Finals

Working on Fashion Design project surrounded by 57+ pages of research images, space heater, computer (blasting tunes), full teapot, and mug.

Lets get 'er done.

Watermarks Shouldn't Skin Your Heart, But Heart Your Skin

I was recently having a chat with one of my sisters about tattoos. It all started with a statement that the beauty of this man:

Rick Genest (AKA: Rico The Zombie)

is all that is keeping me going through finals right now.

My Desktop

I went on about how fucking gorgeous I find this man, and said "Man, he's even cute without the tattoos..." citing the image bellow from when they covered his tatts for a concealer comercial

Sis rated him a 9 out of 10 without the tatts, but not so much with them visible, "I mean its well done, but he was gorgeous to begin with. It took away some of his looks when he got all inked up. Its like a distraction, he doesn't need them."

Doesn't need them? He IS them... or they're him.

However you want to say it.

This is an old argument that two of my sisters and I get into whenever the subject is broached.

"[...] its hard for me to see a lot of them as beautiful and not just visual clutter." Says this particular sis.

So here is what I have to say on the subject and this is what I told her and then some:

I apply this same thought process to any and all body modifications, but right now I'm using tattoos as my example because that's what I, myself, am devoted to someday getting. Tattoos are not something apart from a person, but a part of them. Once added tatts become like a birthmark, and add to the beauty of the body. It's not like they're going away. Okay, yes, with a lot of money (and pain) tattoos can be removed, but stop thinking like that. Whether or not the person is ashamed of their tatt or wants it removed is not your business, it is purely theirs. In the meantime, not all of us (soon, hopefully!) want them removed and it's hurtful that this beautiful part of us is thought of as "clutter." I liken it to parents telling their homosexual child that, "It's just a phase." Please, please, don't think of people's tattoos as ugly, distasteful litter on their body. It's a very real and visible part of them. Just because you don't like it doesn't mean that you have to be cruel about it. "Cruel?" You say.

Yes.

Cruel.

Sometimes I feel like my hopeful tattoos are already there, simply because the designs are so much a part of me and who I am as a person. Unfortunately, I have lost count of how many times my tattoo and/or piercing plans have been met with suddenly fallen, or awkward facial expressions followed by, "You're too pretty for that." It just kills me a little every time the people who I care about, who supposedly accept me for who I am, tell me that these pieces of me shown on the outside will mar me. Mar me? They are me! How can you say that you know and accept who I am, but deny these same parts of me when they are made a tangible part of my appearance? Some of us really do wear our hearts on our sleeves, or back, or face, or leg, or hey, even our arse. Saying that you don't approve of a person's heart? That is cruel.

"If you're getting a tattoo, I assume that you don't care what I, or anyone else has to say about it." Was the sentiment expressed the last time this subject was dragged onto the theatrical stage of our conversations. Now, I couldn't give a weasle's left testicle what the majority of humanity thinks about my heart or how I show it. However, I think it is the exact opposite of hypocritical to say that I care very much what my friends, especially those close enough for me to think of them as sibs, have to say. 

I should clarify and say that my caring what they have to say, does not mean that it will stop me from getting my tattoos.

So I want all you tattoo-haters to chew on that for a while.

Who's ready for Gotham High!?

Haha, sorry sorry, I'm super excited to get to work on this, but I would definitely be too nervous to get infront of a camera and just talk. Although I suppose having a subject to confabulate about and advertise makes it easier. But that's not the point! The point is that he is talking about me too!! I'm one of the voice actors (squee)! A few posts ago in Not So Disappointed I mentioned getting cast in something and THIS IS IT! I'm the voice of motherfucking Barbra Gordon in the Gotham High Audio Drama!! This is the coolest thing ever!!

It begins.

The time has come... for end of term exams.

I know that some of you, dear readers, are probably cocking an eyebrow or frowning at this simple statement. Finals? Not for another couple of weeks, right? WRONG. The moment thanksgiving is over it is crunch time. Art classes don't actually have exams, they have projects. Really big projects that fail to take into account that the student has other classes that are also assigning said student really big projects to do.

My advise on getting through this difficult time? ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE, ORGANIZE!! Cut projects up into sections and set deadlines for each section. If you magically find yourself with extra time because a section has gone faster than expected, start the next section! There will always be a part that takes longer than expected. There is no such thing as free time until everything is done.

This might seem like a very intense way of doing things, but really, once it is all complete, you will feel so much better and you can walk in on your exam day with confidence.

