C2E2 My Day 3 in Review

Sunday was Day 3 of C2E2. It was a bit of a calmer day. I went as the Ohila the High Priestess of the Sisterhood of Karn. Though many people thought I was a wizard from Harry Potter instead which was fine. Personally, I have very flexible in my cosplay. I can be whoever you think I look like.

It was interesting though because I realised this is one of the very few female characters I cosplay as. For me, it is more an issue of male characters having more clothing bits in common. You have one men's shirt and a jacket or two and you are all set to play 1/2 of all male characters.

Sunday ("Kids Day") highlighted for me the fact that there are more characters for both women and girls to play than ever before. There were many very cute Rey(s) and Wonder Women(s) and this year many wonderful Moana(s).

I went to a few panels but nothing really stood out to comment about here.

Random Highlights From day:

• Going and getting Robbie Thompson to actually sign my Tardis Autograph book. 

• So now with Robbie Thompson, in addition to Niel Gaiman, my book has 2/5 of my current "Best of Writer's Best of Dreamers" So Graham Moore, Lin-Manual Miranda and Benjamin Alire Saenz some day you will join them. :) 

• Being hit in the Face by Castiel's wings. 

• I was at the SPN fan panel and a cosplayer came in with a costume which included fully extended wings for Castiel which hit me in the face. They were soft and I think it is a great story lol

Sunday was a good day for books. I got 9. Some new releases, some used. Many were from an organisation called The Science Fiction Outreach Program. 

Each came with a bookmark highlighting upcoming Science fiction conventions (And completely randomly the first listed is in Puerto Rico an area I am hyper-focused on right now and the second is Finland which is where my mom once taught nursery school. Another it's another it's a small world moment). 

The fun thing is I will read these books and share with family or with the free take a book library at the social service centre at the organization my roommate works for. 

C2E2 My Day 2 In Review

Another good day at C2E2. Today I went as The Doctor. I saw a bunch of Fun Cosplay including a wonderful Moana and a gorgeous Te Fiti and a giant HeiHei. Another random highlight was when I saw someone with an SPN bag and I said great bag and she actually gave me a pin which is pretty amazing.

So the Panel I was planning on starting with today filled up so I went to an alternative which was cool. Glad the universe pushed me into going. It was called Gender Identity: Understanding Through Art. I love the below slide they have which explores some of the complexity around these issues. I love how both Aces and Aros are included.

The takeaway was a searching for characters who are non-gender normative and have unrelated superpowers Ex Someone who is trans who happens to be able to create fireballs instead of be a shapeshifter. Like around all issues of including some comics do it well, especially those with non-gender normative individuals on their staffs, and some don't. A bunch of recommendations were given one which stood out was a Web Comic Oh Human Star (http://ohumanstar.com/comic/chapter-1-title-page/) which deals with Transgender issues with the added wrinkle of what does it mean to be transgender when you are an android. Look forward to checking it out. 

Also, it was pointed out that as writers we will fail and in those cases, we need to listen to the criticism and apology and do better in the future. 

Next up was a panel on Queer Women Making Comics. A few takeaways when writing about communities root it in lived experience to keep from creating stereotypes, and never speak for the whole community, Also readers seek interesting storylines, not tokenism.  

I also saw the Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) Panel. She discussed how she felt imposter syndrome when she started in the films. That acting is not about Nailing it but playing it. As she said "Luna teaches you don't have to belong, just be you" and that her favorite line to say was a line to Harry "You are just as sane as I am". 

My last panel of the day was The Value of Mental Illness: Finding Resilience in Pain which ended up being completely full. I was one of the last people to sneak in. There were a few people who are involved with a site called "Geek Therapy" which I will have to check out. Robbie Thompson also was included on the panel for his work on "Silk" which was great. 

Superheroes and the trama of their origin stories were discussed and how their experiences can be used to understand other mental health issues ex Spiderman's spider sense is like Anxiety. There was also a lot of discussion around Therapy. "Silk" was praised because it showed an honest portrayal of the process which is therapy. 

