SHE'S HERE SHE'S HERE SHE'S HERE!!!
My Iris has arrived, finally! I'll try to post a pic later but I'm much too tired (and a teensy bit intoxicated still) to do it right now.
No name yet, but I'll let you know.

I found another sculpt that looks like he *might* be Tsuruga Ren too... Looking at the face shape only who looks most like Ren? Dolls #1 & #2, see previous post

#3



He's an Iplehouse Barron, 63cm tall.

Since I can change the hair and the faceup/makeup, what I'm concerned with is the shape of the face. (Ren seems to have eyes that aren't hooded, full lips, a long slender nose, a pointy-ish chin and a not-terribly-strong jawline. He's a 20 year old part-American-part-Japanese fashion model and actor.)

So, IH Akando, LW Koji, or IH Barron?

so I went out to dinner with one of the guys from one of my jobs and it went fairly well I thought, although I wasn't sure if it was a date or just dinner. I kind of remembered that he had a girlfriend who was now living in Tally, but from what I remembered (or more likely *wanted* to remember) that they were off. Apparently not, judging from pictures on Facebook.
Damn, I hate it when I'm stupid like this. I should've known better. I don't need a guy, I don't really want one, so why did I start daydreaming about pursuing things with this guy? How careless! Besides, it's been a major distraction with knitting and getting sleep and watching anime.
Also this makes things a lot simpler on my by enabling me to return to disliking the vast majority of people and assuming that they are out to be self-centered and inconsiderate. It's to be hoped that by approaching human relations this way, I won't be so easily disappointed. After all if I expect them to lie, cheat, steal and generally behave appallingly, I won't be surprised when they do. Because they will; they're human.

In other news I'm still waiting for the doll to show up. I've no name for her yet, as I intend to let her choose her name when she arrives.

I ordered my Iplehouse Iris on 4 september 2009. I then found out that the company is coming off a holiday period and the estimated wait time is about 30-40 days.

I'm going to fidget myself to death.

So as anyone who knows me is aware of, I have a massive crush on Tsuruga Ren from SkipBeat.
anyway I was looking at some dolls and I'm trying to find one that looks like him. I'm more a fan of "lovestruck""sweet" Ren than the darker side.

Here's my 2 choices thus far:
Akando by Iplehouse. 70cm tall, which would make him seem more like the 6' + model that he portrays.



or
Koji by LeekeWorld. 60cm tall.




Input please!
EDIT: sorry, what I'm looking for is the right face, since I can change the hair easily...

Man work is tough. Not the fetching-and-carrying, just the constant being nice to hundreds of different people. I now have a syrupy work voice which scares me a little. It sounds like my cop voice.
Being on my feet all day is good though because I'm constantly moving and therefore burning calories. Hopefully by the end of the week I'll be back to where I was before the game night potato chips. >_<

I'm getting closer to being able to afford my doll! I decided on the IH Iris after seeing someone's IH Sylvia which is the same size. I really like the Akando they have although he's 70cm - 28" tall! I'm also falling for LeekeWorld's Koji; he has such an expressive face! I'd like to get both but I don't want one of the guys to be a third wheel. Leeke Koi would be quickest to save up for at only 550 plus shipping from denver which is a lot cheaper than akando's 700 + shipping. Although if Penneys works me insanely during the holiday season like I think they will I may be able to get one boy by christmas too.
I'm hoping to get my iris by halloween, it's one of my favorite holidays. Also I have oral surgery to look forward to in the future so I'd like something to distract me. While I've made the deal with myself that I am not allowed to put more than $20 a paycheck in my doll fund, I'm hoping to sell some things and that money *is* going straight to the doll fund!
I've started working on a really pretty dusty rose-colored dress. So tiny though - size 2 needles and sock yarn!

I've been looking at the ball-jointed dolls on the internet and they are freaking adorable. I wish I knew someone who had one just so I could look at it for ten minutes! Really! I've never held one before and they look much more "aware" than my old American Girl dolls (which I enjoyed having when I was little but I didn't really have friends who played dolls much...). It reminds me of the doll in A Little Princess, Emily, that's owned by Sara. Sara pretends that dolls are alive and that they carry out their business when we're not looking.
These dolls actually look like they could do that.

