tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46630183987663255802024-03-29T07:39:51.293+01:00Shiro Samurai's CosplayA blog about cosplay! Includes anime convention summaries, costume WIPs, circle lens reviews, tutorials and more – come and have a look!Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.comBlogger667125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-82713470855502337522024-02-29T16:30:00.001+01:002024-02-29T16:31:46.173+01:00Dota 2 Invoker cosplay WIP part.2<div style="text-align: center;">Hello hello!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was checking through my unpublished drafts and found this progress post buried between the rest of the lot of forget-me-nots and well, last time I touched this draft was in... wait for it... January 2017. Jesus Christ, who ate up all that time? It feels like it wasn't that long ago I swear. ;_;</div><div style="text-align: left;">Nobody probably remembers but in the first part I said I had no deadline for this cosplay but was aiming for a summer 2017 debut? Well, as everyone now can see that totally happened. /sarcasm<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, I still intend to finish this costume at some point although I have no idea if that group cosplay idea which spurred this creation in the first place still stands, lol. Anyways, I figured I might as well publish what I have made since the last progress post from... umm.. *counts*... almost 8 years ago. Yikes. Honestly I barely remember what I was doing the last time I worked on this project but I'll just publish this post as-it-was and then do a "current sitation" note at the end.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">___________</div>
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I had previously finished serging the jacket's top and the skirt part (to prevent edges from fraying), which I had planned to later sew together to make things easier for me. The "skirt" consists of three fabric widths and I started out pleating it in big, wide pleats, of which every single one was to be 10 cm. It was quite a task to pleat all that fabric evenly...<br /><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcQxt8oznU3xHJ5CGjlCnDt8o0R9BLDUDcr5QRT-sElEbGqRG1VIIaC0zTO86AMeKTsxplu5th_028WV9mrxVn-9N145rKqUsuN6OEehmW5YVXa32vkdbnCmHrLmIb9ZcZP4kspNO3IRT/s1600/20160419_008.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqcQxt8oznU3xHJ5CGjlCnDt8o0R9BLDUDcr5QRT-sElEbGqRG1VIIaC0zTO86AMeKTsxplu5th_028WV9mrxVn-9N145rKqUsuN6OEehmW5YVXa32vkdbnCmHrLmIb9ZcZP4kspNO3IRT/s320/20160419_008.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skirt pleating done.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hyC6cm3OZt0Ejj2nqN8cM91VMNILrPkGJUjNtHcX-1ECmo2Q7rEltp13vSwb0QQzv94pl86K3Vlb5AbGVQzavyC4k3cV5yvomxEi25P1wDLpckyZdTfREtA4XoQsZyj2t34IGtt4F7m2/s1600/20160419_014.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hyC6cm3OZt0Ejj2nqN8cM91VMNILrPkGJUjNtHcX-1ECmo2Q7rEltp13vSwb0QQzv94pl86K3Vlb5AbGVQzavyC4k3cV5yvomxEi25P1wDLpckyZdTfREtA4XoQsZyj2t34IGtt4F7m2/s320/20160419_014.png" width="179" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's sewn together and held up here just to show length.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>
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<br />I then sewed the skirt onto the main body of the jacket, aka the top half. I ended up with a miscalculation, because I got the numbers mixed up, but it was nothing that wasn't easily fixed by taking out the seam ripper and deepening one of the skirt pleats before reattaching it to the body. I also hemmed the edges.</div>
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Before sewing together the bottom half of the jacket (the "tails") or attaching the sleeves I wanted to make and sew on all those golden swirly details on them. For this I remembered that mom has this whole roll of some nifty golden fabric that doesn't fray and thus should be perfect for this kind of work.<br />
<br />Soon after I had done the progress I mentioned above I quit the sewing class in the school I was at back then, mainly because the only good teacher quit her job and she was the only one I came to terms with. The other two were not proper teachers and, honestly, most of the time it felt like I knew more about sewing than them, which is a kinda awkward spot to be in as a student. Not to mention but they didn't treat me all that well either so I ended up jumping off the class for more than one reason. So yeah, once the only talented and friendly teacher was gone my progress on Invoker was put on hold. Another problem was that the apartment I had back when I worked on this cosplay was ridiculously small and crammed; I had no space to lay out and cut the golden fabric roll into the shapes I needed. Not having a sewing machine easily available made it really hard to get motivated to continue on the project and yeah, it's been literal years since I last touched Invoker. <strike>Don't read that in a dirty way thanks ololol. </strike><br /><br />The current situation is that I have since then moved to a better apartment (space is still an issue though but for wholly different reasons rip) but some of my belongings and especially my cosplay stuff are still scattered in all kinds of different bags and places and, truth be told, I have no idea where my bits and pieces of Invoker currently lay hidden! I remember having them in a saggy white plastic bag at some point but I can't recall where I've last seen it. Yes, I'm not a terribly organized person. But I know I haven't disposed of any of the cosplay parts and once I find them I'm going to go through them and pick this project up again. I still won't put a deadline but I hope it won't take another 8 years before we see any news on Invoker again, that would be epic fail.<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yeah I know, it's not much for an update but now you all at least know that this costume isn't dead and buried. Not yet at least. <strike>It's kinda buried though, among unknown stuff.</strike> Now, wish me luck in finding the remains of my forgotten wizard...<br /><i>~ <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> says </i><span>bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!</span></div>
Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-77452662534469697712024-01-30T16:49:00.000+01:002024-01-30T16:49:16.314+01:00Preliminary convention plans 2024<div style="text-align: center;"> Hello everyone!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's a new year and that means new plans are being forged about what anime cons I plan to attend. I haven't done this kind of list in ages <strike>this is totally not a filler episode</strike> but as I've regained interest in going to cons and cosplaying I thought it would be fun and motivating to do this kind of post again. :)</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I plan to attend the following:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">FIN</span> • Kummacon </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">FIN</span> • Matsucon</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #ffd966;">SWE</span> • Nordsken</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">FIN</span> • Mericon</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">FIN</span> • Nekocon</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The list above isn't in any particular order, I don't even think all cons have officially revealed their dates yet. Out of these Nordsken is the only one that isn't basically guaranteed attendance and is more of a "maybe" case; I wasn't impressed with last year's delivery but I kinda want to see if it will be better or even worse this year, it's that kind of dangerous curiosity you know? xD But yeah, Kummacon and Matsucon are basically set because I've already applied to be a volunteer worker to both. And well, when it comes to Mericon I'm one of the people involved in its existence so you can be sure I'll be there lol.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course the list isn't definite and changes might happen if life gets particularly shitty or something unforeseen happens. It is possible that I might spontaneously end up in more events than just those mentioned but yeah, that's the expected list at the time of writing. :) </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What cons are you going to? Feel free to share your plans in the comments!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>~ Bye bye</i></div></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-40240728571417905412023-12-31T15:42:00.000+01:002023-12-31T15:42:16.989+01:00Year of Cosplay 2023<div style="text-align: center;"> Hello everyone!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This year has gone by really fast <strike>I swear they go faster and faster every year help</strike> but unlike the last few years there's been a marked improvement in my con attendance. Yes, I'm slowly rising back from the dead and even got some kind of inspiration back! It feels so good to return to this hobby and get some enjoyment from it that isn't too tarnished by anxiety and other issues. I'm very thankful to all my friends who made this year so wonderful and I'm actually feeling motivated to make new costumes again and get my shit together. I've been to a record amount of conventions this year (and a lot of firsts!) and I'm hoping to keep up the steam into next year because this has honestly felt refreshing. <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Cons attended in 2023:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Kummacon </b>- Oulu, Finland<br /><b>Sastamalan cosplay-päivä</b> - Sastamala, Finland<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Nekocon</b> - Kuopio, Finland</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Mericon</b> - Rauma, Finland</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Nippori</b> - Pori, Finland<br /><b>Matsucon</b> - Oulu, Finland<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Nordsken</b> - Skellefteå, Sweden </span> <br /></div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">It's hard to pick what was my favorite event this year as there's several strong candidates but I'd maybe put <b>Nekocon</b> at the throne, although tightly followed by both <b>Mericon</b> and <b>Matsucon</b>. Nekocon had a really nice vibe going on, enjoyed great summer weather and the stay at Rauhalahti spa hotel really elevated that experience as a whole to the next level. I might have a slight Mericon bias since I was one of the organizers but it was a roaring success for a small first-time con and it had a distinct atmosphere and heart that I felt was really pleasant and genuine. Matsucon was also a great experience; working the video game room was fun and overall Pohjankartano is such a nice con building and yeah, I might have become addicted to Itsudemo's sushi buffet help.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <br />...</div><div style="text-align: center;">...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Guess what? I actually cosplayed at conventions for the first time in ages! It feels wild to realize it but the last time I wore a costume at a con before 2023 was in Kummacon 2019 where I was a random nameless jedi from <i>Star Wars</i>. After that I hadn't wore a single costume out until Nekocon this year, crazy isn't it? It feels weird to think there's been such a long gap but I can't be mad at myself for that either, I've struggled so much with my mental health and I need to be kind and remind myself that it's okay to fall out of hobbies for a while and focus on just surviving. But yeah, I'm slowly healing and this just might be the start of a new cosplay chapter and a return to the glory days... or something.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmZ0GIns062siOA5nXURiO4y_zclX2dWAhNZcP_OZ5Zocw_uEHhOZ8Rb4JB-NiqhievjsK2CirmTFXivBPB9GDfQxJhCpEhZrPg5pX8UlNHMPr1zRJvvHAAfehbv6MtuXG7TAZ3tbRLqXAZX09gP6h71AqOzrMHhyphenhyphenrZkRc6jgBK1RLAYPicY3-bUhB_0/s900/Year%20of%20Cosplay%202023.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="658" data-original-width="900" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmZ0GIns062siOA5nXURiO4y_zclX2dWAhNZcP_OZ5Zocw_uEHhOZ8Rb4JB-NiqhievjsK2CirmTFXivBPB9GDfQxJhCpEhZrPg5pX8UlNHMPr1zRJvvHAAfehbv6MtuXG7TAZ3tbRLqXAZX09gP6h71AqOzrMHhyphenhyphenrZkRc6jgBK1RLAYPicY3-bUhB_0/s320/Year%20of%20Cosplay%202023.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="bc_0_1b+seedBqtD" kind="d"><u>Here's a little list of what I wore at the cons I attended this year:</u></span></div>
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<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Kummacon: </b>I was in alternate fashion gear so no cosplay.<br /><b>Sastamalan cosplay-päivä</b>: Because it was a spontaneous trip I had no costumes with me.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Nekocon:</b> I made and debuted Kisuke Urahara from <i>Bleach</i> for Nekocon, which was a good idea as it was decently breezy and I didn't die a summer heat death lol.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Mericon:</b> I was dressed in a pirate-inspired fashion outfit to fit the con's nautical theme. I don't count it as a cosplay.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Nippori: </b>Rewore my old kimono version of Gakupo Kamui the <i>Vocaloid</i>.<br /><b>Matsucon: </b>Saturday I went casual but on Sunday I debuted a remade version of Yuuto, one of my oldest OC's that I created specifically for cosplay when I first started out.<br /></span></div><span style="text-align: left;"><b>Nordsken</b>: I had loose cosplay plans before the con but ended up going casual and tbh I have no regrets about that choice.<br /><br />~~~<br /><br />I don't have so much more to say. This year feels like the start of a good run and I'm hoping to keep the momentum up and make new costumes next year and maybe even up my game and compete! We'll see what happens but I'm entering 2024 with a sliver of good faith and we'll see where it carries me.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">And in regards to this here blog it will continue to stay active and I'll post content whenever I have something to share. ^_^ Someone might have noticed too that I've silently deleted my Facebook cosplay page recently but that's no precursor that the blog will face the same fate so don't worry! I just felt like the cosplay page had become excessive because I hardly ever used it and it had absolute crap reach (Facebook's algorithms are depressing). It felt pointless to keep the page because it feels like no one uses Facebook anymore anyway and yeah, I don't like the changes Meta has done recently either so I felt it was high time to nuke it and focus all my content and efforts to my trusty old cosplay blog. So now you know that the blog is where it's at. ;)<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st"><i>Thank you to all readers & Happy New Year 2024!</i></span></span></span></span></div></div><span style="text-align: left;"></span></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-81718875567131646542023-12-30T00:12:00.009+01:002023-12-30T02:32:26.331+01:00Nordsken 2023 – This is not the way<div style="text-align: center;"> Hello nerds!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This year is almost over but I still managed to cram in one more event into my list. I just got back home from my first Nordsken which was held on 28-29th December in Skellefteå, Sweden. Nordsken started its life as a LAN event and then it slowly incorporated other aspects of nerd culture into its existence as it grew over the years. This year, as far as I know, was the first time Nordsken was a free entrance event and that's partly the reason why I was lulled over to take a look.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's move on to the summary!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEXfKksZhAlzNQJlU228OpgbPN_g2GkCmjxmS90al6GIpJuqiphpPAR5McVpLJHEZu_ZGNBEOssJjtEJBOxqwMNyrWYSL9qJ4J2bXKDyHdxHAB4jbwilRW0sGpIDyfKyTIGNNLYHE7fcW_oeMtgYJOihPyxMWgipOfVuKaWL5QLX0LQp9bt2H3JZS3JM/s900/DSC_1446(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="595" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEXfKksZhAlzNQJlU228OpgbPN_g2GkCmjxmS90al6GIpJuqiphpPAR5McVpLJHEZu_ZGNBEOssJjtEJBOxqwMNyrWYSL9qJ4J2bXKDyHdxHAB4jbwilRW0sGpIDyfKyTIGNNLYHE7fcW_oeMtgYJOihPyxMWgipOfVuKaWL5QLX0LQp9bt2H3JZS3JM/s320/DSC_1446(1).png" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nordsken 2023 official poster.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I wouldn't have been able to even attend Nordsken if it wasn't because my friends <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a> and <b>Dongrieg</b> were going too and I managed to hitch a ride, tysm! ;u; I woke up early af on Thursday morning (4 hours of sleep woo!) and prepared myself for departure. Yes, the con was actually held on a Thursday and Friday and not on a weekend as is customary. I think we left a little bit before 8:00 and the drive down to Skellefteå took roughly 4 hours more or less. Once we arrived at Skellefteå we found a suitable parking spot without too much difficulties thankfully and headed straight into Sara Kulturhus where Nordsken was held this year.<br />I went casual this time because I didn't feel up to cosplaying and, in hindsight, I'm so relieved I didn't bother because it wouldn't have been worth the effort.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVpaQQK5dH-XleMFLQei3KKhPgyRJcISXt8Z036vOIKY_UkTnKrpXlmdnhG77BcQPgpqjmMgZ1A0fICSp95685XrIYWA7ERa6cm3_Kx3TKFnDbA4YhTX-su-dfUaYwYbT9L3wHJWiQoFYNQWT0hs7IHNu_qJids4URNYk7BA9oYh3DEoO31EChyxYykA/s900/DSC_1440(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVpaQQK5dH-XleMFLQei3KKhPgyRJcISXt8Z036vOIKY_UkTnKrpXlmdnhG77BcQPgpqjmMgZ1A0fICSp95685XrIYWA7ERa6cm3_Kx3TKFnDbA4YhTX-su-dfUaYwYbT9L3wHJWiQoFYNQWT0hs7IHNu_qJids4URNYk7BA9oYh3DEoO31EChyxYykA/s320/DSC_1440(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sara Kulturhus.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The con building is located smack dab in the middle of centrum and it stands out because of how tall it is and how it's all wood and glass, it looks quite modern and inviting. I was a bit perplexed though by how there were no outside signs nor posters at the entrance telling you that Nordsken was held inside.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixftVEF8UVW4Yucqp_DVUo7w1_vqHJAqTF6Zgnoij0Tlkg3OggZVp_XQ9h_a0N0bF67G0kHnY2ICzluGseG_SOtN3W8kJfe8XkSoeZbCw2HWMWqywLI8GpjhVjG7gUdmm1W3EvfL-G3WerTgkFEPbcZ259VLIZ1K7v77k9rg___Jij2t8_UfREKhqKOCU/s900/DSC_1441.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixftVEF8UVW4Yucqp_DVUo7w1_vqHJAqTF6Zgnoij0Tlkg3OggZVp_XQ9h_a0N0bF67G0kHnY2ICzluGseG_SOtN3W8kJfe8XkSoeZbCw2HWMWqywLI8GpjhVjG7gUdmm1W3EvfL-G3WerTgkFEPbcZ259VLIZ1K7v77k9rg___Jij2t8_UfREKhqKOCU/s320/DSC_1441.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View directly from the entrance.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">One thing I immediately noticed was that there was a library in the same building and it took up a majority of the base floor and the rest belonged to a restaurant to the right side of the entrance. Nordsken's cloakroom was on the base floor behind the main stairs and that's where we headed to drop off our jackets. I had to return a second time to the cloakroom because of that silly and very unconventional new rule in Sweden which states that you're forbidden from carrying any kind of bags in events over a certain size and yeah, I wasn't even allowed to bring my camera bag upstairs. So uh, you had to come prepared and have pockets on your clothes to be able to carry your most vital belongings with you (phone, wallet, glasses etc). My personal opinion is that this enforced rule is ridiculous but I understand it's done by the Swedish police department because of the currently raised terrorism threat level nationally. This is not something unique to Nordsken nor something they had contol over but yeah, it's a rule that complicates things unnecessarily and made for example shopping awkward because you couldn't even bring tote bags or anything to carry your purchases in.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoOMx85zmBol0c41Fzd_bBvevXO8KJc-9lm01ycoYWsOi8NRFiAUK49JxwJDqeHRRe3Og_Ya3CMQcROlFahUOve6IuqAa1A0mkJzTa1ihRZyXIJ3b5dawO2pk-z8WngYpjNiQm51BsJ12MCRPSfW0bKqBAX3af3U1qv1B9BwPvPZi8NYqc4oQGxKU3SA/s900/DSC_1464(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoOMx85zmBol0c41Fzd_bBvevXO8KJc-9lm01ycoYWsOi8NRFiAUK49JxwJDqeHRRe3Og_Ya3CMQcROlFahUOve6IuqAa1A0mkJzTa1ihRZyXIJ3b5dawO2pk-z8WngYpjNiQm51BsJ12MCRPSfW0bKqBAX3af3U1qv1B9BwPvPZi8NYqc4oQGxKU3SA/s320/DSC_1464(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General view of the main area on the upper floor.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOaXzyStnMMqL7U1a8LwcVqnuzLTwjZo5MPpmOO8xnwi3SHzZ8v_yhP-DXfIk8ORHkb8JvXgtzsi1iPOh-kuVS47c38fRulKWihddvT1jqKrvXVvkpqhNhefCx_jkdUU1pSf-fj82pTpRgRE87z0DLcqncg03CgT3JaJrZVtd3ztvgHVhgjRLitYL7Lc/s900/DSC_1460(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOaXzyStnMMqL7U1a8LwcVqnuzLTwjZo5MPpmOO8xnwi3SHzZ8v_yhP-DXfIk8ORHkb8JvXgtzsi1iPOh-kuVS47c38fRulKWihddvT1jqKrvXVvkpqhNhefCx_jkdUU1pSf-fj82pTpRgRE87z0DLcqncg03CgT3JaJrZVtd3ztvgHVhgjRLitYL7Lc/s320/DSC_1460(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General view of the main area, one of the vendors to the left.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqdfDLru9khCXN4YiorpOnzboi0pG7DVf7jQehtLC53TqdD14Nxjvr9X_JS37DDLCY-DtA3inADUxbjiN8gcUyifsuvdteTIJAvpt7lBThXqeSwRT4p0TRuMxeGxqOCgU35uItyynD_EbgS_A0_GdllmfzoJlLh6oFZ9E6jQhj_oFReYpyYYLdxtxdo0/s900/DSC_1447(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqdfDLru9khCXN4YiorpOnzboi0pG7DVf7jQehtLC53TqdD14Nxjvr9X_JS37DDLCY-DtA3inADUxbjiN8gcUyifsuvdteTIJAvpt7lBThXqeSwRT4p0TRuMxeGxqOCgU35uItyynD_EbgS_A0_GdllmfzoJlLh6oFZ9E6jQhj_oFReYpyYYLdxtxdo0/s320/DSC_1447(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skellefteå map made in lego near the entrance to the main area.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />As soon as we got upstairs we were overwhelmed by how horrendously overcrowded it was! It was difficult to even move or check anything out because people were crammed everywhere and bumping into you constantly and it was just way too much to handle. I felt really anxious because I kept losing track of my friends even when I looked away for just a few seconds and it could take many minutes to find them again in the constant barrage of people. I literally wondered if it's even legal to have so many people inside the building at the same time, I mean imagine if for example the fire alarm went off and they'd have to evacuate – it would create chaos and massive bottlenecks and people would get trampled over in the panicked frenzy. Surely every public building has an allowed max capacity in place for safety reasons? I mean for real, there were several instances on Thursday when I couldn't even move at all because the main hall was too fucking full and it was honestly an awful first impression of Nordsken and just made me want to leave and not look back. I seriously wonder why there wasn't any limits put in place on how many people were allowed into the upper floor at any one time...<br /><br />In the upper floor immediately after the stairs there was also a little cafeteria and tables where you could build lego together with others or play oversized versions of games like four-in-a-row and such. It was pretty cool because Nordsken offered quite many ways for visitors to socialize while also being entertained simultaneously.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw52k2NIRZok6toSU-3bGPcVF4h6g88iuPA-ODzlekFth6p8UYGUzejs8jiFxdHYrJyTFp-Chwp5rWe_UlRh_2eFg35ELi9WN7kLsGjNxpia3Lm6dvEzhIu-QRLV5xwmb4R7jIuJOMA8ne3CxOA4ypU9marUZtqwrQySSQdS7y8G-jhaqDBkiPgxX60QE/s900/DSC_1459.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw52k2NIRZok6toSU-3bGPcVF4h6g88iuPA-ODzlekFth6p8UYGUzejs8jiFxdHYrJyTFp-Chwp5rWe_UlRh_2eFg35ELi9WN7kLsGjNxpia3Lm6dvEzhIu-QRLV5xwmb4R7jIuJOMA8ne3CxOA4ypU9marUZtqwrQySSQdS7y8G-jhaqDBkiPgxX60QE/s320/DSC_1459.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General view of the back half of the main area.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQ_W5YoWbb0dckIcpcvQzzygeYCWz-GbCbbdlwBZD4a6hTp9A9UXBI7gi0NILRoRi2olZJMr7QRXARNqqqV4uP4i3TVG_rbSabL67pI7ZIuu7QlyRljZ464_7El7h8jYexiDDoHhHwJHne_Qrn95jB2zvAFDmS0x-8yMVMinSBSIe5oqQpNMAQ8mzLRo/s900/DSC_1456.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQ_W5YoWbb0dckIcpcvQzzygeYCWz-GbCbbdlwBZD4a6hTp9A9UXBI7gi0NILRoRi2olZJMr7QRXARNqqqV4uP4i3TVG_rbSabL67pI7ZIuu7QlyRljZ464_7El7h8jYexiDDoHhHwJHne_Qrn95jB2zvAFDmS0x-8yMVMinSBSIe5oqQpNMAQ8mzLRo/s320/DSC_1456.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lego build display at the back half of the main area.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The main hall was split to one half being mostly vendors (think Dealer's Hall) and the other half being for association booths and workshops, exhibitions and some activities like the ice hockey games on the photo above. Some of the association booths were clearly aimed for the younger audience, for example one let you paint your own t-shirt and another one was a workshop for badges and a third one let children color in papers with printed lineart of popular characters on it. There were also some aimed for younger adults and late teens like one booth that looked like some kind of animation sfx studying opportunity? I personally got the feeling that the whole event felt more like a "look at this local culture thing X we offer" exposure exhibition rather than a typical geek convention. Especially because it felt very strongly marketed for kids and adolescents over the adult population, which honestly felt a bit weird because I bet a majority of the visitors were adults. One clear example of this is that there was a cosplay competition for kids but none for adults like what in the actual fudge is dis?? Yeah I know I'm starting to sound like a grumpy old man here but it was honestly pretty mindboggling how it felt like adults were lowkey sidelined in favor of children. Like I understand you want to involve kids into creative culture and get them involved in local clubs and shit and that's wonderful, really, but please show the same energy for the grown-up nerds too.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDaq4iBXZMQJ2xU5mgWOyFBs-73Thk3i-6DRXIQQOXLWVD4Jy5f2_SX1kmDxQbOg46_hHV4MgL4Ao1R8wDUtgkGgsEh2lcMMtrDHJyuOgZ1ZPXAH6M8WmkywtSO4D4dbWQ6PUAs5oJabMpUoapMsekG55bilsmntaKccU1JfSOGvqr6eVaXItKsjHl2M/s900/DSC_1444(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDaq4iBXZMQJ2xU5mgWOyFBs-73Thk3i-6DRXIQQOXLWVD4Jy5f2_SX1kmDxQbOg46_hHV4MgL4Ao1R8wDUtgkGgsEh2lcMMtrDHJyuOgZ1ZPXAH6M8WmkywtSO4D4dbWQ6PUAs5oJabMpUoapMsekG55bilsmntaKccU1JfSOGvqr6eVaXItKsjHl2M/s320/DSC_1444(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pokémon</i> themed photo booth.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgTgcsMC0Aqfv2LtUp6n3CnqqaRb9MCP7WEhkpfRJJcnla29gc2IApAm7Vq8U6soyZTxiX1uxQZwyZ9_uGnuIrd3-hyATt65ZNempWoq_vyPd5PzIWfkPfq8aE2LYQHuDXLoxaTz9jT_CfvdxRaS17mTLzuQoRIfmG6jfeCiStRWwaQCFXgwaR6eHZKE/s900/DSC_1443(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgTgcsMC0Aqfv2LtUp6n3CnqqaRb9MCP7WEhkpfRJJcnla29gc2IApAm7Vq8U6soyZTxiX1uxQZwyZ9_uGnuIrd3-hyATt65ZNempWoq_vyPd5PzIWfkPfq8aE2LYQHuDXLoxaTz9jT_CfvdxRaS17mTLzuQoRIfmG6jfeCiStRWwaQCFXgwaR6eHZKE/s320/DSC_1443(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swedish Garrison (501st Legion) <i>Star Wars</i> booth.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkWLmaJtp-dgQOiUjPTin2UQ-6FzPr6GYhcxvxaGhTKExCwL8mGbJ-EPaAQe1GjUl3Fn8we7Zi0Bpvlap4meTVyaQu15qT6ugC0a6Rm-T-FAJ79A2F8uPS-bakiYtqn-BHD5qntzLH6Jj8NGap1GhiykBTsQph7QtXJmukWRrFqzmC_20M5m30XokwFM/s900/DSC_1465.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkWLmaJtp-dgQOiUjPTin2UQ-6FzPr6GYhcxvxaGhTKExCwL8mGbJ-EPaAQe1GjUl3Fn8we7Zi0Bpvlap4meTVyaQu15qT6ugC0a6Rm-T-FAJ79A2F8uPS-bakiYtqn-BHD5qntzLH6Jj8NGap1GhiykBTsQph7QtXJmukWRrFqzmC_20M5m30XokwFM/s320/DSC_1465.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Star Wars</i> themed photo booth.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />My favorite thing at the con was the 501st Legion's get-to-know-us-and-what-we-do booth and display near the entrance on the main area. For those not in the know the 501st Legion is a global fan-based organization consisting of screen-accurate <i>Star Wars</i> costumers and they generally make volunteer appearances in promotional and charity events. The Swedish Garrison is the name of the local unit based in Sweden and they focus on charity work like showing up in costumes to children's hospitals and donating money to good causes. It's honestly both awesome and wholesome. There were different characters present on both days and you could pose with them for pictures together and ask about the group, how to join if interested and such. The costumes are really amazing up close!<br /><br />There was also this <i>Star Wars</i> themed photo booth just next to the 501st Legion's display where anyone could borrow a jedi robe and a light saber (free of charge) and take photos together and there were cool props like tie fighters in the background too!<br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTcTIf-7VRzwPmfJ7LMHYJo2yrv2gn_50SfZ3AReg2tjkNO6BRxzTLMf-oOId3TZx9oeOW81-RqBkOXnO0S-LWmhhMVQuo6gm5pDrv021V-FT7pen6i7FWB3_kBNeGEHYGPeeWqWRzz6JbCJ1CCw-bLxpMWT0oU8YdbZq-FJ_Hzp7bt9sKZHlkxO24w4/s900/DSC_1453.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTcTIf-7VRzwPmfJ7LMHYJo2yrv2gn_50SfZ3AReg2tjkNO6BRxzTLMf-oOId3TZx9oeOW81-RqBkOXnO0S-LWmhhMVQuo6gm5pDrv021V-FT7pen6i7FWB3_kBNeGEHYGPeeWqWRzz6JbCJ1CCw-bLxpMWT0oU8YdbZq-FJ_Hzp7bt9sKZHlkxO24w4/s320/DSC_1453.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General view of the corridor passageway on the upper floor.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">The main area on the upper floor hosted essentially the whole event including all the vendors, photo booths and association tables. If you walked past this one corridor pictured above you found some LARP association booths at the end of it and this one dark room (it was a cinema saloon) filled with retro video games and a few arcade pinball machines. The gaming room had surprisingly good air circulation and by that I mean it didn't smell like sweaty nerd cave deluxe the moment you stepped in lol.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSl1kwfcBlxJQSpLLDIdfu-yAzTKP1EGGiqG0sGf9634aYgpsz8UhN7ut0KTDmI2QPXlOgl7C437W-VKqsjlDYRpC6lqW8srpta7XOmClB2dLpZHZFQDbbj8nxBczzrn0so3kt8YWAr7xcGS19xbRhoj1qyzc6Htyh180RFqrbJCjc4IOdxqAsR15RpA/s900/DSC_1454.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSl1kwfcBlxJQSpLLDIdfu-yAzTKP1EGGiqG0sGf9634aYgpsz8UhN7ut0KTDmI2QPXlOgl7C437W-VKqsjlDYRpC6lqW8srpta7XOmClB2dLpZHZFQDbbj8nxBczzrn0so3kt8YWAr7xcGS19xbRhoj1qyzc6Htyh180RFqrbJCjc4IOdxqAsR15RpA/s320/DSC_1454.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nerd warning! :D<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8Qejp5nKustXTNqDuyhyphenhyphent1OvntrylrW8GvlM5MQS0uVgGBsjb5adIuQpNGi-jlcIoxFs3BgA2vKix2HZfDVOxOIimBLihNVQuIsT8zJdbkZAB5qFlrLeC_q8aIttxyB9aAxne0RMoJURBdy01ZAKhqq25GS7CC1Mnomb_E94p8SLIH2iFNjNQyw2Ofw/s900/DSC_1451(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8Qejp5nKustXTNqDuyhyphenhyphent1OvntrylrW8GvlM5MQS0uVgGBsjb5adIuQpNGi-jlcIoxFs3BgA2vKix2HZfDVOxOIimBLihNVQuIsT8zJdbkZAB5qFlrLeC_q8aIttxyB9aAxne0RMoJURBdy01ZAKhqq25GS7CC1Mnomb_E94p8SLIH2iFNjNQyw2Ofw/s320/DSC_1451(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arcade pinball machines.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The gaming lair was pretty awesome because it consisted of a generous array of the retro gaming consoles of yesteryear. There were a lot of NES, Super Nintendos and other oldies. I think the newest console I saw in there was a Nintendo Gamecube or Nintendo Wii? Which are both considered old by today's standards. <strike>Fuck I aged like 20 years just by writing that.</strike> It would have been nice to stay and play a bit but as you can see on the photo it was crammed in there too so yeah, no chance unless you were willing to wait for an unknown time. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZNyVTtcrhl0M7AZ5cmwLS-dZ0TE8p-0yKK8J8hZap8gGDD-Ki7s5oikJuDlEi2DoV1as7nEwEhwLRtcR8whFHwQzYryDB2g_0VAExklouwYre3-GUcztXJbk_XZWUu2gTUGF-Qr3lEV3xly0-VrlC8_v8GD-lRrlH6Gk1-07LNLTd-yTu-3w9O7Sj88/s900/DSC_1450.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZNyVTtcrhl0M7AZ5cmwLS-dZ0TE8p-0yKK8J8hZap8gGDD-Ki7s5oikJuDlEi2DoV1as7nEwEhwLRtcR8whFHwQzYryDB2g_0VAExklouwYre3-GUcztXJbk_XZWUu2gTUGF-Qr3lEV3xly0-VrlC8_v8GD-lRrlH6Gk1-07LNLTd-yTu-3w9O7Sj88/s320/DSC_1450.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the few LARP booths.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">At the end of the corridor were a few LARP booths to educate and lure over visitors into this hobby. One table was medieval themed and had some outfits on display and the other was this friendly woman dressed as a witch who offered you mysterious elixirs in return for a high five. It was clearly meant to invoke a casual imaginary session where you got a little brightly colored drink mixed for you that gave some kind of supernatural quirks. I got a kraken slime drink blend that was supposed to make me hot but mean. xD<br /><br />Because of the crowding issue it was really hard and uncomfortable to try to browse any of the shops in the main area and thus I didn't end up buying anything. I gotta say though that based on what I heard from <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a> and <b>Dongrieg </b>it sounded like this iteration of Nordsken was notably poorer in the vendor department, apparently there were a lot fewer sellers this year and several other interesting booths and activities were completely missing. I can't really compare because I didn't visit Nordsken last year myself but it sure sounds like this year was a disappointment for many with previous Nordsken experience. I gotta admit that we didn't stay very long on Thursday and that's because there were simply too many people for its own good and we were overall quite disappointed. <br />One of the bigger issues was the clearly false information on the website about there being an Artist's Alley but in reality it was just a few artworks on display in that corridor I mentioned earlier. I mean it was literally called Artist's Alley on the site but there were no sellers, just an unmanned tiny art display and that was so fucking disappointing like holy shit. I mean for real, dunno if it was intentional or not but it seemed like whoever was in charge of the website didn't know what Artist's Alley means in con speech – it's not a literal artist's alley but artists selling their self-made artsy stuff! If what you have is an art display then, for the love of god, just call it exactly that –an art display or art exhibition or whatever– instead of baiting people with misleading connotations.<br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AlKn3fmqDqVr4AYFlI1PwPfh8dLeiHV-wYU-VOhkEOD__tnb6-5L_rxkDp0t55-qvb3W_WZ_lgSQZpAZ2_PxmedCXq4EwmFaR-8dWwoRzPMFyh-x00k_OtcGU5RozOy-_PqQABHn6FvrMz0KzIsSjssoItocHop9yCFVG6arqNDrTfXNbEQLAtdtyCo/s900/DSC_1462.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3AlKn3fmqDqVr4AYFlI1PwPfh8dLeiHV-wYU-VOhkEOD__tnb6-5L_rxkDp0t55-qvb3W_WZ_lgSQZpAZ2_PxmedCXq4EwmFaR-8dWwoRzPMFyh-x00k_OtcGU5RozOy-_PqQABHn6FvrMz0KzIsSjssoItocHop9yCFVG6arqNDrTfXNbEQLAtdtyCo/s320/DSC_1462.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Super Mario Wonder</i> demo booths.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br />We left Nordsken early on Thursday, after having spent between one or two hours in there. We just were really let down and yeah, going out to visit <a href="https://cafepabit.se/">Café på Bit</a> in town and then going out for dinner was a lot more appealing to us at this point. I've never visited said café before but it was honestly super cool – it's like a mix of a video game store and a cafeteria that also has a lounging area where visitors can pay a fee to play retro consoles, VR or arcade machines and there's also tables for board games and card games. Yes, you can play for hours or even book the whole evening if you want. Basically it's nerd heaven and a must visit if you're in Skellefteå!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjjs4fw2y-HERL1PLpt6D1Rx9JdUc68S6Qj1u-AqCO1f2a7FHE_sCj2Vv1-N-0okWhJL0URmaGAJaoHU7blU-ZkK81EqjAog-1CXRSCLCO0_DPVFFeRp5fAnwmZlICcEJTSSzEWngDfQyFoUbIpk-oCpkWkBwZdh5mgKUYYj2rCUDKrw6ClGCQ-_9cvA/s900/DSC_1455.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjjs4fw2y-HERL1PLpt6D1Rx9JdUc68S6Qj1u-AqCO1f2a7FHE_sCj2Vv1-N-0okWhJL0URmaGAJaoHU7blU-ZkK81EqjAog-1CXRSCLCO0_DPVFFeRp5fAnwmZlICcEJTSSzEWngDfQyFoUbIpk-oCpkWkBwZdh5mgKUYYj2rCUDKrw6ClGCQ-_9cvA/s320/DSC_1455.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Café på Bit entrance view. <3<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Honestly I loved that place, it was so cozy and unapologetically geeky and I want one to pop up in my home town now lol. You guys and gals and thems who live in Skellefteå need to make sure that this business stays afloat, you have no idea how lucky you are to have such an unique experience in town! If it dies I'm gonna legit cry fr.<br /><br />After our nerd stop we went back to Nordsken for some unknown reason and this time we entered through one of the other staircases which, weirdly enough, wasn't even guarded by any of the crew members. None of us bothered to drop off our jackets or stuff because we were just going for a quick shopping run and well, I was a criminal because I had my camera bag on yet I wasn't stopped or told to remove it. I saw several crew workers on the upper floor but no one seemed to care and I also saw numerous other visitors with bags and carrying cases in the upper floor (where bags were forbidden) so yeah, it seemed like they stopped giving a fuck at some point or not enough workers to guard all possible entrances to the upper floor. Either way I couldn't help but notice the inconsistency.<br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HA6978ojJIDMpp8fC3wvLjWjmxaCWDVBRqPl9JvweDYzIUPeP7ofMAKbFbKBMhW92CVSUEVW1JfE2v9QT-ZJAh-q5-t1v6eIwRATLe66yo7onC_k_a8k88Xl2-MJqpZCIsv7dyhnRpec57A58Hol460p0QEl8BRgsJ7EP5H-8Y4yYp6xp82AvfQ9kHc/s900/DSC_1466(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HA6978ojJIDMpp8fC3wvLjWjmxaCWDVBRqPl9JvweDYzIUPeP7ofMAKbFbKBMhW92CVSUEVW1JfE2v9QT-ZJAh-q5-t1v6eIwRATLe66yo7onC_k_a8k88Xl2-MJqpZCIsv7dyhnRpec57A58Hol460p0QEl8BRgsJ7EP5H-8Y4yYp6xp82AvfQ9kHc/s320/DSC_1466(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maginarium's vendor table.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgQAd86gbSzPsGbPVb_Z0-RVZ0Ge9sQ4UHp_87fy71WU2HKZ7e8h-6ytxCfAWfoePaGCTJZ9e6pKTbEzw_lCFjRy8rf6Tj3ZXliEM7zYZn7bRBo9wqOLv20wlFB0tc8MyJAXqP3u3gfXs7evpvb3xyPv1kPh6m_N2rsul2N0uCg_HY3vXD6GQ7RL_0A0/s900/DSC_1461.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgQAd86gbSzPsGbPVb_Z0-RVZ0Ge9sQ4UHp_87fy71WU2HKZ7e8h-6ytxCfAWfoePaGCTJZ9e6pKTbEzw_lCFjRy8rf6Tj3ZXliEM7zYZn7bRBo9wqOLv20wlFB0tc8MyJAXqP3u3gfXs7evpvb3xyPv1kPh6m_N2rsul2N0uCg_HY3vXD6GQ7RL_0A0/s320/DSC_1461.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Café på Bit's vendor table.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4FdZj1iOivVGH0cJjfrvhAPMy6sNEZM1eQ3tbYOBKGrA_OHRZSHcqm9DxhDs4S0MxyILiJZIDkcsEHp2FIOsKzdipJrOEhdEQGpHX8N4QZm0sKfQlYU8str8mATHs-vfofF7YUa-P4-3iGFRJft7s7MjC1xT0Mxj_H6o-ktdw-NVDu4JPLPNrVpcXKE/s900/DSC_1457.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4FdZj1iOivVGH0cJjfrvhAPMy6sNEZM1eQ3tbYOBKGrA_OHRZSHcqm9DxhDs4S0MxyILiJZIDkcsEHp2FIOsKzdipJrOEhdEQGpHX8N4QZm0sKfQlYU8str8mATHs-vfofF7YUa-P4-3iGFRJft7s7MjC1xT0Mxj_H6o-ktdw-NVDu4JPLPNrVpcXKE/s320/DSC_1457.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Legend's vendor table.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHB1eVo4eFMoVOgrg-rTksbeaSzv77JwdKnja0qmvjEzhkRmVXP1aOYRLo62vA0QF-7XVj1_DBeHtYcHjQ38EXFF5h_EYvz-nIkRyVedp1_RdwcSF9xnUFhJO-z-9rkVnQ9cGg4pqjoR8D7Fivoaq3fh1s7tEUcojMjaDC3-bEN-T3Xvk-JwXrc8boOwY/s900/DSC_1442(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHB1eVo4eFMoVOgrg-rTksbeaSzv77JwdKnja0qmvjEzhkRmVXP1aOYRLo62vA0QF-7XVj1_DBeHtYcHjQ38EXFF5h_EYvz-nIkRyVedp1_RdwcSF9xnUFhJO-z-9rkVnQ9cGg4pqjoR8D7Fivoaq3fh1s7tEUcojMjaDC3-bEN-T3Xvk-JwXrc8boOwY/s320/DSC_1442(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Retrobokklubben's vendor table.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br />After our quick sneak attack to grab some D&D dices we then exited the con to check out an electronics store for more video games and after that we all concluded that we were hungry and so it was time to do like the <i>Turtles</i> do and stuff our faces full with pizza. At this point we had also kidnapped a Swede from Nordsken and so our otherwise Finnish gang was one nerd stronger now; he was really funny though and I totally understand why he's a friend of <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a> and <b>Dongrieg</b>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8WyxiUrVFYzNHkwQCcAjRBGUyQDwMwq0qJdwdFrkKR-NUEER2eaIak_z4sZzLi0zWx3ixvOQgIRVg2CvoLnZvTXf0kAphXnppxlZnTFGzJv7JTA2iGSs7wkHhHIiVQojdlvkA0KWKgUYqUfkT6nPSLs8pV9LgbAPA7vnFOXgkeiJiQI_fTedZfmgoPQ/s900/IMG_20231228_153215.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8WyxiUrVFYzNHkwQCcAjRBGUyQDwMwq0qJdwdFrkKR-NUEER2eaIak_z4sZzLi0zWx3ixvOQgIRVg2CvoLnZvTXf0kAphXnppxlZnTFGzJv7JTA2iGSs7wkHhHIiVQojdlvkA0KWKgUYqUfkT6nPSLs8pV9LgbAPA7vnFOXgkeiJiQI_fTedZfmgoPQ/s320/IMG_20231228_153215.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pizzeria was our chosen target.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After we ate and returned our voluntarily abducted Swede to the streets we headed for our airbnb stay. It was a nice apartment near the campus area and we spent the rest of the night watching <i>Scooby-Doo</i> and playing card games together. It was cozy and fun and we had a good time!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On Friday morning we had to leave the accommodation at 11:00 and then we headed back to Nordsken to give it a second chance. We were not too hyped considering yesterday's unenjoyable experience but we wanted to check the vendors a bit better and so we returned to Sara Kulturhus. I was in my mind already dreading another instance of being stuffed like sardines in a can but when we passed through the entrance it looked like there were less people around. We dropped off our jackets and headed up and I think we all collectively gasped in relief when we saw that there was an agreeable amount of people upstairs. One could actually see what was in front now! It wasn't crammed to hell and back! A miracle had happened!<br />No but really, this significantly improved my experience and I think the other two agree as well. Otherwise Friday had pretty much the same activities as Thursday except for the addition of a cross between a visitors' thrift store and a pseudo Artist's Alley appearing in the corridor. Maybe it appeared already later on Thursday but when we were around it wasn't there at least. It was just a few tables but because there were so few vendors to begin with anything extra was very much welcome in my opinion. <br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c02xEvVTi52P8BSfgG1iBFIsrw77f0mP8lmtYOrNT4U4JcZai7crg_fe8QuQ7RzKT4Aeeh0IIi3LzvxwUKAT1-sxFtf_RSNFiZnlfsHggY0GfMXbFLd7XI1iTiikZamz9IeKrHIp2NfehC9HnYwMfdFV2SHz-3uRS369S0huWKg5C4LJ1bF43L1YAAU/s900/IMG_20231229_115302.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c02xEvVTi52P8BSfgG1iBFIsrw77f0mP8lmtYOrNT4U4JcZai7crg_fe8QuQ7RzKT4Aeeh0IIi3LzvxwUKAT1-sxFtf_RSNFiZnlfsHggY0GfMXbFLd7XI1iTiikZamz9IeKrHIp2NfehC9HnYwMfdFV2SHz-3uRS369S0huWKg5C4LJ1bF43L1YAAU/s320/IMG_20231229_115302.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm such a nerd but I had to have a photo with the 501st!<br />(sorry phone quality, didn't have my camera on Friday)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Because Friday wasn't so crammed me and <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a> actually managed to snag a 10 minute demo session at the Nintendo Switch promotional booth to play some <i>Super Mario Wonder</i> together. Neither of us had played it before and it was genuinely fun and now I want to buy the game even more!<br />We didn't stay very long on Friday either although this time we utilized the cafeteria in the building and my two dice goblin friends bought some more dices lol. After we were satisfied we went for some sushi nearby and then we went for some desserts at Café på Bit in town again and after that it was time to steer the car back up north and leave Skellefteå behind.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I can't stress it enough how much better the whole experience got once you actually could move around freely and didn't constantly have people walking into you from all possible directions. Now I even got that con feeling to rear its head a little although the low amount of vendors was still a big mood bummer because yeah, I didn't find any loot to buy and it feels weird to return from a con empty-handed.<br />Of course I still feel like Nordsken has a lot of improvements to make for next year but Friday elevated my score from massive disappointment to okay-ish. I was told all the awesome stuff Nordsken had at 2022 so of course I was disappointed when a lot of the hyped up things were completely absent but I'm happy with some of the stuff we got like obviously the 501st Legion, the <i>Super Mario Wonder</i> demos and the gaming room with a delicious selection of oldies. For a free event it was a decent experience I guess (especially if you are new to this kind of stuff) but for veteran congoers it felt off as several key activities were missing and there were some other issues too like poor information and lack of signs. I kinda got the impression that Nordsken blew its budget on a few things and then had to cut a lot of corners elsewhere, if that makes sense? I can only imagine the excellency of the 2022 edition and I do hope that what we got now was a test-run on a new formula and that they learn from their mistakes and return to the glory they had because apparently Nordsken 2022 had all the good things 2023 had plus much more. I also feel like Sara Kulturhus might not have been a very good host building – it has a good central location and it looks pretty with decent air circulation but that's about it, the layout is awkward and made the event feel incoherent and scattered and the lack of signing made it worse. But most of all it felt like the building was way too small for the event. I also have this gnawing feeling in my butt that I probably missed some activities simply because I didn't know where they were; I didn't even see a map anywhere.<br /><br />I'm sorry if this comes across as overly negative (and trust me when I say that it feels bad to be a critic) but yeah, the event just didn't live up to my expectations after having looked forward to it for so long. I'm not gonna give up on Nordsken though, I do wish and hope for it to improve and am willing to return for a second take. We need all the geek events we can get in the north so anything that scratches that itch will be on my radar even though I'm cautiously optimistic for now.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for reading, stay nerdy out there!<br /><i><a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> out~</i><br /></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-90892154956457177782023-11-19T13:49:00.001+01:002023-11-19T13:57:33.431+01:00Lens review: ColourVue Crazy Lens Blue Flower<div style="text-align: center;"> Happy Sunday folks!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm here to, once again, share a lens review. This time it's the <span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><b>ColourVue Crazy Lens Blue Flower</b></span> on the plate and without further ramblings, let's dig into it!<br /><br />Ya hi hoo~<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDHz0m80xkpUNaX0g5570-43wPjVbrZM7GKHC3M3Hoyw6bGop9if1g5ooxPpYku-mnxiZT_4MWwmCWikOsQjH_XyycIRcTYOb8QTet543dwhg0usqJiilTjtb7crdZrw8bD89rbxwZkACU1_WLrHkw62twIt21-Mh8ZlCI59qHySTB3LBdA4fNGWx/s900/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(package).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDHz0m80xkpUNaX0g5570-43wPjVbrZM7GKHC3M3Hoyw6bGop9if1g5ooxPpYku-mnxiZT_4MWwmCWikOsQjH_XyycIRcTYOb8QTet543dwhg0usqJiilTjtb7crdZrw8bD89rbxwZkACU1_WLrHkw62twIt21-Mh8ZlCI59qHySTB3LBdA4fNGWx/s320/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(package).png" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8Tz6B-U2MzeUFsYBtGc9tRsqNunFAnuipi7Y2gSGwME6tyRgxu3xL6u4NUFcJHmZVip68ZOtlKL9WMttv2SEzbb5WHY6hpfEgL_zcuYNo3K1DXykQ3hxotMyfi0tgP4p8vVvXtKMHRBKlmxiGyFOWFvie7dyPOsedo0iOMfLRWdtZZFYGtiVTesO/s900/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(vials).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8Tz6B-U2MzeUFsYBtGc9tRsqNunFAnuipi7Y2gSGwME6tyRgxu3xL6u4NUFcJHmZVip68ZOtlKL9WMttv2SEzbb5WHY6hpfEgL_zcuYNo3K1DXykQ3hxotMyfi0tgP4p8vVvXtKMHRBKlmxiGyFOWFvie7dyPOsedo0iOMfLRWdtZZFYGtiVTesO/s320/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(vials).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9f9nY75MEYzKLTDj4Jc-6q27zlwVuqlawF5tu_a65_kFgq4mTSPq10vC1lKleL0onGgrzsQqdCIPS6SHBqILZ_jxik0GJyErQw4VXusGqIOO5ERonK5wwaazDVv0EaBDj89QPTuPx5D5zdOBnYZG4jQDV0jN8jErT2w-WWQpc6tRvfZFINsyaeW4u/s900/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(vials%20down).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9f9nY75MEYzKLTDj4Jc-6q27zlwVuqlawF5tu_a65_kFgq4mTSPq10vC1lKleL0onGgrzsQqdCIPS6SHBqILZ_jxik0GJyErQw4VXusGqIOO5ERonK5wwaazDVv0EaBDj89QPTuPx5D5zdOBnYZG4jQDV0jN8jErT2w-WWQpc6tRvfZFINsyaeW4u/s320/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(vials%20down).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Base curve: 8.6 mm<br />Diameter: 14.0 mm</b>
<b>Water content: 45%</b><br />
<b>Life span: 1 year (I recommend 6 months)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs33V8RrCrMNJi03pgVxFk4e3RVl1sibb73qXakntvRTbOi7cFWBgVY58rUmJnB0Lh40tSMsYV_gsSQkRhbHSlJZBobtxaCkfRVdXzNT7WqGPBip8Vpauzx4Q86weovdx_1axOLlwmsDheihjWUH516oKILCNsVFK2LleBYgT6dhc7jE3gDWHNVjS/s900/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(vials%20up).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs33V8RrCrMNJi03pgVxFk4e3RVl1sibb73qXakntvRTbOi7cFWBgVY58rUmJnB0Lh40tSMsYV_gsSQkRhbHSlJZBobtxaCkfRVdXzNT7WqGPBip8Vpauzx4Q86weovdx_1axOLlwmsDheihjWUH516oKILCNsVFK2LleBYgT6dhc7jE3gDWHNVjS/s320/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(vials%20up).png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Okay so, I remember I had no plan when I originally bought these – just a spur of the moment thing because they were on sale and I saw Swedish <strike>Pagans</strike> colors or something lol. Then again, the design with the pointy flower pattern is quite spicy and I think that might have roped me in to try these. I can't deny that these are kinda pretty and ugly at the same time <strike>like me</strike> so I just had to see what they would look like. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPnH8RCkxMtMO2oxk8aYKpA_TmLPaMnE4m6tI6S-yVU5FTs-e9l7dH_Ypm-soj05SGZAKsRcrkMGtJtf180LPEBbob8dwvLqA07WnzLuLx1Y_eWr94kfgEfkjjSX37tKVEgwRUoH-hb4GulbvyY9ZNNNyk-oqlrE1-qh53kyCyj70Fq27u-gxF5EY/s900/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(one%20lens%20in).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="900" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPnH8RCkxMtMO2oxk8aYKpA_TmLPaMnE4m6tI6S-yVU5FTs-e9l7dH_Ypm-soj05SGZAKsRcrkMGtJtf180LPEBbob8dwvLqA07WnzLuLx1Y_eWr94kfgEfkjjSX37tKVEgwRUoH-hb4GulbvyY9ZNNNyk-oqlrE1-qh53kyCyj70Fq27u-gxF5EY/s320/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(one%20lens%20in).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One lens in.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Hmm... virus eyes anyone? The yellow color doesn't show up as brightly as one might expect but the color payout overall is still rather intense. The blue color is crisp and unnatural while the yellow almost looks more green hued once worn, on light eyes at least. There's some very slight enlargement effect, although it doesn't make itself very noticeable due to the lack of limbal ring definition. Regardless it's a funky and rather fun lens with a whimsy take on it.<br /></div><b><br /></b><div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>Lens photos below!</b></div><b>All photos are taken by <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">yours truly</a>
during approaching sunset with partly cloudy weather. All close-ups are free
from color filters and the like and that's so that the colors would
