Good evening, mina-sama. It's that special time of the year again, where everyone forgets common courtesy, forgets how to drive, and the rabid shopping beasts within them come out, all for the sake of buying gifts for loved ones over the holiday season. Mmmm~ I feel all warm and fuzzy inside just thinking about the road rage and retail carnage.
On a much less sarcastic and indeed more sincere note, I hope that everyone will have a safe and wonderful holiday. If you travel far or near to be with others, take care on the roads, in airport security, or find that good position to sleep in on the bus or train. If you are hosting your family who journey from near and far, remember your gracious host etiquitte, even though you are family, and don't let drama upset the good times that are made to come during Christmas and New Years.
I hope to use this time productively of course, and with any luck there will be picture laden results in the New Year [ever since I obtained cutlery suitable to be scalpels for the planned Akabane cosplay, I seem to be in a sort of high to look for a long jacket/coat pattern]. Are you busy as well during this time? Or are you going to also do that relaxing thing? Curl up with a warm drink and a toasty hearth~ everyone.
With best wishes and hopes for the future, to you and yours everywhere.
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
December 24, 2010
December 09, 2010
Miniature Post--Marriott Nights
Good afternoon, mina-sama~ do forgive me being away again. The semester is nearly at it's end, so I hope to have more time to post with recent activities that are planned as soon as the finals are did and done with [good luck everyone! you can do it!]. There is one very big project on the ball that I remember off the top of my head... Then scores and scores of smaller but still just as important projects, including a semi-commission [is it official...? Aaah...!] from Toriberry for the Angelic Pretty overskirt. I will certainly be keeping busy with winter, and since my place of work is closed, I'll probably have more time to do things than I did in the summer. Please look forward to it, if you can, mina-sama.
As for today, just a couple pictures of the ensemble I wore yesterday, for the snazzy Marriott Hotel Customer Appreciation event held in the Marriott in Greenbelt, celebrating it's finished refurbishing. It looks very posh now, but I've always liked Marriot anyway, never ridiculous high class, but still luxirous looking enough for one to know that they will be well taken care of during their stay. Not really understanding at the time I was asked what it was I had agreed to go to, come Wednesday I dressed up anyway per the mother-person's request ["I hope you'll wear... business causal, something nicer than your hooe and jeans, you know." she said, yet yesterday morning she to one look and realized she had forgotten, and went back to her room to change], and staggered through the day half awake until she got off of work.
It was a windy day, so you know what that means~ [or perhaps you don't, heh.]
I was wearing a black scarf as well since it is chilly now, tucked in. I took it off before I remembered to take a picture. It looks like a super puffed straight falling jabot, if you wish to supplement. [My hair is doing weird things recently.]So walking around campus was a treat, and the Marriott event was wonderfully done. There was lots of food, good drinks, and some gambling table games. I've never done so poorly on roulette in my life... [granted, the experience has been limited to other tables and computer game versions] Upon leaving, the polite and fun ladies at the name-tag table offered candied apples, and these two nice older women complimented me on the coat. I think for this and similar when wearing them together, people mistake it for a long long coat, which isn't necessarily bad at all. I have also noticed a trend when people ask and compliment your clothes or accessories. For people say... 30 years old or younger, they compliment and then ask "Where did you get them?" But for people 30 years old or older, they compliment and then ask "Did you make that?" It pleasantly perplexes me, although I can kind of understand where it comes from. We are different generations of people, coming from shop-happy spenders to old-school handmade.
It's just a little longer everyone... and then pleasantries... a little longer. I'll get down on my knees and get a good head on my shoulders, do it for my friends for myself, go to the ends of the earth. I'll do what it takes, and do it with dedication, and put out all misery.
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
November 28, 2010
Perpetual Elevens' [and the skirt; picture+video!]
Good afternoon, mina-sama. Did everyone have a good thanksgiving break? I had a pleasant time venturing out to the semi-countryside that is Mt. Airy to see good friends, and make merry with damn good food and delightful company. Truly, I have much to be thankful for, even without material goods. I continue to pray for the happiness and good fortune of my loved ones.
I will admit though that I did go and get up fiendishly early to participate in the madness that is Black Friday shopping [I may also see what I will see to the tune of Cyber Monday]. Semi-countryside-dom has it's advantages. Things were relatively orderly, I got a good parking space, and when it was all said and done, I was only out for 45 minutes before returning to the hotel to sleep a couple more hours until breakfast. The otaku side of me comes out as I made my largest purchase at Gamestop, securing myself a PSP at last, and acquiring Dissidia Final Fantasy, Soul Calibur: Broken Legends, and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII as my first stock [I will probably purchase Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep closer to Xmas, and at Target, since I have unconvered a gift card]. Intermitenly as I write this, I play a few quick battles on Dissidia [I'm leveling up Sephiroth]. Didn't know this marquis was a gamer too, eh? ^_^
I had a very peaceful time. I hope a similar good time was had by all.
Now then, as alluded to in the last post, I came upon a skirt from way back when as I was hanging up the skirt I bought from the thrift store. This is a pleated skirt--granted, there are only four, and it's very wide pleats [more like in stiched seams so it wouldn't be one big slate of skirt]--with a waist band if you could call it that, that has a button, and a zipper fasten. The button waist band saved me the trouble of having to add one to thread through the D-ring loops I bought, so all I really had to do was rip the seam that the zipper was on, rip some of the seam on the waist till it was 3/4 [so should I call it a 3/4 skirt...?] and then resew it back down into a nice clean edge.
I have tried walking with skirt and the Crow in combination, and let me just say, it only looks awesome on paper.
Worn on as sundry of occasions. [it may be hard to tell in the last one, but I'm wearing the leather pants I got a the thrift store, and the dubbed "priest cossak" from the Undertaker cosplay outfit.]
I will admit though that I did go and get up fiendishly early to participate in the madness that is Black Friday shopping [I may also see what I will see to the tune of Cyber Monday]. Semi-countryside-dom has it's advantages. Things were relatively orderly, I got a good parking space, and when it was all said and done, I was only out for 45 minutes before returning to the hotel to sleep a couple more hours until breakfast. The otaku side of me comes out as I made my largest purchase at Gamestop, securing myself a PSP at last, and acquiring Dissidia Final Fantasy, Soul Calibur: Broken Legends, and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII as my first stock [I will probably purchase Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep closer to Xmas, and at Target, since I have unconvered a gift card]. Intermitenly as I write this, I play a few quick battles on Dissidia [I'm leveling up Sephiroth]. Didn't know this marquis was a gamer too, eh? ^_^
I had a very peaceful time. I hope a similar good time was had by all.
Now then, as alluded to in the last post, I came upon a skirt from way back when as I was hanging up the skirt I bought from the thrift store. This is a pleated skirt--granted, there are only four, and it's very wide pleats [more like in stiched seams so it wouldn't be one big slate of skirt]--with a waist band if you could call it that, that has a button, and a zipper fasten. The button waist band saved me the trouble of having to add one to thread through the D-ring loops I bought, so all I really had to do was rip the seam that the zipper was on, rip some of the seam on the waist till it was 3/4 [so should I call it a 3/4 skirt...?] and then resew it back down into a nice clean edge.
The original skirt, still whole. It's a little hard to see with the black on black, but the pleats are there, if you can see them.
The above is cut out and pinned, and the bottom is with the hem finished. It was mostly a matter of making sure the folds were neat.
And for the sake of contrast, put some tissue paper between just to show. It's a bit long even if I have shoes on [only the Demonia boots make it seem appropriate length].
One of the simplest projects I've ever done that has yielded magnificent results. Now I also have some guideline as to how I want to make the skirt out from scratch--as it were--and out of the thirft store skirt. The one from scratch may still end up being my favorite since it will have a colored lining, but we'll see.
Also, it's essentially still a skirt, so I've worn it very frequently since I've made it, including out on my Thanksgiving travels. It makes a very bold and dramatic touch to my Aristo wardrobe, and anything in between. I do now have an increased fondess for windy days.
I have tried walking with skirt and the Crow in combination, and let me just say, it only looks awesome on paper.
Worn on as sundry of occasions. [it may be hard to tell in the last one, but I'm wearing the leather pants I got a the thrift store, and the dubbed "priest cossak" from the Undertaker cosplay outfit.]As promised, I'm getting a little fancy up in here, and to show how the thing moves as I do, I made a little video. The lighting is iffy, pardon. But the essence is there. And it's just another example of how well it works with basically anything you'd normally wear a skirt with.
I'm suiting up more and more for this rumored-to-be-colder-than-ever winter season. Got anything on the ball you've been working on? Spotted a must-have winter coat? How have you all been adjusting to the chillier weather?
I've got a lot of work ahead of me, please forgive a long absence in advance, mina-sama. I'll walk tall and strong, to the best of my ability, and give all I've got.
Eternally yours,
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
November 24, 2010
Thrift Store Shopping
Good evening, minna-sama. I'm sorry I've been away so long, I've been... in a difficult position, really. I'm doing things I hate, and I hate them because I am bad at them. I haven't had my head in the right place to post for a while, do forgive me. The holidays are a wonderful way to brighten my spirits, as is the completion of a project [yes, another spur of the energy moment thing], and so I return with hopefully two posts back to back [or at least, today and tomorrow] as to catch up with aristocrat and visual kei related things that have in fact been happening.
Jingu Bridge has been going splendidly. Truly. We're going to have to work out a few things here and there and work on preparation, but that's all well and good; the club is just starting, and it's the latter half of the semester, so we're having a great trial run of how things will work out for the spring semester. The group project for my global literature class on Visual Kei went smoothly as well; no one wanted to volunteer to be dressed up, but that's alright, I make my own suitable manequin. Perhaps showing them Neo Ark [Phantasmagoria] was a little too scaring... but, as it were, that's updates for that.
A couple weekends ago, I went to the thrift store near me [that I readily know of]. I was reminded why I both love, and to an extent, dislike the thrift store. One the one hand, there always seems to be scores of little heathen brats running around, and either screaming their heads off for no apparent reason, or crying excessively loudly for their parents. But if you can ignore that, the upsides outweigh the atmosphere's downsides. Prices are amazing, and if you have a little more time than I did to look, you can almost certainly find something that you were looking for [or perhaps not even, and that's never really bad]. I went with the intent of buying some white blouses--ahh, white blouses? what the hell...?--and a long skirt, so that I could expirement with something premade for making the half skirt [see previous project entry]. I also happened to pick up another pair of slacks, since my trusty black ones with pockets are having wardrobe malfunctions with the zipper, and some leather pants. In total everything came to just over $30, with the leather pants being the most expensive thing of course.
Since there is no fitting room at the thrift store, I immediately tried things on as soon as I got home to see if I properly eye-balled the sizes of things correctly. Here are my finds.
Jingu Bridge has been going splendidly. Truly. We're going to have to work out a few things here and there and work on preparation, but that's all well and good; the club is just starting, and it's the latter half of the semester, so we're having a great trial run of how things will work out for the spring semester. The group project for my global literature class on Visual Kei went smoothly as well; no one wanted to volunteer to be dressed up, but that's alright, I make my own suitable manequin. Perhaps showing them Neo Ark [Phantasmagoria] was a little too scaring... but, as it were, that's updates for that.
