Try Hooping to Silence (Bird Dance)

And you'll find out that silence can be substantial. Not boring and certainly not without voice. And you'll hear your self. As I hooped today, the batteries got low and I had to ditch the iPod. What happened was phenomenal. I was suspicious. Will I be able to move feelingly without music?

At first it was stiff. Without music to occupy me, I had to manually do something with my mind. So I started singing a mantra to Radharani because She is the source of all inspiration, as Srila Prabhupada says. It was nice to hoop to your own singing.



radharani
Srimati Radharani, the Divine Mother
Then another idea came to me. I should hoop like a bird. For the past couple of days I've worn blue feathers in my hair. I also saw two dreams recently with a human-size peacock/phoenix looking bird that spoke to me. Seeing such in a dream symbolizes change and trust. Even right before I started hooping I saw a big bird circle above me in the sky and fly away.

It felt like a right thing to do - a bird dance. I had SO MUCH fun dancing and moving that I'm definitely going to hoop to silence again. Never know what you will hear when it's just you and the hoop.

So here we go:




This is Cosplay Opening Exhibit Preview

Last night I was over at the CS Gallery setting up for the "This is Cosplay" Art Exhibition starting today.



 My Queen Odette costume is going to be on the display the whole week. Takes just as long to put it on the mannequin as it takes to put in on me >_<


 Also KawaiiGir2's Dark Zelda costume will be on display and some of Cosplay in America's large signed prints AND signed books.
And my Cocona sword! <3


See ya there!

Meet My Parents

Continuing the 30 Days posts on set topics.

Day 4 - Your parents


I've always had a very warm and good relationship with my parents. I love them :) They would always support me in everything (except maybe some really dumb stuff). They still do. Of course, my dad passed away last year. But I feel his positive, always supportive and encouraging spirit vividly when I think about him. His name is Kauko, but everyone calls him Kake (pronounced Kah-keh). Since babyhood he instilled in me an everlasting fondness for Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Jimmy Hendrix, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, The Ramones, the Woodstock, kindness, Native Americans, the sea, and a lot more, but perhaps most importantly, being your own person. Thank you. 




My mom is Heini. She's so cool. And sweet. The way she dresses is awesome. She's super expert yet insecure cook and makes the best Finnish and Indian and everything-in-between vegetarian food. Simply her cooking makes me miss Finland. Heini jogs and runs and always has many things going on. When she was pregnant with me she would listen to classical music because she heard that such music makes the baby wise. Can't hurt to try right? Thanks mom so much :)




In conclusion, you gotta have pretty kickass parents if one of the first things you ever learnt to speak, in anticipation of dancing in the living room for hours, was: "Soita klokkia tai klekeitä!" which translates to "Play rock or reggae!" [insert funny baby r's]

Striping fabric with scraps

In some previous post, I wrote that I used scrap pieces of cotton to stripe fabric. I didn’t want to use fabric marker because it looked too uneven for my taste or buy ribbon because the cost would have been considerable. Now I try to explain how I made the stripes. Of course you could buy bias tape, but it doesn’t necessarily work if you’d like the width to be different from the available selection.

Depending on the base fabric, you need to cut the stripe fabric on lengthwise grain or bias; lengthwise for regular fabrics and bias for stretchy fabrics. Go through your scrap fabrics. Pick a fabric that is preferably not as thick as the base fabric. I had just the opposite and I noticed that the thicker stripes crinkled the base fabric a little. Try to find a piece to cover the length of the stripe. You can either stripe a whole fabric or already cut pieces.

Cut the fabric about three times the width you would like the stripe to be. I advice you to make some test runs with the stripes, because the width depends pretty much from your sewing habits. In my case, I made a stripe about 0.5 centimeter width and started with a piece of 1,5 centimeters width. Draw the pieces next to each other and cut them out one at a time. The larger the piece is you are handling, the easier it’s to manage. Especially the lasts pieces are hard to cut if you don’t have enough space to hold the fabric and more if it’s slippery. Use sharp-sharp scissors.

