Over A Year

So it has been a while since my last post. A year and almost four months. Life has been extremely busy. Too busy to keep up with so many options on the social networking front.

However, I intend to start making posts once more. Now is this plan actually works out or not is an entirely different story.

Hope all is well with my four followers.

Thanks for sticking around.

An Update concerning Books

Whoa. I haven't posted since August 2010. I've been busy. Work, work, some work, and sometimes a weekend. I started posting on tumblr as well. Which appeals to me more, because of the massive amount of comic fans there.

I've read a few good books since last time. Here's what I remember:

The Passage by Justin Cronin. Excellent book. I was sad when it ended. I actually miss the characters. I thought it was a really good read for being such a long book. Alot of times, longer books have alot of fluff they don't need, but The Passage was interesting all the way through the book. It has alot of twists and turns, and it doesn't always end up the way you think it would, or the way you want it to. Which is what I liked the most about it. Most books are pretty predictable. Which can make them boring at times. As vampire fiction, The Passage managed to stand out against all the other huge stacks of VF out there today. One of my favorite books that I managed to read in 2010. Highly recommend it.

The Parasol Proctorate series by Gail Carriger. My first venture into Steampunk related reading. I really enjoyed this series. It's set in a Victorian era where vampires, werewolves, paranormals, and steampunk are the norm. There are three books in the series to date, with two more planned.

The Sirantha Jax series by Ann Aguirre. The term I've heard most to describe these books is 'space opera'. Four books so far, and two more on the way, which isn't going to be enough for me. Initially I was drawn to pick up Double Blind because of the cover. I am a sucker for cover art. The books are well written and the plots keep you reading. I look for series to read, because I'm usually not content with one book. The more the better. Maybe by the time book 6 rolls around there will be more planned in the series.

OverWinter by David Wellington. Wellington is one of my favorite authors. He has written vampire, zombie, and werewolf fiction. All with new twists on the old myths and excellent characters. OverWinter is the sequel to the first werewolf story, Frostbite. Both are excellent books. OverWinter has new interesting characters, and elaborates on the existing ones. It has quickly become one of my favorite werewolf fictions of 2010. I can't wait to see what Wellington writes next.

Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter. One of my favorite subjects are skinwalkers. Native American legends of people who can shift into different animals, or just one, depending on what tribe they are from. Hunter writes an excellent Skinwalker series, with Jane being one of the more likable characters I have come across. She is a vampire hunter (which seems to be a running trend in books these days) but she ends up working for the vampires. The only part I didn't completely enjoy at first was the narrative when she was in her 'beast' form. It was choppy and frustrating to read at times. Once I got used to it, it kinda grew on me. The third book, Mercy Blade was recently released and I've just started reading it. There is a fourth one planned as well. Hunter also writes another series called the Rogue Mage series, which I believe deals with Angels and such.

And that's about it ladies and gents. Maybe more later. For now I have to get back to work and actually get something done.

No wonder you're late. Why, this watch is exactly two days slow.

I was thinking about the defining moments of my life. The ones that stand out against all the white noise that the day to day becomes. And how long ago they happened. Time is relative, but in our lives time is the absolute. We live and die by the clock. From the time we are pronounced new and fresh to this world, till the time they put on our end. It’s all judged the same. The length of time you put into anything is something meaningful.

Everyone remembers time. You hear it everywhere. Jobs. “I’ve been working here three years and still haven’t gotten a raise.” Communities. “Hi. My name is Bob, and I’m an alcoholic, but I’ve been sober for three months.” Cue the clapping. Home. “Honey it’s been three weeks, since I’ve seen you. Please come home for the weekend.” School. “ Ten more minutes and I’m free for three months.” (It hardly seems like three months when you know what’s on the other end of that freedom.)

We judge people by time. By how long they have been married. How long they’ve been on drugs. How long it’s been since they died. Since they were born. It’s inescapable. It’s always there. Vacatiions aren’t even free of restraints. You know it’s going to end. You know the weekend will slip away faster than the hours you spend at work. But you also know at the end of the week, there’s always the weekend, waiting to greet you.

Thank god, it’s Friday.

