First Day At Work & Agreement For A Change....
Yesterday was my first day at NJRC and it wasn't so bad. Kinda relax from a certain point of view as the batch under me suffered 14 absentism with only 2 from other rooms to replace them. The kids comes in a variety of mood & behaviour as usual, and the food for lunch was good. Overall, I think I didn't get stressed or anything today as we even finished by 5pm.

Anyhow, after "work" I kinda volunteered to stay back to fill in the judging forms for the next few days. Wrote a lot and the only room I can remember the forms were for was Brainstation on Day 4 (my room yesterday! O__O ).


About Iman ($%^&!*#?!#*), she (CENSORED) (CENSORED) called me while I was in the toilet at work! X-( (CENSORED) And that ate up the battery pack that others cannot call me anymore and I got IMPORTANT calls coming in at any time! (CENSORED) Her! X-( WHY CAN'T SHE STOP STICKING HER NOSE INTO OTHERS BUSINESS AND USE HER COMMAN SENSE AND BRAIN FOR ONCE? X-( I NEVER (CENSORED) TO HER ANYTHING SO CAN'T SHE FIGURE OUT THAT THIS PETITION DOESN'T INVOLVE HER ON THE ORGANIZER LEVEL? SHE THINK SHE'S SUCH A BIG DICKHEAD IS IT? (CENSORED)

I told the rest about her and everyone said she should go and (CENSORED) herself. She refused to cooperate and instead want to steal the reign from us!

Oi! You yourself said you can't type or write properly so why are you trying to do something you CANNOT do? Use your brain! LOTR don't belong to you only and you are MERELY one of the organizers of LOTR related stuffs! Frankly, I have organized a LOT more stuffs related to LOTR even tho' it's more on the Group Level but in public view and yet I'm still willing to let others take control of some things sometimes.

Yes, I must confess, I'm such a control freak but with "Great Power comes Greater Responsibilities". You must let others be in control sometimes as you are not almighty even with the connections you have. Let others learn to be leader too as there is always a talent that is yet to be tapped. And certain people are good at certain things. You can't be there forver and one day (hopefully), I'll be leaving Singapore for my Preparation Course & Degree so someone got to keep the spirit alive while I'm away and they are the ones whom I'm allowing to organize some things sometimes.

Heck, if I have a choice, I may not want to be the leader of this EOY LOTR Group but I guess being the most senior person in the group and since no one else had asked to be the leader, I have to take the leader post.

And for the LOTR Marathon Screening or ROTK:EE Screening this Dec (if it DO happen), I may want to allocate the roles better between "senior/regular" members as last year was too messy (it was the first time I take charge of everything from ticketing to the route to attendances). Same goes with ROTS next year as I may have a more "regular" job next year.

You are never alone up there on the throne; you need heirs and others to do certain things for you in your and their own name, in their own ways as long as it's appropiate.

Ps: Sad to say, if I didn't advertise the LOTR Line Party among my group members, LOTR Meetup and God knows what else International based forums, other than drag my group members who made up of 1/2 of the people in costumes there, hardly anyone in Singapore will know the event even happened.

And even tho' my report to ACS-LOTR was late, at least I finally managed to show to the International Audiences that we Singapore also got fans with great looking costumes, not those half-pass-six costumes that get featured in the mass media....Hey, wait! I did it the week after I got the photos from my collection, Qing Yuan's & Parish when I posted the link to our Line Party & Costume Parade Webpages on the ML and Forums. -__^

Kena striked once, I'll not want to see it happen again (Check out my SW Website) and for several years since 2001, I and the rest have proven that we Singaporeans are also capable of accuracy.

Yub! Got my team members to thank for as they are the ones who choose accuracy and research over speed and cheapness. ^__^ I LOVE you all and thankful that we had met and formed a permanent/temporary group. *HUGS*

Something To Cheer Me Up.....
Daddy Gil-Galad Bust won't arrive at Simply Toys for another month as Ann said there is no Sideshow-WETA items arriving next month. So I can reserve him later today or one of these days when I get my butt to Orchard.

And a little warning from her, should any of the Bust/Statue get SOLD OUT status at Sideshow Website, we will have to pay the normal price of SGD108. I foresee I have to pay that price for handsome Mr. MoS as he's almost fully reserved/sold out now at the website. O__O

On Fri, I went to Chinatown and gotten a yard of the fabric for my "other" Elven Archer Sleeves; the same thing Xeno is using. Gonna use the "Disco" one first and this one later on the other T-Shirt as I got to repaint the scales first to gold.

I also saw this 70" O__O Red Velour(?) selling for SGD8/yard. It can be used for my Arwen Blood Red Dress but since it's a LOT wider, can't think how much I should get. -__- From my estimation, I may only need 2yards but what if it's isn't enough? And 70" fabric is so rare so what if I want t use it for other things? Well, will see how later today if I go again to Chinatown and after I check out ACS-LOTR website for some tips on how much I should get.

Hmmm....thinking about Fiona wanting to use Lace for her Gothic dress gave me the urge to start thinking about the Sabe-Royal Decoy Dress again. I already got the Spiderweb Lace from Spotlight last year after YEARS of search for it and now only need to get the Gold Satin (probably Silky Satin to save cost and since the lace can reduce the sheen) for the dress, durable Black Velvet and Black Taffeta Velvet for the Overcoat. I got lots of Black Panne Velvet left from my Arwen Narsil Reforge Cloak so the hood is well taken care off. The Cardboard egg is also there under my bed and 3D paint with my LOTR Stuffs so I only need to get some gems to glue/sew to the hood and eye-muffle. I also got the necklace for the forehead jewelry kept safely somewhere in my room.

I can do the Overcoat all by myself and will need several weeks to individually cut and sew the panels upon panels of "triangle-teardrop" onto the Outercoat but I think unless I practice enough and got ThePattern, I will need my seamstress help with the Dress. And I also need that lacy can-can for the skirt like what I found on the action figure. -__^

Phew! How long had I been on this project? Since June 1999 when TPM came out and I first saw and fell in love with the dress! @__@

Other than that, kinda decide to get an Imperial Officer Suit for myself. Told Yu-Ann about it and she said it sounds good. Now to figure out the color and rank for the suit. Nah! Can't do the Lieutenant Admiral which is White as I may ended up becoming the Imperial Officer in the CosFest act so need to look normal like in the movie.