A couple weekends ago, I went to the thrift store near me [that I readily know of]. I was reminded why I both love, and to an extent, dislike the thrift store. One the one hand, there always seems to be scores of little heathen brats running around, and either screaming their heads off for no apparent reason, or crying excessively loudly for their parents. But if you can ignore that, the upsides outweigh the atmosphere's downsides. Prices are amazing, and if you have a little more time than I did to look, you can almost certainly find something that you were looking for [or perhaps not even, and that's never really bad]. I went with the intent of buying some white blouses--ahh, white blouses? what the hell...?--and a long skirt, so that I could expirement with something premade for making the half skirt [see previous project entry]. I also happened to pick up another pair of slacks, since my trusty black ones with pockets are having wardrobe malfunctions with the zipper, and some leather pants. In total everything came to just over $30, with the leather pants being the most expensive thing of course.
Since there is no fitting room at the thrift store, I immediately tried things on as soon as I got home to see if I properly eye-balled the sizes of things correctly. Here are my finds.
A long black skirt, made out of rayon I believe, so it's stretchy compared to the sateen fabric I bought to make my own from scratch. The plan is to cut down the seams of the sides and hem the back, creating a half skirt. With the extra I cut off, I would make a waist band to go through D-loops I bought a while back to put on my slacks.
The shiny white blouse--with breast pockets--that was the cheapest thing of the day, and the pinstripe slacks. They lack pockets, unlike the black ones I adore, and they have a bit of red in them, which immediately makes me want to add a touch of red into my Aristo. I don't know why I don't think add to V-kei, although that might be because there's limited colors [excluding Hizaki of Versai] in V-kei... though white isn't excluded... anyway. I wore this some day during the week, with the tailcoat jacket. I like the shirt a lot, a lot.
The leather pants, that are just a tad too long, and just a tad too tight. So tight in fact that I took a picture as soon as I got the button closed, not trusting myself to be able to fit into these again by the time I posted it because they were that tight [coincidentally, I have put them on with much less struggle two times since then, and before now]. I'm not sure why the shirt seems off-white, pale creamy at the top there... but it's all white, as the other picture shows.Upon hanging the skirt up in my closet, I came upon an interesting discovery; lo, another skirt. This one was from the uniform of my high school's orchestra. It's very long, and has four pleats down said long sides, along with a band that has the button fasten, and a zipper. Had I recalled before hand that I still had that in my posession--since it was exactly the sort of thing I was looking for to base a already made beforehand turned into half-skirt on--I would've bypassed the skirt at the thrift store. Be that as it may, since it's a different material, I'm going to use it as well, regardless. I may choose to sell it once it is made, but we'll see how that goes.
To be sure, since I had the uniform skirt, I chopped that up quick like, and the results I will show in my next entry. Look forward to it, I'm getting fancy with a video, desu ne.
For whatever reason, when I was younger, I was a little turned off by thrift stores, and I think it was that atmosphere--aside from the crying kids--of... fervor and scurrying around. Now it's just the tight isles and screaming kids that make me pulse point when I step foot in there. A neutral scowl keeps them at bay however...
So, if you've got one near you, and you're just plain fed up with brand or replica prices, take a stroll down to your local thrift store. You never know what might turn up, and for REAL cheap no less. For those of you who have gone there, did you ever get a great find for a steal price? Got one nicer than mine? Love to go if it's nearby.
Whether with friends in your area, traveling back home or hosting family, or with the company of yourself, I wish everyone a splendid holiday, good food, great memories, and safe travels.
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
November 09, 2010
First Jingu Bridge Meeting
Good morning, minna-sama. Oh my, will the wonders never cease [it sort of like being able to understand Kamijo singing in English on the first hearing]? What on earth am I doing up this early? Good gracious I could get elevens in at this rate. Have you all been well, minna-sama? The weather has gotten steadily chillier and I am loving every blistering cold moment of it.
To be brief before the heart of the post, I downloaded a stupid large amount of Versailles~The Philharmonic Quintet music, and it now continues to blast through my ears [because you can never get tired of five different versions of ASCENDEAD MASTER and lesson versions of The Revenant Choir], keeping my fingers on a roll for Nanowrimo. If you are in it, add this professor_specter henceforth. The zipper on my black pants is having wardrobe malfunctions; in light of it, I pulled out my gray pinstripe slacks, and thought of some modifying I could do with them [involving when I wear my Demonia shoes]. I split my lip, horribly. It swelled and got all gross. So mask time, which only makes me want to hurry up and make a second, for it's time for the faithful butterfly to be laid to rest.
Since I had not however, I wore it yesterday to Jingu Bridge: A Harajuku [and Shibuya] Fashion Club [hencefort Jingu] first meetin, along with the Aristo vest jacket combination aqcuired a few months ago, the jabot, Kuroshitsuji silver, and The Crow [my cane]. As far as turnouts, it was better than expected. If only five people had shown up, I would've been pleased. In total, fifteen people showed up. 15, my lucky number. And several people I actually know, so we're all sure to be a big friendly group right off the bat. Meeting wise, the logistics didn't take too much time [nor seem to discourage anyone], and we were able to plan our meeting layouts, and the project for the next in person meeting. The online community shall soon begin to burst forth with more formal introductions at the moment, but soon many topics will come about [as Toriberry and I get mastery over livejournal. Feel free to visit the jingu_bridge community]. Ahhh, how nice it is to see Mido-kun and Tenshi again. I feel we're on the path of something beautiful. ^_^ Please wish us luck, minna-sama.
Mmmm~ Reminiscence is so beautiful... And now I'll be off to write some more things [I don't specify nanowrimo because as soon as I started, I wrote a fanfiction as opposed to something for Chaos Factor].
'We live in the rose~... you [are] holding the fate~...
Time is your grace~...
I am already God.'
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
To be brief before the heart of the post, I downloaded a stupid large amount of Versailles~The Philharmonic Quintet music, and it now continues to blast through my ears [because you can never get tired of five different versions of ASCENDEAD MASTER and lesson versions of The Revenant Choir], keeping my fingers on a roll for Nanowrimo. If you are in it, add this professor_specter henceforth. The zipper on my black pants is having wardrobe malfunctions; in light of it, I pulled out my gray pinstripe slacks, and thought of some modifying I could do with them [involving when I wear my Demonia shoes]. I split my lip, horribly. It swelled and got all gross. So mask time, which only makes me want to hurry up and make a second, for it's time for the faithful butterfly to be laid to rest.
Since I had not however, I wore it yesterday to Jingu Bridge: A Harajuku [and Shibuya] Fashion Club [hencefort Jingu] first meetin, along with the Aristo vest jacket combination aqcuired a few months ago, the jabot, Kuroshitsuji silver, and The Crow [my cane]. As far as turnouts, it was better than expected. If only five people had shown up, I would've been pleased. In total, fifteen people showed up. 15, my lucky number. And several people I actually know, so we're all sure to be a big friendly group right off the bat. Meeting wise, the logistics didn't take too much time [nor seem to discourage anyone], and we were able to plan our meeting layouts, and the project for the next in person meeting. The online community shall soon begin to burst forth with more formal introductions at the moment, but soon many topics will come about [as Toriberry and I get mastery over livejournal. Feel free to visit the jingu_bridge community]. Ahhh, how nice it is to see Mido-kun and Tenshi again. I feel we're on the path of something beautiful. ^_^ Please wish us luck, minna-sama.
Mmmm~ Reminiscence is so beautiful... And now I'll be off to write some more things [I don't specify nanowrimo because as soon as I started, I wrote a fanfiction as opposed to something for Chaos Factor].
'We live in the rose~... you [are] holding the fate~...
Time is your grace~...
I am already God.'
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
November 01, 2010
Goodnight, Hallow's Eve.
Good evening, minna-sama. The weather has finally gotten chilly, ahaha, and I have yet to make any of the projects suitable for the cooler weather, oh dear. Well, nothing like long weekends for that sort of thing. The campus becomes much calmer when it is cooler I think. Next Monday shall be our first official Jingu Bridge: Harajuku Fashion Club meeting. If the torn tabs off of our posters are any sign, hopefully we will have some sort of gathering to an extent [I just realized, we haven't picked a location yet, have we...?]
Halloween was excellent. I couldn't ask for a better turn of events, except for maybe being able to wear my hat. There was GSO rehersal yesterday, but it's not as bad as it sounds. We're all about doing the holidays up right, so a good majority of orchestra plus chorus dressed up. I took my hat off so as to ensure the people behind me would be able to see our already-rather-short conductress. I didn't get to the Doll Part Halloween Photo contest, but there were pictures abound of Undertaker cosplay to be had, both in GSO and out.
Since the plan was to be out all evening--or at least late enough that all the trick-or-treaters would be passed and gone--there was no candy bought. Imagine then, the surprise, seeing the little rugrats out when we came back from rehersal. So instead of making ourselves targets by pulling up in our driveway, McDonald's we a-go for some om noms. Waved at some people in the drive through, complimented on costume by an elderly couple, had our food, oh, and when I was getting a refill for a road, was mobbed for a picture by a group of girls waiting in line. I suppose the most impressive thing was that they could tell my gender beneath all the costume [when many people at Otakon could not]. The way the first girl phrased her question caused me to reiterate it in such she misinterpreted it, and thus resulted in not a picture of me alone, but a group shot of the rest of the gathering flanking me. All well and good really. Hope they didn't mind my hand placement. One last girl who didn't get in got a solo shot, with shoulder grab in it. Walked out and felt like a celebrity.
And so the book closes on another year's Halloween. I'll post some pictures in another mini post. These will be of the mother-person's friend's party, and GSO costumings.
How was your night of frights and delights? Eat enough candy to get diabetes? See or wear a particularly spectacular costume? Did you go out clubbing or partying? If so, are you even conscious from said partying? Ahaha!
Things are going to be touch-and-go for me this month, minna-sama, but please bear with me. I will be done with things soon enough, and will take my projects into full swing soon, if not piece by piece over the next coming weekends.
'And it feels like home... it's been a long road, alone...'
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante
Halloween was excellent. I couldn't ask for a better turn of events, except for maybe being able to wear my hat. There was GSO rehersal yesterday, but it's not as bad as it sounds. We're all about doing the holidays up right, so a good majority of orchestra plus chorus dressed up. I took my hat off so as to ensure the people behind me would be able to see our already-rather-short conductress. I didn't get to the Doll Part Halloween Photo contest, but there were pictures abound of Undertaker cosplay to be had, both in GSO and out.
Since the plan was to be out all evening--or at least late enough that all the trick-or-treaters would be passed and gone--there was no candy bought. Imagine then, the surprise, seeing the little rugrats out when we came back from rehersal. So instead of making ourselves targets by pulling up in our driveway, McDonald's we a-go for some om noms. Waved at some people in the drive through, complimented on costume by an elderly couple, had our food, oh, and when I was getting a refill for a road, was mobbed for a picture by a group of girls waiting in line. I suppose the most impressive thing was that they could tell my gender beneath all the costume [when many people at Otakon could not]. The way the first girl phrased her question caused me to reiterate it in such she misinterpreted it, and thus resulted in not a picture of me alone, but a group shot of the rest of the gathering flanking me. All well and good really. Hope they didn't mind my hand placement. One last girl who didn't get in got a solo shot, with shoulder grab in it. Walked out and felt like a celebrity.
And so the book closes on another year's Halloween. I'll post some pictures in another mini post. These will be of the mother-person's friend's party, and GSO costumings.
How was your night of frights and delights? Eat enough candy to get diabetes? See or wear a particularly spectacular costume? Did you go out clubbing or partying? If so, are you even conscious from said partying? Ahaha!
