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Lucian has clothes!

Lucian has clothes! published on 1 Comment on Lucian has clothes!

A Jun Planning Nosferatu Taeyang [the male counterpart to Pullip] nobly made a sacrifice to make his outfit possible. Irritatingly, I had to purchase a doll along with the clothes. Anyone want a naked Nosferatu Taeyang?

I know it's hard to see, but please note floofy, lacy shirt, sparkly black pants, dramatic black vest and tailcoat the color of dried blood.Continue reading Lucian has clothes!

Information from Lumedoll about what clothes fit Lumedoll Lumelights

Information from Lumedoll about what clothes fit Lumedoll Lumelights published on No Comments on Information from Lumedoll about what clothes fit Lumedoll Lumelights

"I don't have any Momoko outfits, but I've heard they fit (small bust).
Also most Barbie clothes can fit except those made for the new Basic
line which is very slender (Liv dolls clothing, Pullip, and some action
figure female clothing fit too!). The Barbie Basic line male clothes
look like they might be a good fit for the slim Lumedoll body (Liv dolls
have a new boy out that looks slim enough as well…and he can be found
at places like Target!)."

Sources of some clothes for Lumedoll Lumelights

Sources of some clothes for Lumedoll Lumelights published on No Comments on Sources of some clothes for Lumedoll Lumelights

Lumedoll fems

Blythe shoes
Lati Yellow shoes

Lumedoll males

http://stores.ebay.com/Mimi-Collection/1-6-Male-Outfit-/_i.html?_fsub=391211319&_sid=108903569&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

made for male action figures by TTL/Toys City and Triad Toys. Apparently TTL pants are skin-tight on the v.2 body and loose on the original body, which is just what I need all around! (She also says that clothing by the Crazy Owners company is too large.)

shirts, pants, shoes: http://www.gijoeelite.com/f_display.asp?strDisplayName=ACIWildToys

ACI jeans
ACI shoes

both
wigs: http://www.mudoll.com/index.php

Delayed gratification

Delayed gratification published on No Comments on Delayed gratification

Today I just ordered a Lumedoll Erine, large bust, and a Lumedoll Lucas, regular body! I didn't get the aforementioned Soom Uyoo after all, so I went ahead and got the two chronologically first characters in Me and My Muses: Ellery and Lucian. In 6 to 8 weeks, I should have them!

Also Janvier Jett is here, a mere 1.5 miles from me, but waiting at the post office till Monday. Bleh.

My smallest doll

My smallest doll published on No Comments on My smallest doll

Even smaller than my 14 cm Elfdoll tinies, I have a 3.5" Takara Microman/Microlady figurine with no face and no name. I keep her casually posed on the bookshelf right next to my chair…

Check out the fidelity in my new photo studio setup! Two lights really add to the crispness of the results.Continue reading My smallest doll

The flower shop or the doughnut shop?

The flower shop or the doughnut shop? published on No Comments on The flower shop or the doughnut shop?

At some point recently, Rement came out with extra-super-miniature shops, called Tiny Houses, with furnishings, goods, clerks and customers. One shop is a "donut" shop; the other is a flower shop.

From what I can tell, they are very small; I think the scale might be 1:48. As usual, the number of movable pieces and the details — a paper wrapping station at the florist, for example — really make these sets shine.

I want one for my 1:6 dolls to play with, but I can't decide which one to get! Here are both for sale as a set at etradersplace.com.

Complaint about doll clothes: no French maid outfits

Complaint about doll clothes: no French maid outfits published on 1 Comment on Complaint about doll clothes: no French maid outfits

I think it should be easy to find a French maid outfit to fit a 27cm fashion doll, without having to resort to the ridiculously expensive and unattractive French Maid Barbie Doll. Silkstones are so unappealing, and they're not even articulated well! This complaint is in reference to Jessica Jamisia, Ellery's third muse, who should be dressed in a French maid outfit.Continue reading Complaint about doll clothes: no French maid outfits

Me and My Muses…dolls, maundering

Me and My Muses…dolls, maundering published on No Comments on Me and My Muses…dolls, maundering

There's a beautiful Soom Uyoo on the DOA marketplace now, and I waaaaaant her. Scratch my plans about having a Lumedoll Arine for my Muses protagonist and doing the faceup myself; this Uyoo is perfect.

I've long had a crush on Uyoo. I love her big eyes and her full lips. Her mouth always seem slightly open, as if she's about to speak.

I used to have one with a default Soom faceup that I loved; she was the first incarnation of Jennifer, but I sold her, which I shouldn't have done. I eventually got another to provide the body for Absinthe and the head for Little Anneka, but I never liked that one as much because she had a non-default faceup. This one currently on the MP has sweet, arched eyebrows and a delicately done mouth, very close to the default. WANT WANT WANT WANT.

EDIT: Inquired to see if she was still available. If all goes well, I will soon on the road to HELL, no turning back, since I'm now buying dolls for Me and My Muses.

New lamp and new photo studio setup

New lamp and new photo studio setup published on No Comments on New lamp and new photo studio setup

I got my new full-spectrum lamp today! Here's my desk with the new setup. Please ignore the piles of 1:3 clothing I have to either get rid of [on left] or dress Janvier Jett in [on right]. I'm preliminarily pleased with the brightness and clarity of the results.Continue reading New lamp and new photo studio setup

Me and My Muses…dolls, updated

Me and My Muses…dolls, updated published on No Comments on Me and My Muses…dolls, updated

My earlier plot of putting a Lumedoll Lucas [male] head on a Lumedoll fem body will not work for Mazzy, so he needs a different headsculpt. I may just get another Lumedoll Arine and paint it differently, emphasizing the link between Ellery and her muses by similarity of features. In that case, maybe Jessica should be an Arine as well with a small bust?

Dolls, updated

  • Ellery: Lumedoll Arine, large bust
  • Lucian: Lumedoll Lucas
  • Mazzy: Lumedoll Arine, large bust
  • Jessica: Lumedoll Elin, small bust, or Souldoll Jandi, or Souldoll Metel
  • Avery: ? [the doll formerly known as Cutey Honey?]
  • Kristin: ? [the doll formerly known as Cory?]
  • Melinda: ? [the doll previously appearing as Maybe?]
  • Jo: ? [the doll formerly known as AJ?]
  • MacKenzie: ? [the doll formerly known as Tamsin?]

Janvier Jett coming home!

Janvier Jett coming home! published on No Comments on Janvier Jett coming home!

I just got a tracking number today for Janvier Jett’s EMS package: EM068874069KR.

I hope she ships quickly and that everything is perfect with my order. I ordered her with Hyang’s body and the faceup as shown on the order page, and I hope both of those requests are successfully granted.

Yearrrrrrgh, now I want DOLLS!

Yearrrrrrgh, now I want DOLLS! published on 1 Comment on Yearrrrrrgh, now I want DOLLS!

Ever since seeing the denim-wearing Barbie Basic with the Louboutin sculpt at doll club in March [she's the brown-haired one], I've wanted one for my own, but have had no excuse to get one because I'm not really actively in 1:6 scale any more. Continue reading Yearrrrrrgh, now I want DOLLS!

Another desk light…for better photos?

Another desk light…for better photos? published on No Comments on Another desk light…for better photos?

Soon winter will be here and, with it, permanent darkness. I won't be able to just frolic outside and take nicely lit photos of my dolls. To that end, I should ensure that my indoor lighting setup in my photo studio — read "on my desk" — produces adequate photos.

I currently have one full-spectrum gooseneck lamp on my desk. I just bought a matching one from LampsUSA for $39.00 including a light bulb and shipping, woo hoo! This will hopefully produce enough light so that I can take reasonable photos when it's dim or dark outdoors.

Stop-motion animation featuring Black Widow action figure kicking ass!

Stop-motion animation featuring Black Widow action figure kicking ass! published on No Comments on Stop-motion animation featuring Black Widow action figure kicking ass!

Patrick Boivin presents a stop-motion animated Hot Toys Black Widow action fig kicking all the male characters' asses. Sweet!

Also please see his stop-motion video of the Michael Jackson fig vs. the Mr. Bean fig. The animation of the body language is hilarious!

“Ridiculous underwear” and other clothes…Me and My Muses outfits

“Ridiculous underwear” and other clothes…Me and My Muses outfits published on No Comments on “Ridiculous underwear” and other clothes…Me and My Muses outfits

Ellery: Find something in clothes bin.

Lucian: open white collared shirt, jeans, black boots

Mazzy: ridiculous underwear

Jessica: French maid outfit

Avery: Find something in clothes bin.

Kristin: Cory's clothes

Melinda: Maybe's clothes

Jo: AJ's clothes

MacKenzie: Tamsin's clothes, shoes

Puttin’ down the dead in a severely draggy manner

Puttin’ down the dead in a severely draggy manner published on No Comments on Puttin’ down the dead in a severely draggy manner

So if there was a town that made a deal with death that the town would enjoy health and good fortune in exchange for everyone who was born there having to be buried there and made to keep from walking by a hereditary Graveminder and an Undertaker, and then the dead started walking and eating people because of a reluctant Graveminder, that would be a pretty cool story, wouldn’t it?

Such is the conceit of Melissa Marr’s Graveminder, in which Bekka, shocked over the death of the previous Graveminder, her grandmother, resists her fated role as stalker of the dead until it’s almost too late. Throw in a preordained romance with an equally unprepared Undertaker, and you have the makings of a supernatural romance that might explore determinism vs. free will in an interesting way.

Sorry. No dice. Marr succeeds at fleshing out an original mythology, sustaining a mood of slowly increasing creepiness and making the walking dead scary but also kind of pitiable. Unfortunately, Bekka, the main character, who should be sympathetic or at least interesting, is nothing more than a dishrag who spends over half the book insisting that she is not in love with the Undertaker. Multiple scenes go by in which she and Byron, the Undertaker, dance around the subject of their mutual attraction and complicated past, then stall out. I keep wanting to yell at Bekka: "Stop it! You’re preventing the plot from moving forward!" Alas, she does not heed me.

Yet, despite my objections, I am finishing the book because I want to see what happens.

Labeled "vampires" because it involves people coming back from the dead and eating other people.

EDIT: Well, things picked up toward the end when more dead people started going on a human-chewing rampage, and there was a bit of a conspiracy going on, but, all in all, this book was destroyed by repetitive conversations and poor pacing.

Yark, what an anti-romantic, coercive gesture! The “surprise wedding”

Yark, what an anti-romantic, coercive gesture! The “surprise wedding” published on 3 Comments on Yark, what an anti-romantic, coercive gesture! The “surprise wedding”

Via Shakesville, I learned today about the “surprise wedding.” What is this wretched idea? Apparently, according to the Windsor Star, this man’s idea was to plan an entire wedding behind his fiancee’s back, with friends and family keeping her in the dark until the moment that he proposed, at which point he said that the wedding would occur within hours.

So let’s get this straight…

  • One partner willfully deprives the other of any input in planning a significant, life-changing event, assuming that he knows best for the both of them.
  • The depriving partner even brings the other partner’s whole social and familial circle into collusion, basically trapping them in a lie of omission.
  • Finally, as if this weren’t enough, the depriving partner sets up a highly public event at which the other partner may be embarrassed, shamed or coerced into submitting.

Such a series of events is not romantic and loving. By degrading and ignoring his partner’s agency and input, the depriving partner is saying, in so many words, that his plans matter more than hers, that he matters more than she does. No matter how many of her preferences he incorporates into the wedding, the mere fact that he set everything up without her consultation, basically leaving her only a slot in which to insert her “yes,” devalues his partner in general. It’s arguably abusive!

Me and My Muses…dolls [or, Sponsored by Lumedoll]

Me and My Muses…dolls [or, Sponsored by Lumedoll] published on No Comments on Me and My Muses…dolls [or, Sponsored by Lumedoll]

Dolls

  • Ellery: Lumedoll Arine, large bust
  • Lucian: Lumedoll Lucas
  • Mazzy: Lumedoll Blaze head on large bust fem body
  • Jessica: Lumedoll Elin, small bust
  • Avery: ?
  • Kristin: ? [the doll formerly known as Cory?]
  • Melinda: ? [the doll previously appearing as Maybe?]
  • Jo: ? [the doll formerly known as AJ?]
  • MacKenzie: ? [the doll formerly known as Tamsin?]

Check drawer of heads and doll parts for parts for other characters.

