Currently... (20)

"Currently..." updates will be every 2 weeks or so. Going to try to update on Tuesdays when Katy Upperman posts hers.

I found the Currently post at Kate Hart's blog, who got the idea from Amy Lukavics, who found it here. Please join in and link me in the comments if you do!


LOVING

• Celebrating Star Wars Day aka May the Fourth (be with you)! My last post was actually an Outfit of the Day post featuring some of my favorite new Star Wars gear. Do check it out if you haven't yet!

• Captain America: Civil War! We were lucky enough to watch it a few days early because we won tickets from a local radio station to see it at IMAX HQ, which is pretty dang cool. (The Sister and I saw Age of Ultron here too.) Bet you can't guess whose team we're on. ;)

• Our second viewing of the movie was with some of our Comic Con Hall H line buddies and "Chris Evans." And all this fun stuff aside, yes, I loved the movie. They handled the large cast incredibly well, and I really liked how they handled the character arcs and themes.

A photo posted by @mylifewithchrisevans on May 14, 2016 at 12:38am PDT

• Brunching with my Founding ladies. I wish I had a catchier name for this, but here we are. I'm so lucky to have found my people so relatively early in life and to have kept them in my life.

• Brunching for birthdays - specifically for my Con Squad sister Jenn's birthday this past weekend. Obviously, it was a fun time but it was also cool to see how everyone knew everyone else. It's incredible to me that a year ago, Comic Con squad did not exist, and now look at us!

• Blackmilk Sample Sale haul. Sadly, Blackmilk has closed their Los Angeles location, but the bright side is they had a sample sale as a last hurrah and we bought all the things. I am most pleased with our LOTR and Harry Potter lucky finds! Map dresses! Daily Prophet legs!

• Yallwest goodies: I scored an ARC of Garth Nix's upcoming GOLDENHAND, which is a BIG DEAL to me because it is an actual sequel to his original Old Kingdom trilogy. I love the Old Kingdom books A LOT, and I can't wait to see where some of the characters are now!! And I didn't even think I'd have a chance at Victoria Schwab's THIS SAVAGE SONG ARC, but thanks to an amazing friend who also went to the fest, I NOW HAVE A COPY. *cue freak out*

WATCHING

• The Night Manager: So much beautiful Tom Hiddleston.
• Game of Thrones: this season is exciting. I need more reunions and Tormund x Brienne, lol.
• TURN: it's the Benedict Arnold betrayal season and I love it.

ANTICIPATING

• Writing a special blog post for a friend's project.
• NOLA - in about 2 weeks, I will going to New Orleans for the first time!!! So let me know if there's anything I MUST do and/or eat!

THINKING ABOUT

Beyoncé. I wouldn't call myself a member of the Beyhive, but that all changed when I saw her 2 weeks ago on her Formation World Tour. I can't even begin to explain the experience of being at her show because it was incredible, and I don't think I exaggerate when I say it was like a religious experience. I totally get why Queen B is the queen and why her fans are so intense about her. Yes, she's a consummate performer, talented and that beautiful in real life, but there was just something electric about the entire show.

A video posted by alice (@akangaru) on May 15, 2016 at 4:12pm PDT

I think I also found it strangely moving (I actually teared up at the show because I was so overwhelmed, and that is so not me) because it was such an empowering night. Like it was all about the strength of women and loving yourself.



MAKING ME HAPPY

• Always, seeing online friends. The Yallwest book festival was actually perfect for that. I finally was able to meet Erin Bowman, who I've known a while on Twitter and who was the one who convinced me to read The Scorpio Races, which is one of my favorite books ever now. We also love Harry Potter, and she makes an amazing Luna Lovegood.

• The bonus, of course, was also meeting so many authors I admire and fangirl over, as well as Twitter/author friends. I had such a great time actually putting faces to Twitter handles and chatting and eating over-priced truffle fries. Oh, and I wore my Marauder's Map dress, which was the best decision because I don't think I've ever been complimented so much on it in my life.

