Saturday, June 8, 2013

SDCC FOOD....

Where should you eat at SDCC?

Last year I just packed great food/snacks, hit a Mexican resturant once or twice, Old Spaghetti once, a pub in the hotel once and Subway a couple times... *shrugs*

http://sdccblog.com/2013/04/herbivores-carnivores-and-early-birds-eating-out-in-san-diego-during-comic-con/ posted some eat ideas....

Here are a few I'd like to try out:
  • Yard House – In the heart of the Gaslamp
  • Burger Lounge – In the Gaslamp, and open until 3AM Friday and Saturday!
  • Hob Nob – Featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
    • “The Mission and Hob Nob are the kind”, @TaxiDrvr
  • Broken Yolk – One of the more popular diners in the Gaslamp. A short walk from the Convention Center, last year’s spot for The Hub, and featured on Travel Channel’s Man V. Food


  • Some friends will enjoy this though:

    Gluten Free

    Thursday, June 6, 2013

    SDCC Packing - what to bring



    Another great post from: http://sdccblog.com/2013/05/countdown-to-comic-con-2013-packing-and-arriving/

    After months of scheduling, packing, and anticipating you finally get off the plane in San Diego and think “what now?” Do you rush out to get passes, relax in your hotel room? Eat? And what if you forgot something important? Let’s just relax and start at the beginning.
     
    Other than the basics (clothes, toothbrush, etc) Here are some special SDCC must-haves:

  • Poster Tube – Many free and exclusive posters are given out during the con and unless you plan to purchase a tube there or risk having to fold your new posters, bringing one of these tubes is a must.

    *Mandy's Mind - Last year they gave out these tubes, but it was a massive line and they ran out the first couple times I tried to get them, so this year I plan to bring my own!
  • Deodorant – Sure, the stereotype of every attendee being a stinky mess is over-exaggerated. When you’re packed in a room with thousands of sweaty attendees though, you’re not going to come out smelling like flowers.
  • Good Shoes – Walking from panel to panel, out to get food, and through the exhibit hall can get mighty tiring without proper footwear.

    *MM - Yes, HUGE error for me last year, I had flip flops... only flip flops... with my bad knees and bad back and long lines and camping out.... bad scene. I ended up sore, achey (then some crazy bitch tried to grab an empty seat beside me.. her attempt to jump OVER me ended with her landing ON my knee... and I had to be wheeled around in a wheel chair for two days - epic fail!)
  • Money – Unless you’re super short on cash, there’s probably something that you’ll just have to have. Be prepared for it.
  • Back Up Batteries for Every Gadget You Bring – Heck, even books need batteries these days (Paperbacks? Pshh. Try a nook).
  • Food – Planning to snack on the convention food? Bring some Tums. Or you can just save yourself trouble and money by bringing your own snacks.

    *MM - Last year we had food stocked in our hotel, I lived off of Gatorade and nuts and pringles and dried fruit. Long lines and panels REQUIRE hydration and snacks!!!
  • Headache Medicine – Even without the Twilight panel, Harry Potter fans will get mighty rowdy.

    *MM - ahem!
  • Sun-Screen – If you plan to walk around San Diego or wait in the Hall H line this is essential. People who plan to beat the heat and stay inside can probably skip it though.

    *MM - yes! must have!
  • Suitcase – We just listed a lot of stuff. Plus all the free swag you will probably get. Make it a big suitcase.

    *MM - I always back my luggage inside a larger luggage OR in my suitcase I have an extra empty suitcase or bag, you always go home with A LOT more than you came with!