Me and My Muses…names

Me and My Muses…names published on No Comments on Me and My Muses…names

Names

  • The protagonist: Ellery 
  • The first muse: Lucian
  • The second muse: Mazzy
  • The third muse: Jessica
  • The protagonist's sister: Avery
  • The protagonist's long-distance girlfriend: Kristin
  • The protagonist's first actual girlfriend: Melinda
  • The protagonist's second girlfriend: Jo
  • The protagonist's third girlfriend: MacKenzie

Me and My Muses…the plot

Me and My Muses…the plot published on 1 Comment on Me and My Muses…the plot

The plot goes something like this:

  • Introduction. The protagonist creates the first muse, tending him with all the frustrated energy of her muddled sexuality and her loneliness. They have lots of fun.
  • Uh Oh. Because she spends so much time on him, the first muse becomes realer and realer to the protagonist. She wonders about the nature of his existence and also her own sanity.
  • Cracking. Things come to a head. The protagonist’s sister expresses worry about the protagonist. The protagonist’s long-distance girlfriend delivers an ultimatum: me or him.
  • Banishment. The protagonist chooses her long-distance girlfriend over her first muse. He tries to reason with her and come back. She refuses sadly. All is desolate.
  • Substitution. The protagonist, unable to live without muses, substitutes the first one for the second and third ones. Frolicking ensues. Meanwhile, the protagonist has a mentally stimulating, sexually unsatisfying relationship with her first actual girlfriend.
  • Coming Back. After breaking up with her first actual girlfriend and moving on to the second, the protagonist decides to bring the first muse back.
  • Rage. The protagonist and the first muse fight.
  • Coexistence. The protagonist and the first muse reconcile. Meanwhile, all three muses get used to each other. The first and the second muse fall in love!
  • The Boot. The protagonist and her second girlfriend fight because of their temperamental differences and because the protagonist won’t tell her second girlfriend about her muses. The protagonist and her second girlfriend break up.
  • All By My Selves. The protagonist swears off romantic relationships for a while. She becomes closer to her sister. She feels less dependent on her muses. She writes stories that aren’t about them and thinks about them, but doesn’t talk to them all the time.
  • Beginning Again. The protagonist meets her third girlfriend. From the outset, the protagonist tells the third girlfriend about her muses. Everything looks promising…

Bestest idea ever!! Or, another doll drama

Bestest idea ever!! Or, another doll drama published on No Comments on Bestest idea ever!! Or, another doll drama

Last night I came up with the next obvious storyline for creation in a 1:6 doll drama format: the story of a young woman and her relationships, emotional, sexual and otherwise, with her three muses. "Me and My Muses" is its title. Is it based on my life? Why certainly.

There are four main characters:

  • The young woman. A morbidly introspective and self-analytical person, she is, as the series starts, a college student who is confused about her sexuality and increasingly disturbed by the robustness of her muses. She writes and plays with dolls.
  • The first muse. Also morbidly introspective and lonely, he combines playfulness, pushiness and seduction in a threatening and irresistible combination. He writes in his diary and makes paper.
  • The second muse. Sunny, buoyant, extroverted and confident, he is an androgynous, polymorphously perverse hermaphrodite [mythologically speaking]. He invents things and designs fashions.
  • The third muse. Quiet, conscientious and punctiliously correct in all things, she is the second muse’s servant. She rides her mountain bike and sketches human figures.

There are also a limited number of secondary characters, including, but not limited to:

  • The protagonist’s long-distance girlfriend. Passionate, loyal, insecure and possessive, the long-distance girlfriend is going through her own difficulties in college. She resents the closeness between the protagonist and the first muse.
  • The protagonist’s sister. Creative, imaginative and similar in temperament to the protagonist, the sister used to be very close to the protagonist, but going to separate colleges has driven distance between them. Succeeding socially and emotionally at school [in contrast to the protagonist], the sister worries that the muses are driving a wedge between her and the protagonist.
  • The protagonist’s first actual non-long-distance girlfriend. As a struggling poet, the first actual girlfriend, who is signifcantly younger than the protagonist, is attracted to the protagonist’s mind and creativity. She and the protagonist break up over the protagonist’s lack of sexual confidence, among other things.
  • The protagonist’s second girlfriend. Extroverted, high-strung and enthusiastic, the protagonist’s second girlfriend is much different temperamentally than she is. This contributes to their relationship’s downfall, as does the protagonist’s unwillingess to talk about her muses.
  • The protagonist’s third girlfriend. As a vampire lover and fan fiction writer, she is involved in sci fi and fantasy conventions. The protagonist tells her about her muses up front, and the third girlfriend thinks that they are awesome.

How to write bad successfully

How to write bad successfully published on No Comments on How to write bad successfully

Blogger supplies multi-paragraph examples of bad writing that he has written. Tee hee!

For example:

"She looked into his eyes and saw them grinning at her. But was there something else there? A hint of trepidation, perhaps? Behind their apparent delight, what were his eyes really feeling? It was impossible to know what was going on in those eyes’ head. Was their heart truly in it?"

Remember Intellectum?

Remember Intellectum? published on 1 Comment on Remember Intellectum?

EDIT: All this talk of Lumedoll’s creations’ aptness for the Library of Intellectum makes me want to rush out and purchase the library assistant, the head librarian, the special collections assistant and the ghost right now!

Dost thou remember Intellectum? I do. It was a city that I created with the help of Daz Studio in August of last year. The focus of my creation was on the Library of Intellectum, which combined advanced technology such as interlibrary loan transmats, with myth in the form of a book wyrm, even the supernatural in the form of ghosts and magic. I even created a cast of characters and assigned them 1:6 dolls:

  • The library assistant, our protagonist, is a Dollmore Melissa Hon. EDIT: Since Dollmore is a cheatin’ BJD. co. that I cannot, in good conscience, support by buying directly from them, the library assistant may have to be a Lumedoll Arine with a small bust and sharpened face.
  • The head librarian, her ultimate supervisor, was originally an Obitsu W-03 head on an Obitsu slender male body, even though she is an old woman, but now I think she should be a Lumedoll Lucas head on a Lumedoll fem body, breasts removed.
  • The special collections assistant, our protagonist’s friend, was originally an Elfdoll Doona Ryung head on a resin 1:6 male body, but now I think he should be a Lumedoll Koit.
  • The ghost, another of our protagonist’s friends, is an Elfdoll Doona Ryung head on a Notdoll 25cm fem body. EDIT: For ease of use, the ghost could also be a Lumedoll Elin with a small bust and shortened legs and torso [just to be younger/smaller than the library assistant].
  • The book wyrm is a felted Chinese dragon with wire inside.
  • Scanty Sophie, the statue on top of the library, is a 2003 ComicCon Takara/BBI silver Cy Girl.
  • The "little fucker" is a DreamHigh Squee.
  • The doll, another of our protagonist’s adventures, is unassigned.
  • Various patrons are also unassigned.

I decided that most of the sets would be easy to make:

  • the stacks [two shelves of books forming a corridor and facing each other, grey foamcore background]
  • the book wyrm’s lair [grey foamcore background, cardboard tube pillars]
  • the Pierian Spring [ditto, plus painted Styrofoam fountain]
  • the Discard Bin [grey foamcore background, cardboard tube pillars, balsa wood coffins]
  • the ILL center [grey foamcore background, plastic bank of computers]
  • the exterior [computer rendered 3D scene from Daz Studio]

Of course, I didn’t have a plot tying all these elements together, but I enjoyed developing them.

Now, over a year later, I’m living in a small apartment with no room for my 1:6 stuff: dolls, clothes, sets and accessories. I have some 1:3 dolls to keep me company, but I greatly miss my 1:6ers. I also miss writing fiction, something I haven’t done for the past six months.

My longing for both 1:6ers and stories prompts me to think about returning to the world of 1:6 photostories that I left with Love Has Fangs. I wouldn’t go back to LHF; instead, I would return with the Library of Intellectum.

Maybe I’ll start working on some character sketches and plot ideas, just to satisfy my desire to be writing again, and I’ll see where it goes….

Oh joy — it’s presidential candidate sexism watch time again!

Oh joy — it’s presidential candidate sexism watch time again! published on 2 Comments on Oh joy — it’s presidential candidate sexism watch time again!

Shakesville brings to my attention a sexist post on Pharyngula where candidate Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-ebarbative) is compared to a snake that can dislocate its jaw to accommodate a [phallic] corn dog.

I don’t understand why people feel the need to make dehumanizing, objectifying comments about Bachmann — in this case, comparing her to a snake — when there are real, substantive criticisms to be made of her bigoted views and policies. For example, see a post on Talking Points Memo where Bachmann tries some stonewalling bullshittery in the face of the interviewer asking her about previous homophobic statements. Sexist remarks such as those on Pharyngula distract from the issues at hand and hurt all women.

To anyone who thinks that Pharyngula is just having a little fun, that it’s okay to go after Bachmann because you don’t agree with her, let me point out this: Saying "It’s okay to make fun of this woman because of her sex, but not that one!" does not provide an adequate excuse. Sexism against one woman, any woman, harms all women. You personally may only make fun of Bachmann, but what’s to prevent someone else from saying, "Oh, I’m only going to make fun of ModernWizard [or any other woman, for that matter], but not others"? Your exceptions may be someone else’s target. Your willingness to participate in sexist rhetoric just perpetuates an atmosphere of acceptance in which further sexism flourishes. Sexism is never okay, no matter who the target!

Didn’t we just go through this four years ago with Sarah Palin [post on SocIm started by yours truly] and Hillary Clinton as targets of sexist smears?

P.S. Mockery of Bachmann’s husband for supposedly being a closeted gay man trades on the idea that being gay is somehow shameful and worthy of ridicule. If you think that way, you are homophobic.

Souldoll Shiva G as Sarah from Labyrinth

Souldoll Shiva G as Sarah from Labyrinth published on 2 Comments on Souldoll Shiva G as Sarah from Labyrinth

I bought my Souldoll Zenith Shiva G with the express purpose of making her look like Jennifer Connelly’s character, Sarah, in the 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth, which is my favorite in the whole world. My Sarah is not exactly the same character as Sarah in the film, but she is bookish, fantastical and quiet, like her film inspiration. Anyway, I wanted to give her the outfit that Sarah wears for most of the film when she is questing through the Labyrinth to rescue her baby brother Toby.

Arianne02 did the faceup to look like a young, freckled Jennifer Connelly, while the talented Isabeau made Sarah’s blouse and vest as accurate to the film as possible. The wig is a size 7-8 "brown black" from Monique. Soom supplied the Mecha Angel jeans [yes, I know they are sparkly], while the inaccurate [but still cute] stripey socks came from Obitsu, the black loafers [should be brown] from Dollmore. Just for an in-joke, I gave Sarah a button with a picture on it of Jareth, the Goblin King, who seems to be in love with her and who serves as her antagonist throughout the film.Continue reading Souldoll Shiva G as Sarah from Labyrinth

Chittenden County, VT, meetup 8/13

Chittenden County, VT, meetup 8/13 published on 1 Comment on Chittenden County, VT, meetup 8/13

I met vermont chick, Lorraine, at Tiny Thai in Essex Center to talk dolls and show ours off. The first Vermont meetup that I organized was a success. We enjoyed lunch and then took pictures of our dolls in a nearby gazebo and on a butterfly-shaped bench.
Continue reading Chittenden County, VT, meetup 8/13

A froofy dress

A froofy dress published on No Comments on A froofy dress

I’d like to get one of those frothy dresses for my dolls, probably Sarah, since she is the only one who would wear it. It would have petticoats and panniers and ruffles, lots of ribbon and lace trim and a resemblance to a classic wedding cake, only much! pinker! So far all the dresses I have seen are too dark in color or not froofy enough. Tsk tsk.

“Oh, just stick some vampires in it, and then it’ll sell!”

“Oh, just stick some vampires in it, and then it’ll sell!” published on No Comments on “Oh, just stick some vampires in it, and then it’ll sell!”

Supernatural mashups are a thriving subgenre in which a modern-day author grafts supernatural elements — most frequently vampires — onto a classic of American or British literature and then watches the profits roll in. These books really owe a debt to the Internet renaissance of fan fiction, where people write stories in another author's universe, with another author's characters, for the sheer enjoyment of it. Just like fan fic, supernatural mashups provide clever and diverting amusement, illuminations on the themes of the original, if done right, but frustration and hebetude if done poorly…and they're very easy to do poorly. I am sad to report that, in my travels of YA fiction, supernatural romance, sci fi and fantasy, I have so far not come across any truly good specimens of supernatural mashup, though they must be out there….

Mashups I would like to see:

  • Emily Dickinson and vampires…"Birds, Hours, the Bumblebee…and bloodsuckers!"
  • Charles Dickens and vampires…I think Great Expectations could use some.
  • Charlotte Perkins Gilman and steampunk
  • George Eliot and vampires…Middlemarch could be a great, sweeping portrait of vampire society and mores.
  • William Makepeace Thackeray and vampires…would certainly make Vanity Fair less of a boring slog.

Why is this funny?

Why is this funny? published on No Comments on Why is this funny?

Clearly this SNL commercial for “Estro-Maxx” trades on the expected amusement value of the male actors playing trans women as if the trans women are really men in unconvincing drag. The vignette in which the woman goes through the full-body scanner, causing the security officer to make lewd, unprofessional expressions, also makes light of actual, real-life concerns about such technology’s abuse and invasion of privacy.

