I had the opportunity of going to the Gene Siskel Film Center at the Art Institute in Chicago this past weekend to see a movie as part of their Asian American Showcase 2009.  I enjoy a good Independent Film, and I saw a great one: Karma Calling.  The director and cast members were there to answer questions after the movie.  It was quite amazing.

It took them three years to make and complete this film.  The director advised us to blog, Twitter, or Facebook about the movie if we loved it.  I'm doing just that.  It was an AMAZING movie, and I really do appreciate the process of a filmmaker just wanting to get their work out there.  The film will be shown at Cannes later this year, and there are showings around the U.S.  Go to the website if you're interested and get out there and see it!  I would recommend it to anyone.  :)

Pimping done for today...  Back to schoolwork and such.

Well, now, it's officially online!  :D

Go to the library page here to see the official version.  I don't think it's as good as mine, but it will do.  ;)

Also, I'm going to get some of those Alphabet Drabbles done today if nothing else.  That's what happens when it snows a few inches in April; I don't really want to go outside.  :/

Have a Happy Monday, everyone! 

So, the Best Friend works at the library here at uni. She needed some of our friends to pose for a READ Campaign poster that they're going to be putting up all around the campus. I'm sure you've seen these posters. They were all around our grade schools and such. Anyway, we decided to take the picture today, and here's the result:
( Clicky for silly motivational poster )

Yes, we're silly, but, oh well.  I guess it's for a good cause...

This past Saturday I went to Chicago Tardis!  It was probably one of the most amazing experiences ever.  The con was local, so it wasn't a hard decision to want to go.  There's so much I'm afraid I'm going to forget, so I thought it best to type it all out here.  I'm sure those of you who weren't able to attend would like to hear about it anyway.  Here it goes...

Saturday Morning

I got up at about 7 a.m. to get ready.  I was supposed to meet mrsdrtennant</lj>  and her brother (Alex) at the mall near the hotel before hand so we could grab coffee or something.  We wanted to get there on time for registration, which started at 9 a.m.  I left the house at about 8:15.  It wasn't a bad drive, and we all were able to grab something to eat before we drove over to the hotel to register.  We got to the hotel around 9:30 and jumped in line to get our packets and name tags.  We also had to buy a ticket for Alex because he hadn't pre-registered. When we were done with registration, we asked one of the staff members where we would line up for Colin Baker photos that started at 10 a.m.  We also asked about purchasing Lis Sladen autographs and photos.  All of the staff were amazingly nice and had no problem answering the (many) questions we had.  After we'd figured out all of the technical stuff, it was off to get Colin Baker photos!

We were probably somewhere in the middle of the line for photos.  The premium members got to go first and then it was the one day or weekend attendees.  We talked about a lot of random things.  I can't even remember.  I do know we had a long discussion about how mrsdrtennant</lj> had made the Four scarf her brother was wearing, and how difficult it was.

( Waiting pics... )

When it was time to go into the room where Colin was doing photos, we had to show our cards to the door attendant (who was dressed as Jack Harkness and also incredibly nice) to check the event box off.  He would be a person we'd come to know at the con pretty well, and always had an interesting story to tell us.

What can I really say about Colin.  He was fantastic!  I'd put my name badge away and (stupidly) forgot to introduce myself to him when I walked up there.  He was lovely, though.  I tried to be upbeat and really nice and everything like I try to be when I'm meeting new people and I really don't know what else to do.  He was great and called me "honey" several times.  It was only when I left the room that I realized that I'd never formally introduced myself.  Oops.  Oh well, I'd do it when we had the autograph session. 

( Colin Baker and I )

Next we stood in line for the Lis Sladen pictures which were scheduled for 11 a.m.  We were pretty far up in the line having come straight from Colin's photos.  We talked with these two girls behind us who came to the con last year.  I dressed up as "Boom Town" Rose, and the one girl said she'd done this last year but didn't feel like dressing up for this one.  Her friend was dressed as Two and had also brought a Jaime costume to change into for the other half of the weekend. 

It seemed like so much happened when we were in this line!  First, Colin Baker walked out of the room to take a break, surprising all of us.  We didn't even notice him until he yelled out, "Oh look, here's a line!  Let me join it!"  By this time, the line had gotten so big that it stretched all the way down the hall almost into the lobby.  There were also several cosplayers that were in the line with us.  There's a group of people from Canada who I recognized from dw_cosplay</lj>  as well as YouTube that were in line right behind us.  Another couple came down the hallway dressed as the Doctor and Rose from "The Idiots Lantern".  They were spot on with their costumes and their impersonations.  It was amazing.  At one point, this little girl went up to them, bouncing up and down because she thought they were the real Doctor and Rose.  It was adorable!

