Geektastic!

September Announcements (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-09-01T00:15:00.001-06:00

This is the last time I will be updating on Blogger. The blog will be available as an archive of my previous posts and all new posts will appear on tabcarson.com/Geektastic. For information about subscribing to the new Geektastic (and some BIG news!), click here!

Judgmental Overreactor Seeks Same (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-30T19:04:00.000-06:00

My thoughts on the Alyssa Bereznak/Jon Finkel debacle.

I Heart: The Three-Legged Kitty Edition (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-30T07:34:00.000-06:00

♥ I think all cat owners can relate to these glasses.

♥ I’m pretty fond of this snazzy fish-shaped cat food station! (Love the green!)

♥ We have the CatIt water fountain and it’s awesome. I highly recommend it for cat owners!

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

Darby Goes to the Doctor (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-29T06:38:00.000-06:00

On Friday morning, we woke up bright and early and packed Darby in her pink carrier. She wasn’t happy about being in the car and she let us know – loudly and repeatedly. (Seriously, you would have thought we were burning her with red hot pokers!) At 7:30 on the dot, we stood outside a mobile home in front of a church, filled out paperwork, and handed her over to a guy wearing scrubs and toe shoes.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

Geek of the Week: Edgar Wright (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-28T07:18:00.002-06:00

Director Edgar Wright is best known for directing the “Blood and Ice Cream” trilogy starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, as well as the film adaptation of Scott Pilgrim. He began making films in the 80s and 90s, using a Super-8 camera. Wright was a film buff since childhood and he was particularly fond of horror films – his favorite being the John Landis classic An American Werewolf in Paris.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

It Came From FearNet ... Devour (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-27T05:10:00.000-06:00

Devour (2005)
Rated R for violence

Directed by David Winkler

Starring: Jensen Ackles
Shannyn Sossamon
Dominique Swain
William Sadler

Jake Gray (Ackles) heads to class on his 21st birthday after having several disturbing nightmares. He’s had a pretty hard life. His mother was paralyzed in a car accident and his father is a relapsed alcoholic. Currently, he’s putting himself through school working in a strip mall computer repair shop and has a complete jerk of a boss. When his friends Conrad and Dakota (Swain) introduce him to a weird live role-playing game, The Pathway, as an escape, Jake is intrigued. Once someone begins playing The Pathway, they are called on their cell phone and given instructions. Jake is fired because his boss wants to replace him with his fresh-from-jail pot-dealing nephew and he is only too happy to obey the voice on the other end of the line suggesting he gets even.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

I Heart: The Screeching Violins Edition (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-23T00:29:00.000-06:00

♥ Celebrate being a horror movie lover (and really freak people out) by decorating your bathroom with this Psycho-inspired shower curtain and bath mat.

♥ Make your Bates Motel shower experience complete with the Blood Bath Shower Gel. It’s cherry-scented!

♥ An excellent supercut of Hitchcock films. How many can you name?

The Horror . . . The Horror! (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-22T01:23:00.001-06:00

I’m frequently asked why I enjoy watching horror movies. It’s a polarizing genre and it often gets a bad name from critics. As with any fringe genre, however, horror fans are a dedicated bunch.

My parents (particularly my dad) were strict. I wasn’t allowed to watch Rated R movies until I was 17 and, being a good kid, I I avoided disappointing my parents, but I was still fascinated by horror movies. My mom was a horror and true crime fan and when my dad was overseas, she often rented scary movies. Since I wasn’t allowed to watch them with her, I would beg her to explain the plots to me.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

Geek of the Week: Guillermo del Toro (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-21T01:11:00.000-06:00

Mexican director Guillermo del Toro has been making movies since he was eight years old, using action figures doused with ketchup to mimic blood. He was indoctrinated into the horror genre early on and cites the 1964 “Outer Limits” episode “The Mutant” as his first brush with true terror. Fascinated with movie makeup and special effects, del Toro attended Dick Smith’s prestigious advanced makeup course. He began working in films as a special effects makeup artist and formed his own SFX company, Necropia.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

The Genuine Article (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-17T00:04:00.000-06:00

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be a trend setter. If you are into fashion, that’s awesome. If you love discovering new bands – great. The problem arises when your whole life becomes about being cool or when you actively dislike something simply because it’s popular.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

I Heart: The Weird, Wild Stuff Edition (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-16T00:33:00.000-06:00

♥ What is it about this knitting octopus? Is it the top hat? Is it his wide anime-style blue eyes? Whatever it is, he’s adorable and nonsensical, all at the same time.

♥ It’s official – Japan has everything, including cat cafés where childless and petless people can enjoy the company of feline friends! [tweeted by Indy]

♥ I want to buy these purely so I can run outside and scream, “It’s people! Soylent Green is people!”

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

Back to School (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-15T00:15:00.003-06:00

Some kids have already been back in the classroom for awhile, but today marks the day when kids in my adopted hometown – Bellevue, NE – head back to school. That also means that my mom is hard at work, teaching 1st graders. Thank you to all the wonderful teachers who work so diligently to make sure we grow up to be intelligent, capable human beings!

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

Geeks of the Week: The RiffTrax Guys (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-14T02:01:00.001-06:00

It’s weird for me to think of Michael J. Nelson, Bill Corbett, and Kevin Murphy as “The RiffTrax Guys”, because I grew up with them as fixtures of my Saturday morning television routine on “Mystery Science Theater 3000″. By the time I was a regular viewer, the show had moved to SciFi and was hosted by Mike Nelson, with Corbett (“Brain Guy” and Crow T. Robot) and Kevin Murphy (Professor Bobo and Tom Servo) pulling double duty as live action characters and voices of Nelson’s bot companions. Once the show ended in 1999, the guys went their separate ways, reuniting in 2007 to form The Film Crew, a straight-to-DVD series in which Nelson, Corbett, and Murphy provided mocking commentaries for B-movies. They put out four films before moving on to create RiffTrax.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

Uncrafty: Duct Tape Rose Pens (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-10T00:12:00.002-06:00

I am not crafty. (Out of all my mom’s traits, how did I NOT inherit this one?) I’ve tried various endeavors – failed cross-stitch pieces, an unfinished scrapbook with a few lonely wedding pictures, and a cake decorating class that I barely eeked through. Ironically, my longest job was working at a craft store. I was officially the least crafty person there when I could barely manage to put together the foam projects that were intended for children. I did, however, learn to make duct tape rose pens.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

I Heart: The Space Stuff Edition (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-09T00:48:00.000-06:00

♥ “Family Guy” creator Seth McFarlane is producing a sequel to Carl Sagan’s “Cosmos” for Fox. The series will be hosted by Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson and is scheduled to premiere in 2013.

♥ Fans of Sagan’s original series will love this “Star Stuff” T-shirt!

♥ If you can’t wait until 2013, check out Dr. Tyson’s weekly radio show, StarTalk Radio, on Sundays at 6 PM Eastern.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

Catch a Falling Star (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-08T00:42:00.000-06:00

Meteor showers occur frequently throughout the year, but the upcoming Perseids are one of the most consistent. (They routinely produce close to 60 meteors per hour at their peak.)

The Perseid meteor shower is associated with the Swift-Tuttle comet. The name derives from the radiant of origin, which lies in the constellation Perseus. This year, the shower will be most active on August 12th and 13th in the early morning hours. Because the peak falls during a full moon, it is important to view the shower in a rural area to minimize light pollution.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

Geek of the Week: Professor Brian Cox (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-07T00:23:00.000-06:00

Before Professor Brian Cox was an award-winning physicist and host of Science Channel’s “Wonders of the Universe”, he played keyboards for a British pop band called D:Ream. While furthering his music career, Cox received several degrees in physics and began work on his PhD.

Read more here, on the new Geektastic!

Top Five: Essential MST3K Episodes (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-06T00:23:00.000-06:00

With the latest RiffTrax LIVE coming up on August 17th, I thought I’d get those who still haven’t embraced “Mystery Science Theater 3000″ up to speed. Here are the Top Five episodes everyone should watch:

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

This Means War (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-04T00:16:00.000-06:00

I know we are all God’s creatures, but I’m having an issue with one in particular.
I like to think I have a clean kitchen. I hate dirty dishes enough to keep my sink clear, and I wipe down my counters daily – sometimes, multiple times in a day. I’m confused, then, when I see a line of ants crossing my floor . . . or more disturbingly, my counter.
Last summer, I’d occasionally encounter a small grouping of ants huddled around an errant crumb that went unnoticed on the floor. This year, however, the ants have migrated to milling around the counter, even with no food in sight. That’s right, they’re taunting me.

Read more here at the new Geektastic!

Indoorsy (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-03T00:15:00.001-06:00

Like Jim Gaffigan’s wife, I come from a family of campers. They cover a wide spectrum, from the handful of relatives (including my dad) who would be happy to head out with a backpack, poop in a hole, and sleep out under the stars to those in the majority who enjoy sleeping in tents and are fine with using outhouses. There is also a small section that prefer to stay in cabins, but still enjoy outdoor activities. Then there’s me. My idea of a good time is reading or watching movies in an air-conditioned facility, preferably with a cold drink close by. The most enthusiasm I can muster for the outdoors involves looking at the stars.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

I Heart: The Bigger Boat Edition (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-02T00:15:00.002-06:00

It's Shark Week, people! Enjoy:

♥ I guess opposites really do attract.
♥ Use these fin salt and pepper shakers to season your next feeding frenzy.
♥ Your baby needs this bathrobe.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

August Announcements (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-08-01T00:15:00.000-06:00

Can you believe the new Geektastic! has been up for a month already? If you’re a regular visitor, you’ve probably noticed a lot of changes.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

Geek of the Week: Bill Amend (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-31T00:15:00.001-06:00

Bill Amend is the hilarious cartoonist behind the long-running comic FoxTrot. He started drawing cartoons at the age of nine, and drew cartoons for his high school and college newspapers. Amend attended Amherst College and graduated with a degree in physics.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

It Came From Netflix: Snow White: A Tale of Terror (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-30T00:15:00.002-06:00

Snow White: A Tale of Terror (1997)
Directed by Michael Cohn

Starring:
Monica Keena
Sigourney Weaver
Sam Neil
Gil Bellows

Friederick (Neil) and Lilliana Hoffman are traveling home for the birth of their first child when their carriage is attacked by ferocious wolves. Lilliana is mortally wounded in the resulting crash and begs her husband to deliver the child so that it might live. This is how their daughter, Lilli is born.

Tab Unplugged (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-29T00:15:00.001-06:00

As you read this, I’m in Marble, CO hanging out with my extended family. I’m also nowhere near my computer.

For a pop culture junkie, unplugging is a big deal. I spend much of my day watching TV and movies, as well as using the Internet for entertainment and as a research tool. Most of my communications are done via email or Facebook. I’m sad to say I can’t remember the last time I went a whole day without watching at least some TV or spending time on my computer.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

The Misfit Planet (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-27T00:30:00.002-06:00

I have a tendency to root for the underdog. That’s probably why I always liked Pluto. As the final planet discovered, it never really fit in with the other guys. It’s significantly smaller than the other planets, it has an odd elliptical orbit, and its innermost moon, Charon, is larger than any other planet’s moon in relative size to its host.

As it turns out, all of things that make Pluto quirky and unique also contributed to its demotion from a full-fledged planet to a lowly “dwarf planet”. I never understood why Pluto was booted out of planetary status, and honestly, I never looked into it – probably because I was secretly hoping that scientists would come to their senses and reinstate the little (non) planet that could.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

I Heart: The Exploding With Cuteness Edition (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-26T00:06:00.000-06:00

♥ Nerd monkey!
♥ This is about the cutest thing ever.
♥ One of my favorite websites, Entertainment Earth, is taking pre-orders for Funko’s newest plushes, Itchy & Scratchy. (They are part of the Simpsons line scheduled to be sold in November.)
♥ Even I want to play with these Mad Scientist Blocks, and I’m an adult! (Or so I’m told.)
♥ Trekkies will love these awesome Star Trek Potato Heads.

See more here, at the new Geektastic!

Geek of the Week: Gary A. Weston (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-24T00:08:00.000-06:00

This week, I profiled a local artist who makes amazing sci-fi art sculptures out of household objects. If you are a classic sci-fi fan, you should definitely check this out!

The Tragic Demise of Borders and My Kind of Nostalgia (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-21T06:03:00.000-06:00

Read my take on Borders closing their last 400 stores.

Nickelodeon brings back classic '90s television!

I Heart: The Neckbite Edition (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-19T00:09:00.000-06:00

In honor of my friend J.D.'s birthday, a list of vampire-related goodies here!

One Haircut . . . Forever! (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-18T00:12:00.002-06:00

Go here for awww-inducing pictures from my childhood.

Geek of the Week: Brian May (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-17T00:12:00.000-06:00

Queen is one of my favorite bands, and while I love Freddie Mercury, my absolute favorite member of the band is Brian May, arguably one of the best guitarists in the history of rock and roll (listen to the guitar solos on “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Will Rock You” if you don’t believe me). All of the guys in Queen are brilliant, but May is something really special.

Read the rest here at the new Geektastic!

The Devil in Pigtails (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-15T01:16:00.000-06:00

Christine Penmark’s life suddenly changes from sweet to sour when one of her daughter’s classmates accidentally drowns at a school picnic. Her daughter, Rhoda, is unmoved by the tragedy and many people, including Christine, begin to suspect that Rhoda may have had something to do with the boy’s death. Christine must face her past to discover her daughter’s true nature.

Read more here at the new Geektastic!

Why I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Penguin (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-14T02:36:00.000-06:00

When it comes to Linux, I am a newbie. We got a computer relatively late in the game, and I was raised on Windows. Like a lot of people, Windows (and by association, Microsoft) is ingrained in my brain. That made switching over to a new operating system (OS) very difficult.

Read the rest here on the new Geektastic!

I Heart: The Things That Look Like Other Things Edition (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-12T01:16:00.000-06:00

♥ This “Twilight Zone”/Star Wars mashup: ♥ J Salvador’s “Super Emo” artwork – the illustrator takes well-known pop culture icons and transforms them into adorable Emo kids. ♥ For the extremely precise chef, ThinkGeek’s new OCD cutting board...
View the list here (with links), at the new Geektastic!

