Across the Stars

I should make a career of these. XD

Ok, so I'm reworking my basic panels. 101 and 102 have become dull dull DULL! Since nearly the same people go to the cons I work they've gotten tired of hearing my spiel. Plus I feel like I'm taking slots away for others who have more to teach. So Costuming 101, 102, and Wigs 101 are gone. What shall I replace them with? I want to do about 2-3 per con depending on what else is going on. Roundcon is the major exception since I'm needing to fill an entire track.

Options:
~Working 102 into a full on Judge's Choice panel. Ins and outs of contests, etc. One thing that's always bothered me was that contests seem to be shrouded in mystery, so this is to help people see past the cloud. I'd also do honest critiques of costumes if asked. I could also cover emergency repairs.

~Wigs 101 seems to be almost too basic for most people. I like to do a live demo if I can (past putting a wig on someone). The question is what? It has to be cheap/free for me to do and not take more than an hour. I also need to be able to do it 2-3 times a year. I thought about showing how to trim a wig, but then I'd have to get three wigs. Maybe putting in wefts?

~Closet Costuming has been requested, so I'm adding this to my Roundcon line-up. This one will be fairly research heavy since I need tons of images to show what can be done. Has anyone done some closet pieces and are willing to share their experience?

~Demos: There are three demos I'm thinking about doing. Sharpie wig dying, boot/shoe covers, and hair falls. All of these are best with supplies for the attendees, but I need to make sure I can do it without them so that anyone can watch without needing to spend extra money. Cleanup and time is also an issue, so these might be RC only panels.

So! Here are the polls. They're open to everyone even if you don't have an account. Please to vote!

[Poll #1722468]

You know how I adore input, so if you have a moment I'd love to hear what you have to say. I still keep my last panel info request on hand because it was full of great ideas! :)

You know that whole thing about locking myself in my room to sew? Yeah, it's a little hard when your sewing machine gives you death threats. >_<

It just needs a thorough servicing and recalibration. It's skipping stitches and making a metal-on-metal noise every once in a while. Nothing horrid, just damn annoying due to timing. My Mom offered to lend me one of her machines, but I declined because 1) it's too late for this project and 2) I'd keep it because even her worst machine is fantastic. Putting it in my hands is like giving money to a crack-whore. You're not getting that shit back ever. EVER!

So my couples costume with Owen is postponed to Animazement. I'm incredibly bummed, however I also know that Lily will look better with the time I've been given. I'll probably wear Klingon and Housewife again this weekend although Klingon is in debate due to time issues. I'm scheduled almost non-stop from 10am to 6pm. Hoi!

When I get back from Nashi I've got to put my nose to the grindstone. Telma, Amelia, and Lily MUST be done by AZ. Telma is first since I have the most done with her. Lily will hopefully be a weekend job (haha), and Amelia is 100% from-scratch.

Woo.

Oh! Add to the fail, my computer is majorly infected. Yeehaw.

Roundcon was a good time, although outside of my panels there wasn't much for me to do. I was expecting this though so no biggie. Through-out the entire weekend I saw friends from other cons, and felt like a mini-star when random people would come up and ask me costuming questions. My ego is ENORMOUS right now. lol!

Owen and I got there around 2pm and was checked into the room right away. Btw, what is it with Marriott and their lack of fans in the bathroom? Anyway, we got in, unpacked, and headed downstairs. Con-Chair Sean found me pretty quickly and gave me the layout. From that point on it was a mess of panels, wigs, and costumes.

fluffydragon, her hubby, and friend Fred got in later that night. She was a huge help for my Saturday panels. Her Minda was an enormous hit, as was the Padme Lake Dress she wore while judging the contest. I'm so glad she was able to make it!!

The contest on Saturday was a blast! We had about 20 entries and they ALL SHOWED UP!!! This is amazing to me since I always have at least 20% drop out. Even more amazing is that I got a ton of compliments on my 50's Housewife Dress. I honestly can't think of a single costume that's gotten more attention. Wild, no? Yes! All the contestants were very upbeat and ready to go, and my judges were awesome. I had Sean from Twisted Kaiju Theater and writer (and sometimes snarky drunk) Josh Hartness along with Fluffy. Good times. :)

I crashed after the contest. I know at some point Chinese food was eaten and I remembered to take off my makeup, but past that Saturday night was a blur.

Owen and I headed out around noon after saying our good-byes. CC Sean and I talked at length about the future of the convention. He wants to take the con into some new directions and a costuming track is going to be part of it. Guess who's in charge? ;P I have a budget and everything!!

Speaking of I'm looking for workshop ideas!! Fluffy suggested doing sharpie wig-dying workshop (although it would be wefts and not full wigs). Bootcovers were also brought up. I'm trying to think of something that most cosplayers would be interested in. I'd love suggestions!

All in all it was a good con. Hopefully adding anime and costuming to the list will help boost attendance. :)

Roundcon: I apparently was approved for all my panels. All FIVE of them. O_O Usually a con will take 2-3 at most. However I'm having an extreme ego-boost from this, so hopefully it won't blow up in my face.

Nashicon: I was also approved for all five panels. Again, super ego-boost! Is it wrong that I get warm fuzzies when people not only ask for my opinion but actually use my suggestions? NO IT'S NOT!! lol

Hoshicon: Initially I wasn't going to go to this since it's only a one day in Charlotte, however after rubbing elbows with Matt (future add-on to my judging pool), I decided to throw it in. I'm doing two panels here (wigs 101 and Sailormoon).

