Mrs. Oshimbo: September 2010 Archives

Happy Birthday Meg!

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 30, 2010 6:11 PM

Today is Meg's 26th Birthday!!

Happy Happy Joy Joy!
That's Ren and Stimpy for you youngins

Admission #1 - This is the third time I am writing this intro because my blog program has decided to hate me and keeps overwriting things I cannot retrieve right as I am done. Your name is mud Movable Type. Each time I rewrite it, it becomes a little different than the previous time. I am sorry if this sucks...I am sure the other version may have been okay.

I have had the privilege of knowing Meg (@MegUrbani) since Spring 2009. We became friends over a common love of Twilight and Twilight Fanfic, but have since grown past just those two things. Some time long ago, I was searching twitter for key words. At the time, I wanted to know if anyone knew if Wide Awake's epilogue ever posted or if anyone else cared about it. I found lots of people who were also talking about it, including Meg. Admission #2 - I didn't think Meg and I would be friends because I was intimidated by her bio about being an internationally published fashion photographer. Me, being ubershy and easily intimidated, thought there was no way she'd like me. I was happy to find that Meg is completely down-to-earth, real, and awesome.

My birthday was in August and Meg made me these very funny Edward/Rob pics. I wanted to return the favor on her birthday with some kind of present. I first had wanted to use photoshopped heads on bodies type of art (but in obviously bad ways, not manips). However, I suck at photoshop, even in the bad way. I decided to go with caricatures based on my manga/anime/Japanese Lolita/chibi love. I made a picture of Meg and KStew. Meg loves KStew and she and Mr. O like to tag team against me for ever saying anything against her (it's a fake diss mostly over her Twi blinking/stuttering thing).

Meg received her present yesterday and tweeted a picture of it. I am so happy she liked it.

The key to being an unhealthily obsessed Twilight fan is to know when you're being a lunatic and to be able to laugh at yourself because of it. There is always someone more crazy than you in any fandom. Meg & I may be ravenous fans, but we also like to joke about everyone who seems worse (to us). And yes, we too know how lame we can be about it.

So I decided to see what was out there if we took ourselves too seriously and thought all things Twilight were magical and not in the least bit creepy. Let's go...

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Continue reading Happy Birthday Meg!.

Fav Lyrics #22 - State Radio // Keepsake

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 29, 2010 11:41 AM

I've been trying to figure out what this song means for awhile. On the surface to me it's about suicide, but possibly it's about things he keeps to remind him of his life. Or are those drugs he takes thinking about each aspect of his life? I'm not sure if these things help or hurt him. However, there are loved ones he thinks about. What do you think it's about?

Keepsake

One gonna heal my body, another gonna heal my pain
One gonna settle me down then bring me back up again

I'm gonna put my family back together again

One gonna hold my woman, another gonna hold my job
One gonna help me get up, another gonna help me stop

One gonna help me talk right, one gonna lay me down to sleep

One gonna hold my thoughts, and another gonna hold my bones
One gonna keep me warm, and another gonna keep me cold

One gonna bring religion, right from a Coleman stove
One gonna help me keep, and another gonna help me take.

One gonna run me down (Hell a bullet's in my way)

You're gonna keep my soul it was yours to have long ago

I'm gonna buckle my belt around the ceiling pipe
I'm gonna buckle my knees and I'm gonna lock em up tight

I'm gonna hold a pen while you drag my arm across the page

One gonna hold my memories, another gonna close the door
One gonna leave me restless another wanting more

You're gonna keep my soul it was yours to have long ago

Follow that blog: Twankhard

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 28, 2010 9:55 AM

Source: Twitarded

Today while looking at tweets, someone wrote "OMG @Twankhard you've made my morning". Being the nosy person I am, I clicked on the twitter account to see what it was. I found a blog, and I liked it. Check out Twankhard for news about Twilight Fanfic authors/stories they say have "twanked". "Twanking" is doing something in the fandom that kinda makes you a tool.

I love their list for "How Do I Avoid Twanking?":

We're glad you asked.
Don't be an asshole.
Be funny.
Laugh.
Have fun.
Don't take yourself so seriously.
Remember that fanfiction is a hobby, not a career.
Don't troll.
If you troll, be really smart about it.
No, really. Be really really smart about it.
Don't whine about reviews on Twitter, LJ, Blogger, etc etc etc.
Don't try to publish your fanfiction.
Don't try to make any profit off your fanfiction.
Don't insult your readers.
Don't be a hypocrite. If you complain about authors bashing other stories, don't let us find you doing the same thing.
Don't provoke entire known critical communities. It's funny, but come on. You're wanking. Admit it.
Don't be a bigot/racist/sexist. We'll flame you so fucking hard...
Don't forget that respect is gained, not given by default, and you always start out at nil.
When you get called on your bullshit and you know it, laugh at yourself. Admit your shortcomings.
Don't be an asshole.
Inspired by This, because we are so unoriginal.

