So I've been stuck doing commisions for others for a while (what seems like forever) and I think I'll break the cycle with a new costume of Garrus from Mass Effect. I'm looking to get it finished by Ohayocon.

(using ammnra's Garrus as a big inspiration)

I can make the mask a two-part piece. One will be a flexible silicone underskin and attached will be urethane foam scales. This way I can move my mouth and the carapace should move accurately.

I'll be sticking with Volpin's EVA foam armor.

Won't have time for a gun :/

Wow. I was 'listening to' Plastic Beach the last time I made a journal?

A deviant asked me how to build up muscle. Well, I haven't been the best example in that department as of late (whatever. it's winter), but I do know the game. So here is how I build up...

In order to BUILD muscle, the best formula for protein intake is to take your body weight in pounds (160 for me) and take in that amount or somewhere close to that amount (in grams) every day you train (which is 3 days a week). So for each day I train, I want to get 160g of protein. Regarding your schedule... for your first dozen workouts, you WILL be sore, possibly for days. Do not work out again until they are done hurting.

As for training, I use this pattern:
Figure out your max lift weight. You should be able to do about 6 reps of it before your muscles tire. Then take 20% of the weight off and do reps until your muscles tighten and tire. Then take 20% of the weight off and do reps until you tire. Do this a few more times until you think it's becoming redundant. Do not overwork your muscles. What you want to do is stretch them so they become (for lack of a better word) damaged, and they will repair themselves by building more cells in between each other. This process runs at it's peak for the 6 hours following a workout.

Whey protein (when taken with water) goes through your your body in about a half hour. Take it RIGHT after your workout. Other powdered proteins (such as egg) take longer to absorb and are best to take before you sleep or hours before your workout.

Get acquainted with high-protein, low-fat foods: eggs, beans, skim milk, skinless chicken breast, salmon, lean steak etc.
If you're gonna have chinese, order the beef & broccoli. Yes, it's quite fatty, but this delicious combination is LOADED with the nutrients you want.

Pasta is great for energy.

CUT OUT SODA. Alcohol doesn't help either.

WATER! WATER! WATER! Without it, you're going nowhere. You need it to transport protein to the extremities of your body. Forget that gator/power-aid whatever crap. You don't need it. The ONLY useful beverage out there is "Vitamin Water". But it's an expensive choice when you compare it to regular water and a monthly supply of a good multi-vitamin. V-water is great if you have a soda-craving and need to kick it.

Beefcake 4000... Weight-gain supplements are not for everyone, nor do they work for everyone. Not that you need it, but if you were to get anything or take any muscle pill, I recommend Creakic. It helps, but not by much (considering it's hefty price tag).

It helps to plan out meals. Make all your meals for the weak in one day if you have to. For example, I make a heavy, meaty, beany, lowfat chili that I use as a pasta sauce. I boil a dozen eggs every week and have them for breakfast (instead of frying them). Buy bnlss sknlss chicken breast at the store when it's on sale, freeze what I don't need, then saute one for dinner and steam some veggies.

Lastly... a most important step (that I have yet to master) is to STOP playing FF13

Go get 'em, folks. I better see some tight bodies this summer

I'm currently working on a vac-u-form table with Vash and Strippervoltz. Once completed, it will be FREE for any cosplayer to use provided they pay for materials. We just want it to be free for everybody and we want more cosplayers to use this cool (or rather, hot) construction technique. This also means that all of my big projects are on hold until it is completed.

I made a killing with selling latex masks. I sold 46 in two months  8D I think I'm going to expand on this and have more masks available.

I'm having roommate trouble again. I need a new one by Dec 15th, but there's just no one out there who needs a flat. WILL YOU BE MY ROOMMATE?

And my upcoming costume list.... yeah, it changes all the time. I don't know what I'll be able to get to, but I really want to get to it all.

