Day 1: I am Noizi Ito's first autograph outside Japan! Plus Sakura-con Crossplay, Cosplay, the Masque Ball, Wheelchair Dancing, and more.

Day one has arrived and is over, with only two costume changes, gosh it sure is hard to go from party to event here in the life of a socialite. Day one started with a signing by the renowned and famous artist Noizi Ito doing her first ever signing outside of Japan. And I was going to be there! I was ill the night before but rose for hair braiding, and all to be in costume at the time. I was wearing the purple mini, micro skirt in black with tulle and ribbons, corset, thigh highs and ribbons in my braided hair.
Linda had dressed as a Pirate Queen with her corset bustier and her dagger necklace and knee high buckle boots while Cheryl was in her corset (yes, Cheryl in a corset!)with a filmy t-shirt with skulls I had bought her from Hot Topic.
As Ito was young (and pretty) she did not travel much out of Japan and had an interpreter. I was the first person to get an autograph and an illustration in her first signing out of Japan. She signed on of her doujinshi art books (and made a ‘eek’ of pleasure to see it as it would need to be imported from Japan, and then we talked fragrances which is her hobby before I moved on – another signing tomorrow which I hope to attend).

Cheryl had said that any con, anywhere always had a storm trooper and before long I saw one. I took the picture of him (and Leia) before moving on behind a guy talking about ‘I could totally thrive in a Star Wars universe you know….” Good for him, as I would be in the metal bikini and with Jabba licking me before long (not a great universe for women).

We headed to the exhibit hall where between people watching and meeting vendor friends from both online and previous years, we did our share of people watching. Here is Michelle from Pita-Ten, she was here with her dad and into the cosplay!
The basic rule is a) don’t be a jerk and b) Be who you want to be. So everyone was, from a guy covered in steam-punk devices to the two mimes here.
On our way over we had seen the first pods of killer whales with young coming back to the Island in the annual migration. It was pretty cool that since I don’t get out much, I got to see the killer whales return with the young to the Strait. I hope I see some on the way back.

There is a higher instance of Crossplay, and two panels on it including one at midnight for adults called, “Crossplay – where’s the TUCK?” which involves more graphic descriptions and transformations of females to males and males to females. More males were crossplaying this year (though the con is still 60-70% female) with about 1 in 10 in costume or higher playing with gender or playing the opposite gender, as this cos/crossplayer is doing here.
After sadly losing all our money to, um, get these odd paper things which are full of pictures (some vendors recognized me and gave me a deal, what can I say? I said yes…..too much!). We headed home for a quick nap before changing for the masquerade grand ball, with the science fiction theme: the eternal waltz. The music was grand, with swelling themes from Anime and Phantom of the Opera. Cheryl was dapper in her tux and suspenders, while Linda was in her black queen dress and I changed into a black dress with a lace shrug.

Dancing was fun, and with the 1, 2, 3 ..1, 2, 3 we soon found a way to make wheelchair dancing possible, my being out dancing for the first time in a LONG time, with Linda as my center I could twirl the room and then spin into a centre. It WAS grand.

There were all sorts of couples from (to be seen next blog) the guy from Halo in costume, some gay couples with a maid outfit and braid to die for, and this gender bending couple, a Lolita and her suave crossplay partner.
When I had come back to change and was wheeling in, one guy stopped me and asked, “What is going on? Why are there so many scantily clad women around?” I thought he should just shut up and enjoy it but told him about Sakura con. In the elevator to our van one woman wanted to know what was going on as she said, “This morning I rode down in the elevator with PIRATES!” Then asked later if they planned it to coincide with the full moon, I said no. I explained some of the activities and she sounded very interested and said she would try to come next year.

After the masque ball Cheryl and I went to Lesbian and Gay Speed Dating, which was, like most speed dating a mixed bag. I can’t say much but when the person across from me told me they went to comic-con and I looked blank they went, “Comic-Con, Leonard Nimoy went to sign!” (Spock), and then raised her top to show me his signature.

I looked and there was his name in a marker, I blurted out, “My GOD, how long has it been since you washed?”

She revealed that she had gone straight from the signing to a tattoo parlor to have the signature part of her FOREVER! Okay, I like that artist Ito, but I don’t need a body tattoo of her bunny drawing.

