Dipper Hat!

Dipper Hat and Marvel Live! T-Shirt. Yep!

So, this is semi-exciting...

My "Dipper" hat came in yesterday!

I've got mixed feelings about this hat...

I think it's awesome because, well, it's a hat like Dipper's! I am a bit disappointed by the quality of the hat though. I ordered this one rather than any of the others listed on Etsy because it was a 'real,' six-paneled hat as opposed to a trucker-style hat. Also, the pine tree is embroidered rather than painted.

That being said...I had relatively high expectations for the hat quality-wise...especially when it came with a $29.99 (plus shipping) price tag. [Just about double the cost of any other Dipper hat listed!]

My Dipper hat, although 'nice,' is certainly not '$30 hat' nice. It's a cheap, flimsy hat...the sort that I'd expect you could buy at a gas station or touristy gift shop. The seller wasn't lying, it isn't a mesh-backed trucker hat...but it's just barely one step above a mesh-backed trucker hat.

To further my dismay, two days after I purchased my hat, the seller dropped the price to a much more reasonable $14.99.

I'd have far less to complain about if I'd only paid $14.99 for this hat. In fact, I'd probably be thrilled!

I'm pretty sure that there are no policies on Etsy requiring a seller to refund you the difference if there's a significant drop in listing price on an item that you've recently purchased, so I'm pretty sure I'd just be wasting time to even ask the seller about it...but I'm definitely planning on at least mentioning it when I leave a review/comment for the product. [I'm not 'allowed' to do so until tomorrow...grr.]

The kiddo and I are about to head out to one of the Halloween shops to see about getting his costume. This should be fun...I'll let you guys know how it goes!

It's Just Poor Manners...

Very quickly, just going to mention a personal peeve of mine...

People should follow through with plans. Especially plans that involve another person.

And, if for some reason plans change, do consider the other person and let them know that plans have changed.

It's just poor manners to do otherwise.

Marvel Universe Live! (Take My Money!)...

Marvel Live!

So, this weekend was a big weekend...

Marvel Live! weekend was finally here!!
[I'd previously written about this...]

After a little debate on which showing to take my kiddo to see,  I finally decided on one and was ridiculously stoked about the whole thing. Seeing my son truly, radiantly happy...I don't know how to explain what it does to me...it brings me a sense of happiness that can't be rivaled by anything else. Nothing else. In those moments, nothing else matters. It doesn't matter that I had a 'bad day at work,' it doesn't matter that I've had three car accidents in one month, and it doesn't matter that I feel like I lose at the parenting game more than I win...none of it matters. In those moments when he's that sort of beaming pure innocence happy...I feel as if I'm not the terrible parent that I feel I must be at times.../deepbreath sorry, didn't mean to steer this post in that direction...

The show was fantastic! I loved it, my kiddo loved it, the kid and mom sitting next to us loved it! And I'm sure whomever receives the profits for the show really loved it. The tickets were 'holy crap' expensive...but to be fair, I didn't have to spring for the front row seats, but I wanted my kiddo to have the best experience possible. That being said, I'm going as a Marvel fan and a parent, here's some things that might be helpful for anyone who plans on seeing the show anytime soon...

The little doodad on the right is call a "Lectro Link" and there's an option to pre-pay for one if you order your tickets online prior to the show, but you could also buy one from one of the many vendor stands selling souvenirs before the show. This bad boy is $25. $25!!! At best, its a very cheaply put together plasticky watch with a few LED lights inside. The big sell point for these things is that they allow for direction interaction for the show...sounds awesome, right? It's not. At least it's not $25 worth of awesome.

