The Winter Court of the Insane, Philosophical Ladybug

Haven't felt like writing for months. There's been a lot of upsetting things happening in real-life and online both, and I've preferred discussing both good and bad things in private with friends.

I had a lot of fun buying my own presents in October, at least, including elements of my Radley costume. I am very happy with it. I like to dress as him and record various songs trying to sing as him, which is interesting. It's hard to sing with anything resembling a male voice, but it helps that his dub voice isn't terribly low and my normal speaking voice isn't terribly high. I haven't done it for a while, but there are other songs I want to try.

Also bought most of my own Christmas presents aside from stuff friends sent. Dad wrapped some of them so I'd have more to unwrap. It was a very nice Christmas. I got Disney dolls of Raya, Sisu (I love the movie, mostly!), Ariel (also finally saw that and love it too), and Frozen 2 Elsa. I still don't like the ending of the movie, but I do love her final attire. I also got some fun plushies on QVC, and I used a birthday gift card to buy an adorable Christmas tree plush from Build-a-Bear. His name is Bob, because really, what else are you going to name a happy little tree?

I got a huge basket of yummy goodies from one sister and some nice things like a diffuser from another. I love the concept of it, although I don't much like the scent of lavender. It comes with lavender scent to put in it. I want to see if I can find other scents too.

Azalea542 sent a cool musical Frozen watch and a Boba Fett pin. Ladyamberjo and Lisa sent lovely gift cards and I had some fun Amazon spending sprees. I have most of the 5Ds manga now, except for #1, which has decided to be elusive new. Aurgh. Aside from preferring new in general, I especially want new here to be sure I get the card that comes with it. I also got some DVDs.

MoonlightTyger sent a wonderful cap and a Boba Fett plush (so soft!), and Tales of the Abyss! I'm very relieved it plays on my 2DS. I've played up to where Natalia joins the party so far. It is a very fun game aside from the boss battle against Arietta. Such a relief to finally conquer that! It's always interesting when a property has a sheltered character like Luke. While I can't fully relate to Luke's specific situation, I was quite sheltered most of my childhood. I was very sick for some years and there was also a lot of unfair prejudice going around about our family which caused a lot of backlash on me. Some of the neighborhood kids weren't allowed to associate much with me and the ones that were allowed didn't get to play as much as I wanted. So I mostly played with Mom through those years. It wasn't until I was becoming a teen that I started really having in-depth friendships with people where we'd talk a lot and have conflicts and the like. So I wasn't always good at associating with people, although I tried to learn quickly and even fake it sometimes. Of course, I still mess up and I'm also such a weird person that a lot of people get turned off by my different interests in characters and topics. Some things never do change. People can be very cruel and unkind when someone goes against the norm, whatever the norm happens to be. Anyway, point being, I like when there are sheltered characters in things.

The Book of Boba Fett makes me very happy. Disney is continuing to fulfill my 30 year old dream. I far prefer their Boba to the often cold and ruthless portrayals from some of the old 1990s books. I never wanted to see him that way. Since canon (and by canon I only mean the movies, as the books were never absolute canon to me) was so vague about him, I felt like people could see him as anything they wanted and it wouldn't go against canon. While I don't agree with Disney on a lot of their decisions, I am so thrilled with how they're handling Boba. I hope the TV series will end satisfyingly. I kind of suspect it will, though, and how it will end.

Just finished a fic today and am planning for the next one. I set up for it at the end of this one.

I'm still getting commissions. I'm waiting on one now. It's impossible for me to resist a good deal on beautiful art of characters I love, especially when it's being made especially for me!

I'm also finally advancing on my doll project. I can't remember if I discussed getting one for Radley's friend Scotch. I also just got one to be the one I call Biff. I'm looking into some more right now. I love the My Scene dolls. They're taller than the ones I have for Radley and Kalin, but the heads align, which is the main thing I'm concerned about. I'll probably end up having all of the boy My Scene dolls before the project is through, and multiples of characters with vastly different hair in releases, like River, who can hence play two or three Bunch members.

I have three Kalin and Radley doujinshis. I love them very much. There are others out there, but I haven't got my hands on physical copies yet.

