New Word...Blicky.

Okay, so even though some people have a tendency to be made fun of for creating new words, I have decided to share mine. Blicky. So it may not be new and it may not even be that creative, but when it comes down to it, my mood today is down right blicky...blah and icky.

So anyway...this is about the third time I am re-writing today's blog. The words just don't seem to want to come out on to the paper the way I want them to. Oh well, c'est la vie. Perhaps, if I had into a different direction, I might find that my end result is a little more satisfactory than the last two attempts.

Anyway, I was pondering life today and thinking about all I have in my life. It's nice to wake up in the morning and know I have a job to go to, (even though I would rather be rich with nothing to do, but write stories all day...lol! But hey it pays the bills). I am also happy to know that my parents, family, friends and pets are all in one piece, safe and sound right where they belong.

I have always been one who appreciates the little things and the simple things, but I guess sometimes life becomes so overwhelming that I forget how much the little things mean. I'm not saying anything I listed above is little or simple, but they're sometimes things I think I mentally take advantage of. I assume that each one of the above is always going to be there.

So my point is this...don't forget to stop and enjoy life. I often forget to do that, but I think I need to make a mental note to remember to do so.

Let's see if it lasts.

Sorry this isn't the greatest blog I have ever done, but today it will have to suffice.

COMICON 2008! Part 1!!!

Well it’s been a week and a day since my favorite day at Comicon and my blog seems to be highly anticipated, at least by one regular reader. Lol! Anyway, before I go on, there is just one thing I really have to say, 2009…ALL FOUR DAYS BABY! Okay, phew, got that out of my system. As a rookie to "The Con" as it is called by regulars, I must admit I was a little caught off guard and almost completely unprepared for my first day at the Major Con of all Comic Conventions. I truly had no idea what to expect and I had no idea it would be so overwhelming either. Overwhelming in a good way of course…

Now, I have seen pics that a friend of mine has taken (he has been going about 12 years ago). I have even seen pics that my cousin took, as well as YouTube video, but nothing quite prepares you for what you see in person…Now, sit back and relax, because this is going to be a long one kids.

Thursday morning started like almost any morning. I rolled out of bed around 6am, did the usual morning stuff, then my mom took me to the Trolley Station. I crossed the tracks and waited several minutes until there it came, with an 11x17 poster of the Comicon "Eye-con" in the window…the Bright Red Chariot that would take me one step closer to my day of awe. I noticed one of the trains was painted black and immediately realized it was a Trolley Car sized advertisement for "The Spirit", Gabriel Macht’s new movie opening on Christmas day. Of course, since it is GM’s movie, I hopped on THAT car, it also didn’t hurt that the door literally stopped right in front of me. A true sign that it was meant for me to ride in it.

Almost immediately, as I stepped on to the "train", I noticed some teens dressed for Comicon. By the looks of their outfits and their plastic machine guns (probably an AK-47 style), I immediately assumed that they were dressed for Terminator Salvation with Christian Bale portraying a now thirty-something John Connor. That movie will be released on May 22, 2009. Well as you would have guessed, near them is where I sat. The ride seemed fairly short to me, which surprised me, because I figured my anticipation would make it seem like an eternity.
When we reached the Imperial/Market St station, or the hub of sorts, I debated getting off the train with the other Comicon attendees, who had obviously done this before. I looked at the walk to the Convention center and decided my lazy booty was staying on for another 10 minutes. The ride through downtown was nice and it was interesting to see how much it really had changed…for the better. I didn’t regret it one bit, staying on that is, and I enjoyed it more when I was dropped off right in front of the convention center, as opposed to walking for three blocks. *I know, I know…Lazy Girl*.

When I got to the convention center around 8:15 in the morning, I was amazed to see all the people that were already there. I worried that picking up my badge for the day was going to be an ordeal, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that they were so organized. Hall A was used for the Volunteer Check-In, Hall B for the Disabled Check-In and Hall C was used for Autograph sessions, Regular people check-in and where we grabbed our goodie bags. Within the goodie bags was an Upper Deck Badge Holder, well the thing you put around your neck, an Event guide for the weekend, a Souvenir event book, a small mad comic, a deck of cards for a game I can’t remember off the top of my head, another advertisement shaped like a comic and I would even go as far as saying the bag itself. I was also very happy that I was able to check-in for Friday at the same time. WOOO!

