ひょけん せいそう [Hyoken Seisou]

I never in my wildest dreams would have ever thought we'd get robbed. I've heard of other people have this unfortunate thing happen to them, but I never thought to us.

We come home today around 5pm and I go to my room to see my VAIO laptop gone. My sister checks to see her's gone, along with my moms. It seems they gone in through my sister's window, which was open just a couple inches; they pried off the screen and came in through there. Our 3 dogs were home, but it's evident they didn't do anything, nor were they hurt, thankfully. It seems like they're just too nice and the thief didn't think they were a threat.

I am really really angry and upset this has happened. I love my computer almost as much as I love my dog. I have a LOT of important files on there, along with a lot of photos and memories. Not to mention all the sites I'm on and such, the password is autosave. I managed to change most of my passwords, but still. And although my VAIO is password protected and I have faith in the police, I really doubt I'll see my beloved VAIO again.

This really frickin' blows...

So I was wondering why my email has been exploding with "You have a new youtube subcriber". Normally I get like 1-2 every few days, IF that, maybe if I upload like 8 new vids, but never 8 (and still going) in one day.

07/12/09: I post regularly on the Gaming Union Forums (http://www.gamingunion.net/forums/index.php)(and the MyResistance.net) on the update on my in-progress photos for my Resistance 2 chimera costume and gun, and I had recently just finished it.
To my shock, it was posted on the GU news: http://www.gamingunion.net/news/amazing-resistance-2-marksman-recreated-by-fan--235.html
I was so shocked and speechless!! I've never had anything like this happen before!! I'm so happy!!!
Then later, I get a post on the MyResistance.net forums, someone saying it got posted on N4G, and it did!! http://www.n4g.com/ps3/News-359736.aspx

*edit 07/13/09: AGAIN (on Slashgear.com)!! OH MY GOSH THANK YOU!! http://www.slashgear.com/resistance-2-fan-built-marksman-rifle-1349172/#more-49172 
And someone has also email asking if I wanted to do a Q&A so they can put me in their magazine!!!

OH SNAP!! ANOTHER!?!??!??
http://kotaku.com/5313102/resistance-fan-gets-crafty-builds-resistance-rifle

(I found out about that last one because Insomniac Games themselves posted it on their Twitter!!)

Excuse me while I go jump out in front of a car... Because if I were to die right now, I'd die a very happy person.*

WOW! Just WOW~!! I never, in my wildest dreams, would have expected this!!! I'm really truly honoured!!

And that is also why my youtube has exploded with new subcriptions. Someone (on the N4G news) posted my youtube link and people have been going from there. That's really really cool.

Thank you so much to everyone!!!! <3 <3 <3












On a related note:
If you wanna vote for which gun you wanna see made next- (copied from my fb)
So after the Marksman gun and how well it's turning out, I wanna make other weapons from R2 for my chimera/shits and giggles. Which one should I make next?
(If you don't know what they look like, you can either vote by how cool the name sounds, or actuall not be a lazy bastard and go google it. Just googles 'Resistance 2 *name of gun*')

LAARK
Auger
Bullseye Mark II
Wraith
Fareye
Pulse Cannon

I'm only listing those one cause those ones are my fav. Chances are I'll probably end up making all of those, but which one should I do after the Marksman (probably won't start on it til after early August, because I have other commissions I need to work on)

I'll edit this message with a talleying system. Voting ends August 15th, cause that's probably when I'll have time to start making it.

*edit: you can vote for two choices*

Here is the final sculpt of my Chimera (from Resistance 2) costume. I'm happy about the eyes; annoyed I have to do them 4 more times. XD
btw, More texture is OBVIOUSLY going to be added, need to get the basis down first.

I'm naming my generic foot soldier, Nikolaev. (Nick-co-lay-ve)
If you don't know what a Chimera (from Resistance 2) is, google it. They're sweet.

Click here to view head

Just a close up shot of the re-done Nikolaev skin. It was smooth before, but I redid all the skin to make it sort of more realistic and yeah... Sort looks like elephant skin, which is fine. Because I'm sure the Chimera didn't use lotion everyday to keep their skin silky soft!
Click here to view skin detail

Click here to view a quick video of the head (before it was ruined)

I've recent play with alginate on it, and it killed Nikolaev... I managed to save the head and most of the neck, but due to fast drying and the alginate, the shoulders are ruined. I fixed them second, I am not fixing them a 3rd time. I didn't really need them, would have been nice to have that extra bit of support of the mask under the armor so that the mask would ride up. Oh well, I'll fix all of that out later. So this time, I'm going to stick with my rubber latex for making a mold of it.