Executioner: Resident Evil 5

Megaman: Megaman Legends

Strider: Half Life 2 (all the parts are in another state. Waiting for the right time to go get them)

I've helped this con get to where it is from the beginning and my little con has grown up *sniff*. With attendance at over 6000, I now consider it to be a medium-sized anime convention. We've outgrown the massive Dearborn Hyatt, and we're already moving to something bigger... the tallest building in Michigan, the Ren Center. It's the only area big enough to house the Detroit Techno Festival.

The con, however, started off on the wrong foot for me and Jia. My cab was 30 minutes late, therefor we couldn't make it to the train to Detroit and I had to take the next one six hours later D: Since I arrived that late, I was unable to perform my main staff task, which was 'set up the stage' -_- sorry, guyz!

We were put in the Double Tree (a mile away) because the Hyatt and the surrounding hotels were crazy-overbooked. Seriously, This is only our second year at this hotel and we've already out-grown it.

I brought along a few goodies for the con. I donated a half-dozen art books and one Nurse mask) to the prize bin as well as my chocolate fountain for use in the guest green room. It was an awesome idea... I just wish I was there to make sure it was used correctly (instead of baker's chocolate thinned with oil, they used Hershey's Syrup   O.o  )

The game room was a massive spectacle. There were 'islands' of loudspeakers and screens set up for Rock Band, DDR, ITG, and DJ hero in an acoustic way such that no one was disturbed by another game's music tracks. There was also a stage that some of the resident Youma DJs (such as yours truly) created the entertainment, and Cowboy Shogun played several live sets (cover and original) over the week.

Youmacon has always been cursed by a tiny dealer's room, but that will change in the new center for next year. All of the usual Youmacon-brand memorabilia was there: Youmacon, the beach towel.Youmacon, the toothbrush. Youmacon, the Frisbee. And of course Youmacon, the calendar. Unfortunately, Youmacon, the flamethrower is still not available, but pout not, for it IS NOW UNDER DEVELOPMENT. shhhhh! I've said too much!

The rave was awesome as always. We put MyDearDisco up first for room-filling music due to feedback from last year's con. It just didn't make sense to have the pace change from dance music, to live band, then back to dance music. My VJ set was popular... maybe a little too popular. A lot of people were just standing there watching the video instead of dancing XD.

We got a flat tire on the way to the airport. Unfortunately, the spare tire was located underneath the car and the wing plate that held it in place was rusted shut. The tire-irony, or tirony, is that the tools I could use to fix this problem, I had just left in Strippervash's car and he had left hours before us. I eventually got another tire and went home.

*falls asleep*

This is the NEW 'Charlie the Unicorn'
[link]

WHY HAVE I NOT SEEN THIS BEFORE?
[link]

I'm now selling cast-offs of latex masks that I've made (nurse, valtiel, putty, etc) they're running about $50 a pop unpainted right now. Note me if you're interested. (special discount to my DevArt watchers. $5 off. coupon password = banana)

OMG KITTENS! So it was a cold, stormy morning in Chicago when I heard loud meowing coming from outside. There were two small kittens (about 4 weeks old) wedged between two pieces of plywood. I took them out and waited around for the mother, but none came T_T  So now I'm bottle-feeding these cute, tiny critters and looking for a new home for them. D-AWWWWWWWWWWWWWE

Friend my Band:
[link]

COME TO THE REACTOR where I will be DJing for 5 hours straight.
[link]

COME TO YOUMACON for one of our upcoming shows.
[link]


COSTUMES!
Everything is on hiatus until me and Voltz finish our super-awesome vac-u-form table for prop/costume/armor-making. It'll have cup-holders, a cappuccino machine, and a hot tub! ..... Oh, and it also transforms into a robot.
It'll be free for any cosplayers to use provided they pay for their own materials.


