Cosplay Q&A
Tell us about your first cosplay experience.My first cosplay experience was AWA6 since it was my first full-fledged anime convention. Though I had been to conventions before this (Megacon for 2 years), the thought of me wearing costumes intrigued me. Since my mom never really liked Halloween much, I didn’t ever get to do a lot of costume stuff for it, so I figured this would be good payback for all those missed years. But anyway, I finally decided on a costume I wanted to do. Not having been exposed to anime long, I hadn’t seen many shows, so I was really into Sailor Moon at the time (Who hasn’t been at one point or another?). But instead of being Tuxedo Mask like I had seen other people do a lot, I was Tuxedo Melvin. Plus the fact I didn’t have contact lenses back then so wearing glasses was easy to work into the costume. After we got done buying half of it from thrift stores and such, we traveled the long road to Anime Weekend Atlanta, and there is where my cosplay fun began. I mean, going from just getting your picture taken by your parents to having tons of people doing it, who wouldn’t want to keep making costumes? |
What is your favorite thing about cosplay?Well of course, thinking the way I do and how I am just in general, I would say it would be for the attention/recognition. But not just for winning stuff. I mean, when someone comes up and takes a picture and says “cool costume,” that’s a really cool feeling for a stranger to come up and do that. Also, getting to “act” on stage is a really fun thing to do, in my eyes. Though I may not be an actor, I do like to get up on stage and entertain people once in awhile. And some of the places that have the cosplay contests can be really overwhelming, such as Anime Expo or Otakon. Though I have been to both, I have only been in Otakon’s cosplay contest. This was one of the most thrilling experiences in my life; getting up in front of 4,000 anime fans and acting like a fool was really fun! What don’t you like about cosplay?Personally, there isn’t much I don’t like, though other people seem to think that it’s evil, or stupid, and some think that its just a waste of time and money. Though they may be right, that’s their opinion, so they can have it. But I think the thing I don’t really like about cosplay is that some people think it’s a life or death situation to win. |
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I mean, being competitive is cool and all, but if you base your life on whether you win or lose, it won’t be a fun life. I don’t have a real fret with cosplay. People all run their contests how they want, and since they are at their con, I assume they can do that. I just like to have fun; that’s all there is to it.
What’s your favorite part or step in the process of creating a costume?I would have to say the best part of creating a costume is this: when you are finally starting to get it together and try it on for the first time, it’s great to see your handi-work actually on you which makes you start to think how other people will like it. |
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How about your most dreaded part?One of the things I hate most about doing costumes is the detailing. In most of my costumes, I do have a good bit of detail, and that’s because I get really picky when it comes to the small things, since I think that’s what makes the costume. So trying to think of how to do the little things and actually doing them is the hardest part since I can be so anal about it. Favorite anime and why?Actually, some may be surprised to find out that I have recently changed my favorite anime. After being Trigun for many years, it has now changed to One Piece. I simply love everything about this show. Though some people don’t like it because of the weird animation, or the length of it, I just can’t find anything bad about this show. I mean, who doesn’t like pirates? Having a cast of kids about our ages it makes it even cooler, and not all the crew has special powers so it adds a kind of actual feeling to it. It’s totally ridiculous and makes no sense at times. |
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Tell us about your anime music video background.I’m a part of Cucumber Studios with a few of my friends. I’ve been making AMVs since 2001 and have only produced 6 in my first 2 years. With school being demanding at this time in my life, it’s been really hard to sit down and come up with something solid for an idea. Hopefully, I’ll have a few new things this year for the fans. This is a real passion I have now for some reason. Personally, it’s just something funny to do at cons, but it can be really deep and thoughtful to others. So the diversity of it is a really cool aspect, and there are so many other editors out there; it’s fun to meet them all. Editing can go into other things as well. *cough* documentaries *cough* |
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What’s the story behind the cucumber?You guys really don’t know how often I get asked this question. Well anyway, it all started back at JACON 2001, where, after being friends with More Than Toast (an anime music video group) for awhile, we had really grown to like “I’m a Cucumber” video. We thought, “Hey, why don’t we have cucumbers when they play it, it’ll be funny.” So after we did that, we decided to put it into our cosplay for some odd reason that I don’t really remember, but since when has my cosplay made sense? Then after JACON, we started making anime music videos and came up with the studio name, Cucumber Studios. |
