Happy Birthday Maya Angelou!

 Hey friends,

I know this was suppose to be a Musical Moment post, but word reached me today was my favorite poet Maya Angelou's Birthday, and it is now National Poetry Month, it's also Take Your Poet to School Week, and anyone who's been here a bit knows I enjoy poetry, I'm a pot myself, I've actually been published, I mean it was one time, but still makes me published (anyone who has a March 2015 issue of WNC Woman will find my poem Believing in there). Well for all these reasons and a call out to Maya's fans to help celebrate this years Dr Maya Angelou Day of Reading theme Still I Rise, I decided to delay my planned post for this great celebration, by doing the post for Maya I'd already planned to do sometime this month.

How I Discovered Maya Angelou and Her Impact On Me

My first encounter with the activist/poet/writer/actress/singer/any other titles I can't thing of right now was back in middle school. It was in my 8th grade Language arts class taught by Mrs. Hooker where it happened. Our reading for that day in our books was a excerpt taken from I know Why the Caged Bird Sings. I think a section involving the woman in Arkansas she knew growing up who had her own home library that she let Maya use. Well Mrs. Hooker informed us it was part of a whole autobiography and offered it up for any of us to read, maybe for extra credit. Well I joined the list. I remember starting strong plowing through it with my usual read frenzy, but as we got to her older years in the book I suddenly just dropped off reading to the point I'd had it so long I was afraid I'd get in trouble so I had to return it as an unfinished read. I'm still perplexed as why I dropped off, It makes no sense given things I was reading at that time. But that was the start. Over the next couple decades she'd become more elevated in my favorites. Her poem Phenomenal Women would get on my radar when it was used in the movie Beauty Shop. I know this movie isn't a well like as the rest of the franchise, but I love it, and it was curiosity at what beautiful poem they were quoting that led me to look it up, and discover it was Dr Angelou. This is now one of my favorite poems of all time. Maya also is a contributing factor to which Madea movie is my favorite. Madea's Family Reunion is my top favorite and one of the reasons is because Maya has a role as one of the matriarchs in the family. One of my classmates had the pleasure of meeting her at a health convention some years ago, I was jealous of this guy cause he got to shake her hand. I'd hoped to get to get to meet this amazing woman, but sadly it did not get to happen, at least this side of the veil of life, for as many or you know, or may not know, she passed in 2014. I honored her my watching OWN's Sunday dedication the did, by airing all the specials they did involving her. It was during that watching that I burst into tears. I'm not sure if it's what Maya was saying, the fact I never got to meet her, the fact she was gone, or some combination, but this is the first time I've cried over a noted human's passing. I've been sorrowful over many. but never cried. I even created a digital art piece in her memory, called The Caged Bird Is Free. I like to think she's ascended to a glorious higher form.

Still I Rise

This years theme for the theme, for Maya Angelou's Birthday celebration they've decided for her  Day of Reading to do it around another powerful poem of hers: Still I Rise.

I find this poem to be one of her most amazing works due to the fact how it speaks to me and empowers me. I've often found people who'd suppress because I'm poor, or a woman, and there's probably people who'd try to suppress me because of my mental health. It's due due to my mental health that I find a bully in my mind in the form the Mental Health Hydra. When she describes the things people do to her  it sounds like some of the the thoughts the hydra sends my way trying to break me, but like the poem says I keep rising. Even when this monster crushes me and I feel like I want to give up, I keep coming back, rising up from my broken thoughts, because I will not give it the satisfaction of beating me. When I read this poem it reminds me how I constantly am rising up in my daily battles.

My Future Maya Angelou Shelf

It's my goal to someday have a space big enough where I can properly display my books and book/author items. I'd also like to dedicate shelf space to certain series or authors. One of the authors I want to give space to is Dr Angelou. So I thought given the day I'd take time to discuss what that'd include or what I'd like to to have included as part of that space, if this is something you have no interst in just skip to the conclusion.

First a foremost are her books, sadly all I have been able to get is the Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women book which includes the title poem and Still I Rise, it's the book I used in the above picture. I also have her Hallelujah! The Welcome Table: A Lifetime of Memories with Recipes cookbook. My book goals is to purchase the blue version of this Juniper Books set of her complete works they would look gorgeous in her space.

Included in this space would be the Maya Angelou items I have acquired in addition to her books. First there's her lovely quarter that I managed to get a hold of thanks to my Granny:

 

Speaking of issued items, there is also her stamps, which I swore my folks had given me a framed set, and I haven't found them yet, so yes those will be included if I find them, if not they'll be something I want to get. Other items I want to get include this Maya Angelou Barbie® Inspiring Women™ Doll, cause this hits my poetic and toy collector sides. She's beautiful in doll form, and I just love the Barbie mint of her book I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, it's so cute.

Lastly is this beautiful Litographs poster for the Phenomanal Woman book I have. This wouldn't fit on the shelf, but it would be displayed on a wall nearby, at least I hope it would. I was actually a contributor for their tribute project they did in Dr Angelou's honor after her passing. I use to know where I was at in this guess I'll have to hunt for it again. Wouldn't mind the bag from this as a book tote she says hinting to gift giving peeps, actually this whole section is a gift giving hints for you in case you guys missed it.

Conclusion Section For Those Skipping The Last Section

So to conclude I wish Maya a happy birthday. I hope she is celebrating today phenomenally, cause she truly is a "phenomenal woman", and yes I said "is" cause death does not negate this fact. Happy Birthday Dr. Angelou!

