Tinoose's Other World

Goodnight and Goodbye...

2008-10-16T15:15:00.003-06:00

...but not really! I've just created the "next generation" of this blog, called Tinoose's Other World 2 due to some formatting and upgrading concerns, the availabilty of newer and better tools (and a fear of screwing things up with an upgrade here), and a general reluctance to the idea of updating and fixing each and every posting on this blog. (LONG story, you can read part of it here.) This World is now officially retired. Please visit my new blog if you still love my dolls! It's been such a joy sharing this part of my life through my very first blog! Long live Blogger! Ho!

~Tinooseus!

Snow Mountain Ranch October 9-11th

2008-10-14T13:11:00.002-06:00

Ahhh... at long last, I enjoyed a much needed and yet all too short getaway to the mountains last weekend. We ALL had fun, but let's focus on my perfect traveling companion, Bongie!

It was a little chilly up at Snow Mountain Ranch, but nothing that this little power-house couldn't handle (and still look cute, too!)!

The scenery around our cabin was fabulous, so we didn't have to wander far for some great photo ops! Below is the view looking kind of in a north-easterly direction towards the main Administration area of the camp.

Looking south-ish from our cabin, which by the way, was the Hermosa.

We got up to the mountains in time to still enjoy the lingering fall colors, and our cabin had little aspens surrounding it on 3 sides. Below, Bongie enjoying a introspective moment with her little pig:

Enjoying hot chocolate outside the Hermosa...

More hot chocolate, and lunch with the pig:

Even more hot chocolate (can you tell yet that Bongie LOVES hot chocolate???) in the sun:

The view from the front door of the Hermosa:

On the way home, we went through the Rocky Moutnain National Park-- it was absolutely breathtaking! And whooo--those hairpin turns?! More than a little scary! The best images, however, are those that I did not take-- driving through the clouds, the narrow roads with tall trees on both sides, majestic views over steep drops...

A short pit stop at the trail through the Continental Divide where Bongie basked in the sun (and ICY winds!) f0r a few moments. Then we raced against the in-coming storm the rest of the way back to Denver...

Well, so long until next time!

~Tinooseus!

Another fabulous installment by beamlette...

2008-10-14T13:06:00.002-06:00

I really love this installment by beamlette. Life going on all around while underneath a table a little boy is lost in his imagination. So with apologies to the Realm of Resin, I enthusiastically applaud this supreme story-teller (and photographer!)!

~Tinooseus!

************************************************

RealmofResin

[ Post a Response RealmofResin ]

Lost And Found… (photostory, 16 pics)

Posted by beamlette on October 6, 2008, 4:49 pm

Little Boy: **playing with figure in diving suit** We’re goin’ unnerwater now…

Hyacinth: Don’t even bother to explain – I’ve heard enough! –
Desmond: Eh, that’s what you ALWAYS say – you never listen to begin with –
Little Boy: Swimswimswimswim --

Tancredi:… ♪Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques/Dormez vous, dormez vous…♫
Little Boy: *coff-coff* Ew, that stinks…

Little Boy: Down… down… he goes to the bottom…

Vivienne: *to self*…Ah well, if I cannot find where Bouddie is hiding, I shall just have to drink both myself… which is not a bad idea at all, nooo…
Little Boy: Now we’re onna bottom of the ocean…

Little Boy: There’s lotsa rocks… and crabs… he’s lookin’… where’s that treasure?...

Little Boy: Uh-oh, there’s an oc-topus – watch out, Mister Diver –
Fenchurch: Ulf, we’ve looked all over the house for your diving man – are you sure you didn’t take it outside somewhere?
Winslow: Yeah, Ulf – or maybe one of your friends “borrowed” it?
Ulf Nuh-uh… OH!

Ulf: Who’re you, an’ why you got MY man? You better gimme it NOW!
Little Boy: Huh? I found it – I’m just playin’, is all –
Fenchurch: Uh-oh, who’s there? --

Fenchurch: Just a minute, Ulf –
Ulf: But – he STOLE my man! An’ I NEVER saw him before dis! --
Little Boy: I didn’ STEAL – I found it, fair’n’square!
Fenchurch: Shhhh, Ulf, be patient; I need to talk to our little visitor first --

Fenchurch: Sweetie, what’s your name? Mine is Fenchurch.
Little Boy: Ummm, I’m Kyo…
Fenchurch: What’s your last name – and where do you live? I’ll bet your mom is worried, if she doesn’t know where you are.

Kyo: I… I don’ remember… all I know, my name is Kyo…
Fenchurch: That’s a very nice name, Kyo. But why are you saying you can’t remember?
Kyo: Um… I dunno. I jus’ know I was here all a sudden, an’ I found the diver man, so I thought I’d play wit’ him, is all…

Fenchurch: Well, I’m glad we found you, then. Do you feel OK?
Kyo: Um, uh-huh… I think…
Fenchurch: Do you hurt anywhere?
Kyo: No… no hurt. Jus’… don’ remember some things… but – I think I’m hungry.
Ulf: I ‘member – that’s MY man *pout*.

Fenchurch: Well, sweetie, you can stay here until we find out where you’re supposed to be. Let’s give back Ulf’s diving man, and I’ll get you something to eat, OK?
Kyo: OK… you’re so nice… I like you – Fenchurch *smile*.
Fenchurch: *laughs* I think I like you, too, Kyo.

Fenchurch: C’mon, Kyo, let’s get you something to eat – maybe cereal, or a sandwich?
Kyo: Mmm, sandwich, please!
Fenchurch: Will do! Ulf, don’t lose your diving man again!
**Fen and Kyo exit**

Ulf: HUH! Don’ wan’ STUPID man annymore!
**kicks toy**

Winslow: Heh – Kyo’d better watch his back.

Afro

2008-09-27T14:18:00.001-06:00

Afro
Main Entry: Af·ro
Pronunciation: \ˈa-(,)frô\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural Afros
Date: 1968

a hairstyle of tight curls in a full evenly rounded shape

~Tinooseus!

Platte River Meditations

2008-09-22T12:07:00.001-06:00

Platte River Meditations

When a deaf girl goes to the river, what does she "hear?"

Out of nowhere came a little fairy...

It's a long way back to the car!

A short stop in the gardens...

A flower for YOU!

~Tinooseus!

Hooting at Resin...

2008-09-06T20:33:00.001-06:00

Yup, another early morning photoshoot. The wall thing was rather gross this morning-- let me spare you the details but there was evidence of unthinkable things happening in the night (gag!). I took a few pictures before I realized... So we mosey'd somewhere else for the rest of the morning!

The last time we were here, a couple of teenage boys were walking along the wall behind Valera, where the hole is. It's pretty high (about 15-20 feet?) and narrow, about a foot and a half wide) and those two numbskulls were an accident waiting to happen-- they brought their skateboard up there and I guess wanted to pretend to be doing some extreme boarding and take pictures with their phone's camera.

Beautiful sweater jacket by Barb MA; Yellow knit dress by Paul Zhanby; jeans skirt by Reba in TX; boots are Dollmore.

The funniest thing happened at the 2nd photoshoot location-- two Parks maintenance guys drove by and I flagged them down because we found a checkbook/wallet on the wall and I wanted to turn it in. They accepted it, and they were really craning their necks to check out Valera, lol! The passenger even unbuckled his seatbelt so he could get a better look. I sure wish I was faster with the camera, lol! It was so cute! They were grinning and elbowing each other an all but drooling and hooting, lol! She had a change of wardrobe and I guess she does look pretty hot! But did they realize that she wasn't real? Hee hee!!!

Leather jacket by Geniever; blue shawl by Lyanne n NZ.

Thanks for looking!

~Tinooseus!

Quiet Contemplation

2008-09-01T20:23:00.003-06:00

I love that time of morning right before the sun gets high in the sky, and everything is still and the world is slowly waking up. It's a perfect time to go outside and take pictures both for the incredible lighting and because there are not a lot of people out and about...

Ruth (my deaf Glorydoll Lucy) expressed herself through movement and quiet contemplation at the man-made lake-pond-thing at Stapleton.

Mimi (Elfdoll's Min Del Re) wanted to practice her painting, so she came out, too and Ruth sat patiently for her.

The magical morning came to an abrupt end by a wet dog who ran straight for Ruth while shaking the water off of his body. I managed to rescue her while his owner called for him. Since they decided to stick around and play fetch with the mangly mutt, Margaret and I decided to go get breakfast before spending a few hours doing faceups on a couple of Dollstown heads.

Since we had to wait for the heads to dry, we got back in the car and headed over to the Platte River to the old bridge that is next to the Skateboard park. Oblivious to the sounds of the raging river behind her, Ruth just sat and enjoyed the feel of the warm sun on her face and the cool breeze that carries the hint of approaching Autumn through her hair…

She decided to climb up the side of the bridge before I could stop her!

After she climbed back down and I had her safely secured in her carry bag, Margaret and I walked over to this thing that looked like the Great Wall of China. I'm not sure what it was since I didn't stop to read the plaque. Ruth climbed up and sat where she had a perfect view of the skyline and the rest of the park.

Here she is at the top of the stairs in the wall. She was securely resting against the wall, but...

...some bonehead and her boyfriend and big dog went careening by and Ruth toppled over and scraped her lovely lip. So, I'll have to figure out how to fix it. Sigh... the couple just laughed and pretended to cry when Ruth fell over. I guess they had no idea 1. how rude they were, and 2. how expensive Ruth was! Oh well, at least I got an interesting photo before she fell...

(See her poor boo-boo??)

Here she is resting after that mishap.

Moments later, two wet (I don't know why-- they either sweat more than I do or they fell into the Platte River at some point...) teenaged boys came up and starting climing the walls and rough-housing so Margaret and I decided to just call it a day.

~Tinooseus!

You've Got Male! HAHAHAHAHA!

2008-08-28T20:51:00.003-06:00

This is one of the funniest thing I've read in a while, lol! Again, from a favorite dollboard Prego. Enjoy the laughs!

~Tinooseus!

NDR: Did I share this already? Forgive me if I repeat myself...you'll get old some day! HA!
Posted by JJ in SoCali on 8/28/2008, 4:21 pm

A little boy goes to his father and asks 'Daddy, how was I born?'

The father answers, 'Well, son, I guess one day you will need to find out anyway! Your Mom and I first got together in a chat room on Yahoo. Then I set up a date via e-mail with your Mom and we met at a cyber-cafe. We sneaked into a secluded room, where your mother agreed to a download from my hard drive. As soon as I was ready to upload, we discovered that neither one of us had used a firewall, and since it was too late to hit the delete button, nine months later a little Pop-Up appeared that said:

Scroll down...You'll love this ....

"You've Got Male!"

The Girl in the Galliano Dress

2008-08-27T21:28:00.002-06:00

There is a seamstress over in Thailand that makes the most STUNNING doll clothes that I've seen in a while. What's even better is that she makes famous designer dresses for the dolls including one of my favorites-- John Galliano (for Christian Dior). So, let's just go to the pictures shall we? Hope you enjoy them!

~Tinooseus!

Movie Fun

2008-08-25T12:01:00.003-06:00

Heh, I found this fun create-your-own movie poster photo tool on the Internet. Here's what I've come up with so far!

~Tinooseus!

Knoxville: Summer of 1915

2008-08-13T21:26:00.002-06:00

These photos reminds me of a favorite song composed by Samuel Barber to the prose/poem of James Agee, printed as a prologue to A Death in the Family. The version I'm most in love with is the one sung by Kathleen Battle in her Honey and Rue recording (c.1995, Deutsche Grammophon).

~Tinooseus!

...It has become that time of evening when people sit on their porches, rocking gently and talking gently and watching the street and the standing up into their sphere of possession of the trees, of birds' hung havens, hangars.

People go by; things go by. A horse, drawing a buggy, breaking his hollow iron music on the asphalt: a loud auto: a quiet auto; people in pairs, not in a hurry, scuffling, switching their weight of aestival body, talking casually, the taste hovering over them of vanilla, strawberry, pasteboard, and starched milk, the image upon them of lovers and horsemen, squared with clowns in hueless amber...

A streetcar raising its iron moan; stopping; belling and staring, stertorous; rousing and raising again its iron increasing moan and swimming its gold windows and straw seats on past and past and past, the bleak spark crackling and cursing above it like a small malignant spirit set to dog its tracks; the iron whine rises on rising speed; still risen, faints; halts; the faint stinging bell; rises again, still fainter; fainting, lifting, lifts, faints foregone: forgotten. Now is the night on blue dew.

Now is the night one blue dew, my father has drained, he has coiled the hose. Low on the length of lawns, a frailing of fire who breathes... Parents on porches: rock and rock. From damp strings morning glories hang their ancient faces. The dry and exalted noise of the locust from all the air at once enchants my eardrums.

On the rough wet grass of the back yard my father and mother have spread quilts. We all lie there, my mother, my father, my uncle, my aunt, and I too am lying there... They are not talking much, and the talk is quiet, of nothing in particular, of nothing at all in particular, of nothing at all. The stars are wide and alive, they seem each like a smile of great sweetness, and they seem very near. All my people are larger bodies than mine... with voices gentle and meaningless like the voices of sleeping birds. One is an artist, he is living at home. One is a musician, she is living at home. One is my mother who is good to me. One is my father who is good to me. By some chance, here they are, all on this earth; and who shall ever tell the sorrow of being on this earth; lying, on quilts, on the grass, in a summer evening, among the sounds of the night. May God bless my people, my uncle, my aunt, my mother, my good father, oh remember them kindly in their time of trouble; and in the hour of their taking away.

