Comic-Con 2013 Ultra CHAMP!

Yesterday me and Mama Racoon attended the NY Comic Con for our first time. She went as a zombie and I as "Deaf Lightning." We had a ball, I think my favorite part of the whole experience was seeing cosplayers in various costumes. It took us 3 hours to get ready and we weren't nearly as made up as many of the others. Just goes to show how hardcore cosplayers are :-) Love it!

 

 

It was at the Javits Center which is eneromous and very pretty too, the building is encased in glass and really lets in the sun.

As soon as we exited the A train at Penn Station we immediately spotted others in cosplay mode. It was fun to see the regular civilians, mere mortals reactions to us vying through the crowd to grab a quick lunch and the magic money machine as Baba likes to call the ATM. Some people smiled, others looked bewildered, and even a few annoyed like 'how dare you have a good time or be silly!' I think they were deep down inside jealous ;-)

Then we walked 4 aves over to the Javits Center and boy oh boy the crowd, all kinds of superhereos, villians, Animie fans and so on. We walked in and immediately began snapping photos. Of course I have the Kodak gene, anyone who looks at my FB page can tell you I am deliriously happy behind a camera lens, be it a regular camera or video I love to capture things, images, moods. I guess you could say in a sense I am a part time documentarist? (is that even a word, a person who visually documents things?)

We both brought a few comics/books and I brought a cool 'The Big Lebrowski Kit' for 50% off, so instead of it being $20, I got it for $10.

FYI for others interested in attending future Comic Cons, a lot of books, memoriabillas like the kit I got and some comics were on sale anywhere from 20-50% off but clothing and costume related items usually were regular priced or overpriced.

I also brought a new comic called Afroella, the very first issue and both the authors signed it and took a photo with me which I really enjoyed.



Same goes for Mama Raccoon, she too got autographed books and comics and both of us didn't have to spend a lot to get a lot which we were glad for. As Clinton said 'its the economy, stupid!'

Another thing to keep in mind when attending is, wear sneakers, you will be walking a LOT. Bring a backpack, after a few books it can get kind of heavy to carry. Bring $$$, they sell food there and have various vendors or you can bring your own snacks, drinks. And after talking with a different fan who has been attending 4 years now, she recommended we  go on Fridays (which we did this year) because Saturdays are so packed and jammed you can barely move. As we experience yesterday, the authors, illustrators etc were able to have real personal experiences with us and that really what the event is all about. The fans like us. And the most important tip of all, when attending on the first day (if you buy a 4 day pass) or your first time whatever, make sure you go to the main entrance. We did not and didn't know it at the time and not till we were almost ready to leave did we see the main entrance where lo-behold the free program booklet with all of the Comic con info is and would've been very helpful when we first arrived so next year we will be sure to do that.

Overall would I go again, you betcha! And after posting photos on FB yesterday we may have found two other Deaf women interested in attending with us next year. Would love to see the group grow into a yearly event as my friend Superman Steve does on Saturdays for Comic Con, but we will do ours for Fridays.

Out of Towners

You can always tell who is an out of towner.
They're White. Unless abundantly clear like Japanese tourists or Hasidic Jews, they're usually Caucasian. And at most from outside the city likeYonkers or more upstate. But for those of you living in Westchester county, please don't delude yourself and call yourself a NYer in the sense of the word this you're from the city. You and I both know you're not.
Second out of towners, they're always smiling, having lively conversations. Real NYers when conversing on the train it is for a purpose, like which stop to get off of next? Real NYers riding the train (mind you which is the subways) either look very tired, bored or miserable. The the rest hide in their phones, newspapers or books.
Third the way out of towners dress too mainstream. They wear something out of American Apparel or the Gap too clean, too new. The rest of us usually look fashionable but urban.
And then there's me, as of late most folks I meet now have started to ask me which borough I'm from? Which pleases me immensely. Hard to know what people think of me when I'm riding the train.
Some say NYers aren't friendly, but I bet 9 out of 10xs they're racists. And NYers can sniff out bullshit in a heartbeat. It's the truth, NYC is awesome but it's takes a long time to really know her like I do :-)

My HS reunion was a BIG success!