appear as true to life as possible.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Xv0tj4xZNzK2vOOhkshvOSbJafWCdE9gKtyzOn20tZR34gZeta85LmZaaPNDMv0du6xlDUOYLi9YHPPSzT2fHLiHW8DYfBQEeCs9nSdJfavxvUFTTMleAtb61Uh1xE6i66Dg8ITGKdm8N6n05KSAAHLSM4I1qQd7PLxwN_rS6cp7eXBqRE0jSGAX/s900/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(natural%20light).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="900" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Xv0tj4xZNzK2vOOhkshvOSbJafWCdE9gKtyzOn20tZR34gZeta85LmZaaPNDMv0du6xlDUOYLi9YHPPSzT2fHLiHW8DYfBQEeCs9nSdJfavxvUFTTMleAtb61Uh1xE6i66Dg8ITGKdm8N6n05KSAAHLSM4I1qQd7PLxwN_rS6cp7eXBqRE0jSGAX/s320/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(natural%20light).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural room light, indoors.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnvk4-yFjA-7712Nau28JsVCmufIrdo-T8XjaNtAPKyjoo-e-kN9bUiDHzfQf07EIHue8A2SUunyiC0be90GO22TEzU2NUN09byjuL4CzkQdX6taah4p7WlJ8ORAi25gwiA9keiS7cAhe0blnoxcpMBC63WC4o7qP1AmB7NArYjPD0ofOM5QXnUWw/s900/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(bathroom%20light).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="900" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnvk4-yFjA-7712Nau28JsVCmufIrdo-T8XjaNtAPKyjoo-e-kN9bUiDHzfQf07EIHue8A2SUunyiC0be90GO22TEzU2NUN09byjuL4CzkQdX6taah4p7WlJ8ORAi25gwiA9keiS7cAhe0blnoxcpMBC63WC4o7qP1AmB7NArYjPD0ofOM5QXnUWw/s320/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(bathroom%20light).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom light.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcoIaAVRWIoyHel___KBX60aX644gcBP_1vISd9y_Hr5pWH24v2Si2QIRN2alVwTlhYQHPp0eW7cTGpMh7mFKCFSVU6Pzw37zxREXKeJ6sRHqSgWKJyz6iXrCyhCjsSq4Dkfj3kxR0S--RhdZEq4mihUvt4lOQprMsVXKTfR3f22Uy09Hu4Ifvn7T/s900/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(flash%20photo).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="900" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDcoIaAVRWIoyHel___KBX60aX644gcBP_1vISd9y_Hr5pWH24v2Si2QIRN2alVwTlhYQHPp0eW7cTGpMh7mFKCFSVU6Pzw37zxREXKeJ6sRHqSgWKJyz6iXrCyhCjsSq4Dkfj3kxR0S--RhdZEq4mihUvt4lOQprMsVXKTfR3f22Uy09Hu4Ifvn7T/s320/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(flash%20photo).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flash photo, indoors.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQn9Bt3yxZrCD-rIWYKVWCrBbjm4S9EIpuUp7SJOVPPEQ0PB0n7kF-wNIkquOdwSwRjFCdivgRj3Gys7IFbZe6R1GZtJTdCuM0ZcDqcRJ-Vj_ybotCr_NiMfJO7vDTJE0QLSeArw6VST9NYpKcUV9XP8lhHeo6Sj9wF6QYPFPORtpyUDkgpaHxzKWu/s900/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(facing%20window).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="204" data-original-width="900" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQn9Bt3yxZrCD-rIWYKVWCrBbjm4S9EIpuUp7SJOVPPEQ0PB0n7kF-wNIkquOdwSwRjFCdivgRj3Gys7IFbZe6R1GZtJTdCuM0ZcDqcRJ-Vj_ybotCr_NiMfJO7vDTJE0QLSeArw6VST9NYpKcUV9XP8lhHeo6Sj9wF6QYPFPORtpyUDkgpaHxzKWu/s320/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(facing%20window).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facing a window indoors, not sun side.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3MyNfF9ruX3VGBnymqTnk6hKyRLEudzFhDYKspdy5Ez3R1rsbSl4JCnbvEpOckxjd8ewqDBUGstMTE3soKMp9vtYhpLkeBCI142B5atmq3a_Uk3uUCjQf9qme4X-W8bH0UK0HT-wPtz1AHXIL9nzdOX8WqZ1UAqAAiO9RsnaxA7KqoNoX3EdCDPZ/s900/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(unlit%20corridor).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="900" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3MyNfF9ruX3VGBnymqTnk6hKyRLEudzFhDYKspdy5Ez3R1rsbSl4JCnbvEpOckxjd8ewqDBUGstMTE3soKMp9vtYhpLkeBCI142B5atmq3a_Uk3uUCjQf9qme4X-W8bH0UK0HT-wPtz1AHXIL9nzdOX8WqZ1UAqAAiO9RsnaxA7KqoNoX3EdCDPZ/s320/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(unlit%20corridor).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unlit corridor, weak distant natural light.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAYua0vB5kNR7FNvfBsSU-Qt0QeGuyaihaTSHP1prZpYS7mD8VJJnb5gG9i1x_4CCVCxITLemN2z-AJb_yPRnI1qNojfQUoNePQY0SvXVz554zPqmbIb2-8FX8_0mb3KqdJcWBJJWtje_gWQVINj_5s-c3o8wMTimExc8jAjCJdw7FF9OUYmiZkOM/s900/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(back%20against%20sun).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="900" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAYua0vB5kNR7FNvfBsSU-Qt0QeGuyaihaTSHP1prZpYS7mD8VJJnb5gG9i1x_4CCVCxITLemN2z-AJb_yPRnI1qNojfQUoNePQY0SvXVz554zPqmbIb2-8FX8_0mb3KqdJcWBJJWtje_gWQVINj_5s-c3o8wMTimExc8jAjCJdw7FF9OUYmiZkOM/s320/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(back%20against%20sun).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, back against sun. (facing wall)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aPOXFZfvn-V2VCCXCP_f35HQmzRbSwufzToopop6AZLJLHa2vsLjFfjnCzWeHUpDxsZBXBUS1zdXYOmEJCgaqh67-H7s5tP50FKd0G7YeYppVHGOB5Lu7OzBoLFMC-VkQXBoA8waienZu7_IhcrhqjTGo4CFROUo8ewYjHDyaH8C1n5DiwCeENLd/s900/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(indirect%20sunlight).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="900" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aPOXFZfvn-V2VCCXCP_f35HQmzRbSwufzToopop6AZLJLHa2vsLjFfjnCzWeHUpDxsZBXBUS1zdXYOmEJCgaqh67-H7s5tP50FKd0G7YeYppVHGOB5Lu7OzBoLFMC-VkQXBoA8waienZu7_IhcrhqjTGo4CFROUo8ewYjHDyaH8C1n5DiwCeENLd/s320/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(indirect%20sunlight).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facing the sun while standing under the roof's shadow.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXaCDtG904lsWqlm-QK5OqH5zZJnQX-7L8KP1ekKbb-QJcn4EB8x2JpjDKe2voi54YF7Q7TQiaoDqPwUZTYIDkQVrG5dnSgYAqbbZPn3TsJpRfHo4mBFczJJtbsEojZMhSL9eIoIcZb6tQ7ogSzlRQ_3RV8InHnqNzhlVsmFXRjvTaMS8ngfA6R2J/s900/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(facing%20sun).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="900" height="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXaCDtG904lsWqlm-QK5OqH5zZJnQX-7L8KP1ekKbb-QJcn4EB8x2JpjDKe2voi54YF7Q7TQiaoDqPwUZTYIDkQVrG5dnSgYAqbbZPn3TsJpRfHo4mBFczJJtbsEojZMhSL9eIoIcZb6tQ7ogSzlRQ_3RV8InHnqNzhlVsmFXRjvTaMS8ngfA6R2J/s320/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(facing%20sun).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, facing the sun.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">These were also part of the oopsie box that I forgot for years. For more info please just check almost literally any other non-sponsored lens review I've done in the last few years but yeah, essentially these lenses were expired by the time I did the review – hence why I can't grade comfort fairly as I only wore them for a very short time. What little I can say about the comfort and my first and only time wearing these lenses is that they felt thin, comfy overall and I didn't feel like I had lenses on. Due to the narrow pupil hole I did experience colored corners at the edges of my vision but that's normal with crazy lenses as they typically have a much narrower pupil opening than contemporary circle lenses, for example. Besides, it's something you get accustomed to over time and it's mostly only noticeable in poor indoor lights and such.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't think I have so much more to say about these lenses, they're funky and weird and in all their little quirkiness I don't see why some alt folks wouldn't go gaga over these. It's not my first pick for special effects lenses but sometimes curiosity gets the better of you and you just got to try something different, you know? Anyways, these can be a fun addition to spice up some youthful rebel looks and what-have-you. Be bold, be colorful, be brave ~<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Distance photo!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsGXNWy5F-zuuRH76vzXs4AgY-WV4D2cy2RtWGA6ffJQb-R0DWa0v-XhNiMc_Y5nUMdTzOOOSareUoVhA_mrJojfvs8_Lgqs6_c2Y_MWnn23IYlYBqF8FOOiZVpvYtkoJ9qYqcP_36-07dHGaQuEaxbTfhh3HA2V_NDIsmPv0S7TRsdA1-8vkKbZ1/s800/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(distance).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsGXNWy5F-zuuRH76vzXs4AgY-WV4D2cy2RtWGA6ffJQb-R0DWa0v-XhNiMc_Y5nUMdTzOOOSareUoVhA_mrJojfvs8_Lgqs6_c2Y_MWnn23IYlYBqF8FOOiZVpvYtkoJ9qYqcP_36-07dHGaQuEaxbTfhh3HA2V_NDIsmPv0S7TRsdA1-8vkKbZ1/s320/ColourVue%20Crazy%20Lens%20Blue%20Flower%20(distance).png" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<i><u><b>Short summary:</b></u></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Color: 6/10</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">There's a bright, medium blue and a star-shaped center that should be screamo yellow but turns a bit greenish in my gray-blue eyes. Still looks pretty rad though.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Design: 5/10</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">It's a very simple and crude flower-like design. Only two colors but it delivers a punch of fun.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Opacity: 7/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">This will change your eye color definitely and it will look crazy but there seems to be some slight transparency as the colors seem affected, to some degree, by what your natural eye color is.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Enlargement: <span style="font-size: small;">2</span>/10</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">The enlargement effect is negligible and not eye-catching due to the lack of limbal ring definition.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Comfort: 7/10</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Thin and I didn't feel them at all, save for colored corners but that's standard with narrow pupil hole lenses. Comfy.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Naturalness: 1/10</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Obviously these are not natural at all. I don't think I need to explain why.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks for reading my blog, have a pleasant day!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>~ <a href="http://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> out.</i></div></div></div><b></b></div></div></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-56994657419057909132023-10-31T19:54:00.009+01:002023-12-30T13:54:32.200+01:00Matsucon 2023 – Gamer panic and gamer bliss<div style="text-align: center;">Hello geeks, spooks and cheeky pumpkins!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I was at Matsucon this past weekend and I'm here to tell you all about my latest con trip, woo! For those not in the know Matsucon is an annual anime convention in Oulu, northern Finland, and this year's edition was held on 28-29th October – which makes it coincide with Halloween. This mashup was visible in the decorations like a Gengar plush at the info desk, pumpkins on promotional material etc and added an extra layer of fun and festive atmosphere. After all, most people with a geeky bone in their body also tend to enjoy Halloween because of reasons (dressing up, dark/creepy aesthetics, supernatural stuff etc) so there's a lot of overlap and yeah, I personally find it a good call that Matsucon incorporated Halloween elements into their set this year.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But enough ramblings so let's go~<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4aJ8Gk7-1HADtFdop6Hb8KKCDxoUoEdrQMjN7TjWBB-E2DJ6zQR0kuYfZVk4DtLHNMCfQmnbyAiKBTP5zx51XaU_wFwgie55_HQXxsmftc-8-ZAoPN6v1n7N9xn8wdI40p0cKQSzJIchr0QPS1SoWDxIwtGISM_div5NrDtSyT695NsigirVQzl-xdg/s900/DSC_1414.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4aJ8Gk7-1HADtFdop6Hb8KKCDxoUoEdrQMjN7TjWBB-E2DJ6zQR0kuYfZVk4DtLHNMCfQmnbyAiKBTP5zx51XaU_wFwgie55_HQXxsmftc-8-ZAoPN6v1n7N9xn8wdI40p0cKQSzJIchr0QPS1SoWDxIwtGISM_div5NrDtSyT695NsigirVQzl-xdg/s320/DSC_1414.png" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matsucon information booklet.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I left for Oulu on Friday afternoon and my travel companion for the con was <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a>. We had booked a Sokos hotel room for the weekend and that meant I didn't hijack my aunt's apartment this time lol. The hotel room was tar themed and quite nice and we spent Friday night just destressing and preparing for the con. Oh, and eating the dinner buffet at Itsudemo aka stuffing our faces way too full with sushi and honey cake. <br /></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUp4CE8HKbWOakhv0mQ6glInC_oXugqNsHmuprONuC6UXe6xKIWk4kyEciDGK3CYPUK8G-RZvrDq4IyYB8OnMtt-FFE051G1b_dSaPfDTLp2JUpo0N4Mg1fyKCmLrKfji7h-G5BvjmitU35_XmusUdlkhynlSeGdCpZq71ASOL5guz13H20OqSSks7pyA/s900/DSC_1434(5).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUp4CE8HKbWOakhv0mQ6glInC_oXugqNsHmuprONuC6UXe6xKIWk4kyEciDGK3CYPUK8G-RZvrDq4IyYB8OnMtt-FFE051G1b_dSaPfDTLp2JUpo0N4Mg1fyKCmLrKfji7h-G5BvjmitU35_XmusUdlkhynlSeGdCpZq71ASOL5guz13H20OqSSks7pyA/s320/DSC_1434(5).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our tar themed hotel room. Me like.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: left;">I had applied for a con volunteer position prior which meant I was part
of the work force and I just so happened to have the first morning
shift so yeah, I had to be at the con 9:30 in the
morning. My original plan was to cosplay on Saturday and go casual on
Sunday. Yeah I know, I didn't do a cosplay plans post before the con and
that's simply because I didn't decide until last minute on what to
wear. ^^" Oh well, when Saturday morning came I felt quite uncomfortable
with the idea of cosplaying because of practical, physical and mental
reasons and so I ended up going casual. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thanks to my phone's GPS flipping its shit around (and messing up my efforts to use Google Maps for navigation) I ended up taking detours through Oulu's centrum while I tried to waddle my way to Pohjankartano where Matsucon was held. <br />I found my way inside the building, claimed my worker's badge and scurried up the stairs for the work briefing before my shift would start at 10. I had applied to work at the gaming room, which meant my shifts consisted of a lot of nostalgy-fueled sounds <strike><i>Tetris</i> music rentfree in your head anyone?</strike> and assisting willing gamers in any way needed – sometimes it was just inviting curious onlookers to come play, sometimes explaining how a game works or assisting in how to play 8-bit Super Mario and other times just being there for company or playing versus games with a lone gamer. It was a very nice, feel-good job and not too stressful.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nb8B1IldXPpS7g3y6NL7rbG0wET54q1cSmzEOBkEXvTG-lcI7om4bc9Bfk37LWAevALH25Zp8L56xRAfb-qPNcbkAwLpXke-VKErA2b5EMElJFuc4woBFrpTN7kJIoLQXwT7ChA76aEyclnqylfgK1XaXkE5c4ybXN9TiKi5X-R0hLolqNnxWvsXiWs/s900/DSC_1392.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nb8B1IldXPpS7g3y6NL7rbG0wET54q1cSmzEOBkEXvTG-lcI7om4bc9Bfk37LWAevALH25Zp8L56xRAfb-qPNcbkAwLpXke-VKErA2b5EMElJFuc4woBFrpTN7kJIoLQXwT7ChA76aEyclnqylfgK1XaXkE5c4ybXN9TiKi5X-R0hLolqNnxWvsXiWs/s320/DSC_1392.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gaming room, my workplace. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My first shift ended at 12 and after that I was free to roam the con for four hours before my second shift for the day would start. Somewhere around this point I contacted <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> to ask if he was already at the con because there had just been an announcement that the Saturday tickets were sold out at the door. This surprised me because of how early it happened but yeah, thankfully <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> reminded me that he had pre-ordered his tickets already a long time ago so there was no panic.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">My original plan was that I wanted to attend the Studio Ghibli concert that started at 12 but when I found the room that it was held in a few minutes past it was already locked. That was quite the bummer as I remember other cons where you could still enter if you were a bit late. Oh well, no can do.<br />I went back to buzz around the main area and quickly checked through the sellers and did a first run at the Artist's Alley by myself. I did run into <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a> and their boyfriend <b>Dongrieg</b> and we swapped some words and after that I soon found <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> as well. Both friends were about to participate in the cosplay competition and were waiting for their turn with the judges so I left them to vibe together while I hurried over to the Green Room. I had gamer responsibilities to do.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpWwfqGUldDPfL2LGNlkNSXQrlAsbC02LTsBSHwgfao8eAhJrXjG5JlQb_23SIi022zBAkHeVCYmKBJucUNr6UzukSfNyh6QNOJpBh-CzHsoJhbJyBtfJFwJqnxoYJiZrPinp6m-zATmp_B6oi4eKmSxcG_8i7t3bv7aRgJ8WD74nnUg6o2Q1LzIHjwM/s900/DSC_1405.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpWwfqGUldDPfL2LGNlkNSXQrlAsbC02LTsBSHwgfao8eAhJrXjG5JlQb_23SIi022zBAkHeVCYmKBJucUNr6UzukSfNyh6QNOJpBh-CzHsoJhbJyBtfJFwJqnxoYJiZrPinp6m-zATmp_B6oi4eKmSxcG_8i7t3bv7aRgJ8WD74nnUg6o2Q1LzIHjwM/s320/DSC_1405.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near entrance view of Matsucon. Dealer's Hall area.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXX8reQtwVZijVWlp4q6ps8T6hw8m5eR_7xLPB2CgbhIpp05jwG24JqAMi5ZxBkfWUN-2dLFb90RCONmeMsECegdFVPmx3ywK_k6o6fuuf0yq4gx4p5md0Zih1VPvcB9MwsgpTWolPAIZMd5n9GxCRuiUu1HjhszUiEUtashlNbKLOTUvVpdGHqqdmP8/s900/DSC_1401.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXX8reQtwVZijVWlp4q6ps8T6hw8m5eR_7xLPB2CgbhIpp05jwG24JqAMi5ZxBkfWUN-2dLFb90RCONmeMsECegdFVPmx3ywK_k6o6fuuf0yq4gx4p5md0Zih1VPvcB9MwsgpTWolPAIZMd5n9GxCRuiUu1HjhszUiEUtashlNbKLOTUvVpdGHqqdmP8/s320/DSC_1401.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dealer's Hall.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0j7_q2XA5eMDlZBZzeUQVLUnR2saI9IfNqHBVt4MH071dAynMpmsM01HS9dtU_ORlWaZt2M3qm0nF-I6uBPwJOIWjmydk9L-CLlk2tnyFOfvweoaQqKC7Dk4s4TFu6UAuy8kJaFngRS7sqy2awNwDP6_a1vyBqmt1ntev3vsPA76Uqq2poW6zuX3cC8/s900/DSC_1402.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0j7_q2XA5eMDlZBZzeUQVLUnR2saI9IfNqHBVt4MH071dAynMpmsM01HS9dtU_ORlWaZt2M3qm0nF-I6uBPwJOIWjmydk9L-CLlk2tnyFOfvweoaQqKC7Dk4s4TFu6UAuy8kJaFngRS7sqy2awNwDP6_a1vyBqmt1ntev3vsPA76Uqq2poW6zuX3cC8/s320/DSC_1402.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Dealer's Hall. There was this seller with only Genshin merch!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBx0GSjSRNHp4ZTyTEHxz8GCOWxVAU0No1FIM9fDfMy-6ZAZKsVyIjJJKs_ts_shLAejJ_JNNgke0eBhx3DvF4mMPzTFLWqf0Py5deRYKkXYPE_aw2loSk7XzwAJUtQm8w14xTQwWKsm4WMnEXmn8tD68Ws9k3GLGpOYQqLbGiOe-rMleKcU-zHiqqQcc/s900/DSC_1403.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBx0GSjSRNHp4ZTyTEHxz8GCOWxVAU0No1FIM9fDfMy-6ZAZKsVyIjJJKs_ts_shLAejJ_JNNgke0eBhx3DvF4mMPzTFLWqf0Py5deRYKkXYPE_aw2loSk7XzwAJUtQm8w14xTQwWKsm4WMnEXmn8tD68Ws9k3GLGpOYQqLbGiOe-rMleKcU-zHiqqQcc/s320/DSC_1403.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>MION</i>'s booth, the Guest of Honor. There was always a line to meet her.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEsyjeSm8xCKWAm9i_QXf1Wp8M1RHaZPSYVnYAdhLd-eXM0yKl9nkasVliSWtp0cipr3ufh9cQkH0_T-6wDjF03Sz-5DI4-X4A-nV44A-SaPcjhYvYLuE6Edye6hEys81Nb0qE1KdxKhe6ZRGG_5RG8W16WigGOhwfeqx5rOb-9ABxSdUjvBX1VRLDcA/s900/DSC_1409.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEsyjeSm8xCKWAm9i_QXf1Wp8M1RHaZPSYVnYAdhLd-eXM0yKl9nkasVliSWtp0cipr3ufh9cQkH0_T-6wDjF03Sz-5DI4-X4A-nV44A-SaPcjhYvYLuE6Edye6hEys81Nb0qE1KdxKhe6ZRGG_5RG8W16WigGOhwfeqx5rOb-9ABxSdUjvBX1VRLDcA/s320/DSC_1409.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dealer's Hall view from upstairs.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: left;">Before Matsucon I ran into a huge issue. A huge dilemma for a gamer. You see, I've been playing <i>World of Warships: Legends</i> almost since it launched (I'd call myself a better than average player, I currently hold the world record for highest damage game in premium battleship Nassau #flex) and these past 4 weeks there had been a daily event with simple tasks that you need to do and if you completed every day without missing any you'd get an exclusive new commander and of course I had put a fair share of effort into completing these tasks... until I realized that the final two days of the event fell on the Matsucon weekend and if I missed these two then I'd miss out on the main reward and would basically have wasted 4 weeks of effort. *insert panik meme here*</div><div style="text-align: left;">I tried to think of all kinds of solutions before the con but everything fell through last minute (and I can't exactly drive 100 km home every day to go do my dailies and then drive all the way back to Oulu, especially when I don't even have a driving license) and I was desperate. So desperate I asked in the discord if I could somehow borrow a monitor at Matsucon if I brought my own PS4 with me to do the dailies during my off-time. It looked bleak at first but then I was recommended to ask Marko privately if he could bring a small screen to the Green Room. And it turns out that besides being the main technician he is also the Guardian Angel of All Gamers in Distress™ and said it was no problem to bring a monitor as he lived close. Bless his heart!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAp7qEZlPuTyEhG0VfParaI5E6IDur3o1Rapxb8TpA01nDJHm0-LYlg4zklUlv5_SYfP6B2uT5vtbMva2s3xJh3K8noczcN5JOFhQqOm48fYHFaIWRpCIJ5YArkqpyCasbsLnd52FRhttGgDBujxQ4pDOPfK7nXHLvUDG2LLdZVVmC8Wvk1K0fXSrZzFA/s900/DSC_0406(6).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAp7qEZlPuTyEhG0VfParaI5E6IDur3o1Rapxb8TpA01nDJHm0-LYlg4zklUlv5_SYfP6B2uT5vtbMva2s3xJh3K8noczcN5JOFhQqOm48fYHFaIWRpCIJ5YArkqpyCasbsLnd52FRhttGgDBujxQ4pDOPfK7nXHLvUDG2LLdZVVmC8Wvk1K0fXSrZzFA/s320/DSC_0406(6).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gamer's gotta do what a gamer's gotta do.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Once I got done with my dailies I packed away my console and left it at the Narikka (cloakroom) for storage for the rest of the day. I gotta say I really enjoy being a worker nowadays because it also gives you access to the Green Room where you can go whenever to have a quick bite, drink tea or coffee and such and it just helps to make sure I don't get nauseous during cons because yeah, I have a bad habit of forgetting to drink and eat sufficiently. >_< Besides, to me it's fulfilling to volunteer because it's meaningful and so important – if no one was willing to donate their time to make the con run smoothly then we'd soon have no cons because usually the organizations behind them are non-profit and are reliant on the goodwill of people to function and well, I find it very important that these kinds of events are held because a lot of those who have an interest in this kind of pop culture also often deal with difficulties to fit in elsewhere and might be vulnerable – cons might be their only safe spaces and where they feel they belong as their geeky, most authentic and colorful selves. This is based on my observations and experiences over the years and, although I'm not here to generalize, it does seem to me that groups that are minorities in society are the majorities in these pop culture spaces; cons seem to attract certain types of people who often share life experiences.<br /><br />Okay, enough deep thinking there. Back on track!</div><div style="text-align: left;">My second work shift started at 16 and that of course meant that I couldn't go watch my friends at the cosplay competition. I did make sure to check on <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> multiple times during the day to make sure that he was okay as I knew he has been in a rough patch lately. I did hear later that <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a> had won some honorary mention award at the competition for best accessory (I think?) so congrats to that!<br />My shift ended at 18 and that's roughly when the con closed and the party moved over to the night club (tickets were sold separately). I didn't have the mental energy nor interest for the afterparty so once my workday was over I met up with <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> and we called a taxi back to the hotel. Once at the hotel <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> peeled himself out of his cosplay and then we just relaxed for a bit before we met up with <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a> and <b>Dongrieg</b> for a cup of coffee at the nearby Coffee House.<br /><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vlzUG_v0TZLM2Ylt1bmDNNNsCBKI3ohMgBPni9ljHOQC9toCdIt1R2_h7hXLw4XSrWi_W-fEnf8HmIY1R9bVVCkwp4TxN5JsEjt53yLvbrhGHMsw-hF3M1xhFbBIis9sBX-Er9D3YheUt2__O3AfKW0GsD0G5whUq7oZaSdxGAxATP57fXqS-TphiD4/s900/IMG_20231028_192343(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3vlzUG_v0TZLM2Ylt1bmDNNNsCBKI3ohMgBPni9ljHOQC9toCdIt1R2_h7hXLw4XSrWi_W-fEnf8HmIY1R9bVVCkwp4TxN5JsEjt53yLvbrhGHMsw-hF3M1xhFbBIis9sBX-Er9D3YheUt2__O3AfKW0GsD0G5whUq7oZaSdxGAxATP57fXqS-TphiD4/s320/IMG_20231028_192343(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon meringue cake, yum.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I had a pumpkin spice latte (yeah I'm slowly starting to enjoy some sweet coffees but the ordinary stuff is still yuck as fuck lmao) and a yummy cake with lemon curd! We just hung around for a while and talked about the day and such, just the whole chilling with the bros vibe ya know? After the coffee we wanted something more spicy and so went to a nearby karaoke bar and had a few drinks. Something funny happened at the bar too! So we had a table near a more quiet corner and were just having fun chats when suddenly this middle-aged lady appears out of thin air on my right side. I'm quite shook by the time I register that she's way into my personal space and she's like bending down slightly and tilting her head in this very observing-but-drunk-granny way (it's almost comical I tell you) and then she suddenly says "I have no idea who you all are, I've never seen any of you here before but I love all of you" and then she just up and leaves and we're all just sitting there like "????". XD<br /><br />After the bar episode <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a> and <b>Dongrieg </b>left for their hotel while me and <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> raided the Hesburger around the corner. Or more like <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> activated his unquenchable thirst for nuggets and I just tagged along. Then again, he had not eaten anything warm since the hotel breakfast so I can't blame him. xD<br /><br />Back at the hotel we played on our Nintendo Switches and leisurely watched a movie on TV; it was a Finnish movie about a blind man and it was quite unsettling at times but the way they implemented the reality of blindness throughout the whole movie was genial. It's called <span><i>The Blind Man Who Did Not Want To See Titanic</i> in English, do look it up if you're intrigued.<br /><br />Sunday morning came and I slept rather poorly. I was quite anxious on the morning and debated whether I wanted to cosplay at all but I managed to get my shit together and cosplayed anyway. My outfit for the day is actually one of my very first cosplays but just reimagined – it's my original character Yuuto. I kept the main colors of his outfit the same (white kimono and indigo hakama) but compared to the first version I added more pieces to his outfit and changed the wig from a white bob to this silver-blue gradient wig in a similar cut. I did look for the original wig but could not find it anywhere, I think I might have sold it years ago. Anyway, this was a comfortable and simple cosplay to wear and, although I want to tweak it a little before I wear it again, I'm quite happy with the overall look. During the con I didn't wear the correct shoes though because yeah, it had snowed and I did not want to wear geta clogs in the snow.<br /><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKOB7JmqeKsY8nG4q-s8gWP-DpGZocT6ry5Dae0uto3N2H2uMRrAXhYLCoqaT8o2-ztA-NGIk2FzAi1VlAYpWUj_AdLbQ3NqlAz1Y5_2uUHSivRXanYzW_c9k_eCILWSAJasFYIUPhxdqU8NK52MTYUBeBmq9W7Nlxmbca6YTPZJ31LRWQ2chYDVn6xw/s800/DSC_1430.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKOB7JmqeKsY8nG4q-s8gWP-DpGZocT6ry5Dae0uto3N2H2uMRrAXhYLCoqaT8o2-ztA-NGIk2FzAi1VlAYpWUj_AdLbQ3NqlAz1Y5_2uUHSivRXanYzW_c9k_eCILWSAJasFYIUPhxdqU8NK52MTYUBeBmq9W7Nlxmbca6YTPZJ31LRWQ2chYDVn6xw/s320/DSC_1430.png" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Sunday cosplay, OC Yuuto.<br />(photo by <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />On Sunday I also had the early morning shift at 10 but this time me and <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> could leave for the con together as he would not have to wait in the cold for 30 minutes before the doors open in a sleeveless dress that isn't even full length, like the case would have been on Saturday if we left at the same time.<br /><br />I headed straight for the video games room again while <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> went his own ways. It was quite nice that some visitors from the day before came over on Sunday to play some more. But overall I can say that Sunday was a much more quiet day in the room and our assortment of Nintendo consoles also decreased by one around midday as the NES left the building, leaving the gaming room with a Switch, SNES and Wii. So yeah, there was 100% Nintendo dominance this year. And for those curious the games that were played the most were the Wii and Switch versions of the <i>Super Smash Bros</i> and <i>Mario Kart</i> series along with <i>Tetris</i> on the retro consoles.<br /><br />At 12 my first shift ended and I had a spontaneous idea to go check out the "Kiss, Marry, Abyss" <i>Genshin Impact</i> program. I watched for a while while the panelist explained the rules but there were quite a lot of people and the whole setup looked rather overwhelming and so I lost interest and left. It seemed like the rules was that the room were split in three halves, one for each option (kiss, marry and kill) and you had to go stand in the right spot according to what you would do to the multiple characters shown on the screen. I was expecting it to be done by like a phone app or something and you would just click on options and then have the results shown on screen what everyone voted. Moving around the room might have worked, I don't really know cuz I didn't stay to watch how it actually unfolded but to me it looked like it would quickly become chaotic cuz there was a ton of chairs and other furniture everywhere (the room was a lecture/auditorium style room). The game's idea seemed fun though!<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM55nSEGK56EgcJBZ9BFK1i3_eCU51Wmlyxd-IJcbnw-H-RqwczX4mFowcKbpjUNfY4OzC6aY3_gb5Hbkkj1jL9Xf6RKjUSfOiK8iW3qClBDwbnHgeViyMFe9_m17J-qSIHvZqYYsODHtU0cnXx3HvyuR3TXJBK5BjAHHT60UXkvqxUv6Ci-NLtqJHvbE/s900/DSC_1408.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM55nSEGK56EgcJBZ9BFK1i3_eCU51Wmlyxd-IJcbnw-H-RqwczX4mFowcKbpjUNfY4OzC6aY3_gb5Hbkkj1jL9Xf6RKjUSfOiK8iW3qClBDwbnHgeViyMFe9_m17J-qSIHvZqYYsODHtU0cnXx3HvyuR3TXJBK5BjAHHT60UXkvqxUv6Ci-NLtqJHvbE/s320/DSC_1408.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist's Alley view.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UngLz_CK0rbcKaTC-G1UIOxpGtC8uy7-PYWWg6fXAAbHh6W6Pmvs_fYwWGvrNv8zp9Lh-fkaNsdisieN-hKhTYTcHwBPvi2WqtN1dMswOdljbBwLpUovKqUULozpD7U_hrBPzgWZeSAg07n9_AcHq9cF7vNAjelwQJRsGPZvWKqUUrgow29Dz_BOo0Q/s900/DSC_1433(5).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UngLz_CK0rbcKaTC-G1UIOxpGtC8uy7-PYWWg6fXAAbHh6W6Pmvs_fYwWGvrNv8zp9Lh-fkaNsdisieN-hKhTYTcHwBPvi2WqtN1dMswOdljbBwLpUovKqUULozpD7U_hrBPzgWZeSAg07n9_AcHq9cF7vNAjelwQJRsGPZvWKqUUrgow29Dz_BOo0Q/s320/DSC_1433(5).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little tip jar amused me too much!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I now did a more proper Artist's Alley run and I was so excited to find that someone actually had somehow had time to do Neuvillette merch! He's my new favorite character in Genshin and I wasn't expecting to find anything featuring him and I just afjdsfdfs when I saw the charm. ;_; I'm posting a con loot photo at the end of this post~<br />Artist's Alley was located on the second floor and split into two halves, one on the left side of the building and the other on the right side. I felt like it worked decently well but there was quite a lot of crowding on Saturday, hence why I did most of my shopping on Sunday as it was easier to move around and browse the tables. I also gotta say that I liked the variety in sellers – there were both familiar and new faces to me. I wish I could have bought more and supported more artists but I don't have a lot of spending money right now as I'm still unemployed.<br /><br />Of course I did my dailies in the Green Room again once my shift ended (and I got the final mission reward, yay!) and at some point me and <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> went outside quickly to take some photos of my cosplay. I mainly just wanted a proof picture for now but I will do a proper photoshoot later. :)<br /><br />During my second shift I was witness to the tragic human tale of a man who bought too many mystery lootbags. <strike>I bet this was the best laughs of the whole con lmao.</strike> So there was this group of guys in the gaming room (I think they were friends of the other guy who was working at the same time as me, not sure) sitting around the table in the middle of the room and at first I didn't really pay attention to their conversation until I sat on the same table and they were talking about <i>something</i> that apparently caused hilarious regret. And I was curious and asked what they're talking about and apparently I had now pressed the cursed button because one of them said something like "now you have to do it because you asked about it" and I was like "oh no what have I gotten myself into" and this guy then pulls out this tiny rotating fish game for kids where you have to fish up the fishies with a magnetic rod while they open and close their mouths and I just had no way to back out. I had to accept the challenge like a man. And so I fished up like half the fishes and some I got real fast, which earned me some impressed 'oohs' and 'aahs' and then I had integrated myself into the group. They then kept talking about the lootbags and how shit they were and the conversation got wilder and wilder (somehow Rovaniemi's tax money was relevant to this, I guess bro's unemployed too and that's what the sponsor joke referred to xD) and it was absolutely hilariously unhinged crylaughter-fueled regret and the guy who was the one cheated out of his $$$ was laughing like a human siren with his face turning bright red – you ever have that thing where you feel sorry for the poor soul but you just fucking can't stop laughing because he's laughing too? That was how I felt, basically schadenfreude with consent. x) At least he could see the humor and laugh at the whole situation (although it was on his expense) because yeah, not everyone is a champ like that and someone else might just have broken down in a corner because of the huge waste of precious money.<br /><br />After my second and final work shift ended at 16 (it started at 14, I worked 4h/day so 8h in total) I went to find <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> again and we did a final Artist's Alley round together before we were satisfied with our con experience and then we headed back to the hotel to rest our legs and wind down. Our budgets were almost used up so once we got back to our hotel room we had to brainstorm a bit on the topic of dinner. I happened to check Burger King's website and there was a really affordable campaign and what's even better is that the restaurant was located almost just around the corner from our hotel!<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklfBqOuiKXcvrpsRviTXIAC2LUskCB9_ILsnJxEaAM5G2q9C9kFPdfV_y2UBi7EHqlGtQhMMba2EQ0t3kGDA2pYfo6h-hTcY4QDlz0j_EWrLUh4UCDrAgW3MzFwGdxRKU7oasLBrzoAAq8tBSlMVY5BYhwjpg7-f9u_8eGxxLSciHvXhbjRaSTWXgqw4/s900/IMG_20231029_193052(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklfBqOuiKXcvrpsRviTXIAC2LUskCB9_ILsnJxEaAM5G2q9C9kFPdfV_y2UBi7EHqlGtQhMMba2EQ0t3kGDA2pYfo6h-hTcY4QDlz0j_EWrLUh4UCDrAgW3MzFwGdxRKU7oasLBrzoAAq8tBSlMVY5BYhwjpg7-f9u_8eGxxLSciHvXhbjRaSTWXgqw4/s320/IMG_20231029_193052(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Läskeillään koska soli halp. :))) </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br />And that about wraps up my summary of Matsucon. After the burgers we just returned to our room for the night and on Monday we parted ways and our Oulu trip was officially over; <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> went back to the south and I continued back up north. <br />Overall I had a great time at Matsucon and would definitely visit it again. I've been to Matsucon twice before (2017 and 2019) and I've always felt that it's quite well organized and an inviting anime con to attend for anyone even moderately interested in what it has to offer. I would say it's worth your time if you live in the north and why not if you live further away as well because yeah, Pohjankartano is a solid building for this type of events and Oulu is a lovely city well worth a visit!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a photo of my con haul:<br /><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSQfqgWgaSztCA4x3LPsIGgJ28Ggxmz9nBkUV29Xt3jzoJ7h3KqHgAk_BOv0VRAXZtASin1aM8lKImbtkSqv0HpuCo1usj3V5OSU-cmv1J6yfSs1xgW4IWinZJL3ms6Ub3_WXd1CqidP_SijPup5A2rYqw8yeix821UDLY5aLezE5P3BdjTBoUR626Ys/s900/DSC_1439(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSQfqgWgaSztCA4x3LPsIGgJ28Ggxmz9nBkUV29Xt3jzoJ7h3KqHgAk_BOv0VRAXZtASin1aM8lKImbtkSqv0HpuCo1usj3V5OSU-cmv1J6yfSs1xgW4IWinZJL3ms6Ub3_WXd1CqidP_SijPup5A2rYqw8yeix821UDLY5aLezE5P3BdjTBoUR626Ys/s320/DSC_1439(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Square magnets by <a href="https://www.saqe-art.com/">SaQe-Art</a>, dragon charm by <a href="https://www.deviantart.com/sysirauta">Sysirauta</a>, Beidou <br />by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/si3art/">si3art</a>. I don't know who Neuvillette was from sorry. ;-;<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for reading and Happy Halloween!<br />~ <i><a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a></i><br /></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-15957445852294567702023-09-28T16:28:00.005+02:002023-09-30T00:50:49.862+02:00Nippori 2023 – Another tiny library con<div style="text-align: center;"> Hello weebs!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I ended up attending Nippori for the first time last weekend. It's a small library con in Pori, Finland, and that probably comes as a surprise to no one since the name of the event is clearly derived from mashing together 'Nippon' (Japan) and 'Pori' hah. Anyways, Nippori is a free event and the reason I didn't do any announcement on my blog prior is because this was a rather spontaneous last-minute trip – <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> asked me if I could accompany him as he didn't want to go alone due to Pori being quite an anxiety-inducing town. I agreed because it's always nice to go somewhere I've never been before, even if the town has a reputation of being a shithole (if you ask anyone in Rauma at least lol). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh well, Nippori was held on 23rd September and it's a one day event that's split into two different buildings – the first half was held in Pori's library and the later half in Nuorisotalo (lit. 'youth house'). </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's get on with the summary! <br />(and a fair warning for foul language ahead)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1MBfK0ugyG0NNXWwoWyzMvJIxit0-LcrxtkZL-fGHTDwEmxzd8za6035s_aS5MExxhy_lbk-ZSCsdYih-oozktnWc-Wxysd7SggQgKw739jWjTxII4xOpBtp1eYuTK-QDHBbAQeMUWn4XT-XpSXDVSET3D1U11ooNJyPfoYc0Zp39MkhQxM4R3PcxhI/s900/DSC_1327(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin1MBfK0ugyG0NNXWwoWyzMvJIxit0-LcrxtkZL-fGHTDwEmxzd8za6035s_aS5MExxhy_lbk-ZSCsdYih-oozktnWc-Wxysd7SggQgKw739jWjTxII4xOpBtp1eYuTK-QDHBbAQeMUWn4XT-XpSXDVSET3D1U11ooNJyPfoYc0Zp39MkhQxM4R3PcxhI/s320/DSC_1327(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nippori entrance, also known as Pori's library.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I should maybe put a disclaimer here that although I'm to some degree affiliated with Mericon I am visiting Nippori as myself, as an ordinary visitor, and my opinions about Nippori are purely my own. I know Rauma and Pori have a longstanding friendly rivalry (because of competing ice hockey teams etc) as do many other neighboring towns in Finland so yeah, I felt I should make it clear that I'm not sent by Rauma to smear Nippori lol. I'm not even a local, I'm from the far north so I have nothing to do with this silly rivalry in the first place lmao.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">On Saturday morning me and <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> woke up quite late. We had planned to be at Pori roughly 14:00 as we had organized a carpool with Katriina and her kids. I made the classic mistake of severely underestimating how much time it takes for me to get into costume and that meant that the later half of the morning was panic mode unhinged – hands down the most stressful con morning ever. #whenwillilearn</div><div style="text-align: left;">I had decided on rewearing my Gakupo Kamui cosplay from <i>Vocaloid</i>, yes it's the same original kimono version I last wore at Skecon 2014! I know, that's like 9 years ago <strike>fuck I feel old</strike>. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't know how but somehow we managed to leave the apartment on time, although I had to put on my cosplay very sloppily and rush my makeup but yeah, we could not afford to be late for the carpool which was waiting for us at Prisma's parking lot – nobody wants to inconvenience other people. I figured I'd just fix my costume once we arrive at the event so it wasn't that big of a deal. And I didn't care too much about my makeup not being slay as I had no plans to photoshoot Gakupo due to unfavorable weather and <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> told me that Pori centrum doesn't really have any good photoshoot locations as it's mostly just dreary concrete buildings.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We arrived to Nippori roughly 14:30 which meant we caught the very last moments of the first half of the event that was in the library. Nippori had split the con into two separate buildings in such a way that past a certain time (15:00) the first building would close down and the second would open. This meant that whatever was located in the library, aka the first building, would be unavailable once the con migrated over to Nuorisotalo. Needless to say we had to immediately bolt upstairs once we got into the library just to have enough time to visit the Artist's Alley before it closed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrLPhxLbzKxcFf5hk2mGDdg81zvFNh_6AePjakW6kZ1YGLJ4wxvSkYTX01eEXfcFI82a_R-yJNRA061In2H5R5-Ugvs0ovS0ctLbe0eDHvBastgGiBquqRudwv4c6PML0ytY_NuXGYWalK025s2mh8Mmc7MwQ2R2gmF6JOIs4x1mUwtn6IoUExzZ-Rg8/s900/DSC_1316(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrLPhxLbzKxcFf5hk2mGDdg81zvFNh_6AePjakW6kZ1YGLJ4wxvSkYTX01eEXfcFI82a_R-yJNRA061In2H5R5-Ugvs0ovS0ctLbe0eDHvBastgGiBquqRudwv4c6PML0ytY_NuXGYWalK025s2mh8Mmc7MwQ2R2gmF6JOIs4x1mUwtn6IoUExzZ-Rg8/s320/DSC_1316(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General photo upstairs, near the entry point for the Artist's Alley.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I didn't bother to fix or put on the rest of my cosplay because we were so short on time to check out the Artist's Alley, one of the main reasons we attended Nippori. I really needed to pee too but there was no time for that either. xD<br />So yeah, me and <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> went up the stairs and I guess we both were quite perplexed when we saw a big sign stating something like "queue for Artist's Alley here" – I mean, not to be that guy but that kiiiiiiinda already gave me a red flag that the location for the Artist's Alley must be pretty unoptimal if they have to limit how many people can enter at once and from what direction.<br /><br />We both looked towards the corridor past the glass door and I swear my first thought was "oh no". I could already tell that this would be an unpleasant experience. I shit you not, the Artist's Alley was placed in an extremely narrow reverse U-shaped corridor with barely enough space for visitors to even move past the tables if someone stopped to look at what was being sold. This was ten times worse than <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/2022/10/kummacon-2022-luck-in-misfortune.html">Kummacon's placement last year</a>, which also was in an U-shaped corridor but at least there was a semblance of air quality. I found myself trying to rush through the Artist's Alley's later half because I literally felt like I was running out of oxygen; it was absolutely suffocating once you passed the midpoint of the corridor and the constant bottlenecks and crowding made it unbearable (even though we were one of the last people inside as it was closing down, I dread to think how awful it must have been during the active early hours *shudders*). And as we all know some congoers have a bad habit of stopping to talk with friends in the middle of narrow passageways without paying attention to the fact that they're effectively blocking the flow of traffic and yes, Nippori wasn't exempt of this cancer either. I might be getting old and cranky but I have no patience for these kinds of people – like for the love of god almighty please move out of the way if you're gonna strike a chat with someone in a place where space is already severely limited and others are trying to get through, it's not that hard to be conscious of your surroundings and considerate of the sanity of others, is it?<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlRr9nuK1DyeBm2DsY16Q0gvRnGLHOG3GXJgglryjCQvlgQ6sTK9HwzvxPXVJU9aAIGJMPNUUTQgdXPivE7mxAayFG-Y6uZuNA9f6jQ0EFNG1BIyp9VqiXyYPtEvKs3a0itb2KCT3AtikSWxaeykiXznwmCCm-d6jzoMFtoC5cSAUEjB9w6ZJ42qayog/s900/DSC_1317(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlRr9nuK1DyeBm2DsY16Q0gvRnGLHOG3GXJgglryjCQvlgQ6sTK9HwzvxPXVJU9aAIGJMPNUUTQgdXPivE7mxAayFG-Y6uZuNA9f6jQ0EFNG1BIyp9VqiXyYPtEvKs3a0itb2KCT3AtikSWxaeykiXznwmCCm-d6jzoMFtoC5cSAUEjB9w6ZJ42qayog/s320/DSC_1317(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Artist's Alley corridor.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So yeah, hands down the worst Artist's Alley experience to date purely because of how bad the placement was. I don't understand why they didn't locate it downstairs, there seemed to be a lot more room? The sellers were interesting and there were a lot more tables than I expected there to be but sadly I could not browse to my liking as the crowding and poor air quality kept triggering my panic syndrome to the point I had to get out as soon as possible. This was such a bummer, especially because I was really looking forward to the Artist's Alley and wanted to buy stuff. <br /><br />We arrived a bit too late to be able to check out the other activities that the library half of the con offered – I saw for example that there was a video game room but the door was locked when I tried to open it. Of course, because it was a library, there were a lot of manga put forward that you could borrow and read and I found that very pleasant and yeah, it added to the feel of it being an anime event. There was also this, umm, I guess it was meant to be some kind of art corner or display? Whatever its purpose was I assume it was primarily for decoration and perhaps to show local talent.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhrTEjt3fM0MH0BeV2q0XYxEUN2CJUnaMU6ExOZG3XMhXz1w9lubeSOL2gk2p_cxM9aksssrV40p5k127vfS_SAhcYTxV2GBsl1AWRyIWccF828oSKFjv4ThPctYb8YhPhdIVdNZ-b9t6qAbf_WlOdpoIGZ56C2OXp3QcmBA4j3Z4T8Luc2Q0p73a61Y/s900/DSC_1323(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhrTEjt3fM0MH0BeV2q0XYxEUN2CJUnaMU6ExOZG3XMhXz1w9lubeSOL2gk2p_cxM9aksssrV40p5k127vfS_SAhcYTxV2GBsl1AWRyIWccF828oSKFjv4ThPctYb8YhPhdIVdNZ-b9t6qAbf_WlOdpoIGZ56C2OXp3QcmBA4j3Z4T8Luc2Q0p73a61Y/s320/DSC_1323(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These Mew stuffies were adorbs!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiRwjMynaqlmAqhz15zVBkNpcZcux4VbbpNeDroa6PbYSFFyIruL6_hCxE1Hq_wm2OLZZ-Zxgup8GDC1k8j4aYM6A-KWuCEPxgIGOVm9FnFftJ-whNUzWsQhqxdMga6H5iWWDj6yh_MVkl29AFFKhdfWsi9Vjyj9ha1Y4lRCwHXebpngeWsKWBmAmeT0/s900/DSC_1324(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiRwjMynaqlmAqhz15zVBkNpcZcux4VbbpNeDroa6PbYSFFyIruL6_hCxE1Hq_wm2OLZZ-Zxgup8GDC1k8j4aYM6A-KWuCEPxgIGOVm9FnFftJ-whNUzWsQhqxdMga6H5iWWDj6yh_MVkl29AFFKhdfWsi9Vjyj9ha1Y4lRCwHXebpngeWsKWBmAmeT0/s320/DSC_1324(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the art display.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Aside from the Artist's Alley disaster I found the library to be an okay building for an event of this scale. It was quite comfy and there were places to rest your legs and free bathrooms. As far as I'm aware Nippori is held by the library crew in collaboration with the local youth agency so it makes sense that it's those two buildings that they have in use. And as long as the event doesn't explode in size I think it'll suffice.<br /><br />While I was standing outside the library's entrance I had a very unpleasant experience. There was a group of three teenage boys who approached me and my company, handing out homemade flyers that read stuff like "have you seen this man?" with a black and white photo of an almost naked male model. I had seen these flyers scattered around inside the library and my educated guess is that this trio were not the intended target audience of the event but just delinquents who wanted to harrass "the weird colorful gays". I'm also assuming that Nippori's security guards had removed them from indoors but were powerless to banish them from the outside vicinity of the library, where they continued to disturb visitors by handing out these flyers. So yeah, I was unlucky to be targeted by this group and one of the three boys proceeded to ask me if I had seen the dude on the photo and when I answered the boy's facial expression promptly changed to visible confusion and he proceeded to ask me at least five times in a row if I'm a man and every time I told him yes in my clearly and unquestionably male voice – like what the fuck I'm not gonna give you a different answer just because you repeat the question and I pity you if your masculinity is so narrow and fragile that the mere existence of an androgynous guy in makeup and a colorful costume is a threat to your understanding of the world. Like what do you want me to do, show you my damn ID card and that little M marker on it or mess up my cosplay by not shaving my beard next time? Gtfo and don't approach me until you have amassed a deeper understanding of the complexity of individual expression, that which transcends the stifling norms your limited capacity is currently capable of processing. <br />Worst part is that this pissflap even asked for my photo and it was clear as day that he had no good intentions (most likely would have made fun of me) and I politely declined, although I should just have been rude at this point as he didn't deserve an ounce of my respect with how blatantly he disrespected me and made me feel uncomfortable. Even worse, I think he took a candid photo anyway. The group then left us alone for a few minutes before this same boy returned to ask me again "Are you <i>really</i> a man?" like for fuck's sake is your hearing comprehension as challenged as your intelligence? I hate that I was as polite to him as I was, I should just have told him to fuck the hell off but years of school-bullying and trauma have made me extremely scared of conflicts and I just shut down when suddenly thrown into uncomfortable situations.<br />Oh well, I can't really blame Nippori for that (although I wish security would have stepped in to handle them) as this kind of situation can literally happen anywhere and at any time. It did affect my overall mood for the worse and I didn't feel safe at the event after said incident. Who would? I'm pretty sure a lot of other congoers were also harassed by these shitbags during the day and it wouldn't surprise me if they primarily targeted people whom they perceived as female, which would make it even more disgusting as that's technically on par for sexual harrassment...<br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9OqDIA2eldSjJjMFJwshYmByIW3VTdjOXVgGKpRR007VkFyx3DWgnd1KBBcpv9bAauO9miucnTOUT9j2OBuHeLox9IDhix7G-P9op4cTK-eEXnflWdQgHEbcDKXzVr1rC2noT4aA4DhdS9Cka38TJbLmkjUQ2PF1DTDcE-9eomtK0-8KIJ1aA7ld61U/s900/DSC_1333(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9OqDIA2eldSjJjMFJwshYmByIW3VTdjOXVgGKpRR007VkFyx3DWgnd1KBBcpv9bAauO9miucnTOUT9j2OBuHeLox9IDhix7G-P9op4cTK-eEXnflWdQgHEbcDKXzVr1rC2noT4aA4DhdS9Cka38TJbLmkjUQ2PF1DTDcE-9eomtK0-8KIJ1aA7ld61U/s320/DSC_1333(1).png" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just proof that I was in cosplay.<br />(photographer is <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">As the first half of Nippori was closing down we used the help of Google
Maps to navigate ourselves to Nuorisotalo with Katriina as the mama hen
leading the way. It was surprisingly far away from the library and
luckily we live in the age of smartphones or a non-local like me would
have gotten lost lol.<br /><br />After some walking we arrived at Nuorisotalo and it was crammed full of people, as one would expect. It was nice to see the amount of people in costumes and fursuits though, especially considering that it's a small event. I felt like a rather notable percentage of the visitors were dressed up in some way.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODIKbgHp-FO5Op7rR1dcEykiUuiHWW7hJrhmfKod7yeOS4H1YF7XECbRrQkUAb-ykd9lv5lwrvbdRW9xdBNMi5aHrCQpdb48mUntGyinC4xXgeZoggyJfc3F0CeN0KGfaGzpcngh0YF8VmLM_KNVy0_CinwWmCql_7u7_EJcjv9oTUIWKFq2jK-_jZEI/s900/DSC_1328(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhODIKbgHp-FO5Op7rR1dcEykiUuiHWW7hJrhmfKod7yeOS4H1YF7XECbRrQkUAb-ykd9lv5lwrvbdRW9xdBNMi5aHrCQpdb48mUntGyinC4xXgeZoggyJfc3F0CeN0KGfaGzpcngh0YF8VmLM_KNVy0_CinwWmCql_7u7_EJcjv9oTUIWKFq2jK-_jZEI/s320/DSC_1328(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nuorisotalo outside view.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Now I finally got a chance to go to the bathroom for a very urgent bladder emptying and I also put on the missing parts of my cosplay and fixed up the hakama knot. We then went to check out the Artesan's tables which is similar to Artist's Alley except it's more 'official' I guess, like bigger names and sponsor merchants or something like that. I think the general difference is that artists have to apply but artesans are invited by the event? Anyway, the location of the Artesan's tables were a lot better than what the Artist's Alley got – the shopping area was located in an open space room so you actually could move around like normal and check out the tables. This was such a relief and made the browsing experience a lot more enjoyable. I could actually get in the con mood for a bit too.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKQVh0GwIX8h7DQ4rFFDEpq0Gh8sYq5Jl8uM6qMLW0j7D8UL4f571SnKjNpXoLbxAuMYMFH-f-IK9C7zcR-_8MHPASPVCz2EzxNb98iz9KtKFMlU5PBRka4Y4MOpL4ev2ZDDKWmIP0AX_t4ZyWluz0bEe_Yrfe2rzetaK6xaA4jL54TjDIlFZDbjDTqo/s900/DSC_1349(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKQVh0GwIX8h7DQ4rFFDEpq0Gh8sYq5Jl8uM6qMLW0j7D8UL4f571SnKjNpXoLbxAuMYMFH-f-IK9C7zcR-_8MHPASPVCz2EzxNb98iz9KtKFMlU5PBRka4Y4MOpL4ev2ZDDKWmIP0AX_t4ZyWluz0bEe_Yrfe2rzetaK6xaA4jL54TjDIlFZDbjDTqo/s320/DSC_1349(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nuorisotalo entrance.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgo-Dz3xyJgLh7BbrZTpwze6-wXOpU9Upx0ltvCkUCCBvh2pE6WSp1hz-DJNI5VtenpwX6Opi0KQ6h0FXLGUFyLs9kMYQhJX5LOOlFnJ2YyLNBT-vv4VlgXE2ViFA9mIUvJy3uLDAGFcEDrG9kLdUYXeJhHZaPurI1hgs8f0I2_6f1_1yYfVWqeSF8LD4/s900/DSC_1320(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgo-Dz3xyJgLh7BbrZTpwze6-wXOpU9Upx0ltvCkUCCBvh2pE6WSp1hz-DJNI5VtenpwX6Opi0KQ6h0FXLGUFyLs9kMYQhJX5LOOlFnJ2YyLNBT-vv4VlgXE2ViFA9mIUvJy3uLDAGFcEDrG9kLdUYXeJhHZaPurI1hgs8f0I2_6f1_1yYfVWqeSF8LD4/s320/DSC_1320(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Programs and activites for the con's later half.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I was lowkey interested by that Sephiroth panel but as I haven't played the games (yet) I didn't want to risk any spoilers and so I passed on it. In the end we didn't stay all that long at the con so we didn't watch the cosplay competition or anything. Our group mostly just vibed for a bit and did the shopping rounds. I didn't end up buying anything this time but <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> had a field day so at least it was worth it to come here lol. Oh well, window shopping is always a decently fun pastime and so is meeting friends regardless of how briefly it is. Yes, we ran into <b>Gure</b>. :D<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSOD8kEf3Bp6kvNBIGGi84QjV3iFt0Bee5B2NmPYVUWZnXIhzFwQGt0kWWX7uCGauKfYLkfdF96thfqBB75eSmipKAVtIsKccHDsgymQE4kzkXQAH16xW5oTeefCzhiq5gypAFkHO7b6vt728xo8OOd2d_2oeaV_ubUpx172pKA71QTkC0SKbBA_diH0/s900/DSC_1346.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSOD8kEf3Bp6kvNBIGGi84QjV3iFt0Bee5B2NmPYVUWZnXIhzFwQGt0kWWX7uCGauKfYLkfdF96thfqBB75eSmipKAVtIsKccHDsgymQE4kzkXQAH16xW5oTeefCzhiq5gypAFkHO7b6vt728xo8OOd2d_2oeaV_ubUpx172pKA71QTkC0SKbBA_diH0/s320/DSC_1346.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artesan's tables area. Entrance view.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jnwP7djmNEwuoKTPsfJcM1N0UOwNPqAR-arOC4uW1MPBLIWqBS75YaM3N9MUDR7tRGOPDQem9Kz0f_y3iGqGvrYXfhyphenhyphen7u7Ga_piwZ-Lcfn6PmeVLyPat37ZXE1nbCn7UdXBn3nCZp46p-5ah5QHxy_KR1E6O4OJk3MkBYT8v1IAxE7-EtdHZJB6ZLN4/s900/DSC_1347(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jnwP7djmNEwuoKTPsfJcM1N0UOwNPqAR-arOC4uW1MPBLIWqBS75YaM3N9MUDR7tRGOPDQem9Kz0f_y3iGqGvrYXfhyphenhyphen7u7Ga_piwZ-Lcfn6PmeVLyPat37ZXE1nbCn7UdXBn3nCZp46p-5ah5QHxy_KR1E6O4OJk3MkBYT8v1IAxE7-EtdHZJB6ZLN4/s320/DSC_1347(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing wall.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I forgot to draw the legendary Buttman on the wall to continue the legacy but oh well, it's too late now. Maybe I remember next time. I gotta say though that whenever a con has one of these taped up somewhere it's always a win in my book, it's a really fun way to encourage creativity and make people socialize!<br />Oh and there was apparently a cafeteria that sold food and pastries but I had a brainfart and didn't go check it out. Oh well, it's still a very nice addition and something I appreciate as a whole as it gives visitors the option of convenience – they don't have to leave the con area and go walk around in a town where they might feel unsafe because of the way they are dressed etc.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't think I have so much more to say about Nippori really. It's a small event that's suitable for locals and those who live nearby and it appeared to provide a decent amount of entertainment with most of the typical con staples that visitors have come to expect. I think battle-hardened congoers would probably get bored after a few hours but for those new to the scene and community it's a good springboard into this colorful hobby, especially because it's free and thus a low threshold event with no barriers attached. The general mood and flow of the event was relaxed, casual and easygoing.<br />I don't know if I would visit Nippori a second time (especially because of the 600+ km distance, not really worth it for the event alone imo) unless I happen to be nearby for other reasons too. But obviously if you live close and you need to scratch that geek itch then I'd say it's a worthwhile day trip. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Thanks for reading, <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> says bye!</i><br /></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-11579772246388460882023-08-28T14:37:00.002+02:002023-08-28T15:27:58.383+02:00Mericon 2023 – Your friendly neighborhood pirate<div style="text-align: center;">Ahoy me mateys!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm
sorry this summary is a bit late but I've honestly been extremely busy
and exhausted with like a million hospital visits and other errands
draining all my energy to even function so yeah, better a late summary
than none at all, right? So the first ever Mericon was held earlier this
month on 5th August in Rauma's main library. Rauma is an old harbor
town located in southern Finland with quite a lot of maritime history –
and that's also what the con was naturally themed around, name included!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I
happened to be roped in early into Mericon's planning stages to assist
the main organizer with ideas, brainstorming etc. One might wonder how
come someone like me, who lives roughly 700 kilometers away from Rauma,
ends up being one of the backstage devils? Well, I was offered a 1-week
job contract by the library to paint marine theme signs for the event
(thanks to personal connections) and it kinda spiraled from there with
me acting as a co-organizer and doing various odd jobs to prepare for
the event the days leading up to it. It was a really different
experience to see how a con is built and being there and making it come
true!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxq8as_f4Cbv4YWHsK3lFh80zITHiXhcYSukAErMatvZdjluWE3o1YZQ0EeLHPRPKLTfB2Wl_hwvOZuJib2HTXx0MD3pO4B1qzo7RN3cHVfXzMq6Q78_O6RPVZcpbcxG41bB8xt8SqhmTToJnqYSgBCUswQD2rPFYEuruWrto5TvMENodkmMOagX4n9M/s900/DSC_1102(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxq8as_f4Cbv4YWHsK3lFh80zITHiXhcYSukAErMatvZdjluWE3o1YZQ0EeLHPRPKLTfB2Wl_hwvOZuJib2HTXx0MD3pO4B1qzo7RN3cHVfXzMq6Q78_O6RPVZcpbcxG41bB8xt8SqhmTToJnqYSgBCUswQD2rPFYEuruWrto5TvMENodkmMOagX4n9M/s320/DSC_1102(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mericon banner outside.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Because
of my job obligations I left for Rauma on 29th July, taking the train
from Kemi. The rain was pouring down while waiting for the train and I
didn't have the bestest of times, despite it being a Saturday. Luckily
the trip itself went pretty well, aside from my motion sickness acting
up. Of course I was a dumb and forgot any preventive measures at home so
I just had to endure it. :)) Oh well, at some point the train got
delayed but managed to catch up again and I arrived at Kokemäki during
the late night hours where <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a>
picked me up. He had recently moved to his own apartment in a small
town outside Rauma and that's where I bunked for the duration of my
stay.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I
had Sunday to settle down and learn to know my surroundings before it
was time to work and make Mericon happen. Yes, I'm actually still on
sick leave, although unemployed, but my doctor gave me permission to
take this job as he thought it would be a good opportunity to see if my
functioning has improved to the point I can do some lighter,
short-duration work within my interests and talents.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Monday came and me and <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> started our daily grind of fixing Mericon's last minute preparations and additions. <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a>
was one of the organizers too – he works at Rauma's library for the
time being so it's pretty obvious that he had a lot to do with the con
happening in the first place. <strike>And a lot to do with me ending up there too</strike>.
