ne0ven0m's Geeky Side

TLC's Geek Love

2011-12-26T12:20:00.002-05:00

Belated Happy Holidays! I will do better about updating this blog in 2012. I'll be working on a YouTube Guide to Dragon*Con soon in hopes of reaching more people and/or gaining internet "fame" LOL. For now, I wanted to share something from my personal blog, about a pilot I saw on TLC called Geek Love.

I saw a show last night that made me happy. TLC aired 2 episodes of Geek Love to test the waters, and assuming the right demographic watched it, I think it’ll do well. Basically, it starts with speed dating at NYCC and follows a few select folks on their experience with that and possible subsequent dates. Most shows tend to poke fun at this subculture, but I was glad to see it fairly portrayed. It’s just nice to be able to root for these people when I can relate to some of the things they talk about. I too remember having to kind of feel out dates in terms of how much they can handle. But eventually, you just gotta let your geek flag fly and hope to be embraced for it. I had a smile on my face when I saw some of them make genuine connections with one another. Of course there was also a fair share of cringing at the social train wrecks. I’m curious as to how a full season would continue beyond a large convention where it’s easy to find common ground.

I hope you all can check it out the next time it airs or steams online. If you want to support the show, contact TLC or visit Sci Fi Speed Dating’s Facebook page.

Lessons Learned from Dragon*Con 2011

2011-09-16T11:14:00.001-04:00

As usual, I had a blast! I want to first address 2 big changes that were definitely for the better.

1. Barcode Registration - Major win for the attendees. I heard reports from friends that it took a total of 10 minutes to get their badge. Most of that time was spent just walking through the snaking line that was basically empty. Granted, the system isn't perfect yet. There were a few times when the computer crashed. I was a victim to one crash and still waited 2.5 hours, but I could tell the line was always moving once they got things booted up again.

2. Increased Security - Starting at 7pm, hotel staff and private security started checking for badges and hotel keys at all entrance points. I thought this really helped with the atmosphere and keeping the crowds from getting out of control. There were far fewer reports of negative incidents from the D*C community. Going forward, anyone thinking of attending should expect to buy a badge if they want to be around at night.

Moving on, there are always new things I learn and here are some tidbits that could help others:

- Aleve: why didn't I use it sooner?! Take one in the morning, one in the middle of your day. It'll really cut down on aches and pains.

- Muscle Rub/Icy Hot/Bengay: rub some on your sore parts before bed and you'll feel better the next morning. As a bonus, you can soak in a hot bath tub too.

- Gold Bond powder: as someone who endures Georgia summers, this stuff always helps you be less sticky and damp in certain regions. But it is especially helpful with costumes involving layers or spandex.

- Showers: my new rule is going to be 2 a day. Everyone should get 1, but if you're in costumes and sweating for a few hours, it's a nice refresher to get clean again.

- Sleep: I swear by sufficient rest as the best means to keep away the con crud. That's 4 years in a row that I haven't come back with any sickness. Granted, I was still physically exhausted from the weekend.

- Badge Security: I did hear a slight increase in the number of stolen badges. An inexpensive way to keep it attached to you is to use a safety pin in addition to the clip.

- Hotel Booking: Hilton, Sheraton, and Westin already opened blocks for next year with Hyatt and Marriott coming in October. Keep in mind these are blocks, and more will be released as the year goes on, but it never hurts to secure something early.

- Next Year's Badge: I once again skipped the long lines Monday morning to buy 2012's badge, but I was surprised to find it offered online a few days later for $60. That's half price of the at the door full badge! It'll go up in $10 increments starting tonight, but know you can always transfer it to someone else and still get your money back.

- Packing Lighter: it's not easy to drag 2 rolling suitcases, a duffle bag, armor, a sword, and a staff for a 30 minute commute on MARTA. Likewise, trying to unload luggage from your car in front of the hotel can mean very long wait times with already congested city traffic. Getting back is a chore too. I just shelled out money for a taxi on the return trip (it's roughly $40 for 2 people to go from host hotels to Dunwoody MARTA station). Next year, I'm hoping to keep the packing logistics in mind when I'm planning my costumes.

How I Prep at 3 Weeks Out

2011-08-10T16:02:00.001-04:00

When it's less than a month away, I think it's best to countdown to the con every Wednesday. After all, come Thursday morning, I'm not going to be able to focus on doing anything else. So, from today, it's exactly 3 weeks away and I've started some prep work to ensure I can have yet another wonderful experience at D*C '11. I think everyone should do the first three. The others are for my own personal vanity :D

1. Sleep on a schedule that will be similar to what you'll do over the D*C weekend. For me, that means sleeping around 1am and waking up by 8am at the latest. I want to maximize my time at con, not losing any of it to oversleeping, being drowsy during the day, or partying too hard.

2. Start a walking routine. Go at a pretty fast pace, but something you can maintain for about 20-30 mins. You're going to walk at least a few miles at con, so start getting your joints and muscles ready for it. And for my fellow back pain sufferers, incorporate a few minutes of planks and superman stretches. Hold each for about 30-60 seconds and repeat 3-5 times.

3. Start your supplies shopping. This can range from anything you may need to mend costumes, to basic OTC meds, to snacks you'll be bringing. Be sure to think about how you'll pack and transport your belongings too. Those flying in should consider mailing a package to your hotel. They'll usually hold items until your arrival for a small fee, and some of them mail it back out for you too (since delivery services are closed on Labor Day).

4. I normally wear glasses, but I'll use contacts for that weekend. It's best to gradually increase how many hours you wear them. I'll wear mine every other day, and keep a bottle of eye drops on hand regardless. Even the most comfortable pair will get dry after half a day of costume watching, so the paranoid parrot in me brings an extra pair to start a fresh rotation when this happens.

5. Whitening teeth. I've used the basic strips from Crest and they've had great results. Then again, I don't smoke or drink lots of coffee. Now I'll warn you that your teeth will get sensitive after a few days, so you may have to cut it down to one treatment a day instead of the recommended two a day. Of course, extra dental care is good too. At least brush twice a day, floss, and use mouthwash. You'll be able to smile pretty for a photo op with your favorite guest! Lookin' at you, Autumn Reeser <3 !

6. Haircut and highlights. I think my hair looks best about 2-3 weeks after being cut, so I'm planning a trip to my stylist accordingly. Having brown highlights also works for one of my planned costumes, not to mention I loved the results last year.

40 Days Update!

2011-07-25T00:14:00.003-04:00

Well, we're under the 40 days mark now, and news keeps coming out each week. Here are some important updates:

1. The official Progress Report is out. If you pre-registered you'll receive it in the mail soon if you haven't already. However there is a PDF version available online.

2. There is a wonderful countdown series from The Unique Geek, updating with photos, articles, or podcasts all relating to Dragon*Con. I highly recommend some of the podcasts with track directors to get some valuable info. In fact, listening to the first one with the Senior Director of Programming definitely shed some light on things like how they bring in guests and some special events planned for this year in celebration of the 25th anniversary.

3. The Daily Dragon, a website dedicated to posting updates and schedule changes, is naturally more active these days. There are also more frequent installments of the Dragon*Con Newsletter. Check on them every now and then.

