I Heart: The Monster Madness Edition

• My new logo - I'm using the "funny one" right now, but I also have a serious version.
• The Zen of Zombie by Scott Kenemore.  It probably looks like another trend-capitalizing, bandwagon-hopping novelty book - and it totally is - but, it's also pretty hilarious and accurately spoofs the business self-help genre.  I particularly like this passage:

"When a human says: 'Can I do that?' He usually means something like: 'Is this legal?  Will I get into trouble?  Is it permitted?'

A zombie who wonders if something is possible is concerned only with the physical logistics.  A zombie might wonder: 'Can I break down this military barrier?  Can that fat kid outrun me?  Can I get through that doorway with this spear sticking through my chest?'

But never: 'Will I get in trouble if I break down this door? Will eating that fat kid be in bad taste?  Is it a social faux pas to go indoors with a spear?'"

• Zombie jerky - it's teriyaki-flavored and made to look like zombie flesh.  What more could you want? 
• Awesome horror blogs Totally Jinxed and Carfax Abbey.  You NEED to read these if you are a horror fan - it's not optional.
• Allie Brosh's newest update - mostly because I was exactly  like her little sister when I was young!
• Silly Rhymes for Belligerent Children by Trace Beaulieu (Illustrations by Len Peralta) - Roald Dahl-esque poems with awesome illustrations.  It's very reminiscent of Strewwelpeter, the German children's book of cautionary tales by Heinrich Hoffman or Edward Gorey's The Gashlycrumb Tinies (one of my personal favorites).

My favorite of the "Tinies" - Who doesn't want to die of ennui?
Image found here

• These awesome eyeball earrings from Kreepsville, an online exclusive on the Hot Topic website
• These lovely bow hair clips that my darling husband bought for me:

Blood Spattered (Left) and Covered in Brains (Right)

• The League of Tana Tea Drinkers' round table discussion about "What Cute Versions of Monsters Tell Us About Horror" - interesting insights from several bloggers (including The Drunken Severed Head) about the transformation and commercialization of monsters into harmless adorables.
• Unexpected gifts - We got to hang out with some friends we hadn't seen in a while and they totally surprised and delighted me with a belated Christmas gift!  I now own Season 1 of "The Twilight Zone": The Definitive Edition!
• IFC (Independent Film Channel) - IFC is awesome for several reasons (ie: They occasionally run episodes of "The IT Crowd", they don't edit their movies for time or content, etc.), but the main reason to watch is that they play awesome, rarely broadcast movies in their entirety.  Add to that fact that they're killing it right now with the horror movies and you have my new favorite channel.  IFC currently has Carrie, The Vanishing (1988), and The Changeling (1980) in their regular rotation.
  
• Sucker Punch, Zack Snyder's new fantasy flick hitting IMAX and theaters on March 25th

*Inspired by Gala Darling who features TILT (Things I Love Thursdays) on her blog.

Geeky Winter Essentials

My cousin and fellow blogger, Annette, posted a list of her winter essentials on her blog, A Simple Breath.  It got me thinking about the things that get me through the winter blahs.

1.  Knit zombie earflap beanie and black cotton gloves - It gets pretty cold here, so hats and gloves are essential.  The hat is adorable (in addition to keeping my head warm) and these little one-size-fits-all cotton gloves are warm and still allow me to read on my commute.

2.  Soap & Glory's Great Shakes Hand Cream - It's a British brand, but Target carried it for a while (They gave me time to fall in love with the stuff . . . and snatched it away.  The website reports that the brand should be back in the States in September 2011, though!).  It softens your hands without making them greasy and lotion is definitely a winter essential in an already dry climate.

3.  Bonne Bell Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker - I'm a Dr. Pepper fiend and the Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker has been my go-to chap stick for about twenty years.  I wear it all year long, but I have an extra one just for my coat pocket to keep my lips from getting chapped by the chilly winter winds.

4.  Queen of Hearts hoodie - I don't like to crank the heat, so I put on this lightweight hoodie to keep warm when hanging out at the house.  It's also the perfect replacement for a jacket on warmer winter days.  And it's awesome.

5.  Netflix - Movies magically delivered to your house (and gaming console!)?  Yes, please.

6.  TV show box sets - There's nothing better than spending a snowy day watching your favorite shows.  My picks right now:  hilarious British comedy "Spaced", "MST3K" (always!), and the late great "Pushing Daisies"

7.  A big bowl of buttery microwave popcorn - It just completes a movie marathon in a way nothing else can.

8.  Movie notebook - The perfect way to keep track of movies you want to see; a must as major release dates are approaching!

9.  Wintry books - Something about reading these books in the season they are set helps enhance the mood beautifully.  I like to read Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist and Ghost Story by Peter Straub around this time of year.

10.  (Not pictured) Clam chowder and a basket of piping hot fish and chips (with plenty of vinegar!) - Nothing cures the winter blues like seeing that basket lined with newspaper and knowing it's for you! Mmmmmm . . .

What helps you get through until spring?

Alice, What Have You Done?

Not to damage my geek "cred", but I'm not really a gamer.  I usually play PC games, and a quick look at my Top Five games would tell you I'd be classified as a "casual gamer" - at best.  (Top Five PC Games: Encarta's Mindmaze, Battle Chess, Myst, Plants vs. Zombies, and American McGee's Alice)  Since I've been a life-long Alice in Wonderland  fan and enjoy puzzle/quest games, American McGee's Alice  is naturally my favorite and I've been eagerly awaiting the sequel . . . for almost eleven years.  McGee's studio Spicy Horse has finally announced Alice: Madness Returns  with an expected fourth quarter release date and it will be available for PC, XBox 360, and PS3.  Alice fans, rejoice with these amazing trailers . . .