My First Foray into "Cosplay"....

So for the past week (when I haven't been at work), I've been holed up in my spare room with my sewing machine and craft supplies attempting to make this:

 

This is Tali'Zorah from the Mass Effect series. I've always liked the idea of cosplay and costume making but this is the first time I've actually gone ahead and done it! I've been keen on sewing for a while, so it's not really a huge step. Not that New Zealand has many opportunities for showing off your creations! Armageddon expo at various main cities is your only 'real' place that you can do it. Still, I love craft, I love sewing. I'm not too fussed about my lack of events to wear them to. I love the creative process I go through to get to the end result.

I haven't made it easy for myself - I started this a week ago and I need to have it finished by tommorow. I've also had a budget of about $50. I've stuck to it pretty well. I've had a few meltdowns along the way. Mainly centered on that damn helmet/visor. I think I have it sorted now *fingers and toes crossed*...
I'll be posting some pictures up. I think I'm hooked on this. Already planning my next one!!

Sick day post

Todays post is brought to you by the letter Z and the number 6.

I'm taking my first sick day off work in months. This is quite an achievement for me, as someone who used to have at least one sick day a month (provided I hadn't run out of paid sick leave). Now, this isn't due to me being slack, lazy, whatever. I'm one of those people who got sick a lot (and still do) and I also had issues with chronic tiredness. My doctor was on the verge of putting me on antidepressants as I had horrific moods as well as poor sleep and constant tiredness and no motivation.

However, a good friend of mine suggested I get my vitamin b12 levels checked. So I did and they were quite low. You can read some more about the effects of deficiency here. My doc put me on an intensive course of 5 injections over a fortnight. It helped a bit and it got better as time went on. She then tested me again, after about 3 months and it was low again. So I'm now on three monthly injections of it. They hurt like a bitch but the positive effects are nothing short of remarkable. Getting up in the morning was no longer an uphill battle, I could cope when life got hectic (i.e post Feb 22) and I didn't get as run down. My body  tells me when my 3 months are nearly up. Like today - I'm still learning to listen to my body. I think I should try and sneak them in every 2.5 months just so I don't get days like this.

Today I feel weak and lethargic - shaky, too, despite having eaten breakfast. I had a busy day yesterday and my emotions are getting out of control. I'm snappy, can cry at any given moment and have very little willpower. The temperature in the room is 23-24 degrees and my dressing gown is a little too warm yet I feel cold if I take my dressing gown off. I'm lucky that there is such an easy fix it, though.

We don't know the cause - I've been tested for pernicious anemia, had my thyroids checked, my intestines and digestive system and I'm not a vegan and eat red meat a couple of times a week. I just can't absorb it from my diet for some unknown reason.

Anyway, I could do with a nap now.. There's a part of me that misses couch-camping...

Finally! A "Real" Post!

So I saw something today that made me feel quite outraged (I'm surprised I didn't see it sooner - these sort of things usually catch my eye) - That police officer in Toronto saying that women should not "dress like sluts" to avoid sexual assault. Here's the article about the SlutWalk protests being held.
I just cannot express how angry comments like that make me. How a woman dresses should NEVER EVER place her at fault for sexual assault. A woman wearing a short skirt/low cut top/other "slutty" attire is not 'asking to be raped'. The blame rests solely on the attacker. How is that so hard for some people to grasp???
Grrrrrrr!!! *hulk smash*
/ragequit

30 Days of Me: Day 6

Day 06- Favorite super hero and why


It would have to be Obi Wan Kenobi (not a traditional superhero but close enough tyvm), closely followed by Wolverine. Be honest - who wouldn't want to wave their hand and plant an idea in someones mind using the Force?And be played by Ewan Macgregor and be the most enjoyable part of three sub-par prequels? 


And Wolverine is played by Hugh Jackman. What's not to love?

30 Days of Me: Day 5

Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
This one is easy! I just got back from Queenstown yesterday. 

Going up the lift to go on the Luge! So much fun! Bonus lake view background.

Fergburger. A Bombay Chicken, to be precise. The stuff of legends. Eating it on the waterfront, throwing your crumbs to the ducks. Bliss.

The man. The legend.

A stunning view of Lake Wakatipu from up the Luge.