So basically someone reports a "twank", the site investigates and blogs about authors/stories they agree have done something twank-worthy. Current post is about The University of Edward Mason, but I see Just Wait made their site as well.

Glad I found this site today.

haters gonna hate...

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 27, 2010 1:21 PM

Today I learned some news that really, really, really, really made me the opposite of happy. And I know when it comes out and I have any opinion that is not YAY, then people will say "haters gonna hate." And in some parts, yeah, I am hatin', but mostly I feel the "how" is against what I consider good. I know...

But what if I find the game repulsive and lacking of all things I want for myself? I don't want my future tied up in things that make me feel dirty or underhanded. I don't want to be a "yes man" just so people think I play along even though I find so many things mediocre at best. It all just makes me feel like this...

But that's not nice and against my core beliefs too (What what? I'm against murder? Yeah, shocking isn't it?). So, how do I continue to live in this world when no matter what I do it's not what business wants or accepts? I don't want to conform. In most cases, I don't even want what others have, but I do wish I saw more people who got things they actually deserved. I'm tired of seeing celebratory actions of people I really can't stand. Their actions piss me off especially when they flaunt it too.

I want to knock the smug off their mugs sometimes. So after being beat down with all of this, it's no wonder I am my own self-fulfilling prophecy of doom. I don't want it, I detest it, I don't do it, which means there's nothing to show for it, so no one takes notice, and I wonder why someone else got it. Yeah, I suck. I'm sure my attitude is pretty transparent, but sometimes I don't care. I am not entirely sure what I'm so pissed off at really.

I also don't want to end up like Ambrose...

That kind of attitude will expose me and that won't help. Really this post is just a place for me to vent. There are no solutions, nor do I really want to "solve" anything or make a stink. I just found myself upset over something and needed to get it out. Ranting is more beneficial to my long term goals than self medicating would be (not that I do anything like that...I don't...never have, and most likely never will...but in emergencies, morphine is nice...I digress).

Yes, and as I finish this I see that this is life, and this is everywhere. I can pretend it'd be different someplace else, but most likely, it's all the same. I'll still be hating the game and its "playas" because I don't want to play that game, and don't want to be compared to those players. Alas, if I want what I want, then I'll find a way to do it that still matches my morals and ideals in life. I won't change myself to get ahead. I can't. And with that, I end this rant. Thanks for listening.

P.S. So this is not all one-sided: I do have a friend who rightfully has received an award for accomplishments. I am very proud of this person's recognition because I do believe it is deserved and done for the good of the job, not just for the good of the individual. Congrats to you!

Fanfic Review - Just Wait

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 26, 2010 10:33 PM | 2 Comments

Source ReachingAsIFall

Just Wait
By, InstantKarmaGirl

Author Summary:
AH / AU / OOC
In a world saturated by vices, Bella is forced to move in with her father
to avoid the repercussions of her past deeds. But after she meets the socially
withdrawn adopted son of the town's doctor, will she allow herself to open up and heal?

Twilight / Rated: M / Chapters: 68 / Published: 8-21-09 / Edward & Bella / Complete

The Pieces
(epilogue posted after the story ended)

Author Summary:
This is the epilogue to Just Wait. This is for everyone who needs more closure,
except for one person who should just be ashamed of her/himself.
This is for the respectful readers who asked for it, not the one person who demanded it.
Buzz, buzz.

Twilight / Rated: M / Chapters: 1 / Published: 9-26-10 / Edward & Bella / Complete

**SPOILER ALERT**

I will be discussing details within the story, so please don't read on if you haven't read the story or do not wish to see my thoughts on the story.

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Continue reading Fanfic Review - Just Wait.