Anyway, I thanked the girl for my free "presents" and made my way into one convention hall trying, I think it was Hall D, trying to figure out where the heck I go to get to Hall H. Once I got to Hall H, I proceeded to the end of the line which went around behind the convention center! It was a long one, but I was in the shade and there was a nice breeze blowing in from Coronado Bay. I probably waited for about half an hour watching everything from G.I. Joe Cobra’s to Star Wars Storm Troopers walk by. Every so often I could hear the young teenager, who came with her dad, shouting "TWILIGHTER!" to fellow fans of the Stephanie Meyer books. It became clear later that more than half of the people currently in line, which was growing steadily behind me, were there for the Twilight Panel, but I’ll cover that subject later. The line moved pretty quickly and it was well supervised, so people can’t just cut in. It took me about half an hour to get into the actual building, every step adding to my excitement about what was to come. I took a picture or two, but nothing to be excited about. I was still a little overwhelmed for having done so much and it was only 9’ish am.

Once I got into the building that would seat 6,500 people, I was handed the last of the "Swag" I would be receiving while at Comicon. A self/reality proclaimed novice to the convention, I missed out on a A LOT of freebies, or swag, because some of the stuff is pretty awesome! Anyway, I received a shirt that sad "Klaatu Barada Nikto" it’s the famous words from the Day the Earth Stood Still. Klaatu is the Alien Humanoid, played in the remake by none other than Keanu Reeves…there is a lot of debate as to what the saying means, but after some research, I found out that in Russian Nikto means no one/nobody. Since the original is a cold war era movie, the Russian reference makes perfect sense, if in fact that is what it means. Upon looking up Barada, I found that it is a River in Damascus that in the last several decades has begun to run dry. Either way, it sounds cool when you put it all together, so who really cares what it means. ;p I found a seat that was no where as close as I wanted to be, but sacrificed 10 rows, so I could see the brand new HD projection screens better. I still had a good view of Keanu, so I was happy to say the least.

The panels started late, as the black drapes that cover the metal walls of the convention hall in the back, suddenly decided to collapse. It was a strange sound and when people caught the view of the rippling affect along the back wall, they all seemed to whip out their camera’s and snap away like amateur paparazzi. Yes, I held back. My camera and I waited for something real to snap. Lol! Again though, to each their own. Memories come in all different forms. What I didn’t know, is that somewhere near those back drapes was my friend Sean who has moved back to SoCal. I didn’t get a chance to see him all weekend, but I am sure I will see him soon. It took another half an hour before the show could go on, but I understand completely…safety first. The event staff had to check all of the curtains on the side wall and stage, after all we don’t want bystanders or the panelists to get hurt right? Right. Around 11:45, the show FINALLY started and I about lost my breath when the lights went down and a voice appeared out of nowhere…

T-Minus 1 Day!

Well 24 hours from now I will have had my first in person glimpse of Keanu Reeves. That will make my day start out right AND then I will be left with the anticipation of seeing Gerry Butler and the RocknRolla cast later that day. It will be cool to see Guy Ritchie in person too, since I am a fan of some of his movies. I finally have a plan of attack for tomorrow. I am going to get there as early as I possible for me, since I am not an early riser unless I am working. I am begging God and the Universe that there will be a short line when I get to the convention center tomorrow to pick up my badge. Hopefully all the purists of the old sci-fi movies WILL NOT be there to see the symposium for 'The Day the Earth Stood Still'. On the brightside, I finally convinced my mom that I am no longer Super Mouth and that I will mind my P's and Q's with whatever potentially "dangerous" types might board the trolley on my way back to Rancho San Diego (Spring Valley area). Sad as it is to say, I will have to go through some "rough" neighborhoods on my way to the Convention Center in Downtown. Basically my parents live in what I call a Suburb of San Diego County. The Super Mouth story is a whole other story and if you ask, I will tell you.

I am getting excited, so once again today, sleeping was not easy and concentrating at work is tough. I do think it is cute that all of my friends are making requests...Diane wants me to let Keanu Reeves know that she is a fan. My friend Megan wants an autograph of Gabriel Macht, my GB girls want pics (and of course I will try to get something from Gerry for Sami) and lastly my friend Heidi wants me to go up to Grant of Ghost Hunters fame and say "what the frig?" Which is our favorite saying of his. Gabriel Macht and Ghost Hunters are appearing at the same time, soooo, that might be difficult. I have been a fan of GM for seven years, so I am probably going to go that route. If am lucky I will see Jay and Grant though, because it would be cool to say "hey" to them and let them know their show Rocks...the international one too, with a whole set of different ghost hunters, from the original show's fame. To all with requests, i will do my best. I realize that nothing is guaranteed at these events and the site made sure to let everyone know this. I am hoping hoping hoping. =) I am also praying for nerves of steele to complete the requests.

Well I think that is it for now.

