New York -or- People who place other people on pedastals

So I am still exhausted. I had quite a week beginning with the trip to New York that everyone thought I was nuts to go on. My parents got wary sounds in their voices when discussing it. My friends looked at me like I was out of my mind. I felt that way as I boarded the bus at 10:30 PM to head into what could only be described as one of the most whirlwind experiences I will ever have.

One of the experiences that was new to me was waiting outside the stage door of the show we went there to see, which was Guys and Dolls. Let me just point out, for starters, that my thoughts on this are that people are people no matter how big. They are actors. That is how they make their living. People happen to know their faces. So when the three of us (Traci, Jon, and I) waited outside the stage door to acquire the signatures of other people after they had done their job, I found it a little unnerving. I didn't feel worthy of being one of the people at the front of the giant mob.

I really liked the show. I had a few qualms with it, but nothing that ruined my experience, and it is always good to see true professionals up on stage. One of the main reasons that my friends and I saw this specific show is because Traci of I'm Asian You're Not, wanted very badly to see/meet Lauren Graham of the Gilmore Girls. The only way that we could all swing the money and the time to do this was to take a (literally) 24 hour trip to New York. The video journal of our experience is below (edited by yours truly. Blame me):

I am not sure I will ever make a habit of bothering celebrities, but it was definitely an interesting experience watching the actors on the other side of the fence smile for pictures, and try to be friendly to people they will likely never see again. Weird.....just weird. That could be me someday....*shudder*

Geekdom, update!

So yes! I saw Watchmen!

Yes! I liked it a lot!

I feel it is not my business to review it fully. I will just say that I am in the camp (there are a few camps at this point) which says that it followed the book so well that it was perfect. The only thing I would have changed is if they had not followed the actual words so entirely closely, so that it could have been fit for a movie audience rather than a reading audience. The words worked way better on paper. This is not the whole script, however, and I still fully applaud it.

Be warned! It is extremely violent! If you don't like that, don't see it! Or suck it up...your choice...

Geekdom, I embrace you!

Well, I am not sure I have reached what I like in terms of layout for this blog, but I like the colors better. I will have to find a happy medium..or someone who knows how to edit the Html enough to change the size of the columns.

That aside, I am about to embark on a fantastic journey into graphic novel geekdom. I hardly ever read graphic novels...my list rising to the astounding number of two; Persepolis, and Watchmen. Yet, I squeal like a little girl (is there any other way?) when I remember ten times a day that I am going to see Watchmen on Friday. I will try not to rant too much about people I am forced to be with at the theater, because the experience of seeing this film should be enough. Right? Right.

I read the book in January, so it is very fresh in my mind, and my world was rocked for a good week afterward. Filth and disreputable behavior color this world of Cold War, and a 1980's we all wished we had been a part of. The writers had quite the imagination to make everyone look normal and fashionable. They must have been absent for the real 1980's.

I'll admit, I heard of the movie before the book, and yes I read the book so I would appreciate the movie that much more. It isn't much better than the Oprah book club which brainwashes you to read books that have been out for ages already. Let's just say I read it one way or another ok? Back off.

Anyways, in celebration of this impending wonder of a movie, I visited the website and was thoroughly impressed. You should do the same!! There I found beautiful graphics, sound to pull you in, and interactive funsies.

The hype got me to thinking about all the people who have been geeking out about this for twenty years. There is such a fascinating culture surrounding this book alone, not to mention the art of the graphic novel. Below are only a couple of pictures that can be found of people "cosplaying" (dressing as characters from the book for a convention) for your consideration. I am aware that there are probably people who read this blog who are interested in cosplay. Let me just say, I have no problem with this. As I do not do it myself, I am fascinated by it, and mean no judgement.

The first character you see is one of the most widely recreated characters, Rorschach. Easy to pull off because you don't have to show your face. The second is The Comedian, a valiant effort, but it still kind of makes me laugh. Because the movie actor is ingrained in my head as the epitome.

Now tell me you are not intrigued. The dude is lighting his cigar WITH A FLAME THROWER. That dude is Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

I am sort of expecting people to be cosplaying at the movie...which is all well and good, but since they will all be Rorschach, how will they see the movie?? Well I am not going to cosplay, needless to say. I dont have a hat like that anyways. And the mask didn't come out right at all....uh....I mean, why would anyone waste their time doing that??? *ahem*

So go watch the movie! Read the book! Become a part of a twenty-five year sensation! I promise not to laugh and call you a nerd. If you knew anything about it you would realize that there really is a good reason to be compelled to be like these characters. You want them to be real! They make you believe they are real!

Also. It's just pretty.

Knitters are badass!

I learned to knit about a year and a half ago, when a few friends and I began having a weekly knitting night. Since then I have taught myself a lot of useful tricks, and I have made some pretty cool things.

Yet nothing compares to the awesomeness of the article that I found about graffiti knitters in Vancouver. According to this fine piece of literature, there are actually quite a few "Yarn Bombers" all over the world. But the particular few in Vancouver actually go out in disguises (clothes with changable colors, detachable sleeves, hats, etc) and knit little tokens to poles, trees, and other conspicuous items, for the sake of adding a smile to someone's face.

What is even better about all of this, is that they are writing a book about Yarn Bombing. So you can go out to your local bookstore, and read up on how to become a Yarn Bomber. You know you want to!

Reading this made me remember though, that back in 2006 (OMG I can't believe I have been following that site this long), there was a post on CuteOverload.com, about a woman who knitted a sweater for a tree, which I would characterize as knitted graffiti.

The article tells me (yes it speaks to me and tells me things) that there was a Yarn Bombing organization that began in 2005 in Texas, called Knitta, and seeing as people are now writing books about it (Yarn Bombing: The Art of Crochet and Knit Graffiti) and spreading the word via blogging, it seems like the perfect time to join! I should learn how to knit sweaters for pay phones, and pigeons! I have plenty of leftover yarn, and it is not going to do anything but sit, unless I put it to good use.

By all means check out the blog I have hyperlinked above. Also watch the video, which I found on the blog, which describes the ins and outs of guerrilla knitting. Too awesome.


I feel like I should join this hilarious movement and show the world some adorable yarn creations .

I am going to need a partner in crime though. Who's with me?