Recently a school friend, Amye, posted a “Goodbye Letter” to gradschool (the same program I’m in). I’ve been thinking about it a lot recently, especially in light of my own hopeful graduation this June. In the letter Amye touches on how fantastic it is to go to residency (we go once in January and once in June during the course of our program). There’s a certain feeling you get when you’re at the program. Within four or five days of my first residency in Jan of 2010 I had a classroom full of friends. For the most part people who I’d probably never associate with (no offense guys), but who I love and think of often despite our differences.

But why? What is the “magic” that makes such things possible? Is it Wilkes-Barre, PA? Heck no. No offense to the good people of Wilkes-Barre, but if I never have to see snow again in my life it’ll be too soon. Several members of my cohort and I nearly froze to death trying to find the Creative Writing office our first day. It’s not the town.

Is it the program? Honestly, no. As wonderful as my professors and mentors are, I was (and still) l am burned out with “school.” I have to talk myself into sitting in classes all day, every day we’re there.

Then, as I was watching Supernatural, it hit me. The reason I love going to Wilkes is the same reason I love being a fangirl and going to conventions. Do I love the massive amounts of crowds? No. Do I like the ticket prices? No. Do I love sleeping crammed into a room full of a bunch of other people? No. The reason I go to conventions and try to hang out with fans as much as possible is because that’s where I feel less insane.

I’ve felt slightly freakish since jr. high summer camp when I was having a conversation with some of the “cool” kids and I included in my response a $20 word. I can’t remember the word, I know I picked it up from reading Sherlock Holmes, but the kid just balked at me when I said it. I remember feeling so out of place in that moment. It was the same feeling I got when I talked with my older cousins. I knew I didn’t fit, but I didn’t understand why. You just feel… different.

Then, flash-forward, to the day I met my bestfriend in college, Andrew, and Mark and Allan. They were interested in making movies, outside of our normal college homework. They made me feel less freakish. I fell in love with my geek side and knew, beyond a doubt, that I wasn’t as different as people made it out to be.

If you stop and think about it, being a writer and being a geek aren’t too far off. You isolate yourself, on purpose. You sit and you type (or hand-write) stories. You work hard in the dark (not the literal dark, mom, if you’re reading this I’m not killing my eyesight). It’s not until months, maybe years later that someone will read and maybe appreciate your work (odds are they’ll never fully grasp how long and how hard you worked to bring it to life). You obsess over little details, things no one else would notice. You long for acceptance. Tell me I’m not crazy. I’m not crazy for spending hard-earned money on a new piece of tech that will make my writing better. Convince me that I’m not insane for switching careers to become a full-time writer or a teacher. These are two of the most-sought-after jobs in the country.

Then you hit that convention or you go to Wilkes’ residency and you realize, with a sigh of relief, you’re not crazy. There’s a roomful of people who are being crazy with you. So, in June when I’m at residency I’m going to try and remember that these times are precious and few. Not every day is ComicCon or WriterCon. You’ve got to hold on to the time you have there while you’re still sane. And carry out with you the idea that you’re not as crazy as when you came in.

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I’m probably going to have to turn in my Whedon fangirl badge for this, but after reading everything I could get my hands on, from articles, to interviews to fan sites I’ve decided the majority must be right: Dollhouse just isn’t a great show.

I’m an extremely open-minded person. I think my ability to put up with mediocrity has impared my judgment. Of course Dollhouse isn’t that great. Of course Joss can’t always knock it out of the park. I mean, Season 1 of Buffy should have told us that. Scanning a demon into the internet? What was he thinking?!

Now I have to admit that Joss is falible, I’ll point out the other things I have had a problem with, but was too afraid to say. Not killing Spike after a couple episodes – BIG mistake. The shiny velvet jacket Angel wore for the first couple episodes. Not having more Inara sponge baths. Lorne being green: why not purple or blue? Blue men are very exciting. And what was with not having Parker and Buffy together for a longer period? Everyone knows they are THE one true pairing in the Buffyverse.

Sigh. Now that all of my fangirl illusion is gone. I think I’m going to have to stop podcasting and writing fanfic. Without holding Joss up on an absurdly high pedestal – It’s just not worth it anymore.

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…and I feel fine!

I’m gonna be on another panel at DragonCon!

“My
God Is Smitier Than Your God: Apocalypse in Theology and Mythology”
panel on Saturday at 4pm for the Apocalypse Rising Track.
http://apocalypserising.dragoncon.net/

If you can’t join JM and Juliet – swing on over

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So, I’ve been working overtime.

The site for Buffy: Between the Lines is up. You can hear our very first teaser promo/skit written/edited together by me. The voice actors are one of the writers and her husband and a fellow podcaster. I’m getting pumped to share what people are writing… it’s still a ways off, but I saw the first teaser poster for Spiderman 3 over a YEAR before it came out.

I’m doing some media stuff for my dad. Marketing Queen Tabz has decided to start doing freelance marketing to pay bills and influence people. Actually, that’s what I already do for a company called MINDsprinting, but more and for more people.

Here’s a marketing postcard I made up for his site. As always clicky to see a bigger image.

I’m having fun. Getting little sleep and totally ignoring Mr. Fabulous‘ comments about my cat and a microwave.

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I designed this for work. We watch TV during the lunch hour…. Next week we’re doing the “best of Buffy”:
click here to see If you click on the image you can see the full size:

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March 10, 1997, FYI that was a Monday evening, was the date of the premier episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer on the WB network, the premier was a two hour showing of Welcome to the Hellmouth and The Harvest on WGN channel 9.

I’m watching Season 5 right now.. hehehehe… Happy ‘versary Buffy!

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Sigh. It’s official. It’s been delayed a week. GRRRRR!

http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=14-111

scroll down to the date.

I’m soooo not happy.

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Over at the best thing ever community they have a poll going on about Firefly (the series) vs. Firefly (the insect)… and the bug is winning!

Puh-leeze.

I love the shiny bug… but we need to show the Whedon love.

Clicky here.

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Snagged from Whedonesque….

Dark Horse Comics asks you how Buffy has affected your life in 250 words or less and, if selected, you could end up appearing in an upcoming issue of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8. Winner to be selected by Joss Whedon himself!!!

Grand Prize Winner (1):
- Appearance in an upcoming issue of Buffy the Vampire: Season 8
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer Lithograph
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 #1 signed by Joss Whedon

Runners-Up (5):
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer Lithograph
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 8 #1 signed by Joss Whedon

Click here for the contest on Dark Horse’s Myspace page.

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Home on the Strange and Firefly…..

Click here for Home on the Strange.

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