS: May get dragged off to sing-along with Rocky fans or to spaceship headed back to Transsexual Transylvania.
FIVE: DEVIL GIRL
I’m going to Dragoncon to sign and talk about Devilish, so I figured this was at least relevant.
PROS: Costume easily obtainable as is very generic. Relevant to Devilish.
CONS: Costume is so generic as to be kind of boring. Frankly, I am not as into this idea. May poke self with horns. Also, when I looked up images of “devil girl” on Google, they were so filthy that the only one I can post is of a stuffed hamster.
SIX/SEVEN: BELLATRIX LESTRANGE OR TONKS
A bit of a curve ball! I could go with either the evil Bellatrix or the ever-so-good Tonks.
PROS: I am a Harry Potter fan, and know J.K. personally. Also, I could pull either one of these off without too much trouble.
CONS: I may be in a sea of Harry Potter characters. This may be too easy.
I’m counting on you guys. Please vote! Get your friends to vote! This matter is in YOUR hands now. That’s how much I trust you.
UPDATE AS OF MONDAY EVENING: Tonks has an early lead, but Wonder Woman is catching up.
The stats are:
1. Tonks (11 votes)
2. Wonder Woman (9 votes)
3. Bellatrix (4 votes)
4. Slave Leia (2 votes)
5. Devil girl (1 vote)
Magenta and Classic Leia: 0 votes. May be entirely out of the running.
One commenter points out: “I think Tonks would be chickening out some because it’s easier and also, not as recognizable, I would think. Also – it isn’t as “WOW She’s actually wearing that?” which I think was kind of the whole point of your bet.” Meanwhile, Cecil has come through with THREE sources of the Leia slave outfit since I posted.
Which will win? I can hardly stand the pressure! I think I’ll have to call a deadline on this, so let’s say midnight, tomorrow night.
Also, for those of you who get my newsletter, the deadline for the Girl At Sea picture contest is tomorrow! Get your entries in to win signed books in a special edition Harry Potter bag!
Posted: Monday, July 30th, 2007 @ 9:43 pm
Categories: Dragoncon, Harry Potter, Scott Westerfeld, costumes, trust.
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