• Speaking of the serendipity of making friends on the interwebs... I was so lucky to be able to make Sarah Maas' signing earlier this month, mostly thanks to some help from Sarah, and she was as funny and delightful as she always is. The big surprise though was while I was starting to read A COURT OF MIST AND FURY, I was amazed and really touched to find myself in the acknowledgments.

• My contributor's copy of THE 2016 RHYSLING AWARD anthology! My poem is in a book-shaped thing with so many, truly magical poems. I am so humbled and happy.

• My newest Jordandené tank, which is a collaboration between Jordan and Megan aka The Nerdy Girlie. Oh and if you want one of these for yourself OR even the Hamilton design which is back for a limited time (!), don't forget you can get 25% off through the end of May with my code: workwork!

Q4U: What's up with you?

Currently... (19)

"Currently..." updates will be every 2 weeks or so. Going to try to update on Tuesdays when Katy Upperman posts hers.

I found the Currently post at Kate Hart's blog, who got the idea from Amy Lukavics, who found it here. Please join in and link me in the comments if you do!


LOVING

• My second trip to Coachella~! This time, I was more prepared to have my allergies destroy me, so I took the appropriate medication. It was also windier than last year, which made taking a fashion cue from Star Wars' Rey kinda prudent. Oh and the reason we ended up going to Weekend 1 when we hadn't bought tickets? The Sister won tickets! I think this must be her super power...

A video posted by Alice (@girlontheroam) on Apr 18, 2016 at 12:21am PDT

• Being able to share this poem with you for National Poetry Month! I'd written the poem for a contest/challenge in February, and I really liked how it turned out. It was written during my February flurry of poetry writing. In any case, when the poem came back to me, I didn't really think about sending it elsewhere and since I wanted to share it, I did. :) If you haven't read it, I'd be delighted if you took a look: "Well-Met"

• Poe Dameron Day / The Force Awakens - this was at the beginning of the month, but obviously, we bought all the comics, wore our T-Shirts, and watched the Force Awakens again - with our (sphero) BB-8! BB is actually not a good person to watch the movie with. He beeps at all the most dramatic moments but is so cute! And yes, we still love TFA a lot!

• Meeting up with Tweeps - especially the writing kind. As I mentioned last time, I got to see long-time Twitter friend Lydia Kang when she was in town for a conference. It was also great finally meeting Jessica Love in person! (We now have matching Hamilton-Schuyler Sisters shirts.) Bonus! Seeing Elizabeth Briggs again and commiserating about Comic Con Hotelpocalypse. :P

READING

The HAMILTOME! This book, guys!!! It is BEAUTIFUL. Great content aside, I just love everything about the design of Hamilton: The Revolution. It's bound like a history book, has deckle-edged pages, and the inner layout - the photos, how they're presented with the lyrics and text - is just gorgeous. I love it so much, and I'm loving all the stories about how this crazy thing came about.

WATCHING

The Jungle Book - so beautifully done and a classic family film.

The Night Manager - only one episode has aired as of my writing this, and I can't tell how much I like it in terms of plot so far. BUT my goodness is Tom Hiddleston just wonderful to look at and listen to, and basically, however this show turns out, it is still a gift to me because I get to see TH on the small screen once a week for 6 episodes.

Game of Thrones - Yes, this show continues to upset me with how it chooses to handle certain characters and story lines, but I still desperately want to know what happens - and there are still aspects of the show I enjoy. So really show, stop pushing me away!

Lemonade - I wouldn't say I'm part of the Bey Hive, but Beyoncé's visual album for her new album Lemonade was all kinds of amazing. It's visually stunning, but her music and choice of visual is so powerful. It's intimate, gorgeous, political, introspective, and moving.


ANTICIPATING

• YALLWEST! It's the West Coast companion to the much loved book-fest YALLFEST that takes place in South Carolina. Anyway, this is Yallwest's second year, but it'll be my first year going! I'm excited because I'll get to meet up with some blogger and author friends AND there's a Hamilton sing-along.

• Also, it is almost time for Captain America: Civil War - and given how much I loved Winter Soldier, I am so excited for this.

