Concluding Callie Care at Comikaze

I couldn't help the title's alliteration. :)


Callie Care boxes were originally set up at League of S.T.E.A.M., D.J. Kirkbride and Top Cow's tables, but The League of Extraordinary Ladies also wanted one too!
(Good thing I made four of those boxes that shed glitter EVERYWHERE. I think Callie would like this, haha.)

I wasn't expecting any money. I just hoped people would notice the teal sparkly box covered with hello kitty stickers, read my note on Hello Kitty paper about Callie, and would drop some of their change in as a means of support.

I didn't expect what had happened.

I'm giving out a huge thank you to
D.J.,
Jenn,
Sarah,
Sheyne,
Dennis,
Josh,
Leonard,
Sam,
Jenny,
and Vince.

All the above have links to them, and if you could check out these wonderful people, please do.

D.J. told me that this one girl had one of her legs on this heightened scooter type thing, he asked her what it was for and she said that last year she was in a really bad car accident and that she is now in rehabilitation for walking (hence needing some assistance). D.J. told her about Callie and how it was great to see that this girl went though a similar ordeal and is now feeling better.
She gave five dollars.
I saw her later on and I gave her a big hug, thanking her for her donation and her story.

I feel like her being there at Comikaze was a sign.

In total, the Callie Care boxes totaled up to $320.00. In two days.

You never really expect kindness, but when it happens it is really, really emotionally overwhelming. It's like my heart feels full and the only way to empty it before it overflows is to cry.


Side note:

If you guys can't donate money or items but want to help, Eron wrote this on facebook: "[Callie's mom] reminded to me to tell you about is that all of you can go and give blood in Callie's name! She's needed a lot of blood through this ordeal and if you go and donate, you can help people in the same situation! When you go in tell them that you're donating in honor of Callie Rogers"

Callie Care at Comikzae

These are the boxes that will be set up at booths and tables at Comikaze this weekend. If you are attending, stop by:

Top Cow (1407)

D.J. Kirkbride (92)

League of S.T.E.A.M. (1087)

Once again, thank you guys for all of your love and support. It is overwhelming and, well, you guys are the best. :)

-Jessi

A dear friend of mine, Callie, was driving in her car when a drunk driver hit her, causing her car to be totaled and her hospitalized. She is currently in a coma over at UCLA's Intensive Care Unit.

Her boyfriend Eron has been so helpful telling her friends and loved ones of her condition on facebook. She's stable but in critical condition.

For all of us, it's been hard just sitting here knowing we can't do anything to make her feel better. She's in great hands, even having a robot doctor checking up on her health.

I don't know how long she's going to be in there, but it'll be awhile.

Eron and Callie will need some extra help when it comes to bills. Eron is a great man, but he can't do it alone which is why I am posting this:

I'm starting a donation drive for Callie, and the first thing to do is to get donations for some auctions I am going to put up via Ebay.

If anyone would like to contribute anything- art, crafts etc to the cause to help the two of them out, it would be very, very appreciated.

I will also have some donation boxes made for tables and booths during Comikaze Expo. If you're interested in having a donation box at your table, please let me know immediately.

You can get in touch with me via my personal email: jessi.l.reid@gmail.com

Thank you guys. I don't even have enough words to express how thankful I would be if you contributed.

-Jessi

Run For Your Lives

We've all watched the great zombie films- Dawn of The Dead, Night of The Living Dead, Shaun of The Dead, Evil Dead... all those dead movies. If you're anything like me, you've always wanted the chance to run for your life during a Zombie Apocalypse. Apparently, now you can!

There's a very cool race happening all across the U.S that let's you run for your life aptly called "Run For Your Lives". Details below:

Protect your brain and run for your life. This is one race where your legs giving out are the least of your problems. Run For Your Lives is a first-of-its-kind event, one part 5K, one part obstacle course, one part escaping the clutches of zombies — and all parts awesome.

Runners will navigate a series of 12 obstacles throughout a 5K course in an attempt to reach the finish line — all while avoiding zombies. At the end of this adventure race, you get to celebrate survival (or zombie transformation) with live entertainment and music, local celebrities, vendors, food, and of course, beer!

Now stop watching The Walking Dead and start running from 'em!

Go to http://runforyourlives.com/ to get more information and run locations! First one is in Baltimore on October 22nd and I wish I could go!

Bootleg Martha Stewart Recipe

I am lazy and did not make a grocery list last night. While I was nannying, I flipped through an old Martha Stewart Living and discovered an easy recipe that had items I already had in my fridge and items I knew I could omit.