Just got home from DC where I recently spent the weekend to celebrate my 20 year HS reunion. It was wonderful. We were able to see our old school and the tour was led by one of our classmates who did a fantastic job with the tour.

The reunion after 13 months of planning finally happened and I could not have asked for a better one. It was totally worth the effort and seeing my old friends like John Y and Arly along with Mama Zee and Icelandic Queen just made it even better. Knob and Dr. Westbury made an appearance too. I feel very loved and missed in some ways.

Now that I am back home I feel a little homesick for Maryland which is so unlike me! I love NYC but I guess I miss my old friends too more than I realize. Having gone to DC twice this year already I can see myself making regular yearly visits there. So many friends have relocated there as well so I have plenty of couches to surf.

But upon my return I once more face some apartment drama that I so really don't want to deal with. But I must and I will.

I can't wait to see what my 25th year reunion will bring????

Bipolar nightmare

I recently was subjected to an extreme form of anger/hostility during a current manic episode(s) by a close friend who's bipolar and the experience had left me shell shocked to say in the least. I'm extremely depressed by the depth of hate spewed/written to me. It is an awful event to bear and I'm just too PTSD I think from years of DV with my ex to bounce back quickly like I should.

I'm the type to lay low when injured and tend to my wounds. I just have zero energy to go out and socialize. I just want to be left alone and not have to explain why I look and feel crummy.

Tomorrow night I will head back to PA to grab more time with my family and to regroup myself a bit too. I just hate when my generosity is abused and I know bipolar is a disease. But as a sensitive soul such as I, its hard not to feel hurt by a friend I've known almost 7 years :/

The only goods that came from my short time back was the two day technology workshop I took at my job this week. It was great. I gained three important benefits from the workshop
I now know what current software is available for our instructors
Where to go for resources in pedagogy, tech support etc etc.. with my new job I want to be independent employee that goes above and beyond. I'm interested in technology and curriculum design. I'm excited by what knowledge I gained during the two day workshop. It makes me feel prepared to start the fall semester right!

And the guy who coordinated the event seems like a stand up guy and I feel I could possibly develop a good rapport with him. I've also toyed with the idea of asking him to be my mentor for professional development later this fall. But first I want to start the new semester and get used to having my own office, whee, I am super jazzed by that! Very cool!

So even though my spirits lie low at current press time, I'm still grateful for all of my good fortunes.

Being misunderstood....

In the past year or so I have had the irony on more than one occasion to basically be told whatever achievement/progress/improvements I've made are the result of
-being at the right place at the right time in other words lucky
-being too aggressive
-being an ass kisser
in other words it wasn't the time or energy or the active effort to make the needed changes in my life that contributed to my success it was any of the above.
-or this one I just love, is a result of them being in my life. Granted having them in my life always enhances it but please do not delude yourself into thinking you are why my life has gotten better. My life got better because I was in a miserable wretched relationship for 5 plus years and being free of that and having the will to change is what brought about changes.
Let me be clear, yes I had help along the way but that is because I asked for help and reciprocated to the best of my abilities or above and beyond. I don't claim to be perfect or without flaws, weaknesses but I don't need to tout all that I do in order to make little and big victories.
I sometimes think even though I am a talker, I like to be quiet and listen/see what the other is saying? I think people sometimes mistaken me being receptive to me being I suppose uninformed so when I do ask a question they can be condescending at times. Ugh, I have a lot of patience but even I run out of nice-nice mojo. Plus I don't like one sided conversations where the person just drones on and on to build up their ego rather than to connect.
I am ready for my trip out of town to see the family. A break from a certain someone is long overdue

Malaise abound

I haven't been writing much these days, been too worn down to try. Working pretty much nonstop without so much as a few days off since last January has been most difficult. Yesterday was the last day of summer class and marked the end of the 3rd summer class that I taught this year. I worked on grades yesterday and corrected exams today. Tomorrow I will do the course grades and submit them on Sunday night as a final grade. Come Monday in 3 days my summer vacation finally begins! I will have just 3 weeks off but I am looking forward to not having to worry about lesson plans and I am sick to death of grading exams. Been grading exams every two weeks nonstop since last May! ugh!