Draw lines as markings for the stripes to the base fabric. In the end the marking will probably vanish underneath the stripes, but do try that the marking pencil can easily be washed out. Tightly fitted clothes are harder to stripe than straight ones. For example straight legged trousers are really easy, while with skinny ones you need to do decisions about curving the stripes or accepting the collisions with the seams and stripes. Of course reference pictures may give you direction, which to follow.


When sewing the stripes on the fabric, line the edge next to your markings. The allowance on the inner edge depends on your sewing, but it should be less than the desirable width of the stripe. I sew the stitch little under half a centimeter from the edge. This way the allowance won’t peek under the stripe, the result being neat and tidy.


After stitching the piece on, iron the stripe to overlap the allowance. Then with iron or using your nails, fold the broader “allowance” in half so that the outer edge follows the stitch line, but doesn’t preferably go over it. The structure will be thicker if so. Then sew the stripe from the loose side.


I left my stripes with one over stitch, because they are not visible from normal distance. Black is rather forgiving color in this case. Of course the stripe can be overstitched twice if balanced look is pursued. I tried making narrower stripes also. It’s possible, but requires some finger agility and nerves to achieve.

The yksi

Curhat Colongan


Tiba-tiba kepikiran bubur ayam di simpang ITM, udah lama nggak maen kesana *lirik-lirik Timaniz Tapi sekarang aku bukannya mau membahas tentang bubur ayam sih, tapi tentang curhatan ibu penjual bubur yang tiap hari lewat depan kontrakan ku nih.

Sebenarnya ini sih kejadian beberapa bulan yang lalu sih, tapi tadi tiba-tiba terpikir saat membaca postingan seseorang di blognya. Jadi cerita itu gini nih. sore itu adalah pertama kalinya aku beli bubur sama si ibu ini. Kata si ibu, dia buat buburnya dikit doank hari ini karena mau bantuin kakaknya masak buat acara arisan gitu.*woot... kayaknya aku nggak ada nanya deh!! Oke, mungkin itu strategi berdagang kali pikir ku.

Si ibu ini ngejual bubur candil, bubur sumsum and pulut item. Aku sempat nanyain rumah si ibu dimana. Nah si ibu ini rumahnya ternyata cukup jauh juga dari daerah kontrakan aku, dan salutnya si bu jualannya pake sepeda loh. Aku aja nggak kebanyang sanggup apa nggak ngayuh sepeda sejauh itu. Eeeee... tiba-tiba si ibu jadi bicarain masalah anaknya yang lagi nyari kerjaan dan kebetulan di dekat rumah aku itu ada perusahaan penyalur sales pulpen gitu, dan si ibu cerita kalo dia baru balik dari tempat itu untuk nanya-nanya apa ada lowongan buat anaknya. udah deh si ibu jelasin semua target-target pemasaran pulpen itu ke aku, tapi udah lupa isi ceritanya *Nah disini aku makin bengong nih, kenapa si ibu jadi curcol begini ya???

Abis itu udah deh aku cuma manggut-manggut doank dengerin si ibu cerita ampe dia kelar ngisiin mangkuk ijo aku ama buburnya, tanpa banyak tanya lagi biar ceritanya nggak merembet kemana-mana. Takutnya ntar aku juga diajak diskusi harga bahan plus menu-menu buat acara arisan kakaknya lagi *berpikir kejauhan

Kayaknya kena batunya deh aku karena keseringan curcol di blog ini, jadinya aku juga disuruh buat jadi pendengar curhatan juga nih, hahahaha....

gambar dari sini

The Best Cosplayer of 2010

Bueno en Enero de este año hice una encuesta para que votaran por la mejor cosplayer del 2009 (en su opinion obviamente) en esa encuesta ganó la cosplayer mexicana Ayane (ver entrada) ... ahora que el blog ha crecido mucho haré pre-eliminares para la encuesta final del año...haré pre-eliminares de: Cosplayers Sudamericanas,Cosplayers Europeas y Cosplayers Asiaticas ... de cada categoria habrá una ganadora (definida por la encuesta de la categoria correspondiente) y cuando se tengan las finalistas se hará la encuesta final.

