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Is it stupid that I physically squealed because I got 4 Boondock Saints shirts for $28 (plus shipping)? And I mean COOL Boondock Saints shirts. LIKE THIS ONE.

I HAD THE BESTEST DAY EVER EVER EVER. SO AWESOME THAT EVERYTHING HAS TO BE IN CAPS.

And now I'm buying today's TEEFURY shirt, "Merry Hothmas" . LOOK. THE SNOWFLAKES ARE IMPERIAL INSIGNIAS. YOU CANNOT GET COOLER THAN THAT.

112 Etsy sales and counting! I rock it so hardcore like that. Nikki = 110% win!

Note to self: Get a Moleskine sketch book this week, per recommendation.

Also: Pick up Darkside Chronicles.

Also: ... Yeah.

I've been considering doing a 2010 tour of cons around me to get my shop's name out there. I've been making enough money for it to make a difference in my living expenses, so I'm thinking of going all out.

It all depends on how much money I want to make. My formula for "is it worth it" is the cost of the table alone in the alley with a "0" on the end. So, if Animazement's table cost is $40, then my goal is to make $400 gross to make the convention worth it. Net, I'm putting 24 hours into something, so I want to make $240 net. Keep in mind at Animazement (Raleigh, NC) I brought home over $300 - after paying for the hotel, registration, and blowing almost $150 in the dealer's room. Otakon was about the same, so I can count in making about $300 per con net, minimum being that $240 I mentioned.

Anime Mid-Atlantic - Four hour drive, cost $60 plus hotel. The table is $30, so I'd need to bring in $350.
Otakon - Six hour drive, cost $120 plus hotel ($100). This is the one I'm not sure I'll do again next year. I didn't really make enough for it to be worth my time. The $70 AA table cost means I'd need to bring in $700 for it to be worthwhile, which I highly doubt I would do, since I brought home a little over half that amount this year. Maybe my "Vacation" con.
Animazement - One hour drive. Cost $110 plus hotel ($150ish). This is a definite yes - I know I'll make at least $400, if not more, since I'll have more variety and not run out of things this year.
AnimeUSA - Five hour drive. Cost $70 plus hotel. Again, $30 AA table means $300 in funds. Questionable.
Ohayocon2011 - One hour drive from Brett's. Cost $90 for two people, plus hotel. I almost guarantee I will be trying to get into this in 2011. I'm too late on 2010. The $90 includes registration for two people plus the alley table, so anything I make will be in the black.
Katsucon2011 - Five hour drive. Cost $100ish, plus hotel. Pretty big con, I'm familiar with it and the area. I'd love to hit the DC cons. AA table is $50, so I'd need to bring in $500.
Ichibancon2011 - A convention held in the Great Wolf Lodge/park about an hour from me. Cost is $60 total, plus gas and hotel cost. The table fee is $30, so I'd have to make $300 gross. At a con with no real place to find the attendance record, I'm nervous about this gamble and doubt I want to try. Plus... it's in a water park. Really? Maybe I'd cosplay as swimsuit Belldandy 8|

Don't knooow don't knoooow don't knoooow.

As always, the Dine and Draw was BEYOND awesome!

How crazy is this: I've loved Randy's art for forever, and have been following Steve Sanchez - and they're both friends! That's so weird!

It's so awesome and humbling being around so much talent. ._.

Anymore, my two favorite times of the day are early morning and right before bed.

Early morning, I get to shower with delicious soaps. Homemade, handmade, organic and earth-friendly, I've been using soaps from sellers on Etsy to get clean. Not only do I feel cleaner than when using Bath and Body Works soap, but I also smell nicer. I guess more mature and feminine, instead of a generic store-brand Peony.

Late at night, before bed, I heat up a cup of milk and mix Hot Cocoa. I turn the lights out, light my favorite candle, and sit it utter silence while I drink. Snuggled up in my blankets, I feel like I finally have peace. I reflect on my day, think about what tasks lay ahead for tomorrow, and just feel good about being who I am. All from a little cup of hot chocolate.