After a while I am taken in and put to bed. Sleep, soft smiling, draws me unto her: and those receive me, who quietly treat me, as one familiar and well-beloved in that home: but will not, oh will not, not now, not ever; but will not ever tell me who I am.

Lomography and Ruth!

2008-08-12T08:17:00.005-06:00

I really love this Lomography photo-editing effect that is freely available on the Internet! It really adds an incredible depth and richness to color photographs.

The last three would make fabulous picture-postcards, don't you think? I think I'd like to give those out as Christmas cards because there is something Christmas-y about them even though there is nothing in them to suggest that time of year...

~Tinooseus!

Worth Smiling About...

2008-07-28T11:28:00.002-06:00

Ok, so I've been kinda depressed and cranky for a long time now. But I found this in my inbox this morning, and it's amazingly joyful! So, ignore their stupid title, but check out the rest! Make sure your speakers are on!

~Tinooseus!

for bigger screen, go to: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080722.html

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

HSL Annual Picnic 2008

2008-07-15T14:29:00.003-06:00

Thanks everyone for coming-- it was great fun and I, for one, ate too much! Anyway, enjoy the pictures!

2008 CHILI Library Interns Besirat...

...and Steven.

Blake, Frisbee Champ-- he shows us how it's done.

(The opposing frisbee players, Jim & Dave)

Ladder Toss-- it's harder than it looks. MUCH harder...

In case you missed it, there were other games and tools for our amusement scattered about:

Random picnic scenes...

Gene, Lilian, Sally.

Rhonda

Debra Kay

Helen

Melissa

Jerry

Tina

Carolyn and Iola

Lisa

Mauren from National Training Center and Clearinghouse housed at the New York Academy of Medicine in New York City.

Jo

Jerry

Until next year!

~Tinooseus! (And The StressBusters)

Peaceful Deafness

2008-07-13T22:25:00.006-06:00

(Glorydoll Lucy head on Custom House girl body)

I finally realized what Ruth reminds me of-- though I can't really explain why. She reminds me of a young girl who is lost in her own world because she is deaf. She seems so inward-looking, and at perfect peace. Nothing can penetrate the safety of her walls... It's how I feel when I take my hearing aids out after a long, hard, noisy day. So there is no pity here. Just pure beauty...

~Tinooseus!

Still Playing With That Light Tent...

2008-07-06T13:54:00.002-06:00

I need a bigger one, though! I can barely manuever my dolls in that little bitty thing!

Sigh, I love her! Such a fragile beauty... like a little Orchid! she looks GREAT in colors, doesn't she???

One fun "Hothouse Flower" photo effect...

~Tinooseus!

More Late Night (or Early Morning, Heh!) Pictures

2008-07-06T00:17:00.002-06:00

Here are some more portrait/studies of a very lovely face, Glorydoll Lucy. I love this particular Souldoll outfit-- it was originally shown on Souldoll Hye and I just fell in love with its strangeness. This time, I've added a beautiful corset made by Diane in NY. Tonight (or this morning), I was experimenting with a light tent that I bought a couple of days ago. It's pretty cool!

Dreamingly Yours,

~Tinooseus!

Charlotte, Gerta, and the D.A.M.

2008-06-26T21:27:00.002-06:00

I got up early on Sunday morning for another one of Ms Margaret's "Before the Sun Rises" photoshoot adventures. This time we took our girls to the Denver Art Museum. What a perfect spot for photos! And yes, yes, I agree that getting an early start was worth it!

Looking north towards the Denver Public Library:

South towards the cows:

First off, Gerta showed off a little bit of her dancing skills that she'd acquired abroad:

Dipping without a partner:

and Ending in the Warm Sun:

Meanwhile, my demure little chicky Charlotte stayed in the shade with her hair up:

And down:

Whooops! Some cute guy caught her big eye and distracted her:

And because they are such good friends, here are the two of them together:

Gerta loves people-watching:

Lastly, here is Gerta doing her very best Ben Stiller "Zoolander" impersonation!

Hahahahahaha! Love those two!

~Tinooseus!

Glorydoll Lucy

2008-06-26T21:22:00.002-06:00

Well! I finally got my Glorydoll Lucy head after almost 6 weeks of waiting. I am so exasperated with that company but I'm glad they finally got off their butts and got in touch with me and mailed my doll head. Not sure what the hold up was, but whatever, not important...

Anyway, the Lucy sculpt is very interesting looking and beautiful at the same time. I love her nose (me and noses, lol!) and if it could have been a touch more "Roman," it'd be absolutely perfect. I couldn't find my eye putty, so I used masking tape to hold her eyes in. Anyway, here are some quick shots--I should be packing because I'm leaving to go to a library conference tomorrow (ALA). Gotta squeeze in that hour and half of doll play, though!

She's borrowing Marguerite's (Custom House St. Mina) body at the moment. Lucy is kind of a small head, but too big to be MSD sized. This body works fairly well, certainly the resin is a very good match, but I think it needs to be even smaller. I don' know... I need to play more and examine her more, but don't have the time right now!

Anyway, enough chatter and on with the photos!

~Tinooseus!

Meet Gerta!

2008-06-19T21:57:00.004-06:00

Well, here she is! The beautiful Gerta! She is a Tea for Two Blythe that a dear friend allowed me to adopt not too long ago! She is here to support my poor Charlotte (Kozy Kape Blythe), who is currently being tormented by these tiny little sisters a.k.a. the Monnaemi Sisters.

Gerta is utterly adorable in her little A-line dress from megipupu, a little shop on Etsy.

Her happy red boots are from Chic Mystery, an eBay seller. I am thrilled with how much stuff is available for Blythe dolls on eBay.

Amazed, too!

Gerta's head is super heavy! Her skinny litle legs seem to buckle a little when I stand her upright. Thank goodness for doll stands! She needs it!

I am really taken with these big-eyed creatures! I wonder what took me so long to examine them and bring one home with me. Well, whatever the reason, I'm glad that I've finally been Blytherized! Ho! HO!

~Tinooseus!

Testing an e-mail post!

2008-06-17T09:48:00.002-06:00

I just read about posting via email, and wanted to test it with my tripping-down-memory-lane photo of the day! So, here goes!

We'll see how that worked...

~Tinooseus!

Resin Meets Plastic...

2008-06-07T22:40:00.002-06:00

Mimi: "...no, it's NOT! I mean, it was NOT a li..."

Bongie: "Oh hush, youYou're always disagreeing with me! I mean, just once, can't you..."

Jinamarie: "OH. MY. GOODNESS... LOOK!!!!"

Bongie: Now, what?! Jina, I swear you're always going around lost in thought and then BAM! You just..."

Jinamarie: "No, seriously, LOOK!"

Mimi (in a very tiny voice): "What the heck IS that?"

Bongie: "Whaaaa... WOW!!!"

Mimi: "Her eyes are as big as our heads!"

Charlotte (to herself): "Ok, just keep walking, pretend you don't see them. Lalalalala..."

Bongie: Wow!Errr.. WOW!!! Ummm...Oh, fried chicken in a bucket, your HEAD! How come it's so BIG?!!!"

Charlotte: "Oh! How rude! How...OH!"

Bongie: "Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! I just...Sorry!!! Don't cry, we might all drown if you do!"

Mimi: "BONGIE!"

Bongie: "Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!!! I just...Sorry!!!"

Jinamarie: "Hey wait a minute-- are you the reason our human has been so preoccupied lately and acting all guilty and stuff?" (turning to Bongie) "All those shoes and dresses that were coming in all week long-- remember? We thought they were too big for us, and too small for Miss Rosie, and we couldn't figure out WHO they were for? Remember?!"

Charlotte: "I....er, I..."

Jinamarie: "And those really cool sunglasses! Remember? We asked our human if she's forgotten our size already and she put us back in our boxes, remember?!"

Charlotte: "I....er, I..."

Jinamarie: "And then we kept catching our human on the computer LATE AT NIGHT, laughing! Squeeing! Muttering, 'Blythe! Blythe! Blythe!' over and over again! But when we approached her, she'd quickly switch the computer screen to the Realm of Resin or Zone of Zen!"

Mimi: "Or the Den of Angels!"

Jinamarie: "And she kept hiding all those packages coming in from Hong Kong and California! We may be small, but we're not DUMB!"

Mimi: "And she started going through the closet where all her bimbo BARBIES live!"

Jinamarie: "And cutting out a new size in dress patterns!" (advancing closer to Charlotte) "You! Who are you and what have you done to our human?!!"

Bongie: "Hey, stop!!!"

Bongie: "No, wait, STOP! We seriously do not wanna make her cry! It's been raining all week and it's still very boggy around here!" (turning to Charlotte) "I'm sorry! We're all sorry and have forgotten our manners! What's your name? I'm Bongie, I'm the Queen of The Resins, and these are my sisters Jinamarie and Mimi. How do you know our human?"

Charlotte (to herself): "Queen of the what? Resin? What? Oh, is that what you call all those Alien-looking dolls with the spooky eyes?" (out loud) "Err.. Hello... I'm Charlotte..."

Bongie takes her hand, but both of them recoil in sudden shock.

Charlotte: "Wha...yikes! What are you MADE OF?!!"

(and at the same time)

Bongie: "Sweet Pig in a Blanket, are you PLASTIC?!!"

After staring at each other in silence for a few minutes, Bongie makes a spontaneous decision for them all.

Bongie: "Well! Plastic or not, I think we're going to keep you. Your mug is kinda growing on me for some reason... You've got cool shoes, are those Keds? And hey, love the beehive, babe! I really need to buff up because they don't make cool jackets like that in my size. OOOoooOoo! Is that a cleft chin I see? How sweet! I don't have a cleft chin, but I've got dimples, see?! Hey, Jina, you should whip up a meal or something! How about cantelope and beer? And Mimi-- bring out your paints-- I bet she can hold still longer and better than I can, and you can really emphasize that cute cleft, ya know? And forgive me for asking again, but why IS your head so big? Hey, where's our..."

Charlotte (to herself): "Where is that human, indeed?! Oh dear, they're sitting so close... oh...oh! Wooo! What? Agh! Woooo! What are they doing? Oh dear... the little one is staring at me! Oh! Where IS my human???!!!"

To Be Continued...
~Tinooseus!

The Blythe Madness

2008-06-06T21:22:00.007-06:00

Oh my goodness, I can't believe that she came today! My ADG Kozy Kape Blythe! What a huge head she has, haha! I immediately set to work trying on different Blythe outfits on her, and even went through my Barbie stash looking for some smaller pieces that worked. It was fun, but horribly exhausting! I did not take pictures as I tried on stuff, so we have to settle for the last thing I've managed to change her into before calling it a night.

By the way, a very pleasant surprise was discovering that Blythe has a cleft chin! I simply did NOT notice that in the Blythe pictures I've been staring at for the past couple of years. I was a bit distracted by those ginormous eyes, I guess... The cleft chin really adds a gentle sweetness to her.

Anyway, looks like the Blythe Madness has hit my home! Heh heh! Can't wait to take her outside for some more photos. But for now, goodnight and sweet dreams...

~Tinooseus!

Of Kimonos and Hair!

2008-06-06T06:34:00.004-06:00

***

A Poem by an Unknown Girl

(found at http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/hair-9/)

Hair!

Hair......long sleek silky hair
Floppy dark raven hair
Vibrant hues of auburn hair

Mops of golden baby hair
Softly shaven 'bald-head' hair
Tennis ball-like to the touch

All different types of hair
I like so much
What is it with hair?
That makes you double-backand just stare?

But most of all the one
that steals my attention
is that dark, shaggy, in-the-eyes
type of hair! !

Heaven......... I must be mad
but do you know?

I just love hair! ! !
***

These three kimonos were bought on Yahoo!Japan, which is just about my favorite source for Japanese costumes for my dolls. The largest one is made of sumptuous silk, and the colors and pattern are just delightful. I actually meant it for a slightly smaller doll (Marguerite Joy), but she's so kicky and slippery that I simply could not get it on her. I will have to try again when I'm calm and not so impatient! The middle one is very cute, also of silk. It's a shorter, above-the-knees length one that suits my Miss Rosie's perky personality to a T! The color is really nicely contrasted by her tan! And the teeniest one is barely three inches tall and amazingly detailed for such a miniscule item! I am in complete awe of what Japanese seamstresses can do!

I want a kimono for every one of my dolls, which means that I have, let's see...7 more to go, hahah! Well, actually just 4. I have 2 others that just doesn't suit any of them color-wise, and Keo is a boy, so he'll get a Hakama instead. Of course, it would be nice if each could have a kimono/hakama for every season! Mina has a gorgeous autumn-hued one, and it would be fun to find a colorful spring one for her, too. Sigh........... Some day!

Too Much Stuff and Not Enough Money,

~Tinooseus!

Dollstown Tutorial

2008-06-02T11:05:00.004-06:00

So many folks have been hitting a wall over at Dollstown, so I've decided to create a powerpoint presentation of the little screen-shot tutorial I put together earlier this year. Hope this helps!

Dollstown Tutorial - Upload a doc

~Tinooseus!

Demon-Speed Vespa Adventures

2008-05-30T11:46:00.006-06:00

Bongie and her sisters decided to take the really cool Vespas that they got for Christmas last year out for a spin at the park. It was one of those days that wasn’t quite perfect, but really nice just the same.

Everything was lush and green from the previous night’s rain. The sky was all shades of billowing gray.

Although far from sunny, the sisters thought the day was great, filled with their bantering and teasing and non-stop chatter as they rode alongside a very large lake.

Oh by the way, in case you haven’t met them yet, this is Jinamarie, the middle sister:

She loves martial arts, cooking, and allowing herself to get lost in her thoughts.

