Was 2016 Really That Bad?

I look on Social Media, and everybody says that 2016 was the worst year ever. Everybody is SO GLAD it is over. Even on Facebook, friends of mine are saying that they had a tough time.

I have to say that I agree on a few points. Although we narrowly avoided electing Lady Palpatine to the office of President of the United States, we did get Jabba that Trump instead.

There were a lot of celebrity deaths, and that was hard to swallow for the fans of those celebrities. But I have to admit I wasn’t affected by this trend until the very end.

This year was also really cruel to fictional characters. I won’t name names. *coughingattackBuckycoughcough*

It was a hard year personally. I had some real struggles with my depression and self-esteem and there were some scary moments. Even the things that were good to me, my mental issues turned or tried to turn into bad things. You could say that this was the year I realized that I was in trouble and I needed to do something about it.

But in reality, my 2016 was not a complete disaster. There were a lot of good things that happened this year. It is important in any reflection to remember the positives. So here are 16 reasons my 2016 didn’t suck (completely):

1. The Martian--Seems like a good place to start. First thing I did when I got home from Christmas vacation last year was walk up the street to the Dollar Theater to see The Martian (and that fact is probably one of those things I will never get tired of mentioning). I have seen it three times since. I know I’m going to watch it one more time at some point in the future because I need to introduce my best friend to it. It is a fun, uplifting movie based on a fun, uplifting book. And now that I’ve read the book and seen the movie I get to be in the fandom and make contributions to it. The 70’s mix was a great jam for this year and probably deserves a category by itself. And The Martian is a movie I actually enjoyed that stars Matt Damon so now I can’t say I don’t watch his movies without lying. (I can also say that I’ve seen a movie that Sebastian Stan was in that wasn’t Marvel. ;’) )
   
   
   
   
2. I Started This Blog--Not only that, but I’ve written in it almost every week--I mean, 49/52 is PHENOMENAL. This is a new record for me. I am proud of myself.
3. I became the weekly correspondent for The Geeky Mormon. I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to handle that with writing weekly for this blog, but I did it. It was great to have more space to write geeky things about. I was even able to keep it going when I got a job and my life got even more busy.  I have even used TGM as a platform to spotlight my other friends in the geek community.
4. I got an actual job--they say you’re not supposed to talk about your employers on social media, so just to be safe I won’t mention names here. I will say it is a thrift store, in Provo. If you know me personally then you know what I’m referring to. I got hired in the middle of May and I’ve been working there since. That’s the longest I’ve had a job since I got out of college but that’s partly because my supervisors have been very flexible with my personal needs. But it’s something else to feel good about. I have an income. I can buy my own rent and groceries. I’m able to pay for my own cosplays with what’s left over. My supervisors are great and willing to give me time off to go do volunteering, and my coworkers are wonderful to work with.

   

   Mark Loertscher Photography

5. It was an excellent year to be the Scarlet Witch--ahhh, yes. The Avengers: Age of Ultron introduced Scarlet Witch to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2015 and so at the following comic-cons Scarlet Witch cosplays were everywhere. But that didn’t stop me from putting on the arm warmers and black nail polish whenever I got the chance, especially for charity work. And seeing Wanda Maximoff kick butt in Captain America: Civil War was one of the highlights of that film. #TeamCap #TeamWanda
6. I resumed regular visits with a therapist--I did say this was a rough year for me mentally, didn’t I? Well, thankfully I had a therapist to help me talk through the harder stuff.
7. There was a Cole Family Reunion--Basically we rented a huge resort cabin in Duchesne and chilled for a few days, which was fine by me. It’s kind of hard to want to be around all these people when you’re an introvert but it does pay off when you make an effort. You love these people for a reason.
   
8. Also a Cole Family Wedding--I didn’t get to go to the Fourth of July in Taylor this year due to work, which was a travesty. But I did get to sneak down to Mesa for my cousin Hannah’s wedding. I went down with her brother Cole and helped pay for gas and slept in the car like an adult. I had fun fixing flower arrangements, celebrating my cousin’s marriage and seeing my relatives again.
   
9. My best friend got married and I got to be a bridesmaid--Right before I went home for Christmas this year (so only a couple of weeks ago, but still it was last year) I got to be a bridesmaid. Abby and I met the first day of Freshman orientation at BYU and we’ve been tight ever since. She and her hubby Bryce are so sweet together. I am so happy I got to be a part of her special day, even if it was on December 16th ;) 

   

   Photo courtesy of Abigail Prince
   

   
   

10. Jeremy Renner came to FanX--Hawkeye never looked more like a hawk in his life. I mean:

11. 

