Pictures, pictures, pictures - you've asked for them, here they are!  Many of these are from some of my friends' postings, as I did not get many these year.

( Click here for piccies! )

Sunday

 

We all slept in this morning.  I got up about 11:30am and did some repair work on Luna’s jacket while the others showered.  Once the repairs were completed, then I hopped in the shower myself, then changed into Luna again.  Sarah showed me where to find the entrance to the tunnel to the Hilton and we went to the Walk of Fame, where I got in line for Peter Facinelli (best known as Carlisle Cullen in Twilight).  I think I made Peter’s day when he greeted me by my name and I said, “Yep, I’m Aman-duh!”  (This is a joke from the movie Can’t Hardly Wait, which he was in).  He seemed a little surprised and then laughed, and asked if I wanted my photo signed like that, and I said that would be awesome.  He signed it with two hearts and with Carlisle and Mike Dexter, and then his name, and a message.  That was just too fun.

 

 

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Saturday

 

I didn’t sleep well Friday night; I was so worried about both oversleeping and having my cell phone’s alarm wake up everyone BUT me that I kept coming out of sleep.  I finally gave up and got up at 8:10am and changed into Luna (minus Spectrespecs) after getting a bite to eat from the stash in the room.  I went down and looked around to see if the MM people were in the lobby in order to walk over with them and get my parade ribbon but did not see any of them, so headed to Woodruff Park by myself.

 

I did see Lance and Lesa at the staging area, but never did get my parade ribbon.  *sad*  Anyway, the parade went well, it was actually cool for Atlanta with a few sprinkles.  April caught my attention after we picked up our water bottles at the end of the parade and we said hello.  I hadn’t heard anything about a MM gathering after the parade, so went and hung out at the Marriott a little bit.

 

 

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Wednesday/Thursday

After work on Wednesday, I proceeded to finish the Spectrespecs and the packing while Mom took a nap.  I grabbed some quick food for dinner, colored my hair, took a shower, and loaded the car while she slept.  We got on the road about 3am.

The drive was uneventful – nice weather and very little traffic.  I dozed off and on until we made a stop in Kentucky (not sure where – south of Lexington) for breakfast.  We ate at a Waffle House, where I had OJ, a pecan waffle, and sausage patties.  We continued on the road until Cleveland, Tennessee, where we filled up the car and had lunch at Cracker Barrel.  We also made a stop at the Wal-Mart there.

Returning to the road, we encountered no problems until a few miles before our exit, where it began to get congested.  I texted Cassandra to let her know we were getting close to the hotel.  There was some confusion when we actually got to the Marriott about where Cassandra was with the key, while the hotel staff was getting edgy with having our car taking time in the drive.  However, we got it sorted out, the luggage was loaded on a cart, and I ran it upstairs while Mom waited.  Cassandra and I gave each other a big hug, and then rode over with Mom to the Sheraton, where she checked in and settled in while Cassandra and I walked down to registration. 

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Costumes are 95% done!

Luna:
-Leggings are done
-Quibbler covers are done - just need printed off and attached to old Quibbler - this will be done tonight
-Skirt just needs hook-and-eye - this will be done at work tomorrow
-Jacket just needs pocket flaps (don't have time to put functional pockets in - will go back and do that after con) and buttons swen in - will be done by tomorrow night
-Working on Spectrespecs

Thistle:
-DONE!!

Dawn:
-Picking dress and corset up Wed.
-Just have the belt to do, which shouldn't take too long - will do Wed night or in the hotel Thurs.
-Music needs burned - I have it selected, but still need to edit it down - can do that in the car Thurs. morning or in the hotel Thurs. night
-Still need to think what I want to write for the emcee to say - no clue there

Mystery:
-DONE!!

Other:
-Started packing tonight - will have most of the packing done by tomorrow night
-Few more errands to run (bank, Krogers) - which will be done Wed.

Here is my costume lineup, depending if they get finished in time!

