WWWWD: What Would Wonder Woman Do?

I’m not sure the internets really needs another review of Wonder Woman, but the movie was so absolutely amazing I had to find a way to express my utter obsession with it someway other than going and see it over and over and over again. I’ve seen it twice and I’m tempted to head out to another viewing this weekend, but I wont. Probably.

I’ve admitted repeatedly I’m not a comic book nerd, so I wont go into accuracy because I’ve no idea. But that’s kind of why it was amazing to me. I had little knowledge of Wonder Woman, so the fact that the entire movie was about her back story and how she grows up on the Amazon island of Thesmyscira with amazing women warriors and sets out on her own path of bravery and awesomeness was so fitting and epic. I fell in love. I’m in love with the movie and in love with Gal Gadot for her portrayal of a strong, kind, beautiful warrior.

Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman is truly inspiring.

Some times getting out of bed and taking the dog for a walk and putting on clothes and washing my face and making coffee and making myself sit down and work becomes hard and bothersome and difficult and hard to do. But it’s like Diana’s resolve to do the right thing in the face of hardship reaches through the screen and works it’s way into your body. Somehow that resolve is transferable. Maybe it’s her magical bracelets? Because now when the day seems really hard to face and I don’t feel like doing the things I should be doing, I just think, “What would Wonder Woman do?”

Well, she would do the shit. She just would. Because it is the thing to do. She would do it even if people told her not to. She would do it even if well meaning people gently tried to lead her away from the thing. She would do it even if it was hard because she just does the thing that needs to be done. If Wonder Woman can fight evil I can get out of bed in the morning.

Well, she does have god-like powers, so that helps. Maybe I need some god-like powers. . . No, I can still get out of bed without any powers.

I love so many things about the movie, and I don’t want to get into spoilers, but if you haven’t seen it you really should. And then go again. Take your daughters and let Princess Diana show them that women are strong and gentle, that they are fierce and giving, and that they can fight for what is right even with the odds against them. (Age of viewer is at your parental discretion of course. There are battle scenes and the movie is rated PG-13 for reasons.)

I’m really really grateful for this strong character, this well directed film, this amazing experience of learning and growing from watching a movie. I’m serious when I say it is inspiring. I’ve set out new and hard tasks for myself this summer. Old tasks that I just never got around to, I’ve just done them. New tasks I’ve wanted to start, I’ve started. I’ve more to do, more to learn, and there’s always more room for growing, and Wonder Woman gave me new life to try again at doing the hard things in life.

Thanks for transferring your indomitable spirit to us all Princess Diana.

Blooper reel below for your viewing pleasure. 😂😂😂

Nerdy Nodds & Nends: Book Fountain, Batman engraving, and the Pickle Index

My mother is forever sending me some of the coolest nerdy things that she finds on the internets. Like this book, that is a fountain. Whaaaahhht. So cool. Find out more here.

The “open book” fountain at the end of Henszlemann Imre utca, in Budapest, Hungary

The Pickle Index is storytelling with modern ingenuity. It uses a digital app, paperback book, and hardcover volumes to create an immersive tale for the ages. “Each is designed to be a standalone experience, but the combined effect is synergistic.” Read the Wired article on this amazing foray into a non-conventional and novel idea (pun intended). Plus, it’s about a circus! What more could you ask for?

This Batman wood engraving is just brilliant. Check it out on Etsy: FFCreativeImagery. [via Global Geek News]

 

Wolverine Jacket

This weekend we were out and about enjoying a neighborhood we haven’t explored much in the Dallas area and walked into an antique mall, of course. There I found the most amazing denim jacket ever!

Some of you may have seen this picture on my Instagram or Titter, but I had an awesome comment by a Facebook friend that I just had to share.

Tim: wolverine always did have a thing for jean  ……  jackets. 

This is why nerdy friends you met while working at a bookstore are the best.

Nerdy Nodds and Nends: Super Hero Costumes, Lawyerly Advice Columns, and iZombie

This article talks about a comic series that mocks the costumes of females in super hero comic series. Its all pretty meta, and funny. Check it out here.