4. Both professional photographers have started posting pre-sales: Froggy's and Craig Damon.

5. I've said this before, but they're really pushing the fact that you need your barcode/ID to make the badge pick up process quick as possible. Even if you want to buy on site, you still need a code, and the main page has everything you'll need to know for it. As for transfers, August 3 is the last day to do it! I've also heard rumors that the parade may be capped, so no on site sign up. And security will be more vigilant about checking for badges to keep things from getting too crowded at night. Finally, I updated my previous post with a link to an updated list of this year's tentative track schedules as they're released.

Bonus tip, start prepping your body so you can minimize the chances of getting the "con crud." Start by sleeping regularly and making sure you get whatever hours you need to feel rested. Next, adopt a walking routine so your feet can be ready for the pounding and miles they'll look over the weekend. Also throw in some core work like planks and good mornings to strengthen your lower back and abdominals.

What is a Fan Track?

2011-07-12T13:36:00.004-04:00

Updates:

Some updates first. In prepping for the barcode system for registration, the convention staff is asking you bring 2 key items with you:

1. Registration post card with your unique barcode on it.
2. Photo ID.

Lacking either one of these items could make for a longer wait for you, as well as your potentially grumpy fellow con goers.

In addition, they have cut off the date transfers at the 30 day prior to con mark. After August 3rd you will no longer be able to transfer your badge to someone else. So keep that in mind during the next few weeks!

Fan Tracks:

Now for my main reason for this post: fan tracks. Dragon*Con is considered the largest multi-genre media/pop culture convention in the world because it caters to so many different crowds. It's not just for anime, costuming, or sci-fi; it's all those things wrapped up into one big party that runs continuously for 5 days. Most conventions, especially the smaller ones, have a few key events like a costume contest, movie screening, or banquet. Dragon*Con has over 30 official programming events running simultaneously at any given time! And this doesn't even include the ongoing events like dealer rooms, autograph signings, or merely people watching in public areas.

The best analogy I can think of to describe fan tracks is college majors. Each track is like a major, with its own subset of events that are based around a central theme. Let's pretend you're attending Dragon*Con University, the best institution for anyone who geeks out over something they love. And let's say you're mostly there because you're a Star Wars fan. You check out the Star Wars fan track website and see that there's a ton of events running from 10:00am Friday until 2:30pm Monday, JOY!! No doubt you'll start your weekend off with a Q&A panel with Princess Leia herself, Carrie Fisher. But then you're not too thrilled about what's next, a fan discussion about how Star Wars Legos toys have affected the fandom. So you look at the Pocket Program and see that the Costuming Track is having a panel on basic costume making. You've always wanted to wear a costume but never knew where to start, and here is the perfect opportunity to learn the first steps! Over the next few days, you still get a heavy dose of Star Wars: Lightsaber demonstrations from professional performers, trivia contests, discussions about the extended universe from books and games. But somewhere in there, you've also checked out anime screenings, science lectures, book readings, and *GASP* a panel with William Shatner because you don't actually hate Star Trek. You still get to "graduate" with your Star Wars major, but you've also learned a lot about the other fandoms. Likewise, there's about 40,000 other graduates, each with their own unique area of study. Some focused on Young Adult Literature, others on Tolkien's Middle Earth, and some who took an equal amount of everything! The only drawback to Dragon*Con's diverse "curriculum" is that you'll sometimes have to choose between two things you love. I've had to forgo seeing a Farscape panel so I could catch geek goddess Felicia Day.

If you want to learn more about what tracks are available, check out this page:

http://www.dragoncon.org/fan_tracks.php

Some of them update more frequently than others. Plus, a few tracks have already posted their tentative schedules for this year. It sure beats waiting until the week before D*C to make a rough schedule for yourself. Just keep in mind that times, rooms, and even participants are subject to change up to the day of that event.

UPDATE: I've started a thread on the Dragon*Con Forums that's keeping tabs on this year's updates as they're posted.

Celebs, Autographs, and Photo Ops

2011-05-25T23:42:00.002-04:00

I always see a lot of questions related to media guests/celebrities. Having an opportunity to meet some of my TV icons was what originally brought me to con in the first place, so let me clear up some FAQs.

Autographs:

Practically all media guests charge a fee to sign something. It usually starts from $15 for lesser known people, and can get quite pricey for the big names. Most of them have tables in the Walk of Fame, a giant ballroom in the Hilton. The mega names have their own individual room to avoid huge lines that interfere with other guests’ lines. Each table will have its own line for fans to wait in. There’s typically a handler/agent beside the guest that handles the money and plays bad guy to deny certain inappropriate fan requests. The table will have some 8x10 pictures available to be signed in case you don’t bring something from home. These are typically free if you pay to have it signed. The Walk of Fame hours are basically 10am-7pm (except it starts at 1pm on Friday). Most media guests will in there to sign unless they have a panel or are going to eat.

Autograph prices are not posted on the main website. Your best bet is to research forums pertaining to that guest, or seeing if other conventions list prices (I know MegaCon and the Wizard World ones do).

The things I’ve said do not apply to authors and literary guests. They have specific signing times that are posted in the program, and I believe they do it for free (as long as you’ve bought their book).

Photo-ops

Photos are a little bit more complicated, and it depends entirely on the guest.

1. Some will not allow any photography at all in the Walk of Fame at their table. Can’t snap a candid of them signing, not one of them smiling for your camera, and certainly not a posed pic with you and the guest.

2. Some will allow you to take a picture OF them, but not WITH them. This typically applies to bigger names who have a contract with one of the two professional photographers who work the convention (Froggy and Craig Damon). In this case, you need to either buy the pre-sale pictures from the photographer’s website, or buy a photo-op ticket on site. I’d suggest on site because the refund process for last minute cancellations can get tricky. However, a very popular guest may sell out, so keep that in mind as a good reason to buy pre-sale.

3. Some will allow you to take a picture WITH them at the table, but will charge a fee. It’s often cheaper than the professional photographer’s fee because it’s not being split between parties. Some guests will do both—pics with your camera, as well as pics with the photographers.

A little more info about the two photographer services. People have a lot of hate mail for Froggy, but they’ve always been nice to me. Valid complaints against them can include customer service or slow e-mail response. But things out of their control are equipment failure or late guest arrivals. You also can’t help the rapid rate at which they move people along, because there’s no other way to fit in 100 people wanting a picture with Joe Celebrity within a 15 minute span. There are guests lined up from 10am-7pm and they have to stay on schedule. If you want to talk to the celebrity or give them a gift, do that at their table. The photo area is just for a quick hello and a photograph.

Craig Damon handles a smaller pool of guests, so the lines are often shorter, and you are not as rushed. However I feel his prices are a little bit higher on average. Both services provide extra copies or original JPEG files for a fee.

Will xxx be coming this year? / How can I get xxx to come to Dragon*Con?
- No one knows in advance except for the directors and staff that are in charge of booking guests. If you want a particular individual to come, try to get a hold of them via snail mailing their agents or social networking pages.

What if you run into a celebrity in the hallway?
- Depends on the guest. If they’re drinking at the bar and having a good time, they’ll probably be in a good mood and oblige a photo request or talk to you for a bit. If they’re eating with their friends, it’s probably rude to interrupt them. I just say hello or wave if I walk by someone I recognize. They’re just trying to enjoy the con like everyone else and I don’t want to get in their way.

