IGGPPC Camp: The Great Closet Cosplay Challenge 2018

I have found that I enjoy theming out my clothes. It doesn't mean I want to dress up in full cosplay, but I like giving nods to things. That's Closet Cosplay. It's giving those nods to what you love without going full face paint. IGGPPCamp does a theme each day and I decided to try. Don't laugh. I worked really hard to get to a place where I could do this.

Thursday, August 16, 2018
Total Guardian overload!

Friday, August 17, 2018
My daughter and I did WALL-E and EVE.

Saturday, August 18, 2018
I had to do Fry and Leela! Love it! I know I was excited the wig showed up, but it wasn't for this activity. I felt really bad about it later. I had just intended to be Leela (hello... purple hair).

Sunday, August 19, 2018
I love this shirt and it was all about the troop.

HURRAY! My nerdy clothing challenge is complete. That wasn't too hard. 

IGGPPC Camp: Thank You Letter

As part of my International Geek Girl Pen Pal Camp 2018 we were asked to write letters each day. Day 1 is a Thank You Letter. While there are so many people in this world I can thank for different reasons, there is one that really deserves it more than everyone.

Dear Ray (AKA Hubbywubs, AKA Ray-B-Doo, AKA - Papa),

Thank you for always being there. I know we have our ups and downs, as all couples do, but 21 years latter, I think we're doing pretty okay. Sometimes we don't sync up with priorities or goals or outlooks, but we don't let that stand in the way. You are my partner in crime. You may not always like cutting out pieces of construction paper to make signs for my school projects or having to run errands when I am too exhausted, but I appreciate it. 

Thank you for being the most amazing father in the world. You do so much for our daughter and, at times, have to pick up the slack of being a mother and a father when I just can't make it happen due to work or other required commitments. You work with her and understand her and she depends on you for so many things and you just put everything aside to help her work through whatever is going on. I can't even list all the ways you are amazing with her, but I know you know because I tell you everyday.

With 21 years of baggage, it's hard to know what to list or go on and on and on about, so I said a few thankful things, not like you don't hear them everyday or at least every-other-day, but I just thought I'd say "thank you" again, because I know you need to hear it. 

I love you so very much.

Love,

Me

IGGPPCamp 2017! Finger-Weave Bracelets

Every year I participate in the IGGPPCamp through GeekGirlPenPals.com and this year I not only did the Jell-O Aquarium and led a My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away Twitter Watch-Along, but I tried to do my best making a finger-weaving friendship bracelet video.

Enjoy!

World Premiere - The Blair Iggle Project

Over the summer, I had to chance to participate in a fan "remake" of the Blair Witch Project. The BWP was a film I latched onto in my youth that rocked my world. I was hooked into their advertising and the faux-documentary-found-footage style. I was obsessed with it.

To this day, I still watch The Blair Witch Project (and sometimes #2) on Halloween!

So when the opportunity opened up this summer to participate in making a "swede" version of The Blair Witch Project, entitled The Blair Iggle Project, I jumped on it! Different people from around the world would film as many scenes as they could from the movie and then compile them into an homage of the BWP. They were done in low-budget ways with whatever materials and people we had available to make it happen. I did quite a few of the scenes at the beginning of the film, because I have a lot of locations near my house that I thought would work well for some of the locations, like Birkitsville and Coffin Rock.

Suffice to say, we finished our little film and here is the final product. I'm proud of being party of this fun creative project and it felt so right that it was this movie.

IGGPPC Camp 2015 - Solo Photo Scavenger Hunt

1. Favorite Writing Instrument

2. Camp Stickers

3. Camp Snack

4. Cool Stick
Ok... see that stick dangling there all renegade? Yea... I like that stick. HANG ON BROTHA!

5. Show off something you made.

6. What is the one thing you NEED to take with you to camp?

7. Something Green

8. Gather Four Different Kinds of Leaves

9. What does it look like outdoors where you live?

10. Favorite Piece of Geeky Clothing
Didn't say it had to be on me. Her shirts are images taken by the Hubble Telescope and are totally gorgeous! Love it!