    The Salt Lake Tribune

    Mark Hamill came to Comic Con--That was a treat. Salt Lake Comic Con rented out the Vivint SmartHome Arena in Salt Lake and while I was afraid it was going to be a hassle it really wasn’t. I got to sit for about an hour and listen to him tell stories about his career, about being the Joker but more importantly (to me) being Luke Skywalker.  And the pre-show with my fellow Star Wars fans? Worth coming early for!
12. Everything Cosplay--Last year, one of my New Year’s resolutions, along with this blog, was to step up my cosplay game. And I did it. I’ve made at least fifteen cosplays, most of them from casual clothes but a handful from scratch. I’ve gone out and done more with my cosplays this year, too--in addition to comic con, I’ve also done fan videos and photo shoots. My resolution this year? Keep going. I have at least fifteen more cosplay ideas in my head, and some are already in the works.
    
13. Kids Heroes--The trick with all of those costumes I have is to have a use for them. Some of my more kid-friendly or popular characters I have a niche for with the Kids Heroes Foundation. But while going out and being a character is fun, it’s been even more special to go out and serve people, to actually make a difference by being someone they know and love.
14. I ended this year right by getting a new smartphone that I can actually use--Yes, you heard that right. I now have a Microsoft Lumia 640. I can now use social media and internet on my phone. I now have apps on a phone that is appropriate for using apps. I HAVE A CAMERA THAT TAKES QUALITY PICTURES THAT I CAN POST DIRECTLY TO THE INTERWEBS. TO SAY I’M EXCITED WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT.
15. BLOODLINE--I don’t consider myself a judge of Star Wars books since I didn’t read the EU. But I have read a few other titles in the new Star Wars canon, some of them are great and some of them are meh. But none of them are as amazing as Bloodline. I can't say enough about how great this book is.
    
16. I made an abundance of wonderful new friends--Some of these friends were in the singles wards I was in, but most of them were cosplayers like myself, and a good share of them are in Kids Heroes. Some of them I won’t get to see again or I’ve only met once or twice, but I love them just as much. Some of them I’ve only friended on Facebook and met in person if I was lucky. To all of you, thank you for this wonderful year we’ve shared together. Thank you for the memories we’ve made together and the fun times we’ve had. You were the best part. You made 2016 worth it.

Cosplay for the Rest of Us

I spent a lot of time this summer putting together cosplays, sewing a little but mostly shopping for costume pieces for more casual outfits. That has given me a lot of experience in creating cosplay and also given me time to think about cosplay. I’d like to share some things that I’ve learned. I’ve tried to organize these thoughts into some sort of order, and while I don’t think I’ve quite reached the synthesis of ideas that I would like I think it makes some sense.  

Cosplay is a visual art form, but like all forms of art it requires acquiring and practicing skills to create and perform each piece. Like some forms of art, it requires knowledge of how to work raw materials, but can also include knowing how to repurpose everyday items.

If you’re not under obligation to create a picture-perfect costume, then there is no need to waste hundreds of hours shopping for the exact clothing article or sewing the garment correctly, particularly if your sewing skills, like mine, leave much to be desired. Work at the level you're comfortable at. Yes, you should put forth your best effort, but don’t exhaust yourself. Don’t don’t feel like you have to spend a million dollars on perfect props and costume pieces if you don’t have to. Go to dollar stores and thrift stores. Use discount fabric and linens-- bedsheets work great! Heck, Padme Amidala’s wedding dress in Attack of the Clones was made from a bedspread that Triscia Biggar found in Italy.

Pinterest

Keep an eye out for sales and deals, of course.  If you don’t mind poorer quality, Halloween season is a great time to get cheaper costume items like wigs and makeup, after and even before the big day. You can easily repurpose clothing items, jewelry, and toys for use in cosplay. Use spray paints and acrylic paints for props. The color is everything. Get lots of reference photos for the costume you want to make and study them carefully. If you don’t have a smartphone or a printed reference, be able to keep in mind the type of costume pieces you’re looking for while shopping. Write down lists of what you need to find and what you can use.

If you’re shopping at a thrift store, you can look through all the clothing racks one shirt at a time for the right article, but I find that sometimes when I do that I don’t find what I’m looking for.  Depending on the day, something will stick out to me and it will turn out to be exactly what I need.

It is nice to get everything you need for your costume in one place at one time. However, it doesn’t work out that way. One shopping trip every once in a while, when you have money, you can eventually find everything you need. Be patient! If you can’t buy it now, then wait. It won’t kill you, I promise. If you're window-shopping or just looking, then look up prices and figure out where to get the items you need for cheap.

Don’t feel like you need to change your body or your hairstyle for the cosplay if you don’t feel comfortable doing so.You need to be able to wear your costume the way it fits your taste and style and your image of the character. You can’t just look good in it--you need to FEEL good in it!  If you don’t want to wear a certain style of outfit, then don’t wear it. Find something else that looks similar. At the very least, the piece should invoke the character’s style and attitude as well as the world they exist in.  