AZ: Nothing. Nada. Zero. Yay! lol!! I so rarely get to take a con off that this is a welcome change.

ConCarolinas: Just the Costume Contest. I keep asking to be added on for panels, but alas they don't need me right now. That's fine considering the awesomeness that is their costuming panel peeps. Award-winning doesn't even make it. More like Internationally Renowned and Requested. Top shelf. JEALOUS!!!

65 days and counting peeps!

Costuming: I'll be going light again this year. The only 100% is for my ladies in Mischief Managed on Saturday morning. I'll be carrying the flag for Ravenclaw in the parade. Woop! Other than that I'm putting all my effort into Telma. It will be a race against time though as I won't have access to my sewing supplies for at least another month, and she has a LOT of detail work. However I won't beat myself up and I WILL NOT cut corners like I usually do. I really want her to be lovely so I can at least hold my own against fluffydragon's Minda.

Get Togethers: A few parties have been announced, and tenshihitomi is keeping me updated. She knows all the good spots. :)

If plans come together properly I should be there from Thursday afternoon till Monday morning. I'll be sure to post my new number about a week before the con. I'm at the Marriott as always. Now I just need to scrape together some cash for autographs...

I won't get to see Owen this weekend. He'll be at Animazement till Sunday. *cries!* I've already gotten used to our Saturdays together. I'll get a little time with him on Sunday of next week, but it won't be for long since I'll be heading back from Charlotte. I guess I'll just have to make the 12th super special. ^_^

Since I decided to keep my day off tomorrow, I'm going to do all my cleaning on Friday so that I'll have the entire weekend to play mindless video games and read manga. Yay manga!

I finally have a roomie prospect that I can get behind. He's 33, gainfully employed, has a 65" HD tv (omg win!), and is willing to split the power bill fairly. *crosses fingers* Please let this one work out!!

Due to financial surprises and lack of planning (ie Vet bills & omg I have to buy food?!) I'm going to have to rescind my attendance at Animazement. :(

This makes me really REALLY sad. I was looking forward to seeing my friends and going to a new con. However after seeing 1) how many ppl I know go to it and 2) how cheap it is compared to other cons *cough*Dragoncon*cough*, it's one that I think I can put into regular rotation. Just not this year. >_<

Patti - I'll still see about feeling out for an LCM performance. I know a few people on staff at AZ (and didn't know it!), so hopefully we can get the ball rolling. I'll start hitting them hardcore after Memorial Day.

I'll still be at ConCarolinas since I'm staff.

I forgot to mention that I'll be at Animazement for the first time this year. The following weekend I'll be at ConCarolinas. Woo! I'm turning into a con whore! ;P

Why are all the good costumes so damn hard on a person? Feh!

Anyway, here's a short list of what I'm thinking of making in terms of 'Sunday Best'. Yup, allll the congoers on my list know what I'm talking about.

Bioshock Splicer (50's housewife style)
~ready made: dress, shoes, rolling pin from kitchen
~to make: apron, mask

Lone Wanderer from Fallout 3
~ready made: boots...yeah, that's it :(
~to make: pipboy 3000 (argh!), flight suit with alterations, weapons
Note: Yeah, it's hella involved, but it will also be hella comfortable since my boots are broken in, and all I'm really wearing is a flight suit. Since my GB costume is essentially the same I know I won't be killing myself with this.

Ghostbuster 2.0
~ready made: everything but the pack
~to make: the pack. lol! I found a place online that sells vacu-form shells for a reasonable price. If I can get one of those it'll take about 20 lbs off my pack, which will make it far easier to lug around.

Knowing me as all of you do, are there any suggestions for comfortable costumes?

She's totally suckered Barry and I into trying to go to Gencon next year. EVIL I say!!

I told B last night about my conversation with Mobo, so eventually I asked 'Have you heard of Gencon?' 'Oh yeah, I KNOW about Gencon'. His eyes glazed over and a little bit of drool came out, so I knew we were In Like Flint. So now I have another con to try and save up for. Here's the current list of money-suckers for 2008.

February - Katsucon in Washington DC (fly) 80% chance (depends on tax return) $1000 est
May - Animazement in Durham, NC (drive)** $600 est
May - AnimeNorth in Toronto, Canada (fly)** $1000 est
August - Gencon in Indianapolis, IN (fly) 30% chance (very close to Dragoncon) $1500 est
September - Dragoncon in Atlanta, GA (drive) 100% (it's D*C people! I gotta go!!) $1000 proven

**Right now, both cons are held the same weekend. While I've never been to AM I've heard really good things about it. It's also within driving distance, which is a money saver. However, I haven't been to AN in years and therefore haven't seen some friends in years. The only snag is that some drama went down last time (totally my bad) and I don't think I'd get a very warm welcome with the entire group. Honestly I don't give a crap, but the group is well-known enough that if someone had the desire they could totally f-up my con fun. Gotta love drama...

In all honesty, 4 cons a year really isn't that bad. Katsu is far enough away from everything that it *should* be easy to save for. Gencon and D*C are going to be the killers since they're both MASSIVE and pricey (Gencon more so since we'd have to fly). However, I've never been to a 100% gaming con and I'm very interested in it. Plus I'd get to pal around with Mobo while our sig-others spazz out in the game rooms. Totally awesome bonus. ^_^

I just ate lunch and I'm still hungry. Argh!