Attracting attention to myself in the Ladies Room

[Hazumu]

Last night I worked late videotaping a performance of the touring Air Force show group, Tops in Blue.

I got to the local Triple-A ball club stadium at 6 and got shots of the final preparations and sound checks, then had a Polish Sausage for dinner.  It was hot out, and I helped myself to the bottled water for the performers and crew.

At 7 they opened the gates and admitted the public.  It was a free show, but not well marketed.  If you're in the Air Force, all you have to do is SAY 'Tops in Blue' and your work is done, but Joe & Betty Sixpack don't know from Adam.  Needless to say, turnout was light and those that showed up just needed to see the words 'Tops in Blue' on one of the lightly distributed posters, to know it was a worthwhile way to spend an evening.

The show started, and I got cuts of the performers, then started collecting my audience reaction shots.

Remember the water I consumed?  My [EMPTY BLADDER] light went off.  Normally not a biggie, but I'm holding a $22,000.00 broadcast ENG videocamera.  For times the cost of my car, or worth 1 SRS with Dr. Toby Meltzer.  It weighs only 25 pounds.  And it has a handle on top.  I'm NOT leaving it somewhere unattended.

I felt very self-conscious heading into the restroom.  A group of giggling high school girls STOPPED when they saw that camera, even though I had it pointed down at the floor.  I quickly found a vacant stall, and placed the camera so the lens hood was up against the wall.

I went to wash my hands, and a 4-year-old girl narc'ed me off to her mother with "Mommy, what's that that lady has?"

At the same time, I had to be amused by the surrealness of this.

Well, the camera's one of my tools.  I guess I have to expect this situation to occur again. 

Karen

[Maud]

I've had a similar situation with my laptop, my uni has blanket wifi so a couple of weeks back I needed to go in the middle of a lecture, there's no way in hell i was going to leave my laptop with the thugish looking guy sitting next to me so I take it with me but keep using it to work on the essay i'm writing, I got a fair few WTF looks from girls in the loo.

[Renae.Lupini]

When I go out taking photos i usually have my entire bag with me which is designed for backpacking. Then I have the tripod strapped to it as well. I tend to draw lots of attention when I am out and about. The other thing about using the women's rest room is conversation is expected. It isn't like a men's room where everyone shuts up out of fear of upsetting the urinal gods or something. I have had full blown conversations with people while visiting the rest room. Some of which were with complete strangers. It definitely takes some time to get used to the proper etiquette of the ladies room

[nathan]

Forgive me, Karen, I have to nerd out for a moment. What camera was it? I'm an amateur videographer myself, and my portal to the world is this little Canon XL2 next to me.

Yay for that wonderful moment though! I bet you felt great afterwards.

[Robyn]

Wow, Karen.  Girl toys!

Robyn

[Hazumu]

Forgive me, Karen, I have to nerd out for a moment. What camera was it? I'm an amateur videographer myself, and my portal to the world is this little Canon XL2 next to me.

Yay for that wonderful moment though! I bet you felt great afterwards.

Panasonic AJ-something-or-other big honkin' 2/3"format 3CCD standard definition broadcast ENG DVCPro camera, with big Anton-Bauer brick batteries and Fujinon internal-focus lens.  Just like the newsies, except mine ain't banged up as much.  Weighs 25 lbs with batteries.  I felt it the next morning when the alarm woke me up.  Yeah, it stopped conversation in th 'loo...

Karen

P.S, Robyn -- girl toys, indeed! 

[Andrew]

Mommy, what's that the lady has? It's...oh, my God, she's got...equipment!

LOL, that's one of the better ways to attract attention in the restroom. There are other, not-so-pleasant ways...

[zombiesarepeaceful]

It isn't like a men's room where everyone shuts up out of fear of upsetting the urinal gods or something.

We have urinal gods? Awesome.

[Laura Eva B]

Mommy, what's that the lady has? It's...oh, my God, she's got...equipment!

The mind boggles  !!!

We have urinal gods? Awesome.

Sorry but the Gents are generally squalid, filthy, stinking places, where guys do their business and rush out of ASAP .... in clean and hygenic office loos guys will chat with each other when using the urinals (really).

Having experience of both the Gents and the Ladies in many favourite pubs, bars and restaurants I am struck by the huge huge difference .... some of the Ladies even have fresh flowers and nice "smellies" and lotions !

Of course you chat if you're in a queue for the cubicles !

What I really love about the Ladies restroom is more often than not you go in just to refresh make-up and brush your hair, and so often another woman is doing likewise and sharing the mirrors.  We look sideways at one another's reflections and smile in acknowlegement .... real shared experience !

Laura x