• TURN: Washington's Spies - we're getting really into the Revolutionary spy game now. This season? Benedict Arnold's betrayal! (Also, I hear we're finally getting some Hamilton!)

• Roshani Chokshi's debut The Star-Touched Queen, which is out today! I've read her poetry and short stories online, and her writing is so beautiful! It's vivid, rich, and lyrical. I cannot wait to read an entire book by her!

• And, of course, today is the release day of THE RAVEN KING by Maggie Stiefvater. It's the final book in the Raven Cycle series, which has arguably been my favorite on-going series these past few years. I'm already so sad to have to part ways with this magical world and amazing, amazing characters. I love them all so much! I'm so excited to find out what happens.

A photo posted by alice (@threadedpages) on Apr 26, 2016 at 10:12am PDT

THINKING ABOUT

What new Annotations posts I'm going to do next. Don't know what this is? It's a blog supplement to my new bookstagram Instagram account, Threadedpages. The first post is here: Annotations.


MAKING ME HAPPY

• Helping Jordan promote her lovely Hamilton shirt design! It's available until the END OF APRIL only, so if you're thinking about getting one, this is your last week! I put together some outfits and got you a sweet discount code (for Jordan's entire store)!

• Hanging out with the Founders squad this weekend. We watched the boy-band zombie-Western flick Dead 7 (it was...really bad. Eck!), listened to Hamilton on vinyl (absolutely incredible - like the violins are in the room with you), and then re-enacted part of the opening number when we realized our friend's house kind of mimicked the stage. Here's a gif from our efforts.

• Being asked by Twitter friend Amparo to be part of her Staying Awesome Interview Series. You can read mine here: I talk about writing poetry, geekery, and the history of my crush on Alexander Hamilton (in case you were curious?).

• Seeing Years & Years perform last night at The Fonda. We missed them at Coachella, so we were so glad we'd gotten tickets for "localchella." Every show with them is a party. Love it.

A video posted by Catherine (@catherine) on Apr 26, 2016 at 12:12am PDT

Q4U: What's up with you Currently? Also, if any of you are going to YALLWEST, please let me know! I'd love to see you! :D

Currently... (17)

"Currently..." updates will be every 2 weeks or so. Going to try to update on Tuesdays when Katy Upperman posts hers.

I found the Currently post at Kate Hart's blog, who got the idea from Amy Lukavics, who found it here. Please join in and link me in the comments if you do!


LOVING

• My awesome internet/Twitter friends - like Jessica who sent me a book in a Star Wars bedecked envelope and Tracey who sent me a freaking box of apple cider donuts straight from New England!!

• The Wizarding World in Hollywood!!! OH EM GEE.

So thanks to the Sister's excellent internet sleuthing, we went to Universal Studios during a Wizarding World "technical rehearsal," which is basically a soft opening. And it was AMAZING.


We LOVED the Forbidden Journey ride. It is *so* cool, though I still think it didn't have to have the 3D parts of it (which yes, did make me a little queasy). You never really see pictures of inside the Hogwarts Castle because it's too dark to take good pictures, but going through it as part of the line for Forbidden Journey is kind of magic. You literally walk through the castle - talking portraits and classrooms and all.


This mini-park is tiny though. It only has 2 rides, one of which is a kiddie roller-coaster, and I can see the park getting really crazy packed once it officially opens. Still, it's pretty magic. And frozen butter beer is the ish.

Yeah, and I totally bought a wand - Luna's!

READING

• A Gathering of Shadows
• Lucifer Vol. 3

WATCHING

• Downton Abbey - I'm sadder than I thought I'd be now that it has ended!
• Zootopia - Disney animation is really hitting these movies out of the park. Was not super interested in this outing until I heard that it's deeper than its "cute-talking-animals" premise would have you believe. Bravo Disney for taking a hard look at prejudice and not shying away from discussing it.
• Bam4Ham - this is the hashtag for yesterday's super fun Hamilton cast event/trip to Washington DC and the White House. Part of it was live-streamed by the White House, including 2 songs from the show. If you missed the live-stream (like I did because I was at work, boo), here's an article with links to all the vids: Cast of Hamilton performs at the White House.
• And of course, Lin-Manuel had to do a freestyle rap with POTUS in the Rose Garden.

