tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72747392544392251962024-03-13T12:22:47.608-04:00cynaestheticsOff to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-24913217300491955822016-09-12T00:31:00.000-04:002016-09-12T00:31:06.761-04:00FEMALE HANZO + BATTLEBOTS COSPLAY<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Okay! Updates. Let's see, in the past year and a half that I haven't blogged, I...</div>
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- was part of teams who competed on a reality TV show called Battlebots!!!! In both Season 1 and Season 2</div>
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- created RWBY scythe version 2.5</div>
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- went on our annual 20-some hour roadtrip to Dragon Con to compete 30lber bots (and cosplay)</div>
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- cosplayed as female Hanzo and an anthropomorphism of Overhaul (our Battlebots robot)</div>
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- among other things</div>
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...You know, the weird and yet stangely normal out-of-office life stuff your coworkers never entirely find out about you.</div>
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Since there's a lot of updates, I'm breaking up these things into separate blog posts. Starting with the most current development: Dragon Con cosplay!!</div>
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This year, I did two:</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ernstphotos/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C1Hj_gk-ecg/V9I-dWVi6gI/AAAAAAAACvU/B2kY9-KFoOInRkqte7inj2M___hh11E9wCLcB/s640/14231819_1187432301320839_9146304892903168366_o.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Overhaul from Battlebots!</div>
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(An <span style="text-align: start;">anthropomorphism</span> of)</div>
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-And-</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">The female version of Hanzo from the game Overwatch!</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">(I am on the right with the bow)</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ernstphotos/"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8gX7r8V2OI/V9YPUeEMS6I/AAAAAAAACy4/BjHCK0BUAe05lMnD9YudfWZPXgZjKtwrACLcB/s640/29516143571_f81d6bf306_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We found a Mercy! So we posed with her. : D</div>
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Jamo as Young Genji, Lucy as qipao Mei, Hanna as Victorian Tracer, and me!</div>
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There were some excellent shots by Zach Ernst!</div>
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I will be posting only a few of them (his photos have his signature</div>
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on the lower right!), but you should totally check out his other photos!</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ernstphotos">Ernst Photography (Facebook)</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/25319384@N04/%C2%A0">ErnstPhotography.com</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ernstphotos/"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rMg2hr342so/V9X9gmGBdyI/AAAAAAAACyg/zm2Hke3irIQhU2llUliTAvHcQf1uVSDaACEw/s640/28973384403_c181450bb1_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not sure who the other Hanzo is, but HANZO BROS!!!!</div>
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Another awesome Zach Ernst photo!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r5wRnPfTJ6g/V9I8uE5RYaI/AAAAAAAACvM/Z6Uqf6r_Arcm6sJ2o92h6px8k6XnZwbZwCLcB/s1600/14264221_10154517396373928_2750941951569659830_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r5wRnPfTJ6g/V9I8uE5RYaI/AAAAAAAACvM/Z6Uqf6r_Arcm6sJ2o92h6px8k6XnZwbZwCLcB/s640/14264221_10154517396373928_2750941951569659830_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Posing with a female McCree, another Hanzo, and a Zarya!</div>
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Pic thanks to Charles who had to chase after me when I ran off</div>
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to greet the female McCree (tehe).</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-318trKtZERU/V9I8uHBWK0I/AAAAAAAACvI/iu5zuBKQ21w-AXdBaMKzq55eAKHkwcTDACLcB/s1600/14225615_10154517396573928_2702703083905223440_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-318trKtZERU/V9I8uHBWK0I/AAAAAAAACvI/iu5zuBKQ21w-AXdBaMKzq55eAKHkwcTDACLcB/s640/14225615_10154517396573928_2702703083905223440_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Me, Hanna, and Lucy!</div>
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We are female Hanzo, Victorian Tracer, and qipao Mei!</div>
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I couldn't readily find a model of the bow, so I just decided to model my own, haha. Both the gourd and the bow were modeled in Inventor, 3D printed with PLA in multiple sections, and assembled with gorilla glue, and finished with sanding, crevice-filling, priming and painting. Fully assembled, the bow measures 58 inches in length.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HRIn3tnSnN0/V9MHP3vg0YI/AAAAAAAACw4/4xnw-Z-rYQgFQlemWirC2kgZRxHUSpU8gCLcB/s1600/hanzo-bow-snip2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HRIn3tnSnN0/V9MHP3vg0YI/AAAAAAAACw4/4xnw-Z-rYQgFQlemWirC2kgZRxHUSpU8gCLcB/s640/hanzo-bow-snip2.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-53TN7dixnbs/V9MHd9jIGYI/AAAAAAAACw8/JMGRmKTN0QQSHLe9iGd5Pc-WdsxuXhtdwCLcB/s1600/0816161738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-53TN7dixnbs/V9MHd9jIGYI/AAAAAAAACw8/JMGRmKTN0QQSHLe9iGd5Pc-WdsxuXhtdwCLcB/s640/0816161738.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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....Like, this thing's a head shorter than me. I'm not sure if it's actually to scale to what it is in-game, but HEY - I like big weapons. Initially, I wanted the bow to be even BIGGER, but ultimately scaled it down when I factored in my printer bed size and print time. And finishing time.</div>
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Full build report of the bow is below the fold, and is broken up into 3 sections: Outfit, Tattoo, and Bow+Gourd.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GtjYBkL_JgQ/V9I8t4cNSFI/AAAAAAAACvE/pbk76O4S8LgD0Ts0ZRdhTmVPMFHWNqMzgCLcB/s1600/14199546_10154517395858928_1040907561662189435_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GtjYBkL_JgQ/V9I8t4cNSFI/AAAAAAAACvE/pbk76O4S8LgD0Ts0ZRdhTmVPMFHWNqMzgCLcB/s640/14199546_10154517395858928_1040907561662189435_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Cosplaying with the crew</div>
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Also, since I was also a contestant with team Equals Zero this season of Battlebots (with Charles, Paige, and Matt!), I wanted to cosplay Overhaul, the bot! There was a mascot for Overhaul that I already drew for the bot (and stickered on the back of the bat, haha), so I did a version close to that. I whipped up some quick easy-to-do designs for fellow Battlebots girls Lucy (SawBlaze) and Hanna (Roadrash) so we could do a group cosplay!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1g-LSb_a_Q/V9MIsu6phmI/AAAAAAAACxI/p229OcOnW_MqkQjwDXdPX0cozfHEGwxcACLcB/s1600/overhaul_bot2016a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1g-LSb_a_Q/V9MIsu6phmI/AAAAAAAACxI/p229OcOnW_MqkQjwDXdPX0cozfHEGwxcACLcB/s320/overhaul_bot2016a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wbN4tZcab7c/V9MIh5p4iuI/AAAAAAAACxE/QvWws53w3KYOkE9YRXZDguAmvrZcFaaqwCLcB/s1600/0505161949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wbN4tZcab7c/V9MIh5p4iuI/AAAAAAAACxE/QvWws53w3KYOkE9YRXZDguAmvrZcFaaqwCLcB/s640/0505161949.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wMw4WODsdVY/V9I-dSBkaaI/AAAAAAAACvY/eMAv009BvgIhmu6vFYZ0Tq24KiGdVqK9QCLcB/s1600/14249841_1187432467987489_387866934574092344_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wMw4WODsdVY/V9I-dSBkaaI/AAAAAAAACvY/eMAv009BvgIhmu6vFYZ0Tq24KiGdVqK9QCLcB/s640/14249841_1187432467987489_387866934574092344_o.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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Again, build report down below! I'm hoping bot-cosplaying catches on, haha - I definitely have 2 other friends who want to cosplay Bombshell and Nightmare. Here's to the next con!</div>
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(Click below to read the build reports and see more pictures!)</div>
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<b>BUILD REPORTS</b></div>
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Build reports below are in the following order:</div>
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The Hanzo costume</div>
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The Hanzo tattoo</div>
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The Hanzo bow + gourd</div>
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The Battlebots cosplay</div>
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The Hanzo costume</div>
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First off, you might notice that my female version of Hanzo doesn't really have any of the original armor pieces. Why is that? I wanted to make a lolita-inspired female Hanzo outfit. And for whatever reason, I got super excited about making a lolita-esque outfit in Hanzo's theme when I first thought of that idea.</div>
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Seriously, I literally went and typed in all caps to a few friends (in different variants) as we were plotting cosplay: "LOLITA HANZO. OMG I AM DOING THIS. YES."</div>
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So I broke the outfit up into parts and modified them to be more lolita-esque - the black top would have longer sleeves, instead of pants the outfit would have a skirt with the Japanese wave fabric, and instead of prosthesis legs, the outfit would have thigh high white socks and black sandals. After consulting a few of the fanarts of female!Hanzo, I kept the yellow hair fabric the same, and instead of a bared breast, I subbed it for a wrapped chest.</div>
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I took inspiration from watching this cute little video (<a href="https://youtu.be/q_POw2ib_oI">Yumi King, Kawaii DIY</a>) on making a lolita yukata, and modeled my black top closely to it. Using newspapers, I tailored the top to my size (measuring neck, shoulder, armpit), and cut out 3 pieces for main body of the black top - the left, right, and back pieces.</div>
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After that, I cut out two very long rectangles for the sleeves and sewed it on to the main body, following how the video portrayed it. I tried it on to test fit, and it actually fit quite well the first time around, so luckily I didn't have to go back and adjust any lengths or widths. Be sure to leave holes for your hands to slip through in the ends of the sleeves! I went a little overzealous on the sewing pedal on one of the sleeves and had to take out a few stitches.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hB-sfQo28hs/V9Igjj2-WyI/AAAAAAAACqg/vW_G_8Kwey8gtAb6DO6WHhBmti2_oah7ACLcB/s1600/0719161847_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hB-sfQo28hs/V9Igjj2-WyI/AAAAAAAACqg/vW_G_8Kwey8gtAb6DO6WHhBmti2_oah7ACLcB/s400/0719161847_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the skirt, I wanted a specific Japanese wave print on dark fabric. Which I found that none of the fabric stores around me carried. So I did a little googling and found Fabric Tales (<a href="http://www.fabrictales.com/STORE/store.cgi?cart_id=5040181.IP75.139.149.177IP.26186.s0&product=dento&productid=110916&sales=0&lastmenu=" target="_blank">Check out the wave pattern I found there!</a>) - They had a nice dark navy with yellow wave pattern that was the closest to what I was envisioning. After buying, I cut a simple circle skirt and added elastic to the waist area for fitting.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6wIcuigP3Dc/V9Ily9yli5I/AAAAAAAACsk/uVM5VI0uVTYLVPjWoBxuPCjiWW1XAMgZQCLcB/s1600/0719161336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6wIcuigP3Dc/V9Ily9yli5I/AAAAAAAACsk/uVM5VI0uVTYLVPjWoBxuPCjiWW1XAMgZQCLcB/s400/0719161336.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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The fabric with half of a small test print of a gourd.</div>
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Perhaps the most hand-intensive (and tiring) part of the outfit part was the little pouch that no one ever really saw in my cosplay, haha. But I knew that it would be a vital part of my costume, for the sole purpose that it would hold my wallet, phone, Dragon Con pass, and cash. Every con so far, I've been pretty bogged down by any backpack or purse, so this time, I knew I wanted to make it a part of my cosplay. I took some inspiration from the actual Hanzo game outfit for the pouch, modified it to the size that I wanted, and hand-sewed it in some thin glove leather.</div>
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Leather, twine, leather needles, scissors, and buckle.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp6qzWoAgmA/V9IgtcLWzhI/AAAAAAAACqs/vsvTQtk_QD0Whzx40J6Typv2MtaJpxGwACLcB/s1600/0802161837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp6qzWoAgmA/V9IgtcLWzhI/AAAAAAAACqs/vsvTQtk_QD0Whzx40J6Typv2MtaJpxGwACLcB/s400/0802161837.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ibobgxVDWI8/V9IgxsMiRLI/AAAAAAAACqw/hEstARtYVbwazE7DQvdJgv1qRcTL7MFygCLcB/s1600/0802161919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ibobgxVDWI8/V9IgxsMiRLI/AAAAAAAACqw/hEstARtYVbwazE7DQvdJgv1qRcTL7MFygCLcB/s400/0802161919.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I taped the leather down onto a wood board, and used a hammer</div>
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to hammer through the leather to make holes.</div>
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I made tick marks on the newspaper below it to help</div>
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me keep track of where I was putting the holes.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fiy7vbmiHwA/V9Ig1zK4dWI/AAAAAAAACq0/EU_ysf3uRNUghxi4eS1ftc-lontJOM30ACLcB/s1600/0802162224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fiy7vbmiHwA/V9Ig1zK4dWI/AAAAAAAACq0/EU_ysf3uRNUghxi4eS1ftc-lontJOM30ACLcB/s400/0802162224.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sewing leather is quite hard without the right leather tools</div>
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and knowledge! But it was cool experience!</div>
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Maybe I'll make more leather things in the future.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7evTv8Ckws/V9Ig2nMDxsI/AAAAAAAACq4/konP8MDSRLkw3rYCnLq--7mtnbp70_20gCLcB/s1600/0803161851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_7evTv8Ckws/V9Ig2nMDxsI/AAAAAAAACq4/konP8MDSRLkw3rYCnLq--7mtnbp70_20gCLcB/s400/0803161851.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Using pliers to pull needles through multiple layers of leather.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghpksmShKfY/V9IhGsvdb0I/AAAAAAAACrM/clWCMCX5JEsppv1g6z_aCvVirn6GW2h2gCLcB/s1600/0803162315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ghpksmShKfY/V9IhGsvdb0I/AAAAAAAACrM/clWCMCX5JEsppv1g6z_aCvVirn6GW2h2gCLcB/s400/0803162315.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Using the hammer to make holes for the buckle attachment.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sAAhgrjmkT0/V9IhHqU1PAI/AAAAAAAACrQ/FJMSx99kH0Qewo1C2Bq12hVe0cecKkXjQCLcB/s1600/0804162155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sAAhgrjmkT0/V9IhHqU1PAI/AAAAAAAACrQ/FJMSx99kH0Qewo1C2Bq12hVe0cecKkXjQCLcB/s400/0804162155.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Finished piece - fits phone, wallet, con pass, and cash snugly!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_d-evThkRNg/V9IhJ4EY1MI/AAAAAAAACrU/wdmcmAGjGVgwqLZiXjBbNHEspzWAfRhwwCLcB/s1600/0804162155a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_d-evThkRNg/V9IhJ4EY1MI/AAAAAAAACrU/wdmcmAGjGVgwqLZiXjBbNHEspzWAfRhwwCLcB/s400/0804162155a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Comes with a patch in the back that allows me to slide it onto</div>
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the blue sash of my cosplay outfit.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSNOsRktIwo/V9IhOcdx9dI/AAAAAAAACrY/AYXcQOwvIfAzlxtnbLXum_cxq4FshBA8ACLcB/s1600/0804162156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSNOsRktIwo/V9IhOcdx9dI/AAAAAAAACrY/AYXcQOwvIfAzlxtnbLXum_cxq4FshBA8ACLcB/s400/0804162156.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the sleeve pattern, I vectorized the image off the reference image, scaled it up to the size I wanted, printed it out onto transfer paper, and then ironed it on to the sleeve. I'd recommend using something that is for dark fabric!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M9ho05zSdWg/V9I7otF-utI/AAAAAAAACuo/jiL9DSMW_fEBV6AUsZY9B6aQ4eSSrPZbQCLcB/s1600/hanzo-outfit-pattern-snip1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M9ho05zSdWg/V9I7otF-utI/AAAAAAAACuo/jiL9DSMW_fEBV6AUsZY9B6aQ4eSSrPZbQCLcB/s400/hanzo-outfit-pattern-snip1.PNG" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UUH9cBGPWNY/V9I7ocCcJtI/AAAAAAAACuk/boqcgX_wZXUsW6Ajkr5dQIYmk15obNdSACLcB/s1600/hanzo-outfit-pattern-snip2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UUH9cBGPWNY/V9I7ocCcJtI/AAAAAAAACuk/boqcgX_wZXUsW6Ajkr5dQIYmk15obNdSACLcB/s400/hanzo-outfit-pattern-snip2.PNG" width="297" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eaZdwXc1ZOI/V9IhQzfH5sI/AAAAAAAACrg/r29JGz-5liAsS9TT9F_fUPHpzhJo3PB5gCLcB/s1600/0827161159a_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eaZdwXc1ZOI/V9IhQzfH5sI/AAAAAAAACrg/r29JGz-5liAsS9TT9F_fUPHpzhJo3PB5gCLcB/s320/0827161159a_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Here it is, in all its cut out glory.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Yvq4FUT3_M/V9IhTDyXBVI/AAAAAAAACrk/_MDF-GYj3VAi_GcOtjbnnDsHYN1ucDAQgCLcB/s1600/0827161229_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Yvq4FUT3_M/V9IhTDyXBVI/AAAAAAAACrk/_MDF-GYj3VAi_GcOtjbnnDsHYN1ucDAQgCLcB/s320/0827161229_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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And here it is, slightly burned from my ironing, haha.</div>
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I actually didn't mind the aesthetic, since it gave an interesting</div>
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faded/worn-in/battle-scarred sort of look.</div>
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The Hanzo tattoo</div>
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Aaah, the tattoo. Dear old Hanzo tattoo. Such a trial with this one.</div>
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I had a great plan to start off with. Make a pattern of my arm, vectorize the reference tattoo image, scale/skew it to my size, and print it out on temporary tattoo paper before applying it to my arm.</div>
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Flawless plan, right?</div>
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Unfortunately, not as smooth a road as I would have liked, haha.</div>
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It started off great: I first made a rough newspaper "map" of my arm, with help from Charles (since I needed 2 more hands where I had one).</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NvKLQj8f47k/V9IhpUYNzVI/AAAAAAAACrs/9aLPTdIzJwgKbB-s_5rdqjHPuxkdRsyrgCLcB/s1600/0721160004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NvKLQj8f47k/V9IhpUYNzVI/AAAAAAAACrs/9aLPTdIzJwgKbB-s_5rdqjHPuxkdRsyrgCLcB/s320/0721160004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nueTv3acI-4/V9Ihw0otc6I/AAAAAAAACr0/f78ZA42gaWkSYmVJ545aZfHnD20H4BaTQCLcB/s1600/0721160006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nueTv3acI-4/V9Ihw0otc6I/AAAAAAAACr0/f78ZA42gaWkSYmVJ545aZfHnD20H4BaTQCLcB/s320/0721160006.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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The vectorizing of the image was fine too - though I probably was bit more meticulous in detail than I could have been. And the fact that it took a bit longer than I wanted it to take. Ah, well - at least it's detailed now and can be scaled and skewed in any way now!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-688-sroa4KI/V9I7WEbs-oI/AAAAAAAACug/bLa9fz0kg48P6Cfp3WNMHo0hFgoctdRgwCLcB/s1600/tattoo-vectorizing-1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-688-sroa4KI/V9I7WEbs-oI/AAAAAAAACug/bLa9fz0kg48P6Cfp3WNMHo0hFgoctdRgwCLcB/s320/tattoo-vectorizing-1.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VbIZY3QTEWk/V9I7V74LnwI/AAAAAAAACuc/X_i2U4ve3vQ4flXTJpMv-h8iQl9R08tGgCLcB/s1600/hanzo-tattoo-snip.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VbIZY3QTEWk/V9I7V74LnwI/AAAAAAAACuc/X_i2U4ve3vQ4flXTJpMv-h8iQl9R08tGgCLcB/s320/hanzo-tattoo-snip.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's where it kind of all fell apart. And it was entirely my fault. The tattoo paper I bought only had 2 sheets in it - a fact that I overlooked. Why? Because I didn't read the label, and assumed that it had the standard 5 sheets in a pack that usually transfer-ons (located in the same aisle) have. But you're not here for excuses.</div>
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I needed 4 sheets of the tattoo paper. So I spent the night before I had to wear them adjusting them to fit on 2 sheets, since it was all I had. I was so sad that my tattoo was going to look so small. :'( But I packaged it all on 2 sheets and thought, OK at least the application will go easier with fewer sheets.</div>
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WRONG. 8D;; While I was applying the tattoo paper with the wonderful help of Hanna, I forgot to take off the film that I had used to apply the adhesive to the tattoo paper. IE. I missed one instruction, despite the fact that I re-read them 4 or 5 times before applying. For whatever reason, I was so focused on placement of the tattoo that that step must have just slipped out of my mind.</div>
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SO. Dear Hanna, who had come over to get ready for the con together and was helping me apply the tattoo (when I realized my derpy mistake), rushed us to the nearest Hobby Lobby so I could buy more tattoo paper. I thought, YES maybe they'll have enough for 4 sheets!</div>
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NOPE. They only sold temporary tattoo paper in sheets of 1. One. And there were only 2 in stock. With shipments of a week in advance. I was just grateful they had any at all and just thanked the store and booked it back with Hanna. Printing it out the second time, we were careful to take the film off before applying, and the result is what you see in the photos. Not bad, but next time, I'm doing the full 4 sheets.</div>
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TL;DR Lesson: READ THE LABELS. AND READ THE INSTRUCTIONS</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DbK6v7j8MRQ/V9I7VF56tGI/AAAAAAAACuY/3G32rlutv58_F-EugXYlfMjpkRsjRwSiACLcB/s1600/hanzo-tattoo-snip2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DbK6v7j8MRQ/V9I7VF56tGI/AAAAAAAACuY/3G32rlutv58_F-EugXYlfMjpkRsjRwSiACLcB/s320/hanzo-tattoo-snip2.PNG" width="183" /></a></div>
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The placement of the tattoo on 2 sheets</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iSTx44WVnJY/V9Ih4aroAzI/AAAAAAAACsE/BwEnBwZ4q3sHSgsfdaRzJoE7KNUjfrWIQCLcB/s1600/0903160817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iSTx44WVnJY/V9Ih4aroAzI/AAAAAAAACsE/BwEnBwZ4q3sHSgsfdaRzJoE7KNUjfrWIQCLcB/s320/0903160817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cutting it out the first time (the time I made the mistake a step later).</div>
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I didn't actually need to cut it so close to the design, so</div>
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the second time I printed it out, I roughly cut it close enough.</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ernstphotos/"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLA4g3ZPQXw/V9YUJvLV4SI/AAAAAAAACzE/8feRxWnWe2Ir_KFk3McfmC4zUcLGAx-ZwCLcB/s640/29516112681_512d290961_k.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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More up-close shot of the tattoo.</div>
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Thanks to Zach for the photo!</div>
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The Hanzo Bow and Gourd</div>
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One of the biggest reasons I wanted to cosplay Hanzo (besides him being a badass guy with a ponytail and tattoo) was his bow. Originally, I was trying to think of ways to modify a nerf-bow, or regular toy-boy, or a cheaper competitive sports bow - generally, something that could draw and work. Buuut, realizing that this prop was going to a convention with rules that have explicit instructions on weapons, I decided static would be better.<br />
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Since I couldn't readily find a model of the bow, I used Inventor to model one up myself. Using a game reference image of the bow, I calculated the size of the whole bow I would be printing by measuring the distance between the handle and bow, and making sure my hand could fit through that gap.<br />
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Like I mentioned earlier, I actually wanted a bigger bow initially, something that measured up to 65 inches tall (basically my height). But after considering the 3D printer bed size and how much time I had left to print, assemble and finish this thing, I <strike>reluctantly</strike> shrunk it down to 58 inches in length.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0dV02T47IDc/V9Iln3w6msI/AAAAAAAACsQ/FCrgwpwmChsdRJUIxrLf0GeFwqe1MiT-QCLcB/s1600/0714162202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0dV02T47IDc/V9Iln3w6msI/AAAAAAAACsQ/FCrgwpwmChsdRJUIxrLf0GeFwqe1MiT-QCLcB/s640/0714162202.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Initial ideas on 3D modeling it.</div>
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I eventually went with the method that would maximize</div>
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my time most efficiently - model the whole thing and</div>
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cut it up from there.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_FXE_7kgUrA/V9I8FzMdbvI/AAAAAAAACu4/p5fBGpmrS1Arcsw8k6LEprMAiafPSIT8ACLcB/s1600/hanzo-bow-snip1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_FXE_7kgUrA/V9I8FzMdbvI/AAAAAAAACu4/p5fBGpmrS1Arcsw8k6LEprMAiafPSIT8ACLcB/s640/hanzo-bow-snip1.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The first shaping blocks.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RryGlXrhwGw/V9I8FieXERI/AAAAAAAACuw/DdV8wHuuYhg8FR39sxoMVu--51_ig8qNwCLcB/s1600/hanzo-bow-snip2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RryGlXrhwGw/V9I8FieXERI/AAAAAAAACuw/DdV8wHuuYhg8FR39sxoMVu--51_ig8qNwCLcB/s640/hanzo-bow-snip2.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Detailing.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jVfwKMTN9Cg/V9I8FpUWYzI/AAAAAAAACu0/eVHPwigNVaEXSLd1iE8kdxDgpn-SisNHgCLcB/s1600/hanzo-bow-snip3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jVfwKMTN9Cg/V9I8FpUWYzI/AAAAAAAACu0/eVHPwigNVaEXSLd1iE8kdxDgpn-SisNHgCLcB/s640/hanzo-bow-snip3.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Complete! Now to slice it all up.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VXu2L0leNGY/V9I8F5-XdoI/AAAAAAAACu8/PitYcETuVR0Kd-nGCTsfRJ0cLyaXLOiNACLcB/s1600/hanzo-bow-snip4.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VXu2L0leNGY/V9I8F5-XdoI/AAAAAAAACu8/PitYcETuVR0Kd-nGCTsfRJ0cLyaXLOiNACLcB/s640/hanzo-bow-snip4.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A glimpse into a a few of the planes I was using to make the bow.</div>
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A lot of the reference geometries are turned off usually.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrZndMBnaPc/V9I8Fz1A24I/AAAAAAAACvA/v1RLsnvjFaIgiPKUfuTd6AcFnU50Ofs9ACLcB/s1600/hanzo-bow-snip5.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrZndMBnaPc/V9I8Fz1A24I/AAAAAAAACvA/v1RLsnvjFaIgiPKUfuTd6AcFnU50Ofs9ACLcB/s640/hanzo-bow-snip5.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Breaking up the bow into 3D printable sections.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJrdZK_4uXo/V9I7ot1OHAI/AAAAAAAACus/hfF8XYpMWNMFKPpB0xGy45XzNa1UFI_sACLcB/s1600/hanzogourd-desktopsnip.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HJrdZK_4uXo/V9I7ot1OHAI/AAAAAAAACus/hfF8XYpMWNMFKPpB0xGy45XzNa1UFI_sACLcB/s640/hanzogourd-desktopsnip.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The gourd was much easier to model.</div>
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The only 'difficult' thing was the cuts on the lid,</div>
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which was made using 3D lofts.</div>
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The dragon emblem was vectorized in Illustrator, exported into DXF,</div>
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and then embossed on to the bottom sphere.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhEJE_74rGo/V9IlogENnJI/AAAAAAAACsU/0Sv7C6ectqM-myIqGG2X2uIzNMwAkfjJwCLcB/s1600/0718161507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhEJE_74rGo/V9IlogENnJI/AAAAAAAACsU/0Sv7C6ectqM-myIqGG2X2uIzNMwAkfjJwCLcB/s320/0718161507.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Small test gourd print, to make sure the dragon details came out ok.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qr-QmVp_4-I/V9IlyPThr6I/AAAAAAAACsg/TpACWaRMcu0oWJWtwjtPax9xC7LlIt87gCLcB/s1600/0719161856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qr-QmVp_4-I/V9IlyPThr6I/AAAAAAAACsg/TpACWaRMcu0oWJWtwjtPax9xC7LlIt87gCLcB/s320/0719161856.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The start of the gourd farm.</div>
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After attempting to print the actual-sized gourd, the printer started to print funny. And this marked the start of a period that I call "3D printer hell." A period of debugging where the answer to the question "why is my 3D printer not printing correctly" always 1 more fix away.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8OVgAj-0no4/V9IlpIn0i_I/AAAAAAAACsY/lZwFHqgjUKwrnv6UrfwIHcD0ozMwYvBhwCLcB/s1600/0717161857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8OVgAj-0no4/V9IlpIn0i_I/AAAAAAAACsY/lZwFHqgjUKwrnv6UrfwIHcD0ozMwYvBhwCLcB/s640/0717161857.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I use a Powerspec Ultra, with Miku-Blue PLA (a custom color</div>
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PLA that you can buy! Contact Charles)</div>
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You'll notice the beginning of "3D printer hell" starting from</div>
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the little strands flaking off on the embossed dragon design.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg2iueBN4SE/V9IlxWWfSmI/AAAAAAAACsc/Xqq1PBVqPkgaxJQFbTIuj2ixWENrAEmCACLcB/s1600/0720161743_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jg2iueBN4SE/V9IlxWWfSmI/AAAAAAAACsc/Xqq1PBVqPkgaxJQFbTIuj2ixWENrAEmCACLcB/s640/0720161743_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lopsided ball.</div>
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Yep, something's wrong.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YpiDw4B4KL0/V9Il8bVyF_I/AAAAAAAACsw/OpeBtoV8sjUilSmwmAXIoQwqLrbFw8ojwCLcB/s1600/0729161232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YpiDw4B4KL0/V9Il8bVyF_I/AAAAAAAACsw/OpeBtoV8sjUilSmwmAXIoQwqLrbFw8ojwCLcB/s640/0729161232.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Trying to flush the nozzle.</div>
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The first step to debugging.</div>
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I think I went a little overboard though.</div>
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Not sure if you can tell, but the strands were</div>
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actually thinner than what they were usually,</div>
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and their exit speed was slower as well.</div>
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Clear sign it was an issue surrounding the nozzle.</div>
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Everything we tried afterwards pretty much was trying to</div>
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fix whatever clog or jam had happened.</div>
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(Charles ultimately just switched around nozzle parts</div>
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from both to the right nozzle.)</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hd7s42yllks/V9Il7buAtYI/AAAAAAAACss/-W-SJIWR1iklTUIRDAH3_AFwq11iGsinwCLcB/s1600/0729161232d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hd7s42yllks/V9Il7buAtYI/AAAAAAAACss/-W-SJIWR1iklTUIRDAH3_AFwq11iGsinwCLcB/s640/0729161232d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Extra foamy prints that I could break in 2 really easily!</div>
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Those were definitely not supposed to do that.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kXx24xUbrmY/V9ImEABdh3I/AAAAAAAACs4/Qh_cWDMVa20SPPSdZ7FPUYVkFn9EG2pHwCLcB/s1600/0802161654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kXx24xUbrmY/V9ImEABdh3I/AAAAAAAACs4/Qh_cWDMVa20SPPSdZ7FPUYVkFn9EG2pHwCLcB/s640/0802161654.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Enlisting the help of Charles, whose "shop senses were tingling."</div>
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<strike>Shop Master</strike> Charles helped me fix the PowerSpec and then my time transitioned to a period I dubbed "3D printer limbo". This is the period where the quality of every print was in a state of flux, and I had to check that the printer was still doing ok every hour or so. Would it print ok? Who knows!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7whqF9di6o/V9ImD8BQjlI/AAAAAAAACs0/w3kQWApCu94uaZGqhCRWE8KPtFesn9SfgCLcB/s1600/0812160057a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B7whqF9di6o/V9ImD8BQjlI/AAAAAAAACs0/w3kQWApCu94uaZGqhCRWE8KPtFesn9SfgCLcB/s400/0812160057a.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Slowly printing and checking...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KjkNLv8dM-A/V9ImEEy6pVI/AAAAAAAACs8/pKGqHaEo82IESFT0VwreF6ReDXHEv0eVACLcB/s1600/0815161558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KjkNLv8dM-A/V9ImEEy6pVI/AAAAAAAACs8/pKGqHaEo82IESFT0VwreF6ReDXHEv0eVACLcB/s400/0815161558.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Almost... there.....</div>
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(Notice the 3D print graveyard on the upper part of the desk?)</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxTY9T3gITo/V9ImNkfcZ4I/AAAAAAAACtE/qqVi9Td0SskgDoSxvsLHDHwwTz9S_8gYwCLcB/s1600/0816161738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lxTY9T3gITo/V9ImNkfcZ4I/AAAAAAAACtE/qqVi9Td0SskgDoSxvsLHDHwwTz9S_8gYwCLcB/s640/0816161738.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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YES. Finally all printed!</div>
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With a measuring tape for scale.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J-5sDW_O_zU/V9ImNqwJPKI/AAAAAAAACtI/TLU2PcYcEXkcQmw_3r6-diQO1M2xI_VdQCLcB/s1600/0816161739_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J-5sDW_O_zU/V9ImNqwJPKI/AAAAAAAACtI/TLU2PcYcEXkcQmw_3r6-diQO1M2xI_VdQCLcB/s400/0816161739_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Also, the gourd finished printing as well!</div>
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After the 3D printing eras, I slipped into the Glue-aceous period. Where things got messy and I started to really dislike glue in general. After doing some research online and talking with a few cosplayers and prop people, I decided on gorilla glue. Super glue would have been fine I think, but I was worried about the weight of the bow stressing on each of the glue joints if I carried the bow around for a few days posing.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7j_mDYAKn-g/V9ImNrQkNOI/AAAAAAAACtA/MtrOWDNMOhsyku7Jkpr48rgB9h2dsVZrwCLcB/s1600/0817161442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7j_mDYAKn-g/V9ImNrQkNOI/AAAAAAAACtA/MtrOWDNMOhsyku7Jkpr48rgB9h2dsVZrwCLcB/s400/0817161442.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Stay, gourd, and dry.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2HuWW3XfJ6k/V9ImWLhYnWI/AAAAAAAACtQ/ReCaAXltZkg30XwGgGjuUrUbRurIPwNbACLcB/s1600/0821161639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2HuWW3XfJ6k/V9ImWLhYnWI/AAAAAAAACtQ/ReCaAXltZkg30XwGgGjuUrUbRurIPwNbACLcB/s400/0821161639.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Picking off all the dry gorilla glue pieces.</div>
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Not a very fun process, haha.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46NDM9ct5zE/V9ImV3Eo8-I/AAAAAAAACtM/5FKqJilS0CYyiVXlCkR0a0kc1dfPWLZAwCLcB/s1600/0823162123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46NDM9ct5zE/V9ImV3Eo8-I/AAAAAAAACtM/5FKqJilS0CYyiVXlCkR0a0kc1dfPWLZAwCLcB/s400/0823162123.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Because of their weird shapes, I had to come up with weird</div>
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ways to clamp the bow pieces together.</div>
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Like propping it up against a wall using rolls of tape as stabilizers.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bzSC6hOfnxo/V9ImWoFPm7I/AAAAAAAACtU/_YbQ_2sqcXkHwkuNbHobUJzb5CqDJrp5wCLcB/s1600/0826160005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bzSC6hOfnxo/V9ImWoFPm7I/AAAAAAAACtU/_YbQ_2sqcXkHwkuNbHobUJzb5CqDJrp5wCLcB/s400/0826160005.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Or like this.</div>
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This just chilled upside down, clamped to my table for a day.</div>
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Yes.... my space is always a mess around con-season.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5oAqqP8zl_Y/V9ImeGkVW7I/AAAAAAAACtY/XYvcN96qay0rR4TWLt4m4HTRlu5W-BWhgCLcB/s1600/0826160009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5oAqqP8zl_Y/V9ImeGkVW7I/AAAAAAAACtY/XYvcN96qay0rR4TWLt4m4HTRlu5W-BWhgCLcB/s400/0826160009.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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I super-glued the two halves of this arrow notch piece first,</div>
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then attached the fishing line to a thin wire and used that</div>
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to pull the wire though.</div>
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Throughout priming and painting, I kept the string on</div>
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there, to avoid the primer and paint getting into the hole.</div>
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After painting, I would just pull the string through to a new</div>
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unprimed/painted section before cutting to length for the bow.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hQ-Y2ygYfIg/V9ImeldFphI/AAAAAAAACtc/zk24lE7_6DYLNrnusWaMX9rDgGMXC7zWACLcB/s1600/0826161515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hQ-Y2ygYfIg/V9ImeldFphI/AAAAAAAACtc/zk24lE7_6DYLNrnusWaMX9rDgGMXC7zWACLcB/s640/0826161515.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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Almost... done.... gluing......</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WnzPFoppXxY/V9ImmsdFoYI/AAAAAAAACtk/5tt1_-_I83o6b88vGxnjMfqAgclN_rOugCLcB/s1600/0827161318d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WnzPFoppXxY/V9ImmsdFoYI/AAAAAAAACtk/5tt1_-_I83o6b88vGxnjMfqAgclN_rOugCLcB/s640/0827161318d.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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That is the face of someone who's just now realizing</div>
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she probably made the bow too big, and that sanding/filling</div>
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the whole thing was going to take much longer than she</div>
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had anticipated---</div>
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BUT OMG BIG BOW.</div>
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After gluing, I was ready to start the finishing process. I was recommended several things, from wood filler to Bondo. I eventually settled on a Bondo glazing and spot putty, and got some at the nearest Ace Hardware store.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtKbYxRWhBo/V9ImfK28ugI/AAAAAAAACtg/7F84RYqzdXIRXWoNwR7SWIiBDwtSYSfVgCLcB/s1600/0826162038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtKbYxRWhBo/V9ImfK28ugI/AAAAAAAACtg/7F84RYqzdXIRXWoNwR7SWIiBDwtSYSfVgCLcB/s320/0826162038.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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This stuff.</div>
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I was recommended this by Rocket (the Cosplay-repair guy)</div>
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and took a pic of the tube in his hand.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeHSRSh8OLY/V9ImqOUya1I/AAAAAAAACts/MfnmQfUFziMRtqod7fshjBbPFWj3odMZACLcB/s1600/0828160024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oeHSRSh8OLY/V9ImqOUya1I/AAAAAAAACts/MfnmQfUFziMRtqod7fshjBbPFWj3odMZACLcB/s640/0828160024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I think at this point, I didn't really that much time to finish to the level of</div>
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detail I would have liked before Charles and I had to ship out.</div>
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So I focused on the creases and cracks inbetween the major pieces.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-559aDOEy-nM/V9ImqDekMAI/AAAAAAAACto/pZH4d0vE67Q-mMMSw4jOO3t0LOkCDPVMACLcB/s1600/0828161931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-559aDOEy-nM/V9ImqDekMAI/AAAAAAAACto/pZH4d0vE67Q-mMMSw4jOO3t0LOkCDPVMACLcB/s640/0828161931.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sanding for dayssssssssss.</div>
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I think I made some of the people who worked in the</div>
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studios next to me unhappy. : (</div>
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Good thing I was made aware of a down-draft table soon after!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rrXgtClVtA/V9Imy5CYZ9I/AAAAAAAACt0/4RpjVlFEqWUH30-QpgZPWd3WX8PbGQq1wCLcB/s1600/0829160059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rrXgtClVtA/V9Imy5CYZ9I/AAAAAAAACt0/4RpjVlFEqWUH30-QpgZPWd3WX8PbGQq1wCLcB/s400/0829160059.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Same treatment for the gourd.</div>
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I believe usually the filler goes on everything,</div>
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but I focused on the big noticeable cracks</div>
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due to time constraints.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWCaQXABv5E/V9ImvcAdH1I/AAAAAAAACtw/qcDTuHEkjFg8QBwNbP3s2j3AlnAdKoM3wCLcB/s1600/0828161949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bWCaQXABv5E/V9ImvcAdH1I/AAAAAAAACtw/qcDTuHEkjFg8QBwNbP3s2j3AlnAdKoM3wCLcB/s400/0828161949.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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First layer of primer going on after the filling and sanding.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEQWuOaNS74/V9ImzoQVO7I/AAAAAAAACt4/Z1j8mknX9ho-ngMhvpuu5zFPyAFpmBHxwCLcB/s1600/0829160102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEQWuOaNS74/V9ImzoQVO7I/AAAAAAAACt4/Z1j8mknX9ho-ngMhvpuu5zFPyAFpmBHxwCLcB/s400/0829160102.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A few layers of priming later, it was ready to paint!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7IGBUcagEeA/V9Im3mLKyJI/AAAAAAAACt8/hNNG4X_WwM0D5dP4hizXRNcOpkNzEeLrQCLcB/s1600/0829162038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7IGBUcagEeA/V9Im3mLKyJI/AAAAAAAACt8/hNNG4X_WwM0D5dP4hizXRNcOpkNzEeLrQCLcB/s400/0829162038.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hand-painting with Acrylic.</div>
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Pretty streak-y, even after the 2nd coat, but mostly</div>
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because I didn't smoother over the entire bow with filler</div>
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before painting on top.</div>
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I'm wondering if next time I'll have a better design</div>
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that allows for spray painting lego-like parts...</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-66XQn6nduWE/V9Im8h6iXKI/AAAAAAAACuA/qtejonUWktMfnGQXageCW4DE_NZdE3rqQCLcB/s1600/0830160200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-66XQn6nduWE/V9Im8h6iXKI/AAAAAAAACuA/qtejonUWktMfnGQXageCW4DE_NZdE3rqQCLcB/s640/0830160200.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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With the first coat on to the bow just finishing drying,</div>
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Charles and I had to ship out.</div>
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We had a long drive - from Boston to Atlanta!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2OzVqS8c0g/V9Im9FzzaxI/AAAAAAAACuE/mv3yRjWSi_sqscOPDjhuDULVmwInfvRRACLcB/s1600/0830160249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2OzVqS8c0g/V9Im9FzzaxI/AAAAAAAACuE/mv3yRjWSi_sqscOPDjhuDULVmwInfvRRACLcB/s400/0830160249.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The bow was wrapped up in newspaper for the trip.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9zb3GvVW6s/V9Im-8nHj-I/AAAAAAAACuI/45Pgl2u1M7I8DCZckrv3EqMQE2Yz2QzcwCLcB/s1600/0901161106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9zb3GvVW6s/V9Im-8nHj-I/AAAAAAAACuI/45Pgl2u1M7I8DCZckrv3EqMQE2Yz2QzcwCLcB/s400/0901161106.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And it luckily survived all the bumps in the road!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JEQY4jkqUR8/V9I_-44HJJI/AAAAAAAACwE/KPHH_UCKbsMT14SrtnNXqSyp-uky9ffmwCLcB/s1600/14199258_10154517395748928_8043817234493707198_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JEQY4jkqUR8/V9I_-44HJJI/AAAAAAAACwE/KPHH_UCKbsMT14SrtnNXqSyp-uky9ffmwCLcB/s640/14199258_10154517395748928_8043817234493707198_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For sure the biggest time expenditure was just on waiting - Waiting for prints to finish, waiting for glue to dry, waiting for filling to dry, waiting for primer to dry between layers, waiting for paint to dry between layers. I thought I had alloted enough time for all that waiting, but it seems next time, I'll definitely have to allot even more time.</div>
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Biggest lessons:</div>
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-Read all the labels of anything you plan to use</div>
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-Allot enough time for things to print / glue to dry / primer and paint to dry</div>
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In the end, the bow broke in half the last cosplay day of the con, at the part that I knew was going to be the weakest link. So I'm going to make some mods to how I print the bow, and add some dowels in the middle for alignment and strength. After that, if you're interested in buying a Hanzo bow print off me, I'll be putting it up the design for sale!</div>
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In the meantime, onwards to more cosplay:</div>
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The Battlebots Cosplay</div>
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I had a blast on Season 1 and Season 2 of Battlebots. It was definitely a drain on finances, but I wouldn't trade that experience for the world. Season 1, I was on team JACD with Overhaul, and on Season 2, I was on team Equals Zero with Overhaul (upgraded!). You can see the whole build report of both bots on our team captain's site (<a href="http://www.etotheipiplusone.net/?p=3908" target="_blank">Click to read The Overhaul 2 Design and Build Series part 1</a>).</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1g-LSb_a_Q/V9MIsu6phmI/AAAAAAAACxI/p229OcOnW_MqkQjwDXdPX0cozfHEGwxcACLcB/s1600/overhaul_bot2016a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1g-LSb_a_Q/V9MIsu6phmI/AAAAAAAACxI/p229OcOnW_MqkQjwDXdPX0cozfHEGwxcACLcB/s320/overhaul_bot2016a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Meet Overhaul.</div>