I'm trying to decide if I want to save up for a doll. Problem is, I know I'm really picky and I'd want to kind of design my own. I can do that - but it'll cost me. Like, $900 worth of cost me. It seems a bit much for me right now, seeing as I just got a part-time job (yay) and I'm trying to save up money for grad school. A $900 doll, which I'm not even sure I'll have time to play with, seems way too extravagant.
I tell myself I'll join local groups that do picnics but I know what a homebody I can be. I'd like to think I *would* do it, but it just seems kind of unlikely.
I've got a little "mad money" stashed away, so maybe I can save up for it. I'd love to be able to go to the founding store of Volks and get exactly what I want.
I did find a tutorial online about making your own but I'd have to sculpt it. My sculpting skills, in a word, suck. I still kind of want to try it to make some character dolls (guess what series?). Even so, I think it'd take a lot of time and expertise that I don't have for me to make one.
I guess I'll have to be satisfied with my American Girl dolls for a while. At least I have patterns and tons of scraps so I could outfit them well. They don't really lend themselves to posing or setting up little tableaus though.
*sigh*

all the knitting on the dress is done! yay! I didn't procrastinate my ass off!
I gotta line it, the pattern is kind of holey and that's not totally ok for a little kid. anywho mom suggested I do a little purse as a toy/accessory which i think is a good idea. I'm going to do it envelope style and i'll either buy a button or use this really cool shiny one i have in my stash (that i was saving for ME for later but w/e). so joanns tomorrow to buy fabric and hopefully not get carried away, haha.
I also need to call some places I interviewed and see if they want to give me a job or not. I hope so. *crosses fingers* I can't afford my textile habit without income.
in not so happy news, my wrists are hurting (probably all the crocheting, knitting doesn't really bother me), my pinky has the beginning of a callus and my jaw really hurts. I need to call a dentist soon and get my stupid teeth taken care of. I also need to make sure I like whoever it is, because I'm also going to ask if they can give me a mouthpiece or something to make me quit grinding/clenching my teeth so my jaw won't be sore. My own damn fault but I totally don't even realize i'm doing it anymore. probably wasn't a wise idea to try to replace the "wanting to chew on everything" nervous habit with "grinding teeth and clenching jaw".
But who cares, I GOT THE DRESS DONE!!
YAY!

I found some podcasts from Ravelry that people really seemed to like, so I figured I'll give them a shot. One is classic literature read for crafters.

I cannot wait!

(I'll post recommendations later ^_^)

-_-; : the bank charged $100 to my credit card plus a $10 fee for overdrafting, which would've been totally unnecessary had the charges been posted to my account as they showed up.

^_^: 6 new personality disorders caused by the internet
and!
I've got a couple minor leads....cross your fingers!

Since I'd like to have my craft stuff separate from the whining and ranting, I've created a new account: xyzkitty. This will have my craft posts only. I did this to save my sanity (by not having to "friends only" everything) but also so that I can maintain a little anonymity.

I'll probably link to any major posts (i.e., look at this cool finished dealio!) but I'll save the diaries and chronicling there.

Also, enjoy the new look!

*cries*
I got 4 inches done on the dress and then realized I'd knitted a very pretty totally unusable moebius strip. So I had to rip it all out, during which the yarn turned into a GIGANTIC knot. I spent seven hours unraveling said knot only to have the strands start tangling themselves at the end. At that point I cut the raveled bit out, said screw it and went to bed.

Now I get to start all over again. Fun.

Deadline: 7/25 20 days

Dear residents,
We were so happy to have you as residents this year at the University Residence Halls. There are a few things that we ask you to keep in mind as you move out.
( Read more... )
Once you've checked out properly and turned in your keys, said goodbye to your RA and packed your car, we hope you will have a safe trip home!

Sincerely,
The Desk Assistant

Dear Residents,
Welcome to the University residence halls. We hope you will enjoy your stay. Please allow me to address a few issues that will help you have a happier living environment.
( Read more... )
Welcome to On-Campus Housing!
Signed,
One of the Desk assistants
(who is here at 3:30 am, because all the desks are required to be staffed 24 hours, 7 days a week)

I intend to post this on facebook later, but at least here I can edit it more easily.

To do:
Visit every continent (two down; Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and Antarctica to go)
Go to Japan, England, Italy
Live alone for a year and/or in a foreign country
Hot air balloon ride
Visit California & Maine
Go skiing
Drive a racecar
Act in a community play/musical
Get voice lessons and sing in front of a large group of strangers
climb one of these: Kilimanjaro, Mt. McKinley, Everest, Mont Blanc
Finish a triathalon
See: Taj Mahal, Pyramids, Victoria Falls, Niagra Falls, Stonehenge, Great Wall of China
White-water rafting/kayaking

Have done:
Traveled to Europe (France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany)
Skydived
Been to Hawaii, DC, Seattle, Alaska
Swam with dolphins, manatees, stingrays
Other things I probably can't remember or don't feel are significant enough to post