So the term Malaise feels right, been feeling kind of down and plain old exhausted. Hardly any energy to do anything than the things that need to be done such as work, laundry, etc etc.. I haven't been going out much either mostly because I am just so tired! However I am happy to say I have had many visitors over the summer and I enjoyed that tremendously!

I enjoyed having Carrie Berry visit me for a week and it was awesome to see her again after 7 years as she resides in California. I am hoping she may consider moving east because I worry she is too isolated out west and she is like family to me, I care! It was hard to see her go! We both teared up at the end, who knew this annoying bubbly girl I met over 15 years ago would be such a good friend to me today? I am sooo lucky to have so many wonderful, caring friends in my life. I guess its the universe's way of making up for the years I grew up without hardly any friends at all? I dunno but either way I appreciate all that they do for me.

As a matter of fact all one has to do is take a look around my apartment. It was Blondie who came by a year and a half ago and violently shoved my exes' things in garbage bags and crammed it all into a closet. It was Mama Duck who always told me what a good job I was doing whenever I made any progress with clutter and downsizing. It was Teddy who helped me to tidy up daily and do small acts like taking out the garbage regularly. And it was Patty O and Car Man's Man who redesigned my living room and I have been able to maintain it since. And recently Carrie Berry worked on my bedroom with the clothes putting them away neatly, making more space and each time a friend helps me get one step closer to a stress free home I am so happy because they care enough about me to want to see me succeed! Small acts lead to big changes! I am happier all around with my home life these days. Things are placed back where they belong, I try to do the dishes daily, I throw things out all the time and I really make an effort not to buy things I don't need!

Tomorrow is my birthday and I am looking forward to getting a pedicure with my friend Lisa Simpson and then we will go out to eat dinner. A few hrs later I will pick up Mama Raccoon and her brood from the airport and spend some time with them as well. It will be a low key birthday this year which fits the mood just fine!

Cannot wait to see the family next week!

My plants are thriving!

Pah, with the weather lately being so bipolar its nice the warm weather is sticking around. My guys are loving it!

Phase I of repotting

Did the tomato plants & onion (not pictured). Left to do the jalapenos :]
I wonder how long after pollinating the cherry tomato plants before I grow some fruits? *mouth waters* I love the way they smell too! Takes me back to my childhood and spending time with Papa helping him garden <3!

My new little garden

So once again I will attempt to 'grow a green' thumb and actually am focusing on these plants below I brought the other week (except the onion was a little while ago)
3 cherry tomato plants
1 green onion plant
4 jalapeno plants
My one friend Miers gave me lots of useful advice. Even my 1st Ex chimed in today which was a nice surprise. Perhaps it is possible to be friends? Who knows?
So I was urged to repot them asap.

the filmmaker in me is itching to come out!

“People don’t always express their inner thoughts to one another," said Hitchcock, "a conversation may be quite trivial, but often the eyes will reveal what a person thinks or needs.”  The focus of the scene should never be on what the characters are actually saying.  Have something else going on.  Resort to dialogue only when it’s impossible to do otherwise. [something to mull on before heading to bed, the filmmaker in me is wide awake but my body and mind are like shutup and go to sleep!]

Slightly annoyed

Am kind of in a pissy mood since the car accident on Saturday when the other car sideswiped my car pretty hard and messed up my neck and shoulder. Plus lately been feeling kind of let down by certain friends, not all but enough. One of my friends kind of fell off the face of the earth. Another one became super busy with new position and kind of moody to be around sometimes. Plus this friend just doesn't get the fact I am not wired the same way as her. I don't have endless energy and I do my best to keep up. Anyways doc says the muscle strain should clear up in 7-10 days. I hope tomorrow to be in a better mood as I usually am when I teach in NJ. I love my students there!

Crazy crazy crazy

Is how incredible busy my life has been over the past few weeks. But I don't mind at all, I love all the people I got to see and be with so it was worth being tired now and using this weekend to veg. I need some serious R&R.

