Minami 15: The Hattening
Mar. 31st, 2009 11:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
same_differenceSo lots to write about I think. Cut tagged as usual. Was going to write more, but got tired, updates about House and other non-Minami things tomorrow.
Before I begin however: does anyone have any good recommendations for free video editing software, specifically software capable of rotating video through 90 degrees. I am forgetful and keep filming portrait videos with my camera... which doesn't work well when played back for obvious reasons. Preferably windows based as I have yet to get around to sorting out a linux dual boot for my current machine, mostly because I never find cause to use it at home.
Onwards...
So Minami, this was mine and Rachael's cosplay free experience of a con (and also Rachael's first Minami), and it was nice. For all I have rediscovered a desire to make costumes again - I think in the weeks leading up to the con cosplay had become the one thing too many and my interest suffered accordingly - it was certainly pleasant always being in comfortable clothes and not having to worry about the state of the costume. The lack of pressure in the days approaching the con was also useful. Still there was an impression of just less costumes and more relaxing and socialising this year anyway, so we never felt particularly out of place not in costume. It was also nice to chat to a few people who agreed with, or were already doing, the make costumes as you feel like it and see what you have when a con roles around approach; rather than the alternative of frantic pre-con costume making.
In the end free of costumes we had a great time socialising with some utterly lovely people, and chatting about all kind of things. I didn't feel there was as much on so that I was choosing to pick things to go to this year instead of choosing the things to miss.
Friday we arrived at 11:52 earlier than we planned and without getting lost (breaking both Rachael and my own families traditions - clearly the universe was borked). Hotel rooms were acquired, food consumed and people eventually found. In terms of activities we actually watched some anime, at an anime convention shock horror - xxxholic, I'd like to watch more in small does I think - as much as the showings are generally a few years short of recent (because of the long release date in the UK) there's not that much I've seen. Need to make more time to watch some shows I think; recommendations are welcome. Asides, aside the party and variety show was much as expected with some amusing failures at rock, paper, scissors, and some unfortunate drawing shifts in the chinese whispers with pictures, I think![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
lil_silver would have an easier time in the previous artists weren't so enamoured with extraneous details for example. The 'Get Sentai Go!' event or 'How quickly can you put on a power ranger lycra body suit, gloves, boot and belt' was equally special with a couple of people (poor caylithe) only just getting pipped to the post.
Saturday, with no money to spend at the charity auction was a nice reasonably lazy morning affair, much needed after the tiring week of work I'd had leading up to the con. People were found and chatted to, and we didn't bother with the dealers room queue. I don't see why you'd want to queue only to get into a inevitable crowded room that much faster. There nothing I actually want to buy (well other than pocky) in the dealers room anyway, and while I imagine it would be frustrating to miss out on getting that one thing you really wanted, I don't see there being a particular shortage of stock with the dealers even by Sunday. Still by avoiding the queue we were nicely placed to be jumped bykimmono_kitty who ready armed with supplies was after helping making a giant bolt for her boyfriend's (Mike) car, a surprise to go with one of his costumes, and he'd been unable to do that himself. It was like our very own iron cosplay, and was a lot of fun - definitely nice to actually make some costumes even if it was for a car. The making went well, I even had a couple of good ideas that worked well, though it was a little nerve racking as we weren't sure when Mike would turn up. Still we managed to hide it from him when he did show, though you should have seen poor kimmono_kitty's face when he said he was going to wear the costume Sunday instead. So we snuck bolt off to our hotel room, ready for applying to the car the day after.
Saturday also meant taking part in some Taiko drumming, which was fun, but left my arms and shoulders aching for the rest of the weekend. Rachael watched, asmarmaladecat, Joe, ailsa_chan, Myself, and about 10 others tried to do our best. As would be expected the workshop moved on quickly to give people a chance to try a fair amount of things, so all the initial lessons on technique were quickly put aside as everyone focussed more on keeping up with the rhythm and learning the beat. I made a few mistakes, as I've found with my drumming (which I miss so much having got to a little again at the con) I do better off muscle memory rather than thinking and so find it hard to have picked things up before the lesson has moved on (one of the reasons I didn't volunteer to be in the half to try and learn a second different rhythm about 2/3rds of the way through - and one of the reasons I didn't keep trying salsa) still I pretty much had it down by the end of the session (even if technique had gone out the window completely) and according to Rachael was better than some at least attempting to keep hitting the drum in the correct manner, but worse than others. So pretty reasonable over all, and there are videos to prove it too. Still another reason to look forward to the house being done, I can try and make a concerted effort to learn how to play the drums again.
