Me In My Bright Shiny Red Toga
@arthurchappell (44998)
Preston, England
April 17, 2016 7:41am CST
This was one of several toga party instant Togas I threw together for a party event at conventions. This one actually got me into trouble, twice.
The first time was on the night of the party which was fortunately almost over when the hotel manager noticed how familiar that red material was as it was one of the hotel’s bed-spreads I was putting to alternative usage. He was not amused though the material was in no way damaged and sheets are changed daily anyway. I put it back on my bed as soon as I returned to my room that night.
The second wave of trouble came years later because of this very photo, which I had posted online after the event. The cult I escaped from created a blog criticising me for daring to spak out against them and they added this photo as proof that I should be regarded as a nutcase and not taken seriously. They also cited my interests in science fiction (the future) and historic re-enactments (the past) to show I can’t live for the moment (as the Divine Light Mission cult expects of its followers).
The idea that I might actually just be having fun and don’t walk around in a toga all day every day was lost on them. As to being nuts, I see that as a compliment.
Arthur Chappell
53 people like this
49 responses
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
17 Apr 16
haha, you sure look like someone from Alice in Wonderland or Harry Potter!
It sure is a very creative way and innovative way to dress for a party!
I have not read about your involvement with any cult!
I guess i have to dig through all your old threads.
6 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
17 Apr 16
@scheng1 I have touched on it in quite a few threads though more often on other sites as well
3 people like this
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
17 Apr 16
@arthurchappell i will hunt for these posts.
I sure do not want to get suck into a cult.
A complete waste of time and energy.
3 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
17 Apr 16
@scheng1 just put the word cult in the Mylot search box and one of my features on it comes up right under this one on the list
3 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
17 Apr 16
@jaboUK I did join, though not entirely voluntarily
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
17 Apr 16
@arthurchappell OOPs - I just realised what I said - sorry. I know you were coerced by a girlfriend.
5 people like this
@topffer (42156)
• France
17 Apr 16
@arthurchappell Never heard of a toga party before. I have organized several Roman dinners in the past. It might be funny to organize one with "Formal attire requested (togae and tunicae welcomed)"
.
.4 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
17 Apr 16
@topffer sounds great - I always think of the toga party in National Lampoon's Animal House
5 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
17 Apr 16
@topffer appropriate given that this was at a Xena Warrior Princess convention
6 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
18 Apr 16
i'm sure the management 'twas most displeased, but i see no harm 'twas done. 'course, perhaps they jest hoped such'd not become the latest fashion trend? 
's fer those cult folks, i'd not fret o'er nothin' they said/did/printed - they're the nutcases :)4 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
17 Apr 16
How very Animal House of you.
5 people like this
@ElicBxn (63568)
• United States
17 Apr 16
@arthurchappell yikes! Now, I had a friend who was, just that, friendly. She was talking with these people at work. Then, one day she spoke to another friend and they tried to tell her she couldn't talk to people outside the group. Well, needless to say, she told them what they could do with themselves.
3 people like this
@davidalicea100 (3495)
• Merced, California
18 Apr 16
Don't mess with a man in a toga lol, all you were trying to do is have a little fun and you get criticized for it.
3 people like this
@Hate2Iron (15727)
• Canada
17 Apr 16
I thought that was one awesome toga... who would have guessed that it was a bedspread lol!!
3 people like this
if i were the hotel manager, I probably would not be amused by your improvised costume. but you really look funny though 
@CookieMonster46 (13454)
• United States
18 Apr 16
Cool Toga, I haven't heard of a Toga party in a long time.Oh gosh , who would think an old photo would come back to haunt you.
3 people like this
@CookieMonster46 (13454)
• United States
21 Apr 16
@ramapo17 I think it was Animal House movie that had the Toga Party then ,everyone was having them. The latest fad at the time.
2 people like this
@ramapo17 (30441)
• Melbourne, Florida
21 Apr 16
@CookieMonster46 I believe you are right.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
17 Apr 16
no, it's toga, not yoga - It is how ancient Romans dressed
3 people like this
@cacay1 (83334)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
18 Apr 16
@arthurchappell Aw, I thougt because that is also how the Yogas wear.
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
18 Apr 16
@mammots the toga had nothing to do with the cult - I wore it years after escaping the cult - it was worn at a Xena convention in london in the md-1990's - the cult saw the picture and used it to try to discredit me as someone who publicly criticises them
2 people like this
@pgiblett (6524)
• Canada
18 Apr 16
Well, well, well, that is quite a picture. I recall seeing a man walking around in a toga at work, he always wore it, but different to your made up one, more like a skirt. Otherwise above the desk was dressed like a normal man, including tie and jacket.
3 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
17 Apr 16
@Drosophila 4 and a half years - 1981 to 1985
2 people like this
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
17 Apr 16
@arthurchappell so what prompt you to leave?
2 people like this
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
17 Apr 16
Is the Divine Light Mission a Christian cult? Your attire (toga as you called) looks like East Indian. 
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
17 Apr 16
Okay. I see your point. I find the manager's response quite funny. But aren't toga parties for college kids?
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
18 Apr 16
@ElizabethWallace there should be no age barriers to having fun
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
18 Apr 16
@arthurchappell What's the saying? We don't stop playing because we get old. We get old because we stop playing. I want adult swings in public parks!
2 people like this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
18 Apr 16
@ElizabethWallace me too - I love playing on swings
2 people like this