DAFT PUNK: So my NEW jacket finally bit the dust as well.
[link]
Not sad about it though. With it, I got to meet several of my favorite artists (Boys Noize, Justice, Deadmau5, DanGer).
[link]


STEAMPUNK DALEK: Had a few delays with this one, but it's still on it's way. I don't think it'll get finished before Youmacon, tho.
[link]
Update: Getting closer. It's REALLY hard to get around in this, tho. I might end up making it as a stationary show piece that can sit at a booth or something.

CORBIN DALLAS: Jia made me a Dallas costume! It' AWESOME! I'm wearin' this orange wife-beater for the rest of my days.
[link]

STRIDER: Yes, a Strider from Half Life 2. I don't know when this'll get done, but I won't be able to wear it inside ANY cons. This is an outside-only costume because it's gonna be about 15 feet tall. This would be a GREAT costume for Acen.
[link]
[link]
[link]
UPDATE: Okay, I tried wearing the stilts and I almost broke my neck from a fall (wish I taped it). So now it's going to be a 4-LEGGED STRIDER. I just can't risk falling at a con.

OMG THIS VIDEO! WATCH IT!
[link]

Sorry aboot the lack of activity for the past few months. I had a few projects I needed to complete. Speaking of which, my band/DJ troupe is finally up and running.
[link]
COME TO YOUMACON for one of our upcoming shows.
Check out my July mix here:
share.ovi.com/media/daguru.Mixes/daguru.10001
Will be posting August mix soon enough.


COSTUMES!

DAFT PUNK: So my NEW jacket finally bit the dust as well.
[link]
Not sad about it though. With it, I got to meet several of my favorite artists (Boys Noize, Justice, Deadmau5, DanGer).
[link]


STEAMPUNK DALEK: Had a few delays with this one, but it's still on it's way. I don't think it'll get finished before Youmacon, tho.
[link]
Update: Getting closer. It's REALLY hard to get around in this, tho. I might end up making it as a stationary show piece that can sit at a booth or something.

CORBIN DALLAS: Jia made me a Dallas costume! It' AWESOME! I'm wearin' this orange wife-beater for the rest of my days.
[link]

STRIDER: Yes, a Strider from Half Life 2. I don't know when this'll get done, but I won't be able to wear it inside ANY cons. This is an outside-only costume because it's gonna be about 15 feet tall. This would be a GREAT costume for Acen.
[link]
[link]
[link]
UPDATE: Okay, I tried wearing the stilts and I almost broke my neck from a fall (wish I taped it). So now it's going to be a 4-LEGGED STRIDER. I just can't risk falling at a con.

EDIT:
Yes, we've all heard how awesome the new batman movie is, but just to reinforce the point... OHMAHGOD!!! This is the SAME type of "wow factor" I got from watching The Matrix for the first time (or Jurassic Park, LOTR, etc.) Heath Ledger's performance is now LEGENDARY. It's very rare for me to instantly LOVE a character within the first 30 seconds of seeing his face, i.e. the "magic trick" he performs. I, literally, could not stop an ongoing Joker impression/voice after the film.
So I've decided to add another costume (Joker) for Dragoncon. I'm working on a foam latex face prosthetic for my "smile". I don't think I'll be able to finish the jacket, so I'll just have to make his nurse outfit  
"I'm a man of my word..."


So I never really used the prints gallery function of the site. I made a few items available as prints since I've had a dozen print requests so far.

I know this sounds crazy, but I plan on going to both Dragoncon AND Otakon in the same month. Worse yet, I have to drive to these cons. I can't fly there because of two new costumes I'm working on.

For Otakon, I plan on bringing a Niko Bellic (GTAIV) costume. I buzzed my head for the first time in a long time. I realized that I look exactly like a young version of Niko. So I'll be walking around the con with a bazooka. My second Otakon costume is Valgaav from Slayers. There's gonna be a big Slayers group there because of the upcoming new series. Since it's one of my favorite shows, I have to join in. Now, my third costume will be EPIC and HUGE. It'll be Tetsuo from AKIRA. Not just normal Tetsuo, though. I'm talking about a huge mutated radioactive freak-baby version where his body can't hold the amount of energy inside of him, so he expands. So expect to see a 10 ft tall mutant baby at the con.

