Woof! New school year! That means we’re back to the grind, back to leading cub scouts, and (unfortunately) our CEO is forcing us back to the office. I’ve been going in one day a week for the last year, but they decided to decrease morale further (I know you thought that wasn’t possible) by sending us back 4 days a week. Luckily (?) my office doesn’t have enough space for us to go back 4 days a week so we are there 2 days a week. Unluckily we have very crowded workspaces consisting of rows of desks with no privacy or sound control. When your whole team is on different calls (regular occurrence for my team who all work on different programs) it’s rather annoying. On top of that I found out one of the managers in the building is reserving one of the best windowed conference rooms (of which there are not many) all day long to use as his personal office. As you can tell I’m really delighted about RTO.
Okay enough complaining! Get ready to hear what I’m pumped about! It’s September! And I know it’s not officially the equinox yet… it’s basically FALL! The leaves have already started to turn… and it hasn’t started getting really cold, but there is a hint of chill in the air. It’s perfect outdoor activity weather! I fixed up the bike trailer again (mice ate thru the canvas top I made) so Patricia has been asking me to bike to her school! It’s really not that far away. Only 3.3 miles. Honestly though, after I dropped Patricia off and biked back home I felt like a God. That’s probably endorphins speaking? Whatever it was I liked it! Maybe if I start practicing more Amy and I can do another triathalon…
Wait I still didn’t come to the best part! Halloween costumes! Patricia and Julius decided on something that meshes well enough to do as a family costume. I’m pretty darn excited. I can’t reveal that yet though. Our neighbors up the street already have their crazy Halloween setup out though… and this week it has a giant Cthulhu. Patricia saw him and described him as “a guy with a beard made of octopus arms”. I thought this was the most apt description of the elder god I’ve heard. I’ll give you a treat (loaf of sourdough bread? sourdough bagels?) if you can tell me what you think our Halloween costumes are this year.
This reminds me that I told you how I made the kids’ costumes… but I never told you about how I made Will and my costumes!
Will went as Duke Leto Atreides and I thought his beard was perfect! Let me tell you how I made his costume!
Duke Leto Atreides Costume
The costume started out with a regular suit jacket I bought from the thrift store (for $6!) I turned up the collar (I made sure to get one that was black on both sides) and turned out the lapels. This alone made it look just like Duke Leto’s suit from the movie.
Next I created the badges on Leto’s uniform using sculpey. I drew onto paper what I wanted them to look like then carved them out and baked them.
Afterwards I painted them gold with gold leaf.
Finally I affixed pin backs to them.
I do regret using sculpey because while they looked beautiful, structurally they were not sound. I think all of them broke after a few times wearing them.
I next removed the buttons, folded the left hand side lapel under, ironed it flat and then blind stitched it so that it would stay flat.
I added hook and eyelets to hold the jacket closed.
Lastly I bought a bunch of thrifted gold chains from the thrift shop, took them apart and then stitched them to the shoulder.
Paired with suit pants and black shoes Will looks damn fine.