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now? 10 years?I’ll be in college until 2008 or so since I’m not really sure what I want to major in yet. In 10 years, I would like to maybe live in Japan, or at least be working here in the States on video editing for some big company. I will still, hopefully, be going to conventions, but I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to do the cosplay thing, though I said I was going to quit a few times now and it just never seems to happen. |
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Tips and tricks for costume or prop construction?I would say that paying attention to detail is one of the key factors in doing any kind of costume. Even if you’ve chosen an uncomplicated costume, you should try to think of something that you could add to it that would make you stand out from all those other same character costumes. Also, when trying to find things to use, keep an open mind. You can make things so many different ways, or just find things similar to what you need, and adapt them to how you want. And never throw anything away, there are many uses for random junk lying around. As for making props, try to find someone who knows what they are talking about and knows how to make different things before you try to do something yourself. It’s always best to be prepared, or at least have an idea of what you’re getting |
What is your source for strength in life?This would definitely have to be my parents because without them, I wouldn’t be who I am. Both in life and costuming, they have been a really big help and inspiration. My mom, knowing how to sew and teaching me what she knows about fabrics and such, has really helped me figure out a lot of things during the actual construction of the costumes. Not only that, but she is the one that takes me and my friends to the conventions every time. And my Dad…without him, my costumes would have been just “OK,” but with his insight in so many different areas, my costumes have really turned out way better than I could have ever thought. But hey, I don’t think it’s cheesy to say I love my parents. Without them I wouldn’t be anything. What would be the ultimate cosplay for you to attempt?Though I have talked to people about some things that I would like to do but probably couldn’t with the materials I have now or without spending tons of money on the things I would need, there isn’t really a costume that I “couldn’t” do or at least attempt. I mean, there is a way to do everything, so I’m sure if I just took enough time and effort, I could get anything done. I would really like to have a Guyver suit; those are just so awesome. |
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Popular Bangs
Full, straight bangs
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How To Dress More Elegantly
Grace Kelly had it, Audrey Hepburn had it, and Princess Di had it — that ability to look classy, no matter what they wore. Whilst some women manage to look effortlessly elegant, others need a little helping hand when it comes to being chic.
Dressing elegantly is not about spending a fortune on clothes, but buying the right pieces, wearing classy color combinations, and having the grace to carry them off. What makes a woman have her own Audrey Hepburn moment is a heady mix of clothing, grace and poise.
Swap Sweat Pants for Elegant Dresses
Obtaining a more sophisticated look may involve swapping some favorite comfort pieces for better quality fabrics, well-cut outfits and complimentary colors. It may mean swapping those baggy sweat pants for an elegant dress. In “How to Look Elegant,” Prima magazine (February 2010) recommends ditching the jeans in favor of tailored trousers, and suggests going for patent accessories for a perfectly polished look.
Women who are feeling frumpy and fed-up with their appearance can give their wardrobe a style makeover by following a few fashion tips on how to achieve some old-fashioned Hepburn glamor.
Fashion Tips for Dressing More Elegantly
- Tailored trousers win in the elegance stakes over jeans. Ditch the denim. High-waisted, wide-legged pants add an air of Hepburn-style Hollywood glamour.
- Keep an outfit coordinated. Prima recommends wearing no more than 3 different colors at once. Go tonal, match hues in the same color family (e.g. grays, blues and purples) for a sleek, classy look.
- A chic winter coat is one of the best investments as it is often the first piece of clothing others see. Avoid baggy shapeless styles and go for a trenchcoat or a classic cut in a neutral color like camel. (Fake) fur-trimmed collars will give a sophisticated vintage spin. A narrow belt added to a fitted jacket oozes style.
- Go vintage or vintage-inspired, especially when it comes to suits and party dresses. An elegant shift dress represents understated glamor. Fabrics such as cashmere, lace, velvet and brocade have an enduring quality and exude class. Nautical looks and animal prints are timeless.
