DJ Toboe: Finally back

Big Arfing Update!! No, I'm not dead (but came close)

2006-12-13T09:43:01Z

Gee... I don't know where to begin... Haven't posted in about 1 and a half years. I am so sorry guys! Live has been HELL. Very shitty. Like, that's an understatement. Sorry to sound emo, but ever since I strayed from my Europe goal, things have gone to crap but they're getting better now. For one, for those who don't know, I'm gay. I came out of the closet late last year... hasn't made things easier.

Nov 2005: Instead of going to Europe, decided to get back with my ex-boyfriend at the last minute (Sekioh) and move to Orlando, Florida from Austin, TX after purchasing a nice 2000 Toyota Celica. Got there to find out my job that was promised to me was non-existant. Lived in a hotel for two days then lived out of my car for a few days and then moved in with Sekioh and his parents for a little bit while I hunted for roommates. Got a roommate and then a job for Pomeroy IT Solutions (never work for them) as a computer engineer! My job was to go to various bank brances and upgrade their systems from Windows NT to XP.

Dec 2005: Job took me out of Orlando and to Tampa... then some little retirement cities all the way down to the islands. Me and Sekioh's relationship was stagnant at best. The timse I got to see him were fun but also stressful... I wanted a relationship when he wasn't ready. We had been together online for over a year prior but... that was online with occasional visits. I wasnt what he wanted at the time. A horrible experience happened to me while out of town and he wasn't there for me. My job said it was going to ship me to Kentucky... what?! Yes, Kentucky. He didn't seem to mind me being anywhere so I broke up with him after listing lots of reasons why when he followed with a "I never loved you" so... that was that.

Off to Louisville, Kentucky! (a.k.a. Kentuckiana!)

Went to see my mom for the holidays and came back ready to contine my career with Pomeroy in Kentucky

In my hotel room in Louisville

January 2006: Wow... there's snow here! Job is getting a bit monotanous at this point and rather discouraging. I miss Sekioh to death and date a few guys to no avail. I guess it was too soon. I did meet this nice guy named Tony who was quite older then me, but became one of my best friends. So nice to have someone not from work to spend time with. I went to this gay club and ended up getting my first residency as a Thursday night DJ for Starbase Q.

February 2006 (month of love my arse): I got rather sick but thought I was okay. Tried to do an online DJ set for some friends from the hotel room but I found out one of my DJ CD units was busted. I took some Nyquil and got only about 5 hours of sleep. Woke up at 5 AM to go to work and after work, decided to head to Lexington, which is about an hours drive from Louisville. I haded 75 MPH down the interstate... Suddenly I got tired... "Ohh... I can just close my eyes for a little bit..." That's when I slid off the road and my wheels lost control once it dropped off onto the dirt. I screamed, trying to gain control of my baby. The car went through a guardrail and into a cliff wall, banking off it my car did a complete flip and landed on it's tires. I sat their sobbing, seeing the familiar airbag smoke, dust, and broken glass in front of me. I stumbled out and collapsed in the dirt. I looked up, someone was crossing the interstate for me. He came up to me and asked if I was okay that he thought i was dead (he described the accident, that's how I know what my car did). I had pictures but they were on my old phone and I never got them off. I called my mom and cried to her so hard, saying how sorry I was. This was the 4th car I totaled and I felt like shit. Tow truck guy took my mangled baby and me to a small car lot. I called Enterprise and had them pick me up... after over an hour of waiting and sorrowing in the small office of the car lot. I ended up with an adorable SUV with a decent sound system. I was told I would have it until the insurance company decided what to do with my car.

I worked my job for a couple of weeks until I finally had it. My life was shit, I didn't care about anything, I liked my DJing job more (even though it only paid $150/week) and I was depressed and just wanted out. After listening to a voicemail of my teamlead (who started the same damn day I did) cursing me out about something that wasn't my problem at all, I decided I would quit. Having a fellow coworker drive me back to Louisville, I moved in with my club manager and stayed there for a couple of weeks. This is when I got Saturday nights at the club too. I called the lady who hired me and let her know I was quitting and gave her the long list of why I couldn't work for them anymore (main reason not having a car).

Could life get more stupid? Oh yes. One day one of the managers roommates came into the area I was living in and started yelling at me about how I was a slacker, moocher, had no respect for anyone, and was pretty much a waste of decent oxygen. I tried to keep my compsure but broke down once he walked out. I called a coworker at the club and he said he knew someone who could get me a weekly furnished place for around $120 a week.

The worst place ever...

The room was completely trashed, the neighborhood defined ghetto, the hallways of this place had dog shit on the floor, the people staying in the other rooms lived like homeless people (and looked it too)... I said no pretty quickly. I texted my friend Tony telling him what happened. I'll never forget these words (though I don't have them correctly).

That's it... come live with me. You can stay in the basement, it's done up like a den. You can stay here a couple of weeks till you can find a place.

Without him... I don't know where I'd be now.