Wrestlemania Fan Axxess Advice

2011-04-28T16:38:00.000-04:00

I had a WONDERFUL time at Wrestlemania XXVII weekend in Atlanta earlier this month. I tried to go into it prepared, but outside of one guy's YouTube video's, there wasn't much in terms of tips or advice for Fan Axxess. So, this is a good opportunity to share any words of wisdom I had after experiencing it for myself. Please note these things happen maybe twice a year, and are in a different city every time, so I can only give generalized suggestions.

1. Tickets
- They seem to go on sale around 3-4 months prior to the event. Check WWE.com for official updates.
- VIP tickets give you a few perks: meeting high tier superstars (regular ticket holders CANNOT meet these guys), early entrance into the event, ring side standing room for live matches, and being able to cut in line for certain other attractions (excluding autograph sessions). They also run you at least twice as much money, but it's the only way I would have met people like Cena, HBK, HHH, and Undertaker. Plus, VIP tickets sell out... FAST!
- So if you want VIP, you should Google pre-sale codes and such so you can get your hands on tickets a week before they're released to the public. In fact, this is a good strategy to use for any concert or sporting event because of all the scalpers out there.
- Regular Axxess tickets do not sell out. They'll have tickets for sale the day of the event if you just want to walk up there and buy one.

2. Lines
- I'd suggest at least getting there an hour before doors open for each Axxess session. Even then, there will already be a line of 100-200 people ahead of you. As mentioned before, VIP people will have a separate line and will be allowed to go in first.
- Once you're in, use those precious first few minutes to get in line for autographs. They may or may not list who will appear at what station, so it's a crapshoot of who you're in line for. If you go to multiple Axxess sessions, you may figure out a pattern to who sits at which autograph station (i.e., bigger names came to Station 1 and Station 2 during my weekend). Other attractions like memorabilia displays or games typically don't have as many people in line.
- Because WWE doesn't cap regular tickets, there are a lot of other people in line with you. You can expect to meet 1 superstar per hour, maybe 2 if one of them isn't a big name. The Diva photoshoot lines also go a little quicker. Just don't expect to meet everyone on your checklist.

3. Finer Points to Avoid Confusion
- There are multiple Axxess sessions during the weekend. You need 1 ticket for each one. Example, buying a ticket for Thursday night gets you into Thursday night only! You need another ticket for Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening, Sunday morning, and Sunday afternoon.
- WWE announces who will be the VIP only Superstar for each session, and the VIP ticket is the ONLY way to meet them. Again, you need a separate ticket for each session. Yes, you can mix and match like I did. I only wanted to see 4 big name guys, so I bought 4 VIP tickets, and 3 regular tickets for the remaining sessions.
- The VIP ticket GUARANTEES you see the VIP only Superstar you came for (assuming you're in time for that session and are in the right line). I've been to many signing sessions before, and the folks who run these are efficient but friendly. You can typically have a few seconds to say something, and you are allowed one autograph and one posed photo with them.
- The regular ticket holders do not get a guarantee they'll meet the person they're in line for. If time expires and the Superstar has to leave, they're gone, and you're left with nothing. Even if you get to meet them, you may not be allowed a pose photo because the line has so many people behind you and they want to move it along as quickly as possible. This is not the case for VIP because they cap it at a certain number of tickets sold.
- Diva photo ops only allow photos with WWE's professional cameras. Not with your own, and you're not allowed to get anything signed either. Just a quick hello, pose for the camera, and that's it. They use a service where you get a card with a specific number on it for you to later look up your picture online. DO NOT LOSE THIS CARD! In fact, write it down or take a picture of the card so you have a backup copy.

If anyone has questions, please ask. I will eventually do a YouTube video of this to reach more people, and I'd like to hit as many points as I can.

Dragon*Con Documentary & Wrestling

2011-03-24T01:55:00.000-04:00

About one week from now, local public broadcasting stations will start airing a documentary called Four Days at Dragon*Con, which was filmed on location in 2009. I've already seen it once and it is a great representation of the good folk that makeup the attendees. See this link for info on showing times, as well as where you can catch it in your area. I'd highly recommend it for anyone who's thinking about going in the future, as well as to con veterans.

Also one week from now, I will reach another life goal by attending Wrestlemania XXVII in person in Atlanta, GA. at the Georgia Dome. The event has stretched into a long weekend deal now, not unlike Dragon*Con. In fact, when you consider autograph sessions, Q&As, and live entertainment, WWE Fan Axxess is sort of like a convention too. I will probably write a short entry about my experiences there, especially if I can provide insight into how to plan for it for other wrestling fans who want to attend future Wrestlemanias.

Halfway Home

2011-03-08T00:55:00.004-05:00

It's the first week of March, and that means we're halfway home to Dragon*Con!

The guest list is picking up some steam. Recent additions include first timer Christopher "Doc Brown" Llyod and Felicia Day (a personal favorite thanks to a wonderful encounter in '09). Mr. Lloyd is an indication to me that the con is getting a bigger appeal to the celebrity guest community. We have folks like James Marsters and Richard Hatch who are annual regulars; Aaron Douglas also repeatedly attends, including one year as a fan and not on any official guest panels; and Garrett Wang, who went from a guest to a track director. Now THAT is going boldly where no one has gone before. I believe that the powers that be still have some surprises stored for us in celebration of the 25th anniversary this year. Two thirds of the usual 400 guest list remains to be filled!

Now for 2 pieces of advice regarding hotels for the con.

1. If you missed first opportunity to book from official means with the "con rate," I recommend using discount travel sites, especially Last Minute Travel. These shave over a hundred dollars off your stay, and it's getting easier to figure who where you're staying before they tell you. FYI, I'm referring to sites that don't tell you the hotel's name until after booking. LMT even has pictures now for some of those hotels, and based on those images as well as information on the number of floors and rooms, you can easily figure out which ones are the Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton. Oh, click on "downtown" hotels to narrow your search.

2. Regardless of how you book or where you stay, an important thing to do a week away from your reservation is to call and ask for some requests. For instance, getting extra towels or asking for a mini fridge. A big thing to consider is the level of your floor, and I'll give you some reasons why. If you're too low and near the main lobbies, that crowd noise could interrupt your peaceful slumber. However, if you're too high, then you are completely at the mercy of the elevator gods to reach your room. And the those gods are very fickle during D*C week. Some specific floors like the 10th at the Marriott are known to hold several photo shoots, further complicating the crowding issue. What do I do? I book the Hilton for its quiet reputation and ask for a low floor so I can take the stairs to my room.

February Updates

2011-02-01T10:15:00.001-05:00

When I first started this blog, I figured I would only make a few entries per year because of the lack of ideas for posts. However, I'm going to try to stick a new one entry per month format. Some of the future topics I have in mind are fitness and nutrition advice, a few more costume tutorials, Dragon*Con news updates, and my own stories from the con (inspired by the book Here Be Dragons: Tales of Dragon Con).

For this month, I'll talk about some con-related updates.

1. Barcode System - Looks like this is finally a reality. I received my blue confirmation post card at the beginning of the month, and there was a strip of barcode on there. In addition, there was a statement saying that it is now essential to bring that card with you to registration if you want a speedy process.

2. Site Updates - I linked each of my entries in the 3 part guide to one another for easier navigation. Also added a map of downtown Atlanta to the first entry so you can better decide on a hotel location.

