Hi friends. It has literally been years since I last posted anything here. A lot has happened in that time, and I'm going to start doing this regularly as I find it helps calm my brain weasels.
First things first, I got married this year! It was an amazing, perfect day full of all of the love. I am also incredibly lucky to have an amazing, wonderful, supportive husband. He's pretty great, I think I'll keep him. :)
I stated baking bread fairly regularly and absolutely love it. I even have a sourdough starter.
I started Knitting again. I like it. It's usually pretty portable too so it gives me something to do during D&D with my hands other than stacking my dice.
I started doing Yoga. I need to make a habit again.
I have been getting more Hippie-ish lately. I want to reduce my impact on the planet, and my immediate environment.
In that Same vein, I think I'm going to challenge myself to only buy things that are absolutely necessary in January. Who knows, maybe it will stick.
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
On Costuming and Tact
I am a nerd, I have a lot of friends who are nerds. I know many people in the Cosplay community. (for those of you unfamiliar with the term; Cosplay is dressing up in the costume of a favorite character or a type of character, usually for an event like Comic Con) Cosplay can be a lot of fun. At its heart it is about expressing your love of something and having a good time. A lot of people do it really well, so therefore people want to take pictures. Here are some simple rules to follow, that should really be common sense, that should be used when photographing at an event.
Make SURE that before you take that picture, you have the permission of the Cosplayer to take their picture. Most Cosplayers expect that they will be asked to have their picture taken, and are happy to do so as long as it does not impede their enjoyment of the event. Be polite about it too, say please and thank you, and if someone declines to have their photo taken, realize it's probably for a good reason. Maybe Black Widow really has to use the restroom, or Iron Man has a migraine. People who Cosplay are just that, People, and are not costuming themselfs for your enjoyment, it's for them. Also don't be the creeper who only takes pictures of women's butts or chests.
On that same subject, Cosplay DOES NOT equal consent, the same way that a short skirt is not an invitation to be raped. NEVER touch anyone without their express consent. Sometimes people are not okay with being touched at all, sometimes the costume is delicate. Either way, make sure before you put your arm around Slave Leia that she is ABSOLUTELY OKAY WITH IT. You wouldn't want strangers walking up to you and grabbing you just because they liked your shirt, it's EXACTLY the same with Cosplay. These are fellow human beings. This is a subject that recently has been a hot button issue in the community of late. Unfortunately the fact that women are the subject of unwanted attention more often than men has kept a lot of women away from events that should be about a shared love of something. I will also stress that if you must say something about what someone is wearing, keep it simple and about the outfit, and NEVER say anything too personal. It's not only rude, it makes everyone uncomfortable and it makes you look like a jerk. Dressing as Lara Croft DOES NOT mean that a woman wants to answer questions about her sex life, it means she likes Lara Croft.
I feel very strongly about this. I have never personally been harassed or made to feel unsafe, but friends of mine have. This type of behavior HAS to change. If you see someone behaving in a way that is less than tactful tell them to knock it off. The nerd community is full of people who don't feel like they fit elsewhere, we have to watch out for one another. Harassment and lack of tact affect everyone, be the change to make Cosplay about the fun, not the skin.
If you would like to read more here is a great article about the campaign to remove harassment from the Cosplay community.
All Pictures Copyright Jessamy Collier
.JPG) |
| Two Cosplayers, alike in dignity... |
Make SURE that before you take that picture, you have the permission of the Cosplayer to take their picture. Most Cosplayers expect that they will be asked to have their picture taken, and are happy to do so as long as it does not impede their enjoyment of the event. Be polite about it too, say please and thank you, and if someone declines to have their photo taken, realize it's probably for a good reason. Maybe Black Widow really has to use the restroom, or Iron Man has a migraine. People who Cosplay are just that, People, and are not costuming themselfs for your enjoyment, it's for them. Also don't be the creeper who only takes pictures of women's butts or chests.
 |
| See, Cosplay doesn't equal nudity either |
On that same subject, Cosplay DOES NOT equal consent, the same way that a short skirt is not an invitation to be raped. NEVER touch anyone without their express consent. Sometimes people are not okay with being touched at all, sometimes the costume is delicate. Either way, make sure before you put your arm around Slave Leia that she is ABSOLUTELY OKAY WITH IT. You wouldn't want strangers walking up to you and grabbing you just because they liked your shirt, it's EXACTLY the same with Cosplay. These are fellow human beings. This is a subject that recently has been a hot button issue in the community of late. Unfortunately the fact that women are the subject of unwanted attention more often than men has kept a lot of women away from events that should be about a shared love of something. I will also stress that if you must say something about what someone is wearing, keep it simple and about the outfit, and NEVER say anything too personal. It's not only rude, it makes everyone uncomfortable and it makes you look like a jerk. Dressing as Lara Croft DOES NOT mean that a woman wants to answer questions about her sex life, it means she likes Lara Croft.
