#pgsa

Long ago I went to state-funded summer art camp (I know, I never shut up about it) with this woman, Maggie Carr. I didn’t know her too well but in a weird thing I ended up doing her laundry for her as a favor on one of the first days there and she was so grateful over it she thanked me in front of the entire girls’ dorm in a meeting and was always super nice to me. Even though I don’t think we’ve spoken since, I still think of her fondly when she pops up on my feed on Facebook.

When I decided to do a late night inbox check, I was surprised to see quite a few rather interesting anonymous gossip submissions. For those of you who keep track of Facebook Gyaru Comms, you might be interested in this.

The Gaijin Gyaru Magazine, Gal VIP, has created and is sponsoring a new, and hopefully drama free, Group for Gals to connect in. Though it came to fruition from the frustration of fed up Gal-pros, it seems like it’s off to a healthy start. I personally like this group and I’m hopeful to see what is to come of it, if it even continues. The Gal VIP group was born as a result of another group’s consistent screw ups and short comings, but is that all to change?

The infamous Facebook Group

Sekai No Gyarusa ☆ Gals of the World

which has been seen as both a haven for new Gals and also a trove of drama for other Gyaru, has had a change in leadership, so I’ve been told.

Up until this point it has been run by dictatorial, explosive, and downright rude moderators (you’ll all bring to mind the most recent incident recalling a certain admin and Pin?). Sere, the head Admin (rephrase, most active and vocal) who to some was a kind, mother figure and to others, the anti Christ of Gyaru, decided to leave, and leave with a bang. It was fairly obvious that this group was going under, but didn’t anyone ever tell her that a Captain never abandons her ship? Who knows, perhaps now it will be able to dig itself out of the hole of being one of the worst Gyaru Groups to ever exist. We’ll see if this change is really for the better. Only time will tell.

And last but very not least, the Tea Party that I’ve heard so much, yet so little about; I’ve received a few questions about who they are, but I don’t know. What is it about this secret Gyaru society that everyone loves to hate? I don’t know what it is, but I’m sure deep down everyone wishes they were “able to sip tea with [them]”. I know I do.

Time and time again though, I never hear of anything but DRAMA in these comms. What do you think, Gossips? Is the Facebook scene doomed to fail, or will it be able to rise up again?

I get it, you all want to stretch the rules — the basics — so that the style will be easier. I think at one point all gyaru did this, and we all tried to pass it off as gyaru. But you have to realize that it’s NOT gyaru, no matter how hard you try. It’s all about the neck and up, face face face. If THAT doesn’t look gyaru don’t even DARE call yourself gyaru. Gyaru is about being different — not looking like a regular person in regular makeup. 

I.

Yesterday at work a little boy and his mother and baby sister came in. His mom was one of those customers who doesn't want to acknowledge you exist and so she didn't. The boy was wearing a sweatshirt with a ribcage on it and I told him I liked it. I have a thing for ribcages, idk. You see a lot of clothing and jewelry with ribcage motifs this time of year, which makes me happy.

"We're going to a party," he told me as I rung up the candy and the candy bowl and the skeleton gloves.

"Oh that sounds like fun!" I said. "Are you going trick or treating tomorrow too?"

"Yes!" He was breathless with excitement.

"What are you going as?"

"A Steve," he said. I didn't know what that was but I acted like it was the coolest thing ever. Then I started ringing up Captain America coloring books and wondered if he meant Steve Rogers.

"Are you going to go trick or treating?" he asked, pulling me out of trying to figure out what he meant.

"Oh, no, I wish! I'm going to be handing out the candy."

And then he looked at me, his eyes wide with concern and pity.

"Maybe you ask your mom to hand out the candy," he said, worried. Worried for me! Because I would miss trick or treating!

"That's a good idea," I agreed. "I'll have to ask her."

Before he left, he made sure to catch my eye and remind me to ask my mom. His mother continued to say nothing. I watched him leave. I felt my heart kick in my chest.

II.

My old teacher from state-funded summer arts camp posted a picture of his daughter, who was six months old when I knew him and is now nearly nine, dressed up for Halloween today. He posts pictures of his kids a lot, and I feel like I know them, almost--he made sure to get them both to love Star Wars, she writes fanfiction even if she doesn't know she's doing it yet and he's very proud of it, the son has terrible sleeping habits but sometimes my old teacher will stay up late with him and watch movies or work together side by side. It's very charming.

Day 144

We were walking along Market toward the river and she was talking about her boyfriend, and she said of him, "He respects me. I feel like now guys are always like 'we're equals' and 'we make decisions together.' No. No." And I was puzzled for a moment before I realized she meant that he has a healthy respect for her, that she calls the shots, and that she has no interest in a relationship where she isn't in charge, and I laughed, hard, and thought, My mother would love her.

Earlier, with Maria in Rittenhouse Square, lying on our backs staring up at the trees, we were talking about Adrienne, and Michael, and Dana, and realized that it's been eight years now, eight years this month, since we met at PGSA. If, eight years ago, I'd been told we'd all still know each other this far in the future, if I'd go to karaoke in Pittsburgh with Maria and Michael in April and then hit Capogiro and sit alongside the Schuylkill with Maria and Adrienne in June, I don't know that I'd have believed it, but I am ever so glad this is where we are now.