go to dragon*con

I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun. I will absolutely be going back next year!

Consumables: Cooler, case of water. Protein bars.

Technology: Camera & extra batteries. Chargers for phones. Laptop & wireless set up.

Costume elements: Tail, petticoats, dragon wings, waist cinches, combat boots, sandals, lace t-shirts, stockings, mask, bike shorts, patent skirt, wigs, false eyelashes, and makeup gear (colored mascaras, shadows, lip stain, lipsticks, brushes & sponges for application, qtips, remover cloths).

Comfort & safety: mini first aid kit, moleskin for blisters, handiwipes, sewing kit, safety pins, misting fan.

Other: normal clothes & HBA supplies. Tote bag. Cash.

5 days until dragon*con 2008. I bought a case of bottled water, this weekend, and I have a box of protein bars (rumor has it that it’s hard to get food & drink due to the crowds). I also picked up some makeup (lip stain, colored mascara, high pigment shadows) to help with the costuming…

I need to be sure to pack a lot of heavy duty makeup remover.

I’m really looking forward to this… hopefully, the huge changes going on at work won’t detract from my enjoyment of this event.

costume 1: long black tulle ballskirt, black lace t-shirt, black waist cincher, Dragon (ok, some might say they’re more demonesque) wings, wig, horns, tail, sterling silver talons on the left hand. Probably a half-face black mask as well.

costume 2: knee length black patent leather half-circle skirt; black lace t-shirt, red & black patent waist cincher, dragon wings, tail, the same talons… think of it like the dragon changed clothes, but the core elements are the same.

costume 3: Not sure yet. Could continue on with the dragon theme; if I did, I’d probably go with a waltz length petticoat and not sure what on top yet. I could wear my full length Underworld / Matrix reminiscent leather coat dress, but I would probably die of the heat.

Still, serious costuming progress is occuring :) We like that!

While I was out getting fitted for other costume pieces, I happened to mention that I was having a challenge figuring out how to affix my tail.

The goals included being able to pull it on & off easily, but not risk losing it; having it lay relatively perpendicularly; and not damaging it overall.

I’d noodled around with several engineering solutions in my head, but hadn’t come up with a true plan. The creative genius I spoke with, though, not only figured out a solution – but a simple one as well!

I’m quite pleased :) Tail portion of the costume = Sorted!

My iron levels are too low, and I’m too out of shape, for a march in the Georgia heat in costume. I’m going to find a nice spot in the shade to watch :)

So, I have one absolutely stellar ensemble… but this is a 4 day event. I’d like to figure out day and evening outfit options that will leverage what I already have, with the addition of just a few items.

I’m not much on doing an “exact replica” of a character; I prefer to bring my individual stamp within a genre rather than trying for a precise representation. Even at that, there are so many possible genres that my head is asploding with possibilities :)

I’ve committed myself to going to DragonCon this year. It’s ridiculous to live in ATL all these years and never fully attend the whole thing.

So, today, I purchased the membership / ticket, and used the Almighty Power of Gold Preferred Guest Status to snag a hotel. Yes, I could commute, but part of the convention experience is staying til all hours… having a spot to retreat to and relax and, in this case, change costumes… Because everything is already sold out, from a hotel perspective, finding something close to the event was a challenge. Activate super travel powers! Challenge solved :)

Whee Hee! Committing to fun is … well, fun!

My husband’s best friend from his school years (who I also like very much) is coming to the 2008 DragonCon, along with his wife and their baby.

If they can schlep all the way from Staten Island to Atlanta to attend, I really should be able to figure out how to fit this into my schedule too… Plus – and this is a big plus – I would feel more comfortable going with them.

Ticket prices are a little prohibitive, and the hotels are sold out. I didn’t plan far enough ahead on this – somehow, Labor Day weekend seemed so far off – and now that it’s here, I’m not ready.

Not to mention that my slowly healing sprained ankle isn’t ready for the tromping around this kind of event requires.