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Nov. 26th, 2009 @ 12:24 am Thanksgiving

This is yearly tradition that I hope to never break. On Thanksgiving I like to give a bulleted list of things that I am thankful for. This seems particularly important after a difficult year like 2009.


#10.) My hobbies and interests. From WoW to Magic, to my increasing forays into Cosplay I am thankful for the time and energy to pursue things that make me happy. The may not be the most productive of hobbies, but I'm glad of the distraction (sometimes) and for the things that can keep my mind occupied. I am also thankful for the opportunity to share my hobbies with other people. Games are more fun with your friends.


#9) Jessica's mother and father have created for us all to share a wonderful bounty of home cooked thanksgiving food. A feast that can be shared by many people, and can be frozen to be enjoyed for the remaining days of November. I am grateful for the food which I will eat, because I recognize that not everyone will be so fortunate. I have not mentioned this before, but I suppose its because I always take this for granted.


#8) In terms of utility provided measured against cost I can think of no more valuable object than my car. Its got more than its fair share of quirks and flaws, but this car has been through an awful lot. I don't always treat it right and I've put almost 100,000 miles on it in the past 7 years, but still it does me solid. I hope that it can last me at least another year before I have to put it out to pasture. But, for the time being, I am thankful for a mode of transportation that keeps me independent.


#7) PortconMaine, in no small estimation, might be the best thing that has happened to me in my life. I've met the best people I'll ever meet, and I have a thing to look forward to every year. I love being involved with this event. I like performing on my stage. I like the look in the eyes of all the attendees. I am thankful to those who have given me an opportunity to be a continuing part of this event, and I am thankful for the wonderful community it has fostered.


#6) Recently I've been going to the gym more often, and I feel like that's been helping my overall mood. My cardio endurance has improved by a significant margian, and I'm starting to see real results in my general body shape. I am thankful for the good health this is providing me with, and also thankful for my continual well being. No great ailment affects me, and I am lucky to be able to go about daily life without encumbrance. Too often, I feel, I take this for granted.


#5) I am thankful for the lessons that can be learned from hard experiences. Character isn't built by making easy decisions, or without sacrifice. Experience, they say, is the best teacher and I have been taught some harsh lessons this year. Though I would be remiss if I simply wrote 2009 off as a crap year. That would count out all the good times that were had, and all the the things that I learned. Though it was difficult, I am almost glad of what happened. It forced me to have realistic perspectives, and brought me closer to some of my friends. I am thankful of those opportunities.


#4) More than ever I am thankful of my education, and my ability to continue my master's program at Edgewood College. Graduate school is a luxury that not everyone has access to, and I should be taking every advantage that I am offered. It is also in a new environment where I am meeting new people, and that diversity is making life more interesting. I must apply myself in my classes harder than I did during my undergrad, and I must ensure that my time is spent building a career. I cannot allow this opportunity to be wasted.



#3) With each challenge I face I seem to grow more reliant on the advice and guidance of my father. Throughout numerous ordeals he has always been able to support me, and I feel I still do not fully comprehend his extreme patience. Words can scant express my gratitude for all the tremendous things he has done for me over the years (and this year in particular). I can honestly say that I would be lost without his help, and he has done more for me than any other member of my family. I am thankful for this wisdom. His guidance. And his patience.


#2) More important than my connection to any one person is the love I share with Jessica Nayes. We have been together for over 2 years now, and I am still very happy. We have lived together for several months now and have not driven each other crazy. Our relationship faced enormous stress and hardship this year, but we have remained together despite long months of forced separation. It proved to me that this was a relationship worth keeping, and worth fighting for. I do not write about her often in public, but sufficed to say that I believe we are truly in love – and that is not a word I am willing to use lightly.


#1) This year, more than others, I relied on my friends. I asked from them more than I could give in return, and (at times) I selfishly ignored their feelings because of my own problems. And yet despite my negative attitudes you all remain my very best of friends. I am blessed to be able to know all of you, and I feel I cannot ever fully express how much you all mean to me. I truly feel that I could not ask to seek companionship in a greater group of individuals then the ones I currently call my friends. And so it is for friends, both past, present and future, that I am most thankful for. This year, and every year henceforth.