We ran into an Angel on the way out, not from Angel Sanctuary but from D.N. Angel, with a VERY impressive wing span (how does she get into cars?). Cool.

On to day two where I hope to get dressed in a Kimono with professional help, see some martial arts, go back to the exhibit hall (I talked to Nene Thomas’ sister and husband about Victoria and Wales), and have maybe a vendor who wants to be part of the postcard project. Plus, some very nice corsets (if you have that $185 for the custom made ones). See, lots to see, and after that, it is my first j-rock concert! With the HMV #1 and Tower Record number 2 group: Dazzle (which lists that they do both lilting and heavy metal, so will be interesting). After that, I have to decide if I am going to see the ‘Ninja versus Pirates fight’ – I have no idea what it is, but it sounds interesting. Onward!

Sulking, wanting pretty things and Sakura-con

If life throws you a disaster there is a tried and tested way to deal with it. First is to sulk, and sulk big time.Stay on the bed and refuse to leave it (when you leave, life starts up again, and life kind SUCKS right now!). The same is true when you end up taking a bath: This one is for all the frog lovers (though remember that is illegal in many states, not Washington however). So, if you are going to sit in lukewarm water and say in a pouty voice when people want to come out, “Don’t WANNA!” which also works when they try to give you food to eat, or that you should get clothes on, etc.

But let’s face it, first crying, then sulking can only last so long (about 6-8 hours off an on in my case and is followed by ‘Well if I can only live so long I might as well have PRETTY things!” Which unfortunately is where my odd ability to have pretty things virtually LEAP off the shelves at me occurs. For instance I am at a store buying HELLO KITTY stuff for presents when this Bustier with matching white thong panties leapt off the shelf at me! As it happens 38-B is a rare size, so it was only $17 down from $60. I tried it on, and Linda liked it. If Linda “likes” it, that means I might get sex. Ergo, I bought it. Sometimes, my logic isn’t really that complex. Also, if I can find cat ears on the first day of the Sakura-con, I can go in the second day as CAT GIRL – I found a picture and I have the stocking, I have the Bustier with the stocking clips, AND the panties, I just need ears and tail.

Back to wanting pretty things, for example, the way I am leaving my WISHLIST link here isn’t that complex – the post sulk state is where one wants to shower yourself or BE SHOWERED with pretty things. I will point out that the Thomas Nene thank you cards I had up before I have used entirely (40 cards written) and these are the only ones left…just mentioning. Also Linda is running out of Romances. She tends to read these as I spend another hour going, “But they HAD the order for IVIG! And I knew they were going to diagnose, did they have to be so, you know, extensive?” – it goes on for a while. Just SAYING. (and yes, I know I am shameless, if I had shame, does that get me treatment? No, so yeah, shameless?”

As for going to Sakura-Con, I leave early tomorrow to get there at opening! And then I am going to go CRAZY! Well until my money runs out (note to self stop by bank and get last of manga money). Cat ears for everyone! I have my outfit prepared, I bought the corset several weeks ago and it fits, like a glove, or so, since my estrogen is getting through now, my breasts are perking up and have grown about a half size in the last week or two, so I hope they keep growing! But too much would ruin the look.

The skirt was sent to me by a reader in America who found it in the UK and it has corset and purple ribbons (sweet!) – and I got from Hot topic the feathers to match it, so I think I am ready to rock and roll (just need to add my tights/stockings – I wish I had black and purple ones! Oh well go with what I have right?). Still pretty cool no? I really have to thank the person who sent the skirt as they found it for me and sent it from the UK in time express mail – as the SIX INCH skirt was no, not too short, but rather didn’t quite fit, so I have my leopard print thong for tomorrow. For underneath.

Linda will be helping me and giving me a VERY close shave tonight down there in Area 51. She has been very helpful with tips like, “If you play the crip card and they STILL don’t give you a discount, then use your hands to cross your legs and uncross them, remember these are anime Otakus (geeks) and may have never seen ‘the promised land’. Then try for the discount.” (I meantioned the 'shameless' right?) Linda is such wise, lovely and understanding spouse. Like when I whipped out my Josei book (I have two on the wishlist, they are heterosexual sex themed manga and I was asking some people at dinner, “Is this really possible, I mean her leg is almost touching the ceiling!” and the woman looked at me and went, “So?” The rest kind of left PG behind so I will leave that for another day (get me a Luv Luv book and I can email YOU questions…..or not, it is your choice!).