Finals
Garment Construction- Dress and book of samplers.
Good news here is that it's a very simple dress, I just need to catch up on the Samples. If I have time I would love to add beading and ruffles to the dress. (EDIT: I ADDED RUFFLES!! IT'S SO CUTE!!)
Writing- Research Essay (plus two make up assignments)
The intensity of this one is my fault, I put off doing two super important projects because I got intimidated (stupid stupid stupid!!)
Fashion Design- BIG FUCK OFF PROJECT (Combine two completely different cultures as inspiration to design a small clothing line of 15 pieces, flats of all of them, 5 illustrations, consumer profile, store layout, mood board, fabric swatches, and an actually made detail example)
... and then, I died. *passes out just from looking at the amount to be done* It's not that any of this is actually difficult, but it is EXCEEDINGLY time heavy.
Psych- A test for the final (and a test tomorrow just to spread things out for us)
I never thought I'd be so glad to have a test!!

I kind of wish that classes were optional over finals. If I didn't have to spend 3-4 hours in class, I would definitely feel like I had more time to get this stuff done. On the other hand I also have to work, anyway. :/

Fashion Stress

I really don't like posting such drama on here. I feel like humor in the face of something bad is at least better than just being this frustrated but I need to vent:

I feel like all of my sketches look like the modle has daddy issues. This project is due on tuesday and my part is the 10-12 front and back flats, 2-3 illustrations, and finishing the mood board. Our current MB is just not inspiring me right now.

I should have insisted to stay elegant. Too late now.

FML

Not So Disappointed

So there was this thing that I was hoping to be involved in.
First I missed the try out. Then it was extended so I sent in my audition.
Then people were busy. So I didn't know what was happening.
Then my friend got a part and said that he'd done a reading with most of the cast. I assumed that it was all figured out and came to terms with not making the cut. I reminded myself that I have never done this before. I am inexperienced and should get more training and can't expect to get this sort of thing on my first try.

This evening I went to check my email only to find a politely worded missive asking if I want the part...

And then I died.

(That would also be the part where I sent a frantic Facebook message to the two people who had encouraged me to audition freaking out like the respectable sort of fangirl I am).

Food Poisoning.

This sucks.

"Ms. S,
I will miss class again today due to food poisoning, your class got me off of dairy and now XXX'N'XXXXXX's might rid me of my nasty egg habit. I would like to set up a time to meet and discuss what was covered in today's class. When will you be available?
-Med"

I feel like doing this just keeps digging me into a hole and it will be harder and harder to get out of. The truth is that I WILL be dragging my ass into the city today. Queasy or not, I have thing that need to get done. I just can't bear to move myself just yet. I am so drained and dehydrated from being sick for the last couple of days and having to work through the first day feeling like I was going to puke at every smell or sudden movement.
I'm no longer running to the bathroom or curled up in a fetal position, but I am certainly not well either. I am aiming to make it to my second class of the day, and then meet up with my teacher for the class I missed yesterday, basically crash her evening class, so I can get the lesson and hopefully learn a little extra on the side. That's probably part of my problem, I can't stand a class to be boring, so if I already know the material, I go a little over the top so as to make it challenging. I just can't take the easy way out.

Ow, ow, ow. SHIT. I hate eggs now. They need to just go away. I am NEVER getting an omelet from that place EVER again. Ugh, just the thought make me shudderingly nauseous... more shudderingly nauseous...

Tattoos For the Win!

This is more of a tumblr sort of post, but I don't have one so here:

The picture and status are stolen from my friend's Facebook totally without his permission >_>"

Jon Leaving SPG: The Non 4am Version

Buh-bye, Biscuiteers!

So a lot of Steam Powered Giraffe fans have been taking sides and making commentary on the whole The Jon is leaving forever and ever and ever DRAMA!!!!!!!!! ... thing. So to those people who are blaming Bunny Bennett and David Bennett (I don't know why just them, I consider Steve Negrete, Michael Reed, and Sam Luke part of the band as well) how about I put it for you another way:

I sort of think of being in a band more like being in school, than a 9-5 sort of job. At a nine-to-five, you get paid over time if you work past closing hours, but normally when you leave work you are DONE for the day. That's it. Pick it all back up tomorrow.

With school, as with a band, or indeed any creative endeavors, it is not enough to just show up for the allotted time. If we draw the comparison, that class time is the same as rehearsal/performance time, then what I mean to say is that it is not enough to simply come to class or practice with your shit unprepared. If that is all anybody ever did, school would go more slowly, and bands would get hardly anywhere seeing as they would have almost no new songs and it would take them a lot longer to learn their parts. When you are part of a creative group you must do your homework. You must learn your parts, you must go to the study sessions (aka: collaborative meetings), you must put in the effort to succeed.