There was talk about finding power in what you are scared of. Like superheroes when we deal with our Mental Illness we need to remember we can't do this alone, we need support systems, and how it is easier once we share our secrets. Therapy was shared to be a process of learning to trust others and yourself. It is not easy to share your experiences but it is important.  There was also a suggestion that individuals can bring characters to Therapy Today I feel like this character.... Also, it was stressed while it is vital to provide space for others you can't push someone if they are not ready, You can't make people do what they are not ready to do.

Finally, I got up the nerve to actually go over to Robbie Thompson's Table and chat a while and ask a few questions. He was amazing and he gave me an autographed copy of his copy Venom. So Now I have two autographs. (One from an SPN Conference 2 years ago). And he even liked my tweet.

I am glad I got up the courage to go over and say Hi and not just watch from across the room. :)

Today's Book Total:  5 Books cover value $48

Today I also bought a comic book. Love is Love which is the multi-author comic creator response to Orlando whose profits goes to Equality Florida. I started to read and of course started to get teary eyed.

C2E2 My Day 1 In Review

Today was the first day of C2E2 (or The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo so you can understand why everyone calls it C2E2 instead :) )

This year I am tackling C2E2 a bit differently than in the past: I'm just enjoying it and stressing less about what panel's I "should"go to and focusing on just those I want to or feel up too. I don't have to go to a million panels to make C2E2 worthwhile. Here are the highlights from today.

Today my cosplay was Alexandar Hamilton which was fun.

"Are You Iron Man Sir?" (1)

Are you "One Punch Man" Sir (2)

"There is a million things I have not done but just you wait, just you wait"

My first panel was probably the highlight of the day. It was the Will Wheaton Spotlight.

Now I have to admit going in my familiarity with Will was very sketchy:

1. A vague idea he was one of those online people who says wise things
2. A vague connection to TNG (The Next Generation)
3. Knowing he is friends with Felicia Day and remembering they had done some project together

Well, he was amazing. Super friendly and super kind. 

I loved his response to a comment, (and the applause which followed), from a fan who said that his openness about his own mental health challenges encourages them with theirs:

"You hear that clapping, remember that. It (Mental Illness) often can make you feel like you are all alone but this is proof you never are" 

(I find it simply amazing how many of us collectively struggle with mental health issues and when I just now looked up Will's story I found this clip of him which I would recommend: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6ACzT6PCDw.)

I also loved his highlighting of the fact:

"Being a nerd is not about what you love it is about how you love"

And his love of fandom itself was shown by how excited I got as he talked about table top gaming which is not one of my fandoms but I was excited because he was excited and the excitement was contagious. So a) Will Wheaton Great b) I know kinda want to play table top board games

Next Panel I went to was CBLDF (Comic Book League Defence Fund), State of Censorship 2017 which was interesting but also depressing. I also now have a few new comics to read since when a comic is censored I have a gut reaction I must read it. I find often the best graphic novels and comics are those which have been banned somewhere.

• This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki
• Drama by Raina Telgemeier
• Mangaman by Barry Lyga

I know there were more but I lost the notebook I was taking notes in somewhere at the con. Oh well

Next was IDW Entertainment Spotlight On: Wynonna Earp which was a fun panel with cast and crew from the show. It was odd when they talked lovingly about the fans since I have been a fan a week as of yesterday. I binged all 13 epasoid this past weekend. I did like one fan who said they were drawn in by a friend who said it was "A wild west Grown up buffy"

Then it was a panel on contemporary storytelling which was ok but I was hoping there would be more writing suggestions and tips and instead it was more this is what I am working on, and this is why it was dark.

And finally, it was a mini interview/panel with Will Wheaton. Which I enjoyed

Another Highlight is the fact that one of my "Best of Writers, Best of Dreamers" Robbie Thompson is at C2E2.

Also this year there are fewer groups handing out books but I found the ones I got were more interesting than in past years.

