Nerdcation is Over

***STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE PICTURE THING REGARDING THIS BLOG
 ...... .IT'S REALLY ANNOYING!***

As loyal readers to this blog are aware the end of August and Early part of September mark the time for Dragon Con in Atlanta. It always starts the Thursday before Labor Day which makes it easy to remember. As the clock resets and starts counting down to the 2025 Dragon Con I thought I’d document this Nerdcation (as Golden has pinned it) as it was a very nice break for me at least, I hope Golden can say the same.

We did all the things we had planned to do …… stopped by the cool bookstore that we found just north of Atlanta (in Jones Creek, GA) called Kinokuniya Bookstore which has all the anime and art supplies it’s really cool. Golden found it for us last year. We have started going up on Wednesdays which allows us the luxury of an easy drive to Atlanta from her house without the fear of if we get there too late we’ll stand in the badge line forever. It’s a really cool store unlike any other near where either of us live so it’s worth the extra drive. If they don’t have it you likely don’t really need it. Golden is learning Japanese and found a cool book to help her on that journey. I bought a paralympic inspired anime which I admit I haven’t started yet but did flip through a few times during our “Con downtime.” We did stay there a little longer than anticipated which got us to our hotel during rush hour. That I do not recommend. The bumper-to-bumper traffic reminded me of why I could never LIVE in Atlanta. I can visit, I can even go there for work purposes (and have on several occasions) but I need to know that I will soon be leaving Atlanta behind soon … for it to work.

Upon arrival to our hotel, the mecca that is the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, the holy grail for Dragon Con goers we were in the thick of everyone trying to check in, valet park cars, and get luggage assistance. This is where I failed in our Dragon Con quest this year. I packed like an insane human being. I didn’t consolidate or pack my bags with any kind of planning for forethought and thus ended up being to spread out. My goal for next year … 2 bags and a backpack. I’m 98% sure I can do it. We heart this hotel, and the staff is very lovely but the queue just to “check in” was wrapped around like a snake. They had three people not even helping people cause they were in the “suer exclusive line” … aka Gold and Platinum status people, I myself only recently made Silver Status. I mean yeah ok … if they have those people in line fine, that’s why they have the perk afterall, but if they don’t maybe help out the normals also trying to check in ? Golden stayed with our bags (cause the dude just took off with the cart like he knew who we were – we are regulars to the Con for sure but not that well known ya know what I mean) and I jumped in line to check in. I tried checking in on my phone but it said you’d still need to see the front desk to get your room key and number. Basically, I’d just be telling them that I was in fact there, so I stood in line and texted with Golden about how she was doing. I finally made it to the front, got our keys headed to find Golden, grabbed a few essential bags off the cart, gave the luggage guy our room number and proceeded to the elevators and found the hottest room to ever exist on earth. Some MFER put the air on 85 degrees. In Atlanta. In August. May that person have boils on their but popp and explode and they not be able to reach them. That’s just … I mean of all the insane things a human can do that borders on just evil. We cranked the air down as low as it would go, propped open the door and tried to relax as we waited on our luggage, which didn’t take long at all actually.

Once we were properly settled and no longer living in satan’s armpit we proceeded to walk around downstairs and see what was up. We grabbed some food and did some people watching. It was crazy to us the amount of people who rolled up to the hotel in full cosplay ready to get the party started. I was like wow slow your roll this is a marathon not a sprint. We ate dinner at High Velocity (a restaurant in the hotel) and walked around a bit, people watched and were safe and snuggled into our beds long before the midnight countdown. That my friends was Day1. 

Thursday Day 2 started with getting gout badges for the Con which required that we walk … outside. One of the advantages of being at the Marriott is that there are sky bridges to two of the other hotel hotels. However the 4^th host hotel is down the street and that’s where badges are picked up. We used to drive in on this day, pay to park near the hotel get our badges then would proceed to our hotel and check in and chill for the day, killing off the first official day of the Convention. Hence why we started coming in on Wed. The line was supposed to start moving at 10 am. We got in line around 11 and started the long trek around the building. I swear people need to learn how to quee up in a line. At one point there were huge gaps where I guess people didn’t realize the line had moved or I don’t even really know and Golden looked and me and said screw this. We jumped the gap and I’d do it again if asked. Off we went. We were still in the cattle call (as I call it) inside the ballroom to get our badges when I saw the lady previously in front of us walk in so we didn’t jump too far in the line or she did the same thing we did just a little later. Either way we were both much better for it. Once again someone had forgotten to adjust the air and it was quite hot in there. I was glad when we made our way to the front for our badges so we could officially get going on our day. The next order of business was lunch. There were food trucks sat up at the badge hotel but I frankly didn’t want to sit outside. So we walked back towards our hotel and found the little concession shop to grab food and take it back to the room. Where we hung out until dinner time. By now Satan’s armpit was feeling more like a polar bear exhibit but neither of us adjusted a damn thing. Golden wore a hoodie most of the time in the room and I longed for a long sleeve shirt. She is truly my smart friend. We finally dragged ourselves out of bed, into “outside of the room clothes” and proceeded to the Trader Joe’s in the nearby Hilton. Did you know you need a reservation for that restaurant. We did not either. However, they accommodated us and while I enjoyed by porkchop and fried rice Golden’s dish was stone cold by the time it got to her and she didn’t enjoy hers nearly as much. Some more people watching and walking around then back to bed. That was day 2 .. which was officially Day 1 of Dragon Con. Which is confusing I know but it’s important to note that.

