via Jenny, the very sexy Bloggess:
I want, just once, to wear a bright red, strapless ball gown with no apologies. I want to be shocking, and vivid and wear a dress as intensely amazing as the person I so want to be. And the more I thought about it the more I realized how often we deny ourselves that red dress and all the other capricious, ridiculous, overindulgent and silly things that we desperately want but never let ourselves have because they are simply “not sensible”. Things like flying lessons, and ballet shoes, and breaking into spontaneous song, and building a train set, and crawling onto the roof just to see the stars better. Things like cartwheels and learning how to box and painting encouraging words on your body to remind yourself that you’re worth it.
And I am worth it.
Jenny, you inspire me!
Get that novel out of your sock drawer and publish it yourself. Stand on a bus stop bench and belt out a song for the waiting strangers. Find a playground swing and remember how it felt to fly. Find your red dress. And wear the hell out of it.
Editor’s note:
After Sophia took the photo:
Neil: “My mother is gonna love this post!”
Sophia: “So will your future employer!”
Oh Fabulous Neil, will you go shoe shopping with me? I will split a tiramisu with you…I think we would have one helluva day.
You have outdone yourself… that rocks! -Christine
Wow, Neil, you’re really expanding the reach of your brand with the red dress. I think you’re going to have lots of new commenters now.
I also think you’ve just earned a spot on Awkward Family Photos dotcom.
Vgrrrl – it’s all about “branding.”
BLOODY BRILLIANT!
Oh my ! PRICELESS!
DUDE!!!!
And this is why I adore you, Neil. Thanks!
I think I just had a total lapse in bladder control
RAWR.
Omigod. Whenever I think there’s nothing left you can do to surprise me ….
Neil! I have Lane Bryant on the line, they want to know if you’re available for endorsements.
Oh man, I love this! Thanks Neil!
I think you have nicer legs than I do. Asshole.
And you look very nice in red. Snicker.
Thanks for the chuckles. I needed them.
More leg, please. MORE LEG!
Please tell me you are bringing that dress to BlogHer. Rawr.
You rock! I was going to wear red then found out the top needs a different bra. Girl stuff, you know.
Oh, Neil.
I feel like Alex when she rescues Jeanie from the strip club in “Flashdance”.
It was just a metaphor, honey.
In the words of /b/
DO NOT WANT.
Now…that sir is true dedication.
You actually should get man points for rockin’ that dress for everyone.
-Tony
You would look good in drag. However you would definitely need some help from some drag mothers and the hair would have to go and I ain’t talking whats on your head!
And with that, I can go to bed w/ a BIG smile on my face.
That’s hot, Neil. Let’s go shoe shopping together.
Neil,
You are the least convincing drag queen on the planet. And I’ve seen some shockers.
HB8
I have worn a red dress, but never with as much confidence. You make me smile, Neil. Also, red looks really good on you.
Awesome. Could you bring that dress to BlogHer? Jenny’s bringing hers, but I’m only five feet tall. Yours would be ankle length on me! Please, Sophia?
you look pretty hot in that dress, neil!
very brave of you, you’re totally not the same guy you were a year ago. progress. you look great in the dress by the way.
The Bloggess is wise. And you look so good in that dress, I’m tempted to run out and buy one myself. (I also want to buy that OMNI poster.)
HAAAAAAA!
Don’t you love how a red dress makes you feel?
Lovely. Simply lovely. The leg hair I mean, I really didn’t even notice the dress.
i cannot tell you how much i love this.
LOL, Neil–”I wanna be a hoochie mama and wear a red satin dress–oh yes!”
This is about the coolest thing I have seen on the Net, Neil. Way to go for the laugh.
T.
I want one, too.
This makes me smile.