Observations from Behind Purple and Gold
Posted by Melissa Carter at 12/3/2007 11:10 AM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: gay LSU Melissa Bert Show Bert Show Q100 lesbian University of Tennessee vols
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: gay LSU Melissa Bert Show Bert Show Q100 lesbian University of Tennessee vols
Don't fret, Orange Nation. My blood still runs orange, but my face this week is Purple and Gold. That's the result of a great bet gone wrong - since Tennessee's offense decided not to capitalize on the opportunities the defense provided. Not that I'm bitter. But, because LSU won the SEC Championship, I have to wear LSU colors purple and gold on my face ALL WEEK!
See my transition HERE.
Within an hour of paint application, a co-worker who doesn't know me well said in the hallway, "So, big LSU fan I see." Ouch.
I'll be updating this blog as the week progresses - as I traverse the city getting cheers from "fellow" Tigers and jeers from everyone else.
Regardless....GO VOLS! I still love you.
MONDAY: I left work and headed out of the safety of the studio into the real world, where Tigers are lurking everywhere. My first errand involved going to Staples in Sandy Springs, walking in with a smile of my face. I looked crazy as it was, why not make everyone question just how insane I really could be? Of course THIS was the time I would have LOVED for SOMEONE to be a Bert Show listener, so my unique make-up would make some sense. But alas, no one identified themselves as one, so I wandered the aisles looking for my printer needs. An employee approached asking if I needed help, and I told him I found what I needed. After a pause he then said,
"So, planning for an after-party....or just getting back from one?"
I've decided not to plan my answers throughout the week, and go with whatever I'm feeling at the time. But this time I just couldn't go along with it, unwilling to betray my team any more than I already am, and explained that I had lost a bet. He then said,
"You mean your not even an LSU fan?" He then looked as if he had just received a cut from some Staples paper.
"Nope. I'm a Tennessee fan," I said.
As if he had just been informed of an inside joke he was about to tell others, he slipped away mumbling something about if I needed anymore help....and he was gone.
But I wasn't sure how to interpret the check-out lady, who never once flinched or acted as if anything was wrong with her discolored customer. I may have been more comfortable with her co-worker, who expressed what he was thinking.
Before heading home, I returned a movie Katie Jo had rented, and thank goodness there was a slot outside the store. But one customer pulled out slowly as I slipped the movie into the building, and I was afraid I was about to hear Geux Tigers but they rolled on before I looked up. Then I realized they were likely confused that my face didn't match the Power T on the front of my car.
TUESDAY
So I'm realizing just what a voyeuristic society we're in. We'd rather observe and give commentary later, rather than saying something as we see it.
Such was the case today. Only one person said anything about my face being purple and gold, and quite frankly I scared her into it.
I was heading into the bathroom at work as I was leaving, when the woman who cleans our bathroom was finishing up. She didn't look up from the counter as we exchanged hello's, so I made it into the stall without her seeing me. Thinking I was safe, I realized she wasn't completed with her task, so my timing forced us to greet each other again. When she asked if I was done for the day, I turned to face her and she physically jumped back. I apologized and explained the bet, which brought a smile and faint laugh.
I then headed to grab my kidney medications from BioScript Pharmacy in Midtown. Since they see me all the time, they we unphased by my appearance, having likely heard the whole thing on-air. Maybe they wanted me to feel better by not saying anything, but I assume other customers waiting for their refills were thinking what kind of side effects is she suffering from? but they said nothing.
My final errand for the day took me to Norcross to pick up a FedEx package. I had contact with four different people, and no one gave me a second glance. However, some of those first glances lasted longer than others, since the final guy who took my signature was still looking as I and my package walked out the door.
WEDNESDAY
A friend and I were supposed to have lunch downtown today, but she had a last-minute meeting and had to reschedule. In other words, she was thinking you signed up for stupid stuff like this, but don't drag me publicly into it. So, we will pick a time when she can tolerate sitting across from me.
Instead, I wanted to get my hair cut before my trip to NYC, and wasn't afraid to walk into the hen-house of a salon with the purple and gold paint - even though at this point of the day it was getting shiney and showing the remnants of mindless scratches to my face.
