To blow off some steam yesterday, I went to the mall. It was hot and humid outside, and after spending six hours at work on a Saturday I really needed to get away from anything remotely resembling a computer or chair.
I walked into a random clothing store manned by two guys, probably around my age. I was the only customer and they were really friendly, striking up a conversation in a non overt sales-in-your-face kind of way. It was the last day of work for one of them and he joked that he always wanted to cause a scene before he left. I joked back that I would totally play along if he wanted.
So we chatted until some other customers came in. I winked, went into the changing room, then came out in a fury, cursing and saying how the clothing sucked and the sales clerk had better bring me three sizes of all the dresses in the store and how could he be so rude and everything in the store was ugly and disgusting and I deserved better.
Without missing a beat, he yells at me, "Yeah, well, fuck you and fuck this, I fucking quit!" and storms out.
Oh, the looks! Wide eyes and dropped jaws. I'm sure it cost the store some sales, as the customers glanced around nervously and left. But a few moments later he came back and we all had a good laugh.
Probably the most fun I've had at the mall for a long time. Those guys were awesome.
August 22, 2010
August 19, 2010
BPAL Initiation
In my various travels across the web, I've often seen 'BPAL' mentioned in the blogs and websites of artists. Usually this 'BPAL' is allowed as a form of payment, phrased as 'I accept BPAL trade' the way one would say 'I accept American Express.'
For a long time, I assumed this was another payment system, like Google CheckOut or PayPal. But turns out it's perfume.
Actually, that's not quite accurate. It's a scent experience. I recently discovered BPAL stands for "Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab" and they make an astounding variety of scents based on steampunk/goth/horror themes. I'll let the website tell you more.
Apparently there's a large community obsessed with this stuff. Collections can contain over 200 fragrances, with limited editions and different versions of the same scent (I guess from separate batches or yearly runs?). Certain rare stock can sell for hundreds in the after market! There are trading forums all over the world, and a whole culture revolving around the products, complete with its own traditions and vernacular. And the materials are supposedly of excellent quality and hand blended. This is not your drug store celebrity brand shit spray. This is olfactory art.
Enough folks I respect are into BPAL, so when someone offered cheap samples, I took the deal. 24 little vials of scented oil just arrived at my door and now I'll get to see what all the craziness is about!
For a long time, I assumed this was another payment system, like Google CheckOut or PayPal. But turns out it's perfume.
Actually, that's not quite accurate. It's a scent experience. I recently discovered BPAL stands for "Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab" and they make an astounding variety of scents based on steampunk/goth/horror themes. I'll let the website tell you more.
Apparently there's a large community obsessed with this stuff. Collections can contain over 200 fragrances, with limited editions and different versions of the same scent (I guess from separate batches or yearly runs?). Certain rare stock can sell for hundreds in the after market! There are trading forums all over the world, and a whole culture revolving around the products, complete with its own traditions and vernacular. And the materials are supposedly of excellent quality and hand blended. This is not your drug store celebrity brand shit spray. This is olfactory art.
Enough folks I respect are into BPAL, so when someone offered cheap samples, I took the deal. 24 little vials of scented oil just arrived at my door and now I'll get to see what all the craziness is about!
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