Posts Tagged ‘photo’

Sophrosyne

Posted: January 4, 2017 by Angel Young in Life, Writing
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
1

ordinary

“Well the course, the chain of events, that would be the evidence, some say it’s coincidence
I say I found something greater than myself and started accepting it
And I can see, feel, taste and smell again
And I’m the only one with the hammer to break this shell I’m in
It’s gonna take me crackin’ this mirror to finally be myself again
Met my potential a long time ago, and I’m not stopping til I resemble him”

2016 was a weird year of ups and downs for me. A year of challenging myself to get back to being my best self, mentally and physically. A year of letting go of things I shouldn’t hold onto anymore, or embracing things that are better for me in the long run. I’ve had periods of productivity and somewhat success, and periods of doubt that stifles creativity to the point of madness.

And here I stand, ready to take on my dreams again. I keep saying it. I keep telling myself that I’ll get back to the important things, like writing. But now, I have no choice. It’s now or never, Angel. Kick that ass back into gear.

“I don’t know why,
But it’s like I can’t stay quiet.
This is my voice,
I can’t let it die inside me.”

I’m stepping into 2017 with big dreams. I’m exhausted, after barely surviving the constant ups and downs of 2016, but the desire to move forward is there.

Let’s make this our year, shall we?

-Angel

For the Love of Horror

Posted: May 13, 2016 by Angel Young in Life, Writing
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

horrorghoul

“I, myself, am strange and unusual.” – Lydia Deetz (Beetlejuice)

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved monsters. My mom proudly tells people the stories: I cut teeth watching the Universal Monsters. I had a treasured Wolfman I carried around named Wolfy. One of her favorite stories involves me sitting outside with a black pot making “potions” while our new neighbors moved in. I idolized Elvira instead of pop stars. I grew up with a special place in my heart for Frankenstein’s monster and hunted for ghosts. The same year I got my first cellphone, I got my first Ouija board. It’s safe to say I started out a weirdo.

By the time I was 13, I was obsessed with slasher movies. I had pictures of Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, and Jason Voorhees hanging in my locker. My older brother Ben took me to see Freddy VS Jason in theaters as my 13th birthday present. This was the point in my life it moved into obsession. I read horror. I watched horror. It started coming through in my art, in how I dressed, etc. Most importantly, I started writing horror.

For those who have never heard the story: When I was in the 8th grade, I had a nightmare, and this nightmare was so intense, I had to write it down just to cope with it. A few months later, in my Adavnced English class, we were assigned a project. We had to write a short story of oh-so-many pages or more. I was probably the most excited kid in the class. This was my chance to really prove myself. And the first thing that came to my mind was my nightmare. Which, luckily, I had written down.

So, I poured my heart into it. I made myself relive the awful nightmare, and then amplified it. It was already scary, and then I transformed it into something more, something that really made people uncomfortable. By the time it was finished, I was afraid to turn it in to my teacher. What if it backfired and I ended up in counseling? What if I ended up in trouble? Or she thought it was awful? I turned it in anyway along with the rest of my class and put it out of my mind.

Then next day, when I was in line for lunch, my teacher found me and pulled me aside, only telling me she needed to talk to me about my story. I knew this was it, and I was in trouble. But instead of being scolded, or finding out I was going to see the counselor instead of getting lunch, she told me that she loved my story. She had apparently been reading and grading our stories before she went to bed the night before, and had gotten through a few before she came to mine. After getting completely hooked into the story, once she was finished, she had to step outside for a few moments afterward to calm down. I was maybe 13 or 14, and I had done something pretty amazing for my age.

And then, she asked if she could let the other teachers read it, as well as read it to my class. I was shocked, but agreed. She said she’d read it to the other kids without naming who I was until it was finished.

This, my friends… This is the catalyst to my life. This is what took me from writing stories to keep my brain sane, to writing stories to keep my brain sane with the intent of making a career from them. I was so anxious waiting for her to read it, I didn’t think it could get worse. Until it did, the moment she started. I watched, fascinated, as my classmates reacted to my words. Kids that hated me and my own friends all on the edge of their seats. For something I had written.

I remember the overwhelmed feeling the minute she revealed I had written the story. For a brief moment, I was the talk of the school. They said I’d be the next Stephen King. I was on top of the world. She even kept the paper to read to her future classes.

To this day, it’s still one of the most unsettling stories I’ve written. I don’t want to give much away about it because I’d eventually like to rewrite it into something great.

horrorshelf

A few things in my horror collection.