Lola Paprika’s articulated hand

Lola Paprika’s articulated hand published on No Comments on Lola Paprika’s articulated hand

So my Dikadoll jointed hands for 60cm fems arrived today! Lola Paprika got the right one; Janvier Jett will get the left. You can see the increased realism of Lola Paprika’s hand as she surreptitiously uses Janvier Jett’s guitar again….Continue reading Lola Paprika’s articulated hand

If there’s one thing I hate, it’s being bothered when I’m reading.

If there’s one thing I hate, it’s being bothered when I’m reading. published on 1 Comment on If there’s one thing I hate, it’s being bothered when I’m reading.

Me: “Sarah, I’d like to take some pictures of you.”
Sarah: “Shhh.”Continue reading If there’s one thing I hate, it’s being bothered when I’m reading.

EZ joints 4 u to use!

EZ joints 4 u to use! published on No Comments on EZ joints 4 u to use!

May be getting these Dikadoll jointed hands for 60cm fems. Not sure if I want to give them both to Janvier Jett so she can play the guitar, or if I should divide them up between 2 dolls. I imagine there would be a big fight for the extra jointing:

  • Sardonix would want to be able to give people the finger.
  • Sarah would want to hold a book.
  • Lola Paprika would wish to hold her Tarot cards individually in her fingertips.
  • Araminthe would not be able to benefit because there would be too much of a mismatch between her grey resin and the hands, which are light tan with a pinkish undertone [NOT "nude" or "flesh-colored!"].

Blah blah HAIR blah blah blah

Blah blah HAIR blah blah blah published on No Comments on Blah blah HAIR blah blah blah

After more than 8 months of owning Sarah, I’m finally getting her default hair, a straight, dark brown, bangless wig with a center part, made to resemble Jennifer Connelly’s hair when she played Sarah in Labyrinth. Then I can dress Sarah up in her Labyrinth-going clothes: custom blouse and vest with swirlies, blue jeans and loafers and take some pictures. Sarah will be so happy…if I can get her nose out of a book.

“I like my women better as furniture.”

“I like my women better as furniture.” published on No Comments on “I like my women better as furniture.”

How awful is this commercial? Not only does the male protagonist clearly privilege the alcohol over the woman, but he doesn’t give a care that the woman is smothered in the couch. That’s not funny.

Hooray, more misogynist, homophobic commentary on vampires!

Hooray, more misogynist, homophobic commentary on vampires! published on No Comments on Hooray, more misogynist, homophobic commentary on vampires!

Brian McGreevy on Vulture [for New York magazine] vomits forth a puerile lump of garbage with his opinion on popular portrayals of vampires in True Blood and the Twilight saga:

"Much has been made of the damage inflicted by the ‘male gaze’ in film, but what of the female gaze? It’s taken the Romantic vampire and cut off his balls, leaving a pallid emo pansy with the gaseous pretentiousness of a perfume commercial. We are now left with the Castrati vampire: This is pornography for tweens, as well as a worrying reflection of our time."
 

Reading this screed, one can’t help but think that McGreevy is just pissed that a vampire series written by a woman has become so popular. He seems to think that the Twilight saga is wretched just because it represents a young female character’s point of view. I mean, God forbid that someone address a pillowy fantasy novel to the vast hordes of ravenous teenaged girls and young women who form the Twilight saga’s primary audience! No no, books should be written by manly men only about manly male subjects, such as Romantic vampires with really big schlongs.

I never thought I’d be defending the virtues of the Twilight saga, a series that I find insidiously sexist and intensely problematic, but there it is. No, Mr. McGreevy, the sex of an author is not a legitimate subject for one of your irrelevant tangents about how biliously poxed with prejudice your brain happens to be. How the sex of an author informs his or her writing is indeed pertinent, but criticizing an author for being a certain sex just proves the source of the criticism [that’s you, sir] to be a bloviating bigot.

Lola Paprika reveals her personality.

Lola Paprika reveals her personality. published on No Comments on Lola Paprika reveals her personality.

My first photostory of Lola Paprika in action, as it were. She was originally going to be a loud and flamboyant person, but, once I saw those sweet anxious eyebrows, I knew she was more of an introvert, no matter how flashily dressed.

Me: "What are you doing, Lola Paprika, playing cards?"

Lola Paprika: "No, silly, I’m trying to tell my fortune. But…"Continue reading Lola Paprika reveals her personality.

Sarah and Sardonix think it’s boring around here.

Sarah and Sardonix think it’s boring around here. published on No Comments on Sarah and Sardonix think it’s boring around here.

SIGH. They’re never satisfied!

Sarah: "Well, it’s not too fun playing dolls any more when Elizabeth hasn’t brought all her Rement foods to the new apartment. There’s nothing to play WITH!"Continue reading Sarah and Sardonix think it’s boring around here.

The formula for almost all love songs on the radio these days

The formula for almost all love songs on the radio these days published on 1 Comment on The formula for almost all love songs on the radio these days

…Brought to you by DaVinci’s Notebook’s The Title of the Song. Favorite line: "Drop to my knees to elicit crowd response." The same group also has in their repertoire a host of other humorous a cappella songs.

Also in the same vein is Britanick’s Trailer for Every Oscar-Winning Film Ever. The accuracy of the parody is marred by useless ableism ["Said retard is now in your custody"]. Phooey. Why does otherwise good humor have to be so corrupted?

Longform.org, your source for interesting stuff online

Longform.org, your source for interesting stuff online published on No Comments on Longform.org, your source for interesting stuff online

Longform.org aggregates long-form, non-fiction journalism about a variety of fascinating topics. Most of the stories it links to have been published in the month in which they are linked, but sometimes older stories appear in the lists as well. Bonne lecture!

“Drug: Vague statement of a better life…or something.”

“Drug: Vague statement of a better life…or something.” published on No Comments on “Drug: Vague statement of a better life…or something.”

This literal drug commercial parody is pretty hilarious, especially if you take drugs. Watch the little text on the bottom of the screen.

Soom’s Monthly Doll, Migma, and the boringness of Soom

Soom’s Monthly Doll, Migma, and the boringness of Soom published on No Comments on Soom’s Monthly Doll, Migma, and the boringness of Soom

As much as I like Soom’s dolls for their fantasy parts [hooves, claws and wings], I think I might be the only person who thinks that the headsculpts [for me, one of the most, if not the most, important parts of the doll] are uniformly generic and blandly pretty.

I mean, compare Migma’s "hollow head," the one with fangs, to that of, say, B&G Doll’s Burrysa sp, another vampire doll. With childlike, rounded curves and a demurely opened mouth on her headsculpt, Migma with her "hollow head" looks a lot like your average Asian BJD. That is to say, there’s nothing distinctive about her. On the other hand, there is no doll quite like Burrysa, who’s all angles and who has a mouth far more open than any other ABJD I’ve seen, with the exception of AOD’s Fenris.

Of course, I’m also biased because I own a Burrysa and like her very much, and I do not own a Migma. However, this example does illustrate that there’s more than one way to make a vampire ABJD, and Soom chooses the safest way of modifying the headsculpt. I do like Migma; she’s attractive, but she doesn’t have a lot of character in the way she’s presented as a default.

Radiolab’s podcasts

Radiolab’s podcasts published on No Comments on Radiolab’s podcasts

In case you haven’t heard, Radiolab publishes weekly radio shows of about an hour around a certain provocative theme, such as Talking to Machines, about humans and robots meeting in the uncanny valley. Less pretentious that This American Life and always interesting, Radiolab mixes science, history, pop culture and psychology into an intriguing combination.

Yay! I can order Ieseul Cat Avatar with a better body!

Yay! I can order Ieseul Cat Avatar with a better body! published on 1 Comment on Yay! I can order Ieseul Cat Avatar with a better body!

Angelsdoll Ieseul Cat Avatar comes with a weird body without ball joints. But I asked the company if I could get her with a body like Lola Paprika’s, and they said yes! I just need to note it in my order. That clinches it. I’m getting Ieseul Cat Avatar with default faceup when I have the money. She can wear the outfit that came with Lola Paprika, and she will be a punk rocker!! Meow!

I’ve decided that her name will be Janvier.

Angelsdoll permanently lowers prices!

Angelsdoll permanently lowers prices! published on No Comments on Angelsdoll permanently lowers prices!

Oh my God, I think Angelsdoll [whence Lola Paprika] just permanently lowered their prices on their 60 and 70cm BJDs!!! As you may recall if you care about these things, I got Lola Paprika at a 30% discount + eyes + outfit + shipping, all for $309.00. And that was a special sales event. Now, though, it looks like the base price of their lovely ladies has gone down to $220.00 for a doll only, no eyes, faceup, outfit or shipping.

Just to test the new pricing, though, I threw in my cart a Cat Avatar Ieseul [who, with that faceup, obviously needs to have a silver tinsel fright wig and play in a hair metal band], then added faceup and shipping. She came to $316.96, just a few dollars more than my Lola Paprika.

Clearly I need to get one, using the outfit and eyes that I got in the Hyang renewal event when I purchased Lola Paprika. She would have tinsel hair and an air guitar!

I know that Angelsdoll has an ambivalent reputation. On the minus side…

  • Sculpts have thin, breakable resin in places.
  • Elbow and knee joints look blocky; they don’t blend in very well with the limbs.
  • Some people have reported long waits to resolve customer problems.

On the plus side…

  • Headsculpts are beautiful!
  • Dolls are relatively inexpensive.

I’m willing to accept the lower quality and aesthetic appeal of the bodies as a trade-off for the beauty and character of the heads, not to mention the inexpensive price of the dolls. Plus I note that Angelsdoll is constantly improving, having come out recently with an upgraded female body [shown on their new release Rin] that addresses both the shape of the joints and the thin resin problem. I like Angelsdoll myself.

Lola Paprika [Angelsdoll Hyang] hyanging out amongst the lilacs

Lola Paprika [Angelsdoll Hyang] hyanging out amongst the lilacs published on 1 Comment on Lola Paprika [Angelsdoll Hyang] hyanging out amongst the lilacs

See what I did there? I made a pun!

Here she is, in all her tacky, mismatched glory!!Continue reading Lola Paprika [Angelsdoll Hyang] hyanging out amongst the lilacs

Soom Faery Legend Auber is the first male fairy in the line.

Soom Faery Legend Auber is the first male fairy in the line. published on 2 Comments on Soom Faery Legend Auber is the first male fairy in the line.

Available in either grey or white resin, Auber the storm fairy is the latest in Soom’s 1:6 resin Faery Legend line. He’s the first male; all those previous were female and not that interesting to me…until Auber. Something about him reminds me of Jareth, probably because Jareth comes into Sarah’s house on a storm with the same streaming hair and black clothes. I kind of want him in the ethereal white resin. God, he could be a good Jareth!  With wings!

Continue reading Soom Faery Legend Auber is the first male fairy in the line.

Lola Paprika’s vest

Lola Paprika’s vest published on 1 Comment on Lola Paprika’s vest

So I got the Dollzone outfit today, removed the fur from one of the armholes and the mesh holding the two sides together, thus turning it into an asymmetrical vest with silver leather and studs. Bluish or greenish, patterned underbust corset coming to finish off the outfit. Sarah just looks weary with the whole proceedings at this point.
Continue reading Lola Paprika’s vest

Lola Paprika’s Captured in Glass eyeballs

Lola Paprika’s Captured in Glass eyeballs published on 1 Comment on Lola Paprika’s Captured in Glass eyeballs

These had better catch the light well when they're in her head — dammit — or else I won't be very happy. Note the subtle gradations of pastel yellow, pastel blue, aqua green and whitish pink. Continue reading Lola Paprika’s Captured in Glass eyeballs

Sarah in Lola Paprika’s outfit so far, minus shoes, with bonus Junebug!

Sarah in Lola Paprika’s outfit so far, minus shoes, with bonus Junebug! published on 1 Comment on Sarah in Lola Paprika’s outfit so far, minus shoes, with bonus Junebug!

The pink hot pants and yellow stockings came in the mail today, along with Junebug’s armbands. Sarah looks increasingly worried about the tackiness of this outfit, while Junebug thinks she is awesome for having bright pink armbands.

Regarding the status of this outfit, I think I’m slowly achieving meretriciousness. Needs more necklaces and some sort of belt, though.

EDIT: I have [hopefully] commissioned a waist cincher somewhere in the neon green to turquoise section of the spectrum. I have also purchased the Dollzone outfit at the link here [secondhand, so as not to support evil cheating BJD co.] with the intent of modding the top into a beautifully overdone vest.

Continue reading Sarah in Lola Paprika’s outfit so far, minus shoes, with bonus Junebug!

Araminthe hanging out in front of the sky

Araminthe hanging out in front of the sky published on No Comments on Araminthe hanging out in front of the sky

Good pictures just seem to fall out of my camera when I place Araminthe in front of it. I would say that she’s the most photogenic of my 1:3 dolls, with Sardonix and Junebug being equally second most photogenic and Sarah being the most difficult to capture on film.