Hmmm....think there is some leads in the Star Park picture I did for Darth Prion......Do the same? -__^ Hehehee, like that I can get that Dark Green above shoulder wig at the Wig Shop and need only to get some loose hair to make the "hair-band". It's still SGD30! -__^

Okay, will see how as I get along. Will be busy with NJRC the next 2 weeks and again for that Kids' Science Fiesta other than the Sci-Fic thinging. Then, it's to my Elven Armor which must be completed by end of Nov.

Still got at least SGD550 to go for my Biker Scout. Think that will happen when all of my banks is full of SGD1 coins: Yakutt (SGD180), Darth Maul Bike (SGD400), Darth Maul Interactive (??; never open so donno), Darth Vader Interactive (SGD80) and Ringwraith (??; as with Maul).

Went Out Today/Yesterday......
Met TheDarkLord, TheWitchkingOfAMK, TheElvenQueen and a Took, for dinner and a little meetup at Dome (Arts Museum there). We had food, desserts and lots and lots of laugh. ^__^ I as usual get tease as a Ma'dem. -__^

Also asked TheElvenQueen advice on that Iman demands and she said just ignore it. We are the ones who created the project and never did we invited her to be part of the organizer and yet she got the nerve to put herself in charge without invitation or approval. Well, my advice to her:

GET A LIFE & IMPROVE YOUR ENGLISH COMPREHENSION!

I HATE when people betray me and steal my thunder. Been that road before and I HATE IT!

Frankly that night after the Line Party when she happily poke her nose into wanting to know everything about my group's LOTR Costume Parade without invitation, I had already grow suspicious of her. Then when she or her "friends" didn't turned up for the Chingay Parade and get us to go instead, felt betrayed. And then when her plan to "organize" a group outing to the LOTR Exhibition didn't get ANY response and she didn't spent enough time when she herself did come, other than only coming once, I felt even more betrayed!

Heck, this was suppose to be my reply if I'm to let go of my feelings:

Let me get this straight.

1. I asked for a CONTACT INFO of Warner Brothers Singapore. I NEVER ask you to be the Middleman!

2. Thank you so much for twisting my words when you posted at the ML!

I asked for contact infos of WB; you said I asked you to be the middleman.

3. Thank you so much for assuming things!

Nobody had asked or inviting you to be the organizer of this
project or do anything for it till later as what a general fan should do to be
part of the project and YET you happily assumed it and put yourself as the
leader! I HATE when people put their nose into others' affairs and steal away my
thunder.

Frankly when it comes to Singapore LOTR Fans and even the Star Wars ones, this always what I have to recite to myself:

"Where is Gondor when the Westford fell? Where is Gondor when our
enemies draws around us? Where is Gon......"
(Which reads "Where are the Singapore Fans when we most needed them? Where are the Singapore Fans when SW/LOTR started to loose its presences in Singapore? Where are Sing....")

Why? When we most need them to keep the spirit of SW/LOTR alive during the dark times (aka when the general fandom is put to dominant stage), they disappeared into the Abyss. But when those who been keeping the spirit alive try to create a major project or start a Garrision/Club, POP! These "Abyss" people suddenly appear and STEAL the reign from those who are originally in charge! X-(

Hai....Singapore is SOOOOO Boring and its people so rude and inconsiderate! >__<

Oh! For those who think they know ROTK movie by heart, try out this quiz at CBBC. -__^ See how well you scored. -__^

Ps: That LOTR Doujinshi eBay seller is back and he got a whole buncha doujinshi put on sale at eBay. Mostly USD5/pc and many Legolas x Aragorn or Aragorn x Boromir but there are some gems and those I had been eyeing for weeks. Will bid in 2 days time for those I want as they have 2days ~7hours till half of them bidding ends. Wish me luck! -__^

Need To Get This Off My Chest......
About the SG LOTR Trilogy Movie Marathon, the physical petition seems to be going somewhere with the help of others we know while the online one is somewhere there.

Jo had asked around for signatures, Janis had too and Jean I had given the printed copy of the Petition when we last met earlier this month so she can ask around NTU or her friends. Fiona also had planned to get the petition signing going among her friends in school too. And since I realized there is no way I can meet all my team member before the "deadline" (mid-Sept), I had conceived the plan to just post the petition to them to sign and send it to the next person or back to me. So far, Parish had signed it cause I met her just now at Chinatown. -__^


Then pop in again Iman today, bugging me again. X-(

This is what I e-mailed her earlier this month after we conceived the idea to start the petition:

Can you do me a BIG favor and try to put me with the person from Warner
Brothers or pass on the infos how to contact him/her?

Cause in USA, they gonna screen the LOTR EE Trilogy and we in Singapore won't want to miss it out too, so several of us are going to organized a little write-in or Petition to get WB to bring in LOTR Extended Edition Trilogy and screen it here in Singapore this Dec, even if it's gonna be a 1 day affair.

Her reply:

Of course ill talk to them! You think i want to miss out on this opportunity to
bring LOTR back to the big screen? we can start the petition now and ill talk to
the WB rep. But the petition needs to get going fast coz WB need some time in
bringing the idea to work. When i suggested it to them for TTT nearing the end
of the year, they said it was too late to do something, but they said they would
try for the following year, and the ended up having it.
Ill do my best ;)

(CENSORED) her! X-( I asked for a contact number or an address so we can send the petition to them and here she is trying to talk it into her own hands and happily declared herself as the Middleman! X-(

Luckily Jo found the address of Warner Brothers Singapore and Jean provided a possible address for New Line Cinema.