So my friends take time today to read her work, watch one of her movies, and just remember her. Also remember it is Take Your Poet to School Week, with Poet in a Cupcake Day this Friday, and Tweetspeak does have a Maya Angelou cut-out you can use for the celebration, and you can reuse it for Take You Poet to Work Day in the 3rd Wednesday in July. 

So have a good week, read a poem (especially a Maya one), and God bless!

*Thrifty Geek*

Monthly Randoms March 2022: Dinosaurs, Good Anthems, and the Pesky Dream

 Hey Friends,

Happy Friday everybody. I hope your week has been good. Well, it's time for another Monthly Randoms! The segment of this blog where I give you an over view of random things in my life from the month. That's basically it.  So lets hit the ground running.

It'd like to open with a random concert preview video that I think is appropriate for the day from musician SJ Tucker. The song she sings is one of my favorites. She's having an online concert, they'll be two shows I think, the first is tonight. All the proceeds go to various causes, which she mentions in the video. So check the show out if you have a chance.

 

Decided my nails needed a pop of color. So I dressed them in L.A. Colors® Color Craze® Number 504. Good color I think to end and start a new month.

Favorites on my Socials:

We'll begin this section with a Reddit post that really hit my r/nostalgia by u/tRubbelMaker1. This is a video of the opening of the old Dinosaurs TV series. It followed the adventures of your typical prehistoric dino family. My whole family loved this show. I still have somewhere, at least I'm suppose to, the toys that one of the fast food places gave away with their meals. One Christmas both my sister and me got talking Nugget dolls, the baby if your not familiar with the show, this is also the year the dad Earl came with Santa. Santa's sleigh must be magic to fit a dinosaur. 

Over on Instagram a favorite of fine this month was these group of shots from one of my favorite places in Asheville: Morgan's Comics. These were from their Spring Eve celebration this year. It's got comics, flowers, and bubbles.

The "Dreaming Star" dice set that Spaethenarts made were so gorgeous that I had to enter her give away for them. Sadly I did not win, but you guys should totally check out her dice guys. They are beautiful!

Over on Tumblr the Mistress of the Manners of the Gothic Charm School made me smile when she sought support from her "emotional support cannibal".

Meowcos pinned a cute pull tab heart necklace tutorial on Pinterest, credit for the idea was given to @yano4kaa. I love when people do craft projects with recycled elements.

Things to Watch:

Earlier this month Fangirl was regaling me with the tale of Quincy's Tavern. The tavern in question is the Lucky Gryphon, run by Quincy who is ready to offer adventurers with a quest, food, or good advice. This concept is a brilliant idea. The way it's filmed you are made part of the scene, as if you are a patron of the place. He utilizes ASMR sounds creating a rich experience. Quincy himself is a kind, knowledgeable man. I see so many times in his comments he is a calming spot to people's day, and I have to agree. There's just something relaxing about these videos. 

Things I Want To Get:

Last year I posted about my dream keyboard a couple times I said my dream keyboard would have the classic look like this keyboard and the back lighting of this keyboard here. Well my friends 7 Keys must have sense my desires, because they have made my dreams reality with their Retro Typewriter  Keyboard! This has the look of the old, but with a modern day twist. Squees! 

Music I'm Jamming To:

Last little while I've been jamming to my writing playlist as I've been writing. It's filled with music to break up the quiet, but not enough beat to get me jamming. I tend to start jamming hard to some songs. One of  those songs was a cover of Touch the Sky from Disney's Brave by Malinda Kathleen Reese. It was a suggested song by Spotify for this list. An excellent suggestion.

Apart from this list I've been listening to Ya'll Means All by Miranda Lambert from season 6 of Queer Eye. A beautiful song of a country girl who welcomes everyone. I'm the same, out in my section of the backwoods all are welcome here at my house, well if we could fit you.

Been also jamming to Michael Jackson's Black and White, the anthem that encourages people of all races to stop looking at the skin, that we are all the same no matter how we look. I feel like the world really needs to revisit this song. 

Lastly been jamming to Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast. Belle is one of my favorite Disney princesses that came out when I was a kid. We have a lot in common a love of books, being big dreamers, and stubborn women.

 

Belle hanging out on my bookshelf near the bookmarks.

 

Books to Read:

Austin Kleon is celebrating ten years of his hit book How To Steal Like An Artist. In a recent newsletter he reflected about writing it and its success. I don't have the original, but I do have the journal he put out for it. I love it! Congratulations on your success!

Random Ramblings:

Understanding That Dream

I've always had strange dreams. Some mornings my senior year I'd tell my friend Fangirl them, to the point she bought me a dream journal for Christmas and told me to write them down. Well in the years since high school I've always left space in my journal entries for my dreams. In all those years though I've had a reoccurring dream that bugged the crap out of me. 

The Dream: I'm an adult who's returned to do senior year, or college, all over again even though I've completed it. Often times I'm freaking cause I haven't been to class most the year and now like the finals are happening and I fear I'm going to fail if I don't start going. Often times have forgotten my schedule, and can't find it in my bag, which added to the stress.  Sometimes I think I also remember forgetting my locker combo too. 

As I mentioned this is a dream I've had frequently over the years, I had it multiple times in one month. I knew my brain was trying to tell me something, but I couldn't figure it out. I tried multiple dream dictionaries looking up the symbols trying find the answers, but never had luck, that is till last month. I came across this article by Kate Bingham-Smith for Scary Mommy. Here she says "...all fingers point to stress, anxiety.." Upon reading that everything became clear. The keyword here is anxiety. As I've mentioned here before I suffer from bad anxiety issues, which does causes me a lot of stress to boot. Which explains the frequency of them, cause I'm frequently in the anxiety hole. Now knowing the cause I'm sure won't make the dreams go away, unless you can wave your hand and make my mental health issues go bye bye, but at least know I know why I have them. It'll make it less frustrating. 