Recently, I found that 5 three-credit courses was just too much for me to handle with my part time job. I simply could not finish all of the homework, and understand what I was doing or learning. It was a choice between learning the lines and going on stage without knowing what I was actually saying (being utter crap at it), or going on stage for a shorter period, but knowing what I was saying, why I was saying it, and how to spin it with feeling (just being really good at it overall). I decided for the latter, and I feel like that is what has happened with Jon Sprague and Steam Powered Giraffe.

Now, I have no intimate knowledge of this band, I am simply going by the explanations given by Bunny, and what I got from a perusal of the extremely long and blatantly honest post from David. As far as I can pick up, Jon was doing the best he could, but was stretched too thin. He was doing the required reading, but not coming up with creative and interesting insights to share in class and maybe couldn't make it to the extra curricular study sessions. In the end, the class was moving too far ahead and requiring more and more work, leaving Jon in a sticky position of having to drop something too far into the semester after the drop point.

I'm really hoping that this is making some semblance of sense. The issue is obviously far more complex than how I have phrased it. This is simply how I relate to the issue, by framing it in terms that I can understand.

I would also like to note that this is totally NOT the first time that SPG has changed their lineup...

The original SPG automaton line up.

The previous SPG automaton lineup.

Oh yeah, by the way people who have been following this blog since my last post, I have dropped my last class of the week, 2-D design. It is not what I wanted to do, but the class was super intense and I have already put in more time and effort into my other classes, making me more invested in keeping them, and getting good grades. Wish me luck! (And Jon too!!)

The new SPG automaton lineup.

SPG: Changing The Lineup

Steam Powered Giraffe

One of the major signs that I am overtired and should probably get my ass to bed, apart from sometimes uncontrollable sneezing, is that I get teary over random shenanigans. Case in point, it is now 4AM and I just watched Bunny Bennett's only publicly available vlog for the third time in a row. I should also note that I really should be finished with my homework, but am not keen on the subject of EcoFemanism as written about by this particularly dry author...

In any case, I have just found out that the character of The Jon, as played by Jon Sprague, of the band Steam Powered Giraffe has been let go. Bunny explains that it was a mutual agreement, seeing as the band is trying to move forward, and Jon simply could not put in the time or the creative effort.

The Jon singing JuJu Magic

As I listened I looked through old tumblr posts dealing with Jon and all the fans who bought his hats and who will miss him terribly. I makes me sad that I will never get to see them live as they were when I first fell in love with them. I do hope that Jon does well by himself in his future endeavors, he is obviously a very creative and talented individual.

I should also note that this is the first time that I have ever been able to see one of Bunny's videos and she is super cute in her, well, girl form. I WANT TO MAKE HER PRETTY THINGS TO WEAR!! >_> Sorry fangirl moment over pretty people... If it was announced that Bunny/Rabbit would be leaving, I would be melted into a puddle of tears with a two gallon tub of sorbet and a box of Oreos. It's not that The Jon and The Spine aren't awesome. I will totally keep my eye out for Jon, but if it were say The Spine, David, who were leaving I would do the same as for Jon. If Bunny left, I would follow her, and simply keep an eye out for SPG. Did that make sense? This isn't likely to happen, I don't know why I felt that I needed to explain that.

Some day I will have enough money to become an Engineer-eteer, and be able to watch all of the Bunny Vlogs!

(You can also tell that I need sleep when I relly so heavily on spell scheck. This is the best thing I've wtrittne this entire= post, no lire, you just can't tell cause I went over the rest of itproperly.)

Woof.

I hate school. I LOVE SCHOOL!! But I haaate school. *head desk*

Five 3-credit classes. FIVE. That means 15 hours in class, then at LEAST another 15 hours outside of class working.

There are 168 hours in a week. Minus that 30 for school. 16 hours on transport to and from school. 14 for eating since I normally skip breakfast, but like to have time to linger over dinner. 56 hours of sleep if I keep to a healthy schedule. 7 hours of morning and evening routine (showering/brushing teeth/getting dressed). 1 hour for driving to and from work. 10-18 hours at work (we'll say 14). So that leaves 30 hours. 4-ish hours per day of the week of "free time", barring too much more homework, more hours (please, please, PLEASE!) from work, or something random and/or catastrophic.

Did you know that four hours is supposed to be the amount of time that you spend giving your pets attention each day so that they feel properly loved and cared for?

