Geek Out Day 17 Favorite Video Game Soundtrack

Thanks to Megan at A Geeky Gal and this list of prompts, I’m participating in her 30 Day GEEK OUT!

Today’s prompt is the music I love from a Video Game. I also happen to love this game, and honestly, the music is one of the reasons why. Animal Crossing is one of my favorite franchises for a plethora of reasons; the music being one of the main ones. Different sets of hours have different tunes. The local musician, K.K. Slider plays in town on Saturday evenings; even taking requests and GIFTING you with a demo of that evening’s setlist. Some songs you can’t even hear in town with out K.K. playing them!

Additionally, animals play K.K. tunes (depending on which game of the franchise you’re playing and whether or not they have a radio/record player in their home.

Other citizens have their own musical themes from the old mayor, to Crazy Redd (a local shady af business fox). The music is so good I would suggest checking out the game for that reason alone!

What’s your favorite video game sound track?
Let me know in the comments!

Geek Out Day 16 My Dream Crossover

Thanks to Megan at A Geeky Gal and this list of prompts, I’m participating in her 30 Day GEEK OUT!

This is probably the easiest post to write! While I would love to see my favorite book series made into a television series as it would/could cover any manner of crossovers, the other crossover I would love to see is pretty much surmised in this improvised scene from Parks and Rec by Patton Oswalt. It’s actually a fantastic idea I think (though I do think Hawkeye MUST be there). Even the Brian and John bits!!! Like, I’d throw my money at this kickstarter! Also I can’t help but be happy the X-Men are in the Marvel studios where they belong, which is 2/3 of this dream lol!

Enjoy!

Patton Oswalt's proposal for Star Wars Episode VII while he filibusters in Season 5, unedited.

What crossover do you wish you could see come to life?

Geek Out Day 15 My Hogwarts House

Thanks to Megan at A Geeky Gal and this list of prompts, I’m participating in her 30 Day GEEK OUT!

“Or perhaps in Slytherin,
You’ll make your real friends.
Those cunning folk use any means,
To achieve their ends.”

— Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Capricious, ambitious, and perhaps a little competitive (OK, a lot) I knew from book one which house I belonged in. And believe or not: I didn’t want to at first. With racist ass-hats like Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle, you can’t really blame me. While I’m glad Malfoy changed, I’m also happy Crabbe got what he deserved.

That aside I figured out how I could approach how I personally viewed Slytherin house.

“And power-hungry Slytherin,
Loved those of great ambition.”

— Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

What I ended up telling myself was Slytherin was like punk int he mid/early 90’s. It had a bad rep because white supremacists kept trying to take over (Deatheaters and their kids) and then you had punks who were so anti that. I’m on the latter end of Slytherin. I like to think I’d clock Draco in our common room, or that a lot of the house who didn’t agree hung out with Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws; and maybe a few Gryffindors who weren’t too…jock-ish about hanging out with their “rivals.”

To be perfectly frank, I think one of the weakest points of Harry Potter is a lack of Slytherins reveling against their perceived status quo. I don’t know any Slytherin friends who don’t have that in common amongst us. But yeah I get the whole “narrative” bit.

I like being a Slytherin. We have the best color scheme (silver and green), are a water “sign” we are ambitious but loyal af (we some ride-or-die peeps) and while we are ambitious, we’re not always cut-throat about it. Not always…I swear.

What’s your Hogwarts house, and why do you like being a part of it?

Geek Out Day 14 - Dream Super Power

Thanks to Megan at A Geeky Gal and this list of prompts, I’m participating in her 30 Day GEEK OUT!

While flight is also a dream, I’ll be honest: freezing up in the air doesn’t sound like as much fun. Also, the main thing I want is the ability to move and go places. Ideally for free.

Enter, Shadowcat’s powers. Walking through walls, phasing through everything and everyone! Including the internet (at one point or another in her abilities). I could go anywhere at anytime! It’d be a blast! And I could fight crime!

