Steampunk D. I. Y.

So I was brainstorming possible changes in the plot development for my Steampunk roleplay stories on both IMVU and Second Life when I suddenly, and quite naturally, felt the urge to seek out all things Steampunk, and viola! My search turned up these rather exquisite light plates. Now I was most disappointed to learn that they were not for sale, but their creator has made available to us all a nifty little "How-to" if you would like to try and make one of your own.

My personal favorites are the first one to the left on the first row, which can hold a candle to light a room when the electricity is not being used. A perfect and easy way to create an intimate or cozy setting, and the first one to the left on the second row, which sports a long brass cord. With a gentle tug, the light switches of. At least I think it works that way. A clever looking device none the less. Click Here for the brilliant tutorial and more close up pictures for these light fixtures.

Kuroshitsuji comes to Tinier Me!

Citizens of Selfy Town rejoice! Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler) collaborates with Tinier me, A social networking site for those who enjoy Japanese animation, music, and culture, to promote the series' season 1 and 2, soon to be released in the United States. Now for a limited time, the Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler) fans of Tinier me can collect limited edition themed items for the series featuring several clothing items, accessories, hair, and facial features in the likeness of the main cast via Tinier Gacha. Not to worry for those of you who cannot pinch a penny to purchase the Gacha coins. There is bound to be someone out there willing to trade away their doubles so do not delay, start searching!

Winter 2011 Anime Line-up

Here is the visual guide for the upcoming December 2010 - February 2011 anime broadcasts. So far I can definitely tell you that I am looking forward to Kimi ni Todoke Season 2, and I just cannot believe I have not reviewed such an amazing series yet!

However, I have got to admit my light disappointment as I am scanning through some of the new series' synopsis'. It seems like they just do not make anime the way they used to. Now-a-days you would think they transitioned from the gripping stories and characters we knew and loved as if they were our best friends, as if they stepped out of our very own dreams the way they could relate to our "growing pains." Or even the way they closely resembled the heroes or role models we've always wanted. Now the characters of today are plastic models of what "used-to-be."

Don't you miss looking at the screen, or flipping through a manga and thinking, "That's me," when you watch them actually come to life and grow? I know that I do, and I also know that it is way too early to judge, but based simply on what I have seen in much recent line-ups it just seems to me like the real storytellers have retired, and are being replaced by mere copycats who never really learned from the masters, but blindly imitate them. Please do not misunderstand. The magic of dream weaving was not lost on an unworthy generation. You just have to look a bit harder to find it now, it seems.

Japanfest Atlanta 2010

There has been a slight change of plans. Instead of Anime Weekend Atlanta 2010, I have decided to attend Japanfest 2010. After my mother and I read through the details of this event, I spent some time talking Dezi into attending as well.

JapanFest Weekend will be held on September 18-19, 2010, from 10 am to 6 pm (Saturday) and 10 am to 5 pm (Sunday) at the Convention Center at Gwinnett Center (located at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097). Tickets are $8 (free for kids 6 and under) and can be purchased at the door.

JapanFest, now in its 24th year, is the largest Japanese festival east of Houston and south of Washington, DC, and typically draws crowds exceeding 18,000. Organized by The Japan-America Society of Georgia, The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, and the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta, JapanFest is designed to promote understanding between Japanese and Americans in the Southeast.

- Japanfest Official Site

In light of this year's theme, "Discover Japan," It was much easier for me to make a final decision on what I would wear this convention season, and the choice is... a Yukata, a Japanese summer cotton kimono! Sadly, not the kimono I wished to save enough to buy, seeing as there is just no way to get it in time for the festival. Instead, my father and I bought the materials needed for me to sew my very own Yukata just yesterday.

Wish me luck!

The GazettE - "SHIVER"

Japanese Visual Kei rock band, The GazettE's, newest single, "SHIVER", was released July 21,2010, and was selected as the opening theme for Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler) 2.

Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler) 2

Or "Kuroshitsuji Sidestory," as I like to call it. This season of Kuroshitsuji shys away from the manga's original plot sequence even more so than the last, and introduces a new master and butler, as well as another staff of servants in their stead.

Picture - Claude Faustus (Left) and Alois Trancy (Right)

Taking place three months after the climax of the last Season, Kuroshitsuj 2 follows the young head of the Trancy household, Alois Trancy. A boy who, much like Ciel Phantomhive, disappeared from his home under mysterious circumstances several years prior to the story, and returned with a mysterious man clad head to foot in black.