And her post in the DEAD Council-Of-The-Ring ML further ANGERED me when she TWISTED my words:

.....e-mailed me requesting me to asl our WB correspondent if, like in the US
at the end of the year,singapore can have a screening of the EE of all three
movies. So icalled her and she said we need to get a petition going to push
NewLine Cinema to do so, because the General Manager of WB had thoughtof it and e-mailed New Line, but they hadnt replied. If they get support it will be more
persuasive.

P.S. fatimah, have you started the petition?Coz if not, ill start
it.It has to be pre-written and well-written so it needs to be preparedfirst to
make an impression on the person who its addressed to.

I DIDN'T ASK HER TO ASK WB ON MY BEHALF! I ASKED FOR AN ADDRESS OR CONTACT NUMBER! AND SHE THINK HER ENGLISH SO GOOD IS IT? SHE CAN'T EVEN UNDERSTAND SIMPLE ENGLISH AS TO TWIST MY REQUEST AROUND AND NOW SHE THINK SHE'S INTELLETUAL ENOUGH TO CORRECT ME!

Who she think she is, nosing into other people's businesses? Who is she? Happily inviting herself into the project without any invitation? I NEVER ASK HER HAND TO HELP OTHER THAN PASSING THE CONTACT INFO OF WB AND SHE HAD THE NERVE TO PULL THE REIGN FROM ME AND THE REST! X-(

Heck! My online one was not so bad except for expression errors here and here which is only noticable to teachers. And it's just a MINOR petition!

The actual and one that must convince WB is the PHYSICAL one which we are going to start bombaring them soon and gonna be written by someone else and corrected by those fluent in English which is not me. Jo only used the words for the Online one as a starting point for the physical one and Jean was kind enough to correct the petition so it'll be better word. And now the petition had been going around people we know.

#&@*?@!*!#*&^ Wish I can WHACK her head rite now since she is SO STUPID!

Oh! Forget To Mention....
For the record, should I not do any repainting, this is the current color scheme of my Haldir:

• Leather Vest, Waist Padding & Glove = Fire-Engine Red
• Sleeves = Hologram Gold Small Oval Foil Jersey
• Scale Skirt = Hologram Silver Diamond Foil Jersey
• Skirt = Red Foil Jersey

Guess "Haldir" was at the disco dancing when Galadriel grabbed him, put the armors onto him and sent him to lead the Archers to Helm's Deep. X-D

Better Post This Before I Forget....
Last night/morning, I had 2 weird but interesting dreams.

1. I was working (?) at some exhibition when some items got stolen or something. The thief left some clues in the form of red paints on the floor and I was helping to look for the clues. Then, I went to lunch and looking for some cheap food. Think it's related to LOTR Exhibition. o__O

2. Now this one is very entertaining. ^__^ I dream that it's some scene from before the Battle in Mordor in the 2nd Age. Gil-Galad (or the actor) was on the 2nd level of the library in Rivendell. He was initially looking at a full body painting (that reminded me of Lockheart's from HP2:CoS) of himself, punched the painting and saying something about he must prove himself. Then he turned and had one feet on the railing and looking down were 3 villians (can't remember if they are Orcs or Evil Men). He then said something and jumped O__O down to meet the villians. Well, this is the funny part: he had cables on him and 2 fellows held him as he slide down (so this is some kind of BTS shot). Then I woke up. >__< Precursor? I been wanting to get the Gil-Galad Bust for days. -__^

Get Ready SGD300 This Dec 7th....
ROTK:EE is rumored to come out that day and that means SGD139-149 for the DVDs and the remaining for the Sideshow-WETA Minas Morgul.

New Ideas! ^__^ New Ideas! ^__^
I got this new idea on how to do the Trimming for the Arwen Cranberry Dress instead of getting that SGD190 Bullion & Beads Trimmings.

Get the Pale Antique Gold French Lace Trimming from Arab Street in either 2 sizes (2" & 1.75") or 1 that can be made less wide later, sew the whole thing to a red backing (like that for my Arwen Mourning Dress) and add Silver Bullion, Silver/Gold/Antique Gold/White Seed Beads thus giving you something that can pass off as the closest trimming at a lower cost. The cost of materials is below:

• 1.5-2m French Lace Trimming SGD5-8/m
• Silver Bullion SGD2/packet
• Silver/Gold/Antique Gold/White Beads SGD2-4/packet
• Blood Red Cotton Drill Cloth FREE (extras from my Mourning Gown Materials)

PREDICTED TOTAL = ~SGD10-20/m

Hmmm...seems like the total cost will depend on the amount of Bullion and Beads I gonna add to the French Lace Trimming. Maybe I'll try it out on some of the extra Lace I got from the still-under-reconstruction Boromir Costume and see what's the result. For a start, my creativity juice only comes once a while and only for certain issues. -__-

The SGD190 Bullion and Beaded trimming cost ~SGD24.40/m and since I got to use 2 rolls of it for the Sleeves Trimming, think I need to use ~1.8m of it.

Cheaper? More expansive? I donno. The only problem with the SGD190 trimming is that I gonna be stuck with 6m (aka SGD146.40) of it and I'm not assured that I can sell it off later. And if I DO sell it off at a profit (maybe USD16-20/m?), how can I be sure that I wouldn't want to use the same one again for another gown or even Arwen Mourning Gown Version 2.0? I just don't have the answer to that. -__-

And so the temptation to do the Arwen Cranberry Dress increases with it by my seamstress as the cost of the cloth will not allow me to risk it. Maybe I can convince my seamstress to save the paper pattern she gonna create for that dress for me (or I can buy it over) so after that, I can really do the other Arwen Dresses and even Galadriel's all by myself. The problem of course is due to my shape (unlike other fat people, I DO have a waist! -__^ ) so I need Princess Seams/Cut. The other solution of course is to loose lots of weight so I can use the commercial patterns. @__@

Will see how......

