MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

This is all very train of thought, so deal with it. or click on a different link.

I haven't posted in awhile, because of this damned dog that's taken over my life, which I've also been meaning to write a post about - but I'm all Star Wars distracted. I've been Star Wars distracted, and I'll continue to be Star Wars distracted for quite some time to come.
You see, before I knew Fandoms was a thing, Star Wars was my first fandom.

I don't think I saw Star wars until High School, and I'm pretty sure I saw a bit of it on TV, got super curious because of this thing I was going through with dealing with my issues, and we probably rented it from Blockbuster, back when that was a thing you could do. Because my mom raised me right, and she read me The Hobbit when I was in elementary school, and gave me A Wrinkle in Time in Middle School, and introduced me to Dune my freshman year of High School and where was my door in the wardrobe to Narnia?

But there was Star Wars which I had desperately avoided because of a cousin who always did the Darth Vader voice when we were playing with legos when I was a wee tot - and that voice scared the hell out of me. And I made myself watch Star Wars and it was over.

I poured through all of the books - ALL OF THE BOOKS - that were released until '99, begged for a THX copy of the VHS for my birthday, wrote fan fiction, and tried to build my own lightsaber.
But then the prequels came out, and I went to college where I had no time for anything anyhow, and I discovered others things.

And now The Force Awakens, and I love it. I love the variety of characters, I love their flaws (though Poe may not have any), I love that there's a really strong female lead who not only doens't need saving (a'la Leia) but is also our new Bassass Jedi Savior, and I love that the old cast is involved and how they're involved. I love the look and the shots and the music, and the creepy apricot face alien Maz Kanata and can I have a BB-8 of my own already?

I know that the story is not 100% original, but I don't really care; in part because it's a story I enjoy, and also the characters, and also the whole "repeating the mistakes of our elders" thing... And I get that there are old school fans who don't like this or that character for "insert here" reason, or will find this or that flaw and this or that reason to bitch about whatever and you know what?  I DO NOT CARE.
I just don't.
Because you love what you love, and you don't love what you don't love (to paraphase John Hodgeman) and it's noone's job to convince you otherwise, unless you're in it to be convinced.

So welcome to a Galaxy without Guard rails far far away where space elves teach teenagers how to move rocks, and lasers make sound in space. And yes, a third death star - because that worked so well every other time.
And also, take your gripes with you on your way out - there's a door right over there.

.curious things.

I've been doing a lot of perfuming work lately. In the midst of prepping everything for Noir, I did a lot of thinking, and repricing, and restructuring how I wanted to sell my smells.

First up - three new scents!
In the Monster Hunter line, King of Hell and Chuck.
 
Chuck
Any good writer becomes buried in their work. Our Chuck is no different, immersed in a earthy blend of coffee, white cognac, tobacco, and a touch of ambergris.

King of Hell
Black pepper and honeysuckle are blended with spikenard and birch tar. This fairly masculine fragrance is dark and smokey with a hint of spice, and the light touch of midsummer evenings at the crossroads.

In the 221B line, I introduce Watson.

Green tea and ginger grass, a soothing and refreshing breath of fresh air, with the faint trace of gun smoke and an undercurrent of roman chamomile.




All three of the new scents are available in in small individual boxes in limited quantities, which brings me to the first big change. With the exception of new scents, I will no longer be selling single sample sizes. All scents will still be available in small boxes in quantities of 3 or 4, and combo boxes are available for the SuperWhoLock fans who wants one or two scents from several different fandoms. Also - the price has gone down! The three sample boxes have been reduced to 8$, for the previous price of 12$. The four sample boxes are a mere 10$.

There are also no more single 5/8, or dram options.
The 5/8 drams are available in 3 or 4 packs, and the drams are available in 2 packs. For those wanting a larger quantity of a single scent - the 5ml euro bottles are still available on their own.

I'll be putting more sizing options in the shop as I get my photography in order. I have 10ml roll on bottles, perfume pendants, and larger 1oz bottles that will be available as soon as I can make them.

Also, if you're in the Kansas City/Lawrence KS area, I'll be vending at the Season 11 Premiere Watch Party on October 7th. It is free to attend,though you must RSVP. There are VIP bags you can purchase (and they look pretty cool), and all of the proceeds go to support The Willow Domestic Violence Center; and I think anyone with a heart can support that.

.the littlest water bear.

.field notes.

