Carol With A Pickaxe

“Hearts ablaze, banners high, we go marching into battle unafraid although the danger’s just increased.” #killthebeast

Sneak peek from next week’s episode and yay #CarolWithAStreetSign!! And I’m really relieved that that was my first thought and the excitement that I’m clinging to. Because the cosplayer in me had a second thought and that was- oh great, ANOTHER jacket to buy that just looks the SAME. And confession: it really bothers me that everyone looks the same this season. I feel like the character’s wardrobes used to tell a story and represent their own personal journeys and transformations. But this season they are all literally wearing THE SAME THING! And I want to believe that there’s some deeper meaning behind the costume choices- like the ugly blue/gray tones represent this bleak Negan condemned world that they live in now rather than hilighting the fact that they’ve been shoving down our throats this whole time– that Rick could be the villain and no one is better than the next person. Anyway, the same wardrobe for every character no matter what community they’re from does not sit well with me and I really miss the days when I could not wait until the next build and the feeling that I could not wait to portray this look through my own art. So when I inevitably cosplay this build (because I’m way too invested in this character who has taken over my soul and the stubborn in me knows I’ve spent way too much time, money, energy, and heart in acquiring everything this woman owns for my own personal obsessive needs so why would I stop now) it will be because Carol is still that badass character who makes me giddy with pride that she can beat up a walker with a freaking street sign, not because I’m impressed with what she’s wearing. All I know is, if they take my Great American Dream Tobin out of his lovely red, white, and blue flannel clothes to put him in an ugly denim shirt I will not only riot, I will go to Georgia and redress all my poor babies myself. Rant over.

Today is 2 years since I met my hero for the first time. Anyone who knows me knows how much this woman means to me. Most people only get to see their favorite actor on tv. I am blessed to have been able to talk to her. Thank you Walker Stalker Con for all the hard work you do to bring our favorite celebrities to us fans. And thank you Melissa for coming out and sharing your smiles, your heart, and your words of wisdom. 💕💕✨💖✨💕💕

As much as I get frustrated looking for Tobin flannels, I do enjoy the general common theme of subtle variations of red, white, and blue. I love how his wardrobe represents the American Dream-- that all men have an equal opportunity to work hard to pursue a better life. And really, what better character is there to portray this ideal on a show about the zombie apocalypse??

Been absent from tumblr for a little awhile, but I certainly haven't been absent from cosplay! This started out as a goofy thing of me posting a pic wearing one of my husband's Tobin cosplays that I made for him ("fine, if husband won't wear this, then I will!") as a way of dealing with my disappointment of finding out last minute that he couldn't attend a con with me. Through a series of circumstances and conversations with friends this has become an actual thing, and something that I'm really excited about! Here's some progress pics so far. #teamtobina

I made a thing. Still have to dirty it up a bit, but after 20 hours spent with it I'm pretty happy. ⛏🌸

Many thanks to John Broglia for making my dreams of being a walking dead cover girl come true!!