Week of 4/16-21 in review

Hello folks:

An another day, another week has passed at the Burkhart center. On Monday, I was obviously at home relaxing or better yet helping move two donated riding lawn mowers onto a trailer, then back home to my house near Lubbock, Texas. Tuesday back to Burkhart for another week of fun and excitement (Haha). Though if anything I worked at the Texas Tech Greenhouse transferring plants into bigger pots.  On Wednesday and Thursday, we practiced for their style show. Afterward once I was done in terms of my involvement in the show. I quickly ran back to the dressing room and changed clothes. My biggest fear was making a fool of myself in public and making the Burkhart look bad in public. Personally though for me, I enjoy working behind the scenes to make sure things go through smoothly and efficient without issue. Later that evening there was a social gathering for AAron (Student of the Burkhart center) at Barns@Noble. whom of which was there artist for the month of April along with being Autism awareness month. 

Life updates and my Experiences with the Burkheart center for Autism within the past two weeks

Well I have obviously been offline and away from here for quite some time But now i am back. Anywho to keep things simple, my first week was a bit rough since I was still getting used to how things work at the burkheart center but I am adjusting. Though with my new living quaters its a work in progress as I am still getting everything placed to my liking. This second week has been alot better as I am currently doing two internships through them,
1) Texas tech Greenhouse or the Greenhouse as they refer to it as being.
2) the Theateare next door to them (though the name I can not seem to remember)

(Just thinking about it at the moment my blogging skills are probably aweful but yet here I am still doing it.)

On a seperate note I have started up another project for myself to work on. though to be specfic its a radio under the branding Stewart Warren.  I am not particualry sure since part of the model info is a bit obscurred. Though my game plan with the unit is to keep the original casing and add two additional speakers to make it a three channel system. Then with the dial that controls the radio station give it a  new backlight and maybe if possible allow it to control what the actual station it is. while in the grand scheme of things use modern audio equiment to operate it. Lastly the old record player removed and the space where it once was converted into storage space for magizines and whatnot. But overall the original asthethic kept as i do like the cracked wood appearence.

Now might be asking how I got it, well then to put it simply it was from buying two excellent condition desks from a family in Lubbock that did not have a need for them anymore. they were asking $30USD for it but they gave it to me for free as a gift along with a collection of awesome games, two of which remain unopened .

The Overall Unit

The control box for the radio

Beauty and the Beast! Thoughts and Theory.

Hello!

So lately there has been a bit hype surrounding Disney's remake of "Beauty and the Beast" and not to spoil the movie, it is more or less a modern live action copy of the original film that was released in 1991. Though I am not saying the original was bad but for Disney's sake, they could have done better. But this post is not about my ranting on everything they did wrong but more as theory, to in a way from the research I have done to disprove the story.

To start off with the story was originally based on a french man by the name of  Petrus Gonsalvus (born in 1537). Who during his early years was treated as being a mere oddity because of the fact that he had "Hypertrichosis" or Ambras syndrome which was caused by the mutation of genes during childbirth. Though as time went on his life got somewhat better by eventually becoming a nobleman within the french court, and getting to raise a family. whom at first did not care for him but over time did see the good in him. thus with all things realized that he was nothing more than a common man. Yet different he was not a beast as the people of the time period believed him to be.

You are probably thinking how does his story disprove the one that is known? It actually doesn't as he to a degree help inspire the story that we know and love today. So at this point to me, I feel that the story itself is good for what it is but yet now I feel like the beast is deserving of some credit. In his own way based on the version created by Disney, he became what he was as the result of his selfishness by not providing a place of shelter for an enchantress. Whom at the time disguised herself as an old beggar woman.

Now you're probably thinking this has to be farfetched, well for the sake of this variant of the story we will just have to make it work since when that happened he had not yet even reached the age of 20. So most likely he was a very young man. Though in logic, I believe his turning into a beast was most likely the result of him not experiencing love from his own parents and in return, it became resentment and anger that was built up over time.

At this point what are your thoughts on this classic tale, and as always I wish you the best in life.




Further reading:

The original story
Beauty and Beast
Marriage Can Be Monstrous, or Wondrous: The Origins of “Beauty and the Beast”

Oh Life what things of thine you fairest bring!

Well hey, folks!

Life has been well difficult, to say the least as I have been in the progress of moving and hopefully making something of a decent start in life while I attend the Burkhart Center in Lubbock Texas. Though as of the past few weeks/days (however you wish to refer to them) I have had to temporarily postpone working on my costume project. in favor of getting stuff packed and whatnot. Of course, as with most moving of locations cases, I do not really think you would actually be interested in seeing the boxes of my stuff.

