Texas Comic Fest

This past week-end was the second Texas Comic Fest that hubby and I have produced.   After ten months of hard work the payoff was an amazing day of comic related fun.  Here are a few of my favorite moments.

There were several people who were experiencing their first comic con event. It was so much fun to see them take it all in. I think some of them really found their tribe!  They came in a little shy, maybe a little hesitant, but by the end of the day they were completely at home.   The best first-timers were actually some unintentional attendees.  See, the venue we were at frequently hosts gun shows. We had two different groups of people pay their admission, walk the floor for a bit, then come back to the door and say “This isn’t the gun show, is it?”  I can only imagine what was going on in their heads as they walked around seeing people in cosplay and wondering what the heck kind of gun show this was.

Another favorite moment was when a cosplayer dressed as Deadpool threw a taco at me.  I have been to a lot of comic cons, but I have never had food thrown at me before.  He threw a packet of taco sauce as well, so that was kind of thoughtful.  Taco wasn’t bad tasting either.

Taco throwing must have exhausted Deadpool. After the taco throwing he stole Professor X's chair.

Kids are always the best part of any event. There were a few adorable youngsters that had seen a Joker cosplayers and promptly went to find Batman and let him know. Batman played right along and said that Joker had escaped from Arkham and thanked the kids for their assistance in finding him.

The Joker (Alex Thomas) and Batman (Dan Madsen)

I also had a chance to get to know some very special people.  Bustin’ for Autism was at the event to support autism awareness and raise funds for their mission.  Former WWE wrestler Gene Snitsky was there supporting them. For someone who played a wrestling character that was downright evil, Gene is the sweetest person you would ever want to meet. Such a great guy supporting a fantastic organization!

Another very special person I met was of the four legged variety. Tugg is a canine superhero! He was an abused pup, but he was adopted by a wonderful family that nursed him back to health and trained him to be a therapy dog.  Tugg does charity work and even has his own comic book! Such a powerful example of what love can do. You can learn more about Tugg at his website TuggTheBullTerrier.com

Tugg the Bull Terrier Puppy

Note:  All photos are used courtesy of the Texas Comic Fest Facebook page.

Has it really been that long?

Over the weekend I was thinking about how much I've been neglecting this little blog. I knew it had been quite awhile, but I was shocked to see that it has been over five months since I posted.

I feel like I need to explain my absence, but the truth is so boring. The truth is that work has been insanely busy, I spend a minimum of two and a half hours a day commuting, and we have a couple of side projects going. All true, but just boring as hell.

So, I've decided to give you a range of options for where I have been.

1. While vacationing in the Arctic I was adopted by a clan of polar bears.

2. I am secretly a famous movie star and was doing the Greta Garbo "I want to be alone" thing.

3. I discovered time travel and went back to the Middle Ages where I promptly got bitten by a flea carrying the bubonic plague. 

4. I discovered that I am actually the long lost princess of a small but wealthy island nation. I have been getting to know my subjects and having all the postage stamps reprinted with my face on them.

So, which do you prefer? I think I'm going with the princess story. My curls would look really cute in a tiara!

Veteran's Day

Happy Veteran’s Day to all those who have served, or are currently serving, in the Armed Forces.  From the Revolutionary War right on up to the present day, our veterans have always been there to answer the call. It is with deep and profound gratitude that I say a humble “Thank You” to all of them – past, present, and future.

On Veteran’s Day I also feel a different kind of gratitude. I am incredibly grateful for the eight years that I served in the Army. It made me understand what I was capable of and made me realize my own strength. The person that I was while I was in the Army was the best that I have ever been.  The Army enabled me to have experiences that I never would have had otherwise. It turned me from a small town girl into a citizen of the world. It brought me life-long friendships and introduced me to the love of my life.  I would not have the life that I have today if it was not for those incredible eight years.

So, to Uncle Sam I say a heartfelt “Thank You” and to all my friends and comrades from the old days – Hooah!

*Today's post is a repeat from 2013

When Did Road Trips Get So Complicated?

Back when I was young (a really, really, long time ago), road trips were so easy. If my college aged self got a chance to go on a fun road trip, I pretty much just tossed a toothbrush in my purse and off I went. Now that I'm an old woman I still love a good road trip, but it is so much more complicated!

I am currently on a very short road trip. It is literally down one day and back the next. My total time away from home is about 36 hours. Yet, I still wound up packing TWO full bags of toiletries! Twenty year old me was fine with sleeping in my makeup. Old lady me is very particular about having all of the appropriate lotions, potions, toners, cleansers, and serums. The fight against wrinkles can never pause!

Of course, technology makes travel easier, but it definitely adds to the packing.  I always have my phone, iPad and Kindle with me when I travel. I have to be well stocked with audio books and TedTalks to amuse myself in the car. Of course, all those things have their chargers that you can't forget!

Old lady me also likes to be well prepared for any minor inconveniences that might come up. I'm well stocked with headache medicine, allergy meds, antacids, and pretty much every other type of over the counter med you can think of.  I've also got to be sure I have a change of shoes and a sweater or jacket in case the weather turns chilly. There is no rain in the forecast, but my umbrella is packed just in case!

Sometimes I miss my free spirited younger self. It was nice having the spontaneity to just jump at opportunities. But, I have to admit that road trips are much more comfortable when I have my magic bag of tricks with everything I could possibly need.

How about you? What are your road trip essentials?

Quote of the day - Albert Einstein

I have a new personal mantra. I think that I will have this put on posters and plaster my office walls.


Problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them. ~ Albert Einstein

Hot!

So, I woke up at 4:00 a.m. today and was convinced I had died and gone to hell. It was so hot in my house that surely Lucifer himself had to be in residence. I've always thought I was basically a good person, so I was a little surprised to find myself in the pits of Hades.

After my head cleared a bit I realized that the air conditioner had gone out. I should have know it. Even hell couldn't be as hot as Texas in the summer with no central air.

Thank goodness the repair company that we called was able to come out quickly and get it running again. It wasn't even that expensive a repair. Of course, I would have paid any price just to get that wonderful cold air blowing again.

Now, pardon me as I go dowse myself in water and lay under a vent with a glass of ice cold lemonade.

The New Man in my Life

I have a new man in my life. He is short. He has a pot belly. He sits around in the nude all day. He has poor bladder control. And I love him with all my being.

Meet the newest member of my furry family, Rocket the shorty Jack Russell Terrier.

My New Baby