Darling Stewie

January 4, 2020

5 Fandom Friday: Fandom Resolutions for 2020

Thanks to my friend Sparklegirl Jen’s blog post, I have learned that #5FandomFriday is back! Sartorial Geek has officially relaunched the #5FandomFriday blog prompts, originally started by Megan and Kristin. I used to participate in these, once upon a time… welp, it’s been too long, fam. It feels nice to have a reason to join in, and I’ve truly missed writing nonsense on my blog. Here’s to hoping there’s more of that in my future. Read on to see what’s weighing on my fandom heart. Here are my 2020 fandom-inspired resolutions to myself.

1. Slow down and make time to read more

I’m proud mum to an 18-month old toddler tornado named Alexander. The frantic pace of motherhood feels like it never leaves much time for me, so I’m committing to read more comics, books, audio books, and graphic novels in 2020. They’re expensive so I’ll be scouring my local library for options. I’ll probably start with I Hate Fairyland by Skottie Young, and the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Robert Hack since I own them, and they are still unread. I could really use some recommendations in the comments! I love horror, mystery, thrillers, fantasy, and nonsense.

2. Reconnect with the online geek community

The contents of this blog (my last post was in November of 2018!) and my own social media activity (I feel like I barely post anymore) has drastically dwindled over the past few years. I’ve missed out on a lot of great conversations with fellow geeks on the interwebs and I’d like to change that. I’m going to work to be more engaged at listening to, and sharing more of myself with online geek communities I once was super active in, like the IGGPPC. I really miss the talented women and friends I made in that group and I need to do some serious reconnecting! Please leave a comment to let me know which squad you run with and I’ll check it out. As an aside, I can usually be found on Twitter.

3. Finally watch through the entire MCU

There are a ton of MCU movies I haven’t seen. Captain Marvel, Ant-Man, Doctor Strange, Black Panther, End Game… so I’m committing to properly binge these. That’s it. Binge watch Marvel movies. Let me know in the comments which are your favorites!

4. Get “Geek Girl Strong”

I’d love to actually feel like have the physical and emotional bandwidth to be my best geeky self! Working in the con space is exhausting. As the newest member of the LeftField Media team, I’m back to the grind when it comes to traveling to cons and working late nights and weekends to bring them to life. My assigned shows are Awesome Con in Washington DC and Rose City Comic Con in Portland, Oregon. That coupled with being a mom, wife, and having other physically demanding interests like LARP, have clued me in that I need to get healthier.

I have made a commitment to focus on my health this year. I’m breaking up with booze for good (he never did me ANY favors), and working to put healthier things into my body instead. I’m getting more active with my husband and son. My husband is a parkour coach and a gym rat so I am hopeful the opportunities for movement will be frequent. Plus I’ll get inspiration online from Geek Girl Strong. Robyn is a woman who constantly inspires me to get MOVING! I am grateful to love myself enough to invest in my body in 2020. It needs to last me a while!

5. Self-love through Casual Cosplay

I will be getting more mindful in the form of intentional nerd fashion… regular everyday cosplay and Disneybounding. I’ve been struggling to feel confident or motivated enough to not only put together creative and geeky outfits, much less photograph myself in them. Self-love (Or should I say selfie-love?) and cute fandom-inspired outfits are in my 2020 future, geek squad. I am always amazed by my good friend Joanna and her incredibly spot on everyday cosplays, and I know I can always turn to her for inspiration. Plus I have never done a Sartorial Geek Fashion Fix (#SGFashionFix) so this is my year for getting back into it!

Thanks for reading. I know it’s Saturday, not Friday. Deal with it! Feel free to partake in the #5FandomFriday challenge yourself or post a comment with your thoughts, resolutions, or positive vibes. All my love to you, and to myself for committing to love myself enough to do these things. <3

November 26, 2018November 26, 2018

Stewie’s Picks: November 2018

It’s getting way chilly here in Black Rock, CT, and, well, I guess I have a baby now – so it’s been harder to get outside and walk around the block much. Therefore, I’m officially in homebody binge mode! Here are my picks of the things I’ve been obsessed with bingeing this month.