For my Chimera costume (from Resistance 2)
For those of you who don't know what a Chimera looks like, here: [url]http://files.playstatic.com/ps3/resistance-2/resistance-2-hiresscreenshots5.jpg[/url]
Like Fallout said, "instead of giving hugs to the little kids, you're gonna scare the shit out of them" I sure am!! MUAHAHA

Anyways, reason why I wanted a name for this generic solider chimera costume is cause it's a generic mutated soldier... I dunno, I think it's just better to give this generic a name.

So I've narrowed it down to 4 names:
Zaethys, Kohkhlov, Nikolaev, and Zakharov

I'm just gonna keep asking people opinion until I go fond of one really, or if people somehow convince me one name is better than the other. Right now, I'm leaning towards Nikolaev... It's 'cute', easy to remember, easy to SPELL, and yeah.... sounds cool.

Here's my Amateratsu suit!! Thought I'd share the uber fuzziness!!
Actually, she was finished about like 3-4ish weeks ago, I was just lazy in posting pics/vids.

And I'm still too lazy to post pictures (here at least, cause I have to re-size, have two different sized files, them do an html link, etc etc, and most importantly, I'm lazy! :3 ).
But there are some pictures on my DA account though!  and on my FA account

Here's some short videos taken of her on her very first test run/outing on April 18th and a couple (I think at least one) of her at CCEE (Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo on April 25-26th):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c82atcr3IxA&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyXV6efmpM0&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSpPfm7K34M&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIdLHmLKEDs&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZYJmhI4ZoI&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX4kL3PpsM8&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RT7s9l6qReA&feature=channel_page
My fav:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlsVpjWgTOg&feature=channel_page

And most recently on May 2nd:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKUZYV2H1GQ&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PW7tpCWhA4&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKAsUFxddKY&feature=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ablO1_CZmDg&feature=channel_page

So CCEE has come and gone, and I am beat. But at the same time it was wicked awesome fun. I was suiting with Ammy for about 6 hours on saturday, and just briefly on sunday (as I was actually at my own table sunday while my friends went out and got some much deserved fun). Ammy won her first award!! She won Best in Women's Catogory! ^^ So awesome! I got this personalize glass trophy!! Only crappy thing about it.. They spelt my name wrong!! D: TT^TT Oh well, it's still really really sweet. I'll take pictures and post them up later.
It was also awesome to meet a bunch of new people this weekend.

If you want to see lots of pictures of Ammy, add me on facebook or something. I spam on facebook like you would not believe.

Oh, if you've taken any pictures/videos of Ammy, I would love to see them!! If you could either email or tag me (in facebook), I would really much appreciate it. Hard thing with a fursuit, it's hard to see what you look like!

-Several new items have been added to the Store, mostly pre-orders for the awesome bookmarks I ordered (and should be here shortly) I will also be added pictures for them within the next day or so. I just woke up from a nap and don't really feel like editting pictures.
-Ammy will be doing another outing on May 2nd at the Eau Claire Market area from 1-4 pm, come visit her!
-Check out my youtube as some new funny videos and some videos taken of Ammy have been added!
-Some friend's website links have been added to the About page. (If you wish you have your page linked here, send me an email with your url. I just only ask that you link me as well on your site. :3 )

Actually... I'm too lazy to post the pics here.... Cause I would mean I have to upload to PB twice, then post here, etc etc. So I'm linking my cosplay DA account, in which I have uploading my fav pics that were taken today at the Otafest Pormotion thing-the thing where it was an excuse for me to test out Ammy in the safety of numbers with other cosplayers!

http://www.hyokenseisou-cosplay.deviantart.com/

Ammy's back and alive!! (no not the old head, got the new head and painted her and she's 'back)

I trimmed a little bit of fur mostly off the top of the head, it's very subtle though. And aside from that, just painted on the markings!!
(Click to enlarge)

OMG I GOT MY AMMY HEAD TODAY!!!!!!!!!!

So I uhh.... seem to have misplaced the needle I was working with that I used for my fursuit legs... I remember using it last on my one paw two nights ago... and it's no suck on my big spool of thread... I don't really care that I am down one needle, cause I have two dozen more... but the fact that it is now somewhere in my room where it could harm me if I don't know it's there, scared it crap out of.

It's ironic, because I really really hate needles, any kind of needle, sewing, medical, whatever... I hate them...