Ps: Confirmed gonna start working on 30th Aug. Pay SGD5.50/h and think I gonna clock 9+hours per day for the 13 days of work. Will try to put the money towards my Biker Scout Armor or trip to Sydney for the LOTR Exhibition....
Pss: Parish asked me out for Cosplay Outing on 12th Sept. Told her I can make it and waiting for her reply to say what's the theme.
Psss: I had polished up the speech for that CosFest 2005 SW Team Presentation. Still need a word or 2 to put in so the storyline will be smooth. Yub! Did it in the toilet this morning! ^__^

To Get Daddy Gil-Galad.....
Or not to get? o__O

Simply Toys might have it in stock now or later in a few months' time (since Sideshow-WETA stated that shipping will only start in Sept or Oct) and it cost SGD98 for members.

Will see how later today when I move my butt and drop by Far East Plaza after I had gotten the dyes for the Banner.

Ps: Put away many of my costumes and fabrics as I only got 6 more days till I start working for 2 full weeks and I doubt I can do so much within that period of time. Got to concentrate on finishing the 2nd Gondor "New Tree" Pennet, starting to make the Rohan Banner and make the mock-up for my Haldir's Disco Skirt.
Pss: Must also remember to buy Black Cotton Tape for the Gondor Pennet. Think had figured out how to prevent it from slipping down from the pole it gonna get hang from like in the movie. Got to add a bit more fabric to the end of the pennet too to allow a narrow hem for the pole to go in be made.

He's Almost Sold Out? @__@

From TORN:

Sideshow/Weta has informed their customers via their newsletter that the recently release Sauron's Helm and Mouth of Sauron Bust are about to sell out. If you were planning on picking up either of these pieces for your collection, act now! . [Sauron Helm] [Mouth of Sauron Bust]

Well, I had placed my reservation for him at Simply Toys so hopefully I DO get him next year as promised. There is so few things to collect about him so this is something I won't want to miss. -__^ Anyhow, I seems to have a taste for ugly, disfigured villians whom I called handsome: Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Twilight Ringwraiths, Mouth of Sauron etc etc.

Hmm....Gil-Galad Bust is coming out in Sept/Oct. Wonder if I should get him too.....Daddy mah! -__^

The Urge For The Dress Increases.......
I really, really feel like having the Arwen Cranberry Dress done ASAP. -__- And thinking back how much I gonna spend on the materials, I think I'm better off sending it to my usual seamstress. For a start, here's a recap of the capital I have to put forward for the dress:

7.8m Bullion Trimming = SGD190
6-8m Dark Red Silk Velvet = SGD108-144
3m Red Silk Satin = SGD15
3-5m Red Polyester Lining = SGD4.50-7.50

TOTAL: SGD317.50-356.50

The trimming cost will be lowered later if I can sell off the remaining 4-6m at minimum USD16/m at eBay or to members of the LOTR_Costume ML. And if I bargain harder for the Silk Velvet than its offered SGD18/m and only need 6m instead of 8m, the cost will be lowered further.

As for the tailoring cost, I think it will be the highest SGD200 (I hope!). If I can get it lower to SGD150-170 or even SGD100, it'll even be better. -__^

Darn! Why can't I find good durable velvet, especially Silk or Jersey Velvet for SGD10-15/m any more? >__< Anyhow, will see how the next time I get the allowance as I think I had overspent this month. Unless I tap into the reserve again @__@ and use the money now, and replace it the next couple of months I get the allowances.

Will see how......


Oh! Here's an interesting website I got to know through the Lotrien Forum; it's a company that do LOTR Furnitures. O__O Looks interesting and I'll love to own the chest. -__^

Disco Haldir Anyone? ^__^
Went to Spotlight today and gotten 4m of the Red Foil Jersey for my Silly Haldir Skirt. Also gotten 4m of the 90cm Red Cheeesecloth that is going for SGD1/m for the normal Haldir Skirt and will make it like JediElfQueen aka the Action Figure. -__^ Will start doing the Mock-Up soon and will attach the Silly Haldir Skirt to one of my round-collar long sleeves t-shirt that is fitting or get one tomolo at the market. The sleeves of the t-shirt will be used to create a template for the actual sleeves of the Elven Archer Undershirt and attached to the t-shirt.

Didn't get the dye for the Rohan Banner as I forget to bring the Dyeing Colors Recipe and check which colors I already have at home. Will do that another time.

Hai...I getting a little bitter these days. Wonder why..... -__-

Went To Arab Street Finally......
And ended up not getting the SGD190 Trimming again as it'll be a White Elephant till I get the Silk Velvet and make the Arwen Cranberry Dress.

Anyhow, here's my spending >__<
3m White Linen = SGD18 (Rohan Banner)
4.5m Matte Red Vinyl = SGD24 (Haldir's Vest & Glove)
25yard Mock-Up Fabric = SGD26
6pcs Murtabak = SGD18
Lunch = SGD4.50

TOTAL: SGD90.50

BAD DE! BAD DE! >__<

As for the Rohan Banner I wanted to do since I can't do the Gondor "Old Tree" or Gondor King Crown Pennets yet, had decide to dye the colors needed (Light Green, Green-Blue & Mustard) myself after failing to find a match at my usual cloth shop. Had choosen Linen for the "like wool" look and may ended up using the wrong side. Later today when I drop by Spotlight to get the Red Foil Jersey for my Haldir Skirt (Disco Haldir anyone? -__^), will also get some dye to allow me to dye the White Linen to their appropiate colors. Will have to check the Dye Color Chart to see which colors I'm suppose to buy. -__^

Other than that, posted photos of Melvin in my John Howe's Galadriel Dress at the LOTR Exhibition Show Host Forum. Will see what's everyone response to it. -__^

Okay, off to sleep. Will do the templates for the Banner & Pennet tomolo when I come back from Spotlight. I tend not to sleep on Thur night just to be sure nothing suspicious happen. o__O

Forget To Mention....
EVITA has its own website now.

But there is no new addition from what was sold at the LOTR Exhibition last March-June. Can't wait to see what more they gonna offer. Heard there'll be the Fellowship Brooch and Gandalf Brooch, other than T-Shirts. -__^

Ya, I had also edited the side bar of this Blog. Still trying to figure out the other codes I need to Bold up the wordings or not have the spacing between words under each categories.

