J's Chimes: Duo Screen

My family bought a new LED tv only to notice that the antenna wasn't working in their room. Thus it was transferred to my room instead. The result? I connect it up using a HDMI cable to my computer too and now the LED tv is also capable of using it as a monitor too... I could use it as a duplicate screen just as seen above or as a continuous screen whereby you could actually see icons flying from one screen to another...


Yup... could even connect the laptop to it too... My desk is seriously getting heavier with a lot more electronics now... Well at least I could watch tv programmes in my room now...Source URL: https://maryelizabeth-winstead.blogspot.com/search/label/Photography
Visit Mary Elizabeth Winstead for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

J's Chimes Special: An Insight To Making A Gundam Cosplay

It was a wonderful experience for me yesterday when I was told by my friends that there was a Gundam display event being held at West Coast Plaza Singapore. Though it's quite a bite size event, what interest me was the making of the cosplay parts that resembles a section of the armor. My cosplay suit went to a halt because I can't find the right materials for the armor of my Zaku Gundam suit. So after these event, I may now need to source for the appropriate materials for it and hopefully able to build my own soon...


Speaking of which, let's move on to the construction part. What he's doing now is cutting out a sketch that resembles a wrist armor. Then after the template of it will be drawn out onto a soft spongy material. This material will act as the costume to be worn by the cosplay and as it's make of soft material, it fits on easily and to move and work with.


This spongy material is being brushed with a industrial Adhesive type of glue to get that sticky surface. The material is set to dry first before using the cut out template to outline the shape of the armor before cutting it out. The Adhesive is used later on to stick a shiny material as the surface for the sponge to give that armor look finish.


This is theoretically how the armor for the wrist armor looks like after wrapping the spony material up with a shiny material known as Vinyl or preferably known as PVC in Singapore. I heard you could find them in Art Shops or Clothing Stores but I guess I should check them out too to find out more... And of course to hold the shape into place to fit your wrist, rivets and pins are used.


A typical finished product of the hand armor should look like this and it looks pretty cool as it fits nicely to the entire hand. because it's made of sponge and PVC, it is easily adjustable and to move. Watching this really inspired me a lot to make my very own... I guess I should go and try it out myself sometime...


But... these are all for cosplaying only. What about Gundam? Well seriously they are actually make of the same material as you've seen above. Believe it or not, the entire gundam cosplay is actually made of sponge and PVC with a couple of hardboard here and there...


Upon further inspection, you can actually see that the parts are all joined together using Velcro and clips, zippers, etc so that the cosplayer is able to don it on easily. Seriously it takes a lot of time, hard work, patience and measurements to get it right... Really impressive.


And in order to make the height of the Gundam feet, canvas shoes are glues onto hard boards and covered up with the Gundam legs as seen on the above picture.


By far the hardest part to make would definitely be the helmet and believe me, these are also made from the exact same materials you've seen above. Except that they are bended and shaped like this with many layers to make it sturdy.


A example is shown as above where many of these spongy and PVC layers are pasted together in the form of a circular shape to look like a helmet. This is seriously a complex task and unless you are so experienced with it, I heard that they could do it within a day...


And finally would be the weapons and props... Yes and again, Vinyl and Sponge are used with a couple of cupboards, etc. This is really a big learning experience for me and now after so many examples and such, am once again inspired and eager to do it asap... Exams are around the corner though so may have to wait till 2 months time or so though... Anyway, this event will last till next weekend so ya might wanna drop by West Coast Plaza to take a closer look at how it is done and learn more tips about making your very own cosplay armor.Source URL: https://maryelizabeth-winstead.blogspot.com/search/label/Photography
Visit Mary Elizabeth Winstead for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

J's Chimes: Public Cosplaying...

A seemingly unusual sight for Gin to purchase something at a local supermarket... However due to the fact it is known that there's a cosplay event in the shopping center, much of the people knew that there would be cosplayers around to serve. Which comes to the point that would you as a cosplayer dress up and walk around town in a normal day? Other than the glaring eyes, some people would be surprised or excited to see something weird in places they'd never thought of. An example would be this hilarious video below...


It sure makes my day having to watch this video over and over...Perhaps we should try this in Singapore and post it up in Youtube for many to see? Then it would be the first...Source URL: https://maryelizabeth-winstead.blogspot.com/search/label/Photography
Visit Mary Elizabeth Winstead for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

J's Chimes: Crafting The Star...

