Its not you, its me.

its true what they say.

That statement is a load of cr@p.

This is why, i’m saying goodbye to this blog space (if in the future, i get really rich and run out of things to do, ill revive this page )

Sorry WordPress, but your controls just doesn’t work for me.

Sooooo. We’re moving to a new home. http://ratinthehat.blogspot.com

Cosmania 2009

Judging from the long line forming by the ticket booth, we knew Cosmania was going to be jam-packed.

I’ll let you in on a little secret: It was my first time to attend an anime convention with so many friends. Naturally, i was both anxious and excited to see how the day would go(And i couldn’t wait for the day to end so i can pig-out and eat anything and everything i wanted =p)

Aside from that, it’s also my first time to cosplay competitively in the Philippines. I mentioned in a previous blog entry that i have tried dressing up in the past as a maid for Victorian Valentine and a couple of other photo-shoots with friends, but nothing of this kind where i had to portray a specific character. The most difficult part trying to put myself into the character’s shoes. How she would react or pose or even talk. This time around, i was more comfortable being in character as i have  donned the costume before in Cosfest VIII.  I agreed to debut the costume somewhere foreign because 1.) we were already planning on going there and 2.) (i love this part ^_^) So that if i failed miserably, they could laugh about it all they want. BUT they’d probably NEVER see me again– that was comforting XD

So here it is, for the second time, Talim from Soul Calibur IV

Personally, it would’ve been better if i had more discipline in working out. Those flabs look really ugly hahaha.XD So in vain hopes (i hope not), next time i wear the costume, ill have abs to show off. The costume however was superb. Ate Tere’s shoes, Ings and Vica’s Tonfas and crest, Madame Belen’s clothes, and Eco’s wig-styling skills were very beautiful and nicely done. I did sew on those Tassel and cloth thingies on her hat–such craftsmanship! Yeah right Ice. XD

We had a few problems with the skit. Hold the few, there were a LOT. The biggest one was me being out of shape and couldn’t execute the “supposed” moves thus the wrist injury a few days before the event. I was surprised a number of people knew about it and asked how it was (Then i remembered, “Oh, plurk’s the culprit”  still, i appreciate such things. I’m a sucker for little sweet gestures :3 baah!) .

The minor setbacks were the costume not being able to withstand the moves without breaking. I felt so bad when i broke Loka Luha (Talim’s right Tonfa). They were Ings’s babies and was carrying them gingerly when we met in the morning. Luckily, Ings was there for the countless instant repairs i needed.

Also, the staff didn’t accept the soundtrack as it was a day late. In the end, it was a good thing since it turned out that most of the cosplayers didn’t have accompaniment.

During the skit, bits and pieces of the costume were falling off while i was fighting off my disloyal Kuroku. I’m sure he enjoyed the last part–Hey, how many times can you drag your own sister on one foot off stage and have her high-five with you afterward? =p

In a nutshell, i had fun cosplaying.

Enough of that.

I wasn’t able to absorb the con the fullest (No mech cafe > _< boo!).  So to be fair, i’m keeping my evaluation of the event short.

The venue was a little too crowded for my taste. Its a good thing that the convention gained popularity but it would’ve been more comfortable if there was more space. Maybe they could split the convention into two days or get bigger space?  I’m sure the organizers can figure out something better for next year. I’d also like it if there were more stalls to feast my eyes on or grab some nifty finds. Other than that, i found Cosmania 2009 enjoyable and worthy of getting a slot in my calendar next year. =3

Too bad i didn’t bring a camera of my own.
Credits for the pictures all go to John, Sese, Ings,Richard—sorry if i got the name wrong. ^///^

A gazillion thanks to everyone who helped bringing the Talim dream to life. *points to picture at the beginning of the post* Blue 2 laaaabs yu!

Admit it, i look better as a sentai cosplayer =p

Will attach links to the event pics this millenia. =)

-Ice

An Interlude of Sorts

No.

I have the faintest idea what the title is supposed to mean. Neither do i have any idea why you’re still reading this. Clearly, you’re not among the lucid– or just really bored. Haha.

Lemme show you my substance of choice for the moment.

(http://www.wowbatangas.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/800px-roasted_coffee_beans.jpg)

Known as “Kapeng Barako” roughly translated as “strong coffee” mainly because of its bold and deep flavor.  And out of 70 coffee growing countries, only 3 have succeeded in growing and marketing this variety. Oddly enough, i don’t see much appreciation from the locals, except of course if you drop by Batangas where the coffee plantations are–At least that’s what the internet tells me.

Coffee is a cliche, most days. This time was different for me since its my first try in brewing coffee. How many times have I criticized and brought a barista to tears telling them how awful their brewing techniques were. Naw,  that part was just for drama–but i really did say the coffee was bad when its true (sometimes) , just cross out the screaming and teary-eyed part. In the middle of that sentiment i thought to myself, “Why the HELL is our coffee maker missing its manual?!” After a considerable amount of time, roughly translated to “less than a day” i managed to make it work. My dad actually said it was edible, ah yes, the things only a father could say. hahaha XD

Personally, i thought it needs a little tweaking and unbiased comments =p

Has it been two years?

In the early years of my collegiate life, i looked forward to 3hour breaks. It allowed me to sneak to gateway mall and steal a date from him as his office is in gateway. I remember texting him when I’m only a few minutes away, so he wouldn’t say no–not that he would.I’d ask him to sneak out a few hours from work just to walk around the mall, indulge in food, throw away money in the arcade or even shop. Pizza was usually part of our meal, of course since he’s working, he’s the one who pays–i bring discount coupons to make-up. How do we get all these done in three hours? We don’t.  I usually skip the remaining subject and he would stay out of the office.