Other than that, itching to do more than just Gondor Pennets. I should be making a new template for the Gondor "New Tree" Pennet (the one to be made like a Flag so can hang off a pole) but I can't do the Gondor "Prologue Crown" Pennets (can't find a picture of the crown I can directly use as stencil) or Gondor "Old Tree" Pennets (need to look for an actual picture of it and redraw the tree). So off I am to do the Rohan Throne Room "Sun & Horse Head" Banner which was displayed at the LOTR Exhibition when it was in Singapore. So far, my sketch said 1500mm-1600mm by 500mm so that means 2m of the 2 shades of Green and 1/2m of the Beige(?) Fabric (looking for Velveteen or Tafetta Velvet?) and ~10m of Beige/Pale Lemon Cotton Bias Tape.

Later today, when I go to Arab Street, will look for the fabric. Am aiming for Wool or Mix or Cotton-Linen. Oh, yes; the Banner will be Double Sided and maybe self-lined.

While on Banner, Fiona, this the website I'm talking about:

Click under Costumes & Craft. Check out also her Rohan Banner. -__^

Remember The Tribal Cape Frodo.....
...From CosFest 2004? @__@ Here is his photo from someone's photo album

I think if I show the rest of the ex-Show Hosts, especially TheElvenQueen, they will start talking about the Sissy Gandalf we saw at the LOTR Exhibition.

My comments? Well, take off that stupid cape and you'll look okay as Frodo. Anyhow, it isn't that hard to do the Fellowship Cloak so why didn't just make one instead of wearing that stupid cape? A one-off costume I guess? @__@

Hmm, anyone got photos of that Gandalf plus his mom/sister who wore pointy ears & "Aragorn" (some guy wearing the Fellowship Cloak)?

While on photos, be prepared to see our dear Melvin as Ms Rivendell Year 3000 of the Third Age. ^__^ Got it scanned, photos borrowed from Jo and will be put up in my Photobucket as soon as I transfer it over to this Notebook since the Center Room PC has no internet connection.

Updates on my websites: Well, there isn't much progress as I got lots to scan and process. And I got to do the websites on the Center Room PC as my Notebook doesn't have a CD Writer to allow me to save the folder later in case of emergency again. And since my bro's computer is down, got to publish the websites using my Father's Computer which doesn't seems to be able to read my CD-RW so must use a Zip 100MB Disk instead which I don't own. >__<>

Ps: My Handphone seems down. Can't on it tho' it's already plugged into the recharger. If the situation is the same later today, no choice but to e-mail everyone that for an infos, please e-mail me instead of SMS. -__- Guess I DO need to change my handphone afterall. But I want one that has a camera phone, video recording capacity, subscribed to POD Card (so I'll have better control over my phone bill) while still being within my budget. But I got no money to spare for it. >__<>SGD500 to apply for the POSBank Master Debit card, let alone get a new handphone which is not a need but rather a want. -__- Will see how.....

I Will Be Back At SSC.....
Gotten the job at Singapore Science Centre as a Team Co-ordinator for the NJRC this Sept. Will start working this 30th but there will be another 1 or 2 briefing near the end of the month. Well, more money to go into buying my armor. -__^

Anyhow, check out this page for clear photos from LOTR. Wish I can afford to purchase some of them. -__-

Suppose to go to Arab Street to get that 25yards Mock-Up fabric but my bro isn't back yet and so I may not be able to go out yet. Also itching to do the other Gondor "New Tree" Pennet.

I Want To Do AS Again.....
Today while out with Fiona, I dropped by Kino to get more AS Manga. Can't really remember which one I'm lacking (I know there is a gap between the first few issues and the mid) so by luck, I tried for #7. Been whining about doing "Coma" Jibrille soon (probably for CF04 2nd day) before I wrap away all my Anime/Manga costumes to concentrate my efforts and money on LOTR & SW Costuming.

Anyhow, I saw again the picture of Alexiel in that Yellow Uniform on the cover and quickly I declared to Fiona that I want to do that costume. ^__^ Fiona pointed out the crystals and beads on the cuffs and around the chest but I think I can make it. Starting to have a little beading itch rite now. -__^ Come worse, there is always the 3D paint and glue. -__^ So will I do this costume first before I do Jibrille since I don't see any Brocade in Blue in similar design to the original and I'm not anorix yet? And I had never seen anyone doing this costume before. Well, heck care for me being unrecognizable as I always want to be different.

Will see how.....maybe Tue when I drop by Arab Street I'll see a fabrics that match the uniform and suddenly get it. O__O I see Polyester Suiting or Cotton-Linen or Cotton but not Cotton-Polyester. Vinyl or a more Matte Satin seems a good choice due to th sheen but doubt I can get Vinyl in that 2 colors while Satin doesn't seems functional enough for a trenchcoat or Coat. Jibrille Gown seems to bleak rite now anyway.......

Oh! Must remember to get the fabric for the Rohan Banner if I see something close to the color in the Art Book. Yes, precious, I think I'll end up doing as much banners that was hung when the exhibition was in Singapore as I can. 1 down, 20++ more to go! Oh! Big possibility I'll not do Elendil's Banner and Galadriel, or do the "Lindon", Cirdan & "Rivendell" Banners in double. Haldir's and Gil-Galad Banners are a must and first tho'! -__^

Where Is The Horse & The Rider?
Just pissed off with the 2 Morons again, especially the new fellow who is trying to commercialized on us costumers. -__-

Well the SW FanForce will not hold any responsibility for events organized outside what we ALL have approved.

Anyhow, I'm sleepy. Still got lots of scanning and website building to do. @__@

Weird, Weird Ideas.....
To earn more money! ^__^

Well, I was looking at the photos from Phillipines' New Worlds 2:The Lost Expected Party Photo Albums when an idea stuck me.