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A lifter, clamper bot.</div>
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Yes, with functional ears.</div>
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(They help the bot self-right).</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wbN4tZcab7c/V9MIh5p4iuI/AAAAAAAACxE/QvWws53w3KYOkE9YRXZDguAmvrZcFaaqwCLcB/s1600/0505161949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wbN4tZcab7c/V9MIh5p4iuI/AAAAAAAACxE/QvWws53w3KYOkE9YRXZDguAmvrZcFaaqwCLcB/s640/0505161949.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Overhaul has a mascot.</div>
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Meet Haru-chan!</div>
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I drew her as an anthropomorphism of Overhaul,</div>
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with elements of our team uniform in there as well.</div>
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I thought it would be neat to cosplay Overhaul at DragonCon this year, so I took Haru-chan's outfit and modified it a bit. I roped in Lucy (SawBlaze) and Hanna (RoadRash) as well. We had 2 other friends, who couldn't make it to Dragoncon unfortunately, also interested in cosplaying Bombshell and Nightmare!<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-prtiRKaMRTI/V9YJhRttAaI/AAAAAAAACys/My_X8fgF-tYrHqykeCzLFTyvfZTl1i-AwCLcB/s1600/7303647194967641750-account_id%253D1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-prtiRKaMRTI/V9YJhRttAaI/AAAAAAAACys/My_X8fgF-tYrHqykeCzLFTyvfZTl1i-AwCLcB/s400/7303647194967641750-account_id%253D1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Amg quick sketches.</div>
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These are literally what I gave to Lucy and Hanna</div>
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to get across my idea, haha.</div>
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So I quickly drafted up a design for their outfits:</div>
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Elegant SawBlaze, in a black dress, green shawl, dragon tattoo, chain belt with their robot logo, holding the bot's Dragon-saw arm.</div>
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Spirited Roadrash, in an orange tank with their team logo, shorts, boots, and fingerless gloves, holding 2 pincer-swords.</div>
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This round of Battlebots cosplay was designed to be easily assemble-able - we were in 3 different states with different job priorities and already working on our Overwatch cosplays, after all. I consulted with them a bit to see what they had, but otherwise, Lucy and Hanna took that sketch and worked up their outfits to match it while I worked on the props. Very cool!</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gN681Y8FA3g/V9I_95Z5WnI/AAAAAAAACwA/Sfgf9-XsFugWrlPttHF1L9b3U3zZuvfrwCLcB/s1600/0826162051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gN681Y8FA3g/V9I_95Z5WnI/AAAAAAAACwA/Sfgf9-XsFugWrlPttHF1L9b3U3zZuvfrwCLcB/s400/0826162051.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For me, I just made a quick newspaper template for a dress</div>
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and used that to cut the fabric. Winging it!</div>
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Since there was no fabric that matched our Overhaul color,</div>
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I used 2 fabrics - one sheer fabric over a more solid blue</div>
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to create a color close enough to our Overhaul teal.</div>
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For the props, it was one of those moments where I just designed it all in my head and just slapped it all onto Illustrator without even sketching them out, haha. I took the DXF profiles of Overhaul and the Dragon from SawBlaze and scaled them up to match our sizes, and then created auxilliary pieces around them for support, covers, and other attachments. I didn't have Roadrash DXFs, so those I freelanced from the Roadrash photo on the Battlebots site. Lucy also pointed me towards the saw they used, so I made a DXF of that as well, complete with chain, tehe.</div>
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These pieces were going to all be cut out of foamboard, and assembled slightly differently: Sawblaze would have dowels for hand holds and saw support, Hanna made a 3D printed case and belt harness for holding the Roadrash swords crossed against her back, and I 3D printed out an attachment to connect back of the scythe to the staff I was using.</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J-eg8qf1qEI/V9JDEkinhBI/AAAAAAAACwY/vGWWDUisW_YDk_K-KjY5TGtlSwQHpljcgCLcB/s1600/overhaul-dxf.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J-eg8qf1qEI/V9JDEkinhBI/AAAAAAAACwY/vGWWDUisW_YDk_K-KjY5TGtlSwQHpljcgCLcB/s400/overhaul-dxf.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I actually wanted to the Overhaul scythe to be bigger (surprise!) than </div>
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what could fit on a 24x36" board, but ultimately what became</div>
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the deciding factor was the size of the laser cutter bed I was using.</div>
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I printed one more of the scythe profiles in</div>
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addition to what you see above.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qHQu5qOOA-0/V9JDEnx5-NI/AAAAAAAACwg/oTLVBTWH85kjYpoKRsZ8yXDOpxwwnVMzgCLcB/s1600/roadrash-dxf.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qHQu5qOOA-0/V9JDEnx5-NI/AAAAAAAACwg/oTLVBTWH85kjYpoKRsZ8yXDOpxwwnVMzgCLcB/s400/roadrash-dxf.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The pincer swords were modeled after the pincers of</div>
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Roadrash, and the grip was inspired by their tire tread.</div>
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Initally, the blade of the sword was going to be 2 foam board</div>
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pieces thick, but we ended up going with 1 board thick.</div>
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I cut more guards and grips than depicted above, as well.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46KOW0G6u9Y/V9JDEn0vpcI/AAAAAAAACwc/ltFP-HeV2GwmmIk_L5Jr3ABcSUmPaY0igCLcB/s1600/sawblaze-dxf.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46KOW0G6u9Y/V9JDEn0vpcI/AAAAAAAACwc/ltFP-HeV2GwmmIk_L5Jr3ABcSUmPaY0igCLcB/s400/sawblaze-dxf.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This screenshot actually shows a mistake that I later corrected.</div>
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The upside dragon head was an unmodified version - I had</div>
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changed it slightly to accommodate for dowel hole placement.</div>
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The saw was made with a foam board base, and 2 poster</div>
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cutouts of the chain and wheel on each side, to give it</div>
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depth and detail.</div>
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Sometimes I feel like the laser cutters in my life are all on the same dropbox network. If one goes down, it's like they all go - WELP, one of us is down, let's all go down. But thanks to James, a mutual friend of the usual crew, I learned that one of the laser cutters on campus was still good! So I went there and mass laser-cut all the props in one go.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-peh2wghaZGI/V9I_8-aAcfI/AAAAAAAACv4/LTZiPg7QQxMclB7LtbmtG4HX1CHslF6PwCLcB/s1600/0826162243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-peh2wghaZGI/V9I_8-aAcfI/AAAAAAAACv4/LTZiPg7QQxMclB7LtbmtG4HX1CHslF6PwCLcB/s400/0826162243.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Laser cutting is awesomeeeeeeee~~</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6_Rg9iDu-JI/V9JAC_66Y_I/AAAAAAAACwM/KUYoXMqcfVQv2S-iSk2-HQ11B-5sKP4DgCLcB/s1600/0826162354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6_Rg9iDu-JI/V9JAC_66Y_I/AAAAAAAACwM/KUYoXMqcfVQv2S-iSk2-HQ11B-5sKP4DgCLcB/s400/0826162354.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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All the laser cut pieces, ready for travel!</div>
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They were assembled when I got to Atlanta.</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ernstphotos/"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-36V6PZz5tg0/V9JDP2H-WFI/AAAAAAAACwk/bfC5gG6qJroamH4XiJMZ3nFsJOssCBK-gCLcB/s640/14231819_1187432301320839_9146304892903168366_o.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Alsdfljaldsjfg I really like this shot. (Props to Zach!)</div>
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This also got <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BKGlH88gy6X/" target="_blank">instagrammed by Battlebots</a>. <3</div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wT9p4LeuTMo/V9JDPxdLn6I/AAAAAAAACwo/H7K9QB_0y28-Wx1wLepthsIGKdIT-88IwCLcB/s1600/14231845_10154490346316660_6966132810493163855_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wT9p4LeuTMo/V9JDPxdLn6I/AAAAAAAACwo/H7K9QB_0y28-Wx1wLepthsIGKdIT-88IwCLcB/s640/14231845_10154490346316660_6966132810493163855_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Posing with Greg!!! One half of the creators of Battlebots!!!</div>
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Wrapping up</div>
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The past year and a half held some big changes for me, but all in all, I'm glad for how it's helped me grow. There was a lot of self-reflection and self-doubt, but in the end, I'm kind of proud that I have the ability to just... make things, in spite of everything. Good friends and good projects always ease the heart and soul. : )</div>
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I had a great time at Dragon Con this year cosplaying with friends that have moved further away, and I hope we can make this a yearly get together! Here's to Season 3 of Battlebots, and making all the things! <3</div>
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Also, look out for the next few posts, where I regale you with more Battlebots and RWBY scythe!</div>
Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-80742286159720725622015-07-04T23:57:00.000-04:002015-07-04T23:57:26.873-04:00CAPTAIN AMER-- I MEAN, INDEPENDENCE DAYHAPPY 4TH OF JULY!<br />
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Thought I'd commemorate this year's 4th of July to my favorite superhero-duo, Iron Man and Captain America, via a coin - Stark's first arc reactor on one side, Cap's shield on the other.<br />
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Since, you know, they're really two sides of the same coin. Of America. Of heroism. Of--- Ok, metaphors aside. I'm eagerly anticipating Captain America's Civil War movie coming out next year, but I couldn't choose a side, since I love both Cap and Stark. So... I thought it'd be funny to literally flip a coin to decide which side I'd be on.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pVKQvn-EW6I/VZibxtf2lSI/AAAAAAAAB7I/NhJda-UN-f8/s1600/IMAG1274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pVKQvn-EW6I/VZibxtf2lSI/AAAAAAAAB7I/NhJda-UN-f8/s400/IMAG1274.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And a quarter there for scale.</div>
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I'm still undecided, if you're wondering.</div>
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The designs were laser etched onto aluminum, parted from a rod stock of 6061, using CerMark and an Epilog laser cutter.<br />
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Here's how I made the coins:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-knjl1Pye8ZM/VZidUT2LQyI/AAAAAAAAB74/Oc7dN3lvE6Q/s1600/capshield_arcreactor_AI.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-knjl1Pye8ZM/VZidUT2LQyI/AAAAAAAAB74/Oc7dN3lvE6Q/s400/capshield_arcreactor_AI.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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1) Drafted up to-scale designs in Adobe Illustrator.</div>
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In this case, the coins needed to be 1" in diameter.</div>
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(Shape fills without outline will be etched)</div>
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Export to DXF.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-28kmyDH2ynM/VZidSqS8B-I/AAAAAAAAB7Y/mLE2rszcR6Q/s1600/IMAG1259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-28kmyDH2ynM/VZidSqS8B-I/AAAAAAAAB7Y/mLE2rszcR6Q/s400/IMAG1259.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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2) Prep your stock of aluminum.</div>
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If you have access to a waterjet, use that to cut</div>
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circles instead - it's a lot faster than what I did.</div>
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In my case, I had to use the cold saw to </div>
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cut a chunk off....</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g0MYwOURoJk/VZidSiKWdXI/AAAAAAAAB7U/ZAfCRh5RlMw/s1600/IMAG1260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g0MYwOURoJk/VZidSiKWdXI/AAAAAAAAB7U/ZAfCRh5RlMw/s400/IMAG1260.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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...and then use the lathe to slice off thin disks.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A1imng0_tK8/VZidSlvysRI/AAAAAAAAB7c/VA5uOO16GP4/s1600/IMAG1261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A1imng0_tK8/VZidSlvysRI/AAAAAAAAB7c/VA5uOO16GP4/s400/IMAG1261.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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Like so.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8zsLZV661Ww/VZidTEh2aAI/AAAAAAAAB8I/JkeJPtEbaR0/s1600/IMAG1262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8zsLZV661Ww/VZidTEh2aAI/AAAAAAAAB8I/JkeJPtEbaR0/s400/IMAG1262.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then did some manual finishing with a file.</div>
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See, if you had just used the waterjet,</div>
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you'd be at step 3 already. :P</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ywdsev3AxsM/VZidTTdEqDI/AAAAAAAAB7o/pLrWg8i-PAI/s1600/IMAG1265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ywdsev3AxsM/VZidTTdEqDI/AAAAAAAAB7o/pLrWg8i-PAI/s400/IMAG1265.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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3) Mix 1:1 <a href="https://www.laserbits.com/cermark-products/cermark-metal-marking-solution-black.html" target="_blank">CerMark solution</a> and denatured alcohol.</div>
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Then lay a thin coat the metal surface.</div>
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Then wait for it to fully dry.</div>
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CerMark's a tad expensive, but I luckily had some lying</div>
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around in the shop I could use. You don't need much for this-</div>
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I used like.... maybe a tablespoon?</div>
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The reason we use CerMark is because normally,</div>
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the laser will reflect off of metals. The CerMark solution</div>
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makes the surface absorbent, thus enabling a proper etch.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ucs4o85B2s/VZidTvbrbRI/AAAAAAAAB7s/crJb-ks51lQ/s1600/IMAG1267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ucs4o85B2s/VZidTvbrbRI/AAAAAAAAB7s/crJb-ks51lQ/s400/IMAG1267.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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4) Cut 2 coin-sized circles in a dummy sheet to hold</div>
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the metal coins. (I used 3mm acrylic, 1.015" wide.)</div>
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Then, without changing anything about the physical</div>
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setup, change your print settings for metal raster,</div>
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set your metal pieces in the slots and send your</div>
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print to the lasercutter.</div>
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Setting-wise for the metal, I used:</div>
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100% power, 20% speed.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xeKKLfD65A4/VZidUOIDD3I/AAAAAAAAB8A/H_aYSU6wQyU/s1600/IMAG1268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xeKKLfD65A4/VZidUOIDD3I/AAAAAAAAB8A/H_aYSU6wQyU/s400/IMAG1268.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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5) Wash off the remaining CerMark mix with water.</div>
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And TADA! You have a metal etch.</div>
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Above's a comparison of the acrylic raster test print</div>
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to the aluminum raster'd coin.</div>
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<br /></div>
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6) Flip the coins over, repeat 3) and 5),</div>
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making sure the coins have a different design</div>
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on the other side.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d9b8vea1NTY/VZiiuSQdTMI/AAAAAAAAB8c/RDFlJSbzZFw/s1600/IMAG1271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d9b8vea1NTY/VZiiuSQdTMI/AAAAAAAAB8c/RDFlJSbzZFw/s640/IMAG1271.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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7) (Optional) Flip a coin to decide which side you're on. xD</div>
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CAN'T I BE ON BOTH SIDES?</div>
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I LOVE THEM BOTH.</div>
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A few things I'd do differently next time around:</div>
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</div>
<ul>
<li>Use a waterjet. I could get thinner disks with ridged, or decorative edges, or make extra jut-offs that could hold a necklace string, earring hook, etc.</li>
<li>100% power, 10% speed on the laser cutter.</li>
<li>Shake the CerMark longer before use, and mix more thoroughly. The second coin, as you'll see below in the video, didn't etch properly because the chemical solution wasn't mixed properly.</li>
<li>Polish the metal surface before etching. Just for the shine factor.</li>
<li>Maybe turn this into a necklace? Earrings? Coasters? Poker chips? Haha.</li>
</ul>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='500' height='420' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwsmczSQRM0g3IdKr6wNblz6GnZ4mVbkjMmQk3Xo7XdioCRbBHivDyxJ5UdT0yX4NRiE4vCZ_J_dYQpfgm5jQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Light, very flippable, Captain America and Iron Man coins!</div>
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So even after making this, I can't choose a side. I've had a huge crush on Robert Downey Jr's portrayal of Tony Stark since the first Iron Man, and when Chris Evans first appeared as Captain America, I grew a huge crush on that portrayal too (plus, his Winter Soldier outfit - so cool!). Plus the whole universe they live in, what happens to them, the people they interact with-- Aaaah, so good!<br />
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So yeah. My inner fangirl will probably have her heart broken come Civil War day, but until then... LOVE, NOT WAR! <3</div>
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~~~~~~~~~</div>
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In other news, BATTLEBOTS is on ABC! I was part of team JACD, robot OVERHAUL and it was an awesome experience. I have another blog post planned after the whole series finishes, so I'll speak more about it then. : )<br />
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Until then, tune in!Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-27950114262576048732015-01-18T23:12:00.000-05:002015-01-18T23:12:01.410-05:00TRIP TO CHINA + JAPANWow. Where to even start?<br />
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From December 22, 2014 to January 2, 2015, I spent overseas - one week roughly in China with family, one week roughly in Japan with <a href="http://etotheipiplusone.net/" target="_blank">Charles</a>. It's been 10+ years since I've been back to China, and it was my first time in Japan. I pretty much underwent a mix of culture shock and sensory overload the entire time. (And then on the way back, a sort of reverse culture shock coming back into the states, haha)<br />
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The trip became more than just a family reunion, more than just a tourist's trip. It was a welcome break from the life back in Boston, a welcome change with a different perspective, and I wanted to share some of the stories I have of the places I had gone.<br />
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<b>Warning: This will be an extremely long post!</b><br />
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TL;DR:<br />
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<ul>
<li>I attended a huge birthday party for my 80 year old grandfather (on my mother's side), and visited my other grandparents (on my father's side) in the countryside!</li>
<li>I rode the high speed rail from Beijing for the first time!</li>
<li>I visited Todai (Tokyo University) for the first time!</li>
<li>I attended Comiket for the first time! (Only the last day though)</li>
<li>I went up Tokyo Sky Tree for the first time!</li>
<li>Other places I visited in Japan: Akihabara, Meiji Shrine, Harajuku</li>
</ul>
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For all the details though, read on! The post will be divided into the following sections:</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>China</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>I</b></div>
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Dec 22-28, 2014<br />
High-speed rail</div>
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Visiting Grandparents on both sides of the family</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V9BoqXFse3o/VK3azHnGN5I/AAAAAAAABjg/yZMkUs1_J78/s1600/0_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V9BoqXFse3o/VK3azHnGN5I/AAAAAAAABjg/yZMkUs1_J78/s1600/0_1.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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The view outside my Hotel window in Beijing.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uvgTvvktYxY/VLrLxe_20VI/AAAAAAAAB0s/BMTOWSjiiIM/s1600/IMAG0710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uvgTvvktYxY/VLrLxe_20VI/AAAAAAAAB0s/BMTOWSjiiIM/s1600/IMAG0710.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a>Picture taken at my grandpa's 80th birthday party-</div>
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Over a hundred attended!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h1FkMSmBy9o/VK3a8EPOvDI/AAAAAAAABjo/_BrKK5CTAQ8/s1600/0_2_xiantao_panorama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h1FkMSmBy9o/VK3a8EPOvDI/AAAAAAAABjo/_BrKK5CTAQ8/s1600/0_2_xiantao_panorama.png" height="94" width="640" /></a></div>
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The panorama from the roof of my Grandparent's (on my dad's side) house.</div>
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Yep, the roof. I climbed up with one of my Uncles. 8D</div>
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<b>Tokyo</b></div>
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<b>II</b><br />
Dec 29, 2014</div>
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Todai<br />
DMM.Make</div>
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Akihabara</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_cKjclOCjHU/VK3bO7bIjTI/AAAAAAAABjw/J5EFM0S4Piw/s1600/0_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_cKjclOCjHU/VK3bO7bIjTI/AAAAAAAABjw/J5EFM0S4Piw/s1600/0_1.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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AKIHABARAAAAAAAAA.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uZeXx98phOw/VK3bQ93QWFI/AAAAAAAABj4/4C1qWM_mfL0/s1600/0_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uZeXx98phOw/VK3bQ93QWFI/AAAAAAAABj4/4C1qWM_mfL0/s1600/0_2.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yoshihiro-sensei demo-ing some very awesome circuitry magic.</div>
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Draw a circuit on a piece of photo paper with a special marker...and PRESTO.</div>
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Instant working circuit. Check the video out below!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy_lL-oNO0L3Z0Yrp7rtJgRpBNKvVxQbrfKhRPnrS_cBYZTEjXNSvsikjB5zecjq4LkBbGBuPIVXgH9wxqLWg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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TA-DA.</div>
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It's <b>AWESOME.</b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hvAkLa9NsOM/VK3bRMSGMvI/AAAAAAAABj8/zQRe2zu4P2A/s1600/0_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hvAkLa9NsOM/VK3bRMSGMvI/AAAAAAAABj8/zQRe2zu4P2A/s1600/0_3.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Other projects the Todai students are working on!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>III</b><br />
Dec 30, 2014</div>
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Comiket</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KDfYK3kL3UQ/VK3fuJYAVRI/AAAAAAAABkM/NNupz1vwMFE/s1600/0_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KDfYK3kL3UQ/VK3fuJYAVRI/AAAAAAAABkM/NNupz1vwMFE/s1600/0_1.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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Tokyo Big Sight is in sight!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UBs_O4nsOgU/VK3fwupDmuI/AAAAAAAABkY/I84r0q-iCkc/s1600/0_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UBs_O4nsOgU/VK3fwupDmuI/AAAAAAAABkY/I84r0q-iCkc/s1600/0_2.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Titan spotted!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_pCCSKKKKag/VK3fwsp1sQI/AAAAAAAABkU/TcTb9K1MWJg/s1600/0_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_pCCSKKKKag/VK3fwsp1sQI/AAAAAAAABkU/TcTb9K1MWJg/s1600/0_3.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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My favoraite <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itasha" target="_blank">Itasha</a> spotted during the trip. : ></div>
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Zenbonsakura Miku!</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/f9ByfbZQ1Vs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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A video compiled from smartphone recordings</div>
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I made during the Tokyo trip.</div>
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(Excuse the shakiness!)</div>
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<b>IV</b></div>
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Dec 31, 2014</div>
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Tokyo Sky Tree</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeS5QtxShqQ/VK3gEp3odvI/AAAAAAAABks/YZJOzCIVlng/s1600/0_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VeS5QtxShqQ/VK3gEp3odvI/AAAAAAAABks/YZJOzCIVlng/s1600/0_1.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Tokyo Sky Tree, at 634m, or 2080ft, tall!</div>
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The tallest tower in the world and the 2nd tallest structure in the world!</div>
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The view from the Tembo deck of the tower.</div>
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<b>V</b></div>
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Jan 1, 2015</div>
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Meiji Shrine</div>
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Harajuku</div>
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Kinokuniya</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-POJCug375Sg/VK3gXRUzocI/AAAAAAAABk8/d8NKCGVfAPo/s1600/0_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-POJCug375Sg/VK3gXRUzocI/AAAAAAAABk8/d8NKCGVfAPo/s1600/0_1.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Meiji Shrine on New Years day afternoon-</div>
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(Still packed with lots of people, haha.)</div>
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Located in a beautiful park!</div>
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While walking through Harajuku, I noticed Pepper!</div>
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Of course I had to go in and try and say 'hi', hehe.</div>
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The famous Takeshita Street in Harajuku!</div>
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Charles and I bought some clothing here, hehe...</div>
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<b>VI</b></div>
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1-2</div>
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Tokyu Hands</div>
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Homeward bound!</div>
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The view from our AirBnB room.</div>
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Last day in Tokyo!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fYT6K2K07QM/VK3gnzGW35I/AAAAAAAABlc/kgYVRHI-CXM/s1600/0_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fYT6K2K07QM/VK3gnzGW35I/AAAAAAAABlc/kgYVRHI-CXM/s1600/0_2.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Browsing through the megastore of Tokyu Hands.</div>
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Charles and I wanted to buy a lot of things here, haha.</div>
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They have a whole floor dedicated to DIY!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TFqurbV3PiY/VK3gmrEfifI/AAAAAAAABlM/xZVSEfpErsg/s1600/0_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TFqurbV3PiY/VK3gmrEfifI/AAAAAAAABlM/xZVSEfpErsg/s1600/0_3.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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DRAGON 2020 MIKU FIGURE!</div>
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One of the things I bought in Tokyo!</div>
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<b>CAUTION: LONG POST AHEAD!</b><br />
Click below to read more about my trip!<br />
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<b>China</b><br />
Dec 22 - 28, 2014<br />
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The first leg of the journey was from Boston to Beijing. The day before I had to leave for the airport, I was extremely restless - excited, sure, but also very anxious. So much so that I had cleaned the house twice over and arrived at my flight gate two hours before my boarding time. Perhaps being early was meant to be, since I was privy to a particular event before I even boarded that set the scene for the rest of the journey.<br />
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While I was waiting for my flight to be called and the passengers of the flight before mine to disembark, I noticed a woman, around 50 or 60 years old, grey hair brushed neatly into a bob, walk with pointed purpose from my left towards the same gate I was waiting for. Several other people noticed her too, not because she looked particularly strange, or was doing anything peculiar. She was simply holding a couple of red, white, and blue star-shaped balloons, along with a white poster sign that had the words, "Welcome Home, Patrick." Complete with her camouflage blouse and bouquet of flowers, it was clear to anyone watching who she was waiting for.<br />
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A man named "Patrick." A US soldier. Her son.<br />
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Seeing the mother stand there patiently, watching, waiting... As one by one, people from the incoming plane filed out of the exit intermittently, past her, smiling at her sign and balloons, immediately understanding why she was there, connecting with her story. Minute by minute passed, more and more people filed past her... but not 'Patrick'. Not yet.<br />
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And then, I suddenly saw the woman give a cry of delight, then smile-- Near the trailing end of the passenger line, a young man beamed just as wide, his free arm opening up to receive a hug, and I thought, "<i>Ah... He must be Patrick.</i>" The mother and son duo embraced for a long while after their reunion, as the father looked on from behind, and I couldn't help but also smile at the scene.<br />
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I took it as a good sign. A prelude to a good trip, with favorable winds that would bring me safely to my family, who I had not seen all together since 10 years ago. A sweet reunion, a warm embrace of loved ones. ...And a safe return.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H9h27YKw3G8/VK3-WMIoERI/AAAAAAAABls/xMNVjF1_Yyk/s1600/IMAG0542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H9h27YKw3G8/VK3-WMIoERI/AAAAAAAABls/xMNVjF1_Yyk/s1600/IMAG0542.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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The heartwarming scene at Boston Logan Airport.</div>
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One of the things I drew while waiting for my flight.</div>
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I was actually finishing up this sketch when I noticed</div>
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the scene described above.</div>
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Touchdown in Beijing was smoother than expected, and it wasn't long after that I was picked up by my dad, aunt, and nephew. Dad and I were shuttled to the hotel we would be staying at that night before we would leave Beijing the day after. Before I left, however, I had dinner with my aunt and nephew, and I met back up with Charles, who had been in China for a week already, the next morning. Charles and I took a walk towards a local park, where we spent some time catching up. (You can read more about Charles's adventure in his <a href="http://etotheipiplusone.net/" target="_blank">blog</a>, too!)</div>
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At the local park was this large pagoda.</div>
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A few people were playing music and dancing in front of it</div>
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a few minutes after this was taken.</div>
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Walking shadows with Charles!</div>
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More of the park - the lake was frozen over.</div>
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Near the back of the park, there was a group</div>
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of elderly people standing stone-still.</div>
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There was a radio spouting some speech;</div>
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I caught something about "emptying the mind."</div>
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Strangely enough, the elderly group was stationed</div>
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next to a train display, which Charles and I</div>
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checked out with more interest.</div>
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After essentially a day in Beijing, dad and I boarded a high speed rail train to begin our "Visiting the Relatives" chapter of the trip. First stop, dad's side of the family.</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gegcu7oR1ZE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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A video compiled from smartphone recordings</div>
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I made during my China trip.</div>
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(Excuse the shakiness!)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZMk2M5tEf0/VK3-beVXzpI/AAAAAAAABmk/rbR_K59o58U/s1600/IMAG0584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZMk2M5tEf0/VK3-beVXzpI/AAAAAAAABmk/rbR_K59o58U/s1600/IMAG0584.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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Arriving at ZhenZhou station with dad.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h1FkMSmBy9o/VK3a8EPOvDI/AAAAAAAABjo/_BrKK5CTAQ8/s1600/0_2_xiantao_panorama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h1FkMSmBy9o/VK3a8EPOvDI/AAAAAAAABjo/_BrKK5CTAQ8/s1600/0_2_xiantao_panorama.png" height="94" width="640" /></a></div>
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Panoramic view of from my grandparent's house (on my dad's side).</div>
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You can actually see the high speed rail pass by from their house.</div>
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(Click for a better view!)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XrrTBDSIUoc/VK3-cjHAEZI/AAAAAAAABms/u3Qc5ghQKPY/s1600/IMAG0607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XrrTBDSIUoc/VK3-cjHAEZI/AAAAAAAABms/u3Qc5ghQKPY/s1600/IMAG0607.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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Dad and his brothers helped buy my grandparents</div>
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a new electric bike-carriage.</div>
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This version had a fold-down bench.</div>
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Coming up on our right is my grandparent's house.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kEKxQIRWUhE/VK3-degEdrI/AAAAAAAABm4/qxRhEkpzLzs/s1600/IMAG0619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kEKxQIRWUhE/VK3-degEdrI/AAAAAAAABm4/qxRhEkpzLzs/s1600/IMAG0619.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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I've seen these things all over China.</div>
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They're solar water heaters!</div>
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Chickens in the back courtyard!</div>
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One of the interesting things I learned was that it was also the first time in a few long years that Dad and his brothers had all gotten together like this to meet with their parents as well. After taking several pictures together to commemorate the event in many various places, taking a tour of the house, and eating a meal with everyone, dad and I packed up again and left on the high speed rail to our next destination: The birthday party that was planned for Grandpa's (on my mom's side) 80th birthday party.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b6_EP7hCivU/VK3-f4BdfpI/AAAAAAAABnE/6_A_eIi277Q/s1600/IMAG0661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b6_EP7hCivU/VK3-f4BdfpI/AAAAAAAABnE/6_A_eIi277Q/s1600/IMAG0661.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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A common sighting along the way on the train.</div>
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The juxtaposition of giant new construction buildings</div>
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beside flat plains and older, lower-floored apartments...</div>
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For me, hearing that I was about to attend a ~120 person birthday party was daunting. Especially when I consider they were mostly all family on my mother's side, the majority of whom I had no idea about and had never met. Granted, many of the attendees even my mom didn't know who they were, but the fact remained that I, as the daughter of the 3rd daughter of my grandfather who had studied in the US and graduated from MIT, was at some point going to be a novelty to this crowd. And with any novelty that people had not seen for 10+ years (or at all) and had only heard stories and rumors about, there was no doubt going to be a point where I would be tossed, even if for just a moment, under the scrutiny of the social spotlight.</div>
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...I wasn't particularly looking forward to that.</div>
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But it wasn't terrible. Sure, there were a lot of social customs and different cultural customs and probably many little things I did wrong socially (like clink someone's glass at the wrong level), but in the end, all that didn't matter.</div>
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What mattered was my time with my immediate family, who had gathered all together for each other. What mattered was the good food and good banter we had with each other. What mattered was seeing the lives my family lived here in China, so different and yet not so different from mine. What mattered was that my grandfather turned 80 and lived to see his three daughters and son and all his grandchildren in well-fed, well-off lives. What mattered was my grandmother who would not let go of my hand on the drive over to the train station when I had to leave.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QVJ16u-FAjY/VK3-gGPLMqI/AAAAAAAABnI/x5_hB7r7poc/s1600/IMAG0696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QVJ16u-FAjY/VK3-gGPLMqI/AAAAAAAABnI/x5_hB7r7poc/s1600/IMAG0696.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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A view from my seat in the room.</div>
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Grandpa and Grandma taking centerstage</div>
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during the main event.</div>
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Somewhere in the middle of mom's speech about my grandfather for my grandfather, my grandfather started quietly tearing up. She was telling the story of the first gifts she remembered her father giving her, during a time when even just feeding and clothing and sheltering your family was difficult enough, that helped define key moments in the rest of her life. It was a moving story, of tasteful length and well-narrated, and was the only speech that day to stir my grandfather to tears.<br />
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On my train ride back to Beijing, that was one of the most prominent images I recalled from my visiting my grandparents. To be at his age, to see his line so proliferated, to see his descendants happy and well-fed and well-off, when at one point in his life he must have had his own bout of sufferings and worries for his family...<br />
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...For the first time in my life, I looked at my family in China and really wanted to make them proud. To make my grandpa proud. To show him that everything he had worked for would not be wasted on me. In hard times, he brought up three daughters and a son, each of whom now had their own family and a child. It was the same with visiting my grandparents on my dad's side. Though they were farmers, they still managed to raise four sons and a daughter, each now with a family and a child of their own. I had come from such a lucky lineage.<br />
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And for the first time in my life.... I think I was truly proud of who I was and where I had come from. It didn't matter what others said about me being Chinese or Kentuckian, or whether my grandparents were this or that, or even what I thought about my own culture. Through all the murk of differences in culture and lifestyle and habits, I was of the same stock as them. A hard-working, resilient, grounded people that prevailed through difficult times. It gave me courage to know that the same blood ran through me.<br />
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It was the same feeling when I returned to Beijing to spend a night with Charles' aunt and grandparents. The hug his grandma gave him as we were preparing to leave, the tears his grandpa held back as he patted his grandson on the back....<br />
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At that moment, I remember thinking back to the event I had witnessed at the Boston Logan airport came back to me, the image of the woman who stood quietly waiting for the return of her son....<br />
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Family... was truly universal. It didn't matter what timezone you were in, what language you spoke or how you behaved. Deep down, the love a parent has for a child was immeasurable. And the realization that one's time left with the other is finite is a saddening reality.<br />
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-<br />
<b>II</b><br />
-<br />
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<b>Tokyo</b><br />
Dec 29, 2014<br />
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Leaving China was a little heart-wrenching. I wasn't ready for how strongly I had felt about seeing everyone again. I still had qualms about the country as an entirety, differences I'll address at the bottom of this post, but from a family point of view, it was very much like coating a cool salve over an inflamed region of my heart where homesickness reigned.<br />
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The flight to Tokyo didn't take long. At the customs gate, our customs officer asked to open up Charles' suitcase, the one he packed the no-hands segway he had bought in Shenzhen. What that resulted in was an x-ray test from the device, since he wasn't familiar with it, and a request for a demo. Which Charles happily obliged.<br />
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We were fortunate enough to have Charles' aunt's friend pick us up from the airport and show us the way to Shinjuku (where our AirBnB apartment room was). Otherwise, we would have gotten seriously lost. She was so prepared! There was all this information she had collected for us beforehand - subway maps, subway card (preloaded!), maps to specific locations, info about tourist locations, how-to-sort-your-trash pamphlets, etc etc. Even with her expertise, we actually still managed to run into bits of quandry in the subway system and ended up arriving to meet our AirBnB host at the appropriate station near midnight (2 hours late).<br />
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In retrospect, we actually spent about the same amount of time getting from Narita Airport to Shinjuku on the trains as flying from Beijing to Tokyo.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--wG2iHLBTvk/VK4BlAXu0WI/AAAAAAAABsg/_JDzbvOBUQM/s1600/DSCF5340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--wG2iHLBTvk/VK4BlAXu0WI/AAAAAAAABsg/_JDzbvOBUQM/s1600/DSCF5340.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Exhibit A. Tokyo subway maps.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-34aS_z6kxo0/VLucQ1f0pjI/AAAAAAAAB1M/GKWrVnYUWQM/s1600/IMAG0731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-34aS_z6kxo0/VLucQ1f0pjI/AAAAAAAAB1M/GKWrVnYUWQM/s1600/IMAG0731.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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.......????</div>
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Though our first experience with the subway system wasn't great, we made sure to plan out our exact subway ride the day before so we wouldn't be running into surprises. After a day or so, both of us pretty much got used to the system - next time we come, we would be much better prepared.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2FuvL_NEP_s/VK3__wfsliI/AAAAAAAABnw/GyIR7ZHD8MU/s1600/DSCF5147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2FuvL_NEP_s/VK3__wfsliI/AAAAAAAABnw/GyIR7ZHD8MU/s1600/DSCF5147.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is where we stayed in Shinjuku!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SO9Mdnxai0E/VK3__-iUTkI/AAAAAAAABno/A2ikwaubJ7k/s1600/DSCF5148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SO9Mdnxai0E/VK3__-iUTkI/AAAAAAAABno/A2ikwaubJ7k/s1600/DSCF5148.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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An upshot of the apartment building.</div>
