Adventure Time: Sister Tries Sushi

Have you ever been so excited to share a new experience with someone but also feared their potential hatred for said experience? Welp, I feel like ever sushi lover has felt that when convincing someone skeptical to try it out.

Years ago we would go to sushi places with friends and I kid you not, she would bring a tupperware of chicken and just order a miso soup. I of course would try to coax her with the fact that i really don't like seafood and sushi doesn't taste like other fish.

Turns out she really likes it. Yay!

But that's not all we did that day. She was officially our first overnight guest in the new apartment. We had a busy night planned helping a friend in Greenwich film his music video. Before we headed over I had errands to run and I was itching to check out the farmer's market up the road. It was super cute; I'm pretty excited to have one so close by!

It's on the smaller side, but it had all the essentials and was very affordable. I had already done enough grocery shopping for the week, but I wanted to see what was there since i never really been to a farmer's market.

What was really great is that it's right next to the community garden. The gate was closed but at some point I definitely want to find out more about it and see if I can participate.

Lastly, the Sugar bakery truck was there! They won  Cupcake Wars on the Food Network. I can taste why. I got a chocolate salted caramel cupcake and my sister got a peanut butter snickers cupcake. She wasn't as impressed but she also doesn't care for sweets. Let me tell you, these little things are heaven.

TTFN

ComiConn 2014!

For my first comic convention, it was super fun! It was definitely overwhelming, though. So much to see! I didn't know anyone that was talking at the panels or performing except AKIRA, who put on an awesome show.

AKIRA is an electro-pop/EDM artist who just released his first single "Zero" in iTunes. I was so happy I got to see him perform! He did a cover of Gaga's "Venus" that was fitting for the venue; my favorite original song of his would have to be "Gravity" Check it out if you get a chance!

So I mostly walked around aimlessly with my friends and sister. We must have made at least four complete laps around the place and saw something new each time. The best part was taking pictures with fellow cosplayers ^_^

My sister went as Storm and it was boss. She made a belt and and rocked white hair and pleather and the whole bit. We found a Rogue.

 I basically flipped when I found a Leelo.

And Toph

And Bathrobe Gandalf.

AND FRICKEN MR.T

But what took the cake was this one right here. She cosplayed the cat from the Cat Returns!!! WHAT! We were the only Studio Ghibli cosplays. Her's was definitely a bit more obscure but it's my favorite film on the box set and she pulled it off so expertly! Definitely made my day.

As for my purchases, Sister and I bought my dad a Star Trek tie clip, and I got my big bro Deadpool and Wolverine shot glasses. I got myself a whole bunch of pins and a manga.

I am super stoked to go to my next comicon whenever that will be. Here's a baby Yoda caressing a live R2D2 to end this post.

TTFN!

Totoro Cosplay

Lately my outfits for halloween/cosplay have been furry creatures (Jake, Cheshire Cat, and now Totoro) and with all of them I turn regular outfits in their color into my costume. It typically involves thrift store finds, markers, sewing ears and a tail, and a little (or a lot) of makeup. Either way it's always fun. The best part is most of the costumes can be worn as part of a regular outfit!

For this particular one, I sewed a tail and ears, then pinned the tail to the back of my cardigan and used wire to attach the ears to the head band and hold them up. Add a few boomerangs to a cream colored tank top and BOOM! I became Totoro.

It was super great to connect with those who also were Miyazaki fans. And if they didn't understand who I was, they were all "nice cat costume!" and I promptly turned away as they did not deserve my attention. JK! I just said thanks; trying to describe who Totoro is was too much effort. More details on my first comicon to follow!

TTFN!

