Body modification: implanting a chip

Check out this article:
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/08/artist-embeds-rfid-chip-in-his-hand-to-spread-gif-art/278929/

It's about an artist using a chip implanted under his skin to display artwork on his smart phone. Some of the other potential uses are amazing. Just think of how this kind of technology could help someone who is blind? It's body modification, sure, but in a good way. :)

30 Days of Corsets: Day 17

Okay, first off I have to say I hate the angle my husband took this photo. However all six of the shots were the same. This is the first time I've put this particular corset on so wore it only about two hours. Then I changed into something already broken in.

This satin corset has a bell shape so it has a built-in peplum design. That's nice for hiding the tummy. I can wear it with a skirt like here or with leggings. In the photo, I have a scarf on, but I also have a red and black Chinese style and patterened jacket that looks nice. Additionally, I have a short sleeved red sheer-lace jacket I can wear over top.

This corset has a placket inside at the front busk to prevent pinching of the skin. I really like that feature and plan to put one on the corsets I'm making. The modesty panel in the back isn't very wide but it does extend the entire length of the corset--including the skirting. It came in with black satin ribbon for the back laces but I will likely replace that. The ribbons look nice but are a real pain to lace up on my own. I prefer the heavier cording that's more like boot lacing. They pull more easily and stay tied.

There's no fancy embellishment on this corset but that means I can change the look with whatever I wear on top. I can add a fake fur collar or a bolero. I can give it a Christmas look with boots or a Valentine's day with a long skirt. I can also put it with a blue bottom and a flag themed scarf and jewelry for Independence Day. Sometimes less is more and that's what I had in mind when I bought this one...versatility.

30 Days of Corsets: Days 15 and 16

Today, I'm wearing a black brocade corset with a broom skirt. I like the brocade and velvet corsets much better than the satin ones. I don't like how the skirt in this photo makes my tummy look larger but that's just a product of the skirt design. I suspect if the corset were one of the long-lined ones I have, that problem would be alleviated by the longer torso portion of the corset. The skirt is comfortable and has lace along the hemline. I'm wearing my black Mary Janes (shoes).

This is one of the typical ways I wear my corsets daily. On hot days, I wear a cotton tank top like this for chest coverage and also to serve as the corset liner. I have several tank tops with embellishments on the neckline. This particular one has a lace applique just above the corset busk.

Tomorrow I'll show of a new corset I'm just beginning to break in. It is made from red satin.

30 Days of Corsets Days 11, 12, & 13

 

 

Again, I'm combining several days of this corset challenge. I'm running into questions I cannot answer or feel I've already talked about the subjects in previous posts.

 

I don't have a photo of me in a historical corset so that one's right out.

 

Next is the question:  "Corsetgasms": weird or really cool?

Seeing as how I had no idea what a corsetgams is, I almost skipped this one. But then noticed this post on the Wasted Lives blog (the folks who started this challenge). http://waistedlives.tumblr.com/post/54448482062/corsetgasam-to-clarify

 

A corsetgasm refers to the changes in your body when you've worn a corset for a while and then take it off. For me, my posture sucks and it isn't long before I'm wanting to put a corset back on. Of course, if there's every pinching due to wast tape or my belly against the bust, I'm happy for that to get relief. However, the same effect can be achieved by relacing my corset or wearing a liner.  I don't notice much when I take off my corset but always notice my back realigining when I put one on. For me, that is cool because I get relief from any back or sholder pain I'm experiencing.

 

The next question is about lacing myself. Can I lace myself or do I need assistance?  I can lace myself. I don't when I'm breaking in a new corset because I have a more difficult time making sure the gap is even. I also don't lace myself when putting on a corset that's been damaged. I'd rather ask my husband for help than risk making it worse.  Truthfully, I don't think he minds much. 

 

When you lace yourself, just don't expect to do it in a hurry. Take your time and get it on right. You'll be more comfortable in the long run.

 

For the rest of the month, I'm planning to focus on showing ways I typically wear my corsets. Take the white satin one in the photo above. I wore a yellow summer sweater overtop this one that day but only took that off to show off the corset for the photo.  When I attended my writer's meeting, I don't believe any of them noticed I had a corset on. That's one of the things I like. I can conceal it if I want or incorporate the corset into that day's 'look'.

 

 



 

30 Days of Corsets

I know I've missed about a week on this Thirty Days of Corsets. Chalk it up to other things going on in my life.
Here's the answers to a few of the questions posed for the challenge:
1) How often do you wear your corsets?
Answer:  I wear them daily. I often sleep in a waist training corset.