Wait for it... ⬇️ #Bam4Ham
Posted by The White House on Monday, March 14, 2016

LISTENING

• Lore Podcast - seriously, go listen to it! It's the frightening truth behind fiction!

ANTICIPATING

The series of Geek Travel blog posts I'm working on in collaboration with Marlon of Nerdcoolture.

I don't even know where Marlon is here, but it looks epic. (Photo: Marlon)

Be sure to check out his first post: Why Nerds Travel (Pt 1) and mine will be up tomorrow at Girl on the Roam!


WISHING

For that hour back, darn you Daylight Savings!


THINKING ABOUT

• The truly amazing ways the internet has changed the way we connect with people. Really enjoyed meeting with and talking to these geek bloggers and creators thanks to Tony (@Crazy4ComicCon).

Photo: Tony (Crazy4ComicCon)

• How all our favorites are problematic (in light of the not-so-great material generated by JKR for her Wizarding World universe's Magic in North America - linked to a pretty good overview of the issues), how we should remember we will all misstep from time to time, and how we should strive to keep learning and keep doing better.

MAKING ME HAPPY

• Dinner with the First Draft Live gals. These ladies are so smart and funny. It was a whirlwind of conversation.

• Con Squad Outings - We visited the Descanso Gardens for the Cherry Blossom Festival!

We were not disappointed. Though it was crowded, the flowers were beautiful!

What's your Currently? Let me know what you've been up to in the comments!

Previously... (1)

Previously... is a monthly recap bloghop of your writing month hosted by Miss Cole and Tracey Joseph! These posts go up on the last Wednesday of every month. Don't forget to link-up at one of the host blogs!

I always miss this, but since I've been rather productive this month, I'm glad I remembered to join!


Previously in Writing

I've been meaning to get back to novel writing for ages, and while I still haven't opened up that doc yet, I've been on a poetry kick. Leave it to me to procrastinate from writing by...writing something else!

In any case, I've written 4 poems in about 2.5 weeks. Finished 3 of them, one of which has been subbed, and am trying to wrangle the last into shape. The poem is currently kicking my butt.


Previously in Reading

Getting back into reading as well and kind of balancing reading novels and comic books. On the comic book front, I picked up Volume 3 of THE WICKED + THE DIVINE, and I'm in the middle of reading Mike Carey's LUCIFER series. I'd like to read Holly Black's current run of Lucifer eventually, and I'm watching the not-really-at-all-like-the-comicbook TV series too - all of which has prompted me to finally start Carey's run (which I'd been meaning to do for ages). Lucifer is, after all, my favorite fallen angel. ;)

Books-wise, I just finished the fantastic SIX OF CROWS by Leigh Bardugo (and you should check out the cover for the sequel CROOKED KINGDOM because it is beautiful), and I'm currently reading A GATHERING OF SHADOWS, Victoria Schwab's follow-up to the excellent A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC.


Next Time in Goals

Start working on the novel!
Brainstorm short story ideas!
Finish the poem that is owning me!


A Word of Advice

Sometimes, your muse will take what you're working on in unexpected directions. Go with it. :)

Currently... (15) / 2016: One Word Resolution

"Currently..." updates will be every 2 weeks or so. Going to try to update on Tuesdays when Katy Upperman posts hers.

I found the Currently post at Kate Hart's blog, who got the idea from Amy Lukavics, who found it here. Please join in and link me in the comments if you do!


I missed all of January because I am lame, so there will be kind of a lot to catch up on. (I missed all of December too, but I posted my December activities in my year-end wrap up.)


LOVING

• Star Wars everything! This train shows now signs of stopping, neither does our love for Oscar Isaac's Poe Dameron. I freaking love the shirts my friend G designed for our "Poe Squadron"!

• Six of Crows - I'm finally reading this now, and I kind of love everyone. How will it end? When is the next book out?!

• Meeting up with fellow geeks and talking about fandom! Marlon of Nerd Coolture is posting a cool blog series of personal essays and interviews with other geeks about what fandom is and what it means to them. Marlon was kind enough to reach out to me to be part of this series!