Why I Can't Quit the Oxford Comma (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-11T00:31:00.000-06:00

It’s safe to say that I’m a Type A personality. I like neatness and order. I’m not a big fan of surprises. I like to know what’s coming. That’s probably why I felt so blindsided by the reported demise of the Oxford comma.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

My Torrid Love Affair With Dr Pepper (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-09T00:13:00.000-06:00

Dr Pepper and I go way back. It’s the subject of my longest standing obsession. Ask my friends and family to name five things about me, and my Dr Pepper habit will almost surely be one of them.

Read the rest here at the new Geektastic!

Birthday Redux (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-06T00:11:00.000-06:00

This year was my “Golden Birthday”. I didn’t even realize it until someone wished me a happy one and I had to look it up. For those who, like me, don’t know, your Golden Birthday is the year you turn the same age as your birthday date. (ie. I turned 28 on June 28th.) It’s also referred to as the “Lucky Birthday”, and it definitely was for me. Actually, because of all my generous loved ones, it was more like a birth week-and-a-half.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

I Heart: The Brains & Gears Edition (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-05T00:05:00.002-06:00

Get the list here, at the new Geektastic!

Top Five: Twilight Zone (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-04T00:07:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the special Fourth of July edition of Top Five. I sense you may be bored of the traditional Independence Day rituals. Maybe you realize that stuffing your face with charred hamburgers and setting off colorful explosions can never satisfy you the way watching Sci-Fi Channel's "Twilight Zone" Marathon can. (Because nothing says "liberty and justice for all" like 48 straight hours of one of the best shows in the history of television.) If that's the case, I'm here to help. I have a list of some must-see episodes . . . and those it's okay to skip out on to snag yet another beer-infused bratwurst.

Read more here, at the new Geektastic!

Geek of The Week (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-03T00:06:00.000-06:00

Read the post here, at the new Geektastic!

Top Five Shows (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-02T00:08:00.000-06:00

Summer TV often evokes images of endless reruns and sub-par programming. This summer actually looks promising for viewers, with several exciting new shows and some returning favorites. Here is my Top Five list of shows I'll be watching this summer:

Read the rest here, at the new Geektastic!

First Post (Geektastic 2.0)

2011-07-01T00:01:00.003-06:00

Welcome to Geektastic 2.0! Other than the move, there are a few minor changes being implemented, mostly dealing with the blog’s schedule. You can read more information here. Also, we’re still in transition visually – this time next month, we’ll have a brand new (and permanent!) look.

Read the rest here, at the new Geektastic!

I Heart: The "It's My Birthday and I'll Watch Movies If I Want To" Edition

2011-06-28T00:01:00.011-06:00

3D Drive-In Knee Highs - These make me want to start collecting socks.

This amazing iPhone cover - I don't have an iPhone, but if I did, I would definitely get this cover for it. It's a movie-lover's dream!

Kevin Murphy's A Year at the Movies - 365 movie reviews from the hilarious Kevin Murphy (voice of Tom Servo from "MST3K")

This Jaws-inspired greeting card from Etsy shop, RichieDesign.

The Film Club - Canadian television personality David Gilmour's memoir about allowing his teenage son to drop out of high school and watch three movies a week. Part film analysis, part parenting experiment, the book details the highs and lows of their unique father-son relationship.

These awesome brightly colored movie ending bookends! (The "Fin" and "The End" are my favorites.)

I love journals and this VHS style notebook is right up my alley!

Pulp and Fiction pillows for Tarantino fans.

The Shaun of the Dead action figure (he talks!) I received as an early birthday gift from my very generous friends!

Shaun (in box)

Shaun (out of box)

Speaking of birthday gifts, my awesome mom gave me this amazing Joan Jett Barbie!

I love this SO much!

Summer Reading List

2011-06-27T00:01:00.001-06:00

New Books

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery and Alison Anderson
Written by French novelist and professor of philosophy Muriel Barbery, the book centers on Renee Michel, a concierge for an upscale apartment building. Michel is brilliant, but keeps his intelligence secret until it is discovered by the precocious, emotionally unstable daughter of a tenant, Paloma Josse.

Nerd Do Well by Simon Pegg
Uber-geek Simon Pegg's memoir about a British fanboy who grew up to live the dream.

The Borrower by Rebecca Makkai
Rebellious librarian Lucy Hull begins by helping a young patron sneak books past his strict parents and ends up in a madcap caper to help him escape from their stranglehold. As she helps Ian Drake strike out on his own, she must confront her own troubled past.

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender
At the tender age of nine, Rose Edelstein discovers she can taste the emotions of the person who prepared her food. Through this strange, unexpected power she learns her family's deepest, darkest secrets.

The Mystery of Lewis Carroll by Jenny Woolf
A biography of the author of Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass (real name: Charles Dodgson) that promises to dispel the many strange rumors and myths that surround the eccentric writer.

The Bus Driver Who Wanted to be God, & Other Stories by Etgar Keret
A book of unusual short stories, including "Kneller's Happy Campers", the source material for the independent film Wristcutters: A Love Story.

Rereads

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
The classic story of tortured scholar Humbert Humbert's infatuation with his landlady's underage daughter, Lolita.

The Virgin Suicides by Jeffery Eugenides

The strange tale of the demise of the Lisbon girls, as told by the neighborhood boys reflecting on their past in adulthood.

What are you reading this summer?

Geek of the Week: Sarah

2011-06-26T00:01:00.000-06:00

This week's Geek is Sarah, who had the best cake EVER for her 6th birthday.

Behold:

My Little Darth [found here]

My favorite part of this cake is the Death Star symbol on the pony's flank.
The best part? Sarah has Darth incorporated on all her cakes! Click the link to view her 4th and 5th birthday cakes (featuring the Sith Lord).

As You Wish

2011-06-25T11:47:00.000-06:00

Peter Falk

On Thursday, June 23rd, veteran character actor Peter Falk died in his home, surrounded by his family. Falk was best known for his faux-bumbling, secretly brilliant detective Columbo, and his role as The Grandfather in the beloved romantic comedy The Princess Bride.

Falk was born in 1927. At the age of three, he had a malignant tumor in his right eye and had to have the eye removed. He would wear a glass eye for the rest of his life. After being rejected by the army, he enlisted in the Merchant Marines and fought in WWII. He went to college on the GI bill and obtained his master's degree in public administration. In the early 50s, Falk quit his job as an efficiency expert to act full time. He appeared on Broadway and in several small roles, before appearing in Murder, Inc., his breakthrough performance for which he earned an Oscar nomination. He followed this with a supporting role in Frank Capra's Pocketful of Miracles and another Oscar nomination. He continued working (predominately in television) until his last "Columbo" film in 2003. Falk is survived by his two daughters and his wife, Shera.

Peter Falk has a special place in my heart because I loved The Princess Bride and I watched reruns of "Columbo" with my dad. He will be missed by millions of fans, especially the kids of the 80s and 90s who wished he was their grandpa.

If you would like to honor Mr. Falk's memory, you can make a donation in his name to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

My 2011 Summer Essentials

2011-06-22T00:01:00.005-06:00

1. Lots of books - My favorite thing to do in the summer months is head down to the gorgeous nearby park and read outdoors. I like to read a mix of summery classics and lighter reads. (I'll be posting my summer reading list later this week!)

2. Sunscreen - I'm extra white and I burn at the drop of a hat, so sunscreen is a MUST. I like to carry around a travel tube for easy reapplication.

3. Scented lotion - Heat amplifies fragrance and can make perfumes overbearing. Scented lotion is an excellent less potent option. My favorite is Bath & Body Works' Lemon Vanilla (part of the "Summer Vanillas" collection).

4. Dr Pepper Lip Smacker - This is a year-round must, but absolutely vital in the summer and winter months.

5. Water bottle - Colorado is extremely dry, so hydrating is necessary when spending any time outside.

6. Jean skirt - I'm not a fan of shorts, so this skirt is my go-to for when the heat gets unbearable.

7. iPod - My iPod gets a workout during the summer, between trips to the park and exercising!

8. Nook - I do most of my traveling in the summer, and I bring my Nook along to take multiple books without occupying more space.

9. Flip flops - I always buy a cheap pair of flip flops at the beginning of the season for errands and trips to the pool.

10. Limeade (not pictured) - I love the cold, tart sweetness of limeade in the summer. We buy it by the gallon from the grocery store, but I also love Sonic's cherry limeade as a special summer treat.

Exciting News . . .

2011-06-21T00:01:00.028-06:00

After working on a special project for a couple of weeks, I am finally able to make my big announcement:

Geektastic is moving to Wordpress!

I've really enjoyed using Blogger, but after much back and forth, I've decided to self-host my blog (using the Wordpress plugin). I will begin posting at the new location on July 1st. To make the transition smoother, I will continue posting updates here (with links to Geektastic 2.0) until September 1st.

I have a very good friend currently working on a design overhaul, so it's still rough around the edges, but feel free to take a sneak peak at www.tabcarson.com/Geektastic!

Three Years

2011-06-20T00:01:00.005-06:00

Happy Anniversary to my Sweet Babboo!

Top Five . . . Songs That Always Make Me Think of My Dad

2011-06-19T06:00:00.008-06:00

My dad has a very eclectic taste in music (Read: everything from The Who to Enya). Because we spent most summers trekking back and forth from Omaha, NE to Denver (one of the most boring rides in the world), we needed something to keep us sane. Since it was pre-portable DVD players and it was my job to keep my dad company, I got to experience his extensive musical taste and it definitely influenced part of my own.

In honor of Father's Day, I give you the Top Five songs that always make me think of my dad:

5. "Vincent (Starry Starry Night)" by Don McLean

"Starry Night" was my favorite painting as a kid. I had a huge poster of it in my room and I was always fascinated by the one-eared Vincent Van Gogh. My dad was the person that introduced me to this song and he remains the only person I know who is familiar with Don McLean songs other than "American Pie".

4. "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meat Loaf, featuring Karla DeVito

Dad thinks this song is hilarious and should be played at every wedding ever. I have distinct memories of him cranking it while we ran errands on the weekend.

3. Any song from Queen's "Night at the Opera" or "The Game"

We wore these tapes out on road trips. Travel tip: Any road trip can be made infinitely better by rolling down the windows, blasting Queen, and singing at the top of your voice.

2. "Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)" by Billy Joel

We danced to this song at my wedding. I picked it because my dad's childhood nickname for me was "Angel" and he's a big Billy Joel fan. (I also enjoy Billy Joel - I spent an entire summer in our basement listening to The Stranger over and over on our ancient record player.)

1. "Nostradamus" by Al Stewart

I associate this song completely with my father. It was another tape we listened to on our road trips and it always got us talking about what the song meant, and by extension, about history. I occasionally catch it on the radio and I always smile because it makes me think of my dad.

Happy Father's Day, Dad!


Dad reading to me (my favorite picture of us)


Getting ready for the Father-Daughter dance

Walking down the aisle at my wedding.

I Heart: The Curiouser and Curiouser Edition

2011-06-14T00:00:00.005-06:00

In honor of Alice: Madness Returns being released today, I give you:

Official game merchandise from EA, particularly this Vorpal Blade T-shirt.

The exquisite Jun Planning Alice dolls. They come in three variations - Little Dal, Little Pullip, and Lunatic Alice.

Phoebe in Wonderland - a lovely independent film about a bright but troubled girl who seeks refuge in her school's production of Alice in Wonderland. Patricia Clarkson is fabulous as the eccentric drama teacher Mrs. Dodger and Elle Fanning makes a perfect Phoebe.

This gorgeous pocket watch necklace from Plasticland.

I've been eying this pill box, complete with original John Tenniel drawings, for awhile.

From the recent live action/CGI film, the glass "Eat Me" cake box - a gorgeous addition for any collector.

These wall hooks are perfect for an Alice-themed room.

Disney Couture creates beautiful jewelry with Disney film themes. My favorite is the Drink Me necklace.

The Disney store also has some gorgeous Alice merch, including this snowglobe, this Alice themed tea press, and this beautiful new Precious Moments figurine (I have the original.)

This cloth-covered edition of the original text.

Funko's small plush Alice characters, including Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and the White Rabbit.

This amazing Tokyo restaurant that I would DIE to go to!

An enamel charm with the Cheshire Cat's most famous line.

This book (combining my love of Alice and zombies), which I am holding in my hot little hands right this second. (Thanks, Quinn!)

If you're an Alice fan, an American McGee fan, or just love gorgeous, cinematic, fantasy-driven third person shooter games, go buy Alice: Madness Returns today!

Geek of the Week: James McAvoy

2011-06-12T20:12:00.000-06:00

James McAvoy [found here]

Securing the role of Charles Xavier in the newest X-Men film, X-Men: First Class was a dream come true for James McAvoy, who watched the cartoons as a young boy. McAvoy is also a devoted fan of the Lord of the Rings novels and loves science fiction. In an interview with The Independent, he said, "[I have] a humongous all-encompassing passion for sci-fi: films, books, art, memorabilia - I'm a proper addict. It dates from when I read The Lord of the Rings at ll, and after that I read Frank Herbert's Dune chronicles and watched things like 'Star Trek'." His genre loyalty often influences his choice of roles - he appeared as Leto Atredies II in the Sci-Fi Channel film adaptation of Frank Herbert's Children of Dune and Mr. Tumnus in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. He also has expressed interest in being a part of one of the J. J. Abrams-helmed Star Trek sequels and was, at one time, rumored to be playing the lead role of Bilbo Baggins for the 2012 adaptation of The Hobbit, which was supported by Elijah Wood (Frodo).

The Saturday Review: X-Men: First Class

2011-06-11T06:00:00.006-06:00

X-Men: First Class (2011)

Directed by Matthew Vaughn

Starring:
James McAvoy
Michael Fassbender
Jennifer Lawrence
January Jones

Movies based on comic books can be hit or miss, and with an established rabid fanbase, there's always a danger when adapting a beloved series like The X-Men. After seeing several trailers for the newest X-Men incarnation, I was pretty sure it was going to be good, and I was not disappointed.