I first came across Field Notebooks in July of 2013 when I was looking for a pocket size dance journal, despite the fact that none of my dance practice pants had pockets. But I wanted something portable and a little flexible and lightweight.

these are prettier on the back

I found Field Notes.

This was when the Nigh Sky Edition was out, and being a Science Groupie with a love of Astronomy, I immediately bought 3 packs (the "legal" limit) and began using them immediately. The use of them quickly expanded from dance journaling into note taking on everything that was going on in my life - grocery lists, to do lists, quotes from the radio, notes on ideas and projects, and on and on. It's a bit of a problem, now that I'm going through a notebook every 2-3 weeks, except that I can look back to any week in the last year and know exactly what I was doing on a given day - which is weird and also kind of neat.

I finally gave up all pretense just before the Two Rivers edition came out this past spring and got a subscription. Now, I'm not exclusive with Field Notes - in my stock of notebooks ready to be used I have Baron Fig, Scout Books, and a few other smaller brands that I've picked up on whims and also a dash of hoarding-type compulsion. (My partner tolerates me to hoarding 2 things - plants and books, and these are kind of books, and also very small.)

I have the graph paper all the way on the left, not that you can tell.

Along with my first subscription came a few of the staple Kraft notebooks that I have never been interested in (because the covers are boring) but I put them away in my stash figuring they were good for Modifications, if nothing else.

And then I came across this wine with this beautiful paper sleeve, and because I love my notebooks, and I love my wine, and the modification took shape in my brain.

Scissors and spray glue and another wrapper from a white, and a press test from my work, and voila!

Curious Beasts, Fushia White, & a press test

I used medical tape to secure the wrap, because Reasons.

...and I need more wine.

Much better now. I've been wanting a red field notebook for ages. Now I have the best one ever. And it's covered with monsters and skeletons!

.throwback thursday.

A customer recently asked if I could make her a box of samples of the discontinued Blue Box fragrances, and I did. But you can't just make 0.5ml of a scent - my batches are by the tablespoon so there's a little bit extra for any curious souls who want to give them a sniff and a whiff.
  These scents are:

Doctor/Donna
Sunshine and citrus with a touch of bitter earth, Doctor/Donna is quick and sharp with top notes of Litsea Cubbea, a Middle note of Bergamot, and Vetiver undertones, rounded out with hints of Jasmine.

Hot Italian
Rosemary blends with basil, a hint of Spikenard and beautiful floral undertones - whether you Are a Hot Italian (or the Last Centurion?), or you're trying to attract one - this should do the trick.

Idris
The scent of dark wet earth mixed with floral overtones, and a touch of winter. Like the heart of the Tardis, this scent is whimsical and complex.

Still Not Ginger
While you still may not be ginger, this scent is actually full of it – warm spice balanced with Vanilla and the earthy aroma of Vetiver and Oakmoss.

Christmas Special
Light airy citrus blends with seasonal spices before they melt down into the comfort of the hearth. Blood orange, ginger, vanilla and oakmoss are only the beginning of this holiday blend, with the warmth of mulled wine and fresh ginger snaps.

There are only three of these sets available.
So you know.

.somethings old.

 Halloween, 2007

 

.Cat Lanturn.

.Welcome to Nightvale.

Draw Things: Dark Disney

.how to mango.

Also, I'm now feeling inclined to do a whole series of Horse -vs- Mango. Especially if anyone would be interested.

.things of recently.

• There were shows and adventures. Now I'm tired.

• I have found a new source for some of my perfume bottling, and it costs me less which means I'll be able to lower my prices a bit! Yay!

•Dealing with some health issues - hopefully I will find definitive answers soon. But it has led me to making myself watch "Enterprise" - possibly the worst pile of Bantha Doo Doo ever created. At first I wasn't sure how it could be the worst Star Trek, because that was Voyager, right? But now I totally understand why it's the worst of the Star Trek, in which they took everything that was wrong with every previous Star Trek Series and lumped it together with a whole mess of new awfulness which doesn't even touch on What The Eff Is Up With This Title Song?
Amazing.

• I am heading into a month or two of Event insanity - the most exciting of which is Teaching at Warrior Weekend on May 5th. If you ever missed my Stage Presence workshop you can take it now! All for the low low price of 25$. That's cheap - especially with the really really long worksheet I'm bringing for all class takers. Other teachers include various favorites of mine - Ami Amore, Brittney L. Banaei and Azadeah. Awesome show on Saturday evening too!

