How my butt became a PFD

[AniaR]

well it finally happened, I think I took my tail for one of its last if not the last swim. I've been trying so hard to take care of her, had her all painted up nice and all. But she's so stretched and worn out beyond repair! Despite my many efforts to re-glue the fluke it continues to fill with water and air. The neoprene still keeps stretching it's unreliable! Only a year ago Raven re sewed it for me- it was so big and stretched when I sent it to her from the start, she made it beautiful and form fitting snug as a glove. But whatever this type of neoprene is it just gives and gives until it starts to tear. Despite my efforts to keep the paint looking refreshed it's gotten to the point where there's simply too many layers. Some parts of the alex plus are all warped and the paint wont bond anymore.

I think I can clear er up well enough to do some dry land stuff and modelling. I gotta make her work until the 2 new ones come in. Then I'll be fixing er up the best I can and passing er on to another mer for free.

She had a good run. But I never struggled so hard with her as I did today. My face was on the bottom of the pool- my butt was on the top thanks to all the air in the thing, LOL. I took some video and it looks pathetic like I am swimming against some invisible currant and as soon as I stop I shoot back up- butt first.

Hilarious photos to follow.

[Spindrift]

*grabs the popcorn* :) Don't worry, everything will be fine soon!

[AniaR]

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad266/thefineart/mybum.jpg
In the above image my tail has stretched so much that it's creating big time drag, trapping air, and sending a lot of water down the waist into the legs. The waist is actually rolling back now! Hard to believe it fit me super tight! it doesn't seem to be the actual waist that stretched though but the neoprene below it and all the air that's getting trapped in that area pulls the tail back and down from drag.

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad266/thefineart/notbum.jpg

You can see in the above photos here the fluke is filled with two big air bubbles. Even if I squeeze them out the air still will travel down my waist into them. That booty? Not a booty. The waist is getting pulled down again by all the air on my butt lol and rolling it and creating an actual "bubble butt"

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad266/thefineart/ripped.jpg

Tried to pull it up and get the air out etc, one pull and it ripped on BOTH sides! :(

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad266/thefineart/sirrip.jpg

bubbled up fluke and yet another rip :( I have re-latexed the heck out of this spot and it just wont take! Always rips thanks to that monofin ridge.

http://i942.photobucket.com/albums/ad266/thefineart/dive.jpg

while it looks like Im diving, I assure you I was not. I was swimming along the bottom getting some speed and then my butt started floating up lol I tried to fight it but I feel like I'm going against the current when I do :p

So, I made one last little video of clusters of clips. None of the clips are great but it's probably the last time any one will see me swimming in this tail! I loved it, and all the hard work Raven put into helping me with it- but you can see compared to a year ago she hasn't aged well :(


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52ekGGmffeM

[New York Mermaid]

Im sorry but I LOL'ed reading the title of the post, because i have some issues with my large lower half, So sorry Raina, i know your did your best to keep your tail well cared for, but at least you gave your tail a great run, now she will make someone happy soon enough.

[malinghi]

The only thing I was worried about was what you would do without it, but if you already have two new tails on the way then this seems fine. I can't wait to see the new ones. Who made them? Is at least one of them red? I think it would be weird seeing you in another color.

[AniaR]

Im sorry but I LOL'ed reading the title of the post, because i have some issues with my large lower half

It was meant to be funny and make you laugh. I was so frustrated I realized I need to just laugh about it.


The only thing I was worried about was what you would do without it, but if you already have two new tails on the way then this seems fine. I can't wait to see the new ones. Who made them? Is at least one of them red? I think it would be weird seeing you in another color.
I dont have anymore water gigs booked for a while, so if I have to clean it up and use it for indoor stuff I think I can. I am receiving a tail from Dr Seaweed- he's documenting it on his FB page as he goes. I also still have my main secret tail on the go it was just delayed for a lot of reasons :p that one will be orange.

[Mermaid Sirena]

Awh poor tail :( We will mourn your passing, at least you have two news one arriving soon :)

[taom]

Oh Raina, you poor thing! That must be so frustrating!

[-Annwyn-]

Have you thought about making a fabric tail and using that in the meantime? I have a fabric replica of the purple neoprene tail and it's great! :)

[AniaR]

I couldnt make something if my life depended on it :p I have a neurological disease that affects my fine motor control so no sewing for this fish.

[Mermaid Saphira]

If you want I could make you a spandex tail...You don't have to pay me, just pay for the supplies :)

I made this tail... It's not swimmable (yet) but I still love it

1382

1383

1384

[AniaR]

thanks for the offer :) I am expecting my two new tails soon, and I can make this one work for dry events for now Im just not booking any pool ones til the new tails come! :)

[Mermaid Saphira]

Okay :) I can't wait to see your beautiful new tails!

[happyguava]

Ohhh, sadness! I feel like we've watched the journey of that tail as it's gone through all those changes and improvements! At least you can safely say you really squeezed it for all it could offer you! And soon you'll have way better ones anyway... That we can all drool over!

[merman475]

So sorry to hear about your tail...
*giggles*

[HBMermaid_Angela]

She seemed to be a good tail, and it's fantastic that it made it that long! Being a surfer on the west coast, I have to wear a wetsuit in the fall and winter...and even part of the spring. I usually have to get a new wetsuit every year or two just because all the pulling and tugging and general wear cause the neoprene to stretch. It is frustrating, especially when it's something you love. I had to lay to rest my favorite Roxy full suit last year and got a new one (which is actually better than the first, but I was still sad). Can't wait to see your new tails!

[Spindrift]

What do you do with your old wetsuits? Any good for recycling them into tails?

[HBMermaid_Angela]

I usually pass them down, if they are still usable to my nieces and god daughters. Sometimes they come over and want to go to the beach with my husband and I. I have never attempted to make my own tail but may have to take that into consideration if the suits are beyond being used like they should! =)

[Odette]

what type of movie maker do you have? im trying to find the name of my old one from windows. the music choice was cool. sorry about your tail troubles. =(

[Mermaid Shelly]

OMG Raina I am so sorry!! I hope your new ones are done soon sweetie :)

[Mermaid Crystal]

Did you put the neoprene on a hanger? Beacuse that will contantly stress the fabric and it is best to leave it laying down.

[Lyna]

RIP tail....because it's the one we all spot and go "ooh Raina!" I know the issues you had with this tail...but it has a ton of memories, so I hope that you've designed at least one of your new tails after it (with better materials and a better maker from the start) so you can continue on being the you we know. Raina version 2.0. :) I'm glad you're having a good attitude about this. Just how long did you get your tail to work? (One swim in mine, I just couldn't do it. And one dry event and the latex on the heels is already showing thin.) You're the more careful mermaid ever.

[AniaR]

it's a piece of crap tail mertailor made me from neoprin and alex plus. It died, the only reason it lasted as long as it did is Raven tried to fix it for me. Never doing that again, staying with my silicone all the way