I wrote, and wrote, and wrote. I filled notebook after notebook. Printed hundreds and thousands of sheets of paper containing my words. I expanded my horror movies I watched, hunting desperately for something new at Movie Gallery. I worked in a haunted house as a scareactor. I bought books on writing. I studied it. I learned from people who understood the business better than I did. I kept at it and kept at it. I became involved with Ax Wound. 

Then, my life changed. I went to college. I got a real job. I got sick. I spent less time on writing, and even less time than that dedicated to my horror. And while losing myself because I wasn’t writing was bad enough, I think I lost just as much when horror got pushed aside.

I watched horror movies occasionally: sick days, sleepless nights, Halloween time, hanging out with like-minded friends. But nothing like I had done before. I spent a long time trying to figure out what was wrong with me, and then last year it really sunk in:

I had gotten into writing through horror. It had given me some of my passion. And when I got myself back to writing regularly, I hadn’t gotten myself back into horror as much. And there was a problem there. Something was missing there.

I’ve been trying to devote more time to myself and what I want and need in various aspects of my life lately. And horror is one of those things. It sounds so silly to some people – “You’re upset because you don’t spend so much time watching scary movies?” But when you don’t know the whole story, you don’t always understand.

Monsters and slashers and blood and gore, those are all part of me. This are all parts of who I am, and what I do as a writer. Sure, everything I write isn’t a horror story. But sometimes they could use a good dash of horror or darkness.

I’ve realized that if I’m going forward with this career, then I will need to go back  to the basics, for the love of horror.

~Angel

I Persist

Posted: March 29, 2016 by Angel Young in Life, Writing
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
1

deadbeforethedayisgone

I know it’s been a while since I have posted anything, and there’s a variety of reasons. I’ve been dealing with a lot lately. Changes, for better or worse. A torrent of good news and bad news leaving me overwhelmed. Luckily, I’ve been doing the opposite of what I typically do (which is wallowing in my own self pity while accomplishing nothing in the process.) I’ve been trying to focus on what’s best for me – for my health, for my happiness, for my future. I’ve been keeping a decent writing schedule and working on a new rough draft. I’m trying to nurture my body back into a state that I can properly function and not be quite so frequently sick. I’ve been trying to make sure that I do things to make Angel happy, instead of everyone else coming first 100% of the time.

But you know what sucks about this? I’m not used to it. And since I’m not used to treating myself a little better, it’s resulted in a mental assault on myself. Because I feel like I’m being selfish, and I don’t deserve to want what is best for me. I keep trying to push through, because I know I’m getting close to having my old self back – the version of myself that’s less broken, less corrupted. The Self I need right now. But it’s breaking through that barrier that’s tearing me apart. I know I’m almost there, but I know I’m fighting myself on it. I want to give up. Today was especially rough.

I started to doubt myself. How will I ever make it? In life? Against illness? How will I ever publish a novel? Why should I think I’ll ever sell another piece of art or get paid for another photo shoot? I’m not strong enough for this. It kept pounding in my head with each heart beat: I can’t do this.

Suddenly, I didn’t know if I could go on, period. Or if I did, if I could keep going with my life. Maybe it was time to give up on my childish dreams and finally grow up and join reality.

Until, I read this quote earlier:

 “Like a dandelion up through the pavement, I persist.” – Wentworth Miller (please see his Facebook post here)

That post, by a man I already admire, really struck me. But that quote? Oh, that quote. That fueled the fires inside me.

So my goal? Stick to my writing schedule. Crank out chapter after chapter. Continue to work hard at the things I want. Because I persist, despite all the things that want to stop me.

This is the year I get to take control back. It hasn’t been easy, and I’m sure it won’t get easier any time soon. But I will persist.

Expect more soon.

~Angel

Chase the Light

Posted: January 7, 2016 by Angel Young in Life, Writing
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

light

I’m not a single bit surprised that 2016 is off to a rough start. It’s almost a tradition at this point: go into it hopeful, get knocked down so fast my head spins. Because by “rough start”, I mean that it has been made very clear to me that this coming year will make or break me. And I refuse to let it break me, no matter how hard everything is trying to. All good news fades. All steps forward seem like they haven’t mattered. I am no closer to anything than I was before. If anything, I’ve fallen back several steps.

But, I push forward:

+ I’m working hard at my Wandering NerdGirl blog, in hopes that my nerdy adventures can be more productive. Cons, Orlando, other nerd-tastic events… I’m on it.