If I could get my own Lockheed out this too? Hell yeah!

I mean it’s that or sharable invisibility (where if I’m able to touch and concentrate, I can turn someone/something else invisible too!).

What super power do you wish you could have?

Geek Out Day 13 Favorite Book Series

Thanks to Megan at A Geeky Gal and this list of prompts, I’m participating in her 30 Day GEEK OUT!

My favorite series of all time is by Jasper Fforde. It’s the Thursday Next series, about a woman named Thursday, who finds out she can read herself into fiction. The first book of her series The Eyre Affair details how the Jane Eyre we now know and love was changed in part by Thursday, and how “we almost lost the book for forever.

From there, Thursday joins Jurisfiction: the jurisdiction, that governs/polices fiction. This is my literal/literary dream job!!! Thursday joins characters such as Miss Havisham, the Cheshire Cat (or sometimes “The Unitary Authority of Warrington Cat”) who guards/keeps an eye on The Great Library where EVERY work of fiction, in any ISBN version, in any language, etc is stored!

Honestly, I could go on FOREVER about this series. I reread this so often, and on top of that, I listen to it often as well LOL! I truly love this series, and the spin-off (yes! There’s a legit spin-off) in the Nursery Crime series, which I actually read first! It features a homicidal, gargantuan Gingerbread man and Jack Sprat and his partner Mary Mary have to stop:

The other series by Fforde is The Chronicles of Kazaam which is a YA series set in the modern world, with old medieval mythology, and a young girl as a knight! The first book also got it’s own made for TV movie! Also, I LOVE dragons so that, plus my favorite author? I was sold!

He also recently came out with Early Riser, which I am saving to read on my upcoming trip! But what could be my favorite series still only has one book. Shades of Grey is the series and its about a cast system based on Thomas Munssell tests. It’s so good and it’s been like 10 YEARS since a new chapter, (much like one of my favorite manga). But I would still suggest it!

Geek Out Day 12 Favorite Video Games, & Series

Thanks to Megan at A Geeky Gal and this list of prompts, I’m participating in her 30 Day GEEK OUT!

My favorite video games include ones with cute, kawaii creatures; a badass woman; and shiny af shooters!

1). Animal Crossing

Since the Game Cube, I’ve been OBSESSED with Animal Crossing. I refuse to give up my cube because i love it (and Mario Party 5 & 6) so dang much! I’m so excited for New Horizons (and finally being able to be brown) that I preordered it the day it was announced!!! I love Pocket Camp and Happy Home Designer as well! But New Leaf (/Welcome Amiibo) has been my favorite iteration so far! I even bought the gorram sanrio pack so I could get all that sweet sweet kawaii sanrio goodness! I am so eager for March it’s not even funny y’all!

2). Kirby

Kirby was my first video game love EVER! I played Dreamland back on the old NES and was so stoked when it was available to purchase as a digital download on the 3ds! While Magic Mirror is BY FAR my favorite (it’s such a dizzying maze of a game and as a completionist I’m still not at 100%…though it is on my Game Boy Advance SP and I need to bust it out). I love the release on the Nintendo Switch as well. Kirby is the sweetest lil’ Cream Puff (his species as announced in the early 90’s…not sure if true still) and he even is so special to me, he became my first video game tattoo!

Tattoo & photo by @pastelxtattooer

3). Tomb Raider

Possible the most surprising on this list is my inclusion of Tomb Raider. While I always found men’s assertion of her physique and clearly male-gazey anatomy creepy, and tone deaf, I did enjoy seeing a bad-ass heroine who WOULD MOST DEFINITELY TAKE OUT NATHAN DRAKE AND INDIANA JONES (fight me!). I loved that her game was action and puzzle and had her in the craziest of places but still carrying on “on her own” (I mean I was the guide but still). I also really liked the movies (yes, even the admittedly terrible Angelina Jolie ones) as I got to see a woman being a bad ass as the STAR! And that’s something that I think Lara Croft, and Jolie deserve more credit and love on! I also refuse to give up my PS because I need to be able to play 1-3 in all their old school glory!