11. Spell Out IGGPPC With Objects

12. Show yourself participating in a camp activity.

Filming for the Iggle Blair Witch Movie

13. Flashlight

14. Camp Outfit
My shirt, some gold and my glasses. Sure there are shorts down below, but I'm ready for a party!

15. Nature!

IGGPPC Camp 2015 - Camp Reading Game

1. Read with a child - We read with our daughter almost every night. Today her Ranger Rick, Jr. arrived in the mail and we read through it and she worked on her spelling and word recognition. Good times!

2. Super Hero Comic Book - I read Ms. Marvel, again, as part of the Comic Book Bootcamp Day 1.

3. Listen to an Audiobook - I'm listening to Armada by Ernest Cline (Ready, Player One) and it's read by Wil Wheaton. Seriously a fan of Wheaton's audiobooks. Started with his own publications and then I listened to him read Ready, Player One and Redshirts by Scalzi.

4. Read your favorite Kids Book - I read Calico Captive, which was one of my favorites as a kid. I remember laying in bed at night and my mom would read it aloud to me. I remember being snuggled under the covers and the big comforter and my mom was laying on her side on the left side of the bed reading it until I fell asleep. I can't remember how many times I read that book.

5. YA Novel - Calico Captive is a young adult novel. I can't wait to get it into my classroom.

6. Book with an animal on the cover - My daughter asked me to read her one of her Jurassic World books on her Kindle. She LOVES dinosaurs right now. So we read through it together.

7. Poetry - I have been rereading Shel Silverstein's Falling Up. Looking for some fun poetry pieces for Forensics this year.

8. Graphic Novel of your choice - March Book 1 by John Robert Lewis. A power graphic portrayal of one Civil Rights activist's struggle in America from his childhood through some of his most influential moments. Lewis shares the shocking details in a way that will grip young readers who are unfamiliar with the reality of what happened in our history, but also enforce the injustices suffered for those who are familiar with the events. Worth the read and a share. On to Book 2.

9. Book that deals with Diversity - March Book 1.

10. Non Superhero Comic Book - I've been participating in the Comic Book Bootcamp! Read Manifest Destiny and Lazarus. Loving the new comics. Totes inspired!


11. Goosebumps or Are you Afraid of the Dark? Book - Goosebumps #45 - Ghost Camp  I can't believe I did it! These books became really popular at the tail end of my appropriate reading age for these, so I wasn't ever really super into them. I was the Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine (um... pre-goosebumps) kid. I watched the show, though. Again, I was a little old at the time.

12. Book that takes place at camp - Goosebumps #45 - Ghost Camp. I now feel bad that I didn't read the watch-along selection.

13. Short Story #1 - The Hunter by Wil Wheaton

14. Read with a Pet - I read The Hunter with my Lessa-poos by my side. She's so cuddly and we share the bed together at night. Granted, she fell asleep while I read and snored like a chainsaw.

15. Short Story #2 - The Monster in My Closet by Wil Wheaton
After I had read The Hunter, I saw there was another short story by Wheaton, referenced in a review of The Hunter. Since I enjoyed The Hunter, I turned to this one. It was pretty twisted. The resolution was a bit too quick and could have been drawn out a little more, but the plot thread was really enjoyable.

16. Read an Essay - I read an essay about the importance of social skills to the success of students and how schools, especially for Kindergarten, should be focusing primarily on social skills and put academics more to the back burner. Social Skills are important, but social skills are life itself. School is for academics and studying. The social skills and social activities happen, but it shouldn't be the focus of school.

17. Post your pic of a book and your drink 

18. Book with a Pirate in It - As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride  It's a club book I've been meaning to finish! :-)

19. Read Outside - Finished reading As You Wish outside on the patio in my snugglie hammock!

20. Book from the Library - I checked out Fullmetal Alchemist. It was a manga I've been wanting to read and now was my opportunity. Loved it bunches and bunches. Want to keep reading!