The facebook version. I don't like it because too many things just don't interest me, so I wouldn't do them, or they seem like everyone's done them.
Gone on a blind date
X Skipped school
X Watched someone die (I'm counting pets here)
X Been to Canada
Been to Mexico
X Been to Florida (I live here. This shouldn't really count)
X Been to Hawaii
X Been on a plane
Been on a helicopter
X Been lost (Lol the Marais...and so many other times)
X Gone to Washington, DC
X Swam in the ocean
X Cried yourself to sleep
Played cops and robbers (can't remember)
X Recently colored with crayons (within the last couple months...i think)
X Sang Karaoke (asian style)
Paid for a meal with coins only (Honestly can't remember)
Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
Done something you told yourself you wouldn't (yeah, I stayed in relationships I should've got out of and tried to love people who didn't respect me for me. among other things)
Made prank phone calls (I hate making normal phone calls, why would I prank call?!)
Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans
X Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
Caught a snowflake on your tongue (I may have tried...once)
X Danced in the rain
X Written a letter to Santa Claus
Been kissed under the mistletoe
X Watched the sunrise with someone
X Blown bubbles
X Gone ice-skating
X Gone to the movies
X Been deep sea fishing (Define "Deep sea". If we're talking "can't see shoreline" then I'm good)
Driven across the United States
Been in a hot air balloon
X Been sky diving
Gone snowmobiling
Lived in more than one country
Seen a falling star and made a wish
Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
Seen the Statue of Liberty
X Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
X Been on a cruise (about 15...I lost count)
X Traveled by train
X Been horse back riding
Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
Been to Disneyland
X Been to Disney World
X Been in a rain forest (temperate rainforests count too?)
X Seen whales in the ocean
Been to Niagara Falls
X Ridden on an elephant
X Swam with dolphins
Been to the Olympics
Walked on the Great Wall of China
Been spinnaker flying (i don't go boating)
Been wakeboarding
Been snowboarding
Been to Westminster Abbey
X Been to the Louvre
Swam in the Mediterranean
Been to a Major League Baseball game (I hate sports, why would I?)
Been to a National Football League game

Ok so quick run down:

Ogawa Miharu: Skirt is done, except the front pleat doesn't lay flat like I want. I may have to stitch it in place. Jacket is about half done; I have sleeves in but still need to put in one front facing, back facing, trim, buttons and pockets. Plus it's got to be hemmed. The sleeves didn't go in smooth like I wanted because the pattern was a bitch to work with on that, so I made them girly-poofy and decided to call them a "design element". Ha ha. Shirt hasn't been cut out yet but that's what I'm planning to do Tuesday night (hopefully). Blargh cutting.

Kuchiki Rukia: Gi and hakama are here! Also, bokken is spraypainted white, but I need to fix the tsuba. I don't think I can carve out the design on the tsuba- not with the amount of time I have so I will probably paint the "open" parts black. Doesn't mean I won't carve it out someday just not today. Need waraji, which I will probably make in the car as I'll be sitting for 2 hours. Suki's not keen on real waraji, and if it doesn't work I have some lace up mocs I got at Hoggetowne. Still need to add white collar and sleeves, plus white sword belt. This should be fun!

Seras Victoria: Almost done with one patch (4 letters + overstitching to go). I still need the other patch and the armband. I don't have the harkonnen either. I am considering not taking this to the con and maybe going to J-con with this when I have more time to fix it up. Miharu has taken a lot of time plus I've been in the doldrums with school and personal issues. Also, Seras requires more effort on the wig and stuff....more equipment to have to carry. I love my fangs though.

That's the lot. Also I've spent an OBSCENE amount of money on these. I'm going to have to work a lot to get money for con shopping.
In other news, I am now addicted to SkipBeat. This one and Ouran are my current manga obsessions. I think I will start on Rounin Kenshin soon (as in AFTER megacon).
Loves!

So I want to cosplay as Miharu Ogawa from the comic Red String. I'm doing Miharu's school uniform, which is a light green blazer, dark green skirt, white collared shirt and dark green tie (There's a lovely shot of it here. I have all the material (which is amazing since normally I'm so picky I wait and never seem to have what I need when I need it).
Today I got almost all of the blazer completely cut out! Yay! Also, I was using a rotary cutter instead of scissors. It'll take some getting used to but it seems like the rotary cutter may be very good for getting a smooth (hopefully precise) line. My only problem is that it seems to be really easy to veer off the cutting line, although I think part of that is due to having to add 1/2" of seam allowance. I was kind of confused since the pieces were all marked "Seam allowance included". I'm going to make a post on the forums to ask about that. Anywho, that went relatively painlessly...which makes me a bit worried! More after next Thurs/Tues!

Those of you who speak 1337 and computer, I need your advice. I'm looking for a small laptop that I can carry with me. In the event that I get sent to Japan, this will become my main computer while I'm there, so I need it to have capability to email, surf the web, view pictures, watch dvds (if I have a dvd drive, no netbooks come with them), and skype. My camera takes sd cards, so I need it to be able to read those. I'll probably have a messenger bag or something to carry this in, but I'm a klutz so sturdy is kind of an issue. Good battery life (as in, more than an hour or two) is a definite plus.