But as I said my main job was to paint those art signs for the event
and that's what I did during the week. It was a bit of a crunch but I
managed to finish all six signs on time and during Friday evening, the
day before Mericon, I did some odd jobs like picking out the games for
the Playstation 4 and making sure everything's updated and downloaded
etc. I would also help with random errands like picking up and carrying
the items we got to borrow from Rauma's Maritime Museum for decoration
purposes – which included old sea charts, a model ship and a wheel from a
boat simulator!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_og8SqSWBlLS2VU5yxUjwAVX3Wc3Nwy9clyPehX-uZYH7sNcUewZXQ-cIkl2N0X3i6tga5TT86jMebJF7NBFq0t0G3mYutlxsNREiYJqyAm_ZeuKn-Zhj4I85JSn3ppkstCIDpag7OHXfd5uqGs2ahD2Y9V4CiNwUNQBwhelnrk9vj8hFdmtwjFk10M/s900/DSC_1096(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_og8SqSWBlLS2VU5yxUjwAVX3Wc3Nwy9clyPehX-uZYH7sNcUewZXQ-cIkl2N0X3i6tga5TT86jMebJF7NBFq0t0G3mYutlxsNREiYJqyAm_ZeuKn-Zhj4I85JSn3ppkstCIDpag7OHXfd5uqGs2ahD2Y9V4CiNwUNQBwhelnrk9vj8hFdmtwjFk10M/s320/DSC_1096(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-Mericon preparations... </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I
painted the signs with acrylics and black marker for the lineart on A2
colored cardboard sheets. Upon completion I realized we would need some
kind of protective cover and hence began the last-minute panic to find a
local store that sold big enough plastic covers. Somehow we had just
enough of that magical luck on our side and the problem was solved. For
security measures I did tape the lower edge closed with painter's tape
too to prevent the artwork from falling out of the plastic sheet as it
was only closed on the shorter sides. We used good ol' blu-tack to stick
the signs to various surfaces on the morning of Mericon. Oh the smell
of blu-tack takes me back to early school years!<br /><br />Oh and to avoid any confusion I should maybe clarify that yes, I am the painter of these signs although the eagle-eyed observer might notice that they are not signed <i>Shiro Samurai</i> anywhere – they're instead signed with my other handle <i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kaamoswolf/">KaamosWolf</a></i>, which is my more personal identity that is focused on gaming, art and my other non-cosplay hobbies. This is also the handle I do my art commissions under [link will be added here later].<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfKlPPPL2jWc1q093rztWhq6Y6MUPpsHsrldz9HQ0I55agvuJ9C0JZM02hvn4lfbET6PRp1aIsTuez_oI2jChdOoeLW6XOBB06b87FmsnChY-4JMipc7gikJdDKGJEvkBZ_QOIXB8NQpEndRLtjfeDYu1sBO1y4b6EpUuIET2gvFTGPbCdMflp4Ig-58/s900/DSC_1104(4).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfKlPPPL2jWc1q093rztWhq6Y6MUPpsHsrldz9HQ0I55agvuJ9C0JZM02hvn4lfbET6PRp1aIsTuez_oI2jChdOoeLW6XOBB06b87FmsnChY-4JMipc7gikJdDKGJEvkBZ_QOIXB8NQpEndRLtjfeDYu1sBO1y4b6EpUuIET2gvFTGPbCdMflp4Ig-58/s320/DSC_1104(4).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rauma main library.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We
had to wake up quite early on Saturday morning to do the final
preparations for the con and the morning was... groggy and hectic. Thank
god for energy drinks. xD But everything worked out well and Mericon
opened its doors on time! I was positively surprised to notice that
almost immediately after the doors opened congoers and curious visitors
started streaming in! <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHAVg05omVFo9ehNa1Frb7YpI_YWoy49jeBlMBDpcFo-e_zjJYSpTFUgOvCLhC4DQUAk82PCFWf6AtPpx444UZQz5JPJUnMBZpW1Rsz7tSesZoTT109sIzBj8dBAOreaVC032cZYdecX3TL1UMTg9hB88Di3xpq3MZOQdMFCJ4VKNG7MMddIAPt-1WxU/s900/DSC_1107(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSHAVg05omVFo9ehNa1Frb7YpI_YWoy49jeBlMBDpcFo-e_zjJYSpTFUgOvCLhC4DQUAk82PCFWf6AtPpx444UZQz5JPJUnMBZpW1Rsz7tSesZoTT109sIzBj8dBAOreaVC032cZYdecX3TL1UMTg9hB88Di3xpq3MZOQdMFCJ4VKNG7MMddIAPt-1WxU/s320/DSC_1107(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early view of the main entrance.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />On
the photo above you can see two of the handful of library workers who
wanted to work on the event day to help out and yes, Rauma's library is
extra cool because some of the workers totally dressed up for the
occasion whether it be as the sea itself or a well-known Ghibli movie
character. :D <br />We were roughly ten people working at Mericon that
day, myself included. I know that the main organizer was incredibly busy
at all times but despite that everything flowed quite well during the
day and it looked like the visitors were enjoying themselves.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kD3mYJ1yGs2V_fq0jvqADvk_lSUlW0zEdYgHmHQR3OTwSq-lwFEcJkBeaaw7_ncJxarCpfFSlgqDKdUASbx56awM3fGqN42QwAOPqjEElzA2QSnx2sIKUlrn00iqRlmFEzTTaQ98l7LGjkSY1w5foQjvK5FlmBlsGx-cZTNFh0Ma10u14t9058KQx84/s900/DSC_1109(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kD3mYJ1yGs2V_fq0jvqADvk_lSUlW0zEdYgHmHQR3OTwSq-lwFEcJkBeaaw7_ncJxarCpfFSlgqDKdUASbx56awM3fGqN42QwAOPqjEElzA2QSnx2sIKUlrn00iqRlmFEzTTaQ98l7LGjkSY1w5foQjvK5FlmBlsGx-cZTNFh0Ma10u14t9058KQx84/s320/DSC_1109(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mericon guest book!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mericon
actually had a guest book. I've never seen a con use one before but I
know it was there to help us have a gist of how many unique visitors we
had during the day and also of course for people to write their
greetings and stuff! There were other counting measures in place too but
the guest book was a fun little addition to make it seem a bit more
personal. :)</div><div style="text-align: left;">What comes to the location itself I feel like the
library worked decently for a first-time event of this scale. The
building has mainly good light conditions, especially at the entrance
and where the Artist's Alley was held (aka 'lukusali') along with good
air circulation. I never noticed that the indoor air quality was bad at
any place, despite the occasional crowding. In fact the air quality was
probably one of the best I've ever had at an Artist's Alley! And what
comes to the minor crowding I feel like when the location is a library
you have to expect a certain layout with risk of there being a lack of
open spaces because, well, organized book shelves you can't just move
around on a whim. The library still has to be able to fulfill its role
as a library because yes, despite it being Mericon day the library was
also open to the general public. Hence why you would occasionally come
across grandmas and grandpas smiling at all the colorfully dressed
people because they had no idea that this out-of-the-norm opening day
(library is normally closed on weekends) was because of a cosplay event.
:) I know I kept running into some normies who were amused and having a
great time seeing the library being so lively and full with the younger
generations.<br /><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRvvZKV57xGPV3Ar783CmgutJ3T5nSZ0QZ45bKT8mdMi41IHHF8zL3r27A7s9X5LlaF23T8MD1Pngg69AAuLcB106g3qJb8CbwgfwChwKpb_77bonwrIS89d6rrKAEn59JnytpSzU4_k5s1eE9r4BMu3ey8jcXEFctxOOO2tb16nq4cyZa1mRi5gx_Wc/s900/DSC_1108(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRvvZKV57xGPV3Ar783CmgutJ3T5nSZ0QZ45bKT8mdMi41IHHF8zL3r27A7s9X5LlaF23T8MD1Pngg69AAuLcB106g3qJb8CbwgfwChwKpb_77bonwrIS89d6rrKAEn59JnytpSzU4_k5s1eE9r4BMu3ey8jcXEFctxOOO2tb16nq4cyZa1mRi5gx_Wc/s320/DSC_1108(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathrooms near the entrance.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdD6cCtQq7mGU9zzJ9xn5y5mhWx12dJZ_-qsbAybNlFGn12urc70KN8FWj8oXUPvORCdziwHd6ETjHSzCjGiQl9auRulLXuNMTukE50ARDHa_r_JOMk658RPCiS-FjHavuCQtx9y5JbTch0SP22DCY4EjpinsLqlS9a6aAoZ4wJLx0Fk-YLDHY_UGHm4/s900/DSC_1112(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdD6cCtQq7mGU9zzJ9xn5y5mhWx12dJZ_-qsbAybNlFGn12urc70KN8FWj8oXUPvORCdziwHd6ETjHSzCjGiQl9auRulLXuNMTukE50ARDHa_r_JOMk658RPCiS-FjHavuCQtx9y5JbTch0SP22DCY4EjpinsLqlS9a6aAoZ4wJLx0Fk-YLDHY_UGHm4/s320/DSC_1112(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cafe Käpälä had treats specifically made for Mericon!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RaFnmdPA7qK5BvYFZN9hLJrb8T632aOsQSNDPbVMTywNkNZqdUPjRe3dgwVhsdwCNRnsV9H7aRJDpf-8N8QH7xH9XRUgQITkHU-lXblsKZPEX_VM_FWmIpTyio8rF3VaSY-5uesXI2vxVtxPlyAPDWZFc6vsNE8rpYqzDZ5AK2X3cSUkIMsSYLneuxo/s900/DSC_1111(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4RaFnmdPA7qK5BvYFZN9hLJrb8T632aOsQSNDPbVMTywNkNZqdUPjRe3dgwVhsdwCNRnsV9H7aRJDpf-8N8QH7xH9XRUgQITkHU-lXblsKZPEX_VM_FWmIpTyio8rF3VaSY-5uesXI2vxVtxPlyAPDWZFc6vsNE8rpYqzDZ5AK2X3cSUkIMsSYLneuxo/s320/DSC_1111(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pentti Peura's art exhibiton at the entrance.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Mericon
had a bit of a fluke as Pentti Peura, a local artist, happened to have
his art exhibition at the library over the summer and it fit Mericon's
theme perfectly! I actually by chance met Pentti a few days before the
con, he's a tiny man in his 80s with a sharp mind and an undying passion
for the sea and his craft – I wish him many more healthy years and all
the best as a fellow artist.<br /><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIZGtoziVE7Ha9DFjOGgy-v-tgm2VtvYw6jHiMUO9JfXo7_ySeXuGxwtxJQce2hGlpC3-nYbRYHjd_UPe32vVaUAG0QD5OyDGQ9JIaU8WOJsyrx3BVX0SW59boPJN62huMayLYAYvmgnznPRbz7oINuSiVl75wwUSc_B4TU32N52Rz-7QQpNS6AFMHOk/s900/DSC_1116(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIZGtoziVE7Ha9DFjOGgy-v-tgm2VtvYw6jHiMUO9JfXo7_ySeXuGxwtxJQce2hGlpC3-nYbRYHjd_UPe32vVaUAG0QD5OyDGQ9JIaU8WOJsyrx3BVX0SW59boPJN62huMayLYAYvmgnznPRbz7oINuSiVl75wwUSc_B4TU32N52Rz-7QQpNS6AFMHOk/s320/DSC_1116(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Con activities!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Mericon
had a modest amount of activities and panels – there was the obligatory
cosplay competition, a couple dance programs and some few other
miscellaneous activities, including a book recommendation. I know even
big cons have had a hard time with getting people to sign up to host
panels and lectures so yeah, Mericon was no avoider of this current
strugglebus trend.<br />There was also a gaming corner with a PS4
constantly in service along with a room open for anyone who wanted to
draw and paint. There was also a drawing competition which interested
quite many visitors because yeah, a few times when I checked in the room
was completely full of eager artists!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9L7CBmeI7aysYCrqTUIXoOMXx1yz5ItJKcEYl-MqOZYDyePoPhtunn4h52mjPz-WCB0U_7tf8oufY3wmAqo11I6tZSLRtlHoO_q22aDlsgFdPqNHzsEWc__5GE3NDU_PJhd16Yd9EhZlCJ4JkO0GsjKbnPky-1DXBRHVDKUTqFtsMuN8Ma7xc88-F_60/s900/DSC_1099(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9L7CBmeI7aysYCrqTUIXoOMXx1yz5ItJKcEYl-MqOZYDyePoPhtunn4h52mjPz-WCB0U_7tf8oufY3wmAqo11I6tZSLRtlHoO_q22aDlsgFdPqNHzsEWc__5GE3NDU_PJhd16Yd9EhZlCJ4JkO0GsjKbnPky-1DXBRHVDKUTqFtsMuN8Ma7xc88-F_60/s320/DSC_1099(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the games you could play on the PS4.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9_7ILgkS2XlK2UK_th4jyhFvoIJbWDO27PMOnqftI3x-sPPX_8lAhMAQN36Xiqq-SfnJ3mrHPX1cayXe8j39pHOfcImvmJ767ztH7h2hrCbjH3d59uNP841Sgw3KADoWpL3jPrAJTwcQlHm1npjtQIlQUul8lKTYWPlTQqZmFwkbM8v5F9eSr5G1dnU/s900/DSC_1100(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9_7ILgkS2XlK2UK_th4jyhFvoIJbWDO27PMOnqftI3x-sPPX_8lAhMAQN36Xiqq-SfnJ3mrHPX1cayXe8j39pHOfcImvmJ767ztH7h2hrCbjH3d59uNP841Sgw3KADoWpL3jPrAJTwcQlHm1npjtQIlQUul8lKTYWPlTQqZmFwkbM8v5F9eSr5G1dnU/s320/DSC_1100(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PlayStation room was found near the youth and child books.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5iMp_xEYAiE3DJ_Kv3M-ix-EnAGWW_cgSLyAR-5IvQ94dbHrvpslZcJbmWpMBvS2ibASnxpiyy1dME9n76URuoQqj6tZ5S2i5G164Mg5LiB_aQXNDIYYkvmo3xwwmHotmHvGLSa7Hg8ualEct9PTMgaAi1kmHapd7FDvWtFCg1wP4BPxKYB6NV7WD-g/s900/DSC_1202(4).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5iMp_xEYAiE3DJ_Kv3M-ix-EnAGWW_cgSLyAR-5IvQ94dbHrvpslZcJbmWpMBvS2ibASnxpiyy1dME9n76URuoQqj6tZ5S2i5G164Mg5LiB_aQXNDIYYkvmo3xwwmHotmHvGLSa7Hg8ualEct9PTMgaAi1kmHapd7FDvWtFCg1wP4BPxKYB6NV7WD-g/s320/DSC_1202(4).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Throughout the day there were some gamers. :)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji86m190TxhdDtMexxH7e5EGkhBu0hyZZRNanXLMxW0jh2Q3XHgA5x-3vRKCApWcTlmFRgP2-Fjbmb3Kydy9GsF2U2nRZXWRczPh9o_9rzj9XvhAKH6l4rf9yD8iGl9xIDb7JTA4-UF-8cd8NXzTcAhYBYxFKXy45-wprAGhYeWJKrkDt0CDxwMclx8Uo/s900/DSC_1114(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji86m190TxhdDtMexxH7e5EGkhBu0hyZZRNanXLMxW0jh2Q3XHgA5x-3vRKCApWcTlmFRgP2-Fjbmb3Kydy9GsF2U2nRZXWRczPh9o_9rzj9XvhAKH6l4rf9yD8iGl9xIDb7JTA4-UF-8cd8NXzTcAhYBYxFKXy45-wprAGhYeWJKrkDt0CDxwMclx8Uo/s320/DSC_1114(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Piirustuspaja', the drawing room.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDhJbbRenncuEpxAVwCqzJMZE_-Xhy0zZDdsZVpvHcm30pleDlgd7-T4ZZhIfzmNwn1UdCVz8WqykKsOD2ILA4dBjKRfjmhBHfAYDjVhu_BP2W4ITRQEautTr3N_HjROlCUPbOe-I6WFn5s-1cE281TbOgRHOMIsJtOs-W8uG54bpDqQRaopTaL6TXtA/s900/DSC_1200(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDhJbbRenncuEpxAVwCqzJMZE_-Xhy0zZDdsZVpvHcm30pleDlgd7-T4ZZhIfzmNwn1UdCVz8WqykKsOD2ILA4dBjKRfjmhBHfAYDjVhu_BP2W4ITRQEautTr3N_HjROlCUPbOe-I6WFn5s-1cE281TbOgRHOMIsJtOs-W8uG54bpDqQRaopTaL6TXtA/s320/DSC_1200(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The drawing room was always supervised by a worker. <br />Miss Quackfaster could help you with any questions!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As
soon as I had a moment to spare I took my liberties to check out the
Artist's Alley. My work for the Mericon day was to be the general con
photographer and also take the photos of the cosplay contestants,
effectively making me one of the three cosplay judges as the photography
aspect was factored into the judging process. So yeah, if you saw a
pirate bumbling along with a camera in hand that was probably me. :D <strike>I need to learn to do the drunken sailor walk for better immersion lol.</strike><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UO98fFQ5HD-oXLCPOG-_PW85NZ7qi6m7kY92Nl4FWeNoEu4rfE9Obonig_oxKb45dqUlJ-V8kBxRotgmeBNcKV3slyTyOiEiSkHV5xBwuc4CAS_pv3prL1cmnMQUOtm6MHGVCGDm-Hwxm-qfLvBMtAB1IWkCO1JA6nqHtzAEn3yu2z5yX_UlhzQKJYg/s900/DSC_1135(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UO98fFQ5HD-oXLCPOG-_PW85NZ7qi6m7kY92Nl4FWeNoEu4rfE9Obonig_oxKb45dqUlJ-V8kBxRotgmeBNcKV3slyTyOiEiSkHV5xBwuc4CAS_pv3prL1cmnMQUOtm6MHGVCGDm-Hwxm-qfLvBMtAB1IWkCO1JA6nqHtzAEn3yu2z5yX_UlhzQKJYg/s320/DSC_1135(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Official Mericon poster and Artist's Alley directional sign.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsvWSKFIPv2vMfdroU3FUWicpLiktth2nuWS83OFLoLWCqrKoClNSDe5EBWDWgEEn_zYZZ9vO9VLxrZsMO0H4msg2wLBGkcGFxz9WK_jc8RHnDb-NcbfH3WZiCGCWd_PQeSC92jJO6PRHkLMXBB0BDseauRctKkiYE2opOj2NrrEV4beo53tXTdt3_KQ/s900/DSC_1119(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsvWSKFIPv2vMfdroU3FUWicpLiktth2nuWS83OFLoLWCqrKoClNSDe5EBWDWgEEn_zYZZ9vO9VLxrZsMO0H4msg2wLBGkcGFxz9WK_jc8RHnDb-NcbfH3WZiCGCWd_PQeSC92jJO6PRHkLMXBB0BDseauRctKkiYE2opOj2NrrEV4beo53tXTdt3_KQ/s320/DSC_1119(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Artist's Alley, located in the reading hall.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaUldK33VWxLfSvQbSlL3TItcd3ja0FzvMXI1KN-7ju2_e0H8PyJOETYY5CHGj-9gpYKi_BJ3OGxqMPxbFHL1CYvJjAexuQNovKyXYQl_a9U2fj-O5DlOTFxe2zBWKNzcsWuhlRbm1Ip750pczj2Nh51VvFONyP-JTuY9UgDDo2Z5_jgPZ6WfgL8WkZA/s900/DSC_1209(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaUldK33VWxLfSvQbSlL3TItcd3ja0FzvMXI1KN-7ju2_e0H8PyJOETYY5CHGj-9gpYKi_BJ3OGxqMPxbFHL1CYvJjAexuQNovKyXYQl_a9U2fj-O5DlOTFxe2zBWKNzcsWuhlRbm1Ip750pczj2Nh51VvFONyP-JTuY9UgDDo2Z5_jgPZ6WfgL8WkZA/s320/DSC_1209(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aroaava/">aroaava</a>'s booth.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">While I was walking around taking the general con photos I hit a leisurely chat with a few of the artists and what I could gather was that there seemed to be an almost uniform experience of the artists having sold more than they expected from a small, first-time convention – which was great to hear! <br />I personally bought a few magnets and some other small stuff too, will post a photo at the end of this blog post. :) Artist's Alley is one of the main attractions to me in any con I go to, I enjoy supporting art creators and decorating my home with things and trinkets that make me happy.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4_dEF5hlJD5PzvCnpKUF4aOla6mrNFmTl4gXeTWU00DnQ7NmXNUajNQj9qvLRzOcHSQjLrLazkbu0kxFiJ-VtZDWjc2HZMUDCcQTjQK064lOahCTeq0nRS4I1Gw4YGtXQQCTEzxf7Xe5xTFvgwFjqhar8HCakWudqngHN9yuitJB0LaSOxs80IdiNdE/s900/DSC_1122(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4_dEF5hlJD5PzvCnpKUF4aOla6mrNFmTl4gXeTWU00DnQ7NmXNUajNQj9qvLRzOcHSQjLrLazkbu0kxFiJ-VtZDWjc2HZMUDCcQTjQK064lOahCTeq0nRS4I1Gw4YGtXQQCTEzxf7Xe5xTFvgwFjqhar8HCakWudqngHN9yuitJB0LaSOxs80IdiNdE/s320/DSC_1122(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The library had put forward a lot of Japan themed literature.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXL3m93UzoAtw2e8IdJ1xkgUoegrCsPgu4mWjJCkIiQS3JJXMr2EdA3jlJPJ5xdyc1D0p-lRn4dr9HTSH3gl4u0u9zOJslbN08SumKk8lp1z9JS3mSZ7x0ulpFo5IftDHqS4cW7heZjwbeshs-uIUYHKvmQy4s2hAplgxFkMt02KNqQzJkLUqUeWDp6J8/s900/DSC_1129(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXL3m93UzoAtw2e8IdJ1xkgUoegrCsPgu4mWjJCkIiQS3JJXMr2EdA3jlJPJ5xdyc1D0p-lRn4dr9HTSH3gl4u0u9zOJslbN08SumKk8lp1z9JS3mSZ7x0ulpFo5IftDHqS4cW7heZjwbeshs-uIUYHKvmQy4s2hAplgxFkMt02KNqQzJkLUqUeWDp6J8/s320/DSC_1129(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General photo from near the stage.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYtyvj2lvijgb7TpvoLmG2X0mFhe3SN3NQa-FORw9cAkgEbb9tBzdFd3eaH71IazWj1nCUjWcK638hgO6or4DdqdTXZ1DA6SbPrM5z5gG4URPCQ_n0TrLe1pmzpy2NDP1cXdHbnLn1NMZaEMi4PgassnlcAyHgpC9B8-xHmbjePYbmPU7RM4kal3CcTI/s900/DSC_1175(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYtyvj2lvijgb7TpvoLmG2X0mFhe3SN3NQa-FORw9cAkgEbb9tBzdFd3eaH71IazWj1nCUjWcK638hgO6or4DdqdTXZ1DA6SbPrM5z5gG4URPCQ_n0TrLe1pmzpy2NDP1cXdHbnLn1NMZaEMi4PgassnlcAyHgpC9B8-xHmbjePYbmPU7RM4kal3CcTI/s320/DSC_1175(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upstairs there wasn't a lot going on...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgta0FWEi6wAhFOqUqi62bAXbsCDU4lMhoSlm-fVGGtAgX5jO_iY0xXBwoaxUx6-KDmnviFoLMV8qWJ1mFaKcn8_ZtjjPqZAmg7PAfw8mqNVX8R1tsK2aUnAN5MnQ1NLCPHzvQnkz6eHZML0z3PuG3xYD0oN-V1YLkIoYBydloES83aX1gU0AqZaTcnT3c/s900/DSC_1131(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgta0FWEi6wAhFOqUqi62bAXbsCDU4lMhoSlm-fVGGtAgX5jO_iY0xXBwoaxUx6-KDmnviFoLMV8qWJ1mFaKcn8_ZtjjPqZAmg7PAfw8mqNVX8R1tsK2aUnAN5MnQ1NLCPHzvQnkz6eHZML0z3PuG3xYD0oN-V1YLkIoYBydloES83aX1gU0AqZaTcnT3c/s320/DSC_1131(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... save for the very yolo-style photography booth.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br />I'm gonna admit that the photography booth was a very last minute rush job and I'm not too proud of it lol. It fell on me and <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> to fix the fabric and sew the thing and of course the sewing machine broke like the day before the con (Murphy's law!). The original plan was to strap the fabric to two coat racks but when I saw those in person, on the morning of the con, I realized they would be way too low-hanging in case any of the cosplay contestants happened to be even slightly tall. We didn't want the fabric to drag too much on the floor either in case someone would trip on it and securing it between two bookshelves didn't give the desired height either. And yeah, running out of options me and my colleague thought to attach it to the elevator sign and then somehow just drape it over an art installation on the wall with a coat rack securing the other end. I don't know how the fuck it held in place the whole day but it did. xD It wasn't pretty nor professional by any means but it got the job done and yeah, next time we'll have to rethink the whole placement issue because this was clearly something that would have needed more planning prior lol. Luck in misfortune was that because we misjudged the needed width of the fabric it was able to stay put in place – if it had been wider it would likely just have slid off the art installation (cuz of its drooping sides) because the fabric was heavy and slippery and the extra width would have pulled it down...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Most of my Mericon day actually went by while taking photos, running from place A to place B to check that things were working as they should and helping visitors by explaining what kind of event Mericon is to grannies and moms coming over with their shy children for the first time to an anime convention. It's quite important to give a good first impression to those for whom this kind of event is a wholly new and unknown experience because you never know where this hobby might take them!<br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuS5u1MXJ2dpxoJSW29bT_6VPsG05ewAyceBFZOEhhs3Fn-7TUHf_AiA-u54__MzOBEwKEjK93MwbSePE0mLLH9_VXrjQtLdNxPskpmqkgvOPUTlRIcWTSaYxfCbWZzFMSgz5xPFItu5JWvd4ILT0zNXQ7aNfr3TRIHfVwJNHyFThmhQks1FgjAS5v6g/s900/DSC_1127(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuS5u1MXJ2dpxoJSW29bT_6VPsG05ewAyceBFZOEhhs3Fn-7TUHf_AiA-u54__MzOBEwKEjK93MwbSePE0mLLH9_VXrjQtLdNxPskpmqkgvOPUTlRIcWTSaYxfCbWZzFMSgz5xPFItu5JWvd4ILT0zNXQ7aNfr3TRIHfVwJNHyFThmhQks1FgjAS5v6g/s320/DSC_1127(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Themed display area with stuff borrowed from the Maritime Museum.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LGSm0b_kOZcL4nJtHoaSr6_JauYt89V7CKLvjNTI7AcBFubk4vQj_mHnQ0fWjlbP_R6biqy5b_tCc9x3QDuLZNyHJx0Z6LFXJTMWljJ2eOmLJm61CyhF_w9-Bkbs-UHpJH4bnafvpx2MIKF467MD4a_-qT7bnmkFGdTEneSaz6HnNUimS5WrZ3q2nZ4/s900/DSC_1284(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LGSm0b_kOZcL4nJtHoaSr6_JauYt89V7CKLvjNTI7AcBFubk4vQj_mHnQ0fWjlbP_R6biqy5b_tCc9x3QDuLZNyHJx0Z6LFXJTMWljJ2eOmLJm61CyhF_w9-Bkbs-UHpJH4bnafvpx2MIKF467MD4a_-qT7bnmkFGdTEneSaz6HnNUimS5WrZ3q2nZ4/s320/DSC_1284(2).png" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pirate's life for me. My OotD was arrr!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Because of my work profile to snap photos of Mericon's happenings I found myself a little all over the place, including watching the dance shows and the cosplay competition. At least one can't say that I had a boring moment! The cosplay judge stuff also went smoothly and we all agreed on who the finalists were. I want to send out my best regards for all the contestants and hope we'll see you all on stage in the future too~<br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDOnzVVF1IMYrfQ6P7YeuCsVv0K_twnOavdhStFn0ayNF5bn8jiyDc8Rlm_Fe4K2SoYlBQEVOh9K5pJ21sPVud1WWiITxv351wv8JZjuuE1TREiLD1Eecs-3IOFhKz9M4z7cYnbhLHig1wkISJksbQlv-z97hB9C_Of9Kf7-lce4vtesxZXErdepbxNs/s900/DSC_1145(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqDOnzVVF1IMYrfQ6P7YeuCsVv0K_twnOavdhStFn0ayNF5bn8jiyDc8Rlm_Fe4K2SoYlBQEVOh9K5pJ21sPVud1WWiITxv351wv8JZjuuE1TREiLD1Eecs-3IOFhKz9M4z7cYnbhLHig1wkISJksbQlv-z97hB9C_Of9Kf7-lce4vtesxZXErdepbxNs/s320/DSC_1145(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andromed@ Duo: Special Live.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnJ6iNOmWTbh3LOJTv5hy7zs_lL4-CSNnB3ynOsaw73Zyqw0GtuLYKRZPQgTluMsPvPhpt5TmdtmrK4LKLgvuYmZUD7qB0uqLNjEIIdGAxKDq5xR_2aitsuK07ij-j3ehsyqVYT15Ny2moYCeB80jBvV34BL-Genhoo28p7pJo7-Q-7KloBLqPZOgL6I/s900/DSC_1240(4).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnJ6iNOmWTbh3LOJTv5hy7zs_lL4-CSNnB3ynOsaw73Zyqw0GtuLYKRZPQgTluMsPvPhpt5TmdtmrK4LKLgvuYmZUD7qB0uqLNjEIIdGAxKDq5xR_2aitsuK07ij-j3ehsyqVYT15Ny2moYCeB80jBvV34BL-Genhoo28p7pJo7-Q-7KloBLqPZOgL6I/s320/DSC_1240(4).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosplay competition in full swing.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">But my day wasn't all work either. After landlegging around a fair bit I ran into some familiar faces, namely <a href="https://www.instagram.com/auriraitsu/">Auriraitsu</a> and <b>Gure</b>, the former whom I hadn't seen for quite some time! They cosplayed Allan from the new and immensely popular <i>Barbie</i> movie (for good reason, it's a blast) and it was fun to see that those two friends of mine, whom had never seen one another before, ended up bonding quick too. We had our share of weird conversations but I mean, that's part of the fun with whacky friendships right? Regardless it was such a treat to see some long-time friends again!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GtW-M4hqgdTlsRi9I1ga8uC4b8hVWswNV-wgWNqfev-MNEcpqhTsQR83K7B3-xkM3szpvvgCIZdUBNR__kMmG7MqrwFrOXupRFY9mGtqqWSQ84g__npb-cx0_5P5UzNjhsJrkmcMcp2JdeWFxFB76ft7EFOu0ZGGfyrB63mfJUqFVJwabvAFMMdC60Y/s900/DSC_1258(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GtW-M4hqgdTlsRi9I1ga8uC4b8hVWswNV-wgWNqfev-MNEcpqhTsQR83K7B3-xkM3szpvvgCIZdUBNR__kMmG7MqrwFrOXupRFY9mGtqqWSQ84g__npb-cx0_5P5UzNjhsJrkmcMcp2JdeWFxFB76ft7EFOu0ZGGfyrB63mfJUqFVJwabvAFMMdC60Y/s320/DSC_1258(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/auriraitsu/">Auriraitsu</a> and <b>Gure</b> being silly. Please never change. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The two last activities for the day were a k-pop random dance and <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a>'s panel about his cosplaying endeavors throughout the years. I attended the latter. After that the first Mericon ever was coming to a close and it was time to help a bit with taking down decorations and stuff. It felt somewhat surreal when it hit me that it was over. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJUBLEezyUveleJpzhhQYqVhhut78jOw4wJ4iGthzwLgftU0TRFb5FS8lSNASKSfNyT78kfBrv2wVIiH7nzSb4azU6jx-0A65N95pX8TkI03gZjzvoXOJk47-ehzAf1r1Z35dilwOJCfbJP4JnxPtdnl_h70F2Za0R7L4-GjjwWBb3CL1wwPI77YWr2c/s900/DSC_1118(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJUBLEezyUveleJpzhhQYqVhhut78jOw4wJ4iGthzwLgftU0TRFb5FS8lSNASKSfNyT78kfBrv2wVIiH7nzSb4azU6jx-0A65N95pX8TkI03gZjzvoXOJk47-ehzAf1r1Z35dilwOJCfbJP4JnxPtdnl_h70F2Za0R7L4-GjjwWBb3CL1wwPI77YWr2c/s320/DSC_1118(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Luentosali', the panelist room.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFKaSEP_uTnu3AyfpaDJbg9A2SGTRIDn0K2ncH5pqJkxi6mhfMf3ukfQ_yrbhqou9MbBTQJkamn1O4zEcSFVcc1920zvLI0eCuS-I1m_BtGrpok-OIThSPVWFphdhEauitbBht2ylxaNRPwKdBzgpDuDLUEnps2gZa7_TCqG3JgfTe9eCBrITYYaz_CU/s900/DSC_1262(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNFKaSEP_uTnu3AyfpaDJbg9A2SGTRIDn0K2ncH5pqJkxi6mhfMf3ukfQ_yrbhqou9MbBTQJkamn1O4zEcSFVcc1920zvLI0eCuS-I1m_BtGrpok-OIThSPVWFphdhEauitbBht2ylxaNRPwKdBzgpDuDLUEnps2gZa7_TCqG3JgfTe9eCBrITYYaz_CU/s320/DSC_1262(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a>'s cheeky cosplay panel.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I'm not an official library worker I wasn't needed for the "aftertalks" and took this chance to spend some more time with <a href="https://www.instagram.com/auriraitsu/">Auriraitsu</a> while I waited for <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> to be free for the day. Me and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/auriraitsu/">Auriraitsu</a> took a drive over to McDonald's for a quick snack and then we chatted and caught up with life in general. It was a nice way to wind down after a long and productive day. Thanks for the company!<br /><br />My feelings about Mericon are overwhelmingly positive. I was prepared for either outcome but luckily it wasn't a case of walk the plank or a sinking ship and the feedback has been positive from the visitors too. I even overheard some visitors talking in ways that strongly implied that they were already expecting Mericon to return next year and planning their cosplays for it etc, although no official confirmation nor statement of continuation has been given out at this writing moment. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Of course there's always room for improvements to be made and some things were admittedly very rushed *coughphotoboothcough* but yeah, all things considered Mericon swam proudly into shore <strike>especially when you factor in the reality that it was basically a one-person passion project with no previous con organizer experience</strike> and I'm definitely onboard for a continuation if it gets green light from the higher-ups! It is quite likely that Mericon 2.0 will happen because based on what I've heard, as someone with access to behind-the-scenes intel, Mericon was deemed a success by the library staff and it exceeded the expected amount of visitors by quite a good margin. So I think we can all cross our fingers and cautiously raise our hooks in cheer that Rauma has got its own annual con... ;) <strike>And then we can rival Pori's Nippori eiku.<br /><br /></strike><div style="text-align: center;">Oh and here's my con loot:</div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r07Fe3y9d1PgBzIj6Tg89Y3j40cJOSSUfnAtx0cMfNoQW1AmwBSwumHrN2ty3idI729vn3-dPskzzjYfBLoEI0FclUL39zmsehJTUR3QoSQQy4AXr7lk6hPL1F2_50TYSqjhF17IbQ52MaHgXwlt9zDfIB-hIT_1HKxhJ8G9zydK1DfvU-yg-ZF_PQ8/s900/DSC_1287(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r07Fe3y9d1PgBzIj6Tg89Y3j40cJOSSUfnAtx0cMfNoQW1AmwBSwumHrN2ty3idI729vn3-dPskzzjYfBLoEI0FclUL39zmsehJTUR3QoSQQy4AXr7lk6hPL1F2_50TYSqjhF17IbQ52MaHgXwlt9zDfIB-hIT_1HKxhJ8G9zydK1DfvU-yg-ZF_PQ8/s320/DSC_1287(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnets to the left by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aroaava/">aroaava</a> and everything else by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/riishue/">riishue</a>.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I was lucky with the <i>Käärijä</i> merch because <a href="https://www.instagram.com/riishue/">riishue</a> sold out everything! I grabbed the very last print and I'm sooo happy I got it. ;__; All the stickers and the kitty pin under the Cha Cha Cha sticker were freebies, which was very nice of the seller!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for reading and thanks to all the visitors who happen to read this too!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>~ <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> (aka KaamosWolf) out.</i></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-86422500182160672922023-08-01T07:12:00.002+02:002023-08-01T07:12:44.768+02:00I'm going to Mericon!<div style="text-align: center;"> Hello beans and seabreams!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My next con will be the brand new Mericon in Rauma, Finland, held at the main library on 5th August 2023. It's a small event with free entrance and with a focus on manga, literature and cosplay. There will be some activities to keep y'all busy like a cosplay competition, a room for drawing, a few lectures and even Artist's Alley. For more information do check out the official <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mericonrauma/">Instagram page</a>. ^_^<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSwKRm5L4UIBTFBNhFIIlP3hThKpA4degx_nyWodrPz6B7GwjSTz82-83z79dTwUovHTpQCanHHJxPZTZ_a5Wkw5h4MZYUYUNH9kgX6J5ViA0OZ_aI4vFrfrJAHc_FGoBmqDnikLH2sb1IkQGtzR0RGp0AkYj_wE6nG-eCFm11_wi8anq2FKOfuQbLkk/s940/Mericon.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSwKRm5L4UIBTFBNhFIIlP3hThKpA4degx_nyWodrPz6B7GwjSTz82-83z79dTwUovHTpQCanHHJxPZTZ_a5Wkw5h4MZYUYUNH9kgX6J5ViA0OZ_aI4vFrfrJAHc_FGoBmqDnikLH2sb1IkQGtzR0RGp0AkYj_wE6nG-eCFm11_wi8anq2FKOfuQbLkk/s320/Mericon.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">You'll see me there as a worker or, to be more precise, in a 'right hand' role as I will be helping the main organizers with whatever small tasks that crop up. I will be one of the three judges for the cosplay competition and I will also be the one behind the marine themed artworks you'll see decorating the event venue! So yeah, I guess in all technicality I am sort of a co-organizer for the event and that makes it feel a bit different. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I won't be there in cosplay this time but rather in a pirate-inspired outfit to match the theme of the event! There is no official theme though (aside from the name, 'meri' means sea and it's a reference to Rauma's long history and identity as a harbor town) so there's definitely no obligation to come dressed as a mermaid or in an inflatable kraken outfit lol. You of course don't have to be in cosplay either, just like on all other events of the same sort. I'm mentioning this because sometimes you see first-time congoers, usually kids, asking if wearing a costume is obligatory and no, it's really not. :) Everyone is welcome to Mericon regardless of age and experience so see you there!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>~ <a href="http://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> out.<br /></i></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-46903949197094244552023-07-28T19:53:00.003+02:002023-07-29T19:04:57.318+02:00Kisuke Urahara cosplay WIP<div style="text-align: center;"> Hello frens!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I finally got around to compile the work in progress post of how I made my Urahara cosplay from <i>Bleach</i>, you know, the sus shopkeeper with the funny hat. Although I gotta say I didn't take very many photos of the process, partly because I forgot and partly because this was a last-minute rush project. We all know how real the con crunch can be so please cut me some slack lol.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh, and all the photos are taken with my phone's not-so-good camera so yeah, I'm sorry but the quality is a lot more shit than usual. I didn't have my SLR camera with me at any point while I was working on this cosplay, so no can do. Bad photos are still better than no photos and thus no WIP post, right?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyways, let's go!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEnhm1YkWasOB_h7ItS400RbWTR_RmloMAZmlHyPebeoWECybashGw0KGMK5nAEjJ6bjHd2evIJ5UCGGg2nYiLx7zLhYjz0Yvbjg-aM946KyP9KGQgD55iOTFm2rC6lfZq7SlUD_o_K7YXPzbk4DQvkWLMeuWEiGnrQ8Ifrxq2KiwHzOG1TGoL3wLYY4/s1080/Kisuke_Urahara_Render.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEnhm1YkWasOB_h7ItS400RbWTR_RmloMAZmlHyPebeoWECybashGw0KGMK5nAEjJ6bjHd2evIJ5UCGGg2nYiLx7zLhYjz0Yvbjg-aM946KyP9KGQgD55iOTFm2rC6lfZq7SlUD_o_K7YXPzbk4DQvkWLMeuWEiGnrQ8Ifrxq2KiwHzOG1TGoL3wLYY4/s320/Kisuke_Urahara_Render.png" width="207" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kisuke Urahara reference.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Okay so, this cosplay materialized in a very short amount of time. I had to finish it no later than one and a half week before Nekocon as that was when I left home with mom and stepdad to attend my cousin's wedding in the other end of the country, which meant my cosplay came with me to Gothenburg and from there to Kuopio on our return trip. I don't like doing anything with a really stressful time frame but stress is also a good motivator to get things done.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Because of the lack of time I didn't have time to visit a fabric store. Thankfully mom used to have a fabric store many years ago and what remains from it is in her attic, so basically there's a fabric store at home whenever I visit her. So I went and pillaged the sortiment and almost immediately found a perfect green cotton fabric and a sufficient dark green polyester fabric. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I know, Urahara's haori is most often depicted as black but mom didn't have any black fabric (unless I wanted a really porno PVC haori lmao) so I had to use something else that seemed passable. My options were dark grey, dark brown or dark green but I found dark green first and decided to roll with it because the colors went nicely together.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZN6es5sgdIkClPXgVR2UFBzDZd7D61_PdWwWPnVtk71JlPDPh8CWfV2EJWr1M9ka4CXttU7kFPizWZRqFGdP0ZqBp_Rf05BaQlt3_hlrDlr4-oFayg88DNPcaF0e_J47vO74Cx46h2lzMjWJT_JL5PiNYrBBQnycrmrLKHtDPBlp-53NVFGlD-V523Y8/s900/IMG_20230625_202913.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZN6es5sgdIkClPXgVR2UFBzDZd7D61_PdWwWPnVtk71JlPDPh8CWfV2EJWr1M9ka4CXttU7kFPizWZRqFGdP0ZqBp_Rf05BaQlt3_hlrDlr4-oFayg88DNPcaF0e_J47vO74Cx46h2lzMjWJT_JL5PiNYrBBQnycrmrLKHtDPBlp-53NVFGlD-V523Y8/s320/IMG_20230625_202913.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabrics, check.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I immediately spread out the fabrics on the kitchen table and started measuring and cutting out all the pieces. Urahara's outfit consists of a samue (kimono-like top and pants) set, a haori, traditional geta clogs and his signature hat. I only used a pattern for the pants, the rest I just winged because kimono are basically just rectangles sewn together.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6SSAUjW5dUVFJHPU2Kunx1efI3O0v2Wy56xChuSQjc15dw-ouo6adj753kzpSME8r6KPu0gA2SZadjPRrr9TdS1TLtcM8o8N1mvWXuVAHD_z3QC7Phxm_4ygtG7kc3TlN7fJqlsxEFISLiN6Gjow2EzhllCItrbzGApsg_eEnJjHoG7pKASqa4ENNis/s900/IMG_20230625_215207.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6SSAUjW5dUVFJHPU2Kunx1efI3O0v2Wy56xChuSQjc15dw-ouo6adj753kzpSME8r6KPu0gA2SZadjPRrr9TdS1TLtcM8o8N1mvWXuVAHD_z3QC7Phxm_4ygtG7kc3TlN7fJqlsxEFISLiN6Gjow2EzhllCItrbzGApsg_eEnJjHoG7pKASqa4ENNis/s320/IMG_20230625_215207.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabric laid out.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukKI-Vs8z5GAo2A_DHVwhh_O-3Po5rFkmTKBk8Bj5fvZlhxC4NFidL4CZau5nOg9uLfEf9eOAYYpk8gkMADhHWeti17cbTTW3R1ugZXW9AvUBAjBJ8o3pkm_R-PzLkrx-tcYFK99osU1PeeFpGyhQPlLm2EkYZLHa6NTSeM04OduKZTOYRkRGS18P5y8/s900/IMG_20230625_231444.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukKI-Vs8z5GAo2A_DHVwhh_O-3Po5rFkmTKBk8Bj5fvZlhxC4NFidL4CZau5nOg9uLfEf9eOAYYpk8gkMADhHWeti17cbTTW3R1ugZXW9AvUBAjBJ8o3pkm_R-PzLkrx-tcYFK99osU1PeeFpGyhQPlLm2EkYZLHa6NTSeM04OduKZTOYRkRGS18P5y8/s320/IMG_20230625_231444.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pants pants pants!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nvay3iLVU-BuPohl4u_xjvFr_MUYDUhM6Ej-Qa0VAxIDOPwJGXAEAAeyUMpmOaOkNqdHXfSeVKBZeHg44oNCN8MSJi1bDOmd7A7-k_TDEyqyT-u-tcEk6SGpAkDAI0OH_EyDnuevsqeNuAbUtb_D-kl-Gf0L5hKGmvmqdGQPKPxT9X8BorRftADU4Gc/s900/IMG_20230626_111717.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nvay3iLVU-BuPohl4u_xjvFr_MUYDUhM6Ej-Qa0VAxIDOPwJGXAEAAeyUMpmOaOkNqdHXfSeVKBZeHg44oNCN8MSJi1bDOmd7A7-k_TDEyqyT-u-tcEk6SGpAkDAI0OH_EyDnuevsqeNuAbUtb_D-kl-Gf0L5hKGmvmqdGQPKPxT9X8BorRftADU4Gc/s320/IMG_20230626_111717.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the pieces laid out plus elastic, cord and threads.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">That's all the progress I did on the first day, it was quite late. The
next day I used mom's serger to go through all the raw edges. I have to
be kind to it as it's as old as I am and if you go too fast it will
squeak a lot. Poor thing has seen a lot of use but it's such a trusty, convenient
lil' machine. <3<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXibvilxn13e_oGRmvUyO32XhlYg7-5tQtCylbpiZbMLhJFQnwQLYY2RRpWcyv5hkG4-86mZVkMRI_lssQshe8VQUfta3Fzvrear_edCdgq0zpFK08rnRNolQH2nNWaJOaVTB6H9QKfBWK1dIEMSlAglQyBUiR9CzV0CtfawxCZm20QYYNO_WQtVi-IXE/s900/IMG_20230626_215642.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXibvilxn13e_oGRmvUyO32XhlYg7-5tQtCylbpiZbMLhJFQnwQLYY2RRpWcyv5hkG4-86mZVkMRI_lssQshe8VQUfta3Fzvrear_edCdgq0zpFK08rnRNolQH2nNWaJOaVTB6H9QKfBWK1dIEMSlAglQyBUiR9CzV0CtfawxCZm20QYYNO_WQtVi-IXE/s320/IMG_20230626_215642.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saumuri goes brrrr<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">While I was working on my cosplay mom was using the sewing machine to do some embroidery gifts for the wedding and that's when the worst thing that could happen happened – the machine died! Like it would start up but it would not sew a single stitch and just make this infernal noise instead. It was panic galore. Like please not now, we literally don't have time for this! T_T</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So I had to ask <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a> for an emergency visit to their place so I could continue on my cosplay. Mom drove me home and I packed my stuff for the wedding trip. I also frantically searched for Urahara's hat because I knew I had seen it _somewhere_ but I had no idea where as it was literal years ago. I bought it many years ago at a con just for shits and giggles and now I needed to find it for some real use.</div><div style="text-align: left;">After rummaging through all thinkable closets and storages I found it inside a large black plastic bag that smelled like yesteryear!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-11caWVPYKR3uE7wiEgMHxbvO9rslSZCpY105IqhoWdVq0yf0It_EIWJkkSpDQa5c6BtMnv3AkZu9Nmvg0W3QjKmjA0pqotW-NXr36tdAnExkXPa2BQe1mS60UqLr_R12TkFH5OFYYnfvNdVUzDBaUA28ZofwFO0DB6d5gtE0PUdlvpOZ6buSbs5QrUM/s900/IMG_20230628_144202.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-11caWVPYKR3uE7wiEgMHxbvO9rslSZCpY105IqhoWdVq0yf0It_EIWJkkSpDQa5c6BtMnv3AkZu9Nmvg0W3QjKmjA0pqotW-NXr36tdAnExkXPa2BQe1mS60UqLr_R12TkFH5OFYYnfvNdVUzDBaUA28ZofwFO0DB6d5gtE0PUdlvpOZ6buSbs5QrUM/s320/IMG_20230628_144202.png" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hat and wig found, wohoo!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I also looked through my shoes and low and behold – I had the perfect pair of geta clogs that I didn't even remember having! I can't believe my luck, I was ecstatic! <br />Also, I somehow found a suitable wig in my wig stash and no, I have no fucking clue what I originally intended to use this wig for; it was just existing in there. xD<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Later on that same day <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a> came to pick me up after they finished work for the day. I sewed the haori together in my friend's comfy abode in Kemi and did some paint tests. We also watched a bit of anime and had a good time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirK2aNDuco18Zo6HlYlHd26sN-yN5oN00719ZACQ0iuePNBiYPM8pSX-OzdANQ20PbePWK_OjJ5jSW5fNss9SEEPRu0yUU0y7BrhnOYA1KLpZAeXZQUeJwuvoPRA9sxI7f2UI_ptkGQFIGHN23UJHdq4mBIneouDUdCHeewMsVyiqGQWT5eo5RkG8kuUI/s900/IMG_20230628_211033.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirK2aNDuco18Zo6HlYlHd26sN-yN5oN00719ZACQ0iuePNBiYPM8pSX-OzdANQ20PbePWK_OjJ5jSW5fNss9SEEPRu0yUU0y7BrhnOYA1KLpZAeXZQUeJwuvoPRA9sxI7f2UI_ptkGQFIGHN23UJHdq4mBIneouDUdCHeewMsVyiqGQWT5eo5RkG8kuUI/s320/IMG_20230628_211033.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One coat of paint, freshly applied.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKuRekZqL2F7NJGeWT88iFm9zYnk89rXoRvrAvMNWBPZOXHRcHAZlJtVF-zxge8Ymx3LiK16wV87DGJphokFwzfmi_k8psTr3sWhUBn56x1UGTdWEzA4NWYuJWgwSeztQZyk2kvtwmZtbB4fFLbN6B4bQV9R_eXiuoj3S-Nj_3b1Df98uQ8bbUxmBJOY/s900/IMG_20230628_221203.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKuRekZqL2F7NJGeWT88iFm9zYnk89rXoRvrAvMNWBPZOXHRcHAZlJtVF-zxge8Ymx3LiK16wV87DGJphokFwzfmi_k8psTr3sWhUBn56x1UGTdWEzA4NWYuJWgwSeztQZyk2kvtwmZtbB4fFLbN6B4bQV9R_eXiuoj3S-Nj_3b1Df98uQ8bbUxmBJOY/s320/IMG_20230628_221203.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same single coat but dry. Insane difference.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />On the photos above you see what a world of difference it makes whether or not the fabric paint is made specifically for dark fabrics or not. This is the same brand with ordinary white on the left and "for dark fabrics" white on the right. The ordinary white is hardly even visible after it dried while the other white is super opaque! I didn't have to think twice on which one to choose.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Mom came to pick me up from Kemi after she got her sewing machine repaired. It warranted a trip to an old gentleman in Oulu with 40 years of experience repairing all kinds of sewing machines. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Back at mom's I started to prepare for painting those <strike>salmiakit</strike> rhombic patterns. I wanted to make a stencil to guarantee that the symbols would be as identical as possible and for that I needed some kind of plastic or cardboard etc as a base. Mom had no suitable scrap cardboard available but my stepdad had a big leftover roll of 'rakennusmuovi' (builders plastic, construction plastic?) that he used while building the house they live in. It turned out to be just what I needed!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iWaF9REiN_0k-LkRBIkJm385miaOnNZs7KzIMkwfYeyD9ur_ASxVAC4trjHf7H4atEEEq--CXM7J7T0DQlE7BOSdvPch_ioberN8dKM7ehXxn2HW4BLGm5UD9K1UXqM4WaRyrdoi5pCs97DNpRutWjyKK3i9Yoh1rIp9eJD8mWnXwTLS-qadjoUhSXc/s900/DSC_0392(5).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iWaF9REiN_0k-LkRBIkJm385miaOnNZs7KzIMkwfYeyD9ur_ASxVAC4trjHf7H4atEEEq--CXM7J7T0DQlE7BOSdvPch_ioberN8dKM7ehXxn2HW4BLGm5UD9K1UXqM4WaRyrdoi5pCs97DNpRutWjyKK3i9Yoh1rIp9eJD8mWnXwTLS-qadjoUhSXc/s320/DSC_0392(5).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made my stencil out of this plastic roll.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbdORB0UM6vLzVqsd2NTJM08aQkj1mGt5KBQAGtvA4VMvEHvXovTB-b_-dzimukopLhz8gXgYga_iyj9E8zbbjvXQvAmXURlYLDHa65Yd6zbqqYAoSK63_t9SchzQ7AAcCoHGVXEr0yE7vBoHDo2yF4_qC6jlWihxIJDp9IOlYSamyGteTTt4ei0SAwc/s900/DSC_0393(4).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbdORB0UM6vLzVqsd2NTJM08aQkj1mGt5KBQAGtvA4VMvEHvXovTB-b_-dzimukopLhz8gXgYga_iyj9E8zbbjvXQvAmXURlYLDHa65Yd6zbqqYAoSK63_t9SchzQ7AAcCoHGVXEr0yE7vBoHDo2yF4_qC6jlWihxIJDp9IOlYSamyGteTTt4ei0SAwc/s320/DSC_0393(4).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stencil design measured and sketched.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I wanted to paint by hand with a pencil so I didn't do the usual stencil approach and instead used the cut-out shape as a measure, drawing along the outlines with tailor's chalk. </div><div style="text-align: left;">It was quite a nightmare to figure out how many symbols I could do while having the space between each one as identical as possible throughout the whole width of the garment. I almost had a meltdown fr, it was so frustrating because it would never line up just right, no matter how logically you tried to measure and calculate beforehand and then you had to redo and redo and redo and yeah, I just wanted to cry lol.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxfbOsAgMwJtFrYAnzogJUueEYe8wM5qZ1NAIr_OeJ86JRvfIeGCDAbi1BkxWw5jpSOCBWwBkl5ighbIigrofR6MKAR3fdEVNfUKIuBJCagzTjR6opldYkY3GmpW7-dGejTsu1rZmfK--Z6wDt1wsty62z23b-LJN0MREr00ahdqda7Vhdw_BwaM2zhs/s900/IMG_20230630_193641.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxfbOsAgMwJtFrYAnzogJUueEYe8wM5qZ1NAIr_OeJ86JRvfIeGCDAbi1BkxWw5jpSOCBWwBkl5ighbIigrofR6MKAR3fdEVNfUKIuBJCagzTjR6opldYkY3GmpW7-dGejTsu1rZmfK--Z6wDt1wsty62z23b-LJN0MREr00ahdqda7Vhdw_BwaM2zhs/s320/IMG_20230630_193641.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was my "spacing them out" approach. It was pain.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVgtMBb9bEzi86Z2MVasDguorfZDj0HMskcZHp-LNpNuOPLfzScg7oflhJdUE-EgjbJRZpdlvQ1EP5yfCWdciJYM6-9Sd-nVVxVGYFlgmRPMH7ZfHO52lXO1Tn2cmGtwbRz1t_vPUDjgq0n7rLeR7mLA6hqXK4UbhXnjNPTWzQVRkvrWUO7CFVBNaaf8/s900/IMG_20230630_200331.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVgtMBb9bEzi86Z2MVasDguorfZDj0HMskcZHp-LNpNuOPLfzScg7oflhJdUE-EgjbJRZpdlvQ1EP5yfCWdciJYM6-9Sd-nVVxVGYFlgmRPMH7ZfHO52lXO1Tn2cmGtwbRz1t_vPUDjgq0n7rLeR7mLA6hqXK4UbhXnjNPTWzQVRkvrWUO7CFVBNaaf8/s320/IMG_20230630_200331.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally got it to be as symmetrical as possible!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYA5XSnc7mO3Zjp3hzW_wV-K5rGoiSxWfoyFu7uHgTaUeFIYVyypV2SKPGGqPP5OfCqvAQDwPFUEQyXXfy8weQ-K0WQHoAbysQWB0lXKXnqduWWUekEhRBPHq8QPSGRa5cO0_Mq3iL6f6kNVdrALUtL8C2xS-UHNzxVa0moX1goW8Gmy2SzE2K8Icw8o8/s900/IMG_20230630_211807.