21. Manga - Fullmetal Alchemist. I'd watched it on TV, but now I had the chance to read it!  Thanks library!

22. Book of Choice - Um.... You're Never Weird on the Internet.... because it's awesome and I've been waiting for it and literally purchased it on my kindle, hardback, and audio. I just like to have my reading bases covered!

23. Book with more than 300 pages - THE ABOVE! I mean, seriously, at this point I've been reading like a crazy person!

24. Read in your blanket fort

You can't really see us, but we were in our little blanket/table/pillow fort reading. I don't fit very well, but that's alright. Bed time stories are the best!  We've been reading My Little Pony: Pony Tales, Vol. 1.
(Picture didn't turn out and you can see certain bits that I'm not okay with....)

Tabletop Games - As a Camp Activity

Last summer the site I participate in, International Geek Girl Pen Pals, ran their first online Summer Camp! They had site members running seminars, posting How-To Blogs, divided people up into troops who then had their own little cabins and counselors, and there were just a lot of awesome things to participate in.

Due do it's amazing popularity, it has returned and I, once again, have thrown myself into the fire, like a tasty marshmallow, and offered to run some camp events. I'll be listing my events below, but make sure you check out the whole list of amazing activities that will be going on. It's not just for girls, but boys, too.

Tabletop Online Game Tournament - Starts Thursday, August 13

Gamers will play online games through BoardGameArena in an elimination style tournament. Participants will be paired, hopefully in a way that makes time zones work out for them, and then standings will be listed. Last year was my first time doing it. This year, there's a bit more strategy. Sure, the contest is limited to the games that are available online (and free), so it changes things a little bit. I would love to have games like SmallWorld and Galaxy Trucker, but I can't make people buy the apps for those. Ceste la Vie.

Fiasco - Camp Death - Sunday, August 16
Fiasco is an on-the-spot RPG, where you roll dice in the moment and, as a group, create your characters and the story. No planning ahead. No GM. Just dice rolling, character creation, and storytelling. I will be facilitating and playing the Fiasco Playset Camp Death, developed by James Gabrielsen.

“Camp Clearwater has been abandoned since some grisly, ‘unsolved’ murders 20 years ago. The new owner probably made that up as some creepy story to tell campers and scare up business. What I know, though, is that we’ve got a couple weeks to get this place setup before any campers arrive, and most of the hardwork is already done. We’ve got lots of time to have some good ol’ fun before the campers take over. What could go wrong?"

Prepare yourself by watching some classic 80’s horror flicks! We'll be on Google+Hangout.

Tabletop Photo Scavenger Hunt - Monday, August 17
Use your knowledge and love of Tabletop Games to complete a Photo Scavenger Hunt. A list of 10 camp related items will be posted and you will use Tabletop Games fulfill the hunt photo requirements. The rules are fast and loose, as long as you are happy with the outcome of the items you selected to complete the hunt. For example, if the clue was “Fireside Snacks,” you might take a picture of the game board to Candy Land or some of the components from Scoville. Celebrate the great way Tabletop Games fit into camping!


So make sure that you check out these great Tabletop activities, as well as some of the other great activities, like daily craft and fitness activities.

28 Days of Lists - Day 9: In My Bag (or Wallet)

Day 9 is what is in my bag. Can I just ask. . . what isn't in my bag? I'm going to be brutally honest, so be prepared.