Things are going to be touch-and-go for me this month, minna-sama, but please bear with me. I will be done with things soon enough, and will take my projects into full swing soon, if not piece by piece over the next coming weekends.
'And it feels like home... it's been a long road, alone...'
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante
October 26, 2010
Aristo Drama; I have none.
Good afternoon, minna-sama. Oh my, do forgive yet another long stretch without anything on the up and up. Much actually has been happening, but so much so that I haven't been able to spare time, as usual, into posting. This worries me some, as I haven't even spent the half hour I know it would take to sew two eye patches [on in square, one in more traditional shape], or the new mask, nor go out and take the Halloween Aristocrat picture for the Doll Part contest. I shall probably resolve to do that tomorrow night then... maybe... Tomorrow seems dastardly. I haven't [named or] taken my cane out with me during jaunts on campus, even though I haven't yet fixed Petros, and that second jabot just refuses to be pinned and cut in the pattern shape for starters. An endeavor... all of it.
On a happier note, however, Toriberry, Nobu, and my club has been officially approved, and the Lolikei duo that is the former and I took some time after class to put up our pretty and altered tab-tear fliers. They look great. And some have been ripped soundly to shreds, in the way that there are no tabs left, and I've had to replace them. This gives me a lot of hope for our first turn out, scheduled for November 8th at 6 pm [in case there are invisible followers who are privy to know where we are]. The place hasn't been decided yet, but I think it shall probably be in a room in the Armory until further notice. I just hope I won't forget. That's all I need, to not be there even though I've got it down three weeks in advance. We're planning our first group activities and get-togethers. The online community has gone live, and is now taking in our interested blood~ It is something to excite this heir marquis.
In reader's digest version, that has been what is all consuming [sans some of the less pleasurable or notable points that I don't care to recount to anyone] these past few days. Halloween nears, and Undertaker debuted in public [outside of a con] to a big success, so now I must untangle the wig and hope for cold weather again on Friday. Keep me posted, minna-sama, on your ins and outs and parties and costumes.
As for today, I hope you will all pardon some more ramblings on a specific topic that I'm sure most Lolitas, and indeed perhaps others in related and similar themed Japanese street fashions, are well aware of; online drama. You can find them anywhere in your online fashion community, perhaps notably on livejournal the community loli_secrets, wherever there is the ability to create a fan page or similar, to gather the hyper-egos, weeaboos, bitches, and sometimes even the occasional nice person who gets eaten alive or changes into a bitch online. Freedom of speech, yay, all the jazz. Class? Sophistication? If anyone on the other sides of those posts had any to begin with, it sure doesn't show. Since Toriberry has begun posting Loli Secrets, I find myself enjoying each read, much as she does, aptly describing it as a train wreck. But as much sadistic pleasure I get out of laughing at the weeaboos and whiny bitches who really admitted to scheduling their lives around a post of pictures with usually hateful words attached, I am also disgusted, and relieved. Does this sound strange to you?
Disgusted, of course, goes without saying. The fact that there are people--girls no less, who are wearing a style that seeks to embody a delicate and gentle countenance, with varying levels of innocence, sub-style [punk, goth, sweet, classic, etc.] pending--who use the separation, the detachment allowed them by being on a computer to out-pour their critical views and hateful words about how this one girl looks like trash, how a fatty-chan isn't worthy of wearing the clothes she owns, and pick apart different coordinates, of ancestors and descendants alike. [When I say that I mean experienced Lolitas and new blood Lolitas.] This particular loli-secret post got me thinking about the whole online mindset of Lolita communities.
And I thought to myself, 'True as this may be, what a sad outlook. Young ladies are trying to enjoy this fashion, maybe just for frilly reasons, and maybe more personal matters, yet when they look to the Internet for advice, tips, CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, and support, they must also be prepared for BITCHES.' Most likely experienced lolitas, who prey on others, looking through past and present to find something to harp on. Not everyone has thick-skin like this marquis does. He is violent, he is mean, with no tolerance for drama, but he is not unkind nor insensitive. These sorts of bitching do indeed discourage others from a fashion, that otherwise they would welcome and foster and care with love as any other aspect of their life, if only there wasn't things like loli_secrets. I have to wonder sometimes, if it isn't the "frilly bitches" who are the insecure ones, and know no other way to make themselves seem legit than to do as the Roman's do, and flame. Said flames have now resulted in a disastrous snowballing that spirals into communities like loli_secrets, breeding grounds for chains of hate back and forth. For it's own part though, in the post where I retrieved the above photo, there were significantly more positive things like fledgling lolitas asking for their mentors to come back, or requests for prints that have come and gone, and such.
As for my other feelings towards Lolita drama, I'll reiterate; I am relieved. When I decided to join Toriberry in a new fashion venture, I did not want the frills and Mary Janes. I knew that from the start. Skirts are not for me, no matter how amazing they all look. If not chained and bound in the elaborate and made-up ties of Visual Kei, then it would be adorned and majestic in the baroque and Versailles age of Aristocrat. A style less well known, less paraded, though still fairly popular for what it's worth among the big three [Lolita, Visual-Kei, Aristocrat (for girls, with Kodana and Dandy)]. Yes, I may only be able to buy things from Atelier Boz directly since there is no solely focused sight for non-brand Aristo [although Fan+Fried has some amazing pieces I'm interested in], and you have to know your keywords when you want to search Aristocrat communities online, but I am wholly confident that with the few specific but general rules that there are for this style, there will never be an online community that will come about devoted to the dramas and egos of Aristocrats eating each other's flesh and blood over how they look like a butler rather than lord of their castle. As it stands, I believe that's the only thing people really critique in Aristo fashion; how much you look like a contemporary butler. If something like that should ever seek to rear it's ugly head, I will be at the forefront to destroy it [hence my signature name, 'Knight of Destruction']. It is not a matter if I would break under the ego-tripping bitching out, it is the fact that I will never tolerate or allow myself to be in association with such a disgusting waste of time.
Saa, I've had my say, and I lay it here to be revisited should something come up; although I've said all of what I feel on the matter--if there is some drastic change in the drama weather from scathing to loving, perhaps I'll make note of it. I will continue to be the supporting friend I am in Toriberry's endeavors. She's a strong girl, to be sure, stronger still for keeping up with the frilly bitches abound, but I'll be her emergency confidence booster in the back of the room waiting to be busted open, should she ever start to crack.
I had an interview today, and I infused some of this and that, although perhaps with my hair fly-away [thanks to this damn humidity in OCTOBER, wtf] and with a vest without a jacket, I shall look somewhat like a host still. I'll replace the tie with the neck frills [perhaps that'll make me so inclined as to make the Atelier Boz one].
"Moonlight, floating on a wave. Moonlight, in a deep sleep."
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
On a happier note, however, Toriberry, Nobu, and my club has been officially approved, and the Lolikei duo that is the former and I took some time after class to put up our pretty and altered tab-tear fliers. They look great. And some have been ripped soundly to shreds, in the way that there are no tabs left, and I've had to replace them. This gives me a lot of hope for our first turn out, scheduled for November 8th at 6 pm [in case there are invisible followers who are privy to know where we are]. The place hasn't been decided yet, but I think it shall probably be in a room in the Armory until further notice. I just hope I won't forget. That's all I need, to not be there even though I've got it down three weeks in advance. We're planning our first group activities and get-togethers. The online community has gone live, and is now taking in our interested blood~ It is something to excite this heir marquis.
In reader's digest version, that has been what is all consuming [sans some of the less pleasurable or notable points that I don't care to recount to anyone] these past few days. Halloween nears, and Undertaker debuted in public [outside of a con] to a big success, so now I must untangle the wig and hope for cold weather again on Friday. Keep me posted, minna-sama, on your ins and outs and parties and costumes.
As for today, I hope you will all pardon some more ramblings on a specific topic that I'm sure most Lolitas, and indeed perhaps others in related and similar themed Japanese street fashions, are well aware of; online drama. You can find them anywhere in your online fashion community, perhaps notably on livejournal the community loli_secrets, wherever there is the ability to create a fan page or similar, to gather the hyper-egos, weeaboos, bitches, and sometimes even the occasional nice person who gets eaten alive or changes into a bitch online. Freedom of speech, yay, all the jazz. Class? Sophistication? If anyone on the other sides of those posts had any to begin with, it sure doesn't show. Since Toriberry has begun posting Loli Secrets, I find myself enjoying each read, much as she does, aptly describing it as a train wreck. But as much sadistic pleasure I get out of laughing at the weeaboos and whiny bitches who really admitted to scheduling their lives around a post of pictures with usually hateful words attached, I am also disgusted, and relieved. Does this sound strange to you?
Disgusted, of course, goes without saying. The fact that there are people--girls no less, who are wearing a style that seeks to embody a delicate and gentle countenance, with varying levels of innocence, sub-style [punk, goth, sweet, classic, etc.] pending--who use the separation, the detachment allowed them by being on a computer to out-pour their critical views and hateful words about how this one girl looks like trash, how a fatty-chan isn't worthy of wearing the clothes she owns, and pick apart different coordinates, of ancestors and descendants alike. [When I say that I mean experienced Lolitas and new blood Lolitas.] This particular loli-secret post got me thinking about the whole online mindset of Lolita communities.
And I thought to myself, 'True as this may be, what a sad outlook. Young ladies are trying to enjoy this fashion, maybe just for frilly reasons, and maybe more personal matters, yet when they look to the Internet for advice, tips, CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, and support, they must also be prepared for BITCHES.' Most likely experienced lolitas, who prey on others, looking through past and present to find something to harp on. Not everyone has thick-skin like this marquis does. He is violent, he is mean, with no tolerance for drama, but he is not unkind nor insensitive. These sorts of bitching do indeed discourage others from a fashion, that otherwise they would welcome and foster and care with love as any other aspect of their life, if only there wasn't things like loli_secrets. I have to wonder sometimes, if it isn't the "frilly bitches" who are the insecure ones, and know no other way to make themselves seem legit than to do as the Roman's do, and flame. Said flames have now resulted in a disastrous snowballing that spirals into communities like loli_secrets, breeding grounds for chains of hate back and forth. For it's own part though, in the post where I retrieved the above photo, there were significantly more positive things like fledgling lolitas asking for their mentors to come back, or requests for prints that have come and gone, and such.As for my other feelings towards Lolita drama, I'll reiterate; I am relieved. When I decided to join Toriberry in a new fashion venture, I did not want the frills and Mary Janes. I knew that from the start. Skirts are not for me, no matter how amazing they all look. If not chained and bound in the elaborate and made-up ties of Visual Kei, then it would be adorned and majestic in the baroque and Versailles age of Aristocrat. A style less well known, less paraded, though still fairly popular for what it's worth among the big three [Lolita, Visual-Kei, Aristocrat (for girls, with Kodana and Dandy)]. Yes, I may only be able to buy things from Atelier Boz directly since there is no solely focused sight for non-brand Aristo [although Fan+Fried has some amazing pieces I'm interested in], and you have to know your keywords when you want to search Aristocrat communities online, but I am wholly confident that with the few specific but general rules that there are for this style, there will never be an online community that will come about devoted to the dramas and egos of Aristocrats eating each other's flesh and blood over how they look like a butler rather than lord of their castle. As it stands, I believe that's the only thing people really critique in Aristo fashion; how much you look like a contemporary butler. If something like that should ever seek to rear it's ugly head, I will be at the forefront to destroy it [hence my signature name, 'Knight of Destruction']. It is not a matter if I would break under the ego-tripping bitching out, it is the fact that I will never tolerate or allow myself to be in association with such a disgusting waste of time.