For Dragoncon, I'll be joining the huge pokemon gijinka parade gathering as Grimer. My normal walk-around.... err... "roll-around" costume will be a Steampunk Dalek from Doctor Who. That's right, I'm using ~Promus-Kaa 's design and making it a reality. I've built my software voice changer already and the basic frame for the robot. I'm mostly-excited for this costume.

made a video of my Daft Punk costume:
[link]
FRIEND ME ON MYSPACE:
[link]

FRIEND MY BAND ON MYSPACE: (we're just starting out)
[link]

Random anecdote from the Whole Foods Kitchen:
So I walk over to the dish room to put a dirty pan up when I see one of the Kikka (Kikka is a fresh sushi chain in Asia that  sends it's employees to work under contract at Whole Foods stores) guys holding the De-limer sprayer and there's soap suds bubbling out the top. Now, De-limer should NOT have bubbles because it is an acid while de-greaser is a base. I instantly figured out that the Kikka guy wanted to use the sprayer to spray soap on stuff to clean it. BAD IDEA. I grabbed it from him and tossed it in the sink and nearly fainted from the poisonous gas that was emanating from the canister. My boss eventually got a protective mask and emptied the liquid down the drain.

So kids, DON'T MIX CHEMICALS. It can produce nasty and even lethal results... especially chlorine + ammonia.

Acen was a LOT of fun aside from the hangovers. I was in the masquerade and DJ contest and also DJed PamelaNeko's party. Although the contest kinda fell through (other people didn't show up, therefor  the contest never happened) I was able to get plenty of practice.

I didn't have much focus on multiple costumes this time around. I attended to my new Siam costume mostly. With the help of Avianna, we were able to create a new creepy-as-hell Silent Hill costume. So here's our "performance":
[link]

My next big costumes are:
Gijinka Grimer pokemon
Transformed Tetsuo - Akira

Edit 7/5/07:
Got my bags and my refund.

This journal in a nutshell: I didn't get to go to Anime Expo. Northwest Airlines SUCKS! I'm a big crybaby.

I got to the airport 2.5 hours early on Friday to MAKE SURE I get to L.A. I was kinda wishing that I got an earlier flight to make sure I can get to the Hellsing gathering on time. IF the plane was on time, then I would've been about an hour late to the long photoshoot.

I got through baggage check, ticketing, and security lines real quick, so I had plenty of time to kill. So I waltzed around the stores, ate some Burger King (which was disgusting), watched the neat fountain, and rode the indoor express tram back and forth many times. When it came time to board the jet, I got a kick-ass window seat with the back against the wall. There would be NO ONE kicking my chair on this flight at all. So far, so good.

An announcement said that we were still waiting on catering and that there was a "minor malfunction" with the aircraft. They were going to fix it real quick and we should be on our way just a few minutes late.

Next, they were announcing that the problem is still not fixed and that they needed a few minutes to check if this broken thing is absolutely necessary for flight.

Next, they announced it was vital, and that they are now searching across the terminal to rip off an identical part from another plane. It's an indicator that has something to do with emergency power, so it was vital.

At this point, there was the option to get off the plane and go on standby on another flight to LA. Now, this would seem logical, but any checked luggage will be staying on the broken plane until it can take off to LA. So If I went on another plane, I would costumeless at a convention, which is one of my all-time major nightmares.

Eventually, the plane was fixed, it was announced, everybody cheered    Then they had to search across the terminal for a REPLACEMENT part to replace the one that they took from a higher-priority international flight. The entertainment modules came on. I started watching 300.  