 

Ok guys that's enough random rambling for the month. Next time I'm hoping to have you a Musical Moment post (I know been a moment since I've done that). I hope you all have a good weekend, have great adventures, and God bless. 

*Thrifty Geek*

Artsy Fartsy Time: Expandable Cards

 Hey crafty friends,

Today we're bringing you a segment I haven't done in a minute, Artsy Fartsy Time, because I am artsy and fartsy. Yes I know a woman who's admitting it, it's unheard of I know, but here I am.

So today's Artsy Fartsy surrounds expanding cards I made last month.  So last month was Valentine's Day and my Mom's Birthday, and at some point prior to these events that I saw a aPasos' Easy Love Expandable Card. Both cards featured today use these instructions. I love cards like this, and it looked super easy to make. Since it had been posted for Valentine's Day I thought why not make one for Fangirl for Galentine's Day? So I did, but my card is less cutesy, and more Supernatural. I thought I'd warn the squeamish it does show what's suppose to be a bloody heart, but you can't tell it really what it is with my mini drawing skills, not good at drawing little things. Fangirl is a big fan, and the reason I gave the show another shot.*see this post for more on that*. So I decided to go SPN with hers:

Fangirl's Supernatural Expandable Card

 When you take the card out of the envelope it's flat like this. It's a black card with some anti possession symbols on the pull tabs, since this is a SPN themed card. The first picture is a drawing of my friend that says "All I need is your warm, kind, sweet heart for Valentines":

Pull the tabs to expand and reveal the inside of the card, which features a were wolf me with a heart meal that says "Thanks for the pick me up Galentine! Love ya!", and then I finished with my artist signature:

 

Did she she like the card, yeah but between her being half asleep and the crappy miniature drawings, she didn't get it at first.

Mom's Birthday Card

My second card of the week was for my Mom's birthday. I went more cute with this one. I used my Mom's favorite colors of red, white, and blue for the color scheme. We have a cake made to look like her favorite cake, strawberry flavored. It says "Happy Birthday!" at the bottom  :

Upon expansion you'll see a drawing of me holding my arms out for a hug. It reads "I Love You Mom!" with the date and my artist signature:

Now every car need an envelope so I took to Pinterest (check out my Pinterst page link. It's in my links section the right *points*). I found a pin that led me to this Mini Envelope Pin tutorial, I sized them up and presto easy envelopes:

A Purple Envelope for Fangirl's

 

I gave my Mom's card a white one

Yeah they look wonky, but they worked, and it's the thought and your attempts that count right?

And so we close out today's post. Hope this inspires you to make your own cards if does let me see it in the comments or one of my socials. I hope you have a good week, craft on, and God bless.

*Thrifty Geek*

Thrifty Geek's Library- When We're in Tough Situations

Hello Friends,

How's the weekend going? I hope all is well for you guys. So today I decided to hit you with a long overdue Library post. Of course I've not had many books to write on lately, but I've finally managed to read enough to warrant a post. I'll go in more depth about that later. Today's post is themed around people in the tough situations. 

 

Getting Lost in a Good Book (Thursday Next Book Two) by Jasper Fforde

So I'm continuing the Thursday Next series now that my digital library provider got book two! We once more go into the alternate 1985 universe of Thursday Next, where extinct things have been brought back to life, airships are common, and time travel and going into your favorite books are possible. Well you can go into your favorite books if you have the skill, or your uncle makes a device to do so. Well Thursday finds herself dealing with old foes and relatives of foes from the first book. It's a mess and their all out to kill her, or at least make her life a living nightmare. You know usual day in the life of a heroine. Well Thursday has had her husband taken from her for ransom, and her father warning that the world is going to end, all of which she's gotta solve.
I love how we get to see the world of books, basically how our favorite classic characters live when their not being read. We have a whole group in charge of keeping the literary world running smoothly. I love how the author breaths life into the written word. There's actually a funny battle between two characters in the real world that takes place in like a black Friday of book sales. I love this world has people who are fanatics of books and/or authors. I mean peoples lifestyle and looks surround their favorites.\Now I know this is a series and you leave some things open to keep the series going, you can do that with a series, but in my mind there was two main problems our character faced that I figured would be solved this book, well one was, but the other wasn't. Plus the end of the book ended with the main character still kinda in the middle of the adventure we've been on this book. I mean like in the first book we had illusions to more minor mysteries that you feel would play bigger parts in future books, but all the main issues for that book were tidied up and given a proper book ending. With this one I felt like this book was just part one of the story we were on.
Another thing we have a minor event that gets brought up off and on in the book, then suddenly during the last fifty pages or so we find out that event is actually a major problem, then next chapter we're fixing it. I just felt like it all just happened too quick. Seems like that background event and the true problem it involved should have been introduced earlier then made part of the mysteries needed to be solved in the book, not tossed at us toward the end of the book after we're getting to were we should be solving the problems that have been in the books already, I mean it's okay to do if it is part of surprise twist and it turns out it's part of one your stories problems all along and didn't know it, but this twist didn't really have anything to do with the problems we've been trying to solve in this book. I mean awesome twist, but I felt like it didn't really do anything to the big events that'd we'd been working on in the story, just  this atmospheric event, is that a thing?
But if you love book based literature check this book out. I'll definitely be continuing the series, because I gotta see it she fixes things, and mainly cause it's a great series.
 

