Fiddle-Dee-Dee, Said Scarlett

Yesterday was pure hell as far as physical pain goes. I spent most of it on the couch, but when I did get up to use the bathroom or step out for a smoke, I needed my cane even just for that. I ended up mostly just laying on the couch making ungodly noises and watching movies that nijawial kindly put in and took out of the DVD player for me.

It started a couple of days ago, but it was just the normal 'grawr, annoying!' pain. But as it's getting colder, and the rain is coming once more, I'm in for the pain that comes from the cold season. That's the worst of the pains there is.

But at least before I was rendered an invalid, I had a great day! Went shopping at this great thrift store with nijawial, summoneddestiny and enigmablade! Got myself some cool jars and beakers and bottles, plus a beautiful blazer, some blouses, a gorgeous faux fur vintage coat and a sword.

Yes, a sword. It was only 16 dollars, and it has a lovely hilt and scabbard, and I know people who can easily clean up the blade. And the colors make it perfect for my Citan cosplay.

Then we headed to Pudge and Asti's for delicious om noms and delightfully potent drinks - at least for me and enigmablade. Then the usual epic cracktastic fun was had, and we made our traditional drunken Wal*Mart run where we found more awesome decorations for cheap. And enigmablade and I had way too much fun in the Halloween aisle with the masks and the weapons.

But around that time the pain got unbearable and I started spasming and that was that. I retired to the couch as soon as we got home, and we played Mario Kart and watched some more Venture Bros, and then bid farewell to our friends.

Yesterday, as I mentioned, was spent on the couch. Watched The Omen - the remake, which was wonderfully done - watched Secondhand Lions - not one of my horror lineup, but Nija recommended it as just a damn good movie, and I quite enjoyed it - and then Riding the Bullet. Which...I don't know. Generally Mick Garris is something of a God when it comes to Stephen King adaptations. He has a knack of keeping the feel and atmosphere, even when changes are necessary. Riding the Bullet? Reminded me at first of a quirky 80s John Cusack movie, and then just a generic scare flick. The scenes in the car with Staub were well done and followed the original, and the acting was good, but.... I don't know. It was like two different movies shoved into one and next to none of it had that Stephen King feel. After that it was America's Ten Top Haunted attractions, and we've decided to save up for a trip to Texas and Thrillvania next year!

My back still hurts - as well as my hips and legs - but it's bearable and I'm mobile.

Oh, and last but not least, Happy Birthday lacidiana! I hope you have a good one!

Whoo!

Was out and about for a good portion of the day! Took nijawial home, got my shuttle tickets for my Seattle trip this week, went grocery shopping and some other errands. Then I got home and started going through stuff!

Holy hell, I'm not going to have to go to Joanne's for a year or so! I can't even list all the fabrics, lace, trims, ribbons and supplies talia_speaks was kind enough to pass on to me. And I have a new book! And shiny jewelry! And pins! And Lolita accessories! And all kinds of other awesome stuff! I'll have to gather it all together and take a picture, if it'll fit inside the camera's view lens!

I'm feeling inspired to sew again tonight, so I'll be working on some things later, after dinner - BBQ ribs with lemon, baked beans, homemade french fries and a fruit salad - and trying to get back to things I'd been doing before the weather started to get to me.

It's ridiculously smoky today, with the fires. Everything's hazy and you can't even see most of the mountains. It's actually a touch atmospheric. Assuming I'm not outside in it. The heat's still oppressive and painful, but with the AC and lots of ice water, I'm doing pretty okay.

As I said, yesterday was great. We hit up Denny's - which had horrific bacon, sadly - and feasted, decided to head to Jerome than aborted due to time, and went to Lynx Lake instead, which was lovely. Got some great pictures. Headed to the square afterwards for ice cream, and hanging, and general awesome goofing off. We ended up staying late into the evening, until talia_speaks and classicyuppie had to get back to Phoenix, so nijawial and I headed back here and hung out, long into the night.

Now I'm trying to figure out where to put my organized boxes, and wondering if I have enough time today to start my room.

I like having productive Mondays.

nijawial is here, and we have been busy little bees. Sewing, cooking, organizing, finalizing, etc etc. Had a horrible disaster with attempting to melt dark chocolate. I burnt it, and it was brownie like. BUT! A bit of milk and it was creamy enough to dip stuff in, so now we have candy sushi.

I finished up Nija's costume - screw pants, we went with a skirt - and I still need to make a couple of wig heads and pack. It's raining, so it's only a matter of time before my back starts hating me.