It was such a pleasure having Pateman here with his wife. She's awesome and so down to earth. My only regret is their visit was too freakin short! How I wish a teleporter had already been invented! Boy I would get one in a heartbeat and teleport to Baba's home at least 1x a week. Even though with the increase workload over the past several year and having a little more income, it means a lot less free time. I have never been overly energetic to say in the least but it seems to me I am almost always tired. I suspect that's why my neck/shoulder area has been acting up. Another sign it time for me to CHILL out.

This weekend I am going to try some new recipes such as a crockpot lemon garlic chicken and a few freeze a head meals too. I am cooking more this year. When the Pates were in town I made corn muffins with hot dogs tasted just like a corndog, I also made bumpy cake with strawberry butter for breakfast too, YUM YUM!

Too tired to write anymore tonight but I am going to try to get back to BLOGGING!

Hazards of teaching at a hearing college..

I accidently annoyed another professor tonight whose class was one floor below mine. During the lesson one activity required small group work in which students were told to form small circles with their desk/chairs. Then when it was all over this lady peers into my classroom, opens the door then leaves then changes her mind. She comes back in a not so nice way 'could your students PICK up their desk & chairs not DRAG them across the FLOOR!?' I didn't even think at first I didn't even understand her. Then I am always too nice said we would try to avoid that but hello! I mean seriously we were noisey like a few mins tops! Give me a break lady! Buy some ear muffs but a little noise is not the end of the world. Get a GRIP! :}

A new Red Bull convert

I wrote a letter (via FB message) to Red Bull pledging my allegiance to them. Even more so when I researched the product ingredient. Totally pro-health which pleases me no less! I wonder if I will get any response?


[Red Bull]
I got to say you have a new customer as of today. My story is a little unique and LONG but I think you will appreciate it nonetheless.
I have several times since Red Bull launched years ago tried your product but the taste is a bit intense for me and I have generally steered away from it.

Today however as an adjunct professor working 2 jobs one in NJ and one in NY I am extremely busy as you can imagine! Anyways I found myself in between classes tired as heck when I saw my students come in with cans of Red Bull and after a minute or two I asked one student "what's the deal today? Why is everyone drinking Red Bull?" He said "oh they're giving them away for free downstairs" and I nodded and  plan. He added one of the women giving them away was in our class! I was like wow, really? Cool!  But I leaned over once more and continue to add some changes to my lesson. I decided there was still some time left before class starts and asked him if there was a long line downstairs for it? I don't know what his response was (I'm Deaf) But what a doll, he offered to go down and get one for me. I sheepishly accepted with a "are you sure you don't mind? He went down and brought me up a sugar free one. Along with the cutest Red Bull key chain! I laughed at one particularly (if you want to know which one, see my FB cover photo) He informed me the Red Bull student wanted me to have it. I opened it up and it was the sugar free one and I took a sip, just as I remembered, Red Bull taste is deAfinitely unforgettable! I went ahead despite my initial response to reject the taste because I wanted to give your product a real test. Does it live up to all the hype around it? Some of the students laughed at me as my face scrunched up I can't explain it. Its not the actual taste, perhaps sour or intensity of it, I don Your team member walked in decked head to toe in Red Bull gear and I loved it! This student who works for you will go far! Keep her! I hope perhaps this summer you will reward her? Because if she hadn't been there that day or in my class I probably wouldn't have even bothered! [I will be happy to give you the students name at the end of the Spring semester to avoid any conflict of interest.] 
Fast forward 15-20 minutes later as I am reviewing materials I paused and announced to the class, looking at your Red Bull team member saying I do believe the Red Bull worked as I have more pep, springing-ness (if that's a word) it really made a difference in a very tired professor's life! I appreciate your product now and already plan to buy some when my budget can afford. I am sure you know adjunct teachers have no benefits or paid well and living in NYC adds up. But trust me I already spotted a sale of Red Bulls I think at CVS currently buy 2 for $4 and you betcha I am!
Thank you Red Bull 
-DC

This one was my favorite!

