Defining Decadence

It may be necessary to define exactly what Decadence means in the case of this entity referred to as "Decadence Brown." This definition will of course come with examples.

Starting from the beginning, Decadence meant class, elegance, and the finest things money could buy-to the extreme. Now this was manifested in the 80's prom theme as follows: a tight (more like painted on) purple velvet dress with an off the shoulder, scallop-edged top, taken up at the bottom where graduated layers of neon green and yellow tulle were added and slits had to be cut in order to allow for dancing, walking, and movement of the knees. This look was accessorized with a metallic hot pink purse and shoes, a hand sewn orchid forearm-sized corsage, a large flower and tulle hair piece, and a glow-in-the-dark prom court sash. As the night ensued, so did Decadence. On this night, however, others were more carried away than Decadence and it was she who pieced many others' nights together, this after a fast one was pulled on Decadence and she was left at the after party with only one other person she knew. This only served to prove from day one that Decadence was a survivor who was able to make the best of any situation...

After this Decadence spent many a day distracting the host self from completing assignments that had nearing due dates, preventing the host self from searching for employment that would earn her money for more adventures after an impending graduation, and countless hours filled with a mindset of "Yeah, yeah, yeah, WHATever. I do what I want!" Others were pulled into these shenanigans and no apologies are needed for this because in many circumstances this sort of attitude is called for, but the lesson of note here is this: if Decadence had her way, this mindset would have no limits, no boundaries, and all would join her. Decadence lives with a sense of urgency, like running at a full sprint with no thoughts of exhaustion, soreness, injury, or the like-that every minute could be the final minute. The problem arises when responsibility rears its ugly head...
Decadence did remain relatively undetected for a few weeks during this time, it's only during thoughtful reflection that she was found.

Perfect day of Decadence shared by all

The next definition-example pair relates to Decadence's partiality to saying "yes" when a simple "no" would suffice. Because Decadence is who she is, yes is a much more appealing idea. Many times she has the foresight to know what will happen when yes is the answer, and will even warn those around her of what is about to happen...and then "yes" happens and the bit of foreshadowing preceding the "yes" becomes reality. Example: Decadence does not tolerate rum, especially in small amounts without mixers and/or chasers (although various mixed beverages pass inspection). On the occasion of this example, Decadence warned her good friend Fancy Freeman when Fancy offered Decadence a rum shot. Decadence went so far as to warn Fancy that the shot would make Decadence lose a to-be-determined amount of her stomach contents. Fancy did not listen. Fancy pushed for the shot to be taken, and Decadence with her preference for the word "yes" took the shot. Upon taking the shot, Decadence tilted her head back for intake then just as quickly forward towards the clean, polished wooden bar where, just as predicted, a small amount of stomach contents-including the rum-were deposited on the bar and the bar stool beside the bar. Decadence looked at Fancy and said, "I told you!" Since this time, Fancy has refrained from offering/pressuring Decadence to take a rum shot.

Decadence says "No"

Often Decadence shares a motto uttered by Clark W. Griswold, Jr. in Christmas Vacation: "We're gonna do it right, and we're gonna do it big." which is also fitting considering this time of year. Is doing it "big" or pushing it to the extreme in the case of the current definition always best? Of course not, but when it comes to Decadence it tends to be standard. Take the example of Decadence's new-found death-allergy...upon "venom testing" (technical term) it turns out that Decadence is, as the doctor stated it "extremely allergic to all stinging insects". Now really, what would be the fun of only being allergic to one stinging insect? Who has time to differentiate between the pesky devils? Why not brave the great outdoors with a severe allergy to all stinging insects-clearly life gets more interesting in the latter situation...such is Decadence.
A version of this sort of living has also been summarized in terms you may be familiar with: "When it rains it pours." This has also become a way of Decadence. Decadence has been known to have bad days, but because Decadence lives in extremes-bad days tend to be especially and extravagantly bad. In these cases, it is necessary to reflect on how ridiculously bad the day was, ponder how quickly the situation or series of situations escalated, and then (hopefully) laugh, make fun of, or shake a fist at the day. At times Decadence will purposefully make a day or situation worse as a test to see if it can be done. Warning: such is a test that always works. Examples of these situations will come in due time.

The alternative is good days, but again rules of living in extremes (although the combination of rules and extremes seems unnatural) means that good days become fantastic days that must be celebrated with whatever means necessary. The same applies for awkwardness-awkwardness should be celebrated, after the embarrassment passes. Fancy reframes the awkwardness of Decadence as something that attracts people to Decadence. Could this be true? Perhaps...perhaps it even normalizes others' fears that they too are socially awkward.