I've been making a lot of home-cooked meals lately, as with my various problems with food this past year I've needed to do my own versions of them. I've made lots of waffles and enjoy it quite a bit. I also discovered I can make chili. Yum. And while most fake cheese just doesn't cut it, I do like the kinds that Morningstar and Daiya use in their meals. Daiya makes it with garbanzo beans! They've started selling it separately and I've been making pizzas with it.

I'm driving again, which is extremely momentous for me. Unlike before, I'm actually enjoying it and not crippled by fear. I honestly believe God has always used YGO to improve my life. YGO Classic caused me to learn how to write and draw far better and make many friends, some of whom are still friends. Because of my love of Radley in 5Ds, I started wanting to ride a motorcycle. But you have to have a regular driver's license first. So I finally felt ready to try again after the traumatizing experience I had years ago. I got my learner's permit and have been driving since October. I will be trying for the full license soon. I prayed and prayed for years on help conquering my fear of driving and nothing worked until Radley came along. Thank You, God.

Five-year-old me looking through the 3.75" Star Wars figures my brother let me have: ... Who's this?

Mom: Let's look at the back of the card that shows all the figures.... It looks like his name is Boba Fett.

Me: Who's that?

Mom: I think he's a bounty hunter. Let's watch Star Wars and see.

And history is made. I came, I saw, I got permanently obsessed and nothing could deter me from it.

Eeeee, I finally got the 12 inch electronic Boba Fett! A new listing popped up, I Watched it, the seller sent me an offer for $5 off, and I accepted and got him! He came in time for Christmas and it's been torture waiting to open the box, heh. Mom wanted to use some of her money to help get me something, and I chose that, so since it was partially a Christmas present I wanted to wait to open it until now. It's amazing to finally have him! I hope my 18 inch one won't get jealous, heh. They didn't make many figures in the 18 inch line and I wanted one to align with my other 12 inch figures. The clothes are all cloth and the armor is sewn onto them. There are real pockets! So amazing! Toys used to be so much higher quality than they often are now.

I got other awesome things for Christmas too. Friends sent a Build-a-Bear gift card (which, after some debating, I used to buy the Rey bear on a special sale price), the School of Rock DVD, an Irish ornament and Boba Fett socks (eee!), and a Loud House graphic novel. Mom and Dad had three suspense novels, a snowflake throw, What's New, Scooby-Doo? DVD set, the Rise of Skywalker soundtrack, Carrie Underwood's Christmas CD (I've never really been into her music, but Mom read an interview with her in Guideposts and thought she sounded very nice, so I took note of the CD and thought it looked great), and the Child plush! I have binged all the Mandalorian episodes and love the show and the Child like almost everyone else, heh. My sister sent a soup-making kit with four recipe mugs and my brother sent money! I will probably save it to buy a figure of The Mandalorian. A friend sent us cookies and our neighbors sent a Christmas throw and raspberry sticks! Yum!

I also won a $50 gift card in one of my discussion groups! I could use it for any of several places and I chose Target, as they had Cara Dune and the Child figures to buy. (The Mandalorian himself seems to be the hardest one to find.) I got them plus A Christmas Story, so I can finally see Darren in one of his most famous roles. LOL, I have a figure of him from that film and I've never seen the film (except for the mall scene, which always seemed to be playing when we caught the film on TV). Target delivered fast before, but this time they figure it will take a while.

I was having some problems writing my 5Ds cross, as Kalin's mental health was affecting my mental health (i.e., his self-hatred was triggering mine). I had to put him in the background and focus on the mystery to finish the fic. Now I had a nice, creepy dream about ghosts and am starting a new haunted house fic. I'm using Miho, but I'm calling her Melody as in the game she was in and I will make it clear that the Toei anime is not canon to the main anime verse.

I saw Soul tonight on Disney+ and aside from some unnecessary crude comments, I loved it! ( Very vague, mild spoilers? )

On Saturday I was over the moon!