Fav Lyrics #21 - Ani Difranco // 32 Flavors

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 24, 2010 4:02 PM

32 Flavors

Squint your eyes and look closer
I'm not between you and your ambition
I am a poster girl with no poster
I am thirty-two flavors and then some
And I'm beyond your peripheral vision
So you might want to turn your head
Because someday you're going to get hungry
And eat most of the words you just said

Both my parents taught me about goodwill
And I have done well by their names
Just the kindness I've lavished on strangers
Is more than I can explain
Still there's many who've turned out their porch lights
Just so I would think they were not home
And hid in the dark of their windows
Until I'd passed and left them alone

And God help you if you are an ugly girl
Course too pretty is also your doom
Because everyone harbors a secret hatred
For the prettiest girl in the room
And God help you if you are a phoenix
And you dare to rise up from the ash
A thousand eyes will smolder with jealousy
While you are just flying past

I'm not trying to give my life meaning
By demeaning you
And I would like to state for the record
I did everything that I could do
I'm not saying that I'm a saint
I just don't want to live that way
No, I will never be a saint
But I will always say

Squint your eyes and look closer
I'm not between you and your ambition
I am a poster girl with no poster
I am thirty-two flavors and then some
And I'm beyond your peripheral vision
So you might want to turn your head
Because someday you might find you're starving
And eating all of the words you said

Opinions are like assholes...

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 23, 2010 12:25 PM | 4 Comments

...everyone's got one and they all stink!

So have you ever watched a situation from the "bleachers" and formulated what you might think is advice, but really is just your opinion? It's easier to do this nowadays when we expose ourselves so much via online activities. If anyone took the time to really delve further, I think we all share exactly who we truly are, no matter the disguise we hide it behind.

Well, I have been watching something from my comfy seat in the sky-box and I have formed some opinions (or advice), but I feel leery of dispensing it because I know when things are happening, unless you are ready to hear it, it's just noise that will fall to the wayside. It won't be until time has passed and you can look back on a situation with your 20/20 goggles and see that the words of others made sense; however until then, you may think that person is a know-it-all-bitchface for telling you what you don't want to hear.

Yet, I have all these thoughts gnawing at brain that want to come out, so I figured in general terms, I will dispense my "advice" (aka stinky asshole opinions) in my blog and at least give them room to run and play without being trapped in the confines of my mind.

I will choose to believe that life has taught me lessons and maybe they can help someone somewhere, even if some it sounds cliche. Like the speech used in Baz Lurhmann's "Everyone is Free (To Wear Sunscreen)":

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it.
Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the
past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts
and recycling it for more than it's worth.

So before you discount anything I say, just give me chance.
You can ignore everything, but at least I was able to say what I needed to say.
And know that it is all done from a place of care and consideration.
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Continue reading Opinions are like assholes....

It's one of those days...

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 22, 2010 1:16 PM

Fav Lyrics #20 - LCD Soundsystem // Losing My Edge

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 21, 2010 11:11 AM

I wish this song didn't hit so close to home.
Ah yes, the glory of getting old...but gaining "wisdom". ;)

Losing My Edge

Yeah, I'm losing my edge.
I'm losing my edge.
The kids are coming up from behind.
I'm losing my edge.
I'm losing my edge to the kids from France and from London.
But I was there.

I was there in 1968.
I was there at the first Can show in Cologne.
I'm losing my edge.
I'm losing my edge to the kids whose footsteps I hear when they get on the decks.
I'm losing my edge to the Internet seekers who can tell me every member of every good group from 1962 to 1978.
I'm losing my edge.

To all the kids in Tokyo and Berlin.
I'm losing my edge to the art-school Brooklynites in little jackets and borrowed nostalgia for the unremembered eighties.

But I'm losing my edge.
I'm losing my edge, but I was there.
I was there.
But I was there.

I'm losing my edge.
I'm losing my edge.
I can hear the footsteps every night on the decks.
But I was there.
I was there in 1974 at the first Suicide practices in a loft in New York City.
I was working on the organ sounds with much patience.
I was there when Captain Beefheart started up his first band.
I told him, "Don't do it that way. You'll never make a dime."
I was there.
I was the first guy playing Daft Punk to the rock kids.
I played it at CBGB's.
Everybody thought I was crazy.
We all know.
I was there.
I was there.
I've never been wrong.

I used to work in the record store.
I had everything before anyone.
I was there in the Paradise Garage DJ booth with Larry Levan.
I was there in Jamaica during the great sound clashes.
I woke up naked on the beach in Ibiza in 1988.

But I'm losing my edge to better-looking people with better ideas and more talent.
And they're actually really, really nice.

I'm losing my edge.

I heard you have a compilation of every good song ever done by anybody. Every great song by the Beach Boys. All the underground hits. All the Modern Lovers tracks. I heard you have a vinyl of every Niagra record on German import. I heard that you have a white label of every seminal Detroit techno hit - 1985, '86, '87. I heard that you have a CD compilation of every good '60s cut and another box set from the '70s.