Anywho on another note, Progress has been made in getting stuff moved over. though with that being said I do not have wifi access so posts on here might be limited in terms of being released or unless something changes. But do at least understand this is a walk in life for me to become a self-sustaining individual in the working class world. Overall have a good day and just live life in the ways that work.

Life and its madness? Fursuit How to

Hey, folks!

Obviously, I have been inactive on the home front of this blog. But anywho life since my last post has been going ok. Making progress on the suit and what not but as of the last couple of days, I have been in the slow process of hand stitching the hand paws for my costume. Though that in itself can be a tedious process when you think about it.

On a separate note, this is from an old G+ post of mine outlining the details to create your own shoe base:

Tools & Materials
1) Electric Knife
2) Glue Gun and Glue sticks (high or low temp will work)
3) A colored sharpie or permanent marker
4) upholstery foam (can be bought at Joann's or a local craft store that carries it as I am using a 1 yard by a 5-inch high block of foam.)
5) A pair of old shoes or you can refer to one of the linked blogger posts for a way to create a shoe frame like I have done.

Method
For realistic feet especially for a US size 14 shoes, you need to measure out on the foam a 3inch distance from the base of the shoe and top of the shoe.
2) Do the same action for the sides (refer to the first below image for a general idea as the measurements are not accurate but close.)
3) Cut out the blocks you have made for the left and right foot along with the the traced sole




All of the project links as of this post:

https://thoughtsofaafricanlion.blogspot.com/2017/01/fursuit-making-guide-series.html

https://thoughtsofaafricanlion.blogspot.com/2017/02/fursuit-making-series-post-2.html

https://thoughtsofaafricanlion.blogspot.com/2017/02/life-updates.html

https://thoughtsofaafricanlion.blogspot.com/2017/02/request-for-help.html

Request For Help

So I am at the point with my fursuit project where I need help figuring it out specifically with concept or at least character art for the suit. So I'm thinking it might be best to develop a word picture of the character to help build a rough idea as to the appearance I’m looking for. Though if anything maybe if someone is reading this they might be able to help me out as it would be appreciated. Since I really don’t know what I am doing and I majorly lack drawing skills to create the concept images I need.  I know this Is a work in progress but enough at least to work with. 

Name: Robert J. Lion

Species: White (Albino) Lion

Personality: Kind, caring, respectful, wise, adventurous (Indiana Jones as an example), smart, witty, brave, strong, crafty, leader type role model.

Negatives: Byronic hero, boastful, arrogant, Autistic.

Age: Mid to late 20’s  

Weight: 250LBS

Appearance: Tall in stature about 6feet 8in. in height, typically wearing a pair of khaki shorts and a t-shirt or a full outfit with a brown leather vest, muscular yet broad shouldered with some weight to his figure but not fat. 

This information is a work in progress but at least a start for developing this character. 

Photos as of Current:

Life and thoughts towards "Attention Seekers"

To a point, I am bored today (2/11/2017), not like that is a bad thing but overall that's life for a common Saturday. If anything let this blog post be at least a discussion as I do not know if I have ever given my thoughts towards "attention seekers." Because I made a post on Tumblr discussing it. Anyway quoting my original Post on Tumblr;  "Generally speaking, I don't mind the different types of furries. But there is a point that some of them do have a tendency to act as show-offs which I greatly hate. As I find it to be annoying as such people generally are looking for attention for media glut. So if anything to me subtly is a good way to go about things as your not trying to gain success but doing in such a way that such attention is earned" With that being said I have nothing against people overall just those that act in such a way that I find annoying or disagree with.  Since some people are from my own experiences do like to gloat or just plain rude and disrespectful. 

Life updates

This post I'm going to try and keep short and sweet as being more of an in general life update. Overall since my last post life has been ok for the most part as I have been preparing to take my last and final exam for high school level British literature after I ace it then off to the world of normal life after High school. Then with a bit of help from the Burkhart Center off to the grand world of the workplace, hopefully doing something that I can enjoy and fits within my level of skills.
Though lately, I have not worked too much on the fursuit project aka "furst costume I have ever made" but I do have a general idea as to what I am wanting for the end result. Minus the fact that I seriously do not know how to draw or create the required design images but if someone who knows this area of expertise wants to help me out that would be super awesome as we might be able to work out something of an agreement in exchange.