BUT! For the most part, I am excited. Kind of all over the place, releasing joules of nervous energy, flitting from one thing to another.

If it weren't for nijawial, I probably wouldn't get anything done. Hurrah for Nija! And Sperm Bunny! But for the moment busy we're discussing super babies with their robots and explorers trapped in crystal koala dimensions.

Just basically wanted to update with 'not dead!' and all that, and heading off to Phoenix at early'o'fuck in the morning!

I am looking forward to the break!

I totally just went on a big damned friending spree. It's something I've been meaning to do for a while, and finally got around to. SO IF YOU ARE WONDERING 'WTF WHO IS CRAZY PERSON WHO FRIENDED ME!?!?!?!' it's just me. :D

I'd write an 'About Me' thing, but I'm not good at them and I'm seriously not that interesting when summed up in a nutshell.

For those of you who don't know, the whole Sabo-debacle has taken a turn for the awesome. With how hellish things have been for me (and a couple of my RL friends) lately, my dad has stepped in and is getting us a hotel room at the con hotel, and shuttle tickets for nijawial and I to get down there.

Now I'm working my butt off to get cosplay things done. My cosplay is nearly done - dress is pinned, just needs to be sewn. I need to cut and style my wig and do one more prop, and then it's good to go. Then I'm making an outfit for nijawial.

There is a Starbucks in the hotel, a Denny's within walking distance, and a Pizza Hut and Chinese place within delivery range. Plus free wireless in the rooms. This is going to be a wonderful little vacation for all of us.

I've completed wasted away my Sunday, and it feels wonderful. Though now I'm full of 'should be doing something' restless energy. I'm baking a loaf of bread after dinner, and tomorrow I'll be making pizza dough, but for now...

I'm just going to continue being a sloth.

I'm pretty sure I got the last copy of Silent Hill 4: The Room available in town. I guess in the two weeks since Origins was released for PS2, it's become a rare and hard to find game. I figured I'd just pop into Hasting's and grab it while I had the money... Since I see it all the time for $16. HA! They didn't even have it to rent - all copies were out.

Gamestop had one used copy. No book, no box, nothing. Just a generic slipcase. And it's already doubled in price. But it's mine! And I shall beat it!

We played and beat Silent Hill 2 today, took 5 hours altogether, got the Maria ending like we'd been shooting for. Also poked around at various easter eggs and extras, and got an 8 out of 10 for ranking. Then we watched trailers for both Origins and SH 5: No Escape. Now we've got Shadow of Colossus in, and it's a beautiful game. Majestic, is the word that came to mind when I saw the opening sequence. The movement animation is also extremely impressive. I can definitely see why this game is used as an argument for video games being a valid artistic medium.

We've got munchies, drinks, video games and anime. Pretty much the best way to spend a weekend with a friend.

And talia_speaks we drank for you last night!

After a hurried bout of getting ready, I headed off to the square to meet nijawial for a leisurely day of winding shopping, hanging out, and possibly food. We hit some antique stores where I found a bell shaped white with black trim sailor skirt. It will match my sailor blouse perfectly! And? It was only 8$. Yeah, I had to snatch that up.

Had lunch at this amazing Chinese food place that has only recently opened for lunch. They used to be open only from 5 -8:30, but now are open for lunch. I got fried rice, noodles, pork filled wontons and a heaping serving of orange chicken, plus tea, all for just six bucks. And it was delicious. Not greasy or heavy at all, and the flavors were...just to die for. And the tea! It was a spiced tea, very warm and full flavored.

Afterwards, we headed off for ice cream. On our way, we suddenly wondered if we'd taken a wrong turn and ended up at a con. This was because of the three teenagers wandering down the sidewalk with signs saying 'FREE HUGS'. We pause, but they'd spotted us. And before I knew it, the male of the group was coming at me, arms outstretched and a hopeful smile on his face.

It was inevitable. I was hugged. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw nijawial trapped by one of the females.

They said nothing, and we were left confused and disoriented and smelling faintly of hemp, I believe. We assume they were students from the local granola college.

Ice cream was had, and it was delicious. Also, snaps! Because we're clearly ten year olds. :D We had our ice cream, played with our snaps - and were approached by another crunchy looking teen who was telling us all kinds of little science fact about snaps - and then walked around, until we took a seat at a picnic table.