X-Men: First Class reveals the back stories for several of the core X-Men characters, including Magneto, Professor X, Mystique, and Emma Frost (the White Queen). Eric Lensherr (Magneto) is separated from his parents as they arrive at a Polish concentration camp. As he reaches for them, the iron gates bend and twist. His power is discovered by Dr. Schmidt (Kevin Bacon), who tortures him in an effort to harness the power. Charles Xavier, the future Professor X, discovers Raven Darkholme (Mystique), stealing food from his fridge and takes her in.

Twenty years later, Lensherr (Fassbender) is on a revenge mission to find and kill the elusive Dr. Schmidt. Xavier (McAvoy) is a newly appointed professor, traveling with Raven (Lawrence) posing as his sister. In Las Vegas, CIA operative Moira McTaggart is staking out the Hellfire Club and witnesses clear evidence of genetic human mutation. She seeks out Professor Xavier, an expert on mutation, and he begins working for the CIA, using a thought amplifying machine to find other mutants. He and McTaggart discover Sebastian Shaw and his team are a threat to national security. They join up with Lensherr and create a team of mutants to fight Shaw and his accomplices. As their presence among regular humans becomes more obvious, the people they are protecting become a larger threat as well.

This flick is stylish and smart, with gorgeous period costuming and plenty of inside references for devoted X-Men fans. The casting was excellent, and Fassbender and McAvoy are pitch perfect in their prospective roles. I'm usually not fond of January Jones, but she was definitely the right choice to play Emma Frost and any doubts of Jennifer Lawrence's suitability for Mystique were blown away by a cameo by Rebecca Romijn (the original film version of Mystique). Although the film has grossed the least at the box office of all the previous X-Men movies, I think it is the best so far and I am eager to see the second and third films in this series.

I think X-Men fans will enjoy this film, and it is an excellent starting point for those who are unfamiliar with the series. The special effects are very well-done and there are several humorous moments that provide levity in between some very serious scenes. It's definitely worth seeing in theaters, especially for comic fans.

I Heart: The Father's Day Gift Guide Edition

2011-06-07T07:07:00.001-06:00

Father's Day (June 19th) is quickly approaching, but there's still time to get your dad a cool gift. Here are my picks for awesome Father's Day gifts:

$20 and under:

Official Geek Dad bumper stickers - The dad in your life can advertise his geekiness to his fellow motorists with these hilarious bumper stickers.

Binary Dad T-shirt - If your dad is a computer guy, he'll appreciate this T-shirt with "Dad" written in binary on a blue background.

The Geek Dad's Guide to Weekend Fun and Geek Dad's Geeky Projects for Dads and Kids - These helpful guides can stave off boredom and encourage quality time together.

Barnes & Noble Leatherbound Classics - Barnes & Noble offers beautiful hardback editions of classic literature for $20 each. For dads, I recommend the Sherlock Holmes collection, the Jules Verne collection, and the Ray Bradbury collection.

$50 and under:

Batman Money Clip - A mini folding batarang with a magnetized grip to keep Dad's cash (and your allowance) safe from super villains.

Star Trek Cufflinks - Beautiful silver plated cufflinks for Dad's geeky formal wear.

Night Sky Monopoly Edition - A space-themed Monopoly game that will both educate and entertain the whole family.

Case of Bawls - The gamer's energy drink of choice, it comes in 4 flavors: regular, cherry, sugar-free, and root beer.

$100 and under:

Neverlate Executive Alarm Clock - The perfect alarm clock for busy dads. It has up to 42 alarm settings and is completely customizable. There are 20 available radio presets and an MP3 player input.

Darth Vader Cookie Jar - The best part of the Dark Side? They have cookies.

Stainless Steel Wallet - Made from tightly woven stainless steel fibers, this wallet is both durable and comfortable. Perfect for the dad who is hard on wallets.

Razor Naga: MMO Gaming Mouse - An ergonomic mouse with 17 MMO-optimized buttons. A must for hardcore gamers.

Last Minute Ideas:

If you're down to the wire and don't have time to have something shipped, consider these:

For comic book fans: Anything from his "pull file" at your local comic book shop
Subscriptions to his favorite magazines
Gift cards to frequently shopped stores (including webstores)
Gift card to a favorite restaurant
Gift of the month clubs (wine, beer, coffee, etc.)
A paid year subscription to online games, Netflix, or Xbox Live

Geek(s) of the Week: Megan & Keith

2011-06-05T06:00:00.004-06:00

Two very awesome people, Megan and Keith, are getting married on Saturday, June 11th. I hope they have a wonderful time on their special day and a lifetime of happiness!

And I'm Off!

2011-05-25T06:00:00.005-06:00

I've been busy getting ready to send Kris off to Vegas for his future brother-in-law's bachelor party weekend. He leaves Thursday, but I won't get a chance to rest because I'm leaving later that afternoon to spend a day with my dad and then I'm off again - headed to Nebraska to see my mom for a week. I'm taking the week off from blogging, but I'll be back to my regular schedule on Sunday, June 5th.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

I Heart: The Frozen in Carbonite Edition

2011-05-24T06:00:00.001-06:00

The CDC acknowledges the inevitability of the zombie apocalypse. (Or it's a fun marketing ploy - either way, it's awesome.) It attracted so much attention that the site still hasn't recovered. ThinkGeek has provided a supplement, complete with a supply list.

Artist Rahzzah's mashup of X-Men and the Muppets, entitled "X-Muppets".

ThinkGeek's new superhero tees for women. I'm a big fan of the hockey stripes and the 3/4 sleeves. Choose from Batman, Green Lantern (my fav), Superman, and The Flash.

This adorable short/potential Meetup ad from Eric B. Shanks. (Robots need friends, too!)

Han in carbonite ice trays - I love a good silicone ice tray (I have Space Invaders, brains, and Pi shaped trays, and I'm planning to get the robot tray very soon.), so I was super excited to see these amazing ice trays coming soon to the Star Wars Shop.

Adorable bookworm cake toppers - This handmade cake topper couple shows the bride and groom's love of books.

Don't worry about coming up with the best proposal ever, because this guy's already got it covered. (Bonus: Taking the time to get popcorn on the way. I would totally do that.):

Meghan Draws Weird - Meghan Murphy's Tumblr blog of pencil sketches. She takes requests from followers - my favorite is this sketch of the "IT Crowd" guys and gal). Be sure to check out her hilarious cartoon site Kawaii Not as well.

Wizards & Warriors Camp - A summer camp in Burlington, MA for 7-12 year old fantasy fans. Similar to LARP play, the camp also introduces kids to history, literature, chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, and archeology - all taught in the context of the fantasy world of Sidleterra. Professional actors interact with the campers to enhance the ongoing story. (Who else wishes they were 12 right about now?)

Geek of the Week: Grant Imahara

2011-05-22T06:00:00.000-06:00

Grant Imahara (found here)

Grant Imahara is best known for his work on the "Mythbusters" team, but he is also a talented robotics engineer with a super cool resume. After graduating from the University of Southern California, he worked for Industrial Light and Magic for nine years. His work can be seen in several films, including the Star Wars prequel trilogy and the Matrix sequels. He has also competed on Battlebots (with his bot Deadblow) and created Craig Ferguson's robot sidekick Geoff Peterson for "The Late Late Show".

Follow Imahara on Twitter (@grantimahara) and catch him on "Mythbusters" - Wednesdays at 9:00 PM (Eastern) on Discovery Channel.

The Danger of Remakes

2011-05-19T06:00:00.044-06:00

Filmmakers who decide to make remakes seem to do so at their peril. They walk a very fine line - too close to the source material and they are deemed derivative; if they stray too far, they risk the ire of the original's fans. Here are some common problems:

Some Movies Shouldn't be Remade

Some films are so iconic and rooted in our culture that it would be a crime to remake them. (Can you imagine Citizen Kane or The Godfather being remade?) Occasionally, the subject matter makes the film almost impossible to recreate (Freaks).

There are also films that are so unique that they can't be replicated. An excellent example of this is Wes Craven's first film, The Last House on the Left. Based on a Swedish ballad (which also spawned the Ingmar Bergman film The Virgin Spring), made in 1972, and shot in a grainy, realistic fashion, the movie was Craven's commentary on the Vietnam war. It is a raw and incredibly violent film and it culls a visceral reaction from the viewer. Rob Zombie, a horror flick director and gorehound, said, "It feels like you're watching a snuff film." Clearly, it's not a movie for people who get grossed out easily, but according to the filmmakers, the gore had a purpose. This was not the case with the 2009 remake. Although Craven produced the new version, it had neither the sucker punch effect of the original, nor the gritty, realistic feel. It was just another slick, big budget slasher flick with a story line that vaguely resembled the original film. The biggest mistake: Remaking the film in the first place. The Last House on the Left is a seminal horror film and it's virtually impossible to recapture the essence of the original movie. The filmmakers would have been better off creating a completely new storyline and just making a standard horror flick.

Some Remakes are Just Bad

The best example of this is Frank Oz's disastrous version of The Stepford Wives. The original film, made in 1975 and adapted from Ira Levin's short novel of the same name, has become a sci-fi classic. Oz intended to make an updated version of the film to appeal to modern audiences, and by his own admission, got carried away by the big budget and star-studded cast. Several changes were made throughout production and the story was transformed from a subtle domestic sci-fi thriller to an overly stylized farce with ridiculous gaping plot holes. The biggest mistake: Producers disliked the 1975 film's original dystopic ending, despite it being chiefly responsible for the flick's creepy atmosphere and lasting effect on audiences. As a result, the 2004 version's muddled happy ending made Oz's film all the more laughable.

Few Remakes Add Anything Substantial to the Story

Even when remakes are decently made, they very rarely add anything of value to the pre-existing story. This is especially true of shot-for-shot remakes, which I have never understood. Do we really need to see Psycho done exactly like Hitchcock did it, but in color and with Anne Heche and Vince Vaughn? (The answer is "No".)

Take A Nightmare On Elm Street, for example. I thought Jackie Earle Haley did a good job as Freddy, but there wasn't anything that made the film stand out from the original version. In fact, all the remake made me want to do was go back and watch the original. The filmmakers of the 2010 version told the media they wanted to make a "darker" version of the franchise. The biggest mistake: They focused more on Freddy's back story as a child molester to give him a clearer motive for killing the teenagers, which to me, seems unnecessary, given that Freddy Krueger is a dream figure. I'd argue that the film didn't need to be remade in the first place, but their best opportunity for making the newer version stand out wasn't motive, it was bigger and better kills.

Everyone Has a Different Opinion

Movie watching is, at its core, subjective. Films are intended to evoke an emotional reaction and it can be difficult to be objective about something you connect with. This usually translates into an overwhelming preference for the original film.

On the other hand, just because the original is a classic, it doesn't necessarily mean that everyone likes it better. I'll use myself as an example in this instance. I would venture to say that most people, particularly in my age range, prefer Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) to the more recent Tim Burton revamp Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (2005). Not me. Other than the bizarre Willy Wonka back story, I like Burton's version better.

You're probably thinking, "Isn't Charlie & the Chocolate Factory the epitome of the slick, big-budget remakes you were just complaining about?" It absolutely is, but my preference isn't based on an objective opinion; it's rooted in my feeling about the book both films were based on. Roald Dahl was one of my favorite authors as a kid, so my first exposure to the story was his book and, when I was younger, I was very adamant that film adaptations of books should be exactly like the source material. While I liked Gene Wilder's performance as Willy Wonka, I wasn't a big fan of the movie itself because it wasn't enough like the book.

In contrast, watching Charlie & the Chocolate Factory as an adult brought back vivid memories of reading the book in the back seat of the car as my parents ran errands and laughing at the hilariously twisted Oompa Loompa songs. I was ecstatic that I could pick out lines of dialogue and song in the film that came directly from the text, despite not having read the book for over fifteen years.

The more recent version does have its problem. Burton's directing and visual style tend to overshadow his actual films; the viewer is keenly aware that it is a "Tim Burton Film" while watching one of his movies (especially his more recent films). The Willy Wonka in the 2005 version, while funny, is a creation of Burton and Depp and hardly resembles Dahl's character. (Wilder's performance is actually closer.) None of that matters to me, though. The core of the film and the way it makes me feel is closer to Dahl's book than the 1971 version, and therefore, I like it better. Objectivity often takes a back seat when emotions are involved.

Good Remakes are the Exception, Not the Rule

Two of my favorite sci-fi films are remakes - Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) and The Thing (1982). Invasion of the Body Snatchers was based on the 1956 movie of the same name, and has been remade twice since - once in 1993 as Body Snatchers, and again in 2007 as The Invasion (starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig). The 1978 version was very well received after its release and remains the most popular of the Invasion films. The Thing was a remake of The Thing From Another World (1951), which was adapted from John W. Campbell, Jr.'s novella "Who Goes There?" During it's initial release, The Thing was not a success, but has become known as a sci-fi classic and has achieved cult status. A prequel, also called The Thing, was made in 2010 and is scheduled to be released in October 2011, after its April 2011 release date was pushed back for reshoots (not a good sign).

These two films are both excellent examples of good remakes. I am not a film expert by any means, but here are my ideas on what can make a quality remake:

1. The film is well-cast.

As we've learned from Frank Oz, you can stuff all the big-name actors you want in your movie, if they're not right for the parts, it's going to suck. Both Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Thing have excellent casts and each cast member is extremely effective in his or her role.

2. The film has something that sets it apart from the original.

W. D. Richter's screenplay for Invasion of the Body Snatchers used the source material to create an allegory for the social construct of the "Me Generation" that was so prevalent during the early 70s. He added another layer to the original story that made it especially relevant to the time in which it was released. With The Thing, it was Rob Bottin's amazing special effects that made the remake stand out from the original. (The Norris Thing has become an iconic image in sci-fi cinema.)

