Awkward
- People. Oh god the people. I love mingling with my fellow geeks but DragonCon & the hosting hotels need to step up their badge checking game so that every skybridge doesn't end up backed up forever.
- Gang rape by puppets. Yeah - the puppet slam is 18+ for a reason but even I wasn't prepared for that level of WTF*ckery.
- More of a personal awkward, but Eliza Dushku was behind/next to me in the bathroom in the Marriott and I DIDN'T NOTICE. I was chatting with my friend and checking my phone for where we were heading next and even when she tried to signal me I was completely oblivious. Sigh. I'm a bad fan sometimes. (Plus she's really short and I'm gonna stick to the story that it threw me off my game.)
- Moving the merchandise rooms this year to the AmericasMart was such a bad call. Complete chaos, no one could find anything, and browsing was pretty much impossible.
- Guys, I don't understand the lack of underwear for people in tight spandex. I don't need everyone to wear full coverage granny panties but I also don't want to know by looking at you if you're circumcised or not.



Awesome
- The Radius Tower at the Hyatt. From the sounds of things we got a larger room in that area than usual (thank goodness) but the private key card entrance and private elevators were AMAZEBALLS!
- Author panels! Besides just the joy of finding new series to try I love connecting with authors and hearing them speak about their work - it's a rare opportunity to hear them say why exactly they love what they write (and why) and DragonCon excels at this.
- XENA IN THE HOUSE YA'LL! Lucy Lawless was at DragonCon (it was her first big convention appearance ever) and listening to her was amazing.
- I found Jen & John from Cakewrecks again! I got to see them in all their Alice in Wonderland Steampunk glory and it was fabulous (they're so nice!).
- DragonCon TV. Always a plus and probably one of the biggest reasons I stay in a hosting hotel.
- Even though I told myself that my lack of wall space meant I couldn't buy more art, I bought more art. But I love it so the regrets are pretty much nil and now I'm contemplating turning a whole wall in my studio into a Nightmare Before Christmas display!
- Costume success! I didn't get to see Yaya Han in her costumes as much as I would have liked to but I did see her in her Moulin Rouge Snow White look and personally, the couple actual costumes I had went over well (and weren't a pain to wear). Probably the most surprising thing was how much of a hit my Modcloth Pie Dress was with the crowds and I spent a lot of time telling people where to buy it!


In the end, DragonCon is a fantastic weekend where I get to reconnect with friends who live far away and learn more about the areas I'm passionate about. It's pricey but totally worth it, though I do have a teeny tiny hope that maybe a few thousand people will suddenly decide not to attend next year, lol. The crowds were at times oppressive and I can't imagine the experience for those with physical disabilities.

STAY TUNED for more pictures!

A return (maybe) of Awkward and Awesome Thursday! I make no guarantees about how often I'll post these but I feel compelled to remind myself of both the good and bad in my life right now.

For shame.

AWKWARD
-That 'candid' picture from the wedding. I cannot even tell you what was going on but OMG that face. I'm embarrassed and hope to all that's holy that the official photographer didn't catch any of that.
-Job hunting. Even when you do it as a side activity I think it always results in feeling like a failure that no one wants. I'm sidelining it for the moment I think, in favor of giving what I truly want to do next some more time to materialize.
-Rain. DC has been the rainiest of all the cities lately, or at least it feels that way to me, and I am really ready for consistent sunshine. Though maybe not with 90+ degree temperatures?
-Paying off the credit card. I haven't been so great (as in not good at ALL) at sticking to my not purchase clothing vow but at least I've been paying off what I've been spending and racking up some bonus points.
-I'm going to be passive aggressively vague here, but people who choose to be incommunicado rather than address a point they don't like. If you have some reason why you don't think you owe me money then let me know ok? Don't just ignore the situation because I don't forget that sh*t.
-Sweat. Summer in DC is humid and HOT and I have a serious problem with hairline sweat. Anybody know of an antiperspirant I can use close to my face?

