This is a static copy of In the Rose Garden, which existed as the center of the western Utena fandom for years. Enjoy. :)
I just came back from a Ren Faire, and for my birthday a friend got me a t-shirt I really liked, and you can probably guess why: "Chicks dig duelists"
Referring to the jousting duelists at the Ren Faire, of course, but I couldn't help but want it because of all the Utena references you could attach to it too.
Of course, I didn't realize until later the shirt was pretty much saying "I'm a chick and I dig duelists". I automatically took it the lesbianic way, like "I'm a duelist and a chicks dig me". The original meaning didn't occur to me until much, much later, until my friend pointed it out. Too much Utena. But since I'm neither 100% straight or lesbian, it works.
Has anyone else had something like that happen, where you interpret something completely differently because of your Utena-influence?
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Hinotori wrote:
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I can never look at a Highway the same way again, especially I95 through Richmond, Va.
Last edited by Sevelle (11-27-2006 02:16:22 PM)
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I think the meaning of the shirt varies its meaning according to who is wearing it, and by the usual heteronormative expectations. If it were a guy wearing the shirt, it would be assumed that he was the duellist in question and chicks dig him. But on a girl, it's expected to mean a declaration of your preference. Utena has made you have a less heteronormative perspective.
I took a class on the Elizabethan Age, and any mention of the phrase "War of the Roses" gave me the image of Utena characters in the Early Modern period immediately. I couldn't concentrate every time it was brought up, but I barely paid attention a lot of times anyway.
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I talked my last boyfriend into getting a shirt from the Renaissance Faire that said something like... Dragons Fear Me, Wenches Love Me. I wanted it for myself. I think it was a lot funnier when I wore it.
I can't think of anything right this second that I've seen or bought because it reminded me Utena. Probably because, as a general rule, everything reminds me of Utena. UTENA == WORLD. That's why I'm here.
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I want that shirt.
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I want you in that shirt.
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I'll bet you want me in that shirt. Especially since I'd have to fight a duel to qualify as a duellist. Wanna challenge me?
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Depends. What kind of weapons are we gonna be using?
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I've got a weapon that can be used...
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Ooooh, I just bet you do.
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You could always duel with my fishie tie.
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::melt::
Escher fishies still = sex(infinity)
And you just made post 9100 on the board! How do you feel about that...? I just noticed that.
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I feel special! So special and loved! I'm going to go to Disneyland!
(oh, and I fixed my post on the suit thread to get rid of the broken links. And added a couple of new pictures.)
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