Dickens on the Strand

Most piratey picture I've ever had taken of me and I love it.

Okay, so for those not in the know, as I've not thoroughly explained, Dickens on the Strand is festival held in Gaveston, TX that celebrates the culture of the Victorian Era. Similar to a Renaissance Festival. There are shows and vendors and a parade and things of the like. I believe as of last year they added some Steampunk themed events, seeing as Steampunk is getting bigger and bigger.
Anyways, yesterday I got to go for the very first time, all of my sad at missing last year, and it was GLORIOUS~!
Here's what I wore:

Don't ask what my hair was doing cause I don't know.

Anyways, so I got up way too early and finished getting ready an hour before I had to leave. My dad and I picked up my friend before heading to Bells' house. Bells finished up getting ready and then we left to go pick up her boyfriend. Then there was the lovely two hour ride to Galveston, we spent the drive listening to Irish drinking/fighting songs(same thing right?) and getting even more hyped about the festival. We got there and got in and as soon as we got there, we immediately felt inadequate. Everyone there looked so legit! Just like, AUGH! I don't even know. Bells and I were like 0_0 when we saw the other garb, it's like we were invited to fancy party and we were under-dressed. Anyways, we walked around and looked at different shops and I cursed myself for not bringing money as there were some reasonably priced compasses which is just...y'know...EXACTLY WHAT I NEED! But putting that aside, there were a lot of really interesting shops and things of such. We found the Steampunk Square and I saw a lot of people that I've seen at cons before. After that we took some pictures in an alleyway that we found and then went onto a ship and got some pictures.

Because I enjoy being creepy taking picture of Bells taking pictures of Coggs.

The mast of the ship we took pictures on.

Love this pic. I look like messenger fairy.

If only Bells' bracelet hadn't shown up in this pic. Why was she wearing it anyway?

After shooting we walked around a bit being in character and it was quite wonderful. We were looking for a place to eat while other attendees were getting ready for the parade, so we walked straight down the middle of the street pretending like we were our own parade, waving at the bystanders, being piratey and such. We actually got a few waves back, it was great. So we ate dinner at Fisherman's Warf(I think that's what it's called), almost getting run over on our way there, cause we jay-walked. After we finished eating and went back to the festival, our ride decided, unfortunately that it was time to go home, so we finished shoipping and headed home. Afterwards, we chilled at Bells' house until I got picked up.

All in all, it was very fun day. We got a surprising amount of pictures taken of us, I got lots of compliments on my wings(one girl from ASI even wanted to steal me cause I was so cute :D), and did lots of fun piratey things. I'm definitely going back next year, and hopefully look even more legit(cause, not gonna lie, we looked pretty cool).

Until next time,
Sana

PS. The picture of me that top and of Bells with her gun were taken by our bosun, Coggs.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Non-Cosplay Related Report

So, to be perfectly honest, I'm pretty bugged with the fact that a lot of people have kinda forgotten what Thanksgiving is really suppose to be about. I saw some stuff earlier today that basically said that some people think it's just about eating lots of food. Now, I don't really like lecturing about History, mainly cause I'm not very big on History whatsoever. I also don't really like sounding like a cheesy Hallmark movie. (Can;t stand those >_>) But really need to say, it kinda pains me that some people don't really know the real meaning of Thanksgiving.(oh god, the cheesiness of that statement.)

Thanksgiving is about being thankful for what you've been given in this life. Whatever it may be, family, friends. health, what have you. It's a day to contemplate what you're truly happy for. Think about that, and then think about how your life would be without those things. It's not supposed to be about stuffing yourself and watching football(Or in my sister and I's case, the Purina Dog Show). It's not about everything going right or being perfect, or having big parties, or anything like that. This hit me kinda hard today when I was feeling all bleg(trust me, it's a feeling) cause I had to listen to my parents get upset about one thing going wrong or the other. Now, don't get me wrong here, I love my family, and I'm so grateful for them, I honestly wish they would just calm down I little. Jus sayin. >_> Anyways, back on topic, the point of Thanksgiving, the reason why the tradition is to make and eat a lot of food, is to show how thankful we are for how lucky we are to have what we have.

Okay, so first, here are some tiny little things I've done to show my thankfulness and what other people should do too:

• Save your left overs dangit! (sorry, had to get that out)
• Tell the people who mean the world to you, exactly how you feel. 
• You have no idea how much this will make their day, I promise.
• If you're not the one who prepared the meal, tell the person who did, what a great job they did.
• My dad makes Thanksgiving lunch ever year, and we just eat the crap out of it usually. But today I told him that he did really good, and I think I saw a tear form in the corner of his eye, not lyin'!
• Take the day off from worrying or complaining.
• Think about everything you have, and how your life would be without it. (Stated above, I know, but seriously do it.)
• Do something for someone else.
• This can be on a large or small scale.

Now, cause I can, here's a list of what I'm thankful for

• My friends
• I am SO damn lucky to have the friends that I do. I genuinely love every single of them. They would go through hell and back for me, and I for them. I love them so much, and I really don't know how my life would be without them, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
• My dog, Thatcher
• I adopted Thatcher last year, and, even when he's annoying me, I've never regretted it. I would do anything for this dog to be happy. You guys don't even know.
• My eyesight
• Okay, this one is kinda odd... But I honestly don't think I'd be able to go on if I were to loose my ability to see. It's something that I'm legitimately frightened of loosing. Everything I do revolves around me being able to see, and probably wouldn't be able to go one with my life without it. Anyways....NOW THAT WE'RE ALL DEPRESSED NSTUFF...
• The men and women fighting for my freedom, that couldn't come home this Thanksgiving
• SorryIminaglasscaseofemotiontoday. But seriously, if you're American, and not thankful for those fricken brave as hell people, then you've got some inner battles, that I don't wanna touch.
• My family
• I feel a little bad for putting them at the bottom. But, despite how much I gripe about them, I love my family. And am truly blessed to have them.

So, now that I've made myself cry, I want all of you to do the same!! Haha, just kidding, but really, just take some time to think about what's really important this holiday season.  N'stuff....

I promise to update with cosplay stuff next time, sorry for this! ^_^;

Until next time,
Sana