Last time I misplaced a needle and forgot about it, was on my arm rest on my spinny chair; it was kinda hanging out there, and I slammed my hand down on my rest to get it, and next thing I knew and FELT, was the blunt end of a needle go into my hand. D: It probably WOULD have went through, if it weren't for the fact that the bone in my hand, STOPPED IT! D:

So I'm a little scared right now, that this needle could very well jump out and kill me tonight when I sleep or something. TT^TT

omg I found the needle I thought was gonna kill me! I'm happy now! lolololol

Walking test
part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVQxgTDaiaI
part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKg2a5MAOzo

Duct taping
part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kIl9kkClYc
part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLCu2iWGCjo
part 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO_sNHBI_lU

part 1- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEUcYhpgzwA
part 2- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utiNGAidGvQ&feature=related
part 3- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_04HxWlWSjI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8MRFC4w53Q

I'm just gonna make a not-so-mental note to myself about the things I need to get done. Post-its are great, but more than one reminder is even better for me. :3

Edit Mar. 4th: OH LOOK! MOAR SHIT TO DO!!! D:<

Feb 27th-Meet with commissioner about Lelouch
March 3rd- Meet with commissioner about Okita Sougo
March 3rd-Meet with someone who's building my website. (stay tuned for that!)
March 6th-Get all cosplay and art thumbnails/pictures ready for website
March 7th-Albert Con Summit Meeting
March 9th-CCEE artbook contest deadline, finish entry, send it in. (to view: http://hyokenseisou.deviantart.com/art/CCEE-Sallie-114801186)
March 11th-Have logo, chibi mascot, and business card layout done
March 12th-Order business cards
March 13th-Meet with up website maker and also have side image and top banner image for site done
March 19th-Yaoifest exec meeting
April 20th-Deadline for Athon Events poster, finish entry, send it in
April 20th-Deadline for Athon T-shirt, finish entry, send it in
May 18-Deadline for Athon guidebook, finish entry, send it in

Athon-Write up panels for Cosplay Chess, Cosplay 101, Cosplay Shoot, Iron CosChef, Cosplay Cafe
Athon-Book hotel
Athon-Print pages 20-21 for sponsership for the guidebook, Draw art for 1/2 page ad for Enders in Athon's guidebook
C4-Book flight and hotel

Lol. So here's what I do: (I'll highlight the actual parts where I'm working. Let's see the working:slacking ratio...)
1) Take out fabric
2) Stare at it for about ten minutes
3) Walk away and go play piano or just sit around staring at the wall/comp
4) Look at fabric again
5) Go spam on interwebs for a good 30 minutes
6) Pick up fabric, lay it out, and plan for patterns and such
7) Cut out a couple pieces
8) Throw pieces back on ground (I I work on my floor, fyi) and go get something to eat.
9) Curse and swear at my dog for having made the fabric all hairy cause he's shedding
10) Cut out the rest of the pieces and put them aside
11) Go spam on interwebs again
12) Start assembling some pieces, about half of them
13) Spam
14) Assemble the rest
15) Throw the whole thing back on floor and go get something to eat
16) Go play PS
17) Go back to project
18) Yell at dog as he decides to take a nap on it... D:<
19) Finish project
20) Go play more PS

And my work:slack ratio is 7:13!!

Wow, that's not even 50%.../scoff. LAWL

So I'm sitting here in my chair at 6:03 AM, drawing for the Athon16 promotion art contest thing, and my ass is like going numb; cause I've been sitting in this damn chair for like 4+ hours straight. So I'm like "Ok... I need a pillow or something". So I grab a pillow, put it on my chair, sit down, and let out one big sigh. I then tuck my cold feet under my dog, who's sleeping on my bed, the end closet to me. Excellent!! Warm feet, comfy bum, drawing's going really well, this is awesome.

Peace out, I'll post my pic then I'm done. I'm quite happy with it so far. :3


Edit: HOLY SHITTING MONKEY BALLS!! THE LITTLE TWITT (my dog) JUST FARTED!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! DX

Yeah, so turns out, resin will cure in plaster... Only problem is, they FUSE together and there's no way to can pry them apart... They're tighter together than a crabs buttocks. Yah...

Lesson learned: Resin + plaster = epic fail.

COMMISSION STATUS

COSPLAY
Lelouch jacket - Deposit paid - In progress
Bleach-5th squad jacket -In queue
Okita Sougo - In queue

ART
OPEN

___________________________________________

CON APPEARANCES FOR 2009 (In order)

Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo (CCEE)
Date: April 25th-26th
Location: Calgary
Costumes: TBA
Notes: I will be an artist there in AA, look for 'Hyoken Seisou' at table A32

VGL (Video Games Live)
Date: May 15th
Location: Calgary
Costume: Ammy from Okami
Notes: I know it's not a con, but I'll be there in a fursuit

Otafest
Date: May 15th - 17th
Location: Calgary
Costumes: TBA
Notes: Going as volunteer and artist in AA

Animethon 16
Date: August 7th - 9th
Location: Edmonton
Costumes: Ada Wong, other costumes TBA
Notes: Cosplay Director, will also have multiple cosplay panels running

Central Canada Comic Con
Date: Oct 31st - Nov 1st
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Costumes: TBA
Notes: Will be an artist in AA
___________________________________________

ROLES
Animethon Cosplay Director
Nishikaze Cosplay Director
Calgary ASAPA Events Coordinator
YaoiCon Security, Special Events, and Volunteer Coordinator

So yeah, turns out resin dosn't like plaster... It just will NOT set.