Mimi (the baby) is an artist-- shy and a bit moody, but very sweet natured:

And here is Bongie, the fearless leader of them all! She does everything from sewing, dancing, and reading to shelling out advice and organizing all sorts of adventures for herself and her sisters and all of her big resin and human friends:

So, there they were, early Sunday morning just a putt-puttering along and enjoying the scenery through what was a rather quiet and deserted park—-evidently everyone else in town were either sweating in the Bolder-Boulder 10K race or they were burrowing deep beneath their warm covers in order to hang onto the last remnants of idyllic dreams and restful REM. (Which was something I wasn’t allowed to do as Ms Margaret made me get up at the crack of dawn for this photoshoot by informing me that she would pick me up at 7 am! That’s right, 7 am!!! Can you imagine?????!!!!)

Ahem… sorry…

Anyway, back to our little story:

After riding along companionably and leisurely with her sisters, Jinamarie suddenly decided to put on some speed and called out a race to end of the lake (a loooong ways off)!

Caught completely by surprise, Bongie and Mimi were too slow to react, therefore Jina got quite the head start. She was shouting and chortling with much glee. However it wasn’t long before she had a clear epiphany that high speeds on a cobblestone path actually might not have been such a great idea…

Bumping and bucking wildly out of control, the Vespa’s front tire hit a snag and Jina was lifted from the seat!

Aiiighghghghghghghggh!!!!

Bongie tried to catch up as she and Mimi watched their poor sister fly WAY UP into the sky…

…complete a perfectly beautiful somersault in the air before hurtling back down to earth and…

ker-splatted next to her silver Vespa. The bike's wheels were still spinning, too!

"Ow, Ow, OWWWWW!”

(Take One) Bongie says, "Get up!" Both Mimi and Jina loudly protested that rather unsympathetic reaction, and Bongie agreed to try again.
(Take Two) Bongie says, "Wow! You're as flat as Stanley!” (I had to step in to calm everyone down. Then I took Bongie aside and coached her with some more appropriate method-acting tips.)
(Take Three) Bongie says...

"Well... I’ll give you a 7.5 for technical execution and a 9.0 for the incredible visual artistry!"
“Ruh-uh!" cried Mimi, "That was definitely a perfect 10!”

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAAHAH!!!

It was quite amazing to all of us how nothing was broken after that dramatic wipeout, not even the bike!

So with a great big sigh of relief, Jina heaved herself up off the ground, dusted off the seat new pants, wiped her nose, and then climbed back on her bike. The sisters agreed that they’ve all have had enough of the Demon-Speed Vespa Adventures and began the long ride back home.

...putt...putt...putt...putt...putt...putt.....putt...putt...putt...putt...putt...putt.....

...putt...putt...putt...putt...putt...putt.....putt...putt...putt...putt...putt...putt.....

...putt...putt...putt...putt...putt...putt.....putt...putt...putt...putt...putt...putt.....

The End.

“Hey Bongie?”

“What?”

“That was fun!”

“Yeah it was!”

“Hey, next week, we should…”

~Tinooseus!

Nice Work If You Can Get It

2008-05-30T09:11:00.005-06:00

The man who only live for making money
Lives a life that isn't necessarily sunny;
Likewise the man who works for fame --
There's no guarantee that time won't erase his name

The fact is, the only work that really brings enjoyment
Is the kind that is for girl and boy meant.
Fall in love -- you won't regret it.
That's the best work of all -- if you can get it.
Holding hands at midnight
'Neath a starry sky...

Oh that is nice work if you can get it.
And you can get it -- if you try.
Strolling with the one girl
Sighing sigh after sigh...
Oh nice work if you can get it.
And you can get it -- if you try.
Just imagine someone
Waiting at the cottage door.
Where two hearts become one...
Who could ask for anything more?
Loving one who loves you,
And then taking that vow...
Nice work if you can get it,
And if you get it --

Won't you tell me how?

Song by George and Ira Gerswhin

~Tinooseus!

Long Time No See: Hana Soah

2008-05-30T08:33:00.008-06:00

The other day I took my very first BJD Hana Soah (Elfdoll Soah) out for a photoshoot at Washington Park in Denver. Looking at this girl through my camera lens reminded me of how much I love her eyes, her shape, her resin, her face... So, even though she is not photographed nearly as much as my newer kids, she is not loved any less than the others.

I remember when I first saw her-- she was photographed in her prototype form which was this simple damp-looking gray clay. I fell so madly in love with that sculpt and I knew that she was going to be my very first BJD.

I've had a lot of ups and downs with this doll, but in the end I can never even think of parting with her. As imperfect as she may be, she remains a much beloved member of my BJD family.

~Tinooseus!

Keo and All His Little Pretties...

2008-05-23T10:38:00.002-06:00

Tsch! Is it possible for a guy to have too much love???

A few days ago, Keo was being entertained by his "Little Pretties" as he liked to call them.

Then his girlfriend Valera walked in on the scene!

It's actually kind of hard to tell if he's even in trouble or not... Or rather, who's he's in bigger trouble with, Valera or Bongie!

Valera's gorgeous Cheongsam was made by the fabulous aznbutterfly, who usually sells on eBay. He tells me that this one is made of imported Italian fabric that was $50 a yard! Yeouch!

Bongie, Jinamarie, and Mimi's cute outfits are the latest releases from Elfdoll, and are VERY colorful and fun!

Keo's fun outfit actually fits the hard-to-fit long and skinny Elfdoll boy body PERFECTLY, for those who want to know! The jeans actually fit snugly around his torso (it's small enough) and down the entire length of his legs (it's long enough!), the shirt covers his lower belly, and the jacket is just too darn cool! I'm quite happy with it... It was made by Sadol, and can be purchased through group orders on the Den of Angels or on Yahoo!Japan through a shopping service such as CrescentShop.

Thanks for looking--hope you enjoyed a chuckle or two!

~Tinooseus!

A Perfect Spring Afternoon...

2008-05-17T19:16:00.002-06:00

Sometimes I really love the weather in Denver. It was such a lovely day to be outside, and I'm genuinely glad that I had a chance to do so after a week of being cooped up battling a bad cold, severe allergies, and depression. Anyway, I chose Valera (Dolltown Elysia) to bring with me today because she had a brand new faceup.

I gave Valera a new faceup over the past couple of days, and finished it late last night.

This is faceup number five (four was partially started, wiped, started again, ruined, and wiped. Such is the learning process!), and at first I actually did not like it much, although I loved certain things about it. For example, I love the outer edge of the lower eyelashes on the right side and the eyebrows on the left side.

I clearly need more practice, but I was thrilled to see how the paint was coming on and loved discovering that I find it actually much easier to apply lashes and brows using acrylic paint rather than the more popular pastel pencils. Anyway, her new faceup grew on me as I went outdoors with her today...

Hoped you almost felt like you were outside with us today!

~Tinooseus!

River Sounds

2008-04-27T08:00:00.002-06:00

When I shot these photos a week ago today, my hearing aid batteries were dying. And so it was kind of quiet. Looking at the pictures, I can imagine that the river must have been roaring, but I didn't hear it. Reminds me of that scene from the movie, Children of a Lesser God when Sarah (Marlee Matlin) was signing to James (William Hurt) what the ocean "sounded" like to her.

Anyway, we were at the Platte River about an hour before the sun set. Lovely time of day to take pictures...

~Tinooseus!

Love Blooms at Centennial Garden

2008-04-24T11:42:00.002-06:00

Valera hurries through the Civic Center Park late yesterday morning, on her way to see Keo...

As she entered the Centennial Gardens, she admires all the pretty tulips blooming everywhere.

She spies Keo waiting for her over by one of the walls...

Lazily, they began to stroll about the grounds, resting here and there, speaking quietly to each other.

All too soon, however, Keo has to go back to the office.

"I'll see you tonight," he says.

Ah, young love... so sweet in the spring time!

~Tinooseus!

Nature Walk Through the Denver Botanic Gardens

2008-04-12T20:40:00.001-06:00

~Tinooseus!

April 5, 2008: Simply a Nice Day...

2008-04-07T21:24:00.000-06:00

~Tinooseus!

The Reunion

2008-04-04T21:31:00.002-06:00

Keo had been working on a surprise for his cousin Wilhelmina-- with the help of Valera and the Internet, he found her younger sister Marguerite Joy. The sisters have not seen each other for almost 10 years-- since they were young girls playing together in Korea...

Earlier this evening:

"Mina?"

Mina began to cry. "Oh, Ree-Ree..."

Giving Valera a little squeeze, Keo sighed, "Hey...you crying, too?"

Many heartfelt thanks to Denis B for allowing me to adopt his Custom House St. Mina Version 2! I have been wanting her ever since I first laid eyes on the two Minas! She arrived safely today, despite the horrific condition of her packaging!

YIKES!
I almost laid right down on the floor and died...
~Tinooseus!

Natural Light Beauty

2008-03-31T19:56:00.002-06:00

Gosh, I just can't get enough of this doll's face! She's so pretty! So here's some more photos taken of her in natural daylight. Enjoy!

~Tinooseus!

Valera's Third Faceup...

2008-03-31T06:17:00.001-06:00

Well, I NEED to get some paints so I can work more on eyebrows and lashes, but here she is, attempt #3.

The only thing (besides the bad brows and lashes, lol!)is that while the colors photographs fairly well, in person, she is very "high color"-- she looks too "stained" to me with too much blushing. Part of the problem, I sure, is that I did it last night in bad lighting! And I just didn't know when to stop!

~Tinooseus!

Let Freedom Ring

2008-03-29T21:57:00.002-06:00

We went to visit the Martin Luther King monument in City Park this evening. Valerie spent an hour reflecting upon a few historical giants as dusk quietly fell...

(Valerie is a Dollstown Elysia head on a Dollstown 13B-Girl body.)

~Tinooseus!

Kitty and her kitties have an Office Party!

2008-03-25T13:40:00.002-06:00

They've invited the sweet-tempered Mina along!

I often bring my dolls to work with me when I find that I need a bit of extra cheering up. I have a whole miniature office set up in one corner, a cute chair made of twigs in another, and plenty of room for my dolls to come visit. It's rather a nice thing, actually, and I'm glad that my workplace tolerates it!

~Tinooseus!

My 2nd BJD faceup....

2008-03-24T19:04:00.002-06:00

I wanted this sculpt to have a very light, natural look-- this character is a "soap and water" kind of girl. Anyway, I didn't do lashes or eyebrows because I don't have the right supplies yet, but I was focusing on doing the lips.

My first faceup was yesterday, and after it was done I started laughing because I thought, "Gee, my soap and water girl sure likes Cherry Kool-Aid!" She had that crazy stained mouth look that small kids get. She also looked like a makeup counter disaster with WAAAAAY too much blush! So, I wiped it and tried again. I'll need to try to take clearer photos because the lighting is just not showing what *I* see when I look at her. She has a little bit (just a little!) more color than is shown in the pics. For example, very light blushing over her face. And I tried sketching in her eyebrows using an oil-free pastel pencil, but apparently, it just brushes away, lol! I can tell that eyebrows and lashes are going to be a real bear for me, though...

Ok, enough chatter, tell me what you think please:

VERRRRY faint, but I added little white (well, light peachy-white) lip lines! Weee!

Very over-lighted photo, but you can best see the faint eyebrows I did:

Oddly enough, I like how the left side came out better. I am right-handed and ended up doing the left side upside down. Maybe I should do them BOTH upside down...) First I shaded a flesh-tone pastel where I wanted the brows to go as my guide, and then I lightly sketched the eyebrows in with a pastel pencil in brown.

I have SOOO much respect for all you faceup artists out there-- this is very hard work! But fun!

~Tinooseus!

Walking With the Ancestors...

2008-03-16T20:21:00.000-06:00

Keo had a strange dream last night about meeting someone at Riverside Cemetery... one of the oldest in Colorado. In the strange way of dreams, he got into his car and drove by the railroad tracks. The next thing he knew, he was walking in the cemetery. Then he looked up and he saw a woman dressed from head to toe in black and followed her after she nodded her head at him. It seemed that he could never catch up when suddenly he was by her side.

After a long silence, she spoke to him of things about his people from long ago...

When she suddenly left him, Keo just sat quietly with his ancestors and listened to the sound of the winds in the bare branches above...

Jolted out of his thoughts by the honking of geese, Keo felt something rustling in his coat pocket. Mystified, he reached in and pulled out an old photograph. On the back was written "Kayako Yoshikawa." With a start, Keo realized that the woman in the photograph was his Great Grandmother, taken on her way to Colorado to meet her husband to be Hiroshi Fumiko. Tragicaly, she died exactly one year after marrying Hiroshi. It is said that the great beauty Kayako still walks the Cemetery on those quiet but windy spring mornings...

~Tinooseus!

Miss Rosie's Beautiful Spring Day...

2008-03-15T19:06:00.002-06:00

Colorado skies-- there is simply nothing like it! Love the blue of the sky and the sweet clouds passing through...

~Tinooseus!

Reflections on a Blank Head...

2008-03-12T20:31:00.003-06:00

Have you ever gotten an unpainted BJD head and thought that it was absolutely breathtaking? I never thought I'd feel that way, but I almost don't want to bother with a faceup, lol! Here is my new Dollstown head, Elysia. I'm wavering between calling her Valera and Valerie, because she kind of reminds me of Valerie Bertinelli...

It was COLD outside during this photoshoot (and yesterday was so warm, almost HOT! What gives???!!! And I wasn't quite comfortable being so close to the water even though I don't think it was very deep. I got a bit of vertigo and a sense of being very unbalanced and weak out on the pier. I had to not look direcly into the water! It was SO very windy, too!

