Summer of Being Someone Else

Friday, June 10, 2011

Page 15

AT THE SIDEBAR (Column)

Summer of Being Someone Else

By J’AMY PACHECO

In the past, we’ve started most summer vacations with a list of things to do. My daughter started making her annual “Summer Fun Wish List” several years ago after feeling like her summer break had been squandered on watching television and playing video games.

She’s 15 now, and her summer break officially starts Monday. So far, there’s no list stuck to the front of the fridge, but we do have some activities scheduled. Oddly enough, all of them involve us taking on new identities.

No, we’re not entering the Witness Protection Program (yet). Rather, we’ve committed ourselves to three “events,” each of which involves wearing costumes.

The first is the annual Anime Expo in Los Angeles. AX – as we expo veterans like to call it – is an enormous gathering of people who like Japanese animation, manga and wearing costumes.

Last year, a pal and I took our teenagers for three of the expo’s four days. They dressed in different manga-inspired costumes each day, and had a blast. My pal and I wore jeans and t-shirts, and felt out of place. We vowed to make an attempt to put together some sort of costume for this year.

It’s less than a month away, and I still have no idea who I want to be. There aren’t a lot of middle-aged mommy manga characters, and I don’t think I can pull off the part of a hot young cartoon. Worst case, I can always wear the AX t-shirt I bought last year. It’s a lame idea, but at least it will look like I tried to fit in.

The day after AX ends, my daughter and I will head to our annual doll convention in Las Vegas. This four-day shindig is about the most fun I have all year, and is filled with events at which a costume would be most appropriate. Unfortunately, I don’t have any ready for that, either.

This year’s convention has a Vegas-twist on a Wizard of Oz theme. Costumes should be a no-brainer. There’s an Emerald City night, for example. Green clothing should suffice. But I can’t think of anything green I own, which means I’ll have to pick something up. As long as I’m getting something new, it might as well be a costume, right? But what kind of costume? See my problem?

There’s a witch’s cabaret dinner, so I imagine a witch costume would work. The week after we get back from the convention, we’re going to the third costume event – the midnight premiere of the final Harry Potter film. I’m supposed to go as Professor McGonagall. She’s a witch.

The problem is, Professor McGonagall doesn’t look anything like the witches from Wizard of Oz – good or bad. If I go as her, I’m not sure most people would get it.

On the other hand, my Professor McGonagall robe is green. Maybe I can wear it on Emerald City night. If I get it finished, that is.

I actually started making it for the premiere of the last Harry Potter film to come out. I went with a huge group of people, all of whom dressed in costume. We had Hogwarts students, a Hagrid, a death eater, and even a Mad-Eye Moody. (If you don’t know who these people are, get reading. You’re late to the party.)

I was supposed to dress as Professor McGonagall. But I was still working on my robe the day of the event, and I was really tired. I had two choices: finish the incredibly long hem, or take a nap.

I chose the nap, and went that night wearing my black and white “Muggle” t-shirt. My daughter made me a large badge that said, “Somebody had to be the Muggle” – the non-wizard person. People found it hilarious, and I can’t tell you how many strangers asked for pictures with our group that night.

The green robe is still in my sewing cabinet, still unhemmed. If I don’t finish it before the midnight premiere, I fear my group may feel compelled to cast an evil spell my way. I’m trying to figure out how I can finish that robe and make it work for all three events.

Honestly, I don’t know why we can’t schedule summer activities like normal people – trips to Disneyland and Sea World; movies, maybe a nice cruise. I’m baffled as to how we always end up spending our summers dressed as people we’re not.

I feel like I’m living that old saying, “All dressed up and no place to go,” only backward.

I’m thinking I should get one of those t-shirts that says, “This is my costume.” It would work for everything. It’s a lame idea, but at least it would show that I tried to fit in…more or less.