the geek family prepares for Hal-Con (update)

After a couple of minor miscalculations and re-adjustments, I'm calling the Tusken Raider robe complete. It appears I over-estimated the size of my head and under-estimated the size of my hips. No matter. A few simple alterations and everything was back on track.

My dining room chair is serving as a model for the photo. The effect is basically the same. Just imagine it a little narrower at the top and wider in the centre.

Onward now to the most difficult stage of the project: the head. I do, however, have a back-up plan. If the head doesn't work out, I can wear just the robe, tie my hair back, and call myself Shmi Skywalker. It'll be perfect. As for the rest of the family, they're on their own.

On a completely unrelated note, I've decided to take up running again . . .

halloween in june

Impatient for autumn, this group was spotted whiling away the summer days at Michael's.

emergence

After the stifling heat. After the torrential rain and thunderstorms. The pumpkin plants emerge. All of my fingers are crossed.

on the small screen

It was with tremendous disappointment that I chose not to see The Wolfman when it arrived in theatres last winter. I had anticipated the release of this movie with some trepidation. Hopeful that it would remain true to the classic version, which I love, and not over-indulge in blood and gore, which I despise.

Alas, reviews and word-of-mouth convinced me that this was not a movie that I wanted to see on the big screen. At least not until I had had a chance to preview it on a much smaller screen. Where I could easily hide behind the nearest pillow. So I waited. And waited. And last week, I noticed that my wait was over. I rented a copy last night, popped some popcorn, gathered my oversize pillows around me, and settled in on the couch to form my own opinions.

And my opinions were not what I had expected them to be.

Much to my surprise, it was not as much of a gorefest as I had anticipated. I only had to hide behind my pillow four times. Maybe five. And it was not difficult to anticipate the occurrence of those scenes, which were, of course, designed for maximum blood-letting.

The remainder of the film, the non-bloody parts, began promisingly enough. I have an affinity for films set during the Victorian era, so the atmosphere immediately won me over. Unfortunately, the characterization did not. The new Larry Talbot seemed to lack the warmth and charm of Larry Talbot of old. I didn't particularly like the character and didn't much care what happened to him. He was . . . cold. In fact, all of the characters were cold. There wasn't a single one that I felt a modicum of sympathy for. Except perhaps, those who were already dead when the film began.

The film dragged along slowly. Much too slowly. I firmly believe that any feature film should be a full two hours long (otherwise, it's simply a glorified television episode) but as my eyelids grew heavy and I found myself reaching for the toothpicks, I considered revising this opinion. This film could have lost thirty minutes and not suffered. The version I watched was the director's cut, however. So perhaps the extra sixteen minutes included the monotonous bits.

In short, I'm glad I rented it. But I have no interest in ever seeing it again.

I miss Lon Chaney, Jr.

obstacle

While progress is being made on my Tusken Raider robes, having to work around a cat slows the process down considerably.

the geek family prepares for Hal-Con (update)

I suppose I should be grateful to my mother-in-law. And to her lifelong hobby of shopping. This is a woman who is always looking toward the next purchase. Whether she needs it or not. And because she usually doesn't need it, she must find a way to dispose of her rejects. Those items whose positions in her home have been usurped by a newer, better, or more expensive version. Occasionally, these rejects find their way into my house, via her son. Whether I want them or not.

And so it was with the grandfather clock. A tall, sturdy clock. Replaced after years of humble service by a new, taller and more ornate model. I was never particularly enamoured of the grandfather clock. But apparently, my husband was. Who knew? So the clock made its way into our house. But it didn't come alone. No, it was carefully swathed in two large flannel sheets. More rejects. Obviously replaced by higher thread counts. Perhaps she considered the sheets an added gift. Perhaps they were simply employed as clock protection. Whatever the reason, I am more grateful for those flannel sheets than she will ever know.

Because those sheets are old. They are worn. And they are a lovely shade of beige. Almost the ideal shade of beige, in fact, for a Tusken Raider costume. And with Hal-Con less than 150 days away (inexplicably scheduled for the last weekend in October) Tusken Raider costumes have been on my mind lately. Overcome with motivation, I gathered up the sheets, printed off the instructions I had found months ago and neglected ever since, found a pair of scissors and a measuring tape, and set to work.

If all goes well, the robe could be completed tomorrow. Maybe.

all they have to do is grow

The pumpkin seeds are in the ground. Three different varieties (including the Frog Queen's Magic Seeds). Three different locations. Healthy soil. As much sunshine as Nova Scotia can provide. Positive thoughts. Hopes and dreams.

This can't possibly fail.