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(We faced the back)</div>
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One of the first places we visited first was the University of Tokyo (Todai). Charles had two contacts from the university that we would meet up with first, Kawahara-sensei and Niiyama-sensei, both of whom had worked and studied at MIT previously.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--qen0IAzDos/VK3__xFiKfI/AAAAAAAABns/OLk7TmOZFSo/s1600/DSCF5152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--qen0IAzDos/VK3__xFiKfI/AAAAAAAABns/OLk7TmOZFSo/s1600/DSCF5152.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Todai gates!!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bM8gO3OOynk/VK4AIEoDsHI/AAAAAAAABoA/eO896sTENBU/s1600/DSCF5154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bM8gO3OOynk/VK4AIEoDsHI/AAAAAAAABoA/eO896sTENBU/s1600/DSCF5154.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Todai campus!!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YvqJSTJqVvM/VK4AIgKGjDI/AAAAAAAABoE/DJApDd91nww/s1600/DSCF5155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YvqJSTJqVvM/VK4AIgKGjDI/AAAAAAAABoE/DJApDd91nww/s1600/DSCF5155.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Todai (very epic sounding) departments!!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isb2rEfQdfE/VLugrntgsiI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/5ao1fv-15Ok/s1600/0_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isb2rEfQdfE/VLugrntgsiI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/5ao1fv-15Ok/s1600/0_2.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Draw your own circuit!</div>
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(Check out the video I put in the early part of my post!)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lMa10cryKgU/VK4AIg81KoI/AAAAAAAABoI/zFyL_1QQrY0/s1600/DSCF5163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lMa10cryKgU/VK4AIg81KoI/AAAAAAAABoI/zFyL_1QQrY0/s1600/DSCF5163.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pneumatic-motion origami!</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dygdV5ve151dlZsXsO8eCvmwJq-Vtj8HXrQEzupviBOGDhURTY99_R3wPZ5DlfDpt7lhd4igBGagmxqKnB-Cw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Video showing the paper crane in action!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-itxwRkOljME/VK4APIwWxxI/AAAAAAAABoY/ncPxdo862Xs/s1600/DSCF5165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-itxwRkOljME/VK4APIwWxxI/AAAAAAAABoY/ncPxdo862Xs/s1600/DSCF5165.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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The bug-like six legged walker bot!</div>
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It was super fast, super twitchy, and really cute~</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DZ6kZ06u23Y/VK4ARXEJwiI/AAAAAAAABok/LKoI5Hf5a7Y/s1600/DSCF5170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DZ6kZ06u23Y/VK4ARXEJwiI/AAAAAAAABok/LKoI5Hf5a7Y/s1600/DSCF5170.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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A project some lab was working on!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPzV85fu_Rc/VK4ARfsrKuI/AAAAAAAABog/CWaZ2hg0m6Q/s1600/DSCF5172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JPzV85fu_Rc/VK4ARfsrKuI/AAAAAAAABog/CWaZ2hg0m6Q/s1600/DSCF5172.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another... project some lab was working on!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MQcsWoiNPL0/VK4AU2CkL5I/AAAAAAAABow/rQ3u-Dj4ocY/s1600/DSCF5175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MQcsWoiNPL0/VK4AU2CkL5I/AAAAAAAABow/rQ3u-Dj4ocY/s1600/DSCF5175.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The skinniest building was the location to a hackerspace!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N840U4IEFDM/VK4AYRpR4JI/AAAAAAAABo4/9c8rij8eeK4/s1600/DSCF5179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N840U4IEFDM/VK4AYRpR4JI/AAAAAAAABo4/9c8rij8eeK4/s1600/DSCF5179.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Inside the hackerspace, we found printable circuits!!</div>
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(like the light-up pinwheel!)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_r6C3kei6do/VK4AYgjGnsI/AAAAAAAABo8/PaZmFqsB0wk/s1600/DSCF5180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_r6C3kei6do/VK4AYgjGnsI/AAAAAAAABo8/PaZmFqsB0wk/s1600/DSCF5180.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Aahh... hackerspaces.</div>
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Strange how there's something familiar and</div>
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comforting about hackerspaces looking like this.</div>
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At least to me.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5KwGmctc6I0/VK4BkQACWZI/AAAAAAAABsQ/m_sb2FiiR6I/s1600/IMAG0759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5KwGmctc6I0/VK4BkQACWZI/AAAAAAAABsQ/m_sb2FiiR6I/s1600/IMAG0759.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also, this.</div>
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<b>THIS.</b></div>
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Kawahara-sensei's business card can be plugged into</div>
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the USB port of a computer, and the LED will light up!</div>
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SO AWESOME.</div>
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After trading info on their project works with us, they led us by taxi to Akihabara. Taxis. With automatic doors. And wheels on the right side. And driving on the left side of the road. It was a strange moment to wrap my head around. But really cool! It felt like being chaffeured in a high-class mini limo... That sort of experience I have never gotten until now from riding a taxi.</div>
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Also - did you know you could use your subway card to pay for food and drinks at certain places, <i>and</i> pay for your taxi fare? In Japan, yes you can.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4JdX0Es1z1I/VK4AaogaitI/AAAAAAAABpI/3W2W29aYvic/s1600/DSCF5185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4JdX0Es1z1I/VK4AaogaitI/AAAAAAAABpI/3W2W29aYvic/s1600/DSCF5185.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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First look at the Akihabara back roads!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zy2ufQOrTs8/VK4AfnDBZEI/AAAAAAAABpQ/_-GqQnUGiTA/s1600/DSCF5189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zy2ufQOrTs8/VK4AfnDBZEI/AAAAAAAABpQ/_-GqQnUGiTA/s1600/DSCF5189.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Yeeees, look at all the open air electronics markets!</div>
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They don't compare with Charles' Shenzhen pics of</div>
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electronics markets, but Akihabara still has them!</div>
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America, where are yours?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5duo-8cnsxQ/VK4AgMG0ifI/AAAAAAAABpU/-10h-vPKSz4/s1600/DSCF5205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5duo-8cnsxQ/VK4AgMG0ifI/AAAAAAAABpU/-10h-vPKSz4/s1600/DSCF5205.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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A large anime/game goods store!</div>
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Colorful Akihabara street view!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KN2JlmV5Cz0/VK4Apt38dUI/AAAAAAAABpw/CjC5uyUwtTs/s1600/DSCF5221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KN2JlmV5Cz0/VK4Apt38dUI/AAAAAAAABpw/CjC5uyUwtTs/s1600/DSCF5221.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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In Akihabara, there are also professional,</div>
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company-sponsored hackerspaces.</div>
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Kawahara-sensei and Niiyama-sensei showed us into a large corporate building, went up a two sets of elevators, and down a hall, and then suddenly - BAM. You've entered the glorious space called DMM Make. This place had a dedicated space for <i>everything</i> you could possibly think of - circuits, screen-printing, painting, molding, sewing, CAD-ing, etc etc etc.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m893EntvruM/VK4Am5NrthI/AAAAAAAABpo/f2YjwcsXm2Q/s1600/DSCF5222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m893EntvruM/VK4Am5NrthI/AAAAAAAABpo/f2YjwcsXm2Q/s1600/DSCF5222.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Open workspace - there's a kitchen too!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vYFo-YZ9bsI/VK4AqOQP_nI/AAAAAAAABp0/ZynfASnle9A/s1600/DSCF5228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vYFo-YZ9bsI/VK4AqOQP_nI/AAAAAAAABp0/ZynfASnle9A/s1600/DSCF5228.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Busy people using the open workspace area!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cz_cBtwDZas/VK4AufWDV8I/AAAAAAAABqA/d9VlFSH9KOs/s1600/DSCF5230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cz_cBtwDZas/VK4AufWDV8I/AAAAAAAABqA/d9VlFSH9KOs/s1600/DSCF5230.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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The view from one of the conference rooms you can reserve.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4tnNFs0irkA/VK4AyNX3RoI/AAAAAAAABqI/Wto1WQ9AfXU/s1600/DSCF5235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4tnNFs0irkA/VK4AyNX3RoI/AAAAAAAABqI/Wto1WQ9AfXU/s1600/DSCF5235.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>AND</i> they have their own shop!!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFL-pYKHpxs/VK4AyVpHDmI/AAAAAAAABqM/1sXrtLlKNLM/s1600/DSCF5237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFL-pYKHpxs/VK4AyVpHDmI/AAAAAAAABqM/1sXrtLlKNLM/s1600/DSCF5237.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's super organized and clean and shiny and new!!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_p6iKUlZWE/VK4A6R_gJ6I/AAAAAAAABqY/PLu93j9QJiU/s1600/DSCF5245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_p6iKUlZWE/VK4A6R_gJ6I/AAAAAAAABqY/PLu93j9QJiU/s1600/DSCF5245.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Did I mention they have a dedicated space for CAD-ing?!</div>
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(They use CATIA. And Up-Minis.)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wdmfbOuNOjE/VK4A-c9aNaI/AAAAAAAABqg/JjaqQJUcmc4/s1600/DSCF5247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wdmfbOuNOjE/VK4A-c9aNaI/AAAAAAAABqg/JjaqQJUcmc4/s1600/DSCF5247.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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And they have computers built into the desk.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SIyx2yj1gI0/VK4A-offNAI/AAAAAAAABqk/yGlcPypdyEA/s1600/DSCF5250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SIyx2yj1gI0/VK4A-offNAI/AAAAAAAABqk/yGlcPypdyEA/s1600/DSCF5250.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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And a whole QA lab.</div>
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(Shake, drop, shock, pressure, you name it.)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_AedFOWSW10/VK4BFdZET3I/AAAAAAAABqw/QJVXnwafD4Y/s1600/DSCF5262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_AedFOWSW10/VK4BFdZET3I/AAAAAAAABqw/QJVXnwafD4Y/s1600/DSCF5262.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><b>And their own pick-and-place machine.</b></i></div>
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How much money did DMM invest in this???</div>
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Nevermind, we asked. Nothing specific, but quite a lot.</div>
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....Quite. A lot.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hd64S8YbAv8/VLulbo4V71I/AAAAAAAAB1k/E_hbfPJmNVY/s1600/DSCF5263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hd64S8YbAv8/VLulbo4V71I/AAAAAAAAB1k/E_hbfPJmNVY/s1600/DSCF5263.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also, here's the inside of a pick and place,</div>
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if you were ever curious, hehe.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LRYTeo58HLk/VK4BMQajuGI/AAAAAAAABq8/Ue7Bszdqq2s/s1600/DSCF5264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LRYTeo58HLk/VK4BMQajuGI/AAAAAAAABq8/Ue7Bszdqq2s/s1600/DSCF5264.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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There were some awesome chalk drawings around this place.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Q19Yw13H34/VK4BP5UDGZI/AAAAAAAABrI/5oqCWBzzrno/s1600/DSCF5269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Q19Yw13H34/VK4BP5UDGZI/AAAAAAAABrI/5oqCWBzzrno/s1600/DSCF5269.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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From left to right: Niiyama-sensei, Charles, and Kawahara-sensei.</div>
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THREE VERY AWESOME MEN.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sE4gfvUtibk/VK4BkuUIkyI/AAAAAAAABsU/m67VrHcqM7s/s1600/IMAG0779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sE4gfvUtibk/VK4BkuUIkyI/AAAAAAAABsU/m67VrHcqM7s/s1600/IMAG0779.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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Oh, and did I mention they have clip racks with locks</div>
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for their umbrellas? Because they do.</div>
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One of the great things about DMM Make was that it was both a space for individuals and corporate entities. Both startups and non-affiliated fans can join via a fee (costly, but worth it!). Plus, the fact that there was so much support for all the equipment and materials and space is awesome - who'd have realized that DMM was an adult-goods company? (They've branched out a lot!)</div>
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After touring DMM Make and being mindblown by all the cool stuff there, we parted ways with Kawahara-sensei and Niiyama-sensei and went back to explore Akihabara a little more.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDDj68Pt-J0/VK4BVRKUMSI/AAAAAAAABrQ/qKo7aOf1Nw4/s1600/DSCF5278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vDDj68Pt-J0/VK4BVRKUMSI/AAAAAAAABrQ/qKo7aOf1Nw4/s1600/DSCF5278.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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First itasha spotted!!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tkKXlKGpjAM/VK4BVvA2oiI/AAAAAAAABrU/lVghOxG8mis/s1600/DSCF5282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tkKXlKGpjAM/VK4BVvA2oiI/AAAAAAAABrU/lVghOxG8mis/s1600/DSCF5282.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Aaaah.... Akihabara.</div>
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Perhaps the only place in the world that will put</div>
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cute Japanese anime characters are huge billboards.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K2H5aLOmo3o/VK4BYj9vqSI/AAAAAAAABrg/cNayZN4dX88/s1600/DSCF5283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K2H5aLOmo3o/VK4BYj9vqSI/AAAAAAAABrg/cNayZN4dX88/s1600/DSCF5283.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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My first candy-vending-machine-like thing!</div>
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(It ended up being a Jean keychain, hehe)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AZ7P7RPsE8A/VK4BeNlbSNI/AAAAAAAABro/nrn0Y1uAtMo/s1600/DSCF5315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AZ7P7RPsE8A/VK4BeNlbSNI/AAAAAAAABro/nrn0Y1uAtMo/s1600/DSCF5315.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Charles taking a shot at the claw game for the miku bear plushies!</div>
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He got one!!</div>
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We tried getting the other one too, but we failed pretty hard, haha.</div>
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We found the exact plushies later at another shop and</div>
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just ended up buying the whole set.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ozzeoIpni6w/VK4Bft3JtJI/AAAAAAAABr4/eElAsVoL6cw/s1600/DSCF5339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ozzeoIpni6w/VK4Bft3JtJI/AAAAAAAABr4/eElAsVoL6cw/s1600/DSCF5339.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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A little hole-in-the-wall restaurant that served</div>
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GIGANTIC portions.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbfy6_Ng6uE/VK4Bl4buTaI/AAAAAAAABso/TIGXAhcbL-Q/s1600/IMAG0788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbfy6_Ng6uE/VK4Bl4buTaI/AAAAAAAABso/TIGXAhcbL-Q/s1600/IMAG0788.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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Like this.</div>
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....I think it's larger than my face.</div>
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See? Not everything is bigger in America!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGotVUOQqvM/VK4BiMMPtqI/AAAAAAAABsI/SXM2tnch0PY/s1600/IMAG0741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mGotVUOQqvM/VK4BiMMPtqI/AAAAAAAABsI/SXM2tnch0PY/s1600/IMAG0741.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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First food I bought at the nearest Family Mart!</div>
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First day in and we were already loving it. I unfortunately got a bad stomachache on the first day, but even that did not detract from my experience.</div>
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-</div>
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<b>III</b></div>
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<b>Tokyo</b></div>
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Dec 30, 2014</div>
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Comiket. The legendary, ultimate, mother-of-all anime conventions that I'd read and heard so much about. And today, I was going to experience it for the first time.</div>
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We had spent the rest of the previous evening planning out how to get to Comiket the next day and reading up on how to work it. There were many guides (even Charles' aunt's friend had procured us a guide), and despite the amount of research we had done, we were ultimately ill-prepared for the true sheer size of it all.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDPn8FOt90U/VK4DrgrApSI/AAAAAAAABuc/fwJyYREPs_U/s1600/IMAG0801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDPn8FOt90U/VK4DrgrApSI/AAAAAAAABuc/fwJyYREPs_U/s1600/IMAG0801.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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The big saw. And streaaaaams of people all around me.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jU-DNWSspus/VLwHzvVl55I/AAAAAAAAB10/_uytlf4ewgY/s1600/DSCF5399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jU-DNWSspus/VLwHzvVl55I/AAAAAAAAB10/_uytlf4ewgY/s1600/DSCF5399.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Taken near the end of Comiket, facing away from the building.</div>
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I completely underestimated the amount of people at this. Charles and I mainly used the <a href="https://theotareport.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/comic-market/" target="_blank">Otare Report's complete survival guide</a> for the event, and it helped a lot. (I highly recommend giving that a thorough read if anyone wants to attend Comiket in the future.)</div>
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For the last day we were there, we toured the East Halls, and didn't even get through 25% of the booths! East Hall, which was mainly doujin work, was further broken up into two separate halls, of which we mostly spent our time in the hall that held all the Vocaloid artists. Each smaller hall East Hall was comprised of was the size of a football field, each organized in double rows all the way down (<a href="http://cdn32.atwikiimg.com/comicgakuin/pub/comcet73%20map.jpg" target="_blank">like this</a>). There are unfortunately no pictures of the inside because they didn't allow it (unless you're officially allowed), but the Guide I linked was very accurate in its depictions, so you should hit that up for interior pictures if you'd like!</div>
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We ended up seeing some awesome cosplay, lots of non-kid-friendly doujin works (haha), a bunch of Vocaloid artists we recognized, and a loooot of fans and very talented creators. And honestly, that was about as much as we could handle in the 4 hours we were there. To think there are people who line up overnight and/or attend all three days! Such stamina...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpiviBjd-fw/VK4DOWim35I/AAAAAAAABtA/LzbqmoilRCk/s1600/DSCF5382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpiviBjd-fw/VK4DOWim35I/AAAAAAAABtA/LzbqmoilRCk/s1600/DSCF5382.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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A lot of cute cosplay!</div>
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A lot of interesting cosplay too!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GprWPDAJOX8/VK4DOFGZBMI/AAAAAAAABs8/CY9EnSI2jpc/s1600/DSCF5388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GprWPDAJOX8/VK4DOFGZBMI/AAAAAAAABs8/CY9EnSI2jpc/s1600/DSCF5388.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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And a lot of random cosplays!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_1K3ODoiYQ/VK4Dsh1MIZI/AAAAAAAABus/6N2gVq6xuYI/s1600/DSCF5503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4_1K3ODoiYQ/VK4Dsh1MIZI/AAAAAAAABus/6N2gVq6xuYI/s1600/DSCF5503.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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All the vocaloid stash we collectively got!</div>
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Yes, we bought the table there too, hehe.</div>
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It's a Miku table!</div>
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On our way back with our haul, we also stopped by an Ariake car park to check out some awesome cars! Itasha is the name given to the cars that are skinned with usually anime-themed graphics, and comes from juxtaposing "itai" (painful) and "sha" (vehicle). They've got a pretty big fan base internationally and this was the first time I saw one in person. There were some vans that seem to be trending the low-rider stance, so Charles took a bunch of pictures of them too, haha. Too bad we couldn't stay for the weekend car showing Akihabara usually has. >n< Maybe next time!</div>
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This one was my favorite. (o u o )///</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88Qf09JXCf4/VK4DfsHKxFI/AAAAAAAABt0/0pbIqRpYvrc/s1600/DSCF5435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-88Qf09JXCf4/VK4DfsHKxFI/AAAAAAAABt0/0pbIqRpYvrc/s1600/DSCF5435.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was a close second to my favorite!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Pd8xjpozV4/VK4DVNZnqaI/AAAAAAAABtU/9O4rGMNZnbU/s1600/DSCF5416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Pd8xjpozV4/VK4DVNZnqaI/AAAAAAAABtU/9O4rGMNZnbU/s1600/DSCF5416.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Third place! (In my opinion, hehe)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YdX-EnvYu0A/VK4DW5PrLaI/AAAAAAAABtc/6iv-mgb98oM/s1600/DSCF5420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YdX-EnvYu0A/VK4DW5PrLaI/AAAAAAAABtc/6iv-mgb98oM/s1600/DSCF5420.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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There was a wide variety of cars that were itasha.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LRE-pWPjFE/VK4DXT1e2fI/AAAAAAAABtg/LfTI4vWauCM/s1600/DSCF5426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1LRE-pWPjFE/VK4DXT1e2fI/AAAAAAAABtg/LfTI4vWauCM/s1600/DSCF5426.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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And a lot of cool graphics!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--HVzop3MHZU/VK4De-yJTdI/AAAAAAAABts/NMNSyjRGgMU/s1600/DSCF5428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--HVzop3MHZU/VK4De-yJTdI/AAAAAAAABts/NMNSyjRGgMU/s1600/DSCF5428.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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And some amazingly unique ones, hehe!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IkAZcWgr2mo/VK4Dgc9T-DI/AAAAAAAABt8/DVYk6ODpjUc/s1600/DSCF5464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IkAZcWgr2mo/VK4Dgc9T-DI/AAAAAAAABt8/DVYk6ODpjUc/s1600/DSCF5464.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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We even found a itachari!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PkyAgd54UwU/VK4Dn8Y1fKI/AAAAAAAABuE/Gn8VoHjgGkY/s1600/DSCF5494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PkyAgd54UwU/VK4Dn8Y1fKI/AAAAAAAABuE/Gn8VoHjgGkY/s1600/DSCF5494.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Low-riders in a line~</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KqoPIB3kxSM/VK4DpA7dzkI/AAAAAAAABuM/7AuM9Gq7q0o/s1600/DSCF5495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KqoPIB3kxSM/VK4DpA7dzkI/AAAAAAAABuM/7AuM9Gq7q0o/s1600/DSCF5495.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of them had a sound system in the back!</div>
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I got flashbacks to Tokyo Drift, haha.</div>
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Behind this line was also another row of low-riders vans.</div>
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(not pictured here)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_hJC9hGHPE/VK4Dr7BtbtI/AAAAAAAABug/MC2NM6S5_gA/s1600/IMAG0803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g_hJC9hGHPE/VK4Dr7BtbtI/AAAAAAAABug/MC2NM6S5_gA/s1600/IMAG0803.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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The sunset from the car park.</div>
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(You can see Charles sneaking into the shot, hehe)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kORq-Gncbvk/VK4DpuHBZJI/AAAAAAAABuQ/Op49mh1dUbk/s1600/DSCF5499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kORq-Gncbvk/VK4DpuHBZJI/AAAAAAAABuQ/Op49mh1dUbk/s1600/DSCF5499.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>AMAZING</i> crepes from a crepe shack</div>
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near where we stayed.</div>
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As what was going to become a pattern the next few days, we only had enough energy to do one big thing per day, and today was Comiket. We returned wishing we could have had more time with the experience, and wanting more. Personally, I'm glad it was only a day we spent there however - my wallet would have been crying had we stayed more than one day, hehe!<br />
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<b>IV</b></div>
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<b>Tokyo</b></div>
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Dec 31, 2014</div>
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For New Years Eve, we visited a tree. Tokyo Sky Tree!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4FqGQjJI2l8/VLwTd8OlIKI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/wmZuWrq20Wg/s1600/IMAG0809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4FqGQjJI2l8/VLwTd8OlIKI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/wmZuWrq20Wg/s1600/IMAG0809.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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Tree by a tree. Hehe.</div>
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We were going to go in the afternoon, but the wait list was incredibly long, so we got assigned timed tickets to return later in the evening. Taking advantage of this, Charles and I skipped off back to Akihabara and spent our wait time there exploring more of the area. We accidentally ended up buying things there that we had to take with us up the tower, too...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vR3v8ayFOCc/VK4JGZJhH6I/AAAAAAAABvw/h3dtH8t-0bM/s1600/IMAG0806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vR3v8ayFOCc/VK4JGZJhH6I/AAAAAAAABvw/h3dtH8t-0bM/s1600/IMAG0806.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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A pretty walkway in Akihabara.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tukEThaI_8M/VK4JC1yxQ4I/AAAAAAAABvU/5m_ltFA5xfQ/s1600/DSCF5529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tukEThaI_8M/VK4JC1yxQ4I/AAAAAAAABvU/5m_ltFA5xfQ/s1600/DSCF5529.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Cosplayers spotted in Akihabara!</div>
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What's in the bag? My Dragon 2020 Miku figure!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0H9iyqIkK-g/VK4I_NQZP0I/AAAAAAAABvE/FfIIwIBv3cg/s1600/DSCF5510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0H9iyqIkK-g/VK4I_NQZP0I/AAAAAAAABvE/FfIIwIBv3cg/s1600/DSCF5510.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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A vending machine with a dedicated cup trash can</div>
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we encountered on the way back to Tokyo Sky Tree.</div>
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This thing had the BEST strawberry milk!!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H8zz5uZTs2M/VK4I-37wyII/AAAAAAAABvA/DKGO5lVPW5s/s1600/DSCF5517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H8zz5uZTs2M/VK4I-37wyII/AAAAAAAABvA/DKGO5lVPW5s/s1600/DSCF5517.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Back in the Tokyo Sky Tree, we walked past some awesome</div>
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animated murals depicting the key parts of Tokyo.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfvCN26cmpM/VK4I-fY5KBI/AAAAAAAABu8/RcN_jWe2oJU/s1600/DSCF5519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfvCN26cmpM/VK4I-fY5KBI/AAAAAAAABu8/RcN_jWe2oJU/s1600/DSCF5519.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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The animated mural's depiction of Akihabara!</div>
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Notice the batteries, capacitors, LEDs, plugs, ad more??</div>
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So cuuuuuute~</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kv4CzsDEKWw/VK4JIdzVTFI/AAAAAAAABwM/Gm4-FQO2qdo/s1600/IMAG0822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kv4CzsDEKWw/VK4JIdzVTFI/AAAAAAAABwM/Gm4-FQO2qdo/s1600/IMAG0822.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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Out Sky Tree tickets!</div>
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Does everything in Japan have a cute mascot?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rE45wWv5_T0/VK4JEEj8uDI/AAAAAAAABvc/cVJcwXx6T-s/s1600/DSCF5560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rE45wWv5_T0/VK4JEEj8uDI/AAAAAAAABvc/cVJcwXx6T-s/s1600/DSCF5560.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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The view from the Tembo deck!</div>
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There were an insane amount of couples there-</div>
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Guess this was a popular date spot for New Years Eve.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_iWXNmuWkk/VK4JEB2PMkI/AAAAAAAABvg/09K4b1ldrb0/s1600/DSCF5562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_iWXNmuWkk/VK4JEB2PMkI/AAAAAAAABvg/09K4b1ldrb0/s1600/DSCF5562.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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They even had a glass floor!</div>
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(Though taking a picture of this was difficult)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0iPmvYxIAsE/VK4JFomKIZI/AAAAAAAABvs/hIKHpjFwaeM/s1600/DSCF5570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0iPmvYxIAsE/VK4JFomKIZI/AAAAAAAABvs/hIKHpjFwaeM/s1600/DSCF5570.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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The view of the Tree at night.</div>
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There were these gardens surrounding it,</div>
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full of couples and families of course, hehe.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gUF08AevzfU/VK4JHEZ9_5I/AAAAAAAABv8/l_VKmXy47Mg/s1600/DSCF5571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gUF08AevzfU/VK4JHEZ9_5I/AAAAAAAABv8/l_VKmXy47Mg/s1600/DSCF5571.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Giant Totoro plushie spotted!!!</div>
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He was hiding in the display of a store</div>
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near one of the Tree exits.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zj3Z8zSevLM/VK4JIehn36I/AAAAAAAABwI/RsFCkl0DhZQ/s1600/IMAG0834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zj3Z8zSevLM/VK4JIehn36I/AAAAAAAABwI/RsFCkl0DhZQ/s1600/IMAG0834.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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We managed to find an empty train car on the way back,</div>
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so I snapped this pic. (It's difficult to take pictures in crowded</div>
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public spaces because it's rude to take pictures of people's faces</div>
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without consensus.)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-11ojSlFqSEY/VK4JIst8j_I/AAAAAAAABwQ/CpVLXvylqZs/s1600/IMAG0839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-11ojSlFqSEY/VK4JIst8j_I/AAAAAAAABwQ/CpVLXvylqZs/s1600/IMAG0839.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also found a Milk Tea bottle with Frozen on it!</div>
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It was a good drink, and so cuuuute~</div>
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New Years Evening was spent back in the apartment, waiting for midnight with Charles and a makeshift Family Mart dinner. We'd only been there three days and it was already clear we wanted to stay longer. Tomorrow would essentially be our full last day in Tokyo, and we had not even seen a decent fraction of the city.<br />
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<b>V</b><br />
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<b>Tokyo</b><br />
Jan 1, 2015<br />
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In order to avoid the morning New Year's shrine rush, we woke up later than usual before making our way towards Meiji Shrine. But even then, there was still a sizeable crowd going there to pay their new year respects.<br />
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So we joined the long road of people hiking up towards Meiji Shrine, passing by gates and barrels and lanterns and other items of cultural significance. It would be another few minutes of walking before the Shrine came in sight, and even then, there were people en mass waiting in line to see the shrine. We followed them in, snapped a few pictures, then left, following the trail with the others that led past booths and booths selling new years arrows, plaques, wish-papers, and other items.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bi9hKg_WTHw/VK4KSgQvpgI/AAAAAAAABw4/ayfzdd1-Q-c/s1600/DSCF5594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bi9hKg_WTHw/VK4KSgQvpgI/AAAAAAAABw4/ayfzdd1-Q-c/s1600/DSCF5594.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of the gates we passed under on the way to the Shrine.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--kurSEZjij4/VK4KQPDsB8I/AAAAAAAABws/eYvQ0bZC6hg/s1600/0_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--kurSEZjij4/VK4KQPDsB8I/AAAAAAAABws/eYvQ0bZC6hg/s1600/0_1.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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A crowd of people waiting to pay respects in front of the Shrine.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-omYbVJ2-qeU/VK4KTMZTZqI/AAAAAAAABw8/V3R_kXnVK2E/s1600/DSCF5599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-omYbVJ2-qeU/VK4KTMZTZqI/AAAAAAAABw8/V3R_kXnVK2E/s1600/DSCF5599.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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An <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-mikuji" target="_blank">O-mikuji</a> wall!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v4gq14Telgg/VK4KWwuXqhI/AAAAAAAABxc/IQD_fb4qpxo/s1600/IMAG0846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v4gq14Telgg/VK4KWwuXqhI/AAAAAAAABxc/IQD_fb4qpxo/s1600/IMAG0846.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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We passed by a lot dedicated to food stalls,</div>
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and ended up getting food here.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FFcn0vHHA3M/VK4KXWtY6bI/AAAAAAAABxk/TCJ3eZU1Gy8/s1600/IMAG0847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FFcn0vHHA3M/VK4KXWtY6bI/AAAAAAAABxk/TCJ3eZU1Gy8/s1600/IMAG0847.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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I got a giant takoyaki!</div>
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Right across from the Shrine's park entrance/exit, was a direct entrance to Takeshita street, a famous street in Harajuku that sold quirky fashion and other novelties. This was the second stop of the day - It was here that Charles got a casual Visual-Kei-esque jacket and I got a punk-ish vest. Pretty fun!</div>
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Takeshita Street!</div>
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We actually accidentally came in from the back, haha.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv4NvkazS3M/VK4KVWVcpBI/AAAAAAAABxQ/KywUE3OhewU/s1600/DSCF5627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv4NvkazS3M/VK4KVWVcpBI/AAAAAAAABxQ/KywUE3OhewU/s1600/DSCF5627.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Near the back where we came in,</div>
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we were greeted by Lotteria, a fast food chain.</div>
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Check out those huge burgers!</div>
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Who said everything was bigger in America??</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2hh3x00P_SE/VK4KYUtLGJI/AAAAAAAABx8/4bVTUUoZi_M/s1600/IMAG0859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2hh3x00P_SE/VK4KYUtLGJI/AAAAAAAABx8/4bVTUUoZi_M/s1600/IMAG0859.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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Also, these were the softest burgers I have ever eaten.</div>
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They literally felt like they were melting in my mouth.</div>
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Walking down a parallel street from Takeshita, I saw Pepper</div>
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in the window! Of course I had to go in and check her out. : )</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAGt07FBgOM/VK4KUrAWEtI/AAAAAAAABxI/drr1l5WIUww/s1600/DSCF5605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BAGt07FBgOM/VK4KUrAWEtI/AAAAAAAABxI/drr1l5WIUww/s1600/DSCF5605.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Meeting Pepper for the first time.</div>
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Unfortunately, she only spoke Japanese,</div>
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so I tried to connect using my broken Japanese, hehe.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-glJdsPzvjHU/VK4KXk0oBMI/AAAAAAAABxs/1WPQnWzPD0g/s1600/IMAG0848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-glJdsPzvjHU/VK4KXk0oBMI/AAAAAAAABxs/1WPQnWzPD0g/s1600/IMAG0848.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-align: left;">こんにちは, Pepper-san!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rvC0FInUIdk/VK4KYE21wdI/AAAAAAAABx0/Atz5Q7e2lnU/s1600/IMAG0856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rvC0FInUIdk/VK4KYE21wdI/AAAAAAAABx0/Atz5Q7e2lnU/s1600/IMAG0856.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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A cool sign for a Architecture company we passed in Harajuku.</div>
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After Harajuku, we ended up heading to the</div>
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main Kinokuniya bookstore in Shibuya,</div>
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and browsed through their selction.</div>
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Every single day so far, we had walked quite a lot, carrying bags of figures or books or food, rode the subway (sometimes to the other end of Tokyo and back) and ended up exhausted by the end of the day. But in some strange way, I didn't mind the exertion. I was full of new sights and sounds and thoughts and feelings, I almost relished the labor that accompanied them.</div>
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The longer we stayed in Tokyo, the more we wanted to stay longer. But unfortunately for us, the next day would be our last day in Tokyo.</div>
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<b>VI</b><br />
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<b>Tokyo</b><br />
Jan 2, 2015<br />
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We had spent an amusing hour or so the night before making sure everything we had bought fit into our suitcases - it was good to learn we didn't need an extra suitcase or send something home via mail, haha. The last day was planned for checking out the large department store Tokyu Hands at Shibuya station, before we left on the Waterfront Line towards Haneda Airport.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SiHyICcd5dM/VK4MADNV5DI/AAAAAAAAByk/OodL8deHO7Y/s1600/DSCF5636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SiHyICcd5dM/VK4MADNV5DI/AAAAAAAAByk/OodL8deHO7Y/s1600/DSCF5636.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was one of the awesome things Tokyu Hands sold.</div>
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A super round, comfy plushie.</div>
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We were so tempted to take it home!</div>
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Tokyu Hands also had its own home depot,</div>
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tools and DIY section!</div>
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I wanted the whole department!!</div>
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Can we get Tokyu Hands in America?</div>
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I was so happy with the selectionnnnnn!!</div>
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I totally wanted to take stuff back for RWBY!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LtxAPsztj6s/VK4MCq-XZ2I/AAAAAAAABy4/k6goF_0_-P8/s1600/IMAG0863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LtxAPsztj6s/VK4MCq-XZ2I/AAAAAAAABy4/k6goF_0_-P8/s1600/IMAG0863.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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One of the things I will also miss in America.</div>
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The ever present vending machine!</div>
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There was one on every floor of Tokyu Hands,</div>
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not to mention every block and street we went on!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SMxEFubRcBQ/VK4MCYLot1I/AAAAAAAABy0/XdZfZfJ_K9c/s1600/DSCF5650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SMxEFubRcBQ/VK4MCYLot1I/AAAAAAAABy0/XdZfZfJ_K9c/s1600/DSCF5650.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our last meal in Japan was at a Mexican restaurant, hehe.</div>
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The flight back was much more difficult to adjust to. Not to mention the Canadian customs was incredibly more difficult than both the Chinese and Japanese customs combined, with an increased amount of hostility. We made it back without too much trouble though - despite the lack of sleep and usual uncomfortable seats on planes - and made it back Saturday, very tired, but also very happy.</div>
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The stash of plushies Charles got in Japan!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hGT0O6jXumw/VK4MDK0mGCI/AAAAAAAABzA/BtrPogHK6x8/s1600/IMAG0869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hGT0O6jXumw/VK4MDK0mGCI/AAAAAAAABzA/BtrPogHK6x8/s1600/IMAG0869.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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My DRAGON 2020 MIKU FIGURE!!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DN1Uk5ObiQA/VK4L88sK6II/AAAAAAAAByU/32ZF-25FNIc/s1600/0_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DN1Uk5ObiQA/VK4L88sK6II/AAAAAAAAByU/32ZF-25FNIc/s1600/0_3.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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EEEEeeeeee~~~ I've wanted this figure since I saw it</div>
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for the first time last year.</div>
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And now I have it!!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1I4shsN2Xs/VK4MDR24P8I/AAAAAAAABzE/XttLR4JdyzM/s1600/IMAG0874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p1I4shsN2Xs/VK4MDR24P8I/AAAAAAAABzE/XttLR4JdyzM/s1600/IMAG0874.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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Such a pretty design!!</div>
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And the way her hair whooshes~~!! (> 7 <)///</div>
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The book and souvenir stash I got in Japan.</div>
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Book highlights:</div>
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Miwa Shirow's Dragon 2020 Character Design book</div>
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Some of my favorite Yoneda Kou's BL series</div>
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Comiket Vocaloid doujins</div>
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<b>Final Thoughts</b><br />
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Whew! Short trip, in reality. There wasn't enough time to do everything we wanted to, and every day was a rush to get somewhere.<br />
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But overall, in a word, my trip was eye-opening. (Or does that count as two words?)<br />
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There are so many things that were different from what I was used to, and many things I missed.<br />
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<li>Trains in Japan are incredibly efficient and on-time. They had trains predicted to the second, and the seats were heated! Sure, they were more complicated, but we got used to the system in time. The stations and trains were always clean, the service crew was prompt, and overall, the subways were an awesome experience.</li>
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<li>Driving in China is incredibly more chaotic than in Japan and the US, but the drivers seem incredibly more aware of all the other cars around them. I didn't witness a single crash in my time in China and Japan.</li>
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<li>Cell phone reception in rural China is surprisingly really good (better than some parts of Boston). At least, from where I was in my grandpa's house. Dad and his brothers were fixing up an electric bike-cart for my grandparents and grandpa just went and answered a call from Beijing on his cell phone. (Then handed it to me to say hello to another relative, haha)</li>
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<li>Todai is working on some kickass robots, and Akihabara has some giant corporations funding hackerspaces. I'm looking forward to the day that spaces like these can be seriously funded and acknowledged as incredibly necessary in America as well.</li>
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<li>The Japanese trash recycling system was simple once you understood it - you had to separate bottles out from burnables and other categories. And after following protocol for just a few short days, we were still wondering why America hadn't adapted the system - were we as a culture just that much lazier?</li>