A hectic day for me as yesterday was the launch of the game that many had waited 12 years for it... Fans of Starcraft 2 started queuing up for the launch as early as 7am in the morning just to be the first to grab a copy of it. The queue stretched all the way outside of the Funan IT Mall in Singapore to as far as the neighboring shopping centers.


Took me 4 hours just to be able to get into the mall and see the booth they've setup in the atrium. They held a couple of matches on stage and lucky draw giveaways which included Razor gitf packs and Steelseries gift packs... The queue is still as crazy inside as they began watching and cheering for the matches.


Finally it's my turn to grab my copy at the counter. So really excited about this. It's been 5 hours since the start of queuing and now I've really got it. The pacage includes the box set with the game inside, a dog tag, a T-shirt and some miscellaneous advert stuff. Ran to another queue to take the lead writer's autograph and photos just after that.


Took a photograph with the lead writer; Brian Kindregan of Starcraft 2 who came down all the way from the US just to sign out autographs and stuff... He's really kind and friendly to approach. It's just so cool to have a photo with him...


Finally it's the announcement of the grand prize draw which includes a trip for 2 to Blizzcon California with return tickets and accommodation. Some lucky winner got it and is up on stage to receive the prize... Darn, I envy him... In any case that's the end of the launch of Starcraft 2, now playing the game like there's no tomorrow...Source URL: https://maryelizabeth-winstead.blogspot.com/search/label/Photography
Visit Mary Elizabeth Winstead for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

J's Chimes: Cosfest Event Photographs

Cosfest has finally come to a closure yesterday and had finally uploaded the photographs for all to see. Somehow there seems to be a lot more cosplayers around this year pretty much thanks to the cosplay culture that is slowly but surely spreading to Singapore. In any case, this has been an eventful day for me as taking photographs from morning till the evening without rest is truly an experience I would not want to talk much about... However, there are plenty of good cosplayers around this year so it's a good sign though. Anyway, stay i tune with J's Chimes for more posts on the Cosfest 2010. To view the photos for the event, you can click on the link on the right taskbar or simply click to view them here.Source URL: https://maryelizabeth-winstead.blogspot.com/search/label/Photography
Visit Mary Elizabeth Winstead for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

J's Chimes: Youth Parade Cosmo 2010

The Youth Parade Cosmo 2010 in the Shine Youth Festival had finally concluded today with a couple of cosplayers here and there. I would probably believe that most cosplayers have gone to the Cosfest at downtown East instead as it's a bigger scale event than this. But in any case, there are a number of interesting things happening around Orchard Road with this event that brought about many onlookers trying to figure out why there is a sudden wave of cosplayers parading around Orchard Road... A small bazaar selling anime goodies and stuff are also setup below the new SCAPE Mall in Orchard Road.


What comes as a surprise for this event is the appearance of popular cosplayers Alodia & Ashley from the Philippines. This is probably the 3rd time I see them in Singapore after AFA 2009 and the cosplay competition. Indeed they are so popular that a bunch of photographers kept chasing them to take pictures.


The second surprise visit would be Gundam Exia by 00 Emotions. Once again, they are the most sought after for photos and stuff... The cosplayers later parade the streets of Orchard Road with plenty of curious onlookers. With such, that concludes my day at the festival because a downpour is coming the way. In addition, tomorrow will be any busy day at the Cosfest 2010 in Downtown East. For more photos of the Shine Youth Festival Cosplays and Events, please click on the link at the right taskbar or simply click here.Source URL: https://maryelizabeth-winstead.blogspot.com/search/label/Photography
Visit Mary Elizabeth Winstead for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

J's Chimes: Scape Cosplay

Beside the Streetfest event held at Plaza Singapura, another cosplay event was held nearby last Saturday. The new Scape Shopping Center which was located near somerset beside Cineleisure held a grand opening event with lots of performances and a cosplay gathering area. Then again had missed out this event due to my computer problems... In any case, click on here to view the photos as taken by Heart's Workshop. Or simply view them from the link via the taskbar on the right. Being missing out a couple of events ever since the holidays, hopefully I could spare time for both cosplay events coming up next month...Source URL: https://maryelizabeth-winstead.blogspot.com/search/label/Photography
Visit Mary Elizabeth Winstead for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