I hear you're buying a synthesizer and an arpeggiator and are throwing your computer out the window because you want to make something real. You want to make a Yaz record.

I hear that you and your band have sold your guitars and bought turntables.
I hear that you and your band have sold your turntables and bought guitars.

I hear everybody that you know is more relevant than everybody that I know.

But have you seen my records? This Heat, Pere Ubu, Outsiders, Nation of Ulysses, Mars, The Trojans, The Black Dice, Todd Terry, the Germs, Section 25, Althea and Donna, Sexual Harrassment, a-ha, Pere Ubu, Dorothy Ashby, PIL, the Fania All-Stars, the Bar-Kays, the Human League, the Normal, Lou Reed, Scott Walker, Monks, Niagra,

Joy Division, Lower 48, the Association, Sun Ra,
Scientists, Royal Trux, 10cc,

Eric B. and Rakim, Index, Basic Channel, Soulsonic Force ("just hit me"!), Juan Atkins, David Axelrod, Electric Prunes, Gil! Scott! Heron!, the Slits, Faust, Mantronix, Pharaoh Sanders and the Fire Engines, the Swans, the Soft Cell, the Sonics, the Sonics, the Sonics, the Sonics.

You don't know what you really want.

DIY really does mean "Do It Yourself"

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 21, 2010 9:49 AM

Our order from Kid Robot arrived yesterday. As mentioned before, Mr. O and I want to try our hands at DIY Vinyl Toy Designs. Mr. O has some very exciting ideas using an Arduino to create a Munny that can possibly rotate its head, move its arms, or even make noises. That's all WAY ABOVE my head (no matter how many times I ask him to explain it to me in layman's terms, AKA Arduino for Dummies).

So, what did we get?

We bought two Kid Robot Munnyworld Munny Series 4 DIYs. They are 7-in tall and come with 4 blind items. A blind item is a surprise. Some Kid Robot toys are completely blind meaning you pick a box and hope you don't already have what's inside. They purposely package the blind items in a foil pouch because some people go as far as to try and use an x-ray device to see inside.

For our two Munnys, we received the following blind items (8 total):

toupee
driver cap
mini bear
lightening bolt
cape
35mm film case
an ax
a phaser gun

Mr. O wanted two to play with, but most likely I'll get one of his two, or get to help customize the one with electronics in it.

I also ordered a Trikky:

It's a Kid Robot Munnyworld mini Trikky. It is 4-in tall and comes with two blind items. For mine, I received a graffiti can attached to a pole and a yellow marker that looks like a light saber to me.

If I had it my way (and an unlimited budget), I'd buy multiple of ALL the DIY toys so when inspiration hit I'd have my "canvases". That would be A> Costly, and B> Kinda dumb considering now that I have these perfect vinyl toys beaming with unlimited potential, I am terrified of them. I think it'll be awhile before paint actually ever touches the surfaces.

Goal:

Start drawing the shapes of the Munny and Trikky so when I do design them, there will be complete models
Practice drawing from the manga/chibi/creatures art books I bought so I will be more confident once I actually start mine
Watch videos and read tips from those who have already done this and want to help. I already have a friend on Twitter who does this as a hobby and has been very helpful.

We'll keep you posted on our progress. (It may take forever)

Who am I anyway?

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 20, 2010 10:42 AM

I am not sure how many people know that I was a professional "dancer/actress/model" from around ages 8-16. I even had my SAG & AFTRA cards to prove it. I lived close enough to Hollywood that I could go to auditions and work if necessary. I never hit it big, and I can make all the excuses about being Asian which fell in popularity after White, Black, Hispanic, & Red-Head, or that Big-eyed Asians were popular when I was young, or I looked too mature too fast, etc. I could say all that is true, but in reality, if I were being truly honest, I never wanted it. I was a good dancer, and for some time, I was a great dancer. However, I have always been a great mimic. You show me what you want, and I will copy it exactly. You tell me what emotion you want me to portray, I will give you that. But if you asked me to create or just "be" the dance/character, I probably failed. It takes a drive that I don't have to survive Hollywood.

Yet, I will always value what I learned from my experiences and the moderate success of a few jobs that I did do. I see some of the kids I worked with who continue to work today and I am amazed at their perseverance. They knew at a young age what they always wanted to do and I am slightly envious of that certainty.

My favorite musical is A Chorus Line. I have seen it twice on Broadway in NYC, the original and the revival. I love the movie (Michael Douglas stars as The Director, Zach). In my everyday life, the songs in A Chorus Line will run through my head during situations where I feel I am being tested and want something.