Hannah Abbott, Brad Anderson, Molly Brewer, Nate Brown, Tom Caddigan, Amanda Wolske, Jekka Cormier, Laura Daniels, Dan Rothe, Heather Day, Garret DeHoyos, Mary Dumke, James Gavel(rest in peace), Bill Gross, Kevin Hammer, Alex & Liz Jackson, Liz Johnson, Ethan Jud, Peter Keuler, Amu Kolpin, Alex Kopack, Tim Koster, Autumn Leonard, Connor Lewis, Wille MacLaren, Tori Marshall, Sarah McDole, Jen "CJ" McDonald, Ross Miller, Jenny Mimier, Tony Mueller, Jesse Olson, David Overton, Keith Pittman, Nicklaus Reichel, Stacy Robinson, Sam Ross, Jonno Schacht, Chelsea Smith, Jason Swanson, Brian Tingdahl, Melanie Tingdahl, Charlie Wanniger, Alaina Werkhoven, Shawn Wilson, Justin Wojkowksi, Julie York, Amanda "Arch", Ian "Ian", Tim Wintle, Sarah H, Vu Tran, LAZER, Vandel, Andrew "Weer'd" Beard, Waldo, Dancin' Johny Bash, Lizzie Knowland, Ryan York, Dan Scwartz, Sam Ellis, Chris Seneca, Ana Kaufmen, Dean Frank, Heather



Have a good Thanksgiving.

Subtly in Motion
Lovecraft
Oct. 29th, 2009 @ 11:26 am Ain't no rest for the wicked, and money don't grow on trees
Instant Music: Cage the Elephant

 

One update a month? Thats probably about par for the course. But I like keeping in touch with people back home so I reckon that part of my duty is to report on whats been happening 1200 miles out west. Some good things actually. I finished up my first graduate school course last week (Executive Communication) with a perfect score. Granted its just a base class and its not really any more challenging than any of my undergrad work, but it was nice to do well in a graduate atmosphere. I've also got top marks in the rest of my classes at the mid-term mark, so here's to hoping that I can finish strong. I like to feel that I am more committed to graduate courses than undergrad. I admit that I made some mistakes, and the harsh reality of today's economy was a good teacher. I (hopefully) won't be repeating my mistakes, and will get the most out of my classes.


 

Aside from classes I've also started a new exercise regime with my friends. It started with some light jogging 3-4 times a week about 2 months ago, and it has evolved into heavy cardio mixed with heavy lifting 3 times a week at a local community center's gym. In September I struggled to jog for more than a block or 2, and now I run 3+ miles at a time. Yesterday I even ran an 8-minute mile for the first time in my life. I'm pretty proud of that. I've set some goals and I've been keeping track of my progress in excel. I hope I can keep with it this time. I worked out a lot more my freshman and sophomore years, but kind of lapsed since then. I'd like to be in much better condition than I am in currently. I mean, my dad is almost 53 and he did a triathlon last year – so whats my excuse for being doughy?


 

Other than that Halloween is this weekend. Big block party in Madison should be pretty fun. I'm going to meet up with some people I just met in my classes so that'll be fun. I'm a little jealous of the sweet zombie LARP Julie has planned, so I QQ for that- but hopefully I'll be able to make the next big thing. I did a lot of costume work this month so my actual halloween costume is a little lacking. I'm basically just putting on my steampunk outfit and goggles and matching it with a red scarf and an iron cross to be The Red Baron (Snoopy's greatest rival!). Which reminds me I should post pictures of the Sarumon the White wizard robe I made up for Ring Game (and then promptly ruined by running through a brambly forest all day).


 

I hope everyone else is doing well. Looking forward to visiting you all soon!

Subtly in Motion
Duranty
Oct. 16th, 2009 @ 03:17 pm 3 fun firsts
 Its been about a month since I came back to Wisconin, and about 3 weeks since classes have started. I'm really enjoying my classes thus far, and it feels good to be doing something worthwhile with my time again. They are significantly more challangeing than my undergrad courses (which I like) and they feel more relevant to 'real world' problems. For example, in the first day of my tax class I learned I had misfiled my federal income tax in 2008, and used my text book to fix that problem and file an ammended return. Pretty cool I thought.

