Oshi

What got you into cosplay?
This very site, believe it or not! I was in an IRC channel, and someone posts up a link to a picture in the Galleries. Intrigued, I kept on browsing, and my desire to participate grew. I went to Otakon 2002 for a day, and the rest was history.
What was your first costume and why?
Kaze from Final Fantasy: Unlimited. but no sewing involved, just craftwork. First one I've sewn myself was Seifer from FF8.
What is your favorite costume and why?
I enjoy all my costumes, obviously, or I wouldn't bother making them. And every new one I've make I become prouder and prouder of my workmanship. So I can't really say!
Do you have a dream costume you'd like to make?
I don't dream, I do. Seriously, I keep coming up with potential 'dream' costumes, and I either make them, or lose interest...
What has been your most memorable cosplay experience?
Can't particularly pinpoint anything. Cosplay has changed my social life in general for the better, if that counts.
Do you participate in masquerades?
I usually don't, though I was roped into my girlfriend's Brawl skit at AnimeNEXT 08. We won 2nd place Performance. It was fun, but it won't be a regular thing. Takes too much time out of my con. If I want to devote that much time restricted to the con, I'd rather be judging.
What was your best masquerade experience?
Just getting my first hall cosplay award (see below). That kinda changed my perspective on cosplay, knowing that I'm good enough to actually win anything.
Have you won any awards for your costumes?
Okay, so, I was accompanying Lady Ava to get her Heartless Riku costume judged at AnimeNEXT 06, and I was wearing Anti-Sora. The judges asked, "Are you entering?" to which I replied "No, I don't compete." Next thing I know, the entire room was begging me to enter. Sure enough, I won Amanda Kuna's Judge's Award. At MangaNEXT, they mentioned to my gf "I can't wait to see what you two have in store for us next year" Thus I was obliged to enter again this year. I won Best of Friday Novice in 07 for Blaziken. Anime Boston 08 I won Runner Up Journeyman for Moomba. AnimeNEXT 08 I won an Honorable Mention for Best Prop for Ike's Ragnell.
Tell us a little about yourself
I'm a web development independent contractor, currently working for George's Music with hopes to be hired on permanently. I also take website commissions and some cosplay commissions on the side. My brother Mark has been attending cons with me all these years, we're very tight. We took our Narutard younger brother to both Zenkaikon's thusfar, but after his behavior at this year's event, we'll not be doing that again til he's older. I'm an avid gamer, excel at rhythm games.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Juggling cosplay and photography is hard. I'm pursuing being more active in cons I attend... I was Cosplay Coordinator of Kosaikon before it merged into Zenkaikon, where I'm now Game Room Coordinator, and would love to do more cosplay judging or staffing. ACen's Hall contest was my first time judging. I've also assisted Lady Ava and crew a few times with Cosplay Etiquette panels, the most recent of which was at MangaNEXT.
My favorite anime
Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann has placed itself as my favorite anime of all time. Also: http://oshi.myanimelist.net/
My favorite game(s)
Mario Series, Sonic Series, Tetris and other puzzle games, Smash Bros, Capcom fighters, Zelda series, Tales of series, Final Fantasy series, Gradius and other shmups, Halo, and a slew of Bemani/rhythm games including Guitar Hero and RockBand.