Make Your Body Work [Podcast]

Source: makeyourbodywork.com

I think I’m a little late to the party on this one (It looks like Dave was really active a few years ago?) but I’m getting a ton of insight and benefit from listening to the Make Your Body Work podcast, as well as checking out some of Dave’s full workout videos and the Lose 10 in 4 podcast (which I guess is more of a video series and less of a podcast, but what do I know? You do you man.) He doesn’t waste time chatting up a co-host or his guests and the editing quality is pretty good. It’s succinct and no nonsense but also chock full of fact-based and research backed insights along with interesting interviews with experts in the field. I’m curious what other nutrition and fitness buffs think but to my novice brain, it’s easy to digest and interesting. I’m making avocado toast on whole grain bread tomorrow in honor of what I’ve learned so far. 🥑😋 Post a comment if you have any other fitness or nutrition podcast recommendations or if you dig Dave’s stuff.

“Legends of the Summer” by Meek Mill [Music]

Source: gq.com

I didn’t realize I was into hip hop as much as I am, but this album has been my go-to jam for the past few weeks when I need to grind through work. I was definitely inspired to explore new rap jams (besides mainstream magic like Drake and Kanye West) on Spotify after working ComplexCon 2018… and having no idea who anyone is. Recommendations really appreciated here! Leave a comment below with other artists I should check out or links to your personal playlists. 🎧 I look forward to giving a listen.

American Horror Story: Apocalypse [TV Show]

Source: Emma Roberts on Instagram

This has consistently been my binge-worthy guilty pleasure every single season. There’s something about seeing what new roles Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk will cast the actors in that’s addictive. I also love seeing how older season’s storylines might intertwine, and what new fun and freaky supernatural elements make it into the show… that always makes it a must see for me every season. I was thrilled it was a Murder House and Coven crossover but the Murder House aspect felt small. I was hyped to see Dylan McDermott return even if his stay was brief. And I’m enthralled by the new blonde bad boy on the block Michael Langdon. He’s hypnotic and gorgeous… but I guess the son of Satan would be? Cathy Bates as always is a show stealer in any role – even as a Satanist robot. I also love Sarah Paulson in her multiple roles – she can pull off so so much. Taissa Farmiga, Billie Lourde, Emma Roberts, Frances Conroy… gah I love all those witches so much! Feels like a warm hug seeing the gang back together. The Coven is back bitches, so cast a circle, step back, and let the witches do their thing. 🔮 Leave a comment if you’re as AHS obsessed as me.

September 17, 2018October 20, 2018

Top 10 @ Keystone Comic Con 2018

Welcome to my Top 10 @ Comic Con series, that is, where I rant about my top 10 experiences or cool things from the show I was just at.

How freakishly tall Joe Manganiello is IRL: While working backstage during the True Blood Reunion panel, I was luckily able to watch the cast answer fan questions from behind the curtain which was super exciting! And when Joe and the crew walked offstage, it was only then I realized how GD tall he is. 6’5 in fact! Oh, and I also learned he’s married to Sofia Vergara – COOL! Love her on Modern Family. Tangent, sorry. Anyway, he was wearing his brand, Death Saves, a clothing brand and tribute to D&D, proving he’s ultimately a supernerd in his own right with good fashion sense.

Death Knight Coach Jacket. Source: Death Saves

Flossing original cosplay boy: This child, omg this child. I friggin love flossing for whatever old lady reason. He told me he was cosplaying as an original character. Same boy, same.
ASSEMBLE! The Official Keystone Comic Con Beer ft. amazing retro artwork by Dave Perillo: I love me a good themed beer, and in true ReedPOP fashion, Keystone Comic Con was able to lock in and brand an Official Show Beer before their launch. This particular brew had beautiful custom cans with artwork by Dave Perillo! His retro style and use of color makes me all kinds of happy.

