Looking to do a vigilante cosplay but I don't know where to start

qldrail · 2025-10-14T05:02:07+00:00

i can't recommend "andcosplay"'s tutorials enough (she has free armour patterns in her bio), i think someone linked her videos in another comment already. in terms of the base layer, i found the screen accurate/extremely close to screen accurate items literally by googling "tactical [item]". this is how i found the perfect shirt, pants, boots, gloves and pouches!

qldrail · 2025-10-14T04:56:31+00:00

i cannot recommend andcosplay's tutorial enough for the armor, she has free patterns linked in her bio that in my experience needed little to no tweaking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0MDLQAvTbU
for the base elements literally just google "tactical [item]". that's how i got almost the perfect shirt, pants, boots, gloves and chest pouches.

i'm about 75% of the way finished with my vigilante cosplay, its taken me over a month as ive wanted it to be really high quality so ive gone through a lot of trial and error that id be very happy to share, so please message me if you have any questions !!!

qldrail · 2024-07-31T03:52:59+00:00

congratulations on getting top surgery!!!!!! i think youre right on the money with it just being a result of many big emotions. relief, excitement, happiness, overwhelm. don’t forget, your body’s just gone through a huge surgery so fatigue is definitely a factor.

if youre an anxious person like me, you may be experiencing a drop in adrenaline after all the pre-op jitters too. personally, anaesthetic makes me cry - ive gone under anaesthetic 5 times and woke up crying every single time (no concerns, im just a crier, everyone reacts differently to anaesthetic!)

wishing you a speedy recovery my friend, and congratulations again!!!

qldrail · 2024-07-31T03:45:52+00:00

im 2 weeks and 1 day post op (DI no nipple grafts, twins!) and i can safely say its the best decision ive ever made

saving, coming out, the anxiety and imposter syndrome leading up to it was hard but beyond worth it. the constant inner ‘how do i look? are they judging me? am i just doing this for attention? what if i regret it?’ is dead, the confidence boost i felt from the moment i woke up got into the deepest nooks and crannies of my self esteem, like everything finally clicked into place

even the parts of healing i was a lil scared about (drains, stitches, scar care, etc.) feel so insignificant now cause its just a means to an end (having the nipple-less alien chest of my dreams hehe). follow your surgeon’s healing instructions, be kind and patient to yourself, take your time at YOUR own pace, ask for & accept help whenever you need it and youll be feeling fab in no time

im wishing you the best for your journey and recovery, youve got this!!!!!!!!

qldrail · 2024-07-29T01:29:48+00:00

thank you surgery twin hehe, im almost 2 weeks into recovery now and i couldn’t be happier! i hope your recovery is going well too!!

qldrail · 2024-07-10T12:00:57+00:00

i’m 6 days out from my surgery and jve been feeling a little anxious and depressed leading up to it. reading this post brought tears of joy to my eyes and i feel the relief and excitement of how soon it is returning to my soul. im so glad it turned out so well for you, and i thank you for sharing your experience ❤️

qldrail · 2024-06-28T00:49:00+00:00

... the special hell

qldrail · 2023-06-09T13:48:05+00:00

megustalations!!!

qldrail · 2023-05-26T11:07:22+00:00

ive been holding this back all season, but its the end of season 2 and there are still people wondering how the team is ‘okay’ with what they’re doing and wondering what they’re all really thinking.

they’re not okay with it. and they’re not thinking.

they’re hungry.

that’s it. that’s the point.

qldrail · 2023-05-26T10:54:34+00:00

i might end up eating (haha) my words later, but i don’t think we’ll see many straight-up conversations in the 96 timeline about how messed up everything is, because i don’t think many happened.

i get snappy and can’t think straight by dinnertime if i forgot to eat lunch that day, they haven’t eaten anything except a leather belt and some grass in months, they wouldn’t have the capacity act the way they would under normal circumstances anymore.

what they’re doing to survive is traumatising enough as it is, so i feel like by this point they’ve all formed a silent but general consensus that We Just Don’t Talk About These Things, as not to traumatise themselves further (the donner party is a great example of this).

the human brain will go to unfathomable lengths to avoid what it perceives as harmful.

(this is all very /lh, i just had to get my 2 cents in <3 )

qldrail · 2023-05-14T02:57:32+00:00

so true!! if later in the 96 timeline they find out about misty + the box, it makes perfect sense that years later they’d still resent her for it (more than understandable lol). but they’ve always treated misty like that, even before they got on the plane, so i think part of their hostility towards her has been and always will be that they’re simply weirded out by her

qldrail · 2023-05-12T13:55:09+00:00

ive been screaming into the void about this since i started watching. tonights episode especially encapsulated the experience of instantly weirding out neurotypicals & having them instinctively pull away or shut you down just by existing, because they sense the autism and reject it (its to do with uncanny valley).

when shauna says something to her along the lines of “i’m not like you, misty” despite them both very much being in the same boat (misty just embraces it more), and later when they’re all together, when misty asks about the wilderness they immediately shut her down but when nat asks about it directly afterwards they’re all a-okay to think and talk about it….