Why not at next CosFest, booked a corner merchandise table or booth, get a good Polaroid camera with lots of film & a couple of metres of plain colored cloth to make a background (or borrow the whole set from somewhere), put out some of the group members' costumes and allow visitors to have their photo taken while wearing the costumes or holding the props. So far, I can think of

• Jedi Garb in mine and around Xeno/Yazid's Size with Lightsabres
• Sith Garb
• Imperial Royal Guard
• Ringwraith/Dementor Robe with Gloves and Black Shoes Cover in 2 length
• Witchking Garb
• Fellowship Cloak with Vest & Pull-Up Three-Quadter Pants
• Arwen/Eowyn Dress and Cloak
• Sting, Narsil & Witchking Swords (This one got Age Restriction!)
• SS/CoS Robe, Vest & Cloak with Wand & Broom
• PoA Robe with Scarf
• Trinity The Matrix Reloaded/Revolution Trenchcoat
• Neo The Matrix Reloaded/Revolution Robe

Something simple and can be put on quickly, other than exist in the size that can be worn by both kids below Primary School and Adults. Cost of Photo will be about 2x the cost of each Polaroid Photo. Can even give visitors 2 options of Photo Sizes. -__^

And to be fair, can contribute 50-75% of profits earned (after deduction of the cost of booth rental & Polaroid Film) to our Selected Charity in the Spirit of the SW Fandom (aka what the Rebel Legion and 501st Legion do when in such cases).

So what say you? ^__^

No, The Singapore Jedi Didn't Come Out This Year @__@
My Singapore Jedi Costume was a mess; what happened what that there is something wrong with the Arm Holes & Shoulder Length of Simplicity 5840. So instead of looking like an idiot with a shoulder seam that is TWICE the length of my own shoulder, I dunk it in favor of a Red Turtleneck with the Official Red NDP04 T-Shirt from Hang Ten (courtesy of TheElvenQueen who owned me money). Will go back to recut the Arm hole another day.

Anyhow, the NDP Parade this year was not bad. Had made the right choice of offering the spare ticket to TheElvenQueen as she had never been to one before so I hope this is an experience she'll remember should she never get the chance again to attend NDP.

Didn't get to spot my bro till the whole parade was done and I went down to the field to look for him. Apparently, I was seated in the Green Sector, to the Left of the Grandstand while he was mostly located near the front of the stage while on the field.


Anyhow, check out this article about CosFest 2004 published in the Malay Newspaper, Berita Harian on Tue. Hai.....my response:

@__@

Hai...donno what the Malay Community will think of Cosplaying in Singapore now with that article.

Anyhow, it reminded me of the article about me & Hira, and my 3 Jedi Padawans (Yazid, Xeno & Anas) published last year. Must locate it, scan it properly and stitch the article together to form 1 full article like I did with the one published this year. I think I still own Yazid a .jpeg copy of that article. -__-

For those interested in seeing how my full Haldir March Warden Garb look like, check out this and this photo for a full body shots. -__^ Since then, I had bring the neckhole to nearer to the edge of the cloak, Zig-Zag stitch off the raw edges & undo the Sash to have the raw edges finished properly. Now need to resew the sash properly, add the V-Patterning on the Outer Tunic, add a Faux middle Tunic and maybe dye the Inner Tunic a darker Grey (but still lighter than the outer). Will also need to add more hair to the wig and braid it properly.

Hmmm....is it just me or I kinda look like a child when my glasses are off and I smile sweetly?@__@

Oh! Forget to say:
I had completed my first New Gondor Tree Pennet on Tue night/Wed night. Certain parts near the Bias tape was a bit screwed up due to the state of the edge of the Velveteen but I managed to fix it with Zig-Zag stitches to ensure the Bias Tape and Velveteen are stitched together. Looking back at it, I seems to like the design of the Zig-Zag on the Bias Tape. Maybe will try doing a proper one for the 2nd New Gondor Tree Pennet. -__^

Will also need to figure out how to hang it as a Pennet when needed and how to fix some Curtain Bar above my Bed's Headboard so I can hang the Pennets like how they were hung above the Strider Costume at the LOTR Exhibition when it was in Singapore. -__^

Still Got Lots To Sew & Weird Ideas.....
I still got to sew my Tabbards and Obi, hem the Gi, sew on the press studs and find my White Pants. Hope I can wear this costume of mind for the NDP Parade later today. Am meeting TheElvenQueen at 2.45pm at Kallang MRT Station.


Anyhow, while in the toilet this morning, I got this weird idea on what to perform should I manage to get a SW Group assembled for next year's CosFest:

SW EpIII: ROTS presented LOTR Way

The plot of the sketch is actually simple and I'll explain it later after I had written down the dialogue, roles of each characters etc etc. It's basically doing the Arwen-Aragorn Death Epilogue Scene (TTT) as told by Elrond & Gogmoth-Witchking Scenes SW way, and adding a little duel between OB1 and Anakin in the middle that we had been wanting to see since it was mentioned in 1983 in the ROTJ novelization. -__^

For now, need the following characters to make it a success:

• AOTC/ROTS Obi-Wan Kenobi
• ROTS Padme Amidala (made pregnant)
• ROTS Anakin Skywalker
• ROTS/ROTJ Emperor Palpatine aka Darth Sidious
• Darth Vader
• Imperial Officer or Stormtrooper or Clone Trooper or Boba Fett or Bounty Hunter
• A piece of screen made to look like the mouth of a Molten Lave Pit & a Long Seat. X-D

Think Yazid (Anakin), Hassan (Palpatine), Kenneth (Boba Fett) & Me (Padme or the Imperial or Bounty Hunter) can fill the roles (donno what Xeno can be as he doesn't have the Elrond Concentration/Speech mode I need for OB1). If Shawn improve his Vader Armor, can drag him in too but rest will see how.

Of course, don't forget the proposed ROTS Charity Premiere Sketch that needed:

• Darth Vader (Shawn?)
• 2 Imperial Officer or Stormtrooper or Biker Scout or Royal Guard or TIE Fighter Pilot etc
• 2 Generic Prequel Jedis (Xeno? & ??)
• Anakin Skywalker (Yazid?)
• Jango Fett (Derrick?)
• Zam Wesell (Me! \/ ^__^)
• Boba Fett (Kenneth)

Okay, okay, will see how.......

