Kai and Co.

Jan's Black Suit

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:11:03 GMT

More and more Jan is looking like th character in my head.

I originally bought a Soom Sabik when I realized it bore an uncanny resemblance to this character who's been inhabiting my dreams since I was a junior in college, ...a long, long time ago.

His newest suit is made from a corduroy skirt I had that I did't wear 'cause it was long and frumpy. But it was made of this super fine, soft thin black corduroy fabric, so I thought "Hey, why not recycle?"

This is pretty much what I imagine Jan wearing to the ice river party on Niigata.

A slightly less windsept closeup,

My father, who ususally doens't have much to say about the dolls, except that the boys all look way to effeminate to be boys, actually remarked on how realistic Jan is.

Chinatsu's new Dress

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:52:16 GMT

I made this dress this past summer. I initially decorated it with purple trim but as some kind DOAers pointed out it didn't quite match. That and I really wanted to trim the hem and the purple trim was all sold out! So, recently I ripped it all off and started from scratch with black. I like it much better. Chinatsu has been waiting to receive her new green eyes to model for you all.

Some closeups...

See her lovely green eyes here. these are urethane gumdrops? 20mm I believe. Got them second hand.

Sendai Trip -long overdue sorry!

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:08:27 GMT

The “michi” Less-Traveled:

Sendai’s Tanabata Matsuri

Since arriving in Japan, my younger brother and I have gone sightseeing once a year on the mainland. He paid for a year of Japanese classes at a local college prior to my coming here, and in return I plan and plot the trips, functioning as a sort of Japanese speaking tour guide. We’d already done the more well-trodden paths of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka sightseeing last year and I decided this was the year to do something I’d missed out one since I didn’t get my desired placement in Miyagi-ken. So, we headed to Sendai for tanabata matsuri.

Celebrated all over Japan in July, Sendai’s tanabata festival takes place from August 6-8^th. This is convenient for ALTs because it occurs during a time of year when you are less likely to be needed for school obligations and more likely to get approval for time off. One can fly into Sendai direct from Okinawa. Sendai is also just a 1 ½ hour train ride from Tokyo by the shinkansen on the Tohoku line, so it can be easily tacked on to a Tokyo excursion. This was the route we took.

Advance reservations for the train from Tokyo are not needed even during festival season, you can usually get a ticket on the same day as your departure. One way to Sendai from Tokyo runs about 12,000yen. Trains leave almost every hour. The one thing you do need to do a month or two early is make hotel reservations. Sendai has many hotels within walking distance of the station (train and bus access) and the arcades, but it does not have many budget accommodations. Rates are set at premium particularly for the 6^th-8^th of August.

As a small-ish Japanese city with a population roughly the size of Okinawa and off the beaten international tourist path, don’t expect a lot of help in English while in Sendai. Unlike in Tokyo, Kyoto and Okinawa, we found that hotel desk clerks may not be able to communicate fluently in English, and restaurants probably do not have English menus available. I actually found it refreshing to have to spend 3 full days speaking nothing but nihongo (aside from talking to my brother).

We actually arrived one day early for the festival. From the minute we arrived, Sendai did not disappoint. When we first walked into the station we were greeted by the giant crepe paper constructions of kusudama and fukinagashi (ball and streamers).

The main feature of Tanabata Matsuri is the decorations. They are concentrated in Sendai eki (station) and the two pedestrian arcades on the west side of the station, the Chuo-dori and the Ichibancho. The Ichibancho and its surrounding streets are also the main entertainment areas, so keep this in mind when looking for restaurants. These arcades are still lively and vibrant shopping areas unlike the ones near my home in Okinawa City. I highly recommend coming a day early for the festival, like we did, if you want to take pictures, as the arcades get very crowded and it’s hard to take good pictures without too many people in the way. We also visited Sapporo and Tokyo this trip but I think we took more pictures in Sendai than anywhere else.

