AkumaShadowCat

Ok so I realise that I have been absent from Deviant Art for some time. I know people have been trying to get in touch with me for commissions and I apologise for not picking you up on here.

Basically the truth is I have lost interest in cosplay for the most part. Ever since my Sith Lord cosplay from The Old Republic and the controversy of the Masquerade at the Expo I wore it at, some of my friends will know how bitter I am about the whole event, I have not really been that interested since. I suppose to state I am not longer interested in cosplay is unfair. I am interested in cosplay, I have just lost my mojo as it were in the hobby. I am hoping that it will come back in time. I have been cosplaying since October 2005, attended nearly every expo since and a few cons. I guess it would be a shame to let it all go. So I have decided, along with Josh, that we will no longer be attending any expos and on top of that we will be taking a break until Kitacon 2014.

I suppose that brings me on to expos. May 2013 was as I said above my last. At least for the foreseeable future. We had been discussing it for a while and to be honest it was certainly a good expo to leave it on. At no point did this expo make me want to come back again so it seemed fair. In a way it made it easier to let go. They have had a good run, and with them I have some wonderful memories.

I plan to start investing my time into my other interests. I have a new love for my Marine Fish Tank which takes up a lot of my time as I slowly build that up from scratch. I plan to involve myself a lot more into Warhammer and modelling. Something which was put onto the shelves during my time in cosplay. I also plan to start (and I have literally just started) building GK anime figures. Which once I have had some practice with, I plan to offer out my services as a commissionable service if people are interested. I think using my somewhat 15 year experience in painting models I will be able to do this reasonably.

On a personal note believe it or not I turn 28 this year (next month actually). Its life over at 30 so I guess I am nearly there lol. But having said that I have been struggling recently with depression. Unfortunately it runs heavily in my family and it has hit me hard this year. I have permanent dark circles under my eyes where I do not sleep well enough and I am always tired and completely lack energy. I am trying to get through this the best I can, this also probably doesn't help my thoughts on cosplay at the moment.

I have a new job. After leaving Bernard Matthews I have come to Lakeside Foods. I was with BM for over 9 years and the change has not been easy for me. On the up note and am now earning a lot more than I was before and I am finally being paid the amount that I should be for my career choice. So at least there is a positive there.

I tried to give up facebook. It lasted 23 days before I realised without one I wasn't getting through to the people I wanted to reach with my hobbies. So its back but I use it discreetly.

So as the title suggests I am going to try and get into the habit of being much more active on here. I have a lot of photos which have been taken of various projects over the years to add here, so those of you that follow me have that to look forward to. I'm not sure when, just when I have a spare hour or so to take the mass time to upload to DA.

Take care.

I havnt added a journal on here for nearly a year LOL

Anyway only one con this year due to giving up expos, and that is Amecon.

I decided after spending nearly £700 on the last cosplay (Sith Warrior) that enough was enough and it had to be let go slightly.

So Kitacon fucked us about this year with spaces so Im not going to that so only Amecon this year.

For Amecon we are doing a Dungeons and Dragons group. Original characters based on the D&D role play game. I am the groups Rogue. Laura is the Cleric. Josh the Warrior. Nana the Blackguard and Charlotte as the Sorceress.

So see you there if you are going, if not look forward to the photos.

Recently Ive been working on my Tachigami cosplay which is for Ayacon in 6 weeks time. So far its been going really well. I found a basic Jedi Robe pattern on the internet for his robe but just extended it so it drags on the floor.

Its fairly massive length wise but is looking really really good so Im happy with it.

Ive also started the red top and just waiting on a zip arriving to finish it off.

Once Ive finished the robe and the top Ive only got the arm sleeves to do and the sword and then hes done

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Life wise has been going really well. Ive finally found a goal to my life that I know deep down I want. So Im really set of concentrating on that and I really want to pull it off with all Ive got. First time in my life Ive ever been able to say that.

I have plans in my head about what I want to happen. Its just making them work. Which as with everything is always the bastard.