+ I’m writing again, period. I was so down and depressed Tuesday, reading about the market and what agents and publishers don’t want right now, blah blah. I’m a very critical person on myself, so of course I instantly decide everything I write is garbage and I should give up. But for some reason, one of my favorite story ideas popped into my brain, and I had a lot of interesting new ideas for it. Since it hasn’t actually been written yet, it will be a good exercise in writing again. I’ve spent so long in editing and rewriting hell, I haven’t had much time or opportunity for new creation. I’ve mostly been jotting notes down and what not, or writing a few specific scenes that some to mind. But as soon as I get my thoughts together, I’m running with it. I’ll hammer out my first draft, as intimidating as that feels right now. I won’t lose my dream. I’m going to write this book for me, and see where that takes me.

+ I have been drawing. Well, the last day or two I haven’t been. But I will excuse that because I have started a huge, new painting of Poe Dameron’s helmet from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It’s all pretty exciting, considering I was very close to just getting rid of a lot of my art stuff to save space.

+ I have my eyes on new projects. Bigger projects. More projects. I have plans to go beyond what I have done and make something new all the time. New shoots, new types of projects, new ideas. It’s all very vague to you guys right now because I’m not jumping in with both feet just yet, so there isn’t much information to share. Just cross your fingers that I make the time to pull it all off.

+ My collection is growing. My collection is a tiny beast, but it is my tiny beast. I know I’ve been slacking on the Collection Haul posts, and if you’d like to see them again, I could start back up this month or in February. There have been quite a few additions. And as stupid or trivial or whatever it sounds, one of my goals for the year is to really build my collection up. I take great pride in my Batman stuff. Someday I’ll have a massive assortment of various Batman items properly displayed.  For now, it steadily grows.

+ I’ve been trying to figure out how to get back to college, and exactly what I want to do when I get back. I was going to start again Fall 2015 but my financial aid decided to be complicated. So maybe Fall 2016 or Spring 2017. Who knows. Going back genuinely frightens me at this point. But I would still like to try.

 

So, you have a basic rundown of my game plan for the year. Obviously, subject to change. But hopefully, this year I rise from the ashes and become closer to where I was before.

 

~Angel

Bring on 2016

Posted: December 31, 2015 by Angel Young in Life, Nerd Pride, Writing
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

I have been very, very cautious when it comes to thinking about what I want out of 2016, because last year as soon as I set my goals for the coming year, it all came crashing down around me: I was losing my job, my aunt was very sick, and then to top it all off, the stress triggered a bad flare in my body and I literally spent New Years in the bathroom vomiting and running a fever. The beginning of 2015 was a hard one. I didn’t feel like I achieved anything. I was uninspired and stuck most of the time, and I hated it. And considering how rough the last month or so has been health wise, 2016 could go either way.

Here we are, the end of a very chaotic year, and I have found something: I want to draw again. And by “I want to draw again” – I mean that I AM drawing again. Instead of just whining that I feel the need to work on some art, I AM. I’m sketching and prepping for some new paintings and practicing to get myself back into the swing of things. And for once, I feel good about it. They’re good drawings, considering how out of practice I am. And people LIKE them. They want the sketches to keep coming. It’s bizarre, to me at least. Mostly, so far, it’s been a lot of character sketches from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

No: This is NOT my art.

No: This is NOT my art.

So, bring on 2016.

I will write as much as I possibly can.

I will work on my art purely for the happiness it brings to my own heart.

I will work on my collection and appreciate everything I have so far.

I will try to keep this train wreck body from completely derailing.

I will help the world be a better place.

I will not, most of all, let 2016 be the year I am defeated. Not by myself or anyone else. I will keep going. I will gain new ground.

So, let’s do this. Bring on 2016.

~Angel

Rage Against Death

Posted: November 25, 2015 by Angel Young in Life, Life With Sjogrens, Nerd Pride, Travel, Writing
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
2

RAGEAGAINSTDEATH

Typically, I make some sort of Thanksgiving related “Thankful” post. Today, I show how thankful I am for what turned around a very bad weekend.

There is a giant reason that this blog is called “Misadventures of a Misfit” – Frequently, my best laid plans fall apart. Hope for the best, expect the worst, settle for something in between. More often than not lately, these plans are damaged by my wonderful body deciding to do something terrible to me at an extremely inopportune time. I was hoping to come back from Reno with fantastic tales of comic con, and loads of pictures of me super excited and looking like a major dork. But instead I come back still battling my body from what can best be described as the worst flare I’ve had since the initial, horrible flare that put me in Barnes hospital for 3 days and started this autoimmune (mis)adventure.

For a few weeks now, I have been very scared that I’ll have to have a hysterectomy after my procedure. I’ve been very scared to find out I have a cancer I wasn’t bracing for.

This weekend, I was very scared I was going to die.