A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

I'm not sure how this one ended up on my radar, and I didn't know it was a children's book, well older children's book until I started reading it. It's the story of Mona a 14 year wizard baker who's powers only work with bread products. The story opens with Mona discovering a dead body in the kitchen of her aunt's bakery when she comes in to work one morning. Soon Mona finds herself in a plot to rid her city of all magic people and to overthrow the ruler.

As I mentioned earlier no clue this was a children's book, but it actually proved a good book to get me back into reading. In the latter half of 2020, my attention span due to my anxiety, or we are thinking could be ADD/ADHD, started falling off. I missed my Goodreads goal that year. I started with a goal of thirty then I lowered it to twenty went I saw I was struggling and missed completing by one. Then last year I tried 20 again and only managed five books. So this was a good book to ease me back in to the swing of things and remind me of why I love reading.
This was a really good book. It was Funny, thought provoking.  I was making notes of so many great quotes. I definitely recommend this for an older child, or the young at heart. My only thing was the fourteen year old protagonist kept referring to herself as a a child... I could see her saying she's a teenager, but not a kid, I mean what parent hasn't had the being called a kid argument? But that's just me. Though this could be cause they want to keep this aimed at kids. I definitely had some Shrek 2 vibes with the wizard being able to animate bread.
But it was a short sweet read, definitely gave me confidence and hopefully the willpower to try to focus my attention to reading again.

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

You know how they say the first line should grab your readers? It's very true, especially this book. When I read the first line "Never mix vodka and witchcraft", I knew I was in for a good time with this book. It is the story of Vivi,  one of the magical women of the Jones family of Graves Glen, Georgia. Vivi is going through a break up with Rhys Penhallow, a magically gifted man from Wales who's ancestor founded the town and made it a haven for witches, apparently all magical people, men and women, refer to themselves as witches, the term warlock for men is only used by older generations, specifically Rhys's father who refuses to let go of the old ways.
Well, Vivi and her cousin Gwyn the night Vivi breaks up with Rhys, decide to make a vodka induced decision to "hex" the guy. It was never meant to be an actually curse, no real magic, as Gwyn would say, was involved, more like just a bunch of mumbo jumbo to help Vivi feel better. Of course, they'll learn why their matriarch's advice of never mixing magic and vodka is very true, especially when Rhys returns to their town nine years later and they learn how fake drunken spells can lead to magically drunken consequences.
I'm happy to report this book was a good time. It hit all my marks magic, romance, and saving the world, well town. I love the characters, they made me smile as I read it. I couldn't put the book down. I now see why there was a waiting list at the library to get this book. I love magical families who have a long history, like Charmed, Practical Magic, or The Good Witch, this book fulfills that nicely. It also fulfills my love of strong magical women families.
There were great memorable quotes in this book that made me laugh. I always love a good book you want to remember the words from. I'm totally adding this to books to add to my permanent library, because I'll definitely want to revisit it in the future.

I'm So (Not) Over You by Kokoso Jackson

This is the first contemporary romance by the author. The book book follows the escapades of Kian who is approached by his ex of three months Hudson to go to his cousin's wedding. Seem he's neglected to tell his family they'd broken up.  Hudson sweetens the deal by offering him a glowing recommendation to a job he recently had been looked over for. What could possibly go wrong.
I had to give this a three on Goodreads. It wasn't like Robin Sloan's Sourdough that was just average and kinda forgettable. It was more of mixed bag of feelings about it. I liked the main character was a fellow North Carolinian, and suffers from similar mental health issues I do. I also loved when his geeky side came out. There was parts of this book that made me laugh so hard I had to tell my mother about it.  It also had very humorous and humorously quotable moments.
That being said I don't know why but it was hard to warm up to the characters. I sometimes found that they grated on my nerves for some reason. It was hard to love them, even the ones we're suppose to like, such as the main character. I get having an irritating secondary character, or a villain, but when a good portion of the characters, including the main character has me cringing in annoyance most of the time, yeah hard to really enjoy. Keep in mind though this is just me and how those personality types came of to me when I read. It could be you read them and will find them delightful, so don't pass the book up just because I'm not crazy about the character types.
If you love a gay Romantic Comedy I totally recommend it. It's funny, has a gay leading couple, and a hint of the geeky, we love the geeky here. If that sounds like your thing then give this book a read.

So we came through those tough situations to reach the end. I hope the rest of you weekend is good, read a good book, and God bless.

*Thrifty Geek*

Legend of Vox Machina Part 3: The Review Part 2

Hey Critters,  

Percy's demanding I finally finish this post

Happy 7th Anniversary Week of Critical Role, well a couple days past it! At long last I've gotten around to try to finish this series of posts, and I find it fitting it's done during their anniversary week, or at least started to write it then, will see if my anxiety and internet cooperates. So if you haven't already read parts one and two, so you're no lost here, and let's get this wrapped up! As always I'm trying not to do major spoilers, but some minor things will be talked about, so if you want to be completely spoiler free on even minor things skip this post.

Scanbo-

The De Rolo kids at school. I was bored in class like Cassandra but still a good student like Percy myself. Though none of my teachers made me worry they we're plotting my demise.

Inspiration from dreams. I've been inspired by dreams too, though if one for a weapon comes calling may be wary.

Keyleth and the Sun Tree, wish Matt could have done his Sun Tree for this, that was the best part of her talks with him, also wouldn't be attempting to put a fire out with ale make it worse, or am I mistaken on that front.