Ps: I won the Frodo-Sam Doujinshi for SD5.50. Now got to be ready to bid on the LOTR/Harry Potter one 16hours from now.

Doujinshi & I Can't Sleep.....
6.30am in the morning and I can't sleep. No mood to sew the sleeves to my Gi or do the Tabbards & Obi either. -__- Hai.....I sense a mood swing again.

Anyhow, I was suppose to bid on this cute Sam-Frodo Doujinshi at eBay but someone had places a bid on it first. Well, I think I can outbid the person as this is his/her first bid or something but the thought of how much I got rite now to spare and the 2 other Doujinshis that I really want, ending in 2 days' time (so I may have to fight for it with others) told me not to compete. Better off spending the money on more interesting Doujinshi. -__^ Well, will see how......

Anyhow, late last month, someone at the TFN Costuming Board posted a thread on Cosplay. I almost poured my heart into it, telling how pissed I was with most of the local cosplayers but decide to post a list of why I see costuming as having a lot higher standard compared to cosplaying:

1. Quality over Quantity
2. Extensive Research over Fate
3. Accuracy (Costume, Materials etc) over Cheapness
4. Own Time, Own Target over Speed
5. International Connection over Just Local
6. Patiences over Rush Work
7. Lots of Creativity over Shortcuts
8. Durability over One-Day-Affair
9. Real Life Look over In Photos Only
10. Respect & "Fame" Among Fellow International Costumers over Local Press Fame
11. A Lot Of Bus No. 11 over Keep asking for direct leads from others.

Well, in a way, what I wrote was true from a certain point of view.

Costuming is a commitment rather than a hobby to us who had been into it for years. Even those who went into cosplaying first and then ventured seriously into Costuming commented how they despise the current atitude and lack of commitment in the cosplayers these days. And lately, some foreigners had been commenting on certain board how sucky and boring Singapore Cosplayers are which unfortunately I have to agree. And throughout the years, my respect for certain "pioneer" cosplayers is dropping like rotting fruit from the tree. I still have respect for people like Kurama who intelligently keep her cosplaying/costumes to what is needed/minimal and able to say intelligent things when we meet but respect for some is not there anymore cause I see their lack of research and overchildishness showing through. And I had kept my advice to the local cosplayers at the Forums to the minimal unless it's related to SW or LOTR or HP. Like Theoden said:

"Tell me, why should we come to the aid of those who didn't come to ours?
What do we owned Gondor?

"
But here, it's

"Why should I help most of the local cosplayers when they didn't help me
or happily forget that I had helped them? What do I own them?"

Ya, Moomba is a very clear Case Example. X-(

Hai.....sometimes I wonder if I made the mistake of being part of the cosplaying community.

Better Say This Before I Forget.....
I had a dream about working at the Scaling Exhibit at the LOTR Exhibition a week or so ago tho' it wasn't exactly like the exhibit or clear. Was trying to arrange somebody and the TV wasn't working. Then I was turning a key like I usually turn the OneKey to snap photos.

I also had a dream of the Fat Donut following me and someone else (a friend guy) around in the bookshop the nite after I told my brother about her and what a bad reputation the Bart is giving of the Eurasian kids. After she followed someone else, I went out to the outside of a cinema and saw some people wearing some wizard kind of clothing and entering it. Then I saw Sena and friends, and she allowed me to follow her so we can chat inside. Once entering the cinema, I saw Judy of TheOneRingCircus and was praising her about her Gimli costume which she was partially wearing. o__O Of course after that, I was rudely awaken by my Grandma. >__<

Hai.....I missed the LOTR Exhibition. Can't wait to get the photos from TheElvenQueen to refresh my memory......

Adoi! @__@
Try ironning 18m of cloth with an ironing board that is not that big. @__@

I spent the day cutting out the Front and Sleeves pieces of my Gi and ironing the White Cloth after it was washed last nite (discovered why the 13m one was going for SGD1/yard; it had this huge brownish stain from one end to the other but it's totally gone now after being washed in the washing machine -__^). Now got to iron a few more metres, sew together my Gi and make the Tabbards and Obi.

Anyhow, while ironing the 5m one, I just realized how many things I can use it for. Eowyn's Shieldmaiden Outfit (for the sleeves and blouse only I guess) or Arwen Requiem Dress Lower Sleeves or White WETA Gown or just a plain Elven/Rohirrim Gown. The Shieldmaiden Outfit seems unlikely as I don't intend to do it anytime soon but the Requeim Outfit I'm planning as part of the 3-Jumper Dress "Project". -__^ Even the 13m one seems to have an endless use for it other than as a Mock-Up fabric. O__O

Well, will see how when I start making Gowns. -__^

Oh! Tomolo I may go to Clark Quay to just look look and drop by Isrida to get some Green and Maroon Ties for my attempt to replicate the SS/CoS & PoA versions ties for others who will be interested. The Bukit Timah Falcon Hanger fellow also asked me to drop by tomolo to get the Rubies Evenstar as new stocks may come in this week and I'll like to have 1 more just in case. -__^ Hmmm...must remember to drop by Spotlight too to get Yellow, Gold and Plantinium White Fabric Paints too for my Banners. -__^

Told Self That Arab Street Is Bad For The Wallet.....
I made a run to Arab Street today after successfully withdrawing some cash today to get the fabric for my Singapore Jedi Costume hopefully to be worn at the NDP Parade.

Expenditure:
Satin Bias Tape = SGS1.20

36" Red Cotton Drill (2m) = SGD6
60" White Cotton-Linen (4m) = SGD26
46" Dark Blue Taffeta Velvet (2m) = SGD6.40
Some 50" White Fabric (18yards) = SGD18
Murtabak (x5pcs) = SGD15

Ouch! I'm more than broke rite now. >__<

I could had spent less for the Singapore Jedi Costume but I choose to use Cotton-Linen for the Gi in favor of softness instead of Cotton Drill. The 18m of White Fabric (which was suppose to cost SGD10/m) was a lucky find and I'm gonna use it to make the Arwen dress mockup; I can even later resew everything together again and turn it into an Elven Dress. ^__^ Frankly, one of the fabric that consist of 5m will look okay for the Shieldmaiden as it had Paisey patterns tho' they are raised and the color of the fabric is White.