( The awesome people in costume... )

At about 11:45 they told us that there had been a scheduling conflict and they had to move the Lis Sladen photos to 1:00.  This was an open time slot for us, so we really weren't bothered.  They told us to remember the order we were in and this was the order that we would line up in again at 1:00.  They also numbered our cards for organizational purposes.  We then wandered in to the Colin Baker autograph line because it was already filling up and it was nearly time for them to start letting us in anyway. 

We got talking to some more people in this line.  Again, it was about the knit scarf.  A guy across from us in the line asked us where we'd gotten it and mrsdrtennant</lj> explained that she'd knit it.  At this point, I left rt2788</lj>  a message to let him know how everything was going as he couldn't make it out.  :(  As we got into the doorway, we were again treated to a story by the door attendant who was trying to help us remember random facts from the show.  Then, we had our Colin autographs.  I got my program to the con signed.  Right before I stepped up to have my things signed the women helping run the photograph session were asking mrsdrtennant</lj> and I if we wanted to buy a professionally done photograph.  We both said we were poor college students.  Colin over heard this and yelled: "Give these girls some money!"  Then, to me, he said: "Oh, here, Mike (the guy in line in front of me) will give you some money."  Suddenly, it was my turn.  This is pretty much how are conversation went:

Me:  (Stepping in front of him):  Hi, I'm Taylor.  (I steadied my name tag in front of me in case he'd misheard or something.)
Colin:  You are Taylor, aren't you?
(I must have giggled or something at this point.  mrsdrtennant</lj>  was just DYING behind me because she LOVES Colin Baker.)
Me:  So, are you having fun.
Colin: I am now that you're here, Taylor.
(Again, more laughing from me and mrsdrtennant</lj> .  I also think there was more to our conversation here, but I can't remember.)
Me: Enjoy the rest of your time here.
Colin: You take care now.  Especially with those wonderful mittens.  (He was talking about my wrist warmers.  lol)

He then proceeded to tell mrsdrtennant</lj> about how she looked like his niece when she was 18.  It was hilarious!

Saturday Afternoon

It was nearing 1:00, and we were getting ready for Lis Sladen pictures (finally!).  We had to meet in a side room off the hallway that was being used to round people up or just line them up off to the side so there wasn't so many people just randomly standing around.  The group of Canadian cosplayers were already there and one of them who was dressed like the Doctor was playing with a remote control K9 and all these little kids were trying to disable it with their Sonic Screwdrivers and Lipsticks.  So cute.  It wasn't long until the photos started up.  It seemed to take forever, though, because of how excited I was.  I'm short and was trying to stand on my tip toes over people to just see her for the first time.  It was hilarious and sad.

When we got in there, we paid at the door for one photo with mrsdrtennant</lj> and I together.  I'm glad we did it this way.  I really didn't know what to say to Lis Sladen, but somehow the whole thing turned out amazingly.

Lis:  Oh so trendy.  (I must have said thank you.  I don't know.  lol)  I'm so cold, and now I have two girls to keep me warm. 
(I originally didn't sit too close or do anything because I wasn't sure what she wanted to do.  With some of the other people in the pictures, they weren't sitting close or anything.  Lis GRABBED us to her, and told mrsdrtennant to share the chair with her.  It was adorable!)
Lis:  Come here girls.  Snuggle, snuggle. 
(After picture.)
Lis:  That was the first time I've been warm the whole time here.
Me: (Reaching out to shake her hand.)  It was wonderful to meet you.
Lis: Oh you, too.  Cheers. 

Lis is so much more petite in person than I thought.  She was just adorable!  I have no more words than that.  :)

( Lis Sladen! )

It was now our first free period of the day.  It was about 1:30, and we decided to hit the dealer's room.  The Colin Baker panel was at 2:00, so we had to hurry a little.  I was also starting to think about getting a Lis Sladen autograph as well.  I'd probably need to hurry and get in line for that if I was going to do it.  On the way to the dealer's room, we got distracted and listened to a few minutes of the Big Finish panel complete with Nicholas Briggs.  I spent maybe 10 minutes in the dealer's room, bought a button, and told my companions that I'd meet them outside the ballroom when I was done with autographs.

