I will not be going to any cons this weekend. Though I may visit FD and/or go hiking (anyone want to join?) -> postponed to next week due to rain.
Last weekend however, I went to PyCon (and visited with Yun+Bryce) at the Santa Clara Convention Center - former home of Fanime. It was interesting seeing how the place has changed - it's bigger, but not big enough for current Fanime. It was however plenty large for the 2000-some people at PyCon.

I was at PyCon because this is what I do at work:
(ripped from a website that's now offline)

Specifically, I manipulate snakes to control a pony. Incidentally, this same breed of pony powers Pinterest. And also http://epii.info/ has Django/Python behind it. (Which I kinda want to ramble about, but would anyone be interested in reading that?)

There were talks. Metaclasses. Geographic Information Systems. 3D Printers. There was maybe too much free alcohol. Maybe kinda crashed some wedding reception or something while trying to find a party at a different hotel that involved crossing a river and passing a golf driving range.

...and most importantly, there were robots! (watch at least at 4:10)

... that I really want. But they're $3,000 and you have to agree to contribute at least two projects developed with them back to the community.

PS: related to techie conferences, I'm leaning pretty strongly towards going to SIGGraph this summer

I'll be going to Katsucon next weekend. No particular cosplay plans except Poker Face Gakupo. (maybe with tokiyoh ?) Goal of the con is to see at the east coast / Canadian people I haven't seen in too long (especially since I missed Otakon). I should be pretty free for shoots if anyone is interested.

Life update... soon-ish? Photo updates... in a week or two?

I have a new place. (Not far from where I used to live - one exit further north on the 405, in Westwood - PM for address) I have lots of cosplay work to do. So, I've decided every Sunday that I'm not at a con / otherwise out of town, will be dedicated to cosplay work. (including Dec 25 / Jan 1) Anyone that wants to come join me is welcome to / invited to - I really like working with the company of others. Just let me know - ideally a day in advance.

Also, related, if anyone from out of town wants crash space for day zero of LA cons, you're welcome to my place - I'm ~10mi from AX/ALA/PMX/etc. (Or all days for ALA, since I'll be commuting)

Anyone know where to get sheet metal in the greater LA area? Atleast as 3ft x 4ft, ideally abut 4ft x 6ft. Galvanized steel or something similarly weather-resistant. Fairly thin since it needs to be fairly maleable

I'm genuinely curious: What food(s) for you guys are like chicken soup?

For me, it is chicken soup. (Though up through high school I called it "carrot soup" because that was my favorite aspect of the chicken soup my mom / grandmother made.) And the corresponding drink is ginger ale. Despite no real logic, I pretty much always have it when I'm sick, or thinking I'm getting sick. And it's often something I have when emotionally down for a bit as a comforting pick-me-up.

I suspect it's a psychological sense of "home" comfort type thing rather than anything chemical. So, I'm guessing others have different foods that may serve the same purpose.
I'm carnivorous and of European decent, so I think that's the typical comfort food. But for vegetarians/vegans, clearly they wouldn't be having chicken soup. And I wonder if other cultures have their own version of it. Or maybe just within your own family tradition.

Apparently one of the top links when looking myself up in Google (curious what potential employers may see) is my vimeo. That reminded me I was going to post this almost a year ago, then forgot:

All of my flickr (from awhile ago - mostly Strobist meets + japan trip) in less than two minutes.

Apparently there are three different art shows going on in Laguna Beach - anyone want to check them out together? (they close this week, so would need to be soon)

Also, Saturday during SSMF, I parked in the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, which is under renovations. There's a decided lack of fencing and such blocking off the areas under construction - i.e. easy to wander in and take pictures.
( +1 )
Anyone interested in using the space for a photoshoot some evening soon?

( Also... enjoy some random pictures )

( full Shin x Reira photo set and story (vaguely spolier-ish) )


In other news... Fanime photos in general are done - there's some cool stuff to check out:

SpookyElectric's Fanime Cosplay Pictures!

I uploaded some location scouting images from awhile ago to my flickr. Most notably...

( an abandoned water park... )

and a popular dry lake

Which tends to be a popular spot for photos of cars (there is officially no speed limit for driving on it), or girls with little to no clothing. Or both together. (dust_eden's ideal?) You've probably seen it in music videos or car commercials.
( I gave in and took a car picture. )

I also checked out Calico Ghost town - IMO not very useful, but probably cool to visit for one of their events. The other western-y place spwinkles found looks better. ( images... )

And I visited Llano del Rio, but I guess not quite the right part, because all I saw were some chimneys and a wall. Someone else's geocoded flickr has some more interesting spots. I think it would make a cool set for a battle ground with the look of bombed out buildings. And there's a delightful lack of "no trespassing" signs.

---

I've been working at catching up on photos. I just recently finished editing a set with greyfinch & othaniel:

( blah blah blah about the shoot, glasses, and link for more )

And I've started making headway on Fanime photos:


I might actually get all caught up before the summer is over. o.o

Who is considering going to Yaoicon?

I'm somewhat leaning against PMX. I wasn't planning to attend Yaoicon, but it's starting to look like a pretty appealing option.