Friday day 3 … or Day 2 of Dragon Con was set aside for me to give blood. I like to do it early so if I want to participate in the adult beverage I can without it affecting my donation. Golden comes with me but as previously stated she can no longer give blood, the blood bank would have to destroy it so it seems a wasted effort for all parties involved. After that it was time to feed Marcy so she didn’t take another dirt nap in the middle of the street .. so we proceeded to Peachtree Center and hit up the food court. Got some nurishments and then proceeded to the America’s Mart so we could do our annual Paint and Take. We then hit up the arcade and got our game on, Golden fell in love with a Godzilla pinball machine, which I admit was pretty fun. More people watching and relaxation as we headed back to our hotel. I must have crashed cause I honestly don’t remember the rest of the night.

Saturday, day 4…. Or Dragon Con Day 3 … is set aside for the Vendor Hall. It’s typically an all-day affair. As I think I have said before it’s 4 floors of just things to purchase, people to talk to, things to look at and just …. Stuff. I often call it a game or do I like it enough to carry it the rest of the day? I did end up buying a book which I stood and talked to the author about for about 15 minutes while Golden looked at something else. Golden gets a Henna Tattoo every year while I still on my collapsible stool, truly the greatest thing ever invented, and people watch. It’s really pretty and always suits her very well. It eventually wears off which is kind of sad. These years might have been the best she’s ever gotten. We got out of the Vendor Hall around 4 I think and proceeded to go back to the room for another dirt nap. Saturdays at Dragon Con are very stupid as they sell one day passes and all the people descend on the Con which ends up feeling very suffocating. So we chilled in the room for the night.

Sunday, day 5 … or Dragon Con Day 4 .... At some point every year we have what I call a lazy day. Sunday I guess was that day. We got up, went and got breakfast buffet which was delicious but we ate far too much then proceeded to watch movies and snack the rest of the day. Golden had one thing on her to do list and that was a panel about traveling to Japen. So, we were determined to make that. It started at like 8:30. Crazy I know. We made it down there sat through the panel, got some dinner afterwards, walked around and headed back up stairs shortly after midnight to pack up our things and get into our respective beds for the night.  

Monday, AKA Labor Day, also known as Day 6 … or Day 5 of Dragon Con is always reserved for traveling back to Golden’s house then crashing hard. We typically have to wait for luggage assistance for like 2 hours and it’s quite annoying so this year we had a  plan. I’d get up early call them and we’d be on the road early. So I got up early …. I called them and they said we’d be there in 20 minutes.  I was like um…. Ok. I proceeded to get dressed and tried to wake up Golden, several times. I didn’t fully believe they would be there in 20 minutes … but damn if they didn’t and damn if she didn’t jump up and become a functioning adult faster than I’ve ever seen her do it. It was quite impressive. We were out the door and walking to the elevators by I’m going to say 8:30…8:45 at the latest. We got the car packed up and was leaving for what may be our easiest roll out ever. To say I was impressed is an understatement. Not too long after we were on the road we spotted a Hardees and I love me a Hardees breakfast so we pulled over and filled our bellies. We got to Goldens and took a long dirt nap, ordered pizza and watched a Harry Potter marathon.

So all in all I’m calling it a successful trip. According to Dragon Con the number is 75K+ for head count (but I feel that’s way low) and over $200K raised for this years charity the Arthritis Foundation. See Dragon Con puts out donation buckets at every event and all over the place really and collects money throughout the convention for the charity of choice. Dragon Con then agrees to provide a dollar for dollar match which is really cool. It’s their way of giving back, it’s typically a local charity but not always. By my count we walked 25,011 steps, or roughly 11 miles over the trip, and traveled roughly 947 miles according to Google Maps, which tracked us the entire way which isn’t scary at all. We had a lot of downtime, which we both desperately needed, had a lot of laughter, got to see some amazing Cosplay and most important I got to spent 5 6 solid days with my bestie. So yeah it was successful. I drove home at the arse crack of dawn on Tuesday after not sleeping at all Monday night. I slept for nearly 13 hours Tuesday night and Wed felt like a brand new human being. It is crazy what sleep will do to a person, both the lack of it and having enough of it. Now my PTO is over, it’s the weekend officially and I’m looking at the prospect of returning to the real world on Monday. I’m not ready. Not even kind of ready. That scares me more than anything I saw at Dragon Con if I’m being honest. I might be at a crossroads and I’m not sure which way to go.