Today's Total: 4 Books 

Cover price $73 + the fourth book which was a collection of short stories which I can't find online to find a value for :)

So I have already made back what I paid for my badge for the weekend.

It was funny when I was heading home since I was tired and I was like well that was good and then remembering I still have 2 days to go. :) 

Tomorrow I will review Day 2

(1) "Are you Aron Burr Sir?" is a line from the musical Hamilton. 

(2) I don't know who One Punch Man is but it was a silly photo so I went with it

The Columnist by David Auburn

This past week has been Chicago Theater Week. I have gotten to a few events and have been reminded that I am able to both find the time and the resources to see more theater than I do. As part of this new passion for seeing theater; I went to see The Columnist by David Auburn at the American Blues Theater. It was an amazing production and I got to go with a friend who challenged me to explain the time frame of the play.

As I later wrote:

The Columnist by David Auburn

(Author of the Play Proof)

And I’m Trying to explain Vietnam To a friend

And I’m Trying to explain the Cold War To a friend

And I’m Trying to explain the 60’s To a friend

I should be more articulate

Courses in this have been taken by me

But how do you explain Why Vietnam

But how do you explain Why Anti-Communist

But how do you explain Why we walked chin deep into a mucky, mucky mess

Where is the fine line between

A world of back room gentlemen (and gentlewomen) agreements

A world where every single personal detail is run through the Mud

The press is fundamental

The press is amazing

The press is important

There are details that matter

There are details which are simply used to cut and bleed

Where is the fine line between

What do we do when there are Multiple truths

We are winning, We are losing, 

We are both at the same time

What is truth?

Why is the role of the press?

What does it mean to be an American?

What do you do when you are picked up by the tornado

And everything is changing?

My heart goes out to those who face the changes with fear and hate

But this world is changing

We are reviving the 60’s

Everything is changing

I did not live in the 60's or 70's but I see parallels to today. The past decade or so has been full of positive social upheavals in this country. And the population is falling into Us vs Them camps. The walls have fallen down: 

Camp A: Let's color completely outside the lines and make beautiful art.

Camp B: Let's rebuild the walls and paint them in neutral tones and believe with all our hearts the walls never feel down in the first place

But it has always been easier to find a monster under the bed to blame for our failures and problems. It is easier to focus on the ever-changing "Other" than to do the much-needed self-reflection. 

So the people march in the streets, so the students stand up for something greater themselves, so the press tells the story. It has never been the people vs the government vs the press. It never will be that simple. Celebrate the press. Celebrate the arts. Think and ponder and dream.

What do I stand for?

What do I stand for?

The Pen

Which has been mightier than the sword

Since the beginning of time

Is my power

Is my strength

Is what I shall pick up 

Here in our time of need

I stand with

The Weapons of Love

The Weapons of Creativity

The Weapons of a Writer

The Weapons of a top notch Dreamer

I stand for

Black Lives Matter

Hispanic/Latinx Lives Matter

Asian Lives Matter

Native American Lives Matter

Flesh Of My Flesh

Muslim Lives Matter

Hindu Lives Matter

Jewish Lives Matter

Bone Of My Bone

Immigrant Lives Matter

LGBTQA Lives Matter

Refugee Lives Matter

Woman Lives Matter

Blood Of My Blood

I take this pen

I take these words

I take my story

And dedicate them 

To fighting for Justice and Love

Join Me

Join Me

Join Me

You Shall Not Stop Me

I will write #NonStop on Love

I will write #NonStop on Justice

I will write #NonStop on Compassion

This is where I stand

This shall be my legacy

This is how I write myself into the story

Those standing with me

On the side of Justice and Love and Compassion

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You

Those standing before me

I suggest you move

Or you will find exacly how sharp a pen can be

I will make Hamilton's pen
Seem dull and slow
In comparison

Hope in three stories

It was the 1970's and my future congregation wanted a women pastor. We asked for one and were told "Nope, that would be too hard to do". We went "That was not a suggestion". We refused to pay. We had a lock-in. We protested long and hard enough that finally the regional church leadership called uncle and sent a woman. And today church leadership still remembers. As new issues have come up, when they find themselves between us and justice, they step aside because they are a bit afraid of what we can do.

