Well ladies and gents I'm back! I've just finished a whirlwind weekend in NC, where I spent my time playing, shopping, video taping, and as always, reading. NC is a quick 40min jaunt by plane, and while I appreciate finding a flight the same price as a 6hr bus ride, I must say I still don't like fling. It always messes with my inner ear and my sinuses and the whole thing ends up making me slightly ill. Not a good look - especially when you start mindlessly chatting with some cute Indian guy and you realize that this is the sh*tiest you've looked the entire weekend. Only me.
::face palm::
Either way I feel reinvigorated. If not to get back to work, at least to get back to blogger. It might surprise you to know that I only finished 2 books this weekend, with the one I just started finished up today. When I get around to editing and uploading my new YouTube video (in which my friend Jessica plays a starring role) you'll understand how sometimes, just sometimes, I have other things I want to do besides read. I know, shocking right?
The other thing I want you guys to start thinking about now is my giveaway! Wandering about Southpoint Mall I came upon these two items that were just perfect - for me anyway. Random and hilarious and themed to my life, I felt duty bound to deliver them up for your inspection and winning pleasure. I don't think it'll be a contest, just another giveaway probably, but stay tuned because there will be two chances to win - as a subscriber on my blog and as a fan of my Facebook page! Yes I'm on FB - look me up: 'Reading Amidst the Chaos'. It's a whole new chapter of my blogging life. I'm not sure if I should be scared....
More reviews soon!
Dana
Hey Everyone - I'm back! (random side note - why can I not write that without picturing the end of Independence Day? LOL)
After neglecting my inner blogger for quite a while, I'm revving up for a marathon session. Dragon*Con was incredible and while I might not have spent as much actual face to face time with authors this year, I don't regret a single minute of it! Unfortunately I'm stuck at work so I can't post a random assortment of pictures of the ins and outs of that weekend, but let's go through a few highlights, shall we?
Friday, Sept 4 - I think, even though I attended a hilarious panel held by Ensign Harry Kim (Garrett Wang), my favorite event on Friday was going to a live action performance of Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog! I hadn't seen it before going to Dragon*Con (shame) and even though I couldn't hear all the words, being surrounded by all these people who knew every word to every song? Greatness!
Runner up for Friday - I almost forgot to mention the Buffy panel I went to, with Charisma Carpenter and Julie Benz (Cordelia and Darla). A lot of fun, it gave great insight into the characters and the women that made up Joss Whedon's worlds.
Saturday, Sept 5 - Two words - PATRICK STEWART! That's right, Captain Jean-Luc Picard! I don't care how much of a Trekkie this makes me sound, I was center, maybe 5 rows back, from possibly my favorite Star Trek captain! (I say possibly, because I really like Kate Mulgrew - Captain Janeway - as well) Don't pretend you're not jealous!
Sunday, Sept 6 - Sherrilyn Kenyon signing! I got quite a few things signed by her last year actually, but I spent another 3.5 hours in line to get more! It was actually amazing that my friend and I were even able to get in line for this because you needed a wristband - not that they told anyone that. If we hadn't struck up a random conversation with the guy at Sherrilyn Kenyon's booth on Friday we would have had no idea! Well anyway, the universe was looking positively upon us and we were able to get in line.
Monday, Sept 7 - Monday was a slow last day, so I gotta say my favorite part of it was getting fitted for a corset. I know - weird right? But they were beautiful- Lace with steel boning. I didn't end up having enough money to get one that day, but I know my size and eventually one will be mine! If you want to check them out yourself, take a look at Scarlett's Corset.
Ok, to try and keep this post from being too epic I'm going to stop now. But there were other things I might bring up for discussion later - the future of Urban Fantasy, Goth in the Mainstream, Fetish panels - all sorts of adventures (sometimes concerning books, sometimes not) but were always interesting and informative. Plus - pictures!
Dana
Hi Readers! You're not going to see many (or any) updates from me in the next week or so because of two big things 1) I'm moving, and 2) I'm going to Dragon*Con! That's right, Dragon*Con- the mecca of all things slightly nerdy and ridiculous that have to do with Science/Fiction and Fantasy. I had the joy of going last year and stalking Laurell K. Hamilton and Tamora Pierce around the Con (and I also got to be in the same room as Kevin Sorbo which you know is cool!) thus I can't wait to go again this year! If you're interested in seeing just some of the pictures that I took, check out one of the Facebook albums I have to commemorate the weekend, here. Also, here's a list of just some of the guests who are attending this year that I hope to see:
Charisma Carpenter
Laura Anne Gilman
Charlaine Harris
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Traci Lords
James Marsters
Kate Mulgrew
Leonard Nimoy
Edward James Olmos
Kat Richardson
Michael Shanks
Kristy Swanson
But this combined with the move is going to make it really difficult to review any of the books that have just come out (though all the driving will definitely give me time to finish a few) so I thought I'd leave you with a poll - what would you want if I were to do a giveaway?
I bring this up just because it seems to be the season for giveaways. Left and right people are giving away makeup, sunless tanner kits, gift cards, everything! Unfortunately I don't have any special hidden backers to help me fund my venture so I thought I'd poll the people who do stop by and see what they think. There are going to be two ways to voice your opinion on this - comment on this post and/or vote in the poll to the side! I really want to hear what you guys think, though I'm hoping to stand strong and not actually hold the giveaway until I get up to 20 or 30 followers....we're going to see. I might be getting ahead of myself. Either way, thanks for stopping by and I hope you let me know what you'd like to see in your mail box!
Love and Luck,
Dana