3. Eternal Member - I haven't mentioned this option previously, but if you have the funds, you can buy an Eternal Membership. The major perks of getting it are: short registration line, access to the Guest hospitality suite on Thursday night, and of course a lifetime membership to the con. But the price you pay is very steep. As of today, it's $1500. When I first attended in 2008, the price was only half of that.

4. DCTV - Dragon*Con TV provides a fun way to pass the time as you're waiting for a panel to start at the con. Most of these shorts are spoofs on various sci-fi fandoms, whether it's a skit or in text format similar to that of Adult Swim. Plus most of the text ones have great music in the background! The DCTV website offers the videos for your viewing pleasure year round, so enjoy!

My Gambit Costume Tutorial v1.0

2011-01-04T05:00:00.023-05:00

A while back, my girlfriend wanted to dress up as Rogue for her first Dragon*Con and I figure I might as well be Gambit to accompany her. While her costume was a wonderfully commissioned piece, I wanted to gather my own pieces and put it together. It all starts with a reference picture, and this guy's version was my inspiration:

I liked the color scheme and it seemed easier to do compared to a full blown comic/cartoon version. In case anyone else likes his rendition or mine, I wanted to give some pointers on making one for yourself.

Trench Coat
- Probably THE most key piece. You have a good coat, a stick, and some playing cards and people will know you're Gambit. I think this is one of the few areas where a good used real coat trumps anything a costume maker can whip up. You need some of that beat up character and genuine material instead of the typical ones cosplayers use to make tops and jackets. Whether you look at a the local Goodwill store or scour eBay, keep these tips in mind:

Go for real leather: gives it a cool feel nothing else can match. A tough twill cotton would be a good alternative though.
Color: you have some freedom here, but I'd try to stick to a medium chocolate brown as closely as possible. A tan color or more reddish brown is fine too though. I just don't think a dark olive or black one works.
Pre-owned/used is fine, even preferable. Just be sure to air it out and clean anything gross out of it
Right length and fit: too short a coat won't look right, and too long of one will just swallow you. I'd say one that hits a little below your knee is good. Get a tape measure and find your measurements so you have a good reference when buying online.

I was lucky enough to find an excellent trench coat on eBay for around $20 and shipping:

Tights
- A pair of black compression pants is what I originally used. I think I'll eventually get a solid black tights since mine had some designs along the side. A good website to get tights, shirts, the mask, and pretty much any spandex is SpandexMan.

Compression Shirt
- Ideally, you should get a long sleeve compression shirt that matches your tights. Solid black is good again, and even a bit of a collar. Bonus is you can re-use the same one for Naked Snake and probably a host of other costumes. However, if you're going to wear the ensemble in the middle of summer, a short sleeve version will be just fine. This is what my pieces looked like:

Chest Armor
- Another key piece here. I looked through various tactical vests, armor suits, and sporting equipment. I finally came across something that gave you an excellent illusion of a muscle suit: paintball armor. The best one in my opinion is a "Proto Chest Protector," in black with red trim:

I didn't do much modification to it during my first run. Just cut out the plastic logo in the upper mid chest. However, I will eventually get to painting the foamy muscle pieces: a magenta color in the body and blue around the collar.

Belt Buckle
- Since Gambit is part of the X-Men, gotta have that X symbol somewhere on my costume and why not a belt buckle. You can find these on Amazon or eBay for around $20. Just search for terms like X, circle X, or X-Men buckle. I would like to eventually repaint the silver and make it black to more closely resemble the X-Men logo. Oh, additional note, you should buy one or two compass pouches (in black) to also go on your belt. They add a utility belt look to it, plus gives you room to store your wallet and phone.

Knee Pads
- Purely based on taste, but it went with the red color scheme of the chest piece, so I picked this pair called the EVS Knee Glider. I believe they're for motor cross racers.

Boots
- Again, can vary greatly depending on what kind of look you want. I think black leather boots are cool in general and can come in handy for multiple costumes. These are a biking pair I got for pretty cheap on eBay. If you want to look for the same pair, the brand is Teknik.

Gloves
- Gambit has a pretty distinct glove which you can imitate with pretty much any black pair that's thin. I used the satin long kind (yes, the kind you'd see women wear with a dress!) so it gave the illusion of extending up my arm and being continuous with the compression shirt. Leave the middle and ring fingers alone, but cut the pinky, index finger, and thumb at the part where they meet your palm (the MCP joint).

Mask Headpiece
- Probably the second most important piece of the costume... otherwise you're just some guy in a trench coat. Get a balaclava/ski mask/open face hood, preferably in a tight spandex-like material. This is so you don't get a sagging turkey neck look like I did on my first one. In fact, you may want to get 2 so you can practice on one.

Next, turn the mask inside out, wear it on your head, and find a buddy with white chalk or some kind of marker. The easiest way to cut out the face is to draw on one side of the face only, then take the mask off, and cut in a sagittal plane. Remember, you can always cut more but can't put fabric back in. Once you have the face taken care of, just make a vertical incision where each ear attaches to your head. You don't need a hole, just a slit for the ear to stick out. Again, start small and cut more only as needed. The following is a good reference picture:

Finally, the third cut depends on whether or not you want to wear a wig. After all the trouble I went through, I almost want to suggest that you do wear one. You see, the balaclava fits just fine as long as there's a top to it. But if you cut out a ring at the top for your hair to come through, then you'll have to deal with the whole issue of the mask constantly wanting to sag down your face. So if you do want to use your real hair, just cut a small snippet off the dome of the hood and take off more as needed. Be sure to leave about an inch or so in the front otherwise that horizontal section above your forehead won't look right. You may have to use some double sided tape on the front to keep that section glued to your forehead. On the back side, hair clips are the way to go. Find two small black extension clips, and sew them into the hood. The idea is to have one end of the clip sewn to the hood and the other end clipped into your hair. Yes, this does get painful after a while, and it'll STILL want to sag down after a few hours.

Minor note, if your hood leaves your neck exposed, you may want to go with a bandana to cover it up.

I think I will re-make my mask one day. The plan is to buy two of the same hood, sew them together so it becomes a thicker double layer, and just go with a wig.

Staff
- Ah, now for the few props to finish things off. The staff is pretty simple. Find the thinnest PVC pipe you can at a home improvement store (a real metal rod will get heavy if you're going to carry it around all day). I didn't even have to cut mine because the length was already appropriate for my height. Next, tape the hole on each end with some masking tape. Next, spray a coat or two of primer and let dry. Then spray a coat or two of silver or metallic paint, and you're done. Note, I used spray paint that was specifically designed for use on plastic.

Cards
- There are some good tutorials on how to make those light up, like this one. A slightly easier route is to look for neon/clear playing cards. You can carry just a few or the entire deck if you want to show off some fancy shuffling.

And that's pretty much it. I know it's not the best or most authentic looking one, but I hope my info has helped. Here's my favorite picture of how the final product turned out, taken by our friend Nash.

Plus, we took part in a huge group photo shoot that ended up on Marvel.com. How awesome is that?! I'm near the top right hand corner.

A tremendous resource for any superhero or spandex related costume is the Super Hero Costuming Forum. You have to join to see the posts, but there are pages of tutorials and links for pretty much any comic character. Plus, the people are friendly and willing to help.

