+

[kimu]

So my update is at this point, I'll attempt AX, and be staying with someone who lives nearby and not one of the hotels.
I live in Monterey, so that after-AX thing won't work for me. Sorry! LA is 5-6 hours drive so that's too much driving with the cost of gas two weekends in a row for me.
As for Huntington Gardens, while the gardens are incredible--I have visited there a few times--they really are anti-costumes. I don't think you'd enjoy it if they haven't changed their policies. (I know this because of the LotR fans a couple years ago who really really wanted to do photoshoots there.)
Maybe an east coast con someday, we'll see.

And yeah for progress on costumes!!!! <3

[myalchod]

Originally Posted by Seven

Though, it's most likely even farther for you myalchod, but wow, it's an amazing place for photos!! Are there any awesome locations near you? That is another option.

Yeah, Huntington is lovely but gah, such a pain to deal with for photos. Makes me sad.

There's not much I can think of offhand hereabouts that'd be epic JK stuff ... but if you guys are within about two hours, I'll totally consider a day trip to meet up with you. ^_^ That's not too far for a day's drive. Just lemme know how your plans shake out and if you're close enough and want one more crashing your party?

... east coast cons. :S Why don't we have a teleporter yet? That would make all of this a billion times easier.

(Already said it, Inoli, but daaaaaaaaaaaamn, that is looking good!)

[Seifer-sama]

@ Seven: Wow!! Those look like awesome places to shoot! You are going to have so much fun!! You will be pretty far away from me though, I live at the very top of California. I think the closest Asian area to photograph near me would be the Japanese Tea Gardens in San Fran or the Chinese Gardens in Portland. Both are VERY pretty, but they might be a bit too far for you.

@ Inoli: Wow that embroidery looks awesome!!!!! I love it!! I hope you are able to next Sakura con, I already convinced a few people to start a JK group, so it would be awesome to have more!!

@ Kimu: That's a good idea to stay with something and just see what happens with AX this year. I hope you have fun, I think it's pretty much been decided that I probably won't be going. Ah well...

[Tenkage-chan]

I'm behind on my responses, ain't I?

@Inoli: Yes! Photoshoots! After all, we got all da pretty scenery, ne? I'll have to bully Ohki into it too. Plus, once you updated En is done, we can get major pictures of him! Your embroidery is coming out fantastic!

I'm getting even more irked I can't show you guys progress pics. My surprise cosplay is all set for embroidery and it's final touches, but I can't finish that up until work does. Mostly because I need to make use of a different machine- I don't have an embroidery foot on mine.

And for all you attending AX, I hope it turns out better than expected- sounds like you've got some problems with it already, but I'm sure you can make things work.

[Seven]

@kimu- well, I hope to see you at AX. ^^ And thanks for letting me know about Huntington Gardens; I can't see how they would have changed being anti-costume, though I cannot understand what they would lose to be pro costume. More money is more money, regardless if it's from people who look like 'weirdos'.

@myalchod- Wow, I'm glad I brought up the Gardens because now I'm not even going to bother trying to deal with it! I would love for you to crash the shoot. ^____^ Once the road trip is finalized, I'll let you know and hopefully we can work something out! And lol, yes, why no transporters. And I do believe we were all 'promised' a flying cars by year 2000. Still waiting on that one. :\ Oh TV, why do you tell me so many lies?

@Seifer-sama- Hmmmm...if we make it to the castle, we'll be near Sacramento. And wow, if we do make it up that far, the Japanese Tea Gardens look like a perfect place for JK shots!! Um..I'm almost tempted to say, yes, we'll be there...but I need to talk with my car buddies!!

@Tenkage-chan- I'm hoping AX isn't as bad as it's anticipated to be. Ah well.

[Seifer-sama]

@ Tenkage-chan: Hang in there, Fanime will roll up faster than you think! And then we will all be able to see it!! As for AX, I am really hoping for better, but I am already making backup plans in case I don't go. It might be easier on my pocketbook if I do skip it...

@ Seven: Hey if you do end up going I would be willing to swing by there for photos if my Yoko is finished. I think that would be a lot of fun. Just keep me posted on what you and your car buddies decide okay?

[Seven]

@Seifer-sama- I'm already planning for this. ^___^ Honestly, between the Tea Garden and Castle, I'd rather do the gardens. I don't really have anything epic enough for that styled castle (even though it is gorgeous..)..so I'm 80% sure we'd be able to make it to the Tea Garden. (Especially if we drop the castle) So finish your Youko!!! *.* We'd have a Suzu, Shoukei and Youko in a fantabulous location! I have tears in my eyes already.

[Seifer-sama]

@ Seven: Eeek! That is just so awesomely exciting!! OKay so what day do you think you would be at the gardens? If you could let me know that, then I will do my very best to make that happen. I have always wanted to do a shoot there anyway. :P

[Seven]

@Seifer-sama: Thank you for telling me about it! I'm very very excited as well! As for what days, that'll be rough to estimate. Probably around the 5th or the 6th? I figure it'll take a few days to get up there with all the stops we'll be making. I will definitely let you know if I get a more definite day. :\ Sorry that I'm so unsure.