Alt Groove Recap: 9.26.12

T O P I C S :

• EASTER ISLAND HEADS HAVE BODIES. Seriously, how did we not know this? or am I the only one?
• Rosa Parks did more than just sit! I think we all knew this, but I don't think we all knew just how much she did for the civil rights movement. Daniel McGuire wrote a fascinating book that I can't wait to read titled At the Dark End of the Street. She was actually a detective figure for rape cases :O
• The first male to attend a famous nanny college.
• Buy a ring for $2,499, get a free rifle.
• There's a cat named Skinny whose 41 lbs and up for adoption in Texas

E V E N T S :

• Stay in the Dark: Art show at SCSU in Earl Hall, October 8th through the 12th
• Post-it Show: Art show at SCSU in Earl Hall, October 15th through the 19th
• Durham Fair! September 27th through the 30th; my first time, can't wait!
• Lorraine Warren talkin' 'bout GHOSTS October 24th, 8pm at Lyman
• Vintage Steel: Show up at Fair Haven Furniture till January 11th

M U S I C :

SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

TTFN!<3

-Avé

Greek Odyssey Festival

FUN FACT: My fiancé is Greek! Every Labor Day weekend his church hosts a huge Greek Festival filled with food, vendors, dancing, and LOUKOUMADES! I look forward to it every year and I usually go two or three nights out of the four, since it's free parking and it's the only time of the year to get Greek food this good.

Here's a basic breakdown of what they have at the festival--this is just what's inside the church! Outside there's three food tents, two live bands, two dance areas, and seating scattered about. They have a couple of events too. Every day of the festival, the priest does a presentation on the iconography shown in the art in the sanctuary. This picture really doesn't do the beauty of the paintings justice. Also, every night they have a group of talented kids and teens dress up in traditional clothes and do traditional dances. Not gonna lie, their moves make me a bit jealous.

Although there's lots to enjoy at the festival, my main reason for going is loukoumades. What are they? Sweet delicious balls of fried honey dough with cinnamon sugar on top *drools* They make them fresh, so they're always hot. When you bite into them, sometimes they burst with honey. I seriously have to learn how to make these!

 If you're in the southern CT area around Labor Day weekend be sure to stop by the Greek Odyssey Festival. If for nothing else, the food! You'll definitely find me there next year (probably in line to get more loukoumades. or a gyro. or spanikopita. )

TTFN! <3
-Avé

Ok Go at Toad's Place, Live!

A few weeks ago, I went to see OK Go at Toad's Place. Needless to say it was flippin fantastic. I think OK Go is way underrated. Everyone knows them for their dance on treadmills and their upbeat pop indie sound. However there's more to them than that. In addition to their eclectic fashion sense, use of handbells and other coordinated dances, their lyrics are tight, witty, and maybe a little too smart for the average joe.

On stage, front man Damian Kulash exudes a flirtatious vibe--the guy every girl wants and every guy wants to be with lead vocals and guitar. Tim Nordwind plays those sweet bass lines and sings back up. He is, for obvious reasons, my personal favorite. I can't help but feel bad for Andy Ross. He seems to hide behind the spot light, but offers the most (I think) musical talent holding down guitar

and keys, in addition to any other random instrument the song calls for. And last but certainly not least, Dan Konopka droppin' beats on drums. OK Go couldn't be the same without him, haha. They played a bunch of their old favorites from Oh No and Ok Go, in addition to a few new tunes to be expected out on their latest album in the near future.

One of the opening bands has become my new favorite. Oppenheimer came straight from Belfast, Ireland. This two man band uses everything they got to give an awesome, loud performance. They certainly know how to entertain a crowd, especially with their airhorn solos and infectious electronica beats. Their music is influenced by artists like My Bloody Valentine, Dr. Robert Moog, and Stereolab. Rocky O'Reilly plays the keys, percussion, guitar, and mac (all in one song

too) while Shaun Robinson handles the drums and vocals during a live set and joins Rocky on keys and guitar in the studio. My friends and I got to talk to Rocky after the show. They had full blown Irish accents and were really nice guys (I love accents). They'll be returning to Toad's Place in April. Hopefully I'll be able to check that out.


After Oppenheimer, Longwave drowned the crowd with a loud wave of guitar goodness. However, not only did they drown the audience, but the vocals as well. Couldn't hear a thing they were singing. Their sound reminded me of Mutemath, so I was instantly intrigued enough to find their myspace. They could have been so much better live if you could hear the singer. At least Ned was entertaining :) (inside joke, don't worry about it.)

All in all, great experience. I will definitely go to see OK Go in concert next time they come around.


check out their sites:
OK Go
Oppenheimer
Longwave