I am writing up the last list of things to do and things to look for at Sakura-con, I hope I have a great time and I take pictures and I get everyone cat ears or rabbit ears or fox ears or something FUN! I think we all need more fun (says a person who has to return to many, many doctor appointments – uh, need lots more fun!).

To finish the day, as we left the van coming back into Cheryl’s house we saw two deer eating the lawn. Which I think is fine with us and Cheryl. Here is one leaving by the Cherry (Sakura) tree. Does this bode well for Sakura? I think so!

I hope you all have a great weekend, thank you for your support and Raccoon, I would not ask you to go to a Yaoi convention, Yuri however, I think you would enjoy a LOT! Meanwhile, I have an hour of body shaving and squeezing into a corset ahead of me! Looking casually fabulous takes time you know!

I have a corset, red panties & pose threat to population...also have a GP and the H word (maybe).

Am I in good health? No, actually I am probably in the worst health for a good long while. Cheryl and Linda are rather pissed at me because I keep passing out. I am not sure why they are pissed about that; it is not like I PLAN it. They say something about how I keep talking or doing things until I pass out. Well, sure, who wouldn’t? I mean, if my body gave me a timetable of being unconscious I could get a lot better in scheduling so I was doing stuff and then simply lying waiting for passing out, reading a manga maybe. I think the idea is that I should be reading manga and resting. But there is too much to DO!

I mean, while yes, I do have to go to Booth Gardner, I got my new corset by post today and it is medium junior and a little bit MORE medium (aka, smaller) than the last one I got. So did it fit? Well, the joys of the corset and the female form is that with enough will power it always fits (Cheryl said, ‘well, there are just ribs, I guess it isn’t going to fit’ – I thought, “That’s what you think” – two minutes later it was on). It looks very shapely if I may say so myself, although having a necklace of smelling salts might be prudent. Haha – I brought extra corsets in case I need to change!

Oh, sorry the big news is that I, Dr. Elizabeth McClung was TOTALLY WRONG. Yes, and it has give me a four letter response. After I talked to the guy (Dr. I.) who thought that female doctors’ were the reason (besides Jubilee being the worse hospital in Canada – his statement not mine!) health care here is crap for the chronic and terminal. Dr. I, said OF COURSE I had Lichen Sclerosis. However he was too busy to look. So I had to come back the next morning to the new walk in clinic in the village to see Dr. J. I told her I had Lichen Sclerosis and she said, “No you don’t.” I said, “Well, it might be Lichen Planus.” And she she, no, that is actually more common here, and she indicated the front of the shin. Of course, I am having this conversation sitting up facing her, with my Victoria Secret RED panties (go out in style!) at my ankles. She said, there is a very distinct discharge with Lichen Sclerosis.

I told her I HAVE a discharge, I have anemia, I have Progressive Anemia, I have a thyroid problem, I have an auto-immune disease ergo, Lichen S.

She said, “No, what you have is a severe hormone imbalance, and the discharge you are talking about, that brown on, it is dried blood because your skin is membrane here and bleeding out and your labia are fused and anytime you stress it (like say, taking a dump) you bleed (combined with pus and other fun stuff maybe dead white blood cells).

I said, “Oh.”

She said, “You have a severe deficiency in estrogen.” I explained I was already dealing with imbalance with pills.

She prescribed a cream. And I went, “OHHHHH!” and sank my head in my hands. She took this as a form of humility I think. And started explaining something. Actually, I was going, “Why have I been so STUPID!” (yes, it is possible to be a genius, catgirl or BOTH and still blow it!) I have been asking myself how I could be losing 1/3rd my weight while eating while Linda does and just sitting there, no exercise. And when you add in the hypothryrodism…..? Except I need many probiotics to try and absorb nutrients and I have been wondering if things are being broken down in the stomach at all. Wondering what if all is being absorbed. And I have been taking my estrogen supplements…orally! And due to Dr. Jimmy, no checking of hormone levels in like a year or more. Get the “OH!!!” Yes, I have a deficency and the hormones can’t get there. A cream is better, a cream solves the problem!