A Chorus Line is a musical about the audition process to choose dancers who will perform in the chorus. The chorus are those dancers in the background who backup the stars of the show. They aren't the ones to receive the most recognition, but for a dancer, and opportunity to even perform in any capacity in a show is a great honor, and very competitive. This story showcases the lives of dancers to show who they are beyond amazing performers who can "mimic" a producer's vision. They are humanized and you feel for each one of them.

The song that hits home each time I hear it is during the opening sequence of "I Hope I Get It." It is sung by the character Paul who sings "Who Am I Anyway?". The sentiments are not just about an audition, but knowing who you are as a person.

Who am I anyway?

Am I my resume?
That is a picture of a person I don't know.
What does he want from me?
What should I try to be?
So many faces all around and here we go
I need this job, Oh God, I need this show.

Let's talk about Paul more after the jump...
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Continue reading Who am I anyway?.

Fanfic Review - Master of the Universe

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 20, 2010 12:10 AM

Banner "borrowed" from 50shades.com

Master of the Universe
By, Snowqueens Icedragon

Author Summary:
Bella Swan is drafted in to interview the reclusive enigmatic Edward Cullen, multi-millionaire CEO of his company. It's an encounter that will change her life irrevocably. M AH

Twilight / Rated: M / Chapters: 87 / Published: 9-11-09 / Bella & Edward

**SPOILER ALERT**

I will be discussing details within the story, so please don't read on if you haven't read the story or do not wish to see my thoughts on the story.

Please note the story link above is from the author's blog with the unrated version. You must be 18+ to enter her blog. The story can also be found on Twilighted (unrated version) or an edited version on fanfic.net.

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Continue reading Fanfic Review - Master of the Universe.

Fav Lyrics #19 - Lamb // Gorecki

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 19, 2010 10:34 PM

Gorecki

If I should die this very moment
I wouldn't fear
For I've never known completeness
Like being here
Wrapped in the warmth of you
Loving every breath of you
Still my heart this moment
Or it might burst
Could we stay right here
Until the end of time until the earth stops turning
Wanna love you until the seas run dry
I've found the one I've waited for

All this time I've loved you
And never known your face
All this time I've missed you
And searched this human race
Here is true peace
Here my heart knows calm
Safe in your soul
Bathed in your sighs
Wanna stay right here
Until the end of time
Till the earth stops turning
Gonna love you until the seas run dry
I've found the one I've waited for

The one I've waited for

All I've known
All I've done
All I've felt was leading to this
All I've known
All I've done
All I've felt was leading to this
Wanna stay right here
Till the end of time, till the earth stops turning
I'm gonna love you till the seas run dry
I've found the one I've waited for
The one I've waited for
The one I've waited for

Wanna stay right here
Till the end of time, till the earth stops turning
I'm gonna love you till the seas run dry
I've found the one I've waited for
The one I've waited for
The one I've waited for

The Mrs. Oshimbo Fanfic Distribution Center is Now CLOSED

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 18, 2010 12:05 AM | 4 Comments

Right as I was completing that last entry, I was given a message. It came in the form of an author asking me not to distribute a story. I know I just said I wouldn't stop even though people were not very nice to me always, but don't you see...I should. There are no coincidences. Based on all the time I have had my blog and have written about a subject, these two things happened way too close together. It's like a shining light came out and illuminated an answer to an unspoken question.

Here's the scoop about me:

If I like something new, I say something about it
If I continue to like it, I may mention it, but usually will just enjoy it
If I start having doubts or become irritated by something, I start to question things internally
If something really starts to eat at me, I will finally mention it, but will pretend it doesn't actually bother me in hopes that my self pep talk will keep me from having to change things that may create a contentious situation
I can be OK pretending just as long as all signs indicate I have made the right decision
BUT, the first sign I receive that makes that inner voice go "Ruh Roh" and I pull the plug completely

This is my M.O. and I have done this often in my life. I hate conflict and try to keep everything harmonious, even if I'm not happy about it.

So what does this mean for you?

Well, it means that I am exiting the market of fanfic peddling. What started off as a "being nice" has become "work" and if I am making authors upset by doing it, I will respect them and stay out of this distribution business.

I know there are plenty of people out there who can still help. I am sorry if this disappoints anyone. I will miss the kind words and camaraderie. I will continue to keep up my blog and as before, it will be used for me. Maybe by taking the "work" element out of it, I will find my way to actually start reading fanfic again and end my hiatus.