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYA5XSnc7mO3Zjp3hzW_wV-K5rGoiSxWfoyFu7uHgTaUeFIYVyypV2SKPGGqPP5OfCqvAQDwPFUEQyXXfy8weQ-K0WQHoAbysQWB0lXKXnqduWWUekEhRBPHq8QPSGRa5cO0_Mq3iL6f6kNVdrALUtL8C2xS-UHNzxVa0moX1goW8Gmy2SzE2K8Icw8o8/s320/IMG_20230630_211807.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One coat of paint later.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The fabric paint was so good that I only had to do two layers to have an opaque, covering result. And this is on synthetic fabric, which I found extra impressive as the paint didn't even specify that it would work on synthetics – only naturals like cotton and silk etc.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDXPWkvU1YxYA2UFuLjYLCjQHQk37VC42yxGulKvOhQEolZhf7dSuG6nksoxR-uax_8LBzfbyzybLD8XA_qxs7O9Al4yZcYrecs_S0AWaylGzM_VkfP-Y-zUE9wuw2o2lW0HL54g_FSemnbERIG2wqUu60mBlctT5dCL9GZFvs-lQrJwUPOhAr7VvGmU/s900/DSC_0394(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="900" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDXPWkvU1YxYA2UFuLjYLCjQHQk37VC42yxGulKvOhQEolZhf7dSuG6nksoxR-uax_8LBzfbyzybLD8XA_qxs7O9Al4yZcYrecs_S0AWaylGzM_VkfP-Y-zUE9wuw2o2lW0HL54g_FSemnbERIG2wqUu60mBlctT5dCL9GZFvs-lQrJwUPOhAr7VvGmU/s320/DSC_0394(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sealing the paint. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I let my paint job dry overnight and then heat-sealed it the usual way. I personally use baking paper for protection when sealing fabric paint on synthetics because the recommended heat-setting is usually "cotton strength" (aka three dots or max heat) but synthetics rarely can withstand that high heat without taking damage. Using baking paper as a barrier also protects the iron itself so it's a win-win in my book.<br /><br />After that was done I went to try on the haori in the mirror. I noticed quite soon that my sleeves looked dumb as hell because I had apparently had a brainfart when I had sewn them and yeah, I had hemmed the edges the opposite way from how I usually do and I had completely forgot to factor in that the sleeve mouths are quite wide and so the fugliness of my flappy flap flap seam was very visible! <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhfqc2NqQgvjQHqNOKuqbKUSC3QkYID37z-b2Ydz_gnERdS4JrbDC2cfk5dgeAWu0FIKEepUoi8i2kJwRZbpnWnBQW7kwAN8F8zL8ns4Xne76hatzR7tySYOIxiWIpaSIB5l0Tey4SMWsLqaqN-7pGUfEOW2L8vyg52PL8zw4AagNMSNMkSU4Ikm9j8Q/s900/IMG_20230702_202030.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhfqc2NqQgvjQHqNOKuqbKUSC3QkYID37z-b2Ydz_gnERdS4JrbDC2cfk5dgeAWu0FIKEepUoi8i2kJwRZbpnWnBQW7kwAN8F8zL8ns4Xne76hatzR7tySYOIxiWIpaSIB5l0Tey4SMWsLqaqN-7pGUfEOW2L8vyg52PL8zw4AagNMSNMkSU4Ikm9j8Q/s320/IMG_20230702_202030.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fix that awkward mistake!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">On the photo above you can see what I meant by hemming the opposite way of how I usually do. The left sleeve (which I'm correcting/sewing on the pic) is how I usually hem everything and the sleeve laid out to the right is the epic fail brainfart deluxe sew-it-together-in-the-middle-of-the-night abomination that knows no bounds nor decency.<br /><br />After that hotfix my haori was done, this time for real. Now what was left to do was to sew together the samue. I didn't take any photos because it was really simple and basic stuff. The only thing I did that's worth mentioning is that I took some liberties with leaving slight openings at the armpits, this to make attaching a straight sleeve to a straight body of fabric as easy as possible and, secondly, to make the cosplay a bit more breezy – aka less sweaty to wear. I did the exact same approach while attaching the sleeves to the haori too. I figured it won't really be that obvious unless I lift my arms a lot and well, it's not like Tite Kubo followed many traditional kimono rules when he designed the outfits for the characters anyway so it's not like I'm comitting any terrible kitsuke police offenses here either by just making cosplay life a bit more comfortable for myself – by deviating from references ever so slightly.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpIhpTuZoAObHJWJsxagdhFucsJ4WvOJ7PltIV6lRry9lSWAvPJ1xATP5MQDmANKGQM0xlu4ZrqxNL-3nmVryfW06xIO_p7TwP3KUc3kPBtlCAXyrYiTnMavtjS3ZtiJYepW0iKfhc4UGgAv9Wk0ceQkOD3XxbmYgHTfy_TAC4yQymNtqeRX93UoLm-4/s900/IMG_20230702_220448.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpIhpTuZoAObHJWJsxagdhFucsJ4WvOJ7PltIV6lRry9lSWAvPJ1xATP5MQDmANKGQM0xlu4ZrqxNL-3nmVryfW06xIO_p7TwP3KUc3kPBtlCAXyrYiTnMavtjS3ZtiJYepW0iKfhc4UGgAv9Wk0ceQkOD3XxbmYgHTfy_TAC4yQymNtqeRX93UoLm-4/s320/IMG_20230702_220448.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleeve opening shenanigans.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I had originally cut out the okumi panel (the front "add-on panel") for the samue to get extra width in the front for overlap, but upon closer scrutiny I noticed that the okumi seam is completely absent on reference arts and well, Urahara wears his samue rather sloppily anyway and it only narrowly overlaps in the front so yeah, I decided to leave it out as I determined that the extra width wasn't needed after a test wear.</div><div style="text-align: left;">To add the little cords (the ribbon tie) keeping his top closed I just put the almost finished garment on my body, looked in the mirror to figure out the approximate placement, marked with pins and then sewed them on. Of course I acupunctured myself with the pins too.<br /><br />The pants were super easy to do, just basic 3/4 length trousers with an elastic waist. I used a basic loose-fitting pattern mom had already cut out from a sewing magazine earlier and modified the pant legs a bit shorter and added extra length on top to make the channel for the elastic to reside in.<br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRStseQ-4jrRESDS6266fBc8xeLpreGFD0XSR1vDGbm2zrX1uPOXn2u3I5tCOC0pBRNiWKw7PKN2bKLfbp3g0l3p_y9T_Xli3d4Ucw4P2Lu16iQzppHsN-MRn1LMDT6TwYnC7aDFPRuUOZWYL4DRW2hAGq9bk2f_Ck9jV5vq1-_agaBZ1MaT5F5w1yck/s900/IMG_20230703_170834.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRStseQ-4jrRESDS6266fBc8xeLpreGFD0XSR1vDGbm2zrX1uPOXn2u3I5tCOC0pBRNiWKw7PKN2bKLfbp3g0l3p_y9T_Xli3d4Ucw4P2Lu16iQzppHsN-MRn1LMDT6TwYnC7aDFPRuUOZWYL4DRW2hAGq9bk2f_Ck9jV5vq1-_agaBZ1MaT5F5w1yck/s320/IMG_20230703_170834.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measuring and readying the waist for elastic insertion.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And with that my rushed cosplay was finished. 8D Considering how ass-on-fire this whole project was it turned out pretty okay – luckily Urahara is not a very complicated costume to make so yeah, the risk of absolute unhinged disaster was low. I'm still happy I got it done on time as the cosplay turned out to be comfy and fun to wear and yes, breezy too. </div><div style="text-align: left;">For photos of the completed cosplay check out this <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/2023/07/kisuke-urahara-mini-photoshoot.html">mini photoshoot</a> I did during <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/2023/07/nekocon-2023-nostalgy-and-energy-drinks.html">Nekocon</a>. ^_^<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for reading, stay crafty you nerds!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>~ <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a></i><br /></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-2490500546078741822023-07-24T18:56:00.000+02:002023-07-24T18:56:24.744+02:00Kisuke Urahara mini photoshoot<div style="text-align: center;"> Hello hello!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Back when I was at <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/2023/07/nekocon-2023-nostalgy-and-energy-drinks.html">Nekocon</a> I had a quick photoshoot of my new Urahara cosplay from <i>Bleach</i>, which I threw together in panic like a week before departure. xD All things considered it turned out decently and, more importantly, it was comfortable to wear at a summer con. I'm so over the days of sweating to death for the sake of cosplay – I'm getting too old for that shit lol, I just want to be comfortable.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I know, I have yet to write the WIP post about this costume but I will do that when I got the time, right now there's a lot going on. But anyways, let's get over to the photoshoot results!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Cosplayer:</b> <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com">Shiro Samurai</a> (Kisuke Urahara)<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Photographer:</b> <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Photo editor:</b> <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com">Shiro Samurai</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV06ndUxN83sNF4CbwsN5H6rWZ6Rz2VAN6iSvKAkhXa_mPqLKcpGH80TAP1zWx5AaqGNHN19_wNwLUsi0JiimoQv4FBxiEK6DkQ6VAvGCih8wfuwg8W3yDAQKI7T_Aq2GBLFYS9auixn35Y3uBMwHe8UYQs1kXDta5E_ITihVuA93ZbSusE4xqpCdLyHQ/s800/DSC_0961.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV06ndUxN83sNF4CbwsN5H6rWZ6Rz2VAN6iSvKAkhXa_mPqLKcpGH80TAP1zWx5AaqGNHN19_wNwLUsi0JiimoQv4FBxiEK6DkQ6VAvGCih8wfuwg8W3yDAQKI7T_Aq2GBLFYS9auixn35Y3uBMwHe8UYQs1kXDta5E_ITihVuA93ZbSusE4xqpCdLyHQ/s320/DSC_0961.png" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8yYMh-IkTvY0LESavpmwVlc6rZwLypFgmDpjfQvsDzPL0AXvW3iy93_yiTqweRvI6ILtDbH--VJcky4glW3elNIa64sMO6GlCtuoXqCINBiyoUqC8V8bonp_ecO0Peprgs2y8lwPsTZz433KLS0PySgGs0B1VLtRqrkr_thb51n_aP6BaFY1srYHXJw/s800/DSC_0970(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8yYMh-IkTvY0LESavpmwVlc6rZwLypFgmDpjfQvsDzPL0AXvW3iy93_yiTqweRvI6ILtDbH--VJcky4glW3elNIa64sMO6GlCtuoXqCINBiyoUqC8V8bonp_ecO0Peprgs2y8lwPsTZz433KLS0PySgGs0B1VLtRqrkr_thb51n_aP6BaFY1srYHXJw/s320/DSC_0970(1).png" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0MOJEdQqOpPBqFfk_s-4Z-DhnMOJde8d9olHLFgNR15NDIiAsbYpnvxzSSn6tYa8jlqErZPlfy23jwxDwNjH5fS1HHFAdsWjN5ahhPdGYzeo4Co0_5JiSXxcIpYAmQfbyFMqZCYlY1vfdliXYJcBZlfXPSGWJrYUA8zmwbj4M_2HGhTjB2uqHzpuELY/s800/DSC_0985(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0MOJEdQqOpPBqFfk_s-4Z-DhnMOJde8d9olHLFgNR15NDIiAsbYpnvxzSSn6tYa8jlqErZPlfy23jwxDwNjH5fS1HHFAdsWjN5ahhPdGYzeo4Co0_5JiSXxcIpYAmQfbyFMqZCYlY1vfdliXYJcBZlfXPSGWJrYUA8zmwbj4M_2HGhTjB2uqHzpuELY/s320/DSC_0985(1).png" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCsogEsmfTR731_jDuRTSvnzeXcHOSZvkfehcTUfreaXFsydg1s2iKimSrq3M0p1Fu7mMLnSCAAe8SCB9WaRbf0lAwXPmXF3St4MXpYl0k3DV6ZHZivyTjxHyyoc_29cB8NzOpSnpxja0p5bdSEddzikzzbQicft6HDkHZBoPUC2PaSAeIc7-t11IMhc/s800/DSC_1011(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCsogEsmfTR731_jDuRTSvnzeXcHOSZvkfehcTUfreaXFsydg1s2iKimSrq3M0p1Fu7mMLnSCAAe8SCB9WaRbf0lAwXPmXF3St4MXpYl0k3DV6ZHZivyTjxHyyoc_29cB8NzOpSnpxja0p5bdSEddzikzzbQicft6HDkHZBoPUC2PaSAeIc7-t11IMhc/s320/DSC_1011(1).png" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5TnptS6Pe_wONnoqfk6b28FdaWifM7Tk06uX4k58Yyd3QOhh1NMl7NnJYnBsY8N5MYhZX1SelVa93sJ_03GGGJJJ9TRZq7jtlCkod7HZr6rZRYaKYZodw47ZMyp5CpO_SJeBlApbcQ96S86fTJWF042_R022wb-0cCkl__baqhg1Yh3QDaSnIb8tU0s/s800/DSC_1026(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5TnptS6Pe_wONnoqfk6b28FdaWifM7Tk06uX4k58Yyd3QOhh1NMl7NnJYnBsY8N5MYhZX1SelVa93sJ_03GGGJJJ9TRZq7jtlCkod7HZr6rZRYaKYZodw47ZMyp5CpO_SJeBlApbcQ96S86fTJWF042_R022wb-0cCkl__baqhg1Yh3QDaSnIb8tU0s/s320/DSC_1026(1).png" width="212" /></a></div><br />I didn't have time before the con to make any kind of props as this cosplay was very last-minute and spontaneous. It would have been cool to have Benihime or at least a fan, a walking cane or any recognizable item that Urahara sells in his shop. Oh well, maybe someday I'll add something extra to this costume.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's all, stay fresh cheesebags!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>~ <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com">Shiro Samurai</a></i></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-17954119003720730502023-07-21T16:40:00.010+02:002023-07-23T21:37:29.489+02:00Nekocon 2023 – Nostalgy and energy drinks<div style="text-align: center;"> Hello geeks of all flavors!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nekocon was held this past weekend on 15-16th July in Kuopio, Finland. I've never been to Nekocon before but this year the stars aligned and I got a chance to visit! Oh and for those not in the know Nekocon was held in Kuopion musiikkikeskus (Kuopio Music Centre) which is familiar to many older congoers since Animecon used to be held there back when it still existed. This fit quite well with the con's nostalgy theme too, lol. But anygays, let's start from the beginning!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Nekocon's dates were quite perfect for me as the week before I had departed with mom and stepdad on a long road trip to southern Sweden to attend my cousin's wedding in a small city near Gothenburg. Mom had decided that, for a change of pace, on the return trip we would take a cruise liner over to Finland and drive from Helsinki back up to the north (Finland is less elongated than Sweden, so it's actually a shorter drive). This fit perfectly for me as mom could just drive through Kuopio and drop me off there while they continued the journey back to Tornio.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphp-mr_vUmtC1yS85uwa77ycn_1qcb6ST8bVdBFtyZ5u1ACEnMtJ5Q8rpzB8HnH3wUBYIkL8PPwSqB_6kdzjMqBM2KRCLiSNGTusDNtDh5HhJVm7ax5DsHSU3Ion1tJRxh91WaoIzKdtGEXUuknwmM0lM62lGDmvkS1HCz8uRFw8xtZQiHQnWUMzGbLg/s900/IMG_20230713_210744.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhphp-mr_vUmtC1yS85uwa77ycn_1qcb6ST8bVdBFtyZ5u1ACEnMtJ5Q8rpzB8HnH3wUBYIkL8PPwSqB_6kdzjMqBM2KRCLiSNGTusDNtDh5HhJVm7ax5DsHSU3Ion1tJRxh91WaoIzKdtGEXUuknwmM0lM62lGDmvkS1HCz8uRFw8xtZQiHQnWUMzGbLg/s320/IMG_20230713_210744.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seaside view inside our cabin on M/S Viking Gabriella.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">On Friday morning we arrived in Helsinki and then started our 5 or so hours car trip to Kuopio. <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> had booked a hotel room for us two to share at Rauhalahti Spa Hotel, which is located roughly 6 km away from the event building. We decided that Rauhalahti was the best choice as it was about the same price (or even cheaper!) than most other normal hotels within a reasonable distance from the con and well, free admission to the spa and gym was included in the price so why the fuck wouldn't you choose it? :'D </div><div style="text-align: left;">I arrived to the hotel before <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> (he got delayed because of neighbor's missing cat problems) but luckily I managed to get access to the room anyway. I was very much amused to find out that our room number was 313 – that's Donald Duck's car plate for the uncivilized. And within my group of friends <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Iwbn-s4ZZY">some very special Donald Duck animations</a> are like our holy bible – we quote them unashamedly like it's a part of our most primal DNA. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFF_6znI5uwmmw8nB2IwzkX6y5bdSIlgv9ysZiJPeexGojSXHa0goJDlgEOFnxYv57rwTucl68tmlhGbuhzUId5jzRyIgccwKTDedMim_JEMKKgVQlZ8_yiNhQ3xeTzxXjiJw2csMsvSDFk8myq60w2v5a9o_tXl8ACeB4M7Q2tr3iNiKcumNZu99__8/s900/DSC_1056(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDFF_6znI5uwmmw8nB2IwzkX6y5bdSIlgv9ysZiJPeexGojSXHa0goJDlgEOFnxYv57rwTucl68tmlhGbuhzUId5jzRyIgccwKTDedMim_JEMKKgVQlZ8_yiNhQ3xeTzxXjiJw2csMsvSDFk8myq60w2v5a9o_tXl8ACeB4M7Q2tr3iNiKcumNZu99__8/s320/DSC_1056(1).png" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kääk!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">By the time <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> arrived my parents had already left (they stayed to eat dinner in the hotel's restaurant) and I was just vibing alone in the room. It didn't take too long before the hotel room exploded as our cosplay stuff invaded every free surface! Ah, that organized nerd chaos took me back in time. *sniff*</div><div style="text-align: left;">We spent the night going for a quick dip in the spa, chatting, playing some Nintendo Switch and having a drink or two.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCQd1lTUGf3JFjiH86emfSMSb4CmdQSnOCliK78H8aFx1rfV5I7KsVM60teI3q3cHXKU434D4eOPQ5i4HEQip6n7S3spEidR_QRtCxrSURXd8pMueF5pwBZPWkhFeetuHsc7N5pGL7JIexO_ch65H8UFIGc0KFrSZghGK2y5-GWvbwjR2_7JnBuCslY4/s900/DSC_0911(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCQd1lTUGf3JFjiH86emfSMSb4CmdQSnOCliK78H8aFx1rfV5I7KsVM60teI3q3cHXKU434D4eOPQ5i4HEQip6n7S3spEidR_QRtCxrSURXd8pMueF5pwBZPWkhFeetuHsc7N5pGL7JIexO_ch65H8UFIGc0KFrSZghGK2y5-GWvbwjR2_7JnBuCslY4/s320/DSC_0911(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryyb ja pärr pärr et vanhukset jaksavat.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then came Saturday morning. I slept quite well except for the fact that the air circulation in the room wasn't very good so yeah, at times I would wake up in the middle of the night because of sweating like a pig on a spit-roast. Thankfully morning showers clear up that greasy feeling. :))<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the big advantages with having a hotel room over the con's own sleeping accommodation is access to hotel breakfast – my con morning isn't complete without Karelian pastries and scrambled eggs, no joke.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After hotel breakfast (and a Karen who got mad at me for having long hair) we went back into our room and changed into our costumes. <strike>I might or might not have chugged a Monster to function.</strike> Both of us had decided to honor the con's nostalgy theme – I did Kisuke Urahara from <i>Bleach</i> and <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> did the Just Be Friends version of Luka Megurine from <i>Vocaloid</i>. I'll admit that due to how pressed on time I was to finish my costume before departure I actually didn't have time to do any makeup tests prior. So yeah, I just had to improvise and hope I wing it enough to win it.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We drove to the con (it was very easy route!) and once we got there we looked around until we found one of those free parking lots as there were two different types and the other option was one that was free but only for 2 hours. We also noticed immediately that there was an absolutely massive queue to the ticket exchange booth and we both decided "fuck that shit" almost in unison and went to photoshoot our costumes instead while waiting for the queue to disperse.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHcQxwONsCvhwKKmoasjf70x3pnDABew_dZ6FLeZeFWmy5SXJwTXPt7K8P02Ee-0qdpHY4zJMvwpTlV8doI0_p4P9nAj-Nk_ZYbCQH-WwMUqEbpxXtkCK-azC6gkpjTMdtZX6pguvPUt9Fr8ySNEiR6qHK9qBJJWsPreDr02165wMjiqSEHr_nUDXMN4/s900/20230715_120754.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="674" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHcQxwONsCvhwKKmoasjf70x3pnDABew_dZ6FLeZeFWmy5SXJwTXPt7K8P02Ee-0qdpHY4zJMvwpTlV8doI0_p4P9nAj-Nk_ZYbCQH-WwMUqEbpxXtkCK-azC6gkpjTMdtZX6pguvPUt9Fr8ySNEiR6qHK9qBJJWsPreDr02165wMjiqSEHr_nUDXMN4/s320/20230715_120754.png" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cosplay selfie! (photo by <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I didn't keep track of time on how long we camera'd near the bushes but it worked out quite well because by the time we had wrapped up the shoot then the queue was also gone. I will post the photoshoot results in a separate blog post later, by the way. ^_^<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We walked over to the booth to the right outside the main entrance to get our con tickets. It's been so long since I last had one of these on my wrist!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxjhB1DHAVz3B3PeYj9TqqJpSDV4TcZ7aLo-zB04ORWn1hbbYDHVg6-XMcDrEzdIdA49BPoJowrWw7ALcU0XHj1rZc6uYX2j7Vnb8J_BS6AqSRjAdLrk5OyKfBIpxv7meNhP6SgV5RWr-wQyWZbHrosgH_nTlafIsoEGoeXkNZ07bImFSxoDEwgBtW8w/s900/DSC_0989(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxjhB1DHAVz3B3PeYj9TqqJpSDV4TcZ7aLo-zB04ORWn1hbbYDHVg6-XMcDrEzdIdA49BPoJowrWw7ALcU0XHj1rZc6uYX2j7Vnb8J_BS6AqSRjAdLrk5OyKfBIpxv7meNhP6SgV5RWr-wQyWZbHrosgH_nTlafIsoEGoeXkNZ07bImFSxoDEwgBtW8w/s320/DSC_0989(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nekocon con ticket.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aHuBMnkkIpccpqurAA_43BkCKZZldosrHNs1r024OHU3MyyC7aIufx8Aav84okffqv2ZiavGakpiCqVvzwn_WgvuGkzejKKfHisakj4ntDPnd495ttkKkA3rjfKoH_ggF2dBCqjlrbbOUUUEL8Icypf7g-_KtwKlD5IogJMs6PMUTFyNrgh4ZIxmHKY/s900/DSC_0988(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-aHuBMnkkIpccpqurAA_43BkCKZZldosrHNs1r024OHU3MyyC7aIufx8Aav84okffqv2ZiavGakpiCqVvzwn_WgvuGkzejKKfHisakj4ntDPnd495ttkKkA3rjfKoH_ggF2dBCqjlrbbOUUUEL8Icypf7g-_KtwKlD5IogJMs6PMUTFyNrgh4ZIxmHKY/s320/DSC_0988(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nekocon main entrance. Notice how the nostalgy theme is<br />wonderfully brought out on that billboard art.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The moment I stepped inside the building I felt a weird and wonderful sensation of new meets old – new con in an old building I had visited before. Exactly 10 years have passed since I last stepped foot here and I immediately remembered how suffocatingly hot Animecon was and that musty and moist eyepatch sweat from my Masamune Date cosplay in 2012. xD</div><div style="text-align: left;">I did immediately notice though that, although Nekocon was also occasionally crowded, it was never as crowded as Animecon was (at Animecon it literally felt like you were running out of oxygen indoors lol). I even heard that Nekocon didn't manage to sell out all their tickets so that does explain things but yeah, imo it's better when it's not overstuffed cuz that's quite anxiety-triggering.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoiFLaZTMIByrYWfRwogtfAbtghEh8R6R5Ruls8QBHjHrCP65rBsA-z5CO2JD95g90jlSodRtJoeFXmEeWiKYNiFjFC6w6PEIuxDVdLDZlSB3-WdmmrLRthhpdbryQroO7mk163Tk3X9xM2IJ9I2z_UxCJDYkDMnHgDHEpVvu5IZjJhAKyl9U3wSTjkk/s900/DSC_0993(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoiFLaZTMIByrYWfRwogtfAbtghEh8R6R5Ruls8QBHjHrCP65rBsA-z5CO2JD95g90jlSodRtJoeFXmEeWiKYNiFjFC6w6PEIuxDVdLDZlSB3-WdmmrLRthhpdbryQroO7mk163Tk3X9xM2IJ9I2z_UxCJDYkDMnHgDHEpVvu5IZjJhAKyl9U3wSTjkk/s320/DSC_0993(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near the main entrance (cloak room to the right).<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uKjo1wKOfGrHOEFXZabTisJ6VT10P072S4agN43tm7b26cBxS4vsrA3nFTKtWKi6jn9KnpJLlZajPpdxDx5lJy6-9uH5JbBLPDo5uhFSXAMc2dfF1MsYiV2uGgqCDngfXoCK6IRuCP9485fzDaEPPpT-u-0eR4btl4VEwQmmx7wR0gtSm_jTdbfUNFY/s900/DSC_0994(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_uKjo1wKOfGrHOEFXZabTisJ6VT10P072S4agN43tm7b26cBxS4vsrA3nFTKtWKi6jn9KnpJLlZajPpdxDx5lJy6-9uH5JbBLPDo5uhFSXAMc2dfF1MsYiV2uGgqCDngfXoCK6IRuCP9485fzDaEPPpT-u-0eR4btl4VEwQmmx7wR0gtSm_jTdbfUNFY/s320/DSC_0994(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upstairs you found the Artesan's Alley and some dealers.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The first thing we did was go up the stairs and check out the Artesan's Alley. I first thought it was the Artist's Alley until someone pointed out the difference to me, namely that apparently the artesans are invited by the con to sell their art while the artists have to apply through a system and hope they get chosen..? But the way they sell stuff and what they sell is otherwise indistinguishable from each other.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOo8BEDPI7dRgIkGyRj9uA9jHAKw9nif4I3I_DPJOnStCRjG_AbEbvbw0V6gSEM_z-hLLYBs82qETUYcVqYXg_-4TBZKjAhnXvROKxwCoi27YV7yRUYhnj3bPk6ob9Qu4OIQ9p5PbGCqExWMczcOFTpVTaKdGpE1TNXDq1skmN6AB6VmVIGMpeV38HARo/s900/DSC_1001(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOo8BEDPI7dRgIkGyRj9uA9jHAKw9nif4I3I_DPJOnStCRjG_AbEbvbw0V6gSEM_z-hLLYBs82qETUYcVqYXg_-4TBZKjAhnXvROKxwCoi27YV7yRUYhnj3bPk6ob9Qu4OIQ9p5PbGCqExWMczcOFTpVTaKdGpE1TNXDq1skmN6AB6VmVIGMpeV38HARo/s320/DSC_1001(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artesan's Alley upstairs.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWIkSBYsOFAsq3j6RJLZeQ_0aCgplSC-ucw-DKAMNmj5QSsKn9DPnIMnHfLmJ0PBd_vDsGLc8YdM7Q7NKpCgc_FoTQszwuhfFsvqJiKhefqafKO2ZrMwQDGQoFRjK5tOR058Zv_DHG57Vr3Hy2WVOQYlDW6unhwjJc8qQiEi2kTzficc0xZW6h76FIbc/s900/DSC_0997(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWIkSBYsOFAsq3j6RJLZeQ_0aCgplSC-ucw-DKAMNmj5QSsKn9DPnIMnHfLmJ0PBd_vDsGLc8YdM7Q7NKpCgc_FoTQszwuhfFsvqJiKhefqafKO2ZrMwQDGQoFRjK5tOR058Zv_DHG57Vr3Hy2WVOQYlDW6unhwjJc8qQiEi2kTzficc0xZW6h76FIbc/s320/DSC_0997(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Digimon</i> booth in the Artesan's Alley. I'm soooo Gomamon!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Not all booths in the Artesan's Alley were art and craft sellers, there were a few that were organization booths like one for the local tabletop/roleplay community. There was also this one charming <i>Digimon</i> themed booth although I'm still not sure what its purpose was? Maybe it was some kind of recruitment booth for a future stage production or something, I really have no idea <strike>I'm sorry I'm such a pleb</strike>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Upstairs were also a few dealers like <a href="https://www.puolenkuunpelit.com/kauppa/default.php">Puolenkuun Pelit</a> and if you went up another set of stairs you found the official photography booth and there was also a polaroid camera booth that you could use for a fee of I think 2€. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ1st92LG1ukBdB1XIv8J5vyi1OSVdh5d_i2RBFQ57-UiNgcuNjzJpEvKSR4L76L4iC2N1HEtLt69lNt-sNuzS5G1-woLCGJ7ABWqYalMe2YDBkHRv4vJ8T0Qa2JWrRFaFW-9EG43xEQnEdT7Llx_pj5AFQBQA2rkc7p_SSr-E_3LCsloC-d_jVWlZpA/s900/DSC_1000(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ1st92LG1ukBdB1XIv8J5vyi1OSVdh5d_i2RBFQ57-UiNgcuNjzJpEvKSR4L76L4iC2N1HEtLt69lNt-sNuzS5G1-woLCGJ7ABWqYalMe2YDBkHRv4vJ8T0Qa2JWrRFaFW-9EG43xEQnEdT7Llx_pj5AFQBQA2rkc7p_SSr-E_3LCsloC-d_jVWlZpA/s320/DSC_1000(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dealer's Hall upstairs.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There weren't really any panels or lectures that interested either of us on Saturday so we actually didn't spend all that much time at the con. We mostly just checked the Artesan's Alley and the Dealer's Hall both upstairs and downstairs and then we thought we had seen enough for the day and went back to the hotel. Although if I had known already on Saturday that the other half of the con was located in the Lumit building, including the video game room, then I probably would have stayed a lil' bit longer. Please don't ask how I managed to miss that; I didn't check the con's information booklet that closely I guess and I was kind of in a brainfog all day ngl. Besides, I was quite tired (I've been on sick leave for two months because of mental health difficulties) and the idea of going to take a dip in the spa was very tempting to wind down after a hot summer day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzd_AC_1hFrU_KXOOt2unhV_6kzkQJezlQoFhearS1Uaxz7CPSrClapOhlV54YYc4vg0bcpFViwfGec7x08xbQHzB4QaDeYbF2holUtDZR1DmkmmoVnVafAdYFHOiEBSbZcmEsF4ukCe7e0abmAco7x_azE4ljZXYlvenknrfnFj85Ds1WPOPOzIpmIVk/s900/DSC_1003(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzd_AC_1hFrU_KXOOt2unhV_6kzkQJezlQoFhearS1Uaxz7CPSrClapOhlV54YYc4vg0bcpFViwfGec7x08xbQHzB4QaDeYbF2holUtDZR1DmkmmoVnVafAdYFHOiEBSbZcmEsF4ukCe7e0abmAco7x_azE4ljZXYlvenknrfnFj85Ds1WPOPOzIpmIVk/s320/DSC_1003(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dealer's Hall downstairs, aka main floor.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbFhHS6iRYc5rvsvaKP0BPoNsiqulpjmuig9XAA1z-b-jIiAm4Tj6WrOQZN9zhiOOxxBhL0cfNxWAJIvMgCnxnwnzDwszLA1Q5JK3GSvn57sTiqLBA_OxTLW4rjvV7U3BhVFm99cDgwUJT7ee8b7erYT4wGqTLBhxcLlKEXNqlTYZOTPV_7PyG-qqTJA/s900/DSC_1004(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzbFhHS6iRYc5rvsvaKP0BPoNsiqulpjmuig9XAA1z-b-jIiAm4Tj6WrOQZN9zhiOOxxBhL0cfNxWAJIvMgCnxnwnzDwszLA1Q5JK3GSvn57sTiqLBA_OxTLW4rjvV7U3BhVFm99cDgwUJT7ee8b7erYT4wGqTLBhxcLlKEXNqlTYZOTPV_7PyG-qqTJA/s320/DSC_1004(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More dealers.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1PcQ8kpkVzUJbZZ7iNPQ2M8h9dpjWZhnJxfGEj4iIsTqDL411B1ck3FOpyq32M2YlTxPHX5QAkikJTq4qkA-jiLJEqDTqxPFD9Guad6XzpqCgM2BTvkNB9esZcWOqoNuiLJtBYwVTzzYi3p84scjm0wuyO4yMpHigOZaIU5IMBUvHKXSVSQiZKoR9yE/s900/DSC_1006(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1PcQ8kpkVzUJbZZ7iNPQ2M8h9dpjWZhnJxfGEj4iIsTqDL411B1ck3FOpyq32M2YlTxPHX5QAkikJTq4qkA-jiLJEqDTqxPFD9Guad6XzpqCgM2BTvkNB9esZcWOqoNuiLJtBYwVTzzYi3p84scjm0wuyO4yMpHigOZaIU5IMBUvHKXSVSQiZKoR9yE/s320/DSC_1006(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you wanted books or manga there was a dealer for that too.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDQY2U5KaiB45hPu7KrAOobahYYmVyznX3IiBsV0QIbB_dHJTyusazhc6oGmdLFvYLsVXEiOpUO5Pz6Q7qZNu4qBlpF2FlDEH8fLG0Ew1Z9oK3knqGskZhvhFGuqrKilZeCyJu0z-dLOPZovlJVpZy-R7AoOeyRzNRjVtqAJbJ5B4JR0i32dBQvQrICM/s900/DSC_1008.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDQY2U5KaiB45hPu7KrAOobahYYmVyznX3IiBsV0QIbB_dHJTyusazhc6oGmdLFvYLsVXEiOpUO5Pz6Q7qZNu4qBlpF2FlDEH8fLG0Ew1Z9oK3knqGskZhvhFGuqrKilZeCyJu0z-dLOPZovlJVpZy-R7AoOeyRzNRjVtqAJbJ5B4JR0i32dBQvQrICM/s320/DSC_1008.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And there was a dealer for retro games!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_72-RSjcRdjA5lGEjLp3NtjXrKcJJ4_z4NyygrelmrDZUbO644r6W23rd2iy6hNbVHsEfgpn63kqRMVaZVffnsmnGWPHGTPrmbUQD3nNZ8pXNPxE1k-Sv9CrT7B_mJ1halY_xzUSgbw1QNhMY_9TpQoZHj3dbfy1knkrpYFPkEHeixaXp1weBOXq0hp8/s900/DSC_1009(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_72-RSjcRdjA5lGEjLp3NtjXrKcJJ4_z4NyygrelmrDZUbO644r6W23rd2iy6hNbVHsEfgpn63kqRMVaZVffnsmnGWPHGTPrmbUQD3nNZ8pXNPxE1k-Sv9CrT7B_mJ1halY_xzUSgbw1QNhMY_9TpQoZHj3dbfy1knkrpYFPkEHeixaXp1weBOXq0hp8/s320/DSC_1009(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just next to the Dealer's Hall on the main floor was a cafeteria I think.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I have no recollection of what the clock was by the time we left the con but it can't have been much more than late afternoon or the early evening hours. We both just really wanted to peel ourselves out of our costumes and jump into the pools. Thankfully Urahara as a costume was pleasantly cool to wear, the samue style outfit I made from cotton fabric so it breathes well and it's not thick either. Maybe finally, in this wise and ripe old age, I have learned to not wear three layers of kimonos to a summer con.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But before we could run to the spa we had to deal with one issue – namely hunger. As we both are quite short on spending power we drove out to Kuopio centrum to look for a place to eat. We originally wanted to go to this sushi buffet place we saw online on Google Maps but when we arrived there we agreed on that it was a bit too salty for our wallets. I really didn't want McDonald's and the other places we found either looked very sus, had already closed or didn't have anything interesting on the menu for an agreeable poorfag-verified price. So we drove back to Rauhalahti, defeated and disappointed... Until we remembered that there was a Scan Burger grill at the spa. And the prices were affordable joten läskeiltiin. :D Gotta give my respect to the customer service guy (I think he was the chef too), he was so chill and funny and the food was really good too! 10/10 worth it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">After eating we jumped into the spa again and just relaxed there until it closed and then we went back up to our room.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdzuwl2fXy82wggE8NO3R3jFwygR7veS7KOexwnQcmwVVsVgO25qkoRnjhdJ4Z9DUdejlbTSUoXuJOjrwsqdNrAVDhqR9J0pajbY8GwhhZwx9halsVlnaeHypqdYtC4X_psuoO7s0NaulFy786Cy2VEJGTH_-jJD6iFXiUs_KGUFACkjZTgqDg8MLPs4/s900/DSC_1057(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdzuwl2fXy82wggE8NO3R3jFwygR7veS7KOexwnQcmwVVsVgO25qkoRnjhdJ4Z9DUdejlbTSUoXuJOjrwsqdNrAVDhqR9J0pajbY8GwhhZwx9halsVlnaeHypqdYtC4X_psuoO7s0NaulFy786Cy2VEJGTH_-jJD6iFXiUs_KGUFACkjZTgqDg8MLPs4/s320/DSC_1057(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally found the <i>Käärijä</i> drink!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">It was so nice to come back up after melting away in the hot pool and the jacuzzi. We had some drinks and I tasted the Cha Cha Cha pina colada for the first time and I gotta say it was pretty tasty – it's quite soda-like and mild but you can still clearly taste the pina colada flavor. Of course a proper pina colada is better but this was very refreshing and bubbly and I would buy it again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sunday morning came and I was dead once more. Luckily a trip down to the breakfast buffet makes me temporarily human again. No Karen this time, thank god. Although there was a kid screaming for full lungs and I'm not sure how much better that is lol.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once we were done eating we returned to the room to finish packing our bags for departure. <strike>And had another energy drink.</strike> We decided to leave the room a bit earlier as we needed to be at the con 11:30 anyway as I wanted to attend the Tolkuton Plays Muumimetallia music program. We ran into <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a> and Dongrieg and the former was a sweetheart and helped me reserve a spot for the <i>Moomin</i> metal as I did not have Kompassi logins and was a bit paniccc as it had not been informed that one needed a ticket, thank you. ;_; </div><div style="text-align: left;">But we were a bit early still and needed to kill some time and this was when <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a>
told us about the Lumit building, which held the actual Artist's Alley
and the video game room, and so we rushed over there. Luckily it was
super close, almost behind the main building.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVbVe78yeu-CVgh_67gWXklRqo06Rjmj7RaxKZhgZwab9Wt2JpcxNH51Y0kTjySDGhdWNSvTSsZYkxKJ-9i0TQckgd6f5bz-qcpzBamxwqidvVqwTV9Xjo-M0yw7lmh9CjC_3ubDAGif_p2be6q2XS5yAg3YV8ocfj1qXN22q0YCH6rg7gbtr8iIPGeg/s900/DSC_1059(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVbVe78yeu-CVgh_67gWXklRqo06Rjmj7RaxKZhgZwab9Wt2JpcxNH51Y0kTjySDGhdWNSvTSsZYkxKJ-9i0TQckgd6f5bz-qcpzBamxwqidvVqwTV9Xjo-M0yw7lmh9CjC_3ubDAGif_p2be6q2XS5yAg3YV8ocfj1qXN22q0YCH6rg7gbtr8iIPGeg/s320/DSC_1059(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nerd alert! No but really, people played TCGs here.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Lumit is not a really spacious building, there was like one open area for all the TCG and board game enthusiasts with video games towards the wall and the other half of the area was occupied by the Artist's Alley. I was very happy in my geeky little heart to see how Nekocon had amassed quite a large variety of both new and old game consoles! <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE000z8ZBzBzDd7kUJmGjnBKcFwcKcgEy8UdITiMaR7te4kd9-7c7-ecgR-VQUymDZoAYnQwiy7dUfQbcBzDHKmP5au93cuD51CMChfa3x9T2cpzwDs70OStuaJq9jHY5R5e9CYXL5yeB8v-nsvLw_q3W2vYodNBy4OOGaWKBWeSosfW1y9W3F5It8qB0/s900/DSC_1060(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE000z8ZBzBzDd7kUJmGjnBKcFwcKcgEy8UdITiMaR7te4kd9-7c7-ecgR-VQUymDZoAYnQwiy7dUfQbcBzDHKmP5au93cuD51CMChfa3x9T2cpzwDs70OStuaJq9jHY5R5e9CYXL5yeB8v-nsvLw_q3W2vYodNBy4OOGaWKBWeSosfW1y9W3F5It8qB0/s320/DSC_1060(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The right corner was for newer game consoles...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-N9MnjBvnCWZr1oAAIo6caPUdIhDAtiWjJG8Xn6nvh6_rqR_-VJJolCGyJu_VRwyI_O-n5uoJnZlbN8iZJLjEB_843a2M8uF66b-gagQSxpNrzil66tHeH35agog982wTpL2as2GiwW6WpsEA32RIlvfKKBS8xx53wfQuH3zlAeHUipx9iQZD3B8Ugg/s900/DSC_1061(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-N9MnjBvnCWZr1oAAIo6caPUdIhDAtiWjJG8Xn6nvh6_rqR_-VJJolCGyJu_VRwyI_O-n5uoJnZlbN8iZJLjEB_843a2M8uF66b-gagQSxpNrzil66tHeH35agog982wTpL2as2GiwW6WpsEA32RIlvfKKBS8xx53wfQuH3zlAeHUipx9iQZD3B8Ugg/s320/DSC_1061(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... while the left corner was for the beloved old-timers!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I was tempted to play a few rounds of oldie goldies but it was a quite popular activity and I didn't have a lot of time before the concert would begin so I let that nostalgic desire fade out for now and went to check what the artists were selling.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qbm_ujZW-R80F31DhAJ3EWmxQLmRLNo8r8f8205ZDxiE8Fouvqy76AXkISwVv8Ll6b2OOFQDxyISdoPiMxUZmRI-MYrtxL7tYq9SiLVkVVF7B2jBB5UM5JDkT-PD6wFbotffmv6_OtGribTdewwvEyaUdlGKHdMpc_fNFokRAKIVC_M4e5KQiVa_D1A/s900/DSC_1063(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qbm_ujZW-R80F31DhAJ3EWmxQLmRLNo8r8f8205ZDxiE8Fouvqy76AXkISwVv8Ll6b2OOFQDxyISdoPiMxUZmRI-MYrtxL7tYq9SiLVkVVF7B2jBB5UM5JDkT-PD6wFbotffmv6_OtGribTdewwvEyaUdlGKHdMpc_fNFokRAKIVC_M4e5KQiVa_D1A/s320/DSC_1063(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning of the Artist's Alley in Lumit.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgew5ocJUEFfVhjUhoPIbzQQ8N7q_UMxEbe-c_b6YQFB_tAx5AlkAnzUGKV9Kt_3jWGw7HIwHEO0au7iXrftvd_Pnd4Gnu6htPhuv-2q6tMgfc7lQSIGAIp9FN5EJJPBZ_OOy2MyzFZLHgI6mVcBPIEEB-S-1SulfKepn_TiJvYefZ9Pb2tYbenoI9Ofa0/s900/DSC_1064(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgew5ocJUEFfVhjUhoPIbzQQ8N7q_UMxEbe-c_b6YQFB_tAx5AlkAnzUGKV9Kt_3jWGw7HIwHEO0au7iXrftvd_Pnd4Gnu6htPhuv-2q6tMgfc7lQSIGAIp9FN5EJJPBZ_OOy2MyzFZLHgI6mVcBPIEEB-S-1SulfKepn_TiJvYefZ9Pb2tYbenoI9Ofa0/s320/DSC_1064(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other half of Artist's Alley.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I gotta say the air circulation in Lumit was a lot better than upstairs where the Artesan's Alley was in the main building; I didn't feel like I was running out of air and my clothes were sticking like glue to my skin. There were both new and familiar faces among the sellers and there was a pleasant vibe going on.<br /><br />The clock was nearing 11:30 and I had to extract myself from my company and run to watch the <i>Moomin</i> metal show. I was the only one who wanted to see it (<a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a> and Dongrieg had seen the debut at another con; this was Tolkuton's second gig I think) because the others preferred to go to the guest of honor Seppo Pääkkönen's lecture about his voice-acting career.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLAldFbYGs1zE6GsRtIwreNLFVxC6YXdT9yJFZZx6Wj5miXA9a6-uubr6ltOpv6rThRrScMPi8X5kYLE5pvfQfv1o4B8MkypcIpPeDTWSIdzKI8XVSM13dnVTdXMQceb-BqzEVACYdKhFzBQVeeJU4IlqLlY9ReqVnxW2br-ERChv8WClFiH2CmAjJdI/s900/DSC_1069(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLAldFbYGs1zE6GsRtIwreNLFVxC6YXdT9yJFZZx6Wj5miXA9a6-uubr6ltOpv6rThRrScMPi8X5kYLE5pvfQfv1o4B8MkypcIpPeDTWSIdzKI8XVSM13dnVTdXMQceb-BqzEVACYdKhFzBQVeeJU4IlqLlY9ReqVnxW2br-ERChv8WClFiH2CmAjJdI/s320/DSC_1069(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tolkuton to the left and Hevimuikkunen (as Hobgoblin) to the right.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhz6bjQDzYxPrSmFU0hfJbsMnadVeflozM3CNNL-x17Q6BKLCmInHcOvo0AOGQyXojFYtY9XzeARLOkmA-fYiudisVyHycr2JvSeaNXTI1PXYaEGoOqkouXixbqeDtJWC6Ay_zLhJaZpX6UtkpA-Lo-1og2UdoJNMSCshnqlzO_eAS_LGkwvGXgvlKPy8/s900/DSC_1075(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhz6bjQDzYxPrSmFU0hfJbsMnadVeflozM3CNNL-x17Q6BKLCmInHcOvo0AOGQyXojFYtY9XzeARLOkmA-fYiudisVyHycr2JvSeaNXTI1PXYaEGoOqkouXixbqeDtJWC6Ay_zLhJaZpX6UtkpA-Lo-1og2UdoJNMSCshnqlzO_eAS_LGkwvGXgvlKPy8/s320/DSC_1075(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MÖRKÖ! Every Finnish kid's nightmare fuel.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Tolkuton is a charismatic and funny guy and this is his one-man music project, as in that he's the only musician. Hevimuikkunen was there to make it interactive, whimsy fun and he would set the mood by appearing and disappearing in different iconic <i>Moomin</i> character-inspired costumes for every song – we got to see Snufkin of course, the Groke, a burglar Stinky and the Hobgoblin along with a few others. It was quite ambitious and I found the whole number entertaining and full of heart. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Tolkuton would most usually wield his electric guitar but he would use a keyboard a few times too. Of course, because Tolkuton is the only musician, it meant that there was a pre-recorded tape that he would jam along to but it worked sufficiently well and you gotta give props to his stage presence and ambition. He would interact with the audience between the songs too and I swear to god he sounded a bit like Allu Tuppurainen's Rölli character a few times. x) I would say the whole spectacle was like 70% show and 30% music as Hevimuikkunen stole the show as you'd sit there and eagerly await what his next act would be – the Witch 'Clarissa' in spicy high heels and a corset with a C3PO face mask or a massive inflatable Hattifattener with crudely drawn eyes billowing up with the help of an air fan and then having said Hevimuikkunen in witchy drag violently puncturing it with a broom. You never knew what kind of wacky shit was coming next and that was the best part of the show. XD<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The only slight gripe I had was that there was a discrepancy in the Nekocon information booklet about how long the show would last – the actual visualized schedule showed 11:30 to 12:00 while the program info said 11:30 to 12:30, but the show actually went overtime and didn't finish until 13:00. Personally I didn't mind much as I wasn't in a hurry to another panel or lecture, but for those who had other programs lined up it might have been a headache.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Once I came out from the Concert Hall I waited around a bit for <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a>, Dongrieg and <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> to resurface from the Seppo Pääkkönen experience. Apparently it was amazing. </div><div style="text-align: left;">We had one hour to kill before Bardic Inspiration would start, another music program. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XF00BhMBlxQJlAQ_R8OVA-kyWsh-n1-9y2DsrwcTHrkgf3yYM4viyI2SH7p4gK0cbbSbxoBuWq1fDXQAy5mwHMOVxZKmrWrymHHhrPHPYwKYBKsU9fe8cQjhUoJBicmF5Nc3Zxe8Lyx8eHN0Z-Fl5aej8Ow_SbvkezHbWf6JJaagDiPEwkkq5JI7ZrU/s900/DSC_1077.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XF00BhMBlxQJlAQ_R8OVA-kyWsh-n1-9y2DsrwcTHrkgf3yYM4viyI2SH7p4gK0cbbSbxoBuWq1fDXQAy5mwHMOVxZKmrWrymHHhrPHPYwKYBKsU9fe8cQjhUoJBicmF5Nc3Zxe8Lyx8eHN0Z-Fl5aej8Ow_SbvkezHbWf6JJaagDiPEwkkq5JI7ZrU/s320/DSC_1077.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bardic Inspiration!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I realized my expectations were soooo off the mark the second I stepped into Kamarimusiikkisali. I don't know why I even thought it was realistic but I was expecting like a ragtag bunch of people in LARP costumes rolling into the scene with hurdy gurdys, cellos and mandolins lmao. Instead we got a lady with a gorgeous voice in a red dress and a pianist. Not what I expected but a high-quality performance nonetheless! </div><div style="text-align: left;">I gotta say though that I was quite disappointed because in the information booklet it mentioned <i>Monster Hunter</i> but not a single song from said franchise was performed (and that was lowkey the main reason I attended). :'( I didn't know over half of the songs but the singer was so good that it didn't really matter tbh. My favorites were Snake Eater from <i>Metal Gear Solid</i> and Weight of the World from <i>NieR: Automata</i>, neither of which I was previously familiar with.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Bardic Inspiration only lasted for roughly 30 minutes, as scheduled, and once it wrapped up it was time for me to leave Nekocon behind. Big thanks to <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a> for providing the car ride back home as we live in neighboring towns. <3 The Škoda was so much better to sleep in than mom's Nissan lol!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Shit, I forgot! Here's my con loot:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaPeJgWDUf43Sc_AoxyUSZIOlvrZwQeue2Mn18S64lJTMWtN9vMz2ePJqsPXg7vbW-Eqsf4GdQYnjRNqC-D2QFGgP4LaQnRaaJF7ygEd31nUvXG-JMAuhmh99aIN9YkRtwASU-j4hKU32TedA4i-j4mi3TIqJCeeoGuFvNl0tJTmxcNDsTEVJjT0pX5g/s900/DSC_1078(3).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaPeJgWDUf43Sc_AoxyUSZIOlvrZwQeue2Mn18S64lJTMWtN9vMz2ePJqsPXg7vbW-Eqsf4GdQYnjRNqC-D2QFGgP4LaQnRaaJF7ygEd31nUvXG-JMAuhmh99aIN9YkRtwASU-j4hKU32TedA4i-j4mi3TIqJCeeoGuFvNl0tJTmxcNDsTEVJjT0pX5g/s320/DSC_1078(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Archon Zhongli charm by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/qpeura/">qpeura</a>, Alhaitham and the <br />orca I'm sorry but I don't remember. ;-;<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48xbBTpkmHKfyvgDvYVkC996U9xlPHO2GOpD22RGiot1P9w_p4LnzzLiKOOjqWAaKOB7PeXWLrP5KpJB-pUa9Xdi5AubCnIT-J_a8UFLFkBu8k6NFkGl-WsQnycIkv3LfhbLx92OgKwIWZ6ZZOdEVkdWsbWMc0K1-YW4mJuhx6DjesXurlZ7uimDwKbA/s900/DSC_1080(3).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48xbBTpkmHKfyvgDvYVkC996U9xlPHO2GOpD22RGiot1P9w_p4LnzzLiKOOjqWAaKOB7PeXWLrP5KpJB-pUa9Xdi5AubCnIT-J_a8UFLFkBu8k6NFkGl-WsQnycIkv3LfhbLx92OgKwIWZ6ZZOdEVkdWsbWMc0K1-YW4mJuhx6DjesXurlZ7uimDwKbA/s320/DSC_1080(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two prints and the above same chara charms all by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/si3art/">si3art</a>.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">To sum it up my experience with Nekocon was very positive. I might not have spent a lot of time at the con but the time I did spend was very enjoyable. The buildings were utilized well and the overall feeling and mood of the con was safe and pleasant. I also appreciate that there were not one but two music programs as I'm not too interested in traditional panels, lectures, AMV competitions etc but will likely jump at any concerts! This means I had something to look forward to aside from just hanging out and meeting friends. I would definitely consider attending Nekocon in the future too, especially if it stays in Kuopio as it's not too far south, hehe.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for reading, have a great upcoming weekend!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>~ <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> out.<br /></i></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-41552633745988544342023-07-04T17:01:00.000+02:002023-07-04T17:01:08.291+02:00Nekocon 2023 cosplans! <div style="text-align: center;">Hello everyone!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I will be attending my first Nekocon this year. The decision to go started rather spontaneously but after Kummacon I've had that convention spark reignited and yeah, I'm trying to catch up with this old passion and get back in the <strike>weeb</strike> crafting groove!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nekocon is a two-day con in Kuopio, Finland. I had quite the struggle bus experience trying to come up with what to cosplay at first because few of my older cosplays are currently wearable without repairs and I'm not in the mood to fix anything up right now. Besides, after all these years I kinda wanted to make a new costume. So yeah, after a lot of flip-flopping between cosplay candidates I ran out of gas and turned to my friends for some hivemind activation! I was then reminded by Nekocon's cosplay theme, 'nostalgy'. That's such a good theme, would be a shame not to use it!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So what is my cosplay then? </div><div style="text-align: center;">– It's the sus hat guy. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmA_Ia8BTH5JMOiCy8q0lkpiWQtsiS7w01uE74cW82yX1TjDeQPlTBi6btgsexxOc_gasiRg6sIDYBbRA8HOrJdYwERFoFzbleUHsReayY5HzLM00Q-DpHAnbbJ38Ak2LJD1-8E_cb-6oGERLf084Awt-tdJOtNgblDGIajpMgehGMHGo8pQhxlrSykk/s1080/Kisuke_Urahara_Render.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmA_Ia8BTH5JMOiCy8q0lkpiWQtsiS7w01uE74cW82yX1TjDeQPlTBi6btgsexxOc_gasiRg6sIDYBbRA8HOrJdYwERFoFzbleUHsReayY5HzLM00Q-DpHAnbbJ38Ak2LJD1-8E_cb-6oGERLf084Awt-tdJOtNgblDGIajpMgehGMHGo8pQhxlrSykk/s320/Kisuke_Urahara_Render.png" width="207" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Character:</b> Kisuke Urahara</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Series:</b> Bleach</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This started as a half-assed suggestion, kinda. Yet it hit the right requirement buttons and thus it stuck. I mean, I'm far from updated on <i>Bleach</i> (I've read up to maybe the middle of the Arrancar arc, don't judge) but a lot of my first cosplays when I started were <i>Bleach</i> characters and yeah, the series is nostalgic to me and probably for many others too. :) And Urahara is a pretty cool guy so why not? Especially because I remembered that aeons ago I bought his hat from I think Närcon, just for fun, and now I could use it for an actual cosplay! I also wanted to make something easy (to ease back into sewing after a long break) and, most importantly, something heatwave friendly. And on top of all that I needed a costume that I could complete in a week, at most, because that's the time I had available.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Spoiler alert — the cosplay is finished but I'm going to be away from home until the Nekocon weekend so yeah, the WIP post will be posted after the con summary! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I thought about a second cosplay too but due to my long traveling and other reasons I felt like nahh, not worth the hassle as I likely won't be at the con for many hours on Sunday before the trip back up north starts. So yeah, only one cosplay for me this time <strike>boo</strike> but at least it's something new and something I won't be stir-fried alive in! Hopefully, hehe...<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's all folks! See you at Nekocon~</div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-60921016752650592022023-06-17T08:38:00.000+02:002023-06-17T08:38:10.935+02:00Lens review: RevoColour Yellow Manson<div style="text-align: center;">Hello nerds!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's time for another circle lens review and we'll go with the <span style="color: #ffea00;"><b>RevoColour Yellow Manson</b></span> lenses this time! Manson styled lenses have been around for ages and made by several different brands, they all share the same simple base design though. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's rock!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpHB2vx95ccavp794SM_HTkae1ucCs36eNlaTiqMuZ4Gpr3hBK0baYSVED9z1NcX3s49xP4KEMUen4NI5upNPUdkpilGjXHeqAidlJMxvWqDrq5ZW8aJvR-zvydVgSaexWBtC6ptwMkBb-Ox1ZI5JQ4ZB2x3VjBgbTG4S6U85B1V0LW-2gZ0KIGW9/s900/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(vials).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpHB2vx95ccavp794SM_HTkae1ucCs36eNlaTiqMuZ4Gpr3hBK0baYSVED9z1NcX3s49xP4KEMUen4NI5upNPUdkpilGjXHeqAidlJMxvWqDrq5ZW8aJvR-zvydVgSaexWBtC6ptwMkBb-Ox1ZI5JQ4ZB2x3VjBgbTG4S6U85B1V0LW-2gZ0KIGW9/s320/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(vials).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOznhrB9NQRNU-AudSzUDRFcugQrjowDhD2LEsVdphQWzFfkXFGfbU9zdlQnzBW1nFdv5aKfukADy0JU7BneP100qTnyAiBJ1LHre0lkpyd9GI-KCpF0QOJJbicanGDwuqVvqHrl7gImbZjzHwwggwrPJREEAaOQLr6OwICx4ELXGFMH-Xmw2KbfQ/s900/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(vials%20down).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOznhrB9NQRNU-AudSzUDRFcugQrjowDhD2LEsVdphQWzFfkXFGfbU9zdlQnzBW1nFdv5aKfukADy0JU7BneP100qTnyAiBJ1LHre0lkpyd9GI-KCpF0QOJJbicanGDwuqVvqHrl7gImbZjzHwwggwrPJREEAaOQLr6OwICx4ELXGFMH-Xmw2KbfQ/s320/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(vials%20down).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <b>Base curve: 8.6 mm<br />Diameter: 14.5 mm</b>