The Official Assemble! poster ft. artwork by Dave Perillo and an Instagram post ft. the can in action by Evil Genius Beer

Chatting with a very neighborly sweetheart, David Newell, aka Mr. McFeely from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: David was intensely sweet and wanted to chat my ear off. He ended up signing a photo for me and was SUCH a friggin delight to chat with. He reco’d me to check out Laurel and Hardy, whoever the F that is. Memo penguin to watch the new flick Won’t You Be My Neighbor? and his documentary, Speedy Delivery. I wish he was on Twitter or something so I could @ him about how much I loved chatting with him!
Another adorable encounter with Richard Horvitz: I first met the legend that is Richard Horvitz during C2E2 2017. Fast forward a year, and during Keystone, I was able to ask the incredible Richard Horvitz (Invader Zim, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy) a few questions… spoiler alert, he’s always such a freaking delight. Did you know? Invader Zim was my high school obsession. Well, to be clear, Johnny the Homicidal Maniac was first, then came Zim.

Johnny the Homocidal Maniac. It me. Source: Comic Vine.

Nerd music and also video games at the same time, by Bit Brigade: Fun fact! You can totally speedrun Mega Man and simultaneously play awesome music. Bit Brigade took the stage during Keystone and paired their feverish rock with some dude in a bean bag speedrunning Mega Man – quite the experience. Would deffo love to see this again with my husband… I feel like he’d fully appreciate it. This video is them live at MAGFest. Side note: I sadly missed MC Chris on the same stage, but there will be other times for my backpack to have jets.
Being in the glorious presence of Ray Park: I feel like Ray Park was my very first celeb crush? But as Toad from X-men. IS THAT WEIRD? Whatever, frogs are cool. He’s a Scottish martial artist, which means his voice is gorgeous, and he is super devout to his fitness craft. Being that jacked takes TIME. Obviously he was Darth Maul, which makes the Star Wars nerd in me tweak out. He seems mega down-to-Earth and I was so happy to be able to ask him a few questions for the Keystone Instagram Stories.

He protec, he attac. His tongue grab a lot of snac.

Another incredible installment of Twisted Toonz: I’m a nerd for many things, but I’m a supernerd for voice actors. The cast of Twisted Toonz took the Main Stage on Saturday and ran with Rocky in true Philly fashion. Between Phil LaMarr’s Barack Obama and Troy Baker’s Severus Snape it was an improv and VOA geek’s dream. Twisted Toonz is a CAN’T MISS panel at any show and I mean that wholeheartedly. Check out this full panel from C2E2 2017 of Twisted Toonz doing one of my all-time favorite movies, Back to the Future or maybe just make sure to go see every Twisted Toonz panel ever, kk?
An amazing Jack-Jack: My ovaries, DAMMIT, my ovaries! This was my very first onsite experience and full-blown Comic Con after my very first maternity leave. And let me tell you, leaving my husband and our fresh out the womb 3-month old son was SO. DARN. HARD. I saw so many children… TOO MANY CHILDREN… during Keystone that constantly reminded me of my own little boob goblin. This one cosplaying as Jack-Jack with his mum stole my heart. Jack-Jack is a legend and cosplaying as a family is probably one of the many reasons I was so excited to have kids. The family who cosplays together, amirite?
The cast of The Office packing the Main Stage: I’ve deffo seen my fair share of The Office episodes. I mean, I did move to where I live now from Scranton, Pennsylvania. And if I didn’t hear enough Office references while I lived there, I was met with many an excited fan during the inaugural Keystone Comic Con. Who knew a mainstream syndicated sitcom would have such a cult geek following? The Office Reunion panel PACKED the Main Stage seats and the cast members were incredible, down-to-Earth, hysterical and genuinely seemed to have a good time. Memo penugin to rewatch the entire The Office series and find out what this cult is all about.

Thanks for reading <3 Tweet me your favorite memory of Keystone Comic Con 2018 or just for funzies, and we’ll see you in 2019!