And as weird as this statement sounds, the weekend was saved by Jay and Silent Bob.

I had just gotten into the con, and my first thing I needed to do was get in line for my picture with Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith. Jason was going to be there for the con itself, but Kevin however was literally there that one day for that one dual photo op with Mewes. I have a lot of admiration for Kevin Smith as a writer and as a creator and person in general and knew this may well be the most I’ll ever get to do in terms of meeting him.

Now, I will say this – I had not felt particularly well this day. But I also hadn’t felt well for a while, hence why I had gone to an ASAP appointment with my surgeon and tests and now the procedure in two weeks. So I wasn’t phased really. It was what it was and had been. I had things to do.

Unfortunately, just before I went up for my photo op, when I had just a few people in line before me, something went wrong in my body. Suddenly I was dizzy, and realized I was going to be ill. Apparently, my blood pressure dropped, my O2 dropped, and ultimately I dropped. To top off this horribleness, I vomited as I went down. Hello, hundreds or so people around me. I am Chronically Ill Girl, and you are not used to my horrible body.

To make this portion of the story as short as possible: I was not well, the Wizard World staff took very good care of me, until the EMT came, checked me out, and had me wheeled away to the first aid station, where I was urged to go to the hospital considering everything going on with my past medical history as well as my current concerns. In reality, I should have agreed for them to call the ambulance. But I was already heartbroken that I’d missed my one shot to see Kevin Smith, and I wasn’t about to miss seeing Adam West and Burt Ward on top of everything else. I got cleaned up and changed and went on with my day.

When I was walking away from my photo op with Adam West and Burt Ward, I was weaving through the booths, and saw that Jason Mewes was at his table doing autographs. I figured I could salvage some of that photo op mishap by at least meeting Mewes. One half was better than not at all, right? And at least I had hopes he didn’t know I was the girl that went down in the line outside.

And he didn’t know… Until my mother told him.

MEWES

So at this point, I’m feeling embarrassed all over again, and I’m ready to shuffle off with my autograph and hide in the corner, especially since I still felt horrible. But that’s when Mewes told me he felt terrible for what happened with me, and that I didn’t get to meet Kevin.

Then he took my number and gave it to his assistant at the table. And told me he’d help me meet Kevin before he left for his flight. Hugs and selfies and many “Thank you”s. I cried when I walked away. I couldn’t believe this was happening to ME.

Now, I’ve been very nervous about actually talking about this, because what was done for me was something I didn’t ask for or expect, and I don’t want someone to ever take advantage of the kindness of others. But still, this kindness meant more to me than I think either of them realized.

So, I went back to my hotel room to shower and rest and in general gear myself up for a few more minutes at con and to prepare myself to somehow meet Kevin Smith.

When 5pm rolled around, my mom and I were waiting in the hotel lobby, as instructed, with promise that Kevin knew I was there waiting for him. I was weak and dizzy and severely anemic, but absolutely determined not to miss this opportunity.

And then I saw him heading my way, iconic jersey and all, and I completely lost focus of how bad I felt as my brain took over.

kevinsmith

I got to meet Kevin Smith. I got to hug him, and take selfies, and he asked how I was feeling. And I GOT TO MEET KEVIN SMITH.

The admiration I have for him already on top of how absolutely freaking AMAZING it was that he and Mewes did this for me made my entire trip. Unfortunately, not long after this, I went downhill again. But for this amount of time, I was on top of the world.

Rage against death by making some art today.

It really sparked a fire in me. I want to create things while I still can. And if ever, for some insane reason, someone looks to me like I do to him, I will do all I can to help make their day too. Someday, even, I’d like to repay Jason and Kevin both. Because something so small and simple to one person, can mean the whole world to another. This was the highlight of my trip, and has turned around the doom and gloom attitude I’ve had toward my health. I can accomplish anything I want, and I don’t have to let anything get in my way. It doesn’t matter if I live ten more years or 60 more.

I will rage against death.

Time to make the best of what time I have. Time to make my mark.

~Angel

Edited to add: Based off of symptoms and blood work, it looks like this was all brought on by a very, very bad disease flare to rival that of the initial one in 2012 that sparked the whole Mysterious Sickness of Doom thing. So I’m still not 100%, but I’m recovering, slowly but surely. Two weeks until my biopsy!