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<li>Japanese vending machines that existed what felt like every few feet everywhere we went, always ready to quench one's thirst. I missed them once I came over to the US! So many cool selections that weren't just carbonated sodas and water.</li>
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<li>After two weeks of seeing primarily just Chinese and Japanese people, who are generally homogeneous-looking groups, I felt kind of strangely weirded out that I wasn't seeing any diversity, because I had always been predominantly a minority in the places I lived in the US. It also surprised me how easily I could have slipped into the different cultures. I could imagine how much I would have changed, for better or for worse, if I were to stay in those countries longer.</li>
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And finally...<br />
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Grandparents. Family. Excuse me while I gush for a moment about my thoughts on this - the trip first started out as a visitation to family, after all.<br />
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For the first time, I think I'm truly realizing how strangely together my family structure is. Both sets of grandparents (on my mom and dad's side) are still alive, and still fairly mobile. Both sets have had children, who each in turn have had their own child(ren), and each branch is reasonably well-off. I'm more aware now than a decade before how blessed I am because of this, especially when I know of friends who are not so fortunate in their family situation, or in situations much worse.<br />
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How my grandparents must have felt... living through their own hardships in past times, and yet now still being able to see their kin succeed and travel to places they have never been, speak languages they never knew... see them thrive because of the decisions my grandparents made decades ago. How proud they must have felt... what relief to know that they did alright in the world, and the world did alright to them and their bloodline.<br />
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....What comes with it is a sense of duty, that the task of continuing such prosperity falls to you. I can understand in a sense how that sort of duty could be incredibly pressuring.... If I chose another path, would I be considered a failure?<br />
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But then I remember back to the woman I saw at Boston Logan Airport before I left for my trip. It was an uncanny event to take place... but perhaps I was thankful for it. It reminded me that no matter who I turned out to be, if I followed my own path with dedication and purpose, my family will be there for me. At the deepest core, they only want to see me happy and safe.<br />
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So I emerged from this vacation with a fresh look on myself. Where my weaknesses were, where my strengths lay, and a little more insight into who I was. I saw and learned much in this trip, and hope I can return again to see and learn even more.<br />
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Until then, here's to 2015!<br />
<br />Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-16239846267944411162014-09-07T00:17:00.000-04:002014-09-07T20:09:51.407-04:00RWBY SCYTHE V2 + DRAGON CON 2014Wherein I talk about how I built RWBY transforming scythe version 2 and other Dragon Con 2014 shenanigans! There's quite a bit I want to share in this blogpost, so bear with me, this post is going to be really long!<br />
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RWBY Scythe V2</div>
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Above is a video of RWBY scythe deploying.</div>
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Dragon Con 2014 fun<br />
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Ruby and her male counterpart!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3px7g7i7pRc/VAudT2JfIfI/AAAAAAAABZQ/5kYV4gwTuh0/s1600/IMAG0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3px7g7i7pRc/VAudT2JfIfI/AAAAAAAABZQ/5kYV4gwTuh0/s1600/IMAG0092.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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Shenanigans!<br />
Left to right: Me (Ruby), Alison (Blake),<br />
Charles (Charles on a little electric bike), Jamo (Jayce).<br />
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<b>CAUTION: LONG POST AHEAD!</b><br />
Click below to read more!<br />
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The weeks leading up to Dragon Con 2014, RWBY Scythe version 2 spent roughly 75% of that time in design, and 25% in actual making. Not a great ratio, especially when work tends to cut into the majority of your available time just when you need extra time. But somehow, <i>somehow</i>, version 2 pulled through, only through sheer doggedness and the incredible support from friends. Namely, this guy - <a href="http://www.etotheipiplusone.net/" target="_blank">ETOTHEIPIPLUSONE</a>. Go check out his site! He also cosplayed the male counterpart to my Ruby!<br />
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Like last time, there's a whole slew of improvements to be learned from this version, but I'll go through what I did and talk about those points as they come along.<br />
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<b>--Backbone--</b></div>
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The biggest requirement change I made for this version was the weight. Version 2 had to be light enough for me to singlehandedly carry around for 2 days or so. That meant re-evaluating the materials I was making this with, and the size of it.<br />
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So first up, I reworked the body extension from the last version. Instead of the steel slides from before, I made my own rail system from Home Depot aluminum pieces. (All the components I used for what I termed the 'Backbone' can be found on this <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/s/aluminum+angle?NCNI-5" target="_blank">Home Depot page</a>.) Much lighter, much cheaper, and if I mess up - very easily replaced.<br />
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I had 2 angle bars framing a flat bar, allowing it to slide.</div>
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Sliding aluminum on aluminum isn't great, but for the</div>
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small distance that I needed it to go, it would suffice.</div>
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To prep them for the next step, I marked out holes along the</div>
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clamped angle pieces and drilled them out. Since, to connect</div>
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these pieces, I was going to use rivets.What are rivets?</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RUT9r6sZUgA/VAugrOyv24I/AAAAAAAABc8/tACR7nELKj8/s1600/IMAG0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RUT9r6sZUgA/VAugrOyv24I/AAAAAAAABc8/tACR7nELKj8/s1600/IMAG0038.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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^These things.^</div>
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They look like little fairy swords, haha.</div>
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The 'sword blade' looking part goes into the rivet gun and the other</div>
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'sword hilt' looking part gets pressed into the pre-drilled holes from earlier.</div>
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And then, squeeze the trigger (using a LOT of force if you're rather weak like me)</div>
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until your hear a <i>POP</i>. Handling the rivet gun was like using one of those</div>
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hand-strengthening grips. Except.... my hand was too small for the rivet gun.</div>
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So I just-- ...double handed it. >u<;</div>
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...Yes, I felt very weak.</div>
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After the <i>POP</i>, the 'blade' part will come loose and what's left is your rivet! Magic.</div>
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For a flush surface, just take that to a belt sander.</div>
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The other end jut out a lot more than I anticipated. But I had nothing</div>
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planned for that side so it wouldn't have interfered anyways.</div>
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Good to note for next round if I decide to rivet again, though.</div>
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Countersinking the middle bar, prepping for threading the cable/string.</div>
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This is the whole assembly of the middle backbone rail bar,</div>
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separated in their respective layers. They measure 22" across.</div>
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Assembling this took a peculiar order of operations, but nonetheless doable.</div>
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I didn't think to factor in the order of assembly - I'm glad everything still</div>
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turned out ok in the end! Next time, that'll be accounted for...</div>
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Nuts for spacers.</div>
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I actually drilled out the threads so they were essentially just fat washers, haha.</div>
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Off-screen, I would make 2 more pairs of the angle bits for the bottom rail.</div>
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Charles helped me speed-drill some stand-offs...</div>
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(and by speed-drill, I mean using a handdrill to speed drill--</div>
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...Ninja machining, I suppose.)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xGP4IZdw8M0/VAugthvZa2I/AAAAAAAABdY/pEtaRW3SiY8/s1600/IMAG0051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xGP4IZdw8M0/VAugthvZa2I/AAAAAAAABdY/pEtaRW3SiY8/s1600/IMAG0051.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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And voila! The completed rail system, measuring 22".</div>
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I would later swap the red thread for heavy duty multifilament fishing line -</div>
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clear, thin and sturdy.</div>
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<b>--Linkages--</b></div>
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I tend to do a lot of my designing and thinking in 2D. What helped me a lot was drawing up cross sections and profiles of the scythe to make guides for the locations of the parts. After transferring the sketch ideas into digital programs, I had to enlist the help of Charles for CAD work this time around. Reason? I bit off a bit more than I could chew at work and was now suffering some consequences in terms of time management. It definitely hurt a lot, but I kept doing what I could - Gotta keep going, right? More hours in a day please!</div>
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The linkages in Version 2 were a repeat of Version 1, just enhanced, more mathematically thought out and incorporating a chain actuator. At least, that was the plan. The chain drive didn't quite make it, but more on that later.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRByK9pBALo/VAui8dfWSbI/AAAAAAAABeI/1yLxc9UWuLk/s1600/layers.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YRByK9pBALo/VAui8dfWSbI/AAAAAAAABeI/1yLxc9UWuLk/s1600/layers.PNG" height="320" width="248" /></a></div>
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^A simple guide I made for reference on the location of parts.^</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXv8l_bbk4s/VAui8iqXuUI/AAAAAAAABeA/QfX5nrZnY90/s1600/lolcynthia10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXv8l_bbk4s/VAui8iqXuUI/AAAAAAAABeA/QfX5nrZnY90/s1600/lolcynthia10.jpg" height="318" width="640" /></a></div>
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Constrained linkage sketch.</div>
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Yes, math is useful. Do your homework, guys!</div>
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Lovely CAD work, thanks for Charles!</div>
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I provided the linkage design, but the CAD was his.</div>
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I became his client in a way, hehehe~</div>
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The open form of the unfolding mechanism.</div>
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Routed fiberglass and delrin pieces!</div>
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Charles introduced me to this type of material - garolite.</div>
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Light, sturdy, but not very flexible - Just what I needed.</div>
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There was still work to be done after the pieces were routed:</div>
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Like drilling through the holes...</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv6TTj-XdPU/VAui7aU6GTI/AAAAAAAABds/FBhcFVeupdk/s1600/IMAG0058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mv6TTj-XdPU/VAui7aU6GTI/AAAAAAAABds/FBhcFVeupdk/s1600/IMAG0058.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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...more drilling through holes...</div>
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(...Don't be like me - cut your nails before machining!)</div>
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(Also, be sure to be safe when drilling - clamp when you can!)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dZmfikwj66s/VAui7b58uRI/AAAAAAAABd0/vE0VNVBIgCU/s1600/IMAG0060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dZmfikwj66s/VAui7b58uRI/AAAAAAAABd0/vE0VNVBIgCU/s1600/IMAG0060.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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...and tapping through some of those drilled holes.</div>
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(Also, on the side - drilling and tapping delrin is like drilling through butter.</div>
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So smooth~~)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eeWlAz_HziQ/VAuje1NQIZI/AAAAAAAABe8/e7Dmv8xWaqs/s1600/DSCF3778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eeWlAz_HziQ/VAuje1NQIZI/AAAAAAAABe8/e7Dmv8xWaqs/s1600/DSCF3778.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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The last thing I did before we headed down to Atlanta was make</div>
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joints for my linkages. So here I am, late at night, using the lathe</div>
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to turn about these joints. Though I wasn't hurt, I would still not</div>
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recommend doing this. Any amount of precision work should be</div>
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saved for daylight and after rest!</div>
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But time wasn't on my side, so I spent a good amount of hours at night before</div>
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we left to turn out these little cartridge-like joints. There were a lot of joints. xux/</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aGz8kEsecEg/VAuje3OZojI/AAAAAAAABe4/Jw89lYG1BLE/s1600/DSCF3780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aGz8kEsecEg/VAuje3OZojI/AAAAAAAABe4/Jw89lYG1BLE/s1600/DSCF3780.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here you can see my scribbly numbers and diagrams.</div>
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Since there were a lot of joints, I had each set numbered in bags later,</div>
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which really helped speed (and make less confusing) the assembly part later.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yGf6bFOHho/VAujeoZkpvI/AAAAAAAABfA/bPRWDVAUDtY/s1600/IMAG0063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yGf6bFOHho/VAujeoZkpvI/AAAAAAAABfA/bPRWDVAUDtY/s1600/IMAG0063.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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^Closeup of my scribbly notes.^</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph17z1qIJsU/VAujauGPXpI/AAAAAAAABeo/TXLo5b7Qgs8/s1600/IMAG0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ph17z1qIJsU/VAujauGPXpI/AAAAAAAABeo/TXLo5b7Qgs8/s1600/IMAG0061.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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Who took this picture? ....I did. 8D;;</div>
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You probably shouldn't do the same. Both hands on the lathe, kids!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p_5w3V3cycg/VAuj_nXhy5I/AAAAAAAABfY/2QLrYqsb7a4/s1600/IMAG0055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p_5w3V3cycg/VAuj_nXhy5I/AAAAAAAABfY/2QLrYqsb7a4/s1600/IMAG0055.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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And then lastly, I pried apart a red street-wand thingy I got at a hardware store.</div>
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I didn't think through this part of the exterior aesthetics at all, having been too</div>
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engrossed in how the scythe moves.</div>
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Next time, I plan to make the exterior look more polished.</div>
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<b>--Assembly--</b></div>
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The Tuesday before Dragon Con, the four of us (<a href="http://etotheipiplusone.net/" target="_blank">Charles</a>, Adam, <a href="http://thevariableconstant.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jamo</a> and I) hauled our cosplay and robots down to Atlanta the Tuesday before Dragon Con. Since the roadtrip was going to eat up a day of travel, we wanted ample time to rest (and finish the prop, in my case). There, at the Invention studio, I assembled scythe, all pieces still in tact from the ride down.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NvT1ONxrWlg/VAuj_PA4xXI/AAAAAAAABfQ/rmdMif5QqEE/s1600/IMAG0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NvT1ONxrWlg/VAuj_PA4xXI/AAAAAAAABfQ/rmdMif5QqEE/s1600/IMAG0071.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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Getting ready! You can see all the duct-taped joints next to the rail.</div>
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Each little set was labeled with a diagram to ease assembly.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uxqSaCVL6qw/VAuj_eTeiaI/AAAAAAAABfU/h9yW3Ngh2mM/s1600/IMAG0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uxqSaCVL6qw/VAuj_eTeiaI/AAAAAAAABfU/h9yW3Ngh2mM/s1600/IMAG0072.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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These super-awesome planetary gears are the work of Charles!</div>
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They were one-shot 3D-printed - head over to his blog to find out more!</div>
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This planetary gear was supposed to convert a larger amount of linear motion</div>
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to a smaller amount of angular motion. When grouped with a sprocket, the chain</div>
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would actuate the sliding piece of the scythe arm. Or, that was the plan, at least.</div>
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Again, the chain will be addressed momentarily.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76-xftf_mQ4/VAukAHOZYnI/AAAAAAAABfo/q0kKa18TQuo/s1600/IMAG0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-76-xftf_mQ4/VAukAHOZYnI/AAAAAAAABfo/q0kKa18TQuo/s1600/IMAG0073.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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Just for the record, the above piece is the sliding piece I was mentioning in my</div>
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previous comment. The fiberglass was a stubborn material to work with.</div>
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There was still a lot more finessing I had to do via sanding or drilling,</div>
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and though the material yielded, it took some work to get it to do so.</div>
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Not to mention, working with fiberglass is risky enough -</div>
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don't breathe it all in or rub your eyes!</div>
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The result, a less-than-smooth sliding piece, even with the linear bearing.</div>
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Thank you Matt from GATech for helping me obtain those bearings!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HIXc_QTdgn4/VAukBfnCwHI/AAAAAAAABfw/7ITzBHVBgF8/s1600/IMAG0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HIXc_QTdgn4/VAukBfnCwHI/AAAAAAAABfw/7ITzBHVBgF8/s1600/IMAG0074.jpg" height="640" width="382" /></a></div>
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^Here's Charles helping me sand out a larger diameter using the circular sander.^</div>
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Thanks to the Invention Studio and all the ULI's who helped me access to the shop.</div>
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Fully assembled backbone and linkages with chain.</div>
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Unfortunately, the chain couldn't be synced, and they</div>
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kept slipping off their guide tracks.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHKsNR74He4/VAukCNv2hvI/AAAAAAAABgA/GseDdhlFklU/s1600/IMAG0080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dHKsNR74He4/VAukCNv2hvI/AAAAAAAABgA/GseDdhlFklU/s1600/IMAG0080.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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In addition, the retraction mechanism for the chain wasn't thought out at all,</div>
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and the last minute elastic solution didn't jive with the current setup.</div>
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Decision? The chain was just causing headaches and frustration,</div>
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so it was tossed out. RWBY scythe V2 would have to be manually</div>
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actuated this time again.</div>
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I have to admit, I was plenty sad about that. But there wasn't much time to lose,</div>
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so I set about making the poster coverings that night.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6L4h04kBbWE/VAukd8ZE_RI/AAAAAAAABgM/-Ua9QOCg8U4/s1600/IMAG0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6L4h04kBbWE/VAukd8ZE_RI/AAAAAAAABgM/-Ua9QOCg8U4/s1600/IMAG0076.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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These poster pieces would definitely have been laser cut if</div>
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I had the time or resources. But since I didn't have a shop-on-wheels,</div>
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I went about hand-cutting them out with Exacto's.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gaqqk7N19HU/VAukd2YVPOI/AAAAAAAABgI/kkkA7tqthNs/s1600/IMAG0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gaqqk7N19HU/VAukd2YVPOI/AAAAAAAABgI/kkkA7tqthNs/s1600/IMAG0077.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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The idea was that these outside coverings wouldn't be structural, but as I learned</div>
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through a bumpy car ride, not enough hot glue was bound to cause issues anyway.</div>
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Good thing there was a 'Cospitality' Lounge at the Con, so I could fix that.</div>
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Next version's aesthetics would definitely have to be durable enough</div>
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to survive Con-conditions.</div>
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<b>--Retrospective--</b></div>
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I spoke for a few minutes at the Rapid Prototyping in Cosplay panel about the scythe, and I got the question afterwards of "How did I even begin to think about making this?"</div>
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How <i>did</i> I? In retrospect, the answer was obvious - I started with some research in the scythe's animation, breaking it up into chunks of motion, and then started brainstorming mechanisms for those systems. But when I started, it did feel like a daunting task. Especially when the creator Monty decides to use impossibly-thin structures and somehow bypasses the Conservation of Mass (artistic license, I suppose?). But at the time that guy asked me, I really didn't have a good answer. I remember giving him some answer pertaining to "learning, doing, and learning again", but in a way, that was only part of it.</div>
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So how did I begin?</div>
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I began on paper. Wrong or right, I just got out my ideas. Once they were in sight, it was easier for me at least to figure out which idea to pursue, and which idea to scrap. Plus, the trace-ability of your thoughts is now thoroughly documented, even if in jumbles and scribbles at first.</div>
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Though I know others go straight to digital programs, either CAD or 2D programs, I would highly suggest starting on paper first. And jointly, to help summarize your learnings from project to project, I would really suggest making a blog as well, influenced as I am today by a few other maker-bloggers. It really forces you to reflect on what you did, why you did it, and what you really want to improve on next.</div>
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So here are a few pictures from my making-of sketchbooks. (The rest of the pages can be found in the video at the end of this section.) I hope they'll help inspire some of you who are thinking about doing something like this, and answer the question someone asked me.</div>
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So how did I start?</div>
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By making a mess of sketches, and learning to swim my way up.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYCWf8zEZWQ/VAukk35NbRI/AAAAAAAABgY/GsvfMYCRCro/s1600/IMAG0130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYCWf8zEZWQ/VAukk35NbRI/AAAAAAAABgY/GsvfMYCRCro/s1600/IMAG0130.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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The V2 rail system.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Rbzzv5JW1U/VAukk1J8kRI/AAAAAAAABgs/936uDGrxsrY/s1600/IMAG0131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Rbzzv5JW1U/VAukk1J8kRI/AAAAAAAABgs/936uDGrxsrY/s1600/IMAG0131.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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Organizing layers.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A1lvC_rlkJc/VAukkx_dzfI/AAAAAAAABgc/SOK3yFFxJ6w/s1600/IMAG0132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A1lvC_rlkJc/VAukkx_dzfI/AAAAAAAABgc/SOK3yFFxJ6w/s1600/IMAG0132.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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Extension ideation.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Re4D3Q2UW4/VAukmqiICRI/AAAAAAAABg0/Mv27qnSE0iE/s1600/IMAG0134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Re4D3Q2UW4/VAukmqiICRI/AAAAAAAABg0/Mv27qnSE0iE/s1600/IMAG0134.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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Nomenclature.</div>
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Below is a flipthrough video of some of my making-of sketchbooks.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KYxgGKz9Sho?rel=0" width="640"></iframe></div>
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<b>--Conclusions--</b></div>
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If I had to choose, the top two requirements for Version 3 would have to be:</div>
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1) Single motion actuation.</div>
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2) A more polished exterior.</div>
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The same linkage design would persist, and I'm thinking maybe I'll try servos this time...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J7rwuH6VI_8/VAzzviD9dlI/AAAAAAAABhc/jKX7kkp26xA/s1600/DSCF3886_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J7rwuH6VI_8/VAzzviD9dlI/AAAAAAAABhc/jKX7kkp26xA/s1600/DSCF3886_2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>ll</b><br />
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Dragon Con 2014 felt really busy this year - a lot of stuff to do, and not enough time for anything else, including checking out the Exhibitor hall, Artist Alley, or any other panels (other than the ones Charles, Adam and Jamo were hosting). Namely because, we were mainly all there for the Robot battles event.<br />
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Uberclocker and 12 o' Clocker sitting pretty before their rounds.</div>
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Our crew did really well this time around, with Charles winning the 30 lb category and the 30 lb rumble, and Jamo winning the 1 lb category and coming in 2nd after Charles in the 30 lb category. My role during the battles was more in pit crew and media duties, but I got a chance to get up on stage to teach Kelly Lockhart (the announcer) how to say "Moe moe kyuun~" complete with the cat paw. Why? Because he reads everything the builders write on their app sheets, and Charles wrote that on Uberclocker's. Oh, my bad - "The Uberclocker of Haruhi Suzumiya." xD<br />
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There's a whole bunch of videos of the matches already up, thanks to Mike Jeffries, and can be found <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/mikencr/videos" target="_blank">HERE</a>. I'd recommend watching the robot rumbles if not anything else. Me? I always enjoy matches with Uberclocker! :D<br />
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Despite all the con-rush and the irritable Atlanta heat though, I think Dragon Con was worth the blood, sweat and tears RWBY scythe put me through.<br />
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Like this. This just made my day.</div>
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The little girl was so gung-ho about holding RWBY scythe, it was adorable~</div>
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Apparently she had been sneaking peaks from behind the wall we were standing next to</div>
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(She then allowed us to pet her Unicorn stuffed animal as thanks.)</div>
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SRIRACHA MAN. Charles and I were very stoked.</div>
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A group photo! I totally understand the flip-flops, Toph. *fistbump*</div>
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BUNNY. Don't hurt!</div>
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The very badass Jamo (Jayce) and Alison (Blake).</div>
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Fact: All the props in this photo could transform!</div>
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Found a Ruby!</div>
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And another Ruby!</div>
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Charles (Dude Ruby) took both our scythes. o3o</div>
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We were not amused.</div>
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(Actually, no - I was still amused.)</div>
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A final shot of me in my RWBY getup.</div>
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<b>Final Thoughts</b></div>
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This year has been pretty tumultuous for me, and more recently, I've been giving more thought about my life, current and future. Maybe it's the vibe that I'm getting from several of my friends that's prompting this, but I also think it's due time I revisit those thoughts as well.<br />
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I, for one, don't have an answer yet, but I know what makes me happy right now, and I have a clearer picture of what's driving me too. I'm starting to better understand my weaknesses and strengths, in addition to what type of person I am.<br />
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In that regard, this RWBY project that's spanned a year plus some now hasn't been just a prop project. It was truly a personal project. Personal in the way that it's dug under my skin, allowed me to see who I was and who others around me were. Personal in the way it's made me think about who I <i>wanted</i> to be. And in the end, it gave me a much better appreciation for what I can do, what I <i>could</i> do, and what I had to stop doing.<br />
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I'll be working on Version 3 after this, and truthfully, I'm rather excited to see how I'll develop with it along the way.<br />
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Thanks for bearing with me through the long post! Onwards to the next project!Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-2480473747922157322014-03-25T00:25:00.002-04:002014-03-25T00:25:43.157-04:00BUILDING RWBY SCYTHE PART 3 + ANIME BOSTON 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So last I left off (in the <a href="http://cynaesthetics.blogspot.com/2014/02/sun-rwby-other-arts.html#more" target="_blank">previous post</a> that I forgot to name 'Part 2' in the 'Building-RWBY-scythe-series-of-posts'), I was in the middle of prototyping. That version was unfortunately scrapped (though not entirely) for the con. In hindsight though, the size was a good reference for the next version. But! For now, let me tell you about the RWBY scythe I build for Anime Boston.</div>
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TL;DR:</div>
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<li>RWBY unfolding scythe unfolded manually, but broke before and during the con.</li>
<li>This version was made of MDF (hardboard from Home Depot), aluminum tubes, two pairs of 3D printed parts, and two commercial steel drawer slides. It weighed ~22.5lbs.</li>
<li>Next version is already in the works.</li>
<li>I had fun at the con! Despite being sick and exhausted. Thank you, friends, for your support!</li>
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This is going to be a very very long post, divided into the following parts:</div>
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<b>I</b></div>
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RWBY scythe build (Part 3)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJbQGhDLToU/UzDQA3NqT1I/AAAAAAAABQo/EQSx3EOdz2k/s1600/IMAG1423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fJbQGhDLToU/UzDQA3NqT1I/AAAAAAAABQo/EQSx3EOdz2k/s1600/IMAG1423.jpg" height="236" width="400" /></a></div>
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Folded all together. (Minus the Tail pieces)</div>
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Unfolded. (Minus the Tail pieces)</div>
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Size comparison. This thing was too heavy for the size to be practical!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwK2-WTHb6jtLYs25PVz8p-QdXtweARQg71jVzZYDlHJD3Lf4Wxv-nAZDXwXku3HmUBHQeuq-g69NGuECIB4g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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How the front mechanism was supposed to work, shown in my CAD.</div>
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<b>II</b></div>
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Anime Boston 2014 report</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NFQB5u5j_q0/UzDUea-fuvI/AAAAAAAABRg/Goq9PdYRimE/s1600/1980348_10152349937081660_706402520_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NFQB5u5j_q0/UzDUea-fuvI/AAAAAAAABRg/Goq9PdYRimE/s1600/1980348_10152349937081660_706402520_o.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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My cosplay group! Thank you guys for being troopers!</div>
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Me unfolding it at the Con panel. Thanks for holding it stable for me, Tony! Er-- Brian!</div>
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The 18in lasercut MDF scythes I made for Charles and me for the Con on Sunday.</div>
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<b>CAUTION: LONG POST AHEAD! </b></div>
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Click below to read more!</div>
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So before I show you a flurry of pictures, I just wanted to say that this has been the most mechanically complicated thing I've ever built so far. It's my first 'Big Integrated Mechanical Project', as Charles calls it. And as such, I learned so much during the process, everything from designing to making to panicking. I'll try and encapsulate as much as I can in this space, though the real lesson here is that you just have to try and do it yourself to gain the experience. Whatever your skill level, don't fear, just build! <span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #333333; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Segoe UI', Frutiger, 'Frutiger Linotype', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">(`・ω・´)”</span></div>
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OK! Let's delve in-</div>
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For the rose accessory on Ruby's belt, I knew I wanted a lasercut black acrylic backing and metal petals. At the con, however, I found that the metal pieces weren't entirely secured on the black acrylic, so next round, I'll find a way to laser etch on a silver coated piece of material, such that the part it etches becomes black, or on clear piece of acrylic with one side coated black and one side coated silver, such that the etch on the black side will reveal the silver underneath.</div>
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But I really like the metal sheen for the petals, so I stuck with waterjet for this round. Taking a reference photo found online, I vectorized the image and exported it to DXF for the waterjet. I printed 3 versions of the rose - one full outline, one for just petals, and one for the spidery web that's the inverse of the petals. The waterjet surprisingly held up to the level of detail required for the rose 'web'.</div>
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CAD to DXF for waterjet. Thank you MIT Hobby Shop!</div>
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Just out of the waterjet.</div>
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Surprisingly fine details. There were still some kinks, but I'm glad it worked out!</div>
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Ruby's rose and the inverse!</div>
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The past prototype didn't consider the placement of a backbone for the entire structure, which made that version rather weak, and depended on a custom-designed rail system for extension, which was not structurally sound. So this version was built around a 2ft custom aluminum bar (ordered off of <a href="http://www.onlinemetals.com/" target="_blank">Onlinemetals.com</a>), and two 2ft (extended) steel drawer slides (from <a href="http://www.mcmaster.com/" target="_blank">McMaster-Carr</a>). The steel drawer slides turned out to be much heavier than expected (I underestimated the weight specs of all materials in general), but these three metals provided a solid skeletal backbone for my entire structure (I assumed), and provided me the full-extended length I needed for the scythe.</div>
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Side by side comparison.</div>
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I say 'assume', because it actually didn't turn out to be the case. As always, the weakest link was what broke the scythe in its final hour at the Con Saturday - the screws and their connection to the aluminum backbone. As tough as the metals were, their link to each other was weak and perhaps not machined well. I had drilled and tapped those holes by myself after all, and used modified screws, so perhaps there was not enough grip. Post-analysis work is in the progress though.<br />
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Mark where you want to drill clearly.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Stp2lJdTSNc/UzC4QiykseI/AAAAAAAABIU/6ypAuGQhf4E/s1600/IMAG1294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Stp2lJdTSNc/UzC4QiykseI/AAAAAAAABIU/6ypAuGQhf4E/s1600/IMAG1294.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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I found out about this during the build and though it was a nifty little tool.</div>
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It's called the center punch and helps to guide the drill bit to the position you mark.</div>
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It makes a rather loud staplegun-like sound though- The first time I used it, I freaked out a little, haha.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9LUl8L18bXM/UzC4PUQ_niI/AAAAAAAABH8/6XjpiDuH4DQ/s1600/IMAG1290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9LUl8L18bXM/UzC4PUQ_niI/AAAAAAAABH8/6XjpiDuH4DQ/s1600/IMAG1290.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Clamp your metal down securely.</div>
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Apply generous amounts of cutting fluid when you cut into metal!</div>
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Practice good safety protocol and wear safety goggles too!</div>
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Once you drill the hole, clean it out and then use the correct tap size.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--vyDgLO7tbY/UzC4RFOWNrI/AAAAAAAABIo/H1nLQeZ1_9Y/s1600/IMAG1295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--vyDgLO7tbY/UzC4RFOWNrI/AAAAAAAABIo/H1nLQeZ1_9Y/s1600/IMAG1295.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Tap tap tap tap.</div>
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Notice the hole on the right? That was tapped from the other side, so you see the burrs.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6H6zDKdelw/UzC4RgjoXXI/AAAAAAAABIw/-rKf8QFPC5k/s1600/IMAG1296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6H6zDKdelw/UzC4RgjoXXI/AAAAAAAABIw/-rKf8QFPC5k/s1600/IMAG1296.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Screw in the drawer slides!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHVhKgsssQQ/UzDQnC-t1LI/AAAAAAAABRM/0ewLXijMGVk/s1600/2014-03-06+22.59.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHVhKgsssQQ/UzDQnC-t1LI/AAAAAAAABRM/0ewLXijMGVk/s1600/2014-03-06+22.59.58.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Final full length!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsELtCRgbdw/UzC4R25_toI/AAAAAAAABIs/zaeGs-4KTRA/s1600/IMAG1300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xsELtCRgbdw/UzC4R25_toI/AAAAAAAABIs/zaeGs-4KTRA/s1600/IMAG1300.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Using the cold saw to cut the aluminum tubes.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hFIWACyCHYA/UzC4SZgpiII/AAAAAAAABJA/GUUbMwRndno/s1600/IMAG1301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hFIWACyCHYA/UzC4SZgpiII/AAAAAAAABJA/GUUbMwRndno/s1600/IMAG1301.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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.....I accidentally cut straight through the receipt and specs paper hidden inside one of them.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yKW7GqS0I94/UzC4TZdBVJI/AAAAAAAABJE/c-4h_qtw0ms/s1600/IMAG1302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yKW7GqS0I94/UzC4TZdBVJI/AAAAAAAABJE/c-4h_qtw0ms/s1600/IMAG1302.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Whoops! <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Segoe UI', Frutiger, 'Frutiger Linotype', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">(゜▽゜;)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y7PqJcprmU/UzC4TougU_I/AAAAAAAABJI/xt3__1IIoO4/s1600/IMAG1303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y7PqJcprmU/UzC4TougU_I/AAAAAAAABJI/xt3__1IIoO4/s1600/IMAG1303.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Measure out where you want the drill into the tubes clearly!</div>
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I had to modify the lengths of the screws a bit, so I screwed them all temporarily on a piece of MDF,</div>
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then used the belt sander to sand out the ends.</div>
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Testing them each to make sure they were all the right length.</div>
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The final difference in length.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hkGhvfveypY/UzC4WdsrQGI/AAAAAAAABKI/l4yXEVuFrDA/s1600/IMAG1312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hkGhvfveypY/UzC4WdsrQGI/AAAAAAAABKI/l4yXEVuFrDA/s1600/IMAG1312.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Drilling through the tubes.</div>
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Tap tap tap tap tap.</div>
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Apply lots of cutting fluid!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMFLBsHoeWE/UzC4XuiJ1XI/AAAAAAAABKQ/4GDS8yHDDBE/s1600/IMAG1318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMFLBsHoeWE/UzC4XuiJ1XI/AAAAAAAABKQ/4GDS8yHDDBE/s1600/IMAG1318.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Tubes screwed in as well!</div>
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Lasercutting out size references on MDF.</div>
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About as big as it will be.</div>
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Unfortunately, I forgot the width of this thing will also be really big!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCGaqP-908g/UzC4OBFqbWI/AAAAAAAABHo/5znj3abs7ic/s1600/IMAG1283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kCGaqP-908g/UzC4OBFqbWI/AAAAAAAABHo/5znj3abs7ic/s1600/IMAG1283.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Using zip-ties to prototype a motion.</div>
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Yes, you can prototype with zip-ties.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EStvEr08YVg/UzC4OK4tfBI/AAAAAAAABHw/1DPYiVmG_44/s1600/IMAG1284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EStvEr08YVg/UzC4OK4tfBI/AAAAAAAABHw/1DPYiVmG_44/s1600/IMAG1284.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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And in the unfolded position.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bN38dioprgs/UzC4OZNAquI/AAAAAAAABHs/Ujj3tQyXF68/s1600/IMAG1286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bN38dioprgs/UzC4OZNAquI/AAAAAAAABHs/Ujj3tQyXF68/s1600/IMAG1286.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Materials used to prototype.</div>
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I'm pretty sure you can prototype with just about <i>anything</i>.</div>
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Depending on the task and intended purpose, of course.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2roosergUC4/UzC4YvSgPLI/AAAAAAAABKc/4-70MayVkFM/s1600/IMAG1328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2roosergUC4/UzC4YvSgPLI/AAAAAAAABKc/4-70MayVkFM/s1600/IMAG1328.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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How small and precise the holes were.</div>
