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Tuesday, July 31, 2007

EMERGENCY READER POLL

Friends, I’m in a bit of a pickle, and I need your help.

You may remember a while back that I made a bet with Scott Westerfeld that he could not put together a group trip to Dragoncon, where we would all sign and do events. I said that if he could arrange it, not only would I go, I would go wearing the Princess Leia gold bikini outfit.

Why did I do this? Because I’m an idiot.

Most of you are smarter than I am, and would know not to make such a bet with Scott. Within days, it was a done deal. So Scott, Justine Larbalestier, Holly Black, Cassie Clair, and I are all going to Dragoncon together—by train. Yes, we’ll be spending 24 hours on a train together, speeding southward, then four days at the con itself. (I should mention though that Suite Scarlett is due pretty much the minute I get back. How will I write a book while doing all of this? I am about to find out.)

I just looked at my calendar and saw that the time for DRAGONTRAIN comes closer. In fact, I really have only a matter of days to settle the issue of my outfit, as I have to go back to the London Office to lock myself in and try to finish the book before then. (On this note—you are likely to see some frantic “how to revise a book” posts soon.)

This is where you come in.

See, I’ve looked for the Leia bikini outfit. I thought it would be easy to get. Turns out, it’s not. Yes, I know some places online have it—but I kind of want to try it on first to make sure it fits. I went to the biggest costume store in New York, and they didn’t even have it. Cecil Castellucci tried to get one for me at that big 30th anniversary of Star Wars a few weeks ago, but I was painting my apartment and missed her call.

I have asked permission and been told that an alternate outfit will be acceptable. But I’ve never been to a con before. It’s all new to me. I don’t know what to get.

So I thought I’d leave it up to you. Below you will see some options I came up with. Please place your vote in the comments. In about two days time, I will have to make the final decision and get the outfit as quickly as possible.

Please give your selection and your reason for choosing said outfit. I will go with the outfit that most compellingly argued or most popular. If you have another suggestion, feel free to write it in.

Here we go.

ONE: THE LEIA BIKINI

Also know as “slave Leia.” I put this first because this was the original promise. Why is this so hard to get?

PROS: Shiny. I like shiny. Can swim in it if necessary.
CONS: Hard to obtain. May be cold. (Don’t they keep the air conditioning up high in Atlanta?) May be attacked by Jabba the Hutt.



The elusive gold bikini. Jabba not included. Hopefully.


TWO: CLASSIC LEIA

In second position, here is the “classic” Leia outfit—the white robe that we all know and love.

PROS: I can get this outfit. Will be warmer than the bikini.
CONS: Hair buns. I don’t really want to wear a wig. My friend Winchester Grey has a knit hat that looks like the Leia buns, but I don’t want to wear a knit hat around all day either. May be too 1977. Also, may be imprisoned by Darth Vader.


Is this the little black dress of con outfits, or just the last refuge of people who don't know much about SciFi?


THREE: WONDER WOMAN

Why? Ask the four year old mj, who still lives inside me, who used to spin around on the lawn in the hopes that she would transform, just like Wonder Woman did. (Best outfit change strategy ever. Ev-er.)

PROS: TOTALLY AWESOME! Also, Cassie Clare has a friend who actually HAS the outfit and said she would lend it to me.
CONS: Would require obtaining red boots. May be ticketed for illegally parking invisible jet. Also, may revert to four year old behavior and start spinning until I throw up.



By the power of Hera!


FOUR: MAGENTA FROM THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

Why? Well, I know the movie. I like it. And this is a straightforward costume.

PROS: Obtainable. I know the lyrics to all the songs. Would prefer not to Time Warp, but will do so if required. Also, it would allow me to make use of my new, longer hair.
CONS: May get dragged off to sing-along with Rocky fans or to spaceship headed back to Transsexual Transylvania.


Dinner is served!


FIVE: DEVIL GIRL

I’m going to Dragoncon to sign and talk about Devilish, so I figured this was at least relevant.

PROS: Costume easily obtainable as is very generic. Relevant to Devilish.
CONS: Costume is so generic as to be kind of boring. Frankly, I am not as into this idea. May poke self with horns. Also, when I looked up images of “devil girl” on Google, they were so filthy that the only one I can post is of a stuffed hamster.



Costume not as pictured.