Friday morning/afternoon - Mystery costume
Friday night - Thistle, my Scottish can-can

Saturday morning (parade) - Luna from HBP
Saturday afternoon - probably mundane clothing
Saturday night - Dawn

Sunday morning/afternoon - either Mystery costume again or Advance Guard Tonks from last year
Sunday evening - Luna for the YA Costume Contest and Yule Ball

Click the pictures for larger versions.
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Finally - here is my recap from my DragonCon weekend - pictures will come later.

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Less than 60 hours until I am on the road for Atlanta -eep!  However, more progress has been made - Tonks' necklace is done, the pieces for the tartan skirt are all cut out and marked, the DM purse and tartan purse are both done, and I found a belt and earrings for Tonks.  I am meeting my seamstress friend after work tomorrow to work on Tonks' coat.  So I am getting there.  I also set up an appointment to take my car into my mechanic Wednesday morning to get the shaking looked at.  The only thing I am still annoyed about is the fact that my gloves for Tonks still haven't come in; I'm going to hit up Dick's Sporting goods and see if I can find anything that will work.  But overall, things seem to be going smoothly.

It's hard to believe DragonCon is this weekend already!  Yikes!  Where has the time gone?  Fortunately, I got quite a bit done over the weekend - the mockup for Tonks' coat is completed, marked, photographed for reference, and torn apart.  The actual coat fabric is all cut out, and about 55-60% completed.  I need some help with the sleeve construction and attaching the pouches, and hope to do that tomorrow or Tuesday after work.  I will be doing Tonks' necklace over lunch break tomorrow, and the other necklace on lunch Tuesday.  My brooch came in for the Scottish Lass, and the skirt will go together in a few hours Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.  Just a few other small things to do (style the wig, break in the khussas, scuff up the boots) and I will be all set.  I do need to take my car into the shop Wednesday too - it's started vibrating at 65 and over, and I think the tires need to be rebalanced - that's what happened the last time when the car started shaking at higher speeds. 

I also posted my trombone for sale online.  I don't get my first paycheck until Sept 15, and I have bills due before then.  I've cleaned out my room and am about out of things to sell (for now)!  I did find some extra trims and some notions I will probably never use, so I will post those later.

Lots to do!

1.       What are you MOST looking forward to at DragonCon (other than seeing your friends :P)?
Catching up with people I just met this year, meeting new people, and seeing all of the amazing costumes.

2. What are you LEAST looking forward to/dreading at DragonCon?
The registration line and the panhandlers lurking out in the streets.

3. What are your DragonCon pet peeves?
People with wings or other costume pieces that hit you and they don't even apologize.  People who barge into panels in front of those who have been patiently waiting for a while.  Costumers that are downright rude when you ask to take their picture or are curious about how they made it.  (Fortunately, all of these seem to be pretty rare).

 4. How many costumes are you bringing this year (and how done are you?)
Three of four.  Three will be new, and I MIGHT bring my Susan Coronation again.  I haven't even started any of my new ones yet.  *look guilty*

5. Planning on being a part of any costume groups? Any particular photo shoots you got planned?
Not really.  I'm sure I'll get in a Harry Potter group shoot or two though.

6. Do you have any DragonCon traditions?
Going to the Yule Ball.  Shopping in the dealers' rooms.  Eating Chinese food in the food court.  Marching in the parade.

7. Anything in particular you plan on accomplishing this year?
Not really.  I would like to try to be more outgoing and talk to more people this year.  I'd like to win another costuming award in the Yule Ball costume contest too (I got Best Accessories for my Luna last year).

8. Where do you think you will be at 1 am on Friday night?
Either hanging out with friends, or gathering items together for my parade costume.

9. What costume do you think we will be seeing WAY too much of this year?
Enchanted.  Steampunk.  And I hope to see lots of Sweeney Todd (inspiration for my Mrs. Lovett next year).

10. What costume will we be not be seeing enough of, do you think?
No idea.

11. What do you think DragonCon always has too much of (not costume-wise)?
Well, the crowds have been really crazy lately.

12. What do you think DragonCon doesn't have ENOUGH of?
Time - there is never nearly enough time.  More space too - let's see how the Sheraton does this year.

13. If you could make one suggestion to the DragonCon staff to improve DC as a whole, what would it be?
More people at registration. More areas for people to strike a pose.  (ditto, Lesa!)