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Made with an exact-o knife.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6pwYRu2YMI/UzC4YmTjVJI/AAAAAAAABKg/REjns9vS69E/s1600/IMAG1335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f6pwYRu2YMI/UzC4YmTjVJI/AAAAAAAABKg/REjns9vS69E/s1600/IMAG1335.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Part of my structure involved printing some 3D blocks.</div>
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Well, not entirely blocks. They had two holes in them.</div>
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But still considered blocks.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G2O6mAAYTbM/UzC4Z9aN0aI/AAAAAAAABK8/6LRqFMHn2pk/s1600/IMAG1339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G2O6mAAYTbM/UzC4Z9aN0aI/AAAAAAAABK8/6LRqFMHn2pk/s1600/IMAG1339.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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I can't believe the first time I use the 3D printer at Charles' lab I make blocks. xD *facepalm*</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZB4XD2cV6Q/UzC4ZQRGEQI/AAAAAAAABKo/AbJp4ISxrRg/s1600/IMAG1336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZB4XD2cV6Q/UzC4ZQRGEQI/AAAAAAAABKo/AbJp4ISxrRg/s1600/IMAG1336.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Drilling the holes out a little more to provide less traction.</div>
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Please note - if you do this, clamp the part down and don't freehand it like me!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjILc0Zjujo/UzC4aBhxodI/AAAAAAAABK0/6FNibLw_0Ag/s1600/IMAG1346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kjILc0Zjujo/UzC4aBhxodI/AAAAAAAABK0/6FNibLw_0Ag/s1600/IMAG1346.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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I consulted Brian a few times on latches for my design;</div>
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his Iron Man suit is wicked awesome and uses some cool latches.</div>
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These were my modified (and heavily simplified) versions of his latches, waterjet from thin steel.</div>
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<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VVZZTFD8VHg/UzC4ccywwFI/AAAAAAAABLY/X3c3nsOz4J4/s1600/IMAG1350.jpg" height="238" style="color: #0000ee;" width="400" /></div>
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Tap tap tap tap.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shdR_EOb8Z4/UzC4bRs9P7I/AAAAAAAABLE/ta_lHoqQY9A/s1600/IMAG1347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-shdR_EOb8Z4/UzC4bRs9P7I/AAAAAAAABLE/ta_lHoqQY9A/s1600/IMAG1347.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hot off the lasercutter.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0hGwqNCms58/UzC4blVgnCI/AAAAAAAABLQ/z86aeHt1M68/s1600/IMAG1349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0hGwqNCms58/UzC4blVgnCI/AAAAAAAABLQ/z86aeHt1M68/s1600/IMAG1349.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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Milling the top tube, as per design.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qiHBfMymRA4/UzC4dX6ylXI/AAAAAAAABLo/lMHKztPbXCE/s1600/IMAG1353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qiHBfMymRA4/UzC4dX6ylXI/AAAAAAAABLo/lMHKztPbXCE/s1600/IMAG1353.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Using a hot wire cutter to cut some foam, as per design.</div>
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My design was heavily dependent on custom pin joints and linkages. Parts of the scythe had to rotate, so I consulted Charles and we decided to use E-clips to 'trap' the piece around small hollow aluminum rods. So I designed the unfolding mechanism based off of that design choice. Now I know there's a whole field of study and math to determining the motion of linkages, but a lot of my design just came from thought and tweaking the positions a little until the movement came out to my satisfaction. Charles in particular was very helpful in providing feedback to my ideas, and his suggestion on the back blade design worked very well!</div>
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Once all the pieces were in place and layered as closely to the reference GIF as I could possibly make it, I measured out the pin joint distances and gave that drawing to Charles, who helped me make those using a lathe.</div>
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The clean part of my workbench. Look at all those numbers...</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyXLn1FY2vM3oz4bHrKUMJ-sx1wXCcTRcyOjyvnBvQtfqvgARxhYTDXkjvIgzSlPGh-Q5ldxAzV1LTT_V4Bqw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Above is a sneak peek of part of my notebook, to show you the ridiculous chaos that went into the design. What I'm showing in the video was more pertinent to the latest design; there are about 15 more pages before this that went into the previous two prototypes and about 10 after that still dedicated to assembling the design. I figured taking a short video was better than scanning in some of the pages for now, especially since all of the sketches look like chicken scratch, haha.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryT1qkDBJbs/UzC4fWwaNmI/AAAAAAAABME/sTssVOAQy4A/s1600/IMAG1358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryT1qkDBJbs/UzC4fWwaNmI/AAAAAAAABME/sTssVOAQy4A/s1600/IMAG1358.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Charles helping me make the joints on the lathe. Thank you Charles!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNStqK4NWHM/UzC4dvHdAQI/AAAAAAAABLw/P7tGk9TX8cc/s1600/IMAG1355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dNStqK4NWHM/UzC4dvHdAQI/AAAAAAAABLw/P7tGk9TX8cc/s1600/IMAG1355.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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E-clip pin joints + 3D printed part + wooden linkages</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2JEu3JXz2b0/UzC4egVFdJI/AAAAAAAABL8/dh1uxpnS-3I/s1600/IMAG1356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2JEu3JXz2b0/UzC4egVFdJI/AAAAAAAABL8/dh1uxpnS-3I/s1600/IMAG1356.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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The wooden dowels were integral to the movement. They broke, unsuprisingly, haha. Next round will have metal rods, if I even stick with the same mechanism. There was also supposedly a reason why I used wood instead of aluminum. But I'm not sure now. By most all accounts, I would think metal would appeal to me more as the better choice. This should teach me (among all the other lessons I've learned with building this) not to design and/or build in the wee hours of the morning after not sleeping.</div>
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Wait. Didn't MIT already teach me this? xD</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZktgEao4l4/UzC4cjiuNgI/AAAAAAAABLs/34wDjFnPv1M/s1600/IMAG1351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ZktgEao4l4/UzC4cjiuNgI/AAAAAAAABLs/34wDjFnPv1M/s1600/IMAG1351.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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Spray-painting.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gxKoqBARRPM/UzC4flKXsgI/AAAAAAAABMM/Uv5HC1UmJhQ/s1600/IMAG1361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gxKoqBARRPM/UzC4flKXsgI/AAAAAAAABMM/Uv5HC1UmJhQ/s1600/IMAG1361.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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More spray-painting.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QYrRJHl49J8/UzC4gmR2mgI/AAAAAAAABMY/y_lRALA2G4U/s1600/IMAG1362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QYrRJHl49J8/UzC4gmR2mgI/AAAAAAAABMY/y_lRALA2G4U/s1600/IMAG1362.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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What spray paint does to foam. <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Segoe UI', Frutiger, 'Frutiger Linotype', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">( ̄□ ̄;)!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-laZ7B1GIkTM/UzC4id6bMBI/AAAAAAAABMw/mkzS7ZsRu9k/s1600/IMAG1364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-laZ7B1GIkTM/UzC4id6bMBI/AAAAAAAABMw/mkzS7ZsRu9k/s1600/IMAG1364.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Look! A flower! <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Segoe UI', Frutiger, 'Frutiger Linotype', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">(*‿*✿)</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b5Rt8igqsSc/UzC4iNLC0-I/AAAAAAAABMk/OAA33vyG6VA/s1600/IMAG1365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b5Rt8igqsSc/UzC4iNLC0-I/AAAAAAAABMk/OAA33vyG6VA/s1600/IMAG1365.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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So. Much. Epoxy.</div>
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I think I drained the shop's supply of epoxy doing this...</div>
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I also made a mistake in orientation and had to chip it off (twice) to redo the job.</div>
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Unfortunately, the epoxy had bonded to paint rather than wood, which proved troublesome later.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iyi49aWn-5s/UzC4ixBk4rI/AAAAAAAABMs/IB-PZGangeE/s1600/IMAG1366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iyi49aWn-5s/UzC4ixBk4rI/AAAAAAAABMs/IB-PZGangeE/s1600/IMAG1366.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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See the mistake here? Don't worry - I fixed it in the next few pictures.</div>
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Working area. So much red--</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lAAkFtHhQxU/UzC4kPyazAI/AAAAAAAABNE/Y5qQXbBGNkk/s1600/IMAG1369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lAAkFtHhQxU/UzC4kPyazAI/AAAAAAAABNE/Y5qQXbBGNkk/s1600/IMAG1369.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Muzzle 50% complete!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--j3HbeijbhY/UzC4kjQ8sVI/AAAAAAAABNI/gYjU3dZBnpM/s1600/IMAG1370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--j3HbeijbhY/UzC4kjQ8sVI/AAAAAAAABNI/gYjU3dZBnpM/s1600/IMAG1370.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Side view. This thing was really big. xD</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBKdo_bXN4Q/UzC4kyAhW7I/AAAAAAAABNQ/sB3V-sHDwjA/s1600/IMAG1371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBKdo_bXN4Q/UzC4kyAhW7I/AAAAAAAABNQ/sB3V-sHDwjA/s1600/IMAG1371.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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Size comparison of Ruby's scythe with M!Blake's weapon.</div>
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What 'My thing is bigger than yours' joke can I make here?</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3xblczfEJdM/UzC4lI0381I/AAAAAAAABNY/vRiO1rjKTuM/s1600/IMAG1373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3xblczfEJdM/UzC4lI0381I/AAAAAAAABNY/vRiO1rjKTuM/s1600/IMAG1373.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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Epoxy detaching itself because bond wasn't strong enough on paint. :(</div>
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Despite the troubles, I ended up hefting the thing off to the con regardless (see more about my adventures below in the next section). And even though the inner core structure broke a bit and came loose, it still came back in one piece!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnIy7XKXu1Q/UzC4ldPKFII/AAAAAAAABNs/H5sYsxrKWpw/s1600/IMAG1423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnIy7XKXu1Q/UzC4ldPKFII/AAAAAAAABNs/H5sYsxrKWpw/s1600/IMAG1423.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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Closed position. After con.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sBWayM99rQg/UzC4ly9gWHI/AAAAAAAABNk/GLG4pLAnXZE/s1600/IMAG1424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sBWayM99rQg/UzC4ly9gWHI/AAAAAAAABNk/GLG4pLAnXZE/s1600/IMAG1424.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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Open position. After con.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oi2imt7fkdI/UzC4mkcSICI/AAAAAAAABNw/Umq1XTnHxJQ/s1600/IMAG1425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oi2imt7fkdI/UzC4mkcSICI/AAAAAAAABNw/Umq1XTnHxJQ/s1600/IMAG1425.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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Size comparison. After con.</div>
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In terms of revision control, I'm considering the PVC tube version as Version 0.1 and the first lasercut batch version as Version 0.2. Which means the big hulking red thing on that project shelf below will be my official Version 1. (You can see a bit of Version 0.1 behind it; Version 0.2 is hidden in between).<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tA36vPAXgM/UzC4nnBXOqI/AAAAAAAABN8/4jBlkQ15oEA/s1600/IMAG1427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0tA36vPAXgM/UzC4nnBXOqI/AAAAAAAABN8/4jBlkQ15oEA/s1600/IMAG1427.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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And here thou shalt live until next I dissemble thee...</div>
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This project is by no means over yet. I've got more plans for RWBY scythe, and I'm going to be working on making it lighter, more stable, better actuated, all that jazz. If you happen to be reading this and want to support me in my endeavors, feel free to hit the donate button on the menu to the right, and send me your name so I can thank you in my own little way! (Or don't, if you'd like to remain anonymous, haha. Though honestly, please let me know who you are so I can thank you!)</div>
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In general, here are some things to consider when you're building that don't get emphasized enough:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Lead time of materials</li>
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<li>Especially if you're outsourcing parts to be 3D printed or lasercut or waterjetted.</li>
<li>Most suppliers are fairly quick, but guaranteed next day shipping will always cost more.</li>
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<li>Weight of materials</li>
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<li>Can't stress this enough! For a build that depends on you being able to lift and carry it around for the duration of a con, while still being able to manipulate it, weight should of been high in the list of initial requirements, but it was somehow overlooked.</li>
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<li>Lead time of painting and/or glue and/or drying</li>
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<li>Paint not having enough time to dry will result in a less-than-satisfactory finish.</li>
<li>Rushing a drying job usually results in frustration - try and find other ways of fastening if you can, especially for parts you'd like to repeatedly disassemble and reassemble.</li>
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<li>Cost (Both in currency and personal sacrifice)</li>
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<li>It's good to plan budget ahead of time, but time will always get ahead of you, so make sure you leave buffer room for those last minute buys!</li>
<li>If you can do it, don't sacrifice your personal health and safety to save time. I learned that the hard way. As Jamo put it - There will always be another build, but there is only one you.</li>
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<li>Working around lab hours and other people working in the same space</li>
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<li>Don't just assume the lasercutter or 3D printer will be free the time you want to use it. Chances are, it won't be, especially it's a shared space. Find out what the schedules are like for the other people in the space and work around them. Might just be that you would have to go early in the morning to print/cut things out.</li>
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<li>Laser cutting and 3d printer time (absolute times)</li>
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<li>Yep, can't speed up these machines. They're so stubborn. :P</li>
</ul>
<li>Organization</li>
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<li>I had anticipated a lot of CAD parts, so I made my own little naming scheme to keep my files organized. This saved me a LOT of time during the lasercutting and assembly period.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
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For any beginner builders out there, there are plenty of Instructables and blogs on the internet that give helpful references and tutorials! I started out doing little things as well, but this jump of a project difficulty was fun and challenging in its own way as well, especially since I was designing the entire inner mechanism myself. Looking forward to working on it more, now that this version has 'debuted'!</div>
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~~~~~</div>
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<b>II</b></div>
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And now! Let me recount to you my journey surrounding Anime Boston weekend.</div>
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The weeks leading up to the con, I was sick, exhausted, stressed. Then the week of, I pulled 3 all-nighters to try and finish the scythe. That said - NEVER doing that again. I pushed myself too hard, and I managed to get Charles sick as well. :( </div>
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Neither of us could make the Friday con and on early Saturday morning, both Charles and I (still riding on a cold) woke up super sick - cold chills, super exhaustion, fever, the whole package. I was planning to go work on the scythe some more that morning but I ultimately passed out back on the bed again. We awoke later feeling a little better but had already missed the morning con hours. We headed over to the shop to see what we could get done - but not even an hour into it, Charles's sickness got worse so he resigned to sleep on the couch. I glued the things left in place and chose to not take the smaller parts that I knew would just impede the scythe and the con experience (if I had to just keep picking up those pieces). Even when I wasn't sick, carrying the ~22.5lbs (we weighed it afterwards) of MDF and metal is tiring, so I knew I wouldn't be able to stay long at the con anyways before I would be wiped out. When I first tried to set the scythe down and deploy it, I heard something snap and distinctly remember my heart sinking. The thing that snapped was something that was integral to the entire motion and was not made of metal - the wooden dowels. Of course.</div>
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But! I needed to make the panel that Brian, Jamo, and Nancy were at (and that Charles had originally supposed to be joining as well). So I was still persistent on leaving. James, a coworker of Charles in the same lab space, helped me out with affixing the last details before I shipped out. By this time, the panel had already started (2PM in the afternoon). James helped me flag down a cab which carried me to the convention in record time. Seriously - this cab driver knew some magic shortcuts. With all the roads blocked up, he still managed to get me across in like... what seemed like 5 minutes. It would have have taken me three times as long or more if I hadn't been in that particular taxi. Thanks man!</div>
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Once there, I hauled the thing past bag check (and was instantly stopped by someone asking if that was a unfolding scythe - to which I responded, it <i>was</i> and still <i>can move</i> but sadly is broken. :'( But I proceeded to show them how it was supposed to work, and then hauled it inside, where I found Female Blake, Male Blake and Male Weiss (all part of our group cosplay!) playing Hanafuda while waiting for me.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3hEK8aqRtY/UzDxUwXRKeI/AAAAAAAABS8/0WbDSF3bxec/s1600/2014-03-22+14.36.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3hEK8aqRtY/UzDxUwXRKeI/AAAAAAAABS8/0WbDSF3bxec/s1600/2014-03-22+14.36.10.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Intense concentration. While dealing out the cards.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PuVnjfvaKco/UzDHrR_CyhI/AAAAAAAABPU/CLMnSq4f6QA/s1600/20140205_210315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PuVnjfvaKco/UzDHrR_CyhI/AAAAAAAABPU/CLMnSq4f6QA/s1600/20140205_210315.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hanafuda! Summer Wars! Yah!</div>
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So after meeting up with them and hauling the thing to weapons check - I didn't bother opening it, it honestly would do more damage falling on someone's foot from its sheer weight than opening - and up the escalators, we finally arrived at the correct room for the 'High-tech cosplay' panel Brian and co. were running.</div>
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So we just barged in, all heads turned our way, and then I proceeded to haul the massive thing through the side aisle and up the stage. Then after pretty much dropping the thing on the panel table - yes I interrupted the panel (sorry guys! ><;; ) - I discarded my coat and then head-desked behind the folded up scythe. And then raised my head and proceeded to talk about it after catching a small breath.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3N7MW0ezsEs/UzDlGu58fKI/AAAAAAAABSM/mmnxncd0vWs/s1600/20140322_145452-MOTION.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3N7MW0ezsEs/UzDlGu58fKI/AAAAAAAABSM/mmnxncd0vWs/s1600/20140322_145452-MOTION.gif" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Me unfolding it with the help of Tony Stark. Oh! I meant, Brian Chan.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZevBhtbBLpw/UzDNfoKpmVI/AAAAAAAABP0/xDNZV24nKNc/s1600/10005873_10152350148076660_1862873941_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZevBhtbBLpw/UzDNfoKpmVI/AAAAAAAABP0/xDNZV24nKNc/s1600/10005873_10152350148076660_1862873941_o.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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After I just clunked it down, of course.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqF7KVL1NKs/UzDOeVErTyI/AAAAAAAABQA/Pux5QFQFZdM/s1600/1899486_10152701833879202_1662540574_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UqF7KVL1NKs/UzDOeVErTyI/AAAAAAAABQA/Pux5QFQFZdM/s1600/1899486_10152701833879202_1662540574_o.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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And manually extended it.</div>
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All in all, it was a good panel - besides me accidentally crashing it, haha. I did some talking, but mostly just listened and stared back at the full crowd. Awesome that all of those guys have this interest! :D I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else will make!</div>
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Afterwards, I knew that my scythe had about a few hours or so (it ended up being less than that) of usable time before it broke completely, so I prioritized pictures with the group.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qKmBQD-abCs/UzDFM0AI47I/AAAAAAAABOY/4Xh17e-TtvA/s1600/IMAG1377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qKmBQD-abCs/UzDFM0AI47I/AAAAAAAABOY/4Xh17e-TtvA/s1600/IMAG1377.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Carrying it around was effectively a two-person job.</div>
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Yes, it was large.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tHz_aV0FA0/UzDNE7GLeFI/AAAAAAAABPo/YWnxAOTTLJY/s1600/1980348_10152349937081660_706402520_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tHz_aV0FA0/UzDNE7GLeFI/AAAAAAAABPo/YWnxAOTTLJY/s1600/1980348_10152349937081660_706402520_o.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Group photo!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tvf3lRYkIcI/UzDFNPYlSHI/AAAAAAAABOQ/PrSZbjjc57Q/s1600/IMAG1379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tvf3lRYkIcI/UzDFNPYlSHI/AAAAAAAABOQ/PrSZbjjc57Q/s1600/IMAG1379.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_cWg8wnsrnc/UzDNE-yX0GI/AAAAAAAABPk/YxmjRVoONBU/s1600/1401921_10203537297859135_618372589_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_cWg8wnsrnc/UzDNE-yX0GI/AAAAAAAABPk/YxmjRVoONBU/s1600/1401921_10203537297859135_618372589_o.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Salute for the fallen Ruby.</div>
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Wait-- Guys guys! I'm not dead- I'm just looking for my contact!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FQCSsNo8x80/UzDFNLQ0ysI/AAAAAAAABOU/HE4W8Snc86E/s1600/IMAG1385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FQCSsNo8x80/UzDFNLQ0ysI/AAAAAAAABOU/HE4W8Snc86E/s1600/IMAG1385.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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YES. I FINALLY GOT TO TAKE THE PIC I WANTED TO TAKE FOR SO LONG! <3</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9_KXsa27qeM/UzDFN3ZcmCI/AAAAAAAABOo/gw6vexmDv5Q/s1600/IMAG1392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9_KXsa27qeM/UzDFN3ZcmCI/AAAAAAAABOo/gw6vexmDv5Q/s1600/IMAG1392.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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As Ivana (coworker and Female Blake) put it-</div>
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"Fallen Ruby betrayed by alternate genderbent RWBY universe"</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bN-iL4RRLHg/UzDFOKq3xDI/AAAAAAAABOk/vPsENq2qMdc/s1600/IMAG1394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bN-iL4RRLHg/UzDFOKq3xDI/AAAAAAAABOk/vPsENq2qMdc/s1600/IMAG1394.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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It was really windy outside.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QhIlsAFSarw/UzDk8b11sdI/AAAAAAAABSE/4v8V5tWePzw/s1600/20140322_161417-MOTION.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QhIlsAFSarw/UzDk8b11sdI/AAAAAAAABSE/4v8V5tWePzw/s1600/20140322_161417-MOTION.gif" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Like, <i>really</i> windy.</div>
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Thanks Ivana for the gifs!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FDms0BzAmcs/UzDFOgi8fsI/AAAAAAAABOs/Mtyxdm1dKIw/s1600/IMAG1398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FDms0BzAmcs/UzDFOgi8fsI/AAAAAAAABOs/Mtyxdm1dKIw/s1600/IMAG1398.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ruby with M!Weiss and M!Blake.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HcmWAGVMgLQ/UzDFPMvPHWI/AAAAAAAABPE/QmKWnQhtEUI/s1600/IMAG1399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HcmWAGVMgLQ/UzDFPMvPHWI/AAAAAAAABPE/QmKWnQhtEUI/s1600/IMAG1399.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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Caught in the wind while putting it back together.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EK0Hj5VTrWU/UzDFPekyGJI/AAAAAAAABPA/kY1aZ0kSeCA/s1600/IMAG1404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EK0Hj5VTrWU/UzDFPekyGJI/AAAAAAAABPA/kY1aZ0kSeCA/s1600/IMAG1404.jpg" height="400" width="238" /></a></div>
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Again, it was <i style="text-decoration: underline;">really</i> windy.</div>
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On Sunday, Charles was feeling a little better so we decided to go together that day. I wasn't going to carry the hulking piece of MDF and metal on Sunday so I spent Saturday night quickly vectorizing an existing reference pic of the scythe I had found online and used the lasercutter Sunday morning before we left to cut out little scythes for us to carry (18in in length).</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AvHSnlen3S4/UzDOtZI7y7I/AAAAAAAABQI/0wF-PMP76gU/s1600/IMAG1428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AvHSnlen3S4/UzDOtZI7y7I/AAAAAAAABQI/0wF-PMP76gU/s1600/IMAG1428.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lasercut little scythes!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5c3ffE5nReA/UzDOtQm0_NI/AAAAAAAABQM/WxO7myUOQGs/s1600/IMAG1429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5c3ffE5nReA/UzDOtQm0_NI/AAAAAAAABQM/WxO7myUOQGs/s1600/IMAG1429.jpg" height="238" width="400" /></a></div>
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They were kind of cute, hehe. We made 'pew pew' noises and shook them at each other at the con.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EtsfHvLCzOw/UzDO0cZUXgI/AAAAAAAABQY/BirsAJztdUk/s1600/10013445_10152350148616660_323343382_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EtsfHvLCzOw/UzDO0cZUXgI/AAAAAAAABQY/BirsAJztdUk/s1600/10013445_10152350148616660_323343382_o.jpg" height="400" width="273" /></a></div>
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F!Ruby and M!Ruby~</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4jmqn7VhqEk/UzDxTfNAcGI/AAAAAAAABSo/v0NL3D1Ij_k/s1600/1912404_10152305300478928_1118013186_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4jmqn7VhqEk/UzDxTfNAcGI/AAAAAAAABSo/v0NL3D1Ij_k/s1600/1912404_10152305300478928_1118013186_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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There were a lot of Frozen cosplays this year.</div>
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So many pretty Anna's and Elsa's~</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXDZ0aacOVg/UzDxUjr3ZpI/AAAAAAAABSs/dfAnRE7SgxA/s1600/984044_10152305300353928_260893247_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXDZ0aacOVg/UzDxUjr3ZpI/AAAAAAAABSs/dfAnRE7SgxA/s1600/984044_10152305300353928_260893247_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Brian in his epic Iron Man suit!!!</div>
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There was this super cute moment when a woman approached Brian in his suit and asked to take a picture of him. Behind her emerged a shy little boy (5 years or so?), and when he saw the Iron Man suit, his eyes grew so wide and his mouth comically gaped open! Being shy though, he took a few steps towards Brian (who had held up a low hand as if to high five the kid) and then ran back to his mom. But a few seconds later, he'd emerge and try again. This went on for a few times before he finally just ran up and then touched Brian's palm, then ran back to his mom. The entire group that formed around Brian at this point was just "aww"-ing and taking pictures and documenting this whole moment. The kid finally went up and hugged Brian around his calves before he left, eyes still wide with a happy expression. We pretty much agreed that Brian changed that little boy's life forever right then and there.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uV-aCE4-ViY/UzDxTvqp7qI/AAAAAAAABSc/kd6T8c_rKh8/s1600/1526411_10152305300773928_120000768_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uV-aCE4-ViY/UzDxTvqp7qI/AAAAAAAABSc/kd6T8c_rKh8/s1600/1526411_10152305300773928_120000768_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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The plushies were backpacked around in our hoods.</div>
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All in all, this was a good convention. A lot of ups and downs, but in the end, I got to spend some quality fun time with friends and leveled up in my build prowess. Definitely worth all the time spent on RWBY scythe. :)</div>
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But wait! The story doesn't end here! Onwards to the next build!</div>
Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-17256122672176679492014-02-25T21:55:00.002-05:002014-02-25T21:55:34.852-05:00SOLDER IRON ART<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What could you do with a roll of receipt paper and a soldering iron? Make art!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-02D45OatWPw/Uw1IjMHLDdI/AAAAAAAABFg/tJmhgFZKYOM/s1600/IMAG1255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-02D45OatWPw/Uw1IjMHLDdI/AAAAAAAABFg/tJmhgFZKYOM/s1600/IMAG1255.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The finished piece!</span></div>
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Receipt paper is usually 'thermal paper', which means one side of it is coated with a chemical (including the dye) that reacts to heat, providing a way to print text and images without ink.</div>
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Taking a heat gun with the right setting...</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz06burGcSIGBoTM4W2rpNR6yD0uygTlCeRG4iaHCK5QX8pKY4nPJ60ghb_PY93XmHY7CAMqFPy8tNx91oL4Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Finding the right heat setting to make the strokes I wanted took a few tries...</span></div>
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And then taking a soldering iron on the right setting...</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyzMZ76LEP3GWDkJChfH7ShfQ1scyQQXTxg68PtcvEZ4rOU9lu1XNwpTTkckQfkfDJPlO4yiTCl0Zicze6i' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Higher temperatures create thicker lines, lower temperatures create thin lines...</span></div>
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And voila! A drawing made without a pencil, pen, brush, etc, but with applied heat!<br /><br />I also made a quick rose for Charles, hehe, in return for the 3D printed rose (using the Form 1) he gave me. <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Segoe UI', Frutiger, 'Frutiger Linotype', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">( ´ ▽ ` )ノ</span> Happy belated Valentines Day!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HFvwWbA3BOk/Uw1QknqekfI/AAAAAAAABF0/J6PPTkS16J8/s1600/IMAG1258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HFvwWbA3BOk/Uw1QknqekfI/AAAAAAAABF0/J6PPTkS16J8/s1600/IMAG1258.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cSj_z0LUWnE/Uw1QkonjTRI/AAAAAAAABF4/lNU_LWAPVCI/s1600/IMAG1260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cSj_z0LUWnE/Uw1QkonjTRI/AAAAAAAABF4/lNU_LWAPVCI/s1600/IMAG1260.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmEN4JlCjKc/Uw1QljlMMNI/AAAAAAAABGA/ZsoR2q_NqOA/s1600/IMAG1261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmEN4JlCjKc/Uw1QljlMMNI/AAAAAAAABGA/ZsoR2q_NqOA/s1600/IMAG1261.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ie6VH1S5AQ4/Uw1QkhZy5SI/AAAAAAAABFw/cvc2Yp4d2YE/s1600/IMAG1242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ie6VH1S5AQ4/Uw1QkhZy5SI/AAAAAAAABFw/cvc2Yp4d2YE/s1600/IMAG1242.jpg" height="320" width="191" /></a></div>
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And then here's some random things I carved into leftover pieces of foam from work:</div>
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This was just a quick interlude post- I'll be back to more RWBY updates in a few days!</div>
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Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-83007891827092250082014-02-03T02:31:00.000-05:002014-02-03T02:31:00.853-05:00SUN + RWBY + OTHER ARTS<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rnk33Mc4k-c/Uu8ZaDfhv7I/AAAAAAAABA8/8O-tiNNS8Wo/s1600/floridasunsetbeach_panorama.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rnk33Mc4k-c/Uu8ZaDfhv7I/AAAAAAAABA8/8O-tiNNS8Wo/s1600/floridasunsetbeach_panorama.png" height="57" width="400" /></a></div>
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Last December, after more than a year of not visiting family, I flew down to Florida for a week to meet up with the ol' crew again - mom and dad, along with some of my cousins and friends and families of friends. They had driven down to meet me there, ready for beaches and a Christmas without snow and cold, which Florida readily gave. The trip had been a long time coming, and seeing family again really brought back memories. I took the opportunity to catch up, to soak in the presence of the people who I had lived without for the past few years, to breathe in a salty air that was so unlike the air up north, to drink in the scenery of sky, water, and sand. A week's worth of family and sun rejuvenated me. It was more than enough - I was ready to go back and tackle the new year.<br />
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Happy 2014! Happy year of the horse!<br />
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There's a full lineup of things-to-happen this year - but I'll start with just updating on the things I've already worked on so far. This is a <b><u>LONG and PICTURE-HEAVY post</u></b>! Contents are below, click the 'Read more!' to read more!<br />
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In order of appearance:<br />
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<b>I</b></div>
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An update on RWBY scythe</div>
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A recap of my week in Florida</div>
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<b>III</b></div>
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A living-hinge book cover I designed</div>
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<b>IV</b></div>
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Some speedpaints I did</div>
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After starting to CAD RWBY's transforming scythe, I came upon the realization that I still have a lot of work to do. A LOT. By 100. I dearly underestimated the amount of sheer work that I will need to do to have this ready in time for any con. <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Segoe UI', Frutiger, 'Frutiger Linotype', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">(´⊙ω⊙`)!</span><br />
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Having decided to lasercut everything, I had dived into CAD-land and started modeling pieces, taking into account my own liberties in designing this thing. So. Many. Pieces. I created an organizational naming structure for my files just for this project (instead of naming parts like, say, 'redbladething1') so that I could keep track of everything - it saved me quite a lot of headache!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kzCp9h-7M4E/Uu8ihh98h0I/AAAAAAAABCg/X569SrHTWj8/s1600/rwbyscythe_cad_wip.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kzCp9h-7M4E/Uu8ihh98h0I/AAAAAAAABCg/X569SrHTWj8/s1600/rwbyscythe_cad_wip.PNG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Screenshot of the growing chaos of the assemblies.</span></div>
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Taking the advice from Charles, I shoved what I had on a laser cutter to test for size and feasibility. Tessellating the parts on a given sized board was rather fun - I managed to fit everything of the main bulk on 2 boards (24"x36", and 24"x24") after some fiddling.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZqBwuLe57o/Uu8gWlHfdCI/AAAAAAAABCA/1o_hKdkjBig/s1600/IMAG1216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iZqBwuLe57o/Uu8gWlHfdCI/AAAAAAAABCA/1o_hKdkjBig/s1600/IMAG1216.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Completed lasercut board A.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Currently laser cutting board B.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6v8KyVm01B0/Uu8gWm8qLkI/AAAAAAAABCE/-I2atuN9gvQ/s1600/IMAG1220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6v8KyVm01B0/Uu8gWm8qLkI/AAAAAAAABCE/-I2atuN9gvQ/s1600/IMAG1220.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Laser cut negative space, after I took all the treasure out, mwahaha!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Laser cut positive space - the treasure stash.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Assembled pieces. Everything <span style="text-align: left;">will still need to be glued together.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yes, glued.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yes, this thing is held together by hot-glue and superglue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yes, I'm seeing how long this glued-structure will last.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">No, the final version won't have glue. ....Probably. xD</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Assembled parts shell, extended.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Assembled parts shell, contracted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Me holding it, for size reference.</span></div>
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Ultimately, not sure if this is the route I want to take for the main bulk of the piece. But I'm going to roll with it for now so I can figure out what needs to be changed/added/modified on the CAD drawings, since wood is easier to work with than metal and laser cutting has a quick turn-around time.</div>
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A few days back, I also vectorized RWBY's rose ornament on her belt and threw that in the laser cutter as well, along with a scrap piece of black acrylic I found. The result looked rather nice! I'm thinking of either finding a waterjet to cut out metal pieces of the petals, or just paint over a sheen of metallic paint on top of the acrylic so when it rasters, the black acrylic can shine through underneath.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xtpaPbUIrcI/Uu8gD5hcjAI/AAAAAAAABBs/gPENAFVYt0M/s1600/IMAG1169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xtpaPbUIrcI/Uu8gD5hcjAI/AAAAAAAABBs/gPENAFVYt0M/s1600/IMAG1169.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">In the process of laser cutting my vectorized image.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Not too shabby!</span></div>
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Next steps - finish CADing, populate with mechanisms, finish building it, make costume. And a thousand different subtasks under those giant umbrellas. WHEE--- /o/</div>
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<b>II</b></div>
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Aah, Florida. Nice weather. Much nicer than up here in Boston. I took a break from work, stayed down there for a week, and got up early every morning to see the sunrise, something I normally never do. It became a little routine just for that week - wake up around sunrise, walk or jog along by the shoreline, sit on the ledge for an hour watching the scenery and listening to the water lap beside me and/or drawing/writing whatever came to mind while snapping photos like a tourist... It was the only time of day that I was really by myself, before the noise and business of family took hold during the day. And to have that peaceful moment all to yourself, a time to reflect and think and decide as the world lit up around you... It was beautiful.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A flock of birds flew past me during this sunrise; I had scrambled to get my phone camera up in time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I created my own little zen sand garden by the beach, and my friends helped me populate it with shells.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Silver skies and silver seas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A sunset, though you can't tell; I snuck up on this bird, but it didn't fly away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">A line of legs on a ledge; My cousins and I sat here for a long time just talking and watching the bay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I kept walking along one of the beaches we had visited one day, and ended up in this disaster zone.</span></div>
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Along this trip, I had with me a little moleskin. I had started it with doodles of cute little robots, but I actually amassed more poems than anything else when I took it with me to Florida. So I thought I'd share two:</div>
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'Seagulls'</div>
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Like drones</div>
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they prowl the sky</div>
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Hundreds of little security cameras</div>
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searching the perimeter.</div>
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First comes the smell</div>
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A scout or two flies to investigate</div>
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Hovering low enough to grab</div>
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as they stare expectantly.</div>
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Next comes the sight</div>
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and reinforcements are summoned.</div>
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Target lock on a young boy</div>
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with a fast food take-out bag.</div>
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They ambush.</div>
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Boy runs.</div>
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I watch from underneath a shelter.</div>
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Sandwich in hand.</div>
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-Lu</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnztuYG29sk/Uu8nUsBHSzI/AAAAAAAABEw/F-cKDWtUyLw/s1600/IMAG1109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xnztuYG29sk/Uu8nUsBHSzI/AAAAAAAABEw/F-cKDWtUyLw/s1600/IMAG1109.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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'Seagulls'</div>
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'12/27/13'</div>
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From hundreds of miles up</div>
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Watching the gold and silver streams</div>
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of humanity</div>
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Spill across the black earth</div>
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like scattered jewels and fallen stars</div>
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I breathe; enraptured.</div>
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-Lu</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1RRi_H38uX0/Uu8nj4TBTsI/AAAAAAAABE4/CiRda8gpYn4/s1600/IMAG1118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1RRi_H38uX0/Uu8nj4TBTsI/AAAAAAAABE4/CiRda8gpYn4/s1600/IMAG1118.jpg" height="382" width="640" /></a></div>
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'12/27/13'</div>
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<b>III</b><br />
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I saw a picture of some living hinge structures a few weeks ago and thought they were super cool! So I took inspiration from one of the articles and replicated one of the patterns I had seen for my own book cover, modifying it to fit my needs. EpilogLaser has a pattern you can download (<a href="http://www.epiloglaser.com/sc-living-hinge-book-cover.htm">click here!</a>), but I couldn't download it, so I just designed mine from scratch based on the images, haha. Using some of the hardboard stock I had bought for RWBY, I created this:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VF3OjO9699Y/Uu8kSeKNCvI/AAAAAAAABDQ/LTCwuCKs05M/s1600/DSC04236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VF3OjO9699Y/Uu8kSeKNCvI/AAAAAAAABDQ/LTCwuCKs05M/s1600/DSC04236.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The little robot on there is actually a vectorized version of a robot doodle in the moleskin this cover is for.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zji0CKqy8aU/Uu8kSRxg1YI/AAAAAAAABDM/6M_gTgVGwLs/s1600/DSC04240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zji0CKqy8aU/Uu8kSRxg1YI/AAAAAAAABDM/6M_gTgVGwLs/s1600/DSC04240.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Moleskin in.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-odDiCLiOM4U/Uu8kSYq3zQI/AAAAAAAABDU/teSe2r8zmkY/s1600/DSC04241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-odDiCLiOM4U/Uu8kSYq3zQI/AAAAAAAABDU/teSe2r8zmkY/s1600/DSC04241.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Cover complete!</span></div>
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This was just a test print to see if the design will actually work. And though it did, it's really flimsy. Next print, I'm hoping to get another robot on there and make a little snap in guide for the book inside so it can stay in place.</div>
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<b>IV</b><br />