Read this ask-a-lawyer column. It is the best. thing. ever. Check it out.

Are you watching iZombie? Because you should be. It is amazing. I really need to write up a full review of the first season which I absolutely devoured (pun intended) on Netflix in the space of a week. It was a bad week. iZombie made it an OK week. (Caveat: I have not read the comic books that it is loosely based on.)

Check out some fanart I found on the internets.

So, this is amazing. Check out W. Scott Forbes website. More amazing work. [ via Pinterest]

This looks exactly like the actress, Rose McIver. Dang. [Via TanyaGrace on DeviantArt]

This is a cute picture. But why are people shipping them? WHY?????? Have y’all not seen Alias. Sigh. [via Elewings on DeviantArt]

My favorite three people on the show. [via pungang on DeviantArt]

Wonder Woman’s Many Incarnations

Just like DC’s Wonder Woman, I went as several Wonder Woman incarnations last night, my second time trick o’ treating in my entire life. I grew up extremely conservative, and while as we got older my parents were a bit more relaxed and we went to church harvest parties, we were never allowed to actually go trick o’ treating. So, the first time I went trick o’ treating was a few years ago with my friend and her daughter. Last night marked my second time to get dressed up, go door to door, and  watch little kids dressed up in costume get handfuls of candy. Don’t worry, I got some candy too after we went through my niece’s bag of candy at the end. She graciously handed over the candy she didn’t want and one good piece per adult.

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Last night was Chris’ very first time trick o’ treating. He also grew up extremely religious, believing that it was the devil’s holiday. He remembers going to stores on Halloween night when he was a kid and the clerks would offer him candy, but he would have to refuse saying his family did not believe in Halloween. Even when they tried to assure him that it was just free candy, he would walk away without any. Unfortunately, I don’t have a picture of him, but he wore one of his monster shirts. Below is a picture of my sister and I with my niece.

Webseries Review: The Court Supreme

I was contacted by, Arik Sternberg, the writer and produce of The Court Supreme who thought I might be interested in viewing it and sharing it with you all. I was not compensated for this review. He told me:

 It’s a surreal legal comedy about the highest Court of Law in the Universe, where pop-culture characters and comic book stereotypes are put on trial.

Pilot Episode: Blood-Knight vs The Blade of Doom

Summary from The Court Supreme

When a BLOOD-KNIGHT from the proud Berserker clan wants to start a new life and leave all the blood and gore behind, he finds out that the cursed blade that served him dutifully during his many battles, is not willing to let him go so easily, especially not when she finds out that she is going to be replaced by a woman.

 

Left with no other choice, the BLOOD-KNIGHT calls upon the eternal justice of THE COURT SUPREME to release him from his Curse and/or Contract.

While obviously a pilot webisode, there are a few excellent moments in the Blood-Knight vs The Blade of Doom. The concept of stereotypical comic book characters on trial or in front of a judge was quite intriguing to me. I like watching people verbally spar, and enjoy doing it myself, to the chagrin of my friends. There is no actual fighting, but I was prepared for it, and since I went in with only an expectation of verbal debate, wasn’t disappointed. In fact, the website explains the webseries is for a specific audience.

So if you read too many books, love language and its rhetorical pitfalls, are fascinated by legal maneuvers, enjoy cultural stereotypes & archetypes, and don’t mind getting into a good argument from time to time – then this web series is for you. 

I liked the question of standing and mootness, though not called by those in the webisode. Basically the lawyers argue whether the Berserker can even bring a case if there is no one to bring the case against. Once that is hammered out, the next question is what is the cause of action, and here the episode took a twist that actually surprised me, The Blood Knight wishes to divorce his Lady Blade of Doom, because he cannot claim it is a defective product, rather that his his contract with the blade is more akin to an accidental marriage. I admit this tickled my fancy and I chuckled a time or two. 