Ahh, but I don't really want to update too much about class. I want to talk about 3 exciting firsts that happend within the last week or so.

First, I went to a Ren Faire for the first time ever. Its a 'geek event' I've wanted to goto for a long time, and it was on my "Geek things to do before I die" list so me and 4 of my friends headed to Bristol Wisconsin to check it out. We spent about 12 hours at the faire, and I got to say I had a pretty awesome time. Got to see lots of people dressed in some awesome rennisance and fantasy oufits, see some entertaining shows (jousting, however, was pretty 'meh'), and gawk at some very pretty (but every expensive) pieces of garb. I was particularly fond of the hat selection and was very nearly tempted to purchase. I would also like to point out that there was a steampunk vendor that was selling modified pairs of googles, monocles, and a selection of leather armour embossed and decorated with gears. In fact, I saw about a half dozen people walking about in steampunk attire. Ha ha! Vindiciation for my silly fan obession of choice.

I'd definitely like to check out another faire, or maybe go back to Bristol next summer. Make a weekend of it maybe? 

This past week I also got to shoot a gun for a first time. My friend Ross invited me up to his home in rural Wisconsin (in the middle of literally nowhere) to have a BBQ and take a few shots at rotten apples with his .22s. He had set up a make shift 'range' in a corner of his father-in-law's farm and we shot a few clips worth of bullets at some printed targets and rotten apples. A friend of his also braught out a high caliber deer rifle that pretty much vaporized any apples it hit.  We spent about an hour or so doing that then enjoyed a few burgers and a few beers. Simple clean country fun. OH! And we also got to play with some 2 week old barn kittens. So fricking adorable!

Lastly, this week I was stung by a bee. Not a big deal probably, but up until a few days ago I thought I was deathly allergic to them. My entire life I was told that I was very allergic to bee stings and always carried an epi-pen with me to school from 1st grade to senior year. So, you could understand my natural panic when I felt a sharp pain in my foot and saw a dying bee sticking out of a stinger-sized hole. However, except for the pain, nothing happened. So I guess I'm fine, and not allergic to bee stings - but that was kind of a funny way of finding out.

So thats it I guess. I don't really write in livejournal anymore (and I don't know who reads it). But I want to keep in good touch with everyone (this had motivated me to watch facebook more than I used to) and I figure livejournal is as good a tool as any. I hope everyone else is doing well too.
Subtly in Motion
Lovecraft
Aug. 13th, 2009 @ 01:40 am Photobloggan?
Once upon a time I posted alot of photos on this livejournal. Photos I took myself of weird stuff I saw. I would like to return to that time, starting with this one which I am rather proud of:


Subtly in Motion
Duranty
Jul. 14th, 2009 @ 11:27 pm Says he takes it much too hard. Give my regards.
Instant Music: Moxy Fruvous
I've typed an entry like this out in my head quite a number of times already, but I still never seem to commit to posting it. I hardly ever use my livejournal anymore, but that seems like a shame because it is a useful tool for keeping in touch with everyone and letting people know whats going on. So, with that in mind here's something thats going on with me.

I applied to 2 graduate schools. University of Maine Orono, and Edgewood College in Madison, WI. I was accepted into both programs quite some time ago, but didn't make an offical decision until pretty recently. I spent alot of time weighing the pluses and minuses of both schools. And while I could tell you all about the specifics of that, I can sum it up by saying that I was making a good decision either way. Of course, I was also making a bad decision.

I'm moving onto a stage of my life where I can't really count on having 2 seperate lives 1200 miles apart from one and other. I never got an appreciation for awesome that was in college, but now that I think about it that was really great. It meant I never really missed out on anything and I got see all of my awesome friends. Moving forward it will be harder to maintain that, and I have to face the reality that I can't be in two places at once, and that really sucks. My friends are important to me. More important than I think they (or I probably) understand. More important than I know how to properly express. And I don't like the thought of having to leave any of them.