Batman Collection – October 2015

Posted: November 2, 2015 by Angel Young in Batman Collection, Life, Nerd Pride
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

Here we go – the summary of my collection hauls for October. This includes a trip to Six Flags, so there is quite a bit from there alone!

bb1 bb2

My Riddler themed teddy bear from Six Flags.

bb3 bb4 bb5

Six Flags Exclusive 3″ figures.

 bb6My first Gotham Pop! Vinyl figure: Oswald Cobblepot

bb7

Small Batman figure.


bb45

bb10

Harley Quinn comforter and pillowcases. NOTE: The comforter picture isn’t mine. I’ll try to replace the images with my own bed once I get around to it.

bb9

Batman: The World of the Dark Knight book.

bb11

Batman Returns Penguin figure

bb12

Small Harley Quinn plush, also from my Six Flags trip.

bb13

Scarecrow Pop! Vinyl from Batman: Arkham Knight

bb14

Harley Quinn Skelanimals plush, also picked up at Six Flags

bb15

Harley Quinn Bean Bag plush from Warner Bros

bb16 bb36 bb44

My first three issues of Batman Automobilia: Batman 1989, Batman ’66, and Batman Begins.

bb17 bb18

Batman and Batman Returns comic book adaptations.

bb19

Harley Quinn key chain from Six Flags.

bb20

Harley Quinn Skelanimals figure from Six Flags

bb47

Catwoman pillow from Six Flags

bb21

Harley Quinn Sofubi

bb22

Catwoman plush from Six Flags

bb23

Batkid Begins on DVD

bb24

Batman: the Animated Series die cast figure.

bb25

Riddler cane

bb26

Harley Quinn New Batman Adventures Doll

bb27 bb32 bb35 bb46

Catwoman, Bane, Riddler, and Harley Quinn capes from Six Flags

bb28 bb29

Batman: the Animated Series collector’s plates.

bb30 bb31

Batman and the Joker figures from Six Flags

bb33

Arkham Knight Harley Quinn watch

bb34

Julie Newmar, Catwoman in the ’66 Batman series (well, one of them – my particular favorite), autographed photo.

“To Angel, you’re purrr…..fect”

bb37

Batman coin bank

bb38 bb39

Double sided 1989 Batman and Joker pillowcase. A gift from my brother.

bb40 bb41

These may be my strangest haul from the month – Batman Forever key chains, made in 1995 by Applause. One Two-Face, one Robin. What makes this especially weird is that I picked them up in my hotel gift shop when I was in Orlando. It was definitely one of the strangest hotel gift shops I’ve ever been in, but totally cool.

bb42 bb43

This is technically a Christmas present, buuuuuut…. I’m impatient. Catwoman “Almost Got ‘Im” bust, black and white SDCC 2015 exclusive. Based on Batman the Animated Series.

bb8

This is probably my pride and joy – not just of the haul for the month, but in general. I’ve wanted this bust for SO LONG, but the price on it has skyrocketed along with Harley’s popularity. This bust is hard to get for less than like $700. But I successfully did it, and she is perfect. She’s 109 of 500 made.

Alright, that does it for month two. Hope you guys enjoy the haul pictures! Drop me a comment if you have any questions and I’ll help you to the best of my abilities!

~Angel

Batman Collection – September 2015

Posted: October 1, 2015 by Angel Young in Batman Collection, Nerd Pride
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

So, here we go – my very first monthly haul post for my collection! Well, aside from the birthday/con post. If you like this post, please let me know, and I’ll keep them going! Now, let’s get started:

b1

Batgirl Mopeez plush

b2

Joker Mopeez plush

b3

Okay, technically, this one is from the end of August, but I was really excited to finally own it, so I want to share it anyway! Haha. This is the Complete 1940’s Movie Serials Collection. In the 1940s, before Adam West took up the cowl, two other men played the role of Batman: Lewis Wilson (Batman 1943) and Robert Lowery (Batman and Robin 1949) in 15 chapter movie serials. These weren’t the greatest things ever made, by far, and that’s probably part of why people don’t talk about them as much. But this is part of Batman’s early history, and a necessity in my opinion for any Batman collector.

b4

I really wanted more of the Riddler in my collection, so I ordered this Riddler bust bank, and I love him!

b5

This Harley Quinn head bank is seriously HUGE. Like, lifesize head. But I adore it!

b6

However, this is a tiny snow globe. Probably around the size of a baseball in the globe itself. Either way, it’s adorable.

b7

Batgirl Ame-Comi figure. I really love Batgirl, so adding a few things with her this month has made me pretty happy.

b8

MORE BATMOBILE! I love adding larger scale Batmobiles to my collection.

b9

Harley Quinn Sunglasses

b10

Batman and Robin Mopeez! Finally have all the Batman ones I wanted.

b11

Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, and Batman lip balms.