March 2006: Still unable to find a job besides the DJing one, my online life improves. I finally put together my Toboe Shrine and met a great guy named Robert who had some password issues. He was everything I wanted (so I thought) and so sweet. He was young but... I could make it work. Only trick is he lives in Denver. I called him so much... whenever I could. We talked for hours... which is rare for me. I'm not a phone person. I had my goal... I would move to Denver and start my life fresh. Reasons for this:
1. Great music scene without high living expenses
2. Great public transportation
3. Lots of tech jobs (so I thought)
4. A couple online friends already lived there
5. ...and so did Robert.

Tony had been letting me drive his '96 Mazda Miata so I could job hunt, shop, go to my DJing job, etc. That's when it happened... coming home this huge SUV pulled out in front of me from a parking lot and I ramed right into it:

NOT AGAIN!! I was so upset. Though it wasn't my fault... I had totaled another car. I called Tony while he was at work, sobbing over the phone saying how sorry I was. He freaked out, came to the scene of the accident, and yelled at me. I deserved it... I wrecked his car after everything he did for me. Driving the car back (barely) I got it to his garage and instantly collapsed on his sofa crying. His mom (who he lives with) flipped out on him and told him I had to leave. I bought a one-way ticket to Denver, Colorado and called Robert to tell him the news... but no one answered, I left a voicemail. I had to stay with another friend in Denver until the date of the flight.

Still no contact with Robert... I was on my way to Denver. I arrived and stayed in a hotel overnight after scheduling a meeting with a potential roommate for the next morning. I met him and we made an agreement for me to get my own room with a low rent of $250 a month... extremely reasonable. I moved in with no furniture. Set up my computer on the floor and sculped my clothes to make a bed... this would be my home till things got better.

April 2006: This I believe is the month when I fully knew I was a furry. The end of March I got heavily into Second Life and made many new friends on there. I finally heard from Robert again... his parents found out about me and restricted him from his phone and internet. He told me he was going to see his dad in Atlanta for the summer... he is to leave the next morning. I told him goodbye... crying that I moved here somewhat for him and I had to wait another two months to even see him.

When I wasn't on the phone with him for 4-5 hours at night, I was on Second Life. I did nothing else. I didn't job hunt, I didn't try to make new friends in Denver, I barely functioned. I pulled all nighters, slept randomly, and ate poorly. I was lost. This went on all summer.... sadly.

July 2006: I finally got a job! I am a full-time employee for CompUSA working in the techshop at a decent wage (about the same I was making at Pomeroy). I get to finally work on computers and not spend all the time on the phone telling others how to work on their own computer.

August 2006: I hear from Robert and he's back near Denver. We plan to meet up in a shopping area. I am thrilled. Finally I get to meet him. I have a friend drive me to our planned destination, only to find out I went to the wrong location. I then had to take a bus to where he was losing over an hour of precious Robert time. Getting off the bus, I see him standing across the street. I quickly run across (of course when I am able) and go up to him and hug him as tight as I could for as long as he would let me. So much shit I had been through to finally have who I knew now, was who I wanted to be with. We go into Arby's and eat while I make small talk with him slowly getting comfortable. We walk around and cuddle at a "park". We say goodbye once he has to leave and I get a quick peck from him and a long 10 minute hug. Two weeks later he is able to come over. We watch Gravitation then have some fun... he is definitely the best kisser yet. Realizing how late it is, he has to get back home. A week later he's able to come over again and we get to know each other and he leaves. We talk on the phone about it and he's really happy. Everything is going great. Then suddenly...

September 2006: still no word from Robert. But new news... my friend in Denmark that I regularly buy CDs from tells me there's this great offer in Canaries, Spain DJing for a superclub on the beach. I'd be flown there and given a hotel room to live in all covered by the club. I would get paid 1200 euros a week ($1400 USD about). Upon completion of the 6 month contract, I would get $10,000. YES! This was my dream but... Robert. Could he wait for me for that long? Still in high school... it is doubtful. But last time I made a decision for a boy... things worked against me. No... I will follow my dream and go to Europe. If Robert won't wait for me, then that's that. I can finally get my life in order.

October 2006: Dear god I'm 25 now... still no word from Robert. I'm supposed to be flown to Spain by now only to find the club owner got everything built and decorated then had no money to hire me or any bartenders or bouncers... club owner becomes a waiter as he seeks investors. Dream gone...