Each shop or business sponsors its own decorations hung outside the store from bamboo or pseudo-bamboo poles. Local companies also sponsor these decorations filling the streets with a fun and colorful explosion of crepe paper. The decorations range in style from the obviously commercial kirin beer cans to the artistic, fukinagashi made entirely of folded origami, or kusudama we saw that were in the shape of kokeshi dolls (a regional specialty). The decorations range in height from 4-6 meters and are often hung quite low so that you literally can’t see where you’re going on the arcades. The decorations are bagged up every night for protection from vandals and the weather around 9pm, so if you want nighttime photos, best to go early, as we found out. Also, if it rains heavily, the decorations that are not protected by the arcades or hung indoors will stay bagged all day.

The opening night of the festival, on August 5^th, there were fireworks over the river. Following the flood of people from the station, it was a 30 minute walk past the shops and a lot of street vendors selling Japanese style-finger food like dango and yakitori.

Sendai is a city built around its river. One of the few in a Japanese urban area that has not been coerced into an incredibly artificial channel, it’s allowed to meander within reason, and parks grow along its banks giving Sendai its nickname “city of trees”. If you think Okinawan fireworks are nice, Sendai’s tanabata festival opened with a real bang, 1 ½ hours of nearly continuous state-of-the-art hanabi. It seemed like the entire population under the age of 30 had donned yukata and camped out on the riverbanks to welcome the opening of the festival.

Two nights later the entertainment was a ‘parade’. Not really a parade, more of a street show, along one of the intersections on the Ichibancho. Various performing groups arranged themselves along a park meridian in the middle of the street and did rotating short performances so that everybody could see. The performers were scheduled by type. When we got there the action was already underway. There was an acrobatics set, a marching band set, folk-dancing, a ballet performance of the story behind tanabata (the ‘starry’ romance of Orohime and Hikoboshi) and finally a rousing taiko finale.

Because of our travel schedule we left before the final day of the tanabata matsuri, but we had a great time and highly recommend Sendai’s tanabata matsuri to anyone seeking an opportunity to really practice their Japanese and sightsee on Japan’s road less traveled.

Chinatsu's new dress

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:54:32 GMT

I don't usually post things that are a WIP, but I've had the new girls over a month and they don't have any new clothes yet! -wah!.... Cause I've been writing rather than sewing for a bit now.

The skirt, which I think came out wonderfully, except for its lack of trim (I'll explain in a moment) is a five piece affair. It's made from 5 squares set on point, so the dress has a very full handkerchief hem.  I bought the trim at the same time I got the fabric. It looks like a good coordinate to the purple paisley, which I now have 2+ yards of...

Something about shopping for fabric in Japan... Whereas in America, most fabric, trims, etc.. are sold off the bolt. I.E. you tell the salesperson how much you want and she cuts that off, at which point you are obligated to buy it. In Japan, many more things are sold only by pre-cut and packaged lengths. People don't do much sewing these days for practical purposes, and most of these pre-cuts are geared toward craft projects. Which is usually fine for doll things. Well, it just so happens that I fell in love with this fabric which was only sold in a 4meter length. More than enough for a dozen doll dresses. I'm thinking about making an edwardian blouse for myself out of the rest, so it's okay. But the lace trim, that comes in a package of 4 patterns in this odd, but lovely periwinkle shade. I started to trim out the dress and realized that I'd need way more than the 1 meter length they put of each pattern in the prepacked assortment of said lace to get around the hem of the thing. So, back to the store I went only to discover that this lace combo is sold out in that color! -Oh no!

So now I'm debating what to do with the hem.  I need like 2-3 yards of trim just to get around the thing. I'm thinking a self-fabric ruffle, but its a lot of pain in the a#$.

Well, enough ranting, on to the pics!

Chinastu's lips have now been repainted. I darkened her eyelashes and brows, and blushed her. Her original face-up was so pale, -maybe it faded? that it was nearly invisible.

If you haven't noticed, Chinatsu is wearing neither her nor Ai's zouks in these pics. She has on a pair of 'blue lagoon' eyes that I think came from Ginarolo on DOA originally.  I got them with my pureskin F10 head. Yeah, I know that makes 3 of this headmold...  That head fits Chinatsu's Ash grays and they look absolutely stunning in it, but alas she doesn't have a body yet, and I can't afford one. So, you'll have to wait to see them.