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More recently, intermittently through a week, I created three speedpaints, each done in the course of an hour, give or take 20 minutes. They initially weren't going to follow any theme, but after the first scene, I spontaneously put in a little red-capped character. I guess I must have liked the effect, since I stuck her in the next two scenes as well.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VWO6j5dPPRU/Uu8jUASrvZI/AAAAAAAABCw/tfAVkNEaqJA/s1600/graystones.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VWO6j5dPPRU/Uu8jUASrvZI/AAAAAAAABCw/tfAVkNEaqJA/s1600/graystones.png" height="640" width="452" /></a></div>
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'Searching for clarity...'</div>
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This occurred after one of the Northeast big snow storms, and after I</div>
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had watched 'Frozen'. Perhaps the dreariness of the weather outside and the</div>
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slight dreary slump I had been in subconsciously drove me to choose</div>
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those colors and that landscape.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CaMHbU1FyL8/Uu8jUMympjI/AAAAAAAABC0/2sB-Ax4eTog/s1600/yellowdesert.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CaMHbU1FyL8/Uu8jUMympjI/AAAAAAAABC0/2sB-Ax4eTog/s1600/yellowdesert.png" height="640" width="452" /></a></div>
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'A long road ahead...'</div>
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I was listening to the 'Journey' soundtrack, by Austin Wintory, and as always</div>
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when listening to it, felt inspired. (The game is great, as well!)</div>
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And yet, the little red-capped character is again in a world</div>
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without anything else except a vast landscape and a far horizon.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R86Jw3tf6Oc/Uu8jVXJyP8I/AAAAAAAABDA/hDbFl0FG2uU/s1600/redforest.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R86Jw3tf6Oc/Uu8jVXJyP8I/AAAAAAAABDA/hDbFl0FG2uU/s1600/redforest.png" height="640" width="452" /></a></div>
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'In unfamiliar territory...'</div>
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Here, I decided that I would consciously use the color red, as I already had</div>
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blue and yellow-based scenery in my previous two pieces.</div>
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And since the little red-capped character reminded me so much of</div>
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Little Red Riding Hood, the idea of a forest came naturally.</div>
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These speedpaints provided good practice and were quite stress-relieving. I've found strokes came much easier and the concept-to-paper was formed more readily on the third piece after I had practiced churning out the other two of similar rough detailing. Perhaps the journey of this little red-capped character will continue...<br />
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<br />Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-63531425780980081452013-11-26T23:23:00.001-05:002013-11-26T23:23:25.680-05:00RWBY SCYTHE PROTOTYPE PART 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A year ago, I saw the trailer for RWBY, fell in love, and vowed to make a working, movable scythe. One year later, after months of not working on this, and going back between idea after idea of how to start and what to do, consulting with friends, getting cold and hot feet and becoming busy with work and life in general, I finally got around to starting!</div>
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Hurrah!</div>
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I just wanted to update on what I've made so far, and where everything is headed in the next few weeks/months. Keep in mind this is all still in the prototyping stage (as you'll read), and there's still a bit of figuring out all the various mechanisms that needs to happen. It's getting exciting though! :D</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khj770gmG_Q/UpVicjRnFPI/AAAAAAAAA94/sJQVRn39rAg/s1600/IMAG0711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khj770gmG_Q/UpVicjRnFPI/AAAAAAAAA94/sJQVRn39rAg/s320/IMAG0711.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Messy workspace omg!</div>
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Here's what I've done so far:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YyLc3FsEnyE/UpVivwK5LcI/AAAAAAAAA-M/-3MkumjEJ9w/s1600/IMAG0710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YyLc3FsEnyE/UpVivwK5LcI/AAAAAAAAA-M/-3MkumjEJ9w/s320/IMAG0710.jpg" width="191" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pg1jB3ZCqDw/UpVivfV96eI/AAAAAAAAA-I/TYVfdyptHgE/s1600/IMAG0709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pg1jB3ZCqDw/UpVivfV96eI/AAAAAAAAA-I/TYVfdyptHgE/s320/IMAG0709.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X4w1pVKJU4U/UpVjQy1dfeI/AAAAAAAAA-U/wNB-7F1v6_g/s1600/DSCF1402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X4w1pVKJU4U/UpVjQy1dfeI/AAAAAAAAA-U/wNB-7F1v6_g/s320/DSCF1402.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFtm-2xTGeI/UpVjknubwrI/AAAAAAAAA-c/noQ_sGRdyaU/s1600/DSCF1403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MFtm-2xTGeI/UpVjknubwrI/AAAAAAAAA-c/noQ_sGRdyaU/s320/DSCF1403.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eux0WoTG0Qg/UpVjkYA3XxI/AAAAAAAAA-g/XhcQ3womfyg/s1600/DSCF1405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Eux0WoTG0Qg/UpVjkYA3XxI/AAAAAAAAA-g/XhcQ3womfyg/s320/DSCF1405.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here's a video of the blade sprung extension in action:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxcxphcGHDfBt0AYQP_okMjMqOf-Ws19LltadMqE4yAP3YSDfWV78PXXQ5mGXCgEIwVR_6uCaImyL0z6uYD3A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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(Excuse my giggle at the very end.)</div>
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Eventually, the blade actions will be triggered from one motion, biased to open. And as of right now, I still have yet to figure out a closing mechanism I like, so that'll be manual until version 2+. Plus, all the prototyping material will be replaced with nicer cut metal/wood/other, and there will be the right sized bolts and nuts, etc etc etc. But the ball has been tipped over the hill now, and it won't stop rolling, hehe- :D<br />
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CLICK BELOW TO READ ON!<br />
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This scythe prop won't be as entirely as close in likeness to the one Red holds in RWBY - there are some pretty magical parts that I don't think I'll be able to implement in this first version. (I swear the size and length of the thing changes in some scenes as well, and the gif shows parts of it extending magically.) And granted, it all looks great transforming-wise in a cinematic sense, but the trouble comes when you have to physically <i>make</i> the thing that will fold up in that sort of space constraints and unfold according to a sequence of well-timed triggers. NOT TO MENTION- leaving room for all the connections and fasteners--<br />
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DESPITE ALL THIS- I''ll be trying to make this come as close as possible to the one shown in the series! Meaning, I'm trying to keep the main motion sequences the same - the blade extending and unfolding, how everything packs and unfolds together. And though I'm planning an electrically driven scythe for a later version, I want this first prop version to be entirely mechanically driven. I already knew from the get-go that this was going to be a tough project, but it's definitely going to be a worthwhile project. Thank you, <a href="http://etotheipiplusone.net/">Charles</a>, for allowing me use of the lab equipment, as well as your support and knowledgeable advice whenever I consulted you!<br />
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Keep in mind, there are a million and one ways someone else could build this thing, of various degrees of complexity and likeness, but this is how <i>I</i> would build the scythe. With that in mind, LET'S GO~!<br />
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Here's a rough list of the materials I used, so far:<br />
-PVC pipes, as close to nesting as possible (will be swapped out with intentionally nested pipes later)<br />
-MDF boards<br />
-long threaded rod and matching nuts (for cutting to desired length and<br />
-various shop equipment (drill press, mill, dremel)<br />
-SAFETY EQUIPMENT (goggles, hair tied back and up, etc - Make sure to follow standard shop procedures, guys!)<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsT5aqpO8dM/UpVmOY_BiaI/AAAAAAAAA_I/TS4c01zalfM/s1600/DSCF1380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsT5aqpO8dM/UpVmOY_BiaI/AAAAAAAAA_I/TS4c01zalfM/s320/DSCF1380.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cutting a threaded rod- I MADE SPARKS FLY!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYqTAAyt35A/UpVmNFetV9I/AAAAAAAAA-w/bY-bYpJbWls/s1600/IMAG0682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYqTAAyt35A/UpVmNFetV9I/AAAAAAAAA-w/bY-bYpJbWls/s320/IMAG0682.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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Paperclip quick release buttons</div>
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(Before I actually bought some)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QmAQsJcK3uc/UpVmNacf5sI/AAAAAAAAA-0/gLrSencjSbw/s1600/IMAG0687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QmAQsJcK3uc/UpVmNacf5sI/AAAAAAAAA-0/gLrSencjSbw/s320/IMAG0687.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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The quick release buttons were used on these tubes</div>
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for this prototype.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-68sC-UBQTDU/UpVmNzNSqmI/AAAAAAAAA-4/8sFA_oeSw6Y/s1600/IMAG0698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-68sC-UBQTDU/UpVmNzNSqmI/AAAAAAAAA-4/8sFA_oeSw6Y/s320/IMAG0698.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Laser cutting some MDF boards for a quick frame.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-De865KcC6cY/UpVslQXsmfI/AAAAAAAABAA/MmOnqEBe4m8/s1600/IMAG0703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-De865KcC6cY/UpVslQXsmfI/AAAAAAAABAA/MmOnqEBe4m8/s320/IMAG0703.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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First time seeing the two tubes together!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h3KvpNUMHII/UpVmpEgYb6I/AAAAAAAAA_Q/KZQm4ydhs6U/s1600/IMAG0713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h3KvpNUMHII/UpVmpEgYb6I/AAAAAAAAA_Q/KZQm4ydhs6U/s320/IMAG0713.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Guess what this is!</div>
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(Answer: Torsion spring used as the main mechanism driving the blade unfolding)</div>
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(Yes, it's actually an intentionally reshaped torsion spring)</div>
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(Yes, I'll use a bigger one next version :P )</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4bE-Wps_Y-g/UpVn9MKd96I/AAAAAAAAA_s/DDt7ZXvMNq4/s1600/IMAG0714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4bE-Wps_Y-g/UpVn9MKd96I/AAAAAAAAA_s/DDt7ZXvMNq4/s320/IMAG0714.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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You can see it peeking out from in-between the boards.</div>
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Overall, I'm really excited about building this, despite the fails and lessons I've gone through with this project so far (and there will be oh so many more trust me!). Next time, I plan to iron out the blade's 3-part action and add some colored covers to help visualize this scythe better.</div>
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BLOOPER TIME!!!</div>
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<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyQTzo8eyYqEVQ6uUI1I_xg20dRpmGUJaSxh9PeAAiShcMzO3s2BtMQtlO531vNHmCJm10qDHTSSmrXGyii-A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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And on that note, I will end this post. Amidst fails and do-overs, this thing will happen! I plan to make this as a prop for a RWBY cosplay, so I'll have to make this pretty tame for convention standards, but I'm thinking about going out and making an all metal one for my own sake later on, after I've figured out the little kinks of my design. I'll update again after I do some more work~</div>
<br />Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-11329674121365549402013-11-03T16:21:00.001-05:002013-11-03T16:21:54.992-05:00ROUGH ANIMATION + PAINTING DRAPERY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just a quick update on some arts! I had done a rough animation yesterday just to take my mind off things. Nothing fancy, just an original character of mine getting wind-blown. I'm going to be trying out more animations in the future - it was rather relaxing, working on it, and I definitely learned a few lessons from it.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DA6ykjt9Njg/UnaVRwnfSZI/AAAAAAAAA54/mHvdiyY7pLU/s1600/ku_wind_shades.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DA6ykjt9Njg/UnaVRwnfSZI/AAAAAAAAA54/mHvdiyY7pLU/s400/ku_wind_shades.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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The following piece below came about from a desire to practice digitally painting drapery. Though most of the piece was spent focusing on her coloring, I actually spent an inordinate amount of time trying to fix her slanted anatomy and legs. After enough time though, I called it, and just went on to finish painting, haha. Next time, I'll work on anatomy more!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6LTq4-FJ1iE/UnaVmvaYlUI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/rWWBVacfG8k/s1600/cranefem.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6LTq4-FJ1iE/UnaVmvaYlUI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/rWWBVacfG8k/s1600/cranefem.png" /></a></div>
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I didn't manage to capture all the WIPs, but click "Read more" to see some of the early work in progress shots!<br />
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Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-80626760480172274412013-11-03T16:18:00.000-05:002013-11-03T16:18:01.769-05:00MT WASHINGTON + D*C 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Around mid-September, I attended the Mt Washington Auto Road Alternative Energy Summit with Charles [<a href="http://etotheipiplusone.net/">etotheipiplusone</a>] and friends, along with the MIT EV team. It was a gathering of mostly electric vehicles, ranging from home-grown motorcycles to commercial Model S's and Volts and Leafs, with a smattering or others, including steam and solar. A really cool bunch of people, a beautiful two days of nature, and lots of electric vehicles - Awesome! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N177Vw5iPvo/UnaWXG8dc5I/AAAAAAAAA7E/Y_YOJ3mHQC4/s1600/DSCF0829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N177Vw5iPvo/UnaWXG8dc5I/AAAAAAAAA7E/Y_YOJ3mHQC4/s400/DSCF0829.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: The parking lot at the top of the AutoRoad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">There were a lot more motorcyclists than are shown here at the summit that day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: View from the bottom camp grounds.</span></div>
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I took some panaromic shots, to try out the "Automate - Photomerge" feature in Photoshop - It's a pretty nifty tool!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Panoramic view of the Summit grounds at the Mt. Washington AutoRoad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Panoramic view of the view on the road halfway up the mountains.</span></div>
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Warning: PICTURE HEAVY POST!<br />
Click below to read more about my adventures at Mt Washington and Dragon*Con 2013!<br />
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<u>MT WASHINGTON AUTO ROAD - ALT ENERGY SUMMIT</u><br />
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The AutoRoad's a ~7.6mi long climb for vehicles up Mt Washington (NH) that's been around since the 1860s. All the electric vehicles attended went up and down again, some more than others, some not quite making it to the top. Most of the time we stopped at a dedicated shoulder, we smelled burnt wheels and hot brakes - the climb's quite a chore for cars!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Model S's, electric motorcycles, and other alternative energy vehicles!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Corbin Sparrow - electric single seat car!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Adam with his electric Kawasaki ninja!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Charles's Mikuvan parked next to all the expensive electric vehicles..</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Model S's, Volts, Leafs not shown)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: A steam-powered horseless carriage!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Electracutioner, world's fastest street-legal motorbike!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">By Jeff Disinger (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/JEFFDISINGER">Youtube link</a> to his Mt Washington footage)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: The MIT EV team that came along with their vehicles, including their electric Porsche!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Mikuvan tailed the EV team's electric porsche all the way up and down the mountain</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">for safety and help in case anything happened. It was their first strenuous load test ever!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: We stopped every 2 miles or so to make sure everything was alright with their engine,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">but we made it safely to the top!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: View from the last quarter on the road.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(You can see the road we came from on the bottom left.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: The road was narrow, steep, and directly next to cliffs the last leg of the journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">One wrong slip and- .... >o<;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: View from a balcony on the top of the mountain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The day was clear enough to see for miles!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Me at the highest point on Mt. Washington!</span></div>
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Before the AutoRoad trip, around the end of August, I attended Dragon*Con 2013, and though I didn't make a robot this year, I drove one instead. Sadly this year, it was single elimination, but I put a better fight that last year! Here's the before shot of Kuroneko's spiritual antweight sister, Pad-thai Doodle-ninja, the robot Charles [<a href="http://etotheipiplusone.net/">etotheipiplusone</a>] made and I drove. It's a 1-lb, two wheel drive robot with a lifter as a weapon. The lift was originally actuated with 2 servos, but after I broke it during driving and combat practice, Charles turned it down to one due to resources. :P Whoops!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: All the screws. ALL THE SCREWS! OTL</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The many extra screws were there to add extra weight, as Doodle-ninja was</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">severely underweight, and there was no room inside its thin little body.</span></div>
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After the first round, Doodle-ninja was still in working order. I managed to do some interesting maneuvers during the rumble though, where I narrowly missed the pit, flipped a sawblade robot on its side and then got my lifter damaged. The weak point of Doodle-ninja was the exposed middle lifter, which was neither incredibly fast, piercing, nor strong, being actuated by just a single RC servo. The day of the competition the controls were actually flipped (fortunately for me!), but other than that, she was a surprisingly easy to handle, that resilient little one. Definitely took a few tips from Charles on this one!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_1cDqAaXfL0/UnafHcEmJ1I/AAAAAAAAA7c/HHVs_If9NGw/s1600/DSCF0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_1cDqAaXfL0/UnafHcEmJ1I/AAAAAAAAA7c/HHVs_If9NGw/s320/DSCF0316.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: The damage taken.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: The same venue as last year and return of Uber Clocker in the forefront!</span></div>
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Saw some really awesome cosplay at D*C this year too as well! Definitely fueled some ideas for me for next year. :)</div>
Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-63513549177028249222013-06-02T03:42:00.002-04:002013-06-03T19:47:41.302-04:00CELTY + ANIME BOSTON 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At Anime Boston this year (2013), I cosplayed as the character <a href="http://durarara.wikia.com/wiki/Celty_Sturluson">Celty Sturluson</a>, the modern take on a Dullahan from the anime "Durarara!!" (exclamations points included). Boy was this an adventure, from decision to materials to construction and then to actual physical cosplay. Let me break this down - what I did, what I would do next time, how it all went, etc. And hopefully, my documented experiences here would help inspire any future Celty cosplayers!</div>
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In truth, this isn't so much an instruction blog for how to make a Celty helmet and scythe, but more of a trial and error log, tips and advice column, and experimentation report from an amateur cosplayer. But I digress-</div>
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LET'S START!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bvo1T_gGZks/UaoDMgFhOgI/AAAAAAAAAyM/i-PqZSEqr2A/s1600/IMAG0230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bvo1T_gGZks/UaoDMgFhOgI/AAAAAAAAAyM/i-PqZSEqr2A/s320/IMAG0230.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<u>WARNING: This is a VERY LONG and PHOTO HEAVY POST!</u> Read on after the break!</div>
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TL;DR points:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Start early! If you decide to make your own helmet and scythe, make sure you have the materials well ahead of time!</li>
<li>Plan ahead! Working with Bondo requires an extraordinarily and painstakingly tedious amount of sanding, and any sort of paintwork needs time to dry!</li>
<li>Have plenty of sleep and rest! It was interesting to note that most of my freehanding work did come in the late hours of the night and while they still managed to come out quite well, I do NOT recommend this method to others. Sleep is important, especially when working with tools and details!</li>
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(Read on!)</div>
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<b><u>HOW I MADE MY CELTY HELMET AND SCYTHE</u></b><br />
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I based my design off the <a href="http://www.figure-anime.com/index.php/-figures-a-toys/pvc-figure/item/535-durarara-1/8-scale-pre-painted-pvc-figure-celty-sturluson">Celty figurine</a>, and used an extremely minimal amount of formal measuring, favoring 'eye-balling' (guesstimation) and some artistic licensing. Keep in mind this is only one method out of many, and perhaps with more practice and experience, this procedure could be better perfected. As this was my first time sculpting foam and working with Bondo, I learned quite a bit about my own abilities and gained some new skills!<br />
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I ordered a yellow dirtbike helmet and a fullbody catsuit online, and they arrived the Monday of the week of the con. Cutting it close! I used the helmet as a base, while the scythe was entirely made from scratch materials. Then, a few days shy of the con, my friends helped me acquire the black gloves and black boots, which helped complete the outfit.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">HELMET</span></b><br />
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<b><u>Stage 1: Sculpting</u></b><br />
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Materials:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Rigid Blue Foam - The actual name for this is "STYROFOAM Brand Rigid Foam Insulation", and you can get it at <a href="http://building.dow.com/na/en/products/insulation/rigidfoam.htm">DOW Building Solutions's website</a>, or Home Depot.</li>
<li>Rasper - I personally used and preferred the <a href="http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=SURFORM+TOOLS+AND+BLADES&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=21-399&SDesc=6%26%2334%3B+Surform%26%23174%3B+Pocket+Plane">Surfoam Pocket Plane</a>, but any shaving/rasping/foam-sculpting tool will suffice here. Home Depot also sells similar tools.</li>
<li>Hot Wire Cutter - MITERS had their own hot wire cutter a member had built, so I just utilized this. If you can't access one through a hacker/makerspace or lab, you can buy one online or do without. The procedure will just take a little more time.</li>
<li>Cutting Blade (optional) - I mainly used this to extrude chunky cuts to save rasping time. As always when working with blades, be careful! I got a long cut on my thumb from not paying enough attention. Don't make my mistake!</li>
<li>Masking tape and plastic wrap - For protecting the visor in preparation for the later stages.</li>
</ul>
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***Important notes (PLEASE READ!):***<br />
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<ul>
<li>Blue foam is <b>CARCINOGENIC</b>, so <b>DON'T BREATHE IT IN. </b><u>Always wear a mask and safety glasses</u> while working with this material.</li>
<li>Work in a workshop, garage space, or something similar. Do <u>NOT</u> sculpt inside the house, or have fans blowing around in the work space; the foam shavings will get EVERYWHERE.</li>
<li>Work over a large garbage bin if possible. Otherwise, just make sure to contain your work so it's easier to clean up afterwards.</li>
<li>Have a working vacuum cleaner ready (preferably a hand-operated one as well) for cleanup immediately after you're done sculpting.</li>
<li>Wear old clothes to work in; you will most definitely get your shirt and pants dirty in the upcoming stages!</li>
</ul>
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I used rigid blue foam to sculpt the ears for Celty's helmet, guesstimating the girth and curvature of the shapes from an image reference I found online. I used the hot wire cutter to cut the giant block into the smaller wedges, and then spent some hours sanding them down to the desired shape.<br />
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Because these forms were eyeballed, and not formally measured, they were slightly asymmetric and did not hug the curvature of the top of the helmet as tightly as I would have liked. However, I was plenty pleased of my handiwork nonetheless; I managed to get both desired shaped on the first try, from mere looking and freehanding. In the next version (if there ever is another one), I would have focused more on accurately measuring the base contour of the ears to better fit the top of the helmet. That fix would save me a lot of trouble during the filling stage later.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iQDvc1lDBI/UaoDdWNZZSI/AAAAAAAAAys/bU-HvOsNMag/s1600/P1090151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8iQDvc1lDBI/UaoDdWNZZSI/AAAAAAAAAys/bU-HvOsNMag/s320/P1090151.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Visor is plastic wrapped and masked off with masking tape</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">in preparation for the next stages!</span></div>
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Mask off the visor and insides of the helmet, clean your workstation, then move on to...<br />
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<b><u>Stage 2: Filling</u></b><br />
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Materials:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Bondo - Found in most hardware stores (or on the <a href="http://bondo.com/">Bondo online site</a>), this two-part putty helps fill in gaps and imperfections in a wide range of materials (wood, tile, metal, etc). I used it to bind the sculpted blue foam to my helmet, though Bondo is used mostly by autobody repair shops and carpenters.</li>
<li>Sandpaper - Used to sand down paint off the helmet, in preparation for the Bondo treatment.</li>
<li>Gloves - Required for working with Bondo, and very helpful when using hands to help mold the putty around the materials.</li>
<li>Popsicle sticks - For mixing Bondo, and helping to spread the putty.</li>
<li>EXTRA HAND(S) - Friends are wonderful! <3</li>
</ul>
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***Important notes (PLEASE READ!):***<br />
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<ul>
<li>Work in a <u>well-ventilated</u> room. Bondo fumes are <b>TOXIC</b>; while short-term exposure is not as risky, you definitely don't want to be working around it for any length of time without any sort of good, moving air. Bondo smells ...terrible; work with a mask if possible!</li>
<li>Make sure the helmet visor is masked off in this stage!</li>
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I had 3 great friends helping me with this stage - kudos to Julia, <a href="http://etotheipiplusone.net/">Charles</a>, and Dane! We first sanded down the area where the ears would be placed, then after mixing the Bondo resin with the hardener, we applied the goopy putty to the sanded parts on the helmet first, to provide an adhesive-like base for the blue foam ears.<br />
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Above:</div>
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Quickly applying more Bondo to the outside of the sculpted blue foam, we continued to apply Bondo, much like applying frosting to cake. Gloves and popsicle sticks, or any other spreaders, will work in this stage!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSNFLT7GCrk/UaoDe2OdRfI/AAAAAAAAAzI/oxxZO0exDRo/s1600/P1090182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DSNFLT7GCrk/UaoDe2OdRfI/AAAAAAAAAzI/oxxZO0exDRo/s320/P1090182.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Yum, Bondo frosting....</span></div>
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Don't worry too much about the Bondo having sharp uneven edges. As long as all the crevices are filled and the overlying shape is solid, the rough edges can be sanded away. Let the structure set and dry for an hour or so (depending on the amount).</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JoLla6ysOAs/UaoEHmntEtI/AAAAAAAAAz0/5wQAwlhQlZs/s1600/2013-05-23+00.25.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JoLla6ysOAs/UaoEHmntEtI/AAAAAAAAAz0/5wQAwlhQlZs/s320/2013-05-23+00.25.00.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Notice how in the picture above, some of the Bondo overlapped near the masked off areas? Try to avoid this! Hug the masking tape tight to the edges of the visor, and allow the Bondo to only touch the helmet, NOT the masking tape! It makes sanding the hardened putty flush to the helmet much easier in Stage 3.<br />
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Clean your workstation, then move on to...<br />
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<b><u>Stage 3: Sanding</u></b><br />
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Materials:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Palm Sander - Available at Home Depot, Harbor Freight (like this <a href="http://www.harborfreight.com/5-inch-random-orbital-palm-sander-93431.html">orbital sander</a>), or any other hardware store. These are good for sustained work on any significantly sized rough surface needing to be smoothed.</li>
<li>Sandpaper - Good for the nooks and crannies the automatic sander can't reach. Sometimes a good manual sanding by hand is what's needed for points and edges.</li>
<li>Files (optional) - Also good for sanding, and can be found in hardware stores (like <a href="http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/files.html">these in Harbor Freight</a>).</li>
<li>Shop-Vac (optional) - Will make cleaning a whole lot easier. Optional because of the price; these usually populate workshops, but you don't necessarily need one for residential use. Just make sure you have an effective vacuum!</li>
</ul>
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***Important notes (PLEASE READ!):***<br />
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<ul>
<li>This is another case where you want to work with a fan off. Sanding Bondo kicks up an amazing amount of putty dust. <u>Wear a mask and safety goggles</u> when sanding the ears!</li>
<li>Work in a contained location if possible; cleaning an isolated area is much easier than cleaning the entire workshop that's covered in a thin layer of sanded off residue.</li>
<li>Wear old clothes! This step is especially messy!</li>
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Though there is not much to say about this Stage, this is perhaps the most time-consuming stage. I know I didn't spend nearly enough time as I should have spent sanding this time around. Make sure the inside of your helmet is well-covered as well; it saves time cleaning the inside of the helmet after this step.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-odc0w3uLhu8/UaoEHJUHl2I/AAAAAAAAAzo/12bDqiHfxNc/s1600/268938_10151658914871407_769294688_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-odc0w3uLhu8/UaoEHJUHl2I/AAAAAAAAAzo/12bDqiHfxNc/s320/268938_10151658914871407_769294688_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: There aren't a lot of pictures of this stage, as the work was tedious</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">and the air pretty thick with dust.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7r7qqLtKgo/UaoEHIsalrI/AAAAAAAAAzk/ObcPLmIMH2c/s1600/294185_10151711544163854_1507942973_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7r7qqLtKgo/UaoEHIsalrI/AAAAAAAAAzk/ObcPLmIMH2c/s320/294185_10151711544163854_1507942973_n.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: SO MUCH DUST!</span></div>
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After cleaning the space, it is time to move on to....</div>
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<b><u>Stage 4: Painting</u></b></div>
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Materials:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Primer - Helps to coat a uniform sheen of paint on your object.</li>
<li>Spraypaint - I used an Acrylic based spraypaint from Blick, but those coats worked disastrously with masking tape. In the next round (if I ever recreate this), I would try another brand.</li>
<li>Stencils - These can be made with paper, cardstock, etc. I used magazine catalog pages, which actually stuck to the paint at points, giving it a faint artistic touch with its random splattering of letter and numbers at points.</li>
<li>Black Permanent Markers - Good for touchups on the black details of Celty's helmet.</li>
<li>EXTRA HAND(s) - Friends are wonderful! <3</li>
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***Important notes (PLEASE READ!):***</div>
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<ul>
<li>Allot plenty of time for the primer and paint to dry! If you can, plan ahead of time how many layers of paint you'd like to apply and in what order.</li>
<li>Make sure your helmet is well masked, and easy to unmask at the end! Hard to reach tape can cause you to accidentally scrape off paint while trying to unwrap it.</li>
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I took off the original coat of masking tape and plastic wrap after the sanding, and reapplied a new layer of masking tape to protect the visor, mouth guard, and the black edges around the base of the helmet.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dyeSgQw0L-Q/UaoEcca4MjI/AAAAAAAAA0A/S27LgDp_RpA/s1600/DSCF9183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dyeSgQw0L-Q/UaoEcca4MjI/AAAAAAAAA0A/S27LgDp_RpA/s320/DSCF9183.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Charles helped apply the primer to both the scythe and the helmet, and after a demonstration of how to spraypaint from him, the first yellow coat of paint was ready to go!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C2ehSnIA_xk/UaoFQkif7kI/AAAAAAAAA0s/PuHpQVdYj8w/s1600/9904_10151658915856407_1394905384_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C2ehSnIA_xk/UaoFQkif7kI/AAAAAAAAA0s/PuHpQVdYj8w/s320/9904_10151658915856407_1394905384_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Learning from onlooking...</span></div>
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In my state of sleepy stupor, I freehanded a cutout of the "S" symbol on top and the checkmark "V's" on the sides of Celty's helmet with a magazine catalog last minute, while Julia helped to create the back stencils.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcDSN5uS34E/UaoE_Rxb04I/AAAAAAAAA0M/p_T4aGBhM80/s1600/IMAG0225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcDSN5uS34E/UaoE_Rxb04I/AAAAAAAAA0M/p_T4aGBhM80/s320/IMAG0225.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLvQfwmXwjg/UaoE_BUYYHI/AAAAAAAAA0I/CGkZYPBdG0Y/s1600/IMAG0221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eLvQfwmXwjg/UaoE_BUYYHI/AAAAAAAAA0I/CGkZYPBdG0Y/s320/IMAG0221.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vIPwju6ZQSc/UaoE_SK3OoI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/JPeL3dKX3WY/s1600/IMAG0222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vIPwju6ZQSc/UaoE_SK3OoI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/JPeL3dKX3WY/s320/IMAG0222.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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Notice in the photo above, there is a white splotch on the helmet. That was where we had tested a bit of masking tape on the acrylic spraypaint coat; it had taken a good chunk of the coat away when we took it off! Instant plan change - we decided to not mask anything, and apply the stencils by just holding them up. This is where having the extra pair of hands was incredibly helpful! Kudos to Julia for helping me spraypaint while I held the stencils in place!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vX3e7IPr5gA/UaoFAWWwN4I/AAAAAAAAA0g/DmApVeTnJ5Y/s1600/IMAG0226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vX3e7IPr5gA/UaoFAWWwN4I/AAAAAAAAA0g/DmApVeTnJ5Y/s320/IMAG0226.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q31VzEgSDUg/UaoFmwgcsAI/AAAAAAAAA00/9H_H5o6KoMc/s1600/2013-05-24+03.16.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q31VzEgSDUg/UaoFmwgcsAI/AAAAAAAAA00/9H_H5o6KoMc/s320/2013-05-24+03.16.02.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I had masked the visor a little TOO well. I had to dig into small crevices to unmask everything, but once all the tape was off...<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Rrbsqaegnw/UaoFnFfBI7I/AAAAAAAAA04/vhlzuujTjS8/s1600/IMAG0230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Rrbsqaegnw/UaoFnFfBI7I/AAAAAAAAA04/vhlzuujTjS8/s320/IMAG0230.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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I had a lovely Celty helmet! Add some black permanent marker touchups, clean up your workstation, and then head to...</div>
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<b><u>Stage 5: Adjustments</u></b></div>
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Materials:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Dremel - I used a small abrasive wheel (can be found in Home Depot, Harbor Freight, etc) to chisel out part of the inside of my helmet foam. This was just to have the helmet fit my head better.</li>
<li>Sandpaper - Used to smooth out the rough edges of the dremeled out surfaces.</li>
<li>Packaging foam / soft cushion - Used to cover the exposed foam parts for comfort and long wear.</li>
<li>Compressor with an air nozzle / Hand-held vacuum - Used to blow out or suck up the residue produced from cutting and sanding. If these aren't readily available, just make sure to properly clean the inside of your helmet before wearing it!</li>
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***Important notes (PLEASE READ!):***</div>
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<ul>
<li>Like in Stage 1 (Sculpting), work over a garbage bin and in a workspace without fans, else the residue will kick up everywhere.</li>
<li>Depending on your helmet, you may not need this stage, or will need this stage for adjustments outside of fitting the helmet. If you find that your helmet does not fit you to begin with, try and adjust the inside BEFORE starting on Stage 2!</li>
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The helmet I ordered was a bit tight around my forehead and after half a day of wearing it on Friday, I knew I had to adjust the fitting for Saturday's all-day cosplay. So on Saturday morning, I spent some time at MITERS dremeling out a portion of the protective foam inside the helmet, sanding it down to fit, and applying some cushiony thin foam for comfort.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0gDQl13PvQA/UaoIYFKIZkI/AAAAAAAAA1M/g4NMR7WeiNk/s1600/IMAG0234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0gDQl13PvQA/UaoIYFKIZkI/AAAAAAAAA1M/g4NMR7WeiNk/s320/IMAG0234.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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Adjustments complete! Saturday's cosplay felt a lot better on my head.</div>
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All in all, all the stages were completed in less than a week:</div>
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Monday - gather materials, plan</div>
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Tuesday - Sculpting</div>
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Wednesday - Filling and some Sanding</div>
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Thursday - Sanding and Painting (late into the night)</div>
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Friday - Cosplay day 1!</div>
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Saturday - Adjustments and Cosplay day 2!</div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">SCYTHE</span></span></div>
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Trivia: The time it took me to create the form of the scythe was orders of magnitude shorter than the amount of time spent on the Helmet. The majority of time for the scythe was spent in drying and Stage 2 (Painting).</div>
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<b><u>Stage 1: Construction</u></b></div>
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Materials:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Birch plywood - I used two thin planks of plywood, as I thought one would be too flimsy and weak. In hindsight, one plank would have been fine for just costume purposes.</li>
<li>Long PVC pipe - These can be found in Home Depot; choose a diameter to your liking and if you want, use a semi-long pipe in conjunction with a removable short pipe. This proved tremendously helpful during the Convention, as I could carry the scythe easier with it detached in two pieces, joining them together only for pictures.</li>
<li>Bandsaw / Jigsaw / Handsaw - If you're doing this as a one time fling and don't have access to a bandsaw (which most people don't), a jigsaw or handsaw will suffice. It will only be used to cut the plywood into the shape of the blade.</li>
<li>Epoxy - This more structurally stable adhesive is used to conjoin the plywood blade to the PVC pipe.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/hlc/hlc112.htm">Extra Thick Cyanoacrylate Superglue</a> (optional) - Thick superglue to hold the two pieces of plywood blades together. Optional if you opt for only one blade.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=13837381">Heat Gun</a> - Found in any hardware store (Home Depot, Harbor Freight, etc). This is used to create the bends in the PVC pipe.</li>
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***Important notes (PLEASE READ!):***</div>
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<ul>
<li>Apply generous amounts of adhesives and allot time for the scythe to dry! Though supple, light, and not sharp, this is still a prop weapon. Take care to make sure your blades are securely adhered to your PVC pipe!</li>
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I sadly didn't take pictures of cutting the blade, but the process went something like this: 1) Stare at the photo on Google Images, 2) use photo-reference to freehand the curve of the blades on the plywood with a ballpoint pen, 3) cut along lines with bandsaw. The top bit of the PVC pipe, where the plywood would be slotted in and adhered to, was more accurately measured, as I didn't want that joint to loosen in the middle of the Convention, and then milled out. Charles then helped to apply the heat gun to the PVC pipe so we could form the bend in the staff. After the Epoxy was applied to adhere the plywood blades to the PVC staff, we set the scythe to rest on a table to dry.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9EtKhjgejoQ/UaoIoXn6TrI/AAAAAAAAA1o/f2KCN6pT6u4/s1600/2013-05-23+21.15.15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9EtKhjgejoQ/UaoIoXn6TrI/AAAAAAAAA1o/f2KCN6pT6u4/s320/2013-05-23+21.15.15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Supergluing the blade after the Epoxy had dried at the hilt. Do this before!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SjccO_7EKfk/UaoIoRyB2pI/AAAAAAAAA1w/gf_SjZ0Jj4o/s1600/2013-05-23+21.17.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SjccO_7EKfk/UaoIoRyB2pI/AAAAAAAAA1w/gf_SjZ0Jj4o/s320/2013-05-23+21.17.04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Setting weights to help adhere the plywood blades together.</span></div>
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After the adhesives had time to dry, then move on to...</div>
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<b><u>Stage 2: Painting</u></b><br />
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Materials:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Primer - Helps to coat a uniform sheen of paint on your object.</li>
<li>Spraypaint - I used the same Acrylic based spraypaint from Blick that I used for the helmet. The scythe was much easier to spraypaint, as it only required layers of black. One can was barely enough to coat the entire staff twice.</li>
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***Important notes (PLEASE READ!):***</div>
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<li>Work in a well-ventilated workspace, and wear masks if you can!</li>
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The scythe really took on a character of its own once the black spraypaint was applied, and it was quite exciting to see everything start to come together, as this was the faster of the two homemade items (Helmet and Scythe) to be completed.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C0fDC-ag6Rw/UaoIoAjgugI/AAAAAAAAA1k/gcN0H9jZ7yo/s1600/942198_10151658915946407_1182108552_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C0fDC-ag6Rw/UaoIoAjgugI/AAAAAAAAA1k/gcN0H9jZ7yo/s320/942198_10151658915946407_1182108552_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Working in the garage that houses a version of the solar car...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Hmm. Better be careful where I aim the nozzle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: large;">COSPLAY</span></span></div>
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I went as part of a mini Durarara!! cosplay group with Charles (Shinra), Julia (Izaya), and her friend Haley (Shizuo). Overall, the weekend was a success! I saw a handful of Celty's, and a whole lot of Shizuo's and Izaya's. Charles was strangely enough, the only Shinra. (The other labcoat cosplayers turned out to be Okabe from Stein's Gate, haha.)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hflnV0GVm24/UaoJAWFgDpI/AAAAAAAAA2M/00oxSQsfoCg/s1600/DSCF9221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hflnV0GVm24/UaoJAWFgDpI/AAAAAAAAA2M/00oxSQsfoCg/s320/DSCF9221.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Celty and Izaya!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Celty, Izaya, and Shinra!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MZmeBBxgVkc/UaoMNOOUGWI/AAAAAAAAA2s/HLRt4ejXF54/s1600/292347_10151711543653854_274184393_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MZmeBBxgVkc/UaoMNOOUGWI/AAAAAAAAA2s/HLRt4ejXF54/s320/292347_10151711543653854_274184393_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Celty, Izaya, and Shizuo!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nKxflqtfC2U/UaoJBGrg_UI/AAAAAAAAA2c/X99bk4XZ4rk/s1600/DSCF9271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nKxflqtfC2U/UaoJBGrg_UI/AAAAAAAAA2c/X99bk4XZ4rk/s320/DSCF9271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Durarara!! group shot! Can you spot me?</span></div>