Lessons Learned from Dragon*Con 2010

2010-10-07T09:55:00.003-04:00

So it's been a month since D*C 2010 ended and I have some things to update for anyone planning for 2011.

1. Registration - The first big issue is one that practically everyone has to deal with: picking up your badge at registration. Despite starting at 10am Thursday instead of the previous 4pm, lines were still long. I waited 2.5 hours myself but have heard horror stories of nearly twice that long. Naturally, people complained, and the powers that be listened. They have stated that a new system will be in place next year. It'll utilize barcodes that scan your yellow postcard and each desk will now be able to print out badges (no more unbalanced alphabetical lines).

2. Security - There seemed to be more incidents involving rude behavior this year, whether that's inappropriate comments, disrespecting someone's personal space, or damaging property. I believe this resulted from a larger crowd. Many con-goers blame the increasing number of football fans and other non-con attendees. In an attempt to cut down on that, Marriott staff started checking for badges and controlled how many people entered the building at various access points. The hotels have also promised to do better next year, to check for badges before it gets too crowded and to have more staff available during the evening.

3. Ticket Prices - Pre-reg tickets have jumped in price by $10, and the final at the door price will be $120 instead of $100 like in years past. Perhaps this is also an attempt to keep the crowd from exploding.

4. Hotel Booking - The Hyatt and Marriott use a system called Passkey to book their rooms at the con rate price. I've never used it so I can't explain how it works, but many people who have used it would tell you it doesn't "work" at all. All I know is that the rooms all become available at a specific date and time, and having hundreds of folks trying to get multiple rooms at the same time will lead to a lot of frustration and unsatisfied people. Apparently, Passkey's customer service didn't exactly help matters.

My suggestion is to avoid that system until it has some kind of overhaul. Of course, this means you're left to booking at the Hilton, Sheraton, Westin, and all the overflow hotels in the area. I can personally recommend the Hilton since I've stayed there for multiple years in a row. They have excellent customer service, allow you to book almost a year ahead of con, and are "centrally" located to keep you close to everything but away from the craziness. The only downside is the one night deposit required at the time of booking. Current rates are around $200/night, which divides nicely among 4 people.

Guide to DragonCon - Part 3

2010-08-24T13:42:00.008-04:00

OK, so the time is finally upon you, and you are walking through the halls of the host hotels. I'd like to share some of the things I've learned to help make your time there as enjoyable as possible. Please keep in mind that Dragon*Con is five days long, with over thirty tracks represented, hundreds of fandoms, and tens of thousands of attendees with their own individual schedules. Thus it's impossible to touch on everything, but I just want to hit some highlights that I've seen come up time and again on the interwebs:

A. Common Sense Things
- Yes, D*C is a magical time where you can have lunch beside an elf and go into the bathroom to see a Stormtrooper, but still have common sense and decency.

Sleep enough, eat and drink water regularly, and shower. I'm appalled at how often this comes up, but I was also appalled by how some peopled smelled, so it's a ~~legit piece of advice~~ request from your fellow con goers! :P Failing to do these things could leave you sick with the "con crud." Oh, and don't party too hard early on. It's more like an endurance race, so pace yourself each night.
Don't be an ass. When dealing with others, whether it's a a celebrity guest or a scantily-clad costumer, don't say or do anything that you wouldn't want done to a loved one. Respect their personal space, their privacy, and their time. There's no point trying to pick a fight with staff either. It'll just give you the boot out of the convention.

B. Con Specific Things

A few days prior to departing on your journey, check out the schedule and subsequent changes to it that are posted on the Daily Dragon. It'll give you an idea of what will go on so you can plan accordingly. Even as someone as OCD as myself has to accept the reality that you cannot see everything you hope to see. A commonly given suggestion is to pick a few must see events and schedule other things around them. It never hurts to have a backup option either. Also, once the convention starts, visit the information booths at each hotel to see if there were any daily changes made to the schedule. And there are ALWAYS changes.
Atlanta is called HOT-lanta for a reason. It is also very humid for people not used to dealing with it. Thus, keep the weather in mind when you decide what to wear, both regular attire and costumes. Bringing some powder like Gold Bond can help things be less sticky.
You will be walking... a lot. With 5 hotels now hosting official programing, you're going to cover many city blocks in one day. Some of the walking will be uphill, some of it will require pushing through hoards of orcs. Because of the distance between various events, you should consider building in travel time into your schedule.
Be prepared to wait in lines. The unavoidable one is the badge pickup at registration. It can vary from a 10 minutes to several hours. Hence, eat, use the bathroom, and wear comfortable clothing before doing so. As for all other events, I actually advise against lining up and waiting hours before an event starts. Short of one or two mega popular panels, you won't be turned away at the door. I started showing up 10 minutes prior to a panel starting and I still managed a seat in the middle of the room. This frees up several hours of precious con time that you can use!
After you get your badge, and especially if you're there on Thursday before official programming start, take advantage of your free time to roam around and become familiar with the layout. Check out what floors certain rooms are, find where the food court is, and look for the quickest routes from one place to another. The last thing you want to do is get lost in a sea of people.
Be mindful of said sea of people and the overall human traffic around you. Especially in the Hyatt, you don't want to stop to pose or take pictures in a narrow hallway. You also don't want to step on Superman's cape that he's worked on for several months.
Take advantage of the Con Suite. It's a hospitality service provided FREE OF CHARGE by the generous staff. You can go there for some refreshments throughout the entire convention. You can find it in room 223 and 226 of the Hyatt, second floor in the corner above the bar. It's a small area, so try to avoid peak eating hours.
Two minor notes about elevator use. First, be considerate to those who may have problems with mobility, but I'd say that's about it. No need to be super nice, otherwise you'll never get anywhere. Second, if the elevator door opens at your floor, get in! Don't worry about it going up or down, just have a spot so you're not waiting all day. I hear this is the worst in the Hyatt.

C. Other Resources
- Be sure to check back on my first and second parts of the guide. If you just can't get enough information and want to be even more ready as you can be prior to going, the following links provide lots of useful advice:

D*C Wiki
D*C Forum
D*C LiveJournal
- A 2010 entry with a ton of advice
- Another advice entry with fun pictures and captions

Above all else, HAVE FUN! Dragon*Con only comes around once a year for a few days and it often ends up being the highlight of the year for many people.

Guide to DragonCon - Part 2

2010-07-30T01:13:00.010-04:00

The first part of this guide was for prepping way off in the future. Now you're about one week out. Be sure to sort out the basics before you go:

1. Ticket
- I should point out Dragon*Con is free if you just want to roam around the common areas of the host hotels and on the streets. But you won't be allowed into any rooms or events unless you have a badge visibly showing. Seriously, there are multiple guards at each door, and some of them are armed with swords! If you bought it a long time ago, you should have received a post card in the mail saying the staff got your application. If you STILL haven't bought it, then you're going to have to shell out over $100 at the door for a full membership. However, there are single and multi-day badges for cheaper.

EDIT: In an attempt to cut down on traffic and rowdy people, some of the hotels are going check for either a room key or a con badge starting in the evening. So the days of free roaming without a badge may be numbered.