Zander in Chinese dress

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:25:35 GMT

I made this outfit for Finrod, my Elf-Shiwoo. Now that his face is blue and green it would work, you see...

But the pants came out just a bit large for his skinny Luts delf type 1 bod. They were designed without darts and made from this really cool , but hard to work with Nishijin brocade (its damask really, I should say that in case my textiles teacher ever reads this) that's 100 percent silk.

So, Zander agreed to model and has taken quite a liking to them, even though its the last thing in the world I would've expected him to wear.

We need new shoes obviously...

Sultry and sexy!...

Zander realizing just how Kakkoii he is in this get up. -show off!

"I'm ready for my close-up,"

The Girls....

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:13:23 GMT

Okay, so I went a little insane on YJ this spring. I've been developing a taste for the F10 head. That is the old SD13 4 sisters head that is now only available via FCS.

I was contemplating another FCS order then I realised while browsing that why pay nearly a thousand $$$ for a new one when you can get an old resin one for about the equivalent of $350?

But I didn't get just one, I got 2.

Honto ni?

Honto da.

So, without further ado let me introduce Ai (whose been posted once already but nekkid) and Chinatsu. Ai is normal old resin, and Chinatsu is old white resin. Both came lightly aged. Neither had really been modified that much. Both came with lovely old Zouks. I got new zouks last year with llyn and was kinda dissapointed after hearing all these wonderful things about them. I now know the reason why. New zouks are crap -well, relatively speaking, they're fine glass eyes but not worth all the hubub and ther outrageous resale price. Old zouks, I'm guessing my girls are from about 2001 and 2004, -are gorgeous. Ai came with blue ones and Chinatsu came with 20mm ash gray.

Here are some pics I took in the park before i did anything to them. They're wearing like styled cotton kimono I made last year.

As you can see Chinatsu has a very pale, probably original FCS faceup, painted by hand. Ai is not wearing her blue Zouks, Chinatsu is. Nobody fits Chinatsu's 20mm Ash Grays except her.

Ai...

Chinatsu...

Together...

forever....

And I still have a pureskin F10 head in need of a body. I have no idea what she'll be called.

Ai's arrival or Lady Godiva

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:39:43 GMT

From a distance a strange yet beautiful figure is seen sitting demurely on the edge of a table, modestly covering her nakedness with her long luxurious hair.

You get closer, entraced by the sight,...

until you hear a shameless voice cry out in disgust, "A cat! -Where's my horse? -hmph! I did order a horse."

Been bad on YJ lately... I've wanted a F10 girl for a while but I couldn't justify FCS prices when I could pick up an old resin F23 for 35,000yen on YJ, plus agent fees. Better yet got two of them, one WS one, normal old resin. Here's Ai, she's the normal skin one. I'm still waiting on Chinatsu, who will be the WS one. She's a old FCS F23, same as SD13 4 sisters that have been discontinued.

She has high heel feet F02 and her old blue zoukeimura eyes...

Here are some better pics with clothes on...

Anyway, can't wait for her twin sister to arrive...

Nyssa takes up Gardening

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 11:58:16 GMT

There are some advantages to living in a place where it doesn't snow...

Marigolds in February. Nyssa is trying to help with the gardening. She looks a bit overwhelmed by the size of it all.

New undies for Rie

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 11:51:38 GMT

Rie looking cool and contemplative in her new Victorian combo undergarment.

Credits:
Wig (dollga heat resistant fiber, evercream from Leekworld)
Undies (Me!)
Face-up (Masha default)

More Jan Spam!

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:50:37 GMT

I'm so very happy with this guy. Unfortunately he's a lousy poser and needs to be proped up by something. And I've been too busy with my kitten to play with him much. But I took him to Misato Technical H.S. to take pictures yesterday as they have the best rocks... No, seriously they do.

And I noticed his wig, which I love on him but has an annoying black wig cap, stains his bean in the Okinawan humidity... -Darn!

He's sitting bald in his chair right now (Sabiks look really funny bald BTW) waiting for his hair to dry out after I washed it. We'll see if this helps with the staining problem...

Enjoy!

That's all for now...

Jan incarnated!