Solution: Use a sealant on the plaster before applying the resin, otherwise it will not cure.

But other than that, the resin eyes that I cast in the paint molds, turns out beautifully. They're all clear and shiny smooth. I can't wait to paint and install them onto the head! ^^

Ok, so today I finally decided to start using my LJ again and blog my progress one fursuit/art/etc. I went through all my older entries, and man that was a blast from the past. Guess when the last time I posted was? Some time in 2006. HA. Anyways, lots of updates on recent events!


FURSUITING
So I've started my first fursuit head, and I must say, it's going pretty good so far. I'm using a different method from what most fursuiters do, which is to make a negative mold of a head (I sculpted the head out of clay, and made a negative of that) so that I can make positive head bases/skulls. Right now I'm just waiting for the latex rubber to dry.
I also casted my first (multiple) sets of eyes. At first I was really hesitant about working with resin because: a) it's a costly material that you really don't want to mess with up and b) you never know what the end results will be. But after working with it for the first time, I'm quite confident in using it now and plan on tackling other projects with it.
And just as an fyi, whenever you work with either resin or liquid latex rubber... do it in a well ventilated area! I was smart enough to do it in my room... with my door closed (because I didn't want to stink up the rest of the house), yeah, not smart. I think I'm down a few thousand brain cells. haha

Here's the current head that I'm making. It's for a halloween costume. It's eary, very early, I know. But I like to give myself lots of 'oh shit I messed up big time' time. lol (This is just a quick sketch)

(His name is Akumu, which in Japanese means 'Nightmare'. He's gonna be so cool. He has 6 eyes, and four of them will be able to light up. And I'm also going to have the ears so that they move whenever I open my mouth.)


COMMISSIONS
My cosplay and art commissions are now OPEN! For any quotes or inquires, please email me at hyokenseisou@hotmail.com
(Fursuit parts and partials will be for sale soon to the general public, hopefully within a couple months. But if you don't want to wait that long, commission me for them to get them sooner!)


CONVENTION NEWS
Animethon business: Ok, so as some of you may or may not know, but I'm an Athon exec, Cosplay Director of course! (I have been last year too) Anyways, last night I started the policy and sign up and whatnots for for Animethon 16, the Cosplay Contest. Took me four hours to type everything up. It was a pain in my ass, literally. haha
So as soon as all of that gets approved, I'll be posting it here as well.
Next, today I plan on working on all the policy and whatnots for multiple panels, all, cosplay of course!
What I plan on doing is: Cosplay Chess (again), Cosplay 101, Cosplay Shoot, and Iron Cos-Chef.
If you guys have any other suggestions, please let me know!
A quick break down as to what those panels are:
Cosplay Chess: Lifesized Chess piece played by cosplayers battle it out on a huge chess board.
Cosplay 101: Good for beginners in the cosplay world to learn tips, tricks, and secrets of cosplay. This is where you can come ask anything you're puzzled on when making, maintaining, and anything else about cosplay.
Cosplay Shoot: A tutorial for people who want to do sucessful cosplay photoshoots. It'll also be good to get some great pictures taken, by yours truly. (Photos will be emailed to the cosplayer so they may use them for profiles and portfolios)
Iron Cos-Chef: Ever watch Iron Chef? That's what this is, but cosplay! Two teams battle it out, using a 'secret ingredient' to win the title of 'Iron Cos-Chef'!



CON APPEARANCES FOR 2009 (In order)
Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo (CCEE)
Date: April 25th-26th
Location: Calgary
Costumes: TBA
Notes: I will be an artist there in AA, look for 'Hyoken Seisou' at table A32

VGL (Video Games Live)
Date: May 15th
Location: Calgary
Costume: Ammy from Okami
Notes: I know it's not a con, but I'll be there in a fursuit

Otafest
Date: May 15th - 17th
Location: Calgary
Costumes: TBA
Notes: Going as volunteer and artist in AA

Animethon 16
Date: August 7th - 9th
Location: Edmonton
Costumes: Ada Wong, other costumes TBA
Notes: Cosplay Director, will also have multiple cosplay panels running

Central Canada Comic Con
Date: Oct 31st - Nov 1st
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Costumes: TBA
Notes: Will be an artist in AA



OTHER
That's really about it for now. Except to see me more on LJ from now on! :)

Oh, also, I'd really much appreciated it if you guys checked out both my art and cosplay dA accounts. :3
Art: http://www.hyokenseisou.deviantart.com
Cosplay: http://www.hyokenseisou-cosplay.deviantart.com
(My cosplay one needs a major update. ^^' It's on my large list of things to do.)