I was held on the plane for 4 hours before they finally canceled the flight so they can return the part back to the international flight The next flight out to LA was Saturday. At that time, what is even the point? I would've lost two and a half days of the convention and be arriving at the hotel on SATURDAY NIGHT. I consciously decided to skip out on the whole con and just go home. It took me another 4 hours trying to pull my luggage from the plane with no success. I went home having spent a total of 12 hours in the airport only to have lost my bags; bags that contain my Valtiel, Captain, and Yen Sid costumes. My Yen Sid costume being one that I JUST finished and haven't even gotten pictures of yet. I also had commissions in there along with a friend's super-expensive dollfie trenchcoat.

The next morning, I said "FGSFDS" (3rd definition on urban dictionary) and went off to Chicago for the Taste of Chicago Festival. I wasn't gonna let my paid vacation go to waste.

My full ticket refund still hasn't gone through :/

After extensive calls, I JUST got a return call from the airline and they finally found my bags. They should be delivering them in a few hours.

Happy 4th! Enjoy your partaking in use of explosive devices.

EDIT: Hooray! In commemoration of getting 5,000 pageviews, I have some more half-nude Captain photos to thank everyone with. ^_^ Expect the first one tomorrow.

OLD EDIT:
I saw [link] 's Journal and had the idea to do this:
[link]
Merry Christmas! (btw, I'll actually be doing a few Christmas pics later in the month)

OLD EDIT: Added Game PH. I realized how interchangeable Valtiel & Game PH's aprons were, so I've decided to make.... another helmet. Valtiel is getting done, but not fast enough and won't be ready for Youmacon, I believe. Valtiel Progress:
[link]

Okay. After many frustrations with the leather on my Valtiel costume, I'm saying "Out ze vindow vith zat sh*t!" I've been wanting to use Dragonskin as a medium, but never found the perfect use for it. So I'll be sculpting every bit of Valtiel's head, arms, and torso, and I'll be wearing the whole thing as a giant rubber shirt. I'll be "testing" it on Valtiel before I use it on PH. I've been working out a lot lately because I wanted to use my own muscles for PH, but I would be much more comfortable having to slip on a big prosthetic rather than applying makeup for two hours and missing out on convention-time.

Gonna remake PH helmet.... again (current one is too big).
Gonna remake PH knife... again (current one is too small).

My upcoming costumes:
Valtiel (SH)
MOVIE Pyramid Head 2.0 (SH)
GAME Pyramid Head 2.0
Chatterer Cenobite (Hellraiser)
Proto-Captain (Desert Schutzstaffel doujinshi)
Dok (Hellsing)
The Fury (MGS3)
"MY ANUS IS BLEEDING" Cloud (rejected)

Hmmm. I just noticed something funny about the abbreviation for "Silent" Hill. It spells "Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

Yeah. I'm slow.

lol at thought of Cloud (FF7) running around screaming "MY ANUS IS BLEEDING!"

That is, no more pictures FOR NOW.

I've been wanting to do a string of fanservice-ish Captain pictures for a while. I wanted to show off new guns, contacts, mask, and collar. I was in the midst of taking pictures. When luck would have it, a battery exploded inside my camera.

Captain is now sad and won't have a camera for Otakon.
T_T

As you may have heard, mein Führer, Kohta Hirano, is coming to Otakon. Our group wasn't able to get our masquerade entry in time, so we've cancelled our Anime Expo plans and formulated Otakon plans.

I wanted to start recreating certain poses of the Captain's to see how exact a side-by-side comparison can get. I've only got one obstacle: I just can't seem to find that Hellsing pinup calender. Can anyone help me with scans?