Poor Scanlan, sucky thing about being the funny guy of the group, no one takes you seriously when you have a serious plan. Uh poop shot, followed by Scanlan saying the word over and over, gross yet funny. Plus him coming across guards playing Dungeons and Dragons it seems. 

Talk about your burning indigestion. I can't remember if that's how the fire happened in the original, and we have Triceratops Scanlan!!!! I was getting worried at first when it hadn't happened I thought they weren't going to do it and they did! So happy! I also love the magic hand to sword combat.

Scanlan is the example for everyone that you can be the hero no matter who you are. All people are vital to an operation, even the small, wise cracking, sex driven ones. 

 

A Silver Tongue-

I think this is a great example of why we school need to keep the teachers of the world happy.  Can you imagine all of them suddenly turning against society? *insert Gir from Invader Zim's "Doom Song"*

Don't you guys just love witty banter between enemies? You know before you have to take them out or be killed. Grog being the tank man, amazing. He may not be able to read, but he is a magnificent fighting force, just add ale.

Beautiful animation on Keyleth's morph into Minxie form, I think I spelt that right, and bless her trying to take out the living armor. 

Can we talk about the professor's tongue action? I've heard of a golden tongue, but silver. I cringe when he moves his tongue like he does. Reminds me of a frelling jerk back in high school who would do tongue motions similar to that. It was disgusting. Plus that tongue of his can charm you to kill you friends... another reason to loath it. Although I thought half elves were immune to being charmed? 

Keyleth's sky writing is cool, even cooler is when it happened in real life, the look on Marisha's face is priceless.

I like the Everlight's words about walking the path true to you, and in doing so that'll being righteous to you. 

Hate when your trying to warn people and you can't get your words out, even worse when they assume you're talking dirty.

The Tide of Bone-

The villain backstory that adds a bit of humanity to them, or I guess in this case how one became inhuman, although how much humanity Lady Briarwood has left in her is questionable too.

So yay more scarily animated undead... really don't like living dead, cause they are hard to defeat and just keep coming at you, sometimes even when they're in pieces.

I see we have thry intense back to your wall looks like we're going to die situation, but does it meet the check list?

Big Bad We Surely Are Going To Die Battle Checklist *WARNING MAJOR SPOILERS*

1.Hysterical Character getting slapped to snap them out of it. Check.

2. Characters asking someone to speed a plan up. Check.

3. Beloved character dying horrible death. Check. 

4. Impassioned speech to rouse the masses. Check.

5. Ill timed love confession. Check.

6. Character getting peeved at ill timed love confession. Check.

7. Epic miraculous rescue. Check.

8, Oppressed people getting their revenge in a disturbing way. Check.

Why is Percy blaming himself for leaving his sister, he thought he saw her die by that arrow. If that had happened to me I would have thought that too.

Depths of Deceit-

Talk about your inner demons, Percy's really have manifested into a scary thing. Speaking of scary things, nothing worse than having to fight the undead, worse when their your family, even more worse  is your friend dancing in a shower of their broken remains.

Yes! Heavy metal Scanlan, playing in a magic hand over and acid pool, while a stark naked Grog dives into it. There's you a rock show

 

Whispers at the Ziggurat-

 The Ziggurat looks beautiful, but creepy. That green glow effect is amazing. 

 My sister and I have had some cut throat sibling rivalry, but these siblings take the cake.

Scanlan's heart dice eyes are so cute when Pike saves him. Grog fighting with his eyes shut, I think he did that at one point in the original series, I seem to recall it. So Grog.

Keyleth's epic light shown is another example of the beautiful animation in this series. I know I've mentioned that so much, but I can't help it, it's so amazing.

So yeah Ziggurat glowy, eerie, beautiful, green outside, dark creepy den of death and purple glowing eyes inside...

The Darkness Within-

 So I feel there's a lesson on the timing of things here.

Scanlan's incantations are as hilarious as his songs.

Ah the inner struggle with an inner demon, I know that pain well. I really sympathize with the guy having a dark force kicking your butt.

Eh seeing a death from the dying perspective unnerving.

And we end as many season finales do with a cliff hanger... 

 

Final Conclusions:

This show is amazing. It captures the heart and sole of the campaign. It was beautifully animated, voiced, and soundtracked, I know it's not a word, but it is now. The only faults I give it is that some of my favorite parts didn't make it, but I understand sometimes you gotta cut your darlings, especially when you have 300 hours to whittle down in 12 episodes. If you find yourself aching for more, or are curious about the original material then I highly encourage you to watch Campaign One. If you don't want spoiled for what I'm almost sure will be season two, just watch the episodes that lead to the point we left off in the animated show. If you find you can't find the time to watch it, then try the podcast they offer, especially good if you have a long commute to work.

I do hope you have enjoyed my Vox Machina posts. Sorry it took a minute for this one, but I'm glad to have done it. I hope your week is good, adventure on, and God bless you!

*Thrifty Geek*

Monthly Randoms: Of Gals, Cakes and Sandwich Boards

 Hello Friends,

I was hoping to start posting regularly again, but I'm very rusty, and the usual issues with the, which saying it at this point is making me a broken record, Mental Health Hydra B----. Well today I'm bringing you the late February Monthly Random. I know it's very late, but at this point I feel like I'm scrambling to do everything cause I feel like I'm behind on everything. I also know what your thinking: Where's the third part to the Vox Machina post? Sorry I over estimated that project a bit, I know I said I'd do it last week, but yeah I had crap happen. So that will come out at some point. Hopefully soon, but no promises. But I did want to go ahead to get this Random out instead of doing a combined February and March one. So here is the Randoms of February.