Saa, I've had my say, and I lay it here to be revisited should something come up; although I've said all of what I feel on the matter--if there is some drastic change in the drama weather from scathing to loving, perhaps I'll make note of it. I will continue to be the supporting friend I am in Toriberry's endeavors. She's a strong girl, to be sure, stronger still for keeping up with the frilly bitches abound, but I'll be her emergency confidence booster in the back of the room waiting to be busted open, should she ever start to crack.
I had an interview today, and I infused some of this and that, although perhaps with my hair fly-away [thanks to this damn humidity in OCTOBER, wtf] and with a vest without a jacket, I shall look somewhat like a host still. I'll replace the tie with the neck frills [perhaps that'll make me so inclined as to make the Atelier Boz one].
"Moonlight, floating on a wave. Moonlight, in a deep sleep."
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
October 20, 2010
Marquis' Hair: Briefly Revisted
Good afternoon, mina-sama. I'm fiercly busy again, preparing for tomorrow and the weekend, which promises to be exciting. This is to keep my drive alive and warm up my fingers for my assignment ahead. So for your viewing pleasure, a brief revist on the topic of my easy but difficult hair.
If you may recall, I have cross cultural hair [that's just a simple way to explain away having curly, wavy, and straight hair all at once], so I'm often at a loss as to what to do with it. I have discovered the magic of the straight iron, and now and again when I've the time and want to blare music, I'll whip out the better [though smaller] one and get to work. If your mind's eye can remember what my hair appears like naturally, compare it to the end result shown below.
From the side. It was a little difficult for me to ge the entirety of it's length, but it's not that much longer out of the frame. You can already see the part over my shoulder curling because of where it sits.
Ahaha, is it strange for me to say about myself that this picture sort of offsets me? I think it's because you can tell I have eyes because I'm wearing glasses, and yet in spite of it, you cannot see said eyes that supposedly exist. But as it were, if my hair cooperates, I'd put "long-bangs" forward like this and tie the rest back in a bow. The slightly curl up at the ends because they end up on my shoulders, which is why I'm trying constantly to grow my hair out.
And from behind as far back as my shoulder would let my arm reach. In all, a giant contrast, no? Well, as if it wouldn't be. I have a fair number of accoutrements I can use with it, including my oldschool still favorite Hairigami. But I'd still love the classic Victorian style for long hair with the massive bow in a low ponytail. I think especially because I have glasses it would be good, since I have them going on with my face. If my hair would stay straight enough for long enough, and I had a ribbon, I'd show you. However, since my hair seems to go from the above into a quazi-barrel curl state, I've been thinking maybe I'll do a cornrow barrel-curl combination as seen by Gackt-san from his PV for 'Redemption'. Ah the powers of Japanese hair...
As it were, that's all for that. I'd still love to hear any suggestions or tips for stylings with hair such as mine [natural or straightened], or hair cair products you like to achieve your various looks. I'm gearing up the wig for Halloween mina-sama, how about you?
Onward to the eyepatch and or mask~ gufu fu fu~
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
p.s. I figured out why the middle picture peturbs me some, with the unseeing eyes; it makes me look like the Grudge.
October 14, 2010
Semi-casual Aristo
Good evening, mina-sama. I know I write this in the morning, but more likely than not it will be after noon o'clock when I finally finish. I'm looking back a post and it appears that my pattern post yesterday didn't go through; I'm hoping Yoshimaru wasn't stupid and actually managed it, because I don't remember any of what I said outside the main point of the post, nor do I feel inclined to go back and type it over again [aside from the main point of it]. I'm already rather dispondant that I haven't been able to keep up as much as I want with Aristo, so something like this is the last thing I need.
On a more pleasant note however, before things got ridiculously busy, I was able to get a semi-casual Aristo and Aristokei combo coordinate together. Coincidentally, when Toriberry and I proposed our Jingu Bridge club pitch to Naito-sensei to ask if she would be our sponser, we were decked in our semi-casual Aristololi. I think I should start taking pictures of her too, for the sake of photos, friendship, memories... Tonikaku, as it were, here's what I've got.
The white shirt is the second shirt I bought from Nudy Boy over a year ago in Japan [on the back it says Believer. We got a big thing in this music]. This was the first time I'd worn it [today is actually the second], and it was a big hit. Paired with my staple cane [which I need to touch up a bit for the foot], I think it makes a decent coordinate. The top one uses accessories for the neck, and my neck frills. I hope to add to the flexibility of my outfits by making the Atelier Boz jabot from the pattern acquired from G&BL [normally I'd rather wear my neck frills with a white blouse and vest of some sort, to bring it together; the Boz one lays flatter and would work with just a blouse].The mother person has located the candelabra, but I think I might have to buy a couple white candlesticks if I can't find anymore in the garage [these things get spread out you see]. Hopefully, this disgusting weather known as rain will go away, so it won't be a soggy mess in the woods a week later when I want to try to get the Dollpart Halloween Photo Competition shot done.
I can't get 'Ageha' by MUCC, 'Alsatia' by Galneryus, or 'Lamento' Japanese version by Itou Kanako out of my head. This isn't bad per se, these are all beautiful songs [or I suppose for 'Alsatia' a heavy song that drives me forward]. But I haven't been able to write anything to help get the inspiration out of my head and onto paper.
"For loveless loving, you fly around this broken world. Mercifully the rain falls~..."
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
October 12, 2010
Aristololi Patterns
Good evening, mina-sama. I have been frightfully disgustingly busy. Well, not all disgustingly busy, some of it I did consent to... [you may choose to take that as you will]. But on the whole, not keeping up in anyway in the slightest with being Aristocrat. Visual Kei has been upkept a bit in semi-casual. With Halloween beckoning ever closer, I've been on the mindset to perhaps lay some groundwork on my Ukoku Sanzo cosplay; I have a feeling that will probably wait until December though. Undertaker will be making a return to campus, and I think I have decided to wear it during class, not during work. My hopes are to finish either a new mask, an eyepatch, or both before the Thursday and Friday before Halloween Sunday. Pictures abound perhaps.
Toriberry, Nobu, and this Marquis' fashion club is being set into motion, steadily. Toriberry and I have a lovely Japanese Classical Literature professor that graciously agreed to our request to have her as our sponsor. Toriberry made flyers in a frenzy [in a good way] and they look smashing. We're planning to make a forum website, and once we gather some more members and make an official in person meeting date, sans the SGA recognition, Jingu Bridge: A Harajuku Fashion Club will be complete. The possibilities ahead do give me a calm pleasant feeling to hope for the future.
On the subject of things for the future, we come to the main topic of today's post. Toriberry recently acquired an issue of Gothic & Lolita Bible, the staple mook for all Lolitas or fans of Japanese fashion in general. I say that because G&LB does feature new lines from other designer stores besides Baby the Stars Shine Bright and Angelic Pretty; among the others is my new personal favorite, Atelier Boz. In the back of every volume is--in addition to a beautiful comic by an artist I can't remember--a pattern spread of some of the items featured in the issue for more adventerous and skilled types to delve into making. Toriberry graciously allowed me to snip out said pattern sheet, and now resting safely out of harms way, I've set down a couple more projects for the future. For the record, here's the spread of the pattern sheet.
Toriberry, Nobu, and this Marquis' fashion club is being set into motion, steadily. Toriberry and I have a lovely Japanese Classical Literature professor that graciously agreed to our request to have her as our sponsor. Toriberry made flyers in a frenzy [in a good way] and they look smashing. We're planning to make a forum website, and once we gather some more members and make an official in person meeting date, sans the SGA recognition, Jingu Bridge: A Harajuku Fashion Club will be complete. The possibilities ahead do give me a calm pleasant feeling to hope for the future.
On the subject of things for the future, we come to the main topic of today's post. Toriberry recently acquired an issue of Gothic & Lolita Bible, the staple mook for all Lolitas or fans of Japanese fashion in general. I say that because G&LB does feature new lines from other designer stores besides Baby the Stars Shine Bright and Angelic Pretty; among the others is my new personal favorite, Atelier Boz. In the back of every volume is--in addition to a beautiful comic by an artist I can't remember--a pattern spread of some of the items featured in the issue for more adventerous and skilled types to delve into making. Toriberry graciously allowed me to snip out said pattern sheet, and now resting safely out of harms way, I've set down a couple more projects for the future. For the record, here's the spread of the pattern sheet.
It's actually quite a convoluted mess really. But I'll make sense of it.
This is one of the projects I hope to complete. One of the exact jabots I had drawn inspiration from, looking online at the Atelier Boz site.
This pretty little overskirt number I have promised to Toriberry. I'll do my very best love, and I'll try to do it timely before spring. She has a red color scheme in her Lolita thus far, so I'm on the look out now, if she doesn't bring me something first.
The jabot is the main piece for me, but I'm also interested in the pair of sleeves, tie, and top hat they feature. The top hat is meant for big-haired dolls, but I'll probably just change the scale of it to be fullsized for my head.
Patterns are exciting to me, especially with the finished projuct show and worn in coordinates you may be inspired to make or coordinate your own clothes from, looking throughout the volume. You don't have have any homemade piece to get those similar styles and accentuating pieces. Just keep your eyes out for things you can do easily.
Jaa, mina-sama, I am laying down and losing feeling in my fingers, which creates a very surreal feeling as I type. Have pleasant dreams, everyone
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
October 02, 2010
A Noble Photograph
Good afternoon, mina-sama. Finally, finally, oh grandeur days, the weather has truly come to embody autumn. After the hotter-than-average summer we experienced over here in the west coast, I was positively desperate for cooler weather, and not just because of my then-new delve into Aristocrat fashion. Long sleeved garments are so much fun. I may near equal number of T-shirts and long sleeved shirts [ranging from v-necks, blouses, and turtle-necks], all of which I love to wear, but when a T-shirt is still too hot for the 90+ degree weather you're experiencing, it does make one long for a freak snowfall in July.
October in particular is an especially fruitful month, not just for the dropping of temperatures, but for the changing of the foilage that brings about inspiration for meet-ups, parties, and contests. Halloween on campus is always a splendid affair. I can't imagine what's going to happen when it actually falls on a weekday [it's been on Saturday and Sunday so far]. I'll be bringing Undertaker to campus. You doubt this? Watch me. It will probably be on a Thursday, when all I have to do is work, gufu fu fu... [you see, I'm already in the spirit of things]. Dressed down masked Sebastian or a over-the-top Visual Kei coordinate may be in store for Friday, when I have classes. Toriberry is keeping tabs on meet-ups in our area, and I believe one is to be had sometime in November, if another one doesn't pop up before then. But even without, there is a Aristololi related Halloween contest to be had, and I am all a fervor at the thought of my entry.
For those of you who are curious or would like to enter, by all means, peruse the site. It is 'Exquisite Corpses: A Doll Part Competion' http://dollpart.wordpress.com/2010/09/07/exquisite-corpses-halloween-comp/
Under the rules it's states no cemetary or graveyard shots allowed--although I don't have any nearby anyway--which got me thinking immediately about using a dark forest background. Luckily for me, I do happen to have a forest right outside my house down the street, and it is never in foliage as far as I'm concerned. The trees are always bared, and they are numerous and tall, close together and yet far apart. A perfect setting to stand somewhere off-center in an all black Aristo coordinate, just to throw off the eye that is traveling warily over the spooky scene. Also, because of the no-straight cooridnate shot rule, I was once again immediately struck with the ideas of which accessories to use. My newly made cane is a dear, I love it to bits, and I had a thought to use that first. But call it a strange coincidence, I happen to have a candelabra, and several still tall crimson and white candles. And so I had yet another dark eerie touch to add to my photograph. Seems like all I need is a darker night just as the sun sets west of the forest, a good spot not too deep in the forest to set up and pose, a pose, and I'm all ready to go. Unfortunately, I have a few kinks in my otherwise very simple plan.