I must say, there's something about Queenstown that makes me feel so at ease. The lovely surroundings help, the legendary burger joint helps too. I've been there a few times in my short life and hopefully many more times. Heck, I would probably live there if I could afford it. One thing that strikes me is that there is no graffiti and tagging at all. Is it because this town takes more pride in it's appearance than, say, Christchurch? Or is it just because it's a smaller town and it's logistically easier to clean up soon after it happens? Probably a mix of both. I find you have to look past the touristy veneer - the town has character. I just wish they would ease up on those awful waterfront studio apartments. I'm not making too much sense here but it is what it it - I can't help but love this place! I just hope it doesn't sell it's character and soul to tourism and lame cheesy souvenir shops filled with kiwis and sheep.

30 Days of Me: Day 4

Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have


I'm a picker. I will pick at anything from dry skin, scabs, pimples. I've basically disfigured my right thumb from picking dry skin. I wish I could stop but it's become something of a nervous habit. I do it more when I'm under stress. So as you can imagine, I've been doing it a lot in the last 6 months! 

30 Days of Me: Day 3

Day 03- A picture of you and your friends

I'm on the right with my srs bsns face on. Thats Camille on the left and an obscured Rachel in the middle. This was my first year flatting with Rachel, who introduced me to Camille. I had some great times (and not so great mornings) that year. There was me and Rachel and three boys. This particular time was a traffic light party at the Foundry (Canty Uni student bar). 

30 Days of Me: Day 2

Day 02- The meaning behind your Blog name


This one is easy - there honestly isn't one. Other than the fact that I'm awesome. I've never had one single internet/forum username thats ever stuck with me. I'm just too changeable. 
Really? I just haven't thought of a good one yet. 

30 Days of Me: Day 1

So here it is, that thing everyone seemed to be doing last year, that I've only just got around to doing now!


Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02- The meaning behind your Blog name
Day 03- A picture of you and your friends
Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06- Favorite super hero and why
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days
Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad
Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends
Day 12- How you found out about Blogger and why you made one
Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you recently
Day 14- A picture of you and your family
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16- Another picture of yourself
Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future
Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23- Something you crave for a lot
Day 24- A letter to your parents
Day 25- What I would find in your bag
Day 26- What you think about your friends
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge
Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30- Your favorite song.

This (if you hadn't already guessed) is me. I actually just took a photo specifically for this because my computers aren't playing ball and I can't find anything recent. And I can't find my flash drive to transport anything decent. My hands are tied, honestly (figuratively). There is also an element of laziness going on here too...


Now for 15 interesting facts. I use the term "interesting" very loosely. 
1. I grew up on a farm
2. Save for the two years I lived in student flats, I have had cats my entire life. 
3. I used to have my labret pierced but I took it out because I couldn't find jewelery that fitted it and as a result my gums started to recede. I liked it, though my family beg to differ.
4. My eyes are grey
5. My hair is naturally blonde. This is fantastic for those times where I neglect to shave my legs. Not so fantastic when I have to touch up my roots every 4-6 weeks.
6. I don't have my drivers licence...but I'm working on it :D
7. I don't have a dad. I mean, he exists, but I've never met him and I don't feel like I've missed out on anything by not having him around.
8. I was ' the goth kid' in high school and hung around with band boys.
9. Despite the above, I was a good kid in high school. I enjoyed most of my classes and done well academically.
10. I still maintain that my 7th form year was one of the best of my life.
11. I'm quite a loner. I enjoy solitude - it's my 'happy place'. 
12. I'm an atheist
13. I detest bananas. Yet I'll happily eat banana cake and banana choc chip muffins. I think that it's the texture of bananas is what I dislike and the taste of them on their own. Even I think it's weird.
14. All I wanted for my 11th birthday was a letter from Hogwarts. 
15. OK I've seriously run out now :( Sorry! I'm failing at this already and it's not even a day in..


Anyway, it's getting late. Bedtime calls. 


Tash

A Tentative "Hello"

Hello and welcome to my foray into blogging. Not my first, but I'm hoping this one actually sticks :) 
First things first, a bit about me
At this current point in time, I work full time in insurance (not a career choice job, a bill paying job). I am 21 years old. I spend far too much time on the on the internet. I enjoy gaming, reading, cooking, music and being silly. I also dabble in art and writing - mainly of the Fantasy variety.


Ok..I guess that's the basics - no doubt you will glean more information about me from my posts.


Ciao, 


Tash