b12

NECA Scalers -Dark Knight

b13

Limited edition Catwoman (from Batman: the Animated Series) “Itty Bitty” plush from Hallmark.

b14

“Gotham” Season One on DVD

b15

Batman Forever and Batman and Robin soundtracks.

b16

SDCC 2015 Exclusive Gotham Minimates, featuring Detective James Gordon and Bruce Wayne.

b17

VHS copies of Batman and Batman Returns.

b18 b19

Batman: Arkham Knight Collector’s Edition strategy guide, and four character lithographs: Batman, Arkham Knight, Scarecrow, and the Batmobile.

b20

The Dorbz figures really live up to their name because they’re ADORABLE. I added Killer Croc (far right) this month, so I’m all caught up until more are released, not including the Dorbz XL Batman and Robin just released.

b21

Limited Edition Joker Itty Bitty from Hallmark

b22

Batgirl cape and Batman utility belt waist cinch, both from Spirit Halloween.

b23

 New Suicide Squad graphic novel. I count this among my Batman collection mostly because of Harley Quinn’s involvement as a main character.

b24

Harley Quinn playing cards.

b25

Man, I LOOOOVE the Vinyl Vixen line from Vinyl Sugar. Such gorgeous pieces! Here’s my new Batgirl.

b26

SDCC 2015 Exclusive Harley Quinn and Joker minis.

b27

New Harley Quinn mini bust, styled after her look in Suicide Squad.

b28 b30 b31 b32 b33

Batman movie novelizations: Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, and Batman Begins.

b35

The New Batman Adventures bendable Batman figure.

b2911×17 Gotham print.

b36Joker action figure by Kenner.

b37Batman Returns playing cards.

b38 Batman trashcan and washcloths.

b39

Hot Topic Exclusive Batman: Arkham Asylum ‘Detective Mode’ Pop! Vinyl figure.

b41

Harley Quinn Arkham Knight Pop! Vinyl figure.

b42

Inflatable Harley Quinn gun.

b40

And finally, this beautiful Batman snow globe.

—

Now, not every month is like this. I believe there was around 42 items. Some months, there’s more stuff. Some months, less stuff. It depends on factors such as what is going on that month and what has to be paid for, or whether I buy more expensive items than cheaper stuff. I have two statues coming in this month that took up some money from my wallet, plus some other things I’ve wanted and finally ordered. So, it really varies.

If you liked this post, give it a like or drop a comment, and I can do one of these the end of every month. I’m also happy to answer questions about each item, if you’re looking for it yourself.

~Angel

Saving For Travel

Posted: November 11, 2014 by Angel Young in Travel
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

Inspired by posts from Sky at Sky vs World:

Saving for Travel – April Spending Freeze

Saving for Travel – September Edition

Saving For Travel – No Spend November

travel

 I get a lot of questions on how I manage all these trips I’ve been going on, and sometimes these are less intrigue than people trying to remind me I need to be saving for other things. But, more and more, I’m getting people genuinely interested in how I do it, because they want to embrace the idea of seeing more of the world. And when I was reading the new post on Sky vs World about saving, and it made me decide to post my own ways of saving for travel.

Now, the type of traveling that I am doing usually requires different types of saving methods.

When I’m preparing to travel for a Comic Con, I figure out the exact amount of money I need and keep that number in my head. Then, I will put away random amounts of money in a jar behind my computer that I regularly forget about, so unless some sort of emergency comes up – I don’t touch it. Then, the actual paycheck or two before I go, literally every cent aside from what’s needed for bills goes straight to that trip: Be it for the con itself, or for travel expenses, or whatever. Usually, I hit over my goal and have random spending money. Sometimes, I have a desperate scramble last minute because I’m a bit short. One time, I spent my taxes right after I got them back, and was both relieved and heartbroken that I did.
For other travels, I do a similar jar-behind-the-computer concept, and I have some sort of end goal amount in mind, and then write down every dollar I put in the jar and keep that log inside of it. Sometimes, I decide one month that every single $1 bill I have goes into that jar. I’ve had a lot of success with deciding to save every $5 bill that comes into my possession. I am a change hoarder, and separate dimes into one jar, quarters in one, and a huge jug for nickels and pennies (this particular jar I plan to leave alone until it’s absolutely full, then use it for whenever I move away from home for whatever expense I need.) And then, again, the paycheck or two before I leave becomes devoted to my trip aside from bills.
I also sell Scentsy products, which brings me a little extra cash I forget about every month and leave alone until I use it for trips. A few months ago, I started doing surveys on a site called InboxDollars, and was surprised it actually paid off when I made $30 from just doing surveys and random junk, and that went to my most recent Orlando trip. Plus, I’ll save any gift money, do some extra photo shoots, maybe sell some random junk I really don’t need, etc. I always find a way to make it work. Currently, I’m (attempting) to start saving for a road trip to New Orleans in January. It’s always rough around holidays though, and with all the medical nonsense being extra awful lately. But I’m working on it.