( Nicholas Briggs... )

I was farther back in the line this time for autographs.  I did meet this wonderful girl, Carly, who drove up from New Orleans because they don't really have cons like Tardis down there.  She was incredibly nice, and it was interesting to just talk about random stuff with someone new.  I didn't get into the room with Lis until about 2:45.  It was worth the wait, though.  Again, our friend at the door had an interesting story to tell us.  Apparently, someone ran over to Target (which was right next to the hotel) to get Lis a smoothie.  I just thought that was random and funny.  When I stepped up to get my autograph, the guy in front of me asked her how she enjoyed her smoothie.  She said it gave her a brain freeze (she used another term that was a Britishism) and was more slushy than she thought.  It might not have been the best idea when she was cold she said.  She was involving several people around in the conversation, which made it seem way more casual, and I really liked that.  When I got up there, I wanted to say something better than I had last time...

Me:  Hi, I'm Taylor.  (Again, I steadied my name tag.)
Lis: Taylor?  (I shook my head.) Everyone has such lovely names here.
Me: I really love your coat.  (She had on this black and white checkered coat that was just amazingly cute.  I loved it.) 
Lis: (She looked surprised.)  This?  Oh I know, it's cold in here.  (Leans over to staff member next to her.) Isn't it cold?  (He said yes.)  Is it always this cold?  Because I know you call it the Windy City...
Me:  Yeah.  We have really cold winters and really hot summers. 
Lis:  Well, I remember being here a few years ago in the summer with my husband, and it was very hot.  (She was still also talking to the guy sitting next to her.)  I just hope it doesn't snow for my flight out.
Me:  I'm sure it won't.  It's still a little early.  (I was WRONG!  I lied to Lis Sladen.  Ooops...)
(Again, there was some more in here somewhere, but I can't remember it.)
Me:  I just wanted to say that I love all your work in Doctor Who, and I watch the Sarah Jane Adventures all the time.  (I stopped myself because I thought I sounded a little crazy...)
Lis: (At this point she started to sign my program and a picture I'd gotten of her with K-9.)  How old are you if I may ask, Taylor?
Me: 20. 
Lis:  Twenty?  Now, see, that just amazes me.  Isn't it amazing?  (Again to the guy next to her.)  It surprises me to see all the fans of different ages now.  All the young people!
Me: And I know my dad really enjoyed you in the old series. 
Lis:  Now, see that's what I mean.
(At some point I said goodbye to her and such.)

My companions were waiting outside for me.  It was about 3:10 at that point, so we decided to get some lunch at the mall...

Another post about the second half of the day coming tomorrow...  I'll have video then, too!

It's most definitely one of those days.  It's been...weird.  I just have no better way to describe it. 

I just found out one of my professors died...  It's strangely shocking and just eerie.  I'm not good with death and funerals and all that.  A few friends and I are planning on going to his wake tomorrow.  I feel like I need some closure with the whole situation.  I don't know...

Nice thoughts and prayers please if you can/would.  Thanks everyone.  <3

I know I should probably be insanely excited for the SPN premiere tonight, but, somehow, this just comes off as way more amazing to me:

New Mozart piece of music found in French library

Geeky much?  Why yes, yes I am...

This meme (lovingly) stolen from donna_c_punk:

lysanderpuck

I finally have a moment to breathe, sit down, and write!  Hurrah!

Life has suddenly gotten interesting lately in the most bizarre of ways...

I'm just getting over a touch of food poisoning, so I've had a lot of time to sit inside and think about moving into university for my sophomore year.  I feel so old.  lysanderpuck  and I were talking today about how much stuff we've had to pack up and such for the moving process.  She's overwhelmed, with good reason, and I just can't believe I'm going back already.  It's not just the going back that's going to be hard, either.  We've decided to move again, and I'll be moving the SAME WEEKEND that I'm moving back into university!  Sometimes I just shake my head at the universe's plans.

I want to give hugs to daisybalance  for her hilarious list of "Things With Which I'd Trust Sam Winchester" .  Go add to the list if you know you'd trust Sam Winchester with walking your dog, finding your keys, or returning a library book on time.  *gigglesnort*  - also - *End of junior high silliness*

Back to killing time with random DVDs and Food Network shows...

Coldplay tomorrow!  I was so lucky  to get tickets to Coldplay at the United Center here!  Hopefully I will have pics tomorrow!  :D

I also have a shiny new phone, which I will call CERTAIN people on so I can FINALLY talk to them.  lol  I still love you!  <3  

More info tomorrow!  I must go to sleep so I can get up for work bright and early.

Well, my plans to go to New York fell through. :( I really don't think this week could get much worse. I just can't get out of this slump, really.

Watching The Office is cheering me up a bit, but I really don't know what to do with myself at this point.