Hope everyone had a successful and safe Con and arrived back to their home bases safely.

Thanks,

Marcy (@beaslma)

Time for a catch up

I’ve been typing this for a few weeks now in my head … so below is fraction of the stuff I’ve written in those hours between sleeping and being awake, or in the car on my way to or from work, or just sitting and starring at nothing (literally) on TV thinking I should be writing on this blog. So .. um… Enjoy!

Dragon Con was in short …. Awesome. As always. Granted there was a lot of great Cosplay and even more amazing food, panels, parties but the best part was spending 6 days uninterrupted with my favorite person on this planet. Golden. In short there was over 65K people for this year’s con and they raised over $95K for their charity (Open Hand ATL) – every year they pick a charity and throughout the Con raise money then Dragon Con matches it so that means they raised over $190K for Open Hand ATL! That my friends is beyond awesome! There was a blood drive and in my sleep deprived state I’m sure I saw the final total of donors but I can’t find it. Needless to say Dragon Con is about more than a big party, cos play, vendors, games and yes alcohol. That being said I enjoyed those things as well. We also did a few things we have never done before like hearing the Georgia Philharmonic which let me tell you was a lot of fun. Apparently a very popular event. It was a very chill vacay and much much needed.

Work was great while I was gone. I didn’t really check in like I normally do. I let the guys handle it and they did. We had one or two hick ups but nothing major and nothing that’s going to set the house on fire really. It was nice to know that when I’m not there they can handle it and often don’t just cause I’m there to do so. Now that I know they can I’m going to push for them to do it more often. I usually rush back to work as soon as I return home from Dragon Con. This year I went up a day early (which frankly threw me and Golden way off all freaking week but was nice) and when I came home it was late on Tuesday. Wednesday I was a zonked out mess and Friday we were going out of town for my nephew’s engagement party (that’s right people the oldest nephew popped the question, she said yes and I’ve bought three dresses for the big day (March 2023)). So I didn’t want to come home exhausted, go back to work exhausted, and go to the engagement party exhausted and then come back for a work week like quadruple exhausted (assuming that’s a thing). So for the first time I took 8 days off work. 8 whole work days (granted you’d think I was gone a month the way my co-workers reacted upon my return). I admit … it was nice. My boss told me upon my return he fully thought I’d start working from home and I was like you know I almost did then was like nah. He said he was proud of me for doing it cause he knew I needed it. I said yes yes I did.

While I was gone I celebrated my 19^th anniversary at work. In 2 years, my career can legally drink. I can’t believe it’s been 19 years. That’s just nuts to me. When I think back over the years I never dreamed I’d make it to 10 then I thought ok maybe 15 and now I’m knocking on the door of 20. It’s been a long time of ups, downs, horrible bosses, good bosses and a great boss. I’ve come around the block a few times on hating and loving what I do, being frustrated beyond belief about it and also caring so much I made myself sick. In the last year or so I’ve risen to manager of my department with several employees “under” me, lost 2, (one I’m not sure I ever had and another to a growing family), gained one, almost lost another but fought really hard for her cause she’s more amazing than I think she knows. My current goal is to make her see what I see in herself and try to overcome the horrible crap she’s been through over the years and to get the other to understand she’s here to stay and get over the hump of constantly being in fear that she’s not doing enough or will be let go at the drop of a hat. That’s not how we do things at least in my department.  It’s been very interesting being the boss. I’ve never been in that position before and I’m trying to emulate the ones that showed me what to do, taught me my role and pushed me to be the person I am today, as opposed to that Asshat who can well fuck off, she knows who she is. Ha! 19 is something I’m going to be very proud of and here’s to many more. If most people work say 40 years I’m half way there … kind of.

Golden also got a promotion recently at her job and I’m super proud of both of us. We are finally starting to see the results of decades of hard work and dedication and it’s about damn time!

Tomorrow I’m getting up at the crack of dawn, getting ready for work, and then sitting down with my mom to watch the Queen’s funeral. Mom’s been a huge royal family watcher for years I find them fascinating, but mom knows the names and titles and dates for important things. I figure if it starts at 5 my time it will be over in time for me to get to work on time, plus I don’t really want mom watching it alone. I got up with her to watch Diana but as a teen who really didn’t care fell asleep pretty quickly and woke up to mom crying. I couldn’t understand at the time why I mean she didn’t know that lady or her family, but she was connected to the fact that her two boys were now alone in a sea of well … whatever that is. She said it made me think of my brother and I. She appreciated me watching with her even if I did fall asleep.