While at the shop selling that SGD1/yard fabric, I also came across a Reddish 60" Silk Velvet that I can use for the Arwen Cranberry Dress. It isn't like the Indian Silk Velvet I gotten for my Mourning Dress as it's a Jersey Silk Velvet from England, but the seller assured me it won't get crushed like with Polyester Velvet. But the pricetag of SGD20/m, best price of SGD18/m is too much for me currently as I'll need about 8-10m for my dress. I know I don't want my Cranberry Dress to have a long train like my Mourning Dress but it'll be nice if it has at least a 1' train at the sides and back. Then again, since this dress will suffer the "Unknown Dress Syndrome" among normal common LOTR Fans, I can forgo the train and made it long enough to be just above the ground when I have a high heel boots on. -__^

This is basically the capital I have to put out for the Cranberry Dress:

Trimming (7.8m) = SGD190
60" Red Silk Velvet
(10m) = SGD200
55" Polyester Lining (10m)
= SGD18
Brown Cotton Drill (1m) = SGD3

TOTAL = SGD411 max

I know that the pricetag will be lower with the Trimming (only gonna used use ~3m so rest can be used on other dress or sold off at a slight profit) and Silk Velvet (doubt I'll need 10m; probably 6-7m since the sleeves eat up 3m) but still, the capital is already so much. @__@

Will see if I can find ways to raise the money.

No, I didn't give in to temptation to get the SGD190 Trimmings yet today tho' I got the money; will get it after I get the monthly money IF the remaining is enough for the rest of the month food supply. -__-

WHAT? @__@

From III. B. Story Internal Questions: Creatures and Characters

"8. Who was Gil-galad's father?
The Silmarillion states many times that Gil-galad was the son of Fingon, son of Fingolfin. However, in The Peoples of Middle-earth (in comments on the essay "The Shibboleth of Feanor"), Christopher Tolkien explains that this was an editorial error due to the complexity of the source material: "Gil-galad as the son of Fingon... was an ephemeral idea."

Tolkien changed his mind about Gil-galad's ancestry several times, but it seems that his latest decision was to make Gil-galad the son of Orodreth, son of Angrod, son of Finarfin (making him the brother of Finduilas and nephew of Finrod). Christopher says that "There can be no doubt that this was my father's last word on the subject", but that because the change was never incorporated into other texts,

"it was obviously impossible to introduce it into the published Silmarillion. It would nonetheless have been very much better to have left Gil-galad's parentage obscure."

Whether one agrees with that assessment or not, it is at least clear that The Silmarillion is not entirely trustworthy here."

I can't imagine the dilema Haldir & Anarien will have on who is their Grandfather and Great-Grandfather when they get to Valinor. @__@

OMG! O__O
I got something like USD79.90+ or USD89.90+ in my PayPal account but I can only send out USD8.84 rite now as I'm an Unverified Member. Just think how much that is in SGD! O__O Sheesh! Now I really must find ways to get SGD500 to put into my POSB account so that I can apply for POSB Debit MasterCard and get myself Verified at PayPal.

I got 1001 things to pay for with my PayPal: Cat for the remaining amount for the Buttons (especially that I want to get a dozen of the Boromir Buttons for my Arwen Battle Outfit), Geocities to upgrade my darth_eagle or sith_haldir website account (need more space) which means I can get rid of the Freewebs.com account which unfortunately I discovered today, have large capacity BUT only allowed 50 files to be uploaded. @__@ There are also a couple more stuffs I want to order from online and PayPal is very useful for that. -__-

Hai....I could borrow from the emergency account as I'm also in a tight spot this month (8 more days till 12th and I only got SGD20 to spare for meals that cost ~SGD10 per day >__< ) but I'm afraid that like previous months, I ended up using the money instead. There is SGD140++ in the Coin Bank but I promised Clefairy I'll not touch it and will empty it into the various other Darth Vader, Darth Mauls & Ringwraith Banks once it get full. Will see how my mood is tomolo....

Well, the Queen is encouraging me to take up the job with SSC again this Sept 4-11 and I think I really should as I could use the money. About 8-10 days of work, min. of 8h a day at SGD5.50/h and I could earn back up to SGD400. Said I could use the money for my Sydney LOTR Exhibition trip IF I could find SGD1,000 by then but well, there is lots other stuffs to settle at home.

I still got to pay the remaining for Toybiz Coronation Gift Set, Gate of Mordor Gift Set, ROTK Asst. 4 (Mordor Frodo, Gobag, Denethor & Fountain Guard), Gil-Galad, Elrond in Robe and I think Elendil(I remembered ordering half of the new FOTR Asst? Set and that means 3 of them) and I really, really want to order that Bust of the Mouth Of Sauron (SGD98). And there is the Dark Galadriel Action Figure that will come out someday plus I still seek the Elven Archer with Berserker Action Figure. Arrrrhhhh!!!! So much I need to pay for! @__@

Bankrupt lor! @__@

WAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!! I MISSED THEM!!! >__<
I miss the LOTR Exhibition and wish I can fly to Boston rite now to view it and refresh my memory. I missed my Spot beside Daddy Elrond (well, Elrond did help to raise the 2 in Rivendell) and near Daddy Gil-Galad and bro. I missed polishing the glass showcase and teasing the naked Cave Troll. I missed saluting Sauron and talking cock with the Ringwraith early in the morning to keep me accompany. Yes, I missed everyone. -__-

Well, better try to save up SGD1,000+++ to afford a trip to meet them again in Australia this Dec or next year. When I arrive there, the first thing I gonna do it do the full Show Host LOTR Ritual (and hope Elrond & Gladdy DO give us some no. -__^ )