Plus, on top of that, I’ve decided today to start planning a BIG adventure. Quite possibly the biggest one I’ve been on, if it works. No details yet. But I’m ready to figure out the financials and a solid game plan so I can pick a date.

But, basically, that’s how I do it. Not a millionaire. I just work hard at it.

~Angel

Universal Studios Orlando: October 2014

Posted: October 15, 2014 by Angel Young in Life, Nerd Pride, Travel
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
0

Please Note: All photos in this post are mine, and I haven’t had time to properly watermark any. Don’t take any without my consent or proper credit, please.

On that note, prepare for A LOT of photos.

I’ve been going to Orlando once a year for the past three years now, since I first started to get sick. It’s been my happy little escape from the chaos of the world I normally inhabit. But, I normally go in late Spring or Summer, so this was my first trip down when the Halloween festivities are taking place at Universal Studios and Walt Disney World.

I’m going to break this up into at least two posts, starting now with Universal Studios (which was the beginning of and best part of the entire trip.)

So, let’s begin, shall we?

I cannot talk about going to Universal in fall 2014 without mentioning that I FINALLY GOT TO SEE DIAGON ALLEY! And it was breathtaking.

King’s Cross Station, which is where you could board the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade.

10436693_10202045981704722_7565449440579155434_n

10300877_10202046002505242_5612240423321440730_n

If you look around in London, whether you’re a fan of the books or films, you can find a certain grumpy house elf peaking out of one of the windows. This was one of my favorite little details. You had to know he was there to look for him.

983815_10202053738418635_7478383313851876368_n

10177947_10202053817340608_8675428929499280909_n

It’s a dream come true to get to ride the Hogwarts Express finally. It’s a different experience depending if you ride it to Hogsmeade or to London. To Hogsmeade was probably my favorite.

Then, there is Diagon Alley itself:

IT MAKES THE SOUND OF THE BRICKS MOVING LIKE IN THE MOVIE AND IT MAKES ALL THE GEEKY OVERLOAD JOY HAPPEN.

IT MAKES THE SOUND OF THE BRICKS MOVING LIKE IN THE MOVIE AND IT MAKES ALL THE GEEKY OVERLOAD JOY HAPPEN.

I don't think I've seen a picture yet that truly does justice to that dragon. Wherever you stand, you think that could be a real dragon. The detail is mind-blowing.

I don’t think I’ve seen a picture yet that truly does justice to that dragon. Wherever you stand, you think that could be a real dragon. The detail is mind-blowing.

10665705_10202053642936248_3292255062161059307_n

I absolutely loved the Escape from Gringotts ride. I was lucky, because it was dead when I went to ride for the first time, and I was able to pretty much just walk straight onto the ride. And it was a great ride, from the line getting you into the story to the ride itself. I've heard mixed opinions. But I adored it.

I absolutely loved the Escape from Gringotts ride. I was lucky, because it was dead when I went to ride for the first time, and I was able to pretty much just walk straight onto the ride. And it was a great ride, from the line getting you into the story to the ride itself. I’ve heard mixed opinions. But I adored it.

Now, Universal Studios does something at their parks in September and October called Halloween Horror Nights. It’s basically where they set up somewhere around eight houses and, this year, four scare zones. They also have a few shows special for the night. And I was lucky enough to have a VIP pass to get into three of this years houses before the event itself. The houses I visited: Halloween, Dollhouse of the Damned, and From Dusk Till Dawn.

10354953_10202055295017549_2026478519504156068_n

Halloween: This is, indeed, based off oh John Carpenter’s horror movie, Halloween, about Michael Myers. It’s specifically focused on the first film, though there are nods to the other movies in the series – including Halloween 3, surprisingly enough.

10653440_10202067569684408_4242568935289749469_n

10480216_10202067570004416_4516025184647719175_n

10678705_10202067572524479_506540680740584764_n

This seems like a random weird image, but it's from a section of the house that makes you feel like you're in the closet being attacked by Myers, and there are two shirts hanging in the closet paying homage to two former Halloween Horror Nights houses: Freddy Krueger's sweater, and to the right of that, Leatherface's white shirt.