But, I do have a few objections. I have some legal objections, claiming to be a court of equality the judge wants to split everything in half, whereas, here in the states many courts look more at an equitable division in divorces or under the public policy of what is just and right for any particular divorce. This is because the courts have figured out that often one spouse will stay home and not make a lot of money while supporting the other person, loosing job and business opportunities and so an equitably division is often more favorable than an equal fifty/fifty split. But perhaps I dig too deep legally in a comic book setting and perhaps the courts in Canada, where this series is based, have a different public policy around divorce which fed into this universes policies around divorce.

Also, I would have had several objections to lines of questioning in terms of relevance, but there were no objections entered into between the two arguers. I found that surprising, but perhaps this court does not allow objections or such objections are entered into later in the series. 

My other major objection is the sound quality. Understandably, a self financed and produced series isn’t going to have access to amazing sets or cinematography, but using what appears to be a big theater was perhaps not the best choice for picking up sound without echoing. Because the whole episode is just people talking, the quality of sound was a tad of an issue. Not horrible, but not the greatest. 

I did like the ending and the sentencing was not what I expected, and that was a pleasant surprise. The acting was decent and believable as people who like to argue some rather strange cases. The episodes do run a tad longer than some webseries, the first episode was over 15 minutes long. I liked that there was depth to the arguing, but it could have been tightened up a bit as well. 

 I enjoyed the first episode enough to start the second and may see myself finishing the other three as well. This series is exactly what it advertises, interesting rhetoric about comic book stereotypical characters and the problems they face, in the court room.

Pinteresting Pins

I do love Pinterest. Some times when I’m having a bad day I go onto the site and look around at all the cool stuff and imagine that when I am finally in my own place I can start doing things the way I want them in my home. Some day. You can check out my boards here.

Pinterest gives me cool ideas of things to make or do. I’ve already done some of the projects, but there are always many more to try out. I think my next one will be these frames with tree branches in them.

Or I just find some really cool art to look at. Like these glass sculptures which look like underwater creatures and plants coming to life from photo frames. Water is my Chinese element, so I prefer kitchens and bathrooms and art that revolves around water. Or this 3d printing of a sugar skull. So intricate.

Some times I go onto Pinterest just to look at all the street art. Street art is just so amazing to me. I could look all day at illustrations such as this one on the side of a building, or this one of a huge elephant head/ octopus thingy. I love art that looks 3d. I like when it looks like it is popping off the page or the sidewalk. Like these notebook sketches or chalk sidewalk art.

One day on the way to see a movie I saw this chalk street art of Wolverine. Way cool.

Doctor Who Day: Tutus, Monsters, and Crossovers

This TARDIS tutu is rather simplistic, but I do love the idea. I’m not sure it is worth $150 as it looks like a cami (with TARDIS printing on it) has been sown onto tulle, but it is pretty. Aaaand further research shows that the $150 is only for the skirt. Hmmm. Well, perhaps tulle is expensive?  Hmmm, well it does look labor intensive? I guess. Anyway, interesting idea. [via]

I know I have posted other mash-ups with Sully and Mike and the TARDIS door, but I just love this concept art. I just rewatched Monsters Inc. because Chris had never seen it and I wanted to rewatch it before I saw Monsters U, but then I never saw Monsters U. Which is still a bummer. Perhaps I’ll try to see it this weekend. [via]

I really enjoy beloved characters meeting each other, like this Doctor Who and Garfield cross over. The only time I want to see a Dalek and wouldn’t take a bat to it is if it were here to exterminate Mondays. You can buy it as a t-shirt or hoodie on Redbubble.

So there is this concrete bench down by the lake near where I live that gets painted every year. A committee comes up with a theme, divides the wall into sections and participants are given a section to paint as they will. It’s a  cool concept and a great time with food vendors and music every year. Unfortunately this year I was on vacation while the festival took place, but my mom went and she got a picture of a very geeky section of the wall.

Photo by Tara Noftsier at http://dragonbug.com/

Nodds & Nends: A Harry Potter Crochet Hook, Superhero Boutonniers, and Censored Porn

I know I have several readers who love coffee, and I found this Coffee Cup Necklace just for you guys. 🙂

Head on over to Book Store Book Blogger Connection to enter a giveaway for Generation V, about a new kind of Vampire and Shapeshifter.