While no incidents have ever been reported in that forest [as it doesn't lead anywhere save for the sound barrier walls in front of 50 West], it's still rather chilling at night. As in it can make the best of us a bit paranoid. Sometimes for me all it takes is that one small sound that was probably a bird or squirrel to get my senses on overdrive, suspecting every crunching footfall not my own to be another person, and another person who has malign intentions, to be near. However, the sun sets opposite to the forest, so it can still be somewhat light outside and the area will be dark enough for a good shot. But there's still the matter of setting up my camera, for I fear that proposing this idea to the mother person will result in it immediately being shut down, as opposed to offering me help with the shot itself, and providing a safety in numbers, however few our numbers would be [and again, it's not as though there's anything necessarily in the woods that one needs to be cautious of]. Also, I would like to make sure I don't set the forest on fire with the candelabra. So dashing back and forth from where I set my camera to my chosen pose spot would be quite risky, hence why I would like assistance. But then, neither Otousan or my mother person don't know how to take good shots with my camera [this is puzzling considering Otousan has a great Nikon camera and takes very good shots for whenever he does it for whatever he's taking a picture of].
Sigh, perhaps I should try to take a shot on campus. There is a cathedral, and a dorm that is rather run down and dilapidated, but since I am rarely on campus at night, I don't know if that would work out well. Perhaps I'll brainstorm some more, try adding a different touch or focus, and come up with something I can do indoors. I gave back Julian too soon, haha.
Interested in the contest, mina-sama? Have an idea but not sure how to work out the logistics? Want to see me dressed up in a certain way? I take all comments, questions, and suggestions. Feel free to bounce off your ideas for your own photograph or any helpful tips for me. I'll be very much obliged to any and all ideas. And also, what are you plans for Halloween? Do you celebrate it? Have parties with your friends? Chaperone you younger siblings? Stuck outside passing out candy? How do you spend your very spooky October 31st?
A dark splendor that consumes all...
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
October in particular is an especially fruitful month, not just for the dropping of temperatures, but for the changing of the foilage that brings about inspiration for meet-ups, parties, and contests. Halloween on campus is always a splendid affair. I can't imagine what's going to happen when it actually falls on a weekday [it's been on Saturday and Sunday so far]. I'll be bringing Undertaker to campus. You doubt this? Watch me. It will probably be on a Thursday, when all I have to do is work, gufu fu fu... [you see, I'm already in the spirit of things]. Dressed down masked Sebastian or a over-the-top Visual Kei coordinate may be in store for Friday, when I have classes. Toriberry is keeping tabs on meet-ups in our area, and I believe one is to be had sometime in November, if another one doesn't pop up before then. But even without, there is a Aristololi related Halloween contest to be had, and I am all a fervor at the thought of my entry.
For those of you who are curious or would like to enter, by all means, peruse the site. It is 'Exquisite Corpses: A Doll Part Competion' http://dollpart.wordpress.com/2010/09/07/exquisite-corpses-halloween-comp/
Under the rules it's states no cemetary or graveyard shots allowed--although I don't have any nearby anyway--which got me thinking immediately about using a dark forest background. Luckily for me, I do happen to have a forest right outside my house down the street, and it is never in foliage as far as I'm concerned. The trees are always bared, and they are numerous and tall, close together and yet far apart. A perfect setting to stand somewhere off-center in an all black Aristo coordinate, just to throw off the eye that is traveling warily over the spooky scene. Also, because of the no-straight cooridnate shot rule, I was once again immediately struck with the ideas of which accessories to use. My newly made cane is a dear, I love it to bits, and I had a thought to use that first. But call it a strange coincidence, I happen to have a candelabra, and several still tall crimson and white candles. And so I had yet another dark eerie touch to add to my photograph. Seems like all I need is a darker night just as the sun sets west of the forest, a good spot not too deep in the forest to set up and pose, a pose, and I'm all ready to go. Unfortunately, I have a few kinks in my otherwise very simple plan.
While no incidents have ever been reported in that forest [as it doesn't lead anywhere save for the sound barrier walls in front of 50 West], it's still rather chilling at night. As in it can make the best of us a bit paranoid. Sometimes for me all it takes is that one small sound that was probably a bird or squirrel to get my senses on overdrive, suspecting every crunching footfall not my own to be another person, and another person who has malign intentions, to be near. However, the sun sets opposite to the forest, so it can still be somewhat light outside and the area will be dark enough for a good shot. But there's still the matter of setting up my camera, for I fear that proposing this idea to the mother person will result in it immediately being shut down, as opposed to offering me help with the shot itself, and providing a safety in numbers, however few our numbers would be [and again, it's not as though there's anything necessarily in the woods that one needs to be cautious of]. Also, I would like to make sure I don't set the forest on fire with the candelabra. So dashing back and forth from where I set my camera to my chosen pose spot would be quite risky, hence why I would like assistance. But then, neither Otousan or my mother person don't know how to take good shots with my camera [this is puzzling considering Otousan has a great Nikon camera and takes very good shots for whenever he does it for whatever he's taking a picture of].
Sigh, perhaps I should try to take a shot on campus. There is a cathedral, and a dorm that is rather run down and dilapidated, but since I am rarely on campus at night, I don't know if that would work out well. Perhaps I'll brainstorm some more, try adding a different touch or focus, and come up with something I can do indoors. I gave back Julian too soon, haha.
Interested in the contest, mina-sama? Have an idea but not sure how to work out the logistics? Want to see me dressed up in a certain way? I take all comments, questions, and suggestions. Feel free to bounce off your ideas for your own photograph or any helpful tips for me. I'll be very much obliged to any and all ideas. And also, what are you plans for Halloween? Do you celebrate it? Have parties with your friends? Chaperone you younger siblings? Stuck outside passing out candy? How do you spend your very spooky October 31st?
A dark splendor that consumes all...
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
September 28, 2010
Projects for the future, additional II
Good evening, mina-sama. Today will yield another short post, as I have this ominous foreboding feeling that lingers in the back of my head that I should perhaps be doing something constructive to my studies. I woke up very very late yesterday, and the last lingering bout of this sore-throat plus cold seemed to enjoy conglomerating all in that one morning so as to make me feel like utter crap. So I looked online to make sure I could catch up with readings, and finished the Japanese worksheets I had for Monday... So I read 100 pages of the Tale of Genji, and even memorized two CCs... *Looks around.* Damnit, I did work, stoppit with this feeling~! Hmph! And so I will take my mind of such chills down my spine with more pleasant fare.
Projects~! I think of more of them! I am astounded sometimes by all the things I suddenly feel compelled to do now that I have a particular focus, a sewing machine that's out and more readily available [as opposed to having to unwrap it, etc.], and, oh yes, a bit of disposable income helps, so that I don't have to politely beg the mother person for fabrics. Aristocratic is fascinating, as is Visual Kei. I may one day splurge a bit and buy specialty designed contacts. I've heard white irises are quite popular. Oh, top hat first though; yes, though I had as much of an idea to make my own--and I still might attempt--along with my cane, the cane is obviously much simpler, although a top hat does work in my head...
The half-skirt and the Nudy Boy shirt will be coming along sometime before the year is out, I hope, because after all, I wanted to wear them during the cooler months. Also, another jabot will probably be in the works, now that I have one under my belt and better know the mechanics of it. I have not forgotten these, proposed earlier along with Aeon pants and my cane. However, recent events--sickness mostly--have motivated a few more projects.
1. Face-mask. I already have one in my possession actually. I acquired it at Otakon 2007 [oh my, three years ago already?]. It's black, and has a butterfly on it, but it's peeling away in tiny chippings. Tis so sad. When I wore it last during class so I wouldn't have to constantly get up to hack up a lung, I gots to thinking about making another one, with some of the rest of the sateen. I'll need small ribbon, or black rubber bands/elastic to make the ties, but that's no trouble. I think it's just a matter of the correct measurements--it'll be a rectangle, certainly--and then since it's black, I have to find some way to imprint a design on it. It probably will be a yin-yang. I would try my hand at embroidering, but it's just a mask, no reason to turn it into a bigger project than necessary. The mother person has white fabrics about, so I will probably make an inverse one, and fabric marker a design onto it, fabric fitting.
2. Eye patch. I believe I had a thought to do this way back in middle school actually. I am a little skeptical about it though, in terms of actually wearing it. I don't know which eye to wear it on. My right eye is weaker, so if I wore it on my left, I might not be able to see as well. But if I wore it on my right, I would fear half-use would make my right eye weaker still. Plus, I'd be wearing it out under my glasses. Well, maybe not, if I am doing something like walking around; I'm nearsighted, but not bat-shit blind. It terms of making it, I might use spare sateen, and a bit of stuffing fabric [something a bit thicker, you know? I can't think of the name of it at present], and then I suppose it's just a matter of shape, and how to affix the elastic/ribbon into it. Elastic might just be easier overall for when I'm tying my hair back with a fat ribbon. I may or may not put some emblem on it too. A cross, an ornate X, a longevity symbol, etc.
3. Corset backings. By which I mean adding corset backings to some of my blouses that don't have darts, nor can be easily temporarily pinned. I pinned my black and white striped blouse for Sunday [GSO rehersal], but as I was doing laundry it popped. Ah. Bad. A similar thing happened to a purple shirt I made about five years ago [it's actually quite fitting for Wa-Lolita, although it's got a v-line... so maybe not], and I'm tired of restitching the ties back into place. So I'm going to experiment first with a T-shirt and test out two ways to add a darting of some sort that I could loop a string through and tie into a more contoured shape. I had a thought to make a thin stretch of fabric like the ties, and then make loops along the back and stitch them in place, but I was suddenly struck as to make a wider piece, sew it into the shirt down the back, and then add eyelets down the wider piece. Immediately I thought "Oh damn I'm becoming addicted to eyelets." But suddenly I am discovering so many uses for them. So I might forgo the Nudy Boy shirt a little longer to try corset backing in some of my other blouses. This way, come warmer weather, I can settle for just one layer and still have it look Aristo.
Think these are pretty clever ideas? Well don't feel left out, you probably have some ideas of your own, even if you don't know it yet. You can do it! While I do count myself very creative, you don't have to have a light bulb go off in your head to come up with something original~! [or even not original, in the case of reproducing cosplays and such.] There is inspiration in things all around you, not just in clothes to clothes, but furniture to clothes, food to clothes, mediaaaaaaaaaa to clothes or other, etc, etc, etc~! If ideas still don't come to you, but you really have the drive to make something if an idea did strike you, then take a little time on a lazy weekend, or whenever you think best, and brainstorm a little. Think about a new thing you want, be it a blouse, pants, or an accessory of some type. Look around your room, or at pictures on your walls, whatever. Before you know it, you'll have jotted down some notes or a sketch and that's half the project right there.