I asked her if the skin would thicken up. She said she believed so. I asked what about my hair, it was so thin and falling out in clumps. She said to wait and see. Here I had been complaining to Linda that with my breasts reduced in size I was feeling…..well sexless. I had been having dreams like that. With last recording of Androgen at 0.0 and two doctors looking at me going, “You have a severe hormone imbalance, and a estrogen deficiency.” It makes sense. I will put on the cream. I will see what happens. I have hope.

Of course, there is a problem that with adding all sorts of hormones to me, there could be a slight period of adjustment, where I have imbalance the other way. We have to hope for the local population that this does NOT happen. They need to get the correct level quickly for everyone’s safety!

For me Booth Gardner had three options, a) they tell me that it is all in my head (hey, I’m female: we must have tremendous brains for all the things we can have in our head from M.S. to CFS/M.E. and Fibro!), b) They tell me I am going to die or c) they tell me they don’t know. What this has made me realize is that I do NOT know ALL of the options. That as much as I like to think I have worked out all the options and that I am stuck here in a medical tower, far from help. So maybe that isn’t true (the trained crows who do my bidding are true however!).

I realized that like this woman who I asked, “Why do you KNOW this.” She said quite reasonably, “Well, I have seen Lichen S. and Lichen P and this estrogen deficiency (usually in the very young, the adolescent and the older but still, very distinctive). I told her that was the same grouping for Lichen S. She outlined the difference she had seen in her 30 years of practice in Portland, OR. Oh. Okay. Wait, Portland, like the USA? I asked her if she believe in treatment based medicine? She didn’t know what I was talking about.

I told her I had hypothyroidism but I couldn’t get a referral in order to…she interrupted, “Oh, I can give you syn-thyoid.”

“You don’t need to refer me?”

“No, why would I, vagina’s and thyroids I am very good at!” She wasn’t so great on complex autoimmune diseases, however the owner, Mark, who works in Vancouver and is over once a week is VERY interested as is an older woman doctor who seems to have a fine point focus and we spent 20 minutes talking details and she left saying, “I could talk about this forever, but I have patients.” They renew prescriptions. The Admin person help Linda get the MRI recording of my brain for Booth Gardner. They invited me to be a patient of theirs. I signed up. I now have team of 4 GP’s to return to.

But more important, I realized, as I talked to this very competent woman who worked in Portland that the doctors at Booth Gardner could come up with an EQUALLY logical and reasonable explanation that I have simply NOT THOUGHT OF. Of course, I am on a rebreather mask, and have 70% heart erratics now both showing central autonomic function, I also can’t feel my feet and have loss of nerves in my hands and have overheated 5 times today showing peripheral nerve damage. Even MSA people go, “How is that possible?” I don’t know!! I just live the life. They say autonomic failure and you have either cancer or the PAF/MSA group. But see, I could go in there and they could tell me something logical I never thought, like for example that I am B-12 sensitive, and my initial B-12 deficiency created pernicious anemia which destroyed peripheral nervous systems. And now, anything like my current anemia triggers it to restart, which is why I am losing more now. That is logical and something I never thought of; and they could say they have seen it X number of times. And maybe they have an explanation for the central autonomic failure. I don’t know. But maybe a treatment and maybe I will come home and not feel like a little pawn on someone’s large chessboard where I was the medical pawn everyone was desperately trying to forfeit.

Maybe having that four letter word: hope. Maybe it will make it all the harder if they say what I pretty sure what they will say. But I am not just going now for pain control (my Portland GP can do that), or other things that a GP SHOULD be able to do. Either way, I will leave there knowing my future. And I DO have a future; 8 I am going to Sakura-con, I am going to do the Times Colonist 10K, even if it takes me 2 hours, I WILL do it. Because I have a future; even if it is counted in weeks or days; months maybe, it is STILL a future. But now I have hope: hope that I will for once be ORDINARY, that I will be the ‘easy case’ because they know what to do. And I will have an anniversary of this day; the day my future grew, like a sunflower, high to the sun.