Used to, watching TV or playing games was my favorite part of the day. It sounds dumb, but I feel like I actually have little moments of zen. Little euphoric minutes where nothing else in the world mattered, and where I can feel beautiful and happy.

... And yes, the red beret helped. :)

"There comes a time in life when you have to let go of all the pointless drama & the people who create it, and surround yourself with people who make you laugh so hard that you forget the bad and focus solely on the good. After all, life is too short to be anything but happy."

Got my Beret today! Handmade from Etsy CaitiJo ( caitijo.etsy.com)


I'm pretty excited. Like I said, Dine and Draw is Wednesday. Friday is the TBS concert!

Christmas is really just around the corner.

I have a pretty strange view of Christmas now that I'm older. Not the holiday in itself, but all the gift giving. I'm 22 now, and I have parents who still want to make a fuss about it.

Anymore, I feel responsible... no, obligated, to get presents for those around me. And I don't just mean my immediate family, I mean my workplace, Brett's family, my friends. I almost get .... no, I do get, more enjoyment out of getting gifts for other people. My favorite time of Christmas isn't the day, it's the build up. It's being able to see the decorations in small towns, listen to the radio's Christmas songs, and drink hot chocolate again. It's being capable of wrapping gifts and giving them to people, telling them how much they mean to me and even if it's something small like a candle from Yankee Candle or Bath and Body Works lotion, I hope they know that when I got those items, that I was thinking of them, and that I love them.

It's like... Christmas has gone from being about me, and about what I get, to this whole experience where I get to tell people just how much I care about them.

That's why when my family or friends ask me what I want, I don't know what to tell them, because if I want something now, I get it myself. I don't rely on anyone else to get it for me. Say for instance, Star Trek is coming out on DVD this week. I could easily tell someone, "Hey, this is what I want for Christmas." but why? Why not just buy it myself, with my money? Why make them go through that hassle?

I have presents and cards grouped this year, so I don't miss anyone. And I'm serious, my cards are going out like the day after Thanksgiving. I'm going to try to do something special for everyone, but after the truck and computer, looks like funds are going to be tight this Christmas.

My family: Dad (his present was the computer), Mom (I'm making her a travel tote), Ken (Gift card), my brother (gift card), Grandparents (gift card). Then there's my aunts and uncles who are all just getting cards.
Work: John (I'm decorating his living room for Christmas, complete with a new tree), the three daughters are all getting a candle and a card
Brett's family: Brett (already ordered), Jackie (Bath and Body Works stuff), Becky (Starbucks card), Adam/Lindsey (card contribution) and cards for Ben, Schiffel, Fish/Rebecca, Brett's grandma
Online friends: Wait, you think I'd actually list who gets what? You're right, I'm going to need addresses again this year.
Church: Cards to select folks.

Pretty stoked - next Wednesday is another Dine and Draw in Greensboro! I have a few days to work on my sketchbook - aunnnngh. I haven't drawn in forever. Been working like a maniac on my charms and sculpts.

The on Friday, I get to see Taking Back Sunday in concert at Myrtle Beach! yellowxshades will be going (it was all her idea) so it'll be super great to spend time with MELLAR again. :D

..Let's see. I DID do the panty revolution the other night. 6 pair of underwear and a new bra for $40. Really can't top that! I also went to Bath and Body Works and stocked up on Christmas gifts. Frosted Cranberry is a delightful scent, btw.

Still doing my diet. I'm already down 6 sizes from last year! I'm starting to look and feel so much better. My sleep schedule is really screwy, though. I'd been taking sleeping pills for the last month or so, and now that I've stopped, I can't seem to get to sleep at night. I rolled around in bed until 4am this morning, and woke up at noon (still feeling tired). I've been having a 'quiet time' before bed every night. Cup of Hot Chocolate, my favorite scented candle, and complete and total silence. It's really changed my entire demeanor!