It was the 2000's and a popular priest on the south side of Chicago who was known for rabble-rousing for justice was told "So move along, get along, Move along, get along, Go! Move! Shift!". And the priest said No. He is still in his congregation working on issues such as Gun Violence and Drugs and Community Safety.

It was the 2000's and a congregation in Chicago housed a woman and her child for a whole year within the church to protect them from deportation as a modern day continuation of the Sanctuary movement from the 1980's.

I share the above stories because last weekend I promised family members that I would make them feel better not matter the outcome of the election. 

I believe that the above stories show that while hate can be supported. hate can be legalized, hate can be normalized. Love is always stronger and No one can force us to hate. Let's build communities like my congregation where those on the wrong side of Justice and Love are a bit afraid and leave us be.

Now I am not bragging per say but in the past 4 days, I have found multiple ways to be on the side of Justice and Love. 

• I have donated to 6 different charities
• I have written anonymous notes saying "Know you are Loved. Let others know they are Loved, Fill the world with creativity, justice, compassion and Love" which I left for every department at my place of employment, 
• I also handed out these notes at various restaurants I have gone too, to CTA employees, to Theater Volunteers ....)
• As I walked home from downtown I danced to a street corner marching band and was honest and said: "I don't have anything to donate right now but can I give you a Hug" and gave all 5 members a Hug.
• Later in my walk I ran into someone collecting for charity and I gave them a hug too
• I ate dinner at a Family Run Mediterranean Restaurant, using my money to support communities I care about.  
• I wrote a letter to my faith traditions regional leadership calling them out for not speaking to the pain and fear that so many are feeling right now as a result of the election.
• I am finding ways to use my pen as a weapon for Justice and Love (see my next blog post)

I hope these give you ideas on how to be on the side of Justice and Love Too. While hate is a large multii-tentacle creature acts of Love can be small but meaningful. This is good news which should make us all feel better. Now go out and Love

Yes Indeed, You Are A Writer, Yes You.

A Lin-Manuel Tweet from September

For many writers the month of November means NaNoWriMo. A month-long writing challenge. 

I am not participating this year, (I seem to participate every other year), because I am working on multiple writing projects and word count is a poor metric right now for me to use. 

But I love the idea of NaNoWriMo, and it is cool to have a novel draft, or a novella draft, completed in a month. The key to NaNoWriMo is to simply write without editing or second guessing your word choices.

On the other hand, NaNoWriMo can be daunting. It is important to remember that while 50,000 words is the goal, any writing you write is a victory.   

In light of NaNoWriMo, this is a time of year filled with posts about  NaNoWriMo, and writing in general.

One I found particularly interesting is:

  

"NaNoWriMo and looking at some terrible advice" by Mary Robinette Kowal

I love her wisdom around some of the common writing advice given

Write Every Day

Being a writer, or being anything else , means you have to pay attention to self-care. Sometimes for a variety of personal, work, or societal reasons you just can't write for a period of time. And yes you may Feel like a failure (I often do), but YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE.

A Writer Writes

I find what I write and how much I write varries a lot. Sometimes I write all the time. Sometimes I take long periods off either because I don't have ideas or more often because life means I don't have time to write. No matter what obstacles come up, which keep you from writing, you shall aways be a writer. "They can't take that away from (you)". 

You must submit your fiction

Personally, I love this distinction between "writer" and "author". There have definitely been times where others described me as a writer and I have felt the shock of imposter syndrome. But using these definitions I am clearly a writer, because I write. 

So as this post is titled "Yes Indeed, You Are A Writer, Yes You.". Go forth and write. Go forth and tell your story. Go forth and celebrate that you are a writer.