Pictures may soon arise of some casual coordinates I've been wearing for picnics. Also, some notes and ideas for a Harajuku Club that Toriberry and Nobu and I shall be a part of. It is exciting to think about. Aaaaaand~ Halloween is almost upon us. Getting into the spirit, everyone? I certainly hope so... heh heh heh... *Candelabra.*
And so on that note, pleasant dreams, mina-sama... take with you what you will from reality, and twist it into your phantasmal dreams~
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
Projects~! I think of more of them! I am astounded sometimes by all the things I suddenly feel compelled to do now that I have a particular focus, a sewing machine that's out and more readily available [as opposed to having to unwrap it, etc.], and, oh yes, a bit of disposable income helps, so that I don't have to politely beg the mother person for fabrics. Aristocratic is fascinating, as is Visual Kei. I may one day splurge a bit and buy specialty designed contacts. I've heard white irises are quite popular. Oh, top hat first though; yes, though I had as much of an idea to make my own--and I still might attempt--along with my cane, the cane is obviously much simpler, although a top hat does work in my head...
The half-skirt and the Nudy Boy shirt will be coming along sometime before the year is out, I hope, because after all, I wanted to wear them during the cooler months. Also, another jabot will probably be in the works, now that I have one under my belt and better know the mechanics of it. I have not forgotten these, proposed earlier along with Aeon pants and my cane. However, recent events--sickness mostly--have motivated a few more projects.
1. Face-mask. I already have one in my possession actually. I acquired it at Otakon 2007 [oh my, three years ago already?]. It's black, and has a butterfly on it, but it's peeling away in tiny chippings. Tis so sad. When I wore it last during class so I wouldn't have to constantly get up to hack up a lung, I gots to thinking about making another one, with some of the rest of the sateen. I'll need small ribbon, or black rubber bands/elastic to make the ties, but that's no trouble. I think it's just a matter of the correct measurements--it'll be a rectangle, certainly--and then since it's black, I have to find some way to imprint a design on it. It probably will be a yin-yang. I would try my hand at embroidering, but it's just a mask, no reason to turn it into a bigger project than necessary. The mother person has white fabrics about, so I will probably make an inverse one, and fabric marker a design onto it, fabric fitting.
2. Eye patch. I believe I had a thought to do this way back in middle school actually. I am a little skeptical about it though, in terms of actually wearing it. I don't know which eye to wear it on. My right eye is weaker, so if I wore it on my left, I might not be able to see as well. But if I wore it on my right, I would fear half-use would make my right eye weaker still. Plus, I'd be wearing it out under my glasses. Well, maybe not, if I am doing something like walking around; I'm nearsighted, but not bat-shit blind. It terms of making it, I might use spare sateen, and a bit of stuffing fabric [something a bit thicker, you know? I can't think of the name of it at present], and then I suppose it's just a matter of shape, and how to affix the elastic/ribbon into it. Elastic might just be easier overall for when I'm tying my hair back with a fat ribbon. I may or may not put some emblem on it too. A cross, an ornate X, a longevity symbol, etc.
3. Corset backings. By which I mean adding corset backings to some of my blouses that don't have darts, nor can be easily temporarily pinned. I pinned my black and white striped blouse for Sunday [GSO rehersal], but as I was doing laundry it popped. Ah. Bad. A similar thing happened to a purple shirt I made about five years ago [it's actually quite fitting for Wa-Lolita, although it's got a v-line... so maybe not], and I'm tired of restitching the ties back into place. So I'm going to experiment first with a T-shirt and test out two ways to add a darting of some sort that I could loop a string through and tie into a more contoured shape. I had a thought to make a thin stretch of fabric like the ties, and then make loops along the back and stitch them in place, but I was suddenly struck as to make a wider piece, sew it into the shirt down the back, and then add eyelets down the wider piece. Immediately I thought "Oh damn I'm becoming addicted to eyelets." But suddenly I am discovering so many uses for them. So I might forgo the Nudy Boy shirt a little longer to try corset backing in some of my other blouses. This way, come warmer weather, I can settle for just one layer and still have it look Aristo.
Think these are pretty clever ideas? Well don't feel left out, you probably have some ideas of your own, even if you don't know it yet. You can do it! While I do count myself very creative, you don't have to have a light bulb go off in your head to come up with something original~! [or even not original, in the case of reproducing cosplays and such.] There is inspiration in things all around you, not just in clothes to clothes, but furniture to clothes, food to clothes, mediaaaaaaaaaa to clothes or other, etc, etc, etc~! If ideas still don't come to you, but you really have the drive to make something if an idea did strike you, then take a little time on a lazy weekend, or whenever you think best, and brainstorm a little. Think about a new thing you want, be it a blouse, pants, or an accessory of some type. Look around your room, or at pictures on your walls, whatever. Before you know it, you'll have jotted down some notes or a sketch and that's half the project right there.
Pictures may soon arise of some casual coordinates I've been wearing for picnics. Also, some notes and ideas for a Harajuku Club that Toriberry and Nobu and I shall be a part of. It is exciting to think about. Aaaaaand~ Halloween is almost upon us. Getting into the spirit, everyone? I certainly hope so... heh heh heh... *Candelabra.*
And so on that note, pleasant dreams, mina-sama... take with you what you will from reality, and twist it into your phantasmal dreams~
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
September 27, 2010
Miniature Post--Marquis cooks a meal: Lunch II
Good afternoon, mina-sama, I'm taking a brief interlude from work to add a little something. I've been really bad about making lunches these days, I only made one last week, which means I was having to buy foods. Only I was running short on the monies because I hadn't been to the bank in two weeks, and so I didn't actually end up buying that much after all. Oddly, I didn't feel starved, but I sure as hell wasn't feeling awake come Thursday evening.
Tonikaku, here's last Thursday's picnic bento, had with Nobu aaaaaaaaand... *Taps chin.* Eventually Spanish-man and Vodka drinker came by for a bit...
Tonikaku, here's last Thursday's picnic bento, had with Nobu aaaaaaaaand... *Taps chin.* Eventually Spanish-man and Vodka drinker came by for a bit...
Fresh pineapple was had [and skillfully cut up by yours truly], tamagoyaki, and tako hot dogs. I didn't know what to put in the green and I was already really tired, so I put in some buttered toast. I likes my starch.
So, as stated before in last bento filled post, I sort of go for what I have and what's tasty rather than the aesthetics. I still like my bento to look nice for whatever I've got in it though, all the same. It was tasty, and my pinneapple was swarmed by a bee. And I had a nice picnic overall.
As promised, a brief interlude be thus. Enjoy your afternoon and return home safely, mina-sama.
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
September 21, 2010
Miniature Post--Marquis cooks a meal: Lunch
Good evening, mina-sama. I've been feeling under the weather recently [there I go again with my superior and supremely failing health], but oddly, here I am posting something else today. Although when you take into account that today's easiler post should've been posted a week ago, it seems to balance out a bit... *Koff, koff-koff-koff!* Ouch, auuhhhh... It seems a bit early for cold season, but it can't begin to be fall soon enough, ne? Although in this Marquis' area, it is supposed to be in the 90s for the rest of the week to Friday. Ugh. Disgusting.
As it were, here is what I've been whipping up for lunches for Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ges-sui-kin doesn't work out as well since I tend to be finishing work on the evenings of Sunday-Tuesday-Thursday. With the exception of the dragon roll and fried rice in the lower one, I made everything [or everything was available to me in the fridge]. Bento to me is a luxury, so I stuff into it anything I can. It is a part aesthetics, but mostly it's what can I whip up with minimal effort and cut down to fit into the compartments? Fruits are plentiful in the house, and because Otousan doesn't eat them, it's split half and half between Mother and I, usually just whoever gets to it first eats the majority.
As it were, here is what I've been whipping up for lunches for Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ges-sui-kin doesn't work out as well since I tend to be finishing work on the evenings of Sunday-Tuesday-Thursday. With the exception of the dragon roll and fried rice in the lower one, I made everything [or everything was available to me in the fridge]. Bento to me is a luxury, so I stuff into it anything I can. It is a part aesthetics, but mostly it's what can I whip up with minimal effort and cut down to fit into the compartments? Fruits are plentiful in the house, and because Otousan doesn't eat them, it's split half and half between Mother and I, usually just whoever gets to it first eats the majority.
Oh, and the maple leaf dorayaki is direct from Miyajima Island, Japan. The yellow in the lower box is tamagoyaki, the "blossoming" things are hot dog "octopi" that I turned upside down so they would all fit. Up top is a massive hamburger grilled the evening prior that I put a slice of Asiago cheese on. These were enjoyed on beautiful weathered days during picnics with Toriberry~ [yes, at last we have had ours]. By way of fashion, I have debut my cane during the school week, but I was more casual Visual Kei both of those times. When I finally go clothes shopping and buy more blouses, the jabot and silver Kuroshitsuji necklace will be donned more often.
*Soft yawn, koff koff.* Nghhhh, I think I shall try to turn in early, mina-sama, do forgive my leave. I must finish watching the Dissidia Final Fantasy intro movie though. *Eyes glued on Warrior of Light.* For the twelfth time this night. Dah. Are generic heroes allowed to morphed into something so devestatingly hot? Don't answer that, because apparently, it's a yes. [Such a bad ass...]
Mmmm~ Firionel I didn't forget you~ oh, and Sephiroth don't you look splendid in the newer and nicer CGI~?
Leave an ill noble to his musings...
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
September 18, 2010
Jabot Complete, jikan douri da.
Good evening, mina-sama. My earlier thought about clementimes giving me that random burst of energy seem to still hold true, oddly enough. Biology and kinesthesiology is important everyone. Without a head piece for last Sunday's meet up, I was feeling an urge to have some other sort of piece in my Aristo coordinate, and since the jabot was already on my list, I put aside the Nudy Boy shirt to get it done by then. I don't know what I'm going to do come time to make the half skirt and Nudy Boy shirt, since the rest of those clementimes don't look so good... [perhaps grapefruit is in order].
The first thing you'll want to do is cut out your rectangle that's going to be the gathered frill in your jabot. If you know of a different shape that you want it to be, cut it out in that way, but just be mindful that the ends will pull up when you gather, so it's not necessary to make things rounded persay. Then create and even hemmed edge around three of the sides. I did the bottom first, then folded the sides on top, since it was easier to hide that little overlap in the corner. You can snip out a tiny bit if it makes it easier. Then gather the unhemmed top and hand stich it into a gather. I found that making the stitches smaller up top allowed for more ruffling to come down through the rest. Depending on the size of your gather, it'll look a little something like the above. Set that aside to start working on the collar part.
When doing the collar part, you'll want to make sure it's not to thick or thin, for when you're going to turn it inside out. Because I was putting a ribbon through mine, I made it a bit thicker just for insurance, but it still fits under the collar of my blouses well. This is also where you want to decide how long around you want it to be. If you're opting to fasten it in the back, measure a comfortable circumference around your neck with a little slack for the seam. If you want it to go from front to back to tie in the front, double the circumference, then add extra for tying a knot or bow, depending on what you'd like. Cut out the appropriate length for the collar, and sew the edges of the sides down. Next, sew the top and bottom, but make sure to leave some space for the gathered piece in the middle. If you'd rather sew it all the way across and just sew the gathered piece to the back, you can do that too, but be mindful that you'll be feeling that ruffle against your neck, and it might be uncomfortable or tickle, depending on your fabric.
Next, turn your collar piece inside out. This is the first one I made, and it turned out being to thin for me to comfortably stick the ribbon through, so I cut another piece; the steps are still the same though. Pin the sides of the empty space you left for the gathered piece, then go ahead and iron down the crease. This'll allow you to remove the pins to repin the hemline with the jabot tucked into it, without having a mass of pins everywhere between the layers.