Register for classes here!

I'm exhausted, here's a video!

From this past Saturday evening, a show I almost missed because - exhaustion. Meanwhile, I'm trying to do my taxes. Lamest task I have all year. Also makes for the crying.

.upcoming awesomeness.

March 15th 
Geeks N' Freaks: The Comicon Afterparty
Two nights of full Cosplay and Comic Con after party Burlesque Revelry. 18 + All Kingons welcome! Featuring the Demons of Flame, The Brimstone Brothers, both nights! Chris "The Beard" Arnone of Blizz Pro Weekly, K.C.'s Trivia Wiz and Author will be gracing us with his presence as Emcee. 

I'll be performing Saturday evening, chain in tow. You do not want to miss it!


March 21st
The Raqs Bohéme 2nd Anniversary Extravaganza
With performers Amy Jo, Melody Gabrielle, Rebecca, Kaleela Renae, Christina Hentzen, and Crazy Boy Coy!

April 5th
Dance Party Fundraiser @ The Bridge

Join Moon Belly for a night of visual and sensual delights and full-on dance party at The Bridge! We are hosting this event as a fundraiser toward a new studio space in 2014!
Living art installations, beautiful dance performances, live DJ dance party and incredible silent auction.

.what is going on right now.

I'm avoiding the internet because I haven't seen Day of the Doctor yet and I'm avoiding spoilers.

I'm seeing it tomorrow, so go away until after then and in the meantime I'll be hiding in my basement with paint and loud music. I did see Catching Fire though (loved it!) and might have an idea for a "Girl on Fire" scent.
Maybe.

.for fun and family.

I would like to say that after tomorrow my life will be more stable and less chaotic, but I'm afraid that is a beautiful lie. In the meantime, here's a Holiday Coupon Code to encourage NOT shopping on Black Friday.

MENAGE

good for 30% off anything through the end of the year

Exciting, yes?
Also exciting is this:

I think my heart about stopped at the end there.

.things that happened.

the Khal and the Khaleesi

.things that happened this week.

• Princess Leia dancing!

 (and some TARDIS dancing, and Kat & McCoy)

...and then dancing tried to kill me. By which I mean I bruised myself spectacularly doing that dance, and skinned most of the skin off the tops of both my feet. I'm pretty sure you can watch it happen in the video.

• Lots of sleep. ZOMG the sleeping. Then I finally figured out why I've been so much more extra tired recently. And this is why we can't have nice things.

• Then I cut the shit out of my finger. Trying to sharpen a pencil with an exact-o. Translation: I did a dip-shit thing. There was lots of blood. I am now covered in band-aids. And bruises. Because this is what I do best.

• Then I was going to go see my friend Tyson's art show, but instead I took a gig in Warrensburg, but then that didn't work out either...

Instead there was introducing a friend to Who and ALL THE FEELS!

.not the princess you used to know.

.things that happened this week.

• Why do I even try to sleep anymore? Or try to not sleep? Really this whole sleeping thing....pffffft.

• I finished my Princess Leia costume. It's pretty awesome! Then I danced in it. Then I broke it a little. Now I'm fixing it so I can dance in it again tonight. St Louis!!!

•  Video!!!

got geek?

Tomorrow evening is another Kansas City Geek Show!
Unlike my recent fundraiser (bellydance+science= awesome) this one is a for-profit-variety show. I'll be performing two pieces - my Tardis Piece (now with new awesome body paint), and a new piece - Slave Leia, complete with chain.

Yep. Slave Leia.

And I'd say you have to come to the show because this is a One Time Performance - except I'm doing the same piece on Saturday night in St. Louis.
(St. Louis!!! I'm coming to see you!)

And after Saturday...we'll see.

In any case...
Friday Night!
Just Off Broadway Theater
3051 Central St, Kansas City, Missouri 64108
Doors open at 8, show begins at 9 - 10$
with performances by Annie Cherry, Goldie Goldstein, Eartha Delights, Sweet Louise, Cher D. Blame, Yvette D. Sin, Violet Vendetta, Ivanna Rockafella...

Saturday Night!Urban Cabaret - 80's Geek Sheik Edition

The Way Out Club

2525 S. Jefferson, Saint Louis, Missouri, 63104

7$, Doors at 8, show at 9p, 21 and up

WITH CELESTE!!!!