It's that time of the year, when the beauty of nature is juxtaposed with a wild uptick in public drunkenness in parks. I know this because: I see them in bloom. I made the mistake of meeting a friend in Ueno recently and he and I were UNPREPARED for the slow-moving packs of visiting foreigners … Continue reading Cherry Blossom Season!
Job stress: Will I be under employed? Can I find a different job quickly? Will I get permanent residency? Should I just go with being underemployed and cram for JLPT N2 6 months earlier than planed? These are the things that make me want to just nap all day. When I'm asleep, I can't consciously … Continue reading Updates: Continue moving forward
I roam the Hobby-off (a used toy/hobby shop) with no real plan in mind. Sure, first I scope the dolls but then I just wander the figures until something speaks to me. This isn’t unlike the time shortly after my first move and job change within Japan in August of 2004. I hadn’t planned to … Continue reading Chibi-Raven
I haven't been around because illness took me DOWN. After two rounds of antibiotics, more nasal steroids, and the joy of three days in a row without kerosene fumes I'm almost better. Welcome to Finish-it-February, wherein I try to be frugal by focusing on finishing projects instead of starting them. Of course, as soon as … Continue reading Heads up! Finish it February!
It's New Years Eve. My 破魔矢 "Hamaya"/ Demon Breaking Arrow from this year is ready to be burned in a bonfire tonight. My bedroom and kitchen are clean enough for guests. I'm spending my third New Years Eve in a row with Jamie. I've known her since we were both wee cosplay dorks at cons in … Continue reading New Years Eve
Let’s move along to finished projects I should have told you about ages ago. My Aggretsuko Blythe! Just in time for the Netflix Christmas Special!! Her face just wasn’t right last time. I realized that it was because I’d given her lips. Red pandas have mouths that pop out from under white fur. That issue … Continue reading Aggretsuko!
Hi, Neighbors! Don't mind us! We're just TEATHERED* to the balcony here and slathered in acne cream. *we get earthquakes. I figured it's best to tie them for their protection. I dressed them because I rationalized that seeing naked dolls would be more upsetting for my neighborhood. These girls need sunlight to clean their face-stains. … Continue reading Who is the gaijin in your neighborhood?
Right now it's hard to prioritize things. I get home and everything shouts for attention: my bed, my need for nourishing food, my need to make that food, my crafts, the things I need to do for dance and the studio... Before I know it it's past my bedtime, way past, and I feel like … Continue reading New Hands Are Here!
We all have a few pop culture references that are so specific that we rarely say them out loud, knowing that they will fall on ears that don’t get them, yet so persistent that they haunt us time after time. One of mine, and I think it too often, is: Jerry: I was under the … Continue reading Not Orphans
Don't get too excited, Closet Freak is the artist who did the doll trunk and fashions for this photoshoot. As is often true, the English name provides a dream the reality doesn't quite fit into correctly. Part 1 is here. This is a Japanese Artist's vision of an doll trunk, wherein the doll's outfits mirror … Continue reading Dolly Dolly Vol 4. Closet Freak Doll Trunk pt 2