( Cut for Mandalorian spoilers )

I had to watch that episode as soon as I learned about it, of course. I've been waiting to see if anything would be worth starting up the Disney+ subscription again, at least for a month or so, and this most certainly qualified. I pounced on it, then starting watching The Clone Wars. I missed out on that when Netflix had it, so I'd better get my fill this month. I can probably only keep Disney+ for this month. I should also try to see some DuckTales episodes. I don't have the elusive volume 4 DVD set, and it went out of print shortly after it was released, aurgh. Disney probably won't release it again because they'll figure people should just stream it on Disney+. Some people prefer physical discs!

I was not in a good mood when I started this entry, but I hoped writing about the squee would make me happy again. So far it's worked. It's hard to stay upset when writing about something that kept me on cloud 9 all that day. I was squeeing so much, I couldn't settle down to work on my fic for hours.

It's so disappointing this year that Dollar Tree doesn't have much in the way of decent DVDs. Usually they have great stuff at Christmastime, if only then. I've found anime, Scooby-Doo, and neat DC movies and TV episodes in the past. Almost everything they've had this year is lame. There was one nice Christmas movie, just a couple of DC things that didn't interest me, maybe a couple of interesting nature documentaries, and maybe a few nice things for the little kiddies, and otherwise it's second-rate trash that nobody much wants to buy. (Seriously, there are DVDs that kick around for years at Dollar Tree.)

I saw a Looney Tunes Christmas shirt last week that was kind of cute and appealed to me, with Bugs, Daffy, Wile E., and Taz in Christmas clothes. I considered getting it, but didn't, and I've had one or two dreams with the characters since then. I don't really want it that much, though, even though I like Wile E. Give me Disney any day over Looney Tunes (although some of the old Disney shorts are rather mean-spirited too).

I really kind of want those re-issues of The Real Ghostbusters figures for Christmas, but they're almost $15 for one, so I know Dad wouldn't want to get them. Plus, figures from the movie are out right now too, and ten to one he'd get confused and might get the wrong thing. The cartoon figures were almost all gone again tonight too. I considered getting one with some cash of Mom's and then having her keep it until Christmas, but I don't really want to do that. It seems ridiculous to have to buy my own presents, even if I'd be using her money instead of mine. The only Egon left had a grease mark too. Looking on eBay, he seems to be the hardest to get too. That figures.

At least someone was finally at the fabric counter while there was black cotton to be cut. I'll make Kalin's clothes this week, probably.

Nikki arrived and she's awesome. And I found a G. I. Joe to be Nesbitt! I knew it would be too strange if there weren't any that looked like him, because honestly, his character design looks like a G. I. Joe, lol. I found several possibilities and decided on Wheeler Field Pilot. I bought one on Amazon and I think he'll be here tomorrow! Meanwhile I was set to buy the Hawk River Lector G. I. Joe and then an auction popped up. I ended up going through with the Buy It Now listing anyway. I hope I won't regret not following the auction. I was concerned about someone else getting the Buy It Now and the auction suddenly spiking into a bid war and then I wouldn't get either one. That probably wouldn't have happened, but I didn't want to take the chance. Plus, I didn't want to wait 9 days for the auction to end.

A friend had some TaleSpin cereal box figures that she sent me. They're so cute! And it's almost the whole set of them; I just need Baloo, and I'm sure I can get him at the antique mall. And she also included a neat thing about Louisiana since I periodically write fics set there, and ohmygoshsqueee, a surprise item: an autographed picture of Boba Fett! She got it signed by Jeremy Bulloch in person years ago. I was over the moon and exclaimed aloud when I opened the package!

Monday we finally got to do an outing I've been hoping for for ages and it was one of those amazing days where things actually went right. Weirdly enough, both that Monday and one I still hold fondly from about three years ago or more involved getting paint at Hobby Lobby. LOL. I got a color that I hope will be good for painting Lector and also grabbed some black paint for Johnson's hair, since I don't know when I'll get back there and I thought I should just have it around even though I probably won't have Johnson for a while. It's always fun to explore there. Such a huge store! I wish they closed at 9 instead of 8. I was hoping to see some Halloween decor, but they had harvest coming in and that was a good compromise. Strangely, they still had some aisles of Easter stuff.