3. The filmmakers have their own clear, unique vision.

While I think it's important to acknowledge the source material, it's equally important to set your film apart from it's predecessor. There's no point in remaking a film if it's just going to be a rehash of the original.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers is both paranoia-inducing and disturbingly realistic. Little things in the film let you know that things are getting steadily worse and one of the most effective is the subtle substitution of mechanical noises for natural ones as the invasion progresses. This, and the decision to go with a dystopic ending (rather than the original's more optimistic one) makes this film remain effective.

Taking the setting of The Thing back to the uber-isolated Antarctica of the original novella was a brilliant move and John Carpenter's directing style is tailor-made for the kind of suspense building needed to make this story come alive. Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro says of Carpenter's work on The Thing, "The way Carpenter shoots it is so smart . . . he's extremely spare with his camera. He just makes it almost a mathematical type of montage, where you're feeling relatively secure and then, BAM!"

Remakes will continue to be made, to varying degrees of success. They seem to have become more prevalent in recent years, probably because the popularity of the original films ensures an audience and that means more money and less risk for producers.

One upcoming remake that looks like it could be promising (despite having many of Hollywood's remake cliches) is Craig Gillespie's Fright Night, starring Anton Yelchin, Toni Colette, David Tennant (of "Doctor Who" fame), and Colin Farrell. The original Fright Night was made in 1985 and is a well-loved horror-comedy classic.

What do you think of remakes? What are some of your favorites? Which ones do you not enjoy?

Top Five . . . Television Show Openings

2011-05-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

5. "Tales From the Darkside"

This anthology show was produced by Stephen King and George Romero after their success with Creepshow. The show's short opening is one of the most frightening in television history.

4. "Dead Like Me"

The best openings give you a window into what the show is about. I love that the intro for "Dead Like Me" is able to convey the show's black humor in a unique way (and without using recycled clips).

3. "The Twilight Zone"

Rod Serling's narration over surreal imagery makes this opening remain iconic and effective today.

2. "Game of Thrones"

I haven't been able to watch "Game of Thrones" yet since we don't have HBO, but if the intro is any indication, the series is excellent and worth the high praise it's received from critics.

1. "Carnivale"

You very rarely see an opening that is able to encapsulate a show as well as this. "Carnivale's" opening perfectly depicts the blend of religion, magic, and 1930s life that made the show so unique.

Honorable Mentions:

"Unsolved Mysteries" - for scaring the bejeebers out of me on a weekly basis throughout my childhood

"Mystery Science Theater 3000" - for an extremely catchy theme song that I sang ad nauseum growing up and still know all the words to as an adult. (I can sing all the versions, too!)

I Heart: The "Have You Tried Turning It Off and On Again?" Edition

2011-05-17T06:00:00.003-06:00

"Tales From the Darkside" mini-marathon - It's happening today, right now on Sci-Fi Channel! Go watch it!

Chris O'Dowd (Roy from "The IT Crowd") will be on "Conan" on Wednesday, May 18th!

Star Wars Art Show - a blog that features amazing fan art, especially this Cinco De Mayo contribution

Free Comic Book Day Wedding - I'm a big fan of casual and very personal weddings (probably because I had one myself!). How cute is this couple who got married at their local comic shop on Free Comic Book Day?

Dear Girls Above Me - Charlie McDowell's (son of actor and icon Malcom McDowell and actress Mary Steenburgen) blog/Twitter archive of his responses to the two inane and incredibly loud girls who live above him. It's hilarious and completely relevant to anyone who has lived in an apartment with loud neighbors. Follow McDowell on Twitter (@Charliemcdowell)

Icons of the Twilight Zone Bobblehead - If you're lucky enough to be going to Comic-Con, you can pick this amazing thing up directly at the Bif Bang Pow! booth. If not, you can still buy yours from Entertainment Earth - if you can stand the wait until November, that is. (It's available to pre-order now!)

The Dark Crystal graphic novel series - This highly anticipated adaptation will be art directed by Brian Froud (the original designer). The series details the origins of the crystal and is slated to be published at the end of this year.

The character trailers for X-Men: First Class (I am SO excited about this flick!):

Geek of The Week: Monday

2011-05-15T14:17:00.000-06:00

On her Tumblr blog 6s & 7s, Monday shows off her knitting, needlework, and drawing projects and occasionally posts random pictures that amuse her. She recently got a lot of attention (and rightly so!) for her adorable Companion Cube sweater. She's also a comic book and anime fan, plays WOW, and is a major Trekkie, (She's got a "Next Generation" sweater in the works.) I highly suggest following her blog, especially if you are geeky and crafty. (Her ability to knit, cross stitch, and draw makes me very, very jealous.)

The Saturday Review: Bossypants

2011-05-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

Bossypants
Tina Fey
Published in 2011

Tina Fey, known for her work on "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock" recently published her first book, a memoir called Bossypants. Fey writes about her first forays into entertainment, especially her job with a local children's theater and doing improv with Chicago's elite group, Second City. She tells brief but significant stories about her time at "SNL" and describes her awkward transition to fame and becoming the boss at "30 Rock". There are a few funny anecdotes about her personal life (snapshots from her childhood and adolescence, her disastrous honeymoon, the struggles of being a late-in-life working mom, treks between families at Christmastime) and the less fun parts of being in the public eye (magazine photo shoots and reading about yourself on the internet).

I heard good things about Bossypants, and when faced with a ridiculously small audiobook selection, my road trip travel companions and I decided to give it a whirl. We were pleased by the results, and it made an otherwise long car ride go very quickly. The sections were short and punchy, with funny asides. Fey writes about herself in an off-hand, self-deprecating way and doesn't shy away from describing her less-flattering attributes. Surprisingly, I enjoyed her personal stories about her awkward maturation and current personal life more than the stories about working in television, which was the initial draw. Women will identify with her social ineptitude and self-consciousness about her looks, but her stories are universally funny.

Fey reads the auidobook, so you can hear her words in her voice, how she intends it to be read. If you regularly listen to audiobooks, this is a good one to add to your collection. The book is well-written and funny, but like most autobiographies, your enjoyment of the book will directly correlate with your feelings about the author. I would definitely suggest this book for fans of Fey, "SNL", or "30 Rock".

Spectacular!

2011-05-13T17:11:00.000-06:00

Thanks to my awesome mom's early birthday gift, I was finally able to get some new glasses.

The side of my red & black square frames

The front of my red & black square frames.

The side of my black rhinestone frames.

The front of my black rhinestone frames.

And, as a bonus . . .

Kris and I like to come up with odd band names. We laughed about this one for hours, so I decided to create the album cover as a surprise for him.

Top Five . . . Current Crushes

2011-05-11T06:00:00.000-06:00

Hamish Linklater

5. Hamish Linklater

Linklater is a classically trained actor who has appeared in several Shakespearean plays, but he is probably best known as Christine Campbell's sweetly sarcastic brother, Matthew, on "The New Adventures of Old Christine". He also appeared in one of my favorite episodes of "Pushing Daisies". Although he's gangly and a bit goofy-looking, he's funny and self-effacing, which pretty much makes him adorable. (He also has excellent timing on "Old Christine".) My favorite line: "Are they still making floozies? I thought they discontinued floozies in the '40s."

Alan Tudyk as Wash on "Firefly"

4. Alan Tudyk

Tudyk is recognizable from roles in several films, including Simon in the original British version of Death at a Funeral and Steve the Pirate in Dodgeball, but to geeks, he will always be Wash in Joss Whedon's "Firefly" and the subsequent movie Serenity. I first saw him in A Knight's Tale as Wat, the grouchy and perpetually hungry squire to Heath Ledger's Sir Ulrich. Tudyk is an excellent comedic actor and has a hard-to-name endearing quality that makes him especially appealing.

Lee Pace as Ned on "Pushing Daisies

3. Lee Pace

Pace is best known as Ned the Pie Man from "Pushing Daisies". He usually appears in small supporting roles, but he did star in the gorgeous and cinematic film by Tarsem Singh, The Fall. He has upcoming parts in the eagerly awaited films Breaking Dawn (as Garrett) and (yay!) The Hobbit (as Thranduil, the Elven king)

Paul Bettany

2. Paul Bettany

In addition to being married to one of the most gorgeous women in the world, Jennifer Connelly (I always wanted to look like her after seeing Labyrinth), Bettany is a fabulous actor who can do both drama and comedy. I loved him as Charles Herman in A Beautiful Mind, but I first saw him in A Knight's Tale (with Alan Tudyk!) playing the celebrated author Geoffrey Chaucer. The word that comes to mind when I think about Bettany is "charming" and he makes any movie he's in infinitely better.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt

1. Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Gordon-Levitt started out as a child actor, best known for playing Tommy in "3rd Rock From the Sun". He took a break from acting to attend Columbia University, but reemerged in several indie films, including the adorable 500 Days of Summer, which all but relaunched his career. He then appeared as Arthur in the Oscar-nominated and critically lauded Inception and was recently cast in Christopher Nolan's newest installment of his Batman series, The Dark Knight Rises.

Of course, my favorite crush will always be Heath Ledger, who I've loved since Ten Things I Hate About You. I was so sad when I heard he died, especially since he had such a promising career ahead of him.

I Heart: The Wheaton's Law Edition

2011-05-10T06:00:00.005-06:00

Portal 2 advises how not to be a D-bag during co-play:

This geek girl's awesome Etsy store takes computer parts and makes them into amazing jewelry. Follow her @CloneHardware - she gives updates about new merchandise.

Roger Hargreaves - The man who wrote the popular Mr. Men and Little Miss series would have been 76 yesterday. Hargreaves died in 1988 due to stroke complications. His son, Adam, took over writing the series after his death.

My favorite of the Little Miss series

Something we should all remember.

The trailer for Coleridge Cook's new take on Franz Kafka's "Metamorphosis":

Fango's May issue - I am utterly powerless to resist the lure of a Thing/John Carpenter cover.

Fangoria, May 2011 (found here)

In honor of Star Wars Day (May 4th), I give you these adorable crocheted Star Wars figures! (Yet another reason that I wish I was crafty.)

Mother's Day may be over, but it's not too early to start planning for next year. May I suggest this hilarious and appropriate card?

Moral of the story: Math geek girls rule.

Restropect Dry Goods in Monument, CO - This awesome store has everything from classic monster movie collectibles to gorgeous Bettie Page clothing. If you live in Colorado and love retro, this shop is definitely worth the trip! Follow them on Twitter (@RetrospectDG) and/or "like" them on Facebook to get news about new merch and deals.

Neil Gaiman's response to Minnesota Representative Matt Dean's name-calling - If you follow Gaiman on Twitter (@neilhimself) or read his blog, you know about the surprising controversy he has caused in Minnesota's legislature. When interviewed about cutting "legacy" funds that go to promote arts and culture in the state, Dean lashed out at Gaiman for being paid a $40,000 speaker's fee. He said he "hate[d]" the author, called him a "pencil-necked weasel", and accused him of stealing the money from Minnesota tax payers. Gaiman took the diatribe in stride and, way back in May of 2010, had even taken the extra step of explaining the fee and what was done with it. Dean gamely apologized for calling the author a "pencil-necked weasel", but said nothing of the theft accusation. I applaud Mr. Gaiman for his mature, level-headed response. You, sir, are a better person than I. #TeamGaiman

Five Film Questions

2011-05-09T13:20:00.000-06:00

Film blog Kid in the Front Row* recently posed some interesting questions:

1. Has a film storyline or character ever inspired you to say or do something in your life that, otherwise, you wouldn't have said or done?

Yes, constantly. The first instance I can consciously remember would be begging my mom to buy me a stuffed white owl so that I could reenact Labyrinth in my backyard.

2. Artists die, but their work stays, as long as we keep viewing it. Why is the past important? Where do Chaplin, Capra and Hepburn fit into a world of iPhones and social networks?

The past, especially film's past, is so vital because it influences everything that comes after it. Where would horror films be today without F.W. Murnau's camera work and lighting in Nosferatu or Hitchcock's amazing suspense building? Tarantino wouldn't even have a career without martial arts flicks and exploitation films. No director works today without being influenced by someone that came before and good actors take cues from their predecessors.

3. What do you dislike most about movies?

I don't know if there's anything I dislike about movies themselves. I dislike how producers/studios seem to favor remakes and rehashes over creativity and unique filmmaking. I have seen some gorgeous, amazing films that are produced as indies because the major studios didn't have enough faith in them. Although independent films are wonderful, they miss the huge audience afforded to mainstream movies.

4. Please sum up in only ONE word, what you are looking when you watch a film.

This one was really hard. I would have to say "magic". Obviously, I'm not talking about literal Harry Potter magic. The flick has to suck me in. It has to be believable, even if it is about something that could never happen. It has to dazzle me, even if it's intended to be realistic.

5. When you think of your love for movies, what one image comes to mind? (could be an image from a movie, could be a flashback of you as a kid eating popcorn, could be anything!)

For me, it is the dark theater with the bright, flickering screen. The room is hushed, but not completely quiet and you can just make out the outlines of empty seats and the heads of the other moviegoers.

* Kid in the Front Row is an awesome film-related blog. The Kid is very knowledgeable, extremely prolific as far as blogging goes (I am SO jealous), and not afraid to share his opinion. I highly suggest taking a look if you're a film lover or if you're looking to break into any aspect of the movie-making business.

Geek(s) of the Week: The Flying Monkeys

2011-05-08T11:13:00.000-06:00

The Flying Monkeys of Ames, Iowa (found here)

Let's hear it for mad scientist girls! A Girl Scout sponsored robotics team (made up of sixth and seventh grade girls) in Iowa invented a prosthetic device that allows three year old Danielle to write with her fingerless right hand for the first time! Their invention, which they call Bob-1, was entered in the FIRST Lego League (FLL) competition and worked so well, they won $20,000 to secure a patent!

Embrace Your Weirdness!

2011-05-05T19:28:00.000-06:00

"I want to go back to being weird. I like being weird; weird's all I've got. That, and my sweet style!" - Maurice Moss, "The IT Crowd"

I was a weird little kid who grew into a weird adult. As a kid, I was obsessed with Alice in Wonderland, Victorian and Medieval England, sci-fi, fantasy, and true crime. I loved watching old movies and wore out my Les Miserables cast recording tape. I played pretend way longer than I should have and spent most of my time with books, rather than other kids. If I ever wanted to be like others, it never stuck; my natural proclivities won out in the end.