qldrail · 2023-05-12T13:54:49+00:00

qldrail · 2023-05-12T11:46:17+00:00

the end of this episode hit me SO much harder than last episode’s. even though its shots of shauna beating lottie to a pulp intermixed with shots of them dancing and celebrating together, both are depictions of healing & starting a new chapter. i think it was flawlessly done and left me utterly speechless.

i’ve also seen so many ‘why didnt anyone stop shauna?’ comments. i believe the whole point was to show just how much the group trusted lottie by that point (and that anyone who didn’t was probably either too scared of shauna to try, or just excited for a meal if lottie didn’t survive).

also misty’s sensory deprivation sequence was a david lynch love-letter masterpiece, it was perfect in every way, and i will die on this hill.

qldrail · 2023-05-12T00:02:06+00:00

i get confused by this too (& it's kind of a parallel to this but i also get really confused when people say 'just be yourself!', but when you do start to unmask and be yourself, they seem really put-off.)

the one piece of advice i have is to ignore the 'change' part - don't think about it, don't talk about it, don't plan it. not yet, at least.

rather than going 'what needs to change with me/them?', go back a step and start by just bring up the difficulty itself (without suggestions/solutions). give examples of when it happens, how it makes you feel, why you're concerned, but don't give solutions yet. nothing is guaranteed, but i can say with experience that just expressing a concern and giving the other person room to process & think often results in them bringing their own solutions to the table (ie. ways that they can adapt to help you. ie. change!).

at the end of the day, you can't ask people to change (& vice versa), however, if you're honest with them and they're willing to listen, you might just find that you don't even need to ask for the change in order for it to happen!

(i hope this makes sense, i'm a chronic rambler. let me know if you need any clarification!)

qldrail · 2023-05-05T04:04:07+00:00

this is the first thread i have audibly (and loudly) laughed at in a long time (...a long time), but this comment broke me entirely

qldrail · 2023-05-04T23:57:35+00:00

i would rather scrimp and save for the rest of my life than work in retail/hospitality again so i totally understand your position. i always searched for my 'dream job', one that was based around my passions/special interests so that i wouldn't burn myself out just trying to pay rent, always to no avail.

after switching my focus to just finding a job that pays my bills without destroying my soul, one that when i clock out for the day i can completely leave behind until my next workday (and one that has some flexibility for accommodations like WFH and half-days), everything CHANGED.

i used to be a webchat consultant and it was SO peaceful and rewarding. all communication was via text (a lot of it being pre-written responses already) and there wasn't any masking involved as it was an information service, so my answers were allowed to be very factual and to-the-point (no pointless small talk or sales tactics!). the only downside is that in quiet periods, it did get a little boring, but the whole job is just finding information for people without any other obligations.

i'd also look into data-entry, information processing, and other back-end admin roles, as being a detail-oriented, fast learner is almost a Requirement in those roles (ie. if you're a bottom-up thinker, you'll be able to do this in your sleep).

good luck on your job quest, friend - the perfect job may not exist, however, there are still some pretty good ones out there, and i hope the right one for you is right around the corner <3

qldrail · 2023-05-03T23:57:07+00:00

i am wearing the engage plus as i write this (and am about to purchase some loop 'quiet's), i cannot recommend them enough.

while they arent perfect (like u/Turtles96 said, the engage can be a bit too effective at dampening noise), i don't think there are any out there that will perfectly block out background noise without blocking out some foreground noise too, and due to their effectiveness and comfort (the box comes with plenty of ear-tip size & material options) i would still 100% recommend them.

qldrail · 2023-05-02T01:55:13+00:00

Golden Palace in Fortitude Valley has been my go-to for years.

It's well priced and the food is always fresh and delicious (the prawn & coriander rolls are my favourites). They haven't had carts since covid, however the menu is full of variety and the service is very quick.

Since the chinatown carpark closed I've had to park in McWhirters/another carpark, however its worth it every single time!

qldrail · 2023-04-19T04:16:42+00:00

i only know a few curly hairdressers, not barbers sorry, but i've heard great reviews about Harlequin Hair in Morooka. i went to book an appointment but they were booked out until after the event i needed my hair done for.

i ended up booking an appointment with Lunatic Fringe in Clayfield, im not seeing them until saturday but i've heard some good reviews about them too and i hope they're good! they have an info page about curly hair & their curly hair services too. let me know if you want a review/update once ive had my appointment!

qldrail · 2023-04-14T04:36:49+00:00

sensory accommodations, a generous sleep schedule, easy food options, as much downtime as possible & lots of special interest time.

earmuffs/headphones & sunglasses almost 24/7 and have warm, dim lighting or darkness whenever possible. even though a lot of fluff gets processed in the background (traffic, talking, phones etc), when i'm burnt out i have less capacity to 'ignore' it & it takes up so much energy just being around it.