Those are some of the best dates i’ve ever had.

“Free-spirited and good natured.
The mastermind of antics and laughs
Famous for his streaks of luck, an enigmatic charmer

Just as expected from the first brat.”

(http://iceartificio.multiply.com/journal/item/9/The_First_of_the_Four_Brats)

Yep, that’s him. love to hate him, hate to lose him.

But i did.

They say all kinds of hoo-ha’s when you lose someone you love.

If you love somebody, set them free, if they return, they’re yours.

or

When you lose someone, you’ll move on, eventually.

I beg to disagree.

No matter how many times i set you free, you’re not coming back–not that i CAN set you free.

When you love someone, there’s no such thing as moving on. You go on living, but not without the pain. You only grow stronger, accustomed to it–but it never goes away.

Bare my soul,
strip me naked of all
pretenses of courage and
acceptance, i possess neither
for the world, in all its beauty
would wither with your absence
(http://flamesprite.blogspot.com/2008/03/all-in-silence.html)

I wish i could say more. I wish you’d let me talk to you if you get to read this.
Ah, Wishful thinking.

After this long, I imagined I’d be strong enough to share your stories without limiting them to three-word sentences or strangle the words with silence. I’m still far too selfish to talk about you, simply because i know how much it costs to think about you. How it reminds me of how much I’ve lost.

You’ve painted me a great many things that i can reach with potentials that supposedly lie in me and unfaltering belief that has yet to rub off on me.

I hate looking back since i already see brief glimpses of you everyday, but its alright to miss you like this sometimes right?

“i’m so lost without you down here…i really wish i got to say goodbye”

-View from heaven, Yellowcard

yesterday, my Kuya celebrated his second death anniversary. It was yesterday, two years ago, that we received that call from India that killed something in all of us.

Prancing Around The Lion City

I would say “finally!”, but if you know me you’d have already said that by now.

And yes, even as it is a few weeks late from the intended date of publishing, it is here! yay! hahaha XD

The 10th of July was the dawn of many firsts in my life. First plane ride, first time to set foot on foreign soil (Why does that sentence remind me of my Social studies professor AKA Queen Maleficent’s  evil twin? =p)and all the other perks (and cons >_< ) that traveling entailed.

[L-R Seedsop, Sese, IceArt]

It was a blast spending the weekend with Sese , Seedsop and  Sese’s very accommodating sister who brought us to breath-taking places and mouth-watering dishes that left us begging for more.

The 12th of the same month, was the first time i cosplayed competitively. I have been attending conventions here and there locally for quite some time. Yet the closest i ever got to dressing up was as a Victorian maid in both Victorian Valentines and a few photoshoots here and there–nothing really serious.

For this particular cosplay, our group, Project Eiva decided i should portray Talim of Soul Calibur IV

I was surprised as i saw how much attention to detail was required. All the effort, skill and time  poured into the construction of Talim’s costume. i give kudos to everyone who made it happen: Madame Belen for the clothing, Ings and Vica for the awesome Tonfas , Tere for the footwear that were very much similar to the ones in-game. and Eco for the superb wig-styling skills. You guys are pure genius, thanks =)

As for the cosplay proper. The skits were wonderful! I wouldn’t ask you to not try to look for the skit i did (you’re probably streaming it by now *facepalm*). But if you haven’t seen it, a word to the wise: don’t . I’ll tell you what’s in it–a poorly rehearsed skit. Haha. I wouldn’t blame it on the difference with the cosplay culture we have  here. The researching and practicing part should’ve been my responsibility. But i won’t dawdle in that thought. Instead, i want to share a few more snapshots courtesy of Sese and Seedsop.

The most difficult part for me was finding a new pose that resembled the character everytime somebody asked if they could take a picture–the good thing was they we’re very courteous when it comes to asking for snapshots–and very patient =D

In a nutshell, i enjoyed Cosfest very much. Yes, there’s a whole room for improvement waiting the next time. I would have loved to not rush toning my body to fit the character. Some of the pictures would show that there is much tummy-toning to be done =p

Here’s a couple more pics from the event.

The beauty of the event is that the competitive nature of cosplay was almost non-existent. There were wonderful cosplayers with very intricate costumes who enjoyed their passion for what it is: An Art. None of them seemed to have any trouble being in-character (unlike a girl i know =p). And the best part? towards the end of the event, the host called upon all the cosplayers to head on stage and do the Caramel Dance.

I’ll let you in on a little secret: At that time, i had the faintest idea what the heck a caramel dance was (So much for being a weebo =p). But in the middle of  dancing awkwardly on-stage while trying to sneak in the background, i saw how people smiled encouragingly at anyyone who meets their eyes. After that, i decided, i’ll just learn the dance in youtube later and just enjoy the rest of the event since everyone was beginning to come up with weird dance moves anyway =)

Et Voila. That’s the Singapore Escapade. With any luck, fervent prayers and a winning lottery ticket, we might be able to take another swing at the Lion City.

A million thanks to EVERYONE who helped make this possible. Sese and Seedsop, i had a blast! thanks I would give each one of you a heaping serving of my famous Triple Chocolate Cake, if only they were edible

Photos courtesy of Sese Maxwell and Seedsop

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