Friday Five

1. Who doesn't love a good cupcake?  I have to say that the best in Maryland (and outside of Maryland too, in my opinion) are from Kupcakes and Co. in Elkridge.  I'm usually partial to Elvis (Banana, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips - Yum!) but that wasn't the special today so I opted for Hot Chocolate which was chocolate with marshamallow icing.  I have a feeling it's a special just for winter which is a real shame because it's just become my favorite! I'll need at least another dozen before the season ends...Absolutely delicious!

2. As a Harry Potter Fan, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Disney World, has been on my radar for a while.  But I'm not a huge fan of Disney World in general (ridiculous I know) so I haven't really felt the need to get down there too quickly.  However, after the unveiling of the new plans for this summer, I'm super ready to hop on a plane.  The best part is, I'd only need a weekend to get it all done.  It's most definitely on the itinerary for next summer or spring.   I can't even imagine how they're planning to recreate Leicester Square in central Florida but I can't wait to see it!

3. You just have to love Brit award shows!  Their winners just seem so much more heartfelt in their speeches and well-spoken than ours ; )

          

          
4 & 5.  There have been 2 fairly ridiculous things that have made me laugh like a fool this week.  Neither should be as funny as I think they are, but I hope others at least get a giggle. The first is the list of the 30 Naughtiest Puppies. (Whoever created Dog Shaming should receive a substantial award.  I can't help but laugh every time I see those photos!)  And the second is the Bad Lip Reading of the NFL.  (I have no idea how in the world these people make these videos, but they are perfect on every level.)

Bigger, Better and in 3D

I was hoping to see TARDIS-es in Fezzes wearing converse pointing Sonic Screwdrivers, possibly eating jelly babies.  What I got wasn't Comic Con level of geekdom but it was still pretty cool nonetheless.  There were a few TARDIS-es, a great deal of bow ties and brainy specs, even some super long scarves.  It was, in a word, awesome!  

Going into the 3D screening of The Day of the Doctor, I wasn't sure what to expect.  I've seen all sorts of crazy fandom celebrating in all sorts of ways over the weekend, but Columbia MD, isn't really the sort of place that happens.  So I was cautiously optimistic that we wouldn't be the only ones in the theatre.  Turns out I needn't have worried.  The production was completely Sold Out and there were lines everywhere full of costumes and people cracking geeky jokes just waiting to see the film.

During the movie was even better.  Everyone gasped at the same time, and laughed at the same things and even hooted and hollered for the same reasons.  It was unlike any movie experience I've ever had before. Everyone in that theatre really wanted to be there and were filled with the exact same excitement as everyone else.  It was fun to be a part of that community for a short time.  It's much different than watching it on my own, on my couch.  It was brilliant and fantastic on Saturday but everything surrounding it this go around made it 10 times better.

This time around there were extras as well.  Strax doing the rules and regulations for the film watching experience was genius.  The joke in the Doctor's (or should I say Doctors'?) introduction was brilliant and pure Steven Moffat.  And the behind the scenes featurette narrated by yet another doctor was fun and the perfect ending to a perfect evening.  

All I have to say is they really need to make this birthday thing a yearly event.  We all celebrate ours yearly, the doctor should too, if only for our enjoyment!  

Wibbly-Wobbly Wonderful & Timey-Wimey Terrific!

If you've seen Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or pretty much any media this week, you've noticed that today is the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who.  As such the entire world got the chance to watch the special episode together.  You could say I was pretty excited about seeing it.  I've been waiting for months since they announced who would be coming back.  After all the previews that were released this week, I was sure it would be a bit of a letdown seeing as most of the episode had been released already.  

Well, I'm delighted to report that it was most definitely not a let down and will stand as the best hour and a half of television I've ever seen. I've been smiling from ear to ear since it went off and I'm not quite sure I breathed through the whole darn thing ; ) It was magical and fantastic and brilliant and perfect in every way!  And even with all the buzz surrounding it, they managed to jam pack it with surprises and easter eggs a plenty.  I'm amazed that these stayed hidden until today.  Here in America, if we ever would have attempted something so huge, these details would have been leaked weeks ago.  