4). Overwatch

Overwatch was a game I knew I would love just from the artwork. It’s Blizzard made (which means despite the non-story based game play, still has a solid lore). The characters are divers not just in their abilities, but also, ethnicities, sexual preferences, motivations! My personal favorites are Sombra, Zenyatta, Torbjorn, and more recently Baptiste for my mains. I actually play as a sub for Aggromancy a team on the Women of Overwatch League (WOWL) #WeChooseFist cause sometimes, you just gotta punch to win lol!

5). Destiny

I didn’t start playing Destiny until The Taken King DLC had already come out, so I missed most of the early drama (#dinklebot, and unfinished game). But Bungie created an intriguing lore, fun gameplay, and great for getting this old broad back in to FPS (a genre I’ve had vertigo based issues with previously). Like Overwatch the shine of my guns and armor in the game (though not as “Blizzard” level) actually kept me from getting dizzy. It was honestly the game that got me back into console gaming. While Destiny 2 has had a lot of negatives, (like the killing off of my “boyfriend” Cayde-6, and generally bummer of a first season of DLC) Destiny will always be a personal favorite, especially the first incarnation. (also: Ikora Ray is a bad ass who deserves more frakking credit!

Geek Out Day 11: Favorite Manga and Comic Series

Thanks to Megan at A Geeky Gal and this list of prompts, I’m participating in her 30 Day GEEK OUT!

Let’s start with my two favorite comics (I realize manga is just comics in japanese, but I’m using these for distinction):

1). Bone by Jeff Smith

Bone is an underrated (well, actually “Not-as-well-known-as-it-should-be” would be more accurate) all ages comic series. I first heard about the series in the long defunct Disney Adventures Magazine. And honestly: it was the main reason I tried to collect all the issues (though the covers were also cool af and i’m 98% sure it would do well now-a-days). Smith tells an epic fantasy with a WARRIOR princess who truly is multi-dimensional. Also, there are dragons! Also, also there are Stupid stupid rat creatures (the creature in which an early meme tag/usage got the title from).

2). The Astonishing X-Men’s Age of Apocalypse series

This was my first or second comic book ever and I bought it at a class “auction” in school. It was my introduction to Clarice “Blink” Ferguson (my fave X-Man of all) and why I don’t completely hate Sabertooth anymore. Also: hot af Iceman ;) lol. I love re-reading them. And I try to buy ANY blink stuff (except when she had the mullet). Also: Morph in this series made me laugh aloud like a loon.

As for number 3, it is my most favorite manga (even more than Sailor Moon):

3). Nana

Nana is my most favorite manga, and Yazawa Ai my favorite manga-ka. The reason I got into Nana was via Paradise Kiss (another of her manga titles that serves as a pseudo-sequal to Gokinjo Monogatari). But Nana? Nana resonated! Even thinking of this manga makes me feel like a whole new person. The story and its puns, and its art?!?! It’s so beautifully realized and clever! I adore it. Sadly, around 2007 Yazawa-san got very ill, and the completion of the story has been on hiatus ever since. I wish I could writer her and ask even for the most basic essay form for what happens, and how it ends. But alas, I’d still want all the beautiful minor details.

Geek Out Day 10 Favorite Movie(s) & Movie Series

Thanks to Megan at A Geeky Gal and this list of prompts, I’m participating in her 30 Day GEEK OUT!

Marie Antoinette

While this movie is my favorite movie of all, I know its not super well known. But, Sophia Coppola’s beautiful, New Wave take on history is absolutely luscious!! Kirsten Dunst showed in this movie (for me) her early acting chops from Interview With the Vampire as Claudia. The costumes made me envious and dreamy, and Versailles? OMG Versailles! But the movie was a wonderful view into a mythologically talked about queen. She was a person who wanted love and very young and thrust into greatness. Also: THAT SOUNDTRACK THO’!

