Costume Con in a Nutshell

[anotheranon]

I thought of doing a blow-by-blow like I did last year, but decided that if I tried, I'd surely never finish! Costume Con is only 4 days (3 if you consider that Thursday and Monday are only half days), but as fun as I find it I always come out feeling exhilirated, exhausted, and overwhelmed. It takes far too long to process into a coherent narrative and isn't linear in my mind, anyway.

The highlights (in no particular order):

• Seeing old friends and making new ones! It is difficult to describe that wonderful "mind meld" when you're with others of similar interests, but I'm sure we've all experienced it at some point. This is my yearly fix :)
  
• The incredibly creative costumes and costumers. Everyone is so inventive and talented, and I'm not just saying that - it is very good for me to be around people who exceed my abilities in every way - it gives me something to work towards :)
  
• The Ecclesiastical Garments and Fabric Manipulation classes gave me some really good ideas - at last, a use for those "what was I thinking?" scraps! Also good was the Simplicity Q & A - how many corporations actually ask their customers what they want?
  
• The competition - by Sunday I was mentally/emotionally fried and I hope my silence didn't spook my co-conspirators too much. The "competing" aspect still hasn't really sunk in, and probably won't until I see photos (my own camera ran out of memory before the historical masquerade, so I'm waiting on friends to get back to me). We have agreed that we should compete again one day - but emphatically not next year :P
  
• "Playing tourist" in my own home town - Decatur is a fun little neighborhood.
  
• The realization that anyone looks like a drag queen when wearing a wig cap
  
• Cats make gravity work better.
  
• The Ramones are perfect road-tripping music - short, fast, and you can sing along (even if you can't sing)!
  
• Cafe Lily - if you're ever in town, go. Much yumminess.
  
• Mirage Sarees in Atlanta - $0.99/yard china silk just isn't to be beat!!
  
• Embellishment, trim, and accessorizing is key for almost every single time period except this one! I must break out of my minimalist habits, at least when pursuing historical gear.
  
• The inevitable brainstorming for new costumes which you can
  
  
  
  • I definitely need more "hall costumes" - all I have is the Farscape duster and my peasant kirtle, so I feel rather like a poor country cousin compared to the folks who brought multiple fun and fabulous things!
    
  • What with POTC, if there is a time for the Adam and the Ants "pirates n' indians" look to revive, it is now. If anyone can find a picture of the back of the hussar's jacket, let me know 'cos I've got a plan...
    
  • Speaking of POTC, Simplicity is coming out with a pirate pattern this summer. I love the skirty jacket - I'm thinking burgundy velvet or a gold and blue brocade. Or something. Besides, it will look good with my saber :P
    
  • For D: loose Indian robes, possibly also Byzantium. Will finally need to start Tudor as his weight is stabilizing.
    
  • Red Dwarf - Green changeable taffeta Rimmer, I think.
    
  • Really should make another Farscape - I've been sitting on that red vinyl for 2 years now.
    
  • Byzantium: two words: Shiny Things.
    
  • Must find local sari shops.
    
  • Must make more of an effort to meet and greet local ICG/Costume Con friends - it's ridiculous to live within minutes of each other yet only meet once a year in a far-off town.
    
  
  

Will type more as I think of it, and if I can squeeze it into words. Meantime, to more laundry.

Comments

[psquelly.livejournal.com]

When do we get to see the pics? Huh huh huh?

[reddheart.livejournal.com]

Yes! Pictures good!

And it was great to see you, as brief as it was...I so petered out on all my Mad Geisha responsibilities :(

I now need to buy icon space so I can have icons of some of what I did this weekend.....

[geekchick]

If you go hunting for sari shops, please let me know and I'll happily tag along if you want company.

[tommdroid.livejournal.com]

It is difficult to describe that wonderful "mind meld" when you're with others of similar interests, but I'm sure we've all experienced it at some point.

yes! YES! and it is so wonderful when it happens!

*turns green as a freefrog (Hyla Hyla) out of envy*