On a separate note getting my annoying Toshiba cavio connect 2 external hard drive working is a lost cause. To the point that I have to more or less take it into a hard drive repair shop just to get my data back. So I am majorly annoyed since I spent an additional $60 just to buy another drive to repair the one that died. Overall I would recommend avoiding Toshiba branded products.

This is the general Idea I am going for, I do not own the image Image credit "The Tigres"

Fursuit making series post 2

I was originally going to do a post on the history of fursuits. But with the lack of data on the subject, that idea can no longer happen. Though if anything from what I have discovered Fursuits were originally used in Europe as part of an acting style called pantomime. Though from the documents that will be linked to this post you can read the story for yourself and devise your own thoughts on the ideas. Fursuit documents I realize this is not the most organized post ever but overall here it is.

Now since the original idea was more or less lacking in Information I have been working on the feet for this little fursuit making project series first. So, our materials list so far is:

Michaels:
4 sheets of plastic canvas $0.69 (Though for my design you will only need about 2 sheets or more depending on your shoe size.)

Sculpey $10 for an 8oz package (I bought two of them for the hand paws claws and the feet paw claws.)

Walmart:

White faux Fur at $11.44 a yard (for the feet and hand paws)

So in total $42.08 spent so far for this project.

Though another item I have yet to buy is upholstery foam for the feet paws.


As for the method, I am using a design created by Adam Riggs, and his method for foam feet in his book: "Critter Costuming: Making Mascots and Fabricating Fursuits." Though from my case I am using a frame then doing the foam on top of it. Then forming and sculpting the foam. But so far this is what I have accomplished.

As you can more or less tell I am not using common methods as being for a first-time suit. I do not want it to be a budget intensive project especially since I have US size 14 shoes. Though if anything the common method would have been to use a pair of old shoes then make the foot paws off of that using foam. But luckily I do have such a pair of shoes, so I will probably do them in that method for the next set of them.   At this point, all the feet need is foam then making the fur pattern and lastly putting it together. After it gets completed I'll move on to the hand paws as I do have a budget friendly idea that might work but I'll need faux leather from hobby lobby. Though if anything we are making progress. Plus I would recommend that when you get frustrated to take breaks every now and then to calm down if you get frustrated.

Eassy on Same-Sex Marriages

Same-sex Marriage a Business View

In today's society, the idea of same-sex marriages is in a way seen as being two-sided. Even in Roman times, it was considered a social normality and was highly opposed to the early Christian faith. The moral standards of today seem to be going in the same direction as what history shows. One of the questions that is new to the modern age; should Business owners and religious organizations have the right to choose if they want to provide services to same-sex marriages?

The idea of same-sex marriage is a topic that to some would be considered controversial as well as interesting because some people and countries are against it while others see it as being, "No big deal." To fully understand the idea of same-sex marriage, one would have to look at the earliest known accounts of such activities. (

"Evidence exists that same-sex marriages were tolerated in parts of Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt. None of the written laws of Mesopotamia, including the Code of Hammurabi, contain restrictions against same-sex unions despite the fact that marriages are otherwise well regulated.” (RandomHistory.com)

Early accounts of such an event occurred during the Roman Empire when the child emperor "Elagabalus" married his "chariot driver, a blond slave from Caria named Hierocles." Moreover, there is further possible evidence and theories claiming that ancient Greece fell as a result of homosexuality. (Greggle)

In other accounts, the famous emperor Nero had been doing such things in his lifetime. “The Romans may have accorded some same-sex unions the legal or cultural status of marriage.” (Eskridge) However, even then, the early history of Mesopotamia and in the days of the Roman Empire, many of the legal problems of the era existed even to the modern day.  In current light, this idea is still being challenged. We must ask, what legal rights these unions have access to and how restrictive are today's laws towards a business owner’s rights to serve or not to serve the homosexual population seeking marriage services?

To understand the social, moral, and economic problems associated with this known issue, one would need to study both the positive and negative concerns that occur in business dealings. With traditional marriages declining, serving same-sex couples creates more business and allows a business to earn a greater amount of revenue. Same-sex weddings add 25 billion dollars to local economies. (Marcin) Also by serving people of this type, companies can make up for losses in other areas. For example companies like Chick-Fila-A, who do not support same-sex marriages feel that it has no effect on their business because they see it as being a political agenda, as the company is privately held and family-owned with a strong focus on customer service. They also support education, various nonprofit organizations, and they are considerate of their employees. In total, even though the company may not support such ideas it has not set back their business because it is a matter of choice when it comes to the customer. (Chandler)

In one case in New Orleans, a Family Dollar employee harassed a client as a result of the fact that they were gay and thus refused to give them service.  Even though the employee had the sincere belief that she had the right to her actions, corporate put the incident under investigation. (Deberry) With the companies ruling, she may be transferred to a different position or even fired. As an additional result, a business could come under scrutiny for their discriminatory practices and therefore lose companies and the goodwill of the community.