AWESOME
-Apple Cider Vinegar. Weird one to start off with I know, but I started taking it post-wedding (my skin broke out like woah) and I think it might actually be working. I'm only taking about a teaspoon a day but I kinda definitely feel like I'm breaking out way less. Now to work on those dark spots!
-Figuring out the summer wardrobe. It's a frustrating awesome, but putting together new outfits that work for me in the heat has been fun too.
-Dragon*Con! It always finds a way to creep onto these lists now doesn't it? I've been doing my usual stalking of who's going to be making an appearance and it's pretty incredible. RICHARD DEAN ANDERSON, Eliza Dushku, Nicholas Brendon, Avery Brooks, JIM BUTCHER, Ghost of the Robot (James Marsters band!), LKH, Jamie Hyneman AND Adam Savage...the list just keeps going!
-Lancome outlets. Working towards that end goal of a smooth complexion without dark marks, I picked up a couple of Kiehl's products at Potomac Mills (cheaper to begin with they were another 50% off!). They smell a little strong but I think they're working? We'll see.
-Friends who let me whine (a little). I'm having a slight life crisis moment and thank goodness for my friends who let me vent. Sometimes I just need to get it out so I can let it go and there are some great people in my life who let me do that. 

Post 'waffle wedding cake' Activity :)

TOTORO!!

Instead of inundating you with a million posts (which I hate writing and are probably boring for you to read) here's a quick A&A to be followed up by one (or two) picture posts. I'm always sad to leave Dragon*con but I'm so happy to be back to my life and my studio apartment!


Awkward:
-Getting an hour outside DC before remembering the baggie of jewelry still sitting on my bed.
-Creepy CVS guy trying to pull the 'I have to take a photo of you' card. Uh, no. F*ck you.
-Jason Mamoa bringing cups/bottle of beer into every panel he was on. Strange, strange man.
-The woman at the Jason Mamoa panel who asked to touch his biceps. THAT IS NOT RELEVANT OK?!
-The lines. Oh god, the lines. I did more waiting this year than I really like and it was poop every time.
-Losing your moisturizer in the one room you've had it in, only to have it found in a washcloth no one has ever seen before o_O.
-Fart wars. Really, Voyager cast? Ok then. You do you.
-Spending 20min the entire weekend in the art show. There is just not enough time in the day!
-Not having enough books to read. Or not having enough books that I really wanted to read.
-Humidity. Atlanta in the summer is the home of steamy heat and sweat, which when surrounded by 50,000 people who don't like to shower? Not good.
-With that said, B.O. I should not smell you from 20 feet away. It's a bad sign.
-Vlogging. How does anyone do that? Not only do I forget about my camera half the time, the other half I don't have anything interesting to say. Sigh. I think I'm just gonna give up.

A little awkward, a LOT amazing.

Awesome:
-Burlesque Power Rangers were apprently a 'distraction' to people coming up the escalator, so hotel security politely asked us to move over 10 feet to avoid an accident. THAT TOTALLY HAPPENED.

And apparently I made this face.

-Chicken quesadillas. Cheese + chicken + salsa = magic.
-A slightly drunk (or exhausted) Robert Picardo stepping into the elevator with my friend Jessica and I, trying to find the room for his next panel.
-An entire elevator letting me know that they all agreed and thought I should cosplay as Inara from Firefly. Ok...
-People in MUCH better steampunk costumes than I wanting to take a picture of me and my makeup! So freaking cool!
-MEETING JEN AND JOHN FROM CAKEWRECKS/EPBOT! I found them completely by accident (I don't stalk Twitter enough) but I did it!
-Richard Dean Anderson is hilarious and old and I would still marry him in a heart beat.
-Leather corsets! Costs an arm and a leg but looks fantastic. I can wear it every day right? Leather's always aprorpriate for work.
-"My Drunk Kitchen". Don't kow it? Look it up! It's short, hilarious, and easily the most entertaining thing to watch on epic car rides.
-Cook Out. I know that's another food item, but it deserves it's own awesome spot. It's so good and the DMV is missing out! Hush puppies and cajun cheese fries? A corn dog as a 'side'? A chicken wrap as a 'side'? Genius!

Yes? Yes.