November 20, 2016November 20, 2016

Scary movies that gave me a spook: The Boy / I am the Pretty Thing that Lives in your House

I love me some horror movies. Terribad and horrigreat, I kind of like them all. This post contains spoilers in clearly labeled Spoiler Section areas, so if you wanna avoid them cuz they baddies, just don’t read those sections.

The Boy (2016)

Basic plot synopsis: Starring Lauren Cohen (Maggie, from The Walking Dead!) the film is about an American chick (Greta) who takes a job as a nanny for an older British couple’s son, who happens to be a doll. NBD. Happens all the time. Greta learns this is some kind of weird coping mechanism and that their actual son died 20 years earlier. Greta begins to care for the doll as the older couple goes away on holiday, and suddenly, the doll seems like it might actually be alive.

Stewie says: Doll movies, always creepy. I would love a doll to make me a PBJ… sounds like a perfect doll to me. I loved everything about this flick, from the cute grocery boy and Lauren Cohen’s chemistry, to the super creepiness of this doll and all the weird rules surrounding its care. Greta seems to have a pretty realistic reaction to everything that happens to her, including her coming to realize that the doll might be alive. I totally sympathize. My dolls come to life all the time.

Spoiler Section: As it turns out, the long dead son that this old couple was mourning was living in the walls the hold time. UGH if I had a nickel for every ex-boyfriend I found living in my walls. And suddenly, everything they had revealed about the dead son’s behavior, and the care they give the doll (Loud music! Louder!) makes so much sense. The peeps at Rotten Tomatoes gave this flick a 27%, which I’m like… why?! I loved it! People seem super butthurt that the creepy doll from the movie was not actually supernaturally possessed by the spirit of a dead little boy, which, yeah, I feel that way all the time when I look at my Care Bears. But I think the twist / reveal was ultimately super scary and unexpected. It gives me chills and I still see creepy dudes wearing doll masks crawling out of my closet.

9/10 spoops: 10/10 was surprised, 7/10 doll cuteness factor, 9/10 badass level of a suicide pact in the ocean

I am the Pretty Thing that Lives in your House (2016)

Basic plot synopsis: A Netflix-made movie! An in-home nurse named Lily, who is easily spooked, goes to care for like, the old lady version of Stephen King. The old lady was a hit in her time for writing some of the scariest horror novels, including a particularly famous one about someone named Polly. Lily starts to discover that one of the books this author wrote might have been based on an actual murder that happened in the house.

Stewie says: This movie had me on the edge of my old lady hipster rocking chair. The visuals of the gorgeous ghosty, old school music (30’s and 40’s… think the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror) and suspense-building/timing of everything make it totally worth the watch. It’s probably a bit slow if you’re the kind of person who likes to watch arms get chopped off every 5 seconds and also if that’s you, you crazy. It’s pretty easy to sympathize with Lily, in the way that she constantly looks like she is peeing herself from being in that creepy house. It doesn’t have that stay with you, “scared to get out of bed and pee in the middle of the night” (totally me) horror movie vibe, but it was enjoyable and elegant nonetheless. Also, ghost clothes, 10/10, would cosplay.

Spoiler Section: Rotten Tomatoes gave this 60%, and most people were pissed off because they said the film was boring and pretentious. I mean, I guess the old lady did have an old school rotary phone in her home, which is pretty hipster, so ya. If you weren’t interested in the beginning of the movie because it wasn’t gory enough, the bit where Polly the ghost lady gets her head smashed in was enough to crack the tension that had been building. The time travel bits, where we see the old author in her time, were totally cool. Plus lots of interesting chicks which is overall cool in movies.

7/10 spoops: 12/10 fashionable ghost dresses, 4/10 modern day phone usage

Thanks for reading. I welcome your recommendations, so please post them in a comment!

June 29, 2016

More YouTube magic, plus an awesome C2E2 recap

Greeting magical internet people! I hope all is amazing in your world! I’ve been busy lately – running the IGGPPC takes up so much of my time. I made a couple more YouTube videos for the Geek Girl Pen Pals on YouTube!