So, I have realized that this year's Otakon is imminent. For those of you who don't know what Otakon is, it is a convention celebrating Japanese animation, video games, and Japanese and Asian culture in general. I have been attending Otakon (thanks to the recommendation of my best friend, Lilaenne) off and on for about nine years, and it is more fun every year! There are a lot of video rooms playing anime series and live-action movies, there are informational and discussion panels run by both fans and industry experts, there are appearances and autograph signings by celebrities from the anime/manga world, there is a rave (crazy techno dance-thing that I've never gone to), there's a video game room, and, of course, shopping!!
One other important aspect of Otakon, for many people, is cosplaying. Cosplay is a made-up word combining costume and play, and for most folks basically means dressing up in costume. Technically, I believe cosplay is when one dresses as a character and pretends to be that character all day, interacting with everyone as the character she is dressed as. But, I find that most people just dress up and act like themselves (unless someone takes a picture, at which point, you must strike a character-appropriate pose). I have done several cosplays in my time, and cosplaying used to be an integral part of the convention for me every year. However, with the arrival of the little man, I seem to have less time and money for cosplaying than I used to. I really miss it! I miss the planning and the excitement of starting a project. I miss the strategizing sessions - "well, I could use this for that piece, I could buy those, and I could cut this pattern here and here to make that other part."
Nowadays, I just settle for wearing my counter-culture T-shirts and crazy hairpieces at Otakon. I'd like to get something cute for the little man to wear, but I can't seem to find many video game or anime inspired shirts for babes and toddlers. At least, not anything affordable. Even Etsy failed me here, with a few shirts running close to $30 (gasp!). I never see any at Otakon, and I always wonder why. It's definitely a business with a potential for growth, since your customers are going to outgrow their purchases, seemingly within minutes! I should start my own business. Maybe in time for next year....
In the meantime, I have to think about what to do. I think I'm going to get some plain onesies or t-shirts and do some cross stitch pixelated characters. Again, I'm stealing from Lilaenne, whose husband is making some cross stitched pieces for the Art Auction this year. Now, I just have to remember how to work with waste canvas. I remember how to put the stuff on the shirt, but I think there was another step to seal the back of the work so the shirt could be washed. Was it iron-on interfacing?
I really miss costuming, not just for Otakon, but also our great Halloween costumes. It seems that the days of making awesome Janice and Dr. Teeth, Melissa and Coach McGuirk costumes are gone. I also don't have the time or money for the next Renn Faire costume I was planning - some sort of gypsy thing that wouldn't be so cotton-picking HOT all day. Plus, it's really hard to find costumes appropriate for a group of 3 people. I guess we'll have to have another baby, so we can unlock the world of 4-person groups.
Anyone out there that was a big costumer before having children? Did you keep it up after the baby was born? Did it take some time to get back into costuming? How did you find the time (and the money)? What do you all think about baby and/or maternity video game or anime shirts?