Feeling like a teakettle tweaking!

My archnemesis thinks he will defeat me. Poor little idiot, he has no idea who has had just enough of his nonsense. If it continues for much longer, I will take a major risk and go straight over his head to the top of the ladder and tell it like it is. And let the chips fall where they may :-V
The saddest thing is, he keeps giving me plenty of ammo to win my case, that's if I don't open my mouth up too much and say something regretful. I am happy to say it is unlikely I am the master of my (emotional) domain!

Dense fog? That's putting it mildly

Boy, I don't think I have had the fortune to see so many different weather systems in a relatively short amount of time. Since Hurricaine Sandy came trick or treating its been a crazy few months weather wise! We were just visited briefly by the Nemo Blizzard, I had hope the snow would melt enough so I wouldn't have to shovel before work today. That was not the case but it wasn't too bad and didn't take that long. But my what a FOG! You couldn't see but right in front of you practically! And it made me batty earlier on 80 west once I departed the city driving in the freezing rain and seeing other drivers *ahem NJ* who didn't have their headlights! Hello, you there in the dark vehicle, I almost didn't see you when I tried to change lane. Turn on your lights moron!!! 
Then after work I thought the fog had cleared up and even the rain was minimal. Yet as soon as I got to the George Washington Bridge it was FOG city all over again. I couldn't see the city at all next to me as I drove over. And its kind of fitting mood for today. I was very sick last week with probably one of the worst stomach viruses ever. Apparently its a superbug that infects within 24 hrs and it knocked me backwards, forwards, upside down and I was in a private hell for a good 24 hrs but felt like eternity at the time. Walking around my apartment like a hunched like a walker from The Walking Dead.

I don't know how someone took my photo above but I am in much better shape than I was a week ago, promise! Yet I am still not fully recovered. I was surprised earlier today when teaching to find my brain acting all fuzzy and by the time I finished teaching the 2nd class I felt like crap. The worst part of it all is I have been staying home for about 3 weeks straight now! I went to see a movie once, watched the Superbowl with the Coons where I picked up the plague from them :/  And this weekend went out once to eat with a friend here locally in the neighborhood but even that wore me out. I haven't been out dancing, visiting friends or much of anything. They say if you don't have your health, you don't have anything. I agree, when you don't feel well for long periods without a break it can wear you down.

Here's to hoping I will feel better a week from now on President's day! A little humor to help along the way :]

As I learned this morning

And for the finale I say begone Collar of Shame, welcome Cone of Happiness

Won a few battles but not the war

Proud to report I won a few 'battles' today. I successfully negoiated a much lower rent increase for renewing my lease over the next 2 yrs. And I also got an exemption letter from the leasing agent for any possible future MCI (Major Capital Improvement). MCI is a NYC rental code that allows for owners to up current lease holder's rent for repairs or upgrades done on their building. Imagine to my surprise last August when I got a letter informing me of this. So its nice to know that my rent will NOT change!
Then I was able to get my internet service not only excuse me from the upcomming monthly internet rate free increasements, but they knocked off $5 off my monthly current rates AND upgraded my services to faster speed. I read online its vital to ask to speak what's called the RENTENTION dept, which only duty is to keep their customers from leaving. I was glad I held my ground and it took about 40 mins but now I'll be paying $5 lessa month, w00t!
Lastly I got one company to waive their late fee because I never received a bill from them. And I did make an online payment. The rep was eager to oblige and it didn't take much convincing which is a nice change of pace.
I am however unhappy to learn that Baba's services are not up to par and the standards have been a major disappointment :(
At least she's home.

My newest obsession...kind of

For years I have been a person who asked for freebies and samples. I remember a really cool class I took in 7th grade, probably one of the few rare good memories from that period of my life but anyhoo. It was a class based on consumerism, I don't remember the exact name, although I wish I did! I even remember my teacher was a petite dirty blonde and I remember finding her class fascinating! Back then teachers encouraged students to write letters. To their favorite authors such as I did in elementary and I recall the author sent be a standard but signed letter and a pin of some type. The author was a Newberry winner too, again can't remember the name yikes!