November 2006: I've lost both things dear to me... the Canaries gig and Robert. Finally deciding I would take action, I got a friend to drive me to the small city Robert lives in and try to get him as he gets out of school. We get there 10 minutes late and I am unable to catch people when they get out. I thought I saw him in a car but... not sure. I cursed myself for forgetting what car he drove. I should've yelled out to it but... didn't. I had a sad meal with my friend at McDonalds whimpering about not finding Robert. We go back to Denver and I tell people online what happened. Me and others try to come up with a plan to get him back.... I checked my myspace:
I can not belive this... How could this happen? My parents did a random search on my computer and saw that I was talking to you again. It was worrse then the last time. Im so hurt now... I dont know what to do. I cant do anything. If im caught again... I dont even want to think about it. I guess im just very unlucky. It will be best just to forget about me. Deleat me from everything I am on. I hate to ask that of you. It hurts so bad just to think about it. But I dont want you hurt anymore. And I dont want any more episodes like these anymore. Everytime it happens my spirit breaks even more. I cant fight... Im not much of a fighter. Im sure you will think bad of me about this. I can understand if you do. But only more pain will come if we try again. Please dont try to contact me. It wont turn out good. I guess my Dad was right. I cant do anything right. I hope you can forgive a young, foolish teenager.
I sobbed.... I sobbed harder then when I broke up with Sekioh. I lost Robert... I felt so alone.

Could nothing go right for me? *sighs* might as well try to have some fun.

December 2006 (catching up!): I go to my first furcon! I took a cheap flight to Chicago to attend Midwest Furfest. I had so much fun! Made some new friends, danced with fursuiters (and hugged and scritched them ^^) and also went to many panels that were quite informative. I also spent a tail-load of money. But that's okay.. it was recovery.
Furfest Pics!

And now...: Made plans with CompUSA to take enough time off around Christmas to see my mom for the first time in a year. Going back to Austin, TX and going to meet up with some old friends and have a nice Christmas at home. Before this I am going to Salt Lake City, Utah. When? This weekend. I don't feel comfortable saying why yet but may post on it later.

If I act as cold as ice
can build the walls to hide behind
Baby I've been here before
If I turn and walk away, beneath it I'm trying to say
I want you to stay some more
If I said that I don't care
Don't listen to the words you hear
It's my insecurity
And then I say don't get too close
That doesn't mean that deep inside
I'm screaming out how much you're near

I'm just trying to trust again
And I'm just learning to be loved again
Erik de Koning feat Julie Morrison - Secretly

Need help with ride and place to stay Thursday

2006-11-12T05:52:52Z

Hi all. I'm very excited that I pulled enough things together to be able to go to my first furry convention. I will be flying in Thursday night and desperately need a ride from O'Hare to the hotel and a place to crash (floorspace is fine, and I'm small). I have things planned for the weekend, but just need help Thursday. If anyone could help a lil' wolf out, that'd be great. Email me at james(at)djtoboe.com or IM me on AIM or Yahoo at djtoboe. Thanks in advance!

- Toboe

djhoyt @ 2005-07-11T16:39:00

2005-07-11T21:48:31Z

YAY! I'm updating my journal again =) Well I'm feeling better now that I have my passport, I have a small sense of freedom, even though I have no car

Since I haven't had a car, I've been getting a lot of vinyls ripped so I have the music while I'm in europe. I'm also looking into getting a flight there via a carrier service. If you know anything about this website or used it before please let me know: http://www.aircourier.org. I'm thinking of going with them.

In more news, I talked to my webhost and he said that I might be able to have my own shoutcast server on my website! This means that I will be mixing more, doing more live sets, and having more mixes available on my website. My website is also being redone professionally by Zero-Five.net. They're really good with Flash and PHP and if you need an affordable yet professionally looking website, look into them.

As for me? I'm still holding onto my job and trying to get everything sorted for Europe. Yes, it does look pretty definite now, especially that I have my passport. I'm really scared, but excited at the same time. Richard is a great person and I'll be able to stay with his family until me and him get a place together. Europe has dance clubs (That play dance music!), a better economy, more jobs, higher payrates, better government... I could go on and on about why I'm looking forward to visiting/moving. I will miss quite a few people though by leaving... I managed to get out of my nest, stay out for a couple of years, then came back into the nest =( So finally, time to get out again. I just hope I can have enough money... stupid foreign exchange rates.

I can't really think of anything else significant. I saw War of the Worlds. It was pretty good until it ended. The movie seemed most interested in showing people die then actually moving the plot along (and spending a third of the movie in a basement is just absurd!) Then again, I don't like most alien movies, so that might be why too.

Well I'm off. I'll talk to you all later =)

Crappy events

2005-06-18T20:54:04Z

I thought I'd update you with crap that has happened recently right after A-Kon

Got in an intimate relationship with someone one day after meeting them, only to find out they have a live-in lover a couple days later. The drama crap still continues.
Totaled my Honda Accord at night thanks to a towed Jeep Grand Cherokee that decided to not have any lights on (pictures to be posted after claim is settled) Currently has to beg mom to borrow her car just to do things with friends. And also, the chest pains aren't any fun either.
Was going to enjoy having my own hotel room for a few weeks before going off to europe, but totaled car and new friends confuse decision making process (and also still waiting on my passport).
Guy friend in the UK has his own father doing awful in the hospital and that's never a good thing.
Toboe commission artists not getting paid work done for me and avoiding all contact.