Review: Batman and Robin

I finished reading the Deluxe Edition of Batman and Robin last night. It’s the first collected trade of Dick Grayson being Batman, and Damian being Robin. I had picked this title up when it came out in single issue form. I dropped it after the first issue. The reason being at the time was number one, I was mad that Bruce was dead. I knew when battle for the cowl started that Dick was the only real logical choice for Batman, but it still made me mad. I was kinda hoping for someone to be like,”Sorry guys, we were just screwing with you. “ Of course, they didn’t, so I was still fairly angered by the fact that there was a new Batman in town. Until recently, I hadn’t given much thought on to how I felt about Robin, really, any of the Robins. I hadn’t realize there had been four to date already. But I did like Damian. The kid was alright. And that was one of the reasons I picked up Batman and Robin to begin with, plus you have to get everything a shot right?

So, dropped after one issue. Damian wasn’t his usual smart ass self, Dick was whining too much, and the villains! I hated the villains. There was just something about the villains that I despised right off the bat. I think it was the bright colors. The silliness of them. I still don’t like the first arc’s villains after reading the trade, but I did enjoy seeing Jason Todd as a villain in the Red Hood arc. Even if the Red Hood outfit get up is absurd. That helmet is awful. I preferred the version in “Under the Hood.” Scarlett was okay. Her story was simple, but it wrapped up much too quickly, almost too nicely as well. Will she be back? People just don’t go from being a mass murderer to “I’m okay with the fact some guy ruined my life, I killed my own father and a lot of other people, now I can move on with my life” just because a mask fell off. Psychological issues are more than skin deep.

Giving it a second shot, I understand what is trying to be accomplished. Morrison is giving Grayson his own Rogues Gallery. An excellent idea, but I’ll always love the classics. Every once in a while, a new villain can be introduced that falls right into the story. A villain that just makes sense. I don’t think that happens a lot. And that’s where we get a lot of the secondary villains. You know the ones, Orca and Roxy Rocket, the Film Freak and Kite Man. To me, Professor Pyg will become one of ‘the lesser known foes’ in the Batman universe. Perhaps only remembered because he was Grayson’s first villain and the dancing before the kill number.

Damian seemed to have more life breathed into him as the book progressed and by the end, I was satisfied that he would be back to his overly critical and sarcastic self in the next trade they release. I also read Streets of Gotham and Batgirl, which Damian has appeared in, and I find his character much more enjoyable in those books.

Another aspect that seemed off was the art. Don’t get me wrong, I love Frank Quietly. The man can draw. But not Batman. His drawing is better suited to superman, the ever humble boy scout of the DC Universe (I completely dislike Superman, the only thing good from him, is the fact that he has Kara for a cousin). There is where I had another problem with the colors as well. Batman is not about bright colors. At least not anymore. Maybe when the Dark Knight began his crusade on crime it was all about the colors and the jokes. But not now, we’re here for the brooding and the darkened streets. For the shadows and danger. When Phillip Tan took over the job of illustrating, I was relieved. His style is much better suited to Batman’s theme. Again, I enjoyed the second half better style and art wise.

Overall, I enjoyed the read. It was a little rough to begin with, but I suppose you could translate that into a metaphor for Dick becoming Batman being rough as well. I still enjoy reading Streets of Gotham more, and I quit reading Detective Comics when it became centered on Batwoman (no problem with her, I just have other priorities in the Batman universe). But overall, I think Dick is making an awesome Batman, and Damian an excellent Robin. Of course, once I came to terms with that, they announced the Return of Bruce Wayne. Which, we all knew was going to happen anyway because no one stays dead in comics. And now I’m torn again. I missed Bruce when he left, but now I’ve fallen in love with a new Batman. Will Dick just go back to being Nightwing? Will Damian stay Robin? What about Tim? What happens to Stephanie when Bruce finds out she’s fighting crime again? Catwoman? Jason? Hush? Maybe we will have two Batmans. And then a fan war will start between the Grayson fans and the Bruce fans. So many questions for something that I finally became comfortable with.

I've decided my favorite subjects so far this year are Zombies and Batgirl. Second place goes to the rest of Gotham, whom I live with on a hate-love relationship.

This is my most recent comission by Michelle Sciuto. She does lovely work. And I continue to gather evidence on why Steph and Tim should get back together. Bryan Q. Miller, please write a "We're back together" issue of Batgirl and kill off that Tam girl in the Red Robin series. No one likes her anyways. Thanks!

But that's basically my thought for the day. I swear to start writing more. I'm working on reading Feed by Mira Grant right now. So I'll be sure to post how it turned out, and there have been many new Batman trades to come out I haven't had a chance to write about. So, hopefully I'll get to that soon.