Then we went to Joann's and they finally had plushie bases back in stock. They also now have WiFi! And squeeee, they actually had the fake fur I needed for Umbra's hair! Since they don't have a whole rainbow of colors, I do wonder why they specifically had turquoise/teal/whatever it is. Is there a lot of demand for that color? Whatever the reason, it's awesome! It's super expensive by the yard ($29.99!), so I asked for the smallest piece and that was only $3 and change, and more than enough! I have a ton left over.

Then it was on to Kohl's to see if I'd have any better luck with my merchandising credit than before. The fitting rooms are closed and I didn't want to risk getting any more pants that didn't fit, so I focused on toys. I didn't really think they'd have Stacie, and I was right, but they did have a doll that I think and hope is Renee. Why don't they print character names on the boxes anymore? But I got her.

At Target I found Stacie! I also saw the new Yami Bakura and Yami Marik combo deck set they put out. I want it for Yami Bakura, but I couldn't afford it right then. If it was any other kind of Yami Bakura merchandise I wouldn't have been able to resist, but since I don't have anyone to play with I drag my feet on cards. I definitely plan to get that deck for my Yami Bakura collection, though!

At Walmart I got some muslin for the plushie ears. I still don't understand why they aren't made with ears on in the first place.

I waited several days for possible germs to die before starting the plushies. On Friday I made the ears and expressions. I copied Umbra's from a screenshot and I used Lumis's excited expression from Duel Links, even though I'm doing anime verse and not manga verse. The expression is just too cute! Saturday night into Sunday morning I worked on Umbra's hair. It's always hard dealing with fake fur hair and my finger is sore from pushing hard on the needle. But I love the results! Since they're not Rare Hunters anymore, I'll probably dress them similarly to how I depict them in my fics, in basic dark pants and purple tops. I have a progress picture up: http://meromeroyui.deviantart.com

I also figure I'll need to sew clothes for the Joes. I can't find anything that looks canon-accurate around, and a blog I found this morning warned that a lot of clothes don't fit Joes because some of them have big hands. I don't think mine do, but I can't be sure until they show up. I was going to use Luke to help me make clothing patterns today, assuming that the Joes and the Star Wars figures have the same bodies, but since Nesbitt is coming tomorrow, I think maybe I'll wait and have him help me instead. Nesbitt probably is a pilot, so it wouldn't look odd for him to sit around in the clothes he comes with for a while. I learned that some Joes and Star Wars figures have the same bodies, but I can't find out if the highly articulated ones do. I'm not sure Nesbitt has bendable knees, though, so his body might be more like the 1996 Star Wars ones that didn't bend the knees. But I'm not sure, because his hands are amazing and the FINGERS bend! I love it!

We've been watching some Star Wars movies and I had to write a bizarre blurb where Nesbitt is frozen in carbonite and Lector is able to release him (thankfully after a short period of time, unlike poor Han). I doubt I'll post it in any story, and maybe it won't even make it to 31 Days. But it was interesting to write. So far I gave no explanation for how it happened or why such a thing exists on Earth. I might if I flesh it out more. I'd certainly have to if I ever plan to really use it in something.

I also decided to look up Jason Wingreen, who voiced Boba Fett, and Jeremy Bulloch, who played him physically. I somehow stumbled on a hilarious interview where he said that in rehearsal he tripped on Darth Vader's cape and they both fell down and got tangled up, **snerk.** And then he flubbed a line and said "Put Captain Cargo in the Solo Hold." I've been giggling about that all day. I still wish I could get a 12 inch Boba Fett to match my Star Wars figures, but he still remains one of the hardest to get in the set. I should have tried to get one years ago, when they were first out. I remember watching my brother bring home his electronic Boba Fett with goggle-eyed interest. There's an electronic one on eBay for not too bad a price, but the Try Me button doesn't work. If I'm buying an electronic figure, I expect it to talk to me! I'd be fine with the Collector Series one too, even though I like the electronic one better, but it's also very elusive.