I feel very strongly about this. I have never personally been harassed or made to feel unsafe, but friends of mine have. This type of behavior HAS to change. If you see someone behaving in a way that is less than tactful tell them to knock it off. The nerd community is full of people who don't feel like they fit elsewhere, we have to watch out for one another. Harassment and lack of tact affect everyone, be the change to make Cosplay about the fun, not the skin.
If you would like to read more here is a great article about the campaign to remove harassment from the Cosplay community.
 |
| Keep it Classy People! |
All Pictures Copyright Jessamy Collier
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Travel
I have started a travel blog, all about my broke adventures and my practical tips.
If you are so inclined, join me at Travelin' Lass
If you are so inclined, join me at Travelin' Lass
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Soup!
I really do cook, I promise.
Monday night my roommates and I did a collaborative dinner, and watched the third Jurassic Park movie. You know the one, with William H Macy, and the kind of forgettable plot.
I have been craving minestrone soup hardcore, so I found a recipe in my multitude of cookbooks. I used the Minestrone recipe from Clueless In the Kitchen by Evelyn Raab with a few tweaks.
For the record, I love this cookbook. I got it when I was in high school, and I use it all the time.
So back to the soup...
I substituted Kale for Spinach, and added some Italian herbs and a bit of rosemary. I also messed with the veggie levels a bit. I like a lot of veggies in my Minestrone.
It turned out really good, everyone liked it, there's hardly any left. I'm going to call that a win. I am posting my recipe, but not the one from the book, for obvious copyright reasons.
1 Onion Chopped
3 Celery Stalks Chopped
2-3 Carrots Chopped
(I used Pre-chopped from Trader Joe's because I hate chopping onions, celery and carrots)
4 small garlic cloves Chopped or smushed or whatever
3 medium zucchini sliced or chopped
about half a bag of frozen green beans defrosted
28 oz can of died tomatoes DO NOT DRAIN
15 or 16 oz can of Kidney beans drained
4 large handfuls of chopped Kale
1/3 Cup orzo
About 2 Tablespoons Olive oil I eyeballed it
About 1 Tablespoon McCormick Italian Seasoning
About 2 Teaspoons Rosemary
Salt and Pepper to taste
At least 8 Cups of Water
Heat up the oil in a large stockpot, add the garlic and cook on medium for a couple of minutes, just enough to soften it, add the chopped, onions carrots and celery and soften a bit, add some salt and pepper and the herbs, mix it up a bit and let it meld a bit. Add the tomatoes and their juice, then the water. Bring to a boil and cover, lower heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
Add the Orzo and green beans, cover and cook for about ten minutes, making sure to stir beforehand so the orzo doesn't stick.
Add the kidney beans and Kale and cook about ten more minutes until the Kale is softened.
Serve with Parmesan and crusty bread, should make at least six servings.
Monday night my roommates and I did a collaborative dinner, and watched the third Jurassic Park movie. You know the one, with William H Macy, and the kind of forgettable plot.
I have been craving minestrone soup hardcore, so I found a recipe in my multitude of cookbooks. I used the Minestrone recipe from Clueless In the Kitchen by Evelyn Raab with a few tweaks.
For the record, I love this cookbook. I got it when I was in high school, and I use it all the time.
So back to the soup...
I substituted Kale for Spinach, and added some Italian herbs and a bit of rosemary. I also messed with the veggie levels a bit. I like a lot of veggies in my Minestrone.
It turned out really good, everyone liked it, there's hardly any left. I'm going to call that a win. I am posting my recipe, but not the one from the book, for obvious copyright reasons.
Jurassic Minestrone
1 Onion Chopped
3 Celery Stalks Chopped
2-3 Carrots Chopped
(I used Pre-chopped from Trader Joe's because I hate chopping onions, celery and carrots)
4 small garlic cloves Chopped or smushed or whatever
3 medium zucchini sliced or chopped
about half a bag of frozen green beans defrosted
28 oz can of died tomatoes DO NOT DRAIN
15 or 16 oz can of Kidney beans drained
4 large handfuls of chopped Kale
1/3 Cup orzo
About 2 Tablespoons Olive oil I eyeballed it
About 1 Tablespoon McCormick Italian Seasoning
About 2 Teaspoons Rosemary
Salt and Pepper to taste
At least 8 Cups of Water
Heat up the oil in a large stockpot, add the garlic and cook on medium for a couple of minutes, just enough to soften it, add the chopped, onions carrots and celery and soften a bit, add some salt and pepper and the herbs, mix it up a bit and let it meld a bit. Add the tomatoes and their juice, then the water. Bring to a boil and cover, lower heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.
Add the Orzo and green beans, cover and cook for about ten minutes, making sure to stir beforehand so the orzo doesn't stick.
Add the kidney beans and Kale and cook about ten more minutes until the Kale is softened.
Serve with Parmesan and crusty bread, should make at least six servings.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Sew here's the thing...
I have a problem, I can't stop. I think I need help. I am a crafting addict, and my drug of choice is my sewing machine. It's an expensive habit, but I love it so much.