SIX/SEVEN: BELLATRIX LESTRANGE OR TONKS

A bit of a curve ball! I could go with either the evil Bellatrix or the ever-so-good Tonks.

PROS: I am a Harry Potter fan, and know J.K. personally. Also, I could pull either one of these off without too much trouble.
CONS: I may be in a sea of Harry Potter characters. This may be too easy.



Will it be everyone's favorite Metamorphmagus?




Or Neville's enemy?


I’m counting on you guys. Please vote! Get your friends to vote! This matter is in YOUR hands now. That’s how much I trust you.

UPDATE AS OF MONDAY EVENING: Tonks has an early lead, but Wonder Woman is catching up.

The stats are:

1. Tonks (11 votes)
2. Wonder Woman (9 votes)
3. Bellatrix (4 votes)
4. Slave Leia (2 votes)
5. Devil girl (1 vote)

Magenta and Classic Leia: 0 votes. May be entirely out of the running.

One commenter points out: "I think Tonks would be chickening out some because it's easier and also, not as recognizable, I would think. Also - it isn't as "WOW She's actually wearing that?" which I think was kind of the whole point of your bet." Meanwhile, Cecil has come through with THREE sources of the Leia slave outfit since I posted.

Which will win? I can hardly stand the pressure! I think I'll have to call a deadline on this, so let's say midnight, tomorrow night.

Also, for those of you who get my newsletter, the deadline for the Girl At Sea picture contest is tomorrow! Get your entries in to win signed books in a special edition Harry Potter bag!

Labels: , , , ,

86 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I vote for Tonks. Oh, but she's a Metamorphmagus, not an animagus. Yes, I am a nerd. Nerdfighters!

Two years ago a girl won our HP cosutme contest by going as Tonks- she had a pink wig and a purple shirt that said "I heart Remus Lupin." Adorable!

1:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I vote for Tonks as well. As a major Harry Potter fan I really liked Tonks.

1:37 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I vote Tonks.Shes awsome,your awsome so its perfect (plus i was totaly her for the HPDH party and got 2nd place!)

1:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I vote for Tonks. I love her outfit.

Or you could dig up your high school uniform (or something close) because, correct me if I'm wrong, your high school was the basis for Devilish.

2:20 AM  
Blogger Penelope said...

I went to the hallows ball as bellatrix and it was super fun being evil. i made nasty mean faces all night and got to wear big hair. good times

2:21 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I vote for Wonder Woman! I think it is the most awesome of all the costumes.

2:32 AM  
Blogger cecil castellucci said...

leia's metal bikini

http://www.leiasmetalbikini.com/buy.html

2:55 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You should go as Nymphadora Tonks. There may be loads of Harry Potter characters but not that many Tonks or Bellatrix.

3:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Definitely Bellatrix. Way cooler than Tonks. Tonks is too whiny-needy-mousy while Bellatrix is so-evilly-mad-that-she-can-get-away-with-anything. Plus her outfit is way more creative and totally fawesome. But that's just my opinion...

3:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I vote for the Devil girl outfit because you're going there for Devilish. Though, I am partial to the Tonks outfit. So I vote for both?

3:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Be evil!
That's a metamorphmagus you're talking about ;]
<3

3:26 AM  
Blogger Erin said...

TONKS!

3:29 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i vote for TONKS! because, well she's just awesome. besides having hair like that would be fun.

3:46 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow - so hard to pick.

I'll give you my opinon, Ms. MJ.

I wouldn't wear the Leia bikini. I would go for the Wonderwoman Cosutme (for these reasons: obtainable, and something people at conventions would wear, also sort of shiny, and would provide more warmth than a bikini) - because I think it is original and just plain cool.

I would also maybe pick Tonks - because Tonks is an amazing character and I kind of hate Bellatrix too much. But the thing is, some people might not get it. Like, Wonderwoman would be "viola, here I am" and pretty much everyone could tell who you are. So while I love HP and Tonks, I think Tonks would be chickening out some because it's easier and also, not as recognizable, I would think. Also - it isn't as "WOW She's actually wearing that?" which I think was kind of the whole point of your bet.

Sincerely,

Wearspants

4:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wonder Woman!

I, too, was a fangirl when I was circa age 3. I managed to get very ill by wearing my costume (and refusing all other clothes) during the winter. I made my sister call me Diana Prince, and it drove her crazy that I wouldn't respond to my real name.