→Primera Pre-eliminar "Cosplayers Sudamericanas" : Ganó con 11 votos (52%) Lyriel de Brasil ¡Felicitaciones Lyriel! ~ Gracias por vuestros votos.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Segunda Pre-eliminar ~

→Cosplayers Europeas

Las nominadas son:

*Giorgia Vecchini (Italia)

*Marino (Alemania)

*Francesca Dani (Italia)


*Nadia Baiardi (Italia)
Web Page:Nadiask.com

*Bellatrix Aiden (Ucrania)

Que comienze la segunda pre-eliminar! Voten Por Favor!!!!!!!

Koizumi UtHena~

The Best Cosplayer of 2010

Bueno en Enero de este año hice una encuesta para que votaran por la mejor cosplayer del 2009 (en su opinion obviamente) en esa encuesta ganó la cosplayer mexicana Ayane (ver entrada) ... ahora que el blog ha crecido mucho haré pre-eliminares para la encuesta final del año...haré pre-eliminares de: Cosplayers Sudamericanas,Cosplayers Europeas y Cosplayers Asiaticas ... de cada categoria habrá una ganadora (definida por la encuesta de la categoria correspondiente) y cuando se tengan las finalistas se hará la encuesta final.

→Primera Pre-eliminar "Cosplayers Sudamericanas" : Ganó con 11 votos (52%) Lyriel de Brasil ¡Felicitaciones Lyriel! ~ Gracias por vuestros votos.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Segunda Pre-eliminar ~

→Cosplayers Europeas

Las nominadas son:

*Giorgia Vecchini (Italia)

*Marino (Alemania)

*Francesca Dani (Italia)


*Nadia Baiardi (Italia)
Web Page:Nadiask.com

*Bellatrix Aiden (Ucrania)

Que comienze la segunda pre-eliminar! Voten Por Favor!!!!!!!

Koizumi UtHena~

Her Reign



Her Reign by ~Morataya on deviantART



I'll be having this costume on exhibition at the "This Is Cosplay" art exhibit in North Miami Beach this November 30th. And by that I mean just the costume, since I'll be wearing something else =P

Yuna



Cosplayer:Yuna
Country:Bolivia
Character:Moka Akashiya
Anime/Manga:Rosario + Vampire
Photos:5
All Credits to:Yuna
___________




Yuna



Cosplayer:Yuna
Country:Bolivia
Character:Moka Akashiya
Anime/Manga:Rosario + Vampire
Photos:5
All Credits to:Yuna
___________




Talk to Strangers - The Peaceful Program for Overcoming Paranoia



I sat down on a bench in front of the library. A girl was sitting next to me. She was wearing a black coat, blue jeans and reading a book. She put the book down on top of a few other books to answer a phone call. I looked at the book, it was titled 'Pill Head'. Interesting. I wanted to ask her about the book but didn't feel confident to speak to her. I was afraid of her response. Maybe she would feel awkward. Or didn't want anything to do with me. She was finished with her phone call and started to pack the books into her bag.

I remembered the quote from Walt Whitman I put on
my latest hoop video
Stranger, if you passing meet me and desire to speak to me, why should you not speak to me? And why should I not speak to you? 
I figured, I can't be a hypocrite - suggest to others to do something I won't. I decided to open up and in the process, become vulnerable, not knowing how she'll react. "What's that book about?" I asked. She looked at me. She had strong black eyeliner. Like, super strong. She explained what the book was about and we started talking about movies, we had similar taste. I recommended a book to her, and she was glad to hear about it. She was really sweet and our exchange was natural.
There's this whole big 'War on Terror' campaign going on. How about a 'Peaceful Program for Overcoming Paranoia', starting with talking to strangers, for example. So many times I've had the police or security called on me when I've parked somewhere with our house-mobile. How about coming over and asking what's up instead.

At least I can do this. A personal, peaceful program for connecting with others, giving (even if it's a little bit of good energy) and learning. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam there's a story of a sage who accepted so many gurus. Some of his teachers were examples to him of how
not to do things. You can learn something from anyone. It's ok to be vulnerable. There's this strength about it.