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I posed for quite a few pictures, had to have my visor propped open at times to allow for breathing, and was incredibly glad my face was hidden while I was wearing the catsuit. The scythe knocked into a few people, but thanks to my friends, the journey was much less painful than it could have been. Enjoyable and fun, I'm happy the costume came out alright and in time! Next year, hopefully I can step up the game even more!Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-2836003731690669332013-03-22T01:19:00.001-04:002013-03-22T01:19:58.719-04:00M'LADYQuick sketch post of another mechanical lady done in pencil - mouse-over for color!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9-JM9foSojg/UUvk-U1W4dI/AAAAAAAAAxc/Tnefq-nXV-Q/s1600/mlady.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" onmouseout="this.src='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9-JM9foSojg/UUvk-U1W4dI/AAAAAAAAAxc/Tnefq-nXV-Q/s640/mlady.png'" onmouseover="this.src='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GNQLaaXUvc0/UUvk-rHGMrI/AAAAAAAAAxk/1Ry5K08Sk8Q/s640/mlady_col.png'" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9-JM9foSojg/UUvk-U1W4dI/AAAAAAAAAxc/Tnefq-nXV-Q/s640/mlady.png" width="492" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: M(echanical)'Lady</span></div>
<br />Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-61115020867959410952013-03-18T04:06:00.001-04:002013-03-18T04:08:30.533-04:00ROSES, SHAVINGS, AND CURLSI thought I would continue my rose-theme from last Valentine's Day, which was a fruit and veggie salad made from tomato and strawberry roses (post found here: [<a href="http://cynaesthetics.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentine-roses.html">Valentine Roses</a>]), and make something rose-themed for this year's Valentine's Day as well.<br />
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The idea for this year - a rose made with wood shavings. I, with the help of Charles and some other MITERS people (Bailey, Heidi, Steve), shaved off curly wood shavings from a piece of wood, which I arranged into rose-like shapes. This was my first experience using the shaving-wood-tool, and it turned out to be really fun! A bit late in the making (though the idea was formulated a few days before V-day), but here it is. Happy super-belated Valentine's Day!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EOPS0tec6rA/UUbHqU0b2LI/AAAAAAAAAwk/MBclhKDPGSk/s1600/IMAG0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EOPS0tec6rA/UUbHqU0b2LI/AAAAAAAAAwk/MBclhKDPGSk/s640/IMAG0113.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Roses made from wood shavings!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Man strength! Thanks for the help, guys!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6wsy4Yvi8sY/UUbH98TTsjI/AAAAAAAAAw4/b8GX-XHMP-8/s1600/IMAG0106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6wsy4Yvi8sY/UUbH98TTsjI/AAAAAAAAAw4/b8GX-XHMP-8/s400/IMAG0106.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: From this...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: ...to this!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Closer shot of the big rose)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: The rose-arrangement with Spray-on Adhesive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Looks like snow!</span></div>
Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-91553515273211495102013-02-28T14:31:00.000-05:002013-02-28T14:31:55.722-05:00ARTSING UPDATE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been commissioned for a few projects lately but I haven't been updating much on any of them, sadly. But when things start rolling out with them, I'll blog more about them here! In the meantime though, here are a few practice sketches I'd made sometime in the past month!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Duck ship!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Air-based, but mobile in water too- I'm thinking</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">possibly used for cargo or construction...</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBT_wISOalw/US-qtOfWWvI/AAAAAAAAAvg/IYPa_rgM1gA/s1600/animal_inspired_noduck.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OBT_wISOalw/US-qtOfWWvI/AAAAAAAAAvg/IYPa_rgM1gA/s640/animal_inspired_noduck.png" width="577" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: More animal-inspired designs!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Scout ships, and a floating island of rock and water..</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1LgUxXAXkIQ/US-rfHOO_DI/AAAAAAAAAvo/iN5EnVlFVEw/s1600/animalchara_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1LgUxXAXkIQ/US-rfHOO_DI/AAAAAAAAAvo/iN5EnVlFVEw/s640/animalchara_1.jpg" width="496" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Character designs for a rodent-based species.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Skilled in scavenging and metallurgy, they built a culture dependent</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">on craftsmanship and trade. Though their small form is undermined by many,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">they hold their own in battles and political alliances.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6rQfKwfJob4/US-uBd16SbI/AAAAAAAAAv4/GkCA5YgYHFU/s1600/shishi_line.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6rQfKwfJob4/US-uBd16SbI/AAAAAAAAAv4/GkCA5YgYHFU/s640/shishi_line.PNG" width="364" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: A Persona design, based on the Shishi (Chinese Guardian Lions)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(This was for a comic)</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vFf7r1FuoRU/ULAoG3tKAAI/AAAAAAAAAo0/sPu7ILZeITg/s1600/fireguy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vFf7r1FuoRU/ULAoG3tKAAI/AAAAAAAAAo0/sPu7ILZeITg/s320/fireguy.png" width="226" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nl2SNAEKB_U/ULAoNeRWLPI/AAAAAAAAAo8/XQznHMD3Vw4/s1600/471860_428473017174218_641920950_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nl2SNAEKB_U/ULAoNeRWLPI/AAAAAAAAAo8/XQznHMD3Vw4/s320/471860_428473017174218_641920950_o.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: (Top) Color practice using a photo ref. (Bottom) Photo ref of a cosplayer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(No color-picking involved!)</span></div>
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I've been trying to expand my portfolio, so I'll be posting some more WIPs and practice sketches on my blog and tumblr.</div>
<br />Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-51086991178746717582013-02-21T17:39:00.001-05:002013-02-21T17:39:18.699-05:00ARDUINO MUSIC GLOVE + MOTORAMA 2013In the fall 2012 semester, I was part of a Media Lab (MAS) class that introduced Electronic Musical Interfaces. We went over a wide array of controllers and instruments - from sticks to handhelds to clothing to classical instruments to mixed and new breeds, using light, circuit noise, physical objects. As a final project for the class, we had to make a working musical controller, for which I decided to utilize the Arduino.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJr7HG1tohI/UNQeGuLf2aI/AAAAAAAAApk/90r0ncjmwno/s1600/DSC03883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vJr7HG1tohI/UNQeGuLf2aI/AAAAAAAAApk/90r0ncjmwno/s320/DSC03883.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Left glove to the left, and right glove to the right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And yes, those are purple surgical gloves.</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxq4vlPUp-ikf-boNTgVhcmRach0lC3VQnLiDRe8XTrhygwh5cL73kBtbacv87uhpBa7ZVGtuXNrBUR5hTrjw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Looks like I'm about to do some surgery!</span></div>
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Additionally! In February, just this past weekend (2/16-17), I attended the Motorama 2013 event in Harrodsburg, PA, for the sole purpose of Robot Conflicts - a Robot competition held there. I road-tripped down with 4 other guys, 3 of whom brought robots to compete. From what I've gathered, Motorama was a showcase of pimped out dirt bikes, go karts, and other wheeled vehicles that race for some prizes. It worked like a convention + fair + vehicle show, with tents of sponsored racers, 100+ vendors, a really really big carnival-style food court, and other such rooms and events. I only stuck around the Robot arena, so I didn't fully experience the event, but I didn't mind- The robot event alone was awesome enough!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-phfun6Xa3S8/USXcAIhQigI/AAAAAAAAAs4/P84ByebZDTc/s1600/DSCF0439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-phfun6Xa3S8/USXcAIhQigI/AAAAAAAAAs4/P84ByebZDTc/s320/DSCF0439.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Charles, Dane, and Adam working on last minute adjustments on their robots.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: View of the audience from behind the robot combat stage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">There's another stand on the other side of the stage, but this side was always more populated.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dumy3KnNgos/USXcA4csGoI/AAAAAAAAAtA/hMuhvxskZqU/s1600/DSCF0731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dumy3KnNgos/USXcA4csGoI/AAAAAAAAAtA/hMuhvxskZqU/s320/DSCF0731.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: One of the highlights of my robot weekend - Charles' robot "Uberclocker Advance"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">picking up other robots to bash against other robots.</span></div>
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Read more by clicking the link below!<br />
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<b>ARDUINO-based Musical Controller (Glove)</b><br />
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For my musical controller, I had a few thoughts of what I wanted to do before deciding to go for the glove. My initial ideas were to make (1) a portable theremin that you could attach on your wrist and use a string to control notes or a preset piece of music, or (2) a miniature gear-music box that creates music from changing the various speeds of motors and thus their gear ratios. However, the appeal of wearing my instrument controller and being able to manipulate it with my hands won, and I went with this gloved version.<br />
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The Instrument included:<br />
-ARDUINO UNO<br />
-Sparkfun Musical Instrument Shield<br />
-ADXL345 Accelerometer<br />
-2.2' Flex sensor<br />
-4x Piezo elements<br />
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It was made of all commercial elements. With a bit of know-how wiring and coding, anyone could make this! :D The idea behind this was not just that it had to be a gloved instruments, but that the controls had to be minimalistic. Ideally, I could walk down the street (in these surgical purple latex gloves, yes) and tap and move my fingers by my side while I was walking, and not get attention attracted. Most times, gestural instruments or controllers for the hand that try and utilize hand motions to trigger actions have very grandiose, performance-like movements associated with them. Large sweeps of an arm to the side of the body, or twirling a hand in front of them - etc, etc. I wanted something that didn't make it look like I was interpretive dancing down the street. I wanted something where I could plug my headphones into the device, wear the gloves, pocket the device in a coat or pants pocket, and then make my own music while I walk, using normal actions like swinging my hand by my side, tapping my leg, or twiddling my thumb. Without attracting stares and without bothering others around you.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CUqGKWkuIog/USUB1J9Y2jI/AAAAAAAAAqE/XtJy2qEudwI/s1600/DSC03884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CUqGKWkuIog/USUB1J9Y2jI/AAAAAAAAAqE/XtJy2qEudwI/s320/DSC03884.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Left hand - thumb controlled the flex sensor (pitch and expression),</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">fingers and hand controlled accelerometer (notes).</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Right hand - tapping thumb to each finger produced a different noise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Worked like a drum tap machine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Left- Arduino Uno. Right - Musical Shield (with a branching ground wire I made)</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RtaEOeEX8_A/USUB2W2T4qI/AAAAAAAAAqc/I4HmshHRtTs/s1600/DSC03888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RtaEOeEX8_A/USUB2W2T4qI/AAAAAAAAAqc/I4HmshHRtTs/s320/DSC03888.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Labeled all my wires for easy dismantling and assembling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Accelerometer wiring - All the colors of the rainbow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Flex sensor wiring, with a bit of adhesive velcro on the back.</span></div>
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<b>MOTORAMA 2013</b></div>
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Motorama was one of those huge events that meant you could get caught up with one event the entire weekend. (I personally didn't stray from the Robot Conflict area at all during the entire weekend, haha - except a handful of times to get food and go to the restroom.) The event had 6 weight classes (from lightest to heaviest: fairies, ants, beetles, hobby, feather, sportsman), and proceeded as a double-elimination bracket-style competition. Our group missed out on the Friday battles (fairies and antweights), but that was fine - the 3 robots traveling with us were all in the sportsman (30lb) class and wouldn't compete until Saturday anyways. This year, there were about 33 beetleweights, 17 hobbyweights, 17 featherweights, 15 30lb sportsmanweights, and teams coming from all over the US (including several bots from Ontario, Canada!) With all these bots, this meant the event took a really long time - but it was well-worth it!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPjCZfO-7cw/USUeiZncU6I/AAAAAAAAArM/Jw_i_yc3BGY/s1600/DSCF0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPjCZfO-7cw/USUeiZncU6I/AAAAAAAAArM/Jw_i_yc3BGY/s320/DSCF0371.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: This is the car we took down to PA.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">No rear-view visibility. But on the plus side, look how nice everything fit together!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Foreground - tables for robots and their owners scrabbling for fixes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Background - the rest of Motorama.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">A string with some checkered flags was the only thing separating us, with our soldering stations and other electrical and mechanical tools, from motor bikes and racers. We were in the small arena, between the bike-racer tents and the food court. I wondered what the other Motorama-goers thought of all the frantic builders soldering and hammering and grinding in a space next to show bikes.We were like in our own little fenced off world, oblivious to the rest of the Motorama proceedings if not for the booming announcer voice that reminded us who was in lead at what point.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Not that many of us in the Robot Conflicts paid attention to that announcer voice, I'm sure. Why? Well, besides the adrenaline of our own little competition and the importance of knowing which robot was up when, we had our own awesome announcer - Roy Hellen. In a suit or armor. Sweeeet-</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Roy Hellen - The man decked out in a suit of armor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Announcer to Motorama Robot Conflicts 2013.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(the one in the middle, if there was any doubt)</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mwpBAD82lAw/USUejDMP6UI/AAAAAAAAArY/B0wpWLqRcHE/s1600/DSCF0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mwpBAD82lAw/USUejDMP6UI/AAAAAAAAArY/B0wpWLqRcHE/s320/DSCF0404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Setting up the robot combat arena.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: There were about 30+ tables at in this area, several of which held multiple robots and people.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xt4d7HCXLjc/USaZC0toe8I/AAAAAAAAAt0/u--I7MbM05s/s1600/DSCF0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xt4d7HCXLjc/USaZC0toe8I/AAAAAAAAAt0/u--I7MbM05s/s320/DSCF0408.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Clocker enjoying a can of Bawls while Blitz and Atomic Bumble are being worked on.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yX46DJ40Teg/USUekbJE5cI/AAAAAAAAArs/xyWF5r26uJA/s1600/DSCF0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yX46DJ40Teg/USUekbJE5cI/AAAAAAAAArs/xyWF5r26uJA/s320/DSCF0481.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: All the builders!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Many of the builders had multiple robots entered into multiple weight classes.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eKhYjzyYzDw/USaZXx44PGI/AAAAAAAAAt8/JRP9-5TTS_8/s1600/DSCF0688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eKhYjzyYzDw/USaZXx44PGI/AAAAAAAAAt8/JRP9-5TTS_8/s320/DSCF0688.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: People start shuffling in to see the robot fights!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">More came throughout the busy hours (just before lunch, and after lunch),</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">and the audience was surprisingly very bloodthirsty for destruction.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Most likely also fueled by Roy's taunts and energetic announcing)</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PQZynPd4GdA/USUekSEkBdI/AAAAAAAAArw/TP4moywhEro/s1600/DSCF0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PQZynPd4GdA/USUekSEkBdI/AAAAAAAAArw/TP4moywhEro/s320/DSCF0491.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Our tired robot drivers in the back taking a nap, awaiting their turn.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Our messy table, scattered with Bawls, bits of robots, miscellaneous tools, etc.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjrGwtmfH0Q/USUelotW9iI/AAAAAAAAAsI/iIH8EfExaFA/s1600/DSCF0772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjrGwtmfH0Q/USUelotW9iI/AAAAAAAAAsI/iIH8EfExaFA/s320/DSCF0772.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: The MIT table next to the Georgia Tech tables.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Quick repairs, go!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8obsCk4oLQY/USUel5RAWLI/AAAAAAAAAsM/SwF72y3hf8o/s1600/DSCF0777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8obsCk4oLQY/USUel5RAWLI/AAAAAAAAAsM/SwF72y3hf8o/s320/DSCF0777.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: The lovely prizes the robot contestants could win!</span></div>
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There were plenty of blurry pictures, so I couldn't share many of them, but here are some quick shots of some of the robots that appeared. (The first 3 are the robots that came on our trip)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7PxPaaShlQ/USaae5SqmWI/AAAAAAAAAuI/5bbZNXnFX20/s1600/DSCF0633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W7PxPaaShlQ/USaae5SqmWI/AAAAAAAAAuI/5bbZNXnFX20/s320/DSCF0633.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Charles and Uberclocker Advance,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">AKA Robotliftin' Superplexin' Terror</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Htqzi-qN4xU/USaae_iIxXI/AAAAAAAAAuU/6Tel1nCNYt8/s1600/DSCF0474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Htqzi-qN4xU/USaae_iIxXI/AAAAAAAAAuU/6Tel1nCNYt8/s320/DSCF0474.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Dane's Atomic Bumble,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">assembled with the remains of another robot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">AKA Unpredictable Self-destructor</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZEDw_BneQA/USaaeeU_49I/AAAAAAAAAuE/4F9_zZyJ1Xg/s1600/2013-02-16+17.57.36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZEDw_BneQA/USaaeeU_49I/AAAAAAAAAuE/4F9_zZyJ1Xg/s320/2013-02-16+17.57.36.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Adam's Blitz,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Flippin' Headbashin' Rammer</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-04NKPWGInLU/USacxVE5rLI/AAAAAAAAAuc/b1zqebZx4o8/s1600/DSCF0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-04NKPWGInLU/USacxVE5rLI/AAAAAAAAAuc/b1zqebZx4o8/s320/DSCF0418.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Jack Reacher and Tetanus</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Such and Such</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Nyx</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Deep Impact</span></div>
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Overall, Motorama was a blast! There was much talk between our group and Georgia Tech's group about next year's robots, so I'm definitely looking forward to 2014's trip! 8D</div>
Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-73617964402135698252012-11-29T01:53:00.000-05:002012-11-29T01:53:41.479-05:00OMG RWBY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
RWBY - Red White Black Yellow</div>
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I've been a fan of Monty Oum's work since I discovered his Dead Fantasy series a few years ago, and was thrilled to hear of his new work with Roosterteeth - RWBY. After watching the trailer, I have to say...</div>
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It was like love at first sight. The music caught my breath, the fighting choreo and animation blew me away, and that weapon the main character uses, the Crescent Rose... I fell for it. So hard. If you haven't seen the Red trailer for his new webseries premiering 2013, check that out below before reading further: </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/pYW2GmHB5xs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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You see that gunscythe? I want to build that gunscythe.</div>
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No, wait.</div>
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I <i>will</i> build that gunscythe. A full-size model that would pack and unfold as the animation suggests (or as closely as I can replicate it). First, a paper model to visualize the shapes and use the dimensions to scale to a possible CAD model, then a small-scale model to test out any details, then, the final large-scale model.</div>
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After brainstorming and sketching out possible ways to make this thing work in real life, I paused to make a static version of the fully-extended head of the gunscythe from computer paper.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsz9D00bfHw/UK8ghXE1QrI/AAAAAAAAAlw/YvNxZrTbQ8I/s1600/IMAG0312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zsz9D00bfHw/UK8ghXE1QrI/AAAAAAAAAlw/YvNxZrTbQ8I/s400/IMAG0312.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: The paper Crescent Rose head on a backdrop of my sketchbook.</span></div>
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Read more...</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Made from snips of paper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: It's figurine-sized!</span></div>
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That was as far as I got with the paper model. I really only wanted a paper model of the head of the gunscythe to get a physical sense of the different moving parts, as the shaft of the weapon would most likely just be made out tubes, telescoped together. For the small scale model, I had the idea of taking one of those automatic umbrellas and using that spring mechanism that was already built into it. Which meant I had to take apart the umbrella first.</div>
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Dissembling umbrella - Go! What I learned: It is surprisingly easy to take apart an umbrella, and they're a lot more more fragile than I thought.</div>
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1) Sawed off the handle. Not really necessary, especially in this case,</div>
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where the release mechanism didn't protrude into it,</div>
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and the handle just turned out to be entirely wooden.</div>
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2) Bent off the metal restriction at the tip of the umbrella</div>
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with a screwdriver. It took little force to pry off.</div>
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3) Cut loose any fasteners that hold the cover to the skeleton</div>
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to remove the umbrella cover sheet.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GfxhZCv5eTQ/UK8pOx_EKgI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/51p0UwOmntY/s1600/IMAG0327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GfxhZCv5eTQ/UK8pOx_EKgI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/51p0UwOmntY/s320/IMAG0327.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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4) Loosen the clips that hold the skeleton prongs in place.</div>
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In this case, this meant untwirling some metal fasteners to loosen them</div>
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from their connection to the main mechanism.</div>
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5) I removed all but 2 of the prongs, hoping to emulate the scythe head.</div>
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But after I reattached the prongs, the force of the spring was too strong for only</div>
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2 of the prongs to handle, and they easily snapped under the pressure.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-66ReyDlKJAk/UK8peBeo9KI/AAAAAAAAAng/h9laHYMBr8g/s1600/IMAG0329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-66ReyDlKJAk/UK8peBeo9KI/AAAAAAAAAng/h9laHYMBr8g/s320/IMAG0329.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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6) So in the end, I had a disassembled umbrella and 2 broken prongs.</div>
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....Umbrella skirt time.</div>
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I will have to rethink my idea of using an umbrella as a small scale base. Or at least, I'll need to make stronger prongs to withstand the force of the current spring I have.</div>
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Regardless! Let's just say, I can't wait to see the other trailers of RWBY. If all of the other characters also have badass weapons such as the Crescent Rose, a few friends and I will be oh so tempted to try and form a group cosplay set. Not that this hasn't already been discussed... :)</div>
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TBC.</div>
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In other news, I found some spinach and ripe guacamole in my fridge, and tried to experiment with the other things I had. What I came up with: Spinach and eggs with chunks of guacamole, eaten soft-taco style with paratha bread. Didn't taste too shabby! Next time, I'll try adding some sort of crunchy nut to it - maybe cashew or almond flakes. Yay, experimentation!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Row of assembly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Scored pieces of guac amidst a spinach and egg stirfry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Arranged thusly! Modify to your liking!</span></div>
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Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-84494456078402325542012-11-23T01:23:00.000-05:002012-11-23T01:23:43.739-05:00D*CON AND KURONEKO-BOTAug 31-Sep 4, 2012 - My very first Dragon*Con, and Robot Battle. Belated as it is, let me share a few of the things I learned about building my first antweight robot.<br />
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TL;DR:</div>
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Don't use motors encased in plastic for your competition robots.<br />
Don't skimp on good wheels.<br />
Learn to drive.</div>
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You can't beat real-time combat experience in improving your robot design skills.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXTO9j1d1E0/UKxQlyX1qII/AAAAAAAAAh4/7ySF2-7tyBA/s1600/IMAG0201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HXTO9j1d1E0/UKxQlyX1qII/AAAAAAAAAh4/7ySF2-7tyBA/s320/IMAG0201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Before leaving for Atlanta, GA.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VQ4kue0C00U/UK2yFiTvsiI/AAAAAAAAAic/BZlWn2ZIk3Y/s1600/IMAG0210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VQ4kue0C00U/UK2yFiTvsiI/AAAAAAAAAic/BZlWn2ZIk3Y/s320/IMAG0210.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Final design.</span></div>
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Read more...</div>
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<b>GOAL:</b></div>
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To build a working 1lb antweight robot that would compete in the Robot Microbattles, a 3 hour competition on the 2nd to last day of D*Con.</div>
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<u><b>Kuroneko-bot - The Design Process</b></u><br />
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<u><b>STAGE 1:</b></u> MITERS, Boston, MA</div>
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Kuroneko-bot (or 'Black Cat' -bot) actually started out in its initial design phase as a bunny (jokingly). This was actually my first time designing a robot, and after actually participating in a robot battle, I gained a lot of insight in how to build my next robot. But for my initial design, I had a few criterion in mind:<br />
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1) When flipped over, it should still be able to move.<br />
2) It should be able to slide, or wedge, its way underneath the opponent.<br />
3) It should be as flat and low as possible while still maintaining a wedge shape.<br />
4) There should be front 'claws' that would act as 'redshirts' or 'decoys' to any sharp rotational objects. (<--my feeble, amateurish attempt at thinking about dealing the opponent robot. I was more worried about making it run than how it would handle a fight. In hindsight, I should have given a little more thought to how I should buff up my robot's defense or attack - the better robots had either brilliant defense or brilliant weapons, or both!)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Slm2MArEG8U/UKsxAf1cEUI/AAAAAAAAAg4/kj1e_ygG8BI/s1600/IMAG0176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Slm2MArEG8U/UKsxAf1cEUI/AAAAAAAAAg4/kj1e_ygG8BI/s320/IMAG0176.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Online whiteboard collab brainstorming. See the bunny ears?</span></div>
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After sketching it out on paper to get a better idea of scale, I used Solidworks to create a CAD model for her. This is what it looked like after using black-box placeholders for the battery, receiver, ESCs (electronic speed controller), and motors.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eq6J3I0kGqo/UKsx4RcVZ0I/AAAAAAAAAhE/uAxlaLvye1o/s1600/kuronekobot1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eq6J3I0kGqo/UKsx4RcVZ0I/AAAAAAAAAhE/uAxlaLvye1o/s320/kuronekobot1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Kuroneko-bot in Solidworks.</span></div>
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Mounts were designed around two <a href="http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/1683">Tamiya mini-motors (12 speed)</a> to provide more structural support. These little Tamiya motors allowed you to configure your own gearbox. Besides those 3-D printed mounts, everything else was scrounged up from already existing parts from MITERS, which is why the initial wheels where mismatched and dog-eared. This also constrained my initial design of keeping it as flat and low as possible, since I had to build around the parts - not optimal, but it still managed to work.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FB4ZD0GOqAE/UKszitPq4RI/AAAAAAAAAhM/KaLZDLez3GE/s1600/IMAG0181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FB4ZD0GOqAE/UKszitPq4RI/AAAAAAAAAhM/KaLZDLez3GE/s320/IMAG0181.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Scale of the motors.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfo_q0Ml-Lc/UKszs7Vrw_I/AAAAAAAAAhU/FPK6WLzPwPo/s1600/IMAG0188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dfo_q0Ml-Lc/UKszs7Vrw_I/AAAAAAAAAhU/FPK6WLzPwPo/s320/IMAG0188.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Top motor mounts on.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVPk7gVEjA8/UKsz9e-B9cI/AAAAAAAAAhc/hFCgRtzWPEg/s1600/IMAG0201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVPk7gVEjA8/UKsz9e-B9cI/AAAAAAAAAhc/hFCgRtzWPEg/s320/IMAG0201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: With everything fitted in - a tangle of wires!</span></div>
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At this point, I did a quick test run. It ran, but the bot slid everywhere, and I had trouble controlling it. I had attributed it to the slippery floor and the mismatched felt-like wheels that picked up all the grime on the floor, and resulted in different ground-clearances when attached to the bot. After a minute of continuous driving, I noticed it start to spin in circles, as if one wheel was not responding. Like a noob, I continued to gun the controls, trying to see if it was just something that had stuck underneath the wheels and continuing to keep it running at full speed would free the wheel.<br />
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DO NOT DO THAT.<br />
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Luckily, it hadn't escalated to visible smoke (always a bad sign) before I found out! After taking it apart (the first of many, many dismantlements), I had noticed nothing wrong except that both motors were really warm and smelled burnt, and one of them was locked up and dead. It would take another two motors and a bit more tweaking before I would figure out the reason.<br />
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Since I didn't have any spare motors at hand, I decided to worry about this issue after we were in GA. So I packed up Kuroneko-bot, and drove down with <a href="http://fluxwonderland.blogspot.com/">Adam</a> and <a href="http://etotheipiplusone.net/">Charles</a>, which was an adventure by itself (consisting of mostly Vocaloid Miku songs, Gangnam-styling down an empty night road, and my first time driving for over two years and over 3-4 hours continuously). ROAD TRIPS! :D<br />
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<u><b>STAGE 2:</b></u> Invention Studio @ Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA<br />
After arriving in Atlanta, I went and bought more of the same Tamiya motors I had built the mount around. These took almost no time to assemble, since I had memorized the gear ratio I had used before and the kit assembly was familiar now. But after reassembling Kuroneko-bot at the Invention Studio and giving it another test run for another good few minutes, those motors went immediately dead as well. Opening Kuroneko-bot up again, both motors smelled burnt and one motor was found dead. After inspecting the case a bit, I discovered that the plastic around the motor shaft (the little stick protruding out of the little motor can the kit provided) was melting and deforming, and thus causing the motor to misbehave.<br />
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The next day, I bought a <a href="http://www.pololu.com/catalog/product/114">Double Gearbox Kit (Tamiya again)</a>, bought new flight wheels to replace the mismatched wheels I had brought up from MITERS and quickly 3-D printed new wheel hubs for them.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nzlosX-OC6A/UK2yDU5zFLI/AAAAAAAAAiU/zSM1Yjommio/s1600/IMAG0202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nzlosX-OC6A/UK2yDU5zFLI/AAAAAAAAAiU/zSM1Yjommio/s320/IMAG0202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VQ4kue0C00U/UK2yFiTvsiI/AAAAAAAAAic/BZlWn2ZIk3Y/s1600/IMAG0210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VQ4kue0C00U/UK2yFiTvsiI/AAAAAAAAAic/BZlWn2ZIk3Y/s320/IMAG0210.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Final assembly.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4-45lV7jIxk/UK2yHZtIlvI/AAAAAAAAAik/-Q8kZ2nM3GI/s1600/IMAG0211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4-45lV7jIxk/UK2yHZtIlvI/AAAAAAAAAik/-Q8kZ2nM3GI/s320/IMAG0211.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Final assembly with the cover on. Does it look like a cat now?</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6ybNKefJxM/UK8DCum7WhI/AAAAAAAAAjM/JHrXw40nyq0/s1600/DSCF8790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t6ybNKefJxM/UK8DCum7WhI/AAAAAAAAAjM/JHrXw40nyq0/s320/DSCF8790.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Added hack-weight on the bottom to make my robot heavier.</span></div>
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<u style="font-weight: bold;">STAGE 3:</u> Robot Minibattles, Dragon*Con, Atlanta, GA<br />
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There were 3 robot competitions at D*C: ones for sumo-bots, 1lb (antweights) and 3lb (beetleweights) robots, and 15lb and 30lb robots. I participated in the antweight category, but if you have the chance to go and can't make it to the lighter-weight category fights, the main Robot Battles competition is the one you should gun for. Lots of great robots, fan favorites, and exciting battles!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ksg8rPly98/UK8E49YKiLI/AAAAAAAAAjo/pZbvxi87qw8/s1600/DSCF8813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ksg8rPly98/UK8E49YKiLI/AAAAAAAAAjo/pZbvxi87qw8/s320/DSCF8813.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: The antweight and beetleweight stage.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVSjKoD7pKQ/UK8KILs6SeI/AAAAAAAAAkI/7ndafjcfe24/s1600/IMAG0229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVSjKoD7pKQ/UK8KILs6SeI/AAAAAAAAAkI/7ndafjcfe24/s320/IMAG0229.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: The much larger stage and open-air arena of the main Robot Battles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(I did not participate in this)</span></div>
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In terms of how I did... Haha. My performance was sub-optimal, but still a good learning experience. Kuroneko-bot came to weigh 0.986lbs, the heaviest in its category, and I drove it while wearing a maid's outfit.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nv3sxPwnNKY/UK8DYbmAL_I/AAAAAAAAAjU/fE0febHiqdo/s1600/DSCF8818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nv3sxPwnNKY/UK8DYbmAL_I/AAAAAAAAAjU/fE0febHiqdo/s320/DSCF8818.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: See the maid? Yeah... that was me.</span></div>
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The first round was a draw, and ended with one of the motors seizing up from the plastic casing melting around the shaft. We had to do a quick operation to make the shaft opening bigger. But while opening up the melted motor cases to make the shaft hold bigger, we also learned too late that we had accidentally rotated the motor case before reassembling the motor. Since that caused it to change its orientation, and thus how my controller controlled which direction the robot would go, I had to open it up again to make adjustments. The second round ended with one of Kuroneko-bot's motors dying and the other seizing up for the continuous full-throttling - the opponent had pushed it out of the ring to score its win. There were 15 minutes between each round, but boy, were those seconds hectic and nerve-wracking Nothing can replace the experience of an on-the-fly maintenance of a competition robot, since it either works or it doesn't.<br />
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One of the most exciting matches of the beetleweight division ended with one robot erupting in a cloud of smoke. Luckily it wasn't from the batteries!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1kjPW9KisNY/UK8CfHyDktI/AAAAAAAAAjE/6yeJwzIPP3M/s1600/IMAG0223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1kjPW9KisNY/UK8CfHyDktI/AAAAAAAAAjE/6yeJwzIPP3M/s320/IMAG0223.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Smoke in the covered robot arena!</span></div>
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<b>Lessons Learned:</b></div>
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-Tamiya motor plastic cases melt extraordinarily easily </div>
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-Motors were probably overvoltaged (check the model's rating!)</div>
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-Make sure of the motor's orientation before complete reassembly</div>
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-Don't gun your controls<br />
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In the end, I opened up Kuroneko-bot so many times, not only did I get really fast at disassembling and reassembling it, I pretty much stripped almost every screw holding the top plate on by the end of the competition. For more sustainable robots, try to invest in fasteners that do not require screws in 3D printed parts! Also in hindsight, this project should have been started much earlier, which would have allotted me time to find suitable parts and not design around parts.<br />
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The rest of D*C weekend was spent chilling with friends, new and old, going to some panels, and experiencing Atlanta (more specifically, Atlanta traffic and every road that had 'Peachtree' in it - Peachtree St, Peachtree Ave, Peachtree Rd, Peachtree Blvd, and on and on). All in all, my time spent in Atlanta was awesome! There was, however, a webcomic panel I went to that honestly disappointed me.75% of the panel were jokes and random questions, and about only the last 25% of the panel and questions had real content. Then again, perhaps all the good question-askers had intended to stay silent in the back, hoping for the actual content to answer our concerns. Maybe what we needed to do was sit more up front and ask more aggressively. I did manage to catch some of the panelists on the way out and got my questions answered, however, which ended up as very useful advice!</div>
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D*C is huge! This was the largest convention I've been to by far - crowded, claustrophobic at times, busy, exhausting, and full of fun. Thanks for a great time, D*C!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk03ZZgbJfU/UK8NWI9x_wI/AAAAAAAAAko/-ZX2g-hVS3M/s1600/DSCF8839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk03ZZgbJfU/UK8NWI9x_wI/AAAAAAAAAko/-ZX2g-hVS3M/s320/DSCF8839.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Me photobombing a pic of an Iron-man cosplayer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The helmet/mask could flip up to reveal his face.</span></div>
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Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-28441790840568884482012-08-31T06:22:00.000-04:002012-08-31T06:35:33.041-04:00DAYS AND DAYS AND DAYS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dwT1RCwb5jo/UECNbQWGxoI/AAAAAAAAAfo/WljxPylM4mY/s1600/winggif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dwT1RCwb5jo/UECNbQWGxoI/AAAAAAAAAfo/WljxPylM4mY/s400/winggif.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yes, this took ages - days and days and days. And more days! I wanted to create something epic, and I was inspired by so many awesome artists at DeviantArt and ConceptArt that I just ....went and tried. :)<br />
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...Trying was really hard, haha. What would take a pro or at least a seasoned artist normally a few hours took me a few weeks of on-and-off working (and of trying really hard). But I guess I have to start somewhere, right?<br />
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(After days and days and days of working on this, I finally called the 'end', and stopped working on it. To be honest, after seeing this image for so many days, I got quite sick of it, haha... :)<br />
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The digital painting was done all in SAI, from conception to detailing. In hindsight, I spent a lot more time on the details than probably necessary, and it took me several several tries to get a desired effect (and not always achieved). Not to mention I had no idea how to make anything remotely sci-fi-y look cool, so I spent ages designing her 'suit' and wings. In the end, everything kind of just blurred together - the viewer might not always see the details, but as the artist, I can say a lot of thought went into every single stroke.<br />
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Here's the finished image, one I'm quite proud of:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJOwRRLD3jg/UECPgSkiI4I/AAAAAAAAAf4/khZUl0o89Y8/s1600/wingscropped.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJOwRRLD3jg/UECPgSkiI4I/AAAAAAAAAf4/khZUl0o89Y8/s640/wingscropped.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Cyborg Angel, digitally painted in SAI</span></div>
<br />Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-47300695025116448752012-08-08T13:24:00.001-04:002012-08-08T13:24:41.802-04:00ARDUINO-TAN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Arduino-tan, the Object-tan of the <a href="http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardUno/" target="_blank">Arduino Uno microcontroller board</a>! What is Object-tan? It's the name given to an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moe_anthropomorphism" target="_blank">"moe anthropomorphized"</a> object, in this case the Arduino. There have been many Object-tans already created, as its a fairly common occurrence in the otaku culture to make something look cute. There are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OS-tan" target="_blank">OS-tans</a>, a Wiki-tan, console-tans, and so much more...</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UFwKnb3gmQY/UCKaVzl4DdI/AAAAAAAAAeo/GHqkEb0uYb4/s1600/arduinochan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UFwKnb3gmQY/UCKaVzl4DdI/AAAAAAAAAeo/GHqkEb0uYb4/s640/arduinochan.jpg" width="475" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Arduino-tan! Arduino-chan? Arduina-chan?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Arduino Uno-chan? Arduino Una-chan? ..tan?</span></div>
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Pretty much anything can be moe-anthropomorphized. Food, military vehicles, animals, laws, household appliances, buildings - nothing is safe from the cuteness! D:Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-12203822707934821142012-07-30T22:37:00.001-04:002012-07-30T22:37:30.289-04:00OTAKON 2012Warning: Long post ahead!<br />
TL;DR - The Otakon 2012 trip was overall very successful!<br />
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This past weekend I went to Otakon 2012 as Shiina Mayuri (Mayushii) from Stein's Gate, and had a blast! There were definitely a lot more Okabe's (the main male character) than any of the girl characters, but I'm glad we managed to find all but one character from the cast!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hNO72r43Wtc/UBc1WRWrYBI/AAAAAAAAAZw/A7rcsVAt53k/s1600/524280_10151052932893928_765009712_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hNO72r43Wtc/UBc1WRWrYBI/AAAAAAAAAZw/A7rcsVAt53k/s320/524280_10151052932893928_765009712_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Julia (as Christina) and me (as Mayuri) with Okabe #2.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TVnDjB7y6rE/UBc1Xzt6ZmI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/XBG9TVwgtT0/s1600/488060_10151055238678928_1896183039_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TVnDjB7y6rE/UBc1Xzt6ZmI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/XBG9TVwgtT0/s320/488060_10151055238678928_1896183039_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: So many Okabe's! This was perhaps less than half of the total</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">number of Okabe's we encountered over the weekend.</span></div>