At the beginning of the show, the Lectro Link is introduced as a way for everyone that had one to help power up Tony Stark's arc reactor if there should ever be a problem and his power begins to fail...but the whole premise is kind of ruined when Jarvis pipes up and say that the same effect could be achieved by being in close proximity to other devices such as cell phones and digital cameras. /eyeroll

Anyway. The stupidexpensivepieceofjunk lights up whenever Iron Man is in trouble and needs some help. It happens in the show exactly one time. One. And the whole thing was so brief, my kiddo didn't even notice that the thing had lit up by itself until it was turning off. Ridiculously underwhelming. So, parents, save your money. The day after the show, my son's stupid Lectro Link won't even light up anymore when you push the button. The batteries are replaceable, but I'm not going to start the vicious cycle of replacing them every 24 hours. Nope.

Why, hello Spiderman...

Of course all of the souvenirs are over-priced, as is all available food. I paid $14 for the world's most terrible snow-cone...just because it came with a 'collectible' plastic mug. They sell all sorts of stuff emblazoned with "MARVEL LIVE!!" and whatnot. Maybe you'll luck out and managed to sneak past all of the obnoxious cotton candy mongers and toys with flashing lights...but chances of successfully doing so are ludicrously slim, so I suggest that you be prepared to drop a pretty penny on some memorabilia.

As far as seating, I was surprisingly disappointed with my front row experience. I'd been hopeful for some amount of front row interaction with some of the show's characters, but there was none of that. Absolutely none. In fact, I think the only time any of the actors even pretended to pay the crowd any attention was after the show had concluded and they were bowing for their curtain call. I suppose that it's necessary in order to maintain the feel that the audience is watching a live-action comic book...but....eh. I think it would have made a world of difference if they had some time for the actors to meet with the audience before or after the show...kind of like a pit pass sort of thing. Especially if the front row tickets are over $100 and I've just been ripped-off buying the stupid Lectro Link.

Another word of advice: if you have a child that is over the age of 4...do not waste your money sitting on the front row. In fact, I'd avoid the first 15 rows altogether.

Being too close to the stage allows for an up-close look at a lot of production details that small kids probably don't need to see. Sitting so close to the stage, the production staff was obviously visible whenever they needed to sneak in and change out a bit of equipment. Furthermore, from the front row, all of the actor's cables used for flying stunts were right in our faces. The 3 year old sitting next to us wasn't phased by any of this at all...but my kiddo spent a good bit of the show watching the production crew move equipment rather than watching the action that was supposed to distract from said equipment movement. So, save the money that would have been splurging on front row tickets and go ahead and get the more reasonably priced seats that are further from the stage.

All things considered, my son and I had an amazing time. As soon as the show was over, my kiddo was asking me if we could come back and watch it again the next day...so, yeah...it was worth every begrudgingly spent dollar.

And...I got this pretty sweet arc reactor necklace. Was it actually worth the $10 price tag? Nah. It doesn't light up, has a plastic clasp, and I'm pretty sure that it's sized for children rather than adults...but...it's an arc reactor necklace that has Marvel Live! emblazoned on the back! There was no was I was going to be able to walk away from that bad boy! [/sigh the perils of being a Marvel nerd...]

5-minute Update...

5-minute post...go!

I'm still feeling...umm...unbalanced? Maybe unbalanced is a good word...I feel as if I'm a bit hyper-sensitive to things right now and that winds up manifesting in those darn things called feelings. [I cried while watching daytime TV during lunch today...that is not okay.]

Talked with my dad and sister a bit about the Ebola mess going on...that whole thing infuriates me. [see above. I'm probably over-reacting. Or maybe not...that whole situation is ludicrous and people are going to get sick, or worse, just because of other's stupidity/selfishness.]

Why are monograms everywhere? I thought they were cute...but seriously, they're everywhere.

Oh! I ordered the hat for my Dipper Pines costume last night! Still haven't gotten a shipping confirmation, so I'm a bit wary...but I'm super excited for the hat to get here!

And, finally...

Disney Infinity is going to be death of me [and my bank account].

Updates and explanations later!

I'm (Not) Okay...

Guys, I'm having an emotional break down. Definitely not good.

Generally speaking, things get better...don't they??

Possible Costumes

Now that it's October, I've been spending some time thinking about Halloween...