My mom had a lot to do with this. She always encouraged my creativity. She indulged my interests and never told me the things I liked were unusual. As a result, I thought all kids were fascinated with dragons and spaceships and the French revolution.

When I got older, I was lucky enough to find people like me. I made it through high school thanks to a tight group of friends who were all a little left of center and I married a weirdo goofball (who also happens to be one of the sweetest guys on earth).

The oddballs, freaks, and weirdos are always more interesting than the people who conform. The people who truly love you will always accept you for you are, not try to change you to who they want you to be. They will introduce you to awesome things you never knew you loved (sushi, the adorableness of cats, etc.) and they will support every harebrained scheme you come up with.

We're often rewarded for conforming to expectations with praise, admirers, and success, but if you aren't being true to yourself, that can all ring a little hollow. Like what you like, do what you want to do, and be you are - the rest will fall into place naturally.

Please watch this beautifully moving scene from Phoebe in Wonderland.

Happy Star Wars Day!

2011-05-04T06:00:00.010-06:00

Not This Again

2011-05-03T13:52:00.001-06:00

After the brouhaha with Ginia Bellafante, you'd think this whole "Do girl geeks exist?" issue would be over and done with. Well, you'd be wrong.

The latest commentary on girl geekery comes from Vince Mancini, writer and editor of FilmDrunk. Mancini takes issue with "hot women pandering to nerds". By this, he means attractive female celebrities who assert their geek cred on late night talk shows. In particular, he uses the example of Rosario Dawson speaking in Klingon on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien". Of course, he immediately contradicts himself by saying she sounds "genuine". (Can someone explain how you can "pander" and sound "genuine" at the same time?)

Of course, the only reason female celebs (particularly the pretty ones) would deign to admit they like geeky stuff like Star Wars is so male fans will drool over them. It couldn't possibly be because they actually enjoy it.*

The particular comment that really raises my ire is this one: "And if a pretty girl is into geek stuff, let’s stop demanding that they prove it. Go ahead, be girly, we don’t mind. No harm, no foul." Listen bud, we can be "girly" and like geeky stuff ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I know it sounds like it takes immense talent, but somehow we manage.

These women, like their male counterparts, are on a talk show to promote their movies and share a piece of their lives. Occasionally, they may talk about liking geeky stuff . . . because they like it. Not because they want guys to think they're hot - they've already got that covered. Do you assume Seth Green is "pandering" when he talks about Star Wars or video games or comic books? I'm guessing not.

And, by the way, I don't care if liking Star Wars isn't "even nerdy anymore", it still freakin' rocks.

Want to share a piece of your mind with Mr. Mancini? Head over to Twitter and give it to him. (@Filmdrunk)

*Obviously dripping with sarcasm

I Heart: The Sweet Geek Edition

2011-05-03T06:00:00.000-06:00

Mothers' Day is coming - May the last-minute scrambling for presents commence. May I suggest this awesome shirt?

YouTube channel YourFavoriteMartian - Their videos for "Zombie Love Song" and "Club Villain" are especially good. (Thanks to Sarah for finding these!)

Remember when I talked about "Jem"? The Hub just announced that the truly, truly, truly outrageous singer will be added to their retrotastic lineup (joining fellow '80s alum "Doogie Howser, M.D.") on May 31st, with a sneak preview on May 28th.

Adorable video game-based proposals - the only thing better than a geek is a romantic geek!

Susan Beal's World of Geekcraft - A book of crafts that will appeal to geeks of all ages. It includes things like Super Mario cross-stitch and cosplay sewing instructions. Star Wars fans should also check out Bonnie Burton's The Star Wars Craft Book.

World of Geekcraft Harry Potter and solar system projects (found here)

Geek of the Week: Seth Green

2011-05-01T12:35:00.000-06:00

Actor Seth Green is a geek from way back. Early roles included Fred Glass in My Stepmother is an Alien and the young Richie Tozier in Stephen King's It. Playing teen werewolf Daniel "Oz" Osbourne in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" earned him some serious geek cred and allowed him to go on to his most well-known role as Chris Griffin on "Family Guy" and to create his popular stop-motion animation show "Robot Chicken" for Cartoon Network.

Green is an avid gamer and has lent his voice to the Mass Effect game series as pilot Jeff "Joker" Moreau. He is married to fellow gamer Clare Grant, a member of the geek girl group Team Unicorn. Recently, Green was invited to attend the final launch of the space shuttle Endeavour. Although the launch was delayed because of mechanical issues, he was excited to meet astronauts and to get the chance to participate in the historic scientific event.

Follow Green on Twitter (@SethGreen)

I Heart: Sock Monkey Madness

2011-04-26T06:00:00.001-06:00

Apparently, it was sock monkey weekend for Kris and me. We gave our friends' little girls pink baby sock monkeys for Easter and then ended up receiving a baby sock monkey of our own, as well as a sock monkey jack-in-the-box and yo-yo!

Sock monkeylicious Easter gifts

How cute is this guy?

The tiniest sock monkey

Adorable sock monkey earrings

My favorite pajama brand, Nick & Nora, has awesome sock monkey PJs (I have the Christmas ones!), including this new style.

This picture of Kris and Darby:

It counts because you can see a sock monkey head behind the chair.

This is still my favorite commercial (Bonus: Robot doing the robot!):

Geek of the Week: Adam Savage

2011-04-25T06:00:00.004-06:00

Adam Savage is most widely-known as the energetic, fun-loving co-host of "Mythbusters", but he has a pretty amazing resume. His father was a featured animator on "Sesame Street" and Savage provided voices for several of his father's characters. He also appeared in a Charmin commercial as Mr. Whipple's assistant and as a drowning swimmer in the music video for Billy Joel's "You're Only Human (Second Wind)". Savage eventually decided that he'd rather be behind the scenes, and has worked as a special effects artist, robotics engineer, and model builder for several films, TV shows, and commercials, including Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, The Matrix Reloaded, and Galaxy Quest. He works, along with jack-of-all-trades Jamie Hyneman, on "Mythbusters" and is a featured performer on w00stock.

View Savage's full resume on his website, follow him on Twitter (@donttrythis), and, of course, watch him on "Mythbusters" (Discovery Channel, Wednesdays at 9 PM Eastern)

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T06:00:00.023-06:00

I hope the Easter Domo was as good to you as he was to us!

Kris (Monkey) - New swim trunks & caramel Cadbury eggs; Me (Robot) - The Last Unicorn & fuchsia Peeps

A to Z Movies

2011-04-20T06:00:00.015-06:00

Jinx (over at Totally Jinxed) has an amazing alphabetical list of her current favorite films, and she inspired me to create my own list:

A
Amelie (2001)
I love this movie. Audrey Tatou is gorgeous and the entire movie just puts me in a good mood. Even if you are not a fan of foreign films, you should watch this flick.

Honorable Mention: American Psycho (2000) - An excellent adaptation (directed by a woman, no less!) of one of the most disturbing books I have ever read. (Bonus: Christian Bale moonwalks!)

B
Beetlejuice (1988)
The flick that introduced me to Tim Burton and Winona Ryder.

Honorable Mentions: The Bad Seed (1956) - Based on the William March novel of the same name.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) - The role Keanu Reeves was born to play.

C
The Changeling (1980)
George C. Scott stars in this early '80s ghost story that made red rubber balls terrifying.

Honorable Mention: The Children (2008) - An awesome British indie horror movie about psychokiller kids.

D
The Devil's Backbone (2001)
Guillermo Del Toro's beautiful and haunting ghost story, set during the Spanish civil war.

Honorable Mention: Death Proof (2007) - My favorite Tarantino film - nothing better than Kurt Russell and kick-ass chicks!

E
The Exorcist (1973)
I have to go with Jinx on this one. William Friedkin's The Exorcist is in my Top Ten best films of all time list for several reasons, including (but not limited to) the faithful adaptation of the novel, the amazing cast, Dick Smith's incredible makeup and special effects, and Mercedes McCambridge's bone-chilling voice work. Not to mention that this flick has serious staying power.

Honorable Mention: Edward Scissorhands (1990) - A beautiful, dark love story with a cameo from Vincent Price.

F
Fido (2006)
A kitschy zombie satire starring Billy Connolly and Carrie-Anne Moss. In an alternative universe 1950s, the zombie war results in collared zombies working as servants in suburbia.

Honorable Mention: Fallen (1998) - A subtle demonic possession film starring Denzel Washington. (Bonus: A small role by one of my favorite character actors, Elias Koteas.)

G
Ginger Snaps (2000)
Two sisters who are obsessed with death must deal with boys, growing up, and high school - all while protecting the secret that one of them is a werewolf.

Honorable Mention: Ghost World (2001) - Clever adaptation of Daniel Clowes's graphic novel of the same name. Thora Birch is a pitch-perfect Enid Coleslaw.

H
A Hard Day's Night (1964)
It's The Beatles . . . need I say more?

Honorable Mention: House of 1,000 Corpses (2003) - I was shocked that I liked this film, but I totally did. It's a fun horror flick, which tends to be pretty rare.

I
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
One of the few times that the remake is actually better than the original. It's one of my favorite sci-fi flicks of all time.

Honorable Mention: It's All About Love (2003) - Made by a Danish director with an A-List Hollywood cast (Sean Penn, Claire Danes, and a pre-fake break down Joaquin Phoenix), this film isn't really good, but it is incredibly weird, so it's worth the watch.

J
Jawbreaker (1999)
This film was pretty heavily panned when it first came out, but I liked it so much better than the regular teen fare that Hollywood was pumping out at the time (Clueless, et al.)

Honorable Mention: Jennifer's Body (2009) - This Diablo Cody penned movie is chock full of references to both '80s teen flicks and classic horror films. Much better than I expected it to be, considering it stars Megan Fox.

K
Kick-Ass (2010)
In addition to being funny, this movie kicks a lot of ass. Based on the awesome comic series of the same name.

Honorable Mention: Kill Bill (2003) - Tarantino's super-stylized take on kung fu flicks.

L
Let the Right One In (2008)
The gorgeous Swedish film based on the novel of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist.

Honorable Mention: The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976) - An awesome, subtle thriller starring a young Jodie Foster.

M
Mirrormask (2005)
Inspired by Alice in Wonderland and written by Neil Gaiman equals this girl's dream come true.

Honorable Mention: Marie Antoinette (2006) - Based on the life of the doomed Austrian-born French queen, Sofia Coppola's film is a beautiful feast for the eyes with a modern twist.

N
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
The first (and best) of many Freddy Krueger films. The school hallway scene alone makes this movie worth watching. (Bonus: Johnny Depp gets sucked into a bed.)

Honorable Mentions: Night of the Living Dead (1968) - George Romero's game-changing zombie flick.
Near Dark (1987) - Behold the awesomeness that is Lance Henriksen.

O
The Omen (1976)
Again, gotta go with Jinx on this one. I love The Omen and I watch it every Halloween. You can't go wrong with evil kids, scary music, and Billie Whitelaw.

Honorable Mention: The Others (2001) - A stylish ghost story with a solid twist ending.

P
Psycho (1960)
This was arguably Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece and almost singlehandedly created the slasher genre.

Honorable Mention: Phantasm (1979) - Who wasn't scared of the Tall Man as a kid?

Q
Quiz Show (1994)
The Oscar-nominated film about the scandal surrounding 1950s quiz shows like "Twenty One". Ralph Fiennes is excellent in this film.

R
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
This film is excellent. It also makes me want to curl into the fetal position while simultaneously rocking back and forth every time I watch it.

Honorable Mention: Reservoir Dogs (1992) - Michael Madsen singing "Stuck in the Middle With You" into an ear. That is all.

S
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
My favorite zombie movie of all time!

Honorable Mentions: Shallow Grave (1994) - Danny Boyle's first film about an unlikeable trio of roommates who happen upon a suitcase full of money . . . and a dead body they must get rid of.
Seven (1995) - David Fincher's dark, twisting view of humanity. (Bonus: Brad Pitt screaming, "What's in the box?" We do this every time we get a package and it's still funny.)

T
The Thing (1982)
One of my favorite flicks.

Honorable Mention: The Tenant (1976) - Roman Polanski stars in and directs this bizzare testament to the hell of apartment living.

U
The Uninvited (1944)
A classic black and white ghost story starring Ray Milland (from Dial M for Murder), notable for being one of the first Hollywood films to depict a haunting as a serious supernatural event.

V
The Vanishing (1988)
The Dutch thriller with a shocking ending.

Honorable Mentions: Village of the Damned (1960) - Wolf Rilla's adaptation of The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham. A very creepy black and white classic.
V for Vendetta (2006) - A gorgeous film based on the Alan Moore graphic novel of the same name.

W
The Wicker Man (1973)
An amazing British film with the incomparable Christopher Lee and a brilliant performance from Edward Woodward. (I was really tempted to put the "Not the Bees" scene from the 2006 Wicker Man on here, but I decided against it. You're welcome.)

Honorable Mention: When a Stranger Calls (1979) - Have you checked the children?

X
X-Men (2000)
Bryan Singer brings the wildly popular superheroes to life. (I'm super excited about the upcoming X-Men: First Class, by the way.)

Y
Yes Man (2008)
A surprisingly funny Jim Carrey flick about one man's transformation into a positive person. (Bonus: They go to Lincoln, NE!)

Z
Zombieland (2009)
A hilarious and goreriffic zombie flick.

Honorable Mention: Zodiac (2007) - David Fincher's adaptation of Robert Graysmith's book about the real-life serial killer who terrorized San Fransisco during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The Saga Continues: Bellafante Responds

2011-04-19T17:14:00.000-06:00

Ginia Bellafante has responded to the outcry against her on The New York Times blog ArtBeat. Instead of addressing the fact that she repeatedly slammed female fantasy fans, she decided to bemoan how roughly she was treated and ended the post with the very condescending and sarcastic:

"Given that so many people wrote in advance of seeing “Game of Thrones,” we would love to know what all of the Martin series lovers think of the adaptation so far."

