Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Cosplay Girls

A little off the beaten path (if thats the correct way to say/spell that). I thought I would entertain all of you with my thoughts on Cosplay. And specifically my thoughts on girls that Cosplay.

My first initial reaction to people dressing up in costume at comic conventions back in 1996/1997 was a bit laughable. I feel bad saying this, because that was when it was really daring to dress up. The costumes were crummy and horrible. Maybe someone had some funky wolverine claws, but that was it... and then they couldn't carry things around the show cause of the claws.

But then as we moved forward into the year 2000 things started changing. We started seeing women dressing up in costume. The Slave Leia's started showing up. The Electra's, Psylocke, Rogue... you name it. Girls were trying it out. Some girls (and guys), not to be harsh, should never had put spandex on. Now, mind you, I'm going to be direct here and say that it isn't so much about the weight on a girl. Even a little extra weight on a girl can still look healthy and sexy. It pretty much is when you say it like the comedian Gabriel Iglesias says; "Daaaaaaammn!" that we start to wish some people wouldn't dress up in costume.

As the mid-2000's hit and I was able to attend some of the larger comic conventions (Wizard World Chicago and San Diego Comic Con), and our very own Seattle show Emerald City Comic Con started getting larger, I had noticed a variety of what people would classify as "Hotties" showing up at conventions dressed in Cosplay. Some were "Booth Babes" hired to bring in the customer to the table, or get a flier for what they were advertising. Others started showing that even they were interested in dressing up for conventions. And suddenly it became apparent that the comic, geek, gamer and nerd industry was no longer just fat sweaty guys in their Mom's basements.

So I currently find myself single. Creating my own comic and art book. And it hits me (what was probably already apparent, but my mind finally caught up)... I should try to find myself a single Cosplayer hottie to date. On paper, in theory, wishfully, I would think.... that a girl like that should be a hell of a lot more compatible than what I have been dating. Without going too deep into things, a guy like me needs someone a little more understanding about the world I live in, think in, create in. And while I say I want to date a Cosplayer, what I really mean is that I'm looking for a girl that wants to live, eat and breath in my creative world.

And honestly, the best thing anyone can do is take care of yourself. Be self sufficient, self reliant, and watch how co-dependent you are on a relationship and having someone in your life. I'm making steps towards being a little more along the lines of being there for myself. But at the same time, I also know how truly amazing life could be with someone more compatible. And so I am on a quest while I work on MockTales, work on my life, work on everything I need to do.

I am getting more and more picky the more I think about the kind of girl I want to be with these days. And so because of this, oddly enough, I have finally become that which I was always annoyed with... someone who says "sorry, not interested" to a member of the opposite sex. But saying yes to the first girl who accepted me has proven to put me in bad relationships. My fault, her fault... doesn't matter at this point. They were bad relationships. So... time to be picky, build something special with someone, and ensure that quality is achieved.

Thanks for listening to the ramblings. Moving on to getting artwork done... and daydreaming about Cosplay girls.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Another brief update

Great news! My back feels great today. Yesterday was the first day in a while I was able to sit at the drawing table for a long time before experiencing any pain or comfort issues. My hand was steady and so I finished three Commissions (posting scans after work today).

I figure I am about two weeks behind on my plans for my art book MockTales: Project Molten. But I'll make it work. After my visit with my kids this weekend I'll be moving into overtime on drawing and people will start to see considerable results. While I don't want to release too much of what I've done already, I will most likely share with people two to three designs pages to give an idea of what the book is going to be like.


In other news - going to see Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows pt2 tonight. I'm anxious to see how things get wrapped up. Already people are telling me how good it is and the sad and cheerful moments. I know some people think Harry Potter is lame, but I look at it from the point of view as a creator. A world was created in 7 novels that inspired and entertained millions of people. If I could be even 1/10th as sucessful as this franchise with MockTales I'll be happy. But we'll see how things go. As always, its about getting the work done.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Health and Status

Injury:
Well everyone, my attempts to get better and on track have once again hit a bad snag. The last two weeks I've been trying to keep my game face on while dealing with a hurt back. I made the bad decision to lift a TV by myself helping a friend (again, "my" bad decision in case she is reading this. lol).

So, thinking I was John Wayne or something, I just let things go and eventually it caught up to me this past Sunday and Monday when my body shut down and I was having chills and sweats. My body was achy like I had the flu.

Getting better sleep has helped my improvement and of course I went to the Doctor finally to get checked out. "A possible herniated disc" is what he says. Maybe even just a pulled muscle. But signs indicate that I am healing and I will need to keep resting and doing proper stretches for a few more weeks while on some miner pain meds.

Artwork:
So naturally I hurt myself shortly after I announced my Art Book for September. This has put me behind not only with my Art Book, but finalizing my script for MockTales #1 and of course the last of my Commissions from March/April. While I only have a few commissions left, people have been waiting and my first priority is still getting those commissions done and shipped out to everyone. (again, if you ordered from me it is always best to email me at mocktales@gmail.com and not comment publicly online).

Being Single:
So once again in my life, as of the last 8 weeks, I have become single. I was in what I consider a very good relationship with someone with whom I felt was very special. I attribute a lot of the good things in my life these days because of my interaction with my recent relationship. But unfortunately things didn't work out and we parted ways.

There are various different feelings I have been having when reacting to this whole thing; Confusion. Anger. Sadness. Joy. Disapointment. And more. I had what I thought was the beginnings of something really wonderful with someone and then all of a sudden (to me at least) it was taken away. It isn't just my fault or hers specifically. But in the end it just plain sucks and of course all you want is the good times you had before everything went wrong.

You then see the person after the breakup and your first impulse is to smile, to hug, to kiss... but then you remember that it isn't allowed any more. And the pain you feel at that moment is unbearable. But dampens with time.

In going through these past few months since my breakup I haven't been too happy to do much, despite my outward and outgoing attitude people see online or in person. I've been sad and depressed and hurting. But I'm learning the lessons this is supposed to be teaching me and, once again, all I can do is move forward.

There is more indepth things about this whole situation, but out of respect and love for her, I don't want to turn this into a rant. It just sucks and it feels good at least getting some of this out.

I miss her terribly...

Interviewed by Peter Palmiotti
On Sunday, July 3rd, I was interviewed by Peter Palmiotti on his Podcast. You can go to his Talk Shoe page at the link below. Check out my interview as well as many others. Peter is a nice casual interviewer and I had a great time chatting with him. Also look up is artwork on Deviant Art and add him to your networking sites! This is the first of what I am hoping will be many interviews helping spread the word of my artwork and the world of MockTales!

http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=74008&cmd=tc