Comic Con 2016

Something that has taken me years to understand and fully appreciate is that I am a nerd! 

I think I was always secretly one, but then I married Garett and this whole new side of crazy came out.

I now play PC games like League of Legends and Borderlands 2 with Garett.

I follow League's World tournament like other people follow football.

We also love Nintendo and their family oriented fun.

We watch normal shows, but also anime which can be pretty cool.

I am part of 2 Facebook groups: Gaming Mommies and Legit Lady Gamers and that is the best thing about Facebook anymore.

Garett and I have played D&D with friends and I had an incredibly awesome Dragon disciple bard.(yeah you had never even imagined that combo before had you?)

I read fantasy and I read 26 of the 28 Shannara books by Terry Brooks this summer in the course of 5 months. (I can't believe I did that either!)

So yes I am a big hearted geek nerd and I love it!

This all culminated to bring about us going to Salt Lake Comic Con this year!

To be fair Mark Hamill and William Shatner were speaking and how on earth could I live with myself if I didn't go to that????

(If you don't know who they are, just letting you know, you are breaking my heart.)

Over 10,000 people showed up to hear Mark Hamill speak and let me tell you it was worth it!

He was hilarious, fun and humble oddly enough. You would think playing one of the most famous roles in film, that it would get to his head, but no he's an older guy who just happens to be famous.

He even brought his dog on stage and talked to a crowded room like we were all just sitting in his home talking over lunch. He is truly a remarkable man (no pun intended).

Shatner on the other hand is a straight up comedian who does not take himself seriously at all.

He's had his career and seems content to just laugh off the rest of his life. 

Now onto the good stuff....the actual Comic Con!

It was amazing. It's like Disneyland for nerdy adults!

People dress up and it's really cool! The more people get into it the cooler it is! We got a few pictures of people, but most of them are on here. 

We took UTA down to Comic Con and it was fun to see all the cosplayers on the train. 

Also a shout out to Taryn for recommending the multiday pass, because you cannot see it all in one go.

There were hundreds of booths with an artists section, and then tons of vendors for authors and people selling cool stuff like this shirt:

We took the picture and posted it on instagram and then showed it to the vendor to get a free Midna poster (not pictured on here).

Gosh we just wanted to buy everything!

The few treasures we did find though:

A shardblade necklace from the Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson

(This series will be going on for at least another 14+ years so if you want a finished series I recommend waiting another decade or 2.)

If you can name all 3 of these shows/movies (below) then you are a true anime nerd.

For everyone else from left to right:

Princess Mononoke by Miyazaki (an environmentally friendly movie, not as cutesy as his other movies)

Beyond the Boundary (a cool short show about girl with a blood sword hunting creatures, mostly humorous)

Erased (NOT HUMOROUS, about a guy that goes back in time to when he is 11 to try to stop a serial killer, still ongoing)

P.S. These were my favorite artists! This guy does the mock ups and then his girlfriend does the digital renderings and they were all beautiful. It was difficult to narrow it down to 3.

We also got these (below) for Joshua's room and I am in love!

This guy prints his pictures on the same paper he does his originals so they keep all their colorful glory!

They are watercolors of Miyazaki movies and some of my favorites.

Left to right:

Kiki's Delivery Service

My Neighbor Totoro

Howl's Moving Castle

Not pictured:

2 post-apocalyptic books by this cool new author J Kowallis called the Enertia Trials. 

We walked around to lots of author's tables and most of them told us what they thought we wanted to hear, but she told us what she loved about the books and really just sold them to us through her telling.

We later found out she was the author and happily bought the books. They are a distopia but with actual adults (around 30's I think) because she was tired of teenage angst and I appreciated that. 

I haven't had a chance to read them yet, but I can't wait. Garett has liked them a lot and that's a big deal so I look forward to letting you know how it goes.

I put lots of links throughout this post so if you want to learn more about anything you can find it through the links or google it. 

We had a blast and would recommend Comic Con to anyone whether you be a closet nerd or a scream and shout it kind of nerd. 

Love y'all!

Megan

Are They Really on NOW 45???

I just saw a commercial for NOW 45. Does anyone else remember when they came out with the first NOW CD?

Anyway I had to give you an update after finishing "The Way of Kings" and it is SUPERB!!!! 