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:08:06 GMT

So, I've been working on this story since I was in college really. It's gone through several versions. And one of the characters has stuck with me through all the years is finally present in physical form. I was browsing DOA and low and behold I spotted a doll. And I thought, "OMG, it's Jan!"

I've been in the BJD scene since almost its inception in the USA at least. But I have to admit I really don't have the time to keep up with all the new companies and releases. And I'm mainly a Volks lover. Minis, minimees, tinies and animal dolls don't really do it for me... I was vaguely aware that Sabik and Mecha angels existed, but it barely registered a blip on my radar until recently.

So, needless to say, once I discovered him, I engaged in an eager search for a Sabik to become my Jan. I'd never posted a WTB ad before or scoured the online sites for a specific doll to purchase secondhand. I could join the preorder from Soom at the end of November but their wait time is about 2 months and I didn't want to spoil my enthusiasm for the project.

About 2 weeks later I finally found him from a seller in Singapore. They were very generous and a pleasure to deal with. And 3 weeks after I started my search I recieved my guy. Going to get him frm the post was an adventure. I went to the wrong window and the Japanese cleark singlehandedly led me to another entrance at the back of the post office where they do pickups ( I usually just call the english help line and ask to have my stuff redelivered in the evening). The clerk hands me a box well over 1 meter in length, whoa! I'm thinking, "geez he's going to be a BI&%$ to send home to the States, if I keep him."

It's taken me a further week to get his outfit together. Everything in the pictures except his wig and shoes I have made. There are no patterns for mecha angel boys that I can locate. So, I had to make those too. I have a very clear picture in my head of his personal style, the kind of things he would wear. And his hairstyle. The longish pageboy bob that conceals the fact that his sideburns are completely shaved for placement of the "inhibitors". His last long term residence was on Niigata, the ice planet. And he's thin and always cold, so I figured turtlenecks were modern and warm and have a certain clean elegance to them that I think Jan embodies.

Heck, I could have posted him nekkid, but that would be indecent. Luckilly the seller sold me 3 sets of shoes with him.

The only thing missing are his final eyes. He's still wearing the black soom ones he came to me with. All the telepaths in my story have very green eyes. It's a means of identification.

He also doesn't pose worth beans. I think a restringing and possible sueding is in order...

So without further delay, here's Jan...

Lots of picture spam I know,...

Jan (or more formally, Dr. Giovanni Karajian) is a 30 year old medical doctor of genetics from an unspecified future in which humans have colonised many worlds and Earth is long forgotten. He is a member of a specially bred and kept race of telepathic humans. His one desire is obtaining the same level of freedom and autonomy as the rest of the population. And if reaching that goal means taking down the organization that has guarded and protected his kind for nearly 200years, he will do it. His knowledge of medical science gives him a unique ability and drive to expose them...

Teaser...

New Wigs!

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:26:25 GMT

Volks is renewing its wig offerings and in the process discontinuing some of the styles I've always wanted, so time to splurge, better yet that shipping is cheap within Japan. And I got my resin kids some new hair.

This was primarily for the girls, as I already have most of the boy wigs from Volks that I want.

I've been wanting the mitsuami shaginess (braids) wig for a while now. I'm not sure Rie is the right doll for it, but here she is. Reminds me a little of Anne of Green Gables:

Aya looking much better in her new face-up and copper volume waffle which comliments the kitty ears real well, don't you think?

Aya and Nyssa, who is also enjoying her gold waffle wig.

I also got a gold vertical curl for Rie, who looks absolutely stunning in it, but I didn't manage to get pictures of it on that day before the sun went down.

Llyn and Nyssa do tribute to Anne Rice

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 08:15:21 GMT

I live ina small apartment and couple weeks ago i had to move the dolls out of the way in the livingroom to do something else, so I sat them in the doll chair in the bedroom.

When I went back later and looked it reminded me of two of my favorite characters from Anne Rice.

Can you guess who?

Meet Lestat and Claudia. Close-up of Nyssa in her new wig and dress.

Aside from moving them to where I actually can get a decent picture and waiting for Nyssa's blond wig to arrive from Volks, they are exactly as I found them sitting.