With the kids back in school, football season getting underway, and fall weather kind of in the air it’s time to turn my attention to pumpkins and calendars and socks ……. Speaking of which I need to finish my laundry. Until next time….. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN and prayers for King as he steps into his new role.

Marcy

Con Coma is Real - Cosplay Confusion

So as I write this it is Saturday afternoon. Thursday night we people watched and made it to the midnight countdown, barely, I mean around 11:45 we were begging for the clock to move faster. Yesterday (Friday) we spent the day in the gaming area, participating in paint and take a fun tradition, and even got to the Art Show this year for the first time. 

Today was spent browsing the vendor hall, and eating and adult beverages at the Hard Rock. Of course there was people watching and photos of some of our favorite costumes throughout each day. Not to mention the walking so... much....walking. 

I just woke up from a nap, some might call it in the Con Coma but I believe that hit yesterday and hit hard. Upon returning to our hotel on Friday afternoon (around 5pm) we got in comfortable clothes and that was all she wrote. By 7 we were snoring up a storm and by 10 we were settling in for the night. At one point I thought about getting dressed and going to the pool but that seemed like a LOT of effort so I continued to lay there. I think I’d still be asleep if my alarm hadn’t gone off this morning.

I rolled into Atlanta with two costume options. A half ass version of Super Grover just cause I thought it would be funny. It was a last minute pull together which is why I say it’s half assed. My boss texted me Wed to say I had left the print out of the Super Grover logo on the printer so well I already messed that one up. I also have a pretty decent Marvin the Martian. That one I put some effort into. It’s really kind of cute. I haven’t worn either. As you know readers I have a love hate relationship with Cosplay. I look around the convention and want to participate but then I see things like this …..

Or this ….

And this ….. 

And think my costume seems sad and pathetic now and so I don’t wear it. I feel like it cheapens everything else that I see. I’m sure it doesn’t cause I’ve seen things that are way worse than anything I’ve tried to put together and there are some who are testing the limits of spandex. So maybe one day I’ll decide to follow through with the Cosplay but there’s also the possibility that I’ll be the one in a dorky T watching all the awesomeness go by.

Even if I don’t use Marvin here at the Con, we are doing a Trunk or Treat at Church so I can wear him there. So he won’t go entirely to waste, at least that’s what I keep telling myself. I really need to make the eye holes bigger so I’ll actually be able to see.

Thanks, 
Marcy
@beaslma

2016 Christmas TV Schedule

PLEASE find below a Jpeg of the 2016 Christmas TV Schedule. Once again, the calendar is set up in 11X17 format but if you have to print it 8.5x11 it is readable, but if you can print it 11X17 your eyes will thank you. The best way is to save the JPEG to your favorite portable device and zoom in and out, tho it breaks up some the more you zoom. If you would like a PDF send me a DM on twitter (@beaslma) and I'll send it your way.

This year I tried to highlight new specials (meaning had not aired previously before Jan. 1, 2016) in RED but as they are new be mindful of what you and your family sit down to watch. I vouch not for their quality, their rating level, or even their sappiness. I for one had to look up who Taraji was, why her holiday was white hot, and if that was a good thing or not. To save you the same trouble, it turns out she’s on Empire, a show that hasn’t graced my eye holes but I understand for those that have viewed it… they like it. Hence she gets her own holiday show Dec. 8^th on Fox. There are some new shows, some old classics, and some mediocre stuff that just fills the time slots throughout the month, some of which made this calendar.

I found a good list on the TV Guide channel’s website of specials/shows coming on with great descriptions but they failed to list what CHANNEL the shows/specials would air on. I found this less than helpful. Come on TV Guide Channel you are better than that, or you used to be (PS there’s a reason not many “get a TV guide anymore” … just saying.

Hallmark, Hallmark Movies and Mysteries (HMM on the calendar btw), Lifetime, and Lifetime Movie Network have been vomiting Christmas themed movies since like last October (meaning 2015) it seems so only a hand full of theirs made the listings. That being said Lifetime decided to only release the first week or so of December, cause yeah that totally makes sense. It’s like they hate my calendar…but that can’t be true, everyone loves the Calendar…EVERYONE! Right?!

It’s amazing to me really that they take the same concept, really the same story, change to a different “snow covered town,” change out the actors (usually Candance Cameron Bure for Lacey Chabert (from Party of Five fame, and Meg on the 1^st season of Family Guy, and Eliza on the Wild Thornberrys—didn’t know that did you? See you learned something by reading my rambling. Good for you!)), add a super cute guy who has lived in said “snow covered town” his entire life, put a new title on the movie and we got us a show!

As always there are guidelines. . . .

First . . .  a few guidelines:

·         NO E-MAILS about taking Christ out of Christmas, it’s just a really long word and using X-Mas allows for more shows on the already full calendar.