- Less is more. When shopping for clothes choose quality over quantity. Go for good quality fabrics and tailored cuts. Heavier fabrics will hang better and well-cut clothes will flatter the figure far more than baggy. When it comes to buying quality concentrate on building a wardrobe of endurance clothing which will justify spending more money on. Think cost per wear.
- Investment buy. Go for classy endurance pieces . A white shirt, fitted tee, chiffon blouse, cashmere sweater, pencil skirt, tailored pants and a well-cut blazer will see you through season to season. These can be brought up-to-date with cheap accessories in the color, prints and styles of the current season to make an outfit on-trend.
How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World
How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World: The Art of Living with Style Art and Grace by Jordan Christie (Center Street, Hatchette Book Group) is a gem of a book for those want to channel their inner Hepburn. Recently released in 2009, the author Christie highlights the fact that women with style and grace are hard to come by in our modern day world of our copy-cat celebrity culture, thongs, mini dresses and drunken parties pictured on social networking sites. She profers up helpful guidelines in achieving some golden-age Hollywood glamor and encourages young women to adopt some old-fashioned morals in work, love and play, using Audrey and Katherine Hepburn as role models. The first chapter is wittily entitled “Keep Your Chin Up and Your Skirt Down.” The author’s website features a “True Hepburn Contest,” where those making a positive impact on the world with style, class and grace can enter, closing date March 15, 2010.
Fashion Trends for 2009/ 2010
Leather Clothing
Leather has always been sexy and sophisticated, but usually in the form of coats and jackets. This Fall and Winter look for leather in a variety of forms and clothing, skirts, leggings, dresses and more. Leather is the in thing.
Chunky Knits
While some may view knits as something their grandmothers would wear, think of knits as adding texture to an outfit. Also, many of these knits will have an open weave that will show a bit of skin, making them fun and flirty. They will keep the ladies warm and fashionable.
Ripped Stockings and Tights
In the past, a run in a stocking was a fashion nightmare. Now it’s the in thing! Ripped stockings are inspired by the ripped denim generation, and are supposed to represent a neo-grunge fashion era. So don’t throw away those ripped tights!
Sheer Clothing
See-through clothing is a fashion trend for the daring! Don’t be afraid to show off the goods in sheer clothing which is a mix between rocker chic and soft and feminine.
Asymmetrical Tops
Asymmetrical tops have always been intriguing pieces in a wardrobe. One shouldered tops are going to be very popular and are a great way to show off those feminine shoulders and collar bone. One shouldered dresses are very sexy without showing a lot of skin.
Military Style
The military jacket will be a staple piece for this year’s winter wardrobe. Whether worn in a masculine or feminine way, the military jacket is a must-have item that will jazz up a normally boring winter wardrobe.
Ripped Jeans
Yes, the ripped jeans are back in style despite thinking that they never would be! The thought behind the ripped denim is that it’s sexy and revealing, while also being casual chic. Pick up a pair of ribbed jeans or denim shorts this season.
According to Fashionising.com these 10 trends will be the hottest items for women’s wardrobes this Fall (Autumn) 2009 and Winter 2010, and will likely set the fashion scope for the year to come. From cloaks and capes to knee-high boots and leather, these fashion pieces will keep any wardrobe stylish and up-to-date.
Hottest Fashion Trends for Winter
With winter coming, perhaps it’s time that we update our wardrobes a bit. Well, here are the hottest winter fashion trends that may help you in your winter shopping.
Top designers have done their jobs… it’s our turn to do ours! (Yay!) Let’s make sure that the streets are filled with fashionable women with fabulous winter style this season! 
Invest in a good coat that you will look good in… If you have a chance to buy a designer piece, go for it! A good Italian or French wool coat will last you 3 years minimum and you’ll be seen wearing it most of the time! So you will definitely get the money worth it, even if the coat will cost you around $1.000!
In terms of colors, black, brown and gray are the traditional hues for winter coats and you will see these colors on most women, but if you truly want to stand out from the winter crowd, a little attitude won’t hurt.