Post drums Rachael and I made our way to Karen's fur workshop, Rachael having become enamoured with doing the costume of a bunny like pokemon, and my following so I'd be able to help her more when she tried to do it. Except that I did kinda take over a bit and ended up doing more than she did (kinda reminded me of one of my Dad's habits in some ways), though we working very well as a team. Still learnt some useful tips and ended up with an awesome tail, than it makes me thing more deer tail (or a fox head) than the bunny tail it was intended to be. Rachael certainly couldn't leave it alone for the rest of the con. Other people liked it too, as we were both amused that Rachael had to askcaylithe to get back after showing it around.
Funny to have done so much more cosplay at the con that in the weeks leading up to it.
The evening was taken up by the Masquerade. There were some very funny sketches this year particularly the Saint Seiya group (even with the technical fault they got stuck with), and the Team Giblets sketch. The Wessex skit was good, but felt a little more forced this year, lacking their usual energy, and suffered a little in comparison with some of the others. Stilllunarkittenlj's costume as Lina Inverse was excellent, Rich was thankfully clothed, fake breasts not withstanding and Rachael excellent voice offer suggests another career possibility; now I just need to convince her how good she sounded. The costumes were good and while I didn't try and take photos from across the sea of heads in front, the entrants were much better this year at stopping to give photo opportunities than I noticed they were last year.
Sunday had the same relaxed atmosphere it tends to do at cons as everyone is that little bit more tired, the clocks going back resulted in a much later start, but there wasn't anything we were concerned about missing. Cake and coffee was eaten in the cosplay cafe after photos of the full slayers group were taken, and Mike's car was decorated with bolts and stitches - so impressed that stayed on (though I wish when at some later point I spotted the car had been moved without the bolt - which was directly in front of the drivers seat on the bonnet - falling off that I'd seen the photoshoot beginning around it and not ran right into it... ah well you live - you hopefully don't do it again). The car was awesome though, glad I got to have a hand in making it so. The Minamicon panel was interesting, and I'm glad I went to it even if I didn't really have anything to contribute. I met with Rachael and the finished banner (well aside from the sewing the appliqué needed - I do feel a little sorry for whoever bought it as apparently the unsewn stuff will fall off), and was introduced to Sailor Scott. See photos if you want to understand.
With the closing ceremony passed, things pretty much wrapped up. Having missed joiningmarmaladecat, Joe, ailsa_chan and others for TGI's saying goodbye to ilpala and lunarkittenlj, meant we were well placed to wait for gunstarvixen, lil_silver, caylithe, seraphim_cry and Liam. The food at TGI's was good and with large portions and the company was excellent. Never expected to be quoting Eddie Izzard with all of them (except for a poor slightly confused caylithe), though I am envious of particularly lil_silver's word perfect memory for quotes. Clearly I should watch the DVD's more.
A surprising number of people stayed the Sunday night, something I'm very glad we did. It was to be the night of The Hattening. The trigger: Rachael slightly bored and fully of excitable energy (refillable coke possibly to blame) decided she wanted to make me a paper hat, and after an unsuccessful attemptkimmono_kitty showed her how. Then and even witnessing it (and documenting parts of it with Rachael's camera) I'm not clearly sure how it went from that humble beginning to more people both wanting hats and wanting to make hats. At the peak of production there were five people making hats simultaneously, both of standard designs and larger and smaller versions to fit special requirements (like dolls, and people with large afros). It wasn't long before the Minami committee shortly after leaving their party were hatted, and at it's peak maybe half the remaining con goers were standing around with a paper hat on their head. I'm sure for some people it will be one of their defining memories of Minami 15.