Winning the Euromillions tonight will be a great help!

Ive recently started playing EVE Online and getting into that. Liking it as it's a bit different and quite hard and you really have to think and plan out your attacks.

Well my birthday is only next week. I have my lovely girlfriend Charlotte coming this Sunday. Nana and Laura next Thursday and Bambi on the Friday. Both Adams and Carly will be joining me on the Saturday evening for the BBQ. Cant wait to see everyone again. Hopefully will be a good time.

Well May expo 2011 happened… quickly as ever.

The build up was fairly major with the whole stage thing with Ragna…
Though I think I done a good job in the end. Considering I finished it 9pm the night before I was due to leave XD

We (Myself, Josh and Adam 2 (big Adam) got there about 2 in the end due to forgetting wigs and having to turn round at Ipswich… LOL…

Then people started to turn up once we announced our arrival to allow access to the room.

Friday was Alternate Works TTGL for me, Josh and Charlotte. We all looked great and we got some good photos with Ian. Though not many with anyone else, but I knew we wouldn’t be recognised very well, but I was really happy with the group though.
We decided that a reasonably early start meant bed after about 12am. So the lights went out and me and Char attempted to sleep in the bed. There was various snoring and chair slippage via Richard that kept us awake all night, so getting up at 6am was hard.

Saturday started early at 6am as we had a supposed photoshoot to go to, but, that never happened AND the organiser of the photoshoot never even turned up till 10.30 and then wasn’t even dressed and THEN her costume didn’t work. We had a few individual photos with various people and the me and Charlotte broke away and wondered.
Got some photos with Cosplay Fever and then in the end had to go a queue for the Masquerade, which went on for what seemed like forever. Poor Charlotte was so nervous but we got through our parts ok. One of our group couldn’t get on stage well and missed her spot. Then fell once she got on. I felt sorry for her.

The winners were great. Deserved it tbh.

Saturday eve once we eventually got back we threw off our costumes, so hot, especially poor Charlotte. Showered. Then chillaxed all night, went for a walk with Charlotte once everyone decided to be boring and go to sleep at early hours again. Got involved with some drama revolving around Joe, though it didn’t last long thankfully.

Sunday we all didn’t get up early and didn’t get in the expo till 12pm, which considering how massively popular our HOTD group was, was a missed opportunity I guess. We got hammered for photos. Had our own little photoshoot, and then bothered cosplay fever. That was awesome, and Pete even indirectly kissed my GF the bastard… XD (in joke).

Me and Char stayed up most of the night as usual since it was our last few hours together. We had a nice walk and a great talk. We eventually decided to go to bed and see Laura and Nana off. Slept for a few hours and were ready and out of the room by 12. Charlotte didn’t want to leave me so we arranged with her dad for her to come back to mine, Josh took her luggage in the car and we got a train home.

Overall our costume wise expo was good, our costumes ruled as usual. But I think we all agreed that there wasn’t much going on and there didn’t seem to be as much photos going on as times before.

Me, Josh and Charlotte have talked and we have decided that Oct expo will be our planned last expo. Then to be concentrating on Cons from that point. They are cheaper, and have more going on. So next year will definitely consist on Kitacon but as for others we will have to see. Ive got Ayacon this year which Ive never been to before so Im hoping that will be good too.

Anyway was great seeing everyone, Im disappointed that the social aspect took such a dive this time, however with being based in Ramada next time hopefully that will pick up with being able to go to PTI where everyone hangs.

See you at Ayacon whoever is going, those who arnt will be seen at either my bday or Oct I guess.

Cant wait.

Well I guess it time for the usual post con diary.

Overall I had a good time, I had a bit of a downer sat night and sun morning but Josh pulled me out of it in the end by smacking me in the nuts every time I looked down. He hit me twice… .lol.

Thursday

Well we got there about 3.30pm on Thursday and straight away found Larissa. Technically Josh found Larissa, it was so funny, the comment basically was

Josh "Aaron, over there the arse in the white trousers, bloody hell shed get it…."
Me "…. *looks abit closer* … Josh that's Larissa.

