Member Since 10-07-2002

United States

California

What got you into cosplay?
I've been into "cosplay" since I was a "princess" for Halloween at age 3. It goes along with a life-long love of Theater and Role-Playing. I get a huge amount of creative satisfaction from making and then wearing costumes (preferably with an excuse to get into character, heh heh...) It's all like a drug... ^__^
What was your first costume and why?
First costume ever made completely by myself (machine sewing, accessories, props): Queen Nefertiti, for a grade school production at age 10. First con / parade costume: Princess Leia from Star Wars. First anime costume: super-ghetto Speed Racer, worn at Windycon 5 & 6.
What is your favorite costume and why?
Dilandau Albatou from Escaflowne, because I have identification issues with him. (I'm Insane - Fear Me, ~_^...) It's really about the character in this case, not just the costume (and I DO mean the character's personality as in the original Japanese version, NOT the American sub!!) Too bad his range of outfits is severely limited, unless I were to be more creative with 'em (and I do have ideas...)
Do you have a dream costume you'd like to make?
Oh, yeah. It's an ensemble RP piece and requires a sizable group of people, however.
What has been your most memorable cosplay experience?
I've been going to several cons a year (Speculative Fiction, Anime, etc.) every year since 1978. With that, plus special events, parades, plays, masquerades, etc. etc., a single "most memorable experience" is nigh-impossible to pick out of the mix. (Perhaps the first time people saw my whole family in a costume set, and we couldn't walk two steps without camera flashes going off everywhere - musta been the little costumed kids, AKA "photo-magnets". :) )
Do you participate in masquerades?
Yes, if I have an idea I like. I'm a narcissistic stage-brat, and I also like to put on a good show. :p The heck with awards, though I don't complain when I get 'em! :p (I'm just a stymied ex-"The-AY-ter-geek" with good lip-sync skills. :p) I love the spotlight. I also love to share it. The more the merrier.
What was your best masquerade experience?
Hard to say. My kids always steal my "show", anyway. ^^ Can't bitch about AX '03 though; almost as good as Con Jose '02... (And I don't mean for the awards we got, I mean for the audience response! Con Jose (SF Worldcon) actually meant a lot, because we got a great response from an audience which mostly wasn't even familiar with Anime.) Lunacon '92 was also special - first time I ever took one of my kids onstage, and she rather stole the Masquerade as a really young Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.
Have you won any awards for your costumes?
Yes. ~_^
Tell us a little about yourself
Married XX years, and the mother of two kids who cosplay with me. (I corrupted them with both anime and cosplay; go me!) Wish I could read / write more books, draw / paint, play more music, make more costumes, watch more anime, do more gaming, etc. etc. I've got too much life!! We have full-time jobs, full-time kids, run community music events, maintain a house, and we're very active in our local Karate dojo. It's amazing there's any time for costuming at all.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I've been an anime fan and a hobby-costumer longer than some people on this board have been alive. :p This means absolutely nothing other than that my memory stretches back a little farther than some of yours. "Age" is merely a stupid number. I detest knee-jerk responses to chronological age, so get to know me FIRST and then I may tell you. (Don't even THINK of comparing me to your parents! *evil grin*)
My favorite anime
Tenkuu no Escaflowne, Cowboy Bebop, Rurouni Kenshin, Miyazaki's movies... and other things. I've too much life experience to have a "one favorite something" of most things anymore. I like many things.
My favorite game(s)
If I had any time in my life for games, I'd likely play them. But I don't. (OK, OK! I admit I'm rather hooked on Tekken Tag!! :p ) *plots stealing daughter's FFX*
My favorite book(s)
I have too many favorite books. Almost all are SF and Fantasy; one of my favorite authors is C. J. Cherryh. I also read manga.
My favorite character(s)
In anime: Dilandau Albatou. For reasons stated above under "favorite costume".
My favorite movies(s)
Lots of 'em. I especially like independent and foreign films; ie: Himalaya, Rabbit-Proof Fence, Bend it like Beckham, Whale Rider, Run Lola Run, etc. Also Martial Arts Action films, ie: Shaolin Soccer, Twin Warriors, etc. Anime: probably "Mononoke Hime".
My favorite actors/actresses
No favorites, but I like anyone who does a damned good job at it. ;)