Fave Series:

THE INFINITY SAGA

I’m sure this is most people and you know what? THAT’S AWESOME!!! Star Wars was a hard 2nd…I mean, it could be 1.5 but still second to this 10 year saga!

From the first panel for “Marvel Movie Studios” (MCU’s first panel) of which I was in attendance, to the final (which was my second MCU panel LOL) my dad, sister and our Comic Con Framily (family of friends). These movies have had such an amazing run and I am so excited for the next saga as it will likely, FINALLY include the The First Family of Marvel: THE FANTASTIC FOUR, and the mutants will FINALLY be back where they belong!

I am still happy Sony had Spidey back in the verse, and I wish they would just hand him over (they can keep venom…IDK I wish they’d hire better writers). But I LOVED it! I saw them all in theaters! I’m so excited for the next phase kicking off the next saga.

What are your favorite movies and movie series?
Please let me know in the comments!

Geek Out Challenge Day 9 : Favorite Anime Series

Thanks to Megan at A Geeky Gal and this list of prompts, I’m participating in her 30 Day GEEK OUT!

I decided to break this down into the last 4 decades (oh my, I feel old)!

90’s: Sailor Moon

Sailor Moon transcends its genre. While it wasn’t the first Magical Girl series, it has been a pop culture phenomenon that gals, guys, non binary pals of all types love. Football players in addition to use nerd, punks and boy band lovers, vegans and militant carnivores. Like nearly all fandoms, there are fans of all types. Unlike many of those, I’ve never heard Sailor Moon referred to as a “guilty pleasure” from any of the above; which if you ask me is a part of what makes Sailor Moon, Eternal! ;)

00’s: Cowboy Bebop

Firefly would be nowhere without Outlaw Star (which it borrows a LOT from) and, the influence of Cowboy Bebop. That aside, Cowboy Bebop had me from go with Yoko Kanno’s and The Seatbelt’s “Tank!” in the opening credits. The music is the 6th main character to the show and I love the jazz, blues (Real Folk Blues) and tinny-country influences of the show. Moreover, the characters are flawed and dynamic, and well written, and drawn beautifully with great expressions. Even if (/especially if) you’re not into anime, I would highly recommend trying it out (music lovers, I’m sorry to should on you but you should watch).

Current/20-teens: The Promised Neverland

The Promised Neverland was a show I found earlier this year on VRV. I originally thought it was new anime take on Peter Pan with a girl Peter. It’s not, omg, it’s so not! I don’t want to tell anything other than the characters both main and side are well made, the animation is beautiful and you will have so many feelings. I’m excited for season two in 2020 and can’t wait to see what my favorite ‘20s anime will be in the end (10 years rushing at us head on eh?).

What are you favorite anime from the last 3 (or more) decades?

Geek Out Challenge Day 7: Unexpected Fandom

Thanks to Megan at A Geeky Gal and this list of prompts, I’m participating in her 30 Day GEEK OUT!

Today’s prompt is “What Fandom do you love, but didn’t think you would?”

And there’s going to be a bit of a twist, because my answer is: Harry Potter.

It’s true.
One of the fandoms I most ardently adore was one I wasn’t sure I’d dig.

I’d heard a lot of negative things about it at my University, and frankly as a someone who worked in the library I was quite shocked we carried it.

One day while shelving books I decided to give the books a try. I had no care about the order of them (that and 1-3 were checked out for like, ever). So I checked out Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (if you’re not cringing please do). See, it was the latest release and though it was the newest they had just started showing the trailer and the tv spots for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (which shows you how old I am).

I took the book back to my apartment and started reading.
Then, I grabbed a comfy blanket, and a pillow and a mug of tea and sat in my roommates’ and my hall closet and stayed up ALL DAMN NIGHT reading.

I couldn’t put it down. And I wanted more. I then reserved the first three books (and was filled in on the full Sirius Black Story) and waited for them to come in. I brought them home to my parents house that Christmas vacation, and my sister loved them too!

