I said I’d make a video in honor of Reading Rainbow. Here it is. I put way more work into it than it looks. In fact, I had to cut the intro I was working on because I just couldn’t get it right. I’ll add it eventually, but for now it’s more important that something is up rather than nothing. Please ignore the color issues. Here are three of my favorite childhood reads:

It was hard to pick just three books. I was way into Nancy Drew and Anne of Green Gables. I think I read Swiss Family Robinson and Paddle to the Sea a few times too. Who knows, once I get this intro finished I might just do more book reviews.

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Back in early August I did a little post about G.I.Joe and where to find costumes. I even answered a few emails from readers with suggestions for homemade costumes for their kids. Dave’s blog completely outshines anything I may have said about how to make or buy a G.I. Joe costume. Dave clearly has talent and a bit of ingenuity. If you want to wow your friends this Halloween, follow Dave’s G. I. Joe tutorial.

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I never know what to say in a tribute post about an icon. What hasn’t been said? Patrick Swayze had a varied and versatile career. He was great. Even in the crappy things like Steel Dawn, he gave a honest performance that rose above the material.

He ranged from high school rebel to soldier to lover to pedophile to adventurer. There was something all his characters beleived, well most of them, “Some men need to be hit back.” Even though his characters were over-the-top, they seemed real. How do you make an adrenaline junkie robber seem relatable? An actor couldn’t ask for more. He was a Top 10 singer. He was The Sexiest Man Alive. He was married to the woman of his dreams.

I’ve created a little gallery in honor of Patrick Swayze highlighting some of the costumes throughout his career.

Thank you for sharing your gift.

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I only snapped a few pictures at this year’s Dragon Con. I tried not to take the same pictures of the same costumes I see every year. There were a lot of great costumes I didn’t capture because my camera wasn’t out or because I couldn’t get close due to the crowds. I expected the GI Joe and Cobra costumes as well as the Star Trek factions. I didn’t expect to see so many Venture Brothers costumes. The Steampunk genre continues to explode. Alice in Wonderland was huge. There were traditional Wonderland costumes as well as some inspired by the upcoming movie….but I didn’t get any pictures of those.

Highlights:
The first 15 minutes of Season 4 of The Venture Brothers
Adam Savage dressing as a Wookie
Felecia Day at karaoke
Christopher Pike

Yes, he did communicate in light bleeps.

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I had a fun at Dragon Con this year. I was there for Saturday, Sunday and a teensy bit of Friday night. I took two new costumes and a couple of older backups with me.

Friday night and most of Saturday I was dressed as Colonel Hunter Gathers from The Venture Brothers cartoon. I used a sports top and bloomers I already owned as the base for the outfit. I painted the pieces, as is quite obvious, in a camo-like way. I wore two pairs of bloomers because I may be dressed as a stripper, but I am not a stripper and needed to feel like I was covered up. The stubble was dark eyeshadow stippled on with a contour brush. The cigarette holder was an eyeliner pencil with medical tape on the end. The hat is spare green material folded up like a newspaper hat and stitched in the corners to keep it together. I left my white gloves sitting on my bed. D’oh. Combat boots, fishnet stockings, wig, and glasses round out the ensemble. This picture includes a young lady who modified a Sexy Army costume.

I ran into the two creators of The Venture Brothers at a gonzo show. Jackson Publick laughed hysterically and never did say a thing. Doc Hammer shook his head while saying, “He wasn’t supposed to look that good.” I was nervous wearing that getup but that comment gave me all the confidence I needed to keep going. I had my picture taken more times than I could count while in that costume. Now I know how ManWithPez feels when he wears the Seymour and Audrey II costume.

Sunday was my Dr. Saunders day. You may remember my scar test. My technique improved, unfortunately, I forgot to bring my reference so the scars were a bit misplaced. Oh well. I wore the costume briefly on Saturday and discovered my subtle scars were too subtle. No one noticed them. Sunday’s scars are much darker. Dr. Saunders jacket is unique and could only be replicated if I made it…which I plan to do. Until then, I have a simple lab coat with a popped up collar. I wore a blouse, fluted skirt, and heels with the scars and wig. I heard there was another Saunders at D*C but I never found her.

My Dragon Con 2009 gallery is posted. I didn’t take as many pictures this year since I was there for two days and missed the parade. Sorry. I tried to take pictures of the costumes I loved. I hope you like them too. My recap post is on its way.

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Well, I didn’t think I’d make it this year. Time and money weren’t on my side. ManWithPez was a lock though. I just love those Hail Mary passes. I’m trying to finish a few costumes for myself and ManWithPez. Wish me luck

Will I see you there? Will you see me there?

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