So it'll be something like this. All that's left is to bite the bullet and sew everything into place. If you want a little more stability than just the pins, go ahead and baste the gathered part to the back side of the collar, and re-pin it down. Try and get it so you have the ruffles in a place you want them, since you can't move them once they're down; don't worry, it won't affect the bottom as much, you can still shift those around, they just tend to move back if you fastened a top part overlapping.
So among other things from a trip to Jo-Ann's maybe a month ago, I bought this lovely black sateen swatch to be my neck frills. My plan was instead of making a collar that fastened in the back, or came around into the front to tie, I was going to thread a ribbon through the opening in the collar and have that tie in the back. That way, on those days when I didn't have a brooch or pin to put up, the bow would serve as it's own additional decorative touch. When I make a tiered one, I'll probably do the same thing; and I won't have to worry about getting more ribbon because I can simply pull the one I have out of the single tiered. I will probably go and buy white ribbon, to mix and match, as well as compliment the white sateen jabot that will eventually come about. If I don't screw up, I may make a black and white tiered, in white-black-white, and black-white-black. Ahh, such lofty aspirations... and maybe I'll get my technique down by then.
Now then, without further ado, here is my tutorial for making a jabot [like mine, where there is no fastening in the back].
For ease and convenience, gather all your materials together. Not pictured are the sewing machine, iron, and scissors; you know you'll need those of course. Because my jabot didn't have a fasten in the back like a button or those metal snaps, I cut down on costs, complexity, time, and additonal effort. I don't imagine adding the metal snaps would take much more than making the collar part longer, and following the directions for affixing them to your fabric. You can still follow this tutorial up until that point, where instead of leaving an opening, you'd sew the collar piece down and add your fastener of choice. As far as the measurements go, I had a yard of ribbon [since it's going front-back-then front to tie], about 40 x 14 inches for the jabot frill itself, and about 10 x 35 inches for the collar [it's going to be folded over, don't forget]. Also, sateen was an incredibly difficult fabric for me to work with, because it became unthreaded easily. What am I trying to say... it frayed easily, and I was contantly pulling the loose threads out. Pinking the edges may have helped, but I didn't spare the time to bother with it. Sateen does flow nicely though, and is super shiny. It's up to you which fabric you wish to use of course.
The first thing you'll want to do is cut out your rectangle that's going to be the gathered frill in your jabot. If you know of a different shape that you want it to be, cut it out in that way, but just be mindful that the ends will pull up when you gather, so it's not necessary to make things rounded persay. Then create and even hemmed edge around three of the sides. I did the bottom first, then folded the sides on top, since it was easier to hide that little overlap in the corner. You can snip out a tiny bit if it makes it easier. Then gather the unhemmed top and hand stich it into a gather. I found that making the stitches smaller up top allowed for more ruffling to come down through the rest. Depending on the size of your gather, it'll look a little something like the above. Set that aside to start working on the collar part.
When doing the collar part, you'll want to make sure it's not to thick or thin, for when you're going to turn it inside out. Because I was putting a ribbon through mine, I made it a bit thicker just for insurance, but it still fits under the collar of my blouses well. This is also where you want to decide how long around you want it to be. If you're opting to fasten it in the back, measure a comfortable circumference around your neck with a little slack for the seam. If you want it to go from front to back to tie in the front, double the circumference, then add extra for tying a knot or bow, depending on what you'd like. Cut out the appropriate length for the collar, and sew the edges of the sides down. Next, sew the top and bottom, but make sure to leave some space for the gathered piece in the middle. If you'd rather sew it all the way across and just sew the gathered piece to the back, you can do that too, but be mindful that you'll be feeling that ruffle against your neck, and it might be uncomfortable or tickle, depending on your fabric.
Next, turn your collar piece inside out. This is the first one I made, and it turned out being to thin for me to comfortably stick the ribbon through, so I cut another piece; the steps are still the same though. Pin the sides of the empty space you left for the gathered piece, then go ahead and iron down the crease. This'll allow you to remove the pins to repin the hemline with the jabot tucked into it, without having a mass of pins everywhere between the layers.
So it'll be something like this. All that's left is to bite the bullet and sew everything into place. If you want a little more stability than just the pins, go ahead and baste the gathered part to the back side of the collar, and re-pin it down. Try and get it so you have the ruffles in a place you want them, since you can't move them once they're down; don't worry, it won't affect the bottom as much, you can still shift those around, they just tend to move back if you fastened a top part overlapping.
The end result looks a little something like this. ^_^ The ribbon is threaded front to back to front and tied as it would be if around my neck. And there be my jabot made in a few hours over two days. I wore it with my coordinate and it looked right at home. I iam mmensely pleased with it, considering I was going crazy about it's overall look with the muslin, the sewing machine threw a fit, the fabric kept fraying, and I had only two days to do it once I finally said "Damnit, DO IT!" I'm going to wear it this evening in fact, with my cane accompanying.
Now without giving too much away, that's all for that. Next post will reveal all~ ahahahahahaha! *Koff.* Nghhhh, I hurt my throat promoting SM and GSO on Thursday... It feels really scratchy. *Sigh.* Way to add to my unenthused and overall unwell feeling.
I bid you goodbye for the moment, mina-sama, so I can tend to somethings and get tea into my system.
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
Sunday's Meet Up that wasn't.[PICTURE LADEN]
Good afternoon, mina-sama. It is terribly late I know, and I know I stand by better late than never, but even I know that that has it's limits sometimes. However, at least another meet up hasn't passed before I got around to this. So here's the Reader's Digest version of two Sunday's ago.
Because the D.C. area weather is crack-pot insane, it rained. Bad. So I, being the awake and alert one, called on Toriberry and Nobu in turn to see if an alternate plan would be had. Toriberry suggested just the three of us--and hey, anyone in Dorchester or St. Mary's who cared to join us--have it in either of their dorm's lounge basement area. Decided, I dressed out. I felt amazing. I felt Aristocratic. Even the bulk of bags--a sleeping bag in case we decided to go outside anyway, my sheet music, bento, and JKL--didn't make me feel uneasy as Otousan dropped me off. I called once I got closer, to see which basement Toriberry and Nobu had decided. Nobu was waiting for word from Toriberry. I was waiting for word from Toriberry. As I began to suspect going on three hours later, with a periodical call in between, Toriberry had returned to the realm of the Asleep, and was not to be roused until I was already at rehersal for that evening.
It sounds bad. It was disappointing, I will admit. But GSO is a marvelous conglomerate of creative and imaginative folks, who took a shine to my Aristocrat in an instant [some even asked if I had made my jacket]. And I happily chose to deny work for going out late to dinner after rehersal, where in crowded around the round table at the Chinese restaurant we all love, I felt even more comfortable. I felt Aristo. I had embodied Aristo.
Because the D.C. area weather is crack-pot insane, it rained. Bad. So I, being the awake and alert one, called on Toriberry and Nobu in turn to see if an alternate plan would be had. Toriberry suggested just the three of us--and hey, anyone in Dorchester or St. Mary's who cared to join us--have it in either of their dorm's lounge basement area. Decided, I dressed out. I felt amazing. I felt Aristocratic. Even the bulk of bags--a sleeping bag in case we decided to go outside anyway, my sheet music, bento, and JKL--didn't make me feel uneasy as Otousan dropped me off. I called once I got closer, to see which basement Toriberry and Nobu had decided. Nobu was waiting for word from Toriberry. I was waiting for word from Toriberry. As I began to suspect going on three hours later, with a periodical call in between, Toriberry had returned to the realm of the Asleep, and was not to be roused until I was already at rehersal for that evening.
It sounds bad. It was disappointing, I will admit. But GSO is a marvelous conglomerate of creative and imaginative folks, who took a shine to my Aristocrat in an instant [some even asked if I had made my jacket]. And I happily chose to deny work for going out late to dinner after rehersal, where in crowded around the round table at the Chinese restaurant we all love, I felt even more comfortable. I felt Aristo. I had embodied Aristo.
And since things didn't quite work out on campus as far as our impromptu meet-up, I supplemented with a photoshoot at home. And since neither Otousan nor Mother properly know how to take good shots with my camera, I did it myself. For your viewing and critiquing pleasure.
So immensely in love with how these turned out am I. I can even forgive the humidity of the rain for essentially ruingin three consecutive nights' work to straighten it. *Sigh.*
That is all for right now, ma cherie, this was only meant to be picture laden anyway had I gone to the meet-up or not. Until our next one, which hopefully will not be out in Woodbridge... [although apple picking sounds immensely fun.]
OBJECTION! [...did that go over your heads, mina-sama?]
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
September 15, 2010
Kiss thy eyes and lay thee to Sleep
Good evening, mina-sama. It's the middle of the week, several days after our meet-up that wasn't this past Sunday. I promise to get to that in the next post, along with more food [ah, how ironic considering how long it took to get food for the first official post]. But for now, I am so immensely tired, and so... so unroyal feeling that I don't know what to do with myself. But my thoughts are roiling endlessly as always, and when I was younger, I could always turn to writing utensil and paper to set my mind to a calmer, more focused state. I hope to replicate that feeling here and now, though typing can only do so much. I have exquisite handwriting, and call it a egotistical failing of mine, but I love to look at it. However, Lucida Grand Console is a fine font, considering... [this is rhetorical, nothing follows]
Off and on recently, after a high on Trinity Blood fanfiction more prominently featuring Isaak, Cain, Petros, and *che gasp* Guderian, I have been thinking about some one-shots I'd like to do, namely one with a mind game. This will probably not come about in a timely fashion, so I do not mind revealing it will be GuderianxCainxGuderain [in that Guderain will be both seme and uke], with Cain being the secretly ADD seraphim blond brat that he truly is, desiring to have a 'hat stand' bodyguard at his side, as Tres Iqus is to Caterina Sforza and Guderian himself is to Isaak Fernand van Khampfer. I dunno why, I'll think of it when I get there. Like I said, Cain's a brat at heart though; sadistic, twisted, mind-numbbing, stupidly hot brat... *Koff.* So it will have something to do with that. And that motive will have something to do with the mind game to be played as things get a little heavy between the Crusnik and Reißzahn, ohh yesssssss~
But not that I've figured it out. It's hard to play mind games with myself, because eventually, I start to make one side lose on purpose, not out of being outwitted. Maybe it's laziness... Either way, I'll either have to make the game short, or find another means to do it. I have had the thought to try and make it a one sided dialouge sort of mind game; after all Cain is the sweetly manipulative dripping poisonous words type, and Guderian is so sexxxily stoic and silent, I could maybe play to that. But playing painfully silent characters is sometimes just as hard as finding the right words for dialouge. All of what isn't said must now come out in actions, and while I've done that before, it's been a while. It'll be a nice refresher. Pretty Reißzahn, wonderfully blond lupine Reißzahn, oh how damn well cute you are in all your werewolf glory. Maybe I will go with the golden silence route. Hmm...
Tonikaku, I usually think out the delicious parts first, to keep the idea in my head, but I won't make it just that, although it will consume most of it. It would be a nice prelude methinks to have Guderian being Cain's ideal perpetual, loyal, stoic shadow in other forms before delving into the Crusnik's other wants. Isaak let's Cain borrow him because it would be blasphemy to try and clone such a perfect specimen [in the magician's words], and so sets the gears in motion with his "parting" words to Guderian, "No matter how subtle it comes out, make him beg for everything he requests; I might not get you back in one piece otherwise." Meaning if you give an inch, Cain will tear you to shreds. Nicely. While smiling. [The kind I like to imagine bitchslapping.]