But I can't just be negative all the time... the are good things going on... let's see

Still have job
Still have money (a good amount too)
Being allowed to stay at mom's longer due to having no car... hopefully not much longer. I'd like to have my own life at some point.
Loads of new friends, yay! Even though so much drama has been brought into my life due to them, it's good to have admirers
New english Wolf's Rain doujinshi coming out shortly by Studio Plug'n Play. YAY!

There you have it. I might post pictures of the accident after the claim... to sum it up, my car is completely trashed and I am not dead. So that's good... I think. At least me and my mom work at the same place, so we can carpool... I just can't jam my music that loud with her in the car XD

Also, I am trying to get a "rave" together for my new friends and my old, loyal friends as well. Once I have details, I will post them. If you can help out with getting me a venue, that would be great. Comment away =)

A-Kon!!

2005-06-06T15:53:55Z

Well A-Kon was a blast! Out of the 4 conventions I went to this year, easily the best one. I took Friday off from work and left Thursday afternoon. Fortunately, the trip there went well (no tickets!) and I got to the con around 8 and was able to get registered. I didn't pre-register, and I didn't feel so bad about that because the pre-reg line was at least 2 hours long and for the registration line, I just had to walk up and pay. I was surprised at how many people were there already. They also had the arcade area set up already with 4 versions of DDR, Para Para Paradise, Initial D, and several other arcade games. Unfortunately, they weren't free. I was able to stay in the apartment of one of my mom's friends for free, so I went there after I was all registered. The next day the place was packed! I did run into several other Wolf's Rain cosplayers! First I ran into Cheza:

And then some of the other characters! Surprisingly, no Kiba. He is so easy to cosplay as too, if you get the hair right ^_^

Then I met a wolf Toboe. I wish she tucked in her head collar for this pic though:

I met up with Keiichi Radio and we all went to the Spagetti Wherehouse together on a rail. It was funny! At the restaurant, I ordered a cherry Coke and they said they didn't have it, and I said they could put grenadine in

it and that would be fine and they said they could do that. Then 3 other people ordered the same thing! "Oh wow, that does sound good!" I was quite flattered ^_^ In good news, I got a slot on their radio if I send them a set and a possible gig at Anime Fest! This would be truly awesome! So, I go back and then realize something horrible! My satchel is missing. I thought back and realized I left it at the restaurant. I jumped in the car, and after 30 minutes of driving around aimlessly, I found the restaurant, and was able to get it back. YAY! Which was good since it had commissions I had bought, my car stereo faceplate, and my camera (along with doujinshi!) So I was lucky to get it back. I was running down the streets of West End Dallas in a panic to the restaurant, so imagine how upset I was when I got back to A-Kon and realized my badge had fallen off sometime during that. I walked to the security desk at A-Kon and they said that registration was closed and I would have to go tomorrow morning at 10 AM to get another one if I could show my receipt, which I fortunately had. But I was so upset still, I didn't have my badge and the concert was that night! I tucked the empty lanyard in my shirt and managed to get past security, lol. I was able to enjoy a GREAT concert by the J-Pop/eurobeat group Dream and also the great DJ set with DJ Boss from the club Velfarre in Japan. He played some great eurobeat!

The next day I went to registration and showed them my receipt, but they said I would have to come back on the hour because they said they'd have to humiliate me first in front of everyone... oh boy was I excited. I came back to find 4 other people who also lost their badges. We all had to line up in front of the long line to purchase badges and sing and do all the hand motions to "I'm a little tea cup." As if that wasn't enough, we then had to get on our knees to the registration person and beg for our badges. lol, fortunately, we all got them. Most of Saturday I spent going to panels on drawing and CGing. I got quite a few Toboe commissions as well. I'll have them on my website once it's up, but they're really good! Here is one of my favorites. Art belongs to Kit "Kitty" Ingram for No Style Studios.

Then came the art auction. This was a lot of fun, but during the Saturday dance, but fortunately, it ended in time for me to still go to plenty of the dance. One Toboe pic that I wanted went to the auction (the other one I got in the silent auction). Of course, it was one of the last ones up. Immediatly, someone bidded on it. It only had a high bid of $10 during the silent auction, but someone immediatly said $20. And then I said $30 and they came back with $40 so I bumped it up to $50, which was my max, and then they went up to $60! The guy next to me, we had been talking some. Anyways, he handed me $30 and told me to bid $75. I did and I won it for that! I can't believe he just gave me money. He told me he just wanted to see someone win something that he knew. I'm still in thanks for his kind gesture. Other pieces at this auction included a nice CG print of Inuyasha and Kagome and it went for $400! I couldn't believe it! The artist practically fainted when it went up that high. This Full Metal Alchemist of Roy and Ed playing guitar went for $250. Everyone wanted it, lol, except me, and the bidding got up to $80 quickly, and this lady behind me said "$250!" Man, that shot EVERYONE down. lol, yes she did win it.