I'm sure Miss Bellafante thought she was making a solid point about being attacked for her feelings on "Game of Thrones" when her attackers themselves hadn't even seen the finished product. The problem is that few people were upset that she didn't like the show. The women (and several of the men) who took issue with her review were incensed by her blatant claims that women are not fantasy fans and would not be interested in the show unless it included romance or sex. They were upset that she didn't take the time to find out who was included in the fanbase of the genre, the series in question, or the upcoming show. As I said before, if she would have spent fifteen minutes on the internet, there would have been no need to comment on the lack of female fans.

Ultimately, though, the biggest issue with Bellafante's review is that it is not a review at all. She doesn't discuss the show in any detail, preferring instead to dismiss the genre as a whole. The most she said about "Game of Thrones" specifically had to do with how "confusing" it was and how there were too many characters. I enjoy writing reviews, but other than the ones I do here, I've only written a few for my school newspaper. Even I know, however, that it is important to include plot points, characters, and to discuss the actual show in a well-written review. A review is not a diatribe about how you don't "get" fantasy and that a fantasy show won't translate well to mainstream viewers.

As others have said, if Miss Bellafante is not a fantasy fan (or, at the very least, open minded), perhaps she was not the right person to review "Game of Thrones". She is a woman and a journalist, however, and she has a responsibility to represent both in an exemplary fashion, particularly when she is writing for a prestigious and widely read newspaper. In this, she failed miserably. In regards to her unapology, I say, "It's not good enough."

I Heart: The Girls Can Be Geeks Too Edition

2011-04-19T06:00:00.015-06:00

In the wake of New York Times reviewer Ginia Bellafante's incendiary and sexist review of HBO's "Game of Thrones", I give you girl geekery at its finest . . .

HuffPo book reviewer Ilana Teitelbaum's thoughtful rebuttal. Teitelbaum is a fan of George R. R. Martin's fantasy series and does an excellent job of pointing out the numerous flaws in Bellafante's flippant and insulting "review".

My favorite geek mom and baby girl geek get featured in ThinkGeek's Customer
Action Shots!

Natania Barron's "5 Tips for Raising Your Girl Geek" - wise words for geek and non-geek parents raising a female geekling.

Sexy female superhero PJs from Spencers - is anyone else impressed that they got a few lesser known superheroines in the mix? (I particularly love the Emma Frost ones!)

Team Unicorn's music video celebrating being girl geeks, while parodying Katie Perry's "Californa Gurls". The vid features Clare Grant, Michele Boyd, Rileah Vanderbilt, and Milynn Sarley, as well as cameos by Seth Green and "Battlestar Galactica's" Katee Sackhoff. While Team Unicorn gets a lot of flak for being "too mainstream pretty" (whatever that means) as well as being overly sexy in the video, I think it's awesome.

Team Unicorn discusses their video with www.girlgamer.com Editor-in-Chief Crix Lee:

This ElfQuest fan trailer, which premiered at WonderCon at the beginning of the month. It was created, produced, and directed by two female ElfQuest fans, Stephanie Thorpe and Paula Rhodes, who conceived the idea on Twitter and presented it to IndieGoGo.

And, finally, a short list of awesome geek girl blogs and Twitter feeds*:

Geek Girl Diva (@geekgirldiva)

Geek With Curves (@amy_geek)

The Nerdy Bird (extra points for the tagline: "Has Boobs, Reads Comics") (@TheNerdyBird)

GeekMom (the collective companion blog to GeekDad)

@feliciaday

@bonniegrrl (Bonnie Burton)

@Veronica (Veronica Belmont)

@lizlet (Liz Shannon Miller)

@KariByron

*If you know of others, please use the comment box to leave your suggestions. I am ALWAYS looking for new reading material.

Geek of the Week: Jonathan Coulton

2011-04-17T06:00:00.002-06:00

Jonathan Coulton (found here)

Jonathan Coulton is a former computer programmer and current musical geek genius. He's a Yale graduate and has contributed theme songs to several TV shows, including Code Monkeys and Mystery Diagnosis. Coulton is most famous for penning the extremely popular song, "Still Alive", played over the end credits of Portal. Coulton is also the music director for "The Little Gray Books", an intellectual variety series created by "Daily Show" regular John Hodgman. In September of 2005, he started a year-long project called "Thing A Week", where he wrote and recorded 52 musical pieces in an effort to boost his creativity. Coulton licenses his songs under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license, which allows people to use his songs for noncommercial projects. As a result, his songs have been used in countless homemade music videos posted to YouTube.

You can get more information about Jonathan Coulton on his blog/website and follow him on Twitter (@jonathancoulton)

The Saturday Review: Ginia Bellafante's Review of Game of Thrones

2011-04-15T23:02:00.004-06:00

Editor's Note: It feels kind of weird to do a review of a review, but it needs to be addressed.

HBO's newest series is "Game of Thrones", a huge film-quality production based on the epic sci-fi/fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire, written by George R. R. Martin. It's extremely popular in the sci-fi/fantasy community and has spawned trading card, role-playing, and board games. Obviously, geeks are excited about the series, and that includes girl geeks, of course.

But, New York Times reviewer Ginia Bellafante doesn't seem to be convinced that girl geeks even exist. Repeatedly throughout her review of the "Game of Thrones" pilot, she returns to the idea that female viewers will be scarce. She makes a point of saying that the show's sexy undercurrent is a deliberate move to cull a female fanbase.

"'Game of Thrones' is boy fiction patronizingly turned out to reach the population's other half."

"The true perversion, though, is the sense you get that all of this illicitness has been tossed in as a little something for the ladies, out of a justifiable fear, perhaps, that no woman alive would watch otherwise."

Basically, Miss Bellafante's position is that the only way women would watch something like "Game of Thrones" is if it included romance/sex scenes and that those scenes are there exclusively "for the ladies". Because men aren't interested in sex at all, right?

All of the women I am friends with are girl geeks and a number of them play World of Warcraft (or other MMORPGs), read sci-fi/fantasy novels, and yes, watch sci-fi/fantasy themed movies and television shows.

It's always disheartening when journalists don't do their research, especially when it would take fifteen minutes of perusing the internet to find out that there is a HUGE girl geek community, with a large portion of that community devoted to sci-fi and fantasy. Bellafante goes on to say:

"While I do not doubt that there are women in the world who read books like Mr. Martin's, I can honestly say that I never met a single woman who has stood up in indignation at her book club and refused to read the latest from Lorrie Moore unless everyone agreed to The Hobbit first."

To which I say to Miss Bellafante, clearly you are in the wrong book clubs*.

*Please read this article, by MSNBC's Susan C. Young and this response to Bellafante's review by awesome geek girl blogger Amy Ratcliffe over at Geek With Curves. Now these are women I would start a book club with!

Top Five . . . Shows I Can't Believe I Watched

2011-04-13T06:00:00.002-06:00

Watching "I Love the 80s" for the millionth time will do something to a person. Mainly, it makes you wonder what you were thinking when you watched long forgotten shows. Here are the Top Five shows I can't believe I watched.

5. "Jem"

This was one of my favorite cartoons as a little girl and it is an absolute time capsule for the 80s. The show was about an orphaned heiress (Jerrica Benton) who transformed into a rock band frontwoman (Jem) and fought crime on the side. Her nemesis was Pizzazz, the leader of a rival punk band that constantly tried to beat The Holograms in the Battle of the Bands. Ignoring the ridiculous premise (it is a cartoon, after all), the biggest problem with the show was that Jerrica's boyfriend, Rio, was also in love with/sort of dating Jem without knowing she was Jerrica's alter-ego. Essentially, he was cheating on her (with herself) and she STILL dated him.

4. "Double Trouble"

Even though this short-lived show aired when I was one years old, I managed to catch reruns when I was a bit older and I remember loving it. Identical twins Jean and Liz Sagal (sisters of Katey Sagal) starred as the Foster twins. Allison, the more serious twin, would have to help wild-child Kate clean up her many messes. Sound familiar? It should, it's basically the premise of the Francine Pascal penned Sweet Valley Twin series, which is probably why I liked it so much. (I was also a big fan of The Parent Trap and old "Patty Duke Show" episodes, so go figure.)

3. "Small Wonder"

It's everyone's favorite show about daughter-bot V.I.C.I.! The Lawson family passes the pint-sized robot off as their10 year old daughter, Vicki, but their nosy neighbors remain unconvinced. The goal was to help Vicki become more life-like by living with a real family - which they attempted to do by dressing her like an overgrown doll and using her robotic functions to make household chores easier. Um . . . yeah. The 80s were weird.

2. "Kids Incorporated"

Before "Glee" there was "Kids Incorporated". This Disney produced show was about a group of kids in a band who were also best friends (despite their differing ages and backgrounds). Musical numbers were an integral part of the show and the episodes themselves were like bad school plays. Several celebrities got their start on "Kids Incorporated", including Mario Lopez, Stacy Ferguson (Fergie to all you Black Eyed Peas fans), and Jennifer Love Hewitt (known then as Love Hewitt). I remember waiting for the Disney Channel free preview weekends especially for this show. (There are many themes for this long-running show, but I picked the one from the cast I remembered best.)

1. "Adventures in Wonderland"

This show was particularly bad, but I still watched it because it was (loosely) based on Alice in Wonderland. Alice, experiencing problems in the real world, would go through her mirror to escape into Wonderland. Once there, she would end up helping her friends deal with their problems, which would give her an idea of how to handle her own. Like most Disney Channel shows, the acting was questionable and the plots were cliche, despite efforts to make the story more modern (a roller blading White Rabbit and the Tweedle twins outfitted in backwards caps and Hammer pants, just to name two.)

Anyone willing to admit their own childhood guilty pleasure television picks?

I Heart: The Flesh Eating Edition

2011-04-12T06:00:00.010-06:00

Zombie Fluxx - The zombie version of a very fun card game that has an almost infinite number of combinations.

A new take on Plants vs. Zombies - Phil Jones's Zombie Plant

The cast and crew of "The Walking Dead" talk about what to expect for season two. (On a side note, I am completely impressed with AMC's original programming. I started watching "The Killing" recently and it looks very promising.)

I've mentioned that I'm not much of a gamer, but I am completely captivated by the trailer for the upcoming game Dead Island. It seems very reminiscent of Silent Hill I and II, with the added bonus of zombies.

I'm bummed that I missed out on this T-shirt from woot, but you can still see the adorable design. Do you think it's a PB&B sandwich? (That's peanut butter and brains.)

I missed one of the most important ThinkGeek April Fool's joke products - the chocolate zombie Easter bunny. You can show your interest in any of the April Fool's products by clicking "Buy Now", selecting the products you want to see added to the permanent catalog, and submitting your email. If they choose to make what you've selected, you'll get an email letting you know it's in stock. (Vote for the zombie Easter bunny and I will love you forever!)

UPDATE: Somebody out there must love me, because I got the new ThinkGeek newsletter in my inbox today and the chocolate zombie Easter bunny is a reality!

Geek of the Week: Tom Savini

2011-04-10T06:00:00.002-06:00

Tom Savini (found here)

Chances are, if you've watched a horror film in the last 30 years, you've seen Tom Savini's work. Called "The Godfather of Gore" and "The Sultan of Splatter" by admiring fans, Savini has done special effects on classic, influential horror films, including Friday the 13th, The Prowler, From Dusk Till Dawn, and several of George Romero's Dead films.

As a kid, Savini was fascinated by Lon Chaney and aspired to be a makeup effects artist/actor. He spent his pocket money on makeup and practiced on his friends, much to the horror of their parents. As an adult, he fought in Vietnam, serving as a combat photographer. He would later use the carnage he saw during the war to create more realistic special effects on film.

He got his start working with Romero on the 1977 film Martin. Soon other filmmakers (Dario Argento, Tobe Hooper, etc.) came calling and Savini became the go-to guy for gore.

While he still does behind-the-scenes work and often appears in small roles onscreen, Savini spends most of his time running the Special Make-Up Effects Program at the Douglas Education Center in Monessen, PA.

I would kill to go here . . .

Hmph.

2011-04-09T21:38:00.000-06:00


I think we all know what this means.

But on the brighter side . . .

. . . I have the best (and funniest!) husband ever.

Sick Day Essentials

2011-04-07T06:00:00.007-06:00

I love this guy, but like most small children, he breeds germs. With a hefty amount of Purell and hand washing, I seem to avoid being sick most of the time. Kris is not so lucky. Someone sneezes in his direction and he catches a cold. (This is mostly due to allergy/sinus problems weighing down his immune system.) With the up and down weather changes, he didn't stand a chance against the booger machine.

So, now Kris is sick. And that means I get to play caretaker. Since we've been together for a loooong time, I know the necessary items to get us both through a Kris cold unscathed.

Sick Kris (with Darby in the foreground and the monkey lying on the floor)

Kris's Sick Day Essentials

1. Star Wars comforter

It's the perfect thickness for hanging out on the couch - not too hot, but thick enough to keep him warm.

2. Red sock monkey

Kris's dad and stepmom gave us matching sock monkeys for Christmas after I fell in love with an adorable anniversary card they gave us last year. Kris occasionally curls up with his monkey when he's not feeling well or especially tired.

3. Ginger ale and crackers

This comes straight from his childhood. When he was sick as a kid, he barely ate anything else.

4. Creamy Chicken Noodle soup

Think "Cream of Chicken" mixed with "Chicken Noodle". Yeah, I don't understand it either.

5. The guy's version of "trashy TV"

Lots of "Destination Truth" and "Ghost Adventures", with a little bit of Science Channel and National Geographic thrown in for balance.

Even though I don't really get sick, per se, I do get a lot of killer migranes. For comparison, here are my . . .

Sick Day Essentials

1. Funny and/or nostalgic movies

As a kid, I had specific movies that I watched when I was sick. (e.g. Singin' in the Rain and The Ten Commandments) Now, I'm not so rigid, but the flicks do have to give me warm fuzzies. (Some of my favorites are Labyrinth, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, and The Lost Boys.)

2. Big, comfy pajamas

I like these for sleeping as well, but when I don't feel well, they're absolutely necessary. My favs right now are my newly purchased Pac-Man pjs. They're guy's pajama pants, which means they're infinitely more comfortable than women's pjs. (Why is that?)