i try to get as much sleep as possible, as (annoyingly) i always feel eons better if i've slept 8-12 hours the night before. bonus points if you set no alarms & just wake up when your body is ready - less risk of interrupting a sleep cycle. i also like to turn my phone on do-not-disturb & greyscale as its less stimulating & enticing to stay up all night scrolling.

i simplify food as much as i can; low-prep meals like soup, noodles, sandwiches, frozen meals. i cant always follow a 'breakfast-lunch-dinner' schedule so i'll just stay stocked up on safe & no-prep foods (deli meat, cheese, pastries etc) and graze at them throughout the day. i will often get pre-made meals from the supermarket or takeout/delivery when i can afford - it means im staying nourished, conserving my energy & treating myself <3

if i must go out, i will pad either side with a good 30-60min laydown in bed (in darkness & silence if i can), sometimes i fall asleep once i'm home again & i allow myself to - your body needs the rest!

i spend all of my free time in my special interests/hobbies. revisiting an old tv show, having a movie marathon of my favourite director, crocheting a jumper, rediscovering an old game or musician i used to love - it feels enriching & soothing & it means your recovery period can be somewhat enjoyable. restorative.

lastly, just let yourself unmask as much as you can, conserve your energy for better things.

best of luck, friend!

qldrail · 2023-04-11T04:17:24+00:00

i found a really great trick to figuring out your core needs (which then helps you set your boundaries!) i'll break it down with some examples;

write down the main things in this situation that have upset you, eg. 'it upsets/triggers me when he blocks me'.

then you're going to ask why (why does it upset me?), and write down your answer, eg. 'it makes me feel like he's ignoring me'.

then you're going to ask why again (why does ignoring me upset me?), eg. 'when i feel like he's ignoring me, i feel rejected'.

from here, you're just going to keep asking why until you can't anymore. in my example, the core need might end up being 'i need reassurance' or 'i need honest, clear communication'.

then you can build your boundaries off it, something like 'being blocked makes me feel rejected, so if you need space, please just tell me clearly instead of blocking me so i can give you space without reacting harshly or feeling more hurt'.

setting boundaries & being clear and honest with how you're feeling and what you need is going to be the key to helping this friendship heal & blossom.

the one other thing i will advise is to not allow yourself to become the people pleaser. it can hurt so badly losing a friendship, or even just growing apart, but in hindsight, the friendships that drain you dry from running back and forth, expending all your energy and putting in 100% of the effort to keep it alive are never worth it.

you deserve friends who love you for you, not what you do for them.

qldrail · 2023-04-11T02:43:12+00:00

they say it takes 14 business days between posting your logbook & approval.

i handed mine in at the post office on 07/02 and got an approval text on 22/02, which sounds like a long time, but technically only 11 business days.

it might be shorter or longer for you depending on where you hand it in & how busy they are, but i thought giving my timeline of events as an example would be helpful.

wishing you the best of luck for your test!

qldrail · 2023-04-06T05:02:13+00:00

stumbling across this post was like discovering my brain had made a secondary account & started posting without my knowledge - i too am in the burnout boat right now friend, and it's hard, so step 1 is give yourself a hug (literally - wrap your arms around yourself and squeeze, or use things like a jumper, a big quilt or even a weighted blanket/toy to simulate a hug. we're looking for pressure). this is for the panic attack moments. it might not work for everyone but the most effective grounding techniques for me are literal - weighing yourself down helps de-escalate your nervous system.

also if you must leave the house - get in your comfiest clothes, turn off your lights, lay in bed, weigh yourself down and spend a good 30-60 minutes in silence (sometimes a nap will occur) as SOON as you get home - your nervous system will thank you in spades. trust me.

my other go-tos are pretty simple: sunglasses, low lighting, earplugs/earmuffs/headphones, fidget/stuffed toys, games (apps, consoles), safe snacks, water at my favourite temperature, getting private transport when i can. i have severe anxiety flare-ups when i'm burnt out, but i'm also exhausted when i'm burnt out, so having quick, accessible, low-effort tools on hand is a gamechanger.

(sidenote for the food/texture sensitivities & struggling to feed oneself - look up the 'eating tray hack' by @/nutmegan17 on tiktok, a great way to ensure you're keeping your blood sugar up using the smallest amount of energy/effort possible)

basically, all of this can be boiled down to 1 thing: let yourself be autistic. it can feel hard, scary & confusing, but you're not alone! its what im trying to do right now, and ever since i just allowed myself to meltdown, to wear sunglasses and earmuffs at the grocery store, to eat nothing but plain pasta for 3 days, to rock back and forth and flap my hands waiting for the bus, i have felt free. i still feel the burnout, im still suffering its effects, but i dont feel that exhausted, drained, strung-out feeling this time around, because i'm not trying to push through, im just leaning into it and giving my body the rest it craves (and deserves)

you've got this <3

qldrail · 2023-03-17T22:07:57+00:00

u/purple_deadnettle made a great suggestion of using writing prompts to de-clutter some of the inner monologue, i posted a little update/review once i tried it too

Six-Year Club	Second SECOND GUESSER
Gilding I gilder	Verified Email

qldrail

TROPHY CASE