I didn’t think it would be a series or “my thing” but holy crow!!!! It’s the thing I love!!! My engagement pic (see my blog icon) was Harry Potter based. And honestly, though I can’t claim “biggest fan” who gives a F! I LOVE IT!

It’s even helped me coordinate clothes so I incorporate color without looking like a tacky ragamuffin.

via

What’s a Fandom you never thought you’d be a part of?
Please share with me in the comments!

Geek Out Challenge Day 6: What Real Life Geek Inspires You

Thanks to Megan at A Geeky Gal and this list of prompts, I’m participating in her 30 Day GEEK OUT!

Today’s post is about a real life geek I admire. I think I’m going to share about one of my favorite celebs and self-proclaimed “fangirl” (his word choice not mine) Orlando Jones.

I want to cosplay as Anansi!!!

Jones has played many roles ins different fandoms from Sleepy Hollow to American Gods (where he plays one of my favorite deities: Anansi).

At Comic Con Jones can often be seen at The Black Panel which feature a variety of African American stars from Jones, to Cree Summer, to Shaq to Michael B. Jordan. Also at SDCC, Jones has married some con attendees. Not only that! But he also officiated a Star Wars themed wedding at CON! (c. 2017)! Speaking of Star Wars, as a child Orlando tried to decode R2-D2’s beeps!

via

Also, Jones is a shipper! He openly professes his love for his ships both of fictional characters and real people (the latter done in innocent but clearly jest…unless, you know, it happens).

All I’m saying is, is that if you’re not a fan of any of his works yet, you should check him out! ESPECIALLY in America Gods. His monologue in the opening of Season 1 Episode 2 is one of the greatest pieces in television history to me.

So, he’s a nerd, for the nerds, and a really cool actor!

Who’s your favorite famous Geek?
Let me know in the comments!

Geek Out Challenge 5 - Geekiest Thing I've Ever Done...Lately

Thanks to Megan at A Geeky Gal and this list of prompts, I’m participating in her 30 Day GEEK OUT!

You know, I’ve done a lot of geeky things. Some embarrassing, some not so. But the one I want to share today is one that has been really fun and is the latest exploit: becoming a Monster Ranger!!

via

What's funny is I have seen their booth for years and always told myself: "I'll come back this way" on the exhibit floor (which if you’ve been you know how hard it can be to keep this promise to yourself). This year I I saw something that stopped me in my tracks and reminded me of how many times I’d been meaning to stop by. That was this patch:

via

i knew I needed to know more! The booth crew were the coolest, kindest people and I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of this.

Monster Rangers is an all ages “scout” group that protects monsters and other night creatures. You can earn some badges, make new friends (human and monster kind alike), and use something that is harder and harder to utilize as you get older: your imagination.

Needless to say I’m a fan! I’ve even hung a few fliers around town to complete the first mission! I’m currently working on Mission 2…which by the way: Have a Monstrous Day! (#monsterrangers #steamcrow #mrmisson2)

via #monsterrangers #steamcrow #mrmisson2

What’s the geekiest thing you’ve ever done, OR, done lately?

Will you be checking out the Monster Scouts?! I hope you do! It’s really fun!

Let me know in the comments!

Geek Out Challenge Day 4 - Worst Con Experience

Thanks to Megan at A Geeky Gal and this list of prompts, I’m participating in her 30 Day GEEK OUT!

Today’s prompt is about my worst con experience.

Which actually has very few pictures. SDCC in 2013(I think?) had the worst security team in the history of security.

In addition to a staff that was clearly new to the gig, they also were man-handling the crowd and the people there. Shoving con attendees was so bad that there were almost fights between the people and the bastards in polos (as we were calling them). For the most part I’ve done fine with security at SDCC. I like everyone else just followed the rules, asked questions and stuff. You know, the usual.