This seems like a random weird image, but it’s from a section of the house that makes you feel like you’re in the closet being attacked by Myers, and there are two shirts hanging in the closet paying homage to two former Halloween Horror Nights houses: Freddy Krueger’s sweater, and to the right of that, Leatherface’s white shirt.

I was having a horror-movie-junkie fan girl moment in the entire Halloween house, but the next house – Dollhouse of the Damned – was probably my favorite house, because it was so visually stimulating. This house was a concept house rather than a house based off of a film.

Also: enjoy Universal's dumpsters.

Also: enjoy Universal’s trash cans.

 

This is probably my favorite picture I took on the entire trip.

This is probably my favorite picture I took on the entire trip.

 

I should probably take a moment to acknowledge my awesome guides through the houses: Alex (left) and Kyle (right). I adored these two, and it was such a blast to wander around behind the scenes with them. I wanna write their bosses and tell them they did a fabulous job.

I should probably take a moment to acknowledge my awesome guides through the houses: Alex (left) and Kyle (right). I adored these two, and it was such a blast to wander around behind the scenes with them. I wanna write their bosses and tell them they did a fabulous job.

10672036_10202067589204896_4025901216995511460_n

Alex and Kyle demonstrating a scare.

Alex and Kyle demonstrating a scare.

10628030_10202069348768884_142220700139011604_n

10665047_10202069352648981_6499183251425240782_n

10659294_10202067588164870_4534177259802542768_n

1475906_10202069356569079_2826076645905197890_n

There was another special guest from a former Halloween Horror Nights house hidden in Dollhouse of the Damned. Chucky from Child's Play.

There was another special guest from a former Halloween Horror Nights house hidden in Dollhouse of the Damned. Chucky from Child’s Play.

10620583_10202069381329698_7327532016597218590_n10444569_10202069382529728_1839591392383496674_n10624721_10202069384809785_4871557476957963431_n10649736_10202069386569829_4679932232307625960_n10676314_10202069380129668_8656730063275958482_n

The last house we visited behind-the-scenes that day was From Dusk Till Dawn, based off of both the original movie, but also very heavily inspired by the newer TV series. While it was a very cool house, it was probably my least favorite of the three.

Obviously, the bar was a bit censored from the original name.

Obviously, the bar was a bit censored from the original name.

I have less blurry pictures of her, but for some reason I really like the slightly blurry feel of this.

I have less blurry pictures of her, but for some reason I really like the slightly blurry feel of this.

10686801_10202069480492177_8977159210525100647_n

10641115_10202069479732158_2894199014052176236_n

1901532_10202069485532303_6883264121221887542_n

Someone isn't having a good birthday.

Someone isn’t having a good birthday.

10372800_10202069485812310_9135700109418315643_n

 

So, that night, after all the house photo-taking goodness, my mother and I got to attend Halloween Horror Nights 24. There are two shows, one is a Bill & Ted Halloween show, which we didn’t attend. But I did go to the Rocky Horror Picture Show live, and it was AMAZING. I love RHPS and the show was incredible. Probably one of my all time favorites I’ve seen.

Not the most incredible shot on my part, but I was way too distracted by the awesome.

Not the most incredible shot on my part, but I was way too distracted by the awesome.

There were also the four scare zones set up in the streets:

The Purge

The Purge zone

The Purge zone

1452417_10202055294057525_3131507873588573431_n

The Bayou of Blood:

10533448_10202067562324224_4208383932448362192_n

1625524_10202069575894562_5616065757235623736_n

1960012_10202069576294572_3769678531468919781_n

FACE OFF: In The Flesh (Make-up looks from the show, recreated by some of the artists from the show!)

1959460_10202069560174169_5997247062913933500_n

10609680_10202069561814210_4523029208243703745_n

10703696_10202069562734233_7640771504209536859_n

10620647_10202069560694182_1004924272072854135_n10590626_10202069563294247_945093123979704104_n

One of my favorite parts of Halloween Horror Nights was the MASKerade: Unstitched zone.

1236309_10202055296977598_5318340254677430842_n

I think it’s super underrated, because a lot of people were claiming it was boring. But I loved it. Yeah, I wasn’t shaking in my Stormtrooper Vans over people in gowns, on stilts, wearing masks. BUT it was so beautiful and eerie at night in such a fantastic way. It sent my artsy brain into overdrive. I was sketching a day or two later when I was doing laundry:

This will eventually be a super awesome spooky painting.

This will eventually be a super awesome spooky painting.

 

So, there you have it. The epic wonderful highlights of my two days at Universal. I will have a post in a few days about Disney World itself. Plus, lots of health updates – not the best of them, either. So stay tuned.

~Angel

Older Entries