3. Socks

Normally, I hate wearing socks. When I'm not wearing shoes, I usually go barefoot rather than keeping my socks on. I only wear socks around the house when I don't feel well. Something about having them on then makes me feel warm and cozy.

4. Cream soda and Chicken NoodleOs

I'm a Dr. Pepper fiend, but it's not the greatest thing for a sick person to imbibe. I compromise by drinking cream soda (still carbonated, but not caffeinated). I don't compromise on the Chicken NoodleOs, though. They're a must and no other chicken soup will do.

5. A long, hot shower

I'm of the firm belief that a lengthy, near-boiling hot shower can fix (almost) anything.

What little things help you get well faster?

Top Five . . . Favorite Shows From My Childhood

2011-04-06T06:00:00.004-06:00

These were the shows I absolutely loved and had a part in defining my personality today. Behold:

5. ReBoot

One of the first completely CGI television series, "ReBoot" centered on the inner workings of the computer. A city, known as Mainframe, was the home of the people, robots, and creatures that lived inside the computer. The main story of each episode occurred when the "user" loaded a game and the people of Mainframe tried to prevent him or her from winning. If the user won, the computer-generated participants were turned into "nulls". The series' protagonist Bob and his friends, Dot and Enzo, also had to fight against the evil siblings Megabyte and Hexadecimal within the Mainframe universe.

4. Bill Nye: the Science Guy

Kids fascinated with science in the 90s were divided in two camps: "Beakman's World" or "Bill Nye: the Science Guy". I was a "Bill Nye" girl (sadly, Kris is a "Beakman" devotee), and I still think of the show whenever someone says, "Did you know that . . ." ("Now you know!")

3. Eeire, Indiana

This was a show ahead of its time. "Eeire, Indiana" centered on a newly transplanted teen, Marshall Teller, and his quest to uncover and expose the weirdness in his seemingly normal town. Created before "The X-Files", Marshall was the original truth-seeker.

2. Are you Afraid of the Dark?

All the cool kids watched SNICK on Saturday nights in the '90s, and the best part of SNICK was "Are you Afraid of the Dark?". It was the teenage version of "Tales From the Crypt" and some of the episodes were genuinely scary. This show, combined with Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books, cemented my love of ghosts and the supernatural.

1. Unsolved Mysteries

"Unsolved Mysteries" was my all-time favorite show when I was younger. Back in the day, we didn't have "Forensic Files" or any other true crime shows. It was "Unsolved Mysteries" and "America's Most Wanted" or nothing. The great thing about "Unsolved Mysteries" (besides the awesome host, Robert Stack) was that it covered all sorts of stuff in addition to crime cases - aliens, ghosts, and Kris's favorite - spontaneous combustion. Even though the theme song gave me nightmares, I never missed an episode.

What shows changed your life?

I Heart: The It's Good to Be a Geek Edition

2011-04-05T06:00:00.046-06:00

The Oatmeal - If you like Hyperbole and a Half, you'll love The Oatmeal. Matthew Inman, a former web designer and programmer, is the artist and writer behind this humor blog. It's a combination of comics, quizzes, and hilarious stories from Inman's life and work experiences. He frequently updates the site, so there's a consistent flow of newness to brighten up your day. My personal favorite at the moment are the "Bobcat" comics, a series of panels about two cats who work in an office.

ThinkGeek's annual "April Fools" products - In past years, the geek mega-webstore has brought the Tauntaun sleeping bag and Unicorn Meat to the geeky masses after first appearing as April Fools jokes. This year we could see Bonsai Kitty Plushes, Lightsaber Popsicles, Angry Birds Pork Rinds, or the formidable PLAYMOBIL Apple Store playset added to ThinkGeek's permanent catalog.

The gameplay demos for Alice: Madness Returns - They're way more awesome than I was expecting. Unlike some games (*cough* Duke Nukem *cough*), the game's release date has actually been pushed up to June 14th. You can pre-order the game through the official website for Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC, and PC download.

Spending the afternoon watching "The Mighty Boosh" - Whenever I'm bored and need a little bit of surreality, I watch this British comedy. I first saw it on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, but after a little investigating, I discovered that large parts of the show were cut out for commercials. I remedied that disappointment quickly by buying the DVDs and now I can watch Vince Noir (Noel Fielding) and Howard Moon (Julian Barratt) whenever I please.

The March issue of Fangoria - I love reading Fango, but at $8.99 a piece, it can get pretty pricey. Even so, I had to pick up this month's issue when I saw the cover. A six page interview with the amazing Richard Matheson? Yes, please.

Fangoria #301 (found here)

This adorable Hello Kitty pouch - I have the "nerd glasses" version, but how cute are those old-school 3-D glasses?

And finally, in "No freakin' way" news . . . there may be a third Bill and Ted in the works. Is it my birthday? Did Christmas come early? Can you tell how excited I am about this?

What's making you squeal with glee this week?

Geek of the Week: Bonnie Burton

2011-04-03T06:00:00.002-06:00

Bonnie Burton

Bonnie Burton is a blogger, author, and girl geek extraordinare. Several of her books have a Star Wars theme, including How to Draw Star Wars and The Star Wars Craft Book. Burton wrote for Geek Monthly magazine and is the senior editor at Lucas.com. She loves retro stuff and sports a Bettie Page haircut, cat-eye glasses, and fiery red lips. (In other words, a girl after my own heart.) She's also been paid homage to by the great Len Peralta, who featured her on one of his Geek a Week trading cards.

Visit Burton's website and follow her on Twitter (@bonniegrrl.com)

The Saturday Review: Toshiba Netbook

2011-04-02T06:00:00.010-06:00

Toshiba Mini-Notebook (netbook)
10.1" screen
Intel Atom processor N455
2 GB memory (upgraded from 1 GB)
250 GB hard drive
Intel Integrated Graphics
Equipped with: full-size keys, touchpad, integrated webcam and mic
OS: Ubuntu Netbook Edition

As much as I loved Lappy, he was kind of a pain in the butt. That particular model had webcam issues, so my webcam worked for about 2 1/2 uses and died. I mounted an external webcam on the top when I needed to use one, but it was very frustrating and often fell off. The battery had an extremely short life, even in the beginning, and only got steadily worse as time went on. Then, Sullivan chewed through the power cord and I had to buy a generic compatible one as they no longer sold the actual cord. This eventually led to Lappy's internal combustion and I was forced to buy my new netbook.

Sullivan looks on in horror as Lappy is gutted for parts.

When Kris suggested I get a netbook, I was against it at first. I wanted to be able to have computer functionality and my understanding of a netbook was that it only provided the most basic functions and was similar to a smart phone or tablet. As I read, I found out that this was not the case. Netbooks have most of the capabilities of a full-size laptop, but simplified and streamlined.

I read up on netbooks and decided on the Toshiba mini-notebook based on positive CNET reviews. The Toshiba is lightweight and sleek. Previous models were described as having a bulky and protruding battery, but Toshiba seems to have fixed that issue. I was able to comfortably use the computer while lying in bed and watching TV, something I was unable to do with my previous laptop. Battery life is, on average, six hours and it is so nice not to have to be constantly plugged in. Because of its size, the netbook only has one speaker (mono), but it does have a headphone jack, which allows the sound to be heard in stereo. It also has a USB port and a SD card reader.

The Nanobot

Most netbooks come standard with Windows 7 Starter, which means very limited access to Windows 7 features (for instance, you can't change the desktop background). This virtually forces you to upgrade, which can be costly. Another option is to use the Ubuntu Netbook Edition. Even though Kris is a die-hard Linux convert, I am not a Linux user by any means. That being said, the netbook version of Ubuntu is surprisingly easy to use once you get used to it. There are benefits to using Linux; you deal with less bloatware and unneeded programs and there is less chance of getting viruses. Most Windows-compatible programs have Linux counterparts or, as in the case of Skype, a Linux beta version.

Ubuntu Netbook Edition desktop

As far as looks go, the Toshiba netbook is probably the best-looking netbook on the market. It looks like a very small laptop, and this model comes in some gorgeous colors (turquoise, lime green, bright blue, brown, and orange). The screen, though small at 10.1", is excellent and arguably rivals any full-size laptop for clarity.

Toshiba Mini-Notebook in blue

The netbook is perfect for what I need and very user friendly. I would recommend it for people who are looking for a high-quality laptop without a lot of extras or frills. It's not a good fit for people who use their computer for entertainment (ex: games, watching movies, etc.), but for those who can afford it, it would make an excellent secondary laptop for students or frequent travelers.

I Heart: The Spending All Day on My Computer Edition

2011-03-31T06:00:00.002-06:00

A short "I Heart" to tide you over until next week . . .

My new netbook, which I'm lovingly calling The Nanobot. (You can read more about it on Saturday.) I'll be reviewing it, as well as doing a mini review on Ubuntu Netbook Edition.

My current favorite Twitter feeds @DepressedDarth and @DeathStarPR - hilarious and snarky comments with a Star Wars/Darth Vader spin.

Netflix Instant - I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Netflix Instant is awesome. Daytime and off-season TV is hit-or-miss (mostly miss) and Netflix Instant is chock full of popular TV shows, B-movies, and surprisingly fascinating documentaries. At $7.99 a month (Instant only) for unlimited movies, it's an awesome deal.

The Internet - Where else could you watch the cast of "Invader Zim" read unproduced episodes to a live audience? (Although, sometimes it can be a bad thing. How can I possibly unsee Crispin Glover's "Clowny Clown Clown"?)

More proof that Simon Pegg is the coolest:

Top Five . . . Underrated Young Actresses

2011-03-30T06:00:00.003-06:00

We hear a lot about certain actresses, especially when they are in popular movies (ex: Kristen Stewart, Amanda Seyfried, Ellen Page, and Zooey Deschanel), but there are a lot of talented young actresses that don't get as much recognition. Here is my Top Five list of underrated young actresses.

5. Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Although she has experienced an increase in popularity due to her role as Ramona Flowers in the recent film adaptation of Scott Pilgrim, Winstead has a relatively short filmography. She started out playing guest starring roles on popular TV shows including "Touched by an Angel" and "Tru Calling", as well as a short stint on cult favorite soap "Passions". Winstead then moved to parts in several horror flicks (The Ring 2, Final Destination 3, and Black Christmas) before being cast as the presumably ill-fated Lee in Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof. Winstead's star does seem to be on the rise after Scott Pilgrim, however. She is currently working on the prequel/remake of John Carpenter's The Thing (a film that I'm not exactly happy about) and the film adaption of horror/history satire Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

Favorite Mary Elizabeth Winstead role: Lee in Death Proof

4. Eva Amurri

Amurri has some serious film lineage as the daughter of actress Susan Sarandon and director Franco Amurri. She got her start in small roles in many of her mother's films (Dead Man Walking, Anywhere But Here, and The Banger Sisters), but has some definite acting chops of her own. Lately, Amurri has appeared in small television roles ("How I Met Your Mother", "House", "Mercy", and a recurring role on HBO series "Californication"), but she has three films set to be released in 2011.

Favorite Eva Amurri role: Cassandra in Saved!

3. Imogen Poots

Imogen Poots is a young British actress whom I first noticed in V for Vedetta (she played the young Valerie). She is probably most known for her role as Tammy in 28 Weeks Later, however. Poots has a very unique look and a maturity beyond her years. She tends to be relegated to smaller roles, but after the critically acclaimed Cracks, she may be seeing some larger parts. She was most recently in the film adaptation of Jane Eyre and has three movies in production, including a remake of the horror comedy classic Fright Night.

Favorite Imogen Poots role: Tammy in 28 Weeks Later (although I am anxious to see her in Cracks as well)

2. Saoirse Ronan

Ronan is much younger than the other women on this list, but she is an extremely talented actress who is often overlooked for more well-known, but similarly aged names like Dakota Fanning and Emma Watson. She is best known for her roles in Atonement (as the young Briony Tallis) and The Lovely Bones (as Susie Salmon), but I predict we haven't even seen her best yet. Ronan's film Hanna will be released later this year and she is currently rumored to be working on the eagerly anticipated adaptation of The Hobbit.

Favorite Saoirse Ronan role: Susie Salmon in The Lovely Bones

1. Romola Garai

Another British actress, Garai has a history of being overshadowed by her more well-known costars, despite her brilliant performances (especially in Atonement with Keira Knightly and Vanity Fair with Reese Witherspoon). She is especially good in the BBC mini-series she appears in (ex: Emma and Daniel Deronda). Garai has another mini-series in the works, The Crimson Petal and the White (based on the novel and also starring Chris O'Dowd!), as well as a few independent films.

Favorite Romola Garai role: Briony Tallis (at 18) in Atonement

Geek of the Week: Dr. Michael Weissmann

2011-03-27T06:00:00.020-06:00

Dr. Michael J. Weissmann

If you want to know about bugs, Dr. Mike Weissmann is the guy to ask. He has an extensive resume that includes co-founding the Butterfly Pavillion and Insect Center in Westminster, CO, where he also worked as the curator. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Colorado in Boulder and his doctorate in Entomology from Colorado State University. I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Weissmann about his work and his love of bugs.

Tab: Were you interested in bugs as a kid, or was it something that came about later?

Dr. Weissmann: I was afraid of bugs as a kid. My mom isn't fond of them, and as is often the case, parental influence is strong. I was especially freaked out by spiders. It wasn't until I got to college that I realized that insects and spiders are pretty cool, and the more you know about them, the less scary they are. I guess that is true with many phobias - the more you learn about the item that you are afraid of, the less scary it seems to be. I'm still a bit freaked out by pre-schoolers, but now that I have granddaughters they aren't quite as scary either.

Dr. Mike, circa 8th grade

Tab: How did you decide to pursue entomology as a career?