So this class on consumerism is where I learned that processed food generally has bug parts. Just a sad fact of life. It is protein after all. Hopefully since that time but knowing the FDA maybe things have improved in terms of bugs. But this teacher also asked us to pick a favorite item of ours and then write a letter to the company telling them why we liked their products. I of coursed picked Anais Anais perfume which at the time my mother's best friend Judy wore and as the Amazon Goddess she was, she ooze sexuality and I loved that about her. I adopted that perfume as a pre-teen and for a while my grandmother would buy me some but then she buy it too often I had 3 bottles at one point. Now I am of course years later all out. I must buy some soon for both me and Baba. She loves that scent as much as I do. The company Cacharel was kind enough to mail me 5 small tiny bottles (not the vials today) but real glass bottles of some really nice stuff, which of course both impressed my teacher on 2 accounts, my 5 little perfume values superseded my peers results from their companies and she wanted those perfume. Mom too I recall being very happy with the result and I gave her one I think it was Gucci? Channel? I don't know but some famous top of the line perfume that still popular today by those with money :)

Writing about my perfume kind of makes me sad too because from what Mom told me, Judy's disease, she has Huntington's is of course getting worse with each passing year. Looking back I regret not having been more forgiving of Judy when Papa died. I developed a grudge, something I picked up from a few family members but its not a trait I strive to have now and days. Judy wouldn't come to Papa's funeral and I wanted her there and it was expected she be there but she just couldn't do it. I don't remember the exact reasons why but from that moment on, we were never as close again. Compounding by years of on and off friendship between her and Mom. And at one point, the incident that severed the ties for good was when Judy hit/punched my Mom in the face! Ugh I am not surprised that 27% of people who have Huntington's kill themselves. It may be politically incorrect to say this but I do support the right to die if you reach a point of unbearable chronic, horrific long drawn out death such as suffocating to death from fluids or becoming a vegetable with no dignity or quality to life. If we do it for our pets why are we not humane to a person's right to exit life with dignity? I miss Judy.

My health lately has forced me to focus on work and then the rest of the time conserve energy to keep the neck problems from flaring up. Its a real nuisance compounded with this chronic heat induced headache by the heating systems in NYC. I have to keep reminding myself, use saline, be proactive with the OTC for migraines and try to use a lame ass neck collar at home which I am not sure if it helps or aggravates? Its too soon to say? I just brought it last weekend on Sunday night. And man I had that headache from hell for a good solid 5 days or longer. It almost came back today but I nipped that in the bud quickly by taking the OTC, saline and then taking a rather twilight nap that I didn't wake up feeling refresh from because I never really fell asleep ugh. But at least NO headache.

Been feasting on Matzo ball soup, perfect for the cold weather. For a while there I was feeling so sick from the headache I was suffering bouts of nausea which really sucked. I never did throw up but geez Louise no thanks! It wasn't bad enough that my headache felt like torture that I would've confessed to anything! And light bothered me not because I saw lines but just made it worse.

I was successful in defeating a virus that tried to takeover my laptop, hooray!

And since I've gone back to my hobby of requesting samples I have also been entering contests. So far I have won two. I am waiting for the prizes to arrive (mind you both are candy related, less that $5 total) but a win is a win right? Plus some of the samples I've received have been awesome!

I hope to have a little fun this weekend. Last weekend I was able to have a little fun Sun evening despite the raging headache my friend Lisa Simspon and I saw the movie "The Impossible" about the terrible, devastating tsunami from 2005. It was the 1st time using Sony Glasses. I liked them but they weigh too much that it began to hurt my nose and actually left an indentation, OUCH! I had no choice tho because it was the only way to follow the movie. I hope they become lighter in weight because right now too HEAVY!

This weekend I hope to actually get out some. I already have plans for Sunday Superbowl, whee!

And yeah I have been kind of antisocial. I really just haven't had much energy or relief from the headache/neck pains. When I don't feel well I just shut down. That's me, it will pass. I am not depressed but frankly my energy is just so limited these days. As Baba and I both know, pain wears you out. And worn out I am.