Minecraft Zombies!!

My kiddo changes his mind about his costume just about every other day...right now it's between dressing up as Venom or as a Minecraft zombie. I have no idea how the sudden interest in Minecraft zombies came to be, but I don't really mind it. 

I haven't played much Minecraft, and when I did, it was the free version for the iPhone...so, yeah. I don't quite get the Minecraft hype, but maybe I'll get around to playing it one of these days.

Rainbow Dash

Last year, I dressed up as Rainbow Dash...

it was rather cute...I found a rainbow wig and then bought the costume set from Hot Topic [it came with a set of ears, wings, and a pin-on rainbow tail...]

The picture of the girl on the right is one of the pictures that I used as a source of ideas for my own rendition of the costume...but whereas her costume is really cool [there's another picture that shows the jacket more clearly...] my costume was rather hastily put together, and not as awesome. But, my kiddo loved it and we had a good time going trick-or-treating, so I still count it as a win!

This year, I was thinking about giving another cartoon character a shot. The kiddo and I watch a lot of cartoons..a lot. [I'd like to say that I watch cartoons because of my son...but I'd be watching them even if I didn't have a child, soooooo yeah...what? I like cartoons!] 

One of the newest shows that we've started watching regularly is Disney's Gravity Falls. In my opinions, it's not always suitable for young children [it can have some pretty spooky moments], but as long as an adult is supervising, it's alright. It's kind of like Scooby-Doo but with a paranormal atmosphere. I started watching the show with my son mostly out of concern that the show was too scary for him, but then I got sucked into it, too! As new paranormal elements are introduced and expanded on, I talk to him about what's going on in the show and make sure he understands that it is, in fact, make-believe. It seems to have worked, so far...there hasn't been any waking up with bad dreams of gnome monsters or skin stealing shapeshifters...

Anyway...

Dipper Pines

I'm considering dressing up as Dipper Pines from the show. I think it'll be pretty easy to do and I've already found a few good cosplay costumes to use as a guide. [Just in case you're wondering why I'd choose to dress as Dipper and not his twin sister Mabel, the reason is two-fold. 1) I just cut my hair short, so it would be easier to be Dipper. 2) Mabel wears a lot of sweaters...I'd burn up! October still isn't really cold here in Alabama...]

I've been trying to convince my kiddo that we should go dressed as Dipper and Mabel [if this were to happen, I'd of course let him be Dipper and I'd suck it up and be Mabel] but he's not really into the idea. Oddly enough, I got the exact same deadpan reaction when I presented the idea to my sister...

I'm debating on whether it would be better to make my own hat or to buy one of the ones that I've found on Etsy...and where can I find one of those vests??

/shrug it's still a month before Halloween...I'm sure I'll be able to put it together.

What do you guys think? Does Dipper seem like a good choice? 

Today's Mantra...

Inhale, remind myself of this, exhale, and repeat.

My Story - Yell.O.W.

Here's "My Story" by Yell.O.W. [I'm not entirely clear on how the group spells their name...I've seen it both as I'd just written as "Yellow"]

Some of the vocals get a little shakey, but it's a live performance so that sort of thing can be expected...I love the bits when all the girls are singing, I think they sound great!

Maybe I should actually learn to speak Korean one of these days...then I'd know what they're singing about without having to ask my mom or cousin!

Friendship Soap-Box...

Why is it such an inconceivable thought that a guy and girl can be 'just friends'? 

A good bit of my friends are/were guys, one of my absolute best friends is a guy...and yet it seems to me that the mere idea of it is ridiculous. 

From my experience, a lot of people are quick to assume that there's some nefarious hidden agenda beneath any interactions between me and my male friends and, frankly, it's insulting. Now, I will agree that not every friendship is/was 100% platonic...there may have even been some *gasp!* flirting on the occasion...but when it comes to the friendship between me and my best friend, let's call him 'Mr. C,' we've reached a level of friendship that is breaching on that of siblings.