2) Preference:  busk, zipper, lacing or no front closure?
Answer. All of mine have a front busk with back lacing. I'm not interested in a zipper but will never say never. Corsets with no front closures are just too hard to get on and off.

Tomorrow I'll address making a corset myself and having a custom corset made.

Here's today's photo. (Yes, I'm not wearing makeup.) I talked about going to the next size down (32 inch waist). This is one of them. Although I've broken this one in, it's still adjusting to my body a little. If you look back at when I started last September, you can see a huge difference in my waistline. I am now seeing permanent changes even when not in a corset. I'm definitely in love with the way I feel and don't want to ever go back to a bra.

Instructional corset video

I'd like to share another corset video I found on YouTube. The audio is not great but this is very informational, especially if you're looking for historical information or depunking myths.
http://youtu.be/CdH5ufXP__Q

Book on Body Modification

Yesterday I found a book to add to my body modification reference books. This one's called Running the Gauntlet:  An Intimate History of the Modern Body Piercing Movement by Jim Ward.

Some of the photos inside could be too graphic for some folks. I found them just what I wanted for learning more about this subject. Before this I was unaware of eyeball tattooing.

The book title refers to the body piercing business in West Hollywood called Gauntlet. It's a place in which some folks call the forefront of modern day body modification. I've read quite a bit about it in other references and so when this book focuses on Gauntlet, I was interested in knowing more. It does have some nice historical photos and explains a few basics for what types of piercings are called.

Week 1 Competed

Update on corset body modification project.

 

I’ve now slept in a corset for seven nights. Yep, that means I’m wearing them 24/7. I expected to have difficulty sleeping as mentioned in some of my research books on corset masochism. That hasn’t been the case for me. It takes me a few minutes to get comfortable but that’s normal and I’ve slept well.

 My back and shoulder have stopped hurting. I definitely prefer the corset to a bra. I get good support without the strain on my shoulder muscles. That’s released a lot of stress I normally get by the end of the day from the bra straps and breast weight. I used to ask my husband for back and shoulder rubs daily. I’ve only asked for one in the past week.

 I definitely look curvier. Weigh in and measure day was today. With the Atkins diet and the corset training, I’ve lost just over five pounds and two inches off of my waist. Now I’m measuring my natural waistline, without the corset. When I have the corset on and laced up, my waist is about an inch and a half smaller than that.

 I’ve decided to include two pics here. The first is from a couple of weeks ago from when I started the body modification project. I’m wearing a fashion corset that I barely got into. The second is from this morning. I’m wearing the silver/black steel boned waist training corset.

Before picture August 2012

Progess week 1 September 9, 2012

 

 

Problems I’ve encountered: 

I must squat to pick things up from the floor or pet the cats. My thighs are a bit sore. Once I squat down, I can tilt my torso forward. That will just take getting used to.

 Restroom breaks are sometimes challenging. Peeing is easy enough to wipe after but anything else requires removal of the corset. I’m learning to rehook the steel busk at the front by lying on the bed they way you might do to put on tight jeans.  Still it takes me a few minutes.

 I also apply baby powder before putting on a clean corset. It helps keeps the skin dry.

 Next post:

I’ll blog about a couple of humorous experiences I’ve had so far.

Day One Corset Wearing

Today's my first day of full on wearing the steel boned waist-training corset. I may have bought one a little too large as it is laced tightly enough to force me to sit straight but the laced edges touch. That may be a good thing while I get used to it.  I definitely look curvier in it. It's amazing how rearranging the flab makes a difference. LOL!

Slouching and bending over are straight out. I can bend at the knees. Already my thighs are complaining about doing squats and my sense of balance needs practice. I feel like my shoulders are straighter as well. Part of slouching is bending your shoulders forward. I'm curious to see if this has any effect on my shoulder that's been hurting since April. The doctor told me back then it was like a sports injury and kept asking me if I were throwing baseballs. I think it's the way I hug my pillow at night. I get a death grip on it sometimes. After dental surgery back in the 1990's, I found out I clench my teeth when I sleep. My guess is they're related.

I've read how one of the reasons given for some to wear these types of corsets daily is a heightened sense of sexuality. I definitely feel more feminine in this thing. I already learned while wearing costuming how many motions considered lady-like by our modern society are things which came about because of clothing in the past. You don't bend over to pick up something while wearing a tri-hoop skirt unless you want the whole world behind you to see your behind!

One other interesting thing...just while typing this blog post, my spine has popped several times. It must be aligning itself. It definitely feels good.

My husband and I started on the Atkins diet today as well. I have a goal to lose five inches in my waist and a hundred pounds. That certainly qualifies as body modification in my book.