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Cane And Able
Your Rather Pushy Dandy

Outfit with old ornamental cane for photoshoot by Denis Largeron, August 2015

In October 2016 I was getting my infamous outfits together for Teslacon, and I decided to ship one of my ornamental canes to one of my best friends in Wisconsin prior to my arrival for Teslacon. After a rather dramatic, and, frankly, soul-sucking, experience at the U.S. Post Office nearby, I was able to ship out my cane to its destination. The box arrived, however, the cane did not; it wasn't in the box. Subsequent inquiries to both post offices in Virginia and Wisconsin turned up nothing. I was devastated to lose a specialty ornamental cane I bought from a renowned steampunk vendor at a steampunk con years earlier.

After Teslacon, in January 2017 I filed a claim online with the USPS. My claim was denied. I filed an appeal; this cane was custom. My appeal was also denied.

I was already angry about the loss of my cane, but for me to not even be compensated for its loss was beyond both my understanding and my level of appreciation. I got Dandy.

I wrote a long letter to the Office of the U.S. Postmaster General in Washington, DC, about my cane and its uniqueness and elegance. I submitted every receipt I could possibly find proving its worth, this alongside all receipts of shipment, however, the most important item that I sent was a picture of me, in full Dandy glory, carrying that very cane. All of this was done to provide not only a visual of the cane that was lost, but to show all of the elegance that was not only lost, but was also denied.

Within a week I received a full refund!

That, my friends, fans, and otherlings, is how Dandyism, elegance, and style can wield power, even in governmental circles!

Bonus Fun Fact: This pic was what won me #BestDressed2019, my first Best Dressed award in years, at TRADE. Now go support them, as you should all queer spaces!

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