FAIRE Part The Second: A Fortuitous Meeting.

Last weekend of April 2012, Anime Central (Acen):

So there I was, corseted and cat-eared with nothing to do. It was Sunday and therefore the last day of the convention. Some of my friends had already left and the rest said that they would return after getting food. In the mean time, I was bored and wandering the dealers room with a boy who I'd met the night before. Neither of us wanting to take the lead in our wanderings, I decided on a few stops and then announced my intention to go hang at the Bristol Faire booth because I love Faire, miss Faire, and why the fuck not. By now, I had gained the confidence in myself to start a conversation with a random stranger so I went right up and did so. That is how I met Anne. She, in turn, pointed me to Shane. I recognized him immediately as the man who'd eaten a turkey leg from the trash, but that was really all that I remembered.

Image stolen from facebook courtesy of Bill Hillihan

"I've always wanted to work at Ren Faire," I tell him offhandedly after some conversation and funny voice impressions, "but it wasn't until this year that I looked into trying out, and by then I'd already missed them."

He then tells me that he is one of the cast directors and he is always looking for new people. He explains RenQuest to me and explains that there is also a children's version called Kid's Quest. Kid's Quest generally has a Troll, Sterling (real name, Chris), and two wizards, some combination of the Spellworthy siblings, leading the nipperkins (children) on the quest. This year they had hit a slight snag: Chris' wife had, had a baby. This meant that he might be called away at the drop of a hat and Shane wanted to make sure that Chris could do so, without leaving KQ troll-less. This is where he hoped that I could come in if I was interested and comfortable working with children. I acquired his card, and departed with my friends.

FAIRE Part The First: Stepping Onto Sacred Ground.

In the beginning, there was high school. Not actually high school, but the summer between my junior and senior years of high school. I had asked my parents about Renaissance Faire because one of my favorite comic artists had done a strip about her time going to one.

"We haven't taken you?" Mum says, "We have failed as parents."

Please understand that this is not my mother's commentary on any other parents who have not taken their children the Faire. This was simply a phrase that came up whenever my parents realized that I was a certain age and had not yet seen or done something that they considered to be a natural part of growing up, like watching Star Wars, or Brigadoon or, in this case, going to Bristol Renaissance Faire. After my parents took me the first time, I went back once more that summer with my friends. We ran around, saw shows, investigated every booth and shop, bought some clothes, and stopped in the Sun Garden to eat. That was the beginning I suppose. I was already having a great day, and then this Faire Character comes up. He scoops a still wrapped, unfinished turkey leg from the trash, and proceeds to eat it.

"EEEEEWWWWWWW! What are you doing?!" we cried. I don't know the name of this character. I don't remember why he was eating out of the trash, I don't even remember his sea cucumber joke. 

Eventually I even forgot that it was him who had encouraged us to come back and work at faire.

"he says we should come and work at Ren Faire next year!!!"
-image posted  August 2006 and forgotten until  it was rediscovered with caption August 2012

Over the next few years, I continues to return. I met and played with characters such as Jane the Phoole, Robin Hood, Little John, Will Scarlett, I had my favorite Fantastikals (fairies) who I would go visit and specific shops that I always stopped in to look at. In 2009 I managed to squeeze out the $100 for a season pass and spent every weekend that I could running around. Many times I was too shy to talk directly to people so I'd watch or play with the silent characters. Then next year, however, I was short on both time and money, and before I knew it, the season had ended. The next year, I was out of state and therefore was unable to visit. Each summer that I missed Faire winter would arrive with the disappointed feeling of something missing.

Even Jesus Had Manners

The other day I saw that a woman had dropped something and not noticed. So I picked it up for her.

"Oh, praise THE LORD!" she says.

Um sure, I've never been called "lord" before, but I suppose I could get used to it…

Sarcasm aside, I actually find it kind of rude. This "Lord" creature did not pick up your pencil case. I did. Adding a simple "Thanks" pointed my way would have sufficed. Actually I would have accepted a vague nod and/or grunt. Giving a shout out to your god is not a viable substitute for "Thank you" and completely ignores the person who just did you a favor. 

EXTRAS NEEDED!!!

PLEASE ATTEND!!

Several times on this site I have promoted a local Chi-town band, V Is For Villains. A bit ago I even posted a link to Kickstarter to fund their very first music video. Well here it comes, rock lovers, video shenanigans are underway! There is just one more thing that the band would ask of us and that is... US! The video is to be filmed at The Elbo Room in Chicago and we, as fans (or people who think it just sounds interesting), are needed to make that place look like it is bursting at the seams with people!  Don't really want to be seen? They are also asking for tech crew people and extra hands to help out! Contact them on Facebook or through email to let them know that you are in or at least interested.