I love Rachael for she is amazing and fun.
Photos have been uploaded on to their usual place.
Before I begin however: does anyone have any good recommendations for free video editing software, specifically software capable of rotating video through 90 degrees. I am forgetful and keep filming portrait videos with my camera... which doesn't work well when played back for obvious reasons. Preferably windows based as I have yet to get around to sorting out a linux dual boot for my current machine, mostly because I never find cause to use it at home.
Onwards...
So Minami, this was mine and Rachael's cosplay free experience of a con (and also Rachael's first Minami), and it was nice. For all I have rediscovered a desire to make costumes again - I think in the weeks leading up to the con cosplay had become the one thing too many and my interest suffered accordingly - it was certainly pleasant always being in comfortable clothes and not having to worry about the state of the costume. The lack of pressure in the days approaching the con was also useful. Still there was an impression of just less costumes and more relaxing and socialising this year anyway, so we never felt particularly out of place not in costume. It was also nice to chat to a few people who agreed with, or were already doing, the make costumes as you feel like it and see what you have when a con roles around approach; rather than the alternative of frantic pre-con costume making.
In the end free of costumes we had a great time socialising with some utterly lovely people, and chatting about all kind of things. I didn't feel there was as much on so that I was choosing to pick things to go to this year instead of choosing the things to miss.
Friday we arrived at 11:52 earlier than we planned and without getting lost (breaking both Rachael and my own families traditions - clearly the universe was borked). Hotel rooms were acquired, food consumed and people eventually found. In terms of activities we actually watched some anime, at an anime convention shock horror - xxxholic, I'd like to watch more in small does I think - as much as the showings are generally a few years short of recent (because of the long release date in the UK) there's not that much I've seen. Need to make more time to watch some shows I think; recommendations are welcome. Asides, aside the party and variety show was much as expected with some amusing failures at rock, paper, scissors, and some unfortunate drawing shifts in the chinese whispers with pictures, I think
lil_silver would have an easier time in the previous artists weren't so enamoured with extraneous details for example. The 'Get Sentai Go!' event or 'How quickly can you put on a power ranger lycra body suit, gloves, boot and belt' was equally special with a couple of people (poor caylithe) only just getting pipped to the post.Saturday, with no money to spend at the charity auction was a nice reasonably lazy morning affair, much needed after the tiring week of work I'd had leading up to the con. People were found and chatted to, and we didn't bother with the dealers room queue. I don't see why you'd want to queue only to get into a inevitable crowded room that much faster. There nothing I actually want to buy (well other than pocky) in the dealers room anyway, and while I imagine it would be frustrating to miss out on getting that one thing you really wanted, I don't see there being a particular shortage of stock with the dealers even by Sunday. Still by avoiding the queue we were nicely placed to be jumped by
kimmono_kitty who ready armed with supplies was after helping making a giant bolt for her boyfriend's (Mike) car, a surprise to go with one of his costumes, and he'd been unable to do that himself. It was like our very own iron cosplay, and was a lot of fun - definitely nice to actually make some costumes even if it was for a car. The making went well, I even had a couple of good ideas that worked well, though it was a little nerve racking as we weren't sure when Mike would turn up. Still we managed to hide it from him when he did show, though you should have seen poor kimmono_kitty's face when he said he was going to wear the costume Sunday instead. So we snuck bolt off to our hotel room, ready for applying to the car the day after. Saturday also meant taking part in some Taiko drumming, which was fun, but left my arms and shoulders aching for the rest of the weekend. Rachael watched, as
marmaladecat, Joe, ailsa_chan, Myself, and about 10 others tried to do our best. As would be expected the workshop moved on quickly to give people a chance to try a fair amount of things, so all the initial lessons on technique were quickly put aside as everyone focussed more on keeping up with the rhythm and learning the beat. I made a few mistakes, as I've found with my drumming (which I miss so much having got to a little again at the con) I do better off muscle memory rather than thinking and so find it hard to have picked things up before the lesson has moved on (one of the reasons I didn't volunteer to be in the half to try and learn a second different rhythm about 2/3rds of the way through - and one of the reasons I didn't keep trying salsa) still I pretty much had it down by the end of the session (even if technique had gone out the window completely) and according to Rachael was better than some at least attempting to keep hitting the drum in the correct manner, but worse than others. So pretty reasonable over all, and there are videos to prove it too. Still another reason to look forward to the house being done, I can try and make a concerted effort to learn how to play the drums again.Post drums Rachael and I made our way to Karen's fur workshop, Rachael having become enamoured with doing the costume of a bunny like pokemon, and my following so I'd be able to help her more when she tried to do it. Except that I did kinda take over a bit and ended up doing more than she did (kinda reminded me of one of my Dad's habits in some ways), though we working very well as a team. Still learnt some useful tips and ended up with an awesome tail, than it makes me thing more deer tail (or a fox head) than the bunny tail it was intended to be. Rachael certainly couldn't leave it alone for the rest of the con. Other people liked it too, as we were both amused that Rachael had to ask
caylithe to get back after showing it around. Funny to have done so much more cosplay at the con that in the weeks leading up to it.
The evening was taken up by the Masquerade. There were some very funny sketches this year particularly the Saint Seiya group (even with the technical fault they got stuck with), and the Team Giblets sketch. The Wessex skit was good, but felt a little more forced this year, lacking their usual energy, and suffered a little in comparison with some of the others. Still
lunarkittenlj's costume as Lina Inverse was excellent, Rich was thankfully clothed, fake breasts not withstanding and Rachael excellent voice offer suggests another career possibility; now I just need to convince her how good she sounded. The costumes were good and while I didn't try and take photos from across the sea of heads in front, the entrants were much better this year at stopping to give photo opportunities than I noticed they were last year.Sunday had the same relaxed atmosphere it tends to do at cons as everyone is that little bit more tired, the clocks going back resulted in a much later start, but there wasn't anything we were concerned about missing. Cake and coffee was eaten in the cosplay cafe after photos of the full slayers group were taken, and Mike's car was decorated with bolts and stitches - so impressed that stayed on (though I wish when at some later point I spotted the car had been moved without the bolt - which was directly in front of the drivers seat on the bonnet - falling off that I'd seen the photoshoot beginning around it and not ran right into it... ah well you live - you hopefully don't do it again). The car was awesome though, glad I got to have a hand in making it so. The Minamicon panel was interesting, and I'm glad I went to it even if I didn't really have anything to contribute. I met with Rachael and the finished banner (well aside from the sewing the appliqué needed - I do feel a little sorry for whoever bought it as apparently the unsewn stuff will fall off), and was introduced to Sailor Scott. See photos if you want to understand.
With the closing ceremony passed, things pretty much wrapped up. Having missed joining
marmaladecat, Joe, ailsa_chan and others for TGI's saying goodbye to ilpala and lunarkittenlj, meant we were well placed to wait for gunstarvixen, lil_silver, caylithe, seraphim_cry and Liam. The food at TGI's was good and with large portions and the company was excellent. Never expected to be quoting Eddie Izzard with all of them (except for a poor slightly confused caylithe), though I am envious of particularly lil_silver's word perfect memory for quotes. Clearly I should watch the DVD's more. A surprising number of people stayed the Sunday night, something I'm very glad we did. It was to be the night of The Hattening. The trigger: Rachael slightly bored and fully of excitable energy (refillable coke possibly to blame) decided she wanted to make me a paper hat, and after an unsuccessful attempt
kimmono_kitty showed her how. Then and even witnessing it (and documenting parts of it with Rachael's camera) I'm not clearly sure how it went from that humble beginning to more people both wanting hats and wanting to make hats. At the peak of production there were five people making hats simultaneously, both of standard designs and larger and smaller versions to fit special requirements (like dolls, and people with large afros). It wasn't long before the Minami committee shortly after leaving their party were hatted, and at it's peak maybe half the remaining con goers were standing around with a paper hat on their head. I'm sure for some people it will be one of their defining memories of Minami 15.I love Rachael for she is amazing and fun.
Photos have been uploaded on to their usual place.
no subject
Date: 2009-04-01 06:59 pm (UTC)