Dr. Weisssmann: I didn't decide on entomology as a career, it decided on me. I'm still not exactly sure how it happened. I went to the University of Colorado to study aquatic biology. My original intent (ok...here comes the uber-geeky part) was to study cryptozoology, specifically to approach the study of sea monsters and lake monsters (Loch Ness in Scotland, Lake Okanagan in Canada) from a more scientific point of view as an actual aquatics "expert." In Colorado, we have no known lake monsters. The aquatic ecology classes focused mainly on aquatic insects, and the more I learned about them, the more fascinated I became with them. Most of the aquatic forms are immature stages of flying adults (for example, dragonflies start out as nymphs in the water). While my course work showed me the wild world of aquatic immature insects, I was curious about the rest of the life stages. A friend told me about the insect collection in the research portion of the University of Colorado Museum. I love museums, but had never gone "behind-the-scenes" into the research collections areas. In November of 1983 (wow, was it that long ago?), I went to visit the CU Museum and requested to see the insect collections. The semi-retired Curator of Entomology showed me some of the drawers and drawers full of insect specimens, some of which had been collected nearly 100 years earlier. I was hooked. He reluctantly allowed me to do an internship there in 1984 (he said that he no longer offered that course, but since it was listed in the catalog, I was fairly insistent that he should honor that). Dr. Url Lanham became my mentor that year, allowing me to learn Entomology in the old ways, one on one with the master, helping him in the field and in the lab. After graduating with my Masters Degree in 1986, I was retained by the Museum to help in the collection as the Assistant Curator of Entomology, allowing me to continue mentoring with Url. I found my niche.

Tab: Was there an entomologist or another scientist that inspired you when you first started out?

Dr. Weissmann: My father had a broad background in and love of natural sciences. He pursued his interest in science by becoming a family physician. When we took family vacations, it usually included visits to National Parks and National Monuments (he called it "visiting our property" as our taxes paid for them). These trips taught us a love of nature. In 5th grade, I was a goof-off in the library one day (most geeks get in such trouble at a young age when they are bored) so the librarian, Mr. Titus, put me in a corner and placed a book in my hand - "More Than A Legend" by Constance Whyte, my first introduction to cryptozoololgy and the Loch Ness Monster. The following year, my 6th grade science teacher, Norma Kourey had a classroom full of living plants and animals, inspiring me to love living things and want to study them. Several fantastic teachers throughout the years encouraged me to pursue my interest in biology, leading eventually to me walking through the doors of the CU Museum where I met my mentor entomology, the late Dr. Url Lanham. When I left the CU Museum in 1991 to pursue my Ph.D. in Entomology at Colorado State University, I studied with two of the greatest entomologists of our time, Dr. Boris Kondratieff, and the late Dr. Howard Evans. My education in science, and specifically entomology, was the best a bug geek could ever hope for.

More Than a Legend by Constance Whyte

Tab: What about butterflies fascinates you?

Dr. Weissmann: As insects go, they are OK. Many people believe I love butterflies, just because I consult on butterfly exhibits worldwide, have a butterfly garden in our front yard instead of a grass lawn, and am often seen wearing t-shirts covered with butterflies. Actually, butterflies are not my main interest and really never have been. When I started at the CU Museum, the Hall of Life was full of dead specimens, so they allowed me to put a small insect zoo in a portion of the space, featuring live insects and related arthropods. It was a huge hit. In 1988, while visiting a large insect zoo at the San Francisco Zoo, I learned about a new exhibit across the bay in Vallejo - a butterfly house where visitors could walk in a greenhouse surrounded by live tropical butterflies. I was excited by the experience, and became determined to bring that kind of experience to my home state of Colorado. However, it was always about the insects. To me, the butterflies were a great marketing gimmick to get people to look at the other insects. Even people who dislike (or even despise) insects make an exception in the case of butterflies. Once in the door to see the butterflies, it would be possible to throw in some education about the less-appreciated insects. I hoped that if a bug-hater like me could be turned around at a relatively later age in life (I was in my 20s when I first went to the CU Museum), then an insect zoo with a butterfly gimmick might help others learn to appreciate the tiny world of animals all around them.

Tab: What is your favorite bug?

Dr. Weissmann: In keeping with my initial focus on aquatic zoology, I studied the Water Scorpion for my Masters degree thesis (not a real scorpion, but a stick-like, extremely well-camouflaged, predatory bug that lives in pond water here in Eastern Colorado). My mentor, Url Lanham, taught me a love of wild solitary bees (not the typical European honey bee that most people are familiar with, but the native bees that were here long before the European imports - nothing against European imports, as my father is one, but our native bees are very diverse and fascinating insects!). For my doctorate, I studied the Giant Sand Treader Camel Cricket at Great Sand Dunes National Monument. Both of these are special to me. These days, in addition to consulting on butterfly exhibits worldwide, I spend my summers working with mosquito surveillance in Colorado, and have found a fondness for these fascinating animals. When in El Salvador consulting on a butterfly farm project, I was bit by a mosquito that was, on a microscopic scale, far more beautiful than any butterfly I have ever seen - metallic purple, green, gold, and silver in color - MESMERIZING!

Water Scorpion

Great Sand Treader Camel Cricket by Eric C. Maxwell

Mosquito by David Scharf

Tab: Are there any bugs that you don't like or are afraid of?

Dr. Weissmann: Not really. There are some that I treat with the respect that they deserve, due to their ability to injure me. I don't play with Black Widow Spiders, although I use them in my education programs. I am careful around most arthropods that bite or sting. I'm more afraid of pre-schoolers - those 4 year olds bite, carry many diseases, and are often dirty, the opposite of a cockroach, which tends to be clean, doesn't bite, and rarely if ever carry diseases in the wild. It is more important to use caution when picking up a pre-schooler than when picking up most arthropods, lest you get bit and have to get shots. Bugs are not nearly as scary.

Tab: What are some of the most common misconceptions about bugs?

Dr. Weissmann: Most people believe that the majority of insects are out to do us harm. In reality, only a tiny percent affect humans in any way. Most go on about their lives unnoticed by us, and certainly taking little if any interest in humans or what we do. Those that carry diseases, bite, sting, or compete with us for our food tend to give all the others a bad reputation. If humans were to disappear from the earth, life would go on pretty much as it was before. If insects were to disappear, life as we know it would not exist.

Tab: What is your favorite part about being an entomologist?

Dr. Weissmann: I get to play with bugs! I get to be a kid forever, turning over rocks and running across fields with an insect net to see what is out there. Also, when you are an entomologist, it is OK to be a geek, in fact it is expected that an entomologist is geeky. Most importantly, I get to share my enthusiasm and interest in nature with others in hopes that they may also get to see insects in a more positive light the way I was "converted."

Tab: What is most challenging about being an entomologist?

Dr. Weissmann: There is a lot of myth-information and myth-conceptions about insects and other arthropods out there. Hollywood doesn't help any with some of the giant scary bug movies, and now with the Internet, misinformation about arthropods travels around the world at the speed of light. Much of my time is spent countering that misinformation and replacing it with the facts whenever possible.

Tab: What are you working on now?

Dr. Weissmann: In the summer, I work as Surveillance Manager at Colorado Mosquito Control, monitoring the 48 or so species of mosquitoes in the state, as well as the diseases like West Nile Virus that they carry. The rest of the year, I do bug programs ("Dr. Mike's Bag of Bugs") at schools around the region, as well as lectures for various groups on different topics in entomology. I also consult around the world on new insect zoos, butterfly farms, and butterfly houses, taking the knowledge gained from our work founding the Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center in Westminster, Colorado, and applying it to other peoples' dream of creating similar facilities. I'm also working on making sure my granddaughters (4 of them so far!) grow up learning that insects are okay, and being geeky isn't anything to be ashamed of either.

If you would like to hire Dr. Weissmann for speaking engagements or consulting, or have some bug questions of your own, you can find his contact information on the Kallima Consultants website.

*If you'd like the chance to be interviewed and featured on Geek of the Week, leave me a short note in the comments with your email!

The Saturday Review: This Week

2011-03-26T17:31:00.000-06:00

Since I don't have anything specific to review, I'll let you in on how my week went. My best friend J.D. and her geekling, Monkeyface, came out to visit us, along with her boyfriend and another good friend. A good time was had by all and we geeked out at the Lego store, the comic book store, and various other places. Monkeyface had a blast tormenting the kitties and playing with our toys. (He especially like the germs!)

In ask and you shall receive news, J.D. gave me the "Bewitched" Barbie as a late Christmas/early birthday present and it's just as beautiful as it looks online!

And in Hallelujah! news, Kris finally cut his shaggy hair and shaved off the scary homeless guy beard!

The Before: Kris with Sir Monkeyface

And the (oh-so-handsome) After!

And you can probably tell by the return of pictures that I once again have a computer. Since Lappy met his ill-fated demise, we bought a Toshiba netbook that, so far, has been awesome. Meet the new addition:

I love the color!

Teeny tiny laptop

It's adorbz!

This new guy needs a name - any suggestions?

I had an awesome (and busy!) week. How about you?

Top Five . . . Phobias

2011-03-21T06:00:00.001-06:00

One of the less fun parts about being neurotic is the phobias. I have several, so I'll share my Top Five with you:

5. Ornithophobia (fear of birds)

Ever since being dive-bombed by blue jays while playing in my backyard as a toddler, birds have always made me nervous. This fear was reinforced by several bird-related events including (but not limited to) being chased by a goose at the Base lake, being swarmed by seagulls while trying to eat outside at Disney World, and watching Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds in 3D.

4. Glossophobia (fear of public speaking)

As a relatively shy person, speaking in front of large groups terrifies me. If I never have to take another speech class it will be too soon.

3. Emetophobia (fear of vomit)

Throwing up is high on my list of least favorite things (as it is, I assume, with most people). I try to avoid it at all costs and often joke that I have a 10 foot "barf radius". I can't watch people throw up on TV or in movies, even when I know it's fake. Ironically, I happen to be married to a guy with digestive problems that lead to frequent vomiting.

2. Nyctophobia (fear of the dark)

Yep, I'm 27 and I'm afraid of the dark. I combat this by turning on every light in the house and sleeping with the TV on.

1. Fear of Driving

What can I say? Something about being in control of a two ton motorized vehicle capable of squashing small animals and causing bodily injury and death sends me into quivering panic attacks.

Geek of the Week: Wil Wheaton

2011-03-20T07:00:00.001-06:00


Wil Wheaton as Evil Wil Wheaton

If you were going to crown a "king of the geeks" or elect a president of "Geekland", it very well might be Wil Wheaton. Not only has the actor/writer starred in one of the most beloved sci-fi series of all time,"Star Trek: The Next Generation", he also is the co-creator of w00tstock, a Lollapalooza-esque festival geared at geeks of all types. Wheaton's first major role was Gordie LaChance, the hero of Rob Reiner's film Stand By Me, based on Stephen King's novella "The Body". He went on to play the polarizing Wesley Crusher on the wildly popular "Star Trek: The Next Generation". After "Star Trek", he starred in independent films, lent his voice to animated characters, and honed his writing skills on his blog.

Wheaton is a frequent guest at science fiction and comic conventions and he is experiencing a resurgence in his popularity, mostly due to recurring characters on Felicia Day's web series "The Guild" and CBS sitcom "The Big Bang Theory".

Wheaton's blog is always funny and thoughtfully written and his Twitter feed is an extension of his witty, humorous personality. Follow him on Twitter (@wilw) or visit his blog Wil Wheaton Dot Net.

The Saturday Review: Why Zebra Don't Get Ulcers

2011-03-19T22:00:00.002-06:00

Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers
Dr. Robert M. Sapolsky
Published in 2004 (3rd edition)

If ever there was a time to not to judge a book by its cover, this would be it. Despite its whimsical depiction of zebras dancing in a circle, Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers is not a self-help book. Written by renown biologist Dr. Robert Sapolsky, it is a science text that explains the phisology of stress and the toll chronic stress takes on the human body.

He begins by explaining how stress in humans has evolved over time. Stressors in early humans resembled those in animals and directly related to survival. The two main causes of stress were finding food and trying to keep from being eaten. As science, medicine, and technology advanced, psychological causes began to take over. Sapolsky theorizes that the anticipation of an event or consequence causes just as much stress as the actual event.

Studies on stress and their findings are discussed, but the majority of the book deals with the physical ramifications of chronic stress. They include weight gain, depression, depleted immunity, and accelerated aging, among others. I found the chapter on stress-related sleep issues particularly interesting, as I have dealt with on and off bouts of insomnia for most of my adult life.

Sapolsky intentionally writes the book with nonscientific readers in mind, but never talks down to them. He explains his reason for doing this: "I love science, and it pains me to think that so many are terrified of the subject or feel that choosing science means that you cannot also choose compassion, or the arts, or be awed by nature. Science is not meant to cure us of mystery, but to reinvent and reinvigorate it." The book is relatable, interesting, and at times, very funny. I would highly reccomend this book for those interested in psychology and health, in addition to those suffering from chronic stress and/or anxiety.

Your Laptop A Splode!

2011-03-19T01:05:00.000-06:00

After St. Patrick's day revelries, we were hanging out with some friends and I noticed a burning plastic smell. Imagine my distress when I found that my laptop power cord had shorted out and started melting the case! I caught it before it did any damage to my desk, but sadly Lappy is no more. I'm currently using Kris's work laptop, so there may be a shortage of pictures over the next week. I am planning on getting this little guy to replace poor Lappy.

A moment of silence, if you will, for my dearly departed computer.

Home Sweet Home II: Return of Home Sweet Home

2011-03-17T06:00:00.002-06:00

And now, where we spend most of our time . . .

The main seating area


Side table (with sushi plushes!)


Grindhouse poster above the couch

The DVD bookshelf ("Twilight Zone", Forbidden Planet, The Birds, and "MST3K" are all represented!)

More DVD shelves (rayguns and Domo!)

Bow down and worship . . . the cat pirate ship!

Awesome sci-fi posters (The Astonishing She-Monster and Creature From the Black Lagoon)

Top Shelf: Zombie shrine Bottom Shelf: Monster High dolls (Oh . . . and books)

Monster Domos, Jason Foster from "The Masks", Alice, and Scott Pilgrim (and more books)

Legos . . .

. . . and the man who built them (and Sullivan)

And last but not least . . . the evil genius chair (complete with sock monkeys and Darby)