OKAY....It's time to get the video show on the road. All who want to particpate in the upcoming video please step forward....This is going to be fun so we hope a lot of you will particpate and be part of V is For Villains FIRST music video: ALL ABOUT THE FLESH!
Sadly there is not enough of a budget to pay everyone, so we're looking for volunteers to be extras and tech crews. Please list what you are interested in doing and any special skill you may have that we can count on to use. We are presently working on shooting dates so we will announce all that soon. We can tell you this, it will be a nightclub scene (looks like Chicago's Elbo Room has given us an initial thumbs up to shoot there) and we will need some dancing talent to help us out as well. The treament for the video and scene shots are ready to go and working on storyboarding now. We need to know ASAP who can help. Sign up right here or send an email to: villainmanager@gmail.com
LET'S MAKE THIS HAPPEN!

They need just as many men as women so spread the word and encourage your friends to sign up too! Shooting dates will be announced some time soon, but I'm guesstimating some time around early September. From what I've been told, extras are encouraged to come dressed for a rock/gothy/electronic concert or in villain costume/mask, but nothing super elaborate that might pull attention from whatever is going on in the scene.

Thanks a ton, mosh monsters! See you there!

Well Hello There

Oh hi there.

Holy flying monkey bats, what a summer! So I have been spending the summer either running around or passing out, and lots of driving in between. Durring the week I have been working at my normal job, and interning at the Bristol Renaissance Faire. Over teh weekends, I have been staying on the Faire site and volunteering as a troll character on KidsQuest. An interactive quest  that children can go on at 2pm and 4pm for an extra $5 fee.

Photo courtesy of John Karpinsky

So yeah, sorry for the long absence. It will probably continue, just because my computer is super not in comission. Once the school year starts up I'll be able to post from school computers.

I had a dream... but I followed a bit of a different one.

ER MAH GEHRD!

I had all these plans! My room was going to be clean, My YouTube was going to be up and running, I was going to be working two jobs, and the 90 Day Delinquents would be back on the circuit...

Currently, my room is almost worse than it was, my YouTube is still shoveling crisps and won't get it's fat ass off the couch, I am working two/three jobs... it's just that I only get paid for one of them... As for the Delinquents, I don't know. It just makes me cry a little.

So, what has kept me sooooo busy that I just can't manage to do everything that I want to? Well, I will be the first to say that there are 24 hours in every day yadda yadda, but seriously, some of us need sleep. Nothing to be ashamed of.

So, yes, super busy with jobs two and two point five! Why do I call it 2.5? Well because 2 and 2.5 are for the same thing. Ren Faire! Yup, that's right folks! I am a proud costume intern at the Bristol Renaissance Fair of lovely Wisconsin. This job only really requires extreme hours from me for the weeks leading up to faire, apparently. In those weeks, if I am not at my first job, I am on Faire grounds, sewing.

Dear Headless Chicken,

I totally get it now.

-Med

Call Me, Babe

Chicago is full of all kinds of music! Thus far I've been promoting mainly crazy rocker bands, but fear not, there are others! Take a gander at The Lookers, and their cover of "Call Me Maybe"

Hoping to hear more? Try showing some support for these suave crooners by commenting on, faving, and liking the video!

People I need your help. Please comment!

So basically, I need you to list me as many things you can think of to answer this question:

When you think of a Troll character at a Renaissance Faire/Festival what do you think of it doing?

No answer is too ridiculous or stupid, just respond the first things that you think of!

Free Brain Sex!

That's right folks! It's time to get all brainy and sexy, and edumacatered!

Welcome to the actual difference between men and women, it's not just our bodies, it's our BRAINS!

Learn more about it, and attend the free Brain Sex workshop on Thursday May 24th!

Not a Chi-towner? NO PROBLEM! When you go to RSVP there will be an "Attend Online" option that will give you the info you need to log into the webcast!

Read the flier image below for more info!

Oops. Rewind for, but a moment.

So I skipped a couple things while I was busy bee with finals and I'd just like to back up and aknowledge that they both happened.

First off, one of the many, many Chicago conventions, and one that I have attended for the past few years, ACen (Anime Central)!!

It's usually a lot of fun, and I tend to dress up somehow, even if the character is one of my own, or not popular enough to be recognized.

Secondly, the last day of Acen, was my birthday!! :D

My "twin sis" and I always celebrate our birthday together, because we are only three days apart in date!