In another case, business is known as "Caro's Cakes and Catering" refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. As a result, this led to a negative view of the businesses Facebook page even though according to the law in Louisiana a small business reserves the right to refuse service based on personal belief. However, in New Orleans and Shreveport and business is required to provide service and the ordinances have yet to be tried in court for counstitonality. Moreover, legislation has been introduced to allow small businesses to have a choice in such matters based on religious belief. (O'Donoghue)

      In a perfect world the customer aka individual can be effected in one of two ways:

1) If a business were not to serve a LGBT customer, it could be counted as being discrimination, on the other hand, the person could instead go to a different company that does or is willing to serve them. Like with the case of the Family Dollar employee, to a degree, her actions can be considered as understandable as she was backing her belief even if it did not line up with what the company wanted. The fight that occurred at the establishment could have been entirely avoided since the customer could have got what they needed at a different store.

2) In another case, this can also be counted as being a two direction discrimination act because not only is the customer being discriminated against, so is the business if it is on religious ground.  With this being said, it all comes down to a choice because no matter what the case may be, customers and businesses would face discrimination.

       In today's society, many companies are being attacked in a legal sense versus being given the right to choose.  In one way the government is overstepping its control in telling businesses how to operate. While in another example, the business is being discriminated against and forced to do as the government wishes.

In conclusion, it goes to show that we as humans are repeating history because the very problems faced in the past are the same as what we have today. How much influence should the government have in enforcing rules towards the small independent business owners when it involves ambiguous and unmeasurable beliefs in the public eye?

Works Cited.

Chandler, Diana. "Chick-fil-A to New York: 'no Political Agenda'" Baptist Press. Babtist Press, 10 May       2016. Web. 25 May 2016.

DeBerry, Jarvis, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune. "Who Knew Family Dollar Cashiers Had the Power to         Deny Gay Customers?" NOLA.com. NOLA, 26 Apr. 2016. Web. 25 May 2016.

Eskridge, William N. (Oct 1993). "A History of Same-Sex Marriage". Virginia Law Review 79 (7). The Romans may have accorded some same-sex unions the legal or cultural status of marriage.

Greggle, Laura. "Same-Sex Marriage in History: What the Supreme Court Missed." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 5 May 2015. Web. 25 May 2016.  < http://www.livescience.com/50725-same-sex-marriage-history.html>

Marcin, Tim. "Gay Wedding Economic Impact: Wedding Industry Embraces LGBT Ceremonies Amid 'Anti-LGBT' Laws." Gay Wedding Economic Impact: Wedding Industry Embraces LGBT Ceremonies Amid 'Anti-LGBT' Laws. International Business Times, 08 Apr. 2015. Web. 16 June 2016.

O'Donoghue, Julia. "Can a Same-sex Couple Be Declined Service by a Business in Louisiana? Yes, They Can." Can a Same-sex Couple Be Declined Service by a Business in Louisiana? Yes, They Can. The Times-Picayune, 04 Aug. 2015. Web. 16 June 2016.

"Same-Sex Unions throughout Time: A History of Gay Marriage." Insert Name of Site in Italics. N.p., n.d.  Web. 24 May. 2016 <http://www.randomhistory.com/history-of-gay-marriage.html>.

Dr. Jekyll script

Setting: The scene starts with a common 18^th century style bedroom where a servant who once worked for a Dr. David J. Jekyll is sitting by the bedside of his/her grandchildren in a very homely like fashion with a slight yet not thunderous drizzle of rain falling to the ground.  As the telling of tale progresses the scene shifts to that of the lab where Dr. Jekyll is working on his latest experiment and the dialogue transitions from the narrator to Dr. Jekyll which is located at another point on the stage. Where the lighting has since then changed focus.

Characters:

Dr. David J. Jekyll; Scientists bent on the idea that man is made of two sides and devises a way to prove this theory using chemicals. Is considered by some a recluse but does have a social life away from his home.

