Denver Comic Con

"We've been to Comic Con." -The Writer Clive Gollings

I'm so happy to have followed in Clive and Graham's footsteps (sort of) and made it to Denver's ComicCon last weekend, which was my very first comic convention. Nothing surprising or shocking about it. (I have done the anime cons for over 10 years now so I'm used to the weird.) But I did notice some differences from this particular venue versus the way Comic Con San Diego is portrayed.

First, I saw no booth babes. There was a flock of rubber bikini clad ladies wandering the floors selling the clothing line but they were just your normal hot chicks. No air-brushed, fake-titted professional models. (Yay for real bodies!) I didn't walk past any booths with a half naked model trying to get me to come check out what she had to offer. And for this, I say thank you! There is really no need to hire a model when there are plenty cute chicks who are true fans. Saying that, there is no need to have hot chicks to lure you in if you have awesome product because there are plenty of people who want cool stuff. Cool stuff (for many of us) = hot chicks. But that's just my humble opinion.

Also, everyone seemed to be much more modest in their cosplay. Sure there were a good number of body suits. There was a lot of cleavage. But compared to some other cons I've been to, I would say that skin wasn't the hottest thing going. I saw more people ask for pictures of the person in the badass Gargoyles cosplay than the half naked chicks. A well crafted and/or clever costume went much further than bare skin. Yay for that as well!

This girl is so fierce I can't even stand it... 

I really love the culture, at least from this particular con, of acceptance and community. Everyone can come together with similar passions and geek out. Want to dress up like Wonder Woman? Cool! Made your costume yourself? No problem. Of a larger body type? No problem. Male? No problem. Now that's not to say that assholes aren't out there and I'm sure someone this weekend didn't have an awesome experience. (In fact, I HIGHLY recommend everyone check out Paige Hall's comic via Epbot that I've linked HERE. It really makes you think twice before getting all judgey...) But I feel that the majority of people felt ok about it. (Please feel free to share your stories, good or bad, in the comments!)

I had a really great time and I can't wait to come back next year. Make sure to check out my next post which will be my interview with the amazing cosplayer Ger Tysk! Also, a huge thank you to my photographer Nick for the amazing shots and hanging out with me.

Long live the Geeks!

A Little Death

Our doggie died today.

It seems like our pets are here for such a short time, perhaps to make it all more special. Still, it seems so cosmically unfair that assholes who happen to be human go on for 90 years and these beautiful creatures who only ask for your love and attention can only hang out for 10 years or so. It's not fucking fair.

His squeaky toys are still strewn around the house. His bed, freshly washed is still next to the bed. I listen for his nails tippy-tapping across the wood floor in the morning. And at night, when I don't feel him pushing up against me, hogging the bed, I again feel that deep sadness all over again.

Their little lives can mean so much and to us he was not only a wonderful friend, great listener, endlessly funny and a cuddle monkey, he was a little bit of a past life that's forever gone. He represented a time when our family was whole. There was no car wreaks or tragic accidents yet. And with him goes one more witness to somewhere we can never travel. And that's the real motherfucker of it all.

My little guy loved me with his full heart, without prejudice. No one has ever loved me like that and I can easily say I am heart broken.

I really wanted to be deep and thoughtful in this post but as I read it back, it's kind of angry and sad and full of curse words. But I guess that's the truth of it.

We miss you Buster and if there's any thing after this, we will meet again.

Bye Bye Baby

I am heart broken.

Buster died today and I've cried so much, so hard my head throbs.

I won't be back for a while but when I do return, I want to tell you all about him.

Good night sweet pooch.

The Cost of Limes

I was 16, in Mexico, stuffing my cheeks full of taquitos like a deranged Mexican hamster.

I went to Mexico City with my 9th grade Spainish class and happened to also turn 16 over the trip. I also thought I didn't need a hat or sunscreen or water while I climbed the Mayan temples and also thought it was fine to eat my salmon sandwhich although it had been on the un-air-conditioned bus for 5 hours.

Needless to say, I almost fainted, puked my guts up and had lobster-red arms. I woke up the next day, on my birthday,

So now I don't eat salmon and I love Mexican food. That said, the Mexican cartels are putting a cramp in my style. (As well as bullets in peoples heads, among other really horrible things.) You've probably read lately about how the heavy rains and a bacteria damaged the lime crop but more news worthy the Mexican cartel The Knights Templar have taken over the sale of limes to diversify from their main export: drugs.

Wouldn't it be cool if we, Americans and other countries alike, got so fed up with our lack of limes we rose up, decided to stand no more for the cartels, and found a way to end the corruption, killings and evil all because of limes?

The Mexican government has promised to send military help but until then, we Americans will have to make do with bad margarita mixs and lemons served with our Cuba Libres.

Queen of Kansas

Stella passed away at 105 years old.

This is not poetic license or hyperbole. She really was 105 year old. Born 1908. The Mad Scientist's grandmother passed away last week so we took the 15 hour drive and met with all his family and laid her to rest in the small, nondescript cemetery next to her husband. Married in the beginning of the Great Depression. They sold chickens to pay the land taxes until the war started, when she said her husband found steady work helping the war effort as a machinist, building parts for airplanes.

On her 100th birthday, she was asked what invention was the best in her lifetime. She said, "The refrigerator." Wow.

I asked her about her grandparents once. She told me this: "My grandfather was very sweet to me but he was a sad man... the Civil War will do that to a man." WHAT? Yeah. Her grandfather was a Yankee, captured by the South and put into Andersonville prison until he was traded for other prisoners of war then proceeded to WALK HOME from Georgia. The idea I was speaking with a lady who could tell me second hand stories of the Civil War was really an amazing gift.

She was a stubborn lady who lead a simple life in a small town in Nebraska. She was stylish and funny. She was feisty until the day she died. She was one in a million. I hope to be more like her.

Good night Stella.