Cardz for Kidz

So we made cards for the Cardz for Kidz project and here is my contribution—of course, I was going to be a total nerd about it:

Outside

Inside

But seriously, it's a fun way to spend an hour and spread a little happiness.

Unboxing Book Riot's Quarterly.Co Subscription - #BKR02

So I subscribed to Book Riot's mailing on Quarterly.co (If you're not familiar with either, check out their sites. I'll still be here when you get back). The idea of handing over money for a box without knowing beforehand exactly what was in the box was both exciting and worrying. After a couple of months of indecision, my curiosity won, and I received my first box today. I am very glad I did it.

First, the box is indeed beautifully packaged. I opened it in the office of a graphic designer friend, and she admired and laughed as much as I did over the fun, quirky treasures inside.

#BKR02

First, the Banned Book mug:

I've read a surprising number of banned or once-banned books, I discovered. Also, if you aren't sure how to care for and use a mug, the makers of this mug have an informative video at http://www.philosophersguild.com/PAKE

There were a few other fun thing inside, shown here. In the "Read Harder" tin were excellent book darts for marking pages, a "guide" for faking like you've read the books of Karen Russell, Donna Tartt and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (the books I haven't read are going on my "To Read" list, I promise). The flash drive is from Jacob Tomsky of Short Story Thursdays emails. On it are videos of Tomsky reading a few stories (out loud, not just him reading, because that would be weird) and a couple of PDF documents of stories. I signed up for his emails, naturally. You can follow him on Twitter.

Finally, it couldn't be a mailing about books without a couple of books inside: Judging a Book by Its Lover by Lauren Leto (@LaurenLeto on the Twitters) and Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley. Books about books and reading—how meta!

I nearly forgot the "Yay! Books!" magnet, which sums up my feelings about this box.

Kid Optimus Prime transforming - at C2E2 2013

Marvel Movie Marathon - Last

Well, here we are, drinking vodka and waiting for The Avengers to start. I've been talking so much I'm hoarse. It's a party atmosphere, talking about comics, costumes, movies.

I think I'm a little tipsy.

Marvel Movie Marathon Part 5 - Captain America

Alas I think I'm skipping this one. Besides needing to meet folks for the Avengers, I wandered into what I thought was a friendly comic book discussion and a Marvel fan in front of me gave me a lot of grief for saying I like DC comics. He said things like "Grant Morrison sucks because he's writing Superman now." That's the most minor thing he said; having someone boo you in your face is a little disconcerting. I hate it when people say things deliberately to piss me off and then say "oh, I was just joking -don't take it so personal." I decided to leave before I embarrassed myself any more than I already had. I didn't yell or curse, but I was obviously upset and no matter how calmly or rationally I tried to handle it, he really just wanted to push my buttons.

So, I'm hanging out at the Rhythm Room. Sorry, Marvel fans, but some of you people are really shitty human beings.

Marvel Movie Marathon Part 4 -Iron Man 2

There was a little bit of drama in the theater: stinky wide- stance guy didn't want to move over for 2 movie goers and nearly caused a riot in our row. The movie itself was better than I remembered, though not as heartfelt as the first. The crowd (except stinky wide-stance) has been hilarious and it feels like a carnival. Only 2 more movies left.

Marvel Movie marathon Part 3 - The Hulk

Better than I remembered but the love story is the weakest link - Liv is a little too breathy/Eowyn in this role.

Gotta get a hot dog.