            Edward P. Hyde: Evil counter part of Dr. Jekyll and came as a result of his experiment.

Lab Assistant: Employee of Dr. Jekyll whom works with him and provides assistance when required but generally is in the role of a butler.

Dr. Robert Layton: Friend of Dr. Jekyll but no longer is as a result of a disagreement on scientific matters.

Robert J. Poole: Retried employee of Dr. Jekyll whom was the butler while in his service.

 Grandchildren:  A boy and a girl whom of which are roughly the age of 7 and 8, and related to the since retired servant.

Scene 1

Setting: A medium sized 18^th century style bedroom where rain drizzling down outside the bedroom window occasionally picking up speed and then calming down. The speed of the wind changes with each passing minute of the night.

Children: {Still awake and full of energy but are in the bed as it is bed time} Grandpa Poole, what was it like working for Dr. .Jekyll and that time he created Mr. Hyde? (They calm down a bit, but are still full of energy getting settled into the bed}

Poole: Now! Now! Settle down children as I will tell you that ever so unusual tale of tales. {The grandkids finally get settled in bed awaiting to hear the story) It all started on that faithful day when a friend of Dr. Jekyll’s, a Dr. Robert Lanyon I believe his name was were having a discussion on his theory that man has two parts a good and bad side…. [The lighting/scene shift to a different area of the stage where the two doctors can be seen in what looks like a common room having a discussion} They were good friends for the longest of time but as a result of their discussion their relationship changed.

Dr. Lanyon: Jekyll, the shear idea of what you have proposed is utterly crazy and preposterous. It is just not cricket or even an idea worth considering for scientific study. Use your talents for something useful.

Dr. Jekyll: Lanyon I believe it is possible and though the use of the right chemicals, {speaking in a strong defensive voice} Man can split itself into two parts. Like I have mentioned already:  “Man has two sides, good and bad,” by doing it would allow for the development of what some might consider to be a perfect person. I for one believe that such a drug could be made! Say what you will but in due time I will surely prove you wrong!

Dr. Lanyon: think what you will but don’t come crawling back to me when you realize that your research was a waste of time. Especially when there are better things you can spend your time developing or better yet doing for king and country! {Lanyon storms out of the house with a bit of an annoyed expression knowing in his mind that such frivolous ideas as mentioned by Dr. Jekyll were crazy.}

{Scene shifts back to the children and their grandfather for a few moments}

Poole: A few weeks later Mr. Jekyll finally came close to proving Dr. Lanyon wrong. By making the discovery that would turn him into Edward J. Hyde! Thus beginning the fantastic mystery that was soon to come. {Speaking in a mysterious tone of voice as to keep the children interested in the story]

[The children listen quietly wondering as to what is yet to come. The scene changes to lab environment to where the audience finds Dr. Jekyll is working on his split personality formula and is about ready to test it for the first time.]

Dr. Jekyll: HAHA I believe I have finally determined the formula I need to finally remove my bad side of my personality for good. {With trembling hands and the flask at the ready consumes the yellowish colored liquid, turning an unusual pinkish color. Falling down below the table with noises indicating a change is occurring, slowly rising up Jekyll has transformed into Mr. Hyde.]

Hyde: It seem as though I have finally been released from my prison. But what if someone sees what I have become? {He quickly drinks the antidote and same action as previously mentioned occurs.}

Jekyll: But I first should at least inform the staff of my evil half’s coming as he shall be known as Edward J. Hyde!  [He leaves the room and informs the staff about Mr. Hyde.}

End of scene 1

Thoughts on the Current State of Society

I do not know what the problem is lately with society, in particular with the furry fandom for example. But I am noticing lately that many people seem to just be out for themselves instead of showing a willingness to help others. Because to me, I would rather be around people who would do show some level of consideration and respect for how I feel and my personal feelings. Helping me out when I need help, or providing that tool that allows me to finish working on a project.

Society In a way has gotten to be what some or anyone would more or less consider being corrupt. As there are good people in the world worth doing business with, but still even the best of them are jerks in some way or another even some popufurs for example. But something I think people should realize is that we are all equal and no better than anyone else. Thus by natural law, we would not be allowed to judge another person because we do not agree with them as we are equally guilty. To a point with the Internet today there needs to an international standard that holds everyone accountable for their actions and wrong doings. If you do something that violates those general rules, then there is a price to pay for those activities. Simply put, act as though you were talking to another person in actual life, as we all see the world differently and in our own ways. The thing about negativity is you have to have it to build upon the good as you can choose to accept or reject the given information but either way you can not deny the truths presented within.