How to Take a Trip to Omwoods

Continuing the 30 Days posts on set topics.

Day 2 - Meaning behind your blog name 
I used to post on some forums with the name Lovewoods like then years ago. When I started to do more stuff online again I had forgotten the passwords to all my Lovewoods accounts, and this is how Omwoods came to be. And I figured it describes me a bit more accurately.

Omwoods is a place too! Eyes closed, say om real slow a few times, with Attention. Open your eyes. Look around. You're in Omwoods. When you start drifting away from Omwoods, go back. Get lost. Make magic discoveries.

Day 3 - Your first love 
Antti. I was 2, he was 7-ish. When me and my sisters were kids we would spend the day at a carekeeper's house like most Finnish kids do, and be picked up again after our parents got off work. Antti was the son of my nanny. I even named one of my top three precious baby toys Antti. He passed away when he was 15 or so, in a moped accident. I invited him to my 3-year birthday when I wore a fancy fluffy pink dress. I still have Antti, the doll.


Alright travelers, these pictures give you a beginning of a hint of what it looks like in Omwoods:









Happy omming!


Dear State Police

Beep, beep!
Beep, beep!

What I bought for breakfast,
the places where I’ve been,
the name of my mother,
it’s all there on your screen.

I’m a straight-edge spiritualist,
peaceful as can be, oh pray
tell why I was flagged so
you’ll detect me two miles away.

Well, little do you know:
I have learnt the science
and microwaved for precisely
five seconds my driver’s license.

You should harass me less,
this should have done the trick.
No beeps and zero privacy, but
one more melted microchip!

♥ LithiumFl0wer

Ryeain :
Am attracted by her Sheryl cosplays.. real good!!
[Macross Frontier-Medley] it does look as if real sheryl is recording in studio..awesome-ness
and of course, her crossplays are ..hawt too!~ *points rokudo Mukuro
Other than that, she's a superb photographer too! Her landscape shots are pretty!! ahh~




✩✩ INTERVIEW SECTION ✩✩

Ryea: What is COSPLAY to you?
Bringing something fictional to reality.


Ryea: When do you first started to cosplay?
2002


Ryea: How many characters have you cosplayed so far ?
I don't count them.


Ryea: Which is your favorite character that you've cosplayed?
Tough question! Hijikata Toshiro from Gintama if I have to choose.


Ryea: Which is your first character?
Sailor Pluto


Ryea: Which characters is in your future cosplay list?
More Sheryl Nome because I love her costumes!(*≧▽≦)


Ryea: Do you make your own costume & props ?
Yes. Most of my props are made by a good friend.


Ryea: What is your favorite part when cosplay?
When I looked into the dressing mirror after putting on the wig, makeup and costume.


Ryea: Any good/funny/memorable experience when you cosplay?
Taking pictures with many cute children when I am cosplaying as Sheryl Nome. I guess all little girls want to be a pop star when they grow up!(^▽^)


Ryea: How and what have you think you've improved from since you started cosplay?
Thicker makeup now haha (`∇´)


Ryea: Do you salute/idolize any cosplayer? Who?
I admire many people for their dedication to the art.


Ryea: Any tips to share?
CosPLAY. Never take out the play. If it isn't fun, don't do it.


What do you think the basic requirement a cosplayer should have?

I don't believe in this if you take cosplay as a hobby.


and 3 random questions :

1) Do you prefer more in crossplaying? *Alto is real hawt!!
I don't have a preference actually. It all boils down to if I like the character and his/her design.

2) How long does it take for Myoubi's makeup? *it's really epic eyelashes just like the manga
I took quite awhile to achieve that!

3) Do you like photography too? The landscape shot is very nice *thumbsupupup
I love taking pictures of beautiful things!

And lastly, what do you think about Let's Cosplay~?
Great site! Hope to see more cosplay photos on your site ヾ(@^∇^@)ノ


Thanks so much LithiumFl0wer !!~

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