Random Name Change:

Did she change the blog name? Why yes I did change the name. When I moved my blog here it was called "Once Upon a Bologna Sandwich". I forget when I decided to change it, I had fallen out of love with Bologna sandwiches and changed it to Backwoods Geek. Well sometime this year, I felt the name of my blog was too boring, and I missed the whimsy of my first name. So I revamped it with a sandwich I never have gotten tired of and now it's "Once Upon A Turkey Sandwich".

Random Doings:

Week of the February 14th- 19th-

I was going to make a post about this last month, but then the Vox Machina posts took precedence.  So I'll start with Valentine's Day. I spent this day of love with the fam, cause I got no man to speak off. I gave my folks a parents' Valentine's with three pieces of candy each, the rest of their gifts came after I went out with Fangirl the next day. I received a card, a box of chocolates, and a bag of assorted Hershey's™ candy. Mom baked us a heart cake:

The frosting is strawberry. The cake is a plain cake.

 

Galentine's Day and my Monthly Granny Outing-

Fangirl and I hung out on the 15th, which became our Galentine's Day. I gave her some flowers and made her a Supernatural themed card. We hit our usual haunts such as Morgan's Comics in West Asheville. Morgan the owner is an amazing artist, not only does she sell her art, but you can find it around the shop like on her Sandwich Board:

Grogu is so cute!

 

I ended up coming across another cute sandwich board while I was out with my Granny the next day at Vale123Pizza:

Mom's B-Day-

The week rounded out the 18th with my Mother's Birthday. For the celebration my Mother made another cake:

 

It was Strawberry all the way through, my Mom's favorite. I know what your thinking: Didn't you just have cake four days earlier, yup. Still had some of it left too when this was made. Mid-February is the time of Strawberry flavored cake. You're also probably wondering why my Mom baked her own cake. Well my Dad I don't think knows how to back and I'm not allowed to. There was a Mom birthday cake related baking disaster when I was 16 my Mother has yet to fully forgive and definitely not forget.

Favorites From My Socials:

Reddit has some great video game themed artistry last month that got my upvote. This first was this Samus Metroid 3D Artwork that u/Wizyakuza created, you can purchase it here. The next piece of art is this cute crocheted Celeste, from Animal Crossing, done by u/EntertainTheDog. Lastly u/Shinamus shared this Uncharted fan video by Allan Ungar, which stars Nathan Fillon! 

There was strong  musician vibes last month on Instagram. Firstly, is from SJ Tucker, showing off a birthday present made for her from her song "In The House of Mama Dragon". It's a great song about this woman Sooj knows, even if you're not Pagan, you'll love it, I'm Christian and I love it. Second one is from Patti Smith featuring this beautiful spiral stone.

Doctor Who started Black History Month on Twitter with a throwback to their episode "Rosa", it was a powerful episode, one of the best not only of Whitaker's but I dare say the whole series. @KP11Studios shared this nerdy meme that totally explain why I am the way I am, and since Supernatural is part of that, you shouldn't be surprised I liked Chester the 67 Impala.

The like I'm showcasing from Tumblr was posted by What Greater Gift Than The Love Of A Cat called Snow Lovers. Reminds me of that snow scene in Garfield's Christmas Special from the 80's.

The cat content continues with TikTok. I follow 3 Southern Cats and Momma, and her cat Willow is a huge Reba McEntire fan. In this video, Willow gets a surprise when a certain red head songstress comments on a post.

Things To Watch:

I love the YouTuber LaurenzSide. As all her fans know she is a fan of bread. She is, after all the bread queen. Well Lauren discovered canned bread recently. When I saw the title I thought of Squidward in that one Spongebob Squarepants episode. Even Lauren mentioned that episode. I actually remember after seeing that show wondering if that was a thing, well apparently it is. 

Things I Wanna Get:

So this past Christmas my Great Aunt, in her generous nature, put together a bunch of gifts for me. Well one of those gifts was a box filled with assorted bags of candy. One of those was a candy I'd never tried before Andes Cherry Jubilee. I figured it was going to be Cherry flavored chocolate, but it was all that and better. It tasted like those chocolate covered cherries my Dad used to get at Christmas, but easier to eat.  

Things I've Found:

1. Since I heard about Maya Angelou's Quarter I wanted to get it when it was released. Well while I was out with my Grandmother she got two of them in some change she got back. I'm so happy to have gotten one. 

2. While out the same day I was perusing the Easter section, which I guess is utilized for Ostra too. I saw a selection of different light up eggs. I guess night egg hunting is getting big. The ones that caught my eye were these unicorn eggs:

 

My Mom would love these, she loves unicorns. I think they're cute.

3. I came across this shirt abandoned in Wal-Mart:

I feel like this is a good reminder we all need to try to do if we can. I said try, even I'm not nice all the time. 

4. So I was Mod the Sims looking for some Sims Custom Content, and I came across this custom lot designed to look like a Monopoly board. That alone was funny, what is even funnier is the description of it. I downloaded it, don't know how I'll use it. 

5. I think the Captain is responsible for this next, she shared this on her Facebook wall.  It's an article form Media Chomp entitled "Apparently People Don't Know How to Boil Water". It's talking about a  comment thread that starts with a discovery about hot tea, that leads to a debate about how to heat water. Now all this is all funny enough, but the cherry on top of it is the last comment where someone turns the thread comments into a Shakespearean play... I encourage you to read this guys, it's great.  

Well that is February's Randoms completed. I hope Your week is well, try to be kind, and may my God bless you!

