Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.

[ysobelle]

That's the sound of my head hitting the wall repeatedly. Why? Oh, I don't know. I guess it just seemed like a good idea at the time.

I've just put the last touches on the PowerPoint presentation for my lecture tomorrow afternoon. I had planned on finishing this monster Thursday night. Obviously, that didn't happen. I worked until oh-G-d-thirty, then sternly told myself to go to bed, get up at a decent hour, and finish it before I had to go to the airport. Obviously, that didn't happen, either. That's all right, I thought, I'll finish it at my cousin's before I go to sleep. Nope. I worked on it all damned day-- given, of course, that I didn't wake up til 1-- and I know I could tweak it more. I'm sorely tempted to go back and rework my notes, just to make sure I don't miss anything tomorrow when I have a room full of people staring at me. But I have so much in my head right now that I have an irrational fear that if I start, I won't stop.

Bizarrely, at the same time, I know that I'll be talking steadily for an hour, with my 50 slides, and I'll barely scratch the surface of all that can be said about corsetry. I'm hardly touching on the societal import of tight-lacing, or social pressure against dress reform, or lower-class corsetry, or corsets anywhere but Europe and America. And ooops, I just slipped in a photo I took at the V&A I swore I wouldn't forget. I have about five seconds on modern corsetry-- fetish and fashion wear. I feel like such a diletantte-- I make them, and I study them a bit, but I don't know anything someone else hasn't researched before. I feel like I've just done a book report, not a major research project.

Sigh. But yes, I know I'm being a bit harsh on myself. The fact is, this IS a major research project. It's just that I know, now, what I don't know. There's a ton more research to do on very early corsetry, back when it was more "boob management" than anything else. This would be back in the 1400s and earlier. It's likely women wrapped themselves in linen and/or leather to keep from flapping about, but of course, nothing's extant from back then.

When I get home, I wonder if I can somehow get to the Art Museum's textile collection. Hm. And I've just gotten a fabulous book from Amazon.com called "The History of the Breast." ( http://www.amazon.com/History-Breast-Marilyn-Yalom/dp/0345388941/ref=pd_bbs_2/105-3258923-6782023?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173592421&sr=8-2 ) I highly recommend it. Also, Valerie Steele's "The Corset: A Cultural History." ( http://www.amazon.com/Corset-Cultural-History-Valerie-Steele/dp/0300099533/ref=sr_1_1/105-3258923-6782023?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173592531&sr=1-1 ) I should prbably make up a reading list for anyone interested tomorrow. But for now, ten hours' sleep and two cans of Pepsi notwithstanding, I'm zonked.

Comments

[surlywench.livejournal.com]

i realize that this might seems a little odd coming from me, but you *might* try some of the early period costume lists/groups in the SCA. Granted, it's hit or miss, but some of them have actually done buttloads of research into early period 'boob management'. I know this b/c i've seen the end results at kingdom A&S competitions.

also? it's *fine*, the whole thing will be *fine*..you're probably going to give them more info than they'll know what to do with. :) is anyone going to be taping the session? that would be awesome to have!

See, Power Point? Tool of Satan.

[irishcoyote.livejournal.com]

But look at you get all grad studenty. Go Girl. Getcha Brain On.

[deathwardegg.livejournal.com]

You may have forgotten Keuls' "The Reign of the Phallus", which was a textbook for some class I had at New College (or was it USF?)...