<b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Water content: 45%</b><br />
<b>Life span: 1 year (I recommend 6 months)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotIEzs0tRwhD3bq8xHLVJYBP4BTZAz_NuMrxD1f51iwY34IFfI-uaGJYQzlpTF0A54xtoqbxn-6t72MGAP6Qibea-kn1yRpxdSTAOTTLsYG9eqakgybqLChvsQgWLK-Xif4kSgyR-Sqry_OE4GfZYXJsc7Ae9nIQMpLf2_16DVQRcU04yfyemu41O/s900/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(vials%20up).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotIEzs0tRwhD3bq8xHLVJYBP4BTZAz_NuMrxD1f51iwY34IFfI-uaGJYQzlpTF0A54xtoqbxn-6t72MGAP6Qibea-kn1yRpxdSTAOTTLsYG9eqakgybqLChvsQgWLK-Xif4kSgyR-Sqry_OE4GfZYXJsc7Ae9nIQMpLf2_16DVQRcU04yfyemu41O/s320/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(vials%20up).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So this style of crazy lenses are as simple as they come – it's a solid single base color with a medium thin black limbal ring and that's it. It's so simple but so effectful. These kind of lenses exist in quite many different colors but not all brands carry the same color choices. I took the yellow ones as yellow lenses are quite uncommon and I wanted to see how bold and funky they looked on light eyes.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuwP-bmy616UzTH2TK8zOFLZSzSPsr59BzDQskCOk3luXeRRjbjZq6y1oWAl5wTnP0JOcb6a3_juRnRiU-3ZqRjzR2riCBuAszcvXrcz9969Zep3Qoc1I3HTttFDaqe8ZQuumLeXbY1diYt8qikqKsuL4jFqtJmBNovQDdD2TvsSdPSeQevWkYrqQ/s900/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(one%20lens%20in).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="246" data-original-width="900" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuwP-bmy616UzTH2TK8zOFLZSzSPsr59BzDQskCOk3luXeRRjbjZq6y1oWAl5wTnP0JOcb6a3_juRnRiU-3ZqRjzR2riCBuAszcvXrcz9969Zep3Qoc1I3HTttFDaqe8ZQuumLeXbY1diYt8qikqKsuL4jFqtJmBNovQDdD2TvsSdPSeQevWkYrqQ/s320/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(one%20lens%20in).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One lens in.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Okay, so the intensity is obvious. With such a minimalistic lens it's bound to look unnatural but that's the effect one is usually going for with lenses like this so yeah, it's a desired trait to look a bit whacky and mad for once. xD But the color is crisp and screamingly yellow, it's bold and bright and will surely be visible even when viewed from a distance. I do notice though that RevoColour's variants of Manson lenses are not hyper opaque, there is some very slight indications of transparency. This is not necessarily a bad thing, although it depends on how ultra omega crazy you want your eyes to look. Regardless, I doubt dark eyes would shine through.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>Lens photos below!</b></div><b>All photos are taken by <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">yours truly</a>
during sunny weather. All close-ups are free
from color filters and the like and that's so that the colors would
appear as true to life as possible.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdDRxVlmJwXGqPNPgk6PcVsBRcGq0dV2-xSTzQ_QkaVRlvp_xkqa4HIHQwar27rbyEH6EhaxzqlRLIjBncDCkkgz0Ks3_clP7hhYDn-sqh7S-zk3UZPT_4tcVyVM00CaMsf8AN530m8mJdldYPPFVBD8gS7VHC5sF-7ZuGE319M-9kUu6369Wrt6k/s900/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(natural%20roomlight).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="247" data-original-width="900" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdDRxVlmJwXGqPNPgk6PcVsBRcGq0dV2-xSTzQ_QkaVRlvp_xkqa4HIHQwar27rbyEH6EhaxzqlRLIjBncDCkkgz0Ks3_clP7hhYDn-sqh7S-zk3UZPT_4tcVyVM00CaMsf8AN530m8mJdldYPPFVBD8gS7VHC5sF-7ZuGE319M-9kUu6369Wrt6k/s320/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(natural%20roomlight).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural room light, indoors.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBuiVONIdz3prpJS_Q842Onm0gp7HLmZ1AKOY9R6_3WbZeF5mCiv423ZYkNc6L7jvq_VuKVx8rYLGKgnw8ygj-rd_PKuDM-CIh4f8ThbD8SbxAgIx7KU8Pw1726ITzbPwJqnnWPzJSkfSlcz05tqhoHtmXeOAzDtZknF2A6Mi0IJ6ZCkn4DIeUGPf/s900/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(bathroom%20light).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="900" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBuiVONIdz3prpJS_Q842Onm0gp7HLmZ1AKOY9R6_3WbZeF5mCiv423ZYkNc6L7jvq_VuKVx8rYLGKgnw8ygj-rd_PKuDM-CIh4f8ThbD8SbxAgIx7KU8Pw1726ITzbPwJqnnWPzJSkfSlcz05tqhoHtmXeOAzDtZknF2A6Mi0IJ6ZCkn4DIeUGPf/s320/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(bathroom%20light).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom light.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVxGk3wQzvO-TfrkVM7qqD3wTMDV0KSE7MEc4lT93FCpzYrWZhMyfMVR5g2sdfT-t3O4veYvQK5eeUNAu8pmXwbWaxhrs7qB6FBqS-O7Ces8XCikuuXaoCDZB8B3XRrupEbj-wizfneplxPfXbqBdhAYDHp-neGGizTZwJ0K2d97CSy62ZdTmHGNw/s900/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(flash%20photo).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="249" data-original-width="900" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVxGk3wQzvO-TfrkVM7qqD3wTMDV0KSE7MEc4lT93FCpzYrWZhMyfMVR5g2sdfT-t3O4veYvQK5eeUNAu8pmXwbWaxhrs7qB6FBqS-O7Ces8XCikuuXaoCDZB8B3XRrupEbj-wizfneplxPfXbqBdhAYDHp-neGGizTZwJ0K2d97CSy62ZdTmHGNw/s320/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(flash%20photo).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flash photo, indoors.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRNGgVuJu9CWJUhD2ocMca056v2J79CRaQqVGygFxe_dZed1xi9Pz3D4HIfll8JoeTs_VaL1Bx_UHhIhuGGnMOpW-65crVSRgUlc08yvO_3JhNNcMqu4TeIz7EvpT_BXjcL9YDWyMylVwvFZG1rnWjcDHFLlaHvajFTQtiN2_toB_fPBJMQaYVysD/s900/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(facing%20window).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="233" data-original-width="900" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRNGgVuJu9CWJUhD2ocMca056v2J79CRaQqVGygFxe_dZed1xi9Pz3D4HIfll8JoeTs_VaL1Bx_UHhIhuGGnMOpW-65crVSRgUlc08yvO_3JhNNcMqu4TeIz7EvpT_BXjcL9YDWyMylVwvFZG1rnWjcDHFLlaHvajFTQtiN2_toB_fPBJMQaYVysD/s320/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(facing%20window).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facing a window, not sun side.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_r0D0bAVeeqi0J7HMFBEBpVbjINY8C4JOc5QwFVwDIg-mAA0RUVDWVitQ7cZiPRGdBNuEO6jEw1y8Fa1fd_uZnzsezeZrXtEBRit4SlF5IN7NZO6BYZYNjIFn5QlYFBFTiUQ4DTXUuQ7NRXs3qd0rpwHE7p9TgW01u5XwZ1rXU-mBjKGVOEwBuX1/s900/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(unlit%20corridor).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="900" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ_r0D0bAVeeqi0J7HMFBEBpVbjINY8C4JOc5QwFVwDIg-mAA0RUVDWVitQ7cZiPRGdBNuEO6jEw1y8Fa1fd_uZnzsezeZrXtEBRit4SlF5IN7NZO6BYZYNjIFn5QlYFBFTiUQ4DTXUuQ7NRXs3qd0rpwHE7p9TgW01u5XwZ1rXU-mBjKGVOEwBuX1/s320/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(unlit%20corridor).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unlit corridor, weak distant natural light.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQYqCInyxU6mmTnM-qztcxPNrbxSVVgio9RgniaPw13rAGvg5dT8wUrScN3TRW4DqZ1x-vBEZ-ak2Lpb0OhepgDeUO2ChaQg2I3SJ4u9ku7kZOj3_HIOrRSR3KPj5V48Fpfk3c69L7AFE7PInDqEne8wxw10advD5gY7UX197dKYrJC5xI_CKhaF3/s900/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(back%20against%20sun).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="900" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQYqCInyxU6mmTnM-qztcxPNrbxSVVgio9RgniaPw13rAGvg5dT8wUrScN3TRW4DqZ1x-vBEZ-ak2Lpb0OhepgDeUO2ChaQg2I3SJ4u9ku7kZOj3_HIOrRSR3KPj5V48Fpfk3c69L7AFE7PInDqEne8wxw10advD5gY7UX197dKYrJC5xI_CKhaF3/s320/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(back%20against%20sun).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, back against sun. (facing wall)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ntTaQvTe_Vzv7JdHupqVHvAfxtF-GNQODd_lZsSgspA9mIjy4aCvfeK0To6xzaM0GVm9dR631PV7MuR7S5OOFXBKYJw1ZJENUso5zt0fPjyF-nCdbSiNTu_QgdXxkjIAG2NxOG2HxmB6MCGE5GewfQxWliGvf-iSMR79MzjzUfdJr-Vevr3pJYmB/s900/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(facing%20sun).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="900" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ntTaQvTe_Vzv7JdHupqVHvAfxtF-GNQODd_lZsSgspA9mIjy4aCvfeK0To6xzaM0GVm9dR631PV7MuR7S5OOFXBKYJw1ZJENUso5zt0fPjyF-nCdbSiNTu_QgdXxkjIAG2NxOG2HxmB6MCGE5GewfQxWliGvf-iSMR79MzjzUfdJr-Vevr3pJYmB/s320/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(facing%20sun).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, facing the sun.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I can't really say much about comfort as these lenses were also part of my forgotten oopsie box. I feel like such a broken record always repeating what happened in case someone new to the blog is reading a lens review from me for the the first time but the tl;dr version is that I forgot I had a big box with unopened lenses and when I found it again everything inside had expired. *insert sad emoji here* So instead of just discarding everything and wasting precious moolah I figured I'd at least review them on this 'ere blog so that someone, out there, might find it helpful. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't recommend wearing expired lenses (please don't) but for the sake of the review I wore these long enough to get the necessary photos taken (roughly 10 minutes) and what little I can gauge of comfort is based on that short time-window wearing them. I can't grade them properly nor fairly but what I can say is that based on my first impressions they seemed thin albeit slightly itchy and a bit drying. Then again I have naturally very dry eyes so it's hard to tell when it's the lenses and when it's just a bad eye day.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Also, due to the narrow pupil hole there is some colored corners at the edge of my vision field in poorer light conditions, but that's to be expected when the opening is so small and honestly, it's something you get accustomed to quite fast so I'd say personally that it's a non-issue.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">All in all this type of lens is just silly fun and works for both cosplay (especially if you want your lenses to be visible from afar) and other fashion looks – not limited to rockers, punk folks and monster themed parties. There's quite a lot you could wear these lenses to and I'd say only your imagination is the limit, although these are as far from natural as one can get so you might want to avoid wearing them to your baptist grandma's family dinner lmao.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Distance photo!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbh6hKXZhKbm8KzvCkr50iVg2_cf2V1CQ51CuisBgc-4_Zl5ZYzzZCUWKpliSKVFNr2J3UB3v27N_-PjkgZgCyXi05abMKnDxfSdAlxyA7-qRIEAT2HxjElyfw5Tv9BlH9KKL7wNcERkj7k6HUH8ortNpjehmRxi8tXgDbW9rhh8F9EZdCP-gGbG4/s800/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(distance).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbh6hKXZhKbm8KzvCkr50iVg2_cf2V1CQ51CuisBgc-4_Zl5ZYzzZCUWKpliSKVFNr2J3UB3v27N_-PjkgZgCyXi05abMKnDxfSdAlxyA7-qRIEAT2HxjElyfw5Tv9BlH9KKL7wNcERkj7k6HUH8ortNpjehmRxi8tXgDbW9rhh8F9EZdCP-gGbG4/s320/RevoColour%20Yellow%20Manson%20(distance).png" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><i><u><b>Short summary:</b></u></i><br />
<br />
<b>Color: 8/10 </b><br />It's screamo yellow! It's a very bold and intense color, funky and exhilarating.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Design: 7/10</b><br />Classic Manson style lens. It's very minimalistic in design but very effectful in creating a deranged look.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Opacity: 8/10</b><br />Very opaque but not as hyper covering as this kind of crazy lenses tend to be. Still gets the job done with ease.<br />
<b>Enlargement: 3/10</b><br />There's some minor enlargement but it's not really that noticeable tbh.<br />
<b>Comfort: 5/10</b><br />It's hard to say but they were thin and okay-ish, although slightly itchy and possibly a bit on the dry side.<br />
<b>Naturalness: 1/10</b><br />Bro, I don't think so.<br />
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Thank you for reading my blog~</div>
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<i><a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> says goodbye. </i></div></div></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-63351816286891260432023-05-29T16:17:00.002+02:002023-05-29T16:21:06.701+02:00Sastamalan cosplay-päivä 2023<div style="text-align: center;"> Hello everyone!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I attended a mini cosplay event at Sastamala's library this past Saturday (27th May) and thought I'd do a quick summary about it. The event has also been called "Sastamalan cosplay-tapahtuma" but it's the same thing – dear child has many names and yada yada. This was a rather spontaneous trip on my part as I happened to be dwelling in a nearby town at the moment the event was held. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's go! <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4GPFQyZg7C9gugnuinGt0mhn5H6qZmLiSYLN9xn3UW39H_YgOL-4tJ0PRcAxsfS7-SUozNlKgd_zM_F7IX_0R3Vfv-yxQFOYjuHgW0Q_qENddNnLQ81vZ58HVN-lqO2RRuPr-6jWOU72iPjQ8EPqtApk0HohMoLfAhyAaywgQ37NUFtxX1RLDS8m/s900/DSC_0797(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="595" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4GPFQyZg7C9gugnuinGt0mhn5H6qZmLiSYLN9xn3UW39H_YgOL-4tJ0PRcAxsfS7-SUozNlKgd_zM_F7IX_0R3Vfv-yxQFOYjuHgW0Q_qENddNnLQ81vZ58HVN-lqO2RRuPr-6jWOU72iPjQ8EPqtApk0HohMoLfAhyAaywgQ37NUFtxX1RLDS8m/s320/DSC_0797(3).png" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Event poster.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>As this was a one-day event (roughly 6 hours duration) it didn't really require any planning except for waking up during a reasonable time and driving there. As I'm quite far from home I also didn't have any costumes with me and so I went in casual gear. My company <strike>and driver</strike> for the day was <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a>. It took us roughly 50 minutes to drive to the library on this bright summer day.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXou1lzKUDrkeyUyi04H7TgNZOk2TepwxfPDUEZvtWLkXN13SDkXsOZH8NQRF9xqeit6DfAmGrNbP0G3vUdoFOH2AtrXZZAsMXBokSP31GAviwIVVQwnCC2wcLBA9hFVaT1XmLSEUI0C1mdhgslGFzYNKpmkQwYrJiU9TVdHfOc4O8TRAFBNyz9sP/s900/DSC_0789(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXou1lzKUDrkeyUyi04H7TgNZOk2TepwxfPDUEZvtWLkXN13SDkXsOZH8NQRF9xqeit6DfAmGrNbP0G3vUdoFOH2AtrXZZAsMXBokSP31GAviwIVVQwnCC2wcLBA9hFVaT1XmLSEUI0C1mdhgslGFzYNKpmkQwYrJiU9TVdHfOc4O8TRAFBNyz9sP/s320/DSC_0789(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sastamala library entrance.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'll admit I've never been to Sastamala's library before – heck, I've literally only briefly visited Sastamala once before for a friend's after-wedding party. So it's almost completely unknown territory for me but yeah, it looked like a comfy town. </div><div style="text-align: left;">It was easy to find a free parking lot just outside the library and after I had <i>Pokémon Go</i>'d the immediate surroundings (the library was conveniently a blue gym with space for us xD) we walked in. My instant reaction was that it didn't look that much livelier than it would on your average library day, except for some kids in colorful outfits. And I gotta say I almost felt like a fossil in comparison to the age group of the other visitors – mainly school-age children. There were some who looked like teens, possibly young adults but fuck I felt old lmao. That, or transported back to 2009 when you'd still see kids in <i>Naruto</i> cloaks and Miku Hatsune outfits running around. It was charming though and weirdly nostalgic. The kids will be alright. :')</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQW8d7Z-G5IlQXAQnZZQ-CkGbqxZRGPxpvTi_4oYt641TDDNbeTKScY8mkvh_GM1RuwNL5ZrzSraxi-1_OrR_wuAXAjjag74yjVl7NAhllhZsPs5IpRuCIdsNPHSMPS9CAxZhVsE4HNfa0cNkipaKiC0Ji9jWy1wjrJiZGVCduRrUroBmllD-CzCW/s900/DSC_0798(6).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQW8d7Z-G5IlQXAQnZZQ-CkGbqxZRGPxpvTi_4oYt641TDDNbeTKScY8mkvh_GM1RuwNL5ZrzSraxi-1_OrR_wuAXAjjag74yjVl7NAhllhZsPs5IpRuCIdsNPHSMPS9CAxZhVsE4HNfa0cNkipaKiC0Ji9jWy1wjrJiZGVCduRrUroBmllD-CzCW/s320/DSC_0798(6).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">General view of the location.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">We actually arrived just in time to watch the cosplay competition. They had some technical issues and yeah, the contestants who were mostly small kids were obviously very shy to be on stage and to speak into the mic so, umm, it goes without saying that the whole competition was over very fast considering that a full hour had apparently been reserved for it on the schedule. I can't blame the kiddos though, they were clearly nervous and intimidated to be in front of a lot of parents and other visitors watching them. Heck, I have stage fright too <strike>I once almost fainted the one and only time I tried to sing karaoke in front of my mom and cousins.</strike> xD There were four winners and I gotta say I was surprised by the quality of the prizes – huge plush dolls were given out to at least the second and first place I think? I mean.. *prepares old man voice* back in my day you'd get like a pack of poker cards if you placed in Kemi's manga day. For real, for real.</div><div style="text-align: left;">No but really, the contestants were all adorable and I think it's great that there's this kind of first-timer friendly events that are aimed at the younger population. A lot of cosplay competitions in other, more well-known events are very high-threshold and it can feel like there's a lot of requirements placed on you. Small and free events like this cosplay-day is a great gateway for newcomers to try out competing with almost no pressure, few to no restrictions (bought costumes were clearly allowed) and in a fun and stress-free environment. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After the cosplay competition we checked the little spot reserved for the Artist's Alley and merchants. I was surprised there even was any sellers at all because the event was so tiny. And I was even more surprised to see a big-shot like <a href="https://www.bardjester.com/">Bard & Jester</a> here, I mean these guys are famous and tour events outside the country borders! I've seen them in Närcon in Sweden.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFp4A-7A0kfpDb-2MpPHAEp9kEMYqDRTZok55pTcy4t_Qg9QkU_0-Nlb7_pnLZ132_JjoQA9KM7NXiI1U2_1LnSnZPc5ttc9C3c2u1eChnKeWGCe3a2y718BFIF0BfvDnF06ZRoUEEj-CaTFu-H15vdlUqLzsZb1ZWh3RP-C99Ab5f_4sbH9Llk9D/s900/DSC_0780(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFp4A-7A0kfpDb-2MpPHAEp9kEMYqDRTZok55pTcy4t_Qg9QkU_0-Nlb7_pnLZ132_JjoQA9KM7NXiI1U2_1LnSnZPc5ttc9C3c2u1eChnKeWGCe3a2y718BFIF0BfvDnF06ZRoUEEj-CaTFu-H15vdlUqLzsZb1ZWh3RP-C99Ab5f_4sbH9Llk9D/s320/DSC_0780(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A combination of Artist's Alley and merch sellers.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScNWqqZE-eCn91ddp_TDvw1U40YSGBxd5hcpVQXUxVpryv8WWSyVdl4vhCfyBozEOuuEs02nZmvsSsESp2hspLU7OEo1tNgAz_H1yveO_SmA99LFa0d31PMiTi1BWWI4WLsfCNKtgMcpTbVxRYw9_-faUTv10uDILY9p9IXrsG3xG93QVkNMCbbCR/s900/DSC_0782(4).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScNWqqZE-eCn91ddp_TDvw1U40YSGBxd5hcpVQXUxVpryv8WWSyVdl4vhCfyBozEOuuEs02nZmvsSsESp2hspLU7OEo1tNgAz_H1yveO_SmA99LFa0d31PMiTi1BWWI4WLsfCNKtgMcpTbVxRYw9_-faUTv10uDILY9p9IXrsG3xG93QVkNMCbbCR/s320/DSC_0782(4).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.bardjester.com/">Bard & Jester</a> had some sick steampunk gear etc for sale!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There were two Artist's Alley tables, of which one of them I immediately recognized from Kummacon. I did notice that there was a third table that was completely empty, which made me wonder if there had been a last minute cancellation? I did buy a few things too from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aroaava/">aroaava</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I gotta say I liked the overall feeling of the event, it was really chill and casual. There might not have been a lot to do, when compared to a more typical con, but that's to be expected. There were plenty of different kinds of crafty stations like a table for perler beads, decorate a sakura tree with origami flowers, a lucky wheel and there was also a much appreciated table with free coffee, tea, cookies, pocky sticks and even popcorn. Now that amount of generosity gets two thumbs up from me!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh62hYKyIvxPtswb_ggMfG8kxPLEoO6ebrIpY0iZWuITBK7V3UCnpk7rsnxNbfVnjZPudlK4RTJ_iJbw1zBuT5cXjhUTayckENAYs06FajXyiZOqmWPzd2hDc9xdMdvoRPz2_P_KfFoKPQb7TNQBBmWX40Kj15bkDpds2EUWhhjifXs9YrxVd-90qe/s900/DSC_0784(5).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh62hYKyIvxPtswb_ggMfG8kxPLEoO6ebrIpY0iZWuITBK7V3UCnpk7rsnxNbfVnjZPudlK4RTJ_iJbw1zBuT5cXjhUTayckENAYs06FajXyiZOqmWPzd2hDc9xdMdvoRPz2_P_KfFoKPQb7TNQBBmWX40Kj15bkDpds2EUWhhjifXs9YrxVd-90qe/s320/DSC_0784(5).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some kind of lucky wheel thingy?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gELnSVadK0zg3GKW2fNRaG-ljAzfPxjOhInCTjolP-qKZBmeLm6JGI1OT-jixQFVs9o6RQhj0FtP8nNl7HrY77fpjtM77G0LH-DFEl4C13JjAtHIBvuObpOMBonNPJPQKnB_Skqcs-qAbyBp8G4D1lxQCGyoruMhBlueDuTzQ1JPnhb7qWJMljdj/s900/DSC_0799(4).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gELnSVadK0zg3GKW2fNRaG-ljAzfPxjOhInCTjolP-qKZBmeLm6JGI1OT-jixQFVs9o6RQhj0FtP8nNl7HrY77fpjtM77G0LH-DFEl4C13JjAtHIBvuObpOMBonNPJPQKnB_Skqcs-qAbyBp8G4D1lxQCGyoruMhBlueDuTzQ1JPnhb7qWJMljdj/s320/DSC_0799(4).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorate the tree activity booth.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpsdFilJWp_e5ngkyc2xF0Lp5UO38L_AFBYYMYgnMER2CHPRIPRss25Es7-EWemomv2UDR53K-EjZz_XUd8OdNM9VQKujGZKalU0DG1ygJIOTwwE1bnWcoeYLjnnc0jRyI952OgIIvfbyPQpCw8QzBbiQCMop2tQp6wNsvEjrRBH6hWuTuM9yiNt7/s900/DSC_0800(4).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpsdFilJWp_e5ngkyc2xF0Lp5UO38L_AFBYYMYgnMER2CHPRIPRss25Es7-EWemomv2UDR53K-EjZz_XUd8OdNM9VQKujGZKalU0DG1ygJIOTwwE1bnWcoeYLjnnc0jRyI952OgIIvfbyPQpCw8QzBbiQCMop2tQp6wNsvEjrRBH6hWuTuM9yiNt7/s320/DSC_0800(4).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The snacks and drink booth, all free. #bless<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">I read that there was supposed to be a place where you could try on a VR headset but I didn't find it. Was lowkey bummed out as that did interest me a bit and it would have been fun to try out. Then again, maybe I should just have looked through things a bit more thoroughly but yeah, we didn't stay there for very long in the end.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Just for fun me and <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a> participated in a lottery draw where you could win event merch (like those mugs on the picture below) just before we left.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjUddxfsi2lTkQwLQbljS6Ds2gJLn1LTQPVWf6Z4_rdAjO0RQOJypnoQG7mjieaA92UPFka7mSKDATlm45noEN2ZG4Iy9UjVeGAT2iwLbTiM3DD_GKFRyjRLrgrqsF9qA2AMKzc2nmr1p1o0A61XKsQMrzh1ZfLimVz2md_4iGPL_NC03vCKbNUDB/s900/DSC_0779(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjUddxfsi2lTkQwLQbljS6Ds2gJLn1LTQPVWf6Z4_rdAjO0RQOJypnoQG7mjieaA92UPFka7mSKDATlm45noEN2ZG4Iy9UjVeGAT2iwLbTiM3DD_GKFRyjRLrgrqsF9qA2AMKzc2nmr1p1o0A61XKsQMrzh1ZfLimVz2md_4iGPL_NC03vCKbNUDB/s320/DSC_0779(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Event merchandise. This had me surprised as well.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I gotta give compliments to the library workers who went all in on this day. There was this tattooed dude with amazing spiky punk-rocker hair and he was dressed at some point in a lab coat and something that looked like a homemade mask that resembled some kind of creepy green-eyed mosquito or something. Yes, it had the sucker made out of like part of a vaccuum cleaner or something lmao. It was weird, intimidating and awesome at the same time. 5/5 best outfit.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't have so much more to say. I enjoyed the event and how relaxed the atmosphere was. It was fun to watch the reaction of ordinary library visitors (grannies unaware of the event etc) when they saw youngsters roaming the area in fursuits and colorful wigs lol. I also gotta say that considering the scale of the event I felt like it must have had a decent budget to have as much activities as it did. I know libraries are often short on money as they're funded and dependent on the municipality and are sadly a very low-priority instance at that too. But libraries are one of the few safe havens left for (vulnerable) people in society – one of the few remaining welcoming public spaces where there's no pressure to buy anything. So yeah, it's very nice to see events hosted in libraries too to give these important places some much needed visibility and traffic. I definitely approve of the so-called "kirjastoconit", aka 'library cons'. These small events are great stepping stones for newcomers to enter the geeky community of cosplay and anime so yeah, let's keep these in the future too. <3<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for reading, see y'all around!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>~ <a href="http://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> out.</i></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-60350002993465839322023-05-25T15:48:00.003+02:002023-05-25T15:52:06.421+02:00Kummacon 2023 – Stop, working time!<div style="text-align: center;">Hello geeks!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This year's rendition of Kummacon was held this past weekend in Oulu again, during 20-21.5.2023 and yes, this effectively means that I've attended Kummacon back-to-back with no other con inbetween. :'D That's because <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/2022/10/kummacon-2022-luck-in-misfortune.html">last year's Kummacon</a> was held so late and this year's was pushed forward to be on the first half of the year! Anyways, as most people probably know by now Kummacon is a small, low threshold anime and literature convention held annually in Oulu and it's one of the few popular culture events with a free entrance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's dive in!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWoDikY25ne4OTJkdc5Ml6lQTC1IBViJ_PIU2g8-6O18SPEFqf3iWQj4XVQBaYEjrpV054_su3QAdfWJfv_18atCL59Rglvdu30CFGytnW6SJV1WrjMm5PIW8CiDCuobe-5SQ28VpWYFrbsotnWRnuqQ0oyPdxHHvnuLIJJWt7TN3gH4nghdVpv_R/s900/DSC_0777(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWoDikY25ne4OTJkdc5Ml6lQTC1IBViJ_PIU2g8-6O18SPEFqf3iWQj4XVQBaYEjrpV054_su3QAdfWJfv_18atCL59Rglvdu30CFGytnW6SJV1WrjMm5PIW8CiDCuobe-5SQ28VpWYFrbsotnWRnuqQ0oyPdxHHvnuLIJJWt7TN3gH4nghdVpv_R/s320/DSC_0777(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kummacon host building, aka Oulu's International School.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">Kummacon is one of those cons that change host building almost every iteration and where it ends up comes down to things like budget and such. This is the second time (I think?) that it's held in Oulu's international school – last time was back in <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/2018/04/kummacon-2018-free-and-awesome.html">2018</a>. And I gotta say that this is one of my favorite locations because of how well-lit it is and it's very close to the train station and centrum as well, which means it's easy to find and to get to and from.<br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoO7CUxNES-8qf_6tRK2FJOWm43xfzHRJeTNF0qcK21cFXbxrAN0xicR5lE9tuqoXV8YZA7UkKrGxNOflWV9iDx4yUwG5yMZ0cJWejamoVti8HcI2epGjEjfquf-I0LTz5R1BkGkB5GsM42T_zP-iYwqYqdKb7O-DUO45tkxxtjYWG49ZO0K89iep/s900/DSC_0776(4).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoO7CUxNES-8qf_6tRK2FJOWm43xfzHRJeTNF0qcK21cFXbxrAN0xicR5lE9tuqoXV8YZA7UkKrGxNOflWV9iDx4yUwG5yMZ0cJWejamoVti8HcI2epGjEjfquf-I0LTz5R1BkGkB5GsM42T_zP-iYwqYqdKb7O-DUO45tkxxtjYWG49ZO0K89iep/s320/DSC_0776(4).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kummacon info desk. Very visibly pro-LGBTQ+ vibes. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Already by the end of last year's Kummacon I had signed up for to return as a con worker this year. I figured why not as it gives me something fulfilling to do and well, non-profit free events like these need all the extra hands they can get to be able to go around; no people willing to donate their time equals no con and that is big sad. :'( And I knew from last year that Kummacon struggled with last-minute worker cancellations and I have plenty con worker experience under my belt by now so I didn't need to think twice before applying for round two. Except this year I ended up at the Kumma Kahvila (cafeteria) and not as a general con worker.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmB8hchjNN26qoPHLGbW-YQWS86r56nF_GUXs-wouI64WhWHNHR6YtO4S4eT65YFVqV3dLCsFPaof7jhF1qPlYM-WKVCNNnwp2a53zGOZxfQba3zcYaR_wiki311mlzVQY6HE-03lzUtIZ_NtBZANycmhgxFWFW5q8sWEw7PeFYrcFMhnR169kzNCy/s900/DSC_0739(4).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmB8hchjNN26qoPHLGbW-YQWS86r56nF_GUXs-wouI64WhWHNHR6YtO4S4eT65YFVqV3dLCsFPaof7jhF1qPlYM-WKVCNNnwp2a53zGOZxfQba3zcYaR_wiki311mlzVQY6HE-03lzUtIZ_NtBZANycmhgxFWFW5q8sWEw7PeFYrcFMhnR169kzNCy/s320/DSC_0739(4).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance viewed from inside.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: left;">As I mentioned above Kummacon has been in the international school before and I felt instantly familiar when I stepped in. I think most of the layout were used similarly to 2018 – the Artist's Alley was split in two halves with one half downstairs and the other half upstairs on the second floor. There were quite a lot of artists and some I had not seen before, which is always nice! Sadly I am quite poor at the moment so the only thing I ended up buying at the whole con was a Diluc (<i>Genshin Impact</i>) keychain from one of the sellers upstairs for myself and two other characters as gifts.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIZ7QbynQ9cIA5kXkiS9d20ft7RH-tZh5BG2o5cSm3XlnW9qzaxMZV5GUYfD3oFPvV7pUCuukdzkpDJfqCFkCDfDOnVq-lk4K-oSmafLGLO7DFFWoOeD0YN4WtolZ8pu-GrfiOQZ1IvJ1ijbRTt41saFl04WrkurcXBCkwfdZ5fJrWZuBwADbdekq/s900/DSC_0737(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIZ7QbynQ9cIA5kXkiS9d20ft7RH-tZh5BG2o5cSm3XlnW9qzaxMZV5GUYfD3oFPvV7pUCuukdzkpDJfqCFkCDfDOnVq-lk4K-oSmafLGLO7DFFWoOeD0YN4WtolZ8pu-GrfiOQZ1IvJ1ijbRTt41saFl04WrkurcXBCkwfdZ5fJrWZuBwADbdekq/s320/DSC_0737(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half of Artist's Alley was on the main floor.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCjQaKX1BVT-b2owqzccc2Wk_RGgnEzxTaRVm0hjgOL4ISpcM0GCM0mihIy-Ca3abhzKoxArEsveXFVHj7_-VJmRzKwq5PUhnFm5m9liHRnwLBfT1aOSDS05z9C26cFK4VJsT_T0eD9hTADv-TFuLgn1ncuGY5MnhA91G4K77rCV-eREbhczh26EM/s900/DSC_0743(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCjQaKX1BVT-b2owqzccc2Wk_RGgnEzxTaRVm0hjgOL4ISpcM0GCM0mihIy-Ca3abhzKoxArEsveXFVHj7_-VJmRzKwq5PUhnFm5m9liHRnwLBfT1aOSDS05z9C26cFK4VJsT_T0eD9hTADv-TFuLgn1ncuGY5MnhA91G4K77rCV-eREbhczh26EM/s320/DSC_0743(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the other half was up the stairs. (sorry no pic)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">On Saturday I worked from 13-17 local time at the cafeteria upstairs. We sold some sweet and salty treats like vegan 'härkis' burgers and sandwiches, homebaked buns and peanut butter cookies, coffee, Japanese snacks, homemade 'sima' (a traditional Finnish Easter drink similar to mead) and some few others. </div><div style="text-align: left;">I gotta admit I was quite nervous at first when I arrived at my work station. I had slept poorly and tried to mask my growing anxiety as good as I could but luckily I was fretting for nothing as it was a pretty chill job and there were never any rushes or massive customer flows. My workmates were also friendly and there were no weird situations that cropped up, except for the obligatory technology hiccups with the card reader refusing to connect with the app and such. But we also took cash so when it did act up there was always a plan B to fall back on. <strike>And apparently the card reader hated my phone more than the other phones cuz no one else had it act up as much as I did lol.</strike><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgiTiMGT7A1Vh3RSZcEOsUtAcDdIW1NeQ5XLbZNWDdY2q_MhXjl4gagBdiNd_3BsC9WKsu3NJfaCUUr6uQJP9OdLqc9GPcx27F-A4JElIhrCiYDHxCSfTGbl30lnkN3ouz-cqbo71MP6nVPRs_1wG5_hrD1ZcGXZJ89ZD7-MJhsgom7UBvPfiJWyq/s900/DSC_0774(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXgiTiMGT7A1Vh3RSZcEOsUtAcDdIW1NeQ5XLbZNWDdY2q_MhXjl4gagBdiNd_3BsC9WKsu3NJfaCUUr6uQJP9OdLqc9GPcx27F-A4JElIhrCiYDHxCSfTGbl30lnkN3ouz-cqbo71MP6nVPRs_1wG5_hrD1ZcGXZJ89ZD7-MJhsgom7UBvPfiJWyq/s320/DSC_0774(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kumma Kahvila looked like this on Sunday.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I spent the majority of my time at the con <strike>behind bars</strike> at the cafeteria working I gotta admit that I don't actually have so much to say about the convention itself. I saw some friends briefly but as I was the only one who worked I couldn't join them for some juicy shenanigans and thus I don't have any fun stories to share as, well, nothing out of the ordinary had a chance to happen. So I'm sorry but this summary might come across as a bit more dull than what I usually write. :')</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7odc1q5xCO75OYuCRvq5bYZ4R37J-mtOmy0ou6Fj4-YG9dnifqst7t1yxQ9cmkbCmejncYXlA8mgHpO0D68h-gd8jycqt-NtbayIiq1Jo7qRwrKa72VEcGLHmL0qrcBBjk3TNv2xRrNBAAGtweVv1RnMQdj4LQdfyjXK2IvLF724rdsFjUa6RopBB/s900/DSC_0772(6).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7odc1q5xCO75OYuCRvq5bYZ4R37J-mtOmy0ou6Fj4-YG9dnifqst7t1yxQ9cmkbCmejncYXlA8mgHpO0D68h-gd8jycqt-NtbayIiq1Jo7qRwrKa72VEcGLHmL0qrcBBjk3TNv2xRrNBAAGtweVv1RnMQdj4LQdfyjXK2IvLF724rdsFjUa6RopBB/s320/DSC_0772(6).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie with <a href="http://shinigamiuchiha.blogspot.com/">Firith</a>! Yes I was in alt casual gear.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I did meet the lovely <b>Firith</b> in some Hatsune Miku inspired setup and we shared our sleeping accomodation as he and I have a mutual friend who so happens to have a study apartment in Oulu where we could crash over the weekend. Saved my ass because yeah, as I said I'm poor right now and on sick leave so the money ain't saying clinkety clink right now.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRaMiSWVPEB5735Iukpuc2HyOncrfRHtDdproWF3kEFPjRIKKQlrVol0oCCkHZswVkSuIKkIiHmHkNN6dFhZnK_XKhny8-JU_mC6mHCC6vqlRwU-FQpj-Yq4fiv3n8dkHZN1LAlLp9AAMJP347V58mV16dgT3WpoUwZabpVOYgVk7tb7MuRuiH297/s900/DSC_0740(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRaMiSWVPEB5735Iukpuc2HyOncrfRHtDdproWF3kEFPjRIKKQlrVol0oCCkHZswVkSuIKkIiHmHkNN6dFhZnK_XKhny8-JU_mC6mHCC6vqlRwU-FQpj-Yq4fiv3n8dkHZN1LAlLp9AAMJP347V58mV16dgT3WpoUwZabpVOYgVk7tb7MuRuiH297/s320/DSC_0740(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the staple vendors, <a href="https://www.mangacafe.fi/">Manga Cafe</a>.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rPkCARVCI_Hz2vBRc9YqFE5o8jlEc50ewyLzmD_m4MmRQKE-BCJmoMIP9BekCD8EV7_-HFAMP2gfldZq8p9UESr0nIkEdEPNC2Ek9dHdFwwXGRz-tOB1-O4mNEQ8_KR7ChBWrj7oaLSe9gy2OTBorNAlLyg-pzylFmzpZdiJ-unEH0mDd4HATekZ/s900/DSC_0775(4).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rPkCARVCI_Hz2vBRc9YqFE5o8jlEc50ewyLzmD_m4MmRQKE-BCJmoMIP9BekCD8EV7_-HFAMP2gfldZq8p9UESr0nIkEdEPNC2Ek9dHdFwwXGRz-tOB1-O4mNEQ8_KR7ChBWrj7oaLSe9gy2OTBorNAlLyg-pzylFmzpZdiJ-unEH0mDd4HATekZ/s320/DSC_0775(4).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some other geeky merch seller.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">On Sunday my work shift were from 10-14 and it went by much the same as on Saturday, except a bit calmer still. I have no idea how much leftovers there were as I didn't stay until the closure of the con (I had to leave earlier) but I do assume that whatever were left from the cafeteria were handed out to the Green Room and to con workers to take home. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Next year I will most likely apply to be a con worker again as I find it quite an important and delightful little side hustle and well, I do appreciate Kummacon staying as a free entrance event and for them to be able to stay that way they need volunteers to make the con happen year after year. :) <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8v0q2IZ1rgvg1DsRhBK5X9i2cpO-wXWADVaPbIJXrLaxNgWKDRA492t0Jba_VAxaP-HvcZ0K65SQSA0DG7_hRZWLmvyl4n0J-l2vpf_C3Z-uEOVGBGcQ52J3s7BND53N2OPlu8TVLhGXYYXrTykrL9T2wg7sTH_6Mf2fAjVtqkJYS-6xiNijThDk/s900/DSC_0773(5).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8v0q2IZ1rgvg1DsRhBK5X9i2cpO-wXWADVaPbIJXrLaxNgWKDRA492t0Jba_VAxaP-HvcZ0K65SQSA0DG7_hRZWLmvyl4n0J-l2vpf_C3Z-uEOVGBGcQ52J3s7BND53N2OPlu8TVLhGXYYXrTykrL9T2wg7sTH_6Mf2fAjVtqkJYS-6xiNijThDk/s320/DSC_0773(5).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The obligatory art wall. Notice the 'poorly drawn Sasuke' meme. xD<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I found this year's Kummacon experience to be a pleasant one. I did not attend any panels or programs or the like and spent like 90% of my time at the con working but I don't really feel like I missed out on much either as I'm a very lazy goer on any kind of activities and I'm trying to refrain from buying stuff as I feel like I own so much shit by now that I don't even know what to do with it lol. </div><div style="text-align: left;">It doesn't take that long to traverse the building and see what the con has to offer and aside from the occasional crowding and the building being packed with people in lines waiting for popular programs to start (like the cosplay competition and cosplay date) then it was easy to navigate and move around in. I did feel some slight annoyance because upstairs there were a few cases when people would randomly sit or just stand next to the stairs for a longer time and clog up the passage, which wasn't that wide to begin with. Maybe there was a lack of chairs to sit on, I'm not sure? I didn't check every corner of the con but I know there were chairs in the same corridor where the Kumma Kirppis (second-hand store) was, although I'll admit I didn't step my foot in there.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Upstairs also had pretty crummy air flow/quality, I felt a bit nauseated several times while working and had to take breaks to go outdoors to get some fresh air; I heard that the windows upstairs couldn't be opened and that was one of the main reasons it was like that – luckily on Sunday someone brought a portable air conditioner to the cafeteria so it was a bit more manageable. Air quality was fine downstairs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">All in all Kummacon is a worthwhile con to visit if you happen to live in the north. It boasts a welcoming and safe atmosphere, a decent amount of activities to keep you entertained and it's just a breath of fun to liven up a dull week. We need to hold on tight to what few cons we have left with free entrance because yeah, I personally believe that low-threshold cons like this are a great way to get new and young hobbyists into the scene – it's a great first step to gauge if it's where you feel a sense of belonging. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for reading and stay fresh out there!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>~ <a href="http://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> out.<br /></i></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-66484175983921902852023-05-09T22:26:00.003+02:002023-05-09T22:46:22.190+02:00RE4 Leon Kennedy costest update<div style="text-align: center;"> Hello!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">What is this, a cosplay post? You bet! :'D No but really, I know it's been literal years since I last made any cosplay progress post or anything that's not a circle lens review lol but I promise I'm getting back on track! The past weeks I've been really getting back into the cosplay groove and I actually have regained motivation to do stuff, wow! I have some moderately ambitious plans for the future and I should start cranking out more costuming content towards the summer, if everything goes as planned.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But anygays, back to the topic at hand. So yeah, a part of this reignited cosplay hype transferred over to me wanting to fix some almost-completed cosplays so that I can debut them at future conventions. I have quite a bunch of undebuted cosplays that need some small fixing before they're show-worthy. My Leon cosplay is one of them – I'm only missing props. That, and that I've wanted to slightly modify the wig a bit more as it started to bother me over the years. </div><div style="text-align: left;">So what do I do? Well, last weekend I headed over to spend some quality time with <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a> and their boyfriend. <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a> slightly tinted the wig by using brown markers to color some fibers by hand and after that was done I put it on my head and we trimmed it a bit shorter on the sides and thinned down the front because it was quite front-heavy (although it didn't look like it!). The wig felt so much nicer and breezier to wear after shedding some excess fibers! It feels like it sits better on my head now and doesn't look as bulky on the front as before.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was a derp and forgot to take any wig styling photos (sorry!) but how the wig looked before can be seen on <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/2018/01/leon-kennedy-cosplay-makeup-test.html">this post</a> from... half a decade ago, omegayikes. <strike>Jesus Christ time flies.</strike> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">But what I did do was a quick makeup test late yesterday just for fun and to test out the updated wig. I'm quite excited for this costume not gonna lie, it's fun to finally get around to do a bit more video game characters as I've been a major gamer all my life!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0IZc9IlF9M3Cgg_ASa-fjy8cUHKpa9PCoxi-hLaxR51CueFZ7TblyBdrak8E2018bCWcVulVlUeMZ6MTEnrBvQmi0NWZC4SeQMIzd5bVMavjjYHpt8MwxkTdI1z5XqIj4zHQrbQFGh-plMZSDuPgJcGBKQqi0llzq6JlAYjk2mkwwctvVLXBG9CC/s800/DSC_0728(1).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0IZc9IlF9M3Cgg_ASa-fjy8cUHKpa9PCoxi-hLaxR51CueFZ7TblyBdrak8E2018bCWcVulVlUeMZ6MTEnrBvQmi0NWZC4SeQMIzd5bVMavjjYHpt8MwxkTdI1z5XqIj4zHQrbQFGh-plMZSDuPgJcGBKQqi0llzq6JlAYjk2mkwwctvVLXBG9CC/s320/DSC_0728(1).png" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRLGatswf9WZxYbrajj93Gr7N4tTV3IUN7jZZ0janA6BvntS4sXu3G9koguvqezXEq_I9bV9C4u4w_ZrVnFiQYXbWAM03zce-fBNbBSKwQJ5lI3g9j8Lr0VPlzI2hlzKrNhAWVPa28tx2LIsXpXkPnhFTRHlw9dtbc7rZOPvL0q44T-EZNfnP63D-/s800/DSC_0731(2).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRLGatswf9WZxYbrajj93Gr7N4tTV3IUN7jZZ0janA6BvntS4sXu3G9koguvqezXEq_I9bV9C4u4w_ZrVnFiQYXbWAM03zce-fBNbBSKwQJ5lI3g9j8Lr0VPlzI2hlzKrNhAWVPa28tx2LIsXpXkPnhFTRHlw9dtbc7rZOPvL0q44T-EZNfnP63D-/s320/DSC_0731(2).png" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I intend to debut Leon somewhere this year but I'm just gonna make sure I
have some kind of props to use before then as I find it kinda awkward
to pose if I don't have anything to pose with lol. I'd prefer to make
the rocket launcher if I get a chance to do that, but if not I'll try to
make at least a knife, grenades or any other small props that he uses
in the game. I want to fill my pouches with <i>stuff</i>. :D I actually scouted Ikea for fake flowers that I could paint
red for a Red Herb prop to carry around but of course with my luck