I think I like Valera/Valerie in glasses, so she'll probably wear them when I figure out what kind of faceup I want for her.

Her story is that she's a professional photographer, and she met the rest of the gang at my house through Keo, who modeled for her once. So she's a friend of Keo's from work.

One of my good friends had this wig that I didn't particularly care for when I first saw it a few weeks ago, but dang it if it doesn't look pretty good on my doll! I like how it makes her look edgy and artsy and very Asian!

Intensifying the colors a bit!

with flash:

I really like this unpainted head a LOT! You can really see so much more in a blank face-- the planes, frowns, shapes, the sheer beauty of a sculpt. Sort of like looking at real people faces when they first wake up, before they have an opportunity to "arrange" it for the day. Wow...

~Tinooseus!

What a Mid-Week Vacation Day Looks Like

2008-03-12T16:46:00.002-06:00

(Or, A Windswept Day).

Ms M and I went to a new park near my apt. it was very windy, but a fun day for photos... Hope you enjoy!

Miss Rosie--a moment before the wind toppled her right into my waiting hands! What a lightweight!

~Tinooseus!

Asian Butterfly

2008-03-12T16:21:00.000-06:00

It's Keo, mon!

~Tinooseus!

I Hate Everything!

2008-03-08T21:20:00.002-07:00

These are jut random "just because" shots of 4 of my kids after a trip to Denver Doll Emporium.

(I hate none of this, by the way, hee hee! And I just adore the tshirt...)

~Tinooseus!

Dalphine and her Little Bunny

2008-03-04T07:18:00.001-07:00

Just a few moments fiddling around with Picasa...

~Tinooseus!

Don't You Know What the Night Can Do...

2008-02-22T18:03:00.002-07:00

Ok, it's not nighttime in these photos, but I just couldn't get this classic Steve Winwood song out of my head...
~Tinooseus!

Hear the night music playing?
Don't you know what it's saying?
We should feel it together
Forever

Feel the beat and just hold on
To the sweet midnight flowing
Feel the music inside you
I'll be there too

Now's the time that our dreams are finally coming true
Feels so good we're crying
Now's the time when it's down to me and you
Spread these wings - we'll be flying

Chorus
Don't you know what the night can do?
Don't you know when it's touching you?
Don't you know what the night can do?

Don't you know what the night can do?

Dalphine Asked Ever So Sweetly...

2008-02-22T11:56:00.002-07:00

...if she could go outside. Of course I said yes!

At first, she tried to entice the birds to come to her with lemons. She sat very still and quietly and patiently.

Standing up, she looked up into the sky, wondering why they haven't come...but still, she waited.

Then she tried to catch them with a birdhouse. Before long, it got cold. She put on her jacket, and then yawned. I carried her back inside, dozing in my arms...

~Tinooseus!

A Girl Named Dalphine

2008-02-21T20:09:00.003-07:00

Thanks to aznbutterfly for both the opportunity to bring Masha home AND for your help in naming her! It's fun because I can call her Dalphie when I'm feeling silly, hee hee! And hey-- I forgive you for "Pigmillian!"

She has such a lovely profile!

~Tinooseus!

P.S. This Masha is a exclusive of FDQ, not Haute Doll Magazine!

The Very Quiet Girl

2008-02-20T19:53:00.002-07:00

Well, I got my first Volks BJD (thank you aznbuttefly!) and I was finally able to pick her up from the post office today! She is a Haute Doll exclusive Volks Masha. She's quite different from the rest of my resin kids, but have no doubts that she'll soon fit in with the gang. These are super preliminary photos-- I haven't even named her yet!!! However, I was just dying to see how she photographed. What do y'all think?

~Tinooseus!

'Cause I'm a Woman...

2008-02-18T23:12:00.002-07:00

I can stretch a greenback dollar bill
From here to kingdom come

I can play the numbers, pay my bills
And still end up with some

I got a twenty dollar gold piece says
There ain't nothin I can't do

I can make a dress out of a feed bag
And I can make a man out of you

'Cause I'm a woman
Double U O M A N
I'll say it again
'Cause I'm a woman
Double U O M A N

And that's all

Elfdoll Special Sooah, a.k.a. Amelie "LeeLee" Soo

~Tinooseus!

The Return of Bubba the Cat

2008-02-10T10:51:00.000-07:00

Well, I've never told this story before, but little Mimi's favorite kitty Bubba finally came back home. When she first adopted him, he was the friendly outdoor cat that went from yard to yard visiting various barbeque parties in a certain north-east Denver neighborhood. Truth be told, Mimi actually stole Bubba from this dumb guy that lived next door because he didn't "get" why his cat kept fighting with his roommates' motley collection of (transient) dogs and ferrets. So he tossed Bubba outside to get the other guys off of his back.

Bubba actually did pretty well for himself-- his undeniable charms have earned him many tasty little tibits of barbequed chicken and grilled fish. He purred sweetly and slowly winked his little blue eyes at unsuspecting cooks and squeaked out a teeny-tiny meow. However, he was no match against the stray dogs that targeted him on a daily basis. Although seriously injured, he also was quite fat when Mimi met him-- in fact, she thought Bubba was a pregnant GIRL cat! The local vet kindly set her straight...

Anyway, long story short, Bubba never did get over the sudden trauma of losing his freedom to roam despite his enviable position as a well-fed, well loved, much pampered, and protected apartment kitty. And so every time someone opened a door, Bubba was primed to make a run for it. One day he did just that, and broke poor little Mimi's heart. But now, having sowed his wild oats and once again craving the sweet comforts of warm little hands stroking his cold little nose as he drifted off to sleep, Bubba returned to the young girl who loved him best. How he managed to find his way back to sweet Mimi all the way from Denver-- well! What can we say. Clearly, it must've been true love!

The girls' other cat Lula seems happy to see Bubba, too! She was just a wee little kitten when Bubba made his break... It makes the girls laugh to see how much bigger Lula has become!

Jinamarie is happy to see her little sis reunited with her beloved ball of fluff. Although, frankly she is also more than a little concerned because if memory serves, Bubba made some incredibly STINKY litter box deposits in the past. We're talking clear-the-room, peel the wallpaper off the walls, "I see Jesus and he's smiling at me" stinky!! They had to get the powerful multiple cat formula kitty litter even though he was the ONLY cat in the house at the time...

(excerpt from Marc Gunn's When Kitty Eyes Are Smiling)
When kitty eyes are smiling
All the world it is their play
With a leap a cat is soaring
Now your shoe lace is his prey
When kitty hearts are happy
Against your leg, you'll feel them rub
And when kitty eyes are smiling
Sure, you can't help falling in love.

Bubba and Lula were lovingly hand-crafted by IGMA artistan Bridget McCarty.

~Tinooseus!

Ghastly St. Mina!

2008-02-05T16:54:00.000-07:00

I really love how this first photo came out...

I want to do these over outsides, perhaps at a cemetery or walking in the woods. The following photos were taken last evening, and I'm not entirely happy with them, but it shows the entire outfit. And actually, only the hat and the capelet/cloak thingy is from Tonner's Evangeline Ghastly bjd-- the dress is from his American Model doll (Monte Carlo). Evangeline Ghastly! What a name, huh? I love it-- though the doll had to grow on me (Evangeline, not Mina). I still don't believe I'll buy her, but I do like her clothes and accessories!

See her cute Leeke World wig?! I've been waiting forever for it!

Thanks for looking-- I ADORE St. Mina!

~Tinooseus!

Oh, Quand Je Dors

2008-01-17T11:13:00.000-07:00

Ms Ava Moon sings and plays her favorite Liszt song...

Text by Vicomte Victor Marie Hugo
Music by Franz Liszt

Oh! quand je dors, viens auprès de ma couche,
comme à Pétrarque apparaissait Laura,
Et qu'en passant ton haleine me touche...
Soudain ma bouche
S'entr'ouvrira!

Sur mon front morne où peut-être s'achève
Un songe noir qui trop longtemps dura,
Que ton regard comme un astre se lève...
Soudain mon rêve
Rayonnera!
Rayonnera!

Puis sur ma lèvre où voltige une flamme,
Éclair d'amour que Dieu même épura,
Pose un baiser, et d'ange deviens femme...
Soudain mon âme
S'éveillera!
S'éveillera!

Oh viens, comme à Pétrarque apparaissait Laura!

(Translation: Oh When I Sleep)
Oh, when I sleep, approach my bed,
as Laura appeared to Petrach;
and when in passing, your breath touches me...
suddenly my lips
will part!

On my glum face, where perhaps is ending
a dark dream which lasted too long,
as your glance like a star arises...
suddenly my dream
will become radiant!

Then on my lips, where a flame is fluttering,
a flash of love that God has kept pure,
place a kiss, and from an angel, become a woman...
suddenly my soul
will be awakened!

Oh come, as to Petrarch appeared Laura!

~Tinooseus

Bongie-- How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Count the Ways...

2008-01-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

For magnolia and her friends-- thanks for your sweet comment! I hope your friends enjoy the pictures!

~Tinooseus

With a little coaxing, she poses very well, is full of fun and energy, can easily accompany me to the office, has a very beautiful face (to me, lol- I know some people thing the Bong Sun Hwa sculpt is a face only a mother could love, but I find her delightfully appealing!). She has a very sunny disposition, and most importantly, she always makes me smile. She's full of good cheer and cracks me up. She never makes my heart stop when she decides to take a dive off a high perch. I'm never frustrated or exasperated with her and it's a darn good thing her nose isn't painted because I'm always touching the tip or giving her a little kiss! She's my sweetie!

She likes to read before bed...

SHe finds humor in every situation...

She can't play tennis any more than I can...

(but she's such a good sport!)

She loves to spend an entire afternoon sewing...

She dances as if no one is watching...

She enjoys the same movies that I do...

(see-- it's Charlie's Angels with Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu...)

Though she loves to dress casually, she cleans up really nicely!

She sits still when she has to...

She can spin a good yarn...

She's kind to animals...

She goes limp for Keo, too!

She loves to play dress-up...

She does nice things for her sisters...

She organizes potlucks:

...for she loves to eat as much as I do!

Like me, she also loves dolls and miniatures and is hard at work putting together her own little dollhouse...

She's a genius on the classical guitar...

She also gets along with my other dolls!

She gives great advice.

She's brave because she's not afraid to put her feet up on the sofa...

She lets her inner child out often...

...But studies hard when it's called for.

She shares her desserts... even when it's CHOCOLATE!

Bongie... how much do I love thee!

****Smoochies! ****

Disposable Wedding Gowns?

2007-12-27T08:37:00.000-07:00

I have no idea where this originated, but I received it this morning in an email. It's too amazing not to add it to my blog!

***

Important Note: Ok, I just found the website where these came from-- apparently whoever sent this email edited the winners for her/his personal favorites, and the winners are NOT as listed here (which annoys the HECK out of me!). If you want to see who actually won, go to http://www.cheap-chic-weddings.com/wedding-contest-2006.html --the results will surprise you!

Toilet Paper Wedding Gown Winners !!
One usually wears a Wedding Gown only once... So, why not make it DISPOSABLE!!? The dresses entered in this contest were SO SPECTACULAR, that we HAD to award more prizes, this year. We even gave Hanah Kim a $200.00 'Second Place' award... as the detail on her dress is incredible! And, the judging was so difficult this year, that we also gave out THREE $50.00 'Honorable Mention' awards. It is hard to believe that ALL of theses wedding dresses are made from toilet paper....But, they are!! Watch out Vera Wang!! Not only did we have more entries than last year...[but]they just keep getting better and better. [Everyone]had a great time making their special wedding gown creations. Unfortunately, we can't put all of the entries on, but here are just a few of these unbelievable toilet paper dresses. Many Thanks to ALL Contestants!!

(Photos below go from 'Honorable Mention' to 'First Place')...

Honorable Mention:

Honorable Mention:

Honorable Mention:

4th Place:

3rd Place:

2nd Place:

1st Place:

Pretty amazing, huh? Now if the bride starts to cry, all she has to do is reach down...
~Tinooseus

Great New Year's Blessing!

2007-12-26T21:48:00.000-07:00

I got this great New Year's Blessing via email from my friend Wasabi! I've never gotten one quite like it, and I must say, it's pretty darn cool! And now I am sharing it with all of you! Happy New Year!

~Tinooseus

Image from: http://blogs.menupages.com

My Wish for You in 2008

May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address! In simple words ............
May 2008 be the best year of your life!!!

Short Break

2007-12-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

Image from: http://www.tallytownmall.com/images/shopping%20bag%20ladies.jpg

Ms Ava Moon is a diehard shopping fanatic and have invited the Monnaemi sisters to join her for the After Christmas Sales at their favorite shops. Well...they all got up before the crack of dawn to be at door number one by 5:30 in the morning, stretched, ready, waiting, and armed with Ms Moon's "Shopping Playbook," lists, sales coupons, and itinerary! Bewildered by Ms Moon's shopping strategies, Mimi and Jinamarie begged for a respite at a local bagel cafe after 4 hours of non-stop action. Since Bongie was still hungry and Ms Moon was very gracious, they did just that.

Yes... we are aware that it is only 10:15 in the morning, but Ms Moon loves wine, and Bongie needs her beer just as much as Jinamarie needs a major caffeine fix, and Mimi thirsts for her water...just play along, ok?

Bongie started chattering enthusiastically about the doll shops and toy stores that she wanted to visit, particularly the FAO Schwartz on Fifth Avenue. She talks about Tonner dolls, and the new Jason Wu Gene dolls, and particular fashion sets she wants to own.