I really like Araminthe as a doll. She’s wonderfully balanced; as you can see in these pictures, she’s leaning realistically, balancing on one foot and the wall. She’s also strung nice and tightly so that I can pose her limbs in almost any position without having them flop or fall. I also like her wonderfully pointy face. [See profile pic.] Continue reading Araminthe hanging out in front of the sky

Sarah models Lola Paprika’s outfit so far.

Sarah models Lola Paprika’s outfit so far. published on No Comments on Sarah models Lola Paprika’s outfit so far.

Sarah: "This is humiliating."
Me: "It’s only for as long as I need to take a picture."
Sarah: "Please return me to my NORMAL clothes."

Thoughts: Needs more yellow, green, layers, stripes and patterns. Wig is also a bit too big.
Continue reading Sarah models Lola Paprika’s outfit so far.

Overalls for Junebug?!

Overalls for Junebug?! published on No Comments on Overalls for Junebug?!

So I got Junebug some pants recently from the horseriding outfit set put out by Karito, but I really dislike the pants. They’re very tight, and they keep slipping down when Junebug is sitting, which she does most of the time. I’ve been looking on and off for a maker of clothes for Karito Kids, but I haven’t had much luck, since KKs are 21", not 18" like the hideous beasts from the depths of Hell American Girls. But I just found a maker who works with Karito Kids: Doll Clothes by Carole!! Look at the patterns available for overalls; I think that Junebug would find the red curduroy print simply fabulous! I just E-mailed her to see if she would make a pair of overalls for Junebug with extra-long legs, so Junebug can cuff them. Junebug will be so happy when she’s not getting a wedige AND her underwear is not falling out.

Lola Paprika concept 2.0

Lola Paprika concept 2.0 published on 1 Comment on Lola Paprika concept 2.0

Okay, here’s what I have gathered so far for Lola’s outfit. The only definite items so far are the shirt and the shoes. I’m disturbed by the amount of matching going on between the wig and the shirt, so the wig may be replaced for a light pink mohair, even though I truly adore the violent magenta. The existence of the skirt depends on how loud it looks compared to the multiple layers of legwear and armwear. Right now it’s clashing nicely with the stockings, which may or may not be in the final ensemble. Further bulletins as events warrant, say, when the yellow polka-dotted slouch socks and the pink leggings come in. Excelsior!! Continue reading Lola Paprika concept 2.0

A 1:12 centaur BJD!!!!!!

A 1:12 centaur BJD!!!!!! published on No Comments on A 1:12 centaur BJD!!!!!!

Daisy Dayes just came out with Elise, a 17cm high centaur BJD available for preorder at jpopdolls.net. She’s thin and delicate, with oversized hooves and remarkable stability. Oh, I really want her; I’ve wanted one of Daisy Dayes’ little centaur creations ever since she started making them individually. The only thing keeping me from dropping $350.00 on her is that I just spent more than that on Lola Paprika and her stuff.

But Lola Paprika needs a doll, right? Right…?Continue reading A 1:12 centaur BJD!!!!!!

Me and my expensive dolls

Me and my expensive dolls published on No Comments on Me and my expensive dolls

I like expensive dolls, namely, resin Asian ball-jointed dolls. For example, my incoming Lola Paprika was $309.00 including doll, eyes, faceup [painting], outfit and shipping. Because she was on a special sale, she would have normally cost more. Without the steep discount, the same items would have cost me just about $615.00. You can see why I, accustomed to such prices for 60cm BJDs, call Lola Paprika my “cheap” 1:3er.

Anyway, even as I revel in the thought of getting such a beautiful doll for such a relative bargain, I am also highly aware of the loads of money which I casually drop upon BJDs. This is obviously a luxury interest, which sometimes leaves me ambivalent about spending so much. Surely that money could go toward things either more necessary than or just as enjoyable as, but cheaper than, BJDs. [For example, think of how much 1:6 stuff I could get with $309.00! At the rate Hot Toys’ prices are going, it would just be 1.25 fully kitted figs, but I digress. I could also get scads of crack…I mean Rement.]

Then I think about my BJD spending in context. In general, I don’t spend a lot of money. I don’t pinch pennies, but I also don’t spend excessive amounts of money when furnishing my necessities. Dolls and their accoutrements represent pretty much my only excess. Since my finances are stable and organized, I can afford to have BJDs. I am in such a position of financial and class privilege that allows me to say that I don’t think my interest in expensive dolls is a problem.

Today’s profundity has been brought to you by Angelsdoll, purveyor of BJDs with relatively realistic and affordable shapes. Today’s profundity has NOT been brought to you by Hot Toys, whose prices I find galling for 1:6 scale. [Funny how $125.00 is my limit for 1:6 scale spending, but a mere sneeze in the bucket against my 1:3 scale spending.]

Lola Paprika concept

Lola Paprika concept published on 1 Comment on Lola Paprika concept

This is my concept of Lola Paprika as of last night. Please ignore the long arms, short legs and other misproportions. Unfortunately, the concept has problems with it:

Colors are not accurately represented.
Patterns are not shown.
Outfit is not tacky enough. Not enough clashing patterns.

I’m working on all three of the problems as we speak. The result, I hope, will be very LHFy.Continue reading Lola Paprika concept

Rement disappoints me these days.

Rement disappoints me these days. published on 2 Comments on Rement disappoints me these days.

Where the company used to have more dinners, lunches, appliances, accessories and furniture available, it now seems to be reverting to its reliable standbys of candy and desserts. A lot of uninteresting things with various Disney and Hello Kitty themes are also appearing.

When new, interesting sets do appear, they recycle pieces from old ones. For example, the Teddy Bear’s Housekeeping set, which I like, includes dishwashing, soup cooking, and doughnuts, all of which Rement has done before. http://www.re-ment.co.jp/products/teddy/index.html  Even Rement pendants are boring this year, with the new panda pendants recycling the old set of Panda Kindergarten. http://www.re-ment.co.jp/products/animal_panda/index.html

I’ve also noticed a trend: the reduction of the size of Rement sets. Instead of a complete place setting with individual pieces of food, a single package of Rement might now contain just a cup, a saucer and a cookie. Compare #2 of the aforementioned Teddy Bear’s Housekeeping – a bear, a spatula, a pan, a pancake, a plate and a pile of pancakes – to #2 of Fun Meals, a set that came out a few years ago. Fun Meals #2 contains a waffle iron, a plain waffle, a waffle with syrup and berries, a plate, two crates of berries and a syrup dispenser. http://www.nrfbqueen.com/rement/lgpics/funmeals.htm Fewer pieces for your money in Teddy Bear's Housekeeping.

I look at Rement with an eye for diversity, usefulness and quantity in 1:6 scenes, and I’m not seeing much of any in the past year or so.

Lola Paprika, my new Angelsdoll Hyang

Lola Paprika, my new Angelsdoll Hyang published on No Comments on Lola Paprika, my new Angelsdoll Hyang

So today I ordered my Angelsdoll Hyang, who came, avec faceup, to $309.00. Her name is Lola, inspired by the classic Kinks song, and her concept is that of a cool, somewhat mismatching, ‘80s style girl.

I met her in a club down in North SoHo
Where you drink champagne and it tastes just like Coca Cola,
C-O-L-A, cola.
She walked up to me and she asked me to dance.
I asked her her name and in a dark brown voice she said, “Lola.
L-O-L-A, Lola.”

I’ve been shopping for her since this morning. I chose her some 14mm Captured in Glass eyes that are colored like a muzzy pie chart in various light pastels. I hope that the light colors of her eyes will catch light, which apparently none of my dolls’ eyes really do.

Her faceup will be a custom job painted to look like this one, shown on Angelsdoll’s Cat Avatar Ieseul. Look at all that blue and yellow eyeshadow!! 

Not sure what I’ll do for her wig, but I do have a nice light pink candy floss mohair wig that Divas by Design sent me along with Araminthe’s custom order. Or the hot magenta fur wig! Or she could wear the violent pink yarn one, assuming that custom order ever gets finished. 🙁

For her outfit, she’ll be wearing some of the default pieces that come with her, namely the black stockings, red snakeskin fur-trimmed jacket, black hot pants and black turtleneck sleeveless shirt. I hope to add hot pink leggings that go to the top of the calf, matching short armwarmers, as well as yellow stockings with white polka dots, worn slouched down, and black pleather platform pumps. I’d like to fit some neon green in there somehow too. She’ll look so obnoxious! 😀 😀 😀

Angelsdoll sculpts

Angelsdoll sculpts published on No Comments on Angelsdoll sculpts

So today at doll club I saw an Angelsdoll sculpt, and I fell in love with the realistic proportions of both head and body. The headsculpts look smooth, realistic and expressive. Just for the hell of it, I clicked over to the Angelsdoll site to see what they were offering. They currently have a sale for their Hyang girl, which includes 30% off list price, $100 of free clothes, free eyes and free shipping. That brings the total of a blank, faceupless doll to $259.00. Standard faceup is + $50.00. A beautiful 63cm, with everything but shoes and a wig, for just a few dollars more than I paid for Dorothy [a 14cm Elfdoll tiny, dressed, wigged and shod]. I might not be able to resist that.

EDIT: And I just found out that her head circumference is 21cm, meaning that she can share wigs with Sarah! She will need shoes, however.

Doll club, 04/02/11: others’ dolls

Doll club, 04/02/11: others’ dolls published on No Comments on Doll club, 04/02/11: others’ dolls

Other people had some really striking dolls at doll club today, and Breck showed me how to improve the quality of my close-ups, so here are some detailed pics.
Continue reading Doll club, 04/02/11: others’ dolls

Skateboarding while naked

Skateboarding while naked published on No Comments on Skateboarding while naked

My latest doll, Dorothy, an Elfdoll tiny Dodo, poses in a characteristically inimitable way. Her cute little outfit of T-shirt and denim overalls is too small, sniff sniff, so I have to get a replacement. I also want to redo her eyebrows to make her happier looking. And I already broke one of the fingers on her "peace" hand. Ah, the joys of doll ownership!Continue reading Skateboarding while naked

Thoughts on The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Thoughts on The Wizard of Oz (1939) published on 2 Comments on Thoughts on The Wizard of Oz (1939)

1. The Cowardly Lion is so gay in this interpretation. All his mannerisms are stereotypically swishy.

2. Despite Dorothy’s fervent proclamation that "There’s no place like home," her home pales in comparison to Oz. Let’s see — at home, Miss Gulch tries to kill Toto; her guardians, Em and Henry, dismiss her constantly and talk over her; even the hired hands pay no real attention to her. To top it all off, the place is in boring sepia and infested with tornadoes. No fun at all. By contrast, Oz contains Technicolor glory, magic and Dorothy’s acclamation as a hero just for being the rather nice, forthright, polite, unassuming girl that she is. No one in Kansas accepts Dorothy for who she is, but, in Oz, everyone valorizes her character. Why does she wish to return to a place that’s so actively hostile toward her?

3. Wow, that movie version is looooong. Takes about 50 minutes to collect all 4 companions together. I’m sure it could have been done in half the time, but many of the songs, if not all, would have to be cut.

Araminthe enjoying the springlike weather

Araminthe enjoying the springlike weather published on No Comments on Araminthe enjoying the springlike weather

Araminthe was hanging out in the sunlight today; she’s not the kind of vampire who shrivels in the day. In fact, she revels in the coming spring! See?
Continue reading Araminthe enjoying the springlike weather

Die Hard and Tin Man: a movie and a miniseries

Die Hard and Tin Man: a movie and a miniseries published on No Comments on Die Hard and Tin Man: a movie and a miniseries

I had never watched Die Hard (1988), with Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman [yay!], before, so I watched it streaming last night. ‘Tis a silly film – are we really supposed to believe that Willis’ character, John McClane, routs the baddies while not wearing any shoes? Come on now!

I also noticed that Die Hard seems to share with Fatal Attraction a reactive misogynist hatred of the independent woman. The specter of independence raised by Holly, John’s estranged wife, who dares to use her maiden name and separate from her husband for her career, is ultimately subsumed into the patriarchal family mode. In fact, the whole movie sets up a situation wherein the wealth and success of the Nakitomi Company, where Holly works, brings the terrorist attack upon itself. Therefore, we can see Hans Gruber [Alan Rickman, yay!] and co. as narrative punishment for Holly’s proto-feminist attitude. She’s so uppity, being a successful career woman and having a Rolex, that she deserves to be smote with the degradation of victimhood at the hands of the terrorists. But she learns her lesson; by the end, she’s using her married name again, happily signifying that she belongs to the manly-man action hero of John McClane. What a load of sexist crap.