there wasn't anything that fit the bill in terms of leaf shapes etc ffuu ffuu. Oh well, the search continues!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I think that's about all I had to say for this round. Stay nerdy out there!<br /></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-64054199413357600332023-04-04T18:23:00.001+02:002023-04-10T15:17:59.619+02:00Lens review: ColourVue Phantasee Yellow Artist<div style="text-align: center;"> Hi hi and hello!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm doing another special effects lens review, woop di doop! Today I'll show you all the <span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>ColourVue Phantasee Yellow Artist</b></span>, a not so extreme crazy lens. This is ngl more of an artsy lens, if you may.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's-a go!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2O-qmEKblBsDAYxC0Cft32tnOw1PSRgc-xsP1OSU4-hxGyiWi827J1q7k4qZ4YvPpLeeG4WdUnpt0CUkJgBj8kkdS6rGc18V_XSgPOVZzJK86SVePTPx9fhZh3ujbHDzCba1Iy3YiBRcMNb5isXIaEfX-dFuIYA9tK9_Do4nVVORseAt2kE2M2Ld/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(package).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2O-qmEKblBsDAYxC0Cft32tnOw1PSRgc-xsP1OSU4-hxGyiWi827J1q7k4qZ4YvPpLeeG4WdUnpt0CUkJgBj8kkdS6rGc18V_XSgPOVZzJK86SVePTPx9fhZh3ujbHDzCba1Iy3YiBRcMNb5isXIaEfX-dFuIYA9tK9_Do4nVVORseAt2kE2M2Ld/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(package).png" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0u2-8CnO1itVOH37Jnwx0CgRFBMgTe6fVRYs33VyewW2HG-eX1TX9j26G3DAizJcrl0fpio0CkcY2As0LgzbHvpE6nc7qF10FIWurh1Ut_wfS1ymafgD0ghPKlC70C-c4bT_GlVudsglPivpBjOuZH3-VOBPVRmoBMZ5-LoZfDhhQ6zLNa9_x4xH/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(vials).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0u2-8CnO1itVOH37Jnwx0CgRFBMgTe6fVRYs33VyewW2HG-eX1TX9j26G3DAizJcrl0fpio0CkcY2As0LgzbHvpE6nc7qF10FIWurh1Ut_wfS1ymafgD0ghPKlC70C-c4bT_GlVudsglPivpBjOuZH3-VOBPVRmoBMZ5-LoZfDhhQ6zLNa9_x4xH/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(vials).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfC5uGUSBczahhoI0FGd5DUUEZJRM_FXLgVsRTxqLfG1lzAdTqAG0i0TBWu3Qjfq0xzff1fBND5xqtHNs5F8YJUw48ER46s7jzE0gzTyOw9UPTynyc1cmd-bNcxciaW8gTK0wldfh-rZTcBlIBXwjM3ih4oQCXDSaHOktTjKegQyGfjQvs-wug9UT/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(vials%20down).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfC5uGUSBczahhoI0FGd5DUUEZJRM_FXLgVsRTxqLfG1lzAdTqAG0i0TBWu3Qjfq0xzff1fBND5xqtHNs5F8YJUw48ER46s7jzE0gzTyOw9UPTynyc1cmd-bNcxciaW8gTK0wldfh-rZTcBlIBXwjM3ih4oQCXDSaHOktTjKegQyGfjQvs-wug9UT/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(vials%20down).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Base curve: 8.6 mm<br />Diameter: 14.0 mm</b> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <b>Water content: 45%</b><br />
<b>Life span: 1 year (I recommend 6 months)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivth9px9_nrDpmaSpv88yd3KL6ZFvnG_aH_f4ETQNiYTqd1uBOCTo088e9OmSvOzxJtWr4Cp9arl5A8pidbbFUp4AyZVeN1HBEEaZl9R3-d2mAiYjFyVZBH288bQvvZz5JZm5dTL7OUXQcNT-vnTBWbN869ll1O_fpPxoax-ZqfP53TqN3YgOPVJy3/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(vials%20up).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivth9px9_nrDpmaSpv88yd3KL6ZFvnG_aH_f4ETQNiYTqd1uBOCTo088e9OmSvOzxJtWr4Cp9arl5A8pidbbFUp4AyZVeN1HBEEaZl9R3-d2mAiYjFyVZBH288bQvvZz5JZm5dTL7OUXQcNT-vnTBWbN869ll1O_fpPxoax-ZqfP53TqN3YgOPVJy3/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(vials%20up).png" width="320" /></a></div></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">On an unsuspecting quick glance these look quite normal for a sfx lens, as in that the print isn't that bold nor typically blocky and simple like it tends to be on crazy lenses. The print in fact is rather delicate and detailed and it's really pretty if you take a closer look! Another thing I noticed was that it seems like the yellow color appears a bit golden hued when light hits it a certain way, making it look almost reminiscent of a metallic glimmering color. Almost.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jJj-B7DrF4ZwoVxNImONOC9frW6SOc9buaibg1wdLOH0zmKRHFolEsrGkgcUH19mD01E5yPJmw153rkJWTPQVnwPZmfwY74_C4zse2U1LyK8W0HdGVmra6-sxG-YpC9pV4WkpoKnmSiEjRaEi-LjZ6Ykk0vN8MrlSEfyVXZfwLu6g6eBIov460fh/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(one%20lens%20in).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="900" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jJj-B7DrF4ZwoVxNImONOC9frW6SOc9buaibg1wdLOH0zmKRHFolEsrGkgcUH19mD01E5yPJmw153rkJWTPQVnwPZmfwY74_C4zse2U1LyK8W0HdGVmra6-sxG-YpC9pV4WkpoKnmSiEjRaEi-LjZ6Ykk0vN8MrlSEfyVXZfwLu6g6eBIov460fh/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(one%20lens%20in).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One lens in.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">When worn and viewed from a slight distance these look almost semi-natural in terms of first impressions – if we disregard the yellow color, that is. It's a quite pretty design and the color payout is great too, it's not too bold and disruptive but the black detailing makes it look a bit more muted and.. respectable? I don't know why but these make me think of like baroque style and such dandy eras haha.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Overall it's a really pretty, somewhat toned down medium to dark yellow with an extravagant and fine artistic print.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><b>Lens photos below!</b></div><b>All photos are taken by <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">yours truly</a>
during sunny weather. All close-ups are free
from color filters and the like and that's so that the colors would
appear as true to life as possible.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiorDbIanakcn_S6y1Ey0k5JNmllwHQOT4drDVbbAnUVN3J9A7-sC7tXDfrxVCEQ-xqbRuY9WpHF2hq8ptwJ-w46N5FyU3Osh3Jux4cpt9W_xTg1Fq_AGGS5TiiOU6ch0IXo0Aw4Ujp0tjU8GAgP4idByRkUhGq_27zbVdJSTB-m66TmpeYAmEyTft/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(natural%20roomlight).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="900" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiorDbIanakcn_S6y1Ey0k5JNmllwHQOT4drDVbbAnUVN3J9A7-sC7tXDfrxVCEQ-xqbRuY9WpHF2hq8ptwJ-w46N5FyU3Osh3Jux4cpt9W_xTg1Fq_AGGS5TiiOU6ch0IXo0Aw4Ujp0tjU8GAgP4idByRkUhGq_27zbVdJSTB-m66TmpeYAmEyTft/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(natural%20roomlight).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural room light, indoors.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-wmeJubLFKGMlt5wSzqtaY1LnpvzgWr3U3BLzPUHQmTt47H0xTIparY_q2EaNSjVcARWP6YTxHg03hBw_90299dgJ2t2JI6oa2D2gYIgxNSRzxL21iDQabpp1OWSAZeUiNko5m1q9D3JnAjqN_tURGpiu5553wcKwp2OZ3K4lKqhjYaLqNTZrJ0l/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(bathroom%20light).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="900" height="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-wmeJubLFKGMlt5wSzqtaY1LnpvzgWr3U3BLzPUHQmTt47H0xTIparY_q2EaNSjVcARWP6YTxHg03hBw_90299dgJ2t2JI6oa2D2gYIgxNSRzxL21iDQabpp1OWSAZeUiNko5m1q9D3JnAjqN_tURGpiu5553wcKwp2OZ3K4lKqhjYaLqNTZrJ0l/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(bathroom%20light).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom light.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oDJdzs59wL_b-x6C9FZ3r1HngCQB-oO83W4zTTK-0hGHOFcDfLZubt2unoH-K0PdEclwK-SaBOoMQ9_0-tVAg1oYOPMh_ecx_eyI6_h1Vsw85qhIdF3KF0dEb_p9R3czXPsC-coYAyahzUFFgm2X3upjVFbQXEPYNM0ubz6f-nzbdvWy9WI4zBxp/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(flash%20photo).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="900" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3oDJdzs59wL_b-x6C9FZ3r1HngCQB-oO83W4zTTK-0hGHOFcDfLZubt2unoH-K0PdEclwK-SaBOoMQ9_0-tVAg1oYOPMh_ecx_eyI6_h1Vsw85qhIdF3KF0dEb_p9R3czXPsC-coYAyahzUFFgm2X3upjVFbQXEPYNM0ubz6f-nzbdvWy9WI4zBxp/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(flash%20photo).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flash photo, indoors.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylXoMCMxOTtZgLVHBFfHs3_rgzK5SA5x607tSiVY_rR6fbIH8PVLg5bWTxrn3w6Z20EviMcsQtNdfu2MxdsY_4w7xTK-HdWDm0FTCmMUBZhso0wPJ9rFEi2wCAUhPfTro3UfWI2pIlqjLlv3qiYwIIRL7-6L2DzgKZDjv2AKt4PwTKffDI1qImtqu/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(facing%20window).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="900" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylXoMCMxOTtZgLVHBFfHs3_rgzK5SA5x607tSiVY_rR6fbIH8PVLg5bWTxrn3w6Z20EviMcsQtNdfu2MxdsY_4w7xTK-HdWDm0FTCmMUBZhso0wPJ9rFEi2wCAUhPfTro3UfWI2pIlqjLlv3qiYwIIRL7-6L2DzgKZDjv2AKt4PwTKffDI1qImtqu/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(facing%20window).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facing a window indoors, not sun side.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuomQ2ZIozz9pUCwIbm06TaJocLcRK4uHOkRJ2MaU0t2P3o2Spcsq2BF5ad-rXIVAwdNFWMakLk4VZrXM-bUH7opwhrPEKuhRach0mydUUKjwQZlWgsDCr1f9cc1UdlRaUeme0dXgUFXoltZCqttZUmQOaJ-zqRP5AH1tHM7Bpc_F2QF1fCYRLxZpm/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(unlit%20corridor).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="900" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuomQ2ZIozz9pUCwIbm06TaJocLcRK4uHOkRJ2MaU0t2P3o2Spcsq2BF5ad-rXIVAwdNFWMakLk4VZrXM-bUH7opwhrPEKuhRach0mydUUKjwQZlWgsDCr1f9cc1UdlRaUeme0dXgUFXoltZCqttZUmQOaJ-zqRP5AH1tHM7Bpc_F2QF1fCYRLxZpm/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(unlit%20corridor).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unlit corridor, weak distant natural light.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSt15bvyI0erjaxi1keDqlumnwe3vML01vIqpmSOORfDTotsmJOEjHoomen8dPtuT-76fcqZo6T78YIbp5cmO9Oo4b-uZrtW-qLIY5SopM3z_8Y9JKwI1lcxe8-f0cVeWSPjlNzeCJR8Ad5v-uFY8HVMUtPika3d9Qh0RFzpx8D7zmArNVhBIyXKTF/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(back%20against%20sun).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="900" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSt15bvyI0erjaxi1keDqlumnwe3vML01vIqpmSOORfDTotsmJOEjHoomen8dPtuT-76fcqZo6T78YIbp5cmO9Oo4b-uZrtW-qLIY5SopM3z_8Y9JKwI1lcxe8-f0cVeWSPjlNzeCJR8Ad5v-uFY8HVMUtPika3d9Qh0RFzpx8D7zmArNVhBIyXKTF/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(back%20against%20sun).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, back against sun. (facing a wall)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPpE5Zl310Gr2acLyaiZuIJ9NrDJJiyyEnZsEFmEvupuFOJFM_sCgrXZpXXZ7HcTqPMW4yT9VJcUqJukzNsfDdBiVaJwcb-0Nagq9WxhnDsDy0cJiWftLoHB9c38wc4onm_2FGbykdPa9SLpCi_dz_8pu001f5YG8ORwv7zjvhkn4EkBrM5ToQPfG/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(facing%20sun).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="208" data-original-width="900" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPpE5Zl310Gr2acLyaiZuIJ9NrDJJiyyEnZsEFmEvupuFOJFM_sCgrXZpXXZ7HcTqPMW4yT9VJcUqJukzNsfDdBiVaJwcb-0Nagq9WxhnDsDy0cJiWftLoHB9c38wc4onm_2FGbykdPa9SLpCi_dz_8pu001f5YG8ORwv7zjvhkn4EkBrM5ToQPfG/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(facing%20sun).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, facing the sun.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">As with my other "backlog lenses" these were also part of that damned box I had stored away and forgotten about for years. By the time I found it all the unopened lenses inside had expired, sadly. So I'm doing these reviews purely in case it helps someone out there and yeah, due to the lenses being expired I'm not willing to play Russian roulette with my eye health so immediately upon getting the lens photos taken I threw them into the bin, which means I can't grade comfort properly. What little I can say though is that based on my first (and only) impressions these were somewhat thin and decent-ish but I felt them for some while after insertion and they seemed a bit drying too. I do have naturally dry and sensitive eyes so I can't fully rule out that it wasn't my eyes having a bad day but yeah, it's hard to tell.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyways, this is a very unique lens in terms of print design and it's fun yet sophisticated at the same time. It doesn't quite pack that same punch as sfx and crazy lenses tend to come with but honestly, we don't all need to be the same. I find these lenses charming in their own way and they would go well with steampunk attire and such.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Distance photo!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1p8J0s3LYY3jaxHNHJTN31Iy6KoC0soKIXz-_fDDmsIMMcODOJrQlK2ZNe2t-aqZShyFZKX74gEL5HufqqsF6ST0TdAkSSpR9MDTeDeTJ8nvj_tNOSW7IxlqLuozDirkdfSx5aflsl9Tn_ZDxG1_8xtD-xLpJre4BoEJ_T_N00twrSf9uYkRwpOZu/s800/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(distance).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1p8J0s3LYY3jaxHNHJTN31Iy6KoC0soKIXz-_fDDmsIMMcODOJrQlK2ZNe2t-aqZShyFZKX74gEL5HufqqsF6ST0TdAkSSpR9MDTeDeTJ8nvj_tNOSW7IxlqLuozDirkdfSx5aflsl9Tn_ZDxG1_8xtD-xLpJre4BoEJ_T_N00twrSf9uYkRwpOZu/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Yellow%20Artist%20(distance).png" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<i><u><b>Short summary:</b></u></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Color: 6/10</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">It's like a darkish yellow, doesn't show up all that well from a distance but retains a yellowish look.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Design: 8/10</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Very intricate and pretty artsy design, it looks magical up close although due to all the finer details it gets "lost" when viewed from afar.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Opacity: 9/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Surprisingly opaque and covering when you consider how "fine" these are when compared to typical bold and wild crazy lenses. I was perhaps expecting more transparency but nope, these are covering!<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Enlargement: <span style="font-size: small;">2</span>/10</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">The enlargement effect is negligible.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Comfort: 6/10</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Decent and somewhat thin. I felt them in my eyes for a while and they seemed somewhat dryish but it's hard to judge based on a one-time wear.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Naturalness: 3/10</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">From a distance you might get a fleeting pass but otherwise these are too fancy and yellow isn't a naturally occuring eye color in humans anyway.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks for reading my blog, see ya!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>~ <a href="http://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> out.</i></div></div></div><b></b></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-26499890950120974042023-03-05T20:17:00.005+01:002023-06-22T12:51:19.889+02:00[Sponsored] Lens review: Chromaview Werewolf Fire<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Howdy! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today I will be reviewing my third pair of
colored contact lenses from the shop <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a>. The lenses today are some spicy special effects contacts called <a href="https://www.colouredcontacts.com/en_GB/products/orange-werewolf-coloured-contact-lenses?a=shirosamurai"><b><span style="color: #ffa400;">Chromaview Werewolf Fire</span></b></a>. This lens has the classic 'werewolf' print design and it looks pretty awesome!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The lenses that I'm reviewing in this blog post were sponsored by <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a>,
meaning that I did not pay for the product(s) myself.
This does, however, not affect my honesty in any way. The words and
opinions in this review are my genuine opinion; I don't ever compromise my true thoughts and feelings.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsj9U0pe7TeGjR14H25SkK9p-15tIt980ddGpE_4eEL1scQTeaVHmU9JpeNmFh-Kd4bMHIUjGSktjOdcblIseIMzIxnnA0bNLVuFug6XlEfRaVOal-saIgzx59c7lA9FSHYceTtEfFx2YRsm_wxq28eWk0mpa8FblUcikdXuWq6VIRTzmS90yxm7_S/s900/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(package).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsj9U0pe7TeGjR14H25SkK9p-15tIt980ddGpE_4eEL1scQTeaVHmU9JpeNmFh-Kd4bMHIUjGSktjOdcblIseIMzIxnnA0bNLVuFug6XlEfRaVOal-saIgzx59c7lA9FSHYceTtEfFx2YRsm_wxq28eWk0mpa8FblUcikdXuWq6VIRTzmS90yxm7_S/s320/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(package).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1QeS-49pa6KJ7iZZdib-5MEicDmyaQqgZqvZCO00JWMp9rp1hQFKqhYfMNksp7pxQ9nA_OjZMrSvqaY2fZaIIg2cExKGm_sY7WkkpDGp7EnPhE6smh13d-pWDWcwAnk4jHhcXOCdaLH_gIeq67B_HvWQzeQIcMWG34-QajsjQwB-vies-RKMFEYn/s900/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(blisters).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1QeS-49pa6KJ7iZZdib-5MEicDmyaQqgZqvZCO00JWMp9rp1hQFKqhYfMNksp7pxQ9nA_OjZMrSvqaY2fZaIIg2cExKGm_sY7WkkpDGp7EnPhE6smh13d-pWDWcwAnk4jHhcXOCdaLH_gIeq67B_HvWQzeQIcMWG34-QajsjQwB-vies-RKMFEYn/s320/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(blisters).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st">Base curve: 8.6 mm<br />Diameter: 14 mm
</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Water content: 53%</span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Life span: 30 days<br /><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLGv7RxRY5mL1cnE4KmGj5rGak4VWtVzsGxgpvYfDGVDDR5AVPhQpRes74gPKBs-dFe7XsBpYR0666ChgvDdaMH9GjSb9bf9iUhIeRo6Ce2oKWQFw--xncDKTEuoO6EcmZtFAgspLbj9l1G0OShR1KVIMcZm32jEa1rWNKhwqI2IL7zANbWZSvh05/s900/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(lens%20view).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLGv7RxRY5mL1cnE4KmGj5rGak4VWtVzsGxgpvYfDGVDDR5AVPhQpRes74gPKBs-dFe7XsBpYR0666ChgvDdaMH9GjSb9bf9iUhIeRo6Ce2oKWQFw--xncDKTEuoO6EcmZtFAgspLbj9l1G0OShR1KVIMcZm32jEa1rWNKhwqI2IL7zANbWZSvh05/s320/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(lens%20view).png" width="320" /></a></div></span></b></div><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBU_dFwnv47BJmMLluApo4pIRPji3rTf4RBRtMuvaNihbapvMSAVqpUi8rtZeuQZ_yCuWjJlBcpoh2EPPqBNtZbxkcgxhmBiHtfGrpJKiZRvY6plfSjYygsEyinwreKXDXegLvklpHahpd1MxzH6qUlobcF7_ur0YF_xykiy1tR_t7AMoCMpteCsqM/s900/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(lens%20view%202).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBU_dFwnv47BJmMLluApo4pIRPji3rTf4RBRtMuvaNihbapvMSAVqpUi8rtZeuQZ_yCuWjJlBcpoh2EPPqBNtZbxkcgxhmBiHtfGrpJKiZRvY6plfSjYygsEyinwreKXDXegLvklpHahpd1MxzH6qUlobcF7_ur0YF_xykiy1tR_t7AMoCMpteCsqM/s320/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(lens%20view%202).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">So as I said above these lenses feature what is known as the 'werewolf' print – it's one of the recognizable standard sfx lens designs and while the same design is made by several different brands (Princess Pinky, ColourVue etc) there are differences in color intensity and opacity, lens stats like diameter and so on. So even lenses with the same exact base design will look different depending on the maker! The reason I mention this is because I've actually reviewed a couple other 'werewolf' style lenses in the past and I can tell that Chromaview Werewolf Fire is not the same as <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/2014/01/review-orange-werewolf-contact-lenses.html">Princess Pinky Orange Werewolf</a> (old review is old omfg).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I chose these lenses because I wanted to see how different essentially the same lens could be and also because I really like vivid, animal-ish colored contacts. There's something really cool with having eyes of a really bright unnatural color like amber or yellow – makes one look supernatural and wild!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YANCajtuPvJV9nLhI9RvmPsc1DXcSTKGTDY-MmliXahww2Lux16JZERRVs8XSlOWyormhu3JY7wnrG4aRE1hNF8HwtdRq1gdGncXy-6fLXm_OZvOs8erGGsSm0-yOeEyNmH0Mroq7oTtO286hAljZucjixNG8oQJWuJ4IFKTPslENrFKSGe-tnit/s900/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(one%20lens%20in).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="900" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0YANCajtuPvJV9nLhI9RvmPsc1DXcSTKGTDY-MmliXahww2Lux16JZERRVs8XSlOWyormhu3JY7wnrG4aRE1hNF8HwtdRq1gdGncXy-6fLXm_OZvOs8erGGsSm0-yOeEyNmH0Mroq7oTtO286hAljZucjixNG8oQJWuJ4IFKTPslENrFKSGe-tnit/s320/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(one%20lens%20in).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One lens in.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I gotta say that these look pretty rad. The main color of the lenses is a true orange with some yellow around the pupil opening for a two-tone effect and added depth. It doesn't have a very blended color transition but it doesn't clash jarringly either and well, at a slight distance it looks really damn good and alluring – great for social media vampire selfies lol. The edges are black with irregular, burst-like spikes reaching towards the center. There is a slight enlargement effect but it's nothing out of the ordinary and won't make nor break anything.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The overall impact of these lenses is that they look clearly supernatural but aren't so insanely bright that you'd look overly cartoony (in fact these are slightly less bright than the previously mentioned Princess Pinky version). I really like the balance that is struck here as I feel like these lenses are somehow more pleasant (read: less obnoxious) and better suited for certain looks in my opinion. The color is opaque and it clearly pops, don't get me wrong on that because these lenses <i>will</i> change your eye color and it will look like wolf eyes and yes, it's a badass look. It's vivid enough to immediately bring attention to your eyes and I would vouch for how fun these are any day of the week!<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Lens photos below!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>All photos are taken by <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">yours truly</a>
during a March noon with a semi-clear sky. All close-ups are free
from color filters and the like and that's so that the colors would
appear as true to life as possible.</b></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9pziQLpZa4ZrRoiSTTiACPlZ3a2IPHbuGKwcJAOfd7laPuaeLlQJj3jMwZyJLcPCch0rB3gMUPfhIpHZwYbxiRTVUAomrFWsfk_F9_OqV8PFMJ6vCLM5-6Oxy_fbvQRd4q3jCHiM_28BO2zB3bWfdVgfOnb4XW50NbMdVWqVtbZRaDgjXxqKOqnu/s900/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(natural%20roomlight).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="900" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9pziQLpZa4ZrRoiSTTiACPlZ3a2IPHbuGKwcJAOfd7laPuaeLlQJj3jMwZyJLcPCch0rB3gMUPfhIpHZwYbxiRTVUAomrFWsfk_F9_OqV8PFMJ6vCLM5-6Oxy_fbvQRd4q3jCHiM_28BO2zB3bWfdVgfOnb4XW50NbMdVWqVtbZRaDgjXxqKOqnu/s320/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(natural%20roomlight).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural room light, indoors.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-B-xq-9fhan4WVwkQOUTlhAoCR9VUSTacbM-gSP48xwhsQ8VrQ1g2KuHpydLmaHFQaeSTFjTJVjNYseQUJiVTahTJYsnm7ZNunp2jAPeyD038mInuMeHnXPAEzrREIzFYI5mJ1Dasc4NcY5JrIXW75REvli9G7kfZ8Ib24rjl-CfHSphNCx2YhVp/s900/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(bathroom%20light).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="900" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-B-xq-9fhan4WVwkQOUTlhAoCR9VUSTacbM-gSP48xwhsQ8VrQ1g2KuHpydLmaHFQaeSTFjTJVjNYseQUJiVTahTJYsnm7ZNunp2jAPeyD038mInuMeHnXPAEzrREIzFYI5mJ1Dasc4NcY5JrIXW75REvli9G7kfZ8Ib24rjl-CfHSphNCx2YhVp/s320/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(bathroom%20light).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom light.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieqPpqZ9BZm01aokfZs-Ddj7UKiHqAPPgrGpXb0F76svS9pqgi9t-ZsyxB04vWKoIshn8c0bFgnmXKllpTSXeaGropFE8Iclmi4HnADY2wxJLUS3cELYodFM42ChTKoDem58yK7NSdziJsv3w5grxaZbl5leWAtAliIL_rEPTSM2P55zaZM1NJyTM/s900/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(flash%20photo).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="224" data-original-width="900" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiieqPpqZ9BZm01aokfZs-Ddj7UKiHqAPPgrGpXb0F76svS9pqgi9t-ZsyxB04vWKoIshn8c0bFgnmXKllpTSXeaGropFE8Iclmi4HnADY2wxJLUS3cELYodFM42ChTKoDem58yK7NSdziJsv3w5grxaZbl5leWAtAliIL_rEPTSM2P55zaZM1NJyTM/s320/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(flash%20photo).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flash photo, indoors.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuHT-IV1lCPuErrzzYOEhdYdUyLZunp2AGVPrQk3H5hMrG_0cKsOCo712bP1pFvXmxtd8NuXoKDMW5a0zE8lu-ITpIrtFQkW-aL_3PWnAGX6N_XH23bk0wigCzwcsMg_wfmMb20dbeR_GMsXdSz6_IyMBqmEDgynCADA1ai0gtlWncc-F7OLmY-Kw/s900/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(facing%20window).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="218" data-original-width="900" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuHT-IV1lCPuErrzzYOEhdYdUyLZunp2AGVPrQk3H5hMrG_0cKsOCo712bP1pFvXmxtd8NuXoKDMW5a0zE8lu-ITpIrtFQkW-aL_3PWnAGX6N_XH23bk0wigCzwcsMg_wfmMb20dbeR_GMsXdSz6_IyMBqmEDgynCADA1ai0gtlWncc-F7OLmY-Kw/s320/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(facing%20window).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facing a window indoors, not sun side.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_yw1BS93XDdgSIAG0AcpXihZK36Hz89GSI4buBm_Q7mipm-bgTD0-yPo3_DqoQ71YGQ2RlwYtyTKAe7fHDmGLZ-3bjgduG_r_40KC-u_YLeTV9ZuF5fq3YYTABMUj1eIQlYS9rcpuFliRErRcSGP-iqwwvaz1sPNHs-YenxcGZ4-8GjvqXk9IZRq/s900/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(unlit%20corridor).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="900" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_yw1BS93XDdgSIAG0AcpXihZK36Hz89GSI4buBm_Q7mipm-bgTD0-yPo3_DqoQ71YGQ2RlwYtyTKAe7fHDmGLZ-3bjgduG_r_40KC-u_YLeTV9ZuF5fq3YYTABMUj1eIQlYS9rcpuFliRErRcSGP-iqwwvaz1sPNHs-YenxcGZ4-8GjvqXk9IZRq/s320/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(unlit%20corridor).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unlit corridor, weak natural light in the distance.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30TWxSPlSKH3W5Dptve3FF0RPN2VBp0lss1WIppbI7888VFIqVuwZYCgbBzr-zdkWGPqCNXmxKMMQKMMJRpPCdn-fxiqt39-dNzjP1MxTOMIaB-Jfmh7puD9ti-sXDNTbQ5iG5PYwTmFLKybXFyJIPT5fUiag9XJG0MRdLcW04uhdrA74TceNflxw/s900/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(back%20against%20sun).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="900" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30TWxSPlSKH3W5Dptve3FF0RPN2VBp0lss1WIppbI7888VFIqVuwZYCgbBzr-zdkWGPqCNXmxKMMQKMMJRpPCdn-fxiqt39-dNzjP1MxTOMIaB-Jfmh7puD9ti-sXDNTbQ5iG5PYwTmFLKybXFyJIPT5fUiag9XJG0MRdLcW04uhdrA74TceNflxw/s320/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(back%20against%20sun).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, back against the sun. (facing wall)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9dKVmnWcBw-xYAytHdSdT2kP0Z9FevfbsbkEXSiqJXxZspa-FsmxPhPMgReJaAvxOYlXcszp7eA1PjRTkOxoc-h_O3-fj4bmhSwfRB5Xj_REeS0Mzy34U73NNSvRWNDeVI6aQUJ3oQAXe6vgHcVi0fodBBjffp04BfKsYkv3-I_PQYMkY8oiHjMJ/s900/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(facing%20sun).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="900" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9dKVmnWcBw-xYAytHdSdT2kP0Z9FevfbsbkEXSiqJXxZspa-FsmxPhPMgReJaAvxOYlXcszp7eA1PjRTkOxoc-h_O3-fj4bmhSwfRB5Xj_REeS0Mzy34U73NNSvRWNDeVI6aQUJ3oQAXe6vgHcVi0fodBBjffp04BfKsYkv3-I_PQYMkY8oiHjMJ/s320/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(facing%20sun).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, facing the sun.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I found these lenses thin and easy to insert, they kept their shape decently while held on my finger and didn't flop over as easily as the <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/2023/01/lens-review-chromaview-blackout.html">Chromaview Blackout</a>s did. I hardly felt the Werewolf Fires in my eyes at all
and they were overall comfortable to wear – I had no issues with vision blur, scratchy feelings or such. In fact I was very surprised to notice that, despite being a crazy lens, that these didn't block my vision at the corners in poorer light conditions (indoors with no lights on during daylight hours). It's so common that special effects lenses give you colored corners at the edges of your vision due to them having a slightly smaller pupil hole than your average circle lenses but nope, I didn't experience any funky orange tunnels with these baddies on! <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Comfort is always a bit hard to estimate for me because my eyes are naturally very dry periodically and quite sensitive so yeah, it's so personal for every wearer how long you can wear lenses and that's because everyone's peepers are different. But as someone with dry eyes these lenses did not irritate me and I'm quite confident that I could wear these for roughly 4 hours at an event before I'd have to call in the eyedrops for some refueling lol.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">All in all these lenses are lit as fuck and great for dressing up as supernatural beings be it werewolves, vampires, Medusa, cursed pirates, demons or some other imaginary creatures that lurk in the realms beyond our own. These also work great for cosplay if you need contacts for let's say Geralt of Rivia from the <i>The Witcher</i> games. I would definitely give two thumbs up for these lenses, they're really cool-looking and great fun for monster themed parties and photoshoots and heck, would complete alternative fashion outfits too like goths and post-apocalyptic stuff etc. Seriously, two thumbs up! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Obviously I have nothing negative to say about these lenses and my collaboration with <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a>
has been a wonderful experience – I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them for cosmetic
colored lenses and sfx needs. Click here for a <b><a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/2022/11/lens-review-freshlook-colorblends-honey.html">full store review</a></b> for more information about my experiences. :)<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Distance photo!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSk6I_g93YJfuplmlJnqie6DvZerFUQsUThP3Ohs1icrsIoWNwqcN_OH_9VW-hZ1K76APQS6olzixEto3UG2bNR2e5bJef1kJBk6Qn5ivJYU5xteRWajEDLI2EKb_QqQ1-taRPSlLMPbEMwaRCfRw9cPng9tfrlEHzoMY71SFFZfTFrGPtMecBBx4/s800/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(distance).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSk6I_g93YJfuplmlJnqie6DvZerFUQsUThP3Ohs1icrsIoWNwqcN_OH_9VW-hZ1K76APQS6olzixEto3UG2bNR2e5bJef1kJBk6Qn5ivJYU5xteRWajEDLI2EKb_QqQ1-taRPSlLMPbEMwaRCfRw9cPng9tfrlEHzoMY71SFFZfTFrGPtMecBBx4/s320/Chromaview%20Werewolf%20Fire%20(distance).png" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><u><b>Short summary:</b></u></i>
</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">
<b>Color: 10/10</b></span><br />Super alluring yellowish orange wolf-eye styled lens. Great color payout and looks simply amazing.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Design: 8/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">It looks like its namesake, 'werewolf'. Alluring and deceivingly simple but it all comes together nicely.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Opacity: 9/10</b></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Very strong coverage and near miniscule transparency. These should change your eye color no matter what.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Enlargement: 3/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">There's a slight size boost but it's not that noticeable really, unless you're only wearing one lens for comparison.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Comfort: 8/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Very comfortable, thin and a breeze to insert. No orange tunnel vision which was an unexpected surprise. I hardly felt that I had lenses.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Naturalness: 1/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">By style and color alone these are busted but yeah, they actually somehow look not-so-crazy at selfie distance lmao.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for reading and stay fabulous out there!</span><br />
Thank you, <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a>! ♡<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> out<b>~</b></span></i><b><br /></b></div></div></div></div></div></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-10949715330228742222023-02-22T14:24:00.001+01:002023-02-22T14:24:41.212+01:00Lens review: ColourVue Phantasee Blue Spin<div style="text-align: center;">Hello peeps!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm gonna continue on the contact lens review roll for a while longer as I still have some backlog to chew through. Today I'm going to review the <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>ColourVue Phantasee Blue Spin</b></span>, a special effects colored contact lens for fun occasions and parties.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktDk95pABV6TROfQ1py4XV41iVwLo1t4f6Zz0w1RZUKYLdQMZLgdrOlrCDh274Vfcnl29n12ehxOZ34KQAe9OHFL4jCyvTiELciuao9p_b9Ff61-QMuliD95-X7a9TR1NUsB8EUFkbS4sWHeaKMXzmKv4qkLLSY-aqeTowfWTz4H7xLPwsc2wdyku/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(package).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgktDk95pABV6TROfQ1py4XV41iVwLo1t4f6Zz0w1RZUKYLdQMZLgdrOlrCDh274Vfcnl29n12ehxOZ34KQAe9OHFL4jCyvTiELciuao9p_b9Ff61-QMuliD95-X7a9TR1NUsB8EUFkbS4sWHeaKMXzmKv4qkLLSY-aqeTowfWTz4H7xLPwsc2wdyku/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(package).png" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0u6ELBQ0AZe1XugeWWtlmSU__-w7vse2Sii7CfONcp2CxMePUQKMWok2VAlQ3y_sWvZL2s491i2rOC1YvyUROFqS4TUs4rsQHQkHnAYXvqqRyGu6uVKE-_xC9-olOUI4RijCK8rK58soR0mbrhFVQMabLKn6GqXMmNtBA237IjCAzuSBSBpkPszA/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(vials).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0u6ELBQ0AZe1XugeWWtlmSU__-w7vse2Sii7CfONcp2CxMePUQKMWok2VAlQ3y_sWvZL2s491i2rOC1YvyUROFqS4TUs4rsQHQkHnAYXvqqRyGu6uVKE-_xC9-olOUI4RijCK8rK58soR0mbrhFVQMabLKn6GqXMmNtBA237IjCAzuSBSBpkPszA/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(vials).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36JQrNMBRV7Dz0XZjMd5ITIbXK7kMCYY1DW_NMUXBfuR2hWSPtjhJScEukbSN1YI5lamiKCO1jehND1oIWnn-R84xbN6NhIejDH-PKM9xB43Gk2gWFa8u8AluTZncwsAw608z2ri-13J2e5AwBTpYm7IqhBaSQOLQ0eBYL7TPZG9Q7NyioqOEcVuI/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(vials%20down).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36JQrNMBRV7Dz0XZjMd5ITIbXK7kMCYY1DW_NMUXBfuR2hWSPtjhJScEukbSN1YI5lamiKCO1jehND1oIWnn-R84xbN6NhIejDH-PKM9xB43Gk2gWFa8u8AluTZncwsAw608z2ri-13J2e5AwBTpYm7IqhBaSQOLQ0eBYL7TPZG9Q7NyioqOEcVuI/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(vials%20down).png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br />Base curve: 8.6 mm<br />Diameter: 14.0 mm</b>
</div>
<b>Water content: 45%</b><br />
<b>Life span: 1 year (I recommend 6 months)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7RiR4_TVrv-YM9rEb3GrJqNVE2wg9UdKMiX9no-_LFS_cZR9G2k9ohve55u5kRcQx3u7SudYM_IuS1oKhcX1pFcfWjzy-BH8h4Ks4lrxhVSdK_f9yKRWGbRMyCXNK0Zx2M7DFOk5Phv5w8V09OA-Ofa-DDiFsKmgTLlJRDd3VmddvDZH2gjrJwjU/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(vials%20up).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7RiR4_TVrv-YM9rEb3GrJqNVE2wg9UdKMiX9no-_LFS_cZR9G2k9ohve55u5kRcQx3u7SudYM_IuS1oKhcX1pFcfWjzy-BH8h4Ks4lrxhVSdK_f9yKRWGbRMyCXNK0Zx2M7DFOk5Phv5w8V09OA-Ofa-DDiFsKmgTLlJRDd3VmddvDZH2gjrJwjU/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(vials%20up).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">These are quite a fun-looking lens with a stylized swirly pattern, makes me think of car tires or like ninja throwing stars or something lol. It's quite unique and the color opacity looks great when viewed in the vials.</div><div style="text-align: left;">There's only two colors, a blue for the main color and then black for the outer rim and the "spikes" around. One good thing with this kind of patterned lens is that due to the print being symmetrical all around one can't actually tell if the lenses are spinning in your eyes or not, so you don't run the risk of looking funny in a derpy sort of way lol. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQk0JxeuzwKnF-edsqVoFsZ1dAXm3YNDDuSSXajxb4BmlRiCBpd1H8xGlTklDZG2neWsufQHKttHCC20INdiTlr8CcGY7ZJ7WbiM5JGCB23fkc2DXxr8ccEtIq2fx1J9ilEGuu1nmZzsZvC-tygiU60NsNjYuuwqJNI8WcCxuSXV40OX--qTA0slS/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(one%20lens%20in).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="900" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQk0JxeuzwKnF-edsqVoFsZ1dAXm3YNDDuSSXajxb4BmlRiCBpd1H8xGlTklDZG2neWsufQHKttHCC20INdiTlr8CcGY7ZJ7WbiM5JGCB23fkc2DXxr8ccEtIq2fx1J9ilEGuu1nmZzsZvC-tygiU60NsNjYuuwqJNI8WcCxuSXV40OX--qTA0slS/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(one%20lens%20in).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One lens in.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> You can see that the color coverage is very solid and the print itself is rather intense and eye-catching. I somehow feel like it almost makes my eyes look, err, robotic somehow? Like it's a very unnatural look due to how bold the black parts makes it but it looks pretty cool regardless and would be quite sick for punk looks, rave parties and the like.</div><div style="text-align: left;">There's not a lot of enlargement although there's a slight size increase. The colors really pop (as is expected of crazy lenses) and there's no transparency in the pigmentation so whatever your natural eye color is it's very unlikely to shine through.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Lens photos below!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>All photos are taken by <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">yours truly</a>
during partly cloudy weather. All close-ups are free
from color filters and the like and that's so that the colors would
appear as true to life as possible.<br /><br /></b></div></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAbg4ZIPf_Z4rKW0FzaVmxBQPC7g7cKSk0Af-cmsNIDSJWTiTbzAQT9r1G08wkMwvmo23Ci54FKuIQCOnfPDIWtkgQLMj2NqIOwae7D3kSLN_kpDDxWQneRQ_Tiqm249rUcdJWI_umWawKJzfwYwZknjh3_qkDkAy6gRDhZBUOX1jgwxjAAL4mULy/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(natural%20roomlight).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="234" data-original-width="900" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAbg4ZIPf_Z4rKW0FzaVmxBQPC7g7cKSk0Af-cmsNIDSJWTiTbzAQT9r1G08wkMwvmo23Ci54FKuIQCOnfPDIWtkgQLMj2NqIOwae7D3kSLN_kpDDxWQneRQ_Tiqm249rUcdJWI_umWawKJzfwYwZknjh3_qkDkAy6gRDhZBUOX1jgwxjAAL4mULy/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(natural%20roomlight).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural room light, indoors.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYSmlLZppmw0JXXaSpQZQdZUa-3khask6fIyX2qhUHCEZjScTy6ww0Po_GAk9JXrdLEp0WvT3X9_4Nq3dyQcY_b-sXfQ-wBtwbxmb7I9sEAleMhl93RzkhRxHswrzDgatj3LYWzsfOscpXPaPl6qNdh258qY7Tzu65zcdqs0HnSFS-O1UuqtaQa0f/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(bathroom%20light).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="900" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYSmlLZppmw0JXXaSpQZQdZUa-3khask6fIyX2qhUHCEZjScTy6ww0Po_GAk9JXrdLEp0WvT3X9_4Nq3dyQcY_b-sXfQ-wBtwbxmb7I9sEAleMhl93RzkhRxHswrzDgatj3LYWzsfOscpXPaPl6qNdh258qY7Tzu65zcdqs0HnSFS-O1UuqtaQa0f/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(bathroom%20light).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom light.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAVvOwhIPRSp-1DwDoNUDzEEyc7lnnwOTCMWu9NwvTo7L-2yQFHh9SgFAirxVWopVei7DnTXpKhYF-HBFDsgaienlKfTOCf7hiWMteo_Hqch-Ab_jurriFYUYj3CHBZDP3e6zzt1t-WMj_0unUH4z8HOthQ19pypm7xFunn-Oqeh4iasCZVAGPxVY/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(flash%20photo).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="900" height="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAVvOwhIPRSp-1DwDoNUDzEEyc7lnnwOTCMWu9NwvTo7L-2yQFHh9SgFAirxVWopVei7DnTXpKhYF-HBFDsgaienlKfTOCf7hiWMteo_Hqch-Ab_jurriFYUYj3CHBZDP3e6zzt1t-WMj_0unUH4z8HOthQ19pypm7xFunn-Oqeh4iasCZVAGPxVY/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(flash%20photo).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flash photo, indoors.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyC6y46ktnTLg9ePtb5t4TMOfy_8n3hPwqc2vtddBwuZRdeWzyoooWjOrAKwg9nq7wFM3w0rYRP-deMv-yU2rOGQc5Tidze-v2UObQiEe2EGQpKQuZWvnIlLgtYkiicp4KL7OW0dVRwncT01cESi2LJff8NupzQn0v9akzz3vfUcvkBMiHfNCqPXj/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(facing%20window).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="900" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyC6y46ktnTLg9ePtb5t4TMOfy_8n3hPwqc2vtddBwuZRdeWzyoooWjOrAKwg9nq7wFM3w0rYRP-deMv-yU2rOGQc5Tidze-v2UObQiEe2EGQpKQuZWvnIlLgtYkiicp4KL7OW0dVRwncT01cESi2LJff8NupzQn0v9akzz3vfUcvkBMiHfNCqPXj/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(facing%20window).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facing a window, indoors. (not sun side)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlNhA1Yevr6PyBGpD6l5k8f2d7Y3VDbEor7TJChhpHeB9WH1i39-neCWXtWQy1vqNKnrTHPJIIv21d4ZylnVm_o0kNVsQPHY1A5cC8-_DmlMdXGqiIZsH9Ni_GcG419oKWpYBW6wDbgyWto3dQZA-xwTDY3CEeZYyvp4By2xOpzpautNxzevBt3ak/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(unlit%20corridor).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="900" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlNhA1Yevr6PyBGpD6l5k8f2d7Y3VDbEor7TJChhpHeB9WH1i39-neCWXtWQy1vqNKnrTHPJIIv21d4ZylnVm_o0kNVsQPHY1A5cC8-_DmlMdXGqiIZsH9Ni_GcG419oKWpYBW6wDbgyWto3dQZA-xwTDY3CEeZYyvp4By2xOpzpautNxzevBt3ak/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(unlit%20corridor).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unlit corridor, weak distant natural light.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-MXkMaDANuTc52kceA_NlaARw85HhagYWoWJYQMtN3MPHdZjEZVy91P6Q-HAKHx3FN1I1ZrkQKf4gcfTxplsoADpXuWJE6iip3nWRk4We_fw8ev6sfh3aZ7fWbf3vE2jFGfIPIcXkS2V0AMynr332vTLKPWq8GTl1ZhFplD7ih5Yl2ElEObC8qCA/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(back%20against%20sun).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="900" height="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-MXkMaDANuTc52kceA_NlaARw85HhagYWoWJYQMtN3MPHdZjEZVy91P6Q-HAKHx3FN1I1ZrkQKf4gcfTxplsoADpXuWJE6iip3nWRk4We_fw8ev6sfh3aZ7fWbf3vE2jFGfIPIcXkS2V0AMynr332vTLKPWq8GTl1ZhFplD7ih5Yl2ElEObC8qCA/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(back%20against%20sun).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, back against the sun. (facing a wall)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxzvfzOqTU261j_00HlALZZggDmGewnalmuc1OcxH5fYiDhu_ujPH77rN24MBLYlUPPuIbbyd6qLta9TJG6dF1H7-oPxO0EZ67quXGc0tREFYQExzZSSjsZvoFX5LxzxDnE7DYb7xBMXCAqBtcQyeWpUZJUEEjsd5zjeXKmGi8Hf07TeTEZgTzKy9/s900/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(facing%20sun).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="900" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxzvfzOqTU261j_00HlALZZggDmGewnalmuc1OcxH5fYiDhu_ujPH77rN24MBLYlUPPuIbbyd6qLta9TJG6dF1H7-oPxO0EZ67quXGc0tREFYQExzZSSjsZvoFX5LxzxDnE7DYb7xBMXCAqBtcQyeWpUZJUEEjsd5zjeXKmGi8Hf07TeTEZgTzKy9/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(facing%20sun).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, facing the sun.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Comfort is pretty okay based on what I could tell. These lenses were part of the "already expired" batch that I had stashed away and forgot about for literal years so yeah, I only wore them for the review photos and then immediately discarded them. This of course means I can't really grade comfort properly nor fairly but what I can say is that, based on my first and only impression of wearing these lenses, they were thin and overall comfy and I didn't feel them in my eyes. If anything there were some slight colored corners at the edges of my vision when moving my gaze around but yeah, that's to be expected with sfx lenses as the pupil hole tends to be a lot smaller than on your average circle lens.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">All in all these lenses are pretty rad in their own right, maybe a bit too extreme for daily wear unless you don some clearly alternative and funky looks (think like cyberpunk and such) as part of your everyday style. But they're fun, have a very distinct look and will surely get your peepers some attention!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Distance photo!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRIKwQoRDIymIyV9LA8RPx34hXjpiPt68qX453Ef2a6dWKaaOqliKVF58fE-sMOxgXd07vbjn-cts1A5okFssOhbmZDczPcOkQKVLfZVekaVhd_eB3_nmyCkr0KWk9Djc3tHQuQUa4sw6Xb9OHKOzhDFUDs-7o8Nb5zJmbd9Lc_WaVGH4pOaJ03Z0/s800/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(distance).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRIKwQoRDIymIyV9LA8RPx34hXjpiPt68qX453Ef2a6dWKaaOqliKVF58fE-sMOxgXd07vbjn-cts1A5okFssOhbmZDczPcOkQKVLfZVekaVhd_eB3_nmyCkr0KWk9Djc3tHQuQUa4sw6Xb9OHKOzhDFUDs-7o8Nb5zJmbd9Lc_WaVGH4pOaJ03Z0/s320/ColourVue%20Phantasee%20Blue%20Spin%20(distance).png" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<i><u><b>Short summary:</b></u></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Color: <span style="font-size: small;">9</span>/10</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Very strong blue and black lens, shows from a distance and looks rather intimidating.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Design: 7/10</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Simplified swirly print that is bold and symmetrical. It's not the most artistic but it looks neat regardless.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Opacity: 10/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">The lenses are very opaque and covering. There should be no issues hiding your natural eye color.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Enlargement: <span style="font-size: small;">2</span>/10</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Very slight enlargement effect, it's not really anything you notice much. If at all.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Comfort: 7/10</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Appears to be thin and pleasant to wear. I didn't feel them except for colored corners at the edges of my vision field in poorer light conditions.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Naturalness: <span style="font-size: small;">1</span>/10</b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
No no no, don't even try to entertain that absurd thought.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks for reading my blog, woohaa!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>~ <a href="http://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> out.</i></div></div></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-59359718876012764542023-01-28T16:38:00.005+01:002023-06-22T12:57:59.618+02:00[Sponsored] Lens review: Chromaview Blackout<div style="text-align: center;">Hello everyone! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today I will be reviewing another pair of
colored contact lenses that <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a>
sent me for review purposes! This is more akin to a special effects lens and yes, it's the <b><a href="https://www.colouredcontacts.com/en_GB/products/black-halloween-coloured-contact-lenses-30-day?a=shirosamurai">Chromaview Blackout</a></b>. As the name suggests it's very much a black lens and I was curious to try these bad boys out as there's not a lot of black lenses out in the market today. <b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The lenses that I'm reviewing in this blog post were sponsored by <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a>,
meaning that I did not pay for the product(s) myself.
