Random crap with Uno.

[Unorthodox]

We're up against code for a basement entry everywhere but the side opposite the garage.  And THERE it would create numerous issues with both drainage and Halloween.  We didn't want to move to bigger property as we're playing the long game here, and didn't want a yard that would eventually outpace my ability to maintain. 

[Spacy]

Ya, code can suck like that sometimes.

[Bearu]

The city codes can create a hindrance on the ideas of remodeling homeowners.

[Unorthodox]

Impressive number of bumblebees and long legged flies on the milkweed last week.  I really need to track down my other camera, the cell phone is hardly adequate for this. 

[Unorthodox]

The neighbor watched me taking pictures.  I'm standing up in the middle of the milkweed, reaching up inches, or less, from the bumble bees, more buzzing around me, just to get some pics. 

"Don't they freak you out with all that buzzing?" 

To demonstrate my coming point, I reach out and pet one down it's back with a finger. 
"These guys are just big ole babies.  They aren't going to hurt anyone." 

Bumblebees are one of the few things capable that have NEVER stung me. 

[Buster's Uncle]

Their sting really isn't too bad, either...

[Dale]

Big suckers!  We don't have bumble bees, just the normal small honey bees.

Everything else we have just wants to kill you.

[Unorthodox]

Google tells me there's 1500 species of native Australian bees, so you definitely have more than honey bees.

Of agricultural importance, the "blue banded bee" seems to have a niche similar to Mason Bees here in the States. 

But no bumblebees, which actually surprises me. 

Learn something every day. 

Bumblebee distribution. 




Edit:  If I ever make it to Australia, I want to go out and get me a jack jumper ant farm.   

[Unorthodox]

"Had some underwriters quit and it's all backed up"...

Alright, it's time to preserve my sanity and move on to something I CAN control. 

How do we fix this costume?  For something I started Mid-October last year, it was shockingly well done, and an awful lot of fun reactions.  I would consider wearing it to the festival in July if I get this all fixed up. 




First off, the mask. 

Not a terribly LOT needs to be done there.  But trimming up the undercloth is a must.  There's a couple holes to fill in as well. 



The rest needs a total overhaul.  (since it was literally put together day of Halloween and meant to be temporary, that's not a shock)

First, the fur has to go.  Not only is it too hot, but it clashes with the moss beard.  Looking over inspirations and options how best to do this, I'm thinking a form of ghillie suit/ghillie net is the way to go.  I can dement the hell out of it by tying on feathers and bones with the 'camo'.  Still toying with best possible color combos. 

This especially appeals as it's a multipurpose 'costume' I've wanted to do for a while anyway. 

[Spacy]

Change the furs to an open armed vest?

If you have time (and patience and a bit of extra cash) do henna on the arms to fake in some celtic tattoo's.

Pants should be more kilt like (keeping the celtic theme - which is what I associate the Green Man with, even though it is more cosmopolitan than celtic in origin).

Or, were you more trying to be Cernunnos (horned god / boatman) instead of just Green Man?  If so, and if I remember my latin art correct, didn't he have torques on his horns, which were more antler like as opposed to bovine like?  I remember them because there was a big discussion we had that basically amounted to even though he should be a wild animal, he was proven to not be so because he had the torques and thus was either human (jewelry) or at least he had been domesticated enough to have ornamentation.

[Unorthodox]

Or, were you more trying to be Cernunnos (horned god / boatman) instead of just Green Man?

Somewhere between the two, though both played part of inspiration as well as other things.  Most especially my overall thoughts of the plants animating and taking over we have going on in the yard as a whole.  Thus the moss on the arms, which could be done better if I had more time (or someone that could apply them to me instead of trying to do it solo)
 
Literally, I just wanted a male counterpart to Talia's costume.



The locals are so bereft of wider religious/mythological knowledge that they were completely baffled and couldn't even pull green man or horned one from it, which amuses me as well.

Henna don't show up dark enough on me.  I'd have to go get tats airbrushed.  The summer festival is put on by a tattoo parlor, so it's doable, but time and money, and potential issues at work. 

I actually have the pants on under a black kiltish thing.  I can get that illusion better with the ghillie net used for the kilt. 

[Buster's Uncle]

Ditch the t-shirt, of course.  Your forearms look like the rest might be reasonably buff...

[Unorthodox]

Ditch the t-shirt, of course.  Your forearms look like the rest might be reasonably buff...

It was what I had at the time.  I started the mask Oct 14, the rest of it was day of whatever I could find.  However, the resulting complete farmer's tan of removing sleeves wouldn't be particularly helpful either.  We do need to blend the edge there, at the very least so it doesn't LOOK like a T. 


Edit:  Also of possible concern.  It's not uncommon to be sub-zero on Halloween.  Those furs have kept me warm many years.  Ditching them could get interesting.  I don't run barefoot anymore due to the bridge and potential foot hazards, though.  I considered going shorts under the skirt and barefoot.  It fits better, but was impractical. 

Same would be said of the summer festival.  Barefoot in 100 degree possible temps on blacktop isn't practical.  I could DO it, I just doubt I'd come away unscathed. 

[Buster's Uncle]

The henna designs or whatever might cover the farmer's tan - and sleeveless would look more Celtic, to the extent you wanted to work that sort of thing into the look.

-I'd say be thinking about what you can do with fur-optional according to conditions.  I speak as a former full-time rennie who had to work all day in all sorts of outdoor conditions, almost never nice ones...

[Dale]

Google tells me there's 1500 species of native Australian bees, so you definitely have more than honey bees.

 

Edit:  If I ever make it to Australia, I want to go out and get me a jack jumper ant farm.   

Those things aren't funny.