Plans and Goals

[crankyoldman]

Ok, now that I've had sufficient time to recover from the semester of doom and get back to work and have nothing much to DO at work (really, I'm kind of waiting because there's a grant due tomorrow that I wasn't a part of so people are running around like chickens with their heads cut off and I'm just chilling). So it's time to sit and think about PLANS AND THINGS.

Graduating fall semester has really left me feeling like everything is so NEW and BEGINNING. Before I lose focus there's some things I need to just start working towards. Because that is how I roll.

- I want to start an etsy shop

Nothing terribly omg serious. But I like making things and I'm never going to wear them all or use them all and in order to not become a great big hoarder I figure that's a good way to offload some things. I figure that any cash I make from that will go to supply my cosplay habit. XD Now that I have an awesome camera I can take actual decent product pictures, which I know are essential to selling things. I'm thinking like a combo vintage/accessories thing. I don't have a serger, else I'd consider doing clothes, but aside from costumes and shit for myself

- I want to move out

Not because my parents aren't awesome. They actually stay out of my business, and it's almost like living in an apartment. Just a very cramped apartment where other people's crap is hidden behind yours. I just want space to stretch out, and I especially would like to not be driving to work every day (I don't hate driving, I just find it dull on a daily basis. really dull). So I need to begin my apartment search in earnest.

- I want to visit people

This will take the most planning, because I don't want to overextend myself and waste all that money I saved up by not getting a car and getting lots of clothes from the free box and the like. No exotic locales and plush hotels for me. If I'm going to be doing traveling, I will either be sharing hotel rooms with dudes, or sleeping on their couch. So if you're cool with me sleeping on your couch and pitching in for groceries as opposed to eating out (I prolly will eat out a little, but I don't want to do that for every trip I make). I'm willing to go as far as either coast and Canada provided you give me a place to stay. XD Not ready for transatlantic yet, sorry. So ah, if you're interested in hosting me on my couch surfing adventures, let me know? I can't guarantee anything will happen yet, but if I start to think about it now I'll have time to plan for it and save up for the travel expenses.

- I want to declutter some things

Did I mention I'm a bit of a clothes horse? Well, a lot of that doesn't qualify as vintage because well it's not. And some things I keep around specifically for costuming. But I seriously need to do something with stuff. I normally give most of my stuff to charity (have been since I was a kid, actually), but I figure I should open up some stuff to my f-list. Cause who doesn't like getting stuff? And I'm going to make that free (except maybe shipping) because I like the whole freecycle movement. And foraging has been good to me. XD So I'll go through and take pics of things.

I also need to do something with my Terra costume, as I've retired it; finally got it to the point I wanted it to be at, and really don't have a use for it anymore. The shoulder armor pads could use a touchup, too. XD I'd like to sell this, mainly because of the time (and money) that went into it, but I'll be reasonable (plus it feeds my cosplay habit, mwhahaha). I'm keeping the sword, though, as that was amazing and I will totally find other costumes to go with it (hell, maybe I'll carry it for my Daryl cosplay XD). Dissidia is kind of popular too, maybe someone will want it? If you know of anyone, ah, point them my way. XD

- I need to figure out how to repay my loans

Hey some of you work/worked in this industry, care to help out? XD

So yeah. Exciting times!

Comments

[finch]

Visit plz!

Also, I keep meaning to get around to starting an Etsy store too.

[ambersweet]

Also, I bet you could give her advice on her loans. ;)

[finch]

Oh, yeah. That too.

[crankyoldman]

re: store

Do eeet.

[whitemage]

1. I didn't do those kinds of loans, sorry. :<

2. I want an Etsy shop, too! =D

3. >.> <.< >.> You could visit me too, every once in a while? Please?

[crankyoldman]

3. Yes, geez. I'm still getting settled and shit. You do have both of my numbers you can in fact call me if you need to get out of the house or something.

[whitemage]

I mean to call. And then I find a project. And I forget to call. :<

Dammit, woman, you're supposed to know when I want you to call and call me!

I'll remember to call in the future.

[nebulosity]

I created an Etsy shop sometime last summer, but I haven't been time to make anything to post on it. :\ I would really LOVE to get going on that though. I'm glad you mentioned it!

I'd love to see some of the things you want to give away. :D I have a lot of my own stuff I probably should get rid of that is perfectly good, and since I have a policy about not throwing away (I hate throw-away-society, it makes me so mad), I have to figure out a way to donate or give away the things I don't need. :\

I have student loans, but since I'm still in grad school, I'm not paying them off yet. When I get out of school, what I'm goign to do is consolidate my loans, and then my husband and I are going to continue to live meagerly and just dump like, 70% of our paychecks into paying off student loans. If we're making about $50k each (and that may be on the low end since both of us will have Ph.D.s, that mean that if we continue to live on $20-30k per year, we can dump about $60k of our income into student loans and have everything paid of in ... AT MOST 3 years, but really, it should only take 2 years. That's our plan. :)

Good luck.

By the way, you make costumes?