Chritsty from DOA and Resinality did a similar post a while back. while hers was lovely in a hyperrealistic way (Vincent rocks!) I think my lovelies are just as cute, if not cuter.

Llyn models new duds:

Llewellyn and Nyssa in Seattle and VT

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:47:15 GMT

Llewellyn embarked on his first trip to the States with me from Japan three weeks ago. Along the way, we picked up a new "friend" in Vermont, courtesy of my friend susieq on DOA. Volks shipped her just in time for me to pick her up, saving expensive shipping back to Japan.

First stop, Rosalie Whyel's museum of Doll Art...

Llyn wanted to volunteer himself as a tour guide.

Pics were not allowed in the museum exhibits. I highly recommend the artist doll of Amakusa Shiro on the first floor (not by Volks!).

Tired after our tour we wait for our lift to Dolls and Friends.

Llyn got some new shoes, and we picked up a wig for the anticipated new arrival.

We "met" Nyssa in VT (YoSD Kira). She loved the wig, but would have apreciated it if we picked up some clothing, so she didn't have to go out in her undies -poor girl!

She raided my wig collection while at home. Back in Seattle at the end of our vacation, she tries out a blond, human-hair Bleuette wig at the Ballard Locks.

Look forward to seeing some more of her when we get the wardrobe underway!

The Hermit

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 02:47:50 GMT

Well, I finally found a good role for a sleepy head...

Prince Daniel has decided to withdraw from the world and become a buddist monk.

Meditating and subsisting on the alms given by passersby on the lonely road up to the shrine in the mountains.

Everything made by me! Except the hat... Gotta love 100 yen stores! Koromo of wool kimono fabric. Linen trousers.

Windswept

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 02:32:10 GMT

I've been perfecting Llewellyn's look. I ordered him with 16mm neosium zouk eyes. When I got him I was surprized how purple the eyes looked and I thought the Zouks weren't nearly as exciting as I was led to believe. So I got these 400 series eyes from Ginarolo on DOA and am much happier. I forget the name of the color but they are nice clear gray. What I am really looking for are clear gray eyes (no blue or purple tint) with a slightly darker gray pupil.

I may be selling the Zouks soon...

Sorry there is only one pic with the white wig as all these photos came out over exposed -too much Okinawan sun. Need I say it was about 90 degrees F. or 32 C outside.

I've been a bad BJD mommy and have not made Llyn his "outfit" yet so he's still wearing the Okinawan kimono.

Kimono parade!

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 13:56:59 GMT

Been sick all weekend, so took the kids out on the balcony to model some kimono I've been making all winter. Also a good excuse to spam some more pics of Llyn!

Llyn is wearing my first attempt at an Okinawan-style men's kimono. Note the sleeves are open at the wrist. Also the arms are attached to the body all the way down to waist level practically.

Daniel and Rie are wearing female fantasy kimono. (Poor Daniel!) At least he'll sleep through the humiliation... Sorry, but I only have one girl here. Actually I have 2, but Hana is back in VT.

It's a rare opportunity to get to explore some of the FCS options not chosen... Volks wig #94 is a Sato exclusive, so there aren't too many of them floating out and about to try... Just after I recieved my new boy, another W94 wig in white was offered for sale on DOA -in Japan no less!

I think he looks very good in it. Very cold and icy, which was the intent. Of course, I like him as a blond too...

Rie is trying on his default color B6...

Something, maybe the straightness and long bangs, makes her look sadder than she already is...

More Llewellyn pics!

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:16:21 GMT

These aren't fabulous pics since I took them yesterday eve just after he got here and it was already dark outside. But they'll give an idea of what the mold looks like.

I ordered him at Sato, entirely in Japanese (mine isn't great and the Volks rep's english was practically non-existant). Kudos to Mr. Nakamura for being very patient with me. Note: do not be cute and write your name in Japanese on the Sato waitlist if you want help in English. Also, call CC company beforehand to okay the charge to save hassles at checkout...

We did fine in Japanese until we got to the face-up part. The face I ordered was a combo of Williams and a Valico one-off sleepy Lucas from the SD Bible. It came out fine except for the thickness of the lips. It's in the mold, for sure, but I would've painted them thinner, not bee-stung. I may change this later.