In the end I made the decision to attend Edgewood because they offered me a better financial aide package, and I get the oppurtunity to spend more time with Jessica. Actually, we'll be living together. And my friend Tim is making the move with me. Its probably not the best time to try to move cross country, but he says he wants a change of scenery. I'm nervous about the move, but I think the decision to go back to school is the right one. This past year has been very challenging, and I'm sure challenges lay ahead. I know I am going to miss people back in Maine, and I think potentially not being with them during the summer months will be harder than I expect, but at least I will see them for a month Christmas and a few weeks around Portcon. 

Alternatively, I just win a whole bunch of money and buy myself a summer home on a lake in Maine and keep coming back every summer. That would be pretty great I think.

Subtly in Motion
Lovecraft
May. 31st, 2009 @ 11:21 pm You have to admit its getting better. Getting better everyday.
I'm not really even sure how to communicate exactly how I'm feeling right now. Life since about November has been increasingly more stressful, and has offered a plethora of new challanges. In trying to start my 'adult' life I have met some difficulties, and have spent an awful lof of time struggling. Over the winter months I had to battle some pretty serious lonliness, and a kind of depression that really weighed me down. I still am trying to deal with these things(AB actually taught me some interesting things about how I am coping), but I feel like things are starting to improve.

I was accepted into the graduate programs I applied for, so I will begin work on an upperlevel professional degree this fall no matter what. It still remains to be seen where I will attend, but loans will have a pretty big role in that decision. I am also excited for Portcon (as usual) and the work I am doing for it offers a welcome distraction from my dissatisfaction with my currrent day job. It also means that I'll be seeing Jessica again very soon, and all my friends from Wisconsin I haven't hardly seen since I left in December.

The lesson I'm trying to learn through all of this is that I can't keep focusing on what I've lost, or what I could have done differently to change my current state. What is done is done. I need to work to make things better for me in the future, and to this end (as someone's suggestion) I have started to ask myself a question at the end of every day: "What did I do today to make things better for me?" Today I worked with my Dad to create a budget spreadsheet to compare my graduate school choices. Yesterday I was told I was accepted into both programs. Tomorrow, I will probably start looking for a job that isn't quite as dehumanizing as the one I have now.
Subtly in Motion
Goldwater
May. 13th, 2009 @ 10:47 pm Something Mel mentioned at Roleplaying:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/64142


They Might be Giants!
June 12th (friday) 2009 : 8pm 
Port City Music Hall
$25-$28

Hot damn! Looks like there's a concert to look forward to.
Subtly in Motion
Lovecraft
Feb. 19th, 2009 @ 10:35 pm And the band played on
Instant Music: Moxy Fruvous
 I think its a good idea to update the ol' Livejournal when things are good.  And these past few days have been good. Had a LAN over at Julie's house with her, Ryan and Nate and we seriously geeked out. We played more World of Warcraft than was probably healthy, but it was alot of fun. Now, bear in mind when I say "too much World of Warcraft" I mean we literally cleared all of the game's raid content in a single night. We were plowing down instances left and right -it was awesome.  Ryan especially got a lion's share of the item drops and now he's already caught up to everyone else - and for the first time ever I get to share the endgame content with my real life friends as opposed to strangers on vent.

I especially had a good time because of the experience of doing stuff in the same room as all of your friends, and doing little things over the in game chat despite being able to just talk out loud. Like, Nate and I had a funny back and forth about pretty much nothing, but it was way more amusing because of the novelty factor of it. - plus I think half the fun of gaming is bullshitting with other people. Really, we gotta do that thing again. And with more people if we can do it!

And besides that I'm much busier now than I was. I've got 50 hours of work this week and I'm finally gonna be able to start saving and working on my bills. The present economy isn't looking very good right now, but I think I am personally close to turning things around. Its a pretty good feeling. 
Subtly in Motion
Umberto
Feb. 9th, 2009 @ 12:12 pm Feelin' Fine

Actually feeling pretty good today. For the past few months I feel like my situation has been getting worse and worse, and my anxiety threatened to overcome me. The details are not worth summarizing, but sufficed to say that things were looking pretty grim for quite awhile. However, I feel like things are finally starting to turn around.