Mrs. Oshimbo Distribution Center - CLOSED FOR BUSINESS

Vent - I sound like my Mother

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 17, 2010 3:53 PM

Enter - VENT

I can't believe I am going to write an entry about manners, but yes, I am. This is a personal blog for me. The things I do or write about were all added because I wanted to add them or they helped me with something. It could be organization (fanfic), it could be emotional, or it could be because I wanted to share something. I did not start this blog to become a business. I'm not here to sell anything or even profit from what I do by gaining "popularity". Ultimately, this is my vanity effort to ensure a place in this world that is me.

Well, I started a fanfiction entry awhile back because I was having a hard time organizing what I was reading and how I felt about these stories. That was great for me to go to one entry to find everything I needed. In that journey I started "collecting" stories so I could add them to my nook instead of needing to have internet connection to read Complete stories. I then was given "The Office" from my friend. I thought I'd be nice and offer this story to people if they asked. No big deal...like I said, I only do things that I want to do and I thought it'd be a nice gesture.

Well, I never knew I'd become this peddler of lost stories and how far reaching my little blog would go for people to find this story. As time went on, I started amassing other "lost" stories that had been pulled. Each time, I updated my blog and offered to provide a PDF copy to people if they asked for it. Again, no biggie. Yes, I receive 5-10 requests a day and if I don't handle them within a short time-frame I end up spending hours ensuring everyone gets what they want. But, still I don't really have a problem with the time right now because I offered to help and I am getting involved with some very nice people.

BUT...you knew a but had to be here somewhere...I do have some peeves that are growing and make me want to tear my hair out or shut down the entry for good.

Continue reading *Vent* - I sound like my Mother.

Regret Tuesday - Missing The Pixies

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 14, 2010 11:47 AM

When I was teenager, my Uncle Burton gave me a few records that he received from a work client. My Uncle was a UPS driver and worked in Century City, CA near some record companies. They'd give him demo CDs and random records sometimes. I remember he gave me Buster Poindexter's single "Hot Hot Hot" and The Pixies' "Monkey Gone to Heaven". I was probably 12 years old and thought it was the greatest song I'd ever heard (The Pixies...not Buster Poindexter!).

As I got older, my tastes always strayed slightly outside of what my friends found acceptable. I remember the first time I heard KROQ Los Angeles and my two favorite songs were REM's End of the World and The Violent Femmes' Blister in the Sun. This was when my friends were only listening to Top 40. I may not have owned anything that was from The Pixies, but I knew of them, and recognized their music easily.

As an adult, I finally decided it was time to "own" some Pixes. They're not for everyone, but to me, their music endures. Their music is used prominently in movies, and is referenced by celebrities when asked for songs/artists they love.

So why is today "Regret Tuesday"? I regret not getting tickets to see The Pixies perform last night at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. I didn't get tickets when they first came out so when I did look up tickets I didn't want to sit far away. It was stupidity really because now as regret takes hold, I realize The Pixies aren't a regular touring band. They don't "come back into town" every year. This was a special tour celebrating 25-Yrs of Doolittle. It was stupid of me to say if I can't see them up close I don't want to see them at all. That is wrong...I do want to see them, and yet, I missed a perfect opportunity.

I only hope they are forgiving and will "come back into town" again.

For now, I'll have to settle on watching The Pixies: loudQUIETloud documentary on Netflix Instant Watch.

Trust

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 13, 2010 2:57 PM

Oh yes, here's a word that holds so much potential for greatness, or can turn someone's world upside down. How many times have we heard, "Trust me," only to be misled? I think it's one of the single most difficult things to ever give someone. To say you "trust" someone means you are throwing out any preconceived notions, experiences, and walls of self-preservation away.

Some give this away easily, while others take a lifetime getting there. However, with some friendships or relationships, this thing called trust is not work; it's just there without judgment or fear. Maybe it's because neither has done anything to shatter that illusion, but that'd be pretty cynical of me to see the world that way.

How well do you trust people? How well do you trust yourself? There's a lyric in a Face to Face song that says, "Trust is something that comes easy when you've never been a victim." I believe this is true. The more times you've had trust broken, the harder it is to penetrate through that self-preservation wall hiding your heart.

However, I wonder how much life is missed by trying to protect ourselves? How much are we stunting our own development by not trusting in our own abilities to make good decisions or even trusting that someone can be relied on in a positive way?