J's Chimes: Streetfest Awes

I didn't think the streetfest is gonna be good until I've seen the photos posted by people online yesterday... And I've really missed out a lot all thanks to Father's Day. Well, it is still an important day but somehow it irks me to have missed out such an event... Somehow this cosplay of the dark rider from the anime Durarara! gets to me... For better or for worse, my computer had to break down this week... Well, I guess we would have to wait for upcoming bigger event known as Cosfest this coming July... To view all of these photos, click here view them or simply click on the given link on the right task bar.Source URL: https://maryelizabeth-winstead.blogspot.com/search/label/Photography
Visit Mary Elizabeth Winstead for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

J's Chimes: Gamer's Meet

A friend of mine who plays Left 4 Dead 2 decides to organise a gamer's meet at Play Nation located at 60A Princep Street Singapore (Near Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, beside Sunshine Plaza). Around 9 people gathered together for a fun-filled day loaded with plenty of Xbox360 and Nintendo Wii gaming. This is the first outlet I've ever been to that has boardgames and console games for people to play and hangout together. Similar to the Mind's Cafe, this shop focuses more on games and activities within the group rather than a cafe by itself.


Our group decided to book a spacious room to gather and play games. It's SGD$11.50 per head for 4 hours of gaming, inclusive of free flow of drinks. Not too bad for room all to ourselves and 2 different consoles to play with... The more hardcore gamers of our group takes the Xbox360 while we decided to have a go at the Nintendo Wii. Haven't really touch a Wii before and thus decided to have a couple of fun while am at it.


Rock Band is one of the most popular games in our group that allows 4 players to play at the same time... Can't believe they actually spent hours playing that before switching to another game. Now the game room sounds so much like a Karaoke lounge instead... Things get a little more lively with more hardcore song coming along the way...


As for us, we played a couple of games here and there for the Wii console which includes Mario Brothers to crazy games like cooking and the likes. It's a new experience but gets old after a while. No doubt usinf the Wii controller is kinda hard, even the games are kinda strange and would moslty be catered to family fun instead of playing it alone. Thus for gamers like us, it is often preferred to purchase an Xbox360 or Playstation 3 if you're playing alone most of the time.


We tried guitar heros for the Nintendo Wii and I must say, am pretty tired after everything ends... Can't imagine playing games like this could be so... unique and tiring... (This is my first time playing...) Decided to put those aside and try other games after playing with the bass for long periods of time...


No game is complete without the guys playing soccer. After which a little Halo ODST to end the 4 hour period. Time flies when you're having fun. Hope to visit this place again for any gathering I'd may have as it's a good place to bond with your friends. Finally, everyone have their dinner at Mad Jack and then a little more gaming at the Plaza Singapura video game center. Got back early to buy some materials to fix up a vent for my computer as my desk get hot overtime with the power of an i7 processor...Source URL: https://maryelizabeth-winstead.blogspot.com/search/label/Photography
Visit Mary Elizabeth Winstead for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Day 7 In The Army: Photo Sessions With Scale Models

The new Canon EOS 550D that I've bought a few months ago was the best gadget anyone would have to take stunning photographs otherwise not able to capture with just a small digital camera I'd previously owed. Whats so amazing would definitely be its 18 Megapixel which dominates almost all digital cameras around... speaking of which, the focusing is seriously sharp on close range where none of my old cameras would work when taking shots like this above...


Playing around and taking snapshots of every little thing I could find at home and also my favorite models too. One of my favs was Mina from the anime Getsumen To Heiki Mina and the ever so popular drama series called Train Man... Was totally sold out after just a few days and am glad to get this model though...


Took lots of photos but am not gonna flood my post with that many photos though... Lightings really does play a part in taking good photos in which somehow or rather my house doesn't really have during night shots... But am pretty happy wth the results the camera has brought about. The EOS 550D is also heavily advertised and promoted by Canon and is a sponsor for the Youth Olympic Games 2010 this coming year... Hopefully, there would be more sales for camera lenses so that may buy a better one for more photo-taking sessions...Source URL: https://maryelizabeth-winstead.blogspot.com/search/label/Photography
Visit Mary Elizabeth Winstead for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Day 5 In The Army: Miku Strap

Bought this Hatsune Miku Strap in Kareshi Kanojo No Mise at Sunshine Plaza when shopping for my friend's Birthday at A87 Cafe in my previous post. Being a fan of Miku and all, this definitely caught my attention and in no time at all, it is hanging in my cart.