In Age of Ultron Scarlet Witch’s outfit is not really that covering. The little black dress I use for my Scarlet Witch actually has a higher collar and lower skirt hem, but while it fits my standards of dress it also still works for the intended costume, and everybody likes my costume regardless. I’m not saying modest is hottest, but I am saying modesty can work in cosplay. Modesty is about the respect you have for yourself.

You do not have to look a hundred percent like the character to be the character. You are creating the cosplay because you relate to the character and the outfit. Cosplay is an expression of your ideas and not someone else’s.

A little known fact: dressing as a contemporary character who wears normal clothes is a good way to build up your wardrobe.You can mix and match pieces from different ensembles to find a good look for yourself and subtly invoke your fandom in your everyday dress. Or you can dress out part of the way as your favorite character to work or school and no one will tell the difference.

There is a give and take relationship between online fandom and cosplay in person. You come with your own ideas and act those out and share them with friends. But as you interact with other people, your ideas come together and you write new stories that those other people can be a part of. When you’re out at a convention or another event with friends, yes, go ahead and share your ideas about the character, re-create the moments you’ve daydreamed about. But if you’re doing it with friends, do it on their terms. Stick with what they’re comfortable with. Don’t make people act out every single one of your headcanons. They have their own ideas about their characters and you should respect that. Don’t be afraid to do something that you wouldn’t see your character doing IRL. Goof off! Get people to laugh! Make yourself laugh.

The first time you go out in a cosplay, it’s normal to not know a hundred percent how to be in character. Even if you love the character and know them pretty well, it still takes time to get the hang of it. It can be 2-3 times wearing that cosplay before you know what you’re doing. Do your homework and learn about the character if you're not familiar with them, but you won't get into character by doing exactly what you researched. Like I said, you get into character by getting with other people.

Me as Livewire, Salt Lake Comic Con 2016, Chiseled Light Photography

The most important thing about anything you do in life is to have fun and to create those moments

that will bring you real joy. And the best moments are the ones you make with other people. It is about you, but it’s also about sharing yourself to make other people happy.

Cosplay Adventures: The Comic Con Press Conference

Last Wednesday I went to the press conference for Salt Lake Comic Con. It was held in the Utah State Capitol.  I'd never been there before.

my photo

Naturally about half the time I was there I was like "oooh, shiny!"  Needless to say I need to go back and take a tour. It's a great place to take photos, too.

my photo

People were already arriving by the time I got there. I spent most of the time waiting for the press conference to start taking photos and saying hi to my cosplay friends and other people in the cosplay community.  It's always fun to see them in person.

my photo

Eric Hall, known for his spot-on Data cosplay, came as Mr. Incredible. Here he is with Violet.  Eric kept making "incredible" puns all day.

my photo

Ashley McKnight as Scarlet Witch. I hadn't seen her Scarlet Witch before and she pulls it off nicely. :)

my photo--doesn't really do them justice!

Finn and Rey and Baby-8!

Mark Loertscher

This is the Sharon Carter/Agent 13 outfit I wore to the Captain America: Civil War premiere the previous week. My hair didn't stay curly for very long but this photo by Mark Loertscher still came out amazing.

Photo courtesy of Mark Loertscher

Team Cap! Left to right: Adam Galloway, me, Ashley McKnight, Benji Seekins, and TJ DeCarlo.

The press conference itself was all right.  I'm not particularly excited for any of the guests except for Michael Rooker, who plays Yondu in Guardians of the Galaxy. But Bryan Brandenburg remembers me from the FanX Press Conference in November. He and Dan Farr are really nice to the fans.

Literally the best moment of the press conference: Vanellope Von Schweetz (aka Melanie Hamburg) ran into both of the Winter Soldier cosplayers who were at the event, Benji Seekins and Ryan Hahn.  I suggested that she give her "You're my hero" medal to one of them.

Photo courtesy Melanie Hamburg. Is it just me or does Ryan look jealous?

So she gave it to Benji. The results were adorable. 

Afterward the cosplayers broke out to get photos taken in and around the capitol. There were professional photographers on site.  We also took lots of personal photos and selfies.  Here's one with me and Ashley. I wish a Black Widow had come to the press conference.  Then we would've had all the ladies of Civil War!

Photo courtesy Ashley McKnight

Chilling on the side of the Capitol: me, Ashley, Melanie, and Kyle Anderson.  Everyone else was bowing to female Loki. *eyeroll*

I've always wanted to try out the shield. Ryan Stevens was happy to lend it to me.

My photo

Scarlet Witch had a go with it too.

My photo

I also got to see my Aunt Peggy!

Photo courtesy of Ashley McKnight

After the press conference was over I went out to lunch at a Denny's in Salt Lake with some of my cosplayer friends who had been there. Right when we were getting up to leave a random lady walked in and asked for our picture. She had come all the way from Australia and wanted to show her family the weirdness that we Americans were up to!