It got high remarks from authors such as Patrick Rothfuss who said " I loved this book. What else is there to say?"

 and Orson Scott Card said "It's rare for a fiction writer to have much understanding of how leadership works and how love really takes root in the human heart. Sanderson is astonishingly wise."

He has a way of making his characters so real that you have to love them. Not to mention he writes from 4 characters perspectives which gives his books a unique insight, maybe that is why you get to love his characters so much.

His magic systems are mysterious yet incredible, his plot lines are deep and intense. He is not one of those writers that writes a first book, thinks its fun and then decides to write more. He plans his stories out so when he writes a trilogy they tie together perfectly, often there is a deeper story that runs all the way through all three stories. I'm probably not even doing the book justice, but just trust me. If you want a book that will have you constantly wanting more, this is the book for you.

  

Ok now that I got that out, now I am back to L.E. Modesitt. I read his "Imager" trilogy and it was pretty good. I think that this story is a little more interesting than his other series, but lets face it, I'm always going to compare every other writer to Brandon Sanderson. Blame Garett for having me start with his books. I've only just started this one and I do like it, but we shall see.
It is a world of Order Mages, Chaos Mages and Gray Mages. Different countries accept only one type of Mage or all of them. The country this book takes place in is of Order Mages and they believe Chaos and Gray Mages are evil. The main character, not yet a Mage is having troubles of being bored with order and though he understands it, he does not want to accept it, so he is being sent on a quest to find out where he belongs.

I think it will be good, but only time will tell. In the evenings when Garett and I have time to spare we play Mario Galaxy 2, which is SOOO much fun!!! It's definitely one of our favorites, and Just Dance 4 is good for my morning work outs. I am really NOT coordinated so it's good that no one else sees me. I probably look preetttty silly. 

 

I am trying to decide what I want to do with my hair. I like it short but then I can't do anything with it. I like it long but it can be so much work. Not to mention I don't have the patience to let my hair grow out. I hate the awkward stage of too long to look style it short-like, but not long enough to do anything with. Soooo if I can keep myself talked into it, I think I might be growing my hair out. We'll see. Anyone else have any of ideas I should try?

Finally we finished the first 4 seasons of "The Mentalist". We have some ideas of who Red John is. If you haven't been watching Season 5, go watch it....Mom......;D It's the greatest show ever! I think Simon Baker (who plays Patrick Jane) is pretty darn awesome.

And for cuteness sake, here are some pictures from the photo shoot for Nikolai's 1st birthday. Just enjoy the cuteness. I do all the time.

Well that is all for now. But you should watch this Superbowl Oreo commercial. It's awesome. Hope y'all have a good week! 

Dreaming of being in

Lord of the Rings

AWESOME

Megan B.

Truth Be Told and Other Happenings

I will be completely honest with you, this post is MOSTLY to dote on my ADORABLE nephew. So if you don't want to see about 15 pictures of the cutest little boy in the world, then skip down 2/3 of the page to the other stuff in this blog. For now enjoy some crazy cute pictures of Nikolai.

Part of why I am doing this is partially out of homesickness and partially because I keep having dreams about my dear sweet Nikolai and it makes me miss him.

Ok so for this picture below, I feel if you put glasses on him he would look like a baby version of that kid from Meet the Robinsons. Anyone else agree? Maybe I'm just crazy.

Modeling baby anyone?
(Plus his shirt is really cool ;D)

What you lookin' at?

This tamagotchi is so delicous.....

He found my camera.
He likes cameras.

I feel he is ready to give a BIG hug. =]

I think i said his name.

Turtle turtle.

Ooooo shinny...

=]

=]

He can stand so well =]

I am this tall.

In other news Garett and I had a lovely 11 hour drive from Utah to California. It should have been 9 1/2 hours but when we were an hour away from being home there was an accident on I-15 South & a brush fire on I-15 North in around the same area. Needless to say ALLLLLLLLLL lanes of traffic were shut down for probably 2 hours

Thankfully our WONDERFUL GPS found a detour for us so we could get home.

Now for random pictures from our trip:

This ride looks intense....

Vegas castle thing. It makes me think of legos...

The black pyramid

This road makes me laugh every time but also want to sleep.

