Sister In All But Blood

Today was a great day. It wasn't because I did anything really awesome, or went somewhere new, or made a cool new graphic or toy, or anything like that. It's because I got to Skype with my other half, my soul's sister...my sister in all but blood. And if you've ever read Elfquest, you'll get the reference.

Annie has been one of my dearest friends ever since our High School days. I was super shy, like 'I'm going to have a fucking panic attack if anyone talks to me' shy. Which in fact, happened way more than once, but that's another story for another time. I never talked to new people, I never tried to stand out, and for the most part, I kept to myself. And then this big ball of energy and noise came into my life, and I was never the same.

Because Annie is not a quiet woman, and she won't take your shit either. She is outgoing, and strong, and over the top, and I would not be who I am today without her. Because of her friendship, I don't take shit from anyone either, and I'm a stronger woman. She brought me out of my shell, and encouraged me to be more like myself...and I blossomed in her awesomeness. 

This was taken our Junior year in High School, by me...in gym class. I titled it "True American Hero".

When I moved away for college, it did suck...a lot. But what was worse, was the fact that Annie was diagnosed with cancer. But did she let it get her down. FUCK NO. Annie fought like the most motherfucking badass bitch you've ever met, and she beat it. She didn't beat it once, oh no...she let it come back again, and beat its ass into the ground so that it would remember not to fuck with her again.

Bald, bitchy, and beautiful! 

That was a few years ago, and she's still in remission. Her beautiful hair is growing back, and she's as feisty as ever. Nothing can hold this amazing, special, badass chica down. And today was great, because no matter how far we may be apart, or how long since we last talked...it's like we were hanging out yesterday.

So thanks Annie...for being awesome, and for being one of the most important people in my life. I'd never be the same without you. <3

Love and Lightning Bugs,

A New Me, and Death Photography

I was looking through my blog last night, and after reading through quite a few posts, I realized something....I couldn't even recognize myself in my own writing! None of my sarcasm, none of the creepy/geeky/weird humor that I love...nothing. it was like someone else had written my posts...so you know what...fuck it!

I'm going to starting writing for me, about things I'm interested in. I'm thinking a one-month trial run, where I cover the topics and craziness that I love, where I write like I talk, and where I can be sure to see myself in my own blog. So stick with me for a while, and get ready to seem some awesome, if not disturbing on some level, content. Well hell, why not start now?

I have a fascination with all things Victorian, as well as quite the interest in most things people consider morbid...so you can see why I would be so interested in Memento Mori's, otherwise known as Postmortem photography. In these photographs, you'll see a dead person, simple as that. The person has either been staged to resemble a situation or moment in life, or has been left to look peaceful on a soft couch or in a crib.

With childhood mortality rates so high during the Victorian era, most Memento Mori's are of children and infants. Often they are posed in a bed or crib, with a favorite toy or blanket. In many cases, the Memento was the only image of a child lost too early.

Sometimes the child was posed on a couch, on seated in a chair, holding flowers. They usually were photographed wearing their best clothes.

Originally photographed alone, it soon became common for parents to pose with their children, often holding them or cradling them in their arms. The solemn looks on their faces is what really gets me. I could not be that composed in the same situation.

And then we get to the adult portraits. If a loved one was not willing to pose with the deceased, they were most times posed in what the photographer considered "lifelike"...I consider it creepy as fuck. The individual portraits are the only ones that have ever creeped me out...and you can see why.

Since when is a child corpse bride "lifelike"? No...just no. Stop it you silly Victorians...just stop it.

Love and Lightning Bugs,
 

Star Wars: An End of an Era

Big news in the world of my Star Wars fandom....Disney has bought out Lucasfilm Ltd.

That's right, the universe I grew up with, full dangerous rogues, amazing Jedi, and strong Princesses, is going to be owned by the people who brought you Snow Dogs, The Country Bears, and every awful straight to video sequel.

Disney acquired Lucasfilm for $4.05 Billion in cash and stock, allowing for Lucas to begin preparing for retirement.

His hand is signing his name, but his eyes whisper “I’m sorry”.

Not only does Disney now have the creative right to Star Wars, no, they couldn't stop there.

In a press release announcing the acquisition, Disney announced that Star Wars Episode 7 is targeted for a release date in 2015 and that “more feature films expected to continue the Star Wars saga and grow the franchise well into the future.”

On a conference call, Disney CEO Bob Iger said that in addition to Episode 7, episodes 8 and 9 are also in the works. The goal, Iger said, was to “release a new Star Wars feature film every two to three years.”

Yes, you read that right, they're making MORE Star Wars films.

Can Disney not leave anything alone? They plan to begin the movies 20 years after Return of the Jedi, following what happens to Luke and Leia after the fall of the Empire. But how can they do that without the original cast? I can only imagine who they will cast for Luke, Han, Leia, C-3PO, and the many others.

Star Wars fans the world over are mixed right now. Some are rejoicing, other are reeling. I'm in the latter group. I fail to see how they can feasibly make a new Star Wars movie every two years, at least, one that will be worth anything. Again, I could cite the hundreds of horrible straight to DVD sequels put out by Disney.

Not only that, but the universe I imagined being a part of as a child, will now be remade and altered, and called canon. How will these movies end? Will everyone hug and be nest friends at the end? Will there be tiny talking woodland creatures who aid the cast in their trials? Oh, and lets not forget the musicals!


I wonder how "The Force will be with you..." will sound when sung?

Love and Lightning Bugs,