1. Homemade Calendar Notebook
2. Marker Pens
3. 3 packs of Cherry-Lime gum
4. Random packs of Tic-Tacs (and some loose ones)
5. Sunglasses
6. Wallet
7. Pins (oh so many pins... 20+)
8. Tampons!
9. Car Keys
10. Quick Tooth Brush with Breath Freshner
11. Dark Chocolate and Pretzel Granola Bar (2)
12. Orange Pac-Man Ghost Stress Guy
13. Random Pens
14. Business Cards
15. Black Mascara
16. Black Eye Liner
17. Cell Phone
18. Lip Plumper
19. Kindle Fire
20. Purple Ear Buds
21. Plastic Spoon
22. Subway Gift Card
23. Work Badge and Lanyard
24. Post-it Note Packet
25. Coupons for Local Restaraunts

28 Days of Lists - Day 8: About You

There's so much about me out there, I'm not really sure what to share about me. I mean, all these lists are about me. Well, let's see what I turn up with.

1. Lived in Scotland

And I miss it all the time. I know I took full advantage of living there, but I still feel like I could have taken even more advantage. I learned the joy of wandering while I lived there.

2. Was a Film Critic

No, seriously.... I was a film critic. Mingled with the big wigs, like Martin Scorsese and Sydney Pollack. Myself and my husband ran our own site and had a podcast with our friend. It was really quite awesome, but after some things that happened in Scotland I fell away from film criticism because I realized I was snarky enough to be successful. I was too heartfelt and real. Everything about me comes from the heart.

3. Wish I could dye my hair a crazy color

When I was younger I wanted to do RED, but I wasn't allowed. I've also wanted to do blue and purple, but I almost feel like my age and job are in the way a little bit. Who knows. . . maybe someday I'll make the jump and at least have like. . . red or blue bangs!

4.  I am an INFJ.

After all these years I still register as an INFJ on the Myers-Briggs. I've taken the test at every university I've been to, because they offered it for free and it's been really great. Sadly, I'm the most awkward of them all. On the flip side, it also explains my sensitivity to energies.

5. I swam in the Aegean Sea in March

When we visited Athens, we took a bus to the beach so we could swim in the sea (the bus drive said 15 minutes.... it was the longest 15 minutes of our life....). Strangely enough, the end of March is the COLDEST time to swim in the sea, but we did it anyways! Then when we bought postcards of our trip in Athens, we were given a plate. We, um... left the plate in our hotel room. It seemed a little sketchy to us.

28 Days of Lists - Day 7: Things I Would Tell My 20-Something Self

I feel like my 20's are still too much with me, even though I'm about 4 years out of them. It was my biggest period of change. Honestly, for who isn't it one of their biggest changing eras. I have a few things I'd tell myself, but. . .I think I lived it the most honestly and life-embracing that I could. But here are a few things:

1. Pick up the dog poop!

Seriously. . . it just became such an issue everywhere we went, because I trusted my husband and I'd defend that he picked it up, but apparently it wasn't always being done. Just apologize and pick it up. ::sigh:: DAMN YOU DOG POOP!

2. Don't Doubt Yourself

No matter how much they beat you down and tell you everything about you is wrong, remember you felt that way for a reason and there's nothing wrong with you not wanting to be part of their group. They're miserable and wanted to drag you down to their miserable level.

3. Unpack and Purge and Stop Accepting Stuff

When you move, unpack EVERYTHING and purge what you don't need. Then, once you've done that, don't accept tons of junk from other people. Just because someone gives it to you doesn't mean you HAVE to keep it.

4. FORCE THE GEEK!

Stop doubting that you're a geek. . . you loved Hero Quest. . . you loved movies. . . you loved books. . . don't not understand who you are. You're just at a different place than these other guys. Embrace the games and the Guild.

5. Just Stay Away

Keep away from people and don't let them persuade you otherwise. While a said mentality, the people you meet are not worth the pain they will put you through. And if you do #4, you'll be better off all around.

28 Days of Lists - Day 6: Antidotes

Day 6 is Antidotes. . . I had to giggle at this, because I was trying to think of antidotes NOT for the zombie apocalypse. I guess that will be #1!

1. Zombie Antidote

I don't want to be one of them.

2. Truth Serum Antidote

There's nothing more violating that being FORCED to speak things you'd rather keep hidden.

3.  Tracker-Jacker Antidote

What better way to bring two lovers together than with an antidote!