As soon as I saw this sign I got excited and yelled "IT DOES EXIST!" 
(see video below)

Garett grew a beard.

Then shaved it into a goatee. 

 

Yeah it's gone now.

In other news I have been CRAVING to play Pikmin 2. Not sure why but I just really want to play it.
Maybe it's because Pikmin are kinda cute and Garett plays as Olimar on Super Smash Brothers Brawl. 



Anyway that is all for now. California is gorgeous and I am slowly learning my way around. I can now get to most all of the important stores in Glendora.

Ah Glendora, does anyone else think it sounds like a fairyland? (It might as well be, it really is gorgeous here!)

Once Upon A Time Season 2 starts tonight as well As The Mentalist Season 5! 

CAN'T WAIT!!!

Off to go get ready for church =]

Megan Bonds =D

Realizations

#1 Whenever Garett walks in the room my face lights up

#2 An evening of just watching Garett do homework is alright with me.
How much more attractive he looks when he is studying!

#3 Despite not having taken German in a year and a half, I still try to pronounce names the way Germans would.

#4 I should wear aqua all the time; it goes well with my eyes.

#5 Arizona Skillet IS my FAVORITE food. (This has been something of great debate these last 19 years).

#6 As old as Mario is, it is still a game that can entertain all ages for hours, even while just watching.

#7 I am going to California in April! Eeeeek! Though this will ruin my never-fail statement of saying "Never have I ever been to California" in the awesome game of "Never Have I Ever". Almost disheartening except that I get to go to California! =D

#8 I wear Garett's watch more than he does. He wears it over to wherever he is going and then takes it off, strange no?

#9 I actually kind of like sleeping with the window cracked at night. I blame Nikki for this. (Love you Nikki! <3)

#10 I have so many friends that are in relationships which means LOTS OF DOUBLE DATES!!! Now to make plans.....=D

I want bacon and syrup
Sweet and salty please!
-Meg

Some Pictures That Are Worth Thousands of Words

Or maybe just a few words. Like how this computer mouse is spazzing and annoying. =/

ANYWHO...

This is what my computer has looked like for the past 2 weeks...

Can you say Lie To Me? =D

And this is what Saturday nights are for:

Playin it old school!

But back to the day time:

I have 3 words for you:

LIE TO ME!!!!!

(I'm not addicted or anything...)

Then there are those moments when I think to myself

......


(Not a wonderful world you goof!) Only in North Carolina...

do we have geese crossing, deer crossing, squirrel crossing, opossum crossing, etc....

Is anyone else starting to think this is feeling more and more like a princess movie?

I'm just waiting for the birds, bunnies and chipmunks to burst into song ANY MINUTE NOW.

Speaking of Disney, remember The Sword and The Stone?

Bennett doesn't. But he does like to point his sword in the air. And leave the toilet seat up, like any other 3 year old.

Dude, tonight, I almost got beat by him at Mario Kart Wii.

He's 3.


I'll go to my little corner and sulk now....

On to some sweets that will PROBABLY make your mouth water...

Except the onion. That would make your eyes water....if it wasn't actually CAKE! =D

Man that cheese looks so good!

Anyone up for a Burger King run? RIGHT NOW! I'm driving!

Or we could have a jam session...

Anyone play the guitar? How about the ukulele?

Anyone? Anyone?

This last one, I just wanna package it up and take it home.

Too bad it looks TOO sweet to eat.

(Sorry about all these bad puns....I'm tired, can you tell?)

Finally some hats for the runway:

This is jenny featuring the Alaskan pilot hat.

That is secretly too small for her head or MY head.

Next we have

Some best friends that are bored at Target on a Saturday night =D

But for all those foreigners

The prim and proper English ladies hat, for those moments when you want to sip tea in the garden and eat bread and butter, for cake is rarely seen in the best houses nowadays.

Finally for those days where you don't want a tan but still want to be outside

The unbrella hat, keeping you pasty in the great outdoors, or while laying out by a pool.

Now for the giant sunglasses...JK

Now being so pasty, you're probably hungry and what should one eat while rocking video games and pastiness at 3 in the morning?

Cookies, cheese & crackers, and chocolate milk.

The perfect night time snack.

Thank you and goodnight.

=]

Chocolate milk
make life
better
Meg