Venture in bright plaids, animal prints, pinks, reds, or go all white (or beige) for a fabulous winter look that will pop. I know, the dry cleaning bill will be huge (if you go white), but it will be worth every single penny!
abnormal return
There has long been high abnormal return in the primary stock market of China, attracting a huge sum of capital lingering in the primary market seeking risk free abnormal return. This phenomenon indicates that the primary market of China is http://forum.boinaslava.net inefficient. The inefficiency has led to chi flat iron serious consequence. It not only severely hurts the financing function of China’s stock ck mens underwear market, decreases the efficiency of resources distribution, aggravates the speculative atmosphere of the primary market, leads to the waste of social resources, but also negatively affects the long term development of the entire stock market. Base on above facts, A series of reforming on the issuance system and issuance ways of stocks have been taken on in China, aiming at improving the IPOs (initial public offerings) issuing marketing and pricing efficiency, The CSRC(China Securities Regulatory Commission) declared《Several Issues Concerning the Trial Implementation of Bookbuilding System for Initial Public Offering of Shares Circular》in 2004.8, and confirm that bookbuilding system will formally begin in china’s stock issuance market. Following china electrical international LTD enter the moncler down jackets stock market, china’s stock market IPOs bookbuilding is completely started in practice stage. Up to 2007 Feb, there are 105 stocks have already issued with the use of bookbuilding system. Under bookbuilding system. How is IPOs issuance efficient, and what facts would decide IPOs pricing. The studies in these field are difficult to find in china. This paper will compare the first IPOs system in some http://gimper.net representative countries of the world: bookbuilding system, public offer system, auction system and mixed issuesystem performance. Then review prom dresses correspond literature with IPOs system studies. Based on those literatures, the“display system”was introduced into IPOs bookbuilding theoretical model. Based on deducing this model, this paper indicates two concepts under book building system: the lowest issuance rate is required to keep, when published company issue stock in IPOs stage: the issuance price certainty will be decided by inside value of company. And the data of the 105 stocks mentioned above have been selected to prove the concept 2. The result of Empirical Study proves the e concept 2 in a certain extent. The elucidative capacity of Empirical model has improved greatly, when taking the closing price into the Empirical model. That indicates the IPOs pricing not only takes the inside factor of the issuance company, i.e. the inside value of the company, but also the external factor of the issuance market. Finally, undergoing the research of china’s book building system selling situation in practical, and taking concept 2 with http://www.propertytalk.com/forum correspond practical instances results into consideration, some methods and advices was given to improve and china’s stocks market and book building system.
national conditions
To accomplish industrialization is not only one of the major tasks for China’s economic development in the early 21st Century but an inevitable choice for building a well-off society. Former President Jiang Zemin has explicitly pointed out in his report to the 16th National Congress of the http://forum.mgmaps.com Communist Party of China (CPC):“It remains an arduous historical task in the process of our modernization drive to accomplish industrialization. IT application is a logical choice if industrialization and modernization of our country are to be accelerated. It is, therefore, necessary to persist in using IT to propel industrialization, which will, in turn, stimulate IT application, blazing a new trail to industrialization featuring high scientific and technological content, good economic returns, low resources consumption, little environmental pollution and a full display of advantages in human resources.”The new road to industrialization is an innovative developing thought proposed on the basis of national conditions. It focuses on coordination between economic and environmental development and chi hair straightener resorting to progress of science and technology and informatization to accelerate ck mens underwear progress of industrialization aiming to realize the strategic aim of a leap-forward development under the current development tendency of economy and technology in the world.New type industrialization is the critical inheritance and evolution of the traditional one. Since the presentation of the theory in the report to the 16th National Congress Report, it has been highlighted in both the political and economic fields, attracting many scholars for further studies. At first, most studies on newly industrialization selected the topics of understanding of the definition and exploration to the way and have gained certain achievements. With further http://forums.aeroforceone.com studies carrying on, evaluation of the process of newly industrialization is going under the highlight. This paper, under such a background, explored the evaluation of the cheap moncler jackets process to enhance relevant theoretical studies. It would be of both academic and realistic significance to further studies this field.Based on a summarization of theoretical studies on new type industrialization, the paper first analyzed and discussed the process of new type industrialization in China. Starting with an overall review of the index system of the process, it established an initial index system and then optimized the system applying both cluster analysis and principle component analysis methods to form an evaluation index system. The paper then proceeded to work out the weights, evaluation indexes, applying combination weighing approach, and analyzed different aspects of the new type industrialization, aiming to build an evaluation model based on synthetic evaluation methods.In the last prom dresses paragraphs, the paper carried out an application study on the evaluation model based on statistical data of 30 provinces and http://www.flashxpress.net/forum municipalities from 2001 to 2005. According to the result, it proposed some suggestions on improving the evaluation standard for the process, which are expected to provide significant assistance for decision-making by effectively determine the processes of new type industrialization in regions of China and China as a whole.