I find myself not trusting myself sometimes because I think I fear the unknown. I have been doing a lot of soul searching during my "1/3 life crisis" lately and need to open my heart to the universe a little more. It hasn't hurt me in the past so there's no reason not to trust that it would steer me wrong now, right? I may take baby steps to get there, but I will get to wherever "there" is.

Munny Munny Munny Munny...Munny!

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 13, 2010 12:16 AM | 1 Comment

So I have Netflix and they recently released their iPhone app which allows me to watch ANY of my Instant View movies on my phone at any time. I was so excited I started putting a TON of movies in my queue, even if I'd watched them before. I added Donnie Darko because I wanted to watch s. Darko and needed to rewatch the original again.

Now, I know this is like a "cult" classic and so many people are always raving about it like it's the greatest movie. I do like it, and its stylistic weirdness, but it's also a movie that I am not obsessed about. Nor do I claim things like "if you want to understand me, then just watch this movie," like some of my friends have said.

After I watched Donnie Darko, I immediately watched s. Darko and that movie was even stranger than the first. I like time traveling movies, yet I still leave both movies a bit perplexed. Donnie makes more "logical" sense to me than s. did, but then again, the sequel was probably made more to confuse and "trip you out" than make much sense.

But, this brings me to why I'm writing about the movies. I have been trying to figure out a way to express myself creatively in a way that feels like me. I am enthralled by vinyl toys such as Kid Robot or Tokidoki. They have that "kawaii" cuteness I am obsessed with, but also a creepy cool style I love. What I didn't really get was that there was a whole DIY following where people buy the plain Munnys, Dunnys, or other toys and make their own creations.

I found a whole webpage dedicated to just that on the Kid Robot website called Munnyworld. They have the vinyl toys currently available and even include some tips for creating your own. Mr. Oshimbo has been interested in these ever since we saw Doktor A.'s amazing Steampunk Munny that he had designed to have three separate rotating faces. I wish I had taken a picture of it because it's not on the webpage. Mr. Oshimbo wants to expand his robotics skills to possibly make a Munny mechanical and allow me to decorate it. We bought three DIY toys (2 Munnys and 1 Trikky).

I found the Donnie Darko DIY creation while getting inspiration. It is just one example of how you can create a recognizable creation from something foreign. You instantly know this is a Donnie Darko piece without it actually saying "I am the rabbit from Donnie Darko". I must say, I think I like the Dunny version of the rabbit more than the actual one. Like I said, I like things cute and creepy.

Check out this flickr Munnyworld Group to see great customizations.

I don't know what I'll make or even if they'll be any good, but I hope it will make me feel like I'm leaving a trace of my creativity in the world. =)

Dragon*Con Adventure 2010

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 12, 2010 12:34 AM | 2 Comments

For the past three years, Mr. Oshimbo and I have ventured to Dragon*Con in Atlanta, GA. Our only regret is we never knew it existed until three years ago. However, this convention has been going on for 22 years now, every Labor Day weekend, and is the Southeast's largest Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Gaming, Anime, Comics, Pop-Culture convention. It is very "fan" driven versus events like San Diego Comic-Con that are mostly industry driven (or have become industry driven as it's grown to monumental sizes over the years).

Well, from the moment we went three years ago, our eyes were opened and our hearts were found. It was like finding 30K people who are just as dedicated and nerdy/geeky as you. They all converge and are there for the same thing...FUN.

The way Dragon*Con works is events are broken into "Tracks" of programming. These include such things as: Whedonverse (all things Joss Whedon), YA Lit (Young Adult Literature), BritTrack (British SciFi TV), Anime (Anime/Manga), FILK (SciFi Folk Singing), Robotics, Costuming, Dark Fantasy, etc, etc, etc. Here is the link to the fan tracks available with more information on each. The schedule is broken up into now five downtown Atlanta hotels (Expanded from four last year) with pretty much 24-Hrs worth of daily entertainment. The schedule doesn't come out until about 4-days before the Con starts and then the mad scheduling begins. I'd say it took Mr. Oshimbo and I about 4-hrs to go through everything to pick our 1st, 2nd, and sometimes 3rd choice activities per time slot.

Come along and read how our Dragon*Con Adventure went this year...

Continue reading Dragon*Con Adventure 2010.