  • Read whole post here: http://sdccblog.com/2013/05/countdown-to-comic-con-2013-packing-and-arriving/

    Wednesday, June 5, 2013

    Suzanne Collins consulting on Mockingjay Scripts



    First, she says, she’s (Suzanne Collins) consulting on the scripts for the third and fourth film adaptations of her dystopian series that has more than 50 million copies in print. (Catching Fire, the second movie, again starring Jennifer Lawrence, will be released Nov. 22. And nearly four years after the book’s publication, the paperback of Catching Fire finally hits stores Tuesday. Mockingjay, the series finale, will be split into two films, out in 2014 and 2015). On Sept. 10, Collins releases an autobiographical picture book, Year of the Jungle, illustrated by James Proimos, about her memories of 1968, when she was 6, and her father had “to go to something called a war…in a place called Vietnam.” At a discussion Thursday night on writing about war for young readers, sponsored by her publisher, Scholastic, Collins said if kids “have no idea what propaganda is, how will you ever know when it’s being used against you?” She was joined by Walter Dean Myers, whose World War II novel, Invasion (out Oct. 1), is a prequel to Fallen Angels (about Vietnam) and Sunrise Over Fallujah (Iraq). Myers, whose brother was killed in Vietnam and whose son served in Iraq, was asked why he keeps writing novels that depict the horrors of war. He replied, “because we keep having wars.”"
     
    Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2013/05/31/bookexpo-friday/2377727/c

    Tuesday, June 4, 2013

    SDCC MOVIES

    Hall H... without Twilight, I wonder if there will be anything worth camping out for? Unlikely... but I do love Hunger Games... I still don't think it will require camping out... we shall see..

    http://sdccblog.com/2013/05/the-movies-of-sdcc-2013/ has a list and some ideas about what to expect this year.... some highlights:

    Kick Ass 2
    Enders Game
    Hunger Games - Catching Fire
    Wolverine
    Fantastic 4
    Spiderman
    Mortal Instruments
    Riddick
    Sin City
    Gravity
    Captain America
    Thor
    Hobbit
    Ninja Turtles

    and more

    Read whole post here: http://sdccblog.com/2013/05/the-movies-of-sdcc-2013/

    Monday, June 3, 2013

    What's Different About Canada - epic tumblr account you need to follow!!

    http://whatsdifferentincanada.tumblr.com/

    You need to see this tumblr site - epic... I submitted some posts which I hope to see featured soon but all my friends who tease me about my Canadian ways... well, you will love this site as much as I do!!



    Tim Hortons (“Timmies”) is the Canadian version of Dunkin Donuts. Its history is so Canadian it’s named after hockey player Tim Horton - the apostrophe was dropped so the name makes more sense in Quebec. They are finally making their way into the states, but have been in US border cities like Rochester for a while. The most common order is a “double double,” that is, a coffee with two milks and two sugars.

    image

    When ordering toast at a Canadian restaurant, you will be asked if you want “white or brown toast?” Don’t be alarmed, “brown toast” is actually whole wheat toast.


    image

    In the US, “Smarties” is a chalky, tart, stackable candy that comes in little plastic wrappers. (This candy is called “Rockets” north of the border.) In Canada, Smarties are candy-coated chocolates - sort of like unlabeled M&Ms that come in dark blue boxes.



    It’s a common trope that Canadians are polite, but the quintessential Canadian experience is when you bump into somebody, it’s clearly your fault, and they apologize to you. It is part of a complex national identity that is sometimes self-deprecating, other times passive-aggressive, and cannot be reconciled with a single word. But in general, Canadians are a polite and apologetic people, and sorry (“SORE-ee”) is the sound of being in Canada.
    Suggested by just about everybody.


    Sunday, June 2, 2013

    Welcome Baby Tatum

    I am watching Ten Years with Channing Tatum and Jenna, his wife.... and I get this news...

    http://www.gossipcop.com/jenna-dewan-gives-birth-channing-tatum-baby-born/

     
    Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan have reportedly become parents!
    The actress gave birth in London on Thursday, May 30, according to Us Weekly.
    Gossip Cop has reached out to reps for the pair for confirmation.
    The newborn would be the first child for Tatum and Dewan, who wed in 2009.
    In April, Dewan showed off her baby bump in Glamour.


