Saturday, October 16, 2010

Revived!

YAY for Dunkin Donuts!! I am brought back to life, thank you medium iced, cream two splenda.  I had to ask where the local DD was located, so I labored over the decision of who to ask for directions. I shouldn't ask a cop that would be perceived as rude or that I was trying to be disrespectful in some way. But there were so many cops, it just seemed like the logical choice. 

But here's me, overthinking it as usual, "Sir, I need to ask you a question, but I do not want you to think that I am in anyway trying to imply anything, because I certainly do not want you to think that I am trying to perpetuate a stereotype, but could you please point me in the direction of the local Dunkin Donuts?"

"Down past Exeter."

"Thank you."

There were four Boston cops in the breezeway of Dunks.

DENIED!!

Access to the first New England Comic Con Day 2 Q&A of the day has been denied. I should have known luck would not be in my favor when I forgot my phone - the phone with the camera. On the day when John Schneider, Adam West, Burt Ward and the Buffy Fest characters would be here. Oh bother. Anyway, the line for James Marsters went out into the lobby - practically equalling the line for the adjacent rally for Deval Patrick who's guest today is none other than the President of the United States of America.  As the call went out that they would accept no other attendees, people wandered around in disbelief. Seemingly devastated.  They would have to meet Spike another day.

I for one am enjoying the feast for the eyes - several people arrived in costume today. The Joker and Harley are back. The obvious Star Wars characters, although my favorite was the Sandperson. I think I saw a Cptn Hart from Torchwood. Fairies and all sorts of other woodland creatures, including strangely enough Cookie Monster. However, I must note, that there is an Ecto-1 here that does not compare to LA Propper's version. Sorry, fellas not personal bias. It's just fact. :)

Friday, October 15, 2010

Comic Con First Night

After being blown in on my umbrella a la Mary Poppins, I made it into the Hynes Convention Center for the first night of New England Comic Con. When asked if I was attending a rally rather than the comic convention, I realized I was pretty much totally inappropriately dressed. My heels and skirt had no place among those wonderful souls who braved the weather and the crowds in complete costume. HarleyQuinn and the Joker looked a little windblown, although for the Heath Ledger version he was going for, it probably didn't matter. A gauzy fairy with wings fluttered by, looking pretty much frostbitten. If that were me, I may have been a little deterred from the fishnets by the 50 degree temps. However, the Star Wars characters seemed no worse for wear. I imagine that the the Impirial robes were totally weather appropriate, it seemed Emperor looked pretty toasty.

Some unfortunate no shows for the first night - according to some gossip at the Harrison's table apparently James Marsters' flight was delayed and he is expected in at 9:45pm - forty-five minutes after the show closes. John Schneider won't be in until tomorrow either and I haven't heard about Lee Majors or Adam West or Burt Ward yet.

I saw Dirk Tiede of Beverly, artist and writer of the Paradigm Shift series that I have had the pleasure of interviewing more than once. He seemed excited and ready to see his books. I also put a face to a great conversation I recently had with George O'Connor of Malden, writer for the Healed series. I am waiting to find Jason Conty of Angry Viking Press. He's a Lynn boy, so despite my affection for the other two, I have to root for the hometeam.

Monday, October 11, 2010

New Mirror, Old Me

so, as I've been explaining to people, we moved into this house in 2004, at the time I was about 30 years old. Since the day we moved in, the lighting in our bathroom has been terrible. The fluorescents on the old medicine cabinet would flicker and sputter until finally, a few years ago, we had to replace them with an old lamp. So for six years, I have seen myself only in very bad lighting.

Upon the completion of our bathroom renovation, in which my dear husband installed gorgeous recessed lights in the main as well as the shower area of the tub, and also lovely vanity sconces along side what would be the new medicine cabinet. And so, when Peter finally installed the new medicine cabinet this past Friday, for the first time in six years, after years of perceiving myself preserved at that 30 year old state, I was finally able to look at my soon to be 37 year old self in a well-lighted mirror.

The neighbors heard the screaming.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

So, yeah, um...

New to this blogging world.

I know. That little admission has already moved me into the "annoying" category, but please hear me out.

I thought it would be smart to post the stuff I've been writing about in a place other than Facebook. However, could anyone of you nice bloggers tell me how I can reorder the blogs I just posted?

Anyone?
Anyone?
please?