 

I'm not fully employed currently, but I did recently get a part time job with Saga Communications as an Operator on Duty for Portland Radio Group. What that means is for 6 hours a week (Saturday mornings 5am-11am) I'm in charge of making sure that 8 of the major Portland radio stations are broadcasting normally. Sure its not as fun as having my own show on WSUM, but I'm learning an awful lot about commercial radio and its all very interesting. And while I'm still searching for another job, at least in the meantime I have around 100 bucks a week I can use to chip away at my college loans.

 

And there's another thing thats got me in a pretty good mood. Over the weekend me and most of ya'll saw Coraline. Pretty cool film overall, but I have to say my favorite scene was the one featuring a brief musical cameo from one of my favorite singers: John Linnell of They Might be Giants. I read a little more trivia about it and found out that TMBG was originally going to do most of the Coraline soundtrack, but the songs they produced didn't quite match what the director wanted, but that the songs the Giants did create are going to be released on future albums. How cool is that?

 

Now check out this scene again. Notice how the character singing even manages to look just like a caricature of John Linnell. Its too amazing for words.


 
Subtly in Motion
TMBG
Jan. 26th, 2009 @ 11:54 pm A Livejournal Meme
So, top 5 album meme. I like it. Do it yourself!




#1 - Tally Hall - Marvin's Marvelous Mechcanical Museum
#2 - David Bowie - The Rise & Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars
#3 - Moxy Fruvous - Bargainville
#4 - The Clash - London Calling
#5 - Blind Guardian - Nightfall on Middle Earth

Picking just 5 albums can be a real challenge, but I implore everyone to give it a try. I love talking about and sharing music with my friends and it would be really interesting to see what everyone picks as their favorites. 

Subtly in Motion
Lovecraft
Jan. 23rd, 2009 @ 12:15 pm Lazy
 Still on the look out for a job.  Got a few rejections. Learning a whole bunch I didn't previously know about how the job listings in the paper are mostly a waste of my time. Learning about the limits of pride.  Ahh, but I'm keeping busy. Got some courses at USM. Got some RPG to play in. Got some online courses to start in February.  And today I spent a few minutes on something kinda fun.

I got offically listed as Game Show Staff at Anime Boston so I figured it might be worth my time to start working on some questions for the game shows I'll be doing/helping with/whatever. So I threw up some Jeopardy questions underneath an LJ cut. Try and answer 'em if you want. Feedback is good. How many can you get without checking out google or somesuch?
Test your Knowledge )

Subtly in Motion
Lovecraft
Jan. 5th, 2009 @ 08:57 pm Actually, everything is fine
 New resolution. When I'm feeling upset I won't go on livejournal and QQ. I didn't mean what I said, that was just me being upset with me. Really, I <3 you all. I want to apologize for anything that might have been taken the wrong way, I didn't mean to say that moving back was a mistake, or that my friends in one state were better than another state. I was upset because I miss my old home, and I miss Jessica - kinda like a kid away at sleepaway summer camp for the first time, you know? It can be a rough transition, but in the end its all worthwhile and fun and awesome.

I felt that I had to set the record straight in case any feelings were hurt.  You all are my friends, and I don't know what I would do without you, and I want to prove that you all mean alot to me.

Oh, and another resolution. As part of getting into better shape I would like to be able to do 1 handed pushups. Or, if those proove too dificult, 50 or more regular ones without stressing. I've already started, and I'm keeping track of how many I can do on my calander. 



Subtly in Motion
Goldwater
Dec. 11th, 2008 @ 07:02 pm Its as Fergie says
"If you ain't got no money take 'yo broke ass home"

Good decisions come form good judgement. Good judgement comes from learning from bad decisions. Perhaps I have been looking at my current situation in the wrong light. It is easy to resign myself to failure if I think this situation entirely my own fault. That is to say, if I consider myself to be a failure and do not work to change this view, then I will only continue to 'fail' as I try to move forward. The best thing I can do for myself is to recoginize that the plan I came to Madison with back in August did not work, and rather than beat my head in trying to figure out why it didn't work I need to formulate a new plan. 