Cons are all about letting the fangirl inside out to play. In honour of your first fancrush, be Wonder Woman.

4:18 AM  
Blogger Sarah said...

I am a new Star Wars fan, so I'm voting for the Princess Leia bikini. However, if you can't find it I would totally go with the Wonder Woman outfit.

Hee, I'm enough of an HP nerd as well to notice you said Animagus instead of Metamorphmagus. I know, others have already corrected you. I am just proudly declaring my Nerd Fighter status. I took a Geek test a few months ago and got 'Total Geek'. I made all of my friends take it, too, and they all got 'Poseur Geek'. My friends are all too popular for me. *Sigh*

4:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wonder Woman! Wonder woman all the way. C'mon, Lynda Carter rules!

Justine

5:04 AM  
Blogger Courtney Pippin-Mathur said...

Wonder Woman! The red boots would be awesome.

5:13 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wonder Woman, of course!

Buy the boots from the devil costume and use the 'Double Double-U' costume.

5:29 AM  
Blogger Jessica Johannesen said...

Wonder woman!!!

5:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Go as Tonks. Totally. (But, just so you know, she is not an animagus. She is a meta-something, meaning she can change her appearance at will.)

5:50 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Feel vaguely lame now, as other people have said what Tonks is and actually know the full thing.

5:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Go for the Wonder Woman costume, especially if that was a favorite of yours as a kid. It's always fun to let the kid in you run around and play for a while. That's what Cons are for, right?

Red boots would be cool.

Invisible jets don't get ticketed at Cons

If you spin till you throw up...well...that'd just be gross, so try to avoid it.

But I still think Wonder Woman would be your best bet. You would also be sticking closer to spirit of the original dare (due to the amount of skin showing) than some of the other ideas, and it is a character that you seem to know a lot about and are enthusiastic about.

Don't forget the Lasso of Truth!

6:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tonks or Bellatrix, all the way.

6:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

defffiiinnitly tonks. all the way...if not then wonder woman

7:11 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Go as Tonks. Tonks is cool. (You'll have to remember to say "wotcher" though)

7:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Go for Wonder Woman! The Leia bikini creeps me out...it is such a typical male fantasy (anyone remember the FRIENDS episode?). At least Wonder Woman is kind of feministy, right?

7:29 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Should you absolutely NEED the Leia bikini, I might be able to hook you up. A friend of mine (with whom I am about to share a Girly weekend of giggleing and baked goods and far too many cocktails) owns said bikini, and has worn it to fine effect at several Cons.

That aside, I'd vote for Tonks ('cause it's easy, so less stress, and bright pink hair would suit you) or Wonder Woman (classic. 'nuff said).

7:34 AM  
Blogger QualityControl said...

Wonder Woman! She is awesome and she always kicks evil butt just like Jane in Devilish!

8:10 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As much as I love Tonks, I think it would be SO badass if you dressed up as Bellatrix. The Leia bikini actually scares me, so i would be supremely frightened if ANYONE ever wore that again.

8:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dress as Wonder Woman!!!!

8:56 AM  
Blogger alexa said...

Wonder Woman, fo sho.

I dunno. You might just have fun as her. And besides, everyone knows who she is.

I would pick Tonks, but no one knows her. The only upside would be dyeing(sp?) your hair pink.

9:29 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tonks is too ausome to pass up an opportunity to dress up as her. Plus, you get to dye your hair!

9:46 AM  
Blogger Jennifer Lynn Barnes said...

You really need to wear the Wonder Woman outfit, because: (a) next to the bikini, it comes closest to the wonderfully ridiculous (and scantily clad) tone of the original promise, (b) you don't have to buy it, (c) you have dark hair and look more like WW than any of the other people, (d) you can wear a cool headband instead of a knit hat, (e) those red boots might prove useful in the future, if you found a cute pair, (f) let's face it, spinning around like a five year old clearly belongs in the pro column, (g) any time anyone starts talking to you about something you don't want to talk about, you can start spinning around- if that's not a smooth subject change, I don't know what is, (h) speaking of spinning around, it's a great way to stay warm when you're scantily clad, (i) if there's a theme song, you could sing/hum it when you get bored, and (j) Summer Roberts did it on The OC, and that worked out great for her. Plus, it's shiny.

Nothing else even comes close.

9:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I say you should only do wonder woman if you're willing to reinact that particular pose for us.
-ritch

11:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Slave Leia is the original bet, and since you now have access to the outfit, there's no reason to chicken out.
-S

2:55 PM  
Blogger chantelguertin said...

Wonder Woman!!

2:59 PM  
Blogger lili said...

Wonderwoman. As Jennifer L-B pointed out, it comes closest to the original bet.

If you go as Bellatrix (from the movie), then you'll have to over-act like you're in a christmas panto for the whole con. cackling like a really really badly acted witch. which would suck.

(ducks the inevitable insults hurled from helena b-c fans)

3:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You should be wonder woman because it is closest to the original costume in its shinyness and looks. You can get it easy. And it is totally jokes.

5:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you can do Slave Leia, I say go for it.

5:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

personally i like tonks she is my favourite but the costume would be kinda easy and you might have to say who you are... unless you're willing to dye your hair purple or get a pink pixie cut. so i vote for tonks. although, that wonder woman costume... and bellitrix would be cool too but she kinda looks like a whore if you ask me.

5:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wonder Woman. Unleash the Amazonian princess within, my dear.

6:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

(I, too, span around nigh unto vomiting, unleashing the power of Hera... but alas, my clothes never exploded off, and I was never in such fabulous undergarments.)

6:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Slave Leia, the orignial one. You can sill additionally wear Leia's Daddy's outfit if you get cold.

6:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I most prefer Slave Leia, but if that is not optional then you should totally go for Wonder Woman. Harry Potter costumes, although fool, would never get noticed, even if Bellatrix is one of the best villainesses ever! You'd get lost in a river of Potterness; plus there will prolly be alot of black, and Wonder Woman's colorfulness is a happy medium. Plus it's sexy, but not naughty.

6:58 PM  
Blogger Mary Danielson said...

As much as I love Tonks, my vote is for Wonder Woman as well.

I mean, how many chances do you get to fulfill a childhood fantasy without people pointing and laughing? This is the perfect chance! Plus, less cold than the Leia outfits and your hair could stay pink for a little too long if you chose Tonks.

7:00 PM  
Blogger Rebecca said...

For the sake of the bet, I'd vote slave Leia.

But aside from that, I'm gonna go with Wonder Woman. :D The cons on that one are largely only cons for mj, and not the rest of us. I mean, who doesn't want to see four-year-old mj make a cameo? ;D

8:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you can get the costume, I think Slave Leia is the way to go (it was part of the bet, after all). If that just isn't going to work out, the other clear winner is Wonder Woman (that would be totally joke). It seems like a happy medium (still relatively revealing, like the slave leia costume, without being trashy or unidentifiable). I LOVE LOVE LOVE Magenta from RH, but not enough people would recognize you, I'd guess. We'll have to save that one for a midnight celebration of your new book... :)

8:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

belatrix

8:58 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My vote is for Wonder Woman. Still has that "What is she wearing?" vibe, but is a) very awesome and b) slightly warmer than the Slave Leia bikini.

Also, it calls for red boots. How cool is that?

9:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

wonder woman!!!!

9:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnZ70Q4SN2g

Any questions?

10:25 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wonder Women all the way.

10:52 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tonks!

10:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wonder Woman!

11:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am in vote of Wonder Woman. Let's face it, she kicks ass - literally.

Secondly, the Leia outfit looks like there is a lot of potential for some seriously embarassing public wardrobe malfunctions. If it was a friend's party, I'd be all over it, but in the eyes of the SciFi world, I'd pass.

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, wearing the Leia outfit won't only get you attacked by Jaba, but potentially chained to the fat slob for the rest of your life! EWWW. I think of his vile tounge and shudder.

Indulge your inner 5 year old! Viva Wonder Woman!

11:27 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

You must track down a 'slave leia' outfit! This was an outfit that burned it's image into my twelve year old brain in 1983. I've never quite gotten over it. So, reason 1: 'cause it's damn sexy and I like it. Reason 2: I worked with Carrie Fisher a few years back and the sad truth is, she couldn't do this outfit justice any longer. It's up to you to carry on the tradition. Reason 3: so you could post a picture or two after having worn said outfit for your loving fans. Reason 4: it would be a tour de force showing of bravery for you to parade around in little to nothing in front of a convention full of sweating, seething young Cosplayers and their ever present fantasies. Okay, maybe that goes on the con side of things. Look, there's no way you can lose. Do it for the kids.

11:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Slave Leia would be the best. Tonks would be the easy way out, and not so unique since Harry Potter just came out. Best of luck!

1:22 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ohhh, I agree Slave Leia is a must! a bet is a bet after all.

1:29 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

slave leia!!

4:30 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

grrr i have such a good at sea pic planned but the computer im on is really slow and i dont have the picture here *tear* cant wiat to see the at sea pics!

5:51 AM  
Blogger Mrs. N said...

Wonder Woman! Her jewelry can deflect bullets. Surely that will come in useful?

6:28 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wonder Woman. Do not repress your inner child.

Also, you could go half-Bellatrix and half-Tonks. *That* would be original. You know, the right ("right") side could be Tonks, and the left ("not right") side could be Bellatrix.

*SLIGHT DH SPOILERS*
Or it could be half Bellatrix half Molly, and then you could turn to yourself and yell "Not my daughter, b*tch!" wif the con ever got dull.

Cheers!
Sasha

7:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

On the fact of votes:

I am amazed how quickly the voting has caught up. (I hope my pick wins - I am by no means voting twice with this comment, though. Also, Ms. MJ - thank you for quoting me in your blog. 'Tis an honour.) (one eyed-smiley face)

7:16 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'll have to defer to the "Book of Silly Bets". Now, assuming you and Scott consummated the bet correctly (spit in hands and shake), I believe that it is Scott's call as to whether you can substitute for Jabba's date.

If so, Wonder Woman it is. I look forward to the spinning and hurling, just like the old days.

Your Secret Brother

5:31 PM  
Blogger Stephanie said...

Wonder Woman! I used to dress up like her and I'm pretty sure I kept trying to "lasso" my siblings.

6:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wonder Woman, yo!

6:11 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hm...... As funny as it would be to see you in the slave Leia costume... I would have to say wonder woman!!!!!!!!!!!

8:08 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

As much as I love Tonks and Bellatrix (the first as a character, the second as a costume), I think you're right about there being a few hundred too many of these at any given con. My vote's for Magenta, just because Rocky Horror Picture Show... well, it rocks. So yeah, Magenta would be great not only because the character is, but also because you'd probably be the only one there wearing it, which would make you all original and cool. You'd probably run into tons of other Bellas and Tonks (Tonkses?), but you'd be unique as Magenta.
However, if you do actually find the Slave Leia outfit, wear that, because it was your original promise, and that's always the best. Also, it's pretty much as cool as Magenta.
And now my place in geekdom is firmly cemented with that comment.

10:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wonder Woman, first choice.

Tonks, second choice.

11:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tonks!!! You really can't go wrong with her! Er, but you may want to color your hair pink or red for it, with one of those spray-in-color washable hairsprays. =)

11:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

MAGENTA!!!!

"Master, dinner is prep-ay-ed!"

She's fabulous!!! And insane!

2:57 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

no way! ikea hostel? WICKED! no we'll never have to leave!
http://www.styledash.com/2007/07/29/ikea-opens-free-hostel-so-shoppers-never-have-to-leave/

3:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

*now

3:40 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wonder Woman! because well its wonder women! and i have no idea who tonks is.

4:38 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tonks. It's from the harry potter books. Come on does it REALLY need anymore explanation than that?

6:03 AM  
Blogger tokyogirl said...

I like the Wonder Woman choice. Her costume is pretty cool.

6:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Costume - Leia Slave Bikini
Reason - I'm (an honest) forty-five year old male.

7:22 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Tonks!
A way undervalued feminist who just has not had the public exposure she deserves.
And none of that temporary spray stuff - no way would that measure up to the embarrassment of the bikini - you have to get a full, permanent head of pink hair.

1:37 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONKS!

3:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i'm pretty sure you have probably made your decision by now, but i have to agree with the slave leia outfit. after all, what are you if not a woman of your word? maintain your integrity (though probably not your dignity) and go with the original deal. and take a shawl.

6:05 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

as much as i love tonks & hp...go as wonder woman!!!!!!! that would be awesome.

12:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

definitely stick with your promise and go with the slave leia outfit..though if you have to, go with your inner child and go wonder woman!!

5:25 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

ok i'm voting for the wonder woman one tonks is just so boring

9:04 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

wonder woman!!

9:54 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

wonder woman!!1

9:56 AM  

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