[crankyoldman]

Well if you have things you'd like to get rid of, feel free to do the whole "internet freesale" yourself. I read a lot of style blogs, and they tend to sell old clothes, but I don't think anything I'm giving away was bought at the prices they likely bought theirs at, so. I also don't need to give away just clothes. We'll see how well I get on this.

My loan situation isn't actually that bad, even if I don't make a terrible lot (in all fairness I make about half what someone with my degree usually makes, but I don't work for money, I work for things I enjoy doing) and I'm figuring up how well I can live off of what I make now (and going to see if I get a raise for graduating and the like). I managed to pay for a good chunk of school solely off of what I made working (all my high school job money, plus I was an intern at the Air Force Research Lab for a bit, and then what I made while in school at this job). I just had a minor freakout, I'll probably discuss it at some point in an entry.

And yes, I'm a cosplayer, so it means I spend far too much time putting together costumes for video game characters. Which tends to be a combination of sewing, prop making, altering clothes, finding clothes, and having little shame. I'm going to a convention at the end of the month, so be prepared for a lot of flailing about that as I try to get things together. Thankfully this is my "easy" con, which means it's more local to me and I don't do nearly as elaborate costumes as I do for other cons.

[nebulosity]

Well if you have things you'd like to get rid of, feel free to do the whole "internet freesale" yourself.

I may, but my hang up is having to deal with mailing packages. I have an allergy to it. XDDD Although I really need to focus on the fact that I need to get rid of stuff that's perfectly usable.

And yes, I'm a cosplayer, so it means I spend far too much time putting together costumes for video game characters.

OH YEAH. I have some friends that do that stuff. :)

Shea's Fran was the most brilliant piece of work I've ever seen: http://www.tempered-steel.net/cosplay/fran1.jpg

And her Zelda: http://www.tempered-steel.net/cosplay/zelda4.jpg
http://www.tempered-steel.net/cosplay/zelda3.jpg
(main: http://www.tempered-steel.net/cosplay/)

Beverly does some amazing work. She's done a lot of Final Fantasy stuff, which you may be more familiar with than me. XD I noticed you guys did several similar costumes! Aeris and Terra, etc. http://cosplay.charmedseed.net/costumes/aeris19.jpg
(main: http://cosplay.charmedseed.net/finished.html)

By the way, I've only played through half of FFXII, so don't expect any knowledge from me outside of that one. LOL

And I haven't even SEEN Takarazuka, but Mandi's Der Tod was completely amazingly awesome: http://www.cosplay.com/photo/2355370/ She didn't wear it for me when she came to SLC, but she DID where her Fersen and EEE http://www.distant-ocean.net/oct2009/friday04.png

The rest are here: http://nebulosity.dreamwidth.org/46590.html?#cutid1

They had done a big FFVI get together, but I don't remember where the rest of the pictures are. It's been a VERY long time since I saw them posted.

Laura's Marie Antoinette was a gargantuan undertaking. Everything was hand embroidered: http://www.cosplay.com/costume/45584/

Lada's Alexiel is something even an engineer can appreciate: http://etaru.deviantart.com/art/Alexiel-the-Magnificent-119497460

By the way, I don't even know half of who/what these characters are.

And there are more, but I'm too tired to go find everyone's stuff.

GAH I NEED SLEEP. Going to go sleep now. Bye. lol

[nebulosity]

http://www.cosplay.com/gallery/35624/p2

[crankyoldman]

Oh wow, those are some of the REALLY GOOD cosplayers. XD I recognize several of them from searches (especially the Aeris and Terra cosplayer) I've done looking to see what some other people's interpretations of costumes were!

[nebulosity]

Yeah, the Amano interpretations are also very interesting. :)

[nebulosity]

It's so weird to have so many friends who cosplay when I, myself, don't do it. When I went to the convention with Mandi and Koi, I wore my Kimono so that I fit in a little bit. XD

http://www.distant-ocean.net/oct2009/saturday05.jpg

[crankyoldman]

Awww, you're adorable! I just bought my sister a yukata for Christmas, and will be convincing her to wear it to the next con I go to (which is in the town where she goes to school. she's a microbiology student, younger than me).

And I know this is years late, I sometimes forget about comment threads, I'm spacey like that.

[nebulosity]

I'm the QUEEN of spaciness, so don't even worry. :P

By the way, try to make sure she puts it on (at least somewhat) correctly. I saw so many girls that draped the yukata on like a blanket and just tied the obi around their waist. I also saw girls that wore their yukata dingy and wrinkly and it looked terrible. If you want a tutorial on how to wear it, clean it or press/dry it, I can try to video tape one for you. :)

[crankyoldman]

The person who made it provided illustrated instructions on how to wear them, so she'll have it handled. XD *does the research*

[nebulosity]

Sweet. :) Be aware that a lot of instructions are not as thorough about the details. If she figures it out and wants any suggestions, just snap a picture and I'll see if I can help out. :)

Hmm.... I may be interested in doing a yukata video in general anyway since I know a lot of people that like yukata. :D Thanks for the idea.