Comic Book Mega Show!

BATMAN ROCKS!  

That's right, peeps, I went to a comic book convention!  This "thing" was courtesy of my friend James Donahue.  Thanks to his "dealer" pass (because he had a batman motorcycle on display) I was able to get in FOR FREE without waiting in a two-hour long line.  Much appreciated James!

For the rest of you that don't attend comic book conventions on a regular basis, did you know that those conventions aren't just for comic book people?  Umm, yeah! This one was a "Back to the Future" kind of theme so Christopher Lloyd was there along with the Delorian (spelling?). You could take photos in it for a cost, with the proceeds going to Michael J. Fox's charity.  The other heavy hitter there was Linda Blair (from the exorcist in case you didn't know!) The convention also featured the original muppeteer for Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, Bozo the clown, (NOT "Homie the clown" for those of you under the age of 30) some washed up pro wrestlers from the Hulk Hogan era, porn stars from 20+ years ago, Peter Tork from the  Monkees, etc.. etc..    See some photos of Linda Blair and Christopher Lloyd below. For anyone that wanted to know as much as I did, Big Bird did actually have a person inside him operating him (just one though- can you believe that?!)


 Here is Linda Blair and in the back, Christopher Lloyd
Apart from the randoms (i.e.- Bozo the clown), the convention was what I would expect from a comic book convention (or "ComicCon" as those in the biz like to say-I think...).  There were your typical weirdos dressed up, nerds, geeks, wizards and warlocks.  There were comic books, vinyls, trinkets, and posters for sale for everything from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Ghostbusters and Archie Comics.  I did my Lynnfield loop as it were through the convention room then headed out to let my son play on the batcycle with Ephram.    Here are some photos!

 The Delorian

 Ephram with his bat cape on

The Bat Cycle

 The Batmobile

A storm trooper thing

Ghostbuster dudes

Inside the convention area, right, and below is the orignal Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch muppeteer

I am glad I opened up my mind to the experience and actually felt what it was like to be in a convention where comic book peeps thrive and feel the rush of the atmosphere, buzzing with petchouli and B.O.  I can't say I will return, but I do feel enlighted by being there.  Thanks again James for a unique experience! And thanks again for reading!

Meat Brings People Together

I learned this weekend that if you cook it they will come!  My cousin Chris was kind enough to invite me over for a go at his meat smoker and he was an excellent host! :) My aunt Mary and uncle Joe came at my urging to graciously help with the kids.  My sister Deanna showed up too, as did my cousin Dann and Teresa's sister/"the neighbor".  Hence the saying, "if you cook it they will come"!

We started our project on Friday by purchasing a 7 pound pork butt and making a spice rub to coat it.  I asked the butcher to put a rub together   for me and he gave me bread crumbs- doh!

No biggie though, we threw some stuff together and I rubbed away!

We let the meat sit overnight and the next night he put it on the smoker, checking it before bed and first thing in the morning.  Here is where I feel I cheated a little with the process.  I feel like if I were a true "smoker" I would be out keeping night vigil over my meat! Just like the big Texans you see on those food competitions on the Food Network, basting and watching the temperature on their smokers like they were watching Christ being born!  Alas, Chris assured me that he had it under control and twist my rubber arm, I was fine with that!  I showed up Sunday morning with two kids in tow and an ice coffee and I was ready to party.

Here are some pics of Chris' home smoker!

 

 Chris told me that the meat temp needs to stay within a certain "smoke" range in order to cook properly. Don't quiz me but I think the max temp you want to reach for smoke is 250 degrees.  If you have cooked your meat right you will end up with a beautiful smoke ring on the inside of the meat.  The rub also turns into a nice crispy crust, called bark.  The meat is cooked using fire, wood chips to season and a pan of water used to create steam.

Here is our meat after being smoked overnight.  We took it off around 12:30 on Sunday.

While we waited for the meat to cook, Chris showed me his recipe for traditional Texas-style chili.  It was delicious! He makes his chili with lots of spices, ground sirloin, beef broth and other surprises.  He doesn't use beans of any kind and his base is not a heavy tomato base.  It was definitely a winning recipe! 

Finally it was time to pull the pork! Chris showed me the proper technique (forks facing out) and then we added some malt vinegar and some barbeque sauce.  We completed our pulled pork on toasted buttered bulky rolls and melted cheddar jack.  We ate like kings!  I finished the day off by returning home with said "party crew" shown above, and took a two hour long, blissful, meat-induced nap!

Thank you Chris for an awesome day of meat exploring, pants-splitting fun!  YUM!

This Isn't a Bucket List

A lot of people have asked if this project is my "bucket list."  The answer is "no" and here's why.  I set off on this journey so-to-speak through inspiration from my friends.  Watching them do what they love and wondering in awe what they experience when in the moment of performing on stage.  As I get older and the things that matter most become crystal clear to me, I realize that the time is now to truly get to know my family and friends inside and out.  This list is more than a bucket list; an agenda of things to do before I die.  It is about more than simply checking something off and saying "I did that."  This project is about getting to know the person behind the thing because they are what matters to me.  YOU are the point of this list, not the things themselves.  More so than knowing you by your title of "sister" "mother" "father" "cousin" or "high school friend;" truly who you are as a person and what makes you tick-- that is what I am after! 

This past weekend at my brother's house, I learned more about my sister-in-law Laural in one hour than I have over the past few years.  That taught me something-- it is not time simply time spent in a room with someone, but what we do with our time spent with those we love, not taking those moments for granted, that truly matters.  What do we really know about the people around us?  Why aren't we asking questions anymore and engaging in meaningful conversation?  I thought of this a while back when I tried to explain to myself who my mother is.  Sure I know her as mom, but as I know now that I am a parent, she was someone before children.  Her children do not define who she is as a person (or didn't at least for 21 years of her life) what she likes and doesn't like, where she has been and what she has done.  What do I know about that person??  Why haven't I tried harder to find out? 

Over time, things crust over, memories harden, and perceptions become solid and defined and tend to remain stagnant despite those around us changing (ie- my high school friends aren't 15 anymore!)  We stop asking questions of those around us as to how they got where they are, why they are there and where they want to be.  It is their journey that defines them, and not their title in your life.  Part of their journey is their "thing"-- what they like to do, or what they do that is such a big part of their life, now or in the past.  I learned from Laural how she got where she is and why.  That is important to me and it is something I will not forget.  I hope to go through that with each person as I check these things off my list. 

Thank you, as always, for reading!

Acrylic, polish and shelac, oh my!

I have checked another item off my list!

 Tonight I did my first manicure, acrylic nails, and even painted with the new "Shelac" gel polish that dries under UV light instantly.  Laural was my muse and Deanna was my subject.  My mission was to put acrylic on all ten nails but due to both a less than enthusiastic subject and a daunting time limit, we ended with just two. :)    I have attached photos and video from our fun night here! As you can see from the videos, Laural did the pinkie acrylic and I did the thumb.  I went on to do a manicure, and put the base coat and first coat on of the gel nail polish.  I let Laural finish it up so Deanna's nails would actually look presentable when she left!  Thank you Laural for sharing your thing and thank you Deanna for being a great victim (I mean sport!)
And PS: Laural put the shelac on my nails too-- it's great!