Jinamarie, on the other hand, lamented the closing of her favorite store-- The Art of Cooking. She used to spend hours in there looking at the same things over and over again, carefully planning her future purchases. The only other cookery store that she loved just as much was Cook's Mart in Denver, where she bought her very first pasta maker. But she was open to visiting some of the other culinary shops Ms Moon mentioned. She also thought that this coming year might be a good time to learn to cook French cuisine.

Mimi, rendered incredibly star-struck and shy by the presence of Ms Moon, just nibbled on her bagel and listened to the chatter around her. She joined the conversation in her head. She pretended that she volunteered that what she wanted to do was go to an art supply store and buy more canvases and some new brushes.

Day after Christmas shopping... I have to admit that I really have never participated in this American pastime before. Usually, it's been because I generally do not have any money left to spend after the holidays, or because I've almost always had to work the day after Christmas (today is such the case). These days, I don't participate because I dread the very thought of the crowds and long lines. I simply do not enjoy chaotic shopping nor trying to navigate stores where things are literally all over the place (although, per an earlier post about finding miniature Vespas for the gang, I HAVE benefited from tripping over things in store aisles). However, I must admit that I have discovered the joys of online shopping!

Image from:

www.ecu.edu/financial_serv/

Doll boards sales, DoA Marketplace, eBay, online shopping carts, Paypal, Internet SSL Security-- these are the new shopping buzzwords that gets me excited about spending money, probably in the same way that Day After Christmas Sale and Doors Open at 5a.m. affects others. In fact, I humbly confess that I spend hours on eBay every week just searching for the perfect miniature this and that for the Monnaemi Sisters' (and now Ms Ava Moon's) tiny worlds. And I get distracted. A lot, lol!

So anyway, no matter how you prefer to shop-- online or in person-- here's to successful bargain hunting and getting that special something that you've always wanted but needed a sale to afford. Go get 'em!

~Tinooseus

Shopping Two Days Before Christmas

2007-12-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

Ms Ava Moon is VERY brave. Just because the sun is shining over here, she decided to fly to Denver for some last minute Christmas shopping with friends...she'd heard that shoppers here were a tad more cheerful and the crowds less intense. (She heard wrong-- tempers are flaring everywhere, and little unattended children running amok in the aisle, risking shopping cart grill marks on their precocious little cheeks.)

Sporting some comfortable walking shoes and her favorite celebrity sunglasses, Ms Ava first hit the shops at The Cherry Creek Mall where she discovered Anthropologie and the little paper store, Papyrus. And of course, she found that she was no more immune to those little blue boxes from Tiffany & Co than any other woman before her. After a brief stop for a little treat at the Godiva Chocolatier, Ms. Ava hired a taxi to everyone to the Blue Bonnet Cafe for lunch. After a few hours (and lacking the good sense to just go home), Ms Ava and her friends continued on with their manic shopping spree simply because they didn't want to do anything else. They ran into more screaming, wailing devil-children and their zombie parents.

Finally, with 4 hours left before her return flight to New York, everyone went to see I Am Legend because Ms Ava's favorite actor would grace the screen with his presence (and cute ears). Satisfied at last, Ms Ava headed back to DIA for a red-eye flight back to the City.

She had a very nice day.

~Tinooseus

Meet Ms Ava Moon!

2007-12-22T22:15:00.000-07:00

Although she is renown as a jazz vocalist, Ms Ava Moon has also been trained in opera and has been voted as the people's favorite for the lead in Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. If you're lucky, you may be in town when she takes the stage at the Blue Note or the Lennox Lounge. You might also catch her singing around town with the Jazz Mobile. Her current project is a Carnegie Hall concert series featuring the Songs of George and Ira Gershwin with renown conductor James Levine.

Ms Moon recently bought the flat above The Monnaemi Sisters' place and has plans for hiring a redecorator. Little does she know that the Sisters are going to have a huge impact on her life!

Ava Moon is a Tinybear Moona in dark tan. I LOVE this little thing and I'm so excited that Bongie and her sisters have a new neighbor!

~Tinooseus

In Memory of Agostino David Mastroguisseppe

2007-12-17T14:00:00.000-07:00

My friend Augie died 11 years ago this month and it still pierces my heart with sadness to remember him.

I was thinking of him last spring when I took this picture. I named the doll (43cm Narae) after him-- her name was Augie Nicole. The photo is simply titled Mourning.

I'll always remember my friend with fondness...

~Tinooseus

A TINY'S Very Own Miniature Dollhouse

2007-12-17T06:12:00.000-07:00

There is life in 1/12 scale-- it's 1/44th scale!! It's so cool how my dolls can share my love for both dolls AND miniatures....

For those who don't know-- Bongie is a very small six inches tall Elfdoll, her room is an American Girl Iluma room, so as you can imagine, those are some TEENY dollhouses!

I am filled with such glee!

~Tinooseus

Vespa!

2007-12-17T06:03:00.001-07:00

I had a GREAT Tiny Prop find at Walmart last night-- a set of 4 Vespas for Bongie and her sisters! I couldn't wait until Christmas, lol! I HAD to open it this morning!

They're SOOO cute-- one military type with a gunner (oh the possibilities, lol!), one in shimmery sage, one silver, and one bold red baby!

It's such

Born...to beee WiiiiIIiiIIIIiiild!

~HO-HO-HO-Tinooseus!

Snow's Only Deep Enough for a TINY!

2007-12-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

Wheeee, it's snowing again!!!!

Look how deep the snow is! It's up to my knees and I can hardly walk!

"Pssst! Hey!!!"

GOTCHA!!!

HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!

Happy Snow Day
~Tinooseus!

Keo on Sunday...

2007-11-12T14:12:00.001-07:00

Some observant soul pointed out this morning that Keo's name is pronounced the same way as the boxing term "KO" and that he is indeed, a Knock Out. Do you agree?

~Tinooseus

Another Funny Post on the Zone of Zen...

2007-10-11T09:03:00.000-06:00

I just love that place, ha ha!
~Tinooseus

Posted by Jewel on October 9, 2007, 10:17 pm

Rut Roh...hubby saw the price tag on the shoes I just got from BJDollarama... He pointed and said, "Nuh Uh!!!!!" and I just kept talking like I didn't hear him...then after I said "Yeah, I told you I spent all the money from the sale of the last doll on clothes and shoes for Eleanor" and he said "That is more than my shoes cost!" and I pointed to the Volks Cristal outfit and I said "That cost more than my wedding dress." He hasn't said much since.

Every Single One...

2007-10-07T08:57:00.000-06:00

Everybody in my household loves Keona Meka. Everyone!

Little Mimi loves Keo...

Wee Bongie loves Keo...Jinamarie loves Keo...

LeeLee loves Keo...Yuliya loves Keo...

Hana Soah and Mina loves Keo...

When she first met Keo, Bongie just melted, ha ha ha!!!
Can a guy survive so much adoration???

~Tinooseus

Keona Meka (Elfdoll Mir)

2007-10-07T08:25:00.000-06:00

Well, here he is...my first boy BJD. I never thought it would happen, but he is here and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE him!

Some Basic Stats

Sculpt: Elfdoll Mir, sculpted by Rainman. Came with resin-wig head with olive eyes, as well as a regular head. Special 80 Limited Edition, Sold out!
Name: Keona Meka (Kay-oh-nah May-kah), Hawaiian name meaning God's gracious gift and eyes.
Birthday: September 29
Relationship to the others: Older cousin of Hana Soah, Amelie "LeeLee" Soo, and Wilhelmina
Hobbies: Surfing, relaxing, eating, modeling.

Here are some random shots taken since his arrival a week ago...

Resin wig-head

Red Man

Asian Pop Star

~Tinooseus

Blue Velvet

2007-09-15T21:41:00.000-06:00

She wore blue velvet

Bluer than velvet was the night

Softer than satin was the light

From the stars

She wore blue velvet

Bluer than velvet were her eyes

Warmer than May her tender sighs

Love was ours

Ours a love I held tightly

Feeling the rapture grow

Like a flame burning brightly

But when she left, gone was the glow of

Blue velvet

But in my heart there'll always be

Precious and warm, a memory

Through the years

And I still can see blue velvet

Through my tears

~Tinooseus

A Funny Post on the Zone of Zen

2007-09-13T22:03:00.000-06:00

This one made me laugh out loud! Hope you enjoy it, too!

~Tinooseus

Zone of Zen
Subject: BJD related frustration.
(Posted by Carol in NJ on September 13, 2007, 10:19 pm)

Today I learned something new. I learned that the ladies and gents that sew for our resin kids earn every penny they charge. I also learned that circle skirts are not so easy to hem, and even harder to put a waistband on, especially if you are dumb enough to sew the back seam first. I also learned that sewing tissue paper thin fabric to a croched top...can really jam up a sewing machine. Another lesson I learned is that if you knock the container of straight pins off the table, you probably shouldn't walk around with bare feet. I learned that BJDs don't particularly like to be fit models. They kick and jerk and threaten to fall off the stands every time you try things on them. Mostly what I learned after 8 hours of frustration...is to spend the money and buy the outfits. I'm going to e-bay...see you all later.

photo from www.ktinnovate.com

Cowboy's Sweetheart

2007-07-14T16:47:00.000-06:00

My first "Music Video" featuring the lovable Bongie Nut! Hee hee hehahahahaahah!! Hope you enjoy it!
~Tinooseus

2007-07-12T17:01:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday,
Dear Wilhelmina Faith!

Today is my Mina's first birthday with me. She came to Denver on July 12, 2006. So I created my first movie to celebrate. No music, though. I'm still trying to figure that one out!

~Tinooseus

Charlie and Bongie Nut

2007-01-06T06:52:00.000-07:00

Oh the joys of instant bonding and fast friendships! On January 2, 2007 Bongie Nut (Bong Sun Hwa) came home. She tried to talk me into bringing home a sister for her to play with (Elfdoll Min Del Re), but alas, money does NOT grow on trees. Bongie Nut is a handful. She has too much energy and is constantly chattering and eating and just sometimes being a pain. A beloved pain to be sure, but a pain. The very next day, my Dollstown Lucille head came in the mail. She's borrowing Yuliya's body for now, but when I put it all together, Celia "Charlie" Louise came to life! Charlie is a tomboy. She's played with boys all her life and loves nothing more than playing the drums, rough-housing, snowboarding, gaming, and graphic novels. She blends right in with her crew. On the other hand, she's right at that point of blooming into womanhood, and secretly finds herself fascinated by girly things more and more often.

Now, Bongie is not exactly a girly thing-- and she's definitely more than just a doll. She has feelings, she's mischevious, and she's stubborn. There was an instant reaction between Charlie and Bongie and no one knew where this was heading.

Bongie Nut: NOOOOoOOo!!!!

Bongie: Uh! Grunt...

Bongie: Heh-hey, Charlie?

Charlie: What?

Bongie: High-Five!

Thankfully, both parties "checked out" and a strong bond has been formed. Charlie and Bongie-- pals for life.

~Tinooseus

2007-01-04T09:55:00.000-07:00

This incredibly touching poem was posted on the Den of Angels on 1/4/07, 5:25a.m. I totally get it...

[what they've meant to me]

by starfall

Placerville, CA

they were my voices.

the voices of a child, maybe

their purpose clothed

in expensive shoes,

lacy dresses,

ridiculous props.

but they were my speech

when words had failed me

and they were my loves

when love seemed not worth keeping.

you see, I had given it up.

that living game.

I had a paycheck

I had a home

but in the distance between

my two destinations

I could find no good reason

to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

in the faces

that should have kept me walking

I somehow could only find

shadows of anger

and a disgust

at their joy.

so, I invented it.

I left this world

not by knife or pill or cliff

but by another road:

when I was little, they called it

make-believe.

as a bigger person, I called it

a better place.

and in faces sculpted by two artists

one, a talented hand and careful tool,

the second

only a desperate mind

I split my hurts into personality.

this is Mischa:

he does not trust you.

this is Viola:

she cannot be trusted.

Chie, who was betrayed;

Hazel, who fought back, and was punished

Cherian, who sought forgiveness for his sins

India, whose sins were beyond forgiveness

and me, the housemother,

who gathered them up

in an attempt to reconcile all

these broken selves

into a single story.

how many hours, days, dollars

did I spend?

I could not tell you;

I do not want to.

you would not think

they were worth it.

you would not.

but they were.

you see, it was not about the names

or the clothes

wigs

shoes

dollars

hours

wasted or well spent.

it was that

in the shape of their

fingernails

eye sockets

toes

I found humanity.

not theirs.

mine.

***

~Tinooseus

Final Installment of Storm Pictures...

2006-12-23T20:45:00.000-07:00

A Sunny Day at Mom & Dad's House

December 22, 2006

I finally busted out of my apartment today and made my way to my parents' house. It was so hard to get there, took about an hour and a half--most of the time spent climbing and walking over and through snow and ice. I mean, there was SOOO much snow to navigate! At once point, I crossed a very busy street near my place (Colfax Ave). They've plowed that street, and on the other side, there was this huge hill that I thought was the plowed snow pushed to the side, which is usually very firm and can bear weight. In order to get completely over to the other side of Colfax, I had to climb over this wall of snow and ice, but as soon as I started down on the other side of it, horrors of horrors I realized that it was a DRIFT! And I sunk to mid thigh, and then toppled over! I was just flailing around and I could NOT stand up! I would start to get up and lose my footing from one side and then the other, and at one point almost went splat on my face! I started giggling and squeaking (and gasping for breath) because it was so cold and so ridiculous. All these cars started honking at me as they went by (I wasn't in the street-- I'm pretty sure that they were laughing at me). Anyway, when I finally managed to stand up I had snow up my pants and up my sleeves and down my neck, and I was just a mess! It was SOOOOOO cold!