Also this weekend I watched a weird three-part miniseries, Tin Man, the SyFy Channel’s story inspired by The Wizard of Oz. I really liked looking at the world, a combination of majestic Vancouver forests and glitzy, vaguely 1930s cities where everyone wears weird hats. Grey machinery mixed with verdant landscape in a cross between steampunky dystopia and wildlands utopia. However, I felt that the pace was rather draggy, especially in the middle episode [middle episodes of trilogies almost always suffer from sluggishness]. I liked the fact that a sisterly bond between the Dorothy equivalent and the Wicked Witch equivalent redeemed the Witch equivalent’s character, but I disliked the fact that monkey bats came out of the Witch equivalent’s heaving cleavage. That was just SILLY.

‘Tis a silly movie: Daybreakers

‘Tis a silly movie: Daybreakers published on No Comments on ‘Tis a silly movie: Daybreakers

The concept of Daybreakers is: When everyone’s a vampire, who’s the lunch? In the near future, humans are becoming extinct as more and more of them are turning into vampires. Hematologist Ethan Hawke pairs up with humans Claudia Karvan and Willem Dafoe to find and propagate a cure. Many car chases, scenes with evil businessvampires, dramatic washed-out shots in mostly colorless tones and scenes with portentous music result, but I find it hard to be sympathetic, even if Ethan Hawke can’t stand to drink human blood and feels pity for humans. Something about these vampires, indeed, this whole movie, is remarkably bloodless. Entertaining time-passer, though.

P.S. Also the slow-mo gore is unintentionally hilarious. Oh the humanity vampirity!

BBC’s Masterpiece Mystery Sherlock: Holmes and Watson in the ‘10s

BBC’s Masterpiece Mystery Sherlock: Holmes and Watson in the ‘10s published on No Comments on BBC’s Masterpiece Mystery Sherlock: Holmes and Watson in the ‘10s

Watched the first two eps of the BBC’s Sherlock the other night, starring Benedict Cumberbatch’s lips and cheekbones as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as John Watson. The three-ep first season transplants the crime-solving duo from Victorian/Edwardian London to present-day London, where the two act as “consulting detectives” to Detective Inspector Lestrade and the rest of the new Scotland Yard.

Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes really reminds me of David Tennant and Matt Smith as the Doctor. With a spectacular intellect that moves much faster than the brains of mere mortals, Cumberbatch’s Holmes astounds people with his rapid-fire deductions in the same way that Tennant’s and Smith’s Doctors shock people with their free-associating intelligence. Additionally, both this Holmes and those Doctors take a self-conscious, performative glee in their superiority, enjoying the way that they befuddle people. Just as Smith’s Doctor is an adventure junkie, gleefully shouting “Geronimo!” as the TARDIS speeds toward a crash, so Cumberbatch’s Holmes enjoys living on the edge, dancing near suicide in the first ep just so he can get the buzz of adrenaline. I attribute some of this similarity to the fact that Sherlock was co-written by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, both writers of eps for the New Who. Also interesting to note is that Cumberbatch has something of the Doctor – or at least the Doctor’s potential in him – as evidenced by the fact that he discussed taking over for Tennant, but never did. 

Needless to say, I love Sherlock for its strong characters, its Doctor-like Holmes and its stellar lead actors. I dislike it for its pointless exoticization of Chinese people as demonstrated in the ep The Blind Baker. From the minute the eerie stereotypical bamboo flutes start playing in the first scene as a clay tea set is ceremonially laid out, we know we’re in for Chinese stereotypes. The stereotypes continue throughout the ep, including a scene in which the Chinese tea set-laying-out character speaks to her brother in unsubtitled Chinese, reinforcing the idea of foreign characters as strange and incomprehensible.  This ep’s main villain, General Shan, leader of a gang called the Black Lotus, even delivers, as her first line, a supposed Chinese proverb in halting English [something about a book being a magic world in your pocket]! [I also noticed that General Shan’s English started out broken in her first scene and markedly improved throughout the rest of her scenes, making me think that she was directed to speak in stereotypical stilted English.] I condemn such lazy, thoughtless characterization as racist.

Law and Order: SVU hates people with disabilities, part III!

Law and Order: SVU hates people with disabilities, part III! published on 2 Comments on Law and Order: SVU hates people with disabilities, part III!

After reading my analysis of season 7, ep 15, “Manipulated,” of Law and Order: SVU, my sister Jill, who uses a wheelchair, added another stereotype to my list of those that the ep perpetrates:

1. Disabilities are horrible things. Linus obviously thinks so; as I pointed out in a previous entry, he calls his wife Tessa, who uses a wheelchair, a “victim,” that is, a contemptible object of pity. Jill points out that Tessa also uses negative language to describe her disability. She claims that Walter is persecuting her, saying, “If I weren’t stuck in this chair, I would kill him myself.” Tessa clearly adheres to the stereotype of a wheelchair user as someone who is “wheelchair-bound,” that is, limited and restricted by the chair, rather than enabled to move around.

Jill also notes that there is a long tradition of characters in various media faking disabilities, which only causes able-bodied people to regard people with disabilities with suspicion and hostility.

Today’s word: gravamen

Today’s word: gravamen published on 1 Comment on Today’s word: gravamen

I learned a new word today. It is “gravamen.” It is from the Latin “gravare,” “to weigh down,” so literally it means “that which is heaviest.” It is a legal term http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravamen that refers to the most serious part of a suit against someone and/or the basis of a lawsuit. Its extended, non-judicial meaning is “the essence of an objection,” as in, “My gravamen against your character is that you are flagitious!!”

Law and Order: SVU hates people with disabilities, part II!

Law and Order: SVU hates people with disabilities, part II! published on No Comments on Law and Order: SVU hates people with disabilities, part II!

Law and Order: SVU season 7, episode 15, “Manipulated,” is the gift that keeps on giving. Every time I think about it, I discover more reasons to ferociously criticize its portrayal of people with disabilities. [Here’s my plot summary of the ep if you haven’t read it. http://blogofstench.livejournal.com/511983.html And here’s the first part of my discussion of the depiction of people with disabilities in the ep. http://blogofstench.livejournal.com/512150.html ] Here are some more wretched stereotypes that the show supports:

Continue reading Law and Order: SVU hates people with disabilities, part II!

Law and Order: SVU hates people with disabilities!

Law and Order: SVU hates people with disabilities! published on No Comments on Law and Order: SVU hates people with disabilities!

How many deleterious stereotypes does season 7, ep 15, “Manipulated,” perpetrate against people with disabilities in the character of Tessa McKellen? [Read the plot summary if you don’t know what I’m talking about.] Let me count the ways…

Continue reading Law and Order: SVU hates people with disabilities!

Law and Order: SVU on the subject of “crazy” people with disabilities

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Oh boy, this ep is a treasure trove of stereotypes and virulent characterization of people with disabilities!

Law and Order: SVU, season 7, ep 15, “Manipulated,” plot summary:

Continue reading Law and Order: SVU on the subject of “crazy” people with disabilities

My vision of a cutely dressed vampire is complete.

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Araminthe received her default wig yesterday, a pale pink one done up with roses. Here she is in all her glory.
Continue reading My vision of a cutely dressed vampire is complete.

Just plain wrong science in Law and Order: SVU

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Remember "Identity," that SVU episode that I’ve been harping on for several entries now?[ Here’s my plot summary. Here’s my analysis.] Not only is it ridiculous, melodramatic and bigoted, but it’s also scientifically wrong.

The identical twins in the ep commit a supposedly "perfect crime" at the end of the ep by murdering the doctor who molested them. Actually, only one of the twins murders the doctor, but no witnesses, including the security camera, can discern which twin it was, and the twins aren’t talking. Furthermore, there was DNA from one of the twins left in the form of spit on the doctor’s corpse, but DNA tests, according to the ep, will not point to one twin or the other, because, as Stabler says, "Identical twins, identical DNA."

WRONG! Identical twins have been long thought to have identical DNA, but recent research suggests that their genes are very very similar, but not the same. See the New York Times "Really?" column for details.

In all fairness, though, the SVU ep "Identity" did come out in 2005, three years before research about identical twins’ different genes was published, so it was still within a period during which identical twins were thought to have identical DNA. Granted, but I still fault SVU for sloppy, stereotypical thinking about the similarity of identical twins, making us seem like magical duplicate halves of a single entity, instead of two very similar, but separate, people. >:

General thoughts about Law and Order: SVU and its gross misrepresentations

General thoughts about Law and Order: SVU and its gross misrepresentations published on No Comments on General thoughts about Law and Order: SVU and its gross misrepresentations

The inaccuracies in SVU really both me, not just those about twins and trans people, but those regarding just about everyone in the known universe.

Continue reading General thoughts about Law and Order: SVU and its gross misrepresentations

Law and Order: SVU hates twins and trans people!

Law and Order: SVU hates twins and trans people! published on No Comments on Law and Order: SVU hates twins and trans people!

The Law and Order: SVU ep “Identity” [season 6, ep 12], summarized earlier, features a bitten penis, gangbanging, homeless women, ID theft, an anti-graffitti task force, a pair of unusually identical twins, a sex therapist, a secret language, possible incest, violent siblings, possible lesbianism, unethical investigation of medical records, non-consensual gender reassignment of a minor, molestation by therapist and, finally, “the perfect crime.” Now that I’ve summarized the plot for you, I’m exhausted. No, seriously, it’s time to examine some of the deleterious assumptions at work in your average SVU ep.

Thesis: SVU pathologizes everything in sight.

Continue reading Law and Order: SVU hates twins and trans people!

How much plot can YOU cram into 42 minutes? Or, Law and Order: SVU’s tale of the psycho twins

How much plot can YOU cram into 42 minutes? Or, Law and Order: SVU’s tale of the psycho twins published on 1 Comment on How much plot can YOU cram into 42 minutes? Or, Law and Order: SVU’s tale of the psycho twins

I've been watching a lot of Law and Order: SVU lately [enough to realize that the script writers have an unhealthy obsession with prison rape jokes, which they are apparently contractually obligated to shoehorn in once per episode]. Among the many eps that I've watched is "Identity," ep 12 from season 6. I remember enjoying this ep especially because it features a pair of identical twins, of which I am one, as you no doubt know. I also remember this ep for its particularly exploitative and melodramatic plot twists. Heck, this thing has enough melodrama and occurrences for an entire season of a show! Let me summarize for you…

A corpse drops off the top of a building right through the windshield of some guys with blue balls. Stabler, Benson and the ME wonder who the dead chump is. His bling labeled "SCA" seems to be a clue. Also someone bit his penis real hard. DUNT DUNT! Continue reading How much plot can YOU cram into 42 minutes? Or, Law and Order: SVU’s tale of the psycho twins

Meta-narrative: My dolls play with their dolls.

Meta-narrative: My dolls play with their dolls. published on 3 Comments on Meta-narrative: My dolls play with their dolls.

Now that my BJDs all have their own BJDs, they can play dolls together. Given the differences in personalities, this can lead to conflict.Continue reading Meta-narrative: My dolls play with their dolls.

Petula, Seed Dolls Inkling, painted, wigged and dressed

Petula, Seed Dolls Inkling, painted, wigged and dressed published on 1 Comment on Petula, Seed Dolls Inkling, painted, wigged and dressed

I got my Seed Dolls Inkling late last week and finally had the time to work on her today. I painted her in my usual messy style, gave her a dress by Spampy Stuff and glued pink yarn on her head for hair. Then I gave her some pancakes [Rement], which I think puzzled her.
Continue reading Petula, Seed Dolls Inkling, painted, wigged and dressed

No one else but him: Jareth, the only human in the Labyrinth

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So I was reading reviews of Return to Labyrinth, volume 4, a shitty manga predicated on Jareth naming Toby as heir to the maze. As I did so, I said to myself, “Some movies just shouldn’t have sequels.” And Labyrinth is one such. It creates a convincing and immersive world that wraps up conclusively at the end of its time frame and needs no embellishment in the form of further adventures. [That said, I will not censure fanfic writers for doing their damnedest to prove me otherwise. :p ]

As I scanned the reviews, a thought occurred to me: the sequels to Labyrinth stink for many reasons, one of the major ones being that they expand on the human population of the Labyrinth. The Return to Labyrinth series, for example, brings in Mizumi, Queen of Moraine [what?!], her two daughters, a mysterious girl named Moppet, etc., etc., etc. These additions negatively affect the original, true population of Labyrinth, i.e., just Jareth.

In order to prove that more humans in the Labyrinth is a bad idea, I should probably tell you why having only one is a good idea, no? As the sole human in the Labyrinth, Jareth provides a 1:1 correspondence to Sarah. He matches her. He becomes her complement in a way that clearly identifies him as a central figure of fantasy fulfillment, undistracted by other people. His symbolic appearance as the flip side of Sarah [hello there, Jareth, walking on the underside of the Escher maze while Sarah runs along the top!] is obviously telegraphed in his solitude. Jareth as sole human makes his symbolic role and his connection to Sarah crystal-ball-clear [nyuk nyuk].

Jareth’s aloneness also highlights another important aspect of his and Sarah’s character: their loneliness. Just in case you weren’t convinced by his pre-Magic-Dance boredom that Jareth feels lonely, his sad isolation also comes through in the sheer numbers. That is to say that he’s outnumbered by Muppets. He sits in his castle, spinning idle fantasies, in the same way that Sarah roams the park alone, practicing her lines with no one. Jareth’s singleness underscores the dangerous estrangement that Sarah suffers when she’s too immersed in her daydreams.

Having more people than Jareth in the Labyrinth depersonalizes the whole adventure for Sarah by diffusing Jareth’s symbolic heft and downplaying his twinship with her.

Lumedoll issues 2 more 30cm mature male BJDs.

Lumedoll issues 2 more 30cm mature male BJDs. published on 1 Comment on Lumedoll issues 2 more 30cm mature male BJDs.

Remember how, a while back, I said that Lumedoll was coming out with a 30cm [action figure-sized] mature male BJD, Koit? Of course you don’t. Anyway, as the headline suggests, Lumedoll is now issuing two more headsculpts, Lucas and Blaze. Here’s Lucas’ page: http://www.lumedoll.com/Lucas.htm Also in good news, Lumedoll appears to be updating their 30cm mature male body. They have a slim type and a regular type, although I can’t really tell the difference. I hope that Lumedoll continues to expand their 30cm mature line, just so there can be more beautiful, unusual 1:6 sculpts available.

Papercraft laptop for BJDs

Papercraft laptop for BJDs published on No Comments on Papercraft laptop for BJDs

I made a papercraft laptop for my dolls tonight. I’m sure it would have looked better if I had printed it out on cardstock [which I didn’t have] and used some adhesive other than clear tape, but it’s close enough for my purposes. Modeled by a chronically unimpressed Araminthe.Continue reading Papercraft laptop for BJDs

Approximately 1:3 scale laptops for BJDs: papercraft to the rescue

Approximately 1:3 scale laptops for BJDs: papercraft to the rescue published on No Comments on Approximately 1:3 scale laptops for BJDs: papercraft to the rescue

Last night I decided that Sarah, Sardonix, Junebug and Araminthe should be able to write stories and surf the Web if they want to. To that end, I searched this morning for a 1:3 scale laptop. I couldn’t find any except for an overpriced American Girl accessory set for last year’s Girl of the Year. http://www.amazon.com/American-Girl-G0734-BF1C-Lanies-Accessories/dp/B0042R5KBQ

Then I decided that I didn’t really need a plastic laptop, only a convincing replica of one, material negotiable. Thus I searching under "papercraft laptop," and I found a PC World article about geeky papercraft. http://www.pcworld.com/article/191751/the_webs_geekiest_papercraft_projects.html The associated slideshow linked to many PDFed papercrafts, including various IBM ThinkPads with instructions in Japanese. I selected one http://www-06.ibm.com/jp/pc/tplife/pc/t60.pdf , eyeballed it for scale [=good enough for me!] and printed it out. Hopefully I’ll be able to generate a passable 1:3 scale laptop with this project. Stay tuned.

Thoughts upon seeing Michael Williams’ Flickr set of the Mattel/Barbie booth at Toy Fair 2011

Thoughts upon seeing Michael Williams’ Flickr set of the Mattel/Barbie booth at Toy Fair 2011 published on 1 Comment on Thoughts upon seeing Michael Williams’ Flickr set of the Mattel/Barbie booth at Toy Fair 2011

It’s Toy Fair time again, folks. Time for all 3 of you to listen to me hold forth on Mattel’s upcoming offerings.

Continue reading Thoughts upon seeing Michael Williams’ Flickr set of the Mattel/Barbie booth at Toy Fair 2011

Araminthe, Junebug and the camera

Araminthe, Junebug and the camera published on 2 Comments on Araminthe, Junebug and the camera

I got a little Hello Kitty camera yesterday. When you look in the viewfinder, you see scenes of Hello Kitty that change when you click the shutter. Araminthe apparently has other plans for the camera.
Continue reading Araminthe, Junebug and the camera

Araminthe’s arrival! [Or, Bad-tempered vampire is bad-tempered.]

Araminthe’s arrival! [Or, Bad-tempered vampire is bad-tempered.] published on 2 Comments on Araminthe’s arrival! [Or, Bad-tempered vampire is bad-tempered.]

Araminthe arrived today! She’s the first representative of B&G Doll [Boy &Girl Doll] that I’ve encountered, and I really like her. She has smooth even resin without mold lines, well-hidden double joints and perfect stringing. She stands and holds a multitude of poses right out of the box. I’m not going to even have to wire her arms!

Araminthe’s headsculpt, the snarling Burrysa head, came with the bloody faceup, not the non-bloody one, so I guess she’s a messy eater. Her default smoldering red eyes go well with the red and black tones used in her faceup, and the drips of blood outside her lips seem more stylized than realistic. As for Araminthe’s head itself, it’s very small compared to other 60cm heads, with fine, pointy features and harsh, flat planes. I think her expression is hilarious.Continue reading Araminthe’s arrival! [Or, Bad-tempered vampire is bad-tempered.]

Araminthe’s outfit of awesomeness!

Araminthe’s outfit of awesomeness! published on 1 Comment on Araminthe’s outfit of awesomeness!

I got Araminthe a frilly and obnoxiously colored dress set, Watermelon Idol, from Tenshi on DoA. Isn’t it fabulous? Also please note that Noodge apparently likes Araminthe’s shoes too.Continue reading Araminthe’s outfit of awesomeness!

Araminthe’s shoes of awesomeness!

Araminthe’s shoes of awesomeness! published on 1 Comment on Araminthe’s shoes of awesomeness!

Araminthe has yet to arrive — her putative date is the middle or end of February — but I have been collecting her clothes, wig and shoes, everything but the red eyes, which she comes with. Behold now her shoes of awesomeness, which are the highest of femme in all details. They even have butterflies and flowers on the soles. Can you imagine a bad-tempered vampire wearing these? You will soon see one in the person of Araminthe.
Continue reading Araminthe’s shoes of awesomeness!

Sarah and Precious Little: a very small Xmas

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Sarah plays with Precious Little, who plays with a Rement Xmas tree. Bonus picture of Sarah with a violently pink ball of yarn, clashing with her pink outfit.Continue reading Sarah and Precious Little: a very small Xmas

I kind of want this doll.

I kind of want this doll. published on No Comments on I kind of want this doll.

B&G Dolls [Boy and Girl Dolls] has a several-months-old line out called the Old World. These dolls represent the most popular dollified supernaturals, viz., vampires, elves and elfy vampires.

I currently have a crush on Burrysa, an elfy vampire. One of her full sets http://www.towdoll.com/OldWorld/goods.php?id=16 comes with one head with open eyes, with the option of goblet-holding hands, wand-holding hands or regular hands [I think]. The open-eyed sculpt has a slightly open mouth, a very stylized face with high and flat cheekbones, long pointy ears and a surprisingly thoughtful and innocent expression for a vampire.

Another full set for Burrysa http://www.towdoll.com/OldWorld/goods.php?id=17 comes with two heads, the open-eyed head and a dramatic head with partly closed eyes. The closed-eyed head features glaring, lowered brows, narrowed eyes and bared fangs in an open, yelling mouth. She looks supremely irritated, like she’s in the midst of saying, “I’m so pissed off I could bite something!”

I can just see her now with poofy pink ponytails or cyber dreads and a decora outfit as elaborate as Zinnia Pascale’s. Her name would be something soft and plushy, like Trisha or Priscilla, and her outfit would be bright and cheery, while her personality would be curmudgeonly and semi-evil, but actually not that bad. She’d be the bigger vampire version of Zinnia Pascale, and she’d sure be a lot of fun to piece together…

Sarah looking out the window

Sarah looking out the window published on No Comments on Sarah looking out the window

Sarah gazes contemplatively out the window with her doll Precious Little. Sarah is wearing a wig that I got from Barb at doll club yesterday for just $3.00. I think Sarah looks better in dark-colored hair than in the wig she came with, a bright red one. I used the last bit of pre-sunlight light for these pictures and burned/dodged Sarah’s eyes in the one with Precious Little so you can see their green.Continue reading Sarah looking out the window

2.8: “Deliver Me from Evil”

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In tribute to my grandmother, who died in July, I’m redoing all of season 2 [in which Anneka’s grandmother dies] with dolls, rather than digital renders. Previously, in LHF, Anneka and Will were up in Vermont, struggling in their own ways with Anneka’s grandmother’s death. Disturbed by flashbacks of the deaths of himself and his parents, Will finally reveals to Anneka what’s on his mind. We find out how Will was turned into a vampire and just how stupid his first clan was.

2.7: “Lonely Hour”

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In tribute to my grandmother, who died in July, I’m redoing all of season 2 [in which Anneka’s grandmother dies] with dolls, rather than digital renders. In this ep, Anneka takes her grandma’s illness hard and tries to console herself with help from her best friend.

http://oddpla.net/lhf/?p=51

Petula the petulant

Petula the petulant published on 1 Comment on Petula the petulant

I ordered my Seed Dolls Inkling today. She'll come with a neutral open-eyed faceplate and the one that she will wear most often, the pouting one. Her name will be Petula, a word that has the same cognate as "petulant," which describes her character: chronically unimpressed. She'll be Sarah's second BJD, after Precious Little.

Photography with flash

Photography with flash published on No Comments on Photography with flash

Taking advantage of the clocks turned back and the early dark, I tried taking some photos of Sarah under my one desk light, no other lights on in the bedroom, and the flash. Amazingly enough, the flash didn’t totally wash out her features. I did some burning and dodging on her eyes in the first picture so you can see what a lovely green they are.Continue reading Photography with flash

The gods of bdsm have a limited vocabulary.

The gods of bdsm have a limited vocabulary. published on 1 Comment on The gods of bdsm have a limited vocabulary.

I find Jacqueline Carey’s books about Terre D’Ange [wherein Jesus’ son settled down in France and produced gods of bdsm — it’s better than it sounds] entertaining, but oh my Lord…someone please stop telling her to use "betimes" and "apurpose" in every third paragraph.

Just to make matters more irritating, Carey uses "betimes" as a synonym of "sometimes," but the first meaning for this archaic word  is actually "in good time; early," as in, "The farmer got up betimes to milk the cows in the predawn darkness."

Carey’s lexical problems really interrupt my enjoyment of her mind candy.

Seed Dolls Inkling

Seed Dolls Inkling published on 2 Comments on Seed Dolls Inkling

I really want an Inkling BJD, done by Seed Dolls, or armeleia [aka the person who modded Jareth and Frank BJDs for me]. Done in 1:9 scale. Inkling was made to be a 1:3 doll for 1:3 dolls — a BJD’s BJD. She appeals to me because of her small size, because apparently my own BJDs like BJDs and because she has multiple faceplates. I especially like the pouting faceplate.  I would get an Inkling and have her wear the pouting faceplate all the time, being a permanently bad-tempered doll. HAH!

Sarah likes to read.

Sarah likes to read. published on 1 Comment on Sarah likes to read.

After she got home from Christine’s, where she was getting a new faceup, Sarah immediately flopped down on my bed with a good book [Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland]. After she finished that, she saw that Junebug and Sardonix were reading Poe, so she told them about her favorite stories by him, "Ligeia" and "The Fall of the House of Usher." Junebug was deliciously creeped out; Sardonix was fascinated. Continue reading Sarah likes to read.

Noodge’s clothes

Noodge’s clothes published on No Comments on Noodge’s clothes

Noodge is getting a T-shirt and a pair of leggings made by Spampy’s Stuff. Each piece of material that makes up each item of clothing will have a different pattern on it, so that the whole effect looks like a purposely clashing patchwork…with a skull and crossbones on the chest, of course. Hee hee hee. Noodge, like Sardonix, will definitely be barefoot and quite possible bald as well.

Vosges Mo’s Bacon Bar tasting

Vosges Mo’s Bacon Bar tasting published on No Comments on Vosges Mo’s Bacon Bar tasting

Verdict: Creamy, sweet, milky chocolate mixes well with chewy small bits of salty-sweet bacon. These flavors really complement each other, providing an overall depth of flavor that, while not sophisticated, is robust and pleasurable. It’s not worth the ridiculously high price that I paid for it, but it is a very good bar. If someone else buys it, you should ask to try some squares.

Vosges Red Fire bar tasting report

Vosges Red Fire bar tasting report published on No Comments on Vosges Red Fire bar tasting report

Verdict: Dark chocolate with an afterburn. The cinnamon and chilies combine to leave one’s mouth pleasantly tingly and warm after eating. Other than that, it’s a regular bar with the usual taste of dark chocolate overwhelming any tastes contributed by the cinnamon and chilies. Not worth the inflated price I paid.