His new butler, Claude Faustus, is a demon who assumes the form of a spider and, unlike Sebastian Michaelis, seems very boastful with his supernatural talents as the Trancy butler, yet overall cold and emotionless.

Shortly after his disappearance, Alois' mother is said to have taken her own life. Thus she never lived to see his return. However, his father expired soon after Alois was recovered. The actual circumstances behind the demise of Alois' predecessors has yet to be explored, though Alois himself has stated that his own father was responsible for "rescuing" him from his captors. If so, just what role does the demon play, and what is the nature of the contract that exists between them?

The Series' cast includes recurring characters we know and love from the previous installment, and the new servants of the Trancy household. Hannah Anafeloz, the timid and mysterious maid clad in shades of purple and white, who seems utterly terrified of her young master, and Thompson, Canterbury, and Timber. The triplets who assume the positions of Gardener, Steward, and Cook resepectively. Like Claude, they rarely engage in regular conversation, and if they do speak, the viewer does not hear.

In his home, Trancy is addressed as "Your Majesty," rather than, "Young Master," and the overall atmosphere is darker in comparison to that of the house of Phantomhive.

Somehow the destinys of both Alois Trancy and Ciel Phantonhive are related, and their ultimate fates, or the meaning of their meeting each other in the first place is already a promising adventure in Kuroshitsuji 2!

Kuroshitsuji (Black Butler) 2 premiered July 1, 2010.

Anime Weekend Atlanta 2010 - Cosplay Ideas Part 3.

This is "Lalah Sune." A supporting character from "Mobile Suit Gundam," Created by Sunrise Studio's Yoshiyuki Tomino, and the very first series that started the Gundam franchise in 1979.

She is one of several possible cosplay arrangments I have in mind for Anime Weekend Atlanta this September, and quite possibly the one I may ultimately choose. Her overall design seems pretty simple, accept for her eyes, a brilliant shade of sea foam green.

Anime Weekend Atlanta 2010 - Cosplay Ideas Part 2.

No, I am very serious... I may attend AWA as a dearly beloved Pikachu! Lady Dezi is already prepared to make her own poke ball!

The above tutorial was put together and origionally posted by "Secret life of a bio nerd."
You can find this, and more D.I.Y. episodes at Threadbanger.

Anime Weekend Atlanta 2010 - Cosplay Ideas Part 1.

This Sapphire Shrysanthemum Gothic Wa lolita Kimono ensemble from FanplusFriend Garden is my first choice of attire for Anime Weekend Atlanta (AWA) this Fall. It costs quite a pretty penny... actually, a whole bunch of "pretty pennies" I do not have right now, but experience has already taught me not to go on without not one, not two, but a series of backups! Its good to be double or triple prepared for an unexpected disappointment, or a last minute disaster, but I still hope to save enough to get that dress by the end of this Month!

Please check back for later posts related to Gothic Lolita Fashion, and Japanese fashion links!

FUNimation Entertainment Announces English Dub Cast of Kuroshitsuji "Black Butler"

Click Here For the cast list!

It seems to me that some of the cast are new to voice acting, which could be either a good or bad thing, if I am not mistaken. To me, it shows that they are putting an effort into finding great voice choices that fit the characters, like Lau, for example. The choice for him was spot-on! His actor is also known as the voice of "Barry the Chopper" from FullMetal Alchemist, and if you've ever seen the dub for that series, you will know what to expect. I also agree with the actress choice for Mei Lin, and for the same reason. Her actress is known for the voices of "Bulma" from Dragon Ball Z, and "Towa" from D.N. Angel among others. If you really know these characters, you would agree that if handled well, these actors could actually portray their personalities we know and love without a hitch (I hope)!

I also believe the fact that Madame Red and William's actors have yet to be announced is another example of choice effort, but this is just my opinion.

UPDATE

It was just brought to my attention that the voice actress for Angelina Durless, also known as "Madame Red," has already been decided, and will be Lydia Mackay, the voice of "Trisha Elric" from Fullmetal Alchemist.

I'm Ba-ack!

Greetings Readers,

I must apologize for not updating in the longest. Life and its pressures have finally let up, so it is with great pleasure, and relief, that I officially announce my return.

Hoorah!

I am way behind in what I would have liked to see done with this blog, but hopefully I can turn that around... soon.