That's right, I am now proudly an age that is one year more than my age at the time of my previous birthday!! How exciting! xD

Blogger or Xanga?

So I've been creating this blog for school, and somewhere towards the end of the semester I started a new Xanga account as well. Mainly, I wanted to be able to share these, non-drama sort of posts with my Xangan pals, make it easy for them to follow, and not have to go around saying, "Read this blog with my real name splattered across the freaking title!" There are a couple of posts that I'd put up on Xanga, but not on Blogger because they were a little more advertise-y than I thought that my teacher, Matt, would want to see in my posts. I also confined a lot of my earlier posts to Blogger instead of moving them over immediately because both blogs are Google-viewable, and, again, at that point I really didn't want cross-over.

So my Writ'n'Rhet (Writing & Rhetoric) grade has been posted which I assume, means that I don't have to keep this blog under its original name anymore. I have now moved all of the postes over so that, with the exception of a couple time-sensitive posts, both sites should be about the same, and everything is time stamped back to what it was originally written.

So yeah, feel free to come find me and friend me at VictrolaDoll.Xanga.Com

If there are any mis-spells in this post, I would just like to say that I've just been watching a 41 minute video of a scottish girl talking, and everything that I am typing right now sounds like it's being said in her accent in my head. I am having a terrible time of it trying not to write phonetically.

Rock out Chicago!

The Battle Of The Bands!

On May 20 Gorilla's The Battle of the Bands will be kicking off at Reggie's Rock Club! 

It looks to be a blast so be sure to buy tickets A.S.A.P (BEFORE 2pm E.S.T the Friday before the show, or else it won't be accepted)!! If you don't know which band to credit, say New Oceans, fronted by my friend David Downs (be sure to check them out)!!

Also coming up! 

V Is For Villains LIVE

On Saturday May 26 V Is For Villains will be playing at The Elbow Room!

It's a $10 show and 21+ only. Check out the Facebook even page for more information.

All upcoming V.i.f.V performance dates and venues can be found at their website: www.visforvillains.com/gig 

A V IS FOR VILLAINS Official Music Video?!?

7 DAYS LEFT!

Hellz yes!

You know you want it.

We want to make cutting edge independent content and are looking to start this process with a fully produced music video. We are a VERY visual and creative band and we think video will be a very good medium for us to express our creativity and reinterpret our ideas. We are looking for funding so that we can stay independent and thus hold a strong level of control in our project. We will begin filming immediately after we raise funds. Thank you for the support and thank you for reading. -Nicholas Santiago

Are you excited? I'm excited. I think this is a great idea!

Help out by donating money through Kickstarter!

Also check out the band at www.VIsForVillains.com!!

(And check out the V.i.f.V new online store!)

The Devil Came to Town (and I gave him a hug)

And lo', the Devil's voice, with killing sweetness, fell 'pon pricked ears and lost were all souls who heard, but did not listen.

"I'm the excuse you give when you cannot follow the rules." -The Devil, The Devil's Carnival (part 1)

So that happened.

Hellz yes, did that happen!

 On Thursday, the 3rd of May, The Devil's Carnival rolled into town and set up shop at the Music Box Theater.

(I don't have all pictures just yet, I don't know when my friend won't be putting hers up.)

So as members of the Chicago Repo!The Genetic Opera! Shadowcast, The 90 Day Delinquents, my friends and I were recruited to help out with, well, whatever. They didn't really seem to need all of us, but having us there was more convenient for the parts when a mass of people were all trying to move at the same time. In the mean time, we walked the line, making sure that all the Ringmasters ($40 ticket holder), got in the correct line, and general dashing about.

All images so far, yanked from the the camera of Spooky Dan

As we had arrived, it had been vaguely drizzling (I refused to put the finishing touch on my makeup because I knew that my eyeliner would smear in the wet), by the time the Sinners ($20 ticket holder) and Carnies ($30 ticket holder) were being allowed in it was not only pouring, but it was hailing as well! 

I started out closer to the theatre doors, asking people to keep moving forward, and proclaiming that there was no line, so please just fill the space and let more people in. As that area got crowded, I moved on to the front lobby.

"Welcome to The Devil's Carnival at the Music Box Theater! Merchandise is there,"pointed over left shoulder, "concessions are there," pointed over right shoulder, "the time to hit that up would be now, otherwise please keep moving forward! There is no line, it's more of a mash, so get close! The floor is wet, please be careful! Now is a great time to get to know your friends more intimately, and hey make a few more, so more people can come inside! Keep moving that way!" swung arms to point straight on to my right.