    SO.... is it a girl? a boy? name? and yes, I am incredibly jealous....


    http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/06/02/channing-tatum-jenna-dewan-tatum-welcome-baby/2382271/:
    Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum are first-time parents! The couple welcomed their first baby together in London on Thursday, reports Us Weekly. The gender of the baby is not yet known.
    Tatum, 33, and Dewan-Tatum, 32, announced in December that they were expecting their first child. The couple met on the set of the dance flick Step Up in 2006, and married in July 2009.
    The White House Down actor recently told Cosmo that the secret to their nearly eight-year-long relationship is that "You have to want it. Jenna's and my thing is checking in with each other all the time, like 'On a scale from 1 to 10, how much do you love me right now?' And you gotta be honest, and you've got to want an honest answer."

    The Great Gatsby.... Loved it!

    I took my daughter to see The Great Gatsby finally and we loved the movie.

    I have to preface this with the fact that I hadn't last read the book in a quite a few years, I loved Baz's Romeo & Juliet, and the movie was full of some amazing actors I admire.

    Now, having said that, I have to add the other reasons I absolutely loved the movie.

    1. I saw it in 3D and I thought the cinematography was stunning. The parties were my favourite, obviously, but it just brought everything to life. I often dislike 3D too!

    2. I loved the way the story unfolded, with Tobey Maguire at the start and end and the way it all came together.

    3. I love Tobey and Leo together, they are best friends in real life and I can only imagine how much fun the filming would have been.

    4. The humour. I loved Leo as Gatsby, the "tea party" scene was so funny.... he captured Gatsby's eccentric side very well.

    5. The fashion. I loved the costumes, especially the hats. My daughter, who chopped all her hair off last September to donate to cancer, loved seeing all the short - haired girls.

    6. The music. Such a juxtaposition between old jazz music from the era and modern rap and pop songs. I laughed so loud when Gatbsy was driving irratically down the street and passed the car of 'gangstas' and rap music started playing. It was funny but fitting.

    7. It told the story well, like if you hadn't read the book (like my daughter) you could still follow the plot well.

    Have you seen it? Thoughts?


    great gatsby

    Comic-Con is coming... prepare for long lines and camping

    It just kicked in... SDCC is approaching and I need to start planning and getting ready...

    http://sdccblog.com/2013/05/ask-the-sdcc-doctors-prepare-for-line-camping/ is a great resource for preparing...

    I have to admit, I am not good with overnight camping, I have a bad back, really bad knees (last year SDCC nearly killed me, I was in a wheelchair for two days even!! Horrible!) I am more the "hold down the fort during the day" girl if I have buddies to take the night shift... I don't mind staying late, or throughout the day, but overnight, I need a propoer sleep - mybody is getting too old. That being said, there isn't a lot I would camp out for.... anymore ;)

    Anyhow - Here is a recent question from the site:
    Any line advice! What should we bring if anticipating night-to-day waiting? Can you be comfortable and still save bag space?
     
    Here are some highlights:
    • You should find some way to make your belongings work dual-purpose, so you aren’t bringing too much with you.
    •  Water and food are essential, because there’s hardly anything open that late/early.
    • Bring or make a good, honest buddy in line to watch your things for those unavoidable bathroom breaks.
    • take turns waiting in line and being able to head back to home/hotel to freshen up for the next day and/or sleep in a real bed for a couple hours.

    And this was absolutely the best piece of advice and something every group should do...

    Set up a schedule in advance if your group is more than 5 or so. Setting up a group/schedule leads to the next very important thing to do, and it’s in 2 parts. Part 1 – Have your entire group, or as many of you as possible, get in line at the start of your line waiting time. Part 2 – When you all get in line and more people get in line behind you, tell them if you will have more people joining you and how many, keep this as small a number as possible. Also tell them you’ll be taking shifts so there will be people coming/going throughout the night. This will help keep tempers from flaring when it looks like people are cutting, get you talking to people who are waiting in line for hours right next to you, and it’s just a nice thing to do.
     

    Read whole post here: http://sdccblog.com/2013/05/ask-the-sdcc-doctors-prepare-for-line-camping/