Until then, this will have to do.

I hate when my friends find out....

I want this poster so bad. It's the perfect explanation for what anyone with any kind of artistic ability goes through.

That said, I have to go, I've been asked to make fliers for a donations deal at work.

Check out Teefury today. Awesome Care Bear/zombie mashup. Had I been more of a Care Bear person I would have bought it. Alas, I was more of a Darkwing Duck/Bonkers kind of gal.

HeroesCon. I love you and miss you.

Well, it's official. I'm addicted to art. I can't help it. It's just who I am. Please don't send me to meetings about my addiction. Pleeeeeaaaassssssseeeeeee.

I went to HeroesCon this weekend and it was fantastic. The best con i've ever been to. I met so many awesome artist. And they were even nice! I got a ton of sketches in my Batgirl Con book and picked up plenty of prints as well as some original artwork. I'm sad that it's over, but still working off of the excitment.

Check out my facebook for pictures of the con. I'm going to work on getting photos of the art and sketches up this weekend.

xkcd.com/500

This pretty much explains exactly how I feel right now. I can't wait for next years HeroesCon. I've got 365 days to prepare. I'm not sure thats enough.

Also, I will be staying all three days next year. I missed Saturday all together this year, next year I will not repeat that mistake.

P&P&Z: Dawn of the Dreadfuls.

Finished Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls. Excellent.

Been Sick. Maybe more later.

Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

Finished this book two nights ago. The only regret I have, is that I finished it so fast. I instantly wanted to read the next in the series unfornatly there is no next in the series. The next in the series isn;t due out until the Spring of 2011. Bummer. I sat there thinking of what book I wanted to read next. I have about 7 in the to-read pile. But none of them were calling to me at the moment. Honestly I wanted a good werewolf or shape-shifter book. I grabbed a Laurell K. Hamilton book off the shelf in an attempt to re-read. It didn't go well, ten pages in and I had laready put the book down. Not that I don't love hamilton's books. It just wasn't what I was looking for.

I picked up Shadow of the Jaguar, which is one of the Primeval books I purchased recently. Side Note: Primeval is one of my favorite shows. Just finished Season 3, with Season four not due out till January 2011 :(. I finally settled on Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls. Which is the prequl to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. But back to Silver Borne.

Briggs writes an excellent book. Her characters are believable and realistic. the thing I love most about Mercy is her ordinariness. Not in the way her character is or anything like that, but in how she is just a normal person. She's a VW mechanic. She doesn't do anything like work for some agency that would get her into tricky situations or anything like that. Well maybe she isn't too normal she is a shapeshifter that can turn into a coyote. So she's fairly normal. And of course in Briggs world there are vampires, fae, werewolves, and ghosts. Thats kinda what I look for in paranormal books. How well do they fit in with our world.

For example, both Hamilton's series are set in our world, but in a parallel universe type dead. My other favroites series, The Sookie Stackhouse books, and The Mercy Thompson/Alpha and Omega books are also set up this way. And they all have the "it's still our world, just slightly tweaked". That's what makes a good book for me. And of course the plot line has to be good. I can't stand a boring book or one that doesn't make any sense with itself.

I'm trying to write on here more often. If not just to write, then to relive some stress. I like thinking things out. I like reading books and comics, drawing, and watching movies. And I like to talk about them. Unfornatly not many of my friends like to do the same, or are interested in the smaes things as me. I still love them. I just need somewhere to talk about the things I like.

I have discovered Twitter is an awesome tool to talk to people that have the same interests as me. It lets me talk to people without getting to invovled. Say not as much as facebook or myspace. Also, there are alot more comic orientated people on twitter. Which makes me happy. And trust me, on my list of important things, me is number one.

I've got a serious addiction.

It's art. And it's killing my bank account. I've bought three new prints, three art books, and I'm having a piece comissioned. Why must things be so lovely to look at?

D4: No one knows my name.

Day Four
A song that makes you sad.

Boston by Augustana.

I love this song, but no matter where, where, or whom I'm with when i hear this song, it makes me sad. It makes me think of all the things I'd wished I'd done. And all the reasons I did the things I did. It makes me think of why I moved to SC. And sometimes it makes me wish I'd moved further away. It makes me sad in a thinking way. And in a sad way.

It's just one of those songs.

