Group Project: Ride the Duck En Masque

[neversremedy8]

On the ride home Friday, I had a crazy idea. I had an ingenius, totally absurd idea that probably no one else will want to do with me, but it won't work unless a large group does it all together.

So what's my idea for a more surreal Seattle? We all Ride the Ducks ... ok, that's not really crazy, although some people think it's a little embarassing or touristy ... but we ride the ducks en masque. Picture it, Jacques Cousteau in wet suit and snorkel, Marie Antoinette in full dress wearing a black mask or a mole at her cheek, and other figures and mythological favorites from various points in history. Everyone comes as someone most people have heard of, but we do our best to keep our true identities secret. Because as everyone knows, historical figures who gather together in modern day life are really superheroes. Or we're all just nuts. But whatever.

So, after our jaunt around downtown Seattle and through the water, which I've been told is actually a great deal of fun (but I doubt it's not as fun as doing it IN COSTUME), we take a jaunt over to the Seattle Center armed with umbrellas. Why umbrellas? To dance--in costume, still--in the Seattle Center fountain. Jacques will be best covered for this adventure, and Marie may have to dress down to a hoop and some bloomes. Did they have bloomers in 18th century France?

Anyway, you can't do all of that as a downtown masquerade, without finishing up at somewhere whacky for an early dinner like the Melting Pot or Mama's (Bitchin') Mexican Kitchen, or some other place I can't readily think of.

So, Seattle area folk, who's with me on this? And who do you want to masquerade as on this little adventure? I'm thinking we should do it sometime in May when it's warmer, but before summer when the tourists take over the ducks most.

Comments

[jodawi.livejournal.com]

i'd be into it as long as i didn't have to do costume obtainings or most anything other than effortless and mindless trundling along with everyone else

[maenadicpanic.livejournal.com]

I would so totally do this!

Mind if I cross post this to see who else would be interested? People in Seattle need a kick in the butt to do something fun and creative.

[neversremedy.livejournal.com]

Not at all, cross-post as desired. :)

[inanna.livejournal.com]

i am up for the ride.. and for dinner at Mamma's (as i know they have vegan food). The dancing in the fountain doesn't sound appealing at all.

[gira.livejournal.com]

It will probably not surprise or disturb you in the least that I know this -

No, bloomers didn't come along until Victorian times. In 18th century aristocratic France, the layering went chemise -> stays -> pocket hoops -> skirt -> bodice -> jacket.

;)

[neversremedy.livejournal.com]

Neither surprising, nor disturbing, no. However, was there any underwear (in terms of panties) to be found on women in previous eras? Or did everyone swing about commando in the past? I seem to recall at least linen trunks with a tie at the front for men, but I can never be sure that what I've seen in film or in books is historically accurate and/or know what time period certain garments were worn.