Since I've been having so much trouble finding out things about Barbies, like whether they're hollow or solid, or what characters they are, and this new problem about G. I. Joes and Star Wars figures, I'm slightly considering doing a blog on Blogger or somewhere talking about my collecting and things I've discovered on my own. Surely I can't be the only person who wonders things like this! It would be nice to be able to pass on my knowledge in case anyone else is having problems about such things.

Got some survey cash-outs and the concert refund around the same time and ended up going a little berserk with most stores closed and not usually being able to find what I wanted around here anyway. I felt like having some fun online.

eStarland hasn't updated their site and it's left looking like they still have the old Final Fantasy VII figures in stock to buy. I stopped getting them because I got so discouraged when Zack showed up with legs that weren't the same length, but I was craving to get Tifa and Aerith. I fell for it until I looked closer and saw no Add to Cart buttons even though the listings said "ships within 24 hours." When I realized I couldn't get them, I kind of snapped. I started looking up many different things I'd wanted for years on eBay and debated for days on what I wanted most. I ended up deciding it was time to get more 12 inch Star Wars figures and proceeded to buy Luke, Lando, and Han. I also found classic trilogy Obi-Wan on Amazon for the same price as on eBay and bought him with a gift card. Now I'm trying to get Qui-Gon, young Obi-Wan, and Mace Windu. I also would like Boba Fett, of course, but of course he's one of the most expensive ones. I've had a gorgeous Leia for several years, part of Disney's Elite Series. She doesn't quite fit in scale with the guys, but I love her so much I can't quite think of getting another Leia that would fit better.

I'm thrilled with all of the purchases and that definitely calmed me down (although I've been getting restless to buy again and I wish the other Amazon gift card I earned would get here). I suppose my favorite is Lando, though, as I've especially longed to have a figure of him through the years. (I remember wanting to get a small one when I saw it at the antique mall some years back, but I didn't because I wasn't sure Dad had ever forgiven Lando for the betrayal thing and I thought he might complain for me to get him. Didn't know how to get it without him seeing.) They're all amazing, though! Luke especially blows me away. Such gorgeous facial sculpts for everybody!

I did a rewatch of Magic Knight Rayearth. I think after YGO and Sailor Moon, it's the next most special anime to me. I had thought I liked season 2 best because of the character development, and I still love that, but there are still those episodes where the story drags and it's mostly fighting, and season 1 has the most friendship squee. Season 2 mostly focuses on the girls interacting with other characters. So now I think I like season 1 best, lol. And I know CLAMP already extended season 1 compared to the manga, but I wish it had been extended even more. They could have had episodes of the girls traveling to villages and meeting people and having more friendship squee. It was just wonderful and made me want to levitate, hee. The girls have the special kind of friendship like I portray with the Big Five.

I wanted figures or dolls of the girls, but it's almost impossible to get all of them and always has been, so I decided I'd rather make plushies of them. I also still want Lumis and Umbra plushies. I realized fake fur would be good for Umbra's hair, so I'm trying to find some in the right color. It's very difficult, as the same shade will show up looking like multiple shades on eBay and Etsy. I wish I could find it locally, but I don't tend to see exotic fur colors like teal or turquoise in stores.

Still working on Big Five fics. I finally finished the fourth New Orleans fic and it was a 20 chapter mammoth fic. It felt good to do one of those again. I wrote some oneshots about them and about Lumis, Umbra, and Arkana, and now I'm contemplating a Duke hurt/comfort fic. Or maybe he should just get hurt in the next ensemble fic. Vivian Wong and the Paradox Brothers will be returning to find the missing medallion, if I can craft a whole story around that concept.

I also drew some more, but I had to mark a couple as Mature Content because of violence and apparently non-dA members can't see such pictures. http://meromeroyui.deviantart.com

Also, I hate Eclipse (the new dA site, not the supernatural mush book). Can't find my way around at all. I'm enjoying the last little bit of time with the old dA site and I eagerly await the website ArtSpacious, which unhappy dA users are developing.

ElfBean continues to be awesomely amazing. Squeee!

I also eagerly await things opening up again. It's become more normal shopping lately, except for no hand wipes.