The dance was fun! One of the DJs didn't play such great music, but this other DJ got on and played ALL Japanese music, including Ayumi, HAL, and some other great ones. I danced my butt off, it was great! Then the music got bad and I went outside and started talking to this guy who was quite an interesting character. He had the guts to wear a short in big words that said "YAOI" on it and he had a pink leash around his neck, lol. I found out he also lived in Austin. We said we would meet up and talk more the next day. Sunday, when I woke up, I panicked! It was past noon and I knew I had to pick up my art at 2 hours ago! I quickly got dressed and hauled ass to the convention. I got there panting just to see a line for the art show room. I asked the guy at the door and he told me that I could still get my art, they're just letting in 3 people at a time. I sighed in relief and waited the 30 minutes I had to in the line and got all my artwork =) I learned a lesson though... if you love the picture at the silent auction, PAY THE BUY IT NOW PRICE! If a picture gets one bid, you can't buy it, but have to bid. Once a piece gets more than 3 bids, it goes to live auction. Although, art doesn't always have a buy it now price. Because the Buy-it-Now price of the Toboe pic was something around $10 or $15. But hey, I probably made the artist really happy ^_^ After hanging around some more and going through the dealer's room one last time, I went back home. On the way there, I got a lust for a slushie and stopped at a Dairy Queen and got a lemon ice. On my way out, I saw a van pull in with lines like "Naruto Rocks!" and "We own Toboe!" and "A-Kon or bust!" So I looked at the people coming out, and I saw the yaoi guy and he screamed "TOBOE!" and ran towards me and gave me the biggest glomp I got all weekend (or in my life for that matter, lol). I almost fell over. My lemon ice flew 10 feet and hit the parking lot (but amazingly, stayed intact so I could eat it.) Me and them were having fun talking about Wolf's Rain, yaoi, showing each other pictures, etc. We all agreed to meet up some time. Here we are:

So yes, it was great fun =)

djhoyt @ 2005-06-01T16:49:00

2005-06-01T21:55:09Z

Crap, where have I been?!

Busy busy busy... I'll make this quick.

Still holding job! YAY!

Going to A-Kon this weekend as Toboe again, YAY! I'll be going alone, but hope to meet up with several people once I get there.

Plans on moving have suddenly escalated. I will be moving out of my parents house (YAY!) and they're putting me up in a hotel for 2 weeks for me to get somewhere and go through all my junk. Where? I'm thinking Manchester, England, but it's not in stone yet

My co-worker actually agreed to translate my Wolf's Rain Artbook. I guess he's bored or something. I'll take him out to lunch a few times ^_^

In more news, co-worker might be getting me an HK PSP. Oh yes, quality right here, lol. He might get it for between $80 and $100. He's getting like 3 in.

My friend is currently converting and subbing this Wolf's Rain movie he got. He said it was made several years before the anime. None of the characters are really the same, but it's kind of the same premise. I'll post screenies once I get it for proof.

Hopefully I'll update more often... hopefully.

djhoyt @ 2005-04-06T14:42:00

2005-04-06T20:02:12Z

I am loving this new song I downloaded from truemp3s.com and I'm hoping it will come out soon so I can buy it. It's by Aven and called Making Me Fall. Both mixes are great. The original high energy mix and the proggy Adam Sheridan Remix ^^

Also, making headway on the Wolf's Rain series. I'm up through episode 24. Now to watch the final 4, I will have to find a working VCR... I think there's one in the storage unit... blech.

This is why I can't stay beside you
The walls are closing in I'm falling
This is why I can't be praying with you
The streets are filled with life
I'm lonely...

You're making me fall
This is why I can't stay with you
Making up for love
This is why I can't forget
Making up for all the ways I've tried
Making up for love
I'm running home for shelter

This is my heart
Time is out of reach I'm sinking
This is why I promised to be near you
But the time is set to be ending
I saw your eyes
I'm a stranger inside

Keyhole.com is awesome!

2005-03-22T21:00:33Z

I got these various satellite photos with this great program from keyhole.com called well... keyhole. It's a really advanced program that comes with a 7 day trial and only $39 a year after that... once you've played with it for 5 minutes, you'll be convinced. Here are some images I got.

My parents' house where I am temporarily living... well it's there trust me.

Dell... this is where I work ^^

Eternal Nightclub... where I used to spin.

Vinyl Frontier... where me and Sekioh went to buy some vinyls in Orlando, FL ^^

Japanese Windows XP

2005-03-08T16:07:35Z

This just looks cool =) Click to see the full image.

djhoyt @ 2005-03-08T08:26:00

2005-03-08T14:38:13Z

Wow, it wasn't until I showed a friend my livejournal that I realized how outdated it is. So, I am updating it. You may be surprised, but I am still working at Dell and testing printers. I had a great time at Megacon 2005 in Florida with my friend. I did have my share of adventures though. Like for one, my tire blowing up on the way back, lol, that sucked. Fortunately there are still nice people in the world and someone stopped and helped me get back on the road. So what's my current dilemma? I can't decide what I want to do about moving yet! I know Texas isn't for me, but where else? Florida, is of course, an option and I have a great friend there. Another thing is I don't really want to give up my dream of living in Europe, and as I've posted before, my mom is still willing to help me visit there. I need to get my passport there. So what would I do?