This does, however, not affect my honesty in any way. The words and
opinions in this review are my genuine opinion; I don't ever compromise my true thoughts and feelings.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HVEnuW1oNQTczvwR_i0EtmJ1vo8m0auW1YuHvlUaFeTS876ZtVqyqM72eY-odw9FzSF89PNB_I4umM-jTut7kq4FzISRptCjYXwrcY5u8e1eMDIH3NSTw7Iy0YhbdVrzUFAbBdw8CWrs2zjclxnLB-pwSy-NQWi67m06LVJYCZu0lIWbI46rtCp1/s900/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(package).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HVEnuW1oNQTczvwR_i0EtmJ1vo8m0auW1YuHvlUaFeTS876ZtVqyqM72eY-odw9FzSF89PNB_I4umM-jTut7kq4FzISRptCjYXwrcY5u8e1eMDIH3NSTw7Iy0YhbdVrzUFAbBdw8CWrs2zjclxnLB-pwSy-NQWi67m06LVJYCZu0lIWbI46rtCp1/s320/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(package).png" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9520lxWtbVJ90uszdqp0fPVVV8AMMV1AFYL-DkxNWRAFDHcVPhT8VFNHb3Q2rLYPZ9UK15ozCYYPPJn_Z3E80rxBcx7OvnPimEyV1aqGu8UNkeqLOcr0ttDn_dlMqn-XxmNpqE63rrL5-lCDrLFDOkDziEPa83qvPW47OqslZsNCcs_t62a-PKJvP/s900/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(blisters).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9520lxWtbVJ90uszdqp0fPVVV8AMMV1AFYL-DkxNWRAFDHcVPhT8VFNHb3Q2rLYPZ9UK15ozCYYPPJn_Z3E80rxBcx7OvnPimEyV1aqGu8UNkeqLOcr0ttDn_dlMqn-XxmNpqE63rrL5-lCDrLFDOkDziEPa83qvPW47OqslZsNCcs_t62a-PKJvP/s320/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(blisters).png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st">Base curve: 8.6 mm<br />Diameter: 14 mm
</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Water content: 53%</span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Life span: 30 days</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi8oTOQ7sjN5vEffGXiym-sSw5HDqaFIk2SjzegyFdvd3LRGvafqUn4nBaMOMyymX_Hw2BfUUgMgGDJOxoCyL2q8IzzcEinvUtwdpr5DKL_7JKwR9-rnwPWsbBQi6oBquQIhwmamo5m1J4qgBkkoCl1t5g6p8PRtPdguLNB33co8r6v3EQrH3EuwL/s900/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(lens%20view).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixi8oTOQ7sjN5vEffGXiym-sSw5HDqaFIk2SjzegyFdvd3LRGvafqUn4nBaMOMyymX_Hw2BfUUgMgGDJOxoCyL2q8IzzcEinvUtwdpr5DKL_7JKwR9-rnwPWsbBQi6oBquQIhwmamo5m1J4qgBkkoCl1t5g6p8PRtPdguLNB33co8r6v3EQrH3EuwL/s320/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(lens%20view).png" width="320" /></a></div><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tYs5bxq7_lmN5q2TUQCGAw94kHr0UQPpA1-Shpqr82fN3up0zGSQan5tjPym0jgbbaVHA_JYXoF_T8meEg7d0i-KziL7Sfck-0Le5oDRdWCX-97XdG619_j2EoGXS2D4zYkc4wbNyJlb2Y2zDX54hyN4NaXkRxdfgx4HvNOk1OEiNUqoTL1Ae2Mi/s900/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(lens%20view%202).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tYs5bxq7_lmN5q2TUQCGAw94kHr0UQPpA1-Shpqr82fN3up0zGSQan5tjPym0jgbbaVHA_JYXoF_T8meEg7d0i-KziL7Sfck-0Le5oDRdWCX-97XdG619_j2EoGXS2D4zYkc4wbNyJlb2Y2zDX54hyN4NaXkRxdfgx4HvNOk1OEiNUqoTL1Ae2Mi/s320/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(lens%20view%202).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I got these lenses from <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a>, a cosmetic contact lens store based in Europe (wow!). I have already reviewed their shop over on my previous lens review post <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/2022/11/lens-review-freshlook-colorblends-honey.html"><b>here</b></a>, so please click on that link and have a look if you're curious about whether <a href="https://www.colouredcontacts.com?=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a> is legit or not (spoiler alert: they are). ;)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Okay so, this is my first time trying Chromaview brand lenses so I went in with no prior experience, except for being familiar with the name. I noticed immediately how tiny the lens blisters are and I was worried if there could even be enough solution in the packaging lol. But once I tried them on they were perfectly fine and moist and there were no issues so yeah, my worries were for naught.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi112IVSFplXrsv1drIl_RJW7GHFuESJHHQm7t57bSCRWRYFTzkxac7snLbHzqNcJwHZGLWM0QlapEO8NwqMYDdzUpOcOF53mLIXNAhcDCnYDx3OLogr6diK5e6lJwgFuePYQD--0yaGEIRr-MghX2KXVTl8HQqzzsdGu4lafJivSMomgxX0PszjsxC/s900/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(one%20lens%20in).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="900" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi112IVSFplXrsv1drIl_RJW7GHFuESJHHQm7t57bSCRWRYFTzkxac7snLbHzqNcJwHZGLWM0QlapEO8NwqMYDdzUpOcOF53mLIXNAhcDCnYDx3OLogr6diK5e6lJwgFuePYQD--0yaGEIRr-MghX2KXVTl8HQqzzsdGu4lafJivSMomgxX0PszjsxC/s320/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(one%20lens%20in).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One lens in.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Damn these lenses are black! The color change is immense and convincing and I honestly really enjoy these lenses. Yet surprisingly, despite the name being Blackout, these are not so staggeringly solid black that they'd look 100% fake in a jarring way, get what I mean? It's like there's this ever so slight transparency between the super slight patterning (zoom in and you can just about make it out, it's very very faint) so it helps in keeping the lenses from going straight into uncanny valley. Although they still obviously don't look realistic. There's also some enlargement effect, although it's not that big and at least part of the illusion comes from the lenses being black in the first place.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I personally dig how these lenses are so covering and yet don't look creepy as it makes them somewhat more versatile in use and doesn't high-ball them straight into Halloween, freaks and monsters territory. Heck, these would be great for cosplaying characters with black eyes like say Ikkaku Madarame from <i>Bleach</i>, Sasuke Uchiha from <i>Naruto,</i> Goku and Vegeta from <i>DragonBall</i> or L from <i>Death Note</i>, to name a few.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Lens photos below!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>All photos are taken by <a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">yours truly</a> during a January noon with a semi-clear sky. All close-ups are free from color filters and the like and that's so that the colors would appear as true to life as possible.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialMUcT4HxQfJ_92NNu_whunq6pkGnz6L8T2cgSi26mKD5TTKcfkmLTjlR8VPqM6KBBDNRakChXVsQUYglLJw3WUVkgZl763BpX3lcdffX1f7SWHOnW1XhDKVgrVekNgDqAUQjJgQXfhrPWWFhJfGgqBf9kZVxKMkmAaEVXTYsTbPkaeTWqLkqTSIL/s900/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(natural%20roomlight).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="900" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialMUcT4HxQfJ_92NNu_whunq6pkGnz6L8T2cgSi26mKD5TTKcfkmLTjlR8VPqM6KBBDNRakChXVsQUYglLJw3WUVkgZl763BpX3lcdffX1f7SWHOnW1XhDKVgrVekNgDqAUQjJgQXfhrPWWFhJfGgqBf9kZVxKMkmAaEVXTYsTbPkaeTWqLkqTSIL/s320/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(natural%20roomlight).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indoors, natural room light.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYorllR_HqXPTfziEBOOS54lz72aZoj6zB8NxQz1Y7aYCNIukeLPjXjBCVUb_2aAm7dMWlxXr3gimpuSRSiB092zxzhgb_WHtb7Uf0Mwswet2wGpLoWZJjmM3NRBefKjJ-KtKjpo1ERbCyNASv9mS1bTv4JDZZdMddWI7gu2Dh6qomzE7x7pKfj8Fx/s900/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(bathroom%20light).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="212" data-original-width="900" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYorllR_HqXPTfziEBOOS54lz72aZoj6zB8NxQz1Y7aYCNIukeLPjXjBCVUb_2aAm7dMWlxXr3gimpuSRSiB092zxzhgb_WHtb7Uf0Mwswet2wGpLoWZJjmM3NRBefKjJ-KtKjpo1ERbCyNASv9mS1bTv4JDZZdMddWI7gu2Dh6qomzE7x7pKfj8Fx/s320/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(bathroom%20light).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom light.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-PsW0hQC4hNs_eks6bg9qPZhujwdGP60mNuUfyef-VeelJoqGofA3mI8C8_o6qWgJ33U1w6BAqHIj3oXXG9JLITMHtdixxZwCR7AMZwYkJyDr3yNs8nN_y-UtUjG0QrBb8xybYeMYHA6ZlhM_DrwZdUQnMfupBc_EMQubLLQPFZL490Vhy0fteSn/s900/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(flash%20photo).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="900" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-PsW0hQC4hNs_eks6bg9qPZhujwdGP60mNuUfyef-VeelJoqGofA3mI8C8_o6qWgJ33U1w6BAqHIj3oXXG9JLITMHtdixxZwCR7AMZwYkJyDr3yNs8nN_y-UtUjG0QrBb8xybYeMYHA6ZlhM_DrwZdUQnMfupBc_EMQubLLQPFZL490Vhy0fteSn/s320/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(flash%20photo).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indoors, flash photo.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYv3bcdcksTdpHLPRZvWyyDNPnpcGy9yI4KYv53FnYr-mAXibe1dCyKNzLWIaZXrJHmsU2Ywh1_mSmDAkq6OvPKzAlgez0tlX3ARFejOSoqC3aLf_hkm5gpzqGJ-yWNvPnx3CONRn4Ha62Y6e7CT_8K0O8-XDivbGBs0DnVXAtqpayp4nusAqvYwIA/s900/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(facing%20window).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="217" data-original-width="900" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYv3bcdcksTdpHLPRZvWyyDNPnpcGy9yI4KYv53FnYr-mAXibe1dCyKNzLWIaZXrJHmsU2Ywh1_mSmDAkq6OvPKzAlgez0tlX3ARFejOSoqC3aLf_hkm5gpzqGJ-yWNvPnx3CONRn4Ha62Y6e7CT_8K0O8-XDivbGBs0DnVXAtqpayp4nusAqvYwIA/s320/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(facing%20window).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facing window, backyard view. (not sun side)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6B5gjvgZuLMWu4JORJv4QyyFY64N5KXt3cyxXoUsQchvEZhJJN0W6s9up5e3uzlEX-K7EnJDjWcGGNxmJGJozt2ErwVlk1d9xSGU4cTZ1M9NkqzodoQSJwR4ydTB-CDfY7R4nyiw5YVtq6gOGJ1tyJgCMCtwiHFm5XRMc0Fq2Gvwr8NWcyr7zFdy/s900/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(unlit%20corridor).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="900" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh6B5gjvgZuLMWu4JORJv4QyyFY64N5KXt3cyxXoUsQchvEZhJJN0W6s9up5e3uzlEX-K7EnJDjWcGGNxmJGJozt2ErwVlk1d9xSGU4cTZ1M9NkqzodoQSJwR4ydTB-CDfY7R4nyiw5YVtq6gOGJ1tyJgCMCtwiHFm5XRMc0Fq2Gvwr8NWcyr7zFdy/s320/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(unlit%20corridor).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unlit corridor with weak natural light in the distance.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLlHf8cFaKjSltsuoEs8mWrdXLI83XgXIjpo66TpYFE083Zc_gKprSgWvUdWvSg29yemr6yNtfEKshRIt3ACedUEEpi_xgqtnfeXUoXi3hGzyyMxkn1gMTBAmK6INeanRra4l9wXy6W_CPFaCqk6InoF5NLrcsbwoZ9_e8FnZ0wrJ9kjqUsWg5Fao/s900/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(back%20against%20sun).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="239" data-original-width="900" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLlHf8cFaKjSltsuoEs8mWrdXLI83XgXIjpo66TpYFE083Zc_gKprSgWvUdWvSg29yemr6yNtfEKshRIt3ACedUEEpi_xgqtnfeXUoXi3hGzyyMxkn1gMTBAmK6INeanRra4l9wXy6W_CPFaCqk6InoF5NLrcsbwoZ9_e8FnZ0wrJ9kjqUsWg5Fao/s320/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(back%20against%20sun).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, back against the sun. (facing wall)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxwalMFvSa_7C0OffnClXeQtC-oHFzxvPPZVLtlsLDPAF_G5PS8GxZNuCNflAEAcZYErBPYqGypTW3FTZYz3w07-0m7SIhC5DaPkbY_bqkEG2GD-9f_8L9u1jvad3PspbacPZ4qk0AYUUEWAwZbdB5n5RvyPxS0bOjl_mhHXtcTKtbeZjKD88N3Gh/s900/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(facing%20sun).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="900" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxwalMFvSa_7C0OffnClXeQtC-oHFzxvPPZVLtlsLDPAF_G5PS8GxZNuCNflAEAcZYErBPYqGypTW3FTZYz3w07-0m7SIhC5DaPkbY_bqkEG2GD-9f_8L9u1jvad3PspbacPZ4qk0AYUUEWAwZbdB5n5RvyPxS0bOjl_mhHXtcTKtbeZjKD88N3Gh/s320/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(facing%20sun).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, facing the sun.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">These lenses were very thin and easy to insert. They are not floppy but didn't keep their shape while held on my finger as well as some other brands I've tried over the years. I don't really feel them in my eyes and surprisingly enough, despite the small pupil hole, I didn't experience any black corners at the edges of my vision nor any blurring. I would rate these lenses as comfortable and would not hesitate to repurchase them. Comfort is always a bit hard to gauge tbh as it's so highly personal for every wearer and depends on a lot of factors like how sensitive and dry your eyes naturally are; I happen to have very dry eyes by default so for me wearing contact lenses for more than 4 hours without eyedrops is already quite a feat, but I definitely believe I could wear these out to an anime convention with little to no problems if I just bring eyedrops with me for the full day. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">All in all I've had no problems with these lenses and my collaboration with <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a> has been smooth sailing – I would wholly recommend them for cosmetic colored lenses and sfx lenses, both for daily looks and for special events and costuming. Once again, click here for a <b><a href="https://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/2022/11/lens-review-freshlook-colorblends-honey.html">full store review</a></b> for more information about my experiences. ^_^</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">Distance photo!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinu-egSHHPzLMcIYtMnAsUgVp_-22TJAM0i0tpGSvJNoWKMp4zPgUw0ZCNeJzw0MdGzqcGk-WGvlayqvWW7uC6BAa1MbRrKu3GRW0IRgwRx7aETsf7rxTkrroFLiw9sJaBynKJs-H3A2WAEXaBD2_r1jgzlSHuQvPuOnwdhkQZ9SFZt0bE46F1nkx7/s800/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(distance).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinu-egSHHPzLMcIYtMnAsUgVp_-22TJAM0i0tpGSvJNoWKMp4zPgUw0ZCNeJzw0MdGzqcGk-WGvlayqvWW7uC6BAa1MbRrKu3GRW0IRgwRx7aETsf7rxTkrroFLiw9sJaBynKJs-H3A2WAEXaBD2_r1jgzlSHuQvPuOnwdhkQZ9SFZt0bE46F1nkx7/s320/Chromaview%20Blackout%20(distance).png" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-eyed like Blåhaj, peak fashion.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><u><b>Short summary:</b></u></i>
</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">
<b>Color: 10/10</b></span><br />Black, black, black! It's so very black. Intense and beautiful despite being a sfx lens.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Design: 9/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">It delivers what the name says, "Blackout". Design is as expected but better. It's not too cartoony.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Opacity: 9/10</b></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Very solid coverage but there's that ever so slight transparency which keeps them from looking super fake and unsettling.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Enlargement: 5/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Moderate enlargement, mostly due to how black in itself creates the illusion of a bigger size.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Comfort: 8/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">More comfortable than I thought they would be, very thin and easy to insert. I barely feel them and there's no tunnel vision or colored corners either, which is surprising considering the narrow pupil hole.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Naturalness: 2/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Might be passable if you already have dark brown eyes, otherwise I'm not convinced. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Thanks for reading and the third and final review will follow!</span><br />
Thank you, <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a>! ♡<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> out<b>~</b></span></i><b><br /></b></div></div></div><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></b></div></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-23664790208688832662022-12-31T10:02:00.000+01:002022-12-31T10:02:32.133+01:00Year of Cosplay 2022<div style="text-align: center;"> Hello everyone!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another year is drawing to a close and I just sit here and wonder where it went, you know? We're still not free from covid and it sucks, but what sucks even more is the current global situation in many ways. It's no wonder my mental health has been a rollercoaster of mostly lows and I haven't had a lot of inspiration nor energy to cosplay or blog much, as can be seen from how this year has been the quietest to date. But of course this year is not all shit as some great things have happened too!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But anyways, as is tradition I have to continue this end-of-year post although it has felt mostly pointless as of late as I haven't been active in the cosplay scene. I do still want to get back on track at some point but I literally don't have the time, money nor energy for it right now and with the strained economical situation it's even worse. But alas, I managed to land at least one con trip under my belt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Cons attended in 2021:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Kummacon </b>- Oulu, Finland</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">And as I didn't attend any other cons this year I can just say that Kummacon was the best con for the year lol. It was a chaotic trip but it all ended well and I had a great time. I had plans to attend Matsucon as well but perhaps it was a bit too soon after Kummacon and I was too drained to really feel up to it, especially with all the Christmas stress and newly started job etc.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">...</div><div style="text-align: center;">...</div><div style="text-align: center;">...</div><div style="text-align: center;">...</div><div style="text-align: center;">...</div><div style="text-align: center;">...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwCEDxVh_wuuAsnDsq-lohQMDTfq6VrD4WR2fjbzJvogMAlospAKIiOShGXQTVGYzmouxDKCS8in6tjb_LniVm8LWNxxJhEyiSAlsvIl1ZI94iolYlWy3Q24KxOodSZKlbxZvyS3pJQ4hIGaPp-7WxiXfJPBi0PPot_rUNg3VkVqDjIzVqEohjyBQ/s659/Year%20of%20Cosplay%202022.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwCEDxVh_wuuAsnDsq-lohQMDTfq6VrD4WR2fjbzJvogMAlospAKIiOShGXQTVGYzmouxDKCS8in6tjb_LniVm8LWNxxJhEyiSAlsvIl1ZI94iolYlWy3Q24KxOodSZKlbxZvyS3pJQ4hIGaPp-7WxiXfJPBi0PPot_rUNg3VkVqDjIzVqEohjyBQ/s320/Year%20of%20Cosplay%202022.jpeg" width="243" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Okay so yeah, still no cosplay compilation photo (for obvious reasons) so have a meme instead hehe. I've been really into <i>Genshin Impact</i> lately and it's dominating my current cosplay urges; I'm trying not to give in too much to it <strike>yet</strike> as I have a lot of unfinished cosplay projects lying around because yeah, I have a bad habit of starting to make something new in a sudden bout of inspiration and then I temporarily lose interest in favor of the next shiny thing (which I of course start making too) and well, in the end I have years worth of unfinished projects haunting me. Skeletons in my cosplay closet waiting for me to return to them, oof.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Who still remembers Masamune Date from <i>Sengoku Basara</i>? This cosplay has become an inside joke among my group of friends, my "eternity project" so to say. But guess what?! I still plan to finish this costume, I haven't actually dropped him. One day Masamune, one day... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~~~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyways, I don't have a lot more to say about this year. It's been bad in many aspects but I've had quite a lot of self-reflection too, finding new sides of myself and mapping out the direction of my life. I'm still nowhere where I want to be but at least now I have some things to look forward to that will help me feel better. Some of it does impact my cosplaying hobby as well so I might get more inspired at some point when things get better, but for now cosplay is a bit on the backburner.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">As for the blog.. next year will still feature more circle lens reviews (I'm seeing the end of my massive backlog, woop!) and perhaps a con summary or two. I might try to do some cosplay progress as well but we'll see about that. Regardless, point is that this blog isn't dying anytime soon although the activity has been less than ideal lately. So I hope you stick around with me and my ramblings!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st"><i>Bye bye & Happy New Year 2023!</i></span></span></span></span></div></div></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-59756161862257831362022-11-29T16:08:00.006+01:002023-06-22T12:48:00.660+02:00[Sponsored] Lens review: Freshlook Colorblends Honey<div style="text-align: center;">Hello everyone!</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm a bit late with this review but as we all know the time near Christmas is a very busy time! Today I will be reviewing a pair of colored contact lenses that <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a> sent me for review purposes so this post also doubles as a store review! I received three pairs of lenses that I will review separately and today's review will feature the <a href="https://www.colouredcontacts.com/en_GB/products/freshlook-colorblends-honey-coloured-contact-lenses-30-day?a=shirosamurai"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><b>Freshlook Colorblends Honey</b></span></a>, a very natural hazel brown lens. :)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The lenses that I'm reviewing in this blog post were sponsored by <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a>,
meaning that I did not pay for the product(s) myself.
This does, however, not affect my honesty in any way. The words and
opinions in this review are my genuine opinion; I don't ever compromise my true thoughts and feelings.<br /><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChiRkYEr-k5vNfeXa4_IPBjRF5WxXtG9C6e-01KfUYi9HqF9qfFS8jVeitTt1NSotgpZj75ri92yynCGQ7Ckhgq3O96Y7DZqHUD-S792eWC28wBb3h52zo5UNni8hAmp8UAO6OwPm2BsGwYbrsGN6hz1N3iYYr0PmVw73vtKqud169kvFURbr47Ng/s900/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(package).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChiRkYEr-k5vNfeXa4_IPBjRF5WxXtG9C6e-01KfUYi9HqF9qfFS8jVeitTt1NSotgpZj75ri92yynCGQ7Ckhgq3O96Y7DZqHUD-S792eWC28wBb3h52zo5UNni8hAmp8UAO6OwPm2BsGwYbrsGN6hz1N3iYYr0PmVw73vtKqud169kvFURbr47Ng/s320/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(package).png" width="320" /></a></div><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgzm8DlG_ogVqu0kYRC__ZxQuHkAXyXTwmqFF1rlFu7gVxdKKzpUIIFr-bxYUmZsIHFyKhI2rFgX4V3R1ybyIbvch8JGnxSojw0HeCgRfVVsrt3kCx9EnKogLQiPABjGsvJkE6nUZXmgGifLO4tEzTwYiHx7QwB87ET34j3y9Y5LEWQ0XcrFFEN7S/s900/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(blisters).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgzm8DlG_ogVqu0kYRC__ZxQuHkAXyXTwmqFF1rlFu7gVxdKKzpUIIFr-bxYUmZsIHFyKhI2rFgX4V3R1ybyIbvch8JGnxSojw0HeCgRfVVsrt3kCx9EnKogLQiPABjGsvJkE6nUZXmgGifLO4tEzTwYiHx7QwB87ET34j3y9Y5LEWQ0XcrFFEN7S/s320/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(blisters).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="st">Base curve: 8.6 mm<br />Diameter: 14.5 mm
</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Water content: 55%</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Life span: 30 days<br /></span></b></div><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lFHbbw6Yc3wSCZiFYYy-uST28dgQzoyudABnUIaD85SvrWTjEV9359OwJcZIvl5y4hYLo6UP6Hs_-UTvcjlV8ate7h-WaZH8R1JBtn9dsmdKpHGGwaOo4Dtu4Z0NKUu6COfkUvLLVY_9e3CrOjKj5EMGfdQUVFi0_f60G4K_X09mbiA-aDeL9aE4/s900/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(lens%20view).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lFHbbw6Yc3wSCZiFYYy-uST28dgQzoyudABnUIaD85SvrWTjEV9359OwJcZIvl5y4hYLo6UP6Hs_-UTvcjlV8ate7h-WaZH8R1JBtn9dsmdKpHGGwaOo4Dtu4Z0NKUu6COfkUvLLVY_9e3CrOjKj5EMGfdQUVFi0_f60G4K_X09mbiA-aDeL9aE4/s320/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(lens%20view).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYtjDHGsYkBDuNjSyhsLB_530F9ZckQXjuqfyzNEhPXS6-kGHMXzIzqfCQOf87sl_JdgUzjXDVGefkHUAN2R-nvJAsnS3p5xrnXEVWFMnUu5kx7_21N4JJkm_06ZT-DxzrAt1B28VbhqiCy1OzNcrtKcJT35Av3ePHzE4UgGvL6e8xPGmOQh9vFOX/s900/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(lens%20view%202).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYtjDHGsYkBDuNjSyhsLB_530F9ZckQXjuqfyzNEhPXS6-kGHMXzIzqfCQOf87sl_JdgUzjXDVGefkHUAN2R-nvJAsnS3p5xrnXEVWFMnUu5kx7_21N4JJkm_06ZT-DxzrAt1B28VbhqiCy1OzNcrtKcJT35Av3ePHzE4UgGvL6e8xPGmOQh9vFOX/s320/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(lens%20view%202).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIeLEpR2gbGmY6gZCwVP10TMwAshtvdiaWiHmqkVczZaLeeAQkdN9GOGCbPtqebmJRHPHLWBuzZxuBEczcGA3jRm31mO4r8MfPyV7FQ9FfltmEgHCc4yff3ImQIGx9D3L_UyJBLr78X1Sn8uZFZ5lqclKb-VDoDB4KwiNFN_RZNInRgiiODzvTnTe/s235/Star-divider5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="32" data-original-width="235" height="32" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIeLEpR2gbGmY6gZCwVP10TMwAshtvdiaWiHmqkVczZaLeeAQkdN9GOGCbPtqebmJRHPHLWBuzZxuBEczcGA3jRm31mO4r8MfPyV7FQ9FfltmEgHCc4yff3ImQIGx9D3L_UyJBLr78X1Sn8uZFZ5lqclKb-VDoDB4KwiNFN_RZNInRgiiODzvTnTe/s1600/Star-divider5.png" width="235" /></a></div><br /> </b>Before I start the actual lens review I first want to air out my thoughts and feelings about my sponsor <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a>, the contact lens online store that made this post possible! Think of this as a store review. :)</div><div style="text-align: center;">When they first contacted me I was assuming it was another circle lens store based in Asia as, let's face it, a huge majority is. This can sometimes be a bit of an issue if you're in Europe or America etc as shipping might end up taking longer than you have time for and you might get your order stuck at customs and get extra fees slapped on, which no one likes lol. So you can guess my surprise when I saw that <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a> is actually registered in the Netherlands! This is pretty huge as I only know of one other cosmetic lens store that operates in Europe.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The site itself is pretty straightforward (just like the name) and easy to use; you can search lenses by color, style, occasion, prescription and even sales. It's not the most aesthetically refined layout so there's no floaty extravagant pop-ups with beautiful models bombarding your senses and well, that's actually a pleasant change of pace from how over-embellished the ads tend to be on many other circle lens stores nowadays. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Browsing and navigating the site is fairly simple and there's everything from daily, natural lenses to Halloween and crazy lenses for parties. I hesitate to call them a circle lens store as they don't really carry what I consider to be "circle lenses" (enlarging lenses, popularized in Asia) but instead sell "western lenses" (color enhancing or sfx lenses, Western market). So this means that you won't find brands like GEO, I.Fairy, EOS etc over at <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a> but what they carry instead is the just as renowned Chromaview, Air Optix and Freshlook brands. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">As I mentioned earlier I got to choose three pairs for reviewing and I ended up picking one natural lens and two crazy lenses. <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a> sells 1-day lenses, lenses for 30 days, lenses for 90 days and there might have been 1 year lenses too. Be aware though that the stock photos of the lenses are very clearly photoshopped (try layering two open tabs on top of each other with the images aligned and you'll see) and don't show how the lenses will truly look so yeah, I don't recommend trusting the stock photos blindly but rather with a big grain of salt and googling for reviews of any lenses you're interested in, to get a more accurate understanding of how the lenses appear. Or, if you're a contact lens veteran like me then you probably already have so much experience that just by looking at a design you can roughly tell how it will appear when worn. <br />I do want to note though that stock photos are provided from the manufacturers etc and thus not a reason to consider <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a> as a shady or illegitimate business – it's just what they're provided with and many other sellers of the same brands use the same stock photos for illustration purposes.<br /><br />I have not had any issues with the store and my contact person Amy has been quick to reply, patient and understands English well so I really have no complaints whatsoever with customer service. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Based on my experiences I would recommend <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a>, they appear to be a legitimate and safe online business that sells reliable long-running Western world contact lens brands that are both FDA Approved and CE marked.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0Ebof-41DQONnASWdfOQIA5Mx31iraoh_7XiYBFYOpqOhPzbfFM3CIulJYkzp5QQsWFyLbYbE0XAaimJDHF62PzdWr8vPsJpW24wfqUaXUEFFBtVlGOJZAdohgkC4AvpRHWUmvmP6N2CYlMKrP6HdWal--pwcuQjGFOmpGZJX87uhs_Ryq_KBl27/s235/Star-divider5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="32" data-original-width="235" height="32" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM0Ebof-41DQONnASWdfOQIA5Mx31iraoh_7XiYBFYOpqOhPzbfFM3CIulJYkzp5QQsWFyLbYbE0XAaimJDHF62PzdWr8vPsJpW24wfqUaXUEFFBtVlGOJZAdohgkC4AvpRHWUmvmP6N2CYlMKrP6HdWal--pwcuQjGFOmpGZJX87uhs_Ryq_KBl27/s1600/Star-divider5.png" width="235" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Once they shipped out my chosen lenses it took almost exactly two weeks
for the package to arrive. The package was in the shape of a common
white bubblewrap envelope and it arrived straight to my mailbox, which
is always preferred as the post office is a few kilometers away and I
don't have a driving license. And when it goes straight to my mailbox it
also means that it was sent within Europe and in my case I think my
package was sent from Germany. According to their site though they have
delivery options in USA, United Kingdom, Australia and Canada as well so
I think that, depending on where you live, they will send your products
from the nearest warehouse to make it as effective and hassle-free as
possible. <br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgikfo8Ptqvxz6N3iIGPhq13W7JlxrXFYitcWzGSy9R9kHv84QfNaVU0zwfjazpdI9pPUeiXPB4MZfXEEA_V6AF8GU0iw_CAtO1gatMYwL8c04ThyxCJ8U9Nt1wLgceXIXlO9wrRdTO15DMZ-EszAt3sewTbeQw16AitLcqbQjNaiiNl0_Afk4-j3/s900/Colouredcontacts%20review.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgikfo8Ptqvxz6N3iIGPhq13W7JlxrXFYitcWzGSy9R9kHv84QfNaVU0zwfjazpdI9pPUeiXPB4MZfXEEA_V6AF8GU0iw_CAtO1gatMYwL8c04ThyxCJ8U9Nt1wLgceXIXlO9wrRdTO15DMZ-EszAt3sewTbeQw16AitLcqbQjNaiiNl0_Afk4-j3/s320/Colouredcontacts%20review.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contents of my package. Lenses and a bottle of solution.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I doubt the all-in-one solution would be included to a regular customer but it's a nice gesture from their side to make sure that I, as a reviewer, have lens solution at hand. :) All my three chosen lenses are in blister style packaging too, it appears as if this is the norm for Western brands so to say?</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>~~ Lens review ahead! ~~ </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;">This is my first time ever trying Freshlook Colorblends. I've known about this brand ever since I first dipped into the world of colored contact lenses as it's such a staple brand and probably the one you would get recommended by your local optician if you asked about colored lenses.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I also want to note that while handling these lenses I noticed that it's legit hard to tell which side is 'right' and which side is 'wrong', the print and color etc look exactly the same so you have to stare at if the edges flare out or not when the lens is on your finger to determine if it's inside out or not. And even then the difference is very slight and I had to double-take to make sure I wasn't just imagining things.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKmUH0YBFRypPLoTYhEBHGxjWmuroQ5_-JNbRFpHXX4dR-JwFz-kDcT66vrz62jlnRPU20XEJx_4K6i-ys5gxzgst-FUWrCdciqbgr2FCSSvovZS2E23M6qg55rj8_9mn1XLAiMgOcekwQchUy1aiYa66HxvrehocT5dVei5TAw7A8a6stKOWLv1o/s900/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(lens%20closeup).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKmUH0YBFRypPLoTYhEBHGxjWmuroQ5_-JNbRFpHXX4dR-JwFz-kDcT66vrz62jlnRPU20XEJx_4K6i-ys5gxzgst-FUWrCdciqbgr2FCSSvovZS2E23M6qg55rj8_9mn1XLAiMgOcekwQchUy1aiYa66HxvrehocT5dVei5TAw7A8a6stKOWLv1o/s320/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(lens%20closeup).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lens close-up. Notice how far off the edge the design is printed.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">I decided to go with the color Honey, which is a softer brown shade, as I have
naturally light gray-blue eyes and I wanted to see how big of a
difference it would make. I was half expecting perhaps a brown toning
effect at most but I was actually surprised by how impactful the color
coverage ended up being for such a natural lens!</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgur2BSNtlIY-Ztr1d9Yvu-CijTdngAiTAtu5IBhW9wIGyh30-yrR9bL1NT8-NjB3uNKdGYuIKnSYGvGeANdSX1VgplwdAzxbFhWAMVnY0hc9F7bkohCP3SAg_3D3vFtEIrNqQa8-eK6vNhiZOqoY5cU0fxkJWWeMWU6vLIwPJutxQkxo0FDKBqcs9I/s900/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(one%20lens%20in).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="900" height="92" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgur2BSNtlIY-Ztr1d9Yvu-CijTdngAiTAtu5IBhW9wIGyh30-yrR9bL1NT8-NjB3uNKdGYuIKnSYGvGeANdSX1VgplwdAzxbFhWAMVnY0hc9F7bkohCP3SAg_3D3vFtEIrNqQa8-eK6vNhiZOqoY5cU0fxkJWWeMWU6vLIwPJutxQkxo0FDKBqcs9I/s320/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(one%20lens%20in).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One lens in.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> </div><div style="text-align: left;">As you can see the overall design of the lens quite closely mimics the shapes of a human iris and it features multiple different brown shades to avoid a fake look. There's hardly any enlargement effect and there's no distinct limbal ring either, aside from the edges being a darker brown than the center of course. It gives a natural brown-eyed appearance and is passable for a daily look and if you ever wanted to see how you'd appear with a different eye color than the one you were born with. Experimenting with looks is fun! But please remember that contact lenses need to be handled with proper care and hygiene measures!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><b><b>Lens photos ahead!</b><br />
<b>All photos taken by <a href="http://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">me</a>
during an afternoon with a clear sky. All close-up photos
are free from color filters and such and that's so that the colors
would be as true to real life as possible.</b></b></b></div><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDjah0mrmrv73AMzOv9rLX5xt6twJpVe6rjRR20i7KOVISafEMIovPUu3g_TacOsknDzbqonSvoX06c1ZouNHHM2ojuVqBq_MUfQx9mYeVOHNvjWRm_zMvflB7pjlPjySD0Oevnl21SENxudYV_NFbbszm3KGwg8kgFtziz1fOAeD6EXR2NkdMlEP/s900/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(natural%20roomlight).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="243" data-original-width="900" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDjah0mrmrv73AMzOv9rLX5xt6twJpVe6rjRR20i7KOVISafEMIovPUu3g_TacOsknDzbqonSvoX06c1ZouNHHM2ojuVqBq_MUfQx9mYeVOHNvjWRm_zMvflB7pjlPjySD0Oevnl21SENxudYV_NFbbszm3KGwg8kgFtziz1fOAeD6EXR2NkdMlEP/s320/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(natural%20roomlight).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural room light, indoors.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPzbHnPMVxunEX4iJmrDb8TGWBvPyyP1vZIZU1RP1rjpPBXc8kPKTCbnouIkioF2GUTNsmuCojGtVGHmfAzUn4f9wVGbxZv9defmZawMBdOdIRazOFknuhxNt7ItTztcNFvjGqWzPgzCrdy-w3Skb6XTMyexD_cGoaWB34x0PbRtWD9d3OVxhV37G/s900/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(bathroom%20light).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="900" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPzbHnPMVxunEX4iJmrDb8TGWBvPyyP1vZIZU1RP1rjpPBXc8kPKTCbnouIkioF2GUTNsmuCojGtVGHmfAzUn4f9wVGbxZv9defmZawMBdOdIRazOFknuhxNt7ItTztcNFvjGqWzPgzCrdy-w3Skb6XTMyexD_cGoaWB34x0PbRtWD9d3OVxhV37G/s320/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(bathroom%20light).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom light.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0lxx-LbJJTY6cWKKW0TgpUj5vvc6iQLulDCgB3j04ezD28bROCR0y4jCVhelv4NcniTnHLLEDO1G6FG0HLh9rJKSTv91_7J0gfepVChoOrW-_MkXPsL3PrJUwF_OqFyCUbKX6P3HqFmkZX3UHO3Mvw-EbsHpHaC3bayID1v9tJdwN1npndkdqjPb/s900/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(flash%20photo).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="237" data-original-width="900" height="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0lxx-LbJJTY6cWKKW0TgpUj5vvc6iQLulDCgB3j04ezD28bROCR0y4jCVhelv4NcniTnHLLEDO1G6FG0HLh9rJKSTv91_7J0gfepVChoOrW-_MkXPsL3PrJUwF_OqFyCUbKX6P3HqFmkZX3UHO3Mvw-EbsHpHaC3bayID1v9tJdwN1npndkdqjPb/s320/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(flash%20photo).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flash photo, indoors.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYVz0PMOakXqYSxbInDg7Y8jddtyNgt_61l2H3dHz-IOnEgiYi4bM3vBVHusrAbbqG_o0RrDm30Pc_l4BUI_FOWNkOm5w7OZDbWZ85ynq4Fa1s5HyELajld8KHuwL8_CNMZQ29O_KRJSpfmIspMmsa4WQMXcFewa-UiNrqT5VA5zGDlfNfJ19xVmi/s900/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(facing%20window).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="243" data-original-width="900" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYVz0PMOakXqYSxbInDg7Y8jddtyNgt_61l2H3dHz-IOnEgiYi4bM3vBVHusrAbbqG_o0RrDm30Pc_l4BUI_FOWNkOm5w7OZDbWZ85ynq4Fa1s5HyELajld8KHuwL8_CNMZQ29O_KRJSpfmIspMmsa4WQMXcFewa-UiNrqT5VA5zGDlfNfJ19xVmi/s320/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(facing%20window).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facing a window, backyard view. (not sun side)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaGO_XRLN2mhSJNgh3TPodC7q5MQqIqnycy8yinzpmlS8awgBDVGEKRQpCUIj4A4vVHrrEDOxKab11N-f7rCYhGr4D4yqMx97Y9egBrHE4AW_Q9vxQrkMbRANRwSWQtHdbvKUQzXJZ2tr5lVcImBLbldCpkWT6JXr3iStJS90z5gx8BSYVkFxfs7A/s900/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(unlit%20corridor).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="226" data-original-width="900" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigaGO_XRLN2mhSJNgh3TPodC7q5MQqIqnycy8yinzpmlS8awgBDVGEKRQpCUIj4A4vVHrrEDOxKab11N-f7rCYhGr4D4yqMx97Y9egBrHE4AW_Q9vxQrkMbRANRwSWQtHdbvKUQzXJZ2tr5lVcImBLbldCpkWT6JXr3iStJS90z5gx8BSYVkFxfs7A/s320/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(unlit%20corridor).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unlit corridor, poor distant natural light.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjOJvgWOpBze1XePheiPH66h1pJkH2RX1F4W2gIO4r_GuJWPlTpiMS0JeDEBgsV6aG0uWozDx9AsOV2kN9G6CIvSRlh5SAaF9VtZMSfc4Pc1NuFNERIeKNTchXin7-LYjXxLxW_y4Bz_d4YwhFgIYfXoaN8dRELxh47vMiPwJjR0jYFufAG7e4V3l/s900/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(back%20against%20sun).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="900" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjOJvgWOpBze1XePheiPH66h1pJkH2RX1F4W2gIO4r_GuJWPlTpiMS0JeDEBgsV6aG0uWozDx9AsOV2kN9G6CIvSRlh5SAaF9VtZMSfc4Pc1NuFNERIeKNTchXin7-LYjXxLxW_y4Bz_d4YwhFgIYfXoaN8dRELxh47vMiPwJjR0jYFufAG7e4V3l/s320/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(back%20against%20sun).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, back against the sun. (facing wall)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyp1TDG0MJ-0l-1mpqPi3UxG8P2wKXWjBQ-7IVNF-GAbmuPqnSHY97wY36XeTO41bEKzJLJdGNVnZeR3wi4tDXDTYFGyHBo-qF8HfFl8wOajhRB9Om7I0-NccKyD4dS6l8KzMxyEupwh12-E6NWzZZjN_7x3gzJCT8vzwwRMC_y40y1nqsrWWhOONL/s900/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(facing%20sun).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="223" data-original-width="900" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyp1TDG0MJ-0l-1mpqPi3UxG8P2wKXWjBQ-7IVNF-GAbmuPqnSHY97wY36XeTO41bEKzJLJdGNVnZeR3wi4tDXDTYFGyHBo-qF8HfFl8wOajhRB9Om7I0-NccKyD4dS6l8KzMxyEupwh12-E6NWzZZjN_7x3gzJCT8vzwwRMC_y40y1nqsrWWhOONL/s320/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(facing%20sun).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, facing the sun directly.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: left;">Comfort appears to be pretty decent, the lenses feel thin and I mostly don't feel them much at all. Before insertion I noticed that the lenses don't keep their shape as well as some other brands I've tried over the years, they kinda wanted to flop on my fingers a bit but they were still rather easy to handle and insert and it provided no added difficulties for someone used to wearing lenses. I did notice a slight vision blur at first too but once my eyes adjusted it quickly went away and everything was normal. It's hard to gauge what would be an expected time of wear as it's so highly individual for every person and it depends a lot on factors such as how dry and sensitive your eyes are etc. I happen to have naturally very dry eyes <strike>which means that I spam eyedrops periodically like a junkie</strike> so for me wearing lenses above 3 hours without eyedrop intervention is already a pretty decent accomplishment. But I doubt these lenses would be hard to wear for most people as they have a rather good water content percentage of 55% so yeah, if you have normal eyes I don't really see why you couldn't wear them for at least half a day, maybe a full day out in town, at work or such. But of course I recommend carrying with you eyedrops (make sure they're suitable for contact lenses!) just in case too, sudden discomfort and dryness while on the move and living your most fabulous life is never fun.<br /><br />So to sum it all up I'm quite impressed with how colorful these lenses actually ended up being – I didn't go in with particularly high expectations as the Freshlook Colorblends are known for more natural looks (and I'm a cosplayer who's a sucker for intense colors) but I was still very much surprised by how undoubtedly brown they make my eyes look! And it's a very gorgeous, light and lively shade too! It's a lovely lens if you're looking for something discreet and that you can pass off as natural in the eyes of most people passing by. For costumers it will entirely depend on what kind of effect you're looking for.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Distance photo!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHxHR9hCGABCIgXQgkHxB6P_M1eNPdtnqvKIbM5eiyIyzihfJP7gdp3c5shPSTmLZd7dEwAdbw6g9Vrwl6waUNtdnkVl-2mHDRZQf088wGy_umthhxYXJkPraU7Zsi-bT2wDw4c5b_LKdrT0CINc4Vknz-74eLwx-WJyiTEjhG4GFmjaapG8MAs_z/s800/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(distance).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHxHR9hCGABCIgXQgkHxB6P_M1eNPdtnqvKIbM5eiyIyzihfJP7gdp3c5shPSTmLZd7dEwAdbw6g9Vrwl6waUNtdnkVl-2mHDRZQf088wGy_umthhxYXJkPraU7Zsi-bT2wDw4c5b_LKdrT0CINc4Vknz-74eLwx-WJyiTEjhG4GFmjaapG8MAs_z/s320/Freshlook%20Colorblends%20Honey%20(distance).png" width="212" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><u><b>Short summary:</b></u></i>
</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">