• Hanging out with Sarah, Kirsten, and Maurene and finally meeting Sarah's cat Hammer. He is as smooshy and sweet as he appears in the photos. I love him!

• My Star Shoes (xmas gift from the Sis)

READING

• Six of Crows - see above.
• Sandman - working on the series.
• Lucifer - one of my favorite Sandman characters. His spinoff series was always one I wanted to read, and now, my library has it! Also, I have been watching the TV show, which I hear (and can kind of tell) is very different but I still find generally amusing. So.

WATCHING

• Star Wars 4DX - weird but ultimately fun experience. The moving chairs were kind of cool, the flashing lights and smoke- not so much.

• Inside Llewyn Davis / Ex Machina - part of our Oscar Isaac movie watch-list. I liked both films, and goodness, can that man sing. *swoon*

• Shannara Chronicles - I'm not sure if I think this show is good or bad (like sometimes it's pretty good and sometimes, it's like wtf, this pacing is terrible), but it sure does keep me entertained!

• Making a Murderer - the most frustrating, anger-inducing documentary I have ever seen. Makes you hate many people and fearful about how wrong our justice system can go. The Sis and I can usually binge-watch something like this within days, but this took us a full week because we had to keep stopping during episodes to rage at the TV.

• Mr. Robot - we'd started it back when it was airing and got behind. We finally finished this up, and ah! That ending! Give me the next season! Also, we have a special fondness for Rami Malek. He's wonderful in the role.

LISTENING

• Serial - Season 2 is well under way. I have to say I'm not as invested as I was with Season 1, but it's still very interesting.

• LORE - My friend recommended this one to me by saying "it's like Supernatural but real" because LORE is exactly what its name says it is. It's true life scary stories! I love all the historical accounts and folklore discussed in each episode.

• Poe Squadron Playlist - this is essentially a playlist of songs Oscar Isaac has sung. Many of these are from the Llewyn Davis soundtrack.

ANTICIPATING

Finishing this pre-Chinese New Year cleaning session. It's a clothes apocalypse up in here, and I am desperately trying to KonMari this ish. I would post a picture here, but it's too horrifying/embarrassing.

Also, Chinese New Year! Food, family, and red envelopes!!


WISHING

For longer weekends and more storage space.


THINKING ABOUT

When I'm going to go to Disneyland this year! This is more abstract. I volunteered at the Disney Star Wars Half Marathon and my reward for pulling an all-nighter and nearly freezing around 4AM is a Disneyland Park Hopper. WORTH IT.

One Word Resolution for 2016 - my word is INTENT, and you can read more about it at the Girl on the Roam blog.


MAKING ME HAPPY

• Geek Girl hangouts - we had a belated holiday/New Year's gathering with my ConSquad (aka the girls I teamed up with/roomed with/made friends with at 2015 Comic Con, hence the name) where we had Chewbacca donuts.

• And I had a New Year's karaoke session with my OG girl gang - and this time we had our Raverham Lincoln (we know he's not a Founding Father, but his jazzed up name was the one that sparked all the others) with us!

• Photo booths - I made it to my company's New Year's party this year, and they had a photo booth! Of course, the Sis and I couldn't resist.

• Hamilton Musical National Tour was announced, and they're coming to Los Angeles in 2017! So I'm basically going for my birthday that year. Raise a glass! (Here are 2 unrelated pics of me geeking out during Alexander Hamilton's birthday week.)

• Loki - Can't get over this guy. He is the cutest pilot in the Resistance! And he has a new friend, Mr. Lizard, whom he loves.

• Poetry - I've been struck by the urge to write it again (it comes in bursts) and am working on a second poem this week. 
• Also, to my surprise and delight, I found out ACTAEON was nominated for a Rhysling, which is an annual speculative poetry award given by the Science Fiction Poetry Association. I don't know who out there got me on the list, but I am so thrilled, honored, and thankful! I mean, have you read the other people on this list?! They're so good!

What's your Currently? How is 2016 treating you so far?