product quality
Product pricing is the basis of market economy, also the core scopes of economic theory. This dissertation studies how enterprises set price on their products and http://www.cgtantra.com/forums product quality. First of all, the author gives general concept, aim and condition of product pricing, the common pricing theory and methods of oligarch enterprises. Then investigates two kinds of asymmetric product pricing based on the ck mens underwear above hypothesis: product pricing under cost asymmetrical enterprises and product locating when consumers have less information about product quality than enterprises.This paper sets up vertical differentiation model and discusses product selection, product pricing under full information and selection of moncler down jacket competition strategy between enterprises. Then the author gives static game and dynamic game analysis under cost asymmetrical enterprises to conclude optimal competition strategy.And finally, studies the main reason of domestic mobile phone’s win-loss by positive way.The paper http://www.dancadesportiva.com finally gets the following conclusions:①Whether cost-advantage company takes low price competition strategy or acquiescent strategy, cost-disadvantage company will take strategy to make improvement to its product quality.②When consumers have asymmetric information about prom dresses product quality, market equilibrium depends on: less consumer’s externalities, less product quality difference, and more laymen on the very market.This article’s main http://www.kreditinform.de/forum innovation lies in:Firstly, using the method of data simulation, we analyze the total cost factor how to influence the enterprise product choosing chi hair straightener and pricing.Secondly, consider the factor of consumer externality that the layman purchase high price, low quality product, which will engender adverse effects to other consumers,we carry on the data imitates analysis of information asymmetry.
The subject of logistics
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the demands
The present status of international logistics in China includes the demands of logistics increase rapidly; infrastructure facilities of international http://www.m1live.com/forums logistics improve greatly; information ck women’s underwears technology develops a lot; the third party logistics develops quickly. Shanghai as the biggest economy center in China has some advantages to develop international logistics moncler down jacket industry, such as region advantage, wide developing hinterland and policy supporting.The fourth part analyses the status and problems of international logistics of shanghai. The perfection of international logistics infrastructure facilities, quick application of information and communication technology, promotion of logistics standardization, etc., all these establish excellent bases for the development of international http://www.realitymod.com/forum logistics. In the meantime, there exist some prom dresses problems, such as information technology applying immaturity and restriction of system, law and ideology, and pinch of talent, which all blocking development of international logistics.The fifth chi hair straightener part analyzes the impact of international logistics on international trade in shanghai by using Econometrics method. First is the qualitative analysis. Through the scatter diagram of variable international container throughput and variable imports and exports commodities’amount gained by using Eviews3.0, it can be concluded that in shanghai the development of international logistics has promoted the development of international trade. And then is the quantitative analysis. After choosing international http://www.hdnumerique.com/forum container throughput of shanghai representing the developing level of international logistics in shanghai and imports and exports commodities’amount of shanghai representing the developing level of international trade in shanghai, an Econometrics model is set up. After the regression analysis, the numerical value of the parameters is gained. At last the marginal analysis and elasticity analysis are used to the further analysis on the model.The sixth part of this paper sets forth the conclusion and discusses the advices forward to settle the problems mentioned in this paper. The regression analysis confirms that in shanghai the development of international logistics has promoted the development of international trade. At last this paper puts forward some advices to promote shanghai’s international logistics development, such as enhancing government leading, drafting international logistics policy, statute and standard system, developing the international third party logistics, educating talent actively.