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In addition to the Black Rock Shooter canvas, I also submitted 3 chinese-styled wallscrolls and 2 sketches to the Otakon 2012 Art show.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RDxrZaeT5ng/UBc2ehJq1oI/AAAAAAAAAaA/KI9CAWJK5y0/s1600/IMAG0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RDxrZaeT5ng/UBc2ehJq1oI/AAAAAAAAAaA/KI9CAWJK5y0/s320/IMAG0077.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: BRS canvas (this has its own post - <a href="http://cynaesthetics.blogspot.com/2012/07/black-rock-shooter-painting.html" target="_blank">check it out</a>! ^_^ )</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ynBBvbZ3ow8/UBc3R4Q88vI/AAAAAAAAAaI/m2ltAWR9ffo/s1600/IMAG0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ynBBvbZ3ow8/UBc3R4Q88vI/AAAAAAAAAaI/m2ltAWR9ffo/s400/IMAG0118.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Wall scrolls submitted to Otakon 2012!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vX2hkJxxs_o/UBc4D3lB4aI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/wyp23YCAjso/s1600/IMAG0103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vX2hkJxxs_o/UBc4D3lB4aI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/wyp23YCAjso/s320/IMAG0103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Sketch of gender-bender Legend of Korra cast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(The finished version had some breezy leaves floating throughout the pic as well.)</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tAxXU7miNNw/UBc4E-M6f_I/AAAAAAAAAaY/T4IvoWm3O6M/s1600/IMAG0119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tAxXU7miNNw/UBc4E-M6f_I/AAAAAAAAAaY/T4IvoWm3O6M/s320/IMAG0119.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Working photo of the Mako-Bolin sketch - I don't have a pic</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">of the finished version unfortunately!</span></div>
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To read more about my trip and submitted art, click below to read more!<br />
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<b>THE ART</b><br />
I created three wallscroll pieces - Korra (Avatar: Legend of Korra), Miku (Vocaloid), and a random girl. Here are GIFs of the pieces being worked on in SAI.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y30SgyX3JK0/UBcwNCDFBfI/AAAAAAAAAZI/Kzw1k3oHgmc/s1600/korrawip.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y30SgyX3JK0/UBcwNCDFBfI/AAAAAAAAAZI/Kzw1k3oHgmc/s400/korrawip.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Korra WIP.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fep_HvMv2xk/UBc5YUtANDI/AAAAAAAAAag/QqGliDziQmY/s1600/korra.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fep_HvMv2xk/UBc5YUtANDI/AAAAAAAAAag/QqGliDziQmY/s400/korra.png" width="310" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Finished Korra piece.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WwO4syDVKzM/UBczEI8-TrI/AAAAAAAAAZg/TUMxACovlK4/s1600/mikuwip.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WwO4syDVKzM/UBczEI8-TrI/AAAAAAAAAZg/TUMxACovlK4/s400/mikuwip.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Miku WIP.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2V6-r_ONqt4/UBc5y5bXVZI/AAAAAAAAAas/Hm3_XHPdd2E/s1600/miku.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2V6-r_ONqt4/UBc5y5bXVZI/AAAAAAAAAas/Hm3_XHPdd2E/s400/miku.png" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Finished Miku piece.</span></div>
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<b>***WARNING: Slight nudity. Please skip this section if that offends you.***</b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khRLxZVBpy8/UBczLtvU05I/AAAAAAAAAZo/0QrpC0lBZUw/s1600/lovewip.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-khRLxZVBpy8/UBczLtvU05I/AAAAAAAAAZo/0QrpC0lBZUw/s400/lovewip.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Random girl WIP.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rv2dp3bqE_4/UBc6Q867OJI/AAAAAAAAAa0/29WM9n6p4O4/s1600/love.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rv2dp3bqE_4/UBc6Q867OJI/AAAAAAAAAa0/29WM9n6p4O4/s400/love.png" width="308" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Finished random girl piece.</span></div>
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<b>THE ASSEMBLY (How to make wallscrolls)</b></div>
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Here's how I made the wallscrolls! (There are different ways to make wallscrolls, but I settled on this method after the trial and error wallscroll I created earlier. See my <a href="http://cynaesthetics.blogspot.com/2012/06/otakon-prep-1-and-totem.html" target="_blank">earlier post about this</a>!)</div>
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Materials needed:</div>
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-Dowel rods (one thicker that the other)</div>
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-Cabinet drawer knobs</div>
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-Appropriately sized set screws</div>
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-Tape measure, hacksaw, pliers, tap, hand drill</div>
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-Adhesive (spray-on if possible)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2eUvJRWDrXM/UBc61sIS1QI/AAAAAAAAAa8/4p-2BmbbgIQ/s1600/IMAG0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2eUvJRWDrXM/UBc61sIS1QI/AAAAAAAAAa8/4p-2BmbbgIQ/s320/IMAG0107.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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1) Assemble materials!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GYvaJmVJ5E4/UBc63MtmGeI/AAAAAAAAAbE/uV808HIVO7k/s1600/IMAG0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GYvaJmVJ5E4/UBc63MtmGeI/AAAAAAAAAbE/uV808HIVO7k/s320/IMAG0108.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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2) Cut dowel rods to desired length.</div>
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Cut the thicker dowel rod to the width of your wallscroll fabric.</div>
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Cut the thinner dowel rod a little bit longer.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a5gI5dTGto4/UBc64gbL4LI/AAAAAAAAAbM/KQ4ew5iUHFI/s1600/IMAG0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a5gI5dTGto4/UBc64gbL4LI/AAAAAAAAAbM/KQ4ew5iUHFI/s320/IMAG0110.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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3) Tap in the set screws to the drawer knobs.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DJzS0XahYWk/UBc66LfbJfI/AAAAAAAAAbU/e7YnmxQ428M/s1600/IMAG0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DJzS0XahYWk/UBc66LfbJfI/AAAAAAAAAbU/e7YnmxQ428M/s320/IMAG0111.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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4) Drill in holes at the ends of the dowel rods.</div>
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The wood should be supple enough to just screw in the knobs.</div>
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Optionally, just apply adhesive.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjRe5_263m0/UBc67qd8POI/AAAAAAAAAbc/b3saBBiKQpo/s1600/IMAG0112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WjRe5_263m0/UBc67qd8POI/AAAAAAAAAbc/b3saBBiKQpo/s320/IMAG0112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ4_dCs6_bY/UBc68-OCikI/AAAAAAAAAbk/ajs62gOd_vc/s1600/IMAG0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ4_dCs6_bY/UBc68-OCikI/AAAAAAAAAbk/ajs62gOd_vc/s320/IMAG0113.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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5) Print your artwork (mirrored) on transfer paper.</div>
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Make sure you have a set for each piece of art!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xt7yZQZHiAs/UBc69_K4GFI/AAAAAAAAAbs/A1cvvudlNFs/s1600/IMAG0114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xt7yZQZHiAs/UBc69_K4GFI/AAAAAAAAAbs/A1cvvudlNFs/s320/IMAG0114.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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5) Iron on your artwork.</div>
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Be sure to follow the instructions of your brand of transfer paper!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbcgGZ3xvXE/UBc6_UHeEpI/AAAAAAAAAb0/6zWzSCleMhw/s1600/IMAG0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BbcgGZ3xvXE/UBc6_UHeEpI/AAAAAAAAAb0/6zWzSCleMhw/s320/IMAG0115.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hWnMvHvyZXo/UBc7Al_Br5I/AAAAAAAAAb8/KFhcSZrW-DA/s1600/IMAG0117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hWnMvHvyZXo/UBc7Al_Br5I/AAAAAAAAAb8/KFhcSZrW-DA/s320/IMAG0117.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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6) Cut out holes on your top patterned wallscroll layer of fabric.</div>
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Systematically apply your adhesive to the backs of your fabric.</div>
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Take your time on this step - if the fabric looks wrinkled (like mine did),</div>
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the overall quality of the piece decreases, no matter how cool your art may be.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q75D7_kBL7g/UBc7CBxAKtI/AAAAAAAAAcI/bX3aUDA-o2I/s1600/IMAG0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q75D7_kBL7g/UBc7CBxAKtI/AAAAAAAAAcI/bX3aUDA-o2I/s320/IMAG0118.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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7) Adhere your wooden rods to the fabric (the thicker one at the bottom</div>
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and the thinner one at the top), add on your string or ribbon</div>
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at the top and you are ready to hang these wallscrolls!</div>
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<b>THE CON</b></div>
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Photos of cool cosplayers and the artbooks I got!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VtWfJpFKrug/UBc_CY7LYKI/AAAAAAAAAck/_wUypU_xXaw/s1600/IMAG0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VtWfJpFKrug/UBc_CY7LYKI/AAAAAAAAAck/_wUypU_xXaw/s320/IMAG0122.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: JOURNEY COSPLAYERS! :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(What is Journey? <a href="http://thatgamecompany.com/games/journey/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to find out!</a>)</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yRd0w4v5bW4/UBc_DuBlV0I/AAAAAAAAAcs/lCO6gXLFzSU/s1600/IMAG0123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yRd0w4v5bW4/UBc_DuBlV0I/AAAAAAAAAcs/lCO6gXLFzSU/s320/IMAG0123.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: MORE JOURNEY COSPLAYERS! :D</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Yay!)</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ff32DxLYpHU/UBc_FO2CLdI/AAAAAAAAAc0/WK7zIVpi4xc/s1600/IMAG0125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ff32DxLYpHU/UBc_FO2CLdI/AAAAAAAAAc0/WK7zIVpi4xc/s320/IMAG0125.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Korra group! (One of the many I saw)</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CAT6_RDPxRk/UBc_GvzBobI/AAAAAAAAAc8/ABygF0LrO9Q/s1600/IMAG0127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CAT6_RDPxRk/UBc_GvzBobI/AAAAAAAAAc8/ABygF0LrO9Q/s320/IMAG0127.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: More Avatar!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qFYFhsDTYOk/UBc_HxfRdqI/AAAAAAAAAdE/edbZkNv7or4/s1600/IMAG0128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qFYFhsDTYOk/UBc_HxfRdqI/AAAAAAAAAdE/edbZkNv7or4/s320/IMAG0128.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: It's a Mulan!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L2GrFN3YqMo/UBc_JybQ9wI/AAAAAAAAAdM/0NjwCyX8_Ig/s1600/IMAG0129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L2GrFN3YqMo/UBc_JybQ9wI/AAAAAAAAAdM/0NjwCyX8_Ig/s320/IMAG0129.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Awesome Toph duo manning an Artist Alley booth!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sKAaEiiNgzw/UBc_LagHCyI/AAAAAAAAAdY/Uo14uXnUQpA/s1600/IMAG0130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sKAaEiiNgzw/UBc_LagHCyI/AAAAAAAAAdY/Uo14uXnUQpA/s320/IMAG0130.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Weeping angel from Dr. Who!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Don't look away!)</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MSO_rB8ZG9w/UBc_MvjcjCI/AAAAAAAAAdg/cAA4nlz32XQ/s1600/IMAG0133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MSO_rB8ZG9w/UBc_MvjcjCI/AAAAAAAAAdg/cAA4nlz32XQ/s320/IMAG0133.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: An epic Divergence counter from an Okabe cosplayer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Apparently this was on reddit? Must find! ^_^ )</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aOoV3iorjSQ/UBdAi2nqaaI/AAAAAAAAAd8/x4TxnFVAxYY/s1600/IMAG0153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aOoV3iorjSQ/UBdAi2nqaaI/AAAAAAAAAd8/x4TxnFVAxYY/s320/IMAG0153.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: The beautiful books I got at Otakon. <3</span></div>
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<b>OTAKON 2012 OVERALL RATING: EXCELLENT</b></div>
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To finish off this very long post, I made some Nilla-wafers-with-peanut-butter-and-almonds cookies! They look like little burgers, haha.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WEk8NV-QG6Y/UBdCJWyHIEI/AAAAAAAAAeE/tx9F8fB9zLA/s1600/IMAG0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WEk8NV-QG6Y/UBdCJWyHIEI/AAAAAAAAAeE/tx9F8fB9zLA/s320/IMAG0150.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: 2-3 almonds in between layers of peanut butter,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">sandwiched between Nilla wafers!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1o54xy5CKGw/UBdCMxF3p5I/AAAAAAAAAeM/5mgR2R8r9nk/s1600/IMAG0151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1o54xy5CKGw/UBdCMxF3p5I/AAAAAAAAAeM/5mgR2R8r9nk/s320/IMAG0151.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Yummy!</span></div>
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<br /></div>Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-54823209254617630742012-07-22T02:21:00.000-04:002012-07-22T02:21:15.197-04:00BLACK ROCK SHOOTER PAINTING<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For Otakon 2012, I'm going to submit about 5 pieces of artwork into their Art Show, and I'll be documenting their progress here. The first one to be done was the Black Rock Shooter acrylic painting!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eldO0qfNqOI/UAraT7L654I/AAAAAAAAAXs/yHzG4ccwXxQ/s1600/IMAG0077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eldO0qfNqOI/UAraT7L654I/AAAAAAAAAXs/yHzG4ccwXxQ/s400/IMAG0077.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: BRS in Acrylic!</span></div>
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(Black Rock Shooter is a character from an anime of the same name, for more info: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Rock_Shooter" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>. :)</div>
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I had submitted an acrylic painting to Otakon 2 years ago, and I honestly don't remember how much I priced it and how much it sold for, haha. If anyone has any advice, please let me know!</div>
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The cheap-student's setup: Cardboard box table with a newspaper covering, and a flattened cardboard box underneath as a spill/drip precaution. It might be hard to tell in the following GIF, but I'm using those transparent CD covers and some plexiglass found at MITERS as substitute mixing trays. So if you don't have a palette/mixing tray, those are a good substitute.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yE7Hfy2jJ6I/UArZbUsRhwI/AAAAAAAAAXg/NlGbAo4nO9c/s1600/brscanvas.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yE7Hfy2jJ6I/UArZbUsRhwI/AAAAAAAAAXg/NlGbAo4nO9c/s400/brscanvas.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: My workspace becomes subsequently more cluttered.</span></div>
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I am but an amateur artist and only a hobbyist, but here are a few color theory tips I can share:</div>
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(1) Brown and blue plus some white make lovelier shades of gray than the store bought colors (or even regular black mixed with white). A brighter blue results in a warmer shade of gray whereas a darker blue result in a colder shade of gray, and etc.</div>
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(2) Blue and with a little green mixed with some darker red (or yellow) create some interesting darker blue-green colors that when used with black create a nice backdrop/undertone color. I used this combo to get the color of BRS's hair, bikini top and shorts. The photo doesn't show it much, but the black does have a blue-green undertone, thus making it less of a strictly black and white painting. Careful not to mix until muddy!</div>
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(3) White lightens a color, but won't brighten a color. If you want a bright blue, for example, either buy a brighter blue color, or try and selectively 'tone-down' the area around it to create the illusion of a brighter color, as what I tried to do. You're going for a stark contrast, and you can do that by either complementing it, or making everything else much less intense (in the immediate surrounding area). By setting darker colors next to their much lighter companion with a few flecks of straight white on top also helps to create an illusion for a brighter color area.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xqInX610RSs/UAreFi6AAuI/AAAAAAAAAYA/cx2HLr0Smpc/s1600/IMAG0079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xqInX610RSs/UAreFi6AAuI/AAAAAAAAAYA/cx2HLr0Smpc/s400/IMAG0079.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: I used up 2 CD cases (back and front), and 4 rectangular strips of plexiglass.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V-C5gll1LSE/UArh2dwNYoI/AAAAAAAAAYU/FjFXfj4cUeo/s1600/IMAG0061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V-C5gll1LSE/UArh2dwNYoI/AAAAAAAAAYU/FjFXfj4cUeo/s320/IMAG0061.jpg" width="191" /></a>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Example of (3) - tone down the blues in the surrounding areas</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">to make even regular blue look more intense than usual.</span></div>
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This might be a little light to see, but here's a comparison of the original sketch to the version I drew on the canvas. Looks really messy, right? I also took out 80% of the chains I was initially planning on drawing into the final painting just as an aesthetic choice.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1m4XYPShPMQ/UArc9HoQ6ZI/AAAAAAAAAX4/ooYjIrI4m38/s1600/IMAG0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1m4XYPShPMQ/UArc9HoQ6ZI/AAAAAAAAAX4/ooYjIrI4m38/s400/IMAG0025.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Canvas (right) based off the original sketch (left).</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PaJiPlCdNZg/UArkGZzPIuI/AAAAAAAAAYk/Eu9_mfuviPk/s1600/IMAG0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PaJiPlCdNZg/UArkGZzPIuI/AAAAAAAAAYk/Eu9_mfuviPk/s320/IMAG0088.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Final version.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Size comparison to my laptop - the painting's not too big!</span></div>
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More Otakon cosplay and artworks coming up in the next few days - Peace!</div>Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-1781465320591357532012-07-21T02:54:00.000-04:002012-07-21T02:54:00.962-04:00FOOD DAY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This past Monday, I toted back a load of groceries with plans to try out some new recipes. After pretty much spending the rest of the day making stuff - chopping, whisking, kneading, etc - I realized something. And I only realized it after I sat down at the end of the day to take a break, when I noticed my arms were sore and uncontrollably quivering a bit.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UmsNL5h8On8/UAolVWqBFxI/AAAAAAAAAUY/m_DzBh5NRRk/s1600/foodmon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UmsNL5h8On8/UAolVWqBFxI/AAAAAAAAAUY/m_DzBh5NRRk/s640/foodmon.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: A 4koma of my Monday.</span></div>
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Conclusion: My arms are weak and have low endurance. ^o^;</div>
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However, I think I managed to make a few interesting dishes. Since the rest of this post is picture heavy, here's just two preview pics of the chocolate Kahlua mousse and dango (Japanese dumpling) dish I made - you can click through the jump break to read more. :)</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcqD8gykHcA/UAoqp7ISu_I/AAAAAAAAAUk/kSMX0zSzZpI/s1600/IMAG0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BcqD8gykHcA/UAoqp7ISu_I/AAAAAAAAAUk/kSMX0zSzZpI/s400/IMAG0062.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Chocolate Kahlua Mousse, served with strawberries.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYXXrWIb2_Y/UAot8pKwHSI/AAAAAAAAAUw/FEskgMiZd4Y/s1600/IMAG0047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xYXXrWIb2_Y/UAot8pKwHSI/AAAAAAAAAUw/FEskgMiZd4Y/s400/IMAG0047.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Dango with two varieties of toppings - </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">black sesame and sweet soy sauce.</span></div>
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(Click below to read more!)</div>
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<b>Recipe 1</b>: Black sesame and banana milkshake</div>
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Inspiration: CookingWithDog (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c59yxsr1hAk" target="_blank">Link to their youtube recipe</a>)</div>
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Student advice: A good substitute for a mortar and pestle is a bowl and shotglass.</div>
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I've been following CookingWithDog for a while now, and ever since I saw this super simple recipe from them, I've wanted to try it out. The recipe's incredibly easy and requires little preparation - bananas, milk, sugar, crushed black sesame seeds and ice cubes for coldness. I used whole milk instead of the recommended soy milk, and roasted black sesame seeds instead of regular black sesame seeds, but as far as I can tell, that didn't lessen the deliciousness of it whatsoever! It was so delicious that I ended up using all the bananas I had bought for this, and just continuously drank it while I was making the other dishes.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2dyME2wMUJE/UAowfMP92nI/AAAAAAAAAU4/19_85mu3amw/s1600/IMAG0029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2dyME2wMUJE/UAowfMP92nI/AAAAAAAAAU4/19_85mu3amw/s320/IMAG0029.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Crushing the roasted black sesame seeds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Don't have a mortar and pestle? Grab a bowl and shotglass!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: All the gathered materials.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Blender ready.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Yummyyyyy.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jiB1dsyIqqo/UAowiRACzZI/AAAAAAAAAVY/rAk_tJvv4Qg/s1600/IMAG0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jiB1dsyIqqo/UAowiRACzZI/AAAAAAAAAVY/rAk_tJvv4Qg/s320/IMAG0033.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Fills one giant cup of delicious cold smoothie.</span></div>
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<b>Recipe 2</b>: Chocolate Kahlua mousse</div>
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Inspiration: FoodWishes for mousse (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdwu6Oex5V8" target="_blank">link to youtube recipe</a>)<span style="background-color: white;"> and CookingWithKarma for Kahlua (</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCGWLpmHszo" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">link to youtube recipe</a><span style="background-color: white;">)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Student advice: A good substitute for a whisk is a bunch of chopsticks bundled together. Try and use chopsticks that slope to a finer point at one end, instead of the plain straight sort. I used about 6 chopsticks, tied together with a hairband. It's slower acting than a whisk, but it still gets the job done!</span></div>
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My roommate and I had an unopened bottle of Kahlua in the fridge, so I decided to make some chocolate Kahlua mousse for us. This was my first time using a whisk/whisk-substitute (electronic beaters are much handier) to thicken cream and fluff up egg whites, so that process was tremendously tedious. I had to take several breaks to shake the tension out of my arm. The ingredients went unmodified from Karma's version, but I did deviate a bit from the measurements given, which is probably why my mousse ended up a bit more fluid than fluff. I also left it in the fridge to chill overnight, which didn't seem to affect the consistency of the mousse.</div>
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Two things to look out for:</div>
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(1) Make sure your chocolate is completely melted and has a smooth consistency, and</div>
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(2) Make sure the cream and egg white form soft peaks (and are not liquidy) before adding it to the chocolate.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Fkx7baLLbQ/UAowuA13G0I/AAAAAAAAAVk/Oa-vPe7zaSM/s1600/IMAG0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Fkx7baLLbQ/UAowuA13G0I/AAAAAAAAAVk/Oa-vPe7zaSM/s320/IMAG0034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Collective ingredients.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">And yes, I did use my shotglass pestle to ground the instant coffee.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W-itLdv3yYI/UAowux-pjkI/AAAAAAAAAVs/CVrsd3aeJOQ/s1600/IMAG0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W-itLdv3yYI/UAowux-pjkI/AAAAAAAAAVs/CVrsd3aeJOQ/s320/IMAG0035.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Whipping heavy cream - also quite tedious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Don't have a whisk? Tie together a bunch of chopsticks!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3VNUaYY7Vs/UAowvbrqY8I/AAAAAAAAAV0/aOJiDUmWTiU/s1600/IMAG0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3VNUaYY7Vs/UAowvbrqY8I/AAAAAAAAAV0/aOJiDUmWTiU/s320/IMAG0036.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Adding the ground coffee...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: ...and the Kahlua. Oh la la~</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7I9Djn0aVzM/UAowwdCNIvI/AAAAAAAAAWE/IC98-_T-8iE/s1600/IMAG0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7I9Djn0aVzM/UAowwdCNIvI/AAAAAAAAAWE/IC98-_T-8iE/s320/IMAG0038.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Folding in the Kahlua-cream-mixture to the chocolate.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WrW5intIx-M/UAowxISK0zI/AAAAAAAAAWM/aokPt98eIDs/s1600/IMAG0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WrW5intIx-M/UAowxISK0zI/AAAAAAAAAWM/aokPt98eIDs/s320/IMAG0039.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Serving the dessert up in some wine glasses.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SiEB008FMa8/UAoxam7B--I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/UEfwOKpWFkM/s1600/IMAG0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SiEB008FMa8/UAoxam7B--I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/UEfwOKpWFkM/s320/IMAG0062.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Strawberries for decoration on top!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Sadly, my roommate and I didn't have any matching tableware, </span><span style="background-color: white;">nor any fancy ramekins or bowls to serve up the dessert. So I settled for a pair of mismatched wine glasses. :)</span></div>
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<b>Recipe 3</b>: Dango (with black sesame and sweet soy sauce topping)</div>
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Inspiration: CookingWithDog (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y4GaoKIvaY&feature=relmfu" target="_blank">Link to their youtube recipe</a>)</div>
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Strangely enough, my first introduction to the sweet Japanese dumpling called dango was through the anime Samurai Champloo. It's a rather fascinating take on feudal Japan - tradition and history intermingling with a helping of hip-hop and 21st century references, all the while being interrupted with well-choreographed fight scenes and food, among plenty of other events. I remember watching it for the first time and wondering what all the food they've eaten tasted like, and in particular, what those little skewered round donut-shaped things tasted like. (Of course, I also later saw dango appear in several other Japanese dramas and anime, but it was always Samurai Champloo that popped into my mind whenever I recall dango.)</div>
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Having never eaten it before, I decided to make them someday. And after recently seeing CookingWithDog's tofu dango version (remastered), which required only shiratama-ko and silken tofu, I figured this was the simplest way to create the dango I wanted to eat. For the black sesame topping, I mixed a bit of confectioner's sugar with crushed roasted black sesame seeds, and for the sweet soy sauce topping, I just boiled some water, soy sauce and sugar to taste. For more dango types, check out Wikipedia's list ([<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dango" target="_blank">LINK</a>]).</div>
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Two things to keep in mind:</div>
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(1) Add a lot more Shiratama-ko flour than silken tofu. I made the mistake of putting almost equal parts tofu, which resulted in a very liquidy dough. I had to add about a cup more of shiratama-ko to balance it out.</div>
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(2) Kneading takes forever. Or maybe I was just not doing it right - a more probably case. Whichever the reason, don't worry if kneading starts to drag on. It may start off incredibly sticky, but it will yield and become workable eventually.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Shiratama-ko and silken tofu.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: After what felt like an hour of kneading. x_x;;;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Workable dango dough!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vCINzYhnhA/UAoxDs2jECI/AAAAAAAAAW4/ABMw_BYG3V4/s1600/IMAG0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vCINzYhnhA/UAoxDs2jECI/AAAAAAAAAW4/ABMw_BYG3V4/s320/IMAG0045.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Shape the dough into balls.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Boil until they float!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Skewer and season with favorite topping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Yummy dango!</span></div>
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The tofu dango I made was much chewier and gummier than I had anticipated; I had the impression dango would taste more like a denser donut. But I still loved eating them! Hopefully I will one day eat a real dango dish made by a real Japanese chef.</div>
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So this concludes my food adventures for the week! I had a blast making all the food, even if my arms didn't. Because Otakon is now fast approaching, I'll be posting updates on the art I'll be selling at the Art Show in the upcoming days. Peace!</div>Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-49175170898503418932012-07-04T20:44:00.001-04:002012-07-04T20:47:03.469-04:004TH OF JULY ICE CREAMHappy 4th of July! To celebrate, I made some banana ice cream decked with blueberries and strawberries, topped with raspberry or blueberry cream upon serving.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-5jnRRslhc/T_TiQ_89mbI/AAAAAAAAAUI/_W0ibbQlNWo/s1600/IMAG0538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b-5jnRRslhc/T_TiQ_89mbI/AAAAAAAAAUI/_W0ibbQlNWo/s400/IMAG0538.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: There are a few stripes missing.........</span></div>
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To fill a ~6x4x4 inch container, cut up about 6 frozen bananas, and add to it about a cup and a half of heavy cream and a few spoonfuls of vanilla yogurt to taste. Feel free to substitute peanut butter or honey for the vanilla yogurt as well! If you only have access to a small blender, as I have, split the ingredients into proportional rations so they'll fit.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oiMVTiVZb2I/T_TZBJnnVpI/AAAAAAAAATM/fOjJum5OTKc/s1600/IMAG0527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oiMVTiVZb2I/T_TZBJnnVpI/AAAAAAAAATM/fOjJum5OTKc/s320/IMAG0527.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Cutting off the frozen banana peels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Bananas, cream, and yogurt.</span></div>
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The cream was made from mixing a few spoonfuls of heavy cream, milk, and sugar for a good 3-5 minutes. (I also heated it up for about 15 seconds afterwards, but that's not necessary). Add and crush the raspberries and blueberries in the cream for the topping, and use the rest for drizzling on the ice cream.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OTrde6dNn88/T_TZD-sAFcI/AAAAAAAAATc/ceC0p0z8X00/s1600/IMAG0531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OTrde6dNn88/T_TZD-sAFcI/AAAAAAAAATc/ceC0p0z8X00/s320/IMAG0531.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Prepping fruit and cream for decoration.</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXk16dnsqiU/T_TZFrpkOoI/AAAAAAAAATk/VloiNHY89UU/s1600/IMAG0533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXk16dnsqiU/T_TZFrpkOoI/AAAAAAAAATk/VloiNHY89UU/s320/IMAG0533.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Crushing the fruit to make cream topping.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BptHGt0EI58/T_TVeL92jXI/AAAAAAAAATA/XqrJT4PYbkk/s1600/IMAG0532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BptHGt0EI58/T_TVeL92jXI/AAAAAAAAATA/XqrJT4PYbkk/s320/IMAG0532.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Voila!</span></div>
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Add some crumbled Nilla wafers and serve however you want!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sI1ZJ7S1rKc/T_TiJsLwkJI/AAAAAAAAAUA/HV5bdHCIZNY/s1600/IMAG0540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sI1ZJ7S1rKc/T_TiJsLwkJI/AAAAAAAAAUA/HV5bdHCIZNY/s320/IMAG0540.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: I'll be eating this watching the fireworks. :)</span></div>
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There were so many people camped out near the river where the fireworks were to be set off; some apparently have been camping out there for the entire day. Happy Fourth of July, Boston!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-njmiHowHo88/T_TcrfeVQrI/AAAAAAAAATw/irLCEf8KIro/s1600/IMAG0537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-njmiHowHo88/T_TcrfeVQrI/AAAAAAAAATw/irLCEf8KIro/s400/IMAG0537.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: The concentration of campers stays pretty constant down the entire length of the river.</span></div>Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-8782132273776148132012-07-02T18:05:00.000-04:002012-07-02T18:05:03.497-04:00OTAKON PREP (2) - MAYUSHIOne of my good friends Julia introduced Stein's Gate to me, in hopes that I would cosplay with her as one of the main girl characters in the anime. And so, after watching a few episodes and becoming a fan, I've agreed to cosplay Mayuri Shiina, or Mayushi for short.<br />
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<a href="http://steins-gate.wikia.com/wiki/Mayuri_Shiina?image=Mayuri_Shiina-jpg"><img height="300" src="http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110511025458/steins-gate/images/d/d6/Mayuri_Shiina.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Mayushi pic from <a href="http://steins-gate.wikia.com/wiki/Mayuri_Shiina" target="_blank">Stein's Gate Wiki</a>.</span></div>
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I started on the hat first, but after making two versions, I quickly discovered that I wasn't satisfied with the results so I won't go too into too much detail here.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1yYiinFjF5M/T_IJ1XKsNJI/AAAAAAAAARo/YDC7jMDxRxg/s1600/IMAG0526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1yYiinFjF5M/T_IJ1XKsNJI/AAAAAAAAARo/YDC7jMDxRxg/s320/IMAG0526.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: [LEFT] Hat V.1</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[RIGHT] Hat V.2</span></div>
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<b>Hat V.1:</b></div>
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Procedure: Circle top sewed onto a donut-shaped outer ring. White band tied around like a headband</div>
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Verdict: Too small, unstable. Doesn't have the desired shape.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wAEHYbwZyaE/T_IOTrMMhZI/AAAAAAAAAR8/mnGoW7-s-jc/s1600/IMAG0489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wAEHYbwZyaE/T_IOTrMMhZI/AAAAAAAAAR8/mnGoW7-s-jc/s320/IMAG0489.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Using my pencil as a thread unraveler.</span></div>
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<b>Hat V.2:</b></div>
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Procedure: Divided the hat into 3 parts - the top, the sides of the hat, and the rim. I made sure to give a bit more room to my measurements, used a hat I had as a model, and sewed on rigid paper to help mold the desired hat shape.</div>
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Verdict: Too wide at the back, unstable. Closer to the desired shape, but not to my satisfaction.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vw81urS_B_Y/T_IOLtbA5sI/AAAAAAAAAR0/ilIdLyvVfo0/s1600/IMAG0494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vw81urS_B_Y/T_IOLtbA5sI/AAAAAAAAAR0/ilIdLyvVfo0/s320/IMAG0494.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Sewing the paper onto the insides of the Hat V.2.</span></div>
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Conclusion: For Hat V.3, I'm buying/making a hat mold first, on which I will just cover with fabric.</div>
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~~~</div>
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For Mayushi's top, I also made two versions, and decided that Top V.2 will be the working version I will shape into the final product.</div>
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<b>Top V.1:</b></div>
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Procedure: I used newspapers to pattern out the top design.</div>
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Verdict: Waist too wide, sleeves too puffy.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JTOmsgiKir0/T_IQrv2W8XI/AAAAAAAAASI/_I3qpGCbIco/s1600/IMAG0498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JTOmsgiKir0/T_IQrv2W8XI/AAAAAAAAASI/_I3qpGCbIco/s320/IMAG0498.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Newspaper patterning.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JFXcGgDu4vM/T_IQ3mMnkHI/AAAAAAAAASQ/KfRJ6MHHR9I/s1600/IMAG0503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JFXcGgDu4vM/T_IQ3mMnkHI/AAAAAAAAASQ/KfRJ6MHHR9I/s320/IMAG0503.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Sleeves turned out too puffy.</span></div>
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<b>Top V.2:</b></div>
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Procedure: I divided the dress part with the top, and used a smaller t-shirt as a model. I left the sleeves not sewn for now.</div>
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Verdict: Somewhat satisfactory. There are a few modifications I'd still like to do, like hem the dress and fix the alignment of the ruffles.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7tLT6Y3hxsc/T_IUSeRA4oI/AAAAAAAAASc/aj9gOhZGnoU/s1600/IMAG0512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7tLT6Y3hxsc/T_IUSeRA4oI/AAAAAAAAASc/aj9gOhZGnoU/s320/IMAG0512.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Working more modularly.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6LfRs5z9ZRQ/T_IUdmkIOPI/AAAAAAAAASk/KH8pIYbkhQg/s1600/IMAG0515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6LfRs5z9ZRQ/T_IUdmkIOPI/AAAAAAAAASk/KH8pIYbkhQg/s320/IMAG0515.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Sewing the lace on.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-029N0UXi-is/T_IUrPRo9iI/AAAAAAAAASs/XB8nNiynjmk/s1600/IMAG0519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-029N0UXi-is/T_IUrPRo9iI/AAAAAAAAASs/XB8nNiynjmk/s320/IMAG0519.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Current product, as of now.</span></div>
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Conclusion: Fairly satisfactory. After sewing the sleeves and making minor adjustments, Top V.2 will be finished.</div>
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~~~</div>
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So after all this, I ended up using nearly 4x1 yards of light blue fabric and several colors of thread. Since I hand sewed everything, I ran out of thread fairly regularly and substituted all sorts of differently colored thread. I also got really good at tying knots and threading needles, haha. Next Otakon prep update: arts for the Art Show!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nyTwL7DxZvQ/T_IU82-MTlI/AAAAAAAAAS0/ocanaH_RrPs/s1600/IMAG0520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nyTwL7DxZvQ/T_IU82-MTlI/AAAAAAAAAS0/ocanaH_RrPs/s320/IMAG0520.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Notice the empty spools to the right - time to buy new thread!</span></div>Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7274739254439225196.post-28255253802156883572012-06-22T23:19:00.001-04:002012-06-22T23:19:22.287-04:00OTAKON PREP (1) AND TOTEM(AKA - One way to make a wall scroll, part 1.)<br />
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There are 4 asian-styled wall scrolls I'll be creating for Otakon 2012, and I'll be detailing how everything goes here. Since my ink cartridges arrived in the mail today, I thought I'd test out my transfer paper and spray-on adhesive. So I printed a dummy picture onto a sheet of the Lazertron "Iron on Inkjet Transfer Paper for White or Light coloured <i>[sic]</i> Textiles" and took it to MITERS to iron it onto some fabric.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xjgK1EiQsBI/T-UsWBrl-tI/AAAAAAAAAQo/xFky3E625ww/s1600/IMAG0482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xjgK1EiQsBI/T-UsWBrl-tI/AAAAAAAAAQo/xFky3E625ww/s400/IMAG0482.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Transfer sheets, sharp scissors, fabric. Iron not shown.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eJPo5-9GgVs/T-Usn3oJKtI/AAAAAAAAAQw/khV5kpnOBqs/s1600/IMAG0483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eJPo5-9GgVs/T-Usn3oJKtI/AAAAAAAAAQw/khV5kpnOBqs/s400/IMAG0483.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: (Left) Original image on regular computer paper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Right) Image ironed onto off-white fabric.</span></div>
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As you could probably tell by the above pics, I did a botch job of ironing. Be sure to (1) have a clean iron, (2) iron the corners of the sheet as well, and (3) wait for the fabric to cool before trying to remove the back of the transfer paper! Note: The colors on the fabric are truer to the colors on my computer screen.</div>
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Next, I wanted to test out my two adhesive methods - spray on and fabric tape. Except, don't be like me - read all the instructions before starting. My major mistake? My transfer paper instructions told me, "DO NOT USE STEAM." On the other hand, my fabric tape instructions told me, "DO USE STEAM." But I didn't read that. Until I started wondering why my picture was bubbling and yellowing and the transfer sheen was starting to come off. Hmm.<br />
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So then I just applied my spray-on adhesive (after reading the full instructions), and things stuck.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MDpu3oha5lg/T-Utx5CQ1eI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/3J-L9peUfLg/s1600/IMAG0484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MDpu3oha5lg/T-Utx5CQ1eI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/3J-L9peUfLg/s320/IMAG0484.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Adhesives and the dummy red fabric backing for testing.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dLxyO1af3WE/T-UyAPUKBXI/AAAAAAAAARU/kUIn9BpG3LA/s1600/IMAG0485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dLxyO1af3WE/T-UyAPUKBXI/AAAAAAAAARU/kUIn9BpG3LA/s320/IMAG0485.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: After applying the spray on adhesive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Not the greatest job in the world, haha, but for a test run, it'll suffice.</span></div>
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Add some round dowels at the top and bottom, and voila - final prototype:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uXTNysOkVnE/T-UypFyKBQI/AAAAAAAAARc/r4Imr6OQenk/s1600/IMAG0487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uXTNysOkVnE/T-UypFyKBQI/AAAAAAAAARc/r4Imr6OQenk/s320/IMAG0487.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Wrinkled and rough-edged, but still feasible.</span></div>
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So all in all, the effort was educational. I've tweaked my wall scrolls plan a bit and will try again after my final images are completed. <span style="background-color: white;">If I get it right the next time around, maybe I'll write an Instructable on it.</span></div>
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In other news, I got to see Totem, the newest show by Cirque Du Soleil, a few days ago. And it was amaziiiiing! :D The stage mechanics, the acrobats and performers, the music, the costumes - they were all awesome. (But if I had to choose, my favorite act involved the duo on a single trapeze...)</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-toa9qNUpPN8/T-UwMAm9MtI/AAAAAAAAARE/M1YEPyXIzOM/s1600/IMAG0452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-toa9qNUpPN8/T-UwMAm9MtI/AAAAAAAAARE/M1YEPyXIzOM/s400/IMAG0452.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: The Cirque Du Soleil tent. I came outside during intermission with some friends to try</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">and figure out where the performers went when they disappeared into the ceiling... MAGIC.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQ_VFc_PDb4/T-UwtvYObCI/AAAAAAAAARM/01B10Gihxuc/s1600/IMAG0454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dQ_VFc_PDb4/T-UwtvYObCI/AAAAAAAAARM/01B10Gihxuc/s400/IMAG0454.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Above: Inside the tent before the show. The giant turtle shell structure actually</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">blocks the coolest part of the stage, in my opinion.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Check out their official website (<a href="http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/totem/show/about.aspx" target="_blank">CIRQUE DU SOLEIL - TOTEM</a>) for more pics, videos and info! If you get the chance and are interested, do go and see it! :)</span></div>Off to Lulu Landhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10739450297495264777noreply@blogger.com1