My mother is always sending me links to Loast at e minor, which has some really cool articles. Like this one on censored porn. Basically someone cut out the people doing the grown up and left the relief. Still very explicit and NSFW.

Speaking of people getting down to their underwear or taking it off completely. Check out these Superheroes in their underwear. Including Batman and the Flash, not just Wonder Woman. [via] Or how about a gender bender cosplay of Hercules and Hades? I totes ❤ it. [via] While I’ve never seen the entire Disney film, I do love Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, mostly for introducing Xena! OMG, so in love with Xena. And I just love this cosplay of Xena, Ares, and Someone Who Doesn’t Want Their Picture Taken. Cute!

But if the rowdy isn’t for you. Maybe you would enjoy these Superhero wedding boutonnieres in stead? You have to scroll down quite a bit to find the pictures of the boutonnieres, but they are worth it! [via]

But the best find by far this week, were these nerdy crochet hooks!!! She has a lightsaber one and a Harry Potter wand one. I WANT THEM SO BAD, I can’t even tell you. UGH.

Probably you have all seen this, but in case you haven’t Patrick Stewart talks about domestic violence and PTSD. [via]

Nodds & Nends: Legos, Comics, and Stilettos

A large scale Lego X-wing. I wish making large scale models of geeky things with Legos was my job. I really do. Sigh. Then again my siblings and I entered a few Lego competitions in our time, and while creative they never measured up nor won any prizes. But it was fun. And I think we got candy.

Well, this woman is using Lego sculpting as a job, she’s making Lego Stilettos. I’m not sure I would wear these, but it is a cool idea. [via]

I sent my mom this picture of a zombie Wonder Woman because she loves zombies and Wonder Woman. I really hope she takes on this idea as a Halloween costume. She’s done a zombie Dorothy, so it’s a possibility. I’ll just have to keep pushing her to do it. 🙂

I recently had interactions with MovieBoozer on twitter and went and checked out their website. Basically they rate movies based on how many beers it takes to make the movie good. I like their review of Pain and Gain which I saw recently and thought was hilarious. Though I would personally call it a two beer movie because I wasn’t expecting much and actually really enjoyed it! I agree that Dwayne Johnson was the BEST PART of the movie by far!

“The movie is worth seeing just for his gentle giant, by turns filled with Jesus and Cocaine. The Rock is idiot charm itself, always meaning the best and doing the worst, and it’s a mesmerizing, rib-splitting thing of beauty to watch.”

And I realized how great of an actor he actually is. No, I’m not kidding!

Stephanie on her Read in a Single Sitting FB page posted a link to this article about writing and the survivorship bias. A very fascinating article about taking advice from the people who do not share experience from the median (or common person). Personally, I’m tired of people lecturing me about my career moves what they think is self evident based on their own anecdata (usually not even personal) experience. As if I haven’t done the things they’ve suggested or researched other avenues or tried every gd trick in the book! As if I don’t have my own personal anecdata to the contrary. I think this survivorship bias is rampant in society, and guess what?! Most people do not have that top 100 experience (by definition of a top 100), so why are we missing out on precious experience and data because it isn’t a sexy sale? We can still lead meaningful lives that aren’t based on the five steps of becoming a Kardashian . . . . Not that there’s anything wrong with that. 😉

Speaking of Stephanie, her husband and Pierre Proske have created an iPhone app called Unfinished Phrase. Basically, the app is a collaborative writing tool. I don’t have an iPhone so it wont work on my platform, but it sounds really cool!

I really love when I can find some street art on Pinterest. There are always really cool things that people do with spots and places in their environment. This whole gallery of art is really cool. I love the glasses one! But what really caught my eye was the use of street art and satellites. Did you know that there are people who purposely take pictures of houses that look like they have faces or are smiling. Check out Nest Happy Homes on Pinterest.  I love it!

An 8-bit version of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer intro. The blinking Press Play drove me nuts! But still, it’s a cool version of the intro (just the song not the clips of the show like I was thinking). [via GeekandSundry]