I'll win a fortune in a game, My life will never be the same...

Day Three
A Song that makes you happy.

ABBA- Money, Money, Money

Now I know this song isn't about the happiest of subjects, but theres something about ABBA that just makes me want to dance. There a few songs that don't inspire the need to move or at least lip sync along enthusiastically, but for the most part ABBA has a plethora of upbeat and fun songs. So in short, they make me happy. Because I like to dance and sing, even if it looks like im just drowning out of water.

Day Two of Music

What can I say, I'm a slacker.

Day Two:

Your Least Favorite Song.
ANY song with that annoying little hamster voice (including are the chipmunks) or the crazy frog.

Day One of Music

Okay, so I'm a bit behind. I was going to start this 30 days of music thing yesterday, but I decided to drive to NC. So I haven't actually set down to the laptoptill now. So we'll just start today. Speaking of 2nds, did you know the most common street name is 2nd Street? You would think it would be First Street, but First Street is often renamed later to main st or something similar. Anyways, Music. Here we go.

Day One
You Favorite Song.

And here's the deleima. I couldn't decide. But I got it down to two. So here they are:

1. Dance, Dance by Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is my favorite band. Patrick Stump has one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard. It was just a matter of choosing which song I liked best. The others that were in the running were HomeSick at Space Camp, Chicage is so Two Years Ago, Sugar We're going down, and A little less Sixteen Candles A little more Touch Me.

2. Wolf Like Me by TV on the Radio
It was between this, Blind, Young Liars, I was a Lover, and Don't Love you. But clearly I made the right choice. I'm always in the mood for Wolf Like Me. There's just something about that song.

And there we have it. Day One of 30 days of Music. By the Way, you should download all these songs, unless it's the ones for the days like: A song that makes you sad, or your least favorite song.

An Ode to the Zombie Apocalypse

The Walking Dead, they creep at night.
The Walking Dead, they like to bite.
They shamble on thier two dead feet.
Always searching for human meat.

I escape in the day and hide at night.
For I fear the most, thier awful bite.
And if I ever join the dead,
Please shoot me once...in the head.

One of my friends is doing a school project where she had to write poetry about survival. I suggested a zombie survival poem. This is what I came up with in about two minutes, so it's pretty awful, and yet entertaining. That is all.

To-Buy Books List 2

So I went back in time and found the old list and had discovered that I had in fact bought most of the books on that list. In fact the only series I haven't picked up is the Frankenstein Series by Dean Koontz. I'm still pretty undecided about it. I also haven't gotten The Island by Peter Benchly and Extinct by Charles Wilson. Oh and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. But thats only because I'm debating on getting it now or waiting till it hits the shelves in paperback format. I hate hardback books, they are expensive and difficult to move because they are heavy. Also they take up more space than I'd like. I think I'm going to end up getting another bookshelf anyways, I have a good many just sitting in boxes and my graphic novels have started piling up on the floor because the comic book shelf is completly packed. Alright back to where I was going..Books, that I need to buy and that I suggest you purchase as well. Who knows, they may save your life one day.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith.

While the first Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was a bit difficult to get through, even though I do like Jane Austen and I love Zombies, it was difficult because of Austen's writing style. Pride and Prejudice can be plain dull at some parts of the story, even with zombies. This one looks promising. If you click on the title it will take you to the Quirk Classics page and there's a book trailer you can watch. I thin the fact that it is an brand hew story and you won't be struggling with Austen's language mixing with anothers will help the book out trememdoulsy. Plus the cover is awesome.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

Like I said, I'm debating on waiting for the paperback. I assume by the time I finish this internal debate, it will be out in paperback, and it kinda solves the problem.

Star Wars: Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber

I don't read Star Wars books. Simply because there are a blue million of them and I love the original trilogy. I don't know anything about any of the other books, and even though I have been tempted to buy one or two before, I have resisted. However, as I found out resistance is futile ( how dare I!) and someone went and wrote a Zombie Star Wars book. That's right you read that right. Zombies. And Star Wars. Now go find you socks, cause I know I just blew them off. I'm waiting on paperback. Unless of course, the paperback comes out and doesn't have that awesome cover, then I will quit whining, buy the hardback and read the damn thing. Cause I mean seriously. Look at that cover. It's beautiful. I'm an art fanatic as well as a bookaholic. Cover art has lead to several of the series I am currently addicted to.