*Thrifty Geek*

The Legend of Voxmachina Part 2: The Review Part 1

 Bidet Critters,

 

Well today, as promised, I'm gonna bring you my review of The Legend of Vox Machina. As I mentioned in the last post I've been so excited since they announced they were making an animated series to campaign one of Critical Role. I found myself imagining if my favorite scenes would make the cut, what they might look like, and wondering what would be changed. So to fully give you my thoughts on the season we'll take this episode by episode. I'll give my thoughts and observations for each one, and then end with an overall review. Now originally there was just going to be two parts to these Legend of Vox Machina posts, but as I was writing this post, I realized it'd be a monster post doing all 12 episodes in one, so I'll do the first half of the episodes in this post then finish in a third part. Sound like plan? Okay let's get at it! 

Warning if you haven't seen it, there might be some spoilerish things here because I'm writing it as if you've seen the episodes, I'm going to try not to do any major spoilers though if I can help it. So if you don't want to know anything about it, may want to skip this post and the next.

The Terror of Tal'Dorei Part 1-

OK, so right off the bat I think you'll realize this is an animated series not suitable, for work, children, or the squeamish. Lot's of language, gore, and adult thingds.  Yeah so there's your warning. 

Can we just fan over the fact David Tennant, 10th Doctor and Good Omens' Crowley, is doing a voice for this show. When I first learned he was going to be in this, one I freaked, and two I'm like how'd they rope in this talent for their show, I didn't even know something like this be on his radar, until you remember him and Sam Riegal worked on the new Ducktales together, which is also an awesome show. 

The first scene with Vox Machina, which had been one of the sneak peeks we got of the show,  I think just sets the tone for this group, and campaign one in general. I love the exchange between Vax and his antagonist. Love that moment you make your big winded enemies mess up beautifully. The ensuing fight was so hilarious. Although I will admit the projectile puck to the mouth, made me cringe and wanna gag, I got a thing about puke a bit, but still a gross yet effective way to throw off your assailant even if it was accidental.

I love we have a part where Scanlan is peeing on a Matt Mercer looking character, voiced by Matt Mercer. I'm just wondering who came up with that bit the writers or the original cast? Is this commentary for those times the players in game has peed on Matt's plans for a campaign. DM's know what I'm talking about.

I love Scanlan's music, that was one aspect of this I was wondering how it'd be done. In the original web series Scanlan's songs were the best, but they usually were parodies of main stream songs, I was hoping they'd find someway to leave that element in, of course I knew they'd have to create it from scratch, and I have to say it doesn't disappoint.

Now, this first episode and it's second part are an adventure we never saw in in the original web series, this adventure took place in the home games, we only hear about it in the gang's remembrance when they have to revisit it later.

Then of course there's the end of the episode that pulls at your heart, that you hate to happen, but you know for story and character progression purposes has to happen to get this unlikely group to come together to whip evil's butt.

The Terror of Tal'Dorei Part 2-

In this episode we have Felicia Day voicing the Captain of the army, which not surprising given her involvement with the show, and sad to say not surprised the outcome for her character. I feel like I've seen so many of her characters end up like that. 

In this episode is where we seen the opening used for the first time, which was another sneak peek fans got before the show. Is this similar to the tune they eventually would use for their campaign one opening? I think it's beautifully animated. The animation on this whole project is amazing, and in some cases very grossly disturbing, but that's how you know it's well done when animation can leave you awed and grossed out.

I love Scanlan is is unfazed by royalty. He is himself no matter who is standing before. I respect that. I also love the little mini bear cuddles scene. Trinket who is vicious in battle being cuddle like a living teddy bear. I love it so much! Trinket should have all the cuddles.

This is the first episode we see the glorious Gilmore in all his glorious...ness? One of my favorite NPC characters from campaign one. When he is around his energy just makes you smile. The shop is more beautiful than I could ever imagine, and for those who are familiar with campaign two, did you see the book? I know! Awesome little nod to the Might Nein era!

Vox Machina versus the door scene, another sneak peek we got. I love how they took a joke from like midway in the campaign, and made it an official thing through out the animated series. For those who are new to this world who are wondering did Vox Machina really have this much trouble with doors in the web show, yeah at some point doors became the real enemy of this group.

These episodes have actually helped refresh my memory of elements of the series. It's been three years about since I've seen campaign one, and I've only had the pleasure of one watch through. So I love how my fuzzy memory has allowed some moments to be a mystery up to the "oh yeah that happened" moment. 

This dragon fight scene is amazing, and the blue dragon alone is a work of art. Dragons often can be some of the most beautifully done beings in a fantasy animation, and this one is amazing. I was just staring at it like what a animated master piece.

We have first look at the Briarwoods. I don't know why I get a kick out of the scene where Lady Briarwood is calmly sipping her tea in the foreground while her husband is in the background dealing with the ruffians. Yes, my humor can get pretty morbid at times.

The Feast of Realms-

I enjoy the little scene in the morning. The gentle chaos of it that really gives sense of the bonds these guys have: from their jokes, to not batting an eye when Keyleth's birds land on the table as she makes her perky entrance, even their bickering shows their a tight knit group who's become accustomed to each other's eccentricities.

The gang's entrance at the ball is great. A rag tag team trying to be "dignified", and you can tell Percy is the only one who truly in his element. Scanlan's codpiece totally puts me in the mind of the voice actor's costumes from the live shows. Yes he lit in up on occasion.

I'm happy that Jenga's still the safe word of the group for when their in trouble. I'm so glad that made it to the animation from the web series. I also smiled when I saw Vax's snake belt, I forgot about the little guy. I'm not even a fan of snakes and I find this little guy cute.