[tatterpixie]

WHY HAVE I NOT BEEN GETTING EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS OF NEW POSTS ;_; *flips a table*

Originally Posted by Inoli

I know next year there's been a little talk about Sakura con... but perhaps *koff* an east coat con might need to be looked into... eh Kimu? <3

I WOULD STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS <3 JUST SAYING (even though there is a remote chance I may be moving back out to the West Coast later this year...)

Meanwhile, work on repairing and modifying the Rat has begun! I repaired his ears today and patched up a couple weak spots in the internal framework. Next on the list is rebuilding his eyes, making a lightweight black balaclava to wear underneath, and further contemplating installing fans for ventilation. ^_^ (Also on the list are rebuilding the hands and feet, modifying the tail attachment, making new arms, new haunch padding, and more tailoring of the body in general. And FINALLY making a rucksack! I definitely have my work cut out for me, huh? XD)

[kimu]

<3 for Rakushuun!
Hope all the fixing work goes well!
And moving back to the west coast...??

I'd have to say if I was going look at Sakura Con or an east coast con--it'd depend on vacation time, costs, and which would be the most fun to meet up with people. I'd love a chance to meet the lovely Sai-ou cosplayer, of course. But have to see...don't know what things will be like a year from now job-wise, etc. Too hard to think that far out yet.

If SF wasn't over 2 hours away for me, and if the Seven and Seifer meeting meeting was on a weekend I wasn't out of town, I'd try to join you but--I hope you can get together for a fun photoshoot.

As for anyone that does decide to be at AX with JK...we'll pick a day and time to meet when it gets a little closer in time. I'm not planning on attending any official gatherings this year at AX. My focus is the Masq and then bringing whatever works best to wear for friends.

[Seven]

@tatterpixie: I'm sure it'll look amazing once you're finished! Can't wait to see your Rakushun with mods.

@kimu: Sorry you won't be in town for the photos. It'd be so fun to get a nice group there, but have a good trip! And I will definitely be at AX. I'll have quite a few meets that I hope to make, but with my luck they'll all be at the same time. I'll just have to prioritize!

And pictures! I received some sneak peak pics from the Shoukei photoshoot two weeks ago. ^^ One, Two, Three! Two is my favorite. :P

[Inoli]

@seven oh WOW! what a wonderful location and you're looking GREAT! [for other cosplay reasons, is that a periwinkle colored wig from arda?] I'll agree that I think 2 is fun and very fitting for the character. oh so awesome!!!

Thanks guys!!! I'm almost done I just... have to sit down for more then 5 minuets to get the last strip of embroidery done on the... teal flaps [man wish I knew the real terms for these hanfu!] funny how fate works out. I didnt get the thigns I wanted to done for march but it seams April my hours at work go from manic insane to less, good in terms of getting cosplay done so hopefully I'll have my WHOLE list completed! I'm SO excited to work on my sword! I've never worked with Oak before and I'm so up for the challenge! I've had the sketch up for the sheath also finished and waiting, it mocks me from afar XD

ok so I'm on a mission now lol. I know Sakura con is in April but it seams my work has a bit of a.... delema with hours during mid April to first week in may. Any JK Cosplayers know of a possible east coast con that might be within that time that 1: would like to meet up at [hi Kimu you're coming with...*dangles virtual carrot*] 2: that would be recommendable to head off to since I know there's a few cons Easter weekend and so on. Just trying to get a feel for what might be out there as this is a convenient time to skip out on work... er I mean vacation. Just trying to get ideas now and mull it all over

[Seifer-sama]

@ Seven: OKay just let me know! I know that the week of the fourth I will actually be in southern California for my family reunion. I was planning on going back home on that weekend, so I am not sure if it would be possible to push your trip to land there around that time, but if it is, that would work best for me. Just let me know. I love the pictures by the way! What an awesome location for a shoot!

@ tatterpixie: Good luck on those fixes. I hope everything goes well for you. And I vote again for the Sakura con meet up next year. I am pretty sure I will be there and I think I have already convinced three people to make JK costumes that year too.

@ Kimu: Good luck to you at AX and in the masquerade.

@ Inoli: Get that embroidery done! I want to see it and you are so close to finishing it! I am so excited for you. As for Sakura con, I am not quite sure what weekend it will be this next year, but this year it was the first weekend in April... It all depends on when that Easter weekend is I guess.

[myalchod]

Yeah, Sakuracon is reliably Easter weekend -- for better or worse, depending on one's holiday happenings, I suppose. If they keep that trend, it looks like the last weekend in March for next year.

As for JK at Sakuracon ... some of my con family up there cosplay it (they were Youko and Keiki at Fanime, but won't be back this year, and there's also a Kyouki who didn't make it down) -- the Youko's actually the one who got me started on the series. XD If it happens there next year, I might have to try to make it back up there again. And I've been trying to cut down on the number of cons I go to, too ... >_>;;