1 tablespoon olive oil

7 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

3 cups yellow and red cherry tomatoes, halved

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

2/3 cup chicken stock

8 lasagna noodles

2/3 cup small basil

1/2 cup reduced fat ricotta cheese

1 ounce pecorino romano cheese, shaved

1. Look in your pantry. In mine I had

1. Four regular tomatoes
2. tri-color rotini pasta
3. 1/2 cup chicken stock
4. enough garlic cloves
5. olive oil
6. a half of a bag of shredded Parmesan cheese

FUCK THAT INGREDIENT LIST OF MARTHA'S, USE MINE INSTEAD, WHATEVS. Besides, I am only posting the recipe list that pertains to what I made tonight anyway.

2. Slice the garlic cloves and realize you actually have two tomatoes because the other two are no good. Then realize you don't have enough rotini AND tomatoes. Drive yourself to the store and buy red cherry tomatoes and more rotini noodles and beer and nothing else from the list of ingredients you don't have, because you HATE ricotta cheese anyway. And you're cheap.

BEGIN COOKING.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a high sided skillet over medium heat. Cook garlic until pale golden, about 3 minutes.

4. Add 2 cups tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until soft, about seven minutes.

5. Add chicken broth. BUT WAIT.

Oh fuck, you only have 1/2 cup of chicken broth. Add water until its two thirds of a cup. NOW ADD IT. Simmer until saucelike, about 1 minute.

6. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to boil and add pasta. Cook until al dente, about seven minutes. Drain.

7. Toss pasta into skillet to sauce it up.

8. Add parmesan cheese (because I can't tell the difference between romano cheese) until it melts. Serve!

9. Eat your half before your boyfriend even sits down to eat his.

10. Go get more.

11. REGRET NOTHING.

Jessi Awesome Answers!

Hey guys! I haven't written in my awhile (shameful!), and yesterday while I was bored, I decided to see if any twitter-ers had any questions for me to answer! I got a few (thank you!) that range from what's been happening in the news to make-up to relationship advice! I hope you enjoy and maybe I'll make this a weekly thing! -@jessiawesome

Ryan Dunn's death? -zimpirate

I grew up with Jackass, so I understand the love for the man’s stunts, and while every death is a sad one, I’m a little at a loss on how to answer this. There’s speculation that since he posted a picture of him and his friends drinking only a couple hours before his tragic accident, he might have been driving drunk, which is never cool. RIP, Ryan Dunn.

The big Ultimate Spider-Man spoiler came out in the media today (I didn't read those stories yet) so how about Marvel/DC having to reveal endings to boost sales? - gregthelen

I think as far as trying to get new readers, it could work but as far as a reader who buys comics for the story arch, they are neglecting their main audience.

Reviving Wonder Woman with Christina Hendricks!- stupidwriter

I’ve only seen Ms. Hendricks in Firefly, Mad Men and some movie starring Katherine Heigl, and I don’t know if she has the Amazon gumption to play Diana! However, if she’s cast to fill those star spangled short-shorts, I will watch with excitement!

Doing your water line without screaming/dying/stabbing yourself! and what's the deal with primer?- HouseWench

I’ve found the simplest way to do your water line is to gently pull the bottom lid down and apply your eyeliner. The softest liners I’ve used are the NYX Jumbo Pencils. They are super creamy and safe for the eyes.

What’s the deal with primers, you ask? Primers fill and level your beautiful canvas for applying make-up! Most primers are made of waxes and/or silicone, so what this does is flatten out the face for your normal make-up, which could draw attention to scars or marks. The kind I use (MAC Prep & Prime) helps me to minimize the appearance of a shiny face. If you’re looking for a cheap one to try out is L'Oreal Studio Secrets face primer; it has great reviews (although they might test on animals).

Maybe some tips on eye makeup? How you apply it, how you chose colors, maybe?- MartianBethany theroseinbloom

The best advice I can give about how to apply makeup is to do so lightly. You can always build color in the places you need it, so a light hand when applying brush to skin is the best method. I do not use sponges (bacteria can cause breakouts) and try to wash my brushes weekly.

As far as applying colors, go with the basics that’ll look great with your skin tone and eye color. The book that has best helped me over the years is called THE FIVE MINUTE FACE by makeup artist Carmindy.

MartianBethany, since you have fair skin and blue eyes, I suggest browns/taupes and plum/purple colors to make your eyes pop! If you’re worried about clashing with your hair, choose colors in the brown/taupe and gold families.

How about makeup tips to cover the effects of allergies gone wild? - Deviltechie

If you’re having a problem with eyes, try a cooling eye drop and under eye serum (water-proof eye products will be your best friend!). If your nose is bothering you, try a heavy face cream concentrated on the dry areas, topped with a cream concealer.