§  Thanks for your understanding.

§  For those that don’t understand I’ll be glad to remove you from the list just let me know.

·         I live in the central time zone, the times on this calendar reflect that, adjust accordingly.

§  That said unless otherwise stated the times are PM

·         This calendar does not focus on established shows “Christmas special episodes” so watch out for those … some are fun to re-watch this time of year. Psych for one has a great Christmas episode, and so did How I Met Your Mother, Friends, Wings, Family Ties, and other established shows.

o    Again, that is not what this is about. 

·         This calendar contains shows I want to see, so a mixture of adult themed shows/movies and kid themed shows/movies are represented. Some are classics and some are new, so PLEASE be mindful of what is on before you sit the kids down with popcorn to watch.

§  Don’t call me cause your little one watched some holiday movie on Lifetime and now has “questions”. . . . that’s your mess not mine.

¾      Please NOTE: The Disney version of a Christmas Carol (AKA the computer animated Jim Carrey version) is a little dark and can be scary (much like the original story btw), you might want to check it out before you and little man/lady plop down with popcorn and a blanket to “watch a classic” that may also result in sleepless nights for both you and said child. Not me I’ll be sleeping like a baby like an adult.  

·         Keep an eye out for additional shows/movies that pop up throughout the month as networks change their lineups.

·         Feel free to add your own specials and traditions to the calendar that’s what it is there for.

·         As stated some channels have been vomiting Holiday specials for several months so if a network had several great specials in a row I only listed one figuring you’d be alerted to the others, hey something had to give right!?

·         For you stay at home mom’s they run specials all day long and for the most part my calendar focuses on the after work hour times since that is when I can watch.

¾      That’s right it’s all about me I just share the wealth cause I’m awesome like that!

A few programs of note:

·         A Charlie Brown Christmas – ABC Dec. 1^st with repeat showing on Dec. 22^nd. A must viewing if you have little people in your life, even if they aren’t in the room, better yet tie them to a chair and force them to watch. They will thank you one day, if you know… social services will let them.

o    My lawyer has informed me that actively suggesting that you tie your kids to a chair might result in well you tying your kid to a chair, I don’t not condone that and don’t support it at least that’s what her statement said to write.

·         I can only find A Christmas Story during the TBS Christmas Day Marathon so make sure you work it into your Christmas celebrations.

¾         Bless you Ted Turner, you crazy old man, may this tradition live forever!!

¾         I think it’s a rule you watch at least once.

o    If it’s not a rule it should be.

·         National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, one of the best movies ever, comes on several times this year. If you don’t know the joy of Chevy Chase finally getting the lights to work…well I feel sorry for you and your family and the people that know you because you are missing the joy in your life. Correct that this year please!

·         IT’s A Wonderful Life – Dec. 3^rd on NBC Repeats on Dec. 24^th

·         The “boys” in my life informed me that DIEHARD should have been on the calendar …. boys are silly … however and I couldn’t find it showing anywhere so yeah there’s that. If you all find it let me know so I can let them know.

o    Sorry fellas. I tried, kinda.

A few programs of note that are not “Christmas” related but interesting enough to make the calendar include:

o    CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute – Dec. 11^th – it’s nice seeing that in a world full of insanity there are some people out there trying to do good and are being recognized for it. It’s a really inspirational night even if this year you have to deal with Kelly Rippa, so check it out.

o    Could have been worse, could have been Kathy Griffin, for the love of all that is good CNN please don’t make me suffer through that!!!!

o    Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show – Dec. 5^th on CBS – a dear friend of mine loves this and insists that it go on the calendar every year, she’s the boss.

Anyway, the intention of this calendar, much like the Halloween one is to get your family to pause and spend some time together making memories. In this season where we spend so much time rushing around we forget to enjoy the down time and enjoy the family time. Great specials come and go and if we don’t watch they will go forever.

Today’s “classic Christmas special” may be next year’s no show on the calendar. That’s the other reason for this calendar, if we stop watching they will stop showing. I’m looking at you CBS and Yes Virginia which I’m sure is airing but I can’t find out when so keep an eye out for it. The point is, just because you have The Grinch (which is not on this calendar nearly enough (NOTE: I can’t tell if it’s animated or the movie anymore and I’m NOT ok with that, when I could tell I marked it (TOON)) on your shelf or Charlie Brown Christmas (which comes on twice this year), take the time to watch it with your family as it airs so that it will air for years to come.  If not for me do it for the children, as they are our future, according to some nice lady.

So sit back, laugh, smile, and cry (some of these are sad, I mean who doesn’t cry when George Bailey is standing next to the tree with Mary and his friends are coming in to save the Bailey Savings and Loan, oh no did I give the end away ?!) and have a GREAT Christmas!