Here are some pics I took at my mom and dad's place. The Backyard looking toward the alley where my dad's car got stuck (we spent part of the day digging his car out and my brother drove my dad's car back into the carport:

The backyard facing my parents' house (isn't the sky GORGEOUS??!!):

and facing the neighbor's house on the right-- just LOOK how high the snow is on the gate!

The alley facing south-- the building the the very far back of the picture with all the windows is the dorms where I lived when I was in music school! See-- how sad. For college, I didn't even make it out of the neighborhood! But that's another story, so never mind!

My mother is busy scraping off my dad's car (with absolutely no regard for what she might have been doing to the finish-- she used an old broom and a GARDEN HOE to scrape and brush snow off of it...eeek! Think my dad might be mad when he sees what she's done! But we're not telling!):

The wind was blowing VERY hard during the blizzard and created this weird and neat "wave" in the carport overnight:

My mom worried that there might be a body under there, but we reassured her that it was just snow. An artistic closeup of that thing in the carport! It was actually very beautiful and I couldn't stop looking at it:

Anyway, you know how kids always want to help you do whatever it is that you're doing, but they really create a bigger mess and more work when they do? Well, here's my niece showing up for the family effort to dig my dad's car out:

She basically pelted us with snowballs, threw herself onto the snow and floundered around, and packed it all down by running back and forth all over the place (making it harder to shovel, lol!):

She's awfully cute, though, so I couldn't stay mad even though she re-distributed snow all over the 8X6 feet space I shoveled out... Kids!

Anyway, after all that hard work, we siblings decided to go catch a bus downtown (there was no way we were going to be able to get a car out of the alley with all that snow!).
A house on the way to the bus stop:

Check out how deep the drifts were at the bus stop. No place to stand but ON the bench!

(that's my brother, my niece, and my sister)

Downtown, we ate at Mici, a "handcrafed Italian" eatery (which has this intoxicating scent of rising dough and baked bread and garlic-- yum!). Here's the outside of Mici:

Naturally, we ate INSIDE...Artsy-fartsy shot-- I love seeing how snow distributes itself!

Looking west on Downtown Denver's 16th Street Mall:

Not a lot of people out and about. Or maybe they all just went to the INDOOR malls, like Cherry Creek or Park Meadows...

Looking east at a cool building behind a lighted tree:

Anyway, getting home was hard. We decided to head back around 3:45-4:oopm. Normally, I would have reminded my brother how to get home on one of the buses (it's been more than a decade since he's riddent the bus, possibly longer!), and then taken a different one home myself. But he wasn't feeling well and was very sleepy, to boot. I decided that I better get him all the way to our folks' house and then just run across the street to catch another bus home (they pass by near the same time). Unfortunately, I forgot that our bus was late and the bus I wanted to be on had already passed about 5 minutes earlier AND the buses were on a Sunday schedule. Which meant that the next one wasn't coming for an hour. Fortunately, I didn't remember all that until about 40 minutes into my wait. Then it got dark, I got cold and anxious, and the bus was late and packed. I fought my way back through the uncharted snow in front of East High School, climbed back across Colfax Avenue, and trudged on home for another 3 blocks from there. I was so tired when I finally got home. It took me about 2 hours altogether. But the nice thing is, I discovered icicles all over my little "porch." I may not have even noticed them if I didn't have to fumble around for my keys with one hand while holding on to the metal railing with the other. I grabbed my camera and took some pictures.

These two that I like especially well:

above is without flash...below is with flash, AND extreme closeup to boot! Very cool, huh?!

On a final note, I've been thinking about how thankful I am for the gift of a White Christmas, lots of snow, the delight on my niece's face over said snow, and for all for the extra days off from work! Most of all, I'm thankful that God has created such a beautiful world for us to live in. I hope that you all find a moment or two to stop and really see the wonders of this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas, everyone! May you be surrounded by the love and laughter of family and friends, and may you experience the profound peace and joy of the Savior!

In Him,

Tinooseus

A Few Intermittent Photos of the Storm

2006-12-23T20:15:00.000-07:00

The Desperate Boredom of an On-going Blizzard & Living Alone...

I took these on day 2 of the storm right when the snow started to slow down. I was getting very sleepy and sluggish from looking at all that white... but I couldn't stop taking pictures. I finally figured out to put on some music while I examined my photos and uploaded them into my online album. It was a perfect moment in time-- I was listening to English classical guitarist Paul Galbraith's ethereal version of Bach's Ciaconna (Chaconne) from Partita No. 2, BWV 1004, in E minor...

Quietly yours,

Tinooseus

Day Two of the Blizzard of 2006...

2006-12-23T19:15:00.000-07:00

The view from my window...

December 21, 2006
Snowed in! No work! What a happy day this was! I woke up early in the morning so I could take pictures before any of the locals could strap on some snowshoes or skis and mar the clean blanket of snow that covered our city. It was still dark, but I managed to get some pretty nice shots as I quietly and carefully made my way to the front of the house to see what had happened while I slept through the night.

First of all, take a gander at my living room windows-- you can see the snow had really started to pile up on the roof-- I couldn't take a good shot of the view outside the window because all that blinding white-on-white does not give my camera much to auto-focus on...

I didn't even bother to try to navigage the stairs. After taking these pics, I just swept the snow off as I gingerly walked down the icy metal steps. Taking a diver into the concrete below would hurt despite the 2+ feet drifts--better safe than sorry!

My bike...

The yard...

...and the latest view of those hootin' mushroom chairs from yesterday, lol!

It was so hard to get the front gate open!

Love how pretty the falling snow looks!

I didn't try to get the back gate open because the drifts back there was about 4 or 5 feet high. Plus, I thought it'd be nice to leave my downstair neighbors a little untouched and pristine snow to play in when they got up, lol! Here is the shot that I took from my steps--I could look down and over the fence that way:

Uh...this is my bus stop. I guess I'm really glad there's no work today!

Standing on the front porch of the house, looking across the street at a buried car:

Here's a pretty shot of the fence:

Ok... I was starting to wish that I could go somewhere, like to my parents' house to play with my niece! It's kind of sad and lonely to be snowed in all by yourself. Not even a friendly neighbor to spend an afternoon with... And it's so quiet around here-- I think I want some of the hysterical chaos which is ALWAYS going on at my parents' house when my brother comes home for a visit. TVs blaring, mom yelling in Japanese in the kitchen, my niece shrieking to be heard above it all, my dad cranking HIS tv up in his bedroom so he can hear the game, my brother talking to one of us or on the phone in his deep, booming voice, me trying to get my niece to sing Aggalina-Haggalina* with me, my sister trying to talk to my brother or just staring in shock and awe at all of us (probably has her hearing aids cranked down, lol!)

~Tinooseus

*Aggalina-Haggalina was a song that I learned in the 2nd grade that I've never forgotten. It goes like this:

Aggalina-Haggalina Oka-Poka-Woka-Toka-Ocka-Tocka-Wocka was her name!

She had two eyes in the middle of her head-
One was green and the other one red!

Aggalina-Haggalina Oka-Poka-Woka-Toka-Ocka-Tocka-Wocka was her name!

She had two teeth in the middle of her mouth-
One pointed north and the other one south!

Aggalina-Haggalina Oka-Poka-Woka-Toka-Ocka-Tocka-Wocka was her name!

She had two hairs in the middle of her head-
One was alive and the other one dead!

Aggalina-Haggalina Oka-Poka-Woka-Toka-Ocka-Tocka-Wocka was her name!

A big red truck hit Aggaline (howl)--
So the man had to buy a new machine!

'Twas Four Days Before Christmas...

2006-12-20T18:56:00.000-07:00

The view outside my living room window...

Oh how I love it when it snows like this in Denver! I honestly cannot remember the last time we had fresh snow just in time for Christmas; I can't remember the last time snow felt this pure and magical, or the last time a steaming cup of tea was so deeply satisfying! Here's the progression of the Blizzard of 2006 (presumptuous, maybe, but I'm 99% sure that's what they're going to call this storm) so far:

Around 1:30 in the afternoon, it was really coming down, but the snow wasn't really that deep around here-- about above the ankles and higher in some places. It was the wind, really, that made it almost unbearable to keep my eyes open while I was outside.

I love the gum-drop appearance of the chairs:

Around 4 in the evening, the drifts were really started to rise against my windows. Looking outside made me feel a little bit like Half Pint in Little House in the Big Woods. Whatever was going on outside, I felt safe and warm inside my tiny apartment.

Scene from my side-yard.

Around 6:30 in the evening-- I went across the street to find out why Papa's Grocery was still open! (Cuz they're making a killing, lol! A lot of folks feel the need to stock up before hunkering down in their homes to wait out the storm...) The atmosphere in the store was very cheery -- very damp, humid, messy, and full of laughter and silly snow puns and jokes. Sean and Stephanie, the owners, are just so full of fun and cheer despite the long drive home on treacherous roads that they'll have to face when they finally close up for the night.

A couple of grown people were goofing around in the snow, their giggles both amplified and slightly muffled by the huge mounds of new snow in the eerily empty streets. There is no traffic down 12th Avenue, and I can almost see all the way down to Colorado Blvd to the east and Cheesman Park to the west. I walked as carefully as I could down my metal stairs so I could take pictures. I took several shots before I finally realized that there was enough light reflecting off the snow to turn the flash off. In doing so, I captured this image of my stairs:

Once I was across the street, I decided to take a picture of the house that I live in (well, technically I live in the upstairs portion). See the colored Christmas lights in the twin windows? That's my place! It looks cold, but it's very toasty inside. I hope we get another day off tomorrow-- it'd be the perfect opportunity to sew, take photos, and set up a new doll display or two...

Happy Snow Day!

~Tinooseus

Hana Soah and the Christmas Harp

2006-12-07T12:14:00.000-07:00

Wendy, our COBJD Meetup hostess, has a beautiful home full of harps and wide open spaces. After glancing up at the angels and gargoyles near the vaulted ceilings, the pure tones of Bach's Prelude in C-major began to fill Hana Soah's head. She sat down at one of the many harps in the house and began to play...

Elfdoll makes these hands, called Optional Fist Hands, and they are just so amazing, so beautifully sculpted. I hope he sculpts many more for these amazing dolls!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

~Tinooseus

December 2, 2006 COBJD Meetup Pictures

2006-12-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

Working BACKWARDS, here are the pictures.

First, the White Elephant Gift Exchange. Who knew that "stealing" would ever be sanctioned anywhere??? Heh!

THE LOOT

U: Bragging over how she got Michele Hardy's great gift!

R: "Now, WHAT were

the rules again???"

U: hmmm... I SPY a gift I wanna steal!

Can't get it open fast enough! Can't...can't....CAN'T!

Meeting the dolls and each other once again...

Playin' under the table...

Finally, the resin folks themselves...

Merry Christmas, everyone-- thanks for a GREAT meetup!

~Tinooseus

Belated Introduction to Miss Wilhelmina Faith

2006-10-20T09:35:00.000-06:00

Little Mina...

The very first BJD that I ever fell head over heels for was the Custom House St. Mina. She is a sad character doll from the Korean cult classic The Doll Master. I remember when I saw her on their website, I was totally mesmerized, and every day I'd visit the site to see her pictures over and over again. And of course, back then, the thought of spending $600 on a doll was just unheard of and as much as I wanted her, I didn't think I'd be able to afford her. After a few months of that I started squirreling away money. When I almost had enough, another stunning BJD was released-- Rainman's Soah--and I jumped on that one for fear that I wouldn't get one. Shortly after, St. Mina sold out at Custom House and I was utterly heartbroken.

Almost a year later, a friend told me about another friend who was thinking about selling a St. Mina in their collection, and I pounced on the opportunity. It was literally with fear and trembling that I approached this seller because I actually did not have the money saved up yet, and wanted to know if they'd be willing to do a layaway. I was just over the moon when they said "yes!" So, on July 12th, St. Mina--a.k.a. Miss Wilhemina Faith-- arrived in Denver. I was immediately taken with Mina-- her incredibly expressive eyes, her posability, her lovely petite frame (compared to the other girls). She seemed SO ALIVE, her glittery black eyes deep and bottomless... I loved her hooked nose, her aristocratic air, and the fact that her face totally reminded me of Ichimatsu dolls.

When I worked in the Children's Library years ago, they had a beautiful doll collection that included old Ichimatsu dolls that were just enthralling to see. They also had several very large Japanese friendship dolls that came to Denver in huge wooden crates back in middle of the 20th century or so. One of my many projects was to inventory this big doll collection, and I really lingered over these pieces. I was so sad because the library's plan was to donate them to a Doll Hospital or a Doll museum or something; I don't remember the all the details.

Anyway, I've tried out many looks for Mina and haven't really settled on any one in particular. But here is her story: She is a cousin of Hana Soah and Amelie Soo (LeeLee), and came to America to live with them. There is a quiet sadness about her and has something to do with some tragedy in her life, but she never speaks of it and no one really knows what happened or why she is so sad. She has her mother's reserved manner, and her cousins often do not know what to make of her or how to help her adapt to the culture shock of being in the U.S.

Wilhelmina Faith is also a famous stage actress in Korea and very much enjoys the level of anonymity available to her in the States, where she is not as well known or celebrated. Like her cousins, she has some musical abilities and sometimes plays the shamisen or the erhu.

I really love my little Mina!

--Tinooseus

It's SO True!