Awkward
-85 degree weather in March. I am not prepared for the sudden influx of heat and I miss Spring dammit! Not summer.
-No longer wanted but volunteered for responsibility. I feel as if lately all I've been doing are things that I feel like I 'have' to do which is a crock - I don't have to do anything but continue breathing, get old, and die.
-Trying to clear out my closet - again - and finding that the clothes I have now I mostly like and don't want to get rid of.
-Finding a new face serum that I love and might actually work but then realizing it's kind of hideously expensive.
-Twitter. I'm so bad at it it's laughable. How does one tweet when they're having fun when it seems to require you to stop having fun to do it?
-This pseudo case of carpal that I have going on. My right wrist is not having a good week.
-Other people who have me Google for them. I am not your Google-r ok? I promise, your fingers can work the keyboard just as well as mine can.

Awesome
-New books. These never suck :D
-Sitting on the roof during lunch, enjoying the sun and reading. It might suck to sit staring at the beautiful day outside my window but that time during lunch is pretty amazing.
-Lowlights! Or highlights. Whatever you want to call them, I love the new pieces of color throughout my hair.
-The Cherry Blossoms in DC. They're just starting to open up and I can't wait to see them in full bloom.
-A bit of an oldy, but new bags from HauteLook. I'm trying to incorporate the 'day clutch' into my outfits, but I haven't quite figured out how to function when you've always got one hand busy.
-Good skin days. As an acne sufferer I really appreciate days when I feel like my skin is looking good. Less makeup? Not always a bad thing for me. (I wish they'd last a little longer though)

The last one of 2011! I can't believe it; somehow time has continued to march on to its own beat and allow 2012 to enter the picture. I am both amazed and frightened.

Which I know sounds incredibly depressing but I assure you it isn't! While I still have no idea what I want to do with my life I know things could be much much worse. I'm blessed with a job that allows me to pay my bills and have fun, friends to hang out with in good times and bad, and time to figure what I want to do (if anything) with my interest in makeup and fashion. I still miss my mom, I don't think that will ever go away, and with all the life changes lately it's probably not surprising that I wish she was around to talk to. Even if it was just for one of our 'I'm waiting for the bus what are you doing?' talks.

I don't know what to hope for in 2012. Probably more life vision. I should manage my money better, buy less and use what I have more. Organization is another big one, mixed with a bit of donate or throw away. I've already schedule doctor's and dentist's appointments. One more of that sort of thing is still on the list, but it's in the works for early 2012 because why spread the pain? All in one go I say.

I hope that I've learned some and am in the place to learn more. I'm never quite sure about that one though, so I'm just gonna keep my fingers crossed. Thank you for reading my blog and sticking through even when I disappear or have less than stellar posts - it's cliche I know, but it means a lot.

Here's to 2012!

Awkward:
-Being OCD. The only thing in life I'm OCD about are my book shelves and the fact that I currently don't have enough to complete my 'alphabetical by author's last name and in order by series' goal irks me to no end.
-Randos on the street who STILL tell me to smile! AUGH!
-Wanting to cram everything that's left into boxes in my closet because it's a more attractive alternative than finding a place to put it.
-Having tendonitis and wearing a wrist brace in an office where everyone has a comment. Everyday.
-Picking at my face even though I know it's not really helping the 'purging' part of the Clarisonic process.
-Christmas claymation movies. I have all the ones worth having on DVD and I love them something serious.
-Missing my new apartment and the cute baseball diamond that just opened up near the elementary school.
-Realizing that if and when it finally snows in DC I will not be living in a place with a hill down the road.
-Agreeing to do a makeup seminar/talk/thing when I'm pretty sure I have no idea what I'm doing.
-Life has shown me that I do not say no very well. Something to work on for 2012 I think. 

Awesome:
-Having friends who will take you to H-Mart to stock up on Asian goodies!
-Bike rides in December where I get to feel like an extra in a Korean drama because I'm wearing a dress, sweater tights, and teal ballet flats.
-Getting to use extra Christmas cash on some much needed wardrobe additions. Or at least I'm going to tell myself they were much needed.
-LEOPARD PRINT SCARF! Former roomie for the win on this one, I love it and will be showing it off soon.
-My Clarisonic. It may - may - just be worth its astronomical price.
-Being able to get to work in 20min from my new apartment.
-Finding a new place to shop for great flats. Two pairs and counting from Nine West!
-Really new shoes in general. Lately the world has not done me wrong in the shoe department.

And as it is the end of year, why not celebrate with some photos? According to my phone, this is some of the hilarity that went on. Personally, I don't think there are enough pictures of books.