This made me laugh...

Short Life Update

I know I have been terrible at posting lately, but I bring good news. I got a new job as the Marketing Copywriter of a publishing house close to my home. No more commute! Hooray! I'll be writing the back of book copy and catalog copy. I am extremely excited about this job, especially because I feel good about the end product (books designed to help people who suffer from mental illness).

Another recent--Part Two of my interview with Dark Horse editor Scott Allie is up at Persephone Magazine. If you've been following season nine of the BtVS comic series, I urge you to take a look.

Since I will have 3 extra hours a day (from lack of commute) I am hoping that I will be posting on this blog a lot more. I have things to say! Hopefully you'll be seeing more of me here. Until then, have a fantastic weekend!

Losing A Friend: RIP Missy

I don't usually do posts like this, but last week I received terribly sad news. My parents' cat, Missy, who was actually my grandmother's cat before she became a beloved part of our family, has passed away. She was 19 years old, and sharp as a tack till the end. Fortunately she did not suffer; but it is still hard to let go--no matter how much you prepare yourself for the inevitability of such an elderly pet passing away.

Missy was a special cat. Special because she changed so much when we adopted her. I remember when I was younger, she would run under my grandparents' couch or under the bed when I would go to visit. She never let anyone pet her. After my grandmother passed, she changed completely. Perhaps it was the time she spent alone, perhaps it was her grief. We're not really sure. But in the months that followed she became one of the sweetest cats I've ever known. I'll never forget how much she loved sitting on my lap and letting me brush her beautiful fur. Nor will I forget how she would sit on the couch behind me and put her little paw on my shoulder.

 
It's strange to write this, because I hadn't really put the pieces together before now--but having Missy around was a little like having a piece of my grandmother still with us. I think I will mourn that as much as I will mourn the loss of our wonderful cat. I am so happy, however, that we got to spend so many wonderful years with her.

Rest in peace, darling girl.

Read My Q&A with Dark Horse Comics Editor Scott Allie at Persephone Magazine

I had a chat with Dark Horse editor Scott Allie about Buffy Season Nine’s big moments and fans’ burning questions on the release of Issue #7.This is part one of two interviews for Persephone Magazine, an awesome website for smart, clever women! Major spoiler warnings.

READ IT HERE

I Have the Sicks

Drowsy, phlemy, ever in need of a nap. I wish that, like Leslie Knope, I had the drive to get everything I need to get done done from my sick bed. But alas, I am just Lisa, and when I am sick I can only accomplish one task per day at most. Then I go back to laying helplessly on the couch with my beloved heating pad and my box of Kleenex.

That said, I have managed to get a few things done this week, despite being Sicky McSickster. I have some awesome, exciting stuff coming up next week, which I cannot share just yet--but all will be revealed.

Besides that, I've just been drinking tea and watching 30 Rock marathon-style. Yes, I know I am late to the party. But what else is new, right? I kind of dragged my heels through the first season, but I am starting to enjoy it now.

OK, that's enough inane, crazy sick waffling for now. I'll write something more interesting when I'm feeling better.

Screencap: spiritofpawneecaps.tumblr.com

'Breaking Dawn' Gave Me Nightmares

Spoilers ahead, obviously, for those of you who, like me, have been living under a Twilight-free rock for the past year.

I finally got around to watching Breaking Dawn Part 1 over the weekend, and I must say, I am kind of obsessed with how awful this movie is--as well as the fact that such a gory film is aimed toward tweens. Yikes.

The first half of the movie--while not as gruesome as the second--was painful to watch in its own way. Why does Bella seem so miserable about marrying Edward? Considering the fact that he is the vampire poster child for chastity, maybe she's only doing it to get laid? She's eighteen! Why do they have to get married? What about her dreams and aspirations? Does she have any, besides becoming a Cullen? College? No. Career? Nope. All that matters is becoming a vampire and being with Edward forever and ever. Gag.

I just feel like Bella is this completely blank character who merely serves as a catalyst for the actions of the characters around her. The wedding scenes were particularly awful. Between the awkward family speeches, the awkward dances and Jacob acting like a jealous idiot, I was ready to tear my hair out before Bella and Edward even got to their much-anticipated-honeymoon scenes.

Speaking of which--also awful. I mean, the sex scene was tastefully done I guess, if not a little over the top with the breaking of beds and ripping of pillows. But how awkward was it when Bella started doing a last minute wash up in the sink before? And how much does it suck that Bella immediately gets pregnant--after one go!?

The film from this point on is absolutely insane, and save for the scenes with the telepathic wolves (no one cares) I actually kind of enjoyed it, for all its horror and blood and Rosemary's Baby-ness. The scene were Bella's unborn spawn broke her back from the inside out caused me to convulse a little. I can imagine that there will now be a whole generation of young women who are hesitant to procreate specifically because of this movie. I've honestly never been disturbed in quite the same way. It was pretty impressive.

Cronenberg-esque body horror aside, the underlying themes in this film are particularly disturbing. Bella becomes a kind of maternal martyr who must carry a baby to term, even if it kills her. Furthermore, with the exception of making the decision to keep the baby, she has no real agency at all throughout the whole film. Instead she sits passively by while the men in her life stage various pissing contests around her. And speaking of animal-like behavior--what the heck is up with Jacob "imprinting" on baby Renesmee? That is a bit weird, if you ask me. Almost as weird as baby Renesmee's uncanny adult face.

The sad thing? I think I will have to see Breaking Dawn Part 2. Damn cliff-hangers. But who knows, maybe now that Bella is a vampire she will actually become interesting. One can hope. All I can say is that my sleep was seriously disturbed after viewing this film.

Happy Leap Day!

Or, if you are Jerry Gergich, Happy 16th Birthday!

Oscar Treats

So...I didn't see any of the nominated films for Best Picture this year, Billy Crystal's shtick fell flat, and Harry Potter didn't even win the ONE award it was nominated for. All in all, the Oscars were a bust. But that didn't stop me from going all out with the snacks.

Kale salad, samosas, pita chips, hummus and a variety of cheeses added a touch of dignity to the night.