2. Room
- You know where you're staying, right? Call your hotel to confirm your reservation. Next, clear everything with your roommates on things like payment. You don't want to be left without a roof once you arrive in Atlanta or get suckered out of money someone owed you.

3. Travel
- Ditto here, check your flight info if you're flying. If you're carpooling, sort out details before departing and know how to get there. Driving downtown Atlanta can be confusing and intimidating to anyone not familiar with the area. Oh, and parking is going to be around $20 per day in the hotels and nearby lots. If you want to save on parking, try finding a nearby MARTA station that has long term parking, park your car there, and take the train to the convention (get off at Peachtree Center). Rates are around $5/day. As a general rule, try to stay on the Northern stations, as they are typically said to be safer. I've used this approach for a few years now and have never had any problems.

4. Packing List
- I'm not going to touch on basics that you would pack for any trip, things like clothes or whatever medical needs you may have. Instead, I'm gonna highlight some key things that could ruin your experience if you forget them:

- Identification: no ID = no badge = no entry into any room with official con activity.
- Confirmation Post Card: Starting in 2011, D*C has gone to a barcode system and your code is imprinted on that colorful post card you got a few months back. Bringing it will speed up the registration process.
- Cash: many vendors are cash only and the ATMs will get used up within a day.
- Camera: you'll definitely want to take photos of the costumes or celebs you run into.
- Snacks: unless you want to be at the mercy of overpriced hotel food or go to the same food court everyday, it would be wise to bring some of your own goodies. I'd suggest beef jerky, nuts, diced up fruit, protein bars, and your own bottle to fill with water.

If you're flying into Atlanta or bringing many costumes, it may be a good idea to ship a package to your hotel room. I've read that all the host hotels will hold until you arrive, or deliver to your room, and most of them do it for free! Be sure to call your hotel first and ask though. And make sure to set up some arrangement to mail it back to you on Tuesday since most delivery services are closed on Labor Day Monday.

Part 3 will address what to do and what not to do while you're at the con.

Guide to DragonCon - Part 1

2010-06-16T15:46:00.007-04:00

I've always told people there are only 3 things in life that I feel I should give advice on: health/fitness, professional wrestling, and Dragon*Con. That said, I'm only a 3 year vet of the con and have only tasted a small sample of the wonderful things offered there. But even a small piece of the knowledge pie is better than none. I intend for this guide to help anyone who's curious or interested in attending D*C to find out its awesomeness for themselves. I shit you not, I compare my time there to a religious conversion. I'm hooked for life and always trying to "convert" others to my cause!

Now I'm gonna assume you already know what Dragon*Con is. If not, see the wiki link below or visit the official site to get an idea. It's essentially a 5 day long party with 40,000 of your geekiest friends. I should give credit to the folks of various message boards and online communities that have shared their wisdom with me. The specific Dragon*Con wiki and official LiveJournal page are excellent resources.

One Year Out
1. Ideally, you plan for Dragon*Con a year in advance. See, the cheapest way to secure a full 4 day membership is to purchase it while you're already there. For instance, if you want to attend 2011, you should have bought it (or get a friend to buy it) on Monday of 2010's con. You get it for half price! Even if you end up not going, you can sell the ticket in the future and possibly even make a small profit.

2. Roughly around this time, you should also keep an eye on the host hotels to see when they release rooms for the upcoming year. These things get filled in a matter of hours, so the sooner you do it, the better! By the time New Year rolls around, you'd be lucky to even find a room in one of the overflow hotels. There are two great resources for rooms: Dragon*Con Rooms and the Cheap Hotel Klingon. The latter also has reviews and a very useful map of the area with hotels mark. For host hotels, it'll be in the neighborhood of $200 per night, with a possible one night deposit required. I think it's pretty common to have 4 or more people per room to split the cost. Again, I have the emphasize, the sooner you take care of room, the better! For instance, I booked my room for 2011 in September of 2010... not even a week had passed since D*C '10 ended.

3. Start saving money. You will end up spending more than you intend on spending. Be sure to consider the cost of travel if you're driving very far or flying into Atlanta.

4. If you're not already doing so, start adopting healthier lifestyle habits into your routine. I'll have subsequent posts with my health/fitness advice, but for the time being, just do things that you know you should do: be more active each day and eat less junk food each day.

5. If you're into costuming or want to take a stab at wearing a costume, start brainstorming ideas. Cosplay.com is a good place to get started, whether you want to see what's been done or how people did it. By the way, dressing up isn't required. I'd say only half of the people there are in costume.

Now you can pretty much relax till the summer :)

Three Months Out
- If you've attended before, the 100 day mark is around the time you start getting really excited. Your costume should be progressing well; there should be a few names on the guest list you're excited about; and you have -just- enough time to take care of any loose ends.

- On the flip side, if you didn't even plan to go or find my guide until now, it's OK, you still have time!

1. Pickings may be slim, but the occasional person does drop out of their room and offer it on the D*C Rooms LJ. Folks are always looking for an additional roommate too. There are also sales on travel websites for hotels that are within a few blocks of the convention.

2. You're going to have to bite the bullet for the membership fee, which is nearing the $100 range at this point. However, there are some options to explore. There's always a few folk who can't go and give up their ticket (+$20 transfer fee) on the LJ community. You can also consider buying single or multiple day passes at the door.

(Side Note: The D*C office starts mailing out confirmation posts cards around Jan/Feb of each year. If you registered prior to that and still don't have your colorful post card in your mail box, I would contact the main office.)

3. Three months is enough time for most costumes to be commissioned. Plus, the costume maker may be looking for extra funds so they themselves can attend the con.

4. Seriously, start working out and eating better. A few months is the minimum you need to make a healthy change in weight. Crash diets will only harm you in the long run.

In Part 2, I'll talk more about preparations to make when you're weeks/days away. Finally, Part 3 will deal with general advice for what to do during the con.

Metal Gear Solid 3 Naked Snake Costume Tutorial - 99% COMPLETE

2010-06-10T20:30:00.029-04:00

Snake? Snake?! SNAAAAAAAAAAKE?!

This is the first complicated costume I've put together and why not chronicle it so it may come in handy for someone else who loves METAL GEAR! To begin with, lots of credit should go to Kyle for making the original tutorial. However, it's a few years old, some of the links are broken, and I wanted to integrate a lot of the comments he got along with the mistakes I made so that others out there can hopefully avoid doing the same thing. I only have very basic sewing and crafting skills, so this is geared more towards people like me rather than the experienced costume makers.

First you need a reference picture. This picture is an excellent one (left), but feel free to Google your own, especially looking at the action figures (right) or other cosplayers.

Of course you can always fire up the Metal Gear Solid 3 game and go into viewer mode for close-ups of any specific items.

Next is where to get your materials and pieces. You can try local military surplus stores or flea markets to save on shipping, but I got pretty much everything online. I'll list the source of each item I got and approximate price as well, but I'll go ahead and say that you can get about half of the things from ArmyUniverse.com. I looked for several days online and they had the most things you need for what I found to be the lowest price (overall) at the time. It's better to pay for shipping just once, and they sometimes offer free shipping on large orders.

Finally, a great overall resource for pictures and advice from others who have undertaken this task is cosplay.com. You can join the Metal Gear Solid thread and ask fellow fans about how they did things.

On to the costume! Let's start from the top down.