Night of the Living Trekkies by Kevin David Anderson

Now, there's not much out about this little nugget of gold yet. I'm not a star trek fan. At all. The only reasons I saw the new movie were 1. Zachary Quinto 2. Simon Pegg 3. J.J. Abrahms. All three are reasons to watch just about anything involving them in my book. However, I do live William Shatner. There's something about him that just screams, if you're even somewhat a nerd, you must know and have respect for William Shatner. I can't explain. I just get that vibe off him. Then again, maybe it's a jedi mind trick.

Sookie Stackhouse Books:

A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris

This one is actually a collection of short stories. I've never felt so lost in a book before I read Defintly Dead. Apparently there's a short story that sets this book up. Someone should forewarn people about that.

Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris ( Sookie #9)

I bought the first 8 books together as a set for $40.00. Excellent deal. I'm on book 7. Book 9 hit shelves in paperback form on April 6th. These waiting times are killing me.

Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris (Sookie #10)

Comes out in Hardcover this year. It'll be another one I have to debate about. I love the series, but i kinda promised myself the only books I would purcahse in hardback were the Anita Blake novels. I'm trying to keep that promise, but it's really hard.

The Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

I finally got my hands on The Forest of Hands and Teeth. It was excellent. It's a young adult novel set generations after a zombie apocalypse. I'm not much into young adult, but this was an excellent piece of literature. The Dead Tossed Waves is basically the second book in the series. Again, waiting for the paperback to come out. I like all my books to match. Especially if they are in a series together. I also like the actual paperback way to these books, instead of the mass market paperback way they could have been printed.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Again with the young adult. But this time it's werewovles. I feel like zombies and werewolves have both surpassed vampires in theier appeal. But that's just how I feel. I think it comes out in paperback in May. Hope I have enough to keep me busy till then.

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

The sequel to Shiver. Comes out July 20th, 2010. Depends on how much I like Shiver as to if I wait for paperback for this one. There will also be a third in the series called Forever.

Bullet by Laurell K. Hamilton

This one will be an instant purchase the day it comes out. I love the Anita Blake series and this make #19. Flirt came out in Feb, but it was only 152 pages. It took me like 15mins to read it. I'm dying for this book to come out. At one part I started re-reading Guilty Pleasures, the first book in the series when I was on a lull and couldnt find anything to read. I try not to do that. But I have a feeling I will be re-reading that series at least once.

Divine Misdemenors by Laurell K. Hamilton

Waiting for Paperback. :( I don't care for books about fairy worlds, but Hamilton mixes thier world with ours and I love her writing anyways. Did I mention she has written a Star Wars novel? This is actually the 8th book in her Meredith Gentry series. I'm a sucker for series. Most the time just one book really doesn't do it for me. I like in depth stories. And I hate for things to end.

MEG 5: Night Stalkers by Steve Alten

So basically the only information I have about this is that it's in the works. The only reason i knew about it was because of MEG: Hell's Aquarium which I thought was supposed to be the final book in the MEG chapter. BUT on the last page of the novel there was an advertisement (?) saying the adventure continues in MEG 5: NIGHT STALKERS. I almost cried. I love these books. I love just about any book about giant sharks, or giant extinct sea creatures, or dinosaurs. It's geek love baby. You can't hide that.

That's it for now. Maybe more later?

Not making a good case for going on a cruise.

And this is simply another reason to stay the hell out of the water....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3917539.stm

Oh, did I mention Jaws? Cause yeah. He's totally out there too.

Driving to nc.

Mini-Dragons! Invading villages near you! Soon!

My next pet: Sylar the Dragon

Number 1: This guy is super cute. And I want one. So somebody get on the move and get to Indonesia to get me one. NOW.

Number 2: Who cares what #2 is! He's sooo cute!

Unlovables.

http://io9.com/5470719/donnie-darko-and-tim-burton-are-no-longer-lovable

Honestly, I don't think Tim Burton is even worth mentioning anymore. I liked Sleepy Hollow and the batman movies. And Sweeny Todd, but besides that, Tim Burton has nothing. All his movies are the same. They cater to a certain darkness. And they are ridiculous. Beetlejuice has to be one of my least favorite movies of all time, along with Edward Scissorhands, The Corpse Bride, and the Nightmare before Christmas.

If I ever met Tim Burton, I dare say I'd feel the compulsion to punch him in the ovaries.