A friend of mine at work got laid off yesterday, so this adventure will hopefully cheer me up. With the housing market being in a crisis and pretty much all of our jobs on the line, it does get a little scary. This will be a nice break from it all and a welcomed one at that.

Here's to a new adventure AND new opportunities!

Until tomorrow...maybe...this is me signing off!

T-Minus 2 Days to Comicon...

Okay...it's completely safe to say that as Thursday approaches my excitement grows. I am a little wary about the convention itself, as I am certainly not a crowd person, but knowing ahead of time what to expect, I think I will be okay. It's killing time that I think will kill me the most, but on the other hand, maybe not. Who knows...I won't until I get there, but I figure just fly by the seat of your pants and all will be fine....right? If nothing else, myself and "Ollie" (the name I gave my Olympus SLR) will be happily taking pictures of the event and all of its guests, so that should make for an interesting day as well. I love to people watch, so this should be a good experience.

Here's hoping I get some sleep tonight...! WOOOO!

Just for kicks, I included a Youtube.com acquired video of Gerard Butler and David Wenham from Comicon 2006...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCXxnL8DuX8 Enjoy!

T-Minus 3 days....

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Okay, so I am going mildly crazy and stirring about like a kid waiting for Santa Claus. In just three days, I will be attending Comicon...apparently the granddaddy of all comic book conventions, in my beloved hometown of San Diego. WOOO! Okay, so that said, my anticipation is crazy insane. I truly don't know what to expect, but I am excited about the possibility of the being able to see some of my long time faves as they talk about their movies in "panel" style.

I have already been mildly schooled by one of my best pals Sean, who is a Comicon veteran and attendee of all the events since they began. He has told me what to expect and basically how maneuver and plan for things. I know once I have my badge, it is over to Hall H to see Keanu Reeves and cast as they talk about his and Jennifer Connelly's new movie, "The Day the Earth Stood Still." I've seen the previews and it doesn't look like your parents version. Next, I will bide my time and wait and wait until the opposite end of the convention time spectrum, to the last panel, which will be Warner Bros as they feature Rocknrolla featuring another fave, Gerard Butler. I haven't seen the previews on the big screen for this, but I am sure will be good, after all GB is in it.

Since I have a place to stay (my parents digs in East County San Diego), I will be taking the trolley to the convention center to save myself the agony of finding parking and the agony of traffic afterwards. Of course when day 1 is over, I am sooo going to feel like the nerd that I am (truly!) when I call my mom to pick me up. Go ahead, it's okay to laugh. She and my dad know that I am a superhero on the Trolley, but without armor, it can get hairy at night, so I will take my chances with being picked up by mama instead.

Day 2 should be fun as well. Having been able to explore the convention floor the day before, between KR and GB, I will probably head do whatever and then go and line up around 10:30-11:00a for the Frank Miller presentation panel of "The Spirit". Now I have been a Gabriel Macht fan about a day longer than a Gerry Butler fan, so after all these years, it will be cool to see him in person too. =) My only dilemma is that I also watch the show Ghost Hunters and Jay and Grant will be doing something around the same time in a much smaller and more than likely completely packed room. Decisions decisions...awww, if only they could all be that good.

Any who, I will try to blog about it here and possibly on myspace, since i don't blog enough here for anyone to really check it a lot. Wish me luck on seeing everyone. My only disappointment is that the cast of Terminator Salvation will be there Saturday and I couldn't get a pass for that day, which means no Christian Bale. Guess I will have to wait for the next batman....

Life

I am sitting here trying to work, but realizing I just can't get my mind off of Gladys. Monday the ventilator was removed and she is currently breathing on her own, which is great! I keep waiting for her to sit up and tell us "Slainte" which is gaelic for cheers, or "go to hell and get me out of this stupid hospital", but the likelihood of either happening is slim to none.

Her brainwaves tested normal with her first EEG, but the doctor told us, that monitors brain activity, not necessarily brain function. If that makes any sense. I guess in layman's terms (did I spell that right?), he is saying that brain activity doesn't necessarily mean that it will function like it did before she fell and of course the second EEG came back abnormal, which is worse news and brings me to my thought.

The week before Gladys fell, I remember telling her I would see her in two weeks (my dad's colon cancer surgery was that coming Thursday). I had no idea that when I returned from San Diego, I would be rushing to the ER that night. It was so strange...one minute everything is okay and the next...well, you're fighting for your life. Gladys is like family to me, so the pain runs deep, like it would with anyone you are close to.

This whole thing got me thinking though. It reminded me that I don't live life enough, that I don't experience enough and that I don't pursue my dreams at a rapid pace like I should...instead it's like a window seat on a bus or a train and I am just watching as the scenery or in my case, my life, passes me by.