The writing of the episode was spot on; weaving all sorts of funny little side comments with allusions to the past doctors.  The story was straight forward for a change and I therefore understood everything that was happening.  The acting as always was superb.  Seeing Matt Smith (who I've admittedly never been a big fan of as the doctor - He seems perfectly lovely in real life), interact with the Tenth Doctor was a dream come true. Adding John Hurt into the mix, which I thought would bring it down a bit, only added more spark and fun to Doctor-iness of it.  And the fact that they were able to bring so many of the old faces and some new (I almost fell off the sofa when Peter Capaldi's eyes showed up) was such a tribute to what started 50 years ago and the people that made it happen.  I'm sure the die hard fans surely appreciated the care that went into quite a fitting tribute to an utterly brilliant, unique and un-matchable character.

Bravo Doctor Who!  Everyone involved should be very proud of what they've accomplished!


 

Friday Five: Geeky Edition

In honor of the Geek National Holiday that is occurring in San Diego as we speak (aka ComicCon), this week's Friday Five is dedicated to all things nerdy.  Geek out!

1.  I'm slightly fond of UK's Sherlock and can't seem to get enough of this video.  Even if you have no idea what a Cumberbatch is, there is no way you won't at least giggle at his shenanigans.  Adorable!
  

2. This fairly amazing poster apparently inspired by Wil Wheaton and designed by the folks at Don't Forget to be Awesome.  I'm only certain of a few of the references (some geek I am!) but I love the design and the sentiment.

3. I'm not sure how or when I decided that Matt Smith was all kinds of adorable in a non-lovey dovey more bumbling 5 year old kind of way, but it was most definitely in the last few months.  Of course it's now that he decides to leave.  Let's hope that means we get at least a few more interviews at least half as adorable as this one.

4. As a one-time attendee, I agree with every point on this list.  In reference to point 21, I believe that's the exact spot I sat in for 3 hours waiting for the USA panels to start.  Best vantage point for costume watching if I do say so myself.

5. Also as someone who knows exactly what she's missing - the crazy, enchanting, celebratory, geek-love nerd fest - this list is pretty accurate as well. 

 Happy ComicCon Week!

Warning: Geek Out!

I read a lot of British newspapers and watch a lot of British television, so if you don't know anything about what I'm about to say, I'm not surprised since no normal person really cares.  But it was announced last week that Matt Smith (aka the 11th Doctor) would be regenerating at Christmas of this year.  As a fan of Doctor Who, it's always fun to guess who the next doctor will be though I'm sure that fans of 11 are heartbroken over his decision to leave. 

I must say that I've never really been a fan.  All of his episodes are too dark and (to be honest) a little too confusing for me to wrap my non-time-traveler-y brain around.  However, in the past few days, as I've seen more and more online, I must admit that I will  be missing him as well. I catch myself quoting him a bit which is just slightly freaky...not to mention useless since no one I really care about knows what the heck I'm quoting.

But the best part of this new regeneration is all the speculation of who's next.  Who will be the 12th doctor?  I've seen arguments on whether or not they can bring back 10 (which I'd be all for however, I'm just not thinking it's going to happen) or turn one of the companions into 12.  They've even gone philosophical in their debates, trying to decide if the doctor can be a woman or should he continue to be white.  I'm not sure what the best answer would be, though I know he's (or she's I suppose) going to have some very large trainers and a bow tie to fill coming after David Tennant and Matt Smith.  But just for fun, and since every other Who fan is throwing their 2 cents in, my choices are below:

If it's going to be a girl - Miranda Hart (mostly because I find her hilarious!)

 

Rupert Grint (then he'd finally be ginger)

 



Geek Confession

The BBC released this little video today and I think I'm in love.  I've never been a fan of Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor (sacreligous, I know, since everyone else is in love with him!) but if he continues to be as adorable as he is in this video, he just might win me over.

Happy Saturday!