Are things like costumed conventions and being Supa Goth always embarrassing, or does it depend on one's age? I passed a bunch of guys in zippered and chain-bedecked black coats and pvc pants the other day and kind of cringed. But I was sort of into that when I was younger, and I'm not really embarrassed about that. I mean, I thought it was awesome and haters were just uptight narrow-minded people, and I can't tell if it was always pretty ridiculous, or it only becomes so if you don't grow out of it by your 20s.

Most of my friends were into all sorts of things like that in highchool and freshman/sophomore year of college, but all of them have evolved out of it now as well. And I still like it when I learn someone maybe *used* to be into it. And I feel all maternal-affectionate towards younger kids who do it. So is it really just an age thing?

Then again, I have some friends who are pretty much goth still, and they're not embarrassing. But they're modern-stylish with their gothness (or comic nerdery, or whatever) and not too over the top. Is it just a matter of degree, maybe?

I figure adults have to modulate it and/or adapt it. Otherwise it's not so much that it looks silly as immature.

But, then, you know, someone goths up a charcoal pinstripe suit and it looks pretty awesome.

Heraldic: Forgiving? That's optimistic. I know two goth kids who had food thrown at them in school on several occasions by "normal" students.

I don't see goths my age as deviant, I see them as silly. Like, "oh, that is cute but kind of humiliating."

That said, I'm trying to figure out what it is that engenders the silly reaction because I DO also know adults who are in the scene and they are all kinds of awesome and I admire them. And yes, they rock the pinstripe suits.

I'm thinking in the end, it really is a matter of style. Whether one is stylish with goth touches, or just looks like a cheap Hot Topic reject.

Says the man with the flatironed hair.