So... I am proud of myself for making:
- An entire 1840s/1850s dress in a lovely black cotton sateen for The great Dickens Christmas Fair. The dress (which I will at some point post pictures of) is really a skirt that goes over a hoop and a bodice. There are buttons down the front and the bodice is fully lined. I did not line the sleeves.
- A bonnet with a buckram base (thank you Jen!) that I covered with silk, and put ribbon and trim onto.
- A new Waistcoat for my boyfriend.
- A spectacular Dickensian/ Sherlock Holmes style cloak for my boyfriend.
- New Bloomers and Chemise for Dickens
Yes I have a problem, I look at the fabric store the same way a kid looks at a candy store. At the same time, I would like to think that my sewing skills are pretty good. Things I make look good, not "home sewn" and I understand how to fit things on other people, fitting things on myself is still a bit of an issue (note to self, move those buttons) but I don't have a dressform.
I am especially proud of all that I have sewn recently because it was in the span of two weeks, and I had a migraine for a sizable chunk. I also managed to solve a problem late at night with a migraine and still make the waistcoat look FREAKIN" AWESOME!
I have a problem.
P.S. I drafted the pattern for the covering of the bonnet too. =)
P.P.S. My problem is I forget to take pictures.
So... I am proud of myself for making:
- An entire 1840s/1850s dress in a lovely black cotton sateen for The great Dickens Christmas Fair. The dress (which I will at some point post pictures of) is really a skirt that goes over a hoop and a bodice. There are buttons down the front and the bodice is fully lined. I did not line the sleeves.
- A bonnet with a buckram base (thank you Jen!) that I covered with silk, and put ribbon and trim onto.
- A new Waistcoat for my boyfriend.
- A spectacular Dickensian/ Sherlock Holmes style cloak for my boyfriend.
- New Bloomers and Chemise for Dickens
Yes I have a problem, I look at the fabric store the same way a kid looks at a candy store. At the same time, I would like to think that my sewing skills are pretty good. Things I make look good, not "home sewn" and I understand how to fit things on other people, fitting things on myself is still a bit of an issue (note to self, move those buttons) but I don't have a dressform.
I am especially proud of all that I have sewn recently because it was in the span of two weeks, and I had a migraine for a sizable chunk. I also managed to solve a problem late at night with a migraine and still make the waistcoat look FREAKIN" AWESOME!
I have a problem.
P.S. I drafted the pattern for the covering of the bonnet too. =)
P.P.S. My problem is I forget to take pictures.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Stupid money
I am an actor. That is how I view myself, I have a high level of professional training in the field of theater, and many years of experience in both theater and film. I love it. Sadly, acting is a profession that very few people make much money doing.
So I embark on a journey, a quest if you will. To find a job that both pays the bills (I don't need a lot of money, just enough to get by) gives me the time to do theater, and makes me feel like I am doing something important.
I just applied for a job that would do just that, and I'm super qualified for the job.
I've been unemployed for about five months and I'm starting to get really disenchanted with the job market. I know I am a good employee. I am smart, well educated, and have some experience, but I'm not available 24 hours a day, I don't seem to have every single requirement that they are looking for. It is starting to seem like employers are looking for "A purple dinosaur" That perfect employee, and until they find them, no one else even gets a second look.
I want to get a job that allows me to use my skills, and makes me happy. Is that so much to ask?
So I embark on a journey, a quest if you will. To find a job that both pays the bills (I don't need a lot of money, just enough to get by) gives me the time to do theater, and makes me feel like I am doing something important.
I just applied for a job that would do just that, and I'm super qualified for the job.
I've been unemployed for about five months and I'm starting to get really disenchanted with the job market. I know I am a good employee. I am smart, well educated, and have some experience, but I'm not available 24 hours a day, I don't seem to have every single requirement that they are looking for. It is starting to seem like employers are looking for "A purple dinosaur" That perfect employee, and until they find them, no one else even gets a second look.
I want to get a job that allows me to use my skills, and makes me happy. Is that so much to ask?
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
You're going to do WHAT now?
So I have come to the conclusion that I might be a little nuts. Do not fear though, it's the good, creative kind of nuts. =D I am participating in this as well as doing a whole bunch of other stuff this summer. Though I went to school for acting (yes, I know, INSANE) I have always liked telling stories. I think it is why I decided to be an actor, it's another medium for storytelling. So I am pushing myself to tell more stories, and it will help my writing skills if friends and I ever decide to create a web series. So that's my crazy scheme. This on top of:
- Two consecutive weekends of renaissance faire, in Tahoe, where I will be camping
- A job hunt, 'cause I can't live off unemployment forever
- Acting in Pride and Prejudice (Thank god I'm not the lead)
- Maintaining a full-time relationship with a very patient young man
- A Trip to Comic-Con (more later)
- Various sewing and crafting projects
- Did I mention a job hunt?
- Figuring out a plan for the marketing for said young man's webcomics, I get business cards (and yes that is going on my resume) plus I will get to put my work under the same banner, think art collective for comics, writing, films, and other wonderful stuff. It is mighty exciting.
- MORE RENAISSANCE FAIRES!
- Quality time with family and friends (super important!!!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)