Anyways, going to draw and watch Carolina Tarheels play! They need 1 more win to go to a bowl, so let's keep our fingers crossed!

I hit 80 sales on Etsy!  Yeehaw!

I watched Let The Right One In today.  Really, really loved it and will definitely pick it up on DVD.

Star Trek next week, FTW!

Ahh~~.  Such a nice day...

Nothing infuriates me more when someone steals my idea.  Especially someone who's popular and gets away with it.

A charm competitor on Etsy stole my Pokeflat idea.  I'm highly  tempted to rip off some of her designs and see how she likes it.

A random chick on Etsy stole my Phoenix Down design.  If you google" Phoenix Down Necklace" you actually get MY Etsy shop because I sell a few of them per week.

I seriously am in rage mode.

I have received 4 different Etsy orders from 4 different people who live on Staten Island, NY, within miles/minutes of one another.

Weeeeeird. 

Like I mentioned before, Dad has aggravated muscles in his knee.  This is worsened by the fact that his truck had a clutch, and a strong one. He had to extend the clutch completely back just to shift.  This has caused him daily, agonizing pain for the past two months.  At a few points, he couldn't even walk.

Well, yesterday I suggested we take 1K of my savings up to Greensboro as a down payment on a truck, and just see if Rice Toyota would work with him.  I drove us up there in my car, and we found the perfect little 2-seater silver Tacoma short bed.  It was brand spanking new '10 model with 3 miles on it.

We talked with the salesman who was very friendly and seemed like he genuinely wanted to help.  After waiting on the credit check, they said he didn't have enough income to qualify for a loan, so my grandfather would have to co-sign.  So, my grandfather agreed to cosign... only problem is that they didn't want 1k down, Wachovia (lender) wanted 4K!

Well... 4K would clean out my savings, as well as his.  We agonized over the decision... I mean, we really had no choice, because Dad's knee was getting worse by the day.  Not long after we agreed to take the risk and clean out everything we had, they called back and said that Suntrust wanted to take the loan for 1K down.  Unbelievable!

So, last night, Dad drove this baby home:


It's silver, like my little Cavy hiding in the back. :) 

But that's what's new... Because of this expense, I had to cancel my Washington DC trip planned for the 14th.  Brett's supposed to come down here to visit at the end of this month... I really would like to go to DC and see the Christmas decorations before they take them down.  Oh, speaking of, they've already announced the estimated Cherry Blossom festival for next year!  It's on my birthday (again), so I would really love to go and stay for a few days.  Maybe see the parade?  They have a giant Hello Kitty blimp. :)

Dad's knee has been hurting him for a month straight, now.  Pain killers barely help - his knee is still swollen, stiff, and aches whenever he walks.  I suggested he try Tylenol for Arthritis, and he of course said that it couldn't be arthritis, that it had to be something else.  Well, he took my advice, bought the T4A and said within 20 minutes of taking the medicine that his knee began to feel better.

I didn't have the heart to say, "I told you so."

Just... stil working.  Still doing schoolwork, and spending my days making jewelry and charms.  I made a Weighted Companion Cube Christmas ornament tonight, as well as 2 sushi ornaments. <3

Not only did we sweep up in Virginia, but we also won NEW JERSEY!  WAT!

And locally, Celo Faucette won!  Celo's a black Republican, which the odds were stacked against him, but he did it!  He won by TEN VOTES.  TEN.

Not only that, on another front, I got a wishlist cel of my dreams!  Priestess Kris!

YEEEE!!!!!

YEEEE!!!!

Got two shiny new pictures.

( Under the cutzor. )

The two girls (sisters) who attended Otakon with Brett and myself are going through a terrible event.

Their mother and stepfather were killed yesterday in a horrible car accident.  Both passed away at the scene.

Lauren and Sarah are my age and younger - it's so sad and tragic.  Please remember them in your prayers.