I walked into Bella Mia in Roswell, and decided to pretty much announce that I had lost a bet. Of course this declaration was made to several women, with various metal and plastic tools of beauty sticking out from wet mangled hair. At this point we all in the same boat of not wanting to be seen in public. But once they understood why I looked the most odd, they all were pleased that it was not them who would do such a silly thing.
There are moments when you get a sense of clarity in life, and sitting in a salon chair and facing a massive mirror was one of those times. For the most part this week, I have forgotten about my temporary make-up once the reaction by my neighbors was completed. But looking at my reflection today, while my hairdresser was also looking at it, was very sobering. How, exactly, did I get here?
It didn't help that the little pieces of cut hair flying about were landing in the paint, and it wasn't as simple as blowing toward my face to shake them loose. I walked out of there as if I was the guy in that magnetic shavings board, where someone took that little red stick and made me blonde facial hair.
When I got to Marietta, I decided to cut my planned errands short and do something I never do - drive through a McDonald's drive-thru. But I wanted to stay in the car, and it was the only place with a pick-up window where I was headed.
The guy taking my money at the first window simply laughed out loud, and the woman at the second window said:
"What happened to YOU?"
At least she said something. But I was feeling anxious to get this thing over with.
THURSDAY
Here we are...the LAST DAY of the bet...whew! Why? I already had a weekend trip to New York City planned, and am leaving today after the show. And thanks to LSU fan Laura, who I had the original bet with, she has given me reprieve from having to wear the purple and gold to the airport. They would surely flag me for looking so crazy. Laura, expect a package of purple and gold face paint for Christmas!
FRIDAY
What happens in NYC....stays in NYC!
You know, I must confess this was not the first time I've been half-gold and half-purple. The colors of Whitthorne Junior High School in my hometown were Purple and Gold, and the mascot was indeed a Tiger. I actually won my 8th grade costume contest for Purple and Gold Day in 1983. My Mom, Millie Pete, made my outfit - which is split in the two colors - and yes, I'm holding a Tiger in this photo from my annual:
Melissa - You are a great support! As a HUGE LSU fan, I have to say purple and gold are your colors!! I hope that you will heal from the loss (believe me, I have been there) and support the SEC as we head into the championship game against Ohio State! Have a great time at the Sugar Bowl! New Orleans is a fun city.... we know how to party down there.
Ps. Your Vols played a great game on Saturday. You should be proud!
GEAUX TIGERS!
Stephanie
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wow, what a trooper! i spent the week ignoring all the taunts from lsu fans i know...now i'm just hiding from them. GO VOLS!!! i comfort myself by remembering that we beat both arkansas and kentucky, who both beat lsu. but if i had to wear purple and gold on my face all week, i would cry! you are a brave one.
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I have to say, you are quite the trooper! As a face painter, I wander around in face paint all the time...full face tigers, butterflies, monsters and the like. And yes -- 99% of people will STARE, but won't say a thing. I thought it was a "Minnesota Nice" thing, but I guess it isn't!
Great face painting on Monday!!
Cindy
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Melissa, this was fabulous, I went to UT and currently live in the area. I love the Bert Show, and thank you for having the courage and integrity to go through with this bet. I don't know if I would have made the bet, without an alternate choice of payoff. But keep up the good work. I listen in the mornings and Saturday too. You all brighten my day.
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I see your transformation in the following light. Because your blood truly runs organce and your such a big Tennessee fan, you body is rejecting the colors purple and gold. It knows they don't belong in or on your body, so the fading is not a result of the diminishing clarity of the paint, but rather your body saying "No Way! Not In My House!"
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With the recent run of bad luck, the gang should hire in a bet consultant for you next time around. :o)
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Melissa,
It doesn't matter WHAT you're wearing. You are still goregeous
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Hey Melissa,
You are a great sport and I am soory i haven't responded earlier. I would love an opportunity to buy you a big tall Louisiana cold one! It was fun and I must say that the colors are great on you!
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Go for it Tigers!
For the purple fight, fight!
For the gold fight,fight!
I was watching the tube tonight and then there was this face from the past. So to the search engine I ran and there you were showing your pride in so many ways. Atta Girl!
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