Would you consider being a tutor/mentor for someone in regards to writing and/or art?- AbhorsenAube

Sure, but all the advice someone needs is this quote from Epictetus: “If you wish to be a writer, write.” Same with art. Do it, and then ask your peers to give you constructive criticism.

What's the oddest request anyone's ever made of you?- Bodhizen

The only thing I can think of is when I was still Danielle Corsetto’s assistant, during Baltimore Comic-Con, D was asked by a couple of dudes if they could take me to a nearby bar for a drink. She said I could, and while I got free booze from these two dudes, if it was any situation other than a convention, I probably wouldn’t have went, haha.

I need some #jessiawesomeanswers! How do I explain to a guy that he's not really geek enough to date one of my geeky friends?- Maevrim

Lady bro, there’s no easy way for me to say this but, if your friend likes this guy, you gotta go with it. If his biggest problem is that he’s not geek enough to date your pal, you can always try to involve him in more geek activities (a Battlestar marathon or a suggestion of comics your friend likes). You have to trust that your friend knows what she likes in guys, and if she’s smitten with him, it’s best not to try to cause a rift in their relationship. I mean, I once went on a date with a guy who told me he was geeky but acted like I was talking another language when it came to Batman, so I excused myself to the restroom, found my server and told her to send the check over ASAP. I got the heck out of there; if your friend doesn’t like the guy, she’ll do the same.

UPDATE: Maevrim further explains her friend's situation: No, she has no interest in him in the slightest because well, he doesn't share any of her interests. He says he wants to date a geek girl, which is why he wants me to set him up, but outside of Halo and Star Wars... I just don't know how to explain that to him when he asks why she hasn't tried to contact him.

Eep! In my experience, guys who want to date a girl based on a label isn't the BEST way to find that kind of lady. If she isn't interested and hasn't tried to contact him and he's buggin' you about it, I'd tell him gently that whatever goes on between him and your friend is none of your business to comment on. If he's super persistent, I'd say something along the lines of, "She hasn't contacted you with interest, then that should be enough of an answer, right?"

Cake or pie? gregthelen

I want to say cake because its delicious, but I am afraid it may be a lie.

For people who are just being introduced to sci-fi/geek culture, do you have anything you'd say to them/advice?- LockeCole117

I’d like to think that as geeks we are all-inclusive. The geek/nerd culture has something for everyone, so I’d tell them to look on the internet for a local group to find friends in whatever they get into!

What is the best thing in the world right now?- gregthelen

The best thing in the world right now and as cheesy as it sounds is to live with my boyfriend! We were long distance for a very long year and now that I’ve moved to L.A. it feels like we were never apart. (Yeah, yeah, I know you’re judging me)

Where in the world is Carmen San Diego?- gregthelen

I’d like to think she’s chillin’ in Los Angeles right now, ‘cause where else would she be? The weather is perfect, we have great food, and that Hollywood thing, right?

Math In The DCU

I'm sure ya'll heard the big news out of DC today:

DC Comics is planning on renumbering their universe, revamping their superheroes and starting in September, 51 first issues will debut.

Let's do some math.

I had a wild thought and one that cannot be near correct, but what if DC decided to release all 51 first issues on the same day? So DC has, what, 23 pages of comics content in their books, right? If a person was to purchase all 51 books on the same day, they would have to read 1,173 pages of comics content, 167 pages per day until the next Wednesday.

Now, we all know that'd be a silly thing for DC to do, so let's just toy around with the idea of them releasing the 1st issue books only in September. We have four Wednesdays a month (duh), so DC would have to release 13-per-Wednesday (or, three Wednesdays with 13 and one with 12, whatever).

You'd still have 299 pages of comics content to read before the next Wednesday hits, which is still around forty-eight pages per day to read.

Still, a large enough chunk of words but we're all smart, right? That's easier to swallow?

Since DC isn't thinking about those kinds of numbers, it is time to delve into the ones that are number one to them.

A DC comic is retailed at $2.99

So, every week, DC expects you, the loyal reader, to purchase all 13 of these books at $38.87.

That, however, is what we call a subtotal.

Since I am living in California, my tax would be 9.75%.

I would be spending $42.66 per week on DC Comics alone.

In one month, I would be expected to spend $170.64 on DC titles.

Since I don't live in the land of hypotheticals (and who knows what the comic release dates are right now), but to all be caught up in the exciting world of DC first issue comics, I'd have to spend one-hundred-seventy dollars and sixty-four cents on DC titles alone, absolutely forgetting the fact that I like to spend my money on other comics at my LCS.

I'm all about hoping for the best, and this could be a fun, exciting thing for DC to do for comics... but in this situation, I gotta look out for my pocketbook.