Marcy (@beaslma)

Annual Halloween TV calendar

That’s right people it’s time for the annual Halloween TV calendar!!! Where has the year gone I mean seriously didn’t we just do this?! 

 

As always …. a few guidelines:

• I live in the central time zone, the times on this calendar reflect that, adjust accordingly.
• Unless otherwise stated the times are PM
  • Also the times may vary (my Tivo could be wrong, the website could be wrong) don’t call cause you missed Casper and now little Timmy is sad. Be an adult and check it before Timmy gets involved. Better yet tell Timmy we all have to grow up sometimes! K-thanks
• This calendar reflects the channels I get, I didn’t include HBO, Encore, Suspense, Sundance, Stars, Showtime etc., as those are NOT channels I get. That’s right people it’s all about me not you I’m just sharing the wealth! You are welcome!
• This calendar contains shows I want to see, so it includes a mixture of adult themed shows/movies and kid themed shows/movies. Some are classics and some are new, so PLEASE be mindful of what is on before you sit the kids down with popcorn to watch Michael Myers in Halloween.
  • Don’t call me cause Timmy watched Halloween and can’t sleep because that shadow looks like a guy holding a knife … that’s your mess not mine. Seriously don’t call, or that shadow won’t just be a shadow anymore.
• NOTE: there are several channels like ABC Family & SYFY who show round the clock shows this time of year. Due to space limitations I have picked the ones I want to see, and figure if you are watching those you will learn about Casper coming on next so again check listings in and around shows as there’s far more on than what made the calendar this year.

I am sad to report that there are several classics that haven’t made the calendar, but not because they aren’t loved. From Halloween to Beetlejuice, to Gremlins, to It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown etc., their showtimes aren’t posted yet. I’m sure they are showing it, I mean why wouldn’t they? It would be stupid not to show them. The sites are more concerned about their fall lineups at the moment than my Halloween calendar which frankly is just rude! Heck even AMC was like hey we have the Walking Dead, and Fear the Walking Dead, and Talking About the Walking Dead, (I mean really take an idea and run it into the ground why don’t you) what more do you need and the internet was all we need FEAR FEST! So the AMC Gods replied, ok fine it’s happening but we can’t release the line up yet so hold tight guys until Oct. 19^th in the meantime have you seen the Walking Dead?! … Sigh … All of this is to say PLEASE watch out additional programing to pop up throughout the month, as some of them are just too much fun to miss.

 

A few programs of note:

• Halloween Wars is back on Food Network starting Oct. 4th this is a 4 part completion series where teams of pumpkin carvers, cake decorators, and candy makers try to prove they are the best. Each episode has a different theme. My boy Justin Willman will not be the host this time around and I’m trying really hard to not be angry at him about it. Check it out every Sunday night! It’s awesome, even without Justin! :D
• Fox is showing the Simpson’s Treehouse of Horrors on Sunday Oct. 25^th. Rumor has it Bart is going to have a very interesting episode. *cough* Sideshow Bob *cough* so check that out then turn over to Food Network for Halloween Wars, seriously I live for Halloween Wars!  
• AMC is once again doing their FEAR FEST starting on Oct. 19^th through Oct. 31^st. Again the lineup hasn’t been set yet, but last year they showed Halloween, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, Misery, and had Steven King and Child Play movie marathons.  It’s good fun!
• SYFY is also celebrating 31 days of Halloween starting Oct. 1^st showing great “cult” horror movies and science fiction awesomeness which includes original movies and classics. It also includes original programming like Scare Factor and Ghost Hunters, but that’s not what this calendar is for.
• ABC Family is once again celebrating the 13 Nights of Halloween starting October 19th lots of fun animation and family friendly movies and Halloween themed shows. ABC is showing Casper, Hocus Pocus, Toy Story of Terror, Adams Family, and so many others! Fun for the whole family !
• The Disney Channel  is having Monstober from Oct. 2nd through the 31st showing movies and Halloween themed shows as well. Another spot for family friendly fun!
• The Travel Channel has some fun programs that highlight decorating and celebrating the holiday across the country with shows like Halloween Crazy (Halloween Crazier) and my favorites America’s Scariest Halloween Attractions and Making Monsters.

This calendar does not focus on regular show “Halloween theme episodes” so no a Halloween themed Reba, or Roseanne won’t appear on this calendar. It’s more for movies and TV specials tho I admit Roseanne should be required viewing for TV writiers tasked with writing a Halloween Themed episode. If you are home and one comes on definitely stop and watch it.

 

If you are interested a partial list of these kind of shows (being added to daily) can be found here ….

http://www.mostlychristmas.com/others/halloweentv.php

 

The intention of this calendar, much like the Christmas one is to get your family to pause and spend some time together making memories. Maybe carve a pumpkin while watching, or create some fantastic Halloween Treats from your various Social Media sites and RELAX with your family. I loved watching the Garfield Halloween special as a kid, and am sad that it no longer comes on. That’s the other reason for this calendar, if we stop watching they will stop showing. So just because you have the Great Pumpkin on a shelf, take the time to watch it with your family when it FINALLY airs on ABC.