And now for a quiz... I stole:
[] I am really ticklish.
[] I'm afraid of the dark all the time or sometimes
[] I'm afraid of facing my back to open doors at night.
[x] I am bisexual.
[x] I believe in true love
[] I've run away from home
[] I listen to political music.
[] I collect comic books.
[x] I shut others out when I'm sad.
[] I can come up to others easily.
[] I am keeping a secret from the world.
[] I watch the news, some of the time.
[] I own over 5 rap CDs.
[x] I love Disney movies.
[x] I am a sucker for green eyes.
[x] I don't kill bugs.
[] I curse once in awhile
[] I have (had) "x"s in my screen name
[] I've slipped out a "lol" in a real conversation
[]I love Spam.
[x] I bake well.
[x] I have worn pajamas to class
[] I have owned something from Abercrombie.
[x] I have (had) a job.
[] I love Dr. Phil
[] I like someone.
[] I am guilty of tYpInG lIkE tHiS.
[x] I am self-conscious
[x] I love to laugh.
[x] I have tried alcohol
[] I drink alcohol on a regular basis.
[x] I have tried a cigarette.
[] I have smoked a pack in one day.
[] I loved Lord of the Flies
[] I have cough drops when I'm not sick
[] I can't swallow pills
[x] I have a few scars.
[x] I've been out of this country.
[] I can't sleep if there is a spider in the room.
[x] I love chocolate.
[] I bite (or did bite) my nails.
[x] I am not comfortable with being me.
[] I play computer games when I'm bored.
[] Gotten lost in the city.
[x] Seen a shooting star
[]Had a serious surgery.
[x] Gone out in public in your pajamas.
[] Have kissed a stranger.
[x] Hugged a stranger.
[x] Been in a bloody fist fight with someone of the same sex.
[x] Been in a fist fight.
[] Been arrested.
[] Laughed and had some type of beverage come out of your nose.
[] Pushed all the buttons on an elevator.
[] Made out in an elevator.
[] Swore at your parents.
[] Kicked a guy where it hurts on purpose.
[] Been skydiving.
[] Been bungee jumping.
[x] Gotten stiches.
[] Drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour.
[x] Bitten someone
[x] Been to Niagara Falls.
[x] Gotten the chicken pox
[] Crashed into a car.
[] been to Japan
[x] Ridden in a taxi.
[] Shoplifted
[] Been fired.
[x] Had feelings for someone who didn't have them back.
[] Stole something from your job.
[] Gone on a blind date.
[x] Had a crush on a teacher/coach.
[] Celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
[] Been to Europe...
[] Hooked up with a co-worker.
[] Been married.
[] Gotten divorced.
[x] Saw someone die.
[x] Driven over 400 miles in one day.
[x] Been to Canada.
[x] Been On A Plane.
[x] Seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
[] Thrown up in a bar.
[x] Eaten sushi.
[x] Been snowboarding.
[x] Been skiing.
[x] Been ice skating.
[] Cried in public
[] Walked purposely into traffic with your eyes closed.
[] Liked someone even though you knew you shouldn't have.

Cancelling ACEN.

Just finished my new Y-strap (suspenders). Took quite a while. Putting finishing touches on my new Mausers and Holsters.
Will start sculpting WEREWOLF HANS!

I have the perfect person to be the Major. I just have to get him to finish his suit, then we can do photos of me being his chauffeur in our Volkswagen. Oh, and it's not just ANY Volkswagen, IT'S HERBIE!

[link]
if you don't believe me.

oh, and I added some scraps

*testing journal function*
Looks like it works.

Well, I looked around and found that I'm the single cosplayer with the most Hellsing costumes created (as far as I know). I've got 7 with another one planned:

Paladin Anderson (completed)
Anime Alucard (completed)
Elegant Gothic Alucard (completed)
Vladimir Harkonnen (completed)
Captain Hans (completed [duh!])
Dawn Alucard (in-progress)
Werewolf Hans (in-progress)
Schrodinger (planned)

As far as I know, I'm also the first Harkonnen/Halconnen cosplayer. Eventually, I'll have Halconnen II cannons to go with it. Werewolf Hans will hopefully be completed by Ohayocon (Jan. 6-ish)

Con Schedule:
Ohayocon, January 6-8, Columbus, OH
Anime Central, May 5-7, Rosemont, IL
Anime Expo, July 1-4, Anaheim, CA

I might consider A-Kon if something horribly wrong goes with AX. (I can't afford both)