Overall you as individual reading this post can not deny the fact that "Life is not something to just take lightly, but instead use it as an opportunity to build and grow and develop your own life for the better!"

Fursuit making guide series.

           Now to some this idea may seem to be a bit crazy but I also understand your concerns as well. As of course there is not any secrets to making a fursuit but this is a question that many people who would like to make a costume of this sort would like to know how to do. As with this series hopefully it will answer any questions you might have and make this process a bit easier to understand.
      With that being said I would like to take the opportunity to produce such a product myself. Now in the process I would explain all aspects of the process to provide a through explanation, all the way from making basic hand paws down to the head itself. As i believe with the right amount of research and knowledge anyone could if willing make a good quality product.

Before going any further lets determine our game plan:

1) For the sake of resources we will be making a Albino white Lion partial. which will include one set of hand paws, feet paws, and of course the head.

2) Determining the costs aka the price of materials and tools required for this project.

3) Design, getting measurements, making patterns, and research.

4) Producing the costume itself, if anything and if we are lucky the partial can be made within the time frame of a month but we may never know until we actually do it.

    Through the course of this series the project may take a different direction but do not be alarmed as it is a normal, changes will happen. Plus if anything I would totally recommend to take it slow and steady as this guide is meant to be a very useful help tool, that explains what actually goes into making a fursuit partial, or even a full suit. On the next post I will explain the history of such a costume.
Lastly as a final note I have never made a fursuit before but in the process of this series to those of you read it will be learning process for both of us. But I would recommend that you would at least have some knowledge of sewing and a machine that is able to handle to working with faux furs and a few other materials.  

New Year's resolutions/Goals

Hello Everyone 

Well, folks, we are four days into 2017! Now, I figure many of you have chosen a few resolutions that you are planning on working on in this Year. Unlike my usual posts lets have ourselves a discussion! I do not usually make resolutions since I know they can be easily broken. But with that in mind, I would like to refer to them as being goals or things I can work on to become a better person a few of which are as follows:

1) Be Less of a Know it all

2) Learn to not be so defensive/offensive towards criticism.

3) Be Less controlling of the African Lion Species and let everyone have their say about them.

4) Act in a more considerate manner to show people how much I deeply care about something without being rude or disrespectful.  

With these ideas in mind, I do ask for your help in improving myself and keeping me in line for these goals to be reached. Now then with the discussion: "What are your Goals for the Year and how do you plan on making them happen or meeting them?"

Have a great day and I am curious to hear your thoughts and ideas.

Christmas Holidays Experiences

Hey, everyone!

Over the Christmas Holidays, I did not really do much of anything except spend time with my family. But on Christmas eve I went to a church service that to an extent was done by a Baptist church in mid-downtown Houston Texas. The church itself was nice as can be. Very much like an old church from the middle ages but a bit more modern. Going on to the service it was very nice but from my experience, it seemed as though they were acting more like a catholic church than baptist. Which to me, I felt like they were putting on the entire service as a show since they did have a good choir and orchestra. But there were times when the percussion section did drown out the rest of the group. While the choir could be heard without an issue.
 Later that week on the 26th of December 2015 I went to a festival called "Magical Winter Lights" at the Gulf Grey Hound Park in La Marque, Texas. With the cost of admission and parking, it was $25 in total.  For a one time visit event it's not too bad of a price jut to see the lantern sculptures but if you wanted to take part in the carnival aspect then that would be a different story with another $20 fee just for the unlimited ride armband.
During the event, there was these Chinese acrobatic show produced by the "Sichuan Zigong Acrobatic Troupe" that was oddly enough quite amazing and well put together. In the process of my visit to the event, I happened to actually record the entire 31-minute show and a bit of what I saw of the lantern sculptures. Now I do apologize for the shakiness as I was using my selfie stick to balance my action camera. I also realize that the video quality may be utter crap but I was working with the best I had on hand at the time. When watching the Acrobatic show part there was a brief moment where the stage lighting was very bright and distorted the video, hopefully, it's not too bad. In the process of editing this video, Youtube had a fit with copyright.

Now at this point, All I have to say is enjoy the show and Have an epic day.

 The song to the right of this section of was in the  Acrobatic show as it comes from a band in Japan  called "SMAP." Just a little tidbit I'd share with you for fans of Japanese culture.












Magical Winter Lights Promo Video created by the event creators
The Event's official Site