I included links to the manufacturer's webpage on the specs in case I left something out. Thanks for your help!

Contender #1: DELL 12" Mini
Specs:
Intel Atom Processor (1.6GHz/533MHz FSB/512K cache)
Ubuntu linux v8.04.1 or WinXP
80GB PATA hard drive
48WHr Li-ion battery (6-cell)
12.1" display, 1280x800 res.
Intel Graphics Media accelerator 500
1GB DDR2 SDRAM
wireless 802.11g
Bluetooth 2.1 module via USB
1.3 Mpixel webcam
3 in 1 media card reader
Weight: 2.72lbs (1236g)
Color: Obsidian Black
Price: $549


Contender #2 ASUS 1000HA
Specs:
Intel Atom N270 processor
WinXP
160GB HDD
6600mAh (6-cell)
10" display, LED, 1024x600 res.
1GB ddr2 SO-DIMM
1.3 Mpixel camera
wireless 802.11b/g
no bluetooth
weight 3.2lbs (1450g)
offered in pearl white, fine ebony, sweet pea green, sakura red
Price: varies (ASUS apparently doesn't handle end-user sales)

If you know of other netbooks that you think I'd like, feel free to let me know. I would prefer not smaller than 9" simply because after that I have a hard time typing on the smaller keys.

I started knitting. Well, more accurately, my roommate started knitting, and then I thought I should pick it back up too, and Suki brought her knitting over, and then we remembered like two other friends who knit....
I'm thinking we could probably start a knitting group just with people we know.

By the way, I still have no idea how to purl. I think I'm going to ask for help in exchange for a sewing commission, which I still need to do.

I hate home football games.

Why, you ask? Why do I hate a nauseatingly boring game taking over my town?
Let me enumerate.

One - every home game, I have to work from midnight to 8 Saturday morning. Every time there's a home game I can't find parking because the bloody University is more concerned with its former students rather than its current ones and kicks everyone off the top two floors of the red 3 parking garage. This ensures practically every spot near work in which I could legally park is taken. Usually the occupiers of these spots are freshmen who don't need their cars here anyway.

Two - Every home game, the streets fill with a riot of orange and blue game-goers, tailgaters, and such like. Well, you comment, this is a good thing, community spirit and all. No. This is a bad thing. A very bad thing. I live on a road near campus, which most of the time is wonderful as I can walk, bike or take the bus to class. During home games, my busy arterial road becomes a parking lot. I can't move my car during home games or I won't have a place to put it, especially for the four hours directly before and after the game.

Three - Lots of tailgaters mean lots of drunken people. I have no problem with drunken people being in aforementioned state, so long as they are responsible and in an area where they do not pose a threat. I consider unintelligent, intoxicated people playing "catch" with a football in the road in front of my car a threat. My brakes are decent, but my reflexes may not be. I also don't care for people playing beer pong or that infantile beanbag game that I suppose is funny when you're drunk enough to like football.

Four - lots of fanatics and casual supporters and students all in the same area produces a lot of trash. This is supposedly why SG and the University supplied these areas of campus with many trash cans and other waste dispensers. This number includes cardboard temporary structures only for "game day". Are these bins, cans, boxes, and bags used? No. Obviously it is much more important to not miss a single second of overgrown boys stretching and being put through their paces like show dogs than to actually throw away the food wrappers and solo cups (which could be recycled).

Five - The line of players tromping into the stadium is treated with an amount of attention more befitting a graduation. It's not an "event" people. It's a bunch of young guys walking into a football stadium. That's it.

Six - If the team wins (which they often do), every person equipped with a horn on their vehicle feels the need to vicariously celebrate the accomplishment of a bunch of boys they don't know by honking their horn. Loudly. Over. And over. And over. Also, it is apparently important to inspire morale and add to the "team spirit" by honking before the game begins as well.
I did mention I live on a major road, correct? Also, that I'm stuck working this absurd midnight to 8 am shift which means I sleep during the day, I did mention that as well, did I not?

Seven - This is a personal prejudice, but I was born in the merry merry month of May. Why was I born in May? and why does this matter in a post about football games and my detestation of them?
Count back nine months from May. I'll wait.
Now, do you notice something about this? Obviously, I couldn't have been born during the fall like many of my classmates in elementary, middle, and high school. Do you know why I couldn't have been born in the fall?

Because Heaven forfend that my parents have to give up a football game once a year for their child's birthday or birthday party. My mother claims it was because she didn't want to be pregnant in summer. This is obviously a lie, as August is not only summer, it is the hottest part of the summer particularly here. It was because they didn't want to miss a single one of these adolescent displays of excess and ennui.