Soso conceptconcept

Soso conceptconcept published on No Comments on Soso conceptconcept

My Fairyland Realpuki is going to be named Noodge, and she’s going to be Sardonix’ dolly minion [aka scapegoat for Sardonix’ mischief]. She was going to be a sweet little fairy doll, but the concept grew a life of its own. Sigh.

I can just see Sardonix now, waving her doll in front of Sarah. "Pay attention to my Noodge!"

"YOU’RE a noodge!"

Ritter Sport milk chocolate with strawberry creme tasting

Ritter Sport milk chocolate with strawberry creme tasting published on No Comments on Ritter Sport milk chocolate with strawberry creme tasting

Verdict: Sweet, smooth milk chocolate blends with equally sweet and smooth cream filling with a sparky flavor from freeze-dried strawberries. The creaminess of the chocolate mixes well with the slightly lighter weight of the cream filling. This is a squishy, rich bar — I could only eat half at once — with a dominant, but complex, taste. The two sweetnesses together may be too much for some people, but I really liked it. This is delicious high-grade chocolate for a decent price. Buy it!

Sardonix in Old Burying Ground, Harvard Square, Cambridge

Sardonix in Old Burying Ground, Harvard Square, Cambridge published on 2 Comments on Sardonix in Old Burying Ground, Harvard Square, Cambridge

I took about 40 shots this afternoon, but these three of Sardonix peeking out devilishly from the corner of a stone entranced me the most.Continue reading Sardonix in Old Burying Ground, Harvard Square, Cambridge

Gourmet chocolate

Gourmet chocolate published on No Comments on Gourmet chocolate

I’m not a food connoisseur, but I like good food. I went to Cardullo’s in Harvard Square today and returned with $mumble$ of specialty chocoate: two Ritter Sport milk chocolate bars with strawberry creme [favorably reviewed by all the candy blogs I was drooling over yesterday], a Vosges Red Fire Bar [ancho and chipotle chilies, cinnamon, 55% cacao] and a Vosges Mo’s Bacon Bar [bacon, smoked salt, 45% cacao]. Here is a picture of my haul. Tasting reports later. Continue reading Gourmet chocolate

Fairyland RealPuki Soso coming…eventually.

Fairyland RealPuki Soso coming…eventually. published on 1 Comment on Fairyland RealPuki Soso coming…eventually.

Ever since I saw a RealPuki Soso at doll club earlier this year, I’ve really liked RealPukis, my favorite being Soso [shown in the link]. Soso nownow I’m getting my ownown, as a mischievous doll for Sardonix [like she needs more mischief in her life] and someone for Precious Little to play with [like dolls’ dolls need playmates]. I should have the unnamed Soso by the new year, since processing takes 8-10 weeks. Booooo hisssss.

2.4: “Blooming”

2.4: “Blooming” published on 1 Comment on 2.4: “Blooming”

In tribute to my grandmother, who died in July, I’m redoing all of season 2 [in which Anneka’s grandmother dies] with dolls, rather than digital renders. In another one of his flashbacks triggered by being around Anneka’s dying grandmother, Will remembers the time over 100 years ago when his old girlfriend, Absinthe, tried to vamp him.

2.3: “Meet the Richardsons”

2.3: “Meet the Richardsons” published on 2 Comments on 2.3: “Meet the Richardsons”

In tribute to my grandmother, who died in July, I’m redoing all of season 2 [in which Anneka’s grandmother dies] with dolls, rather than digital renders. In our previous ep, Anneka mentioned that she was resting while Will was talking to her parents. Here are the excruciating details of that conversation.

Little props for my dolls

Little props for my dolls published on No Comments on Little props for my dolls

I don’t know where my 1:3 Tarot cards went or my 1:3 book about Puritan cemetery iconography [handmade by me], so I bought some new mini Tarot cards and books for my 1:3ers. I got them a mini version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and a mini book of The Raven and two tales by Poe. The total shipping was more than the total price of the items. :p Anyway, then they won’t get bored if they want to do something other than talking to each other.

2.2.5: “Schlocky Horror Show”

2.2.5: “Schlocky Horror Show” published on 1 Comment on 2.2.5: “Schlocky Horror Show”

In tribute to my grandmother, who died in July, I’m redoing all of season 2 [in which Anneka’s grandmother dies] with dolls, rather than digital renders. This episode occurs after Anneka and Will have driven up to Vermont to see her family and her dying grandmother. In this ep, Anneka suffers the consequences of being out during the day.

Sarah’s here!

Sarah’s here! published on 1 Comment on Sarah’s here!

Behold her now with incorrect faceup, eyes and wig. Soon her head will be off to Arianne02 for repainting; she’ll get some green eyes and brown hair [and pink hair!], and she’ll be set. For now, we get some pictures. Lovely, fashionable outfit is by an42 or DollsAhoy.

Note to self: Get some 12 gauge wire for Sarah’s arms. Continue reading Sarah’s here!

Sarah’s coming together!

Sarah’s coming together! published on No Comments on Sarah’s coming together!

My doll Sarah’s jeans and loafers have been purchased and will soon be in the mail.

I have an inquiry in to PamSD about making her poet’s blouse and vest.

I’m also hoping to commission Lynn Nexus on DOA to make 2 yarn wigs, one wiggly and hot pink, to satisfy my desires for pink hair, and one straight and dark brown, for hair like Sarah had in the movie.

And Arianne02 has agreed to do a custom faceup on Sarah that will give her a complexion and features like Sarah’s in the movie!

I can’t wait. She’s gonna be really cute. Now I just need to find some 16mm hazel or green eyes….

EDIT: Green eyes found and ordered!

Welcome home, Sarah!

Welcome home, Sarah! published on No Comments on Welcome home, Sarah!

I’m buying a Souldoll Shiva G from the DoA marketplace. Her name is Sarah, inspired by Sarah from Labyrinth [dreamy, bookish and shy, but not as whiny or as stupid with her mouth hanging open]. She’s coming with this outfit.

Right now I have conflicting ideas about how I want to set her up. [I usually paint and dress my dolls once, then keep them that way, unless they are Anneka, Will or Velvette.] Part of me wants to prepare her as Sarah from Labyrinth, with long straight brown hair, brown eyes, jeans, peasant blouse, vest and loafers. Another part of me wants to put her in green eyes, pink ponytails, my an42 pink and orange paisley dress, black and white stripey socks. Of course, the beauty of BJDs is that I can prepare her both ways, but I’m just trying to decide which look to invest in first.

Since I have the paisley dress and the stripey socks, I think I will go with the obnoxious pink look first!

As Sarah is coming with a wig, eyes and clothes [even though they are out of character], I don’t really need to prepare anything for her arrival except some footwear. I sold all my BJD shoes when I got rid of Jareth, Frank and Jennifer because my remaining BJD, Sardonix, goes barefoot [and wigless — very low maintenance!]. I hope to get Sarah some loafers from the DoA marketplace, barring that, some boring black boots. [At 8.3 cm long, Souldoll Zenith girls have big feet compared to other female dolls in the 70cm range, which makes shoe shopping hard.]

I’m also excited to report that I’ll be moving my big dolls [all 2 of them, Sardonix and Junebug] this evening. They currently sit on the very top shelf of my tallest doll bookshelf in my bedroom. Above eye level, they are isolated and rarely admired. I’m transferring them to the first shelf of my bookcase in the living room. They will then be directly across the room from my chair, where I sit to use my computer and read. I will then look up and see Sardonix with her arms folded and Junebug with her happy smile and, soon, Sarah with her wistful expression. All three of them should make good friends.

Souldoll Shiva/Chantal???

Souldoll Shiva/Chantal??? published on No Comments on Souldoll Shiva/Chantal???

…Or would a sweet-looking Souldoll Shiva/Chantal [human version, 2 arms, white or normal skin] be a better choice than a Soom Breccia? She has such a dreamy, questioning look. She looks like a Sarah, and Soom Breccia doesn’t. [Apparently this doll’s name is going to be Sarah!] Breccia looks a little vapid compared with Shiva. Shiva also comes with a double-jointed body, while Breccia’s body is single-jointed and supposedly not that poseable.

2.2: “Seedling”

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In tribute to my grandmother, who died in July, I’m redoing all of season 2 [in which Anneka’s grandmother dies] with dolls, rather than digital renders. Here is the second episode, in which Will and Anneka are on their way to Vermont to visit Anneka’s ailing grandmother. Along the way, Will dreams about his past.

Thinking out loud: bodies for Breccia

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ResinSoul $160.00 w/o s/h, shoulder width 9.5 cm, neck circ 9 cm
Fantasy Doll $150.00 w/o s/h, shoulder width 8 cm, neck circ 8.8 cm
Spirit Doll $380.00 w/o s/h, shoulder width 11.5 cm, neck circ 9.5 cm
Super Gem —, shoulder width 10.5 cm, neck circ 10 cm

Looks like the Spirit Doll body would be the most proportionate…also the most expensive…but it does have the "big boobs" option!

Beauty, utility, dolls

Beauty, utility, dolls published on 2 Comments on Beauty, utility, dolls

Thinking about the pretty Soom Breccia head that I sort of want, I ask myself what I would do with her. Of course she’d get a body. I’m sure she would dress up in the cheap, tacky remnants of my 1:3 wardrobe. It’s entirely possible that I would give her some sort of sloppy custom faceup that would further decrease her value, not to mention pink hair. And then…

Then what? Then she would go on the “big dollies” shelf along with Sardonix and Junebug, and she would sit there, making friends with them and quietly yellowing. She would come out for doll meets, where the audience would ooh and aah over her and take photos, and I’m sure she’d have televised chats with Sardonix and Junebug occasionally, but I don’t think I’d take lots of pictures of her or play with her a lot. Certainly not as frequently as I play with my 1:6ers.

I’d like a big doll with pink hair. None of my past BJDs had the appropriate type of pink hair. Zephque had a pale pink wig with double buns, but it wasn’t pink enough. My Soom Uyoo version of Jennifer had a wig of pink yarn for a while that looked good, but too much like Anneka’s hair. My Soom Sabik Will had a bright pink fur wig of the appropriate color, but it didn’t have double ponytails, and he was too big for me anyway…

I think I would get a Volks Dollfie Dream body for the putative Breccia head. It’s nice and light and sexy and relatively poseable. It’s also kinda cheap. The only problem is that Dollfie Dreams stain really easily. I’d have to make sure that all her clothes were lined, and nothing denim and/or black for her! That’s easy…I already have the an42 pink and orange paisley dress that I’d want her to wear…and the stripey black and white socks.

She would be such a pretty doll!

I think I need a camera with a really good zoom lens, or I need a good zoom lens to put on my current camera.

This disjointed entry has been brought to you by the Society of Useless Sexy Expensive Dolls, or USED.

Lumedoll’s 30cm mature male BJD, Koit

Lumedoll’s 30cm mature male BJD, Koit published on 1 Comment on Lumedoll’s 30cm mature male BJD, Koit

If there’s one thing that the ABJD world lacks, it’s truly 1:6 mature male BJDs, i.e. with the size and proportions of GI Joes. 1:6 mature female BJDs exist in quantity, from Soom’s Mini Gems to DollMore’s FMDs  to SoulDoll’s Soul-Littles, but they have no male counterparts. SoulDoll at one time did make a male Soul-Little, Kimmy, but he has gone out of print.

Now, much to the joy of fans of 1:6 BJDs, a new 1:6 male doll has appeared on the horizon. Lumedoll  will be making Koit, 30cm of goodness, perfectly sized to go along with all those 1:6 resin women!

After quickly glancing at Koit, I really like him. The seriousness of his mouth and the shape of his eyes reminds me favorably of Chow. Koit would also be the perfect mold for the special collections assistant of my Intellectum project, though nothing with probably come of said project.

I hope that Koit remains in print for a long time so that those who wish to have 1:6 resin guys can do so. Actually, I would really like for Koit to inspire Soom, DollMore and SoulDoll to make 1:6 resin dudes of their own so that the possibilities for 1:6 people could be even greater than those supplied by plastic forms.

2.1: “Homecoming Costumes”

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In tribute to my grandmother, who died in July, I’m redoing all of season 2 [in which Anneka’s grandmother dies] with dolls, rather than digital renders. Here’s the first episode, in which Anneka and Will show off a bit of their huge collection of kinky sex toys.

Bad idea, MW!

Bad idea, MW! published on 2 Comments on Bad idea, MW!

I got the genius, bad, tempting idea this afternoon that Bobobie Charisma looks like Jareth. And there’s a Bobobie Charisma human head on the DOA Marketplace right now for $30.00. Of course, it’s slate-blue, which Jareth most emphatically ain’t, but that’s why people who have airbrushes who can be hired to recolor a head were invented.

To quote Hoggle from Labyrinth, "Damn you, Jareth! And damn me too!"

Like I need more Jareths in my life…especially after I already got rid of a BJD one [but it didn’t really look like him anyway].

EDIT: Well, shit. I see that Bobobie is on my list of cheating doll cos.

…But Charisma has a smirk...and a cheap price tag.