 

So sit back, scare yourself, and have a GREAT Halloween! It’s fall people enjoy it!

 

 

Marcy

@beaslma

 

 

 

Cosplay is not my forte

Don’t get me wrong I love Cosplay I really do but it’s like a LOVE/HATE relationship. It’s weird cause I totally LOVE Halloween. I love the idea that for one night I can literally be anything that I want. I mean one year for Halloween I made a Dog costume because my nephew who was going to be SpiderMan that year said SpiderMan needed a dog. So Dave the dog was born. I had a blast doing that, yet can’t seem to get geared up for DragonCon Cosplay. I don’t understand why other than the pressure to do something really good or not at all...

Something like …. Say … this …. I mean whose brain comes up with something like this?

Or this …. I don't even want to know how many hours this took to create

Or this …I wasn't even sure what this was but it was cool!

There are several things wrong with this pressure however….

1. I like to be comfortable and walking around Atlanta at the end of August/early September just sounds HOT right now and I’m talking temperature hot. Like it’s stupid hot outside and a costume with wigs and outfits just sounds suffocating, especially when you start thinking about accessories.
2. Have you ever tried to get in the back of an Uber car in a costume? How about on the bus? When not staying at a host hotel it’s just damn inconvenient. I want to be comfortable, I want to enjoy the Con, I want to look at all the pretty people and be in awe of their talents. These people btw are insanely talented if you've never been to one of these that's the thing that strikes you the most the amount of talent that Hollywood is letting go to waste!
3. Anything over a size XL looks like a queen’s dress or some long velvet dress from the mid-ages, or tries to "make a big girl sexy!" I’m not sexy, never going to be sexy, don't no body want to see this body, and again a long velvet dress of say the Queen of England is not in my mind true Cosplay. Plus as I said before it’s too fucking hot for a velvet dress.
4. I’d much rather be the person at the Con in jeans and a super hero T carrying around my camera taking pictures of all the awesome Cosplayers on the "display floor" of the host hotel. As I’ve said on numerous occasions I don’t like being the center of attention, I HATE having my picture made so to wear some Cosplay that gets attention would be awful. If I’m not wearing it to get attention when what’s the point?
5. Cosplay, when done right, is time consuming. I have run out of time to put some real effort into a costume at this point and to half ass it seems, just well wrong. We won’t even discuss the amount of money people spend on their Cosplay because if I could buy a decent looking costume that wouldn't mean trading in my car, thus not being able to get to the Con, I’d totally do it. That’s not lazy that’s just smart!
6. People can tell when you are phoning it in. Not all costumes have to be elaborate and have electronics involved but if you just put on a hoodie and a mask in my opinion you are just announcing the fact that you didn’t want to put the effort into this but you wanted to participate. I don’t know it just seems disrespectful to the people who have been working on their costumes since they woke up from their Con Coma last year.

So basically dear reader this post is my confession to Golden and our DragonCon crew that this year I will not be wearing any costumes. This is NOT a call to Golden and our crew to CREATE me a costume, PLEASE for the love of all that is holy don’t! I want to enjoy the Con, I want to walk around for a few days in jeans and a t-shirt, comfortable shoes, and just enjoy being with some awesome people. I want to take pictures, I want to share those pictures, and I want to enjoy my vacation stress free (stress less?). I also, if I’m making a want/wish list, want the DragonCon people to give the Windows Phone users an app that we can utilize throughout the Con, I want to stay in a host hotel next year, and lastly I want to watch DragonCon TV in an overflow hotel. I don't believe that I'm asking for too much here!

So until next time friends, I'll be the one in the Coulson/Fury T-shirt standing off to the side holding her camera and smiling at all the pretty!

-marcy

Happy Sunday!!!!

So … it’s Sunday, I promised blogs this weekend, and well … I failed. I’d like to say I was being all adult and doing important stuff like my taxes or laundry, but in all honesty I was failing hard at being an adult. I wanted to spend my weekend playing video games, didn’t really happen, tho I did play my fair share of online games.

I wanted to spend my weekend writing. What I ended up doing was thinking about writing, thinking that I should write, thinking what I should write, and thinking that writing was something that I should be doing. However I actually never put words to a page...so yeah epic fail.

I did spend some time today updating a Wikipedia page for a super awesome guy, I went to church, had a fantastic conversation with a friend via Twitter, and I also watched a NASCAR race with my dad which is always a fun time. So the weekend wasn’t a complete wash, but also wasn't as productive as I needed it to be.