The character I had in mind has gray eyes, which left a choice of GE-15 (neosium) or Ash gray Zouks. I got Neosium and am not entirely happy with the color (too much purple tint). Although the size 16mm looks great in this head.

As you can see, sitting next to Masha his head and face is quite small giving him the porportion of a more mature boy on the SD13 boy body.

FCS specs:

Head: SD-F-36
Wig: 94-B6
Glass Eye: 16mm-GE-15
Eyelash: EL-05
Hand: H-04
Foot: FO-02
Leg: L-02

Other notes: I asked for medium to tight stringing and he's definitely medium, not tight. I did not get kips, and wish i had for the arms/shoulders.

My FCS F36 SD13 Boy is here!

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:39:28 GMT

Join the crew in welcoming Llewellyn with a short -ahem!- photostory about his arrival and box opening...

Zander: Oh no, what's this a box! -DREAD!-...

Let me lie on it a little bit while I figure out what to do, and make sure he doesn't get out in the meantime...

Zander: (to self) He's here! What will I do?

(Worries...)

Rie: Hey, Zander, Whatcha doing?

Zander: Oh me -AHEM- nothing...

Rie: Hey, isn't that about the size of a doll box?

Zander: So, what if it is?

Rie: Well, then you shouldn't be lying on it!

Ran: Yeah, like there's someone in there.

Zander: So, what if there is? Maybe they're taking a nap or something. Seemed like a good place to lie down to me.

Rie: Well, if you're on top he can't get out. You know Lyra's been talking about the new guy she ordered while she was in Kyoto. She's waiting for him. And we can't open the box while you're on it.

Zander: Uhmmm, well, that was kind of the idea...

Ran: Kind of the idea? What do you mean?

Zander: Uhmmm, well, she's been talking about him so much... What if he's everything she expected, and then she'll pay so much attention to him... and well, what if I'm not the favorite anymore?

Aya: Is that what this is all about? -Jealousy?

Zander: -Gulp!- (Speechless)

Aya: Get off!

The box opens.

Gold Logo!

Stuff!

Here he is!

Rie: Oh, my! He's white like me... I wonder if, he'll -gulp- like me...

THE END!

Stay tuned to the next post for pics of the new guy!

Kyoto Dolpa 5 Volks one-offs and display models

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 06:09:51 GMT

As promised, one night's sleep make me feel better...

Here are some pics of the one-offs and displays put out by Volks at the dolpa last weekend.

One-offs:

This is the new F38 on the left. He's real nice, and I think he looks just fine on the SD13 boy body. Madoka is on the right.

2 Yos, Papi and Shitsu?

2 MSD girls, F20 and Toppi. The theme this time was definitely traditional Japanese.

SD girls, Nana SWD on the right and one other?

Williams, Tohya and SWD Lucas, have joined the Shinsengumi with Okita.

Closeups:

Volks display pics:

Tsukasa teaser!

Reisner.

Another Williams.

Okita, Amakusa and Ushiwakamaru with sakura (very seasonal) they were just starting to come out when we left Kyoto on Tues.

The girl standing next to Shiro is the new F37 head.

Ruby, Garnet, etc....

Well, that's it. Hope you had fun looking! I'm still waiting for my boy. Will be sure to post pics when he gets here.

Kyoto Dolpa 5

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:53:06 GMT

Woke up bright and early on 3/16 to attend my first Japanese dolpa. I wasn't goign to wait on line for any limited dolls or items, so I planned to get there around 9am. it was ridiculously easy to find Pulse Plaza from Takeda station. Two blocks turn left walk about 3 or 4 blocks. Also I could have just followed the folks in lolita gear with roll-y suitcases and oblong doll boxes to the event.

This is what it looked like from outside.

It was confusing at first. I was expecting 3 lines, but there were only two. One for limited items, and one for Sumika and general admission. I was #770 to get in.

Here's some idea of what it was like. Although I can't say that I enjoyed standing in line for nearly 2 hours, Japanese people are much more organized and polite about queueing than Americans, where it seems like everyone is only out for themselves.