Fly into Denmark and hang out there for a few days with my friend Mikker (mentioned in a post last year). I would then check out the Netherlands, and hang out with DJ Joop hopefully and maybe even Benno of Rank 1. He said I might be able to see his studio. Now that would be cool! I would then take a ferry over to the UK and see 3 other friends. My good friend Stu is there along with Richard and John. This would be a fun trip! The only thing is I'd have to either wait till my assignment at work ends, drop it, or maybe get the time off. I'm really not sure what to do yet.

In more news, I have purchased djtoboe.com and it now links to my main website. I've had a lot of people tell me that DJ Toboe is better than DJ Hoyt (and I happen to agree with them) so I think I'll make it a permanent change.

My next dilemma... Kamikazecon is coming up, and I'm not sure if I want to redo my shirt or not. I really want to lower the pockets below my collar but that would mean undoing a lot of stitching. But hey, I want to look as close to Toboe's outfit as I can. I would have to get it done within the next 2 weeks though. Hmmm... should be possible.

NOT sexy awesome

2005-02-04T17:02:53Z

Right after I posted my last entry, I managed to knock my Treo 300 off my desk and I watched in shock as it shattered onto the floor... breaking the top flippy thing off and broke the wires to the speaker in the flippy thing so... no more phone. But alas, maybe it will be cheap to get a reconditioned one through Sprint. Someone was telling me that it's only $45 to have it "repaired" but it's actually replaced with a reconditioned unit... I hope he's right, because these phones still sell on ebay for $100 or so... and those are used! Blech.

Stupid quizzes are keeping me occupied

2005-01-27T21:09:28Z

You scored as Kiba. Kiba, from the gory anime "Wolf's Rain," is your kindred spirit. A mysterious wolf (not to mention sexy among teenage anime nerds), you are determined to get where you're going.

</td>

Kiba

67%

Chi

42%

InuYasha

33%

What Anime Character Are You?
created with QuizFarm.com

Only three results... but I'm happy that a character from wolf's rain was one of them =)

Wolf's Rain Voice Actors/Actresses!

2005-01-27T20:39:15Z

Mona Marshall - Voice of Toboe

Crispin Freeman - Voice of Tsume

Yes! Hopefully it's true! Kamikazecon is considering getting Mona Marshall (voice of Toboe) and Crispin Freeman (voice of Tsume) to their convention at the end of March! They have a two voting topics (one on each) where you can vote for them on their forums. Oh I really hope one of them comes!!

Oh my god... they didn't...

2005-01-27T18:41:33Z

They Did!

Someone with Keiichi Radio got a video of the Saturday Night techno dance at Ushicon 4... assuming I was up there dancing for 3 hours... they probably have footage of me as Toboe dancing. You know how incredibly embarrassing that is? Well I want to see what they have to blackmail me with, so I requested for the person who took the video to upload it to my FTP... and she said yes. lol, so if it is not too horrible, I'll post it here for you all.

Lasgo - Far Away

2005-01-26T21:49:04Z

If only that percentage off were true...

Well I sampled all the tracks on PeterLuts.com and... and... it's bad. It's like about 70% of the songs are 80's synth pop. I don't know what got into him. Now there are two tracks on the album that are so incredibly good... it's like... well they're good! They are Far Away and Yesterday. This is too trancey for Peter Luts... quite shocking. I'll have to check to see if on the album these are extended versions or edits, since that will make the decision on rather I want to buy it or not. The synth-pop songs are just... so bad. I couldn't pay $14 for a CD t hat only had two radio edits I like.

Japanese has sparked an interest

2005-01-26T20:08:04Z

Well, I think I'm finally going to do it. I have too many Wolf's Rain doujinshi to just let sit there being untranslated. The translator I have now is really busy and doesn't have time to really work on it. So I've decided to try to translate them myself. I found these cool kits at HowToDrawManga.com!

Pretty cheap considering =) Looks like they approach it in a very easy and understandable way. Also these books are good to have...

I'll let you know how they are =)

Yes... sadly, this was me in high school.

2005-01-26T19:22:03Z

You scored as Geek.

</td>

Geek

63%

Drama nerd

56%

Loner

44%

Punk/Rebel

38%

Ghetto gangsta

25%

Goth

19%

Stoner

19%

Prep/Jock/Cheerleader

What's Your High School Stereotype?
created with QuizFarm.com

Ushicon 2005!!