Bandanna - ($2)
- Buy some fabric or use an old piece of clothing you have. Cut it to a length of your choice, I'd say at least 3 feet long. As for color, you can probably get away with black, gray, dark green, and dark blue.

Face Camo - Army Universe ($3)
- This is optional and will vary depending on your taste. I got an Olive Drab/Black camo paint stick but you can get more elaborate and do something like the zombie face paint or a country's flag. It may take some time and scrubbing to remove the face paint, but a good tip is to use dishwashing soap like Palmolive (these are meant to break up oil stains).

Throat Microphone & Earpiece - eBay ($11)
- You'll have to buy part of it and make the remaining part. Search for "VOX throat mic" and you should get some good options. What you're looking for is something with an earpiece and the ring that goes around the back of your neck with a cable coming out from it. How the actual VOX/PTT switch looks is irrelevant, but it's probably in the shape of a pea.

Switch Box - ($15)
- The box is the part you have to make. First some supplies from a crafts store. You'll need to buy regular Elmer's glue, brushes, black and white acrylic paint, and some craft foam. I got one 12x18" sheet of the 2mm kind in black, although I may have to suggest a lighter color so you can see your markings better. An extra sheet may be useful if you want to practice on it first.

1. Cut out 10 pieces of craft foam, around 2.5x4 inches. You can modify the length and width to your preference. Try to get them to be uniform in size, maybe using one as a reference to adjust the others.
2. Leave 2 of the pieces alone, these will be the bottom layer and 2nd to top layer. Cut one of the other 8 pieces into what will eventually look like the top most layer, with a circle cut out of the upper right side, and use the scraps to make a dial and fake screws if you'd like. Of the remaining 7, trace and cut out the shape of the actual switch. You may not need all 7, depends on how large the switch is. This picture will give you an idea of what I mean:

3. Glue the bottommost layer with 7 layers that have pea cutout. This is the thick piece. Glue the 2nd to top layer with the top layer and dial. This is the thin piece. Let these dry.
4. Insert switch into the pea-shaped hole of the thick piece (glue it even), and once it's snug, glue on the thin piece on top. If there is an extra cable coming out of the pea-shaped switch box, feel free to cut it off.
5. Once dry, you're going to cover the whole thing in several layers of sealant. Use a 1:1 ratio of glue to water. According to this wonderful craft foam tutorial, you should do about a layer a day for a week to really be certain the foam has soaked it all up. I think I put about 7 coats on there.

6. Get some black and white acrylic paint and decorate the box to your liking. Start on the backside so you know how the paint looks. I did not write in VOX or PPT because it doesn't seem like there is on the reference picture. Attach to your harness with some velcro.

Undershirt/Sneaking Suit - Target ($10)
- Any long sleeve black Under Armour type compression shirt will do. I'd shop around at Wal-Mart or Target before looking online. Get one that's fitted and has a bit of a turtleneck coming up.

BDUs - ArmyUniverse.com ($55 total)
- Several options here but I think the most common for cosplaying purposes is the Vietnam Era Tiger Stripe. You may want to wash it a few times soften the material (and get that smell out). Be sure to read up on BDU sizing so you get the right fit for yourself. I'm 5'10" and 175 pounds, and I normally wear men's Mediums. A medium camo shirt and pants fit me just fine, though taking in the baggy pant legs a bit is recommended.

EDIT: Someone recently pointed out that Snake's vintage BDU only has 2 chest pockets and not 4 pockets like most of the modern day BDUs. MooreMilitaria sells the more expensive vintage style, as well as some international vendors on eBay.

Parachute Harness - (EXPENSIVE)
- This is going to be the most expensive and/or the most difficult thing to make, but it can also take your costume from good to great. Snake wears a Vietnam Era STABO harness:

There are a few ways going about this:
a). Construct your own using Kyle's excellent tutorial. Not sure how much that'll run you.
b). Search eBay and the internet for a real STABO harness. This can cost anywhere from $250 to $600.
c). Get a custom harness made for you via independent contractor. You can ask around on various costumes/props forums, or get a hold of me and I'll tell you the guy who made mine :D He specializes in making military rigs and has specifically made them for Snake costumes. Can't post the price, but it's cheaper than original STABOs, and you can have it made to your specifications (color, stitching, D-rings, etc.). For mine, I asked for it to be made of black webbing, and no D-rings (the 2 little strips of canvas with a D-shaped ring at the end, around the upper chest area on the harness). The craftsmanship was excellent, turn around time and shipping were fast. This is what mine ended up looking like:

This is more about my personal preference about wanting Snake's harness and belt to be black. I believe they're a dark green in the game since they appear darker than his olive drab camo, but lighter than his all black camo. With my Tiger Stripe camo, I believe a black harness looked better.

An important note: when trying it on (regardless of whether you bought it or made it), the harness goes with the web belt running through the bottom two loops. It won't look or fit properly unless you're wearing the belt at the same time. Be sure to give yourself some room in the crotch too ;-)

If you want cheaper but less accurate alternatives, you can either buy some regular suspenders (cheap) or military-type suspenders/harnesses (less cheap). Try to look for ones with an X-pattern on the back. Just make sure to not get the M1950 military suspender like I did. It only connects in the front and will ride up all in your junk. Plus they hurt your shoulders from the pressure of pressing down after just a few minutes (not good for walking around conventions!)

Gloves - ArmyUniverse.com ($15)
- These are D-3A gloves. Again, read up on military glove size. I typically buy men's S/M or Medium for gloves, and I bought a size 4. Then you'll want to cut off parts of the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. How much to cut will depend on your finger, but approximately an inch from your knuckle or at the first bend in your fingers (PIP in medical terms). You may have to sew the seams if they come undone.

Belt - ArmyUniverse.com ($4)
- I got a black canvas pistol belt. It has little holes and a metal clasp, not the more modern quick release plastic buckle. This is also available in olive drab if you prefer, and there's even a combo pack with the belt, a canteen and canteen holder (available on this site, plus eBay and Amazon).

Now for the belt gear. We'll address it from left to right (if you were wearing it):

1) Ammo Pouches - ArmySurplusWarehouse.com ($10 per pouch)
The first 2 ammo pouches are M-1956 M14 ammo pouches. Pretty hard to find, especially with the old style metal clasp instead of the plastic one. You can also occasionally find them on eBay (look for "Vietnam pouch"). Since most of these will be vintage, you might want to put some baking soda inside it to get rid of the smell. In fact, the baking soda boxes are the perfect size to stuff inside. Put a box in each pouch and leave it for a few weeks to take form. Before you wear the costume, empty out the baking soda, but put the empty box back in so you still have some structure without the additional weight.

2) Canteen & Cover - ArmyUniverse.com ($7)

- A GI style 1 quart canteen. It looks like Snake has a plastic one in either olive or brown. Then there's the matching canteen cover, which is available in nylon or canvas (I think the latter is slightly more accurate although I got the nylon one). As I noted earlier with the belt, there's a combo pack you can buy with an olive belt and canvas cover.

3) Butt Pack - ArmyUniverse.com ($12)

- There's a few varieties out there, but I prefer the smaller one (around 9x8 inches) rather than the 12x8 one because it takes up less space on the belt. It's already bulky as it is. Again, try to get canvas and one with metal buckles instead of plastic. To give the pack some structure, make a cardboard box to stuff inside. I also cut off the straps and only left them hanging from the top buckle so I can easily open and close the pack.

