My sister, my mother, and I drove up to San Francisco this weekend on wedding business. We hit the SF Flower market to make sure that she can get the flowers she needs for the wedding.

We also hit Britex Fabrics, four floors of fabric-y goodness. My mother used to take me to fabric stores when I was a kid, and I always loved to flip through the patterns and imagine making all the beautiful clothes within. I never did learn how to sew (or at least how to sew anything more elaborate than a pillow), but I found myself once again flipping through the patterns and imagining putting together some amazing outfit for myself.

Or more specifically I was imagining the Gothic and Lolita clothing I could make for myself. There are stores that have Gothic and Lolita clothing in my sizes, but I have this fantasy of coming up with something fun and original and just for myself (not that I have the time, really).

Part of this desire to make costume clothing was spurred by the fact that we saw two Jedi with lightsabers walking down the street, on their way (we later found out) to WonderCon.

I have never been to a con, have never cosplayed, but I have wanted to for some time. I would love to dress up as an anime character, or even just in Gothic Lolita wear, or as a favorite scifi character. It sounds fun to me, an excuse to wear costumes outside of Halloween. The thing is that I have no one to go with. Heck, forget cosplaying, I haven't found anyone to even just go to cons with. I could always go alone of course, but I'm just shy enough that I would have a hard time with that.

So, here' the question: Is there anyone in the Bay Area on my friends list who would be interested in going to some local cons this summer, and would maybe consider getting dressed up, too (or not, as I would be happy enough to just get myself to a con)?

The other question: Do you know of any web sites that I can go to in order to keep up with when cons are happening?