With that comes the photo-taking session with my Figma Miku, with her delighted look at her very own strap... Guess it's just too valuable to use and now it's back in my plastic wrapping for safe keeps... Somehow or rather, I'd have the impulse on using it but am afraid it gets all dirty and black... Wanted to use it for my Canon EOS 550D too but guess it looks pretty fragile for a safety strap... Hope to see it again soon once am back from the army...Source URL: https://maryelizabeth-winstead.blogspot.com/search/label/Photography
Visit Mary Elizabeth Winstead for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

J's Chimes: Japan In 8 Minutes

Salutations to Eric Testroete who made this video from their trip in Japan. Know Japan in just 8 minutes featuring most of the attractions it has to offer to tourists from around the globe. This video has inspired me plenty much on photography and how it could actually be made into a lively video just by mading a fast-pace slideshow with them. Makes me wanna make a clip for Singapore too but sure needs the time to go out and travel around Singapore to take these wonderful pictures... Perhaps after my exams.Source URL: https://maryelizabeth-winstead.blogspot.com/search/label/Photography
Visit Mary Elizabeth Winstead for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

J's Chimes: Ball Joint Dolls

A Ball Joint Dolls Gathering was organized last Saturday at Vivo City Singapore by the people from SGcafe. A group of people with similar interest for these realistic dolls come together to share and display their dolls to others and taking photos of their 'sons and daughters'. Anyway this is actually the first time for me up close and person with such a hobby and models and they turn out to be rather good. Except the fact that these dolls could cost as much as SGD$2000 a piece depending on its make and quality... And clothes and other accessories are not included by the way... In any case, click here and here to view the photos I've taken and be awed at it's details and beauty.Source URL: https://maryelizabeth-winstead.blogspot.com/search/label/Photography
Visit Mary Elizabeth Winstead for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

J's Chimes: Digital SLR Get-to!

Bought a new DSLR at the Singapore Great Electronics Sale 2010 at Suntec City, Woot! It's a Canon EOS-550D at a price of SGD$1449. Darn, it really cost me a bomb here but al the more am feeling rather happy with the results it has given me in photo-taking...


Once again, the joy of opening up a new gadget is thrilling... As this is the latest item after the EOS-500D, gonna take some photos with it for remembrance... lol. Anyway this photo is taken using my Panasonic Lumix Camera...


And this photo is taken using the DSLR that I've bought... The photo is no doubt many times sharper and clearer than a compact digital camera... Click on the pictures and see it up close by comparison. Anyway, the EOS-550D comes with 18 Megapixel, 3.7fps, 3 inch LCD Display, Full HD recording, DIGIC 4 Processor, Live View and Integrated Cleaning System... Cool...


All wrapped up and nice is the SLR inside the packaging. Took me an hour to fully exploit all the goodies and freebies they throw into the set. Seriously need to get accustomed to the new camera now...


And finally, here are the freebies included in the set. Instead of buying only a camera, I've got freebies that are so much and even bigger than the camera itself... And they include:

1.) Additional flashlight attachment
2.) Cleaning Kit
3.) Screen Protector
4.) USB Card Reader
5.) Additional Battery
6.) 2 x 8gb Memory Card
7.) Protective Lens Cover
8.) SLR Carry Bag
9.) Camera Dry Box
10.) Tripod Stand

And now will be the time to take quality photos from Conventions and Events which am so eagerly waiting for... Tomorrow is a Sunday so might wanna go out for a photo shoot...Source URL: https://maryelizabeth-winstead.blogspot.com/search/label/Photography
Visit Mary Elizabeth Winstead for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

J's Chime: They Are All Connected To Anime...

Some people just don't understand the importance of Japanese anime in our lifestyle so I thought that a little 'Education' is necessary for you to know why. Of course you do know how anime begun and stuff but do you really know that they actually connected to all industries around? Think harder and you will get the gist of it. They are as per follows:


Anime inspires mangas & doujinshi and vice versa:
Till date, most mangas are now being made into anime because of their popularity. Some examples are Bleach to Naruto. Some animes also become manga and such would be Suzumiya Haruhi to Code Geass. Sometimes the storyline deviates from each other or that the style of art is different.