And that is what I have done. Consider, if you will, what could be a very positive timeline. Start some pre-graduate courses in the winter session of 2008, continueing into the spring and summer of 2009. In the fall of 2009 I would entry into true graduate study, with an expected graduation date of May 2010. I would have a Master's of Science in Accounting and would be ready to sit for my CPA exam. In this same month Jessica would graduate with her undergraduate degree in Mechcanial Engineering. The timing is nearly perfect. It will be difficult to be away, but how wonderful it will be to get back together and be at a stage in both our lives where we can both start meaningful careers.

Perhaps its more a dream than a plan - but I've started to move my end forward. I've been in contact with the USM advisors and I am preped to enroll in classes. I have looked over the grad school requirements and I have set up a course list that gets me the credits I need to start graduate work in the Fall. With Julie's help I have even started to look for employement oppurtunites in the Southern Maine school system so that I can work towards decreasing my current debt, and build my resume for my future endeavors.

I thank everyone for their support, their advice, and their friendship. This situation does not seem nearly as dark as when I first approached it. This is completly within my grasp, and I am excited to put the failure of these past months behind me and look toward brighter oppurtunities. It is all I can do to keep my spirits high during this - I do not wish to be overly dramatic, but I had to share my improving mood with someone.
Subtly in Motion
Lovecraft
Nov. 27th, 2008 @ 10:43 pm A yearly tradition
 I started a personal tradition the year which I fasted for thanksgiving (well, wait - as I recall I did have a hotpocket that day) that I would take some time to consider the things which I am thankful for. And, if my clock is right I've still got an hour yet before I'm too late. Things haven't been so perfect these past few months, but even so its good to give pause.

#10 - Hobbies and timewasters, and a lifestyle which allows me to indulge in them. Be it my weekly radio show, or video games or whathaveyou- I'm thankful for the free time I have to relax and have fun. I'm also thankful for the internet. Come on, without it I wouldn't able to communicate with so many people. I wouldn't have the breadth of knowledge of music that I have. It makes so many things possible. It powers my modern lifestyle, and I don't feel ashamed to count it among the things I am thankful for. And, sure. I'll reserve even a little space for the things I have forgotten for whatever reason.

#9 - I am thankful every year to be part of the Portcon Maine community. To meet with fun and interesting people (whom I see so seldomly) to put on such a quality event that is enjoyed by more than 1500 people. To share my love of my hobby with so many other people, and to present a venue where geeks can connect and meet. I know many of my current friends only because of this event, and it is a pleasure to work for it year after year.

#8 - Despite its age and a range of rather recent repairs, I am thankful that my car is in working order. It keeps me mobile (an important thing in Maine for sure) and gets me ready access to things I need. And while 20 hour cross-country drives are not fun, its nice to know that my car can still weather the journey.

#7 - I am thankful I have the means with which to support myself. To stay in a rented apartment with 6 of my good friends. To live in a city with my friends, and with Jessica. To afford to eat. And while times are tight, I know that I will be able to make it through.

#6 - My education. I recently graduated with a Bachelors of Science in both Economics & History, and I am working towards a Masters of Science in Accounting. I had the distinction to attend a fairly prestigious university, and though it keeps me in debt, I know that the investment will prove worthwhile.

#5 - My good health. Sure there was that weird case of poison ivy - but I'm not having to deal with any serious health issues, or any recently broken bones. I suppose I could stand to be in better physical shape, but oh well.

#4 - I am thankful that even during these tough economic times I have the support of my father, and his strong advice. Without his guidance I can't say where I would be. He is man to be envied, and much can be learned from him. This is particularly important to me because of the difficult situation concerning my mother.

#3 - My family. Certainly not perfect, but what is? So much has happened, but at the end of the day its nice to have a support network of people who know will love and support you no matter what. And I'm not certain how much longer it will be before my grandmother will join her husband, so I realize the importance of spending time with her while there is still time to spend.

#2 - The love of Jessica Nayes. She deserves her own number. I have not much more to say than that. I love her. Its not a term I use lightly, but with her I use it often.

#1 - I do this every year. I list out the names of all my friends. I could say "all my friends", but I feel its more special this way. I'm glad I've had the chance to meet and know all of you. To be there with you creating memories, and sharing good times. Adventures, and shenagigans all powered by you and me. Really, I could go on with these sappy saying, but I can't stress enough how you all are the best friends I could have ever asked for.

Hannah Abbott, Brad Anderson, Molly Brewer, Nate Brown, Tom Caddigan, David Cole, Jekka Cormier, Laura Daniels, Dan Rothe, Heather Day, Garret DeHoyos, Mary Dumke, James Gavel, Bill Gross, Kevin Hammer, Alex & Liz Jackson, Liz Johnson, Ethan Jud, Peter Keuler, Amu Kolpin, Alex Kopack, Tim Koster, Autumn Leonard, Connor Lewis, Kelly MacAvaney, Wille MacLaren, Tori Marshall, Sarah McDole, Jen "CJ" McDonald, Ross Killer, Jenny Mimier, Tony Mueller, Jesse Olson, David Overton, Keith Pittman, Scott Pockat, Dan Rebholz, Nicklaus Reichel, Stacy Robinson, Sam Ross, Jonno Schacht, Chelsea Smith, Jason Swanson, Brian Tingdahl, Melanie Tingdahl, Charlie Wanniger, Alaina Werkhoven, Justin Wojkowksi, Julie York, Amanda "Arch", Ian "Ian", Tim Wintle, Nami (never did learn your real name. Its more mysterious that way I suppose), Vu Tran, Jason & Jason (Abs and Vandel. Or, Vandel and Abs - you fight over it), Andrew "Weer'd" Beard, Gay "Waldo" Man, Dancin' Johny Bash, Lizzie Knowland, Ryan  York, Dan Scwartz



Subtly in Motion
Umberto
Oct. 31st, 2008 @ 11:18 am Its October 31st, can it get any worse?
 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!


Way more pictures to follow.
Subtly in Motion
Lovecraft
Oct. 14th, 2008 @ 09:31 am Rough crew manifest for the HMS Izhora (name pending?)
The Cap'M aka Der Commissar : Myself (don't turn around)
Navigator : Julie 
Communications Specialist : Arch
Mercenary / Body Guard & Tough Person: Ian, and Brian
Inventor / Mad Scientist / Technowizard : Ryan (I bet I can figure a better title)
Herr Doctor: Alex
Ship Owners and Finanicl Backers: CJ & Vu
Chief Engineer and weilder of a big wrench: Mel
Pilot : Jekka

yet unknown: Sam, 

Did I miss anyone? Anyone else gonna be down to Anime Boston that doesn't have any plans for costumes yet? Can always use more aboard. Anyway - do those already on board have any preferences or suggestions for a name? I've come up with a small list here:

The HMS ...

Umberto Nobile (an Italian airship designer and pilot of some acclaim, helped the soviet program in the 30s)
Alexander Belov (A soviet airship engineer who also worked in the 1930s)
Pobeda (an actual airship model deployed by the USSR in the 1940s means "Victory")
Potemkin (After the battleship, the general, and the propoganda film)
Pravda (means "truth", and is the name of the infamous soviet propaganda rag)
Tsarina Catherine (I used to last time, but I'm rather found of it)
Izhora (the first Russian steam vessel)

And if you're sick of Russian themed names, here are some others:

Basalisk
Osiris (which might have also been used in The Matrix)
Malvolio (I guess Shakespearean names are popular? This is just one of the ones that comes to mind)
Duke Orsino
Macbeth
Roosevelt (too modern? Maybe if we're talking Teddy - but then HMS wouldn't so much work)
Neptune, Jupitor, or other planet/roman god
Archangel
The Obsidan (Ian's idea)

And [your idea here]. More stupid updates on steampunk to come later this week for sure. This Saturday is Ring Game so I'll get to showcase my costume 1.0. I got a coat, a vest, a watch, a special cane, and an assortment of doo-dads: what've you got?