Fav Lyrics #18 - Interpol // All of the Ways

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 8, 2010 5:56 PM

All of the Ways

Tell me your mine
Tell me your mine
To break the ice
Does he make you smile
Does he fully embrace the way
Does he leave you to the flames
That you like
Who is this guy

This twee neophyte
Does he know that I'll wait, for all time
Does he make you right
Does he say that he'd like to know you
Does he say that he wants to know

All of the ways
You will make it up
Make it up for me

Tell me you're fine
Tell me it's hard to fake it time after time
Who is this guy
Does he say that he'd like to know you
Does he say that he wants to know
Does he say that he wants to know

All of the ways
You will make it up
Make it up for me
Make it up for me

All of the ways
You will make it up
Make it up for me
Make it up for me

I know the way you will make it up
make it up for me
I know the way you will make it up
make it up for me
I know and I know the way you will make it up
make it up for me
I know and I know the way you will make it up
make it up for me

This is your life...

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 2, 2010 11:19 AM

This corresponds very nicely with the blog entry I wrote yesterday dealing with "What I want to be when I grow up." The tie-in really makes me think the universe is trying to send me a message and I just need to be open enough to receive it, internalize it, and act upon it.

Original Post

Fav Lyrics #17 - Radiohead // Fake Plastic Trees

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 2, 2010 10:45 AM

Fake Plastic Trees
Her green plastic watering-can
For her fake Chinese rubber plant
In the fake plastic earth that she bought
From a rubber man in a town full of rubber plans
To get rid of itself, it wears her out

She lives with a broken man
A cracked polystyrene man
Who just crumbles and burns
He used to do surgery for girls in the eighties
But gravity always wins and it wears him out

She looks like the real thing
She tastes like the real thing
My fake plastic love

But I can't help the feeling
I could blow through the ceiling
If I just turn and run
And it wears me out

If I could be who you wanted all the time

There actually is good stuff on the interwebz! Who knew?

By Mrs. Oshimbo on September 1, 2010 12:48 PM | 1 Comment

Picture from Hyperbole and a Half. See BLOG 2 for more admiration of the blog.

For this blog entry, the life I want is "Beyonce" (not "her" but her as a metaphor).
I may be trying to emulate it, but failing miserably because I haven't taken the
time to actually become "Beyonce". However, I am willing and able to be a
better "Beyonce" than Beyonce. I know it's possible.

So in the past few weeks I have started to take an interest in the internet again. And no, I don't mean, "wow, the internet is a series of tubes and oh look, the guy who said it is now dead because I read it online at a big corporation's website." I mean, that I've been trying to branch out of from my comfortable social networking and see what people are writing about or posting. I also don't mean my piddly blog or someone's tumblr where they're just copy/pasting someone else's pictures and call it a blog. I don't even really mean a fan site blog run by normal fans.

Disclaimer - There are a lot of awesomesauce blogs out that do what
I've mentioned, but for sake of this blog entry, we are ignoring them
because I want to talk about a different kind of internet site

The interwebz that I want to get to know again is the place where creativity is born. I want to find the places where people have found ways to make a living doing EXACTLY what they want in a creative manner. Call it motivation or inspiration to me, but I look up to ANYONE who has found the courage to leave the mundane and do their passion.

Maybe I am having a "mid-life" crisis (I did just recently celebrate another birthday; one which placed me into the next box on "check your age range" on surveys). Or maybe it's an awakening. I have a choice to make in a few years and it comes down to "what do I want to do with my life?" I know it's not what I am currently doing; however, do you ever feel like you don't have the talent or gumption to do what you truly love for fear that you're not going to be successful doing it? I have that fear all the time. I hope that by seeing examples of other people being successful doing what they love, I will find the courage to do that as well.

Come see some blogs I like -->

Continue reading There actually is good stuff on the interwebz! Who knew?.

September 2010 Archives

Happy Birthday Meg!

Fav Lyrics #22 - State Radio // Keepsake

Follow that blog: Twankhard

haters gonna hate...

Fanfic Review - Just Wait

Fav Lyrics #21 - Ani Difranco // 32 Flavors

Opinions are like assholes...

It's one of those days...

Fav Lyrics #20 - LCD Soundsystem // Losing My Edge

DIY really does mean "Do It Yourself"

Who am I anyway?

Fanfic Review - Master of the Universe

Fav Lyrics #19 - Lamb // Gorecki

The Mrs. Oshimbo Fanfic Distribution Center is Now CLOSED

Vent - I sound like my Mother

Regret Tuesday - Missing The Pixies

Trust

Munny Munny Munny Munny...Munny!

Dragon*Con Adventure 2010

Fav Lyrics #18 - Interpol // All of the Ways

This is your life...

Fav Lyrics #17 - Radiohead // Fake Plastic Trees

There actually is good stuff on the interwebz! Who knew?

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