Once inside I ran over to admire the dealer displays and shop!

I've completely forgotten which booths had these lovelies set up, so please forgive and enjoy the eyecandy!

Stay tuned for more photos of the one-offs and Volks displays! I'm tired, going to sleep now...

Visit to Tenshi no Sato

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:35:31 GMT

Tenshi no Sato is closed on dolpa weekends so we arrived in Kyoto on 3/8 and visited tenshi no Sato Volks' super Dollfie headquarters on 3/9.

We were there for nearly 4 hours. My first fullchoice order took one hour, mostly because of CC snafus and the fact that I got to place my order in Japanese! -Which is very good practice. Note: do not be clever and write your name in kana on the waitlist if you want someone to help you in English!

I'm waiting on a F36 SD13 boy, in white tone with a custom face-up, tabi feet and long legs.

The order took so ong that we only had a little time to sit and relax and take pics. I only got 4 of Prince Daniel trying out the furniture.

Modern sofa, good for napping...

This somehow seems more appropriate for the outfit:

Closeup of my sleeping prince. He got his tension adjusted (for free!) at dolpa the next weekend so he's no longer tired and floppy, although he still sleeps though everything.

Neko Cafe

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 13:17:13 GMT

Our Prince Daniel in the Lion's den: Neko Cafe, Ginowan Okinawa...

Here kitty, kitty...

Are you sure you want to do that? They're bigger than you.

No problem...

What is it? Some sort of alien?

Can I join the cuddle puddle?

Ahhh... Naptime....

-Ahem...

The indignity of it all.

Sniff, I think it's asleep. Buffet anyone?

Here are some other pics from the neko cafe in Ginowan, Okinawa. Most people in Japan live in small apartments where pets are not allowed. So, this business exists to give people some opportunity to interact with pet animals. Lunch, and 1 hour of playtime w/ 11 kitties cost me 1300yen. Without the lunch, its about 735yen. The cats seem happy, well loved and cared for. When the owners found out I could speak a little Japanese and was there to see the cats, they took the time to introduce me to everybody. There is a large play area, electric blankets, boxes and cat bed to crawl in, and a "catwalk" high above our heads if the felines desire to retreat from the human company.

Shimeji is the cat I'm holding who doesn't look too pleased about it.

Neko Nabe. The ceramic pot the cat is sitting in is a "nabemono" pot, used for making hot pot dishes. This one is mostly a "cat pot" I think. This big orange fellow ( I forgot his name) seems to own it most of the time.

Okinawa has a serious problem with strays. Largely a result of military personel in the past leaving pets they are unable to take with them when they are reassigned. Okinawa is one of the poorest parts of Japan and peoples attitudes toward animals are not always the same as in the States. If a stray dog or cat is found they have 5 days to be claimed by an owner or adopted or they are sent to the "gas chambers", as I understand it. Many people enjoy putting out food for the local cats in their neighborhoods, unfortuantely these strays are not very sociable w/ most people other than their willingness to accept handouts. I am glad a few cats here have the chance to have a happy life entertaining visitors to the neko cafe.

Katsuren-jo with Zander and Rie

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 10:38:05 GMT

This very tall pile of rocks is all that's left of one of the most important castles in the Ryukyu islands and its only 10km from my home in Okinawa. Lest you think I'm lazy this is what I had to climb (with doll bags) to get here.

Reading the World Heritage Site marker together. Fortunately, its bilingual.

The view from the walls is absolutely spectacular.

Taking advantage of the romantic location, Zander puts some moves on.

Zander lazily misses out on some Rie channeling Marilyn Monroe skirt action. Or maybe its just the high winds.

I guess we're awake now...

Tohya's arrival

lyrajmcmullen@yahoo.com — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 13:21:02 GMT

Tohya arrived today. I guess I should've warned the other occupants of my apartment that he was coming...

Rie: What's this?

A box.

Let's open it!

Oh, dear....

He is strange looking isn't he?

That's because he didn't come with eyes...

Well, that's all for now. He needs a name and some eyeballs. I don't have any hanging around here for now...