Did I mention the smirk? And the seductive androgyny? And the face that looks older than most preternaturally young-faced BJDs?

How morally compromised am I, considering the abandonment of my principles for a cheap smirk?

Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, maybe I can go to bed.

Anneka in more Moxie Teens clothes

Anneka in more Moxie Teens clothes published on No Comments on Anneka in more Moxie Teens clothes

Anneka models more Moxie Teens fashions, all of which fit CGs beautifully. The first is marketed as a night gown, but it works very well as a dress and bolero for action figs. The second outfit is made of Melrose’s top and Bijou’s pants. Bijou’s pants actually go up to Anneka’s waist and close in the  back, making a very effective pair of skinny jeans! I bought all four Moxie Teens and the night gown set at full price, but I am very pleased with the results. Now I have to figure out what to do with four naked Moxie Teens on my desk….
Continue reading Anneka in more Moxie Teens clothes

Sitting there, not doing anything

Sitting there, not doing anything published on 2 Comments on Sitting there, not doing anything

I feel somewhat guilty about having 17 extra 1:6 dolls hanging around. By “extra,” I mean that they have no point. I keep them because I like them, not because they play any part in my major dolly project, LHF.

Continue reading Sitting there, not doing anything

Articulation is all the rage, but why does it have to come with BIG HEADS?

Articulation is all the rage, but why does it have to come with BIG HEADS? published on 2 Comments on Articulation is all the rage, but why does it have to come with BIG HEADS?

An informal timeline of recent doll developments shows a plethora of increasingly articulated fashion or playline dolls available in your average department store or toy store.

Continue reading Articulation is all the rage, but why does it have to come with BIG HEADS?

More Moxie Teens clothes

More Moxie Teens clothes published on 1 Comment on More Moxie Teens clothes

I ordered Moxie Teens Melrose and Bijou [I already cannibalized Tristen and Arizona for their clothes], along with a pajamas set that looks like a nice lightweight summer dress. Melrose and Bijou shall donate their clothes to my 1:6ers, and I shall be up more 1:6 outfits at an exorbitant price! I’m really looking forward to Bijou’s transparent pink over-blouse and the jeans [over some long shirts, of course, for I hear they are too short-waisted otherwise]. Since I have a lot of extra money, compared to when I lived at my previous apartment, I can afford to invest in my dollies, hurrah!

Continue reading More Moxie Teens clothes

“How you turn my world, you precious thing”: Bering Lusk, the Harumika mannequin

“How you turn my world, you precious thing”: Bering Lusk, the Harumika mannequin published on 1 Comment on “How you turn my world, you precious thing”: Bering Lusk, the Harumika mannequin

I got my pink-headed Harumika today and promptly named her Bering Lusk. She’s quite imperious [hence the quote from David Bowie’s Within You, from Labyrinth], even with her limited articulation. However, she willingly donned an an42 creation made for a larger doll and allowed herself to be shot in the dying sun.Continue reading “How you turn my world, you precious thing”: Bering Lusk, the Harumika mannequin

My current desk and shelf set-up

My current desk and shelf set-up published on 2 Comments on My current desk and shelf set-up

Here are my shelves, desk, dolls and sets as of today in my new apartment. I take photos in the lefthand corner of my desk, where Ebru and Sophie are standing in front of a starry background. I put my dolls on the top shelves to the right of my desk, while parts of sets are stored below.Continue reading My current desk and shelf set-up

I’m getting a MIB AJ.

I’m getting a MIB AJ. published on 1 Comment on I’m getting a MIB AJ.

The first Cy Girl I picked up, back in 2001, was A.J. Mcleod. Her pale, melancholy face and brown hair reminded me of Jennifer Connelly as Sarah, but AJ looked more intelligent because her mouth was closed. I’ve loved and used the CG02 headsculpt [appearing on A.J., Blaze, Shadow and Destiny] many times in my collection, but, after customizing my last, I have no stock examples of this beautiful head. A fellow MWDer is selling me a MIB AJ, though, so I can enjoy her pure, unalloyed beauty as the second part of my "congratulations-I-successfully-moved" present to myself. I’ll leave this one untouched, though I’ll certainly change her clothes. I find AJ’s default outfit uninteresting.

P.S. If anyone wants to send me more congratulatory gifts because I successfully moved, comment here, and I will E-mail you my new address. 😀 😀

Sophie with orange eyes

Sophie with orange eyes published on 1 Comment on Sophie with orange eyes

Tonight I painted Sophie’s eyes orange. I worked on her lips, but I didn’t like them in either black or yellow, so I erased them. I also ended up erasing a bit of the silver around her mouth, so now her lips look very slightly matte in comparison to the rest of her. I don’t think I’ll mess with her any more; her eyes are more visible, and she looks welcoming, rather than creepy. As a bonus, there is a self-portrait in Sophie’s forehead of me holding my camera. :pContinue reading Sophie with orange eyes

Sophie meets Ebru.

Sophie meets Ebru. published on 3 Comments on Sophie meets Ebru.

I painted Sophie’s eyes black this evening in an effort to make her features stand out a bit more. What do you think I should do to her lips to make them more visible? In these pictures, she’s meeting Ebru, my YNU Group Mixi Houda, who has a new hat. Both of them are wearing an42 dresses!Continue reading Sophie meets Ebru.

Sophie

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Here is my latest 1:6 acquisition. She is a Comic Con 2003 special edition silver Cy Girl. Even though she was produced in small numbers, she’s still available from Echobase Toys, who sold her to me for <$30.00 including shipping. There are only two unusual things about her: first, her color, and, second, her headsculpt, which, as far as I know, was used only on the Comic Con exclusives [there was a gold one too], but not on any flesh-colored dollies. Made completely of silver plastic [except for her joints, which are whitish], Sophie, as I have named her, is very difficult to take pictures of. She has the opposite problem of Velvette, my darkest doll, who swallows light; Sophie, instead, reflects everything. Forthwith, some photos.Continue reading Sophie

I have ordered Sophie.

I have ordered Sophie. published on 3 Comments on I have ordered Sophie.

C’est a dire, I have purchased the doll who would play Scanty Sophie if the Intellectum Library project ever came to fruition: a Comic-Con 2003 special silver Cy Girl 1.0. She is part of my "Congratulations, you successfully moved!" present to myself. She will be part of LHF, a robotic creation of Janet’s, and her name will be Sophie. I used to have a silver CG a long time ago, and I’m pleased to be getting one again. Thanks, Echobase Toys. Watch out for her eventual inclusion in LHF!

Something is wrong with this doll!

Something is wrong with this doll! published on 1 Comment on Something is wrong with this doll!

People in the Library of Intellectum keep finding it lying around on books like How to Create Your Own Homunculus, Artificial Lifeforms for Beginners and Ventriloquism for Fun and Sadism. Whenever a patron picks up the doll to give it to lost and found, the doll’s eyes glitter and follow the person, and it seems to start frowning. Inevitably, the patron, instead of giving the doll to lost and found, puts the doll in a dark corner of the library, hopefully never to be seen again. A few weeks later, the doll appears on an open book, seeming to read. It cannot be gotten rid of!

The ghost and the library assistant are very interested in the doll. The ghost likes the doll because…well, she wants a dolly, and she’s rather indiscriminate about what kind. The library assistant thinks that the doll is alive, possessed or cursed and somehow trying to communicate with people, but people keep banishing it. The library assistant and the ghost conduct experiments on the doll, and they’ve pretty much established that it moves on its own, even though they haven’t seen it do so. The library assistant thinks that she can teach the doll how to write, since the doll’s mouth is stitched up.

The doll is a V3 base with free Classic Elegance hair and a creepy, compelling texture by samildanach, Dulari Doll. Picture of naked doll below.
Continue reading Something is wrong with this doll!

Library assistant with different hair

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I’m still trying to find a hairstyle that suits her personality. Or I’m still trying to find her personality via her hairstyle. This one is Mint3D’s free Classic Elegance. 
Continue reading Library assistant with different hair

Dolls for the Library of Intellectum

Dolls for the Library of Intellectum published on 1 Comment on Dolls for the Library of Intellectum

In order of appearance…

Scanty Sophie is a ComicCon 2003 special silver CG01. $20.00 at Echobase Toys.

The book wyrm is a felted Chinese dragon. $200.00-$300.00, probably commissioned via etsy.

The library assistant is a Dollmore Melissa Hon BJD. $234.00 at Dollmore.

The head librarian is probably a square-jawed Obitsu head [W-03] on an Obitsu slender male body. Head is $6.99 and body $20.99 at JunkySpot.

The ghost is a Elfdoll Doona Ryung with the open-eyed head, preferably on a Notdoll Miriam body. Elfdoll Doona Ryung is somewhere between $340.00-$380.00 on the secondary market, while Notdoll Mariam is $310.00 at Notdoll.

The special collections assistant is a Elfdoll Doona Ryung squinty head, preferably on a resin [SoulDoll? Alchemico Labo?] 27cm male body. Prices for resin 27cm male bodies are unknown, as they are very rare.

The "little fucker" would be a DreamHigh Squee. $160.00 from Luxour Academy.

The sets would probably be comparatively cheap and easy!

The digitally rendered scene would serve as the exterior.

The book wyrm’s room could just be a corner of grey foamcore, maybe with some painted cardboard tubing for a few pillars.

The Pierian Spring would be more grey foamcore for the backdrop, more cardboard tubing for pillars, painted pie tins and other shallow vessels for the fountain tiers.

The Discard Bin could just be suggested by one coffin and ye olde grey backdrop with a rose window drawn on it.

The ILL center could be ye olde grey background with colorful, grungy window frames drawn on and some computers added.

A set of stacks could be made with two large bookcases full up, facing, making an aisle between them. Making each book out of paper and wood would take the most time.

Why am I spending so much time on this idea? It’ll never reach fruition.

Infestation

Infestation published on 2 Comments on Infestation

Known to the employees of the Library of Intellectum as "little fuckers," these things run around the library. No one’s sure whether they feed on books, come out of books, or what. They make a high-pitched whispery snickering noise that infuriates almost everyone who hears it. When the employees in the oversized quartos section are really bored, they build elaborate simple machines to flatten them. The newest library assistant distinguishes herself by having compassion for them and urging people not to wantonly destroy them, but she has trouble convincing people of her message.

Improved ghost of the library

Improved ghost of the library published on 1 Comment on Improved ghost of the library

Now she is modeled after Elfdoll’s Doona Ryung.

Base is Millennium Girls. Texture is from a character called TenTen by Yamato. Outfit is another permutation of the wonderful, intricate Story Time. Hair is Studio Maya’s Spiral Twin Tail.  Continue reading Improved ghost of the library

The library assistant with even better hair

The library assistant with even better hair published on 1 Comment on The library assistant with even better hair

This is her again, this time with free Short Layered Hair by Studio Maya.

She’s serious and curious, prone to losing herself in the stacks and basements, and in wonder at it all.Continue reading The library assistant with even better hair

A boy in blues: the Library of Intellectum’s special collections assistant

A boy in blues: the Library of Intellectum’s special collections assistant published on 1 Comment on A boy in blues: the Library of Intellectum’s special collections assistant

Here is one of the assistants in special collections in the Library of Intellectum. The best friend of the newest library assistant, he focuses on archiving personal histories and journals in special collections. He likes to tell people that he gets paid to read other people’s secret diaries. He dislikes his librarian’s blues, as he thinks they are too drab and not flattering enough. Besides cerebral palsy, he was also born with alopecia totalis and was raised by a single mother, from whom he learned to apply eyebrows in a rather more arched shape than might be expected.

The special collections assistant is a Victoria 3 base [with male morph], V3 basic texture and V3 Morphing Fantasy Dress. The wheelchair is a free download by ziggie.
Continue reading A boy in blues: the Library of Intellectum’s special collections assistant

The Library of Intellectum’s ghost

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The Library of Intellectum has a ghost, whose reality is accepted much more thoroughly than that of the book wyrm. More people have seen the ghost than the wyrm, after all. She is about 10 years old, precocious, demanding and bossy. Since she can’t make physical contact with anything, she often asks people to get books down from the shelves for her and flip through the pages so that she can read them. In this way she has learned much beyond her years, and she enjoys shocking patrons with her foul mouth and her detailed knowledge of sex. Anyone who spends a little time with her, though, knows that her arrogant demeanor hides a deep core of loneliness and vulnerability. She wishes that someone would pay attention to her and treat her as a daughter, but doubts that anyone would want to.

Modeled after Soom’s Mini Gem Garam, the library ghost is standing in the Discard Bin. She is made using Poser Girls’ free Alina character for Victoria 2 [login needed] on the free Daz Millennium Girls base, with the Capsces Litl’uns morph package [formerly sold at Renderosity]. The hair is Kozaburo’s free Alice hair, while the beautiful outfit is Daz’ Story Time.
Continue reading The Library of Intellectum’s ghost

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