<b>Color: <span style="font-size: small;">6</span>/10</b></span><br />Pleasant and invigorating hazel brown shade. Looks natural and instills a sense of warmth.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Design: <span style="font-size: small;">6</span>/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A simple design that mimics a real iris sufficiently. Works great as a daily lens.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Opacity: 7/10</b></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">I'm very surprised by how well these cover my light gray-blue eyes, I wasn't expecting a full color change! Very potent for a natural style lens.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Enlargement: 1/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Very tiny, there's hardly any notable enlargement effect nor the illusion of any. Not a circle lens.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Comfort: 6<span style="font-size: small;"></span>/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Thin and I don't feel them much. A slight blur at first but disappears quickly. Overall comfortable and easy to wear.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Naturalness: 8/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Very natural-looking, I could probably wear these out to the streets and few would notice that I'm actually wearing lenses. Approved!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Thank you for reading and more reviews will follow!</span><br />
Thank you, <a href="https://colouredcontacts.com?a=shirosamurai">Coloured Contacts</a>! ♡</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> out<b>~</b></span></i><b><br /></b></div></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-67118789147345703892022-10-31T14:56:00.004+01:002022-11-02T20:01:29.108+01:00Kummacon 2022 – Luck in misfortune<div style="text-align: center;"> Hello nerds!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was away at my first convention for the year this past weekend and well, what started as simple plans to go as visitors to Kummacon with a group of friends ended up being a lot more chaotic than that. :D So I'm gonna tell you all about my Kummacon experience but first some base info about the con itself – Kummacon is a free entrance, small-ish convention held in Oulu that is dedicated to literature and popular culture. This year it was held in Tuira's school (Tuiran koulu) during 29-30.10.2022.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's go~</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0f0JDYUNxzIch4ReHrmQgBq4voihvBxExR_l1RgxEjrQHm4-0DD1yKbIQTndaf4R0dibzjS0kcr2-8Pt8d6JWy3kYgBfWnThCQfSJIs0vCn8KFxQ1WHIF4vfCwfZfdsZ_gSLrq3RUGtuXPfK6NtH4_eM-nSPZwgQGWOTIlazjcS_OUwqtTBPuCZ0m/s900/DSC_0567(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0f0JDYUNxzIch4ReHrmQgBq4voihvBxExR_l1RgxEjrQHm4-0DD1yKbIQTndaf4R0dibzjS0kcr2-8Pt8d6JWy3kYgBfWnThCQfSJIs0vCn8KFxQ1WHIF4vfCwfZfdsZ_gSLrq3RUGtuXPfK6NtH4_eM-nSPZwgQGWOTIlazjcS_OUwqtTBPuCZ0m/s320/DSC_0567(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kummacon main entrance (school's courtyard).<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So as I said I had originally planned to go with some friends and we had sleeping accommodations planned over at another friend's place, who had newly moved to Oulu to study. Everything was looking normal but less than a week before the con one of my friends ended up getting covid and had to cancel the trip. Well, I figured I could still go together with the Oulu friend (at this point it was also unsure if <a href="http://sallukkacos.blogspot.com/">Sallukka</a> and her bf would make it) so I kept my plans intact, after all I already had bus tickets that couldn't be refunded...</div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, like a couple days before departure I get the news that said friend in Oulu was down with a case of covid as well and I had to find another place to sleep. Aw shit, here we go again with me old fine luck. So yeah, I ask my aunt (who lives in Oulu) if she could take me over and initially she said yes, although she warned that she had some very slight symptoms of an approaching cold. I tried to stay hopeful although I had a bad feeling about it. Friday morning came, the day of departure, and she sends me a message saying that she's sick and can't take visitors. So there I was with no place to sleep and my bus leaving in 8 hours and I literally knew no one else in Oulu who could help. The panic was real. I was so desperate I figured I'd try the only thing I could think of in that very moment – contact Kummacon itself through their social media channels. Yes I was <i>that</i> desperate and had exhausted all my other options and no, I wasn't willing to sleep in the station or some other spurgu 101 thing like that. </div><div style="text-align: left;">So I reached out to Kummacon and by the time they saw my message and answered I had 45 minutes left before I would have to leave for the bus station at the latest. I was told I was welcome to sleep in their 'lattiamajoitus' as we say in Finnish (floor accommodation literally, or 'sovsal' as the Swedes say) if I could help with building the con on Friday, said sleeping accommodation was reserved for workers only. I of course agreed to this pseudo worker role, it saved my ass and my con trip. But then I had the horrible realization that I need to bring my own shit to sleep on! And I don't own a sleeping bag or even any kind of yoga mat or the like! And I had less than 15 minutes to come up with something, pack it and leave my humble abode. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaxvu9emWucqEFvdyW8blZ4YiLY9yDU5YlMYvKBvetSr0v2VSXFaQhdB6UdmaL0tFCMuYwGwMhO9EDMgLzhecKBksAnG4FYuVJ6rdyXpBwSMR143r7LtFf3MrGgrxswpKm3yPgjsbL9Gn6bSAf07Kk-wZMNlocRt8QnhXTJELXdUcp_9FgJlBQ6eo/s900/DSC_0566(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaxvu9emWucqEFvdyW8blZ4YiLY9yDU5YlMYvKBvetSr0v2VSXFaQhdB6UdmaL0tFCMuYwGwMhO9EDMgLzhecKBksAnG4FYuVJ6rdyXpBwSMR143r7LtFf3MrGgrxswpKm3yPgjsbL9Gn6bSAf07Kk-wZMNlocRt8QnhXTJELXdUcp_9FgJlBQ6eo/s320/DSC_0566(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was my panic solution: a tiny bean bag chair and two wool blankets.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The trip down to Oulu went somewhat okay, I got some motion sickness in the bus (and a shiny Halloween Pumpkaboo fled on <i>Pokemon Go</i> because the bus was moving too fast to catch it) but other than that it was bearable.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Once I arrived in Oulu the clock was 18:00 and I had no idea where to go. I looked up the school on Google Maps but it was very weird cuz it would change the name into something else starting with 'L' when you entered it, making me very unsure of if it was the right location. But Kummacon didn't answer my messages so I just had to trust Google to not be a jerk. I walked for roughly 30 minutes before I got to what Maps told me was the right place – it looked pretty dead. I walked around the building in the dark until I found a glass door type area where I could see people inside, people who clearly looked like con workers. I stood there for at least 10 minutes waiting for someone to notice me (door was locked) but even if someone did then everyone actively ignored me. This was quite anxiety-inducing and somewhat frustrating as I expected someone to at least have the courtesy to finger point me in the right direction as I'm not a local (evident by my big suitcase lol) and the school's layout was quite confusing to me. After a while I gave up and continued wandering around the building; I was quite exhausted by the time I found where you could slink in. I made sure to find one of the organizers and explain my situation and that I'm here now and I was told I could just drop my stuff somewhere and get to work.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I don't really remember much what I did on that Friday night once I arrived, I know I helped unpack stuff in the secondhand shop at least and that I moved some chairs around and texted on the doors to the Holmes and Poirot lecture rooms. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWj05Z4TQ6NLhcItwoyzkyu-TKPC_F64IwAfhssOdDlEMFm-pcBG1sOOMgqlNRfaIUws0T_2rZlGvBtNdwemYTxVl8qrcSR_WQDV5YGTXgj92EY3mHbC2Ceigakutv5n3bqce-UXSbuWvDs20QzeLu_hkYLE9xDIAM3NrDCefQ0L46Ux6AKS4WaHY/s900/DSC_0579(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWj05Z4TQ6NLhcItwoyzkyu-TKPC_F64IwAfhssOdDlEMFm-pcBG1sOOMgqlNRfaIUws0T_2rZlGvBtNdwemYTxVl8qrcSR_WQDV5YGTXgj92EY3mHbC2Ceigakutv5n3bqce-UXSbuWvDs20QzeLu_hkYLE9xDIAM3NrDCefQ0L46Ux6AKS4WaHY/s320/DSC_0579(2).png" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, this is my handwriting. :><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Oh and at the end of Friday I upgraded myself from a pseudo unofficial con worker to an official con worker, especially as I was informed that Kummacon had in fact had several cancellations due to people getting sick and that they were a bit understaffed. I figured why not as I have plenty previous con worker experience anyway and now that I was alone and had nowhere else to go (except the con building) that I might as well do my part and be useful <strike>while getting green room benefits heheh.</strike><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">I remember I had massive issues falling asleep on the Friday-Saturday night as my panic bedding solution was quite uncomfortable and made my lower back pains worse. I know I slept less than 4 hours that night and I constantly woke up because I was trying to find a position I could sleep in.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Saturday morning came and while I was still morning groggy I was tasked with going outside in the rain and putting up Kummacon posters nearby with painter's tape. Well at least that woke me up. xD </div><div style="text-align: left;">Back inside I had breakfast in the green room and then I was assigned to 'yleisvänkäri' duty (general con worker, so I did a lot of random stuff) and just patrolled the con area, emptying trash etc and just offering a helping hand wherever needed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrqLIMqdBpGMimTp15NN4uyc08a_QhR0eeMOftZUD2-oATtHl-YoXNtK7V5tWBLWx5czR4w73XP0f2bFWqbCXtP0iKQr7H0OzoUc4gKXSBcnrwiSXaamEkqU34vjmE3W2OKKj-LDLY1czGJm-XutxSIVQRGUktjoiPIj9Lc0oPl5hyyH0WVdm8nvb/s900/DSC_0575(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrqLIMqdBpGMimTp15NN4uyc08a_QhR0eeMOftZUD2-oATtHl-YoXNtK7V5tWBLWx5czR4w73XP0f2bFWqbCXtP0iKQr7H0OzoUc4gKXSBcnrwiSXaamEkqU34vjmE3W2OKKj-LDLY1czGJm-XutxSIVQRGUktjoiPIj9Lc0oPl5hyyH0WVdm8nvb/s320/DSC_0575(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kummacon info desk. Notice the reindeer plush.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSW3lseFnVGLktr7AdFYGVTdj8I6S3vUVKboL6goctf_jbrGbVtdUS-icuAFsiH3yQbmlPVl9PscxEO3wEjCbTViGOqeFkOaitzIX76D1gDoyRMjHmusV6xZnOZaTX5az4q1S4-9qp9LPB_07qFncyJ-Y_YElUaqD21-uvnsgTSB-W2kfx-PaigzHz/s900/DSC_0574(4).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSW3lseFnVGLktr7AdFYGVTdj8I6S3vUVKboL6goctf_jbrGbVtdUS-icuAFsiH3yQbmlPVl9PscxEO3wEjCbTViGOqeFkOaitzIX76D1gDoyRMjHmusV6xZnOZaTX5az4q1S4-9qp9LPB_07qFncyJ-Y_YElUaqD21-uvnsgTSB-W2kfx-PaigzHz/s320/DSC_0574(4).png" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kummacon mystery game. Solve the disappearance of their mascot.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This year Kummacon had a 'Noir' theme if you wondered about the mystery and detective approach, including the names of the lecture rooms mentioned earlier. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Near the entrance was this black paper roll on the wall that visitors could draw on, I love it when cons do this as it's such a simple thing to add but it creates a lot of engagement and personality over the course of the weekend and it's fun to go back to it over time and check what has been added. I forgot to draw Buttman on it though, I'm so sorry I've stained the very legacy I promised to upkeep. ;_;<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8eiIRPhce0kmWnJaI3CT6OiT_lZocrMZu-kBtqmGHgzY2akA5K3ntekvpVBTn4jIurQzZLw1LLor7mBqTFcnOn5aS4FKrCgbkdVaWUg5JMc9lXfOaPbdwHKutXit3jXYsd36x5g_QGn8swVyEyt-F8jLaHB4LovYwBMhtADjYsEvyTVu8BbnbHtQ/s900/DSC_0581(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8eiIRPhce0kmWnJaI3CT6OiT_lZocrMZu-kBtqmGHgzY2akA5K3ntekvpVBTn4jIurQzZLw1LLor7mBqTFcnOn5aS4FKrCgbkdVaWUg5JMc9lXfOaPbdwHKutXit3jXYsd36x5g_QGn8swVyEyt-F8jLaHB4LovYwBMhtADjYsEvyTVu8BbnbHtQ/s320/DSC_0581(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the sunbathing seal at the very corner. xD<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I've always liked Kummacon in general, it's a very low-threshold event for first-timers as there's never been an entrance fee to date and it has this comfy, tiny community feeling. It doesn't have all the 'oohs' and 'aahs' that bigger cons do in terms of content and spectacles but Kummacon has the classic con repertoire to keep you at least entertained through most of its duration: anime karaoke, board games room, Artist's Alley, merchandise and Asian sweets to buy, cosplay competition, panels, escape room etc. There wasn't a video games room (which usually is a staple at cons) but other than that I don't really felt like it was missing anything crucial. And I'm low maintentance.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAL19Y2-kn-Kt9IAVGurKblAgcGj_vNCLz4wp7A9H6rap-Ce0UOcxs4yrF_yuMAL_SiYOXHHxUDjMmF0B7kyJuI1qlWcstKmE6ubnZ0MnwMhiUZuzXO5EvYabrZ0iHKkSLswMeDOdLLLZFKeR9NRljlliadjEFfRHkUTDm4Jv9ktEHCUSIRU7p49jD/s900/DSC_0582(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAL19Y2-kn-Kt9IAVGurKblAgcGj_vNCLz4wp7A9H6rap-Ce0UOcxs4yrF_yuMAL_SiYOXHHxUDjMmF0B7kyJuI1qlWcstKmE6ubnZ0MnwMhiUZuzXO5EvYabrZ0iHKkSLswMeDOdLLLZFKeR9NRljlliadjEFfRHkUTDm4Jv9ktEHCUSIRU7p49jD/s320/DSC_0582(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the main area where sponsored shops were.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9aXthmI1kSmID4sIENDd316zaJvub2uiNcELja8rHxMR-WBcsLZY5Hp7pKKQsGcRkXWQ3ob9_B4S3ldCByZWV1GW7eAkZiKbZ4DnSdlL4UNfcGRB8YIFc_whAMbyZ5kgPm15jMcpaQr5w6Nq2S2bFa1SAcTrwRsdfpvZFGya0dNKgy-3rNEveUQ6/s900/DSC_0572(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9aXthmI1kSmID4sIENDd316zaJvub2uiNcELja8rHxMR-WBcsLZY5Hp7pKKQsGcRkXWQ3ob9_B4S3ldCByZWV1GW7eAkZiKbZ4DnSdlL4UNfcGRB8YIFc_whAMbyZ5kgPm15jMcpaQr5w6Nq2S2bFa1SAcTrwRsdfpvZFGya0dNKgy-3rNEveUQ6/s320/DSC_0572(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you wanted plushies <a href="https://www.urumi.fi/">Urumi</a> had you covered...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1usfsy5nlXH07B8Xiwou4hkYnHklknKe68PetTNkQwpjAAGw8Y7wRdiilDjv64w_bV3VUXJ_p90KDopZvMD-tWfwiEMdcTIsriaeqmcdWbv7iebCMW8iE0aj7z6i-L1nkE0Q_OsTytDiwEeLw1uAMAm1W85n5sm6YfbPVrv4yUCpSCNe5QELhoN1/s900/DSC_0578(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih1usfsy5nlXH07B8Xiwou4hkYnHklknKe68PetTNkQwpjAAGw8Y7wRdiilDjv64w_bV3VUXJ_p90KDopZvMD-tWfwiEMdcTIsriaeqmcdWbv7iebCMW8iE0aj7z6i-L1nkE0Q_OsTytDiwEeLw1uAMAm1W85n5sm6YfbPVrv4yUCpSCNe5QELhoN1/s320/DSC_0578(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... and if you wanted sweets there was <a href="https://www.mangacafe.fi/tuotevalikoima">Manga Cafe</a>.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98tWbGmgq__8T9tldVzaE1yz0pFvineF5_6p126yMiRjfy9N4eckEhtnO1DZjDwHtXLlZA80MbtYpK3yMOxX_BxAmA35emor3xlWiWCaezwXhWwZ3EmTRXEV7bkaz9JQOlOQSn0lNf05V417Bryo5gDL5iVxS9x4b1KnuFC1eOYVkZYp5w6JgyXec/s900/DSC_0571(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98tWbGmgq__8T9tldVzaE1yz0pFvineF5_6p126yMiRjfy9N4eckEhtnO1DZjDwHtXLlZA80MbtYpK3yMOxX_BxAmA35emor3xlWiWCaezwXhWwZ3EmTRXEV7bkaz9JQOlOQSn0lNf05V417Bryo5gDL5iVxS9x4b1KnuFC1eOYVkZYp5w6JgyXec/s320/DSC_0571(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sponsor area viewed from opposite direction. Notice <a href="https://pelimies.fi/">Pelimies</a> in the corner.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGx7Us0bG7OBbE8mdeJ35_cSqzk792u8a7nxuxMlGIz3jbltP-IrE7TpiNOS0qjhLh9kzIAe0KY_OhnkdFwR4nHDj58qRchFdjJ6LDvVVwX9vE_Pp_VE0YMPOX1ZM8AKDg950ClA_5uDDd57UTL3wLU5dliiH2xiL6OUHBYnGmRZn1N7BLtd8V760n/s900/DSC_0577(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGx7Us0bG7OBbE8mdeJ35_cSqzk792u8a7nxuxMlGIz3jbltP-IrE7TpiNOS0qjhLh9kzIAe0KY_OhnkdFwR4nHDj58qRchFdjJ6LDvVVwX9vE_Pp_VE0YMPOX1ZM8AKDg950ClA_5uDDd57UTL3wLU5dliiH2xiL6OUHBYnGmRZn1N7BLtd8V760n/s320/DSC_0577(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opposite side of sponsor area was for chillaxing.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78AIYGqqWKnNpv1tg8GWGfmJFVi4kCYpzCzyUTcJRP6wYLDbGTwmW7BFz8YVPeu0ux-21Bk5EoewP94_hlixxfCONxehTmr08qNg8eQIyZkQD-lCg5iSHa2w7Jmm9qmx5UsFxTOqzokl_6peweZTH3BBJ5AFsppiZJl5Uap24prUhJLhIRBMLYqji/s900/DSC_0584(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78AIYGqqWKnNpv1tg8GWGfmJFVi4kCYpzCzyUTcJRP6wYLDbGTwmW7BFz8YVPeu0ux-21Bk5EoewP94_hlixxfCONxehTmr08qNg8eQIyZkQD-lCg5iSHa2w7Jmm9qmx5UsFxTOqzokl_6peweZTH3BBJ5AFsppiZJl5Uap24prUhJLhIRBMLYqji/s320/DSC_0584(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist's Alley was located in the corridors and back area.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Tuira's school as a host building wasn't optimal but decent enough to function. The layout of the building is kinda awkward, even for a school. It's very narrow and feels like it's 75% corridors lol. So needless to say there were a lot of situations when certain passages would get really crammed because people would pile up there and block the hallways due to walking into the area from two different directions simultaneously etc – the Artist's Alley was particularly notorious for creating bottlenecks like this as half of the tables were placed along a narrow reverse U-shaped corridor while some were lucky enough to be put in the tiny open area (as seen on my photo above) at the end of the building. At some point the issue was somewhat lessened by putting up signs showing the walking direction, although I lowkey feel like this should have been predicted and prevented already before the con started by putting up big arrow floor signs or markers etc. The papers were very easy to miss, to be honest.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOHmbTlZKSdlXT82lLQUEgL2HclYKDHOSN1dw-2_50uoyz6PTPZTiXfrMl04VceHP4hVMxMXPDiL64Efp_p7wAGPYs6yV53rM0ADJ-JtaFPCFupawFwsgKKhTUrfzscDDQtWzxg63jUCIYBfhLFO9KR1hUfAi3TrA44cRcfywHVsAm9ZYvJCcqpbv/s900/DSC_0580(1).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOHmbTlZKSdlXT82lLQUEgL2HclYKDHOSN1dw-2_50uoyz6PTPZTiXfrMl04VceHP4hVMxMXPDiL64Efp_p7wAGPYs6yV53rM0ADJ-JtaFPCFupawFwsgKKhTUrfzscDDQtWzxg63jUCIYBfhLFO9KR1hUfAi3TrA44cRcfywHVsAm9ZYvJCcqpbv/s320/DSC_0580(1).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found someone sus.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There's one thing that really caught me by surprise though and that was the popularity of the second-hand shop, aka 'conikirppis'. For those not aware of how this works it's basically that con attendants can sign up prior to the event to leave items that they want to sell (price marked etc) and those will then be sold in the second-hand shop by some workers who have that as their responsibility. Unsold items will then be returned to the owners along with money gained. But yeah, what I was about to say was that already before it opened its doors on Saturday there was a clear line of people queueing in front of the door. And it kept getting bigger. And bigger. And bigger. And by the time it was time to open I saw that the line of people had grown so big that it ran across almost the whole length of the corridor, all the way to the Artist's Alley. It was crazy. People had to line up and patiently wait for their turn to have a chance of entering the second-hand due to it being located in a small classroom. I kept walking by the area many times due to being a worker and I noticed that the line was there and it felt like it didn't get any smaller for the longest time. There were even some con workers outside the door regulating the entrance to keep it from escalating into overcrowded chaos.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GPK9iSyATBWkLy0efhVM-12ZiHJKBRQACxhRmqvOCdp7gfOYFzBw72SCNMSyR7qzXIS93leGhbmdQ6tN-qwi75w5viuiJoNxLSK-gKSm1UUR22Hl7di6eeLLM0tKr7ZGBeQB7-6-D0B2VaLp29OLHuMKMCJlXfW-HOLw0PNBwbeae7WUNteQXHZK/s900/DSC_0583(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3GPK9iSyATBWkLy0efhVM-12ZiHJKBRQACxhRmqvOCdp7gfOYFzBw72SCNMSyR7qzXIS93leGhbmdQ6tN-qwi75w5viuiJoNxLSK-gKSm1UUR22Hl7di6eeLLM0tKr7ZGBeQB7-6-D0B2VaLp29OLHuMKMCJlXfW-HOLw0PNBwbeae7WUNteQXHZK/s320/DSC_0583(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found this funny. xD In the second-hand shop.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I realized I forgot to take photos of the merchandise hall as it was located in another interconnected building (you had to go outside and enter another building directly to the right and then left, if exiting from the school's courtyard) but yeah, this was where you could find the non-sponsor shops and booths. Some other conventions like Matsucon and Kazecon also had their information stalls here along with some book publishers and the local LGBTQ+ organizations. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh and yeah, to fit with the mystery theme one could find these funny little "missing person" posters scattered around the con. These gave me a chuckle or two, there were more of them and I'm not sure I even spotted them all as I didn't venture into all the available classrooms to check.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69uo5kBsxIvOF0S7HWlizL0ihunq-IOIbztWYVzPZYlepbszZktBeXUZmMZFoXWPqvOW36PhljxkyRR-7Gf1fvvffRbYvbKBnDh7_L0b4ex7myi5j9HI5GVMBt5tN2mYojD5K3N3uVuSycKM6524H2GzPU-AU-qg0SRtW9f_Til7W4f2mwAr0jQdK/s900/DSC_0570(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg69uo5kBsxIvOF0S7HWlizL0ihunq-IOIbztWYVzPZYlepbszZktBeXUZmMZFoXWPqvOW36PhljxkyRR-7Gf1fvvffRbYvbKBnDh7_L0b4ex7myi5j9HI5GVMBt5tN2mYojD5K3N3uVuSycKM6524H2GzPU-AU-qg0SRtW9f_Til7W4f2mwAr0jQdK/s320/DSC_0570(1).png" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOm_e-6S6qRtZ07nVuOOSVE0gLNn6o4B72qpmJXEEfOJEoqVpAsWgV6Z3ZqExzR96SaC5FmBfB5hs_CdLmOasDhs9lRtUWJaBAUP5I1kav3_zwsDb4m0JIod8bzXwr2kijozaU90Aw0-UBpN9bjzHflbVV2ugrTxoyq_L3nHeDMNVuNoxgv7vmOYr/s900/DSC_0573(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOm_e-6S6qRtZ07nVuOOSVE0gLNn6o4B72qpmJXEEfOJEoqVpAsWgV6Z3ZqExzR96SaC5FmBfB5hs_CdLmOasDhs9lRtUWJaBAUP5I1kav3_zwsDb4m0JIod8bzXwr2kijozaU90Aw0-UBpN9bjzHflbVV2ugrTxoyq_L3nHeDMNVuNoxgv7vmOYr/s320/DSC_0573(2).png" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoe3RqRHuZwKWj9waecokQY8XsQkI68CDFTc5gqa8kHxIQMJAwf2w1SySyLLh2cCwsAUQrZZuSkU5ZCIu_OD4kqXlFyLgAwr85DbyGL1JKmGh7ndrP5ZPnCellekgWniH4ArEHnDm9WKamQ_uEqB9g1MYQ02FYDbbFM_-4u0v8By4r5dTGTx3hu_p/s900/DSC_0576(3).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJoe3RqRHuZwKWj9waecokQY8XsQkI68CDFTc5gqa8kHxIQMJAwf2w1SySyLLh2cCwsAUQrZZuSkU5ZCIu_OD4kqXlFyLgAwr85DbyGL1JKmGh7ndrP5ZPnCellekgWniH4ArEHnDm9WKamQ_uEqB9g1MYQ02FYDbbFM_-4u0v8By4r5dTGTx3hu_p/s320/DSC_0576(3).png" width="212" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I gotta say I'm happy things turned out the way they did in the end. Sure that the panic mode before departure was absolutely horrible, in every imaginable way, but I had some serious luck in misfortune and I ended up being a valuable asset for the Kummacon crew too – so it worked both ways!</div><div style="text-align: left;">And I gotta admit that I had a lot of fun and that the co-workers were all really pleasant and fun personalities to deal with although I'm in awkward potato mode quite often lulz. </div><div style="text-align: left;">The Green Room had some really wild discussions going on at times, like I remember walking into some deep talk about condom-flavored ramune that escalated into playful lobbying for a 18+ version of Kummacon that should naturally be called Kuumacon (literally Hotcon). I had to excuse myself at that moment and leave the room before I died. It was hilarious.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgD9oINx6YfBtK1DEZkexjysVMaZA5dqtCPmrB57TTLy1E-Y40RbI3eSnGo5wtRrInyOD5jm9Jq_tRJWClnZlX1frDPAcuAEKUxMOcI0pf7KbkbbKNOPDeFJ5bCJJrQSJhmY0v-ZxUNQYkU8l9vRrYTUsOPByqnYe_wWEfmt77wD6-1Ld2vaxDPRG6/s900/DSC_0569(4).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgD9oINx6YfBtK1DEZkexjysVMaZA5dqtCPmrB57TTLy1E-Y40RbI3eSnGo5wtRrInyOD5jm9Jq_tRJWClnZlX1frDPAcuAEKUxMOcI0pf7KbkbbKNOPDeFJ5bCJJrQSJhmY0v-ZxUNQYkU8l9vRrYTUsOPByqnYe_wWEfmt77wD6-1Ld2vaxDPRG6/s320/DSC_0569(4).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The secrets that lie inside the Green Room...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Oh and I gotta say that I slept the Saturday-Sunday night so much better and guess why? I got to upgrade my bedding! There was this other con worker who also slept in-location and after I happened to spill the beans about my uncomfortable last night's sleeping ventures I was told that I could borrow the megasized bean bag chairs that had been in use for visitors to sit on during the day. Well, needless to say I went to the chill corridor and grabbed one and dragged it into my lair!<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTefhu7bvXY06L0FLCIJx1CGXLVGy4jK_8zgdTSBBYNDArKkLoD8IuFVuyknDFVFhxbLS1SPJFQCZCZXgcSLnpcjM09xzEbWOCspc43iO1W4g6cZLUjgIn-MRqYRSCbUqYAYdDxZxtgiSn9XV9I209rzse2hNW2RTKn1qDVfc9NAFZBnhkogw19Gm/s900/DSC_0585(2).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTefhu7bvXY06L0FLCIJx1CGXLVGy4jK_8zgdTSBBYNDArKkLoD8IuFVuyknDFVFhxbLS1SPJFQCZCZXgcSLnpcjM09xzEbWOCspc43iO1W4g6cZLUjgIn-MRqYRSCbUqYAYdDxZxtgiSn9XV9I209rzse2hNW2RTKn1qDVfc9NAFZBnhkogw19Gm/s320/DSC_0585(2).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panic bedding 2.0<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />It's not that visible on the photo but the blue one is easily twice the size of my emaciated black one and had so much more stuffing. Obviously I slept like a rejuvenated king considering the original situation, almost. :D</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I couldn't stay the full day on Sunday. As I had prebooked my bus tickets already before I had any idea that my original plans would fail it of course meant that I was limited by those times. So on Sunday I left the con building around the 15:00 mark after doing some last minute Artist's Alley gift shopping for friends and relatives. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YFai2hZ5n2BWgLSvGlCon1JUiswj1XMeA2f8tOwGnAyiPqDq6B5ZaNlP62ncUPBJZVocCGzHBVw9unI0zUu0BBkxaHMTusG9R7I-oRGxGjfwdYanp-vVh4OPexhiuu_embVWscTyOlOm15ZOmgoRyOU6QfhMzfVV3NEd4bWwcsg9ua24sk-TuZLo/s900/DSC_0587(3).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4YFai2hZ5n2BWgLSvGlCon1JUiswj1XMeA2f8tOwGnAyiPqDq6B5ZaNlP62ncUPBJZVocCGzHBVw9unI0zUu0BBkxaHMTusG9R7I-oRGxGjfwdYanp-vVh4OPexhiuu_embVWscTyOlOm15ZOmgoRyOU6QfhMzfVV3NEd4bWwcsg9ua24sk-TuZLo/s320/DSC_0587(3).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My treasure haul for myself. The shirt was a worker bonus.<br />(gifts for others not pictured)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">All in all I had a great time at the con and left with a warm and fuzzy feeling in the chest. I will definitely keep on attending Kummacon as it feels like a safe place to be, it's relaxing, moves at its own pace and the people behind it work hard to keep it free and inviting for everyone. It's not perfect but you can tell that the organizers do it with their hearts; it's a passion project that has endured over the years and for that it deserves a round of applause. I would definitely be interested to go as a worker in the future too.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
That's it for this time, thanks for reading!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>~ <a href="http://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> out.</i></div></div></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4663018398766325580.post-68150457279366661022022-10-07T15:15:00.001+02:002022-10-07T15:15:34.580+02:00Lens review: Kazzue Twilight Yellow<div style="text-align: center;"> Hello beans!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm doing another circle lens today for y'all and, although I'm not sure if this lens brand is really Kazzue under a different label (rebranding is a common practice with circle lenses) or not, but aaaaanyways the design is exactly the same so let's roll with that for now. <strike>I mean, the website on the label doesn't even lead to anything relevant.</strike> So today's review is essentially <span style="color: #ffe100;"><b>Kazzue Twilight Yellow</b></span>, let's-a go!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dXfOw2WDvcXcESVrsuGlDvYUGXOe__2vQwgB5bxEhobQRrCfdWrRx9rI5zEfJ2EE1n2QhC0Qr1y3bqOG08H2vIoRc7gwnqQf-esdKPQa2TpAl0iU3-t5D26AMo0i8sMH79vvRJYfVVNVgEcL_2J3SFqCL60jdt9fGQyI65B4NA5aZClSuMqJuVSi/s900/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(vials).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dXfOw2WDvcXcESVrsuGlDvYUGXOe__2vQwgB5bxEhobQRrCfdWrRx9rI5zEfJ2EE1n2QhC0Qr1y3bqOG08H2vIoRc7gwnqQf-esdKPQa2TpAl0iU3-t5D26AMo0i8sMH79vvRJYfVVNVgEcL_2J3SFqCL60jdt9fGQyI65B4NA5aZClSuMqJuVSi/s320/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(vials).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBm2fdpEKwCwqY062kdL-WbWFQGG_G6tF7GQZTfQqb6Ak8oG61kuzGOkLbf12YPdfcuyo4tbkoI3rFMaHvUpaBdkxJkZY_0Z6YGkNF_Qptqke7yaw96a1bKAv-5ms22QnD2e0srVYe_ecQmVY40DZfH4J-3oWVGqOUrg29IAWHjvLk1Ax7U-k30Bf/s900/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(vials%20down).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="596" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIBm2fdpEKwCwqY062kdL-WbWFQGG_G6tF7GQZTfQqb6Ak8oG61kuzGOkLbf12YPdfcuyo4tbkoI3rFMaHvUpaBdkxJkZY_0Z6YGkNF_Qptqke7yaw96a1bKAv-5ms22QnD2e0srVYe_ecQmVY40DZfH4J-3oWVGqOUrg29IAWHjvLk1Ax7U-k30Bf/s320/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(vials%20down).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Base curve: 8.6 mm</b><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Diameter: 15 mm</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Water content: 55% </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Life span: 1 year (I recommend 6 months)</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4P88rNB5Y-UBG9livKAmzsmRxPBb1fOj0jurBXDEnTrb4UcLWBByUOvpO_5pdre3_MemXTe8J2ON45rfndKB749qGsFvgZOp83f1y70F0_G24Vd0lmGpuGnkmKXve-LKmW4DWToN21Clri-JObW_QOauJ_rHo3Fp0rzuyHnaTSWNXl791AUo59PV5/s900/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(vials%20up).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="900" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4P88rNB5Y-UBG9livKAmzsmRxPBb1fOj0jurBXDEnTrb4UcLWBByUOvpO_5pdre3_MemXTe8J2ON45rfndKB749qGsFvgZOp83f1y70F0_G24Vd0lmGpuGnkmKXve-LKmW4DWToN21Clri-JObW_QOauJ_rHo3Fp0rzuyHnaTSWNXl791AUo59PV5/s320/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(vials%20up).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;">I honestly can't even remember where I purchased these as it was a long time ago, but I know it was either <a href="http://lensvillage.com/">LensVillage</a> or <a href="http://honeycolor.com">HoneyColor</a>. I'm pretty sure I originally bought these just out of curiosity how
they'd look, although I was worried that the black center rim would look
awful on light eyes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">This style of design has been around for a bit and due to its intense color (it's crazy lens levels of pigmentation!) and cartoony style it's been quite popular with cosplayers. At its core it's a really simple design though; there's a solid single color base with thick black rims on both the inner and outer edges along with some evenly spaced darts reaching towards the middle. It's not the most artistic but it works for creating a rather intense effect.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_5lvyOFHbKTbHZEdYNgn-rUjSHA2NJjiWYgDMY2mQws1fxSziGwzb4vFi_YIDVVJ5jTRu_eUZphihEuiVjBdkYiLeHh7_8NMqkViHlkZx5Gy-fNJmY6RHbwJ-wX4UA1e2wcxRr2Khi1756p9xPkBA7YT5mhRPWTu0bRnUjFrP_uBCbd-ev5OnwZc/s900/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(one%20lens%20in).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="900" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_5lvyOFHbKTbHZEdYNgn-rUjSHA2NJjiWYgDMY2mQws1fxSziGwzb4vFi_YIDVVJ5jTRu_eUZphihEuiVjBdkYiLeHh7_8NMqkViHlkZx5Gy-fNJmY6RHbwJ-wX4UA1e2wcxRr2Khi1756p9xPkBA7YT5mhRPWTu0bRnUjFrP_uBCbd-ev5OnwZc/s320/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(one%20lens%20in).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One lens in.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">There's some fairly big enlargement going on and, as anyone would have guessed, the yellow color is very bright and unmistakable! It's very much opaque and completely blocks out my real eye color, which is a light grayish blue. These definitely fall more into costuming territory than being something you'd casually wear out to town (unless heading for a wild party) or something... I mean, uhh, some poor old believer might think that you're a spawn of Satan and prompt to hit you with a certain holy book or something.<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Lens photos incoming!</b><br /><b>All photos taken by <a href="http://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">me</a>
during an afternoon with a partly cloudy sky.</b><br /><b>There's no color
filters or such on the close-up photos and that's so that the colors
would be as true to real life as possible.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuenvXhNDt1FPuv6xCQE4tADUxqlWqSy5XzEBH6zkXk3WYWhDG79m6uKNhSdxsfzowUm0lwU33062A_9PD72jELmht2lr1X27dzpmK7luUaxm-9xG-GSdzydpmILoj3HzIJcrXlkd8Sl5KZgWLY_19SOXRpruG0jDRHsFhQdK1M24Sokn5jQqld1e8/s900/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(natural%20roomlight).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="900" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuenvXhNDt1FPuv6xCQE4tADUxqlWqSy5XzEBH6zkXk3WYWhDG79m6uKNhSdxsfzowUm0lwU33062A_9PD72jELmht2lr1X27dzpmK7luUaxm-9xG-GSdzydpmILoj3HzIJcrXlkd8Sl5KZgWLY_19SOXRpruG0jDRHsFhQdK1M24Sokn5jQqld1e8/s320/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(natural%20roomlight).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural room light, indoors.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcfuzuEehKehz1C4T86yawghQAWKRkaef1nq2FSDkpiYjLIB6gIqOfGBKKeZ9n7tAnOAYCC8phummWqn2NGhbvdUrmbQHBeTq51gv0SAcOnoMszWE-atuQC-rplWgLSeyAEWBDC_V9Hue4U7qpYfTrbLusnBHR3S87FwzJEn2ddCBRiGyVq9ftddE/s900/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(bathroom%20light).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="221" data-original-width="900" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcfuzuEehKehz1C4T86yawghQAWKRkaef1nq2FSDkpiYjLIB6gIqOfGBKKeZ9n7tAnOAYCC8phummWqn2NGhbvdUrmbQHBeTq51gv0SAcOnoMszWE-atuQC-rplWgLSeyAEWBDC_V9Hue4U7qpYfTrbLusnBHR3S87FwzJEn2ddCBRiGyVq9ftddE/s320/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(bathroom%20light).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bathroom light.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWp2SIf-6yKvEVLKRHvofb73rAq76Fdotv85KlOiaWbNCjQZvWnSoFm2jcy_9kjXvv6ni9_uqxuFvmcarGWfwHMKW3O0P-i14iVlP2TF9qHoAhWX6x1dOG5VlNG0yFzBfYcu-TaGfspbuNdTLqntydP7Cna_rLZL6Vqmous0JoDcbR48acEL7WvBD/s900/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(flash%20photo).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="212" data-original-width="900" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWp2SIf-6yKvEVLKRHvofb73rAq76Fdotv85KlOiaWbNCjQZvWnSoFm2jcy_9kjXvv6ni9_uqxuFvmcarGWfwHMKW3O0P-i14iVlP2TF9qHoAhWX6x1dOG5VlNG0yFzBfYcu-TaGfspbuNdTLqntydP7Cna_rLZL6Vqmous0JoDcbR48acEL7WvBD/s320/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(flash%20photo).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flash photo.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQZBrcIqC_8UC2kt9nYTmOCyZMUMeWpX6q-JjBNmm0Q5kq6ILA_pN78t9eqOH78GR0aQ4qUNrFo5-OTS45tbVUMtlIfeQ6zT3qhoPJbvZBC_gWpONc0FotuClxfPDnbxL8FaJjuk5ChUOLMoad7iCTymg1MzS6E7oA97K6Qmz5GifJeRxT9S8KRhH/s900/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(unlit%20corridor).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="222" data-original-width="900" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQZBrcIqC_8UC2kt9nYTmOCyZMUMeWpX6q-JjBNmm0Q5kq6ILA_pN78t9eqOH78GR0aQ4qUNrFo5-OTS45tbVUMtlIfeQ6zT3qhoPJbvZBC_gWpONc0FotuClxfPDnbxL8FaJjuk5ChUOLMoad7iCTymg1MzS6E7oA97K6Qmz5GifJeRxT9S8KRhH/s320/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(unlit%20corridor).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unlit corridor, weak natural light in the distance.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa8FII323AI7pYIlOx6EEQQlx5DL31WsnsN84VY2r-yJ4QPNdqEvug5MBhtgdCctqM6-HuknpusWguo25A_IWQo2SApGWYBtxXGqeIo5vQrn5W8Qj5vNH5G7a-n83O_gUjCGjpEmX398_6KsZxhfV15DmS8eBBlGykcnQ0ijwtr_Sm8EBx4SgsfXI/s900/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(facing%20window).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="900" height="82" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBa8FII323AI7pYIlOx6EEQQlx5DL31WsnsN84VY2r-yJ4QPNdqEvug5MBhtgdCctqM6-HuknpusWguo25A_IWQo2SApGWYBtxXGqeIo5vQrn5W8Qj5vNH5G7a-n83O_gUjCGjpEmX398_6KsZxhfV15DmS8eBBlGykcnQ0ijwtr_Sm8EBx4SgsfXI/s320/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(facing%20window).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Facing a window indoors, not sun side. (backyard view)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUk_TbyX7_cAC_DdprhuQ1KZfWukcBXR0zx_iCYtPdKYgzyv9a32N577yY0ZUjP03c7UWIYyrZTnwmxE9BRhivuAFBGKgi0bdKZ4RyJjw4PWkH1HPj6hX0b6RTypSKmI7DfGg4PoSDpKyyxKajFA-BD6qqpPsZGo9c20YI4Bsvtw6MxoQXQ3ijAbr6/s900/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(back%20against%20sun).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="900" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUk_TbyX7_cAC_DdprhuQ1KZfWukcBXR0zx_iCYtPdKYgzyv9a32N577yY0ZUjP03c7UWIYyrZTnwmxE9BRhivuAFBGKgi0bdKZ4RyJjw4PWkH1HPj6hX0b6RTypSKmI7DfGg4PoSDpKyyxKajFA-BD6qqpPsZGo9c20YI4Bsvtw6MxoQXQ3ijAbr6/s320/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(back%20against%20sun).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, back against the sun. (facing wall)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZnG6lr7rjy6GiEge6Rkkdx2Rukg5ws9QOdWmcAbyPO1-hI6IswCt0I2ZB2ujeUYQrSCet6yZlWu2hC2xZGqZXqCKBSVrQLB-i_sjLh_L8EjWW5o7cUlvx_P4_6Kfpdc6FLIPUszo8ViDxCI7_YlGqKZhnWTWlK014UfE60TbokqL2i3knB79G_4Q/s900/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(indirect%20sunlight).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="900" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZnG6lr7rjy6GiEge6Rkkdx2Rukg5ws9QOdWmcAbyPO1-hI6IswCt0I2ZB2ujeUYQrSCet6yZlWu2hC2xZGqZXqCKBSVrQLB-i_sjLh_L8EjWW5o7cUlvx_P4_6Kfpdc6FLIPUszo8ViDxCI7_YlGqKZhnWTWlK014UfE60TbokqL2i3knB79G_4Q/s320/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(indirect%20sunlight).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, facing the sun while standing under the roof's shadow.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVctotDIXIzCzdaggtqJgn8GxSRX0GDA1-c7OML8ZEI4aUbIq-fK1w9VX5D3nlr-IUjcDuXK3aBmrL8_6BoXCcLQECn6kyAOF3SQeO904ZKZZ4o3KifKkM4iesLvRz8EaJb9Nu6f7zsJApo9ioZajcDRFl2_5OpsRSRghGGPkuXyJ_fM4phngFViNR/s900/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(facing%20sun).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="900" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVctotDIXIzCzdaggtqJgn8GxSRX0GDA1-c7OML8ZEI4aUbIq-fK1w9VX5D3nlr-IUjcDuXK3aBmrL8_6BoXCcLQECn6kyAOF3SQeO904ZKZZ4o3KifKkM4iesLvRz8EaJb9Nu6f7zsJApo9ioZajcDRFl2_5OpsRSRghGGPkuXyJ_fM4phngFViNR/s320/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(facing%20sun).png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outdoors, facing the sun.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Comfort is not something I can say a lot about this time either. If you've been reading my blog for some time you know what's up but if you are new I'll just say that I had forgotten about a big box of unopened lenses for literal years and, when I found them, they had expired. So I've just been going through those pairs and making reviews </span><span class="st"><span class="st">–</span></span><span style="font-size: small;"> in hopes it helps someone out there. This also means that I don't wear the lenses for longer than absolutely necessary to get the photos taken and that translates to me not being able to give a correct estimate on comfort.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">What I can say though, based on my very limited time wearing these lenses, is that they appeared to be thin and essentially invisible to wear, as in I didn't feel that I had lenses on. They seemed generally comfortable. There might have been a tinge of a dryish feel but that could just as well be my eyes having a dry eyes because yes, my eyes are naturally pretty damn dry (I periodically spam eyedrops lul).</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">But anyways, that's mostly it for this quick review. Should you be in the need for bright yellow lenses then I would wholly recommend checking these out (especially as it's one of the few yellow lenses and probably one of the more readily available styles). They aren't natural for shit and might look a litttle weird up close on light eyes (due to the inner circle being pure black, it's a bit jarring) but from a distance they look pretty dang sweet! So yeah, this is a viable cosplay lens for photoshoots and especially if you want your super yellow lenses to show up on more than just portrait style pictures. It's definitely not a bad option in any regard but yeah, just don't give the neighboring grandma a stroke if you decide to don them casual around the garden... :D<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Distance photo!<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVMoc1g9SjmgKgsq61ACdxo7uY796AorjCB5PPB_F8LTr7oK3eDOfpsKmXRYAy13iG8lT3RlldRoS3WGw0R8r4TBAL10oiseAavFQSegZ6CYwhkWcfyZHEer5ns6-RPGco73-yyxxKSRdA3L0xaN3nWyvuYUB36zKboGhbSR2mTSBkU1pDlOYhVId/s800/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(distance).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="529" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVMoc1g9SjmgKgsq61ACdxo7uY796AorjCB5PPB_F8LTr7oK3eDOfpsKmXRYAy13iG8lT3RlldRoS3WGw0R8r4TBAL10oiseAavFQSegZ6CYwhkWcfyZHEer5ns6-RPGco73-yyxxKSRdA3L0xaN3nWyvuYUB36zKboGhbSR2mTSBkU1pDlOYhVId/s320/Kazzue%20Twilight%20Yellow%20(distance).png" width="212" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><u><b>Short summary:</b></u></i>
<br />
<br />
<b>Color: 10/10</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">A super yellow lens, very bright and true color. Great for Halloween, cosplay etc.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Design: 7/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">A big, solid color lens with some bold edges and cartoony darts. It's very costume-y in nature.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Opacity: 10/10</b></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Damn son, these deliver. It's not even marketed as a crazy lens but the pigmentation is on the same league.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Enlargement: 8/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">They come across as pretty large, especially due to the very prominent black outer rim.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Comfort: 7/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">Appears comfortable, thin and I don't feel them on at all. Didn't really experience any colored corners either.<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Naturalness: 0/10</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">*insert trolololo rhythm here* Nononono no nononooo nono noo~~<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Thank<span style="font-size: small;">s</span> for <span style="font-size: small;">viewing</span>, more content coming later!<br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://valkoinensamurai.blogspot.com/">Shiro Samurai</a> out. </span></i></div></div><b></b></div></div></div>Shiro Samuraihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12979659522794921499noreply@blogger.com0