And so we found Larissa, Asten and Saffron who I met for the first time (though I do remember her from before). We had drinks (Josh bought the round at £17.20… O.o)
Then it was unload car time, then pool. Had some good times with Larissa and Asten in the pool and stuff then back to room for cosplay times.

The night was slow, I was meant to cosplay with Asten but he disappeared all night but nevermind. Had funny times waiting in line with Saffron, Larissa and  Josh until Laura turned up and then I hung with her. Went to bed about 1.30am.

Friday

Got up with Josh and went and had breakfast. Then went back to the room and we all got ready to cosplay. I had to hang around for Larissa until about 12pm then we had our Spice and Wolf photoshoot. I enjoyed it and Larissa was great.

Charlotte turned up just before the shoot so I went to see her and handed her the patch  I made her.

Went for some pool times with Laura and Josh then went back to room and got ready to cosplay with Laura all evening. We had great times as Dita and Hibiki from Vandread though I think only a few people recognised us. Had enough after a while and proceeded to get drunk. Very drunk. Hung with Josh all night, in and out of the party with Laura. Left Charlotte to her own devises, and had a good time with Laura and Josh getting hammered jumping about in the party. Saffron appeared at one point and we all went and danced to Bon Jovi Livin On A Prayer. Went to bed feeling abit ill, never heard Laura and Nana come in or apparently Charlotte leaning over and asking me to come lay with her, devastated.

Saturday

Got up and went to get breakfast, couldn't eat much as felt abit rough. Then back to room for HOTD'ness. Basically theres a lot that could be said but keeping it simple and for maximum effect WE FUCKING RULED end of. The end of the night brought some drama involving SHINJI and the guns. Everyone knows about it so not much point in going into details. I have reported Shinji for his 'escorting' of Charlotte and Im sure we shall all 'see' him at future events.
Saturday evening I spent a little bit of time with my Charlotte though not a massive amount. Halfway through the night I got caught up in a talk with Saffron about relationships and Charlotte went off with her other friends. I went to bed moody and this stuck until the next morning.

Sunday

Got up and went to have breakfast. Got ready in Suzaku and joined Charlotte downstairs. Had some pics with Pouncy and around the floor. In the evening Charlotte went off with her friends and me and Laura got absolutely off our faces. Looking at the photos reminds me how far gone we both were, but we had a sober Josh there keeping an eye on us, thanks Josh. I think for the first time ever I have to say I cant remember some of that evening including some of the photos, I know from Laura she cant remember anything of that night. LOL.

Saw the party through. Took Laura back to the room, she was worse for wear big time, plonked her down in front of the toilet and left to find Charlotte. Was up till 5.30am talking with her, other people and generally saying goodbye. Went back to room to see Laura off, clearly still drunk to a certain extent LOL. Slept after the fire alarm for an hour and a half.

Monday

General goodbyes and depression.



Overall our HOTD group went down amazingly, everyone looked awesome. I was massively happy with how the con went. I also proved some stuff to myself to which I had set out to do so that's great to on a personal note.

Nana: Was great seeing you again, even if this time it wasn't a massive amount, we still had fun.

Josh: Being a rock for me and my moods as always. True bro.

Laura: Truly the main friend for me this weekend, you were epic. Dont think we have ever hung out so much before, I enjoyed our Vandread pairing, your Saeko was great and we got some awesome shots together. Thankyou to your comments to me on your way home, it means a lot.

Charlotte: FUCKING HOTD GROUP RULED just like I told you it would. And of course. You. Euphie…. Well you know. Enough was said Monday morning.

Larissa: Thankyou for our Spice and Wolf shoot. You looked amazing as always, it was a true pleasure to be your Lawrence for an hour.

Asten: Didn't hang as much as we had agreed. Which was a shame. Did need you at times, but you wernt around. Just hope what ever you were chasing came through for you. Hopefully more next time.

That will do I guess. 51 days till Expo people. Lets get finishing them costumes.