Secret Love

Most people say they can read me like an open book.
That mostly makes me sad because I'd like to believe that I'm somewhat complex. (Laughs)
Anyways, I have this really awesome secret love. I've had this secret love since I was a little girl; wearing jean shorts and over-sized anime print shirts.
When I was thirteen, I was introduced into the world of comic books. Oh gosh, I loved comic books. I loved all sortsss of comic books. As long as it was a graphic novel of some sort, I was throwing my nickles and quarters down to purchase a ten dollar book I would read in one day.
Anyhow, this love bloomed through the years. (I was interested in writing beforehand but) I started writing my own comic books, drawing my own characters, watching anime/cartoons day in and day out. It was an obsession. High school can be so cruel though because when I had a disgustingly large, monstrous crush on my best friend's boyfriend; I decided that comics, anime, and manga were no longer cool.
Basically, I grew out of it.
But not really.
I've always had a bit of a soft spot for anime and manga. I like to believe it's like a nostalgia thing. Like, Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z. 90's kids grew up on that stuff.
 My love might be a gimme though since I've attended the anime expo since 2005...? I think? Yeah that sounds about right.
AND every year, I love watching people cosplay. Which is my secret love.

Cosplay.

Siiiggh... Something about the time and effort people put into making these amazing costumes is so neat. I stalk cosplayers online all the time. It's starting to become unhealthy. So! My goal for this years anime expo coming up in July of 2012, (Gotta start planning early! Hellooo!) is to actually cosplay with both the amateur and big kids this year.
My good friend Brent and I are coming up with some really good ideas. I will admit though, they're just good. We want something great! But not so complex because we suck at sewing. (Also on my list of things to do this year.)
So far we've got these ideas going for us:

Lina Inverse and Gourry from Slayers!
I love these two. They're so cute and funny.
The only problem with this cosplay is that Brent, my dearest gayest, guy friend will not wear a blond wig. Or any wig for that matter. And we could not pull off this cosplay if he didn't wear a wig. He's a Pacific Islander, European, Japanese mix. He has dark hair.



So we move on.

Nurse Joy (Or Misty) and Ash Ketchum from Pokemon!
Simple and effective. Probably the best choice for our first cosplay. I just don't know if I (me personally) will pull off these characters as well. (Laughs) We'll see.




Lastly!

The two main characters from Grenadier!
We both really like the characters. My boobs aren't near big enough to fill the female role. But Brent likes that he wont have to wear a wig. The only problem is that we haven't watched more than like...2 episodes. I don't know. I always feel like part of cosplaying is knowing the characters at least somewhat.







Anyhow, this is just my little bit of sharing of my secret and my secret plans. Is is not considered a secret now? (Laughs)
What do you think? 1, 2, or 3? Or is there another anime/manga you could recommend? And what about actually watching the anime? Should you before you cosplay or is a naw, go get 'em tiger! Who cares?

Thanks y'all!
-Kristen