I feel so bad for Percy in this episode, first nightmares, then seeing the people responsible for them. Talk about dinner nightmares, it's always so awkward when they set you across from you family's murderers. Even worse when they have tainted your family legacy. The Briarwoods are amazing villains though are they not? Dark, calculating, and deadly, but refined. Silas is the ever classic, sophisticated vampire complete with a blood thirsty blade that's black as his soul.

I find it interesting the juxtaposition of the dark, bloody battle taking place outside to the ridiculous, funny performance of Scanlan's going on the inside. We finally see an even darker side to Percy, and his plague doctor chic. Those new to the realm can see why he earned the fan title of "No Mercy Percy".

Shadows a the Gates-

In this episode we find the party under house arrest in their keep, as result of their actions in the last episode. Confining this lot to one space... yeah what can possibly go wrong there? Nothing much just some middle finger battling between Vax and Scanlan, a brilliant, but batched escape attempt led by Percy, and oh yeah an army of undead trying to murder them for an old creepy tome... Any one else have a scene from the 90's The Mummy pop in your head.

We have Jarret in the series for the first time, who is elevated to the role of a Captain. In the web series is one of their keeps' guards Vox Machina hired. Either way he guarding this lot, so his character's essence is still similar .

I think Grog eating the ashes of Pike's ancestors in his search for food is one of my favorite bits of new humors material that has been brought to this version of the story. I enjoyed the exchange between Pike and Grog, really one of the sweet moments in this series that showcases how close they are as friends and also shows Grog displaying a rare moment of profoundness. 

Anyone else in the scene with the napping guard get some Ghostbusters Dana be taken by Zuul vibes with that? Am I the only one? Plus I'm also getting like some like The Exorcist or other movies involving possession notes during the battle. *shivers*

Ok, the undead in this is creepy as all get out. I mean they look terrifying and plus seeing what they can do to a body. I'd go as far to say if your easy to scare and/or have an overactive imagination, don't watch this episode at night by yourself. If you do I recommend watching something lighthearted and fuzzy afterwards to nullify it before you go to bed.

The end of the episode of course has the group splitting with a couple members of the party. Pike I was expecting due to the fact for a portion of this game play Ashley Johnson was very scarce due to her job on a show, which of course took precedence, so they had to creatively come up with a reason for Pike's absence in the original game play. Then there's Trinket, while I love the bear with all my heart, I know why they left Trinket behind, because I remember in the game the mobility of Trinket was such a difficult thing for the party, and since we've yet to reach that point in the story where they find something to aid that, I guess everyone decided for story flow sake and party traveling ease to leave him safely behind. I'm not sure if that was what they originally did during this journey in the web series.

Fate's Journey-

Here we have the gang at Gilmore's shop really taking the just really taking the concept of showing up at your besties' place and just cleaning them out of stuff to a new level. What is more sad Gilmore doesn't even look surprised to find them doing so and despite trying to steal from him he just let's then saty and carry on like normal.

Grog missing Pike is so sad, yet cute. You just wanna give him a big hug.  As for the big scary dog like creatures. If it wasn't for the fact their creepy beyond reason and full of dark magic I'd say there's you some guard dogs. Then there's poor Scanlan giving a new meaning to getting tongued; which anyone else surprised in the scene with them revisiting their strangest kills that Scanlan's involved a romantic encounter? Me neither.

The bit at the end with the warning at the sun tree for Vox Machina. I forgot that happened and uh hit me harder I think than in the web series. It's always really hard too after they show the people living their lives or having happy moment, then you see horrible things befall them. It rips at your heart even more.Then if that wasn't bad enough the credits have this sad music with the sound of the weighted rope swaying in the breeze, which just makes it all eerie. 

Spark of Rebellion-

This episode finds Dominic Monaghan voicing the rebellion leader Archibald. I have a friend who loves the actor who might decide to watch the series for that alone. That was also one of the surprising voices I found being part of the cast. I also was delighted to find Gina Torres (Zoey from Firefly/Serenity) playing Keeper Yennen, an excellent choice for that.

I like in this series we get more glimpses of what Pike was doing in her time apart from the group. In the original we'd only see her on and not see really a lot what she'd been going through on her end.

I found the group's ridiculous plan's of rescue complete with cute, crude doodles a nice light moment in all the darkness. I really love Scanlan the Revolutionary, with his beret. That drawing is just cute and funny, it just makes me smile.

Percy with Bad News on the roof with that coat billowing in the breeze... I don't what it is just loving Percy in this series. He was my second favorite character in the web series. Vax being first and being tied with Vex, but in this season of this show, Percy is shining for me. Now in later seasons, which really hoping for more seasons, that may change, but for now, loving the stoic, brilliant aesthetic Percy is projecting, you know when not being overtaken by darker entities.  

I don't know what it is, but I especially in a fantasy world, love story lines where we see these hidden factions of rebellion in a secret hide outs plotting the down fall of evil overlords, then little by little start bringing them down.

Whew, that's a lot. I basically just relived college. As film student we watched movies where our teachers would pause it every few minutes to point out something or another. Well since I was writing each little write up while watching each episode, I had to stop the video a few times to be able to get all my words out so I could focus. Doing six episodes in such a fashion, yeah takes a lot out of you, because I've been working on this for a couple or so days feels like. So I'll end it here and get back with  part three hopefully sometime this week. Gonna take a day or maybe two to recharge and not work on a blog post and just rest. So I'll see you all in the next one.

*Thrifty Geek*