626 Cosplay Contest

  In all the time I've been cosplaying, bringing one to a food event was not in the foreseeable future looool. I mentioned I'd be going back to 626 in the last post, but that was before finding out that there'd be a cosplay contest! And, like, that's probably the coolest thing ever because

• I really like night markets
• Cosplay is fun for me

So like, boom. Lets go.


First thing's first; there was a rule about not wearing masks in the venue until the contest. This was unfortunate because I was bringing Doujun, and, well.

 

He's a little modest.

This is where Chicken came in as the greatest handler ever. We packed up all of my burlap and props, stuffed them into my neglected Blizzcon backpack (which is actually a nice backpack that I should utilize more often), and brought along the basket, and we were off to 626 Night Market. 

I'd just have to change there before the meet up time, which was 7pm. But once we got there around 5ish, I panicked kinda, because the instructions were kinda vague. So I asked staff where to go, how to sign up, what time, blah blah, etc. One of the organizers put my name down early, but told me to come back between 7-7:30pm. So... we ate.

 It was... extremely hot out T_T

 Chicken really likes stinky tofu. I've tried it a few times. The time I had it at his parents house, it was the hxc kind. And as open minded as I wanted to be (because it's food), I tried it, and couldn't swallow it. I was, and probably still am, a stinky tofu casual.

But, this time around, it was actually pretty good. It also wasn't very pungent. Like, it was noob stink levels. Chicken wasn't impressed. wHAt a STinKy gAtEKeEPeR


Our next stop, since it was right there, was Seoul Streeeeet!!

They came out with a new dish. I couldn't believe it. They're doing braised ribs1!! Which is what I go to eat at Sun Nong Dan lol. GALBI JJIM!!! Or kalbi. Same consonant, doesn't matter in English. 

And it was amaaazzziiing T_T. It can be served over fries or white rice. We went with rice, and honestly I think it was perfect. I'm hoping they bring it to their shop so I can go there after work and get fat again.


So, we wandered around for a bit, got something to drink, and once 6:30 came around, we headed towards the stage area, kinda off a ways so I could get changed. 

 My short lived outfit for the day.
I came across these lenses while trying to find something to wear with Doujun, and I think they were the right choice. I also did the makeup around my eyes to look kinda red and puffy. They'd be the only thing visible once the hat and mask went on. (also matches my sunglasses)

We found a spot outside the bathrooms, and dumped out everything.

 First the trousers, the mask, and then it's getting all that hair fitted under the hat.

The robes and apron, and the ropes

 And finally, the foot wrappings. You know. for the "shoes"

 I need to just find a pattern for socks and make burlap socks. The only issue is that burlap isn't stretch material, and I have no idea how that would even work. Unless I make them a larger size, and then just wrap them that way? idk. I'm probably over-complicating it.

We had a lot of onlookers. No crying children this time though. Almost, but not quite. They were mostly curious and wanted to see if my eyes had a soul behind them.

SO, this is what i mean about the directions being vague. The post for the contest never specified a start time, just a meet up time. And I interpreted that as like... an important time. Like, soon. 7pm, be there. sign up. etc. But no, we later found it it started at 8pm. So, we had an hour to burn. And just.. went up behind the stage to relax for a bit. There was only like 1 or 2 other cosplayers at the time.

 I was so happy with my mango boba slush ^_^

Thank you for being an incredible handler T_T

Around 7:30, we got up and walked down the stairs to wait at the stage. A lot more cosplayers showed up!

AND FRIENDOS :D
Showed up for support waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh T____T I felt so much better with them there.

So... here's a thingie.
There isn't a single competitive bone in my body. I am a phenomenal loser. If someone goes into something extremely passionate and hard and really wanting to demolish people, I can't... I don't mesh well with that personality. So I just eject myself. Even if I know I'd do well. There are many things I'm confident about. Arrogant, even. But my personality is not to talk myself up.

SO doing this was crazy out of my comfort zone. But with friendos supporting me, it actually turned out to be a lot of fun, and the MC seemed to really like what I put together ^_^

Chicken was awesome and recorded lots of stuff. Even made some gifs :D

So, oh yeah, because I was the first one to arrive, I was up first. He asked me a bunch of questions, and like, I got to talk about creepy dungeon boy and it make me feel a lot better lol.

I also took myself extremely serious, and did hxc poses that my character would do, and even impersonated his voice.

All in all, the contest was really fun! It seemed like a lot of people were having the time of their lives on stage, and I was happy to watch them just let go and enjoy themselves in costume. One thing that did bug me though...

  There were a few cosplayers (yep) like 5 or 6 behind me, that couldn't control themselves from talking shit. I swear to god... it was like... high school. Just nonstop rambling and jabs about peoples' poses or how big their cosplays were. While those contestants were on stage. Just. Openly. I overheard one talking shit about a spiderman cosplayer, who was clearly enjoying himself on stage, but she felt like his squatting was somehow subpar to whatever she would contribute and....

Why? Why be like that? Are you 12? The others were joining in with her, and I wanted to turn around and tell them all to shut the fuck up. Just let people have fun and mind your business. I didn't though. I just kept watching and applauding when the contestants were finished. But just... wow.

A N Y W A Y 

After the contest was done, friendos and Chicken were waiting for me with big hugs and love. It was the most awesome feeling! I didn't win, but it was still really, really fun. I got to be silly and just enjoy myself, and got to show everyone how precious Doujun is. Because... he is. I'm glad that my first cosplay contest was at the night market lol. Truly. That's... just like.. so cool haha.
Shit talking sucks, so I didn't wanna stick around, and we promptly left to go get FOOOOODDS.

 I look like a ghost :D

Aaaand ran into my buddy David! He usually has a massive booth at conventions, with a ton of mash up art. For a second when I saw his art sticking out of a booth, I thought someone was reselling his stuff, so I rushed over about to go off on someone, but then I saw him, and it was okay :D 

 He's so patient lol

Ahh, these lenses were perfect for Doujun. How I forgot I even had them is a mystery. When I wear lenses, I only usually just wear the brownish/purple ones. But... hooray! 

To end the weekend, we had all you can eat sushi. Fish is so good man T_T

with looooots of wasabi!

 Look at thiiiiiiiissss. My print from Tokyo_Jesus came in on Friday. When it comes to art and design, he's I think... my favorite. Ugh, I can't stand it, his work is just.... I FEEL IT IN MY BONES. IT'S LIKE HE'S SPEAKING TO ME, I JUST KNOW IT

Umm, also.. just.... the recognition that Doujun has gotten lately has been so exciting for me. It seems Japan twitter really took to him lol. And it's a hope that I can only make him better over time. I'm just glad people like him at all T_T  he's weird but... BEAUTIFUL and to everyone that's ever stopped me for a photo, thank you for validating my gross interests with the macabre lol. 

I'm still gushing over the fact that the MC said my cosplay was beautiful 

 Will I enter other cosplay contests? Unlikely. But this experience was really fun ^___^

*salsa dances away*