As you might guess the crowd was constantly moving, so many times that particular speech got super bastardized or was said very quickly. At some point the open areas were at maximum capacity, so we had to stop the line and leave the rest in the rain, while we waited for those who were already inside to be seated. Eventually though, people started moving in again, and the rest of the poor soaked clowns, carnies, freaks, geeks, sinners, horror-lusters, and general rabble-rousers and troublemakers, were allowed in out of the waterfall, sloshing as they came. By then, the festivities were drawing near and in an attempt to get everybody seated in time, we shooed them past the merchandise table and on into the theatre. Merch would be available after the show, please move on. As the last of them dribbled in, it was time for us helpers to take our seats as well.

The pre show activities started with a (surprise, surprise) side show act by Sanjula Vamanawho I had met at, and actually walked into the Gearbox Fantastique II with! Mutter der Hölle, small world after all! Sanjula lists his repertoire on facebook as:

"Chainsaws, Whips, Bed Of Nails, Fire, Escapology, Knives, Sledge Hammers, PAIN PROOF, Human: Pin Cushion-Blockhead-Silly Straw-Cereal bowl-Sprinkler-Garbage Disposal-Stomach Pump-Dart Board, and MANY other dangerous act's of perilous danger!"

For this act, his wife(?), who I have yet to meet, put him in a straight jacket and chained him to a wheelchair. By the end, not only had he wriggled out of the chains and jacket, but he'd somehow managed to wriggle out of his pants as well!

Next up was a peek at the behind the scenes from Repo! The Genetic Opera! which was the first time Terrance Zdunich and Darren Lynn Bousman had worked on a project together, along with Darren Smith. IT WAS AWESOME!!!

Then came the costume contest judged by Emilie Autumn and won by an amazingly well done demoness/bat lady thing... it was pretty.

Taken from her own Facebook album (wish you could see the makeup details :/)

Finally a few words from our guests, Terrance, Darren, and Emilie and then the show began.

So. What did I think? Well I will say that I DID enjoy it, but I will do a full review later, once the tour has come to an end. I'll say no more here, you'll just have to wait!

Afterwards there was a Q&A Where Terrance, Darren, and Emilie shared stories about working on the film, what went into it, plans for the future AND the character of Ms. Merrywood even received a first name right then and there! Eventually a halt was called, two merch booths opened, and a line was formed for signing and pictures.

I went and bought myself a signed CD and two of the smaller posters, then added my rear to back most of the line to get Emilie's signature on the CD and Poster, and pictures with the lot. 

Poster1: Emilie Autum as The Painted Doll

Poster2: IVAN MOODY as The Hobo Clown!!

Terrance has met me twice before now, and he always remembers my name. What a sweet'eart. 

Emilie was very touchy with everyone, but she was very sweet and gentle... with me anyway

We had hoped that they would be able to come out with us afterwards and talk, like the last time we saw Terrance, but it was just about 2 AM, and the road show schedule is not the most conducive to sleep. We understood when they didn't join us at the diner afterwards. Ah well. We'll try to raise money to hopefully get Terrance in for a Shadowcast sometime.

To sum up: Lots of fun. YOU SHOULD ALL SEE IT. Buy merchandise to support the film and the making of the next one, PRETTY, PRETTY PLEASE.

Fantastique video!

Just a bit that I thought I'd share, this is the Bluebeard hosted video that resulted from the Gearbox Fantastique II! 

Interim Advert: Evan Bremer

Okay so I know that I've pretty much been just posting a lot of advertisement-type stuff (for things I dosupport), but it's finals coming up so I've been super busy with all of my final projects and whatnot. I cannot wait for all this to be done with. *dies*

Then I can spend the next three months working (hopefully) two jobs and cleaning my room! Joy! Oh wait, Summerfest happens somewhere in there too. YES!!

So because I don't want to leave you hanging with just this, have another promo! This here is my friend Evan Bremer and he does some super nifty voice-over work!

He is the voice of Yuki Somah in the Fruits Baskets Radio adaptation done by That Guy With Glasses and he was hinting that there might be something else coming his way! 

Here are his demos!

If you could ask a voice over actor anything, what would it be?

I know that they aren't the same but...

Exhibit A: "Shot" by the Finnish rock band The Rasmus (2005)

Exhibit B: "Grenade" by American singer Bruno Mars (2010)

...for some reason, whenever I heard "Grenade" this year, I automatically started humming "Shot". I mean they both have a similar theme of risking one's life for their lover. The difference being that Bruno is singing to a love who tortured him, and Lauri doesn't seem to be so much tortured by the lover (in this song anyway...), so much as what's chasing them. So here's a bit of an idea: play them both at once. It's pretty interesting. There are parts that match up pretty well. Also, be sure to adjust the volume on the videos, so that one doesn't overpower the other.