But that year, I got shoved by a dude 2.5 my size who only backed down because my husband and the other people in line (we were waiting for a Hunger Games pin) all stepped up to him and said he was wrong for not just shoving me with no cause but for being a jerk, and picking the shortest person in line.

via Penguin Random House

Again, I’m a fan of questioning authority, SDCC is probably the most compliant you’ll see me actively being. But that year, was rough, and I’m so glad we have had better security since. Some of whom I look forward to finding every year and saying Hi to!

Have you had a terrible con experience?
Let me know in the comments

30 Day Geek Out Favorite Con Experience

Thanks to Megan at A Geeky Gal and this list of prompts, I’m participating in her 30 Day GEEK OUT!

Today’s prompt is my favorite con experience…which I’m translating to mean favorite con moment.

And while I have quite a few nothing will beat SDCC 2007 (I think) when I made my brother and his friend come to the Shonen Jump panel with me. See I had been hearing a lot about Marvel looking to make a manga, and the hero was named Ultimo. Ultimo was a written and created by Stan Lee, and I’m sure you know where I’m headed here…

My face s so moon-like and young.

During Q&A i committed the ultimate taboo. And you know what? I actually don’t give a frak. I have a picture with a someone who was a hero of mine, my siblings and my father.

After a Naruto announcement that year, Shonen Jump announced the had a special guest. I looked to my brother Charlie and said “five bucks says Stan Lee.” And in he walked in. My brother and I straight up did this exact move y’all:

This wasn’t a ballroom or anything either. The room wasn’t full, and I bought my badge the week before y’all. It was an innocent time back in those days LOL! jk it’s all been groovy.

But he took three questions. I bidded my time, waiting to be the last, hoping beyond hope, beyond luck and hope again that I’d get picked. And I did, and I asked the forbidden question: “Can I get a picture with you?” And Uncle Stan said yes True Believers! He. Said. YES!

I floated up to him as if on a cloud. Trying to pull my brother with me, who was in a daze and I just kept walking forward not believing my good fortune and providence of that day. My tiny phone luckily ha this little camera and I was so happy i had finally switched from a nokia to my Pantech C300 (Check out how small it was here).

I loved this moment so much. I’ve never asked this question again, nor will I. But I took the moment that felt right. And I got my best moment at a con ever!

What is you’re best convention moment?
Let me know in the comments!
Also, be sure to check out A Geeky Gal’s blog!

30 Day Geek Out - Most Recent Fandom

This month Is crazy for me for a lot of reasons. So thanks to Megan of A Geeky Gal, I’ve got some posts that I can write where I can share with you some of my favorite nerdy facts about me!

Today’s prompt is the most recent fandom is I’ve caught myself in. And TBH, I’m a in a bit of a pickle trying to remember which one it is. So I’m going to write about a random one that started in a weird way.

While D&D precedes this “fandom” I started out as a “Loyal Customer” but I’ve been told by my husband it’s actually become an “issue.” To which I say:

Kraken Dice make the most beautiful dice for table top gaming and especially for D&D. I LOVE them. Do I have a set of dice for each day of the week? MAYBE. But fight me. I don’t even care! I LOVE them so much! In fact, I hunted them down at San Diego Comic Con and proceeded to gush at the poor booth workers. I LOVE their glitter dice and continue to squee with glee at their new releases.

L to R: Black Magyk Amethyst, Cotton Candy II, and Unicorn Poop

L to R: Cotton Candy I (reissiue with giant D20, mini D20, and D2), Unicorn Tears, Tahiti Twilight Sea Glass (I call them Coulson lol)

To be honest, D&D will have you owning a bunch of sets of dice and collecting a lot of figurines. It’s a fandom based on imagination and being a little bit social. It’s a lot of fun! And it can lead to collecting figures and dice or you could be a one fig one dice type of person. But with dice creators like Kraken, the collecting for me, has gotten a little crazier. And I don’t even care!!!

Whats your most recent fandom?

And fo you have a fandom that’s not “traditional?” Shoes by a certain brand? First editions? Something completely different? Let me know in the comments?

Learn more about the 30 Day Geek Out Challenge HERE!