4) Radio Pouch - eBay ($25)

- It was hard to find one similar to what Snake is wearing. After some searching, I found a different variation of the M-1956 ammo pouch made in Australia. You can buy them from this Australian site or search for it on eBay using terms like "Vietnam, Australia/Aussie, cartridge pouch, and/or ammo pouch." It's the middle one in the picture, and as you can see, it's slightly longer than the US version of the M-1956 pouch.

Once you have it in hand, cut a small hole in one of the top corners for an antenna to come through. For the antenna itself, you'll need to buy the thinnest PVC pipe you can find and cut it somewhere around 18 inches long and paint it black. Additionally, you can go over it with black electrical tape like I did so there's no worries about the paint rubbing off. I did several layers at the tip of the pipe to make it look more like a radio antenna.

Now how do you get it in the pouch and make it look like a radio? Cereal boxes. Measure the dimensions of the pouch and make a paper box to put inside it to give it structure. Here's a picture of the box I made next to the baking soda boxes I used for the regular pouches.

Attach the PVC pipe to one of the box's corners, and skillfully place everything in the large ammo pouch. It's kind of difficult to maneuver with the large pipe, but just be patient. You should eventually end up with something like this:

Someone on Cosplay.com pointed out there's a similar pouch you can get. Look for "South African Army Style Ammo Pouch" on Amazon, and you'll find a cheaper and slightly smaller pouch than what I got.

5) Gun Holster - eBay ($20+)
- I actually got a good deal on this, but you want to use search terms like "1911/1916/.45 leather holster." Make sure it's black and has the US logo printed on it. Try to find one that's already broken in. I bought one that was brand new and it was stiff as a board. Could not fit my gun inside so I tried to soften it by putting it in hot water. BAD IDEA! Instead, try to find leather conditioner, mink oil, or lanolin-containing products to rub in the leather. And stuff your gun in there and leave it in for a few days to stretch out the holster.

Knee Pad/Brace - eBay ($7)
- I tried on several athletic knee pads and braces before deciding they didn't quite look how I wanted. So I got some black fabric and attached velcro on the ends so I can wrap it around my knee.

Boots - ArmyUniverse.com ($23)
- Any jungle boot in olive drab will work here. You can of course pay for higher quality and more expensive ones but I really can't tell the difference in appearance. They actually weren't bad in terms of comfort. I bought a half size up (since military boots only go in whole numbers) so there would be some room to put in an insole. Regardless of whether you buy a new or used boot, they're going to have a smell so you might want to break out some baking soda again.

Let's move on to weapons. The rules of your convention may determine what kind you get. Whatever the situation, please be careful with these! Don't go around trying to CQC anyone with a knife or aim a gun at someone's face!

Pistol - eBay ($18)
- According to the Metal Gear wiki, Snake uses an M1911A1 in the game. You can look for any 1911 Airsoft gun on eBay but I got one with a brown handle and black frame to be more accurate. Since I wasn't going to shoot it, functionality wasn't a factor.

CQC Knife - eBay ($9)
- I think the one Snake's actually using is an Ontario Ranger Shiv knife (top picture) but these run at least $45. Since it will probably remain sheathed on your harness most of the time, you can get a much cheaper one that has a similar handle (bottom picture). It's hard to describe how to find it on eBay, but try terms like "survival knife,"tactical knife," or "combat knife" and start with the lowest price first. You want a relatively small knife with a rope handle. The one I got is about 6.75 inches with a 3.5 inch blade. It might actually be easier to look on Amazon for "Recon Tactical Knife Set." It'll give you 2 knives and you'll want to use the smaller one (7.5 inches).

As for the sheath, you can either search for small brown leather sheaths that will fit your knife (and maybe wrap it with black string/tape/paint to get the right look) or make your own sheath if you're good with leather craft-making. I bought one that had a 4 inch pouch ($9 eBay) and cut off the extra material. If the knife is a little loose inside, just wrap it in newspaper and stuff the paper inside. I attached it to my harness with velcro, but to keep it more stable, I used some black electrical tape. I would encourage you to play around with the position when it's still with the velcro only. I originally wanted the knife to be slanted at 45 degrees like Snake's, but I found that angle to be restrictive when I tried to aim my gun. So I ended up attaching the sheath vertically.

Survival Knife - eBay ($18)
- There's some debate over it, and it could very well be a KA-BAR knife. I looked closely at the screen caption from my game and Snake's knife has a sawtooth edge and a large fuller. The closest knife I found is a " GI Style Pilot's Knife." It has a similar looking handle, the right type of blade, and most of them come with a free sheath that is also very much like Snake's sheath on his lower right leg. Plus I came across some models of that type that were from the Vietnam Era, so I think it's period correct for the game. If nothing else, the Pilot Knives are cheaper. Attach to your lower leg with some tape.

Calorie Mate - eBay ($7)
- Man was I ever floored when I discovered you could buy them! I got the red box kind. Most of these have to be shipped from Japan so you may have to wait a while for it to arrive. Definitely a neat prop to have, and can fit on one of your various packs. Tastes like a semi sweet stale cookie.

In regards to extras, you could always add an eyepatch, cigar, binoculars, an alligator head, or extra weapons. You can also grow a Snake-like mullet and some facial hair if you really want to get into the spirit. Have fun with it and make the costume your own!

All in all, this project cost me a few hundred dollars and several hours of research. I hope my tutorial can be useful to anyone else wanting to be Naked Snake. Feel free to leave me comments or questions. I'm not an expert in any way but I'll always be glad to fellow Metal Gear Solid fans.

Progress #2 on Gambit

2010-05-22T02:57:00.002-04:00

Well, I can happily post a nice progress report for Gambit. I should be completely done with this costume by mid June. Once that happens, you can expect a tutorial on how I put it together. Right now, here are 2 photos, edited a bit for effect.

As you can see, the staff still needs to be painted, I'm not wearing his headpiece, and certain fingers on the gloves need to be cut off. I'm still debating on what to do about the neck too, whether to take it easy with a bandanna or try to make a collar with craft foam. Finally, there's the question of if and what I should paint on the chest armor and knee pads.

A Taste of Things to Come

2010-05-20T00:52:00.001-04:00

What can you expect from me in the near future?

I'm working on tutorials on how to put together a Gambit costume and a Snake (from Metal Gear Solid 3) costume. I'm sure there will be other characters in the future.
There will also be a lot of planning/advice/excitement about Dragon*Con, which has been the highlight of my year for three years in a row, and somehow keeps on getting better. Again, more cons could be in my future as I want to dress up more often and be around my kind of nerdy folk. Since I live in Georgia, I'm thinking AWA or Wizard World.
And if I'm bored enough, I may give my opinion on some of this season's sci-fi shows and summer movies.

My First Time... Again

2010-05-20T00:34:00.000-04:00

To those who already know me, you know I've had a LiveJournal since 2002. But that's for my personal life. I thought there should be another blog open for all of the internets to see. Most of this blog will focus on my geeky side, whether it's about games, sci-fi shows, costumes, or conventions.

To anyone who comes across this page, thank you for taking some time to glance over my words. I hope I can contribute something positive, and please feel free to leave me your comments, thoughts, and questions.