2005-01-25T21:37:40Z

Well the convention was a lot of fun! It was my first time going to a convention and my first time cosplaying. As you can see, I went as Toboe from Wolf's Rain (who else) and I was surprised how well my outfit came out! I did a search on cosplaylab.com, and mine was definitely one of the better ones. Here is the gallery I promised you all:
http://images.cosplay.com/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=23099

I finished the outfit Thursday night. The next morning, I just decided to go to work as Toboe, so I wouldn't have to go by home or waste precious convention time changing. So on Friday I got off from work and went to pick up Evelyn (who played Blue) and we hauled over to the Renaissance.

We got there just in time for the drawing class. From there, the convention went really well! I wasn't impressed with the dealer room at first, but I wasn't looking that hard. I can't remember all the classes I attended Friday, but I had a lot of fun! I then went to the Artists Gallery and finally got to meet Gynocrat of Studio Plug 'n Play. I didn't waste any time buying her first Wolf's Rain english doujinshi. I'm still savoring it... on page 4 so far, lol. I talked to her for a bit then hung out and got my pictures taken by several fangirls. We went up to a hotel room that was having ice cream made with Me and Evelyn decided to get a couple drinks at the bar, and we found Gynocrat also in the lobby with a drink, so we sat with her and chatted about random pointless crap. We stayed there for awhile, because the Moonlight Masquerade was taking forever to start. When it did start, it wasn't exactly what I expected. I don't know... slow anime songs are good but I didn't enjoy it that much. Anyways, my left contact lens started irritating me (it had already fallen out once that day, so we went home.

The next day (Saturday) the first panel we went to was Manga Translation with Youkon. This was a cool class. We actually got to talk about type-setting and editing. She talked about she got started in it by working for fan circles translating unlicensed work. I talked to her about what I did (editing Wolf's Rain doujinshi by replacing the japanese with the english) and she said there's a career in that too. Something I might consider later =)

We then hung out in the dealers room and I found 5 Wolf's Rain doujinshis that I didn't have, so I picked those up. I also got 4 fan prints of the Wolf's Rain characters. We then went to a class on cosplaying, which was extremely useful since the cosplay was that night. Now this was interesting... there were about 97 people that signed up for this. Me and Evelyn just decided to do a walk-on together because in the cosplay class he made it clear to NOT plan a skit at the last minute. The whole pre-cosplay process took about 2 hours. As we waited to go on as the next skit, I was shaking. Here I am about to walk in front of a bunch of people and do poses as Toboe?? LOL Well I did it. It seemed to go pretty good. Heehee...

Later that night was the highlight... the big "techno" dance! Unfortunately, it was in a pretty small room, but since I was upfront waiting, I was able to get in. They did close it off after a certain amount of people for an hour or two. It was awesome though! They played about 5 or 6 Ayumi Hamasaki (Ayu) tracks, but not Naturally... but that was understandable since it's only a couple of months old. Other tracks I enjoyed was some good 'ole eurobeat =) I danced for about 3 hours straight. A LOT of fun. Fortunately, due to my jacket design, I was able to unzip it part way to let some air in since it was REALLY hot in that room.

I didn't do much on Sunday... not much was going on. We attended the yaoi panel and then hung out with Gynocrat some more. We ended up leaving while the closing ceremonies started since it was basically a Q&A. So yes, I had a blast! And I'm already planning for the next one in March in Houston. Should be fun!

Oh really? I'd have to see that.

2005-01-25T19:46:14Z

Which LJ friend will give you an orgasm by holdmylips
Username
Age
Sex
Who Will Make You Moan	spektra
How?	Anal
Will It Be Good?	Yes

Quiz created with MemeGen!

Ushicon!

2005-01-24T06:10:34Z

I'm going to cover this more in depth with pics in my next post, but for now I'm just going to say that Ushicon 2005 was so awesome! I had so much fun! It was my first time cosplaying and my first anime convention! I can't wait for the next one in March! I got a lot of attention as Toboe, and I think my outfit was right on, except for the mis-matched colors of my knee patches. Other than that, really good!

But I am tired and must head to bed. Look for my next post within the next day =)

McDonalds =P

2005-01-21T20:29:07Z

Well I went to McDonald's for my first morning break (at 12:30, lol) and got myself a QPC combo. Brought it back, sat down to eat and... they screwed up! They put everything on it. If anyone knows me in real life, you know I have to have my burgers plain. I don't know why... it's just how I am. So I use my second break to drive up and get them to fix it. I walk in in my Toboe outfit and I said nicely "I just got to work to find out my plain cheeseburger well... it's not plain. And if you could... get me some new fries too" They went to work getting me a new one, and the cashier just kind of smiled at me and said "Aww... you haven't eaten lunch today?" I told her no and smiled and the other lady handed me the burger and the fries. "Would you like a new drink with that too??" I happily said yes that the one at work was probably watery by now. She handed me a new drink cup and apologized several times and I just smiled and said it was okay.

To me... this was all weird. Because I was pissed that they screwed up... but once i got there I wasn't. I usually get bitchy about these kind of things. But they were so nice, so I wasn't upset at all.

Done!