Anime comes from Eroge and vice versa:
Same as mangas, some adult games do become anime (Other genre includes ecchi and hentai) and vice versa. Some examples are ToHeart, Comic Party and School Days. Surprisingly, Eroges seem have better storyline in some cases. Thus its inevitable that people who loved anime will definitely get to know Hentai too. Of course there are still Eroges that came out as a decent anime like Yoake Mae Yori Ruriiro Na, Izumo or Utawarerumono instead of making it into a H anime.


Anime creates Artwork, Fanbooks, Fanarts and vice versa:
A good example would be Queen's Blade in which the artwork are kinda popular that it becomes an anime a few seasons back. Anime also brings market to the art industry which also brought about making characters for games, movies, etc. An example of such Artist is Tony Taka who drew up characters for Shining Tears, games and anime.


Anime helps develop games and vice versa:
A nice example would be the Suzumiya Haruhi game on PSP and an example of games becoming anime would be Tales of Symphonia, Tales of Vesperia, etc. In fact, games are made to look like anime characters and you could name many though in the market.


Anime releases movies and vice versa:
Anime creates movies in both live action, animation and 3D. Examples of live action includes Death Note, Animations as in Summer Wars and 3D animations like Final Fantasy The Spirits Within. In fact there are more of such movies and popular ones like Death Note live action has been watch by many people whom includes those who don't like anime. But the thing is, it originates FROM anime, so why are you complaining?


Anime brings about products into industry and vice versa:
With anime's popularity comes about toys for kids, daily necessities like food to tissues or plates etc, stickers, cups, straps, wallets, clothes, appliances, electronics and many many more stuff in the market which in turn generates profit. If you for once think that anime is useless or should be ban, won't all of these industries be affected and create loss of jobs, revenue, opportunity costs?


Anime becomes hobbies and scale models and vice versa:
With anime, it brings about demands for scale models of favourite characters and stuff. Thus bringing about new hobbies for people. Anime creates new demands like daimakura, card games like Bushiroad's Weiss Schwarz, Gundam modeling, Gashapons, etc.


Anime relates to Cosplay and vice versa:
Without animes, there won't be cosplay and without cosplay, there won't be animes. Similarly a new industry in regards to cosplay for example fashion, makeup, wigs, clothing stores would be affected if not for anime which inspires people to dress as their favourite character. With that there won't be conventions and such around.


Anime spurs conventions, competitions, events and vice versa:
Would there be comicon, comiket, AFA, Coscon, Cosfest, EOY and such happening around the world if anime does not exists? Won't there be a bit less entertainment for the general public if anime wasn't around? Think again....


Anime composed Songs & Music and vice versa:
So you've heard many songs in Japanese? Out of the few you've listened, there would bound to be one that's from an anime series. So you say that anime songs are bad... Are you saying that the idols who sang these are bad too? Take note that some of these anime song are sung by popular bands like Orange Range to Ayumi Hamasaki.


Anime brings about Seiyuus, Voice acting, writers, artists, Idols, etc:
May'n is an example of popular idols in Japan. Voice actings for anime characters, giving a boost to art in a country, etc are what anime could expand into. Without such there wouldn't be voice acting schools, artwork, writers around wouldn't it? Singapore is slowly picking up with animations and stuff in relations to IT so it wouldn't be surprising to see animation films by local people in future.


Anime brings about photography in parts of the world and also tourism in Japan:
Cosplay = Photography and I would be surprise if it wasn't... Such brings about also tourism in Japan by tourists from around the world who loves anime too. What else would also be popular in Japan? Hardly I can't think of any besides it having delicious food and shopping, scenery and culture...


BEST PART ABOUT Anime? Everything is linked together...
Anime = Mangas = Eroge = Artwork = Games = Movies = Cosplay = Models = Conventions = Songs..... Talk about any and it all adds up and links well together. Any other reasons to hate anime now? Take out either one and they will all fall like dominoes. Think deeper and you'd understand what animes really are... Of course there are still more connections in which animes could link to and no doubt it is a part of our daily lives before you know it. Your push toy to your phone strap could very well be from an anime when you least expect it...Source URL: https://maryelizabeth-winstead.blogspot.com/search/label/Photography
Visit Mary Elizabeth Winstead for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection