Is that a top hat, or are you just happy to see me?

Costume-con 26 (www.cc26.info), by every definition, was the best convention I've ever attended and staffed, both in fandom and professionally.

I met many people I've talked to online, I met people whose names I've only heard about and gone "ooh, they're cool," and I met new folk that I hope that will stay in my life from here on out. It had more Victorian clothing than I've seen in a while-- Dicken's Faire at the Cow Palace aside-- and while it's not my cuppa, it was great eye candy. I saw Renaissance era clothing. I saw many fantasy and scifi costumes.

And while I didn't make a single panel, it was extremely educational.

1. I learnt to appreciate my silhouette, and how to use it better.

I've given up on medieval clothing looking good on me. I've got an hourglass feature with a naturally large bust, and if there isn't some element of clothing that defines the size of my waist, I'm making myself look bigger everywhere. Fantasy that's based in medieval is the same story-- no waist, I don't look my best.

Also, it's not my period of historical expertise, and to take it on would sacrifice some of the Renaissance facts that I've stored in my brain. I can't do that.

So now I'm going to re-home-- like I did this weekend at the swap with other items and did much better than planned-- my medieval related clothing and books. Those that inherit them will probably be very happy about the fact, and I hope so. I don't re-home well made or hard to find items because I'm trying to make a buck. I'm re-homing them so they'll be used by someone who appreciates them. If I make money off the process...

Well, I buy things like this costume of Alia's from Children of Dune. Which fits me perfectly, after I'd been told it was made for an Italian model. Want to boost someone's body image? That's the perfect way.

2. Levels of mastery do not always a great costume make.

There were so many costumes (and clothing) that screamed "I was made with love!" There were also thrown together items that could have worked better with a little more thought and time. But when the wearer is happy and playing the role, mad sewing skillz [tm] aren't as important. I'd rather have a cheesy Jedi going wild with the 'saber than an elaborate Viper pilot (Battlestar Galactica) that's not playing it up.

This is not to say that master designing and sewing is fabulous and needs to be praised heavily. But it shouldn't stop someone who has to cobble together what they can to go to a costumed con and have fun.

3. Furries fascinate me. A lot.

I've never really seen one before, not in person. They fascinate me. Their willingness to don a faux fur suit and large head made of materials that doesn't breathe well is amazing, and I think they're taking an extra step many others won't take. They clearly love the part, and play it up hard.

They also work with fur, something that I only go near if I have to. I got to play with a kitty head at one point, examining the way it was made. (Honestly, I was fondling a lot of people's costumes this weekend.) It's strange to say, but I got a kitty fix by seeing a furry in a tabby cat suit, and she earned an "aw" and "ooh."

Would I make a suit like that? I doubt it. But I intend to admire and respect for here on out, and will never turn down the chance to study the construction.

4. I love geeks.

Con virgins can't tell the geeks from the tag-alongs. Geeks can. I can't play an insane and dangerous Bellatrix with them, but if it helps hook them in and make them geeks, I'll call them mudbloods 'til the dragons come home. But geeks rock, and come in every flavour.

5. I brought tiny kitty plushes home so I could do a "Gridlock" Tenth Doctor, but my real cat has absconded them as hers.

This is obvious. I apparently brought home gifts for them. Maybe we can share so I can still cosplay them.

6. As I can afford it, I'll be at more cons, and I'm going to tune up my routine. I may even volunteer/staff one again.

Bellatrix is an interesting character to cosplay. Having the Dark Mark as a tattoo helps with one flash of skin-- and I think the fact that I compulsively showed it off will echo into future cons without me being further obnoxious about showing it off-- is nice. I'm not sure if her clothing (plus a robe or something very HP) is taking over my closet, or I just happen to dress like she might if the producers of the Harry Potter films understood that Bellatrix Lestrange is not Catwoman, and Lucius Malfoy is not a S&M dungeon master. So I'm tuning up what I wear as Bella, but not limiting it to pure costume.

I also need to strip the pin and buttons from my Browncoat (Firefly) coat, and run it over a few times with the car on a rough road to age it properly. That won't be as easy, as "dirt road" and "LA" are not synonymous.

7. I love dressing up.

I miss the theatre. I credit the high school drama department as the reason I'm still alive today. Between friends and the environment, theatrical folk are a breed all their own, and find joy in things that outsiders do not. As I tune my goals as to where I want to be in five years/ten years, I see theatre. I want theatre. So I'm going to go after that, and if I get connected to the film/TV world, I won't object. At all. (I'm not stupid, after all.) I love putting on clothes that I can't wear to the grocery store, I love the props, I love breaking into song (loudly) in a hotel lobby as I help tear down an exhibit, I love the random power of being someone else for a little while, and having harm-free fun at the same time.

Theatre is in my blood, so therefore so is the dress-up and cosplay.

8. Those people were great.

If you're one of those people-- I ran out of cards, I'm really sorry, those folk I wanted to give one to-- thank you. It was fun. You made me laugh. You made me smile. You made me fly on the good energy. I hope I meet you all again, or talk to you again, or swap stories over Klingon drinks and blow-up Daleks. I love that I could be Me, instead of the mask I have to show so much of the world, and hate for it. I am inspired. I am given the hope that humans are not a waste of flesh. I am reminded that I am not alone, or weird for my likes. I thank you for the hugs, and smiles, and photos.


I could go on, but then I'd kill everyone's browser space. Coming soon will be entries on more of my finished work, and fingers crossed, some new stuff. I've got good ideas now, and I need to act on them. :)