2006-10-17T13:23:00.000-06:00

A message posted on the Zone of Zen this morning had me laughing out loud:

Hi my name is Pam and I am a dolliholic...*giggle*...
Posted by PamSD Temple Matron on October 17, 2006, 12:03 pm

I am 41 years old and I play with dollies,
I sew for dollies,
I paint dollies,
I wire dollies,
I save money for dollies,
I trade for dollies,
I have sold a dolly to get another dolly,
I haunt websites about dollies,
I belong to 10 dolly boards,
I look at things and wonder..."is it doll scale?"
and recently...I travel all the way across the country to attend a dolly wedding.

Yes, completely addicted.
butI do not want a cure.

How about you?

It's SO true! And all ll I can say is, there are worse things to be addicted to!

--Tinooseus

Elfdoll Reminisce Head

2006-10-17T06:56:00.000-06:00

The sleepy head of Hana Soah has arrived! It's quite beautiful and inspired me to put Hana Soah back together again-- she has been lying in pieces on my ironing boards for over a month (long story). In any case, it took a while to get her restrung and the first time around I got the wrong leg on the right side and had to unstring her. I took this opportunity to go ahead and change her hands to the optional fists set that Elfdoll had also produced.

Doesn't she look like she has a very sweet demeanor? Well, the truth is, it took me too long to get the camera set up (I kept getting distracted by other things) and after a few minutes of grumbling and muttering under her breath, she just sprawled back and conked out, poor girl. Truth be told, it's wasn't a very graceful sight. You'd never believe how crabby she really was by these pictures. I'd hate to wake her up...so I won't. Shhhhh!

--Tinooseus

Hana Soah wears a Mandarin jacket made by me; jeans by Jessica Hu, scarf by Mary Moe; Fwig from Denver Doll Emporium; Hat by Margaret W; and Gothic Cowboy boots from Elfdoll.

Ode to Barbie, Conclusion.

2006-10-14T11:48:00.000-06:00

Rosie's Cafe, Part 2.

Rosie's Cafe has become THE gathering place for all the beautiful vinyl people. Because the business was just raking in the dough, Rosie was able to expand her cafe to include TWO bakery counters and a full-sized stage. She had walls taken down and expanded the seating area and included a dance floor.

First, I must tell you the story of Rosie's flirtatious former employee Jack. Remember his dangerous flirtation with Wheelchair Becky in Part 1?

Well things went horribly, horribly wrong for him after this incidence, and his life was changed forever. But don't feel sorry for him, because Jack eventually married his physical rehab therapist and they had a very cute little girl.

Jack greets his sister Jessie.

No one knows what happened to Wheelchair Becky, least of all Liam. He now spends his nights staggering around in a drunken stupor at Rosie's Cafe. He doesn't speak. He doesn't make eye contact. He just mumbles and searches for his lost love Becky. People no longer notice the unwashed drunk in the army fatiques...

Ok... on with the program. Rosie's Cafe...oh yes, it has become a very sucessful venture. Gone is the dusty corner where musicians used to squeeze their amps and mikes. Gone is the old rickety cage. Distinguished guest performers have ranged from the the band Adrian Romero and Love Supreme, the great Accordian master Robert Davine, and classical guitarist Alex Komodore.* Hot band Cecil and the Weepers** performed during the grand re-opening weekend of Rosie's Cafe:

(Cecil and the Weepers, L-R: Liam2, Brandy, Benjamin)

Jamming! (Back row: in pink, Cameron; with white guitar, ???)

Music inspires spontaneous dancing...

...of all kinds. (Vitamin-C)

(psst! notice the drunken Liam?)

Rosie hired a fabulous Native American baker. She's very quiet and sweet, and customers wait in very long lines to take home some of her goodies.

Lines, lines...

...and more lines.

(Theresa, a tribute to my good friend Merisa B.)

Everyone goes to Rosie's-- it's the place where anything and everything can happen. It's a place where a lonely woman can ponder her life over a cup of tea...

...where people can share stories and laughter...

...where chess champions can hone their skills...

...where friends can bond over food and drinks...

(Alex and Kira)

...where strangers can meet and fall in love.

(Donny and Theresa)

And every night, Rosie's Cafe is the place where Kevin will fix himself yet another snack.

Kevin passes Flo Jo the mustard.

--Tinooseus

Cast of Characters in Order of Appearance:
Jack... Action figure doll of golf legend Jack Nicklaus
Therapist... Mattel
Kid...One of the Mattel Kelly dolls
Jessie... Saved By the Bell doll
Liam (a.k.a. Old Drunk)... Star Wars action figure from Episode 1, Phantom Menace
Liam2... Star Wars action figure from Episode 1, Phantom Menace, from a fight scene
Brandy... Fashion doll singer Brandy
Benjamin...Star Trek action figure Commander Benjamin Sisko
Vitamin-C...doll of musician Vitamin-C
Native American Baker... Mattel's Native American Barbie
Theresa... Mattel Theresa dolls, one of those $5.99 Target ones
Lonely Woman... Mattel doll Becky (ca.1988)
Alex... action figure of New York Yankees player Alex Rodriguez
Kira... Mattel doll Kira (ca.1990)
Donny... doll of musician Donny Walhberg (New Kids on the Block)
Theresa... Mattel's Butterfly Art Theresa
Kevin... action figure of Wolverines player Kevin Garnett (no.21)
Flo Jo... Fashion doll of Florence Griffith Joyner

*Adrian Romero and Love Supreme was a Denver-based band featuring Adrian, a "Virtuosic guitarist/singer-songwriter" who "grew up as a classical-music prodigy." (Lemieux, K. 1998. Supreme being. Westword, January 22.

http://search.westword.com/Issues/1998-01-22/music/music.html)

Discography:
Shirts Against Skins (2003)
Shabang Shabang! (1998)
Radio Free Cola (1996)

Robert Davine 1924-2001
"An artist with an international reputation as a distinguished soloist, chamber musician and teacher"

(http://www.ksanti.net/free-reed/essays/davinetribute.html)

"As the People’s Republic of China broadened its program of music for the accordion, it sought out master musicians within the accordion field and in 1984, Robert Davine was invited to present Master Classes. He was one of the first western music authorities to influence the development of accordionists in China and many Chinese students eventually came to Denver to study music with him and other professors at DU. "

(http://accordions.com/memorials/mem/davine/index.shtml)

Discography (4 total, but I only know of 2):
Tango! (2005)
The Concert Accordion Artistry of Robert Davine (1995)

Alex Komodore
"Alex Komodore is a Denver-based virtuoso guitarist. His powerful interpretations, formidable technique, and natural musicianship have won unanimous praise from critics, audiences, and many of the world’s finest guitarists. First Prize National winner in the Music Teachers National Association 1985 guitar category, his subsequent appearances on NPR and PBS broadcasts brought swift national acclaim."

(http://www.mscd.edu/~music/department/faculty/kommodore.html)

Discography:
Passport (1994)
Redstone (1990)

**Fictitious band named by former coworker at the DU Music Library, Mike B.

Ode to Barbie, Part One.

2006-10-14T09:37:00.000-06:00

Long before I got into Asian ball jointed dolls, I was very much a Barbie nut. My collection grew, then shrunk, grew, shrunk again, and then ballooned into the current 60+ dolls of today. I've never been a MIB (mint in box) kind of collector-- I totally believed in deboxing and playing with my collection. I've even done some head and body swaps as the mood hit me, and my dolls have gotten dirty from the constant handling by both me AND my cat. Needless to say, my collection is worth nothing money-wise-- I've not been hanging onto these for a possible sale on some collectible antique toy forum in the future. I do not expect to make a mint when I retire by selling off these dolls. But when I consider the memories, the joys of playtime, the laughs (oh, the LAUGHS!), and the sheer insanity of Barbies, I know that my motley collection is truly priceless.
They've been living in cardboard boxes for about 7 years now because I simply don't have the space to play with them. Those who knows me can attest to the fact that when I'm playing with my dolls, almost every square inch of my apartment is affected. It no longer surprises me to find the odd Barbie shoe in the most inexplicable of places years after a play session. Lately, I've been cleaning out closets and going through boxes in preparation for yet another move when I came across these photos that I have taken with a 35mm camera (a gift from my dad, who is an awesome photographer) way back in the old days. I felt a pang of something like regret mixed with sweet nostalgia as I recalled entire afternoons spent lying on the floor setting up my Barbie scenes while my cat Bubba stared from the relative safety of his window perch. I used to spend hours posing just 4 or 5 Barbies, checking the perspectives and making sure these spacey and beatific dolls were actually LOOKING at something in the poses I set them in. Sometimes they'd fall over, and other times they'd just get unceremonioulsy yanked from the scenes, but most of the time I'd get the giggles because they were just too hilarious and the ideas would grow.

The pictures in this blog entry are those of my 2nd biggest scene ever. The biggest one (published in part 2) took approximately a month to put together, and covered an area about 5 feet by 7 feet in front of a fake fireplace. They stayed up for an amazing 3 months before Bubba, in a fit of destructive kitty pique, ran amok through the cafe scene and I had to put them all away. I feel sad about neglecting these vinyl people all these years and am currently in search of an apartment that will allow me to have a doll room once again, where all my dolls--from the Barbies and the Tonners through the cloth and the BJDs--can have a space outside of boxes and containers.

--Tinooseus

Rosie's Cafe, Part 1.
It started out innocently enough. I bought the Rosie O'Donnell fashion doll when she came out. I was thrilled with the idea of having a doll with different proportions to the impossible Barbie dolls. Around that same time, I found a Mattel Barbie Bakery set. Rosie's Cafe was born...

Rosie chats with her customers Alex and Nichelle.

In the kitchen behind her, Kevin makes himself a "little" snack.

See Jack.

See Jack flirt with bakery customer Becky.

See Becky's angry boyfriend Liam...

The musical entertainment on the temporary stage at Rosie's were singers Brandy and Leopard Girl.

Chelsie accompanies them on the guitar.

An anonymous friend videotapes the performance...

...and an exuberant fan in the cage screams.

Dylan attempts to pick up Christie...

...while outside Ken arrives with a friend.

Rosie's Cafe is becoming a popular gathering spot for Barbie and friends.

Cast of characters in order of appearance:
Rosie......Rosie O'Donnell fashion doll
Alex......"action figure" of baseball player Alex Rodriguez (New York Yankees)
Nichelle.....Mattel Generation Girl Nichelle
Kevin..."action figure" of Timberwolves player Kevin Garnett (no.21)
Jack......."action figure" of lengendary golfer Jack Nicklaus
Becky...... Mattel's Wheelchair Becky
Liam...."action figure" from Star Wars Episode 1
Brandy....fashion doll of singer Brandy
Leopard Girl......Mattel Nascar Barbie (with a haircut)
Chelsie........Mattel Generation Girl Chelsie
Anonymous Friend.... Mattel Uptown Chic Barbie, from the Fashion Savvy Collection
Exuberant Fan........Mattel Generation Girl Tori
Dylan....Dylan McKay doll from the tv show "90210"
Christie....Rock n' Roll Christie
Ken... Harley Davidson Ken (my favorite Ken!)
Friend.... Nichelle doll with microbraids, don't remember which one she was

Belita in the Park

2006-05-20T11:20:00.000-06:00

05.20.2006

I got up really early this morning because I wanted to photograph one of my dolls before going to work. I had been playing with my D.I.M. Belita the night before, trying out various wigs and hairstyles on her. I decided to pack a bag with my doll and a couple of props for a 15-minute bike ride down to the the southeast portion of City Park because there just wasn't enough interesting spots in my little garden at home. The front garden is blooming and full of big things that just didn't seem appropriate--think Edward Gorey and The Evil Garden! So, in the still cool of the morning, I quietly crept away as my downstairs neighbors slept.

This wasn't an uneventful photo shoot, however. First there was the problem of my bag bopping rhythmically against my front tire as I pedaled and visons of cracking resin tormented me. So I was forced to go very slowly until I safely crossed two busy streets and entered the park. Bop-thwish...........Bop-twhish................Bop-thwish..................

I transfered the somewhat heavy bag onto my shoulder so I could pedal freely, feel the wind tearing up my eyes, and get there already! Then there were the aggressive geese and their little chicks ominously honking and glaring at me and my whizzing wheels disturbed their peace. Then there was the fat and goofy 3-legged dog hopping after me for attention as his somewhat weird male owner staggered about trying to get him to heel. There were organizers setting up for some race-a-thon in the park as I darted between balloons and chairs and orange traffic cones.

Despite the comic beginnings, I found the perfect spot and shot about 105 frames. After an hour, I was ready to ride back home to take a shower and change for work. To my utter horror, I discovered that I had a very flat back tire. I was about a mile and a half from home and felt my stamina deflate more than that rotten tire did at the mere thought of pushing that bike home on foot! But walk I did! When I got home, I only had 20 minutes before my bus came, but all in all I think the photos were worth it! I'm tired and and very much ready for a short nap, but I hope you enjoy these new images of Belita.
--Tinooseus

The Many Faces of Hana Soah...

2006-05-12T12:24:00.000-06:00

Hana Soah

People constantly teeter at the edge of the slippery hill of BJD-dom and ask me for pictures of my dolls to see if any will cause them to fall hopelessly off of the fence. For that reason, I've decided to post all my favorite pictures of Hana Soah since her arrival in August of 2005 in one place. Enjoy!

--Tinooseus

She began life as an old orange. Impatient for the real Soah to arrive, I decided to create my own temporary BJD to try on the wigs and clothes that I had bought in eager anticipation...

...and then, she came.

Hana Soah is a beautiful doll... Thanks, Rainman!