It was there we were approached by a tiny, tow-headed tot. Bearing gifts. he handed us each a stick. Then he wandered off, only to return later with more sticks. He then took nijawial's stick away from her and gave it to me. He seemed fascinated by my skirt, because he kept poking it and looking up at me all excited. He wandered off again, and returned bearing a piece of a napkin, a cigarette butt, and some dirt for me. His mother was actually watching him the whole time and was trying to keep him from picking up cigarettes. And when he went for my cane, she stopped him and picked him up. We actually chatted a bit, and she was quite nice, and the child - Micah - was very sweet and well behaved and not in the least bit sticky.

Oh, and I got a new bath bomb at Aroma Works! Orange! And of course we laughed until it hurt at various intervals, and all the other fun stuff. And I got compliments on my skirt! It was a very nice day.

ETA: AND THE PLAGIARIST IS NO MORE! The fics were deleted today! HUZZAH!

babel_fished: Community for posting Babel fished songs and guessing what they are. This came from me, talia_speaks and nijawial having fun with Babelfish the other night. It started with Mr. Radio's latest entry (which included some really great lines, not limited to 'insert me you will not', 'simply just squeeze' and 'beneath you I am deepest') and went on to all kinds of things.

We are so very easily amused.

I've recovered mostly from the convention! I went to bed at like... 11:00 last night, and slept until around 10. It was a nice long good sleep. Now I have a Dark Angel marathon and the most delicious coffee ever.

I had dreams about cannibalism last night. This doesn't entirely surprised me, because unknowingly becoming a cannibal is a favorite theme of mine. As far as horror goes, anyway. I don't know where it started or why, but it is the one thing that still is able to pull a shudder from me. I am not easy to squick or gross out or freak out, but something about being fed people always does it.

It probably has something to do with seeing the video for Another Brick In the Wall when I was like seven. Kids going into a meat grinder? Bound to mess you up some.

My parents just returned home with Burger King and cake. So much for getting back to eating healthy....

Oh, I slept like a log last night. I was sound asleep until around 9:30 AM, when my parents woke me up.

I'm trying to form a coherent convention report. But I'm still tired and being Mr. Radio takes a lot of my brainmeats.

Saturday is when I debuted my artbook!Lust cosplay. And I was never mistaken for Envy! In fact, I have to say, this con holds the record for 'How Fast Someone Asked for a Picture'. I was barely out of the car in the parking lot when an Envy cosplayer spilled out of the car next door and asked for a picture. :D And I got lots of compliments on the outfit, and a couple people actually knew where the outfit came from. Most people assumed it was from fan art. And then there were the men who had no idea who I was, but wanted a picture anyway. One of these men compared me to Jessica Rabbit (most especially the scene involving her boobs) and one of them actually asked if I was jailbait or not.

There is a grown man in this world who entertained the idea that I could be under 18. That sort of made my day. Also was sort of creepy, but it happens.

I found two action figures that made me pretty much cream my panties, and ended up buying them. One: A Bome ComicCon exclusive, from 2005. She was inexpensive as is, and then she was 20% off. And then... Eri. My beautiful, beautiful Eri. And she was on sale at the booth of a dealer I've been giving business since I started going to cons in the Southwest - the one who recommended Saikano, the one who always gives me a free story image figure - so she let it go for 30$. Only 30$ for my beautiful Eri.

I took her out as soon as I was home, and her craftsmanship is amazing. There is motion in every line, and the detailing is incredible.

Uh... What else? Oh! I went DDRing with nijawial! The nice people in the gaming room put it on beginner for us, and I took off my shoes and I didn't pop out of my dress. We hung out on the grass outside, because it was a beautiful day - Brother Unit was in the Gaming Room, kicking ass at Smash Bros - and we ended up wandering over to a panel that some Marvel artists were doing. I found it extremely interesting - even though the Lolita teaparty was drowning it out half the time and one of the poor guys had to move really close to our tables. But they were all cool, and it was neat to see what goes in to professional comic art.

I didn't go to the tea party, because I ended up forgetting one essential bit of my Lolita outfit, and if I'm not going to do it right, I'm not going to do it at all. We hung out back at the hotel for a while, watching bad movies, avoiding Comma Drama, and trying to find food.

We wandered over to the dance, and again, spent maybe five minutes then wandered off. At this point anna_daae had to get Brother Unit home, and nijawial was catching up on sleep. So talia_speaks and I did pictures, and got some awesome ones that aren't uploaded yet.

Sunday... I will update on later.

( And Now, Pictures )

Of course there's more pictures, but not uploaded yet. So...yes! And after I've unpacked, I shall post my swag!