"Reißzahn~."
"Mein Herr Cain-sama?"
"Reißzahn, do you make that crysanthemum tea that Dietrich and Isaak like so much?"
"I do, Cain-sama."
"I want some. Steep an entire teapot just for me."
"As you wish, Cain-sama." The pause between acting on his words made the Crusnik curious.
"Reißzahn~ hurry, I don't like to be kept waiting, and I want to deepen my special bond with my lupine bodyguard whom I own for the while."
"I wonder which tea set to bring to mein herr for crysanthemum tea..." Another pause somewhat punctuated with a tiny rumble in the back of his throat.
"You will make it the silver and red set, won't you, Reißzahn? Say you will, you will." If the Crusnik had been looking closely enough--being across the room--he may have caught the minute lift in Guderian's lips.
"And so I shall, Cain-sama. Please excuse me to bring you your tea."
Ah yes, even that alone--watching it play in my mind--leads to reprecussions down the line. It is a subtle beg, you see? Please will come later. At the very end perhaps. Saa~?
Completely derailing that was. I'll reward you soon with my full coordinate photos, I promise, mina-sama.
Reißzahn~... Reißzahn~... Iie, Guderian, ore no...
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
Off and on recently, after a high on Trinity Blood fanfiction more prominently featuring Isaak, Cain, Petros, and *che gasp* Guderian, I have been thinking about some one-shots I'd like to do, namely one with a mind game. This will probably not come about in a timely fashion, so I do not mind revealing it will be GuderianxCainxGuderain [in that Guderain will be both seme and uke], with Cain being the secretly ADD seraphim blond brat that he truly is, desiring to have a 'hat stand' bodyguard at his side, as Tres Iqus is to Caterina Sforza and Guderian himself is to Isaak Fernand van Khampfer. I dunno why, I'll think of it when I get there. Like I said, Cain's a brat at heart though; sadistic, twisted, mind-numbbing, stupidly hot brat... *Koff.* So it will have something to do with that. And that motive will have something to do with the mind game to be played as things get a little heavy between the Crusnik and Reißzahn, ohh yesssssss~
But not that I've figured it out. It's hard to play mind games with myself, because eventually, I start to make one side lose on purpose, not out of being outwitted. Maybe it's laziness... Either way, I'll either have to make the game short, or find another means to do it. I have had the thought to try and make it a one sided dialouge sort of mind game; after all Cain is the sweetly manipulative dripping poisonous words type, and Guderian is so sexxxily stoic and silent, I could maybe play to that. But playing painfully silent characters is sometimes just as hard as finding the right words for dialouge. All of what isn't said must now come out in actions, and while I've done that before, it's been a while. It'll be a nice refresher. Pretty Reißzahn, wonderfully blond lupine Reißzahn, oh how damn well cute you are in all your werewolf glory. Maybe I will go with the golden silence route. Hmm...
Tonikaku, I usually think out the delicious parts first, to keep the idea in my head, but I won't make it just that, although it will consume most of it. It would be a nice prelude methinks to have Guderian being Cain's ideal perpetual, loyal, stoic shadow in other forms before delving into the Crusnik's other wants. Isaak let's Cain borrow him because it would be blasphemy to try and clone such a perfect specimen [in the magician's words], and so sets the gears in motion with his "parting" words to Guderian, "No matter how subtle it comes out, make him beg for everything he requests; I might not get you back in one piece otherwise." Meaning if you give an inch, Cain will tear you to shreds. Nicely. While smiling. [The kind I like to imagine bitchslapping.]
"Reißzahn~."
"Mein Herr Cain-sama?"
"Reißzahn, do you make that crysanthemum tea that Dietrich and Isaak like so much?"
"I do, Cain-sama."
"I want some. Steep an entire teapot just for me."
"As you wish, Cain-sama." The pause between acting on his words made the Crusnik curious.
"Reißzahn~ hurry, I don't like to be kept waiting, and I want to deepen my special bond with my lupine bodyguard whom I own for the while."
"I wonder which tea set to bring to mein herr for crysanthemum tea..." Another pause somewhat punctuated with a tiny rumble in the back of his throat.
"You will make it the silver and red set, won't you, Reißzahn? Say you will, you will." If the Crusnik had been looking closely enough--being across the room--he may have caught the minute lift in Guderian's lips.
"And so I shall, Cain-sama. Please excuse me to bring you your tea."
Ah yes, even that alone--watching it play in my mind--leads to reprecussions down the line. It is a subtle beg, you see? Please will come later. At the very end perhaps. Saa~?
Completely derailing that was. I'll reward you soon with my full coordinate photos, I promise, mina-sama.
Reißzahn~... Reißzahn~... Iie, Guderian, ore no...
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
September 06, 2010
Cane Completed
Good afternoon, minna-sama. I'm a bit behind as I meant to do this Saturday, however better a little late then before it's first debut, ahaha. It's debut will either be sometime this week, or the meet-up next Sunday. I am looking forward to it very much. I still haven't decided and food things. I don't know if I'll be able to get down to Super Grand on Saturday. More food as thusly been acquired in the house, so I'm looking into a few homemade things... we'll have to see.
Now, onto the very exciting news. I have finished my cane. As I thought, it was neither terribly difficult nor expensive [considering the finished product], and since it was completed so speedily, I don't have step by step pictures. However, hardware and carpentry is a little easier to instruct with just words, so I hope that will suffice. If you don't want to put out for a $40, $50, $80, up to a $100 or more accessory cane, then look no further. Doing it yourself opens a world of possibilities to custom fit it to your exact specifications. And it'll save you a bundle, even with the more expensive tools you could buy.
Tada~ behold the finished product. I am immensely pleased with it, and am ready to take it with me to the meet-up. It's of a workable height even in barefoot, but I know with my dress chunk shoes, the height'll be an excellent fit. I am eager to walk about with it, but I think I'll wait a little aside from the meet-up for cooler weather, unfit to ride my bike in.
Now, onto the very exciting news. I have finished my cane. As I thought, it was neither terribly difficult nor expensive [considering the finished product], and since it was completed so speedily, I don't have step by step pictures. However, hardware and carpentry is a little easier to instruct with just words, so I hope that will suffice. If you don't want to put out for a $40, $50, $80, up to a $100 or more accessory cane, then look no further. Doing it yourself opens a world of possibilities to custom fit it to your exact specifications. And it'll save you a bundle, even with the more expensive tools you could buy.
You don't need very many tools, but it is essential to have a power drill. If you don't have one, you may want to look into getting the hole for the handle done at your local hardware store. If it's Home Depot or Lowe's, the first "cut" should be free. You need a dowel--choose your own thickness, but mine was 7/8ths inch--a foot to put on the end [because you don't want the end of your cane to get splintery or weathered], a handle, and paints. The dowel I got at Home Depot for about $3 [since it was solid oak], and it was already the right height for me. If you need something taller than what they have, try looking into long planks to be cut down, and if you need something shorter, as mentioned, the hardware stores usually offer a first wood cut for free. Try measuring at home to know your comfortable height. My rubber foots I also found at Home Depot, in a four back, for about $2.50, under furniture ends. Make sure you get one with an opening that is slightly smaller than the width of your dowel, because you don't want the dowel to slip out of the foot. Paint is optional, if you choose to go for the wood--or if you happen to get a silicon, metal, or plastic rod--look. Finish gives it a nice polished look, to be certain. I happen to stop into Michael's on my way back from handle shopping and they were having a sale on spray paint; a can of silver and black were $0.99 each.
The handle proved to be the most difficult to locate, and also is the most expensive piece. What I ended up using--in case you cannot read the print--is a draipery end. It was able to screw off from the rounded metal piece, thus being a stand alone makeshift handle. For the pair, it was $12 at Target. If you have a Bed Bath&Beyond near by, you can also find similar designed ones there, but I found they were more expensive. When picking your handle, keep in mind it's comfort in your hand. Even though you might not lean on it to assist in walking, you'll still have to keep a hold of it, so get something that fits and feels good in your hand. Though I originally wanted a multi-faceted crystal like thing, the glass globe is growing on me. Also, keep in mind it's additional height being added to the dowel, and be sure to accomodate when picking the height of the dowel and handle [and be conscious of whatever height you might stand at in shoes you're likely to wear while accessorizing with your cane].
Now with all your parts gathered, it's time to get to work. Set down some paper on a flat surface--outside is ideal...--and put the footer end on it. You don't have to spray paint this if you don't want to, but I did for effect; contrast to the black of the cane, and compliment to the grey-silver in the handle. Follow the directions on the can if you've never spray painted before. For your dowel, the body of the cane, you might have to get a little creative on how to do it all without making a mess of your hands. If you don't mind that, go ahead. I put on a glove and held one side, giving a good coating, then holding as little of the painted end while doing the rest. Just keep in mind your foot will be covering an inch or two of the bottom, so if there's an uneven coat or marks from stickiness and fingerprints, don't pay it much heed. I hung the dowel on my clothesline between coats of paint and acrylic finish, but use what you can to make it work. If you did paint your footer, it's up to you if you want to give it more than one coat.
After you give the color you want, spray on a finish of some sort to give your cane some gloss. I don't know how much something like that costs--it may be the same price as any regular can of spray paint--I just happen to have a dozen or so cans of variety polishes in the garage. The high gloss finish works the best. Two coats looks best, more is up to your tastes. I put the foot on at this point, to protect one end.
Next comes the fun part; yay for powertools. I recommend practicing your drilling [to make a straight hole] in a spare hunk of wood, and using a hole slightly smaller than the screw of the handle, to ensure a snug and tight fit. If you don't have plywood hanging around, just go for it, and go slow. Tap out all the sawdust that builds up in the hole. Even if you think you've drilled the hole deep enough, go another inch. I ran into trouble with a hole I thought was deep enough, but apparently wasn't [that or it was too tight to screw in deeper]. If you've done it right--so to speak--then the handle will screw in right plum to the top of the dowel and bottom of the handle, and tada, cane complete. If you run into trouble like me, don't panic. Hopefully, your project can be saved.
Luckily for me, the screw in the handle was double sided, going up into the knob itself. I unscrewed that part, drilled back into the handle, and was able to use the extra room of the handle to screw it plum to the dowel. If your handle isn't like that, you may want to use pliers to unscrew it back, and make the whole deeper, or if you can feel it getting tight with a lot of the screw still exposed, go back and drill, making it a tiny bit wider all around by scraping the sides. Hopefully though, you won't run into trouble. But whichever way it has to be achieved, once you've got the handle on, you're all done. Good job! Admire your handiwork.
Tada~ behold the finished product. I am immensely pleased with it, and am ready to take it with me to the meet-up. It's of a workable height even in barefoot, but I know with my dress chunk shoes, the height'll be an excellent fit. I am eager to walk about with it, but I think I'll wait a little aside from the meet-up for cooler weather, unfit to ride my bike in.You can do it too, minna-sama, just break out your creative juices and see what you too can come up with. As for me, I'm onto my jabot next. I hopefully can finish it by this weekend, as an accentuating neck piece would go nicely with the tailed jacket vest. [Afterwards, it's on to the half skirt, Ukoku Sanzo cosplay, and Nudy Boy shirt.]
And the image begins to fall into place... the aura of prestige and poise befalls the stage... wherein a lone Aristocrat stands...
Eternally yours,
Il Ruinante Isaak
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