The weather here was beautiful after a week straight of rain, I really should have been outside doing … anything... but outside is where people are and I am not a big fan of people. I have to deal with the outside and people all week long so on my weekend I decided yeah no I was going to let someone else fight that good fight. 

So what did you guys do this weekend?! Whatever it was I hope you took a few minutes to recharge for the week ahead. Don’t forget to wear Green on Tuesday or risk getting pinched unless you work in an office setting. Getting pinched at work could lead to a trip to HR which can end one of two ways for you, so plan ahead.

-Marcy

 

Thankfulness Challenge - Day 6

Today I’m thankful for Sweet Tea. There is something about sitting down at a table and taking that first sip of sweet tea feeling it run down your throat and not being able to wait until the next sip.

I know that there are sad people in this world who don’t have access to sweet tea, if you go past the Mason Dixon  Line they even look at you crazy if you ask for it in a restaurant. I personally think that’s why so many people up north are angry or sad.

 

 

Don't get me wrong there are some things about Tea that I hate. Like Lemons. My mom loves them I can't stand them. The smell makes me think of cleaning products, the sourness of the actual fruit makes me cringe, and then as someone who is bad about getting random papercuts that juice gets in there and hurts like you don't even want to know. I have slammed my hand in a door before and it not hurt as much. No joke.

 

Also all these flavored teas, blackberry tea, watermelon tea etc., seems to be unnecessary. Tea needs a single ingredient sugar ... well and water, oh yeah tea leaves, ok fine Tea needs 3 ingredients, no more no less.  

People need sweet tea in their lives it keeps the balance and keeps the murders down. It soothes my soul, calms me down, makes my heart happy. It’s that good people ….. if you haven’t had it you must make that happen ASAP and if you have had it but have not had it lately … then what’s wrong with you. If you have access to it then you must partake in it often if only because of those sad people that don’t have that access.

What you thought all of these were going to be deep and wonderful ? Yeah no this is not the blog post you are looking for.

-marcy

Heeere's Marcy !

So I forced Golden to write her “Obligatory Greeting” and thought about forcing her to write mine too but decided that wasn’t fair and to be honest she would have said “Oh Hell no!” then there would have been drama and I’m trying to keep this blog semi-drama free, since my work life is soo not. That’s not to say drama won’t make an appearance but hopefully it won’t become the main star of the show. I’m thinking more guest star during sweeps month. Besides it’s too damn early for drama, aint no one got time for that!

So here I am…typing my greeting. Let’s see…what do you need to know….what do you want to know? Why the hell are you guys here … I mean really don’t you have something better to do? Like poke yourselves in the eye with a pencil?! PS I don’t suggest you do that it will hurt and if you do I totally told you not to. …that’s for the future lawyers that we will definitely need at some point. Stay tuned … you’ll understand.

So the point of all of this…. I used to be a writer. That’s to say I used to have ideas that sometimes I’d put on paper, or type up in a word document. I used to have these ideas that would consume me and I’d spend days thinking about them, revising them, working on them, finishing them and going wow that’s good. I’d forget everything else around me. Then I just stopped. IT seemed to be kinda dumb to spend that much time on it just to close the word document and move on. No one was reading them, I wasn’t getting a grade for them, and I wasn’t even sharing them. Then I got to the point where I was pretty sure I lost any kind of talent I pretended to have, and any creativity that I once possessed also bought a ticket out of town. Golden disagrees. She says I just need to get back into the habit, get back to work so to speak. Usually I can buy her off by talking about a TV show but this time around not so much.

The second she suggested we do this I knew her back story. She wanted me to write again. She had started painting again (She’s an Art Major and super creative—Maybe we can talk her into showing us some of what she’s working on) and it was relaxing and a great way to end her day after a stressful work shift. My outlet at the moment is sitting in my chair pretending to be one of my favorite super heroes chasing bad guys using my x-box controller. It’s a stress release until Captain America or Ironman refuses to do what I tell him, or I can’t find that last Minikit even though I know it’s around I just can’t find it, and Stan Lee is yelling Help but I can’t get to him . . . . So ok … I’ve made my point…it’s not as stress reliving as I’d like for it to be though it is a fantastic game, I could and have played for hours!  

 

 

So I’m turning this blog into my playground. I’ll use it as a place to share random thoughts, maybe some original pieces I’m working on, maybe nothing at all, and honestly we’ll see where this goes. If I make promises and then I don’t keep them I’ll feel like I’ve let everyone down and thus I’ll shut down and stop this train before it even leaves the station. Trust me I’ve done it before. So I’ll let Golden be all sneaky and think this was her idea for her to be all creative and try something new when in all honestly I know it’s all about her getting me to write again and for that I thank her and am forever in her debt.  

If you aren't already follow me on twitter @beaslma and use the Hashtag #SayWhatMG when you say hi!

 

Stick around ... we are just getting started.