2005-01-21T14:41:08Z

Yes! My outfit got completed in time! I just hope I can get off early at 3:30 so I can get to the convention. That's only 30 minutes early, so it shouldn't be a problem. And yes, I am sitting at work right now in my Toboe outfit... minus the bracelets. I'll put those on before the con. Contacts in and everything! I found a much easier way to put them in, and now I don't have any problems with them. Still takes me about 5 minutes to put them in... but much better than an hour and a half. Heehee...

As close to Toboe as I'll ever get

2005-01-20T17:03:49Z

Well, yesterday I spent an hour and a half at the eye doctor. The lady put a contact in my eye, had me take it out and put it in. Then she had me put a contact in the left eye. Even though this entire process took from 5:30 to 6:50... she still let me take them home. Surprise! I went over to Evelyn's and we grabbed dinner. My left contact started bothering me, and I had her look at it. She said that it was all the way in one corner! I quickly got it out (WOW!) and ran to the car to put it in the solution. I then had only one contact in my eye and I went to the bathroom to put it in. After 10 minutes of trying, I gave up and just took out the right one and put on my glasses. My eyes still don't like anything in them. We then went to dye my hair. I was going to have it done professionally, but I decided to just get the dye myself from Sally's and have Evelyn do it for me. I got professional dye, so it's the same stuff the hair specialist would use anyways. Well that was actually successful. My hair is now reddish-brown... more red then brown. I then put in some moose and "fluffed" it with a volumizing brush and a hair dryer... came out quite good =)

I went home to find my mom asleep already, so I couldn't help her any with my jacket. This morning I got up and she had it all ready for me to try on. Fit pretty good! All I need to do is widen the front pockets (HARD! I'll have to redo them) and then she needs to sew up the sleeves. Some of the things on the shirt are a little off... but nothing more than an inch, so it's not really an issue. If I ever get highly inspired, I can fix it for the convention in Dallas, but I mean you can tell who I'm dressing up as and I think I have the best Toboe shirt/jacket I've seen =) Next I'll have to put the belt loops in the pants and add the patches. So almost there! I'll have it done just in time. I'm not sure if I can go to the Ushi-something tonight at 7, but I'd rather have my outfit all done in time for Friday morning.

Yes, I'm going to work as Toboe that day. LOL At least my co-workers will be amused :-P

Contacts...

2005-01-19T15:57:16Z

GRRR!! I went to the eye doctor yesterday to get myself some contact lenses for the first time in my life. I thought this would be fairly easy, except for getting used to having them in. Boy was I wrong... having them in is easy... putting them in and taking them out is another thing entirely! I was told that I was a great candidate for contacts and that I could see 20/20 with them. I was excited! Then he pulled out a box and got out a contact and told me to lean my headback as he put them in. So here he is hovering his finger above my eye then he tells me to look down? ACK! After I blinked it out several times, he finally got it in... then the other one. Wow! With them in I saw great, and I could read the 20/20 line on his eye chart. Then he said I was all set and sent me out to the front where one of his assistants would show me how to put them in. I thought it would just be slightly more difficult then eye drops... no. She took me to a separate room and must've shown me 4 different ways to just take them out, and I couldn't! The two assistants took turns standing in the room watching me as I struggled. 45 minutes later, they get the doctor to come and show me. He then shows me a few ways and shows me some training to do by bringing my finger close to my eye without touching it... surprisingly, he said I was touching my eyeball (well the contacts on my eyeball) without me knowing. But no... I still couldn't do it. After struggling with it for quite awhile, it neared around 6 or so, and they said I could come back tomorrow (which would be today). Gosh, I'm so nervous! I hope I can get them in today. My god I didn't think it would be this hard. I think after hearing some encouraging words from friends and family, I should be able to get myself to. If not, I'm going to the convention as a blind Toboe... not exactly what I want.

So I haven't seen it all yet! Give me time =P

2005-01-14T15:34:45Z

It really is frustrating. I am a fan of this series (Wolf's Rain) two years too late, and it seems like everyone else has finished it! I have only just finished the recollection episodes, so I am quite a bit behind. I don't have cable, so I couldn't watch it off of Adult Swim, and I also just found all the fansubs two weeks ago. I have volume 5... so I need to watch that this weekend.

But to go through forums and see all these topics called [Spoiler] Why'd it have to end that way? and [Spoiler] What happened to Blue? and various other topics that just keep telling you that it has a bad ending, and I know I am not looking forward to it. I have considered watching it through episode 26 and going "There! That wasn't so bad" but I know that won't be possible for me. My goal is to complete the series before Ushicon, but I wonder if after seeing the last few episodes if I could even make it to work the next day.

If anyone comments, don't talk about the ending or any part of it =P I have had many people offer to tell me how it ends but I'm like "No! Don't! Shut up! SHUT UP NOW!" and so far they've listened. Soon I'll have the series done and won't have to worry about it, but I'll probably need therapy after seeing it all =(

I just noticed that my past 5 entries all have at least one pic of Toboe in it, haha =P