(The idea for this is totally stolen from Matt's overlapping music blog post)

People's Exhibit 1: Proof of Lawlessness and General Jack-assery

Yes indeedy folks! Step right up! Get a good look now, 'cause it might not be around much longer! The one, the only, Kaaaaaay9! Yessir, this nerdy car owner named her Scion hatchback for the ever clever tin dog of Doctor Who renown. What a shame, folks. What. A. Shame. Almost a two full years together and can you believe it? Stolen right around the corner from the very carnival/concert that she was attending!

So, yes. My car was stolen the other night while I was at a concert venue. I reported it right away along with the loss of my car keys. Less than 12 hours later I received a call saying that my car had been found. I got to party in my mind for nigh three seconds before they finished the statement: "...has been in a collision with another vehicle. Would you like us to tow it to our impound or have your insurance company tow it there?" And then my heart sank right back through the floor.

So here's what we know: There were four males in the car at the time of the accident and they all fled after impact. The owner of the car that they hit is okay, her sister was injured. The insurance company has taken our car to an appraiser to assess the outer damage and see whether it is reparable or needs to be replaced. All of the fabric and sewing patterns, art supplies that was in the back, as well as what contents of my purse that was not on my physical person at the time of the theft, are all gone. The car was completely cleaned out. They didn't even leave the purse. All that was left was two patterns (under the passenger seat), my prescription glasses (which it looks like somebody stomped on), and the leather pouch that I use as a wallet (completely empty, of course).

Now I have a bunch of paperwork to fill out, several phone calls to make and finals to complete. Best semester ever.*

*implies exorbitant amounts of sarcasm 

Gearbox Fantastique II! (Updated!)

So guess where I was on April 14th!

Damn straight, I was at home having a quiet meal wishing that the day would end so that I could get some sleep, only... NOT!

I was at the freakin' GEARBOX FANTASTIQUE II  "A steampunk Circus Spectacle Extravaganza!"

Okay, honest truth, I was pretty much only there to hear V Is For Villains rock the crowds fucking socks off!

A small example of V.i.f.V's epicosity

But while I was there, I suppose that it wasn't so terrible to stick around for the Squidling Brothers and Dead Man's Carnival sideshow acts. Unless you have a weak stomach. Actually unless you can stand watching a man eat his own semen or attach weights to his scrotum (or watch and audience member staple a clowns scrotum to his own leg...) this might NOT be the carnival for you. I unabashedly admit that I spent half of the time with my back to the stage. By the end, myself and two of the other Villains fans had formed a dash (too short to be considered a "line") facing the bar on the back wall.

The ladys who faced the back of the room with me.

As far as I can tell (but don't hold me to it), if you want rat traps on tongues and such, Squidling Brothers is the place to be, if you want magic and gasp-worthy tricks without the flinching and sympathy clutching of certain body parts, may I suggest the Dead Man's Carnival.

Other than that, I really did enjoy the show. Some of the sideshow acts were really great. Betty Bloomers was a pleasure to watch both with blades and with fire, and Prof. Pinkerton Xyloma... well, who could resist that mustache!

All images courtesy of John Conner and Steampunk Chicago

In the middle of the show came Bluebeard's Pirate Comedy, which is always good for a laugh. V Is For Villains, and the other band, Hellblinki, each did two sets, with the sideshow acts laced between everything. It seemed a bit awkward, but certainly kept things going. There were also several vendors with some fantastic merchandise up on the second floor of the venue. Had I the money, I would have gone hog wild at the Highwind Steamworks booth!

Video from that night, courtesy of Steampunk Chicago

While the photography for the night was a bit scattered and I don't know where to find some of it, I believe that most of the pictures may be found in Wes Bolton's facebook album of the event (warning: pierced and stapled testicles ARE visible in some pictures, only less so because they removed the worst of it) and in the John Conner Photobooth album.

Miss DollFace and V.i.f.V's own Mr. Agitator

If you haven't ever heard of Reggies it's a great Chicago venue and the shows there are definitely worth checking out. A slight suggestion though: go with a friend. South Loop at night can get a tad shady. I was there until about 2:30am hanging with the crowd, being entertained, and talking to the performers, when I got out, I found that my car had been stolen. Not the most positive way to end the evening.