One thing I have to admit is that I really like reading over a good clusterfuck of people arguing on the Internet.  With the closing of Deviantgear there's been some of this stuff going around, but as always there are some threads that just take the cake.  Therefore I will direct your attention over to this page:
[link]
As you can see, we have a couple things going on here.  We start off with a perfectly reasonable question.  Enter a Whiny Bugger and a White Knight and BLAM!  The shit gets lit on fire and grows and grows and grows.  Gods, why do I love reading this stuff?

There is no love lost between me and Deviantart over the closing of the Deviantgear store.  From my perspective, it was just another way of squeezing money out of those of us who use the site, and, honestly, most of their stuff was out of my price range.  THAT BEING THE CASE, however, I did really enjoy the store while is lasted.  By my own admission, I've purchased three sets of stickers, a hoodie, and a couple of other merch-type things that I've really enjoyed.

My point here involves an admission of hypocrisy on my part. For all that I didn't like the premise of the Deviantgear store, I admit that I'm going to miss it, however expensive it was.  They had an eye for quality that many other places no longer share.  Where else can I get my stickers that show I'm a dipwad who likes obscure things?  I can hope that something even better is around the corner, but my pessimistic side tells me that is unlikely, and that even if there is, it will probably be restricted to premium members.

*cough*

Speaking of delectable things to spend your money on (and I say this without any sarcasm), may I direct your attention to Azam Ali's upcoming album Lamentation of Swans:
[link]
[link]
I tend to avoid advertising (as this may be seen by some) for other people's stuff when there is money involved, but this I believe has merit.  Azam is one of my very favourite musicians, and an artist, who is now taking the leap into self-publishing her albums.  It is incredibly difficult to be an artist in this age where the internet seeks to offer your work free of charge; the best I can do to help is spread the word of her beautiful work.

On a more personal note, and with Anime Boston less than two weeks away, I am considering not debuting Caterina Sforza.  For the time being I am without a sewing machine or a work area and with so much left to do this may be for the best.  There is absolutely no way I can style the wig without a wig head, which went into storage a few days ago.  There is time to reconsider, however I kind of would like to hold off until I can actually enter Cat into competition.  Anime Boston chose not to give me that opportunity this year.  Sakura Kinomoto will for a certainty be finished by next Saturday's formal ball and I anticipate bringing out my Seth Nightroad cosplay on Friday or Saturday.  For now this will be the lineup, along with possibilities of including Kakyo and Luminara!  (The chance to actually have Cat's character recognized by someone may push me to reconsider debuting her, though...I must admit)

Also on the progress side, I can confirm that Jushiro Ukitake will be my next cosplay.  Work will begin alongside completion of Caterina Sforza, and I would like to have him complete in time for Albuquerque Comic Expo.  That may be a delusion, but the best I can do is try.  Today I got some beautiful navy blue glimmer fabric paint for use on Juu's hakamashita!

~~Works in Progress~~

1.  Dedicate Rosethorn: 20% complete
Doublet in progress

2.  Caterina Sforza (Rosencreutz Orden uniform [link] ): 75% complete
Trims and wig in progress.

3.  Jushiro Ukitake (Bleach Shino Academy version): 10% complete
In the planning stages, some supplies purchased.

4.  Sakura Kinomoto (Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle): 85% complete
Cloak and hairpin nearing completion.

~~Stamps~~
Some are editorials, some just make me laugh.  Some do both.  Juxtaposition may be important!  Enjoy