Thoughts and Pictures From My First Doll Convention

2006-05-11T07:33:00.000-06:00

Well, I finally made it to my very first Doll Convention… not quite what I expected, and a surprising emotional and physical drain on introverted me. I learned a few important things:

Doll people can be very loud, weird, and sometimes very rude.

You need to bring more than $100 to spend at a 4-day dolly convention. A LOT more.
Winning the lottery at a Tonner Doll Convention means you get to BUY your prize.
Door Prizes are fun! Raffles are not.
“Gothic” means something different to Baby Boomers than it does to Gen X-Y-Z.
Some doll people are VERY, VERY weird.
There will always be people who outspend you by thousands and thousands of dollars when it comes to dolls.
It’s harder to party at 40 than it is at 20.
Bongie makes the PERFECT convention companion.
Next time, I should take an extra day or two off just to recuperate.
Oh, and Robert Tonner is much cuter in person than he is in his publicity photos!

First up, my convention doll Celebration, a one-time only sculpt. Tonner broke the mold after making these dolls for the Denver Convention to the great ire of collectors everywhere who could not go to the convention. This was a freebie. Some folks put them on eBay right away between $450 and $700 or thereabouts. Fools… I’m keeping mine!!

Some folks were vocally disconcerted by her gown, but I actually like it a lot. Sure, some things could be better, but overall, it's a beautiful dress and I for one am very happy to have it!

Aren't sequins purty?!

Tonner's Wilde Imagination Ellowyne Wilde doll debuted at the convention. We each got to take one home (for free). Again, seen on eBay with a Buy It Now option of “only” $1500! Again, I don't understand this because I love this doll! She's so super cool and elegant...

(This is the baby boomer definition of “gothic” by the way, and I think Tonner meant it in terms of Edward Gorey, not in terms of Marilyn Manson…Thank GOD!)

My door prize is 3rd from the right, called “Petulant Pink.” Flanking the dolls on either sides are the Chase Modeling Agency dolls, Sean was part of the centerpiece I “won” (but didn’t buy at $188!!!) and the Sydney was the companion piece. Buying those two cost significantly less so I was able to splurge after all... but it really is too bad I had to miss out on the very popular Jac and Angelina from the centerpiece.

On Sunday morning, it was the Wizard of Oz theme, and Tonner revealed a new doll in that series. We all got to take one home (for free), and she’s a strange one! I haven’t unboxed her because I’m not sure I WANT her… Other than Greenie, I don’t do Wizard of Oz! Although the Centerpiece from that morning WAS pretty cool!

The second special Convention doll was a rather strange little “We Welcome You to Munchkinland” from the Wizard of Oz. She looks like Dolly Parton (if she was a brunette) or a young Betty White. She's actually very cute, but strange, lol! She has a huge head on top of a Marley-sized body (with boobs). I notice that a lot of people are trying to sell their Munchkin doll without much luck... So, she'll be deboxed for some proper photos someday soon.

By the way, I also found that when you’re really bored at the tables because the noise level means you can’t hear a darn thing, candles are really pretty:

The desserts were fabulous, too! Here is Saturday night's treat:

And of course, no report will be complete without telling about my convention companion, Bongie, my elfdoll Tiny BJD (Bong Sun Hwa). She kept me very amused and drew the attention of quite a few curious souls in the pattern alteration class...

at the Wizard of Oz Brunch...

and at the Her Reluctant Debut Luncheon, where Bongie tried to help me eat before she...

rested her tiny little head on a rose and fell asleep.

I also managed to buy a little something for each of my girls. A retro tricycle for little Bongie:

A earring/necklace set for the BJD girls Hana Soah and LeeLee:

and a Chanel suit for the Tonner girls:

That's All, Folks!

--Tinooseus

Hana Soah Soaks up the Sun...

2006-03-18T11:16:00.000-07:00

***

Ah....there's nothing like going into the pre-spring garden at 7:15 in the morning! It was about 31 ºF and the sun had just stretched above the horizon. It was quiet, and only a few neighbors were out walking their dogs. A couple of curious people waiting at the bus stop at the corner tried to see what I was doing. The sky was blue, and the breeze still carried a reminder of Winter, but what a joyous morning it was just the same!

Hana Soah and I decided to try for an outdoor photoshoot. We were originally aiming for kind of a rock star album feel, but ended up with a mellow Pierce Pettis ambience. Oddly enough, though, it was the beautiful and ethereal melodies of Passacaille by Sylvius Leopold Weiss that filled my head as I photographed Hana.

It's funny how opposites can come together so perfectly sometimes-- Hana's Asian features and the bleached blonde curls; a silky robe over rough denim; the heavenly strains of a classical lute and the twang of an acoustic guitar; the warm sun and the icy air...

--Tinooseus

My Little Angel Hana Soah...

2006-02-16T19:40:00.000-07:00

Sometimes being single and pet-free really sucks. It will hit me hard that all I ever do for months on end is go to bed at night, sleep, get back up in the mornings, have my bowl of cereal, go to work, come home from work, go to my Jazzercise class, come back home again, have dinner, and then turn on the tv just to have some noise in my life. Often I'd go to the kitchen and clear off a corner of my table to study but other days I'm just too exhausted to do anything at all in the remaining 2 hours that I have before the cycle begins all over again.

Most evenings I go online chatting with my cyberfriends, searching for a connection. Other times I just admire the pictures on my favorite doll boards. Sometimes I just lie there on the floor and watch the evening light fade into night shadows on my living room walls, and I listen to the sound of my somewhat wheezy breath going in and out, in and out. And my soul bleeds just a little bit more.

Then there are days like today, where the predictable cycle is derailed by something out of the ordinary. I spied a package sitting in my mailbox as my bus pulled up to my stop in front of Peter's Chinese Cafe. As soon as the doors opened I bounded right off the bus, hurried over to the mailbox, and grinned from ear to ear as I touched my package, looked at the return address, and considered the weight in hand. I made myself wait until I got up the single flight of stairs to my unit before I opened it. When I did, something beautiful that I've somehow forgotten about fell out of the worn and slightly crumpled box into my expectant and hopeful hands. And even though nobody noticed, a warm light began to glow in my little corner of the universe.

Today's package came from Ted and Bill, two extremely talented men known for their exquisite white-work lace dresses. This one was for Hana Soah, my little Angel. When I put it on her, she seemed to just radiate what I was feeling-- a delighted awe and a simple, peaceful, quiet joy. Full of thanksgiving for God's love, I realized that sometimes the silence in my life is a gift.

--Tinooseus

Sewing...

2006-02-16T15:26:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been out of sorts because I don't have time to sew for my dolls anymore. The creative urges are still strong, the ideas that come to me in the middle of doing diagnostics for electronic databases (for school) and my fingers just start twitching like mad. I miss the motions of sorting through my not-so-secret stash of fabrics (textures, colors, patterns, drape) for something that is just perfect for my current mood and mindset; of cutting out patterns and marking darts; of lightly steaming partially sewn pieces of fabrics, pushing and pulling a threaded needle through fabric; of the umpteenth prick of the needle into my fingers, the ache in a neck spent bent over a machine all afternoon, the numbed butt-- I miss it all!

I miss making something that just delights my senses and my longings to recreate that little something that I saw in a magazine, on television, walking by on my lunch hour, or appearing in my nocturnal slumber. I miss the satisfaction of something coming out just right-- or the frustration of something just missing the mark in every way possible. I miss the threads and tiny scraps of fabrics trailing all through my apartment from my saggy socks and I miss those moments at work when perplexed co-workers reach out to pull a length of cut thread from my collar or hair.

I don't miss the scattered pins, or the time spent on my knees sifting through the carpet fibers looking for those blasted near-invisible miniature spears just waiting to stab and pierce the unsuspecting toe or heel a month or two from now. And I don't miss that moment when completely satiated, I look up and survey the aftermath of the horrible storm my tiny apartment sustained during the frenzy. Every button back in the button jar; every pin back on the magnetic pin cushion, all the spools of thread recaptured from underneath tables and rewound, all the tiny scraps divided into a "someday crazy quilt" pile and the circular file, all the doll-sized pattern pieces accounted for (the jeans has 11 pieces!) and replaced in their envelopes for another afternoon.

Love it and hate it-- I sorely miss sewing.

--Tinooseus

In the Mood for Love...

2006-02-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

Devon T. (aznbutterfly) made me this most amazing cheongsam! I asked for retro, he gave me absolute perfection! Quickly, I had to come up with a wig that fit the mood I was trying for. I've tried on every black and/or brown wig that I owned, made ponytails and buns and just about gave myself a headache from the grinding teeth thing. I even tried a secret trick from the drag-queens (which shall remain a secret here!)--absolutely NOTHING worked. So I went to my Jazzercise class to sweat and think, came home and stood over my stove (more sweating and thinking), answered email, ate dinner, and thought some more... I actually had an idea, but couldn't think how to go about it (and it didn't work, anyway). So I pulled out my old reject wig-- some label-less, shapeless, pitiful wig that for some reason I never got rid of....and made the perfect beehive hairstyle.

And so it all came together...cheongsam, shoes, cigarette, hair. Even the lighting was perfect-- by the time I got Amelie Soo ready for her photoshoot, it was almost 10 at night.

Listen! Can you hear the velvety and lush voice of Ella Fitzgerald singing in the background? Smell the lonely trail of smoke floating out into the night? Somewhere in the room, the sound of a tap dripping...a car goes by... a voice echoing in the street below my apartment window...

There's a saying old says that love is blind,

Still we're often told, "Seek and ye shall find."

So I'm going to seek a certain lad I've had in mind.

Looking everywhere, haven't found him yet;

He's the big affair I cannot forget.

Only man I ever think of with regret.

I'd like to add his initials to my monogram.

Tell me, where is the shepherd for this lost lamb?
There's a somebody I'm longing to see,
I hope that he turns out to be
Someone who'll watch over me.
I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood.
I know I could always be good
To one who'll watch over me.
Although he may not be the man some girls think of as handsome.

To my heart he carries the key.
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed,
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone who'll watch over me.

Someone who'll watch over me.

Happy Valentine's Day!

--Tinooseus

January's Elfdoll Photo of the Month Results...

2006-02-03T15:27:00.000-07:00

Well, ok-- I didn't win, but it was fun! The last time I was a contestant was in the November Photo of the Month, and Hana Soah won that one by a slim margin! For a whole month, I got to see my beloved doll up on the elfdoll site, and it was GREAT! This month, the winner was JKlesh with over 500 votes! Wow! That's quite a jump from my own personal best, a 204-vote finish. (Never mind my modest 48-vote win in November after I bugged all my friends, family, and coworkers to get out there and vote.) The fun thing about January's results was that a) I didn't even KNOW that my photo was selected until someone announced it on one of the BJD forums that I frequent, and b)when I scrambled over to see whose dolls were selected, there was my very own Hana Soah with 178 votes to her name. I was so awed to know that she had some fans in the BJD world! So, though this picture of Hana did not win, I just wanted to say Congratulations to JKlesh and his Joan!

--Tinooseus

Tinoose's Other World

Goodnight and Goodbye...

Snow Mountain Ranch October 9-11th

Another fabulous installment by beamlette...

Afro

Platte River Meditations

Hooting at Resin...

Quiet Contemplation

You've Got Male! HAHAHAHAHA!

The Girl in the Galliano Dress

More Movie Poster Fun!

Movie Fun

Knoxville: Summer of 1915

Lomography and Ruth!

Worth Smiling About...

HSL Annual Picnic 2008

Peaceful Deafness

Still Playing With That Light Tent...

More Late Night (or Early Morning, Heh!) Pictures

Charlotte, Gerta, and the D.A.M.

Glorydoll Lucy

Meet Gerta!

Testing an e-mail post!

Resin Meets Plastic...

The Blythe Madness

Of Kimonos and Hair!

Dollstown Tutorial

Demon-Speed Vespa Adventures

Nice Work If You Can Get It

Long Time No See: Hana Soah

Keo and All His Little Pretties...

A Perfect Spring Afternoon...

River Sounds

Love Blooms at Centennial Garden

Nature Walk Through the Denver Botanic Gardens

April 5, 2008: Simply a Nice Day...

The Reunion

Natural Light Beauty

Valera's Third Faceup...

Let Freedom Ring

Kitty and her kitties have an Office Party!

My 2nd BJD faceup....

Walking With the Ancestors...

Miss Rosie's Beautiful Spring Day...

Reflections on a Blank Head...

What a Mid-Week Vacation Day Looks Like

Asian Butterfly

I Hate Everything!

Dalphine and her Little Bunny

Don't You Know What the Night Can Do...

Dalphine Asked Ever So Sweetly...

A Girl Named Dalphine

The Very Quiet Girl

'Cause I'm a Woman...

The Return of Bubba the Cat

Ghastly St. Mina!

Oh, Quand Je Dors

Bongie-- How Do I Love Thee, Let Me Count the Ways...

Disposable Wedding Gowns?

Great New Year's Blessing!

Short Break

Shopping Two Days Before Christmas

Meet Ms Ava Moon!

In Memory of Agostino David Mastroguisseppe

A TINY'S Very Own Miniature Dollhouse

Vespa!

Snow's Only Deep Enough for a TINY!

Keo on Sunday...

Another Funny Post on the Zone of Zen...

Every Single One...

Keona Meka (Elfdoll Mir)

Blue Velvet

A Funny Post on the Zone of Zen

Cowboy's Sweetheart

Charlie and Bongie Nut

Final Installment of Storm Pictures...

A Few Intermittent Photos of the Storm

Day Two of the Blizzard of 2006...

'Twas Four Days Before Christmas...

Hana Soah and the Christmas Harp