Mr. C and I have been friends since middle school, 7th grade to be exact...that's when my family moved to Smalltown, Alabama. His last name is close to mine, alphabetically, so we would up sitting near each other in many classes. We had home economics together and he sat right behind me...one of his favorite things to do was pretend to blow spit balls at the back of my head [charming, right?]. On one such spit ball chucking day, I happened to have brought a gigantic manga book with me to school...seriously, it was as thick as a phone book! Mr. C was going about his 'annoy the quiet new girl' routine...when I'd asked him to stop a good handful of times, I turned around and smacked him with my comic book! [Yes, yes...we were both very immature...but this was 7th grade, people!] From that day one, he and I have been good friends.

Mr. C and I have seen each other through many break-ups, helped each other move several times, and have stuck with each other through more messes than your typical friendships...but I guess being friends for over 15 years will allow for that sort of thing.

Mr. C and I at my
16th Birthday

He was there for me when things soured between me and my son's father...and I was there for him when things fell apart between he and his last ex, which was right on the tails of his father passing away while he was overseas and culminated in my helping out when he needed to move back to Alabama. 

Yes, there are times when I get frustrated and am less than happy with Mr. C, and I'm sure that there are times when he's not thrilled with me either...but that's why I say with confidence that he and I are more like siblings than friends. And no, there's never been anything physical between the two of us either. Ever. Seriously. [That's the point that seems to get me the most raised eyebrows...but that's the truth. Former Girl Scout's honor!]

All this being said...yes, I will get a bit miffed if someone starts rooting around and trying to make something more of my friendship than there's ever been. And if those that are new to my life choose to persist in pressing the issue, hoping that what must be a facade will crack and that all sorts of gossipy-goodness will come oozing out...I'll probably shake my head, laugh, and then decide that maybe we shouldn't be friends after all if they think so little of me, to insist that I would lie about something that has been so factually innocent. 

Okay...

That probably seemed like it was a little out of left field, but I just needed to put that out there.

/stepsoffsoapbox

Learning to Love K-Pop...

I've recently decided to make more of an effort to embrace my Korean heritage. [For those of you who were mentally playing the "guess the ethnicity" game, that's the answer! Half Korean, half Alabama-grade white...]

Now, I don't want to be misunderstood...I've never 'not liked' my Korean heritage. Going to middle school and high school in a backwoods, country town with an Asian population of 2.5 [that's counting my mother and siblings...], it's rather easy to lose sight of how awesome Korean culture is.

Of my siblings, I remember the most about the years that we lived in Korea, simply because I'm the oldest. My brother doesn't remember much at all, but he was 1-3 years old...at one point, he was actually fluent in both Korean and English! But of course, he doesn't remember any of it now, nor does he remember being able to speak Korean at all.../shrug oh well ^_^

So, taking baby steps into the whole ordeal...I've started to look into the musical phenomenon that is "K-Pop" music. [K-Pop music literally means "Korean pop music."]

This cat...I love him!!

It's huge. K-Pop can be to blame for bringing the annoying, albeit catchy, "Gangnam Style" to the radio waves.

No, worries...there are many, many other singers that you might like if PSY wasn't quite your fancy. It's a music movement that's been going on for years, so I'm playing catch up...but a few internet searches and BuzzFeed reads and I can already remember the names of at least half-a-dozen artists/bands...

Here's what I think I'm going to do...

I think I'm going to make it a goal of sorts to utilize this blog to become more familiar with the music that's being pumped out of...I don't know...what should I call Korea? My 'Motherland'? Bwahahahaha! That's awesome...it's literally my Mother's land...

Anyway...[I'm tired, you'll have to look over my goofy randomness...]

Here's the first song that I'm going to post as definitely listen-worthy: Unbreakable - Kim Hyun Joong. I love the incorporation of some traditional Korean elements in his music video! And, it is now a life goal to learn how to paint a dragon like the one in this video...

Whatcha guys think? Anyone have any K-Pop recommendations?