Subtly in Motion
Umberto
Oct. 11th, 2008 @ 08:15 pm Adventures in Steampunk
 Julie called me the other day to tell me she had finally come aboard the proverbial airship and wanted to do a steampunk costume group for Anime Boston '09. Needless to say this has me pretty excited. Steampunk is so "in" right now and I'm loving it. I got my Madison friends all excited, and now my Maine friends too. A winner is me. But I can't take the time to gloat on that fact, there's stuff to be done in preperation. I've got a crew to assemble. In a few days I'm gonna post up a big list of all my ideas so those interested in joining can have something to work with. Character ideas, costumes ideas, prop ideas - the works. This project is gonna be totally fun and I want everyone even thinking about doing AB to get on board.

On my end I've been working on a sewing project recently. A gentleman's trench coat for use in such a steampunk costume. I put some of the last touches on it today, and I think it came out pretty good. Now, remember that my sewing progression has gone something like: Hat-->Hoodie-->This. Anyway, here it is below: not the best picture, but you get the idea, right? The trickiest part were figuring out the cuffs and pockets. The pattern didn't have any, so I had to look at my other coat and kinda experiment with them. 




This will be fantastic! 
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Lovecraft
Sep. 23rd, 2008 @ 10:33 am All the people are so happy now their heads are caving in
Instant Music: They Might be Giants
 I've had the strangest desire lately. I want to sew something. And not like the pokemon hats- but something complicated. I'm not entirely sure what I want it to be, just that I want to bust out the sewing machine and go to town on some kinda project. I blame all my lurking on /cgl/ (the only board I even goto on 4chan anymore) for this. I guess the fact that Halloween & Ring Game are coming up soon is a good excuse to get something going.

In the meanwhile I'm doing my best to keep busy despite my lack of solid employment. I head to the gym at least twice a week. Once to a rock gym to climb with a friend a friend of mine, and again to lift weights and play Raquette Ball with my roommate. I've got a new weekly radio show from 10-11am Tuesday mornings. So far I've been using it as a venue to play electronic music and practice my mixing. Coming up next month I'm actually gonna be DJing a costume rave for what should be a pretty good sized crowd.  Also been playing a spot of WoW again. Two of my roomates were really excited for WotLK, and their excitment was infectious. 

And that's about it. Pretty mundane entry, and now I leave you with a photo of me and some friends taken about a weekago at Jessica's "high class" housewarming party. I feel I might be channeling a little Waldo here.


Subtly in Motion
Goldwater
Sep. 16th, 2008 @ 11:44 am My art wall, let me show you it

 Maybe you didn't know this about me, but I really like to have my living space very decorated. Those who have seen my room can attest to the fact that I have more stuff on my walls than one of those 'crazy crap on the wall' style resteraunts. But everything I put up is a treasure, and I can't stand the sight of bare walls when I know they could be adorned with thropies (no matter how insignificant). Of course another componant of this is that I love to show off my decorating 'skills', which brings us to this entry.

Behind the LJ cut is something I'm rather proud of. Its an art wall comprised mainly of works my friends have done for me. Its my own little art muesum right in my own home, and all of works created by people I know especially for me. Some day I'd like to track down all of my artist friends for commisions to fill out my wall.

Arts )
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Duranty
Sep. 7th, 2008 @ 11:49 am Lazy
 If its not one thing its another. A few days after I get back into madison I notice a few bumps on my lower legs - look kinda like flea bites. I don't think much of it, but every day since then they've been getting worse. Spreading, oozing, and making both of my legs itch like crazy - so I finally get into a doctor (which was easier than I thought given that I don't have insurance right now). Doc says it looks like poison ivy - but since I've haven't been near any poison ivy anytime recently he says it must be an alergic reaction to something. So he presribes a light steroid and sends me on my way. He also mentions he could be wrong on the diagnosis and the steroids could make it a whole lot worse - we'll see I guess.

Oh, and my iPod was stolen from my car. Been a bad couple of days.
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Lovecraft