Mahjong and beyond: PEM exhibit unlocks the secrets of modern-day China - Wicked Local, MA - North of Boston

Mahjong and beyond: PEM exhibit unlocks the secrets of modern-day China - Wicked Local, MA - North of Boston

'Geriatric fashion superstar' opens her closet for Peabody Essex exhibit - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

'Geriatric fashion superstar' opens her closet for Peabody Essex exhibit - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Marine-turned-filmmaker discusses his experiences at Salem festival - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Marine-turned-filmmaker discusses his experiences at Salem festival - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Indie legend to be featured at Salem Film Fest - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Indie legend to be featured at Salem Film Fest - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

A few minutes with Monica Medeiros - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

A few minutes with Monica Medeiros - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

‘Survivor’ star comes to town - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

‘Survivor’ star comes to town - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Thrills and chills: SHS brings 'Sweeney Todd' to the stage - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Thrills and chills: SHS brings 'Sweeney Todd' to the stage - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

A few minutes with Wakefield's Anthony Guardia - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

A few minutes with Wakefield's Anthony Guardia - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

Saugus women raise money to fight breast cancer - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Saugus women raise money to fight breast cancer - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

TOP program hits bottom: Youth outreach initiative loses funding - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

TOP program hits bottom: Youth outreach initiative loses funding - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Bike to the Sea’s trail shovel-ready - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Bike to the Sea’s trail shovel-ready - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Salem hospitality: Hawthorne Hotel has served city and its visitors for 85 years - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Salem hospitality: Hawthorne Hotel has served city and its visitors for 85 years - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Small businesses to governor: Healthcare costs drowning us - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Small businesses to governor: Healthcare costs drowning us - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

A few minutes with Eric Estevez - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

A few minutes with Eric Estevez - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

Just happy to be here - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Just happy to be here - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

A few minutes with David Lucas - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

A few minutes with David Lucas - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

Plentiful Wakefield elections on tap for this spring - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

Plentiful Wakefield elections on tap for this spring - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

Students play the stock market - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Students play the stock market - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Loving Zumba at the Senior Center - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Loving Zumba at the Senior Center - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

'Lace Reader' author draws again from Salem history - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

'Lace Reader' author draws again from Salem history - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Taste for Education a big hit - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Taste for Education a big hit - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Talk to the animals: pet psychic communicates with deceased pets - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Talk to the animals: pet psychic communicates with deceased pets - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Academy Award-winning director discusses India, filmmaking - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Academy Award-winning director discusses India, filmmaking - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Local 8th grader takes home national judo championship - Malden, Massachusetts - Malden Observer

Local 8th grader takes home national judo championship - Malden, Massachusetts - Malden Observer

A few minutes with Paul Brodeur - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

A few minutes with Paul Brodeur - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

Honoring Kelly - scholarship established for Wakefield girl - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

Honoring Kelly - scholarship established for Wakefield girl - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

A sweet syrupy surprise - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

A sweet syrupy surprise - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Catching those elusive leprechauns - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Catching those elusive leprechauns - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Wong, Igou debate local issues - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

Wong, Igou debate local issues - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

Video takes aim at Salem's power plant - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Video takes aim at Salem's power plant - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Arts center at Wakefield High School making progress - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

Arts center at Wakefield High School making progress - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

Celebrating 10 years of survival - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Celebrating 10 years of survival - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Seven Gables board to reassess community programs - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Seven Gables board to reassess community programs - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Old Town Hall museum delayed, but renovation plans move forward - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Old Town Hall museum delayed, but renovation plans move forward - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

DEP: Response plans will protect North Shore from oil spills - Wicked Local, MA - North of Boston

DEP: Response plans will protect North Shore from oil spills - Wicked Local, MA - North of Boston

Floral fun at Hartshorne House - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

Floral fun at Hartshorne House - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

Gay-wedding expo headed to Salem - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Gay-wedding expo headed to Salem - Beverly, MA - Salem Gazette

Saugus resident spearheads North Shore Walk to Defeat ALS - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Saugus resident spearheads North Shore Walk to Defeat ALS - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Happy Founder’s Day! - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Happy Founder’s Day! - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Bogdan named Woman of the Year - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Bogdan named Woman of the Year - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Boston staffing guru offers employment seminars at the Beebe Library - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

Boston staffing guru offers employment seminars at the Beebe Library - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

Mechanical harvester makes its way down the Mystic - Malden, Massachusetts - Malden Observer

Mechanical harvester makes its way down the Mystic - Malden, Massachusetts - Malden Observer

New look at Karl’s Sausage - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

New look at Karl’s Sausage - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser

Democrats debate for Ninth Essex District state rep seat - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

Democrats debate for Ninth Essex District state rep seat - Wakefield, MA - Wakefield Observer

North Shore artists making a splash at New England Comic Con - Wicked Local, MA - North of Boston

North Shore artists making a splash at New England Comic Con - Wicked Local, MA - North of Boston

‘Got Hope?’ Leah Tramundozzi does: Malden pre-teen 'makes strides' - Malden, Massachusetts - Malden Observer

‘Got Hope?’ Leah Tramundozzi does: Malden pre-teen 'makes strides' - Malden, Massachusetts - Malden Observer