I know Gladys is 87, but she is a strong 87 and so this was something we were all sure she would come out of. In those 87 years though, she saw the world, married two great men (peppi died in 1979 of cancer...she met Laura's dad a number of years later and they married in 1989 (?)), worked for another great man, was involved in the LASPCA, The French Foundation, the West (?) Food Bank, etc. She kept busy and she made everyday count.

I know now that I need to do the same. I am still hoping that she wakes up and tells us all to get her the hell out of that hospital, but in the mean time I will be making plans to do things I believe in and want to be a part of.

Remember, be a part of the scenery, not the one watching it go by...

Gladys is the one in the middle of Laura (in red) and Aunt Jackie (white hair). Christmas 2007

Native American Suicide Rate is too high

Below is an article from Indian Country...it's pretty sad. There has to be something we can all do??




Suicide and our youth
by: Carol Berry
© Indian Country Today March 31, 2008. All Rights Reserved

Denver March meeting focused on ways to reverse the numbers DENVER - Suicide is a major cause of death among American Indian youth and it occurs in the Native population at a rate of one and a half to three times higher than among any other Americans, the acting director of the IHS said March 19. In fact, the American Indian suicide rate ''may be the highest suicide rate in the world,'' Robert G. McSwain said in an address to regional tribal health providers. His presentation was part of the Department of Health and Human Services 2008 Tribal Consultation for tribal nations in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, North and South Dakota and Montana. Approximately 100 state and tribal officials attended the meeting. Suicide prevention and mental health issues were discussed in a context of better outcomes among some tribes, but also in light of two recent suicides said to have occurred in mid-March on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. A DHHS team has been formed to go to reservations where suicides have occurred, along with other measures to ''address the alarming problem we are facing,'' McSwain said. Related mental health issues can stem from early abuse, he said, advising parents and other caretakers of children to ''start early, keep them healthy, and protect them.'' Half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin before age 14 and three-fourths before age 24, he said. Methamphetamine abuse in Indian country remains widespread, and it takes an average of two years to recover from meth addiction, he said. ''Congress has heard you,'' he told tribal leaders, referring to $14 million added to the 2008 IHS budget for suicide and methamphetamine abuse prevention. At the same time, however, a key program of the DHHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is ending. The Circles of Care program - the only SAMHSA program with funds allotted specifically for Natives - was not funded for 2009, although tribes asked for the program to continue, said Estelle Bowman, SAMHSA senior adviser for tribal affairs. Only 23 of the 562 federally recognized tribal nations have benefited from Circles of Care, which includes substance abuse and mental health components, she said. Alcohol abuse may actually be a greater problem than methamphetamine abuse and it should be targeted, even though it may be more acceptable among Native people, she said. In addition to the Circles of Care funding loss, under President Bush's proposed 2009 budget, $11 million would be cut from behavioral health/substance abuse funds. McSwain said better statistics are needed on suicide and methamphetamine abuse in Indian country because at present, data are not firm but are believed to be ''on the low side.'' He noted decreases in the Bush administration's proposal for 2009 that include cuts of $35 million in urban health programs, $21 million for health facilities construction and $14 million for health professionals, in addition to the $11 million reduction for substance abuse prevention/behavioral health programs. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and other members of Congress have sought additional funds for Indian health care so that the admonition ''Don't get sick after June'' (when annual IHS funds have been exhausted, in the past) will no longer apply, he said. Bush's proposed budget would zero out funding for urban Indian health programs for the third time - moves that have been thwarted in the past when Congress restored the funding. Urban Indian health centers and other programs would be safeguarded with the reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, which has cleared the Senate by a large majority, he said. Bowman noted that her agency is required to provide block grants to states, and that the remaining grants are very competitive so that tribes may need help in applying for them. An area of controversy is that statistics from Indian country that may include mental health and substance abuse rates are used in state formulas for SAMHSA funding applications, she said. She advocated the application of traditional cultural property rights for traditional ceremonies that may be incorporated into IHS-offered services. Traditional medicine as an option was also cited by McSwain, who said behavioral health approaches ''will need to encompass our traditions and healing practices.'' Gary Collins, a former chairman of the Northern Arapaho Tribe, said that traditional healing methods should be certified so that practitioners could provide services in their areas of expertise. In addition to substance abuse/behavioral health issues, state and tribal officials from the six-state region discussed needs for IHS/Medicaid coordination, diabetes prevention and treatment, health disparities, emergency preparedness, and general access to comprehensive, affordable health care.